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Bhikkhu Samahita Dhamma Posts
samahita
Veteran
Friends:
Friendly Goodwill is the 9th Mental Perfection:
Friendliness means Goodwill
Friendliness means Kindness
Friendliness means Helpfulness
Friendliness means Assistance
Friendliness means Support
Friendliness means Benevolence
Friendliness means Concern
Friendliness means Care
Friendliness means Compassion
Friendliness means Cooperation
Friendliness means Mutual Aid
Friendliness means Mutual Advantage
Friendliness means Sympathy
Friendliness means Symbiosis
Only friendliness can completely evaporate the poison of hate and anger!
Its characteristic is promoting other being's welfare, its function is to
do only good, and its manifestation is kindness, sympathy, and gentleness...
The proximate cause of friendliness is seeing the good aspects of things!
The proximate cause of understanding compassion is this very friendliness!
The Blessed Buddha said about friendliness (Metta):
"Bhikkhus, whatever kinds of worldly merit there are, all are not worth
one sixteenth part of the release of mind by universal friendliness;
in shining, glowing and beaming radiance, this release of mind by
universal friendliness far excels & surpasses them all..."
What are the 11 Advantages of cultivating such Universal Friendliness?
The four Brahma Viharas; The four Divine States:
The four Supreme States; The four Infinite States:
"Friends, eleven advantages are to be expected as effect from the release
of mind into friendliness by the practice of Goodwill, by cultivating amity,
by making much of it frequently, by making friendliness the vehicle, the tool,
the basis, by insisting on it, by being well established in it as a sublime habit!
What are these eleven advantages ?
One falls asleep well! One wakes up Happy!
One dreams no evil dreams!
One is liked and loved by all human beings!
One is liked and loved by all non-human beings too!
One is guarded and protected by the divine devas!
One cannot be harmed by fire, poison, or weapons!
One easily attains the concentration of absorption!
Ones appearance becomes serene, calm, and composed!
One dies without confusion, bewilderment, or panic!
One reappears after death on the Brahma level, if one
has penetrated to no higher level in this very life!
When the mind is released into friendliness by the practice of goodwill,
by manifesting friendliness, by cultivating amity, by frequently making much
of it, by making friendliness the vehicle, the tool, the basis, the medium, the
foundation, by persisting in it, by insisting on it, by properly consolidating it,
by thoroughly undertaking it, by making it a familiar supreme habit, by so
being well established in it, these eleven blessings can be expected!"
Anguttara Nikaya V 342
There, Oohh friends, the Bhikkhu with a mind full of friendly loving-kindness
pervading first one direction, then a 2nd one, then a 3rd one then the 4th one,
as below so above, across and all around, everywhere identifying himself with
all sentient beings, he is encompassing the whole world with a mind of friendly
loving-kindness, with a wide mind, vast, refined, unbounded, cleared, exalted,
pure and bright, free from all hate and ill will ...
There, Oh friends, the Bhikkhu with a mind full of understanding compassion
pervading first the front, then the right side, then the back, then the left side,
as below so above, across & all around, all over, far & wide; identifying himself
with all sentient beings, he is perfusing the whole universe with a mind imbued
with pity, with a spacious mind, a refined mind, infinite, purified, all luminous,
freed from all anger and any trace of enmity ...
There, the Bhikkhu with a mind full of altruistic, sympathetic and mutual Joy
pervading the North, then the East, then the South, then the West, as below
so above, across & all around, universally, infinitely; identifying himself with
all sentient beings, he is suffusing all galaxies with a mind elevated by genuine
mutual and altruistic sympathetic joy, with an open mind, immeasurable, wide,
limitless, pure & shining, free from all aversion and bitterness ...
There, Oohh friends, the Bhikkhu with a mind full of balanced equanimity is
pervading first the frontal quadrant, then the right, then the rear & then the
left quadrant, as below so above, across and all around, everywhere placing
himself with all sentient beings, he is permeating the whole world with a mind
satiated of stilled and balanced equanimity, calmed, with a mountain-like mind,
cultivated, endless, clean, dazzling, freed from any irritation and resentment."
"So too, Bhikkhus, others may speak to you timely or untimely, true or untrue,
gentle or harsh, beneficial or harmful, based on kindness or on bitter hate!
If they abuse you verbally, you should train yourselves in this way:
"Our minds will remain unaffected, we shall speak no angry words, will dwell
friendly and understanding, with thoughts of kindness and no inward anger!
We shall remain friendly and beam goodwill towards that very person, and we
shall dwell extending it to the entire universe, mentally overflowing, exalted,
measureless and infinite in friendliness, without any trace hostility or ill-will."
That is how you should train yourselves. Even if bandits were savagely to cut
you up, limb by limb, with a two-handled saw, one who harbours hate on that
account, would not be one who carried out my teaching. Bhikkhus, you should
keep this instruction on this Simile of the Saw constantly in mind...
