Papers by Sajal Barua (Jñānamārgānusārin)
The Indian International Journal of Buddhist Studies, 2023
This essay points out that even though due to the
development of perfect human qualities a Buddha... more This essay points out that even though due to the
development of perfect human qualities a Buddha is regarded as
the supreme person (purisottama) and highly respected by the
followers in the tradition, a Pāli commentarial exposition depicts
that the Gotama Buddha placed the Dhamma above him and paid
his due respect to the Dhamma. This essay explores what kind of
dhamma a Buddha pays respect to? Why and how? It also contains
an original annotated English translation of sections from a
commentary and sub-commentary to the Rathavinītasutta dealing
with the subject. The study is carried out following a critical and
analytical approach to the discussions presented in both Pāli
canonical and commentarial texts and related secondary literature.
For the translation I tried to remain as literal as possible. The
primary sources of my study are the Pāli Nikāya texts and their
commentaries and available Pāli-English dictionaries.
Sheelananda Smarok, 2022
In Search of a Meaningful Life (Ekti Orthoboho Jiboner Sondhane)
Samadhi, 2013
This essay represents a Bengali translation of a very interesting and important talk given by the... more This essay represents a Bengali translation of a very interesting and important talk given by the most venerable Lama Thubten Yeshe Rinpoche to a western audience many years ago. The central focus of the essay is that all human beings are fundamentally the same as far as their thoughts and emotions and pain and pleasure are concerned. He stresses that we need to acknowledge sincerely our psychophysical happenings and rather then trying to escape from them, we need to try to understand their nature and thus deal with them to finally overcome them.
Buddhist Studies in Contemporary World, 2015
One of the ways the Buddha communicated the dhamma to his disciples is through similes and metaph... more One of the ways the Buddha communicated the dhamma to his disciples is through similes and metaphors. Probably because he realized that through similes and metaphors his students would understand the dhamma better. In the Pāli Canon we find numerous similes and
metaphors used by the Buddha to explain the dhamma. Here I have selected two discourses namely the Sakuṇagghisutta and the Makkaṭasutta from the Satipaṭṭhāna Saṃyutta of the Saṃyutta Nikāya where the Buddha had given a very important teaching through two
different similes. The Buddha discussed ‘the danger of going to the others’ territory (paravisaya) and the safety in one’s own ancestral territory (saka pettika visaya)’. This essay attempts to discuss the teaching as presented in the Pāli Canon.
Nalanda (Buddhism and Indian Cultural Journal), 2022
মহাকাব্য বুদ্ধচরিত নিঃসন্দেহে আচার্য অশ্বঘোষের একটি অনন্য সৃষ্টি। এতে আচার্য অশ্বঘোষ কুমার সিদ্ধা... more মহাকাব্য বুদ্ধচরিত নিঃসন্দেহে আচার্য অশ্বঘোষের একটি অনন্য সৃষ্টি। এতে আচার্য অশ্বঘোষ কুমার সিদ্ধার্থের অনন্যসাধারণ জীবনী এমনভাবে চিত্রায়িত করেছেন যে এ কাব্যপাঠে পাঠকের মানসপটে উজ্জ্বল প্রতীয়মান হয় সিদ্ধার্থের জীবনের পরিপূর্ণ ঘটনাবলী। কুমার সিদ্ধার্থ তথা গৌতম বুদ্ধকে নিয়ে এটিই প্রথম গ্রন্থ যেখানে লেখক কাব্যিক ধারায় শুধুমাত্র বুদ্ধের জীবনী নয় বরঞ্চ তাঁর আধ্যাত্মিক চিন্তা-চেতনা, তৎকালীন সমাজ-ব্যাবস্থা, রাজ্য-ব্যাবস্থা, শ্রমণ-ব্রাহ্মনের ঐতিহ্য ইত্যাদি বিষয়ে তুলে ধরেন। পরবর্তিতে একই ধারা অবলম্বন করে বুদ্ধের জীবনের উপর আরো কিছু গুরুত্বপূর্ণ গ্রন্থ রচিত হয় যেগুলোর মধ্যে – ললিতবিস্তর, মহাবস্তু-অবদান, অভিনিস্ক্রমনসূত্র, জিনচরিত, জিনকালমালী ইত্যাদি উল্লেখযোগ্য।
