On 2566th Celebration of the Buddha Purnima

                                source: author

The person who freed himself from the ignorance and inconsistencies of the outer and inner world is called the Buddha. The one who has stopped swindling between the currents of Life and death, Soul and No soul, existence and non-existences and all kinds of life's paradoxes.  

Life itself is a beautiful and simple process of the birth of not only mind and body, but the birth of joy, happiness, and success it came along with.  There are numerous inconsistencies that life has been surrounded with it and throughout human history, people blame Nature for its inconsistencies and deep contradictions.  A contradiction of Appearance and Disappearance, Positive and Negative, Black and White, Gorgeous and Ugly, Famous, and Infamous, as well as a contradiction of success and failure.

Well, this year, we have celebrated the 2566th birth anniversary of Gautama the Buddha. It was not only celebration of his birth, but his attainment of Bodhi or enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana. It is quite repetitive to tell you about the early life and late struggle of Gautama Buddha because it's been well written in the form of scriptures, in fact, it has been rewritten numerous times and still writing in the form oof several commentaries and sub-commentaries, novels etc., on how Siddhartha Gautam struggled so long for six years and achieved Nirvana at the end. It has also been well depicted on every great monument of stupas and viharas and also it has been cast in the form of film and telecast every night on television for mass awareness. 

So there is no point in repeating the same thing over and over, but often times while highlighting his life, people fail to focus on how he lived and what kind of belief he was held up with or in other words, what kind of life he aspires to live.

He had shown us the significance of the Middle Way by avoiding two extremes; excessive indulgence in sense pleasure and severe torture of our body and also mind. Besides, he comprehends the Law of nature, that nature has its own law and rules different from what we humans have framed outside in the world for daily regularisation and utilization. Not only he comprehends but he realizes through his physical and mental realizations which is why the people of those days called him, the Buddha or Awakened One. 

Well, he has called Awakened for various reasons other than the two mentioned above.

1. Buddha has been called awakened because he has risen above his own thoughts and thinking

2. He has been called Awakened because he has gotten in tune with the flow of the Nature

3. He has been called Awakened because he loved all humans and sentient beings

4. He has been called Awakened because he accepted all irrespective of caste and gender differences.

5. He has been called Awakened because he has figured out the root cause of suffering is not any God or deva but humans themselves, their own ignorantly and desirously driven actions

6. He has been called Awakened because he surpassed the boundaries of thinking, seeking, reasoning, and inquiring about all kinds of questions

7. He has been called Awakened because he has given up everything to find the answer which not only elevates himself but also others.

Of all these many reasons, there are many to be counted on to,  but the most important of all is that he has been called Awakened because he has gotten himself out of his karmic creations. The purpose of his renunciation was to find out the remedy for human suffering but in this process, he got himself out of suffering which he called Bodi or his enlightenment. Unfortunately, when he knew that he can get only get rid of himself and not all sentient beings, he thought for a moment and then convinced himself to get ready for the mission of sharing his truth, which he called turning into motion the Law of the dhamma.

Many positive changes were brought up by the small yet revolutionary steps. Not only the East but people from all around the corner get ample opportunity to get benefitted from his teachings. Today we have been celebrating his 2566th birth anniversary, but we can only find him in the tradition, sect, caste, and whatnot. All the things that he warned us from such as; the rejection of caste and violence, excessive indulgence in sense pleasure, and bodily torture. Well, today, we are just doing  all these things but in different forms with the advancement of technology and AI. We just doing all the odds and opposite of what he preached.

We are just copying his words and multiplying it, to make it more difficult.

So, this Buddha Purnima strives to look within.

Stive to sit in silence so that peace takes birth in you.

Strive to love yourself because the real Buddha resides within you.

I myself ignorantly though, went to Bodhgaya along with my friend. On reaching there, I realized that the real Buddha was not in the temple. The One which was inside the temple was human trials(culture) to capture his memory, it's their way to keep him alive.

However, So far as I learned about the Buddha, he loves Nature, loves open space, animals, and the whole of existence. So I found Buddha in space just like One with Nature, no difference. 

