WINGED WORDS WINDSDAY
Compiled & Edited by Rob Chappell
(@RHCLambengolmo)
Vol. 2, No. 27: May 3, 2023
In
Celebration of Vesak on Friday, May 5
Editor’s Note
The Buddhist festival of Vesak
is traditionally celebrated at the Full Moon in the month of May. It
commemorates the Buddha’s life experiences and teachings, and it also gives us
an opportunity to reflect on the global impact that Buddhism has had on human
civilization over the last 2500 years – including its unfolding influence on
the development of the Abrahamic family of religions and on the history of
Western philosophy (e.g., Stoicism and Star Wars).
In this week’s edition of Winged
Words Windsday, we remember the Buddha’s life and legacy through poetry
and prose inspired by authentic Buddhist scriptures, and we also celebrate the
achievements of King Asoka, the great renowned Emperor of India, who encouraged
the spread of Buddhism from Sri Lanka to Egypt and promoted religious
toleration throughout his vast domain. A list of recommended readings appears
at the end of this week’s episode, to help readers explore the Buddhist path
from a variety of multicultural perspectives.
Excerpts from The Gospel of Buddha
Compiled by
Paul Carus (1865-1919)
Chapter 99: “The
Purpose of Being”
1. Eternal verities dominate the
formation of worlds and constitute the cosmic order of natural laws. But when, through
the conflicting motion of masses, the universe was illumined with blazing fire,
there was no eye to see the light, no ear to listen to reason's teachings, no
mind to perceive the significance of being; and in the immeasurable spaces of
existence no place was found where the truth could abide in all its glory.
2. In the due course of
evolution sentiency appeared and sense-perception arose. There was a new realm
of being, the realm of soul-life, full of yearning, with powerful passions and
of unconquerable energy. And the world split in twain: there were pleasures and
pains, self and notself, friends and foes, hatred and love. The truth vibrated
through the world of sentiency, but in all its infinite potentialities no place
could be found where the truth could abide in all its glory.
3. And reason came forth in the
struggle for life. Reason began to guide the instinct of self, and reason took
the scepter of the creation and overcame the strength of the brutes and the
power of the elements. Yet reason seemed to add new fuel to the flame of
hatred, increasing the turmoil of conflicting passions; and brothers slew their
brothers for the sake of satisfying the lust of a fleeting moment. And the
truth repaired to the domains of reason, but in all its recesses no place was
found where the truth could abide in all its glory.
4. Now reason, as the helpmate
of self, implicated all living beings more and more in the meshes of lust,
hatred, and envy, and from lust, hatred, and envy the evils of wrongdoing
originated. Men broke down under the burdens of life, until the savior
appeared, the great Buddha, the Holy Teacher of men and gods.
5. And the Buddha taught men the
right use of sentiency, and the right application of reason; and he taught men
to see things as they are, without illusions, and they learned to act according
to truth. He taught righteousness and thus changed rational creatures into
humane beings, just, kind-hearted, and faithful. And now at last a place was
found where the truth might abide in all its glory, and this place is the heart
of mankind.
6. Buddha, O Blessed One, O Holy
One, O Perfect One, thou hast revealed the truth, and the truth has appeared
upon earth and the kingdom of truth has been founded.
Chapter 100:
“The Praise of All the Buddhas”
1. All the
Buddhas are wonderful and glorious.
There is not
their equal upon earth.
They reveal
to us the path of life.
And we hail
their appearance with pious reverence.
2. All the
Buddhas teach the same truth.
They point
out the path to those who go astray.
The Truth is
our hope and comfort.
We
gratefully accept its illimitable light.
3. Ah the
Buddhas are one in essence,
Which is
omnipresent in all modes of being,
Sanctifying
the bonds that tie all souls together,
And we rest
in its bliss as our final refuge.
