For peace, happiness and salvation :

Buddhism in everyday life

by Andrew Scott

Buddhism, the message of the Buddha, delivered over 2,500 years ago, has now penetrated into 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 aspects of His great teaching.

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

For one to lead a correct Buddhist way of life he should follow accepted Buddhist cultural practices which is a unique feature in the philosophy of a religion with depth and understanding. An important feature in Buddhism is that Buddhist culture has penetrated into every aspect of our lives and we need its guidance for our everyday living. As practising Buddhists we should always 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, forming an important phase in our daily lives. For a Buddhist it is a very admirable habit to rise early in the morning so that he could attend to his morning 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 even a serene Buddha picture. If one recites the five precepts and determines to live up to them each day there is no doubt that he begins the day well. There are many Buddhists who are particular to read a passage of a Dhamma book before starting the day’s work and this is an admirable 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 very much time for religious observances in the morning. But even in this situation anyone can start the day contemplating on some Buddhist thoughts - one could 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 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 is worth realising that a day spent in this manner will not have a tiring effect on you and even at the end of the day you would 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 habits 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 society in which he lives. Everyone living according to the Buddha Dhamma should shun unprofitable gossip and instead should 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.

It is natural that 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, Dukka 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 from one’s day should be set aside for meditation 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 meditation to regain mental calmness, peace and joy.

It is very beneficial if from their young age children are nurtured in the good traditions of the Buddha Dhamma. Children 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 the 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 home.

Misfortunes and frustrations

If all Buddhists apply the Dhamma to our everyday life we can create an integrated society which will be a solace to the entire world. 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 the lives of everyone. 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 as an object of inspiration and veneration. The serene figure of the Buddha, an emblem of loving 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 is to send young children to systematically organised religious classes conducted in the temples. From the young days, all should be trained to actively participate in the temple ceremonies, especially on Full Moon Poya Days. A most desirable and meritorious act is to observe the Eight Precepts during the Poya days. One’s entire Poya day should be devoted to religious matters such as meditation, religious discussions, reading of religious books and helping the needy and the lesser privileged beings.

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 any form of vile amusement. It is good to remember that in organising any function Buddhists should take care not to cause any nuisance to the 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 funerals are not Buddhist practices at all. According to Buddhist practices funeral rites should be solemn and simple. It is a good Buddhist practice to refrain from expensive decorations during various religious festivals such as Vesak. This money could be channelled to better use by giving it to some religious or charitable organisation which could use that money for a worthy cause.

The Dhammapada

Giving Dana or alms is the foundation of Buddhism and Dhamma Dana is pre-eminent among them. In passing I wish to mention briefly about the Dhammapada, an inseparable companion of all Buddhists. In the entire literature of the world 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 throughout the world have translated it into several languages.

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 in other countries, the value of the Dhammapada is being increasingly appreciated and sermons based on its stanzas are delivered. 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 ill 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 the Dhammapada is a tome with a timeless message.

Our minds accumulate many impurities as a result of unwise living and thinking unwholesome thoughts interfere in the smooth functioning of our minds. It is only the wholesome thoughts of the mind closely adhering to the Buddha Dhamma that brings mental health, the efficient functioning of the mind and the arousal of spiritual feelings.

If Buddhism is given the foremost place in our everyday living and if it is practised daily, our living will become more meaningful and there will be happiness and harmony in this world.

The writer is a freelance journalist who also writes on Buddhist topics to national and international publications.