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Buddhist Prabarana and its message

If we accept the teachings of Buddha then human society will be peaceful because they advocate the practice of nonviolence, equality, brotherhood and friendship. This message is for all, regardless of religion, caste and creed.

Sukomal Barua
TODAY is the full-moon day of holy Prabarana, the second-biggest Buddhist festival. It is the day of breaking fast of three months “Uposathabrata" and is known as Aswini Purnima.
The three-month long “Barshavasa” (rain retreat) of the Bhikkhus-Bhikkhunis starts in the Ashari Purnima and continues up to Prabarana Purnima. The Buddha, on this day, directed his disciples to propagate the Dhamma“Carata bhikkhave carikam bahujana hitaya, bahujana sukhaya.. .lokanukampaya.”
Goutam was the son of Shuddhodhan, the king of Kapilavastu from the Khattiya (warrior) clan. But that was not his actual identity. He became known as the Buddha after attaining enlightenment (Buddhahood). That is his real identity.
After attaining Buddhahood, Goutama preformed his seventh Barshavasa in the heaven of Tavatimsa. He explained the Dhamma to his late mother Mayadevi with many other deities for three months. On the night of Prabarana Purnima he descended to the Sankashya Nagara from heaven, and displayed the miracles of spiritual power to his disciples. So it is a very sacred festival for the Buddhists.
The observance of the auspicious Kathin Civara Dana (yellow robes offering ceremony) begins the day after this Purnima, and continues for one month in the monasteries. The day-long programme includes a
religious procession with devotional songs in the early morning. Religious discussions and candle lighting tire held in the afternoon and evening respectively. At night, rocket balloons made of coloured paper are set free to soar towards the sky.
Buddhism is based on Sila (precepts), Samadhi (meditation) and Parma (wisdom). According to Buddhism, they are the way of salvation from all worldly sufferings and can make someone a perfect human being.
Sila, which consists of rules, principles and discipline, is the way for building good nature and noble character. By practicing Sila, one can keep the mind peaceful and pure, while abstaining from any kinds of unlawful deeds.
Samadhi means using contemplation to control the mind to do the right things. Meditation, bhavana, yoga and contemplation are all synonyms of the word “Samadhi.” Through Samadhi man can achieve right wisdom or Panna. Wisdom is the highest among the three. Buddhism says wisdom is not only for getting salvation from suffering, but is also most essential for reaching the human goal and destination.
The Buddha preached His Dhamma (religion) for the good of all human beings of the world. He traveled from one place to another, irrespective of their political ideology, constitution or administration. He was equally respected by greedy emperors planning to conquer another's land and the
kings engaged in war to protect the sovereignty of their states. The Buddha emphasised the ten duties of kings (the ten Rajadhammaten kingly attributes) and the seven principles (the sapta Aparihaniyo Dhamma) in his preaching to the kings to protect their national integrity.
If we accept the teachings of Buddha then human society will be peacefill because they advocate the practice of nonviolence, equality, brotherhood and friendship. This message is for all humans, regardless of religion, caste and creed.
Men cannot live without society. Humanity is the core of society, and can be developed by following socioreligious norms and practices, which help to build up the moral character that plays a vital role in promoting unity, peace, brotherhood, integrity, etc.
A human being must practice the five precepts prescribed by the Buddha, i.e., not to kill, not to steal, not to indulge in unlawful sex, not to tell lies and not to take intoxicating substances. Besides, Buddha's universal theory, i.e., loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and meditation can drive away all the unwholesome activities from the society.
The Buddha said self-power, self-reliance and unity are the key for the development of human society. Unity growing out of strength of weapons does not last long. True unity comes from courtesy and selfsacrifice. The Buddha advised the Sangha to
develop morality. For this, they develop self-reliance and dutifulness to proceed towards the goal.
To get rid of greed, Buddha advised four types of right thinking and meditation. This is called Brahma Vihara in Buddhist tradition. Brahma Vihara is the combination of (i) Maitree (friendship): to wish happiness and welfare for all living beings in the world, (ii) Karuna (compassion): to feel sympathy for all and think how to reduce others' sorrow, (iii) Mudita (sympathy or pity without any jealousy): to feel happy for other's happiness and prosperity and not to feel jealous, and (iv) Upekkha (indifference): to be free from all anger, jealousy, ignorance, prejudice and partiality.
In the words of the Buddha: “Na hi verena verani-sammanti'dha kudacancam averena ca sammanti-esa dhammo sanantano” (hatred never ceases through hatred; through love alone it ceases. This is the eternal law). Hatred towards none and loving kindness to all can conquer enmity.
Let the strict adherence to and practice of the great teachings of the Buddha eliminate wars from this earth and establish truth and good for all. May mankind be able to achieve compassion and selfless love for all. “Sabbe satta sukhita hontu” (may all beings be happy. May peace prevail on the earth).
The writer is a former Chairman, Department of Pali & Buddhist Studies, University of Dhaka, and President, World Buddhist Fedration-Bangladesh Chapter.