Work for Dual Harmony

-
We have to take note that conditions of peace and stability in this world can only be maintained when the inner spirit and being of man is also at peace. It is therefore of most importance that we work for inner peace in our own life and the life of our people.

Outward conditions, however, do also react on the inner condition of mind. Few can develop an inner peace of mind and heart when the world round them is in a state of turmoil. All the Arahants and Bodhisativas left India when it was laid waste by invading hordes of barbarians from the northwest.

This lesson therefore has to be taken to heart that the effort to establish conditions of peace and happiness both in ourselves, as also in the world surrounding us has to be simultaneous. The Lord has rejected the peace that the Ashramas of Alara Kalama and Udraka Ramputta had offered Him, the Buddha ventured further to obtain true insight and when this had been won, He overcame the temptation to lead a solitary life of peace and bliss and instead He turned to the world to establish conditions of peace in it.

In the nutshell therefore the true significance of the truth of Anitya (Impermanence) is that this universe of ours is in a constant flux. It is always in the process of becoming and we have the inherent faculties in us in a most surprising degree to change ourselves and the universe around us for the better.

Undaunted therefore by the great cosmic forces which are still largely out of control, undismayed disasters which may overtake us and the misfortunes that may befall us, we must continue to persevere and work for a better and happier world and a nobler and more selfless existence. The Blessed One has truly said about the asvas, "some banes must be overcome by restraints. Some need be conquered by practice and care others by patient endurance. Some can be vanquished by avoidance - others still by suppression while others by mental exercise".

We have a clear presentment of truth in this passage and we need to conform to the advice tendered.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sanghika Dana (Charity meant for the order of the Sangha)

-
The Pali word of Sanghika Dana means offering alms and other requisites to the Order of the Sangha. Supposed you donate one dollar to an association, all members rich or poor are entitled to that one dollar. Similarly, if a bowl of alms food or a set of robes is offered to the Sangha, then all members of the order are entitled to those offertories. You need not go around the world to give alms to the Sangha Order. An offer to any member of the Sangha in general will automatically amount to Sanghika Dana. All members are entitled to such offertories. They can share it between them. How to project one's goodwill? In offering Sanghika Dana, a donor's mind must be directed to the Order of the Sangha in general. Even though you utter Samghassa demi , I offer it to the Order of Sangha, if you have in mind a particular monk or a particular monastery, your charity cannot be Sanghika Dana. Offering alms food to any monk on daily alms-round or to a certain monk designated by the Order of...
Read more

Meaning of Kathina

-
Image
In the commentary to the Kathinakkhandaka (Section on Kathina) of the Vinaya Pitaka, kathina is defined as a concept of conglomeration which means bringing things together. It is a concept that arises because of certain things that come together. For example: A Bhikkhu/s (Buddhist monk/s) who has/have spent the first vassa; A Sangha (Community of Bhikkhus) comprising at least five bhikkhus; Robe season (the Kathina month) - first month after the end of the first vassa i.e. final month of the rainy season; A rightfully acquired robe - the robe to be donated must not be requested by a member of the Sangha, nor must any hint be given for the robe to be offered, rather the robe must be offered spontaneously by the donor. These are some criterias that come together for the concept of kathina to arise. In fact, two meanings of kathina are given in the Vinaya Commentaries: A frame used during the Buddha's time for sewing double layered robes together. The edges of one robe were fixed to...
Read more

Sammaditthi Meditation Grove, Sungai Petani, Kedah

-
Image
I had recently visited the Sammaditthi Meditation Grove (SMG) situated at Lot 617, Tanah Kubur Cina, Sungai Pasir, 08000 Sungai Petani, Kedah. SMG is the latest Buddhist centre of Theravada tradition to be constructed in Sungai Petani. The construction of its Sima Hall had almost completed, kutis (monk's huts) are also been constructed to accommodate the resident and visiting members of the Sangha. Their daily activities include morning pujas, followed by breakfast and lunch danas, where devotees are encouraged to perform their meritorious deeds. Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu.
Read more