Majjhima Nikaya, Sutta 21
Thus he who both day and night
takes delight in harmlessness
sharing love with all that lives,
finds enmity with none...
Samyutta Nikaya. I 208
When one with a mind of love
feels compassion for the entire world
above, below and across,
unlimited everywhere.
Jataka 37
The Bodhisatta once was born as the righteous king Ekaraja. His kingdom was
taken by force and he and his son was buried in a pit to the neck...
King Ekaraja, however neither resisted, nor bore even slight ill will against the
invaders. Later he remembered this as his ultimate perfection of friendliness.
Ekaraja Jataka 303
On the Practice of Loving-Kindness (Metta):
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/Wheels/wh006.pdf
On Universal Friendliness:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Metta.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Good-Will_Again.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Bon_Benevolence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Goodwill_Encore.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Released_by_GoodWill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/All-Embracing_Kindness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Infinite_and_Divine_Classic.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Buddha_on_Noble_Frienship.htm
More on the 10 mental perfections (paramis):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Ten_Perfections.htm
Have a friendly, nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Friendliness Frees!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Friendliness_Frees.htm
Friendly Goodwill is the 9th Mental Perfection:
Friendliness means Goodwill
Friendliness means Kindness
Friendliness means Helpfulness
Friendliness means Assistance
Friendliness means Support
Friendliness means Benevolence
Friendliness means Concern
Friendliness means Care
Friendliness means Compassion
Friendliness means Cooperation
Friendliness means Mutual Aid
Friendliness means Mutual Advantage
Friendliness means Sympathy
Friendliness means Symbiosis
Only friendliness can completely evaporate the poison of hate and anger!
Its characteristic is promoting other being's welfare, its function is to
do only good, and its manifestation is kindness, sympathy, and gentleness...
The proximate cause of friendliness is seeing the good aspects of things!
The proximate cause of understanding compassion is this very friendliness!
The Blessed Buddha said about friendliness (Metta):
"Bhikkhus, whatever kinds of worldly merit there are, all are not worth
one sixteenth part of the release of mind by universal friendliness;
in shining, glowing and beaming radiance, this release of mind by
universal friendliness far excels & surpasses them all..."
What are the 11 Advantages of cultivating such Universal Friendliness?
The four Brahma Viharas; The four Divine States:
The four Supreme States; The four Infinite States:
"Friends, eleven advantages are to be expected as effect from the release
of mind into friendliness by the practice of Goodwill, by cultivating amity,
by making much of it frequently, by making friendliness the vehicle, the tool,
the basis, by insisting on it, by being well established in it as a sublime habit!
What are these eleven advantages ?
One falls asleep well! One wakes up Happy!
One dreams no evil dreams!
One is liked and loved by all human beings!
One is liked and loved by all non-human beings too!
One is guarded and protected by the divine devas!
One cannot be harmed by fire, poison, or weapons!
One easily attains the concentration of absorption!
Ones appearance becomes serene, calm, and composed!
One dies without confusion, bewilderment, or panic!
One reappears after death on the Brahma level, if one
has penetrated to no higher level in this very life!
When the mind is released into friendliness by the practice of goodwill,
by manifesting friendliness, by cultivating amity, by frequently making much
of it, by making friendliness the vehicle, the tool, the basis, the medium, the
foundation, by persisting in it, by insisting on it, by properly consolidating it,
by thoroughly undertaking it, by making it a familiar supreme habit, by so
being well established in it, these eleven blessings can be expected!"
Anguttara Nikaya V 342
There, Oohh friends, the Bhikkhu with a mind full of friendly loving-kindness
pervading first one direction, then a 2nd one, then a 3rd one then the 4th one,
as below so above, across and all around, everywhere identifying himself with
all sentient beings, he is encompassing the whole world with a mind of friendly
loving-kindness, with a wide mind, vast, refined, unbounded, cleared, exalted,
pure and bright, free from all hate and ill will ...
There, Oh friends, the Bhikkhu with a mind full of understanding compassion
pervading first the front, then the right side, then the back, then the left side,
as below so above, across & all around, all over, far & wide; identifying himself
with all sentient beings, he is perfusing the whole universe with a mind imbued
with pity, with a spacious mind, a refined mind, infinite, purified, all luminous,
freed from all anger and any trace of enmity ...
There, the Bhikkhu with a mind full of altruistic, sympathetic and mutual Joy
pervading the North, then the East, then the South, then the West, as below
so above, across & all around, universally, infinitely; identifying himself with
all sentient beings, he is suffusing all galaxies with a mind elevated by genuine
mutual and altruistic sympathetic joy, with an open mind, immeasurable, wide,
limitless, pure & shining, free from all aversion and bitterness ...
There, Oohh friends, the Bhikkhu with a mind full of balanced equanimity is
pervading first the frontal quadrant, then the right, then the rear & then the
left quadrant, as below so above, across and all around, everywhere placing
himself with all sentient beings, he is permeating the whole world with a mind
satiated of stilled and balanced equanimity, calmed, with a mountain-like mind,
cultivated, endless, clean, dazzling, freed from any irritation and resentment."
