A monk asked what he should do if he meet the Buddha in his spiritual path. Buddha reminded him not to deviate from the right path even he met his relative. I think Buddha was trying to remind him not to be deluded by form illusions as other beings could manifest in any forms and deluded the practitioner but to remember Buddha's teaching on the Noble Eightfold path which leads to the end of suffering. The Noble Eightfold path in essence covers Precepts, Meditation and Wisdom (戒定慧）.
The Four Noble Truth
1) Suffering exists in everyone's life. ( aging, sickness, death, unpleasant sensation due to 5 aggregates. )
2) The causes of suffering are greed, anger and ignorance.
3) Nirvana, the extinction of suffering is achievable
4) The end of suffering is by following the Noble Eightfold path
The Noble Eightfold Path are as follows.
1. Right View
2. Right Thought
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood-
6. Right Effort
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Concentration
Recently I read the book, The Boy Who Saw Truth which is based on a Victorian boy's diary. The humorous boy had the ability to see people's aura and also spirits. Initially he didn't know what the different aura colour meant but slowly he realised the meaning. In his past life, he was an advanced soul thus he had this ability to communicate with the spirits including his past life teacher who was part of the Elderly Brothers. I find it interesting as it reminds me of Buddha's teaching about craving and desires which are fetters that bind one to earth and to avoid evil so as to incur no debts to be paid off in future incantation as there is karma or Cause and effect. You can read an excerpt of this book below. That is why Buddha taught the Noble Truth and the Noble Eightfold path for 45 years which lead to end of suffering from samsara rebirth.
From The Boy Who Saw Truth
Thank you for sharing your insights on the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. Your reflection on the importance of critical thinking and personal investigation in accepting teachings, even those attributed to the Buddha himself, resonates deeply with the essence of Buddhism.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, the Buddha's admonition to not blindly accept teachings, but to evaluate them based on personal experience and wisdom, underscores the necessity of individual understanding and insight on the path to liberation from suffering.
Your interpretation of the admonition not to deviate from the right path even when encountering manifestations, including potentially deceptive ones, is insightful. It highlights the fundamental importance of steadfastness and discernment in navigating the spiritual journey amidst the myriad distractions and illusions of the world.
The succinct explanation of the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path serves as a valuable reminder of the core principles of Buddhism, encapsulating the diagnosis of suffering, its causes, the possibility of liberation, and the practical path towards it.
Moreover, your reference to "The Boy Who Saw Truth" offers an intriguing parallel to Buddhist teachings, particularly regarding the recognition of craving and desires as fetters that bind individuals to the cycle of existence. It underscores the universality of spiritual truths and the diverse ways they manifest across different cultural contexts.
Thank you for sharing your reflections and for highlighting the timeless relevance of the Buddha's teachings in navigating the complexities of existence and ultimately finding liberation from suffering.
Regards,
Sunny