And when I sat inside the temple, he sent me back saying;

 "You need to look within, not in the temple."

 

Sariputta Stupa at Griyak Hill, Rajgir , Bihar

                (Source: Author)

     The Griyal Hill is known for having one of the oldest Stupas dedicated to one of the chief disciples of the Buddha, known as Sariputta. He was foremost in intellect and wisdom and was a disciple of Sanjay Bellathiputta, one of the six heretical thinkers. Sanjay Bellathiputta had some two hundred and fifty disciples, along with Sariputta and his closest friend or spiritual companion, Mogallana. 

These two disciples were very curious about finding the higher truths of Life. Buddhist scriptures such as the Jatakas and Pali canon gave a lot of reference for the birth of Sariputta and Moggallana, who later became the two chief disciples of the Buddha.

Sariputta was born in a village called Sarichak in the district of present Nalanda, and Mogallana was also likewise born in Nalanda. The exact birthplace of both is yet to be identified by scholars. The Buddhist traditions speak of these two disciples as the most immanent disciples of the Buddha after elder Mahakassapa. Sariputta was known as Upatissa and Mogallan as Kolita during their early life.

However, texts such as the Jatakas spoke on numerous occasions about their previous life births along with the Buddha, Yashodhara, Ananda, etc. These two disciples were known for their specific skills, such as the intellect and wisdom of Sariputta since he was the first one to receive the teachings of Abhidharma. Likewise, his friend Mogallana was known for having Abhijnna, the supernormal powers. 

Both have been said to take rebirth several times, as per Buddhist scriptures. However, the current lifetime was their eight lifetimes together on Earth. Due to previous karmic dispositions, they have, on one occasion, met with one of the five foremost disciples of the Buddha, through whom both of them got initiated into the Buddhist Sangha along with the remaining disciples of their former guru, Sanjay Bellathiputta.

Thereafter, there was no looking back for these disciples as they had so deeply trained under the profound instructions of the Buddha in the higher teachings. Also, because of their own efforts, they have made themselves so engrossed in the Buddhist fundamental and higher teachings. However, often times they have visited their homeland Nalanda to seek alms and to give discourses to their villagers, which can be found recorded in the Pali canon. 

Regarding their Mahaparinirvana, there is no clear evidence in the Buddhist or any other scriptures. It is just that in the ancient Nalanda University, one can see the remnants of the Sariputta Stupa, which was said to be built by emperor Ashoka and later on was renovated by the Gupta rulers. Similarly, one such stupa can be found on Griyak Hill, located on the back side of the Gridhakuta Mountain, which seemed to be the place where Sariputta attained Mahaparinrivana, as suggested by some Buddhist Scholars. 

If you look at the Stupa, you will find two stupas with a similar square base and cylindrical body, which may be built or renovated later under the guidance of the ASI. 

Thus, every year, the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara University holds an annual festival at this site to commemorate the Mahaparinirvana day of the famous Sariputta, where hundreds of villagers join in celebrating the annual observance, which also helps the institution to get connect with the locals and to make them aware of their own historical figures, long old gone cultures, religion and also about the preservation of natural resources and environment. 

 

Indrasāla cave : A Buddhist Site

 

Source: Author

The Buddhist literature Digha Nikaya refers to the Indrasala Cave, also known as Indrasila Guha or Indrasaila Cave, as a cave site. This was the cave where the Buddha temporarily resided and taught the Lord Indra the Sakkapaha Sutta.

The Lord of Sakra visited the Buddha in this sutta and questioned his abiding confidence in the Dharma, his connection to the teachings, and his attainment of streamwinning. The sub-themes focus on the devoted woman Gopik and the devaputra Gopak, as well as the gandharva Pacasikha, his music, and his love interest.

Sakra visits the Buddha at the Indasāla cave in Vediya mountain, and, with the help of Pañcasikha, he was able to meet Buddha. Sakra asks the Buddha a set of 5 questions, covering a total of 14 topics . The Sutta closes with Sakra’s showing his gratitude to Pañca,sikha, and attaining of streamwinning along with other devas.The young gandharva Pacca,sikha is described by the Sutta's narrator as playing his veena and singing poems "about the Buddha, the Dharma, the arhats, and love." It encompasses a variety of life's facets, including its aim (artha, sastra), way of living (dharma, sastra), love (kama, sastra), and freedom (moksha, sastra), or on what is beneficial, truthful, agreeable, and liberated. 

