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At Savatthi the Blessed Buddha said this: Bhikkhus: Whatever desire & lust there is for form, feeling, perception, mental construction and consciousness, whatever greed, urge and craving, whatever engagement, entanglement and clinging, any habitual addiction, obsession, and underlying tendency there is for form, feeling, perception, mental construction and consciousness, overcome, cut and eliminate it all! Then all form, feeling, perception, mental construction and consciousness will be overcome & conquered, cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, completely destroyed, so that it is unable to ever re-arise again... This - only this - is the End of all Suffering...!
Craving => Clinging => Fear => Panic => Suffering!
The Blessed Buddha once said: Bhikkhus, the uninstructed ordinary person feels pleasant feelings, painful feelings, and neither-painful-nor-pleasant feelings... Such does the instructed Noble Disciple also feel. What then is the difference, the variation, and the distinction between the instructed Noble Disciple and the uninstructed ordinary person? Bhikkhus, when the uninstructed ordinary person is being touched by a painful feeling, then he cries, grieves, moans, weeps, beats his breast and becomes bewildered! He feels actually two feelings: A bodily pain and a mental sadness...!!! Imagine they hit a man with a dart, and then they pricked him immediately after with another dart, then that man would indeed feel two feelings caused by both the two darts. Similarly is it in this case where this poor uninstructed ordinary person touched by a painful feeling, actually feels two feelings: A bodily pain and another mental frustration over that pain. Whenever touched by pain, he responds with aversion towards that painful feeling, then the latent tendency to aversion towards painful feeling grows even deeper. When touched by painful feeling, he seeks for sense pleasure! Why? Because the uninstructed ordinary person does not know any other escape from painful feeling than seeking to relief by new sense pleasure. When he seeks towards delight by sensual pleasure, the latent tendency to lust for pleasant feeling grows even deeper. He does not at all really understand as it really is neither the cause, nor the fading away, nor the satisfaction, nor the danger, nor the escape regarding these feelings!# Not understanding any of these things, then when touched by a neutral neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling the latent tendency to ignorance also grows deeper. When feeling a pleasant feeling, he feels it as if attached to it, and as the owner ("my feeling") being involved in it. When feeling a painful feeling, he also feels this as if attached to it and involved in it. If he feels a neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling, he feels it as if attached to it and involved in it... This, bhikkhus, is called an uninstructed ordinary person, who is attached & clings desperately to birth, aging, death, sorrow, pain, discontent, and despair. I tell you: What he clings to is Suffering ...! Bhikkhus, when the instructed Noble Disciple is being touched by a painful feeling, he neither cries, nor grieves, nor moans, nor weeps, nor beats his breast, nor does he become bewildered! He feels actually only one feeling: Bodily pain, yet no mental sadness or frustration! Imagine they hit a man with only one single dart, and not any other dart, then that man would feel a single feeling caused by only one single dart. So too, when the instructed Noble Disciple is contacted by a painful feeling, then he feels one feeling: A bodily pain, but not any mental sadness or frustration. Touched by that painful feeling, he neither develops nor reinforces any aversion towards it! Because he develops no aversion towards this painful feeling, the latent tendency to aversion towards painful feeling does not grow deeper! When touched by painful feeling, he does not wish for sense pleasure. For what reason? Because the instructed Noble Disciple knows another escape from painful feeling other than sensual pleasure! Since he does not seek delight in sensual pleasure, the latent tendency to lust for pleasant feeling does not grow deeper in him. He indeed understands as it really is, the cause, the fading away, the satisfaction, the danger, and the escape in the case of feelings. Since he understands all these things, the latent tendency to ignorance, when touched by a neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling, does not grow deeper in him. When feeling a pleasant feeling, he feels it as if detached from it, as something remote, irrelevant and alien. When feeling a painful feeling, he also feels this as if detached from it, as if remote and alien. If he feels a neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling, he feels even that neutrality as if disconnected from it, remote and alien. This, Bhikkhus, is called a Noble Disciple, who is released from birth, aging, and death! Who is separated from sorrow, lamentation, pain, discontent, and desperate despair... I tell you, such one is separated from Suffering. This, is the difference, variation, and distinction, between the learned Noble Disciple and an uninstructed ordinary person! The wise, clever and learned one does not feel the adjoined pleasant & painful mental feeling! This is the great difference between the wise and learned one and the ordinary person. For the learned one, who has comprehended the Dhamma, who clearly sees this world and the next, the desirable things do neither incite, nor stir up, nor stimulate his mind...Towards whatever disgusting, he has no aversion. All mental attraction and repulsion has ceased in him... Both have been extinguished, brought to silence. Having known this stain and sorrow-less state, such transcender of existence rightly understands:
Pleasant feeling induces greed... Painful feeling produces hate... Neither-painful-nor-pleasant neutral feeling causes neglect and therefore generates ignorance...
Note #: The cause of feeling is contact bye the eye, ear, nose, tongue, body or mind. The fading away of feeling occurs right when this contact ceases. The satisfaction in feeling is the delight one can take in it. The danger of feeling is the impermanence of it. Instantly it goes away! The escape from feeling is Nibbana by completing the Noble 8-fold Way!
Once a certain not very well-known Bhikkhu asked the Blessed Buddha: Venerable Sir, ignorance, ignorance, is it said! What is ignorance? Venerable Sir, in what way is one wrapped up in ignorance? The Blessed Gotama Buddha then pointed out: Not Knowing Suffering is ignorance; Not Knowing The Cause of Suffering is ignorance; Not Knowing The End of Suffering is ignorance; Not Knowing The Way to end Suffering is ignorance... All this absence of understanding is ignorance and it is by that blindness, that dark state of blocked insight, that one is wrapped up in ignorance! Therefore, Bhikkhu, an effort should be made much of to understand: This is Suffering; an effort should be made much of to comprehend: Such is the Cause of Suffering; an effort should be made so to realize: That is the End of Suffering; An effort should be made to penetrate, recognize, and develop, The Noble Way leading to the End of all Suffering...
First: Ignorance is not seeing and not knowing the 4 Noble Truths fully!
The near and proximate cause is: Ignorance comes into being caused by the 5 mental hindrances! That is right here and now: Ignorance grows up caused by desire and lust... Ignorance arises caused by aversion and ill-will... Ignorance emerges caused by lethargy and laziness... Ignorance appears caused by restlessness and regret... Ignorance comes into being caused by doubt and uncertainty... All these 5 factors will obscure, obstruct and distort the 4 truths!
The remote and subtle cause is fermentation ~ assuming and supposing: Conditioned by mental fermentation (asava) does ignorance emerge: That is multi-factorially, on the long-term, as a hidden latent tendency: Ignorance is caused by the mental fermentation linked with sense-desire. Ignorance is caused by the mental fermentation associated with views. Ignorance is caused by the mental fermentation coupled with becoming. Ignorance is caused by the mental fermentation joined with ignorance itself!
The emotional component is: Ignorance is caused by a feeling of neutral indifference, since this absence of both pleasure and pain promotes neglect leading to no examination, which then results in not knowing the specifics of the object = ignorance...
Ignorance thus grows in a fatal positively self-enhancing feedback-loop!
The Blessed Buddha said: Bhikkhus, a beginning of ignorance cannot be pointed out in this way: Before this point in time, there was no ignorance, afterward it came. But, Bhikkhus, it can be pointed out in this way: Caused by this, ignorance comes to be. Bhikkhus, I tell you, ignorance too has a causing condition! What is the causing condition of ignorance? The five mental hindrances is the reply... Source: AN X 61, AN X 62
What is ignorance, what is the origin of ignorance, what is the ceasing of ignorance, and what is the way leading to the ceasing of ignorance? Not knowing about suffering, not knowing about the origin of suffering, not knowing about the ceasing of suffering, not knowing about the way leading to the ceasing of suffering, this is called ignorance! With the arising of the mental fermentations, ignorance also arises. With the ceasing of the mental fermentations, ignorance also ceases! The way leading to the ceasing of ignorance is just this Noble 8-fold Way: That is; Right view, right motivation, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort and right concentration. Source: MN 9
Even evaluation is characteristic of the Equanimity Link to Awakening. (Upekkha-Sambojjhanga). Preventing both deficiency & excess and securing impartiality is the function of Equanimity. Imperturbable ballance is the manifestation of the Equanimity Link to Awakening. Equanimity just looks on whenever new phenomena arises and ceases. This stable yet plastic patience purifies all the other advantageous mental states, which reach maximum, when joined with Equanimity...
Equanimity (Upekkha) is a moderating mental construction. Equanimity is also a mood of neither gladness nor sadness. Equanimity is also a feeling of neither pain nor pleasure. Equanimity is also the neutral ability to be indifferent. Equanimity is also the 4th infinitely divine dwelling. Equanimity is also a quite high form of happiness. Equanimity is also a refined mental purification. Equanimity is therefore a Link to Enlightenment...
There is Equanimity both regarding live beings and dead things. There is Equanimity both regarding all internal & external states. There is Equanimity both regarding all past, present and future. There is Equanimity both regarding all mentality & all materiality.
The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by alert & rational attention develops the Equanimity Link to Awakening based on seclusion, based on disillusion, on ceasing, culminating in full renouncing relinquishment, then neither can mental fermentation, nor any fever, nor discontent ever arise in him. MN2 [i 11]
When mind is concentrated one can observe all closely in equanimity. The Equanimity Link to Awakening arises right there. He develops it, and for him repeatedly meditating it goes gradually to the completion of its development. MN118 [iii 85]
1: This is Suffering! Suffering is of three kinds: a: Obvious suffering, which is any bodily pain and any mental sadness. b: Suffering due to change includes also pleasant feeling as this indeed also becomes quite disappointing, when it inevitably changes, fades, and vanishes. c: Suffering due to construction is all that is conditioned, since all this thus later inevitably will fall apart. This also includes any object which induces a neutral feeling. This 1st Noble Truth, that points out that all worldly indeed ultimately speaking is Suffering, has to be fully understood in all aspects...
2: Craving is the Cause of Suffering! a: Craving for sensing forms, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, & mental states. b: Craving for becoming. (ex: May I become rich, forever young, famous...) c: Craving for non-becoming (ex: May I not become sick, nor old, nor dead!) This Second Noble Truth on the Cause of Suffering has to be eliminated...
3: Absence of Craving is the End of Suffering! a: Not craving any sense stimuli of any kind... b: Not craving for any kind of becoming this or that in the future... c: Not craving any non-becoming, but accepting all the ills that will come... This 3rd Noble Truth on the End of Suffering has to be accomplished!
4: The Noble 8-Fold Way is the Method to End Suffering! Which Noble 8-fold Way has to be developed in order to end all suffering? Right View (samma-ditthi) Right Motivation (samma-sankappa) Right Speech (samma-vaca) Right Action (samma-kammanta) Right Livelihood (samma-ajiva) Right Effort (samma-vayama) Right Awareness (samma-sati) Right Concentration (samma-samadhi) This Fourth Noble Truth on the Way to End Suffering has to be completed.
1: This and such is Suffering is The 1st Noble Truth! The meaning of this suffering is the oppression, when pain is being formed due to the burning of frustrated desire, created when the wanted object changes into something else, now undesirable, and thereby always and inevitably is lost.. This is the meaning of Suffering, which is real, neither unreal, nor otherwise.
2: Craving is the Cause of Suffering is The 2nd Noble Truth! The meaning of craving as the origin of suffering is something that is stored and accumulating, since this source and cause of suffering, means addiction, obsession, enslavement and bondage and thus vulnerable un-free dependence.. This is the meaning of the Cause, which is real, neither unreal, nor otherwise.
3: Ceasing of Craving is the End of Suffering is The 3rd Noble Truth! The meaning of ending craving ceases suffering is escape, since one now has become sheltered and protected, due to the suffering not being recreated, when the cause of craving have subsided. Ending craving means deathlessness... This is the meaning of the End, which is real, neither unreal, nor otherwise.
4: The Noble 8-fold Way is the Path to end Suffering is The 4th Noble Truth! The meaning of the Noble 8-fold Way is outlet, since this method causes exit from the state of suffering, through knowing, seeing and understanding what is real as the dominant releasing factors, that has to be developed into a unity! This is the meaning of the Way, which is real, neither unreal, nor otherwise... Vism 494
The Blessed Buddha often said: With good will for the entire cosmos, Cultivate an infinite & boundless heart: Above, below, all across and all around, Beaming, without any hostility or hate! Sutta Nipata I, 8
May all creatures, all breathing things, all beings one and all, without exception, experience joyous good fortune only! May they never fall into any harm. Anguttara Nikaya II, 72
Let no one deceive another or despise anyone anywhere, or through anger or irritation wish for another to suffer. Sutta Nipata I, 8
The Grace of Goodwill: A Meditation on Friendliness (Metta): May my mind be filled with the thought of Kind Friendliness & open Amity. May the minds of my good teachers be filled with the thought of Friendliness. May the minds of my parents and dear ones be filled with the thought of Friendliness. May the minds of all unfriendly persons be filled with the thought of Friendliness. May the minds of all living beings be filled with the thought of Friendliness. May the minds of all strangers be filled with the thought of Friendliness. May we be free from fear, tension, anxiety, worry, and restlessness. May our hearts become soft. May our words be pleasing to others. May we be generous. May we be gentle. May we be relaxed. May we be happy and peaceful. May we be healthy. May we be a source of pure peace and happiness.
May the minds of everyone in this room be free from greed, anger, hatred, jealousy, and fear. May the peace and tranquillity of tender Friendliness pervade their entire bodies and minds. May they have good fortune. May they be prosperous. May they have really good friends May the minds of everyone in this building, in this street, in this city, in this nation on this continent, on this planet & in this universe be free from greed, anger, & doubt. May these thoughts of Friendliness embrace them, charge them and envelope them. May every cell, every drop of blood, every atom, be charged with kind amity. May the peace & tranquillity of goodwill pervade their entire bodies & minds. May they be happy-hearted. May they be free from worries and troubles. May all beings in all directions throughout this multiverse be happy. May they be filled with Friendliness, abundant, exalted, & infinite! May they be free from enmity affliction, and anxiety. May they live happily.
May all beings in all directions, all around the universe be happy. May they have good fortune. May they be prosperous. May they be famous. May they have good friends. May they be reborn in a happy destination. May they be reborn in the heavens. May all beings Awaken swiftly! May they become thus Happy!
Detachment from Feeling gives Immunity towards Suffering!
The Blessed Buddha once explained this to some sick bhikkhus: If one keen on mental training feels a pleasant feeling, he understands: "This impermanent pleasure is neither to be clung to, nor indulged in." If he feels a painful feeling, he also understands and observes: "As this pain is transient, it is neither to be clung to, nor engaged in..." If he feels a neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling, he similarly notes: "This passing neutral feeling is neither to be clung to, nor delighted in..." When he feels a pleasant feeling, he feels it, as if detached from it! When he feels a painful feeling, he feels it, as if detached from it! When he feels a neutral feeling, he feels it, as if detached from it! He feels all feelings as something remote, alien, and not belonging to him. When he feels a feeling terminating with the body, he understands: "I feel a feeling terminating with the body..." (all bodily feeling!) When he feels a feeling terminating with life, he understands: "I feel a feeling terminating with life..." (all mental feeling!) He understands: With the breakup of this body, at the exhaustion of life, any feeling, neither being delighted in, nor clung to, will cool down right then and there... Just as, bhikkhus, an oil lamp burns depending on the oil and the wick, at the exhaustion of the oil and the wick, the burning flame is extinguished through lack of fuel, exactly so similarly here, bhikkhus, when a bhikkhu feels a feeling terminating with the body... or terminating with life... He understands: With the breakup of this body, at the very exhaustion of this life, all that is felt, not being indulged in, nor clung to, will vanish right there and then... This - only this - is the end of Suffering!
Any Advantageous Mental State Improves the Future!
Train yourself in doing good that lasts and brings happiness. Cultivate generosity, the life of peace, and a mind of boundless love. Itivuttaka 16
Generosity, kind words, doing a good turn for others, and treating all people alike: these bonds of sympathy are to the world what the axle is to the wagon wheel. Anguttara Nikaya II, 32
Good are friends, when the need arises; Good is contentment with just what one has; Good is merit done, when life is at an end, and good is the elimination of all Suffering! Dhammapada 331
Come on! Do Good! Good Gets Better!
In this world, good it is to serve one's mother, Good is it to serve one's father, Good is it to serve the monks, and Good it is to serve the holy pure ones. Dhammapada 332
Good is pure moral virtue until life's end, Good is fine Faith, that is unwavering, Good is the acquisition of understanding, and Good is the avoidance of all evil wrong-doing. Dhammapada 333
To avoid all evil, to cultivate only good, and to purify one's mind this is the teaching of all the Buddhas! Dhammapada 183
Yes We Can!
The good relinquish attachment to everything. The wise do not prattle with yearning for pleasures. The clever show neither elation, nor depression, when touched either by happiness, or by sorrow... Dhammapada 83
With good-will for the entire cosmos, Cultivate a limitless & infinite kindness: Above, below, across and all around, unobstructed, without hostility or hate. Sutta Nipata I, 8
Let all guard themselves against irritability in thought; Let every one be controlled in mind, Leaving mental misery & misconduct, Let every one practice good behaviour in any thought. Dhammapada 233
Seeding Good, Sprouts in Good!
Let any being guard himself against irritability in speech; Let every one be controlled in speech. Leaving all verbal misconduct, Let every one practice good behaviour in all speech. Dhammapada 232
Overcome the angry by kindness; Overcome the wicked by goodness; Overcome the miser by generosity; Overcome the liar by truth. Dhammapada 223
Consort only with the good, Come together only with the good. To learn the Teaching of the Noble ones, Gives an understanding nowhere else found! Samyutta Nikaya I, 17
Same are all beings, just different! ;-)
Neither mother, nor father, nor any other family or friend can do greater good for oneself, than a well trained & well directed mind! Dhammapada 43
Think not lightly of good, saying, "It will not return to me." Since: Drop by drop is the water pot filled with rain! Likewise, the wise one, gathering it little by little, fills himself with advantageous good... Dhammapada 122
Cruelty, Mercilessness & Revengefulness are diluted Hate:
How to cure these evil derivatives of Cruelty:
1: Review the Danger in Cruelty like this: This can bring me to a bad destination, the downfall, to pain, even to hell! This is a path of thorns, an evil way, a dark state, conflict, violence, pain!
2: How does a friend dwell pervading all with his heart endued with pity? Just as he would feel pity on seeing an unlucky, unfortunate person, so he pervades all beings with infinite pity. Therefore first of all he imagines a poor man, unlucky, unfortunate, in every way a fit object for pity, ugly, reduced to utter misery, with hands and feet cut off, sitting in the shelter for the helpless, with an empty pot in front of him, with maggots oozing from sores on hands and legs, moaning, infinite pity should be felt for him in this way: 'This being has been reduced to utter misery! If he just could be freed from this misery...' Then later one can arouse the same pity and compassion for a neutral person and later for even a wrong-doing person! This is the complete mastery of pity: Compassion even with the Evil One!
3: All wrong doing is caused by blindness: A real pity for the wrong-doers! All wrong-doers will thus suffer immensely in the future. How sad for them!
4: Begin and Cultivate meditation on Infinite pity: Sit down a silent, empty place with closed eyes & beam this from the heart: May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating awareness of pity. May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating examination of pity. May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating energetic pity. May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating joyous infinite pity. May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating stilled infinite pity. May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating concentrated pity. May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating imperturbable pity. Beaming first out in front, then right, left, down below and also up above: May all beings live happily and free from suffering, pain and frustration. May all beings be free from hate, cruelty, mercilessness & revengefulness!
One who is virtuous and wise Shines like a blazing fire; Like a bee collecting nectar He acquires wealth by harming none! Digha Nikaya III, 188
May all breathing creatures, all living things, All beings, every one without exception, Experience good fortune only! May they not fall into harm. Anguttara Nikaya II, 72
Solitude is happiness for one who is content, Who has heard the Dhamma and clearly sees. Non-violence is happiness in the world Harmlessness towards all living beings. Udana 10
JOY Oh let us live happily! Freed from all cruelty! Living even among those, who always flames by hate! Among those dominated by anger, let us live free from anger! Dhammapada 197
Tranquillity comes due to insight. As he is sitting, whether by night or by day, then he experiences neither fatigue, heaviness, rigidity, slowness, nor sickness in his body, nor in his mind, but rather his body and mind are tranquil, very light, adaptable, pliable, quite sharp and ultra-clear! With his body and mind aided by such tranquillity, he experiences a superhuman delight, about which it is said:
A Bhikkhu with his mind all quiet... Retired to a remote & empty place. There right insight in the Dhamma, Awards him a superhuman delight! It is because he really comprehends The rise and fall of all phenomena That he relishes this high happiness: A silent joy not of this world! A bliss transcending the human! And knows it to be the deathless... Dhammapada 373-74
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!