"So too, Bhikkhus, others may speak to you timely or untimely, true or untrue,
gentle or harsh, beneficial or harmful, based on kindness or on bitter hate!
If they abuse you verbally, you should train yourselves in this way:
"Our minds will remain unaffected, we shall speak no angry words, will dwell
friendly and understanding, with thoughts of kindness and no inward anger!
We shall remain friendly and beam goodwill towards that very person, and we
shall dwell extending it to the entire universe, mentally overflowing, exalted,
measureless and infinite in friendliness, without any trace hostility or ill-will."
That is how you should train yourselves. Even if bandits were savagely to cut
you up, limb by limb, with a two-handled saw, one who harbours hate on that
account, would not be one who carried out my teaching. Bhikkhus, you should
keep this instruction on this Simile of the Saw constantly in mind...
Majjhima Nikaya, Sutta 21
Thus he who both day and night
takes delight in harmlessness
sharing love with all that lives,
finds enmity with none...
Samyutta Nikaya. I 208
When one with a mind of love
feels compassion for the entire world
above, below and across,
unlimited everywhere.
Jataka 37
The Bodhisatta once was born as the righteous king Ekaraja. His kingdom was
taken by force and he and his son was buried in a pit to the neck...
King Ekaraja, however neither resisted, nor bore even slight ill will against the
invaders. Later he remembered this as his ultimate perfection of friendliness.
Ekaraja Jataka 303
On the Practice of Loving-Kindness (Metta):
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/Wheels/wh006.pdf
On Universal Friendliness:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Metta.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Good-Will_Again.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Bon_Benevolence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Goodwill_Encore.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Released_by_GoodWill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/All-Embracing_Kindness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Infinite_and_Divine_Classic.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Buddha_on_Noble_Frienship.htm
More on the 10 mental perfections (paramis):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Ten_Perfections.htm
Have a friendly, nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Friendliness Frees!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Friendliness_Frees.htm
0
Comments
Wouldn't it be lovely if we could all just smile and say hello to each other where ever we are?
I think I am very lucky to have been born on a small island.... thanks again for an awesome post have a lovely day ...big
at Jetvan Meditation Center: http://www.jetvan.org/
Contact Mr. Lenin Shende for participation:
email: shendelenin@gmail.com
phone: 9922889449
https://www.facebook.com/LeninMalhotra
What are the Results and Fruits of the Abilities?
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, these five abilities, when developed and cultivated, lead
to the destruction of the deep mental fermentations. What five?
The Ability of Faith eliminate the fermentations!
The Ability of Energy eliminate the fermentations!
The Ability of Awareness eliminate the fermentations!
The Ability of Concentration eliminate the fermentations!
The Ability of Understanding eliminate the fermentations!
These five abilities, when developed and cultivated, lead to the total
breaking out of these inner mental chains, to the complete uprooting
of the underlying mental tendencies, to the full understanding of the
course, method and path, and to the final irreversible destruction of
these mental fermentations! When, friends, these five abilities have
been developed and cultivated, one of 2 fruits may indeed be expected:
Either final knowledge in this very life or, if there is a remaining residue
of clinging left, the Noble state of non-returning...
For Details on the 3 or 4 Mental Fermentations (asava) see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_7_Persons.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Final_Abilities.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Naturally_Radiant.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/aasava.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Proximate_Cause.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Cause_of_Ignorance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suprahuman_Force_VI.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Three_Fermentations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Freed_from_Fermentation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_9_Supremes_Explained.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V:236] section 48: The Abilities: 64+65.
The Uprooting Ability!
Mental Fermentations are deeply embedded...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Uprooting_Ability.htm
The Seven Stages of Purification!
Following the Noble 8-fold Way the mind is purified in 7 stages:
1: Purification of Morality (sila-visuddhii).
2: Purification of Mind (citta-visuddhi).
3: Purification of View (ditthi-visuddhi).
4: Purification by Overcoming Doubt (kankha-vitarana-visuddhi).
5: Purification by knowledge & vision of what is Path and Not-Path.
6: Purification by knowledge and vision of Progress on the Path.
7: Purification of Knowledge and Vision (ñanadassana-visuddhi).
The classic text is MN 24 Ratha-vinita Sutta: The Relay Chariots:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.024.than.html
And for a complete account of Full Mental Purification:
The Path of Purification: Visuddhimagga." by the great explainer
Buddhaghosa in 5th century AC well translated by Bhikkhu Ñanamoli.
http://www.pariyatti.org/Bookstore/productdetails.cfm?sku=771100
Free as PDF file here:
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/pdfs/PathofPurification2011.pdf
More on these 7 stages of mental purity:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_purpose_of_purification.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Levels_of_Leaving_Behind.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_7_Purifications.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/9_Stillings.htm
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=404506
Mental Purification!
