Enhancing National Unity

Vesak observes three important events in the life of Buddha: his birth, his enlightenment and his death. This year’s Vesak falls on May 29. Buddhists across the world celebrate Vesak with prayer, meditation for wisdom and other social and cultural activities.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Buddhists light up candles during a prayer at Ekayana Arama Monastery in Jakarta ahead of Vesak celebration on Sunday (27/5/2018). The celebration of Vesak 2562/2018 will center at Borobudur temple in Magelang, Central Java.

Vesak observes three important events in the life of Buddha: his birth, his enlightenment and his death. These three events happened on the same day of the calendar, during the full moon of Vesak in different years: he was born in 623 BC in Kapilavasthu, Nepal; he attained enlightenment in 588 BC in Bodhagaya, India; and he died at the age of 80 in 543 BC in Kusinara, India.

This year’s Vesak falls on May 29. Buddhists across the world celebrate Vesak with prayer, meditation for wisdom and other social and cultural activities.

Sangha Theravada Indonesia has created the theme “Act, Talk and Think Good To Enhance National Unity”, which is relevant amid the nation’s various problems today.

Life today

Conflicts, such as social disputes, are part of daily life. Disputes that occur among religious followers is somewhat ironic because it runs counter to religious teachings.

Every religion teaches about good deeds and how to avoid crime, and religious followers should feel shame and fear the consequences of their bad deeds. Dispute occurs because of a lack of information and because the followers could not see its risks.

Gautama Buddha told a stubborn monk who often got into disputes with another monk: Whoever retains hatred inside his body and thinks he tortures me, he beats me, he defeats and he robs me, hatred would not disappear from his soul. Moreover, he said: “In this world, hate never yet dispelled hate. Only love dispels hate.”

So why do people still love conflict? Because many people still do not understand they can die from conflict, those who understand this truth will always try to eradicate conflicts.

Once, there was a battle between King Kosala and King Ajatasattu in India. King Kosala was defeated. Then, another conflict erupted and this time, King Kosala won and King Ajatasattu was defeated.

Buddha advised: Victory creates hatred; the defeated live with suffering. After separating themselves from victory and defeat, the people can live in peace and happiness.

Enhancing unity

Thinking good means to be free from hatred, to consider the negative impacts of hatred and eventually getting rid of all hatred. Hatred is limiting and love is freeing. Hatred creates regret; love brings peace and good life.

Hatred provokes; love pacifies. Hatred divides; love softens and soothes the soul.

Those who understand correctly and are aware of the detriments of hatred and the benefits of love will side with those who create love. Love means compassion, the sensitivity that makes good people feel the suffering of others. It is like mothers who act, speak and think full of compassion in ridding all obstacles from their child’s life.

Gautama Buddha gave advice on how to lead a life of harmony, how people should respect each other, love each other, help each other, care for each other and maintain unity. These can all be attained through acting, speaking and thinking with love. If someone helps another, it must be with love, as when someone speaks. When someone thinks, their thoughts must be free from hatred. Besides, those that love to help others have a similar understanding about this life.

Let all us Buddhists enhance life by understanding Buddha’s teachings as a guide to life.

Act good, control our behavior: do not kill, do not steal, do not become involved in lewd acts, do not tell fake news by spreading hoaxes and do not drink/eat anything that causes drunkenness.

Speak the truth and control our speech: do not speak lies, do not provoke, do not slander and do not spread hate speech that could divide people and give rise to conflicts.

Think good, and control our thoughts: our thoughts should be free from the bad intentions of greed, hatred and egoism.

A person will live in peace without enemies because the biggest enemy inside one’s physical vessel has been defeated: greed, hatred and egoism, so that unity will materialize in our nation.

In accordance with the argument of the Religious Affairs Minister about moderate religion, each religious adherent should not only understand their religious teachings textually, but also contextually. Both must be understood and referred to in social, national and state life. This is crucial to achieve good acts, speech and thought to support and enhance national unity.

May the one and only God always protect us. Happy Vesak 2562/2018.

Bhikkhu Subhapannyo, Mahathera, Chairman of Sangha Theravada Indonesia