Welcome home! Please contact lincoln@icrontic.com if you have any difficulty logging in or using the site. New registrations must be manually approved which may take several days. Can't log in? Try clearing your browser's cookies.
At Savatthi the Blessed Buddha said this: Bhikkhus, there are these five clusters of clinging! What five?
The cluster of clinging to form... The cluster of clinging to feeling... The cluster of clinging to perception... The cluster of clinging to construction... The cluster of clinging to consciousness...
When, Bhikkhus, a Noble Disciple understands as they really are: The arising, the ceasing, the satisfaction, the danger, and the escape from these five clusters of clinging, then he is called a Noble Disciple, who is a Stream-Enterer, no longer bound to the painful lower worlds, fixed in destiny, with Enlightenment as his assured destination!
Explanation: Being is Burning on Craving and Clinging: The body arises from food and ceases in absence of food. Feeling, perception & mental construction arises from contact and ceases in absence of sense contact. Consciousness arises from name-&-form and ceases in absence of this body-&-mind: mentality-&-materiality. These are the clusters proximate causes... Their remote causes is past ignorance, lust for them and intentional action (= Kamma) resulting in them! The satisfaction of these five clusters of clinging is the pleasure and joy they temporarily induce... The danger of these five clusters of clinging is their impermanence & inevitable fading away! The escape is the Noble Way of ceasing all craving for these 5 clusters of clinging! That ends suffering!
The Blessed Buddha once said: When this subtle Dhamma has been taught by me, in many various ways, using different methods of explanation, then it is only to be expected that those, who cannot agree, accept, allow, & approve of what really is well stated and well spoken by others, that they will become angry, quarrelsome and start disputes, where they will stab each other with verbal daggers! Yet too, when this sublime Dhamma has been taught by me, in many variable ways, using diverse methods of explanation, it is also only to be expected, that those, who can agree, accept, allow, and approve of what really is well formulated and well spoken of by others, that they will live in harmony, in calm, friendly and mutual appreciation, without arguments, blending like milk and water, regarding each other with kind eyes. In this very way can they come to sleep with open doors and dance with their children in their arms ...
So we can sleep with open doors & dance with the children in our arms!
The Blessed Buddha once said: Bhikkhus, these 8 things, when cultivated & refined, lead to going beyond from this near shore, right here, to the far shore beyond all... What eight?
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)
These 8 things, when cultivated and refined, lead to going beyond from this near shore, right here, to the far shore beyond all imagination. The Well-Gone-One, the supreme Teacher, then added this:
Few humans cross to that sublime far shore beyond all being. Mostly, people just run up and down along this barren bank! Those whose praxis is like this even and exact Dhamma, Will pass beyond the State of Death in quiet harmony! Having left all the dark and evil doing, any intelligence Seeks the luminous bright light by leaving this turmoil, by going forth into solitary & silent homelessness. Secluded from lust, he experiences an unworldly bliss! Owing nothing, the wise and clever man thereby cleans himself of all these mental pollutions and defilements... Mentally well evolved by the 7 links to enlightenment, Delighting in non-clinging and relinquishment of all, Such luminous ones, having quenched all fermentation, Are fully released even right here in this world!
The Exalted Buddha once said: Bhikkhus, there are these 4 realizable states: What four? By the body one realizes the 8 releasing liberations. By memory one realizes one's prior lives in all diverse detail. By the divine eye one realizes the death & rebirth of beings. By understanding one realizes the elimination of the mental fermentations. These, Bhikkhus, are the 4 realizable states ...
The next Buddha Metteyya depicted above will -just as I say now- many times explain: “You can come as you like, but you pay as you go!”
In the 1st meditative jhana absorption, all sense-desire ceases... In the 2nd meditative jhana absorption, conceptual thinking ceases. In the 3rd meditative jhana absorption, enraptured Joy ceases. In the 4th meditative jhana absorption, breathing in and out ceases. In the sphere of infinite space, experience of form & sense reaction ceases. In the sphere of infinite consciousness, experience of infinite space ceases. In the sphere of nothingness, experience of infinite consciousness ceases. In the sphere of neither-perception-nor-non-perception, nothingness ceases... When attaining complete mental cessation, all perception and sensation ceases. These 9 sublime states have been perfectly formulated by the blessed Buddha, who knew and saw directly. therefore should we recite them together for the future advantage, welfare and happiness for both human beings and devas...
They once asked a Bhikkhu just named 'Elder': How, Venerable Elder, is one living completely alone? Regarding this, the Elder responded: All that is past, this one has left all behind! All that is future, this one has all relinquished! All that is present now, this one has completely removed any desire & lust for... The intelligent, who has conquered all, who understands all phenomena, Who are from all things & states detached, disengaged, and unsoiled, Who has given up all, released by the irreversible removal of craving, Such One, I call: 'Living Alone'...
The 'local' mental world starts and ends within this 2m frame of bones...
Comment: In bad company with one's own greed, anger & confusion, one is never alone!
How to be a Real True Buddhist through Observance?
This Esala Poya day is the full-moon of July, which is noteworthy since on this celebrated day: 1: The Blessed Buddha preached his First Sermon: The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. 2: The Bodhisatta was conceived in Queen Maya who dreamt a white elephant entered her side. 3: The Blessed Buddha made the Great Withdrawal from the world at the age of 29 years. 4: The Blessed Buddha performed the Twin Miracle (yamaka-patihariya) of dual appearance. 5: The Blessed Buddha explained the Abhi-Dhamma in the Tavatimsa heaven to his mother. 6: The ordination of Prince Arittha at Anuradhapura, under Arahat Mahinda on Sri Lanka. 7: The foundation of the celebrated Mahastupa & enshrinement of relics by King Dutugemunu. 8: The next day the yearly 3 months rains retreat (vassa) of Buddhist Bhikkhus start.
The Buddha performing the Twin Miracle of simultaneously producing water & flames from his body.
On such Uposatha Observance days: Any Lay Buddhist simply joins the Three Refuges and undertakes the Five Precepts like this: Newly bathed, shaved, white-clothed, with clean bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue, and bows first three times, so that feet, hands, elbows, knees and head touch the floor. Then, with joined palms in front of the heart, one recite these memorized lines in a loud, calm & steady voice:
As long as this life lasts: I hereby take refuge in the Buddha. I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma. I hereby take refuge in the Sangha.
I hereby seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time. I hereby seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time. I hereby seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time.
I request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time. I request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd … I request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time. I will respect these Three Jewels the rest of my life!
I accept to respect & undertake these 5 training rules: I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Killing. I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Stealing. I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Sexual Abuse. I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Dishonesty. I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Alcohol & Drugs. As long as this life lasts, I am thus protected by these 5 precepts...
Then, one keeps and protects these sacred vows better than one's own eyes & children!, since they protect you & all other beings much better than any army! They are the highest offer one can give in & to this world! This is the very start on the path towards Nibbana -the Deathless Element- This is the Noble Way to Peace, to Freedom, to Bliss, initiated by Morality, developed further by Dhamma-Study and fulfilled by training of Meditation...
Today indeed is Pooya or Uposatha or observance day, where any lay Buddhist normally keeps the Eight Precepts from sunrise until the next dawn... If any wish an official recognition by the Bhikkhu-Sangha, they may simply forward the lines starting with "I..." signed with name, date, town & country to me or join here. A public list of this new Saddhamma-Sangha is here!
By seeing that: If only happy at one's own success, such egoistic Joy is rare and limited! If happy at others success also, the Joy is more frequent & even infinite!
By observing that: It starts with basic sympathy, develops into acceptance, genuine approval, & appreciation. It culminates in rejoicing altruistic sympathy by directing mind to initiation, much cultivation & boundless expansion of Mutual Joy!
By knowing that: Mutual Joy is the proximate cause of sweet, fully satisfied contentment! Lack of mutual joy is therefore the proximate cause of discontentment! Mutual Joy instantly eliminates acidic jealousy, grudge and green envy! Mutual Joy is an infinite, truly divine, elevating and sublime mental state! Mutual Joy is 1 of the 4 mental states of the Brahma-devas (Brahmavihara)
The Blessed Buddha pointed out: If it were impossible to cultivate this Good , I would not tell you to do so!
Buddhaghosa: See how this worthy being is very Happy! How fine! How excellent! How sweet!
Let there be Happiness. Let there be open Freedom. Let there be Peace. Let there be Bliss from cultivating this. Let there be Understanding of this mental state of Mutual Joy!
Venerable Sariputta once pointed out the danger of delight: If, friends, one is not freed of lust, desire, attraction, thirst, passion and craving for the manifold various forms, feelings, experiences, constructions and types of consciousness, then with the inevitable change in and alteration of these forms, feelings, experiences, constructions and types of consciousness, one invariably experiences disappointment, dissatisfaction, discontent, frustration, sorrow, pain and despair...!!! One who lives immersed in these derivatives of greed, therefore suffers in this very life from the continual fever of wanting, needing, longing, frustration and urge... Moreover, when dying and this body is breaking up, the greedy one can expect a bad destination!!! This is the immanent danger and side-effect of desire and craving...
If, however, one is freed of all lust, desire, attraction, thirst, passion and craving for the manifold various forms, feelings, experiences, constructions and types of consciousness, then with the inevitable change in and alteration of these, one does not experience any disappointment, dissatisfaction, discontent, pain, frustration, sorrow, nor any despair... Not living immersed in these derivatives of greed, one does therefore not suffer from any hot fever of neither wanting, nor longing, nor any urge. Moreover, when dying and this body is breaking up, such cooled and calmed one can expect a good destination!!! This is the quite blissful advantage and assured benefit of removal of desire and craving here and now...
