ENGAGED∵BUDDHISM：∵AN∵OLD∵PITCHER,∵NEW∵WA_Ven.∵Dr.∵Thich∵Nhat

∵∵ENGAGED∵BUDDHISM:∵AN∵OLD∵PITCHER,∵NEW∵WATER∵

By∵Ven.∵Dr.∵Thich∵Nhat∵Tu

A∵NEW∵WAY∵OF∵INTERPRETING∵BUDDHIST∵TEACHING

In∵this∵paper,∵I∵deal∵with∵how∵engaged∵Buddhism∵is∵looked∵at∵and∵interpreted∵and∵its∵practicality∵in∵daily∵life∵contexts∵in∵countries∵where∵Buddhist∵teachings∵are∵directly∵affecting∵many∵levels∵of∵development∵of∵social∵welfare.∵∵

The∵re-discovery∵of∵engaged∵Buddhism∵was∵rather∵recent,∵roughly∵forty∵years∵ago.∵It∵emerged∵from∵the∵book∵Lotus∵in∵the∵Sea∵of∵Fire∵∵by∵Thích∵Nhất∵Hạnh,∵a∵world-renowned∵Zen∵Master∵who∵wanted∵to∵mobilize∵the∵anti-war∵movements∵during∵the∵Vietnam∵War∵and∵to∵promote∵peace,∵unity,∵and∵solidarity∵among∵the∵polarized∵Vietnamese,∵the∵Americans,∵and∵the∵allies∵of∵both∵sides.

Engaged∵Buddhism∵soon∵became∵widely∵known∵in∵many∵parts∵of∵the∵world∵and∵was∵one∵of∵the∵significant∵developments∵helping∵to∵bring∵about∵a∵new∵understanding∵of∵Buddhist∵teachings.∵Overseas,∵Buddhist∵organizations∵encouraged∵Buddhists∵to∵take∵part∵in∵local∵social∵services∵and∵to∵be∵more∵engaged∵in∵the∵overall∵well-being∵of∵the∵communities∵in∵which∵they∵live.∵∵

Buddhism∵for∵a∵long∵time∵had∵been∵misperceived∵to∵be∵a∵religion∵of∵pessimism,∵in∵which∵Buddhist∵monks∵and∵followers∵emphasized∵self-refuge∵and∵practiced∵this∵as∵their∵only∵method.∵In∵fact,∵this∵interpretation∵undermined∵people’s∵ability∵to∵fully∵comprehend∵what∵Buddhism∵really∵is∵all∵about.∵Buddhism∵is∵essentially∵about∵the∵cultivation∵of∵compassion.∵When∵people∵make∵an∵effort∵to∵open∵up,∵let∵other∵people∵in,∵and∵establish∵meaningful∵relationships,∵they∵are∵growing∵their∵own∵compassion.∵∵

The∵idea∵of∵bringing∵Buddhism∵into∵real∵life∵responds∵to∵many∵new,∵complex∵needs∵and∵thoughts∵resulting∵from∵social∵changes∵over∵time.∵It∵urged∵Buddhism∵to∵come∵into∵a∵new∵role∵in∵order∵to∵continue∵to∵be∵relevant∵spiritual∵guidance∵for∵people.∵If∵Buddhism∵weren’t∵able∵to∵become∵more∵involved∵in∵this∵secular∵world,∵it∵could∵become∵something∵very∵rigid,∵like∵a∵treasure∵locked∵up∵in∵a∵museum∵which∵is∵quite∵enjoyable∵for∵spectators∵to∵look∵at,∵but∵offering∵no∵real∵value∵in∵terms∵of∵insights∵that∵can∵help∵them∵resolve∵real-life∵problems∵once∵they∵have∵left∵the∵museum.∵

Engaged∵Buddhism∵is∵thus∵a∵new∵way∵of∵interpreting∵Buddhist∵teaching.∵Buddhism∵has∵always∵been∵a∵teaching∵intended∵to∵be∵applied∵to∵real-life∵situations.∵The∵purpose∵of∵bringing∵Buddhism∵into∵real∵life∵contexts∵is∵ultimately∵to∵transform∵society.∵∵

