Who is Deva, and Who is an Outcast?
Posted on December 12th, 2011
ArticleƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 10
Introduction:
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Limitless endeavours to seek sensual pleasures in a transitory, impermanent world leads to frustrations, misery, and suffering.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ On the contrary, virtuous conducts such as behaviour guided by Buddhist Five-Precepts leading to guarding of senses will enable a person to stay aloof from misery.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Such positive behaviour would cause a person to become like a Deva in this world itself.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Metta sutta shows that pure states can be achieved through positive behaviour, brahma viahara,which contributes to happiness of self and those who are around him or her.
- Buddha and the five deciples
Among humans, we see different types of people.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Some have uncontrollable greed, anger etc., displaying behaviour of ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”hungry ghostsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ (pretas) or ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”angry demonsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ (yakkas) and revengeful, while in the human form.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Whereas, some behave like ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”godsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ (Deva), i.e., always forgiving, generous, truthful, compassionate, etc.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Irony is that we fail to see through the often camouflaged, superficial appearances, and the labels we attach to people.
Ignorance of categorizing of peoples:
Throughout human history, we tend to categorize and label others and ourselves with various adjectives and names.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Such labels are based on race, caste, colour, appearance, status, political, or material possessions; categorized people at human level.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Some people tend to label and attribute unknown, unexplainable, or incomprehensible phenomena to supernatural or mysterious beings, or the actions of gods or Brahma.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Such categorizations are attempts to maintain the status quo in such a way that a socially constructed privileged ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”priestlyƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ class existed.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Such practices are not strange in the past or in the present-day societies.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Buddha saw the futility of such categorizations and dismissed them as baseless and useless.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ He saw how a person, a group, or groups of people were oppressed, discriminated against, and treated inhumanly because of such valueless categorizations; while another group of people, family, or friends are given privileges, even at the expense of harming others or a country at large.
Human existence in sugathi and dugathi: ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
The Buddhist categorization of people is not for looking down upon people or to elevate others to superior levels and to divide a society, neither on status nor rank, power or wealth or the skin colour, but to create social harmony and happiness.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The categorizations described by the Buddha are based on peopleƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s behaviour and mental development leading to happiness. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Buddhist concepts are designed to encourage people to attain peace and happiness, culminating in the happiness produced by the liberation of the mind, or nibbana.
At the day-to-day level, the Buddha gave a meaningful categorization parallel to the caste system or divisions based on colour.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ He said that a person becomes a low or high caste person because of his behaviour and not because he was born to particular parents, family or a clan.
Buddhist categorization of these existences is based on the mental state and the ability to develop the mind.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ BuddhaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s descriptions of Brahma and Deva, further emphasised the fact that anyone can be in the current birth, or born in future births in these higher-mental states as result of their benevolent actions.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-SugathiƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ means pleasant existences, in which beings will be able to engage in activities leading to happiness.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ As opposed to ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-dughathiƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ means unpleasant existences, as a very low chance of doing things leading to happiness.
Buddhist View of an Outcast (wasalaya):
Buddha denounced the caste system.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ He recognized and encouraged the equality of people ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” men and women, poor and wealthy.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ He also recognized the importance of reasonableness.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Since each individual has her or his own kamma, it is not possible to have a level field equitable for everyone.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Nevertheless, there should be a rational and humane approach to sharing.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This includes distribution of wealth among the rich and the poor, raising the status of the women in society, refraining from taking revenge, and incorporation of humanism in government, corporate systems, and all other administrations.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ His teachings emphasised the following (cf. Wasala sutta).ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Whoever –
- is angry, harbours hatred, and is reluctant to speak well of others (e.g., discredits the good of others for self-gain), is perverted in views, deceitfulƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚know him as an outcast.
- covets anything, kills a person going along the road, and grabs whatever that person hasƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚know him as an outcast.
- in this world kills living beings, once born or twice born, in which there is no sympathy for living beingsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚know him as an outcast.
