Query: Truly Awake...
Kaivalya
Jnani:
The quote as stated by you, "I have never met a man who was truly awake"
by Gautama Buddha clearly and visibly explains the impediment in the life of Gautama Buddha when he made this
statement. When young Gautama Buddha confronted his parents by asking why some people looked frail and old.
His parents were adamant not to let the child know the truth about the non-permanence of
life.
They avoided the issue at all costs. Every courtier was made clear that
the young Gautama (Siddhartha) must never know this truth of life. The inherently knew that whenever Gautama
(Siddhartha) realizes this aspect of life would immediately leave the house in search for the absolute truth.
This the parents never wanted.
The curiosity within young Gautama had already taken roots. He inherently
felt that something was wrong somewhere. He wanted to find out what it was. In search of truth... young
Gautama (Siddhartha) became a wandering monk. In the early stages of life Gautama Buddha made the biggest
mistake of his life.
He left for the confines of forests without taking leave of his dutiful wife and child. He merely touched the
feet of both and left for the forlorn jungles. None told him that simply touching the feet of his wife and child
did not absolve him of the accumulated karma.
The karma had to be burnt in totality. Only then one could gain
enlightenment. That was possible by churning the karma at its roots. Getting rid of the five senses and the
mind is the biggest task every serious seeker of spirituality faces.
But Gautama Buddha in his times did not get an enlightened spiritual master to guide him on the path. He sought for
the answers remaining in forlorn jungles. Finding none he came back to the community and not finding the answers
there either he got frustrated.
Ultimately, outpoured from the mouth of Gautama Buddha, "I have never met
a man who was truly awake" from whom Gautama Buddha could have learnt the intricacies of spiritual life. In
the times of Gautama Buddha there was not a single enlightened soul who could have guided Gautama Buddha on
the correct spiritual path.
One who gains enlightenment becomes truly awake! And one who has finally
awakened... goes to the abode of God, the kingdom of God (aka Vaikunth in Hinduism) finally.
Essay by: Kaivalya
Jnani ... One who realized self in his life time! Send your query!
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