Dharma Wheel

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During the time of Indra’s transformation Shakyamuni Buddha was traveling with Ananda through blooming meadows. Bees filled the air with even and broad buzzing sounds that streamed in all directions, yet Ananda felt sad in his heart.

Ananda received his name, which means “bliss”, from Shakyamuni when he entered the Sangha. However, rather than bliss, Ananda experienced helplessness and powerlessness while traveling with the Awakened One. He doubted his spiritual progress and thought himself unable to experience enlightenment. As a result, he often asked the Blessed One about the various stages in spiritual development and tried to build a stepwise understanding of the path to liberation. He then thought about which realms his fellow practitioners – including monks, nuns and lay people – would reincarnate after their passing.

When the Teacher instructed him during their conversation, Ananda felt some relief from his doubts. Especially when he learned about the various stages of spiritual development:

1. “Entering the stream” Accepting refuge and gaining certainty.
2. “Returning^[39] once.” The state of mind that is sufficient for decisive re- examination of personal drawbacks and unskillful qualities.
3. “Non-return.” The stage for cultivating a natural, unconstructed bliss of absorption in mind’s nature.
4. “Becoming Arahat.” Perfection in attainment, awakening and pacification of mind in itself.

But even with the inspiration of these teachings, Ananda still carried the burden of sorrow. The Tathagata often drew the youth’s attention to the surrounding meadows, spacious fields, green mountains, and hills proclaiming to him, “How beautiful is this view!”

“The Awakened One never insists on pointing out beauty and spaciousness to other students so much. Am I the only one who is so indifferent to it all!” thought Ananda feeling more and more guilty.

“Ananda, my friend, this burden of sorrow and doubt that you carry with you is nothing but Sukhavati, the Land of Pure Bliss,” the Bhagavan said to him unexpectedly.

“How is it so, Lord? exclaimed Ananda.

“Simply see that.”

The buzzing streamed into Ananda’s ears and the aroma from the flowers became even more distinct. But he was still expecting something else.

“Friend! Just as milk turns to butter, nectar turns to honey, and flour turns to bread, so does your mental disunity, formed from residual memories from the limitless past, become the substance for noble, skillful and wholesome qualities in your mind. Think of that!”

Soon they settled to rest in the shade of a mango tree. Ananda crossed his legs, relaxed his shoulders, and solar plexus. He felt his back straightening itself out and he began to reflect on his teacher’s words.

The youth’s mind embraced the despondency and confusion that reigned in his heart. He perceived it as just one phenomena in the limitless space of this world.

Transitioning to the second level of concentration, Ananda perceived the outlines of his despondency and confusion, their transitoriness and constructedness. When entering the realm of No-thing, he saw that, like the sound of beating wings or clothes tearing, the despondency and confusion were uncovering their empty nature before him.

Ananda’s perception became lucid and free. He became aware of the un-manifested qualities in his mind which he amassed thanks to his association with Bhagavan Shakyamuni. Ananda’s eyes beheld the Land of Pure Bliss that lies to the west in the direction of the setting sun. It is a realm where the righteous abide after passing from this world with good karma.

The harmonious colors and forms in Ananda’s vision seemed both familiar and transformed. All living things here breathed the happiness of liberation from unskillful qualities. They shared their joy with space itself and, supported by mental clarity, rested in equanimity. Birth and dissolution happened here in direct relation to the accumulation or lack of virtuous qualities. Beings emerged from lotuses or prayers uttered by the siddhas. Death in this world did not have a terrifying appearance. She appeared as a conductress and preceptress during the transition into other realms.

In a beautiful palace^[40], surrounded by blooming orchards, amidst gods, spirits, animals, plants and shining crystals there sat an Awakened One, a Buddha. Youthful in appearance, his body was glowing with the noble red radiance of a setting Sun. When Ananda saw him tears of happiness welled up in his eyes and he experienced the completeness of joyous peace.

The delighted Ananda told his teacher about his vision; The Buddha explained to him:

“Such is the Pure Land that you have experienced in your residual impressions^[41]. Such is the Buddha of this Land who is worshipped as Amitabha (Infinite Light). Such is the noble, generous, joy-giving extinguishment of doubts that brings edification to all beings suffering in the fire of desires.”

Contemplating the generosity and luminosity of his Dharma-consciousness, Ananda gradually exhausted his doubts and despondency.

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