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What does a nation ask from you? What do you pay back? What is the greater good? For you, and for the nation? We identify as communities every day, we identify by religions, Why do only national holidays, are a reminder to act as a citizen? Unity in diversity we say, Yet, divided are we, in the name of gender, caste, class, religion. Why do we then pledge? 'We the People' Government is merely a body, for the people, for the nation. Since, when did we accept? Government itself as a nation? The puppetry of politics, has blinded the citizens, We are only the vote banks, In the name of development. Have we been drifted away? From the greater good of our Nation? Or have become so selfish in terms of identity? We have forgotten our purpose, The purpose given by the Constitution. No matter who is in the power Divide and rule will always be the bullet, To threaten the democracy, Cultural diversity is protected by the Constitution, With Equality, Liberty, Fraternity and Justice. People have the power, to elect, to decide the leaders, People have the power, To demand the greater good for them, for the nation. Citizen is equal to the nation, We together are the nation. Unified development, Eradicating discrimination, Eradicating hunger, poverty, unemployment, Is the greater good for the nation. Republic Day is not just a national celebration, It is the celebration of citizen's power, Don't celebrate it for the sake of patriotism or nationalism, Celebrate unitedly, celebrate yourself, with the power of Constitution. Happy Republic Day!

"Educate, Agitate and Organize" - Dr. B R Ambedkar We live, we survive, we die, What is the meaning, What is the purpose of life? A journey of struggles for some, Or a challenge to strive, We all have our own stories, But what mark are we leaving behind? What have we learnt from history, Or the mythology or the stories? Is being morally right enough? To have successful, complete life? Living for self, or for friends and family, Is that only the purpose of life? Apart from that, Do we really have any responsibilities? Is religion merely a tool for betterment of individual? Or it visions a better society? We tend to protect the religion, And we forget the humanity. We are bound to the society, No matter how independent or different we are, We are interlinked irrespective of the differences, and thus, we have the responsibility, to pay back to the society. "The battle to me is a matter full of joy in the fullest sense spiritual. There is nothing material or sordid in it. For ours is a battle, not for wealth or for power. It is a battle for freedom." Ambedkar said before giving the slogan, Educate, Agitate and Organize. Educate (e) Agitate (a) and Organize (o) Are not just random words, Or some revolutionary war cry, If you get deeper understanding into the slogan, You will find they are the vowels FOR life. Birth provides no reason for an existence, We ourselves have to find the purpose, Not just as an individual, Or with friends and family, We must be socially responsible. Educate, Agitate and Organize. The Three Vowels 'Educate, Agitate and Organize' the slogan has long history in socialism and politics. We were introduced to it by Dr. Ambedkar with the formation of Bahishkrit Hitkarni Sabha in 1924, an organization which focused on the grievances of Depressed Classes, it also has a motive to develop socio-political awareness and economic growth. Dr. Ambedkar later on the anniversary of Bahishkrit Hitkarni Sabha presented the slogan with a speech in All India Depressed Classes Conference at Nagpur in the year 1942. Despite being used earlier as a socio-political call, its history is deep rooted in "Buddhism". 'Educated, Agitate and Organize' is nothing else but 'Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha'. Where Buddha is not the person, it's the knowledge, the principles. Dhamma not being the religion but the practice of teachings like panchasila, four noble truth, eightfold path, etc, and Sangha not being just the order of monks or nuns, but our unity as a community. We being born, at times loose our purpose, or it is never defined. We live by societal norms as an individual or into relationships, but this slogan gives us the purpose to connect us with the society, to stand and to rise, to make the life worthy for the greater good. Just like vowels which are necessary for the speech, without them there cannot be words, songs, speeches, etc. Educate (E), Agitate (A), Organize (O) are the vowels FOR life, it depends on us what words, songs we write utilizing these vowels. The Three Vowels thus is a registered enterprise with a dream to continue the legacy of our ideals focusing on economic growth alongside rationality. The products are manufactured, distributed under the name 'The Three Vowels Enterprises'. With Metta 🩵

