In the previous chapter, we learned about the Buddha’s encounter with his first two followers, Tapussa and Bhallika. After their departure, the Buddha pondered the human condition, recognizing the mental defilements that hindered their path to Nirvana. He observed that human minds are deeply stained by self-delusion, lust, craving, and other mental afflictions.

The Great Compassion

This reflection sparked the Great Compassion within the Buddha, driving him to share his wisdom. This internal motivation marked the beginning of the Buddha’s teaching journey, known as the internal causation for the teaching of Buddha Dharma.

A Crucial Question

However, the Buddha also acknowledged the profoundness of Nirvana, raising a crucial question: Would anyone be interested in this profound message? Would anyone be willing to listen and can they even grasp the concept of Nirvana?

Sahampati Brahmā’s Request

Sahampati Brahmā, aware of the world’s dilemma, appeared before the Buddha and urged him to teach the Dharma. He emphasized that some beings, including the Devas, have only a slight veil of defilement in their minds. This external prompt is known as the external causation for the teaching of Buddha Dharma, or Requesting Buddha to Turn the Wheel of Dharma.

(Sahampati Brahma is a celestial being, who attained the stage of 3rd enlightenment during the dispensation of a previous Buddha and he is a great supporter of Buddhism)

The Four Types of Beings

After Sahampati Brahma’s request, Buddha surveyed the world with his mind and identified four types of people. He likened us to four kinds of lotuses:

The Lotus Analogy

1. Aloft: Beings with a clear understanding, untouched by worldly matters, and ready to bloom above the water. Such people will attain realization just by listening to an outline of the Dharma
2. Surface-level: Beings with a growing awareness, but still influenced by worldly matters. Such people will attain realization by learning the Dharma in details.
3. Submerged: Beings with a cloudy understanding, unaware of their potential but will bloom underwater with the right conditions. Such people take years to learn and practice, but will ultimately gain realization.
4. Diseased: Beings with a distorted understanding, unable to grow or bloom. The minds of such people cannot gain realization in their current lifetime no matter how much they listen or practice. However, they may become inclined to the Dharma in future lifetimes.

Teaching with Compassion

The Buddha then decided that it is practical to focus on teaching those people who are likely to understand and realize Nirvana. Therefore, there is a saying that Buddha only teaches those with an affinity for Buddha Dharma.

May all be well and happy.

Discussion

What are the implications of the Buddha’s observation of humanity’s mental state on his teaching approach?

How do you think this influence the propagation of Dharma?