If Only ........

If Only ........


This entry is in relation to the previous entry, 'What Do We Expect?' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2010/03/what-do-we-expect.html.

To me, if only the world has knowledge of the Buddha-Dhamma, practise the Buddha-Dhamma,

The world would not be in the state it is in today.

As I said in 'Why Buddhism / Buddha's Teachings' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2009/08/why-buddhism-buddhas-teachings.html,

"The Buddha's Teachings - The Dhamma, is the most comprehensive and complete teaching that the world has ever seen, and will ever need."


And as I quoted Jawaharla Nehru and Javier Purez De Cuullar in the same blog,

"The Path that the Buddha showed us is, I believe, the ONLY path humanity must tread if it is to escape disaster."

(Jawaharla Nehru)


And,

"Buddha's message of compassion and devotion to the service of humanity is MORE relevant today than at any other time in history.

Peace, understanding and a vision that transcends purely national boundaries are imperatives of our insecure nuclear age."

(Javier Purez De Cuullar)


But, regardless of what's being said (in praise) of The Buddha's Teachings/Dhamma,

No one can express the need for The Buddha's Dhamma as fluently and eloquently as Ajahn Maha Boowa in one of his teachings.

As such, I'm reproducing an excerpt of that teaching here to share with all.

Hopefully, we can all learn a little something from it and make small, BUT necessary changes to ourselves, a little bit at a time,

So that this world can be the fun and joyful place the way it was supposed to be;

The way it really is.

Enjoy ! :)


The following is taken from the book, "Kammatthana - The Basis of Practice" by Venerable Acariya Maha Boowa, page 159-161.

"In desiring that people should be good, no one can surpass the Lord Buddha. The Teaching which he gave the world was only so that everyone could be virtuous, good and happy. He did not want the world to be troubled and harmed, which results from wrong-doings due to ignorance of the way of conducting oneself.

If anyone had listened to the Teaching of the Lord Buddha, either from His own mouth or from the scriptures, and had belief in the principle of truth there presented, they would each then try to correct and improve themselves so as to be a good person.

That is to say, any person so practising will be good; so with the first person that takes it up and likewise with the second person, etc.

However many family members there are, when each receives the Teaching and training to be good, then that family is also good; and likewise in a village, town or country.

Then there is no need to ask any more about the peace and happiness of that country, for it must definitely follow from the goodness of all the people who do good.

But on the other hand, the various kinds of hardship and unhappiness also only arise out of wickedness. The extent of how many wicked people there are corresponds to the number of 'disturbers of society'.

The more there are, the more hellish the world becomes.

It is then dark both in the night and daytime and in a constant state of agitation.

There is no need to go and search after hell for it is being constructed right there in the Hearts of people, and then scattered and extended everywhere, turning everything into fire.

This is Wrong; not right or proper.

If it were in accordance with the Buddha-Dhamma, these things would NOT occur.

There would not be any need for judges, court of appeal, or even the supreme court, for there would be no cases to settle, because each one has the intention to be virtuous and all try to listen to reason for virtue's sake.

In talking to each other, whether amongst the young and old, man or woman, ordained or householder, there would be understanding.

The reason for this deep understanding is due to the understanding of the good and bad that is within the Heart.

There would only be the wish and intention to see in the way of reason, truth, reality, and virtue.

It would be easy to listen and understand, and in conduct it would be always fair and equal with no need for secrecy.

The world, however, does not follow the Heart's wish.

Wherever one goes, there are only complaints about Dukkha (suffering) and troubles.

The whole world is in a state of confusion and unrest even though everyone studies and searches for knowledge.

But this knowledge does not bear any usefulness except only in using it to burn oneself, for these types of knowledge are not permeated with Dhamma.

They do not have Dhamma as a support, brake, accelerator, or guide.

Therefore, they just go on their own way (Yatha Kamma) without any limit or bounds.

When one thinks and investigates in this way, one will come to see how important and valuable is the Dhamma of the Lord Buddha.

If one were just to try and conduct oneself so as to be a good person, even though one was still not capable of teaching others to be good, this practice in the way of virtue alone will provide peacefulness wherever one goes and whatever circumstances maybe, one will be peaceful and happy which is the correct result from one's practice.

Therefore, happiness arises with such people.

There are different levels of such peacefulness,

And everyone is capable of experiencing the ordinary level if the intention and effort are put forth for these experiences to arise.

One should not overlook oneself, for this is a happy world, peaceful and worth living in, full of fun and joy."

- Ajahn Maha Boowa Nanasampanno




"Dhamma gives the world nothing but support and protection."

- Ajahn Maha Boowa Nanasampanno





"Dhamma is what will make this world an oasis of goodness."






"Dhamma represents/(is) The Truth.

If we relinquish all that is false, and hold only to that which is true,

Then both the people in our society and the monks (and nuns) who uphold the Sasana (The Dhamma - The Teachings of The Buddha)

Will live in peace."

- Ajahn Maha Boowa Nanasampanno





"Mettanca Sabba Lokasmin
Let thoughts of boundless love pervade the whole world;
Manasam-Bhavaye apari-manam
Above, below and across (and beyond)
Uddham adho ca tiriyanca
Without any obstruction,
Asam-badham averam asa-pattam
Without any hatred, without any enmity."

- The Buddha, Karaniya Metta Sutta - The Discourse on Loving Kindness





"May the Dhamma last as long as my sons and grandsons;

And the sun, and the moon will be.

And may the people follow the path of the Dhamma

For if one follows the path,

Happiness in this and in the other world will be attained."

- King Asoka