Why Ambedkar? Why he chose to be the reformer? Why Ambedkar? Why must we choose Ambedkar? What if he wasn't born untouchable? What if he hasn't had a strict and responsible father? What if being born untouchable, he chose to surrender to discrimination? Would there be Ambedkar? What if he was welcomed in the classroom? What if he was offered the glass of water? What if he owned a bullock cart, an₫ had returned home with brother without any trouble? Would there be Ambedkar? What if despite the efforts and struggles, he failed the matriculation? What if he never met Guruji Keluskar? What if he was never introduced to Buddha? Would there be Ambedkar? What if he wasn't married to Ramai? What if he chose family over education? What if he could save his own children? What if he lived a happy married life? Would there be Ambedkar? What if he wasn't given a scholarship? What if there was no agreement whatsoever? What if he never went to University of Columbia? What if he never began the quest on caste and its origins? Would there be Ambedkar? What if he hadn't to lie about his identity? What if he wasn't thrown out of home by the Parsis? What if he didn't cry and accepted everything as his fate? What if he never started his journalism, by publishing 'Mooknayak'? Would there be Ambedkar? What if he wasn't allowed to go to the London School of Economics? What if he never wrote 'The Problem of the Rupee'? What if he never become a lawyer? What if he never returned to the home Nation? Would there be Ambedkar? What if the water wasn't the sweetest of Mahad lake? What if there was never a need to burn the Manusmriti? What if Ambedkar and his followers entered the Kalaram Temple? What if he never said, 'though I was born Hindu, I will not die in the Hindu religion"? Would there be Ambedkar? What if he never represented 'Scheduled Castes' in the Round Table Conferences? What if he couldn't save Mr. Gandhi? What if that conference by 'Jat Pat Todak Mandal' was never cancelled? What if he hesitated to publish 'The Annihilation of Caste'? Would there be Ambedkar? What if he never opposed the term 'harijan'? What if he never formed 'People's Education Society'? What if he never wrote several books and speeches? What if he wasn't failed by the students whom he had sent to foreign for education? Would there be Ambedkar? What if he wasn't appointed as the chairman of the drafting commission? What if he was never became the law minister? What if he had no control in drafting of the Constitution? What if he never drafted the Constitution? Would there be Ambedkar? What if he failed himself, and never explored other religions? What if he never embraced Buddhism? What if he never introduced Buddha to us, through Buddha and his Dhamma? What if he never showed us the path to salvation? Would there be Ambedkar? What if he didn't die? What if he was successful on 20th December with his more plans on mass conversion? What if he survived and lived his life to the fullest? What if he achieved his dream of 'Prabuddha Bharat'? What if he wasn't born untouchable? What if being born untouchable, he chose to surrender to the discrimination? Ask yourself, What would you have been today, if there had been no Ambedkar? Ask yourself, What you are today without Ambedkar? Jai Bhim 💙 P.S. I know, I know, I never stop asking questions. but this time I feel I need an answer. I would like to know after reading the poem how do you feel? What could you have done if you were in Dr. Ambedkar's situation? Would you be comfortable? Would it be easy? Also, I want to know how his life has impacted you or any important aspect of your life. Feel free to share in comments.

