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The Visuddhimagga — The Path of Purification: The Classic Manual of Buddhist Doctrine and Meditation, translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Ñanamoli is now fully online here free of charge. A deep bow of gratitude to the many ATI & BPS volunteers! _/\_ http://what-buddha-said.net/library/pdfs/PathofPurification2011.pdf
Effective is the Simile of the Saw with 11 Advantages!
The Blessed Buddha once said: If, Bhikkhus and friends, evil robbers should cut off your limbs with a double-handled saw, whoever gives way to anger would not be acting on my advice. For thus should you train yourselves: Unperturbed shall our minds remain, no evil words shall escape our lips, friendly and full of sympathy shall we remain, with heart full of goodwill, without any hidden ill will, will we pervade all beings with only friendly thoughts, intense, vast, deep, infinite, freed from all hate, anger and irritation! MN 21
If, Bhikkhus, this sublime mental release by all-embracing friendliness has been much trained and developed, made one's vehicle & foundation, if it is firmly established, brought to greatness and full perfection, one may expect these eleven blessings: 1: One sleeps peacefully! 2: One Awakes peacefully 3: No evil dreams! 4: One is liked by all humans & 5: non-humans 6: The Devas protect one! 7: Fire, poison, & weapons cannot touch one 8: Quick is concentration! 9: One's features brighten up! 10: No panic at death! 11: One is reborn in the fine-material Brahma-world or even higher... AN 11:16
Once the Blessed One was staying at Vesali in Ambapali's grove. There and then, he taught the Bhikkhus in this very way: Bhikkhus a Noble Friend should remain: Aware and Settled!
And how does a Noble remain Aware? In this: Such Noble Friend sees any Body as just a frame of materiality - a mere transient physical form - thereby keeping any lust and rejection arisen for and of this world under firm control. Aroused, composed, & alert. Such Noble Friend sees any Feeling as just a reaction to sense contact - a mere short-lived mental response - thereby keeping any desire & aversion arisen for this world under firm control. Just eager, calm and clear. Such Noble Friend sees any Mentality as just a passing set of moods - a mere ever-changing complex habitual mental formation - thereby keeping any craving and anger arisen from this world under firm control, by being keen, balanced and attentive. Such Noble Friend sees any phenomenon as just a fleeting experience - a mere blinking appearance of a momentary mental state - thereby keeping any attraction and repulsion arisen from this world under firm control by remaining aloof, above, at ease while acutely aware. Thus is a Noble Aware...
And how does a Noble remain Settled? In this: When going out, & when returning such Friend is continuously settled in awareness of exactly that relocation… When looking forward, & when gazing backward such Noble Friend is continuously settled in awareness of just exactly that seeing… When bending a leg, & when stretching an arm such Noble Friend is continuously settled in awareness of only exactly that movement… When wearing a robe, & when bearing a bowl such Noble Friend is continuously settled in awareness of exactly that presence... When eating, when drinking, when chewing, when tasting, and when swallowing such Noble Friend is continuously settled in awareness of exactly that eating process… When using the toilet, when walking, standing, sitting, lying, sleeping, waking up, speaking, and when keeping silent such Noble Friend is continuously settled in awareness of exactly that activity... Thus is a Noble Settled... A Bhikkhu should remain Aware and Settled, Bhikkhus. This is our instruction to you.
Comments. Unfailing Continuity of clear Awareness is the crucial issue here! That settled unfailing Awareness of all moments as they pass by mind flickering in time, can disable and eliminate the otherwise domineering autopilot and always pleasure-seeking monkey-mind! Black-hole non-awareness should noted in these common daily situations: "Oops where is my keys?", "Ach, I forgot my umbrella there... again!"
Illustrative Story: A Zen monk once sought a teacher living in the mountains. When he reached his hut, he quickly entered after leaving his sandals outside. After his reverential bowing, but before he could make any request, this teacher asked him: "To which side of the door did you put your sandals outside?" Stunned by the fact that he could not remember this trivial fact, he realized just there on the very spot, that establishing unfailing continuous awareness was an essential requirement, he yet had to fulfill... He stayed therefore for years on this mountain with that well seeing teacher to do exactly that!
Source: Samyutta Nikaya - Kindred Sayings V On the four foundations of Awareness.
Nikini Poya day is the full-moon of August. Bhikkhus who did not enter the yearly rains retreat (Vas) early at Esala Poya day (peravas), are allowed to enter the the rains retreat now in August (pasuvas). Nikini Poya day celebrates the first ever Dhammasangayana - The First Buddhist Council where, what the Buddha said, was agreed upon and recited. This took place at the Saptapanni Rock Cave in Rajagaha (now Rajgir, India), under the patronage of Mahakassapa Thera and it went on for seven long months. It established the original authentic Tipitaka: The 3 Baskets of Sacred Text = The Pali Canon spoken by the historical Buddha and his disciples.
One of the 7 Sattapanni Caves, where the First Buddhist Council was held ~ 483 BC.
On such Observance days: Any Lay Buddhist simply joins the Three Refuges and undertakes the Five Precepts like this: Newly bathed, shaved, white-clothed, with clean bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue, and bows first three times, so that feet, hands, elbows, knees and head touch the floor. Then, with joined palms in front of the heart, one recite these memorized lines in a loud, calm & steady voice:
As long as this life lasts: I hereby take refuge in the Buddha. I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma. I hereby take refuge in the Sangha. I hereby seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time. I hereby seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time. I hereby seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time. I hereby request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time. I hereby request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd time. I hereby request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time. I will hereby respect these Three Jewels the rest of my life!
I accept to respect & undertake these 5 training rules: I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Killing. I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Stealing. I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Sexual Abuse. I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Dishonesty. I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Alcohol & Drugs. As long as this life lasts, I am thus protected by these 5 precepts...
Then, one keeps and protects these sacred vows better than one's own eyes & children!, since they protect you & all other beings much better than any army! They are the highest offer one can give in & to this world! So is the start towards Nibbana: the Deathless Element! This is the Noble Way to Peace, to Freedom, to Ease, to Happiness, initiated by Morality, developed further by Dhamma-Study and fulfilled by training of Meditation...
Today indeed is Pooya or Uposatha or observance day, where any lay Buddhist normally keeps the Eight Precepts from sunrise until the next dawn... If any wish an official recognition by the Bhikkhu-Sangha, they may simply forward the lines starting with "I hereby ..." signed with name, date, town & country to me or join here:
And can quite advantageously be Joined Here: http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm May your journey hereby be light, swift and sweet. Never give up !! Bhikkhu Samahita: what.buddha.said@gmail.com
This huge cave hall was built to house the Sixth Buddhist Council convened in 1955 to recite the Pali Tipitaka and authenticate the texts. On the 2,500th Anniversary of the Buddha’s final passing away (Parinibbana), 2,500 monks assembled from the Theravada Buddhist countries. Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw performed the central role as Chief Questioner (Pucchaka), which was fulfilled by Venerable Mahakassapa in the First Council, held three months after the Buddha’s passing away. To house this great hall, an artificial hill was constructed by voluntary workers at Kaba-Aye in Rangoon. This great hall is still used to hold the examinations in the Tipitaka.
How does the 7 Links to Awakening induce Breakthrough?
The Blessed Buddha once said: And what, bhikkhus, is the way that induce penetration? It is: The Seven Links to Awakening! What seven?
1: The Awareness Link to Awakening: sati-sambojjhanga. 2: The Investigation Link to Awakening: dhammavicaya-sambojjhanga. 3: The Energy Link to Awakening: viriya-sambojjhanga. 4: The Joy Link to Awakening: piti-sambojjhanga. 5: The Tranquillity Link to Awakening: passaddhi-sambojjhanga. 6: The Concentration Link to Awakening: samadhi-sambojjhanga. 7: The Equanimity Link to Awakening: upekkha-sambojjhanga.
Then, the Venerable Udayi asked the Blessed Buddha: Venerable Sir, how are the Seven Links to Awakening developed & cultivated so that they lead to, and induce penetration? Udayi, when a Bhikkhu develops the Seven Links to Awakening supported by seclusion, disillusion, and ceasing, it culminates in a mental release, which is vast, exalted, & infinite, without any trace of ill will. With such exalted mind matured and refined by these 7 Links to Awakening, he penetrates, smashes and eliminates the mass of greed, that he has never before penetrated, smashed and eliminated; he penetrates, demolishes and eradicates the heap of hate, that he has never before penetrated, demolished and eradicated; and he penetrates, disintegrates & disperses the accumulation It is, Udayi, when these Seven Links to Awakening are developed & cultivated
Equanimity (Upekkha) entails a composed equipoise of solid mental balance! It is Tatra-majjhattata = keeping to the moderate middle of all phenomena. Equanimity balances consciousness so it prevents both all excessiveness and any deficiency. In equanimity mind is neither attracted by attractive things, nor repelled by repulsive things. The cause of equanimity is seeing the law of kamma: All beings are born and created by their kamma, they are owners of their kamma, inherit their kamma, whatever they do, whether good or bad, the effects of that will be theirs only, following them like a shadow of past! The effect of Equanimity is threefold: Exquisite, relaxed & subtle peace felt as calm happiness is instantly gained. Equanimity purifies and completes all the 7 crucial Links to Awakening... Equanimity is the proximate cause of knowledge and vision (ñanadassana)!
The Blessed Buddha once said: There is awareness of all internal states, & awareness of all external states. Both kinds of awareness are leading to Enlightenment (sati-sambojjhanga). There is investigation of both all internal states, and of all external states. Both these investigations are links to Enlightenment (vicaya-sambojjhanga). There is energy of body (strength), and energy of the mind (enthusiasm). Both kinds of energy are leading to Enlightenment (viriya-sambojjhanga). There is joy associated with thinking, and there is joy without any thinking. Both kinds of joy are links leading to Enlightenment (piti-sambojjhanga). There is tranquillity of the body, and there is tranquillity of the mind. Both these calms are links to Enlightenment (passaddhi-sambojjhanga). There is concentration during thinking and concentration without thinking. Both concentrations are links to Enlightenment (samadhi-sambojjhanga). There is equanimity both regarding internal states and external states. Both these kinds are links to Enlightenment (upekkha-sambojjhanga). This can only a Buddha, or a true disciple of a Buddha see, and explain...
Comments: Awareness of all internal mental states is the most important, and highest. Investigation of all internal mental states is the primary, and most fruitful. Energy of the mind is the most advantageous, effective, and most enabling. Joy without any thinking is the most rapturous, ecstatic, and all-pervading. Tranquillity of the mind is the deepest, most calm, serene, and imperturbable. Concentration without any thinking is the most one-pointed and absorbed. Equanimity regarding internal mental states is the best guard and protection.
It was through understanding, that the Blessed One discovered the Dhamma! It was through compassion, that he taught it to the multitude of beings. It was through understanding, that he felt disillusion with the rebirth round. It was through compassion, that he bore it, while learning to liberate others. It was through understanding, that he fully understood others' suffering, It was through compassion, that he undertook to counteract this misery. It was through understanding, that he himself crossed over to Nibbana! It was through compassion, that he brought other beings across also... It was through compassion, that he practised & taught no-cruelty to others. It was through understanding, that he himself was fearless of all others. It was through compassion, that he became this world's only real helper. It was through understanding, that he became his own absolute helper. It was through compassion, that he was humble and gentle as a Bodhisatta. It was through understanding, that he gained majestic dignity as a Buddha. It was through compassion, that he helped all beings as a safeguarding father. It was through understanding, that he remained detached from all beings. It was through understanding, that his mind was detached from all states. For just as the Blessed One's compassion was without sentimental fondness so was his supreme understanding free from the concepts of "I" and "mine"... Vism. Comm: Pm. 192-93
Having heard the Buddha speak the Lay Disciple exclaims: Excellent, Lord, excellent! It is as if someone were to set up right what had been knocked and turned upside-down, or it is as if someone revealed what was covered up and hidden, or it is as if someone pointed out the way to one who had got lost by going astray, or it is as if someone brought a lamp into a dark place, so that those with eyes could see the forms there! Exactly so has the Blessed Buddha explained this true Dhamma in many various clear ways. Therefore do I, Venerable Sir, hereby take refuge in the Blessed Buddha, hereby take refuge in the true Dhamma, and hereby take refuge in the Noble Sangha... May the Blessed Buddha accept and know me as a lay-follower from this day on and as long as this life shall last! So is the faith of those who after countless lives at last have accumulated and now possesses the right and ripe conditions for attaining the valuable state of lay disciple of a Buddha... This is the very first step towards the Bliss of Deathless Nibbana!
[size=150]What is Unwavering Faith & assured Confidence?[/size]
The blessed Buddha once noted: Knowing, Friends, evil covetousness and wicked greed to be mental pollutions, the Bhikkhu leaves them, rejects them, eliminates them and eradicates them... Knowing hating ill will to be a mental pollution, he leaves all hostile ill will. Knowing aversive anger to be a mental pollution, he rejects all anger. Knowing vicious revenge to be a mental pollution, he avoids revenge. Knowing contempt to be a mental pollution, he releases contempt. Knowing tyranny to be a mental pollution, he abandons tyranny. Knowing green envy to be a mental pollution, he deserts envy. Knowing self-conceit to be a mental pollution, he quits conceit. Knowing hypocrisy to be a mental pollution, he dodges hypocrisy. Knowing negligence to be a mental pollution, he stops negligence. Knowing puffed pride to be a mental pollution, he cuts out pride. Knowing jealousy to be a mental pollution, he withdraws jealousy. Knowing obstinacy to be a mental pollution, he gives up obstinacy. Knowing vain vanity to be a mental pollution, he relinquishes vanity. Knowing cheating fraud to be a mental pollution, he eschews fraud. Knowing arrogance to be a mental pollution, he renounces arrogance.
When the Bhikkhu has eliminated all these polluting mental defilements, he then gains unwavering Faith, unshakable Confidence and absolutely immovable and imperturbable Conviction in the blessed Buddha thus: Worthy, honourable and perfectly self-Enlightened is the Buddha! Fully consummated in knowledge and behaviour, totally transcended, expert in all dimensions, knower of all worlds, unsurpassable trainer of those who can be tamed, both teacher and guide of gods as well as humans, blessed, exalted, awakened & enlightened is the Buddha!
He gains unwavering Faith, Confidence & Conviction in the Dhamma thus: Perfectly formulated is the Buddha-Dhamma, visible right here and now, immediately effective, timeless, inviting each and everyone to come and see for themselves, inspect, examine and verify... Leading each and everyone through progress towards perfection! Directly observable, experiencable & realizable by each intelligence!
He gains unwavering Faith, Confidence and Conviction in the Sangha thus: Perfectly training is this Noble Sangha community of Buddha's Noble disciples: Training the right way, the true way, the good way, the direct way! Therefore do these 8 kinds of individuals, these four Noble pairs, deserve both gifts, self-sacrifice, offerings, hospitality and reverential salutation even with joined palms, since this Noble Sangha community of the Buddha's Noble disciples, is indeed an unsurpassable and forever unsurpassed field of merit, in this world, for this world, to honour, support, award, respect, and protect!
When he has given up, left and eliminated these mental pollutions he knows: I am convinced by steady unwavering Faith & Confidence in the Buddha... in the Dhamma... in the Sangha... He therefore gains enthusiasm for the goal, gains inspiration from the Dhamma, & gains the gladness connected with this true Dhamma. When gladdened, a rapturous joy is born in him; being joyous in mind, his body becomes tranquil; his body being tranquil, he feels happiness; and the mind of him, who is happy becomes concentrated into full intense absorption!
The Buddha often emphasized wrong view as thee most detrimental: When one has imagined, assumed, constructed, approved of and authorized Wrong Views & opinions, then one is relying that, which is unstable & unsafe! Clinging to these long cherished wrong views, are not easily relinquished... One adheres to these persuasions having chosen them from among many hypothetical ideas, laying down one assumption, just to take up a another new fancy theory! A purified man, however, does indeed not form any view about anything anywhere! He is not involved..! Having cut out all deceptions illusions and conceits, where could such a clear-sighted man ever be driven? An involved person, however, engages easily in disputes about opposed ideas, but how can one ever dispute with one, who is not involved? He has neither taken up, nor laid down anything, but has shaken off having any view at all! Sutta-Nipata 784-787 Edited excerpt.
Having heard the Buddha speak, a householder or a householder's son or one born in some other family, hears that Buddha-Dhamma. On hearing this sublime Dhamma, he acquires faith in the Tathagata. Possessing that faith, he considers thus: Household life is crowded, cramped, frustrating & dusty! The Life gone forth is out in the wide open... It is not easy, while living in a home, to live this Noble life utterly perfect and pure, as a polished shell... Suppose I shave off my hair and beard, put on the yellow robe, and go forth from the home life into homelessness. On a later occasion, leaving behind any small or large fortune, leaving behind a small or a large circle of relatives, he shaves off his hair and beard, puts on the ochre robe, & then goes forth from the home life into the free and open homelessness... So is the faith of those, who after countless lives finally have accumulated and possesses the right and ripe conditions for attaining the advantageous state of a Bhikkhu under a Buddha! This is indeed the quickest step towards winning the Bliss of the deathless Nibbana!
The brahmin Magandiya asked the Buddha about how to find inner peace: Mental purity is neither caused by particular views, nor by learning, nor by knowledge, nor even by perfect morality. Neither by absence of right view, missing learning, lack of knowledge, or tainted morality, not by that either! Discarding all these oppositions, detached, calmed, independent, one stops longing for any form of existence... Whoever thinks himself equal, superior, or inferior, he will dispute on that account! But the imperturbable one does not enter any self-deceit! Since for such one, there is no I-Me-Self or Ego how much less can there then ever be any equal, inferior or superior I-Me-Self! Leaving home, wandering homeless, not making acquaintances in any village, free from desire for sensual pleasures, showing no preferences, such sage will never engage in any controversy. One who really knows does not become proud because of any particular view, learning, thought, or experience, for he is not tied to, influenced by, or led by any of these momentary illusions.. He is completely released through his understanding. But those who cling to certain experiences and particular views wander about causing controversy! Sutta-Nipata 839-842-844-846-847 Edited excerpt.
Commentary: This true speech made Magandiya and his wife never-returners (Anagamins).
Faith is the Seed, the Initiator, and thud the Source of the Beginning. Faith is the Hand that takes up all the advantageous mental states. Faith is the Wealth above all, since it brings real and lasting Happiness. Faith is the Jump, since it enables beings to cross the flood of pain. Faith is the Purifier, since it cleans contaminating pollutions of the mind.
