In this world, each of us will face an inevitable reality, and that is death. Whether you are poor or rich, wise or stupid, beautiful or ugly, no matter what religion you follow, you will inevitably come to the end of your life. In this irresistible process, there is one religion that has been silently conveying a message, and that is Buddhism. Buddhism teaches us that we are equal regardless of our status, regardless of our lives, because once we leave this world, everything will return to calm.
Buddhism is an ancient and mystical religion that originated in India in the 6th century BC. Its founder was Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as Shakyamuni Buddha. Buddhism teaches people to seek inner peace and liberation, free from the shackles of the world. Although there are many complex aspects to Buddhist teachings, one of the core ideas is that mortals have the opportunity to get out of the suffering of samsara and achieve liberation through practice and enlightenment.
However, while Buddhism emphasizes liberation, it also emphasizes the equality of life. According to Buddhism, people's identity, status, and wealth are temporary, and death is a universal phenomenon that everyone will experience. Whether you are a king or a beggar, whether you are a celebrity or an ordinary person, you will eventually go to death. This view is profoundly reflected in Buddhist scriptures, such as the Dharma Sutra: "All living people will have death, and there is no inequality between those who live and die." ”
The profundity of this view lies in the fact that it teaches people to look beyond the surface of the material world and see the true nature of life. No matter how much wealth or power we have in the world, we will not be able to escape the fate of birth, old age, illness and death. This is a Buddhist view of equality, which reminds us not to indulge in vanity and worldly pursuits, but to seek inner peace and liberation.
This view of Buddhism is also reflected in its rituals and traditions. Buddhist temples are usually open and anyone can enter the temple, regardless of their social status. In Buddhist temples, there are no hierarchical seats, no privileged ceremonies, and everyone stands on the same footing and participates in the ceremonies together. This ritual of equality sends a strong message: we are all equal regardless of our appearance or status.
Another aspect that embodies the Buddhist view of equality is the way of life of Buddhist monks. Buddhist monks usually abandoned the secular life and lived a simple life. They wear the same cassocks, own the same property, and have no private property. This austere way of life expresses the idea that material wealth and status are not true happiness, but true happiness comes from inner peace and liberation.
However, while Buddhism emphasizes the equality of life, it does not mean that it devalues the importance of the individual. On the contrary, Buddhism encourages everyone to discover their inner potential and improve their inner qualities through practice. This practice contributes not only to personal growth, but also to social harmony. According to Buddhism, everyone has a responsibility to help and care for others, because we all live in the same world and our destinies are interconnected.
Buddhism's view of equality is also reflected in its attitude towards all living beings. Buddhism teaches respect for all life, big and small. Buddhism emphasizes not harming other living things, including animals. This concept of respect for life is in line with the environmental movement in modern society, emphasizing our interconnection with the natural world.
This Buddhist view of equality has also had a profound impact on history. In India, Buddhism was a powerful religious force that influenced the organization and values of society. The spread of Buddhism has also helped to promote exchanges and understanding between different cultures, promoting peace and reciprocity. The spirit of Buddhism has also taken root in East Asian countries such as China, Japan, and Korea, shaping the culture and values of these countries.
However, despite Buddhism's emphasis on equality, it is not without controversy. Some people believe that the Buddhist concept of equality is difficult to realize in real life. They point out that although Buddhism teaches that people treat all life equally, caste systems and social inequalities still exist in some Buddhist communities. This shows that there is a gap between religious doctrine and actual society, and that more efforts are needed to achieve equality.
In addition, some have criticized the Buddhist concept of liberation as leading to indifference to social issues. They argue that too much emphasis on liberation beyond the mundane can lead to neglect of social issues such as poverty, inequality, and injustice. Therefore, it has been argued that Buddhism needs to be more actively involved in social reform in order to promote equality and justice.
However, these criticisms do not negate the importance of the Buddhist concept of equality. It reminds us to look beyond superficial differences and see what is common within each person. While Buddhist teachings may not be perfectly practiced in some places, it is still a powerful reminder to pursue equality and harmony in our lives.
An interesting phenomenon is that although Buddhism emphasizes equality, it also encourages individual self-improvement. Buddhist practitioners seek liberation, which requires deep introspection and self-development. This does not mean pursuing personal gain, but pursuing inner purity and enlightenment. Through this self-improvement, Buddhist practitioners are able to better understand and help others, thus achieving equality and harmony in society.
Another fascinating aspect is the Buddhist cosmology. Buddhism believes that the universe is an infinite cycle, constantly experiencing the cycle of life and death. In this cosmology, every being has the opportunity to experience a variety of circumstances in a different life. This view emphasizes the impermanence of life, which is only a brief moment regardless of our current state. This concept can help people let go of attachments to material wealth and social status and focus more on inner peace and liberation.
In addition, Buddhism teaches an attitude of compassion and generosity. Buddhists are encouraged to help those in need, regardless of their status. This generous attitude helps to reduce social inequality and promote social harmony.
In summary, the core idea of Buddhism is the equality of life. While this idea of equality may be challenging in real life, it is a powerful reminder to look beyond outward differences and see what is common within each person. Buddhism teaches us that we are equal regardless of our social status, regardless of our lives, because once we leave this world, everything will return to calm. This view is not only in Buddhism