Thailand's National Flower
Friday, August 3, 2012
August 2, 2555: Asalha Puja; Beginning of Vassa (Theravada)
Buddhist Lenten: Vassa is a three-month annual retreat observed by Theravada
monks and nuns. It begins on the day after the full moon day of the
eighth lunar month of the common Buddhist calendar, which usually falls
in July, but this year it falls on August 2nd. The retreat ends on the 15th day of the waxing moon of the
eleventh lunar month, usually in October. Sometimes this holiday is called "Dharma Day." Asalha Puja commemorates the first sermon of the Buddha, called the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (or sermon of Buddha), "setting the wheel of dhamma (dharma) in motion." In this sermon, the Buddha explained his doctrine of the Four Noble Truths. These form the foundation of Buddhism. The truths are:
1. The Truth of Suffering is the First Noble Truth, and is often translated as "Life is suffering" (samudaya). But the Pali word, dukkha, also refers to that which is temporary, conditional, or a compound of many things. Even something precious and enjoyable is considered dukkha, because it is temporary.
This truth is related to the nature of life and the nature of the self. In Buddhism, human life is temporary, conditional and compounded by many issues. Buddhism teaches that life is impermanent, and that we, also, are impermanent. Buddhism also teaches that before one can understand life and death one must understand the self as impermanent. Many agree that the nature of human existence is tragedy, yet Christianity differs from Buddhist philosophy in its view of the human soul as impermanent. Christians believe that the human soul, for better or worse, is eternal.
2. The Truth of the Cause of Suffering is the Second Noble Truth, which teaches that the cause of suffering is craving or thirst (tanha). Buddhist tradition teaches that humanity continually searches for something outside the self to make it happy. Yet no matter how successful one is, he/she does not remain satisfied for long. Buddhism teaches that this thirst grows from an ignorance of the self. Humans sometimes go through life grabbing one thing after another to get a sense of security about ourselves. They attach not only to physical things, but also to ideas and opinions about the self, others, and the world. Often these individuals, according to Buddhist philosophy, grow frustrated when the world doesn't behave, think, or conform to prescribed expectations. This is probably true of all of us, from time to time.
3. The truth of the end of suffering (nirhodha) Buddhist teachings on the Four Noble Truths are sometimes compared to a physician diagnosing an illness and prescribing a treatment. The first explains the illness, and the second lists the causes of the illness. The third truth holds out hope for a cure. Buddhism teaches that through diligent practice, mankind can put an end to craving. Ending the chase for satisfaction is called enlightenment (bodhi = awakened). The enlightened being then exists in a state called Nirvana. At my age, most of what once bedazzled me no longer does. Most of us grow up sometime. I'm grateful that I've finally outlived most (but not all) of my various obsessions. My past is littered with the mess.
4. The truth of the path that frees us from suffering (magga)
Here, Buddha as physician prescribes the treatment for the illness of humanity. Like Christianity, in Buddhism there is no particular benefit to merely believing a doctrine. Instead, the emphasis is on living the doctrine and walking the path. In Buddhist countries, as in Christian ones, this teaching is not routinely followed. Many call themselves followers of Buddha, as many say that they are followers of Christ, and yet their actions reveal that this is not the case. Corruption, sexual indiscretions, alcohol and drug abuse, child abuse, war and unhappiness are as rife in Buddhist countries as in their western counterparts. Perhaps humans are good at ascribing to ideas better than themselves, but not many stay the course.
Yet, just as in Christianity, there are the faithful in Buddhism. Thus, during Vassa, these Buddhist monks and nuns remain inside monasteries and temple grounds, devoting their time to intensive meditation and study. Laypeople support the monastic sangha by bringing food, candles and other offerings to temples. My students and I recently made this pilgrimage. See the pictures above and on my facebook site.
