How to Defend the Republic!

(The following is a translation of an article originally published in the September 1999 issue of the Vipaśyanā Patrikā.)

It was the first year of the dispensation of the Dhamma. After attaining perfect enlightenment at Bodh Gaya and setting in motion the Wheel of Dhamma at Varanasi, the Buddha came to Rājagaha passing through Bodh Gaya on the way. Licchavī Mahāli, the commander of the Vajji republic, met the Buddha there. He benefited from his teaching and became his first Licchavī disciple. Inspired by him, many Licchavīs of Vesālī became devoted disciples of the Buddha within a few days.

Mahāli’s skill in the art of warfare made the army of Vesālī a major force in the region. The Licchavīs had great respect for him. Unfortunately, he lost both his eyes. Therefore, they appointed him the chief military adviser and designated a brilliant Licchavī youth named Sīha as the commander of the army. At that time Sīha was a prominent disciple of another spiritual teacher. But when he saw that many Licchavīs of Vesālī had become the followers of the Buddha he came, after initial hesitation, to meet the Buddha out of curiosity. After talking to him, he was deeply influenced and became his devoted follower. Like Mahāli, Sīha fulfilled the responsibility of commanding the army with great skill and diligence even after becoming a follower of the Buddha. The Buddha did not teach his lay devotees to neglect their familial, social and official responsibilities. On the contrary, he would encourage them to gain more proficiency in them.

Once the Buddha came to Vesālī and stayed at the Sāraṃdada stupa. Many Licchavīs came to meet him and saluting him, they sat on one side. There was a constant threat of an attack upon Vesālī because the neighbouring kingdoms were envious of its prosperity. The Buddha was aware of this. He also knew about the mutual antagonism between Magadha and Vesālī. Being born and raised in the Sākya republic, he understood the inherent advantages and disadvantages of a republic. Therefore, for the security of the Vajji republic, he gave seven practical instructions which would make them unassailable. These teachings were:

1. Licchavīs! As long as the Vajjians maintain their unity and meet regularly they will remain invincible.

The members of the state parliament of the Vajji republic (called rājās) would meet in the assembly hall regularly and discuss the security of the country. If they failed to assemble because of laziness, the enemies outside the border would get an opportunity to attack. On seeing that the rājās were not alert, these enemies would intrude into the country and loot the people. But when the rājās were alert, as soon as they were informed of any intrusion into the country, they would immediately send the army to rout the enemy tato balaṃ pesetvā amittamaddanaṃ karonti. Then the intruders would understand that they would not be allowed to ravage the country na sakkā amhehi vaggabandhehi vicaritunti. As a result they would bhijjitvā palāyanti scatter and flee.

2. Licchavīs! As long as the Vajjians meet together in unity, rise in unity and perform their duties in unity, they will remain invincible.

During times of danger, when the warning trumpet was sounded, every rājā would immediately come to the assembly hall. If any rājā was having his meal, he would leave it unfinished; if he was adorning himself with clothes and jewellery, he would come to the assembly hall at once, in whatever clothes he was wearing. There, everyone would sit together, and after deliberation and discussion, a unanimous decision would be taken. Thus, everyone would rise in unity. Thereafter whatever action had to be taken would be accomplished unitedly.

Everyone should be eager to protect the country. Whenever there is an announcement from any part of the country that the enemy has invaded any town or village asukaṭṭānesu gāmasīmā vā nigamasīmā vā and when the people are asked, "Who will go there and crush the enemy?" ko gatvā imaṃ amittamaddanaṃ karissati brave shouts of "First me, first me" ahaṃ paṭhama, ahaṃ paṭhama should echo throughout the country. During times of danger, all citizens should consider it their fundamental duty to defend the country. They should never fail to fulfil this duty.

3. Licchavīs! As long as the Vajjians do not transgress their ancient principles of governance and system of justice, they will remain invincible.

If any rājā arbitrarily increases taxes in his region or imposes fresh taxes, this will be a violation of the constitution and will cause discontent. Discontented people will not help during times of crisis.

