Shandao's Parable of the Two Rivers and the White Path

Discuss and learn about the traditional Mahayana scriptures, without assuming that any one school ‘owns’ the only correct interpretation.
Post Reply
Dharma Flower
Posts: 1035
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2016 9:03 am
Contact:

Shandao's Parable of the Two Rivers and the White Path

Post by Dharma Flower »

Shandao's parable of the two rivers and the white path has profound significance for our daily lives:
http://web.mit.edu/stclair/www/shantao.html

The parable can be seen as a cautionary tale on the three poisons of delusion, passion, and aversion:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_poisons

The river of water represents passion; sensual desire. The river of fire represents aversion; anger and hate. The voices of ruffians, telling us to abandon the path, represent ignorance and delusion.

As we walk the narrow white path of the Buddha, we are made to, little by little, leave our delusion, passion, and aversion behind; on the white path to "unending bliss."
Dharma Flower
Posts: 1035
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2016 9:03 am
Contact:

Re: Shandao's Parable of the Two Rivers and the White Path

Post by Dharma Flower »

That Shandao meant the white path as a path we take in our daily life can be found in the following passage:
The man proceeding on the path toward the West is comparable to one who directs all of his actions and practices toward the West[ern Paradise].
http://web.mit.edu/stclair/www/shantao.html
Dharma Flower
Posts: 1035
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2016 9:03 am
Contact:

Re: Shandao's Parable of the Two Rivers and the White Path

Post by Dharma Flower »

I love the sense of urgency that Shandao's imagery brings to the story. This isn't about just sitting around, passively saying the Nembutsu. This is about a path of life to which we devote our whole being. Because of this, the insights of the story can apply to all Buddhists, regardless of their school or sect, on the importance of following whatever path you are on.
Post Reply

Return to “Sūtra Studies”