Download Buddhism in Day-to-Day Life

Buddhist Era 2547 Poson First Quarter - Sunday, June 08, 2003
Buddhism in Day-to-Day Life
by Late Ven Ariyawansa Nayaka Maha Thera
Buddhism is based on loving kindness, compassion and universal brotherhood and it can solve all the present day problems of this century. It is practical,
scientific and has no dogmas or superstitious beliefs. Lord Buddha did not use
the concept of God, external hell or heaven in which no student of science of the
modern age believes; Buddhism never makes use of fear and distorted views
regarding the natural phenomena in support of its theory. It does not ask for
blind faith or for unnecessary rites and rituals. It does not believe in self-torture,
the imposition of penalties or use of commandments to build its canopy. It uses
different ideas or materials such as, right understanding of the life, the world
and nature of the natural phenomena or cosmic order and the real characteristics of mind and matter, elements and energies, moral and spiritual development and discipline, mental training and purification, knowledge, wisdom and
enlightenment to erect its building.
Lord Buddha used certain materials used by other religionist at that time such
as Karma, action and reaction, rebirth and certain moral principles but not in the
same manner as in the old sense. He re-defined them in a rational, scientific and
psychological way. Thus we see that Buddhism is not a concoction of religions.
The Buddha did not collect materials from other religions or from here and
there to build up Buddhism. It had its own characteristics and identity. By realising that no other religious teacher had found the absolute truth and final salvation of man, He pointed out that others had developed only certain worldly
powers and could manage to attain certain stages of spiritual development
without complete purifications of the mind, free from all superstitious beliefs,
impurities, illusion, delusion, imagination, hallucination and ignorance.
The real meaning to the purpose of the word 'religion' can be understood only
when we study the way how the Buddha introduced this religious way of noble
life. It we were to utilise the word 'religion' to introduce the teachings of the
Buddha, we must also understand the different interpretations given to this
word by other religionists. Then anyone can understand why Buddhism is
needed while there are so many other religions.
The Buddha pointed out that for a man to be religious, he must lead a harmless, unblamable, respectable, decent, noble and pure life. The mere acts of
praying or making offerings do not by itself make a man religious to gain salvation. The belief that religious rites and rituals were the only important practices for man to find his salvation, was not supported by the Buddha. According to the Buddha the development of morality, truthfulness, concentration and
purification of mind are the important aspects of religious life for the final salvation.
He advised people to keep away from evil practices. The idea of keeping
away from evils must be for the welfare of living beings and not because of the
fear of God or punishments. At the same time He advised us to cultivate the good
human qualities, practise good deeds and help others without any selfish
motive.
Buddhism gives highest credit to man's intelligence. It advises us not to
become slaves of external agencies but to develop the hidden powers with selfconfidence. Buddhism points out that man is responsible for everything in this
world. His pain and pleasure are both created by him and he has the ability to get
rid of his sufferings and maintain peace and happiness by using his efforts and
wisdom without depending on external powers.
Man's untrained mind is responsible for all the troubles, calamities, disturbances, unfavourable atmosphere and the changes of elements and matter. At
the same time man's mind can change this unfortunate situation of the world and
can make peaceful, prosperous and happy world for all to live in, if man uses his
mind properly. This can be done through the purified mental energy.
Buddhism always encourages man to face the facts of life without acting as
a hypocrite and to accept the truth what-or-whenever it may be. Therefore,
Buddhists do not reject the facts pertaining to worldly matters discovered by
great thinkers and scientists. Although the Buddha had paid more attention to
spiritual development, He never neglected man's worldly progress. In His
teaching we can find some sound practical advices for man to work properly
without wasting his valuable time and effort and also to act wisely for the
progress of mankind. He said that man should fulfil his duties towards his family, relatives, friends, community, country and the whole world.
Therefore, Buddhists should not ignore their basic duties and obligations to
make a happy and peaceful world by contributing their share which is within
their own capacity. He also did not interfere with the affairs of Government or
with reasonable laws imposed by Government. He was not against any social
custom and tradition if they were harmless and useful to the society; at the same
time He also never sought political or military powers to introduce His way of
religious thinking although the kings and the ministers were His followers.
Buddhism is a religion which teaches us to serve others, to sacrifice our comforts for the sake of the suffering humanity, and to observe religious precepts or
disciplines voluntarily but not as commandment, imposed by some unseen
being, but by observing such good principles according to our own conviction.
Thus not only we get the chance to be perfect but also to live in perfect peace.
This perfection is the highest goal which a person must attain in order to gain
his salvation. It cannot be obtained through the influence of any God.
