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Buddhist spectrum
Democracy and its relation to Buddhism
If democracy is understood in its widest and broadest sense, it must
necessarily include within the scope of its meaning the idea of freedom
of the mind. This subject is being examined not with the purpose of
dealing with democracy in all its various aspects in which freedom of
the mind becomes its basis, but with the limited purpose of showing that
ideals of democracy and freedom of the mind are woven into the very
structure of Buddhism.
What are the principles of democracy? A true democracy allows free
speech: government by the people, a representative government, the state
having a government elected by the people. The democracy of the courts
in such a government provides equal justice for all: fairness, equality,
political equality.
Word origin: "Democracy" is from the Greek demos (people) + krateein
(to rule), hence a form of government in which the people have and
exercise political power. A democrat is thus one who advocates or
upholds such a form of government. According to Harry Emerson Fosdick:
"Democracy is based upon the conviction that there are extraordinary
possibilities in ordinary people."
"In the Western world democracy began to evolve in Greece around 450
B.C. That is almost about 2,500 years ago at the time when the Buddha
was born... now because democracy was discussed in early Greece, many
people had the misconception that democracy started in Greece. That is
historically incorrect. It was only ideas in their constitution... The
great foundation thinkers of the Western world, Socrates, Plato and
Aristotle discussed democracy but rejected it as an unsuitable form of
government.
Ideas about modern representational democracy spread in Western
Europe in the 19th and 20th centuries and so we see a lot of democracies
developing in Europe in more recent times. It is not a very extensive
record. The people who think that democracy came from the West are
historically making a mistake.
"Non-Western political democracy takes its early form in India, in
village 'Panchayats' in isolated places about 2300, 2400 or 2500 years
ago. Some of these developed under the influence of Buddhism. But for a
long time most of the countries in Asia were governed by autocratic
monarchs and colonialism till the 20th century. We must then conclude
that as a wide spectrum of government, democracy had a very limited
history everywhere in the world and also in Asia. In Asia we had great
civilizations but not much democracy.
"Yet, today, suddenly there is a great surge of democracy in the
Western world. In Eastern Europe, in many parts of the Third World,
democracy is rising and this is becoming an era of democracy.
"The similarity between Buddhism and democracy is perceived in the
teachings of the Buddha. His advocation of tolerance, the idea of
discussion, extraordinary freedom of choice, equality, non-violence,
impermanence - every one of these ideas went against the customs of his
time. They were revolutionary concepts introduced by the Buddha 2500
years ago. They were major intellectual innovations. But they were all
democratic in content and intent." (From a lecture delivered by Prof.
Ralph Buultjens on "Buddhism and Democracy.")
A fascinating conversation between the Buddha and his attendant
disciple Ananda is recorded in the Maha Parinibbana Sutta. The Buddha
had taught the Vajjians seven things that prevent decline. Addressing
Thera Ananda, the Buddha said: "Ananda, have you heard that the Vajjians
hold regular and frequent meetings?" "So have I heard, Lord." "Ananda,
as long as the Vajjians hold regular and frequent meetings, they may be
expected to prosper and not decline. Have you heard that the Vajjians
meet and disperse peacefully in concord, and carry on their affairs in
concord?" "So have I heard, Lord." "Ananda, as long as the Vajjians meet
in concord, disperse in concord, and carry on their affairs in concord,
they may be expected to prosper and not decline."
Now this is a clear statement and appreciation of a nascent form of
democracy in that ancient world.
India had outstanding Buddhist kings: Asoka the Great in the third
century B.C., Kanishka in the second century B.C., Harsha in the eighth
century A.C. Great Buddhist governmental systems and great Buddhist
civilizations developed. Buddhist spectrum
Rebirth in the eyes of a Westerner
Douglas de Long
To be born into a physical body, to live and die, and then to be
reborn into another physical form: this is the central concept of
reincarnation. The belief in this process of transformation is fast
becoming a part of the culture of Western society as more people awaken
within themselves. The theory of reincarnation has already been accepted
as reality in Eastern society for thousands of years; in fact, it forms
the core belief in both Hinduism and Buddhism. This is one of the reason
why many people in Western countries are now embracing Buddhism.
Better understanding
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Foetus |
Reincarnation answers many questions that pertain to your reason for
being here on earth. It helps you put your life into proper perspective
and gives you a better understanding of the cycle of life and death.
Most of you believe that you have in immortal soul that enters the
physical body at the time of birth and that the soul resides in this
material form during your lifetime.
Immortal soul
At the moment of death, that very soul, your soul, then leaves the
body (its "shell") and journeys back to heaven. If you accept this
concept readily, why not the concept of reincarnation? After all, if the
immortal soul can come down to earth and join with a physical body once,
why now a second time? In the days of Jesus the Master Teacher,
reincarnation was considered common knowledge; it was accepted as part
of life. The original teachings of Jesus also involved the theory of
reincarnation.
There are some specific references to reincarnation still found
within the pages of the present Bible. In the New Testament
(specifically, the Book of Matthew,), an intimation is made to Jesus
Christ as the returning prophet, Elijah.
In the Old Testament, references to reincarnation can be found in
Exodus 20:4 and Psalms 90:3.
In chapter 9, the real dynamics of the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit were
explained. Also, mystical wisdoms and esoterically hidden messages were
described as they appear within the words of the Bible. The mention of
the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost itself in the Bible has a connection to
the theory of reincarnation. When early Christianity borrowed the
doctrine of the Holy Trinity from teachings derived from ancient
Hinduism, it also created a hidden, mystical message in this idea.
