Sambodhi 2012 Vol 35

Author(s): J B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 17

Vol. XXXV, 2012
Spirituality in Religion
religious shlokas rent the air. During the Parikrama, I saw lotus flowers around me blooming in the sprawling Lake. When my mind was engulfed in beauty of the flowers, I remembered a couplet written by a famous Tamil poet Tiruvalluvar 2000 years ago, which gives the axiom of life.
It means: whatever be the depth or the state of cleanliness of the pond, the lotus flower springs out and blooms majestically looking towards the sun. Similarly the human living can be transformed into a purposeful high living, whatever the circumstances may be, only when a great aim engulfs the mind of the individual. Dhamma and Discipline are the teachers
When I went to Kushinagar, I asked myself, why Lord Buddha chose that small town to stay during his final days of life before attaining Mahaparinirvana. Lord Buddha himself answered this question to Ananda, his disciple "No Buddhist could ever rest on past achievements, the Sangha must always press forward to bring help to the wider world.” So, Kushinara for enlightened personality is indeed a place of importance to spread the best of Buddhism. When I read Karen Armstrong's book Buddha, I am moved and inspired by the words of Lord Buddha through his disciple, "You may be thinking Ananda: The word of the teacher is now a thing of the past; now we have no more teacher. But, that is not how you should see it. Let the Dhamma and discipline that I have taught you be your teacher when I am gone.” What a beautiful divine revelation to all of us and particularly to all holy monks. The leaders in various parts of the world, has to realize the life and the lessons of the great ones are indeed most important and they have to guide us to lead a peaceful and purposeful life. This is the message the whole humanity derives from Lord Buddha's own words. Four noble truths
The philosophers, theologians, indologists and thinkers who have assembled here know, what four noble truths are. However, I felt that I should narrate these noble truths, which are ringing in my mind in divine form.
The first truth is about Dukkha, which states that the world is transient and it is in Dukkha. The second truth is about the root cause of Dukkha i.e. desire Samudaya. If we eliminate desire, Dukkha will cease, which is the third truth Nirodha. Fourth is to follow the Eight-Fold path Magga in order to eliminate desires. The Buddhism indeed stands on these great pillars. Now, I would like to discuss the inspiring message of Buddha.