এ মহাকাব্যে দুটি বিষয় আমাকে বিশেষভাবে প্রভাবিত করেছে। এক, যেভাবে সিদ্ধার্থ জীবন ও জগতকে দেখেছেন এবং সেটাকে কেন্দ্র করে সারথি ছন্দক, রাজা শুদ্ধোধনের মন্ত্রী ও উপদেষ্টা, এবং অন্যান্য মুনি ঋষিদের সাথে তার যুক্তিতর্ক। দুই, সিদ্ধার্থের গৃহত্যাগকে কেন্দ্র করে অশ্ব কন্থক, সারথি ছন্দক, যশোধরা, বিমাতা গৌতমী, রাজা শুদ্ধোধন সহ রাজ্যবাসীর দুঃখভারাক্রান্ত হৃদয়ের আকুল অনুভুতির প্রকাশ। মূলত এ দুটি বিষয়কে কেন্দ্র করেই আমি আমার এ নাতিদীর্ঘ রচনায় কুমার সিদ্ধার্থের জীবন দর্শনের কিছুটা স্বরূপ তুলে ধরার চেষ্ঠা করেছি।
Journal of Indian Philosophy, volume 49, pages499–521, 2021
Dasakathāvatthu (ten subjects of discourse) appears to be a unique, but less known course of trai... more Dasakathāvatthu (ten subjects of discourse) appears to be a unique, but less known course of training in the Buddhist spiritual practice of the Theravāda tradition. Though the importance of the practice is highlighted, it is discussed with very little information in the Pāli Nikāya literature. But a well-informed discussion of the practice is found in the commentarial texts. One specific feature of the practice is that the path factors are defined as kathā (talk) suggesting that the practice is dialogical. This is in connection with the Buddha's advice that monks should spend their time either in dhamma-discussion or in noble silence. The dasakathāvatthu is an illustration of the kind of practice and talks that qualify for dhamma-discussion. The commentarial literature points out that the Buddha highly appreciates the one who, after being skilled in these talks, acts as a kalyānamitta (good friend) and discusses them with others. The stress seems to be that the conversation one has with fellow practitioners is vital in one's spiritual journey. In other words, the spiritual journey should consist in not walking alone but walking together. For my study of the subject, I used primarily the Pāli Nikāya texts and their commentaries as source materials.
Aryiasatya: Deputy Sangharaj Satyapriya Mahathero National Funeral Souvenir, 2020
This essay is an attempt to provide a survey on learning and teaching of Buddhist scriptures in t... more This essay is an attempt to provide a survey on learning and teaching of Buddhist scriptures in the modern day Bangladesh. Attention is given primarily on the condition of Buddhist education in a period between 19th and 21st century C.E. The essay contains a brief discussion on the history of the Buddhist education during Pāla Daynasty (8th to 12th century C.E.), which is regarded as the golden period of Buddhism and Buddhist studies in Bengal. But unfortunately it did not last long. With the Islamic invasion in the 13th century CE, the glory of Buddhism came to an end. It is only in the 18th and 19th century CE that the revival of Buddhism began in the soil of Bengal, modern day Bangladesh. Even though Buddhism was re-established in the country, Buddhist education or the study of Buddhist texts was at its primary stage. It was limited to just a few interested monks and laity and some temples. It was with the establishment of Buddhist institutions in late 19th century that Buddhist studies gained its favor. Since then the Buddhist education has been continuing with various social, economic, and political challenges and difficulties in the country. Now the translation of the entire Tipiṭaka is available in Bengali language. The text might not have been published with a thorough checking process by a well established editorial board, nevertheless, it can be regarded as a great achievement.
