Knocking on Skulls to Know Rebirth: The Final Secret Discovered by Venerable Vanisa

In the ancient charnel grounds, white bones lay scattered amidst the darkness of night. Yet one person walked through them with a small stick, gently tapping each skull and softly saying, “This one was born in heaven,” or “That one has fallen into hell.” This was Vanisa, a Brahmin famous for his special ability to know rebirth by listening to skulls. But when he met the Buddha, he realized a deeper secret, and this story became an endless lesson for us today.

When Special Powers No Longer Worked

Vanisa was revered for his ability to tap skulls and clearly know where the deceased had been reborn. People whispered that he was a saint, a treasure of the Brahmin path. However, when the Buddha presented five skulls—one belonging to an Arahant—this so-called "holy talent" found himself powerless. He tapped again and again; the sound remained clear and refined, but he could not determine the place of rebirth. The Arahant had escaped samsara (cycle of rebirth), leaving no trace in this realm. Vanisa then asked the Buddha. The Buddha simply taught him:

If you wish to know, you must go forth and become a monk.

The answer felt like a challenge. Vanisa went forth, and during his practice, he realized that this body is not the self. Sensations throughout the body, breath, and impermanence (anicca) were the true keys. Eventually, he attained the fruit of Arahantship and understood everything clearly.

The Nature of "Knowing Rebirth": Sound and Intuition

Today, we might wonder: how can tapping a skull reveal rebirth? Master Chan Quang explains it simply: our karma leaves marks on our bones, especially in the skull. When we live through speech, thoughts, and actions, an invisible energy imprints itself deeply into the bone. When we die, the flesh decays completely, leaving only the skeleton. If we possess intuition, we can "read" that karma.

Each of us accumulates many behaviors, words, and thoughts throughout our lives, forming karma. And all that karma is recorded entirely on our bones.

We do not need to wait until death to see this. Even while alive, on each person’s face, those with natural gifts or spiritual practice can perceive the past and future. They only need a glance to read your life. This is why many masters can know what you are thinking and what will happen to you with just one look.

Attaining Meditation Is Not Attaining Sainthood

In his dharma talk, Master Chan Quang emphasized the difference between attaining meditative concentration and attaining sainthood. A person may sit in meditation, settling the mind without arising delusions, even possessing supernatural powers—but this is merely "attaining meditation." To attain sainthood, one must have the concept of non-self (anatta), eradicating the ego. Then, virtue naturally radiates like fragrance from every word and gesture.

Attaining meditation means settling the mind, not arising delusions, entering samadhi, and perhaps having psychic powers. That is attaining meditation. Attaining sainthood requires the concept of non-self, eradicating the ego until there is complete non-self.

Therefore, when practicing, people often experience states of emptiness, clarity, and lightness. But these are only the beginning. The danger lies in thinking, "Be careful, I am about to attain enlightenment." Just that one thought can cause merit accumulated over many years to vanish.

The Secret of Patience: Knowing You Have Many Lifetimes Ahead

From his own experience in practice, Master Chan Quang shared a vital secret: determine that you need many lifetimes to progress. Thus, when encountering strange states of meditative concentration, tell yourself, "This state must be maintained for thirty more lifetimes to bear fruit"—and thereby, merit is preserved. Those who think they are about to awaken lose all their merit and must start over.

A person with right view understands that they still have many lifetimes ahead. That understanding is what constitutes right view.

The story of an elderly woman living alone in a charity home—poor, lonely, and dying alone—helps us feel the weight of karma. Yet on the path of practice, we see we are not alone. Each step is slow, unhurried. We know that the Buddha also passed through countless lifetimes, and each lifetime is an opportunity for perfection.

Act Now: Contemplate the Body, Guard the Mind

So, what can we do today? Start with what is closest: our bodies. Sit quietly, feel the breath, and attend to sensations throughout the whole body. When we clearly understand that this body is subject to impermanence (anicca), we can let go of attachments. And when we feel emptiness and lightness, do not become complacent—remember the teacher’s words: there are many lifetimes ahead.

Here are three specific practices you can do immediately today:

Contemplate the impermanence of the body: Every morning, spend one minute attending to your breath and bodily sensations.

Keep the mind steady: Do not rush to celebrate unusual states; see them as steps on a long road.

Learn from yourself: Read Buddhist sutras to recognize non-self (anatta) and live virtuously moment by moment.

Do not seek the supernatural power of reading skulls. Find purity within your own mind/heart. That is the true path to enlightenment.