- The Concept of Personality
Revealed Through The Pancanikaya
- Ven. Thich Chon-Thien
- Part Four: Pancakkhandhā and
Individual Problems
- IV.2 Chapter 2
- The Five Aggregates and
Individualized Education
As discussed in (IV. 1.5), training a man
for his regard of wisdom requires various spirits of education very human, practical and
realistic, although such a theory of personality as usual is not available here.
IV.2.1:
INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION
With regard to individual differences in
the spheres of physics, psychology, spirituality, social class and capacity,
individualized education is needed in schools of modern time. Lord Buddha was the one who
taught people on the basis of spirits of individualized education in response to various
temperaments of men: Precepts (or Sėla) applied for lay people are different from those
applied for monks and nuns. Speeches used to teach dhamma to worldly persons are different
from those used to teach the learned.
In Kindred Sayings, Vol. V, PTS, 1990, pp.
364-365, it is recorded that:
" Monks, the Aryan Truth of "This is Ill"
has been pointed out by me. Therein are numberless shades and variations of meaning.
Numberless are the way of illustrating this Aryan Truth of "This is Ill".
The Aryan Truth of "This is the arising of Ill"
has been pointed out by me...
The Aryan Truth of "This is the ceasing of Ill"
has been pointed out by me...
The Aryan Truth of "This is the Practice that leads
to the ceasing of Ill" has been pointed out by me...". (1)
("Idam dukkham ariyacaccan ti, bhikkhave, mayā
pannattam / tattha aparimānā vannā aparimānā vyanjanā aparimānā samkāsanā
itipidam dukkham ariyasaccan ti //
Idam dukkhasamudayam // la /
Idam dukkhanirodham // la //
Idam dukkhanirodhagāminė patipadā ariyasaccanti,
bhikkhave, mayā pannattam // tattha aparimānā vannā aparimānā vyanjanā aparimānā
samkasanā itipidam dukkhani-rodhagāminė patipadā ariyasaccan ti") (2)
When introducing "passion" to
peasants or worldly men, Lord Buddha used simple words spoken by them in daily life. He
said:
_" As rain breaks through an ill-thatched house,
Passion will break through an unflecting mind". (3) (Dhp. 13)
*("Yathā agāram ducchannam vutthi samativijjhati
Evam abhāvitam cittam rāgo samativijjhati).(4) (Dhp. 93)
_" As rain does not break through a well- thatched
house,
Passion will not break through a well- reflectingmind." (5) (Dhp. 14)
*("Yathā agāram succhannam vutthi na
samativijjhati,
Evam subhāvitam cittam rāgo na samativijjhati".) (6)
The picture of an ill-thatched and
well-thatched house is very close to the peasants: it will be very easy for them to
understand what Lord Buddha means.
For the learned lay people or monks, Lord
Buddha used the language spoken by them, such as:
"The eye of a man, brethren, is the ocean. Its
impulse is made of objects (or forms). Whoso endureth that object-made impulse, of him,
brethren, it is said, "he hath crossed over that ocean of the eye, with its waves and
whirlpools, its sharks and demons, the brahmin hath crossed and gone beyond. He standeth
on dry ground.
The tongue of a man, brethren, is the ocean... The ear...
The nose... The mind... " (7)
("Cakkhu, bhikkhave, purisassa samuddo tassa
ruųpamayo vego // yo tam ruųpamayam vegam sahati ayam vuccati, bhikkhave, atari
cakkhusamuddasmim sāvattam sagāham sarakkhasam tinno pāragato thale titthati brāhmano
// la // Jivhā, bkikkhave, purisassa... // ... // Mano, bhikkhave, purisassa samuddo...
//") (8)
Or such as:
" .. Brethren, the all is on fire. What all,
brethren, is on fire? The eye, brethren, is on fire, objects areon fire, eye-consciousness
is on fire, eye-contact... that also on fire. On fire with what? - On fire with the blaze
of lust, the blaze of ill-will, of infatuation, birth, decay, death, sorrow, etc. So I
declare? (9)
("Sabbam, bhikkhave, ādittam, // Kinca, bhikkhave
sabbam ādittam // Cakkhum, bhikkhave, ādittam // ruųpā ādittā // cakkhu vinnānam
ādittam // Cakkhusamphasso āditto // yam pidam cakkhusamphassapaccayā uppajjati
vedayitam sukham vā dukham vā adukkhamasukham vā // tam pi ādittam // Kena ādittam //
Rāgagginā dosagginā mohagginā ādittam// Jātiyā jarāya maranena sokehi paridevehi
dukkhehi domanassehi upāyāsehi ādittanti vadāmi // pe //
Jivhā ādittā //...// rasā... // Jivhāvinnānam...
//... Mano āditto dhammā ādittā manovinnānam ādittam...//") (10)
This language sounds very philosophical
and thoughtful. It may keep a deep attention of the learned.
All the above examples imply the same
doctrine of wisdom, although they are spoken in different languages. This is the meaning
of the expression that: "Lord Buddha taught His wonderful Dhamma in different ways to
different groups of listeners"
In Khuddakanikāya, the stories about
Therā and Therė were recorded that : Lord Buddha did teach them in different ways to
destroy their fetters. This says themeaning of individualized education: each person has
his own Kamma, and so he needs a separate way to deal with that Kamma. In other words,
each individual thinks with his own mind and goes with his own legs.
Self-responsibility:
A system of individualized education
demands educational spirits of self-responsibility, self-confidence, self-support,
self-control. self-acceptance, self-awareness, etc... Without them, it cannot work.
For self-responsibility, Lord Buddha did
ask people not to depend on Him or on any external power. He taught:
" Self is the lord of self, who else could be the
lord? With self well subdued, a man finds a lord such as few can find" (11) (Dhp.
160)
("Attā hi attano nātho ko hi nātho paro siyā,
Attano'va sudantena nātham labhati dullabham.") (12)
And:
" Make thyself an island, work hard, be wise! When
thy impurities are blown away, and thou art free from guilt, thou wilt enter into the
heavenly world of the Ariyans" (13) (Dhp. 236)
("So karohi dėpamattano khippam vāyama pandito
bhava,Niddhantamalo anangano dibbam ariyabhuųmimehisi") (14)
Or:
" All that we are is the result of what we have
thought: it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts. If a man speaks or
acts with an evil thought, pain follows him as the wheel follows the foot of the ox that
draws the carriage". (15) (Dhp. 1.)
("Manopubbangamā dhammā manosetthā manamayā,
Manasā ce padutthena bhāsati vā karoti vā, Tato nam dukkhamanveti cakkam va vahato
padam".) (16) (Dhp. .1)
Dhammapada, Verse No 2, says similarly: if
a man acts or speaks with a pure thought, happiness follows him like his shadow that never
leaves him.