IBC Journal of Buddhist Studies, 2019
Automatic Thoughts are spontaneous ideas that arise in the mind of an individual depending upon t... more Automatic Thoughts are spontaneous ideas that arise in the mind of an individual depending upon the particular frame of reference such as personality, life-style, world view etc. that he possesses. According to Beck this inner belief-structure is always dependent upon the individual’s past experience, learnings, etc. The distressful emotions are result of his maladaptive thoughts. In Buddhism the Distracting or Automatic Thoughts are explained to be connected with greed (lobha), hate (dosa), and delusion (moha). A mind filled with these three unwholesome roots of evil is considered as ‘lower mind’ just as Beck considers it ‘lower level’ of thinking. Automatic Thoughts are spontaneous ideas that arise in the mind of an individual depending upon the particular frame of reference such as personality, life-style, world view etc. that he possesses. Beck in his therapy uses skillful questioning to help clients discover for themselves the irrational base for their troublesome emotional responses. The Buddha in various discourses presents diverse methods to overcome such a state of mind. However, the present study is directed to reveal a Buddhist way of overcoming Automatic Thoughts in light of the Vitakkasaṇṭhāna Sutta of the Majjhima Nikāya.
Conference Presentations by Sajal Barua (Jñānamārgānusārin)
In my discussion of ‘the Buddha’s instructions on the study and practice of the dhamma,’ I focus ... more In my discussion of ‘the Buddha’s instructions on the study and practice of the dhamma,’ I focus on what the Buddha himself said in the suttas regarding the methods and attitudes that one should have in order to properly study, understand and practice the dhamma. Particularly, I look at some suttas that focus on this issue and present the discussions as it is addressed within those suttas with some beautiful and inspiring similes and metaphors – such as the simile of a poisonous snake, the simile of a raft, the simile of a poisoned arrow and so on.
The present-day Buddhism in Bangladesh is just about 150 years old, but Buddhism prevailed in the... more The present-day Buddhism in Bangladesh is just about 150 years old, but Buddhism prevailed in the country since the Buddha's time. The Pala-dynasty (8th to 12th C.E.) was the golden period for Buddhism. This presentation discusses very briefly the past glorious Buddhist history of Bengal.
One of the ways the Buddha communicated the dhamma to his disciples is through simile and/or meta... more One of the ways the Buddha communicated the dhamma to his disciples is through simile and/or metaphor. The reason is quite obvious. The dhamma obtained by the Buddha is subtle (nipuṇa), profound (gambhīra), and hard to understand (duranubodha) by the worldly beings who are fully engaged in sensuality. In these two discourses – the Sakuṇagghisutta and the Makkaṭasutta – of the Saṃyutta Nikāya, the Buddha presents two specific similes: the simile of hawk and the simile of monkey, to teach a very profound doctrine.
The presentation discusses that there does not exist a Buddhist economic theory as such. Buddhism... more The presentation discusses that there does not exist a Buddhist economic theory as such. Buddhism primarily encourages people to engage in good and wholesome activities that contribute to the living of a good life here and hereafter, and that finally contribute to the attainment of nibbāna. So the economic engagement of the people should be understood in the same line. Buddhism encourages the common working class of people to recognize self-power, human dignity and contentment and thus live an independent and efficient life; and to the wealthy one, it teaches to be kind and compassionate and thus create an environment where everyone could live happily.
Drafts by Sajal Barua (Jñānamārgānusārin)
Samāsa (compoound) in Pāli Grammar
The document contains an annotated Bengali translation of the Rathavinitasutta and its Commentary.
