Physical Attraction vs Buddha : Story of Buddha and the Monk who was Attracted by his appearance

The Vakkali Sutta of Dhammapada talks about a Buddhist monk who was attracted by the noble appearance of Buddha. He wanted to be with Buddha all the time. He even converted to become a Buddhist monk to achieve this goal.

Vakkali was born in a Brahmin family of Savatthi and was well-versed in the three Vedas. Once he saw Buddha, during his alms round, and he instantly developed deep admiration and reverence towards his noble appearance. He followed Buddha as he desired to be with him all the time. He left his house and converted to a Buddhist monk to remain near to Buddha all the time.
At the monastery, he hardly paid any attention to the responsibilities of a bhikkhu. Finally, on the last day of the rainy retreat, he was commanded by Buddha to depart.

He practiced meditation and concentration for some time. Time passed, and Vakkali learned that Buddha was staying at the Bamboo groove in Rajgriha. He wanted to see Buddha once again, so he started his travel to visit him, but fell sick on the way.

He was staying at the house of a potter and was very sick and under severe pain. He requested a Bhikkhu, who was nursing him to go to Buddha. He told him that after paying his greetings to Buddha, make him a request to visit Vakkali. Please inform him that Vakklai was too weak to come to the Bamboo groove.
The Bhikkhu went to the Buddha and invited him to visit Vakkali. Buddha accepted the request. He put on his robes and came to meet him.

Buddha told him that there was no virtue in seeing the physical body of Buddha. The only thing that matters is following the path of Dhamma.
Buddha said to him- “ One who sees the dhamma sees me and one who sees me sees the Dhamma.”
The words of Buddha were profound. They generated deep faith in Dhamma and unattachment towards anything physical and nonpermanent. He attained freedom from the feeling of sorrow and pain.
Buddha explained that the physical body is not permanent and is full of impurities. There is no need to admire and worship the physical body of Buddha.
He said that his words did not mean that one who follows his Dhamma will see his physical body. It only means that the real existence of Buddha lies in the Dhamma which he has taught.
One who sees Buddha sees the Dhamma. It does not mean that one who has seen the physical body of Buddha can see the Dhamma. It only means that one who has understood the thoughts of Buddha can understand his Dhamma.
When a person actualizes this vision, the duality of Buddha and his Dhamma ceases to exist. The person can see the supreme truth, the Buddha and his Dhamma as one.

Video credits:
1. Man Praying Over River Ganges
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Link: https://www.videvo.net/video/man-praying-over-river-ganges/6281/

2. Stupas at Wat Pho Temple Bangkok
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Link: https://www.videvo.net/video/stupas-at-wat-pho-temple-bangkok/456809/

3. Row of Buddha Statues in Temple
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Link: https://www.videvo.net/video/row-of-buddha-statues-in-temple/456808/
4. Statue in Sri Lankan Temple
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5. The Reclining Buddha Wat Pho Temple 01
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Link: https://www.videvo.net/video/the-reclining-buddha-wat-pho-temple-01/456805/

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