One naturally devoted to generosity by the constant practice of giving and sharing makes the decision: From now on, whenever there is anyone present to receive, I shall not eat even a single mouthful without having given a gift! And that very day he should give a gift by sharing whatever according to his means and his ability with those, who have distinguished mental qualities. When he has apprehended the sign in that, he should go into solitary retreat and recollect his own generosity in its special qualities of being free from the stain of mean miserliness like this: It is gain for me, it is great gain for me, that in a culture obsessed by the greedy stain of niggardliness, I abide with my mind & heart free from penny-pinching stinginess. I delight indeed in relinquishing by being freely generous & open-handed, always welcoming any request by rejoicing in all altruistic giving and sharing (AN III 287 ). Any who gives life by giving food will get life & strength either divine or as a human (AN III 42 ). Any giver is loved & frequented by many (AN III 40 ). One who gives, is ever loved, according to the wise man's law! (AN III 41 ).
When a Bhikkhu is devoted to this recollection of generosity, he becomes ever more intent on generosity, his favourite becomes non-greedy charity, he acts with kind, noble, & loving liberality, and he gains a fine lion-heart. He enjoys much happiness and gladness. And if he penetrates no higher, he is at least headed for a happy destiny.
The Gods became Gods as a result of their magnanimous Giving!
Now when a man is truly wise, His constant task will surely be This recollection of his prior giving Blessed with such mighty potency! Vism I 224
Is consciousness moving at death to the next life?
No! Since consciousness arise & cease right here, it cannot move anywhere! It is not continuous, but contiguous discrete mental states as pearls on a string. The prior moment of consciousness contains the properties that conditions the arising of the next moment of consciousness! These inherent properties are mainly craving for (conscious) sensing & craving for becoming anew into being. If these cravings are present in the rebirth-linking moment of consciousness, then the next moment of consciousness will arise immediately after the death, but now in another location and body, which qualities (or lack of) also are all conditioned by properties within the rebirth-linking moment of consciousness…
Example: If ignorance is dominant in the rebirth-linking moment of consciousness, then an animal rebirth is to be expected. If harmonious peace and settled mental calmness based on a long life of doing good are the dominant factors right in the rebirth-linking moment of consciousness, then a divine deva rebirth is to be expected. If anger, hostile enmity, envy and hate are dominant in the rebirth-linking moment of consciousness, a rebirth in hell is to be expected... So what actually passes on is CAUSALITY: That is conditioning factors of mental forces! Nothing more! No form, feeling, perception, construction, or consciousness passes on, or can ever endure from one moment to the next... No "Self, I, Me, Body, Identity, or Ego" passes on, because they never really existed in the first place, so how can they ever then pass on?!?
The classic example is the 2 candles: Candle A is in flame. (=Dying individuality) This is then used to light or ignite Candle B (=Reborn individuality). By this very ignition the flame of Candle A is extinguished… Only candle B is now burning: What now was passed on !-?-! Is the flame of Candle B now the SAME, as the flame of Candle A? Not so. Candle B burns by its own flame, but it was turned on by flame A! Is the flame of Candle B now DIFFERENT from the flame of Candle A? Not really so either. Since Candle B started burning from the flame A!
What is Reborn?: Neither the SAME individuality, nor ANOTHER! What am ‘I’ & ‘Person’?: Neither the SAME nor ANOTHER! Not a fixed entity, but a streaming process of ever renewed arisings and ceasings of impersonal mental and physical states… Just moments of name-&-form passes on!
In brevity: Question: What passes on at death? Answer: The forces or streams of: Ignorance, Greed, and Hate, and derivatives thereof, passes on at death and also in every moment of this life! One is reborn not only at death, but at every conscious moment of this endless life cycle itself also... Re-arising rebirth occurs billions of times per second! Neither as the same, nor as another...
Kinship with All: Be Gentle and Kind towards your Family!
The Blessed Buddha once said: It is not easy, Bhikkhus & Friends, to find even a single living being that during this immensely long round of rebirths has not at least 10 times been your mother, father, brother, sister, son, or daughter! How is this possible? Inconceivable, Bhikkhus and Friends, is the beginning of this Samsaric round; not to be discovered is the ultimate first beginning of individual beings who, blinded by ignorance and all obsessed by craving, are hurrying and hastening through this round of rebirths! The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book SN 15:14-19
On Samsara: The Dreadful Round: Long is Samsara for the simpleton, who does not know the Dhamma. Long is the night for one, who keeps awake. Long is the mile for one, who is tired. Long is the rebirth round for one, who is unaware of the true Dhamma. Dhammapada 60
Life, personality, pleasure, pain, endures joined in one conscious moment, that flicks by... Whether such ceased clusters of clinging are those of a dead or alive does not matter, they are all alike, momentarily gone never to return... No world is born and appears as manifest, if consciousness is not produced! Only when consciousness is present, does the world emerge! When consciousness momentarily dissolves, the world is dead and vanished! So both the being & the world starts and ends within each conscious moment! Both are reborn millions of times per second! Not only at conventional death.. This is how death also should be recollected, as the shortness of the moment. This is the highest sense this concept of conscious existence ever will allow... (Vism I 238, Nd I 42 )
Both 'Being' & 'World' occurs only as discrete conscious moments!
The Ancient Elders explained: As one repeats, develops & cultivates the understanding that appearance is terror one cannot find any asylum, any safe shelter, any place to go to, since there is no safe haven in any kind of becoming, generation, destiny, station, or abode. Nowhere whatsoever - except in Nibbana - is there even one single stable and lasting formation or construction, that one can place hope in or hold on to: Since as the Blessed Buddha succinctly pointed out: The 3 kinds of becoming appear like charcoal pits full of glowing coals, the four primary elements like hideous venomous snakes (SN IV 174 ), the five clusters like murderers with raised weapons (SN IV 174 ), the six internal sense sources like an empty village, the six kind of external sense objects like village-raiding robbers (SN IV 174-75 ), the 7 stations of consciousness and the nine abodes of beings as if burning, blazing and glowing with the 11 fires (see SN IV 19 ). Thus do all phenomena appear as a huge mass of danger destitute of substance or satisfaction, like a tumour, or a disease, or a dart, a calamity, a distressing affliction, like a knot of suffering (see MN I 436 )! Vism 647
The dear companion can be the proximate cause for Mutual Joy, where one rejoices in another being's success... One thus rejoicing in others fortune is called a 'boon companion', for he is constantly glad: He laughs first and speaks afterward! So he should be the first to be pervaded with gladness. Or on seeing a dear person being happy, cheerful and glad, mutual joy can be aroused thus: 'See this being is indeed glad! How good, how excellent!' Just as one would be glad at seeing a dear and beloved person very happy, exactly so does one pervade all other beings in all directions with mutual joy... Rejoicing mutual joy can also be aroused by remembering others happiness in the past and recollecting the elated joy aspect in this way: 'In the past he had great wealth, a great following and he was always glad'. Or mutual joy can be aroused by apprehending the future glad aspect of his in this way: 'In the future he will again enjoy similar success and will go about in gold palanquins, on the backs of elephants or on horseback'. Having thus aroused mutual joy regarding a dear person, one can then direct the very same feeling successively towards a neutral one, and gradually towards any hostile person. Vbh 274, Vism I 316
Comments: Mutual joy causes Contentment! No mutual joy thus means Discontentment! Therefore: If being generally dissatisfied, then be happy over others gains. Secondly: Mutual joy causes all envy & jealousy to evaporate into equanimity!
Thus have I heard. At one time the Blessed One was living at Savatthi, in the palace of Migara's mother, in the Eastern Park, together with many very well known elder disciples: Venerable Sariputta, Maha-Moggallana, Maha-Kassapa, Maha-Kaccayana, Maha-Kotthita, Maha-Kappina, Maha-Cunda, Ven. Anuruddha, Revata, & Ananda. These elder bhikkhus were teaching & instructing the new bhikkhus, who thus achieved successively higher distinction & discrimination! Then, surveying this silent Bhikkhu-Sangha, he addressed the bhikkhus thus: I am content, bhikkhus, with this progress; I am content at heart, bhikkhus, with this development. Therefore, strive still more strenuously to attain the unattained, to achieve the unachieved, to realize the unrealized. I will stay... Anapanasati Sutta. Majjhima Nikaya 118 Full text & explanation here: [size=140]http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/pdfs/anapanasati.pdf[/size]
The Blessed Buddha once spoke on these 4 invariable & fixed laws: There are 4 things, Bhikkhus & Friends, which nobody can change, neither recluse, nor priest, nor god, nor devil, nor anyone at all in this or any other universe. What are these 4 things? 1: That what is subject to decay, may not decay... 2: That what is subject to sickness, may not fall sick... 3: That what is subject to death, may not die... & 4: That those evil, immoral, impure, terrible, and pain-producing actions, which ever and again lead to rebirth, ageing, & death, may not bring results, may not produce their inevitable fruits... These four things, Bhikkhus & Friends, neither recluses, priests, divine beings, neither gods, nor devils, nor anyone in this or any other multiverse can ever stop...
A friend asked: Who is it that lives these many lives?
Answer: It is not any Who… !!! Since selfless is this flux of renewed becoming! The Question should therefore be reformulated as:
Question:What is it, that lives these many lives?
Answer: It is an accumulated and ever changing group of: 1: Momentary clinging to form; 2: Momentary clinging to feeling; 3: Momentary clinging to perception; 4: Momentary clinging to mental construction; 5: Momentary clinging to consciousness... That blinded by ignorance and obsessed by craving, tumbles through these many, many, painful lives & deaths! It is not an "I", "Me", "Self", "Soul", "Person", or "Identity"!!!
The Blessed Buddha once explained: Overcome the angry with friendliness; Overcome the wicked with goodness; Overcome the miser with generosity; Overcome the liar with truth. Dhammapada 223
And what is the treasure of generosity? There is the case where a disciple of the Noble Ones, having cleaned his mind of the stain of stinginess, living at home, freely generous, and open-handed, delighting in being magnanimous, enjoying any request, delighting in the giving of alms to those needy & worthy... This is called the treasure of generosity! AN 7.6
There are these five future rewards of generosity: One is admired and liked by an overwhelming majority of the people. One is respected by the good, the intelligent and the wise persons. One's good reputation is spread easily, rapidly and far about. One fulfills the rightful duties of the householder, and With the break-up of the body, one will reappear in a good destination, in the heavenly and exquisitely divine worlds! AN 5.35
The Buddha indeed pointed out Gratitude as an important mental quality: These two people are hard to find in the world. Which two? The one who is first to do a kindness, and the one who is grateful and thankful for a kindness done. Anguttara Nikaya 2.118
I tell you, monks, there are two people who are not easy to repay. Which two? Your mother & father. Even if you were to carry your mother on one shoulder & your father on the other shoulder for 100 years, & were to look after them by anointing, massaging, bathing, & rubbing their limbs, and they were to defecate and urinate right there on your shoulders, you would not thereby repay your parents. Even if you were to establish your mother & father in absolute sovereignty over this great earth, abounding in the seven treasures, you would not in that way repay your parents! Why is that? Mothers and fathers do much for their children. They care for them, they nourish them for long, and they introduce them to this world. But anyone who rouses his unbelieving mother & father, settles & establishes them in faith; rouses his immoral mother & father, establishes them in virtue; rouses his stingy mother & father, settles & establishes them in generosity; rouses his unwise mother & father, settles & establishes them on a new level of understanding: It is in this way that one truly repays one's mother's and father's many longstanding services. Anguttara Nikaya 2.32
Mother & father, compassionate to their family, are called Brahma, first teachers, honour them with food & drink, clothing & bedding, and anointing, bathing, washing their feet. Performing these services to their parents, the wise are praised right here and after death rejoice in heaven. Itivuttaka 106
If this is what you think of me: The Blessed One, is sympathetic, is seeking our well-being, teaches us this Dhamma out of sympathy, then you should train yourself in being in harmony, cordial, and without conflict and train in yourselves cultivation of all the 37 best mental qualities: The 4_Foundations_of_Awareness, the 4 right efforts, the 4_Feet_of_Force, the 5 Abilities, 5 powers, the 7 Links to Awakening, & the Noble_8-Fold_Way. Majjhima Nikaya 103 A Tathagata is worshipped, honoured, respected, thanked & shown gratitude by any follower, who keeps practicing the Dhamma in accordance with true Dhamma, who keeps practicing masterfully, who lives in and by the Dhamma! Digha Nikaya 16
We will undertake & practice those qualities that makes one a contemplative, so that all those who helped us by services of robes, alms-food, lodging, and medicines will bring them great fruit and great future reward. Majjhima Nikaya 39
Comments: In Pali, the word for gratitude = kataññu literally means to have a sense of what was done for one in the past even when long ago. Remembering all help! A network of kindness and gratitude is what sustains whatever goodness there is and ever will be in this - otherwise destitute & impoverished - world!
The Blessed Buddha once said: Bhikkhus, there are these three feelings: Which three?
1: Pleasant Feeling, 2: Painful Feeling, 3: Neither-Painful-nor-Pleasant Feeling.
The latent tendency to lust induced by pleasant feeling should be left... The latent tendency to aversion induced by painful feeling should be left... The latent tendency to ignorance induced by neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling should also be abandoned. When one has abandoned all the latent tendency to lust rooted in pleasant feeling, all latent tendency to aversion rooted in painful feeling, and all the latent tendency to ignorance rooted in neither-painful-nor-pleasant neutral feeling, then he is indeed called a Bhikkhu freed of latent tendencies, one who sees & understands rightly! He has thus stilled all craving, thus cut off the mental chains, and by also breaking completely through the conceit: "I am", he has ended Suffering... When one experiences pleasure, if one does not understand feeling, then the tendency to lust is present in anyone not seeing the escape from it. When one experiences pain, if one does not understand feeling, then the tendency to aversion is present in any one not seeing the escape from it. T he One of Vast Wisdom has taught that even if one seeks delight in this peace of neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling, then one is still not freed from suffering! But a bhikkhu who is enthusiastic, who does not neglect clear comprehension, such wise man fully understands feelings entirely. Having fully understood feelings, he is in this very life freed of all mental fermentation. Standing in this Dhamma, in this exquisite state, at body's breakup, such a master cannot be reckoned, assessed or estimated...
Take-home: Pleasant feeling produces greed! Painful feeling produces hate! Neither-painful-nor-pleasant neutral feeling causes neglect and will thus generate ignorance...
The characteristic of patience is acceptance, its function is to endure, and its manifestation is non-opposing tolerance! The cause of patience is understanding how things really are.. The effect of patience is calm tranquility despite presence of intensely stirring provocation.. Patience of the will produces forgiving forbearance! Patience of the intellect produces faith, confidence and certainty! Patience of the body produces resolute and tenacious endurance! Internal tolerance of states within oneself is patient endurance... External tolerance of other beings is forbearance and forgiveness...
He who patiently protects himself, protects also all other beings! He who patiently protects all other beings, protects also himself!
Not from speaking much is one called clever. The patient one is free from anger and free from fear, only such steady persisting one, is rightly called clever... Dhammapada 258
Patient tolerance is the highest praxis... Nibbana is the supreme Bliss! So say all the Buddhas. Dhammapada 184
The innocent one, who has done nothing wrong, Who endures abuse, flogging and even imprisonment, Such one, armed with stamina, the great force of tolerance, Such stoic one, who self-possessed can accept, I call a Holy One! Dhammapada 399
One should follow those who are determined, tolerant, and enduring, intelligent, wise, diligent, clever, good-willed and evidently Noble. One shall stick to them as the moon remains in its regular orbit. Dhammapada 208
Friends, even if bandits were to cut you up, savagely, limb by limb, with a two-handled saw, you should not get angry, but do my bidding: Remain pervading them and all others with a friendly Awareness imbued with an all-embracing good-will, kind, rich, expansive, and immeasurable! Free from hostility, free from any ill will. Always remembering this very Simile of the Saw is indeed how you should train yourselves. Majjhima Nikaya 21
The five ways of removing irritating annoyance: Bhikkhus, there are these five ways of removing annoyance, by which any irritation can be entirely removed by a Bhikkhu, when it arises in him. What are these five ways? 1: Friendliness can be maintained towards an irritating person or state.. 2: Understanding can be undertaken towards an irritating person or state.. 3: On-looking Equanimity can be kept towards an irritating person or state.. 4: One can forget and ignore the irritating person, mental or physical state.. 5: Ownership of Kamma of the irritating person can be reflected upon thus: This good person is owner of his actions, inherit the result his actions, is indeed born of his actions and only he is responsible for his actions be they good or bad. This too is how annoyance with the irksome can be instantly removed. These are the five ways of removing annoyance, and by which any irritation can be entirely removed in a friend, exactly when it arises... Anguttara Nikaya V 161
Buddha to his son Rahula: Develop an Imperturbable Mind like the elements: Rahula, develop a mind like earth, then contacts of arisen like and dislike will not obsess your mind! Rahula, on the earth is dumped both the pure and the impure: excreta, urine, saliva, pus, blood, but the earth does not detest any of those... Even and exactly so make your mind stable like the earth! Rahula, develop a mind like water, then contacts of arisen pleasure and pain will not seize your mind. Rahula with water both the pure and the impure are cleaned... Washed away with water are excreta, urine, saliva, pus, and blood, yet the water does not despise any of that! Even so make the mind fluid and adaptable like the water! Rahula, develop a mind like fire, then the contacts of any arisen attraction or aversion will neither consume, nor hang on to your mind! Rahula, fire burns both the pure and the impure, burns excreta, urine, saliva, pus, and blood, yet the fire does not loathe any of that.. In the same manner refine the mind into a tool like an all consuming and purifying fire! Rahula, develop a mind similar to space, then contacts of arisen delight and frustration does neither take hold of, nor remain in your mind. Space does not settle anywhere! Similarly make the mind unsettled and unestablished like open space. When you expand mind like space, contacts of delight and frustration will neither be able to dominate, nor obsess your mind... Majjhima Nikaya 62
The Blessed Buddha once said to Anathapindika: Whoever, householder, has not overcome five terrible evils, such one is without morality, is without control and will be reborn in hell. And what are those five terrible evils? They are killing, stealing, sexual abuse, lying, and taking intoxicants. But whoever has overcome these five terrible evils, such one is pure, well controlled and will be reborn in a happy world. One who is doing these 5 things, creates both present, and future extreme misery, and will thus experience much mental pain & regret! One who abstains from these 5 things produces neither any present, nor any future misery, nor will he experience mental pain or grief. Such terrible evil is thus eliminated by him and extinguished in him...
Whoever murders living beings, Speaks words that are not true, Takes what does not belong to him, Seduces wives of other men, And takes intoxicating drinks or drugs, To which ever he/she strongly clings: Anyone who does not shun these evils, Is indeed without morality, with no purity! And when his/her body once dissolves, That blind fool will fall into deepest hell... Who does never harm any being at all, Who never utters any lie, or falsehood, Who never takes what is not his or hers, Nor seduces his/her neighbour's spouse, Nor ever wishes in all his/her life To drink intoxicating drinks or drugs that causes carelessness and neglect A human who shuns these five evils, Is rightly called a virtuous human; And when his/her body once dissolves, This wise human rises heavenward.
