chapter II

A Nan Da, a familiar name.

-ooOoo-

The holy name of Ananda is often praised in the work that begins the Buddhist sutras which is something everyone knows. For example, "I am Ananda, I heard this: An old age, The Buddha dwells in etc. ..."

When the Buddha gave birth to money, he formally recognized the dignity of his behalf in Ananda, by allowing him to lecture in this place, or to speak in the place there, with topics The talent that Buddha had before.

Therefore, after the Buddha passed away, the apostles still did not see the things Ananda recounted as the Buddha of the Buddha.

Although there are also some other great apostles who were allowed by the Buddha to represent the sermon, the most typical ones are Phat (Sàrìputta) and Muc Kien Lien (Moggallàna), (according to Anguttaranikàya X 115 - A monk X 115; see two books "The Life of the Relics of the Continent" and the "History of the Continent of the Lien Dynasty" and the translator, but Ananda is the one who inherits the most Dharma, and he is able to narrating most of the Buddha's longest teachings.Meanwhile, the great apostles, often only replacing Buddha, reinterpret short or medium lessons!

And besides the dignity equivalent to those of the great-great-great-great-great-great-great apostles, Ananda is an elite disciple, having many blessings like the Buddha Shakyamuni. It was the Buddha at the time of his birth in many cases, he also raised such a character.

Unfortunately, as Buddha once said before the Sangha, "King Pasenadi, after hearing the dharma of Ananda, became the king of goodness, intellectual goodness, as he was inspired by the Tathagata".(According to Majjihimanikàya 88: Trung A Function 88).

On the other hand, Buddha also said, "When all the nobles, Brahman, civilians and Taoists are happy to see how a Holy King, the monks and nuns, the monks and nuns, good men and women are also overwhelmed with joy, seeing A Nan Da like that. "

Or another part Buddha said: "When the above mentioned Buddhists visit, they just need to see the content of A Nan Da is enough. If A Nan Da hands free to give them a lecture, it will be more interesting and fake. he was busy, did not greet them for a hour, they were completely happy, never bothered. It was the blessing of a step ahead of the threshold of Liberation! " (According to the 16th Digha: School A Function 16)

One day, a layman asked the Venerable Master: "How to make a Buddhist, after making good offerings to Buddha and Sangha, can seem to be worthy of Dharma?" then again the Buddha mentioned Aanda in the answer:

- Hey lay layman! If you want to offer Dharma, go to the Dharma Bao offering, go to the offering of A Nan Da, because he is the one who preserves the Dharma treasure!

Immediately the layman immediately invited A Nan Da to his son's house and offered him a very valuable medicine. The cardinal leaves behind A Nan Da to bring back to the Elder of the Venerable Phất (Sàrìutta) because he thinks: "It is the brother of the Venerable Phất: ất, who is the one who understands the dhammas".

But in a similar way, to the Venerable Loi Phat also thought: "It is the Buddha who is the cause of the Dharma treasure". Then the relics bring back that precious medicine to the Buddha. (according to Jàtaka Sutta 296 - Tuc Sinh story No. 296).

Another time, the Buddha highly praised Ananda after the great disciple had just finished answering a Buddha's question, then went elsewhere. The Buddha declared in advance some of them:

- This monk! Nan Nan is the one who is going to higher levels of Buddhism. And besides him, it was hard to find a Sa Mon with so many memories. (According to Anguttara Nikàya 3.78 - Tang Nhat A Function 3.78)

In the Sangha A, vol. 3, paragraph 72 also states: There is a layman who listens to A Nan Da sermon, then refuge in the Buddha, take refuge in the Dharma and take refuge in the Sangha. The layman, when he understood the truth, was happy to praise: "It is a holy way! What a true person! Sa Mon A Nan Da did not promote his Fa study, nor did he misrepresent the teachings of others. just know straightforwardly expressing the true things, but the meaning no matter the most remote, he does not ignore ".

King Pasenadi, after the second time with Prince Kosala, heard Ananda teaching, praised:

- The Prince, if you can imbue the Dharma Bao of the Spaniard of Aanda, is going to the noble truth.Because Nan Nan's words are respectable and peaceful words for everyone. Such words cannot come from the mouth of a person who goes beyond the Noble Way. (According to Nikàya Majjhima 90 = Middle A Function 90).

Normally, when a person gets too many compliments, too much sympathy, and so many privileges, he will encounter many jealousy, complain, unjustly dissatisfaction of a small minority. . But Ananda has not met that case. He has no enemies, nor is he hated by anyone. This unique advantage, in fact, has been caused by good people from many previous lives. In other words: "Happiness without enemies" of A Nan Da is not only in this life, but he was created in many previous lives.

