That Brāhman, the Buddha

An essay written by Phiroz Mehta in 1954 for The Middle Way, extracted from Buddhahood

Continued from part 1, part 2 and part 3

Do you look, then, for some petty consolation? Do you await some futile message of hope? Let it be clearly realized that in the transcendent awareness of eternal existence there is no room and no meaning for either hope or despair, pessimism or optimism. Here-now is the ultimate, the supreme, for we continually exist in the very midst of the omnipresent, and there is not a secret of the heart which is hidden from the gaze of the eyes which never sleep.

So the question is, Adam, where do you want to be? At home in omniscience, bending every energy in harmony with omnipotence; or, buffeted between the extremes of the dualistic temporal, the miserable slave of savage folly?

In this century, here, now, it is the springtime of the spirit once again. And it is also the harvest-time of the spirit.

This simultaneity of spring-time and harvest is the sign and miracle for our day. And he who is ready or who will diligently prepare himself will be an active participator in this miracle and not a mere blind spectator.

Once again the portals are open through which have constantly passed the great religious heroes — the prophets of old, ṛṣis and munis, arahants and buddhas; a wonderful company of perfected men, the Brāhman-become, among whom shines the overtowering figure of that brāhman, the Buddha.

Comments

The last two paragraphs speak volumes of wisdom. It is in our interest to read, listen, reflect and require… “Attitude” as we walk on.

‘Kingfisher’, 13^th March 2018