The 7 stages of Purification..
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_7_stages_of_Purification.htm
Representation, Image, or Manifestation, but not Substance!
What one 'sees' is only an 'Image', not a 'thing', nor a 'substance out there', but a mental
construction, an experience, an immaterial sensation, created by sense-organ, object and
consciousness ‘in here’ in the mind and brain... Just like the image on the PC-screen is indeed
electronically created and not 'really' in there: There is an image of an Apple on the screen,
but naturally no real apple inside the PC…
Likewise:
There is an image of an Apple on the mental visual screen (occipital brain cortex), but from
that image one cannot conclude, that a real apple exists outside, apart from or completely
independent of the perceiving mind… !!! Like in the mirror, there is no 'person' in there, and
like in the cinema, there is no 'actors' on that screen; There is only 'images' of persons and
things. These images appear as real, but are not really real in the sense they pretend to be...
Images of what then, one may ask?
We will never know as we only have these mental images and never the 'original ' object!
Even to claim that this 'original' exists, is therefore merely metaphysical speculation based
on a somewhat naive, simple-minded - if not even childish – local realism & materialist world view…
The thing for 'itself' -das ding an sich- as Emanuel Kant called the assumed object undistorted
and wholly unaffected by the process perception, will by definition never be available to us...
This noumenon object or event, that is known entirely without the use of the senses, is an illusion,
since we will always only have access to the experienced phenomenon using the senses as witness.
Seeing -Images- instead of -Realities- is halfway to comprehending -Nothingness-…
Understanding -Nothingness- is halfway to disabling the urge of -Craving-…
Disabling -Craving- is halfway to the deathless dimension -Nibbana-!
A mere projection of a desired object into the mind mirror does not infer reality,
neither of the object 'out there', nor of the subject ego assumed as 'in here' ...
The Blessed Buddha once said:
In the seen is merely the process of seeing, and what is seen.
In the heard is merely the process of hearing, and what is heard.
In the sensed is merely the process of sensing, and what is sensed.
In the thought is merely the process of thinking, and what is thought of.
So knowing, you will not be connected with that sensation…
So disconnected, you will not be absorbed in that sensed - object - ...
So detached, you - the subject - will not be defined by that experience...
So neither ‘with that’, nor ‘in that’ "you" are not created -by that- sensation!
When there is no -you- inferred, assumed, or conjectured by that sensation,
then -you- are neither -in here-, -out there-, -both-, -beyond-, nor -in between-…
Only this - is the End of Suffering...
[color=#FF0000]Source: Udana – Inspiration: I – 10
Only an Image!
Representation, Projection, or Manifestation, but not Reality...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Only_an_Image.htm
Thank you
but naturally no real apple inside the PC…" he said metaphorically.
It's accurate to call the screen apple an image or illusion because there are 'real' apples.
Which 7 Knowledges makes a Person Ideal?
1: Knower of the Dhamma, Principles, and Causes (Dhammaññuta):
The ideal monastic person knows the speeches, the sayings, the stories, & the poems of the Buddha.
He furthermore knows all the inspirations, question/answer sessions & commentarial explanations.
The ideal lay person knows the right principles of lay life, & what is rational & advantageous to do.
He knows and understands the duties & responsibilities of his own & other posts & occupations.
2: Knower of the Goals, Objectives, and Meanings (Atthaññuta):
The ideal monastic person fully knows the complete meaning of this and that speech and text.
The ideal lay person knows the aim of his duty, or occupation & the real purpose of life: Happiness!
3: Knower of Oneself (Mattaññuta):
The ideal monastic person knows how far he remembers the texts, & how deep he reaches in meditation.
He is aware of how far his moral purity, his faith, energy, awareness, concentration, & understanding is.
The ideal lay person knows his exact status, level, strength, knowledge, ability, & degree of morality.
He then acts accordingly and does what is needed to improve and reach greater & higher maturity.
4: Knower of Moderation (Attaññuta):
The ideal monastic person knows moderation in using any alms food, robes, lodgings, and medicines.
The ideal lay person knows moderation in consumption, spending, speech, work, rest, & recreation.
5: Knower of Right Occasion (Kalaññuta):
The ideal monastic person knows the right time for study, meditation, practical work, & solitude.
The ideal lay person knows the proper and punctual occasion for any dealing with other people.
6: Knower of Groups (Parisaññuta):
The ideal monastic person knows any group of Nobles, priests, recluses, and householders and how
one ideally should approach, sit, speak, & behave in any such group for the greatest mutual advantage.
The ideal lay person knows individual differences, temperaments, abilities, & virtues of other people.
He knows this community have these rules & regulations; culture & tradition; they have these needs.
7: Knower of Persons (Puggalaññuta):
The ideal monastic person knows those who wish to see Nobles, hear true Dhamma, & pay attention.
He knows those who are aware, testing, learning, & who acts accordingly. He knows those who do not.