The Rathavinītasutta (M PTS I 145-151, CST4 1.252-260) is the 24th discourse in the Opamma vagga ... more The Rathavinītasutta (M PTS I 145-151, CST4 1.252-260) is the 24th discourse in the Opamma vagga of the Majjhima Nikāya. The discourse contains two distinct incidents occurring in two different places: one in Rājagaha and the other in Sāvatthi. Both occasions are connected to Venerable Puṇṇa Matāṇiputta. Two sets of teachings presented in the sutta are: the ten subjects of discourse (dasakathāvatthu) and the seven purifications (sattavisuddhi). These two teachings rarely occur in the Tipiṭaka. Although the commentaries provide some discussion regarding the first set of teachings, there is a lack of sufficient discussion on the second set. Bhadantācariya Buddhaghosa has stated that the reason for this scarcity of the discussion on the seven purifications in the commentary is that they are expounded in detail in his Visuddhimagga (Ps PTS II 155, CST4 1.256: tāsaṃ vitthārakathā visuddhimagge vuttā). From my studies I am convinced that although some discussions are available regarding the seven purifications, no one has done a detailed study about the ten subjects of discourse. In this research project I make a critical and comprehensive study of the Rathavinītasutta and the teachings therein.
My research primarily includes a critical overview of the exegetical interpretations of various topics appearing in the sutta; a critical study of the two sets of teachings as gradual courses of training (anupubbasikkhā) and how they and other similar courses of training found in the Pāli Nikāya literature lead to the attainment of final nibbāna without clinging (anupādā parinibbāna); and an original annotated translation of the commentary and the sub-commentary to the sutta. I focused primarily on the four Nikāyas (Dīgha, Majjhima, Saṃyutta and Aṅguttara) and their commentaries. I also referred to some texts from the Khuddaka Nikāya and secondary sources on the fundamental teachings of the Buddha, especially teachings connected to meditative practice and the gradual course of training.
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Papers by Sajal Barua (Jñānamārgānusārin)
development of perfect human qualities a Buddha is regarded as
the supreme person (purisottama) and highly respected by the
followers in the tradition, a Pāli commentarial exposition depicts
that the Gotama Buddha placed the Dhamma above him and paid
his due respect to the Dhamma. This essay explores what kind of
dhamma a Buddha pays respect to? Why and how? It also contains
an original annotated English translation of sections from a
commentary and sub-commentary to the Rathavinītasutta dealing
with the subject. The study is carried out following a critical and
analytical approach to the discussions presented in both Pāli
canonical and commentarial texts and related secondary literature.
For the translation I tried to remain as literal as possible. The
primary sources of my study are the Pāli Nikāya texts and their
commentaries and available Pāli-English dictionaries.
metaphors used by the Buddha to explain the dhamma. Here I have selected two discourses namely the Sakuṇagghisutta and the Makkaṭasutta from the Satipaṭṭhāna Saṃyutta of the Saṃyutta Nikāya where the Buddha had given a very important teaching through two
different similes. The Buddha discussed ‘the danger of going to the others’ territory (paravisaya) and the safety in one’s own ancestral territory (saka pettika visaya)’. This essay attempts to discuss the teaching as presented in the Pāli Canon.
এ মহাকাব্যে দুটি বিষয় আমাকে বিশেষভাবে প্রভাবিত করেছে। এক, যেভাবে সিদ্ধার্থ জীবন ও জগতকে দেখেছেন এবং সেটাকে কেন্দ্র করে সারথি ছন্দক, রাজা শুদ্ধোধনের মন্ত্রী ও উপদেষ্টা, এবং অন্যান্য মুনি ঋষিদের সাথে তার যুক্তিতর্ক। দুই, সিদ্ধার্থের গৃহত্যাগকে কেন্দ্র করে অশ্ব কন্থক, সারথি ছন্দক, যশোধরা, বিমাতা গৌতমী, রাজা শুদ্ধোধন সহ রাজ্যবাসীর দুঃখভারাক্রান্ত হৃদয়ের আকুল অনুভুতির প্রকাশ। মূলত এ দুটি বিষয়কে কেন্দ্র করেই আমি আমার এ নাতিদীর্ঘ রচনায় কুমার সিদ্ধার্থের জীবন দর্শনের কিছুটা স্বরূপ তুলে ধরার চেষ্ঠা করেছি।
Conference Presentations by Sajal Barua (Jñānamārgānusārin)
Drafts by Sajal Barua (Jñānamārgānusārin)
My research primarily includes a critical overview of the exegetical interpretations of various topics appearing in the sutta; a critical study of the two sets of teachings as gradual courses of training (anupubbasikkhā) and how they and other similar courses of training found in the Pāli Nikāya literature lead to the attainment of final nibbāna without clinging (anupādā parinibbāna); and an original annotated translation of the commentary and the sub-commentary to the sutta. I focused primarily on the four Nikāyas (Dīgha, Majjhima, Saṃyutta and Aṅguttara) and their commentaries. I also referred to some texts from the Khuddaka Nikāya and secondary sources on the fundamental teachings of the Buddha, especially teachings connected to meditative practice and the gradual course of training.
