..續本文上一頁ape non-existence of a self or soul by identifying with a transcendental state of being beyond what is seen, heard, sensed or cognized, the Buddha thunders, "and you will be neither here (with the seen, heard, sensed or cognized) nor beyond (outside of the seen, heard, sensed or cognized) nor in between the two (neither of the world nor beyond the world). The last phrase comprehensively confounded the sophists!

　　In summary, the Buddha advised both Bāhiya and Venerable Mālunkyaputta to experience the Jhānas to suppress the Five Hindrances. Thereby one will discern with certainty the absence of a self or a soul behind the sensory process. Consequently, sensory experience will never again be taken as evidence of a ”knower” or a ”doer”: such that you will never imagine a self or a soul at the centre of experience, nor beyond, nor anywhere else. Bāhiya”s Teaching put in a nutshell the way to the realization of No-Self, Anattā. "Just this", concluded the Buddha "is the end of suffering".

　　Conclusion

　　I hope that my argument has been strong enough to challenge you, or rather to confound the vipallāsa driving your sensory processes. The Buddha”s brief teaching to Bāhiya and Venerable Mālunkyaputta is not some short cut for the super intelligent. The practice of ”in the seen will be merely what is seen...” requires the suppressing of the Five Hindrances. The suppressing of the Five Hindrances requires Jhāna. Jhāna requires the rest of the Noble Eightfold Path,6 the first seven factors. It requires faith in the Triple Gem, the keeping of precepts and the practice of dāna. There is only one path to Nibbāna, and that is the Noble Eightfold Path. There are no short cuts.

　　MAGGĀN” ATTHANGIKO SETTHO...

　　ESO”VA MAGGO, NATTHI AÑÑO

　　DASSANASSA VISUDDHIYĀ

　　"The best of paths is the Eightfold Path...

　　This is the only Way. There in none other,

　　for the purity of vision"

　　Dhammapāda verses 273 and 274

　　(English translation from Ven. Nārada”s Dhammapāda)

　　--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

　　1) Dāna: Generosity. Also used to describe the gifts of food and other requisites given to the monastic community.

　　2) Sensed: Smelt, tasted, touched

　　3) The Ten Fetters:

　　1.Personality belief

　　2.Sceptical doubt

　　3.Belief in purification by the external observance of rites and rituals

　　4.Sensualdesire

　　5.Ill will

　　6.Craving for fine material existence

　　7.Craving for non-material existence

　　8.Conceit

　　9.Restlessness

　　10.Ignorance

　　4) Vipallāsa: Perversion or distortion of perception, thought and view – taking what is impermanent to be permanent; what is suffering to be happiness; what is empty of a self to be a self; and what is not beautiful (asubha) to be beautiful (cognitive distortion).

　　5) The Five Hindrances:

　　1.Sensual desire

　　2.Ill-will and anger

　　3.Lethargy and dullness

　　4.Restlessness and remorse

　　5.Sceptical doubt

　　6) The Eightfold Path consists of:

　　(Wisdom)

　　1.Right View or Understanding.

　　2.Right Thoughts or Intentions.

　　(Morality)

　　3.Right Speech.

　　4.Right Action.

　　5.Right Livelihood.

　　(Mind Development)

　　6.Right Effort.

　　7.Right Mindfulness.

　　8.Right Concentration, i.e. Jhāna.

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