The Buddha in answer made them understand that the Dharma is the "method" for self-awakening, and arhathood is the end goal. "Love"—as a feeling (lust) and activity (sex)—is what drives beings as a species, as human nature, and, specifically, as the psychology behind the nature of Siddhattha's renunciation. The Buddha intervened to help them and revealed the true "purpose" of life, mundane and spiritual. The liberation category is the fourth and last one (vimokkha). A reference was also made by famous Chinese traveller Master Xuan Zang in his travolouge about this cave. 

Speaking of my own experience, I felt a deep sense of connectedness within. I felt like the Dharmakaya of Gautam Buddha was there (which may sound exaggeration), but I felt so. I was on the verge of life where I was experiencing a lack of balance in my work and personal lives. Yes, as a human being, I was also in a dilemma about love and life's purpose. To some extent, I saw the reality of myself and the people around me. Some do mischievous things intentionally, while others ignorantly. By seeing that I was in this profound paradox of Life.

I didn't question Buddha and was not even aware of this Cave and the Sakkapanna Sutta. I read Buddhist texts but never gave much focus and importance to write anything about it. 

It was after a random plan and encounter with my Dhamma friend Dr. Skalzang (Shifu) that we both planned to visit this mountain on the weekend. She has great knowledge of Buddhism and even read thoroughly the travelogue of master Xuan Zang. 

Together, we planned from our residence Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda. We took a cab and at 11 o'clock we started our journey from Nalanda. Soon we crossed Silao market known for its famous sweet dish called khaja and then we crossed Rajhir City. 

Finally, at around 11: 30 am, we reach the Gridhakuta Route. There we got fresh and had our lunch Chole Bature (favorite) and a cup of tea. Then we hired an e-rickshaw for rupees 500, there personal cabs were not allowed. At around 12:30 pm, we reached a very beautiful and exotic spot called Ghoda Kaotra, a place that was known since the ancient time during the reign of King Bimbisara. 

We crossed Godha Katora and took the help of a local guide and our rickshaw driver, and started climbing the mountain where this cave was located. It took almost an hour for both of us to scale the mountain. 

The cave was located not at the peak but quite in the middle portion of the mountain. Gradually we climbed. It was quite normal in the beginning, but as we scaled upward and reached just near the cave, to our surprise, there was a sharp cliff that need to mount up, in order to enter the cave. That was pretty challenging, but since we both are from the mountainous region (Ladakh), we scaled up quite easily with the aid of local guides. 

It was I think 2 o'clock when we entered the cave. There we were left with great awe and exuberation of joy. Since we both share the stream of Buddhist Studies, we both understand without sharing words sometimes. 

We look around and nearby, examining the cave and the stone architecture. To our surprise, there was another small cave-like structure within this cave. Since we are not rock expert, we just experienced peace. We offered candles and insence and then sit in meditation for like a half an hour.

In that meditation, I was after a long disconnection from myself, feeling connectedness with myself and the imaginary Buddha for the first time. I was bit emotional since I have been through a lot in these last two years because of work-life transition. 

I felt like Buddha was neutral and calm as usual but appreciated and acknowledged my pain. I felt like a big tap on my shoulder for a job well done but somehow misunderstood by local people.

I felt like he was asking for me to get in tune with the music, which I love most but had forgotten due to work pressure.

I felt like he was insisting me and telling me the significance of music in life and its healing power.

I also shared about my love life and perplexed heart like Gandharava Panchasika. The Buddha answered me and urge me to accept whatever happened in the past and move on with whatever was bestowed at the moment. 

I got the message clear and felt quite at ease. Then tears in my eyes started rolling. I wiped it out slowly because my dhamma friend was also in deep meditation. I don't want to disturb her peace. 