development of perfect human qualities a Buddha is regarded as
the supreme person (purisottama) and highly respected by the
followers in the tradition, a Pāli commentarial exposition depicts
that the Gotama Buddha placed the Dhamma above him and paid
his due respect to the Dhamma. This essay explores what kind of
dhamma a Buddha pays respect to? Why and how? It also contains
an original annotated English translation of sections from a
commentary and sub-commentary to the Rathavinītasutta dealing
with the subject. The study is carried out following a critical and
analytical approach to the discussions presented in both Pāli
canonical and commentarial texts and related secondary literature.
For the translation I tried to remain as literal as possible. The
primary sources of my study are the Pāli Nikāya texts and their
commentaries and available Pāli-English dictionaries.
metaphors used by the Buddha to explain the dhamma. Here I have selected two discourses namely the Sakuṇagghisutta and the Makkaṭasutta from the Satipaṭṭhāna Saṃyutta of the Saṃyutta Nikāya where the Buddha had given a very important teaching through two
different similes. The Buddha discussed ‘the danger of going to the others’ territory (paravisaya) and the safety in one’s own ancestral territory (saka pettika visaya)’. This essay attempts to discuss the teaching as presented in the Pāli Canon.
এ মহাকাব্যে দুটি বিষয় আমাকে বিশেষভাবে প্রভাবিত করেছে। এক, যেভাবে সিদ্ধার্থ জীবন ও জগতকে দেখেছেন এবং সেটাকে কেন্দ্র করে সারথি ছন্দক, রাজা শুদ্ধোধনের মন্ত্রী ও উপদেষ্টা, এবং অন্যান্য মুনি ঋষিদের সাথে তার যুক্তিতর্ক। দুই, সিদ্ধার্থের গৃহত্যাগকে কেন্দ্র করে অশ্ব কন্থক, সারথি ছন্দক, যশোধরা, বিমাতা গৌতমী, রাজা শুদ্ধোধন সহ রাজ্যবাসীর দুঃখভারাক্রান্ত হৃদয়ের আকুল অনুভুতির প্রকাশ। মূলত এ দুটি বিষয়কে কেন্দ্র করেই আমি আমার এ নাতিদীর্ঘ রচনায় কুমার সিদ্ধার্থের জীবন দর্শনের কিছুটা স্বরূপ তুলে ধরার চেষ্ঠা করেছি।
My research primarily includes a critical overview of the exegetical interpretations of various topics appearing in the sutta; a critical study of the two sets of teachings as gradual courses of training (anupubbasikkhā) and how they and other similar courses of training found in the Pāli Nikāya literature lead to the attainment of final nibbāna without clinging (anupādā parinibbāna); and an original annotated translation of the commentary and the sub-commentary to the sutta. I focused primarily on the four Nikāyas (Dīgha, Majjhima, Saṃyutta and Aṅguttara) and their commentaries. I also referred to some texts from the Khuddaka Nikāya and secondary sources on the fundamental teachings of the Buddha, especially teachings connected to meditative practice and the gradual course of training.
According to the language family, Bengali is categorised as a Modern or New Indo-Aryan (NIA) language of the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European language family. As Chatterji (1926, p. 1) notes, ‘[i]t has been in existence as an independent and characterized language, or, rather, as a distinct dialect group, for nearly ten centuries’. If we accept Chatterji’s remark, as about a hundred year has passed since the book was published, Bengali, as an independent language, has been in existence for about eleven centuries now. The present study provides an overview of the origin of the language and its development throughout these eleven centuries.