Excerpts from The Light of Asia
By Sir Edwin Arnold (1832-1904)
Prologue
The
Scripture of the Savior of the World,
Lord
Buddha—Prince Siddhartha styled on earth
In Earth and
Heavens and Hells Incomparable,
All-honored,
Wisest, Best, most Pitiful;
The Teacher
of Nirvana and the Law.
Then came he
to be born again for men.
Epilogue
Here endeth
what I write
Who love the
Master for his love of us,
A little
knowing, little have I told
Touching the
Teacher and the Ways of Peace.
Forty-five
rains thereafter showed he those
In many
lands and many tongues and gave
Our Asia
light, that still is beautiful,
Conquering
the world with spirit of strong grace
All which is
written in the holy Books,
And where he
passed and what proud Emperors
Carved his
sweet words upon the rocks and caves:
And how—in
fulness of the times—it fell
The Buddha
died, the great Tathagata,
Even as a
man 'mongst men, fulfilling all
And how a
thousand thousand crores since then
Have trod
the Path which leads whither he went
Unto NIRVANA
where the Silence lives.
Ah! Blessed
Lord! Oh, High Deliverer!
Forgive this
feeble script, which doth thee wrong.
Measuring
with little wit thy lofty love.
Ah! Lover!
Brother! Guide! Lamp of the law!
I take my
refuge in thy name and thee!
I take my
refuge in thy order! OM!
The dew is
on the lotus!—Rise, Great Sun!
And lift my
leaf and mix me with the wave.
Om Mani
Padme Hum, the sunrise comes!
The Dewdrop
Slips Into The Shining Sea!
“Asoka the Great: Emperor of India”
By Rob Chappell, M.A.
Reprinted (with Slight Revisions) from the August 2014 Illinois
Administrative Professionals Newsletter
Here is a brief description of
the reign of Asoka the Great (304-232 BCE), the exemplary Emperor of India
(reigned 268-232 BCE), along with some quotations from his many edifying
edicts, which are found throughout the country inscribed on rocks and pillars. Like
every truly great leader in human history, King Asoka led by example and
governed by persuasion, which are still the most effective tools for leaders to
use as they strive to exert a positive influence on the world around them. By
“practicing what he preached,” Asoka was able to promote wholesome social
reforms, provide health care for humans and animals, and encourage interfaith
understanding throughout his empire.
.svg.png)
The flag of the Republic of
India, adopted in 1947, features the Asoka Chakra (a 24-spoked Wheel of the
Dharma) at its center, in honor of King Asoka’s legacy. (Image Credit: Public
Domain via Wikimedia Commons)
“Summary of King Asoka’s Life and Legacy”
Condensed (and Slightly Revised by RHC) from H. G. Wells’ Outline
of History (1920) and A Short History of the World (1922) – Public
Domain
Asoka (268 to 232 BCE), one of
the great monarchs of history, whose dominions extended from Afghanistan to
Madras, is the only military monarch on record who abandoned warfare after
victory. He had invaded Kalinga (260 BCE), a country along the east coast of
Madras, perhaps with some intention of completing the conquest of the tip of
the Indian peninsula. The expedition was successful, but he was disgusted by
what he saw of the cruelties and horrors of war. He declared, in certain
inscriptions that still exist, that he would no longer seek conquest by war,
but by religion, and the rest of his life was devoted to the spreading of
Buddhism throughout the world. He seems to have ruled his vast empire in peace
and with great ability. He was no mere religious fanatic.
His reign for eight-and-twenty
years was one of the brightest interludes in the troubled history of mankind.
He organized a great digging of wells in India and the planting of trees for
shade. He founded hospitals and public gardens and gardens for the growing of
medicinal herbs. He created a ministry for the care of the aborigines and
subject races of India. He made provision for the education of women. He made
vast benefactions to the Buddhist teaching orders, and tried to stimulate them
to a better and more energetic criticism of their own accumulated literature.
Missionaries went from Asoka to Kashmir, to Persia, to Ceylon and Alexandria.
