UNSUNG HEROES OF THE WORLD
The first mentioned Arahant attained Enlightenment in our Buddha’s time while still in his samanera years, culminating a journey begun with a ‘mahadana’ offered in the era of Atthadassi Buddha 18 kalpas ago. Spending his time in contemplative meditation a thought occurred that he should seek his mother’s permission to obtain higher ordination, a necessary vinaya rule I have comprehended beyond all doubt the malaise of existence engulfed in nine fold fires like a man who spits out the venom he has consumed, like one who has escaped his dwelling place consumed in fire If there is any use of this body you may do as you please, I have no anger or ill will towards you”. The incredulous utterance of the venerable rishi produces goose flesh among the bandits, the leader drops the sword and implores him to name the teacher the discipline and the mystery of his ‘sorrowlessness Dhamma to be practised in solitude with due diligence and resolve . The Blessed One delivers a short sermon on the arising of suffering by grasping, clinging to and delighting in appealing and sensually enticing sights, sounds, smells, tastes, feelings and mental phenomena that one encounters in life
The contemplated hero here is neither a decorated warlord nor a blustery shogun that challenges the world to a duel. He does not strut the arena with a mighty weapon in his hand. There is no trigger at his disposal that can obliterate the face of the earth in a whiff. He is not of pomp and pageantry and has won no Purple Hearts. Neither does he mount pulpits to broadcast his varied accomplishments. No hordes of cheering men follow his every step. But he has conquered the entire domain of himself and the world with a factor more potent than all the world’s arsenal put together- the human mind. Outwardly he is distinguishable from the crowd only by his composure and quietude. He is called an Arahant, no conferment of title this, but specific diction to define the very zenith of wisdom ever capable of reach, for Buddhism is void of conferred titles and gilded trophies.
Of the many thousands mentioned in the canon, Arahants Adhimuttha and Sunaaparanta Punna have been chosen to be portrayed here though in fact every single one of them would eminently do justice to the subject under discussion. The first mentioned Arahant attained Enlightenment in our Buddha’s time while still in his samanera years, culminating a journey begun with a ‘mahadana’ offered in the era of Atthadassi Buddha 18 kalpas ago.
Spending his time in contemplative meditation a thought occurred that he should seek his mother’s permission to obtain higher ordination, a necessary vinaya rule. On his way to meet his mother he fell captive to a large gang of armed robbers who thought the monk would well do for the animal flesh they were searching for as an offering for their saviour goddess.
The robbers were bewildered to see no change in their captive’s strikingly pleasant face with the sword positioned over his head. No convulsions or pathetic pleading for life but rather a visible increase of radiance in his countenance.
Unprecedented happiness pervades the samanera that if killed right there would pass into parinirvana sans all craving (upadana), the entire mass of sorrow dispelled. To the men in naked shock the noble monk says, “If there is any use of this body you may do as you please, I have no anger or ill will towards you”. The incredulous utterance of the venerable rishi produces goose flesh among the bandits, the leader drops the sword and implores him to name the teacher the discipline and the mystery of his ‘sorrowlessness.’ .
By way of answer the samanera delivers a short sermon equally mystifying as his initial reaction to the strangers. Says he ‘My teacher is ‘Jina’, all knowing healer of the world, of compassion beyond compare. Those admitted to his fold like me, free of all expectations and clinging do no more tremble and weep as they did before, Twenty five great fears they have completely banished. Why would laying down a heavy burden resting on one’s head cause him fear and anguish? When cured of a serious illness a man gains inexplicable happiness. So too, dispersion of these five aggregates, this lump of froth perturbs me no more.
I have comprehended beyond all doubt the malaise of existence engulfed in nine fold fires like a man who spits out the venom he has consumed, like one who has escaped his dwelling place consumed in fire. No consent is required to pluck a wild clump of grass in the forest and the day one likens all phenomena of existence (sankara) to the grass in the forest, he ceases to cling on to things ever after, he grieves not they are no more. He is with renounced expectations of life in the heavens, a vacuum without a “me’ or ‘mine’. I stand totally disenchanted with this ever wasting, ever changing ungrateful body of mine of foul smelling excreta, therefore am I of this disposition of absolute disillusion and bounders happiness. Death instils no fear in me any more”.
Lofty words of the nirvana-bound monk drive some to beg ordination then and there, spur others to seek refuge in the Triple Gem. Requesting the men to remain at the same location the noble bhikkhu returns having received his mother’s blessings to accompany them to his own teacher who ordains and grants them appropriate meditation topics wherefrom they reach the point of never return.
The second bhikkhu of concern here, as his name implies was a visitor to India from the land of ancient Arabia. Entering robes, he approaches Buddha one day to seek a brief instruction on Dhamma to be practised in solitude with due diligence and resolve . The Blessed One delivers a short sermon on the arising of suffering by grasping, clinging to and delighting in appealing and sensually enticing sights, sounds, smells, tastes, feelings and mental phenomena that one encounters in life. He thereafter succinctly expounds the path leading to the cessation of such suffering.
To the Blessed One’s inquiry where he intends to dwell having received the brief exhortation, the bhikkhu mentions his native land Sunaparanta.
The Blessed One asks “Punna, the people of Sunaparanta are wild and rough, what would you do if they abuse and insult you? “
“Venerable Sir, I would think ‘These men of Sunaparanta are good, they are indeed very good, for they will not deal me blows with their fists.’ I would think thus, Blessed One, I would think thus Meritorious One”.
“But Punna, if they deal blows ……..?”
“Venerable Sir,…they will not throw stones at me…
“But Punna, if they did throw stones...?”
“Venerable Sir,...they will not beat me with clubs…”
“Punna, if they did …………… ?”
“Venerable Sir,...they will not attack me with weapons…” “Punna, if they did…?” “Venerable Sir,...they would not take my life with a sharp knife…” “Punna, if they did …?’ “Blessed One, I would then think, ‘ There are disciples of the Blessed One disgusted, shamed and repelled by the body and life who keep searching for assassins who slay with knives. Here am I who has come across one without a search’ Thus will I think of it Blessed One, Meritorious One”
“Sadhu, Sadhu Punna, endowed with such restraint and tranquillity you are able to live in Sunaaparanta. Seek your own time for departure.” Bhikkhu Punna then, pays homage to his Teacher of Limitless Compassion, sets his kuti in order and leaves to trek the enormous distance to Sunaaparanta in stages, arrives at his dwelling place to establish a thousand lay male and female followers in the sublime discipline and himself attains Nibbana during the rains.
Two living creatures stand un-fazed in the midst of violent thunder, king of beasts the lion and liberated Arahant of the world, states the marvellous Attakatha. The latter is also the absolute hero of non violence whose passage through life and death is well beyond the scope of the lesser mortal.
When John Clare penned the memorable line ‘ The lesson how to live is but to learn to die’, one begins to wonder whether he was actually scraping the bottom of this great philosophy.
But his countrymen thought no better of his inquiring mind than to confine him to an asylum where he breathed his last. Words of the Great Sage ‘ Multitudes run along the shore, a handful crosses the stream ‘ resonate in one’s ears.