The ideal lay person knows whether particular other people should be associated with, what can be
learned from them, & how they should be related to, employed, praised, criticized, advised, & taught.
Source: AN IV 113.
More on Buddhist Personality Analysis:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Human_Types.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_7_Persons.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Nine_Supremes.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Four_Personalities.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Ideal_Person.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_9_Supremes_Explained.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_4_Persons_similar_to_Trees.htm
The Ideal Person!
Which 7 Knowledges makes a Person Ideal?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Ideal_Person.htm
The 8 stages of Mental Mastery:
The Blessed Buddha explained the gradual way to mental mastery:
1: Experiencing forms on one's own body, one visualizes small forms,
as if they were external, (e.g. a tooth, a scar) both beautiful & ugly.
When mastering these, one understands: Now I know, now I see...
This is the first stage of mastery. (Beginning with familiar objects)
2: Experiencing forms on one's own body, one visualizes large forms,
as if external, (e.g. a leg, a bone) beautiful or ugly. When mastering
these, one understands: Now I know, now I see...
This is the second stage of mastery. (Mastering form perception!)
3: Not experiencing any internal form, one visualizes small external
forms. (e.g. a glass, a chair) beautiful or ugly. When mastering these,
one understands: Now I know, now I see...
This is the third stage of mastery. (Expanding object complexity!)
4: Not experiencing internal forms, one visualizes infinite external
forms. (e.g. a galaxy, a universe) beautiful or ugly. When mastering
these, one understands: Now I know, now I see...
This is the fourth stage of mastery. (Mastering size perception!)
5: Not experiencing internal forms, one visualizes external forms.
blue forms, forms of blue radiance, blue appearance, blue lustre.
When mastering these, one understands: Now I know, now I see...
This is the fifth stage of mastery. (Mastering colour perception!)
6: Not experiencing internal forms, one visualizes external forms.
yellow forms, of yellow radiance, yellow appearance, yellow lustre.
When mastering these, one understands: Now I know, now I see...
This is the sixth stage of mastery. (First consolidating repeat!)
7: Not experiencing internal forms, one visualizes external forms.
red forms, forms of red radiance, red appearance, and red lustre.
When mastering these, one understands: Now I know, now I see...
This is the seventh stage of mastery. (Second consolidating repeat)
8: Not experiencing internal forms, one visualizes external forms.
white forms, white radiance, white appearance, white lustre.
When mastering these, one understands: Now I know, now I see...
This is the eighth stage of mastery. (3rd consolidating repeat!)
More on Mental Mastery (Abhibhayatana=Literally: Higher sphere):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/abhibhayatana.htm
The 8 Stages of Mental Mastery!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_8_stages_of_Mental_Mastery.htm
To me, it seems there is only process but I still get a sneaky feeling that whenever the terms nothing and nothingness are used, there is a misunderstanding and that something is lost or at least obscured in translation.
That's all I'll say here though.
What is the Chief Ability inducing Awakening?
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, red sandalwood is known as the best among fragrant and
sweet-scented heartwoods. It is declared to be their chief...
Similarly, among the various states conducive to enlightenment the
Ability of Understanding is declared to be the best and their chief,
that is, for the swift attainment of this sublime Enlightenment...!
And what, Bhikkhus, are the states conducive to Enlightenment?
The Ability of Faith is a state leading to Awakening!
The Ability of Energy is a state leading to Awakening!
The Ability of Awareness is a state leading to Awakening!
The Ability of Concentration is a state leading to Awakening!
The Ability of Understanding is a state leading to Awakening!
Bhikkhus, these five abilities, developed and cultivated, if not present,
do not arise except after the arrival of a Perfectly Enlightened One,
a Tathagata, an Arahat! These 5 abilities, which are advanced and refined,
do not arise except from the Discipline and Teaching of a Well Gone One!
More on the supreme Understanding Ability:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Freed_by_Knowing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Chief_Ability.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/n_r/pannaa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Right_Understanding.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Understanding_is_the_Chief.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Supreme_Understanding.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Revealing_Understanding.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Understanding_Ability.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Outstanding_Understanding.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V:231-236] section 48: The Abilities: 55+58+60.
Understanding is the Chief!
What is the Core Ability inducing Awakening?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Chief_Ability.htm
Calm (samatha) & Insight (vipassana):
There are two principal kinds of mental development:
1: Development of mental tranquillity and calm (samatha-bhavana)
culminating in the development of concentration (samadhi-bhavana)
And!
2: Development of insight (vipassana-bhavana) culminating in the
development of understanding (pañña-bhavana).
Both qualities: Calm and Insight, are essential & crucial for release!
Tranquil Calm (samatha) is the pleasant, peaceful, yet lucid state of
a settled mind acquired as a preliminary to meditative absorption.
It blesses the meditator with 3 things: Happy life, happy rebirth, &
a mental purity suitable for gaining progressive penetrating insight!
Concentration is a necessary prerequisite for such cutting insight..