A Nan Da is highly appreciated, because he knows how to humble himself, give his whole life to the Dharma. Then every honor did not make him become arrogant, conceited. He told himself: "All the virtues that he has achieved are thanks to the grace of Buddha. Because of such pureness, so high self, conceit cannot appear in him. And those who are not tall are He has no enemies, and he is not hated by anyone ".

If a person only knows how to take care of himself, away from any contact with the outside society, and without an enemy, then it is natural. Such as the case of Anuruddha, brother Ananda. (History: Sa Anuruddha, after renunciation spent day and night for spiritual practice, did not contact anyone outside the Buddha).

But A Nan Da is a person who has to deal with all kinds of people every day, must hear, see and know all the problems ..., but he is not jealous of anyone, he is not enmelled by others, and not in conflict society, not being noticed by people, watching ... it is indeed a fantasy like he has a miracle.

Although he is hard-working and pure, he sometimes gets reprimanded by the Buddha (or the elders).That reprimand is completely different from the usual criticism, because when the true ranks remind when he is stimulated into the mind, let the noble virtues be cast, and from there, the power New inner training is solid. Those who appreciate such reminders are easy to become pure, and their lives are naturally revered by everyone.

In most cases, Nan was rebuked by Buddha, aimed at social relations, social rituals, or discipline of the community, rather than being rebuked because of his noble mind, or because he did not understand Fa Bao.

Please describe a few cases as follows:

One time the Buddha was sick with pain in his stomach, A Nan Da was told by the "sticky porridge will help the Buddha get rid of the disease", he went to earn porridge for the Buddha.

The Buddha then rebuked him that:

- It is irrelevant for the Taoists and the Sa-mons to use cooking materials in the practice area.

Then the Buddha instituted the law: "A bhikkhu, will commit the crime of oppression, if the bhikkhu cooks himself". (According to Mahàvagga No. 6, 17, in Tibetan law)

From then on, A Nan Da remembered that law, and kept it diligently, telling himself: "The Buddha's commandment is the foundation of a virtuous life".

One day, A Nan Da went begging and forgetting to wear the Old Le medicine, was reminded by a fellow initiate: "The Buddha has approved the ordination of the monk, he must always carry all three Y's when he goes to the village!". A Nan Da happily thanked the friend, and said that "Bần Tăng only forgets, not deliberately disobeying the Buddha's permission". Then he obediently went to wear Y Sang Gia Le. And since then, the rules of dignified clothing of a bhikkhu when leaving the Vihara, approved by the Buddha have been done in detail by him (According to Mahàvagga 8, 23 = The Law of Tibetan Law number 8, 23).

Recalling this period for Buddhists, lay people as well as renunciation, seeing that: "A level with many memories like A Nan Da, the level where the last life will enter into the Eucharist as A Nan Da, but it is possible to omit some postures in a life of dignity, let alone human beings like us who are not always alert and know themselves. "

Therefore, Germany The Religion has repeatedly noted the bhikkhus: "You should not underestimate the small acts, especially the daily postures of monastic life! Because of those small virtuous deeds will As a basis for all spiritual endeavors, and the Sacred Heart later on, the law which brings complete virtues, and virtue will absolutely bring about humility and liberation wisdom. "

Elder Mahàkassapa (Dai Ca Liep) also reprimanded Aanda, as in the following two cases:

For the first time, there were thirty disciples of Nan Nan simultaneously, because they thought that the precepts of the monastic order were too sluggish. The Elder Dai Ca Hout was rebuking A Nan Da did not train thoughtful precepts before giving ordination.

The elder said: "Nan Nan was the one who instructed these young disciples to begin with. Why did he not train them to finish the continent, train them in the method of overcoming eating, and teach? give them the ability to know themselves ".

- "He accidentally ruined youth and damaged the beliefs of the new bhikkhus, so much so that he had to give up. Affordable Aanda, because he was young so he lacked experience?". (At that time, the Elder Dai Ca Doi was over 80 years old and A Nan Da was only 50 years old, so the Elder called him young). (According to Samyutta Nikàya 18.11 = Episode A Function 18,11).

Because I am still a monk, before this heavy reprimand, Ananda happily replied:

- Although there are two hairs on the head of the mountain, the monk Tang still wholeheartedly serves the Sangha as a young man, so the Elder Ca Mau for the poor Tang is young and inexperienced.

