Chapter (3) Atom
There are over one million kinds of thing in the world according to the scientific point of view. Each of them contains an element or more. Although the number of these elements is less than 100, in this phenormenal world man manipulates them to become objects of our sight, sound, smell, taste, touch contact etc., in our daily life. Element means solid mass, liquid, gas or vapour, but whatever it is it may be mixed or compounded with minute particles called atoms. These particles are so small that they cannot be seen even ifyou look at them with a most powerfill microscope. All atom having a specific kind of element in it is quite different from one having another kind of element. For an example, an atom having an element called iron in it has a different kind of form and a different kind of quality. All atom having copper, oxygen of any other kind of element is quite unmistakably differint in form and quality from other atoms. But in their effort to describe the form of an atom they had failed to come near the right one. According to their way of thinking atom was a soild mass looking very much like a tiny sand. In the present age of the modern science there is no foundation in the theory that atom is a solid mass. whatever it may be, if it becomes a minute particle after its composition with a specific kind of other element it is not a solid mass at all but a mere vaccun of
nothingness.
The physicists have now confirmed finally that the atom of every description must have a nucleus. Around this nucleus one or more particles, smaller in size than the nucleus, are revolving at speed not describale in words. There are three smaller particles in an atom, viz (1) electron (negative), (2) proton (positive) and (3) neutron (neither positive nor negative particle). Hydrogen atom has no neutron. Due to the presence of these smaller particles an atom having a kind of element is distinguished from another atom having a different kind of element. if these smaller particles are not present there are no grounds for the appearence
of atom energy.
This chapter is to discuss the peaceflil use of atomic energy; but we must know about the structure of an atom so that we will be able to understand what is atomic energy. First and foremost let us see what is hydrogen atom; the structure of hydrogen atom is quite simple and easy. The nucleus of an hydrogen atom is quite simple and easy The nucleus of an hydrogen atom is nothing but a particle of proton; the thing that is moving around
it is an electron which is smaller than proton in size.
There are altogether 92,types of element in the world by nature. These element in the world by nature. These elements are mixed or compounded with the atomic particles concerned. Each of these elements is given a number by the scientists on the basis of the number of electronic particles of each element.
Hydrogen atom is given No.1 as there is only one electronic particle moving round its nucleus. A greater number is given to an atom having a greater number of various kinds of element.
In the case ofuranium atom, it is given No.92 because its structure is most complex. There are in the nucleus of uranium 92 protons and 146 neutrons, and 92 electrons are revolving round it
by seven orbits.
Nucleus is only 1/20.000 of an atom; but only the neutron and proton composing the nucleus are the important factors in generating atomic mass. Here, the word “mass often gets confused with the word “weight”. It is no good to say “atomic weight” in
stead of “atomic mass”.
The word “mass 15 not to be mixed up with size or weight; mass can exist without weight also. Mass means~~ontained in a thing while weiiht means gravitation. Gravitation generates weight
only and does not make changes to mass.
Technicians of the Aviation Department are clever and competent teachers to explain correctly what is mass as distinct from weight Now let us say that a spaceship often tons in weight on its journey to the mars loses its weight gradually as it moves far and far away from the earth or gravitation of earth. When at last the ship reaches its destination very far away from earth it becomes
totally weightless.
The same with all the load the ship is carrying. The number or quantity of the load is the same as before. The ship in space loses all its weight of 10 tons but its mass remains as it was before launching from the earth. This is to prove that mass is always in an object or thing; it is there as a constituent part. Its weight, however, varies according to changes of situation.
If we discuss about the weight of an atom we must remember that it is about the quantity of things contained in an atom and that lesser is the quantity the smaller is the mass. The weight of an atom is given a number but that number has nothing to do with
our usual ounces (weight).
The hard and fast rule ofthe theory of atom is based entirely on that of electricity. Electrical power is nothing but the activities of minute material particles. Atomic particles composed ofvarious kinds of element are different from one another in size as well as in mass, but they are the same with one another in content. Electricity is the basic element in an atomic particle. It is electricity only that gives answer to the theory that in every atomic particle one or more than one electron is revolving
round the nucleus.
One of the fundamental principles of electricity is that identical forces repel one another while unidentical forces attract one another, which means that those of positively charged electrical energies repel one another while those of positively charged and negatively charged electrical energies attract one
another.
Electron is a minute particle of negatively charged electricity if you extract atomic particles from it you will get only electricity.The weight of electron is very light, much lighter
than a lightest atomic particle.
Proton is electrical energy as opposed to electron it contains as much positive electricity as electron contains negative
electricity and has little mass.
Neutron, however, has mass which is equal to that of proton; but it has no electricity. From all this it will be seen that mass of an atomic particle is the compound of proton and neutron in the
nucleus.
Hydrogen is also lightest but the weight of a particle ofhydrogen atom is equal to that of electron 1840.
The following is an extranct from some of the most interesting observations on the subject ofnuclear science by a well known writer and scientist Thaikpan Myo of Burma in his little book
entitled “Scientific Buddha Abhidhamma”.
Since the breaking of an atom, a tiniest unit of matter, according to Einstein’s theory, the momentum of the atomic and nuclear sciences has become so great that we are today getting
into a new age of nuclear universe.
By firing into the space rockets and missiles and setting up various atom-breaking apparatuses such as cyclostron, cosmostron, synchrostron, etc., and spending high sums of money therein thousands of scientists, young and old, have been exploring the entire universe on research. As atom is the most primal unit of matter as stated above, you will know about the origin of the physical life of our universes if you know all about the origin of an atom. The most basic problem faced by the nuclear scientists is about the
power for composition of our physical life.
Why are the neutrons and protons in the nucleus of an atom very strong and most concentrated forms of atomic structure? This
e to energy you will have to break a nucleus and find out about it easily said than done. For this purpose, of course, you will ha cause use cyclostron, cosmostron, synchrostron etc., as stated above. A hen,powerful force is required to explode a nucleus as it is a very and most concentrated form of atomic structure. You can have is most powerful force by exploding a nucleus with protons or electrons. It is not easy to do this either. You will have to spend a I ammunition to hit the target even once. To carry out a regular and cise of exploding a nucleus with patience is a daily routine for the cleus becomes shaky and gets vibrations causing changes to the naycal substance, element and vital organ. In the light of the situ arising out of these changes we must make a thorough study Ceu nuclear energy. Only on a close and careful study of it, taking no , it will be possible for us to find time and labor, it anta possible for us to find out a new labour, it will be possible for find out a new type ofparticle called mason which causes gravity roed between the neutron and the proton.
As a resuft of the nuclear researches as described above,
been found out, on caretul analysis ofthe various particles of pli ally matter and physical element below atom, that there are only pes at negative and neutral electric charges despite the fact that we 5 and ?times come across some complex characteristics of our physica in a Scientists are slready aware that the atomic or nuclear power is at eral times greater than the electrical power.
According to the above findings, photon is the Lakkhanarupa (characteristics of physical substance (matter) and generates electrical and magnetic powers while the remai ver, Lakkhanarupas generate arising of atomic power or nuclear po~ en- It is obvious, therefore, that the power that causes and is an open and straightforward question and also a big heada most of our great
scientists.
