BUDDHISM’S RELEVANCY IN THE NUCLEAR AGE and ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO MENTAL-SPIRITUAL HEALTH

Description

“JIGHACCHA PARAMA ROGA – Hunger is the worst of all sickness.”

“AROGAYA PARAMA LABHA – Freedom from sickness is the greatest acquisition.”

“SANTUTTHI PARAMA DHANAM – Contentment is the greatest wealth.”

“NIBBANAM PARAMA SUKHAM – Nirvana is the greatest bliss.”

excerpt:

“The natural mechanism’s function is sustained and supported by the four primordial elements known as Earth, Air, Water and Fire. The characteristic quality of earth is expansion, of air, it is motion; of water, it is cohesion; and of fire, it is temperature. Due to these characteristic qualities, they are understood to be both substantial as well as insubstantial in terms of material and qualities.

In another sense, the human being is composed of five aggregates or groups of grasping known as UPPADANA-KHANDHO in Pali. They are:

1. RUPA KHANDHO or group of “BODY”

2. VEDANA KHANDHO or group of “FEELING OR SENSATION”

3. SANNA KHANDHO or group of “PERCEPTION”

4. SANKHARA KHANDHO or group of “PSYCHO-PHENOMENAL FORMATION”

5. VINNANA KHANDHO or group of “CONSCIOUSNESS, CONSCIOUS MIND or LIFE FORCE” (UPPATTI­VINNANA).

These five aggregates or groups of grasping assume another name known as “NAMA and RUPA” (name and physical form) or “Spirit and Matter.” Man’s body belongs to RUPA KHANDHO or group of grasping concerning physical form or body, whereas the remaining four groups of grasping or aggregates, (namely feeling or sensation, perception, psycho phenomenal formation, and consciousness, conscious mind or life force) belong to Nama or name group. The Nama and Rupa groups combined together represent the whole or totality of the human being and as such play a very important role in producing, sustaining and maintaining life.”