Upaya | June 01, 2004

In order for Buddha to help his disciples to attain enlightenment, he sometimes needed to use clever tricks or skillful deception. In order to save children playing in a burning house for example, he would lure them out by offering them rewards, as they were not able to comprehend the danger they were in (Lotus-Sutra). These tricks were called upaya. In Mahayana Buddhism the term upaya became very important. Buddhas whole teaching or even his life, his appearance on earth, can be seen as an upaya, a means to help and guide us to attain enlightenment. This help becomes futile once we achieve its ends. It even becomes a burden, as we have to grow above it and should not be limited by it. As it is not the highest form of truth, but only an aid for us to comprehend our situation and to advance in our development. Like a boat used to reach the other shore, it should be left behind.