Akkhana Sutta: The Precious Opportunity of Human Life
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Introduction
The Akkhana Sutta, found in the Aṅguttara Nikāya (The Book of the Eights), teaches us about the rare opportunity of human birth and the importance of using it wisely. In this discourse, the Buddha explains that while many people believe they have opportunities, they often do not recognize true opportunity when it presents itself. The sutta highlights eight inopportune moments (Akkhana Sampatti) that hinder spiritual progress and one unique opportune moment (Khna Sampatti) that provides the best chance for enlightenment.
The Eight Inopportune Moments (Akkhana)
The Buddha describes eight conditions in which a being has little or no opportunity to practice the Dhamma. These moments are considered great misfortunes because they prevent one from seeking liberation.
Being Reborn in Hell
A being in hell endures extreme suffering and torment, leaving no room for Dhamma practice or spiritual progress.Being Reborn in the Animal Realm
Animals lack the intellectual capacity to understand the Dhamma. Their lives revolve around survival, making spiritual growth impossible.Being Reborn as an Afflicted Spirit (Peta Loka)
Afflicted spirits (petas) suffer from intense hunger, thirst, and misery. Their preoccupation with suffering leaves no space for higher understanding.Being Reborn in the Long-Lived Deva Realms
While deities (devas) in high celestial realms enjoy great pleasure, their attachment to enjoyment distracts them from seeking liberation.Being Born in a Remote Place Where Dhamma is Not Accessible
Living in a region where Buddhism is unknown or unpracticed prevents individuals from encountering the path to enlightenment.Being Born Among Those with Wrong Views
If a person is raised among people who deny karma, moral consequences, or the afterlife, they are unlikely to seek the Dhamma.Being Born as a Human but Lacking Intelligence
A person who is mentally impaired or lacks the ability to comprehend deep teachings struggles to understand and apply the Dhamma.Being Born in a Time When No Buddha Has Arisen
If one is born in a period when no Buddha or true Dhamma teachings exist, they lack the guidance needed for enlightenment.
The One Opportune Moment (Khna Sampatti)
Being Born as a Human with Wisdom During the Time of the Buddha
The Importance of Being Human
The Unique Potential of Human Life for Spiritual Progress
Unlike other realms of existence, human life offers a balance of suffering and pleasure, motivating individuals to seek wisdom and enlightenment.How Human Intelligence Helps in Understanding the Dhamma
The ability to reason and reflect allows humans to comprehend the Buddha’s teachings and apply them to daily life.The Significance of Free Will in Making Choices
Humans have the ability to choose between right and wrong, making spiritual advancement possible through effort and discipline.
How to Protect Khna Sampatti (The Precious Human Opportunity)
Understanding the Dhamma and Practicing Virtue
Moral conduct (sīla), generosity (dāna), and meditation (bhāvanā) help maintain spiritual progress.Avoiding Distractions and Delusions of Worldly Life
Material pleasures and worldly attachments can divert one from the path to enlightenment.Cultivating Right View and Wisdom
Developing correct understanding (sammā diṭṭhi) and insight ensures that one’s efforts align with the Dhamma.Practicing Meditation and Mindfulness
By training the mind, one gains clarity and insight, making it easier to overcome ignorance and delusion.
The Original Sutta: Aṅguttara Nikāya, The Book of the Eights, 8.29
Here is the original text of the Akkhana Sutta, which provides the foundation for the teachings discussed above:
Inopportune Moments
“Bhikkhus, the uninstructed worldling says: ‘The world has gained the opportunity! The world has gained the opportunity!’ but he does not know what is an opportunity and what is not an opportunity. There are, bhikkhus, these eight inopportune moments that are not right occasions for living the spiritual life. What eight?
(1) “Here, a Tathāgata has arisen in the world, an arahant, perfectly enlightened, accomplished in true knowledge and conduct, fortunate, knower of the world, unsurpassed trainer of persons to be tamed, teacher of devas and humans, an Enlightened One, a Blessed One, and the Dhamma leading to peace, nibbāna, and enlightenment is taught as proclaimed by a Fortunate One. But a person has been reborn in hell. This is the first inopportune moment that is not the right occasion for living the spiritual life.
(2) “Again, a Tathāgata has arisen in the world … and the Dhamma leading to peace, nibbāna, and enlightenment is taught as proclaimed by a Fortunate One. But a person has been reborn in the animal realm. This is the second inopportune moment that is not the right occasion for living the spiritual life.
(3) “Again, a Tathāgata has arisen in the world … and the Dhamma leading to peace, nibbāna, and enlightenment is taught as proclaimed by a Fortunate One. But a person has been reborn in the sphere of afflicted spirits. This is the third inopportune moment that is not the right occasion for living the spiritual life.
(4) “Again, a Tathāgata has arisen in the world … and the Dhamma leading to peace, nibbāna, and enlightenment is taught as proclaimed by a Fortunate One. But a person has been reborn in a certain order of long-lived devas. This is the fourth inopportune moment that is not the right occasion for living the spiritual life.