Neutron is a particle and has no electrical power at all between the positive and negative electrical charges are all neutralised. why does it attract and hold fast to all protons together? Proton also is a particle and is positive electrically charg most repulsive to all other protons. ft has no power of attract all. How do all protons exist together in a group inside
a nucleus.
These are the questions to prove that the electrical ener~ the electrical force, which are most important to the scientists maffer of the compostion of an atom, are no longer effective. Ii however, be asked here whether the negative electrically charg( trons revolving round the nucleus of an atom, according to their~ orbits, are giving support to the protons. But this question b meaning at all. It may be said that the electrons, whose mass q are so small that they are ahnost weightless, are attracted by th tons. In the same way, it may be said that the protons are atti only by the neutrons which are most heavy in weight.
In these circumstances, is it not surprising that the electi neutralised neutron, having no electrical power at all, is able’ tract and hold fast to the positive electrically charged proton negative electrically charged electrons? The attraction quantul nucleus is most formidable. Scientists have ahealdy found ou about a 100 pound force is required to pull out of a nucleus a ne
oraproton.
As the power of attraction for composition of neutron protons is such a formidable force that it is not at all electrical p it is nuclear energy only. This power is, therefore, called nucle eral times more powefflil than the electrical and magnetic powers. Electrical and magnetic powers are inter-related with the power of heat, power light, power of sound, etc., but the atomic
power arises separately
As the atomic power is the greatest it can manifest itself as electrical power, magnetic power, heat, light, sound, etc.; weaker powers will never come up to the level of the atomic power. ft follows, therefore, that the weak powers such as electrical power, magnetic power, heat, light, sound, etc., are physical powers inter-related with the physical energy only while the atomic power bad nuclear power, inter-related at least partially with the mental energy, are not completely physicaL This should be borne in mind strictly in accord with the tenet of the scientific Buddhism. (Note:- According to Theravada Buddhism, atoms are physical and generated by Kamma(Mano Kamma which is mentaL)
Up to this day, nuclear scientists have not yet understood mental phenomena qyite properly, so they are trying to interpret the atomic power in terms of electric power. As the basic principles of the electrical power, there are positive, negative and neutral electric charges, and as the basic principles of the nuclear power, there are positive, negative and neutral nuclear charges. But the nuclear scientists are still unable to solve the problems of physical and energy and physical power.
The theory on relativity of energy and matter by Einstein has been so famous that to-day the world of science is incomplet without this famous theory. But, we must not forget that this famous theory of Einstein is only an introduction to the uftimate reality of matter. Einstein discovered it while he was trying to get solution to one of the several physical problems of the science This one single problem is nothing but about the composition of physical life in an atom, which is the minutest physical unit. ft has been known that of all the principal constituents in the composition of an atom, such as neutron, proton and electron, only neutron and proton have had weights in the main. An atomic weight is calculated on the basis of the total number of neutrons plus that of protons. But on examination with a mass spectrograph of nucleuses in the atoms it was found to our surprise that the weight was less than the total number of the neutrons and protons.. For example, the weight of an atom composed of 14 neutrons and 13 protons should have been 27 in weight figure, not less than that. The shortage, however, was only about one tenth of a proton. But even that most trifing afifair was not ignored by the scientists. They wanted reasons why that shortage. the whole world was shocked when Einstein had found the reasons. what was it that Einstein had actually found? ft was: ‘~very time mart er (material particle) loses its energy it loses its quantity proportionately” It was in 1905 when Einstein, then a poor registration clerk, wrote it down in his essay that great scientists of that time laughed at it. Twenty years later the whole world was shaken when Einstein had produced a mathematical proof of his theory. It is the theory on relativity of matter and energy proved mathemati
cally as follows : E = M x C2.
From the above it will be seen that “E” (energy) is related to “M”(matter). This can be illustrated again as follows: E/M = C2
It will be seen, therefore, that energy and matter are proportionately the same in any material shape or form. C2 being the fixed formule of equation. In finding the value of this equations, Einstein had got it proved that (C) is the velocity of
light.
Light is travelling fast in space at the rate of 186,000 niiles per second. What is this light that is travelling so rapidly Every body knows light; but to understand it well, even the top scientists are still scepticaL Most of them are still asking “Is light particle or wave?”. It is not possible to give a definite answer to this question. It is, therefore, not wrong to say that the quantum theory has come into operation.
According to the quantum theory, nowvery’ popular in the world of science, we may claim that light is particle because it consists of photons of variable energy quanta. When these photons move, light moves, as worms move, like waves. This is how the quantum theory has become acceptable to all those in favor ofparticle (materialism), and as the various problems of light are solved sometimes as particles and other times as waves it (quantum theory) is getting popular in the annals of practical science.
According to the scientific Buddhism, however, light is a material phenomenon belonging to paramattha Sacca (absolute truth). ft is quite definite; there is no doubt about it. As far as we know from the present-day scientific advancements, the most important question is not whether light is particle or wave: but what is most important is the color of light only .What the scientists call photons in the composition of light are all the same in sizes but different in the quanta’ of energy according to different colors of light. There are basically eight types of color of light as recognized by science, viz (1) red, (2) yellow, (3) orange (4) indigo, (5) blue (6) green (7) violet and (8) ultra-violet. All these eight are included in equal proportion in the light of what
we all know as sun-ray
What is strange here is that apparently it is noticeable that color has practically nothing to do with energy.For instance, even if we increase the number of photons of a red-colored light and strengthen energy it will not come up to the power of the yellow colored light. In the order of the eight types of light as shown above, the power of the light of uftra-violet is superior and that of the red light is inferior. In science the powers of the various types of light are directed by the energies generated by the various types of light For example, a red light cannot pull out even an electron from an atom although an uftra violet light has the power to push out proton and neutron from an atom.
In the light of these principles of nuclear science, the strategic importance of light as taught by the Buddha is quite significant. Light is nothing but a color which is phycical only and the power of light is dependent on color. In these circumstances, what we call color, a phycical phenomenon, is quite
justified.
The question of whether the quantum of a physical color is large or small is not important, as stated above; what is important is the color itseif~ so all is the same in the velocity of light. But when the various types of light are moving with waves in their travels they show differences as short and long waves as
they show differences in color.
The light of the red color travels with long waves and the light of the uftra violet travels with short waves. The scientists are, therefore, convinced that the color oflight depends upon whether the wave is long or short. But, here we must be aware that light, a physical phenomenon (matter), is in conflict with the principles of physical energy as accepted by the scientists.
As physical energy depends upon physical quantum concerned, Einstein’s theory that when physical quantum is great physical energy is great and when physical quantum is little physical
energy is little, must be collect.
In any case, the quantum of a red light may be great, but its power will never come up to that of the light of ukra violet color, and the physical quantum of a green light may be great but its power never catch up with that of auftra violet colour.
Further details on Anatta may be referred to Anatta Lakkhana
Sutta appended below.
