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While looking into the Buddhist philosophy and ethics, much investigation has been done all across the world, regarding the truth and validity of the principles that were set forth approximately 2600 years ago. However, it becomes crucial to understand the four main tenets of Buddha, before conducting a comprehensive analysis on their modern-day relevance. Hereby, they include the truth of suffering (Dukkha), truth to the origin of suffering (Samudaya), cessation of suffering (Nirodha) as well as the path to the termination of suffering (Magga). Additionally, Buddhism emphasizes on the significance of identifying and following the right path of life. In order to achieve this, one must strive to abstain from abusive speech and deception, and instead focus on prudence. Alive to these ideologies, the paper aims to review their relevance and validity, based on research and experience, on their usefulness in the 21st century.
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The foundation of Buddha was based on specific philosophies that man could not fathom easily. The initial concept was that the world is an ever-changing phenomenon. Constantly, people are born, raised and eventually are subjects of death, decay, lamentation, and destruction. Nothing is permanent or independent. To disrupt the cycle, the solution was to end birth. This was impossible. Since the current problem could not be solved, the truths of life had to be established, as stated above. In the 21st century, the facts of Buddha remain relevant; reason being, people all over the world are neither satisfied mentally nor physically. Satisfaction as well as security, demands of the mind, comes eventually due to freedom. As stated by the Buddha, the mind is the sole forerunner. The mental states are made in the mind. Since there are rampant demands and cravings for satisfaction, freedom, and security, the truths of Buddha become relevant, as they seek to explain why those demands cannot be achieved. While thinking about it, when one fully understands the truth, cause, cessation, and path of suffering, one is likely to find probable solutions that will lead to the eventual achievement of form, feeling, volition, consciousness as well as perception. Given the presence of science and technology, the truths of Buddha are much alive, relevant and useful to the 21st century, as new challenges emerge day by day. The truths remain infinite, as challenges and unrest are recurring with each century and millennium.
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Zen Master Seung Sahn (ZMSS) famously put down a quote that most students of the Buddha did not understand. He explained that, while eating, one should also read the newspaper. One time, his student met him doing both. He reiterated his sentiments on the importance of performing both activities simultaneously. To expound this, he meant that people ought to put all their things down. While in this life, the main objective is to know one's true self. It may be objective to read the Sutra ten thousand times, but it is of no particular importance if you have no realization of your true innate self. Your opinion and condition of situation do not come into play when doing other things, and with this, one will realize the sutra's true meaning. On the other hand, everything is conceived in the mind; if you do not cling to the past, you will not beckon Karma. Without the mind, there is no Karma, hence the conclusion, originally, there is no mind or Karma whatsoever.
Works Cited
"Buddhist Core Beliefs - Buddhism In Practice : Pearls Of Wisdom". Sapphyr.Net, 2018, http://www.sapphyr.net/buddhist/buddhist-core.htm. Accessed 14 Apr 2018.
"Buddhist Philosophy". Age-Of-The-Sage.Org, 2018, http://www.age-of-the-sage.org/buddhism/buddhist_philosophy.html. Accessed 13 Apr 2018.
"Buddhism, Its Relevance To The 21St Century". Metta.Lk, 2018, http://www.metta.lk/english/century21.htm. Accessed 13 Apr 2018.
"Conversation With A Great Sutra Master". Kwan Um School Of Zen, 2018, https://kwanumzen.org/teaching-library/1996/07/01/conversation-with-a-great-sutra-master. Accessed 14 Apr 2018.