Here, we can understand that: Nan was so confident in his sincere service to the church, and despised the indulgence of sensual life of the thirty new disciples! He did not justify his failure to round up the criticism of an elder. We must not forget that when Ananda had not attained Arhat, so there were still a few rough defilements in him. The answer of Ananda to the Elder of the Houttuynia is obviously due to the harsh defilements that suddenly burst out, not because of the stubborn nature of deliberate blasphemy.

The second reprimand of the Elder Ca Lama (Mahà Kassapa) to Ananda belongs to another context:

Number is one time Ananda asked the Elder to go with him to teach religion at a nunnery. After a minute of waiting, Elder Ca Dich accepted. But when the sermon is finished, a bhikkhu who is stubborn in his heart still contains the sexuality that has commented: "The elder Dai Ca Dich kept saying the dharma alone to not let the Venerable Ananda, a handsome, knowledgeable wide, utter a word! ". Bhikkhu khưu Ni also for example the elder as a diamond seller, praising the needle before people know how to build it! (refers to A Nan Da).

On the way back, A Nan Da understood the idea, then asked the Elder Elder to forgive the Bhikkhu Ni.But the Elder rebuked that:

- Hey A Nan Da! Why don't you remember to finish the continent! He kept letting the compliments affect his behavior (According to Samyatta Nikàya 16.10 - Tap A Function 16.10).

This means that the Elder of the Great Cauldron has skillfully rebuked A Nan, who was too zealous to bring spiritual benefits to the Nuns, but disregarded his personal danger, not from Ananda. Many, but from one side of another (the reference of a bhikkhu). This reprimand later helped A Nan Da very much.

Anyway, the two cases of Ananda were mentioned above by the Elder Venerable Elder did not make the researchers of the life of the great disciples of the Buddha misunderstood. On the contrary, through those reproachful times, the Elder of the Great Cauldron has proved his compassion, just as Ananda manifested his always-improving virtue. Because both of these high-ranking men were very friendly with each other. It can be said that they are the two names of Tang, though quite different in age, but most satisfactory in the Thinh Van disciples Buddha.

Another time, A Nan Da was criticized for the following story:

Ananda asked the Buddha: "How is the voice of the Buddha in the deep universe?".

The Buddha replied, "The voice of an Enlightened being is not measurable, can be heard in all the realms of the world, can touch all the ears of Pham Thien [1] and cover the three worlds. The voice also imbued with all things, from the shortest life to the longest life, the life of the sun ".

A Nan Da heard such a reply, so he was happy, as if Buddha's words were always everywhere, there was no Enlightenment echo, so he praised:

- What a blessing for me! It is very happy for me, to be a disciple to attend to a level of Almighty and All-enlightened.

Bhikkhu Udayi heard A Nan Da being complacent by such praise, criticized:

- Hey A Nan Da! What is the benefit of praising the virtues of the Master? If I do not practice holy and omniscient.

Then it was from that criticism, that Bhikkhu Udayi discussed the problem. For example, he criticized A Nan only looked at the Buddha's body and was satisfied with his strength, refusing to cultivate his body, speech, and mind in order to be liberated by himself, to be almighty. The Buddha heard that story, then explained to Ananda as follows:

- Hey Udàyi! Not like that! Suppose A Nan Da is out of life right now, and even though he has not yet attained the higher result than Tu Da Hap, A Nan Da is still born as a heavenly king seven times, thanks to the result of cultivating the mind from his past lives or he will be born king of this seven times, not falling down to four evil paths. Hey Udàyi! And this is the last life of Ananda, for him to be liberated (According to Anguttara Nikàya 3.80 = Tang Nhat A Function 3, 80).

The Buddha predicted the evolutionary schedule of Ananda as such, in front of the great-hearted man, proving enough that: The faith of the Buddha's master for Nan Nan is indeed certain. He also knew that these words would not make Nanan rely, or neglect, in cultivation.

And, Buddha uttered those words which had a reason: Firstly, Nan Nan was an ordinary person who felt less virtuous, and much longer he was liberated. Second, criticism also increased his guilt. Thirdly, in an indirect way, the Buddha needs to defend Ananda, so that after each criticism, his mind is free from anxiety, and at the same time, the Buddha encourages Ananda to try harder, because The fruit of liberation will come to him in that life.

The Blessed One dedicates such prophecies to those who always try and remain afraid of themselves, and continue to be reincarnated, rather than letting those who are easy-going and mean.