All the above teachings imply the emphasis
on the spirit of self-responsibility. Without it, the law of Kamma does not work, and
Buddhism has nothing to do with human beings. Without it, no system of social law could be
implemented, and human society immediately falls into disturbances. Without it, no system
of education can be formed either. Self-responsibility is therefore one of the root
spirits of Buddhist education as well as non - Buddhist education.
It should be noted here that: Lord Buddha
taught the truth of selflessness of every existing thing on the one hand, and asked a
person to regard things as not "he", not "his" and not "his
self" so that he can abandon craving and grasping - the causes of his suffering, on
the other hand. He taught the self-spirits of education so that the person himself can
develop his capacities for his liberation and happiness. No contradiction exists therein.
This is the only way for him to achieve his purpose of life: wisdom and happiness, and to
achieve the truth of selflessness: the ultimate Noble Truth, because the other
self-perception ways having been tested by human beings just cannot resolve their fateful
suffering.
That spirit of self-responsibility
therefore helps a person get out of the phenomenon of alienation and really proves that
the non-self-perception way of life is extremely close to individuals and human society.
Self-confidence:
Besides self-responsibility, the practice
of wisdom regard asks the practician to have self-confidence being sure that with his own
effort he can realize truth and happiness in the here - and - now.
The meaning of taking refuge in oneself,
as Lord Buddha taught above, is the meaning of self-confidence.
The fact Lord Buddha declared in the
Assembly of Sangha the attainment of Arahantship of those who got it implies the
encouragement of self-confidence and the awakening of self-confidence in those who had not
attained the highest Sainthood. This will help them improve their self-control shaken by a
lack of self-confidence. Lord Buddha said:
" If a man's faith is unsteady, if he does not know
the true law, if his peace of mind is troubled, his knowledge will never be perfect."
(17)
("Anavattathitacittassa, saddhammam avijānato,
Pariplavapasādassa pannā na paripurati." ) (18)
When the Kālāmas wavered among various
points of view of non-Buddhist masters, they came to Lord Buddha for advice, Lord Buddha
spoke:
" Now look you, Kālāmas. Be ye not misled by report
or tradition or hearsay be not misled by proficiency in the collections, nor by mere logic
or inference, nor after considering reasons, nor after reflection on and approval of some
theory, nor because it fits becoming, nor out of respect for a recluse (who holds it).
But, Kālāmas, when you know for yourselves: these things are unprofitable, these things
are blameworthy, these things are censured by the intelligent; these things, when
performed and undertaken, conduce to loss and sorrow, then indeed do ye reject them,
Kālāmas." (19)
("Alam hi vo, Kālāmā, kankhitum alam
vicikicchitum. Kankhāniye va pana vo thāne vicikicchā uppannā.
Etha tumhe, Kālāmā, mā anussavena mā paramparāya mā
iti kirāya mā pitakasampadānena mā ditthinijjhānakkhantiyā mā bhavyaruųpatāya mā
samano no garu ti, yadā tumhe, Kālāmā, attanā va jāneyyātha- ime dhammā akusalā
ime dhammā sāvajjā ime dhammā vinnugarahitā ime dhammā samattā samādinnā ahitāya
dukkhāya samvattantė ti atha tumhe, Kālāma, pajaheyyātha.") (20)
The above teaching is but a guidance
suggesting the Kālāmas to turn back to their true experience of life and to be confident
in themselves.
Indeed, in daily life, a person can
continue surviving without confidence in others, but without self-confidence he cannot
survive; otherwise, he exists as a body without soul.
In a religious life, every task done for
liberation, the release of suffering, requires the presence of right view, right thought
and right effort which never lack of self-confidence. A stream Enterer (sotagami), the
first fruit (phala) of Sainthood, is defined as the one who has unshaken confidence in
Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha and sėla (precepts), so he must have confidence in himself and his
effort.
The fact that Lord Buddha enlightened in
this life through His own effort has a meaning of establishing self-confidence for human
beings: with his own effort, a human being can attain what Lord Buddha attained under the
Bodhi-tree. And, even the Noble Truth of Dependent Origination Lord Buddha realized gives
individuals a confidence that a man's suffering and ignorance are conditioned: they are
unreal and may be changed if he has right thoughts and actions.
The above statements all imply the meaning
of establishing self- confidence.
Self-awareness:
With self-responsibility and
self-confidence, a person starts practising his regard of wisdom to extinguish his
troubles. The regard asks him to be aware of existing things around him without attachment
to them. So, from his observing and analysing things his awareness isreinforced: this is
the existence of self-awareness.
In the course of his practice of the
mentioned regard, he will see the impermanence, egolessness and suffering of the five
aggregates. This seeing is meant his self-awareness which helps him detach from his desire
for impermanent things and his troubles. When this practice is cultivated again and again;
his "self-awareness" will be at a level called wisdom (pannā). In other words,
in worldly men, self-awareness really is "right view" and "right
thought"; in meditations, it is called medetative vision; and in Saints, it is called
wisdom or perfect wisdom.
On the basis of awareness, the practician
develops his "self-control" of Activities aggregate (meaning controlling his
mind, his speech and his body) and his task of the blowing off his impurities as Lord
Buddha said:
" The wise who control their body, who control their
tongue, the wise who control their mind, are indeed well controlled." (21) (Dhp. 234)
("Kāyena samvutā dhėrā atho vacāya samvutā,
Manasā samvutā dhėrā te ve suparisamvutā") (22)
" The disciples of Gotama are always well awake, and
their mind day and night always delights in compassion." (23) (Dhp. 300)
("Suppabuddham pabujjhanti sadā Gotamasāvakā,
Yesam divā ca ratto ca ahimsāya rato mano.") (24) (Dhp. 300)
" The disciples of Gotama are always well awake, and
their mind day and night always delights in meditation." (25) (Dhp. 301)
("Suppabuddham pabujjhanti sadā Gotamasāvakā,
Yesam divā ca ratto ca bhāvanāya rato mano.") (26)
Self-awareness is the soul of a person's
regard of wisdom indeed: it is the start and also the destination of that regard. In other
words, self-awareness is the first and last purpose of practising Dhamma.
It is this which is the object of the
search for truth of man, but not any nature of personality.
Self-acceptance:
In the case a person's awareness is not
strong enough or is absent from his regard to things, especially his regard to the inside
parts of his five aggregates, his wrong view and thought, as of his kamma, arise in his
mind and lead him to wrong deeds and to troubles. This is the time when he becomes
unsatisfied with himself: his body, his descent, knowledge or social position, etc. So,
for preventing the arising of wrong thoughts and deeds in that case, the person should
learn to accept what he is and what he has. This is the meaning of self-acceptance.
