“Danayaa Anisansa”

by Ottawa Buddhist Vihara | Feb 23, 2021 | Articles

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Significance of full moon days through the year – Venerable Bataduwe Santha Samana

by Ottawa Buddhist Vihara | Oct 6, 2020 | Articles

Significance of full moon days through the year – Venerable Bataduwe Santha Samana

Introduction

Even before Gautama Buddha was born, full moon days have had special significance to people of the ancient times. There is evidence to suggest that people of the ancient times did engage in various religious activities at least once a week to make their spiritual lives better for both herein and here after.  With no almanacs or calendars to refer, lunar month was the only time reference available to them to determine the day of the week that would be set aside for religious activities.

By the time of the Buddha, the various ascetics were already making weekly religious observances on a day set aside for such practices. From the time of the Buddha’s first discourse, monks did offer dhamma discourses at times and the disciples frequented the places where the monks were residing to meet the monks. Yet no special day was set-aside for these visits to meet the monks. The other ascetics however having set aside time for such meetings gave rise to better bonding between the lay people and the ascetics.

King Bimbisara who was a very devout disciple of the Buddha. Having observed the practice of the ascetics, and keeping in mind the betterment of the community of sangha, suggested to the Buddha that it would be appropriate to set aside days for such spiritual activities. Having considered the suggestion the Buddha did prescribe four such meetings in each lunar month. This was the genesis of spiritual observances on full moon days.

It just so happened that even though the laity and the monks did meet on full moon days as prescribed by the Buddha, no discourses were habitually forthcoming from the monks. The laity was not very happy about it. The Buddha having noticed this displeasure then prescribed that the monks should offer discourses on a regular basis on such days.

One day, the devout disciple Visakha mentioned to the Buddha that she observes the higher order precepts on the full moon days. Using this as a trigger, the Buddha exalted the virtues of this practice and prescribed it to all those who were following his teachings. This practice has continued to this day
amongst devout Buddhists.

Spiritually, observance of the higher order precepts became a very strong practice. So much so, that according to the Buddha even non-human deities has taken the time to see this strong practice amongst the humans.

The full moon day is determined according to the almanac. The phase of the moon is determined according to a system of mathematics that has prevailed from the ancient Vedic days. The day of no moon comes 15 days following the day of the full moon. The waning moon is observed after 8 days from the full moon day and the waxing moon occurs after 8 days from the day of the no moon. These 4 days are typically set aside for spiritual practices.

Today according to the Julian calendar, year is divided into 12 months. Each month typically has a corresponding full moon day. These are described as follows. They have significance due to various events that took place either on those days or close to those days.

January – Duruthu

The Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka coincided with the Duruthu full moon day. According to the chronicles, He visited ‘Hela Diva”, as Sri Lanka was then known, on the 9 th month following enlightenment. The purpose of the visit was to subdue and tame the ‘yaksha’ and the ‘naga’ tribes inhabiting the area today known as Mahiyangana, on the bank of the river ‘mahaveli’ It is said that the deity named ‘Sumana Saman’ residing in the mountain called ‘Samanola’, today known as the Adam’s peak, reached the stage of sotapanna having listened to the discourses offered by the Buddha.

February – Navam

Arahath Saripuththa and Moggalana were proclaimed as the Chief Disciples in the month of Navam. Venerable Saripuththa was given the title the General of the Dhamma and Venerable Moggallana was recognized as the one who has attained the highest miracle powers. It is also in the month of Navam that the Buddha decided for the first time to set down a set of advisories to ensure the harmony and the discipline of the community of Sangha. These are known as Vinaya Kamma.

For the first 20 years, there was no cause to prescribe advisories due to the abundance of monks who had reached enlightenment through effort and diligence. With the influx of many from varied backgrounds into the community of the sangha, for a multitude of reasons, it was deemed necessary to enact these advisories to safeguard the purity, integrity and the harmony within the community of sangha. The very first set of advisories touched various aspects including the virtue of patience, not harming self and others, discipline of the faculties, overcoming the five hindrances, intake of food, not clinging to the various places of abode and being pleasant to others. The Buddha never admonished without a valid reason; and the reasons given shows the degree to which the community of sangha was subject to vagaries and external influences, even during the time of the Buddha.

