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The relevance of Buddhism in modern India, focusing on its cultural and philosophical contributions. The text delves into the history of Buddhism, its central themes, and the importance of its teachings in contemporary India. It also highlights the role of key Indian Buddhist intellectuals and the Indian government's efforts to promote Buddhist heritage.
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I certify that this assignment is my own work, based on my personal study or research and that I have acknowledged all material and sources used in its preparation, whether they be books, articles, reports, lecture notes, and any other kind of document, electronic or personal communication. I have not participated in collusion, nor have I previously submitted this or a version of it for assessment in any other Unit of Study at the University or any other institution without having obtained the approval of the teacher and also have taken proper and reasonable care to prevent this work from being copied by another student and even I have not copied in part or whole or otherwise plagiarized the work of other students and/or persons.
The central theme of Buddha’s religion is the eight step path (Ashtangika Marg). The first step is the 'proper vision' leading to the realization that the world is full of sorrows caused by desire, greed etc. The second is 'right aim' which seeks to avoid the engagement of the senses and luxury. It aims to love humanity and increase the happiness in others. 'Right speech' is the third step; it implies the practice of truthfulness promoting mutual friendship. 'Right action' includes abstention from killing, stealing and unselfish deeds. 'Right livelihood' instructs a man to live by pure and honest means. 'Right effort' means proper way of controlling one’s senses so as to prevent bad thoughts. The seventh step is 'right awareness' or 'right mindfulness' which means understanding the idea that the body is impermanent and meditation is the means for the removal of worldly evils. The last step is 'right concentration' which will lead to removal of evils generated by attachment to the body and the mind. This will lead to peace and unravel the real truth. Anyone who would follow the noble eightfold path would attain 'nirvana' irrespective of his social origin. Buddhism stood between the two extremes: unrestrained individualistic self- indulgence and equally individualistic but preposterous ascetic punishment of the body. Hence it’s steady rise and its name ‘The Middle Way’. The moral doctrines of Buddha were simple. He believed that every individual is the maker of his own destiny. We are born time and again to reap the fruits of our Karma’. Good deeds, lead to higher life till salvation is achieved while evil deed hinderour spiritual elevation. One should neither lead a life of luxury nor a life of severe ascetism. The best course to be pursued by an individual is the Middle Path (Madhyama Pratipat or Tatha Grah Marg).
In today's increasingly complex and interdependent India, we have to acknowledge the existence of other cultures, different ethnic groups and of course other religious faiths. Whether we know it or not, most of us experience this diversity on a daily basis. The conflicts among various regions such as Syria conflict, Arab Spring, unrest in Africa, etc. are the greatest sources of violence in the world and exist solely to kill human beings. Gautama Buddha's teachings of non-violence and belief in the oneness of humanity, contending that many of the world's problems and conflicts arise because man has left those basic tenets behind. Thus, Buddha's
message of non-violence, love and compassion is "extremely relevant" in the current environment of insecurity and unrest. The Buddha was one of those who were very conscious of the many effects of hatred. He had seen people ruining themselves as a result of hatred. Buddha believed that hatred never ceases by hatred. To the Buddha the only way to solve it is that one party must stop. Loving-kindness, which is the cornerstone of Buddhism, has not been taken by the Buddha as merely a simple ethical principle. He had analysed the principle of loving-kindness into sublime life. A basic concept taught by the Buddha; the four sublime states of mind: Love or Loving-kindness (metta), Compassion (karuna), Sympathetic Joy (mudita), Equanimity (upekkha) provides the answer to all situations arising from social contact. They are great removers of tension, the great peace-makers in social conflict, and the great healers of wounds suffered in the struggle of existence. Following Indian independence, India's ancient Buddhist heritage became an important element for nation building, and prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru looked to the Mauryan empire for symbols of pan-Indian unity which were neither Hindu nor Muslim, such as the Dharmacakra Indian Buddhist sites also received Indian government support in preparation for the 2,500th Buddha Jayanti held in 1956, as well as providing rent free land in several pilgrimage centers for Asian Buddhist groups to build temples and rest houses. Important Indian Buddhist intellectuals of the modern period include Rahul Sankrityayan (1893-1963), Dharmanand Kosambi (1876-1941) and Bhadant Anand Kausalyayan. The Bengal Buddhist Kripasaran Mahasthavir (1865-1926) founded the Bengal Buddhist Association in 1892. In Tamil Nadu the Tamil Iyothee Thass (1845-1914) was a major figure who promoted Buddhism and called the Paraiyars to convert. The Indian government and the states have continued to promote the development of Buddhist pilgrimage sites ("the Buddhist Circuit"), both as a source of tourism and as a promotion of India's Buddhist heritage which is an important cultural resource for India's foreign diplomatic ties. Another recent development is the establishment of the new Nalanda University in Bihar (2010). Today, meditation grows increasingly popular as its proven benefits to both mental and physical well-being are becoming more widely known. When stress is shown to be such a major cause of human suffering, the quieting practice of meditation
