New Way Of Approach In Buddhist Studies

Author(s): Hajime Nakamura
Publisher: Hajime Nakamura

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RELIGIOUS STUDIES IN JAPAN
Man should make great efforts to do greater service to other men than our parents and relatives do to us. (cf. Dhammapada 43) In the days of the Buddha, a sick brother was once neglected by the other inmates of the monastery. The Buddha washed him and tended him with his own hands, saying afterwards to the careless monks, who would have been eager enough to serve him, "Whosoever would wait upon me, let him wait upon the sick”. He claims his oneness with humanity so that services to the sick or the destitute are in reality rendered to himself. (Mahavagga VIII, 26) Christ also said: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto' me”. (Matthew XXV, 40) Men should be true friends to each other. "Some friends are bottle-comrads; some are they Who (to your face) dear friend! dear friend! will say. Who proves a comrade in your hour of need.
Him may ye rightly call a friend indeed”. (Sigalovada 13) A true friend is defined in detail.
"Four are the friends who should be reckoned as sound at heart:the helper: the friend who is the same in happiness and adversity; the friend of good counsel; the friend who sympathizes.
On four grounds the friend who is a helper is to be reckoned as sound at heart:-he guards you when you are off your guard, he guards your property when you are off your guard; he is a refuge to you when you are afraid; when you have tasks to perform he provides a double supply (of what you may need).
On four grounds the friend who is the same in happiness and adversity is to be reckoned as sound at heart:-he tells you his secrets; he keeps secret your secrets; in your troubles he does not forsake you; he lays down even his life for your sake.
On four grounds the friend who declares what you need to do is to be reckoned as sound at heart:-he restrains you from doing wrong; he enjoins you to do what is right; he informs you of what you had not heard before; he reveals to you the way to heaven.
On four grounds the friend who sympasizes is to be reckoned as sound at heart:-he does not rejoice over your misfortunes; he rejoices over your prosperity; he restrains anyone who is speaking ill of you; he commends anyone who is praising you”. (Sigalovada 21-25)
The virtue of giving something to others was especially stressed in Buddhism "To him who gives shall virtue be increased”. (Mahaparinibbana-suttanta 4, 43. DN. Vol. II, p. 136) The Buddha said: "The charitable man is loved by all; his friendship is prized highly; in death