Dhamma, as the name suggests, is the Truth.
The Truth as taught by Gautama Buddha, and as of now taught by the Sangha community. Dhamma is perhaps the best gift to all sentient beings. Dhamma has taught me a lot of things in life, about the world we live in, about our habits, about our mental thoughts and also, about the nature of cause and effect, and how it has affected our lives, if not numerous lives, from beginningless time. Perhaps it is timely to reflect and investigate on the timeless truth passed down by the Buddha more than two thousand six hundred years ago when he first turned the Wheel of Dharma to the five ascetics in Deer Park after he gained enlightenment.
The Truth as taught by Gautama Buddha, and as of now taught by the Sangha community. Dhamma is perhaps the best gift to all sentient beings. Dhamma has taught me a lot of things in life, about the world we live in, about our habits, about our mental thoughts and also, about the nature of cause and effect, and how it has affected our lives, if not numerous lives, from beginningless time. Perhaps it is timely to reflect and investigate on the timeless truth passed down by the Buddha more than two thousand six hundred years ago when he first turned the Wheel of Dharma to the five ascetics in Deer Park after he gained enlightenment.
The mass of humanity is asleep. Asleep in the sense that people pass through their lives never knowing and seeing the world as it is. Life after life, most people are living continuously through innumerable life times without pondering and seeking the meaning of life, or at least the essence of it. Most of us, living sentient beings, are subjected to the continuous cycle of birth and death, but we are either too preoccupied with our daily mundane activities or diverting our attention by distracting ourselves with material wealth and unsustainable joys.
Buddhism is neither pessimistic nor optimistic, but it is realistic. More often than not, it is depicted as a pessimistic religion because of the incessant connotations of sufferings to illustrate our current situation. Thus, it is very important to understand about the current situation that we are in now, and this situation is known as the cyclic existence (or 'Saṃsāra' in Sanskrit). Unless we have a fundamental understanding about this cyclic existence, its causes and conditions, the elimination of these sufferings and the path towards Buddhahood, if not most of the Buddhist teachings would not make a lot of sense to us, here and now.
Buddhism is a religion of reason, and not just a religion of faith. Most of the Buddhist teachings rely on reason rather than on faith. We will develop our faith by taking refuge in the triple gems as its foundation, but faith itself is not enough. Faith will eventually become superstition when it parts from reason, and even more so when it goes against reason. But when it is combined with reason, it prevents reason from remaining just an intellectual game. And that is the reason why practice and cultivation is so important in the journey towards Buddhahood. One should always listen diligently and attentively to the Buddha Dharma, contemplate deeply on its teachings, change one's mental and physical habits, cultivate and aspire towards Buddhahood.
Thus, it is important that we should be diligent and apply the timeless teachings of the Buddha Dhamma in our day to day life by listening, contemplating, practising and cultivating towards both a good rebirth and the aspiration to walk the path of the Buddhahood.
Buddhism is a religion of reason, and not just a religion of faith. Most of the Buddhist teachings rely on reason rather than on faith. We will develop our faith by taking refuge in the triple gems as its foundation, but faith itself is not enough. Faith will eventually become superstition when it parts from reason, and even more so when it goes against reason. But when it is combined with reason, it prevents reason from remaining just an intellectual game. And that is the reason why practice and cultivation is so important in the journey towards Buddhahood. One should always listen diligently and attentively to the Buddha Dharma, contemplate deeply on its teachings, change one's mental and physical habits, cultivate and aspire towards Buddhahood.
Thus, it is important that we should be diligent and apply the timeless teachings of the Buddha Dhamma in our day to day life by listening, contemplating, practising and cultivating towards both a good rebirth and the aspiration to walk the path of the Buddhahood.
