A man is literally what he thinks

Mind is the master power that moulds and makes, And man is mind, and evermore he takes, The tool of thought, and, shaping what he wills, brings forth a thousand joys, a thousand ills: - He thinks in secret, and it comes to pass: Environment is but his looking-glass.
 - Dhammapada

Even if everyman is against you, have the guts to stand by righteousness, truth, values, and all else that will make a man of you. A man is literally, what he thinks - his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.

Thought precedes every action, each feeling; and ought to lead all speech. Yet, how often do we find that when we speak, we realise not what the tongue utters. "It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person".

We humans need to possess 'right thinking'. Right thinking begins with the words we say to ourselves. Circumstance does not make the man; it reveals him to himself. Hence, cherish your visions. Cherish your ideals. Cherish the music that stirs in your heart, the beauty that forms in your mind, the loveliness that drapes your purest thoughts, for out of them will grow all delightful conditions, all heavenly environment; and of these, if you but remain true to them; your world will at last be built.

Let me quote a verse from the Bible from the Book of Proverbs: "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." We men are so anxious to improve our circumstances, but rarely think, and are unwilling, to improve ourselves; to stand erect and say enough to all this humbug, which encompasses our society. We remain bound; tied down by greed, selfishness, and lies. Hence, we do not attract what we want, but what we are.

If a society is to advance, grow, and flourish, individuals who make up that community need to walk the path of rectitude - at least a majority of them. If not, their civilisation, their culture, and the people's who constitute such society is bound to, and will proceed towards, assured downfall, absolute ruin. In a fallen world marked by human depravity and deep-seated sin, in a world where Hitler and Stalin had recruited millions of followers to commit mass murder; equity, fairness, honesty, impartiality, integrity, and loving-kindness must harness power and seek justice to have moral meaning. Power without justice is impotent, and power without loving-kindness will be bankrupt. The privileged man, whether he be privileged politically, economically, or both, is a man depraved in intellect and heart. Human values are the need of the hour in this world.

wTruth, right conduct, love, peace, non-violence; these are basics for a golden age of the planet earth, and as an extension of it - any and every nation on earth. Even all known religions, every single faith, are founded upon such principles, is secured by such values. Humanity, barren of such values, has never been a gainer.

Let us reflect on our own society, the Sri Lankan society. Where are we heading as a people? Everything that we had known, cherished, and valued as values, is in tatters today. I grant that everything - moral codes, moral philosophy, moral values, principles, standards - are all constantly changing, continually evolving.

However, at any given time, such values are the measure of the civilisation attained by the people who profess it. What is the measure of Sri Lankan society today?

Corruption has become definite and is not receding. If anything, it is only growing. It has only changed form, become sophisticated, and has become acceptable as part of life. It frequently raises criticism only when it becomes huge in numbers to digest.

Value erosion is corruption. Corruption will always exist in some form or the other in our society, and I believe it to have been present from the beginning of our history, irrespective of what accounts, records, chronicles, may state. But in those days, even corruption had limits. Today, it is limitless.

People need to change through the infusion of values. There is probably nothing absolute about corruption, except in definition, because values are relative. To an extent, getting money out of inheritance is also a form of injustice or corruption, permitted by law.

This is the cause why people amass wealth by hook or by crook. Bequeath it to their beloved. Any value accrual to one person, that is not in proportionate to his effort can only be termed corruption.

The ideal society may be Utopia: an ideal community or society possessing a perfect socio-politico-legal system. However, it is not necessary to be utopian to achieve a semblance of Utopia. All what we need to do is to be true and honest adherents of whatever religion we believe in.

Sri Lanka is blessed with followers of the four major faiths of the world. Yet, most fail to understand the true meaning of what these religions preach.

We practise religion more as an obligation rather than follow the faith with understanding. Perform, in the name of religion, meaningless ceremonies; fall prey to those who make a living of religion; and forget what it preaches when it comes to gaining wealth. We have fallen to such depths of depravity that we treat religion more as an ornament rather than a means to enlightenment.

Last week was Vesak. Many are those who would have trodden the path of righteousness for just that one day, and would revert to their old and established ways. Perhaps it is time we did some introspection.

See you this day next week. Until then, keep thinking; keep laughing. Life is mostly about these two activities.

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