On
this memorable day the Buddha’s Saasana (dispensation) came into
existence and then spread not only in Jambudipa but also through out the
world. Thus Buddhism now is not considered as an Jambudipan religion but as a
world religion, which was recognized by the United Nation too on
Vesak-2000.
Buddhism
is the only Indian religion to become world religion and Buddha the
only Indian Guru to become Jagat Guru. Thus this Purnima is also known
as Guru Purnima.
The
importance of the four Noble Truths could be gauged by the fact that
Buddha himself had said: “It was through not understanding, not
penetrating the four Noble Truths, that I, as well as you have wandered
so long through the countless rounds of birth”.(DN-16)
The
Noble truth of suffering is the fact of every day life in every one’s
life. It may be direct or indirect and coarse or subtle. This fact of
existence of suffering in every one’s life forms the base for Buddha’s
teachings. Having experienced this truth of suffering Buddha taught the
four Noble truths of suffering namely
1)
There is Suffering i.e. Birth is suffering, old age is suffering,
illness is suffering, death is suffering, association with the
unpleasant is suffering, dissociation from the pleasant is suffering,
one does not get what is desired that too is suffering, in short the
five aggregates affected by clinging is suffering.
2)
There is cause for Suffering i.e. Whatever there is greed which causes
becoming in the next world, consisting of passionate delight, finding
pleasure in this or that, to wit: greed for sensual pleasures, greed for
becoming, greed for non-becoming.
3)There
is cessation of Suffering i.e. Of that very greed itself, that
extinction, which comes through complete detachment, giving up, complete
abandonment, release, non-attachment.
4)
There is path leading to the cessation of suffering i.e. The noble
eight-fold path to wit: right view, right intention, right speech, right
action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right
concentration.
In
Majjima Nikaya Buddha categorically states that he teaches one thing
only, namely Suffering and the path to cessation of Suffering and is not
interested in any philosophical or intellectual quest.
Though
Suffering is pain, it is used as a wet stone to sharpen one’s wisdom
and to face the reality accordingly. It is a wise man’s saying that: -
It is easy enough to be pleasant,
when life flows like a sweet song.
But the man worthwhile,
Is the one who can smile;
when things go dead wrong.
Hence
in order to over come suffering one has to work patiently and
persistently on the Eight-fold path, which forms the fourth Noble truth,
and through gradual progress one would ultimately make end of suffering
as taught by the Buddha. This Noble eight-fold path is divided into
three sections as Sila, Samadhi and Panya. The malady of suffering is
not confined to any one particular caste, color, region, religion and
nation. It is a universal malady and hence the remedy too must be
universal. Thus the path of Sila, Samadhi and Panya, which has no trace
of any sectarianism, is the universal remedy for the ills of the world
called suffering.
In
order to get established in Sila(morality) , it is necessary to have
complete control over one’s own mind. The mind should be fully
restrained and disciplined. For this it is necessary to practice
Samadhi(concentration).
Practicing
only Sila without Samadhi is like standing on only one leg and
straining one’s self. On the other hand Samadhi without Sila is like one
leg hanging in air with out support.
Again
it is not enough to just concentrate one’s mind. It is also necessary
to develop Panya(wisdom) . By this Panya it is possible to eradicate the
ingrained habit pattern of the mind that generates, multiplies and
accumulates Sankharas(reactions ) of Raga (greed)and Dosa(hatred) out of
Moha(ignorance) . So if Sila and Samadhi are two legs on which one
stands, balances and walks then Panya is like the eye which enables us
to see things as they are, thereby avoiding the dangers and leading us
through the safe Noble Eight-fold path, which forms the fourth Noble
truth of Suffering.
The
teaching based on Suffering seems to be pessimistic and definitely
people would like to have an optimistic teaching. But, the question is
not of pessimism or optimism; it is the question of realism on which the
Buddha stresses. His teachings are not CUSTOMER ORIENTED to please
individuals or masses but just TRUTH ORIENTED.
In
Alagaddupama sutta(MN-22 BPS) Buddha says: “Both formerly & now
what I teach is suffering & the Cessation of suffering. If others
abuse, revile, scold, and harass the Tathagata for that, the Tathagata
on that account feels no annoyance, bitterness, or dejection of the
heart. And if others honor, respect, revere, and venerate the Tathagata
on that account feels no delight, joy, or elation of the heart. If
others honour, respect, revere, and venerate the Tathagata for that, the
Tathagata on that account thinks thus: They perform such services as
these for the sake of what had earlier come to be fully understood”.
Thus this Noble Truth of suffering may seem to be pessimistic or bitter
because of our wrong perception and conditioning but if one compares it
with the verifiable facts of day to day life one will find the profound
Truth of it. In the same sutta Buddha
further says: “The Dhamma well proclaimed by me thus, which is clear…
free of patchwork, those who are Dhamma followers are all headed for
Enlightenment & those who have sufficient faith in me, sufficient
love and regards for me, are all headed for heaven”.
Thus July full moon is festival of Truth
On this day Buddha taught the Noble Truth
He preached the Dhamma as Noble Truth
And came to be known as embodiment of Truth.
Noble truth of Suffering is no secret,
It is a truth we refuse to acknowledge.
Truth undermines the Selfness of I, My, Mine
to which we cling so desperately
and shows the impermanence of all phenomena.
Truth is not hidden from us
We are hiding from it.
To
develop Buddhist cultural identity every Buddhist must visit nearest
Buddha Vihara on Sundays and Full Moon of every month and not just once
in a Blue Moon.