Four Wise Buddhas

 Today I wish to write about the wisdom of the Buddhas signified by the Japanese proverb. 

• See no Evil.
• Hear no Evil.
• Speak no Evil.
• Think or Do no Evil. 

While this seems good to display, is it justified in terms of way things pan out in this world. We are surrounded by evil forces and the high standards of ethical and moral behaviour are rarely if ever upheld. The lines between correct and incorrect are indistinct if not completely invisible. 

Many believe that we are living in the worst times, where the human intellect has fallen beyond measure. But this position too is relative as evil and good exist as surely as day and night for as long as humans existed and will continue to do so in differing proportions. So while it is important to recognize this duality it is equally important to be extra careful to verify and be clear as to the veracity of what is fact or fiction and truth or untruth. 

The monkeys or Buddhas are symbolic of a slow measured pace of life. It is imperative that in a complex world we use our discrimination and exercise discretion in reacting to the things we see, hear and therefore not open our mouth or act based on what we see or hear. 

The Sanskrit word for discrimination is Viveka and and it also in some ways talks of being non judgemental. My main problem with this interpretation is that if after reflection and investigation and application of the 4 way test there is a need to speak and act and if not done evil will ride roughshod over the good and oppress the poor and the weak. 

The challenge is that of passive resistance where one resists the evil act but does not act with a spirit of hatred or violence, in other words uses the quality of discrimination and being non judgemental. Hate the sin not the sinner. Resist evil but do not retaliate and from this difficult task comes the use of the intellect. The path of nonviolent resistance was called Satyagraha. After all due consideration and a slow analysis of everything one must arrive at the truth and adhere to the same come what may. The courage to do and not back down even in the face of the whole world being against you is Satyagraha. So the final adage Truth is God and Satyameva Jayate Truth alone will triumph comes from this resistance to evil. 

Our problem in life is that when we react without consideration we get trapped in the web believing the worst as we tend to then see faults even when we are fed half truths. Besides, meditating on the Self it is time to keep these four wise Buddhas in mind as failure to do so will surely lead to bad consequences. As I grow older, I am learning to be reflective and to listen more than speak and understand that fun remarks are often likely to be misinterpreted and can hurt so see less, hear less, speak less and reflect more is what I will do in future. 

Vispi Jokhi