If all wars begin in the human mind, so does peace

For change to begin with us we must start with the knowledge of ourselves 

“You yourself must make an effort

The Buddhas are only teachers” 

– Dhammapada Verse 276

By Surya Vishwa 

This is part two of our review of the book ‘How Buddhism Empowers Personal and Social Change’ by environmentalist and Buddhist Counsellor, Don de Silva, published by the Buddhist Cultural Centre in Sri Lanka. 

In part one of the review we focused from Chapter 1 to 5 of the book (https://www.ft.lk/harmony_page/Buddha-s-search-for-Kinkusalagavesi-discovering-what-is-skilfull/10523-761095).

In this edition we will review chapters 6 to 11 as an overall analysis and cite quotations proceeding from each chapter as relevant.

We approach this review as part of the educative role mass media can make in society to enhance understanding on spiritual, religious, cultural, anthropological and historical perspectives on diverse faith traditions and philosophies, juxtaposing where relevant with modern day concepts and definitions. Over the past six years we have focused on Buddhist, Vedic, Islamic and aboriginal forest tradition based beliefs as part of linking the world with the richness of thought, faith, peace and love. 

As we pointed out in the first segment of the review of How Buddhism Empowers Personal and Social Change, the significant factor of this book was that it catered to modern contexts contributing with pragmatic views as it highlighted the Buddhist Dhamma as preached by the Buddha. The goal of the book was to be a route towards preventing conflict, within the mind and between minds. Each chapter comes with unique illustrations and captions that point to Buddhism’s role in shaping for the better, everyday realities. 

Change starts with you

Chapter 6 of the book is titled ‘Change starts with you’ and notes the importance of self-awareness and self-reflection and then details out the four noble truths showing the nature of suffering; 1. recognition of the existence of suffering, 2. understanding that suffering arises from craving and attachment, 3. that suffering can be overcome by letting go of craving and attachment, 4. understanding of the eightfold path – the set of 8 practices that help humans to cultivate wisdom, ethical conduct and mental discipline. The eightfold paths of right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration. 

Let us proceed with the review within this framework. 

‘A roadmap for change’ is the title of chapter 7 and the title of chapter 8 is ‘Wars begin in the mind’. The content within help the reader grasp the teachings of Gautama Buddha to show how individuals (or nations) can shape their own destiny with their thoughts and manifest the result through their actions. Thus, when chapter 7 starts by stating that wars begin in the mind, we are naturally asked to reflect that so does peace. It is interesting that this chapter quotes the following UNESCO preamble; “Since wars begin in the minds of men it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed.”

As the author of the book points out this UNESCO preamble echoes the first two verses of the Dhammapada as below. 

“Mind precedes thought, mind is their chief, their quality is made by mind.”

“If with a base mind one speaks or acts that suffering follows him like a wheel follows the ox’s foot.”

“Mind precedes thoughts, mind is their chief, their quality is made by the mind.”

“If with a pure mind one speaks or acts that happiness follows him like a shadow which does not depart.”

Here, it is upto the reader to think. Buddhism is a thinkers’ paradise. It is the haven of someone who exercises the mind’s general tendency to question. Thus, keeping in mind the above we can see exactly how the seeds of wars are sown in this world which as we read these lines are being bombed in different locations and precious human lives stilled every minute. 

For change to begin with us we must start with the knowledge of ourselves. In the modern world we seem to know everything about everything except our selves. When we (people and nations) look at our histories, fears, phobias and challenges and go within those spheres using the general logic of the Buddha we may realise that it is our minds that have helped to create patterns of these actions.

Exploration and self-discovery

Chapter 9 is titled ‘Ehipassiko: Come and see, not come and believe’. 

As Don de Silva notes in the first sentence of this chapter; “Ehipassiko – neatly sums up the investigative nature of Buddhism and invites you to embark on a journey of exploration and self-discovery.” 

Explaining the Pali term Ehipassiko this chapter explains that the term ehipassiko embodies the open minded, inquisitive spirit that lies at the heart of Buddhism. 

Chapter 10 is titled the ‘Noble Eightfold Path: a blueprint for practice’ and explains the importance of ‘experiencing’ what the Buddha requested his followers to, if they so wished to. To see in their life-journey, in this human form what it is to pin point the root of suffering and then pluck it out. Chapter 11 is titled ‘Direct experience’ and explains the above details more thoroughly noting that self-reliance, resilience and inner strength can be the fruits of testing out the questioning that Buddha encouraged and cites the examples of the Kalamas of Kasaputta, modern day Bihar for the purpose of arriving at a conclusion to a difficult issue. The Kalamas faced the problem of arriving at a conclusion as to which line of thinking to adopt when confronted with the different religious sentiments at the time.

When one reads through the book it is apparent that the Buddha never hurt or reviled any religious tradition although in principle he took firm stances such as creating history by paying no regard to the rigid caste hierarchy practiced in Brahminism. The followers of the Buddha were persons of both high and low caste being strictly treated according to their seniority of perfecting the Dhamma and nothing else. 

We will be continuing the review of this book in this page for the purpose of practical applicability that this book hopes to inspire.