- destroys and besieges villages and hamlets and becomes notorious as an oppressorƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚know him as an outcast.
- steals what belongs to others, what is not given to himƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚know him as an outcast.
- having actually incurred a debt runs away when he is pressed to pay, saying, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-I owe no debt to youƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚know him as an outcast.
- for his own sake or for the sake of others or for the sake of wealth, utters lies when questioned as a witnessƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚know him as an outcast.
- by force or with consent misbehaves with the wives/husbands of relatives or friendsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚know him as an outcast.
- being wealthy and within his/her means does not support his mother and father who have grown oldƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚know him as an outcast.
- being wealthy and within his/her means does not support his poor relatives and others who have grown oldƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚know him as an outcast.
- constantly strikes and annoys by harsh speechƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚know him as an outcast.
- when questioned about what is good, says what is detrimental (lies) and talks in an evasive mannerƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚know him as an outcast.
- having committed an evil deed, wishes that it may not be known to others, and commits evils in secretƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚know him as an outcast.
- having gone to anotherƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s house or a place and partaken of food does not honour that host by offering food when he repays a visitƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚know him as an outcast.
- deceives by uttering lies, whether he is a Brahman or an ascetic, or any other mendicantƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚know him as an outcast.
- gets frequently angry and responds with harsh speech or deliberately misleads othersƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚know him as an outcast.
- in this world, shrouded in ignorance, speaks harsh words or falsehoods expecting to gain somethingƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚know him as an outcast.
- debased by his pride, exalts himself and belittles otherƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚know him as an outcast.
- is given to anger, is miserly, has base desires, and is selfish, deceitful, shameless and fearless, or does evil thingsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚know him as an outcast.
The above-mentioned teachings illustrate how easy it is not to engage or engage in evil doings.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ One can avoid virtually all evil doings simply by practicing and adhering to the Buddhist Five-Precepts, the simplest form of a Buddhist code of ethics.
Who Is Deva?ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
Peace and serinity
Some may not believe or understand the Deva worlds spoken of in the Doctrine.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Thus, they have no particular reason to be interested in them.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ They are only interested in the current life and thus, enjoyment of the temporary and impermanent moments.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ As per the suttas, in the authorƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s view, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-DevaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ mean Noble people in this life, both monks and laypeople.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ They strictly follow virtues, are full of limitless compassion, and do not engage in any wilful wrongdoing.
These people are simple, honourable, happy, successful, and generous.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In fact, it is not surprising that ordinary people consider these folks as ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-DevasƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ They have achieved this status because of the accumulation of good kamma through their previous lives via good deeds, and good virtues carried out in this birth.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Their kamma harbours good seeds, which will manifest later.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Hence, it is expected that such Noble people will continue their virtuous efforts and do good deeds.
Buddhist View of Deva:
BuddhaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s discourse says that a disciple with five qualities of righteousness can establish in a Deva world in the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-current lifeƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ and
Peace, joy, and containment
is likely to be reborn in it.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Devas can realize the fruition of the Paths of magga or Jhana in the current life is explained in a discourse on the Questions of Sakra (Sakka PaƒÆ’†’ƒ”š‚±ha Sutta).ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Buddha clarified this using the Dhamma-Eye (Dhamma-chakkhu) as the indicator: ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Whatever things have an origin; it must come to cessation (an end).ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Therefore, nothing is worth pursuing.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ People who understand such will not have materialistic expectations, jealousy, hatred, greed, or attachments.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ However, most interpretation of this has incomplete implications, because we are not Arahats. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Because, if one has realized this, Dhamma-chakku should have arisen within us; i.e., one has become sothapanna.
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Yan kinchi samudaya damman sabbanthan nirodha dhammanthiƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚¾ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-whatever that causes origin is not worth creating anymore and hence, should not have been originated.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ If one understands this, one starts to eliminate causes that lead to eliminating lobha, dosa and moha, and one develops the tools necessary to irreversibly eliminate them. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Such sothapnna person is known as ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Para prathya rahithayi.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ Such a person, even without anyoneƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s guidance would complete the realization, since the eye that sees dhamma has arisen within him or her.