Why so? It removes distractions that veil the investigating vision!
Insight is that which leads to entrance of the 4 stages of Nobility..
Why so? It irreversibly removes gross & latent mental hindrances!
The term samadhi literally means ~being firmly put evenly together
(sam + a+ dha) & is mental state focused on only one single object=
cittassaekaggata, which literally means ~ one-pointedness of mind.
Any state of consciousness has a degree of mental concentration!
One may distinguish these four stages or levels of concentration:
1: Momentary or transient concentration (khanika-samadhi),
2: Preliminary or preparing concentration (parikamma-samadhi),
3: Access or approaching concentration (upacara-samadhi),
4: Absorption or attainment concentration (appana-samadhi).
Insight (vipassana) is the penetrative understanding, gained by only
direct meditative experience of the inherent transience, misery, &
selflessness (anicca, dukkha, anatta) of all physical & mental states
of existence all included in these 5 clusters (khandha) of clinging:
form, feeling, perception, mental construction, and consciousness.
Bhavana is derived from the causative form of the verbal root bhu,
bhavati = to be, to become, causing to be, making come into being,
the calling into existence of, the production of or development of.
When applied to Mental Training this simply means Meditation...
Simultaneous Calm and Insight!
More on Insight (Vipassana):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Highway_to_Nibbana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_18_Principal_Insights.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Breathing_Calm_and_Insight.htm
Calm and Insight!
The Dual Advantage of Mental Training:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Calm_and_Insight.htm
How is Release by Friendliness Achieved?
The Blessed Buddha once said:
And how, Bhikkhus, is the mental release by universal friendliness
achieved? What does this liberation have as its destination, what is
its culmination, what is its sweet fruit, what is the final goal of such
mental release by universal friendliness?
Here, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu dwells pervading the frontal quadrant,
with a mind imbued with infinite friendliness, so the second quarter,
the third quarter, and the fourth quarter. Thus above, below, across,
and everywhere, and to all beings as to himself, he dwells pervading
the entire universe with a mind saturated with unlimited friendliness,
immense, exalted, vast, measureless, without hostility, without enmity,
without any ill will! Thus prepared and expanded he then develops:
1: The Awareness Link to Awakening joined with limitless friendliness.
2: The Investigation Link to Awakening fused with such friendliness.
3: The Energy Link to Awakening together with infinite friendliness.
4: The Joy Link to Awakening accompanied with absolute friendliness.
5: The Tranquillity Link to Awakening linked with open friendliness.
6: The Concentration Link to Awakening associated with friendliness.
7: The Equanimity Link to Awakening joined with endless friendliness.
Based upon seclusion, disillusion, ceasing, and culminating in release.
If he then wishes:
May I dwell experiencing the repulsive in the unrepulsive & tempting,
then he can dwell experiencing the repulsive therein. If he wishes:
May I dwell experiencing the unrepulsive in the disgusting repulsive,
then he dwells experiencing the unrepulsive in whatever disgusting!
If he wishes: May I dwell experiencing the repulsive in what is both
unrepulsive & repulsive, he dwells experiencing repulsive disgust in it.
If he wishes: May I dwell experiencing the unrepulsive in what is both
unrepulsive & repulsive, he experiences only unrepulsive beauty by it!
If he wishes: Avoiding both the repulsive and the unrepulsive, may I
dwell in equanimity, just aware and clearly comprehending, then he
dwells in equanimity, just aware and clearly comprehending. Or else
he enters and dwells in the mental deliverance by the beautiful...
I tell you Bhikkhus for a wise Bhikkhu here who has not penetrated
to an even more superior mental release, this release of mind by pure
infinite friendliness has the beautiful deliverance as its culmination!
More on the 7 links to Awakening (bojjhanga):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Awareness_Sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Investigation_Vicaya.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Energy_Viriya.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Joy_Piti.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Tranquillity_Passaddhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Concentration_Samadhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Equanimity_Upekkha.htm
Source of reference (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V: 115-21] 46: The Links. 54: Joined by Friendliness...
Deliverance can be induced by friendliness :-)
The Beautiful Release!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Beautiful_Release.htm
Amity is Precious and Universal!
As I am, so are others...
As others are, so am I...
Having thus identified self and others,
Never Harm anyone, nor have any abused.
Sutta Nipata 3.710
Among tigers, lions, leopards & bears I lived in the jungle.
No one was frightened of me, nor did I fear anyone.
Uplifted by such universal friendliness, I enjoyed the forest.
Finding great solace in such sweetly silenced solitude…
Suvanna-sama Jataka 540
I am a friend of the footless,
I am a friend of all bipeds,
I am a friend of those with four feet,
I am a friend of the many-footed!
Anguttara Nikaya 4.67
May all creatures, all breathing things,
all beings one and all, without exception,
experience good fortune only.
May they not fall into any harm.
