Discussion on “The Light of Asia, The Poem that Defined the Buddha”

By Amita Singh
Book “The Light of Asia: The Poem that Defined the Buddha” is a compelling and comprehensive account of the epic poem of the same name authored by Sir Edwin Arnold that was first published in 1879. The book goes into intricate detail to unearth the nuances present in one of the richest narrative poems ever written.
A book discussion on, ‘The Light of Asia: The Poem that Defined The Buddha’, a narrative of the life and message of the Buddha was organized on the 7th of October by the Center for Human Dignity and Development at the Impact and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI), New Delhi.
The distinguished panelists included the Author and Speaker Jairam Ramesh, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha (Karnataka); Author and Former Union Minister, Prof Tansen Sen, Professor of History, Director, Center for Global Asia, NYU Shanghai; Global Network Professor, NYU, Prof Wasantha Seneviratne, Professor and Head, Department of Public and International Law, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka and the moderator Prof Amita Singh, President, NAPSIPAG Disaster Research Group; Professor (Retd.), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi; and Prof Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd; Former Director, Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad.

Re-illumines Edwin Arnold’s epic poem

The moderator of the session Prof Amita Singh initiated the discussion by stating that ‘The Light of Asia: The Poem that Defined The Buddha’, covers a wide range of issues including the colonial and caste segregated society which is the inception for the light of Asia and the evolution of academic institutions, the monopoly of the cast over the right of others.
Buddha Lies in Every Indian Heart
Talking about the inspiration for the book Jairam Ramesh stated that it was a fascination with the life of the Buddha-like every Indian irrespective of their religious affiliation and the cause behind the poem going viral during 1879. Alongside the personality of the poet, Sir Edwin Arnold who despite being a traditional British was inspired by the works of Indian Philosophers also inspired Ramesh to comprehend the poem better.
Believing in the universality of religions, Sir Edwin Arnold translated other texts into English and enhanced the reach of philosophies despite being an agnostic. Jairam Ramesh further goes on to state that the poem by Arnold talks not about the divinity of Buddha but his humanity which gave the poem an extraordinary appeal, not just to the English but Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, and other leaders alike. And given that India is a divinity surplus humanity deficit country, the impact of the poem becomes all the more important.
“The Life of the Buddha, was an inspiration to many including the anti-caste movements led by B R Ambedkar, Swami Vivekananda”, he said.
Prof Amita stated that the last part of the book takes us to the important point of Hinduism–Buddhism interface and its effect on each other. Though Hinduism eventually managed to assimilate Buddhism into its fold by tactfully recognizing Buddha as an avatar of Vishnu, Hinduism, too, was not the same again as many of the doctrines of Buddhism like ahimsa, vegetarianism, emphasis on inner realization, ethical living, and equality of all human beings became an integral part of Indian society which are cherished even today.

A worthy contribution to modern Buddhist studies

Prof Tansen Sen, Professor of History, Director, Center for Global Asia, NYU Shanghai, addressed the audience by emphasizing about three things, being, the social impact of translations, the impact of networks and connections that Arnold had, the impact of the period during which the poem was written and its translations.
Delving deeper into the discussion, Prof Sen enquired about why the translations had a greater social impact than the English original in India. To this, Jairam Ramesh replies by stating that the Indian languages did not have biographies of Buddha before this, the English version would have been popular only amongst the Bengali and Tamil Brahmins but with translations, the reach widens and these translations eventually became tools in the hands of social reformers which enhanced the social impact of translations as compared to the English version. Alongside there was a political agenda behind these translations, to challenge the Brahmanical orthodoxy.
He further highlighted that an aspect which has been well highlighted by the author is about the issue of the control of the Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya which was with the Hindu mahants. It was the dogged persistence of Arnold, who was one of the first to raise the issue with his fellow Englishmen in power, that eventually culminated in the mahants’ partial sharing of responsibilities with Buddhists in 1954.

