How to know if someone has achieved nirvana?
A monk in Sri Lanka publicly says that he has achieved nirvana.If that's true we can follow the (practical) path he teaches . But how can we make sure whether that is true or not ?
Venerable members of the Sangha,
walking in front Fellows in leading the holly life.
_/\_ _/\_ _/\_
In Respect of the Triple Gems, Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, in Respect of the Elders of the community _/\_ , my person tries to answer this question. Please, may all knowledgeable Venerables and Dhammika, out of compassion, correct my person, if something is not correct and fill also graps, if something is missing.
Valued Upasaka, Upasika, Aramika(inis),
dear Readers and Visitors,
*sgift*
- Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā-sambuddhassa - (http://zugangzureinsicht.org/html/homage_en.html)
(This is a maybe modified and expanded answer of the "original" that can be found here (https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/a/20469/11235). )
Mr/Mrs Lasan,
Difficult would it be for a monk, Lasan, even more difficult for a householder... and not easy possible jet not by one self a Noble one:
>As he was sitting there he said to the Blessed One, "Of those in the world who are arahants or on the path to arahantship, are these among them?"
[The Buddha:] "Great king, as a layman enjoying sensual pleasures; living confined with children; using Kāsī fabrics & sandalwood; wearing garlands, scents, & creams; handling gold & silver, it's hard for you to know whether these are arahants or on the path to arahantship. ...
In addition, Lasan, in regard of the reason why you asked: Who ever teaches "this was said by the Buddha, I know.", one does good neither to take it nor to reject it, but simply prove it if it holds against Vinaya, if it stands with the Dhamma of the Blessed One. If, one should say: "This is what the Buddha taught, by way and meaning." If not: "This is not what the Buddha taught, by way and meaning. This Monk is not teaching Buddhas message."
One does not need an enlightened Person to simply hear the good Dhamma with proper attention, yet for sure it would be more secure to listen to an Arahat, but did the Buddha wanted you just to quickly believe or to investigate and look for your self to archive the own realisation?
So why would it be of great benefit knowing who's an Arahant or on the way to be? "Simply" because it is the great field of merits in this world, could be the personal interest. But if one, not really knowing, and having made his judgement upon wrong understanding of liberation, gives to a person an individual, it can be not only just low merit but also demerit, if investigated wrong and that is why the Elders always tell: Even to give to a Noble One would be of greater merit as to "simply" the Sangha, it is better to point one mind to the Savaka Sangha, before, while and after giving, those people following good and rightly the Buddha, and even dedicate it verbal as such.
The side effect is also this, that a Monk has much more responsibility and "pressure" receiving a gift for the Sangha, even if it is "only" food, which in the case of receiving a personal gift would not be such and could be "legal"-looking also easy be misused. Most monks don't like to receive gifts dedicated to the Sangha since they would not even be allowed to give a share to their family, if you understand the way it often works. Yet it is out of compassion to make it easier for certain monks, to give it personal (in cases of people who are well informed).
As for the certain case, if Lasan shares links, Name and his teachings, maybe a more clear and straight forward answer in the certain case can be given.
(Note: This is a gift of Dhamma and not meant for commercial use or other purposes for wordily gains.)
Anumodana!
Addition: In regard of the question caused person, its not really that difficult even for people with much dust in the eyes...
http://www.ashramaya.org - Facebook
- Siri Sadaham Ashramaya
- The saviour returns
- කවියක් තුලින් මුණි සඳ දුටුවෙමි
- The-Saviours-Daughters
- Siri Samanthabhadra Arhat Maha Thero
- MahaMuni News.com
- Practical Buddhism for Youth
- Siri Sadaham Bodu Poth Madura
What is for sure not an Arahat, is even a stream-enter are persons:
- making bussiness with Dhamma, selling Dhamma
- teaching consciously via media not seeing/knowing who listens in detail
- having disadvantaged group, opposition, woman, gender, childen as main target
- taking about love praising life
- having less focus on fellows and monks
- do not really life in the Sanghas community
- showing teeth, love and smile
- doing gestures with the hands while talking
- having no signs of modesty, usually over weighted and fine dressed
- sitting and walking, lifing like kings, no signs of renounciation
- seeking for public and publicity
- wearing neon orange robes
- leading show parades through settlements
... in short not one proper outwardly sign of a Samana of the Buddha
Most of the mentioned thing give not only just rightous suspicion of minor to heavy offenses but actually are such.
In short, a Noble One even of the first person, is not a "charismatic" greed forcing actor or entertainer for mainsteam audience not even tended an able to sit straigh an restrained.
Atma would be surprised if he even teaches the Buddha Dhamma but would say not even much to investigate and spending time worth for such a self declared "Arahat".
Nearly the same can be told when looking on the Mahamevnawa - industry like pages and Dhammakaya is there never very far.
Beware and read and learn about the Tipitaka, the best avaliable teacher first.
Dukkha is not a Junge book story and a nice santa claus warm up trade fairs topic.
(https://i.stack.imgur.com/bW3lf.jpg)
You can be sure that you soon get their advertisings here on this buy-able page.
[Übersetzung ins Deutsche wäre gut]