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A disciple in training (Sekha), will comprehend this earth, and this realm of Yama together with the realm of the devas. A disciple in training will investigate the well-taught Path of Virtue, even as an expert (garland-maker) will pick flowers. 

- Dhammapada (Puppha Vagga)

Buddhism in an Age of Science

by R. B. Atapattu

The present world is no longer what it was in ancient times, when men used to worship nature, which was mysterious to them and the days when Buddha found the path to deliverance or the days when Jesus Christ or the Prophet Mohammed brought the message of God. Since then scientifical and technological developments have changed the attitudes of men towards physical and spiritual world drastically.

The men on earth have already landed on moon and several space missions have flown to almost every planet in our solar systems. A mission to our nearest neighbour, mars is in the interplanetary - mission-schedule.

While things are happening in space in this manner, medical science and genetic engineering are on the threshold of cloning a human baby.

The present man engulfed in such a vast sea of modern knowledge will not believe easily, what the ancients have preached, with closed eyes, specially men who wish to think rationally. They would doubt very seriously whenever they find anomalies in their religious beliefs. The older generation is unable to bear up these anomalies and conflicts between their beliefs and scientific developments.

Still we could remember the death of a devotee of a certain religion who could not bear up the news of men landing on moon.

The conflict between science and religious is as old as science itself. They happen to be eternal enemies. The scientific revolution in the 15th century was a blow to the faiths of most of the religions. The Copernican theory of the universe dispelled the assumption that sun went round the earth and could be stopped in its track by divine intervention, Newton, Descartes, Galileo and Bruno explained the behaviour of celestial bodies previously believed to be of godly mysteries.

Charles Darwin in his famous book, 'The Origin of Species' reduced the dignity of God by revealing the fact that man evolved from an ape. It is usually said that 'Newton banished God from nature; Darwin banished Him for life; Frend drove Him from his last fortress the soul'.

In the middle ages religions had to make special efforts, to conceal from their followers the heliocentric system of Copernicus, as it contradicted the geocentric system of ptolemy, the accepted concept by the religions. When they failed to do so, they victimized the scientists.

Although scientific developments have an adverse effect on religions, the Buddhism founded over 2500 years ago, remains unshaken. Most of the scientific discoveries appear to agree with Buddhist doctrine instead.

Religion, science and Buddhisms differ greatly in their mode of investigation. Religion as we know is based on belief, whereas science never believe anything, unless proved by experiment. It does its search by trial and error method. Science claims that the whole universe is within their scope.

Buddhism does not go into such details, not that such a knowledge of worldly affairs is beyond the comprehension of Buddhism, but the Buddha's aim was to solve the problem of impermanence (anatta); the main trouble that matters human beings, from birth to death. As such Buddha concentrated only about that segment of knowledge relevant to his aim. It is the impermanence that causes all beings to suffer. Buddha realized it and showed the path of eradicating it.

As Buddhism is based on the law of impermanence its central doctrine happen to be Impermanent. According to Buddha, 'all formations are impermanent' ('Sabbe Sankhara anicca').

According to the author of 'Buddhism and its Relation to Religion and Science' a charge is made by some people against Buddhism, that it gives only a limited segment of 'reality'.

He calls it 'the intellectual accusation against Buddhism'. Such an accusation could be made against science, though not against Buddhism. When Buddha attained enlightenment or the Buddhahood, everything science reveals today were clear to him. If we look at Buddhism as a source of knowledge Buddha's scope appears to be limited. How was the man originated? When was the universe born? What lives beyond the solar system? - are not in the scope of Buddhism. It speaks of those subjects very little. Buddha himself revealed once, why he didn't go into such matters in detail.

Once, when Buddha and his monks were passing a forest, he plucked a handful of leaves and asked his monks;

'Which would you think is numerous, leaves in my palm or those that are in the forest?'

'Leaves in the forest are numerous my Lord' replied the monks. Then the Buddha said; 'Monks, the things the Enlightened One has comprehended are numerous as those in the forest and things that have been disclosed to you are as very few as the leaves in my palm. Monks all that I have comprehended, have not been revealed to you because those do not help you to attain perfect wisdom or nibbana.

The things I have revealed are only that matters you. When you master what I have revealed, you will simply come to know the other worldly affairs?

Science has found the nature of the universe as a impermanent entity. We know that matter is composed of atoms our bodies and all the things in the universe are a congregation of such atoms of a limited number of elements. The simplest view of an atam is that of a central nucleus consisting of positively charged protons and neutral neutrons, surrounded by negatively charged electrons.

