The Guidance from Buddha
Exploring the
Message of Buddha
A very interesting session on ‘Inspired Living’ by Dr
Vikrant Tomar introduced me to the fresh nuances of messages of Gautam Buddha.
His interesting participative session exploring is interpretation of the
soulful Buddhist chant piqued my interest.
Buddham[i]
Sharanam Gachchami
Dhammam Sharanam Gachchami
Sangham Sharanam Gachchami
…… and the final
advise
Up
Depo Bhavah
A
quick search on the net made it clear that most information is basic – the
literal meaning of the chant. Just adequate for those like me who loved the
soothing feel of the Buddhist chant that is becoming a popular group activity.
The
literal meaning failed to match what Mr Vikrant had made me feel. It sure seems
that in true Indian tradition, the message is open to interpretation(s) and
exploration for those who seek.
The
verses are supposedly in response to a query to Buddha. What should I do to get
peace or words to that effect? Where is the source, the everlasting query? Buddha
responded by giving the three or maybe four options. I started surfing to get a
sense.
The
first challenge was to define ‘Buddham’, lack of knowledge of sanskrit did not
help. Buddha is meant to be derived from Buddhi or intellect. It is something
or someone that guides you. As a soul we need guidance and maybe we can seek
and meet an evolved soul or Buddha who can be our mentor. We can seek his
refuge as we navigate life. This Buddha can be anyone – elder younger, anyone,
maybe more than one person who becomes a mentor in varied aspects of life. It
is having someone with whom you can share freely and seek advice. Someone who
is ‘thathagat’ - a person who knows and can guide – the word has multiple
meanings. Thathagat or Buddha can guide but may not give solutions or decisions.
We all have to fight our own battles, a message so eloquently conveyed by the
final act of Jesus – each one of us included Jesus have to carry our own cross.
It’s so similar to ‘free will’ in one of my favorite movies ‘Bruce Almighty’.
Buddha or Buddhi helps in discerning right and wrong.
However the challenge does not end there as it is human nature to do wrong
despite knowing it is wrong!
Think about our habits – rather specifically bad habits. Bad
habits or weaknesses and addictions that we all continue to indulge despite
knowing it to be toxic to mind, bold or soul. Obviously there is more to it
than just availability of correct advice.
It is probably not even about seeking advice, maybe even if
you have a Buddha with whom you can share your problems or challenges is a distinct step forward. Sharing
a load reduces it. It acts as a stress release for the emotional pressure
cooker, which in turn opens options to explore.
A parent, a teacher,
a spouse, a colleague or a friend or anyone – lucky people have such a person
in their life? Delving into reasons why we don’t have one is a losing battle.
As per the chant - if one does not have success with or access
to Buddha, then we go to the next layer.
Dhamman Saranam
Gachchami
The
next refuge is Dhamman or Dhamma, a word in Pali, another term that demands
understanding. It is similar or another word for dharma. Dharma in sankrit can
be translated as divine duty, it can also
mean a variety to include duty, virtue, and morality, in modern times it is
being mixed with religion.
“Practicing purity of mind is true Dhamma.”
-
SN Goenka, Vipassna teacher
Refuge
of dhamma is not same as refuge to religion. It is more of a seeking refuge in
acceptance of cosmic law and order. What are these cosmic laws? They are
defined in the messages of Buddha, implying that find refuge in the messages of
Buddha. The focus here is on the message
and not the messenger, the message is more important. Most religions
degenerate when the message is lost in the veneration of the messenger. Even in
case of Buddha the physical form or statues appeared only about three centuries
after Buddha. Probably the time Mahayana sect of Buddhism got popular, distinct
from the simpler Theravada[ii]
Buddhism. The third sect closer to Mahayana is the Vajrayana, which has
followers in Tibet. In basic terms this options means imbibe and apply the
messages, understand them and then apply them in your life. A life of Dhamma or
Dharma will give you eternal peace.
For
the seeker who is unable to exploit the first two options, the third option is
‘Sangham
Sharanam Gachchami’. Seek refuge in company of wise men. Seek company
of seekers who are aligned to your seeking. In this manner your effort will
gain strength and maybe right direction as in case of any team activity.
The final words as response to a query of what to do if one
cannot find a Buddha to guide, Buddha is said to have advised
‘Up Devo Bhava’
Be your own light
Buddha advised to be a seeker and seek your own answers. A
guru or Buddha cannot be a crutch[iii]
for daily wisdom; he is just a guide to realize the basic truth of ‘Up Devo
Bhava’.
Last bit of wisdom is that all of
these become available to those who seek. Start point is to have realization to
become a seeker.
So be a seeker and God Bless us all.
Roopesh Mehta
08 Jul 2019
PS : Once again thank you Dr Vikrant Tomar for such a fine
session that made us think.
Comments
Post a Comment