It was also on the full moon day of this month that at the age of 80, He stated that in three months from that point in time He would relinquish this life cycle never to be born again.

March – Madin

Having reached enlightenment, the Buddha together with many arahats, set forth on the full moon day of this month from his abode at the Veluwanarama, to visit the city of Kimbulwath, to visit His father, King Sudhodhana, and the relatives including the former Queen Yasodhara and His son Rahula.

April – Bak

On the 5 th year after the enlightenment, the Buddha visited Sri Lanka for the second time during this month. He visited Nagadeepa to settle a dispute between two Kings of the Naga tribe related to a crystal throne and to put them on the right path by means of a discourse in Dhamma.

May – Wesak

The three events, the birth, enlightenment and the passing away of the Buddha took place on the full moon day of the month of Wesak. In the city of Kimbulwath, in order to dispel the superbia and the doubts in the minds of His relatives, the Buddha performed miracles using His various mental powers.

On the 8 th year after the enlightenment, the Buddha visited Sri Lanka for the third time during this month. He visited Kelaniya at the invitation of King Maniakkhitha of a Naga tribe. On the same visit he also visited the abode of the Deity Sumana Saman, the mountain now called Adam’s Peak. The devout attendant of the Buddha, venerable Ananda passed away on a Wesak full moon day The arrival of King Vijaya with his entourage took place on a full moon day in the month of Wesak

June – Poson

236 years after the passing away of the Buddha, the son of Emperor Asoka of India, maha Arahat Mahinda introduced Buddha’s teachings to Sri Lanka.

July – Esala

A the invitation of the deities, the bodhisattva left the Tusita heavenly abode, in order to be conceived within the womb of Queen maha Maya, the queen of King Sudhdhodhana Having seen the reality of life in the form of the four signs, Prince Sidhdhartha renounced the lay life Prince Rahula was born on the same day Prince Sidhdhartha renounced the lay life The very first discourse to the five ascetics took place on this full moon day at the forest of Migadaya in Varanasi. The Dhamma was expounded through the Dhamma Chakka Sutta Following the first discourse, the very first rainy season retreat by the Buddha and the five disciples took place during this month.

At the root of the tree Gandamba, the Buddha performed miracles in order to dispel the doubts of various ascetics. During the 7 th rainy season retreat, the Buddha visited Thauthisa heavenly abode to expound the Abhidhamma to the mother who was now reborn as a deity and to a retinue of deities. The mother of the Prince Sidhdhartha, Queen maha Maya passed away seven days following His birth.

Three months after the passing away of the Buddha, King Ajasath made the preparations to host the first dhamma council to be presided by maha Arahath Kashyapa assisted by over 500 arahaths.

August – Nikini

The first council presided by maha Arahath Kashyapa was held at the Vehara Mountain, in the entrance to the Sapthaparni caves.

Venerable Ananda realized the state of Arahat hood 3 months after the passing away of the Buddha Those monks who did not start the rainy season in the month of July may start the late rainy season retreat in the month of August .

September – Binara

The Buddha established the community of Bikshuni sangha in this month. The permission to ordain women was granted at the insistence of maha Prajapathie Gothami, Prince Sidhdhartha’s aunt. This event took place at the Nigrodharama in the city of Kimbulwath.

October – Vap

The bodhisattva Maithriya who in the future shall become the next Buddha was ordained as a bhikku within the community of sangha of the Gotama Buddha in this month. Having spent three months during the seventh rainy season retreat in the Thauthisa heavenly abode, at the end of the retreat returned to the human abode at the city of Sankassa Those monks observing the normal rainy season retreat completes the retreat on this month.

November – Il

The bodhisattva Maithriya received the confirmation from the Buddha that he shall become the next Buddha on this full moon day 6 months after the enlightenment, the very first batch of 60 arahats initiated the travels far and wide as prescribed by the Buddha to expound the dhamma for the benefit of the many in the month of Il.

