Topic title : The analytical study on Tevijja Sutta – The threefold knowledge – The way to Brahma

The analytical study on Tevijja Sutta – The threefold knowledge – The way to Brahma

Introduction

Tevijja Sutta is delivered by the Buddha at Manasakata village to two Brahmins named as Vasettha and Bharadvaja dispute upon whose teacher is right or whose teacher is wrong. According to both Brahmin, there are two famous teachers Tarukkha and Pokkharasati who lead the path to Brahma world. Vasettha said that the teaching of famous Brahmin Pokkharasati is direct path to liberation and this path leads one who follows it to union with Brahma. 

On contrary, Baradvaja said that Brahmin Tarukkha’s teaching is direct path to liberation and this path leads one who follows it to union with Brahma. The Buddha solved the dispute of both Brahmins by explaining five hindrances, Four Noble Truth and Noble Eightfold Path.
 

The threefold knowledge

On one occasion, Buddha was wandering in the land of the Kosalans together with a large Saṅgha of five hundred monks. He came to the Brahmin village called Manasakata and stayed in the mango grove, on the bank of the river Aciravati. At that time, there were a few well-known famous and rich brahmins including Canki, Tarukkha, Pokkharasati, Janussoni and Todeyya.

Brahmins Vaseṭṭha and Bharadvaja were walking down the road when they argued on the subject on which was the true path, and which was the false path. The young Brahmin Vaseṭṭha said: "This is the only straight direct path to liberation, and this path leads one who follows it to union with Brahma. This path is taught by the famous Brahmin Pokkharasati." Whereas the other young Brahmin Bharadvaja said: 'This is the only straight direct path to liberation, and this path leads one who follows it to union with Brahma. This path is taught by the Brahmin Tarukkha."

They both Bramins were not able to solve suitable answer who is right and who one is wrong. So, Vasetha gave suggestion to see the Buddha and ask questions who lead right path to   liberation. Then they came to see the Buddha. By giving respect to the Buddha, they sat down one side and asked the Buddha which path taught by their teachers is the right path to liberation and union with Brahma. Then buddha asked both Brahmins, "Vasettha, you say the right path is taught by Brahmin Pokkharasati and Bha̅radvaja you say that the right path is taught by the Brahmin Tarukkha. So, what is the quarrel, dispute, difference of opinion between you two?" 

​  Vasettha answer that Reverend Gotama, there are so many brahmins like Addhariy, Tittiriya, Chandoka, Chandava, Bavharija who all teach various different paths.  Do the paths taught by them lead to union with Brahma? Just like there are various paths leading to a village or town, do all these all meet together at the same place?" Buddha then asked them if their Brahmin teachers, the teachers of their brahmin teachers and the brahmins ancestors 7 generations have seen "Brahma" face to face? Both Brahmin replied no. The Buddha asked if those ancient sages that were well-learned in the three vedas, those who can expound the mantras such as the brahmins like Atthaka, Vamaka, Vamadeva, Vessamitta, Yamataggi, Angirasa, Bharadvaja, Vaseṭṭha, Kassapa, and Bhagu, have they ever said things like "we know, we can see when, how and where Brahma appears." The two brahmins replied no again.

Then Buddha concluded for them that none of the Brahmins, nor their teachers, nor their pupils, even up to the seventh generations earlier, has ever seen Brahma face to face. They themselves also admit that they cannot see how, when and where Brahma appears. Since they do not know and have not seen Brahma how can these Brahmins teachers who are well-versed in the Three Vedas say that what they teach is the straight path, the direct way to liberation, and that will lead to union with Brahma! It's like teaching something that they themselves are unsure of. Then are not the claims of their teachings on that is the only straight path unfounded and unjustifiable? Just like a line of blind men are clinging one to the other, neither can the foremost see, nor can the middle one see, nor can the hindmost see. So isn't the talk of the Brahmins well-versed in the Three Vedas just blind talk since all of them are teaching things they have not seen or experienced themselves.

The talk of these Brahmins versed in the Three Vedas turns out to be ridiculous, mere words, a vain and empty thing. The Brahmins versed in the Three Vedas but they do not practice the real qualities a brahmin should have; they pray and say: "We call upon Indra, Soma, Varuna, Isana, Pajapati, Brahma, Mahiddhi and Yama to be united with the Brahma upon death". Do you think these Brahmins who do not practice like what a Brahmin should behave will be united with Brahma upon death just by their invoking and praying, hoping and praising? Such a thing is impossible!

Buddha explained five hindrances which are obstacles to block the path to liberation or enlightenment. Five hindrances are sensual desire, ill will, sloth and torpor, restlessness and worry and skeptical doubt. ​The Brahmins versed in the Three Vedas, but not practicing the true qualities which really make them a Brahmin, they are veiled, hindered, obstructed, and entangled by these Five Hindrances. Then it is not possible that after death these brahmins will become united with Brahma.

The Buddha knows Brahma and the world of Brahma and the path which leads to it and He talked about the path which leads to the world of Brahma and liberation. To reach Brahma world, human being should practice avowing hatred and ill-will. After death, they can reach to Brama world or can be united with the Braham. For liberation, the Buddha instructed Four Noble Truth and Noble Eightfold Path. Through practicing Four Noble Truth and Noble Eightfold Path, human beings can emancipate from Sansara – the circle of birth and reach to Nibbana – the final bliss. What are the Four Noble Truth and Noble Eightfold Path?

 Four Noble Truths

Dhukkha Sacca - the suffering 
Samudaya Sacca - the cause of suffering  
Nirodha Sacca – the cessation of suffering 
Magga Sacca – the Path leading to cessation of suffering

Noble Eightfold Path 

Right view 
Right thought 
Right speech 
Right action 
Right livelihood 
Right effort 
Right mindfulness 
Right concentration 

    Noble eightfold path are divided into threefold which are Sila- morality or virtue, Samadhi - concentration and Panna - wisdom. Right speech, right action and right livelihood belong to Sila. Right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration belong to Samadhi. Right understanding and right thought belong to wisdom.  
 

Conclusion

By studying this paper of Tevijja Sutta – The threefold knowledge – The way to Brahma, reader can know what is Tevijja Sutta, five hindrances, four noble truth and noble eightfold path. In this Sutta, two Brahmins Vasettha and Baradvaja asked the way to Brahma world and liberation. The Buddha explained everything by asking questions. This Tevijja Sutta is much beneficial for all beings because by following and practicing four noble truth and noble eightfold path explained in the Sutta, all human beings can reach to their final destination that is called in Pali Nibbana - the final bliss.

 

References:

 

Books:

Editorial Committee, A Study Guide for Right Practice of The Three Trainings. Copyright@ 2010 by the National Coordination Center of Provincial Meditation Institutes of Thailand, Wat Luang Phor Sodh Dhammakayaram

 

Website:

https://suttacentral.net/dn13/en/sujato?layout=plain&reference=none&notes=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin

 

U Sucitta Bikkhu 
Student ID No. 6430150111001 
Subject: GS61418 Technology and communication for Propagation of Buddhism 
Graduate School, Mahamakut Buddhist Univeristy 
Date: 15^th September 2022