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Sāriputta or the lowly-born Sopaka; the righteous Silava or the highwayman Angulimāla-whoever came into contact with the Buddha and took a dip in the Ganges of Dhamma by practising Vipassana, was totally changed, totally rectified. Their suffering was eradicated.
Another prevalent misconception about the Buddha is that he taught how to gain release from the cycle of repeated existences, but he ignored the everyday concerns of the individual and the family. It is held that he was indifferent to political and social problems. But it is clear from the study of this literature that he was also quite cognizant of and sensitive to worldly problems. While it is true that he gave the majority of his discourses to the monks, addressing the topic of the ultimate truth, nevertheless he delivered numerous discourses to his lay followers addressing mundane concerns. He dealt with all aspects of the householder's life. He gave instructions concerning the mutual duties of parents and children, wives and husbands, masters and servants, teachers and students, friends and friends, kings and subjects. They are refreshing, relevant and beneficial even today.
The instructions given to the Licchavis, for the maintenance of adequate protection of their republic, are acceptable as a model for any republican government of modern times. Similarly, his teachings are equally valuable for other administrators. In the tradition of his teachings it is said: Rājā rakkhatu dhammena attano va pajam pajam (The king should protect his subjects in the same way as he protects his own children). Inspired by such teachings, the emperor Dhammarāja Asoka established a righteous administration which was unique and unparalleled in human history and worthy of emulation. His reign shines like a luminous pillar of light in the administrative history of India, nay of the entire world.
Yet another major misconception about the Buddha is that he lays undue emphasis on suffering in his discourses. Some people have commented that his teaching is primarily about suffering and it is therefore, negative and pessimistic, full of despair and inclining towards apathy. With the publication of this literature, these misconceptions will be corrected. It will become evident that there is no comparable literature which inspires confidence in, and provides solace to, people who are sunk in abject suffering and despair. Truly a patient is discouraged when told that his or her disease is incurable. But, if someone makes the patient aware of the disease, discovers its primary cause and offers a way of removing the cause by pointing out a medicine which can totally eradicate the disease, this serves as a boon
Jain Education International
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