We Must Rely on Ourselves - Buddhism, Philosophy, and Khmer Literature

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Buddhism, Philosophy, and Khmer Literature

The teachings of the Buddha are aimed solely at liberating sentient beings from suffering. The Basic Teachings of Buddha which are core to Buddhism are: The Three Universal Truths; The Four Noble Truths; and The Noble Eightfold Path.

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Friday, January 24, 2025

We Must Rely on Ourselves


Q. 1: Interpret “Attadīpa viharatha

            The Buddha said, “we must rely on ourselves.”

            Attadīpā viharatha

            Attasaraṇā anaññasaraṇā.

            Dhammadīpā viharatha

            Dhammasaraṇā anaññasaraṇā.

            Be an island to yourself.

Rely on yourself; there is no other refuge.

Be the Dhamma an island to your.

Rely on the Dhamma; there is no other refuge.

                                                             Mahāparinibbāna Sutta,

                                                             Dīigha Nikāya

           Atta here has two meanings. The first meaning is self or oneself. The second meaning is atman or soul.

           Be enlighten yourself is the meaning of Dīpa or lamp.

           So the Buddha said, “Rely on yourself means rely on the Dhamma: the teachings of the Buddha.

 

Q. 2: Explain that no one can purify another, but purity and impurity depend on oneself.

An evil-doer, as a result of his unwholesome actions, suffers from various kinds of miseries not only in this present existence but also in future existences. The unwholesome actions are blameworthy and immoral action producing evil results, and also consist of three kinds of bodily, verbal and mental action.

A meritorious action is a faultless and beneficial action. Faultless here means the absence of greed, hatred, delusion, envy, jealousy, etc, in the mind while performing the meritorious deeds, a good man or person, as a result of his wholesome actions, achieves happiness not only in this present existence but also in future existences. The wholesome actions also consist of three kinds of bodily, verbal and mental actions.

According to Dighanikāya, Mahāparinibbāna Sutta, the Buddha said, “Oh! Bhikkhus, live by relying on you, by taking refuge in yourselves, live by relying on the Dhamma, by taking refuge in the Dhamma, by not relying on others.”

Due to Theragāthā Jāṭaka, one who practices the Dhamma will be protected by the Dhamma. He who imbibes the Dhamma will live happily. Dhamma will convey happiness to one who practices the Dhamma well. He will not go to the miserable existences.

There is no one who could purify another. All beings have to enjoy or suffer according to good or bad actions done by them. No creator can change the results of Kammic Actions.

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