Buddha started off to the city of Uruwell, to subdue a group of ascetics Those monks observing the late rainy season retreat completes the retreat on this month According to the Vinaya kamma, the full moon day of the month of Il is the last date prescribed to hold the Katina ceremony The chief disciple maha Arahath Saripuththa passed away in the month of Il

December – Uduvap

On the basis of advice from maha Arahath Mahinda, at the invitation of the king Dewanampiyatissa, Bikshuni Sangamiththa arrived in Sri Lanka with the sapling from the Bodhi Tree on this month. Bikshuni Sangamiththa established the community of Bikshunis in Sri Lanka

Faith, confidence, and science, in relation to the teachings of the Buddha

by Ottawa Buddhist Vihara | Nov 28, 2019 | Articles

What Gautama Buddha really taught the layman – be grounded in reality

by Ottawa Buddhist Vihara | Nov 28, 2019 | Articles

In general conversations we often come across the question whether “Buddhism” is a religion or a philosophy or even a way of life. Before fully understanding what did Buddha discover thousands of years ago, and what he taught as a result, it is worth spending a little time trying to understand the general perceptions related to religions, philosophies and belief systems. Since words and the meanings are of paramount importance in communicating thoughts, let us look at what these words mean a little further.

What is a religion?

Religion may be defined as a way of life or a discipline based on a faith or belief in an external force with certain characteristics and powers.  Religion is a belief system. It may be belief in something physical, tangible or a conceived notion, or metaphysical phenomena meaning ‘reality’ beyond what is perceptible to senses or even supernatural.

Most religions have the framework to ensure harmonious and purposeful interaction between those who subscribe to and adhere to the core values and beliefs of the religion. Consequently, this framework also provides and defines the moral values required to exist within that community. Without this morality, a code of conduct and a level of discipline, coexistence within a community becomes next to impossible. Most religions also include a level of tolerance and moral values that allow people from one religious framework to live harmoniously with those of other religious sects with no intersecting points. This is not always the case leading to religious intolerance and disharmony within multi religious communities.  In secular societies this set of moral values and the discipline comes about from the laws enacted for this purpose.

Belief System

Belief system refers to a person’s relationship with what he or she accepts as of ultimate importance or ’truth’, the presuppositions and theory related to this, and the commitments and practice of working it out in living. It could include religions as well as alternatives to religions, without any discrimination between them.

What is a philosophy?

According to the Wikipedia, Philosophy is:

• Study of general problems concerning matters such as existence, knowledge, truth, beauty, justice, validity, mind, and language.
• Distinguished from other ways of addressing these questions (such as mysticism or mythology) by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on reasoned argument.
• From ancient Greek origin: ‘philosophía’ meaning “love of knowledge” or “love of wisdom

Webster Dictionary says

• search for a general understating of values and reality by chiefly speculative rather than observational means” or an analysis of the grounds and of concepts expressing fundamental beliefs.
• Philosophy of life is defined as an overall vision or an attitude towards life and the purpose of life

What is a way of life?

Those who are spiritually strong with a commitment to a belief system, have a way of life based on their respective belief systems. Spirituality is that which affects one’s spirit or the deep convictions. Deeply spiritual Christians have a way of life and so do Muslims believing in Islamic values. Even agnostics who believe that any ultimate reality is unknowable and probably unknown may have a way of life and a set of spiritual set of values based on that belief or the notion.

The code of conduct and the discipline imposed by or resulting from religious framework results in a way of life.

One of the key points related to all religions and belief systems is that the beliefs or the opinions or the notions, are based on either on prophecies such as in the Koran, the statements in books such as the Bible, the Vedas, hearsay such as veracious concepts of after life, or outer body experiences, or some mythical or mythological concepts. Very few people have crafted a way of life based on their own, gradually maturing life experiences and observations.

Unfortunately, one cannot choose a way of life based on life experiences and observations, a priory by definition. Crafting a way of life requires significant open mindedness, much discipline and a very keen and critical sense of judgment. That also requires the ability to continuously learn from life experiences and observations and then change or modify the way of life according to this learning.