To be born in Deva world or not?
Meanwhile, some are desperately trying to be born in a Deva world; others have no desire to birth in Deva worlds.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Both sectors have their own reasoning for this.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ People who do not adhere to the Three Refuges and who worship gods are striving for a successful worldly life and accumulation of personal wealth in the present life.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This is in spite of him or she will not be able to take anything what-so-ever of such wealth at the time of death.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Therefore, the world of a god and happiness is created with an illusionary and temporary physical world, despite, nothing is permanent.
- Impermanancy
Others, especially wealthy individuals, try to create heavens within a physical and geographical world, not understanding that everything is impermanent; hence transitory.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Perhaps, because they may not believe the existence of life after death, reincarnation.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Instead, with the economic or political powers, they try to ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-purchaseƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ happiness and a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”goodƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ destination after death.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Eventually, they will fail miserably.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Their perceived destination after death is either the Heaven or the Hell.
Still others have even more superficial thinking; they think whatever happens after death is beyond their control or influence, and that the present life is enjoyed with food, alcohol, smoking, music, and festivity.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Others think that all depends of past kamma, and destination that cannot be controlled or changed.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ However, as per the BuddhaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s teachings, both extremes are incorrect.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Consequently, they indulge in habits that are contradictory to Buddhist Five-Precepts; habits that may lead to transient, impermanent so-called happiness.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In this regard, indulgence with alcohol and illicit drugs, are the most common culprit.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ What they fail to understand is that such actions lead to misery in the current and future lives.
What is meant by the sacred status?
Those who attain a peaceful state and Wisdom are gentle, and are not illusionary or swollen with pride.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ They are capable and upright; easy to speak to and understand; contented with basic necessities; living simply with calm; devoted; and do not generate anger or greediness.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Such a person will:
- Not harm to self, or to other living beings.
- Always wish that all beings be happy, cheerful, glad, safe, and secure.
- Always wish that all living creatures, small or large, seen or unseen, already existing, or coming into being, without any exception, be completely happy.
- Never despise anyone anywhere, nor humiliate anyone anywhere, nor wish misery or harm for any being because of anger or irritation.
- Always have loving-kindness, boundless compassion toward all in this universe.
- Always cultivate a limitless healthy mentality toward all beings just as a mother would protect her only child and even risk her own life. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It is even greater than that the mother to all of us. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Buddha has the highest compassion, considering the plight of indulging with the worldly beings.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The guidance he gives to us is the greatest compassion one can have to anyone and that is the strongest of all types of Metta.
- Always cultivate an immeasurable mind, without barriers and any hostility.
- Always practice this glorious endless goodwill.
This is said to be a Sacred State (Sn. 143-151)
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Like the few birds who fly to freedom from a net cast upon them, only a few attain happy states (after death)ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”sakunto jala muttowa appo saggaya gacchatiƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢
(Dhammapada)
Note: Some of the material, pictures, poems, and stanzas in these writings may have been published previously, including on the Internet (such as http://what-buddha-said.net and Buddha.direct.net) or obtained from various sources (modified with permission).ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The author sincerely thanks all contributors of such materials for their generosity. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ We anticipate that the brief articles on meditation, Buddhism, and Buddhist philosophy that appear in this column will initiate healthy and positive discussions.
May the Noble Triple Gem bless you
Sunil J. Wimalawansa
Professor of Medicine, Endocrinology, Physiology & Integrative BiologyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
December 14th, 2011 at 7:07 am
A timely analysis by Prof. Wimalawansa, for which we thank him. These words : “He (the Buddha) said that a person becomes a low or high caste person because of his behavior and not because he was born to particular parents, family or a clan”, says it all.
These few simple words shows up that the Caste System is unacceptable in any civilised society that espouses the Truth as taught by the Buddha. It shows the Way to ANY human being who seeks true peace & happiness.
