修行者の疑惑
Allegations of practitioners
If one is unable to attain enlightenment even after many years of practice, questions may arise regarding the attainability of enlightenment itself.
In some cases, individuals may even begin to doubt the fundamental truths taught by various Buddhas.
Without going to such extremes, practitioners might experience a loss of confidence and begin to doubt their own ability to attain enlightenment.
However, the truth that everyone can attain enlightenment is correct because it is universal to humanity, and it is certainly a conclusion that can be drawn from the fact of being human.
Of course, there are factors that make it difficult for people to attain enlightenment, which the primitive Buddhist scriptures refer to as the devil and his army. In broad terms, these factors include:
1) Desire, 2) Aversion, 3) Hunger, 4) Delusion, 5) Indulgent sleep, 6) Fear, 7) Doubt, 8) Arrogance.
Doubt is one of these hindrances.
It is then taught that if any one of these eight factors is completely transcended, one can attain the state of enlightenment (= liberation).
In fact, this principle can be found in the original Buddhist scriptures of Buddha Shakyamuni.
088 Thodeyya asked, 'What kind of liberation should he seek, the one who is free from all desires, no longer deluded, and beyond all doubt?'
1089 The master (Buddha) replied, 'Thodeya! He who is free from all desires, who is no longer deluded, who has transcended all doubts - there is no other enlightenment but from him.' (Buddha's Words, Sthanipata, Chapter 5, Chapter 10 of the Path to the Shore, Question of the Student Thodeya, translated by Hajime Nakamura, Iwanami Bunko)
How can we get rid of this fundamental 'doubt'?
The only way is to be convinced of the authenticity of Buddhism by reading sutras and Buddhist biographies, engaging in discussions about the Dharma with those who are inclined to do so, and practicing virtuous deeds on one's own.
In the process of doing so, one will encounter instances of virtuous guides (incarnations) or be able to recall the words and deeds of virtuous guides (incarnations) encountered in the past, dispelling doubt concerning this fundamental matter.
If enough merit and virtue have been accumulated there, then enlightenment will occur and one will be able to transcend doubt altogether.
There, all doubts will disappear and you will discover with a kind of amazement that you have already made Buddha.
***
