16. THE FIVE SCIENCES (Pancavidya)
16.2 Craftsmanship (Silpakarmasthana)
As a Bodhisattva always comes to live in this world in order to save the sentient beings, he/she must be proficient in all kinds of worldly knowledge and skills. Thus, he/she should have a good profession for earning a living and serving the other people. Through all these actions, he/she can gather the other sentient beings and show them how to cultivate the Buddhist Way. A Bodhisattva must have a good knowledge of the Five Sciences.
A Bodhisattva should work in an occupation so that he/she can make a
living. He/she should not rely on the financial support from the other people. However,
he/she should support the others as much as possible. He/she can also make use of his/her
occupation to get acquaintance with more people, for the purpose of crossing them
over (saving them).
This science covers different fields of knowledge such as mathematics, engineering and technology.
With the immeasurable mind of compassion, a Bodhisattva cannot tolerate to see the
sentient beings suffering from illness. Many Bodhisattvas have the medical
knowledge to relieve the sentient beings from pain. Apart from the medical
healing, a Bodhisattva is trying to cure the sentient beings by
eradicating the causes of their sufferings. The best prescription for the eradication
is the Buddha dharma.
It is perhaps the most important science amongst the five. In Buddhism, this
science refers to the Tripitaka, which is the knowledge of supreme spirit.
A Bodhisattva must have a right view and recognition on the nature of all
physical and mental matters, and the methods to practise and cultivate the
Buddhist Way. Otherwise, a Bodhisattva can never achieve the goal towards
Buddhahood.