Hunting pleasure produces delayed and therefore hidden pain... Relinquishing desire for pleasure gives ease now and bliss later...
The Blessed Buddha once remarked on speculation on existence: This world, Kaccana, is generally chained up by engaged involvement, panic clinging and attachment to various views! But one of right view neither becomes engaged, nor does he cling to any such rigid commitment, blind assumption, mental standpoint, adherence, nor underlying tendency! He does not take a stand about 'My Self', nor has he any perplexity or doubt about whatever arises, then it is only Suffering that arises, & whatever ceases, then it is only Suffering that ceases! His assurance about this, is independent of others... In this way, Kaccana, is there advanced right view!!! The mistaken postulate: "All exists": Kaccana, this is the one extreme.... The equally mistaken postulate: "All does not exist"; is the opposite extreme! Without veering towards either ofthese futile extremes, theTathagata always teaches the Dhamma from this exceedingly subtle, and intriguing Middle: Conditioned by ignorance, mental construction arises. Conditioned by construction, consciousness arises. Conditioned by consciousness, name-&-form arises. Conditioned by name-&-form, the-6-senses arises. Conditioned by the-6-senses, contact arises. Conditioned by contact, feeling arises. Conditioned by feeling, craving arises. Conditioned by craving, clinging arises. Conditioned by clinging, becoming arises. Conditioned by becoming, birth arises. Conditioned by birth, ageing, decay, & death arises. Such is the arising of this whole mass of suffering...!
Please Note: Neither 'Material Substantialism', nor 'Naive Realism', nor 'Imagined Illusionism', but just dry 'Plain Realism'... Right down in the moderate, magic & majestic middle!
The Blessed Buddha once said: In this some recluse or priest by means of alert energetic effort and enthusiasm, through proper rational attention & concentrated focus reaches absorption on this sole thought: In this foul body of disgusting things enclosed by skin, there are head & body hairs, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, sinews, bones, marrow, kidneys, heart, liver, pleura, spleen, lungs, mesentery, intestines, stomach, excrement, bile, lymph, pus, blood, sweat, fat, tears, tallow, spittle, snot, urine and joint-fluid... This is the first attainment of Vision...
Empty Frame: Having done this and gone beyond it, he regards & perceives any body, own or others, only as a chained frame of bones covered with flesh, vessels, fat & skin. This is the second attainment of Vision...
Chain of Moments: Having done this & gone further, he comes to understand and directly experience this continuous sequence of discrete conscious moments established in and manifesting both this world and all the other dimensions. This is the third attainment of Vision...
Continuous yet not Established: Finally, having done this & gone even further than beyond that, he comes to understand & directly experience this unbroken stream of consciousness, which is neither established in, nor manifesting anything in this or any other world... This is the fourth attainment of Vision...
The Blessed Buddha once explained: Bhikkhus, there are these three kinds of suffering. What three?
1: The Suffering caused by painful feeling... (dukkha-dukkha) 2: The Suffering caused by construction... (sankhara-dukkha) 3: The Suffering caused by change… (viparinama-dukkha)
These are the three kinds of suffering! This Noble 8-fold Way is to be developed for the direct experience of these three kinds of suffering, for the full understanding of them, for their complete elimination, and for their final overcoming, abandoning and leaving all behind… The Noble 8-fold Way is to be developed for Ending of Suffering!!!
Comment: The 1st kind of suffering due to painful feeling, mental & bodily, is obvious. The 2nd suffering comes when pleasurable constructions always falls apart. The 3rd suffering is when a pleasant object inevitably changes and decays.
1: Review the Danger in Hate like this: This Anger can bring me to a bad destination, downfall, pain, even to hell!
2: Know the outlet is Patience, Tolerance and Forbearance: The Blessed Buddha once said: The greatest praxis is patience...
3: Begin and Cultivate meditation on Infinite Friendliness: Sit down a silent & empty place with closed eye and beam from your heart: May I be successful, happy, calmed & freed from all hostility and anger! May my friends be successful, happy, calmed & freed from all hostility! May my enemies be successful, happy, calmed & freed from all hostility! May all in this village be successful, happy, calmed & freed from hostility! May all in this town be successful, happy, calmed & freed from hostility! May all in this city be successful, happy, calmed & freed from hostility! May all in this country be successful, happy, calmed & freed from hostility! May all in this earth be successful, happy, calmed & freed from hostility! May all in this galaxy be successful, happy, calmed & freed from hostility! May all in this universe be successful, happy, calmed & freed from hostility! so gradually expanding beyond the limitations of space & into infinitude!
4: Note the elation & Joy of mind so trained by infinite goodness as object! Whenever aversion, anger or irritation reappears, then immediately redirect mind to this remembered sign of the mind released into infinite good-will. Please indeed note that the anger instantly evaporates and an ability to smile of ones own foolish temper can begin to shine outward again. :-)
5: Training of Infinite Friendliness can induce the first jhana absorption, and thus can lead to a high rebirth as a divinely fine material brahma deva. 6: Keep on doing that 15-45 min every day. Note difference during the day! May all beings be free from suffering, pain and frustration and be happy. May all beings be free from anger, irritation, opposition & stubbornness!
The Blessed Buddha once said: Let no one deceive another, or despise anyone anywhere, or through anger or irritation wish for another to suffer... Khuddakapatha 9
Slay anger and you will be happy, Slay anger and you will not sorrow. For the slaying of anger in all its forms with its poisoned root and sweet sting, that is the only slaying the Nobles praise; With anger slain one sorrows no more! Samyutta Nikaya I, 161
Not by anger is Hate ever quenched. Only by Kindness is Hate always quenched. This Ancient Law is an Eternal Truth ... Dhammapada 5
Friendship is the Greatest! If glad-2-get Early Buddhism e-mails click join Google Group here: http://What-Buddha-Said.net/ Have a nice, noble and easy day! Bhikkhu Samahita :-) _/\_
The Buddha once told a deity: This world is suffering from Death, Troubled by ageing, decay and sickness, Wounded by the Dart of constant Craving! Always is it burning with Desire and Lust... This world is addicted to Delight and Pleasure, Since dragged around by this urge and longing, Craving must be cut, to break free from bondage and reach the only absolute freedom: Nibbana...
Comments: How can there be any freedom if there still is craving, longing and clinging to something... Craving is Mental Slavery! Craving is a Prison of urge...
Buddha once explained the Advantages of Friendship (Mittanisamsa): He who maintains genuine friendship, never betraying anybody, will always whenever he goes far out of his home, receive abundance of hospitality. Many will obtain their benefit through him.
He who nurtures genuine friendship will be honoured in whatever country, village, town, house, group or family he visits.
He who perpetuates genuine friendship will triumph over all his enemies. Robbers cannot overpower him. Royalty will not look down upon him.
He who continues genuine friendship, returns home with feeling of amity, rejoices in the crowds of people, and becomes the chief among his kinsmen.
He who keeps up genuine friendship, being hospitable to all others, in turn, receives hospitality. Being respectful to others, in turn, receives respect. He enjoys both praise and fame.
He who sustains genuine friendship, a generous giver, receives gifts himself. Worshipping the worthy, will himself be worshipped gaining prosperity & fame.
He who upholds genuine friendship, shines gloriously like fire, radiant like a deity. Prosperity and good fortune will never forsake or leave him.
He who prolongs genuine friendship, will enjoy abundant wealth. What is sown in his field will flourish. The fruit of that which is sown he enjoys.
He who carries on genuine friendship, should he fall from a precipice or mountain or tree, he will be protected and will not be seriously harmed.
He who preserves genuine friendship cannot be overthrown by enemies even as the deep-rooted banyan tree cannot be overthrown by the gust of wind.
Source: These ten gathas (stanzas) recounting the beneficial effects of friendship, are found in the Mugapakkha (Temiya) Jataka, vol. vii. No. 538. Translated by Ven. Piyadassi Thero kindly forwarded by Seelagawesi Thero.
Peaceful, tamed, smokeless, wishless, and harmless, unobstructed both in front and behind, untroubled, unconcerned with both past and future, pure, aloof, imperturbable, beyond wavering & doubt, confident, directly knowing, calmed & freed, the Arahat being enters the final state:
The cooling of all craving, The stilling of all construction, The releasing of all the clinging, The relinquishing of all acquisition, Detachment, disillusion, ceasing, Formless, senseless and deathless, Silent, free, & blissful pure peace... Nibbâna... Yeah!!!
The Noble Eightfold Way, leading to Nibbana, is simply this: Right View Right Motivation Right Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Right Effort Right Awareness Right Concentration But what is Right View?
Right View of Ownership of Kamma: All beings are owners of their kamma, inherit their kamma, are born of their kamma, are created by their kamma, are linked to their kamma and any intentional action (=kamma) they do, whether good or bad, the effects of that will be theirs only, following them like a shadow, that never leaves... This is Right View!
Right View of the Ten Phenomena: Giving alms has good effects, any self-sacrifice results in pleasure, small gifts are also beneficial. There is resulting fruition thus of any good and any bad behaviour. There is moral efficacy of any relation to mother and father. There is this world and there are other worlds. There are beings who are spontaneously and instantaneously born. There exist good and pure recluses and priests in this world, who having followed the right method of practice, themselves by their own supra-human abilities, have directly experienced the other worlds and who explain them and thereby make them known here... This is Right View!