Links life of Buddha with the contemporary world

Prof Wasantha Seneviratne, Professor, and Head of, Department of Public and International Law, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, remarked that the book is enlightening and intricately links the life of the Lord Buddha with the contemporary world. Responding to this Jairam Ramesh stated that Sri Lanka plays a major role in the revival of Buddhism and the philosophies of Buddha as it withheld sources used by scholars alike to understand Buddhism.
Prof Kancha stated a perspective that Arnold’s poem and Ashvaghosha “Buddhacharita” are very similar to each other. He underlines that in Arnold’s poem Buddha is not a tribal but a fully Kshatriya prince like Rama. He questions the reaction of Arnold’s poem in English or translations to Hindu icon communities. Responding Shri Jairam said that the poem had a huge impact on swami Vivekananda and he describes the poem as a tribute of advaitik Hinduism.
Dr Kokila agreed with Jairam Naresh’s effort of highlighting the humanity part of Buddhism and states that Buddhism is daily basis practice of life. In her opinion Lord Buddha was a rebellion who went against all the conventional traditional and beliefs. She further commented that anyone can be Buddhist despite their belief in God.

Conclusion

Prof Singh summed up the entire book by stating, “teaching how fair this earth would be if all living beings were linked bloodless and pure, the golden grain bright fruits seeing that knowledge grows life is one and mercy committed to the merciful”.
Jairam Ramesh concludes by urging Indians to give up their obsession with divinity and discover the roots of humanity which are to be sought in the life of the buddha. He also reiterated that he is unsure if Buddhism is the answer to today’s world but to him, Buddha is the answer.
“Let’s give up our obsession of divinity and discover the roots of Humanity, the roots of Humanity are sought in the life of the Buddha”, says Jairam Naresh.
—
Acknowledgment: Srimedha Bandi, Research intern at IMPRI

Comments

Abrogation of Art 370: Increasing alienation, relentless repression, simmering conflict

One year after the abrogation by the Central Government of Art. 370 in Kashmir, what is the situation in the Valley. Have the promises of peace, normalcy and development been realised? What is the current status in the Valley? Here is a detailed note by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties , “Jammu & Kashmir: One Year after Abrogation of Art. 370: Increasing Alienation, Relentless Repression, Simmering Conflict”:

Repeated failure to appoint Chief, other commissioners undermining RTI Act

By Anjali Bhardwaj, Amrita Johri* The post of the Chief Information Commissioner of the Central Information Commission (CIC) has fallen vacant with the retirement of Bimal Julka with effect from August 27, 2020. This is the fifth time in the last six years that the Commission has been rendered headless. Four posts of information commissioners are also vacant in the CIC. Currently more than 35,000 appeals and complaints are pending in the commission resulting in citizens having to wait for months, even years for their cases to be disposed, thereby frustrating peoples’ right to know. Since May 2014, not a single commissioner of the CIC has been appointed without citizens having to approach courts. The failure of the government to make timely appointments of commissioners is a flagrant violation of the directions of the Supreme Court. In its February 2019 judgment, the apex court had categorically stated that if the CIC does not have a Chief Information Commissioner or required strength

Panchayat funds defrauded: Roads without potholes a fundamental right but not here

Kirity Roy, Secretary Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), and National Convenor (PACTI) Programme Against Custodial Torture & Impunity, writes to the chairman, National Human Rights Commission: *** Through this complaint, I want to draw your attention to the plight of the villagers of Nawdapara in the District of North 24 Parganas. The village is situated under the Bagdah Police Station, Bagdah Block and Mama Bhagina Post Office respectively. Nawdapara is a Muslim minority populated village. Indo Bangladesh Border Road (IBBR) passes through the middle of the village. There is a naka checking post of the BSF inside the village and BSF associated with Mama Bhagina Border Out Post, 68 Battalion, ‘B’ Company guard 24 hours in that check post. People have lived in this village since the independence of India. The market is about three to four kilometres away from Nawdapara village. One primary school is situated within the village but the high school is about five to six kilo

Ultimate champion in crisis, arguably best ever skipper: Created history in Aussie cricket

By Harsh Thakor In the history of cricket few cricketers knit and propelled a cricket team or had such profound influence on the game as Ian Chappell. Ian Chappell was responsible for converting a bunch of talented individuals into a world beating side, giving a dramatic turn to Australian cricket. Few cricketers ever led such a renaissance.