I think so much will suffice as far as Anatta Dhamma is concerned here. As already stated above, Anatta Dhamma is one of the chapters of the Dhammacakka Pavuttana Sutta, because the doctrine of the Four Noble Truths is complete only when the whole Ti Lekkhana, i.e., the famous three characteristics, Anicca, therefore, that, for the Buddhists who wish to reach their cherished goal of Nibbana, the unconditioned uftra-phenomenon, and liberated themselves from the dangers of rebirth, old age, decay and death, the only best thing to do is to properly understand the Four Noble Truths, known as avUahita Dhamma, and preached as the first sermon in the world by all the successive Buddhas numbering more than the white sands of the Ganges River. When I say “to propeily understand” I mean that we should try and understand the Four Noble Truths not only through learning from others like a child or through hypothetical reasoning like a mother, but also through practical tranining exercises like a goldsmith, that is
development of spiritual insight.
As a matter of fact, all dhammas preached by the Buddha are part and parcel of the Four Noble Truths. That is why the Buddha used to say: “Catu saccam vinimutto dhammo nama natthi”, which means that there is not a single dhamma exclusive of the Four
Noble Truths.
Some ancient sages also used to say: “There are Four Noble Truths, one is to be understood analytically; one is to be given up;one to be intuied with insight; and one to be developed by meditation. There will be no liberation from suffering without realisation of the Four Noble Truths with Magga Nanaath
knowledge.
The Buddha also says in mahavagga samyutta nikara:
Catunnam bhikhave ariya saccanam yathabhutam adassana ananubhodha appativedha evam idham dighamaddhanam sandhavitam samsaritam mamanceva tunihakanca, a short translation of which is: -Bhikkhus! For not properly understanding. Ariya Sacca (noble truth) with insight or Magga Nana, you as well as I had to go round the whirlpool of Samsara for a countless number of aeons.
A similar advice was given to Vaggali by the Buddha:
Yo hi passati saddhamam somam passati pundito apassamano
saddhamam mampassampi napassati, a brief translation of which is:
A man who is wise and educated properly understands the noble truth. The wise and educated man who understands the noble truth is always able to see me even from a far distance of 100 yojanas (over 1000 miles). A fool who is unwise, uneducated and does not understand the noble truth due to the darkness of delustion or ignorance will never see me with his eyes open from a short
distance even.
The following remarks made by Ashin Vappa when the five ascetics became Sotapanna at the end of the Buddh’s sermon on Dhamma Cakka Pavattana Sutta are also very meaningfiil:-Passo passati passantam, apassantinca passati.Apasanto apassantam,
passantmca na passati.
The meaning in short is: He who can see is able to see those who can see as well as those who cannot see. He who cannot see is not able to see those who cannot see as well as those who can see.
Buddha stresses the point in several of his discourses that only those who undestand the noble truth are persons who have exhausted Asavas (biasses or cankers) which means that they have
realised Nibbana:
Janato ham Bhikkiiave passato asavanam khayam vadami no ajanato no apassato. So far we have deak, in some details, with the questions on the development of Magga, attainment of Phala, and intuition of Nibbana of Enlightenment, supported by commentaries and subcommentarier. I believe that this will prove a good asset for those who are going to hear or leani important discourses such as Dhammacakka Pavaff ana Suff a etc.
Here, I give a quotation from the Buddha’s teaching on the livelihood of Puthuzana (ordinary worldling) and Ariya Puggala
(holy persons below Arahat):
Dve ma Bhikkhave pariyesana ariya ca Pariyesana, anariya ca pariyesana. Katama ca Bhikkhave anariya pan yesana ekicco attana j atidhammo samano j atidhainrnamyeva pariyesati. Attana jara-dhammo samano jara dhammam yeva pariyeseti. Attana vyadhi cihaminam yeva pariyesatil Attana soka dhammo sammano soka ciharninam samano
sankilesa dhaminam yeva pariyesati.
a short translation of which is: “There are two different modes of livelihood, namely (1) livelihood of puthujjana (ordinary worldling) and (2) livelihood of ariya (holy person). The former has adopted the means of livelihood which are causes ofjati (rebirth), jara (old age), vyadi (disease), marana (death),
soka(sorrow), parideva (lamentation), and sankilesa (defling im
purities).”
Buddha then poses a question: “Bhikkiius! what are these dhammas, viz., jati, jara, vyadhi, marana, soka, parideva and sanidlesa?” and Buddha himself gives the reply: ‘1Bhikkhus! The causes ofjati, jara, vyadhi, marana etc., etc., are (1) wife and children or husband and children: (2) male and female servants; (3) sheep and goats; (4) fowls and pigs; (5) elephants, bullocks, horses and asses; (6) gold and silver; and the last but not the least is any other object of attachment and craving.
Buddha again asks and replies on the means of livelihood adopted by Ariya Puggala (Holy Person below Arahat) as follows:
“The means of livelihood adopted by Ariya Puggala are those in direct contradistinction to the means oflivelihood adopted by Puthujjana Puggala mentioned above. That is to say that Ariya Puggala who is quite comprehensive ofthe danger ofrebirth, etc., the causes ofwhich are, as stated above, the wife and children and other sensual objects of attachment and craving, has adopted the path to Nibbana which is free from all dangers of rebirth, old
age, etc.”
I think, therefore, that all of us who cherish the goal of freedom from all forms of suffering in the round of Samsara, will have to spare no effort in our practices on Fourfold Foundation of Mindfiilness, that is meditation practices on the characteristics of Pancakkhandha Nania-Rupa for development ofAdinava Nana (sense of disgust) so that we get fed up with the endless processes of life and rebirth. There can be no doubt that practice on mindfiilness requires a good deal with concentrated effort and goodjudgment. Most of our Gums (masters) used to say that it is not easy to realize Nibbana. If you refer to Nidana Vagga Samyutta Nikaya you will find a page 394.
nama-rupa, the phenomenon of effect”. Ashin Issaji was still utter a. these few words when Uppatissa became Sotapanna and asked I to stop. Having heard only half of the stanza, Uppatissa’s quick m promptly worked out and came to the conclusion at once: “if Iher55 cause, there is effect and if there is no cause there is no effect”.] flill stanza ofAshin Issaji is: “Ye dhamma hetuppa bhava tesam heti tathagato a~a, Tesam ca yo nlrodho evam vadi mahasamano”, 1 meanlng of which is : All the sallkhara dhamma or
the ehenome:three planes of existence are nothing but sufferings (effects) can’ and conditioned by tanha (craving) or lobha (greed), so said the ~ Enlightened Buddha. The Blessed One also says that there is such unconditioned ultraphenomenon as Nibbana where all
the suffering cease”.
