Buddhism and human values

Dr. Sukomal BARUA

ACCORDING to Buddhism, for a man to be perfect there are two qualities that he should develop equally: compassion (Karuna) on one side, and wisdom (Panna) on the other.

Here compassion represents love, charity, kindness, tolerance and such noble qualities on the emotional side, and wisdom (Panna) on the other.

Here compassion represents love, charity, kindness, tolerance and such noble qualities on the emotional side, or qualities of the heart, while wisdom would stand for the intellectual side or the qualities of the mind.

If one develops only the emotional, neglecting the intellectual, one may become a good hearted fool; while to develop only the intellectual side neglecting the emotional may turn one into a hard-hearted intellect without feeling for others.

To be perfect, therefore, one has to develop both equally. That is the aim of the Buddhist way of life. Those who think that Buddhism is interested only in lofty ideals, high normal and philosophical values and that it ignores the social and economic welfare of people are wrong.

The Buddha was interested in the happiness of men. To him happiness was not possible without leading a pure life based on moral and spiritual principles.

But he knew that leading such a life was hard in unfavourable material and social conditions.

Buddhism does not consider material welfare as an end in itself: it is only a means to an end ? a higher and nobler end. But it is a means which is indispensable, indispensable in achieving a higher purpose for man?s happiness.

So Buddhism recognises the need of certain minimum material conditions favourable to spiritual success.

A man named Dighajanu once visited the Buddha and said: ?Venerable sir, we are ordinary lay men leading the family life with wife and children. Would the blessed one teach us some doctrines which will be conducive to our happiness in this world and hereafter??

In reply the Buddha tells him that there are four things which are conducive to a man?s happiness in this world.

First: He should be skilled, efficient, earnest, and energetic in whatever profession he is engaged, and he should know it well.

Second: He should protect his income, which he has thus earned righteously, with the sweat of his brow. This refers to protecting wealth from thieves etc. All these ideas should be considered against the background of the period.

Third: He should have good friends who are faithful, learned, virtuous, liberal and intelligent, who will help him along the right path away from evil.

Fourth: He should spend reasonably in proportion to his income, neither too much nor too little, i.e. he should not hoard wealth avariciously nor should he be extravagant ? in other words he should live within his means.

Then the Buddha expounds the four virtues conducive to a lay man?s happiness hereafter:

(1) Saddha: He should have faith and confidence in moral, spiritual and intellectual values

(2) Sila: He should abstain from destroying, from adultery, from falsehood and from intoxicating drinks

(3) Caga: He should practice charity, generosity without attachment and craving for his wealth

(4) Panna: He should develop wisdom which leads to the complete destruction of suffering to the realisation of Nirvana.

Buddha encouraged and stimulated each person to develop himself and to work out his own emancipation for man has the power to liberate himself from all bondage through his own personal effort and intelligence.

Today, we hope, with a better understanding of our common humanity and common values, we can say ?hatred does not cease by hatred, but it ceases by love and compassion?. Buddha?s verse is as follows:

Nahi verena verani sammantidha kudha canam

Averena ca sammanti eso dhammo sanamtano.

Conquer anger by love and compassion, evil by good; conquer the miser with liberality and the lair with truth. Let us think good, do good and pray good for the welfare of mankind.

Sabbe satta sukhita bhavantu ? May all beings be happy. Nibbanam Paramam Sukham ? Nirvana is the supreme bliss of the world.

Courtesy: Daily Star, Bangladesh