自らにのみ依拠して
Relying solely on oneself
2024-04-17 18:00:00
Enlightenment (= Nirvana) is said to be entirely one's own affair from beginning to end.
And Buddhist practitioners must rely solely on themselves, without depending on anything other than themselves, to progress on the path.
This was discussed in an article dated January 26, 2024.
Now, what does it mean to "rely solely on oneself"?
In other words, it can be said to mean not being dependent.
This meaning aligns with what is recorded in the original Buddhist scriptures of the Sakyamuni Buddha.
751 The catastrophe is that "suffering arises from the origin of agitation." Knowing this, monks should therefore abandon (obsessive) agitation, restrain various latent tendencies, remain unagitated and unattached, and proceed diligently with mindfulness.
"Monks, if someone were to ask, 'Can two kinds of phenomena be correctly observed by another method?' one must answer, 'Yes.' Why is that? 'Dependent phenomena are shaken.' This is one observation. 'Non-dependent phenomena are not shaken.' This is the second observation. By correctly observing these two [kinds of observations], diligently and assiduously, for the monks who are earnestly devoted and single-minded, one of the two fruits can be expected. ---That is, either the enlightenment in this present life or, if there is still residue of defilements, not returning to the cycle of existence characterized by this wandering delusion."---
The teacher (Buddha) thus declared. And then, the blessed teacher further expounded as follows:
752 Those who are not dependent do not waver. However, those who are dependent grasp onto this state and that state, and do not transcend the cycle of existence.
753 Knowing 'the big danger in various forms of dependency,' monks should proceed diligently, without dependence or attachment. (Buddha's Words: Sutta Nipāta, Chapter 3: The Great Chapter, Verse 12: Two Observations, Translated by Hajime Nakamura, Iwanami-Bunko)
And it is especially important for Buddhist practitioners to be 'those who are not dependent,' particularly when facing the opportunity for enlightenment.
That is because, in this opportunity, even the slightest reliance on something other than oneself prevents one from attaining enlightenment.
In other words, only those who have resolved to become a Buddha in this opportunity can attain liberation.
Therefore, this is also called "resolve/determination."
***