As electrons are eternally in motion, their existence is a probability and a logical fiction. No one knows at which point a certain electron exists in a given instance. This indicates eternal motion of matter or the constant changing pattern of another. This fact revealed by science reminds us of annittya preached by Buddha.

New facets of Buddhism and Buddha's teaching

by R. Liyanage

The main Buddhist teaching is incorporated in three baskets or three cannons. Buddha even attacked Brahminism due to their wrong concept of sacrificing animals at the alter of gods. He discouraged this mythical belief of animal sacrifice. During Buddha's time there were heretics who believed in self torture to achieve emancipation of life. Buddha said that they were silly inventions by them which carried them nowhere.

He said that there are four cardinal truths which bound the man for endless re-birth. He found the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering and the way of escape of life and the origin of it. These four noble truths have a binding influence on man. The eightfold paths which he taught is like a ladder to achieve the real goal of life. Right view of life, concentration and purifying the self are cardinal truths in life. There are sill campaigns which purify the mind of all pious Buddhists. The jargon of Buddhism and its philosophy is meant for the wise and not for the fools. Buddha said that due to the garb of ignorance some cannot see the concrete reality of life.

When Maha Brahma made his obeyance and implored upon Buddha to teach the sublime truth which he realised under the Pipal tree (Bodhi tree) through great meditation he was hesitant as he thought that the mundane world is overcome by garb of ignorance.

He compared this ignorance to a lotus pond in which there are lotuses which are half submerged due to water and some which have not blossomed yet but at the root of it. He said that there are lotuses which have come above water. He compared the lotuses which have come above water as wise who could apprehend his Dhamma which is deep and meaningful. The first five disciples who realised his Dhamma were wise as his dhamma is lovely at the beginning, lovely at the middle and lovely at the end. Every good action he taught gained merit and equal benefits. The ethics he taught were of great value and they go a long way to reform a person.

After demise of Lord Buddha two schools of thought sprang up. One was called Hinayana (Lesser vehicle) and the other was called greater vehicle (Mahayana). Most of the Western scholars who have failed in their attempts to distinguish between these two religions have succumbed to wrong way of thinking of these two schools without studying the real Buddhism. Mahayana is an offshoot of the main religion of Buddhism and it spread to countries like Tibet, China, Korea and Japan. Theravada Buddhism spread to Burma, Siam, Cambodia and Sri Lanka and the latter became a repository of Buddhism. The concept of Theravada Buddhism advocates universal loving kindness.

The word 'metta' has no equivalent in English as it generates loving kindness to all beings. The ethical code of our religion has vast benefits on mankind and we should not forget that application of them to our everyday life will be of immense use. The basic principles of Buddhism like taking the life of animals, theft, unlawful intercourse, perjury and taking intoxicating liquor if refrained we are free from most sins. Hence there is wrong interpretation of Buddhism as it has not been learned deeply.

But the present society has debased the value of Buddhism in every aspect. Thirst for power and material wealth and greed have caused lot of damage to mankind. The spiritual teaching of Buddha went a long way to revolutionalise the minds of people in the North East India. The karma theory was not an invention of Buddha and it was current in his time. Those who commit sin have to face moral retribution.

The result of re-birth is due to accumulation of merits and demerits. The Buddha demolished the theory of soul. No one has demolished the theory of karma though there is a hurricane of controversy on the matter. Why are people born deaf, blind and with various deformities?

Buddha taught that eightfold paths is like a ladder for higher concentration to achieve the goal of Nibbana or the ultimate heaven. He compared the eightfold paths to a raft as it is used to cross a river. If one attends Nibbana the eightfold paths have no value.

Buddhism which was introduced to Sri Lanka during the 3rd century spanned to every corner of the country. The flowering period of Buddhist culture took place during Anuradhapura period. Buddhist mission to Sri Lanka was during King Devanampiyatissa's time.

The tank, Bo-tree and the Buddha statue are considered as three symbols which represent the Sinhalese culture of Sri Lanka.

Plastic art and rock carving of Buddha figure became a new cult with the Sinhalese sculptors and artistes. Pali literature found a place in our country and our language is rich in Buddhist literature. These three events are of great significance and value to most of the Buddhists as Buddhism is a religion which is based on theory of karma which the Blessed one has tried to explain to the world.

So this day should be remembered exclusively for religious activities and should observe 'sil' and meditate purging all the desires from mind.

Buddha talked about bio-diversity before the present day scientists

by Asoka Malimage,Director,National Institute of Traditional Medicine Nawinna

We talk about the term bio-diversity these days very frequently. The meaning of bio-diversity is "that exists among different types of animals and plants, including the differences in species and gene pools within a species, especially as they affect the preservation of plant and animal types".

