The Pilgrim Kamanita · Chapter
XLIV: Vasitthi’s Bequest explained
Vasitthi describes the Buddha to Kamanita in the heavenly realm, and through her spiritual power she creates a luminous vision of the Perfect One.
What happens
Vasitthi describes the Buddha to Kamanita in the heavenly realm, and through her spiritual power she creates a luminous vision of the Perfect One. Kamanita gradually recognizes the figure as the old ascetic he once met in Rajagriha. Vasitthi, having attained self-realization and detachment, sacrifices her own form to complete the vision, leaving Kamanita alone with the Buddha likeness. The chapter explores themes of impermanence, self-surrender, and the nature of Nirvana.
Themes in this chapter
The Nature of Nirvana
Vasitthi describes Nirvana as a place beyond birth, death, and all conceptual grasping, emphasizing its ineffable and eternal nature.
Renunciation and Worldliness
Vasitthi renounces her own self and even the doctrine itself, illustrating the ultimate detachment required for liberation.
Characters to notice
- Vasitthi
Describes the Buddha to Kamanita, creates a vision of the Perfect One, and ultimately sacrifices her own form to complete the image.
- Kamanita
Longs to see the Buddha, struggles with regret over his past ignorance, and finally recognizes the old ascetic as the Perfect One.
- The Lord Buddha
Appears in Vasitthi's vision, speaks to her about self-realization and the doctrine, and is ultimately recognized by Kamanita.
Key passages
“That is not I, that does not belong to me”
This is not my true self, and it is not mine to hold.
Vasitthi expresses the Buddhist teaching of non-attachment to the self.
“As one, crossing a stream by means of a raft, neither clings to the raft when he has reached the farther side, nor drags it along with him, so I no longer cling to the doctrine but let it go.”
Just as a traveler leaves behind the raft after crossing a river, I release even the teachings once they have served their purpose.
Vasitthi uses the famous raft simile to illustrate letting go of the doctrine after enlightenment.
“What I have been longing for as the highest happiness, as salvation itself, that I have already been in possession of for milliards of years.”
The ultimate happiness and liberation I have sought, I have actually had for countless ages.
Kamanita realizes he was already in the presence of the Buddha without recognizing it.