Buddhism in everyday life
- by Andrew Scott
(17.05.2011 - dailynews.lk)
Buddhism, the message of the Buddha, delivered over 2,500 years ago, has now penetrated into even the remotest corners of the world and the modern world views it with deeper understanding, attaching a great meaning to it. Some call it a religion. Others call it a philosophy. Some others think of it as both a religion and a philosophy. However, the most appropriate meaning to attach to it, is that Buddhism is a way of life where the Buddha always emphasized the practical aspect of his noble teaching.
We are fortunate to be Buddhists as the Buddhist way of life is the most simple and the easiest to follow. But it is saddening that many are unaware of how they could lead a true Buddhist way of life and sometimes even devout Buddhists tend to forget the correct Buddhist way of life.
For one to lead a correct Buddhist way of life he should follow accepted Buddhist cultural practices which is a unique feature in the philosophy of this religion with depth and understanding. An important feature in Buddhism is that Buddhist culture has penetrated into every aspect of our life and we need the guidance of our religion for our everyday living. As practising Buddhists we should keep in mind the day to day accepted religious observances and practices which will bring peace, happiness and ultimate salvation.
There is no doubt that the Buddha, Dhamma occupies and exalted place in a true Buddhist life and it forms an important phase in our daily lives. For a Buddhist it is a very admirable habit to awake early in the morning so that he could attend to his toilet quietly and still have a few minutes left to be spent in one's shrine-room and to contemplate before a Buddha statue or even a Buddha picture. If one recites the five precepts and determines to live up to them each day there is no doubt that he has begun the day well. There are some Buddhists who are particular to read a passage of a Dhamma book before starting the day's work and this is a very good way to begin one's day.
Today, specially in the mornings, most of us have to rush through our activities and it seems that one cannot spend very much time for religious observances in the morning. But even in this situation anyone can start the day contemplating on some Buddhist thoughts and one can mentally recollect the words of homage, refuge, precepts and worship. It is in this fashion that a true Buddhist should mindfully start his day filled with noble thoughts of the Dhamma and determined to spend the day in the true Buddhist tradition.
Thus, following the practical way of the Buddha, Dhamma we must try to free ourselves of all thoughts of worry, hurry, irritation and impatience and Buddhists must always try to radiate metta or goodwill towards all around them. It must be realized that a day spent in this manner will not have a tiring effect and even at the end of the day one would feel fresh, calm and serene to successfully handle more and more work.
Today many of us, both Buddhists and no-Buddhists, are used to spending a greater part of our leisure time in idle gossip and engaging in other anti-social activities such as consuming liquor, going to clubs and wasting time in unwholesome pursuits. This is harmful to both the progress of the individual as well as the progress of the immediate society in which he lives. Everyone living according to the Buddha, Dhamma should shun unprofitable gossip and instead should engage themselves in thoughts of good-will and joy and should take special care to bestow a calming effect on the environment in which they live.
After a day's hard work one should relax. But even in relaxation one could think of the Buddha, Dhamma and its serene effects on humanity. For instance, when we observe the beautiful colours and the many shapes of clouds in the evening sky and then when we see, in a few minutes, the magnificent colours change, the shapes disfiguring and disappearing, we can apply the thoughts of Annicca, Dukkha and Anatta. The same principle can be applied to every change in life.
To a Buddhist meditation provides an effective antidote to the stress and strain of the modern world beset with numerous economic, social and cultural problems. At least a few minutes from one's day should be set apart for meditation which bears a tremendous influence on those who practise it regularly. Even when tired of some activities such as walking, reading or writing one can turn to meditation to regain mental calmness, peace and joy.
from their young age even children should be nurtured in the noble traditions of the Buddha, Dhamma. Children brought up in such a religious atmosphere will grow up with a deep veneration for the Buddha, Dhamma and the Sangha. A home where the parents and the elders are truly religious sets a noble example for the children and such a home built up on a solid religious foundation will be a happy and serene home.
If all Buddhists apply the Dhamma to our everyday life we can create an integrated society which will be a solace to the entire world. It is a pity that some Buddhists think of the Buddha, Dhamma only when having a religious ceremony or an alms-giving or when confronted with some difficulty such as the death of a dear one or when a serious misfortune befalls.
A true Buddhist will be serene at all times and will not be disturbed by petty worldly things. Buddhists who frequently meditate on the transitory nature of all things around us will always bear lightly the misfortunes and frustrations that visit us at some time or the other in the lives of everyone.
Let us think about some other simple ways of practicing Buddhism in our daily lives. It is appropriate for all Buddhists to have a Buddha image or a picture of the Buddha in their homes, of course not as a showpiece, but as an object of inspiration and veneration. The serene figure of the Buddha, an emblem of living kindness, purity and perfection will serve as a great source of inspiration and will help us to surmount all difficulties and worries.
Another important Buddhist practice should be to send young children to systematically organized religious classes conducted in the temples. From the young days all should be trained to actively participate in the temple ceremonies, specially on Full Moon Poya days. A most desirable and meritorious act is to observe the Eight Precepts during the Poya days. The entire Poya day should be devoted to religious matters such as meditation, religious discussions, reading of religious books and helping the needy.
In celebrating family and social functions too, Buddhists should remember to conduct themselves according to Buddhist principles. They should make it a point to conduct these activities in a dignified manner in keeping with the principles of cultured Buddhists and even on such occasions Buddhists should refrain from all intoxicants and any form of vile amusement. It is good to remember that in organizing any function Buddhists should take care not to cause any nuisance to others.
In life we are always amidst death, a sad and solemn occasion. The elaborate and expensive funeral rites which are carried out at certain Buddhist funerals are not Buddhist practices at all. According to Buddhist practices funeral rights should be solemn and simple.
Thus, even in death, un-buddhistic rites should never be adhered to and instead Buddhist practices should be perpetuated. According to Buddhist practices Buddhist monks are invited to the house of the deceased or to the cemetery to carry out a simple religious ceremony. Many have posed the question whether according to Buddhist rites, a deceased person should be buried or cremated. Buddhism is flexible on this issue and the choice of whatever method is left entirely to the last wish of the deceased or, more frequently, is carried out at the direction of the next of kin. However, cremation seems to be a more hygienic way of disposing the body.
It is a good Buddhist practice to refrain from erecting expensive pandals during various religious festivals such as Vesak and from spending much on decorations. Instead, this money could be put to better use by donating it to some religious or charitable organization which could utilize that money intelligently.
All are aware that giving Dana or alms is the foundation of Buddhism and Dhamma Dana is pre-eminent among them In passing I with to mention briefly about the Dhammapada, an inseparable companion of all Buddhists. In the entire literature of the world there is no other anthology so rich with beauty of expression harmoniously blending with beauty of thought.
It is the oldest anthology of the world and its Pali stanzas are so fascinating and instructive that scholars throughout the world have translated it into several languages, including Latin and German. Thus and Dhammapada is held in great esteem by both Eastern and Western scholars. Prof Radhakrisnan, in his preface to Dhammapada states: "The Dhammapada has an appeal to the modern world because its central theme is that human conduct righteous behavior, reflection and meditation are more important than vain speculation about the transcendent."
Today in Sri Lanka as well as throughout the world the value of the Dhammapada is being increasingly appreciated and sermons on its various stanzas are often arranged.
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