New Way Of Approach In Buddhist Studies

Author(s): Hajime Nakamura
Publisher: Hajime Nakamura

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26) A NEW WAY OF APPROACH
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the attainment of enlightenment. Not merely the Buddha himself, but many of his followers are supposed to have achieved Nirvana and to have been in a position to compare this experience with what may be experienced in ordinary conciousness. According to Buddhism, what distinguishes man from other beings, is his aptitude for goodness, love for the dharma, and consequently a compassion for other beings. Anyhow, these characteristics, which are substantially the same, could be regarded as what makes mankind as such.
In the West, Aristotle says that appetites and desires are shared in common by men and animals. What distinguishes man from the animal is the power of reason. Mencius holds that 'the faculty of the mind is thinking'. He advanced the view of the natural goodness of man, that he can not bear to see his fellowmen suffer. The way of apprehending the essence of man by these philosophers, however, is rather rationalistic, whereas the Buddhist apprehension is more humanistic.
The Buddha is very often called "a Teacher of Gods and Men", just in the same way as Xenophanes, the Greek philosopher, said: “There is one god, among gods and men the greatest, not at all like mortals in body or in mind”. (Fragment 23, tr. by Freeman) In Buddhism, the Buddhas stood at the very top rung of the ladders. The Buddha was regarded as leading both gods and men alike.
III. The Problem of Evil
Men are always afflicted by their own evils. The most dangerous obstacles to man are the Ten Bonds, according to early Buddhism. These Bonds are:
1. Delusions about the soul (Sakkaya-ditti) 2. Doubt (Vicikiccha) 3. Dependence on works (Silabbata-paramasa) 4. Sensuality (Kama) 5.. Ill-will (Patigha) 6. Desire for rebirth on earth (Rupa-raga) 7. Desire for rebirth in heaven (Arupa-raga) 8. Pride (Mana) 9. Self-righteousness (Uddhacca) 10. Ignorance (Avijja) These evil dispositions should be conquered. The conquering of the Ignorance, the last one, which is the fundamental principle motivating our mundane existence, will finally lead men to release. The disciples of the Buddha, both clergy and the laity, must be rid of these evils gradually