How to lead a life of harmony

By Ven. Getamanne Kusalagnana thera

Human life when compared with other creatures like celestial beings (Deva) seen and unseen beings, animals and so on is appreciated. Human life is so appreciated because of the following three qualities:

(i) Humanities, (ii) The power of retention and (iii) Sensitiveness.

Humanities

Humanities are confined to the human beings only. They are significant for the sustenance of peace and harmony. The Buddha has taught four types of humanities that are to be practised by everyone.

They are: Loving kindness (Metta), Compassion (Karuna), Altruistic joy (Muditha) and Equanimity (Upekkha).

The above four sublime abodes (brahma - vihara) have been seen as meditative subjects. The stereotype text on the development of these four sublime abodes (brahma vihara - bhavana) are often met with in the suttas, is as follows:

“There, O monks, the monk with a mind full of loving kindness pervading first one direction, then a second one, then a third one, then the fourth one, just so above, below and all around and everywhere identifying himself with all, he is pervading the whole world with a mind full of loving kindness, with mind wide, developed, unbounded, free from hate and ill will.” Hereafter follows the same theme with compassion, altruistic joy, and equanimity.”

Loving kindness is very significant because it is concerned with peace and harmony in the social life. We can see a peaceful society in society of human beings, but not among animals because human beings respect the others disregarding caste creed, race, religion or any other social distinction. According to the teachings of the Buddha, a human who understands his value should first develop loving kindness to the self. The one who protects self respect only can protect the respect of others.

The pursuit of happiness is not difficult if we have the right mental attitude. Love is the key to happiness. All human beings have the potential to give and receive love. We are potentially storehouses of love.

In the Buddha’s teachings, the spirit of love is more important than good work. “All good works whatever are not worth an iota of love which sets free the heart. Love which sets free the heart comprises good work. It shines, gives light and radiance.’

Love is one of the greatest instruments of nature. The powerful force of love is the bond and cement of society - the spirit and life of the universe. Love is the most precious thing in the world. No matter how unhappy you are now or have been in the past, you can still find happiness in the future. The key to happiness is love, and you are in possession of that precious key, right now and always. And remember, love begins with you. Start the process of extending your love and compassion to all beings. The inevitable reaction will surely be that you will receive plenty of love in return. Telling another person “I love you” can be a risky business sometimes, but the rewards can be substantial. Love according to the Buddha, does not mean attachment to a person or an object through which one desires to satisfy his or her selfish craving.

Altruistic joy or “muditha” is another one of four sublime abodes. This means the great quality of happy observing the “Happiness of others.” It is very clear that jealousy has never brought anyone towards a successful life, other than degeneration.

We must ask a question from our heart. Could you happily transact with anyone in society? Does your heart allow you to be tolerate to shed tears on success of others? Then you are really practising “altruistic joy” which enables you to lead a perfect human life.

“Diso disam yam tam kayra
Veri va pana verinam
Micchapanihitam cittam
Papiyo nam tato kare.”
(Dhammapada 42)

Whatever charm a foe may do to a foe, or a hater to a hater, yet an ill-directed mind can do oneself far greater (harm).

The world is like a mirror and if you look at the mirror with a smiling face, you can see your own beautiful smiling face. On the other hand if you look at it with a Long face you will invariably see ugliness. Similarly if you treat the world kindly the world will also certainly treat you kindly. Learn to be peaceful with yourself and the world will also be peaceful with you. ‘Altruistic Joy’ or muditha is a medicine for the illness of jealousy. When you are cured with ‘Altruistic Joy’ the world will be peaceful to you.

Equanimity is conducive to be tolerance any kind of mental of bodily condition. It is also one of the perfections fulfilled by the Buddha. Equanimity leads to protect oneness of humanity which is conducive to tolerance and also progress of the social life.

The above four sublime abodes can be seen through a perfect human life. Perfect human life means the standard of human life which is having perfect sensory organs.

We have six sensory organs, namely eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and mind. We have the ability to change our lifestyle after examination of realistic nature pertaining to our sensory organs.

‘Cakkhuna samvaro sadhu
Sadhu sotena samvaro
Ghanena samvaro sadhu
Sadhu jivhaya samvaro”

“Kayena Samvaro sadhu
Sadhu vacaya samvaro
Sabbattha samvuto bhikkhu
Sabbadukkha pamuccati.”
(Dhammapada 360, 361)

“Good is restraint in the eye, good is restraint in the ear, good is restraint in the nose, good is restraint in the tongue.” (360)

“Good is restraint in deed, good is restraint in speech. good is restraint in mind, good is restraint in everything. The bhikku restraint at all points is freed from sorrow.” (361)

Five monks each of whom was guarding one of the senses inquired of the Buddha which sense was the most difficult to restrain. Instead of answering the question directly the Buddha related a story from one of their past births to show that they had come to destruction because their senses were not guarded, and then he uttered the above verses.

It is useful to guard all the senses in order to lead a successive social life. The society becomes very complex day by day. Due to globalisation and computer revolution, it is not easy to guard our senses properly. Yet, it is possible for us to guard our sensory organs, if we are really honest. As we discuss earlier the four sublime abodes enable us to lead a perfect human life while guarding our sensory organs.

The process of practising above four types of humanities enables to have perfect sensory organs. So that one becomes healthy in both bodily and mentally. Number of friends will be increased.

Power of retention

Human beings have the ability to recall (recollect) past event. This is wonderful. So, that one can formulate his present life as well as future life. Every human being is possible to change his style of life after examination of its realistic nature. Also he can upgrade his life as well as because of misguidance he can take measures to de-generate his life deliberately.

Perfect human life means the standard of human life. Which is having perfect sensory organs. However, the meaning of perfect sensory organs can be interpreted through development of higher visions. The process of practising four sublime abodes (Metta, Karuna, Mudhita, Upekkha) enables you to have perfect sensory organs.

So that our life is well protected from the danger of de-generating. No wonder, even the social life will be wonderful. Through the eye of wisdom one can work out towards wisdom to realise four noble truths, and finally to attain Nibbana. This is the great attainment of a perfect human life.

In the process of self-transformation, a person will no longer aspire to a divine birth as his ultimate goal in life. He will then set his goal much higher, and model himself after the Buddha who has reached the summit of human perfection and attained the ineffable state we call Enlightenment or Nibbana. It is here that a man develops a deep confidence in the Triple Gem and adopts the Buddha as his spiritual ideal. He will strive to eradicate greed, develop wisdom and compassion, and to be liberated from the bounds of Samsara.