(5) “Again, a Tathāgata has arisen in the world … and the Dhamma leading to peace, nibbāna, and enlightenment is taught as proclaimed by a Fortunate One. But a person has been reborn in the outlying provinces among the uncouth foreigners, a place to which bhikkhus, bhikkhunīs, male lay followers, and female lay followers do not travel. This is the fifth inopportune moment that is not the right occasion for living the spiritual life.
(6) “Again, a Tathāgata has arisen in the world … and the Dhamma leading to peace, nibbāna, and enlightenment is taught as proclaimed by a Fortunate One. A person has been reborn in the central provinces, but he holds wrong view and has a distorted perspective: ‘There is nothing given, nothing sacrificed, nothing offered; there is no fruit or result of good and bad actions; there is no this world, no other world; there is no mother, no father; there are no beings spontaneously reborn; there are in the world no ascetics and brahmins of right conduct and right practice who, having realized this world and the other world for themselves by direct knowledge, make them known to others.’ This is the sixth inopportune moment that is not the right occasion for living the spiritual life.
(7) “Again, a Tathāgata has arisen in the world … and the Dhamma leading to peace, nibbāna, and enlightenment is taught as proclaimed by a Fortunate One. A person has been reborn in the central provinces, but he is unwise, stupid, obtuse, unable to understand the meaning of what has been well stated and badly stated. This is the seventh inopportune moment that is not the right occasion for living the spiritual life.
(8) “Again, a Tathāgata has not arisen in the world … and the Dhamma leading to peace, nibbāna, and enlightenment is not taught as proclaimed by a Fortunate One. But a person has been reborn in the central provinces, and he is wise, intelligent, astute, able to understand the meaning of what has been well stated and badly stated. This is the eighth inopportune moment that is not the right occasion for living the spiritual life.
“These are the eight inopportune moments that are not the right occasions for living the spiritual life.
“There is, bhikkhus, one unique opportune moment that is the right occasion for living the spiritual life. What is it? Here, a Tathāgata has arisen in the world, an arahant, perfectly enlightened, accomplished in true knowledge and conduct, fortunate, knower of the world, unsurpassed trainer of persons to be tamed, teacher of devas and humans, an Enlightened One, a Blessed One, and the Dhamma leading to peace, nibbāna, and enlightenment is taught as proclaimed by a Fortunate One. And a person has been reborn in the central provinces, and he is wise, intelligent, astute, able to understand the meaning of what has been well stated and badly stated. This, bhikkhus, is the one unique opportune moment that is the right occasion for living the spiritual life.”
Having obtained the human state
when the good Dhamma has been well proclaimed,
those who do not seize the moment
have let the right moment slip by.
For many inopportune times are spoken of,
occasions obstructive to the path;
for it is only sometimes, on occasion,
that Tathāgatas arise in the world.
If one has directly encountered them,
fortune rarely gained in the world,
if one has obtained the human state,
and the good Dhamma is being taught,
for a person desiring his own good,
this is incentive enough to strive.
How can one understand the good Dhamma,
so that the moment won’t slip by?
For those who miss the moment grieve
when they are reborn in hell.
One here who has failed to obtain
the fixed course of the good Dhamma,
will come to regret it for a long time
like a merchant who has missed a profit.
A person hindered by ignorance
who has failed in the good Dhamma
will long experience wandering on
in the round of birth and death.
But those who gain the human state
when the good Dhamma is well proclaimed,
have accomplished the Teacher’s word,
or will do so, or are doing so now.
Those who have practiced the path,
proclaimed by the Tathāgata,
have penetrated the right moment in the world
the unsurpassed spiritual life.
You should dwell without leakages,
guarded, ever-mindful in the restraints
taught by the One with Vision,
the Kinsman of the Sun.
Having cut off all underlying tendencies
that follow one drifting in Māra’s domain,
those who attain the destruction of the taints,
though in the world, have gone beyond.”
Key Takeaways from the Sutta
The Rarity of the Opportune Moment
The Buddha emphasizes that the combination of human birth, access to the Dhamma, and the wisdom to understand it is exceedingly rare. This moment should not be wasted.The Danger of Missing the Opportunity
The sutta warns that failing to seize this opportunity leads to long-term suffering and regret, as one may be reborn in unfavorable realms where Dhamma practice is impossible.The Urgency of Practice
The verses at the end of the sutta serve as a call to action, urging practitioners to be mindful, guard their senses, and strive diligently on the path.
Conclusion
The Akkhana Sutta serves as a reminder of how rare and valuable human life is. Since we have been fortunate enough to be born in this precious state, we must not waste this opportunity. By understanding and practicing the Dhamma, we can move towards liberation and make the most of our existence.
FAQs
What does Akkhana Sutta teach us?
It teaches us about rare opportunities and the importance of using human life wisely.Why is human birth considered rare in Buddhism?
Because it offers the best balance for spiritual progress, unlike other realms.How can we protect our Khna Sampatti?
By practicing virtue, wisdom, and mindfulness.What happens if we waste this precious opportunity?
We risk being reborn in unfortunate states where Dhamma practice is impossible.Can we regain a human birth in the next life if we practice well?
Yes, good karma leads to favorable rebirths.
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