Or if any rājā does not collect tax in his region out of favouritism, it will result in depletion of the state treasury. The army will not be able to procure necessary weapons. If the army does not get its salary on time, its strength will diminish.

There should never be any violation of the ancient penal code of the judiciary. According to the penal code, any person arrested on suspicion of having committed any crime has the right to appeal up to seven levels. He can appeal in turn to the minister of enquiry, the judicial magistrate, the chief magistrate, the jury, the commander, the crown prince and the king. If proved innocent in the course of any of these appeals, he is released. If he is ultimately proved to be guilty, he is punished. If he is punished in this way, the law-breaker and his family as well as the people in the community will not have any grievance. But if he is punished without a fair trial and is not given an opportunity to appeal, it will be in violation of the judicial system, and people will become discontented. They will not give their full co-operation to resist the enemy in times of danger. If the government is run without the slightest violation of the judicial system, the people will be contented and will gladly help in the defence of the country.

4. Licchavīs! As long as the Vajjians revere, respect, venerate, and honour their elders and pay regard to their words, they will remain invincible.

If the respect for experienced elderly retired rājās of the country is maintained, if they are not ignored, then the country will continue to benefit from their long experience of governance and security of the state. The security of the republic can be strengthened with their experience about the way they united at the time of danger and saved the country; the way they deployed the army in the battlefield and destroyed the army formations of their enemies. If their advice is ignored, the country will be deprived of the benefit of their vast experience.

5. Licchavīs! As long as the Vajjians protect their women and do not abduct them, they will remain invincible.

The intoxication of power is extremely potent. If any rājā intoxicated by power harasses the womenfolk of others, their families will become unhappy and turn into enemies of the state. When the country is attacked, they will join the enemy and help in the destruction of the country to avenge the wrong done to them. If the rājās refrain from immorality, the security of the country will not be endangered.

6. Licchavīs! As long as the Vajjians venerate the objects of worship inside and outside their republic, and maintain monetary support to them, they will remain invincible.

There were many sects in those days too, with their own temples and places of worship. A wise nation should keep all the people happy and satisfied. They should not be harassed, compelling them to become enemies of the state. Their places of worship should be provided adequate protection. Whatever financial assistance they have been receiving from the state should never be stopped. Otherwise, not only will the deities of those places of worship become displeased, even more dangerous will be that their devotees will become enemies of the rulers and the state. They will join hands with the enemies invading the country. Therefore, for the security of the country, it is necessary to give suitable protection to these places of worship.

7. Licchavīs! As long as the Vajjians provide protection and support to saints and arahants, they will remain invincible.

Saints and arahants leave the country where they are not allowed to live peacefully, are disrespected, and even physically attacked. Moreover, saints and arahants from outside do not enter such a country. As a result, people are deprived of discourses on true Dhamma, and become immoral. Corruption increases and peace, prosperity and harmony are lost. The lack of virtuous people weakens the country. Therefore, the protection of saints and arahants is always necessary for the security of the country.

The Buddha stated that as long as the Vajjians followed these seven instructions, they would remain undefeated and the Vajji republic would prosper. Truly, following these instructions, the Vajjians remained invincible for a long time.

***

Years later, the scene of a tragic historical incident comes before us. The Buddha was about eighty years of age; forty-five years of his Dhamma sāsana was about to be completed. Leaving Rājagaha, he was setting out on his last journey on foot. The king of Magadha, Ajātasattu sent his minister, Vassakāra to the Buddha with the news that Magadha was going to attack their enemies, the Licchavīs, soon. Without saying anything to Vassakāra, the Buddha asked Ānanda who was standing nearby, "Ānanda! Are the Vajjians following the seven instructions that I had given them years ago perfectly?

Ānanda said, "Yes Lord, they are following them perfectly."

Upon this, the Buddha said, "As long as the Vajjians follow these seven instructions, they will remain undefeated."