The Blessed Buddha once said: Bhikkhus and friends, if while one is trying to behave good and clever, occasionally due to a lapse of awareness, a momentary neglect occurs and evil detrimental memories and bad intentions arise in one, then slow might be the re-arising of one's awareness, but one should ultra-quickly leave all these thoughts, dispel these obsessions, and end these impulses, thereby eradicating both any phobia and mania. Imagine a man who let a tiny drop of water fall onto an iron plate heated for a whole day on the stove... Slow might be his letting go of the water drop, but then it would quickly vaporize and vanish, when hitting the pan. Even so, while one is neglecting the presence of acute awareness and the mind strays back into the mental habits of evil detrimental mental habits & bad intentions: Slow might be the re-arising of one's awareness, yet one should still then instantly leave these evil thoughts, dispel these obsessions, end these impulses, thereby eradicating any disadvantageous and afflicting phobia and mania. It is in exactly this way that a Bhikkhu has comprehended the ideal mode of behaviour and habit of living, that prevents any evil detrimental mental state of avariciousness, lust, greed, envy, jealousy and discontent in flowing in upon, enveloping and completely dominating his mind...
The Blessed Buddha once pointed out: Where does all bodily pain cease, without even a trace remaining? Aloof from all sense-desire and secluded from any disadvantageous state, one enters and remains in the first jhana absorption of directed thought and sustained thinking, joined with pleasure and joy, born of sole seclusion. It is right there, that all bodily pain ceases without a trace remaining...
Comments: Therefore do beings reborn at the fine-material brahma level, never feel any physical pain, since they are continuously absorbed in this first jhana..! The amateur meditator can use this absence of pain as a diagnostic tool: If pain is still felt anywhere in the body, then the present meditative state cannot be first or any higher jhana, but must be a case of calm (samatha), preparatory concentration (parikamma-samadhi) or near neighbourhood concentration (upacara-samadhi).
Why do some beings attain Nibbãna, while others do not?
Sakka, the king of the 33 Gods once asked the Blessed Buddha: Venerable Sir, what is the cause & reason, why some beings here do not attain Nibbana in this very life? And what is the cause and reason, why some beings here do indeed attain Nibbana in this very life? Knowing this being's addiction to divine delight the Buddha answered: There are, King of the thirty-three Devas, forms experiencable by the eye, sounds experiencable by the ear, smells experiencable by the nose, touches experiencable by the body, and mental phenomena experiencable by the mind, that all are attractive, charming, agreeable, pleasing, tempting, and tantalizing. If a bhikkhu hunts for delight in them, welcomes them, and remains holding on to them, his mind becomes addicted to them and clings to them. Any being mentally dominated by clinging cannot attain Nibbana! This is the cause & reason, King of the Devas, why many & most beings here do not attain Nibbana in this very life... There are, King of the Devas, forms experiencable by the eye, sounds experiencable by the ear, smells experiencable by the nose, touches experiencable by the body, and mental phenomena experiencable by the mind, that all are attractive, charming, agreeable, pleasing, enticing, tempting and tantalizing. If a wise Bhikkhu avoids seeking any delight in them, does not welcome them, and does not remain holding on to them, then his mind doesn't become addicted to them, Any being mentally wholly freed of clinging can indeed attain Nibbana! This is the cause and reason, King of the Devas, why some beings here can attain Nibbana in this very life, while most neither can, nor will....
Deva king Sakka and a few of his hundreds of dear nymphs...
When sitting alone, in silence, each early morning, with closed eyes one wishes: May I radiate and meet only never-ending and mutually rejoicing joy! May I & all the various beings on the 31 levels of existence develop and find only celebration and elation in a never-ending mutually rejoicing joy! May I & all beings on the sense-desire, fine-material, and the formless plane develop and encounter this generous, infinite and mutually rejoicing joy! May I & all beings in the front, to the right, the back, the left, and below as above, develop and experience openhearted, sharing, & mutually rejoicing joy! May I and all beings within this city, country, planet and universe always: Be fully aware and deeply mindful of this content and mutually rejoicing joy! Examine all details & aspects of this satisfied and mutually rejoicing joy! Put enthusiastic effort in our praxis of this devoted mutually rejoicing joy! Enjoy enraptured jubilant gladness in this exulting mutually rejoicing joy! Be silenced by the tranquillity of quiet and all smiling mutually rejoicing joy! Be concentrated & absorbed into one-pointedness by genuine rejoicing joy! Dwell in an imperturbable equanimity of pure and mutually rejoicing joy... Yeah! May it be even so, since mutual joy causes the jewel of contentment!
Comment: Mutual Joy is the 3rd infinite mental state (Appamañña): This gradually reduces all envy, jealousy, possessiveness, stinginess, avarice miserliness, green covetousness and unhappiness related with all these states. The cause of Mutual Joy in rejoicing in your child's or boon companion's success. This same joy can then be beamed towards all liked, neutral and hostile beings. Mutual Joy is then the proximate cause of satisfied and fulfilled Contentment... Lack of mutual joy is thus the proximate cause of dissatisfied discontentment... Joined with the 7 links to Awakening it will later cause a formless jhana... Be happy at all and especially other being's success! Then calm comfort grows!
At Savatthi the Blessed Buddha once explained: Just as this body, is sustained by food, is dependent on food, and cannot continue without food, even so, friends, are the five mental hindrances indeed also sustained by a kind of food, they are also dependent on food, and cannot continue without ever renewed feeding…
And what, friends, is feeding for the arising and growth of sense-desire? It is frequent and careless attention to the alluring & attractive features! This food makes sensual lust arise and feeds also growth of habitual greed…
And what, friends, is feeding for the arising and aggravation of ill-will? It is frequent & careless attention to the displeasing & repulsive features! This is food makes aversion arise and feeds also growth of habitual anger…
And what is feeding the emergence & deterioration of lethargy-&-laziness? It is frequent & careless attention to drowsiness, & eaten too much Dullness! This is food makes sloth arise and feeds also worsening of habitual Laziness…
And what is feeding for the arising and escalation of restlessness-&-regret? It is frequent & careless attention to the excited, agitated & stressed mind! This food upsets and stirs the mind and feeds also habitual anxiety & worry… And what feeds the arising, deepening & expansion of doubt-&-uncertainty? It is frequent & careless attention to doubtful theories & speculative views! This food bewilders the mind & feeds also escalation of habitual confusion...
Just as this body, is supported by food, is dependent on food, and cannot go on without food, exactly so, friends, are these 5 Mental Hindrances supported by feeding, dependent on feeding, and cannot persist without this continual mental feeding by wrongly directed attention…
At Savatthi the Blessed Buddha once explained: What, friends, is the starvation, that prevents the arising of Sense-Desire, and which also blocks any growth of already arisen Sense-Desire? It is frequent and careful attention to the Disgusting Features of things! This starvation prevents sensual lust from arising & reduces present greed… And what, friends, is the starvation that prevents the arising of Ill-Will & which also hinders any aggravation and inflation of already arisen Ill-Will? It is frequent, careful and rational attention to Universal Friendliness! This starvation prevents aversion from arising & inhibits present anger… And what is the starvation, that prevents arising of Lethargy-&-Laziness, and which also eliminates any already present Lethargy-&-Laziness? It is attention to these 3 elements of: Initiative, Launching and Endurance! This starvation prevents absent sloth from arising & stops present laziness. And what is the starving that prevents arising of Restlessness-&-Regret, and which also slow down any escalation of present Restlessness-&-Regret? It is frequent attention to this sweet, calm & peaceful Tranquillity of Mind! This starvation prevents upsetting of the mind & reduces anxiety & worry… What is the starvation that prevents the arising ofDoubt-&-Uncertainty, and which also stops any proliferation of present Doubt-&-Uncertainty? It is frequent, careful, rational attention & evaluation of these 4 Dualities: There are advantageous & disadvantageous states! There are blameable & blameless states! There are ordinary & exalted states! There are bright & dark mental states! This starvation prevents any confusion of the mind & which also dampen escalation of already present perplexity…
Comments: Memorize and use as suitable substitution, whenever a hindrance is noted!
The Bak Poya day is the full-moon of April. This holy day celebrates that the Buddha visits Ceylon for the second time to reconcile two local chiefs Mahodara and Culodara, uncle & nephew, who had fallen into war threatening hostility about a jewel-beset throne... The story shows the Buddha as fine diplomat & is given in full below!
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, white-clothed, clean bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue, and bows first 3 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 for 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! A journey towards the deathless Nibbana is thus started! This is the Noble Way to Peace, to Freedom, to Ease, to Happiness, initiated by Morality, developed further by Dhamma-Study and fully completed by training of Meditation...
Today indeed is Pooya or Uposatha Observance day, where any lay Buddhist normally keeps also the Eight Precepts from sunrise until next dawn. If any wish official recognition by the Bhikkhu-Sangha, they may easily forward the lines starting with "I hereby" signed by name, date, town, & country to me or join here. A Public list of this new quite rapidly growing global Saddhamma-Sangha is set up here!
Reuniting those who are divided, by inducing harmony: Now the most compassionate Teacher, the Conqueror, rejoicing in the salvation of the whole world, when dwelling at Jetavana in the fifth year of his Buddhahood, saw that war, caused by a gem beset throne, was like to come to pass between the nagas Mahodara and Culodara, uncle and nephew and their followers! The SamBuddha, then on the Uposatha day of the dark half of the month Citta, in the early morning, took his sacred alms bowl and his robes, and, out of compassion for the nagas, sought the Nagadipa. At that time the same naga Mahodara was then king, gifted with miraculous powers, in a nagas kingdom in the ocean, that covered half a 1000 yojanas. His younger sister had been given in marriage to the naga king on the Kannavaddhamana mountain; her son was Culodara. His mother's father had given to his mother a splendid throne of jewels, then the naga had died and therefore was this war between nephew & uncle threatening!
The bejewelled throne, the Buddha and the deva Samiddhisumana. Mural painting. Kelaniya Temple http://www.kelaniyatemple.com/
The nagas of the mountains were also armed with many miraculous powers. The deva Samiddhisumana took his rajayatana tree standing in Jetavana, his own fair habitation, holding it like a parasol over the Conqueror, he, with the Teacher's leave, attended him to that spot, where he had formerly dwelt. That very deva had been, in his latest birth, a man in Nagadipa. On the very spot where thereafter the rajayatana tree stood, he had seen PaccekaBuddhas taking their meal. And at the sight his heart was glad & he offered branches to cleanse their alms bowls. Therefore he was reborn in that very same tree in the pleasant Jetavana garden, outside of the gate rampart. The God of all gods saw in this an advantage for that deva, and, for the sake of the good, which should spring therefrom for Ceylon, he brought him there together with his tree. Hovering there in midair above the battlefield, the Master, who drives away
spiritual darkness, called forth dreadful darkness over the nagas! Then comforting those who were distressed by terror, he once again spread light abroad. When they saw the Blessed One, they joyfully did reverence to the Masters feet. Then the Vanquisher preached to them the Dhamma that makes concord, & both nagas gladly gave up the throne to the Sage. When the Master, having alighted on the earth, had taken his place on a seat there, and had been refreshed with divine food and drink served by the naga kings, he, the Lord, established in the three refuges and in the 8 moral precepts eighty kotis of snake-spirits, dwellers in the ocean and on the mainland. The naga-king Maniakkhika of Kalyani, maternal uncle to this naga Mahodara, who had come there to take part in the battle, and who before, at the Buddhas first coming, having heard the true Dhamma preached, had become established in the 3 refuges & in the moral duties, prayed now to the Tathagata: Great is the compassion that you have shown us here, Master! Had you not appeared we had all been consumed to ashes. May your compassion yet settle also and especially on me, you who are rich in friendly loving kindness, please peerless one, come again back here to my home country. When the Lord had consented by his silence to return, then he planted the rajayatana tree on that very spot as a sacred memorial, & the Lord of the Worlds gave over the rajayatana tree & the precious throne seat to the naga kings to do homage thereto: In remembrance that I have used these, do homage to them naga kings! This, well beloved, will bring to pass many blessings & happiness for you for a long time! When the Blessed One had uttered this and other exhortations to the nagas, he, the compassionate saviour of all the worlds, returned to the Jetavana monastery.
Here ends the explanation of the Visit to Nagadipa.
A Brahmin Priest once asked the Blessed Buddha: Master Gotama, what is the cause of being unable to remember even something that has been memorized over a long period & also that which has not been memorized? Brahmin, when mind is retarded by lethargy & laziness, dimmed, detained & dominated by lethargy and laziness, and one does not understand any actual safe escape from this arisen lethargy and laziness, in that very moment, one can neither see, nor understand, what is advantageous, neither for oneself, nor for others, nor for both oneself and others. Consequently, whatever have been memorized, cannot be remembered… Why is this neglect so? Imagine a bowl of water covered with moss, water plants and algae. If a man with good eye-sight were to inspect the reflection of his own face in it, he would neither see, nor recognize it, as it really is! So too, brahmin, when mind is slowed down by lethargy and laziness, dimmed, detained and handicapped by lethargy & laziness, on such occasions even texts long memorized do not recur to the mind, not to speak of those texts, events and information, that have not been actively memorized at all…
How to cure Laziness: Attention to these 3 elements of: initiative, launching and endurance!
Lethargy-&-Laziness may often be induced by self-destructive behaviour such as: Alcohol, drugs, dope, pills, marihuana, sniffing, over-eating, excessive masturbation and night-living. Such often life-long chemical or behavioural causes of Lethargy-&-Laziness should be eradicated... As long as this is not achieved one remains a phlegmatic & apathetic zombie, drifting downwards due to inability to initiate advantageous behaviour.
Noticing Lethargy-&-Laziness (thina-middha) emerge can make it evaporate: Herein, Bhikkhus, when Lethargy-&-Laziness is present in him, the bhikkhu notes & understands: There is Lethargy-&-Laziness in me, and when this Lethargy-&-Laziness is absent, he notes & understands: Now there is no Lethargy-&-Laziness in me. He indeed also understands how yet unarisen Lethargy-&-Laziness arises. He understands how to leave behind any arisen Lethargy-&-Laziness, and he understands how left Lethargy-&-Laziness will not arise again in the future. MN 10
What is the feeding cause that makes Lethargy-&-Laziness arise? There are boredom, apathy, tiredness, lazy stretching of the body, heavy drowsiness after too big meals, and mental sluggishness. Frequently giving irrational and unwise attention to these mental states, this is the feeding cause of the arising of yet unarisen Lethargy-&-Laziness, and the feeding cause of worsening and deepening of already present Lethargy-&-Laziness. SN 46:51
What is the starving cause that makes Lethargy-&-Laziness cease? There is the quality of initiative. There is the quality of launching action. There is the quality of tenaciously enduring persistence. Frequently giving rational & wise attention to these three mental elements, is the starving cause for the non-arising of unarisen Lethargy-&-Laziness, and the starving cause for the arousing and stirring of already present Lethargy-&-Laziness. SN 46:51
The Supreme Ideal: Before the Buddha sat down to meditate in order to attain enlightenment, he made this determination: May just all flesh and blood of this body dry up into a stiff frame of only bones, tendons and skin... Not a second before having achieved, what can be achieved by male strength, power, and energy, will I rise from this seat... MN 70
How to stimulate the mind: How does one stimulate the mind at a time when it needs stimulation? If due to slowness of understanding or due to not having yet reached the happiness of tranquillity, one's mind is dull, then one should rouse it through reflecting on the eight objects stirring urgency. These 8 objects are: birth, decay, disease & death; the suffering in hell, demon, ghost & animal world! The suffering in the past and the the future rooted in this Samsara. The suffering of the present rooted in the pursuit for food and living. Vism. IV,63
Perceiving the suffering in impermanence: In a Bhikkhu, who is used to see the suffering in impermanence and who frequently reflects on this, there will be established in him such an acute sense of the danger in laziness, apathy, inactivity and lethargy, just as if he was threatened by a mad murderer with drawn sword! AN 7:46
Lethargy-&-Laziness is an inner mental Prison: Just as when a man has been forced into prison is Lethargy-&-Laziness, but later when he gets released from this (inner) prison, then he is safe, fearing no loss of property. And at that good he rejoices glad at heart... Such is the breaking out of Lethargy-&-Laziness... Another person has been kept in jail during a festival day, and so could see none of the shows. When people say: Oh, how fun was this festival! He will remain shy, mute and silent because he did not enjoy any festival himself... Similarly is prison of Lethargy-&-Laziness... Another person that once had been in jail on a festival day. But when freed and celebrating the festival on a later occasion, he looks back: Before due to my own careless laziness, I was in prison on that day & could not enjoy this fine festival. Now I shall therefore be alert and careful. Since he remains thus alert and careful no detrimental state can overcome his mind. Having fully enjoyed the festival, he exclaims: What a fun festival! Good is absence of Lethargy-&-Laziness...
Whoever lives in search & urge only or pleasure and beauty, unguarded in senses, immoderately indulging in eating, lazy, lethargic, inactive, dulled into apathy; Such ones Mara sweeps away like breaking a branch of a tiny bush ... Dhammapada 7
Even if one should live a hundred years, if lazy and idle, better it would be to live but just a single day striving with all one got. Dhammapada 112
Easy is the shameless life now. Easy is it to be bold, retaliating, lazy, uninformed and wrong-viewed. Dhammapada 244
Rouse yourself! Sit up! Resolutely train yourself to attain peace. Do not let the king of death, seeing you lazy, lead you astray and dominate you. Sutta Nipata II, 10
The Blessed Buddha once said: I am a friend and helper to all, I am sympathetic to all living beings. I develop a mind full of love & one who always delight in harmlessness! I gladden my mind, fill it with joy, and make it immovable and unshakable. I develop these divine states of mind not cultivated by simple men. Theragatha 648-9
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, & may not those with many feet harm me. AN II 72
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, who have understood much, will always cherish and serve such friends just as a mother tends her only child. DN III, 188
Among tigers, lions, leopards & bears I lived in the jungle. No one was frightened of me, nor did I fear anyone. Uplifted by such universal friendliness, I enjoyed the forest. Finding great solace in such sweetly silenced solitude… Suvanna-sama Jataka 540
And how does a Bhikkhu abide with his mind imbued with friendliness extending over one direction? Just as he would feel friendliness on seeing a dearly favourite person, so he extends this same loving-kindness to all beings in all directions, one by one, & as above so below. Abhidhamma Pitaka: Appamañña-vibhanga
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, in invisible shielding protection, such release of mind by universal friendliness far excels & surpasses them all... Itivuttaka 27
Patience is not silence, but speaking and acting at the right time with a calm mind, in a right, kind, gentle and unharmful way.
Generosity is not giving everything you have or spending all of your time for the benefit of others, but not keeping your mind hanging onto what you temporarily have on loan.
Compassion is not putting yourself into trouble, but taking others out of trouble.
Rev. Thalawathugoda Chandawimala, Sri Lanka Oxford International Meditation Centre http://www.oxfordimc.com
How differs Death and Ceasing of Perception and Feeling?
Venerable Mahakotthita once asked Venerable Sariputta: Friend, what is the difference between a dead body and a Bhikkhu, who has attained the state of cessation of perception and feeling?
Venerable Sariputta then answered: Friend, in a dead body any bodily activity is stilled and has all ceased. The verbal activity is stilled and has all ceased. The mental activity is stilled and has all ceased. The metabolic life activity is exhausted. The heat has dissipated, and the mental abilities have all broken up and been destroyed.
In the bhikkhu, who has attained to the cessation of perception and feeling, All bodily activity and breathing is stilled and has all ceased; All verbal activity and all thinking is stilled and has all ceased; All mental activity and all sensing is stilled and has completely ceased; But the metabolic life activity is not exhausted. The heat has not dissipated. Furthermost: The mental abilities have then become exceptionally clear ... ! Friend, this is the difference between a dead body and a Bhikkhu, who has attained to the meditative state of cessation of perception and feeling...
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: Inconceivable is the beginning of this Samsara; not to be discovered is any first beginning of beings, who, blinded by ignorance and ensnared by craving, are hurrying, and hastening through this round of rebirths... Source: (edited excerpt) SN 3:35
Some Comments: Samsara is the crushing wheel of existence, which literally is meaning 'perpetual wandering': A sea of life & death ever restlessly heaving up & down, the symbol of this never-ending process of ever again & again being born, growing old, becoming weak & sick, suffering, and dying... More precisely put: Samsara is the unbroken sequence of re-arisings of combinations of the momentary events of the 5-fold cluster of clinging, which constantly changing from moment to moment, follow continually one upon the other, through inconceivable periods of time. A single life constitutes only a tiny microscopic fraction of these trillions of eons... In order to comprehend the 1st noble truth, one must therefore gaze long and contemplate upon this Samsara, upon this frightful sequence of ever rebirth mostly in lower painful forms, and not merely upon one single lifetime, which may sometimes not seem very painful until aged... The term Suffering: Dukkha in the first noble truth therefore refers not only to painful bodily & mental feelings, caused now by displeasing contacts & impressions, but it comprises in addition every thing creating suffering or which is liable to produce it later... The truth of Suffering teaches that, owing to the universal law of impermanence, even high and sublime states of happiness are subject to change and destruction, and that all states of existence therefore ultimately are unsatisfactory... Without exception they all carry in themselves the seeds of suffering! 'Du' means bad. 'Kha' means state. Dukkha thus means 'Bad State'... Samsara is a Bad State of Suffering. Nibbana is a Good State of Peace!
