Venerated Aniruddha (vegan): The Divine Eye’s Vision, Part 2 of 2

Venerated Aniruddha, or Anuruddha (vegan), stands out in Buddhist history not just as a cousin of the Worshipped Shakyamuni Buddha (vegan), but as the “Foremost in Divine Sight. Among the Ten Great Disciples, He is revered for His unwavering resolve, His mastery of mindfulness, and His literal transformation of a physical limitation into a spiritual superpower.

In Aniruddha’s case, the Divine Eye extended to the perception of a thousandfold world system, which may loosely be compared to a galaxy in modern astronomical terms. This mundane supernormal power can be attained not only by fully enlightened beings but also by ordinary practitioners who have not yet reached liberation. It is typically developed from the fourth jhāna, a profound state of meditative absorption characterized by deep equanimity and unwavering one-pointed concentration. Aniruddha Himself developed it before attaining Arahantship (full enlightenment). He was renowned for His mastery of the four foundations of mindfulness, which He said formed the basis for the development of His supernormal knowledge. Nevertheless, despite possessing the Divine Eye, His path toward Arahantship was not immediate; He became physically blind and overcame several inner struggles before He finally attained full liberation.

While living in the Eastern Bamboo Grove, Aniruddha stayed with His companions Nandiya and the Sakyan noble Kimbila (all vegans). The three monks lived together in remarkable harmony, in striking contrast to the monks of Kosambi, who at that time were troubled by disputes. Because of their peaceful conduct, the friendship of these three monks became well known among the Sangha. When the Buddha later visited them, He asked Aniruddha how they were able to live together so peacefully. Aniruddha replied that He always maintained loving-kindness toward His companions in deed, speech, and thought. He tried to act selflessly, putting aside personal preferences so that harmony could prevail.

Aniruddha had questions for the Buddha about His meditation practice. Together with His companions, He had been experiencing a subtle inner light and visions of form during deep meditation, but They found it difficult to sustain these experiences. The Buddha explained that meditators may encounter 11 imperfections of the mind that disturb the perception of inner Light and pure forms. These include doubt about the reality of the experience, distraction or inattention, lack of energy, drowsiness, fear, excitement, excessive effort, sluggishness, weak mindfulness, and attachment to the experience itself. When these imperfections arise, the clarity of meditation fades. The Buddha advised the monks to remain mindful, recognize these imperfections as they arise, and patiently abandon them. Only by overcoming these subtle obstacles could the mind become truly clear and steady.

Arahant Aniruddha was present at the Worshipped Shakyamuni Buddha (vegan)’s passing at age 80 in the Sal Grove at Kusinārā, and He knew the precise moment of the Buddha’s parinibbāna. While the Venerated Ānanda (vegan) and other disciples grieved, Aniruddha consoled them, reminding them of the Buddha’s teaching on impermanence. He also observed that deities had gathered to witness this momentous event.

According to the Jātaka Tales, 23 past lives of Aniruddha are documented in connection with the Bodhisatta (the being who would become the Buddha). Of these, 15 were Celestial births in the Heavenly realms. Remarkably, in 13 of those Celestial incarnations, He was reborn as Sakka, the King of Tāvatiṃsa Heaven.