The Decision to Teach
A Turning Point in the Buddha’s Journey
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One of the most pivotal moments in the Buddha’s life unfolds in the Ariyapariyesanā Sutta (MN 26), also known as The Noble Search. This sutta offers profound insight into the Buddha’s initial hesitation to teach the Dhamma after his enlightenment and the eventual resolve that set the wheel of the Dhamma in motion.
The Struggle of Communication
After attaining enlightenment, the Buddha reflected deeply on the nature of the Dhamma he had realized. He recognized it as subtle, profound, and challenging to comprehend:
“This Dhamma that I have attained is profound, hard to see and hard to understand, peaceful and sublime, unattainable by mere reasoning, subtle, to be experienced by the wise.”
What troubled him was the difficulty of conveying such a profound truth to a world steeped in attachment, lust, and aversion. Teaching, he thought, might be a fruitless and burdensome endeavor.
Brahmā Sahampati’s Plea
At this crucial juncture, Brahmā Sahampati, a celestial being, appeared before the Buddha. Recognizing the transformative potential of the Buddha’s teaching, Brahmā pleaded:
“Let the Blessed One teach the Dhamma... There are beings with little dust in their eyes who are perishing through not hearing the Dhamma.”
Brahmā’s plea revealed the presence of receptive individuals—those “with little dust in their eyes”—who could grasp the Dhamma and benefit from it.
The Buddha’s Compassionate Decision
Moved by Brahmā’s words, the Buddha surveyed the world with his enlightened vision. He saw beings of varying capacities—some deeply immersed in delusion, others ready to awaken. Comparing them to lotuses in a pond, he observed:
Some lotuses remain submerged, unable to emerge into the light.
Others rest at the surface, poised to bloom.
Some rise above the water, untouched by it, ready to blossom.
This vision ignited the Buddha’s compassion. Realizing that even a few beings could benefit, he resolved to share the Dhamma, beginning with those most likely to understand it.
A Lesson in Patience and Wisdom
The Buddha’s initial hesitation highlights the complexity of spiritual communication. It reminds us of the delicate balance between profound truths and the readiness of the audience to receive them. The intervention of Brahmā Sahampati underscores the importance of external encouragement and faith in the transformative power of the Dhamma.
For modern practitioners, this story offers inspiration: even in a world filled with distractions, there are always those with “little dust in their eyes” who can benefit from teachings that awaken wisdom and compassion.
As we reflect on the Ariyapariyesanā Sutta, we are reminded of the Buddha’s profound determination to alleviate suffering and his deep empathy for all beings. This moment of decision marks the beginning of a journey that continues to illuminate lives to this day.
What aspects of this story resonate with you? Share your thoughts in the comments!