For his body, a person always wishes for a
good looking form with beautiful face, complexion, etc. If his body appears not good
looking as what he wants, he feels so painful. For his descent, if he was born in a family
of low caste, he feels terribly disappointed. For his knowledge and social position, if he
does not have high knowledge and high rank to be admired or respected, he may feel so
sad... In addition to those things, hornours, praises, advantages,.., may cause him
shaking. Therefore, Lord Buddha declared:
"Monks, these eight worldly conditions obsess the
world; the world revolves round these eight worldly conditions. What eights?- Gain and
loss, fame and obscurity, blame and praise, contentment and pain. Monks, these eight
worldly conditions obsess the world, the world revolves round these eight
conditions..." (27)
("Atth'ime, bhikkhave, lokadhammā lokam
anuparivattanti, loko ca attha lokadhamme anuparivattati Katame attha?
Lābho ca alābho ca yaso ca ayaso ca nindā ca pasamsā
ca sukhanca dukkhanca. Ime kho, bhikkhave, attha lokadhammā lokam anuparivattanti, loko
ca ime attha lokadhamme anuparivattatė ti.") (28)
The above worldly conditions are
impermanent. Even when a person gets "gain, fame, praise and contentment" his
fear of change may cause his mind agitated and worried. So, to keep his mind in peace he
must know how to accept what he is. Otherwise, the worldly conditions will happen to him
as a strong wind blowing and striking at the root of his meditation tree and causing
disaster in his mind.
Spirit of Practicalness
A person's trouble may be caused by his
wrong thought of things: he thinks of things that should not bethought of, or does not
think of things to be thought of as the following teaching mentions:
" The past should not be followed after, the future
not desired. What is past is got rid of and the furure has not come. But whoever has
vision now here, now there, of a present thing, knowing that it is immovable, unshakable,
let him cultivate it. Swelter at the task this very day. Who knows whether he will die
tomorrow?
There is no bargaining with the great hosts of Death. Thus
abiding ardently, unwearied day and night, He indeed is "Auspicious" called,
decribed as a sage at peace." (29)
(" Atėtam nānvāgameyya, nappatikankhe anāgatam
Yad atėtam pahėnan tam, appattanca anāgatam. Paccupannan ca yo dhammam, tattha tattha
vipassati, Asamhėram asamkuppam,tam vidvā manubruhaye. Ajj'eva kiccam ātappam; ko
jannā maranam suve? Na hi no samgaran tena, mahāsenena maccunā. Evam vihārim ātāpim,
ahorattam atanditam Tam ve bhaddekaratto ti, santo ācikkhate munėti.") (30)
The discourse on "Bhaddekaratta"
explained the meaning implied in the above teaching. With regard to this discourse, a
person thinks of his material shape in the past, thinks of his feeling, his perception,
his activities, his conciousness in the past, and delights therein: this is the meaning of
following after the past that should not be done.
The person thinks of his future and a
thought arises in his mind that: "may my body, my feeling, my perception, my
activities, my consciousness be thus in the future" and he delights therein: this is
the meaning of desiring future that should not be done.
As to the present things, he should regard
his body, his feeling, his perception, his activities, his consciousness as not his self,
or self not having them, or they are not in the self, or the self not in them: this is the
meaning of having vision of persent things he should practise day after day.
So, the above teaching really shows
individuals the practical way to live in peace of mind: if a person practises it one day,
he will be a sage at peace in one day; if he practises it day after day, he may become a
true sage, who completely destroys the cause of all troubles and sufferings, and abides in
happiness for good.
In the case of a worldly man who just can
practise it partly, he may reduce his immediate troubles to the least, and save a lot of
energy for use for his jobs.
In the author's opinion, following after
the past or desiring the future is living with the image of reality, but not living in
reality; this is an unrealistic and unpractical way of life. Living in the very present
moment is living a true life which can help a man see things as they really are: this is a
realistic and practical way to live: this also is the meaning of the spirit of
practicalness taught by Lord Buddha.
Spirit of middle way:
Another spirit of education taught by Lord
Buddha to help individuals avoid two extremes of life for vision, knowledge and calm is
the spirit of middle way. In His first discourse of Noble Truths He said:
"Monks, these two extremes should not be followed by
one who has gone forth as a wanderer. What two?
Devotion to the pleasures of sense, a low practice of
villagers, a practice unworthy, unprofitable, the way of the world (on the one hand), and
(on the other) devotion to self - mortification, which is painful, unworthy and
unprofitable.
By avoiding these two extremes the Tathāgata has gained
knowledge of that middle path which giveth vision, which giveth knowledge, which causeth
calm, special knowledge, enlightenment, Nibbāna.
And what, monks, is that middle path which giveth
vision,.., Nibbāna?
Verily it is this Aryan eightfold way, to wit; right view,
right thought, right speech, right action, right living, right effort, right mindfulness,
right concentration. This, monks, is that middle path which giveth vision, which giveth
knowledge, which causeth calm, special knowledge, enlightenment, Nibbāna." (31)
("Dve me, bhikkhave, antā pabbajitena na sevittabbā
// Katame dve // Yo cāyam kāmesu kāmasukhallikānuyogo hėno gammo puthujjanėko
anariyo anatthasamhito // yo cāyam attakilamathānuyogo dukkho anariyo anatthasamhito //
Ete te, bhikkhave, ubho ante anupagamma majjhimā patipadā Tathāgatena abhisambuddhā
cakkhukaranė nānakaranė upasamāya abhinnaya sambodhāya nibbānāya samvattati //
Katamā ca, bhikkhave, majjhimā patipadā Tathāgatena
abhisambuddhā cakkhukāranė... nibbānāya samvattati // Ayam eva ariyo atthangiko maggo
// seyyathėdam // sammāditthi... sammāsamādhi // Ayam kho sā, bhikkhave, majjhimā
patipadā Tathāgatena abhisambuddhā cakkhukaranė nanakaranė upasamāya abhinnāya
sambodhāya nibbānāya samvattati // ") (32)
Even to the practice of "right
effort", which is the most important task in completing other tasks, the practician
should do in time and in the spirit of middle-way. Otherwise, the practice will become
unworthy and unprofitable, as Lord Buddha showed:
" At such time, monks, as the mind is sluggish, then
is the season for cultivating the limb of wisdom that is norm - investigation,.. energy,..
zest. Why so? Because, monks, the sluggish mind is easily raised up by such
conditions."