Morality is the Cause of No Regrets and thus Gladness!
What are the Advantages of Morality? The Gladness of No Regrets and No Remorse! Wealth well acquired by righteous diligence! The Fine Fame of a Good Reputation! The Purity of a Clean Conscience... Assured and Natural Self-Confidence in any assembly! Neither confusion, nor any panic at the moment of death! A Happy and occasionally even Divine Destiny after death!
What are the Similes of Morality? Morality is like a good foothold! Morality is like a purifying bath! Morality is like a solid cement foundation! Morality is like a key to success! Morality is like a cool breeze! Morality is like a hidden fortune! Morality is like a scent drifting even against the wind! Morality is like a staircase to heaven! Morality is like an aura of fine radiance! Morality is like an innocent and rapturous joy! Morality is like a much respected fame!
Being Drunk and/or Drugged is always being Blurred and Blinded... While drunk/drugged can one know what is best for oneself? NO! While drunk/drugged can one know what is best for others? NO! While drunk/drugged can one ever be respected by others? NO! While drunk/drugged can one be truly upright & respectable? NO! While drunk/drugged can one do a really good & valuable job? NO! While drunk/drugged can one enjoy the result of a good job? NO! While drunk/drugged can one meditate well and be absorbed? NO! While drunk/drugged can one study, reflect and reason well? NO! While drunk/drugged can one remember, and recollect well? NO! While drunk/drugged can one make any progress spiritually? NO! While drunk/drugged can one make progress professionally? NO! While drunk/drugged can one make any progress personally? NO! Is there any advantage or good at all in being drunk/drugged? NO! Is being just a little drunk/drugged just little evil or a tiny good? NO! Is there any valid excuse for going completely clean and clear? NO! Will those who regurgitates this medicine ever be healed at all? NO! Is social and economic fall certain by being drunk/drugged? YES! Is the sadness of a spoiled life sure by being drunk/drugged? YES! Is bodily and mental decay severe by being drunk/drugged? YES! Is one made into an addicted zombie by being drunk/drugged? YES! Is one's behaviour often sub-human by being drunk/drugged? YES! Is the future kammic effect of inebriation insanity/stupidity? YES! Is being drunk and or drugged thus quite self-destructive? YES! Is being drunk and or drugged thus indeed quite irrational? YES! Is being drunk and drugged literally the way leading to Hell? YES! Is complete abstinence from all intoxication a VICTORY? YES! Who is the Winner? Are you and all other beings you contact! YES! :-)
The 5th precept laid down by the Buddha for all was therefore: Suramerayamajja pamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami. I hereby accept the training of avoiding all drinks & drugs causing carelessness.
The Blessed Buddha further explained this avoidance by: Abandoning the use of intoxicants, the disciple of the Noble Ones abstains from taking intoxicants. Doing so, he gives freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, freedom from harm to limitless numbers of beings. In giving freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, freedom from oppression to limitless numbers of beings, he gains a share in limitless freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, and from oppression. This is the fifth gift, the 5th great gift, original, long-standing, traditional, ancient, totally unadulterated, unadulterated from the beginning, that is not open to any suspicion, that never will be open to any suspicion, & is recognized by every contemplative & recluse. And this is the 8th reward of merit, reward of skillfulness, nourishment of real happiness, human as divine, resulting in happiness, leading to heaven, leading to what is desirable & attractive, leading to what is pleasurable and appealing. Leading to the Welfare and to Happiness of all living Beings... Yeah Keep Clean!
Binara Poya day is the full-moon of September. This holy day celebrates the inauguration of the Bhikkhuni Sangha by the ordination on this very day of Queen Mahapajapati, the Buddha's foster-mother & her retinue. For life details on this excellent woman, who awakened as Arahat Theri: http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/maha/mahapajapati_gotami.htm
On such Full-Moon Uposatha Poya Observance days: Any Lay Buddhist simply joins the Three Refuges and undertakes the Five Precepts like this: Newly bathed, shaved, white-clothed, with clean bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue, and bows first three times, so that feet, hands, elbows, knees & head touch the floor. Then, with joined palms at the heart, one recites these memorized lines in a loud, calm & steady voice:
As long as this life lasts: I hereby take refuge in the Buddha. I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma. I hereby take refuge in the Sangha. I hereby seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time. I hereby seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time. I hereby seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time. I hereby request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time. I hereby request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd time. I hereby request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time. I will hereby respect these Three Jewels the rest of my life!
I accepts to respect & undertake these 5 training rules: I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Killing. I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Stealing. I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Sexual Abuse. I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Dishonesty. I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Alcohol & Drugs. As long as this life lasts, I am thus protected by these 5 precepts...
Then, one keeps and protects these sacred vows better than one's own eyes & children!, since they protect you & all other beings much better than any army! They are the highest offer one can give in & to this world! So is the start towards Nibbana: The Deathless Element! This is the Noble Way to Peace, to Freedom, to Ease, to Happiness, initiated by Morality, developed further by Dhamma-Study and fulfilled by training of Meditation...
Today indeed is Pooya or Uposatha or observance day, where any lay Buddhist normally keeps even the Eight Precepts from sunrise until the next dawn... If any wish an official recognition by the Bhikkhu-Sangha, they may simply forward the lines starting with "I hereby ..." signed with name, date, town & country to me or join here. A public list of this new quite rapidly growing new global Saddhamma-Sangha is set up here!
The Blessed Buddha once said: Bhikkhus and Friends: There are these four infinite mental states: The Bhikkhu pervades all beings with all-embracing friendliness... The Bhikkhu encompass all creatures with universal & endless pity... The Bhikkhu permeates all individuals with infinite and mutual joy... The Bhikkhu suffuses all living mortals with unlimited equanimity... First in one direction, then in the 2nd, then the 3rd, & finally the 4th, above, below, all around, in every location, unifying himself with all beings, he pervades the entire universe with a kind and all-embracing friendliness, with an all-encircling compassion & pity, with an all-enveloping mutual and altruistic joy, and with an all-encompassing imperturbable equanimity, fully utilizing a refined mind, made great, vast, profound, infinite, immeasurable, released from all hate, anger, irritation, opposition and stubbornness... Source: DN 33
Because of hate, overwhelmed and obsessed by hate, one lives while doing evil deeds, speaking wrong words, and thinking bad thoughts... Thus one neither really understands one's own welfare, nor the welfare of others, nor the welfare of both... If, however, this hate is overcome and subdued, then one lives while doing good deeds, speaking kind words, and thinking advantageous thoughts... Therefore one really knows, what is one's own welfare, for the welfare of others, & for the welfare of both one self & others... Source: AN 3:55
The Blessed Buddha once pointed out some fine future fruits: I: The release of mind by universal friendliness developed linked with the 7 links to Enlightenment, has the beautiful liberation as culmination!
II: The release of mind by compassionate pity developed all joined with the 7 links to Enlightenment, has the infinitude of space, as culmination! This is the 1st formless absorption.
III: The release of mind by altruistic & mutual joy developed all linked with the 7 links to Enlightenment, has the infinitude of consciousness, as ultimate culmination... This is the 2nd formless absorption.
IV: The release of mind by imperturbable equanimity developed combined with the 7 links to Enlightenment, has the sphere of nothingness, as the absolute culmination... This is the 3rd formless absorption.
So do these 4 divine & infinite states of friendliness, pity, mutual joy and equanimity, when cultivated together with the 7 links to Enlightenment: Awareness, Investigation, Energy, Joy, Tranquillity, Concentration and Equanimity, lead to entry and absorption into these 4 sublime formless mental dimensions of supra-mundane consciousness...
The Blessed Buddha often emphasized: 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, such release of mind by universal friendliness far excels & surpasses them all... Itivuttaka 27
See this good being is happy! How fine! How excellent! Let there be Happiness! Let there indeed be Freedom! Let there indeed be Peace! Let there be Bliss.... Let there be Understanding of this good principle. Buddhaghosa
May all beings be joyous and safe! Let every creature's mind rejoice! Let every single living being's mind be exceedingly jubilant! One should maintain an infinite friendliness for every single living being, in gentle sympathy for this entire universe, unlimited, endless and vast! This is the Divine Dwelling while actually here, they say. Buddha Gotama
The Bhikkhu pervades all beings with all-embracing friendliness ... The Bhikkhu encompass all beings with universal & endless pity ... The Bhikkhu permeates all beings with infinite & mutual joy ... The Bhikkhu suffuses all beings with unlimited equanimity ... Digha Nikaya 33
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
Thus he who both day and night takes delight in harmlessness sharing love with all that live, finds enmity with none. Samyutta Nikaya I 208
The Blessed Buddha once explained: On any occasion, Bhikkhus, when mind is excited and high, then it is time for training the Tranquillity Link to Awakening, the Concentration Link to Awakening, and the Equanimity Link to Awakening. Why is it so? Because when the mind is excited and high, Bhikkhus, then it is easy to calm it down with exactly those mental states... Imagine, Bhikkhus, a man wants to extinguish a great fire. If he throws wet grass, wet cow-dung, wet timber into it, sprays it with water, and scatters soil over it, would he be able to extinguish that great bonfire? Yes, Venerable Sir. Even so here, Bhikkhus, on any occasion, when the mind is excited and high, then it is convenient to train & develop the Tranquillity Link to Awakening, the Concentration Link to Awakening, & the Equanimity Link to Awakening. Why is it so? Because when the mind is excited and high, Bhikkhus, then it is easy to calm it down & still it with the qualities of exactly those states! Awareness, however, Bhikkhus, I tell you, is always useful & good to train!
Ultra Aware and Alert, but not the least Agitated!
The Blessed Buddha once said: In so far as there are beings without feet, with two feet or with four feet, or with many feet, with form or formless, conscious or unconscious, or neither-conscious-nor-unconscious, of all these the Tathagata is the highest, Arahat, a Perfectly Self-Awakened One... Whoever has faith in the Buddha, has faith in what is truly highest! For those who have faith in the highest, the highest is the result... In so far as there are conditioned states, the Noble 8-fold Way is truly the highest. Whoever has faith in this noble 8-fold Way, has faith in what is highest! For those who have faith in the highest, the highest will be the result. In so far as there are states, whether constructed or unconstructed, dispassion, stilling, ceasing is truly the highest of these states, that is Nibbana... Whoever has faith in this State, has faith in what is highest! For those who have faith in the highest, the highest will be the result... In so far as there are communities, companies and groups, the community of the Disciples of the Buddha is truly the highest of these, an unsurpassed Field of Merit. Whoever has faith in the Sangha, has faith in what is highest! Those who have faith in the highest, will experience the highest...
The Blessed Buddha once said: Here, Ananda, the Bhikkhu considers it all like this: This is the supreme peace, this is sublime calm: The stilling of all formations, the silencing of all mental construction, the relinquishing of all substrata fuelling existence, the fading away of all craving, detachment, release, ceasing, Nibbana... In this way, Ananda, the Bhikkhu may enter a mental absorption in which there is no notion of 'I' and 'mine', no attacks of conceiving any internal consciousness or any external objects and wherein he is both mentally released and fully liberated through understanding this all... In this silenced and wholly stilled state there is no inclination to "I" and "mine-making", and no more attacks of conceit by latent tendencies to identification, egotism, and narcissism! Anguttara Nikaya AN 3:32
Knowing both what the inner is and the outer is, one is neither stirred, nor troubled any more! When thus stilled and imperturbable, there is neither any attraction, nor any repulsion... One has crossed and escaped ageing and death!!! Sutta Nipata 1048
The Blessed Buddha once said: There will come a time, Bhikkhus, when all the mighty oceans will evaporate, dry up, vanish, and exist no more. But there will be no end of Suffering for beings who, blinded by Ignorance and obsessed by Craving, are hurrying and hastening through this samsaric round of endless rebirths...So is it! One day this mighty planet earth will explode in a gigantic burst of fire, be completely destroyed, and exist no more. But there will be no end of Misery for beings who, obstructed by Ignorance and addicted by Craving, are hurrying, even running and hastening from birth to repeated death in this round of rebirths... This I have now explained to you!
The Blessed Buddha once said: The homeless one should not follow after these Two Extremes: 1: Giving in to indulgence in easy sensual pleasure, which is banal, primitive, vulgar, not noble, & disadvantageous on a very long term! Neither should he 2: Practice martyr self-torture, which is painful, not noble, and disadvantageous. The Blessed One has avoided both these extremes, and found the Golden Middle Way, which gives one both vision and understanding, which leads to peace, to clear insight, to Enlightenment, to Nibbana... It is this very Noble 8-fold Way that leads to the final irreversible ceasing of absolutely all Suffering:
Right View Right Motivation Right Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Right Effort Right Awareness Right Concentration
These Eight Noble Links, Friends and Bhikkhus, are to be developed for the full comprehension & elimination of all greed, hate, confusion, anger, envy, stinginess, hypocrisy, shrewdness, disloyalty, conceit, stubbornness, irritation, haughty arrogance, and lethargic laziness! These Noble 8 Links will induce their complete annihilation, ceasing, overcoming, vanishing, abandoning, destruction, evaporation, and the ultimate detaching release from all these mental horrors!
How does a Bhikkhu dwell pervading one direction with his mind endued with compassion? Just as he would feel compassion on seeing an unlucky, unfortunate person, so he pervades all beings with boundless compassion! Therefore first of all, on eyeing a wretched man, deplorable, unfortunate, in every way a fit object for compassion, horrid, reduced to utter misery, with hands and feet cut off, sitting in the shelter for the weak & helpless with an empty dirty pot placed before him, with maggots in all his wounds, moaning, compassionate pity should be felt for him in this way: This being has been reduced to misery: If only he could be freed from his suffering! Similarly too should a Bhikkhu whose meditation subject is compassion also arouse compassion for an evil-wrong-doing person, even if he is happy now: Though this poor wretch is now happy, cheerful, & enjoying his wealth, but still, since he has neglected to do even one single good deed, he can come to experience untold suffering anytime after a downfall to the states of loss! Such infinitely compassionate pity he feels towards all beings and especially both towards himself, the dear friend, the neutral one, & the hostile person, thereby breaking down the wrong attitude barrier separating these objects. Vbh 273, Vism I 315
The Blessed Buddha once said: There are, Bhikkhus and Friends, five methods to quell Hate and Anger. Which are these?
Towards any person against whom hatred and anger have arisen, 1: One should quickly direct mind to, cultivate and develop: All-embracing, gentle and kind friendliness towards that person... or 2: One should quickly direct mind to, cultivate and develop: compassion and pity ... mutual joy and ... indifferent equanimity ... or 3: One should avoid and not pay that person any attention at all ... or 4: One should remind oneself of the law of ownership of kamma or 5: One should know that this person too is the owner and inheritor of his own actions, that he is born and created by them, that his actions are his future foundation, and that he will have both his good and bad actions as his inevitable future... In these 5 ways one may overcome hate and anger...
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 Symbiosis Friendliness means Sympathy Friendliness means Basic Trust
The Blessed Buddha once said: A friend who always lends a hand, a friend both in sorrow and joy, a friend who offers good counsel, a friend who sympathizes too. These are the four kinds of true friends: one who is wise, having understood, will always cherish and serve such friends just as a mother tends her only child. DN III 188
As a mother even with her life protects her only child, so let one cultivate immeasurable loving-kindness towards all living beings.
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 the release of mind by infinite & endless friendliness far excels & even surpasses them all. Itivuttaka 27
He who does not strike nor makes others strike, who robs not nor makes others rob, sharing love with all that live, finds enmity with none. Itivuttaka 22
Thus he who both day and night takes delight in harmlessness sharing love with all that live, finds enmity with none. SN I 208
When one with a mind of love feels compassion for the entire world -- above, below and across, unlimited everywhere. Jataka 37
I am a friend of the footless, I am a friend of the bipeds; I am a friend of those with four feet, I am a friend of the many-footed. May not the footless harm me, may not the bipeds harm me, may not those with four feet harm me, and may not those with many feet harm me. AN II 72
Among tigers, lions, leopards & bears I lived on the wood. No one was frightened of me, nor did I fear anyone. Uplifted by such universal friendliness I enjoyed the forest. Finding great solace in silent solitude. Suvanna-sama Jataka 540
I am a friend and helper to all, I am sympathetic to all living beings. I develop a mind full of love and takes always delight in harmlessness. I gladden my mind, fill it with joy, and make it immovable and unshakable. I develop the divine states of mind not cultivated by simple men. Theragatha. 648-9
The Blessed Buddha once said: How, Nandiya, does a Noble Disciple live in alert elevated joy? Here, Nandiya, any Noble Disciple is endowed with verified conviction in the Buddha thus: Worthy, honourable & perfectly self-Enlightened is the Buddha! Not satisfied with that verified conviction in the Buddha, he makes a further effort in solitude by day and seclusion at night! When thus enthusiastic, he is elevated by alertness! When thus elevated by alertness, then gladness is born! When he is gladdened, then a rapturous joy arises! When the mind is uplifted by joy, the body becomes all tranquil... One tranquil in body experiences a pure bliss of happiness! The mind of one who is happy becomes condensed and concentrated... When mind is concentrated, even subtle phenomena become plain & manifest. Since these subtle phenomena become plain and manifest, he becomes one, who lives and dwells in alert elevated joy...
Source (edited extract): The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:398] Section 55 on Stream-Entry: Sotapattisamyutta. Thread 40: Nandiya.
Effect of Action is not fixed, but Modifiable by new Action:
Painful effects of past wrong action is reduced by future right action. Painful effects of past wrong action is enhanced by more wrong action. Pleasurable effects of past right action is reduced by new wrong action. Pleasurable effects of past right action is enhanced by right action now.
Behaviour (kamma) is almost always mixed: Sometimes good, often bad! Later effects are thus similarly mixed: Sometimes pleasure, often pain... Good begets good & dilutes & delays evil. Evil begets evil & delays good!
