The first step for someone who aspires
to follow the spiritual path is to understand how precious this human life is. Used wisely, it offers a unique
opportunity to actualize the potential for enlightenment that is within us all,
yet it is very easy to neglect or squander. According to Buddhism, of all
possible life forms that we may take in the round of existences, being born as
a human is highly unusual. It is compared to enjoying a banquet after centuries
of famine.
One
reason why this life is so precious is that all beings have within them what is
called ‘Tathagatagarbha’ in
Sanskrit, the essence of, or potential for, Buddhahood, which is the
fundamental nature of all conscious beings. That nature, temporarily obscured
by confusion and disturbing emotions, is like a treasure buried within us. The
purpose of practising the Buddhist path, or ‘Dharma,’ is to remove those
obscurations.
We
are not trying to ‘manufacture’ the state of Buddhahood but simply to reveal
what is already there since we
cannot add to or subtract from that nature, which is very basic of our mind.
The qualities acquired on the way to enlightenment are not fabricated. They
reflect the gradual reactivation of our nature, like the brilliance of a jewel
covered in the mud that is revealed gradually as the dirt is removed. Some
scholars of Buddhism have a slightly different view and consider that the
Tathagatagarbha, or essence of Buddhahood, is not fully present in every being
but develops through the practice of the path, like a seed that matures and
eventually gives fruit, in this case Buddhahood.
On
The Path To Enlightenment: Heart Advice From The Great Tibetan Masters
Compiled By Matthieu Ricard
No comments:
Post a Comment