People sometimes say that the world is progressing towards being wiser, fairer, more civilised. But I do wonder about that. There’s a lot of unrest and disorder in our world at the moment—politically, economically, socially, and not much regard for individual suffering. Is this new or is it just more of the same since time began—just the old world going round and round?
In Buddhist terms one can see that the world is merely the outward manifestation of greed, hatred and delusion (samsara), and what is happening is to be expected. How can it be otherwise while greed, hatred and delusion reign? There is no suggestion, of course, that one should not try to do something about that world out there as well as the world within. Of course we should; that is our job as Buddhists, isn’t it, to work on greed, hatred and delusion—especially within ourselves?
The trick, of course, is not to do anything by force—there is no point in going around killing or acting violently in the name of peace—and also there is no point in despairing. Then we can acknowledge the world, not ignore it, not bury our heads in the sand, but function in it, and yet not get overwhelmed by it all. Easy!? And then our world of unsatisfactoriness and suffering (samsara) can be transformed into freedom from suffering, into wisdom and compassion (nirvana). Samsara and nirvana—the world of suffering and the world of nonsuffering—they are the same, said the Buddha; just two sides of the same coin.
If we think the Buddha had a point, then we can take heart and make efforts in transforming our own minds and seeing that there is no outer world in turmoil as distinct from an inner one, that one is the other. Then we cannot ignore the suffering of our own minds nor the suffering of others. Then suffering can turn into compassion and the self into selflessness. We have the means of letting the world go without ignoring it. Implementing the Buddha’s teaching will enable us to find that subtle balance for ourselves.
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Categories: Beginners, Buddhism, Diana St Ruth
Buddhism now 
Anguttara Nikaya II.23
Abhasita Sutta
What Was Not Said
“Monks, these two slander the Tathagata. Which two? He who explains what was not said or spoken by the Tathagata as said or spoken by the Tathagata. And he who explains what was said or spoken by the Tathagata as not said or spoken by the Tathagata. These are two who slander the Tathagata.”
The Abhasita Sutta offers three key principles:
1. Focus on the teachings the Buddha did give, rather than speculating about what he didn’t say.
2. Trust in the sufficiency and completeness of the Buddha’s teachings for the purpose of liberation.
3. Avoid getting caught up in metaphysical speculations or questions that don’t lead to the end of suffering.
The Abhasita Sutta aligns with the Buddha’s practical, middle-way approach, emphasising the importance of direct experience and practice over philosophical speculation. It reminds us to concentrate our efforts on understanding and applying the teachings that lead to liberation, rather than getting distracted by matters the Buddha deemed unnecessary or unhelpful for spiritual progress.
My thoughts have been on the same line too lately, is the same old world going around or has the suffering of the world increased tenfolds? Has human greed multiplied along with population, or is it more journalistic exposure of corruption, or has the religions of the world distort, takes centre stage, combat each other causing death and destruction and nothing else. Compassion Is the only answer, one does get caught up in samsara and let sadness weigh heavily..