"I want all people to be Indians first, Indian last and nothing else but Indians." - Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Look into the mirror, Ask thyself... Does Constitutional values and duties, reflect into your own selves? Is being Nationalist enough? Or does one need to be patriotic? To embed the values in self, To see ourselves reflected. What's the point of the love? Or the patriotism towards the nation? When we don't even understand... What it means to be a citizen. Why do we celebrate our national identity, Only on national occasions/celebrations?? When we pride ourselves, Of belonging to a caste or a religion... When we pride ourselves, Of belonging to a certain gender, or a region. We call out others, For not being true to the nation... But are we ourselves true/honest towards the nation?? Constitution state... If you are born in India, You are an Indian citizen... If your parents are born in India, You are an Indian citizen... But is it enough to be the citizen?? Why are we just limited to the Preamble of the Constitution? Is it enough, to show that we understand the Constitution? When will we take a step to understand, Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties of the citizens? We forget, what it means to be free... what is the meaning of freedom... We freely violate the law, We freely violate the values of the Constitution. We fail to understand, There are limitations to the freedom. Fundamental Rights are not just for oneself... but personal to each and every citizen... When we avail freedom, We have no right to violate/obstruct someone else's right and freedom. We have respected our flag, our national anthem... But have we ever respected our Constitution? Ask yourself are religious scriptures or caste identity greater than the constitution? We respect the ideals who fought for the nation's independence. But have we ourselves contributed for the sovereignty, unity, integrity of the nation? We pollute our own roads, our own nature... We damage public property in the name of communal riots, we enjoy violence. Why do we call ourselves, nationalist or patriotic? When we don't even understand Fundamental Duties being a citizen. We lack in harmony, We lack in the brotherhood... We are still divided amongst ourselves... And we pledge. 'We the people...' We don't need to be nationalist... To prove the love for the nation, We don't need to be patriotic... To prove ourselves as the citizen... We need to understand fundamental rights... Not just for self but for others... We need to follow fundamental duties stated in the constitution. Unless we read and abide by the constitution... We won't be the citizen. We need to be the reflection of our constitution. Happy Constitution Day 💙

'Manavta ki aur Agrasar'- Ek Natak Years have passed yet another new year has begun. We all call ourselves human, yet do we act like humans? What makes us different? What makes us special? Can you vow to practice this year and lifetime what these kids present through their performance? Presenting a small play, on how to be a Sentient Being. Bhante Suniti took a session on 'Buddhism and Science' for children on the second day of a 3-Day Dhamma Camp, and as a part of an activity, the idea of playing this as an act was born. The act was created in a short span of two hours after the session and was presented at Siddharth Buddha Vihar on 24th December 2022. It was organized by people from Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Colony and New Mahatma Phule Colony, Bhojapur Bhandara. Special Thanks to the kids for preparing and showing interest to act in the play, and also to Ranjit bhaiya for organizing such an event.

Presenting a small play on why when and how Manusmriti was burned. The act was created in a short span of two hours and presented on the last day of a 3-Day Dhamma Camp at Siddharth Buddha Vihar on 25th December 2022. It was organized by people from Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Colony and New Mahatma Phule Colony, Bhojapur Bhandara. Special Thanks to the kids for preparing and showing interest to act in the play, and also to Ranjit bhaiya for organizing such an event. This is the 2nd play of the event, a video of another play will be coming soon. Stay Tuned. P.S. There have been two small mistakes in the final act of the play. First Ambedkar didn't hold 'The Constitution of India' during the Manusmriti Dahan event, and secondly, as there was no preparation for costumes, the same attire as Manu (Sumati Bhargav) was showcased for the role of Gangadhar Sahasrabuddhe, though he was a Brahmin he didn't wear the attire of a saint, he was a social activist and a close friend of Dr. Ambedkar.