Video illustrating life among humans, in heaven and in hell:
Life in the modern age has become particularly trying and problematic. Though it remains a fact that the standard of living has generally improved, man is still suffering immensely under the weight of present-day living. The physical condition of man has been reduced to such a pathetic level that he succumbs to untimely death by killer diseases such as cancer, heart failure, diabetes, etc. to an unprecedented degree. Mentally, he is so tension-ridden that he has forgotten the art of relaxing, and he cannot even enjoy sound sleep without the aid of tranquilizers. In this set up interpersonal relations have become so brittle and vulnerable that the divorce rate has indeed become alarmingly high, thus letting loose a whole series of other social problems such as uncared-for children, juvenile delinquency, suicide, etc. Thus life has become a problematic burden and a solution to make life more tolerable and enjoyable is a great and pressing need.
As the word of the Buddha is of everlasting value and universal applicability, and as the Buddha preached not only to monks and nuns but also to the lay public as well, it is useful to find a teaching of the Buddha which is relevant to our present-day problems: In the Pattakammavagga of the Anguttara Nikaya (A II, 69) the Buddha preached a sutta to Anathapindika on the fourfold pleasures of a layman. It is our considered opinion that this sutta offers adequate insight to meet the demands of the present-day problems as well. The four types of pleasure listed there are: 1: Atthisukha, the pleasure of having material wealth; 2: Bhogasukha, the pleasure of enjoying material wealth; 3: Ananasukha, the pleasure of being debtless; and 4: Anavajjaskha,the pleasure of being blameless. Let us take these for discussion one by one and see how these four sources of pleasure can be harnessed for living a happy life in the present-day world.
Atthisukha — Man should not only have a righteous means of living, avoiding blameworthy trades such as dealing in meat, liquor, poison, firearms & slavery, he should also entertain a wholesome attitude towards his right occupation. For instance, if a doctor welcomes epidemics in the locality in order to make much money, or a trader hopes for natural calamities to send market prices up, the money earned by such unscrupulous individuals is not righteous money as their intentions are impure and foul. Also one should not deceive or exploit others in carrying out one's occupation. Exerting oneself with great energy, one should earn one's living, and such hard-earned wealth is called righteous wealth (dhammika dhammaladdha). Again one could have great wealth, but if one does not experience a sense of contentment with what one has, one cannot really enjoy atthisukha or the pleasure of having. The amassing of wealth of such a person is like trying to fill a bottomless vessel. This is one of the widely spread maladies we see in the present-day society. Inordinate expansion of wealth becomes a source not of happiness, but of greed, anxiety, and envy. Such wealth exposes the possessor to the jealousies and manoeuvres of other unscrupulous individuals, hence the occurrence of blackmailing and kidnapping from time to time. But if one does have a correct means of earning one's living and the correct attitude to wealth, one can escape many of the hazards which money brings in its wake to modern man...
Bhogasukha — Wealth has only instrumental value and the proper enjoyment of wealth is an art which is worth carefully cultivating. Buddhism deplores both extravagance and miserly hoarding. One must maintain a healthy balanced standard of living according to one's means. If, in the enjoyment of wealth, one overindulges in sense pleasures, one is bound to run into health hazards in a very short time. If, for instance, one overindulges in food just because one can afford it, one will soon be overcome by diseases such as heart failure, high blood pressure and diabetes. Such a one will be faced with the situation of "cutting his neck with his own tongue." Moderation in food is a virtue praised in Buddhism and it is a health-promoting habit. Often in the name of enjoying wealth, man cultivates unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking. It is paradoxical that man, who actually loves himself most, should act as if he were his own worst enemy by indulging in habits which ultimately reduce him to a physical wreck. It is medically established that smoking causes the highest percentage of lung cancer, and that drinking causes irreparable damage to vital organs of the body including brain and liver. If only one pauses to just ponder over one's own welfare, and if only one entertains at least some degree of compassion towards oneself, one would not get into the clutches of these vicious habits. Wealthy men often end up in the pitiful plight of the ant fallen in the pot of honey. Such men did not know the art of enjoying bhogasukha. The regard the body as an instrument for pleasure, and they wear out and debilitate the body's capacity for enjoyment in double quick time, long before the natural process of wear and tear sets in. If we love ourselves, we have to treat our bodies with proper care without taxing it with overindulgence and deprivation. It is with the body that we can enjoy not only the pleasures of the senses, but even the spiritual bliss of Nibbana. Another aspect of the joy of wealth is the art of sharing. Without being an Adinnapubbaka, a miserly "never-giver," if one learns to share one's riches with those worthy, the less fortunate and have-nots, one will have the noble experience of rejoicing at the joy of another. At the same time one will learn the love and good will of others, instead of becoming the target of envy, jealousy and intrigue.
Ananasukha — The pleasure of being debtless is the third quality discussed in our sutta. Economically if one can be completely free of debt, one is indeed a very fortunate person. To be really debtless in society one has to discharge one's obligations scrupulously. As a wage earner one has to discharge one's duties for which one is paid, otherwise one can be indebted to the employer. As a parent one has to fulfill one's obligations to one's children. In our society children are taught to worship and look after their parents, and it is well to bear in mind that parents too have to qualify themselves for the honour they receive by being dutiful parents. It should be emphasized that fathers who neglect their families as a result of their addiction to vices such as drinking and gambling fall far short of the ideal of debtlessness. One can have the satisfaction of being debtless only if one has fulfilled one's obligations in all social roles one has to perform.
Anavajjasukha — The satisfaction of leading a blameless life is the highest form of satisfaction that a layman can have. Every society has a code of ethics to be followed by its members. According to Buddhism the minimum code of ethics regulating the life of its adherent disciples is the pañcasila: the Five Precepts. If one practices these virtues, one can have the satisfaction of leading a righteous life to a great extent. Refraining from doing to others what one does not like others to do to oneself, is the basic inviolable principle underlying these virtues. Buddhism speaks of hiri and ottappa, the sense of shame and the fear of doing wrong, as deva dhamma or celestial qualities. These are the basic qualities which separate man from the animal kingdom. Unlike the animals man has a conscience, which makes him squeamish about doing wrong... Buddhism recognizes blameless mental activity as well. Mental activities which arise from greed, hatred & ignorance are detrimental and thus blameworthy. Let us see how such mental behaviour causes unhappiness. Take for instance the case of a person who is angry. What are the symptoms of anger? Hard breathing, accelerated heart beat, faster circulation of blood, feeling hot, sweating, trepidation, restlessness, etc. — these are the physical manifestations of anger. These are certainly not pleasant physical experiences. Each time the cause of anger is remembered, even though the rage of physical manifestations of anger may not be that marked, one feels quite restless and mentally ill at ease. We use expressions such as "boiling with anger," "I got the devil on to me," etc. to mean getting angry, and these sayings are literally expressive of the situation. It is impossible for one to be angry and happy at the same time.
The Blessed Buddha once said: Bhikkhus, just as this body, is sustained by feeding, exists in dependence on feeding and cannot survive without food, exactly & even so are these 7 Links to Awakening also sustained by feeding, they can also only exist in dependence on feeding and they cannot survive without feeding... And what, Bhikkhus, is the feeding the emergence of any yet unarisen Tranquillity Link to Awakening & also feeding of already arisen & present Tranquillity? Just this very notion: There are 2 kinds of Calm:
There is Tranquillity of the Body (kaya-passaddhi) and there is Tranquillity of the Mind (citta-passaddhi)! Frequently giving careful & rational attention to them both, is feeding the arising of any unarisen tranquillity and indeed also feeding of the gradual fulfillment of any already arisen tranquillity... And what, Bhikkhus, is the starving that obstructs all emergence of any yet unarisen tranquillity and which also hinders any already arisen tranquillity in reaching fulfillment by development?
There are these 2 kinds of composed calm, which should be differentiated: Tranquillity of the Body and Tranquillity of the Mind! Not giving frequent careful and rational attention to them; not considering them much & often; is the starving that prevents an unarisen tranquillity from arising and also blocks any already arisen tranquillity from reaching complete fulfillment by mental training and progressive development by meditation...
Comments from the classical commentaries: Peace is the characteristic of the Tranquillity Link to Awakening (Passaddhi-sambojjhanga). Stilling of all bodily activity, feeling, perception, mental construction and consciousness is the purpose of tranquillity. Settled, serene and solidified calm (samatha) is the excessively pleasant manifestation of tranquillity. A smiling mountain! When the mirror moves & vibrates, then one cannot see anything clearly in it. So also with the mind: When stressed and agitated, then mind cannot figure out what is good and what is bad on the long term. But when imperturbably stilled, then mind can cut right through any distraction and attain absolute certainty and understanding both spontaneously and instantaneously...
Further conditions helpful for the emergence of the Tranquillity are: 1: Eating good and fine food... 2: Living in a pleasant climate... 3: Maintaining a comfortable posture without pain or distress... 4: Staying evenly ballanced in all situations and regarding all aspects... 5: Avoidance of restless, anxious, agitated, worried and stressed people... 6: Friendship with bodily and mentally calm people, who meditates much! 7: Commitment to calm down the mind by cultivating quiet and tranquillity!
There is Tranquillity of the Body and there is Tranquillity of the Mind! These mutually depend upon and enhance each other into deeper calmness.
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The young brahman Magha once asked the Blessed Buddha: When giving food, where would this offering be most purified for the donor? The Blessed One answered: If any open-handed householder, a lordly giver, Magha, seeking merit, looking for merit, sacrifices, giving food and drink to others, such one would achieve most merit, if the recipient is pure and Noble. Such, who indeed wander unattached in the world, having & wanting nothing, fully accomplished, in complete self-control, upon them, at the right time one should bestow an offering. Those who have cut all mental bonds and fetters, who are tamed, completely released, without affliction, without desire, upon them, at the right time, should one bestow an offering. Upon these purified & Noble Ones should any brahman, who is looking for merit, place his sacrifice! Sutta-Nipata verses 488-491 Edited excerpt.
Pure giving cut short: Give 2 those who don't want anything!
There are these 5 Minor mental chains (Samyojana):
The Blessed Buddha once emphasized: Bhikkhus, there are these five Lower mental chains. What five? 1: The mental chain of belief in 'my same identity'(sakkaya-ditthi) 2: The mental chain of skeptical doubt (vicikiccha) 3: The mental chain of clinging to rule & Ritual(silabbata-paramasa) 4: The mental chain of lust for sensuality(kama-raga) 5: The mental chain of anger & ill will (vyapada)
There exist these 5 Lower mental chains! The Noble 8-fold Way should be developed for the direct experience of these five minor mental chains, for the full understanding and elimination of them, and for their final overcoming, destruction and full abandonment! This Noble 8-fold Way is developed for the breaking asunder all of these five minor mental chains!
Explanation of these mental, yet harder-than-steel chains: 1: Belief in "my identity" construing an internal fake ‘stable same entity’. 2: Sceptical doubts about the perfection of Buddha’s self-enlightenment. 3: Blind superstition in rules & rituals projecting into them a false efficacy. 4: Lust for sensing is addiction to all seen, heard, sensed, and cognized. 5: Ill will is all hate & derivatives such as anger, aversion, and irritation. These Chains bind beings to birth in the 6 lower worlds, where all beings are dominated by sense-desire!
Mental chains are not visible, yet quite real, & harder than any steel!
1: The Awareness is a link to Awakening (sati-sambojjhanga). 2: The Investigation of the states is a link to Awakening (vicaya-sambojjhanga). 3: The Energy is a link to Awakening (viriya-sambojjhanga). 4: The Joy is a link to Awakening (piti-sambojjhanga). 5: The Tranquillity is a link to Awakening (passaddhi-sambojjhanga). 6: The Concentration is a link to Awakening (samadhi-sambojjhanga). 7: The Equanimity is a link to Awakening (upekkha-sambojjhanga). These are the seven links leading to final Enlightenment...
Those whose minds are well-developed in these 7 factors of self-awakening, who delight in non-clinging, who relinquish all grasping, whose minds are all around luminous, whose mental fermentations are all stilled; They, even while still in this world, are all unbound right here!
The Awareness Link to Awakening (sati-sambojjhanga) is basically the same mental property (sati-cetasika), which inherently is included in:
The Four Foundations of Awareness (satipatthana) The Ability of Awareness (satindriya) The Power of Awareness(satibala) The Right Awareness Path Factor (samma-sati-magganga)
Trained, developed and refined in a degree that gradually enlightens!
The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by careful & rational attention develops the Awareness Link to Awakening based on seclusion, disillusion, ceasing, and culminating in relinquishment, neither can any fermentation, nor any fever, nor any vexation ever arise in him. MN 2 [i 11] The Ability of Awareness is to anchor attention on any chosen object and when this ability is unshakable & well fixed, it is the Power of Awareness! Awareness is a Foundation (patthana), when well established (upatthana) continually - without distractions interrupting - on these four objects: 1: Body as mere form: Just a group of foul and fragile organs... 2: Feeling as a mere reactive response assigned to any contact... 3: Mind as only a changing set of habitual mentalities and moods... 4: Phenomena simply as appearances of momentary mental states... Not lasting, but transient! Not pleasure, but pain! Not self, but impersonal! Neither neglecting, nor forgetting that these universal characteristics are relevant and true for absolutely all aspects of these four objects, the false and distorted perception of beauty in what really is disgusting, of pleasure in what really is painful, of self in what really is selfless and impersonal, gradually fades away and the mental fermentations (asava) of sensing, of views, of ignorance and of becoming are overcome by elimination.
The Blessed Buddha once said: When, Bhikkhus, a Noble Disciple listens carefully to the Dhamma, alert with keen ears, attending to it as a matter of crucial concern, indeed as something of vital importance, directing his entire mind to it, in that very moment, the Five Mental Hindrances are absent in him... On that occasion the Seven Links to Awakening approaches complete fulfilment...
And what are the Five Mental Hindrances, that are absent on that occasion? The mental hindrance of Sense-Desire is all absent on that very occasion. The mental hindrance of Evil-Will is all absent in these exact moments. The mental hindrance of Lethargy & Laziness is all absent during that period. The mental hindrance of Restlessness & Regret is all absent on that event. The mental hindrance of Doubt & Uncertainty is all absent in that interval. These are the 5 Mental Hindrances that are entirely absent in that moment.
And what are the 7 Links to Awakening that approaches fulfilment there? The Awareness Link to Awakening develops towards complete fulfilment! The Investigation Link to Awakening arises and approaches fulfilment! The Energy Link to Awakening also pushes forward towards fulfilment! The Joy Link to Awakening elevates & moves towards complete fulfilment! The Tranquillity Link to Awakening silently comes to a stilled fulfilment! The Concentration Link to Awakening absorbs into one-pointed fulfilment! The Equanimity Link to Awakening also gains fulfilment by development! These are the 7 Links to Awakening that are fulfilled by development on that occasion. When, Bhikkhus, a Noble Disciple listens carefully to the Dhamma, alert with keen ears, attending it as a matter of crucial concern, as something of vital importance, directing his entire mind to it, in that very moment the Five Mental Hindrances are absent in him. On that occasion the Seven Links to Awakening develop towards complete fulfilment...
Source (edited extract): The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book [V: 95-6] section 46: The Links. 38: Unhindered...
Isipatana (lit: "Place of the Seers") at Sarnath is the site of the famous Migadaya or Deer Park near Benares (Varanasi) . It was there Gotama Buddha preached his first sermon, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta to his 5 friends, the Pañcavaggiya monks, thereby setting in Motion the Wheel of Truth! This location is one of the 4 Sacred Buddhist Pilgrimage sites: Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kusinara.
The Investigation of states Link to Awakening (dhammavicaya-sambojjhanga) : is basically the same mental property (pañña-cetasika), that understands everything and which also is inherently included in the: The Understanding feet of force (vimamsiddhipada) The Ability of Understanding (paññindriya) The Power of Understanding (paññabala) The Right View Path Factor (samma-ditthi-magganga) It can be trained, developed & refined to a degree that fully enlightens! If one single quality should be pointed out as thee cause of Awakening, then it is this Investigation of states Link to Awakening that enlightens!
The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by careful & rational attention develops the investigation of states link to awakening based on seclusion, disillusion, ceasing, & culminating in relinquishment, then neither can any fermentation, nor any fever, nor discontent ever arise in him. MN2 [i 11]
Remaining thus aware, then he examines, analyzes, & comes to understand that quality with penetrating insight. While thus aware, exploring into, examining, analyzing, and coming to full intuitive comprehension, then this investigation of states link to awakening becomes aroused. He develops it, and for him it goes to the culmination of its development. MN118 [iii 85]
The ability of investigation of states is to examine, scrutinize and analyze any chosen object and when this ability is unshakable and unfailing, it then becomes the power of investigation of phenomena! By thorough and eager investigation one understands that all things are caused and conditioned and as such only are compounded constructions, that pass through the inconceivably rapid moments (~10-43 sec.) of arising, presence, & ceasing! Remaining neither the 'same', nor 'stable' for two consecutive moments... Comprehending this universal flux gradually disables craving and clinging... Therefore do not trust anything (especially not 'your-self'!) blindly..., but keep on examining and question what is doubtful and not quite clear. Don't jump into any premature conclusion, before having examined it again! The Investigation of states Link to awakening is the sword, that cuts right through the jungle of views to real seeing, understanding and true knowing!
Investigation is found in the last five (III-VII) of these 7 Purifications: I: Purification of morality (sila-visuddhii) II: Purification of mind (citta-visuddhi) III: Purification of view (ditthi-visuddhi) IV: Purification by overcoming doubt (kankha-vitarana-visuddhi) V: Purification by knowledge and vision of what is path and not-path VI: Purification by knowledge and vision of progress on the path. VII: Purification of knowledge and vision (ñanadassana-visuddhi).
Investigation is inherent in these 3 Comprehending Contemplations: Contemplation of Impermanence (aniccanupassana) Contemplation of Suffering (dukkhanupassana) Contemplation of Impersonality (anattanupassana)
Investigation leads to the 9 kinds of real Insight-Knowledge: 1. Contemplation of Arising and Ceasing (udayabbayanupassana-ñana) 2. Contemplation of Instant Dissolution (bhanganupassana-ñana) 3. Contemplation of Appearance as Terror (bhayatupatthana-ñana) 4. Contemplation of Danger (adinavanupassana-ñana) 5. Contemplation of Disgust (nibbidanupassana-ñana) 6. The Desire for mental Release (muccitu-kamyata-ñana) 7. Reflecting and repelling contemplation (patisankhanupassana-ñana) 8. Equanimity regarding all constructions (sankharupekkha-ñana) 9. Adaptation confirming to the absolute truth (saccanulomika-ñana).
Venerable Sariputta once explained: They conduce and lead to the state of enlightenment; in this sense are they links to awakening! They are in, of and by themselves enlightening; also in this sense are they indeed links to awakening!
Establishing as the meaning of Awareness has to be directly experienced. Examination as the meaning of Investigation has to be directly experienced. Exertion of Effort as the meaning of Energy has to be directly experienced. Intense Contentment as the meaning of Joy has to be directly experienced. Stilled Peace as the meaning of Tranquillity has to be directly experienced. Non-Distraction as the meaning of Concentration has to be directly experienced. Even Ballance as the meaning of Equanimity has to be directly experienced.
They are enlightening as a root, thus are they links to awakening. They are enlightening as a cause, thus are they links to awakening. They are enlightening as a requisite, thus are they links to awakening. They are enlightening as a purification, thus are they links to awakening. They are enlightening as blamelessness, thus are they links to awakening. They are enlightening as withdrawal exit, thus are they links to awakening. They are enlightening as delivering freedom, thus are they links to awakening. They are enlightening as lack of fermentation, thus are they links to awakening. They are enlightening as silent solitary seclusion, thus are they links to awakening. They are enlightening as a releasing relinquishment, thus are they links to awakening.
Contemporary orthodox quantum physics and early Buddhism contains crucially converging and parallel core concepts: 1: Wholeness, oneness, and unity in the sense that all is interdependent and forever entangled. Changing any part entails changing the entire universe! 2: Emptiness and insubstantiality denoting that materiality is a potential of many possible manifestations and not a solid substance or entity. 3: Mind over matter: That expels the fact that mind selects which aspects of many in a probability distribution should manifest during observation. Thanx to Gerald Penilla, California, USA, innerprisms.com for this excellence of presentation.
The Energy Link to Awakening (Viriya-sambojjhanga) : Is basically the same mental property (viriya-cetasika), as that which performs any effort of action and which also is inherently included in the: The Energy Feet of Force (viriyiddhipada) The Ability of Energy (viriyindriya) The Power of Energy (viriyabala) The Right Effort Path Factor (samma-vayama-magganga) When trained, developed and aroused energy is capable of enlightening!
