Page 21 - EH 73 May 2024

FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 19

Tiratana Vihara Retreat 2023 Klang Dhamma Forum Bhante Dr Chandima with Uncle Vijaya Every Monday Sutta Class by Bhante Dr
(January 26, 2024) what is dana at BMV Chandima at BMV Brickfields

The Buddha asked his first 60 the authority to introduce their “Dhammapada” as the exclusive
arahant disciples to spread his religions, we Buddhists don’t responsibility necessitating our
teachings. As his message was have such a book. How do you focus and commitment. This is
addressed to arahants, should overcome this problem? because each concept presented in
this message apply to ordinary the Dhammapada originated from
monastics and lay Buddhists too? It is our belief that all religious other compilations of Sutta Piṭaka.
texts are considered sacrosanct,
This indicates that the entirety
The Buddha initially had sixty signifying that they have been
of the Dhammapada is borrowed
arahant monks, but over time endowed with a particular degree
material from the Sutta Piṭaka.
he gained a large number of of purity or elegance. This is evident
Dhammapada is, in this manner, an
unenlightened monks. Several throughout all philosophical and
extensive compilation of invaluable
variables could explain the religious traditions, including
early Buddhist teachings.
frequency of unenlightened monks school Buddhism. Nevertheless,
during the Buddha’s middle age (by this perspective may differ among HH The Dalai Lama said
his 50s). Thus, it is not an absolute Buddhists, given that the Buddha Buddhism is not just a religion
rule that arahants should simply instructed us to explore, rationalize and philosophy but a science of
pass on the Buddha’s message; and acquire knowledge of the the mind. How would you present
many unenlightened monks have Dhamma. Buddhism as a science of the
even taken in his Dhamma teachings mind to a modern day Buddhist?
posthumously and contributed to We do in fact possess a book known
the dissemination of the Dhamma. as the Buddhist compendium. Buddhism transcends both
However, if we consider the current The concept of a compendium in philosophy and religion as a
situation, even lay people can Buddhism, nevertheless, may be a means of life. Presently, the term
make a great contribution to the relatively recent development that “religion” is both an often-abused
global transmission of the Dhamma inadvertently entered the Buddhist and marginally intimidating noun.
by supporting the saṅgha in its lineage. The book that is widely There are those who believe that
facilitation. Therefore, the response regarded as the Buddhist manual religion’s contribution to conflicts
is affirmative; every Buddhist bears is known as the “Dhammapada.” By has been detrimental rather than
the responsibility of disseminating employing concrete illustrations, beneficial in terms of promoting
the Dhamma. Whether they are the Dhammapada facilitates peace. Nonetheless, insofar as
laypersons or monastics, everyone our understanding of both our way of life is influenced by
has the ability to make even a small foundational and more intricate science, we can see how science
contribution to this end. Buddhist principles. Nevertheless, illuminates’ life and how this relates
Unlike Christians and Muslim diverging from alternative religious to Buddhism. Science and Buddhism
who have their holy books as paradigms, we do not regard are in perfect harmony, despite the