The Blessed Buddha once explained: The destroying and cruel killing of any living being, Bhikkhus and Friends, committed, carried out, and often pursued, leads to Hell, the animal world, or the realm of ghosts. Even the least result of killing living beings brings a short future lifetime. Killing brings a bad and painful future & quick death! The taking of other people's belongings, committed, carried out, and often pursued, leads to Hell, the animal world, or the realm of hungry ghosts... Even the slightest result of stealing other people's belongings brings the future loss of one's own goods & property and induces thus future poverty! Adultery and illegitimate sex, committed, carried out, and often pursued, leads to Hell, rebirth as animal, or in realm of ugly ghosts. Even the minimum result of unlawful sex brings future enmity, jealousy, envy & vicious rivalry! Lying, committed, carried out, and often pursued, leads to Hell, the animal world, or the realm of ghosts. Even the weakest result of lying brings future false accusations, blame, condemnation, despise and evil-minded complaints! Tale-bearing, slander, divisive speech of gossip & malicious rumours committed, carried out, & often done, leads to Hell, animal world, or the realm of ghosts. Even the slightest result of tale-bearing brings discord, disagreement and splitting conflicts even with one's closest friends, family and associates. Harsh, hurting and aggressive speech, committed, carried out, and often done, leads to rebirth in Hell, rebirth in the animal world, or the realm of ghosts. Even the smallest result of abusive language echoes back future relentless, rude and ruthless rebuke, vicious verbal scolding and insulting insinuations! Vain and empty gossip, prattle, and hearsay committed, carried out, & often pursued, leads to Hell, the animal world, or the realm of ghosts. Even the least result of vain and void prattle brings future hearing of unacceptable and disagreeable stories, foul-mouthed speech, & offensive unpleasant words! Drinking intoxicating drinks, such as wine and liquor, committed, carried out, and often pursued, leads to rebirth in Hell, the animal world, or the realm of hungry ghosts. Even the minutest result of drinking alcoholic drinks brings future dementia and lunatic insanity either in this or in a future life!
Beings are owners of their actions (kamma), inheritor of their own actions, are created and conditioned by their actions, and linked to their actions! Their actions produce, shape, limit and prepare their future destiny... Whatever action they perform; good as evil, the resulting reaction and inevitable consequential effects will be theirs only! Be careful!
Kamma causes and creates a rebirth location! A shadow that never leaves!
The Blessed Buddha once said: Bhikkhus and Friends: Once the mental release by infinite Friendliness has been developed, frequently practised, firmly established, expanded, made a vehicle, foundation, and brought to full perfection, then it will be impossible for ill-will to take possession of and obsess the mind, for the mental release by infinite Friendliness is the release from all ill-will! Once the mental release by compassionate Pity & tender understanding has been developed, frequently practised, firmly established, expanded, made a vehicle, foundation, and brought to full perfection, then it will be impossible for violence to take possession of and obsess the mind, for the mental release by compassionate Pity is the release from all violence! Once the mental release by mutual Joy rejoicing in other being's success has been developed, frequently practised, firmly established, expanded, made a vehicle, foundation, and brought to full perfection, then it will be impossible for discontent to take possession of & obsess the mind, for the mental release by mutual Joy is the release from all discontent! Once the mental release by serene, still and imperturbable Equanimity has been developed, frequently practised, firmly established, expanded, made a vehicle, foundation, and brought to full perfection, then it will be impossible for greed & lust to take possession of & obsess the mind, for release by imperturbable Equanimity is the deliverance from all greed!
One should be grateful towards one's Parents! Why so? They have worked hard and very long raising one into being!
One should be grateful towards one's Teachers! Why so? They do much to make one learn and understand the good...
One should be grateful towards one's Friends! Why so? They have shown one an open kindness and much goodwill!
One should be grateful towards one's Spouse! Why so? They have loyally accompanied one along a long way...
What is the future kammic effect of gratitude or ungratefulness? The one who is grateful will receive gifts and favours ever again! The one who is ungrateful will never again receive gifts or favours ! Thankfulness wisely invested thus pays back quite a lot!
Whenever and wherever there is expectation, there is also hoping & longing! Whenever and wherever there is hoping & longing, there is also craving... Whenever and wherever there is craving, there is also suffering! This is the 2nd Noble Truth: Craving causes suffering... Whenever & wherever there is neither expectation, nor hoping, nor longing, nor any form of craving present, how can there ever be any suffering? This is the 3rd Noble Truth: Absence of craving ends all suffering...
Discontent Disappointment is NOT caused by the outside world! 'Loving' and 'liking' mixed with expectation => passion => suffering! 'Loving' and 'liking' without expectation = friendliness => elevation! These 2 forms of “love” lookalike, but are VERY different in outcome! Expectation is an often subconscious diluted derivative of greed, which nevertheless retains the ability to ruin any relationship and any life by inducing the mischievous and treacherous mental state called discontent! This discontent is NOT caused by the external object as often believed, but by the very 'own' internal hidden prejudgement inherent in expectation!
Awareness of Emerging Expectation Helps: If one notices expectation right when it arises, and also when it persists, this enables reflecting: "Now future suffering is created and maintained!"! This in itself gradually will reduce this diluted derivative of painful craving.
Comments
The Visuddhimagga — The Path of Purification:
The Classic Manual of Buddhist Doctrine and Meditation, translated from
the Pali by Bhikkhu Ñanamoli is now fully online here free of charge.
A deep bow of gratitude to the many ATI & BPS volunteers! _/\_
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/pdfs/PathofPurification2011.pdf
The Visuddhimagga: The Path of Purification is now On-line free!
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/pdfs/PathofPurification2011.pdf
Effective is the Simile of the Saw with 11 Advantages!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
If, Bhikkhus and friends, evil robbers should cut off your limbs with a
double-handled saw, whoever gives way to anger would not be acting
on my advice. For thus should you train yourselves: Unperturbed shall
our minds remain, no evil words shall escape our lips, friendly and full
of sympathy shall we remain, with heart full of goodwill, without any
hidden ill will, will we pervade all beings with only friendly thoughts,
intense, vast, deep, infinite, freed from all hate, anger and irritation!
MN 21
If, Bhikkhus, this sublime mental release by all-embracing friendliness
has been much trained and developed, made one's vehicle & foundation,
if it is firmly established, brought to greatness and full perfection,
one may expect these eleven blessings:
1: One sleeps peacefully! 2: One Awakes peacefully 3: No evil dreams!
4: One is liked by all humans & 5: non-humans 6: The Devas protect one!
7: Fire, poison, & weapons cannot touch one 8: Quick is concentration!
9: One's features brighten up! 10: No panic at death! 11: One is reborn
in the fine-material Brahma-world or even higher...
AN 11:16
More on these 4 Infinite and Divine States (Appamañña Brahma-Vihara):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/brahma_vihaara.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Buddha_on_Noble_Frienship.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Selfless_Friendship_is_Sweetest.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/All_Embracing_Kindness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/All-Embracing_Kindness.htm
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/nanamoli/wheel007.html
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoicing_Bliss_is_Mudita.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Blazing_Friendliness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/United_in_Harmony.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Good_Friend.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Goodwill_Encore.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Blazing_&_Bright.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Friendliness_Frees.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kalyanamitta.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Metta.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
The Simile of the Saw!
Turning the Cheek 7.0 :-) Goodwill is much stronger than Revenge...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The-Effective_Saw.htm
Acutely Aware is Aloof, Above, and at Ease!
Once the Blessed One was staying at Vesali in Ambapali's grove.
There and then, he taught the Bhikkhus in this very way:
Bhikkhus a Noble Friend should remain: Aware and Settled!
And how does a Noble remain Aware?
In this: Such Noble Friend sees any Body as just a frame of materiality
- a mere transient physical form - thereby keeping any lust and rejection
arisen for and of this world under firm control. Aroused, composed, & alert.
Such Noble Friend sees any Feeling as just a reaction to sense contact
- a mere short-lived mental response - thereby keeping any desire & aversion
arisen for this world under firm control. Just eager, calm and clear.
Such Noble Friend sees any Mentality as just a passing set of moods
- a mere ever-changing complex habitual mental formation - thereby keeping
any craving and anger arisen from this world under firm control, by being
keen, balanced and attentive.
Such Noble Friend sees any phenomenon as just a fleeting experience
- a mere blinking appearance of a momentary mental state - thereby keeping
any attraction and repulsion arisen from this world under firm control by
remaining aloof, above, at ease while acutely aware. Thus is a Noble Aware...
And how does a Noble remain Settled?
In this: When going out, & when returning such Friend is continuously
settled in awareness of exactly that relocation…
When looking forward, & when gazing backward such Noble Friend is
continuously settled in awareness of just exactly that seeing…
When bending a leg, & when stretching an arm such Noble Friend is
continuously settled in awareness of only exactly that movement…
When wearing a robe, & when bearing a bowl such Noble Friend is
continuously settled in awareness of exactly that presence...
When eating, when drinking, when chewing, when tasting, and
when swallowing such Noble Friend is continuously settled in
awareness of exactly that eating process…
When using the toilet, when walking, standing, sitting, lying, sleeping,
waking up, speaking, and when keeping silent such Noble Friend is
continuously settled in awareness of exactly that activity...
Thus is a Noble Settled...
A Bhikkhu should remain Aware and Settled, Bhikkhus.
This is our instruction to you.
Comments.
Unfailing Continuity of clear Awareness is the crucial issue here!
That settled unfailing Awareness of all moments as they pass by mind
flickering in time, can disable and eliminate the otherwise domineering
autopilot and always pleasure-seeking monkey-mind!
Black-hole non-awareness should noted in these common daily situations:
"Oops where is my keys?", "Ach, I forgot my umbrella there... again!"
Illustrative Story:
A Zen monk once sought a teacher living in the mountains. When he
reached his hut, he quickly entered after leaving his sandals outside.
After his reverential bowing, but before he could make any request,
this teacher asked him:
"To which side of the door did you put your sandals outside?"
Stunned by the fact that he could not remember this trivial fact,
he realized just there on the very spot, that establishing unfailing
continuous awareness was an essential requirement, he yet had to
fulfill... He stayed therefore for years on this mountain with that
well seeing teacher to do exactly that!
Source:
Samyutta Nikaya - Kindred Sayings V
On the four foundations of Awareness.
The Awareness Ability:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Clear_and_Aware_Comprehension.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Four_Foundations_of_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Careful_and_Rational_Attention.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Accumulating_Advantage.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Awareness_Ability.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Aware_and_Composed.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sati_a_la_Anuruddha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Awareness_Analysis.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/One_and_only_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Crucial_Foundation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Winning_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Noble_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Awareness_Sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Clever_Presence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sati_in_Solitude.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Sati_Summary.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sati_Acute.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Sati_Studies.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Aware and Settled!
Oops where did I put my keys?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Aware_and_Settled.htm
How to be a Real Buddhist through Observance?
Nikini Poya day is the full-moon of August. Bhikkhus who did not enter the yearly
rains retreat (Vas) early at Esala Poya day (peravas), are allowed to enter the
the rains retreat now in August (pasuvas). Nikini Poya day celebrates the first ever
Dhammasangayana - The First Buddhist Council where, what the Buddha said, was
agreed upon and recited. This took place at the Saptapanni Rock Cave in Rajagaha
(now Rajgir, India), under the patronage of Mahakassapa Thera and it went on for
seven long months. It established the original authentic Tipitaka: The 3 Baskets
of Sacred Text = The Pali Canon spoken by the historical Buddha and his disciples.
One of the 7 Sattapanni Caves, where the First Buddhist Council was held ~ 483 BC.
On this first Buddhist Council:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Buddhist_Council
On such Observance days:
Any Lay Buddhist simply joins the Three Refuges and undertakes
the Five Precepts like this: Newly bathed, shaved, white-clothed,
with clean bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue,
and bows first three times, so that feet, hands, elbows, knees and
head touch the floor. Then, with joined palms in front of the heart,
one recite these memorized lines in a loud, calm & steady voice:
As long as this life lasts:
I hereby take refuge in the Buddha.
I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma.
I hereby take refuge in the Sangha.
I hereby seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time.
I hereby request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time.
I will hereby respect these Three Jewels the rest of my life!
I accept to respect & undertake these 5 training rules:
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Killing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Stealing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Sexual Abuse.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Dishonesty.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Alcohol & Drugs.
As long as this life lasts, I am thus protected by these 5 precepts...
Then, one keeps and protects these sacred vows better than one's
own eyes & children!, since they protect you & all other beings much
better than any army! They are the highest offer one can give in & to
this world! So is the start towards Nibbana: the Deathless Element!
This is the Noble Way to Peace, to Freedom, to Ease, to Happiness,
initiated by Morality, developed further by Dhamma-Study and
fulfilled by training of Meditation...
Today indeed is Pooya or Uposatha or observance day, where any lay
Buddhist normally keeps the Eight Precepts from sunrise until the
next dawn... If any wish an official recognition by the Bhikkhu-Sangha,
they may simply forward the lines starting with "I hereby ..." signed with
name, date, town & country to me or join here:
A public list of this new Saddhamma-Sangha is set up here!
The New Noble Community of Disciples: The Saddhamma Sangha:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Saddhamma_Sangha.htm
And can quite advantageously be Joined Here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm
May your journey hereby be light, swift and sweet. Never give up !!
Bhikkhu Samahita: what.buddha.said@gmail.com
For Details on Uposatha Observance Days:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/uposatha.html
This huge cave hall was built to house the Sixth Buddhist Council convened in 1955
to recite the Pali Tipitaka and authenticate the texts. On the 2,500th Anniversary
of the Buddha’s final passing away (Parinibbana), 2,500 monks assembled from the
Theravada Buddhist countries. Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw performed the central
role as Chief Questioner (Pucchaka), which was fulfilled by Venerable Mahakassapa
in the First Council, held three months after the Buddha’s passing away. To house
this great hall, an artificial hill was constructed by voluntary workers at Kaba-Aye
in Rangoon. This great hall is still used to hold the examinations in the Tipitaka.
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Today is Nikini Poya Day.
True Buddhists Respect the Poya Days!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/III/Nikini_Poya_Day.htm
How does the 7 Links to Awakening induce Breakthrough?
The Blessed Buddha once said:
And what, bhikkhus, is the way that induce penetration?
It is: The Seven Links to Awakening! What seven?
1: The Awareness Link to Awakening: sati-sambojjhanga.
2: The Investigation Link to Awakening: dhammavicaya-sambojjhanga.
3: The Energy Link to Awakening: viriya-sambojjhanga.
4: The Joy Link to Awakening: piti-sambojjhanga.
5: The Tranquillity Link to Awakening: passaddhi-sambojjhanga.
6: The Concentration Link to Awakening: samadhi-sambojjhanga.
7: The Equanimity Link to Awakening: upekkha-sambojjhanga.
Then, the Venerable Udayi asked the Blessed Buddha:
Venerable Sir, how are the Seven Links to Awakening developed & cultivated
so that they lead to, and induce penetration?
Udayi, when a Bhikkhu develops the Seven Links to Awakening supported
by seclusion, disillusion, and ceasing, it culminates in a mental release,
which is vast, exalted, & infinite, without any trace of ill will.
With such exalted mind matured and refined by these 7 Links to Awakening,
he penetrates, smashes and eliminates the mass of greed, that he has never
before penetrated, smashed and eliminated; he penetrates, demolishes and
eradicates the heap of hate, that he has never before penetrated, demolished
and eradicated; and he penetrates, disintegrates & disperses the accumulation
It is, Udayi, when these Seven Links to Awakening are developed & cultivated
On the 7 Links to Awakening (Sambojjhanga):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Sun.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Peak.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Clothes.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Rare_Emergence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Sequential_Seven.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Vast_Penetration.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Seven_Fruits.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Unsurpassable_Seven.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/When_7_becomes_14.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_7_Links_to_Awakening.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Leading_to_Enlightenment.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Seven_Links_to_Awakening.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Cause_of_Knowledge_and_Vision.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Meaning_of_the-7_Links_to_Awakening.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Breakthrough!
How to gain access?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Vast_Penetration.htm
Equanimity gives delicate Peace & Happiness!
Equanimity (Upekkha) entails a composed equipoise of solid mental balance!
It is Tatra-majjhattata = keeping to the moderate middle of all phenomena.
Equanimity balances consciousness so it prevents both all excessiveness and
any deficiency. In equanimity mind is neither attracted by attractive things,
nor repelled by repulsive things. The cause of equanimity is seeing the law of
kamma: All beings are born and created by their kamma, they are owners of
their kamma, inherit their kamma, whatever they do, whether good or bad,
the effects of that will be theirs only, following them like a shadow of past!
The effect of Equanimity is threefold:
Exquisite, relaxed & subtle peace felt as calm happiness is instantly gained.
Equanimity purifies and completes all the 7 crucial Links to Awakening...
Equanimity is the proximate cause of knowledge and vision (ñanadassana)!
On the solidified & imperturbable mental balance of Equanimity (Upekkha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/tatra_majjhattataa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Serene_Equanimity_and_Beyond.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Imperturbable_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unshakable_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/u_v/upekkhaa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Equanimity_Upekkha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Empty_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Serene_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/High_and_Alert.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/What_is_Wrong.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Even_is_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Safe_Medicine.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Exquisite is Equanimity!
How are there Fourteen Links to Awakening?
The Blessed Buddha once said:
There is awareness of all internal states, & awareness of all external states.
Both kinds of awareness are leading to Enlightenment (sati-sambojjhanga).
There is investigation of both all internal states, and of all external states.
Both these investigations are links to Enlightenment (vicaya-sambojjhanga).
There is energy of body (strength), and energy of the mind (enthusiasm).
Both kinds of energy are leading to Enlightenment (viriya-sambojjhanga).
There is joy associated with thinking, and there is joy without any thinking.
Both kinds of joy are links leading to Enlightenment (piti-sambojjhanga).
There is tranquillity of the body, and there is tranquillity of the mind.
Both these calms are links to Enlightenment (passaddhi-sambojjhanga).
There is concentration during thinking and concentration without thinking.
Both concentrations are links to Enlightenment (samadhi-sambojjhanga).
There is equanimity both regarding internal states and external states.
Both these kinds are links to Enlightenment (upekkha-sambojjhanga).
This can only a Buddha, or a true disciple of a Buddha see, and explain...
Comments:
Awareness of all internal mental states is the most important, and highest.
Investigation of all internal mental states is the primary, and most fruitful.
Energy of the mind is the most advantageous, effective, and most enabling.
Joy without any thinking is the most rapturous, ecstatic, and all-pervading.
Tranquillity of the mind is the deepest, most calm, serene, and imperturbable.
Concentration without any thinking is the most one-pointed and absorbed.
Equanimity regarding internal mental states is the best guard and protection.
On the 7 Links to Awakening (Sambojjhanga):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Sun.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Peak.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Clothes.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Rare_Emergence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Sequential_Seven.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Vast_Penetration.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Seven_Fruits.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Unsurpassable_Seven.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_7_Links_to_Awakening.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Leading_to_Enlightenment.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Seven_Links_to_Awakening.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Cause_of_Knowledge_and_Vision.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Meaning_of_the-7_Links_to_Awakening.htm
Sources (edited extracts):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V: 111] 46: Links. 52: A way of Explaining...
When 7 becomes 14...
What only a few can explain!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/When_7_becomes_14.htm
Supreme Master was the Buddha!
It was through understanding, that the Blessed One discovered the Dhamma!
It was through compassion, that he taught it to the multitude of beings.
It was through understanding, that he felt disillusion with the rebirth round.
It was through compassion, that he bore it, while learning to liberate others.