The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by careful & rational attention develops the Energy Link to Awakening based on seclusion, disillusion, ceasing, & culminating in relinquishment, then neither can any mental fermentation, nor any fever, or discontent ever arise in him.[i] MN2 [i 11]
In one who examines, finds out why, & comes to assured comprehension, in him his energy link to awakening becomes aroused. He develops it, & for him it goes to the culmination of its development.MN118 [iii 85]
The ability of energy is to initiate, launch into action and to complete any undertaking using persistent endurance. When this ability becomes unshakable and unfailing, it then becomes the mighty Power of Energy!
The function of energy is this four-fold Right Effort of: 1: Eradicating evil & disadvantageous states that have arisen in the mind. 2: Preventing the arising of yet unarisen disadvantageous mental states. 3: Initiating and developing yet unarisen advantageous mental states. 4: Increasing, refining & completing already arisen advantageous states. The characteristic of energy is readiness, willingness, enthusiastic ease, eager and keen vigour. The manifestation of energy is action, exertion, endeavour, industry, struggle, powerful striving and accomplishment!
Lazy: The one, who does not rise, when it is time to rise. Who though young and strong, is weak in mind, soft in will, and lazy by nature, such slow one does never find the way to Nibbana. Dhammapada 280
Get up! Sit up! Of what use are your dreams? How can you sleep, when sick, stabbed by the arrow of craving... Sutta Nipata 331
Get up! Sit up! Push on your training, until reaching sole peace! Do not let the king of death see you sloppy and thus delude and dominate you like a toy doll... Sutta Nipata 332
Feeding the Energy: And what, friends, is feeding the Energy Link to Enlightenment, that has not yet arised, and food too for boosting of any present Energy? 1: The element of mental initiative, 2: The element of launching into action, 3: The element of enduring persistence. Systematic attention to these, is feeding any yet unarisen Energy Link to Awakening, and food too for boosting any present Energy. Samyutta Nikaya XLVI 51 Bojjhanga-samyutta
Fivefold final Energy: Following the Buddha the energy in the disciple culminates, when he finally thinks: Let just this blood and flesh dry up & wither away so only skin, sinews and bones remain, I will not give up my quest and stray from this Noble 8-fold Path before having reached Enlightenment...!
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 explained: Whenever withdrawn in body and withdrawn in mind one reflects on the Buddha-Dhamma, then the Awareness Link to Awakening arises and develops. Thus acutely aware one examines that!
Whenever examining a mind state, then the Investigation Link to Awakening arises and develops. While thus being curious & enthusiastically investigating, keen energy is aroused!
Whenever energy is aroused in one who is enthusiastic, then the Energy Link to Awakening arises and develops. While energetic & enthusiastic one succeeds: Therefore Joy is born!
Whenever succeeding in eager joy, then the Joy Link to Awakening arises and develops. One thus joyous becomes mentally satisfied and therefore calmed both in body and in mind!
Whenever calmed in body and mind, then the Tranquillity Link to Awakening arises & develops. One thus satisfied, calmed, serene, settled and tranquil in both body and mind becomes Happy!
Whenever calmed & comfortable in the body and tranquil & happy in the mind, then the Concentration Link to Awakening arises and develops. When mentally concentrated one reviews all states rationally & reasonably as if from above!
Whenever one well balanced reviews all mental states rationally & reasonably, then the Equanimity Link to Awakening arises and develops. In Equanimity one knows and sees things right as they really are and later become.
It is in this very way that The Seven Links to Awakening develop sequentially, one after the other; successively one leading to, and producing the next...
The Joy Link to Awakening (Piti-sambojjhanga) has the characteristic of suffusing contentment, and the property of gladdening satisfaction. This Joy Link to Awakening manifests as mental elation, which can reach five successively increasing degrees of intensity:
1: Minor Joy, which can raise the hair on the body when thrilled. 2: Momentary Joy, which is flashing like lightning at various occasions. 3: Showering Joy, which breaks over the body repeatedly like sea-waves. 4: Uplifting Joy, which can be strong enough to even levitate the body. 5: Pervading Joy, which is like a heavy sponge all saturated with water. Visuddhimagga IV 94-9
The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by careful & rational attention develops the Joy Link to Awakening based on seclusion, on disillusion, on ceasing, & culminating in relinquishment, then neither can any mental fermentation, nor any fever, or discontent ever arise in him. MN2 [i 11]
In one who has aroused enthusiastic energy, there arises a joy not of this world & the Joy Link to Awakening emerges there. He develops it, & for him it goes to the culmination of its development. MN118 [iii 85]
Any one convinced by understanding of Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha, gets an enthusiastic sense of the sublime good goal of Nibbana & gains gladness connected, joined, and fused with this Dhamma...! In any one gladdened, Joy is born. The body of the Joyous is calmed. One of calm body experiences pleasure and happiness! The mind of one who is happy becomes concentrated. The concentrated mind sees and knows things as they really are. This brings disgust and disillusion, which enables full direct experience of mental release. It is in this way that Joy indeed is a factor leading to Awakening! MN [i 37-8], AN [iii 21-3], DN [iii 21-3]
The Blessed Buddha once said: Just as dawn is the forerunner and the precursor of the rising of the Sun, exactly so is good and Noble friendship for any disciple the forerunner and the precursor of the mental emergence of the Seven Links to Awakening! When a Bhikkhu has a good and Noble friend, it is to be expected that he will develop and cultivate these 7 Links to Awakening. And how does a Bhikkhu who has a good & Noble friend develop & cultivate these 7 Links to Awakening? Here, friends, this Bhikkhu trains, develops, deepens, reinforces and refines: 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. based upon seclusion, disillusion, ceasing of craving, and culminating in release! It is in exactly in this way that any Bhikkhu, who has a good and Noble Friend, truly trains, grows, intensifies, reinforces & refines the 7 Links to Awakening...
The Tranquillity Link to Awakening (passaddhi-sambojjhanga) has the characteristic of peace, and the function of stilling, which manifests as absence of restless trembling. Stillness of feeling, perception and mental construction is the factor that induces bodily Tranquillity. Stillness of consciousness itself induces mental Tranquillity. The proximate cause of Tranquillity is the satisfaction within Joy! The resulting effect of Tranquillity is the bliss within Happiness!
The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by careful & rational attention develops the Tranquillity Link to Awakening based on seclusion, based on disillusion, based on ceasing, and culminating in cool relinquishment, then neither can mental fermentation, nor any fever, nor any discontent ever arise in him. MN2 [i 11]
In one who is joyous, the body becomes calm & the mind becomes calm. The Tranquillity Link to Awakening emerges right there. He develops it, & for him it goes to the culmination of its development. MN118 [iii 85]
CALM Calm is his thought, calm is his speech, and calm is his deed, such one who truly is knowing, is indeed wholly freed, perfectly tranquil and wise. Dhammapada 96
CONTENT The one who eliminates discontent, tearing it out by the roots, utterly cuts it out, such one spontaneously becomes absorbed in the calm of tranquillity both day & night. Dhammapada 250
COMPOSED The one who is tranquil in movement, calmed in speech, stilled in thought, collected and composed, who sees right through and rejects all allurements of this world, such one is truly a 'Peaceful One'.Dhammapada 378
Venerable Sariputta once said: Friends! Friend; the Bhikkhus replied. Venerable Sariputta then explained this: Friends, there are these 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.
These are the Seven Links to Awakening! In whichever of these 7 Links to Awakening, I wish to dwell in the morning, in that I abide in the morning; in whichever I wish to dwell at noon, in that I abide at noon; in whichever I wish to dwell in the evening, in that I abide in the evening... Suppose a king or a minister had a cupboard full of clothes of many various colours, then whichever pair of clothes he wished to put on in the morning, that he would put on in the morning; whichever clothes he wished to put on at noon, that he would put on at noon; & whichever clothes he wished to put on in the evening, that he would put on in the evening: so too, in whichever of these 7 Links to Awakening, I wish to abide in for whatever period, in that indeed I easily abide dwelling fully absorbed by that aspect... If it occurs to me that now there is The Awareness Link to Awakening present in me, then it occurs to me that it is measureless, & it occurs to me that it is well established; and while it is remaining I know that it remains; and if it falls away in me, then I know instantly that it faded away caused by this or that specific condition or definable circumstance! So too with the other six links to awakening. I notice and know both their presence, ceasing and absence!
Fixed Focus is the characteristic of the Concentration Link to Awakening (Samadhi-Sambojjhanga). Ceasing of distraction, disturbance, diversion, agitation, mental instability and wavering is the purpose of the quality of Concentration (Samadhi). Incisive certainty is the manifestation of the concentration link to awakening. This stability enables breakthrough to understanding! Some concentration is present in all consciousness. Training that anchors attention on only 1 object condenses this focus. The proximate cause of concentration is happiness! The resulting effect of concentration is knowledge and vision!
Concentration comes in increasing grades of intensity: 1: Momentary concentration with few seconds of one-pointedness. 2: Preparatory concentration of longer, yet still unstable quality. 3: Access concentration which approaches the 1st jhana absorption. 4: Absorption concentration with fixed and unified mental one-pointedness.
Fourfold is the blessing of Concentration: 1: Sublime happiness here and now through the 4 absorptions. 2: Assured knowledge and true vision of things as they really are. 3: Awareness and clear comprehension of all transient phenomena. 4: Ceasing of all mental fermentation by absence of clinging. DN 33
The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by careful and rational attention develops the Concentration Link to Awakening based on seclusion, based on disillusion, based on ceasing, culminating in renouncing relinquishment, then neither can mental fermentation, nor any fever, nor any discontent ever arise in him. MN2 [i 11]
In one whose body is calm and who enjoys a pleasurable happiness the mind becomes concentrated. The Concentration Link to Awakening arises right there. He develops it, and for him repeatedly meditating it goes gradually to the culmination of its development. MN118 [iii 85]
The Blessed Buddha once said: Bhikkhus, when the 7 Links to Awakening have been developed, completed and refined, the winning of the seven fruits is indeed to be expected. What are the benefits of these 7 fruits?
They are, either: 1: One attains final knowledge early in this very life. Or: 2: One attains final knowledge at the moment of death. Or: Having destroyed the five lower chains and spontaneously re-arisen; 3: One attains Nibbana in the first half of the life as a divine brahma. Or: 4: One attains Nibbana in the second half of the life in these pure abodes. Or: 5: One attains Nibbana as a Noble non-returner without effort. Or: 6: One attains Nibbana as a Noble non-returner with some effort. Or: 7: One is bound upstream, surely heading towards the highest Akanittha realm. When, bhikkhus, these Seven Links to Awakening have been thoroughly developed and cultivated exactly in this way, these seven fruits & benefits may be expected....
Comments
Cutting all Craving Ends all Suffering!
At Savatthi the Blessed Buddha said this:
Bhikkhus: Whatever desire & lust there is for form, feeling, perception,
mental construction and consciousness, whatever greed, urge and craving,
whatever engagement, entanglement and clinging, any habitual addiction,
obsession, and underlying tendency there is for form, feeling, perception,
mental construction and consciousness, overcome, cut and eliminate it all!
Then all form, feeling, perception, mental construction and consciousness
will be overcome & conquered, cut off at the root, made like a palm stump,
completely destroyed, so that it is unable to ever re-arise again...
This - only this - is the End of all Suffering...!
Craving => Clinging => Fear => Panic => Suffering!
More on this thorny Craving causing all pain:
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
Craving can be cut due to the neuro-plasticity of learning.
Source:
The Grouped Sayings by the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya 22:112 III 162
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 _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Cut all Catastrophic Craving!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Cut_Craving.htm
Detached from both Bodily and Mental Feeling!
The Blessed Buddha once said: Bhikkhus, the uninstructed ordinary person
feels pleasant feelings, painful feelings, and neither-painful-nor-pleasant
feelings... Such does the instructed Noble Disciple also feel. What then is
the difference, the variation, and the distinction between the instructed
Noble Disciple and the uninstructed ordinary person? Bhikkhus, when the
uninstructed ordinary person is being touched by a painful feeling, then he
cries, grieves, moans, weeps, beats his breast and becomes bewildered!
He feels actually two feelings: A bodily pain and a mental sadness...!!!
Imagine they hit a man with a dart, and then they pricked him immediately
after with another dart, then that man would indeed feel two feelings
caused by both the two darts. Similarly is it in this case where this poor
uninstructed ordinary person touched by a painful feeling, actually feels
two feelings: A bodily pain and another mental frustration over that pain.
Whenever touched by pain, he responds with aversion towards that painful
feeling, then the latent tendency to aversion towards painful feeling grows
even deeper. When touched by painful feeling, he seeks for sense pleasure!
Why? Because the uninstructed ordinary person does not know any other
escape from painful feeling than seeking to relief by new sense pleasure.
When he seeks towards delight by sensual pleasure, the latent tendency
to lust for pleasant feeling grows even deeper. He does not at all really
understand as it really is neither the cause, nor the fading away, nor the
satisfaction, nor the danger, nor the escape regarding these feelings!#
Not understanding any of these things, then when touched by a neutral
neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling the latent tendency to ignorance also
grows deeper. When feeling a pleasant feeling, he feels it as if attached
to it, and as the owner ("my feeling") being involved in it. When feeling a
painful feeling, he also feels this as if attached to it and involved in it. If
he feels a neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling, he feels it as if attached
to it and involved in it... This, bhikkhus, is called an uninstructed ordinary
person, who is attached & clings desperately to birth, aging, death, sorrow,
pain, discontent, and despair. I tell you: What he clings to is Suffering ...!
Bhikkhus, when the instructed Noble Disciple is being touched by a painful
feeling, he neither cries, nor grieves, nor moans, nor weeps, nor beats his
breast, nor does he become bewildered! He feels actually only one feeling:
Bodily pain, yet no mental sadness or frustration! Imagine they hit a man
with only one single dart, and not any other dart, then that man would feel
a single feeling caused by only one single dart. So too, when the instructed
Noble Disciple is contacted by a painful feeling, then he feels one feeling:
A bodily pain, but not any mental sadness or frustration. Touched by that
painful feeling, he neither develops nor reinforces any aversion towards it!
Because he develops no aversion towards this painful feeling, the latent
tendency to aversion towards painful feeling does not grow deeper!
When touched by painful feeling, he does not wish for sense pleasure.
For what reason? Because the instructed Noble Disciple knows another
escape from painful feeling other than sensual pleasure! Since he does not
seek delight in sensual pleasure, the latent tendency to lust for pleasant
feeling does not grow deeper in him. He indeed understands as it really is,
the cause, the fading away, the satisfaction, the danger, and the escape
in the case of feelings. Since he understands all these things, the latent
tendency to ignorance, when touched by a neither-painful-nor-pleasant
feeling, does not grow deeper in him. When feeling a pleasant feeling, he
feels it as if detached from it, as something remote, irrelevant and alien.
When feeling a painful feeling, he also feels this as if detached from it,
as if remote and alien. If he feels a neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling,
he feels even that neutrality as if disconnected from it, remote and alien.
This, Bhikkhus, is called a Noble Disciple, who is released from birth, aging,
and death! Who is separated from sorrow, lamentation, pain, discontent,
and desperate despair... I tell you, such one is separated from Suffering.
This, is the difference, variation, and distinction, between the learned
Noble Disciple and an uninstructed ordinary person! The wise, clever and
learned one does not feel the adjoined pleasant & painful mental feeling!
This is the great difference between the wise and learned one and the
ordinary person. For the learned one, who has comprehended the Dhamma,
who clearly sees this world and the next, the desirable things do neither
incite, nor stir up, nor stimulate his mind...Towards whatever disgusting,
he has no aversion. All mental attraction and repulsion has ceased in him...
Both have been extinguished, brought to silence. Having known this stain
and sorrow-less state, such transcender of existence rightly understands:
Pleasant feeling induces greed...
Painful feeling produces hate...
Neither-painful-nor-pleasant neutral feeling
causes neglect and therefore generates ignorance...
Note #:
The cause of feeling is contact bye the eye, ear, nose, tongue, body or mind.
The fading away of feeling occurs right when this contact ceases.
The satisfaction in feeling is the delight one can take in it.
The danger of feeling is the impermanence of it. Instantly it goes away!
The escape from feeling is Nibbana by completing the Noble 8-fold Way!
All converges on Feeling (Vedana):
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 [208-10]
section 36: Feeling. Vedana. The Dart. Sallatena. 6.
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 _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Everything Converges on Feeling!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net /drops/II/Bodily_and_Mental_Feeling.htm
When is one wrapped up in blinding Ignorance?
Once a certain not very well-known Bhikkhu asked the Blessed Buddha:
Venerable Sir, ignorance, ignorance, is it said! What is ignorance?
Venerable Sir, in what way is one wrapped up in ignorance?
The Blessed Gotama Buddha then pointed out:
Not Knowing Suffering is ignorance;
Not Knowing The Cause of Suffering is ignorance;
Not Knowing The End of Suffering is ignorance;
Not Knowing The Way to end Suffering is ignorance...
All this absence of understanding is ignorance and it is by that blindness,
that dark state of blocked insight, that one is wrapped up in ignorance!
Therefore, Bhikkhu, an effort should be made much of to understand:
This is Suffering; an effort should be made much of to comprehend:
Such is the Cause of Suffering; an effort should be made so to realize:
That is the End of Suffering; An effort should be made to penetrate,
recognize, and develop, The Noble Way leading to the End of all Suffering...
More on these 4 Noble Truths (Cattari Ariya Saccani):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Clustered_Truths.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Ultimate_Fact.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_4_Noble_Truths.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sour_Sense_Sources.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_End_Suffering.htm
What is Ignorance? A Blinded Mind!
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:429]
section 56: Saccasamyutta. Thread 17: Ignorance...
What is Ignorance?
When is one wrapped up in blinding ignorance?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ignorance.htm
What are the Causes of Ignorance?
First: Ignorance is not seeing and not knowing the 4 Noble Truths fully!
The near and proximate cause is:
Ignorance comes into being caused by the 5 mental hindrances!
That is right here and now:
Ignorance grows up caused by desire and lust...
Ignorance arises caused by aversion and ill-will...
Ignorance emerges caused by lethargy and laziness...
Ignorance appears caused by restlessness and regret...
Ignorance comes into being caused by doubt and uncertainty...
All these 5 factors will obscure, obstruct and distort the 4 truths!
The remote and subtle cause is fermentation ~ assuming and supposing:
Conditioned by mental fermentation (asava) does ignorance emerge:
That is multi-factorially, on the long-term, as a hidden latent tendency:
Ignorance is caused by the mental fermentation linked with sense-desire.
Ignorance is caused by the mental fermentation associated with views.
Ignorance is caused by the mental fermentation coupled with becoming.
Ignorance is caused by the mental fermentation joined with ignorance itself!
The emotional component is:
Ignorance is caused by a feeling of neutral indifference, since this absence
of both pleasure and pain promotes neglect leading to no examination, which
then results in not knowing the specifics of the object = ignorance...
Ignorance thus grows in a fatal positively self-enhancing feedback-loop!
The Blessed Buddha said:
Bhikkhus, a beginning of ignorance cannot be pointed out in this way:
Before this point in time, there was no ignorance, afterward it came.
But, Bhikkhus, it can be pointed out in this way:
Caused by this, ignorance comes to be. Bhikkhus, I tell you, ignorance too
has a causing condition! What is the causing condition of ignorance?
The five mental hindrances is the reply...
Source: AN X 61, AN X 62
What is ignorance, what is the origin of ignorance, what is the ceasing of
ignorance, and what is the way leading to the ceasing of ignorance?
Not knowing about suffering, not knowing about the origin of suffering,
not knowing about the ceasing of suffering, not knowing about the way
leading to the ceasing of suffering, this is called ignorance!
With the arising of the mental fermentations, ignorance also arises.
With the ceasing of the mental fermentations, ignorance also ceases!
The way leading to the ceasing of ignorance is just this Noble 8-fold Way:
That is; Right view, right motivation, right speech, right action,
right livelihood, right effort and right concentration.
Source: MN 9
More on Ignorance (avijja):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ignorance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/avijjaa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/What_is_Ignorance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Causes_of_Ignorance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Whenever_and_Wherever.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Because_of_Not_Knowing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Because_of_Not_Examining.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Indifference_Creates_Ignorance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Indifference_Creates_Ignorance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/What_is_the_Cause_of_Ignorance.htm
For Details on the Mental Fermentations (asava) please see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/aasava.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Proximate_Cause.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Cause_of_Ignorance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Three_Fermentations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Freed_from_Fermentation.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
What Causes Ignorance?
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Cause_of_Ignorance.htm
What is the Equanimity Link to Awakening?
Even evaluation is characteristic of the Equanimity Link to Awakening.
(Upekkha-Sambojjhanga). Preventing both deficiency & excess and
securing impartiality is the function of Equanimity. Imperturbable
ballance is the manifestation of the Equanimity Link to Awakening.
Equanimity just looks on whenever new phenomena arises and ceases.
This stable yet plastic patience purifies all the other advantageous
mental states, which reach maximum, when joined with Equanimity...
Equanimity (Upekkha) is a moderating mental construction.
Equanimity is also a mood of neither gladness nor sadness.