As in Christianity, many Buddhists also observe Vassa (Lent) by giving up something, such as smoking or eating meat. This tradition of meditation and study began during the life of Buddha. The first Buddhist monks did not remain in one place, but walked from village to village, to teach. They begged for their food and often slept out-of-doors, sheltered only by trees. Yet during India’s summer rainy season living as homeless ascetics became much more difficult. So groups of monks found a place to stay together until the rain stopped, forming a temporary religious community. The wealthy sometimes sheltered these groups of monks on their estates. Eventually they built permanent houses for monks, an early form of the monastery.
1. The Truth of Suffering is the First Noble Truth, and is often translated as "Life is suffering" (samudaya). But the Pali word, dukkha, also refers to that which is temporary, conditional, or a compound of many things. Even something precious and enjoyable is considered dukkha, because it is temporary.
This truth is related to the nature of life and the nature of the self. In Buddhism, human life is temporary, conditional and compounded by many issues. Buddhism teaches that life is impermanent, and that we, also, are impermanent. Buddhism also teaches that before one can understand life and death one must understand the self as impermanent. Many agree that the nature of human existence is tragedy, yet Christianity differs from Buddhist philosophy in its view of the human soul as impermanent. Christians believe that the human soul, for better or worse, is eternal.
2. The Truth of the Cause of Suffering is the Second Noble Truth, which teaches that the cause of suffering is craving or thirst (tanha). Buddhist tradition teaches that humanity continually searches for something outside the self to make it happy. Yet no matter how successful one is, he/she does not remain satisfied for long. Buddhism teaches that this thirst grows from an ignorance of the self. Humans sometimes go through life grabbing one thing after another to get a sense of security about ourselves. They attach not only to physical things, but also to ideas and opinions about the self, others, and the world. Often these individuals, according to Buddhist philosophy, grow frustrated when the world doesn't behave, think, or conform to prescribed expectations. This is probably true of all of us, from time to time.
3. The truth of the end of suffering (nirhodha) Buddhist teachings on the Four Noble Truths are sometimes compared to a physician diagnosing an illness and prescribing a treatment. The first explains the illness, and the second lists the causes of the illness. The third truth holds out hope for a cure. Buddhism teaches that through diligent practice, mankind can put an end to craving. Ending the chase for satisfaction is called enlightenment (bodhi = awakened). The enlightened being then exists in a state called Nirvana. At my age, most of what once bedazzled me no longer does. Most of us grow up sometime. I'm grateful that I've finally outlived most (but not all) of my various obsessions. My past is littered with the mess.
4. The truth of the path that frees us from suffering (magga)
Here, Buddha as physician prescribes the treatment for the illness of humanity. Like Christianity, in Buddhism there is no particular benefit to merely believing a doctrine. Instead, the emphasis is on living the doctrine and walking the path. In Buddhist countries, as in Christian ones, this teaching is not routinely followed. Many call themselves followers of Buddha, as many say that they are followers of Christ, and yet their actions reveal that this is not the case. Corruption, sexual indiscretions, alcohol and drug abuse, child abuse, war and unhappiness are as rife in Buddhist countries as in their western counterparts. Perhaps humans are good at ascribing to ideas better than themselves, but not many stay the course.
Yet, just as in Christianity, there are the faithful in Buddhism. Thus, during Vassa, these Buddhist monks and nuns remain inside monasteries and temple grounds, devoting their time to intensive meditation and study. Laypeople support the monastic sangha by bringing food, candles and other offerings to temples. My students and I recently made this pilgrimage. See the pictures above and on my facebook site.
As in Christianity, many Buddhists also observe Vassa (Lent) by giving up something, such as smoking or eating meat. This tradition of meditation and study began during the life of Buddha. The first Buddhist monks did not remain in one place, but walked from village to village, to teach. They begged for their food and often slept out-of-doors, sheltered only by trees. Yet during India’s summer rainy season living as homeless ascetics became much more difficult. So groups of monks found a place to stay together until the rain stopped, forming a temporary religious community. The wealthy sometimes sheltered these groups of monks on their estates. Eventually they built permanent houses for monks, an early form of the monastery.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)