Difference between revisions of "Unity of Buddhism"
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<poem> | <poem> | ||
| − | To an outsider or someone not well-informed about Buddhism, its numerous school and traditions may appear to be so diverse as to have little or nothing in common. While it is true that some minor sects and cults identifying themselves as Buddhist are not really, all genuinely Buddhists traditions share and adhere to certain common features. In 1967, First Congress of the World Buddhist Sangha Council, representing Buddhists from 25 countries and made up of all the main Buddhist branches and traditions, drew up an ecumenical document called ‘The Basic Points Unifying the Theravada and the | + | To an outsider or someone not well-informed about [[Buddhism]], its numerous school and [[traditions]] may appear to be so diverse as to have little or nothing in common. While it is true that some minor sects and {{Wiki|cults}} identifying themselves as [[Buddhist]] are not really, all genuinely [[Buddhists]] [[traditions]] share and adhere to certain common features. In 1967, First Congress of the [[World Buddhist Sangha Council]], representing [[Buddhists]] from 25 countries and made up of all the main [[Buddhist]] branches and [[traditions]], drew up an {{Wiki|ecumenical}} document called ‘The Basic Points Unifying the [[Theravada]] and the [[Mahayana]]’. This document is a concise [[formula]] of the unifying {{Wiki|principles}} that all [[Buddhists]] adhered too and was unanimously approved by the participants of the Council. The statement reads - |
| − | The Buddha is our only Master (teacher and guide). | + | The [[Buddha]] is our only [[Master]] ([[teacher]] and guide). |
| − | We take refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha (the Three Jewels). | + | We [[take refuge]] in the [[Buddha]], the [[Dhamma]] and the [[Sangha]] (the [[Three Jewels]]). |
| − | We do not believe that this world is created and ruled by a God. | + | We do not believe that this [[world]] is created and ruled by a [[God]]. |
| − | We consider that the purpose of life is to develop compassion for all living beings without discrimination and to work for their good, happiness, and peace; and to develop wisdom (pañña) leading to the realization of Ultimate Truth | + | We consider that the {{Wiki|purpose}} of [[life]] is to develop [[compassion]] for [[all living beings]] [[without discrimination]] and to work for their good, [[happiness]], and [[peace]]; and to develop [[wisdom]] ([[pañña]]) leading to the [[realization]] of [[Ultimate Truth]] |
| − | We accept the Four Noble Truths, namely ''dukkha'', the arising of ''dukkha'', the cessation of ''dukkha'', and the path leading to the cessation of ''dukkha''; and the law of cause and effect (''paṭiccasamuppāda''). | + | We accept the [[Four Noble Truths]], namely ''[[dukkha]]'', the [[arising]] of ''[[dukkha]]'', the [[cessation]] of ''[[dukkha]]'', and the [[path]] leading to the [[cessation]] of ''[[dukkha]]''; and the [[law of cause and effect]] (''[[paṭiccasamuppāda]]''). |
| − | All conditioned things (''saṃkhāra'') are impermanent (a''nicca'') and ''dukkha'' , and that all conditioned and unconditioned things (''dhamma'') are without self (''anatta''). | + | All [[conditioned things]] (''saṃkhāra'') are [[impermanent]] (a''nicca'') and ''[[dukkha]]'' , and that all [[conditioned]] and [[unconditioned]] things (''[[dhamma]]'') are without [[self]] (''[[anatta]]''). |
| − | We accept the thirty-seven qualities conducive to enlightenment (''bodhipakkhaya dhamma'') as different aspects of the Path taught by the Buddha leading to Enlightenment. | + | We accept the thirty-seven qualities conducive to [[enlightenment]] (''bodhipakkhaya [[dhamma]]'') as different aspects of the [[Path]] [[taught]] by the [[Buddha]] leading to [[Enlightenment]]. |
| − | There are three of attaining bodhi or Enlightenment: namely as a disciple (''sāvaka''), as a ''paccakabuddha'' and as a ''samma sambuddha'' (perfectly and fully enlightened Buddha). We accept it as the highest, noblest, and most heroic to follow the career of a Bodhisattva and to become a ''samma sambuddha'' in order to save others. | + | There are three of [[attaining]] [[bodhi]] or [[Enlightenment]]: namely as a [[disciple]] (''[[sāvaka]]''), as a ''paccakabuddha'' and as a ''[[samma sambuddha]]'' (perfectly and [[fully enlightened Buddha]]). We accept it as the [[highest]], noblest, and most heroic to follow the career of a [[Bodhisattva]] and to become a ''[[samma sambuddha]]'' in order to save others. |
| − | We admit that in different countries there are differences regarding Buddhist | + | We admit that in different countries there are differences regarding [[Buddhist beliefs]] and practices. These external [[forms]] and {{Wiki|expressions}} should not be confused with the [[essential teachings]] of the [[Buddha]]. (The [[Sanskrit]] for all [[doctrinal]] terms is used in the original). |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
Latest revision as of 17:25, 6 January 2016
To an outsider or someone not well-informed about Buddhism, its numerous school and traditions may appear to be so diverse as to have little or nothing in common. While it is true that some minor sects and cults identifying themselves as Buddhist are not really, all genuinely Buddhists traditions share and adhere to certain common features. In 1967, First Congress of the World Buddhist Sangha Council, representing Buddhists from 25 countries and made up of all the main Buddhist branches and traditions, drew up an ecumenical document called ‘The Basic Points Unifying the Theravada and the Mahayana’. This document is a concise formula of the unifying principles that all Buddhists adhered too and was unanimously approved by the participants of the Council. The statement reads -
The Buddha is our only Master (teacher and guide).
We take refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha (the Three Jewels).
We do not believe that this world is created and ruled by a God.
We consider that the purpose of life is to develop compassion for all living beings without discrimination and to work for their good, happiness, and peace; and to develop wisdom (pañña) leading to the realization of Ultimate Truth
We accept the Four Noble Truths, namely dukkha, the arising of dukkha, the cessation of dukkha, and the path leading to the cessation of dukkha; and the law of cause and effect (paṭiccasamuppāda).
All conditioned things (saṃkhāra) are impermanent (anicca) and dukkha , and that all conditioned and unconditioned things (dhamma) are without self (anatta).
We accept the thirty-seven qualities conducive to enlightenment (bodhipakkhaya dhamma) as different aspects of the Path taught by the Buddha leading to Enlightenment.
There are three of attaining bodhi or Enlightenment: namely as a disciple (sāvaka), as a paccakabuddha and as a samma sambuddha (perfectly and fully enlightened Buddha). We accept it as the highest, noblest, and most heroic to follow the career of a Bodhisattva and to become a samma sambuddha in order to save others.
We admit that in different countries there are differences regarding Buddhist beliefs and practices. These external forms and expressions should not be confused with the essential teachings of the Buddha. (The Sanskrit for all doctrinal terms is used in the original).
