Preface

 Preface

The History of the Baruas: In the ancient literature of Bengal we come across a priest class known as the Raul. This class is still present in the Chakma Buddhist class of Assam. On the other hand Barua is the title of the Brahmins of Assam. Again there are traces of Kayastha Baruas and Baidya Baruas also. We also find mention of the Barua tribes in the Rajmala of Tripura. There are different opinions about the origin of the Baruas. Some opine that the Baruas originated from the Arakan tribe but this view seems to be erroneous. According to Beni Madhab Barua the Kshatriya Buddhists of Magadha and Vaishali migrated from Briji to Chattagram and the word Barua originated from the word Briji. As a result of the intermarriage between Baruas and the Arakani Buddhists they mingled with each other. The Buddhist monks who in order to save their life and honour fled from Magadha could not bring any religious texts with them.That is why they did not know the basic tenets of their religion. They conducted the rituals with the help of their memories. During the same time the Buddhists began to worship gods and goddesses like Durga and Shitala. In this way they lost their identity. Gradually they left the complex philosophical doctrine associated with religion and started to practice spell and incarnation. As a result of the destruction of the Buddhist monsteries most of the Buddhist religious teacher either fled or were killed. As a result of this the leaderless Buddhists had to accept the dominance of the Brahmins. Again, after Islamic invasion  Buddha images were dislodged from various monasteries of East Bengal to make way for the practice of Islam. After the establishment of British rule in India some Buddhists converted themselves to Christianity in order to gain economic advantages The rest of the Buddhists somehow managed to survive. Again Kumaril Bhatta of Guwahati with the help of his associates reconverted some Buddhists to Hinduism. Most probably they are the  forefathers of the Baruas of Assam. 

Religion and Society:

Even before the establishment of the Pala  dynasty two eminent Chinese travellers Fa Hien and Hiuen Tsang came to Bengal and witnessed the condition of Buddhism there. 

Among the dynasties that patronized Buddhism we may mention the names of the Khargas (7th Century A.D.  to 8th Century A.D.), the Palas (8th century A.D. to 12th century A.D), the Chandras(10th century A.D..to 12th Century A.D), the Devarajas and the tiny rulers of Pattikera (10th to 11th Century A.D ). 

Brahmanism originated in Bengal during the 11th and 12th centuries and during the last half of the 12 th century.  Muslim rule was established in Bengal after the invasion of the Turkish General Baktiar Khalji. As of result of this Buddhism was destroyed in Bengal though it somehow managed to survive at Chittagong which is situated in a remote corner of Bengal. 

Subsequently some young monks of Chittagong went to Buddhist countries like Sri Lanka and Burma and after learning about this religion they spread that ancient religion through campaigning and writings. With the help of the path demonstrated by them Buddhism in Bengal has attained its rejuvenated form. In this regard the name of Venerable Saramaya Mahathera may be particularly mentioned. 

People from different other communities increased the number of Baruas by adopting Buddhism. The Barua society is not divided by caste and creed. But there are difference between the members of the Barua community. Nowadays the Baruas of Chittagong are educated and financially well off. Though they are not frequently seen in the arena of politics they are engaged in professions like dctor, officer and professors. They have also successfully worked in the police force and armed forces. But they are yet to completely restore the lost glory of their forefathers who migrated from Briji.

What are the Three Refuges in Buddhism?

Ans: The three refuges in Buddhism are Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. 

What are the attributes of the Buddha?

Buddha is an exalted one because after having vanquished all craving, aversion and delusion he has completely liberated. He has conquered all his enemies after annihilating them in the fom of mental impurities himself.  He has attained ultimate enlightenment. His wisdom and conduct are perfect. He has attained ultimate truth (sugato) because his body speech and mind are pure. He has known the world through personal experience (loka  vidhu). He is the best charioteer of tameable man (anuttaro purisa damma sarathi). He is the teacher of gods and man. We ourselves will become Buddha if we can attain these qualites.

What are the attributes of the Dhamma taught by the Buddha?

Dhamma has the following attributes.

It is well explained (svakkhato)

It can be experienced in this life (sanditthiko), It gives immediate results ( akaliko), It invites people to come and see  (ehi- passiko), Every successive step takes one towards the final goal of full liberation ( opanayiko), It is to be experienced by each person average intelligence, for oneself ( paccattam veditabbo vinnuhiti).

What are the attributes of the Sangha?

Like Buddha and Dhamma, Sangha is characterized by universal qualities such as being worthy of invitation (ahuneyyo), worthy of hospitality ( pahuneyyo), worthy of offerings ( dakkhineyo), worthy to be saluted with folded hands ( anjali- karaniyo), field of merit per excellence ( anuttarm punna-- khettam), tranquil ( danto, santo), free from passion, spotless ( virajo, vimalo), composed, not diffused ( nippapanco). 

What is Pancashila.

Ans: Pancashila is the basic principles to purify one's mind through the five precepts for training. This comprises of 1. Refraining from killing anything that breathes

2. Refraining from taking anything that is not given,

3. Refraining from sexual misconduct

4 Refraining from speaking false

5 Refraining from intoxication. 

What is noble eight fold path?

Ans: The noble eight fold path is the collection of eight noble practices that lead to the cessation of suffering. They are 1. Right View 2. Right Thought 3. Right Speech 4. Right Action 5. Right Livelihood 6. Right Effort 7. Right Mindfulness 8.  Right Concentration

What are the four noble truths?

The four noble truths are the truth of suffering, the truth of causes of suffering the truth of cessation of suffering and the truth of ways to cessation of suffering. 

What is the ultimate aim in Buddhism?

Ans: Nirvana is the ultimate aim in Buddhism.  

What is Nirvana?

Ans: Nirvana is the ultimate extinction of desire, hatred, ignorance and ultimately of suffering and death.

In the end we would like to thank the main authors, editor and publisher for their effort to bring out this present volume for the information of the reader. This book will serve the purpose of both the scholars and the general public alike.

Sumanapal Bhikkhu