Right View of the Four Noble Truths: Right view of this is Suffering... Right view of Craving is the Cause of Suffering... Right view of No Craving is the End of Suffering... Right view of the Noble 8-fold Way leads to the end of Suffering... [color=#FF0000]This is Right View!
The Noble 8-fold Way, leading to Nibbana, is simply this: Right View Right Motivation Right Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Right Effort Right Awareness Right Concentration But what is Right Motivation?
Right Motivation is Triple:
1: The Motivation for Withdrawal: Being motivated by a general absence of greed, craving, and desire! Being motivated by generous giving relinquishing all possessiveness. Being motivated by detachment from the five sense-desires of urge for alluring and tempting sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touches... Being motivated by cutting attachment to the 5 clusters of clinging to forms, feelings, perceptions, constructions and consciousness... Such radical renunciation is Right Motivation!
2: The Motivation for Non-Ill-Will = Friendly Goodwill: Being motivated by universal friendliness, infinite goodwill, care, non-anger, hatelessness and a sympathy wishing and working for all sentient being's happiness, content, comfort, benefit and welfare... Such gentle kindness is Right Motivation!
3: The Motivation for Non-Violence = Harmlessness: Being motivated by absolute non-violence, absence of cruelty, and by compassionate pity, thereby offering all sentient beings guaranteed safety and protection from any evil, painful, bad or wrong treatment... Such giving of protective fearlessness to all is Right Motivation!
The opposites of these advantageous intentions are Wrong Motivation...
Any well motivated Buddhist inclined for non-greed sees the danger in all desire... Any well motivated Buddhist inclined for non-hate recognizes the error in all anger. Any well motivated Buddhist inclined for understanding knows the block of ignorance. Any well motivated Buddhist inclined for renunciation feels the miseries of lay life. Any well motivated Buddhist inclined for seclusion perceives the stress of society. Any well motivated Buddhist inclined for release comprehends the panic in clinging. Any well motivated Buddhist inclined for awakening is dedicated to ending of rebirth! This degree of whole-hearted sincerity, dedication and resolute determination does indeed determine the remaining time in Samsara before finally reachingNibbana...
The Noble Eightfold Way, leading to Nibbana, is simply this: Right View, Right Motivation, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Awareness, and Right Concentration. But what is Right Speech ?
1: Avoiding all lying, pretending and any false speech... 2: Abstaining from any kind of divisive or splitting talk... 3: Refraining from all aggressive or irritated scolding... 4: Stilling of any idle and empty gossiping... That is Right Speech!
The Characterization of Noble Speech: Eliminating any false speech any Noble Friend dwells avoiding all lies, a truth-speaker, one to be relied on, trustworthy, loyal, not a deceiver of the world. Abstaining from malicious speech, he does not tell them there, what he has heard about those here, or repeat here, what he heard there, harming those there. Thus is he a reconciling diplomat stilling all quarrels. The Noble Friend is rejoicing in peace, loving it, delighting in it, one who defends peace. Abandoning all harsh and aggressive speech he refrains from it. He speaks whatever is blameless and pleasing to the ear, agreeable, touching the heart, elegant, gratifying and appealing to the many. Discarding idle and empty chatter, he speaks at the right time & only about what is correct, advantageous & to the point, of Dhamma and self-control. He is a speaker, whose words are to be treasured and remembered, timely, reasoned, well-defined, well-formulated, beneficial and leading to the goal... This is Right and Noble Speech!
Buddha once noted: Man is born with an axe in his mouth, whereby he cuts himself down!
The Ten Advantageous Subjects: Talk on the Modesty of having few wants, Talk on the Bliss of Contentment, Talk on the Joy of Seclusion, Talk on the Ease of Disentanglement, Talk on the Energy of Enthusiasm, Talk on the Advantage of Morality, Talk on the Calm of Concentration, Talk on the Insight of Understanding, Talk on the Freedom of Release, Talk on the Direct Knowledge and Vision of Release ... Such is Right Speech!
The many kinds of Pointless Talk (also today called NEWS!): Such as talk on kings, robbers, ministers, armies, dangers, wars, foods, drinks, clothing, furniture, jewelry, cosmetics, relatives, vehicles, villages, towns, cities, countries, women, heroes, places, amusements, the dead, trifles, the origin of the world, the origin of the sea, whether metaphysical things are so, or are not so... Such talk is pointless, irrelevant, detrimental, empty of any good...
Divisive Gossip!
Knowing right and wrong speech as right and wrong speech, is right view. Awareness of presence of right and wrong speech, is right awareness. Exchanging wrong speech with right speech, is right effort...
Karuna is feeling the pain of other beings, either partially or completely;
Possible translations: 1: Pity not from above: “I am better”, but as if in the other being’s shoes… 2: Compassion is OK, but that is difficult to reach up to for many beings… 3: Fellow feeling, sympathy, empathy, understanding are all OK, but somewhat missing these essential points:
A: It is an inability to see and accept other being’s suffering and distress! B: It is a deep desire to make others feel free, glad, happy and peaceful! C: It is extended to and pervaded over many beings simultaneously…
The proximate cause of Karuna = pity is noticing other being’s helplessness . The immediate effect of Karuna = pity is evaporation of all evil cruelty!
The Noble Eightfold Way, leading to Nibbana, is simply this: Right View, Right Motivation, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Awareness and Right Concentration. But what is Right Action?
The 3-fold Definition of Right Action: 1: Avoiding all killing and harming of any living being... 2: Abstaining from taking and thus stealing what is not given... 3: Stopping all adultery and all abuse of any sense-pleasure... That is Right Action!
The Characterization of Right Action. The blessed Buddha said:
Friends, it is caused by behaviour in conflict with the Dhamma, by reason of immoral behaviour, that some beings here, right at the breakup of the body, after death, reappear lost in states of pain, in an unhappy destination, in the downfall, even in the hells... It is caused by behaviour in harmony with the Dhamma, by reason of moral behaviour, that some beings here, on the breakup of the body, right after death, reappear in a happy destination, even in the divine worlds!!! And which, friends, are the 3 kinds of bodily moral behaviour in harmony with the Dhamma? Here someone, stop all killing of living beings, abstains from injuring living beings; with rod & weapon laid aside, gentle and kind, such one dwells sympathetic towards all living beings. Avoiding the taking of what is not given, one refrains from stealing, what is not freely give. One does not take by way of theft the wealth and property of others, neither in the village nor in the forest. Abandoning abuse of sensual pleasures, such one gives up misuse in sensual pleasures. One does not have intercourse with partners, who are protected by their mother, or father, or mother and father, or brother, or sister, or relatives, who is married, betrothed to another, who are protected by law, in prison, or who are engaged to other side. That is how there are three kinds of bodily moral behaviour in harmony with the Dhamma... [color=#800000]Such is Right Action!
Explanation: Primary of these is the ending of intentional killing or destroying of other beings either by physical action or by verbal incitement, ranging from killing eggs of lice and bugs, or causing abortion, to any slaughter of living creatures, including human beings. Restraint from taking, what is not given, means abstaining from taking, with intention to steal, living beings or non-living articles, which have an owner. Removing or appropriating them, without owner's consent, either by physical effort or by inciting another to do so. Restraint from wrong behaviour in sensual pleasures means abstention from any kind of sex, which will cause pain and suffering to others. Examples will be adultery, since this causes the disruption of marriage, rape, intercourse with minors protected by parents, and perversion of others. Included here also are abstention from use of booze, drugs and any kinds of intoxicants, which causes carelessness, and gambling with cards, dices, on horses, teams etc.
Knowing right and wrong action as right and wrong action, is right view. Awareness of presence of right and wrong action, is right awareness. Exchanging wrong action with right action, is right effort... The factors of the Noble 8-fold way thus mutually enhance each other! Any intentional action - good as bad - determines - whether the future will be pleasant or painful for the acting individuality...
The Noble Eightfold Way, leading to Nibbana, is simply this: Right View, Right Motivation, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Awareness and Right Concentration. But what is Right Livelihood?
The 5-fold Definition of Right Livelihood: 1: Earning a living not involving any trading with Living Beings. 2: Earning a living not involving any selling of Meat, Fish or Flesh. 3: Earning a living not involving any selling of any form of Weapons. 4: Earning a living not involving any dealing with Alcohol or Drugs . 5: Earning a living not involving any selling of any form of Poison. That is Right Livelihood!
The Characterization of Right Livelihood for lay people: Any livelihood that neither involves any killing, injuring, harming, nor any imprisoning of any living being, nor stealing, taking what is not given, cheating, any bribery or corruption, or lying, or false deceiving, tricks, or use of false measures and weights, neither sensual, nor any sexual abuse, neither the use or selling of alcohol, or of intoxicating illegal drugs, that causes carelessness, neither by oneself, nor by getting or inciting other employed beings to do so, such is Right Livelihood!
The Explanation of Right Livelihood for Buddhist Monks and Nuns: Neither living, nor receiving food by astrology, soothsaying, prediction of future events, nor by palmistry, geomancy, dream-reading, charms and spells, amulets or fake divination, nor by any rituals, running errands or messages, political flatter, arranging marriages, funerals or divorces, medical praxis, or by producing art or poetry, or by professional disputation or debate, this is Right Livelihood!
Knowing right and wrong Livelihood as right and wrong Livelihood, is Right View. Awareness of presence of right and wrong Livelihood, is Right Awareness. Exchanging wrong Livelihood with right Livelihood, is Right Effort...