December 15th, 2011 at 2:11 am
I agree withm most of the things the good Prof. has sad. Being a Deva is good but how do we ptotect ourselves from excessively greedy or cruel people. As history shows, being a Deva did not protect themselves from nasty people. Even Buddhists monks in Maldives have been beheaded after the country turned Muslim. Many Buddhists in many parts of the world ended up in rivers of blood. If we try to be Devas, will we get the same fate,, losing our country and ending up in rivers of blood ?Sikhs ralised this and changed thie religion to a military version, whilst we are still hanging on to Indian myths that even Indians have dunped.
December 15th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
The Law of the land is there to protect people from invaders, criminals, etc. However, the Law of the land must be followed explicitly, with no fear or favor. It is up to the lawmakers to enact Laws to protect the Nation and maintain an armed force.
On the other hand, the Dharma is there for the Individual (as Sarath says). Even a criminal can become a Deva when that person turns to the godhead within through Meditation. On touching the “Truth within” through Meditation, that person will become happier and change for the better. The Buddha said : “Truth is within You”. Jesus said : “be still, and thou shalt know Me”.
We have to must go to war when we are forced to go to war. We must avoid war as far as possible. It should be the same, whatever religion.
December 16th, 2011 at 1:20 am
I would agree with the view expressed by Fran DiazFrain. My concern is the historical, factual evidence that we have that Buddhists in many countries, even Buddhist Monks in Maldives, or even Buddhists Monks in Lanka ended up in rivers of bllood. The main reson for this is perhaps the passive nature of Buddhists. It appears that Buddhism appear to disarm us when facing the real world, which is highly dangerous and competitive. What we need is lessons on how to survive. In my view, various writers who preomote Buddhism, tend to disarm us, give the impression to outsiders that we are an easy ‘push over’ . As such my view is that promoters of Buddhism are far more dangerous than LTTE , as these people remove our fighting spirit and destroy us from within.
December 16th, 2011 at 5:13 am
Dear Ben,
We must disarm the aggressors, calm the turbulent minds, and realise that at the Heart (Life Force) of every human being, it is the SAME source giving life to all. To do this, we have to Meditate. To do Meditation in Lanka : May I suggest that Buddhist Temples hold island wide Meditation Camps, and for that purpose call those Temples “Unitary Buddhist Temples” for the sole purpose of Meditation only, and offer ANYONE of any faith who wants to learn or practice Meditation, the chance to do so. In Meditation, the ‘Outcast’ (for any reason), becomes the Deva.
WWI & II started in Europe, involving America which stood aside initially after having won her freedom from Colonial Britain, and since then the Defence budgets of every country has risen sky high. Defence money ought to be spent on the welfare of human beings, but all are forced to do otherwise.
Christianity, which is the religion of the west, had to be set aside in the Crusades, and other lesser wars with the Muslim world. Christ said “the Kingdom of Heaven is within You”, and other pointers like “be Still, and Thou shalt know me”, and
“He leadeth me beside the Still Waters”. For the Muslim world, the word Islam means “Peace”. Teh Muslim Sect known as Sufis have a form of Meditation. So, we have to ALL go within to get that special kind of Peace and Understanding of Life. There is no other way. War is easy, Peace requires individual effort for a lifetime.
Frankly, I don’t know any other answer to give you, Ben. We can all destroy each other in wars, or live together in peace.
December 16th, 2011 at 6:07 am
Ben, here is an interesting blog site to read :
http://stfrancisplace.blogspot.com/2009/05/did-jesus-meditate-part-1-of-2.html
Christ also said “If thine Eye be Single, thy mind shall be filled with Light”, indicating the opening of the Third Eye, between the brows (as in Raj Yoga). Buddhist Meditation is also part of the Raj Yoga too, to the best of my knowledge. I am trying to find common ground in Core Teachings of religion, with offense to none.
I hope Prof. Wimalawansa will tell us more on Buddhist mediation.
