Jul 4, 2009, 08.00am IST
Sonam Tsomo.
The core of all religious philosophies dwells on understanding the purpose and meaning of life. Understanding is at the root of development that leads one to ultimate deliverance or nirvana.
Gifted as we are with intelligence, we should try to understand everything we have to deal with in our day-to-day life. It is important because a lack of understanding is the root cause of all that dogs us today.
According to the Buddha, understanding has two layers, anubodhi and pativedha. Anubodhi is what we call 'knowledge'. It is nothing but accumulated memory, an understanding of a particular subject on the basis of data or observation. It is therefore superficial. Real understanding comes from pativedha or deep penetration into the core of a subject. It enables us to understand an object in its true nature and colour. In it, all the exterior labels like name, fame, money and power have zero value.
This kind of understanding can be developed only through rigid training of mind through meditation. One has to strive to be, first of all, free from all kinds of impurities that tend to derail us from the right path.
A person, on reaching this stage of penetrative wisdom, can see everything in the right perspective. He acquires the capability to make a distinction between what is desirable and correct and what is undesirable and incorrect. Such a person also develops the ability to acquire habits that enable his mind to see and believe nothing but the good of all.
The Buddha's philosophy of life revolves around the purification of mind and giving us deliverance from worldly attachments. The Buddha says every human being has the innate qualities and ability to come out of the world of ignorance and move towards the world of enlightenment. In other words, we have the choice. Until we try ourselves to get rid of the "shackles of misery", no divine power can come to our rescue. Our gurus can only show us the way, but the real "action" is in our hands.
Therefore, the Buddha presented the path of Sila or ethical conduct, Samadhi or meditation and Panna or wisdom as the means to purify the mind. These are quite often referred to as the threefold training or tividhasikkha system; but none of these is an end in itself. Each one is only a means to an end. And these three means go together.
Sila strengthens one's mental discipline. So does samadhi. And the two lead to panna. It is wisdom that differentiates us from other life forms. It enables us to see life as it is, arising and passing away. The materialistic world has too many temptations. Our desire for fame, name, wealth and power has led us far away from the path of deliverance. Hatred, distrust and violence is the outcome of the lack of understanding of life. Our love for the gratification of senses has led to our experiencing bankruptcy of mind.
However, a little more determination can still put us on to the right path. The Buddha's Eightfold Path can help us realise our objectives. The path to deliverance is difficult only for those who avoid it. Constant heedfulness and mindfulness can make the path easy to track. These practices are a way of life, and not just an "add-on" to life. Those who try to live life through moral, spiritual and intellectual perfection are the ones who will be the ultimate reapers of happiness and bliss. Self-discipline in body, mind and word go a long way in helping one get closer to reality of life.
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