This story of Alara Kalama is very insightful; it highlights the need for a focus or goal within spiritual practices. It is also reverent to the path of the teacher, which we all follow sometimes. This is a subject matter that I have been utilizing for the past few weeks; that there should be an intent and focus with spiritual practice. Practicing becomes far more powerful when intention is aligned, which comes directly from the teachings of the Buddha. The life and story of Alara Kalama highlight the necessity of direction.
Background
Alara Kalama (Pāḷi & Sanskrit Āḷāra Kālāma/ Arāḍa Kālāma]), was a hermit and a teacher of meditation.[1][2][3] He was a śramaṇa and, according to Buddhist scriptures, the first teacher of Gautama Buddha.[4][5]
When the Buddha first left his luxurious palace and renounced his possessions and lifestyle, he found Alara Kalama and learned under him. He became a disciple of suffering and spent years clearing his mind in an effort to master the techniques of Alara. The buddha surpassed his first master over time and decided that he would continue the pursuit of enlightenment on his own.
Relationship to the Buddha
One of the two teachers to whom Gotama, after his renunciation, first attached himself, the other being Udaka Rāmaputta. The buddha is known to have mastered Kālāma’s state of pure nothingness.
In the Milindapañha ¹ Āḷāra is mentioned as Gotama’s(buddha’s) fourth teacher. The Therīgāthā Commentary ² says he went to Bhaggava before going to Āḷāra. The Mahāvastu ³ and the Lalita Vistaraya,⁴ give quite different accounts.
In the Ariyapariyesāna Sutta ⁵ the Buddha describes his visit to Āḷāra. Gotama quickly mastered his doctrine and was able to repeat it by heart; but feeling sure that Āḷāra not only knew the doctrine but had realised it, he approached him and questioned him about it. Āḷāra then proclaimed the state of nothingness (Ākiñcaññāyatana), and Gotama, putting forth energy and concentration greater than Āḷāra’s, made himself master of that state. Āḷāra recognised his pupil’s eminence and treated him as an equal, but Gotama, not having succeeded in his quest, took leave of Āḷāra to go elsewhere.⁶
After having practised austerities for six years, the Buddha attained Enlightenment and granted Sahampati’s request to teach the doctrine, it was of Āḷāra he thought first as being the fittest to hear the teaching. However, Āḷāra had died seven days earlier.
Significance in Buddhist History
• Āḷāra Kālāma represents an important stage in the Buddha’s journey, highlighting the limitations of certain meditative attainments and the need to go beyond them to achieve true liberation.
• His role underscores the idea that even advanced states of consciousness are not the final goal in the Buddhist path.
The buddhist books don’t talk much more about Āḷāra. The Mahā Parinibbāna sutta ⁸ mentions Pukkusa, who says he had been Āḷāra’s disciple, but who, when he hears the Buddha’s discourse, confesses faith in the Buddha. Pukkusa describes Āḷāra to the Buddha as one who practised great concentration.
Once Āḷāra was sitting in the open air and neither saw nor heard five hundred passing carts though he was awake and conscious because his concentration on nothing was so intense.
Āḷāra Kālāma’s Legacy
• While Āḷāra Kālāma did not achieve enlightenment himself, his teachings and influence remain an integral part of the narrative of the Buddha’s spiritual journey.
• His approach to meditation is sometimes referenced in Buddhist texts as an example of profound, though incomplete, spiritual attainment.
• The aim of Āḷāra’s practices is stated to have been the attainment of Akiñcaññayatana, the state of nothingness.
Conclusions
Alara Kalama was an influential figure in early Buddhism; his teachings inspire an exploration of the mind that is so important in meditation. As you get used to sitting, or meditating, the ability to move and control the attention span and conscious focus becomes more pronounced and meditators and explore many different part of the conscious experience, visualizing, remembering, planning, etc. Alara’s story stimulates a deeply explorative aspect of meditation, that hints of discipline and meditating for longer periods of time.
Alara Kalama highlights the need for teaching from experience. He indulges in the deep need for concentration within the spiritual path, perhaps too much so. The necessity of focus and also alignment become central to these teaching, of following the path of dharma which is probably why the Buddha left to pursue his own austerities. But when the Buddha was enlightened, he found that his teacher, Alara, had died. A sad and tender realization of the finite nature of existence. Cherish the time that you have.
References:
- Wikipedia Article – Alara Kalama
- Sutra Central – Alara Kalama
- Aimwell.org – Alara Kalama
- Ancient Buddhist Texts – Alara Kalama Discussion with the Buddha
- Oxford Reference – Alara Kalama
- Research Gate – The Origin of Buddhist Meditation being taught from Āḷārakalāma and Uddaka Rāmaputta