The Leopard

[Ben]

157. And this bhikkhu is compared to a leopard. For just as a great leopard king lurks in the grass wilderness or a jungle wilderness or a rock wilderness in the forest and seizes wild beasts - the wild buffalo, wild ox, boar, etc.-, so too, the bhikkhu who devotes himself to his meditation subject in the forest, etc., should be understood to seize successively the paths of stream-entry, once-return, and Arahantship; and the noble fruitions as well. Hence the Ancients said:

"For as the leopard by his lurking [in the forest] seizes beasts
So also will this Buddhas' son, with insight gifted, strenuous,
By his retreating to the forest seize the highest fruit of all"
(Miln. 369)

-- Visuddhimagga VIII: 157

Bhavatu Sabbe Mangelum!

[Tex]

That really resonates with me. It's such a simple analogy, but it's interesting that even an animal killing another animal contains a lesson, if you look at it from just the right angle.

[Ben]

Yes, it is great inspiration.
I'm glad you resonate with it Tex.
metta

Ben

[retrofuturist]

Greetings Ben,

Not that it's entirely relevant, but are you in the process of reading the Visudhimagga 'cover-to-cover'? I noticed in the Dhamma Book Reading topic that you mentioned you were reading it. Or were you 'pointed' to this chapter by another book, essay or talk you were reading.

Metta,
Retro.

[Ben]

Hi Retro
If only I had the time to read the Visuddhimagga cover-to-cover! The last time I attempted I got through 2/3rds before putting it down. I now use it as a reference. I'm currently reading the section on Mindfulness of Breathing Ch. VIII in preparation for a ten-day vipassana retreat I am attending in a few days. I've also been digging into it recently on 'Repulsivenss of Nutriment' and Ch. XIV: Aggregates. If I get tme before I go, I'll re-read the section on Dependent Origination and Perhaps Ch 20 & 21: What is and what is not the Path, and Knowledge and Vision of the Way.
metta

Ben

[Freawaru]

157. And this bhikkhu is compared to a leopard. For just as a great leopard king lurks in the grass wilderness or a jungle wilderness or a rock wilderness in the forest and seizes wild beasts - the wild buffalo, wild ox, boar, etc.-, so too, the bhikkhu who devotes himself to his meditation subject in the forest, etc., should be understood to seize successively the paths of stream-entry, once-return, and Arahantship; and the noble fruitions as well. Hence the Ancients said:

"For as the leopard by his lurking [in the forest] seizes beasts
So also will this Buddhas' son, with insight gifted, strenuous,
By his retreating to the forest seize the highest fruit of all"
(Miln. 369)

-- Visuddhimagga VIII: 157

Bhavatu Sabbe Mangelum!

Hi Ben,

thank you for the quote. Very interesting aspect. The analogy to a leopard seizing it's prey ... it stresses both the "hunger" (for Enlightenment) part as well as the "taking/holding" aspect of the paths. Not something that just happens by itself, out of control, without intention or will, but something one has wanted and waited for, recognises, and seizes intentionally the moment it comes into sight.

Good hunting!