The Perfection of Patience - Analysis of the Elements IX

“When the Buddha had emerged from his fruition attainment

he saw that Pukkusati was thoughtful as to the position of his hands and legs,

that his head was stable,

and that he sat steadfast like the foundation of a dam firmly constructed.

He was immovable like a golden statue.

The son of a prominent family had a posture that inspired confidence.

If a posture inspires confidence it is in that way.

Of the four postures three are not beautiful.

When someone walks, his hands swing, his legs move and his head shakes.

When someone stands, his body is harsh and rigid,

and when he lies down, his body is not beautiful.

However, when a monk has brushed and swept the place

where he will rest at day time, after his meal,

when he has spread out a cloth to sit on,

well cleansed his hands and legs and sits crosslegged in the lotus position,

then his posture is indeed beautiful.

The son of a prominent family sat down crosslegged

and entered the fourth jhana with Mindfulness of Breathing in that way.”
We read in the Sutta, the “Analysis of the Elements”, that at that time the Buddha asked Pukkusati:

“On account of whom have you, monk, gone forth?

Who is your teacher?

Whose Dhamma do you profess?”

Pukkusati answered: “There is, friend, the recluse Gotama,

son of the Sakyans, gone forth from the Sakyan clan;

concerning this Lord Gotama a lovely reputation has gone abroad thus:

He is indeed the Lord,

perfected one, 

fully Self-Awakened One,

endowed with right conduct and knowledge,

wellfarer,

knower of the worlds,

matchless charioteer of men to be tamed,

teacher of devas and mankind,

the Awakened One, the Lord.

On account of this Lord have I gone forth,

and this Lord is my teacher;

I profess this Lord’s Dhamma.”

“But where, monk, is this Lord,

perfected one, fully Self-Awakened One, staying now?”

“There is a town called Savatthí, friend, in the northern districts;

this Lord, perfected one, fully Self-Awakened One, is now staying there.”

“Have you, monk, ever seen this Lord? If you saw him would you know him?”

“No, friend, I have never seen this Lord,

so I would not know him if I saw him.”