Unlike other religions of the world, Buddhism doesn’t have its particular religious text. Although there are various writing pieces that do guide and enlighten people on the better ways of living, bring about harmony in life and embarking on a spiritual journey. One of such books being ‘The Way of Bodhisattva‘ by Shantideva, a revered mystic, a Mahasiddha and a wonderful poet. The text is prominent in several communities of Asian monks.
However Buddha himself criticized to abide by any holy book. One of his such preachings were given once when he met Sanjay, the former guru of his foremost disciples Moggalānā and Sāriputra.
Sanjay had come to Sugata’s abode to have some discussion on his preachings and ideals. Without even having his introduction Gautama identified him. Sanjay was amazed.
Sanjay: What are your principles and teachings? Although if I speak of myself I don’t trust any principle.
Buddha: Do you have trust on yourself that you don’t trust any principle? Do you truly believe in yourself to be an unbeliever?
Sanjay: It is just a game of phrases!
Buddha: It is the game of your mind.
Sanjay: The question is not at all about my beliefs and disbeliefs. Question is what are your principles.
Buddha: If once a person holds on to any principle then very first he loses his freedom. He goes on becoming conservative. He believes what his ideals are only those are true; his belief is the only belief, and rest is a lie. And where the freedom of thoughts is sacrificed, only one thought encircles. The man keeps on getting parochial. And right from this point begins struggle and conflict. Any kind of belief, even the belief of non-belief puts you in illusion. Thoughts have tremendous powers. They make their hold firm down to till the roots. And attachment with them is the biggest obstacle in the spiritual path. If you get involved in them then the door to the supreme knowledge shall never open.
Sanjay: If someone follows your teachings, does he too gets bound in restrictions?
Buddha: I speak of my experience. My path is neither a principle nor a philosophy. It is solely the pure experience; experience of the ultimate reality.
Sanjay: But Buddha, what if someone considers your path to be his principle?
Buddha: My path is of practice. It can neither be held on to like matter nor can it be made sacred. My knowledge, you can consider as if it is a boat, with which river can be crossed. But after crossing the river you supposedly don’t carry it along with you.
Sanjay: I wish to fall at your feet! But still a hold of some sort of emotion is there upon me.
Buddha: There are three kinds of emotions- happy, sad, and neutral. The origin of these three feelings is embedded within our body and mind itself. Like waves they arise and wither on their own. I say, firstly examine the depth of these rising emotions. Recognize, realize from where are they appearing. Whether it be happy emotions or sad feelings, just watch from where do they arise. When you will reach it’s core you’ll discover there is just zero. A zero similar to the blue sky. Although it is zero yet it encompasses everybody under itself.
Sanjay: Like… a blanket…
Buddha: Just practice. Slowly and gradually, while practicing you’ll discover that waves have stopped rising. The lake of supreme peace that is within us isn’t wavering anymore. Then going to a more deeper level you’ll discover where were you making mistake. What’s ephemeral you assumed it to be everlasting. Ignorance is at the root of all abnormalities. I speak only of meditation. With meditation ignorance will eradicate. Ignorance vanishes neither through any worship, nor by fasting, nor through any offerings.
Buddha spent his life on Earth spreading the message of Dharma, pulling them out of pitfalls of superstitions, teaching love and guide them on a wholesome way of life. Throughout his life he told people he wasn’t a god but rather an ordinary person indifferent from them. Except that he was conscious. And they could be exactly like him if they exerted themselves. However in today’s time we see that people have included numerous myths and misconceptions to his lessons and stories. Undoubtedly because the mind cannot comprehend Dharma. It has to be related with pure experience and apprehended through consistent practice. Yet this vague molding of this spiritual path isn’t a matter to be disappointed. Afterall its essence has always remained unaffected.
To anything that you hear, whether you have read it somewhere, or it is said by a man of honor, or even if those are words spoken by me- do not trust them easily until it gets through your mind, wisdom and common sense.
Buddha
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