People go to temple for many reasons. Our early teachers or the first teachers are our parents or grand parents. The child just follows the rites, rituals and traditions without questioning, investigating and analyzing.
They are too young to question. They have not come to the age of reason. They have no education. They do not have the benefit of wide reading and blindly accept the practices of the elders. They accept culture and tradition. After a few years it is embedded in their minds. They accept the belief system as the ultimate truth. They live out their entire life in such a sad state. How unprofitable and a waste of life particularly when we know that human birth is so difficult to get.
Then they begin to say that theirs is the only true religion and all others are false religions. Some go to the extent of ridiculing and condemning other religions. Some will not stop at anything to convert others to their religion.
Some will be annoyed, irritated and angry if any other person question them or disagree with their belief system. They may even lose their temper and get into fight.
The history of the world is full of such killings and brutality and countless millions of people have been massacred in the name of god or religion,
The so-called religious teachers are busy propagating their particular teachings without looking at the sad religious history of mankind. There is so much fear in the hearts of temple goers. They will not even step into another place of worship. They will not speak to another teacher / practitioner , visit his place of practice, speak well of him if his practice is very serious even though both are honouring the same Teacher or founder. There is great fear of losing supporters. The true seeker must plod on fearlessly until he reaches the chosen goal.
Just a casual reading of the newspapers will tell the killings that are going on in this world in the name of religion. People have turned a deaf ear to these. Even though people read about them they refuse to ponder over them. They refuse to ask a basic question- “Is it worth killing innocent people in the name of a belief system?”. Is it worth misleading the people for a livelihood or because of vested interest. What a sad situation.
Even after attaining Nibbana or final release from the cycle of birth and death the Buddha lived an unassuming and a simple life without any pomp and taught the Dharma to the simple folks who were ready to listen to Him and practiced Dharma and many attained arahanthood in His life time. The Buddha never engaged in rites and rituals and did not teach ceremonies, rites and rituals. These rites and rituals seem to have crept into our religion over the years. They have nothing to do with the Teachings of Lord Buddha. The power of Buddha Dharma is supreme.
If freedom from suffering is the aim of our religious practices then we must be aware that going through glorified religious ceremonies, rites and rituals cannot get us to liberation or break through the cycle of birth and death. Let us not forget the wisdom of the Buddha. As the Buddha said, “He honours me most who practices my Teaching well.”
How wonderful it would be if we could only sit and examine our attitude towards our religious beliefs and religious activities. Let us reflect and contemplate on them. Let us take time to think things over before accepting any belief system. Acceptance should not be based on blind faith.
We must read widely not only within our own religion but also other religions. Compare the teachings, ponder over them, and question them without fear.
Fear is man’s greatest enemy. People are afraid to question their belief system. They fear some evil might befall on them or some bad luck will ruin their comfortable life. So living in spiritual ignorance will not alleviate the sufferings nor will it get us anywhere near Nirvana. It will only be a dream or an illusion. If we are mature enough and literate enough we must learn to stand on our own two feet. We need courage to walk the spiritual path as the Noble Lord Buddha did 2600 years ago. He did not follow the masses.
If the scientists had had such fears the world of science and technology would never have progressed so much. Men would never have sailed the seas and oceans those days and discovered so much. Scientists would never have been to the moon. The scientists would never have invented so many things, medical scientists would never have brought so much relief to human beings. We must learn to honour and respect our great scientists and inventors as well for without them we will still be living without books, printing machines, surgical instruments, latest mode of transport, computers, internets, cameras, etc., etc. ...
The world has progressed tremendously in the last 150 years. Thanks to the brave scientists, technologists, and inventors in every field. All these are due to systematic study, analysis, discussions, meetings, forums, experiments, sharing of knowledge and experience and above all the courage to question and to differ in a positive way and share their discovery with everyone.
There is nothing secretive or mystical in science as it is in religion. Anyone with the necessary intelligence and interest is welcome to take up any of the branches of the study of science and technology. That is the beauty of science and that is why it is the greatest blessing to mankind. There is no quarrel in science. 1 + 1 = 2 and the square on the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares on the other two sides provided it has a right angle. Science is precise. They can meet and discuss openly without any fear of sensitivity.
But look at religion. It is the opposite. People will not read books on other religions or books by other religious teachers. They cannot discuss frankly without hurting another, at most they may speak in a hypocritical way to avoid hurting another as it is considered sensitive. They are fighting over things which they cannot see, hear, smell or touch. What a pity!
Only one religious Teacher when addressing the people of Kalamas in India said, “Do not be led by reports, traditions or hearsay. Do not be led by the authority of the religious texts because it is in agreement with one’s accepted views, or because of personal prejudices or seems possible, or out of respect for the teacher.”
When we know for ourselves that certain beliefs are unwholesome and wrong, then we should give them up, and when we know for ourselves that certain beliefs are wholesome and right then we can accept them and follow them. The noble and world famous Teacher advised us not to depend on accepted authorities but to think freely, using our own experience and inquire independently when arriving at decisions.
Bear in mind that freedom of thought does not mean the freedom for the mind to run riot. Do not exceed the reasonable limits of freedom and cause harm to ourself and to others.
This advice comes from Prince Siddharta of India who became known as the Buddha and who lived 2600 years ago and whose Teachings are so full of spiritual wisdom that it has lasted 2,600 years and has gone from its birth place India to China, Japan, Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, USA, the United Kingdom, Europe, Singapore, Tibet, Nepal and Malaysia - practically the whole world. This is India’s contribution to the world of Spirituality and Truth.
There is no national, racial, language or political barrier to the Teachings of the Buddha - the Greatest Indian Prince to pass through this world. He never taught a religion but taught a way to freedom from Sangsara or the world of suffering, birth, old age, disease and death. He lived, practised it, practiced solitary meditation for years, attained nibbana and then taught it to mankind out of compassion. India’s greatest son achieved the near impossible.
I shall end this session with a Tribute to India’s greatest son the Lord Buddha and I consider myself very fortunate to be given the opportunity to study, practice and live out His Teaching in this life time.
Roshi Lingam
lingamroshi@yahoo.com
