Buddha Jayanti.

Buddha Jayanti. (27-05-2010)
Some Random Thoughts.

Buddhism appeals both to the masses and to the intelligent.
It offers milk for the babe and food for the strong.
Lord Buddha’s teachings have been incorporated in Dhammapada.
It is not a book to be read superficially like a novel and shelved aside.
It should be read and re-read so that it may serve as a constant companion.
After passing away of the Lord, the Arahats collected and included his teachings
In Pali language Dhamma is Sanskrit equivalent of Dharma = duty.Here it is used in the form of Sayings.

The Dhammapada consists of 423 melodious Pali verses, uttered by the Buddha,
on 300 occasions to suit temperament of the listeners during the course of his
Preaching tours during his Ministry of 45 years.

The first two stanzas describe the ethico-philosophical system of Buddha. The
Buddhist law of moral causation, the problem of pain and happiness, self-responsibility,
accompanied by simple illustrations find expression in these twin verses.

The verses dealing with hatred and its appeasement are of special significance. Force will
certainly be met by force. Bombs will be met with Bombs. Vengeance will be met with
Vengeance. Retaliation never leads to peace. Hatred never ceases through hatred but it ceases through love alone. Metta or loving kindness is an answer to modern bombs.
Dhamma is a raft whereby one crosses the ocean of Samsara. This advice is alone sufficient for an ideal Bhikkhu for his whole lifetime.

Buddha exercises his psychic powers to transform a lust-ridden mentally sick Bhikkhu
to a pure spiritually healthy individual, as is evident from the story of Prince Nanda, his
Step-brother and the verses uttered concerning him.

The first two chapters deal with the ethics of Buddhism. The second chapter is an answer to critics who tried to denounce Buddhism as a dead-end which denotes heedfulness, vigilance earnestness, watchfulness. It was the first word of heedfulness that transformed King Asoka in his conversion to Buddhism. “Seek no delight in worldly favours but cultivate seclusion.” Or a pregnant word like “Strive” is alone sufficient for a whole lifetime.

The third chapter is for understanding the Bhuddhist concept of Mind and importance of Mind control.

The chapter on Pleasure Happiness Hell Evil World Flowers, the Fool, the Wise, Craving, proves very helpful to those who are engrossed in material pleasures. The illusive nature of worldly happiness is aptly described in these chapters.

The chapters on the Buddha, the Arahat, and the Brahmana particularly appeal to those
of a higher spiritual level which depict the moral attitude of really enlightened beings.

One should not rest merely satisfied with perusal of his Sayings. They should be read, re-read and pondered upon together with the accompanying stories drawing appropriate lessons there from.

“Happily he lives who drinks the Dhamma.”
The wisdom of Buddha lies in his exposition of profound truth in his sayings.

Direct teaching is the Buddha’s usual method of exposition. At times, he exercises
His psychic powers, not miracles in order to enlighten his illiterate audience or gives an
actual demonstration of a concrete truth.

To a fisherman named Arya whom he saw fishing, He said :

“He is not an Arya who is engaged in killing animals and fish.”
The man realised his ignoble act and followed the principles of Buddhism.

In the Dhammapada there are several instances to show that Buddha preached not only to the intelligentia but also to little children in their own language.

Evil begets Evil. Good begets Good.
Retaliation does not lead to peace. Anger is conquered by Love.
Quarrels cease through right thinking.
The weak succumbs to temptation but not the Strong.
The pure are worthy of the Yellow Robe but not the Impure.
Right perception leads to the realisation of Truth.
Lust pierces the hearts of the undeveloped but not those of the Developed.
Happy are the well-doers here and hereafter. The Evildoer laments here and hereafter.
Happy are the Righteous.
Learning without practice is of no worth.
The Heedless die; The heedful do not. The Heedful shall advance.
The Energetic prosper. The wise create their own Heavens by their efforts.
Heedlessness should be conquered by Heedfulness.
The strenuous and the Alert overtake the thoughtless and the indolent.
Earnestness leads to Sovereignty.

Straighten the fickle mind. Guard your Thoughts.
Free are they who have controlled their Minds.

