It has been pointed out that the Buddha offered 84000 different kind of teachings,each of them oriented to an specific topic or to a specific difficulty asked or required for the students that demanded assistance or guidance in their way
to Nirvana .
1- external meaning
Classically and scholastically these 84000 are divided in 4 groups of 21000.
21000 teachings tailored to people with attachment and desire as their main
negative emotion ( negative psychological tendency) and their are compiled into the group called Vinaya.
21000 teachings oriented to people with confusion , mind obscuration or clear-less mind as main negativeness.
This state of affairs hides our real being and veils understanding about mind itself and the nature of phenomenological
world. The teaching's compilation group that contain the "antidotes" for this situation
is called the Abhidharma. ( normally the term "ignorance" is used for this negative emotion, although not always means lack
of knowledge. Full explanation fo this term goes further this writing scope, yet is the very foundation for the Dharma
doctrine).
21000 teachings were given to eradicate the spectrum of aversion ,rejection and anger which can lead to violence .
The counterpoising for this negativeness is collected in the texts named the Sutras ( in general known as the public teachings
given by the Buddha himself).
And the last group is named the Tantras ( or the private teachings ) and they are said to overcome with the three previous
negative emotions all-together for those in whom the three are equally present.
2-internal meaning
Going further and deeper we can consider a numerology interpretation :
Considering numerology based upon number twelve,being the superior highly composite number, and the smallest number with
four non-trivial factors (2, 3, 4, 6).
then we have ; 8 + 4 + 0 + 0 + 0 = 12
so , the sum of the whole number means : completion , all included , nothing leaved behind .
and in detailed analysis ;
-Number 8 means ; new beginning , infinite , union of opposite-complementary energies (two snakes swirling one to
each other) union of earth and heaven ,regeneration, eternal cosmic movement .Focus in oneself to achieve our goals, ability to
undertake our decisions and follow our destiny.
-Number 4 means ; the basement of any development , the pyramidal geometry is based in squared base (4 sides ).
Organized system , discipline , stability and optimal balance. we can find the number 4 in nature ; the 4 elements
(water , fire , wind and earth ) the four seasons....
this number invites to growth and to use logic methods and reasoning systems as groundwork in our personal development.
-The triple 0 , the thousand means a mathematical notation to a great exponent , insuperable , insurmountable.
3-secret meaning
secret means that can not be communicated by words , unspeakable, the most inner , intimate experiences
impossible to translate in any language.
Should be experienced by oneself , and there is no other way to acquire real knowledge than having our own
insight , grasping the nature of things intuitively , ineffable real perceptiveness.
So , the full understanding of this number ( and the whole Dharma teachings) can only be achieved by musing , comtemplation
and meditation .
footnotes :
- the term "negative emotion" ( Sanskrit: "Klesha") can be confuse in our culture . Should not be considered "emotions" in the
same sense we currently use it but like psychological aspects or tendencies. And should be considered negative as long as they
are and impediment and a hindrance in self-liberation path .Is widely and specifically used in translated Buddhist texts.
-approaching the Buddhists teachings in 3 layers or aspects ( external , internal and secret) is likewise common and can
be found in any serious access into Dharmic studies.
may all be beings be happy
may all beings be free .
SARVAMANGALAM .
in the harvest moon ,in the water rabbit year ,
at the sun-rising retreat lodge.
84000.flounder.online/