Sambodhi 2012 Vol 35

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

Page 18

Dr. A.P.J. Kalam, Former President, India
SAMBODHI
Truth is supreme
Lord Buddha finds out of the root of all evils. This led him to show the world the way of salvation, his teachings gave .courage to the weary, the sad and the sorro wstricken. His words were balm to those wounded, light for those who were in the dark and all through his teachings, truth was the core of his message. Eternal verities are the basis of the benign world order. Truth is omnipresent, eternal and permanent. Those blinded by greed and lust for power cannot see or experience it and for that, they are the poorer. Those who see it, imbibie it and live it are the blessed ones and they alone are entitled to genuine happiness, peace and bliss. The last words of Lord Buddha to his disciple Ananda, clearly sums up his perception of the ultimate truth showing the world the future path, clear and unmistakable, leading unhampered and unhindered, and unmistakably towards the ultimate destination to total peace and salvation. These words were - "Be island to yourself, Ananda ! Be a refuge to yourself; do not take to yourself any other refuge. See truth as an island, see truth as refuge. Do not seek refuge in anyone but yourselves. Have done, Ananda ! Do not weep, do not distress yourself ! Have I not often told you that it is in the very nature of things that we must eventually be parted from all that is near and dear to us ? For how, Ananda, can it be otherwise ? Since everything born evolved, and organised contains within itself the germs of disintegration, how can it be otherwise than that a being should pass away? No other condition is possible !" Let us discuss how we can bring about Unity of Minds. In search of Unity of Minds
Today, what world needs is peace and prosperity for the more than six billion people. The unity of minds is indeed the foundation. How to achieve the unity of minds ? Let me share with you friends few experiences in that direction. Tawang Experience
Tawang, as know, is a virtual Shangri-La tucked away at an altitude of 3,000 metres in a misty corner of Arunachal Pradesh. The people there seem truly happy and tranquil, living under the kindly umbrella of one the world's oldest Buddhist monasteries. During a visit, I asked the Abbot of the monastery about the secret of Tawang's tranquility that seemed to go beyond mere goodness. "You're the President of India. You know everything,” he replied, trying to avoid answering the question. When I persisted, however,