I have a question, What is untouchability? Is it only about the outcastes? or can anyone get affected? I wonder, Why was it practiced? Why is it still in practice? Don't we have any, Cure of untouchability? When nature made no difference in humans, Who are we to be discriminatory? Colors, appearances, or behavior, is it necessary, to stamp an identity? Who is ill? Who needs the cure? Did untouchables decide themselves to be low? Or was it the oppressor's strategy?? Practiced since the birth of religion, Is god to be blamed? For the hierarchy of castes, for the practice of discrimination? Throughout history, Education was in denial, Excluded from society, even from public spaces, Basic human values, human rights were in denial. Do you remember the agitation of Ambedkar? his vision for an equal, free, independent India, to uplift the depressed, to give them the power of representation, Mahad Movement Dated 20th March 1927. A prominent part of his revolution, A struggle representing basic human rights, Ambedkar and thousands of untouchables, drank water, the purest form of nature. Do you know, what happened later? Water was purified shamelessly with 108 pots of cow-urine and cow-dung, Just because untouchables drank water. Can a human not be treated equally as a human? Why a human is treated lower than an animal? is there a need for law?? to justify basic rights of a human? Think for yourself, Who is ill? Who needs the cure? and decide what must be the cure? cow urine, cow dung, or water? and what is the purest form of nature? The Cure of Untouchability I have been eagerly waiting to write about the Mahad movement through my poems, it is one of the major agitations led by Dr. Ambedkar. It makes me sad to know about the aftermath of the movement. What must Dr. Ambedkar would have felt when he got to know that after they all drank water from the Chavdar lake, upper-caste men purified the lake with 108 pots of cow urine, cow dung. Isn't this heartbreaking? Not just that, before the purification when upper-caste men realized that untouchables have drank the water, they spread the rumor that untouchables are planning to enter the temple, because of this rumor untouchables had to face violence while returning to the conference camp. In 1924 Mahad municipality opened the lake for untouchables, when untouchables tried to drink water they were not allowed to drink it. Hence, in 1927 a conference was organized and the mass movement was led. It is not just about Chavdar Lake, it is about every basic need, public space, basic human rights, which untouchables were denied of. Along with upper-caste men, people from other religions, even animals were allowed to drink water, but not the untouchables. After the whole incident upper-caste men filed a case in court against the untouchables claiming Chavdar lake as private property, that case took nearly a decade and ended in favor of the untouchables and the lake was open for all. In our country cow is treated as a goddess, and cow-urine, cow dung is used for purification. If really cow-urine is so pure if really it has scientific benefits, why does the untouchability exist? If the upper-caste men drink cow-urine, why hasn't it purified their minds? Why their mind is impure, discriminatory, egoistic? The famous meme which goes "aap thak gaye honge, jal lijiye" is really accurate, upper-caste men should drink water instead of cow-urine and remember water is pure, water represents equality, and should remember what Ambedkar said, that this movement is not about the water but is about the basic human rights. I might seem angry and agitated, but isn't this the truth? Shouldn't one give importance to basic human rights and equality?? One must read Dr. Ambedkar's writings and volumes and enlighten themselves. "The aim of abolishing untouchability alone without trying to abolish the inequalities inherent in the caste system is a very low crime. Let us remember not failure but low aim is a crime. Let us probe the evil to its very roots and be not satisfied with mere palliative to assuage our pain. If the disease is not rightly diagnosed the remedy will be useless and the cure may be postponed." Volume 17 Part 1 (BAWS) Equality is the only cure of untouchability. Dr. Ambedkar has strived hard in his life for equal representation, for an equal India, from Annihilation of Caste to The Constitution of India, he succeeded in spreading equality through the law. He even protected the rights of the downtrodden by providing fundamental rights. Another important issue I want to address is who were the untouchables? and who are they now? Aren't what we call today dalits were the untouchables? Dalits still face untouchability now and then. Why do they face it? Being a Dalit is a low aim, is a crime. Shouldn't one must get out of the identity of dalit? How long does one need to hold the caste? From tomorrow i.e. 1st April people will be celebrating Dalit History Month, what for? what is the reason? Who are dalits? Do people celebrate April as dalit history month because Ambedkar was born on the 14th of April? Think yourself was Ambedkar a dalit? He died a Buddhist, not a Dalit. There is no such word as 'Dalit' in the Constitution of India, dalit is not even a caste, then what is this pride about? If dalit is merely a political identity, one must need to channelize their thoughts, ideas, principles, and re-understand the teachings of Buddha, Krantisurya Jyotiba and Sau, Bharat Ratna Dr. Ambedkar and Manyavar Kanshiram. Also to note 31st March 1990, Dr. Ambedkar was revered with the Bharat Ratna Award, the highest award for his contributions to society, for his service to the nation. Jai Bhim. Thank You for reading. Rethink, revise your ideas, your belief, your principles.

