What the Buddha Taught and the World Today
Who is a Buddhist
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No initiation ceremony is necessary to become a Buddhist. A Buddhist is
one who understands, is convinced of, and follows the Path.
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Age-old Buddhist traditions considers one a Buddhist if one takes the 'Triple
Gem' - the Buddha, the Dharma (teaching), and the Sangha (the Order of
Monks) - as one's refuge, and observes the Five Precepts:
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not to destroy life
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not to steal
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not to commit adultery
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not to lie
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not to take intoxicating drinks
Monks and Lay person
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Buddhism is for monks as well as lay people. More than hundreds of laymen
and laywomen leading the family life have achieved high spiritual states
at the time of the Buddha.
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The Buddha established Sangha, the Order of monks, for those who devote
their lives not only for their own spiritual and intellectual development,
but also to the service of others.
Discussion
Can a 'part-time' Buddhist really benefit from the Path?
Buddha's Teaching on Relationships [Digha Nikaya 31]
Relationships are reciprocal. The following relationships should be respected
and cherished in these ways:
Parents/Child
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A child will support parents and perform duties, having been supported
by them.
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After parents death, a child will distribute gifts on their behalf.
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Parents will restrain a child from evil and support him in doing good;
teach him some skill; hand over their inheritance in due time.
Teacher/Pupil
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Pupils will greet and wait on teachers.
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Pupils will serve teachers.
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Pupils will be attentive and master the skills taught.
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A teacher will give thorough instructions and make sure they are duly grasped.
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A teacher will give pupils a thorough grounding in knowledge and skills.
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A teacher will recommend pupils to friends and colleagues and procure them
security or employment when they graduate.
Husband/Wife
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Honor and not disparage spouse.
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Be faithful.
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Give authority to spouse.
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Provide wife with adornments.
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Organize housework. Be diligent and skillful in all she does.
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Protect properties.
Friends and Relatives
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Be hospitable and charitable to each other.
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Speak pleasantly and agreeably.
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Be on equal terms with each other.
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Look after their welfare.
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Keep his words.
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Help each other in need and not desert them in difficulty.
Manager/Employee
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A manager should arrange work according to employee's strength.
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Pay adequate wages and grant bonuses when warranted.
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Provide health care.
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Let employees take time off.
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An employee should diligently do his work.
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An employee should be honest and have integrity.
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Contribute toward the good reputation of the team.
Spiritual Leader/Follower
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A follower should supply the material need of his guru with love and respect.
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A follower should behave kindly in bodily deed, speech, and thought.
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A spiritual leader will restrain the follower from evil and encourage him
to do good.
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A spiritual leader will teach the follower what he needs to know with compassion
and point out to him the Path.
Buddha's Teaching on Economics
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Material welfare is necessary but not sufficient for a happy, pure spiritual
life. Spiritual life brings more happiness than material life.
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Moral and spiritual values are conductive to happiness.
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One should be knowledgeable, skillful, efficient and energetic in one's
profession to contribute to society and make a living.
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One should divide one's income among living expenses, investment, savings
for emergencies, and charity.
Discussion: the art of donation
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Unattached to possessions.
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Maximum return, catalyst for positive change.
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How to avoid corrupted charitable institutions? Cf. social security.
Buddha's Teaching on Politics
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preaches peace and non-violence; nothing is a 'just war'.
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personally intervened to prevent wars between Sakyas and Koliyas (supreme,
non-confrontational political activist.)
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Character of a good leader:
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Charity.
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Sacrifice for the people.
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High moral character: observe Five Precepts.
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Honesty and integrity.
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Kindness and gentleness.
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Austerity in habits: lead a simple life.
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Free from ill-will against anybody.
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Non-violence.
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Understanding, patience, and tolerance.
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Democratic.
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Hatred can only be appeased by kindness and compassion on the individual
scale, as well as on the national scale.
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There will be no genuine, lasting peace through fear or balance of power.
e.g. cold war, Israel vs. Arabs.
Buddhist Ideal Society (Pure Land)
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Compassion is the driving force of action, not greed, nor hatred. Cf. capitalism,
communism.
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All are treated with fairness, consideration, and love.
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Life in peace and harmony, in a world of material contentment, is directed
toward realizing the Ultimate Truth, full liberation from defilements.
Discussion
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How to deal with conflict of interest? Conflicting views?
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Compete to serve vs. compete to win. Can there be a society of all winners
and no losers?
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