Equanimity is also a feeling of neither pain nor pleasure.
Equanimity is also the neutral ability to be indifferent.
Equanimity is also the 4th infinitely divine dwelling.
Equanimity is also a quite high form of happiness.
Equanimity is also a refined mental purification.
Equanimity is therefore a Link to Enlightenment...
There is Equanimity both regarding live beings and dead things.
There is Equanimity both regarding all internal & external states.
There is Equanimity both regarding all past, present and future.
There is Equanimity both regarding all mentality & all materiality.
The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be
overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by alert & rational attention
develops the Equanimity Link to Awakening based on seclusion, based
on disillusion, on ceasing, culminating in full renouncing relinquishment,
then neither can mental fermentation, nor any fever, nor discontent
ever arise in him. MN2 [i 11]
When mind is concentrated one can observe all closely in equanimity.
The Equanimity Link to Awakening arises right there. He develops it,
and for him repeatedly meditating it goes gradually to the completion
of its development. MN118 [iii 85]
Further inspirations on the imperturbable quality of Equanimity:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Even_is_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/High_and_Alert.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Divorced_Freedom.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Serene_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Empty_Equanimity.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Exquisite_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Equanimity_Upekkha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/u_v/upekkhaa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unshakable_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_7_Links_to_Awakening.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Imperturbable_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Serene_Equanimity_and_Beyond.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/tatra_majjhattataa.htm
Imperturbable is Equanimity...
Equanimity = Upekkhaa!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Equanimity_Upekkha.htm
The 4 Noble Truths are the Core of Buddhism!
1: This is Suffering!
Suffering is of three kinds:
a: Obvious suffering, which is any bodily pain and any mental sadness.
b: Suffering due to change includes also pleasant feeling as this indeed also
becomes quite disappointing, when it inevitably changes, fades, and vanishes.
c: Suffering due to construction is all that is conditioned, since all this thus
later inevitably will fall apart. This also includes any object which induces a
neutral feeling. This 1st Noble Truth, that points out that all worldly indeed
ultimately speaking is Suffering, has to be fully understood in all aspects...
2: Craving is the Cause of Suffering!
a: Craving for sensing forms, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, & mental states.
b: Craving for becoming. (ex: May I become rich, forever young, famous...)
c: Craving for non-becoming (ex: May I not become sick, nor old, nor dead!)
This Second Noble Truth on the Cause of Suffering has to be eliminated...
3: Absence of Craving is the End of Suffering!
a: Not craving any sense stimuli of any kind...
b: Not craving for any kind of becoming this or that in the future...
c: Not craving any non-becoming, but accepting all the ills that will come...
This 3rd Noble Truth on the End of Suffering has to be accomplished!
4: The Noble 8-Fold Way is the Method to End Suffering!
Which Noble 8-fold Way has to be developed in order to end all suffering?
Right View (samma-ditthi)
Right Motivation (samma-sankappa)
Right Speech (samma-vaca)
Right Action (samma-kammanta)
Right Livelihood (samma-ajiva)
Right Effort (samma-vayama)
Right Awareness (samma-sati)
Right Concentration (samma-samadhi)
This Fourth Noble Truth on the Way to End Suffering has to be completed.
More on these quintessential Four Noble Truths (Ariya-Sacca):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Actually_So.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Indeed_True.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Four_but_One.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_16_Aspects.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Focused_Truths.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Clustered_Truths.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Absolute_Certainty.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/sacca.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Ultimate_Fact.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Simple_yet_Complex.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Concentrated_Truth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_4_Noble_Truths.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Perfectly_Enlightened.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_4_Truths_Meaning.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Indispensable_Necessity.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
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
The 4 Truths have to be fully understood...
The 4 Noble Truths!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_4_Noble_Truths.htm
What is the Meaning of the 4 Noble Truths?
1: This and such is Suffering is The 1st Noble Truth!
The meaning of this suffering is the oppression, when pain is being formed due
to the burning of frustrated desire, created when the wanted object changes
into something else, now undesirable, and thereby always and inevitably is lost..
This is the meaning of Suffering, which is real, neither unreal, nor otherwise.
2: Craving is the Cause of Suffering is The 2nd Noble Truth!
The meaning of craving as the origin of suffering is something that is stored
and accumulating, since this source and cause of suffering, means addiction,
obsession, enslavement and bondage and thus vulnerable un-free dependence..
This is the meaning of the Cause, which is real, neither unreal, nor otherwise.
3: Ceasing of Craving is the End of Suffering is The 3rd Noble Truth!
The meaning of ending craving ceases suffering is escape, since one now has
become sheltered and protected, due to the suffering not being recreated,
when the cause of craving have subsided. Ending craving means deathlessness...
This is the meaning of the End, which is real, neither unreal, nor otherwise.
4: The Noble 8-fold Way is the Path to end Suffering is The 4th Noble Truth!
The meaning of the Noble 8-fold Way is outlet, since this method causes exit
from the state of suffering, through knowing, seeing and understanding what
is real as the dominant releasing factors, that has to be developed into a unity!
This is the meaning of the Way, which is real, neither unreal, nor otherwise...
Vism 494
More on these Four Noble Truths (Ariya-Sacca):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Indeed_True.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Focused_Truths.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Clustered_Truths.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/sacca.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_4_Noble_Truths.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
Have a nice noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
The Meaning of the 4 Noble Truths!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/The_4_Truths_Meaning.htm
Calm Kindness Protects All Beings!
The Blessed Buddha often said:
With good will for the entire cosmos,
Cultivate an infinite & boundless heart:
Above, below, all across and all around,
Beaming, without any hostility or hate!
Sutta Nipata I, 8
May all creatures, all breathing things,
all beings one and all, without exception,
experience joyous good fortune only!
May they never fall into any harm.
Anguttara Nikaya II, 72
Let no one deceive another
or despise anyone anywhere,
or through anger or irritation
wish for another to suffer.
Sutta Nipata I, 8
More on All-Embracing Kindness!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Buddha_on_Noble_Frienship.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/All_Embracing_Kindness.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/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 Calm & Kind day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Goodwill fused with Tranquillity makes Safe Ease!
Calm Kindness!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Calm_Kindness.htm
How to Beam & Extend Amity Universally:
The Grace of Goodwill: A Meditation on Friendliness (Metta):
May my mind be filled with the thought of Kind Friendliness & open Amity.
May the minds of my good teachers be filled with the thought of Friendliness.
May the minds of my parents and dear ones be filled with the thought of Friendliness.
May the minds of all unfriendly persons be filled with the thought of Friendliness.
May the minds of all living beings be filled with the thought of Friendliness.
May the minds of all strangers be filled with the thought of Friendliness.
May we be free from fear, tension, anxiety, worry, and restlessness.
May our hearts become soft. May our words be pleasing to others.
May we be generous. May we be gentle. May we be relaxed.
May we be happy and peaceful. May we be healthy.
May we be a source of pure peace and happiness.
May the minds of everyone in this room be free from greed, anger, hatred, jealousy, and fear.
May the peace and tranquillity of tender Friendliness pervade their entire bodies and minds.
May they have good fortune. May they be prosperous. May they have really good friends
May the minds of everyone in this building, in this street, in this city, in this nation on
this continent, on this planet & in this universe be free from greed, anger, & doubt.
May these thoughts of Friendliness embrace them, charge them and envelope them.
May every cell, every drop of blood, every atom, be charged with kind amity.
May the peace & tranquillity of goodwill pervade their entire bodies & minds.
May they be happy-hearted. May they be free from worries and troubles.
May all beings in all directions throughout this multiverse be happy.
May they be filled with Friendliness, abundant, exalted, & infinite!
May they be free from enmity affliction, and anxiety.
May they live happily.
May all beings in all directions, all around the universe be happy.
May they have good fortune. May they be prosperous.
May they be famous. May they have good friends.
May they be reborn in a happy destination.
May they be reborn in the heavens.
May all beings Awaken swiftly!
May they become thus Happy!
Inspired by 2 really good friends.
More on this shining, radiating through all & everywhere beaming Friendliness:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Infinite_Friendliness.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Friendliness Frees :-)
The Grace of Goodwill!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/The_Grace_of_Goodwill.htm
Detachment from Feeling gives Immunity towards Suffering!
The Blessed Buddha once explained this to some sick bhikkhus:
If one keen on mental training feels a pleasant feeling, he understands:
"This impermanent pleasure is neither to be clung to, nor indulged in."
If he feels a painful feeling, he also understands and observes:
"As this pain is transient, it is neither to be clung to, nor engaged in..."
If he feels a neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling, he similarly notes:
"This passing neutral feeling is neither to be clung to, nor delighted in..."
When he feels a pleasant feeling, he feels it, as if detached from it!
When he feels a painful feeling, he feels it, as if detached from it!
When he feels a neutral feeling, he feels it, as if detached from it!
He feels all feelings as something remote, alien, and not belonging to him.
When he feels a feeling terminating with the body, he understands:
"I feel a feeling terminating with the body..." (all bodily feeling!)
When he feels a feeling terminating with life, he understands:
"I feel a feeling terminating with life..." (all mental feeling!)
He understands: With the breakup of this body, at the exhaustion of life,
any feeling, neither being delighted in, nor clung to, will cool down right
then and there... Just as, bhikkhus, an oil lamp burns depending on the oil
and the wick, at the exhaustion of the oil and the wick, the burning flame
is extinguished through lack of fuel, exactly so similarly here, bhikkhus,
when a bhikkhu feels a feeling terminating with the body... or terminating
with life... He understands: With the breakup of this body, at the very
exhaustion of this life, all that is felt, not being indulged in, nor clung to,
will vanish right there and then... This - only this - is the end of Suffering!
Pleasant feeling induces greed...
Painful feeling produces hate...
Neither-painful-nor-pleasant neutral feeling
causes neglect & thus generates ignorance...
All states converges on Feeling (Vedana):
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
Curing even death The Buddhas are the very best Doctors!
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book IV [211-3]
section 36: Feeling. Vedana. The Sick-Ward. 7.
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 _/\_ Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Detached from Feeling!
All mental states converge on feeling!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Detached_from_Feeling.htm
Any Advantageous Mental State Improves the Future!
Train yourself in doing good
that lasts and brings happiness.
Cultivate generosity, the life of peace,
and a mind of boundless love.
Itivuttaka 16
Generosity, kind words,
doing a good turn for others,
and treating all people alike:
these bonds of sympathy are to the world
what the axle is to the wagon wheel.
Anguttara Nikaya II, 32
Good are friends, when the need arises;
Good is contentment with just what one has;
Good is merit done, when life is at an end,
and good is the elimination of all Suffering!
Dhammapada 331
Come on! Do Good! Good Gets Better!
In this world, good it is to serve one's mother,
Good is it to serve one's father,
Good is it to serve the monks, and
Good it is to serve the holy pure ones.
Dhammapada 332
Good is pure moral virtue until life's end,
Good is fine Faith, that is unwavering,
Good is the acquisition of understanding, and
Good is the avoidance of all evil wrong-doing.
Dhammapada 333
To avoid all evil,
to cultivate only good,
and to purify one's mind
this is the teaching of all the Buddhas!
Dhammapada 183
Yes We Can!
The good relinquish attachment to everything.
The wise do not prattle with yearning for pleasures.
The clever show neither elation, nor depression,
when touched either by happiness, or by sorrow...
Dhammapada 83
With good-will for the entire cosmos,
Cultivate a limitless & infinite kindness:
Above, below, across and all around,
unobstructed, without hostility or hate.
Sutta Nipata I, 8
Let all guard themselves against irritability in thought;
Let every one be controlled in mind,
Leaving mental misery & misconduct,
Let every one practice good behaviour in any thought.
Dhammapada 233
Seeding Good, Sprouts in Good!
Let any being guard himself against irritability in speech;
Let every one be controlled in speech.
Leaving all verbal misconduct,
Let every one practice good behaviour in all speech.
Dhammapada 232
Overcome the angry by kindness;
Overcome the wicked by goodness;
Overcome the miser by generosity;
Overcome the liar by truth.
Dhammapada 223
Consort only with the good,
Come together only with the good.
To learn the Teaching of the Noble ones,
Gives an understanding nowhere else found!
Samyutta Nikaya I, 17
Same are all beings, just different! ;-)
Neither mother, nor father, nor
any other family or friend can do
greater good for oneself, than a
well trained & well directed mind!
Dhammapada 43
Think not lightly of good, saying, "It will not return to me."
Since: Drop by drop is the water pot filled with rain!
Likewise, the wise one, gathering it little by little,
fills himself with advantageous good...
Dhammapada 122
More on Generosity (Dana) = The 1st mental perfection:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Glad_Giving.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
Forest Sangha Support:
If you wish to help the Forest Sangha materially with upholding and sharing
the Saddhamma, then a quite good opportunity is open right here and now!
Any support is indeed needed and very appreciated. Many Thanx in advance :-)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/various/Dhammadhara_Foundation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/various/Subscribe_to_Regular_Donation.htm
Have a [color=#000000]nice & noble day!
Yes We Can make it Easy!
Doing Good => Produces a Better Future!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Good_gets_Better.htm
Cruelty, Mercilessness & Revengefulness are diluted Hate:
How to cure these evil derivatives of Cruelty:
1: Review the Danger in Cruelty like this:
This can bring me to a bad destination, the downfall, to pain, even to hell!
This is a path of thorns, an evil way, a dark state, conflict, violence, pain!
2: How does a friend dwell pervading all with his heart endued with pity?
Just as he would feel pity on seeing an unlucky, unfortunate person, so he
pervades all beings with infinite pity. Therefore first of all he imagines a
poor man, unlucky, unfortunate, in every way a fit object for pity, ugly,
reduced to utter misery, with hands and feet cut off, sitting in the shelter
for the helpless, with an empty pot in front of him, with maggots oozing
from sores on hands and legs, moaning, infinite pity should be felt for him
in this way: 'This being has been reduced to utter misery! If he just could
be freed from this misery...' Then later one can arouse the same pity and
compassion for a neutral person and later for even a wrong-doing person!
This is the complete mastery of pity: Compassion even with the Evil One!
3: All wrong doing is caused by blindness: A real pity for the wrong-doers!
All wrong-doers will thus suffer immensely in the future. How sad for them!
4: Begin and Cultivate meditation on Infinite pity:
Sit down a silent, empty place with closed eyes & beam this from the heart:
May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating awareness of pity.
May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating examination of pity.
May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating energetic pity.
May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating joyous infinite pity.
May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating stilled infinite pity.
May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating concentrated pity.
May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating imperturbable pity.
Beaming first out in front, then right, left, down below and also up above:
May all beings live happily and free from suffering, pain and frustration.
May all beings be free from hate, cruelty, mercilessness & revengefulness!
One who is virtuous and wise
Shines like a blazing fire;
Like a bee collecting nectar
He acquires wealth by harming none!
Digha Nikaya III, 188
May all breathing creatures, all living things,
All beings, every one without exception,
Experience good fortune only!
May they not fall into harm.
Anguttara Nikaya II, 72
Solitude is happiness for one who is content,
Who has heard the Dhamma and clearly sees.
Non-violence is happiness in the world
Harmlessness towards all living beings.
Udana 10
JOY
Oh let us live happily! Freed from all cruelty!
Living even among those, who always flames by hate!
Among those dominated by anger, let us live free from anger!
Dhammapada 197
Regarding Pity and Compassion (Karuna) see also:
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://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/harris/bl141.html
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Great_Compassion.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Compassionate_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Space_Compassion.htm
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/anguttara/an05-161.html
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/anguttara/an06-013.html
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Mercy, Pity & Compassion Soften the Mind!
Cure your Cruelty!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_to_Cure_Cruelty_and_Revengefulness.htm
Tranquillity is the way to Superhuman Delight!
Tranquillity comes due to insight. As he is sitting, whether by night or by day,
then he experiences neither fatigue, heaviness, rigidity, slowness, nor sickness
in his body, nor in his mind, but rather his body and mind are tranquil, very light,
adaptable, pliable, quite sharp and ultra-clear! With his body and mind aided by
such tranquillity, he experiences a superhuman delight, about which it is said:
A Bhikkhu with his mind all quiet...
Retired to a remote & empty place.
There right insight in the Dhamma,
Awards him a superhuman delight!
It is because he really comprehends
The rise and fall of all phenomena
That he relishes this high happiness:
A silent joy not of this world!
A bliss transcending the human!
And knows it to be the deathless...
Dhammapada 373-74
More on this delightful Joy (Piti), that is not of this world:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Happiness_of_the_Flesh_and_Beyond.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Joys_of_the_Flesch_and_Beyond.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Joys_Beyond_This_World.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Alert_Elevated_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Joy_Piti.htm
Supra-Human Delight!
Tranquillity is the way to Superhuman Delight!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Super-Human_Delight.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
Gracious is Gratitude!
Appreciation Echoes Back... :-)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Appropriate_Appreciation.htm
Instantly Evaporating all Evil Mental States!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus and friends, if while one is trying to behave good and clever,
occasionally due to a lapse of awareness, a momentary neglect occurs and
evil detrimental memories and bad intentions arise in one, then slow might
be the re-arising of one's awareness, but one should ultra-quickly leave all
these thoughts, dispel these obsessions, and end these impulses, thereby
eradicating both any phobia and mania. Imagine a man who let a tiny drop
of water fall onto an iron plate heated for a whole day on the stove...
Slow might be his letting go of the water drop, but then it would quickly
vaporize and vanish, when hitting the pan. Even so, while one is neglecting
the presence of acute awareness and the mind strays back into the mental
habits of evil detrimental mental habits & bad intentions: Slow might be the
re-arising of one's awareness, yet one should still then instantly leave these
evil thoughts, dispel these obsessions, end these impulses, thereby eradicating
any disadvantageous and afflicting phobia and mania. It is in exactly this
way that a Bhikkhu has comprehended the ideal mode of behaviour and habit
of living, that prevents any evil detrimental mental state of avariciousness,
lust, greed, envy, jealousy and discontent in flowing in upon, enveloping and
completely dominating his mind...
What is Evil, Bad, Wrong, Disadvantageous and Detrimental (Akusala)?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/What_is_Detrimental.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/What_is_Disadvantageous.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book IV [190-] 35:
6 Senses. Salayatana. States that entail Suffering. Dukkha-Dhamma 244.
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 _/\_ Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Evaporating all Evil...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Evaporizing_Bad.htm
Jhãna Absorption eliminates all Physical Pain!
The Blessed Buddha once pointed out:
Where does all bodily pain cease, without even a trace remaining?
Aloof from all sense-desire and secluded from any disadvantageous state,
one enters and remains in the first jhana absorption of directed thought
and sustained thinking, joined with pleasure and joy, born of sole seclusion.
It is right there, that all bodily pain ceases without a trace remaining...
Comments:
Therefore do beings reborn at the fine-material brahma level, never feel
any physical pain, since they are continuously absorbed in this first jhana..!
The amateur meditator can use this absence of pain as a diagnostic tool:
If pain is still felt anywhere in the body, then the present meditative state
cannot be first or any higher jhana, but must be a case of calm (samatha),
preparatory concentration (parikamma-samadhi) or near neighbourhood
concentration (upacara-samadhi).
On how to attain the Jhana absorptions:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Requisites_for_Jhana_Absorption.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Concentration.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Concentration_Samadhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/g_m/jhaana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Jhana_Absorption.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Art_of_Absorption.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Samma-Samadhi.htm
Microscopic, astronomic, or other visions are not uncommon during jhana
Source:
The Grouped Sayings by the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book V 213-4
The Abilities section 48. Thread on The Irregular Order: Uppatika 40
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
Have a nice, noble and absorbed day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
When Absorbed, then Pain is Absent!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ending_Physical_Pain.htm
Why do some beings attain Nibbãna, while others do not?
Sakka, the king of the 33 Gods once asked the Blessed Buddha:
Venerable Sir, what is the cause & reason, why some beings here do not
attain Nibbana in this very life? And what is the cause and reason, why
some beings here do indeed attain Nibbana in this very life?
Knowing this being's addiction to divine delight the Buddha answered:
There are, King of the thirty-three Devas, forms experiencable by the eye,
sounds experiencable by the ear, smells experiencable by the nose, touches
experiencable by the body, and mental phenomena experiencable by the
mind, that all are attractive, charming, agreeable, pleasing, tempting, and
tantalizing. If a bhikkhu hunts for delight in them, welcomes them, and
remains holding on to them, his mind becomes addicted to them and clings
to them. Any being mentally dominated by clinging cannot attain Nibbana!
This is the cause & reason, King of the Devas, why many & most beings here
do not attain Nibbana in this very life... There are, King of the Devas,
forms experiencable by the eye, sounds experiencable by the ear, smells
experiencable by the nose, touches experiencable by the body, and mental
phenomena experiencable by the mind, that all are attractive, charming,
agreeable, pleasing, enticing, tempting and tantalizing. If a wise Bhikkhu
avoids seeking any delight in them, does not welcome them, and does not
remain holding on to them, then his mind doesn't become addicted to them,
Any being mentally wholly freed of clinging can indeed attain Nibbana!
