Buddha and Shankara - Swami Sarvadevananda

Added: 2026-05-25

[00:09:42]Oh.

[00:09:53]I take reuge in the world.

[00:10:07]I take reuge in I take refuge in the holy I take refuge in your I take refuge in truth.

[00:10:50]I take refuge in the holy water.

[00:11:00]I take refuge in I take refuge in the glory of God.

[00:12:15]Samraat.

[00:12:35]Om shanty shanty shanty.

[00:12:40]He who renounced the happiness of a kingdom, treating that as a mere blade of grass, who wore the ragged garb of renunciation, who denied the authority of the Vedas and denounced all animal sacrifice.

[00:13:03]That compassionate Buddha I salute. Om peace. Peace. Peace.

[00:13:13]So today our subject is Buddha and Shankara.

[00:13:22]Uh both are the saviors of Hinduism.

[00:13:31]Buddha came this is more than so many years no 2500 years or more when the people the of followers of theatana dharma eternal religion they took a path of only rituals and intellectual discussion Path of ritualism and discussion two extreme.

[00:14:06]You know the bas have two segment. One is called the ritualistic portion. Another is the knowledge portion.

[00:14:15]Yes, it is necessary that one should follow the path of sacrific some preliminary work of performing rituals and things and to purify and purify and purify and the mind will be receptive to acknowledge the higher truth capability to accept the higher truth. So that is a process.

[00:14:42]But that time the people the followers of Vic religion which vic religion demands to realize the self the knowledge of the self. Who are we to explore our divine entity that they forgot. They got engrossed into the worshiing in the form of sacrificial fire and and those offering to oblation to gods and goddesses that and to just engage themselves in that and also engaged in sacrificing the animal. Animal sacrifice animal is within that is to be sacrificed.

[00:15:27]And forgetting that they started sacrificing the animals only. That's one side of it. Another side it became too much logical and analytical discussion about the ultimate truth.

[00:15:43]What is God? What is Brahman? What is atman? And how many intricacies of that fine discussion can bring it? And only it is only in the brain. Nothing in the heart, nothing in experience. So Buddha came into that juncture juncture. That's why he saw the suffering of life and also the life's own suffering. We are forgetful that we are confronted with deep problems. We have problems in life but we ignore that side and go into rational incination or intellectualizing or engage into only ritualistic worship and doctrines and dogmas. We get caught into that trap. So this is the crisis.

[00:16:32]Buddha saw that there is a big problem people ignore and we are all in as as in even now people don't focus on what is spirituality and they go on my doctrine my dogma my path only path your path long path my path is only path and all the bloodshed and color and clean cleaning of the human sacrifice is going on in the name of religion but religion Religion should be what? Realization. Religion is understanding who we are and what we are and why we are. And what happens to me after death? Where do I go? Where do I come? This eternal question. And moreover focus life has suffering.

[00:17:22]Don't ignore that. We try to turn our face with some sugar coating things. Oh, there is bitter. I don't look at that. I I I don't read the newspaper. Okay, that's good. But that does not solve the problem of life.

[00:17:38]I don't look at this so many bad news.

[00:17:41]It makes my heart understand. But we have that problem. Can we solve this problem? Have we solved for ourselves in your life? In our life, everyone's life we have suffering.

[00:17:54]Do we are are we engrossed into some finding the means and ways to get out of the suffering?

[00:18:03]So two be two types of people one type of people don't look at the suffering side and don't ignore sing dance and if you are too much suffering drink something drug go to drug and just forget that that's not solution of the problem remaining the problem and we are in in entering into another in another rat hole where the only camouflaging ourselves should challenge face the challenge come to the question life has suffering and then is there any way out of the suffering can we find a means and ways or there is any means and or it is not so Buddha came and you know his life all of you know but to recapitulate a little bit he was born as in the prince as a prince his father was Sudharan the great king and he has only one son his name was Buddha later on but siddhart is the name so he was raised in a just baby was born when he was born there is an astrological assessment that is the system in India when a baby is born the astrologers are called and they to understand what is the future what the boy's tendencies what he will be in future and when so the astrologers came and analyzed and told that oh he's a great soul he has born here he'll be either a great king of name and fame and also or there is a potential that he will be a great savior of humanity he will be renouncing everything. He may be a renunciation be a monk. So two possibilities are there. And when he heard his father heard so he thought my who will be my inheritor of my kingdom.

[00:20:16]So he made all possible attempts so that that boy does not become a monk.

[00:20:28]So kept in a very pleasurable environment, royal environment, singing, dancing, eating, sleeping and all this all the what the world can give. So that he becomes charmed into that and never think of the suffering side of life.

[00:20:46]And what happened as and he father marries married the Sidharto to a beautiful girl and they have a child also. And now his life was going on.

[00:21:00]But thought creeped into the mind of Siddhart to see his own kingdom to go to the streets to see the human natural ordinary people how they live and his father was scared. Now if he sees the suffering and if suffering then he will try to get out of the suffering. So it maybe the tendency will come to renounce and go. Then what will happen? Then he ordered the whole road and all the buildings should be painted and this color and no sadness anywhere.

[00:21:38]But it happened when with all precaution taken. But the chariot was going on and he found one sick person. He said what is this? He never understood that there is sickness because raised in such an environment.

[00:21:56]And he said, "Oh, sickness. What is sickness?" Well, yes, everyone falls sick like that. And people have to suffer this way. And he came back and become thoughtful.

[00:22:10]Next again next day when they have their next journey, he saw a old man toing over the stick.

[00:22:21]So he said what is this? And this man was once young and he has become old and he's now support himself. He is using the stick. But what happened to me? I shall be like that. But yes, he will be one day like that. I shall be like that.

[00:22:38]My wife. Yes. My child. Yes. Oh, it made him very deep thinking personality. Then he went back and more or deeply thinking about what is happening. And then another day he came out they say saw that a man is carried and with the last rights for the last last rights and in India they carry and they say har and they say what is this? He said he said this person is dead. dead.

[00:23:16]Who is dead? Yes, I will be dead. Yes, one day. And everyone will die in this world. Is born is dead.

[00:23:26]And then the last day he saw one monk.

