Buddhas Instructions - Essay Example

Buddha’s Instructions The theme of transformation is evidenced when Buddha falls sick and recovers. When ailing, Buddha steps into the world, he learns about the livelihood of people and the sufferings that they go through. However, he is hesitant to educate people on the process of enlightenment, since he believes that human nature could not conquer in the absence of effort and commitment. Even though, he has a conviction that there must be someone take over the responsibility of leading towards enlightenment, and the only person that should go through the transformation process in order to assume this responsibility is Ananda.

It is the culture of the Buddhists to have a trend of enlightenment in their religion, therefore, Buddha must allocate someone that responsibility, and that should be Ananda. Buddha tells Ananda as they converse”. Ananda “Have recourse to none else for refuge. Hold fast to the Dhamma as an island”. Resort to no other refuge Whosoever, Ananda, either now or after I am gone, shall be islands unto themselves, refuges unto themselves, shall seek no external refuge”. Based on the authors’ point of view, theme of transformations surfaces out.

The author refers to Buddha as the ‘Enlightened one’. This means that he is able to transforms the life of people from bad to good. Theme of transformation is also seen when Buddha suggests that, she is aging and her time of death is close, and she must pass Buddha responsibility to a person that he is certain that he is able to lead the monks towards the enlightenment.. In addition, there is also an aspect of transformation, when Buddha speaks of his old life, and that he is nearing his death.

This is transition from life to death. Buddha says, “"Now I am frail, Ananda, old, aged, far gone in years. This is my eightieth year, and my life is spent. Even as an old cart, Ananda, is held together with much difficulty, so the body of the Tathagata is kept going only with supports” (Ashvaghosha, 1998, 33). In this context, Buddha is certain that, he has accomplished his purpose of leading people towards enlightenment and he should find solace in death. In this aspect, there is transformation from life to death, even though it is yet to occur.

           Theme of Transformation is exhibited based on the History of Buddhism. According to the history of Buddhism, separation between Christianity and Buddhism existed between 500 and 600 years B.C.  Transition of Christianity from Buddhism occurred because, Christianity embraced Jesus as their successor, a concept that Buddhism refuted. Instead, they claim that Buddha was the source of teaching on enlightenment belief until his death. It was when; Buddhist acknowledged and embraced the concept of enlightenment.

Enlightenment itself is a life transformation from a certain kind of life to another life with a different perception of the nature of existence.           As Buddha affirms, transition is a process and one cannot claim to have complete transformation. Whosoever, Ananda, either now or after I am gone, shall be islands unto themselves, refuges unto themselves, shall seek no external refuge, it is they, Ananda, among my disciples who shall reach the very topmost height!, But they