" At such time, monks, as the mind is elated, then is
the wrong season for cultivating the limb of wisdom, that is norm - investigation,..
energy,.. zest. Why so? Because, monks, the elated mind is hard to be calmed by such
conditions." (33)
("Yasmim ca kho, bhikkhave, samaye lėnam cittam hoti
// kālo tasmim samaye dhammavicayasamhojjhangassa bhāvanāya kālo viriyasambojjhangassa
bhāvanāya kālo pėtisambojjhangassa bhāvanāya // Tam kissa hetu // lėnam, bhikkhave,
cittam tam etehi dhammehi susamutthāpayam hoti // ...
Yasmim, bhikkhave, samaye uddhatam cittam hoti // akālo
tasmim samaye dhammavicayasambojjhangassa bhāvanāya // akālo viriya... // akālo
pėti... //
Tam kissa hetu // uddhatam bhikkhave cittam tam etehi
dhammehi duvupasamayam hoti //") (34)
The above teaching is excellent advice by
Lord Buddha for individuals practising Dhamma. It always requires wisdom (or right view
and right thought) to follow a person's mind to know where it is to choose which path is
appropriate for the immediate practice - knowing where one's mind also means self -
understanding.
Spirit of analysis:
The middle way of practice is also lighted
up by other interesting spirits such as analysis, criticism and creativeness.
It must be said that Lord Buddha's method
of teaching Dhamma is analysis based on reality. This method is far different from those
which are based on pure reasons of soul - theories. The Four Noble Truths preached for the
first time at Deer Park, Benares, started from reality: "life is suffering",
then analysed in fouraspects: suffering which is birth, old-age, sickness, death,
separating from what one likes, being with what one dislikes not getting what one wants,
in short, five aggregates are suffering; the cause of suffering which is craving or the
arising of Dependent Origination; the cessation of suffering which is Nibbaāna; and the
way to the cessation of suffering which is the Eightfold Noble Path.
The doctrine of Dependent Origination, the
truth of this world, and the five aggregates making up what is called a man were analysed
thoroughly by Lord Buddha.
Analysing the understanding an existing
thing, Lord Buddha showed that: a man should know its existence, the cause of its
existence, its ceasing, and the way to its ceasing (in many discourses).
For the dhammas which can only be seen
directly by perfect wisdom, Lord Buddha advised individuals not to think of them, such as:
" Monks, there are these four unthinkables, not to be
thought of, thinking of which one would be distraught and come to grief. What are the
four?
Of Buddhas, monks, the range is unthinkable; world -
speculation (Lokā - cintā)..." (35)
("Cattār'imāni, bhikkhave, acinteyyāni na
cintetabbāni yāni cintento ummādassa vighātassa bhāgė assa. Katamāni cattāri?
Buddhānam, bhikkhave, buddhavisayo acinteyyo na
cintetabbo yam cintento ummādassa vighātassabhāgė assa; jhāyissa, bhikkhave,
jhānavisayo..., kammavipāko..., lokacintā...") (36)
For states of mind, such as lust (lobha),
malice (dosa) and illusion (moha), He analysed and showed that one can understand them by
seeing them with the eye of wisdom, but not with belief, argument or reflection on
reasons... He taught:
"Herein, brethren, a brother beholding an object with
the eye, either recognizes within him the existence of lust, malice and illusion, thus:
"I have lust, malice and illusion, or recognizes the non-existence of these qualities
within him, thus: "I have not lust, malice and illusion". Now as to that
recognition of their existence and non - existence within him, are these conditions, I
ask, to be understood by belief, or inclination, or hearsay, or argument as to method, or
reflection on reasons, or delight in speculation?
- "Surely not, Lord".
Are these states to be understood by seeing them with the
eye of wisdom?
-." Surely, Lord". (37)
("Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cakkhunā ruųpam disvā
santam vā ajjhattam rāgadosamoham Atthi me ajjhattam rāgadosamohoti pajānāti
//asantam vā ajjhattam rāgadosamoham Natthi me ajjhattam rāgadosamohoti pajānāti //
yantam, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cakkhunā ruųpam disvā santam vā ajjhattam rāgadosamoham
Atthi me... Natthi me... // api nu me, bhikkhave, dhammā saddhāya vā veditabbā ruciyā
vā veditabbā anussavena vā veditabbā ākāra - parivitakkena vā veditabbā
ditthinijjhā nakhantiyā vā veditabbā ti // No hetam bhante //
Nanu me, bhikkhave, dhammā pannāya disvā veditabbā ti
//Evam bhante //") (38)
It is similar for hearing a sound with the
ear, smelling a scent with the nose, tasting a savour with the tongue, contacting a
tangible with the body, and cognizing a mental state with the mind.
In Gradual Sayings (Vol I, PTS, 1989, pp.
178-179), Lord Buddha analysed the conditions expressed by the one who is competent or
incompetent to discuss, and advised His disciples to follow the following basic points:
- If a person is asked a question, and he can give a
categorical reply to the question requiring it, a discriminating reply to the question
requiring it, a counter - reply to the question requiring it, or he does not waive a
question which should be waived, such a person is really competent to discuss. And
inversely.
- If a person is asked a question, and he does not abide
by conclusions, whether right or wrong, he does not abide by an assumption, does not abide
by recognized arguments, does not abide by usual procedure, such a person really is
incompetent to discuss. And inversely.
- If a person is asked a question, then he evades the
question by another, or he turns it off the point, or he displays his vexation, malice or
sulkiness, such a person is actually incompetent to discuss. And inversely.
- If a person is asked a question, then instead of giving
reply he loads with abuse and beats down the questioner, laughs him to scorn and catches
him up when he falters, such a person is actually incompetent to discuss.
- If he does not do anything of the above, he really is
competent to discuss.
The above are typical cases of analysis
among so many cases taught by Lord Buddha. All of them will bring men insight into things,
but not knowledge coming from the experience of sense organs.
Spirit of criticism:
Together with the method of analysis, Lord
Buddha taught a spirit of criticism. This spirit estimates the object analysed whether it
is right or wrong, wholesome or unwholesome, acceptable or unacceptable, suitable to
Dhamma or not; etc. after process of analysis.
In the teaching for the Kālamas mentioned
before, it runs that, "... Be ye not misled by report..." the Tathāgata asked
His disciples to criticize things on the basis of their observation, analysis and wisdom.
He asked them, in "the discourse on Inquiring" (vėmamsakasuttam) (Middle Length
Saying, Vol, No 47) to observe and check Him whether He is a Fully self - awakened One or
not. He said:
"Monks, an inquiring monk, learning the range of
another's mind, should make a study of the Tathāgata so as to distinguish whether He is
an Enlightened One or not. ..
