Vulture's Peak!

For me the high point of our Buddhist Pilgrimage last month was up on Gridhakuta (Vulture's Peak) outside Rajgir, physically and metaphorically! This was where the Buddha formulated and gave his most significant discourses. And those rocks and caves have remained virtually unchanged for over 2,500 years. I felt overcome by the reality of the presence of the Buddha in that place. And our friend Jay was seated a few metres away from me chanting beautifully what I later found out was the Heart Sutra! There are some experiences which pass all understanding. I wonder what yours are?

A Psychology of Enlightenment!

We were also privileged to receive a private teaching from Dr. Ravindra Panth, Director of Nava Nalanda Mahavira (Nalanda University) at Rajgir.

"Could there be a psychology of enlightenment?" I asked. "Yes", he answered. "Provided we find a common vocabulary to bridge the gap between Western Psychology and Buddhist Psychology". But Dr Panth emphasised that direct personal experience counts as much as knowledge. "There are three types of wisdom", he said:

1. Listening - acquiring knowledge,
2. Contemplating - on what you have heard, and
3. Experience - "your" experience.

"Your experience is due to your awareness. Unless you experience yourself, your faith won't work. Buddhism does not advocate blind faith".