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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) ☞