Glimpses Of World Religions

Author(s): Gunvant Barvalia
Publisher: Navbharat Sahitya Mandir

Page 84

Bauddha Dharma
67
Out of these, the first two constitute Pragna (higher intellect or wisdom), nos. 3, 4 and 5 make a character (sheel) and 6, 7 and 8 are called Şamādhi. At Shrāwastee, addressing King Ugra, Lord Buddha said, “Shraddha (or faith), sheel, Samādhi, Lajja (Shame), listening, renunciation and Pragnā are the only riches realy and this wealth is destroyed neither by fire nor by water. Nor can a king take it away, or a thief can't steal nor can the relatives snatch it away.
In this way, good character or ‘sheel is the base of Bauddha Dharma. It is disinterestedness from all the sins, which is (known as) Virakti or non-attachment to the pleasures. To be engrossed mentally in positive feelings of humble devotion is Samādhi. Samādhi occupies a central place (Middle point) in Bauddha Dharma, and in Pragnā lies the finale or the winding up. Pragnā (higher intellect) creates an equal feeling (or strikes a balance) between good and evil. The wise and the realised one transcends the dualities like love-hatred, victory-defeat, attachments-jealousies, good-evil, etc. What is more, such a wise man (Pragnāvān) transcends even Dharma. Duty, religion or Dharma is like a raft; it is meant for swimming across the ocean of life and it is not to be borne a burden on shoulders after reaching ashore. These three are called Trinity of Education. The teachings of good character or sheel, teachings on Samadhi and the enlightenment due to Pragna are the paths of purification. This trinity is the remedy for eradication of greed. In addition to these mentioned above, there are 10 good conducts (sheel) for a mendicant. He or she has to constrain going astray or committing sins. Ten sheels :
The mendicant has to shun committing sins. The 10 nonattachments or renunciations are as follows: (1) Not to kill or