Anguttara Nikaya II, 72
Panda clings to saving Chinese Policeman after forest-fire :-)
Train yourself in doing good
that lasts and brings happiness.
Cultivate generosity, the life of peace,
and a mind of infinite universal love.
Itivuttaka 22
With good will for the entire cosmos,
cultivate a limitless heart & mind:
Beaming above, below, & all around,
unobstructed, without trace of hostility.
Sutta Nipata I, 8
He who does not punish nor makes others punish,
He who steals not nor makes others steal,
who friendly shares with all that lives,
finds enmity with none.
Itivuttaka 27
Let no one deceive another
or despise anyone anywhere,
or through anger or irritation
wish for another to suffer.
Sutta Nipata I, 8
For one who deliberately & aware
develops Universal Friendliness
Seeing the fading away of clinging,
All chains are worn down & broken.
Itivuttaka 27
Overcome the angry by friendliness;
overcome the wicked by goodness;
overcome the miser by generosity;
overcome the liar by truth.
Dhammapada 223
Who is hospitable, open and friendly,
Generous, gentle and unselfish,
A guide, an instructor, a leader,
Such a one to honour may attain.
Digha Nikaya 31
The friend who is a helper and comrade,
the friend in both good and bad times,
the friend who gives good advice,
the friend who never despises,
these four as friends the clever keep
and cherish with pure devotion
as does a mother her only son.
Digha Nikaya 31
Having killed anger you sleep in ease.
Having killed anger you do not grieve.
The noble ones praise the slaying of anger
-- with its honeyed crest & poison root --
for having killed it you do not grieve.
Samyutta Nikaya II, 70
Knowing that the other person is angry,
one who remains mindful and calm
acts for his own best interest
and for the other's interest, too.
Samyutta Nikaya I, 162
Train yourself in doing only good
that lasts and brings great happiness.
Cultivate generosity, a peaceful living,
and a mentality of infinite friendliness.
Ittivuttuka 16
Solitude is happiness for one who is content,
who has heard the Dhamma and clearly sees.
Non-violence is happiness in this world:
Harmlessness towards all living beings.
Udana 10
On Metta = Friendliness:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Metta.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Hey_Friend.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Mothers_Love.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kalyanamitta.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unique_Unity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Loving-Kindness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Calm_Kindness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Across_Borders.htm
Metta Means Most!
Amity is Precious and Universal!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Metta_Means_Most.htm
How to cure hesitant Doubt and Uncertainty!
Noticing Doubt-&-Uncertainty (vicikiccha) emerge can make it fade away:
Herein, Bhikkhus, when Doubt-&-Uncertainty is present in him, the bhikkhu
notes & understands: "There is Doubt-&-Uncertainty in me", and when this
Doubt-&-Uncertainty is absent, he similarly notices and understands: "Now
no Doubt-&-Uncertainty is in me". He also fully understands how unarisen
Doubt-&-Uncertainty arises. He also understands how to leave behind any
arisen Doubt-&-Uncertainty, and he understands how left and eliminated
Doubt-&-Uncertainty will not arise again in the future. MN 10
What is the feeding cause that makes Doubt-&-Uncertainty arise?
There are doubtful, unclear, indeterminable, and inconclusive ambiguities!
Often giving irrational and unwise attention to such matters, is the feeding
cause of the arising of yet absent Doubt-&-Uncertainty, and the feeding
cause of worsening and aggravation of Doubt-&-Uncertainty, that already
emerged. SN 46:51
What is the starving cause that makes Doubt-&-Uncertainty cease?
There are advantageous & detrimental states, blameable and blameless,
average and excellent states, and dark and bright states, frequently giving
rational and wise attention to these, is the starving cause for prevention of
unarisen Doubt-&-Uncertainty, and the starving cause for the elimination
of Doubt-&-Uncertainty, that has already appeared. SN 46:51
Some advantageous reflections regarding Doubt-&-Uncertainty:
There are these 6 things, which help to throw out doubt:
1: The state of being learned in the Buddha-Dhamma.
2: Examining the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha.
3: Understanding the advantageousness of Moral Discipline.
4: Being decided and convinced about the 3 Jewels.
5: Sympathetic, clever and helpful friends, who knows directly.
6: Explaining talk and teachings that can dispel doubt.
Doubt-&-Uncertainty is like a Desert:
Doubt-&-Uncertainty is just as when a rich man travels through a desolate
desert where there is no food and much danger.
Freedom from Doubt-&-Uncertainty is like when he has crossed the desert,
and gradually reaches safety near a village, a secure place, free from danger.
There he is relieved. DN 2
So is it when doubts about one of the 8 objects of doubt has arisen. See #
Doubting whether the Master really is a perfectly Enlightened One or not,
one cannot become assured of it with confidence. Unconvinced one remains
unable to attain to the paths and fruits of Nobility. Thus, as the traveller
in the desert is uncertain whether robbers are there or not, he produces in
his mind, again & again, a state of wavering & vacillation, a lack of decision,
a state of anxiety, and thus he creates in himself an obstacle for reaching
the safe ground of the Noble Ones (ariya-bhumi). In that way, is sceptical
doubt like travelling in a barren and dry desert!