Monks, should study the Tathāgata in regard to two
things: things cognisable through the eye and through the ear, thinking: "Do those
impure states cognisable through the eye and ear exist in the Tathāgata or not?..."
Monks, Tathāgata should Himself be further questioned
hereon: "Do these impure states cognisable through the eye and ear exist in the
Tathāgata or not?..."
Monks, if anyone in whom faith in the Teacher is
established, rooted, supported by these methods, by these words, that faith is called
reasoned, based on vision, strong... Thus, monks, does there come to be study of the
Tathagata's dhamma, and thus does the Tathāgata come to be well studied in the proper
manner." (39)
("Vėmamsakena, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā parassa
cetoopariyāyam ājānantena dvėsu dhammesu Tathāgato samannesitabbo,
cakkhusotavinneyyesu: ye sankilittha cakkhusotavinneyyā dhammā samvijjanti vā te
Tathāgatassa no va ti...
Tatra, bhikkhave, Tathāgato va uttarim patipucchitabbo:
Ye sankilitthā cakkhusotavinneyyā dhammā samvijjanti vā te Tathāgatassa no va ti...
Evam kho, bhikkhave, Tathāgate dhammasamannesanā hoti,
Evanca pana Tathāgato dhammatā susamannittho hotė ti.") (40)
The above quotation proves Lord Buddha, on
His way of educating men, concerned much about the spirit of criticism. This spirit will
help His disciples improve their "self - awareness", "self -
understanding", "self- confidence", their capacity of analysis, and their
vision. This sounds very wise and human.
Spirit of creativeness:
Being with the wisdom regard, self -
awareness, spirit of criticism,.., creativeness is another distinguished spirit of
Buddhist education.
The wisdom regard to things existing in
"self - awareness" always sees things as they really are in the very present
moment. These things are flowing on and on without any pause: this means they always are
new at each moment: the subject of the regard is new, and its object is also new. This is
the condition of the seeing of creativeness.
Charles E. Skinner in his book titled
"Educational Psychology'' wrote:
" Creative thinking means that the predictions and/or
inferences for the individual are new, original, ingenious, unusual. The creative thinker
is one who explores new areas and makes new observations, new predictions, new
inferences") (41).
With regard to this definition of creative
thinking, or creative thinker, the Buddhist way of life led by the wisdom regard ; or by
right view and right thought; really is a way of life of creativeness.
It may be said without doubt that the
individual's characteristics of self-confidence, self-awareness, self-support,
self-responsibility, criticism, analysis, actually are those of a creative thinker. When a
person's task of cultivating his regard to things is done, the five hindrances (panca
niėvaranāni) and the ten fetters (dasa kilesā) hindering his mind from the truth of
things are gradually destroyed, and his mind becomes free: this free mental state really
is a state of creativeness. When his mind abides in the third and fourth meditation, his
regard can see in the depth of the existence of things and discover new areas of them:
this is a regard of creativeness.
Such is the spirit of creativeness of the
way of life taught by Lord Buddha.
Spirit of meditation:
The wisdom regard mentioned will be
reinforced and the source of creativeness of mind will be awakened by the practice of
meditation which is the main task of the Buddhist Way (Magga) to liberation.
Meditation is understood as calming
individual's desire and immediate troubles. It transforms the five hindrances
(restlessness, torpor and sloth, sensuous desire, ill-will, sceptical doubt) into the five
meditative mental factors (thought-conception, discursive thinking, rapture; joy,
equanimity- happiness-one pointedness in the "first meditation; rapture; joy,
equanimity-happiness- onepointedness in the "second meditation"; joy,
equanimity-happiness-onepointedness in the "third meditation"; equanimity -
happiness - one pointednessin the "fourth meditation"). And all evil thoughts
arising from the five hindrances also are calmed or destroyed.
In the "fourth meditation", the
wisdom regard or vipassana is developed fast and comfortably.
So, meditation responds to the following
purposes of life:
- Calming immediate troubles of a person practising it.
- Opening a source of creativeness which is a very
important factor contributing to the construction of human culture and civilization.
- Developing the wisdom regard for ceasing the cause of
suffering.
- Seeing the truth of the existence of men and things.
This is why Lord Buddha taught His
disciples that:
" The Bhikkhu whose body and tongue and mind are
quieted, who is collected, and has rejected the baits of the world, he is called
quiet." (42) (Dhp. 378)
("Santakāyo santavāco santavā susamāhito,
Vantalokāmiso bhikkhu upasanto'ti vuccati"). (43)
And:
" The bhikkhu, full of delight, who is happy in the
doctrine of Buddha will reach the quiet place (Nibbāna), happiness consisting the
cessation of natural inclinations.) (44) (Dhp. 381)
("Pāmojjabahulo bhikkhuâ pasanno buddha-
sāsane, Adhigacche padam santam sankhāruųpa samam sukham. " (45) (Dhp. 381)
So, during the period of time of
practising meditation for wisdom regard, an individual lives in the fresh air of mind with
happy feelings and gets rid of all troubles, worries withering the flowers of young
generations
In addition to the above things, the
practice of following breathing in - and breathing out may help worldly men improve their
capacity of memory and observation which is very interesting to students in schools; the
practice of following and observing their mind will help them see their mental problems as
the result of a task of self - therapy.
In short, the way of Buddhist meditation,
including Calm (samatha) and Insight (vipassanā) is the way of seeing, developing and
cultivating one's mind. Without it, a person cannot understand what he really is, and
cannot resolve his psychological problems for peace and happiness in the here - and - now,
as Lord Buddha affirmed:
" There is, monks, this only way to the purification
of beings, for the overcoming of sorrow and distress, for the disappearance of pain and
sadness, for the gaining of the right path, for the realization of Nibbāna: that is to
say the four foundations of mindfulness." (46)
("Ekāyāno ayam, bhikkhave, maggo sattānam
visudhiyā sokapatiddavānam samatikkamāya dukkhadomassānam atthagamāya
nāyassaadhigamāya nibbānassa sacchikiriyāya cattāro satipatthanā.") (47)
But being with the practice of it -
meaning the practice of Four Foundations of Mindfulness, cattāro satipatthāna - is the
real meaning of a significant life to live: it is the way of return to oneself for taking
refuge in oneself but not in any other man or superpower; it is the way to be an island
for oneself. During His last days before parinibbāna, Lord Buddha solicitously taught
Ānanda, his closest disciple, that:
"Therefore, Ānanda, you should live as islands unto
yourselves, being your own refuge, with no one else as your refuge, with the Dhamma
as an island, with the Dhamma as your refuge, with no other refuge? Here, Ānanda, a monk
abides contemplating the body as body, earnestly, clearly aware, mindful and having put
away all hankering and fretting for the world, and likewise with regard to feelings, mind
and mind - objects. That, Ānanda, is how a monk lives as an island unto himself,.. with
no other refuge. And those who now in my time or afterwards live thus, they will become
the hightest, if they are desirous of learning." (48)
("Idh' Ānanda, bhikkhu kāye kāyānupassė viharati
ātāpė sampajāno satimā vineyya loke abhijjhā- domanassam, vedanāsu... pe...