Bio-diversity is a complex concept, but at the same time also a simple concept. "Biological diversity" refers to the variation in DNA, in genes, in form and function of organisms, species, guilds, communities, and eco-systems, which characterises life on Earth". Bio-diversity is to be valued, if life is valued, for in biological diversity is the embodiment and the only guarantee of continued viability of life.

As we know the first teacher to talk and identify about the bio-diversity is the Buddha the Enlightened One. He valued the life so much and told his disciples to conserve and protect the environment. Buddha the Enlightened One, preached about Samma Sankalpa, which paved way to see the whole society as one despite caste, creed, colour etc. Buddha, the Enlightened One preached Bharadwaja and Vasettha young Brahmins about the bio-diversity, its importance and why should it be protected.

The Ghathas staring from "Thina rukhepi janatha - Nachapi pathjanare - Lingan jathimaya thesan - Anja manjahi jathiyo. Thatho keete patangecha - Yava kunthaki pillike etc. The literal meaning of the preaching is: "Grass and trees (plants) have their own features within. But they do not fight or tussle as races. Also small creatures like dwarfs, ants, and grasshoppers, big or small four legged ones, reptiles (creepers) without legs, fish living in water, birds use their wings to fly, have their own features. Therefore they have differences upon to them. But the human beings do not have such differences. Human beings have identical eyes, ears, hair, organs, heart, hands, legs etc, etc.

In the Brahma Dhanda Sutta, Buddha the Enlightened One has preached the bad side of eating meat. There are ample of examples how He was so keen in protecting the rights of non-human beings. His concept "Ahimsa" is a clear example for this eternal kindness. Karaneeya Mettha Suttha (Loving Kindness) is the best example how Buddha, the Enlightened One preached regarding bio-diversity in a big and a broad way. That is many years ago. Now only the present day scientists talk about this phenomenon. The Stanza "Ye Kechi Pana Bhutahthi.... Dittayeya Addhitta...", clearly describes about the different species and beings living in this universe. It is a very clear classification.

"Whatsoever draws breath, or has existence the quacking (i.e. puthjjanas, worldlings) or the steadfast (i.e. Ariyas, the attained) Enfolding all; - the long, the huge, the mid sized, the short, the lean, the big. Those visible, and those invisible, those dwelling afar, and those near by; beings already born, as well as beings seeking birth; may all beings have happy minds.

These classifications of his emphasize a broad description of varieties of the universe. For instance take this one. "Those dwelling afar" means the living of other world may be the Mars. If you read in a detail in preaching of Buddha the Enlightened One it is very clear that He has spoken many about many worlds outside this universe.

A letter from Kenya

Did Buddha ever ask us to make temples, or worship Him? He never even asked us to call Him Lord Buddha? Did He ever ask us to pray? I don't think so. He asked us to use His dhamma as a tool, to attain enlightenment, to free ourselves from the rounds of suffering, misery, and craving.

Like every other day of the year, even Vesak day is a day for thoughtful contemplation, where each and every one of us should question ourselves, question our own understanding of reality as so we perceive it, and contemplate and make the leap of faith that leads to inner understanding.

Perhaps we should ask ourselves whether we are really Buddhists? Do we understand Buddhism? Is there such a thing as a Buddhist? Or are we just pretending to follow a religion called Buddhism when no such thing exists (remember, Buddhism is a way of life, not a religion..)

Maybe we should look back, take a moment to reflect, and try to understand what Buddha was really trying to tell us. What it meant and what relevance it had on our lives. Enlightenment is not something we can get in a million zillion years. It is just a heartbeat away. Whether we choose that to be our next heart beat, or the heart beat of another life from a million years away that may once have been us, that too is our choice.

Buddhism is not a religion of sadness. It is the most glorious beautiful concept ever rediscovered by an intelligent life form. It is so profound, so simple, and yet so vastly complex.

At its basic crux, it describes reality as it truly is. Yet true this is a harsh picture, but it is better to know the truth, than to live in a dream.

Buddhism then goes on to describe what we must strive to do, what we must aspire to be, and it then describes a final goal of enlightenment.

Buddhism is beauty. It is love. It is showing kindness to all living things. To people and animals. It is about understanding that a mighty king and a simple ant are both equal, and both have equal right to life. Buddhism is about charity, generosity, kindness, compassion, understanding, empathy, and most of all love.

Well, I have talked too much, I think its high time I sign off.

May you not be misled, and most of all may you realize how precious this and significant every moment is.

There is no salvation without compassion.

- Naamal , NAIROBI, Kenya

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