This morning, I was exploring some Dhamma concepts I wanted to understand better. Before I wrote my post on the stages of insight here, I mostly read Dhamma in Burmese and was therefore not familiar with many terms in English or Pali. Now, as I read from English sources regularly, I am beginning to find valuable resources such as English translations of the Pali Canon and Abhidhamma.
I rarely discuss Dhamma with anyone in conversation, and I understand the potential danger of that. My way of practicing Dhammavicaya (investigation or discernment of the Dhamma) is through writing, reading, listening to Dhamma talks, asking myself questions, and seeking answers from various sources.
This morning, I was exploring the concepts of Issa (jealousy/envy), Macchariya (miserliness/stinginess/selfishness), and Māna (conceit/pride/arrogance). Even though I had some understanding of them, I still had questions because I read a source claiming that Issa and Macchariya are eradicated at the stream-winner level. To my understanding, they are part of ill-will and should only be fully eradicated at the non-returner level. Marked weakening can occur at the stream-winner level, but eradication is not possible there. The same applies to Māna—it is only fully eradicated at the final liberation, the Arahant level, though it can be noticeably weakened at lower stages.
Since around mid-2020, I have found myself enjoying Dhamma talks and readings as much as reading other books, watching movies, or listening to songs. This began when I listened to the talks of Venerable Mogok Sayadaw. I remember a time when I told a monk at a meditation center that I didn’t want to listen to Dhamma talks and only wanted to meditate. I think I irritated him. He openly said to everyone that a Sotāpanna would not stop enjoying Dhamma talks. At that time, I knew I was not one and didn’t suspect I could be, so I felt nothing. I still remember that situation. The issue was that the Dhamma talks did not align with my needs.
Different people have different needs, and I do not blame the Dhamma talks. My mother said she did not understand Mogok Sayadaw’s talks and listened instead to Mahasi Sayadaw’s talks. There is no one to blame. Some meditation methods may not align with us personally, yet I have heard of people attaining enlightenment through those same methods. It is not the method’s fault; it is simply about alignment with our own path.
I have also been reflecting on how belief systems can become filled with myths. I found some Dhamma books linked to Mogok Sayadaw claiming that he was an Arahant and showing photos of his remains. I grew up in a system where I believed such things, but with increasing understanding of Dhamma, I am realizing many of these are myths. Simply listening to Mogok Sayadaw’s teachings, I already believed he was enlightened because his teachings reflected deep understanding of Dhamma. I had known nothing about these books or writings before.
Many people believe that the bodies of enlightened beings, especially Arahants, do not decay after death. I looked for information and found that the Buddha never said the bodies of enlightened beings undergo physical changes. Changes and liberation occur at the mind level, not the body level. Scientific findings show changes in the mind through meditation, but I have not come across any evidence of bodily transformation.
The Buddha was sick before he passed away (parinibbāna), and I have read that many other Arahants also experienced various illnesses. Some people say that being healthy is linked to Sīla and blame those who are sick for not having enough Sīla. But do you want to question the Sīla of the Buddha or of an Arahant just because they became ill?
When Buddhism is mixed with traditional beliefs, such as spiritual worship, myths can develop. As a result, people may be deceived by those pretending to possess qualities others expect. Additionally, truly enlightened individuals may be insulted or undervalued if they do not display the signs people anticipate.
Sometimes, measures are taken to meet people’s expectations, leading to unnecessary deception and cheating, which contradicts the Buddha’s teachings.
These are some reflections and learnings from this morning. I am simply sharing what I currently believe. I will not argue or defend my beliefs as the absolute truth; it is free for each person to choose what they believe.
May you all be at peace.
© Dr. Tune. All rights reserved.
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