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Though He knew everything, yet He taught only what is necessary for a human to free himself from this mass of suffering. He taught the world, the deepest and the most sublime philosophy of the nature and the reality of life.
However, his biography clearly indicates that He was equal in both wisdom and conduct and thus when the Buddha informed his disciples that He would pass away in another three months, many bhikkhus visited the Buddha to pay their last respects out of gratitude. Nevertheless, a bhikkhu named Dhammarama was away meditating on the Dhamma with the object of attaining Arhantship.
Some monks reported the matter to the Buddha. The Buddha summoned bhikkhu Dhammarama in the presence of all the monks and inquired the reason for doing so.
He said; "Lord! Knowing that the lord himself would pass away after three months, I have engaged myself into firm practice so that I can attain Arhanthship before the Lord's passing away for I know it would be the greatest respect to show you - by attaining Arhanthood before your demise". The Buddha was delighted at his words and said; "That bhikkhu who dwells and delights in the Dhamma, meditates on the Dhamma, and remembers the Dhamma, does not fall away from the sublime Dhamma".
The most interesting point to be noted in Buddhism is that Buddhist teaching is not for a particular group of people or individuals. They are equal to everyone. Buddhist teachings help is to realise the human problems and thereafter solving the same.
Buddhist teachings like Four Noble Truths (cattari ariya saccani), Law of moral action (kamma), Rebirth (punabbhava) etc that are explained using the theory of Dependent Origination (paticcasamuppada), are nothing but the realities of life. These teachings help to work out all our complicated and disgusting mental and physical problems we face in this life time and provide encouragement to carry on happily.
Buddhism appeals very much to the modern world because it is reasonable and scientifically based. The Buddha says, "Do not believe in anything that I have said just out of respect for me, but test it for yourself, analysing it, as if you were buying gold." This approach appeals to the modern age.
Presently many westerners are very much interested in Buddhism. Buddhism has become a popular subject to study. Thousands of people have converted to Buddhism for it can provide them something new that they never knew, meaningful and exciting.
Dr. Alexander Berzin, born in an American Christian family realised the true essence of Buddhism. Presently he is the most outstanding Buddhist scholar spreading Buddhism in Western world. In one of his books, "Glimpse of Reality", he says: "I was struck by the fact that Buddhism was not only a practice but it gave many answers to questions which I had previously been unable to answer. These were questions like, 'Why was my life the way it was? Why did the things that occurred in my life happen in that particualr manner?'
The Buddhist explanation of karma answered these questions. Discovering this was very exiting because it enabled me to make some sense out of what I had experienced. Also, Buddhism gives a very clear explanation of the mind and how it works. This was extremely helpful, for when we actually practise Buddhist techniques for solving our daily life's problems, they work! We get immediate results!
There's no miracle. We don't get instant results if we have a lazy attitude. But when we put some effort in the practice, then it really does work. It gives us solutions and that excited me".
Buddhism suits everybody of any background. There is no need to be a Buddhist to follow Buddhism. In fact Buddhism is something that helps human to know oneself and develop. Though most people, even being Buddhists, do not consider the Teaching so much, in fact a comprehensive knowledge on Buddhism surely would help anyone of any state to solve his or her problems and develop oneself with the existing environment and above all, the encouragement to go on.
In the modern scientific world, Buddhism is the only religion that goes side by side with science. One thing, similar both in Buddhism and science is that both depend on reality and the other, both do not believe in a creator.
A practical Buddhist is a happier person in society. He knows himself well and therefore is aware of what he says, does or thinks. Being mindful he refrains from evil and cultivates what is good. His faculties are well controlled. He is not fed up with the life facing many physical or mental problems; instead he considers them to be the realities of life and face them diligently.
He is not shaken in facing the eight worldly conditions, e.g., fame and defame, praise and blame, benefit and loss and lastly the happiness and sorrow.
He is neither sad nor very excited in gaining or not gaining above worldly conditions. He is well controlled in everything.
In the time of the Buddha, monks and lay people had not only a comprehensive understanding of the Teaching but also had a high interest in practising the same. In many suttas it is observable how many a monk, taking an object for meditation from the Buddha went to a suitable place to practise.
Ven. Mahakassapa and many other are said to have spent most of their spiritual life time only practising the Dhamma.
Expressing 'the ancient wisdom in the idiom of our time'
Title: The First and Best
Buddhist Teachings:
Sutta Nipata Selections and Inspired Essays
Author: Dr. Susunaga Weeraperuma
Publishers: New Age Books, New Delhi
Price: Rs. 250 (paperback) and Rs. 395 (hardcover)
The First and Best Buddhist Teachings Sutta Nipata Selections and Inspired Essays is a neatly brought out book that should be read and re-read not only by Buddhists but by all those who have an interest to lead a religious and enlightened life in any part of the world.
It will not only be of appeal to the Buddhist reading public of Sri Lanka but to all other specialised and general readers interested in spiritual and general reading throughout the globe.
In the introduction itself this versatile writer on Buddhism says: From the oldest Sacred Book in Buddhist literature - The Sutta Nipata, great psychological and spiritual insights address some of the deepest concerns of our time and offer practical solutions to the problems that plague our world today."
