The Path of Dharma - Buddha's Reflections

Author: A P Sharma
Publisher: Pustak Mahal
Year: 2007
Language: English
Pages: 133
ISBN/UPC (if available): 9788122310009

Description

Buddha condemned superstitions, mystery, tradition and rituals while practising religion. He did not permit such issues to enter the domain of his own thought-process as long as he lived. His teachings were, basically, empirical and had a scientific appeal. They were definitely of remedial nature and also psychological as they appealed to human mind directly. He started with the human suffering, sought its solution and provided ways to cope with it.

So far most of the appeals made by the traditional religions were directed to the masses, but Buddha especially made his appeal to he individuals. Little before his death he advised his most ardent disciple, Ananda, to ’be a lamp unto yourself and not to take refuge in any external entity’. He insisted that man should hold fast to the Truth and discover his own freedom with hard work coupled with wisdom. In the Dhammapada, he said that only those who are wise and follow the path of dharma suggested by him, reach the other shore leaving the darkness behind and follow the light’.

Contents

Preface
Introduction
The Dhammapada
The Existing Environment
Dharma as a Universal Standard

CHAPTER ONE: BIRTH OF THE ENLIGHTENED
Four Different Sights
A Unique Experience

CHAPTER TWO: THE BASIC CONCEPTS
The Vital Precepts
The Four Noble Truths
The Eightfold Path
The Middle Path

CHAPTER THREE : THE PATH OF DHARMA
Cultivate Positive Thinking
On Being Wise
Promote Maturity of Mind
Follow the Path
Refrain from Anger
The Five Precepts
Divine Abiding
Discover Solutions
Follow Dharma Precisely
Conceive the Self Correctly
Cleanse the Pat Karma
Stay Awake
Cultivate Compassion
Destroy Ego to Attain Nirvana

CHAPTER FOUR: THE STAGES OF FINAL ATTAINMENT
Experiences before Attaining Nirvana
Experience in Cosmic Consciousness
The Basic Difference
The Unparalleled Faith

CHAPTER FIVE: LAST VISIT TO KAPILAVASTU
Visiting Yashodhara
Unbounded Love
Quits Kapilavastu for Good

CHAPTER SIX: ENTERING NIRVANA FOR THE LAST TIME
The Impending Demise
Entering into Parinirvana
Incredible Contribution
Six Aspects of Religion
Positive Contribution

Index
The Bibliography