That is Mara, the Evil One. He is searching
for the clansman Vakkali’s consciousness: ‘Where has the clansman Vakkali’s
consciousness established itself? But, Bhikkhus, the clansman Vakkali has
attained final Nibbana without his consciousness becoming established anywhere
at all.”
- Vakkali Sutta (trans: Bhikkhu Nanamoli)
Over two millennia ago one man achieved
what remains unsurpassed to this day. No one could give the lie to his
fundamental teachings, Four Noble Truths.
Prince Siddhartha had a religion. It is the
Brahman faith followed by the whole royal clan. Everyone opined that the
asceticism is solace enough - no wonder Siddhartha decided to take up robes
seeing the fourth premonition - the robed figure. But it is clear none of the
religions, let alone Brahmanism, had a specified path to the goal they taught
of. Brahmans’ goal was to be with the Brahma.
But none of its followers had an inkling of
the nature of this almighty being. It was the same with other religions such as
Jainism, whose followers could not practically corroborate with fundamental
teachings and goals.
If the robed figure gave a tinge of hope to
Siddhartha, he must have been disillusioned following his encounters with Alara
Kalama and Uddaka Ramaputta. These teachers were very much wiser and older, but
their wisdom was not penetrable. They had superior concentration power compared
with an ordinary mindset, though it was merely to some extent. This is a good
lesson for those who mistakenly think they have achieved Nibbana or any other
higher goal because of some developed concentration power.
The difference between Siddhartha and his
contemporaries lies in the determination. The Bodhisattva had the spirit to go
out and experiment, without adhering to the traditional custom of waiting for
ripe age to renounce.
Siddhartha found what he was looking for.
But it cost him a great effort.
He had to be reborn in myriad existences in
various forms. He had to follow the perfections he had to complete. It was not
just 10 as it is for Arahaths or 20 as it is for Private Buddhas (Pacceka
Buddha) but it was 30 in total. Even in his final birth it did not turn out
trouble-free. He was born as a prince, apparently with a father king to discourage
the path he should take up. Even the teachers could not lead him on the path he
sought. He had to undergo a tough life of six odd years and even at the last
moment he had the burden of the Mara attempting to tempt him. Only at the arch
end of this chain of events, he could find what he had been looking for.
He found the truth - that the world is but
grief. And the solution is getting rid of the source, the craving and
ignorance. Contemplating further, he could see the way. The Buddha achieved it.
His disciples have achieved and will continue to achieve the goal. Buddhism is
the only religion based on a goal with a path clearly visible.
Alara Kalama and Uddaka Ramaputta’s
teachings have influenced and made the task easier for Ascetic, some quarters
believe. It doesn’t seem practical though. If their teachings were helpful,
then Siddhartha did not have to undergo a period of penance for six years. What
actually came to pass is that he exhumed what was buried deep beneath himself. He
attained enlightenment over Anapanasati meditation, which he practised in
infancy.
He could not see anywhere for any kind of
achievement. He was losing all hopes. He could not return to the lay life
either. But he was not the one to give up - it was not simply in his nature.
The toughest episode comes out when the Bodhisattva was on the verge of
enlightenment.
My body became extremely emaciated. Simply
from my eating so little, my limbs became like the jointed segments of vine
stems or bamboo stems... My back became like a camel’s hoof... My spine stood
out like a string of beads... My ribs jutted out like the jutting rafters of an
old, run-down barn... The gleam of my eyes appeared to be sunk deep in my eye
sockets like the gleam of water deep in a well... My scalp shrivelled and
withered like a green bitter gourd, shriveled and withered in the heat and the
wind... The skin of my belly became so stuck to my spine that when I thought of
touching my belly, I grabbed hold of my spine as well; and when I thought of
touching my spine, I grabbed hold of the skin of my belly as well...If I
urinated or defecated, I fell over on my face right there...
- Maha-Saccaka Sutta (trans: Thanissaro
Bhikkhu)
Gradually he realized the futility of self
mortification. He knew the consequences of the other extreme. Then it dawned
upon him that he should take up the middle path.
Mild form of luxury is essential for
relaxation. It is only then Siddhartha could think free and intellectual.
And then everything became normal. His mind
was well concentrated. Light did arise in him. He could penetrate the
existences and then achieved first, second, third and fourth Jhanas step by
step, then Arhathhood and finally the Buddhahood - mission complete.
Ours is a world full of rankings, degrees,
post-graduate courses, doctorates and so on. Even without proper credentials
people chase behind doctorates and professorships, mostly craving the undue
respect.
The US presidency is the most powerful
single-person held office in the world. And yet it does not guarantee that
Barack Obama is the happiest on earth.
All humans, including powerful people, are
driven by the constant fear of attack. Doctorate holders and professors are
sometimes led by the jealousy that a junior would go past them. Such jealousies
are a commonly heard truth in any field regardless of education.
Over two millennia ago on this day the
Buddha left us the legacy - the wisdom unsurpassed. Lighting the Vesak
lanterns, symbolic of that wisdom, the Buddhist should seriously think of
taking after the Buddha.
The Buddhist disciple with such driving
force is happy and lives unbeaten, unattached.
His comfort is perennial.
http://archives.dailynews.lk/2010/05/27/fea26.asp