[00:23:32]He has nothing in the position. Face bright, brilliant, and seven headed and walking freely. But what is this? Well, he's a monk. What for monk? Oh, he tries to find out the secret of life. No. And to find out what is the real nature etc. And then he came back then he became really thoughtful and he tried to find its solution. What is this life then?

[00:23:57]What so much suffering is there and why we are here? But he went from teacher to teacher to teacher to find the response.

[00:24:07]But no one could satisfy his him with some talk big things like Swami Banando in the Ramak Krishna. You see that you remember that story was searching for truth. He was going from do to do to the all the scholars and great religious leaders and to find the solution. What is this life? What is have you seen God? Is there any God?

[00:24:34]Yes, God is there. I said I have you seen God? No one can say okay you look good you're a bright boy your eyes are very bright brilliant you struggle you meditate you will get it but no no have you seen god no one could say and then ultimately he came to Ramak Krishna and Ramakrishna yes I have seen god and I can show you so there started the another journey and he became a monk so questioning he could not find this teacher and people are talking of quoting va and bananto. One side another side is doing the ritual but no one is addressing not addressing the question rituals animal sacrifice is for what what for intellectual understanding about all the intricacies of finness of ratio of this philosophy versus that philosophy and that philosophy is gone this philosophy h what is life's problems has not been solved yet so he then took up for himself renounced everything and took up the path of just finding out the truth. He he saw he's tired of hearing about the philosophy.

[00:25:49]Uh the world is full of philosophy.

[00:25:51]Intellectual people, scholarly people are always happy with the philosophy but not to implement in life, not to find the solution and the ritualistic people are engaged in ritual and my ritual, your ritual, this ritual and that ends there.

[00:26:05]So he tried to find out the truth. What is the truth? And they found the truth by as you know he went into his spiritual journey and one went into the forest and Bodha is the place now even there thousands of years people are visiting that holy place where Buddha started meditating and finding out the truth. He didn't say God. He didn't say non god. He didn't go into that intricate discussion about God is like this, God is like that or and and did not come to save the Lord also. Why God's world so much suffering? Not that way. If find the truth and then he did that and he reached that point ultimately he got bodha. He was awakened. It's called Buddha. He state Buddha. He attained to the state of bodha or awakening and he awakened himself and he was exceedingly happy to find this solution and he was so joyful and cheerful that he was trying to tell who will be the student to know this truth. Yes, I have found the truth and the truth is to be awakened to be a lamp unto us.

[00:27:27]There is a lamp and we have to unfold that within and not to find only in get stuck. So Buddha according to some Buddha fearlessly reasoned so far as reason can take him such a fearless search for truth. Such love for every living thing the world has never seen. That is the Buddha. His two-way solution. One is fearless search for truth. Die, die for that. If you know that you have to get the to the truth to the point of death, be ready for that. That means be tireless researcher in the path of finding the truth. And second point, love for humanity. love for not only humanity to the animals and anything wherever there is suffering to remove that swami viveandu said that Buddha was the Washington of religious life religious world he conquered a throne only to give it to the world as Washington did to the American people so that is the way Buddha didn't get it for himself he saw the suffering of whole humanity and to give that educ is learning that that wisdom for everyone's property because in those time it was restricted to the brahmines the cast system was there so it is only restricted lower cast people cannot do this you can he broke all these barriers of distinction everyone has the potential power as Buddha himself said I have realized you also have the same power to unfold and reach the truth So and but Buddhism is not a new religion. It's his philosophy and p practice and way to analyze it is all vantic practice. So some of you can say Buddhism is one of our our sect.

[00:29:36]He became disgusted at the eternal metaphysical discussions of his days and the comraas rituals and more specially with the cast system.

[00:29:49]He was also against the tremendous priestcraft. So he became a revolutionary personality in that way and he said only to be lamp unto our own self. So what is his teaching? But what is the problem? What he solved fundamentally he was concerned about the suffering.

[00:30:12]Life has suffering. What is the truth?

[00:30:14]Not God. Buddha found truth.

[00:30:18]As we say truth is God. No. First truth is what life has suffering. Do you accept it or not?

[00:30:27]Is there anybody here can say I don't know what you are talking about.

[00:30:32]What is suffering? Suffering. I don't know. Huh? No, we all know there is suffering but we ignore it. The fundamental question is life has suffering.

[00:30:44]Accept it. Then the question is there any way out of suffering?

[00:30:51]Is there any way and what is the cause? What is the cause of suffering? Why we suffer? We are born for what cause? To suffer.

[00:31:03]The cause of suffering is our desire. He found out it is we desire and try to satisfy oursel from outside. So the desire prompts us into action and action is good and bad and whatever we do the cause and effect. Our life is nothing but cause and effect. A cycle of cause and effect. So there is the question of the truth that one suffering is there. suffering or sorrows and suffering uh are there and second point is that there is a cause of suffering and what is the cause? Cause is the effect. Effect is the cause is the infinite cause and and effect in a circle. And that is called the bhava chakra. That's the life. Our birth and death goes on and on and on after asking for something getting something and not getting something again trying some way or another desire another desire. So it is a cause work and effect cause and effect cause and effect cause and so this is the bhava chakra there is a causation as I said there that nirvana is the way to escape how to get out of this reach a state of nirvana where there is no flickering of the mind does not want to seek for this and that and that but there is a unending ealent light within.

[00:32:36]Buddha talks about unending eulgent light within. Buddha said Buddha is not a person.

[00:32:44]He talked about this that Buddha is a state and he expressed it when he had this illumination under the Bry. He said where breeze no longer sways the serenity. His serenity state comes in the heart, in the mind, in the experience. That serenity is not disturbed by the bridge of desire. No, no desire can disturb that in eternal peace.

[00:33:13]Ups and downs no more comes over the even path that even path the spiritual path when you are attend to that ups and downs. Oh, today I am happy, tomorrow I am unhappy, tomorrow I am depressed.

[00:33:26]Nothing like that that does not touch you. Night never sets in over the illumin awareness. This Buddha's own words the illumined awareness what is comes within it is never shadow comes there there is no darkness there light all the time it is never there is any the illumin soul the darkness can come there truth never eclipsed that truth shines in its own glory all the time like that the treasures you re reach there it is never can be robed grace sends down showers as if their life become fulfilled. Grace is filled inside and that grace flows for humanity. Peace the charity, love greens the desert. So this peace flows from them as charity money without any asking. It is sacrifice goes on.

