Buddhism paves the way for a new world order

S. M. Wijayaratne -
Kurunegala “Daily News” Corr.

The Buddha-Dhamma is a moral and philosophical system which expounds a unique path of Enlightenment, and is not a subject to be studied from a mere academic standpoint.

The doctrine is certainly to be studied, more to be practised, and above all to be realised by oneself.

Mere learning is of no avail without actual practice. The learned man who does not practise the Dhamma, the Buddha says, is like a colourful flower without fragrance. He who does not study the Dhamma is like a blind man. But, he who does not practise the Dhamma is comparable to a library.

Ideal Buddhist

According to Buddhism, it should be stated that neither wealth nor poverty, if rightly viewed, need be an obstacle towards being an ideal Buddhist.

Anathapindika, the Buddha’s best supporter, was a millionaire. Ghatikara, who was regarded even better than a king, was a penniless potter.

In one sense, all Buddhists are courageous warriors. They do fight, but not with weapons and bombs.

They do kill, but not innocent men, women and children. With whom and with what do they fight? Whom do they mercilessly kill?

They fight with themselves, for man is the worst enemy of man. Mind is his worst enemy and the best friend. Ruthlessly, they kill the passions of lust, hatred and ignorance that reside in his mind by morality, concentration and wisdom.

Man is not meant for Buddhism. But Buddhism is meant for man.

Human birth

As human beings, we should strive to make the maximum benefit of being born a human. Otherwise, our human birth is useless.

The Fully Enlightened One had perfect wisdom of everything and He wanted only to show the way for his followers to get rid of this never - ending cycle of births and deaths.

So, the Buddha preached only the essential part of His boundless knowledge.

The Blessed One was once living at Kosambi in a wood of Simsapa trees. He picked up a few leaves in his hand, and asked the bhikkhus, “How do you conceive this, bhikkhus, which is more, the few leaves that I have picked in my hand or those on the trees in the wood?

“The leaves that the Blesses One has picked up in his hand are few, those in the wood are far more”, bhikkhus replied.

Direct knowledge

“So too, bhikkhus, the things that I have known by direct knowledge are more; the things that I have told you are only a few. Why have I not told them? Because they bring no benefit, no advancement in the holy life, to stilling, to direct knowledge, to enlightenment, to Nibbana. That is why I have not told them. And what have I told you?

This is suffering; this is the origin of suffering; this is the cessation of suffering; this is the way leading to the cessation of suffering.

That is what I have told you. Why have I told it? Because it brings benefit, and advancement in the holy life, and because it leads to dispassion, to fading, to ceasing, to stilling, to direct knowledge, to enlightenment, to Nibbana. So, bhikkhus, let your task be this.

This is suffering, this is the origin of suffering, this is the cessation of suffering, this is the way leading to the cessation of suffering.

Noble truths

Strive to realise these noble truths to end suffering” the Buddha the Most Compassionate One preached to the bhikkhus to act wisely without any further delay to cross over the Ocean of Samsaric Journey.

The freedom that the followers of the Buddha enjoy is commendable. In fact, many Buddhists have not even realised this themselves. They have full freedom to judge and think for themselves whether to accept or to reject anything.

They are not bound to accept anything in the name of religion, either simply by thinking of the greatness of a particular religious teacher, or, by thinking that it is their bounden duty to accept the words of holy scriptures, or, the ways of ancient traditions.

Buddhists are at liberty to investigate for themselves and accept or reject any proposition in accordance with their own conviction, based on reason. The purpose of religion is “Annihilation of all greed, extinction of all hatred, cessation of all ignorance and cultivation of virtue and wisdom.”

“Wherever the Buddha’s teachings have flourished, either in cities or countryside, people would gain inconceivable benefits.

The land and people would be enveloped in peace.

The sun and moon will shine clear and bright.

Wind and rain would appear accordingly, and there will be no disasters.

Nations would be prosperous and there would be no use for soldiers or weapons.

People would abide by morality and accord with laws.

They would be courteous and humble, and everyone would be content without injustices.

There would be no thefts or violence.

The strong would not dominate the weak and everyone would get their fair share.”

May all have wisdom to realise the four Noble Truths, within this very short life-span on this earth.