by Dr. Handupelpola Mahinda Nayaka Thera
Birmingham, London

On several occasions The Buddha had entrusted the continuation of discourses to the disciples, while He was resting due to certain physical pains, caused by doing extreme ascetic practices for six years as a Bodhisatta. All these had happened due to kammic force. What is Kamma? Its Sanskrit counterpart is Karma and it has been derived from the root ‘Kar’ meaning ‘to do’ or ‘to perform.’ In short, Karma is action. Some recluses of the Buddha’s day had an idea that all actions bear fruits or repercussions (yatha yathayam puriso kammam karoti tatha tathanam vipakam patisamvediyati).

‘Aham nagova sangame capato patitam saram Ativakyam titikkhissam dussilohi bahujjano.’

(As an elephant in the battlefield withstands the arrows shot from a bow, even so will I endure abuse; verily most people are un-disciplined).

Bribed by Magandiya, the queen of King Udena of Kosambi kingdom, who had a grudge against the Buddha, many people severely abused the Buddha. The Venerable Ananda, unable to endure such abuse, suggested to the Buddha that He leave the place and go to another city. But the Buddha advised him to practise patience and compared Himself to an elephant that had entered the battlefield prepared to endure all attacks.

Today we are here to reflect on the Buddha’s life and learn something to improve our lives. You have gathered here to observe eight precepts to mark the Nikini full moon day. In Sri Lanka devotees used to observe eight or ten precepts on the full moon day. But in this country we don’t have the freedom to go to a temple unless it is a Sunday. Anyway I appreciate the devotion seen in you. Nikini full moon day is also an important day in the Buddhist calendar.

We bear so much of pain, breaking rest to get through a degree. It was our hope that once we got through the examination, a half of our troubles are over, can live a happy life without much effort. We can get a good job with a fat salary. I remember an old saying ‘vidyaturanam nasukham nanidra, who is keen about his studies has neither sleep nor comfort.

You would have thought that once you come to England your life would be much easier and flourish with wealth. Naturally, even today people living in Sri Lanka are of the view that this country is a heaven. Now you might have realized the difficulties a person should have to cope with.

Enlightenment

In the same way, you might be under the impression that after the Enlightenment the Buddha might have had a comfortable and easy life. You might ask me, if not why the Bodhisatta had to practise ten perfections and make much effort to become a Buddha (ten perfections six years of austerities). It is appropriate to speak about ‘the challenges confronted by the Buddha’ because it was in August or Nikini full moon day that the Buddha became ill that caused his passing away. That was during the rainy retreat in Beluva village. The severe sickness attacked Him with violent and deadly pains. But mindful and self possessed He bore them in silence and calm. The Buddha started the rainy retreat, but within a month or so He was struck by a severe pain in the body.

In the 45 years that the Buddha was teaching and leading monastic communities, he was confronted with an incredible amount of difficulties. Even though He was enlightened, He still had karmic influences.

On several occasions The Buddha had entrusted the continuation of discourses to the disciples, while He was resting due to certain physical pains, caused by doing extreme ascetic practices for six years as a Bodhisatta. All these had happened due to kammic force. What is Kamma? Its Sanskrit counterpart is Karma and it has been derived from the root ‘Kar’ meaning ‘to do’ or ‘to perform.’ In short, Karma is action. Some recluses of the Buddha’s day had an idea that all actions bear fruits or repercussions (yatha yathayam puriso kammam karoti tatha tathanam vipakam patisamvediyati). But the Buddha refused that idea saying ‘Yatha yatha vedaniyam ayam puriso kammam karoti tatha tathassa vipakam patisamvediyati.’ Only the volitional actions give repercussions. Not only previous actions but also present actions are kammas and give effects.

Repercussions

According to the commentaries to the Tripitaka, ailments, pains and abuses caused the unwholesome activities done by the Bodhisatta during the samsara. In the Sinhala literature we find expressions like ‘vasana guna kisivekut nati’, ‘savasana sakala klesaha prahina kala’ showing that no repercussions of the past actions to the Buddha. He had destroyed all the kammic powers. The utterances of the commentaries are contrary to that of Sinhala literature. The Buddha showed the impermanency in all conditioned or component things. Most of the discourses delivered during the last few years of the Buddha’s life are mostly about what happen to the component things. (Space and form by Donald Glazer). ‘Aham kho panananda etarahi jinno vuddho mahallako addhagato vayo anupatto aseetiko me vayo vattati. Seyyathapi Ananda jajjaram sakatam veghamissakena yapeti, evameva kho Ananda veghamissakena manne tathagatassa kayo yapeti’ (I am now grown old, Ananda, and full of years. My journey is nearing its end. I have come to the sum of my days, turning eighty years of age. Just as a worn-out cart can be made to move on only with much difficulty, so the body of the Tathagata can only be kept going with much additional care), My body is now old and ageing. Like an old vehicle with minor repairs, travelling on the road my body is getting weak. With extra effort only I live. ‘Paripakko vayo maiham parittam mama jeevitam pahaya vo gamissami katam me saranamattano’ I live only a short period. I have to leave you all. Find your own salvation.

On the way to Kusinara (or presently Kusi Nagar), the Buddha expressed his physical weakness. ‘Ingha me twam Ananda sanghatim catuggunan sanghati pannapehi kilantosmi Ananda nisidissami’ (O’ Ananda I am about to faint. Please lay the double sheet robe on the ground. I want to lie down.)

‘Ingha me twam Ananda paniyam ahara.pipasitosmi Ananda pivissami’ (Bring me water Ananda, I am thirsty.)

Throughout his entire life his disciples also caused his lot of problems.

For example, Venerable Sariputta and Venerable Maha-Kassapa did not agree to the requests made by the Buddha. Some monks used to quarrel with each other. They ignored the advice of the Buddha. So, He retired to the solitude in the Parileyyaka Grove.

‘Ahankho idani akinno dukkham viharami. Imeca bhikkhu mama vacanam nakaronti, yanmunaham ekako ganamha vupakattho vihareyym’ (Even with all monks, I feel very lonely. These monks do not listen to my words).

To be continued