Reply To: Useful Essays from DRARISWORLD and Other Websites – Part 2

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Jittananto
Participant

CUNDA SUTTA: DISCOURSE WITH VENERABLE CUNDA

At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatti in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapindika’s monastery.

At that time, Venerable Sāriputta was staying among the Magadhans, near the small village of Nalaka. He was sick, suffering and gravely ill. The novice monk Venerable Cunna was his attendant. Because of that illness, Venerable Sāriputta passed away and attained final Nibbana.

When Venerable Sāriputta became aware that he would soon be passing away, he wanted to visit his mother to teach her the doctrine and for the final passing away to take place in the same room in his family home where he was born. Having bid farewell to the Buddha and received permission to leave, Venerable Sāriputta accompanied by his attendant Venerable Cunda and five hundred monks left the Buddha and arrived at his mother’s house. It is said that as soon as he settled down on his bed in the same room where he was born, Venerable Sāriputta developed severe dysentery. After listening to a discourse from Venerable Sāriputta, his mother attained the first stage of Stream Enterer (sotapanna). Then having gathered the five hundred monks who had accompanied him and pleading for their forgiveness if any of his physical or verbal actions were unpleasant to them, Venerable Sāriputta entered deep meditation and passed away peacefully at the age of eighty-four years. His body was cremated in the city of Rajagaha and his relics were taken to the Buddha who had arranged for the relics to be deposited in a stupa in Sāvatti.

Venerable Cunda was Venerable Sāriputta’s younger brother in his lay life who also ordained as a Buddhist monk. He remained the carer of Venerable Sāriputta until the passing away and final Nibbāna.

  • Another example of the immense qualities of Venerable Arahant Sariputta. He paid his debt to his mother Rūpasārī just before his parinibbānna; she became sotāpanna after listening to his discourse. For those who don’t know Sariputta’s mother was a Brahmin who hated the Triple Gem. She abused the monks and disrespected Venerable Sariputta in front of several bhikkhus. She hated the fact that her son had become a bhikkhu. It was only at the age of 100 that she became Sotāpanna. This shows that even if people seem to reject the Dhamma, they may eventually change after an event. Nothing is static in this samsāra.
  • We have all been like the mother of Venerable Sariputta an infinite number of times. Right now in this life, we are interested in the Dhamma and we know people who are not interested even though we tell them about the benefits of the Dhamma. They will understand one day. The story also shows the importance of establishing our loved ones in the Dhamma. Of course, this must be done if they are sufficiently open otherwise it is counterproductive. People think that they will make their loved ones happy by giving them fortunes, cars, mansions and so on. This kind of action is the result of a distorted vision of happiness. The best way to make your loved ones happy is to contribute to their establishments in magga phala.
  • There is a sutta (I forgot which one, it would be good if someone finds it) where Lord Buddha says that even if we carry our parents on our backs for 100 years we will not be able to pay them our debts. Debts are paid when they get magga phala through our efforts. If this is not possible we can at least transfer their merits upon their death. They could be petas (hungry ghosts). It’s hard to imagine but let’s not forget that the majority of beings are reborn in the 4 apayas. Imagine how many of our loved ones from past lives or even this life are in these worlds of pain. There is a story(Sariputta Bhante’s Mother) where Venerable Sariputta transfers merits to a hungry ghost who was his mother in a previous life. This merit allowed them to be fed and well-clothed. Of course, she can’t achieve magga phala as a peta. But she will die in a pleasant state of mind and can then be reborn in a higher world. Eventually, in these worlds, she could become at least sotāpanna.
  • Even people who seem to hate the Dhamma may become sotāpanna at some point. It is important to do our best to contribute to the well-being of our living or deceased loved ones like Venerable Sariputta.              For more information: Animisa Lōcana Bōdhi Poojā – A Prelude to Acts of Gratitude      
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