That Noble Eightfold Way, leading to Nibbana, is simply this: Right View, Right Motivation, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Awareness and Right Concentration. But what is Right Effort?
The 4-fold Definition of Right Effort: 1: The effort to overcome already present disadvantageous mental states.. 2: The effort to prevent future disadvantageous mental states from arising.. 3: The effort to begin developing so far absent advantageous mental states.. 4: The effort to maintain and perfect already arisen advantageous mental states.. This is Right Effort!
The Characterization of Right Effort: Striving for replacing wrong view with right view, is Right Effort! Striving for replacing wrong motivation with right motivation, is Right Effort! Striving for replacing wrong speech with right speech, is Right Effort! Striving for replacing wrong action with right action, is Right Effort! Striving for replacing wrong livelihood with right livelihood, is Right Effort! Striving for replacing wrong effort with right effort, is Right Effort! Striving for replacing wrong awareness with right awareness, is Right Effort! Striving for replacing wrong concentration w. right concentration, is Right Effort!
The Explanation of the 4 Right Efforts: The 4 right efforts are 1: Control 2: Overcoming 3: Development 4: Maintenance! What is the effort of control? When seeing an object with the eye, one neither grasps after the whole object, nor any of its details, thereby one strives well to prevent bad, detrimental states, such as longing and misery, to flood in on one! One guards and controls the sense of sight and do similarly with the other senses. What is the effort of overcoming? One does not accept any lust, hate or anger, that has arisen, but leaves it instantly, dispels it, destroys it, and makes it vanish. What is the effort of development? One develops the enlightenment-factor of awareness, of investigation, of energy, of joy, of tranquility, of concentration, and the enlightenment-factor of equanimity based on solitude, seclusion, and ceasing, which is leading to maturity and culmination of spiritual self-surrender. What is the effort of maintenance? One dominated by desire maintains firmly in his mind a favourable object of concentration, such as a skeleton, or a corpse that is full of worms, bluish-black, full of holes, and bloated, while one dominated by anger maintains firmly in his mind a favourable object of concentration, such as infinite friendliness, universal pity, mutual joy or well balanced equanimity...
Thus knowing right and wrong effort as right and wrong effort, is Right View. Awareness of presence of right and wrong effort, is Right Awareness. Right effort has the function of striving, exertion and endurance... Keep on keeping on! Never give up! Always Come again!
That Noble Eightfold Way, leading to Nibbana, is simply this: Right View, Right Motivation, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Awareness and Right Concentration. But what is Right Awareness?
The 4-fold Definition of Right Awareness: 1: Awareness of the Body merely as a transient and compounded Form.. 2: Awareness of Feelings just as conditioned emotional Responses.. 3: Awareness of Mind only as habituated and temporary Moods.. 4: Awareness of Phenomena only as constructed Mental States.. Right Awareness is of these 4, while being alert, & clearly comprehending, will put away longing towards and aversion against anything in this world!
The Characterization of Right Awareness: Awareness of wrong view or right view present now, is Right Awareness! Awareness of wrong motivation or right motivation, is Right Awareness! Awareness of wrong speech or right speech now, is Right Awareness! Awareness of wrong action or right action, is Right Awareness! Awareness of wrong livelihood or right livelihood, is Right Awareness! Awareness of wrong effort or right effort, is Right Awareness! Awareness of wrong awareness or right awareness, is Right Awareness! Awareness of wrong or right concentration now, is Right Awareness!
The Explanation of Acute Awareness and Clear Comprehension: When inhaling & exhaling long, one notices and is fully aware of just that.. When inhaling & exhaling short, one notices & is fully aware of just that.. One trains: I will breathe in-&-out clearly comprehending the entire body. One trains: I will breathe in-&-out calming the breath & all bodily activity. When walking, one notices and clearly comprehends, that one is walking. When standing, one notices and clearly comprehends, that one is standing. When sitting, one notices & clearly comprehends, that one is sitting down. When lying down, one notices & clearly comprehends, that one is lying. Going forward one notices & clearly comprehends, this going forward. When returning one notices and clearly comprehends, this returning. When looking in front or back, one is notices, & is clearly aware of that. When bending or stretching, when lifting or carrying, when eating or drinking, chewing or tasting, one is aware of and comprehends just that. When passing excrement or urine one clearly comprehends exactly that. While falling asleep and waking up, when speaking or keeping silence, one notices, knows and understands exactly that & clearly comprehends, that this is, what one is doing just right here and exactly now... Continuous awareness of purpose, suitability, domain and nature of one's current behaviour, whether mental, verbal or bodily is Right Awareness and clear comprehension...
The Function of Right Awareness and its associates: Knowing right/wrong awareness as right/wrong awareness, is right view. Exchanging wrong awareness with right awareness is right effort. Right awareness has the function of observing, noticing, remembering & knowing the reality that neither any body, nor any form, nor any feeling, nor any mentality, nor any phenomena, nor any mental state is happiness, truly attractive, lasting, satisfying or even personal, something keepable... All phenomena are momentary: They pass away right after the moment of their arising and occurrence! Nothing is permanent, everything is in a state of flux: Arising and ceasing, emerging and vanishing, coming and going, again and again and again and again and ever again...!!! Anicca = Change...
The Blessed Buddha once said: Friends, this is the only direct way to the mental purification of beings, to the overcoming & elimination of sorrow, frustration, pain and misery, to gaining the right method, to the realization of Nibbana, that is: This establishing of the 4 Foundations of Awareness... The 4 frames of reference...
Awareness is therefore a Mountain of Advantage!
Take Home: The 4 Foundations of Right Awareness are: 1: Being aware of the BODY as a mere transient form. 2: Being aware of the FEELING as a mere reactive response. 3: Being aware of the MIND as a mere passing set of moods. 4: Being aware of the PHENOMENON as a mere mental state.
Further study of Buddhist Right Awareness (Samma-Sati):
That Noble Eightfold Way, leading to Nibbana, is simply this: Right View, Right Motivation, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Awareness and Right Concentration… But what is Right concentration?
The Buddha explained The 4-fold definition of Right Concentration: Having eliminated the 5 mental hindrances, mental defects that obstruct understanding, quite secluded from sensual desires, protected from any detrimental mental state, one enters and dwells in the 1st jhana; full of joy and pleasure born of solitude, joined with directed and sustained thought. One makes this joy and pleasure born of seclusion drench, saturate, soak, and suffuse the body, so that no part of the entire body is unperfused by this intense joy and pleasure! Just as a skilled bath-man puts soap powder in a copper basin and sprinkling it gradually with water, whips it until the water soaks and pervades all the soap powder, yet without dripping, so too, does the noble friend make the joy and pleasure born of solitude permeate and pervade the entire body! Again, friends, with the stilling of directed and sustained thought, one enters and dwells in the 2nd jhana: a calmed assurance of unification of mind with even deeper joy and pleasure now born of concentration, devoid of any thought! One makes this exquisite joy and pleasure born of concentration drench, saturate, soak, & suffuse the body, so no part of the whole body is unperfused by this profound joy and pleasure: Just as a lake whose waters welled up from below within it itself, & it had no other sources neither by showers of rain, then this cool fount of water welling up from deep within would immerse, fill, & pervade the entire lake, even and exactly so does one make this joy & pleasure born of concentration infuse this entire body! Furthermore, friends, with the fading away of the joy, the friend dwells in even equanimity, just aware & clearly comprehending, still feeling pleasure in the body, one enters upon and remains in the 3rd jhana, regarding which the Noble Ones declare: "In aware equanimity one dwells in pleasure!" One makes the pleasure apart from of joy flood, saturate, soak, and suffuse the body, so that there is no part of one's whole body unperfused by this pleasure divested of joy... Just as in a lotus pond some lotuses are born, grow and thrive immersed under the water & the cool water soaks them from their roots to their tips, so too, do the noble friend make the pleasure divested of joy drench, fill, flood and pervade this entire body. Finally, friends, with the leaving behind of both pleasure and pain, and with the prior disappearance of both joy and sorrow, one enters and dwells in the 4th jhana; a completely stilled mental state of awareness, purified by an equanimity of neither-pain-nor-pleasure. One sits illuminating the body internally with this pure bright mind, so that there is no part of one's whole body not illuminated by this pure bright mind! Just as a man were sitting covered from the head down with a white cloth, so that no part of his whole body was uncovered by this white textile; even so does one sit encompassing this entire body with a pure bright & radiant mind, so that there is no part of one's whole body not illuminated by this pure, bright, and luminous mind...
Comment:No trivial worldly pleasure can ever surpass such sublime bliss!
The Function of Right concentration and its associates is: Seeing right/wrong concentration as right/wrong concentration, is right view. Exchanging wrong concentration with right concentration is right effort. Right concentration functions as a drill: Focusing, unifying, & penetrating!
At the stream-entry moment - right there & then - as an internal light flash: Right view emerges from wrong view and from all defilements as seeing... Right motivation emerges from wrong motivation as now directing... Right speech emerges from wrong speech as kindly embracing... Right action emerges from wrong action as clever originating... Right livelihood emerges from wrong livelihood as full cleansing... Right effort emerges from wrong effort as enthusiastic exerting... Right awareness emerges from wrong awareness as alert establishing... Right concentration emerges from wrong concentration as non-distraction... Externally this change-of-lineage emerges from all symbols and conventions! This mental remodelling is an irreversible phase transition to the Noble state! Vism 681
Noble Emergence from all the assuming mental fermentations!