Let us ask ourselves, do we have the right, right to exploit anyone? or do we have the freedom of exploitation? Is it in the constitution? or in any of religious texts?? or is it because of the patriarchal mindset, which defined who is weak and the strongest? Physical or mental abuse, is very prevalent in the society, but, what has been the cause for it?? what is the ultimate solution?? Women have been criminalized, throughout history, have been portrayed as demons, witches, sluts, and what not, if stood against the patriarchy, or have not fulfilled the patriarchal desires. They have been exploited, they have been abused, they have been controlled, objectified, they have been killed, and have been burned, We all have heard the one side of stories, mythologies, from the perspective of men, but what about the portrayal of women, the other truth, from the perspective of women? It is not just the mythology, It is the real world, the victim of abuse, rape, murder, is blamed for whole life in real. Ask yourself, do we listen to these struggling women? I am not surprised, how sick, we humans have become, when we celebrate, burning of a woman. Holika is not the past, Holika is the present. Do we have no moral responsibility? Do we not have logic or sense? We blindly believe in religion and its practices, without a single question. Is it really the fear of god? Or is it the blatant ego?? unfortunately, we have lost morality, and skills to reason, in the fusions of celebrations, No one has the right to exploit anyone, there is no freedom of exploitation, We have the freedom of speech and expression, We have the right to live with dignity and to protect ourselves. We must achieve moral responsibility, We must respect each other, We must respect the consent, and stand against exploitation. The Freedom of Exploitation You must be wondering, why I chose Holi festival to bring this topic when exploitation happens every day, abuse, rapes, murders happen every day. It is true, it happens every day, but have you observed, we people believe in the freedom of exploitation on this day without any fear, just one phrase 'bura na mano holi hai' and women are physically abused or raped and murdered to hide the truth, children are abused, bullied, raped. This is the only festival when crime rises in India, the next day newspapers are filled with news of exploitations and even with revenge crimes, and disputes. Does this festival teach us to behave in such a manner? People drink and celebrate forgetting their moral responsibilities. I did try to find factual data to prove what we humans have made ourselves during this festival but found nothing except the blogs, news about the crimes happening during Holi. But, is proof needed? Haven't we observed and experienced many things during this period. Don't we need to take a stand against the exploitation? Should we be dependent on police or authorities to protect ourselves? There is no auspicious time when a crime happens, it can happen anytime, it is happening now and then, don't we have any moral responsibilities to take a stand against the exploitation. We fear the legal drama, we fear family reputations, we fear taking a stand, but is anything else important in the matters of life and death? We question the victim, not the accused, we compare, yet we don't fight for justice. Many, must still be wondering exploitation happens with men too, why no one takes a stand for them. Yes, it happens with men too, but men are privileged, they are not victim-blamed, they are not judged. Women are not exploited only on Holi or specific day, they are exploited every day, domestic violence, eve-teasing, and whatnot, many complaints are not even filed because it happens in home spaces, workspaces due to fear of reputation. We all understand the issues, we protest, we do candle march, in some cases, the accused gets punished, some actions are taken, these cases come like a trend and goes like a trend, but we have not come up with an ultimate solution. On the other hand, I chose this day for this topic because I find no difference between Holika and the female victims of exploitation today. What is the truth of Holika? Why haven't we questioned? We have been fed with stories, mythologies from one perspective, what is the other truth? I do know about the story of Holika being a Bahujan woman, I do believe in that, though there is research still going on, and we need to find the truth, we need to know the other story. I will share the story when I get proper references. There are many who do not celebrate Holi because they believe that Holika was a Bahujan woman, I have a question for you all, does a victim needs to be of a specific caste or community to reject the idea of celebration? Isn't she being a woman or a human enough to stand against this practice? Also, ask yourself do women own a caste? Coming to the solution, what can be done to prevent crimes from happening. Yes, there is a solution. If we observe, Holi is the only festival we all break morality, we lie, we steal, we drink, we harm others, we misbehave. Buddha had a solution for this, he/she knew we can't control other people around us, yet, we can control ourselves, we can control what we do. He/She gave the Panchasila, what we call today as 'Five Moral Precepts' I shall not quarrel or fight, I shall not touch other's things without their permission, I shall not do any sexual misconduct with others, I shall not speak a lie, I shall not drink liquor, smoke, I shall not eat beetle-nuts, gutka, etc. It seems so simple and easy, right? When it comes to practice, it is the most difficult part, it teaches you to be morally responsible, it teaches you to respect self and others, it teaches you consent. It teaches you how to live a life free from sufferings, as all these ill-actions lead to suffering, and hence I shall not do that. Shouldn't it be practiced every day? We must teach and embrace it, we must enlighten the children and upcoming generation with the idea of Five Moral Precepts. We must remember we can't control others, we can control ourselves. Thank you for reading, do not just be a citizen, be a morally responsible citizen.

