The Pilgrim Kamanita · Chapter
XXIII: The Roundelay of the Blest explained
Kamanita, newly awakened in Sukhavati, observes a white-robed figure floating away and learns he too can move by mere desire.
What happens
Kamanita, newly awakened in Sukhavati, observes a white-robed figure floating away and learns he too can move by mere desire. He explores lotus ponds, groves, and valleys, encountering blissful beings who greet him as the newly-arrived. They discuss the Coral Tree and the heavenly Gunga, but none have journeyed to the Gunga's shores. Kamanita declines to join a roundelay, preferring to rest and awaken further.
Themes in this chapter
Rebirth and Karma
Kamanita's awakening in Sukhavati as a result of his past actions and the opening of the lotus.
Illusion and Reality
Kamanita's perception of the blissful figures as dream-figures and the mystery of the Coral Tree.
Characters to notice
- Kamanita
Newly awakened in Sukhavati, learning to move by desire and exploring the paradise.
- Vasitthi
White-robed figure who points to the river feeding the pond and discusses the heavenly Gunga.
- The Master
Neighbor in blue who instructs Kamanita that he can move if he desires.
Key passages
“Thou art able now, if thou dost but desire it”
You can do it now, just by wanting to.
The Master tells Kamanita he can move by desire alone.
“when a lotus opens itself, all the other lotus flowers in the ponds of Paradise are moved, and every being is conscious that another has somewhere among us awakened to bliss.”
When a lotus opens, all lotuses in Paradise tremble, and every being knows someone has awakened to bliss.
Explanation of how the inhabitants know of a newcomer.
“Thou are not yet fully awake. Thou dost look at us as though thou sawest dream-figures and wert afraid that they might suddenly disappear, and that rude reality might again surround thee.”
You are not fully awake yet. You look at us as if we were dream figures, afraid we might vanish and harsh reality return.
A figure comments on Kamanita's lingering doubt about the reality of Sukhavati.