It was through understanding, that he fully understood others' suffering,
It was through compassion, that he undertook to counteract this misery.
It was through understanding, that he himself crossed over to Nibbana!
It was through compassion, that he brought other beings across also...
It was through compassion, that he practised & taught no-cruelty to others.
It was through understanding, that he himself was fearless of all others.
It was through compassion, that he became this world's only real helper.
It was through understanding, that he became his own absolute helper.
It was through compassion, that he was humble and gentle as a Bodhisatta.
It was through understanding, that he gained majestic dignity as a Buddha.
It was through compassion, that he helped all beings as a safeguarding father.
It was through understanding, that he remained detached from all beings.
It was through understanding, that his mind was detached from all states.
For just as the Blessed One's compassion was without sentimental fondness
so was his supreme understanding free from the concepts of "I" and "mine"...
Vism. Comm: Pm. 192-93
On Perfectly Self-Enlightened Buddhas (SammaSamBuddhas):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/How-2-Meet_Buddha_Metteyya.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/sammaa_sambodhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_10_Future_Buddhas.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Buddha_Contemplation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/me_mu/metteyya.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/Metteyya/arimet00.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sumedhas_Similes.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Master_Presence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/SammaSambuddho.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Well_Gone.htm
Have a nice day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
The Blessed One!
How is the Faith leading to Lay Discipleship?
Having heard the Buddha speak the Lay Disciple exclaims:
Excellent, Lord, excellent! It is as if someone were to set up right what had
been knocked and turned upside-down, or it is as if someone revealed what
was covered up and hidden, or it is as if someone pointed out the way to one
who had got lost by going astray, or it is as if someone brought a lamp into a
dark place, so that those with eyes could see the forms there! Exactly so has
the Blessed Buddha explained this true Dhamma in many various clear ways.
Therefore do I, Venerable Sir, hereby take refuge in the Blessed Buddha,
hereby take refuge in the true Dhamma, and hereby take refuge in the
Noble Sangha... May the Blessed Buddha accept and know me as a lay-follower
from this day on and as long as this life shall last! So is the faith of those who
after countless lives at last have accumulated and now possesses the right and
ripe conditions for attaining the valuable state of lay disciple of a Buddha...
This is the very first step towards the Bliss of Deathless Nibbana!
On Faith (Saddha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Rich_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Fine_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Dual_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Raining_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Mutual_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Leaping_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Highest_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Fruitful_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Full_Faith_Frees.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Faith_Summary.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Power_of_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Devotion_is_Delight.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Unwavering_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Analysis_of_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Outstanding_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Going_Forth_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/saddhaa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Buddha_on_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Hand_Wealth_and_Seed.htm
Source: DN 2 The Fruits of Retreat: Samaññaphala Sutta I 85
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.02.0.than.html
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Fine is Faith!
The Disciple elevates his future...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Lay_Faith.htm
[size=150]What is Unwavering Faith & assured Confidence?[/size]
The blessed Buddha once noted:
Knowing, Friends, evil covetousness and wicked greed to be mental pollutions,
the Bhikkhu leaves them, rejects them, eliminates them and eradicates them...
Knowing hating ill will to be a mental pollution, he leaves all hostile ill will.
Knowing aversive anger to be a mental pollution, he rejects all anger.
Knowing vicious revenge to be a mental pollution, he avoids revenge.
Knowing contempt to be a mental pollution, he releases contempt.
Knowing tyranny to be a mental pollution, he abandons tyranny.
Knowing green envy to be a mental pollution, he deserts envy.
Knowing self-conceit to be a mental pollution, he quits conceit.
Knowing hypocrisy to be a mental pollution, he dodges hypocrisy.
Knowing negligence to be a mental pollution, he stops negligence.
Knowing puffed pride to be a mental pollution, he cuts out pride.
Knowing jealousy to be a mental pollution, he withdraws jealousy.
Knowing obstinacy to be a mental pollution, he gives up obstinacy.
Knowing vain vanity to be a mental pollution, he relinquishes vanity.
Knowing cheating fraud to be a mental pollution, he eschews fraud.
Knowing arrogance to be a mental pollution, he renounces arrogance.
When the Bhikkhu has eliminated all these polluting mental defilements,
he then gains unwavering Faith, unshakable Confidence and absolutely
immovable and imperturbable Conviction in the blessed Buddha thus:
Worthy, honourable and perfectly self-Enlightened is the Buddha!
Fully consummated in knowledge and behaviour, totally transcended,
expert in all dimensions, knower of all worlds, unsurpassable trainer
of those who can be tamed, both teacher and guide of gods as well
as humans, blessed, exalted, awakened & enlightened is the Buddha!
He gains unwavering Faith, Confidence & Conviction in the Dhamma
thus: Perfectly formulated is the Buddha-Dhamma, visible right here
and now, immediately effective, timeless, inviting each and everyone
to come and see for themselves, inspect, examine and verify...
Leading each and everyone through progress towards perfection!
Directly observable, experiencable & realizable by each intelligence!
He gains unwavering Faith, Confidence and Conviction in the Sangha
thus: Perfectly training is this Noble Sangha community of Buddha's
Noble disciples: Training the right way, the true way, the good way,
the direct way! Therefore do these 8 kinds of individuals, these four
Noble pairs, deserve both gifts, self-sacrifice, offerings, hospitality
and reverential salutation even with joined palms, since this Noble
Sangha community of the Buddha's Noble disciples, is indeed an
unsurpassable and forever unsurpassed field of merit, in this world,
for this world, to honour, support, award, respect, and protect!
When he has given up, left and eliminated these mental pollutions
he knows: I am convinced by steady unwavering Faith & Confidence
in the Buddha... in the Dhamma... in the Sangha... He therefore gains
enthusiasm for the goal, gains inspiration from the Dhamma, & gains
the gladness connected with this true Dhamma. When gladdened, a
rapturous joy is born in him; being joyous in mind, his body becomes
tranquil; his body being tranquil, he feels happiness; and the mind of
him, who is happy becomes concentrated into full intense absorption!
Faith is the seeding initiator of the Noble Way!
Source:
Majjhima Nikaya MN 7 Vatthupama Sutta: The Simile of the Cloth!
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.007.nypo.html
For further Faith (Saddha) please see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Buddha_on_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Going_Forth_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Outstanding_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Unwavering_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Analysis_of_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Power_of_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Highest_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Leaping_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Fruitful_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Mutual_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Dual_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Fine_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Rich_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Lay_Faith.htm
Passing it on to the next generation!
Confidence & Conviction!
Have a nice convinced day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Clinging to Wrong Views is Catastrophic!
The Buddha often emphasized wrong view as thee most detrimental:
When one has imagined, assumed, constructed, approved of and authorized
Wrong Views & opinions, then one is relying that, which is unstable & unsafe!
Clinging to these long cherished wrong views, are not easily relinquished...
One adheres to these persuasions having chosen them from among many
hypothetical ideas, laying down one assumption, just to take up a another
new fancy theory! A purified man, however, does indeed not form any view
about anything anywhere! He is not involved..! Having cut out all deceptions
illusions and conceits, where could such a clear-sighted man ever be driven?
An involved person, however, engages easily in disputes about opposed ideas,
but how can one ever dispute with one, who is not involved? He has neither
taken up, nor laid down anything, but has shaken off having any view at all!
Sutta-Nipata 784-787 Edited excerpt.
More on how to abandon Wrong Views:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Sun.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Certain_Rightness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_View.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Leaving_Wrong_View.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Not Involved!
Catastrophic are Wrong Views!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Not_Involved.htm
How is the Faith leading to the Going Forth?
Having heard the Buddha speak, a householder or a householder's son or
one born in some other family, hears that Buddha-Dhamma. On hearing this
sublime Dhamma, he acquires faith in the Tathagata. Possessing that faith,
he considers thus: Household life is crowded, cramped, frustrating & dusty!
The Life gone forth is out in the wide open... It is not easy, while living in a
home, to live this Noble life utterly perfect and pure, as a polished shell...
Suppose I shave off my hair and beard, put on the yellow robe, and go forth
from the home life into homelessness. On a later occasion, leaving behind any
small or large fortune, leaving behind a small or a large circle of relatives,
he shaves off his hair and beard, puts on the ochre robe, & then goes forth
from the home life into the free and open homelessness...
So is the faith of those, who after countless lives finally have accumulated
and possesses the right and ripe conditions for attaining the advantageous
state of a Bhikkhu under a Buddha! This is indeed the quickest step towards
winning the Bliss of the deathless Nibbana!
For more Fabulously Fine Faith (Saddha) please see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Buddha_on_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Outstanding_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Unwavering_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Analysis_of_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Power_of_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Highest_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Leaping_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Fruitful_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Mutual_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Dual_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Fine_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Rich_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Lay_Faith.htm
Source:
MN 27: Culahatthipadopama Sutta. Short Simile on Elephant Footprint
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.027.than.html
Going Forth Faith!
Lay life is dusty while the Noble life is out in the open ;-)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Going_Forth_Faith.htm
Avoiding all Controversies induces inner Peace!
The brahmin Magandiya asked the Buddha about how to find inner peace:
Mental purity is neither caused by particular views, nor by learning, nor by
knowledge, nor even by perfect morality. Neither by absence of right view,
missing learning, lack of knowledge, or tainted morality, not by that either!
Discarding all these oppositions, detached, calmed, independent, one stops
longing for any form of existence... Whoever thinks himself equal, superior,
or inferior, he will dispute on that account! But the imperturbable one does
not enter any self-deceit! Since for such one, there is no I-Me-Self or Ego
how much less can there then ever be any equal, inferior or superior I-Me-Self!
Leaving home, wandering homeless, not making acquaintances in any village,
free from desire for sensual pleasures, showing no preferences, such sage
will never engage in any controversy. One who really knows does not become
proud because of any particular view, learning, thought, or experience, for
he is not tied to, influenced by, or led by any of these momentary illusions..
He is completely released through his understanding. But those who cling to
certain experiences and particular views wander about causing controversy!
Sutta-Nipata 839-842-844-846-847 Edited excerpt.
Commentary:
This true speech made Magandiya and his wife never-returners (Anagamins).
More on selfless impersonality, ego-lessness, the No-Self fact (Anatta):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/I-dentification.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Ego-Projection.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Egoless.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Anatta_No_Self.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Self-less_Anatta.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Uprooting_Egoism.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Anatta_Doctrine.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Invisible_Impersonlatity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Egolessness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Neither_Agent_nor_Actor.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Without Controversy!
Not defending anything...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Without_Controversy.htm
Faith initiates the Noble path to Nibbâna!
Faith is the Seed, the Initiator, and thud the Source of the Beginning.
Faith is the Hand that takes up all the advantageous mental states.
Faith is the Wealth above all, since it brings real and lasting Happiness.
Faith is the Jump, since it enables beings to cross the flood of pain.
Faith is the Purifier, since it cleans contaminating pollutions of the mind.
For further Faith (Saddha) please see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Buddha_on_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Going_Forth_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Outstanding_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Unwavering_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Analysis_of_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Power_of_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Highest_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Leaping_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Fruitful_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Mutual_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Dual_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Fine_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Rich_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Lay_Faith.htm
Faith is the Seed!
How to grow lasting Happiness?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Faith_Summary.htm
Contemplating the Extent of own Generosity:
One naturally devoted to generosity by the constant practice of giving and
sharing makes the decision: From now on, whenever there is anyone present
to receive, I shall not eat even a single mouthful without having given a gift!
And that very day he should give a gift by sharing whatever according to his
means and his ability with those, who have distinguished mental qualities.
When he has apprehended the sign in that, he should go into solitary retreat
and recollect his own generosity in its special qualities of being free from
the stain of mean miserliness like this: It is gain for me, it is great gain for
me, that in a culture obsessed by the greedy stain of niggardliness, I abide
with my mind & heart free from penny-pinching stinginess. I delight indeed
in relinquishing by being freely generous & open-handed, always welcoming
any request by rejoicing in all altruistic giving and sharing (AN III 287 ).
Any who gives life by giving food will get life & strength either divine or as
a human (AN III 42 ). Any giver is loved & frequented by many (AN III 40 ).
One who gives, is ever loved, according to the wise man's law! (AN III 41 ).
When a Bhikkhu is devoted to this recollection of generosity, he becomes
ever more intent on generosity, his favourite becomes non-greedy charity,
he acts with kind, noble, & loving liberality, and he gains a fine lion-heart.
He enjoys much happiness and gladness. And if he penetrates no higher, he
is at least headed for a happy destiny.
The Gods became Gods as a result of their magnanimous Giving!
Now when a man is truly wise,
His constant task will surely be
This recollection of his prior giving
Blessed with such mighty potency!
Vism I 224
More on Generosity (Dana) = The 1st mental perfection:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/giving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_3_Gifts.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Glad_Giving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/caaga.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Kathina_Ceremony.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/daana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Openhanded_Generosity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Generosity_Contemplation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_leading_to_Wealth_or_Poverty.htm
Have a nice open-handed day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Reviewing Own Generosity!
Is consciousness moving at death to the next life?
No! Since consciousness arise & cease right here, it cannot move anywhere!
It is not continuous, but contiguous discrete mental states as pearls on a string.
The prior moment of consciousness contains the properties that conditions the
arising of the next moment of consciousness! These inherent properties are
mainly craving for (conscious) sensing & craving for becoming anew into being.
If these cravings are present in the rebirth-linking moment of consciousness,
then the next moment of consciousness will arise immediately after the death,
but now in another location and body, which qualities (or lack of) also are all
conditioned by properties within the rebirth-linking moment of consciousness…
Example:
If ignorance is dominant in the rebirth-linking moment of consciousness,
then an animal rebirth is to be expected. If harmonious peace and settled
mental calmness based on a long life of doing good are the dominant factors
right in the rebirth-linking moment of consciousness, then a divine deva rebirth
is to be expected. If anger, hostile enmity, envy and hate are dominant in the
rebirth-linking moment of consciousness, a rebirth in hell is to be expected...
So what actually passes on is CAUSALITY: That is conditioning factors of
mental forces! Nothing more! No form, feeling, perception, construction, or
consciousness passes on, or can ever endure from one moment to the next...
No "Self, I, Me, Body, Identity, or Ego" passes on, because they never really
existed in the first place, so how can they ever then pass on?!?
The classic example is the 2 candles:
Candle A is in flame. (=Dying individuality)
This is then used to light or ignite Candle B (=Reborn individuality).
By this very ignition the flame of Candle A is extinguished…
Only candle B is now burning: What now was passed on !-?-!
Is the flame of Candle B now the SAME, as the flame of Candle A?
Not so. Candle B burns by its own flame, but it was turned on by flame A!
Is the flame of Candle B now DIFFERENT from the flame of Candle A?
Not really so either. Since Candle B started burning from the flame A!
What is Reborn?: Neither the SAME individuality, nor ANOTHER!
What am ‘I’ & ‘Person’?: Neither the SAME nor ANOTHER!
Not a fixed entity, but a streaming process of ever renewed
arisings and ceasings of impersonal mental and physical states…
Just moments of name-&-form passes on!
In brevity:
Question: What passes on at death?
Answer: The forces or streams of: Ignorance, Greed, and Hate,
and derivatives thereof, passes on at death and also in every
moment of this life! One is reborn not only at death, but at
every conscious moment of this endless life cycle itself also...
Re-arising rebirth occurs billions of times per second!
Neither as the same, nor as another...
Regarding Buddhist Theory of Rebirth-Linking (patisandhi) see also:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/n_r/patisandhi.htm
Kamma and Rebirth: Nyanatiloka Thera:
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/Wheels/wh394.pdf
Enjoy further details on Rebirth here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Rare_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Divine_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Animal_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Samsaric_Dread.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Minor_Hells.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Hell_Destiny.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Five_Destinations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_5_Destinations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Kamma_and_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Samsaric_Round.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mad_Demon_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Human_Being_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Hungry_Ghost_Rebirth.htm
Rebirth-Linking is Transmigration!
Is consciousness moving at death to the next life?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/What_passes_on_by_Rebirth-Linking.htm
Kinship with All: Be Gentle and Kind towards your Family!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
It is not easy, Bhikkhus & Friends, to find even a single living being that
during this immensely long round of rebirths has not at least 10 times
been your mother, father, brother, sister, son, or daughter!
How is this possible? Inconceivable, Bhikkhus and Friends, is the beginning
of this Samsaric round; not to be discovered is the ultimate first beginning
of individual beings who, blinded by ignorance and all obsessed by craving,
are hurrying and hastening through this round of rebirths!
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book SN 15:14-19
On Samsara: The Dreadful Round:
Long is Samsara for the simpleton, who does not know the Dhamma.
Long is the night for one, who keeps awake.
Long is the mile for one, who is tired.
Long is the rebirth round for one, who is unaware of the true Dhamma.
Dhammapada 60
On Samsara:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/samsaara.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Samsara.htm
Please enjoy study here for details on Rebirth:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Rare_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Divine_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Animal_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Endless_Round.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Samsaric_Dread.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Minor_Hells.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/One_BIG_Family.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Hell_Destiny.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Five_Destinations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_5_Destinations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Kamma_and_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Samsaric_Round.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mad_Demon_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Human_Being_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Hungry_Ghost_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/What_passes_on_by_Rebirth-Linking.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
We are 1 Biig Family!
Samasa entails Kinship with All Beings. :-)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/One_BIG_Family.htm
Any conscious moment also dies immediately!
Life, personality, pleasure, pain, endures joined in one conscious moment,
that flicks by... Whether such ceased clusters of clinging are those of a
dead or alive does not matter, they are all alike, momentarily gone never
to return... No world is born and appears as manifest, if consciousness is
not produced! Only when consciousness is present, does the world emerge!
When consciousness momentarily dissolves, the world is dead and vanished!
So both the being & the world starts and ends within each conscious moment!
Both are reborn millions of times per second! Not only at conventional death..
This is how death also should be recollected, as the shortness of the moment.
This is the highest sense this concept of conscious existence ever will allow...
(Vism I 238, Nd I 42 )
Both 'Being' & 'World' occurs only as discrete conscious moments!
Being or rather becoming proceeds as a discrete Blinking:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Void_Blinking.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Discrete_States.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Momentary_Life.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Impermanence_Anicca.htm
No being is Static: In the blinking tunnel flows the process of re-becoming!
Have a nice blinking day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Existence is discrete and not continuous!
Blinking Being!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Momentary_Consciousness.htm
Knowing any kind of existence to be Danger!
