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WHAT REALLY THE BUDDHA SAID

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Dear Friends,

Today I would like to outline about Buddhism in brief

For Buddhism, numerous interpretations and expositions have been given by foremost scholars and prominent intellectuals who have immensely studied Buddhism in the globe.

However, twenty-six centuries ago, DHAMMA-VINAYA is the exclusive and peculiar word the great Master, the Gotama Buddha has pronounced and proclaimed for the reality or the truth he founded.

Some scholars have characterised and distinguished the teachings of the Buddha as the way of life and philosophy. It is beyond modern philosophy and psychology.

It is the Path of Purification and Path of Freedom. Freedom from bondage to liberation. Freedom from cruelty to compassion. Freedom from misery to happiness. This is the essence and principle of Buddhism.

It is impossible to define and describe what Buddha said in few words. As a Buddha he has delivered innumerable discourses in his 45 years incumbency.

DHAMMA – the truth – is what he realised and pointed out as advice for all who want to get rid of suffering.

VINAYA- discipline- is what the Blessed One compassionately constituted as disciplinary codes and standards of behaviour for those of his followers who go forth from home life to take up the quest for release in greater resolution and enthusiasm.

In the present, so called Buddhist countries and born Buddhists wherever they live, even in abroad, they have added their own cultural aspects and practices with Buddhism.

Some cultural values and ethnic practices are acceptable and admirable. Some of them are controversial and inconsistent with what the Buddha said.

We are in the climax of the development of science and advancement of technology now. We call it is the New Millennium and Digital Age.

Specially, we are in a global village now. Whatever it happens in any part of the world will swiftly fly and spread all over the world in a nanosecond.

Our young generation is well equipped with the knowledge of modern science and well advanced in nano technology. When they curiously question and challenge us to find what exactly the great master the Buddha said. Now outdated rites and rituals are critically questioned and severely challenged by youth. If it is not compatible and agreeable with the true words of the Buddha, we are lost for words.

We should be wise and mindful when we perform some cultural rites and rituals in the name of Buddhism.

In Buddha Dhamma, generosity, morality, and practice of mindfulness are the key and paramount factors should be practiced for lay followers of the Buddha. Morality, tranquillity, and wisdom are the prime and leading qualities which monks and nuns (lifetime dedicated disciples of the Buddha) should practice. It is commendable that there are virtuous and exemplary monks and lay disciples are in our society, but they are silently and devotedly practice according to Buddha’s instructions.

Unfortunately, now Buddhism has been politicized and modified by some hypocritical politicians and monks who support corrupted politicians to make innocent citizens fool and mislead. It is completely contrary to what the Buddha said.

Unfortunately, most born Buddhists think and accept what these hypocrites do, but in Buddhism there is no room at all for these blind faiths and beliefs.

Be wise to understand what the Buddha said and be honest to be pragmatic disciple of the Buddha.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID_19) is a contagious respiratory and vascular disease. It is currently an ongoing global pandemic.  There are no proven vaccines or specific treatments for COVID-19 yet, though several are in development.   Preventive measures are the only precautions at this high-risk situation. Magnitude of spreading and transmission is massive, unimaginable and unpredictable.

Selfishness is the prime and leading hindrance and impediment to this pandemic disease rapidly spreading all over the world. Everyone should be kind and compassionate.
Diligently follow the rules and guidelines and observe the advice given by health professionals.

Once the Buddha said:

“Bhikkhus, the mind is luminous, but it is defiled by adventitious defilements.”

We need to investigate ourselves and scrutinize ourselves. Looking inward is the paramount factor in Buddhism.

Be mindful of what you think, what you speak and what you do.

In Samyutta Nikaya, the connected Discourses of the Buddha, The Dhamma is defined thus:

“The Straight Way’ that path is called,

And ‘fearless’ is its destination.

The chariot is called ‘unrattling’,

Fitted with wheels of wholesome states.

“The sense of shame is its leaning board,

Mindfulness its upholstery;

I call the Dhamma the charioteer,

With right view running out in front.

“One who has such a vehicle-

Whether a man or a woman-

Has, by means of this vehicle,

Drawn close to Nibbana.”

We should endeavour to perform wholesome activities which our great spiritual teacher encouraged us to carry out and perform.

Wholesome deeds will pave the way to innermost peace and happiness.

May all beings be well and happy.