But in the following story, the Buddha aimed at the consciousness of Aanda, to reprimand and formulate a law:

Number one time, the Buddha Master ordered A Nan Da to look after the cloth distribution, and sew the clothes for the Sangha, who had done this work well, and was praised by the Buddha. Praise them: "Ananda is a skillful man, even in the field of sewing! A virtuous monk is a man who knows how to sew his own piece of medicine, not just to open it, and not to now criticized as a waste of sacrifices of good men and women "(According to Mahàvagga 8 12+ Dai Ngo 8 12)

After a while, when the Buddha and the disciples were near the capital, Ca Bhikkhu La Ve. One day the Venerable Master saw that in a Vihara very many tools, he asked A Nan Da, is there a place where there are many monks meeting?

A Nan Da immediately confirmed, and he also made clear to the Buddha that:

- White Master! Recently, the Sangha has been patching together. The Master did not praise: "A monk deserves to be a maintenance man to take his robes, to avoid wasting the cloth of the na tien thi". So the disciple held a Y meeting session to be able to show the fellow methods of sewing ".

Then A Nan Da recounted how to work together to make medicine fun for Buddha. He did not know that: Each time the meeting stitched like that of the secular, the diligence of the monks had greatly decreased because of the co-working nature, the bullshit was born.

Therefore, the Buddha prepared the commandment, terminated bad habits for clergy, general meetings like convergence, as follows:

- "A bhikkhu, deserving of criticism, is someone who likes meetings like the real world, or is happy to be gathered in a year, to gather seven, to both work and to talk. Such a bhikkhu class will not how to find peace in renunciation, it is impossible to recognize purity in solitary life, it is impossible to become peaceful in a quiet place, and it is impossible to realize the virtue of being aware of yourself.

- Those who are interested in frivolous gatherings, he will not find true peace only arises, when separated from all the gathering desire. Even those who have settled in meditation, but when being "enticed in the gathering", he will later be governed, unable to completely control the mind and mind.

- Suppose their acquired meditation, exists for a while, then it is just a manipulation to praise and not be the result of meditation. So those who meditate in one place (that is, to say the same cup or the same Vihara) will often face a lot of difficulties in attaining the result of liberation. on worldly conditions, especially the condition of having people meditate with you.

Therefore, after the Buddha explained the harmfulness of the gathering, he concluded:

- There is no form of meeting interest without causing suffering (dukkha). (Dukkha refers to all unsatisfactory states from gross to subtle (because through the law of impermanence (anicca): If there is a meeting, it must be dissolved.) If the "meeting" makes you happy, then " Tan "(break up) will make trouble. For a breakup in a short time, because defilements are very subtle, hard to see, so people despise. But for long separation, good that farewell, the affliction is suffering, can make the parting elements at risk of life fall into four evil paths, even to the highest heaven is the Brahma realm but separation also make the goods of Thien them in this realm sad, losing all aura.

Impermanence is one of the three immutable principles of Buddhist law.

After that, the Master also pointed out a practical method, which he only devoted to guiding Nan Nan, the Buddha taught him that:

- Because the duty is to be Buddha and contact with all kinds of people (It is said that there is a match), he should always practice the seventh part of the Noble Eightfold Path which is Mindfulness. Taking it as a basis for developing the remaining seven genera is Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Career, Righteousness, Chanh Tinh Tan and Right Concentration.

The Buddha used this teaching, because Aanda had a very fast mindfulness, although he was not highly entered into the Holy World, but the nature of his natural concentration, coupled with his instillation of Dharma, made he emits like some gesture, like a saint.

The Buddha also knew that: For Aanda, he only needed to raise the stimuli that were able to enter the Noble Path. Therefore, the relevant teachings guide him, apply the most appropriate Dharma Law, from which he can practice sufficiently the Noble Eightfold Path, without a single method that makes him persistent.

For ordinary people, Right Understanding is the first step, the basis of the Noble Eightfold Path. Then, when the body, speech, and mind are fully penetrated through the Chief Justice, Right Speech, Right Career, Righteousness, Righteous Mind, they begin to use Mindfulness to keep the mind in mind without becoming bigotry, when attaining the level of meditation.

But for A Nan Da, a man with extraordinary memory, a person who has the mind to hold most of the eighty-four thousand dharmas of the Buddha, the Mindfulness is the opening door, he steps in (maturing ) is that he can acquire the methods of breaking down, transcending all concepts, all forms or names, all dignity or the ultimate level.

In addition, the Buddha also stimulated the generous compassion of Nan Nan, especially the kindness towards the Master, and he confirmed that:

"That kind of compassion is not only discovered with the condition that Nan Nan became a disciple to approach Buddha."

