BUDDHISM HELPS TO UNDERSTAND LIFE
Buddhism is a most virtuous and profound doctrine expounded by Lord Buddha to all living beings in the universe. This sublime teaching which he directed during his lifetime still exists in its purity.
Buddhism helps to understand life and the universe. It is difficult to understand but can be understood by the wise (Pachchattha Veditabbo).
Although Lord Buddha has passed away without written records of his sublime teachings, his disciples preserved them in memory and transmitted orally from generation to generation. This doctrine is certainly to be studied, more to be practised and above all to be realized by oneself without practice. It is useless to merely lear n this profound doctrine. Lord Buddha is one who fully comprehended the truth of life and the universe and acquired perfect Wisdom. The principle of Buddhism enables to break through all superstitions and delusions.
After a great struggle of six strenuous years Ascetic Gotama unaided by any supernatural power, relying on his wisdom eradicated all defilements attained Buddhahood about two thousand and six hundred years ago.
The first sermon of Lord Buddha is Dhamma Chakka Pawatthana Suttha. After attaining Enlightenment, he preached this sermon to Pancha Vaggiya Bhikkhus at the Deer Park in Isipathana near Benares. This sermon includes the philosophy of Lord Buddha. In it he preached that there are two extremes which should be avoided. Addiction of self mortification (attha kilamathanu Yogaya) and attachment to sensual pleasures (Kamasukalyanu Yogaya) are the two extremes. Avoiding these two extremes one should follow the middle path to attain nibbana. This includes the four Noble truths and the Noble Eight fold path.
During the early period of the renunciation of ascetic Gotama, there were some distinguished ascetic in India who was seeking the truth of life and universe.
Niganta Natha Puttha, Sanjaya Belatti Puttha, Pakuda Kachchayana, Makkhali Ghosala are some of the leading ascetics who wandered in searching the truth. The prominent figure among them was Niganta Natha Puttha. He also preached about the five precepts. But his teaching about these were impracticable as he was attached only to self mortification (Attha kilamathanu Yogaya) even the ascetic Gotama first learned the teachings of the ascetics Alarakalama and Uddakarama Puttha. But he was not satisfied with their teachings which only led to a high degree of mental concentration and did not lead to detachment cessation of suffering enlightenment and Nibbana, he realized that there was non capable to teach him what he was seeking, the highest truth. So he was compelled to think for himself. He sought and Thought and at last discovered the truth.
Lord Buddha knew everything that ought to be known and he gained the key to all knowledge which he acquired by his own methods. So he is called the omniscient.
Lord Buddha taught us only that which was necessary for deliverance/ on one occasion when he was going through a forest to took a handful of leaves and said to his monks “what I have taught you is comparable to the leaves in my hand and what I have not taught you is comparable to the leaves in the forest”. Lord Buddha preached his doctrine daily to the monks and to the laity and also he preached to the gods and other invisible beings.
Lord Buddha was the first most active missionary in the world. He wandered from place to place for forty five years preaching his doctrine to the masses. Till his last moment he served humanity both by example and precept.
Lord Buddha very wisely tired hard to eradicate the social evils that prevailed in India. He protested against the caste system which was a hindrance for the progress of mankind.
In his opinion he preached,
Najaccha wasalo hoti
Najaccha hoti Brahmano
Kammana wasalo hoti
Kammana hoti brahmano
This means
By birth is not outcast
By birth is not a Brahmin
By deed is one an outcast
By deed is one a Brahmin
According to the Buddha Caste and creed does not prevent one from becoming a Buddhist or entering the Sasana.
Scavengers, fishermen, courtesans, warriors and Brahmins were admitted to the Sasana and they enjoyed some privileges, for example Sunita the scavenger was admitted to the Sasana and they enjoyed the same privileges. For example, Sunita the scavenger was admitted to the order. The courtesan Ambapali entered the Sasana and attained Arahathship.
Sati the son of a fisherman Subha daughter of a smith, Punna a slave girl Chapa a daughter of a deer stalker were admitted to the Sasana. So we see the gates of Buddhism were wide open to all without any distinction.
It was Lord Buddha who attempted to abolish slavery for the first time in the history of the world.
The Buddha raised the status of women kind and gave them importance to the society. Buddha did not humiliate them but regarded them as weak by nature. The Pali term for woman is Matugama which means mother folk. In Buddhism women hold an important and honorable place. At first Buddha refused to admit women into the Sasana. Later his foster mother Prajapathi Gotami was allowed to enter the order with five hundred women to – the order of nuns. So Khema and Uthpalawanna became the two chief disciples in the order of Bhikkunis.
Not only for the mankind, Lord Buddha was compassionate for the animals and it was Buddha who banned the animal sacrifice and he extended his kindness (Maitri) to all living beings.
Lord Buddha was a unique being. He was a great of thinker, a most successful of refor mers and a most compassionate of religious teachers.
According to Buddhism Kamma means good and bad thinking (Kusala and Akusala Chetana). People accumulate Kamma by deed word and thought. The greatest sin or merit occurs by thought (Chetana) Lord Buddha had preached thus (Chethnahan Bhikkave Kamman Vadami). There are ten kinds of Kusala Kamma or meritorious actions. Generosity (Dana) Morality (Seela) Meditation (Bhavana) Reverence (Apachagana) Service (Veyyarachcha) Transference of Merit (Pattidana) Rejoining in others merit (Pattanumodana) Hearing the Doctrine (Dhammasawana) Expounding the Doctrine (Dhamma desana) Straightening of ones own views (Ditthijju Kamma)
There are ten evil actions (Akusala) Kamma) which are also caused by deed word and though, killing (Panatipatha), Stealing (Adinnadana), Unchastity (Kamamichchachara) are caused by deed. Lying (Musava- da), slandering (Pisunawacha) harsh speech (Parusawacha) and frivolous talk (Sampapralapa) are caused by word. Covetousness (Abbijja) ill will Vyapada) and false view (Michchaditthi) are caused by mind.
According to Buddhism the process of rebirth is fully explained in the Patichcha Samappada. It mentions thus.
Avijja (Ignorance), Sankara (Volitional Activities) Vinnana (consciousness) Nama Rupa (mind+matter) Salayatana (Six senses) Phassa (Contact) Vedana (Sensetions) Thanha (Craving), Attachment (Upadana) Kamma (Bhava) future birth (Jati) old age and death (Jara Marana)
Ignorance leads to birth and death. The complete cessation of ignorance leads to the cessation of birth and death. It is not enough to lear n the Patichcha Samuppada but one should realize it for the cessation of birth.
Nibbana is the ultimate goal of Buddhist philosophy. It is beyond the scope of logic. Nibbana is a guptamuudane state (Lokatthara Dhamma) to be realized only by wisdom. It is called Nibbana in that it is a departure from craving. As long as one is bound by craving or attachment one cannot attain Nibbana. The way to Nibbana is the Middle Path which avoids the two extremes self mortification and self indulgence the Middle Path consists of four Noble Truths (Chaturarya Sathya) and the Noble Eight Fold Path (Aryattandika Magga).
“Strive on with diligence” were the last words of the Buddha. No emancipation can be gained without striving. Lord Buddha indicated the path and it is left for us to follow the path to obtain our purification. Self exertion players are an important part in Buddhism.
“He who practises my teaching best reveres me most” is the advice of Lord Buddha. Yo Dhamman Passati, so man passati.