A Search New Dimension of universal brotherhood

7/27/2019 A Search New Dimension of universal brotherhood

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A Search for New Dimension of Universal Brotherhood

Dr. Jinabodhi Bhikkhu

On this significant sacred day I would like to put forward certain proposals

and suggestions to promote universal brotherhood. Before that I would like to

elucidate some fundamental principles of Buddhism. We are human beings having

extraordinary potentialities. Noble virtues and criminal nature are latent in our minds,

spirits and hearts. These may arise in our lives at any time without any interference

from external or any supernatural power. These are dormant within us in various

degrees. Within our minds we find a treasure house of virtue and rubbish heap of

wickedness. With the flourishment of these characteristics, we may become either a

blessing or a curse to humanity. If we want to engage ourselves in the noble service

of humanity we must endeavor our best to uproot the latent evils by sowing the

dormant seeds of noble virtues. To discover the invaluable treasures latent within us,

patience and persistent effort are unavoidably needed. Even the poorest people can

perform this task. Thus, wealth and power are not essential pre-conditions and pre-

requisites to the accumulation of human values.

The most destructive element within us is anger. The constructive virtue-

loving kindness can eliminate this evil force and ennoble us. The cruelty is another

vice which is solely responsible for horrors and atrocities prevalent in the world today.

Compassion is its antidote. Jealousy is another vice that destroys the inner system

of our minds. The ruinous jealousy leads to deadly rivalries and bloody competitions.

The most efficacious remedy for this evil propensity is appreciative joy and affection.

The other characteristics, which upset the mental faculty of human beings, are

attachment to the pleasurable things and aversion to the unpleasurable things. The

equanimity can eliminate these two contending opposite forces. These four powerful

virtues must be cultivated.

The living-kindness softens our hearts and minds. Instead of providing

military aid, we should give pure loving-kindness to of all humanity without making

distinction between man and man or between man and women. ''As mother protects

her only child even at the risk of her own life, in the same way we should extend

boundless loving kindness towards all living beings''. This is the assertion of the

Buddha. Therefore, loving kindness is not the passionate love of mother towards her

child. Our love towards this universe must be a sincere wish and pure love for thedurable peace and all round welfare of the world. We should extend the boundless


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universal brotherhood, sisterhood and spirit of embracing all nations, all races, all

classes, and all countries irrespective of differences of political views.

The loving kindness and sincere wish for the ever-lasting peace and welfare

of the world are not political or racial or national or even a religious matter.

Brotherhood is a universal concept. Political brotherhood is confined only to those

who share similar political views. Racial brotherhood and national brotherhood are

restricted only to those of same race and nation. Very often to assert their racial or

political superiority, they resort to brutal warfare and killing of people by mercilessly

bombing. The pathetic incidents of the Second World War are striking, unforgettable

examples. Human violence and terrorism should be denounced once-and-for-all and

harmonious relations should be established and developed among the people of

different faiths.

The Buddha said, ''Hatred never ceases through hatred, but hatred ceases by

love alone. This is the eternal law. As loving kindness is a constructive peaceful

force, which has the power to counteract destructive, unwanted influences, just as

hateful thoughts can produce unhealthy, unsound mental and physical effects. The

Buddha emphatically stated the importance of morality as a trust to overcome

tensions, chaos, confusions and sufferings. Selflessness, loving kindness and

harmlessness or nonviolence is invaluable.

Today's world is full of miseries, war-weariness and violence. The world is

suffering a lot. Human lives are in danger and frightened by the arms race. These

weapons are always ready to kill many human lives in the twinkling of an eye. In

fact, the world is absolutely in need of this universal loving-kindness, unbounded

compassion, intense joy, great forbearance and right vision in order to live in one

world in perfect peace and harmony in the sense of brothers and sisters. We should

generate purest sincere love to eliminate the enemies of the world. We shoulddevelop invaluable compassion to remove the woes of nations, which in a sense is

cruelty. We should enhance overwhelming joy to protect us from the persons of

jealousy. We should develop the mental status of man to eliminate attachment to

and aversion to unpleasurable situations. On the contrary, in the world today, from

the materialistic point of view, all technology, industry, machinery are well-developed.

Buddha asked Come and see what I say If you find something acceptable

you can accept gladly and if you do not find something valuable, you can leave

without hesitation, Buddhas such explanation is not compulsion. But I feel the


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young generation of today must be brought within the light of Buddha's teachings

under some compulsion, that is, under compulsory religious education. They must

be inspired, encouraged and geared up for the practice and propagation of

Buddhism. Islamic community of the world has already introduced compulsory

prayers and compulsory religious activities. We must follow instances of Islamic

compulsory religious activities. The teachers and learners of Buddhism must be

spiritually enhanced. They must be highly educated in the subject of Buddhism. The

young people are lacking loving kindness, compassion and noble feelings. They are

making material progress in the age of science and technology. But mental progress

is very much needed for them. Through seminars all religious leaders, thinkers and

spiritual teachers should stand unitedly under the religious flag and start drawing the

attention of all the Buddhist countries of the world so that the risks of nuclear war can

be stopped and real peace, security and harmony can be restored. So we must

dedicate our life to the welfare of all human beings. We should live a healthy and

contented life. We should devote more time, more energy for the welfare of the world

at large.

