DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Will All Beings Attain Liberation? (AN 10.95)

**VastDrura** · 07-02-2012, 06:20 AM

Originally Posted by AN 10.95 "But if Master Gotama, from direct knowledge, teaches the Dhamma to his disciples for the purification of beings, for getting beyond sorrow and lamentation, for the ending of pain and grief, for attaining to the method of liberation and for realising Nibbāna, will the whole world thereby be emancipated, or half of it or a third part of it?”

In my mind and understanding not everyone can reach this.
Example, How can animals cultivate Buddhism? you can say, well you just read the text to them. That maybe one way but do the really understand what you want to tell them? can they reflect on your words?
I don't think that the sutta is suggesting that animals in particular cultivate Buddhism. Saying "the whole world" is just using general terms to illustrate a point. Ananda goes on to say :

“Similarly, friend Uttiya, the Tathāgata is not concerned with whether the entire world will be emancipated by his teaching or half of it or a third part.

But the Tathāgata is aware that whosoever has been emancipated, is now emancipated or will be emancipated from the world all these will do so by removing the five hindrances that defile the mind and weaken understanding, by firmly establishing their minds in the four foundations of mindfulness, and by cultivating the seven factors of enlightenment in their true nature. "

07-02-2012, 06:20 AM	#5
VastDrura Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 406 Senior Member	Originally Posted by AN 10.95 "But if Master Gotama, from direct knowledge, teaches the Dhamma to his disciples for the purification of beings, for getting beyond sorrow and lamentation, for the ending of pain and grief, for attaining to the method of liberation and for realising Nibbāna, will the whole world thereby be emancipated, or half of it or a third part of it?” In my mind and understanding not everyone can reach this. Example, How can animals cultivate Buddhism? you can say, well you just read the text to them. That maybe one way but do the really understand what you want to tell them? can they reflect on your words? I don't think that the sutta is suggesting that animals in particular cultivate Buddhism. Saying "the whole world" is just using general terms to illustrate a point. Ananda goes on to say : “Similarly, friend Uttiya, the Tathāgata is not concerned with whether the entire world will be emancipated by his teaching or half of it or a third part. But the Tathāgata is aware that whosoever has been emancipated, is now emancipated or will be emancipated from the world all these will do so by removing the five hindrances that defile the mind and weaken understanding, by firmly establishing their minds in the four foundations of mindfulness, and by cultivating the seven factors of enlightenment in their true nature. "
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