[00:34:26]Love the flow of love fills the desert of life.

[00:34:32]There ever I am seated crowned by eternity. Buddha said I am standing in that type of peace, that type of charity, that type of fulfillment, that type of light. Uh he is not defining God. God is like six-handed or fivehanded God or three-face or God is absolute.

[00:34:54]God is shuna, God is nuna. He is not bothering about that. He said that is the state I have attained and you can also attain to that state of Buddha.

[00:35:03]Buddha. So the fundamental questions tell four four fundamental truths. One is there is existence of suffering and there is a way which leads to the sessation of suffering. These are the two fundamental truth and there is a cause of suffering and there is a sessation of that suffering. It's possible. It is possible for every one of us to see to come to that point of session.

[00:35:36]And what is the truth? As he said, not to philosophize. Don't spend your time in philosophy.

[00:35:44]First purify yourself.

[00:35:46]Take the eight-fold path, morality, the values put into your life. Most of the time we are failure in our spiritual life because we don't pay the fundamentals practices of life.

[00:36:02]We go to a university or school there is a requirement we have some some qualification otherwise they will not huh qualification of a student is necessary but in spirituality people in wants to jump into the higher philosophy but in the life they're not truthful they're not honest they're not serviceoriented they not develop their no foundation of their life so Buddha said this is the problem there is suffering there is a way to get out of the suffering there is a cause of suffering and I have done you can also do that these are the four truths but how to reach that look at Buddha Buddha's life itself is inspiration you have to renounce you have to pay the price of it you want billion dollar so you have to work hard for billion dollar if you want $100 they we can manage within short period doing something little but expectation is too high and input is zero and I will spend my time morning 5 minutes meditation and evening 5 minutes meditation and we'll reach God that is not easy so he paid attention to the five precepts five precepts of Buddhism very fundamental abstain from killing don't hurt anyone.

[00:37:33]No, that is a very fundamental point in Buddhism. No, it's non stealing. Abstain from stealing. What is stealing? Not only the property, not only the money, not only the others assets, but also stealing is not belong to me, I take without permission. Is it not? What is the definition of stealing? Stealing is taking away. Here is something maybe not very important but I take it without permission that is called stealing is it not? So in our through the eyes we see things we still without permission see things which is ugly. Hear something which is without permission we absorb those things. Chhattney the worldly talk and what is called the that all types of gossip gossip gossip how chhattney it is very interesting like that all the sense organs we absorb steel that's stop stealing how much standard of purity the character formation of character third point adultery abstain from adultery Absent from lying.

[00:38:51]You see in the world who are the rich people, what are the powerful people?

[00:38:54]Those who are the liars, those who can lie more, they can cheat more, they become money, they may become prosperous in life. Yeah. But no for spiritual life it is not. That's a transformation of character should happen and all will follow one by one in the life of a person who is pursued for higher goal of life.

[00:39:18]He said that last one stop abstain from liquor that means the addiction to drug drinking etc because it makes the mind foggy. So get out of those fundamental things to build up your to these are the precepts on the foundation the character should be built up then you improve your understanding the mind becomes clear not foggy our view become clear that I am doing all this for my own sake to remove my suffering and to establish myself in that eternal blissful state which is called bodhi state of bodhicatta.

[00:40:01]So then it is said that there so how to maintain how to follow the path what are the path we all know very simple eight-fold path what is one one path is start thinking right understanding understand the life in right way understand why how the the phenomenal universe is working So understanding that this is all temporary, it is all momentary and we are trying to grab it without thinking that it is not eternal.

[00:40:43]It is not permanent. Same vantic philosophy. It is they give the example of uh ball of fire.

[00:40:52]It is a ball of fire rotated in speed. It gives a circle of fire. The world seems to be real because but is a ball of fire. It rotates from one place to another place, another place, another gives a validity of the circle as we are always. It's a practical illustration. We see the world the same as if it is in eternal as if it is permanent and we run for that to hold but there cannot be perfect peace because it is already gone one state to another state. So this is the right understanding. Try to understand this.

[00:41:31]What we are living in my body is a change. The object I see that is a change. Anything I am trying to grab.

[00:41:40]This is only for the moment and it moves. It is its appearance. It goes from one state to other state. So that is the continuous movement and we are thinking that we are here. That's why we we don't think that we will die one day because we stand before the mirror and we think that we are the same person but you see you're being a picture I always suggest that being a your own photograph 10 years before or even 10 years 5 years before or see how much it has changed how did it change in a split second or it is changing every second split second to understand so right understanding saying that it is on superstition and delusion of our mind.

[00:42:26]So be be careful about that. Try to understand this is change and we are trying to find joy, eternal joy in this changing world.

[00:42:39]That's a wrong thing. Eternal can give you eternal joy.

[00:42:44]Temporary thing can give you temporary joy and temporary joy followed by suffering.

[00:42:51]And that is even suffering. Then we try again again karma again suffering again karma again joy little joy again it's a just is pulling us in our life will of life karma brahma chakra right type of thinking think meaningful thought high thought not only the dayto-day stories of life and end our journey. If we look at our life, how we spend our whole day, what we talk, see Christ talked, they become Bible, Bible, he didn't sit down and write something. It is his normal lifestyle. He's moving and talking to people and that is the message.

[00:43:41]So it is the to have that right type of thinking it think thought becomes so saturated high thought noble thought mundan thought we have to live in the world we'll have to think about our living about our earning money about our things but that is how much is needed and how much we exaggerate on that part and forgetting to know noble thinking think of higher thoughts that's the second suggestion third is talk, write speech, tell the truth and tell what is truth. Talk about that kind. Talk to even human relationship.

[00:44:22]Talk kindly, kind, open, truthful. That word should holy mother said you don't hurt anyone by word. No, you should not say someone something to hurt anyone because again the coming this philosophy of this compassion coming flowing through that right right action you do every day apply your life in a right direction and light action right type of action that means which will be pure which will be honest and which will bring peace to others action can create horror and terror to others. Action can bring peace to others.

[00:45:08]So be attentive to that. Write livelihood.

[00:45:14]That means live your life peacefully and let others live peacefully. That's a regular struggle. How to not to hurt anyone and to live a life of peace and joy. Right effort, self-control. What is the right effort? We want to change the whole world but don't change here. So the right effort is how to self-control, how to control oneself and and seven point is the mindfulness.

