Venerable Suddhananda Mahathero

The Teachings of Great Men Thoughout the Ages is the Same

Venerable Suddhananda Mahathero is the Chief Priest of Dharmarajika Buddhist Monastery, the Chairman of Bangladesh Bouddha Krishti Pracher Sangha, and an internationaly acclaimed Buddhist personality. This is the summary of a speech he made as the key speaker in Quantum Open Ideas on May 11, 2004.

The very suffering that motivated a man, in spite of being a prince, to leave behind all the luxuries of life and to indulge in a long period of introspection, also lead him to the means of conquering that same suffering through enlightenment.

 The Lord Buddha, on realizing the four truths regarding suffering, suggested two religious paths as remedies. The first is to follow the Middle Way; that is not to be too self-indulgent and extravagant in life and at the same time to recognize that it is not necessary to maintain strict asceticism. The second religious is the Noble Eightfold Path. These are right understanding, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.

To best realize these a man must practice meditation. A sangha or group can help one to purify oneself by ridding oneself of jealousy and enriching oneself with humanitarian qualities. The main theme of all religions is the same at its core--helping others, suffering the consequences of one’s own actions and being tolerant to others’ opinions. The message of justice and brotherhood preached by the Buddha and contained in the teachings of great men throughout the ages is essentially the same.

 I heartily praise the role of the Quantum Foundation in pursuing moral regeneration and the creation of a humanitarian society. I am very hopeful that with the assistance of the Quantum Foundation, it will be possible to take forward the well-meaning movement of inter-religious dialogue that began in the early 1950s with Dhaka University Professors Dr. Kazi Motahar Hossain, Dr. Md. Shahidullah and Dr. G.C. Dev.