The Dharma, Humanism, Materialism and Science

-
The Dharma or the Buddhist doctrine primarily appeals to the dignity of human beings rather than glorifying the god's notion, his free will and his superiority over the nature, unlike the way the theists define humanism. Thus the Dharma is a humanistic philosophy, which in today's world is gaining significance because it makes an individual the master of his own destiny.

According to Buddhism, the human form is the only form in the entire universe which is most conducive to deliverance. The Buddhist concept therefore believes in the fundamental idea of self reliance and humanism rather than that of an external agency.

Today's world is a materialistic world as people (even those who call themselves religious) believe that the physical matter is the only reality and worldly possessions constitute the greatest good and highest value in life. Such materialistic view clearly denies the existence of an absolute and objective moral standard.

But the Dharma, as per the Buddhist school thought, do not accept materialistic view, which is based on the worldly desires and insists on the existence of moral conduct, goodness, truth and justice. However, Buddhism is not against the growth of material possessions unless and until it goes against the principles of right livelihood.

According to Buddhism, such material gain and crave for more and more has been the root cause of the seriously heightening conflict or rivalry not only among societies and nations, but even among members of the same family, which is a major concern today and that is why as per Buddhist ethics, one should follow the pursuit of a middle policy.

The Dharma also closely relates to what is today understood by Science. The myths of nature and life that had cultivated the humans have not only been proven wrong by science but also resembles to what the Buddha's Dharma mentions.

While other religions and the theists turn their backs to the scientific discoveries, Buddhism on the other hand reconcile the scientific discoveries with its basic laws for Dharma believes that logic should be the centre of man's knowledge and he should not accept anything blindly.

Even the Buddha has mentioned to his followers that nobody should accept blindly whatever he said, rather they should rationalized and then decide for themselves what is to be believed, followed and what should not.

But science also has a self-imposed limitation as it has no procedure to move from positive to normative, but the Dharma fills this gap as it has the ability to transcend science. It is also in this sense that the Dharma can be considered as a Philosophy.

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