SOME TEACHINGS of LORD BUDDHA
It was on July 4 that Dhamma Chakra Day celebrations were organized
by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in partnership with Ministry
of Culture. In his address on this
occasion President Ram Nath Kovind said that the teachings of Lord Buddha were
a cure for human suffering and they remained as relevant today as they were two
and a half millennia ago.
Buddhist
scholars believe that Lord Buddha does not seek salvation in austerities, nor
does he indulge in worldly pleasures and abundance. He has found the middle
path. His message is that neither abstinence from fish and flesh, nor going
naked, no shaving the head, nor wearing matted hair, nor dressing in a rough garment,
nor covering oneself with dirt, nor sacrificing to Agni, will cleanse a man who
is not free from delusions.
According to Lord Buddha anger,
drunkenness, obstinacy, bigotry, deception, envy, self-praise, disparagement, superciliousness
and evil intentions constitute uncleanness, not the eating of flesh.
He therefore lays emphasis on his
eight-fold path which leads to the destruction of sorrow. It consists of right
views; right aspirations; right speech,; right behaviour; right livelihood;
right efforts; right thoughts and right contemplation. Collectively, he calls
them ‘noble truth’ and the destroyer of sorrow. This eightfold path has an
instant appeal and acceptability for each one of us. Its practice can undoubtedly lead to
deliverance from sorrow but it is also true that few amongst us can follow it
uninterruptedly in our day-to- day life.
One of the most significant teachings
of Lord Buddha is about ten bad things. Three of the body: like murder, theft and adultery; four of the tongue:
like lying, slander, abuse and idle talk and three of the mind: like greed,
hatred and error.
The origin of suffering, says Lord Buddha,
is lust, passion, and the thirst for existence that yearns for pleasure
everywhere, leading to a continual rebirth. This also includes sensuality,
desire and selfishness.
Finally, his views about the rational
nature of man. He regards it as a spark of the true light; the first step on
the upward road. However, new births are required to insure an ascent to the
summit of existence, the enlightenment of mind and heart, where the
immeasurable light of moral comprehension is gained which is the source of all
righteousness.
Lord Buddha tells his disciples “I have found the truth and
have taught you the noble path that leads to the city of peace. I have shown you the way to the lake of
ambrosia, which washes away all evil desire. I have given you the refreshing
drink called the perception of truth, and he who drinks of it becomes free from
excitement, passion and wrong-doing.”
7th
July 2020 G.R. KANWAL
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