Words of Dhamma
Selo yathā ekaghano,vātena na samīrati;evaṃ nindāpasaṃsāsu,na samiñjanti paṇḍitā.
Just as a solid rock is not shaken by the wind, even so the wise are not ruffled
by praise or blame.
Dhammapada 81
(The following address was delivered at the United Nations on Vesākha, the full moon day of May, which is celebrated each year as the day marking the birth, the enlightenment and the passing away of Gotama the Buddha. The first part was published in the March 2003 issue of the Vipassana Newsletter. This is the concluding part of the address.)
The Practical Teaching of the Buddha
To live the life of morality is the teaching of every religion. It is the quintessence, the inner core of every spiritual teaching. However, the Buddha was not interested in merely giving sermons to live a moral life. He taught us to take the next important step of samādhi-mastery over the mind. For this one needs an object of concentration. There are many objects by which one can train the mind. The Buddha himself gave many objects, and of these, one of the most popular was one's own respiration. He called this Ānāpānassati-developing the faculty of awareness of inhalation and exhalation. Respiration is common to all human beings belonging to any community. Nobody can have an objection to the practice of awareness of respiration. How can one label breath as Muslim or Hindu, Christian or Jewish, Buddhist or Jain, Sikh or Parsi, Caucasian or African or Asian, male or female?
Ānāpānassati requires us to remain aware of the breath on the area below the nostrils and above the upper lip. It is one-pointed concentration at the middle of the upper lip-uttaroṭṭhassa vemajjhappadese.
As the mind gets concentrated on this small area, it becomes more and more sharp, more and more sensitive. After just three days of practice, one starts feeling physical sensations on this part of the body. And then, one turns to the next training of paññā, that is, wisdom or insight.
One observes sensations throughout the physical structure, from the top of the head to the tips of the toes. In doing so, one notices that the sensations are closely related to what happens in the mind. It becomes clear that every time one performs an unwholesome action, one has to generate some impurity or other in the mind. Before one kills, one has to generate immense hatred. Before one steals, one generates greed. To indulge in sexual misconduct, one has to generate immense passion. One cannot do any harm to others without first harming oneself-Pubbe hanati attānaṃ, pacchā hanati so pare. Negativities such as anger, hatred, greed, ill will, jealousy, egotism and fear make a person unhappy, miserable and violent. One becomes agitated. When one is agitated, one doesn't keep this agitation to oneself: one starts distributing it to others, one starts harming others in society. One realizes this law of nature within the framework of one's own mind and body.
Someone may seem outwardly happy while performing unwholesome actions but their real situation is like burning charcoal covered with a thick layer of ash-bhasmacchannova pāvako. One is burning inside because of the mental negativities, and yet one is totally ignorant of what is happening inside.
This is avijjā, moha, ignorance. For the Buddha, ignorance is not lack of knowledge of some philosophical belief. It is lack of knowledge of what is happening within oneself. One doesn't understand how one becomes miserable because of this veil of ignorance. No one wants to remain miserable and yet one continues to be miserable because one continues to generate taṇhā-craving and aversion-all the time; one keeps on reacting to the sensations. When ignorance is removed, as one starts looking inside one realizes, "Look, I am generating misery for myself by generating taṇhā in response to these sensations. When they are pleasant, I generate craving and when they are unpleasant, I generate aversion. Both make me miserable. And look, I have the solution now. When I understand the impermanent nature of sensations and maintain equanimity, there is no taṇhā, no craving and no aversion. The old habit pattern of the mind starts changing and I start coming out of misery."
This is vijjā or wisdom according to the Buddha. It has nothing to do with any philosophical or sectarian belief. It is the truth about one's happiness and misery, which all people can experience within if they take steps on the path. The Four Noble Truths are not philosophical dogma. They are actual realities pertaining to myself that I start realizing within myself. They are Noble Truths only when one experiences them, and thus, starts becoming a noble person.
When one is working with sensations, one is working at the depth of the mind. Whatever arises in the mind is accompanied by sensations within the body-Vedanā-samosaraṇā sabbe dhammā. Even the most transient thought that arises within the mind is accompanied by a sensation within the body-Vedanā-samosaraṇā saṇkappavitakkā. This was a great discovery of the Buddha.