Dear Men, I have a question for all, and a question for self... Can patriarchy really end?? We wish women, (on Women's Day) we celebrate them, but do we know?? what does it mean, to be a woman?? Haven't we stereotyped women, in a certain way... Defining them through religions and society, and with our own patriarchal desires?? Don't we all have an ego?? Or belief of superiority in self, and the privilege of being a man, Isn't this the reason behind the inequality and the difference??? Do we have rights, over the life of a woman??? She has her own life, her choices, but do we want her to be independent?? The sympathy, the empathy, towards their life, or their struggles, might be in existence, But women are equal to us, do we have that acceptance?? We all are the same... respective of any gender, Yet we seek authority... To be powerful, to be great to control femininity... and the other genders. No matter how woke one is, No matter how conscious one is, If one is in the society... The wall of patriarchy stands Man cannot pay his due, The due of his birth by a woman, unless he strives, for the patriarchy to end. No one can define a woman, No one can control her, A woman who herself is the nature, There is no possession on her a man can hold... Dear Men, Happy Women's Day Dear Men; Women's Day Special We all celebrate Women's Day every year on 8th March, but is it really about the celebration? Have women achieved the freedom they want, have they achieved acceptance in society? Women's Day, in the beginning, was not a celebration, it was a movement, a protest for their rights, for their protection, for their acceptance, for equality in western societies. Women did get rights, laws for the protection through constitution by their respective countries, but in reality, patriarchy still rules over the life of women. In homes, workspaces, or any other social institutions there is a presence of inequality, abuse, unacceptance, etc. With a general perspective of men, if I say, wishing a woman on this occasion, giving a day for her feels like a formality, the truth of Women's Day is invisible, as all other days are still the same, everyone is back in their own superior self. Then what is the point of celebration? Even if I see through a general perspective of women, the day lacks its originality, originality of protest, social movement, of their own stand and is merely a celebration. Of course, it's Women's Day, and it's their choice however they want to celebrate, but isn't there a need of true celebration? Isn't there a need for a life without fear, without judgment? Isn't there a need for patriarchy to end? Coming to the point should men be wished Women's Day, it is highly debatable, everyone will have their perspective, the majority would not like it as its a day for a woman, why a man should be wished. As I said it began as a movement, and it still should be practiced like that, this movement represents equality, be it a man or a person from LGBTQ, everyone is a part of the movement. Even if anyone isn't a part of movement that person too should be wished, I would like to share an example; a man wishes a woman, women wish each other, but if women wish men back, the first obvious reply by men is "you are a woman, it's your day". We miss this point, this statement represents inequality, if men and women are equal, men shouldn't object towards the wish, there shouldn't be any difference, isn't it? The male ego is highly persistent and women are subordinate to him, and questions how can a man celebrate women's day. There is a need for acceptance in society, there is a need for acceptance by everyone that all genders are equal. Once we treat everyone as equal, we together can break patriarchy. But, do men want to accept women as they are, do they want to end patriarchy? There is only one society that sees no difference between men and women or any gender, i.e. Buddha's order of monks and nuns, if anyone observes them you will find no difference between them, their practice, their work, you won't be able to identify the gender the person belongs. That's the beauty of Buddha and his/her vision, can society ever practice that sense of equality? The life of wisdom, morality, compassion. We as a part of society are very far from that vision. Also, read the poem 'Social Construct & The Binaries' a critique on patriarchal society. Click on the title. Thank You for reading. Wishing you all Women's Day. Just a last question, you celebrated Women's Day, but did you know the United Nations theme of Women's Day for this year??