This itself speaks volumes about the nature and scope of this interesting book which comprises of two parts. Part one titled Inspired Essays consist of 13 well written essays on a variety of Buddhist subjects such as Ananda: Rememberer of the Dharma, Facing Death: Kisagotami's problem, recipe for a happy society, The Joy of Solitude, Why Worry About Growing Old?, Why Suffer from Depression?, The Cycle of Births and Deaths, Buddhist Blueprint for World Peace etc.
Part two which is titled The Sutta Nipata: Some Selections contains 22 selections from the Sutta Nipata and the Well presented introduction to this section by the author says: "The Sutta Nipata is the oldest book in Buddhist literature.
There is a general consensus among Buddhist scholars about the genuineness of the Sutta Nipata. They regard it as a particularly authentic version of the Buddha's teachings because of its great antiquity, language and contents." In part two, drawing facts from the Sutta Nipata he writes lucidly on topics such as The Importance of virtue,.
What is conducive to happiness?, Causes of our decline and fall. Why this lack of loving kindness", Modus operandi of meditation, Short Sutta on Sincere Friendship, Monks must lead pure lives, Why this senseless sacrificial slaughter of cows? etc.
The inspiring essays in this book are primarily based on the teachings and principles of Buddhism, a subject which is the forte of this prolific writer on Buddhism. These cleverly written essays carry a social, philosophical, moral and religious message too.
In the preface to this book, the author says: "More than half of this book consists of selections from the Sutta Nipata and my commentaries thereon. Extraordinarily profound is the Sutta Nipata, which is the oldest sacred to me in Buddhist literature.
It is a particularly authentic version of the Buddha's discourses, because of its antiquity, language, style and contents. In my commentaries I have tried to express the ancient wisdom in the idiom of our time. One has to go beyond the words of these very powerful verses and understand their hidden meanings intuitively.
There is a popular misconception that Buddhism is a rather airy-fairy intellectual system that is out of touch with the harsh realities of life. This impression is totally untrue."
The author of this book, Dr. Susunaga Weeraperuma is an experienced writer on Buddhism in English and has already published about 30 widely read books on a variety of subjects including the deeper aspects of the philosophy of Buddhism which is so near and dear to his heart.
One of his books, Kirshnamurti as I knew him, has been translated into several languages. Born in Sri Lanka Dr. Susunaga Weeraperuma has spent a major part of his life in England, Australia, Switzerland and France, where he is living now. His numerous writings show his erudite understanding of Buddhism and Indian philosophy.
In Inspired Essays the chapter 'Facing Death' should be of absorbing interest to all those concerned with the very practical aspects of life. The preface itself of the book is quite educative and has been cleverly written.
For instance concerning the real meaning of religion the author says: "Of the numerous definitions of religion that are in existence, my favourite definition is quite a simple one. Real religion is nothing but how you conduct yourself in everyday life.
A truly religious person, in other words, leads a life that is infused with a moral sense. What matters is not the belief in this, that and the other, but whether or not we are really righteous and feel compassion for all living beings. This profound truth was well expressed by the master." By this he tries to give the universal message of what really religion is. The chapter why worry about growing old provides stimulating and inspiring reading on the eternal problem of growing old.
The author who is an eminent writer in the field of Buddhism has lucidly explained the ancient wisdom of Buddha's important discourses within the covers of this meticulously brought out book which should find a special place in Buddhist literature written in English. The value of the book is enhanced very much by the simple and effective style the author uses to put across these profound thoughts.
The First and Best Buddhist Teachings should be of interest to both the general readers and scholars throughout the world and the very simple language the author uses makes this book appealing to all discerning readers in Sri Lanka as well as in other countries, specially if they are interested in understanding wholesome principles of Buddhism.
The unique advantage of living a religious life following Buddhism are lucidly brought out in most of these essays written in a very captivating language.
Much study and labour has gone into the publication of this very readable book and the writer has striven hard to bring it out maintaining a very high standard both in its lay out and in the language he uses. It has been elegantly printed in India and it has an attractive front cover ably designed by the author's wife, Dr. Claudia Weeraperuma.
In each of these essays the author gives illuminating moral lessons and this adds much to the importance of the book, particularly to the discerning readers. The First and Best Buddhist Teachings is a well thought out collection of essays by this internationally renowned author and it is the result of his dedicated thinking on Buddhist issues.
The First and Best Buddhist Teachings is a book that should be read by all those interested in the teachings of Buddhism and particularly the Buddhist reading public throughout the world owe a deep debt of gratitude to its author for bringing out this very readable book based on some very important aspects of Buddhism.
We Sri Lankans should also be proud of the fact that the author, Dr. Susunaga Weeraperuma, is of Sri Lankan origin.
Don't miss your chance
I want to ask you: in this whole world
What is the most profound
Most wonderful thing?
Sit erect and meditate right to the end
As you meditate, you'll find a clue
And everything will naturally become clear
Keep your concentration
Don't miss your chance
After a while, your mind will be pure
Your wisdom ripe
Courtesy: Inquiring Mind
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