A∵complete∵transformation∵can∵take∵place∵even∵if∵outer∵forms∵remain∵largely∵the∵same.∵∵It∵is∵like∵refilling∵an∵old∵pitcher∵with∵new∵water:∵Why∵would∵we∵change∵the∵pitcher∵when∵all∵that∵is∵needed∵is∵to∵change∵its∵contents?∵If∵we∵can∵practice∵with∵this∵insight,∵we∵will∵be∵able∵to∵experience∵inner∵peace∵and∵long-term∵happiness∵right∵here∵in∵this∵life.∵

Within∵the∵mind∵of∵every∵person,∵there∵exists∵a∵flow∵of∵emotions∵and∵consciousness,∵known∵as∵a∵“waterfall”∵in∵Buddhist∵terminology.∵The∵waterfall∵flows∵continuously∵within∵us∵every∵second,∵every∵hour,∵every∵day.∵It∵flows∵so∵rapidly∵that∵we∵can∵hardly∵acknowledge∵differences∵within∵it.∵Our∵mood∵can∵be∵very∵different∵from∵one∵minute∵to∵the∵next,∵and∵nothing∵like∵the∵next∵minute∵after∵that.∵Therefore,∵the∵opportunity∵is∵always∵there∵for∵us∵to∵renew∵our∵consciousness,∵emotions,∵perceptions,∵and∵actions,∵to∵make∵us∵be∵a∵more∵positive,∵and∵a∵better,∵person.∵

WHY∵ENGAGED∵BUDDHISM?

Such∵Buddhist∵modifications∵are∵part∵of∵a∵transformation∵process∵that∵begins∵with∵changed∵thoughts,∵followed∵by∵a∵series∵of∵transformed∵actions∵in∵response∵to∵the∵newly∵replaced∵thoughts.∵Engaged∵Buddhism∵calls∵for∵a∵different∵set∵of∵attitudes∵when∵looking∵at∵one’s∵responsibilities,∵first∵at∵home∵and∵then∵expanding∵into∵the∵local∵community,∵society,∵and∵ultimately∵across∵nations.∵In∵what∵ways∵can∵we∵spread∵the∵values∵associated∵with∵Buddhism∵such∵as∵peace,∵happiness,∵compassion,∵and∵wisdom∵to∵the∵rest∵of∵the∵world?∵Buddha∵once∵taught∵that∵to∵live∵is∵to∵lead∵our∵lives∵with∵continued∵inner∵transformation.∵Suffering∵will∵be∵overtaken∵as∵a∵great∵energy∵of∵positivity∵is∵released.∵A∵person∵who∵can∵carry∵out∵such∵a∵process∵is∵considered∵a∵Buddhist∵in∵Real∵Life.∵With∵their∵transformative∵energy,∵these∵people∵benefit∵not∵only∵their∵family∵members,∵but∵also∵to∵the∵people∵in∵their∵community∵and∵the∵rest∵of∵humanity.∵∵

However∵in∵many∵Buddhist∵schools,∵the∵concept∵of∵engaged∵Buddhism∵is∵rather∵new∵and∵untraditional∵in∵comparison∵to∵traditional∵practices∵which∵emphasize∵renouncing∵worldly∵roles∵and∵the∵responsibilities∵of∵being∵a∵member∵of∵society.∵∵The∵new∵concept∵is∵said∵to∵potentially∵pose∵major∵challenges∵to∵the∵traditional∵ways∵of∵practicing∵Buddhism.∵In∵particular,∵monastics∵have∵commonly∵said∵that∵they∵chose∵the∵ascetic∵life∵because∵they∵wished∵to∵withdraw∵completely∵from∵their∵previous∵worldly∵life.∵Engaged∵Buddhism∵can∵be∵seen∵as∵threatening∵to∵this∵way∵of∵life;∵and∵indeed∵it∵is∵rare∵to∵see∵or∵hear∵of∵monks∵reaching∵out∵to∵the∵worldly∵society∵to∵convey∵the∵Buddha’s∵message∵of∵compassion∵and∵wisdom.∵