The Blessed Buddha once explained: How is the release of mind by infinite mutual joy (Mudita) achieved? What does this liberation have as its destination, what is its culmination, what is its sweet fruit, and what is the ultimate goal of mental release by universally mutual, unselfish, altruistic, appreciative & rejoicing joy? Here, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu dwells pervading the frontal quadrant with a mind imbued with infinite mutual joy, so the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quadrant. As above, so below, across, and everywhere to all beings as for himself, he dwells pervading the entire cosmos with a mind fully saturated with unlimited mutual joy, immense, exalted, measureless, without hostility, without any enmity, without any trace of ill will, of jealousy or of envy! Thus prepared and mentally quite expanded, he then develops: 1: The Awareness Link to Awakening joined with limitless mutual joy. 2: The Investigation Link to Awakening fused with such mutual joy. 3: The Energy Link to Awakening together with infinite mutual joy. 4: The Joy Link to Awakening accompanied with absolute mutual joy. 5: The Tranquillity Link to Awakening linked with noble mutual joy. 6: The Concentration Link to Awakening associated with mutual joy. 7: The Equanimity Link to Awakening joined with endless mutual joy. Based upon seclusion, disillusion, ceasing, and culminating in release...
If he then wishes: May I dwell experiencing repulsion by any attractive & tempting object, then he can dwell experiencing repulsiveness therein. If he wishes: May I dwell experiencing the unrepulsive in any disgusting and repulsive object, then he experiences pleasing beauty in whatever disgusting & ugly thing! If he wishes: Avoiding both the repulsive & the unrepulsive, may I dwell in equanimity, just aware & clearly comprehending, then he experiences equanimity, just aware and clearly comprehending! When meditating he can completely transcend the realm of infinitude of space, only aware that consciousness is infinite, he can enter and dwell in the sphere of the infinitude of consciousness.. I tell you Bhikkhus for a quite wise Bhikkhu here, who has not yet penetrated to an even more superior mental release, the mental release by infinite, altruistic and mutual joy has the sphere of the infinitude of consciousness as its culmination!
Comments: Are you Discontent? Here is Why! Mutual joy is the proximate cause of contentment. Consequentially: Lack of mutual joy produces frustrated discontent! Mutual joy also eliminates jealousy and envy! Absence of mutual joy therefore induces the acid like mental pain called envy and jealousy!
Source of reference (edited extract): The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book [V: 115-21] 46: The Links. 54: Joined by Friendliness...
Any kind of form whatsoever; Any kind of feeling whatsoever; Any kind of perception whatsoever; Any kind of construction whatsoever; Any kind of consciousness whatsoever; Whether past, present or future; Whether internal or external; Whether fair or foul; Whether high or low; Whether far or near; Should be seen & understood as it really is: This is transient, impermanent, uncertain and ultimately unsafe! This is therefore disappointing, frustrating, and inevitably painful! This is thus 'Not Me', 'Not Mine', 'Not what I am', 'Not My Self'... Seeing this, the Noble learner is disgusted by all kinds of forms, feelings, perceptions, mental constructions and all types of consciousness. Being disgusted he experiences disillusion, disenchantment, and dispassion. By this very disillusion, is craving fully extinguished and his mind is released! Such cooled and liberated one understands: This round of rebirth is ended, the Noble Life is completed, done is what should be done, there is no state of becoming beyond this...
The Buddha on Goodwill: As I am, so are others... As others are, so am I... Having thus identified self and others, Never Harm anyone, nor have any abused. Sutta Nipata 3.710
Quite pro roller-skate retrofit IMHO :-) Born legless and adopted by smart family.
Among tigers, lions, leopards and bears I lived in the jungle. No one was frightened of me, nor did I fear anyone. Uplifted by such universal friendliness, I enjoyed the forest. Finding great solace in such sweetly silenced solitude… Suvanna-sama Jataka 540
I am a friend of the footless, I am a friend of all bipeds; I am a friend of those with four feet, I am a friend of the many-footed... Therefore none of them ever harm me! Anguttara Nikaya 4.67
May all creatures, all breathing things, all beings one and all, without exception, experience good fortune only. May they not fall into any harm. Anguttara Nikaya II, 72
With good will for the entire cosmos, cultivate a limitless heart and mind: Beaming above, below, and all around, unobstructed, without trace of hostility. Sutta Nipata I, 8
Train yourself in doing only good that lasts and brings great happiness. Cultivate generosity, a peaceful living, and a mentality of infinite friendliness. Ittivuttuka 16
Solitude is happiness for one who is content, who has heard the Dhamma and clearly sees. Non-violence is happiness in this world: Harmlessness towards all living beings. Udana 10
Consort only with the good, come together with the good. To learn the teaching of the good gives wisdom like nothing else can. Samyutta Nikaya 1.31
For any fully awakened Arahat: 1: The impermanence of all constructions is perfectly seen and comprehended. 2: The addiction and torture of all sense-desires is perfectly perceived & known.. 3: His mind is only inclined towards solitude, seclusion, silent ease, and Peace... 4: The Four Foundations of Awareness are continually & perfectly established... 5: The Five Mental Abilities & Powers are thoroughly developed & consummated... 6: The Seven Links to Awakening are utterly refined and fully accomplished... 7: The Noble Eightfold Way is perfectly realized, acquired and all concluded... By these 7 criteria, he clearly and invariably recognizes, that for him, has the mental fermentations associated with Sense-Desire, joined with Becoming, and grounded in Ignorance been completely and irreversibly eliminated! Cut of at the root and like a palm tree stump never ever to grow again... The mission is completed. Done is what was to be done. No more of this...
The Ultimate Goal is complete Extinguishing of Craving:
By the gradual stilling, giving up, fading away, letting go, relinquishing and thus ceasing of all greed, desire, lust, craving, clinging, attachment, adherence, obsession, and latent tendency towards the various elements of forms, feelings, perceptions, constructions & kinds of consciousness, the mind is finally said to be well released...!!! Therefore; those recluses & priests, who are well released by Extinction of Craving, have reached the Ultimate End & won Absolute Security from Bondage, they have achieved a Sublime Nobility, they have accomplished the Supreme Good! They are therefore Best among all Gods & all Humans!!! Even these mighty Devas as Indra, Brahma and Pajapati praise them with these long standing ovations from afar:
Homage to you, Thoroughbred Man! Admirable are you, Supreme Man! We do not know on what you Meditate!
Simply and easily by joining the Three Refuges and undertaking the Five Precepts like this: Newly bathed, shaved, white-clothed, with clean bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue, and bows first three times so that feet, hands, elbows, knees and head touch the floor. Then, with joined palms in front of the heart, one recite these memorized lines in a loud, calm & steady voice:
As long as this life lasts: I hereby take refuge in the Buddha. I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma. I hereby take refuge in the Sangha. I seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time. I seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time. I seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time. I request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time. I request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd time. I request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time.
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...
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! This is the very start on the path towards Nibbana -the Deathless Element- This is the Noble Way to Peace, to Freedom, to Bliss, initiated by Morality, developed further by Dhamma-Study and fulfilled by training Meditation... If any wish an official recognition by the Bhikkhu-Sangha, they may simply forward the lines starting with "I.." signed with name, date, town & country to me. I have then out up a public list of this evolving Saddhamma Sangha. May your journey hereby be eased, light, swift and sweet. Never give up!!! One can also join the Saddhamma Sangha by taking the 3 refuges 5 accept the 5 training rules right here: http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Saddhamma_Sangha.htm
The Blessed Buddha once said: Friends, the lazy person dwells in misery, soiled by evil detrimental states. Great is the personal advantage, which such one thereby neglects & looses. But the energetic & enthusiastic person lives happily, secluded from evil detrimental states, & great is the personal advantage, that he thereby wins. It is not by the inferior, that the supreme is attained. Rather, it is only by a truly supreme effort, that the supreme state is attained. Friends, this Noble Life is a sublime juice! Therefore, friends, while this Dhamma Teaching is still present here arouse your energy for the attainment of the yet unattained, for achievement of the yet unachieved, for realization of the yet unrealized... Considering your own future, friends, is enough motivation to make all effort for reaching this goal; considering the good future of others, is also enough motivation to do your best; considering the best of both, is more than enough inspiration to strive for the supreme goal with diligent thoroughness! Thus enthusiastically, friends, should you train yourselves!
Nikini Poya day is the full-moon of August. Bhikkhus who did not enter the yearly rains retreat (Vas) early at Esala Poya day (peravas), are allowed to enter the the rains retreat now in August (pasuvas). Nikini Poya day celebrates the first ever Dhammasangayana - The First Buddhist Council where, what the Buddha said, was agreed upon and recited. This took place at the Saptapanni Rock Cave in Rajagaha (now Rajgir, India), under the patronage of Mahakassapa Thera and it went on for seven long months. It established the original authentic Tipitaka: The 3 Baskets of Sacred Text = The Pali Canon spoken by the historical Buddha and his disciples.
One of the 7 Sattapanni Caves, where the First Buddhist Council was held ~ 483 BC.
On such Observance days: Any Lay Buddhist simply joins the Three Refuges and undertakes the Five Precepts like this: Newly bathed, shaved, white-clothed, with clean bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue, and bows first three times, so that feet, hands, elbows, knees and head touch the floor. Then, with joined palms in front of the heart, one recite these memorized lines in a loud, calm & steady voice:
As long as this life lasts: I hereby take refuge in the Buddha. I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma. I hereby take refuge in the Sangha. I hereby seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time. I hereby seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time. I hereby seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time. I hereby request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time. I hereby request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd time. I hereby request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time. I will hereby respect these Three Jewels the rest of my life!
