Introduction
Gautama Buddha, or The Enlightened One, as he is often referred to, is known as the epitome of peace and harmony, a man devoid of hate, anger, lust or any other negative emotions that are, generally viewed as integral parts of human nature. Rhoads Murphey in his book, A History of Asia, puts together important facts that are relevant to Buddhism and takes pains to explain how the man born as Prince Siddhartha Gautama became the founder of one of world’s most well known religions. Though there are a few historians and scholars who critic Murphey’s presentation of facts as being sketchy, there is no doubt that his views are in tune with what the majority of believers of this great religion. Therefore, his views and explanations on the writings of the Buddha have helped evince keen interest among scholars, writers and other contemporary historians.
The teachings/writings of the Buddha
What is relevant to this paper is Murphey’s reference to the origin of Buddhism, its spread from India to the rest of Southeast Asia and also the varied transformations that the religion of Buddhism underwent to become what it is today. It needs to be mentioned here that ‘teachings’ are used synonymously with ‘writings’ to bring forth the true essence of Murphey’s text. This is of importance since the teachings/writings are the result of translations made by various scholars in the last two thousand years. These are the teachings of the Buddha that Murphey speaks about in his book. He refers to the early years of the Buddha when he had no idea of what the outside world was like. When he realised that the root cause of man’s suffering was constant desire, attachment and craving, he decided that he would have to follow the Eightfold Path to Nirvana or enlightenment (Murphey, 2006). Though the essence of the writings has remained the same, there is always considerable debate on why and how certain inferences have been made, based on the discourses of the Buddha.
Some important teachings & their relevance today
While speaking about the path traversed by Buddhism, Murphey has portrayed with sufficient clarity the socio-cultural features of the various lands to which this great religion spread. Whether it is the study of Devaraja or Buddharaja or the transformation of an ordinary scholar into a bodhisatta, or the greatness of Borobudur (a Buddhist temple in Indonesia) Murphey has put in as concise a form as possible, the essence of Buddhism when it originated and the status it has now. In order to understand the spirit of Buddha’s writings and teachings it would be necessary to go through some of the translations of the original which was written in Pali, a language/script that is well known as the source of many languages that are in use in various parts of the world today. The Digha Nikaya is one such text that has been translated; this particular text is the foundation of one of the forms of Buddhism, viz., Theravada Buddhism. It is still widely followed in countries like Thailand and Burma. These sutras or suttas (meaning, discourses) bring to light the humaneness and empathy that enshrouds all the teachings of the Buddha. It is one that needs to be read, contemplated upon and placed in the present context, so that the relevance with the present-day world is not just understood but also put into practice (Walshe, 1995). In a country like China, where the revolution of Mao Zedong has spread its tentacles into every aspect of life, scholars and religious heads make concerted efforts to integrate the teachings of the Buddha with present day challenges in the fervent hope that it will unite people to look beyond material wealth and focus more on spiritual growth.
When Buddhism as a religion moved onto Japanese soil, it was meant more for the scholar community than for the common man. There was very little that the peasant on the farm or the worker in the palace could understand. Though there were quite a few rituals and esoteric practices that were followed initially, there was a slow but steady understanding of the faith, brought about by scholars like, Saicho and Kukai. As is with all religious, differences of ideologies within the same religion resulted in the formation of sects.
The importance of the Eightfold Path, the hurdles in crossing it, and the final reward, have been highlighted in many of Buddha’s discourses. In fact, even a person like a priestess who has been in the service of God for many years, could find the path difficult to adhere to (Warren, 2003). The Dhammapada which can be translated to mean the ‘path of righteousness’ is another fount of wisdom. The first chapter speaks about the importance of viewing life and those around us with the right perception. “If, with tranquil perception, one speaks or acts, / Thence ease follows / As a shadow that never departs.” (Carter & Palihawadana, 2000). Gautama Buddha had the incredible ability to lower or raise himself to the understanding of an individual or group of people who he interacted with in various places. His teachings were relevant to both kings and commoners. When, King Pasenadi of Kosala queried the Buddha on whether a person is born free from aging and death. The Buddha replied that just as the chariot of a king could wear out, so also could the human body; however, the good deeds of a person would not decay, but would ensure the person’s progress to enlightenment (Bodhi, 2005).
Conclusion
Rhoads Murphey has endeavoured to indicate the relevance of these teachings in the present world; his message to the readers and to his contemporaries focuses on the core of Buddha’s teachings of truth and righteousness, which are the foundations on which this world religion is built upon. Every human has to travel through a path that is full of temptations, dangers and lurking threats of all kinds before he can even think of achieving nirvana. In spite of this arduous path, the Buddha encourages his followers never to give up, but pursue this goal of enlightenment with resolute devotion and thought.
References
Bodhi, Bhikkhu. In the Buddha’s Words: An Anthyology of Discourses from the Pali Canon (Teachings of the Buddha). Somerville, MA. Wisdom Publications. 2005.
Carter, J.R. & Palihawadana, M. (Translators). The Dhammapada: The Sayings of the Buddha (Oxford World’s Classics). USA. Oxford University Press. 2000.
Murphey, Rhoads. A History of Asia, 5th ed. New York: Pearson Longman. 2006.
Walshe, Maurice. The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Digha Nikaya (Teachings of the Budha). Massachusetts. Wisdom Publications. 1995.
Warrren, Henry Clarke. Buddhism in Translation: Passages Selected from the Buddhist Sacred Books. LLC. Kessinger Publications. 2003.