Madawela Punnaji quotes

Bhante Madewela Punnaji (1929-2018) was from Sri Lanka and a scholar of the Pali Canon and also had extensive studies in science, medicine, and western psychology. He wrote the Foreword to author Dr. David N. Snyder's Buddha's Lists and has written and presented several other articles around the globe as well.

Quotes

• When emotion comes in conflict with reason, emotion usually wins.

• Mankind must solve its problems through evolution. Just as a child solves his problems by growing up, and animals solve their problems by evolving, human beings too have to solve their problems through maturity, growth and evolution. Modern society is plagued with problems like crime, drug abuse, poverty, mental sickness, psychosomatic disease, insanity, suicide, war and many more. All these problems seem to be the result of emotional immaturity. Therefore, maturity, growth or evolution seems to be the only solution. If evolution is the solution to our problems, then it is worth our while to learn how to evolve.

• This is my message to you too: "keep evolving". If you follow this advice, there would be no doubt about the possibility that you will evolve to the level, not only of superman but also to the superhuman level.

• The appearance of a variety of schools of Buddhism marked the entrance of dogmatism into Buddhism and dependence on authoritative interpretations. Today, different schools of thought have arisen in Buddhism due to the unquestioning acceptance of authoritative interpretations of the scripture. This new dogmatism goes against the non-dogmatic spirit of early Buddhism, and is therefore the beginning of degeneration. It is important to emphasize that this dependence on authorities and belief rather than on understanding for oneself, is to be regarded as a degeneration of Buddhist practice rather than progress. It is a natural human weakness to depend on others rather than to rely on oneself. But the aim of Buddhism is to overcome this weakness through the practice of Buddhism. Dependence on authority is inconsistent with Buddhist scripture.

• Use your own judgment. Scripture is only an aid to thinking.

• Buddhism today can be compared to a fire that has been nearly extinguished except for a few hot embers covered by ashes. Trying to understand the original message of the Buddha is like blowing away the ashes to expose the embers and rekindling them. This is what I have done for over half a century. My research and findings may not be accurate, but my humble request is that the reader examine the concepts presented with an open mind.

• Human beings have evolved over millions of years and this process of evolution happened unconsciously. Further evolution of the human being is through a conscious process that culminates in Buddhahood.

• I translate the commonly used Noble Eight-fold Path as the Supernormal Eight-fold Way, which is not a set of commandments or rules of living but a description of the character structure and disposition of the true and healthy Buddhist.

• See that all pleasures are impermanent, and all pains are impermanent. Not to desire pleasures and not to hate pain and keeping the mind calm and tranquil is the greatest happiness.

• Emotional reactions are mere reactions of the body to sensory stimulations or memories of them. They are mere disturbances of the mind and body, which are experienced as unhappiness. The only way to happiness is to cultivate calmness of mind and relaxation of the body.

• Emotional reactions happen to us almost without our knowing how. This is why they are so difficult to get under control. These emotional impulses (tanha) are unconscious, blind and impersonal.

• All living beings are struggling and competing to exist in order to keep their temporary lives and to enjoy impermanent pleasure.

• Existence is a feeling rather than a rational concept. Even if we are fully convinced rationally that we don’t exist, we still feel we exist.

• Existence is a static concept in a dynamic reality.

• The struggle for existence is not only futile, but also painful. It should be and can be stopped by realizing that existence is a delusion and that we do not really exist. There is only a struggle to exist but no real existence.

• Existence(bhava) is a concept derived from the process of perception, which happens unconsciously, and we are not aware of it. If we can become aware of it, we can know how the experience of existence occurs. When we are aware of this, we are free of the delusion of existence, and all the suffering based on this delusion comes to an end. This is the meaning of the attainment of Nibbana – the Awakening from the dream of existence.

• Our desires are unrealistic. We are seeking permanence in an impermanent world.

• Our main problem is our inability to accept reality as it is.

• Do not pursue happiness. Just get rid of your unhappiness.

• When one becomes conscious of the body, feelings, emotions and thoughts the unconscious thought processes automatically stop. This is the secret to proper meditation.

• All impure thoughts or evil thoughts are emotional excitements. Good thoughts are calming thoughts.

• By purifying the mind, we become good, happy and wise.

• A Buddhist does not pray to the Buddha or supernatural powers for help but takes refuge in the wisdom of the Buddha to solve the problems in his/her life.

• Humanistic Buddhism provides refuge through the natural wisdom of the Buddha, by developing the human potential for goodness, tranquility and intelligence.

• For the Buddhist, religion is a transformation of self, and not an unrealistic effort to change reality with the help of supernatural power.

• Contrary to popular opinion in the West, selfless concern for others is not an emotion.

• True love is only possible in a tranquil state of mind.

• We are not fully human until we have learned to be calm and rational.

• While in Christianity God descended to the human state, in Buddhism man ascends to the divine state.

• Buddhism is not an atheistic religion as it is popularly known. It only has a different way of looking at the concept of God. This way is the humanistic way. Buddhism offers a humanistic definition of God.

• To cultivate tranquility, learn to stop reacting and start responding.

• Human beings are naturally social and responsible when they act calm and rationally unless disturbed by self-centered emotions.

• One who acts rationally does not seek help in supernatural powers. Instead of seeking the support of one God or several gods, he seeks the support of society through social exchange. By doing his duty to others, others protect him. This is the humanistic way of practicing religion.

• The Buddhist cultivates a broad mind that is interested in the welfare of all beings.

• The Buddhist having given up praying to gods worships the Buddha and practices self-reliance and the social attitude.