BSF's unconstitutional, whimsical order violates life, livelihood of Dalits, minorities

Kirity Roy, Secretary, Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), writes to the Chairman, National Human Rights Commission: *** I want to attract your attention towards the illegitimate restrictions on the life and livelihood of the villagers of Paschim Sahebganj village under Dinhata - II Block and Sahebganj police station in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal by the Border Security Force personnel attached with Dharala Border Out Post under 138 Battalion BSF. The population of Paschim Sahebganj village is around 1480, where almost 75 percent of the villagers belong from Hindu Scheduled Caste (Dalit) and 25 percent from minority Muslim backgrounds.The main occupation of the villagers is agriculture. About 260 acres of cultivable land in the village that belongs to the villagers is located outside the border fencing, which is heavily guarded by the Border Security Force (BSF). The BSF regulates the ingress and egress of the villagers to their fields through the fencing gates that a

Largest democracy in world has become weakest at hands of fascist Hindutva forces

Note on “The Nazification of India”, a report released By Justice For All: *** This report, the Nazification of India, compares how Hindutva ideology not only is inspired by Nazis and Fascists of Europe, but their treatment of the Muslim minority closely follows developments that resulted in pushing Jews to the gas chambers. Situation is indeed quite alarming. The report says that the largest democracy in the world has become the weakest at the hands of the fascist Hindutva ideology. India today is ruled not just by a political party the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but its mother organization the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Because the BJP’s government policies are linked to extra-legal enforcement by RSS paramilitary street power, this report has coined the term “The BJP-RSS regime” to reflect their intrinsic links and collaborative relationship. The Nazification of India report marks the anniversary of the Gujarat pogroms of 2002 against Muslims which propelled the BJP-RSS

Varanasi social worker who has devoted her life for the ultra-poor and the marginalized

Passion Vista and its partners profile Founder and Managing Trustee Shruti Nagvanshi as someone whom women leaders look up to: *** Shruti Nagvanshi, a social worker and human rights activist based in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, has devoted her life to reaching out to the ultra-poor and marginalized communities in India. Born in Dashashwmedh, Varanasi on 2 January 1974, she married Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi on 22 February 1992 and has a son, Kabeer Karunik, a Business management Graduate who is also a national level snooker player.

An approach to lake/pond restoration by Ramveer Tanvar, Pond Man of India

By Monami Bhattacharya*, Mansee Bal Bhargava** Lakes/ ponds are often referred to as an elixir of life, a living ecosystem that adds incremental value to the larger biota. Across the tropical landscape of the country lakes/ ponds are a common sight. Lakes/ponds have always shaped the life and livelihood of those dwelling in and around it. The dependence of the local population on these natural resources of water is noticeable since time immemorial. However, they are fading fast in both rural and urbanscapes from the popular parlance with the advance of humanity. It has been a popular notion to value land more than the waterscape and hence these nurturers of life are under stress in several areas. In many instances, these once beautiful waterscapes referred as the ‘Eye of the Earth’ are mostly now only dilapidated garbage dump yards emitting foul smell with no sign of a healthy ecosystem.

Urban crisis: Impact of erosion of democratic framework on Indian cities

By IMPRI Team On 13th February, 2023, IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute, New Delhi in collaboration with ActionAid Association India arranged a book launch followed by lecture series under the title “India’s G20 Presidency & the Urban Agenda for the Developing Countries”. The event was held in Indian International Centre (IIC) Annex, New Delhi. The event began with the book inauguration session, under the honorary presence of Mr Sitaram Yechury, former Rajya Sabha member and General Secretary, CPI (M), accompanied by Mr Sandeep Chachra, executive director, ActionAid Association India. Session 1 | Book Launch: ‘Cities in Transition’ by Mr Tikender Singh Panwar The book launched was “Cities in Transition”, written by Mr Tikender Singh Panwar, former Deputy Mayor, Shimla and a Senior Fellow at IMPRI. Beginning with brief remarks on his book, Mr Panwar outlined the basic subject matter and the purpose behind writing the book, which he considers as a by-product of his experien

Why rapid transition to green energy should be people-centric and community-led

Synthesis Report of IPCC AR6 is a warning call: Grounded action needed to ensure social and ecological justice: ActionAid Association note: *** The Synthesis Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Sixth Assessment Report is a warning call for action on the quickly closing opportunity of keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees centigrade. Unless fossil fuels are rapidly retired, the impacts of climate change already faced by vulnerable communities will become difficult to handle. The IPCC report also highlights that we have the renewable energy technology, policy tools, and financial capital required for a just transition; however, “both adaptation and mitigation financing would need to increase many-fold”. The loss and damage caused by heat waves, crop failures, and rising sea levels suffered by majorities of India’s working peoples are already significant and uncompensated. News reports tell us that due to heat, India already loses around 101 billion hours yearly. E

Search This Blog