Buddha’s instructions on vipassana meditation contained in 1 Mahavagga Samyutta Nikaya are interesting: “It is silam bhikkha
La it is amadhi it panna. Sila pribhavito samadhi mahapphalo h mahanisamso. Samadhi pribhavita panna mahapphala h( mahanisamsa. Panna pribhavitam cittam sammadeva asav~ vimuccati seyyathidam kamasava bhavasava ditthasava avijjasava I
Te The meaning is: “Bhikklius! It is sila (virtue); it is samadiii (conctration); and it is panna (understanding) or insight. Samadhi depeii7- ent upon sila is most beneficial and most effective; panna depended upon samadhi is most beneficial and most effective and citta (min I- dependent upon panna is totally free from the four phenomena [5 asava. what are the phenomena of asava. They are kamasa bhavasava ditthasava avi~asava. Detailed explantion may be referred to Abhidhammatha Sanghaha. It may be noted here that once your mind becomes free frc sage in the Buddha’s teaching therein as follows:-”Nayidam sithila
marabbha mayidm appena Chai
Nibbanam adhigantabbam sabba dukidia pamocanam; That is : “Bhjid~us! You cannot realize Nibbana with ened effort nor with less strength, less exertion nor witl enttuusiasm.”
We may, however, ask whether, if realization of Nibb~’ possible only with extreme painstaking efforts, etc., ft is not liii] ment of Buddha’s injunction against self-torture which is called khila Mathanuyoga (evil of extremism) or Uccheda ~ (annihilationist wrong view). It does not seem to suggest that to extremely hard and painflil practice is a must irrespective ofwi you suffer from bone-breaking or skin4earing. In the Buddhi erature we find that several people became Ariyas such as Sotap Sakadagami, Anagami and Arahat without much trouble. For inst one of the five acscetics Ashin Kondanna easily became Sotai almost as soon as the Buddha concluded his sermon on Dhamma( Pavuttana Sutta. The rest of the five ascetics including Ashin ~ became Sotapannas within the following four days, and on tii~ day the Buddha preached Anatta Sutta at the end ofwhich all th~ ascetics became Arahats without difficulty. Similarly, Vis~’ Anathapanna, Khali, Khajjutara, uabba Buddha, who was a lep~ ing on begging, all became Sotapannas while listening to Bud sermon. Also Kissa Gotami, and Okkasena. King Suddhodan ther of Buddha, became Arahat.. .while living in the palace. ‘1 matter, the little story about Uppatissa, the embryo Ashin Sari~ becoming a Sotapanna at his meeting with one of the five asc Shin Issaji, is rather interesting:
“Ye dhamma hetuppa-bhave”,
Mahanibbuta Dipaka by the 1st Shwegyin Sayadaw, Abhidha Sarupa Dipaka (VoL 3) by 2nd Myobyingyi Sayadaw, and Parani Sarupa Bhedani (Vol:2) by Mahavisuddha Rama Sayadaw re tively. Suffice it to say, ho$e~ t~~at unless you understand Du Sacca (Truth of Suffering), I am afraid, you will not be able to ui stand Nibbana. That is the reason why the Buddha says: “Pacc~ Veditabbo ~lnllohi”, that is “Only those of wisdom, Magga Phalatham (those who have realised Magga (‘)ath Knowledge~ Phala (Fruition), understand Nibbana really and enjoy the bliss of As a matter of fact, Buddhism means in exegetical lang “Bujjhati ti Buddho” which again means one who knows the Noble Truths. I think, therefore, that if you claim to be a Bud( you should try and understand the Four Noble Truths at least Sutamaya Nana (thorestical knowledge) learnt from external sol such as books, learned persons etc, as stated above. This theorc knowledge is to contain at least a fair knowledge of Buddhist t~ nology and interpretation thereof on the subject of mental and p] cal phenomena in accordance with the Buddha’s instruetion ol subject; “Yo pancakkliandhe dvadassa ayatanani attharasadhatu ajhanati so kalayana puthujjano nama”, a short translation of~ is “He who knows the five khandhas (five mental and physica gregates), 12 Ayatana (12 sensory bases) and 18 Dhatu (18 elem( is called Kalayana Puthujjana (noble worldling). ffthe noble worl( continues his practice on meditation, he can became a Sotap without much differcufty In the Sutta Patheya Pali Text, Buddha scribes the qualfications of Sotapanna as follows: “Cattari I bhikhave sotapatti yingani. Katamani cattari sappurisa sarn~ sadharnimmassavannam yoniso manasikaro dhammanu dhai
For this purpose, the three Sikkhas (threefold training) such as adhisila (higher moral virtue), (2) samadhi or adhicitta (highei tality), and (3) adhi-panna (higher wisdom), should be devebi muftaneously The threefold training refers to the threefold di of Eightfold Path of sila, samadhi and panna.
what I would like to remind you here is that as Buddhi are required to strive for Nibbana. ffyou think you have no des Nibbana, you should try and develop a desire for Nibbana. already deaft at some length with the subjects of Magga, Pha Nibbana, quoting a considerable amount of authority from til Text, Commentaries and Subcommentaries. In the Anguttara ~ Buddha urges his disciples to strive for Nibbana and pray f same whenever they perform any religious deeds: “Sivam pati bhikkliave sivampatthetvana, danam databbam silam rakidil tab The meaning is : “Bhikkiius! whatever religious act you pei whether it is an act of charity, or of moral virtue, or of concent or insight, you should see that Nibbana is your main objective
Generally speaking, Buddhism is peculiar to other philos( or religions only in respect of Nibbana and Anatta, Anatta bein of the characteristics of Nibbana. Without Nibbana and Ailatta dhism will not be much different from other ideas, philosohica] gious or otherwise. But, of course, we must know which is th Nibbana. if we do not know it properly, or if we strive for it Wi knowing properly what the real Nibbana is, it becomes talilia ing) which brings us not Nibbana but hell. The interpretati Nibbana isveryverywide, deep and profound, and the time and at our disposal, especially in these hard days here are very mud ited; so we
cannot deal with it at great length.
If you want moi qualifications of a Sotapanna Puggala. which four? They are (1) To associate with good noble persons: (2) To learn and remember the teachings of good noble persons; (3) To contemplate these teachings whenever convenient and (4) To carry out practical exercises according to these teachings.
It is stated in Dhamapada that Sotapanna puggala is much superior to a king-emperor or to a Deva of the heaven or to a
universal monarch.
Similarly, it is stated that a gift of dhamma (Buddha’s teaching) excels all other gifts, that the taste of dhamma excels all other tastes, that enjoyment of dhamma excels all other enjoyments, and that the cessation of tanlia (craving) overcomes all
other dukidia (all forms of suffering).
Amongst the gifts of dhamma, teaching or preaching or discussing of the Four Noble Truths excels all other gifts of dhamma.
All this is in short the elementary outlines of Buddhist ethical philosophy accepted by the Theravadins of Burma, Ceylon. Thailand and other countries. This Buddhist Philosophical concept as a whole is too vast a field to be covered in one article such as the one we have now; volumes would be needed to deal with it adequately Properly understood, however, the entire system is comprehended in definitions, such as Anicca, Dukidia and anatta. That Anicca is universel of lux, Dukkha universal suffering or instability, and Anatta absence of essential reality in compounded phenomena and relative concepts, is aunique feature of Buddhism as preached by the Buddha over 2500 years ago, that is the liberty of individual thought and freedom of self-determination within the frame work of a logical morality that keeps it fundamentally in agreement with scientific attitude to life as we understand it in the present atomic age. All this has been deaft
with rather briefly.
