Insight Surpasses All

INSIGHT SURPASSES ALL (AN 9:20, abridged)

The Buddha said to Anathapindika: “In the past, there was a brahmin named Velama. He gave such a great alms offering as this: eighty-four thousand bowls of gold filled with silver; eighty-four thousand bowls of silver filled with gold; eighty-four thousand bronze bowls filled with bullion; eighty-four thousand elephants, chariots, cows, couches, many million bales of fine cloth, and indescribable amount of food, drink, ointment and bedding.

“As great as was the alms offering that Velama gave, it would be even more fruitful if one would feed a single person possessed of right view.” As great as was the alms offering that Velama gave, and though one would feed one hundred persons possessed of right view, it would be even more fruitful if  one would feed a single once-returner (Sakadagami). As great as …..and though one would feed one hundred once-returners, it would be even more fruitful if one would feed a single non-returner. As great as…a hundred non-returners, it would be even more fruitful if one would feed a single Arahant. ….feed a single Pacceka Buddha…feed a single Samma Sambuddha (Perfectly Self-Enlightened Buddha)…feed the Sangha of monks headed by the Buddha and build a monastery for the Sangha…it would be even more fruitful if, with a trusting mind, one would go for refuge to the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha and would undertake the five precepts.

As great as all this might be, it would be even more fruitful if one would develop a mind of loving-kindness even for the time it takes to pull a cow’s udder. And as great as all this might be, it would be even more fruitful still if one would develop the perception of impermanence just for the time it takes to snap one’s fingers.”
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In this sutta, the Buddha compared the different meritorious deeds and graded them according to their fruits, from giving (dana) to the perception of impermanence. This perception of impermanence is insight gained from the practice of vipassana meditation so this means the practice of vipassana meditation is the most fruitful deed of all. Does this not convince you that practising vipassana meditation to attain insight knowledge is the most meaningful endeavour in our human existence?

Question:
1. Why do you think the Buddha praised this practice so highly?
2. What other points can you draw from this sutta?


Please post your answers/comments/questions relating to this sutta.