Intermediate Paper 1 : What We Seek in Life
Spiritual URGE begin with a thousand and one unanswered questions about life …
Why are we here ?
Where do we go next ?
How can we find the Truth ?
What do we seek in life ?
Spiritual URGE begin with a thousand and one unanswered questions about life …
Why are we here ?
Where do we go next ?
How can we find the Truth ?
What do we seek in life ?
Module 1: THE MYSTERY
The most popular question that has been haunting our mind is “What is the purpose of human life?”
To the materialist, life here in this world is for us to enjoy. It is to earn as much as we can and be happy. The question of morality never appears in their dictionary. They place a lot of emphasis on how to gain happiness for themselves and those whom they love.
They cannot perceive that there is life after death. In fact, they denied its existence totally.
On the other hand, some of the spiritualist communities proposed an impression of a “Judge”, who will determine your qualification to a heavenly paradise based on your conduct and performance in this life.
As for the extremists, they recommended certain ritual practice in order to please the so-called “Judge” for a guaranteed place in His Kingdom.
While certain materialists took advantage from these extremists, offering divine assistance, miracles or short-cut methods to profit for their personal interest, others claimed that their belief is the only way to salvation.
Your common sense will tell you that if everyone claims that his is the “only way”, all of them cannot be right at the same time. Then who is right? How can we tell whom and to what extent each is right?
1. Criteria for Seeking Truth
Once the Buddha was visiting a town named Kesaputta, where the Kalama clan lived. The Kalamas were confused with the teachings of the many religious teachers who spoke well of themselves and ill of others. They approached the Buddha and consulted him.
“There are some holy men and priests, Sir, who come to Kesaputta and claimed that only their religion is right and others are wrong. As a result, doubt has come to us. Which of these holy men and priests spoke the truth?”
The most popular question that has been haunting our mind is “What is the purpose of human life?”
To the materialist, life here in this world is for us to enjoy. It is to earn as much as we can and be happy. The question of morality never appears in their dictionary. They place a lot of emphasis on how to gain happiness for themselves and those whom they love.
They cannot perceive that there is life after death. In fact, they denied its existence totally.
On the other hand, some of the spiritualist communities proposed an impression of a “Judge”, who will determine your qualification to a heavenly paradise based on your conduct and performance in this life.
As for the extremists, they recommended certain ritual practice in order to please the so-called “Judge” for a guaranteed place in His Kingdom.
While certain materialists took advantage from these extremists, offering divine assistance, miracles or short-cut methods to profit for their personal interest, others claimed that their belief is the only way to salvation.
Your common sense will tell you that if everyone claims that his is the “only way”, all of them cannot be right at the same time. Then who is right? How can we tell whom and to what extent each is right?
1. Criteria for Seeking Truth
Once the Buddha was visiting a town named Kesaputta, where the Kalama clan lived. The Kalamas were confused with the teachings of the many religious teachers who spoke well of themselves and ill of others. They approached the Buddha and consulted him.
“There are some holy men and priests, Sir, who come to Kesaputta and claimed that only their religion is right and others are wrong. As a result, doubt has come to us. Which of these holy men and priests spoke the truth?”
Now, the Buddha knowing the confusion in the mind of the Kalamas did not give them another dogmas nor dismiss the doctrine of others as false. Instead he gave them a unique advice, which until today became the Buddhist spirit of thought and investigation – the Buddhist Charter of Free Inquiry (Kalama Sutta).
“It is proper to doubt in things that are doubtful. O Kalamas, do not accept anything;
through repeated hearing,
through mere tradition,
through rumours,
through mere correspondence with the scriptures,
through mere thinking deeply,
through logical reasoning,
through mere apparent reason,
based on mere agreement with your own opinion,
based on a person who seemingly possess abilities,
or thinking, “this person is our teacher.”
AN III:65 (Anguttara Nikaya book of the 3 verse 65)
2. What do we understand from here?
Everyday you switch on the television or radio, you are being forced to hear repeatedly the advertisements on how good and how effective certain products are and so on. Sooner or later you will think of trying the said products.
Have you ever wondered how true or how superstitious some traditions, that were brought down from our ancestors? Especially on the explanations on why they are being carried out. One of the reasons why today’s youngsters faced a lot of conflict in opinion with their elders is because they cannot accept the non-scientific logic behind these practices.
Rumours must be carefully investigated before being accepted. It can cause misunderstandings among family members and friends. In our working place, superior-subordinate relationships will be hampered by it if we are not mindful of the impact of rumours.
The most difficult things to deny are those scriptures handed down to us by our spiritual leaders. We value and pray so much for its sacredness. Doesn’t it ever cross our mind that those text and scriptures were written by men and it's commentaries and translations are very much subjected to the writer's opinions, mentality and understanding? It is also at the mercy of his judgement and censorship, be it intentionally or unintentionally.