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There are over one million kinds of thing in the world according to the scientific point of view. Each of them contains an element or more. Although the number of these elements is less than 100, in this phenormenal world man manipulates them to become objects of our sight, sound, smell, taste, touch contact etc., in our daily life. Element means solid mass, liquid, gas or vapour, but whatever it is it may be mixed or compounded with minute particles called atoms. These particles are so small that they cannot be seen even ifyou look at them with a most powerfill microscope. All atom having a specific kind of element in it is quite different from one having another kind of element. For an example, an atom having an element called iron in it has a different kind of form and a different kind of quality. All atom having copper, oxygen of any other kind of element is quite unmistakably differint in form and quality from other atoms. But in their effort to describe the form of an atom they had failed to come near the right one. According to their way of thinking atom was a soild mass looking very much like a tiny sand. In the present age of the modern science there is no foundation in the theory that atom is a solid mass. whatever it may be, if it becomes a minute particle after its composition with a specific kind of other element it is not a solid mass at all but a mere vaccun of
nothingness.
The physicists have now confirmed finally that the atom of every description must have a nucleus. Around this nucleus one or more particles, smaller in size than the nucleus, are revolving at speed not describale in words. There are three smaller particles in an atom, viz (1) electron (negative), (2) proton (positive) and (3) neutron (neither positive nor negative particle). Hydrogen atom has no neutron. Due to the presence of these smaller particles an atom having a kind of element is distinguished from another atom having a different kind of element. if these smaller particles are not present there are no grounds for the appearence
of atom energy.
This chapter is to discuss the peaceflil use of atomic energy; but we must know about the structure of an atom so that we will be able to understand what is atomic energy. First and foremost let us see what is hydrogen atom; the structure of hydrogen atom is quite simple and easy. The nucleus of an hydrogen atom is quite simple and easy The nucleus of an hydrogen atom is nothing but a particle of proton; the thing that is moving around
it is an electron which is smaller than proton in size.
There are altogether 92,types of element in the world by nature. These element in the world by nature. These elements are mixed or compounded with the atomic particles concerned. Each of these elements is given a number by the scientists on the basis of the number of electronic particles of each element.
Hydrogen atom is given No.1 as there is only one electronic particle moving round its nucleus. A greater number is given to an atom having a greater number of various kinds of element.
In the case ofuranium atom, it is given No.92 because its structure is most complex. There are in the nucleus of uranium 92 protons and 146 neutrons, and 92 electrons are revolving round it
by seven orbits.
Nucleus is only 1/20.000 of an atom; but only the neutron and proton composing the nucleus are the important factors in generating atomic mass. Here, the word “mass often gets confused with the word “weight”. It is no good to say “atomic weight” in
stead of “atomic mass”.
The word “mass 15 not to be mixed up with size or weight; mass can exist without weight also. Mass means~~ontained in a thing while weiiht means gravitation. Gravitation generates weight
only and does not make changes to mass.
Technicians of the Aviation Department are clever and competent teachers to explain correctly what is mass as distinct from weight Now let us say that a spaceship often tons in weight on its journey to the mars loses its weight gradually as it moves far and far away from the earth or gravitation of earth. When at last the ship reaches its destination very far away from earth it becomes
totally weightless.
The same with all the load the ship is carrying. The number or quantity of the load is the same as before. The ship in space loses all its weight of 10 tons but its mass remains as it was before launching from the earth. This is to prove that mass is always in an object or thing; it is there as a constituent part. Its weight, however, varies according to changes of situation.
If we discuss about the weight of an atom we must remember that it is about the quantity of things contained in an atom and that lesser is the quantity the smaller is the mass. The weight of an atom is given a number but that number has nothing to do with
our usual ounces (weight).
The hard and fast rule ofthe theory of atom is based entirely on that of electricity. Electrical power is nothing but the activities of minute material particles. Atomic particles composed ofvarious kinds of element are different from one another in size as well as in mass, but they are the same with one another in content. Electricity is the basic element in an atomic particle. It is electricity only that gives answer to the theory that in every atomic particle one or more than one electron is revolving
round the nucleus.
One of the fundamental principles of electricity is that identical forces repel one another while unidentical forces attract one another, which means that those of positively charged electrical energies repel one another while those of positively charged and negatively charged electrical energies attract one
another.
Electron is a minute particle of negatively charged electricity if you extract atomic particles from it you will get only electricity.The weight of electron is very light, much lighter
than a lightest atomic particle.
Proton is electrical energy as opposed to electron it contains as much positive electricity as electron contains negative
electricity and has little mass.
Neutron, however, has mass which is equal to that of proton; but it has no electricity. From all this it will be seen that mass of an atomic particle is the compound of proton and neutron in the
nucleus.
Hydrogen is also lightest but the weight of a particle ofhydrogen atom is equal to that of electron 1840.
The following is an extranct from some of the most interesting observations on the subject ofnuclear science by a well known writer and scientist Thaikpan Myo of Burma in his little book
entitled “Scientific Buddha Abhidhamma”.
Since the breaking of an atom, a tiniest unit of matter, according to Einstein’s theory, the momentum of the atomic and nuclear sciences has become so great that we are today getting
into a new age of nuclear universe.
By firing into the space rockets and missiles and setting up various atom-breaking apparatuses such as cyclostron, cosmostron, synchrostron, etc., and spending high sums of money therein thousands of scientists, young and old, have been exploring the entire universe on research. As atom is the most primal unit of matter as stated above, you will know about the origin of the physical life of our universes if you know all about the origin of an atom. The most basic problem faced by the nuclear scientists is about the
power for composition of our physical life.
Why are the neutrons and protons in the nucleus of an atom very strong and most concentrated forms of atomic structure? This
e to energy you will have to break a nucleus and find out about it easily said than done. For this purpose, of course, you will ha cause use cyclostron, cosmostron, synchrostron etc., as stated above. A hen,powerful force is required to explode a nucleus as it is a very and most concentrated form of atomic structure. You can have is most powerful force by exploding a nucleus with protons or electrons. It is not easy to do this either. You will have to spend a I ammunition to hit the target even once. To carry out a regular and cise of exploding a nucleus with patience is a daily routine for the cleus becomes shaky and gets vibrations causing changes to the naycal substance, element and vital organ. In the light of the situ arising out of these changes we must make a thorough study Ceu nuclear energy. Only on a close and careful study of it, taking no , it will be possible for us to find time and labor, it anta possible for us to find out a new labour, it will be possible for find out a new type ofparticle called mason which causes gravity roed between the neutron and the proton.
As a resuft of the nuclear researches as described above,
been found out, on caretul analysis ofthe various particles of pli ally matter and physical element below atom, that there are only pes at negative and neutral electric charges despite the fact that we 5 and ?times come across some complex characteristics of our physica in a Scientists are slready aware that the atomic or nuclear power is at eral times greater than the electrical power.
According to the above findings, photon is the Lakkhanarupa (characteristics of physical substance (matter) and generates electrical and magnetic powers while the remai ver, Lakkhanarupas generate arising of atomic power or nuclear po~ en- It is obvious, therefore, that the power that causes and is an open and straightforward question and also a big heada most of our great
scientists.
