Page 52 - EH62

FEATURE | EASTERN HORIZON 49

a) the responsibility of study Dhamma for the benefit of others Given the situation today where
(gantha-dhura), and as well as to inspire them towards Buddhism is misrepresented
b) the responsibility of insight making personal effort to attain through false teachings and
cultivation (vipassana-dhura) spiritual liberation. flagrant malpractices, this duty
of study (gantha-dhura) is ever
If one joins the Sangha in his youth, In the Anguttara Nikaya and more essential. This is to ensure
one would usually take up the Theragatha commentaries, there that the Buddha sasana stands
responsibility of study, and go on to is a story relating how Upali - after firm for a long time to come. Only
cultivation of insight later on (DhA being ordained and receiving the through true knowledge and correct
1:7f, 155). Those who renounce at subject of meditation from the understanding of the Dhamma can
an advanced age would normally Buddha – wishes to take leave from one inspire others to right practice
take up the burden of cultivation. the Buddha to go into the forest. and to eliminate misconceptions.
The Buddha then advises Upali:
Although one need not take up the Weaknesses in Dhamma Studies
duty of sutta study (gantha-dhura) “O bhikkhu, if you reside in the
to gain enlightenment, nevertheless forest, you will be able to grow in just Compared with major Abrahamic
it is of great benefit when it comes one duty (dhura), but staying in this faiths (such as Christianity and
to Dhamma propagation. The vicinity, you will fulfil both duties of Islam) the state of Dhamma Studies
duty of Dhamma studies therefore study (gantha-dhura) and insight in Buddhism is poor. Generally,
is a matter of choice. Its main cultivation (vipassana-dhura). most self-study initiatives or study
advantage lies in the learner’s (AA 1:312; Thag A 2:101) groups are organized on an ad
ability to disseminate the Buddha hoc basis, without a sustainable