Overcoming Our Egotistical and Arrogant Selves
Learning and Realization, two of the Ten Worlds, are referred to as the Two Vehicles. Originally learning means Buddhist disciples listening to the teachings of the Buddha . In ancient Sanskrit, it was called shitsurabaka. In terms of life condition, it is the life condition of joy and fulfillment one experiences when learning ancient sutras, reading books, grasping concepts and theories. In general terms, intellectuals such as scholars and critics tend to be in the world of Learning. Those who pursue academic studies, study philosophy and learn from others’ experience, for example, are in the world of Learning.
Realization literally means enlightenment through karmic relation. It was called hyakushibutsu in Sanskrit. Various phenomena are included in karmic relationship. For instance, one may be watching flower petals or leaves falling and be enlightened to one aspect of the true meaning of life. Upon reading an article in the newspaper, a brilliant idea flashes across our mind, and we feels personal enlightenment. The fulfillment that we feel at these times is called the world of Realization. Another example is creative and artistic activities in which people feel the joy of creation. People who tend to predominantly manifest Realization in their lives include artists, innovative scientists and famous experts in their respective fields of endeavor. However, it can be said that ordinary people can also experience Realization. The example of fulfillment that someone feels when that person is totally absorbed in their work comes to mind. They are in the world of Realization at that moment. Therefore, Realization is distinct from Learning, because one attains enlightenment by oneself. Since creativity is involved, Realization is sometimes called independent enlightenment.
In any case, both Learning and Realization are attempts to attain an independent identity and are on a level a step above the Six Paths of Hell, Hunger, Animality, Anger, Humanity and Rapture. In the Gosho, the “True Object of Worship”, it states, “The fact that all things in this world are transient is perfectly clear to us. Is this not because the worlds of the two vehicles are present in the world of Humanity?” People of the two vehicles try to attain enlightenment by understanding the transience of the world and by reflecting on the way they live.
Through their penetrating logic the people of the Two Vehicles discover the Laws of nature and clarify the meaning of Human life and society. Without the attributes of the Two Vehicles, advancement in culture or academic areas would be unimaginable. The life condition of people of the Two Vehicles is significantly higher than that of the people in the Six Paths. Shariputra and Mahakashyapa, two disciples of Shakyamuni, understood everything about Shakyamuni’s Hinayana teachings and attained the state of Arhat, the highest state of enlightenment in Hinayana Buddhism. However, in order to attain this state they had to eradicate their minds and bodies before they could overcome the pain and sorrow of life. However, in terms of Buddhism, the state of Arhat does not mean the attainment of enlightenment. Moreover, if we destroy our minds and bodies, we are eradicating the seed of Buddhahood, and Buddhahood becomes impossible to achieve. For this very reason, the pre-Lotus Sutra teachings teach that enlightenment can never be achieved through the Two Vehicles. Furthermore, when one attains this kind of shallow, superficial enlightenment, one overestimates one’s enlightenment and tends to become arrogant. People of the two vehicles tend to seek only their own enlightenment without giving any thought to saving others, which results in egotism. Due to this people of the Two Vehicles were condemned and thoroughly scorned in the provisional Mahayana teachings.
Nichiren Daishonin said in the “The Opening of the Eyes”, “Suppose that a person falls into a deep pit. That person will be unable to benefit himself or to benefit others.” This clarifies the weakness of the people of the Two Vehicles, namely, that by believing that one has already attained enlightenment, one will fall into a selfish pit of arrogance and not seek the true and profound enlightenment of the Buddha. Thus they can not save themselves nor can they conduct good deeds for others, let alone save them.
However, the Lotus Sutra preaches for the first time that people of the two vehicles can attain enlightenment. If not, the concept of the Mutual possession of the Ten Worlds must be false. Thus the true law with real power was clarified. In the present age of the Latter Day of the Law, the only law that allows people of the Two Vehicles to attain Buddhahood is none other than the Nam-MyoHo-Renge-Kyo of the Three Great Secret Laws.
In conclusion, the worlds of Learning and Realization induce self reflection to build an independent identity and facilitate attainment of only a shallow enlightenment. This results in an arrogant nature without consideration for others or the desire to save them. In other words, one becomes caught up with “Life’s Evil Nature”. However, that same weakness of the Two Vehicles can be overcome through the world of Bodhisattva, or having compassion for others, which in turn manifests the pure, supreme and powerful life condition of Buddhahood. By believing in the Gohonzon and by practicing the Daishonin’s Buddhism people of the Two Vehicles can be saved.
If they advance putting the Gohonzon first, people can reach the real state of the Two Vehicles in which they can establish their true identity and also help other people. With Buddhahood as the fundamental underlying principle, the real aspect of the Two Vehicles can be hoped for.
Source: Buddhist Studies Pg. 125-127
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