The highest truth is beyond the ability of an untrained human mind to reason out logically or understand it.
It is only through the attainment of insight by mental purification that one can perceive the supra-mundane experience. Therefore by thinking deeply and applying our logical reasoning with our mundane mind will only discourage us in our search for Truth.
Man is like a hive of opinions. One's rejection and acceptance are very much depended on his opinions. In seeking the truth we have to have an open and proactive mind. Sometimes apparent truth might not be the reality. The colour red does not necessarily mean anger. As in the case of blood, it means saving life.
Even a righteous person who is your mentor or your admirer, who possessed all the good qualities, the Buddha advised us not to follow blindly. Even though if he is your guru or the Buddha himself.
What are the criteria then?
" Kalamas, when you yourselves know what are immoral, blameworthy and censured by the wise, when performed and undertaken, conduce to unprofitable things, conduce to suffering (to oneself as well as others), abandons them."
Here the Buddha asked the Kalamas again, "What do they think the presence of greed, hatred and delusion occurring within a man, will it conduce to benefit or to unprofitable things?"
A man, who is overwhelmed with greed, hatred or delusion sometimes resorts to killing, stealing, committing adultery, lying and inducing others to do the same like him.
Whatever conduces to unprofitable things conduces to the suffering of oneself and others.
" Kalamas, when you yourselves know what are moral, not blameworthy and praised by the wise, when performed and undertaken, conduce to profitable things, conduce to well being and happiness (of oneself as well as others), then do you live and act accordingly."
The Buddha explained that the absence of greed; hatred and delusion in a man's mind would refrain him from committing unwholesome deeds, and that may conduce to the benefit and happiness of oneself and others.
Thus, he is of self-controlled and discerning in mindfulness with his heart composed and filled with:-
Loving-kindness
(Wishing happiness for all beings)
Compassion
(Wishing deliverance from suffering for all beings)
Good Cheer
(Sympathetic joy towards all beings of their gains)
Equanimity
(Impartiality towards all beings)
The Buddha was open-minded about other religions and did not accuse them of wilful deceit. There are also good teachings in other religions too. "If one find truth in them, accept that truth" advised the Buddha.
Note that the Buddha's doctrines are also subjected to this critical test and investigation. He said, "One must not accept my teachings because of reverence but to first try them out as one test gold with fire."
Hence, the freedom of thought encourages one to seek the truth and it is crucial for the emancipation from suffering because the realization for the true nature of things can only be attained by a clear mind.
3. The Invitation
Believe or Be-Live?
The Buddha invites you to "come and see" (Ehipassikko) His teachings, which have no secret, no authoritarian dogma, practical and approachable, to be self-realized, down to earth and not superstitious. His discovery on the true characteristic or nature of things becomes the basis of His teachings.
We know things will not last forever. Clinging and having strong desires towards them will definitely cause un-satisfactoriness in us. Feelings too, change from time to time. In actuality, everything is impermanent in nature. This is the first basic characteristic of all conditioned things.
Separation from loved ones, living with unpleasant ones, not getting what one desires and getting what one does not wish, these are the other faces of sufferings.
The more craving and attachment we have towards them, the deeper the sufferings we will experience. On the other hand, your ability to let go of your sensual desires will allow your mind to calm down and see things as they really are.
All this time we have been deluded by the misconception and stubbornness to accept the reality in life, so much so that we do not know what we are seeking all these time.
We have been continuously influenced by society and the environments to behave in such a way that motivates us to cultivate greed and hatred in our manner of living.
It then became a threatening point that spiritual leaders began to introduce multiple counter-measures to solve these sickening problems.
Today you get an opportunity to learn another option of seeking what you doubt in life. By completing this basic course, we hope to inspire you with the fundamental knowledge on how to live as an understanding and compassionate being.
through mere tradition,
through rumours,
through mere correspondence with the scriptures,
through mere thinking deeply,
through logical reasoning,
through mere apparent reason,
based on mere agreement with your own opinion,
based on a person who seemingly possess abilities,
or thinking, “this person is our teacher.”
AN III:65 (Anguttara Nikaya book of the 3 verse 65)
2. What do we understand from here?
Everyday you switch on the television or radio, you are being forced to hear repeatedly the advertisements on how good and how effective certain products are and so on. Sooner or later you will think of trying the said products.
Have you ever wondered how true or how superstitious some traditions, that were brought down from our ancestors? Especially on the explanations on why they are being carried out. One of the reasons why today’s youngsters faced a lot of conflict in opinion with their elders is because they cannot accept the non-scientific logic behind these practices.
Rumours must be carefully investigated before being accepted. It can cause misunderstandings among family members and friends. In our working place, superior-subordinate relationships will be hampered by it if we are not mindful of the impact of rumours.