[00:45:43]Watch watch your own mind. We try to see that fault in others. But here the mind if I watch my mind it is always leading us to delusion to delusion to delusion.

[00:45:54]So right mindfulness and right concentration deep in med meditation to realize what is the essence in life. So these are in a nutshell the eight-fold path he has suggested and his point is that we are born here because what is the reason very simple reason why we are born because we have some desire. Why the desire?

[00:46:23]Because we think that we are incomplete.

[00:46:26]So where shall I get it? So I try to run for objects of the world. And this desire one desire and failure I desire but I didn't get. Most of our life what we wanted we didn't get it. And when you get we didn't want it used to say what I want mistakenly I asked for and what I got in my life I didn't want that but it has happened in our life. So this is the formula of the desire and desire leading to desire, desire burning, bringing another life and life cycle continues and because of our ignorance we run after this thing to break that ignorance chain and then we'll be freed from bondage. So this is in nutshell the philosophy of what Buddha said and but Buddha didn't talk about any philosophy much but all the philosophies have developed later on that you know the two types of ideology is there Hinjan and Mahajan that there comes the philosophy of Shunovad this world that this this developed into idea then there is nothing true it is all changing changing changing So it is mita mita here means it is non not non-existing he didn't say about that also don't say it is non-existing but it is misinterpretation because of our mind so it is seeing something wrongly due to ignorance. So that is the cycle of life going on and they should know because at the point of experience nothing remains all goes into this world does not remain. It is a peace within.

[00:48:19]He didn't say Buddha didn't say is there any god? Someone asked him. He said did I say so?

[00:48:27]Is there is no god? Did I say so?

[00:48:31]Meaning you cannot talk about god the ultimate truth. Whenever you express it you make a mistake.

[00:48:41]That's why he didn't enter into that idea of expressing what is the ultimate truth. But he said that start from your point of life there is suffering and get out of the suffering. How to get out of the suffering? Lead a good life and honesty. So that mind will be clear and day by day as the mind will be clear and clear and clear you will see what is the truth because it is atma deeper.

[00:49:07]Buddha's passing away his main disciple Anand was very much in pain because of the bereavement forthcoming bereiement. But Buddha said, "Anunda, this is not the time for crying.

[00:49:25]This is the time to be a lamp unto you.

[00:49:28]Be a lamp unto you and show that lamp to others. That means the point." No. So no crying. Problem is life is there.

[00:49:37]Suffering is there. Go crying. That is not the problem. Intellectualize it.

[00:49:41]That is no problem. Solving the problem solving to be enlightened within that is the Buddha.

[00:49:49]Now we have to say a few few words about Shankara because we are bringing two great souls to think in this month the birthdays. Last month it was Shankara and this month it is Buddha. So we have tried to rec reconcile this. Now Buddha's philosophy has been made into two. One worshiing of gods and goddesses. By that process your mind can go further and so many ways of that practice is going on. And another path is that it is called the following the path of shunabad.

[00:50:30]This philosophy of void void theory.

[00:50:34]This world is not existing at all. All because everything is changing. So there is no reality in it.

[00:50:43]Now Shankara I we talk about Shankara all the time that's why uh it is just to say a few words about Shankara's simple life as you know that he was born in the south India in Kerala mother he was when he was three years old child dad passed away and when he became five then mother sent the boy to the teacher school and they teach van vic chanting and mantra and everything and he learned so fast within short period. Then his prediction was that he will be living only his lifespan is only 8 years. So when he has approaching 8 years he read the verses that unless one takes shas or the mom renounce everything that ultimate realization will not come. So he asked mom to get permission for becoming a monk. Mom said you are my only child how can I allow anyhow but Shankaro prayed and ultimately there is a miraculous story of crocodile and this story story even if we don't believe that there is the crisis came and mother gave the permission ultimately but shankuro getting the permission he gave mother word that I will not I'll be a monk but I'll come whenever you will remember me because he has a yogic power he fly in the space.

[00:52:14]Jois have many power appear and disappear. So he said I will I will I I'll come before you whenever you will remember me. So that is one promise.

[00:52:23]Second promise I will make sure that your you get your vision of your devot before your death. Third point I will take care of your last rights and rituals though I am a monk because there is nobody to do that. So all these promises and he went back out but he want to take a shas and want to realize god in this life. Then he went went for the search for his guru and guru was goind the father great guru he had heard that and where he lives he lives on the bank of nmada old old address people used to say Santa Barbara this name Santa Barbara postman could find out and give it so similarly he got the address it is narada a 700 miles long stretch of brief river and somewhere he that yogi is meditating somewhere. Anyhow he found out inheradi and then he praised guru and prayed all other were astonished that that guru was so much absorbed in samadhi. He woke up at the prayer of shankara and he was so happy. He says I am holding on this treasure of ancient wisdom from my guru goind the father go to the father aatabad is his philosophy and I am with this treasure I'm waiting for you anyhow I give you everything then he gave all the spiritual instruction and and then when he was almost after this knowledge being given guru then said I have transferred this knowledge So you go and write commentaries on these superishas and things with this knowledge what you receive from me. Then he said but I I have only eight years life span and I'm already reached that point. Then guru said okay I'll give you another 8 years extension of your life. So he lived for another eight years and followed the instruction of guru and wrote down all the commentaries which we can get it now you read the shankara of the Bhagavad Gita the commentary written by Shankaro the Brahmautras you can find that the commentary of Shankara that's the most authentic and you can find uponish 10ishad Shankaro has come wrote and wrote commentary and taught his students and Then when he reached at the age of what you call 16 years like now he will leave this body. And suddenly at the point there came one teacher one old man came and he challenged Shankar saying that hey you wrote this commentary I challenge all this a scholar inviting another scholar to have some argument and then both were very fine logicians. Sankuro is one side. He has the realization and he's talking and this old guy came. He's also equally profound in his knowledge and wisdom and also wonderful in his exposition questioning. And then what happened?