citte... pe..., dhammesu dhammānupassė viharati ātāpė sampajāno satimā vineyya loke
abhjja- domanassam, evam kho, Ānanda, bhikkhuattadėpo viharati attasarano ananna
-sarano, dhammadėpo dhammasarano anannasarano.") (49)
This is the only way for everybody: When
this way is put into practice, many different results will come to different practicians
because of their different temperaments, capacities, volitions, efforts, determinations,
etc., called their old and new Kammas. So, Kamma is another subject to be examined for
understanding a man's activities.
IV.2.2:
INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION
Verse No. 1 and verse No. 2 of Dhammapada
as quoted in the part of "Spirit of Self- responsibility" of this work, imply
the meaning of Kamma which says:
* Man's thought put on an action of body,
speech or mind is the root cause of his deed defining his deed is either good or evil. The
result of it will be happy or painful accordingly.
* Man's kamma is called evil, if it is
caused by craving, ill - will or illusion.
* Man's kamma is called good, if it is
caused by desirelessness, compassion or wisdom.
* Unwholesome deed will actually lead the
doer to woe - states of existence.
* Wholesome deed will lead the doer to
happy states of existence.
* Between the cause of a deed and its
result exists a short or long period of time, according to the kind of kamma.
* No external power gives reward or
punishment to a man's deed.
* The doer of deeds also is the receiver
of their results as Lord Buddha declared:
" I am the result of my own deeds; heir to deeds;
deeds are matrix; deeds are kin; deeds are foundation; whaterver deed I do, whether good
or bad, I shall become heir to it - this ought to be often contemplated by woman and man,
by house dweller and by one gone forth." (50)
("Kammassako'mhi kammadāyādo kammayoni kammabandhu
kammapatisarano, yam kammam karissāmi kalyānam vā pāpakam vā, tassa dāyādo
bhavissāmiti abhinham paccavekkhitabbam itthiyā vā purisena vā gahatthena vā
pabbajitena vā. Kathan ca, bhikkhave, atthavasam paticca - jarādhammo'mhi jaram anatėto
ti abhinham paccavekkhitabbam itthiyā vā purisena vā gahatthena vā pabbajitena
vā.") (51)
Some non-Buddhists claim that according to
the Buddhist doctrine of Kamma this life is nothing but the result of kamma having been
done in previous lives: it is predetermined or predestinate. But, in reality, it does not
appear as simple as such. There are two kinds of kamma which are called old kamma and new
kamma as the following teaching mentions:
" And what, brethren, is action that is old? - The
eye, brethren, is to be viewed as action that is old, brought about and itentionally done,
as a base for felling. And so with the tongue and mind. This, brethren, is called
"action that is old"
And what is action that is new?
The action one performs now, brethren, by body, speech and
mind, that is called "action that is new" And what, brethren, is the ceasing of
action? That ceasing of action by body, speech and mind, by which one contacts freedom,
that is called "the ceasing of action".
And what, brethren, is the way leading to the ceasing of
action?
It is this Aryan Eightfold Path, to wit: right view,..,
right concentration." (52)
("Katamam, bhikkhave, purānakammam // cakkhum,
bhikkhave, purānakammam abhisankhatam abhisancetayitam vedaniyam datthabbam // pe //
Jivhā... // la // Mano... // Idam vuccati, bhikkhave, purānakammam //
Katamanca, bhikkhave, navakammam // yam kho, bhikkhave,
etarahi kammam karoti kāyena vācāya manasā idam vuccati, bhikkhave, navakammam//
Katamo ca, bhikkhave, kammanirodho // yo kho,bhikkhave,
āyakammavacėkammamanoka-mmassa nirodhā vimuttim phusati // ayam vuccati, bhikkhave,
kammanirodho //
Katamā ca, bhikkhave, kammanirodhagāminė
patipadā//Ayam eva ariyo atthangiko maggo .// Ayam vuccati, bhikkhave,
kammanirodhagāminė patipadā // "). (53)
As the definition of old and new kamma
quoted above, old kamma is what has made up this body of the five aggregates with its
relation to the surroundings, such as: family, social class, country, etc., being born as
a male, or female with good looking or bad looking body, with nice complexion or not, with
graceful or ungraceful face, with a high I.Q. quotient or a low I.Q. quotient, receiving
good education or not, etc. These things are out of a person's mind.
The new Kamma is defined as what a man has
done, is doing and will do in this life through his body, speech and mind. The intention,
effort, desire, will to live, determination, etc., of a person are mental agents of his
new Kamma. These things can cause him suffering or happy according to his regard to
things.
So, all causes of the circle of birth -
and - death created in the past or in the present are what a man is facing in the here -
and - now: they all exist only in the sphere of the five aggregates. This is the reason
why Lord Buddha's disciples can attain Arahatship by destroying all defilements arising
from aggregates only. And this is the meaning of considering the five aggregates as an
immense ocean of suffering to be acrossed.
The gravest result the old kamma has left
for a human being in this life is his habit of thirsting for things, and of thinking of
things as having a permanent self (or soul) which has created the current human culture
full of troubles. If a person brings up his self - thought and desire, he will strengthen
his old Kamma and go further in suffering. If he stops them, he will come to cease his old
and new Kamma for freedom and happiness. In fact, he appears completely free in the very
present moment to make any choice he wants between what he should do and what he should
not. It is the present moment which is when he copes with his desire arising from his
thought caused by the attraction of things. This desire invades his mind. He should know
the way to fight against it as it is taught by the following teaching:
" ... Anyone, monks, knowing and seeing eye as it
really is (ear, nose, tongue, body, mind)... while he, observing the peril, is not
attached, bound or infactuated, the five groups of grasping go on to future diminution...