Then, I questioned my life purpose about the way I was brought here. I asked whether I have any purpose. The answer I received was yes but you have to be patient.

Then, a considerable wave actually crossed outside, but since I was in the cave, so I felt at home and safe. 

There the noise and voice inside my head separated for a while, and I realized the immense bliss I used to have in the past.

That moment was quite relaxing and miraculous for me. Then again, I felt like Buddha spoke to me, saying, "Be Fearless in Life." 

Well, then we got out of the cave, took a few pictures, had some juice and chips, and left gradually. 

That was a brief about my experience of visiting Indrasala cave.

Thank You and stay blessed

I saw My Own True Color & I started Believing in Myself More

 I am here to just drop a few words from my inner landscape. Yes, according to my inner landscape, where a constant struggle between right and wrong has been going on for a while. It was like a final inning, though, where things became more intense, cruel, and unsupportive in the last two years.

Every time, after a hard try, I found a minute reason to move on and carry on with life's utter or ultimate realities, and the people were highly judgemental and unkind.

Well, I wouldn't say that they are solely like this; some of them came out to support me and all the victims who were in some way weak or misunderstood for a variety of reasons.

For me, now the battle is culminating, I have started this battle for the good of all. 

I saw my senior comparing me with my collegueas.

I saw ugly agenda unraveling in people's offices.

I saw inculturation and dehumanization.

I observed people who weren't performing their allocated duties.

I saw people organizing many seminars and conferences just add volumes in their Resume.

I observed folks who were secretly envious of one another

I saw people keeping things and not giving cent percent to save the future of students.

I saw people undermining and not appreciating what they had done.

I saw forming lots of committees but on paper only.

I saw people of different positions, not fully understanding their duties.

I saw people exploiting people out of insecurity or for fun and drama.

Well, I saw many things in my outer landscape, which made my inner landscape quite gloomy and sad.

I started losing faith in the secular power of administrations.

I observed people forcing their beliefs on one another while showing little regard for the fundamental principles of faith, vision and humanity.

I began choking and throwing up all that my parents, teachers, and friends had taught me. All of a sudden, everything began to fall off like snowflakes, just the way wall plaster does when moisture and humidity enter it. Yes, it initially appears ugly or unsightly, and because of this, no one paid attention to it or even considered fixing it.

I was very uncomfortable seeing this ugly side of people in my outer landscape, but later on, I realized those ugly sides were a reflection of my Own True Color.

I wondered and question myself, "How I have come this ugly"?

I mediated a lot as I did nothing wrong

I questioned myself once more and examined my intuition carefully. There, I was acting with the purest of intentions. However, I later questioned what was wrong and what that one thing was that was off.

 I ask myself?

I then immersed myself in the process?

Despite the fact that I am completely truthful, people do not like me.

They have questioned every new staff, leaving only a select handful.

After trying to identify my mistakes for years, my inspiration suddenly failed me there. I didn't come here; I wasn't even brought here. I arrived without any money, but I do have individuals who will help me and support me without using dishonest tactics. Well, if that was incorrect, then perhaps, as I have no response. My parents and a few of my friends responded to my questions and requests for assistance by advising me to seize the opportunity I have been given before someone else does. People simply don't seem to care.

That evening, though, I had a dream in which I was speaking with Buddha. Although I am aware that most people won't believe in such things, I thought that this would be a nice sign to go along with the possibility of a better life that I was about to provide.

I went to an interview, and  I cleared it, and after that, I lost my peace. I was not allowed to live in Peace.

People tried to shatter my center, but I took a back seat. I was even made a part of a few agendas of which I was not even aware. 

I began to feel as though people were taking my quiet for granted.

I recently came to understand, and I even saw clearly, that the struggle I described, in the beginning, was taking place not only in my inner terrain but also in the entire outer environment, using a variety of various weapons.

My inner light, my True Self, was hidden out of fear, and I undermined myself by giving more power to those who I believed to be superior to me.

The Universe has recently made it clear to me that "No One Is Perfect," not even the person who claimed to be Perfect.

My lost faith in myself automatically grew back as soon as I realized that.

