Here, the motif of silence refers to the "silence of God," which is a major theme of the film [6, 7]. The Seventh Seal is considered a classic in the history of cinema, as well as one of the greatest films of all time.
The Simile of the Mountain, Pabbatūpama Sutta (SN 3.2)
Thus have I heard. At one time the Buddha was staying in
Sāvatthī.
King Pasenadi of Kosala came and respectfully sat to one side. The Buddha said to him, “Great King, where are you coming from in the middle of the day?”
“Venerable sir, there are anointed warrior caste kings who are infatuated with authority and obsessed with craving for sensual delights. They have attained stability in the country, conquering and occupying a vast territory. Today I have been busy fulfilling the duties of such a king.”
“What do you think, Great King? Suppose a trustworthy and dependable man were to come from the east. He would approach and say, ‘Please, Great King, know this: I come from the east. There I saw a huge mountain that reached the clouds. And it was coming this way, crushing all creatures in its path. Therefore, Great King, do as you see fit!’
- This extraordinary threat looms also in an Upanishadic passage: “Even if both the mountain ranges, the southern and the northern, were to rush at him determined to level him, they would not succeed in leveling him” (Kauṣītaki Upanishad 2.13, translation by Olivelle).
“Then suppose another trustworthy and dependable man were to come from the west… a third from the north… and a fourth from the south, approaching to say, ‘Great King, know this. I come from [that direction]. There I saw a huge mountain that reached the clouds. And it was coming this way, crushing all creatures in its path. Therefore, Great King, do as you see fit!’
“Should such a dire threat arise—with so grim a loss of human life when human rebirth is so preciously rare—what would you do?”
“Venerable sir, what could I do but practice the Dhamma (Buddha's Teachings), practice morality, doing skillful and profitable kamma (deeds, actions)?”
“I say, Great King, I announce: Old age and death are advancing upon you. Since old age and death are advancing upon you, what shall you do?”
“Venerable sir, what can I do but practice the Dhamma, practice morality, doing skillful and profitable kamma?
“Venerable sir, there are anointed warrior kings who are infatuated with authority and obsessed with craving for sensual delights. They have attained stability in the country, conquering and occupying a vast territory. Such kings engage in battles with elephants, cavalries, chariots, or infantries. But there is no place, no domain for such battles when old age and death are advancing.
“In this royal court there are ministers of wise counsel who are capable of dividing an approaching enemy by wise counsel. But there is no place, no domain for such diplomatic battles when old age and death are advancing.
“In this royal court there is abundant gold, both minted and unminted, stored above and below ground. Using this wealth we can bribe an approaching enemy.
- Bhūmigata is explained as “underground” at Bu Pj 2:4.2.1 (there bhūmaṭṭha). | Vehāsaṭṭha is explained as “above ground” at Bu Pj 2:4.5.1. | Upalāpetuṁ (“bribe”) is a means by which Vassakāra suggests the Vajjis can be overcome (DN 16:1.5.8, AN 7.22:12.3).
“But there is no place, no domain for such monetary battles when old age and death are advancing.
“When old age and death are advancing, what can I do but practice the Teachings, practice morality, doing skillful and profitable deeds?”
“That is true, Great King, so true! When old age and death are advancing, what can one do but practice Dhamma, practice morality, doing skillful and profitable karma?”
That is what the Buddha said. Then the Awakened One, the Teacher, summarized in verse:
“Suppose there were vast mountains
of solid rock pressed against the sky
drawing in from all sides
crushing the four quarters.
So, too, old age and death
advance upon all living beings—
warriors, priests, peasants,
menials, corpse-workers, and scavengers.
They spare no one.
They crush all under them.
There is nowhere for an elephant to take a stand,
neither chariot nor infantry.
Mountains cannot be defeated
by diplomatic battles or wealth.
That is why an astute person,
seeing what is good for oneself,
being wise, would place confidence (faith)
in the Awakened One, the Dhamma, and the Saṅgha.
Whoever lives by the Teaching
[skillful in actions of] body, speech, and mind,
is praised in this life
and departs to rejoice in heaven(s).”
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