He experiences happiness of body and happiness of mind." (54)
("Cakkhunca kho, bhikkhave, jānam passam
yathābhuøtam, ruųpe jānam passam yathābhuøtam, cakkhuvinnānam jānam passam
yathābhuøtam,.. Tassa asārattassa asamyuttassa asammuølhassa ādėnavānupassino
viharato āyatim pancupādānakkhandhā apacayam gacchanti... So kāyasukham pi cetosukham
pi patisam vedeti.") (55)
Here, the author recognizes that Lord
Buddha's teaching on the doctrine of Kamma really emphasizes an individual's new Kamma, or
mental, oral, bodily actions, leading to ceasing Kamma itself. His teaching is centered on
seeing the truth of dependent origination of the five aggregates and detaching from them
for true happiness, but not on the search for personality as an entity.
In daily life, people tend to assimilate
themselves with conditioned aggregates, therefore they fall into suffering caused by
change. If they see their wrong view they will come to the cultivation of the aggregates
for the release of their suffering
IV.2.3. CULTIVATION
OF THE FIVE AGGREGATES AND EDUCATION
As discussed before, Kamma is volitional
action. Volitional action is activities aggregate. The operation of activities aggregate
is that of the five aggregates. So Kamma actually is the operation of those aggregates.
The Buddhist Way (magga) releasing the
bondage of Kamma means releasing the bondage of the five aggregates. This suggests that
the cultivation of aggregates is the task for liberation which has two things to do:
- Controlling a person's habits of things as having a
permanent self from which desire for things arises.
- Developping his regard to things as non - self from
which desireless thought arises.
This task is therefore for the cessation
of his troubles and sufferings which is the cherished dream of a man, and is the root
purpose the branch of modern educational psychology aims at. All teachings of Lord Buddha
recorded in Pāli Suttapitaka are centered on this great point.
Once, Sāriputta Mahāthera, the Chief
disciple of Lord Buddha Gotama, explained:
"And what, your reverences, is right view? Whatever,
your reverences, is knowledge of anguish, knowledge of the arising of anguish, knowledge
of the stopping of anguish, knowledge of the course leading to the stopping of anguish:
this, your reverences, is called right view.
And what reverences, is called right aspiration (or right
thought)? Aspiration for renunciation, a spiration for non - malevolence, aspiration for
harmlessness: this, your reverences, is called right aspiration." (56)
("Katamā c'āvuso, sammāditthi? - Yam kho, āvuso,
dukkhe nānam dukkhasamudaye nānam dukkhanirodhe nānam dukkhanirodhāgāminiyā
patipadāya nānam : ayam vuccat'āvuso, sammāditthi.
Katamo c'āvuso , sammāsamkappo? -Nekkhammasamkappo
abyāpādasamkappo avihimsā - samkappo: ayam vuccat'āvuso, sammāsamkappo.") (57)
The meaning of "right view"
declared in the above quotation implies the meaning of right view used for counselors and
psychotherapists in mordern schools whose role is helping a client understand his
troubles, the cause of his troubles, the cessation of his troubles and the way to the
cessation of them.
The meaning of "right
aspiration", or thought forrenunciation, thought for non-malevolence, and thought for
harmlessness, is the motive force in a person's deeds leading to peace of mind. This will
open an operation of the five aggregates to mental peace.
Sāriputta Mahāthero continues
explaining:
" And what, your reverences, is right speech?
Refraining from lying speech, refraining from slanderous
speech, refraining from harsh speech, refraining from gossip, this, your reverences, is
called right speech.
And what, your reverences, is right action? Refraining
from onslaught on creatures, refraining from taking what has not been given, refraining
from going wrongly among the sense pleasures, this, your reverences, is called right
action.
And what, your reverences, is right mode of livelihood? As
to this, your reverences, a disciple of the ariyans, getting rid of a wrong mode of
livelihood. This, your reverences, is called right mode of livelihood". (58)
("Katamā c'āvuso, sammāvācā? Musāvādā
veramanė, pisunāya vācāya veramanė, pharusāya vācāya veramanė, samphappalāpā
veramanė: ayam vuccat' āvuso, sammāvācā. Katamo c'āvuso sammākammanto? -
Pānātipātā veramanė, adinnādānā veramanė, kāmesu micchācārā veramanė: ayam
vuccat' āvuso, sammākammanto.
Katamo c'āvuso, sammā - ājiėvo? - Idh'āvuso,
ariyasāvako micchā- ājėvam pahāya sammā - ājėvena jėvikam kappeti: ayam
vuccat'āvuso, sammā - ājėvo".) (59)
The above actions called good deeds will
help a person control a lot of troubles arising from his mind. Inversely, if a person does
evil deeds he will receive bad results in this life and in the next existence which are
suffering. On the basis of doing good deeds he practises meditation and easily attains
concentration by his right effort:
" And what, your reverences, is right endeavour? As
to this, your reverences, a monk generates desire, endeavours, stirs up energy, exerts his
mind and strives for the non - arising of evil unskilled states that have not arisen...
for the getting rid of evil unskilled states that have arisen... for the arising of
skilled states that have not arisen.. for the maintenance, preservation, increase,
maturity, development and completion of skilled states that have arisen. This, your
reverences, is called right endeavour". (60)
("Katamo c'āvuso, sammāvāyāmo? Idh'āvuso,
bhikkhu, anuppannānam pāpakānam akusalānam dhammānam anuppādāya chandam janeti
vāyamati viriyam ārabhati cittam pagganhāti padahati; uppannānam pāpakānam
akusalānam dhammānam pahānāya chandam janeti... padahati; anuppannānam kusalānam
dhammānam uppādāya chandam janeti... padahati; uppannānam kusalānam dhammānam
thitiyā asammohāya bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya bhāvanāya paripuriyā chandam janeti...
padahati; ayam vuccat'āvuso, sammāvāyāmo".) (61)
Right endeavour, according to the above
teaching, is a mental force to stop the cause of mental troubles, and to make arisen
skilled thoughts. Without it, the task of meditation is difficult to be done, and the Way
(Magga) is hard to be performed. Concentration is therefore necessary to be supported by
"right effort" and the later is listed in the group of samādhi: right effort,
right mindfulness and right concentration.
With right effort, the practician comes to
practise right mindfulness, or the Foundations of mindfulness dissussed in (IV.2.1: Spirit
of meditation), for bare attention, keen observation, calm and awareness. In
concentrations, he can wipe out his evil thoughts. In the fourth meditation, sensual
desires are ejected, and Insight (vipassana) is developed: he can know and see things as
they really are, abide in a free state of mind and a feeling of happiness. Here, if
Insight is well-developed, his regard of wisdom to aggregates may completely destroy his
defilements for perfected Wisdom or Enlightenment.