December 16th, 2011 at 7:56 am
To respond to Fran Diaz
The Buddhists in Tibet ran away and lost thier country In Afghanistan, Muslims have fought away the invaders. In the world in many parts, Buddhists lost their lives in millions. There is evidence of this.If we follow passive Buddhists , we can be sure to be wiped out or end up as second class citizens, as happened to Lanka, before SWRD liberated us. A Buddhist monk killed our liberator. These promotors of Buddhism will finish us off. My view is be prepared to fight and meet force with superior force and have the will to survive rather than the extinction (or Nirvana) preached by Buddhist promotors.
I am sure te good Prof. has good intensions, but we should not ignore evidence.
December 16th, 2011 at 8:51 am
I have said this over and over and over again. It is pretty obvious why Ben Silva is ignoring it all the time.
**These promotors of Buddhism will finish us off. **
Then King Dutugemunu would have finished us off 2000 years ago! So would have King Parakramabahu the Great. After all they were the foremost promoters of Buddhism. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if you would say that building the Ruwanweli Dagaba was waste of bricks!
**My view is be prepared to fight and meet force with superior force and have the will to survive rather than the extinction (or Nirvana) preached by Buddhist promotors.**
Hello?!? Do you have such a short memory? Weren’t the Buddhist clergy (majority of) one of the main forces behind motivating our war heroes? Even during the darkest hours such as when the CFA was signed and everyone thought that our nation would have been divided for ever.
**I am sure te good Prof. has good intensions, but we should not ignore evidence.**
Your doing it all the time!! and the reason behind it is pretty obvious you have a hidden agenda.
I always speak up against people with hidden agendas, be it Lateef Farook or “Dr.” Mareena or “Mudali” Ben Silva is just another person pretending to be concerned about Sri Lanka while living abroad. There are two things that would drive a person like Ben Silva to dedicate every keystroke to do what he is doing, utter hate (bigoted) or money.
Ben Silva had an impressive resume of patriotic articles, but so did the JVP at one time! Time showed the true nature of both…..
December 16th, 2011 at 9:42 am
Ben,
Buddhists anywhere in the world ran away then whenever they did not have an army (armed forces). Tibet never had an army as they always had a Buddhist Dalai Lama as the leader of the country. The Dalai Lama is a Buddhist priest who follows the Buddhist teachings to the letter – therefore, no army. Tibet today is under Chinese control. China thinks that Tibet is a soft gate way to China for invasions and therefore the take over. Even if Tibet had an army, it would have been taken over by China for security reasons, I think.
Likewise, Buddhist Afghanistan had no army. Now Afghanistan is a Islamic country and there is terrorism in Afghanistan. In the modern world, in Buddhist countries such as Sri Lanka, there is an army (armed forces). We have free education and health care too. Buddhism is a living religion. I admit it is hard to practice the pure Buddhism in a war torn world.
As you know, the various Buddhist SE Asian countries like Vietnam were attacked for practicing communism, during the Cold War times with the Soviet Union.
So, Buddhism and the State must be kept SEPARATE for security reasons, now that the world is full of WMDs. But, strive all of us must to negotiate Peace rather than go to War. The Core Teachings of every religion shows the way. Buddhism is just one religion. I personally like Buddhism for its emphasis on Dhana/Seela/Bhavana (Meditation). The Masters of all our religions are no more, and only their Core Teachings remain. So, we must find a good teachers/gurus and practice Meditation and Prayer.
Perhaps the true teachings of Christianity & Islam, if practiced through Meditation & Prayer, will bring a relatively lasting peace to the world ?
I might add that the whole world has to practice Population Control methods too, as the world may not be able to support such a heavy population. We have not yet developed the Technologies to do so, for instance tapping cheap energy from nature is not happening fast enough. Also, Robotic Labor. There are already 7 Billion people in the world.
December 16th, 2011 at 9:54 am
Also, Buddhists priests of Sri Lanka & China have been fighting priests in defending their country & Temples, throughout history. This is quite unlike in the rest of the Buddhist world.