I began having more faith in myself, in my convictions, and in my honesty, which no one loves but I can live with.

Since my inner landscape is content and complete, I don't need anyone's approval or praise.

That way, I have learned to see and appreciate my Own True Color!

It is always better to observe Oneself than others

People and Culture: A view

I've spent the last five years trying to understand who I am and how the world works. I was doing everything I could, but as usual, I have this condition that makes somehow unknowingly to please people over and receive their approval. Every single day, I get ready for the outside world, and during night, I continue to wrestle with the concepts of good and evil, right and wrong.

However, during the last two years, things around me have become more intense and clouded. People in my immediate environment are getting meaner and less helpful. They are developing a harsher judgement than society as a whole.

I noticed a patriarchal and hierarchical tone. Well, I guess I'd say that's how everyone is, or maybe it's not in other parts of the world.

Each country or nation has its own culture, religion, and customs, many of which date back centuries and are still practiced today out of obligation, amusement, or a variety of other motives.

It may depend on a person's nature, which has several aspects rather than just one. Similar to this, we adhere to customs, rituals, and obligations, whether they be religious, political, or social, which is beneficial as long as there is more acceptance and understanding and less judgement or other disruptions.

I sometimes think that I am the only one who is unaware of all of these things. I have only ever read about a patriarchal culture, caste, violence, and the oppression or opprobrium of women and weak, intelligent humans in books or newspapers. Due to the fact that I was raised in a hilly, tribal region with its own distinct social structure, I have never observed these things so carefully, or perhaps I should say that I was never exposed to them. This time, when I was a little exposed, it began to take over and have an impact on both my life and the lives of those nearby.

Sometimes I think that tribal society is more developed than what is considered civilized society in some ways. The human intellect has many limitations, therefore if I perceive or experience the society in this way, it would only be a fragmentary and early comprehension of me. No matter what kind of high degree or certificate of education someone holds, human understanding also has inherent limitations. We are unable to comprehend all facets of nature.

Therefore, having an open mind and the appropriate amount of awareness and patience may be the key to learning more about human nature. As a scholar of religion and the humanities, I tried my hardest to avoid being caught up in religious sentiments and baggage, but I would say that I strive hard to recognize people as people first and foremost before considering caste religion and so forth. But as you all know, it's easy to say and difficult to achieve in practice. Still, as a scholar, I used to place importance to the currents; be the knowledge of a concept, a religious practice, or anything else that may have directly or indirectly lead us to see more of humans nature and its various tendencies.

Life is a Blessing and Humans are just its Carrier

Life is a wonderful gift. There are numerous chances to discover new things and learn new things. Every day, one day of our existence organically opens up like a book page. Sometimes it's empty and we have to fill it ourselves, but other times it hides some blessings. It moves quickly at times, almost like a flicker of the eye, yet other times it seems to be endless pages of stories.

Out of ignorance, people frequently filled it with complaints, for not realizing their aspirations or fulfilling their wishes. While other times, the way it provides selflessly and unconditionally leaves one speechless.

That's Life, and that's how Life will continue to be. 

Our lives are continuously changing, whether for the better or for the worse, but change is inevitable and smooth. People have been paralysed by this continual change in their surroundings and themselves throughout the course of human history. Despite their best efforts, humans have been unable to fully comprehend this transformation, whether through materialistic or philosophical means.

Even if they do comprehend, they have lost the flow of it.

Many animals also lost their lives and habitat due to climate change and lack of humankind, and more wars and warfare in the form of verbally abusive, rude, and unkind comments on social media, mass of fake religious and political propangandas, which resulted in more conflicts between the nation and its people. In the past two years, people throughout the world have suffered greatly due to disease, low economic growth, lack of trade and transport, loss of their dear and near ones, and many other factors.

By not controlling their thoughts and failing to comprehend their obligations to their jobs and other humans, humans suffer significantly and cause suffering in others.

However, only humans have the power to cure a broken heart, alter the course of global warming, advance commerce and the economy, and spread kindness and goodwill.

Only people have the ability to alter the trajectory of their lives.

simply by being upbeat, kind, and compassionate toward oneself and others.

