The Nairobi Meditation and Dhamma Study Group was together again yesterday for our weekly group sitting and to continue our study of the Dhamma Discourses of the Buddha. We began our look at the Alagaddupama Sutta, The Discourse on the Snake Simile, which is the twenty-second discourse in the Majjhima Nikáya.
This discourse deals with views and in particular, wrong views and it warns against misunderstandings, misrepresentations and dilution of the Buddha’s Teaching. It deals with two of the greatest obstacles to progress on the spiritual path: sense pleasures and the ego-belief. In it, the Buddha refers briefly to a number of similes, many of which we have looked at previously. They are used to show the the danger and ultimate lack of satisfaction from sense pleasures, which we have spoken of often.
He also introduces us to a few well known and often quoted similes, which he shares in full. The first, after which the discourse is named, is used to remind us of the importance of getting a correct understanding of the Dhamma. This is not easy because in many cases, his Teachings have been misrepresented, exactly as he was trying to avoid in this discourse. So, not only do we have to develop a correct understanding of the Dhamma (take hold of the snake/Teachings correctly), we have to examine the material that we are using to establish that understanding to be sure that it is indeed what the Buddha taught (insure that the snake/Teachings are correct). The importance of correctly understanding the teachings can not be over stressed — our progress depends on it.
Besides the famous Simile of the Snake, there is also the equally famous Simile of the Raft in this discourse. A raft, if used correctly, can get us safely across the river from this shore to the far shore. In the same way, the Dhamma can deliver us from our problems and dissatisfaction to peace and happiness as long as it is understood and used correctly. The Buddha also reminds us that just like we must let go of the raft after the river has been crossed, we will also let go of any attachments, including attachments to things we may consider good, let alone those things considered bad. It’s important to remember that the raft/Teachings must not be abandoned too soon, it is only after the job it is there for has been completely finished that we should then let it go. It should also be re-emphasised that the raft/Teachings need to be understood and used correctly in order to get the job done.
These two similes are both powerful and profound and should be contemplated deeply if we want to reach the other shore. We finished off last night just after looking at this simile and will pick up our study of the Alagaddupama Sutta at §15. I hope you will reflect on these important similes and the truth that they point to and I also hope you’ll join us again next week as we continue to explore the Dhamma Discourses of the Buddha.
