Ven. Akshay Kamble

Dr. Ambedkar never rejected Four Noble Truths The four noble truths are justified in the book – ‘The Buddha and His Dhamma’ by Dr. Ambedkar. Let us simply examine how many times and the context in which the author used these Truths while explaining the Dhamma. The very enlightenment of the Buddha starts from recognizing the first Noble Truth of sufferings. 1. “On the night of the last day of the fourth week light dawn upon him. He realized that there were two problems. The problem was that there was suffering in the world and the second problem was how to remove this suffering and make mankind happy”. 2. That suffering and unhappiness in the world he thought was incontrovertible fact. 3. Gautama was, however, interested in knowing how to do away with suffering. 4. It is, therefore, on this problem-how to remove suffering and unhappiness-that he concentrated his mind. 5. Naturally, the first question he asked himself was-“What are the causes of suffering and unhappin...

Sources and References: 1.Dr.B.R.Ambedkar Writing and speeches 2.Buddha and His Dhamma by Dr.B.R.Ambedka The Buddhist Way of Life    1. On Good, Evil, and Sin  2. On Craving and Lust  3. On Hurt and Ill-will  4. On Anger and Enmity  5. On Man, Mind, and Impurities  6. On Self and Self-Conquest  7. On Wisdom, Justice, and Good Company  8. On Thoughtfulness and Mindfulness  9. On Vigilance, Earnestness, and Boldness  10. On Sorrow and Happiness; On Charity and Kindness  11. On Hypocrisy  12. On Following the Right Way  13. Mix not True Dhamma with False Dhamma 1. On Good, Evil, and Sin 1. Do good. Be no party to evil. Commit no sin.     2. This is the Buddhist way of life.     3. If a man should do that which is good, let him do it again and again, let him turn the desires of his heart thereto. Happy is the heaping of good.     4. Think not casually of the g...

The Ten Powers of a Buddha: (1) Omniscience Today we will look at the Ten Powers of a Buddha. A Buddha is an Enlightened being who, first of all, possesses a `complete awareness.` When someone came to see Buddha Shakyamuni, the Buddha would soon perceive the entire history of that person from beginning to end. This signifies a complete knowledge of the workings of the Universe. This kind of ability is one of the manifestations of the wisdom-power of the Buddha. (2) Knowledge of the Karma of Every Being The second power is `knowledge of the karma of every being, past, present, and future.` This is really an extension of the first power. How does the Buddha find out about one`s previous incarnations? Through bodily signs. Every person has signs on his or her body revealing past and future incarnations. This knowledge becomes available when one develops the Buddha wisdom. As I have said before, all of you are, in my eyes, `antiques` [audience laughter] although most of you a...

Mahāparinibbāna Sutta DN 16 [The longest of all discourses, this extended narrative tells of the events surrounding the Buddha’s death. Full of vivid and moving details, it is an ideal entry point into knowing the Buddha as a person, and understanding how the Buddhist community coped with his passing.] The Great Discourse on the Buddha’s Extinguishment so i have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, on the Vulture’s Peak Mountain. Now at that time King Ajātasattu Vedehiputta of Māgadha wanted to invade the Vajjis. He declared: “I will wipe out these Vajjis, so mighty and powerful! I will destroy them, and lay ruin and devastation upon them!” And then King Ajātasattu addressed Vassakāra the brahmin minister of Māgadha: “Please, brahmin, go to the Buddha, and in my name bow with your head to his feet. Ask him if he is healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably. And then say: ‘Sir, King Ajātasattu Vedehiputta of Māgadha wants to invade the Vajjis...