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FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 29
to-day lives. Many were even
successful in attaining fruits of the
path. In fact, out of the population
of 80 million that lived in the
Kingdom of Kosala in the time of
the Buddha, 50 million had attained
fruits of the path. What is even
more remarkable is that many
among them were young.
A read through the Sigālaka Sutta
or a peek into the Aṅguttara
Nikāya, containing a host of
suttas addressing the concerns of
household life, would rectify the
misconception that Buddhism is
only for those with a predilection
toward monasticism. The
Buddha’s peerless wisdom not
only encompassed the attainment
of Nibbāna but also ranged such
mundane matters as how to live a
as one who seeks wealth both
righteously and unrighteously:
though skilled in amassing wealth
and achieving financial success he
lacks the eye that aids in spiritual
development. He therefore indulges
in sensual pleasures with wealth
gained by unrighteous means,
resulting in rebirth in the planes
of misery after death. The Buddha
only praised the two-eyed person
who possesses the eye to gain
wealth righteously by one’s own
exertion, and also has the eye
to discern merit from demerit,
wholesome from unwholesome.
He alone is destined to be born
in a good destination, a place of
happiness. Thus, possessing both
eyes he enjoys both financial and
spiritual success.
Hence the Teachings of the Buddha
are not limited to the elderly or the
monastic, they are rather a treasure
happy family life, how to manage
trove of advice and guidance from
one’s finances, and what qualities to
which all can benefit.
look for in friends.
You have started many
Another classic example of the light
monasteries overseas, including
of wisdom the Teachings of the
the first Buddhist centre in the
Buddha shine upon all mankind,
UAE (Dubai), a Muslim country.
irrespective of age or occupation is
I understand the targeted group
the Andhūpama Sutta in Aṅguttara
is the Sri Lankan community
Nikāya. In this sutta the Buddha
overseas. What about the
describes three kinds of persons
missionary activities targeted
found existing in the world: the
at the local people in these
blind person, the one-eyed person,
non-Buddhist countries? How
and the two-eyed person. The
are these missionary activities
Buddha describes the blind person
carried out?
as one who has failed to achieve
either financial or spiritual success
We have established 30 monasteries
in life. Thus, he lives unsuccessful
overseas in countries such as USA,
and unhappy in this life and also
Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand,
destined to be born in the planes
France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands,
of misery after death. The Buddha
Cyprus, UAE, India, and South
describes the one-eyed person