The Sentient Being, what does it mean?? Is it something simple?? or something beyond reality?? Born as a so-called human, we live our lives, some being social, some being an individual. For what purpose, do we live in a certain way?? Just for selfish reasons?? or it's because of any belief, tradition, or culture says?? We live in the world with the billions of people, different individuals, yet have similar problems. Mental, physical, personal, social, Is anything balanced in life?? don't we just live by, the way we are told?? We judge others, we justify ourselves, Is life just about, proving beliefs or one's own self?? Why do we complain, but never question?? Why don't we live the life, a rational way?? What really matters, for us merely as a human being?? What really matters, for us as a social being?? Is life just a journey from birth to death, just to pass by?? We have the power, we have the potential, to enlighten ourselves, to live a sentient life. One who merely lives life is a human, One who merely lives in a society, in a culture is a social, One who is conscious, one who enlightens self, and enlightens others beyond the discrimination and selfish purpose is the sentient. Life can be a purposeful, it can be balanced, one can master the mind, if aspires to be the sentient. The Sentient Being It was the year 2008 when I was first introduced to the term 'sentient', which in Buddhist philosophy means to be conscious, aware, of the totality of life. While in general terms sentient does means conscious, aware but it is limited to the senses, i.e. any living being which can respond, react by being conscious about its senses is what is called the sentient being. I have evolved by the time in learning and understanding things and concepts in a different way. I usually think what have we achieved in life as human beings?? Where are we in today's scenario, are we living a better life? We live in world of misery, where happiness is just momentary, and what steps are we taking for a better life? We all know about Buddha, sometimes I feel that Buddha is a mythical character, someone's imagination of a perfect human being, an example of how a person should live a life, a teacher, a guide who preaches the right way. When I was a kid, I used to think that Buddha was a female, but in society, he is represented as male. That is the quality of Buddha that one really cannot identify the gender, he/she is gender-neutral, and so does his/her order of monks and nun cannot really be identified by their gender. We designate him/her as the enlightened one, who achieved worldly knowledge, but I don't feel he/she is the enlightened one, but I feel he/she was beyond the enlightenment, he/she was a sentient, 'The Sentient Being'. What does really Sentient Being mean? Can anyone be sentient? Is it necessary for one to be sentient? Let us understand the idea of living beings in my way. 'Human' word is just a term to differentiate us from other living beings such as animals, plants, etc. The basic idea of survival of humans is similar to other living beings, i.e. interdependent on nature and to live just for survival. When humans evolved they formed traditions, cultures, beliefs, society. They created boundaries, limitations, rules, regulations, and practiced them with one another, and became Social beings. As they became social beings, several social problems started arising, and social beings got divided and dependent on their own cultures, traditions, beliefs, etc. There is a competition, there is loneliness, and there is always a struggle. While struggling with life, social being evolves they try to practice or achieve attainment of Nibbana (free from sufferings). But the reason why it is hard for a social being to be a Sentient being is because of selfish motives. There is always an aspect of selfishness in social behavior and thus even if a social being attains Nibbana or attains Enlightenment, that would make no difference. There is a reason why I say Buddha is Sentient, i.e. beyond Enlightenment, because, he/she preached what he/she practiced, what he/she learned, he/she was selfless, he/she wasn't just merely a social being. There were sentient beings earlier before Buddha, after Buddha whom we may know in some or other way. There still are sentient beings around me, around you, in between the herd of human beings and social beings. Who strive selflessly for a better society, who practice what they preach, who is carefree and not careless, who is free from discrimination. I started my journey to be a Sentient being when I got my name changed officially to Mitra Swayamedeep. Which, means 'I devote myself in the belief of self-enlightenment with the rhythm of friendliness.' also the motto of my life. Don't just be a human being or a social being, aspire to be a sentient being. I aspire to be a sentient being. Thank You for reading and being a part of my journey.