The Ancient Elders explained:
As one repeats, develops & cultivates the understanding that appearance
is terror one cannot find any asylum, any safe shelter, any place to go to,
since there is no safe haven in any kind of becoming, generation, destiny,
station, or abode. Nowhere whatsoever - except in Nibbana - is there even
one single stable and lasting formation or construction, that one can place
hope in or hold on to: Since as the Blessed Buddha succinctly pointed out:
The 3 kinds of becoming appear like charcoal pits full of glowing coals, the
four primary elements like hideous venomous snakes (SN IV 174 ), the five
clusters like murderers with raised weapons (SN IV 174 ), the six internal
sense sources like an empty village, the six kind of external sense objects
like village-raiding robbers (SN IV 174-75 ), the 7 stations of consciousness
and the nine abodes of beings as if burning, blazing and glowing with the 11
fires (see SN IV 19 ). Thus do all phenomena appear as a huge mass of danger
destitute of substance or satisfaction, like a tumour, or a disease, or a dart,
a calamity, a distressing affliction, like a knot of suffering (see MN I 436 )!
Vism 647
On the inherent Danger (Adinava) in all Being in Existence:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Danger.htm
Have a nice day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
All Being is Danger!
Any existence comes with a price...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Being_is_Danger.htm
Mutual Joy cures all vicious Envy and Jealousy!
The dear companion can be the proximate cause for Mutual Joy, where one
rejoices in another being's success... One thus rejoicing in others fortune
is called a 'boon companion', for he is constantly glad: He laughs first and
speaks afterward! So he should be the first to be pervaded with gladness.
Or on seeing a dear person being happy, cheerful and glad, mutual joy can
be aroused thus: 'See this being is indeed glad! How good, how excellent!'
Just as one would be glad at seeing a dear and beloved person very happy,
exactly so does one pervade all other beings in all directions with mutual joy...
Rejoicing mutual joy can also be aroused by remembering others happiness
in the past and recollecting the elated joy aspect in this way: 'In the past he
had great wealth, a great following and he was always glad'. Or mutual joy
can be aroused by apprehending the future glad aspect of his in this way:
'In the future he will again enjoy similar success and will go about in gold
palanquins, on the backs of elephants or on horseback'. Having thus aroused
mutual joy regarding a dear person, one can then direct the very same feeling
successively towards a neutral one, and gradually towards any hostile person.
Vbh 274, Vism I 316
Comments:
Mutual joy causes Contentment! No mutual joy thus means Discontentment!
Therefore: If being generally dissatisfied, then be happy over others gains.
Secondly: Mutual joy causes all envy & jealousy to evaporate into equanimity!
Mutual Joy (Mudita), which cures all envy and jealousy, is a divine state!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mutual_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoicing_Bliss_is_Mudita.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Infinitely_Joyous_Consciousness.htm
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Rejoicing Joy!
Mutual Joy Causes Contentment! :-)
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Rejoicing_Joy.htm
Unique is Ânãpãnasati Breathing Meditation!
Thus have I heard. At one time the Blessed One was living at Savatthi, in the
palace of Migara's mother, in the Eastern Park, together with many very well
known elder disciples: Venerable Sariputta, Maha-Moggallana, Maha-Kassapa,
Maha-Kaccayana, Maha-Kotthita, Maha-Kappina, Maha-Cunda, Ven. Anuruddha,
Revata, & Ananda. These elder bhikkhus were teaching & instructing the new
bhikkhus, who thus achieved successively higher distinction & discrimination!
Then, surveying this silent Bhikkhu-Sangha, he addressed the bhikkhus thus:
I am content, bhikkhus, with this progress; I am content at heart, bhikkhus,
with this development. Therefore, strive still more strenuously to attain the
unattained, to achieve the unachieved, to realize the unrealized. I will stay...
Anapanasati Sutta. Majjhima Nikaya 118 Full text & explanation here:
[size=140]http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/pdfs/anapanasati.pdf[/size]
[size=140]http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/pdfs/anapanasati.pdf[/size]
Print out & study seriously, repeatedly & thoroughly for elevating advantage!!!
This Breathing Meditation (Anapana-sati) all Buddhas use for Awakening:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unique_Thing_Awareness_by_Breathing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Peaceful_and_Sublime_on_the_Spot.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Breathing_Calm_and_Insight.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_the_Breath.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Awareness_by_Breathing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Four_Fulfilling_Seven.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/1_Producing_4.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_I.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_II.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_III.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_IV.htm
Meditation Manual on the 4 main meditation techniques taught by the Buddha:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/Manual/Meditation.Manual.htm
Have a nice calm day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Magnificent Meditation!
Invariable Nature Laws: Transience & Reaction!
The Blessed Buddha once spoke on these 4 invariable & fixed laws:
There are 4 things, Bhikkhus & Friends, which nobody can change,
neither recluse, nor priest, nor god, nor devil, nor anyone at all
in this or any other universe. What are these 4 things?
1: That what is subject to decay, may not decay...
2: That what is subject to sickness, may not fall sick...
3: That what is subject to death, may not die... &
4: That those evil, immoral, impure, terrible, and pain-producing
actions, which ever and again lead to rebirth, ageing, & death,
may not bring results, may not produce their inevitable fruits...
These four things, Bhikkhus & Friends, neither recluses, priests,
divine beings, neither gods, nor devils, nor anyone in this or any
other multiverse can ever stop...
Impermanence makes all vanish...
More on the Universal Fact of Impermanence:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Transient_formations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Perceiving_Transience.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Impermanence_Anicca.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Internal_Transience.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_External_Transience.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Impermanence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Contemplating_Impermanence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Contemplating_Impermanence_2.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Universal_Transience.htm
Transient & ephemeral are all constructions...
Source:
Anguttara Nikaya. Numerical Sayings: AN 4:182
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/Index.Numerical.htm
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
So be it....
The 4 Inviolable Laws!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Fixed_Law.htm
A friend asked: Who is it that lives these many lives?
Answer:
It is not any Who… !!!
Since selfless is this flux of renewed becoming!
The Question should therefore be reformulated as:
Question: What is it, that lives these many lives?
Answer: It is an accumulated and ever changing group of:
1: Momentary clinging to form;
2: Momentary clinging to feeling;
3: Momentary clinging to perception;
4: Momentary clinging to mental construction;
5: Momentary clinging to consciousness...
That blinded by ignorance and obsessed by craving,
tumbles through these many, many, painful lives & deaths!
It is not an "I", "Me", "Self", "Soul", "Person", or "Identity"!!!
A Cluster Clinging to itself!
These 5 Clusters of Clinging (Khandha) are the 5 types of Being!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Any_Kind.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Not_Yours.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Leash.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Like_Foam.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Fingernail_of_Soil.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Acquisition_of_Fuel.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Clustered_Truths.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Burning_Five.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Stilling_of_Clinging.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Not_Who_but_What.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/g_m/khandha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_5_Clusters_of_Clinging.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Things_that_can_be_clung_to.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_are_the_5_Clusters_of_Clinging.htm
As the blessed Buddha pointed out:
Sabbe Dhamma Anatta
All States are Not-Self!
There is nobody home... ;-)
Have a nice ego-less day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Nobody is Home!
Not Who, but What?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Not_Who_but_What.htm
How to Win the Social Game using Wisdom?
The Blessed Buddha once explained:
Overcome the angry with friendliness;
Overcome the wicked with goodness;
Overcome the miser with generosity;
Overcome the liar with truth.
Dhammapada 223
And what is the treasure of generosity?
There is the case where a disciple of the Noble Ones,
having cleaned his mind of the stain of stinginess,
living at home, freely generous, and open-handed,
delighting in being magnanimous, enjoying any request,
delighting in the giving of alms to those needy & worthy...
This is called the treasure of generosity!
AN 7.6
There are these five future rewards of generosity:
One is admired and liked by an overwhelming majority of the people.
One is respected by the good, the intelligent and the wise persons.
One's good reputation is spread easily, rapidly and far about.
One fulfills the rightful duties of the householder, and
With the break-up of the body, one will reappear in a good destination,
in the heavenly and exquisitely divine worlds!
AN 5.35
On this Future Wealth Creating and Wisely Open-Handed Generosity (Dana):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/giving.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Pure_Merit.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Glad_Giving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_3_Gifts.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Kathina_Ceremony.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/caaga.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/daana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Openhanded_Generosity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Reviewing_Generosity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Generosity_Contemplation.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
How to Win the Social Game using Wisdom?
Winning Wisdom!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Winning_Wisdom.htm
The present Micro-Hydro-Power plant here at the Hermitage needs a crucial upgrade!
3 Transformers, 3 rectifiers, 3 diversion dump-loads and 150 meter PVC pipes are needed:
Donations for this Noble Purpose facilitating the Dhamma sharing is very Welcome here:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=EFJVUTYDE8MP6
Or Click the "Donate" button on one of these pages below:
Single Donation:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/various/Dhammadhara_Foundation.htm
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http://What-Buddha-Said.net/various/Subscribe_to_Regular_Donation.htm
All on-line Donations are processed securely by PayPal. Credit cards & bank accounts are OK.
Dhammadhara Foundation's PayPal Account is: dhammadhara@gmail.com
Cypress Hermitage's Alternative Energy installations photos are here:
http://www.altestore.com/gallery/Bhikkhu-Samahita-gallery/v/7767136956/
Sabbe Sattâ Bhavantu Sukhi Tatthâ:
May Many Beings Become Thus Happy Thereby!
An anonymous appreciation will be acknowledged here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/various/appreciations.htm
About Generosity (Dana): The First Mental Perfection:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Openhanded_Generosity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Reviewing_Generosity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Glad_Giving.htm
Many Thanx in Advance!
Enjoy a calm, tight & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Pure Power to Pure People ;-)
Micro-Hydro-Power Upgrade is Needed! Donations R Welcome :-)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/various/Pure_Hydro_Power.htm
Gratitude appreciates all assistance!
The Buddha indeed pointed out Gratitude as an important mental quality:
These two people are hard to find in the world. Which two?
The one who is first to do a kindness, and
the one who is grateful and thankful for a kindness done.
Anguttara Nikaya 2.118
I tell you, monks, there are two people who are not easy to repay.
Which two? Your mother & father. Even if you were to carry your mother
on one shoulder & your father on the other shoulder for 100 years, & were
to look after them by anointing, massaging, bathing, & rubbing their limbs,
and they were to defecate and urinate right there on your shoulders, you
would not thereby repay your parents. Even if you were to establish your
mother & father in absolute sovereignty over this great earth, abounding in
the seven treasures, you would not in that way repay your parents!
Why is that? Mothers and fathers do much for their children. They care for
them, they nourish them for long, and they introduce them to this world.
But anyone who rouses his unbelieving mother & father, settles & establishes
them in faith; rouses his immoral mother & father, establishes them in virtue;
rouses his stingy mother & father, settles & establishes them in generosity;
rouses his unwise mother & father, settles & establishes them on a new level
of understanding: It is in this way that one truly repays one's mother's and
father's many longstanding services.
Anguttara Nikaya 2.32
Mother & father, compassionate to their family, are called Brahma, first teachers,
honour them with food & drink, clothing & bedding, and anointing, bathing, washing
their feet. Performing these services to their parents, the wise are praised right
here and after death rejoice in heaven. Itivuttaka 106
If this is what you think of me:
The Blessed One, is sympathetic, is seeking our well-being, teaches us this
Dhamma out of sympathy, then you should train yourself in being in harmony,
cordial, and without conflict and train in yourselves cultivation of all the 37
best mental qualities: The 4_Foundations_of_Awareness, the 4 right efforts,
the 4_Feet_of_Force, the 5 Abilities, 5 powers, the 7 Links to Awakening,
& the Noble_8-Fold_Way. Majjhima Nikaya 103
A Tathagata is worshipped, honoured, respected, thanked & shown gratitude
by any follower, who keeps practicing the Dhamma in accordance with true
Dhamma, who keeps practicing masterfully, who lives in and by the Dhamma!
Digha Nikaya 16
We will undertake & practice those qualities that makes one a contemplative,
so that all those who helped us by services of robes, alms-food, lodging, and
medicines will bring them great fruit and great future reward.
Majjhima Nikaya 39
Comments:
In Pali, the word for gratitude = kataññu literally means to have a sense of
what was done for one in the past even when long ago. Remembering all help!
A network of kindness and gratitude is what sustains whatever goodness
there is and ever will be in this - otherwise destitute & impoverished - world!
Thus: Thank you for reading this!
Source (edited extract): The Lessons of Gratitude by Thanissaro Bhikkhu:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/thanissaro/lessonsofgratitude.html
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Appropriate_Appreciation.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Appropiate Appreciation is Advantageous!
Gracious is Gratitude!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/The_Grace_of_Gratitude.htm
[size=150]Feeling induces Latent Tendencies! [/size]
The Blessed Buddha once said: Bhikkhus, there are these three feelings:
Which three?
1: Pleasant Feeling,
2: Painful Feeling,
3: Neither-Painful-nor-Pleasant Feeling.
The latent tendency to lust induced by pleasant feeling should be left...
The latent tendency to aversion induced by painful feeling should be left...
The latent tendency to ignorance induced by neither-painful-nor-pleasant
feeling should also be abandoned. When one has abandoned all the latent
tendency to lust rooted in pleasant feeling, all latent tendency to aversion
rooted in painful feeling, and all the latent tendency to ignorance rooted
in neither-painful-nor-pleasant neutral feeling, then he is indeed called a
Bhikkhu freed of latent tendencies, one who sees & understands rightly!
He has thus stilled all craving, thus cut off the mental chains, and by also
breaking completely through the conceit: "I am", he has ended Suffering...
When one experiences pleasure, if one does not understand feeling, then
the tendency to lust is present in anyone not seeing the escape from it.
When one experiences pain, if one does not understand feeling, then the
tendency to aversion is present in any one not seeing the escape from it. T
he One of Vast Wisdom has taught that even if one seeks delight in this
peace of neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling, then one is still not freed
from suffering! But a bhikkhu who is enthusiastic, who does not neglect
clear comprehension, such wise man fully understands feelings entirely.
Having fully understood feelings, he is in this very life freed of all mental
fermentation. Standing in this Dhamma, in this exquisite state, at body's
breakup, such a master cannot be reckoned, assessed or estimated...
Take-home: Pleasant feeling produces greed! Painful feeling produces hate!
Neither-painful-nor-pleasant neutral feeling causes neglect and will thus
generate ignorance...
The blessed Buddha Said: Everything converges on Feeling (Vedana):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Indifference_Creates_Ignorance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Three_Basic_Kinds_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Feeling_Causes_and_Effects.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_8_Aspects_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Bodily_and_Mental_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Detached_from_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Dependent_on_Contact.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Focusing_on_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Analysis_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_108_Feelings.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Emotional_Storm.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Latent_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Five_Feelings.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book IV [205-6]
36: feeling. Vedana. Focused on Pleasure. 3.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Leanings Lurk in the Mind!
Feeling induces Latent Tendencies!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Latent_Feeling.htm
Patience is the 6th Perfection:
The characteristic of patience is acceptance, its function is to endure,
and its manifestation is non-opposing tolerance! The cause of patience
is understanding how things really are.. The effect of patience is calm
tranquility despite presence of intensely stirring provocation..
Patience of the will produces forgiving forbearance!
Patience of the intellect produces faith, confidence and certainty!
Patience of the body produces resolute and tenacious endurance!
Internal tolerance of states within oneself is patient endurance...
External tolerance of other beings is forbearance and forgiveness...
He who patiently protects himself, protects also all other beings!
He who patiently protects all other beings, protects also himself!
Not from speaking much is one called clever.
The patient one is free from anger and free from fear,
only such steady persisting one, is rightly called clever...
Dhammapada 258
Patient tolerance is the highest praxis...
Nibbana is the supreme Bliss!
So say all the Buddhas.
Dhammapada 184
The innocent one, who has done nothing wrong,
Who endures abuse, flogging and even imprisonment,
Such one, armed with stamina, the great force of tolerance,
Such stoic one, who self-possessed can accept, I call a Holy One!
Dhammapada 399
One should follow those who are determined, tolerant, and enduring,
intelligent, wise, diligent, clever, good-willed and evidently Noble.
One shall stick to them as the moon remains in its regular orbit.
Dhammapada 208
Friends, even if bandits were to cut you up, savagely, limb by limb,
with a two-handled saw, you should not get angry, but do my bidding:
Remain pervading them and all others with a friendly Awareness imbued
with an all-embracing good-will, kind, rich, expansive, and immeasurable!
Free from hostility, free from any ill will. Always remembering this very
Simile of the Saw is indeed how you should train yourselves.
Majjhima Nikaya 21
The five ways of removing irritating annoyance:
Bhikkhus, there are these five ways of removing annoyance, by which any
irritation can be entirely removed by a Bhikkhu, when it arises in him.
What are these five ways?
1: Friendliness can be maintained towards an irritating person or state..
2: Understanding can be undertaken towards an irritating person or state..
3: On-looking Equanimity can be kept towards an irritating person or state..
4: One can forget and ignore the irritating person, mental or physical state..
5: Ownership of Kamma of the irritating person can be reflected upon thus:
This good person is owner of his actions, inherit the result his actions, is
indeed born of his actions and only he is responsible for his actions be they
good or bad. This too is how annoyance with the irksome can be instantly
removed. These are the five ways of removing annoyance, and by which any
irritation can be entirely removed in a friend, exactly when it arises...
Anguttara Nikaya V 161
Buddha to his son Rahula: Develop an Imperturbable Mind like the elements:
Rahula, develop a mind like earth, then contacts of arisen like and dislike
will not obsess your mind! Rahula, on the earth is dumped both the pure and
the impure: excreta, urine, saliva, pus, blood, but the earth does not detest
any of those... Even and exactly so make your mind stable like the earth!
Rahula, develop a mind like water, then contacts of arisen pleasure and pain
will not seize your mind. Rahula with water both the pure and the impure
are cleaned... Washed away with water are excreta, urine, saliva, pus, and
blood, yet the water does not despise any of that! Even so make the mind
fluid and adaptable like the water!
Rahula, develop a mind like fire, then the contacts of any arisen attraction
or aversion will neither consume, nor hang on to your mind! Rahula, fire burns
both the pure and the impure, burns excreta, urine, saliva, pus, and blood,
yet the fire does not loathe any of that.. In the same manner refine the mind
into a tool like an all consuming and purifying fire!
Rahula, develop a mind similar to space, then contacts of arisen delight and
frustration does neither take hold of, nor remain in your mind. Space does
not settle anywhere! Similarly make the mind unsettled and unestablished
like open space. When you expand mind like space, contacts of delight and
frustration will neither be able to dominate, nor obsess your mind...
Majjhima Nikaya 62
More on the 10 mental perfections (paramis):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Ten_Perfections.htm
Have a nice, noble & patient day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Very Advantageous is Patience, Tolerance & Endurance!
Patience is the Highest Praxis!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Patient_is_Tolerance.htm
What are the 5 Basic Living Rules?
The Blessed Buddha once said to Anathapindika:
Whoever, householder, has not overcome five terrible evils, such one
is without morality, is without control and will be reborn in hell.
