如来に教師の握りこぶしは存在しない
There is no closed fist in the hands of the Tathagatas
(unlike teachers selecting limited content to teach their students).
2023-07-26 18:00:00
It is said that once the disciple Ananda asked the Buddha, before his Parinirvana (nirvana-after-death), if there were any teachings that he should impart to the disciples at present. In response, the Buddha reportedly said the following:
"I have taught the Dharma fully, without making any distinction between inner and outer teachings. In the teachings of the perfected ones, there is no closed fist of a teacher hiding something from the disciples."
Those who think, 'I will guide the monastic community,' or 'The monastic community relies on me,' will speak about the monastic assembly. However, the Tathagata never thinks, 'I will guide the monastic community,' or 'The monastic community relies on me.' (The Last Journey of the Buddha. translated by Hajime Nakamura, published by Iwanami-Bunko)
In my youth, I read this story in a book and thought:
At least in Buddhism, there must be no special secrets or mysteries. If there are any, they would likely be teachings that anyone can practice and anyone can achieve.
However, even so, it didn't seem like the Buddha was explaining the specifics of it all. In fact, what followed those words was something like this:
Ananda, I am now old, aged, advanced in years, and have reached the end of my life's journey. My age has reached eighty.
Ananda, just as an old cart moves along only with the help of its straps, so too is my body sustained only by the straps. However, when a person who has diligently strived eradicates all sensations without retaining any attachment to them, and enters into the unity of the mind devoid of appearances, at that moment, their body is at ease. Therefore, in this world, one should rely on oneself as an island (lamp), rely on oneself as a refuge, and not rely on others; rely on the Dharma as an island, rely on the Dharma as a refuge, and not rely on anything else. (omit) Ananda, even now, or after my passing, if there are individuals who rely on themselves as an island, rely on themselves as a refuge, not relying on others; who rely on the Dharma as an island, rely on the Dharma as a refuge, not relying on anything else, they will be among the highest level of my disciples—anyone who wish to learn—. (The Last Journey of the Buddha. translated by Hajime Nakamura, published by Iwanami-Bunko)
This essentially suggests that by the Dharma, individuals reach the state of Buddhahood, and learning the Dharma on one's own without relying on others is the method for this. That was what my understanding.
However, it's not clear what the Dharma to be learned is.
Why does the Buddha not specifically discuss the crucial matter of what the "Dharma" to be learned is? Despite stating "There is no closed fist of a teacher," as mentioned above.
This question may have been shared by Ananda, which is why he initially asked the Buddha.
Still, what the Buddha teaches remains consistent. If you read other original Buddhist scriptures,
226 If a person is always awake, striving and learning day and night, aiming to attain Nirvana, then all defilements will disappear. (The Words of Truth: Dhammapada. translated by Hajime Nakamura, published by Iwanami-Bunko)
Also in The Words of Inspiration (Udana-Varga) Chapter Thirty-Three: Brahman, translated by Hajime Nakamura, published by Iwanami-Bunko,
1 Neither walking naked, nor tying up the hair, nor getting smeared with mud, nor fasting, nor lying on the ground, nor rubbing oneself with dust and mud, nor sitting motionless—none of these can purify a person who has not abandoned doubt.
76 For the diligent Brahmin who meditates fervently, when these virtues manifest, and they clearly understand that suffering arises from causal conditions, all their doubts vanish.
77 For the diligent Brahmin who meditates fervently, when these virtues manifest, and they clearly understand that phenomena arise from causal conditions, all their doubts vanish.
78 For the diligent Brahmin who meditates fervently, when these virtues manifest, and they approach the cessation of various causes and conditions, all their doubts vanish.
79 For the diligent Brahmin who meditates fervently, when these virtues manifest, and they approach the cessation of various sensory perceptions, all their doubts vanish.
80 For the diligent Brahmin who meditates fervently, when these virtues manifest, and they approach the cessation of various afflictions, all their doubts vanish.
81 For the diligent Brahmin who meditates fervently, when these virtues manifest, they illuminate the entire world—as the sun illuminates the sky upon rising.
82 For the diligent Brahmin who meditates fervently, when these virtues manifest, they illuminate the entire world—because the Buddha is liberated from all bonds of bondage.
83 For the diligent Brahmin who meditates fervently, when these virtues manifest, they dispel the armies of demons—because the Buddha is liberated from all bonds of bondage.
Such passages suggest that practitioners must transcend their doubts through their own learning.
In fact, the Buddha himself exclaimed at the time of his enlightenment, 'All doubts have vanished,' revealing that all practitioners should likewise attain the Dharma through their own efforts.
And when practitioners actually transcend doubts, it will also be understood that 'There is no closed fist in the hands of the Tathagatas,' implying that.
Subsequently, I pursued the study of the Dharma on my own and finally attained enlightenment, becoming a Buddha (SRKW Buddha).
It's been over twenty years since then, and I, myself, have fundamentally disclosed everything to everyone when speaking about the teachings.
As the Buddha taught, 'There is no closed fist in the hands of the Tathagatas,' and this remains true."
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