The most difficult things to deny are those scriptures handed down to us by our spiritual leaders. We value and pray so much for its sacredness. Doesn’t it ever cross our mind that those text and scriptures were written by men and it's commentaries and translations are very much subjected to the writer's opinions, mentality and understanding? It is also at the mercy of his judgement and censorship, be it intentionally or unintentionally.
The highest truth is beyond the ability of an untrained human mind to reason out logically or understand it.
It is only through the attainment of insight by mental purification that one can perceive the supra-mundane experience. Therefore by thinking deeply and applying our logical reasoning with our mundane mind will only discourage us in our search for Truth.
Man is like a hive of opinions. One's rejection and acceptance are very much depended on his opinions. In seeking the truth we have to have an open and proactive mind. Sometimes apparent truth might not be the reality. The colour red does not necessarily mean anger. As in the case of blood, it means saving life.
Even a righteous person who is your mentor or your admirer, who possessed all the good qualities, the Buddha advised us not to follow blindly. Even though if he is your guru or the Buddha himself.
What are the criteria then?
" Kalamas, when you yourselves know what are immoral, blameworthy and censured by the wise, when performed and undertaken, conduce to unprofitable things, conduce to suffering (to oneself as well as others), abandons them."
Here the Buddha asked the Kalamas again, "What do they think the presence of greed, hatred and delusion occurring within a man, will it conduce to benefit or to unprofitable things?"
A man, who is overwhelmed with greed, hatred or delusion sometimes resorts to killing, stealing, committing adultery, lying and inducing others to do the same like him.
Whatever conduces to unprofitable things conduces to the suffering of oneself and others.
" Kalamas, when you yourselves know what are moral, not blameworthy and praised by the wise, when performed and undertaken, conduce to profitable things, conduce to well being and happiness (of oneself as well as others), then do you live and act accordingly."
The Buddha explained that the absence of greed; hatred and delusion in a man's mind would refrain him from committing unwholesome deeds, and that may conduce to the benefit and happiness of oneself and others.
Thus, he is of self-controlled and discerning in mindfulness with his heart composed and filled with:-
Loving-kindness
(Wishing happiness for all beings)
Compassion
(Wishing deliverance from suffering for all beings)
Good Cheer
(Sympathetic joy towards all beings of their gains)
Equanimity
(Impartiality towards all beings)
The Buddha was open-minded about other religions and did not accuse them of wilful deceit. There are also good teachings in other religions too. "If one find truth in them, accept that truth" advised the Buddha.
Note that the Buddha's doctrines are also subjected to this critical test and investigation. He said, "One must not accept my teachings because of reverence but to first try them out as one test gold with fire."
Hence, the freedom of thought encourages one to seek the truth and it is crucial for the emancipation from suffering because the realization for the true nature of things can only be attained by a clear mind.
3. The Invitation
Believe or Be-Live?
The Buddha invites you to "come and see" (Ehipassikko) His teachings, which have no secret, no authoritarian dogma, practical and approachable, to be self-realized, down to earth and not superstitious. His discovery on the true characteristic or nature of things becomes the basis of His teachings.
We know things will not last forever. Clinging and having strong desires towards them will definitely cause un-satisfactoriness in us. Feelings too, change from time to time. In actuality, everything is impermanent in nature. This is the first basic characteristic of all conditioned things.
Separation from loved ones, living with unpleasant ones, not getting what one desires and getting what one does not wish, these are the other faces of sufferings.
The more craving and attachment we have towards them, the deeper the sufferings we will experience. On the other hand, your ability to let go of your sensual desires will allow your mind to calm down and see things as they really are.
All this time we have been deluded by the misconception and stubbornness to accept the reality in life, so much so that we do not know what we are seeking all these time.
We have been continuously influenced by society and the environments to behave in such a way that motivates us to cultivate greed and hatred in our manner of living.
It then became a threatening point that spiritual leaders began to introduce multiple counter-measures to solve these sickening problems.
Today you get an opportunity to learn another option of seeking what you doubt in life. By completing this basic course, we hope to inspire you with the fundamental knowledge on how to live as an understanding and compassionate being.
" Avoid Evil,
Do Good,
and Purify your Mind "
- This is the teachings of the Buddha -
My little note：
One year ago I have signed up myself to an e-Dhamma course. (MAHINDA e-CORRESPONDENCE COURSE) http://www.mahindarama.com/
I found some of those materials are very useful to a sincere practiced person who wants to uplift his or herself. Although I haven't allocated enough times to study all those notes, still, Dhamma is good to be shared with. Although this e-course is of intermediate level ( suitable for those who have already acquired some basic Dhamma knowledge), I still found it useful for general Buddhists as well.
I am yet to compile the materials according to the modules received, and upload them to this blog accordingly.
