Comprehension

(from a statue at the Louvre)

A few entries ago I had mentioned reading Handsome Nanda by Ashvaghosha. It has really been a delight and I'm not through with it yet, I still have a few cantos to go. However, the cantos I've read in between have some lovely language and quotes. We see Nanda passing slowly from a state of ignorance and reaching out for Faith. In the 11th canto he is caught between the Life of Training and the life of the senses. Ashvaghosha writes wonderfully:

"He was soothed by calming restraint and drained by violent passion, just as one is calmed and dried from a combination of water and fire." 11.5

I know exactly that feeling! Knowing the feeling how training is changing my heart, but still feeling the pull of the senses. This "water and fire" really creates "steam" for me somtimes and it is difficult to "see" the right way to go. What is missing at those times is a FULL commitment!

"For just as a bird bound by a string flies back again although it has flown far, so do people bound by the string of ignorance return again though they have traveled far." 11.59

the 12th canto is entitled "Comprehension" and it is where Ashvaghosha presents the importance of Steadfastness and Faith, Faith being such an important element in his writings .

"Steadfastness is in every respect hard to accomplish when the mind is given to unfettered passion, just as it is hard for a thirsty traveler to maintain slef-control when he sees dirty water." 11.27

And now comes such a lovely description of Faith:

"That is why I refer to faith particularly as 'the hand', since it reaches out to the true dharma like an unimpaired had reaches out for a gift. It is described as 'the sense organ' because of its prevelance, and as 'strong' because of its persistence, and as 'wealth' because it allays the impoverishment of virtue. It is declared to be the 'arrow' by reason of its protection of the dharma, and it is named 'jewel' because it is so hard to find in this world. What is more, it is said to be 'the seed', since it causes the arising of Excellence; again, it is called 'the river' because it cleanses wickedness.

As faith is the primary factor in the arising of dharma, I have called it different names on various occasions due to its effects. Therefore you should nurture this shoot of faith; when it grows, dharma grows, just as a tree grows when its roots grow. When a man's vision is blurred and he is weak in resolved, his faith wavers, for it is not operating towards its proper outcome.

As long as reality is not seen or heard, faith is not firm or strongly fixed. But when a man's senses are governed by the rules of restraint and he sees reality, then the tree of faith is fruitful and supportive." 12.36-43

(from Handsome Nanda, Ashvaghosha. Trans. Linda Covill. New York University Press, 2007)