DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.45392#0156
Buddha the Gospel of Buddhism
depends upon a recognition of the Four Ariyan Truths,
and is subsequent to the earliest step of merely taking
refuge in the Buddha, the Law, and the Order, a formula
which is repeated by every professing Buddhist, including
the many who have not yet entered the Paths. The First
Path leads to freedom from the delusion of Egoity, from
doubt regarding the Buddha or his doctrines, and from
belief in the efficacy of rites and ceremonies.
2nd. The Second Path is that of those who will only once
more return to the world, and in that next birth will attain
Final Release. In this Path the converted individual,
already free from doubt and from the delusions of self
and of ritualism, is able to reduce to a minimum the car-
dinal errors of lust, resentment, and glamour.
3rd. The Third Path is that of those who will never return
to this world, but will attain Release in the present life.
Here the last remnants of lust and of resentment are
destroyed.
4th. The Fourth Path is that of the Arahats, the adepts;
here the saint is freed from all desire for re-birth, whether
in worlds of form or no-form, and from pride, self-righteous-
ness, and ignorance. The state of the Arahat is thus
described:
“ As a mother, even at the risk of her own life, protects
her son, her only son, so let there be goodwill without
measure among all beings. Let goodwill without measure
prevail in the whole world, above, below, around, un-
stinted, unmixed with any feeling of differing or opposing
interests. If a man remain steadfastly in this state of
mind all the while he is awake, whether he be standing
walking, sitting, or lying down, then is come to pass the
saying, ‘ Even in this world holiness has been found.’ ”1
1 Metta Sutta.
102
depends upon a recognition of the Four Ariyan Truths,
and is subsequent to the earliest step of merely taking
refuge in the Buddha, the Law, and the Order, a formula
which is repeated by every professing Buddhist, including
the many who have not yet entered the Paths. The First
Path leads to freedom from the delusion of Egoity, from
doubt regarding the Buddha or his doctrines, and from
belief in the efficacy of rites and ceremonies.
2nd. The Second Path is that of those who will only once
more return to the world, and in that next birth will attain
Final Release. In this Path the converted individual,
already free from doubt and from the delusions of self
and of ritualism, is able to reduce to a minimum the car-
dinal errors of lust, resentment, and glamour.
3rd. The Third Path is that of those who will never return
to this world, but will attain Release in the present life.
Here the last remnants of lust and of resentment are
destroyed.
4th. The Fourth Path is that of the Arahats, the adepts;
here the saint is freed from all desire for re-birth, whether
in worlds of form or no-form, and from pride, self-righteous-
ness, and ignorance. The state of the Arahat is thus
described:
“ As a mother, even at the risk of her own life, protects
her son, her only son, so let there be goodwill without
measure among all beings. Let goodwill without measure
prevail in the whole world, above, below, around, un-
stinted, unmixed with any feeling of differing or opposing
interests. If a man remain steadfastly in this state of
mind all the while he is awake, whether he be standing
walking, sitting, or lying down, then is come to pass the
saying, ‘ Even in this world holiness has been found.’ ”1
1 Metta Sutta.
102