Bhagawat Geeta, Buddha’s Teaching

Bhagawat Geeta

BHAGAWAT GEETA meaning "Song of the Divine" is the divine communion of truth- realization between man and God. Entire wisdom of cosmos has been packed into 700 concise verses bearing timeless and universal message to human beings. Oh! Yes, Bhagawat Geeta is the oldest, greatest and the highest form of literature expounding the creed, discipline and ideals of all the prevailing religion. Geeta is the chapter of Mahabharata, an epic based, on a true incident that had occurred in ancient Nepal on the Dwapar Yug, approximately 5,000 years ago. Mahabharata is the war occurred in between Pandavas (the five brothers of Nepal) and Kauravas (the hundred brother of of today's India). The war had started from Kuru Kshetra (nearby Palpa) which we called Mahabharata hills till this date.

Non-the-less, Geeta is the noblest of scriptures and the grandest of sages describing a code of life and philosophy of social and ethical relations, human problems and way out of turmoil life. The Geeta lays down the highest ideas of self-control and realization embracing oneness. No doubt, Bhagawat Geeta is the background of all the philosophy, art, literature, religious texts and civilization that we have inherited. What is not in it, is nowhere. It is inevitable to read in order to understand life and the world. He who does not know Geeta- shall not know the symphony of the soul; he misses the avenues of life and beauty/grandeur of his own existence. Bhagawat Geeta is the vivid description of the Soul (Aatma), Karma (Action), Fal (Result) and the law of nature (Prakriti). It has unmasked the quest of truth, bliss, beauty and way to reach divinity. Indeed, it is the book of life that teaches “The Art of Living and Dying”. Selfless action brings contentment (loving nature) and dedication to the almighty God brings bliss. And, Yoga and meditation purifies body, mind and the Soul. As a result, a sudden happening occurs - our self merges into the universe and realizes the ultimate oneness of existence. Understanding its immense importance most of the universities of America and Europe have kept Geeta in education curriculum. Jesus Christ was highly impressed with the teachings of Lord Krishna while he was in Nepal as a spiritual seeker for 18 years. He thought of spreading the noble truth- Lord Krishna's teachings (Niti means teaching in Sanskrit, Kurisuna nity later became Christianity). In short, the Bible and Moses 10 commands bear core essence of Bhagawat Geeta. The basic teachings of Bhagawat Geeta are;

Body and the 'Soul' are two different entities. This body dies but not the Soul. This body does not belong to us. It is perishable and we have rented this body for some time to live in. We are a fragmentation of Divine light 'Aatma'.
We are born empty hands and shall return empty hands. Therefore, excessive craving for money, power, gold, land, house and family attachment is useless.
What happens; happens for a good reason. We are on earth to experience life. Therefore, experience every series of life; sorrow - happiness, love – hate, have – have not whatsoever. Physical Life is a journey from cradle to pyre.
As you sow; as you reap which is the law of Karma. Love begets love and hatred begets hatred. Planting a cactus does not yield a Sunflower. Go for action but without expectation because the result is not in our control.
Every problem has solution too. Sorrow is the best teacher in life. It teaches the way towards happiness. Just like a business man knows profit only after the loss.
Life is a struggle. Non-Violence is our foremost duty but we must engage in violence if to protect our duties and responsibility.
Ignorance, greed, ego, anger, lust, attachment are the greatest enemies. Understanding the real 'I' – life and the world brings inner peace in life.
We are here on earth in order to perform our duties; care nature, love creatures, receive Vedic wisdom. Also we are here to pay-back loans of our parents, teachers, ancestors, Devas, Rishimunis and the Creator. And, Salvation after having the great realization is the main purpose of life.
Great Realization can be experienced through Yoga-Meditation. But, Vegetarian life, right action, right speech and utmost devotion to the Creator is inevitable. At the same time one has to follow 'Panchashila'- the five moral codes of ethics (not to steal, not to tell lie, not to kill, not to drink alcohol, not to gamble and illegal sex). These are the barrier for purification and the basic cause of sufferings.
What we eat; we become. Therefore, Satwic food makes a noble human being. Rajasi food (spicy / oily) begets cravings while as Tamasi Bhojan (meat, alcohol, tobacco) begets devilish nature. Tamashi food is considered as the devil's food.
Purification of consciousness is impossible without right action and satisfaction is impossible without the purification of consciousness. Similarly, peace is impossible without satisfaction and the purification of the consciousness.
Wisdom is the light of life. Be thankful and surrender with utmost devotion to the God. Bhakti Yoga (mantra chanting) is the simple way for salvation.
The God incarnates himself in a corporal body and come down on earth to destroy devils activities, restore balance in the nature and restore world peace.

Buddha

BUDDHA “One who perceives the true nature of all life and who leads others to attain the same enlightenment. The Buddha nature is inherent in all beings, and is characterized by the qualities of wisdom, courage, compassion and life force.” Buddhism is a religion and philosophy based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama (later Buddha meaning the awakened one) who was born in Kapilvastu Lumbini in 567 BC. It has become one of the most popular religious sects in the world because of its simplicity, compassion, forgiveness and truthfulness. Although Nepal is the birthplace of Buddha, it is not Buddhist or Hindu country but Vedic Sanatan Dharma which embraces all the religious sects of the world. Bhagawan Buddha is regarded as the 10th incarnation of Narayana.

Siddhartha Gautama was born in Shakya family from the king Suddhodhana and Queen Mayadevi. When Queen Maya Devi was on the way to her paternal home she gave birth to the son at Lumbini. It is said the baby walked 7 steps just after the birth. Gautam was grown in comfort and luxury that his father had arranged. He was predicted by an astrologer that Sidhartha would become a sage in future. Therefore, his father tried his best not to have any lacking and avoid his son from being hermitage. Gautam was a pleasant child but used to spend more time thinking and asking serious questions than enjoying richness of the palace. His father got worried with the behavior of his son and decided to tie up conjugal life with Yasodhara so that Gautam would engage in marriage life. But instead, he became restless when he saw sick people, old man and corpse when he was out for a sight-seeing. Then, he began to ponder upon eternal questions about the suffering and universal law. On a tranquil full moon night, he decided to leave the palace (luxury), family (attachment) even little sweet son Rahul in search of truth.

He wandered many places and consulted with spiritual masters of those days, meditated in the deep jungle without food and water for several months but still could not get the truth. He realized that enlightenment is not possible with empty stomach and took rice-pudding offered by Sujata, lower caste girl. Suddenly, on a full moon day he was showered with true wisdom "The world is full of suffering, there is cause of suffering, End of desire is salvation, and Nirvana can be achieved by following eight- fold path ; right understanding, right thought, right speech, right action, right means of livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right meditation.

Full moon of Baishakh is very important for Buddhist because the three great happenings; abandon of Palace, Enlightenment and decease of Buddha was occurred on this day.
Five elements: Fire, air, sky, earth, water (the meaning reflected in five color prayer flags flickering in Buddhist Stupas and chortens)
Nirvana: state of salvation from the cycle of rebirth in Buddhism
Padma Sambhava: 8th century Enlightened personality who went to Tibet in order to teach divine wisdom. Later, he was called Guru Urgen Rinpoche who by Tibetans. Padma Sambhava is no other that Guru Gorakshanatha appeared on lotus petal. Padma means lotus and Sambhava means to emerge in Sanskrit language.
Vipassana: ancient and austere Buddhist meditation practice. Look inward and find yourself “APPA DIPO BHAVA (Alight yourself)” Buddhist sing Buddha Bhajan "Buddham Saranam Gachhami" which means let's take refuge to the teachings of Lord Buddha.