“BUDDHISM”
I choose to write on Buddhism simply because even some veteran Buddhist does not know the real meaning and the scope of Buddhism. Other than the monastic most farmers and lay people think that to be able to help build a stupa or a magnificent temple from time to time or to recite the “six note mantra of Avalokitesvara” will make them a good enough Buddhist. But all these are just doing good deeds, not loving or practicing the dharma. So a further Explanation about Buddhism is certainly necessary.
Some regard Buddhism as a kind of belief. Belief also means faith. Of course Faith is needed in Buddhism, but it could be simplified to regard Buddhism as a belief since keeping faith is only one of many Buddhist ideas. The Foundation and the priority of Buddhism are not about the belief, but wisdom and compassion. Although Buddhism does advocate the importance of faith, it is not unique to Buddhism. Science also needs for faith, for e.g., if one does not trust science, one probably could not even dare to take airplane. People take planes because they believe in the technology that allows airplane to transport people to their destinations. It takes faith to accomplish anything in this world; the same kind of faith one has in Buddhism. Therefore, it is incorrect to equate Buddhism with belief.
Definition of Buddhism
Buddhism actually means Buddhist studies a subject taught and transmitted by the Buddha, or a way through which ordinary people can learn to reach Buddha-hood.
In the scriptures, Buddhism is defined by two words, “Doctrine and conviction”. Doctrine refers to the teachings transmitted by the Buddha himself or the commentaries on canonical text and other treaties written by the bodhisattavas after the Buddha gave his blessing and approval. A conviction refers to personal realization gained through practice, which encompasses precepts, meditation and wisdom. In other words “Doctrine and conviction” stand for the whole of Buddha dharma. Two others words even more significant can also summarise the full meaning of the dharma, i.e. “compassion and Wisdom”, which will serve as a corner stone of our discussion on Buddhism.
To learn Buddhism is to learn wisdom and compassion. To attain Buddha-hood means the manifestation of the inherent wisdom and compassion of Buddha nature after all the obstructions have been purified. That is all it means.
How should one practice wisdom and compassion?
If the essence of the whole of Buddhism is being condensed into wisdom and compassion, could there be a way to cover all 84,000 teachings in one sitting of meditation? The answer is yes, I.e. to practice wisdom and compassion.
Some may question viability of practicing both on one sitting, as great compassion needs to be practiced with through and deep contemplation while wisdom to realize emptiness requires no discursive thoughts. For us beginners, we need to first cultivate bodhicitta the essence of the bodhisattva vows will be in our midstream already.
While the thought of “wishing all sentient beings liberation from the suffering of samsara” may not be that obvious upon entering the state of emptiness i.e. no apparent compassion at the time still the bodhisattva vows will accompany is into the state of emptiness because the essence of the Bodhisattva vows has been in our minds already. The Bodhisattva vows are not matter but a condition of the mind. Although there are no distinct thought going through mind when entering the state of emptiness, the bodhisattva vows do exist at the time. Hence, not separating one from the other, mind and the bodhisattva vows can simultaneously enter the state of emptiness. At this point, the bodhisattva vows are emptiness and emptiness, the bodhisattva vows. The union of wisdom and compassion means thus.
Preaching the dharama to the householders, the Buddha explained that the lay disciples could also work on the path of the dharama and achieve true happiness. He preached that the desire for wealth should not overpower so much that one cannot give happiness to oneself and his family.
Living in the present moment of happiness is most important. He explained that a look filled with understanding, a simple smile, a loving word, a meal shared in warmth and awareness are the things which create happiness in the present moment. By cultivating awareness in the present moment, one could avoid causing suffering to one self and those around him. The small way one looks to other ones smile and one small act of caring could create happiness. True happi9ness does not depend on wealth or fame alone. In the Sigalovada Sutta, the Buddha preached the duties towards parents, wife and children, co-workers and teachers. He explained the quality of good friends.
The Buddha said that we are immensely indebted to our parents for it is parents who bring us in this world. They raise the children with lots of sacrifice and pain. We should treat parents as the real Brahma – Brahma Brahmati mata pitro.
The Buddha prescribed the duties of teachers and students also. He says that it is the duty of teachers to teach the students to the best of his capacity and ability and should impart the education to the students as per their aptitude and potential. The teacher should not discriminate between the students. He should guide them in choosing the right courses and right profession and should help them in finding the employment. The students should respect the teachers all the time and should have gratitude towards the teachers throughout life.
The Buddha says that we should be good neighbours. We should help our neighbours in the hour of need. We should try to understand the problems of our neighbours and should help them even before they ask for our help. The Buddha goes on to prescribe the duties of the friendship. He says that a friend in need is a friend indeed. A friend should not speak ill of his friend before others and should reveal only good qualities before qualities. She should prevent her from treading the wrong path and should help in inculcating good qualities. The Buddha preached that true happiness could be realised in this very life, especially when one fosters relations with people of virtue and avoids the path of degradation, lives in an environment conducive to spiritual practice and builds good character, fosters opportunities to learn more about the dharma, the precepts, takes the time to care well for ones resources and happiness with others, fosters opportunities to cultivate virtue, avoids alcohol and gambling, cultivates humility, gratitude and simple living, seeks opportunities to be bhikkhus in order to study the dharma, lives a life based on the four noble truths and learns how to meditate in order to release sorrows and anxieties.
The Buddha said that he cared not in the least for the victory of fighting with another man but most emphatically the victory from the battle of one’s own mind. The Buddha also said, “I have pointed out for you the way to liberation. You must decide for yourself whether you want to go that way or not”. So it is in our own hand which route we would like to choose for ourselves.
Thank you.
(The above post was written by Lakpa Doma Sherpa, XII sc. DGSSS)
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