THE ULTIMATE GOAL

‘For mammals all, homeostasis meant survival: but for man, emanicipation’

– Gray Walter

            When we consider the condition of an individual today, we find his outer life well organized and enriched, but his inner nature of man is very little in modern civilization.  That is the reason we had ailments in our inner life.

            When we work in the world, we are in the outer world of activity, but even then, the inner world functions.  However, we largely ignore it.  Action in the outer world has its effects on the inner world of man, and vice versa.  When that fact has taken into account, we are able to march side-by-side, steadily and peacefully, in the outer as well as in the inner dimension, it is good to know what the new thought developments in modern western science have to say.[i]

The character (sila) is the first step to get the enlightenment.  The aim of the life is to realize the truth. In addition, one must get perfection in practicing sila in order to lead peaceful and happy life.

Religious point of view in India different organizations are posing to make their philosophy as a separate sect or religion or a new ‘ism’ itself.  This brought great havoc in the lives of all walks of people in the world. These people are constructing temples to unworthy personalities.  The truth seekers are confused to apply religious principles and practices in their day-to-day life.  They are fearful to fallow the truth.  It is the reason they totally buried in the worries and miseries.

Many people in the world to day are leading technical life rather than moral life.  They think that this is the future of the modern age.  However, this is not right view of the life in the modern age. This I experienced in my life itself.

JYOTHI project:-

            My ambition is to bring change in human life style and to see the human society live a peaceful life and by attaining the ultimate perfection to get out from the suffering and to become an enlightened one.

            Spiritual growth depends on Pscho-social evolution.  It is the reason I designed this ‘JYOTHI’ project to develop morality and welfare in the world, partcularly for the aspirants. Through the Indian tradition and culture i.e Dharma “education for freedom through change” concept of jyothi project, will bring definitely moral and ethical perfection in the invidviduals and the society.              

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[i] Eternal values for changing Society, by Swami Ranghanadananda, Bharatiya Vidaya Bhavan, Bombay

My Dhamma Greetings to you all,

            Until the last issue, we dealt the philosophy of the “DHARMA SOLDIER”.  In this issue, I want to speak about the manuscript of the book of the Dharma soldier, which is written by me. 

           This is published in Myanmar in bio-lingual (Burma and English) languages.  The second edition was revised and published in Sri Lanka. This is with the message of the H.E. J. Jayaratne, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and the His Excellency himself inaugurated this book.  This book was exhibited in Colombo and New Delhi book exhibitions.

          The book speaks about moral based Art of living in the present day circumstances.  Especially this is good for the youth to improve their personality in positive way.  This is also introduces “Engaged Buddhism” to the aspirants and the youth. It can improve the knowledge of the reader.  It also helps the reader to know how to apply the teachings of the Buddha in day-to-day life. 

          `Actually the content of the book is articles which are written by me in English and published in the news papers and magazines in India and abroad, and in the many websites.  It is translated in different languages in the world such as Sinhalese (Sri Lanka) Burmese (Myanmar) and Tamil, Telugu and Hindi languages of India.  Now I revised to publish third edition to give more benefit to the readers.  

          My point is that I want to donate the manuscript to publish in USA, UK, Europe, Africa and other countries if anybody wants to publish and distribute freely or to sale it. The manuscript is in Coral Draw file form, it is to print and distribute. “Saba danam Dhamma danam Jinathi”, I want to teach the aspirants in the world how to be a ‘Dhamma soldier’ to fight with ‘ILLS’ within and ‘EVIL’ around him.

          Those who are interested please write to me Email: dham.sol@gmail.com

I hope that this kind of maitry practice helps us to build right relationship in future.

Thanking You,

Your’s-in-Dhamma

Ven.Sumedha Bodhi

(DHAMMA SOLDIER)

      

            In the preceding issues, we have discussed how the ‘DHARMA SOLDIER’ deals with ‘ills’ within and ‘Evil’ around him by applying teachings of the Lord Buddha for his spiritual & secular development.

          In this issue, I am presenting few important successful works of mine through photos.  I also am planning to invite the world of aspirants to be members of the DHARMA SOLDIER’S ASSOCIATION to work for personal and official issues together in future.

   

 Figure 1 H.E. M.M.Pallam Raju, Minister for Human Resources development,

                                Government of India and others at Kakinada, India

Figure 2 speaking at a social function in India.

                                Figure 3 a flex used at ‘Education Stall' conducted by me in India to teach moral                                                                                         lessons to general public.

Figure 4 Donating clothes to poor elderly people on the eve o Buddha Jyanthi, 14th May 2014, India.

Figure 5 H.E. D.M.Jayaratne, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka inaugurated ‘DHAMMA SOLDIER’                          Book written by me at his office, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Figure 6While inaugurating art exhibition of Mrs.Chandahana Khan, IAS, Special Secretary to AP TDC, and India, and Vice Chancellor of Andhra University.

Figure 7 while inaugurating an educational stall in India with local leaders and Dhamma Soldiers.