BY: Ven. Horowpothane Sathindriya Thera.

HAPPINESS

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“Happy indeed we live, unafflicted amidst those afflicted by craving!

Amidst afflicted people we dwell free from affliction”.

This is the remarkable and profound statement of the Buddha.

Happiness is the most articulate and expressive word in the globe today.

The pursuit of happiness is the purpose of multitude of individuals.

But many voices reveal and affirm that what is contrary to true happiness.

Aspirations and dreams of many individuals clearly disclose what people are pursuit of.

Acquisition of wealth, accumulation of many material items, becoming a very influential person, and winning or acquiring honorary titles or felicitations are some of the ambitions and aspirations in many hearts.

But still they are not HAPPY.

Secret of the failure and the disappointment has been discovered, expounded, and entrusted the true way to approach and technique to pursue HAPPINESS by the great Master, the Buddha.

Twenty-six centuries ago, the Buddha set in motion of unique research himself as an aspirant of the Fully Enlightened One to achieve innermost happiness and peace by concluding his spiritual aspiration.

Unhappiness, Cause of Unhappiness, Happiness, and the Path to Happiness are named as Four Noble Truth in the teaching of the Buddha.

The Buddha clearly explicated and elucidated the breakthrough or realization in his first and foremost discourse after his Full Enlightenment called Dhammacakka Pavattana Sutta – Setting the Wheel of Dhamma in Motion.

Craving or an insatiable desire is the paramount cause of UNHAPPINESS.

In order to eradicate craving and to accomplish lasting happiness we all should be introspective.

We all should deeply and intensely concentrate on thoughts, ideas and brain waves.  Try not to be a slave of your own thoughts but to be a Master of your thoughts.

This is the science and unprecedented technique the Buddha taught us and encouraged multitude of people to practice it diligently.

One day, the middle of the night one of the deities visited the Buddha and recited this verse in the presence of the Blessed One:

“Those who dwell deep in the forest,

Peaceful, leading the holy life,

Eating but a single meal a day:

Why is their complexion so serene?

The Blessed One replied thus:

“They do not sorrow over the past,

Nor do they hanker for the future.

They maintain themselves with what is present.

Hence their complexion is so serene.

“Through hankering for the future,

Through sorrowing over the past,

Fools dry up and wither away

Like a green reed cut down.”

May all beings be well and happy!

By: Ven. Horowpothane Sathindriya Thero

MOTHER’S DAY

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“Mother is a kind-hearted friend at your own premises”

 “Just as a mother would protect her son, her only child, with her own life, so one should develop towards all beings a state of mind without boundaries.”

Above mentioned remarkable statements of the Buddha profoundly characterize the inner personality of a mother.

It marks the Mother’s Day and millions of individuals celebrate it with gratitude in the globe today, the 10th of May 2020.

I thought to put into words in brief with respect to this special personality and a character although it is beyond words and terms.

Hundreds of mothers have articulated and disclosed their own stories, aspirations, wishes, purpose, dreams and objectives. All of them are relevant to their children. Every single mother wants to see her child as a shining star and a brilliant character in the world.

The pain, agony, discomfort, distress, and indescribable emotional afflictions and tribulations are unimaginable but kind- hearted mother has tolerated and endured all for the sake of her children. Still she does experience them

Unconditional love, compassion, appreciative – joy and equanimity are full in her heart.

We rarely hear some unacceptable reports which contrary to abovementioned fact.

Song writers, poets and other scholars have written thousands of assessments, appreciations, and accounts of gratitude of mothers.

Words are not enough and limited to clearly explicate the innermost qualities of a mother.

Their dedication, sacrifice, determination, commitment, devotion, love, affection, attachment, generosity, and friendliness are beyond reason and exposition.

Challenges, difficulties, pains, hardships, worries, complexities, and burdens are indescribable but, because of children they tolerate and endure multitudes of distressing matters and issues.

We all should understand the magnitude and the enormity of mother’s responsibilities and commitments.

When we were very young, all of us were very powerless and helpless.

We were incapable and unable.

Mother was there for us like a never departing shadow till we become capable and able.

Once late president John F Kennedy said:

“Mothers all want their sons to grow up to be president, but they don’t want them to become politicians in the process.”

“God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers” (Rudyard Kipling)

May mothers be well, healthy, happy, safe and peaceful!  

By: Ven. Horowpothane Sathindriya Thero