Perhaps it is because, historically speaking, in Lanka Buddhist priests and the people like to think of themselves as the protectors of Theravada Buddhism …. I am not sure.
December 17th, 2011 at 6:59 pm
Gon Silva has temporrily tonned down a bit in fear of being condemned. His gonness has not changed.
Gona,
SWRD was not executed by a Buddist monk but by a murderer. Buddist monks do not kill, you fool.
Sinhala people exsited for 20000 years with and without Buddhism. With Buddhism SInhala-Buddhist culture beacme a unique, outstanding and extremely advanced culture.
Stop insulting Buddhism, if you want respect, my dear fool.
December 18th, 2011 at 1:53 am
Fran Diaz forget what I said, but simply look at the evidence. Buddhists and Buddhist countries have been wiped out. all over the world. Since dumping Buddhism, both China and India have developed rapidly within a short time. There is no Buddhism left in India, the source country. Indians probably realised Buddhism is dangerous and not a practical religion. Traditional Buddhist countries such as Tibet and Bhutan are poor.
Buddhist promoters appear to live in an era trapped 2500 years BC, whilst the world is evolving rapidly and only the fittest appear to survive. .Buddhist promoters brain wash us so that we give up desires and become less competitive. Once we give up desires, competitive spirit, give up fighting spirit, we become very vulnerable.
Fran suggested over population etc. I agree these are the issues that we should focus on, real practical issues, how to become competitive, how to defend ourselves from aggressors rather than become Devas.
I am sure te good Prof. has good intensions, but we need to learn to live in a highly dangerous and highly competitive world.
if Buddhism was any good why did the Indians dump Buddhism? Rather sadly, Buddhism promoters want to give more religion opium to the Sinhalese so that they are shackled by religion, like the Tibetians and remain trapped in an era 2500 years BC, without moving on in time.
Leading thinkers in the world such as Clark, Russel and Einstein have said that religion is a thing of the past. Buddhism however has therapeutic effect on sick and depressed people and I see value in treating such people with religion.
If we are properly prepared to fight wars, then less chance of actually fighting wars. If we follow the Buddhist way, then we appear to signal to outsiders that we are weak and they could invade and kill us.
We have Dham as a good example of a Buddhist Deva
December 18th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
There are no winners of wars (except those who supply weapons to fighting parties), but always there are plenty of casualties and losers. One needs strong armies and barricading themselves to ‘protect’, when they are afraid of other fellow humans. The question is why one needs such extra-ordinary protections from other human beings.
Even if we ignore the greed, jealousy and resentments for a moment, if one lives in a “truly democratic society or a county,” then why people have to be fearful, and been suppressed? One person, or for that matter a rulers of a given country practice loving kindness, compassion, fairness and generosity, not taking revenges and retaliations against his or her own populace, the aggression within and from outside will decrease tremendously. Meanwhile, protecting the rights peacefully and standing against injustices, are not giving way to aggression or abandoning Dhamma.
It would not be surprise that one would be afraid of “others humans”, when ourselves are engaged in wrongdoings. “What goes around comes around”; albeit, sometime it may take too long to see such. All world religions preach peace and happiness. That is where a religion would fits in; with the big “assumption” that people interpret their religious teachings correctly (without distorting to their advantage).
Leaders, or rulers governing a country by “Dasa-raja-dharma, as per the Buddha’s teachings would lead to eliminate unrest, uncertainties, inequalities, and corruptions, while promoting peace, harmony, unity, prosperity, and the happiness. Now a day, it is rare to see such honest and dedicated individuals with no hidden-agendas governing countries. Lack of such would frequently leads to disharmony, disunity, fighting, and misery. Basic understanding of the facts of good governance can eliminate such.
