World of Philosophy

Author(s): Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave
Publisher: Shanti Prakashan

Page 998

your analytical training to eliminate any idea of something you can be angry with
The tenth and final is very beautiful and convincing one with which Buddhaghosha ends his suggestions .He states that, if you can not rid off anger in any of these ways, give the hatred person a gift. Even though you still feel anger and hatred, just give him something more. Giving is something that transforms your emotions. If you feel anger and hatred towards others develop opposite emotions of love and affection. When other person receives gift given by you, he will change his attitude towards you. This giving and developing love towards other person is very effective means of overcoming anger and hatred.
Shantideva, a great Mahayana philosopher, suggests four-fold formula. If this formula is really implemented in practical life, then it certainly helps to establish peace:
First of all he talks about equality of self [oneself] with others [ paratmasamata). Secondly, denouncing a fault of self-cherishing notion [atmasneha). Thirdly, realizing importance of loving others or cherishing others (parasneha). Fourthly, exchange of self with others. It is seeing one's own personality in others (atmaparivartana).
By the nation of helping others and regarding them not different from oneself; the notion of 'T' and 'mine', gradually withers away. The practice of six Paramitas of dana, shila, kshanti, virya, dhyana and prajna leads to the widening of the circumference of mind. The life, centered on self, naturally tends towards the selfish. Selfishness poisons us with desire and greed. When they are not fulfilled, we tend to become angry and hateful. These basic emotional conditions cover the luminous depths of our minds and cut us off from our own intuitive wisdom and compassion. Our thoughts and action, then emanate from deluded superficial views.
Buddhism aims to awaken people to the limitless potential and value of their own lives. The main aim of Practical Buddhism is to bring about a positive transformation in the depths of life, transforming fear into courage, deluded impulses into wisdom and egoism to compassion. If we study Buddhist literature, surprisingly we will find amazing agreement between certain Buddhist principles which are in accord with or at least share in spirit and in some cases even surpass many of the fundamental insights and humanitarian concerns of present day International Laws which are framed to establish peaceful and secure world. To cite some of the important principles such as concept of brotherhood, the universality of the human condition, the root cause of conflict and social disorder, the problems of violence at individual levels and its social implications, the need for active cultivation of non-violence and peace building, problem of common suffering, promoting
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