Life of Buddha in Gandhara Art

The world famous statue depicting Ascetic Siddhartha practicing severe austerities is found in the Museum of Lahore, Pakistan. There is perhaps hardly any other piece of religious sculpture that can move viewers as this sculpture can. The renowned site, where the Golden Age of Buddhist art and sculpture flourished from the 1st century B.C. to the 7th century A.D. is Gandhara.

            Once famous center of Buddhist activities, is Taxila existed in its neighborhood. Its extensive ruins speak eloquently about the astonishing presence of this ancient seat of learning. The cells, where scholars resided and studied, can still be seen though the vagaries of time and weather have reduced these to a dilapidated condition. 

The tradition of Grandhara Art is the birth place of many strands of Buddhist art and sculpture. Historically, it is in the Gandhara tradition that the Buddha came to be represented first as a person. Prior to this, the Supremely Enlightened Buddha was symbolized in art and sculpture either through foot-prints or through a stylized Bodhi Tree. The personal representations of the Buddha originated probably through the inspiration derived from the Hellenistic tradition. In numerous bas reliefs and friezes, phases of the Buddha’s life are elaborately depicted.

Note:The matter taken from Buddhist Library

COME OUT FORM SUFFERING

Dependent upon ignorance and carving, there arises rebirth consciousnesses.  With rebirth consciousness, it is Vinnana paccaya aggregate (cittakhandha) arises.  With citta there are the five aggregates, and it will become like a house. When it is like a house, guests come.  When citta is like a house the guests will come.  Guests coming means thoughts about family, about children, about somebody guests’ thoughts, about this or that person, about this or that matter – enter the mind.  They are not always present in mind.  Only when there are thoughts, they appear in mind like guests.  If such guests frequent the mind then it will be full of matters, which will bring about suffering.  There will be lust, anger, delusion; Nibbana is attained only when there are no raga, and moha.

                How does it go onto realization of nibbana? While contemplating ‘this is matter’, ‘this is consciousness’ the aggregates of suffering do not have chance to arise.  Cessation of the aggregates of suffering is nibbna.  Conditioned things do not have chance to arise, and the developed stage of Sankarupekkha nana is reached where conditioned things do not have chance to arise.  From there the nibbana without conditions is reached.

Dear friends

        I wish you a happy new year 2016 . 

 The new year will be happy and prosperous year with the blessings of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.  

       I attended a conference held at International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University,  Yangon, Myanmar.  The topic is Outlook on self-Identity beyond concept (Dhammanupassana).  It is a very successful conference, many a papers are presented by  scholars from different countries.  I also participated in the panel discussion.

      The topic speaks about how to practice Dhammanupassana which is a part of cittanupassana, kayanupassana, vedananupassana.  In Dhammanupassana we meditate on five hindrances and four-noble truths etc.

      The Maha Satiipattana Sutta is boon for the mankind to attain nirvnana.  the meditator who can practice well with these meditation subjects he definitely reaches the goal. 

      A beginner should develop the concentration by practicing Ana-pana Sati.   then after getting good concentration one can start practicing Vipassana.  so he can get good results.

Solitude

Solitude should be cultivated, bodily solitude as well as mental solitude.   Bodily solitude means to be alone.   I don’t mean to say that we should avoid meeting with people.  Rather I mean we should spend time by ourselves.  Mental solitude men are not thinking about anything about being alert and aware.  Some people believe that when we are not thinking about anything, then we must be deeply asleep, or dull and sleepy.   People don’t understand the importance of solitude.  They want to be with somebody who can give them some fun or stimulate the somehow.  Craving for stimulation.  When there is nothing to stimulate them they become bored.  Even when they are alone bodily, they read or with TV, listen to the radio or cassette, or they think about things they’ve done or about the things they will do.  Being alone not reading or watching TV, listening to the radio or cassette, and not thinking are things never thought of as productive.

Wisdom is the fruit of solitude.

Solitude is recharging.  

Life flowing out of deep stillness of my heart

underfinable

Everything else is incident. 

Sayadaw U Jotika.

MIND, MINFULNESS AND MDITATION

I have read a book of shayadaw U Jotika of Myanmar.  He is a great meditation teacher.  Here I am giving some important points to you to practice in everyday life.

In the body every part is related to every other part so it is in life.  Every aspect of life: Every aspect of your life is related to every other aspect of life.

The economic, sexual emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual aspects of your life are all related.  You can’t keep them separate.  If you try to keep them separate your life will be unfulfilling and inharmonious.  There will be conflict, a schism, paralysis. 

Have you ever read the Buddha wasted his feet, hands, and bowl very carefully? Everything he did was spiritualized.  That is true spirituality.

It is related to every aspect of your life.  So the way you talk, dress, relate to other people, eat, sleep, laugh – everything you do reflects your mind.

How think profoundly? You need a quiet mindful mind; a mind which is not tired or agitated can see clearly. It is the seeing clearly which is important. 

Conflicts will have, both internal and external. Only clear awareness and wisdom can help being-less (nissatta), lifeless (nijjiva).

some photos:

At ancient alms bowl 

wish happy birth day to Venerable Oothamathara

At Katina Dana

      The teachings of the Buddha is not only shows the path for spiritual practice, but also to lead the material life very happily, peacefully and successfully.

The THABARWA CENTER in Thanlyin, Yangon, Myanmar is an important and very peaceful place for the clergy to observe rainy retreat for three months.  In this center there are meditation center, free medial camp, old age home, Nunnery, shelter for mentally and physically challenged people etc.  The motive of the center is to share, care, and help and protect the people.

Sayadaw U Othamathara

The chief abbot Shayadaw U Otthamathara is not only very learned but also very kind to many poor and needy.  He has given me opportunity to stay in his center to learn and practice meditation.

U thien thin soe volunteer to master

Mr. U Thein thin Soe one of the disciple of master volunteering the center with his management skills affectionately.  He is a good meditator.  We both practiced Meditation with pasting under the Shayadaw U Thiha who is 86 years old. 

The center is not only taking care of the basic needs of the clergy, patients, poor and needy, they also teach how to lead the life mindfully by practicing morality (sila).

The master Sayadaw U Othamathara is happy to work with Dhamma soldier’s Association to uproot social, political, economical injustice& suffering in India.

Myanmar is undergoing change politically, economically of course in all the matters. The Buddha may bless to fulfill their wishes.

in the meditation hall