I accept to respect & undertake these 5 training rules: I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Killing. I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Stealing. I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Sexual Abuse. I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Dishonesty. I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Alcohol & Drugs. As long as this life lasts, I am thus protected by these 5 precepts...
Then, one keeps and protects these sacred vows better than one's own eyes & children!, since they protect you & all other beings much better than any army! They are the highest offer one can give in & to this world! So is the start towards Nibbana: the Deathless Element! This is the Noble Way to Peace, to Freedom, to Ease, to Happiness, initiated by Morality, developed further by Dhamma-Study and fulfilled by training of Meditation...
Today indeed is Pooya or Uposatha or observance day, where any lay Buddhist normally keeps the Eight Precepts from sunrise until the next dawn... If any wish an official recognition by the Bhikkhu-Sangha, they may simply forward the lines starting with "I hereby ..." signed with name, date, town & country to me or join here:
And can quite advantageously be Joined Here: http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm May your journey hereby be light, swift and sweet. Never give up !! Bhikkhu Samahita: what.buddha.said@gmail.com
This huge cave hall was built to house the Sixth Buddhist Council convened in 1955 to recite the Pali Tipitaka and authenticate the texts. On the 2,500th Anniversary of the Buddha’s final passing away (Parinibbana), 2,500 monks assembled from the Theravada Buddhist countries. Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw performed the central role as Chief Questioner (Pucchaka), which was fulfilled by Venerable Mahakassapa in the First Council, held three months after the Buddha’s passing away. To house this great hall, an artificial hill was constructed by voluntary workers at Kaba-Aye in Rangoon. This great hall is still used to hold the examinations in the Tipitaka.
At Savatthi The Buddha once said: All form is transient, all feeling is transient, all perception is transient, all mental constructions are transient, all consciousness is transient... This transience is suffering! What is suffering is no-self! What is no-self should be seen as it really is with correct understanding in this very way: 'All this is not mine, this I am not, this is not my self!'... When one sees and understands this thus, as it really is with correct and penetrating understanding, then one maintains no views on what is past. When one maintains no more views regarding the past, then one neither maintains any views about the future. When one has relinquished all views about the future, then one is not being possessed by stubborn clinging... Having no trace of immovable clinging left, the mind becomes disillusioned regarding all form, all feeling, all perception, all mental constructions, and all consciousness. By that it is released from the 3 mental fermentations through detached non-clinging... By being released, the mind is all silenced! By being thus stilled, the mind becomes content... Being content, it is not agitated anymore... Being thus unagitated, one indeed attains Nibbana! Right there and then, one instantly understands: Ended is this process of rebirth, this Noble Life has been lived, done is all what had to be done, there is no state beyond this...
All form is unstable, falling apart, transient and inevitably vanishing! Therefore is all form fragile, frustrating, and ultimately disappointing! Therefore is all form ownerless, neither what I am, nor mine or self!
All feeling is unsteady, disintegrating, temporary and just fading away! Therefore is all feeling feeble, annoying, and really a painful suffering! Therefore is all feeling unkeepable, alien, not-me-nor-mine-nor-any-self!
All perception is fickle, collapsing, transitory and quickly disappearing! Therefore is all perception frail, bothering, and never quite enough! Therefore is all perception foreign, strange, not-me-nor-mine-nor-self!
All construction is insecure, subsiding, ephemeral and always leaving! Therefore is all construction brittle, irksome, and invariably inadequate! Therefore is all construction impersonal and not-me-nor-mine-nor-self!
All consciousness is momentary, fleeting, passing, evanescent and lost! Therefore is all consciousness insubstantial, tedious, and quite miserable! Therefore is all consciousness egoless, alien and neither-me-nor-I-nor-self!
Thus seeing, thus knowing, thus assured, and clearly comprehending, but shattered, and disgusted, yet still calm, cool and collected, one gradually stops taking up and accumulating these things, since only fools pick up pain! One instead Relinquishes! This -only and exactly this release by letting go- is the liberating escape from all suffering, be it past, future or present!
The Blessed Buddha said:
Whether Perfect Ones appear in the world, or whether Perfect Ones do not appear in the world, this still remains the same condition, an immutable fact, and a fixed regular nature-law: That all constructions are impermanent, that all constructions are subject to suffering, that everything is without a self... Anguttara Nikaya III 134
Constructions are all impermanent: When he sees thus with understanding And turns away from what is ill, Then that is the path to mental purity. Constructions are all suffering: When he sees thus with understanding And turns away from what is sick, Then this is the path to mental purity. All states are all without a same self: When he sees thus with understanding And turns away from what is illusory, This is verily the path to mental purity. Dhammapada 277-79
You ragged shed of a chain of bones, sewn together with flesh and sinews. Fie upon you evil-smelling body worshipping those who have another's limbs.
You bag of shit, tied up with skin, you demon with lumps on your chest... Nine holes is there in you body, ever streaming with disgusting things...
You body, with your nine oozing holes, makes an evil smell and is all brimful of smelly mess. Any Bhikkhu desiring purity avoids this putrid form as one avoids any stinking heap of rotten excrement...
If any person knew you body, as I know you, he would violently avoid you, keeping far away, as one avoids a fetid toilet-pit in the rainy season...
This is so, Great Hero, as you say, Ascetic and here many sink down as an old drowning bull in deep, wet, and fatal mud.. Feverishly desiring the foul!
See this painted puppet, a heap of sores, a constructed form, diseased, decaying, falling apart, with many evil intentions, of no permanent stability, or safety ...
In whomever such Awareness of the body as a dangerous & disgusting trap is not developed, not pursued, Mara gains entry, Mara gains a foothold... These 'body-lovers' becomes Mara's - the Evil Ones' - friends and soldiers! Not knowing, not seeing Suffering - the 1st Truth - they run about claiming: Body is beautiful, form is happiness, there is neither sickness, decay, ageing nor any death! When Mara contacts them, they say: Come on in Sir, touch me!, it will be my honour and pleasure ... Because of this false & wrong view, such feverish 'body-lovers' share a future painful destiny with Mara the Evil One!
Awareness of the Body gives fearlessness of even death! Meditation on the Body disables greed, lust, and lewd desire! The 9 Corpse Meditations induces a bold, brave, and confident joy!
The Effects of Action (Kamma) is delayed as a Sown Seed!
[u]The Blessed Buddha once explained: Regarding the effects of actions, Ananda, as to the person here who avoids all killing of any living being, who avoids all stealing of what is not given, who avoids any misconduct in sensual pleasures, who avoids all false speech, divisive speech, aggressive speech, and all idle & empty gossip, who is neither envious, nor jealous, is good-willed, and who is of right view, yet who at the breakup of the body, after death, is reborn in a state of deprivation, in a dreadful destination, in the painful purgatory, or even in the hells then it is because either earlier - prior to this - such one also did evil actions to be felt as painful, or later - after this - such one did evil actions to be felt as pain, or at moment of death such one entered into & maintained wrong views! Because of one or more of these, right after death, such one is reborn in a bad state of deprivation, a dreadful destination, in the painful purgatory, or even in the hells. But since such one also - here & now - has been one who avoids all killing of any living being, who avoids taking anything what is not given, who avoids all misconduct in sensual pleasures, who avoids all false speech, divisive speech, aggressive speech, & all idle & empty gossip, who is neither envious, nor jealous, who is of good will, & who holds right views, such one will experience the pleasant results of that good behaviour, either here and now, or in the next rebirth, or in some subsequent later existence... Comments: Behaviour (kamma) is always mixed: Sometimes good, sometimes bad! The effects are therefore similarly mixed: Sometimes pleasure, sometimes pain... Good begets good & dilutes & delays evil. Evil begets evil & dilutes & delays good!
So have I heard: After 7 days of non-stop sitting meditation in the bliss of Awakening, The Buddha in the last watch of the night directed his unified attention to dependent co-arising in both forward & reverse order in this very way:
If A leads to => B, then non-A leads to => non-B! When this is present, then that comes into being... When this emerges, that arises too... When this is absent, then that does not come into being... When this ceases, that vanishes too...
The forward causality: When ignorance arises, mental construction also appears.. When mental construction arises, consciousness also comes into being.. When consciousness arises, name-&-form also comes to be.. When name-&-form arises, then the six senses emerge too.. When the six senses arise, then contact is the consequence.. When contact arises, then feeling is assigned too.. When feeling arises, then urge and craving surely follows.. When craving arises, then clinging too becomes dominant.. When clinging arises, then the process of becoming is initiated.. When becoming arises, then rebirth inevitably also appears.. When rebirth arises, then aging and death, sorrow, distress, pain, grief and despair also arises. This verily is the origin, the causing, the arising of this entire mass of Suffering...
The reverse causality: Consequently, when this very same ignorance is utterly uprooted & eliminated, then mental construction is tranquilized, all stilled, and it ceases & dissolves.. When mental construction ceases, then consciousness itself fades away.. When consciousness ceases, then naming-&-forming also terminate.. When name-&-form ceases, then the six senses come to an end.. When the six senses cease, then contact closes down as well.. When contact ceases, then feeling stops out too.. When feeling ceases, then craving also evaporates.. When craving ceases, then clinging is relinquished too.. When clinging ceases, then the re-becoming process essentially ends! When becoming ceases, then this process of endless rebirth is exhausted too.. When birth ceases, then aging, death, sorrow, sadness, and pain also finishes. This verily is the cessation, and the final end of this whole mass of Suffering...!
