THE HEART OF BUDDHISM

The heart of Buddhism is insight wisdom. Where there is insight wisdom, there is Buddhism. So, no theism or dogmatism gains insight wisdom. When you gain insight wisdom, no evils and sufferings can affect you. From this, we understand that the path of Buddhism is to strive for insight wisdom. The path to insight wisdom is the Buddha's advice to all divine and human beings. Those who want to gain insight wisdom, must follow this path. There are no other ways to gain insight wisdom. Morality, concentration and wisdom is the only path to insight. To gain insight, one can't depend on others. You have to make effort by yourself in order to gain insight. We all must equally practice this path. As such it places heavy emphasis on self-reliance and individual striving. The primary purpose of the Buddha's teaching is to gain insight wisdom. There is nothing in this world that equals the wisdom/insight.

There is no place in Buddhism for theoretical assumption. So, Buddhism is not theoretical but practical. The Buddha advises seekers of truth not to accept anything merely on hearsay. In short, not to accept anything but try to experiment and put it thoroughly to test whether that thing is right or wrong as Buddhism is based on practical experience. It's mean that it should be reasonable and conducive both to your happiness and to the welfare of others. As a result, the Buddha taught the well-being of oneself and others in this life and hereafter.

The Dhamma of the Buddha is not found anywhere. It is within ourselves. So, it is called moral character building. The Buddha's teachings teach each of us to have self-restraint over the three doors of actions - thought, word and deed. Self-restraint, indeed, is the greatest, happiest and one's saviour or refuge or path to the end of suffering. The root cause of all unwholesome actions or suffering is ignorance. The source of greed, hatred and wrong views is ignorance. Human beings perform all kinds of unwholesome actions due to greed, hatred and ignorance. The unwholesome actions perform through the three doors (physical, verbal and mental) result in being born and suffer in hell, animal life, ghost world and demon world. Not only that, the evil-doer suffers in human world also and the good-doer rejoices here. It is not unknown to anyone who really is truth conscience. The divine beings rejoice the merits performed through the three doors in heaven. Greed is the reasons people lie, talk frivolous and meaningless, commit adultery, steal, gambles, take intoxicant drinks or various types of drugs, including performing various types of evil actions. Moreover, Greed is also the reason for desire and thirst for other wealth.

Hatred is the reason for killing, lie, harsh speech, meaningless talk and various types of behavior that hurts the people. In addition, feeling of envy towards others creates sufferings, even malevolence thoughts is hatred. Not understanding of the four Noble Truths is ignorance. The root cause of unwholesome deeds is ignorance. Ignorance is the father of all kinds of unwholesome deeds. If there is no support from ignorance, there will be no greed and hatred. It would be impossible to do unwholesome actions again.

Wrong views or wrong understanding arise from ignorance. Ignorance is the source of greed, hatred and ill-will and various types of actions that gives rise to rebirth. Keep in mind that while doing wholesome actions, these three poisons should not arise. Non-greed, non-hatred and non-delusion are wholesome actions.

To develop Buddhism, young people should come forward. Monks, who have dedicated their life to follow the path of Nibbāna must practice and hold the dhamma in order to make this rare human birth worthwhile and meaningful. And to make commitment for teaching the dhamma.

At the time of the Buddha, uncountable young men took refuge under the Buddha. And after learning the dhamma, they worked for the welfare and happiness of many. Today in the entire world, there is a great demand for Buddha's teaching because it is needed in all the countries. The message of non-violence is the only way to peace. Where there is non-violence and loving kindness, there is true peace. Our young well-educated should take responsibility in preaching the dhamma. All Buddhist should contribute to the promotion of the Buddha's path of Nibbāna.