I dream of a world in
which all beings are free from suffering
Ven. Jyoti Sri Bhikkhu
B.A. Special (Honors), M.A.(in progress)-2012.
I
dream of a world in which there is so much loving-kindness that there is no
room for anger, hatred, inequality, hostility or war. The world I dream of is one in which people
are more concerned with environmental and ethical responsibilities than with
greed and selfishness. One might ask: In this world of suffering how is it possible
to create such a peace-filled world? It
is actually quite simple. I believe that what people need is to truly feel the
interconnectedness and interrelatedness of all beings. Once they do they cannot possibly want
anything but happiness for all others and therefore peace is bound to follow. I contend that if all people have access to
the teachings of the Buddha from an early age they would truly feel this
brotherhood of humanity and therefore be more inclined toward peaceful
coexistence. But how can one person make a difference? The answer is to show kindness by sharing a
simple smile.
Smiles are understood universally and are very contagious. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama said that
“peace begins with a smile.” I have actually experimented with this concept and
found that if we greet someone with a smile whether they know us or not they
automatically smile back and as we know it is difficult to hurt someone when
they're smiling at us. If we simply smile at everyone we meet they will most
likely smile back and for that instant forget their sorrows, and in time grow
to truly feel the interconnectedness and interrelatedness of all beings.
These are the three
main teachings of Lord Buddha that I believe can make my dream world come true:
(1) Buddha taught
that due to anger, hatred and delusion most of the
problems arising in this world are caused by our own thoughts and that we can
train our minds for a more positive result. Because every positive and negative
action arises from our mind by choosing positive and rejecting negative thoughts
we can purify our mind. Where mind is purified, there is no dreadful action in
the world.
(2) Buddhism teaches joyful generosity and
loving-kindness. Throughout history wars
have taken place in nearly every corner of the earth due to greed and hate.
People are frequently forced to live in a state of terror. Consequently, people on earth aspire towards
peace. Buddhism is a religion that
promotes and practices peace. In the biography of the Buddha, it is recorded
that the Buddha mediated between the Koliya and Sakya people for a dispute over
water. The Buddha asked them, “Water and human being, which one is more
important?” Knowing his great kindness and wisdom they replied, “Humans are
more important than water!” Hence, the Buddha enlightened them with the
following words, “To sacrifice people’s precious lives in order to fight for
water is incorrect. As others feel hatred towards us, we must live peacefully
without hate…” Buddha also said, “One will be hit back if hitting others, will
get hatred in return if hating others, will be scolded back if scolding others,
will get wrath if irritating others.” (3) There is a teaching of the Buddha called
“Loving kindness” also known by the Pali term “Metta.” It is a state of feeling that all sentient
beings are our friends or family members. In a Mahayana text, the Lankavatara
Sutta, it is said that consuming meat is a negative action by Buddhist mother,
brother, sister, relative, friend, and so on. Animals and the earth itself must
be protected and nourished. It should be noted that in practicing
loving-kindness the whole world is reduced into a big family where all sentient
beings are members of this family. The principle of wisdom in Buddhism may
suggest that as all sentient beings are subject to suffering, so we are friends
under the same sky of suffering. But, in terms of logic, merely sharing
suffering does not necessarily lead to the conclusion that we are the same
family members. The wars of the world still happened though people knew we
shared the truths of life such as death, sickness, and old age. To prevent such
wars, people must really feel the brotherhood of humankind, the interconnectedness and interrelatedness
of all things.
In conclusion,
contribution to peace in the world is within the reach of us all if we truly
desire to take part. After achieving
inner peace through the teachings and practices of Buddhism, the circle of one’s contribution to world
peace grows larger and spreads easier.
It is also important for us to deal with the challenges within our
little worlds. With commitment, patience
and love we can create peace for ourselves within our families, schools,
neighborhoods and cities. I believe with all my heart that if everyone
enjoyed the Buddha’s teachings from an early age they would truly know the
brotherhood of humanity and eagerly smile at one another. And that would undoubtedly turn the future
toward more peace and happiness for all beings resulting in a world free from
such suffering.
ttp://enews.buddhistdoor.com/en/news/d/33936#.UCOW78Mz3I5.facebook
A Buddhist Approach to Becoming a Buddhist
This article will guide you on becoming a Buddhist in five simple steps. It will also point you in the direction of further reading about each of the steps so that you can have a good understanding about them.
1. First take refuge in the Triple Gem by uttering the below (the Pali lines are what should be said out loud, the English translations are provided below them). You can do this everyday:
Buddham saranam gacchami
I go to the Buddha for refuge.
Dhammam saranam gacchami I go to the Dhamma for refuge.
Sangham saranam gacchami
I go to the Sangha for refuge.
I go to the Buddha for refuge.
Dhammam saranam gacchami I go to the Dhamma for refuge.
Sangham saranam gacchami
I go to the Sangha for refuge.
Dutiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami For a second time, I go to the Buddha for refuge.
Dutiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami
For a second time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge.
Dutiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami For a second time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.
Dutiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami
For a second time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge.
Dutiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami For a second time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.
Tatiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami For a third time, I go to the Buddha for refuge.
Tatiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami
For a third time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge.
Tatiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami For a third time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.
Tatiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami
For a third time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge.
Tatiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami For a third time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.
Reference
2. Become established in giving and generosity (dana and caga) and morality (sila).
Reference
3. Start practicing meditation daily (very important), atleast 30-60 minutes a day. Also go on meditation retreats.
4. Learn and investigate the Four Noble Truths and start treading the Noble Eightfold Path (also very important).
Reference
5. Learn the Dhamma teaching and apply it to your life in slow but steady degrees.
Reference
* Also refer to the following Buddhism/Buddhist links