So what does that make “Buddhism”?

As you will see from the on going discussion, Buddha’s teaching related to how to live does not fall into any of these categories, but also may fall into all of these categories at the same time.

Is it a religion?

No it is not a religion because what the Buddha taught is not based on beliefs. It is based on experiential development of mind. But it is a religion to many people in the world. Many believe in Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha ; they live very useful and purposeful lives just based on this belief. To them and many in the world, this aspect is called “Buddhism”; it is a label, and ‘ism’ to describe a way of life and a religion. But was this what the Buddha wanted from those who followed in his foot steps?

Is it a belief system?

It is a belief system to many who wants to practice a useful way of life. Many relates to the presuppositions and the theory of Buddha’s teaching, and the commitments and practice of working it out in living. But they may not have the goal of reaching eternal inner peace in the immediate time frame. While Buddha did not recommend a way of life of using his teachings as a basis of a belief system or religion, he did not ridicule it either. In one occasion he did say that paying homage to the religious aspects to be of less usefulness than paying homage and living according to the more lofty and the practical aspects of his teachings.

Is it a philosophy?

Yes. For those who wish to do the following it is indeed a philosophy.

• Study of general problem concerning matters such as existence, knowledge, truth, beauty, justice, validity, mind, and language
• Love of knowledge or love of wisdom
• Search for a general understating of values and reality by speculative rather than observational means or an analysis of the grounds and of concepts expressing fundamental beliefs.
• Overall vision or an attitude towards life and the purpose of life

But the Buddha would not have been very happy with those who wished to stop at this point. In various discourses he had made this point very clear. He did not want to argue with those wishing to argue nor did he want to get into discussions related to the beginning or the end of Life. These arguments or discussions he found to derail the prime purpose of searching and finding that inner peace.

Today there are many who are fond of searching or validating Buddha’s teaching using discoveries in science.  They are well motivated. They feel that relating the teachings of the Buddha, which dates 2500 years, to modern science, increases its applicability to the modern way of living since we depend so much on science and technology.

 There is a fundamental problem. Scientific discovery is based on external observations of phenomena. Unfortunately as Einstein found, using internal probes such as light to look at sub atomic particle change their behavior to the extent any subsequent observations become meaningless. Hence, he searched for mathematical, non-invasive tools to ensure proper observation of sub atomic phenomena.

Whereas, the Buddha internalized observations in order to make his discoveries. As we shall see later it is very important that these internal observations also do not modify or change those internal phenomena that we wish to observe unchanged.

Suffice it to say that for those who wish to improve wisdom through these discussions “Buddhism” is a philosophy and a very fertile ground. However, validation through science does not make Buddha’s teachings any more useful than it already is.

What did the Gautama Buddha do?

Those who are aware of the story of the Gautama Buddha may remember that he became an ascetic. From his early life experience, however it may have happened; he noticed that those who have taken up an ascetic life style or a way of life appeared to have outer calmness and possibly some level of inner clarity. Having experienced that, all the material wealth at his disposal as well as the ability to please all his senses at the highest possible level, could not satisfy his desire for more of the same, he found that he did not have inner peace. Being a very intelligent person based on the observation that the ascetic appeared to have transcended the ordinary limits, Prince Siddhartha decided to adopt the ascetic way of life as the first step towards finding that inner peace.

Having cultivated a disciplined approach to life, he then went in search to several teachers to learn to discipline the mind. From his experience and observations during this period taught him that somehow the mind was central to achieving inner peace.  It should be born in mind that the aim of all these teachers was to reach the realm of the Maha-Brahma through the cultivation of the mind. These teachers were able to discipline the mind and through cultivation and channeling, reaching various planes of mind existence through absorptions where inner peace could be found. The explanation was that in these planes one became an integrated self with the Maha-Brahma. This was a concept and a notion that existed then as well as today in the Hindu Vedic doctrine.

