Buddhism in everyday life

by Andrew Scott

Buddhism, the message of the Buddha, delivered over 2,500 years ago, has now penetrated even the remotest corners of the world and the modern world views it with deeper understanding, attaching a great meaning to it.

Some call it a religion. Others call it a philosophy. Some others think of it as both a religion and a philosophy. However, the most appropriate meaning to attach to it is that Buddhism is a way of life where the Buddha always emphasised the practical aspect of his noble teaching.

We are fortunate to be Buddhists as the Buddhist way of life is the most simple and the easiest to follow. However, it is saddening that many are unaware of how they could lead a true Buddhist way of life and sometimes even devout Buddhists tend to forget the correct Buddhist way of life.

For one to lead a correct Buddhist way of life, he/she should follow accepted Buddhist cultural practices which are a unique feature in the philosophy of this religion with depth and understanding. An important feature in Buddhism is that Buddhist culture has penetrated every aspect of our life and we need the guidance of our religion for our everyday living. As practising Buddhists, we should keep in mind the day-to-day accepted religious observances and practices which will bring peace, happiness and ultimate salvation.

There is no doubt that the Buddha Dhamma occupies an exalted place in a true Buddhist life and forms an important phase in our daily lives. For a Buddhist, it is a very admirable habit to wake up early in the morning so that he could attend to his daily ablutions quietly and still have a few minutes left to be spent in one's shrine-room and to contemplate before a Buddha statue or picture.

If one recites the five precepts and determines to live up to them each day, there is no doubt that he has begun the day well. There are some Buddhists who are particular to read a passage of a Dhamma book before starting the day's work and this is a very good way to begin one's day.

Today, especially in the mornings, most of us have to rush through our activities and it seems that one cannot spend much time over religious observances in the morning. However, even in such a situation, anyone can start the day contemplating on some Buddhist thoughts and one can mentally recollect the words of homage, refuge, precepts and worship.

It is in this fashion that a true Buddhist should mindfully start his day filled with noble thoughts of the dhamma and determined to spend the day in the true Buddhist tradition. Thus, following the practical way of the Buddha Dhamma, we must try to free ourselves of all thoughts of worry, hurry, irritation and impatience and Buddhists must always try to radiate metta or goodwill towards all around them. It must be realized that a day spent in this manner will not have a tiring effect and even at the end of the day one could feel fresh, calm and serene to successfully handle more and more work.

Today, many of us, both Buddhists and non-Buddhists, are used to spending a greater part of our leisure time in idle gossip and engaging in other anti-social activities such as consuming liquor, going to clubs and wasting time in unwholesome pursuits. This is harmful to both the progress of the individual as well as the progress of the immediate society in which he lives.

Everyone living according to the Buddha Dhamma should shun unprofitable gossip and instead engage themselves in thoughts of goodwill and joy and should take special care to bestow a calming effect on the environment in which they live.

After a day's hard work one should relax. But even in relaxation one could think of the Buddha Dhamma and its serene effects on humanity.

For instance, when we observe the beautiful colours and the many shapes of clouds in the evening sky and then when we see, in a few minutes, the magnificent colours change, the shapes disfiguring and disappearing, we can apply the thoughts of Annicca, Dukkha and Anatta. The same principle can be applied to every change in life.

To a Buddhist, meditation provides an effective antidote to the stress and strain of the modern world beset with numerous economic, social and cultural problems. At least a few minutes of one's day should be set apart for mediation which bears a tremendous influence on those who practise it regularly.

Even when tired of some activities such as walking, reading or writing one can turn to mediation to regain mental calmness, peace and joy.

Noble traditions

Even children should be nurtured in the noble traditions of the Buddha Dhamma. Those brought up in such a religious atmosphere will grow up with a deep veneration for the Buddha, Dhamma and the Sangha.

A home where the parents and elders are truly religious sets a noble example for the children and such a home built up on a solid religious foundation will be a happy and serene home. If all Buddhists apply the Dhamma to our everyday life, we can create an integrates society which will be a solace to the entire world. It is a pity that some Buddhists think of the Buddha Dhamma only when having a religious ceremony or an alms-giving or when confronted with some difficulty such as the death of a dear one or when a serious misfortune befalls them.

