修行を推進する元のもの
The driving force behind Buddhist practice
2024-07-16 18:00:00
As one diligently practices towards enlightenment (= nirvana), along the way, one may feel as though they have discovered various insights, thinking that these must be central to Buddhism.
Then, based on these insights, one tends to focus heavily on the methods of practice that they have recalled.
However, upon actually attaining enlightenment, one realizes that the true foundation that propels genuine Buddhist practice is not these haphazard discoveries, but rather what the various Tathagatas had already pointed out.
In other words, it is the "passionate desire to know the truth" that is the original driving force behind any viable practice.
When I say this, it may sound rigid or formal, but in reality, it is not. The "desire to know the truth" mentioned here simply refers to the questions that each practitioner happens to think of.
Of course, there are practitioners who consider high-minded matters as the truth they want to know.
On the other hand, there are practitioners who seek to understand highly Buddhist-related matters that are related to their everyday surroundings.
For example, there is a case where a practitioner heard that an acquaintance had reached a certain stage of enlightenment (= nirvana), and they developed the desire to reach that stage as well. When they pondered what was necessary to achieve this, that very thought functioned as their passionate desire to know the truth.
In short, while one is merely exploring methods of practice, they are not truly engaging in Buddhist practice. It is only when one attempts to do something based purely on the heart’s desire to seek the truth that it truly becomes Buddhist practice.
And for this reason, the various Tathagatas deliberately do not preach specific methods of practice.
Those who are mindful would do well to understand this point and diligently advance their own Buddhist practice.
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