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Sunday, 18 October 2009

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'You reap what you sow'

Most Venerable Bellana Gnanawimala Thera in an interview with the Sunday Observer elaborates on matters related to the Dhamma.

Continued from last week

Q: How should one make use of the teachings of the Buddha for the betterment of one's life?

A: As the Buddhists believe the life of a person is not just limited to one birth, but to a series of deaths and births which is called 'Samsara.' Adhering to a Buddhist way of life would bring you benefits in two ways. It will make both your present life and next life happy.

You have to engage in good deeds in order to make your present and future lives happy. Merits of the good deeds which you perform during this life will be extended to your future lives as well.

Most Venerable Bellana Gnanawimala Thera

For example, if a person leads virtuous life without inflicting pain on others that itself will be a blessing to him. The results of good deeds which you perform during this life time would enable you to lead a contented life without facing trouble. If you spend your present life meaningfully, the merits you gain would make your next life better. Such people would always be blessed with good health, wealth, beauty and social recognition. Once when the Buddha visited a village, a group of people asked him thus; "Lord, some people believe in rebirth and some do not. What category do you belong to? The Buddha who knew what their intention was said that everyone should try to spend their present lives meaningfully, so that they have no reason to worry whether there is rebirth or not. Good deeds will always bring good results.

In the present society most of the people seems to think making money fast is the best way to reach lofty heights within a short period of time.

As a result some do engage in harmful activities. For example, there are people who sell animals for meat and others who butcher them in order to make money fast and earn high profits.

But such conduct will bring forth drastic consequences. Sometimes he may be able to spend this life but he would definitely have to face the consequences of his evil deeds in his next life. Therefore the Buddha exhorted his followers to live a meaningful life so that thy could rear their 'good harvest' in this life and the next as well.

Q: Cannot we overcome our kamma? Sometimes astrologers advise their clients how to get rid of bad kamma by performing certain rituals.

A: Yes, It is possible to a certain extent. But not always. There are also instances where previous kamma had been overcome by participating in religious activities. For example there is the Buddhist story relating to the rescue of a baby from the malefic effect of his fatal kamma due to the Buddha's intervention. Parents took the baby to the Buddha and made him worship the Enlightened one.

The Buddha wished his parents a long life and remained silent. When inquired about his silence the Buddha said that the child's life span is limited only to a few days and advised his parents that it was possible to make his life span longer by chanting Pirith continuously. In the end the parents could save their child by following the advice of the Buddha to the letter. Everything happens according to our kamma. What a horoscope does is just to predict your future. Not that horoscope has any power to do those things for you.

Q: Is it acceptable for a Buddhist to seek the advice of astrologers?

A: Horoscopes can predict your future and comment on your characteristics to a certain extent. There is no doubt about it. So there is no harm to follow it without becoming fully dependent on it. There are two significant occasions when the Buddha advised the Bhikkus to learn astrology.

1. One such occasion is mentioned in Chulla Vagga Pali in Vinaya Pitaka.

2. A group of bhikkus who were meditating in the forest were confronted by a gang of robbers who wanted to check whether those were genuine bhikkus or not. So they questioned the Bhikkus about their knowledge of astrology, but since their response was not satisfactory the robbers molested the bhikkus thinking that they are a set of vagabonds. Referring to that incident the Buddha had stated that the bhikkus, particularly the ones who dwell themselves in forest monasteries should have a knowledge of 'the movement of stars and Nakath' (auspicious times).

Q: What are the effects of Pirith chanting?

A: It is one of the best ways of invoking blessings. (Asheervada karma). It improves the mental condition upon whom we bestow blessings. Studies have been conducted in western countries on the effects of Bio-feed back - a system of therapy they practice in order to get over sicknesses. Imagine a person is sick So the patient and three others hold a thread in their hands. When a bell is rung they commence their task.

All four including the patient himself concentrate only on curing the sickness.

Even if the slightest disturbance occurs you have to restart the concentration afresh.

As you practise it daily there are instances when even serious illnesses could have cured. What it means is when the power of all (Jeewa Shakthi) is concentrated at one particular point (here on illness), it helps the patient recover soon. Though studies of this nature have not been conducted on the effects of Pirith chanting it is the same sort of power that the Pirith chanting is endowed with. When you hold the 'pirith noola' the power of Pirith could be absorbed if you are devoted to it.

 

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