Tuesday, September 8, 2015

The Buddha In Traffic

Often, while I get stuck in the traffic, amidst the loud-honking, rule-breaking, free-spitting, live-cigarette-throwing morons, I ask myself this question to lessen my annoyance - What would the Buddha do when he gets stuck like this?

I used to tell myself that even the Buddha would lose his composure and feel the rage. But reading through the Dhammapada has cleared that 'doubt' of mine. He wouldn't have bothered. That's because there is a world of difference between us. His world was of the inner realm, whereas I am still mired in the external appearances. He is all peace and bliss, whereas I am all mundane and materialistic. His peace emanates from his very being, just the same way the Sun is his own source of energy. My peace is derived from my external possessions. He is a Paradise himself, whereas I am, stuck in this cage of decaying flesh, trying to form my own versions of 'peace' and 'happiness'.

 To sum it all up and to answer myself, He would have walked. Uncaring for all the mundane aspirations and senseless haste that we have weaved our lives with, the Buddha would have walked. For, he is already Home, whereas I am not even on the path yet!

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Book Review – After the War, Wendy Doniger

When a decade ago, Wendy Doniger’s book ‘The Hindus’ got pulped, I was among those that raised voice in social media against it and some of ...