The Buddha and His Teachings

[Pages:558]The Buddha and His Teachings

Venerable Narada Mahathera

eUDDHANET'

BOOK LIBRARY

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Buddha Dharma Education Association Inc.

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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

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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

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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

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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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