Date: 04/26/2025 04/27/2025
Location: Star River Meditation Center
Teacher: Yunquan Huang
Dharma Talk
The Attainment of Chulapanthaka
Once, the Buddha was residing at Jetavana Monastery, located in the southern suburbs of Sravasti, the capital of Kosala.
One day, the Venerable Panthaka scolded his younger brother, Chulapanthaka, saying:
“If you cannot even remember the precepts, you might as well return home and live as a layperson!”
Chulapanthaka was deeply saddened by these words and stood outside the gates of Jetavana, weeping.
The Buddha, aware of what had happened, came to the gate and comforted him:
“Bhikkhu, why are you standing here crying?”
“World-Honored One, my elder brother has driven me away. He said that since I cannot even remember the precepts, I should return to lay life and should not stay here any longer.”
The Buddha reassured him:
“Bhikkhu, do not be afraid. It is I who have attained the Supreme and Perfect Enlightenment, not your elder brother.”
Then, the Buddha took Chulapanthaka by the hand and led him back into the monastery, personally instructing him.
The Buddha taught him the two words ‘Remove Impurities’. However, Chulapanthaka would remember the word ‘Remove’ but forget ‘Impurities’. When he remembered ‘Impurities’, he would forget ‘Remove’.
He struggled like this for many days before finally being able to remember both words. Once he had memorized them, he began to contemplate their meaning: What does ‘Remove’ mean? What does ‘Impurities’ mean?
Then he realized: ‘Impurities’ refers to dirt, dust, and filth, while ‘Remove’ means to cleanse and purify.
Next, he thought further:
“Why did the World-Honored One teach me these two words? I must reflect deeply on this.”
Then, he realized that he too had impurities. If the phrase ‘Remove Impurities’ were to be applied to himself, then the bonds of attachment and affliction were the impurities, while wisdom was the remover.
He thought: I must use wisdom to cleanse myself of attachments and afflictions.
Continuing his contemplation, the Venerable Chulapanthaka examined how the five aggregates (form, feeling, perception, mental formations, and consciousness) arise and how they cease.
Through this contemplation of the five aggregates, Venerable Chulapanthaka eradicated craving, ignorance, and defilements. He attained liberation and realized with direct knowledge:
“My cycle of birth and death has come to an end. My pure practice is now established. What needed to be done has been accomplished. I know for certain that there will be no future rebirth for me.”
Thus, Venerable Chulapanthaka had attained Arhatship.
After attaining Arhatship, he went to see the Buddha and reported:
“World-Honored One! I have now truly understood the wisdom behind the words ‘Remove Impurities’.”
The Buddha asked:
“Bhikkhu, how do you interpret these two words?”
“World-Honored One, ‘Remove’ symbolizes wisdom, while ‘Impurities’ symbolizes the knots of defilement.”
“Bhikkhu, excellent! Just as you have said, ‘Remove’ represents wisdom, and ‘Impurities’ represent the knots of defilement.”
Then, the Venerable Chulapanthaka recited a verse to express his realization:
“To recite the two words taught by the World-Honored One is already enough.
With wisdom, all defilements can be removed; nothing else is needed.”
Upon hearing this, the Buddha affirmed:
“Bhikkhu, indeed, as you have said—wisdom alone is sufficient, and nothing else is needed.”