Prince Siddhartha experienced these planes of existence; but observed that while one remained in these planes one had the notion of inner peace yet, this inner peace tended to reduce no sooner one reached the plane of the human reality. So as per the current wisdom even being with one with Maha-Brahma could not help one from escaping the reality of the human plane of existence thus achieving total inner peace as a human being. From experience and observation he deduced that the ultimate inner peace as a human being he was searching for could not be reached using this approach of mind cultivation. Based on the prevailing wisdom at the time, he experimented with physical hardship as an approach to reach the inner peace. There again he failed.

It is then he realized that again from experience and observation of life events, that he needed a totally different approach if he was to find this eternal inner peace. He remembered on one occasion how he contemplated the cycles of life during his childhood and hypothesized a systematic approach to investigate human reality and how that played out. Since he already had experienced ways to discipline the mind his mind had clarity and with systematic investigation discovered the cycle of birth and rebirth fuelled by craving and various fetters thus discovering the noble truth and cause and effect relationship.  Again from pure experience he reached the goal of eternal inner peace which is nibbana.

The approach of Prince Siddhartha

The approach of Prince Siddhartha is very similar to that of a scientist. A scientist would formulate a hypothesis and test it through experimentation; modify the hypothesis based on test results and continue with experimentation until the goal is reached. Prince Siddhartha did exactly that in order to discover how the mind worked. In reaching Buddha hood he discovered how the mind needs to be disciplined and cultivated in order to reach that point.

Having discovered the Buddha then taught what needs to be done to achieve total inner peace, i.e. Arahat hood.

So what did the Buddha teach?

Buddha found during his quest that in order to understand the human reality, one must first be grounded in the human reality. Although spending time in different planes of existence in the mind provides temporary help and relief from the unsatisfactoriness; this does not help achieving the total inner peace as a human being. His recipe was very simple. He said that in order to reach inner peace as a human being, it is very important to first understand what disrupts that inner peace in the human existential reality. In order to comprehend one must observe and experience each moment of life as it happens as a normal human being.  Only by doing so would one begin to experience those aspects of the mind and its workings that stop us achieving this inner peace.

Buddha taught us to adopt a way of life that allows us to build upon our life experiences and observations. This has many aspects. He did also mention that all that he says should not be accepted on face value. He stressed that only after experiencing, thorough examination and analysis must one accept the teaching as correct and appropriate.

Although this is a very lofty goal, as normal human beings we still require some level of comfort and confidence that we are going along the right path. This is true of our teachers, doctors or lawyers in whom we trust to find the knowledge, the correct medicine or the legal advice to make sure that we do not fall into a difficult situation. Similarly, we need confidence and trust in the Buddha’s teachings that it will us towards the correct direction. Until we make reasonable head way we would not be certain that we are going in the correct direction.

Confidence

Fundamentally we are all human beings. We are all governed and subject to the same vagaries of life. This does not respect how we are brought up, where we live, our respective wealth or health, the religious convictions or beliefs we may have, we all fall sick, we age, we are fearful of the unknowns; we feel anger when things do not go according to our wishes. This is a fact and is true for the hunter gatherer man many ages ago to the man who has the ability to gather knowledge and has the good fortune to enjoy and depend on modern technologies that knowledge has created.

As human beings, we need to belong to a something; at the bottom are the family and then the community. Then later on in life we belong to political parties to interest groups. All of this is done to strengthen our confidence and to increase the chances of our living as we would like and hope that the belonging to a larger group would somehow reduce the uncertainty and therefore the fear of the unknown future and give us confidence.

Many of us never develop the level of confidence that is necessary to be fully independent, both in terms of thinking and developing a way of life. For many of us the notion of an external Omni potent force to take us through this mine field called “Life” is therefore a very welcome relief. We can relinquish the responsibility of facing the life’s realities as well as the fears of the unknowns, with the notion that Omni potent someone has our interests at heart and do the needful to get over the life’s realities.

Is this initial faith in community living and the confidence it gives us always force us not to be independent thinkers and adopt independent living? That is not so. The initial faith in life is necessary to start building confidence in ourselves. That with ongoing character development, it is that developing confidence that gives us the leadership qualities and the strength to take positions with very little support form that initial community, the family or anyone else.

