How the Digital Revolution is Shaping the Practice of Buddhism Today

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Buddhism, one of the world’s oldest spiritual traditions, emphasizes mindfulness, compassion, and the pursuit of enlightenment. As technology rapidly transforms human societies, it is essential to explore how these advancements intersect with Buddhist principles. This article delves into the relationship between Buddhism and technology, examining both the benefits and challenges that arise from their convergence. Historical Context Historically, Buddhism has shown a remarkable ability to adapt to various cultural and technological changes. From the oral transmission of teachings to the written scriptures on palm leaves and, later, printed books, Buddhism has continuously embraced new methods to disseminate its wisdom. Today, the digital age presents a new frontier for the spread and practice of Buddhism. Technology Enhancing Buddhist Practice Digital Dharma The internet has become a powerful tool for spreading Buddhist teachings globally. Websites, blogs, online courses, and social med

Buddhist view of good diet plan

 


Food occupies a unique place among basic human needs. "Chigachcha Parama Roga" It is clear that hunger is the most dangerous disease in this world. Because it is the same not only in human society but also in animal society. Man is not the same as other animals in food because of intellectual imagination.


It is a fact that we know that the various causal factors related to food in the early tribal societies also spread to the emergence of civilizations. We are discussing here whether the current diet leads to physical and mental health. If so, what is the Buddhist attitude towards it?


It is a sad situation that Sri Lankans are facing many different health crises based on food in the current consumerist economic trend. Even though all the media in this country have held various discussions for this purpose, it is nothing but feeding the taste cravings related to different foods. It is thought to be similar to cutting a river.


It is accepted to see by paying attention to the people of the society that no matter what kind of media awareness and awareness are done regarding food, it has not been able to reduce the various diseases of the body. Moreover, even by watching weekly newspapers and news programs, it is made aware that good health habits lead to the enjoyment of longevity in life. Everyone sees and knows that various specialist doctors are also using electronic air time and expressing different concepts and opinions for this purpose.But it is clear that all have failed in using alternatives for these food related health problems.


There are many things that can be learned from the teachings of Lord Buddha, who was a healer of suffering in relation to food. Through all these things, it is said that one's diet is not only for one's happiness, but it also leads to success in both worlds. Lord Buddha, who was saddened by the truth, preached about this food that one should not be greedy for it. "..... Imassa Kayassa Tithiya Yapanaya Vihinsuparathiya...." As if eating food for the survival of the body, only for subsistence and for the comfort of the body.


It is special to be able to study Buddhist principles related to food starting from the Bodhisattva period of the early Buddha period. During the time of Bodhisattva, Siddhartha Bodhisattva was careful with his food in order to clarify those deep realities, even during the time of hardships, during his journey to attain the great fruit of enlightenment called Buddhahood.


During his Bodhisattva years, the Bodhisattva used to eat the food that fell to the roots of the "fruit-eating" tree for his purpose, and he got physical and mental healing from it, according to his sermons on various occasions. What kind of concept Buddhism shows in relation to food is found in the book of Piruvana in the question of novices.That is, "Eka Nama King?" When asked what is the first problem of the world, with the basic idea, "Sabbe satta ayatathitika". The most basic explanation related to food has been made by indicating that the existence of all the animals that live in this world is caused by food. Also, food is able to give the life of human life, colour, physical health, physical strength and the most essential wisdom to man.


Moreover, according to dharma, animals in this world eat food in two ways. That is mentally and physically. Animals live by feeding the mind with goals, saying "Mano Pubbhangama Dhamma..." Buddha says that the mind should be given the right food. As it is an extremely important process, the concept of meditation is implied in the inquiry.


Buddhism emphasises that mental food is more important than physical food. It has also been preached that wrong food patterns for the mind will lead to worldly suffering. The first food formula of the Samyutta Nikaya type of food is a four-fold food.


01. Kabalingkara food - (Physical food) 


02. Fat food 


03. Psychic Food- (Psychic Foods) 


04. Conscious food


It is clearly stated in that sutra that physical food is an essential factor for human existence. The same food is gradually analysed in the sutra until eternal existence. There is information in the sermon that the body is healthy due to the right physical food and the mind is healthy due to the right mental food. Even in modern psychology, it is shown that mental illnesses are caused by faulty physical and mental diet.


It can be explained from the basic sermon study that fast food patterns make the body and mind full to the point of disease. Therefore, it is now very clear that the food we eat represents a more important aspect of life than we think. Moreover, in the book "Dhammapada" which is considered as the handbook of the Buddhist, it can be seen that various sermons regarding food have been explained in depth by taking them as parables.


Buddhism emphasises that the amount of food one eats should be done for the survival of the body. The Buddhist period emphasises several points. It is a truth accepted by Buddhism that humanity is extremely rare. "Kichcho Manusha Patilabo..." In no way does Buddhism accept man as a creation of God or as a slave of such a force. Buddhism emphasises the clinging to the food of animals that have become human due to not accepting it as a primary act.


The Lord Buddha has indicated that everything in life that is unknown about food is a mess. That is the information in the Donapaka Sutra of the Kosala Samyutta of the Samyutta Nikaya. "One day King Kosol, who came to the Buddha, was sighing uneasily whether he had eaten or not. So the Lord Buddha preached like this. "The sufferings of that man who is always conscious and knows only about the food he eats are thinned. Eaten food is digested slowly. It saves life."Later, a young man named Sudassana was told to memorise this and remember it when the king ate food, and for that he was given a hundred kahawanu, and as a result, the king became very comfortable, he became able to touch his body parts with his own hands, it is explained in that sutra. have.


No matter how many fast and tasty foods are available in the market, if we can live our lives carefully in every way, rather than being a person full of diseases in the busy, complex socio-economic over consumerist society, if we can teach that habit to our children, we will not have a healthy society in the future.


Those of us who sacrifice everything in life for the sake of pleasure and happiness, eating various foods with different western names, are not spending the wealth that we have spent the best time of our life and earned, protected from thieves and enemies, to live happily and fulfil our duties, and spend it again on vaccinations for sickness and sorrow.?



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