Essences
The ancient mystery schools and healing temples taught the Law of
Three or the Law of the Triangle to its students for many centuries.
This law taught that three things or "essences" were required to create
or manifest something such as life. Jesus also taught this to His many
disciples, both male and female, during his lifetime. This law of Three
was a reference to the theory of reincarnation. Many of His followers
eventually put this teaching into their writings.
The immortal soul enters the physical body at or before birth and
that spirit energy, life force, or Universal Energy is needed to help
keep both body and soul connected.
This energy works like a magnet, maintaining the human soul within
the physical form. Three essences are needed to manifest life: soul,
body, and life force.
Reincarnation cycle
The same principle holds true at the time of death. As a person dies,
the life force leaves the body and its quickly depleting aura, returning
to the universe. When this energy leaves, the immortal soul cannot keep
itself within the body and journeys back to the heavenly fields shortly
afterwards.
Death has now occurred. This process repeats itself over and over
until you eventually break the reincarnation cycle and return to the
heavenly realms permanently.
There are two conditions that can affect this cycle of life and death
in reincarnation. These conditions are called karma and dharma.
The writer was a past life therapist, Chakra Master, medical
intuitive a spiritual teacher who helped people to develop their psychic
and spiritual potential.
Buddhist Heritage
Flourishing standard of Pali and Buddhism in Tripura
Rohan L. Jayetilleke
The State of Tripura, one of the twenty-nine States of the Union of
India, is situated in North East India, between the river valleys of
Myanmar (Burma) and Bangladesh, encircled totally on three sides by
Bangladesh and linked with Assam and Mizoram in the North - East.
Tripura has a long and chequered heritage. The long and significant
and unique tribal culture and fascinating folklore are manifested in the
Rajamala, a chronicle of the Kings of Tripura, Rajamala records, the
rulers were called by the surname "FA" meaning "Father". This Chronicle
further states the rulers of Bengal helped the Tripura kings in the 14th
century A.D. when they faced frequent invasions from Maughal invasions,
with varying degrees of success. The Tripura kings held their ground and
in several fierce battles defeated the rulers of Bengal.
Modern era
Fortunately in the 19th century saw the dawn of the modern era in
Tripura, when King Maharaja Birchandra Kishore Manikya Bahadur,
redesigned the administrative structure on the British India model and
brought forth reforms in numerous fields of socio-economic activity. His
successors ruled Tripura till October 15, 1949, the time of India
gaining independence from the British rulers. Thereafter Tripura merged
with the Indian Union. Reorganisation of States were performed on
September 01, 1956 and was officially declared as such on November 01,
1957. Tripura, thereafter attained the status of a full-fledged State of
the Republic of India on 21, 1972.
Occasionally
Presently State of Tripura covers an area of 1,049,169 sq km,
population of 3,191, 168 (according to 2001 Census Report of India, with
its capital city Agartala and with Bengali and Kokborok as principal
languages and Manipuri language was occasionally spoken language.
According to the Indian Census report of 1991, the Buddhist
population of Tripura is 1,28,260. These Buddhists venerate the Buddha
who, in the words of the Bengali Poet Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, a
perfect man ever born on earth".
The State of Tripura consists of four districts, namely, North
Tripura, area 2.820.63 sq km, population 5,90,655, Headquaters
Kailashahar; South Tripura area 215,177 population 762,565, Headquarters
Udaipur; West Tripura area 299,682 population 1,530,531 Headquarters
(capital) Agaratala. Dhalai area 255,247, population 307,417,
Headquarters Ambassa. (From India 2004 p. 829). Thus the Buddhist
population is around 31 per cent of the total population.
Fertiled
In few of these facts, the State of Tripura is really a fertile land
for the flourishing condition of Pali and Buddhism. In fact, the State
of Tripura under the Union of India (Republic) bears a glorious legacy
of Pali and Buddhism. During a visit to Tripura, on the invitation of
His Highness Sri Radhakishore Manikya, the then king of the kingdom of
Tripura, Rabindranath Tagore, the nobel laureate and Post and Savant of
India, became aware of the flourishing condition of Buddhism in Tripura
from Colonel Mahimcandra Dev Barman Bahadur and was astonished to see
the rich collection of Pali and Buddhist texts very reverently preserved
in Bhadur's library.
Marked tendency
With regard to Pali studies is concerned the Ramthakur College,
Agaratala, capital city of Tripura, has been successfully teaching Pali
upto the B.A. Pass level since the establishment of the College in 1967.
The progress in Pali studies in the College in recent years has been
sufficiently gained. The numerical strength of the Pali students, though
insignificant in the past, shows a marked tendency to increase.
The gradual popularity of the subject (i.e., Pali) in the College may
be traced to the efforts and patronage extended to the cause of Pali
learning by the (Former) Principal Dr. Ranindra Nath Das (Shastri) who
started the Pali classes at the very beginning and took the
responsibility of the teaching work in Pali inspite of his multifarious
duties to be performed as administrative Head of the Institution".
(Journal of the Department of Pali, Vol, 1, 1982-83, p. 192 - Sengupta
Sukumar, A Short History of the Pali Studies in the University of
Cakcutta 1880-1983).
In Tripura, though not labelled as Buddhists, there is large
percentage of people believed Hindus and Jains, and recognized Lord
Gautama Buddha as the greatest son of India of the 6th century,
unsurpassed by any other teacher.
The writer is a member of the Bhrathiya Kala Kendra of India. |
