In light of the horrible massacre of school children in Russia at the hands of muslims, it is reassuring to be reminded that there is a rational religion available to the world. Here is an interesting excerpt from a recent posting on the Buddhist News Network(the best source of current buddhist news I think). It is a nice summary of what we strive to believe in and practice:
The mercantile community had found Buddhist philosophy acceptable and suitable. Trade is a rational activity and Buddhism is a rational religion. It does not revile against the pursuit of wealth and well-being, but only urges moderation. The two gelled remarkably.
Though the members of the monastic order (Sangha) had to live a life of renunciation, they were expected to situate themselves within society. The laity is expected to live a normal life, though following the "middle path" (majjhimapatipada) and avoiding all extremes. For the Buddha, hedonistic self-indulgence as well as self-mortification or extreme denial was equally unacceptable.
In Buddhism, everything in the world is impermanent (anitta) and illusory (moha). Attachment gives rise to dissatisfaction or sorrow (dukka). "But the Buddha said that dukka could be eliminated with the development of a humane and intellectual personality through the practice of morality (sila) and meditation (Samadhi) and through a search for wisdom (panna). The realisation of dispassionateness (viraga) through this path provides complete mastery over mind and matter resulting in the ultimate cessation of the mental process or the realization of nibbana (nirvana)," Seneviratne explained.
Despite the exhortation not to have attachment to material things, Buddhism was not an otherworldly religion of self-abnegation. It only sought a realistic approach to life. The Buddhist theory of knowledge is a very progressive one. It serves as a good basis for modern scientific inquiry and indeed all-rational activity.
The Buddha wanted the truth or reality to be realised by oneself, through investigation and inquiry, and not by following what is said to have been revealed to someone, or going by tradition or a teacher's word.
"This is, in fact, a sound recipe for modern research, methodology, freedom of thought and expression," Seneviratne pointed out.
The mercantile community had found Buddhist philosophy acceptable and suitable. Trade is a rational activity and Buddhism is a rational religion. It does not revile against the pursuit of wealth and well-being, but only urges moderation. The two gelled remarkably.
Though the members of the monastic order (Sangha) had to live a life of renunciation, they were expected to situate themselves within society. The laity is expected to live a normal life, though following the "middle path" (majjhimapatipada) and avoiding all extremes. For the Buddha, hedonistic self-indulgence as well as self-mortification or extreme denial was equally unacceptable.
In Buddhism, everything in the world is impermanent (anitta) and illusory (moha). Attachment gives rise to dissatisfaction or sorrow (dukka). "But the Buddha said that dukka could be eliminated with the development of a humane and intellectual personality through the practice of morality (sila) and meditation (Samadhi) and through a search for wisdom (panna). The realisation of dispassionateness (viraga) through this path provides complete mastery over mind and matter resulting in the ultimate cessation of the mental process or the realization of nibbana (nirvana)," Seneviratne explained.
Despite the exhortation not to have attachment to material things, Buddhism was not an otherworldly religion of self-abnegation. It only sought a realistic approach to life. The Buddhist theory of knowledge is a very progressive one. It serves as a good basis for modern scientific inquiry and indeed all-rational activity.
The Buddha wanted the truth or reality to be realised by oneself, through investigation and inquiry, and not by following what is said to have been revealed to someone, or going by tradition or a teacher's word.
"This is, in fact, a sound recipe for modern research, methodology, freedom of thought and expression," Seneviratne pointed out.
posted by Rory at 7:08 PM
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