All Phenomena Arise and Disintegrate Reliant on Causes and Conditions
Among the disciples of the Buddha, there was one named Shariputra. Before he met the Buddha, Shariputra also pondered a question similar to the one we have just considered. The father of Shariputra was a very famous Brahman scholar. Therefore, ever since his childhood, Shariputra had been exposed to all kinds of literature and rituals of the Brahman teachings. We know that in Hinduism, the creator God of the Universe and of men is the Great Brahmadeva. Shariputra was familiar with the Brahman teachings and he did not doubt the scriptures. What perplexed him was, "If the Great Brahmadeva created men, then who created the Great Brahmadeva?" He could not answer this question, although he contemplated it greatly. Christianity also teaches that men were created by God. If God created Adam and Eve, as well as the Paradise of Eden, then who created God? Therefore, when one seeks the cause behind such events, one ultimately draws a blank. Although Shariputra was a man of high intelligence, he could not find an answer to the question which so perplexed him.
"Did the chicken or egg exist first?" "Men were created by God, then who created God?" The Great Brahmadeva of Hinduism is the same God as Allah of Islam, the Jehovah of Christianity, and the Jade Emporer of Taoism. The first statement of the Bible is, "In the beginning, God created the Heaven and the Earth." Who, then, created God? Just as Shariputra was contemplating his question, the monk Assiji happened to walk by. Wagging his head, Assaji pondered aloud, "The arising and disintegration of all phenomena are dependent upon causes and conditions." As soon as Shariputra heard it, he immediately grasped the meaning of these words. Give the statement from Assaji some consideration and see if you can also deduce an answer to the question, "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" The answer is: neither the chicken nor the egg. All phenomena arise and disintegrate reliant upon causes and conditions. What gave rise to the Great Brahmadeva? Causes and conditions. What gave rise to men? Also causes and conditions. "Causes and conditions" is the profound answer that covers all bases.
Do not spend too much unnecessary time in trying to find the solution to a dead-end question! After all, "causes and conditions" gives rise to the chicken, "causes and conditions" gives rise to the egg, "causes and conditions" also gives rise to the Great Brahmadeva! Isn't this right? Men also came into existence through the coming together of various causes and conditions! The arising of every phenomena is reliant upon causes and conditions. Therefore, all phenomena extinguish due to causes and conditions.
After Shariputra comprehended the anwser, he went immediately (along with MahaMaudgalyayana) to the Bamboo Grove Vihara to find Buddha Shakyamuni and to take refuge in him. The Buddha leaned over to Shariputra and spoke into his ear, "Today I have finally found someone who can tacitly understand the Universal Truth that I have realized." You did not know the Buddha had spoken this to Shariputra, did you? [laughter and audience laughter]
Among the ten chief disciples, Shariputra is considered to be the first-seated because of his ability to intuit the meaning of "causes and conditions" or "interdependency." During an earlier time when he was meditating under the bodhi tree, the Buddha had also awakened to this same truth behind "interdependency." The Buddha contemplated the Twelve Links of Causes and Conditions until he finally obtained a tacit understanding of it. Therefore, anyone who is capable of understanding the meaning behind the statement, "all phenomena arise and disintegrate dependent on causes and conditions," understands the Buddha and the Truth. This is why Shariputra is known as the disciple with the highest wisdom.
Amituofo
Lotuschef
Pure Karma
True Buddha School
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