The importance of performing rituals

Gautam the Buddha went to meet Rishi Kashyap. Rishi Kashyap was performing Yagna along with his hundreds of disciples. Gautam Buddha sat and observed the rituals being performed. On the first sight, Rishi Kashyap was impressed by the blissful aura of Gautam Buddha. After finishing those rituals, Gautam Buddha went for a walk on the banks of a small river. During their spiritual discussions, Budha started talking about the importance of living in the moment and meditation.

Rishi Kashyap knew that Buddha discourages performing rituals and other symbolic prayers. In the confused state of mind, Rishi Kashyap asked, “Dear Sir, are these religious rituals that our ancestors have been performing for ages meaningless?”

Buddha looked at the river and asked, “If someone wants to cross this river then what should he do?”

“If the river is sallow, one can walk across the river. If the river is deep then one can cross the river by swimming or with the help of a boat.”

Buddha nodded and continued with a deep smile on his face, “what if such an aspirer of crossing the river is not willing to walk or swim or take boat; instead continue to perform rituals and prayers to God to help him to cross river?”

“Then, I would call such a person as senseless.”

“Similarly, if a sadhak is not willing to give up his ignorance with the help of spiritual wisdom then how would he reach the other end of supreme peace and blissfulness? Such a sadhak can perform austerities or penance or rituals, but he will continue to remain on this end of worldly pleasures only. In order to transcend beyond this world to the world of inner blissfulness, the sadhak has to take a step forward by giving importance to his own spiritual wisdom and viveka,” continued Buddha.

Filled with tears in his eyes, Rishi Kashyap said, “I read many scriptures and performed sadhana for many years. But I didn’t come across anyone who can describe the deep truths of life with such an ease. I bow to you and please accept me as your bhikshu.”

Same Rishi Kasyap became the most renowned disciple of Gautam Buddha and later, came to be known as MahaKashyap.

The Rishis of Sanatan Dharma talk about two types of saadhna : Bahirang saadhna and Anntarang saadhna.  In the beginning a true seeker resort to Bahirang saadhna  (outer seeking) like visiting holy places, performing vrata, yagna, Mala etc. Even religious rituals and Yagna, falls into the category of bahirang saadhna. As his mind and intellect become purified, he begins to resort to Anntarang saadhna (inner seeking) like listening to the holy talks of Saints (saravana), contemplating on the spiritual wisdom (Manana) and meditation (Nityadhyasana).