Life I wonder, is it just a journey from birth to death?? Born with the sorrow, Dies with the sorrow, Does this only mean, The Circle of Life?? Believing the unnatural, Living in the hope, Does one really, lives the life?? Living in the meaningless time, beyond the control of self, Does one really live in the moment?? Does one really live in the present?? With the urge of worldly desires, Does one really enjoy?? Is life just about survival, If there is no desire?? Even the enlightened one, The Buddha, couldn't deny the fact, of the existence of sorrow, From the first cry, to the last breath, we live in the sorrows, uncontrolled cycle of emotions and desires. There is a way, to eradicate the sorrow, to live a happy life. To attain Nibbana. To accept the existence of the problem, To find its root, One can understand the cause, and prevent it to happen. Life is to be balanced, balanced like nature, blissfulness lies, in the middle path. The Circle of Life Isn't life beautiful? But do we really enjoy it? Do we live life to our full potential? We are constantly running in the loop of time, we are constantly running behind our desires, we are constantly running for our and loved ones' survival, shouldn't we stop?? Why do sorrow and pain last longer, and happiness is just momentary?? We have powerful minds, though we fail to control our own lives. Our life begins with us, we are the center. We have the tendency to see the problems whether it's external or internal, or physical or mental. We affect ourselves with those problems, but we never look for solutions, we never practically work on it. If we try to solve it practically we are dependent on one or another person. If nothing else, we rest our faiths on god, karma, luck, or nature. Four Universal Truth; also known as Four Noble Truth, is one of the teachings by Buddha, where we understand the problem, dissect it, find its roots and prevent such suffering to happen again. This is merely a practical solution for any problem, but what we need to practice is to understand the mind and its nature, understand our own behavior and our own life. I have something interesting thing to share. In Zen Buddhism there is a symbol called Ensō, it is the rotating circle (in reality it is a still drawing, I have just animated it) which you can see in the artwork. It is supposed to be made with freehand mainly with one brush stroke or sometimes in two strokes. It is practiced in Japan until one gets perfect in it. This symbol represents several qualities like enlightenment, the universe, completeness, and also quality like void, emptiness, imperfection. A great thing to notice in this symbol is that it is not a complete perfect circle, it has too much vastness. The only thing that matters is to create in one flow, without lifting the brush, without any modification. I chose this symbol in the artwork because I felt that it represents the circle of life. The way we are imperfect in our life, the way there are momentary happiness or celebration. We are complete, but still, we lack, we are incomplete, and we are running and running to make our lives perfect, we try to fit in some or other desire, but we don't put effort for the mind to be free. Thank You for reading. Also, read 'The Thoughts & The Reason' a poem in which I talk about the thinking pattern and our tendency to give reasons for everything. (click the title)

Belief, What is it?? Are we conscious, about it, or it's practice??? Religion or culture, custom, ritual, nature, or else the way of living, why do we practice life, in certain forms and beliefs?? Isn't it nothing but the blind faith?? unquestioned and unexplored way of living?? We are taught, We are made to believe, why are we conditioned, in a certain way, in a certain belief. Shouldn't it be universal, To unite everyone?? Why are there different beliefs, why are there differences?? Is there any free will, in the belief, we practice? Why we aren't allowed to question?? Why is there no reasoning?? There is a difference, between belief and what we believe, belief is free from the reasons, but a reason is to be found for believing something. We need to learn to be conscious, about what we believe, about the beliefs, for the mind to be free. The Belief & Consciousness Usually, belief is generalized as a religious term/faith, or a moral opinion of acceptance or rejection of something, but in the end, there is no reason or truth behind the belief rather than the interest of a certain society. There are beliefs in name of religions, customs, rituals, even we have a belief in nature, but is there a need for such beliefs? Aren't we conditioned to believe anything or everything in a certain way? It's not about religion, it's about day-to-day life, what we practice, what we celebrate, the way we live, what we believe, what we think. Aren't we controlled by those beliefs? We say we are free, we are independent, but are our choices for ourselves? Why do we care about the thoughts of people in society? Though being individuals, are we really individuals? If we don't have questions, will we be conscious about the beliefs, about our own life? Beliefs are practiced unintentionally, unknowingly, by many because of the way we are taught to live, and thus we have never questioned, and have never been conscious, aware of it. We never morally analyze our thoughts, actions, or belief. Isn't belief the root cause of our thinking and mindset? There is a reason why there are crimes, why there is inequality or discrimination. We are not aware of its practice in society, patriarchy, religion, politics, sexuality, or even in our own behavior because of the sets of beliefs that exist in society. Do we need to morally correct ourselves on basis of the beliefs? Cannot we morally correct ourselves on our own? I feel there are three sets of choices people can have when I think about this topic. The first set is to have a belief of existence/non-existence of something or belief of something right/wrong which can be practiced forever in their life without questioning. The second set of choices is to have belief in existence/non-existence, right/wrong about something, but with a tendency to reason, and question unless the truth is found. The third set of choice is to not care about beliefs, just survive and care about nothing. What is morally right, what is the middle path, what will be your choice? Thank You for reading. Also read 'The Question of Morality' (click the title) a take on moral behavior and choices we make.