Good and fair governance will automatically leads to true democracy. This is exactly what the Emperor, Ashoka the pious did, from 258 B.C.E. onwards to for four decades. King Asoka’s famous rock edict reads, “May the Dhamma last as long as my sons and grandsons, and the sun and the moon will be, and may the people follow the path of the Dhamma, for if one follows the path, happiness in this and in the other worlds will be attained.”
Contrary, to the misguided impression, Indians never dumped Buddhism. In fact currently, Buddhism is growing in a significantly manner in India. Latest figures available over the past two decades show that the Buddhism is the fastest growing religion not only in the United States and in certain European countries, but also in India.
Primarily, Buddhism in India was destroyed by the dynasties of Muslim invaders, then ruled the country over nine centuries, and continued to suppress by the Western invaders until its independence. Invaders systematically destroyed all Buddhist shrines, the largest and the first known university in the world, Nalanda Buddhist University. Millions were killed and the practice of Buddhism in India was totally banned by the invaders. Therefore, no wonders the relative desertion of Buddhism from India over such a long period of violent suppression. This is nothing to do with willful abandoning of Buddhism by Indians.
Anyone visiting these archaeological sites in India can grasp the enormity and the significance of these. We should recall that a similar suppression of Buddhism took place in Lanka, over five-decades by the Western invaders, until the country obtained its independence from the British in 1948. However, the religious and cultural roots embedded in the Lankan Heal community were too deep to be destroyed over 500 year brutal ruling and suppression by the Western invaders. Moreover, the Buddhist Sangha always came to rescue Buddha’s teachings and thereby, the Lanka—the Helabima at all critical points of Lankan history.
Meanwhile, we need to note that the power associated with the rulers of all governments anywhere in the world comes with serious responsibilities. These includes, protecting the country, its religion(s), its’ environment, inhabitants, and provision of basic human needs to people, such as, food, safe and clean water, housing, healthcare, education, infrastructure development, and sustainable job opportunities. Without provision of the above-mentioned, there will be no democracy or peace in a given country; and the progress/development will be hampered.
This is not a question of whether one is a Deva or an Outcast; Simply it is a serious responsibility of the rulers that should not abandon.
As Fran Diaz stated above, we should talk about meditation and its impact on individuals and the society, sometime next year.
December 18th, 2011 at 10:44 pm
***Fran Diaz forget what I said, but simply look at the evidence. Buddhists and Buddhist countries have been wiped out. all over the world. Since dumping Buddhism, both China and India have developed rapidly within a short time. ***
By the time India fell into British rule it was already Hindu. You are talking as if India was a Buddhist country before say 1970 and India dumped Buddhism and Presto! Development. First World Country! Hilarious! True India has a lot of filthy rich people but India’s poor are as poor as ever.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-07-12/india/28276383_1_measure-ophi-multidimensional-poverty-index
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10609407
You have also conveniently forgotten Albania (a poor secular country) and Thailand – a rapidly developing Theravada Buddhist country. Also China as three main religions Taoism, Confucianism and Mahayana Buddhism. Even the largest economy in the world (the US) is a devoutly Christian country.
BTW: You seem to have stopped writing “patriotic” articles after June 21st, 2011 despite all that has happened since then. Whats the matter? Your funding NGO wanted you to stop?
December 18th, 2011 at 10:59 pm
As I have said over (and over and over) again. We have lasted for 2300 years as Buddhists, for most of this time we lived in a prosperous country (so called “dark ages” for Ben Silva during which ancient kings build so many monuments which will undoubtedly be condemned as a waste of bricks by him) and we have been driving out invaders (the Cholas, Pandyans etc. etc.) even for the Portuguese, Dutch and British we gave them a tough fight whenever we were militarily strong. You are simply insulting all of the people who gave up their lives for our nation by saying that we are weak, meak and incompetitive.
Many contributers to the Lankaweb forum have factually disproved Ben Silva’s arguments but he continues to go on spitting out his false statements which he quite hilariously calls “evidence”.
I think Lankaweb should seriously think about moderating such bigoted comments by Ben Silva.