Blog：Through virtuous discourse

善き談論によって

Through virtuous discourse
2024-01-14 17:00:00
 
There are attempts to academically study Buddhism, but such efforts do not directly lead to enlightenment (=awakening).
 
This is because Buddhism is a teaching about the Dharma, and its nature is not something that can be systematically instructed.
 
So, is there no means for practitioners to study Buddhism itself with the goal of attaining enlightenment?
 
It's a subtle question, but it can be said that there is a means.
 
One specific method is for practitioners of the Buddhist path to engage in dialogue with each other about principles and rules, in other words, to "discuss."
 
Regarding this, the Buddha specifically expounds as follows.
 

Good discourse suitable for practitioners of the Buddhist path includes discussions on contentment (few desires), moderation, renunciation, solitude, diligent effort, ethical conduct, meditation (settle one's mind. This "meditation" differs from the  Zen meditation), wisdom, liberation, and the knowledge of liberation.

 

On the other hand, there are discussions that do not serve as nourishment for the path and are not conducive to Nirvana. Specifically, these include discussions on social and political matters, military affairs, war, heroism, fear and awe, thievery, food and drink, clothing, bedding, adornments, fragrances, villages and cities, relatives, women, roadside gatherings, well-side gatherings, ancestors, the origin of the world, transportation, miscellaneous topics, existence and non-existence, and more.

 

By the way, virtuous discourse is not a discussion about the practice itself.

 

Virtuous discourse is, to put it simply, a foundation for each practitioner of the Buddhist path to strengthen their merits.

 

Furthermore, in the process of engaging in virtuous discourse, there may be practitioners who encounter the conditions for enlightenment.

 

It is important not to misunderstand that virtuous discourse is not merely a theoretical discussion but stands as one practical method for walking the path of the Buddhist way.

 

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