Such was Asoka, greatest of
kings. He was far in advance of his age. Amidst the tens of thousands of names
of monarchs that crowd the columns of history, their majesties and
graciousnesses and serenities and royal highnesses and the like, the name of
Asoka shines, and shines, almost alone, a star. From the Volga to Japan his
name is still honored. China, Tibet, and even India, though it has left his
doctrine, preserve the tradition of his greatness. More living men cherish his
memory today than have ever heard the names of Constantine or Charlemagne.
Passages from King Asoka’s Edicts (Excerpts)
Source: https://en.wikiquote.org
·
Dharma is
good, but what constitutes Dharma? It includes little evil, much good,
kindness, generosity, truthfulness, and purity.
·
Progress
among the people through Dharma has been done by two means, by Dharma
regulations and by persuasion. Of these, Dharma regulation is of little effect,
while persuasion has much more effect.
·
[Asoka],
Beloved-of-the-Gods, thinks that even those who do wrong should be forgiven
where forgiveness is possible.
·
[Asoka],
Beloved-of-the-Gods, speaks thus: Father and mother should be respected and so
should elders, kindness to living beings should be made strong, and the truth
should be spoken. In these ways, the Dharma should be promoted. Likewise, a
teacher should be honored by his pupil and proper manners should be shown
towards relations. This is an ancient rule that conduces to long life. Thus
should one act.
·
Everywhere
has Beloved-of-the-Gods, King [Asoka], made provision for two types of medical
treatment: medical treatment for humans and medical treatment for animals.
Wherever medical herbs suitable for humans or animals are not available, I have
had them imported and grown. Wherever medical roots or fruits are not
available, I have had them imported and grown. Along roads I have had wells dug
and trees planted for the benefit of humans and animals.
·
Beloved-of-the-Gods,
King [Asoka], honors both ascetics and the householders of all religions, and
he honors them with gifts and honors of various kinds. But Beloved-of-the-Gods,
King [Asoka], does not value gifts and honors as much as he values this — that
there should be growth in the essentials of all religions. Growth in essentials
can be done in different ways, but all of them have as their root restraint in
speech, that is, not praising one’s own religion, or condemning the religion of
others without good cause. And if there is cause for criticism, it should be
done in a mild way. But it is better to honor other religions for this reason:
By so doing, one’s own religion benefits, and so do other religions, while
doing otherwise harms one’s own religion and the religions of others. Whoever
praises his own religion, due to excessive devotion, and condemns others with
the thought, “Let me glorify my own religion,” only harms his own religion.
Therefore contact between religions is good. One should listen to and respect
the doctrines professed by others. Beloved-of-the-Gods, King [Asoka], desires
that all should be well-learned in the good doctrines of other religions.
The Cartwheel Galaxy, located 500
million light-years from Earth, as photographed by the James Webb Space
Telescope. The Jedi padawan Ahsoka, named after King Asoka, is a major
character in the Star Wars legendarium, which is set “in a galaxy
far, far away,” like this one – which resembles the Asoka Chakra. (Image
Credit: NASA – Public Domain)
Further Reading
·
On
the Contemplative Life
by Rabbi Philo of Alexandria (Public Domain) – A valuable description of
community life among the Therapeutae (Buddhist monks and nuns) in Egypt during
the 1st century CE.
·
The
Light of Asia by Sir
Edwin Arnold (Public Domain)
·
The
Gospel of Buddha by Paul
Carus (Public Domain)
·
The
Dhammapada by F. Max
Müller (Public Domain)
·
Zen
for Americans: Sermons of a Buddhist Abbot by Soyen Shaku (Public Domain)
·
Biographical
Scripture of King Asoka
by Li Rongxi (2006)
·
Buddhist
Wisdom: The Path to Enlightenment by Gerald Benedict (2009)
·
The
Good Heart: A Buddhist Perspective on the Teachings of Jesus by His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama (2016)
·
Jesus
and Buddha: The Parallel Sayings by Marcus Borg and Jack Kornfield (2020)
·
I
Am a Padawan (Little
Golden Book) by Ashley Eckstein (2020)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.