Q. Is there anything more to learn after enlightenment?
A. No, there is nothing more to learn about Buddhism, or enlightenment after it. Enlightenment can be compared to mastering the four rules of arithmetic. Once you master them, you can feel free to use them in any situation that requires calculation without learning more about the rules. If you make errors repeatedly in calculation and, not being confident of the results, feel need to learn more about the rules, you can’t be said to have mastered the rules.
Buddha would compare his teachings to a boat for crossing a river and say that we should discard the boat after crossing the river. Those who, attached to the boat after crossing the river, don’t leave the boat can’t be said to have crossed the river. In the same way, those who are still attached to his teachings after enlightenment can’t be said to be enlightened.
The core of Buddha’s teaching is enlightenment, which is to realise that there is nothing to gain or lose because everything is empty. When everything is empty, not only his teachings but Buddha himself is also empty. You should know that all Buddha’s teachings are for enlightenment and not for the sake of teaching itself. So, there is nothing to learn any more after enlightenment.
©Boo Ahm
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