Buddhism-Dharma Chakra Pravartana

By Staff

Tuesday, June 23, 2009, 13:38

Are the teachings of Buddha based on his own inner experiences? He never relied on any scriptures or other authority. He said all his knowledge was self earned, by his own way of Sadhana experiments and experiences. By acquiring THAT he won complete tranquility and Nirvana. He said the human mind is the house of desires and attachments. So it should be very carefully tackled before disciplining it. One should not give more importance to the man he sees outside. His teachings should be followed, lived and walked before coming to any conclusion. Meditation and concentration destroy many of one's problems. Actions are only determined by ignorance. Too much of discussions and talking will create more doubts and problems. Don't hear but listen. Don't read but study.

He who is hungry will find a way to satisfy his hunger. Similarly, he who is in quest of eternal truth will find a way to realize it. Lust, anger, greed, passion, pride, prejudice, jealousy, hypocrisy, doubt, fear, name, fame and honour are enemies to that individual's progress who is in quest of Truth. So they should be eliminated from oneself not by stubbornness but by wisdom.

The cravings, wantings,desires and attachments over men and material, blind folds the senses and carry the individual into mundane life. So the disciplines prescribed should strictly be adopted and followed.

He emphasized not to get involved neither in the extremes of sense pleasures nor in self mortification. They will in no way provide tranquility. So long the mind is in possession of despair and desires, one cannot dream of tranquility. He who has not reached that state of tranquility in his heart and mind will find difficult to rejoice or settle down in solitude or in silence.

Quest and aspiration cannot be solved or satisfied by mere sravana or vachalam, only experiments and experiences will solve all the problems. One should strive hard by converting his whole life with . intense sadhana. All kind of activities should get confined only for bare necessity to upkeep his B.M.I to realize the reality. Know that renunciation is a result of realization. The nature of the desires is to veil the reality in whatever manner they exist. Too many activities pressed in the heart and the mind will lead only to the wheel birth and death and divert the self-will into self-praise. So one should be fully aware of his mind, activities and desires.

Don't bother about when your ignorance came. Recognize its presence and focus on how yon can get rid of it.

When the root is unharmed and vigorous,
the tree stumps grow again and again.
In like manner so long as the propensity for craving is not uprooted,
This sorrow will spring up again and again.
Tanha Vagga 338

That foolish man who is caught
In the thirty six streams of desire
His thoughts being centred on passion and craving being strong.
as if by waves is carried along to hell.

Tanha Vagga 339

They who are intoxicated by desire are caught in it, like the spider
who is caught in the web of his own making,
The wise man by loosening this bond
gives up all and goes nirvana wards

Tanha Vagga 347

So be a light unto yourselves.
To know that is good
To live in that is better
To be that is best!

About the author

This article by M.Ram Mohan is published in the Vedanta Vani of Chinmaya Mission.