Author: Tao Qing Hsu (Hsu, Tao-qing)
It is really difficult for
human beings to put the equality into the practice in heart. The inequality has
existed since the ancient time. Unfortunately, most of the authority purposely
rationalizes the inequality, and most of the ignorant civic have been washed
the brain and accept the inequality. Even today, the inequality is still
existed in everywhere, including the family, the society and the country.
Buddha Shakyamuni is the
people before 2500 years ago. The background of his culture is deeply affected
by the India. As we know, there is the caste system in India since ancient
time. The caste system is an unfair social system. Even today, it is still
existed in the society of India. Buddha Shakyamuni had perceived the inequality
of caste system in his time.
In that time, the disciples
question whether the slaver, the poor, the woman, and the criminal could become
Buddha or not, Buddha Shakyamuni explains and teaches the disciples that all
living beings have Buddha-nature. They and any one can become Buddha
after completely bearing the retribution of their evil karma in future, present
and past accumulated lives. In other word, each one is equal to
becoming Buddha someday in future. But, regarding the process, the
experience, the time, whether is the blessing or the retribution, which is
depending on the personal’s causes and conditions. Such situation and
phenomenon is some kind of changing and it would confuse us and let us have the
feeling of inequality and injustice.
Buddha Shakyamuni offers the
concept of equality. Such equality is basing on the Buddha-nature. And
it is not concerned about what your appearance is, what your color of eyes and
skin is, what your gender is, what you have done, where you are born, and what
your belief is.
It also not cares about
what your race is, what your education is, what your social status is and what
your wealth is. That is why the concept of equality in Buddhism is the true
equality.
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