In Ajahn Mun's Biography, it was revealed/written that as Ajahn Mun progress and intensify in his Meditation,
He recollected his past vow and intention to become a Buddha,
And how "this underlying attachment made him reluctant to strive for the attainment of Nibbana in his present life." (Venerable Acariya Mun Bhuridatta Thera - A Spiritual Biography by Acariya Maha Boowa Nanasampanno, pg 18)
Yet at the same time,
He also realised that the fulfillment of this vow would take a very long time -
Involving aeon's of going round in the cycle of samsara,
Being born and reborn over and over again,
And going through all kinds of pain, misery and suffering.
As such, he renounced this original vow,
And somehow, it opens the way for his meditation to progress smoothly thereafter.
After his enlightenment,
Ajahn Mun also realised the true nature of Absolute Purity (Nibbana) -
"That it is perfectly equal for all, irrespective of conventional designations such as young and old, or high and low.
From The Lord Buddha on down to the youngest Arahant novice,
All were equal with respect to their state of purity.
ALL are equally pure."
- (Venerable Acariya Mun Bhuridatta Thera - A Spiritual Biography by Acariya Maha Boowa Nanasampanno - pg 175)
When I analysed and thought about the above,
I realised that in terms of enlightenment,
There is NO difference between that of The Buddha and The Arahants -
Both are equally enlightened, and out of samsara and dukkha (suffering).
And that's also the reason why The Buddha is also known as Arahato (ie. The Worthy One, The Fully Enlightened One).
The difference lies in the 10 Paramitas (perfections) and The path to Awakening :
While The Arahants are generally considered to be the disciples of The Buddha,
The Buddha is a Rightly Self-Awakened One.
And, also The Perfect One, or The Perfectly Enlightened One -
Having accomplished the 10 paramitas (perfections) through His countless rounds of births and rebirths.
I don't know about you,
But to me,
As long as I can get out from the cycle of samsara;
From suffering;
From the rounds of births and rebirths,
Arahantship is good enough for me.
"10 paramitas :
- Generosity (Liberality),
- Morality (Virtues),
- Renunciation,
- Loving-Kindness (Forgiveness),
- Truth (Honesty),
- Wisdom (Discernment),
- Equanimity,
- Determination (Resoluteness, Persistence, Perseverance),
- Energy (Effort, Diligence, Exertion),
- Patience (Endurance, Forebearance)."
"The task of the religion is done,
The holy life complete;
There is no further task to do."
- The Buddha
"When we have studied the Dhamma to the attainment of release, that's all there is to study."
- Ajahn Maha Boowa
I am detached from all, I have given up all;
I am liberated from moral defilements, having eradicated craving.
Having comprehended The Four Noble Truths by myself,
Whom shall I call my Teacher?"
- The Buddha, Dhammapda verse 353
** Of course there are those who for whatever reasons, want to be a Buddha, despite knowing the countless rounds of rebirths and suffering.
BUT, there are also others whose sole purpose is to get out.
Who saw.
