Is Uniqueness the Truth or An Illusion?

You like to stand out from the crowd; you practically strive to identify yourself unique. So, what happens in the circumstances you can't identify yourself as unique anymore? Trying to be identified as unique at all times is nothing but your mind's way of seeking attention, and approval from others, which has the scope to make you happy and disappointed alike.   

What if there is a way to understand how your mind truly works and discover a way around letting go of suffering and find true happiness? Stay tuned to discover! 

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Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:07

Welcome to the Art of Being Happy, Buddha's Guide to Modern Living from Jitavanarama Buddhist Monastery, Sri Lanka. This intriguing talk series brings timeless Buddhist wisdom to help you navigate life's challenges through simple practical insights. Each episode offers gentle guidance for finding peace and joy in everyday moments. Join us on this journey toward lasting happiness and inner peace. Brought to you by Sanatanadani, the voice eternal.

SPEAKER_01 0:47

We are all here to fight our common enemy. That is what unites us. Besides that, I think we are all very different. That those differences mean nothing. When there is something so prominent, when something so significant, when something that is so pervasive across all our lives, that stands out that common factor that unites us. We're all here to deal with the suffering that we experience in our lives. The good news is just as we discussed manifestations last week, suffering itself is a manifestation. When something's a manifestation, it cannot exist without its causes. It can only exist for as long as the causes exist. Isn't that good news? Heck, that's not good news, that's fantastic news. Because what does that tell us if we know that suffering is manifestation and if we can only remain and prevail in our lives for as long as the causes that bring about suffering exist, what does that tell us? Guess what it can tell us? If we can discover those causes, if we can find out what those causes are, then what can we do about it? We can eradicate it for good. That is your journey to Buddhahood. A Buddha is someone who is free of suffering. Now, of course, when we talk about Buddhas, there are three types of Buddhas. We know that there is a supreme Buddha, we know that there is a silent Buddha or the Pacheka Buddha, and we know that there is an Arhat Buddha. Once again, the only thing that is common between these three Buddhas is that they're all free of suffering. Everything else is different. So it makes sense to find what is common and then deal with that. The reason that people seem to be lost, no matter where you look, is because they're so focused on what sets them apart. People are so focused about what makes them different from each other. See, great leaders, great philosophers, religious leaders, if you wish to call them that, come to this world from time to time and they teach what they know, as best they know, to deliver mankind from suffering. They help us to identify what is common amongst us. But just have a take a moment to think about what people use religion for today. When those leaders, when those religious philosophers, they deliver the Dhamma. It could be Christian Dhamma, it could be Islamic Dhamma, it could be Buddha Dhamma, that is not Hindu Dhamma, Jewish Dhamma, that's all Dhamma. The Dhamma is what the mind bears. So they, whatever Dhamma they are able to preach, whatever Dhamma they are able to deliver to mankind, all of it is intended to help us all identify what is common amongst ourselves. The common problem. But lo and behold, quite unfortunately today, religion itself is used for people to separate themselves. They stand fast to say, I am of this religion, you are of another religion, so you and I, we can't get along. You know, nowadays we only have washrooms that are like gens and females, right? In years to come, I think there will be washrooms like for Buddhists, washrooms for Muslims, washrooms for Christians, and so on. Because the human mind, and a mind that is ridden with ignorance, constantly seeks separation. It looks to identify itself as a unique entity. I'm only scratching the surface here. We will get to this the the profoundness of some of these points as we progress our talks. What prompted me to talk about this was at the end of last week's talk. One of you came and asked me, Dhamin answer. You say everything is a process. That we it's all common. It's just one form taking another form, and then that is what a manifestation is. Like we talked about the rain example. A rain and a fountain are simply different manifestations of the same causes, right? If that is so, then what is unique about you and I? You are different to me. I am different to you. And I sense that, don't you? Yes, so what is unique about you and I? The answer to that question was you're asking the wrong question. We seek answers to what is unique. Therefore, wherever we are in a circumstances or situation where we are presented with whatever, we use that to convince ourselves that we are unique. When you look at yourself in the mirror, you see a form, you see your body. You identify yourself as either male or female. And in that, you identify yourself as unique. I'm a male and I'm unique. I'm unique from the females. There you go. That's the first separation. If you're a female, of course, the other way around. And then you keep on standing, you remain stood in front of the mirror, and then you look at yourself and