Vassakāra was skilled in the use of craft and deceit. He immediately understood that as long as the Vajjians remained united, they would truly remain unconquerable. He postponed the attack upon the Vajjians. The events that followed are the painful history of Vassakāra’s deceit and the foolishness of the Vajjians, because of which their strong unity was completely destroyed. The dissension within them became so deep that they were not even able to unite to face the Magadhan army, let alone repulsing their attack. The Licchavī republic became desolate forever. They forgot the beneficial teaching of the Buddha, and sowed the seeds of their own destruction.

The universal teaching of the Buddha regarding the security of the republic is just as relevant today as it was then. The danger of destruction caused by internal discord is just as relevant today. Let the India of today learn a lesson from the Vajjians who forgot the teaching of the Buddha.

To preserve the strength of the republic for a long time, the seeds of dissension in the country should be removed. The issues that divide the county should be eliminated and the elements of unity should be strengthened. The country should not be divided because of sectarianism or casteism.

The people of different sects can live together harmoniously in any country as long as they do not consider any sect as Dhamma. The difference between the two is clear. Different sects have different places of worship, different philosophical beliefs, different rites and rituals, as well as different clothes, festivals, traditions, food habits and fasts. Every sect may carry out its sectarian practices freely on the condition that the festivities of any sect do not offend the feelings of others. One should not consider any aspect of one’s sect as Dhamma and generate blind devotional emotion. Sects may be different and may have different aspects; but Dhamma is always indivisible. Let the knowledge of the true nature of universal indivisible Dhamma spread among the people. Living a life of morality is Dhamma. One should not do any vocal or physical action that causes harm or injury to others and affects their peace and happiness. There is no monopoly of any sect on this; it is the Dhamma of all.

To live such a life, it is essential to gain mastery over the mind. Gaining mastery over the mind, controlling the mind is the Dhamma of all; it is not the monopoly of a particular sect. To gain mastery over the mind there should be a technique, which is acceptable to all sects.

Freeing and purifying the mind from the negativities of aversion and antagonism, one should fill it with love, affection and goodwill. This is the Dhamma of all; it is not the monopoly of any one sect. For this, one has to practise a technique which every sect can accept without any opposition.

The science that India gave to keep the body healthy in the form of āsanas and prānāyāma was accepted world-wide because it is universal. It is not objectionable to any sect. In exactly in the same way, rising above the sectarian walls of all religions, the universal Vipassana technique of ancient India, capable of controlling the mind and making it strong and healthy, has been accepted world-wide.

By taking the support of this beneficent universally acceptable technique of sīla, samādhi, paññā, and mettā, it is possible to establish an atmosphere of friendship and mutual love and affection. This will strengthen the unity of the republic.

Like the belief in sectarianism, the demon of belief in the caste system has also been dangerous to the security of the country in the past, it is dangerous today also and will continue to be dangerous in the future. This is the lethal poison that has filled the blood vessels of the nation. The sooner it is removed, the better it is for the country’s security and glory. The difference between high and low will persist in society, it cannot be eliminated; but it is necessary to eliminate the existing basis of discrimination. One should not be considered high or low just because of being born from the womb of one’s mother. If a person commits unwholesome actions, if he is immoral, then he is wicked, unrighteous. He has little position in society; his status is low. Similarly, if he does wholesome deeds, is virtuous, then he is a good person, a saint. He has the respect of society; his status is high. When the false belief in high and low status because of birth flourishes, Dhamma becomes weak. Then living a life of morality, that is, the practice of Dhamma is of no importance. If an immoral person gets a high position in society because of birth, morality becomes irrelevant. If because of birth, someone is considered to be of low status, there is no importance of morality for that person. If one is considered big or small, high or low, respectable or disrespectable in society on the basis of morality, then one who is low and dishonoured today because he is immoral can become moral tomorrow and become high and respectable in society. When conduct instead of birth will be considered as the yardstick of high or low status in society, the progress of society will be abundant, the progress of the country will be abundant. The poison flowing through the blood vessels of the country since such a long time will turn into nectar.