In∵the∵Mahayana∵school∵of∵Buddhism∵developed∵in∵China,∵Vietnam,∵Japan,∵and∵Korea,∵there∵is∵a∵thorough∵understanding∵of∵the∵nature∵of∵monkhood∵and∵their∵spiritual∵roles/purposes∵in∵this∵life.∵∵As∵a∵monk,∵one∵is∵often∵unable∵to∵participate∵in∵any∵worldly∵matters∵including∵parental∵or∵familial∵involvement.∵∵Traditionally,∵monks∵withdraw∵from∵the∵lives∵they∵previously∵had,∵detaching∵from∵duties∵as∵a∵member∵of∵society∵and∵as∵a∵mother,∵father,∵sister,∵brother,∵or∵child∵of∵a∵family.∵Gui∵Shan,∵a∵Chinese∵Zen∵Master,∵made∵a∵famous∵statement∵that∵can∵generally∵sum∵up∵attitudes∵about∵monasticism∵throughout∵time:∵if∵monks∵do∵not∵fulfill∵worldly∵responsibilities∵as∵civil∵citizens,∵they∵should∵first∵practice∵to∵obtain∵inner∵peace∵and∵secondly∵carry∵out∵responsibilities∵as∵a∵monk∵to∵benefit∵the∵community∵and∵society∵on∵the∵interpersonal∵level.∵

Without∵engaged∵Buddhism,∵we∵will∵not∵be∵able∵to∵completely∵understand∵the∵ultimate∵wisdom∵and∵compassion∵that∵the∵Supreme∵Buddha∵reached.∵∵Monks∵who∵give∵up∵everything∵they∵have,∵including∵family,∵loved∵ones,∵children,∵career,∵and∵wealth,∵in∵order∵to∵lead∵an∵ascetic∵life∵away∵from∵society∵are∵in∵search∵for∵meaning∵beyond∵material∵pleasures∵and∵selfishness.∵Their∵actions∵can∵only∵be∵worthwhile∵as∵long∵as∵they∵dedicate∵their∵monastic∵lives∵to∵the∵greater∵good∵of∵the∵general∵public.

Master∵Gui∵Shan’s∵message∵emphasized∵that∵while∵the∵spiritual∵transformation∵process∵is∵essential∵to∵each∵inpidual,∵it∵is∵equally∵important∵to∵take∵the∵practice∵into∵real-life∵situations.∵This∵message∵underlines∵the∵priority∵of∵the∵self-loving∵principle,∵which∵can∵be∵illustrated∵with∵reference∵to∵passengers∵on∵an∵airplane.∵When∵traveling∵with∵children,∵if∵any∵life-threatening∵situations∵occur∵and∵the∵emergency∵oxygen∵masks∵deploy,∵we∵must∵put∵our∵own∵mask∵on∵first∵and∵then∵proceed∵to∵assist∵the∵children.∵This∵advice∵may∵seem∵cruel,∵but∵there∵is∵a∵very∵practical∵reason∵for∵it.∵If∵the∵brain∵is∵starved∵of∵oxygen,∵we∵can∵get∵confused∵or∵pass∵out∵and∵be∵unable∵to∵help∵either∵ourselves∵or∵our∵children.∵∵This∵convention∵implies∵a∵very∵useful∵understanding∵of∵how∵things∵can∵be∵executed∵successfully∵when∵the∵right∵methods∵are∵employed∵wisely.∵Without∵using∵the∵right∵methods,∵our∵good∵intentions∵may∵lead∵us∵to∵fail,∵like∵trying∵to∵administer∵oxygen∵to∵the∵children∵before∵ourselves∵in∵the∵above∵example∵and∵thereby∵endangering∵our∵own∵lives∵as∵well∵as∵the∵lives∵of∵our∵children.∵Helping∵ourselves∵is∵as∵important∵as∵lending∵a∵helping∵hand∵to∵others.

