Introduction

THE AIM OF THIS STUDY: The aim of this study is to present the teachings of Lord Buddha in the words of J. Krishnamurti. Word by word as Krishnamurti said and not a word from outside. It is simply a collection of Krishnamurti’s sayings. It is an honest and truthful inquiry and the aim is not to compare the teachings of Lord Buddha with the teachings of J. Krishnamurti.

Light is light and it cannot be compared.

HOW THIS STUDY WAS DONE: The main source of this study is the Krishnamurti CD-ROM by the Krishnamurti Foundation Trust-1991. This CD-ROM contains the complete published works of Krishnamurti (from 1933-1986) and includes his talks, discussions, dialogues, Questions-Answers, writings etc.

The archive at Krishnamurti foundations houses the unpublished materials. I have utilized the authentic archival references as quoted in the books written by Mary Lutyens, Susunaga Weeraperuma and G. Narayan. The sources of the sayings of J. Krishnamurti on Buddha have been mentioned along with the quotes and a detailed source list has been attached at the end of the study.

All the archival sources (non CD-ROM sources) have been mentioned, while the CD-ROM sources have not been mentioned everywhere. I have not mentioned the CD-ROM sources to allow the reader to read the article in a smooth flow and to ‘go into’ the teachings without the jarring effect of the mentioned sources and references. Anyone interested in verifying the authenticity of a statement or finding out the source/reference can use the word search option on the CD-ROM.

In total about 85 passages of Krishnamurti’s teachings have been utilized for this study of which about 75 are sourced from the CD-ROM and about 10 from the archival sources as quoted in the books penned by the authors mentioned above .

Some of the quotes are repeated more than once in the study to maintain a sense of continuity and to link the themes being discussed.

This study utilizes excerpts from the entire life span of Krishnamurti’s teachings from 1920’s to 1986 and is representative of the whole spectrum of his teachings.

This study is genuine, authentic and unbiased. Word by word as Krishnamurti said and not a word from outside. I have not added anything from my side. The wordings of the questions put to Krishnamurti by others in discussions / dialogues / question and answer sessions have not been utilized for this study. Whatever J. Krishnamurti has said has been presented without altering it in anyway.

This study is entirely a collection Krishnamurti’s own words. To present a theme I have chosen quotes from the CD-ROM on that topic and if one theme is followed by another I have included a passage where Krishnamurti links both the themes himself and as such I have ensured that the study is not biased by my views and I do not make this study selective / interpretative and put Krishnaji’s teachings in a self constructed frame. I have not foisted any ideologies or beliefs from my side in this study.

THE TEACHINGS OF LORD BUDDHA: This study presents the experiential aspect of the teachings of Lord Buddha (Vipassana) in the words of J. Krishnamurti. Vipassana is the core of the teachings of all Buddhas. The selections from Krishnamurti’s teachings have been arranged in the format of the 4 noble truths (Ariya Sacca) as expounded by the Buddha and focusses on ‘phassa paccaya vedana’ and ‘Vedana paccaya tanha’ as explained in the paticca samuppada. [dependent on contact (phassa) – sensation (vedana) arises and dependent on sensation-craving (tanha) arises, this sensation when Seen properly (Vipassana) leads to wisdom (insight or panna). Paticca samuppada is cause-effect / dependent arising]. The co-relation between sensation (Vedana) and Tilakkhana (the 3 signs viz Impermanence, suffering and egolessness) has been presented in Krishnamurti’s own words.

Vipassana is an ancient pali word meaning the right way to SEE / the correct way to see / the special way to SEE / observation / total, holistic observation / meditation / observation of the reality ‘as it is’ / observing ‘what is’ / insight. Vipassana is the experiential aspect of the teachings of all Buddhas. Needless to say such an observation, such an inquiry into the truth is universal, non sectarian, non ritualistic, non dogmatic and liberating. It is an art of living.

Krishnamurti has taught the ‘commentaries on living’ for ‘freedom from the known’. He talked about ‘effortless observation’, ‘choiceless observation’, ‘total / holistic observation’, ‘staying with ‘what is’ ‘. Buddha wanted us to directly experience the truth within and Krishnamurti wanted us to be ‘free’, ‘transformed’,-‘here and now’ and not merely intellectualize or talk about it. Experience is only possible at the level of Sensations and this study presents what J. Krishnamurti probably wanted us to directly experience (SEE) so that our lives ‘flower’.

(Details of ‘Vipassana’ can be found at www.dhamma.org and www.vri.dhamma.org )

This study presents what Krishnaji had to say about the truth of misery and sorrow, the cause of misery and sorrow – desire, the ending of misery and sorrow – by ending desire and how to end desire – at the level of sensations. These are the four noble truths as expounded by the Buddha. All the Buddhas teach ‘Dhamma’ (Sanskrit Dharma) – the universal law of nature-the truth and truth has nothing to do with sectarianism. Truth is a ‘pathless land’ and truthful inquiry sets us ‘free’.

This study presents the journey from sensations to sacred in the words of J. Krishnamurti

SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER ELABORATE STUDIES: I think there is enough material in the Krishnamurti CD-ROM and the archive at the Krishnamurti foundations to present the Mahasatipatthana Sutta, paticcasamuppada, Ariya sacca, as expounded by the Buddha in the words of Krishnamurti . This study is merely a small representative of the possibility of detailed studies on these topics. Such a study should not be comparative in nature. Anyone acquainted with the original teachings of the Buddha (theory and experiential practice) and who loves Krishnaji will find a lot of joy in doing such studies
.

Credits: This is all what Krishnamurti said and in his own words, as such, all the credits go to him. I accept full responsibility for the faults in presentation.

May all being be happy !
May there be light !

– Munish Agarwal