How can we see the Buddha ?

S.M. Wijayarathe,
Kurunegala Daily News Corr.

People may try to study about everything in this world and gain scientific knowledge which can explain many things previously unknown. Yet, this knowledge for what it is capable of cannot be regarded as wisdom. While modern man’s knowledge about the physical universe is indeed very extensive, the real wisdom to fathom the true nature of human existence is still lacking.

A friend of mine recently asked me, “How can we see the Buddha as He is no more with us?” I personally agreed with him for a moment but I later explained him that the Buddha cannot be seen now physically but we can see Him through learning his extraordinary noble qualities. That means we can see Him not physically but by great virtues and perfect wisdom that He possessed.

The Buddha was self-enlightened. Although He went to some teachers to study under them, none of them could show Him the way to the ultimate truth. So, he decided to rely on his own effort to seek the truth. On one occasion, an ascetic who was so impressed by the radiant appearance of the Buddha asked Him who His teacher was. The Buddha replied:

“All have I overcome, all so I know.
From all am I detached.
All have I renounced.
Wholly absorbed am I in the destruction of craving.
Having comprehended all by myself.
Whom shall I call my teacher?”

Like a flower in full bloom which cannot keep the scent to itself, the Buddha started spreading the sublime message soon after attaining Enlightenment. He decided to preach his Dhamma and share the Supreme knowledge he had gained with suffering humanity. He was an incomparable teacher. In the verse traditionally recited by devotees on the virtues of the Buddha, it is said that He was completely and perfectly Enlightened (Samma-sambuddha).

He was also endowed with knowledge and virtue (Vijjacaranasampanno) and knower of the worlds (lokavidu).

In addition, He was an unsurpassed guide of those to be trained (anuttaro purisadammasarathi) and a teacher of Gods and human beings (sattha deva manussanam).

Certain people are extremely proud of their intellectual attainment. They claim to have knowledge, but their knowledge is seldom coupled with wisdom. One western scholar admitted that the more we learn about things existing in the world, the more we create our own concepts and fantasies which are the product of our limited way of thinking and shaped by our limited senses.

He said that instead of gaining wisdom, we have increased our ignorance. People who claim to know many things only develop their egoism and sceptical views which create more confusion and disturb the peace and confidence in their minds.

The knowledge and attitudes they maintain often create more misunderstanding and conflict instead of generating harmony and goodwill.

People may try to study about everything in this world and gain scientific knowledge which can explain many things previously unknown. Yet, this knowledge for what it is capable of cannot be regarded as wisdom. While modern man’s knowledge about the physical universe is indeed very extensive, the real wisdom to fathom the true nature of human existence is still lacking.

The Buddha’s wisdom therefore is still relevant to the needs of modern man, even during these times of advanced knowledge.

The Buddha’s understanding of all universal phenomena is not mere knowledge but insight wisdom arising from his spiritual realisation into the actual nature of the cosmos.

We can get some idea of depth of his profound wisdom when we study the Four Noble Truths he taught.

Before listening to the Buddha people were ignorant many things. Why were they here in the world? What did they really have to do as human beings? Was there an ultimate aim in life? Why was it that people could gain no satisfaction in life despite their formidable store of knowledge? Without wisdom of the Enlightened One, people would have gone on developing more and more craving and selfish desire,under the impression that they were progressing. But is it really progress when such pursuits bring more fear, worries, uncertainty and insecurity?

Is it really progress when these, in turn, create frustration and disappointment which will later lead to conflict, clashes, jealousy and enmity?

The more we remaining this world, the more problems we will have to face. Life is a big physical and mental battle for those who are unenlightened. The Buddha, who had realised the nature of existence and its real cause, can show us the way to liberation. Only an enlightened religious teacher who has realised the root of all problems is able to guide mankind to face and overcome them. Only the Buddha who has conquered ignorance can teach us how to be free from being entangled in sorrow and despair. We are constantly in danger of being smothered by Greed, Hatred, and Delusion, the bad motivations responsible for all evil deeds. Only the Buddha can teach us how to eradicate these bad motivations through the training of minds. Lets try to see the Buddha through great virtues and perfect wisdom.

May you all be well and happy.