Must one be a monk to reach enlightenment?

[DT Strain]

I've read this recently, from a person on an email list I'm on...

"the oringinal Buddhists did believe that it was necessary to be a monk to become enlightened. Not only this but the Theravada school still holds the idea that if you are not a monk you do not even have Buddha nature!"

Is this true?

Thanks

[Vajradhara]

Namaste DT Strain,

thank you for the post.

i would disagree with the assertions in said email.

there are several Suttas where the Buddha explains that he trains lay people like he trains monks, to wit:

the Kesi Sutta
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon.../an04-111.html

in the Jhana Sutta, the Buddha does not draw distinctions between monastics and laiety in terms of the practice:

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon...4-123-tb0.html

in the Saddha Sutta, Buddha explains that a lay follower can be 'totally unbound' through the practice:

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon.../an05-038.html

(excerpt)
A massive tree
whose branches carry fruits & leaves,
with trunks & roots
& an abundance of fruits:

There the birds find rest.

In that delightful sphere
they make their home.
Those seeking shade
come to the shade,
those seeking fruit
find fruit to eat.

So with the person consummate
in virtue & conviction,
humble, sensitive, gentle,
delightful, & mild:
To him come those without effluent —
free from passion,
free from aversion,
free from delusion —
the field of merit for the world.

They teach him the Dhamma
that dispels all stress.
And when he understands,
he is freed from effluents,

totally unbound.

in the Piti Sutta, Buddha explains that lay people can equally realize the Jhanas:

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon.../an05-176.html


as for Buddha nature...

without said nature, Awakening would not be possible.... predicated upon the above Suttas, i conclude that Buddhanature is a feature of sentient beings.

here is a link to a more thorough explanation from a specific Vajrayana point of view:

http://www.kagyu.org/buddhism/cul/cul04.html

metta,

~v

[DT Strain]

Thanks very much for your help on this Vajradhara. I suspected this was not the case, but lacked your knowledge to address it properly. I shall pass along your notes and references.

With Compassion,
DT Strain

[samabudhi]

Wow. The blessed one indeed speaks with a single tongue. Kesi sutta in my mind. Thanks Vaj.
A sutta a day keeps the kleshas away!

[Vajradhara]

thank you for the kind words

metta,

~v