This is the cause and reason, King of the Devas, why some beings here can
attain Nibbana in this very life, while most neither can, nor will....
Deva king Sakka and a few of his hundreds of dear nymphs...
More on the Deva King Sakka (Indra) of the 33 Gods (Tavatimsa):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/sa/sakka.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/t/taavatimsa.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indra
Source:
The Grouped Sayings by the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book IV 102
The 6 senses section 35. Thread on Sakka's Question: 118.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
Have a nice day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Why and Why not?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Sakkas_Question.htm
How to train Rejoicing Joy in others Success?
When sitting alone, in silence, each early morning, with closed eyes one wishes:
May I radiate and meet only never-ending and mutually rejoicing joy!
May I & all the various beings on the 31 levels of existence develop and find
only celebration and elation in a never-ending mutually rejoicing joy!
May I & all beings on the sense-desire, fine-material, and the formless plane
develop and encounter this generous, infinite and mutually rejoicing joy!
May I & all beings in the front, to the right, the back, the left, and below as
above, develop and experience openhearted, sharing, & mutually rejoicing joy!
May I and all beings within this city, country, planet and universe always:
Be fully aware and deeply mindful of this content and mutually rejoicing joy!
Examine all details & aspects of this satisfied and mutually rejoicing joy!
Put enthusiastic effort in our praxis of this devoted mutually rejoicing joy!
Enjoy enraptured jubilant gladness in this exulting mutually rejoicing joy!
Be silenced by the tranquillity of quiet and all smiling mutually rejoicing joy!
Be concentrated & absorbed into one-pointedness by genuine rejoicing joy!
Dwell in an imperturbable equanimity of pure and mutually rejoicing joy...
Yeah! May it be even so, since mutual joy causes the jewel of contentment!
Comment: Mutual Joy is the 3rd infinite mental state (Appamañña):
This gradually reduces all envy, jealousy, possessiveness, stinginess, avarice
miserliness, green covetousness and unhappiness related with all these states.
The cause of Mutual Joy in rejoicing in your child's or boon companion's success.
This same joy can then be beamed towards all liked, neutral and hostile beings.
Mutual Joy is then the proximate cause of satisfied and fulfilled Contentment...
Lack of mutual joy is thus the proximate cause of dissatisfied discontentment...
Joined with the 7 links to Awakening it will later cause a formless jhana...
Be happy at all and especially other being's success! Then calm comfort grows!
More on Mutual Joy (Mudita):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Rejoicing_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Safe_Medicine.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 & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Mutual Joy causes Contentment!
Rejoicing Joy!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mutual_Joy.htm
What Feeds the Five Hindrances?
At Savatthi the Blessed Buddha once explained:
Just as this body, is sustained by food, is dependent on food, and cannot
continue without food, even so, friends, are the five mental hindrances
indeed also sustained by a kind of food, they are also dependent on food,
and cannot continue without ever renewed feeding…
And what, friends, is feeding for the arising and growth of sense-desire?
It is frequent and careless attention to the alluring & attractive features!
This food makes sensual lust arise and feeds also growth of habitual greed…
And what, friends, is feeding for the arising and aggravation of ill-will?
It is frequent & careless attention to the displeasing & repulsive features!
This is food makes aversion arise and feeds also growth of habitual anger…
And what is feeding the emergence & deterioration of lethargy-&-laziness?
It is frequent & careless attention to drowsiness, & eaten too much Dullness!
This is food makes sloth arise and feeds also worsening of habitual Laziness…
And what is feeding for the arising and escalation of restlessness-&-regret?
It is frequent & careless attention to the excited, agitated & stressed mind!
This food upsets and stirs the mind and feeds also habitual anxiety & worry…
And what feeds the arising, deepening & expansion of doubt-&-uncertainty?
It is frequent & careless attention to doubtful theories & speculative views!
This food bewilders the mind & feeds also escalation of habitual confusion...
Just as this body, is supported by food, is dependent on food, and cannot
go on without food, exactly so, friends, are these 5 Mental Hindrances
supported by feeding, dependent on feeding, and cannot persist without
this continual mental feeding by wrongly directed attention…
More on these 5 Mental Hindrances (Nivaranas):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_5_Mental_Hindrances.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Fire_of_Sense-Desire.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Starving_the_Hindrances.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Restlessness_and_Regret.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Doubt_and_Uncertainty.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Lethargy_and_Laziness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suitable_Substitution.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Colourful_but_Muddy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Anger_and_Irritation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_5_Become_10.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/AN.I.3-4c.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/AN.I.3-4.htm
Though not visible the 5 Hindrances effectively Obstruct beings!
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V:64-5] section 46: The Links. 2: The Body...
Have a nice, noble and unhindered day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
What Feeds the Hindrances?
Mentally Hindered = No Progress = No Happiness!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Feeding_the_Hindrances.htm
What is Starving of the Mental Hindrances?
At Savatthi the Blessed Buddha once explained:
What, friends, is the starvation, that prevents the arising of Sense-Desire,
and which also blocks any growth of already arisen Sense-Desire?
It is frequent and careful attention to the Disgusting Features of things!
This starvation prevents sensual lust from arising & reduces present greed…
And what, friends, is the starvation that prevents the arising of Ill-Will &
which also hinders any aggravation and inflation of already arisen Ill-Will?
It is frequent, careful and rational attention to Universal Friendliness!
This starvation prevents aversion from arising & inhibits present anger…
And what is the starvation, that prevents arising of Lethargy-&-Laziness,
and which also eliminates any already present Lethargy-&-Laziness?
It is attention to these 3 elements of: Initiative, Launching and Endurance!
This starvation prevents absent sloth from arising & stops present laziness.
And what is the starving that prevents arising of Restlessness-&-Regret,
and which also slow down any escalation of present Restlessness-&-Regret?
It is frequent attention to this sweet, calm & peaceful Tranquillity of Mind!
This starvation prevents upsetting of the mind & reduces anxiety & worry…
What is the starvation that prevents the arising ofDoubt-&-Uncertainty,
and which also stops any proliferation of present Doubt-&-Uncertainty?
It is frequent, careful, rational attention & evaluation of these 4 Dualities:
There are advantageous & disadvantageous states! There are blameable &
blameless states! There are ordinary & exalted states! There are bright &
dark mental states! This starvation prevents any confusion of the mind &
which also dampen escalation of already present perplexity…
Comments:
Memorize and use as suitable substitution, whenever a hindrance is noted!
More on these 5 Mental Hindrances (Nivaranas):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Fire_of_Sense-Desire.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_5_Mental_Hindrances.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Starving_the_Hindrances.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Restlessness_and_Regret.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Feeding_the_Hindrances.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Doubt_and_Uncertainty.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Lethargy_and_Laziness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Colourful_but_Muddy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suitable_Substitution.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Anger_and_Irritation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_5_Become_10.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Naturally_Radiant.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/AN.I.3-4c.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/AN.I.3-4.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Canal.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V:105-6] section 46: The Links. 51: The Nutriments...
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Breaking the inner Bars opens Freedom!
Starving the Hindrances!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Starving_the_Hindrances.htm
How to be a Real Buddhist through Observance?
The Bak Poya day is the full-moon of April. This holy day celebrates
that the Buddha visits Ceylon for the second time to reconcile two
local chiefs Mahodara and Culodara, uncle & nephew, who had fallen
into war threatening hostility about a jewel-beset throne...
The story shows the Buddha as fine diplomat & is given in full below!
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, white-clothed, clean bare feet,
one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue, and bows first 3 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 for 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! A journey towards the deathless Nibbana is thus started!
This is the Noble Way to Peace, to Freedom, to Ease, to Happiness,
initiated by Morality, developed further by Dhamma-Study and fully
completed by training of Meditation...
Today indeed is Pooya or Uposatha Observance day, where any lay
Buddhist normally keeps also the Eight Precepts from sunrise until
next dawn. If any wish official recognition by the Bhikkhu-Sangha,
they may easily forward the lines starting with "I hereby" signed by
name, date, town, & country to me or join here. A Public list of this
new quite rapidly growing global Saddhamma-Sangha is set up here!
The New Noble Community of Buddha's Disciples: 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 !!
Bhikkhu Samahita: what.buddha.said@gmail.com
For Details on Uposatha Observance Days:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/uposatha.html
Reuniting those who are divided, by inducing harmony:
Now the most compassionate Teacher, the Conqueror, rejoicing in
the salvation of the whole world, when dwelling at Jetavana in the
fifth year of his Buddhahood, saw that war, caused by a gem beset
throne, was like to come to pass between the nagas Mahodara and
Culodara, uncle and nephew and their followers! The SamBuddha,
then on the Uposatha day of the dark half of the month Citta, in the
early morning, took his sacred alms bowl and his robes, and, out of
compassion for the nagas, sought the Nagadipa. At that time the
same naga Mahodara was then king, gifted with miraculous powers,
in a nagas kingdom in the ocean, that covered half a 1000 yojanas.
His younger sister had been given in marriage to the naga king on
the Kannavaddhamana mountain; her son was Culodara. His mother's
father had given to his mother a splendid throne of jewels, then the
naga had died and therefore was this war between nephew & uncle
threatening!
The bejewelled throne, the Buddha and the deva Samiddhisumana.
Mural painting. Kelaniya Temple http://www.kelaniyatemple.com/
The nagas of the mountains were also armed with many
miraculous powers. The deva Samiddhisumana took his rajayatana
tree standing in Jetavana, his own fair habitation, holding it like a
parasol over the Conqueror, he, with the Teacher's leave, attended
him to that spot, where he had formerly dwelt. That very deva had
been, in his latest birth, a man in Nagadipa. On the very spot where
thereafter the rajayatana tree stood, he had seen PaccekaBuddhas
taking their meal. And at the sight his heart was glad & he offered
branches to cleanse their alms bowls. Therefore he was reborn in
that very same tree in the pleasant Jetavana garden, outside of the
gate rampart. The God of all gods saw in this an advantage for that
deva, and, for the sake of the good, which should spring therefrom
for Ceylon, he brought him there together with his tree. Hovering
there in midair above the battlefield, the Master, who drives away
spiritual darkness, called forth dreadful darkness over the nagas!
Then comforting those who were distressed by terror, he once again
spread light abroad. When they saw the Blessed One, they joyfully
did reverence to the Masters feet. Then the Vanquisher preached
to them the Dhamma that makes concord, & both nagas gladly gave
up the throne to the Sage. When the Master, having alighted on the
earth, had taken his place on a seat there, and had been refreshed
with divine food and drink served by the naga kings, he, the Lord,
established in the three refuges and in the 8 moral precepts eighty
kotis of snake-spirits, dwellers in the ocean and on the mainland.
The naga-king Maniakkhika of Kalyani, maternal uncle to this naga
Mahodara, who had come there to take part in the battle, and who
before, at the Buddhas first coming, having heard the true Dhamma
preached, had become established in the 3 refuges & in the moral
duties, prayed now to the Tathagata: Great is the compassion that
you have shown us here, Master! Had you not appeared we had all
been consumed to ashes. May your compassion yet settle also and
especially on me, you who are rich in friendly loving kindness, please
peerless one, come again back here to my home country. When the
Lord had consented by his silence to return, then he planted the
rajayatana tree on that very spot as a sacred memorial, & the Lord
of the Worlds gave over the rajayatana tree & the precious throne
seat to the naga kings to do homage thereto: In remembrance that
I have used these, do homage to them naga kings! This, well beloved,
will bring to pass many blessings & happiness for you for a long time!
When the Blessed One had uttered this and other exhortations to
the nagas, he, the compassionate saviour of all the worlds, returned
to the Jetavana monastery.
Here ends the explanation of the Visit to Nagadipa.
Nagadipa Temple today.
http://www.amazinglanka.com/heritage/nagadipa/nagadipa.php
Source: Mahavamsa I:44. The Great Chronicle of Ceylon.
Translated. By Wilhelm Geiger 1912; reprinted in 1980.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=130010I
Have a nice harmonious reuniting day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Reuniting is Bak Poya Day!
Have a nice harmonious reuniting day!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Bak_Poya_Day.htm
How does Lethargy & Laziness Suppress Mind?
A Brahmin Priest once asked the Blessed Buddha:
Master Gotama, what is the cause of being unable to remember even
something that has been memorized over a long period & also that which
has not been memorized?
Brahmin, when mind is retarded by lethargy & laziness, dimmed, detained
& dominated by lethargy and laziness, and one does not understand any
actual safe escape from this arisen lethargy and laziness, in that very
moment, one can neither see, nor understand, what is advantageous,
neither for oneself, nor for others, nor for both oneself and others.
Consequently, whatever have been memorized, cannot be remembered…
Why is this neglect so? Imagine a bowl of water covered with moss,
water plants and algae. If a man with good eye-sight were to inspect
the reflection of his own face in it, he would neither see, nor recognize
it, as it really is! So too, brahmin, when mind is slowed down by lethargy
and laziness, dimmed, detained and handicapped by lethargy & laziness,
on such occasions even texts long memorized do not recur to the mind,
not to speak of those texts, events and information, that have not been
actively memorized at all…
How to cure Laziness:
Attention to these 3 elements of: initiative, launching and endurance!
More on curing this common mental defilement: Laziness (Thina-middha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Curing_Lethargy_and_Laziness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/thiina_middha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Arousal_Get_Up_and_Going.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suitable_Substitution.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Enthusiastic_is_Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/AN.I.3-4.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V:122-3] section 46: The Links. 55: To Sangarava...
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Laziness imprisons the Mind!
Lethargic Laziness...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Lethargy_and_Laziness.htm
How to cure Heavy Lethargy and Laziness!
Lethargy-&-Laziness may often be induced by self-destructive behaviour
such as: Alcohol, drugs, dope, pills, marihuana, sniffing, over-eating,
excessive masturbation and night-living. Such often life-long chemical or
behavioural causes of Lethargy-&-Laziness should be eradicated...
As long as this is not achieved one remains a phlegmatic & apathetic zombie,
drifting downwards due to inability to initiate advantageous behaviour.
Noticing Lethargy-&-Laziness (thina-middha) emerge can make it evaporate:
Herein, Bhikkhus, when Lethargy-&-Laziness is present in him, the bhikkhu
notes & understands: There is Lethargy-&-Laziness in me, and when this
Lethargy-&-Laziness is absent, he notes & understands: Now there is no
Lethargy-&-Laziness in me. He indeed also understands how yet unarisen
Lethargy-&-Laziness arises. He understands how to leave behind any arisen
Lethargy-&-Laziness, and he understands how left Lethargy-&-Laziness will
not arise again in the future. MN 10
What is the feeding cause that makes Lethargy-&-Laziness arise?
There are boredom, apathy, tiredness, lazy stretching of the body, heavy
drowsiness after too big meals, and mental sluggishness. Frequently giving
irrational and unwise attention to these mental states, this is the feeding
cause of the arising of yet unarisen Lethargy-&-Laziness, and the feeding
cause of worsening and deepening of already present Lethargy-&-Laziness.
SN 46:51
What is the starving cause that makes Lethargy-&-Laziness cease?
There is the quality of initiative. There is the quality of launching action.
There is the quality of tenaciously enduring persistence. Frequently giving
rational & wise attention to these three mental elements, is the starving
cause for the non-arising of unarisen Lethargy-&-Laziness, and the starving
cause for the arousing and stirring of already present Lethargy-&-Laziness.
SN 46:51
The Supreme Ideal:
Before the Buddha sat down to meditate in order to attain enlightenment,
he made this determination: May just all flesh and blood of this body dry up
into a stiff frame of only bones, tendons and skin... Not a second before
having achieved, what can be achieved by male strength, power, and energy,
will I rise from this seat... MN 70
How to stimulate the mind:
How does one stimulate the mind at a time when it needs stimulation?
If due to slowness of understanding or due to not having yet reached the
happiness of tranquillity, one's mind is dull, then one should rouse it through
reflecting on the eight objects stirring urgency. These 8 objects are: birth,
decay, disease & death; the suffering in hell, demon, ghost & animal world!
The suffering in the past and the the future rooted in this Samsara.
The suffering of the present rooted in the pursuit for food and living.
Vism. IV,63
Perceiving the suffering in impermanence:
In a Bhikkhu, who is used to see the suffering in impermanence and who
frequently reflects on this, there will be established in him such an acute
sense of the danger in laziness, apathy, inactivity and lethargy, just as if
he was threatened by a mad murderer with drawn sword!
AN 7:46
Lethargy-&-Laziness is an inner mental Prison:
Just as when a man has been forced into prison is Lethargy-&-Laziness,
but later when he gets released from this (inner) prison, then he is safe,
fearing no loss of property. And at that good he rejoices glad at heart...
Such is the breaking out of Lethargy-&-Laziness...
Another person has been kept in jail during a festival day, and so could see
none of the shows. When people say: Oh, how fun was this festival! He will
remain shy, mute and silent because he did not enjoy any festival himself...
Similarly is prison of Lethargy-&-Laziness... Another person that once had
been in jail on a festival day. But when freed and celebrating the festival
on a later occasion, he looks back: Before due to my own careless laziness,
I was in prison on that day & could not enjoy this fine festival. Now I shall
therefore be alert and careful. Since he remains thus alert and careful no
detrimental state can overcome his mind. Having fully enjoyed the festival,
he exclaims: What a fun festival! Good is absence of Lethargy-&-Laziness...
Whoever lives in search & urge only or pleasure and beauty,
unguarded in senses, immoderately indulging in eating,
lazy, lethargic, inactive, dulled into apathy;
Such ones Mara sweeps away like breaking
a branch of a tiny bush ...
Dhammapada 7
Even if one should live a hundred years,
if lazy and idle, better it would be
to live but just a single day
striving with all one got.
Dhammapada 112
Easy is the shameless life now.
Easy is it to be bold, retaliating,
lazy, uninformed and wrong-viewed.
Dhammapada 244
Rouse yourself! Sit up!
Resolutely train yourself to attain peace.
Do not let the king of death, seeing you
lazy, lead you astray and dominate you.
Sutta Nipata II, 10
More on curing this common defilement: Laziness (Thina-middha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Lethargy_and_Laziness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Enthusiastic_is_Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Arousal_Get_Up_and_Going.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suitable_Substitution.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/thiina_middha.htm
Have a nice, noble & active day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Lethargy and Laziness Lays Life in Ruins!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Curing_Lethargy_and_Laziness.htm
Wise Company gives good Advantage:
The Blessed Buddha once said:
I am a friend and helper to all,
I am sympathetic to all living beings.
I develop a mind full of love & one
who always delight in harmlessness!
I gladden my mind, fill it with joy,
and make it immovable and unshakable.
I develop these divine states of mind
not cultivated by simple men.
Theragatha 648-9
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, &
may not those with many feet harm me.
AN II 72
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, who have understood much,
will always cherish and serve such friends
just as a mother tends her only child.
DN III, 188
Among tigers, lions, leopards & bears I lived in the jungle.
No one was frightened of me, nor did I fear anyone.
Uplifted by such universal friendliness, I enjoyed the forest.
Finding great solace in such sweetly silenced solitude…
Suvanna-sama Jataka 540
And how does a Bhikkhu abide with his mind imbued with friendliness
extending over one direction? Just as he would feel friendliness on
seeing a dearly favourite person, so he extends this same loving-kindness
to all beings in all directions, one by one, & as above so below.
Abhidhamma Pitaka: Appamañña-vibhanga
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, in invisible shielding protection,
such release of mind by universal friendliness far excels & surpasses them all...
Itivuttaka 27
Universal Friendliness (Metta) is 1 of 4 Infinite 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://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/iti/iti.1.024-027.irel.html
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://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=404214
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Metta.htm
The Buddha on Noble Friendship :-)
Infinite is All-Embracing Kindness!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Buddha_on_Noble_Frienship.htm
On point clears drops cut short!
Patience is not silence, but speaking and acting at the right time
with a calm mind, in a right, kind, gentle and unharmful way.
Generosity is not giving everything you have or spending
all of your time for the benefit of others, but not keeping
your mind hanging onto what you temporarily have on loan.
Compassion is not putting yourself into trouble,
but taking others out of trouble.
Rev. Thalawathugoda Chandawimala, Sri Lanka
Oxford International Meditation Centre
http://www.oxfordimc.com
Of related interest:
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/Patient_is_Tolerance.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/Openhanded_Generosity.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/Karuna_is_Pity.htm
Have a nice day!
Some clear drops!
Pure Plain Truth Soothes the Mind...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/Clear_Drops.htm
How differs Death and Ceasing of Perception and Feeling?
Venerable Mahakotthita once asked Venerable Sariputta:
Friend, what is the difference between a dead body and a Bhikkhu,
who has attained the state of cessation of perception and feeling?
Venerable Sariputta then answered:
Friend, in a dead body any bodily activity is stilled and has all ceased.
The verbal activity is stilled and has all ceased.
The mental activity is stilled and has all ceased.
The metabolic life activity is exhausted. The heat has dissipated,
and the mental abilities have all broken up and been destroyed.