Confidence in the Buddha, his teachings, and those who have gone forth

Any patient gravely ill, taking a medicine based on the prescription of a doctor must first have confidence in the doctor’s ability to diagnose the illness well and then must have faith in the medication that the doctor has prescribed. Without the two elements the likelihood of getting well is diminished and retarded.

Similarly, the Buddha made a diagnosis as to what causes us to be always dissatisfied with anything and everything no matter how much we have. He then gave a prescription in the form of teachings. Those who have the faith and the confidence to follow this prescription have the chance to achieve the goals described by the Buddha.

As we need initial faith and confidence to take us through life, anyone wishing to follow course prescribed by the Buddha must also start with certain level of faith but more confidence in the prescription in order to be successful.

Since Buddha is no longer with us, the only things that we have to guide us through this maze are his teachings and the experience of those who have taken a very rigorous path to follow his doctrine and perhaps reached the end goals.  The latter aspect of a person a layman would never know. Hence, we must have confidence in those who are making a valiant effort to follow the prescription to the letter and ask them for guidance. Those are the monks who have given up the worldly life to be ascetics in order to develop the level of discipline required to follow a way of life that would ultimately lead towards that internal peace. This way of life ensures that they are lot closer to reality than otherwise

Being Grounded in Reality

So we discussed that Buddha discovered that in order to reach the goal of eternal inner happiness one must first be grounded in reality. We discussed that unless we are grounded in reality we would miss that which keeps us from reaching the goal and that which pulls us back into the cycle that keeps us eternally in a non-satisfactory situation. By missing these elements we would not be able to eliminate that which gives us all of these problems, including fear, anger, jealousy, happiness, desire etc. If you stop to analyze you will find all of these are temporary in nature. We are never angry all the time; and we are also never happy all the time. That is what caused Prince Siddhartha to flee the fine palace and the luxuries of life; in spite of it all he was not happy.

What stops

As prescribed, what do we need to be grounded in reality?

Life is not a forgiving space. It is full of things unknown. Therefore just like reaching towards our respective families or communities for assurance, we need assurance that being grounded in reality will not cost us dearly. We must have confidence. But Confidence in what may I ask? It is the confidence in  self, the Buddha, his teachings, and those who have gone forth. That will help us to be grounded in time of trouble and difficulty.

Confidence leads towards discipline

With the confidence well established in Buddha, his teachings, and those who have gone forth, it is now possible to get the instructions to develop the discipline required to be grounded in human reality. This is called Sila in pali.

Moral, Physical and Mental discipline, known in pali as ‘Sila’

Developing moral, physical and mental discipline requires the observation of the five, eight or the 10 precepts. Buddha was very specific that as a minimum moral discipline provides the frame work to live in the society in a harmonious manner. But the need for these precepts goes beyond harmonious living in a society. These precepts also allow us to live in harmony with ourselves, and let live in a way that does not harm oneself or anyone else. These precepts also force us to be aware of what we do. We must not just follow the precepts; but must follow them with a deep understanding as to why we do it.

These precepts are not commandments. They are in effect self proclaimed promises if you like and reminders to us to avoid potential pit falls. These precepts are not only danger warnings but also are reminders of positive behaviors that will help and strengthen our position in the society. The positive behavior allows the character to mature and develop as we shall later.

Being aware of the dangers, cultivating the positive behavior, improves on morality and develops character strengths that will allow you to be independent stand by yourself and be disciplined in your own right. That is why they are not commandments but members of a framework that promotes independent well being.  This is paramount to the next stage of mental discipline. Well managed frame work of Physical and moral discipline provides a strong platform and a foundation for the serious cultivation of mental discipline.

It is worth recognizing that while we can fool others in the world some time, we can never fool our own minds. The mind knows exactly what we do. The mind will remind us from time to time the state of things that we have done. Things that we are proud of as well as that we are not so proud of or even regret. It is very difficult to cultivate mental discipline if we have to battle with the mind each time it reminds us of who we are. If our verbal, physical and mental actions are in agreement with the way we want to be (that is Sila) then we would have a much easier time with the mind and the mind is more likely to listen to what ‘we’ have to suggest.

