Buddhism and Stoicism

Buddhism is free of dogma.

It is not a doctrine.

It is a simple way of life.

Its goal is mancipation from unsatisfactory Bhava of all beings (including higher beings called devas).

Its enlightenment is peace, tranquility and wisdom.

No belief in god or of his creation.

Because it is not a dogma (as for god and creation) and has given free inquiry to its followers it has spawned many variegations.

Kalama Sutta is based on Free Inquiry.

Unfortunately, Buddhist teaching was written down in Ceylon probably around 1000 years after the passing away of Buddha.

It was passed down by Oral Tradition and memorizing what had been said by elder monks of the past, a definite scriptural or textural comments came to existence much later in its evolution.

However, Hinduism is the oldest religion and has the oldest scripture.

All textural contents are preceded by a phrase "I have heard it so" or "Evam Mesutham".

So any errors of passing down the oral contents and translations were presumed to be inconsequential.

That is why there are commentaries and probable misreading of Buddha's original teachings.

Open inquiry and commentaries were genuinely encouraged and this has lead to enormous proliferation of scriptures.

That is my bone of contention.
Lot of things were added over time.

Coming from scientific background, I prefer minimalistic and simple approach to Buddhism or Dhamma.

There are also claims, that Buddhism was probably written down in Ceylon in the middle of first Century and commentaries were written by Buddhagosha in the fifth Century.
Buddhagosha was an Indian philosopher, commentator and a translator.
His work has been questioned probably due to his Indian origin

His classic work is Vissudhimagga or the Path of Purification.

That book gives instructions in  how to meditate.

There are about 1000 ways of meditation techniques.

I am writing this to warn guys and girls to be vary about various self claimed guys and girls who propagate Meditation Classes in the Internet without basic understanding of Dhamma.

1. Theravada Buddhism

This is based in Ceylon, Burma and Thailand.

These countries participated in six Buddhist Councils and the last one was in 1956.

First council was during the time of Buddha and the Second Council about 100 years after passing away of Buddha.

Both were oral councils.

In Kandy, Ceylon there is Publishing House called Buddhist Publication Society (B.P.S) which has enormous collection of books on Buddhism in Pali, Sinhala and English.

Two Suttas I recommend are Kalama Sutta and Brahmajala Sutta

If one is looking for books from simple to advanced that is the place one should visit.

It has a web site and one can order books through email correspondences.

It is closed on public holidays and open on normal working hours of Ceylon.

It is resourceful place.



2. Mahayana Buddhism

I know very little about Mahayana.

I do not think it exists currently in India.

Buddhism was translated to Sanskrit in India and a copy of the contents went to China. From this few copies or translations were passed  to Japan and Korea.

By the way, Mao Zedong destroyed temples and most of the scriptures. He has killed over 60 millions both in China and Tibet.

It is called Mahayana.


3. Tibetan Buddhism of Lamas.

This, I think is the most distorted version of Buddhism.

I am resistant to call it Dhamma.

They try to become Buddhas, in one go.

It is alien to the fundamental teaching of 4 levels of attainment (1. Sovan                        2. Sakurudahami 3. Anagami and                  4 Arhants).

Often, Western the guys fall prey to gullible mantras or utterings. By uttering one cannot attain higher levels and there is no mystics in Buddhism.

What one needs is sustain attention to meditation under a "Real Guru".

I leave it at that.

If one wants to visit Tibet and enjoy the serenity of Tibet it is altogether, a different kettle of fish.

Do not fall to Gullible Guys and tourist guys in Tibet.


Is Buddhism a Philosophy?

My answer to that is neither positive nor negative.

The western authors have labeled it as a philosophy inappropriately.

Dhamma is not a doctrine.

It has three plausible concepts not dogmas.

1. Impermanence of life and things.

2. Cause and Effect or Kamma concept.

3. Rebirth

Above there concepts are all Mind based.

There is a Canonical Text called Abhidhamma which tries to classify mind in an exhaustive manner.

I have tried to read this text with an analytical and critical way as a medical guy with very good understanding of how our brain works.

To say the least, I do not recommend any of my friends to read them.
Very confusing and there is no philosophical tenets therein.

The approach of philosophy is to classify things by reasoning and logic.

Apart from above 3 concepts there are no additional philosophical concepts.

Rebirth is a belief system and the other two are self explanatory and no need for philosophical conjecture.

So it cannot be described as a fundamental philosophy but a way of life where on tries to live a simple life, while trying to achieve enlightenment through peace, tranquility and wisdom by one's own will.

The Buddha shows the way, but one has to trod on diligently.

It is a way forward.

There is moral aptitude but no compulsion by law.

For example, if somebody is seafaring for his living he is not prevented from his living but at least in his sunshine years of life he should do something worthwhile for his own mental wellbeing.

Buddhism brings happiness or Somanassa Citta.

There is lot of optimism in Dhamma.

36 Somanassa States

Only 8 Domanassa states

Only philosophy that has any semblance to Dhamma is stoicism but it is full of pessimism.

It has a pinch of rationality in thinking, lot of fatalism to life in general and subdued benevolence to humanity.

I would not try it.

The 4 components are

1. Courage or Power or Energy of Mind

2. Temperance or live here and now

3. Justice or abide by law

4. Accept things which are beyond one's control, for example death.

Arthur Schopenhauer is a stoic.

Other stoics added few more ingredients.

5. Act with right intention

6. Be useful to fellow beings

7. Anticipate difficulties

8. Live with nature or be a part of it.