In short, the above factors of the task of
cultivation relate closely to each other, in which "right view" is the most
important factor being considered as the starting point and destination of the practising
the Way. With ragard to their relationship, Lord Buddha taught:
" As to this, monks, right view comes first. And how,
monks, does right view come first? ... Right thought, monks, proceeds from right view;
right speech proceeds from right thought, ... ; right concentration proceeds from right
mindfulness; right knowledge proceeds from right concentration; right freedom proceeds
from right knowledge. In this way, monks, the learner's course is possessed of eight
components, the perfected one's, of ten components". (62)
("Tatra, bhikkhave, sammāditthi pubbangamā hoti.
Kathan ca, bhikkhave, sammāditthi pubbangamā hoti? Sammāditthassa, bhikkhave,
sammāsamkappo pahoti; sammāsamkappassa sammāvācā pahoti; ... sammāsamādhissa
sammānānam pahoti; sammānānassa sammāvimutti pahoti. Iti kho, bhikkhave, atthan-
gasamannāgato sekho patipado dasangasamannāgato arahā hoti". (63)
In short form, the above Eightfold Path
may be expressed in three groups: Morals or Sėla (right speech, right action and right
livelyhood), Meditation (right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration or
Samādhi), and Wisdom or Pannā (right view and right thought) which are three basic steps
of cultivation of one's mind. These steps are so important that Lord Buddha repeated them
several times during His last days inlife:
" This is morality, this is concentration, this is
wisdom. Concentration, when imbued withmorality, brings great fruit and profit. Wisdom,
when imbued with concentration, brings great fruit and profit. The mind imbued with wisdom
becomes completely free from the corruptions, that is from the corruption of sensuality,
of becoming, of false views and of ignorance". (64)
("Iti sėlam iti samādhi iti pannā,
sėlaparibhāvito samādhi mahapphalo hoti mahānisamso, samādhi -paribhāvitā pannā
mahapphalā hoti mahānisamsā, panna - paribhāvitam cittam sammadeva āsavehi vimuccati
seyyathėdam kāmāsavā bhavāsavā ditthāsavā avijjāsavā ti".) (65)
In principle, all teachings of Lord Buddha
recorded in Pancanikaāya are aimed at releasing human beings' troubles in this life. They
have a function of helping an individual see the way to make arise the skilful thought, to
release the opposite evil thought controlling his mind: for example, the five meditative
mental factors releasing the five hindrances; compassion or mettā (or adosa) releasing
ill - will (dosa); detachment or greedilessness (alobha) releasing greediness (lobha);
wisdom or non- illusion (amoha) releasing illusion (moha); perception of selflessness,
impermanence and suffering releasing conceit "I am" etc.. This task called the
cultivation of the five aggregates or mind - development is done by the individual himself
and by his effort itself in the present. The individual really is mentally free performing
the task in the here - and - now. He just starts from his present conditions of life which
depend on his body, health, knowledge, emotion, social position, etc., especially from his
thirst for things: On the one hand, he continues going on his present way of life, on the
other hand, should be aware of the dangers of his desire for things caused by
impermanence, and should observe and analyse with his wisdom what is going on with his
thoughts and feelings. In doing this, his thought of detachment from things observed will
arise in his mind and bring him liberation of mind and of wisdom.
For a laywoman or a layman who has duties
to do in daily life for herself // himself, for her // his family, company or religion,
and country, Lord Buddha practically introduced many steps of the way of cultivation. The
first and basic step for her // him is, according to the discourse on Sigālaka
(Dėghanikāya, Sutta No 31), to abandon four wrong deeds: not taking life, not taking
what is not given, not doing sexual misconduct, and not lying speech; not doing what is
caused by attachment, ill - will, folly or fear; not to waste his substance either by the
six ways which are strong drink, haunting the streets at unfitting times, attending
affairs, gambling, keeping bad company, and habitual idleness.
In addition to the above things, a laity
should live in the six good relationships of his family and society: between parents and
children, between husband and wife, between teacher and student, among relatives and
neighbours, between monk and laity, and between employer and employee. These relationships
are based on human love, loyalty, sincerity, gratitude, mutualacceptance, mutual
understanding and mutual respect which relate closely to individuals' happiness in the
present.
On the basis of the task suggested above,
a laity can improve his mind -develpoment by practising the Four Foundations of
Mindfulness or practising just mindfulness of body together with compassion as showed in
the discourse of Compassion or Loving - Kindness (Mettāsutta) in Suttanipāta of the
Khuddakanikāya, generally as follows:
* Practising mindfulness of compassion
when he is lying, standing, sitting or walking.
* Wishing all beings joy and happiness to
make arise thought of loving - kindness in his mind.
* Wishing all beings not wishing each
other ill or harm.
* Concerning about other's pain and
protecting them from suffering as a mother's doing for her only child.
All the tasks mentioned above are very
helpful for the development of the wholeness of man, and may have good contributions to
the formation of a new course of human culture and education. On the side of a practician,
he is strongly influenced by the qualities of the culture and education of the society he
is living in. This is to be discussed more.
Education for the cultivation of the five
aggregates:
What a child is after his mother gave a
birth to him is the result of his old kamma, according to the teaching of Lord Buddha on
"new and old Kamma" discussed before. What of education he has received from his
family and society will put strong influences on his way of thought, attitude of life,
desire, aspiration and deeds which are of what is called new Kamma. It may be said that
what a person does or will do by mind, speech or body is what culture and education of his
society suggest him to. In this life, he appears as an "educational being"
rather than "a reasonable animal" defined in the old days. On the other side, it
is self - thought of individuals which has shaped the course of education and culture of a
society. This interrelationship says something different to the development of the five
aggregates leading to happiness which requires a non - self way of thought and desire. To
help individuals cultivate their mind on this way of life, all means of communication in
the present society - such as books, magazines, newspapers, radio - broadcast, movies,
etc.; - Which strengthen self - thought and sensual and sexual desire need to be adjusted
or reduced to a considerable level; all means of communication awakening non - self
thought and desire need to be maintained and developed. This requires education to do the
same thing: there is no need to build up any theory of personality as a self, but new
critical studies are needed, which are:
* Critical studies on physical body and
health for a knowledge of troubles arising from it.
* Critical studies on sensuality and
sexuality for aknowledge of dealing with them for a physiopsychological balance and peace
of mind.
* Critical studies on perception, thought,
knowledge for a realization the true value of all values in life.
* Critical studies on behaviours,
psychology, psychiatry getting along the way of development of the five aggregates.
* Critical studies on sociology, ecology,
anthropology, sciences, literature and education for a knowledge of conditions of life for
happiness of man.
All those studies aim at the same purpose
that is building up a good society for man to live in happiness, and therefore building up
a new culture.
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