In the bhikkhu, who has attained to the cessation of perception and feeling,
All bodily activity and breathing is stilled and has all ceased;
All verbal activity and all thinking is stilled and has all ceased;
All mental activity and all sensing is stilled and has completely ceased;
But the metabolic life activity is not exhausted. The heat has not dissipated.
Furthermost: The mental abilities have then become exceptionally clear ... !
Friend, this is the difference between a dead body and a Bhikkhu, who has
attained to the meditative state of cessation of perception and feeling...
More on the profound attainment of stilled Cessation (Nirodha-samapatti):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/9_Stillings.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Ceasing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_18_Principal_Insights.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/anupubba_nirodha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/n_r/nirodha_samaapatti.htm
Source: MN 43 The Great Speech of Questions and Answers.
For definitions of the Terms: see: The Minor Speech of Questions and Answers. MN 44
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/majjhima/mn044.html
Have a nice silent day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Profound Peace!
Attainment of Silenced Cessation (Nirodha-samapatti). ..
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Stilled_but_not_Dead.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
One can Escape the Suffering of Samsara!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Inconceivable is the beginning of this Samsara; not to be discovered is
any first beginning of beings, who, blinded by ignorance and ensnared
by craving, are hurrying, and hastening through this round of rebirths...
Source: (edited excerpt) SN 3:35
Some Comments:
Samsara is the crushing wheel of existence, which literally is meaning
'perpetual wandering': A sea of life & death ever restlessly heaving up
& down, the symbol of this never-ending process of ever again & again
being born, growing old, becoming weak & sick, suffering, and dying...
More precisely put: Samsara is the unbroken sequence of re-arisings of
combinations of the momentary events of the 5-fold cluster of clinging,
which constantly changing from moment to moment, follow continually
one upon the other, through inconceivable periods of time. A single life
constitutes only a tiny microscopic fraction of these trillions of eons...
In order to comprehend the 1st noble truth, one must therefore gaze
long and contemplate upon this Samsara, upon this frightful sequence
of ever rebirth mostly in lower painful forms, and not merely upon one
single lifetime, which may sometimes not seem very painful until aged...
The term Suffering: Dukkha in the first noble truth therefore refers
not only to painful bodily & mental feelings, caused now by displeasing
contacts & impressions, but it comprises in addition every thing creating
suffering or which is liable to produce it later... The truth of Suffering
teaches that, owing to the universal law of impermanence, even high and
sublime states of happiness are subject to change and destruction, and
that all states of existence therefore ultimately are unsatisfactory...
Without exception they all carry in themselves the seeds of suffering!
'Du' means bad. 'Kha' means state. Dukkha thus means 'Bad State'...
Samsara is a Bad State of Suffering. Nibbana is a Good State of Peace!
Video illustrating life among humans, in heaven and in hell:
For details on this Round of Rebirths: Samsara see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Samsara.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Endless_Round.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/samsaara.htm
Source (edited excerpt):
The Word of the Buddha: Venerable Nyanatiloka Mahathera.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book_404201.html
Same, but not sane, rebirth repeat...
Samsara is an endless Time-Ocean of Suffering!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Samsaric_Round.htm
The Layman's Way to Happiness:
By Prof. Lily de Silva, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
Life in the modern age has become particularly trying and problematic.
Though it remains a fact that the standard of living has generally improved,
man is still suffering immensely under the weight of present-day living.
The physical condition of man has been reduced to such a pathetic level that
he succumbs to untimely death by killer diseases such as cancer, heart failure,
diabetes, etc. to an unprecedented degree. Mentally, he is so tension-ridden
that he has forgotten the art of relaxing, and he cannot even enjoy sound
sleep without the aid of tranquilizers. In this set up interpersonal relations
have become so brittle and vulnerable that the divorce rate has indeed become
alarmingly high, thus letting loose a whole series of other social problems such
as uncared-for children, juvenile delinquency, suicide, etc. Thus life has become
a problematic burden and a solution to make life more tolerable and enjoyable
is a great and pressing need.
As the word of the Buddha is of everlasting value and universal applicability,
and as the Buddha preached not only to monks and nuns but also to the lay
public as well, it is useful to find a teaching of the Buddha which is relevant
to our present-day problems:
In the Pattakammavagga of the Anguttara Nikaya (A II, 69) the Buddha
preached a sutta to Anathapindika on the fourfold pleasures of a layman.
It is our considered opinion that this sutta offers adequate insight to meet
the demands of the present-day problems as well. The four types of pleasure
listed there are:
1: Atthisukha, the pleasure of having material wealth;
2: Bhogasukha, the pleasure of enjoying material wealth;
3: Ananasukha, the pleasure of being debtless; and
4: Anavajjaskha, the pleasure of being blameless.
Let us take these for discussion one by one and see how these four sources
of pleasure can be harnessed for living a happy life in the present-day world.
Atthisukha — Man should not only have a righteous means of living, avoiding
blameworthy trades such as dealing in meat, liquor, poison, firearms & slavery,
he should also entertain a wholesome attitude towards his right occupation.
For instance, if a doctor welcomes epidemics in the locality in order to make
much money, or a trader hopes for natural calamities to send market prices up,
the money earned by such unscrupulous individuals is not righteous money as
their intentions are impure and foul. Also one should not deceive or exploit
others in carrying out one's occupation. Exerting oneself with great energy,
one should earn one's living, and such hard-earned wealth is called righteous
wealth (dhammika dhammaladdha). Again one could have great wealth, but if
one does not experience a sense of contentment with what one has, one cannot
really enjoy atthisukha or the pleasure of having. The amassing of wealth of
such a person is like trying to fill a bottomless vessel. This is one of the widely
spread maladies we see in the present-day society. Inordinate expansion of
wealth becomes a source not of happiness, but of greed, anxiety, and envy.
Such wealth exposes the possessor to the jealousies and manoeuvres of other
unscrupulous individuals, hence the occurrence of blackmailing and kidnapping
from time to time. But if one does have a correct means of earning one's living
and the correct attitude to wealth, one can escape many of the hazards which
money brings in its wake to modern man...
Bhogasukha — Wealth has only instrumental value and the proper enjoyment
of wealth is an art which is worth carefully cultivating. Buddhism deplores both
extravagance and miserly hoarding. One must maintain a healthy balanced
standard of living according to one's means. If, in the enjoyment of wealth,
one overindulges in sense pleasures, one is bound to run into health hazards in
a very short time. If, for instance, one overindulges in food just because one
can afford it, one will soon be overcome by diseases such as heart failure, high
blood pressure and diabetes. Such a one will be faced with the situation of
"cutting his neck with his own tongue." Moderation in food is a virtue praised
in Buddhism and it is a health-promoting habit. Often in the name of enjoying
wealth, man cultivates unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking.
It is paradoxical that man, who actually loves himself most, should act as if
he were his own worst enemy by indulging in habits which ultimately reduce
him to a physical wreck. It is medically established that smoking causes the
highest percentage of lung cancer, and that drinking causes irreparable damage
to vital organs of the body including brain and liver. If only one pauses to just
ponder over one's own welfare, and if only one entertains at least some degree
of compassion towards oneself, one would not get into the clutches of these
vicious habits. Wealthy men often end up in the pitiful plight of the ant fallen
in the pot of honey. Such men did not know the art of enjoying bhogasukha.
The regard the body as an instrument for pleasure, and they wear out and
debilitate the body's capacity for enjoyment in double quick time, long before
the natural process of wear and tear sets in. If we love ourselves, we have to
treat our bodies with proper care without taxing it with overindulgence and
deprivation. It is with the body that we can enjoy not only the pleasures of
the senses, but even the spiritual bliss of Nibbana. Another aspect of the joy
of wealth is the art of sharing. Without being an Adinnapubbaka, a miserly
"never-giver," if one learns to share one's riches with those worthy, the less
fortunate and have-nots, one will have the noble experience of rejoicing at
the joy of another. At the same time one will learn the love and good will of
others, instead of becoming the target of envy, jealousy and intrigue.
Ananasukha — The pleasure of being debtless is the third quality discussed
in our sutta. Economically if one can be completely free of debt, one is indeed
a very fortunate person. To be really debtless in society one has to discharge
one's obligations scrupulously. As a wage earner one has to discharge one's
duties for which one is paid, otherwise one can be indebted to the employer.
As a parent one has to fulfill one's obligations to one's children. In our society
children are taught to worship and look after their parents, and it is well to
bear in mind that parents too have to qualify themselves for the honour they
receive by being dutiful parents. It should be emphasized that fathers who
neglect their families as a result of their addiction to vices such as drinking
and gambling fall far short of the ideal of debtlessness. One can have the
satisfaction of being debtless only if one has fulfilled one's obligations in all
social roles one has to perform.
Anavajjasukha — The satisfaction of leading a blameless life is the highest
form of satisfaction that a layman can have. Every society has a code of
ethics to be followed by its members. According to Buddhism the minimum
code of ethics regulating the life of its adherent disciples is the pañcasila:
the Five Precepts. If one practices these virtues, one can have the satisfaction
of leading a righteous life to a great extent. Refraining from doing to others
what one does not like others to do to oneself, is the basic inviolable principle
underlying these virtues. Buddhism speaks of hiri and ottappa, the sense of
shame and the fear of doing wrong, as deva dhamma or celestial qualities.
These are the basic qualities which separate man from the animal kingdom.
Unlike the animals man has a conscience, which makes him squeamish about
doing wrong... Buddhism recognizes blameless mental activity as well.
Mental activities which arise from greed, hatred & ignorance are detrimental
and thus blameworthy. Let us see how such mental behaviour causes unhappiness.
Take for instance the case of a person who is angry. What are the symptoms
of anger? Hard breathing, accelerated heart beat, faster circulation of blood,
feeling hot, sweating, trepidation, restlessness, etc. — these are the physical
manifestations of anger. These are certainly not pleasant physical experiences.
Each time the cause of anger is remembered, even though the rage of physical
manifestations of anger may not be that marked, one feels quite restless and
mentally ill at ease. We use expressions such as "boiling with anger," "I got the
devil on to me," etc. to mean getting angry, and these sayings are literally
expressive of the situation. It is impossible for one to be angry and happy at
the same time.
Feeding the Tranquillity Link to Awakening!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, just as this body, is sustained by feeding, exists in dependence
on feeding and cannot survive without food, exactly & even so are these 7
Links to Awakening also sustained by feeding, they can also only exist in
dependence on feeding and they cannot survive without feeding...
And what, Bhikkhus, is the feeding the emergence of any yet unarisen
Tranquillity Link to Awakening & also feeding of already arisen & present
Tranquillity? Just this very notion: There are 2 kinds of Calm:
There is Tranquillity of the Body (kaya-passaddhi) and there is Tranquillity
of the Mind (citta-passaddhi)! Frequently giving careful & rational attention
to them both, is feeding the arising of any unarisen tranquillity and indeed
also feeding of the gradual fulfillment of any already arisen tranquillity...
And what, Bhikkhus, is the starving that obstructs all emergence of any yet
unarisen tranquillity and which also hinders any already arisen tranquillity
in reaching fulfillment by development?
There are these 2 kinds of composed calm, which should be differentiated:
Tranquillity of the Body and Tranquillity of the Mind! Not giving frequent
careful and rational attention to them; not considering them much & often;
is the starving that prevents an unarisen tranquillity from arising and also
blocks any already arisen tranquillity from reaching complete fulfillment
by mental training and progressive development by meditation...
Comments from the classical commentaries: Peace is the characteristic of
the Tranquillity Link to Awakening (Passaddhi-sambojjhanga). Stilling of all
bodily activity, feeling, perception, mental construction and consciousness
is the purpose of tranquillity. Settled, serene and solidified calm (samatha)
is the excessively pleasant manifestation of tranquillity. A smiling mountain!
When the mirror moves & vibrates, then one cannot see anything clearly in it.
So also with the mind: When stressed and agitated, then mind cannot figure
out what is good and what is bad on the long term. But when imperturbably
stilled, then mind can cut right through any distraction and attain absolute
certainty and understanding both spontaneously and instantaneously...
Further conditions helpful for the emergence of the Tranquillity are:
1: Eating good and fine food...
2: Living in a pleasant climate...
3: Maintaining a comfortable posture without pain or distress...
4: Staying evenly ballanced in all situations and regarding all aspects...
5: Avoidance of restless, anxious, agitated, worried and stressed people...
6: Friendship with bodily and mentally calm people, who meditates much!
7: Commitment to calm down the mind by cultivating quiet and tranquillity!
There is Tranquillity of the Body and there is Tranquillity of the Mind!
These mutually depend upon and enhance each other into deeper calmness.
More on Tranquillity (Passaddhi) and Calm (Samatha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Breathing_Calm_and_Insight.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Tranquillity_Passaddhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/samatha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Tranquil_One.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Calm_and_Insight.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/High_and_Alert.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/forest_bliss.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Calm_Power.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Forest_Bliss.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Silenced.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Calmed.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Calm.htm
Sources (edited extracts):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V: 65-6+102-8] 46: Links. 2+51: Group & Nutriments....
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Tranquillity can be Trained!
Feeding Tranquillity!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Tranquillity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Have a nice, noble and easy day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita :-) _/
To whom should one give, to gain most Merit?
The gods became gods as a result of their giving!
The young brahman Magha once asked the Blessed Buddha:
When giving food, where would this offering be most purified for the donor?
The Blessed One answered: If any open-handed householder, a lordly giver,
Magha, seeking merit, looking for merit, sacrifices, giving food and drink to
others, such one would achieve most merit, if the recipient is pure and Noble.
Such, who indeed wander unattached in the world, having & wanting nothing,
fully accomplished, in complete self-control, upon them, at the right time one
should bestow an offering. Those who have cut all mental bonds and fetters,
who are tamed, completely released, without affliction, without desire, upon
them, at the right time, should one bestow an offering. Upon these purified &
Noble Ones should any brahman, who is looking for merit, place his sacrifice!
Sutta-Nipata verses 488-491 Edited excerpt.
Pure giving cut short: Give 2 those who don't want anything!
More on Giving (Dana) and Merit (Puñña), which is the main next life support:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/giving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/4_Goods.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Glad_Giving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/n_r/punna.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/V/Reviewing_Generosity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Openhanded_Generosity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Generosity_Contemplation.htm
Giving is getting, since this kamma wealth, will be reflected back as a future echo :-)
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Giving is Future Getting!
Pure Merit!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Pure_Merit.htm
There are these 5 Minor mental chains (Samyojana):
The Blessed Buddha once emphasized:
Bhikkhus, there are these five Lower mental chains. What five?
1: The mental chain of belief in 'my same identity' (sakkaya-ditthi)
2: The mental chain of skeptical doubt (vicikiccha)
3: The mental chain of clinging to rule & Ritual (silabbata-paramasa)
4: The mental chain of lust for sensuality (kama-raga)
5: The mental chain of anger & ill will (vyapada)
There exist these 5 Lower mental chains! The Noble 8-fold Way should be
developed for the direct experience of these five minor mental chains,
for the full understanding and elimination of them, and for their final
overcoming, destruction and full abandonment! This Noble 8-fold Way is
developed for the breaking asunder all of these five minor mental chains!
Explanation of these mental, yet harder-than-steel chains:
1: Belief in "my identity" construing an internal fake ‘stable same entity’.
2: Sceptical doubts about the perfection of Buddha’s self-enlightenment.
3: Blind superstition in rules & rituals projecting into them a false efficacy.
4: Lust for sensing is addiction to all seen, heard, sensed, and cognized.
5: Ill will is all hate & derivatives such as anger, aversion, and irritation.
These Chains bind beings to birth in the 6 lower worlds, where all beings are
dominated by sense-desire!
Mental chains are not visible, yet quite real, & harder than any steel!
How to Cut these Five mental chains or Fetters (Samyojana) see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Nibbana_or_non-return.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_5_Lower_Chains.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/samyojana.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V:61] section 45: The Way. 179: The 5 Lower mental chains...
The 5 minor mental chains!
Mental chains are real and harder than any steel!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_5_Lower_Chains.htm
What are the 7 Links to Awakening?
1: The Awareness is a link to Awakening (sati-sambojjhanga).
2: The Investigation of the states is a link to Awakening (vicaya-sambojjhanga).
3: The Energy is a link to Awakening (viriya-sambojjhanga).
4: The Joy is a link to Awakening (piti-sambojjhanga).
5: The Tranquillity is a link to Awakening (passaddhi-sambojjhanga).
6: The Concentration is a link to Awakening (samadhi-sambojjhanga).
7: The Equanimity is a link to Awakening (upekkha-sambojjhanga).
These are the seven links leading to final Enlightenment...
Those whose minds are well-developed in these 7 factors of self-awakening,
who delight in non-clinging, who relinquish all grasping, whose minds are all
around luminous, whose mental fermentations are all stilled; They, even while
still in this world, are all unbound right here!
Further Study on the 7 Links to Awakening:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Awareness_Sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Investigation_Vicaya.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Energy_Viriya.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Joy_Piti.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Tranquillity_Passaddhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Concentration_Samadhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Equanimity_Upekkha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/7_Links_to_7_Wings.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Meaning_of_the-7_Links_to_Awakening.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
There are 7 Links to Enlightenment!
The 7 Links...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_7_Links_to_Awakening.htm
Awareness (Sati) is a Link to Enlightenment!
The Awareness Link to Awakening (sati-sambojjhanga) is basically the
same mental property (sati-cetasika), which inherently is included in:
The Four Foundations of Awareness (satipatthana)
The Ability of Awareness (satindriya)
The Power of Awareness (satibala)
The Right Awareness Path Factor (samma-sati-magganga)
Trained, developed and refined in a degree that gradually enlightens!
The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be
overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by careful & rational attention
develops the Awareness Link to Awakening based on seclusion, disillusion,
ceasing, and culminating in relinquishment, neither can any fermentation,
nor any fever, nor any vexation ever arise in him. MN 2 [i 11]
The Ability of Awareness is to anchor attention on any chosen object and
when this ability is unshakable & well fixed, it is the Power of Awareness!
Awareness is a Foundation (patthana), when well established (upatthana)
continually - without distractions interrupting - on these four objects:
1: Body as mere form: Just a group of foul and fragile organs...
2: Feeling as a mere reactive response assigned to any contact...
3: Mind as only a changing set of habitual mentalities and moods...
4: Phenomena simply as appearances of momentary mental states...
Not lasting, but transient! Not pleasure, but pain! Not self, but impersonal!
Neither neglecting, nor forgetting that these universal characteristics are
relevant and true for absolutely all aspects of these four objects, the false
and distorted perception of beauty in what really is disgusting, of pleasure
in what really is painful, of self in what really is selfless and impersonal,
gradually fades away and the mental fermentations (asava) of sensing,
of views, of ignorance and of becoming are overcome by elimination.
Further inspirations on this lucid and penetrating quality of Awareness:
Training of Clear Comprehension (sampajanna):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Clear_Comprehension.htm
Training of the Four Foundations of Awareness (satipatthana):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/Manual/Meditation.Manual.hm
What is Right and Noble Awareness? Answer and Details at:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Awareness.htm
Further studies in this universally superb mental state:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Sati_Studies.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Causes_of_sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Sati_Summary.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sati_in_Solitude.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Clear_Comprehension.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Noble_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/One_and_only_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Awareness_Analysis.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sati_a_la_Anuruddha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Careful_and_Rational_Attention.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Four_Foundations_of_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Clear_and_Aware_Comprehension.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Noticing what is going on!
Awareness (Sati).
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Awareness_Sati.htm
Dhamma Evaporates the Mental Hindrances!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
When, Bhikkhus, a Noble Disciple listens carefully to the Dhamma, alert
with keen ears, attending to it as a matter of crucial concern, indeed as
something of vital importance, directing his entire mind to it, in that very
moment, the Five Mental Hindrances are absent in him... On that occasion
the Seven Links to Awakening approaches complete fulfilment...
And what are the Five Mental Hindrances, that are absent on that occasion?
The mental hindrance of Sense-Desire is all absent on that very occasion.
The mental hindrance of Evil-Will is all absent in these exact moments.
The mental hindrance of Lethargy & Laziness is all absent during that period.
The mental hindrance of Restlessness & Regret is all absent on that event.
The mental hindrance of Doubt & Uncertainty is all absent in that interval.
These are the 5 Mental Hindrances that are entirely absent in that moment.
And what are the 7 Links to Awakening that approaches fulfilment there?
The Awareness Link to Awakening develops towards complete fulfilment!
The Investigation Link to Awakening arises and approaches fulfilment!
The Energy Link to Awakening also pushes forward towards fulfilment!
The Joy Link to Awakening elevates & moves towards complete fulfilment!
The Tranquillity Link to Awakening silently comes to a stilled fulfilment!
The Concentration Link to Awakening absorbs into one-pointed fulfilment!
The Equanimity Link to Awakening also gains fulfilment by development!
These are the 7 Links to Awakening that are fulfilled by development on
that occasion. When, Bhikkhus, a Noble Disciple listens carefully to the
Dhamma, alert with keen ears, attending it as a matter of crucial concern,
as something of vital importance, directing his entire mind to it, in that very
moment the Five Mental Hindrances are absent in him. On that occasion the
Seven Links to Awakening develop towards complete fulfilment...