We can see here that the Venerable Master specially instructed Ananda to enter the Holy Path, by the two methods of Dhamma and Dharma, to help him sever all worldly commitments, definitely one last time.

Therefore, upon concluding, the Buddha reiterated the relationship between him and him (ie Dharma or Specialism!) To strengthen his mindfulness as follows:

- Hey A Nan Da! Having had many past lives and even flying now, between him and Tathagata there is only one friendship, love and love for teachers and students, and never evil karma or hatred. That immeasurable relationship has made us enjoy blessings in countless past lives, his ultimate liberation and virtue, cannot be separated from the absolute result of Tathagata.

- Hey A Nan Da! If the Tathagata is a potter and he is a work, then the potter (referring to the Buddha) is completely satisfied because he has brought all his power to create the most pleasing work (Italy). said the Buddha did not see A Nan Da as a disciple but the Sacred Heart was not yet solid!)

And with the teachings, encouragement and "confirmation of the result will come" so the Buddha has strengthened the belief and mindfulness of Ananda, until the last minute, before He entered Nirvana.

The following anecdote anecdotes will make us more aware of the relationship between Buddha and Ananda in a deeper way: That is the 40th story in Tuc Sinh's story:

At that time, A Nan Da was king, left the throne, to join the Bodhisattva (Buddha) to become a monk.Just as Lord Si Si Si had done in the last life at Loc Da garden, before becoming a Buddha.

One day the Bodhisattva knew that his friend (the predecessor A Nan Da), because he had so many difficulties in finding food, had saved salt and seasoned food. An action contrary to the monastic law of the monks.

The Bodhisattva immediately rebuked that:

- Hey you! You have bravely let go of the throne, let go of all the wealth of a kingdom, why do you now start to save every grain of salt?

This criticism made the predecessor A Nan Da sad. He replied that:

- Hey director! The criticism of my friends has made me suffer so much. Those criticisms made me feel bitter, sad, like someone stabbed with a blunt knife! (The Italian said that the knife was blunt, the victim had suffered a lot of pain before he was killed. If he used a sharp knife to cut it), the victim died immediately, the suffering also disappeared.

But the Bodhisattva (Buddha) hastily answered:

- This Taoist! Between sincere friends, words of truth, no need to be reserved, respecters, like a potter carefully before unburnt pots. A good friend is someone who can utter criticism at any time. For remembering only constructive criticisms and continuous encouragement statements, one who lives a virtuous life can train a solid Sacred Heart. Because like pure white clay, being molded and heated to become superior porcelain.

After that, the predecessor, Ananda, apologized to the Bodhisattva (Buddha's predecessor) and asked him, for compassion, continue to guide him.

At that time, the elaborate cultivation practices, compared with the purification of pure clay, then molded into the finest solemn porcelain, were popular society so it was very suitable to compare the multiplicity people's feeling, or anger, with the perishability of fragile porcelain pots not yet cooked.

A potter always cherishes the earthenware that has just been finished, still wet, not dry, cautiously, cautiously, for fear of breaking. Then, after burning through the first fire, they carefully find it, find it, wrinkles or cracks, before putting it in the oven, burning the last nine times. The skilled potter also tried to test his works, when going out by typing many times to find out "traces" in the sound. When the sound resonates, is clear, and is always the same, they can rest assured to bring it to market for sale.

Similarly, a person who becomes full of goodness only when they have gone through all the trials, and attained the highest, most worthy dignity, to enter the Scriptures! (In Buddhism there are two words: Holy Path and Holy Fruit. The one who attains the Holy Path is someone who not only has eliminated all doubts in the Eightfold Path, but they also turn into tame, to live a right life. follow the Noble Eightfold Path, with a soul that is always at peace, in good direction).

Then after that past life, A Nan Da precursor enjoyed a peaceful result, reborn in the heavenly realms Pham Thien (According to Jàtaka n.406 = Tuc Sinh story No. 406). And in other past lives, he also thanks to the guidance of the Buddha's predecessor, which gained many blessings (According to the Nikjā Majjhima n. 122 = Middle A Function 122). All that A Nan Da was born with, not because of miracles, but because he had a spirit of good and persistent goodness, always heard the words of the Bodhisattva (Buddha precursor) only teach, and inscribe those golden words into the mind, to practice happily. END=NAM MO SAKYAMUNI BUDDHA.( 3 TIMES ).VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST NUN=THICH CHAN TANH.GOLDEN AMITABHA MONASTERY=AUSTRALIA,SYDNEY.18/3/2019.