Today is Buddha Purnima, the full moon night in the month of Baisakh, a day when Gautama was born, attained enlightenment and passed in to Mahaparinirvana.
So this full moon night has a very special significance in the history of mankind.
Mankind was shown a path to spiritual progress and ultimate liberation by Tathagata Gautama Samyaka Sambodhi.
It is a path that is not difficult to understand or follow, and it does not require the follower of this path of easy self discipline to belong to any special sect or creed.
It is a practical path for day to day life allowing the follower of this path to create a chain of positive actions in the material world that simultaneously help to develop the spiritual side of the individual on this path.
This is called the path of "Dhamma". Gautama Buddha has explained in great detail about the path of "Dhamma" from different angles.
He has made it quite clear that only the practical application of the knowledge of the path of Dhamma has any real effect on the follower of this path in any way what so ever.
Just by calling oneself a "Buddhist", or just by praying at the shrines of "Buddha" no one advances spiritually.
Let it be absolutely clear, that no matter to what religion any particular individual may belong, or even if the person is an atheist, the only real factors that matter are the good and bad Karmas that individual may earn through his own positive and negative actions.
According to Buddha, this yardstick applies to every animal and every animal is on the way of spiritual evolution. We uplift ourselves or degrade ourselves through our own positive and negative karmas.
Sincere self discipline, control over negative emotions and the practice of piety and goodwill towards human and other animals create a chain of positive reactions leading to greater spiritual evolution. Control of greed helps to check undue self-indulgence.
Buddha said "Mind is the forerunner of actions". So positive thoughts lead to positive actions. Teaching the mind to think positively is not only a healthy habit but also a necessary habit.
Through the practice of selfless acts of compassion, a sense of detachment from egocentric attitude develops.
By being conscious of the sorrows and needs of other beings with a considerate attitude expands his or her own area of understanding and one becomes a better human being.
Now, the question is, how to control the mind to take the proper course of "thought".
Mind in general is fickle and undue thoughts flood over undisciplined mind. Uncontrolled thoughts are often negative ones and negative thoughts may cause negative actions, so, what is the answer to this problem?
The answer is "Dhyana" or the practice of concentration through meditation.
"Dhyana" helps the mind to remain focused. Regular practice of meditation improves the power to focus in the mind and increases self discipline.
Greater the self discipline, greater will be the chance of creating positive Karmas. Karmas, positive and negative, bind us with an unseen yet sure thread to the cosmic law that we generally term as fate.
This cosmic law ensures the accountability of each living being according to its position and situation.
This cosmic law also connects our individual situations in the material world with the spiritual state.
So, through good Karmas in the material world we help in our spiritual evolution.
Through normal daily lives we can earn better Karmas through positive thoughts, positive acts and by consciously shunning negative thoughts such as of envy, vengeance and greed.
Outward shows of religious practices are unnecessary for a person who is spiritually evolved to a higher phase. By consciously practicing positive actions that would not be affected by your personal ego you, elivate the level of your positive Karma.
In the way of "Dhamma" no doubt we stumble and fall many times, yet it is always possible to rise up again and follow this eternal path.
The way of "Dhamma" is open for every one. Only a little conscious effort is needed on your part.
Today, on the auspicious day of Buddha Purnima, let each of us make that effort in a sincere way and remember with reverence, Tathagata Amitabha Buddha, who attained enlightenment on this day more than two and half millenniums ago and preached the path of Dhamma for the benefit of the world.
by Prabal Pramanik ©