The search for what is skilful and the path to sustainable peace

In a world shrouded in chaos, where nations clash and hatred festers, along with climate change that doesn’t care about nation-state boundaries, the quest for solutions feels more urgent than ever. Wars and conflicts and the debilitating impact of climate change engulf our planet, leaving people divided and helpless. In such situations, it is important to remember that children and woman suffer the most.

Amidst this turmoil, it is worth reflecting on the journey of a prince, some 2,500 years in a beautiful kingdom, nestled under the mighty Himalayan mountains, who abandoned a life of opulence to seek a path of true peace and understanding. And thus, impact the world for the better.

What could possibly compel a prince to embark on a journey into the great unknown with nothing more than a simple robe?

The answer lies in the Buddha's own words, as recorded in the Middle Discourses 26:

"So kho aha?, bhikkhave, aparena samayena daharova samāno susukā?akeso, bhadrena yobbanena samannāgato pa?hamena vayasā akāmakāna? mātāpitūna? assumukhāna? rudantāna? kesamassu? ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriya? pabbaji?."

"Some time later, while still black-haired, blessed with youth, in the prime of life — though my mother and father wished otherwise, weeping with tearful faces — I shaved off my hair and beard, dressed in ochre robes, and went forth from the lay life to homelessness."

"So eva? pabbajito samāno ki?kusalagavesī anuttara? santivarapada? pariyesamāno."

"Once I had gone forth, I set out to discover what is skilful, seeking the supreme state of sublime peace."

The Buddha's quest for enlightenment was rooted in a critical pursuit: the search for "ki?kusalagavesī," the discovery of what is skilful. The term "ki?kusalagavesī" is a profound amalgamation of two concepts: "ki?kusalā," which translates to "what is skilful or wholesome," and "gavesī," signifying "seeker or explorer.”

This search was not about some mystical “ultimate truth”, nor was it passive. It was an active, deliberate, well-thought-out engagement with the complexities of human existence. The Buddha’s journey wasn't also merely a quest for personal peace but a voyage to understand and embody the essence of what is truly skilful in life.

The Buddha's search for ki?kusalagavesī is an invitation, a call to action for each of us to embark on our own journey towards the sublime path of peace — anuttara? santivarapada? pariyesamāno — which we all inherently seek.

In our present-day society, the pursuit of skilfulness is often overshadowed by the relentless drive for material success and fleeting pleasures. The frenetic pace of modern life leaves little room for introspection, and yet, the Buddha’s message echoes through the ages, urging us to seek what is truly meaningful.

Picture the world today, where leaders often choose power over peace, where communities are torn apart by conflict, and where the quest for material gain blinds us to the suffering around us.

In such times, the Buddha's example provides a middle way, reminding us that true mastery transcends the superficial and delves into the heart of what it means to live skilfully.

The Buddha’s decision to leave behind his royal life was not taken lightly. It was a profound realisation that true fulfilment could not be found in the trappings of wealth and power. His journey into homelessness was a symbolic shedding of the superficial layers that cloud our understanding of what is truly valuable.

As he wandered, the Buddha engaged deeply with the realities of life. He faced hunger, discomfort, and uncertainty, but he also encountered profound truths. His search for ki?kusalagavesī led him to understand that skilfulness in life is about making choices that lead to genuine well-being — not just for oneself, but for all beings.

In our world, the Buddha's teachings offer a guide. They remind us that in seeking what is skilful, leaders of state must consider the broader impact of our actions. This perspective is desperately needed today, as we navigate a landscape fraught with division and discord.

The Buddha's quest is a testament to the transformative power of seeking what is truly skilful: it shows an alternative to the world community.

Prince Gotama’s journey requires courage, humility, sacrifice and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. Yet, it is also a journey that promises profound rewards — the peace that comes from living in harmony with oneself and the world.

During Vesak 2024, as we reflect on the Buddha's journey, let us be inspired to embark on our own paths of skilfulness. Let us strive to make choices that foster peace, compassion, and understanding. In doing so, we honour the legacy of a prince who renounced everything to discover the true meaning of a life well-lived.

In a world teetering on a precipice, the Buddha's search for ki?kusalagavesī serves as a powerful reminder that the path to peace begins with each of us. It is a call to rise above the clamour of conflict and to seek the sublime state of being that the Buddha once sought — a state of skilfulness, harmony, and enduring peace.

Source: Middle Discourses 26 Majjhima Nikāya 26 The Noble Quest Pāsarāsisutta