..续本文上一页re is no further work to do."21 All suffering ends with this right understanding.
The summit of Dhamma is found in this purified heart. The "Buddha.m- Dhamma.m- Sangha.m sarana.m gacchaami" that we repeat to reverently recollect the Lord Buddha, all gather and converge in this pure nature. Buddho, Dhammo, Sangho are exactly this pure nature. Concern with questions about the Lord Buddha”s final passing away22 in India — ”how many centuries ago is it now
” — will now end. The true nature of Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha will now be evident in ”one”s own” heart of purity. This is the heart”s priceless treasure, where the true state of things is seen and all questions settled.
Where did the Lord Buddha go when he finally passed away
The bodily aggregate certainly disintegrated following its nature — bodies being the same anywhere. However, the purified nature, Buddho, was not destroyed or annihilated for it is not confined by time or position. It is this that we refer to in "Buddha.m- Dhamma.m- Sangha.m sarana.m gacchaami". When we can experience this for ourselves, we will be able to verify with complete certainty that this nature cannot be annihilated.
The arahant disciples understand this. Wherever they may be, they are together with Dhamma; with ”Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha”, having constant audience with the Lord Buddha. Their minds are unshakable because the fires of desire are quenched with the waters of Dhamma. "The quelling and cessation of all conditioning factors is supreme happiness."23 These conditioning factors are really samudaya, the source of suffering, so when this is ended all that remains is supreme happiness.
The means and the results, the good and the bad, are within all of us who are aware and care. This nature that knows is uniquely suited to all levels of Dhamma, up to and including the state of purity24 and there”s nothing apart from this knowledge.
Please try steadily to purify this nature that knows, ridding it of all obstructions and oppressive influences. There will then be no need to make enquiries about Nibbana, for having experienced the purified heart all questions will be finally settled.
It”s appropriate to stop this Dhamma talk here.
Notes
1. raaga, dosa and moha. AAdittapariyaaya Sutta
2. punya (Pali) or boon (Thai)
3. mettaa bhaavanaa
4. saddhaa, viriya, sati, samaadhi, panyaa
5. iddhi-paada
6. chanda
7. viriya
8. citta
9. viima.msaa
10. kaamata.nhaa, bhavata.nhaa and vibhavata.nhaa
11. yampicca.m na labhati tampi dukkha.m
12. sukha-, dukkha-vedanaa
13. sammati
14. samudaya
15. sanyaa
16. sa.nkhaara
17. vinyaa.na
18. guuhaaseyya.m
19. amata.m
20. amata-dhamma
21. "Vusita.m brahmacariya.m kata.m karaniiya.m naapara.m itthattaa yaati pajaanaati."
22. parinibbaana
23. "Tesa.m vuupasamo sukho."
24. visuddhi dhamma
《To the Last Breath - 2· The Undying》全文阅读结束。