Another great discovery of the Buddha was that we generate taṇhā in response to the sensations. This was not known to the other teachers before the time of the Buddha, at the time of Buddha or after the Buddha. The teachers before the Buddha and at the time of the Buddha kept advising people not to react to the sensory objects that come in contact with the sense doors-eyes with visual object, nose with smell, ears with sound, and so on. They taught, "When sensory objects come in contact with your senses, don't react by judging them as good or bad; don't react with craving or aversion."
This teaching was already in existence. But the Buddha said that, actually, you are not reacting to these objects. He gave the example of a black bull and a white bull (one representing the sense doors and the other the sense objects)tied together with a rope. Neither the black nor the white bull is the bondage; the rope is the bondage. The Buddha said that the rope of taṇhā is the bondage, and that one generates taṇhā (craving or aversion) in response to vedanā (sensations)-vedanā paccayā taṇhā. This was the great discovery of the Enlightened One. He became an enlightened person because of this discovery.
There were many other people saying that one should not react to the objects of the senses. But they didn't become Buddhas. There were teachers who taught that one should not generate lobha (craving) and dosa (aversion).
The Buddha explained that lobha and dosa would last as long as there was moha. He, therefore, advised us to come out of moha. And what is moha? Moha is ignorance. Moha is avijjā. You don't know what is happening inside. You don't know the real cause of lobha and dosa. You are ignorant. How will you come out of ignorance? Strike at the root of the problem and come out of misery by working with sensations.
As long as you are not aware of sensations, you keep fighting with outside objects, thinking, "This is ugly" or "This is not ugly." You keep working on the surface. You are thinking of the black bull or the white bull as the cause of the bondage. In fact, the bondage is the craving and aversion that one generates in response to sensations. An alcoholic thinks that he is addicted to alcohol. He is actually addicted to the sensations he feels when he drinks alcohol.
When one observes sensations objectively, one starts coming out of ignorance. By understanding the impermanent nature of sensations, one generates paññā in response to vedanā. This is the law of nature. Dhamma niyāmatā is the law behind the natural order of phenomena. Whether there is a Buddha or no Buddha, Dhamma niyāmatā remains eternal. The Buddha said:
Uppādā vā tathāgatānaṃ anuppādā vā tathāgatānaṃ, ṭhitāva sā dhātu dhammaṭṭhitatā dhammaniyāmatā idappaccayatā. Taṃ tathāgato abhisambujjhati abhisameti. Abhisambujjhitvā abhisametvā ācikkhati deseti paññāpeti paṭṭhapeti vivarati vibhajati uttānīkaroti. 'Passathā'ti cāha.'
He said, "I have experienced this law of nature, the Law of Dependent Origination, within myself; and having experienced and understood it I declare it, teach it, clarify it, establish it and show it to others. Only after having seen it for myself, I declare it."
This is the bold declaration of a supreme scientist. Just as whether there is a Newton or no Newton, the law of gravity remains true. Newton discovered it and explained it to the world. Similarly, Galileo or no Galileo, the fact that the earth revolves around the sun remains true.
The feeling of sensation is the crucial junction from where one can take two paths going in opposite directions. If one keeps on reacting blindly to pleasant and unpleasant sensations, one multiplies one's misery. If one learns to maintain equanimity in the face of pleasant and unpleasant sensations, one starts changing the habit pattern at the deepest level and starts coming out of misery. The sensations are the root. As long as one neglects the root, the poisonous tree will grow again even if the trunk is cut. The Buddha said:
Yathāpi mūle anupaddave daḷhe,
chinnopi rukkho punareva rūhati
Evampi taṇhānusaye anūhate,
nibbattati dukkhamidaṃ punappunaṃ.
Just as a tree with roots intact and secure,
though cut down, sprouts again;
even so, while latent craving is not rooted out,
misery springs up again and again.
Thus, this super-scientist discovered that to become fully liberated from mental defilements, one has to work at the root of the mind. Each individual must cut asunder the roots of taṇhānusaya.
When the entire forest is withered, each tree has to be nurtured, its roots cleared of disease, and then watered. Then, the entire forest will bloom again. Similarly, for the betterment of society, each individual has to improve. For society to become peaceful, each individual has to become peaceful. The individual is the key.
