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The
Sutta – as parable – of the Raft
“Bhikkhus,
suppose a traveller saw a great expanse of water, whose near shore was
dangerous and fearful and whose further shore was safe and free from fear,
but there was no ferry or bridge. Then after considering this, he collected
grass and branches and twigs and leaves and bound them together into a raft, supported
by which, and making efforts with
his hands and feet, he got safely across. Then, when he had got across, he
thought: ‘This raft has been very helpful to me since by its means I got
safely across; suppose I hoist it on my head or load it on my shoulder and go
where I mean to go?’ Now would he be doing what should be done with the raft?” “No, Lord.” “What
should he do with it?” “If, when
he got across he thought: ‘This raft has been very helpful to me since by its
means I got safely across; suppose I haul it up on dry land or set it adrift
on the water and go where I mean to go?’, then that is how he is doing with
the raft what should be done with the raft.” “So I have
shown you how the Dharma resembles a raft in being for the purpose of
crossing over, not for grasping. Bhikkhus,
when you know the simile of the Raft (then even good) teachings should be abandoned
by you, how much more so bad teachings.” M.22 |