you go, I wear spectacles. So I'm unique. I'm unique from those who don't wear specs. Another factor, a division. Here I'm talking about things that meet the eye. Perhaps you look at the color of your hair or your complexion. Maybe you're fair skinned, maybe you're dark skinned. You look at that and you go, I'm unique. I'm unique from those who are not like me. See, the mind is constantly looking for evidence from the outside world as to what separates me, what makes me feel unique from the rest of them. We are so obsessed with this. As I continue with my explanation, you'll understand this. We like to dress differently to each other. Because that helps us stand out of the crowd. That's a standout. We like for others to recognize us. What is recognition after all, if not an attestment or an attestation of uniqueness? If I am recognized for my achievements, if I'm recognized for coming first in class, if I'm recognized for my qualifications, be that professional, be that educational, whatever, is that not a recognition that I am unique? I didn't expect to jump into deep waters right at the beginning, but apparently that's where we are. So I want you to play along with me. When you identify yourself with someone, or when you identify yourself to someone, right, they'll ask you, Who are you? And one of the first things that will come to our minds is, I am, and your name, right? Your name is a factor that you have used to separate yourself from everybody else. It makes you feel unique. And you thrive in that uniqueness. It makes you feel good when you are unique. You like to feel unique. You like to feel that there's only one of you. Yes, we have to have companionship, absolutely. I can't be alone, I have to be with somebody else. I need more unique people to be with me. That's what I need. Just think about what I'm trying to explain to you here. If you work in an office, the higher up they go in the hierarchy, this is typical, I mean, it's not everywhere, but typically. If you are a senior officer, you're a senior manager, for instance, you know, you get your own desk, you get a special chair, a swiveling chair. Like the higher up you go, you get you get more facilities. Perhaps you get uh your own office, and that office has to look different to the office next door. That your chair, if it has it's it's a high back, and if it's uh if it's more more cushiony, if it's if it if it's uh if it's of a finer leather, you know, all these things help you to identify yourself as a unique individual. Special treatment. You enjoy special treatment. It's alright. There's nothing to be embarrassed about, although it might seem embarrassing. This is just the nature of the human mind. You like to be treated specially. People like special treatment. This is part of our ego, part of our pride. You like to stand out of a crowd. Just have a think about, you know, some of the things that people invest in. The people, the things that material things that people like to gain for themselves. I'm only talking about the human condition. Alright? I need you to understand that. I'm not talking about any of you individually. I'm just talking about the human condition. This is what the mind is like. If your mind is like that, then it's just time for you to understand yourself, that's all. This is not an accusation, this is not an offense towards anybody, although it might feel like it, it's not intended. I'm just talking about the human mind. See, when I talk about sensuality, when I talk about lust, right, is there anyone here who've never experienced that in their lives? Well, are you from Mars or something? We've all gone through those, right? We've all been through those emotions. When we talk about anger, right, that is not something to be proud of. But we've all been through that. So when I talk about anger, you understand that I'm not offending anyone. I'm just talking about the human condition. When I talk about jealousy, I'm not intending to offend anyone, I'm just talking about the human condition. Here's what I want you to do. Listen to these words and try and identify yourselves. Moments where you might have experienced these emotions. Here's what I don't want you to do. I don't want you to think that Swami Mahansai is personifying these emotions, these conditions, and targeting me. That's not what I'm doing. Because frankly, I don't know any of you that well to know who's who and what's what. I don't know whether you're a good person or a bad person, I don't know. I don't know whether you're jealous or whether you get angry a lot, or whether you're you know, you're just a happy-go-lucky person, I don't know. I don't know enough about you to make any of those judgments. But what here's what I do know. I know about the human condition. Although we all feel that we are unique, what is true is inside each of those bodies is a mind. And the Buddha's teaching is about the mind. He teaches about defilements, he teaches about hindrances, he teaches us about cankers. All of these affect the mind, not you. What does it affect? The mind. Do you have a mind? Well, there you go. That's why they affect you. Not because you are you, not because you are male or female, but because you have a mind. And it is these are conditions that affect the mind. So I'm talking about the mind. Think about the way you like to brush your hair. When you prepare yourself for a party, right? And you're getting ready for a party and you know who else who else might be coming, right? You stand in front of the mirror and you and dress yourself up, you know, hash yourself up, right? Do all sorts. Don't you like