To the vigilant there is no fear.
Fortify your mind and be non-attached.
An ill-disposed Mind is the greatest Enemy.
A well-directed Mind is far greater than even a Father or a Mother.
The noble disciple will conquer his Self.
This Body is a Mirage. Death takes the Sensual unawares.
With ungratified desires the Sensual die.
Saintly Monks cause no inconvenience to any.
Seek not other’s faults but your own.
Practice is better than mere Teaching.
Moral Fragrance wafts everything. The scent of virtue is by far the Best.
Rebirth-Consciousness of the Arahats cannot be traced.
Greatness may be found among the basest. The wise outshine world lings.
Long is the Samsara to those who know not the Dhamma.
Avoid companionship with the foolish. One is not one’s own.
Wise is he who acknowledges his Foolishness.
A fool can not appreciate the value of the Dhamma.
Not well done is that disease which causes repentance.
Well done is that which causes no repentance.
Realisation is far superior to mere fasting.
Evil takes effect at the most opportune moment.
In fool’s knowledge and fame tend to their own ruin.
The ignorant seek undue fame.
The Path to gain is one and to Nibbana is another.
Associate with the wise who try to correct you.
Advisers are pleasing to the Good but not to the Bad.
Cultivate Good Friendship.
Happily he lives who drinks of the Dhamma.
The wise control themselves.
Unshaken are the wise as a rock, amidst praise and blame.
The wise are peaceful. The wise are not elated or depressed.
Success should not be sought by wrongful means.
Few go beyond. Those who follow the Dhamma, go beyond.
Give-up evil, cultivate good. Seek happiness in Solitude.
The non-attached are peaceful.
No suffering for the emancipated. Arahats are free from Attachment.
Be not attached to Food. Free are the undefiled ones.
The sense-controlled are dear to all. Like the Earth, the Arahats resent not.
The Calm are the Peaceful. Noble is he who is not credulous.
Delightful is the spot where the Arahats dwell. Delightful are the forests to the passionless. One useful sentence is better than a thousand useless words.
One better verse is better than a thousand useless verses.
Self conquest is the best of all conquests.
A moment’s honour to the pure is better than a century of Fire-Sacrifice.
A short but virtuous life is better than a long but immoral life.
Be quick in doing. Suppress Evil. Think not lightly of Good.
Shun Evil like a perilous path. No evil to those who have no bad intention.
Who harms the innocent, comes to grief.
Birth depends on Actions. Nobody is spared of effects of evil Kamma.
Harm not. Kill not. Life is dear to all. Speak not harshly. Silence yourself.
Decay and Death are universal.
Evil doer is consumed by the effects of his own evil.
He who offends the innocent comes to grief. External penance can not purify.
Not by external appearance, one becomes Holy. The modest are rare.
The Good control themselves.
Seek the light. The Body is composed of flesh and blood.
Righteousness does not wear away.
One with little learning lacks wisdom.
Be vigilant. Advisors should set the example first. Act as you instruct.
The corrupt shall bring about their own ruin. Scorn not the noble.
Give up base desires. The righteous are happy. The world is a bubble.
Evil be erased by Good. Few are the clear-sighted.
The wise seek an escape from this world.
There is no evil that a liar can not commit. The stingy are not happy.
Do good and be good. Lead a pure and noble life.
Insatiate are sensual pleasures. Victory breeds hatred. Health is paramount.
Give up both what is dear and what is not dear. Hold nothing dear.
Grief springs from affection, craving, attachment. The Non-attached go upstream.
Give up Anger. Control Anger. Be truthful, patient and generous.
The harmless attain the deathless. The Death is near to you. Be passionless.
Life will surely end. It is easy to live a shameless life. It is hard to live a modest life.
There is no river like craving. Easy to see are other’s faults.
The just should make a proper investigation. Be impartial.
Grey Hair alone does not make a Thera. A shaven head does not make him a monk.
One does not be a Bhikkhu by mere begging. A Bhikkhu should shed all Passions.
The eight fold path is best to end suffering. Transient are all conditioned things.
Everything is soulless. The slothful does not realise the path. Purify word deeds, thoughts. Mind is bondage as long as there is attachment. Develop path of peace.
Ignorant realise not the fear of death. No protection from any at the moment of death.
No Hatred for Hatred. Arahat goes ungrieving. Renunciation is hard. Good is seen
Liars suffer. Corrupt monks suffer. Be not immoral. Adultery is evil. Do not do wrong.
See wrong as wrong and Right as Right. The majority are undisciplined.
Blessed is he who controls himself. Be moderate in eating. Avoid the evil way.
Associate with the wise. Blessed are friends in need. Cut off craving with wisdom.
Renounce sensuous pleasures. The mindful end craving. Riches ruin the ignorant.
Lust, hatred, desire delusion is blemish of mankind. Guard the senses. Be contented.
Despise not what one gets. Give up lust and hatred. Meditate earnestly. You are your own
Saviour. With joy and faith win your goal. Be a knower of the uncreated.
Cultivate concentration and insight. He who meditates and is pure is Brahmana.
Buddha shines day and night. He is holy who has discarded all evil.
Harm not an Arihat. Arihat does not retaliate. Honour to whom honour is due.
A Brahmana has no hatred. He is patient and not wrathful and laid his burden aside.
A Brahmana has no intimacy with any. A Brahmana is he who has enlightened himself.

It is a pity that such a noble religion was not followed in Buddha’s own country to
the extent it was embraced in all other neighbouring countries.