Dispersing all Darkness...
Then, he, the Blessed One, on recognizing the profundity of that sequence, exclaimed: When the appearance of phenomena becomes clearly manifest to this very Noble Friend through rapt meditation, then he is constantly s cattering Mara’s - the Evil One's - army, exactly as the sun continuously disperses all darkness, when lighting up the bright sky...
Unfortunately have I again contracted a parasite infection called Schistosomiasis (also known as liver-fluke, bilharzia, bilharziosis or snail fever)! from the infected wild pigs living here in this jungle, who excrement in my mountain stream water supply. Some medicine is therefore needed, which is not available here on Sri Lanka. (See below) If any of you kind Dhamma-friend could get the medicine from your doctor pharmacy/pharmacist or health-care-provider and send it here it would be VERY fine. Since the parasite eggs can spread to the brain and spinal cord, which effectively would disable me, then the medicine is somewhat urgently needed.
The blessed Buddha once said: Among tigers, lions, leopards and bears I lived in the jungle. None of them was frightened of me, nor did I fear any of them! Uplifted by such universal friendliness, I enjoyed the deep forest. Finding great solace in such sweet and silenced solitude… Suvanna-sama Jataka 540
I am a friend of the footless, I am a friend of all bipeds; I am a friend of those with four feet, I am a friend too of any many-footed! Anguttara Nikaya IV 67
May all creatures, all breathing things; All beings, one and all, without exception, Experience good fortune only! :-) May they not fall into any harm. Anguttara Nikaya II 72
With good will for the entire cosmos, Cultivate an infinite heart and mind: Beaming above, below, and all around, Unobstructed, without trace of hostility. Sutta Nipata I
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!
Experiencing Impermanence Exposes the Futility of Clinging!
The Blessed Buddha once said: What, Ananda, is experiencing impermanence, inconstancy and transience? When a Bhikkhu, having gone to a forest, to the foot of a tree, or to an empty place, reflects: all form is inconstant, all feeling is fleeting, any experience is impermanent, all mental construction is transient, and all consciousness is momentary and in this way remains noting the impermanence, the inconstancy and transience of these 5 Clusters of Clinging... Then this, Ananda, is indeed the very experience of impermanence..., The perception of inconstancy... and the sensation of transience...
Buddha furthermore explained: Bhikkhus, there is no lasting matter or materiality, no lasting form whatsoever... There is no lasting feeling whatsoever... no lasting perception whatsoever... There is no lasting mental construction whatsoever... There is no lasting consciousness or awareness of anything whatsoever... There is no permanent, everlasting, eternal thing that is not subject to change, not transient, not vanishing, that will last as long as eternity... SN 22.96/vol. iii, 144
All formations, all constructions are impermanent, transient, vanishing... MN 35/vol. i, 230
Whatever can arise and emerge, that also will surely cease... MN 56/vol. i, 380
Comments from the classical commentaries:
Impermanence is not Evident unless specifically looked for: False apparent continuity covers up and camouflages impermanence: The characteristic of impermanence does not become apparent because, when rise and fall are not given attention, it is concealed by continuity... However, when continuity is disrupted by observing rise & fall here & now, the characteristic of impermanence becomes apparent in its true nature. Vism. Ch. xxi/p. 640
Moments of mental states always change as iron darts hit: Observing the abrupt change of all states discloses their discrete nature: When continuity is disrupted means, when it is exposed by observation of the perpetual alteration of states as they go on occurring in succession. For it is not through the connectedness of states, that the characteristic of impermanence becomes apparent to one who rightly observes rise and fall, but rather the characteristic becomes properly evident through their discrete disconnectedness, regarded as if each moment were iron darts, hitting in on reality one by one separately, instead of as a continuous flow of slow change. VismA. 824
All states rise and fall. This characteristic of change, ageing, & evanescence is the universal impermanence of all worldly. Nothing here escapes change! It is a distortion of view, perception, and thinking to regard anything as lasting! Impermanence inherently implies suffering as all what is liked will evaporate! Impermanence implies no-self as nothing remains identical as an entity or identity! Whether internal or external: It is only passing states - material and mental - ... Experiencing impermanence thus also means seeing suffering and no-self!
When realizing that all states passes on and evaporates instantly, one realizes the impossible futility inherent in all forms of clinging. It is like sand running out between the fingers. It can never be kept! Nothing can ever be kept, owned, possessed, maintained, or retained! So let it go. Release it! Relinquish it all. Do not fear. Nothing lasting is lost! It was never yours anyway. It will go away by itself anyway. It is pain anyway! It was never really the same anyway, and it will never ever return again anyway...
All things arise, go through a series of changes and die. All phenomena are impermanent, every living being eventually dies. Life has a limit and is always in a state of uncertainty. This is an undeniable reality! Life is very uncertain, only death is certain. Knowing that death is certain and is the natural destiny that everyone has to face, we should not be afraid of death. To be considered really free in life, we must be free from the fear of death. We must humbly contemplate the words “All things are impermanent.” We must indeed be aware that birth and death comes at any moment. Every moment is thus impermanent. Enlightenment can be achieved by this acute awareness of impermanence!
The young deity Subrahma once asked the Buddha: Always frightened is this Mind! Always agitated is this Mind! About present problems. About future problems. If there is a release from this worry & anxiety, please then now kindly explain it to me...
Whereupon the Blessed Buddha declared: I see no other real safety for any living being, except from control of the senses, except from the relinquishment of all, except from awakening into Enlightenment!
From right View comes right Motivation. From right Motivation comes right Speech. From right Speech comes right Action. From right Action comes right Livelihood. From right Livelihood comes right Effort. From right Effort comes right Awareness. From right Awareness comes right Concentration. From right Concentration comes right Understanding. From right Understanding comes right mental Release. From right Release comes full Freedom, Bliss, and Peace! Thus opened are the doors to the Deathless State...!
Comments
Ceasing the 5 Clusters Ceases Suffering!
At Savatthi the Blessed Buddha said this:
Bhikkhus, there are these five clusters of clinging! What five?
The cluster of clinging to form...
The cluster of clinging to feeling...
The cluster of clinging to perception...
The cluster of clinging to construction...
The cluster of clinging to consciousness...
When, Bhikkhus, a Noble Disciple understands as they really are:
The arising, the ceasing, the satisfaction, the danger, and the escape
from these five clusters of clinging, then he is called a Noble Disciple,
who is a Stream-Enterer, no longer bound to the painful lower worlds,
fixed in destiny, with Enlightenment as his assured destination!
Explanation: Being is Burning on Craving and Clinging:
The body arises from food and ceases in absence of food.
Feeling, perception & mental construction arises from contact and ceases
in absence of sense contact. Consciousness arises from name-&-form and
ceases in absence of this body-&-mind: mentality-&-materiality. These are
the clusters proximate causes... Their remote causes is past ignorance, lust
for them and intentional action (= Kamma) resulting in them!
The satisfaction of these five clusters of clinging is the pleasure and joy
they temporarily induce... The danger of these five clusters of clinging is
their impermanence & inevitable fading away! The escape is the Noble Way
of ceasing all craving for these 5 clusters of clinging! That ends suffering!
More on this Noble Stream-Entry:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_4_Doors.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_to_Enter.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Stream-Enterer.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Stream_Entrance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Fruits_of_the_Noble_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Links_to_Stream_Entry.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/sotaapanna.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/ariya_puggala.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Helpers_to_Stream_Entry.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Entering_the_Stream_Supreme.htm
Entering the Stream means having max. 7 lives before Enlightenment!
Source:
The Grouped Sayings by the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya 22:109 III 161
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Gone all Out!
No Clinging means No Suffering!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Stream-Enterer.htm
Leaving all Quarrels enables Social Harmony!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
When this subtle Dhamma has been taught by me, in many various ways,
using different methods of explanation, then it is only to be expected
that those, who cannot agree, accept, allow, & approve of what really
is well stated and well spoken by others, that they will become angry,
quarrelsome and start disputes, where they will stab each other with
verbal daggers! Yet too, when this sublime Dhamma has been taught by
me, in many variable ways, using diverse methods of explanation, it is
also only to be expected, that those, who can agree, accept, allow, and
approve of what really is well formulated and well spoken of by others,
that they will live in harmony, in calm, friendly and mutual appreciation,
without arguments, blending like milk and water, regarding each other
with kind eyes. In this very way can they come to sleep with open doors
and dance with their children in their arms ...
So we can sleep with open doors & dance with the children in our arms!
More on High Harmony:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/United_in_Harmony.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unique_Unity.htm
Blending like Milk and Water!
Source:
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book IV [225]
Section 36: On Feeling. The Carpenter. Pancakanga: 19.
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
Healthy Human Harmony!
Blending like Milk and Water...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Milk_and_Water.htm
Running up & down this shore delays crossing!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, these 8 things, when cultivated & refined, lead to going beyond
from this near shore, right here, to the far shore beyond all... What eight?
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)
These 8 things, when cultivated and refined, lead to going beyond from
this near shore, right here, to the far shore beyond all imagination.
The Well-Gone-One, the supreme Teacher, then added this:
Few humans cross to that sublime far shore beyond all being.
Mostly, people just run up and down along this barren bank!
Those whose praxis is like this even and exact Dhamma,
Will pass beyond the State of Death in quiet harmony!
Having left all the dark and evil doing, any intelligence
Seeks the luminous bright light by leaving this turmoil,
by going forth into solitary & silent homelessness.
