Sajitha Prematunge
Q: The young mind has become confused due to the effects of
society. What is the best method to overcome this confused nature?
A: It is not only the young mind that has become confused due
to the effects of society. It’s all men’s minds. And the main reason is
advertising. In a commercial society that addresses the major senses in
a subtle way one becomes stressed and restless, unable to decide what
one wants, likes and what one’s limits are.
We must attempt to find coexistence within this confusion. To achieve
this we must understand that the human cannot be totally satisfied.
People who lust, consequently, eternally lack happiness. Thus the Buddha
proposes that we should not attempt to overcome this by managing
resources but rather by managing our lust. This teaching is exemplified
in the words
Kamesu vineyya - discipline oneself in lust.
 Consequently to conquer this confusion of mind we must learn to be
content with what we have. If we are successful in doing so then we will
be capable of surviving a cut-throat society with sustainable concepts.
Humans could pull out the last tree and suck the last drop of oil in the
name of lust.
Lust will force us to become murderers, thieves and robbers. The only
way out for the young is to remedy their mind - be content. When you
learn to do this you can remain happy in any adversity.
The way of the human is to invest in the present so he could live his
future in happiness. But this future never comes and you end up spending
your present in unrest. Consequently the Buddha Dhamma suggests that you
live the moment but live it consciously. Live in the moment but mind
everything that you say and do. This is what the Sathipattana meditation
teaches. Then you will be able to escape from this confusion and achieve
absolute clarity.
Q: How could one use Buddha Dhamma for the improvement of
one’s life?
A: The best way to improve your life is to manage time. Even
the Buddha who lived in a very simple society worked according to a time
table. He identified his priorities and what should be done every hour
of the day.
Likewise time management has been taken into account concerning the
lifestyle recommended to Buddhist monks. Wasting time on unnecessary
discussions and conversations is not encouraged by Buddhism. Not only
because it is a total waste of time but also because it facilitates the
accumulation of sins.
Moreover if you wish to make your life a success you must learn to
manage resources as well as time. The Buddhist teaching proposes that in
order to be happy one must become content with a life of modesty. This
is what is meant by ‘Subharocha’. Over indulgence in material wealth
would result not only in unease but would also pose a problem when
discarding with them.
Consequently Buddhism proposes ‘reduction’.
‘Nattang Gavesangthi’ means ‘to recycle’. If something gets broken
you must mend it. Moreover according to Buddhist teaching resources must
be ‘reused’.
For example if a robe can no longer be used for the purpose it was
made monks are to use them as bedspread and pillowcases, if it can no
longer be used to those purpose it is to be turned into rugs. This
teaching of managing resources is the best way to improve one’s life.
Q: What is the best form of meditation - to be followed on a
daily basis - by school children and young people?
A: ‘Meditation’ is to be alert. We must have an objective for
being alert.
Consequently on our quest to achieve objective, we will undoubtedly
be benefited by ‘meditation’. If you further engage in meditation you
will notice a clear spiritual metamorphosis. It would calm the young
mind to engage in Buduguna Bhawana. Engaging in this form of meditation
every morning would instill a reverence and a clear understanding of the
Buddha in the young mind. It would also improve memory.
A: Lately larger numbers of elders end up on Homes. What is
its cause and what could be done to prevent this according to Buddhism?
Q: Due to limitless lust of the people in today’s society
people have become selfish. Parents strive to raise their children to be
intelligent, even the education children obtain is intelligence
oriented. The motto of our education is ‘knowledge is might’; there is
no place for moral values.
Children at a young age strive to achieve - by hook or by crook -
every academic goal as soon as possible. Such intelligent masterminds
show little interest in looking after elders. The best way to remedy
this is to provide an education that focuses on moral values that would
make young people realize the importance of taking care of elders.
Erudite, skilled people with the right attitudes would never abandon
their parents in elder’s homes.
Q: What are the duties that children have towards their
parents?
A: Singalovada Sutta and Mangala Sutta are a huge guidance to
relationship between parents and children. They focus not only on
looking after parents, their fortunes or inheritances but preserving
attitudes children inherit from parents as well.
If one does not take care of his or her old parents he or she is
referred to as ‘Vasala’ in Vasala Sutta. If one takes good care of his
or her elderly parents it is considered as a good sign in the Mangala
Sutta. The best way to teach your children to care for parents and
elders is to act as examples for them at an early age, by looking after
your own parents. |
