mettavalokanaya_international_buddhist_magazine_december_2019

Mind and
Matter….
from amoeba to elephant and to man,
existed previously in other forms.
Although some people hold the
view that life originates in matter alone,
the greatest scientists have accepted that
mind precedes matter in order for life
to originate. In Buddhism, this concept
is called ‘relinking consciousness’. Each
of us, in the ultimate sense, is mind
and matter, a compound of mental
and material phenomena, and nothing
more. Apart from these realities that
go to form the nama-rupa compound,
there is no self, or soul. The mind part
of the compound is what experiences
an object. The matter part does not
experience anything. When the body is
injured, it is not the body that feels the
pain, but the mental side.
When we are hungry it is not the
stomach that feels the hunger but the
mind. However, mind cannot eat the
food to ease the hunger. The mind and
its factors make the body digest the food.
Nama-Rupa - What is mind? No
matter. What is matter? Never
mind”. According to Buddhism,
life is a combination of mind
(nama) and matter (rupa). Mind consists
of the combination of sensations,
perceptions, volitional activities and
consciousness. Matter consists of the
combination of the four elements of
solidity, fluidity, motion and heat. Life
is the co-existence of mind and matter.
Decay is the lack of co-ordination of
mind and matter. Death is the separation
of mind and matter. Rebirth is the
recombination of mind and matter. After
the passing away of the physical body
(matter), the mental forces (mind)
recombine and assume a new
combination in a different material form
and condition another existence. The
relation of mind to matter is like the
relation of a battery to an engine of a
motor car. The battery helps to start the
engine. The engine helps to charge the
battery. The combination helps to run the
motor car. In the same manner, matter
helps the mind to function and the mind
helps to set matter in motion. Buddhism
teaches that life is not the property of
matter alone, and that the life-process
continues or flows as a result of cause
and effect. The mental and material
elements that compose sentient beings
The Chief Incumbent of
Buddhist Maha Vihara,
Brickfields Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia
Most Venerable Datuk
Kirinde Dhammaratana
Nayaka Maha Thero
Malaysia
Thus, neither the nama nor the rupa has
any efficient power of its own. One is
dependent on the other; one supports
the other. Both mind and matter arise
because of conditions and perish
immediately, and this is happening every
moment of our lives. By studying and
experiencing these realities we will get
insight into: (1) what we truly are; (2)
what we find around us; (3) how and why
we react to what is within and around us;
and (4) what we should aspire to reach
as a spiritual goal.
To gain insight into the nature
of the psycho-physical life is to realize
that life is an illusion, a mirage or a
bubble, a mere process of becoming and
dissolving, or arising and passing away.
Whatever exists, arises from causes
and conditions. When the causes and
conditions cease to be, the thing will
cease to exist.
The Danger of Selfish Desire -
Craving is a fire which burns in all beings:
every activity is motivated by desire. They
range from the simple physical desire
of animals to the complex and often
artificially stimulated desires of civilized
people. To satisfy desire, animals prey
upon one another, and human beings
fight, kill, cheat, lie and perform various
forms of unwholesome deeds.
Craving is a powerful mental force
present in all forms of life and is the chief
cause of the ills in life. It is this craving
that leads to repeated births in the cycle
of existence. Once we have realized the
cause of suffering, we are in a position to
put an end to suffering. So, how do we
put an end to suffering?
Eliminate it at its root by the
removal of craving in the mind. This is
the Third Noble Truth. The state where
craving ceases is known as Nirvana.
The word Nirvana is composed of ‘ni’
and ‘vana’, meaning the departure
from or end of craving. This is a state
which is free from suffering and rounds
of rebirth. This is a state which is not
subjected to the laws of birth, decay and
death. This state is so sublime that no
human language can express it. Nirvana
is Unborn, Unoriginated, Uncreated,
Unformed. If there were not this Unborn,
this Unoriginated, this Uncreated,
this Unformed, then escape from the
conditioned world is not possible.
Nirvana is beyond logic and
reasoning. We may engage in highly
speculative discussions regarding
Nirvana or ultimate reality, but this is
not the way to really understand it.
To understand and realize the truth of
Nirvana, it is necessary for us to walk the
Eightfold Path, and to train and purify
ourselves with diligence and patience.
Through spiritual development and
maturity, we will be able to realize the
Third Noble Truth. But first we must
begin with sraddha, the confidence or
faith that the Buddha is truly competent
to lead the way.
The Noble Eightfold Path is the
Fourth Noble Truth which leads to
Nirvana. It is a way of life consisting of
eight factors. By walking on this Path, it
will be possible for us to see an end to
suffering. Because Buddhism is a logical
and consistent teaching embracing
every aspect of life, this noble Path also
serves as the finest possible code for
leading a happy life. Its practice brings
benefits to oneself and others, and it is
not a Path to be practiced by those who
call themselves Buddhists alone, but by
each and every understanding person,
irrespective of his or her religious beliefs.
Tribute to Most Venerable Dr.
Kirinde Sri Dhammananda Maha Thero.
“Removal of
craving in the
mind”….
4 l Mettavalokanaya l December l 2019 l www.mettavalokanaya.com www.mettavalokanaya.com l 2019 l December l Mettavalokanaya l 5