The Revelation of Cūḷapanthaka's Meditative Attainment of Enlightenment

In secular teachings, there is a saying: "When the mind is concentrated on one point, nothing remains unaccomplished." Consider this: does the tip of an awl penetrate deeper into the ground, or does a wooden plank? The answer is certainly that the awl tip penetrates deeper. Deep meditative concentration follows the same principle. When the mind abides in a single state, mental energy becomes focused and undispersed. With concentrated mind penetrating deeply and contemplating a principle meticulously, one can thoroughly comprehend its meaning, thereby giving rise to wisdom. Without concentration, the mind is like that wooden plank—broad in surface area, with scattered force—unable to penetrate deeply into the ground. Cultivating concentration means focusing the mind on one object, gathering mental energy, for only then can nothing remain unaccomplished.

A specific case of meditative practice demonstrates that when mental focus is singular and concentration is deep, one can realize the Dharma and attain wisdom. The Buddha Śākyamuni had a disciple named Śuddhipanthaka. Due to karmic retribution from past lives, he was extremely dull-witted, constantly forgetting what he learned—learning the latter and forgetting the former, learning one phrase and forgetting the next. Seeing his dullness, the World-Honored One, moved by compassion, taught him to recite two words: "broom." Śuddhipanthaka recited "broom" constantly, whatever he was doing. Eventually, his mind became purified, enabling him to contemplate the principles of the Hinayana in meditation. Finally, he attained the fourth fruition of Arhatship. By reciting "broom" with a mind free of distracting thoughts, he used this concentrated power to contemplate the Dharma principles taught by the World-Honored One and thereby realized the fruition. Therefore, in our own cultivation of concentration, we too must fix the mind on one object and focus on a single thought. Persevering diligently over time, concentrated power will arise, and ultimately, contemplative practice and reflection will succeed. This "one object and one thought" could be a Buddha's name, a mantra, or a short sutra. Whatever we are doing, let the mind be filled with sutras, mantras, or Buddha recitation, casting aside all worldly attachments. With this, concentrated power will surely arise.