THREE OBSTACLES AND FOUR DEVILS

THREE OBSTACLES AND FOUR DEVILS

“When an airplane sits motionless on a runway, it encounters no resistance from the wind. As it accelerates down the runway, however, it meets resistance or drag from the air around it. The increasing wind resistance creates a lifting force under the wings, enabling the airplane to become airborne. As long as the plane maintains the sufficient speed, the opposing force of the wind will continue generating the lift necessary to sustain flight”.

“Similarly when we exert ourselves in Buddhist practice and begin to move toward our lasting happiness, we will meet the wind resistance of internal and external obstacles and function to resist or to stop our advancement.  Buddhism describe these function as the “Three obstacles and four devils”. In case of an airplane, the appearance of wind resistance demonstrates the plan’s speed had increased and that is about to become airborne. For us meeting “Three obstacles and four devils” is proof that we are accelerating toward happiness, our human revolution and the transformation of our karma.

The three obstacles are:

• The obstacle of earthly desires, or obstacles arising from the three poisons of greed, anger, and foolishness
• The obstacle of karma, obstacles due to bad karma created by committing any of the five cardinal sins or ten evil acts. The obstacle of karma also may be the hindrances presented by one's wife or children
• The obstacle of retribution, obstacles caused by the negative karmic effects of actions in the three evil paths. It is the hindrances caused by one's sovereign or parents.

The four devils are: 

• The hindrance of the five components, obstructions caused by one's physical and mental functions
• The hindrance of earthly desires, obstructions arising from the three poisons
• The hindrance of death, meaning one's own untimely death obstructing one's practice of Buddhism, or the premature death of another practitioner causing one to doubt
• The hindrance of the devil king, who is said to assume various forms or take possession of others in order to cause one to discard one's Buddhist practice. This hindrance is regarded as the most difficult to overcome.

These three obstacles and four devils weaken our spirit to fight for our own happiness, causing our life condition to decline. As a result our practice produces less wisdom and courage. Therefore it is important to keep a check on them and fight against them when they appear. It is quoted in the Gosho that "As practice progresses and understanding grows, the three obstacles and four devils emerge in confusing form, vying with one another to interfere.... One should be neither influenced nor frightened by them. If one falls under their influence, one will be led into the paths of evil. If one is frightened by them, one will be prevented from practicing the correct teaching." 

When these obstacles occurs, We must summon forth our faith and devote ourselves wholeheartedly to the practice of gongyo, daimoku and shakabuku and participating in gakkai activities with the conviction that they are turning points in our growth and will lead a brilliant and victorious life is to overcome with great resolve such obstacles. This we can do only by strengthening our faith, advancing kosenRufu, helping our fellow members to become happy by applying faith in their daily lives.

The important thing to realize is that when difficulties appear, they present an opportunity to make renewed efforts in our practice so that we are able to grow further and show proof of the power of Nam MyohoRengekyo. Obstacles and devils are a natural function of the practice and we should not be afraid of them – as our practice and faith deepens , we come to recognize the form of our own particular demons take, tailor made for each one of us , so that we continue to challenge ourselves in our quest to become better human beings.