The Analogy of the seven carriages
One summer. the Buddha came to propagate in Rajagaha, and went into retreat
with his Bikshus in Bamboo Forest Vihara. Elder Purna was among them. At
the end of the three months, the Buddha asked them:" Where have you
come from? Why have you come here to retreat?"
The Bikshus answered:" We came from our birth place, and we have come
here to obtain the bliss of liberation and Nirvana."
" Bikshus! If that is so, are you contented and without desires? Can
you be diligent on your path? And do you like to cultivate with devoutness
and right mindfulness?" The Buddha posed a series of questions.
" Yes, Buddha! After these three months of retreat, we feel light and
at ease in our body and mind, and we have attained restful Dharma bliss."
" Bikshus! This can only be considered a phase in cultivation and not
the attainment of liberation."
At that point, the Buddha realised in his meditation that Elder Purna had
actually attained liberation during this retreat, and he said:" Purna!
Perhaps you can tell us about your findings in these three months!"
" Very well, Buddha! Your follower will report. Purna initially meditated
on the mind, thereafter dispelled the thoughts of desires, and finally cultivated
on contentment. Following this systematic procedure, I raised right mindfulness
until the mind was totally unperturbed. Such a pure state of mind made me
see the Way and attain the joy of liberation."
" Yes! Purna's words are very true. In the past, King Prasenajit of
Sravasti changed his carriages seven times within one day in order to be
on time to hear the Dharma in. This was because he had wisdom, and knew
to adopt the best way to get there on time to hear the Dharma. To attain
our goals in whatever we do, it is most important to employ the right method."
Having heard this, the Bikshus realised that apart from constant effort,
it was necessary to use the proper method to cultivate before the goal can
be reached. They all reassessed their priorities and eventually attained
enlightenment through meditation.
[ Cultivation requires a systematic methodology to
proceed. It also requires patience and enduring persistence. Cultivation
is not something to be accomplished in a day.A saintly one like the Buddha
took six years of hardship practice , and the wise and virtuous King Prasenajit
needed to change into seven different carriages before he could hear the
Dharma. As Dharma is so difficult to come by, it should be all the more
respected and valued in order that such a rare opportunity will not be wasted.]
