BUDDHA: THE UNIQUE SAGE OF MOTHER INDIA

Only one polestar shines in the sky of nature but many polestars have shone on the spiritual sky of India, each one of which is unique, incomparable, unmatched, attractive and spinning in its own way. Whether it is Maryada Purushottam Ram, Trilokinath Krishna, Patanjali, Gorakh, Buddha, Mahavira, Guru Nanak or Kabir. All of them are shining beads of India’s spiritual rosary. Among them, Buddha’s place is also very high. If the wish of Buddha’s earthly father Shushodhana to make his son the king had been fulfilled, then this earth would have been deprived of a great spiritual wealth. It is believed that Buddha’s birth (2565 years ago), his Attainment of knowledge and his Mahaparinirvana, all these three events happened on the full moon day of Vaishakh, therefore Buddha Purnima is also celebrated as a Trigun Paavan Parv. He was born in Lumbini (present Nepal), he attained Enlightenment in Bodhgaya (Bihar) and his Parinirvana was in Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh).

It is said that the glory that initiation saw during the time of Buddha could never be experienced again on earth. The golden age of sannyaas that Bihar saw during the time of Buddha and Mahavira was amazing. It is said that when Buddha used to walk, thousands of sannyasis used to walk with him. The winds of the area in whichever village or town Buddha stayed used to change. Stories say that wherever Buddha used to go, thefts used to stop, murders used to decrease. In today’s era, this may sound like a story, but perhaps it really happened. Thousands of monks and hermits used to walk with Mahavira. And both were almost contemporaries. The whole of Bihar was filled with hermits. That is why it got the name Bihar. ‘Bihar’ means ‘the path of hermits’, a Vihar- a place where hermits go, pass, wander, and touch its soil.

Although Buddha’s entire life and conduct is full of inspiration, yet his seven messages can fill our lives with meaning, glory and freedom from sorrow.

First yoga, knowledge & meditation will fill our mind & body with aura

It is said that after attaining enlightenment, such a golden aura descended on Buddha’s forehead that once he was passing through a village and seeing him, a villager asked, are you God? He said no. He then asked, are you an angel? He said no. So he asked, are you a saint? He said no. So he asked, then who are you? Then he said, I am just a consciousness and nothing else. He humbly said that if you see something in me, then it is only and only the result of my being conscious.

Second, sensitivity makes human life meaningful

Buddha’s sensitivity towards all living beings and the environment is legendary. Once, after staying in a village, the villagers gave Buddha and his group a pot of water for their journey. After walking fifty steps, Buddha saw a plant growing along the trail. He immediately poured the water into the plant, despite the long journey ahead. His disciple, Anand, questioned this decision, arguing that they might get thirsty. Buddha calmly replied, “The plant was dying of thirst, and it needed water right now.” His compassion and sensitivity remind us that true humanity lies in understanding and caring for all beings, great and small. Inspired by Buddha, 15th-century saint Narsingh Mehta composed the hymn, “Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye Je Peed Parayi Jane Re,” emphasizing empathy for others.

Third, protection and conservation of the environment is our religious duty

Every Buddha stressed the importance of protecting and conserving nature. He showed that every plant and tree has a purpose. In a story, when royal physicians were asked to find useless plants in the forest, many returned with plants they deemed useless. However, Jeevak, one physician, returned empty-handed, stating that he could find no plant without purpose. Buddha appointed him as his physician. This highlights that everything in nature serves a role, just as every person has unique potential waiting to be recognized. Buddha’s teachings align with the saying, “There is not a single word that cannot become a mantra, nor a plant from which medicine cannot be made.”

Fourth, keep practicing humility in life

He advocated for humility and the abandonment of ego. Once, Emperor Prasannajit came to Buddha with a precious diamond in one hand and a flower in the other. Buddha asked him to drop both, and the emperor complied. When Buddha asked him to drop it again, the emperor was confused, as his hands were now empty. Buddha’s disciple, Sariputra, humorously explained that Buddha was asking the emperor to drop his ego. Realizing this, Prasannajit bowed down before Buddha, humbled by the lesson.

Fifth, whatever you know and get in life, share it with humanity

Buddha’s message emphasized the importance of sharing knowledge with others. Once, Buddha took a handful of leaves in his hand and asked his monks whether there were more leaves in his hand or in the forest. The monks rightly answered that there were more in the forest. Buddha explained that the leaves in his hand symbolized the knowledge needed to end suffering. Even a small amount of knowledge could help, and it should not be hoarded. Buddha’s message was clear: “Whatever you know and acquire, do not keep it to yourself; share it with others.”

Sixth, compassion towards other living beings is the best quality of humanity

Buddha shared a powerful story from his previous life as an elephant. In a forest fire, an elephant stood still, raising his leg to protect a rabbit, which had taken refuge in the space created by the lifted leg. The elephant’s compassion prevented him from stepping down, even though it meant he would eventually perish in the fire. Buddha explained that the compassion he felt for the rabbit in that moment earned him the right to human birth in his next life, where he became Buddha. This story underscores the importance of compassion in human life and spiritual growth.

Seventh, the key to the success and meaning of your life is with you

When a young man once asked him who is our biggest friend in life, he said that our faith in ourselves is our biggest friend. The person asked then who is our biggest enemy, Buddha replied that our lack of faith in ourselves is our biggest enemy.

When Buddha’s final moment arrived, his devoted disciple Anand, filled with sorrow, asked, “Who will guide me now?” Buddha’s profound reply, “Appa Dwipo Bhava,” meaning “Be the light of your own life,” became the cornerstone of Buddhist philosophy. Buddha’s teachings, rich in wisdom and relevance, continue to resonate today. In an era where compassion fades, values diminish, and humility is scarce, his messages serve as a powerful reminder. Buddha’s life, marked by deep compassion, ethical integrity, and self-awareness, remains a beacon of guidance for us all, urging us to find strength and enlightenment within ourselves.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Jasbir Singh, The writer is former Chairman Rajasthan Minorities Commission & National Working President Forum for Awareness of National Security