Lecture 145: Notes on : Oo Being All Things to All Men

This lecture by Sangharakshita explores the Buddhist concept of “skilful means” (upaya-kausalya) through the figure of Vimalakirti from the Mahayana Buddhist scripture, the Vimalakirti Nirdesa.

Main Themes

The Nature of Skilful Means Sangharakshita explains that skilful means is essentially about “being with people” – developing empathy, openness, and the ability to communicate effectively with others at their own level. Using the biblical phrase “being all things to all men” as his title, he shows how Vimalakirti exemplified this by appearing as a businessman among businessmen, a government official among officials, and a layman among laymen, while actually being an advanced Bodhisattva.

Why Skilful Means Matters The Mahayana tradition recognizes that people are incredibly diverse – with different backgrounds, conditioning, attitudes, and spiritual needs. A Bodhisattva cannot effectively help others by approaching everyone in the same way or speaking in specialized “Bodhisattva language.” Instead, they must establish genuine contact and communicate in ways people can understand and relate to.

The Three Components of Skilful Means

1. Four Means of Unification (Sangrahavastus)

Dana (giving) – Not just utilitarian giving, but giving to express positive feeling and create spiritual friendship
Loving speech – Speaking kindly and affectionately, expressing genuine care for others
Beneficial activity – Helping others grow spiritually by sharing the Dharma and inspiring them
Exemplification – Living consistently with one’s teaching, embodying the qualities one encourages in others

2. Four Analytical Knowledges (Pratisamvids)

Knowledge of phenomena – Direct realization of truth beyond conceptual formulation
Knowledge of meaning – Understanding conceptual formulations as tools for communication
Knowledge of etymology – Mastering language and words as vehicles for expressing understanding
Knowledge of courage – Having the confidence and promptitude to speak effectively when needed

3. Dharanis (Magical Formulae) These represent “a touch of magic” – the inconceivable element that goes beyond words, thoughts, and even ordinary spiritual experience.

Key Insights

Sangharakshita emphasizes that skilful means isn’t about employing techniques or manipulation – it’s about genuinely being oneself while remaining open and responsive to others. He critiques misunderstandings that see Vimalakirti as simply a “layman’s teaching,” pointing out that Vimalakirti only appeared to be an ordinary householder while actually being spiritually advanced.

The lecture concludes that Buddhism itself is the ultimate skilful means, but only when actually practiced and embodied. To truly be “all things to all men,” we must combine genuine spiritual experience with clear thinking, effective communication, courage, and “a touch of the inconceivable.”

The talk serves as both a teaching on Buddhist philosophy and a practical guide for how spiritually-minded people can more effectively communicate and connect with others in their efforts to help them grow.Retry

capabilitiy , congruance, and carismaEdit

Looking at this lecture through the lens of capability, congruence, and charisma, I can see how Sangharakshita’s teaching on skilful means maps beautifully onto these three essential qualities of effective spiritual communication:

Capability – The Four Analytical Knowledges

The analytical knowledges represent the core capabilities needed for effective spiritual communication:

Knowledge of phenomena – Direct spiritual insight and understanding
Knowledge of meaning – Ability to translate experience into communicable concepts
Knowledge of etymology – Mastery of language and expression
Knowledge of courage – Confidence and spontaneity in communication

Sangharakshita emphasizes that having the words isn’t enough – you need them “at the very moment they’re needed.” This points to developed capability that’s become natural and fluent.

Congruence – Exemplification and Authenticity

The fourth “means of unification” – exemplification – is essentially about congruence. Sangharakshita stresses that the Bodhisattva’s “behaviour is consistent with his teaching” and that they are “the living embodiment of all those qualities” they encourage in others.

Crucially, he addresses the gap between vision and embodiment, noting that we must “be completely honest with people” and communicate not just our successes but also our failures. True congruence means being authentic about where we are in our development while still sharing our vision.

Charisma – The Touch of Magic

The dharanis represent what Sangharakshita calls “a touch of magic” – the inconceivable quality that goes beyond technique. This maps to charisma as that indefinable quality that attracts and inspires others.

He emphasizes that skilful means isn’t about employing techniques or “trying to win friends and influence people in a smart Dale Carnegie sort of way.” True charisma emerges from being genuinely oneself while remaining completely open to others.

The Integration

What’s profound about Sangharakshita’s teaching is how these three qualities must work together:

Capability without congruence leads to mere technique or manipulation
Congruence without capability may be authentic but ineffective
Charisma without the other two becomes superficial charm

The “means of unification” show how all three work together – giving, loving speech, beneficial activity, and exemplification require capability in communication, complete congruence between inner state and outer expression, and that magnetic quality that draws people toward growth.

Sangharakshita’s central insight is that we ourselves must be the skilful means – embodying capability, congruence, and charisma not as techniques but as natural expressions of our genuine care for others’ spiritual development.Retry