The∵implication∵of∵this∵principle∵can∵be∵similarly∵found∵in∵the∵statement∵made∵by∵the∵Buddha∵in∵the∵Dhammapada:∵“While∵bringing∵benefits∵to∵others,∵do∵not∵forget∵to∵bring∵yourself∵some∵as∵well.”∵Such∵wisdom∵goes∵beyond∵the∵conception∵of∵selfishness,∵the∵cause∵of∵suffering.∵If∵someone∵who∵can’t∵swim∵sees∵someone∵drowning∵in∵the∵river∵and∵immediately∵jumps∵into∵the∵river∵to∵try∵and∵save∵that∵person,∵without∵considering∵that∵he∵himself∵cannot∵swim,∵this∵can∵result∵in∵the∵deaths∵of∵both∵the∵rescuer∵and∵the∵rescued.∵∵In∵a∵panicked∵state,∵the∵drowning∵one∵often∵will∵unconsciously∵drag∵down∵the∵rescuer∵in∵an∵effort∵to∵stay∵above∵the∵surface.∵The∵person∵who∵couldn’t∵swim∵would∵then∵be∵unable∵to∵save∵the∵stricken∵swimmer,∵who∵then∵pushes∵them∵both∵together∵under∵the∵water∵at∵a∵faster∵speed∵than∵the∵speed∵at∵which∵the∵non-swimmer∵would∵have∵sank∵if∵the∵person∵was∵alone∵in∵the∵water.

Therefore,∵when∵studying∵Buddhism∵it∵is∵important∵to∵identify∵the∵common∵psychology∵and∵social∵conventions∵in∵order∵to∵push∵for∵the∵right∵methods∵which∵produce∵positive∵outcomes∵for∵us∵and∵for∵others∵in∵the∵present∵and∵future.∵Using∵all∵of∵the∵understanding∵discussed∵above,∵one∵can∵use∵self-reflection∵to∵evaluate∵his∵or∵her∵efforts∵in∵becoming∵an∵engaged∵Buddhist.∵∵If∵a∵person’s∵efforts∵have∵been∵directed∵to∵benefit∵no∵one∵other∵than∵herself,∵then∵that∵person∵can∵not∵be∵considered∵an∵engaged∵Buddhist.∵

PRACTICAL∵VALUES∵OF∵ENGAGED∵BUDDHISM

In∵principle,∵the∵development∵of∵engaged∵Buddhism∵has∵to∵be∵allied∵with∵an∵effort∵that∵promotes∵benefits∵for∵ourselves∵and∵others∵regardless∵of∵social∵label,∵geographic∵location,∵and∵the∵like.∵Despite∵the∵misinterpretations∵of∵Buddhism∵as∵a∵religion∵of∵pessimism∵and∵of∵detachment∵from∵all∵duties∵and∵personal∵responsibilities,∵the∵Buddha’s∵teachings∵contain∵solid∵practical∵applications∵and∵realistic∵values.∵∵The∵Buddha’s∵message∵in∵the∵Dhammapada∵tells∵us∵to∵love∵both∵ourselves∵and∵others.∵Concepts∵of∵ethics∵and∵morality∵should∵not∵be∵limited∵to∵objects∵of∵our∵judgment∵which∵labels∵and∵pides∵friends∵from∵enemies∵and∵self∵as∵opposed∵to∵others.∵The∵breakdown∵of∵such∵differentiation∵is∵indeed∵an∵act∵of∵cultivating∵compassionate∵feelings∵toward∵ourselves∵and∵others,∵a∵basic∵condition∵of∵real∵happiness.∵

Engaged∵Buddhism∵embraces∵the∵compassionate∵aspect∵of∵Buddhism.∵The∵level∵of∵compassion∵which∵the∵Buddha∵cultivated∵expands∵to∵all∵living∵things∵existing∵on∵this∵earth,∵including∵not∵only∵human∵beings∵but∵also∵all∵animal∵species.∵In∵the∵process∵of∵cultivating∵compassion,∵it∵is∵required∵of∵all∵Buddhists∵to∵respect∵the∵lives∵of∵others∵like∵our∵own∵lives,∵since∵the∵nature∵of∵life∵is∵equality.∵There∵is∵a∵system∵of∵harmonious∵unity∵on∵this∵earth∵comprised∵of∵the∵human∵species,∵other∵animal∵species,∵and∵the∵ecological∵system∵of∵plants,∵flowers,∵rivers,∵mountains,∵etc.∵and∵these∵all∵in∵turn∵affect∵one∵another.∵Practicing∵engaged∵Buddhism∵raises∵compassionate∵love∵and∵positive∵values∵that∵will∵develop∵a∵close∵interconnectedness∵that∵ensures∵respect∵for∵all∵forms∵of∵life.∵∵Therefore,∵practicing∵engaged∵Buddhism∵is∵a∵good∵way∵to∵bring∵the∵message∵of∵compassion∵into∵this∵worldly∵life.∵If∵efforts∵are∵carried∵out∵persistently,∵Buddhist∵teachings∵and∵values∵will∵be∵widely∵accepted∵and∵embraced∵everywhere∵and∵will∵endure∵over∵time.∵