For the world to become peaceful, each country or society has to become peaceful. Here, I would again like to quote a very important exhortation from the Buddha to the Vajjian republic of Licchavis. The Buddha gave the following practical instructions, which would make the Licchavis unassailable:
- As long as they maintain their unity and meet regularly, they will remain invincible.
- As long as they meet together in unity, rise in unity and perform their duties in unity, they will remain invincible.
- As long as they do not transgress their ancient principles of good governance and their system of justice, they will remain invincible.
- As long as they revere, respect, venerate, and honor their elders and pay regard to their words, they will remain invincible.
- As long as they protect their women and children, they will remain invincible.
- As long as they venerate the objects of worship inside and outside their republic, and maintain monetary support for them, they will remain invincible.
There were many sects in those days too, with their own temples and places of worship. Wisdom lies in keeping all people happy and satisfied. They should not be subjected to harassment, which compels them to become enemies of the state. Their places of worship should receive adequate protection. As long as the rulers provide protection and support to saintly people, they will remain invincible.
This wise counsel of the Buddha is also applicable today to maintain peace and harmony in the world. We cannot ignore issues related to religion if we are to be successful in bringing peace to the world.
It is the duty of every government to protect its people from external attacks, to do everything possible to make its people and territory secure. While this is done, it must be borne in mind that such measures give only short-term benefits. Goodwill and compassion alone can remove the hatred that lies at the root of all such acts performed by anyone belonging to any sect. In India, the United States and other countries where Vipassana courses are held in prisons, we already see how people change. The roots of terrorism lie in the minds of terrorists. We have seen how some hardened, violent criminals have been transformed in our prison courses. Anger, fear, vengefulness and hatred start dissolving, creating a peaceful and compassionate mind. We first ask some members of the prison staff to learn Vipassana and only then give courses for the inmates. This gives wonderful results.
In the Buddha's teaching, we will find a bridge that can connect various sects. The three fundamental divisions of the Buddha's teachings-morality, concentration of mind and purification of mind-are the essence of every religion and spiritual path. Sīla, samādhi and paññā are the common denominators of all religions. There can be no conflict over these three basic factors necessary for living a beneficial life. The whole emphasis of the Buddha's teaching is on the practice of these three in order to apply Dhamma in real life. This is the inner core of every religion. Instead of giving importance to this core, we keep on quarreling about the outer shell, which may be different in different religions.
History has proved that whenever the universal, non-sectarian teaching of the Buddha has gone to any place or community, it has never clashed with the traditional culture. Instead, like sugar dissolving in milk, the teachings have been gently assimilated to sweeten and enhance society. We all know how much the sweetness of peace and tranquillity is needed in the bitter world today. May the teaching of the Enlightened One bring peace and happiness to more and more individuals, thus making more and more societies around the world peaceful and happy.
May all beings be happy.
May all beings be peaceful.
May all beings be liberated.
Vipassana Workshops in 2003
(For contact details of venues of the workshops, see the enclosed Schedule of Vipassana Courses).
Dhamma Tapovana, Igatpuri
Workshop for Assistant Teachers: April 20 to May 1
Workshop for Trustees and Dhamma Workers: May 2 to 7
CCT Workshop: May 8 to 11
Dhamma Khetta, Hyderabad (A.P.)
Children's Course Workshop: May 11 to 18
Logicstat Farmhouse, Delhi
"Value Inculcation Through Vipassana" Workshop (for school and college teachers): May 15 (10:00 a.m.) to 29
Workshop for Assistant Teachers: October 21 to 26
Workshop for Trustees and Dhamma workers: October 21 to 26
Dhamma Puṇṇa, Pune
"Value Inculcation Through Vipassana" Workshop (for school and college teachers): May 16 (10:00 a.m.) to 30
Dhamma Lakkhaṇa, Lucknow (U.P.)
"Value Inculcation Through Vipassana" Workshop for school teachers: June 13 (8:00 a.m.) to 27 (7:00 a.m.).
Dharmashṛṇga, Kathmandu
"Ghar Ghar mein Pali" Workshop: October 1 to 11
Workshop for Assistant Teachers: October 12 to 16
Workshop for Trustees and Dhamma workers: October 17 to 19 (These workshops will start at 8:00 p.m. on the first day and end at 11:00 a.m. on the last day.)
