Right view is one of the most fundamental characteristics of a human being. Generally, we talk about our own or someone’s view with respect to a subject. The general meaning of view is the point of idea of a person, object, principle, rule etc. View can be both – right or wrong. The existence of our life, our destiny, our past, our present, our future is the result of our view. Both right view(samyak drishti) and non-right view(asamyak drishti) are quite opposite.
The vision or the point of view of how and what a person will have – is of a very specific and unique nature. Man is considered as a product of this nature. After the birth of a human being- it is the environment, upbringing, education, and rites that are responsible factors that create our view. The spiritual outlook also adds the accumulated rites (prarabdh) of past lives. The integrated form of all these is the view of a human being which is the determinant of our present and future journey and destiny. If the view is genuine, the end result is peace and happiness while if the view is not appropriate, the end result is unhappiness and suffering.
Right view in the eight fold path of Lord Buddha is considered as the fundamental path. This view is an important part of wisdom under direct knowledge. The view of man, which is based on non-greed, non-aversion and wisdom- is a genuine vision. In contrast, the vision which is based on greed, aversion, and delusion- which is the basic element of evil, is non-right view. Right vision is mainly classified under two types – mundane and supermundane.
Mundane Right View
Under this mundane right view, a man tries to get rid of sorrow and suffering in this world. Man follows appropriate duties(karmas), which must be ethical and moral. The majority of human beings do not believe in any other world than this world. They also do not believe in re-birth and otherworldly concepts. Mundane view is useful for everyone. If a person has a resolution, he can develop the right view by removing the cover of ignorance and erratic rites of the past with knowledge and practice. It is not so easy to remove the past rites. These sanskaras dominate our mind and body as inherent habits. Whenever we try to make our view right, a fierce struggle starts within. The mind is bound by these sanskaras. Since the end of these sanskaras, the mind will also cease to exist – hence the mind starts to revolt. The mind surely can be won by knowledge and practice.
Supermundane right view
Lord Buddha succeeded in getting to know his numerous previous births before experiencing the ultimate knowledge. In the experience of ultimate knowledge, he also succeeded to know the real energy behind this life and the entire existence of the universe. Supermundane right view does not only want freedom from sorrows and suffering in this life but also wants to get liberation(nirvana) from this world. Human being also wants to be free from the cycle of life and death of this world. The great four noble truths not only give freedom from sorrow and suffering but also paves the way for liberation(Nirvana) i.e. from the cycle of life-death with the help of the great eight-fold path. The attraction of life and this world and the influence of Mara (Maya) keeps human beings entangled in the game of happiness-sorrow and life-death. Supermundane view paves the way for humanity to be free from this vicious cycle and bondage.
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