And what are those five terrible evils?
They are killing, stealing, sexual abuse, lying, and taking intoxicants.
But whoever has overcome these five terrible evils, such one is pure,
well controlled and will be reborn in a happy world.
One who is doing these 5 things, creates both present, and future
extreme misery, and will thus experience much mental pain & regret!
One who abstains from these 5 things produces neither any present,
nor any future misery, nor will he experience mental pain or grief.
Such terrible evil is thus eliminated by him and extinguished in him...
Whoever murders living beings,
Speaks words that are not true,
Takes what does not belong to him,
Seduces wives of other men,
And takes intoxicating drinks or drugs,
To which ever he/she strongly clings:
Anyone who does not shun these evils,
Is indeed without morality, with no purity!
And when his/her body once dissolves,
That blind fool will fall into deepest hell...
Who does never harm any being at all,
Who never utters any lie, or falsehood,
Who never takes what is not his or hers,
Nor seduces his/her neighbour's spouse,
Nor ever wishes in all his/her life
To drink intoxicating drinks or drugs
that causes carelessness and neglect
A human who shuns these five evils,
Is rightly called a virtuous human;
And when his/her body once dissolves,
This wise human rises heavenward.
More on this Mighty Morality (Sila):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Never_Kill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Not_Killing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Prime_Benefits.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Sila_1_to_5.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Truth_Triumphs.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Happy_Habit.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Not_Stealing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Reviewing_Virtue.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Mighty_is_Morality.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/What_is_Virtue.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Best_Protection.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Back_to_Basics.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/immaculate_virtue.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Best_Buddhist_Praxis.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sila_Contemplation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Optimal_Observance_I.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Optimal_Observance_II.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Optimal_Observance_IV.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Optimal_Observance_V.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Buddhist_Life_Standards_Law_1.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Buddhist_Life_Standards_Law_2.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Buddhist_Life_Standards_Law_3.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Buddhist_Life_Standards_Law_4.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/What_is_Sensual_and_Sexual_Misbehaviour.htm
Source (edited extract):
Numerical Discourses of the Buddha. Anguttara Nikaya AN 5:174
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/Index.Numerical.htm
Integrity Must Be Lived Out in every Praxis!
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Back to Basics!
What are the 5 Basic Root Living Rules?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Five_Basics.htm
Morality is the Cause of No Regrets and thus Gladness!
What are the Advantages of Morality?
The Gladness of No Regrets and No Remorse!
Wealth well acquired by righteous diligence!
The Fine Fame of a Good Reputation!
The Purity of a Clean Conscience...
Assured and Natural Self-Confidence in any assembly!
Neither confusion, nor any panic at the moment of death!
A Happy and occasionally even Divine Destiny after death!
What are the Similes of Morality?
Morality is like a good foothold!
Morality is like a purifying bath!
Morality is like a solid cement foundation!
Morality is like a key to success! Morality is like a cool breeze!
Morality is like a hidden fortune!
Morality is like a scent drifting even against the wind!
Morality is like a staircase to heaven!
Morality is like an aura of fine radiance!
Morality is like an innocent and rapturous joy!
Morality is like a much respected fame!
Source: The Path of Purification: Visuddhimagga.
Written by 'the great explainer' Ven. Buddhaghosa in 5th century AC.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=771100
More on this Basic First Cause of all Good: Morality (Sila)!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Sila_1_to_5.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Happy_Habbit.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/What_is_Virtue.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Best_Protection.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Five_Basics.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Best_Buddhist_Praxis.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sila_Contemplation.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Pure Morality is a Happy Habit!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Happy_Habit.htm
Any Intoxication Weakens & Corrupts the Mind!
Being Drunk and/or Drugged is always being Blurred and Blinded...
While drunk/drugged can one know what is best for oneself? NO!
While drunk/drugged can one know what is best for others? NO!
While drunk/drugged can one ever be respected by others? NO!
While drunk/drugged can one be truly upright & respectable? NO!
While drunk/drugged can one do a really good & valuable job? NO!
While drunk/drugged can one enjoy the result of a good job? NO!
While drunk/drugged can one meditate well and be absorbed? NO!
While drunk/drugged can one study, reflect and reason well? NO!
While drunk/drugged can one remember, and recollect well? NO!
While drunk/drugged can one make any progress spiritually? NO!
While drunk/drugged can one make progress professionally? NO!
While drunk/drugged can one make any progress personally? NO!
Is there any advantage or good at all in being drunk/drugged? NO!
Is being just a little drunk/drugged just little evil or a tiny good? NO!
Is there any valid excuse for going completely clean and clear? NO!
Will those who regurgitates this medicine ever be healed at all? NO!
Is social and economic fall certain by being drunk/drugged? YES!
Is the sadness of a spoiled life sure by being drunk/drugged? YES!
Is bodily and mental decay severe by being drunk/drugged? YES!
Is one made into an addicted zombie by being drunk/drugged? YES!
Is one's behaviour often sub-human by being drunk/drugged? YES!
Is the future kammic effect of inebriation insanity/stupidity? YES!
Is being drunk and or drugged thus quite self-destructive? YES!
Is being drunk and or drugged thus indeed quite irrational? YES!
Is being drunk and drugged literally the way leading to Hell? YES!
Is complete abstinence from all intoxication a VICTORY? YES!
Who is the Winner? Are you and all other beings you contact! YES! :-)
The 5th precept laid down by the Buddha for all was therefore:
Suramerayamajja pamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami.
I hereby accept the training of avoiding all drinks & drugs causing carelessness.
The Blessed Buddha further explained this avoidance by:
Abandoning the use of intoxicants, the disciple of the Noble Ones abstains
from taking intoxicants. Doing so, he gives freedom from danger, freedom
from animosity, freedom from harm to limitless numbers of beings. In giving
freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, freedom from oppression to
limitless numbers of beings, he gains a share in limitless freedom from danger,
freedom from animosity, and from oppression. This is the fifth gift, the 5th
great gift, original, long-standing, traditional, ancient, totally unadulterated,
unadulterated from the beginning, that is not open to any suspicion, that never
will be open to any suspicion, & is recognized by every contemplative & recluse.
And this is the 8th reward of merit, reward of skillfulness, nourishment of real
happiness, human as divine, resulting in happiness, leading to heaven, leading to
what is desirable & attractive, leading to what is pleasurable and appealing.
Leading to the Welfare and to Happiness of all living Beings... Yeah Keep Clean!
More on this common self-destructive behaviour: Drinking & Drugging:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Curing_Lethargy_and_Laziness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Optimal_Observance_V.htm
Source: Anguttara Nikaya 8.39: Abhisanda Sutta: Rewards!
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an08/an08.039.than.html
Blurred means Blinded!
Self-Zombification is sub-human self-destruction...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Blurred_and_Blinded.htm
How to be a Real Buddhist through Observance?
Binara Poya day is the full-moon of September. This holy day celebrates
the inauguration of the Bhikkhuni Sangha by the ordination on this very
day of Queen Mahapajapati, the Buddha's foster-mother & her retinue.
For life details on this excellent woman, who awakened as Arahat Theri:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/maha/mahapajapati_gotami.htm
More on Binara Poya and the initiation of the Bhikkhuni Order:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Binara_Poya_Bhikkhuni.htm
On such Full-Moon Uposatha Poya Observance days:
Any Lay Buddhist simply joins the Three Refuges and undertakes the
Five Precepts like this: Newly bathed, shaved, white-clothed, with clean
bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue, and bows first
three times, so that feet, hands, elbows, knees & head touch the floor.
Then, with joined palms at the heart, one recites these memorized lines
in a loud, calm & steady voice:
As long as this life lasts:
I hereby take refuge in the Buddha.
I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma.
I hereby take refuge in the Sangha.
I hereby seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time.
I hereby request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time.
I will hereby respect these Three Jewels the rest of my life!
I accepts to respect & undertake these 5 training rules:
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Killing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Stealing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Sexual Abuse.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Dishonesty.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Alcohol & Drugs.
As long as this life lasts, I am thus protected by these 5 precepts...
Then, one keeps and protects these sacred vows better than one's
own eyes & children!, since they protect you & all other beings much
better than any army! They are the highest offer one can give in & to
this world! So is the start towards Nibbana: The Deathless Element!
This is the Noble Way to Peace, to Freedom, to Ease, to Happiness,
initiated by Morality, developed further by Dhamma-Study and
fulfilled by training of Meditation...
Today indeed is Pooya or Uposatha or observance day, where any lay
Buddhist normally keeps even the Eight Precepts from sunrise until the
next dawn... If any wish an official recognition by the Bhikkhu-Sangha,
they may simply forward the lines starting with "I hereby ..." signed with
name, date, town & country to me or join here. A public list of this new
quite rapidly growing new global Saddhamma-Sangha is set up here!
This New Noble Community of The Buddha's Disciples:
The Saddhamma Sangha:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Saddhamma_Sangha.htm
Can quite advantageously be Joined Here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm
May your journey hereby be light, swift and sweet. Never give up!!
For Details on The Origin of Uposatha Observance Days:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/uposatha.html
Have a nice poya day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
How to be a Real Buddhist through Observance?
Binara Poya Day!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/III/Binara_Poya_Day.htm
Development of Infinite All-Embracing Kindness!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus and Friends: There are these four infinite mental states:
The Bhikkhu pervades all beings with all-embracing friendliness...
The Bhikkhu encompass all creatures with universal & endless pity...
The Bhikkhu permeates all individuals with infinite and mutual joy...
The Bhikkhu suffuses all living mortals with unlimited equanimity...
First in one direction, then in the 2nd, then the 3rd, & finally the 4th,
above, below, all around, in every location, unifying himself with all beings,
he pervades the entire universe with a kind and all-embracing friendliness,
with an all-encircling compassion & pity, with an all-enveloping mutual and
altruistic joy, and with an all-encompassing imperturbable equanimity, fully
utilizing a refined mind, made great, vast, profound, infinite, immeasurable,
released from all hate, anger, irritation, opposition and stubbornness...
Source: DN 33
Because of hate, overwhelmed and obsessed by hate, one lives while
doing evil deeds, speaking wrong words, and thinking bad thoughts...
Thus one neither really understands one's own welfare, nor the
welfare of others, nor the welfare of both... If, however, this hate
is overcome and subdued, then one lives while doing good deeds,
speaking kind words, and thinking advantageous thoughts...
Therefore one really knows, what is one's own welfare, for the
welfare of others, & for the welfare of both one self & others...
Source: AN 3:55
More on these 4 Infinite and Divine States (Appamañña Brahma-Vihara):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/brahma_vihaara.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Buddha_on_Noble_Frienship.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Selfless_Friendship_is_Sweetest.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/All_Embracing_Kindness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoicing_Bliss_is_Mudita.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Blazing_Friendliness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/United_in_Harmony.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Good_Friend.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Goodwill_Encore.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Blazing_&_Bright.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Friendliness_Frees.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kalyanamitta.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Metta.htm
Have a nice infinite day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
The 4 Infinite States!
All-Embracing is Universal Kindness :-)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Infinite_and_Divine_Classic.htm
Formless is the Fruit of the 4 Infinite States:
The Blessed Buddha once pointed out some fine future fruits:
I: The release of mind by universal friendliness developed linked with
the 7 links to Enlightenment, has the beautiful liberation as culmination!
II: The release of mind by compassionate pity developed all joined with
the 7 links to Enlightenment, has the infinitude of space, as culmination!
This is the 1st formless absorption.
III: The release of mind by altruistic & mutual joy developed all linked
with the 7 links to Enlightenment, has the infinitude of consciousness,
as ultimate culmination... This is the 2nd formless absorption.
IV: The release of mind by imperturbable equanimity developed combined
with the 7 links to Enlightenment, has the sphere of nothingness, as the
absolute culmination... This is the 3rd formless absorption.
So do these 4 divine & infinite states of friendliness, pity, mutual joy and
equanimity, when cultivated together with the 7 links to Enlightenment:
Awareness, Investigation, Energy, Joy, Tranquillity, Concentration and
Equanimity, lead to entry and absorption into these 4 sublime formless
mental dimensions of supra-mundane consciousness...
Final Entry after much meditation...
More on the infinitely divine states (Brahma-Viharas):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Infinite_Friendliness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Endless_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoicing_Bliss_is_Mudita.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Equanimity_Upekkha.htm
From Delight in Diversity to Unification in Oneness...
Source:
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book V 115-21
Section 46: On The Enlightenment Factors. Linked with Friendliness: 54.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
Have a nice and noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Four Fine Formless Fruits!
From Delight in Diversity to Unification in Oneness...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/The_Formless_Dimensions.htm
Mental Release by Friendliness Outshines All!
The Blessed Buddha often emphasized:
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, such release of mind by universal friendliness
far excels & surpasses them all...
Itivuttaka 27
See this good being is happy! How fine! How excellent! Let there be Happiness!
Let there indeed be Freedom! Let there indeed be Peace! Let there be Bliss....
Let there be Understanding of this good principle.
Buddhaghosa
May all beings be joyous and safe! Let every creature's mind rejoice!
Let every single living being's mind be exceedingly jubilant!
One should maintain an infinite friendliness for every single living being,
in gentle sympathy for this entire universe, unlimited, endless and vast!
This is the Divine Dwelling while actually here, they say.
Buddha Gotama
The Bhikkhu pervades all beings with all-embracing friendliness ...
The Bhikkhu encompass all beings with universal & endless pity ...
The Bhikkhu permeates all beings with infinite & mutual joy ...
The Bhikkhu suffuses all beings with unlimited equanimity ...
Digha Nikaya 33
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
Thus he who both day and night
takes delight in harmlessness
sharing love with all that live,
finds enmity with none.
Samyutta Nikaya I 208
More on this shining, radiating, all and everywhere beaming Friendliness:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Buddha_on_Noble_Frienship.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Harmlessness_and_Tolerance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/All_Embracing_Kindness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/All-Embracing_Kindness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoicing_Bliss_is_Mudita.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Blazing_Friendliness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Blazing_&_Bright.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Goodwill_Encore.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Good_Friendship.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Metta.htm
The Unsurpassable Radiance!
Mental Release by Friendliness Outshines All. :-)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unsurpassable_Radiance.htm
What to Train when Mind is High and Alert?
The Blessed Buddha once explained:
On any occasion, Bhikkhus, when mind is excited and high, then it is time
for training the Tranquillity Link to Awakening, the Concentration Link
to Awakening, and the Equanimity Link to Awakening. Why is it so?
Because when the mind is excited and high, Bhikkhus, then it is easy to
calm it down with exactly those mental states...
Imagine, Bhikkhus, a man wants to extinguish a great fire. If he throws
wet grass, wet cow-dung, wet timber into it, sprays it with water, and
scatters soil over it, would he be able to extinguish that great bonfire?
Yes, Venerable Sir.
Even so here, Bhikkhus, on any occasion, when the mind is excited and high,
then it is convenient to train & develop the Tranquillity Link to Awakening,
the Concentration Link to Awakening, & the Equanimity Link to Awakening.
Why is it so? Because when the mind is excited and high, Bhikkhus, then it
is easy to calm it down & still it with the qualities of exactly those states!
Awareness, however, Bhikkhus, I tell you, is always useful & good to train!
Ultra Aware and Alert, but not the least Agitated!
On the training these condensing mental abilities:
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
Sources (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V: 114-5] 46: Links. 53: Fire....
Agitation and Irritation can be converted into Advantageous Alertness!
Alert or Agitated?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/High_and_Alert.htm
Well-placed Faith leads to the Supreme State!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
In so far as there are beings without feet, with two feet or with
four feet, or with many feet, with form or formless, conscious or
unconscious, or neither-conscious-nor-unconscious, of all these the
Tathagata is the highest, Arahat, a Perfectly Self-Awakened One...
Whoever has faith in the Buddha, has faith in what is truly highest!
For those who have faith in the highest, the highest is the result...
In so far as there are conditioned states, the Noble 8-fold Way is
truly the highest. Whoever has faith in this noble 8-fold Way, has
faith in what is highest! For those who have faith in the highest,
the highest will be the result. In so far as there are states, whether
constructed or unconstructed, dispassion, stilling, ceasing is truly
the highest of these states, that is Nibbana... Whoever has faith in
this State, has faith in what is highest! For those who have faith in
the highest, the highest will be the result... In so far as there are
communities, companies and groups, the community of the Disciples
of the Buddha is truly the highest of these, an unsurpassed Field of
Merit. Whoever has faith in the Sangha, has faith in what is highest!
Those who have faith in the highest, will experience the highest...
For fine further Faith (Saddha) please see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Going_Forth_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Outstanding_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Unwavering_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Analysis_of_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Power_of_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Faith_Summary.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Highest_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Fruitful_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Leaping_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Mutual_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Dual_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Fine_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Rich_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Lay_Faith.htm
Source of reference (edited extract):
The gradual sayings. Anguttara Nikaya AN II 34
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
From the Heart!
Well placed is Faith in the Buddha, yeah :-)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Highest_Faith.htm
Stilling of Mental Construction is Nibbâna!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Here, Ananda, the Bhikkhu considers it all like this:
This is the supreme peace, this is sublime calm: The stilling of all formations,
the silencing of all mental construction, the relinquishing of all substrata
fuelling existence, the fading away of all craving, detachment, release,
ceasing, Nibbana...
In this way, Ananda, the Bhikkhu may enter a mental absorption in which
there is no notion of 'I' and 'mine', no attacks of conceiving any internal
consciousness or any external objects and wherein he is both mentally
released and fully liberated through understanding this all...
In this silenced and wholly stilled state there is no inclination to "I" and
"mine-making", and no more attacks of conceit by latent tendencies to
identification, egotism, and narcissism!
Anguttara Nikaya AN 3:32
Knowing both what the inner is and the outer is,
one is neither stirred, nor troubled any more!
When thus stilled and imperturbable, there is
neither any attraction, nor any repulsion...
One has crossed and escaped ageing and death!!!
Sutta Nipata 1048
More on Nibbana: A Quenched State of Peace, Freedom, and Max. Bliss:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Final_Freedom.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/climax_of_calm.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Reaching_Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Entrance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Nibbana_Still.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_to_Enter.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Uncreated.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/What_is_Nibbana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Proximate_Cause.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Unborn_State.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Nibbana_or_non-return.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Nibbana_True_Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/n_r/nibbaana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Signless_Nibbana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Imperturbable_Equanimity.htm
Stilled is Nibbana...
The stilling of all mental formation is the supreme peace!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Nibbana_Still.htm
Blinded by Ignorance & Driven on by Craving!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
There will come a time, Bhikkhus, when all the mighty oceans will evaporate,
dry up, vanish, and exist no more. But there will be no end of Suffering for
beings who, blinded by Ignorance and obsessed by Craving, are hurrying
and hastening through this samsaric round of endless rebirths...So is it!
