Buddha said,“Do not accept any doctrine from reverence, but first try it as gold is tried by fire.” Pristine Dhamma defaced by fairy-tale writers, ‘scholars’ for academic purposes and ‘analysts’ for self-glorification.
Are we to believe the toddler, Prince Siddhartha, no sooner he was born in to this world not only walked seven steps on lotuses, but voiced a canto? Certainly not, we know it is an improbability. But it matters little as long as his message on the Dhamma remains unadulterated.
The Buddha had delivered his message, the Dhamma clearly and patently. He made it comprehensible in its simplest form and to the point through over ten thousand Sutras. People who confronted the Buddha deliberately with the objective of quarrelling with him, or to get their problems resolved would listen to him, as his method and approach was pleasing, ‘kanti sudanta vithina’ , cordial and harmonious.
‘Katina’ – ‘Cheevara Pooja’ [donation of robes], to monks who observed ‘Vas’ – Rainy Retreat, is considered the most sacred wholesome act a Buddhist can perform commences with Vap. In ancient India and Ceylon, Vap was known as the period of sowing seeds. It is the major cultivation season of the two, Yala and Maha. ‘Maha’ or Vap begins with the advent of inter-monsoonal rain in the middle of October.
Abhidhamma confuses laymen?
The writer is doubtful that Abhidhamma has its origins with the Buddha himself. According to ‘scholars of Buddhism, In content and style, Abhidhamma teachings are much more analytical and systematic than Suttas which are considered ‘conventional’ or sammuti and figurative or pariyaya teachings. Abhidharma considered to be the pure and literal description of ultimate truth or paramattha sacca and an expression of unblemished wisdom. The suttas were preached by the Buddha on specific worldly situations to specific people, at particular times, and to his most
erudite disciples.
What the Enlightened One said
The Buddha said, “Do not accept anything on the influence of tradition handed down by generations; anything because you think it ought to be so; anything because of its conformity with the dogmas of books, anything because it is coherent; anything because it is rational; anything because it has the same opinion with your own view; anything because it is the word of an ascetic whom you honour”.
In accepting the truth, it requires that we accept nothing for granted; that we accept nothing on conviction or belief. Question everything about ourselves, follow with diligence and sincerity. confront our most crucial beliefs and assurance, even those concerning the Dhamma itself; a spirit of inquiring, a spirit of critical assessment, that is what Buddha highlighted in Kalama sutra.
To challenge customs
A close scrutiny of the above passage one would realise that not only tradition attributed but also something ignored by the philosophic convention is embodied in it. The Buddha certainly did inform the people to challenge, but went beyond in encouraging them not to refuse the spiritual tradition. Some western academics and scientists are now realize the insufficiency of systematic tradition because it encouraged people to discard completely the religious practice. The Buddha’s character and life signifies the critical and supernatural attitude he assumed. He disputed the Vedic tradition. Destroyed the old mythology and animal sacrifice and launched harmless rituals.
In understanding the truth, it requires that we take nothing for granted; that we accept nothing on faith or belief. Question everything about ourselves, practice with diligence and honesty. Challenge our most basic beliefs and convictions, even those we may have about the Dhamma itself; a spirit of questioning, a spirit of critical examination, that is what Buddha emphasized in Kalama sutra.
Views of scientists
The Dhamma agrees with the scientific schemes rather than the theologians. All things are transient, continually arising, becoming, unreliable and vanishing; there is nothing whatsoever that is basically or independently present; Neither of these cause any danger to the Dhamma, which says, we are in a state of continuous change [flux] - situation and sensory requirements assists one find ways to happiness; Atheists do cast abuse on ‘believers’ of other view points, they need to find responses to mysterious areas in their own thoughts, pronouncements, and suppositions rather than working on volumes on illusions.
Darwinists have not countered the vital question of speciation; a rational clarification free from uncertainties is anticipated of them. Neither Darwin nor the present interpreters, the neo-Darwinian, have presented a solid reply that can go through intensely and carefully into the functioning of ‘Evolution of Species’. Prof. Rhys Davis has said that he studied every the great religion in the world and in none of them did he find a thing to outshine, in splendour and depth, the wisdom of the Buddha, and that he is pleased to outline his life according to the Dhamma. Albert Einstein, the greatest scientist ever born has declared that he was not a religious individual, but if he were one he would be a Buddhist.
The Dhamma emphasizes that the truth can be comprehended only by application of rationale and mind-centred empiricism (Experiment/Experience) which are easily accessible to everyone without the help or presence of interpreters, researchers or students of academic studies.
Today we are living in a world which has become a contradiction. A world of huge wealth, but in lowest points, 1.4 billion people in poverty. One-fourths of world’s population live in continuous want. True we have achieved amazing advances in medicinal and healthcare services; yet 10 million people die from deceases which can be simply cared for. Daily trade in lethal weapons exceeds millions of dollars, yet over seven million children die of hunger and 700 million people are severely malnourished. And most alarming, a world bent on unlimited growth whose finite resources are quickly diminishing. Thus, with our all valiant march towards the future, our world still undergo looking for a way out; a cure has become looming if humanity is to carry on unhurt through to the next century.
Dhamma, simple and easy to comprehend
We can’t alter the past, but have crystal-clear control over the future if one can act with skill and accuracy in the present instant. Dhamma is a very simple process, which is taking place everywhere and every day in every individual, which anybody can understand as soon as it is stripped of the veil of mystery in which it was enveloped by the philosophy, doctrines and rituals -- mindfulness and awareness of the moment, leaving the past behind and not pondering of the future will take the devotee on to the right path.
MAY ALL BEINGS BE HAPPY!
