聖果的時間The Timing of Attainmeing Enlightenment

 聖果的時間

四聖果.初果「疑」的內容，既然是前因與後果的明白，

時間上就有可能是跨過前世與今生的，

「疑」這一概念是指對因與果之間關係的清楚理解。

若是如此，那麼對因、緣、果的這種理解，
很可能會延伸並跨越過去與今生。

事實上，《雜阿含經》中記載了許多佛陀的授記，
這些授記都超越了單一生命的範圍，
顯示出生死輪迴的過程是跨越多生多世而展開的。

我記得自己在多年前曾思考過這個問題。

佛陀衡量「生命」時，並非以單一一生為單位，
而是以多生多世來看待。

在這些生命歷程中，某些條件必須逐漸發展並成熟。

那麼，在修行道路上，智慧的成熟以及身心經驗的體證，是否會因人而異呢？

答案是肯定的。

每個人的理解程度不同、

智慧成熟度不同，

執行運作的速度也各不相同。

半寄

（見6月10號文章及這裡部分文字的截圖）

（以下AI資料）

給孤獨長者是佛陀時代極具名望的護法。在他臨終前，舍利弗與阿難去探望他，並為他開示。長者在聽完法後感動落淚，不久後去世，隨即化為天子，半夜來到祇樹給孤獨園禮拜佛陀。

 佛陀的授記： 在《雜阿含經》及南傳相應部中皆有記載，佛陀隨後向大眾證實，給孤獨長者死後升到了兜率天（或欲界天），他已經證得聖果，屬於「七死七生」或「一來」的階段，絕對不會退轉，必定會在限定的生世內徹底解脫。

 

(詞彙說明：)

我們的翻譯瑞欣老師問說：

聖果:翻成哪個較好，證悟或解脫?

 

半寄：

證悟比較清楚，

解脫，解脫了什麼事？

其實是證悟者自己明白的事，

外人沒有辦法理解。

 

證悟：是一個形容詞，

形容修行者證入果位，

沒有證悟的外人，看起來會比較明白。

The Timing of Attainmeing Enlightenment

 

In the First Stage of Enlightenment, the Stream-Entry, the notion of “doubt” 

refers to a clear understanding of causes and their results.

If that is the case, then this understanding of causes and results may very well extend across past and present lives.

In fact, the Saṁyukta Āgama contains many accounts of the Buddha’s predictions that transcend a single lifetime, indicating that the process of saṁsāra unfolds over multiple lifetimes.

 

I recall having reflected on this question years ago.

The Buddha measured life not as a single lifetime, but as multiple lifetimes.

Within these lifetimes, certain conditions must gradually develop and mature.

So, does the maturity of wisdom and bodily experience on the path differ from person to person?

 

Yes, it does. People have different levels of understanding, different degrees of wisdom, and different speeds of development.

 

Master Banji

 

(See the June 10 article and partial excerpts here.)

Doubt (Vicikicchā): This is not normal doubt. It means being unsure about how causes and resultswork. Hakuju Ui explains that when a person “cuts off doubt” at the first stage of enlightenment, it means they fully understand the idea: “If this exists, that exists; if this happens, that happens.” Their understanding becomes completely certain and cannot be shaken anymore.

 

(AI Reference Material Below)

 

Anāthapiṇḍika was a famous supporter of the Buddha. Before he passed away, Śāriputra and Ānanda visited him and taught him the Dharma.

He was so moved that he cried. Not long after, he passed away and was reborn as a heavenly being. That night, he returned to Jetavana Monastery to pay respect to the Buddha.

 

The Buddha’s Confirmation:
According to the Saṁyukta Āgama and the Pāli Saṁyutta Nikāya, the Buddha later said that Anāthapiṇḍika had been reborn in heaven and had already attained enlightenment—either at the stage of “seven more lives” or “once-returner.” He would never regress and would reach full liberation within a limited number of lifetimes.He would not fall back and within a limited number of future lives.

 

 

(Terminology Note: “Noble Fruits” — Enlightenment or Liberation?)

 

Our translator, Ms. Juihisn Tsai, asked:
Should “Noble Fruits” be translated as enlightenment or liberation?

 

Banji responds:
“Enlightenment” is clearer.

If we say “liberation,” one might ask: liberation from what?
In reality, this is something only the one who has realized it truly understands—
it is not something outsiders can easily comprehend.

 

“Enlightenment,” on the other hand, functions as a descriptive term.
It conveys that a practitioner has attained a certain stage of realization.
For those who have not experienced it themselves, this term is easier to understand.