#: They are, according to the Vibhanga: doubt in regard to the Buddha,
the Dhamma, the Sangha, the (threefold) training, the past, the future,
and the conditionality of dependently arisen phenomena.
Doubt and uncertainty can only be indecisive about which action to choose
and thus paralyzes the skeptic by hesitancy leaving the problem unsettled!
Doubt can only be eliminated by examining and scrutinizing the object much.
Once elderly yet undecided brahman Dhotaka asked the Buddha:
I see here in the world of beings divine & human, good ones,
who lives simply by possessing nothing. I thus bow for you All-around Eye.
Please Sakyan, release me from my doubts!
The Buddha answered: No one in this world, Dhotaka, can I ever release
from doubting. But knowing the most excellent Dhamma, you will cross the
raving ocean of vacillating uncertainty.
Dhotaka now more confident: I admire, Great Seer, that peace supreme,
all stilled, knowing which, living aware and detached, I'll go beyond the
imprisoning entanglement of this world.
Then I will teach you that peace even right here, not just hearsay words,
understanding which, living aware and detached, you will go beyond the
incarcerating entanglement of this world.
Teach me as your friend, O best one, the Dhamma of detachment so that I
may know directly, so that I, as unaffected as space, may live right here,
at ease in peace, calmed, stilled and not dependent on anything...
Whatever you are aware of, Dhotaka, above, below, across, or in between;
know this as a chain to this world! Thus, do not create any craving for any
form of being in existence, any form of new becoming or any non-becoming!
Sutta Nipata V 6
Entering the jungle of views and opinions, one will never reach certainty!
See also:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Barren_Stagnation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suitable_Substitution.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Doubt_and_Uncertainty.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/u_v/vicikicchaa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_to_Overcome_Doubt.htm
Have a nice, noble & assured day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Doubt and Uncertainty creates Hesitation!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Curing_Doubt_and_Uncertainty.htm
Rigid, dogmatic, dharma fanaticism is the same in any region or religion. Does it lead to peace of mind or a mind closed? Doubtless some have already decided . . .
Doubting ourselves, our teachers and the certainties of absolutes is more natural and more akin to a deepening wisdom.
Are we a wall or a wall climber?
Great patience.
Great doubt.
Isn't it time to stop living on cotton candy?
The term may mean something different or pertain to a different context in that slogan.
:clap:
You know where you are, you know what makes you suffer and you have been given useful advice by the OP. Implementing the advice will be helpful.
Once you have stability you can doubt or raise questions without being overwhelmed by dukkha. Just as you can cope with other deep seated sources of disquiet without abandoning the Middle Way . . .
There is no side to take as we are all on the same side of a wide but narrowing path . . . or is it vice versa . . . never quite sure . . . :scratch:
Friends:
Harmlessness is the Best Protection!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
May all creatures, all living things,
all beings without any exception,
experience good happiness only!
May they not fall into any harm.
Anguttara Nikaya 4.67
Solitude is happiness for one, who is content,
who has heard the Dhamma and clearly sees.
Non-violence is happiness in this world:
Harmlessness towards all living beings.
Udana 10
The Noble is not one, who injures living beings.
The Noble is one, who never injures living beings.
Dhammapada 270
Ever are the true disciples of the Buddha
well awake and quite aware. Constantly they
meditate both day and night on Harmlessness!
Dhammapada 296-301
The one who has left all violence,
who never harms any being at all,
whether they are moving or still,
who neither kill, nor causes to kill,
such one, harmless, is a Holy One!
Dhammapada 405
More on Harmlessness (Ahimsa = Non-Violence):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Harmlessness_and_Tolerance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Blessing_all_Beings_by_Bliss.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Selfless_and_Harmless.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Optimal_Observance_I.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Happy_Harmlessness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Patient_is_Tolerance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Bon_Benevolence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Not_Killing.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Holy is Harmlessness...
Harmlessness is the very best Protection!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Holy_Harmlessness.htm
Obviously better than doubt, is to understand and to know it...
Just as it is... Lost in the jungle of diverse opinions blocks progress.
That is why the Buddha designated Doubt and Uncertainty as a Hindrance...
There are 5 Mental Hindrances:
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/The_5_Mental_Hindrances.htm
The "great doubt" of zen, that some people are referring to, is quite different from the hindrance of skeptical doubting (vicikicchā) , even though they use the same English word, they mean quite different things.
In what way?
In all ways.
Good in-depth explanation here. Introduction and Translation of a short text from one of the leading Chinese masters of the Ming Dynasty known as
Boshan [Po-shan/Hakusan 博山; 1575-1630]: "Exhortations for
Those Unable to Arouse the Doubt."
http://terebess.hu/zen/great_doubt.pdf
With a small excerpt: