..续本文上一页life became secondary.

　　The Buddha worked tirelessly to get rid of the harm caused to Dhamma by this social evil and was successful to a great extent. He explained that one who is born of a human mother will be a human, not an animal or bird or reptile. If he is immoral, corrupt, wicked, he is an outcast; if he is moral, virtuous, righteous, he is worthy of respect. A person who does immoral deeds should be considered as inferior and an outcast; if the same person develops wisdom and becomes moral and righteous, he should be respected.

　　Similarly it is wrong to consider an immoral person to be of high status merely because he is wealthy. The only yardstick for high status and respect in society should be whether one is living a life of Dhamma. For a householder, it is essential to earn a living honestly by working hard and with intelligence. It is equally important to live an ethical life and to make proper use of wealth that one has earned. This alone can make human life successful and meaningful.

　　Unfortunately, within a few centuries after the Buddha, the dangerous snake of casteism again raised its head and has entangled the entire society in its destructive coils. Centuries later, India is still suffering from the adverse effects of this poison. If the Buddha”s teaching, which gave all importance to moral conduct had been followed, the state of the country would have been completely different.

　　The Buddha opposed animal sacrifice in the name of Dhamma, discrimination based on birth, and trade of slaves as well as of animals. The eradication of these three evils was essential for the re-establishment of Dhamma then and is equally necessary today. For an ideal household life and an ideal human society, it is essential to have compassion towards all creatures and to have equality among all people. The teaching of the Buddha to householders, for the establishment of an exemplary human society, is an invaluable gift for the entire world.

　　Human beings may make claims of supremacy over earth, water and sky but as long as they do not establish mastery over their own minds, they remain defeated. The Buddha has taught an effective technique that can be used to gain mastery over oneself. Practising Vipassana, each inpidual can gain insight into their own nature, establish mastery over their own mind, and reform their undisciplined nature, thus benefitting themselves and others. This is the greatness of the Buddha”s universal teaching to householders.

　　Emperor Asoka and national security

　　Two hundred years after the Buddha, an exemplary emperor of India, Emperor Asoka, strongly supported the universal teaching of the Buddha. This enabled the formation of an ideal society. The influence of the Buddha”s teaching spread not only to the neighbouring kingdoms, but also to distant lands. Besides, Emperor Asoka presented an illustrious example of an ideal ruler, one who did not attack weaker neighbouring kingdoms merely to fulfil his imperial ambitions.

　　However, Emperor Asoka was constantly alert about the security of his empire and maintained a powerful defensive army. He protected and nurtured his subjects like his own children. This glorious example of the ideal way to fulfil the duties of a ruler was exemplified by him because he applied the practical teaching of the Buddha. He also set an admirable example of establishing strong friendly relations with the neighbouring kingdoms, the enduring influence of which can be seen even now, centuries after his rule.

　　Vipassana has been accepted by hundreds of thousands of people from all religions and social strata all over the world in the past three decades. However even now, some people, on hearing about Vipassana, frown and say that it is Buddhist. I feel great compassion towards such people. The false propaganda of centuries has spread so much darkness! Is living a moral life, gaining mastery over the mind, and purifying the mind by developing insight the monopoly of only the Buddhists

　　 Is living such a life unacceptable to others

　　Let us brush away the cobweb of misconceptions about the teaching of the Buddha. He investigated the universal eternal practical truth before teaching it to householders. Let us gain mastery over the mind and fill our family life with happiness, harmony, and contentment, and at the same time, share this happiness with others. This will result in an ideal human society.

《The Buddha’s Teaching is For All》全文阅读结束。