Neutron is a particle and has no electrical power at all between the positive and negative electrical charges are all neutralised. why does it attract and hold fast to all protons together? Proton also is a particle and is positive electrically charg most repulsive to all other protons. ft has no power of attract all. How do all protons exist together in a group inside
a nucleus.
These are the questions to prove that the electrical ener~ the electrical force, which are most important to the scientists maffer of the compostion of an atom, are no longer effective. Ii however, be asked here whether the negative electrically charg( trons revolving round the nucleus of an atom, according to their~ orbits, are giving support to the protons. But this question b meaning at all. It may be said that the electrons, whose mass q are so small that they are ahnost weightless, are attracted by th tons. In the same way, it may be said that the protons are atti only by the neutrons which are most heavy in weight.
In these circumstances, is it not surprising that the electi neutralised neutron, having no electrical power at all, is able’ tract and hold fast to the positive electrically charged proton negative electrically charged electrons? The attraction quantul nucleus is most formidable. Scientists have ahealdy found ou about a 100 pound force is required to pull out of a nucleus a ne
oraproton.
As the power of attraction for composition of neutron protons is such a formidable force that it is not at all electrical p it is nuclear energy only. This power is, therefore, called nucle eral times more powefflil than the electrical and magnetic powers. Electrical and magnetic powers are inter-related with the power of heat, power light, power of sound, etc., but the atomic
power arises separately
As the atomic power is the greatest it can manifest itself as electrical power, magnetic power, heat, light, sound, etc.; weaker powers will never come up to the level of the atomic power. ft follows, therefore, that the weak powers such as electrical power, magnetic power, heat, light, sound, etc., are physical powers inter-related with the physical energy only while the atomic power bad nuclear power, inter-related at least partially with the mental energy, are not completely physicaL This should be borne in mind strictly in accord with the tenet of the scientific Buddhism. (Note:- According to Theravada Buddhism, atoms are physical and generated by Kamma(Mano Kamma which is mentaL)
Up to this day, nuclear scientists have not yet understood mental phenomena qyite properly, so they are trying to interpret the atomic power in terms of electric power. As the basic principles of the electrical power, there are positive, negative and neutral electric charges, and as the basic principles of the nuclear power, there are positive, negative and neutral nuclear charges. But the nuclear scientists are still unable to solve the problems of physical and energy and physical power.
The theory on relativity of energy and matter by Einstein has been so famous that to-day the world of science is incomplet without this famous theory. But, we must not forget that this famous theory of Einstein is only an introduction to the uftimate reality of matter. Einstein discovered it while he was trying to get solution to one of the several physical problems of the science This one single problem is nothing but about the composition of physical life in an atom, which is the minutest physical unit. ft has been known that of all the principal constituents in the composition of an atom, such as neutron, proton and electron, only neutron and proton have had weights in the main. An atomic weight is calculated on the basis of the total number of neutrons plus that of protons. But on examination with a mass spectrograph of nucleuses in the atoms it was found to our surprise that the weight was less than the total number of the neutrons and protons.. For example, the weight of an atom composed of 14 neutrons and 13 protons should have been 27 in weight figure, not less than that. The shortage, however, was only about one tenth of a proton. But even that most trifing afifair was not ignored by the scientists. They wanted reasons why that shortage. the whole world was shocked when Einstein had found the reasons. what was it that Einstein had actually found? ft was: ‘~very time mart er (material particle) loses its energy it loses its quantity proportionately” It was in 1905 when Einstein, then a poor registration clerk, wrote it down in his essay that great scientists of that time laughed at it. Twenty years later the whole world was shaken when Einstein had produced a mathematical proof of his theory. It is the theory on relativity of matter and energy proved mathemati
cally as follows : E = M x C2.
From the above it will be seen that “E” (energy) is related to “M”(matter). This can be illustrated again as follows: E/M = C2
It will be seen, therefore, that energy and matter are proportionately the same in any material shape or form. C2 being the fixed formule of equation. In finding the value of this equations, Einstein had got it proved that (C) is the velocity of
light.
Light is travelling fast in space at the rate of 186,000 niiles per second. What is this light that is travelling so rapidly Every body knows light; but to understand it well, even the top scientists are still scepticaL Most of them are still asking “Is light particle or wave?”. It is not possible to give a definite answer to this question. It is, therefore, not wrong to say that the quantum theory has come into operation.
According to the quantum theory, nowvery’ popular in the world of science, we may claim that light is particle because it consists of photons of variable energy quanta. When these photons move, light moves, as worms move, like waves. This is how the quantum theory has become acceptable to all those in favor ofparticle (materialism), and as the various problems of light are solved sometimes as particles and other times as waves it (quantum theory) is getting popular in the annals of practical science.
According to the scientific Buddhism, however, light is a material phenomenon belonging to paramattha Sacca (absolute truth). ft is quite definite; there is no doubt about it. As far as we know from the present-day scientific advancements, the most important question is not whether light is particle or wave: but what is most important is the color of light only .What the scientists call photons in the composition of light are all the same in sizes but different in the quanta’ of energy according to different colors of light. There are basically eight types of color of light as recognized by science, viz (1) red, (2) yellow, (3) orange (4) indigo, (5) blue (6) green (7) violet and (8) ultra-violet. All these eight are included in equal proportion in the light of what
we all know as sun-ray
What is strange here is that apparently it is noticeable that color has practically nothing to do with energy.For instance, even if we increase the number of photons of a red-colored light and strengthen energy it will not come up to the power of the yellow colored light. In the order of the eight types of light as shown above, the power of the light of uftra-violet is superior and that of the red light is inferior. In science the powers of the various types of light are directed by the energies generated by the various types of light For example, a red light cannot pull out even an electron from an atom although an uftra violet light has the power to push out proton and neutron from an atom.
In the light of these principles of nuclear science, the strategic importance of light as taught by the Buddha is quite significant. Light is nothing but a color which is phycical only and the power of light is dependent on color. In these circumstances, what we call color, a phycical phenomenon, is quite
justified.
The question of whether the quantum of a physical color is large or small is not important, as stated above; what is important is the color itseif~ so all is the same in the velocity of light. But when the various types of light are moving with waves in their travels they show differences as short and long waves as
they show differences in color.
The light of the red color travels with long waves and the light of the uftra violet travels with short waves. The scientists are, therefore, convinced that the color oflight depends upon whether the wave is long or short. But, here we must be aware that light, a physical phenomenon (matter), is in conflict with the principles of physical energy as accepted by the scientists.
As physical energy depends upon physical quantum concerned, Einstein’s theory that when physical quantum is great physical energy is great and when physical quantum is little physical
energy is little, must be collect.
In any case, the quantum of a red light may be great, but its power will never come up to that of the light of ukra violet color, and the physical quantum of a green light may be great but its power never catch up with that of auftra violet colour.
Further details on Anatta may be referred to Anatta Lakkhana
Sutta appended below.
