Meditation brings truth to light
By Kavita Maharaj - Nanaimo News Bulletin - March 09, 2009
One of the main purposes of meditation is to allow you to steady the mind – bringing it to such a state of equilibrium it is not swayed by either attraction (raga) or aversion (dvesha).
This process of consistent practice allows you to see in truth and in fact, there is no difference to the things, thoughts, feelings, etc. we draw toward ourselves or push away from ourselves.
The following is an effective Buddhist story that illustrates both the sameness of attraction and aversion, as well as equilibrium of mind at work:
Gautama Buddha was travelling through a village.
It was not long before word of his presence reached the villagers and they all rushed to greet him and seek his blessings.
Before going to see the Buddha however, the villagers decided it was only appropriate if they were to visit the Buddha, they should bring him gifts.
When the villagers finally found Gautama, he was sitting under a tree with some of his followers. The villagers crowded the place, all jostling for their chance to meet him.
Each of them began to offer their gifts of fruits, rich cloth, gold coins, ornaments, precious stones and the like.
One by one, Gautama Buddha politely refused to accept any of these gifts.
“I do not need any of these things,” was his simple answer.
The villagers however, tried to convince him to accept the gifts by saying they had much respect for him and were offering the gifts from the depths of their hearts.
But the Buddha was firm on his decision.
After some time, the villagers began to become angry.
“What does he think of himself?” they asked.
“We are offering him such precious gifts and he is so rudely rejecting them.”
Their anger turned to hatred and they began to curse the Buddha.
Hearing their foul language, one of Gautama’s followers asked, “Master, do you not feel angry? They are using such cruel and unjust words against you.”
The Buddha simply replied with a smile, “They offered me precious gifts that I refused to accept.
“They are now offering me harsh words and I refuse to accept them also.”
