Subhuti

Introduction

Subhuti was one of the close disciples of the Buddha. He was foremost among the disciples in understanding the concept of emptiness or shunyata and Buddha considered him to be highly proficient in meditation.

Birth and Early Living

Subhuti whose name means ‘good existence’ was born in the town of Sravasti in a wealthy Brahmin family. He was the son of Sumanasetthi and his family were followers of the Buddha and his uncle Sudatta built the Jetavana Monastery where Buddha often taught. Folklore states that when he was born all the furniture and other items in his house vanished. His shocked parents asked a fortune teller who told them that there was no need to worry as Subhuti was to comprehend the principle of emptiness. The items reappeared back in a few days. As he grew up he was profoundly moved by the compassionate and wise teachings of the Buddha and abandoning his affluent life style for the pursuit of truth he became a disciple of Buddha. He mastered the two categories of Vinaya Rules and lived in the forest pursuing his spiritual practices. Later he developed insight and attained arahantship. He was the first to understand the Buddhist concept of ‘Emptiness’. Subhuti was always meditating on the Grdhrakuta Mountain.

Past Lives

He had been associated with the Buddha in many earlier births which culminated in his present birth and attaining of Sainthood.

Subhuti’s greatness

Subhuti’s mind was unperturbed and free from complications, hence he never engaged in disputes. Once it is said that he went to the capital of the kingdom of Magadha where King Bimbisara donated the Venuvana (Bamboo Grove) Monastery and ordered a hut to be built for Subhuti. Bimbisara being too busy in the affairs of the state to monitor the work did not complete the work with the result that the hut of Subhuti had no roof. Uncomplainingly he endured the harsh sunlight and the howling winds and rain. But suddenly the rain stopped and as long as he lived there, there was no rain. This caused a drought and great suffering. At last the King realised the cause and got the roof repaired. Subhuti then prayed that the rains would bless the people and immediately the skies opened to the joy of the people. They realised Subhuti’s greatness and praised him.

Once when meditating in the Grdhrakuta Mountains Subhuti fell ill. He realised that it was due to past karma and if he believed in the truth of the law of cause and effect, repented for his earlier sins and worked on his meditation, his mind and body would achieve peace. Working on these thoughts, his illness disappeared and he became tranquil and healthy once again.

The Diamond Sutra

The Prajnaparamita is the body of Sutras and commentaries representing the essence of the Mahayana Buddhism. It is referred to as the Mother of Buddhas as it extends the basic concept of ontological voidness. The realisation of the illusory nature of all phenomena is the main idea in the Prajnaparamita. The Diamond Sutra and the Heart Sutra are most popular among the texts of Prajnaparamita.

The Diamond Sutra is the Sutra of Ultimate Truth. It is a record of a dialogue between the Buddha and Subhuti. It is an important teaching to break up the ignorance of the attachments of the Self and of the Dharma of existence and non existence. It is a powerful tool to illuminate and break up all darkness arising from ignorance and to destroy all obstructions and false thoughts arising out of attachments. The concept of emptiness or Shunyata is a meditative state or a mode of perception in which one does not add or take away anything from what is present. It is achieved through a process of intense concentration along with insight and is developed through meditation.

The concept of shunyata or emptiness appears in Japanese scriptures as Hanyashingyo.

Conclusion

In Buddhist philosophy the idea of emptiness implies that all things depend on direct and indirect causes and none has a permanent existence. Subhuti always lived remotely and was a master in meditation and he taught the Dhamma without distinction or limitation. Buddha considered him one of his closest disciples and his patience and humility always endeared him to all the other monks.