仏道は賢者の道
The Buddhist path is the path of the wise
2024-09-28 18:00:00
The Buddhist path is said to be the path of the wise.
This is because only the wise can discover the Buddhist path, only the wise can understand it when explained, and furthermore, only the wise think to walk the Buddhist path themselves.
Thus, only the wise will eventually reach this perfect peace (= Nirvana).
However, discovering the Buddhist path, walking it correctly, and actually attaining enlightenment (= liberation) when the opportunity for awakening arises is not something that is hidden.
Rather, it could even be said to be clear to those who are insightful.
Regarding this subtlety, the following principle can be found in the original Buddhist scriptures of Shakyamuni:
44 Who will conquer this earth? Who will conquer the world of Yama, along with the world of gods? Who, like an expert plucking flowers, will gather the well-taught words of truth?
45 Those who diligently pursue learning will conquer this earth, the world of Yama, and the world of gods. Just as a skillful person plucks flowers, those who are diligent in learning will gather the well-taught words of truth.
46 Knowing that this body is like foam and realizing that its nature is fleeting like a mirage, one will cut off the flower-tipped arrows of Mara and go to a place where the King of Death cannot see. (Words of Truth – Dhammapada, Chapter 4: Regarding Flowers, translated by Hajime Nakamura, Iwanami-Bunko)
55 Chinaberry (Sandalwood), tagara, blue lotus, and jasmine — among all these fragrant things, it is the scent of virtue that is supreme.
56 The scent of tagara and chinaberry (sandalwood) is subtle and not very significant. But the fragrance of the virtuous is supreme, reaching even the gods in heaven. (Words of Truth – Dhammapada, Chapter 4: Regarding Flowers, translated by Hajime Nakamura, Iwanami-Bunko)
This principle teaches that matters related to the Buddhist path are like picking flowers, and avoiding evil follows the same idea.
Of course, if one does not know what a flower is, they will not be able to pick it.
However, flowers that lead people to the state of happiness have a very pleasant fragrance, while flowers associated with evil have a foul smell.
A mindful person will find flowers with a good fragrance and joyfully pick them.
In this way, they will gradually approach the state of happiness, which is Nirvana.
On the other hand, those who have lost themselves will fail to notice the good fragrance and, instead, flock to the foul stench.
In this sense, a person who is in a normal state of mind is called a wise person, while one who loses themselves is called a fool.
Those seeking the state of happiness should first calm their minds.
Then, when they slowly look around, they will suddenly notice a wondrous flower blooming.
This is the signpost of the correct path, and by picking these flowers one by one, they can gradually approach Nirvana.
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