Thus have I heard…

*******1*******

Once, when the Lord was staying in the city of Norwich, he called an assembly where he delivered a great sermon on the Path which leads to Awakening. All amongst the Bhikkus and the lay community were joyful except for one whose name was Fred. When he saw the poor young man's sadness, the Lord took him to one side and spoke to him.

"Tell me, Fred, how is it so that you do not rejoice along with all the others at my preaching of such a sermon?"

"Noble sir", he replied, "I was unable to attend the sermon as I had my driving test. I fear that I will be unable to attend this joyous occasion and on that account remain imprisoned in Samsara."

At this the Lord smiled and said "If you could spare five minutes now, I would be happy to present my sermon for you personally." At these words, Fred became happier and declared "Lord, that would be a tremendous honour". And so they went away to a quiet area where they sat down in the cross-legged fashion. Then the Lord began his discourse.

*******2*******

"Tell me Fred", the Tathagata began, "did you pass your driving test?"

"Yes, sir" replied Fred.

"Congratulations", the Lord responded, "and what manner of feeling arose for you having passed your driving test?"

"Lord, practicing awareness of my mind I perceived a sensation of joy and liberation arise here, in this very body the like of which I have never known. Such a feeling arose in me that I was quite overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. Now I have passed my test I am liberated from the reliance on lifts and buses, which the wise call ignoble practices; I have accomplished all that I set out to accomplish and can be known to others as someone who can drive".

"Just so", the Buddha said, "was the occasion of my coming to Awakening. Just as by practicing awareness of your mind you perceived a sensation of joy and liberation arise there, in that very body, the like of which you have never known, just so did the Tathagata attain the Bliss which is without Coming or Going in the presence of such sensations. Just as such a feeling arose in you that you were quite overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, just so did the Tathagata attain the Bliss which is without Coming or Going in the presence of such sensations".

"Oh most excellently spoken, my Lord" said Fred.

"Just as once you have passed your test you are liberated from the reliance on lifts and buses, which the wise call ignoble practices, just so once the Tathagata attained the Bliss which is without Coming or Going he was liberated from the reliance upon craving and suffering, which the wise call ignoble practices. And just as you have accomplished all that you set out to accomplish and can be known to others as someone who can drive, just so is the Tathagata one who has accomplished all that he set out to accomplish, and can be known to others as someone who is Awakened".

"Oh most excellently spoken again, my Lord" said Fred.

*******3*******

Then the Lord continued his preaching and said "Tell me, Fred, would a man driving a car be known as wise or foolish if, upon hearing his engine stutter on a hill, he were to respond appropriately by changing his attention to it?"

"Such a man would be known as wise, my Lord; indeed, of him it could be said "there is a man who is able to drive"" replied Fred.

"Just so", replied the Buddha, "as a man who, upon hearing his engine stutter on a hill, responds appropriately by changing his attention to it is known as wise, just so a person who, upon becoming aware that one of the Poisons is arising within them, responds appropriately by changing their attention to it should also be known as wise".

"Oh most excellently spoken, my Lord" said Fred.

"Tell me, Fred, would a man driving a car be known as wise or foolish if, upon approaching a red traffic light, he were to come to a halt before it?"

"Such a man would be known as wise, my Lord; indeed, of him it could be said "there is a man who is able to drive"" replied Fred.

"Just so", replied the Buddha, "as a man who, upon approaching a red traffic light was to come to a halt before it is known as wise, just so a person who, upon approaching an activity which is harmful to pursue, comes to a halt before attempting it should also be known as wise".

"Oh most excellently spoke again, my Lord" said Fred.

*******4*******

The Lord continued the preaching and said "Tell me, Fred, was it the case that whilst you had not yet passed your test it was benefit to you to study with a driving instructor, one who has qualified himself in the teaching of the way?"

"Most certainly it was, my Lord" replied Fred.

"And tell me, Fred, in what manner was it of benefit to you?"

"In a threefold manner was it of benefit to me, my Lord. Whilst it was the case that I had not yet passed my test I was not aware of the rules and laws which operate in the practice of driving; here my driving instructor was of benefit in that they were able to teach me what these rules and laws were so that I might obey them. Secondly, whilst it was the case that I had not yet passed my test there were occasions when I did not know how to proceed in my driving; here my driving instructor was of benefit in that they were able to guide me through such situations. Thirdly, whilst it was the case that I had not yet passed my test there were occasions where I lacked the self-discipline to practice what was necessary in order to drive; here my driving instructor was of benefit in that they helped me to attain the appropriate self-discipline".

"Just as", replied the Buddha, "as it was of such a threefold benefit to you that you practiced under the guidance of a driving instructor whilst it was the case that you had not yet passed your test, just so is the threefold benefit of practicing the path to Awakening under the guidance of a teacher".

"Well said, my Lord" said Fred.

"And just as", continued the Buddha, "under the guidance of driving instructor you were taught the laws and rules of driving, were offered guidance through your difficulties whilst learning, and were helped to attain the appropriate self-discipline; just so, practicing the path to Awakening under the guidance of a teacher one is taught the various dharmas and precepts which the Tathagata has proclaimed, one is guided through one's difficulties whilst learning, and one is helped to attain the appropriate self-discipline".

"Well said again, my Lord", said Fred.

"Tell me, Fred, now that you have passed your driving test is it the case that you no longer rely on such a driving instructor?"

"Yes, oh Tathagata, it is precisely because I have now passed my test that I no longer rely on such a driving instructor. Now I have passed my test, I am aware of the rules and laws of driving and obey and understand them without the need of teaching; now I have passed my test, I am able to surmount all difficulties with calm and patience without the need of guidance; now I have passed my test, I have attained the appropriate self-discipline and no longer need the help of such an instructor".

"Just so is the case of one who has attained the Bliss which is without Coming or Going" said the Buddha. "Precisely because they have attained such a condition, they also need no longer rely on such a teacher. Once they have attained the Bliss which is without Coming or Going, a person is aware of the various dharmas and precepts which the Tathagata has proclaimed without the need of teaching; once they have attained the Bliss which is without Coming or Going, a person is able to surmount all difficulties without the need of guidance; once they have attained the Bliss which is without Coming or Going, a person has attained the appropriate self-discipline and no longer needs the help of such a teacher".

"Oh most excellently spoken, my Lord" said Fred.

"And tell me Fred", the Buddha continued "although you no longer rely on such a driving instructor, is it the case that you now break the rules and laws of driving without qualm?"

"No my Lord", replied Fred, "now that I have passed my test I do not break the rules and laws of driving without qualm. Now that I have passed my test it is the case that I obey the rules and laws of driving without the need of further instruction".

"Just so is the case of one who has attained the Bliss which is without Coming or Going" said the Buddha. Precisely because they have attained such a condition, they obey the various dharmas and precepts which the Tathagata has proclaimed without the need of further instruction".

"Oh most excellently spoken again, my Lord" said Fred.

*******5*******

Having spoke in such a manner, the Lord then announced this verse on his preaching:

"As a driver is master of his vehicle, So the wise seek to master The vehicle of their body and mind;

As a driver needs no instruction to drive In accord with the laws and regulations, So the wise maintain the ancient Dharma With no further instruction, and without intention.

Just as a driver proceeds towards his destination, I tell you just so the wise proceed towards the Joyful Extinction".

This having taken place, Fred was delighted in the Lord's words.
 

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