The Functions of the Discipline
The Buddha most consistently called the body of his teachings not “Dharma,”
not “Sasana,” and certainly not “Buddhism,” but rather “Dharma-Vinaya,” the
doctrine and discipline. On his deathbed the Buddha refused to appoint a
successor, saying to the surrounding monks,
“… what I have taught and explained to you as Dharma and discipline
will, at my passing, be your teacher,”39
The Vinaya is fundamentally about community and about the monastic life
style, the life in accord with the Dharma and thereby the most direct path to
higher attainments. The Vinaya is addressed indeed to monks and nuns, but
throughout it emphasizes the responsibility of the Sangha to the lay
community, and the expectation of support of the Sangha by the lay
community. The Buddha’s teachings on community provide the mechanism
through which the light of the Buddha’s teachings burns brightly, through
which it spreads to attract new adherents and through which it retains its
integrity as it is passed on to new generations.
Here is the Buddha‘s mission statement for the Sangha in ten points:40
The excellence of the Sangha,
The comfort of the Sangha,
The curbing of the impudent,
The comfort of well-behaved monastics,
The restraint of effluents related to the present life,
The prevention of effluents related to the next life,
The arousing of faith in the faithless,
The increase of the faithful,
The establishment of the true Dharma,and
The fostering of Discipline.
Let’s try to understand the functions of monastic discipline point by point in
terms of this mission statement, and to recognize, as a means of further
elucidation, their close counterparts in the discipline of science.
Emperor Ashoka - Truth Love Beauty
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Ashoka
has ordered to build good roads throughout the country to boost trade
and to develop craftsmanship. For the good of travelers, he also ordered
to plant trees on both sides of any road. Wells were dug, sheds and
inns were built. Free medical care was distributed for both humans and
animals.
2nd PUC History Question Bank Chapter 4 Ancient Period …
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Jai Bhim sir. In fact, it is we, the Shudra-Atishudras,
should worry about our educated boys going after bleachec Brahmin girls.
This foolishness of our boys is causing great loss to our girls,
innocent parents & our community at large. We wish the pontiff a big
success in restricting his girls.
Jai Bhim sir. Our Finance
Minister Mrs. Nimala Sitaraman said “We are selling the banks because we
want to be in business & I can’t run it efficiently”. Perhaps, she
is the first FM to honestly admit her inefficiency. Now it is for the
people to elect an efficient government with efficient FM.
Jai
Bhim sir. It is disheartening that the India’s economic planners have so
far ignored the thoughts of Babasaheb in the field of economics. But
the time has come to study the importance & relevance of his unique
economic thoughts to lift the country from the persisting allround
crisis.
Jai Bhim sir. Farmers’ leader Rajesh Tikait says, “We
can win only if Jai Ram & Jai Bhim come together”. All the movements
in India began involving ‘Jai Bhim’ society & achieved great
success. But they all failed moserably at end as they ignored the caste
question of ‘Jai Bhim’ society.
Jai Bhim sir. We have seen the
rise & fall of many movements that of communists, socialists,
Gandhians, etc. But none could bring the desired change in the society
as they are all led by the brahminical leaders who are against the
change. Unless Brahminism is destroyed, change is impossible.
Jai
Bhim sir. “The saints in India have never campaigned against caste.
They did not preach that all men were equal. They preached that all men
were equal in the eyes of God - a very innocuous proposition that was
not difficult to preach or dangerous to believe” Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Jai
Bhim sir. “Prof.Foster said, ‘hypothesis was the salt of science;
without hypothesis there is no possibility of fruitful investigation’.
But it is equally true that where the desire to prove a particular
hypothesis is dominant, hypothesis becomes the poison of science”
Babasaheb Ambedkar.