Monday, May 26, 2014

I am confused - why so much "cry" about Shakyamuni Buddha's birth?

Early in the morning soon after I got out from bed and finished early morning dailies, including 10 minutes long exercises, a sudden surge of thought reigned control of my mind. For a second, I asked myself, “Wait a minute, where this thought did jump into my mind!!” People have tried to define this as “Default Mode Network”. In short, DMN, which is your wondering mind when otherwise not engaged. I think each of us, in a normal condition, may have come across this kind of awkward situation once in a while. The beauty of this experience is you are the only "observer" of such thought process and in a "cool" attitude, just observe your thought process, which then vanishes in oblivion or else grasp it and “dissect” it, till you get a sense out of it. So, in the long run, you will either make a complete sense out of it or go crazy for a while without any clue what does it mean to you!! My question, therefore, "has it recently happened to you?"

For me, I tried to make sense of it. And, I know this particular thought was nothing other than all these “cry” and “blame game” which is still reverberating in sphere of Nepali social media or news portal but slowly dying out like "dust". Shakespeare also in one of his masterpiece portrays life as "a drama full of sound and fury signifying nothing." Every year, this is what we hear on and on. It has become so routine and seasonal that i fear this movement will lose its meaning in due course of time. You may ask, why? I have a valid reason to say so and I may sound sarcastic. But I have to say, it is simply one line sentence – “Buddha was born in Nepal”. I feel ashamed at the very nature of this argument, and I also feel "nausea" - ting at times asking myself, “Is this necessary?  Or don’t you think this is a bit like a childish temper tantrum?” I have to say vehemently, we need to stop this irrational “temper tantrum”, instead we can utilize such immense energy into  a“thoughtful rational talks & seminar” and stir debate on how we can contribute to local and international peace movement. On the contrary, all these shouting depict our "weakness" as an irresponsible citizen doing disservice to the very wisdom Lord Buddha spread thousands of years back in this land of Himalayas. I know and I am acutely aware that my point of view may be complete opposite to what many people (even those near to me) may be rationalizing and supporting this argument. However, I have every right to share my point of view and if possible, I need to educate people and correct their path for rational dialogue.

If you really believe in  Buddha's teachings  and strive yourself to be a Buddha, all these cacophony is nothing other than an act out of "ignorance" or misguided affairs, where people are acting at the level of base emotions. Buddha himself said each of us has to look for Buddha nature in us and strive hard, you can attain "nirvana" devoid of all suffering. But in Nepal and in some other countries, where Nepalese communities are raising their voice as to the birthplace of Shakyamuni Buddha, has no inkling as to what does their movement has any linkage with the very principle of “Pancha Silla” In the first place, I have a big doubt, are we putting our argument in a proper manner? What I see is the void nature in content of the slogan as to its philosophical guidance and this is damaging the "inside" voice of this movement. In gross, this is very counter – productive. Period. And this is how I take it. If this movement has political or diplomatic muscle flexing, so be it. If this does not have this intent, then we have to introspect and try to grow up and act in a responsible way in the world forum. Any rational human being is closely following this movement and I mean it, this movement has to be guided by the principle of “Pancha Silla”

Source: www.google.com/image
I, therefore, say if we behave rationally understanding the very history of this region and teaching of Buddha, then all these cry – “Buddha was born in Nepal” will make us look like a fool, when we least care of what “Pancha Silla” means and put into practice in our daily life. Once you act and belief in this time tested principle, al will be well, everything else meaningless waste of time. Hope I share some light in order to course correct the movement lacking rationale philosophical foundation.

Finally, let us be strong so other would not pity on us in our act of innocence.

Thank you!!

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