What
Buddhists Believe
Venerable K. Sri Dhammananda Maha Thera
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Chapter 3: After
the Buddha
Does the
Buddha Exist After His Death?
The question: 'Does the Buddha
exist after His death or not', is not a new question. The same question
was put to the Buddha during His lifetime.
When
a group of ascetics came and asked the same question from certain
disciples of the Buddha, they could not get a satisfactory answer from
them. Anuradha, a disciple, approached the Buddha and reported to Him
about their conversation. Considering the understanding capacity of the
questioners, the Buddha usually observed silence at such questions.
However in this instance, the Buddha explained to Anuradha in the
following manner:
'O Anuradha,
what do you think, is the form (Rupa) permanent or impermanent?'
'Impermanent,
Sir.'
'Is that which
is impermanent, painful or pleasant?'
'Painful, Sir.'
'Is it proper to
regard that which is impermanent, painful and subject to change as: 'This
is mine; this is I, this is my soul or permanent substance?'
'It is not
proper, Sir.'
'Is feeling
permanent or impermanent?'
'Impermanent,
Sir.'
'Is that which
is impermanent, painful or pleasant?'
'Painful, Sir.'
'Is it proper to
regard that which is impermanent, painful and subject to change as 'This
is mine, this is I, this is my soul'?'
'It is not
proper, Sir.'
'Are perfection,
formative tendencies and consciousness, permanent or impermanent?'
'Impermanent,
Sir.'
'Is that which
is impermanent, painful or pleasant?'
'Painful, Sir.'
'Is it proper to
regard that which is impermanent, painful and subject to change as: 'This
is mine, this is I, this is my soul?'?'
'It is not
proper, Sir.'
'Therefore
whatever form, feeling, perception, formative tendencies, consciousness
which have been, will be and is now connected with oneself, or with
others, gross or subtle, inferior or superior, far or near; all forms,
feelings, perceptions, formative tendencies and consciousness should be
considered by right knowledge in this way: 'This is not mine; this not I;
this is not my soul.' Having seen thus, a noble, learned disciple becomes
disenchanted with the form, feeling, perception, formative tendencies and
consciousness. Becoming disenchanted, he controls his passion and
subsequently discards them.'
'Being free from
passion he becomes emancipated and insight arises in him: 'I am
emancipated.' He realizes: 'Birth is destroyed, I have lived the holy life
and done what had to be done. There is no more birth for me.'
'What do you
think, Anuradha, do you regard the form as a Tathagata?'
'No, Sir.'
'O Anuradha,
what is your view, do you see a Tathagata in the form?'
'No, Sir.'
'Do you see a
Tathagata apart from form?'
'No, Sir.'
'Do you see a
Tathagata in feeling, perception, formative tendencies, consciousness?'
'No, Sir.'
'O Anuradha,
what do you think, do you regard that which is without form, feeling,
perception, formative tendencies and consciousness as a Tathagata?'
'No, Sir.'
'Now, Anuradha,
since a Tathagata is not to be found in this very life, is it proper for
you to say: 'This noble and supreme one has pointed out and explained
these four propositions:
A Tathagata exists after
death;
A Tathagata does not exist after death;
A Tathagata exists and yet does not exist after death;
A Tathagata neither exists nor does not exist after
death?'
'No, Sir.'
'Well and good,
Anuradha. Formerly and now also I expound and point out only the truth of
Suffering and cessation of Suffering.' (Anuradha Sutta - Samyutta
Nikaya.)
The above dialogue between
the Buddha and Anuradha may not be satisfactory to many, since it does not
satisfy the inquiring mind of the people. Truth is such that it does not
give satisfaction to the emotion and intellect. Truth happens to be the
most difficult thing for man to comprehend. It can only be fully
comprehended by Insight. Buddhahood is nothing but the embodiment of all
the great virtues and supreme enlightenment. That is why Buddhas who could
enlighten others are very rare in this world.
-ooOoo-
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Source: Buddhist
Study and Practice Group, http://www.sinc.sunysb.edu/Clubs/buddhism/
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Layout: Chan Duc - Nguyen Thao
Update : 01-11-2002