According to Buddhism we can see the results of most of our good and bad
actions within this lifetime. Heavenly bliss or Nirvanic bliss can be experienced within this lifetime. It is not necessary to wait to see the results only after
death as taught by many other religions. That is the way Buddha always welcomed people to come to see His way of teaching but not to come and believe it,
without weighing it properly. He also advised people how to choose a proper
religion by considering and investigating in various ways, without accepting
anything through emotion or blind faith. This is why Buddhism is called a doctrine of analysis. Here, in this religion we can see the scientific and psychological analysis of mind and matter which modern great thinkers can appreciate,
adore and worship. The karma that the Buddha has explained is accepted by the
world famous psychologist, Prof. C. G. Jung as collective consciousness but
the depository of Karma seeds in mental energy.
As long as the collective consciousness remains in the mind as mentioned by
philosophers also, rebirth will take place whether people believe it or not. The
elements of the body may disintegrate but mental current together with the will
to live will be transmitted and another life will be conditioned according to that
collective consciousness. Gravitation and law of conservation of energy discovered by the modern scientists like Newton support the doctrine of karma or
action and reaction introduced by the Buddha.
The Buddha has pointed out the process of evolving from animal life into
human status, from human into divine status, from divine life into Brahma status and Brahma life into perfect life. One can also proceed from noble pure life
directly to perfect holy life. The Buddha pointed out the reverse order as well;
that is, going from human life into animal life.
Many scientists, great thinkers and philosophers have adopted a hostile attitude toward religions. They say that religions hinder progress of mankind and
mislead them by introducing ridiculous superstitions, beliefs and practices and
try to keep people away from the fact discovered by the scientists. But when we
ascertain the way how they explain the meaning of religion, we can understand
that Buddhism does not belong to those religious groups. Therefore, in time to
come if these intellectuals are going to outst or refute religions, it is impossible
for them to throw away Buddhism as a false religion because the Buddha has
revealed the absolute truth. If there is truth anywhere, that will remain for ever
as truth. If any truth is changeable under certain condition then it is not absolute
truth. This is why the truth revealed by the Buddha, is called noble truth. That
truth leads a man to be a noble man. Therefore, there will remain a noble righteous way of life which is strong enough to face any intellectual and scientific
challenge. In that respect the Buddha's message is unshakeable. Intellectuals
surely give due respect to this way of life if they can really understand what the
Buddha taught.
Therefore, the teaching of the Buddha will continue to be a way of life, continue to aspire for a noble, holy and perfect life, a life of peace and happiness
whether religious labels exist or not. The Buddha used His brain and heart, with
compassion and wisdom to understand the things in their true perspective. That
is why His teaching has never become a dry philosophy or theory; but a practical method to solve human problems.
Buddhism teaches how to live and work together and to co-operate with the
followers of other co-religionists without disturbing them while practising our
own religion. This type of liberal religion is very important if we are to live
peacefully without prejudices and conflicts. The Buddha's messages for tolerance and peace are unique and remarkable, which is needed in this highly
developed scientific age where mutual relations are always at stake among
nations and always the fear of war lurks, ending in a large-scale devastation and
ruin by use of modern armaments of mass annihilation and destruction. In this
age of muddle, where tensions exist overwhelmingly on all sides, Buddhism is
a great virtue and is useful for peaceful co-existence among nations in every
country with any race.
The Buddhist way is always the Middle Path. The Kalama Sutta is the classic case of Buddhist pragmatism and open-mindedness. In this discourse,
preached to a group of people called Kalamas, the Buddha advises Kalamas to
adopt a teaching not blindly but after much thought, if it is conducive to the
eradication of greed hatred and delusion. We are told to test even the Buddha's
own doctrines as we would test gold over fire to determine its purity.
The Buddha was absolutely sure of Truth, hence he was not afraid to invite
investigations into what He taught. We are today constantly being influenced
by propagandists that all other religious teachings are false except what is
taught by them; as Buddhist we must not be easily swayed by such views. Like
what is advised in the Kalama Sutta, let us first investigate and test it for ourselves.
The Dhammika Sutta, Dhammachariya Sutta, Tuwattaka Sutta, Ratna
Sutta, Metta Sutta, Aditya Sutta and Dighabanu Sutta etc., preached by the
Buddha pertaining to worldly and spiritual welfare of the Bhikkus; and of the
lay Buddhist in the Sutta Nipata. Mangala Sutta describes the 38 highest blessings of the followers. Parabhava Sutta contains the 11 causes of one's downfall,
who does not follow Dhamma. The most famous discourse is the Sigalovada
Sutta, preached for the benefit of a young layman. The Buddha explained the
six vices in conduct, the four motives for evil actions, the six channels for dissipating wealth and the various types of true and false friends. The Buddha
taught that parents, teachers, wives, children, friends and servants are to be
given respect and honour according to their status. The whole domestic and
social duties are duly described for the happiness and welfare of mankind.
Thus the religious programme of Buddha's Dhamma should not be neglected since it provides direction for living in this world; it is through the wheel of
Dhamma that the light of holiness could be seen and man could seek harmony
not only with natura but also with other human being.
(Courtesy: The Maha Bodhi * September-December 1994)
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