[00:56:01]One day went and no one is getting defeated. Both are equally arguing cross arguing. One day it didn't they could not settle. Second day they could not settle. Third day when it started the disciples of Shankuro says hey who is this guy see inquiring no introduction nothing in discussion going on for two days and now he said who is this guy Shankarov would you please ask this gentleman who is coming in this old guy then he asked sir before today's discussion I beg you who are you please tell me and then he showed his divine form he is the basa Who has re written those brambhasutra and its commentary? Brahasutra he wrote commentary is not written wrote the commentary because he was trans many philosophical ideas came in between and people are distorting the intention of bas for which he wrote the Brahma Sutra.

[00:57:01]Three pillars of Hinduism Upanishad, Gita and Brahma Sutra. That Brahma was written by Basv.

[00:57:10]He wrote the apherisms only no explanation and naturally everyone is twisting and turning those apherism in their own logic and they're putting this is the philosophy of bananto no so shankara suddenly bas appeared there in front that old man transformed into a basv and then said I am very pleased shankara I am very pleased with you you have written the commentaries in the right intent ion as I intended. So it should be priest to the length and breadth of this country India go. But but no I am to die. I am now going to die. I am going to leave my body. I am enough.

[00:57:54]Enough is done. But no no no shank. No it is not that only writing book or creating a few disciple will solve the problem. So to bring the spiritual awakening you have to teach with your life and your message. So I I grant you another 16 years of your life. So he died at the age of 32 and he preached this badic message what we are blessed even now you can purchase these books of Shankara's commentary on Bhagavat Gita Anuanishads and the Brahmautras many astounding work. So and Basv said it is the perfect explanation.

[00:58:38]So this is the overall life of Siri Shankaro and the philosophy of Shankar is so we can talk for uh hours but at the same time let us conclude today with this simple statement. What is Shankara's philosophy in a nutshell?

[00:58:57]So much volume. I have just mentioned you that he wrote the commentary of the Bhagavad Gita. Huge. He wrote the commentary on 10 Upanishads. Each upanishad in his language that is huge and Brahma.

[00:59:13]Now you sum up all these three texts.

[00:59:17]What is the essence? Essence it is said Shankara says in his own way I will mention describe you in a happy slo happy verse which has been explained and expressed to the hundreds and thousands of scriptures.

[00:59:39]What is that? Brahma Brahman alone is truth. Jagat mita this world is an appearance it is changing changing changing changing ja individual you see it is Brahmana it is Brahman you see Brahman but you're misinterpreting as ja individual soul so three points we got Brahma ultimate truth is Brahman alone there is nothing to jagat mita the world you in appearance. Why Buddha critically analyzed that it is all appearance in the ball of fire. There is no fire ball and no ring of fire but is a ball of fire appearance as the so Brahman is there but this diversity of what you see is is changing is impermanent. So and ultimately each what you see in the physical world all the created being is Brahman alone. So this is the problem.

[01:00:47]Problem is that Buddha said ultimate reality no it is nothing nothing and Buddha said it is all Brahman.

[01:01:02]So there comes a confusion.

[01:01:05]The Ramachrishna Banandanda came into our rescue for the modern age.

[01:01:10]Ramakrishna gave it that knowledge to Banandanda and Banandanda preached it to the whole world.

[01:01:18]What he said that is the ultimate truth cannot be expressed through language.

[01:01:25]There is no physical entity. This entire universe dissolves and how it happens ultimate truth. Buddha didn't say anything about that. He says it is enlightened state. It is a state when there is no bridge to disturb the peace of state. There is no desire to create any duality there. It is all light within. No, that is the Buddha said it this far.

[01:01:57]And shankara says it is Brahman alone and Ramachrishna said it is it or pura.

[01:02:06]Is it full or it is half? It is full or it is void. What is the truth?

[01:02:12]We are now coming into the conclusion Buddhism said is all mean void. Nothing nothing. And this is Buddha says it is all Brahman. Then what is the solution?

[01:02:26]I solution I'll end with a two lines of song composed by he says Now he says that in the mind going in the deep experience of samadhi it is dividing all this duality and in that state the sun this material sun the moon the Stars and galaxies they don't exist anymore. They become like a shadow. This is the reality to us. When the mind moves in a higher direction of our spiritual self then it appears to be disappearing like a shadow and it moves into such a level all this shadow they also disappear.

[01:03:51]Beyond mind so long the mind is there little trace of this duality remain and it crosses the mind level then it goes to a level it is the existence who will say what it is beyond speech beyond mind so there both are coming into this compromise should This world which is so solid appears like it looks like a shadow and shadow also vanishes ultimately what remains it is not void the world was non-existing it existence because of my mind and it disappear into void like every day it happens in your dream when you go to now this existence is there. Now if I go to sleep what what will happen either you dream or go to a state what where is where goes the concept of your dream world where goes the concept of your this this universe both varies is it not for us everyday experience do you agree or not every night when you go to deep sleep where goes this world for you where goes your dream world do they exist Yes or no?

[01:05:16]No. Is it?

[01:05:19]You're not agreeing.

[01:05:22]This one does not exist for me, for you.

[01:05:26]That means they soon know this is not existing at a particular time when sleep.

[01:05:33]Now the mind is awake mind.

[01:05:36]Awakened mind, enlightened mind moves on and on. What will happen? The world will vanish. What will remain? That truth which is within it will remain. So there is Buddha and Shankara don't contradict.

[01:05:52]Buddha didn't say anything. Shankara says I am neither the body neither the mind neither this neither this. I am I am of the nature of chit consciousness bliss. I am of the nature of bliss and consciousness.

[01:06:14]So that is the point. It is not void. It is not full. It cannot be spoken. If you speak then you limit it.

[01:06:23]How can it be infinite? If you can describe it. Description makes it limited. Is it not? How big? How big is the sun? How big is the stars? How big is the planetary system? How big is this cosmic uh universe of infinite number of galaxies?

[01:06:43]What do you understand of galaxy? You only only talking about that. We cannot think about that. So it is only a an imagination. So it says it is it is all filled with that reality which cannot be expressed. Language is limited. Mind is limited. It cannot fathom. It cannot express. So both are talking about the same reality but expression is different. Thank you all.

[01:07:29]He loved the treasures of this world.

[01:07:37]His heart filled up with compassion.

[01:07:45]He saw that everything does change in its own time and it own fashion.

[01:08:03]Golden eyes of peace.

[01:08:12]Golden mind of truth.

