Category: Hakka Ethnography

The Buddha believed that his ‘Dhamma’ was the answer to all of the suffering experienced by humanity, and like any revolutionary medicine, he instructed his followers to ‘spread’ the teaching (freely) far and wide! The Pali Suttas mention enlightened laypeople – both male and female – with the Buddha stating that there is no difference in essence between a monk and a nun, and a layperson. The concept of ‘Bahujana’ – according to Buddhaghosa’s interpretation – should be defined as the ‘unconverted masses’. Therefore, the ‘Bahujana’ are the multitudes of humanity (and other life forms) which have not yet come into contact with the ‘Dhamma’, listened to its teachings or had a chance to put its methods into practice. The ‘Bahujana’ are ignorant of the ‘Dhamma’, and out of compassion, the Buddha ordered his followers to travel in all directions to spread his teachings to as many people as possible! Buddhist philosophy, therefore, is not ‘elitist’ and does not support clannishness, one-sided practice, or the exclusion of others. Buddhism also rejects all types of fanaticism and extremism a being manifestations of greed, hatred and delusion. Furthermore, from a close reading of the Buddhist Suttas it is clear that the Buddha was of the opinion that his teachings would only find fulfilment when voluntarily accepted by the ‘Bahujana’, who are to be convinced through logical argument and personal experience.