The moral, physical discipline inculcates confidence in yourself, the teachings of the Buddha and those who have strived just like you and succeeded. When you actions are in complete agreement with your mind then not only do you develop confidence in yourself but also begin to a certain calmness and tranquility. You would not be as agitated as you would be otherwise. The confidence gives rise to stability.

Bhavana

Bhavana in pali means mental cultivation or development. This is also translated as ‘meditation’. Meditation however is perceived as conducting one in a tranquil manner, preferably in a seated position, lotus style, very still, while blanking the mind and all thoughts. This could be very beneficial no doubt and peaceful. However this is not meant by Bhavana. Bhavana means being vigilant, total awareness or mindfulness as opposed to emptying the mind, if that can even be done!

Stillness is a great way to relax. So even if you do nothing but remain still, that is beneficial. The aim however, is to bring about a level of discipline to the mind. But what does that mean?

Stillness of the mind is a prerequisite to fully understanding the reality. Deep meditation and application of calmness and tranquility can lead to states of absorption. It has been said that the mind is most receptive to fully comprehension at times leading up to and descending from these states of absorption is termed access concentration.

If you can watch the mind for few moments you will find that it often tends to wander around aimlessly. It will go to the past and relive some interesting moments, or get angry because it remembered some wrong doing someone did to you, or go way into the future and day dream about the day that you will win the lottery. Often the mind would not be focused on what you are currently doing, be it waiting for the bus, walking, eating etc. These places where the mind tends to wander, could they be considered reality? Reality is the current situation. When we day dream, are we grounded in reality?

When you read a book or listen to music or play music, mind tends to be focused and engrossed with the respective subject.  That is because there is some inherent interest in the subject and the mind wants to be attached to that interest. Why cannot we discipline the mind such that it could be focused on activities or non-activities that may have no inherent interest? Walking and waiting area such activities.

Deep Abhidhamma talks about varieties of day to day mental states but also how the configurations of these mental states can be re configured through the application of meditative techniques.

• Buddha did not dispute the relative reality of the conventional appearing self. But he did insist that we tend to give this relational self an absolute status that it does not possess. The self appears to be real but is in fact only the appearance is real; the self itself is not a lasting entity in its own right
• Does meditation alter personality or character
• Buddha states that it is not how much you know about yourself it is how you relate to what you do know that makes a difference
• It is not what is happening to you but how you relate to these external stimuli
• Kind of happiness not dependant on controlling the outcome of things

Buddha’s Prescription for Stress

by Ottawa Buddhist Vihara | Nov 26, 2019 | Articles

Buddha’s Prescription for Stress

Layananda Alles, Montreal, Canada

Stress

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labor Office state that in the developed countries 30-50% of the work force suffers from psychological stress and mental overload. Workforce is not the only place of stress. Living in the society is stressful with various demands being placed upon individuals. Reaction to stress varies from deterioration of the quality of work, inability to relax, irritability, aggressiveness, impulsive actions, and irrational behavior to daydreaming and depressed feelings. Often these symptoms are followed by physiological conditions such as high blood pressure, abdominal pains, headaches, insomnia etc. If unchecked, prolonged stress could also lead to alcohol and substance abuse, addiction to caffeine and smoking. Even too much positive or good stress could leave one totally drained in the long run.

Characteristics of Stress

We often blame external reasons, such as the work place, the roads, economic conditions, other people and even weather as the factors contributing to our stress. Closer and critical examination will show that these are mere agents, Stress is a phenomenon created in our own minds. These external agents of stress do not create stress; it is one’s attitude towards these agents that determine whether one is affected by stress or not. Since Stress is a phenomenon within our own minds, managing stress, or better still eliminating it altogether is also within our grasp. The question is how?

What is the genesis of stress?

There is positive or ‘good’ stress when one has the perception of control (of situations) and where there is self-satisfaction. In contrast, perceived lack of control, inability to satisfy desires, conflict, being out of harmony with reality gives rise to distress. Fundamentally, Stress results from inner conflict.