            

We have discussed how ‘DHARMA SOLDIER’ will overcome cankers or ‘ills’, in the preceding issue.  Now we have discussed how to deal with ‘EVIL’ around oneself.

Evil in the sense it may be anything which affects him negatively, to lead secured, justified, peaceful and happy life. In order to reach such a state we need to eliminate social, political, economical suffering and injustice.

“The only weapon that we have in our hands this evening is the weapon of protest. That's all.”                             

                                                    ― Martin Luther King Jr., 

.       The living creatures need three things for their growth and evolution: nurturing, security and freedom.

Nurturing consists of a number of factors required by living creatures for their growth. For example, a plant needs soil and water as well as light and heat in order to grow. An animal needs food and other things. A human being's needs are the same as those of plants and animals plus a series of other needs which would come under the heading of nurturing, all of which are like food for it. How can one live without food? The faculty of nourishment is a necessary asset to a living being.

The main requisite of a living being is security. What does security mean? It means being able to keep the means and equipment necessary for living. It should not be withheld from them by an enemy or a foreign power. Next to this nurturing it needs security in order to keep its life and wealth and health and belongings safe against aggression.

The third need is freedom. What does freedom mean? It means the absence of obstacles in the way of growth. For example, in growing a plant, in addition to other requisites, you must provide a suitable environment to it and remove all obstacles. If you plant a tree under a roof, you are depriving it of free space above to attain its full growth. Thus every living being needs freedom for its growth and evolution. What is this freedom? It is the absence of barriers. Free persons are those who fight against all obstacles set in their way of growth and perfection. They do not submit to obstacles.

“The good or ill of man lies within his own will”

                                               --Epictetus

We have to cultivate right behavior to live in the society respectfully.  ‘Nobody is a born criminal’ every person is good till the society makes him sick.  Society prepares the crime and man commits it. 

Therefore somebody to become a criminal some other person and some circumstances may be responsible.  It is enough if our endeavor is to see that we are not those persons responsible for somebody to a criminal.  It is enough if our endeavor is to see that we do not create the circumstances for the other person to be a criminal.  If one is conscious at least of this fundamental responsibility, one is considered to be doing the utmost service to the society the greatest contribution more than positive service.

“Manners make man “

                                      --Anonymous

If “Might is right” is reigning principle.  ‘Survival of the fittest’ is the law that prevails.  As a result the poor is exploited by the rich.  The weak is exploited by the powerful and influential.   Lawlessness will be the order of the day.  Money power, influence under expert legal guidance, will do wonders in doing and undoing things.  As a result people gradually loose confidence in value based living.  Even good people, law abiding citizens, frustrated with the happenings around and tempted by the irresistible temporary results obtained by unlawful living, push back their conscious and culture to oblivion and adopt to corrupt methods taking the wrong values as means to achieve the ends.  Thus the entire society plunges into dark dungeons of polluted living.

Socially Engaged Buddhism which I am propagating is mainly for the benefit of the ordinary people.  If one practices it with determination, definitely he can develop his standard of knowledge and wisdom.   Soon he can practice higher level spirituality.  Then, one can choose any kind of teachings/religion.

Those who have sound health, intelligence and courage are only can practice Mediation and higher teachings of the Lord Buddha directly.  Also according to him one who possesses three things i.e. listening to Dharma teachings and having a Kalyana mitra and living with wise are wealthy.  Those who possess material things are just rich only.  They have much defilement.

          Life in developing countries is filled with lot of corruption and violence.  A spiritual seeker should understand what the path and what not the path in order to practice rightly.  For that aspirant should know, what are the original teachings of the Lord Buddha? Now- a-days many organizations are utilizing the name and teachings of the Lord Buddha for their political, social and economical benefits. 

In my case, I have right view from my birth.  But I don’t have possessed sound health and wise surroundings in order to practice higher teachings of the Lord Buddha.   There are reasons for low standard according to sacred literature i.e. it may be past life’s karmic effect.

My ambition is to bring change in human life style and to see the human society live a peaceful life and by attaining ultimate perfection to get liberated from this mortal world and to attain Liberation (Nibbana).

            My vision is to attain transcendental state and material well-being and work for social, Political, economic suffering and injustice as a Kalyana mitra, namely,‘DHARMA SOLDIER’.

            I take the opportunity to request all of you to share my views and Join with me to work together.

With regards,

Ven. Sumedha

A Buddhist Monk, Author, writer, International Traveler & social worker

           

                  We have discussed ‘DHARMA SOLDIER’ who upholds the righteousness.  I told that ‘DHARMA SOLDIER’ fights with ‘ills’ and ‘evils’ of his own and around him.  Now I will discuss the application part of this concept. 

            The ills and evils mean the inner and outer problems of one. I will discuss ‘ills’ in this issue.