May the practice of the non-sectarian universal technique of Vipassana that fills one with pure Dhamma lead to all-round development of the country; instead of mutual hatred and hostility, may love, affection and brotherhood increase. In this alone lies the security of the republic, in this alone lies the welfare and happiness of the country.

Dhamma Giri Website <www.vri.dhamma.org>

This website contains information about Vipassana, Dhamma Giri, VRI, Goenkaji’s Diary, The Grand Vipassana Pagoda, Latest Developments in Dhamma, Vipassana Centres in India, Questions & Answers, VRI English Newsletter, Spread of Dhamma, Dhamma News, Dhamma Discourses, Information about Tipiṭaka CD-ROM, Vipassana Seminars, VRI Publications, Updated schedule of courses including one day courses and group sittings in India as well as centre addresses, and Progress on Dhamma Pattana, Dhamma Tapovana and Sayagyi U Ba Khin Vipassana Village.

The Dhamma Giri website includes details of all Vipassana centres in India, including addresses, phone numbers, etc. Centre managers are requested to send information about new developments in their centres, including any change in address or phone numbers to:

Mr Radhe Shyam Goenka
Shubhada, Hatkesh Co-op Housing Soc.,
Plot 76, Ninth N.S.Circular Road, JVPD Scheme,
Near Jamnabai Narsee High School
Vile Parle (W), Mumbai 400 049
E-mail: rsgoenka@vsnl.com

A Unique Experience

I was attracted to Vipassana after reading "The Art of Living" by Bill Hart. The peace and joy that I experienced at the end of my first course at Dhamma Giri, Igatpuri in February 1992 was unique. Since then, I have attended six courses.

I approached my first four courses with a great deal of fear at the thought of sitting for long hours because I had been suffering from ankylosing spondylosis for 20 years. During my fourth course, the assistant teacher brought to my awareness my great aversion to pain. This helped me to become more equanimous. During the course I was cured of iritis (which causes inflammation and pain in the eyes) that had been recurring since 1983. Thereafter I became even more enthusiastic about the technique and have encouraged many other sisters to attend the course. They too have found the meditation very helpful.

Practising Vipassana has enabled me to become more aware of my emotions and negative feelings; specially anger, lack of forgiveness, and my aversion to pain and suffering. Becoming aware of these have helped me to overcome them to a great extent through Vipassana meditation and to enjoy peace and harmony in my life. Whenever I am in tension, I resort to this meditation and that helps me to look at the problem in a more objective way. This is also assisting me in my physical healing.

As a Christian nun, I find Vipassana an excellent method of prayer. The purification of mind by meditation makes it possible for me to come in touch with the source of love, joy, forgiveness and compassion within me, that is, the presence of God in my heart. Jesus Christ has said, "Happy are the pure in heart, they shall see God." The spirit of detachment and equanimity in the face of joys and sorrows, pleasure and pain is what Jesus also taught to His followers when He asked them to surrender everything to God. "Father, Thy Will be done."

Sr. Tessie, St. Mary’s Convent, Mhow, M.P.

Important Notice

Goenkaji will give guidance on all aspects of Vipassana to Teachers and Assistant Teachers in January 2000. During this time, he will also answer questions. Teachers, ATs, CCTs, trustees, and Dhamma workers are requested to send questions (in English or Hindi) that they wish to ask Goenkaji. There should be a separate question for each issue. Questions must reach Dhamma Giri latest by 15th October, 1999 and must include the name and address of the sender. Envelopes should be marked "Annual Conference Questions".

Buddhasahassanamavali

The Maha Bodhi Society has included Buddhasahassanāmāvalī, in the curriculum of their schools in Bangalore and Mysore. The book contains more than 200 Pāli verses in homage of the Buddha composed by Goenkaji and is published in seven scripts: Roman, Devanāgarī, Myanmar, Sri Lankan, Thai, Cambodian and Mongolian.