A true Buddhist will be serene at all times and will not be disturbed by petty worldly things. Buddhists who frequently meditate on the transitory nature of all things around us will always bear lightly the misfortunes and frustrations that visit us at some time or the other in our lives.

Let us think about some other simple ways of practising Buddhism in our daily lives.

It is appropriate for all Buddhists to have a Buddha image or a picture of the Buddha in their homes, of course not as a showpiece, but as an object of inspiration and veneration.

The serene figure of the Buddha, an emblem of living kindness, purity and perfection will serve as a great source of inspiration and will help us to surmount all difficulties and worries.

Another important Buddhist practice should be to send young children to systematically organised religious classes conducted in the temples. From young days, all should be trained to actively participate in temple ceremonies, especially on full moon Poya days.

A most desirable and meritorious act is to observe the Eight Precepts during the Poya days. The entire Poya day should be devoted to religious matters such as meditation, religious discussions, reading of religious books and helping the needy.

Following Buddhist principles

In celebrating family and social functions too, Buddhists should remember to conduct themselves according to Buddhist principles. They should make it a point to conduct these activities in a dignified manner in keeping with the principles of cultured Buddhists and even on such occasions Buddhists should refrain from all intoxicants and forms of vile amusement.

It is good to remember that in organising any function, Buddhists should take care not to cause any nuisance to others.

In life we are always amidst death, a sad and solemn occasion.

The elaborate and expensive funeral rites which are carried out at certain Buddhist funerals are not Buddhist practices at all.

According to Buddhist practices funeral rites should be solemn and simple. Thus, even in death, improper rites should never be adhered to. Instead, Buddhist practices should be perpetuated. According to Buddhist practices, bhikkhus are invited to the house of the deceased or to the cemetery to carry out a simple religious ceremony.

Many have posed the question whether, a deceased person should be buried or cremated according to Buddhist rites. Buddhism is flexible on this issue and the choice of method is left entirely to the last wish of the deceased or, more frequently, is carried out at the direction of the next of kin. However, cremation seems to be a more hygienic way of disposing of the body.

It is a good Buddhist practice to refrain from erecting expensive pandals during various religious festivals such as Vesak and from spending much on decorations. Instead, this money could be put to better use by donating it to some religious or charitable organisation which could utilise that money intelligently.

Foundation of Buddhism

All are aware that giving Dana or alms is the foundation of Buddhism and Dhamma Dana is pre-eminent among them. I wish to mention the Dhammapada, an inseparable companion of all Buddhists.

In the entire world of literature, there is no other anthology so rich with beauty of expression, harmoniously blending with beauty of thought. It is the oldest anthology of the world and its Pali stanzas are so fascinating and instructive that scholars thought the world have translated it into several languages, including Latin and German.

Thus the Dhammapada is held in great esteem by both Eastern and Western scholars. Prof. Radhakrishnan, in his preface to the Dhammapada states: "the Dhammapada has an appeal to the modern world because its central theme is that human conduct, righteous behaviour, reflection and meditation are more important than vain speculation about the transcendent."

Today, in Sri Lanka, as well as througout the world, the value of the Dhammapada is being increasingly appreciated and sermons on its various stanzas are often arranged. The Dhammapada reflects the true spirit of the teachings of the Buddha and each stanza of this remarkable anthology brings out some special remedy for any particular problem of any individual at any time of his life.

To a world lacking in the fundamentals of serene living, a world intoxicated with a passion for power and money, the message of the Dhammapada is something to be reckoned with. In fact Dhammpada is a tome with a timeless message.

Our minds accumulate many impure thoughts as a result of unwise living and thinking and unwholesome thoughts interfere in the smooth functioning of our minds.

It is only the wholesome factors of the mind closely adhering to the Buddha Dhamma that brings mental health, the efficient functioning of the mind and the arousal of beneficial spiritual feelings.

If the Buddha Dhamma is given the foremost place in our everyday lives and if it is practised daily, our lives will become more meaningful and there will be happiness and harmony in the world which is now divided into several explosive factions.