I think so much will suffice as far as Anatta Dhamma is concerned here. As already stated above, Anatta Dhamma is one of the chapters of the Dhammacakka Pavuttana Sutta, because the doctrine of the Four Noble Truths is complete only when the whole Ti Lekkhana, i.e., the famous three characteristics, Anicca, therefore, that, for the Buddhists who wish to reach their cherished goal of Nibbana, the unconditioned uftra-phenomenon, and liberated themselves from the dangers of rebirth, old age, decay and death, the only best thing to do is to properly understand the Four Noble Truths, known as avUahita Dhamma, and preached as the first sermon in the world by all the successive Buddhas numbering more than the white sands of the Ganges River. When I say “to propeily understand” I mean that we should try and understand the Four Noble Truths not only through learning from others like a child or through hypothetical reasoning like a mother, but also through practical tranining exercises like a goldsmith, that is
development of spiritual insight.
As a matter of fact, all dhammas preached by the Buddha are part and parcel of the Four Noble Truths. That is why the Buddha used to say: “Catu saccam vinimutto dhammo nama natthi”, which means that there is not a single dhamma exclusive of the Four
Noble Truths.
Some ancient sages also used to say: “There are Four Noble Truths, one is to be understood analytically; one is to be given up;one to be intuied with insight; and one to be developed by meditation. There will be no liberation from suffering without realisation of the Four Noble Truths with Magga Nanaath
knowledge.
The Buddha also says in mahavagga samyutta nikara:
Catunnam bhikhave ariya saccanam yathabhutam adassana ananubhodha appativedha evam idham dighamaddhanam sandhavitam samsaritam mamanceva tunihakanca, a short translation of which is: -Bhikkhus! For not properly understanding. Ariya Sacca (noble truth) with insight or Magga Nana, you as well as I had to go round the whirlpool of Samsara for a countless number of aeons.
A similar advice was given to Vaggali by the Buddha:
Yo hi passati saddhamam somam passati pundito apassamano
saddhamam mampassampi napassati, a brief translation of which is:
A man who is wise and educated properly understands the noble truth. The wise and educated man who understands the noble truth is always able to see me even from a far distance of 100 yojanas (over 1000 miles). A fool who is unwise, uneducated and does not understand the noble truth due to the darkness of delustion or ignorance will never see me with his eyes open from a short
distance even.
The following remarks made by Ashin Vappa when the five ascetics became Sotapanna at the end of the Buddh’s sermon on Dhamma Cakka Pavattana Sutta are also very meaningfiil:-Passo passati passantam, apassantinca passati.Apasanto apassantam,
passantmca na passati.
The meaning in short is: He who can see is able to see those who can see as well as those who cannot see. He who cannot see is not able to see those who cannot see as well as those who can see.
Buddha stresses the point in several of his discourses that only those who undestand the noble truth are persons who have exhausted Asavas (biasses or cankers) which means that they have
realised Nibbana:
Janato ham Bhikkiiave passato asavanam khayam vadami no ajanato no apassato. So far we have deak, in some details, with the questions on the development of Magga, attainment of Phala, and intuition of Nibbana of Enlightenment, supported by commentaries and subcommentarier. I believe that this will prove a good asset for those who are going to hear or leani important discourses such as Dhammacakka Pavaff ana Suff a etc.
Here, I give a quotation from the Buddha’s teaching on the livelihood of Puthuzana (ordinary worldling) and Ariya Puggala
(holy persons below Arahat):
Dve ma Bhikkhave pariyesana ariya ca Pariyesana, anariya ca pariyesana. Katama ca Bhikkhave anariya pan yesana ekicco attana j atidhammo samano j atidhainrnamyeva pariyesati. Attana jara-dhammo samano jara dhammam yeva pariyeseti. Attana vyadhi cihaminam yeva pariyesatil Attana soka dhammo sammano soka ciharninam samano
sankilesa dhaminam yeva pariyesati.
a short translation of which is: “There are two different modes of livelihood, namely (1) livelihood of puthujjana (ordinary worldling) and (2) livelihood of ariya (holy person). The former has adopted the means of livelihood which are causes ofjati (rebirth), jara (old age), vyadi (disease), marana (death),
soka(sorrow), parideva (lamentation), and sankilesa (defling im
purities).”
Buddha then poses a question: “Bhikkiius! what are these dhammas, viz., jati, jara, vyadhi, marana, soka, parideva and sanidlesa?” and Buddha himself gives the reply: ‘1Bhikkhus! The causes ofjati, jara, vyadhi, marana etc., etc., are (1) wife and children or husband and children: (2) male and female servants; (3) sheep and goats; (4) fowls and pigs; (5) elephants, bullocks, horses and asses; (6) gold and silver; and the last but not the least is any other object of attachment and craving.
Buddha again asks and replies on the means of livelihood adopted by Ariya Puggala (Holy Person below Arahat) as follows:
“The means of livelihood adopted by Ariya Puggala are those in direct contradistinction to the means oflivelihood adopted by Puthujjana Puggala mentioned above. That is to say that Ariya Puggala who is quite comprehensive ofthe danger ofrebirth, etc., the causes ofwhich are, as stated above, the wife and children and other sensual objects of attachment and craving, has adopted the path to Nibbana which is free from all dangers of rebirth, old
age, etc.”
I think, therefore, that all of us who cherish the goal of freedom from all forms of suffering in the round of Samsara, will have to spare no effort in our practices on Fourfold Foundation of Mindfiilness, that is meditation practices on the characteristics of Pancakkhandha Nania-Rupa for development ofAdinava Nana (sense of disgust) so that we get fed up with the endless processes of life and rebirth. There can be no doubt that practice on mindfiilness requires a good deal with concentrated effort and goodjudgment. Most of our Gums (masters) used to say that it is not easy to realize Nibbana. If you refer to Nidana Vagga Samyutta Nikaya you will find a page 394.
nama-rupa, the phenomenon of effect”. Ashin Issaji was still utter a. these few words when Uppatissa became Sotapanna and asked I to stop. Having heard only half of the stanza, Uppatissa’s quick m promptly worked out and came to the conclusion at once: “if Iher55 cause, there is effect and if there is no cause there is no effect”.] flill stanza ofAshin Issaji is: “Ye dhamma hetuppa bhava tesam heti tathagato a~a, Tesam ca yo nlrodho evam vadi mahasamano”, 1 meanlng of which is : All the sallkhara dhamma or
the ehenome:three planes of existence are nothing but sufferings (effects) can’ and conditioned by tanha (craving) or lobha (greed), so said the ~ Enlightened Buddha. The Blessed One also says that there is such unconditioned ultraphenomenon as Nibbana where all
the suffering cease”.