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V: 95-6] section 46: The Links. 38: Unhindered...
Have a nice, noble and elevated day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Dhamma Evaporates the Mental Hindrances!
Unhindered Elevation!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Of_Vital_Importance.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmomEJ_eXbw
Isipatana (lit: "Place of the Seers") at Sarnath is the site of the famous Migadaya or Deer Park near Benares (Varanasi) . It was there Gotama Buddha preached his first sermon, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta to his 5 friends, the Pañcavaggiya monks, thereby setting in Motion the Wheel of Truth! This location is one of the 4 Sacred Buddhist Pilgrimage sites: Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kusinara.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarnath
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/DPPN/i_/isipatana.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/DPPN/pa/pancavaggiya.htm
The Buddha's speech: The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta text is here:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn56/sn56.011.nymo.html
Investigation is a Link to Awakening!
The Investigation of states Link to Awakening (dhammavicaya-sambojjhanga) :
is basically the same mental property (pañña-cetasika), that understands
everything and which also is inherently included in the:
The Understanding feet of force (vimamsiddhipada)
The Ability of Understanding (paññindriya)
The Power of Understanding (paññabala)
The Right View Path Factor (samma-ditthi-magganga)
It can be trained, developed & refined to a degree that fully enlightens!
If one single quality should be pointed out as thee cause of Awakening,
then it is this Investigation of states Link to Awakening that enlightens!
The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be
overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by careful & rational attention
develops the investigation of states link to awakening based on seclusion,
disillusion, ceasing, & culminating in relinquishment, then neither can any
fermentation, nor any fever, nor discontent ever arise in him. MN2 [i 11]
Remaining thus aware, then he examines, analyzes, & comes to understand
that quality with penetrating insight. While thus aware, exploring into,
examining, analyzing, and coming to full intuitive comprehension, then this
investigation of states link to awakening becomes aroused. He develops
it, and for him it goes to the culmination of its development. MN118 [iii 85]
The ability of investigation of states is to examine, scrutinize and analyze
any chosen object and when this ability is unshakable and unfailing, it then
becomes the power of investigation of phenomena! By thorough and eager
investigation one understands that all things are caused and conditioned
and as such only are compounded constructions, that pass through the
inconceivably rapid moments (~10-43 sec.) of arising, presence, & ceasing!
Remaining neither the 'same', nor 'stable' for two consecutive moments...
Comprehending this universal flux gradually disables craving and clinging...
Therefore do not trust anything (especially not 'your-self'!) blindly...,
but keep on examining and question what is doubtful and not quite clear.
Don't jump into any premature conclusion, before having examined it again!
The Investigation of states Link to awakening is the sword, that cuts right
through the jungle of views to real seeing, understanding and true knowing!
Investigation is found in the last five (III-VII) of these 7 Purifications:
I: Purification of morality (sila-visuddhii)
II: Purification of mind (citta-visuddhi)
III: Purification of view (ditthi-visuddhi)
IV: Purification by overcoming doubt (kankha-vitarana-visuddhi)
V: Purification by knowledge and vision of what is path and not-path
VI: Purification by knowledge and vision of progress on the path.
VII: Purification of knowledge and vision (ñanadassana-visuddhi).
Investigation is inherent in these 3 Comprehending Contemplations:
Contemplation of Impermanence (aniccanupassana)
Contemplation of Suffering (dukkhanupassana)
Contemplation of Impersonality (anattanupassana)
Investigation leads to the 9 kinds of real Insight-Knowledge:
1. Contemplation of Arising and Ceasing (udayabbayanupassana-ñana)
2. Contemplation of Instant Dissolution (bhanganupassana-ñana)
3. Contemplation of Appearance as Terror (bhayatupatthana-ñana)
4. Contemplation of Danger (adinavanupassana-ñana)
5. Contemplation of Disgust (nibbidanupassana-ñana)
6. The Desire for mental Release (muccitu-kamyata-ñana)
7. Reflecting and repelling contemplation (patisankhanupassana-ñana)
8. Equanimity regarding all constructions (sankharupekkha-ñana)
9. Adaptation confirming to the absolute truth (saccanulomika-ñana).
Further inspirations on this probing quality of Investigation of states:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Investigation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Because_of_Not_Examining.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Investigation Produces Understanding...
Curiosity Feeds Wisdom!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Investigation_Vicaya.htm
How are the 7 Links leading to Awakening?
Venerable Sariputta once explained:
They conduce and lead to the state of enlightenment; in this sense are they
links to awakening! They are in, of and by themselves enlightening; also in
this sense are they indeed links to awakening!
Establishing as the meaning of Awareness has to be directly experienced.
Examination as the meaning of Investigation has to be directly experienced.
Exertion of Effort as the meaning of Energy has to be directly experienced.
Intense Contentment as the meaning of Joy has to be directly experienced.
Stilled Peace as the meaning of Tranquillity has to be directly experienced.
Non-Distraction as the meaning of Concentration has to be directly experienced.
Even Ballance as the meaning of Equanimity has to be directly experienced.
They are enlightening as a root, thus are they links to awakening.
They are enlightening as a cause, thus are they links to awakening.
They are enlightening as a requisite, thus are they links to awakening.
They are enlightening as a purification, thus are they links to awakening.
They are enlightening as blamelessness, thus are they links to awakening.
They are enlightening as withdrawal exit, thus are they links to awakening.
They are enlightening as delivering freedom, thus are they links to awakening.
They are enlightening as lack of fermentation, thus are they links to awakening.
They are enlightening as silent solitary seclusion, thus are they links to awakening.
They are enlightening as a releasing relinquishment, thus are they links to awakening.
On these 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
Source (edited extract): Sariputta
Path of Discrimination: Patisambhidamagga.
Treatise on the Links to Awakening XIII.
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
How do 7 states cause Enlightenment?
The Meaning of the 7 link tyo Awakening:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Meaning_of_the-7_Links_to_Awakening.htm
Contemporary orthodox quantum physics and early Buddhism contains crucially
converging and parallel core concepts:
1: Wholeness, oneness, and unity in the sense that all is interdependent and
forever entangled. Changing any part entails changing the entire universe!
2: Emptiness and insubstantiality denoting that materiality is a potential of many
possible manifestations and not a solid substance or entity.
3: Mind over matter: That expels the fact that mind selects which aspects of
many in a probability distribution should manifest during observation.
Thanx to Gerald Penilla, California, USA, innerprisms.com for this excellence of
presentation.
More on Quantum Buddhism and Participatory Observation:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/ontology.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Some_Clues.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Discrete_States.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Quantum_Buddhism.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Omniscient_Quantum_Mind.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/No_Substance_'Out_There'.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/pdfs/wheeler_law_without_law.pdf
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Coincident_Cross-Consistency.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_Fact_of_No-Self_Anatta.htm
Energy (Viriya) is a Link to Awakening!
The Energy Link to Awakening (Viriya-sambojjhanga) : Is basically the
same mental property (viriya-cetasika), as that which performs any
effort of action and which also is inherently included in the:
The Energy Feet of Force (viriyiddhipada)
The Ability of Energy (viriyindriya)
The Power of Energy (viriyabala)
The Right Effort Path Factor (samma-vayama-magganga)
When trained, developed and aroused energy is capable of enlightening!
The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be
overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by careful & rational attention
develops the Energy Link to Awakening based on seclusion, disillusion,
ceasing, & culminating in relinquishment, then neither can any mental
fermentation, nor any fever, or discontent ever arise in him.[i] MN2 [i 11]
In one who examines, finds out why, & comes to assured comprehension,
in him his energy link to awakening becomes aroused. He develops it,
& for him it goes to the culmination of its development. MN118 [iii 85]
The ability of energy is to initiate, launch into action and to complete any
undertaking using persistent endurance. When this ability becomes
unshakable and unfailing, it then becomes the mighty Power of Energy!
The function of energy is this four-fold Right Effort of:
1: Eradicating evil & disadvantageous states that have arisen in the mind.
2: Preventing the arising of yet unarisen disadvantageous mental states.
3: Initiating and developing yet unarisen advantageous mental states.
4: Increasing, refining & completing already arisen advantageous states.
The characteristic of energy is readiness, willingness, enthusiastic ease,
eager and keen vigour. The manifestation of energy is action, exertion,
endeavour, industry, struggle, powerful striving and accomplishment!
Lazy:
The one, who does not rise, when it is time to rise.
Who though young and strong, is weak in mind,
soft in will, and lazy by nature, such slow one
does never find the way to Nibbana.
Dhammapada 280
Get up! Sit up!
Of what use are your dreams?
How can you sleep, when sick,
stabbed by the arrow of craving...
Sutta Nipata 331
Get up! Sit up!
Push on your training, until reaching sole peace!
Do not let the king of death see you sloppy and
thus delude and dominate you like a toy doll...
Sutta Nipata 332
Feeding the Energy:
And what, friends, is feeding the Energy Link to Enlightenment, that
has not yet arised, and food too for boosting of any present Energy?
1: The element of mental initiative,
2: The element of launching into action,
3: The element of enduring persistence.
Systematic attention to these, is feeding any yet unarisen Energy
Link to Awakening, and food too for boosting any present Energy.
Samyutta Nikaya XLVI 51 Bojjhanga-samyutta
Fivefold final Energy:
Following the Buddha the energy in the disciple culminates, when he
finally thinks: Let just this blood and flesh dry up & wither away so only
skin, sinews and bones remain, I will not give up my quest and stray from
this Noble 8-fold Path before having reached Enlightenment...!
For a full Study on Energy (Viriya): The root Hero of all Success:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Definition_of_Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Arising_of_Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Ability_of_Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Origin_of_Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Enthusiastic_is_Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Power_of_Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Ballanced_Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Chief_Hero.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Energetic_Effort.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Avoiding_Effort.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Energy_Viriya.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Dual_Energy.htm
The Chief Root Hero!
Energy is the Chief Root Hero of all Success!!!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Energy_Viriya.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 Pity!
There are many in worse circumstances than ourselves!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Compassionate_Pity.htm
The 7 Links to Awakening develop Sequentially!
The Blessed Buddha once explained:
Whenever withdrawn in body and withdrawn in mind one reflects on the
Buddha-Dhamma, then the Awareness Link to Awakening arises and develops.
Thus acutely aware one examines that!
Whenever examining a mind state, then the Investigation Link to Awakening
arises and develops. While thus being curious & enthusiastically investigating,
keen energy is aroused!
Whenever energy is aroused in one who is enthusiastic, then the Energy Link
to Awakening arises and develops. While energetic & enthusiastic one succeeds:
Therefore Joy is born!
Whenever succeeding in eager joy, then the Joy Link to Awakening arises and
develops. One thus joyous becomes mentally satisfied and therefore calmed
both in body and in mind!
Whenever calmed in body and mind, then the Tranquillity Link to Awakening
arises & develops. One thus satisfied, calmed, serene, settled and tranquil in
both body and mind becomes Happy!
Whenever calmed & comfortable in the body and tranquil & happy in the mind,
then the Concentration Link to Awakening arises and develops. When mentally
concentrated one reviews all states rationally & reasonably as if from above!
Whenever one well balanced reviews all mental states rationally & reasonably,
then the Equanimity Link to Awakening arises and develops. In Equanimity one
knows and sees things right as they really are and later become.
It is in this very way that The Seven Links to Awakening develop sequentially,
one after the other; successively one leading to, and producing the next...
On these 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.
Book [V: 67-69] section 46: The Links.3: Morality....
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
The Sequential Seven!
Successively one leading to, and producing the next...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Sequential_Seven.htm
The Joy (Pîti) Link to Awakening!
The Joy Link to Awakening (Piti-sambojjhanga) has the characteristic
of suffusing contentment, and the property of gladdening satisfaction.
This Joy Link to Awakening manifests as mental elation, which can reach
five successively increasing degrees of intensity:
1: Minor Joy, which can raise the hair on the body when thrilled.
2: Momentary Joy, which is flashing like lightning at various occasions.
3: Showering Joy, which breaks over the body repeatedly like sea-waves.
4: Uplifting Joy, which can be strong enough to even levitate the body.
5: Pervading Joy, which is like a heavy sponge all saturated with water.
Visuddhimagga IV 94-9
The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be
overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by careful & rational attention
develops the Joy Link to Awakening based on seclusion, on disillusion,
on ceasing, & culminating in relinquishment, then neither can any mental
fermentation, nor any fever, or discontent ever arise in him. MN2 [i 11]
In one who has aroused enthusiastic energy, there arises a joy not of
this world & the Joy Link to Awakening emerges there. He develops it,
& for him it goes to the culmination of its development. MN118 [iii 85]
Any one convinced by understanding of Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha,
gets an enthusiastic sense of the sublime good goal of Nibbana &
gains gladness connected, joined, and fused with this Dhamma...!
In any one gladdened, Joy is born. The body of the Joyous is calmed.
One of calm body experiences pleasure and happiness! The mind of
one who is happy becomes concentrated. The concentrated mind
sees and knows things as they really are. This brings disgust and
disillusion, which enables full direct experience of mental release.
It is in this way that Joy indeed is a factor leading to Awakening!
MN [i 37-8], AN [iii 21-3], DN [iii 21-3]
Further inspirations on the elevating & ecstatic quality of Joy (Piti):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Happiness_of_the_Flesh_and_Beyond.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Joys_of_the_Flesch_and_Beyond.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Joys_Beyond_This_World.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Alert_Elevated_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Joy.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Joy is a link to Enlightenment!
Floated by Joy :-)
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/III/Joy_Piti.htm
Friendship is seeding the 7 links to Awakening!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Just as dawn is the forerunner and the precursor of the rising of the Sun,
exactly so is good and Noble friendship for any disciple the forerunner and
the precursor of the mental emergence of the Seven Links to Awakening!
When a Bhikkhu has a good and Noble friend, it is to be expected that he will
develop and cultivate these 7 Links to Awakening. And how does a Bhikkhu who
has a good & Noble friend develop & cultivate these 7 Links to Awakening?
Here, friends, this Bhikkhu trains, develops, deepens, reinforces and refines:
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.
based upon seclusion, disillusion, ceasing of craving, and culminating in release!
It is in exactly in this way that any Bhikkhu, who has a good and Noble Friend,
truly trains, grows, intensifies, reinforces & refines the 7 Links to Awakening...
On these 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.
Book [V: 101] section 46: The Links. 48: The Sun....
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
How to become One who Shines?
The Sun!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Sun.htm
Tranquillity is a Link to Awakening!
The Tranquillity Link to Awakening (passaddhi-sambojjhanga) has the
characteristic of peace, and the function of stilling, which manifests
as absence of restless trembling. Stillness of feeling, perception and
mental construction is the factor that induces bodily Tranquillity.
Stillness of consciousness itself induces mental Tranquillity.
The proximate cause of Tranquillity is the satisfaction within Joy!
The resulting effect of Tranquillity is the bliss within Happiness!
The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be
overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by careful & rational attention
develops the Tranquillity Link to Awakening based on seclusion, based
on disillusion, based on ceasing, and culminating in cool relinquishment,
then neither can mental fermentation, nor any fever, nor any discontent
ever arise in him. MN2 [i 11]
In one who is joyous, the body becomes calm & the mind becomes calm.
The Tranquillity Link to Awakening emerges right there. He develops it,
& for him it goes to the culmination of its development. MN118 [iii 85]
CALM
Calm is his thought, calm is his speech, and calm is his deed, such one who
truly is knowing, is indeed wholly freed, perfectly tranquil and wise.
Dhammapada 96
CONTENT
The one who eliminates discontent, tearing it out by the roots, utterly cuts
it out, such one spontaneously becomes absorbed in the calm of tranquillity
both day & night. Dhammapada 250
COMPOSED
The one who is tranquil in movement, calmed in speech, stilled in thought,
collected and composed, who sees right through and rejects all allurements
of this world, such one is truly a 'Peaceful One'. Dhammapada 378
Inspirations on the soothing serene Tranquillity (Passaddhi) & the related Calm (Samatha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Breathing_Calm_and_Insight.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Tranquillity_Passaddhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/samatha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Tranquil_One.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Calm_and_Insight.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/High_and_Alert.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/forest_bliss.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Calm_Power.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Forest_Bliss.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Silenced.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Calmed.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Calm.htm
Soothing & serene is Tranquillity :-)
Tranquillity is a Link to Enlightenment!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Tranquillity_Passaddhi.htm
Sariputta explains the 7 Links to Awakening!
Venerable Sariputta once said: Friends!
Friend; the Bhikkhus replied. Venerable Sariputta then explained this:
Friends, there are these 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.
These are the Seven Links to Awakening!
In whichever of these 7 Links to Awakening, I wish to dwell in the morning,
in that I abide in the morning; in whichever I wish to dwell at noon, in that
I abide at noon; in whichever I wish to dwell in the evening, in that I abide
in the evening... Suppose a king or a minister had a cupboard full of clothes
of many various colours, then whichever pair of clothes he wished to put on
in the morning, that he would put on in the morning; whichever clothes he
wished to put on at noon, that he would put on at noon; & whichever clothes
he wished to put on in the evening, that he would put on in the evening: so too,
in whichever of these 7 Links to Awakening, I wish to abide in for whatever
period, in that indeed I easily abide dwelling fully absorbed by that aspect...
If it occurs to me that now there is The Awareness Link to Awakening present
in me, then it occurs to me that it is measureless, & it occurs to me that it is
well established; and while it is remaining I know that it remains; and if it falls
away in me, then I know instantly that it faded away caused by this or that
specific condition or definable circumstance! So too with the other six links
to awakening. I notice and know both their presence, ceasing and absence!
Venerable Sariputta Thera
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.
Book [V: 70-1] section 46: The Links.4: The Clothes...
Venerable Maha Moggallana Thera and Venerable Sariputta Thera
The Clothes...
Dressing yourself in Mental Quality!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Clothes.htm
What is the Concentration Link to Awakening?
Fixed Focus is the characteristic of the Concentration Link to Awakening
(Samadhi-Sambojjhanga). Ceasing of distraction, disturbance, diversion,
agitation, mental instability and wavering is the purpose of the quality of
Concentration (Samadhi). Incisive certainty is the manifestation of the
concentration link to awakening. This stability enables breakthrough
to understanding! Some concentration is present in all consciousness.
Training that anchors attention on only 1 object condenses this focus.
The proximate cause of concentration is happiness!
The resulting effect of concentration is knowledge and vision!
Concentration comes in increasing grades of intensity:
1: Momentary concentration with few seconds of one-pointedness.
2: Preparatory concentration of longer, yet still unstable quality.
3: Access concentration which approaches the 1st jhana absorption.
4: Absorption concentration with fixed and unified mental one-pointedness.
Fourfold is the blessing of Concentration:
1: Sublime happiness here and now through the 4 absorptions.
2: Assured knowledge and true vision of things as they really are.
3: Awareness and clear comprehension of all transient phenomena.
4: Ceasing of all mental fermentation by absence of clinging. DN 33
The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be
overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by careful and rational attention
develops the Concentration Link to Awakening based on seclusion, based
on disillusion, based on ceasing, culminating in renouncing relinquishment,
then neither can mental fermentation, nor any fever, nor any discontent
ever arise in him. MN2 [i 11]
In one whose body is calm and who enjoys a pleasurable happiness the
mind becomes concentrated. The Concentration Link to Awakening
arises right there. He develops it, and for him repeatedly meditating
it goes gradually to the culmination of its development. MN118 [iii 85]
Further inspirations on the condensing quality of Concentration (Samadhi):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/9_Stillings.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Samma-Samadhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/High_and_Alert.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Jhana_Absorption.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Art_of_Absorption.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ending_Physical_Pain.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Concentrated_Truth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Stopping_Physical_Pain.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Concentration.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Concentration_Samadhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Joys_Beyond_This_World.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Concentration.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Concentration_Ability.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Stopping_Mental_Frustration.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Requisites_for_Jhana_Absorption.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Details_of_the_Jhana_Absorptions.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Absorption Unifies Mind...
Concentration = Samãdhi!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Concentration_Samadhi.htm
The 7 Fruits of the 7 Links to Awakening!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, when the 7 Links to Awakening have been developed, completed
and refined, the winning of the seven fruits is indeed to be expected.
What are the benefits of these 7 fruits?
They are, either:
1: One attains final knowledge early in this very life. Or:
2: One attains final knowledge at the moment of death. Or:
Having destroyed the five lower chains and spontaneously re-arisen;
3: One attains Nibbana in the first half of the life as a divine brahma. Or:
4: One attains Nibbana in the second half of the life in these pure abodes. Or:
5: One attains Nibbana as a Noble non-returner without effort. Or:
6: One attains Nibbana as a Noble non-returner with some effort. Or:
7: One is bound upstream, surely heading towards the highest Akanittha realm.
When, bhikkhus, these Seven Links to Awakening have been thoroughly developed
and cultivated exactly in this way, these seven fruits & benefits may be expected....
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
On the 31 Planes of Existence:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sagga/loka.html
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V:69-70] section 46: The Links.
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
The 7 Fruits!
Winning a Transcendental Victory...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Seven_Fruits.htm