If∵we∵take∵a∵look∵at∵the∵statistics∵in∵terms∵of∵the∵growth∵and∵decline∵of∵the∵Buddhist∵population∵in∵the∵past∵50∵years,∵we∵will∵see∵that∵Buddhism∵descended∵from∵the∵second∵largest∵religion∵down∵to∵the∵fourth,∵behind∵Christianity,∵Islam,∵and∵Hinduism.∵After∵China∵became∵a∵communist∵state,∵there∵were∵many∵difficulties∵and∵challenges∵obstructing∵the∵development∵of∵Buddhism,∵resulting∵in∵a∵significant∵decrease∵in∵numbers∵of∵new∵monastics∵and∵Buddhist∵followers.∵∵Another∵factor∵was∵that∵the∵method∵employed∵by∵the∵statistical∵evaluation∵did∵not∵adequately∵report∵the∵accurate∵numbers∵due∵because∵Buddhists∵did∵not∵declare∵their∵religion∵on∵official∵papers∵for∵fear∵of∵being∵profiled.∵They∵either∵left∵the∵religion∵declaration∵section∵blank,∵wrote∵no∵religion,∵or∵declared∵ancestor∵worship.∵This∵factor∵accounted∵for∵a∵major∵loss∵in∵numbers∵of∵Buddhist∵followers.∵Statistics∵showed∵that∵the∵number∵of∵Buddhist∵followers∵decreased∵in∵Asia∵whereas∵in∵the∵Western∵world∵the∵number∵of∵people∵converted∵to∵Buddhism∵increased∵significantly.∵

In∵explaining∵this∵current∵trend,∵we∵have∵to∵take∵into∵account∵the∵cultural,∵historical∵and∵geopolitical∵backgrounds∵of∵the∵two∵worlds.∵In∵the∵history∵of∵Asian∵cultures,∵people∵have∵a∵long-standing∵tradition∵of∵rich∵spiritual∵and∵cultural∵experiences∵but∵they∵have∵under-developed∵economies.∵As∵a∵result,∵poverty∵is∵more∵of∵a∵concerning∵issue∵for∵almost∵all∵Asian∵countries∵than∵countries∵in∵the∵Western∵hemisphere.∵The∵poor∵are∵usually∵preoccupied∵with∵surviving∵day∵to∵day∵and∵thus∵have∵little∵energy∵for∵taking∵care∵of∵their∵spiritual∵lives.∵Spending∵all∵of∵their∵time∵to∵make∵ends∵meet,∵poor∵people∵never∵have∵time∵left∵to∵visit∵temples∵or∵take∵part∵in∵Buddhist∵dharma∵sessions.∵In∵many∵cases,∵people∵from∵Asia∵are∵determined∵to∵pursue∵a∵new∵life∵in∵the∵Western∵countries,∵where∵material∵conditions∵are∵affluent∵and∵easy∵to∵acquire.∵∵

In∵the∵meantime,∵over∵centuries∵the∵Western∵world∵has∵modernized∵in∵the∵areas∵of∵economics,∵technology,∵medicine,∵science∵and∵education.∵Once∵certain∵levels∵of∵material∵needs∵are∵reached,∵people∵then∵tend∵to∵seek∵understanding∵of∵spiritualism∵and∵the∵non-materialist∵world.∵∵According∵to∵a∵statistical∵report,∵every∵day∵there∵are∵hundreds∵of∵people∵committing∵suicide,∵and∵many∵of∵them∵are∵successful∵people∵working∵in∵science,∵social∵services,∵and∵political∵fields.∵This∵proves∵that∵material∵success∵does∵not∵guarantee∵a∵satisfactory∵life.∵Material∵affluence∵is∵a∵means∵from∵which∵happiness∵can∵be∵obtained,∵but∵it∵is∵not∵enough∵by∵itself∵to∵generate∵happiness.∵