We should change and improve the entire education system of every country

especially the Buddhist countries. We should plan, teach and learn moral education,

cultural education, religious education, spiritual education according to the needs and

requirements of the respective country. So all spiritual and religious leaders have to

meet on a common platform. We should win anger through kindness, wickedness

through goodness, selfishness through charity and falsehood through truthfulness.

This is the assertion of the Buddha. On account of different faiths or views, if we

cannot meet, stand and walk on a common platform like brothers and sisters, the

missions of teachers or many leaders would fail in bringing the desired fruitful result

for the world.

In a strict sense we must adopt following steps for the promotion and

propagation of Buddhism:

1. Dedication of our life to the welfare of all sentient beings, working for peace,

disarmament and international brotherhood.

2. Living frugal, healthy and contented life, so as to devote more time, more

energy for peace and for the welfare of all living beings.


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3. Abstinence from any action leading to disputes and wars. Performance of

any action leading to peace, harmony and international understanding.

4. Respect for the life of all sentient beings, respect for the life of our planet, for

the purity of our environment.

5. Peaceful coexistence, mutual understanding and cooperation in the spirit of

international harmony.

There are several important ways by which we can promote Buddhist

education. These are as follows:

1. To educate youths to lead virtuous lives and to propagate the sublime

doctrines of Buddha through lectures, books, periodicals and magazines and

newspapers.

2. To establish schools, universities and orphanages.

3. To form study centers at the Buddhist monasteries and other socio-cultural

organizations.

4. To print Buddhist publications either monthly, quarterly or annually.

5. Deserving students from poor Buddhist countries should be given all

opportunities in connection with higher studies in the institutions of developed

Buddhist Countries. These steps will promote unity, solidarity and universal

brotherhood among Buddhists.

Now my suggestions and proposals are as follows:

1. Sound education and proper methods of practice are necessary to spread

Buddhism around the world

2. Buddhist monks must be well-trained in the fundamental teaching of the Lord

Buddha.

3. A World Body of the Buddhists must be formed to supervise and guide world-

wide Buddhist activities.

4. A Central Monetary Fund under the World Body of Buddhists should be

created to meet the expenses in materializing all aims and objectives.


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5. Arrangements to help materially poor Buddhists but rich in Buddhist cultural

heritage be made through the World Body.

6. Developed Buddhist countries like Japan, China, Korea etc. are requested to

come forward to this end.

7. The students of poor Buddhist countries should be assisted materially for

higher education.

8. Plans must be prepared to protect Buddhist heritages of any country.

9. Bhikkhu Training Centers should be established in suitable places.

10. Books and Treaties on Buddhism including Tipitaka in English to cope with

modern thinking must be written and published profusely for the public.

11. Whenever injustice stands in the way of human rights of Buddhist people,

protest should be voiced unanimously from appropriate forums. At present

alarming situation prevails in Nepal, where the government has discriminately

disapproved the establishment of a Buddhist University in the birth-place of

the Buddha, the great advocate of peace. It is time to stand by the concerned

people and persuade the government concerned to co-operate with the noble

cause of the Buddhists of Nepal.

12. Arrangements for pilgrimage to holy places in India, Myanmar and other

Buddhist countries should be made officially and thereby friendly ties and

mutual understanding be enhanced.

13. Buddhist Universities and other Technical Colleges must be established for

the development of Buddhists in suitable places.

Bangladesh was an integral part of Vanga or ancient Bengal. Based on the

Pali text records, one of the foremost disciples of the Buddha. Vangisa was hailed

from this part. Buddhism was flourishing in Bangladesh during the period of Emperor

Asoka (3rd Century B.C.). But the Nagarjuna inscriptions of Asoka dating from 3rd

century A.D proved that this faith was followed in Bangladesh under Asoka's rule.

The name of Vanga was mentioned in these inscriptions where many Ceylonese

monks had been found in propagating Buddhism in this part.

So my above proposals and suggestions can best be implemented in

Bangladesh as well as in other Buddhist and non-Buddhist countries to restore and


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regain the glorious tradition and cultural heritage of Buddhism. These will also go a

long way in promoting universal brotherhood which we are looking forward to

achieve.

May all pervading peace prevail in every corner of the world.

May all beings be peaceful and happy forever.

Yours in the Dhamma.

(Dr. Jinabodhi Bhikkhu)

Chairman & Associate Professor

Department of Oriental languages

University of ChittagongChittagong, Bangladesh.

President

Buddhist Research and Publication

Center Bangladesh.

Deputy Abbot

Chittagong Buddhist Monastery.

Mobile No. +88 0188095371

Fax: +88 031 726310,714113

Email: - [email protected]

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A Search New Dimension of universal brotherhood