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The Buddha's teaching is as relevant today as in the past---because there is as
much misery as there was in the past; because human beings generate misery
the same way today as they did in ancient times. We all suffer. Life starts with
crying. Once born, one is bound to encounter the sufferings of sickness and old.
Throughout life, one encounters things that one does not like, and is separated
from things one likes. Unwanted things happen, wanted things do not happen,
and one feels miserable. Even the most powerful person on the earth can not
ensure that only wanted things will happen or that unwanted things won't
happen in life.
The Buddha went to the root of this problem, and discovered the solution for
liberation from all misery. He realised that we keep reacting to the pleasant and
unpleasant sensations we feel on the body with craving and aversion. And due
to these mental impurities or habit patterns, we remain agitated and miserable.
Reciting or chanting a word or mantra can help calm the mind, but only for
sometime, and only at the surface of the mind. But by doing this, one is not
facing the impurity that has arisen. If one keeps on repeating a word or a
mantra, one becomes enveloped by the vibrations of that word or mantra, while
deep inside the habit pattern of craving and aversion continues unabated. It is
like singing a lullaby to put a baby to sleep. Thus, this is not a lasting solution
to the problem.
One might recite the name of a god or a goddess in the belief that he or she will
be pleased with the recitation. One doesn't understand that if that god or
goddess has really created the laws of nature, he or she would be more pleased
if one obeyed those laws! The law of nature is such that if one defiles one's
mind with any impurity such as anger, hatred, lust, or jealousy one becomes
unhappy then and there. On the other hand, if one purifies the mind, maintains
equanimity or generates love and compassion, one remains happy and
peaceful.
In the beginning of my first course, I expected to be taught the recitation of the
Buddha's name. When that didn't happen, I thought, 'What is the use of
watching the breath and watching the sensations?' Soon it became clear to me -
as it becomes clear to all Vipassana meditators---that breath and sensations are
closely related to the mind and mental impurities. One starts understanding the
law of nature and seeing how one keeps generating misery for oneself and
spreading this misery all around.
Public talk by Goenkaji at Sonoma State university, Santa Rosa,CA
10th June 2002,
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