RETURN TO DHARMA

Return to Dharma
U.N.Biswas*
“INDIA, the republic, is now on sale.” (Outlook, 29 November 2010, p.32.) Those who are in charge to uphold the Republic are trading to sell India. I feel sad. Why 2010 was a year of monumental corruption? Who have made our India so vulnerable to corruption? Do we have any values? Yes, India has definite values of governance since Ancient times. We have offered India on sale because we have deviated from our values that India stood for ages. Our values of governance of our Republic India were adopted in our Constitution from the principles of governance of Asoka, who governed by the law of morality. The Asokan Lion Capital is our State Emblem and the Dharmachakra of Asokan Lion Capital adopted in the centre of our Natiional flag is the National Emblem of India. All State action has to be transacted in following Asokan values of governance. Dharmachakra(the wheel of law) is the ultimate goal of India.
Dharmachakra(The Wheel of Law)
The Constituent Assembly of India proposed to , “ include the Buddhist concept of Dharmachakra(adopted by Emperor Asoka). The spiritual basis of Indian civilization might thus be pronounced in our national symbol which will carry the message of peace, and non-violence to the world.” (emphasis added)
Dharma
Philosopher Dr.Radhakrishnan, in his speech during adoption of the National Flag of India, emphasized virtue. Purity and goal of truth cannot be achieved without recourse to virtue. “The Asoka’s wheel represents to us the wheel of the Law, , the wheel of Dharma. Truth can be gained only by the pursuit of the path of Dharma, by the practice of virtue, Truth,- Satya, Dharma, Virtue, these ought to be the controlling principles of all those who work under this Flag.”
Dynamism
Dr.Radhakrishanan, then dwells on the dynamic character of The Wheel of law. The country suffered due to our resistance to change.“It also tells that that the Dharma is something which is perpetually moving.”
Challenges
Thereafter he mentions the challenges before the nation and especially points out caste and untouchability. “There are ever so many institutions which are worked into our social fabric like caste and untouchability. Unless these are scrapped, we cannot say that we either seek truth or practice virtue. This wheel is a rotating thing, which is a perpetually revolving thing, indicates to us that there is death in stagnation. There is life in movement.”
Saffron
Saffron symbolizes the spirit of renunciation. “Sarve tyga rajadhrmesu drasta. All forms of renunciation are to be embodied in Raja Dharma, Philosophers must be kings. They must be dedicated spirits. They must be people who are imbued with the spirit of renunciation which that saffron color has transmitted to us from the beginning of our history. That stands for the fact the World belongs not to the wealthy, not to the prosperous but to the meek and humble, the dedicated and the detached. … If we are not imbued with the spirit of renunciation in these difficult days, we will again go under.”
We should feel ashamed that we are one of the most corrupt countries of the world. India ranks 87 in Corruption Index. In our quest of power, we knowingly protect the corrupt. This had been the direct cause of the cost of Rs.1,76,645 crore in one scam only. We may deal desire to earn fame and honour. This is also tanha and this tanha can be so intense that it can lead to mass killing, destruction of country, criminal misconducts to women and various other crimes. On individual plane, a person, be that he a Monk or laity, if he is blown away by greed for fame, he can stoop to any level to do any illegal acts. Which is why, the Buddha tells the Monks not to be thirsty for fame
“The thirst for fame, power and domination has brought untold agony to mankind. If a man makes no effort to check the longings that are ever ready to away his mind, he will become a slave to that mind.” ( Thera,Piyadassi, The Buddha’s Ancient Path,U.K, 1964, p.166.)
The Master, again and again warns the Monks not to cheat people. The holy life of a Monk is not for cheating, scheming, profit making, hankering after favour and honour, gossiping etc. The holy life of a Monk is lived with restraint and sacrifice.
“Monks, this holy life (brahmacariyam) is lived neither to cheat people nor for scheming, nor for profit and favour, nor for the sake of honour, It is not for gossiping so-and-so.” ‘But, monks, this holy life is lived for the sake of restraint, for abandoning, for dissipation, for cessation.’ ( A. ii.26, sutta 26.)
Asoka was not a Pabbajja, but he strictly followed the sprit of renunciation in Rajadharma as explained by Dr. Radhakrishnan. We have to return to Dhamma-the moral code o governance laid by Asoka. We can conclude reminding ourselves the salient points of Asokan Dhamma. These are : morality, indebtedness to Public, welfare of people, round the clock public service, strong will, confidence, dynamism, self-control-purity of mind and impartiality.
*, Director Research, Bhavana-The HRD Centre of NCMB Memorial Trust &
Convener, Dharmachakra-An Effort to Spread the Message of Dharmachakra in the National Flag of India.
January 7, 2011
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