I was just reading
this Sutta and thought it might provide a great example of how the spiritual journey unfolds and I thought it a great accompaniment to a number of discussions that have occured here over the past few weeks. I think the Buddha in this story really elucidates the importance of skepticism -regarding our own practice and that of others-, how our experience of suffering is
the benchmark by which we determine the fruits of our practice and the dangers inherent in spiritual heirarchies.
Please take note of how often the Buddha himself was mistaken, was led astray, yet still through intuition and honesty about his suffering arrived at awakening.
Please take note of how, even after his awakening, others often doubted the Buddha, were skeptical toward him, questioned him, submitted him to scrutiny and how the Buddha responds by compassionately teaching this awakening.
Note that he makes some extraordinarily bold claims, claims that other mendicants think are arrogant yet it is through the practice of these other mendicants that his teachings are validated, that his awakening is verified. Where would we be now if the first five mendicants had not scrutinised his claims, had not set out on their own journey to verify this way for themselves?
Remarkable stuff. Really wonderful that we have access to lessons such as these.
Some thoughts for those who have read it.
If a scripture had told the Buddha "This is the good dharma" but after committing to deep practice the dharma in question did not lead the Buddha to the end of suffering would he have continued with that dharma?
If a fellow seeker had told the Buddha "This is the good dharma" but after committing to deep practice the dharma in question did not lead the Buddha to the end of suffering would he have continued with that dharma?
If a teacher had told the Buddha "This is the good dharma" but after committing to deep practice the dharma in question did not lead the Buddha to the end of suffering would he have continued with that dharma?
Likewise, before his awakening, when fellow seekers and revered teachers told the Buddha "This is the good dharma" how was it the Buddha verified if this were true?
He made a commitment to that practice, he committed to seeing it through, then after making that commitment and seeing it through, he noticed "This teaching doesn’t lead to cessation... It only leads as far as..."
"And so, being myself liable to be reborn, understanding the drawbacks in being liable to be reborn, I sought that which is free of rebirth, the supreme sanctuary from the yoke, extinguishment—and I found it."
Rise, Tarnished.