[01:08:20]Golden heart of love unto creatures.

[01:08:29]Great and small unto all creatures.

[01:08:37]Oh unknown.

[01:08:49]He found a lotus in his heart.

[01:08:57]A thousand pals for open.

[01:09:05]He showed the path within to beauty inside with words unspoken.

[01:09:23]Golden eyes appear.

[01:09:31]Golden mind of truth.

[01:09:40]Golden heart of love unto all creatures great and small.

[01:09:53]Unto all creatures, one unknown.

[01:10:04]He saw the one in many faces.

[01:10:13]He felt the love in many hearts.

[01:10:24]So many places that one same light in every heart.

[01:10:40]Golden eyes of peace, golden mind of truth.

[01:10:57]Golden heart of love unto all creatures great and small unto all creatures.

[01:11:15]One and all.

[01:11:19]unto all creatures.

[01:11:23]Great song.

[01:11:28]Unto all creatures wonder.

[01:11:35]Oh.

[01:11:54]Next Sunday, KMO and Rean reincarnation by Shami Bedupand.

[01:12:04]Uh that's all and normally the weekday classes will be the same witness triuna tita nanda by Krishna pranamat gi and the gospel classes is there on the Saturdays and Bhagat Gita also so we conclude here but we if you have any question we'll We meeting again here uh just after greeting you all all of you come back or if you have any question we can spend some time.

[01:17:42]is whisper just give a question answer or anything you have in your mind we can talk let me see there is a microphone problem.

[01:18:14]Micro, please give it to >> uh so you talked about the relationship between desire.

[01:18:32]>> Uh can you hear me?

[01:18:33]>> Between >> uh desire >> and suffering.

[01:18:37]>> Suffering, >> right? Uh but sometimes desire doesn't bring suffering right >> and desire >> sometimes desire doesn't bring suffering.

[01:18:48]>> Okay.

[01:18:49]>> So how do we know like how to manage >> desires?

[01:18:56]>> Yeah. Desire brings suffering is a fact. You may say some desire does not bring suffering but it brings suffering at the end.

[01:19:11]Suppose high education you not when you learn that is a suffering but ultimately it may bring you wisdom and things but still that becomes a question of jealousy.

[01:19:27]One person say noble laurate another noble laurate one highprofile professor another highprofile professor they have their uncomfortable situation anything we desire because we are infinite if you desire lack less than that then you are in suffering maybe temporarily it appears it is not suffering but ultimately turns into suffering so ultimately if you analyze In ultim because ultimate sense is that you are infinite.

[01:20:00]Your joy is infinite joy. You are limitless.

[01:20:05]You are birthless, deathless.

[01:20:07]This body mind is creating all this trouble of my understanding about myself as so small, so insignificant and that is creating all troubles in my life. No, but I'm not.

[01:20:20]I'm not the body. I live without the body every day.

[01:20:25]And when you go to that place, you are same. I am same. When you go to deep sleep, there's no distinction between your joy and my joy. This world vanishes for me. My anxieties, worries goes, your anxiety, worries goes. Your mom, dad, brother, sister, all gone. No one stays there. If that happens spontaneously every day in our deep sleep, what happens to if one can turn that direction and move inward, it will happen in spontaneous. This is a science.

[01:20:59]But to how to overcome the desire, we'll have to do desire for noble things first.

[01:21:06]Uh we have to get we to go to how shall I get out of the school? We enter into a school to get out of the school. Is it not? We don't want to go to school to stay in the school. Some boys in earlier days used to stay in the school for years and years because they're sports good sportsmen or something. So the school maintain them. That is not the goal of life. To be in the school is not the main goal. But going through the school, get out of the school.

[01:21:39]So all the suffering they can do it. You can do your thing. They can hand they can hand over >> that's what that sound is.

[01:21:51]>> What is that?

[01:21:57]>> Okay.

[01:21:59]>> Okay. Okay. I make it off. Press it.

[01:22:03]Best. We can put it on again. That's all. So, so it is a deep question.

[01:22:12]Desire will not go.

[01:22:14]Ramakrishna said give a turn to the desire.

[01:22:19]I am desiring mundane.

[01:22:22]Munduc, good job, good marriage, good. These are all I am asking for. But I cannot carry anything with me. This is also desire.

[01:22:35]But how to desire the higher joy, higher desire?

[01:22:39]So if I get a job offer 100,000 and another offer comes for 200,000, what shall I do?

[01:22:49]No question. You go that way.

[01:22:52]So desire, higher desire and highest desire is God. But you have to define God. Who is God? So that's a different issue.

[01:23:05]Everyone is seeking for joy.

[01:23:08]So everyone have to have some desire.

[01:23:11]A sadhu, a monk giving up all his worldly things for what? For desire.

[01:23:20]What is that desire? I will be self-elumined.

[01:23:24]I'll be realizing God. I'll serve God in others. There's a desire. Another person training himself how to kill others and learning how to skill skillfully kill and not caught by anybody. That's also a desire. One becoming brutal.

[01:23:44]That's a desire to be brute.

[01:23:47]Another is giving the life for others.

[01:23:49]That's a desire.

[01:23:51]So we have to go step by step to higher and higher and higher and higher. And as we go higher and higher, it has this purity, it is joy, greater joy, greater enlightenment. No. And as it goes on, then this spontaneous growth will happen inside.

[01:24:17]You have to make it on.

[01:24:20]And now it's done.

[01:24:25]Is is that good? Um, you raised a couple of questions here.

[01:24:30]>> Huh? Is it on?

[01:24:32]>> No.

[01:24:34]>> That close? Oh, now I got it. Um, Swami, you you said that five uh five minutes of a meditation twice a day probably isn't enough to reach uh uh the highest level. Um, so that's one question I have about a practice you know the discipline to um achieve my a better um state of of my heart and the other question is is there some relationship between uh the the meditative state and deep sleep >> what is that >> sleep >> deep sleep state I'm talking about >> right the deep sleep but also meditation is that the same deep state in both cases or not.

[01:25:25]>> Hey, could you elaborate the question, Mike?

[01:25:32]Strongly because my ear is little.

[01:25:34]>> Oh, sorry. I wasn't listening extremely close. Close. Close.

[01:25:37]>> I was thinking of my question.

[01:25:39]>> Okay.

