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| Sunday, 26 May 2002 |
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Buddhism and Re-birth by Danister I Fernando
How fortunate is the Vesak Full Moon! Over two-thousand five-hundred years ago (2626 B.C.) the ever fortunate Vesak Full Moon would have witnessed the birth of the Bodhisatta (Buddha-to-be). Two thousand five hundred and ninety one years ago she would have witnessed the Bodhisatta (ascetic Gotama) attain Supreme Enlightenment (Supreme Buddhahood), and thirdly, two thousand five hundred and forty six years ago she would also have witnessed the passing away (Parinibbana) of the Blessed One. Consequently the Vesak Full Moon Day (Pasalosvaka) on which these three memorable events took place, became one of celebration to all Buddhists world over. Subsequently, year in and year out the Buddhist world has been celebrating this holy day with great devotion and deep religious fervour. Furthermore, the Buddhists of today are extremely happy over the declaration of a world-wide holiday for Vesak in commemoration of the limitless services rendered by the Buddha to all humanity. The Bodhisatta, the Buddha-to-be, was born on a Vesak Full Moon Day 2626 years ago. Lumbini (Rummindei) is in the vicinity of the snow-capped Himalayan range and is almost hundred miles to the North of Varanasi. At this hallowed spot, Asoka the great Emperor of India, who had gone there years later, had erected a mighty stone pillar, which can still be seen. He had also engraved an inscription on this stone column, which reads, "hida budhe jate Sakyamuni." Meaning: "Here was born the Buddha, the sage of the Sakyans." Devoted Buddhists continue to visit this holy place in reverence great. (References: Jatakathta Katha - Nidana, Nalaka Sutta - Sutta Nipatha). Buddha's birth But presently, there seems to be a difference of view concerning the correctness of the location of the Buddha's birth. In this regard I have come across an article written on 24th April 2001, in the Times of India News Service. The first part of this article is as follows: "Gautama Buddha may have lived in what is modern day Nepal and not in India by a short distance of four miles according to the findings of a British research group. The latest claim adds another chapter to a long-standing argument between scholars in India and Nepal about the life and times of the Buddha. Although it is commonly accepted that the Buddha was born in Lumbini in what is now southern Nepal, the location of the ancient city of Kapilavastu, where he lived till he was 29, has been the bone of contention." However, until a correct and final solution is arrived at by the excavators and the scholars, one has to maintain that the present location which even Emperor Asoka had personally visited with his daughter Princess Carumati and Ven. Moggaliputta Tissa Thera and had erected a pillar and an inscription as mentioned earlier (Ashokavadana) is the correct one. At this instance one is prone to doubt whether a baby just being born could get down, walk seven steps and even speak out. With that doubt in mind one can dismiss the episode as an illusion. But, it has to be considered in its correct light. According to the records the Bodhisatva had lived various kinds of lives, and in this way, He had a history of existences, going through the ten perfections and striving hard for His ultimate aim - Buddhahood, which extended to times beyond computation. (Sarasankheyya Kalpa Laksha). Then, when He was born at the Lumbini Park, He had been a fully-fledged Bodhisatva which He declared to the world in resounding terms. Child-prodigies Over 2,500 years ago the Bodhisatva was born as a human being - a Man, out of human parents and in perfectly human conditions. He was a man in general, but a Man extra-ordinary (Accharia manussa) and a Man Par excellence (Purisuttama). Thus during an immeasurable time in "Sansara" the Bodhisatta had developed altruism and it was after having gathered such vast strength of character - the top most that one could ever achieve - that Bodhisatva was born to spread His infinite love to all beings. Therefore there should be no doubt what so ever as to the genuiness of His utterance and His lofty behaviour at the birth. There is absolutely no mysticism surrounding His birth, apart from the fact that certain phenomena were exhibited on account of His strength of character developed through a plethora of previous births. Providing further clarification to the lay-mind in this respect, one could think of a large number of illustrations from the recent past, where certain child-prodigies had existed causing ample surprise or even trauma, to the world. I wish to enumerate only three such cases in brief. 1) (From Miscellany of June 16th - 22nd, 1996) "Little Benjamin Woods, two-year old son of James (34) and Cynthia (37) of London, England. The brainy 2-year old is the world's youngest member of Mensa, the elite club of the super-smart. Psychologist Peter Kendall tested Bengamin's I.Q. and came up with an astounding score of 140. Mensa President Dave Chatten confirmed, 'He's exceptionally gifted and he's the youngest Mensa member in this world'! His father says, "Now he is reading children's books meant for 10-year olds. He reads about six books a day. He can read even faster. 2) (From a news report by Catherine Hruskar in America's Tikly World News paper of 13th March 1988). "Two months old girl speaking in eight languages. The child specialists are simply astonished at seeing the 2-months old Sophia Petkov of Bulgaria speaking in eight languages." The report says that, because of the amazing ability of the little girl, those who do research work on rebirth, have finally found an answer. What they say is that she had been born earlier once or many times over. According to the paper, she can speak in Latin, English, Spanish, French, Bulgarian, Lithuanian, Russian and Arabic very fluently. Ivan and Alexandra, the parents are reported to have said, that little Sophia showed signs of speaking other languages from her first month. 3) (Anura Solamons reports on 30th August 1987) "Seven-year old air pilot John Kevin. At four years he paddled a bicycle for the first time. At five he learned to drive a car. Seventh year, had been very exciting for him. He learnt to pilot an aeroplane when he was only seven. He is today the youngest chartered air-pilot of the world. He is the first child of seven to have piloted a plane across America thousands of miles high with resounding success." Supreme Enlightenment So, it is therefore evident from the foregoing cases, and many more one has heard, that child-prodigies have now and then come into being supportive of the fact that they are due to developments in past-births. The Bodhisatta at His birth too has exhibited His lofty status acquired through a very long sojourn in "Sansara". I am now reminded of a passage from Anguttara Nikaya, where the Buddha had a conversation with a Brahmin called Dona. The brahmin questioned the Buddha whether He was a 'Deva', a 'gandabba', a 'yakkha' or a 'manussa' (man) to which the Buddha replied, "No brahmin, I am none of them." Dona was perplexed, and asked, "Then, Sir what indeed will you be?" Buddha directly answered, "Brahmin, a person may be identified as a 'Deva', a 'gandabba', a 'yakkha' or a 'manussa' owing to whatever defilements they have. All these defilements I have eradicated and cut off at the root and done away with. No more am I subject to future arising. I, who am born in the world and grew in the world, have transcended the world. I live untouched by the world. Remember me as one who is enlightened - "Buddhoti man dharehi brahmana". The 'Bodhisatta' was born as a man on a Vesak Poya Day, attained Enlightenment as a man on a Vesak Poya Day, and finally passed away into 'Parinibbana' also as a man on a Vesak Poya Day. Even after His Supreme Enlightenment He did not call Himself a God, a Brahma or any Supernatural Being, but an extraordinary man (acchariya manussa) par excellence (pusrisuttama). |
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