Once Samma Sambuddha pointed out a log which floating on a river. The Blessed one explained 8 exact reasons for that log to miss the chance of meeting the ocean at the end.
(The explained sutta named “Darukkhandhopama Sutta” is on the Sutta Pitaka < Samyuktha Nikaya 4th book on the page 350 – 355).
1. If the log come to this side of river bank
2. If the log come to the other side of river bank
3. If the log sink on the middle of river
4. If the log bring up by the river in to an sand island which are on the middle of the river
5. If the log taken by the human beings
6. If the log taken by the non-human beings
7. If the log taken by a whirl pool
8. If the log deterioration from the inside
So think about the given 8 reason. Can you think about any other reason apart from these? I think it’s a complete one and there can’t be any other reason for the above discuss situation.
As the river always goes to the ocean whatever floating on the river is possibly goes to the ocean if that thing doesn't come across the above situations. So why, these example is given? Now it’s time to apply it to your own self and examine the hidden dhamma.
Samma Sambuddha himself explained how the above 8 points work on a person whom willing to attain nirvana (become enlighten).
The ocean is compared to the noble achievement call nirvana / the enlightenment. And the river is compared to the eight noble path. And the log is compared to the person whom following the path of nirvana / the eight noble path. So, as a wise person think about all these reasons and try to find them in your own self and clear them for your own benefits.
1. If the log come to this side of river bank
If a follower of the noble path, stuck with the pleasure of eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body & the mind that person will not able to achieve the enlightenment like the log which come to this side of the river bank and missed the opportunity of meeting the ocean.
2. If the log come to the other side of river bank
If a follower of the noble path, stuck with the pleasure of forms, sounds, fragrances, tastes, touches & the thoughts that person will not able to achieve the enlightenment like the log which come to the other side of river bank and missed the opportunity of meeting the ocean.
3. If the log sink on the middle of river
If a follower of the noble path, stuck with the craving or desire, that person will not able to achieve the enlightenment like the log which sink on the middle of river and missed the opportunity of meeting the ocean.
4. If the log bring up by the river in to an sand island which are on the middle of the river
If a follower of the noble path, stuck with the “EGO” and the pleasure of “I” or “MINE” that person will not able to achieve the enlightenment like the log bring up by the river in to an sand island which are on the middle of the river and missed the opportunity of meeting the ocean.
5. If the log taken by the human beings
If a follower of the noble path, stuck with the activities of other people by supporting them and giving hand them on their happy or sad situations or being busy with the other people, that person will not able to achieve the enlightenment like the log taken by the human beings and missed the opportunity of meeting the ocean.
6. If the log taken by the non-human beings
If a follower of the noble path, stuck with the practices which leads to heaven or being a higher realms being and boast about his / her status on that OR follow the methods of being in touch with non-human beings or other realms through meditation or other methods, that person will not able to achieve the enlightenment like the log taken by the non-human beings and missed the opportunity of meeting the ocean.
7. If the log taken by a whirl pool
If a follower of the noble path, stuck with the pleasure of five senses call the sense of forms, sounds, fragrances, tastes and touches, that person will not able to achieve the enlightenment like the log taken by a whirl pool and missed the opportunity of meeting the ocean. As for an example even a piece of cake can drag one to gain the pleasure of five senses by itself alone at the time we eat it. The look of it, the sound when we eat it (the crispy foods is a good example), the smell of the food, taste of it and the way it feel when touch or when goes in to the mouth… in that way one single food can give us the pleasure of five senses alone and same for the other day to day activities which we are involved.
8. If the log deterioration from the inside
If a follower of the noble path, doesn't care about the false activities, words or thoughts which occurs time to time with the desire, hatred or ignorance Or if hiding their true identity which filled with desire hatred & ignorance and show off him or herself as a good and virtue person to the world, that person will not able to achieve the enlightenment like the log deterioration from the inside and missed the opportunity of meeting the ocean.
As you see these are wonderful similes to those who wise to realize the missing points of their own practices. The examples or similes are really supportive for the wise people to gain more wisdom and become an enlighten one. So compare all this to your own life and find out what’s wrong with you or what missing for you to achieve the enlightenment. Be on alert! Be conscious and gain the noble peace to yourself by ceasing all kind of sufferings!
May triple gem bless you to accelerate the path of nirvana / enlightenment and become a liberate one from all kind of sufferings soon!!!
