A Commentary on the Dhammapada
“He has no need for faith who knows the uncreated, who has cut off rebirth, who has destroyed any opportunity for good or evil, and cast away all desire. He is indeed the ultimate man” (Dhammapada 97).
- He has no need for faith who knows the uncreated.
Obviously faith, however positive a force it may be, is not the desired end. Rather, knowing supersedes believing–“when faith is lost in sight.” But it is not just any kind of knowing that Buddha is speaking about. He means knowledge of “the Uncreated”–knowledge of Brahman which is attained only by the merging of consciousness in Consciousness, the union of the finite with the Infinite. Buddha also referred to this principle of enlightenment as “the Birthless” and “the Deathless.” In other words, he is quite unequivocally proclaiming the existence of the jivatman (individual Self) and the Paramatman (Supreme Self). Further, he is making it clear that they can be known by those that reach the end of the evolutionary process in which we are all presently engaged–some consciously, but most unconsciously. Yet all sentient beings are involved in this process and shall eventually realize its ultimate aim: Nirvana.
- Who has cut off rebirth.
Until the Absolute is known: “Death is certain for the born. Rebirth is certain for the dead” (Bhagavad Gita 2:27). But once Knowing arises, rebirth is permanently ended.
- Who has destroyed any opportunity for good or evil.
The enlightened act is perfect accordance with their divine nature; they do nothing because it is “good” and avoid nothing because it is “evil.” They have no compulsion to either, nor are they in any way influenced by those concepts. Instead, they see things in terms of Real and Unreal. They look upon themselves as neither good nor evil. They simply ARE. When the first person who met Buddha after his enlightenment asked him who he was, he replied: “I am awake.” So it is.
- And cast away all desire.
Nirvana being total fulfillment, desire is completely impossible to the Knower.
- He is indeed the ultimate man.
He is the end, the pinnacle, the zenith of Being Itself.
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