Reflections On Freedom
By Sumit
Paul, New Age Islam
15 August
2023
"A
man, even if imprisoned, is free if his spirit is free." Sufi mystic
Sarmad Kashani, he was actually an atheist, is believed to have uttered these
words a day before he was decollated at the behest of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb
for not reciting the complete Kalma (La ilah illallah Muhammadur Rasulullah).
On India's
76th Independence Day when the entire country is euphoric, do we bother to ask
or think, are we really free? Don't we mistake our territorial or geographical
freedom for (true) freedom? "If an individual is not intrinsically free at
an individual and intellectual level, his territorial freedom is of no use.
We're
ideologically, politically, religiously and socially enslaved, yet we call
ourselves free. We're free on paper but we're not fully emancipated in
thoughts, actions and ideas. We let our ideas take roots and become ideologies.
We still sing paeans to a despotic political outfit. We allow ourselves to be
swayed by religions, gods and their silly tenets.
Wittingly
or unwittingly, we harbour a host of prejudices and presuppositions. We still
cannot think individually, independently and intelligently. Yet, we're free!
Isn't it an irony?
When
country's brightest and most promising young students at premier education
institutes like IITs and B-Schools discriminate their peers on the bases of
their castes and creeds, how can we call ourselves to be free in letter and
spirit? To be free is to evolve in all aspects and respects. Freedom is a
steady journey from the individual level to the higher collective plane. To
enjoy freedom, one has to assimilate the very idea of freedom. Unless we imbibe
the spirit of freedom, we cannot comprehend freedom in its entirety. An
enslaved mind cannot and shouldn't aspire to become free. Freedom from all
ideologies, isms, identities and doctrines will make us free.
Once Buddha
told one of his favourite disciples Katyayana, " Son, now you're ' free.'
" Confused and clueless, Katyayana asked Buddha, " Master, I've not
understood the import of your statement." Buddha repeated, " Son,
you're free from this very moment." Buddha continued, " You're no
longer a Buddha. You're not my disciple any longer. You don't require any book,
any system of belief and the imprisonment of monastic order. You don't even
require me. I'm not driving you out as you're very dear to me. I'm just setting
you free. Now, you're a free bird in the firmament of enlightenment. Go out.
Don't ever look back. I'm not cursing you. I'm blessing you from the deepest crevice
of my heart."
This story
in one of the Pitakas is used as a metaphor for the ultimate freedom; freedom
from the revered guru, monastic order, books, faith, customs, rituals,
superstitions, territories, relations, bonds, bindings, obligations, identities,
different tags and all attachments.
That's why,
Hinayana Buddhism describes Katyayana as 'Buddham Sarvopari Tathapi
Nirbuddham' (the greatest Buddha who wasn't a Buddha!). What a statement!
The greatest Buddha who wasn't a Buddha. Strive to reach that level when all
labels erode and lose their significance. Then only will you be completely free
in the broadest sense of the word. But considering the widespread
fragmentations all around and the diabolical level of mankind, total freedom
still seems unlikely.
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A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian.
URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/reflections-freedom-katyayana/d/130448