
Yet, Nirvana (enlightenment, satori, awakening, insight) is the selling point of most of the teachers today. And selling it is. There are hundreds of offers for instruction, including teacher training for a hefty price. They all talk of variations of the concept. And they add that, without a teacher (preferably them) this goal cannot be reached.
By Angel Roberto Puente
Many people go to practice centers and believe they are learning about Buddhism.
The truth is what they are hearing is the particular understanding that place has of Buddhism—particularly of importance is the take they have on “enlightenment.” The word itself is a misnomer that came from the Occidental Age of Enlightenment (17th and the 18th centuries).
The Buddha spoke of Nibbana as the ultimate goal and gave four levels of attainment, Sotāpanna (stream-enterer), Sakadāgāmi (once-returner), Anāgāmi (non-returner), and Arahant. These were tied to the concept of reincarnation or rebirth (how many) that signified how deep the experience was. At each level, more of “what it is” appeared.
Thanissaro Bhikkhu writes:
“Nibbana names the transcendent and singularly ineffable freedom that stands as the final goal of all the Buddha’s teachings.
Defined in terms of what it is…
“This is peace, this is exquisite — the resolution of all fabrications, the relinquishment of all acquisitions, the ending of craving; dispassion; cessation; Nibbana.”
— AN 3.32
Has any teacher, of the ones that have been among us, fully embodied this? I don’t think so.
Along with some good teachers, we’ve had a parade of drunkards, sexual predators, rapists and crazy people that passed on their “lineages” to others; some of whom continued the same behaviors. Tragically this was and is still excused or rationalized because of the high attainments these teachers were purported to have; but more so because of wanting to receive permission to teach in the lineage, of having the diploma.
This attitude is very much at odds with the definition of Nirvana provided above.
Yet, Nirvana (enlightenment, satori, awakening, insight) is the selling point of most of the teachers today. And selling it is. There are hundreds of offers for instruction, including teacher training for a hefty price. They all talk of variations of the concept. And they add that, without a teacher (preferably them) this goal cannot be reached.
But, should we be discouraged from practice by this situation? Definitely not! It just means we have to be careful. True information is available. Read the early Buddhist Suttas. Listen to teachers of different traditions explaining how to practice.
Keep in mind that, as one teacher has said, “enlightenment is an accident, practice makes you accident prone.” Buddha himself was surprised by what he had attained.
He thought that it was unteachable.
“I have discovered the truth with difficulty: Enough with declaring it! For it will never be easily understood [be easily awakened to] by those lost in lust and hate. It goes against the current, abstruse, profound, deep, hard to see, subtle— Those dyed in lust will not see it, nor those shrouded in massive darkness. Considering thus, monks, my mind inclined to inaction rather than to teaching the Dharma.”
(source)
I think the conditions for reaching Nirvana and the impediments are clear by now. Buddha couldn’t guarantee that anyone would reach it. There were certain conditions that had to be met, but he left a training that would help achieve those conditions. And those conditions no teacher can bestow on you, if practice is done well. The effort will chip away at the barriers. Go against the current, stop the lust for things, leave hate behind, come to the light.
Like Buddha, you will receive the gift, the blessing.
Photo: Pixabay
Editor: Dana Gornall
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