There is a type of Buddhist practitioner known as the 'Lone Awakening Buddha', and there is a professional term in Buddhism called the 'Abhidharma Buddha'. As is well known, although solitary Buddhas achieve Buddhist fruit, they do not speak for sentient beings. Some hide their identities and live a peaceful life, while others simply practice Nirvana. Many people believe that those who achieve great success should take it upon themselves to save all sentient beings. The Sixth Patriarch, Master Huineng, once said that after realizing one's true nature and becoming a Buddha, one should not hide the Dharma, but should have a broad and compassionate perspective. The meaning is that after obtaining the Dharma, all sentient beings should be saved. So, why doesn't the solitary Buddha speak for sentient beings?
To understand why the Buddha of Pure Enlightenment does not speak for sentient beings, we first need to understand what the Buddha of Pure Enlightenment is. The so-called 'solitary Buddha' refers to a person who becomes a Buddha without the teachings of the Buddha. Broadly speaking, it means a person who becomes a Buddha without the teachings of the Great Good Knowledge. This is called the 'solitary Buddha'. That is to say, solitary Buddhas rely entirely on their own understanding and do not seek knowledge of the great good, but they are able to attain enlightenment and become Buddhas because of their profound wisdom.
So, what are the solitary Buddhas in history? Let me give you an example.
The most representative solitary Buddha in history is a bodhisattva - Maitreya Bodhisattva. Maitreya Bodhisattva attained enlightenment and became a Buddha without the guidance of the Buddha. Therefore, we understand why Shakyamuni Buddha said that Maitreya Bodhisattva would become a future Buddha. There is a reason for this, Maitreya Bodhisattva likes silence and relies on himself for everything. In this world, only those who understand everything and rely on themselves can create an era. Those who are determined to rely on others, in the words of Master Huineng of the Sixth Patriarch, are "nowhere is there". Even if they can achieve the ultimate Buddha fruit, they will never create a new era.
On this point, I strongly agree with the practice of Maitreya Bodhisattva, which does not rely on knowledge of great goodness, but rather on personal realization. So, although I, Shengzhong, have converted to the Three Treasures and become a Buddhist layman, I have no intention of becoming a monk, nor do I have the idea of learning from the knowledge of the Great Good. Over the years, I have always self studied and self realized. Although I have not yet fully realized and achieved Buddhist enlightenment, I believe that compared to some monastic masters, my realm is above them.
From this, it can also be confirmed that self-learning and self realization are also possible, as affirmed by Master Huineng of the Sixth Patriarch.
So, why doesn't the solitary Buddha speak to the public? I, Shengzhong, would like to discuss this issue based on my own insights. I believe there are several main reasons for this:
Firstly, Buddhist teachings are subtle and intricate
The teachings of Buddhism are very subtle. Although a solitary Buddha can attain enlightenment and become a Buddha, it is not an easy task to explain the teachings clearly in words. Since ancient times, many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, Arhat, have understood that Buddhism is difficult to rise, and the teachings of all living beings must be gradually established, many of which are based on the predecessors. Since the solitary Buddha is self aware without a teacher, in order to speak, he must personally establish his teachings from scratch. This is difficult because the time of the body is limited, and it is likely that he will not be able to promote the teachings he has established until the body is lost.
Secondly, all beings in the world are ignorant and foolish
Saving sentient beings is easy to say but difficult to do. Let's take a look at Maitreya Bodhisattva's life motto - forgive the world's difficult things and laugh at the world's ridiculous people. Maitreya Bodhisattva chose a bystander attitude towards the ignorant beings in the world, rather than choosing to save all sentient beings. This actually does not violate Buddhist doctrine, because sentient beings in the world are ignorant and difficult to educate, especially if one actively seeks to enlighten them, it may cause their resentment and even be framed by sentient beings. So, saving sentient beings should be a matter of fate, not a necessity.
Take me, Shengzhong, for example. Right now, that's how I think. Let everything go according to fate. I have set up a Shengzhong layman's blog to write down my feelings and insights. Whoever can see it, whoever cannot, let everything go according to fate.
Thirdly, teaching methods may mislead sentient beings
Master Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch, once said that in order to save people, convenience is necessary. And having convenience is not an easy task. In addition to having great wisdom, one must also have a unique set of teaching methods. If the teaching method is improper, it may mislead sentient beings, such as the verse of Master Shenxiu:
Being a Bodhi tree,
Heart is like a mirror platform,
Wipe it frequently,
Do not provoke dust.
For enlightened Buddha and Bodhisattva Arhat, this verse is an unenlightened verse at first sight, but for ordinary people, the realm expressed in this verse is beyond reach.
We see that since the publication of Master Shenxiu's verse, billions of people have been deeply trapped and stopped moving forward in the 21st century. If after reciting Master Shenxiu's verse, one can continue to practice diligently without following it, then it is understandable. But the vast majority of people became deeply immersed in the verses of Master Shenxiu after reciting them, unable to extricate themselves, and ultimately could not see sexual enlightenment until death.
So, improper teachings can mislead sentient beings. As a solitary Buddha, I am accustomed to being independent and self reliant, and of course, I also hope that sentient beings can be independent and self reliant. Unless someone asks, I will never take the initiative to speak up.
In short, as solitary Buddhas, they deeply understand that in this world, there are countless knowledge of great goodness passed down by the Buddha. There is no need to speak up for sentient beings themselves. In situations where there is a possibility of misleading sentient beings, it is best to keep quiet and remain pure, and be free and unrestrained.