Loving Cultural Life, the Guardian of Unity

Bhikkhu Subhapannyo Mahathera

· 4 minutes read

Using only one’s own views as a point of measurement, one will continue to be trapped in worldly conflicts. However, those who leave those views behind will no longer create conflicts in the world.

Culabyuhasuttam, 900

The holy day of Vesak reminds us of three important events in the life of Buddha Gautama, namely his birth, enlightenment and death.

The three events took place on the same day, the grand full moon day in the month of Vesakha, in different years. The candidate Buddha, Siddharta, was born in Lumbini, Kapilavasthu, Nepal, in 623 BCE. Buddha reached his perfect enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya, India, in 588 BCE. Buddha Gautama died at the age of 80 in Kusinara, India, in 543 BCE. The holy day of Vesak 2563 took place on May 19 this year. All Buddhists all over the world dutifully celebrate the holy day in line with their local cultures.

Cultural life

Social life takes place under the influence of various cultures, which are the legacies of the society’s noble values. Cultures make social life beautiful. A society that upholds its cultures will see these noble values as spiritual wealth inherited through generations and reflected in society members’ behaviors, mindset and traditions.

In recent times, a life based on cultural diversity is becoming vulnerable to problems. Among the most common problems is a lack of acceptance or even rejection of other cultures, which leads to conflicts and even enmities.

Therefore, the strengthening of awareness based on society’s moral norms is necessary. Society’s moral norms are the foundation of a thriving social life.

Guardian of unity

A harmonious life is a shared need. The important thing in the efforts to achieve these goals is the development of mutual learning, care and love (saling asah, asih, asuh). These teachings guide us to stay away from anger, hatred and enmity.

There is contemplation to develop this quality of mutual learning, care and love: may all living things be joyful, free of sorrow, free of envy and being envied, free of hurting others and being hurt by others, free of physical and inner pains – and may they all live happily.

In general, people appreciate life after comparing their own life with those of others. May people not kill others or be the cause of the killing of others. The majority of people have no idea that, in fights, they can perish. Those who have gained this awareness will immediately cease all fighting.

Those using their own narrow views as a point of measurement will be harsh and oppressive toward others and will trigger social fractures and conflicts. Such people with narrow views will find it difficult to accept differences because their minds will only accommodate their own views and not those of others. Only my point of view is right – all others are wrong.

Such narrow views lead to a lack of good will between people of different views. Instead, what prevails is the enmity between people of differing opinions. Other views are seen as opponents that must be defeated.

As long as a person remains steadfast in his or her narrow views, the person will continue to be trapped in worldly conflicts. Strong attachments to narrow views will lead to the belief that these views are irreplaceable. These views are the manifestation of the person’s egotism and this will lead to desires to control others’ views to eliminate them altogether.

This is the cause of conflicts between people. Let us think this way: that all things are essentially not ours because they are objects of change; similarly, feelings, perceptions and views should not be subjects of our ego; even our own awareness is not part of our ego.

All that changes does not belong to myself or my unchanging ego. All things are changeable and, therefore, they are not mine. Only this way can we let go of narrow views.

Seven principles

There are seven principles of social welfare, namely regularly gathering with others; gathering and engaging in activities harmoniously; not neglecting what has been stipulated, not doing what has yet to be stipulated and always being in line with what has been collectively stipulated; respecting and honoring the elderly and listening to their guidance; respecting and honoring women (mothers and daughters); respecting and honoring the presence of houses of worship; and respecting and providing space for holy men.

Such social principles will determine the progress of a nation and even lead to social welfare.

Let us love the cultural life in a diverse society by nurturing cultural tolerance based on the letting-go of narrow views and our own ego; thereby nurturing a sense of togetherness amid cultural differences.

Develop mutual learning, love and care. Such awareness will help us strengthen harmony, kinship and unity.

Happy Vesak Day 2563/2019. May the Almighty God, Tiratana, protect us all. May all living things be in joy.

Bhikkhu Subhapannyo Mahathera, Chairman, Sangha Theravada Indonesia

Editor:

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