Rude Awakenings - Forest Sangha Publications

^0 S E C O N D M O O N 06“How?” is easy enough: as the Buddha commented, “volition isaction”—what the will determines becomes a reality. What is significantis the view that determines that will. Nowadays our view is that sensoryexistence is the reality of life. Accordingly our technology shapes theworld to make this sojourn on the planet as comfortable as possible. Butin some societies mortal life is held to be essentially imperfect and partof a divine order that goes beyond death. The technology developsaccordingly. Ashoka, a man, touched by nobility, attempted to establishhis view in proclamation and edicts carved in stone.Beloved of the Gods speaks thus: Happiness in this worldand the next is difficult to obtain without much love ofDhamma, much self-examination, much respect, much fear(of evil), and much enthusiasm. But through my instruction,this regard for Dhamma and love of Dhamma has grown daybyday,andwillcontinuetogrow.Andmyofficersof high,low,and middle rank are practising and conforming to Dhamma,and are capable of inspiring others to do the same...And theseare my instructions: to protect with Dhamma, to make happinessthrough Dhamma, and to guard with Dhamma....noble deeds of Dhamma and the practise of Dhammaconsist of having kindness, generosity, truthfulness, purity,gentleness, and goodness increase among the people.For a pilgrim at least, India is still capable of manifesting Ashokan officers.At this juncture, it was Mr. Chaudry, the superintendent of thestupa. He was duty-bound to politely remind us that it was not allowedto spend the night on the ancient monument; however, when we hadcompleted our evening meditation, he would put us up for the night. “Iam house,” he said modestly with a waggle of his head (Hindi has noword for “have,” and uses the verb “to be” instead). We thought hewould wait up for us and so cut our half-moon vigil short at ten-thirty.The smile and the waggle of the head were indeed patiently waiting by1 2 8