Why choose Buddhism?---8

Why choose Buddhism?---8

Bhikkhu Dhammavaro

Liberation is possible in this very life

Prince Siddartha took up the homeless life and wandered in search of the Nibbana which is the total quenching of all dukkha, he studied under two famous teachers of India at that time and found nothing higher than nevasaññanasaññayatana (the mental state of neither perception nor non perception), a state of mental tranquility with the consciousness switching from being aware to non awareness. They think that is Nibbana, but he did not accept that. So he decided to search on his own until he discovered that Nibbana is the coolness of our mental defilements. It is the exhaustion of all the heat produced by our mental defilements.

Nibbana is not the mind, but is something which the mind can experience, as the Blessed One put it, it is a certain ayatana our wisdom can experience it. Forms, sounds, smells, flavors, and tactile sensations are material or physical ayatana that our body experience. Akasanancayatana (the experience of endless space) up to and including nevasaññanasaññayatana are mental ayatana our mind experience. Therefore Nibbana is a spiritual ayatana for our mind to realize.

We cannot create Nibbana because it is beyond all causes and conditions, but we can create the conditions for realizing Nibbana, i.e., all actions which lead to the abandonment of the defilements. Nibbana is termed: the Deathless, Permanence, Peace, Safety, Health, Diseaselessness, Freedom, Emancipation, Shelter, Refuge, Immunity, Island, Highest Benefit, Supreme Joy, the Other Shore, Cool, etc; nevertheless it is the end of suffering, the end of endless samsara.

Helping others

Our mind can be developed slowly and subtlely, through the observation of discipline, mind training in meditation and vipassana, then it will accrue merits for us in the consciousness, these are very subtle, more subtle than our gross body. Training our mind to help other people has a profound impact on our mind. When we hear that other people are suffering and in need of some help, if we offer our help, the mind experiences elation and joy, and then happiness and peace, then we can discover the strength of our mind. One who cultivates the mind this way until it is firmly established in the Dhamma, our practice is on the right path.

We all need good friend, friend who is selfless, not just helpful, but to be able to lend a helping hand when we are in danger. Developing our mind to lend a helping hand to those in need is noble, holy, and pure.

Conclusion

Buddhism is certainly not for the ordinary, it is only reserved for those who have the wisdom eyes. Suffering is everywhere but few see it; people die all over the world but few notice that it will come to them. Kamma is operating independently without any superpower directing it but few understand it; the body-mind aggregates are so complex that few manage to untangle it. The holy path is so clear and direct but few wish to walk on it. The worlding tormented by suffering continuously for so long but few wish to get out of it.

Only when our heart is truly touched, having trust and with confidence in the Dhamma, then it opens to us the way of the holy path.



References:
1. Tipitaka
2. Buddhist meditation, by Piyadassi Mahathera.
3. All of us, by Sister Ayya Khema.
4. Here and now, by Sisiter Ayya khema.
5. What is the triple gem? By Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
6. Fundamentals of vipassana meditation, by Mahasi Sayadaw.
7. Nibbana for everyone, by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu.


Bhikkhu Dhammavaro
Jetavana Burmese Monastery, Ellen Grove, Queensland, 30/5/2008

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