The Buddha and His Teachings
[Pages:558]The Buddha and His Teachings
Venerable Narada Mahathera
eUDDHANET'
BOOK LIBRARY
E-mail: bdea@ Web site:
Buddha Dharma Education Association Inc.
B
S
The Buddha and His Teachings
Venerable Nrada Mahthera
Reprinted for free distribution by The Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational Foundation Taipei, Taiwan. July 1998
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samm-Sambuddhassa
Homage to Him, the Exalted, the Worthy, the Fully Enlightened One
Contents
Introduction ................................................................................... vii
The Buddha Chapter 1
From Birth to Renunciation ........................................................... 1
Chapter 2
His Struggle for Enlightenment .................................................. 13
Chapter 3
The Buddhahood ............................................................................ 25
Chapter 4
After the Enlightenment ............................................................... 33
Chapter 5
The Invitation to Expound the Dhamma .................................. 41
Chapter 6
Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta ................................................. 54
Chapter 7
The Teaching of the Dhamma ..................................................... 75
Chapter 8
The Buddha and His Relatives .................................................... 88
Chapter 9
The Buddha and His Relatives .................................................. 103
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Chapter 10
The Buddha's Chief Opponents and Supporters ................... 118
Chapter 11
The Buddha's Royal Patrons ...................................................... 141
Chapter 12
The Buddha's Ministry ............................................................... 152
Chapter 13
The Buddha's Daily Routine ...................................................... 168
Chapter 14
The Buddha's Parinibbna (Death) .......................................... 173
The Dhamma Chapter 15
The Teachings of The Buddha ................................................... 201
Chapter 16
Some Salient Characteristics of Buddhism ............................. 223
Chapter 17
The Four Noble Truths ................................................................ 241
Chapter 18
Kamma ........................................................................................... 252
Chapter 19
What is Kamma? .......................................................................... 265
Chapter 20
The Working of Kamma ............................................................. 275
iv
Chapter 21
Nature of Kamma ........................................................................ 293
Chapter 22
What is the Origin of Life? ........................................................ 302
Chapter 23
The Buddha on the so-called Creator-God ............................. 312
Chapter 24
Reasons to Believe in Rebirth ................................................... 317
Chapter 25
The Wheel of Life ? Paticca-Samuppda ................................. 326
Chapter 26
Modes of Birth and Death .......................................................... 338
Chapter 27
Planes of Existence ...................................................................... 341
Chapter 28
How Rebirth takes place ............................................................ 349
Chapter 29
What is it that is Reborn? (No-soul) ......................................... 356
Chapter 30
Moral Responsibility .................................................................. 368
Chapter 31
Kammic Descent and Kammic Ascent ..................................... 371
Chapter 32
A Note on the Doctrine of Kamma & Rebirth in the West .. 377
Chapter 33
Nibbna ......................................................................................... 385
Chapter 34
Characteristics of Nibbna ......................................................... 393
Chapter 35
The Way to Nibbna (I) ............................................................... 404
Chapter 36
The Way to Nibbna (II) Meditation ........................................ 410
Chapter 37
Nvarana or Hindrances ............................................................. 427
Chapter 38
The Way to Nibbna (III) ............................................................ 431
Chapter 39
The State of an Arahant .............................................................. 442
Chapter 40
The Bodhisatta Ideal ................................................................... 450
Chapter 41
Pram ? Perfections .................................................................... 459
Chapter 42
Brahmavihra ? The Sublime States ........................................ 489
Chapter 43
Eight Worldly Conditions ........................................................... 513
Chapter 44
The Problems of Life ................................................................... 530
vi
Introduction
Many valuable books have been written by Eastern and Western scholars, Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike, to present the life and teachings of the Buddha to those who are interested in Buddhism.
Amongst them one of the most popular works is still The Light of Asia by Sir Edwin Arnold. Many Western truth-seekers were attracted to Buddhism by this world-famous poem.
Congratulations of Eastern and Western Buddhists are due to the learned writers on their laudable efforts to enlighten the readers on the Buddha-Dhamma.
This new treatise is another humble attempt made by a member of the Order of the Sangha, based on the Pli Texts, commentaries, and traditions prevailing in Buddhist countries, especially in Ceylon.
The first part of the book deals with the Life of the Buddha, thc second with the Dhamma, the Pli term for His Doctrine.
* The Buddha-Dhamma is a moral and philosophical system which expounds a unique path of Enlightenment, and is not a subject to be studied from a mere academic standpoint.
The Doctrine is certainly to be studied, more to be practised, and above all to be realized by oneself.
Mere learning is of no avail without actual practice. The learned man who does not practise the Dhamma, the Buddha says, is like a colourful flower without scent.
He who does not study the Dhamma is like a blind man. But, he who does not practise the Dhamma is comparable to a library.
* There are some hasty critics who denounce Buddhism as a passive and inactive religion. This unwarranted criticism is far
vii
from the truth. The Buddha was the first most active missionary in the world.
He wandered from place to place for forty-five years preaching His doctrine to the masses and the intelligentsia. Till His last moment, He served humanity both by example and by precept. His distinguished disciples followed suit, penniless, they even travelled to distant lands to propagate the Dhamma, expecting nothing in return.
"Strive on with diligence" were the last words of the Buddha. No emancipation or purification can be gained without personal striving. As such petitional or intercessory prayers are denounced in Buddhism and in their stead is meditation which leads to self-control, purification, and enlightenment. Both meditation and service form salient characteristics of Buddhism. In fact, all Buddhist nations grew up in the cradle of Buddhism.
"Do no evil", that is, be not a curse to oneself and others, was the Buddha's first advice. This was followed by His second admonition ? "Do good", that is, be a blessing to oneself and others. His final exhortation was ? "Purify one's mind" ? which was the most important and the most essential.
Can such a religion be termed inactive and passive? It may be mentioned that, amongst the thirty-seven factors that lead to enlightenment (Bodhipakkhiya-Dhamma), viriya or energy occurs nine times. Clarifying His relationship with His followers, the Buddha states:
"You yourselves should make the exertion. The Tathgatas are mere teachers."
The Buddhas indicate the path and it is left for us to follow that path to obtain our purification. Self-exertion plays an important part in Buddhism.
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