What Is the Path, and What Is Not? Lessons from Bhikkhuni Khema

The story of Bhikkhuni Khema teaches us that Buddhist wisdom lies not in outward appearances, but in the deep motives of the heart. Only those with true wisdom can clearly distinguish between the right path and the wrong path. Have you ever wondered why some people do good deeds yet still feel unsettled? Why is the same action considered spiritual practice by one person, while seen as creating karma by another? The Buddha taught that only the wise can see the boundary between the path and what is not the path. The story of Bhikkhuni Khema, a distinguished female disciple of the Buddha, offers us a profound insight into this truth.

The Story of Bhikkhuni Khema

Khema was originally the queen of King Bimbisara. She was renowned for her extraordinary beauty. However, upon hearing the Buddha teach about impermanence (anicca), she attained enlightenment as an Arahant on the spot, without having practiced for even a single day. Later, she became a bhikkhuni possessing great supernatural powers.

One night, she used her powers to fly to Vulture Peak Mountain to visit the Buddha. There, celestial beings were gathered densely to listen to the Dharma. Knowing that the Buddha’s teaching for devas differed from his teaching for humans, she withdrew, yielding that precious opportunity. When Sakka, the king of the gods, saw this, he asked the Buddha about her. The Buddha praised her:

"One who possesses deep wisdom, skillfully knows the path and what is not the path, attains the supreme fruit; I call such a person a Brahmin."

He did not merely praise her supernatural powers, but her wisdom in seeing clearly the path and what is not the path. This is the capacity of an Arahant.

Skillfully Knowing the Path and What Is Not – The Power of Wisdom

So, what does "the path and what is not" mean? To explain it fully would take years. But we can understand it generally: it is the ability to distinguish between what leads to liberation and what is merely external form. In this dharma talk, Master Thich Chan Quang gives a very everyday example:

"If you sincerely want your friend to understand the Dharma so they can practice and attain liberation, that is the path. But if there is another hidden reason behind it, then immediately it is not the path."

This shows that two actions may look identical in form, but the inner state of mind determines whether it is the path or not. For instance, going to hear a dharma talk: if you invite a close friend simply because you wish them to be free from suffering (dukkha), that is the path. But if you invite them to the temple just to prove you are moral, or to deceive or gain favor, that is not the path.

Inner Motives – The Thin Boundary

It is not only in attending dharma talks that hidden motives decide everything. Some people learn martial arts to help others, yet are driven by their own instinct to show off strength. Some teachers preach out of respect for the Buddha and compassion for sentient beings, while others secretly crave fame. Master Thich Chan Quang once advised a lay follower not to accept fame in exchange for anything:

"Do not say such things, for that is fame and profit. If the mind craves fame, it falls into your heart, and you are ruined instantly. Do things for the sake of the Dharma and for sentient beings when conditions (dependent origination) allow; if conditions are not present, stop. If you act for the Dharma, but have even a slight thought of preserving your reputation forever, you are led astray by Mara."

This boundary is as thin as a hair. Therefore, Buddhism emphasizes cultivating the mind and correcting one’s character, to recognize our own impure motives.

The Vision of an Arahant

Only an Arahant, with deep wisdom, can clearly see the path and what is not in every action. Master Thich Chan Quang tells of a strict Zen master who struck a disciple until death. Yet, because of that severity, many of his disciples attained enlightenment. Outwardly, this seems cruel, but it was the path, because the severity arose from compassion wanting to save people. He said:

"If we view each of our actions through the eyes of an Arahant, the Arahant will dissect our deed into a hundred parts to analyze which small corner is the path, and which small corner is not yet the path."

We often judge good and bad by appearances, but an Arahant looks at the mind. Similarly, when we live with mindfulness, we see more clearly the motives of ourselves and others.

How to Practice and Live with Awareness

In daily life, ask yourself: "Why am I doing this?" Whenever you perform any action, no matter how small, examine yourself:

Am I doing this for the benefit of sentient beings? Am I nurturing any secret desire for fame or profit? Am I entangled in worldly affairs, losing the purity of my mind/heart?

When we nurture a mind of wisdom, we gradually see the true path clearly. Like Bhikkhuni Khema, who went from being a queen obsessed with beauty to recognizing impermanence (anicca) and attaining realization, becoming praised by the Buddha. We too can practice this way, starting by illuminating our own minds.

Begin today. Let pure mind and compassion be your guide in every action. Then, your path will be the path of the true Dharma, and wisdom will slowly unfold. Do not worry that you lack ability. Simply reduce deluded thoughts a little each day, add a little more awareness, and you will gradually step into the realm of wisdom of the Buddhas.