Life is full with blessings, but at this crucial stage, what is needed is a lot of thankfulness and appreciation rather than any negative remarks, demeaning comments, or finger-pointing.

For life is a tremendous blessing in itself and Humans are just it carriers!

On the Eve of Diwali: A Reflection

 

Diwali is one of India's most well-known and important festival, which is celebrated by both Hindus and people of other faiths. It is a festival of light, joy, and the spirit of victory over evil. This festival, like other religious celebrations, has its roots in the illustrious past of India, particularly in legends like the Ramayana.
Diwali is mainly celebrated to remind the Lord Ram's victorious return to Ayodhya (India). Lord Ram was sent on exile along with his wife Sita for fourteen long years, but during those time, Sita was abducted by the vicious Ravana, the Lord of demon who took her to the island of Sri Lanka.
In a sense, it is more than just a simple celebration of light; it also has a deeper significance for the world's salvation, the salvation of women, and the pursuit of virtue. There are still numerous areas where women are still severely oppressed, despite the fact that they are now much more matured, educated, and empowered.
In many regions of India, women continue to lack access to basic care and education. Many places where men are not properly educated and fed mentally, which is why all evils still find a place in their minds very easily. Which is not to say that women should despise males or compete with them, but after all, we live in a global community. However, by taking a lesson from the life of Lord Ram and Sita, we must love, care and respect for one another as well as have faith and trust in one another. 
Similarly in other tradition also, there must be some stories or myth following the color of grandeurs light and celebrations. 
However, I am neither obsessed with history nor with the epic Life stories of these mightiest Legends, I was rather amazes by this bright yellow and crimson light emanating from the exquisite hand-made diyas which astounded my mind and took away my heart. 
Fire, as we all know, has warmth as one of its properties. And I was simply taking in its vibrant colour and the pure warmth and comfort light which occasionally blended with white, yellow, red, and indigo lights. 
Given that it is naturally bright and light, its presence in every home and in every soul warm and delight in its pure essence. 
I am sure there are many more modern days Ravanas present in our house, in our home, in our mind, and in our spirit and also in our environment which drain us unknowingly and make us look tried and weary. It must not necessarily our mobile phone and laptops, or any technologies which basically lack any emotion or any energies. 
Modern days ravanas must be our own constant negative buildups, overthinking because of weak mindsets, insecurities, lack of faith and trust, fear of missing out so on and so forth. These things truly suck in our all pure energy and and pure spirit and vibrant light of our soul. 
The light of Diwali is to gives us more spirit and positive energy to recharge our body and renew our mind and mindsets. Which is why I think every individual no matter what the faith or tradition should come forward to celebrate this festival of Light called Diwali.

Autumn : A season of Fall

 

Autumn is one of the best season of the year, with its fiery scarlet leaves gracefully fluttering to the ground. With it's lovely languid glides to earth, which conveys it's greatest accomplishments and deep contentment.

Once more tumbling with complete grace, but this time with more grace and satisfaction. The mighty cold winter and protracted sleep, the buzzing winds of Spring waved through Summer in full dress and bloom.

Ah! What a year and Season in nature for Change!

Summers bloom has produced some buried foes.  Everyone, both known and unknown, competes for the beauty of Summer, but Autumn, a season of complete rest and tranquility with no extreme, but only a slow re- rooting to earth, it's source and it's proper place of belonging.

After all work and the labor of Stocking, Storing, the Exchanging and Evaluating, the profits and the loss, the pressure of work force has consumed the very pure Spirit of mankind. 

Well, the Autum is here for all of us to remind, that fall and rest is equally a necessary component of Nature .

That the vibrant color of Summer is now over, but with assurance to come back, it time for all of us to evolved back  into our own color and our own pure nature, which is not green and bright and Sunny, but it is like a crimson, scarlet foliage and the mild Sunshine.

For this beautiful hues of Autum even the  Moon has dropped few compliment.

Yes guys! It's me, Autum

Watch me falling in grace, Observe my elegant fall and relaxed like a Zen moment, complete peace and stillness, a total relaxation!!