Buddhism in Agriculture

Since the incident that we are going to discuss occurred in Nalanda, Bihar, a place related to Buddhism [there existed a Buddhist monastery and the biggest university in ancient India], it becomes an instance example to describe and understand what Buddha said thousands of years ago. For this, consider the following facts.

Fact 1. Buddha said that for everything, there is a “Middle Path.” There always exist two extremes for everything; for example happiness---sadness and excellence---novelty. He asked us to chose the Middle Path and keep the balance between the two extremes to achieve happiness [considered by some as greatness] in life.

Fact 2. In agriculture, there are two ways of producing crop. First is the traditional way, which has been practiced for thousands of years in every part of world. This is one of the two extremes of this business. Second is the scientific way of conducting the agricultural practices. This includes the use of hybrid seeds, scientific ways of planting plantlets or seeds and use of modern equipment for a bumper harvest and better produce. Of course, the nature, i.e. rain, plays a crucial role. This is another extreme of this business.

Fact 3. Sumant, Krishna Kumar, Nitesh Kumar, Sanjay Kumar and Vijay Kumar, the five farmers of Nalanda, Bihar, India, made their country proud by establishing a new world record by producing 224 quintal per hectare rice. They superseded the previous world record of 180 quintal per hectare rice held by the farmers of China until now. Follow the related news at the http://www.indianexpress.com/news/After-paddy-feat--a-Nalanda-village-looks-at-potato/904362/

Five Farmers of Nalanda (Source: Dainik Jagran)

Fact 4. The farmers of Nalanda used both the extremes of the business, i.e. they used the traditional ways of agriculture, at the same time, they employed the scientific ways of planting plantlets. The blessings of the Rain God also favoured them and it was due to the timely rain that they produced the bumper crop. However, the fact remains that they attained much-required balance between the two extremes [traditional and scientific ways] of the business. It is exactly what Buddha implied in his "the Middle Path" message to world.

Conclusion. The successful implementation of Buddha’s teaching led to the establishment of a world record, although the farmers may not be aware of the fact that they were following the teachings of a Great Man. But for us, the people who always look for the recent, best and reasonable clues of personal development and the proven ways of attaining happiness, this is a great opportunity to deduce what has been a universal truth, the Middle Path, or the balance between the two extremes.

It is only through following the Middle Path that you can attain happiness, and for the good reason, you may not be aware that how much of what you do in your life will affect the world at large. Whether you are a painter, writer, teacher, employee, boss, housewife, husband, student, politician or player, you have to just think about the two extremes of your field and try to maintain the perfect balance, much like the farmers of Nalanda, and you will witness that you will not only attain happiness, but also benefit the society at large.