Water Pipeline at Dhamma Giri
There is a perennial scarcity of water at Dhamma Giri every year in summer. The situation has become more serious because of the progressively increasing number of students every year. Therefore, it has been decided to find a long-term solution to this problem of water shortage by building a pipeline. The estimated cost for this project is about three million rupees. Meditators who wish to share the merits of this noble project are welcome to contact the management.
First Vipassana Course in Pakistan
The first Vipassana course in Pakistan was successfully organized from 25th February to 8th March. Fifteen students (10 men and 5 women) participated in the course. The course venue was a Franciscan Friary located in the middle of the city of Karachi but it was surrounded by trees and had a peaceful atmosphere.
A small group of dedicated old students in Karachi worked hard for several weeks to organize the course. To keep the wheel of Dhamma rolling in Pakistan, these meditators have arranged the following group sittings:
1. Every second and last Sunday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the residence of Mr. Abdul Aziz: 282, Lane-18, Sharfabad, Karachi 74800, Pakistan. Tel: 493-0372, 493-0997. and
2. Every third Sunday at the residence of Mr. Zahid Yezdan from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Registration for the next Vipassana course has already started. For more details about future courses in Pakistan, please contact Mr. Abdul Aziz at the above address or Mr. Zahid Yezdan, e-mail: zahid_yezdan1508@hotmail.com
Vipassana in Bhutan
Two Vipassana courses were organized in January and February 2003 at Bhutan's National Institute of Education (NIE) at Samtse. The first course was attended by 20 women and the second by 25 men, mainly education officers, school principals and school teachers from various districts of Bhutan.
All the students worked very seriously. They did not leave the meditation hall at all, apart from the rest periods. In spite of the usual difficulties that every student faces in the first half of the course, all of them continued to work persistently. At the end of the course most of them felt as if they had rid themselves of a great load and wished to take part in more courses.
The Director-General of the Education Department, himself a Vipassana meditator, took a personal interest in the arrangements for these course. The Education Department is planning to hold four Vipassana courses every year, so that teachers and other staff members coming for initial or refresher training to the NIE may receive the benefits of Vipassana.
New Responsibilities
Ācāryas:
- Mr. Bill & Mrs. Virginia Hamilton - To serve Dhamma Toraṇa (Ontario)
Senior Assistant Teachers:
- Mrs. Sheeladevi Chaurasia - To serve Sikkim
- Dr. Om Shankar Srivastava - To serve Dhamma Salila (Dehradun)
- Mr. George Hsiao - To serve Korea
Change of Responsibilities
Bhikkhuni Ācārya:
- Ven. Ming Chia Shih - To serve Taiwan including Dhammodaya
Ācāryas:
- Dr. Dhananjay Chavan - To assist the Principal Teacher and to serve Dhamma Nāsikā
- Mr. Shyam & Mrs. Kanta Khaddaria - To serve Dhamma Licchavi, Dhamma Upavana, Dhamma Vimutti and Dhamma Suvatthi and Dhamma activities in north-eastern states (except Sikkim), Bihar, Jharkhand and North Bengal (Darjeeling).
- Mr. Ashok Talwar - To serve Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh including Dhamma Sikhara, Dhamma Paṭṭhāna, Dhamma Kāruṇika and Dhamma Cakka
- Mr. Klaus & Mrs. Nadia Helwig - To serve Philippines and Distribution of teaching sets of East Asian Languages.
New Appointments
Assistant Teachers:
1. Mr. Vasant Karade, Kolhapur
2. Mr. Om Prakash Shirsat, Nashik
3. Mr. Madhukar Kale, Nashik
4. Mr. Madhukar Chokhandre, Nagpur
5. Mr. Ramakant Jhunjhunwala, Akot
6. Mr. Laxmi Prasad Mandlekar, Jabalpur
7. Mr. Ian Hofstetter, Australia
8. Mrs. Brigit Mackenzie, Australia
9. & 10. Mr. Michael & Mrs. Jacqueline Schmidt, Germany
11. Ms Heidi Rehaag, Germany
12. Ms. Sieglindi Drabczynski, Germany
13. Ms. Andrea Schmitz, UK
Children Course Teachers:
1. Mr. Chhim Sotha, USA
2. Ms. Piyawan Ukamthorn, Thailand
3. Ms. Petcharee Promchuey, Thailand
4. Mrs. Boonpen Ngarm-lamiad, Thailand
