Achievement unsurpassed
Sachitra Mahendra
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.
Determined to experiment
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.
Goal with a clear path
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)
Riddance of extremes
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.
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