One day this mighty planet earth will explode in a gigantic burst of fire,
be completely destroyed, and exist no more. But there will be no end of
Misery for beings who, obstructed by Ignorance and addicted by Craving,
are hurrying, even running and hastening from birth to repeated death in
this round of rebirths... This I have now explained to you!
For details on this Round of Rebirths = Samsara see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/samsaara.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/The_Samsaric_Round.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/Endless_is_Rebirth.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/Samsaric_Dread.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Samsara.htm
Video illustrating life among humans, in heaven and in hell:
Please enjoy your study here on Rebirth:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Rare_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Divine_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Animal_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Endless_Round.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Samsaric_Dread.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Minor_Hells.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Hell_Destiny.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Five_Destinations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_5_Destinations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Kamma_and_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Samsaric_Round.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mad_Demon_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Human_Being_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Hungry_Ghost_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/What_passes_on_by_Rebirth-Linking.htm
Snared by the colors of existence the beings whirl around like flies in a bottle!
Source:
Grouped Discourses of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya SN 22:99
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
Like flies in a bottle...
Endless is the Samsaric Round!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Endless_Round.htm
Avoiding Extremes by the Golden Middle Way!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
The homeless one should not follow after these Two Extremes:
1: Giving in to indulgence in easy sensual pleasure, which is banal,
primitive, vulgar, not noble, & disadvantageous on a very long term!
Neither should he 2: Practice martyr self-torture, which is painful,
not noble, and disadvantageous. The Blessed One has avoided both
these extremes, and found the Golden Middle Way, which gives one
both vision and understanding, which leads to peace, to clear insight,
to Enlightenment, to Nibbana... It is this very Noble 8-fold Way that
leads to the final irreversible ceasing of absolutely all Suffering:
Right View
Right Motivation
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Awareness
Right Concentration
These Eight Noble Links, Friends and Bhikkhus, are to be developed
for the full comprehension & elimination of all greed, hate, confusion,
anger, envy, stinginess, hypocrisy, shrewdness, disloyalty, conceit,
stubbornness, irritation, haughty arrogance, and lethargic laziness!
These Noble 8 Links will induce their complete annihilation, ceasing,
overcoming, vanishing, abandoning, destruction, evaporation, and
the ultimate detaching release from all these mental horrors!
Further study on this unique Noble 8-fold Way:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Middle_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Fulfilled_First_.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Noble_8_fold_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_3-fold_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Failed_by_Neglect.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Noble_8-Fold_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Fruits_of_the_Noble_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_4th_Noble_Truth_on_The_Way_to_Cease_Suffering.htm
Source (edited extracts):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya SN: 56:11
Numerical Discourses of the Buddha. Anguttara Nikaya AN 8:90
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/Index.Numerical.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
The Golden Middle Way!
Avoiding the extremes is both safe & smooth sailing :-)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Golden_Middle_Way.htm
Compassionate Pity cures all bitter Cruelty:
How does a Bhikkhu dwell pervading one direction with his mind endued
with compassion? Just as he would feel compassion on seeing an unlucky,
unfortunate person, so he pervades all beings with boundless compassion!
Therefore first of all, on eyeing a wretched man, deplorable, unfortunate,
in every way a fit object for compassion, horrid, reduced to utter misery,
with hands and feet cut off, sitting in the shelter for the weak & helpless
with an empty dirty pot placed before him, with maggots in all his wounds,
moaning, compassionate pity should be felt for him in this way: This being
has been reduced to misery: If only he could be freed from his suffering!
Similarly too should a Bhikkhu whose meditation subject is compassion also
arouse compassion for an evil-wrong-doing person, even if he is happy now:
Though this poor wretch is now happy, cheerful, & enjoying his wealth, but
still, since he has neglected to do even one single good deed, he can come to
experience untold suffering anytime after a downfall to the states of loss!
Such infinitely compassionate pity he feels towards all beings and especially
both towards himself, the dear friend, the neutral one, & the hostile person,
thereby breaking down the wrong attitude barrier separating these objects.
Vbh 273, Vism I 315
Compassionate Pity (Karuna), which cures all cruelty, is a divine state!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Endless_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Karuna_is_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Safe_Medicine.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/What_is_Wrong.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Great_Compassion.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Space_Compassion.htm
Have a nice compassionate day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Compassionate is Pity!
There are many in worse circumstances than ourselves!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Compassionate_Pity.htm
How to pacify Anger and Irritation?
The Blessed Buddha once said:
There are, Bhikkhus and Friends, five methods to quell Hate and Anger.
Which are these?
Towards any person against whom hatred and anger have arisen,
1: One should quickly direct mind to, cultivate and develop:
All-embracing, gentle and kind friendliness towards that person... or
2: One should quickly direct mind to, cultivate and develop:
compassion and pity ... mutual joy and ... indifferent equanimity ... or
3: One should avoid and not pay that person any attention at all ... or
4: One should remind oneself of the law of ownership of kamma or
5: One should know that this person too is the owner and inheritor of his
own actions, that he is born and created by them, that his actions are his
future foundation, and that he will have both his good and bad actions
as his inevitable future... In these 5 ways one may overcome hate and anger...
More on how to overcome Hate, Anger, Irritation, and their evil derivatives:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Slaying_Anger.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Anger_and_Irritation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Elimination_of_Anger.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_to_Cure_Anger_and_Irritation.htm
Source (edited extract):
Numerical Discourses of the Buddha. Anguttara Nikaya AN 5:161
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Anger is Danger!
How to tranquilize anger & irritation?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Appeasing_Anger.htm
Making oneself into a Mighty Friend:
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 Symbiosis
Friendliness means Sympathy
Friendliness means Basic Trust
The Blessed Buddha once said:
A friend who always lends a hand,
a friend both in sorrow and joy,
a friend who offers good counsel,
a friend who sympathizes too.
These are the four kinds of true friends:
one who is wise, having understood,
will always cherish and serve such friends
just as a mother tends her only child.
DN III 188
As a mother even with her life protects her only child,
so let one cultivate immeasurable loving-kindness towards
all living beings.
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
the release of mind by infinite & endless friendliness far excels &
even surpasses them all. Itivuttaka 27
He who does not strike nor makes
others strike, who robs not nor makes
others rob, sharing love with all that live,
finds enmity with none. Itivuttaka 22
Thus he who both day and night
takes delight in harmlessness
sharing love with all that live,
finds enmity with none. SN I 208
When one with a mind of love
feels compassion for the entire world --
above, below and across,
unlimited everywhere. Jataka 37
I am a friend of the footless,
I am a friend of the bipeds;
I am a friend of those with four feet,
I am a friend of the many-footed.
May not the footless harm me,
may not the bipeds harm me,
may not those with four feet harm me,
and may not those with many feet harm me.
AN II 72
Among tigers, lions, leopards & bears I lived on the wood.
No one was frightened of me, nor did I fear anyone.
Uplifted by such universal friendliness I enjoyed the forest.
Finding great solace in silent solitude. Suvanna-sama Jataka 540
I am a friend and helper to all,
I am sympathetic to all living beings.
I develop a mind full of love
and takes always delight in harmlessness.
I gladden my mind, fill it with joy,
and make it immovable and unshakable.
I develop the divine states of mind
not cultivated by simple men. Theragatha. 648-9
On this mighty state of Friendliness (Metta) Friendship:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Symbiotic_Sympathy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The-Effective_Saw.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_11_Advantages.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Evaporated_Enemy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Genuine_Goodwill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Cosmic_Goodness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Blazing_Goodwill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Unbounded_Mind.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Goodness_Galore.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Loving-Kindness.htm
Have a nice, noble and friendly day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Blazing is Friendliness :-)
Goodwill is always a mutual advantage!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Blazing_Friendliness.htm
How does the Noble live in Alert Elevated Joy?
The Blessed Buddha once said:
How, Nandiya, does a Noble Disciple live in alert elevated joy?
Here, Nandiya, any Noble Disciple is endowed with verified conviction in the
Buddha thus: Worthy, honourable & perfectly self-Enlightened is the Buddha!
Not satisfied with that verified conviction in the Buddha, he makes a further
effort in solitude by day and seclusion at night!
When thus enthusiastic, he is elevated by alertness!
When thus elevated by alertness, then gladness is born!
When he is gladdened, then a rapturous joy arises!
When the mind is uplifted by joy, the body becomes all tranquil...
One tranquil in body experiences a pure bliss of happiness!
The mind of one who is happy becomes condensed and concentrated...
When mind is concentrated, even subtle phenomena become plain & manifest.
Since these subtle phenomena become plain and manifest, he becomes one,
who lives and dwells in alert elevated joy...
More on this blessed Bliss:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Forest_Bliss.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Joy_Piti.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoicing_Bliss_is_Mudita.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Joys_Beyond_This_World.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Blessing_all_Beings_by_Bliss.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Joys_of_the_Flesch_and_Beyond.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Infinitely_Joyous_Consciousness.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:398]
Section 55 on Stream-Entry: Sotapattisamyutta. Thread 40: Nandiya.
Have a nice elevated day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Joy Sweeps Mind into Bliss!
Alert Elevated Joy!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Alert_Elevated_Joy.htm
Effect of Action is not fixed, but Modifiable by new Action:
Painful effects of past wrong action is reduced by future right action.
Painful effects of past wrong action is enhanced by more wrong action.
Pleasurable effects of past right action is reduced by new wrong action.
Pleasurable effects of past right action is enhanced by right action now.
Behaviour (kamma) is almost always mixed: Sometimes good, often bad!
Later effects are thus similarly mixed: Sometimes pleasure, often pain...
Good begets good & dilutes & delays evil. Evil begets evil & delays good!
For details on the mechanics of Kamma = Intentional Action see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_is_intention.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Buddha_on_Kamma.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Kamma_and_Fruit.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Inevitable_Consequences.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Good_Action_dilutes_Evil_Kamma.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_leading_to_short_&_long_life.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_leading_to_Health_&_Sickness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_leading_to_Low_or_High_Birth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_leading_to_Wealth_or_Poverty.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_leading_to_Beauty_&_Ugliness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Effect_of_Action_(kamma)_is_Delayed.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_leading_to_Power_or_Disrespect.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Evil_Kamma_enhances_other_Evil_Kamma.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Good_Action_enhances_other_Good_Kamma.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_leading_to_Stupidity_or_Intelligence.htm
Some sound sources of the Buddha on Kamma:
AN 3.99 Lonaphala Sutta The Salt Crystal:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an03/an03.099.than.html
Yes We Do it! ................................... Too late pal...
Kamma & the Ending of Kamma:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/thanissaro/wings/part1.html#part1-b
Instant Karma in Action!........ Thus Don't do Evil!
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Kamma can be Modified!
Effect of Action is not fixed, but Modifiable by new Action...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Kamma_is_improvable.htm
Effect of Immoral Action is Inevitably Painful!
The Blessed Buddha once explained:
The destroying and cruel killing of any living being, Bhikkhus and Friends,
committed, carried out, and often pursued, leads to Hell, the animal world,
or the realm of ghosts. Even the least result of killing living beings brings a
short future lifetime. Killing brings a bad and painful future & quick death!
The taking of other people's belongings, committed, carried out, and often
pursued, leads to Hell, the animal world, or the realm of hungry ghosts...
Even the slightest result of stealing other people's belongings brings the
future loss of one's own goods & property and induces thus future poverty!
Adultery and illegitimate sex, committed, carried out, and often pursued,
leads to Hell, rebirth as animal, or in realm of ugly ghosts. Even the minimum
result of unlawful sex brings future enmity, jealousy, envy & vicious rivalry!
Lying, committed, carried out, and often pursued, leads to Hell, the animal
world, or the realm of ghosts. Even the weakest result of lying brings future
false accusations, blame, condemnation, despise and evil-minded complaints!
Tale-bearing, slander, divisive speech of gossip & malicious rumours committed,
carried out, & often done, leads to Hell, animal world, or the realm of ghosts.
Even the slightest result of tale-bearing brings discord, disagreement and
splitting conflicts even with one's closest friends, family and associates.
Harsh, hurting and aggressive speech, committed, carried out, and often done,
leads to rebirth in Hell, rebirth in the animal world, or the realm of ghosts.
Even the smallest result of abusive language echoes back future relentless,
rude and ruthless rebuke, vicious verbal scolding and insulting insinuations!
Vain and empty gossip, prattle, and hearsay committed, carried out, & often
pursued, leads to Hell, the animal world, or the realm of ghosts. Even the least
result of vain and void prattle brings future hearing of unacceptable and
disagreeable stories, foul-mouthed speech, & offensive unpleasant words!
Drinking intoxicating drinks, such as wine and liquor, committed, carried out,
and often pursued, leads to rebirth in Hell, the animal world, or the realm of
hungry ghosts. Even the minutest result of drinking alcoholic drinks brings
future dementia and lunatic insanity either in this or in a future life!
Beings are owners of their actions (kamma), inheritor of their own actions,
are created and conditioned by their actions, and linked to their actions!
Their actions produce, shape, limit and prepare their future destiny...
Whatever action they perform; good as evil, the resulting reaction
and inevitable consequential effects will be theirs only! Be careful!
Kamma causes and creates a rebirth location! A shadow that never leaves!
For details on the mechanics of Kamma = Intentional Action see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_is_intention.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Buddha_on_Kamma.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Good_Action_dilutes_Evil_Kamma.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_leading_to_short_&_long_life.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_leading_to_Health_&_Sickness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_leading_to_Low_or_High_Birth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_leading_to_Wealth_or_Poverty.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_leading_to_Beauty_&_Ugliness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Effect_of_Action_(kamma)_is_Delayed.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_leading_to_Power_or_Disrespect.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Evil_Kamma_enhances_other_Evil_Kamma.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Good_Action_enhances_other_Good_Kamma.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_leading_to_Stupidity_or_Intelligence.htm
Source:
Numerical Discourses of the Buddha. Anguttara Nikaya AN 10:208
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/Index.Numerical.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Kamma = Cause + Effect...
Inevitable are Consequence!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Inevitable_Consequences.htm
The Evaporator of all Evil States of Mind!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus and Friends: Once the mental release by infinite Friendliness
has been developed, frequently practised, firmly established, expanded,
made a vehicle, foundation, and brought to full perfection, then it will
be impossible for ill-will to take possession of and obsess the mind, for
the mental release by infinite Friendliness is the release from all ill-will!
Once the mental release by compassionate Pity & tender understanding
has been developed, frequently practised, firmly established, expanded,
made a vehicle, foundation, and brought to full perfection, then it will
be impossible for violence to take possession of and obsess the mind, for
the mental release by compassionate Pity is the release from all violence!
Once the mental release by mutual Joy rejoicing in other being's success
has been developed, frequently practised, firmly established, expanded,
made a vehicle, foundation, and brought to full perfection, then it will be
impossible for discontent to take possession of & obsess the mind, for
the mental release by mutual Joy is the release from all discontent!
Once the mental release by serene, still and imperturbable Equanimity
has been developed, frequently practised, firmly established, expanded,
made a vehicle, foundation, and brought to full perfection, then it will be
impossible for greed & lust to take possession of & obsess the mind, for
release by imperturbable Equanimity is the deliverance from all greed!
The 4 supreme mental attitudes (Brahmavihara) are thus:
Friendliness, Pity, Mutual Joy and Equanimity!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmavihara
More on this effective medicine of the 4 infinite and divine states:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Buddha_on_Noble_Frienship.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Harmlessness_and_Tolerance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/All_Embracing_Kindness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/All-Embracing_Kindness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoicing_Bliss_is_Mudita.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Blazing_Friendliness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Blazing_&_Bright.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Friendliness_Frees.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Goodwill_Encore.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Good_Friendship.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Metta.htm
Have a nice day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Infinite Friendliness = Safe Medicine!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Safe_Medicine.htm
Appropriate Appreciation is Gratitude!
One should be grateful towards one's Parents! Why so?
They have worked hard and very long raising one into being!
One should be grateful towards one's Teachers! Why so?
They do much to make one learn and understand the good...
One should be grateful towards one's Friends! Why so?
They have shown one an open kindness and much goodwill!
One should be grateful towards one's Spouse! Why so?
They have loyally accompanied one along a long way...
What is the future kammic effect of gratitude or ungratefulness?
The one who is grateful will receive gifts and favours ever again!
The one who is ungrateful will never again receive gifts or favours !
Thankfulness wisely invested thus pays back quite a lot!
Therefore: Always Say Thanx!
Thanx for Your Attention! ;-)
On Contentment and Rejoicing Appreciation:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Contentment.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mutual_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoicing_Bliss_is_Mudita.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Infinitely_Joyous_Consciousness.htm
Have a nice gracious day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Appreciation Echoes Back... :-)
Gracious Gratitude!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Appropriate_Appreciation.htm
Expectation is bound to give Disappointment!
Whenever and wherever there is expectation, there is also hoping & longing!
Whenever and wherever there is hoping & longing, there is also craving...
Whenever and wherever there is craving, there is also suffering!
This is the 2nd Noble Truth: Craving causes suffering...
Whenever & wherever there is neither expectation, nor hoping, nor longing,
nor any form of craving present, how can there ever be any suffering?
This is the 3rd Noble Truth: Absence of craving ends all suffering...
About the 4 Noble Truths (Ariya-Sacca):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_4_Noble_Truths.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_4_Truths_Meaning.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_1st_Noble_Truth_on_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_2nd_Noble_Truth_on_The_Cause_of_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_3rd_Noble_Truth_on_The_Ceasing_of_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_4th_Noble_Truth_on_The_Way_to_Cease_Suffering.htm
Discontent Disappointment is NOT caused by the outside world!
'Loving' and 'liking' mixed with expectation => passion => suffering!
'Loving' and 'liking' without expectation = friendliness => elevation!
These 2 forms of “love” lookalike, but are VERY different in outcome!
Expectation is an often subconscious diluted derivative of greed, which
nevertheless retains the ability to ruin any relationship and any life by
inducing the mischievous and treacherous mental state called discontent!
This discontent is NOT caused by the external object as often believed,
but by the very 'own' internal hidden prejudgement inherent in expectation!
About Expectation: Always Different!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/Always_Different.htm
Awareness of Emerging Expectation Helps:
If one notices expectation right when it arises, and also when it persists,
this enables reflecting: "Now future suffering is created and maintained!"!
This in itself gradually will reduce this diluted derivative of painful craving.
[color=#BF0040]On this poisonous Craving (Tanha) see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Cut_Craving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Craving_is_Pain.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Craving_is_Cause.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Origin_of_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ceasing_of_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Craving_is_Catastrophic.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_3_kinds_of_Craving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_2nd_Noble_Truth_on_The_Cause_of_Suffering.htm
Expectation is a Sandcastle...
Expectation = Disappointment = Suffering!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Expectation.htm