..續本文上一頁 An alcoholic thinks that he is addicted to alcohol. He is actually addicted to the sensations he feels when he drinks alcohol.

　　When one observes sensations objectively, one starts coming out of ignorance. By understanding the impermanent nature of sensations, one generates paññā in response to vedanā. This is the law of nature. Dhamma niyāmatā is the law behind the natural order of phenomena. Whether there is a Buddha or no Buddha, Dhamma niyāmatā remains eternal. The Buddha said:

　　Uppādā vā tathāgatānaṃ anuppādā vā tathāgatānaṃ, ṭhitāva sā dhātu dhammaṭṭhitatā dhammaniyāmatā idappaccayatā. Taṃ tathāgato abhisambujjhati abhisameti. Abhisambujjhitvā abhisametvā ācikkhati deseti paññāpeti paṭṭhapeti vivarati vibhajati uttānīkaroti. ”Passathā”ti cāha.”

　　He said, "I have experienced this law of nature, the Law of Dependent Origination, within myself; and having experienced and understood it I declare it, teach it, clarify it, establish it and show it to others. Only after having seen it for myself, I declare it."

　　This is the bold declaration of a supreme scientist. Just as whether there is a Newton or no Newton, the law of gravity remains true. Newton discovered it and explained it to the world. Similarly, Galileo or no Galileo, the fact that the earth revolves around the sun remains true.

　　The feeling of sensation is the crucial junction from where one can take two paths going in opposite directions. If one keeps on reacting blindly to pleasant and unpleasant sensations, one multiplies one”s misery. If one learns to maintain equanimity in the face of pleasant and unpleasant sensations, one starts changing the habit pattern at the deepest level and starts coming out of misery. The sensations are the root. As long as one neglects the root, the poisonous tree will grow again even if the trunk is cut. The Buddha said:

　　Yathāpi mūle anupaddave daḷhe,

　　chinnopi rukkho punareva rūhati

　　Evampi taṇhānusaye anūhate,

　　nibbattati dukkhamidaṃ punappunaṃ.

　　Just as a tree with roots intact and secure,

　　though cut down, sprouts again;

　　even so, while latent craving is not rooted out,

　　misery springs up again and again.

　　Thus, this super-scientist discovered that to become fully liberated from mental defilements, one has to work at the root of the mind. Each inpidual must cut asunder the roots of taṇhānusaya.

　　When the entire forest is withered, each tree has to be nurtured, its roots cleared of disease, and then watered. Then, the entire forest will bloom again. Similarly, for the betterment of society, each inpidual has to improve. For society to become peaceful, each inpidual has to become peaceful. The inpidual is the key.

　　For the world to become peaceful, each country or society has to become peaceful. Here, I would again like to quote a very important exhortation from the Buddha to the Vajjian republic of Licchavis. The Buddha gave the following practical instructions, which would make the Licchavis unassailable:

　　As long as they maintain their unity and meet regularly, they will remain invincible.

　　As long as they meet together in unity, rise in unity and perform their duties in unity, they will remain invincible.

　　As long as they do not transgress their ancient principles of good governance and their system of justice, they will remain invincible.

　　As long as they revere, respect, venerate, and honor their elders and pay regard to their words, they will remain invincible.

　　As long as they protect their women and children, they will remain invincible.

　　As long as they venerate the objects of worship inside and outside their republic, and maintain monetary support for them, they will remain invincible.

　　There were many sects in those days …

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