INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

In my pursuit of Buddha’s teaching on Priyatti (theory), Patipatti(practice) and Pativeda (realisation or attainment), I have studied and learnt by heart those of the Buddha dhamma I like best for purposes of recitation and contemplation. Of course, the doctrine of the Four-fold Noble Truth of the Dhammacakka Pavattana Sutta, the Anatta Doctrine of the Anatta Lakkhana Sutta, the Fourfold Foundation of the Mahasatipatthana Sutta, the Law of Cause and Effect or Dependent Origination which we call Paticcasamupada,
commentaries, exegeses and various other expositions there of by learned Gurus, have formed the central theme of my Buddhist literary learning. A; As a Buddhist, one may be a disciple, but if he has the real faith in Buddha dhamma or Buddha’s teaching, he will have to correct himself or purify himself for Buddhism lays stress on self correction or self purification. In the Dhamapada the Buddha is quoted as saying:

“Tannam innatayam yaman patijaggeya pandito”

which means that a man cleanses himself at one of the three stages of his life. If doing so, he is not to be too hasty, because, if he does in a hurry it more harm than good

“Anupubbena medavi thokkam thokam khane khane.

Kammaro rajatathewa niddhame malamatano’’

which means that a wise man often cleanses his little a goldsmith removes dust Aisuaey litter a gold. if you take care of the dhamma like this according to the Buddha’s teaching, the dhamma will take care of you:

“Dhammo have rakkhati dhamma carin dhammo sucinno sukha ahavahati

Eso nisinno dhammo sucinne na duggatin gicchati dhamma cari.”
That is to say: “The Buddha dhamma helps him who helps himself to Buddha dhamma. He who takes care of the dhamma enjoys happiness and he who observes the dhamma will not go to a woeful state of existence.

This is the advantage of the dhamma. Then, we have

‘Attanahi sudantema natham labhati dullabham”.

That is, “if you keep your mind, body and speech in check and exercise proper control over your deed, word and thought, you are sure to enjoy not only the happiness of mankind, Deva and Brahmas Loka but also the bliss of Magga path to Nibbana, Phala (reali

sation of Nibbana) and the supreme enlighten¬ment.”

In the Patimokkha Discipinary Rules for the Bhikkhus, the Bud¬dha is said to have exhorted the bhikkhus as follows: “Sabba-papasa akaranam, kusalassa upasampada sacitta pariyodapanan etan Buddhana sasanan” which means in short: Don’t do what is not good; do only what is good, and keep your mind pure. That is the teaching of

all the Buddhas.”

Then we have “Anupavado anupaghato patimokkhecathanwayaw Mattinnuta ca bhattasmin panthinca saya na sanam. Adhicitteca ayogo atam Buddhana sasanan” the meaning of which in short is: Don’t hurt or kill others. Observe the Patimokkha Disciplinary Rules. Bhikkhu must know the reasonable amount of food for him at a time, stay at a quiet place, practise Samatha Bhavana (meditation) and de-velop the eight kinds of adhicitta-o-patti (four rupa and four arupa jhanas). This is the teaching of the Buddha.

Then again “Khanti paramam tapo titikkha nibbanam paraman vadanti Buddha. Nahi pabejjito narupaghati na samano hoti params vihethayanto”, which means, the forbearing patience is the best ascentic practice. All the Buddhas are unanimous in the teaching that Nibbana is supreme. Any Bhikkhu who hurts others is not a good Bhikkhu. A good Bhikkhu never hurts others.”

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