Brahmajala Sutta
Brahmajala Sutta
Vairochana as described in the Brahmajala Sutta The Brahmajala Sutta is the first sutta of 34 suttas in Digha Nikaya, the Long Discourses of Buddha. The name of the Sutta is inferred from the word 'Brahma' meaning the Perfect Wisom, and 'Jala' meaning the 'Net-which-embraced-all-views'. This sutta is also called: Atthajala (the Net of Essence), Dhammajala, (the Net of the Dhamma), Ditthijala (the Net of Views), Anuttarasangama Vijaya (Incomparable Victory in Battle). This Sutta discusses about two main topics: the First is the elaboration of Ten Precepts (Cula-sila), Middle Precepts (Majjhima-sila), and Maha-sila. Cula-sila deals with the Ten Precepts which should be practised by devout buddhists, while Majjhima-sila deals with the detailed description on the practice of sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth precepts, added with the practise of plant conservation and the etiquette of speech. The Second and the Third part of the sutta discuss about 62 beliefs (ditthi) which are devoutly practised by the ascetics in India. These sixty-two beliefs are divided into: 18 beliefs related on the Past (Pubbantanuditthino), and 44 beliefs about the Future (Aparantakappika). Many of these beliefs are still up-to-date existant in this world and thus the sutta provides buddhists scholars with much information and recollections to ponder upon about the posit of Buddha's teachings. The elaboration on these beliefs are very detailed, focusing on how the beliefs (faiths) come to conclusion and the way they are described and declared. The elaboration ends with Buddha's statement about the danger of clinging on these beliefs, as they are still influenced by the desire (lobha), hatred (dosa), and ignorance (moha) that its faithful followers will not end in the final liberation but still in the cycle of samsara. The believers of these faiths are compared to the small fish in the pond which will be captured by fine Net no matter how they want to escape. But for monks who has achieved the knowledge of seeing everything as they are, achieved the highest and worthiest state of Nibbana, they are beyond the net of samsara.