Vipassana Courses in Tamil Nadu Jails

After the successful completion of two courses in Chennai jail and one course in Tiruchirapally jail, the Inspector General of Prisons, Tamil Nadu wishes to organise one course every month in all the prisons in Tamil Nadu. It has been decided to conduct courses in Chennai Jail in September, Madurai Jail in October and November and Tiruchipally and Vellore jails in September, October, and November.

The first Vipassana course for prisoners in New Zealand was conducted from 13 to 24 September, 1999.

New Responsibilities 1999

Teachers
Mr Alain & Mrs Rachel Lepine
To serve Dhamma Suttama, Quebec, Canada

New Appointments 1999
Assistant Teachers
Ms Kazuko Kitamura, Japan

Dhamma Tapovana

Construction of Dhamma Tapovana, a centre for long courses only will begin soon on the adjacent land to the west of Dhamma Giri. The completed centre will accommodate 500 males and 500 females in self-contained single cottages. There will be two pagoda complexes with a total of 1000 meditation cells and two Dhamma halls, as well as kitchen, dining hall and other necessary facilities.

Goenkaji wants the centre to be in operation for at least a year before 60-day and 90-day courses are held at Dhamma Tapovana. Donations to carry out this project have already begun to arrive and will be put to immediate use in construction of the centre.

Sayagyi U Ba Khin Vipasssana Village

A village for Vipassana meditators is being built adjacent to Dhamma Giri, on the eastern side to commemorate the centenary of Sayagyi U Ba Khin.

It will initially consist of fifty detached bungalows, each with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, a kitchenette and a meditation room. The village will have a commercial restaurant offering a variety of cuisine as well as gardens, common recreation and health facilities, a Dhamma hall, a library, and other facilities.

Bungalows will be offered on a lifetime license only to Vipassana students. Five precepts and a peaceful Dhammic environment will be maintained at all times by the Vipassana Village community. A committee at Dhamma Giri will oversee policy guidelines for the village in close consultation with Goenkaji.

The price of a lifetime license will be Rs 1.5 million (US$ 36,000). A significant portion of this amount will be used for the construction of Dhamma Tapovana. This will provide the facility for long courses to be held at Dhamma Tapovana, which in turn will allow more people to take part in ten-day courses at Dhamma Giri. Thus, a meditator taking a residence at the Vipassana Village will increase his dāna pāramī.

For booking a bungalow, a deposit of Rs 100,000/- (US$ 2500) has to be paid to "Sayagyi U Ba Khin Memorial Trust" by a bank draft and sent to Dhamma Giri. The rest of the amount is to be paid within six months.

For more details about the above projects, contact:
Mr Radhe Shyam Goenka,
Green House, Green Street, Fort, Mumbai 400 023
Tel: [91] (022) 266 3388, 266 4039, 266 307;
Fax: [91] (022) 266 4607; e-mail: rsgoenka@vsnl.com

Vipassana Pagoda Souvenir (Hindi)

The Vipassana Pagoda is being constructed at Goraigaon, Mumbai in commemoration of the centenary year of Sayagyi U Ba Khin. The Vipassana Pagoda Souvenir was published on 26 October 1997 to mark the laying of the foundation stone of the Vipassana Pagoda. The articles published in this Souvenir have been much appreciated and there have been repeated requests from meditators to publish the Souvenir in Hindi. The work of translation of these articles is almost complete and the Hindi Souvenir will be published soon.

Those who wish to advertise in the Souvenir may contact:

Global Vipassana Foundation, C/o Khimji Kunverji and Co., Suite 52, Bombay Mutual Building, Sir P. M. Road, Fort, Mumbai-400 001.
Tel: 266 2550, 266 1270; Fax: [91] (022) 266 4045.

Bank of India (Mumbai branch) S. B. account No. 11244 (for Indian donors) and S. B. account No. 11250 (for foreign donors).

(Indian donors are entitled to a deduction in tax on total income u/s 80-G of the Income Tax Act 1961.)