Buddha’s instructions on vipassana meditation contained in 1 Mahavagga Samyutta Nikaya are interesting: “It is silam bhikkha
La it is amadhi it panna. Sila pribhavito samadhi mahapphalo h mahanisamso. Samadhi pribhavita panna mahapphala h( mahanisamsa. Panna pribhavitam cittam sammadeva asav~ vimuccati seyyathidam kamasava bhavasava ditthasava avijjasava I
Te The meaning is: “Bhikklius! It is sila (virtue); it is samadiii (conctration); and it is panna (understanding) or insight. Samadhi depeii7- ent upon sila is most beneficial and most effective; panna depended upon samadhi is most beneficial and most effective and citta (min I- dependent upon panna is totally free from the four phenomena [5 asava. what are the phenomena of asava. They are kamasa bhavasava ditthasava avi~asava. Detailed explantion may be referred to Abhidhammatha Sanghaha. It may be noted here that once your mind becomes free frc sage in the Buddha’s teaching therein as follows:-”Nayidam sithila
marabbha mayidm appena Chai
Nibbanam adhigantabbam sabba dukidia pamocanam; That is : “Bhjid~us! You cannot realize Nibbana with ened effort nor with less strength, less exertion nor witl enttuusiasm.”
We may, however, ask whether, if realization of Nibb~’ possible only with extreme painstaking efforts, etc., ft is not liii] ment of Buddha’s injunction against self-torture which is called khila Mathanuyoga (evil of extremism) or Uccheda ~ (annihilationist wrong view). It does not seem to suggest that to extremely hard and painflil practice is a must irrespective ofwi you suffer from bone-breaking or skin4earing. In the Buddhi erature we find that several people became Ariyas such as Sotap Sakadagami, Anagami and Arahat without much trouble. For inst one of the five acscetics Ashin Kondanna easily became Sotai almost as soon as the Buddha concluded his sermon on Dhamma( Pavuttana Sutta. The rest of the five ascetics including Ashin ~ became Sotapannas within the following four days, and on tii~ day the Buddha preached Anatta Sutta at the end ofwhich all th~ ascetics became Arahats without difficulty. Similarly, Vis~’ Anathapanna, Khali, Khajjutara, uabba Buddha, who was a lep~ ing on begging, all became Sotapannas while listening to Bud sermon. Also Kissa Gotami, and Okkasena. King Suddhodan ther of Buddha, became Arahat.. .while living in the palace. ‘1 matter, the little story about Uppatissa, the embryo Ashin Sari~ becoming a Sotapanna at his meeting with one of the five asc Shin Issaji, is rather interesting:
“Ye dhamma hetuppa-bhave”,
Mahanibbuta Dipaka by the 1st Shwegyin Sayadaw, Abhidha Sarupa Dipaka (VoL 3) by 2nd Myobyingyi Sayadaw, and Parani Sarupa Bhedani (Vol:2) by Mahavisuddha Rama Sayadaw re tively. Suffice it to say, ho$e~ t~~at unless you understand Du Sacca (Truth of Suffering), I am afraid, you will not be able to ui stand Nibbana. That is the reason why the Buddha says: “Pacc~ Veditabbo ~lnllohi”, that is “Only those of wisdom, Magga Phalatham (those who have realised Magga (‘)ath Knowledge~ Phala (Fruition), understand Nibbana really and enjoy the bliss of As a matter of fact, Buddhism means in exegetical lang “Bujjhati ti Buddho” which again means one who knows the Noble Truths. I think, therefore, that if you claim to be a Bud( you should try and understand the Four Noble Truths at least Sutamaya Nana (thorestical knowledge) learnt from external sol such as books, learned persons etc, as stated above. This theorc knowledge is to contain at least a fair knowledge of Buddhist t~ nology and interpretation thereof on the subject of mental and p] cal phenomena in accordance with the Buddha’s instruetion ol subject; “Yo pancakkliandhe dvadassa ayatanani attharasadhatu ajhanati so kalayana puthujjano nama”, a short translation of~ is “He who knows the five khandhas (five mental and physica gregates), 12 Ayatana (12 sensory bases) and 18 Dhatu (18 elem( is called Kalayana Puthujjana (noble worldling). ffthe noble worl( continues his practice on meditation, he can became a Sotap without much differcufty In the Sutta Patheya Pali Text, Buddha scribes the qualfications of Sotapanna as follows: “Cattari I bhikhave sotapatti yingani. Katamani cattari sappurisa sarn~ sadharnimmassavannam yoniso manasikaro dhammanu dhai
For this purpose, the three Sikkhas (threefold training) such as adhisila (higher moral virtue), (2) samadhi or adhicitta (highei tality), and (3) adhi-panna (higher wisdom), should be devebi muftaneously The threefold training refers to the threefold di of Eightfold Path of sila, samadhi and panna.
what I would like to remind you here is that as Buddhi are required to strive for Nibbana. ffyou think you have no des Nibbana, you should try and develop a desire for Nibbana. already deaft at some length with the subjects of Magga, Pha Nibbana, quoting a considerable amount of authority from til Text, Commentaries and Subcommentaries. In the Anguttara ~ Buddha urges his disciples to strive for Nibbana and pray f same whenever they perform any religious deeds: “Sivam pati bhikkliave sivampatthetvana, danam databbam silam rakidil tab The meaning is : “Bhikkiius! whatever religious act you pei whether it is an act of charity, or of moral virtue, or of concent or insight, you should see that Nibbana is your main objective
Generally speaking, Buddhism is peculiar to other philos( or religions only in respect of Nibbana and Anatta, Anatta bein of the characteristics of Nibbana. Without Nibbana and Ailatta dhism will not be much different from other ideas, philosohica] gious or otherwise. But, of course, we must know which is th Nibbana. if we do not know it properly, or if we strive for it Wi knowing properly what the real Nibbana is, it becomes talilia ing) which brings us not Nibbana but hell. The interpretati Nibbana isveryverywide, deep and profound, and the time and at our disposal, especially in these hard days here are very mud ited; so we
cannot deal with it at great length.
If you want moi qualifications of a Sotapanna Puggala. which four? They are (1) To associate with good noble persons: (2) To learn and remember the teachings of good noble persons; (3) To contemplate these teachings whenever convenient and (4) To carry out practical exercises according to these teachings.
It is stated in Dhamapada that Sotapanna puggala is much superior to a king-emperor or to a Deva of the heaven or to a
universal monarch.
Similarly, it is stated that a gift of dhamma (Buddha’s teaching) excels all other gifts, that the taste of dhamma excels all other tastes, that enjoyment of dhamma excels all other enjoyments, and that the cessation of tanlia (craving) overcomes all
other dukidia (all forms of suffering).
Amongst the gifts of dhamma, teaching or preaching or discussing of the Four Noble Truths excels all other gifts of dhamma.
All this is in short the elementary outlines of Buddhist ethical philosophy accepted by the Theravadins of Burma, Ceylon. Thailand and other countries. This Buddhist Philosophical concept as a whole is too vast a field to be covered in one article such as the one we have now; volumes would be needed to deal with it adequately Properly understood, however, the entire system is comprehended in definitions, such as Anicca, Dukidia and anatta. That Anicca is universel of lux, Dukkha universal suffering or instability, and Anatta absence of essential reality in compounded phenomena and relative concepts, is aunique feature of Buddhism as preached by the Buddha over 2500 years ago, that is the liberty of individual thought and freedom of self-determination within the frame work of a logical morality that keeps it fundamentally in agreement with scientific attitude to life as we understand it in the present atomic age. All this has been deaft
with rather briefly.
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