Prof Harishankar Shukla, Retd Professor and Head of Pali Department in Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi said that in the contemporary context, Buddhist Philosophy is emerging as Need of the Hour as it deals with reality. The relevance of Buddhism shall prevail not only in modern life but in all life.
He was delivering lecture on ‘Baudh Darshan Ki lokopayogita’ on Wednesday, the concluding day of Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies lecture Series-Tattvabodhani.
The Buddhist Philosophy provides us a theory of knowledge, a theory of reality, an ethical system, a social and political philosophy as well as suggestions for a philosophy of law and international relations. This Philosophy is quite different from other Schools of Philosophy due to its causal conception of the universe.
“Today, we encounter with lots of problems because of being irrational and remaining far away from reality. It offers commoners knowledge and methods to eliminate suffering and unhappiness. Man is nothing but a product of mind and mental factors,” he added.
He further said that there are five Skandas, one hundred twenty one Chitta and about 52 to 64 mind factors. He highlighted that teachings of Buddhism enable us to look within ourselves for the causes of any problem because it is always easy to blame our problems on external factors. The Philosophical thoughts propounded in Buddhism help us to avoid prejudice and not allow ourselves to be influenced by fear or erroneous beliefs.The lord Buddha teaches us that we should accept things which we find appropriate and based on our evaluation. Whatever we are witnessing is world and it is known useful for human beings. Buddhist teachings are universal and more appealing as lord Buddha preached in the language of commoners.
The Chairperson of the session was retired IAS officer MM Upadhaya, who stressed on Buddhist Philosophy facilitates to look within so as to understand the reality in relation outer-world. The programme was conducted by Santosh Priyadarshi and vote of thanks was proposed by Rahul Siddhartha.