[01:25:41]>> Very close and loud.

[01:25:43]>> Okay.

[01:25:44]>> Hey, give it Could you give it louder?

[01:25:46]>> Is it better now if I hold it like that?

[01:25:48]>> Yeah. I'm telling her now like that.

[01:25:52]>> Now better.

[01:25:52]>> Okay. You didn't understand my question because it was >> No, I could not understand that.

[01:25:56]>> Yeah, it was very confusing. That's why.

[01:25:58]Um, is there is there a parallel or relationship between the deep meditative state that uh we are we could uh achieve >> if we did meditate uh at length >> and deep sleep. Yeah, >> we can attend to that state actually not to the deep sleep state. Deep sleep state what happen? My mind remains sleepy.

[01:26:32]Mind is dead.

[01:26:35]But when you go for meditation, mind is awake.

[01:26:39]That is the total difference. You can reach to that same flight with all illumination.

[01:26:46]And when you go every day suppose I am sleeping someone takes me very outside cold and I am sleeping. Someone carries me in the bed to a room which is hot which is warm. Warmth can be felt. I can come out after my sleep. Oh I was in warm place.

[01:27:09]But warm place you went ignorantly you do not enjoy that. But when I'm consciously oh I'm in severe cold outside and coming into this roomh like in Russia one of our swami was walking in the street it was so cold he didn't have the idea his nose become that blue and then some one old lady said hey get in get in get inside inside the heat area otherwise it will fall down so he didn't know but when you know it that's the difference Knowing gives you knowledge, love, joy, blessings and not knowing suppose I drinking. I'm drinking a syrup or I'm drinking some very or eating something good delicious food. My mind is not there. You ate that. So what will happen? Food will be digested the same way. But I don't enjoy it. But I can feel oh it was good. Some type of feeling. But when I test it, put in your tongue and really enjoy and release how much you enjoy with consciousness. If we move that is our meditation with that consciousness fully awakened mind if we move on and on joy and joy and joy and limitless joy and if we go there even unconsciously every night we go to that same place but we do not know because I am ignorant mind is sleeping very beautiful uh way of thinking thinking how we can enjoy spiritual life. We can enjoy spiritual life if I develop that skill to keep the mind awake and move little as guru has told us meditate on that form or meditate on that glory of the lord whatever or the mantra of a light more light that's why a person comes out of meditation see their face and outer expression so cheerful joyful they didn't eat anything that time they didn't have any music, anything external. All what has happened inside and his face becomes beaming with joy.

[01:29:30]And those who we cannot do that our face becomes tired. When you come out of meditation, look people look at my face.

[01:29:39]I say the most tired person is coming out. No, because you are not getting the joy.

[01:29:45]Mind is sleeping. Mind is running another place. But when it is trained to think that minds the capacity to go in with consciously it sees the light and light and light.

[01:30:02]Okay.

[01:30:06]So uh I guess my question is about meditation. I've heard a lot of different opinions about what is the best kind of meditation and it seems like everyone has their own opinion. uh which which is not surprising. So uh what what has worked for you?

[01:30:25]>> For me that is no use of knowing for you but but I would suggest what fits in you take that path. Some may be familiar with nondual thought or thinking of ocean of light uh like space like infinite space. No, take your path or you think that God I worship in this particular form who is embodiment of Brahman.

[01:30:53]So you think of any dity any god goddesses what suits you you will have to accept that and your teacher can guide you. So follow that that's called means chosen ideal that's chosen for me for me that is my ideal so you meditate some on Rama some Krishna someone Christ some Buddha some may be impersonal idea some may think of a light lamp unflickering lamp focusing in there so different ways of meditation what suits one may not be suited for other. So it is better to choose one's own by myself or my guru and guides us and then follow that path is the path of light that is whichever we go you you mentioned um that Buddha had the state of Buddha the bodha Um and the Buddhists very often use the term bodhicitta se bodhicitta separate from enlightenment.

[01:32:14]>> Bodhic is a state after enlightenment.

[01:32:18]At that point what happens they love humanity so much they keep their body whenever they need for the suffering humanity they come down. Bodhichat is a state attain after this process is finished.

[01:32:33]Someone is in the process going process.

[01:32:36]I am a student of the school. I go to the fifth grade but I a student I have to go to sixth grade, 7th grade, 8th grade, 9th grade, 10th grade, 11, 12th then I am out of school. So it is a process and another already finished the school and out.

[01:32:55]So that is the difference.

[01:32:58]Buddhi actually what you call these are all terminology in vanta what means steady proa means wisdom that person's wisdom is steady so bodhichati is also that the wisdom the knowledge the light is established in that light is not affected by anything else.

[01:33:36]Now come your question. We are waiting for you.

[01:33:39]>> Question >> come.

[01:33:44]Okay.

[01:33:47]Yeah. If you have any question come >> from yesterday from yesterday's lecture I came back for the question the various kind the the diff with karma um >> microphone close >> about about karma about whether the action whose karma is it the asalent or the victim or the perpetrator or the >> in the two parts of karma.

[01:34:23]>> Is it both sides or one side?

[01:34:27]>> Okay. And it appears that karma theory suggests that kmo is my karma my we are here no >> so many people were there they have left they have one experience there we are few people that's our karma have joined us together to be here and to experience what is going on here no your karma my karma both has a you is a trajectory.

[01:34:59]Think that I take a stone and throw it.

[01:35:03]You take a stone, throw it out. Your trajectory, my trajectory may meet some point. When it will meet, what time it will meet? These are many complex situation is there. But we are all connected. Suppose we are going in a train. I am going to San Diego from here. I am track and I am just entering into the carpent area. Someone has started in St. Louis Abyispo.

[01:35:32]The St. Louis Aispo person is sitting on my right side. I could have gone to another compartment but I came there that is a ko has bind. If you believe the ko theory the kma is in we do not know so many fine intricacies are there but we are all connected. Our ko your ko everyone's ko brings us together separate selves loves love comes hatred comes that's all karma karma karma because karma is the ground of all our activities our desires our taking a birth I have taken this birth because of my karma whatever thought I have I'm thinking whole life whatever good add all this cumulative effect of all this will be the last and that desire will give birth to the next life next life suppose I am gross example I'm going to New York so I desire to go to New York and then I see the plane which plane suits my time and time and my date and time matches I selected that plane I said I do not know who will be sitting on my right side it may be good guy he may be very friendly some may be little irritating so we do not know but I purchased my ticket apparently to go to New York that is my only one goal but in the journey we meet so many people in the counter in the TSA and the checking the person who is checking she's kind to you sometimes not very happy with you so all these things are happening how to explain All the karmic relationship brought us together as if we were bound by our past karma. What we do now do such karma so that you go beyond karma.