The∵difference∵in∵current∵development∵prompted∵Asia∵and∵the∵West∵to∵search∵for∵two∵separate∵sets∵of∵values.∵The∵Eastern∵world∵gives∵up∵their∵spirituality∵to∵shift∵focus∵to∵material∵growth,∵while∵in∵the∵Western∵world∵wealth∵accumulation∵was∵reprioritized∵to∵go∵looking∵for∵spiritual∵experiences∵that∵the∵East∵has∵long∵possessed.∵Giving∵up∵material∵pursuits∵is∵like∵getting∵rid∵of∵stones∵to∵pick∵up∵diamonds,∵whereas∵the∵countries∵in∵the∵East∵may∵end∵up∵losing∵their∵own∵diamonds∵looking∵for∵satisfaction∵in∵material∵wants,∵never∵realizing∵that∵the∵diamonds∵are∵what∵we∵all∵already∵possess.∵In∵Buddhism,∵time∵is∵believed∵to∵be∵non-linear,∵and∵we∵have∵many∵lives∵besides∵this∵life∵that∵we∵have∵lived∵in∵the∵past∵and∵will∵also∵live∵in∵the∵future∵by∵rebirths.∵Therefore,∵happiness∵is∵to∵be∵cultivated∵so∵that∵it∵benefits∵us∵not∵only∵in∵this∵life∵but∵also∵in∵our∵many∵future∵lives∵to∵come.∵Long∵term∵happiness∵exceeds∵short∵term∵satisfaction,∵whereas∵sufferings∵accompanying∵this∵life∵are∵prolonged∵and∵extend∵into∵another∵unless∵they∵are∵to∵be∵stopped∵right∵now∵in∵this∵life.∵

ENGAGED∵BUDDHISM∵IS∵FOR∵THE∵SAKE∵OF∵OTHERS

Buddhism∵is∵symbolized∵by∵the∵image∵of∵a∵lotus∵flower.∵With∵great∵effort,∵the∵lotus∵extends∵itself∵out∵of∵the∵mud∵and∵then∵above∵the∵water∵surface∵in∵order∵to∵make∵lotus∵flowers∵and∵an∵exceptional∵scent.∵The∵lotus∵is∵also∵used∵as∵a∵flower∵on∵which∵the∵enlightened∵ones∵sit∵and∵stand.∵Buddha,∵Bodhisattvas,∵and∵other∵enlightened∵ones∵sit∵and∵stand∵with∵full∵awareness,∵rising∵beyond∵sufferings∵of∵worldly∵life∵like∵the∵lotus∵growing∵above∵the∵mud’s∵surface.∵The∵muddy∵water∵stands∵for∵the∵greed,∵anger,∵ignorance,∵jealousy,∵hatred,∵and∵many∵other∵afflictions∵that∵are∵the∵roots∵of∵all∵suffering∵people∵experience∵in∵this∵world.∵Only∵by∵rising∵above∵these∵mental∵tendencies∵can∵we∵reach∵the∵lotus∵of∵inner∵peace∵and∵happiness.∵

The∵path∵that∵the∵monastic∵takes∵on,∵ultimately,∵is∵the∵path∵back∵into∵real∵life.∵When∵the∵great∵Buddha∵was∵still∵a∵young∵prince∵in∵royal∵life,∵a∵prophet∵predicted∵that∵if∵the∵prince∵were∵to∵take∵the∵throne,∵he∵would∵become∵the∵greatest∵King,∵uniting∵sixteen∵republics∵into∵one∵state∵independent∵of∵politics,∵economics,∵culture,∵and∵religion,∵and∵ruling∵not∵with∵harsh∵punishments∵or∵imprisonment,∵but∵ethical∵principles∵and∵kindness.∵The∵state∵was∵predicted∵to∵be∵a∵peaceful∵place∵of∵heaven∵on∵earth.∵∵The∵prophet∵said∵if∵the∵prince∵were∵to∵give∵up∵the∵royal∵life∵and∵choose∵monkhood,∵he∵would∵become∵the∵first∵and∵greatest∵monk∵who∵could∵reveal∵the∵ultimate∵truths∵of∵the∵universe∵and∵use∵his∵wisdom∵to∵benefit∵all∵human∵beings∵in∵this∵world.∵∵