Four Truths All existence is dukkha The Buddha’s insight was that our lives are a struggle, and ultimately we don’t find ultimate happiness or satisfaction in anything we experience. This is the key problem of our existence. The cause of suffering is craving The natural human tendency is to blame our difficulties on things outside ourselves. But the Buddha says that their actual root is to be found in the mind itself. In particular our tendency to grasp at things (or alternatively to push them away) places us fundamentally at odds with the way life really is. The cessation of suffering comes with the cessation of craving As we are the ultimate cause of our difficulties, we are also the solution. We cannot change the things that happen to us, but we can change our responses. There is a path that leads from dukkha. Although the Buddha throws responsibility back on to the individual he also taught methods through which we can change ourselves, for example the Noble Eightfold Path. Today in scientifically and technologically developed age, though there are many amenities, for easy living and pleasure , people are both physically and mentally not satisfied and do not have a feeling of security. In the world today, there are many multinational and multipurpose projects which are vast for the development of countries. But people are not satisfied with what they have. There is no contentment. Craving, grasping, arising and perishing are the main features in the world. Thus Buddhism has an application today because of its timeless relevance, emanating from a set of eternal values. The ideals of Buddhist philosophy are reflected in the Constitution, especially in the stated principles of equality, fraternity and social justice. The present Buddhism is a very important event, in that it allowed all of us to come closer together and build on what we have in common. Particularly in India, where there
are all the community reside may the merits gained by these words spread among all beings and bring them peace and happiness and may the great blessings of Lord Buddha and Sangha be with whoever reads these lines now and always. In today’s era of technologically and scientifically developed world there are many facilities for pleasure but the people are physically and mentally dissatisfied and insecure. If observed as per Buddhist philosophy, both satisfaction and security are a state of mind which depends much on expectations. Security can be referred to both security of job and also freedom from danger of life. When the mind is in peace and a sense of satisfaction prevails then it doesn’t mean that the person feels safe. Gautama Buddha once said ‘Mind is the forerunner and mental states are mind made’. This means mind is the most important thing in one's life. According to the Buddhist teaching, every human being is the created of five components namely- form, feeling, perception, wisdom, and consciousness. Out of the five only ‘form’ is the physical means and the rest of the four are mental levels. These four mental states of mind are very important in contemplating man. It has been often ignored that in modern the modern era of science and technology producing much for the physical needs of man the mental factors, are not sufficiently recognized. In the world today, there are many multinational and multipurpose projects which are vast for the development of countries. But people are not satisfied with what they have. There is no contentment. Craving, grasping, and arising and perishing are the main features in the world. As science is predominant in the world today, scientists can take a new step for the advancement of science through recognition of ethical and religious dimension. The Dhamma taught by the Buddha is not something outside the world and beyond experience. Therefore it is not contrary to science. At the most basic level, Prime Minister Modi has made Buddhism a regular feature of his diplomatic visits. In speeches made on official international visits, such as to Sri Lanka and China, among others, Modi has made a conscious effort to emphasize shared Buddhist heritage. Additionally, on trips to foreign countries, the prime minister reserves one day for visits to Buddhist temples wherever possible. Modi has often spoken at a number of occasions domestically, where he has hailed the importance of the Buddhist faith for the development of both India and the world. Despite the fact that it is host to a relatively small population of Buddhists, India can claim legitimacy in its promotion of Buddhist diplomacy for a number of
Critiques of modernity say that modern developments have nothing to offer but insecurity and competitiveness as well as tensions and boredom associated with them. Sometimes it appears true. The teachings of Gautama Buddha offer a few very simple and efficacious methods to combat that. His eternal message of non- violence and compassion continues to inspire humanity across the globe to strive towards a more fulfilling life and a world where all people live together and shape it together into a peaceful, inclusive and sustainable globe. That is the relevance of Buddhism not only in modern life, but in all life. Today in the 21st century, Buddhism continues to gain ever wider acceptance in many lands far beyond its original home. People throughout the world, through their own choice and analysis are adopting Buddhist ways of peace, compassionate and responsibility. The Buddhist teaching of the law of karma offers people a just, incorruptible foundation and reason for living a moral life. It is easy to see how a wider embracing of the law of karma would lead any country towards a stronger, more caring and virtuous society. We try to pay attention to our emotions, our attitudes, and the projections we are making, which are the bases for the attitudes. In this way, Buddhist science and philosophy are relevant in daily life to minimize the suffering that we cause ourselves. As we experience the up and downs of being happy and then being unhappy in our daily life, we try not to be like a thirsty person. When we are happy we enjoy it while we have it, because it will not last. But we do not make a big deal out of it – we just enjoy it for what it is. And if we are unhappy, we remember that everyone is unhappy sometimes – it is quite normal. We just continue doing whatever it is that we need to do, and in this way we go through life without inflating the importance of anything that happens. In other words, we refrain from inflating situations with our own projections. In that way, life becomes very joyous, because when we are not totally preoccupied with “me” and what I want, then we can see the joy in all the everyday, little things of life.