[01:37:32]>> So what we do now >> now will be the future >> is for the future karma.

[01:37:37]>> So then >> future karma plus our old stock of karma is there they will have their own impact.

[01:37:45]I have a bundle of workaro we call subtle impressions of that ko I am carrying in this life whatever I have seen whatever I have thought whatever I have talked whatever action I did all are latened in me as a karmic impression and that all they're all hidden here they can sprout anytime with inspiration with little instigation they can come out >> so with let's say reincarnation.

[01:38:16]So somebody let's see somebody says oh well that person was your older brother in a past life and that's why you're together. So reincarnation that would be an aspect of karma or vice versa or just totally unrelated.

[01:38:30]>> I think it is connected.

[01:38:32]>> It should be connected.

[01:38:35]>> Connected. Connected. Yeah. Yeah.

[01:38:37]They're connected. So reincarnation >> is also connected. Right. Right. And you'll be >> it appears to me it is all all connected all connected integrated integrated and connected together.

[01:38:52]>> And then I have one other question on that. When you hear people say oh that's karma you know.

[01:39:02]>> Yeah.

[01:39:03]>> Yeah. Yeah.

[01:39:04]>> Wait a minute.

[01:39:05]>> Yeah.

[01:39:06]>> 500 million people in that country.

[01:39:10]>> Or is that >> Yeah. That is true. It is it is they say it is it is no they say it is it I do not know exactly but it is it seems rational.

[01:39:20]Suppose I tell you people are going for fishing >> with a boat and suddenly boat is going and in particular location they pulled out 10 tons of fish.

[01:39:36]All the 10 ton fish means so many animals they are karma and they are crying why this guy came my ma mom is taken away my dad is gone my child is gone my wife is gone it is a why we didn't do anything we are all swimming in the ocean so one country is like that in one chunk it falls in the same trouble this >> that's also Tell me why not? Why? Why connected? I'm saying why connected >> because you know connected in this sense >> that the the boatman could have plunged their to find out the fish in some other place but he he he targeted a place how his mind told him to target that and he got it somewhere he didn't get any fish somewhere he got tons of fish. So and why this fish not his brother was taken into the trap.

[01:40:41]So why one is getting in the same car five people going one is alive five four are dead >> who will say so it appears that there is a karmic relationship that's why we are together that's why we are in that and it happened good bad whatever comes because of our own karma is the impact of that karma it appears I do not know as believing karma theory everything is karma and that's the and And that's the greatness of karma theory. We are not to weep for that rather we can do some karma now so that I will not have to be born and go to this trouble.

[01:41:23]We can do something now. That is the karma theory.

[01:41:28]Many people after karma theory go to fatalistic idea. Oh I have nothing to do. Therefore I don't do anything.

[01:41:36]Huh? Okay. My fate it is already my karma is decided. So why shall I do anything? No, >> that is your past karma is effective.

[01:41:46]Now you have to prepare your future.

[01:41:50]So what future it is in your hand.

[01:41:52]That's a great potential. Utilize your every moment. As he said Buddha said think high noble thought. Talk think noble.

[01:42:04]Don't lie, truthful.

[01:42:07]Say something which is beneficial for others, good for others, love for others.

[01:42:13]So you transform yourself. Your karma, you are deciding your karma, your future. What you will be depends on your karma and karma is prompted by desire.

[01:42:24]So desire make the desire pure desire, higher desire, higher desire, higher desire.

[01:42:31]So it is all depending on our action.

[01:42:33]Action is very important. Many people take this karma theory as fatalistic as my fortune. I have nothing to do. My karma will no that is not. KMO gives you inspiration to do such things that you can conquer death. That's your in your hand.

[01:42:53]What is happened in the past? I forgot why it happened. But now is the question. Now what can I do? I cannot change my trajectory. If I'm to suffer that suffering will I have to go through because it is already started. My karma has started acting now.

[01:43:13]But what is coming I can change that karma by my will by my action.

[01:43:25]>> Right? All right.

[01:43:32]>> Yeah.

[01:43:38]>> Question.

[01:43:39]>> No. Where is the microphone?

[01:43:45]Loudly >> relate to his question.

[01:43:55]Yeah. Relate to his question. The first question he had like um desire desire desire >> like if we have small desire like if I want to have a small chocolate consume yeah then if we stop it it's okay. If we indulge your desire more and more then probably we have to face the consequences. Like if I take like um 10 chocolates or something then I may have >> desire also desire is pro desire does not end by satiating the desire but intelligent person who have many times I have many times I ate >> chocolate and now I take it and don't identify so much then it is not affecting me but if I do some again intense >> fulfillment of something then I'll be frustrated that will not come but those little desire as Ramakrishna said >> it it is better to get it out big desires be careful whether you'll go in that direction or not small desire eating sleeping going to some place to see someone to to go to a visited beautiful nice place this desire little desire should be wiped out by experiencing.

[01:45:22]But bigger desire which makes me forget about my goal brings me suffering should be avoided.

[01:45:31]>> And desire is a without desire no one can live for a moment. We are desiring either this or that and that all the time. But how to desire something and get something which is of permanent nature?

[01:45:47]That's the only simple simple formula.

[01:45:51]We do some work and to do work for the what is the purpose of doing work doing work where I'll get better satisfaction.

[01:46:02]If we don't go to philosophical language normally our life is like that we want to do such work which will be fulfilling which will be joyful which will be lingering effect in my life.

[01:46:14]uh and we unconsciously do some karma which is unconsciously I did but effect comes in our life no unconsciously I put my finger into the fire the finger will be burned and consciously I do that will also do but unconsciously doing does not mean that our effect will be not experienced that's why we have to not to be so much to analyze that much only to redirect our desires to the higher self for our own benefit, for our own spiritual benefit.

[01:46:51]Okay, take we can now go for a little meditation.