The Peaceful Passing of a Monk and the Lesson of Truth

That morning, the atmosphere in Binh Dinh seemed unusually still. Soft sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting shimmering golden spots upon the ground. In a quiet corner of the garden, Most Venerable Thien Nhan sat on his familiar stone bench. Before him lay a cup of hot tea, steam rising gently, its fragrance drifting softly in the breeze.

He slowly raised his hand to lift the cup, his gaze distant yet his mind incredibly alert. He took a small sip, letting the sweet-astringent taste linger on his tongue. Then, with a movement that was both gentle and precise, he placed the cup back on the stone table. There was no unnecessary sound, no strain. Immediately after, his body leaned back, his eyes closed, and his breath gradually faded away. Death came as lightly as a midday nap, so peaceful that those who witnessed it could only bow their heads in silence, their hearts filled with deep reverence.

When recounting this story to the assembly, Venerable Thich Chan Quang emphasized that this was the clearest proof of the correct path of practice. He said:

"I do not wish for my disciples to attain supernatural powers or be reborn in any heavenly realm, for such things are difficult to verify. But I need you to have a peaceful death. If the teachings I convey are true, then the final result must be tranquility when closing one's eyes for the last time."

However, in the process of exploring the Buddha's teachings (Dharma), many people are often captivated by strange insights and high states of meditative concentration described by later Zen masters. They hear philosophical phrases like "an ant swallowing an elephant" or "the ocean falling into a drop of water," or witness unexpected actions like grabbing hands or pinching ears to transmit the teaching. These elements create a powerful allure, leading people to mistakenly believe that these are the pinnacle of enlightenment, far surpassing the simple original teachings of the Buddha.

A inner struggle takes place within the hearts of many Buddhists. On one side is admiration for mysterious realms of meditation and the sharp reasoning of Mahayana; on the other is a vague fear that they are going astray if they cling only to basic lessons on ethics. The Venerable pointed out the crucial point: The Buddha did not speak much about strange meditative realms not because He did not know them, but because He saw that they were not as important as eradicating greed, hatred and delusion.

Recall the story between two ancient Zen masters. Fifth Patriarch Su Gioi was a renowned teacher known for unique insights, answering every question about the Way with profound words. His close friend, though less famous, practiced silently and had eradicated the root causes of afflictions (kleshas). When the Fifth Patriarch passed away, his friend also hurriedly entered nirvana. The reason was simple yet profound: He wanted to be reborn to guide his old friend, knowing that although the Fifth Patriarch was wise, subtle traces of desire remained. Without guidance, the Fifth Patriarch would continue to drift through samsara (cycle of rebirth) for many more lifetimes.

In the next life, the Fifth Patriarch was reborn as Su Dong Po, a talented poet and literary figure who suffered great ups and downs in officialdom. His friend was reborn as Lieu Nguyen Phat An, who ordained from a young age and radiated brilliance. The two met again, continuing their friendship. Su Dong Po often boasted about his high understanding of Zen theory, but each time, Master Phat An would simply smile, using brief remarks to "correct" him and bring him back to reality. Thanks to this patient guidance, Su Dong Po eventually attained full insight, achieving the Anagami fruit and escaping the suffering wheel of samsara.

This story teaches us that "strange" insights in meditation are merely means, not the ultimate goal. If one becomes intoxicated by these realms while forgetting to control the mind/heart and eradicate selfishness and jealousy, it is a hidden danger. As the Venerable warned:

"If we think, 'I have discovered something so strange that the Buddha never mentioned it, therefore I am superior to the Buddha,' beware of immediate downfall. The Buddha did not speak of it because it was unnecessary, not because He did not know."

The difference between Theravada and Mahayana does not lie in who is higher or lower, but in the aspect of exploration. Mahayana explores depths of consciousness that the Buddha rarely detailed, but the core must still rely on a solid foundation of ethics. A genuine practitioner does not need to prove they are better than others, but rather prove they have lived a righteous life. This way, when death comes, they can lean back on a stone bench, set down a cup of tea, and depart in absolute peace, just like Most Venerable Thien Nhan.

The Meaning of the Story

The core lesson is not to confuse high, strange insights in meditation with true liberation. The Buddha prioritized eradicating greed, hatred and delusion and building ethics as the root, for these are the decisive factors bringing about a peaceful death and permanent liberation. Criticizing scriptures or assuming oneself to be superior to the Buddha because of what He did not say is a dangerous wrong view, leading to loss of merit and suffering. Respect both traditions, taking purity and ethics as the measure for the practice journey.

Compiled from the dharma talk of Venerable Thich Chan Quang