Soft and Pliant

The practice of the dharma is to subdue our mind so that it is soft and pliant. The main difference in a sage and a mundane man can be seen in the following situations.

1. With a soft and pliant mind, we treat the respect of others, their sincere offerings, their angry disposition, their scolding and blows as equal with no differences.
2. With a soft and pliant mind, we look at jewellery, tiles and stones as equal.
3. An Arahant is not tainted by defiled desires. He is not angry in adversities and not deluded in confused situations as he wisely takes good care of his six emotions.

A mundane man is unable to take good care of his six emotions because he has not severed his mind of desires, anger, delusion, arrogance and suspicion. He resembles a bad wild horse which is difficult to rein. His mind is neither soft nor pliant.

On the great earth, an Arahant resembles an elephant which is replete with the greatest strength.

‘A cleverly subdued Elephant King is able to breakdown a great army when it travels into them without any fear. It is not afraid of knives and sticks. It is not frightened of fire or water. It enters the army without retreating even if death is awaiting it.’

So with the practice of concentration, wisdom arises in an Arahant. He is able to subdue the army of Mara, the thieves of afflictions. He is not frightened of hitting, scolding, old age and death.

An Arahant is described as a powerful dragon which dwells in the great ocean.

‘Take the analogy of a Great Dragon King. When it comes out from the great ocean, it creates a big cloud that pervasively covers the empty space. In the striking of lightning, the illumination lights up the great earth. The rain pours in torrential, moisturizing all life forms on earth.’

In the great ocean of meditation and wisdom, an Arahant arises from the ocean and creates a cloud of kindness and compassion.He reveals the great illumination to cross over those who have affinities with him with all kinds of transformation. He speaks the genuine dharma to moisturize the mind of his disciples so that their wholesome roots will flourish.

Why does the Buddha say that when the defilement of desire leaves us, our mind is liberated?

All our afflictions can be categorized into love and views.

It is because love is a great force which binds up our mind. With the severance of loving desire, the residue afflictions are severed too. For instance, when we say that the King arrives, we know that he is followed by the generals, the soldiers. Or when we hold on to one corner of the handkerchief, the other corners will follow. It is the same for the defilement of loving desire.

The afflictions of love cover up our mind. The afflictions of views cover up our wisdom.

When loving desire is renounced, the afflictions of love will leave too. The liberation of mind is attained.

In the same way when ignorance is renounced, the afflictions of views will leave too. The liberation of wisdom is attained.

When the mind is liberated, the wisdom of liberation is attained, an Arahant will arrive at the position of no-retreating.