Dhammapada 03

This is a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Dhammapada 03" by Osho Rajnish, based on the translated Hindi content.

Book Title: Dhammapada 03 (Es Dhammo Sanantano) Author: Osho Rajnish Publisher: Rebel Publishing House Puna Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/002380/1

This book is a compilation of ten discourses by Osho on the "Dhammapada," a collection of the Buddha's sayings. Osho aims to bring the essence of the Dhammapada into people's hearts. The title itself, "Es Dhammo Sanantano," is derived from a verse in the Dhammapada which states, "Nahi verena verani sammanti dhakudachanam. Avverena cha sammanti es dhammo sanantano," meaning "Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule."

Osho's Interpretation of Buddha and Dhammapada:

• Buddha as a Timeless Sage: Osho portrays Buddha as an unfathomable peak, whose full glory is beyond our sight. He emphasizes that those who mistake the beginning for the end of Buddha's teachings are mistaken. Buddha's teachings are a continuous unfolding, a journey towards ever-higher summits.
• Dhammapada as Living Truth: The Dhammapada's verses are not mere rules but "sutras" that Osho imbues with life through his personal experience and philosophical insights. He sees himself as reviving the eternal nature of Buddha's dharma, making it relevant for the present age.
• Beyond Scholasticism: Osho rejects traditional interpretations and commentaries. He states that his discourses are not interpretations but his own direct experience and philosophical rendering of the truths within the Dhammapada verses.
• The Rishi's Voice: Osho emphasizes that a Rishi's (sage's) speech transcends ordinary language and literary forms. It's a spontaneous outpouring, a song, a dance, born from inner experience, not bound by tradition or grammar. His words, like a mantra, carry a poetic and musical quality.
• The Power of Love and Awareness: Osho's teachings, as reflected in this book, are centered on love and awareness. He encourages living fully in the present moment, being completely absorbed in whatever one is doing, whether it's eating, bathing, or simply being.
• Doubt as the Starting Point: Buddha's path begins with doubt, not blind faith. Osho highlights that doubt is the necessary first step, leading eventually to a profound faith born out of personal inquiry and experience.
• The Relativity of Time and Experience: Osho draws parallels with Einstein's theory of relativity, explaining that our experience of time is subjective, influenced by our inner state (happiness makes time fly, sorrow makes it crawl). This principle extends to the perception of the world itself – the "samsara" (world) appears vast and overwhelming when we are asleep (unaware), but shrinks to insignificance when we awaken.
• The Meaning of "Dharma": Osho clarifies that "Dharma" as understood by Buddha is not tied to any religion or dogma. It is the eternal law of life, the cosmic law that governs existence. To follow this Dharma is to live in accordance with this natural law, not against it.
• The Illusion of the World: The world, according to Osho's interpretation, is like a dream – it exists only when we are asleep (unaware). Upon awakening, it dissolves. Therefore, condemning or fleeing the world is futile; the solution lies in awakening.
• The Importance of the Inner Kosha (Self): Osho stresses that our external experiences are a reflection of our internal state. We are the creators of our reality. If our inner world is filled with darkness, the outer world will appear so. If our inner world is joyful and vibrant, the outer world will reflect that.
• The Danger of Superficiality: Osho warns against merely collecting knowledge or adhering to external rituals without inner transformation. He contrasts the "fool" who lives externally and is swayed by appearances with the wise who delve inward.
• The Nature of Wisdom and Ignorance: True wisdom is not about accumulating knowledge but about recognizing and accepting our ignorance. This acceptance, this humility, is the first step towards true knowing. The "fool" who believes they know everything is the most ignorant.
• The Art of Being Alone: Osho emphasizes the importance of being able to be alone with oneself, not out of compulsion but as a chosen state. This solitude is not loneliness but a deep inner richness. True companions are those who do not pull you away from yourself but help you discover your inner self.
• The "Maha-bhashya" of the Inner: The true commentary on existence is not found in external scriptures but within one's own inner experience. The inner "maha-bhashya" (great commentary) is accessed through meditation and self-awareness.
• The Power of "Mona" (Silence): Silence is the source from which true expression arises. In the silence of one's being, the most profound truths are revealed. Osho highlights that the true meaning of "Dharma" is discovered not through verbose discussions but through inner silence and deep listening.
• The Danger of "Moolhta" (Foolishness): Osho defines "Moolhta" not as a lack of intelligence but as a state of unconsciousness, a refusal to acknowledge one's ignorance. This often leads individuals to cling to borrowed wisdom and external validation, preventing them from discovering their own inner truth.
• The Alchemical Transformation: Osho uses the metaphor of alchemy to describe the inner transformation. He states that through awareness and conscious living, negative emotions like anger and greed can be transmuted into positive qualities like compassion and generosity.
• The Nature of True Spirituality: True spirituality is not about escaping the world or renouncing external life but about transforming one's inner experience. It's about living fully in the world, yet remaining untouched by its superficialities.

Key Themes and Concepts Explored in the Discourses (based on chapter titles and Osho's style):

• Child-likeness (Baal-Lakshan): Osho often points to the wisdom and innocence of a child as a state to be reclaimed. This involves shedding the accumulated conditioning and ego.
• Wisdom, Rationality, and Buddha (Buddhi, Buddhivad aur Buddha): A discourse likely explores the difference between mere intellect and true wisdom, and how Buddha's teachings transcend mere rationality.
• The Fragrance of Good Company (Satsang-Saurabh): The importance of being in the presence of wise and awakened individuals (kalyan mitra) is highlighted, as their very presence can catalyze inner transformation.
• The Intoxication of Wine (Lutf-e-May): Osho uses the metaphor of "wine" to represent various forms of worldly intoxication – attachment to wealth, power, pleasure – that lead to unconsciousness. He contrasts this with the "wine" of divine intoxication, which leads to true awakening.
• The Merit of Such Actions (Punyateet Le Jaye, Vahi Sadhu-Karma): This theme likely delves into the nature of true merit and virtuous action, emphasizing that actions leading to inner growth and liberation are the only truly meritorious ones.
• The Eloquence of Silence (Mona Mein Khile Mukharata): This points to the profound wisdom and communication that can arise from a state of inner silence, transcending the limitations of spoken words.
• The Path of Gain vs. the Path of Nirvana (Labh-Path Nahi, Nirvana-Path): A discourse would likely differentiate between seeking worldly gains and the ultimate liberation of Nirvana, emphasizing the latter as the true spiritual pursuit.
• The Awakening and Self-Revolution (Jagran aur Atm-Kranti): This theme points to the necessity of inner awakening and a radical transformation of one's consciousness.
• The Search for a True Friend (Kalyan Mitra ki Khoj): This highlights the indispensable role of a guide or a wise companion on the spiritual path.
• Churn, Churn, Churn (Manthan Kar, Manthan Kar): This powerful imperative suggests the need for deep introspection and the continuous process of sifting through one's experiences and conditioning to find the truth within.

In essence, "Dhammapada 03" by Osho is a call to awaken from the slumber of conditioned existence, to embrace doubt as a path to truth, and to find the profound liberation that comes from inner awareness, self-discovery, and the courage to live authentically, guided by the eternal principles of wisdom and love.