In times of pandemic, diverse countries offer various remedies. Similarly, a multitude of religions and philosophies aim to bring happiness to humanity. Emerging across different epochs and led by various spiritual leaders, these faiths share a common objective: to foster a righteous society by imparting precepts that discipline the mind, body, and speech. Central to these teachings is the universal refrain from falsehoods, theft, and violence. Therefore, it becomes imperative on a global scale to dissolve religious disharmony, a task not insurmountable but rather timely and achievable. The attainment of harmony among religions holds profound implications even for atheists, as the unity of truth resulting from religious harmony has the potential to dispel their ignorance. Thus, I emphasize the critical necessity of fostering coexistence through genuine religious harmony. To this end, it is essential for people to possess basic knowledge of various faith traditions. As such, allow me to provide a brief overview of Tibetan Buddhism.
In my book, “My Land, My People,” I elaborate on the foundational belief of reincarnation in Tibetan Buddhism. According to this doctrine, every individual embarks on a cyclical journey through Samsara until they achieve Buddhahood. While it’s conceivable for one to attain Buddhahood within the span of a single lifetime, it’s not a mandate within our tradition. Tibetan Buddhism maintains that numerous Buddhas can manifest throughout the Bhadra Kalpa era. Prior to their enlightenment, these Buddhas lead lives indistinguishable from our own. Remarkably, these enlightened beings have the capacity to manifest in various forms in the blink of an eye, all for the betterment of humanity. When these spiritual leaders, having achieved Buddhahood and undergone reincarnation, disseminate their own teachings, their primary objective is to alleviate the suffering of all sentient beings.
The Gautama Buddha, whom we all know, is one among the many Buddhas. Born into royalty in India 2500 years ago, he initially led a princely life but was deeply moved by the human suffering and the transient nature of existence. Consequently, he relinquished his wealth and embraced the ascetic path. Attaining enlightenment, he distinguished himself from other Buddhas by incorporating not only Sutras but also Tantras, emphasizing the significance of spiritual growth.
When delving into the essence of human existence, it becomes evident that the mind surpasses the body in significance. This is because the mind is the primary catalyst for all actions. Despite the sins we may commit, they do not tarnish the inherent purity of our internal minds. As we embark on the quest for truth, we can cleanse the impurities accumulated in the external mind. Through this purification process, we can attain enlightenment, known as Buddhahood.
© satipatthana magazine