to do your makeup or prepare yourself in a way that you can stand out when you when you get there, so that people will say nice things about you? So that when people see you, they'll recognize you. They'll say good things about you. They'll say, Oh, you look nice. At least you want them to feel that way. Maybe not say out loud, but at least when they see you, you want to look presentable. Because you are unique. At least you feel that way. The car you drive, the house in which you live, the street in which your home is, all of these things. The watch that you wear on your wrist. What brand is it? I just want to take a moment to think about these things. Now you don't have to come and hide your watch next time you come here. It's alright. I'm not talking about anyone individually. Please understand that. Otherwise, you think that Swami Nasi is offending us from the moment he got here. No, I'm not. I'm only talking about the what? The human condition. Just talking about the mind. Because I know how minds work. You may know how business empires work. Right? You may know how schools work. You may know how banks work. You may know how technology works, and I know how the mind works. That is what gives me liberty and authority to sit on this chair and talk to you. Because you all come here with a mind. But here's what you don't know. Yet what? How? How the mind works. You have one, but you don't know how it works. That is why you are riddled with suffering. That is why you go through these emotions which you are not proud of. That is why you go through moments that you later on regret. You wish you'd never experience them. That is why you go through grief and sorrow and fear, ever hopeful, one day maybe I can work a way out of this. That is because you still don't know how the mind works. But you know how the economy works, you know how the country works, you know how parliament works. You know that. But what you don't know is how the mind works. So this is a series of talks of how the mind works. Do I have your permission to continue? Yes? Thank you. So once again, this none of this is meant to offend. Okay? It might feel offensive, but it is not meant to offend. And I don't want to sugarcoat things. Because I don't think you're investing your week to come here to hear me sweet talk you. I think you get plenty of that Monday to Friday. From your coworkers and your subordinates and the members of your family. And those who wish to borrow some money from you. Ah, you know that, huh? Those who want favors from you, you get plenty of sweet talking from them. I don't think you need to sweet talk because I'm not here for any favors from you. So I shan't be sugarcoating you. I won't be sweet talking you. I'll just be telling you the bare facts and the bare truth as it is. Because the sooner you come to your senses, the sooner you realize the truth, the sooner you shall be free from all those things that torment you and bother you. Ignorance is the only culprit here. All suffering you know already is rooted in ignorance, right? You know this. You know this well before I started talking to you. Because you might have read it in a scripture, might have heard it in a sermon, right? Maybe in a pirit, chanting, avijah in Pali, ignorance in English, right? You know this. Wherever there is ignorance, there is gonna there's gonna be suffering. If you're ignorant about how to use a needle, thread a needle, if you're ignorant of how to use a needle, won't you suffer? Why do you not allow young children to play with sharp things? Because they're ignorant. But you only allow them to play, not play, but use them once they come to learn how to use a knife, right? How to use a pair of scissors, how to use a needle. Once they learn that, then it's okay. But until then, you've got to be very careful because what you're ignorant of will typically cause you a lot of harm. So if you are ignorant about the mind, now what happens? This is what's happening. That is why you suffer. So you look for uniqueness. The way we you wear your hair, you look for uniqueness. The way you talk, you look for uniqueness. You enjoy feeling unique because that is your sense of identity. It is the greatest desire of the mind to identify oneself as unique. That is why when you meet someone perhaps for the first time, you know, say it's uh it's a business meeting or something like that, you know, you you share ideas with amongst yourselves. Yes, of course, you look for common ground, a common area so that you can start off start off a conversation, continue a conversation, but first of all, you have to establish who they are and who you are. You heard the concept of the alpha male? Yeah, so in a group of males, there's a there's an instinct for the human mind to identify the alpha male. And if it's if that's you, all the better. These are human tendencies, these are tendencies of the mind. So, what is it that makes you and I unique? That's the wrong question. The right question to be asking is why are you looking for something that is unique? Why do you seek uniqueness? And the answer to that is ignorance. For as long as ignorance prevails in the mind, the mind will look to identify what it is that sets you and I apart.

SPEAKER_00 19:44

Thank you for joining us on the Art of Being Happy from Chaitavanarama Buddhist Monastery. May today's wisdom bring you peace and joy in your daily life. We'd love to hear how these talks have touched your life. Share your experiences with us on Plus91-6361803371. Until next time, may you find happiness in each present moment. Brought to you by Sanatanavani, the Voice Eternal.