The ILLS:

               1. Lobha is attachment. It is craving. It is greediness. It is clinging. It has many other different names like tanha, raga, samudaya, upadana etc. Oceans may even full with water but lobha never full with its desire. Lobha or tanha is one of two roots of wheel of life or paticcasamuppada (a Buddhist text).

     I am practicing Vinaya rules the code of conduct of Buddhist monks.  I possessed good number of books.  For food I go for Alms.  I don’t have any other immovable or movable properties other than a small bank deposit which is for financial security to me. So Loba can’t over power me.

1.1 some of the psychological conditions for corporate greed, corruption and exploitation include:

·         absence of an inner life

·         low emotional quotient and low spiritual quotient

·         addiction to goals regardless of the cost

·         craving for security

·         alienation

·         deep need to prove oneself

·         emotional estrangement from loved ones

·         fear of being a loser

·         flight from feelings

·         fear of death

·         grasping after pleasure, power and luxury goods for a sense of identity

·         lack of self worth

·         unresolved control issues

2. Dosa (Hatred), we can call Dosa as violence mind, and it involves grief, fear, depression, anger, and grudge. This violent mind is attacking, planning to kill other people - all of these are dosa. Dosa is conditioned by lobha, we do not want to lose and we do not really ignore what is dear to us and when this actually happen some bad situation we are sad. Sadness is dosa, and it is really akusala. If we do not know things as they are, we believe that people and things lost. However, people and things are only phenomena which arise and fall away immediately. If we can see things as they are - we will be less overwhelmed by sadness. It makes no sense to be sad about what has happened already.

How to overcome the Anger?

Anger is caused by greed and self-attachment and makes us discriminate against whoever disturbs our happiness, producing the enemy. If we are a victim of anger and hatred, try to feel sincerely that these forces are our enemies. This is not imagination, it is reality. They are our enemies. And we should think of anger as a thief. When we are angry with someone, feel that our anger is a human being who has come to steal our inner wealth, our peace and poise. If we are wise, we will never allow a thief to enter into us. We should think of hatred, too, as a human being, which has come to rob us of our love and inner wealth.

In my personal life I practiced to eliminate anger (Dosa), when I also lost many things. I started a project ‘JYOTHI’ to educate the people - “Education for freedom through change” concept. Instead of taking revenge for harassment and suicidal demands and attemptive murders and attacks etc. which I faced I started asking them to change their behavior.  In this way I followed the teachings of the Lord Buddha.

3. Moha (Ignorance); Moha is ignorance. It is delusion. It covers true nature of dharma and it veils the mind not to see realities and truths. It prevents arising wisdom. Delusion (moha) and wisdom are mutually exclusive in a mind. When delusion arises, wisdom cannot arise and when wisdom arises delusion has gone away.

Dullness; Moha is not the same as lack of worldly knowledge such as science or history, but it is ignorance of ultimate realities. There are many degrees of moha. Moha does not know the true nature of the object which is experienced and therefore its essence is, as stated by the Atthasalini (a Buddhist text) non-penetration and its function "covering up" the intrinsic nature of the object.

I practice Vipassana meditation to develop wisdom and I also worship Buddha every day to protect me in all the vicissitudes.  This every day practice helps me to come out from delusion.

I will discuss ‘Evil’ in the next issue.

Your’s-in-Dhamma

Ven. Sumedha Bodhi

A Buddhist Monk, Author, writer, International Traveler & social worker

Dear friends in Dharma

          I am welcoming you all to my new Blog (DHARMA SOLDIER.blogpost.com) .  I created this blog to learn, travel and to lead world peace movement.  It will also help us to get social and economical benefits.

          In the present era of violence, sexual misconduct, aggressive feelings, tensions and irritations as well as useless thinking convert an individual to a patient.   Sometime it would even drag him towards suicide.

          Our community life is filled with many kinds of undesirable habits like gambling (lottery, snooker/billiards), smoking  cigarettes, consuming intoxicants, chewing betel, cheating, unethical advertisements, class war etc.,  This tendency destroys the present day life of humanity.  Therefore, this situation needs to be changed as early as possible.  So I decided to become a ‘DHARMA SOLDIER’ to act against Ills & Evils of once own and community.

          So we need to deal with social, political, economic suffering and injustice.  My movement integrates people’s spiritual practice into all aspects of their daily lives.   It focuses on issues of the world rather than how to leave the world behind; on caring for living rather than dead; on benefiting others, rather than benefiting oneself and on universal salvation, rather than cultivation for only oneself.

          I teach panchsila the moral code as the Lord Buddha said.  I.e. (1) Abstaining from killing (2) Abstaining from stealing (3) Abstaining from sexual misconduct (4) Abstaining form lying and (5) Abstaining from intoxication.  Also we need to practice Loving kindness and compassion.

          I am a Buddhist monk from India.  I have traveled across some place in India and planning to travel around the world to work for peace.  I already toured Sri Lanka and Myanmar.

With regards,

Ven. Sumedha

A Buddhist Monk, Author, writer, International Traveler & social worker