The∵Buddha∵had∵no∵particular∵intention∵of∵fulfilling∵the∵prophecy,∵but∵he∵saw∵through∵the∵limits∵of∵life∵and∵the∵four∵truths∵of∵life∵which∵are∵birth,∵aging,∵sickness,∵and∵death.∵Up∵until∵the∵time∵he∵witnessed∵old,∵sick,∵and∵dead∵people,∵the∵young∵prince∵was∵oblivious∵to∵sufferings,∵for,∵since∵birth,∵he∵was∵living∵a∵wealthy,∵healthy,∵young∵life.∵The∵prince∵then∵discovered∵that∵the∵very∵nature∵of∵life∵is∵short∵and∵impermanent.∵He∵too∵would∵someday∵become∵an∵old∵man,∵sicken,∵and∵die,∵and∵this∵universal∵law∵applied∵to∵himself,∵his∵parents,∵his∵family,∵and∵his∵people∵as∵well∵as∵everyone∵else.∵Regardless∵of∵royalty,∵social∵classes,∵or∵age∵differences,∵people∵all∵face∵the∵same∵ultimate∵fate∵which∵is∵ending∵with∵death.∵

With∵a∵strong∵conviction∵to∵find∵answers∵to∵all∵human∵beings’∵sufferings,∵the∵Buddha∵gave∵up∵everything∵he∵had∵as∵a∵prince∵to∵become∵an∵ascetic.∵He∵started∵the∵journey∵into∵the∵spiritual∵world∵determined∵to∵seek∵answers∵to∵the∵questions∵that∵everyone∵from∵all∵sectors∵of∵society∵wanted∵to∵know.∵∵His∵decision∵in∵becoming∵a∵monk∵was∵not∵to∵alienate∵himself∵from∵society,∵but∵really∵was∵an∵effort∵to∵go∵deeply∵into∵real∵life.∵Some∵may∵say∵that∵his∵decision∵was∵not∵the∵best∵one.∵Instead∵of∵taking∵on∵the∵king’s∵crown∵and∵being∵responsible∵for∵bringing∵stability∵and∵peaceful∵life∵to∵his∵people,∵he∵failed∵his∵duty∵as∵a∵royal∵prince.∵Thus,∵he∵was∵said∵to∵have∵failed∵to∵fulfill∵his∵roles∵as∵a∵king,∵a∵son,∵a∵husband,∵and∵a∵father∵to∵his∵newborn∵infant∵who∵was∵only∵one∵day∵old∵when∵he∵left.∵Let’s∵look∵at∵his∵departure∵in∵a∵different∵perspective.∵

The∵Buddha∵saw∵human∵relationship∵beyond∵biological∵connections∵or∵geographical∵boundaries.∵He∵wanted∵to∵serve∵all∵living∵things∵on∵this∵earth.∵His∵compassion∵for∵the∵greater∵good∵goes∵beyond∵matters∵involved∵within∵one∵inpidual’s∵life.∵Thus,∵his∵decision∵reflects∵engaged∵Buddhism.∵∵Upon∵his∵Enlightenment,∵according∵to∵the∵Buddhist∵scriptures∵in∵Pali,∵the∵Buddha∵decided∵not∵to∵enter∵Nirvana∵even∵though∵there∵were∵many∵challenges∵obstructing∵his∵path∵of∵preaching∵the∵truths∵to∵the∵rest∵of∵the∵world.∵He∵refused∵to∵give∵in.∵He∵persisted∵to∵staying,∵in∵order∵to∵impart∵his∵knowledge∵to∵as∵many∵as∵people∵as∵he∵could.∵The∵Buddha∵spent∵forty-nine∵years∵of∵his∵life∵carrying∵out∵his∵mission,∵of∵which∵forty-five∵years∵were∵spent∵preaching∵the∵truth∵that∵he∵had∵found,∵right∵up∵until∵the∵very∵last∵minutes∵of∵his∵life.∵