Sukihotu
If you are in this part of the world you would notice this infamous fruit called durian. It has the most undesirable smell in the world. It's so pungent, it smells like a dead mouse with cheese. Yet, people in the South East Asian countries like it so much. I looked forward to eating them each time durian comes into season. Durian has all the goodness you can find in a fruit. That's why it's called the king of fruits.
Similary, in this article I would like to take durian as a metaphor for the subject I wished to discuss. Today, I would like to bring to you the skillful methods of learning the Dhamma as taught by the Buddha.
The Buddha has taught us that for a person to fully enjoy the fruition of the Dhamma, he is required to take 3 steps. That is, pariyati, patipatti and pativedha. Which mean learning the Dhamma, practising the Dhamma and understanding the Dhamma.
Let's examine further
Step 1 Pariyati. Learning the Dhamma.
Buddha said, the journey starts from the time a person contacted the Dhamma. Here he goes and listens to the Dhamma from the learned ones. Or he reads it from a book. Or whatever forms he gets to acquire the teching of the Buddha Dhamma.
Just like the durian fruit, the bees help to bring pollen to the durian flower. Soon after pollination, it germinates into a durian flower.
Step 2 Patipatti. Practicing the Dhamma
After hearing the Dhamma, a person does his own research. He investigates further to have a better understanding of the Dhamma. He seeks the learned ones to straighten his view until he fully understands the Dhamma. He practice what he has learned.
Just like the durian flower, with time and proper conditioning, this flower slowly turn into a durian fruit.
Step 3 Pativedha. Understanding the Dhamma
As he practice the Dhamma in his daily life, the person begins to understand the Dhamma much better. It is only by experiencing the Buddha Dhamma can he fully enjoy the full benefit.
Just like the durian, when it is ripe we eat it. It is only by eating the durian, one can fully enjoy the flavor and goodness of this fruit.
I hope you enjoyed learning the Dhamma as much as you would enjoyed eating durians. It was nice discussing the skillful methods of learning the Dhamma through this fruit. I hope the next time you eat durian, it'll remind you of the skillful steps to learn the Dhamma and ways leading to the full understanding of the Buddha Dhamma.
If you wonder how a durian tree looks like, I'm pleased to share some photos with you here. This orchard belongs to my good friend Charlie Chia and the plants has seasoned so many times overs the years.
Mettacittena,
19th Dec 2010
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