Buddhism and Japanese

Characteristics of Existence

By Sona Kanti Barua

Different Characteristics of Society Existence

The Buddha taught, “All conditioned things, are impermanent, all conditioned things are suffering or discontent and all things are without substance.” 14 The Buddha’s teaching is centered on the natural law of depended origination or the `Theory of Relation of Phenomena.’  The Buddha discovered natural laws (Dharma) of arising of problems of life and solving of problems of life. A sincere Buddhist learns that sensuous pleasure is transient. With this understanding a Buddhist scholar does not classify natural laws the same way as a physicist. The aim of his study in the same i.e. he seeks happiness. What is arises that is subject to destruction. This is the teaching of the Buddha. So the ultimate happiness or salvation of Buddhism is Nirvana. There are many who have got a wrong notion that Nirvana is negative and implies ending of self.

The whole of the Buddhist teaching is against flowing with the current of the world, that is to say, the rat race, with its envy, anxiety, unhealthy competition and a host of other negative factors. Buddhism teaches a positive and practical way – the eightfold path to cope with their detrimental impact. The mental attitude of a Buddhist has to be considered in killing matters. If greed, hate and delusion involved in the performance of these, then it constitutes an unskillful act or negative action. Poisonous actions beget dark result. So the Buddha has repeatedly stressed the importance of moderation and mindfulness in whatever food one eats. The climate, occupation, temperament early up-bringing and health are deciding factors regarding the kind of food and one should eat.

 Racism in the Western Dominance

Do Not discriminate any racist. 

Racism in the American politics plays an important role. With the advance of modern technology, unfortunately the American atom bomb had a traumatic effect on the Japanese which obliterated Nagasaki and Hiroshima in August 1945. From that moment men have been thinking all over the world how do we exist with the threat of nuclear annihilation. In answering this question, Highly Compassionate Lord Buddha said 2600 years ago, “Hatred is never appeased by hatred in this world; it is appeased by all embracing love only. This is an eternal Law.”  

Michael Adas book entitled “Machines as the Measure of Man:  Science, Technology, and Ideologies of Western Dominance.”  In the name of science, political religions creates wall among us. The Buddha destroyed the wall of egotism.  The ego or desires of temptations died in him so he became the Buddha. This is mental state of Nirvana.

 Pure Land of Great Buddha ideal in Japan (Nara, Kyoto, Chiba and Kamakura)

Buddhist Ideal in Japan

Students of Zen Buddhism are sitting in Za-zen (sitting legged meditation) in silence. Temple instructor is watching them calmly at Japanese temples including Sojuji Temple, Yokohama.  Buddhism have been teaching to the Japanese people with the Four Noble Truths including Noble Eightfold Path in practice ten perfections:  (1) giving to others (2) Mindful and discipline at every step of life (3) patience (4) Effort (5) Meditation (6) intelligence (7) Compassionate ability (8) Vow : boundless vow to save others (9) Powerful executive activities to save others and (10) Supreme Wisdom.

Architectural Orchestra in the Great Buddha Statue in Kamakura:

One of the eight wonders of the world

Kamakura Buddha Meditates Supreme Enlightenment

Its superb craftsmanship unfurls

The devotion made magnificent

Of all who joined hands in prays 

Such edifice massive and grand

Is there anything so breathe taking

Ever built by frail but willing hands?

Japanese scientists, thinkers and scholars investigated that Science can’t give man the control over his mind when he is driven about the selfish desire or animal’s impulses that flares up from within. The Buddha encouraged the wise men not to cling to any theories, scientific or otherwise. The Buddha’s goal of Nirvana or emancipation is attained with extirpation of all grasping or desire and spiritual ignorance. Whoever wins it gains lasting mental strength and attain satisfaction in Japanese tea ceremony, cultivating Zen (Dhyan or Cha’n) garden and flower arranging or ikebana.

Do not take others' Freedom degrading humanity

India lost its freedom in degrading humanity. It is remarkable that Hindu King Sasanka (7^th century) cut Bodhi tree at Buddhagaya,  killed many Buddhists and destroyed Buddhism in India ( Bihar and Bengal)  while  Japanese Prince Shotoku  issued the Seventeen Article Constitution in 604 and stressed in it that every subject should faithfully respect the three treasures (Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha) as the supreme and unmistakable guidance.  

2600 years ago in India (and Bangladesh) Lord Buddha explained mind or mental element (Mano Dhatu) and light as a material entity in a wave. Mind element is one of the 18 elements. The Buddha also explained on the “Perception of light.”18 According to Buddhist text, “Here the monk contemplates the perception of light.” It is conducive to the development of Knowledge and vision. However, writings of words and essay writing system are inter-related facts.

How ever, writings of words and essay writing system are inter-related facts. Everything exists only in fundamental dependence on everything else. That is why if we finally understand true nature of ourselves, we at the same time understands the true nature of everything.            

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14 Narada, The Buddha and His Teachings, p. 268

18 Nyanatiloka, Buddhist Dictionary, p. 9

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