The underlying reason

These inner conflicts could stem from three main factors:

• Not living in the present
• Not accepting reality
• Need to satisfy desires

Not living in the present

Living in the past is stressful because of pleasant and bad memories. Pleasant memories are stressful because they are no longer present and bad memories are stressful because nothing can be done about them. Living in the past is escapism from reality; the only reality is the thin line of the present that represent the intersection of the past and the future time planes; both of which are unreal. Equally trying to live in the future is stressful due to the many unknowns. The fear of the unknowns results in stress. Many always assume the worse and are pre-occupied with “what-if” analysis. As such many of us very rarely live in the present.

Not accepting Reality

Not accepting reality means harboring unrealistic expectations. Not understanding what is controllable from what is not is often a reason for stress, for example weather. Also unfulfilled expectations, unsatisfied desires, plans not going according to one’s wishes as well as setting unrealistic goals and objectives are all good recipes for stress. In this regards aging, illness and death should be specially mentioned. Many live in denial of these fundamental realities of living, thus subjecting oneself to stress. These are eventualities neither controllable nor predictable.

Need to satisfy desires

The other key factor is the relentless desire to please the Self or the Ego, be it for social or competitive reasons. This overwhelming need to satisfy the ego results in running after pleasures both mental and physical. It also causes one to live beyond one’s means. Further these conflicts in the mind result from comparisons such as:

• What I have vs. what I like to have
• My view vs. the others
• What I believe vs. what the others believe

In a nutshell,

• Trying to live with conflicting demands is stressful
• Unrealistic goals or desires are stressful
• Competition is stressful
• Trying to be what you are not is stressful
• High strung living is stressful

How can we eliminate stress?

If the conflicts in the mind stem from (a) Not living in the present, (b) Not accepting reality, and (c) Need to satisfy desires, then by treating each of these areas it should be possible to eliminate conflict thus eliminating stress. It is here that Buddha has given us many prescriptions. Let us examine some of those prescriptions.

Mindfulness

Buddha prescribed living with awareness and mindfulness at all times. Following this prescription allows us to accomplish all tasks effectively, without any reference to their relative importance. Awareness also allows us to monitor verbal, physical and mental actions, thus ensuring that these actions are always in accordance with the core principles of the Buddha’s teachings. Not only do we eliminate stress but we also ensure we do not cause stress to anyone else either. Although we ensure that the verbal, physical and the mental actions are the right action, it should be borne in mind that it is not always possible to control the outcomes of these actions.

Grounding in Reality

Buddha said that everyone is subject to the eight worldly Dhammas. He described impermanence as the true nature as well as he described the nature of self or the lack thereof. He showed aging, illness and death as inevitable eventualities. Acknowledging these realities and living accordingly is the first step towards achieving peace of mind. This does not mean that one stops planning for the future; rather it means these plans must be based on realistic expectations and objectives. Also one must make allowances for plans to change. In planning and executing plans, one must recognize those situations and actions that are within one’s control from those that are not. On this note one must certainly control one’s faculties. Nothing can be done about the past Very little control over the future. By fully accepting the present reality one can influence the future on that basis. All expectations must be grounded in reality. Since stress results from the choices we make, we should be making prudent choices with awareness.

Need to satisfy desires and expectations

Virtually all our time is spent satisfying our basic needs as well as desires and expectations. Just satisfying basic needs could be difficult. This overwhelming need to satisfy the ego and the self result in running after pleasures both mental and physical. Competition, the need for recognition, satisfying the ego, etc. increase the complexity of these desires as well as the difficulty in meeting these desires giving rise to stress.   As The Buddha prescribed, simplicity, lowered expectations, low maintenance are key steps towards eliminating stress. Stress also results from having to meet social expectations as well as those of the others. One must be independent; being pleasant but not always pleasing others; being dependable but not be driven by the expectations of the others. These

 Tenets help eliminate stress.

Methodology

Buddha’s prescription for stress is mindfulness and awareness. Through mindfulness and awareness one’s actions will always be based on the core principles. It is the proper cultivation of the mind that will ultimately eliminate stress to give peace of mind. Accepting reality about aging, illness and death