Vimansaka Sutta in Majjhima Nikàya
Vimansaka sutta is a one good example for freedom of
thoughts and freedom expression encouraged by the lord buddha to his followers
like in the Kalama sutta. Vimansaka sutta goes further by encouraging erudite
well knowledgeble bhikkus (monks) to contemplate about lord buddha's virtues,
various dhammas he possess..etc with free mind. This sutta is a good example
that buddhism advocate faith based on knowledge and wisdom instead of blind
faith. English translation of the sutta follows :
I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One was living in the
monastery offered by Anàthapindika in Jeta's grove in Sàvatthi. Then the
Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus from there.
Bhikkhus, by a bhikkhu who could read the thought processes
of another, an examination of the Thus Gone One (Lord Buddha) should be done.
Is he rightfully enlightened or not or only conscious of it? Venerable sir, the
Blessed One is the origin of the Teaching, the leader and the refuge of the Teaching. Good that the meaning of these
words occur to the Blessed One. Hearing it from the Blessed One, the bhikkhus
will bear it in mind. Then bhikkhus, listen, I will teach.
Bhikkhus, by the bhikkhu who could examine the thought
processes of another the Thus Gone One should be examined on two things. On
things cognizable by eye consciousness and ear consciousness. Are defiled
things cognizable by eye and ear consciousness evident in the Thus Gone One or
are they not? When examining he knows. These defiled things cognizable by eye
and ear consciousness are not evident in the Thus Gone One.
Then he should make a further examination: Are mixed things cognizable by eye
and ear consciousness evident in the Thus Gone One or are they not?
When examining he knows. These mixed things cognizable by
eye and ear consciousness are not evident in the Thus Gone One. Then he
should make a further examination: Are pure things cognizable by eye and ear
consciousness evident in the Thus Gone One or are they not? When examining he
knows. The pure things cognizable by eye and ear consciousness are evident in the Thus Gone One.
Then he should make a further examination. Has the venerable
one attained to these things of merit since long or are they attained to
recently? When examining he knows these things of merit were attained
since long, and not recently. Then he should make a further examination. Is the
venerable one internally convinced of this attainment? Is there a possible
danger evident? He should make a thorough examination to know whether there is
some danger evident. When examining he knows the venerable one is internally
convinced of the attainment and there is no danger evident.
Then he should further examine. Does the venerable one not
indulge in sensuality, through destruction of greed or through fear? When
examining he knows. The venerable one does not indulge in sensuality through
destruction of greed, and not through fear. Then the others should question
that bhikkhu. On what grounds did the venerable one say, that the venerable one
did not indulge in sensuality because greed is destroyed and not through fear?
If that bhikkhu should reply rightly, he should say: Whether the venerable one
is in the amidst of the community, or living alone. Living there well or
miserably, if when advising a crowd, he sees someone fallen for materiality, or
someone not soiled by materiality, the venerable one does not look down
on him: This I heard in the presence of the Blessed One, and he acknowledged it
'I do not indulge in sensuality because my greed is destroyed, not out of fear.
' Then further it may, even be questioned from the Thus Gone One himself: Are
defiled things cognizable by eye and ear consciousness evident in the Thus Gone
One or are they not?
Then I would declare. 'Defiled things cognizable by eye and
ear consciousness are not evident in the Thus Gone One'. Asked: Are mixed things cognizable by eye and ear consciousness evident in
the Thus Gone One, or are they not? I would declare. 'Mixed things cognizable
by eye and ear consciousness are not evident in the Thus Gone
One'. Asked: Are pure things cognizable by eye and ear consciousness evident in
the Thus Gone One, or are they not?. I would declare. 'Pure things cognizable
by eye and ear consciousness are evident in the Thus Gone One. That is my path
and pasture, but I do not make them mine'. Bhikkhus, a Teacher who says thus,
is suitable to be approached to hear the Teaching. He teaches leading one to
more and more exalted states, showing the dark and white counterparts'. When
teaching leading to more and more exalted states, at a certain point he reaches
the summit and establishes faith in the Teacher: The Blessed One is
rightfully enlightened, the Teaching is well proclaimed, the Community of bhikkhus have gone well. Then the others should
question that bhikkhu. On what grounds did the venerable one say, the Blessed
One is rightfully enlightened, the Teaching is well proclaimed and the Community of bhikkhus have gone
well? That bhikkhu replying rightly should say, I approached the Blessed One to listen to the Teaching. The
Blessed One taught me leading to more and more exalted states, showing the dark
and white counterparts. When teaching, leading me to more and more exalted
states, at a certain point I reached the summit, and then I established faith
in the Teacher and came to the conclusion, the Blessed One is rightfully
enlightened, the Teaching is well proclaimed, and the Community of bhikkhus has
gone dwell. Bhikkhus, in whomever faith is established in the Thus Gone One in this
manner with these phrases and words, it becomes well established, thoroughly
rooted faith and insight. It cannot be changed by a recluse, brahmin, god, Màrà
Brahmà or by anyone in the world. Bhikkhus, that is the search in the Teaching
of the Thus Gone One, and is the propriety of reaching the summit in the Teaching of the Thus Gone One.
The Blessed One said thus and those bhikkhus delighted in
the words of the Blessed One.
May all beings be well and happy & attain the fruits of
Nibbana.
Suranda Weediyage
BA, Tripitakachariya, Dip in Pali/ Buddhism (Pali & Buddhist University of Sri Lanka), HNDBF,
surandalk@gmail.com
http://www.thebuddhadhamma.wordpress.com
