Yoga Vasistha

Exploring Theravāda's connections to other paths - what can we learn from other traditions, religions and philosophies?
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Nicholas Weeks
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Yoga Vasistha

Post by Nicholas Weeks »

An ancient Rishi Vasistha teaches Rama in this large work. Many passages are similar to Buddha's teachings.
There cannot be any denying the fact that there is
suffering in life. There is evil and there is misery in
this world. Recognition of this fact is the first of the
four noble truths of Buddhism. Vasistha, therefore,
agrees with Rama that life, as it is lived by the ordinary
man, is full of misery and troubles. The cause of
suffering, he points out like the Buddha, is desire.

“The desire for worldly objects ”, says Vasistha
with all the emphasis at his command,
“is the most dangerous enemy. It stings one like a
venomous serpent ; cuts like a sword ; pierces like a
lance ; binds like a rope ; burns like fire ; blinds like a
dark night ; and grinds down its helpless victim like a
heavy stone. It destroys his wisdom, upsets the balance
of his mind, and throws him into the deep and dark
well of infatuation. (II, 12, 14.) It causes him to suffer
the pangs of hell.” (II, 12, 15.)
From Dr. B. L. Atreya’s work; The Philosophy of the Yoga-vasistha, 1936.
Good and evil have no fixed form. It's as easy to turn from doing bad to doing good as it is to flip over the hand from the back to the palm. It's simply up to us to do it. Master Hsuan Hua.
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Nicholas Weeks
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Re: Yoga Vasistha

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II 4 O Rama, listen to what I [Vasistha] am about to say, which instruction is sure to remove the darkness of ignorance. A well-sustained self-effort leads to success in every field of life. Wherever one encounters failure, it is due to lack of self-effort.

Liberation produces selflessness; we lose our selfishness when we come to know the unity of the soul. By effort one can attain knowledge which leads to salvation. This is obvious; but what is called God, destiny or fate is fictitious and is not seen. The dull and the ignorant created God, which is none other than self-effort of a past incarnation affecting one.

Self-effort, Rama, is that mental, verbal and physical action which is in accordance with the instructions of a holy person well versed in the scriptures. This will reveal the moon of spiritual bliss beyond the dark clouds of mental impurities. Such effort, continuous and constant, gives good results, all the rest is sheer madness. The goal of self-effort is Self-realization.

It is only by such effort that Indra became king of heaven, that Brahmā became the creator, and Vishnu and Shiva earned their place. When right self-effort is sustained, one rises to that lofty state wherein ruling the vast earth is known as insignificant compared to the glory of Self-realization.
Good and evil have no fixed form. It's as easy to turn from doing bad to doing good as it is to flip over the hand from the back to the palm. It's simply up to us to do it. Master Hsuan Hua.
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Nicholas Weeks
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Re: Yoga Vasistha

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II 5 Self-effort is of two categories: that of past births and that of this present birth. Past efforts can be
counteracted by current labors. There is constant conflict, like battling rams, between these two in this
incarnation. That which is more powerful triumphs. Men of self-effort, by firm and long practice, can undo the past effort.

Self-effort which is not in accord with the scriptures is motivated by delusion. To go against scriptural
injunctions will lead to disasters. Mental desire alone, without the needed action, is pure lunacy. It will
not only be useless, but it will lead to further delusions.

There is no power greater than right action in the present. Hence, one should take recourse to self-effort,
gritting one's teeth, and one should overcome evil by good and destiny by present effort. Even
obstructions presented by the devas are due to bad actions in past lives.

One’s effort must be maintained until the past negative karma is overpowered. The virtues of this life
are bound to overcome the vices of past lives. Therefore, one must cultivate serenity, self-control,
reflection and meditation by his self-effort.
Good and evil have no fixed form. It's as easy to turn from doing bad to doing good as it is to flip over the hand from the back to the palm. It's simply up to us to do it. Master Hsuan Hua.
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