Foremost in Heavenly Vision: The Inner Light of Venerable Aniruddha – From Drowsiness to Awakening, from Darkness to Light

Among the Buddha's ten great disciples, there is a venerable one known as "Foremost in Heavenly Vision," named Aniruddha. His story is not a smooth path of practice, but a legend of awakening from drowsiness and sloth, finding light in darkness, and ultimately igniting the lamp of the mind.

The Lost Prince: Drowsiness in a Life of Luxury

Venerable Aniruddha was born in the Śākya royal palace of Kapilavastu in ancient India. He was the son of King Droṇodana and a cousin of the Buddha. As a prince, he lived a life of luxury from a young age, always surrounded by beautiful palace ladies and pleasant music.

However, superior material conditions did not bring Aniruddha true happiness. Although he was intelligent, he lacked contemplation on the true meaning of life. He indulged in sensual pleasures, yet his heart felt empty and lost.

The Buddha's Stern Rebuke: An Awakening from Drowsiness

After the Buddha attained enlightenment and returned to his hometown to teach the Dharma, many Śākya princes became monks to follow him. Aniruddha was also inspired and was ordained along with Ānanda and other princes.

However, after becoming a monk, Aniruddha did not immediately change his old habits. He was still fond of sleeping and often dozed off during the Buddha's Dharma talks.

Once, while the Buddha was teaching the Dharma to the assembly, Aniruddha sat below, drowsing. The Buddha noticed his state, stopped his talk, and sternly rebuked him: "Hey, why are you sleeping? Like a snail or a clam, you sleep for a thousand years and never hear the Buddha's name!"

The Buddha's rebuke was like a sharp blow, startling Aniruddha awake. He felt deeply ashamed and mortified. He realized that his drowsiness and laziness were not only a betrayal of the Buddha's teachings but also a waste of precious practice time.

Seven Days of Sleepless Diligence: A Struggle in the Darkness

To overcome his drowsiness, Venerable Aniruddha was determined to practice diligently. He made a vow to the Buddha to meditate for seven days and seven nights without sleep.

For the next seven days, Venerable Aniruddha fought off sleepiness, engaging in a fierce battle with drowsiness. He constantly recited sutras, sat in meditation, and practiced walking meditation, trying to keep himself awake.

However, the prolonged lack of sleep made his body weaker and weaker, and his eyes became more and more painful. He felt dizzy and disoriented, almost unable to continue. But he did not give up. He gritted his teeth and, with strong willpower, fought against the demon of sleep to the end.

Blindness and Enlightenment: Light in the Darkness

On the seventh day, Venerable Aniruddha's eyes could no longer bear it, and he became completely blind. His world plunged into darkness.

However, at the moment he lost his sight, a miracle happened. A light suddenly emerged from within his mind. He felt his mind clearer and brighter than ever before. He could clearly "see" everything, even more clearly and thoroughly than before.

This light did not come from the outside but from within his mind. It was the result of his diligent practice and his reward for overcoming drowsiness and transcending darkness. He had attained the "divine eye" (dibbacakkhu) and became the Arhat "Foremost in Heavenly Vision."

The World Under the Divine Eye: Insight Beyond the Senses

The divine eye that Venerable Aniruddha attained was not ordinary vision but an insight that transcended the senses. He could see the past, present, and future, the beings of the three-thousand-great-thousand world systems, and their thoughts and afflictions.

He used his divine eye to observe the suffering of beings and guide them on the path to liberation. He used his divine eye to observe the Buddha's teachings and more deeply understand the true meaning of the Dharma.

Venerable Aniruddha's divine eye was not only a personal achievement of his practice but also an important asset to Buddhism. With his divine eye, he made outstanding contributions to the spread and development of Buddhism. He told the world through his own experience: true light is not in the external environment, but in our minds.

The Wisdom of Introspection: Practice in the Darkness

After becoming blind, Venerable Aniruddha did not become discouraged. Instead, he took his blindness as an opportunity for practice, focusing more on inner contemplation.

He was no longer deluded by external forms or disturbed by sensory stimuli. His mind became calmer and more focused. Through introspection, he more deeply realized the true meaning of the Dharma.

Venerable Aniruddha's practice shows us a unique way of cultivation: even in darkness, one can find light; even after losing one's sight, one can open the eye of wisdom.

Humility and Dedication: Advancing in the Light

Although Venerable Aniruddha had attained the divine eye, he never showed off his psychic powers. He always maintained a humble and cautious attitude, practicing silently and benefiting sentient beings silently.

He often used his divine eye to help other monks solve problems in their practice and guide them towards liberation. He also frequently taught the Dharma to lay followers, teaching them how to practice.

The life of Venerable Aniruddha was a process of moving from darkness to light. With his own experience, he proved to us that as long as we practice diligently, we can overcome all difficulties and ultimately achieve liberation.

His story inspires us, on the path of life, no matter what setbacks and difficulties we encounter, to maintain faith, persevere, and never give up. Because the light is within our hearts.

The spirit of Venerable Aniruddha will forever illuminate our path forward. His figure, emerging from the darkness, is the most precious legacy left to future practitioners. With his life, he interpreted what true light and wisdom are. Let us learn from his spirit, to aim for the light even when in darkness, to practice diligently, and to open the inner eye of wisdom.

Conclusion: From Drowsiness to Awakening, from Darkness to Light

The story of Venerable Aniruddha is a story of transformation. He transformed from a prince indulging in pleasure to a diligent monk; from a drowsy and lazy practitioner to a supremely wise Arhat; from a blind man to a venerable one with the divine eye who could see everything.

His story also tells us that practice is not always smooth sailing but is full of challenges and tests. We will encounter all kinds of difficulties and obstacles, but as long as we have firm faith and diligent perseverance, we will surely be able to overcome everything and ultimately achieve liberation.

The spirit of Venerable Aniruddha will forever inspire us to continue on the path of practice until we achieve perfect enlightenment.