Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy
others. He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind.
- --
LORD BUDDHA
India has been a hub for various ‘dharmas’
ideologies and philosophies ever since its foundation, which is an important
part of what we proudly call “Sanatana Dharma”. Many major religions -Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism
and Buddhism evolved here. We all are proud of its diversity and its big heart
to accept different faith. Everything came to a temporary hault when a series
of explosion rocked Lord Buddha temple at Gaya, Bihar. Intellectuals have
related these incidents with the communal clashes of Myanmar. But why should
Jihadist target India for something to which we are not related? Or is it a
part of larger picture of targeting Buddhism and India’s deep rooted relationship
with Buddhism? Why was the Giant Buddha statue of Afghanistan destroyed
by Taliban, which was certainly before the “Myanmar-clashes”? Buddhists have ever tried to maintain
peace and practice YOGA, meditation in their life. But why Lord Buddha who
preached Peace and “Nirvana”, enlightenment been a target to Jihadist?
Intelligence
Beuro (IB) had warned state and central government of a possible Indian
Mujahedeen (IM) fidayeen attack over the Buddha shrine. But no serious measures
were taken, ruling parties might have felt Buddhist population cannot
constitute a major vote bank. There has been a serious lapse from the official
side as 8 bombs were exploded in the most visited Buddhist shrine. The explosion
will definitely have a negative impact over Muslim minorities in Buddhist
majority nations including Burma, Singapore, Sri Lanka and many other states. This is what Jihadists are trying
to do, whether it be bombing of Buddha statues with dynamite or explosions in
Gaya. An explosion on gaya also raises questions over political instability in
this nation. Where political class completely failed to protect a Cultural
resource and a possible link many Buddhist dominant nations in Asia. While Sri Lanka condemned the
incident, Myanmar has been shocked by the incident.
The Bodhi
tree in Bodh gaya was where Siddhartha attained Enlightenment after 49 days of
meditation. Thus India witnessed the rise of a new light; the same man Russell
Arnold called “The Light of Asia”. Buddha’s teachings were revolutionary as he objected
to the idea of casteism. His teaching included ‘karma’ which was a pure result
of once thought and innerself ‘chetana’ and Rebirth ‘punarjanm’, which is originally
derived from Hinduism. Punarjanm is a concept where life does not ends with
death, where it continues in one life form or other. Buddhism is all about
re-inventing onself, and four Noble truths, which explains Dukkha, which are *
The truth of Dukkha * The truth of origin of Dukkha * The truth of the cessation
of Dukkha and *The truth of the path leading to cessation of Dukkha. Which has
due link with meditation and Yoga.
Due to its
simplicity and love for fellow beings, Buddhism travelled across the world, new
shrines were created and people were forced to think about their path which
included violence. Buddhism always maintained the theory of non-violence
and divinity. Buddha never advocated himself to be a God or a Godly man. For his students and fellow monks
Buddha was a master who guided them to the state of ‘nothing’ or nirvana. He was
a teacher who taught the world to love and accept different forms of life. This
theories inspired many people across the globe, this included founder of Apple
Steve Jobs, Dr. B R Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi and different successful
entrepreneurs across the globe.
Since,
attack on Buddhism and Buddha shrines cannot be tolerated as it is a war on
Humanity and people across the nations should condemn this Beast behaviour of
targeting a religion which advocates for peace and truth. As Lord
Buddha said, “mind is everything. What you think you become”. Jihadists may try showering bombs
and grenades over Buddha shrines and Buddha statues. But they can never ever
harm what Buddha taught. The theory of forgiveness. I follow Lord Buddha, I wish to
say, India, irrespective of one’s caste and creed condemns
what happened at gaya. The
peepal tree which might have hundreds and thousands of stories to tell might
say to the pilgrims another story of forgiveness and peace. Once Buddha said, ‘”Better
than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace’”. Let the world rest in peace. OM
SHANTI OM ....
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