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Hello Ven. Lal Sir. I have a question about Venerable Ananda, the chief attendant of the Buddha. The Buddha hinted to him three times that Ananda could request the Buddha to remain for the remainder of the aeon, or for the rest of the current lifespan (I am not concerned with whether “aeon” refers to a real kalpa or simply the remaining time of a normal human lifespan). My question is: do you think what Venerable Ananda did, or rather did not do, was the correct thing? I used to think that he acted selfishly toward the Buddha. My reasoning is that if Parinibbana is the ultimate victory and the permanent cessation of suffering, then we could say he was selfish in that regard. However, those who believe the Buddha did not live longer, which he was very well capable of, but did not because Ananda did not ask him—blame him, of course.
I also used to think that Ananda should have asked the Buddha when he could have, but at that time I didn’t know much about this truth of suffering. As I have started to understand it more and more, I started to understand the arguments that one can make for Venerable Ananda rather than against him. So, my other question is: If Ananda had asked or requested the Buddha to stay, assuming the Buddha would have accepted it, would Ananda have not attained arhatship in that case?
From the Buddha’s point of view, of course I cannot guess it, but it felt to me like he had done everything he could for everyone that he could help, in fact he did more than what anyone could even dream of ever doing. In the end, there was no one remaining who was mature enough to understand this Buddha’s very deep teaching, which goes against the flow or norm. So maybe that was also another reason the Buddha didn’t want to live more, as it was pointless anyway for him to trouble himself unnecessarily. I concluded this part about what the Buddha may have thought after reading a few versions of the story of when Venerable Ananda attained parinibbana. He also realized at the end that there is no point in living further, as those whom he could help and guide, he has helped already, whatever he could have done, he has done that. Now, whoever remains cannot understand this deep teaching at all or are not mature enough to even start understanding it, so it is pointless to live further. Thus, he decided to attain parinibbana. This is just my take; I don’t know for sure what exactly happened at that time, but it is just a guess.
So I asked myself this question: what would I have done if I were in that situation? (I know this is like talking and thinking about things that are way above my understanding and level.) I always felt like I would have asked the Buddha to stay. But that was only before I started to understand the truth of suffering. Now I also think that what Ananda did was correct. Why should the Buddha suffer for those who don’t understand and would not want to listen to him, and who would maybe want him to go away? But I am not as confident in this latter argument as I was in the “he should have stayed” argument.
So, Lal Sir, if you could forgive me for asking, what would you have done if you were in Ven. Ananda’s shoes? I know this could be very well pointless and won’t be exactly beneficial to understand and follow the Buddha’s teachings. But this feels very important to me. I want to know what you think of this. This is actually important for me, as far as my understanding goes. Of course, others are welcome to comment on this and share your views; I would appreciate that.
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This is one of those things that we cannot really explain.
- Of course, anyone with even the slightest faith in the Buddha would have asked the Buddha to stay alive as long as possible. The maximum lifespan at that time was around 100-120 years.
- Venerable Ananda was a Sotapanna, so if he understood the question, he would definitely have asked the Buddha to stay alive as long as possible.
- Some say that Ven. Ananda’s mind was influenced by the Mara Devaputta. But I don’t want to speculate.
- This issue does not affect our efforts to attain Nibbana. It is better to focus on issues that are relevant to that goal.
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Of course, anyone with even the slightest faith in the Buddha would have asked the Buddha to stay alive as long as possible. The maximum lifespan at that time was around 100-120 years.
This actually answered my question.
Venerable Ananda was a Sotapanna, so if he understood the question, he would definitely have asked the Buddha to stay alive as long as possible.
Yes I also believe that he simply did not understand the hint and that’s why later regretted so much. He had 3 chances and he didn’t say a word for even 3rd time, so he just did not understand that, at that time.
Some say that Ven. Ananda’s mind was influenced by the Mara Devaputta. But I don’t want to speculate.
I forgot to mention this Mara Devaputta thing in my last message. Just a related question, is Mara Devaputta capable of doing such thing? I have always understood that when one is emotionally intense/wrong and takes decisions out of attachments and avijja, in such case one is always under the influence of Mara Devaputta. Am I correct here?
This issue does not affect our efforts to attain Nibbana. It is better to focus on issues that are relevant to that goal.
Yes sir. I understand this. I just don’t want to leave any regrets before reaching final goal. That is why I am asking these not-much-beneficial questions. I request you to answer above remaining questions, then I will stop. Your responses actually answer my questions and also other questions that I had but not asked.
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“I forgot to mention this Mara Devaputta thing in my last message. Just a related question: is Mara Devaputta capable of doing such a thing? I have always understood that when one is emotionally intense/wrong and makes decisions out of attachment and avijja, in such a case one is always under the influence of Mara Devaputta. Am I correct here?”
- Mara Devaputta is the leader of the highest Deva realm. Some say he can affect others’ minds. But I am not certain that he can affect the mind of a Sotapanna.
- Even humans can affect other humans’ minds. Not with telepathic powers, but just by talking to them. That can go both ways. For example, one always learns the Buddha’s teachings from another person.
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Mara Devaputta is the leader of the highest Deva realm. Some say he can affect others’ minds. But I am not certain that he can affect the mind of a Sotapanna.
Even humans can affect other humans’ minds. Not with telepathic powers, but just by talking to them. That can go both ways. For example, one always learns the Buddha’s teachings from another person.Yes it makes sense, really. I got my answers. Thank you sir.
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