[WFB Lecture Hall]The Life of the Buddha 25

The Life of the Buddha 25

After hearing the ascetic elder, the prince pondered and told the ascetics that their austerities weren't the real path to end suffering and gain joy. Reaching the celestial realm via austerities still couldn't free one from the cycle of birth and death. He held that suffering in the present for after-death happiness only fed the five desires, had nothing to do with escaping birth-death pain, and would invite more suffering.

The prince cited examples of the poor, beasts eating leaves and fruits, and water animals living in water all day to prove these austerities couldn't lead to the great way. He instructed the ascetics that clinging to either suffering or happiness was wrong for cultivation. One must let go of both to reach the truth realm.