Secluded from lust, he experiences an unworldly bliss!
Owing nothing, the wise and clever man thereby cleans
himself of all these mental pollutions and defilements...
Mentally well evolved by the 7 links to enlightenment,
Delighting in non-clinging and relinquishment of all,
Such luminous ones, having quenched all fermentation,
Are fully released even right here in this world!
Crossing...
To the Other Side...
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V:24] section 45: The Way. 34: Gone to the other side ...
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
The Other Side...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Other_Side.htm
The Four Modes of Direct Experience:
The Exalted Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, there are these 4 realizable states:
What four?
By the body one realizes the 8 releasing liberations.
By memory one realizes one's prior lives in all diverse detail.
By the divine eye one realizes the death & rebirth of beings.
By understanding one realizes the elimination of the mental fermentations.
These, Bhikkhus, are the 4 realizable states ...
The next Buddha Metteyya depicted above will -just as I say now-
many times explain: “You can come as you like, but you pay as you go!”
Source: The Numerical Sayings of the Buddha. Anguttara Nikaya II 182
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=204050
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=132552
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/anguttara/index.html
Have a nice day!
Friendship is the Greatest
Bhikkhu Samahita ] Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
http://groups.google.com/group/Buddha-Direct
http://groups.google.com/group/What_Buddha_Said
Release is Realizable!
The 4 Modes of Direct Experience...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/4_Realizations.htm
Gradually Deeper Degree of Ceasing:
In the 1st meditative jhana absorption, all sense-desire ceases...
In the 2nd meditative jhana absorption, conceptual thinking ceases.
In the 3rd meditative jhana absorption, enraptured Joy ceases.
In the 4th meditative jhana absorption, breathing in and out ceases.
In the sphere of infinite space, experience of form & sense reaction ceases.
In the sphere of infinite consciousness, experience of infinite space ceases.
In the sphere of nothingness, experience of infinite consciousness ceases.
In the sphere of neither-perception-nor-non-perception, nothingness ceases...
When attaining complete mental cessation, all perception and sensation ceases.
These 9 sublime states have been perfectly formulated by the blessed Buddha,
who knew and saw directly. therefore should we recite them together for the
future advantage, welfare and happiness for both human beings and devas...
More on meditative (jhana) absorption:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Art_of_Absorption.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Jhana_Absorption.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/g_m/jhaana.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/Requisites_for_Jhana_Absorption.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Details_of_the_Jhana_Absorptions.htm
Source: The Exhaustive Speeches by the Buddha. Digha Nikaya 33
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=25103
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/digha/index.html
For the complete details of the entrance to these exalted states:
see: The Path of Purification: Visuddhimagga. Chapter III-XI:
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=771100
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Sweet is Ceasing...
Mesmerizing is Gradually Deeper Degree of Ceasing!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/9_Stillings.htm
Secluded & Sweet is Ideal Solitude:
They once asked a Bhikkhu just named 'Elder':
How, Venerable Elder, is one living completely alone?
Regarding this, the Elder responded:
All that is past, this one has left all behind!
All that is future, this one has all relinquished!
All that is present now, this one has completely removed any desire & lust for...
The intelligent, who has conquered all, who understands all phenomena,
Who are from all things & states detached, disengaged, and unsoiled,
Who has given up all, released by the irreversible removal of craving,
Such One, I call: 'Living Alone'...
The 'local' mental world starts and ends within this 2m frame of bones...
Comment:
In bad company with one's own greed, anger & confusion, one is never alone!
Seclusion (Viveka):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Sense_Seclusion.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/u_v/viveka.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/u_v/viveka_sukha.htm
Source: The Grouped Sayings by the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya II 282-4
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
Ideal Solitude!
All Alone, yet as Free as a Bee can Be :-)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Alone_yet_Free.htm
How to be a Real True Buddhist through Observance?
This Esala Poya day is the full-moon of July, which is noteworthy since on this celebrated day:
1: The Blessed Buddha preached his First Sermon: The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta.
2: The Bodhisatta was conceived in Queen Maya who dreamt a white elephant entered her side.
3: The Blessed Buddha made the Great Withdrawal from the world at the age of 29 years.
4: The Blessed Buddha performed the Twin Miracle (yamaka-patihariya) of dual appearance.
5: The Blessed Buddha explained the Abhi-Dhamma in the Tavatimsa heaven to his mother.
6: The ordination of Prince Arittha at Anuradhapura, under Arahat Mahinda on Sri Lanka.
7: The foundation of the celebrated Mahastupa & enshrinement of relics by King Dutugemunu.
8: The next day the yearly 3 months rains retreat (vassa) of Buddhist Bhikkhus start.
The Buddha performing the Twin Miracle of simultaneously producing water & flames from his body.
On such Uposatha Observance days:
Any Lay Buddhist simply joins the Three Refuges and undertakes
the Five Precepts like this: Newly bathed, shaved, white-clothed,
with clean bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue,
and bows first three times, so that feet, hands, elbows, knees and
head touch the floor. Then, with joined palms in front of the heart,
one recite these memorized lines in a loud, calm & steady voice:
As long as this life lasts:
I hereby take refuge in the Buddha.
I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma.
I hereby take refuge in the Sangha.
I hereby seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time.
I request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time.
I request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd …
I request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time.
I will respect these Three Jewels the rest of my life!
I accept to respect & undertake these 5 training rules:
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Killing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Stealing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Sexual Abuse.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Dishonesty.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Alcohol & Drugs.
As long as this life lasts, I am thus protected by these 5 precepts...
Then, one keeps and protects these sacred vows better than one's own
eyes & children!, since they protect you & all other beings much better
than any army! They are the highest offer one can give in & to this world!
This is the very start on the path towards Nibbana -the Deathless Element-
This is the Noble Way to Peace, to Freedom, to Bliss, initiated by Morality,
developed further by Dhamma-Study and fulfilled by training of Meditation...
Today indeed is Pooya or Uposatha or observance day, where any lay Buddhist
normally keeps the Eight Precepts from sunrise until the next dawn...
If any wish an official recognition by the Bhikkhu-Sangha, they may simply
forward the lines starting with "I..." signed with name, date, town & country
to me or join here. A public list of this new Saddhamma-Sangha is here!
The New Noble Community of Disciples: The Saddhamma Sangha:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Saddhamma_Sangha.htm
Can quite advantageously be Joined Here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm
May your journey hereby be eased, 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
Friendship is the Greatest
Bhikkhu Samahita Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Today Esala Full-Moon Poya day!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Esala_Poya_Day.htm
Unselfish Joy! How to Rejoice in Others Success:
By seeing that:
If only happy at one's own success, such egoistic Joy is rare and limited!
If happy at others success also, the Joy is more frequent & even infinite!
By observing that:
It starts with basic sympathy, develops into acceptance, genuine approval,
& appreciation. It culminates in rejoicing altruistic sympathy by directing
mind to initiation, much cultivation & boundless expansion of Mutual Joy!
By knowing that:
Mutual Joy is the proximate cause of sweet, fully satisfied contentment!
Lack of mutual joy is therefore the proximate cause of discontentment!
Mutual Joy instantly eliminates acidic jealousy, grudge and green envy!
Mutual Joy is an infinite, truly divine, elevating and sublime mental state!
Mutual Joy is 1 of the 4 mental states of the Brahma-devas (Brahmavihara)
The Blessed Buddha pointed out:
If it were impossible to cultivate this Good , I would not tell you to do so!
Buddhaghosa:
See how this worthy being is very Happy!
How fine! How excellent! How sweet!
Let there be Happiness. Let there be open Freedom.
Let there be Peace. Let there be Bliss from cultivating this.
Let there be Understanding of this mental state of Mutual Joy!
Cultivation of Mutual Joy is the specific medicine against Envy & Jealousy:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mutual_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Rejoicing_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Infinitely_Joyous_Consciousness.htm
Mudita: The Buddha's Teaching on Unselfish Joy: BPS Wheel Publication No. 170
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/various/wheel170.html
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Mutual Joy Rejoices in Other's Success...
Mutually Rejoicing Bliss!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoicing_Bliss_is_Mudita.htm
Why not indulge in Hedonism? Change!
Venerable Sariputta once pointed out the danger of delight:
If, friends, one is not freed of lust, desire, attraction, thirst,
passion and craving for the manifold various forms, feelings,
experiences, constructions and types of consciousness, then
with the inevitable change in and alteration of these forms,
feelings, experiences, constructions and types of consciousness,
one invariably experiences disappointment, dissatisfaction,
discontent, frustration, sorrow, pain and despair...!!! One who
lives immersed in these derivatives of greed, therefore suffers
in this very life from the continual fever of wanting, needing,
longing, frustration and urge... Moreover, when dying and this
body is breaking up, the greedy one can expect a bad destination!!!
This is the immanent danger and side-effect of desire and craving...
If, however, one is freed of all lust, desire, attraction, thirst,
passion and craving for the manifold various forms, feelings,
experiences, constructions and types of consciousness, then
with the inevitable change in and alteration of these, one does not
experience any disappointment, dissatisfaction, discontent, pain,
frustration, sorrow, nor any despair... Not living immersed in these
derivatives of greed, one does therefore not suffer from any hot
fever of neither wanting, nor longing, nor any urge. Moreover, when
dying and this body is breaking up, such cooled and calmed one can
expect a good destination!!! This is the quite blissful advantage
and assured benefit of removal of desire and craving here and now...
Hunting pleasure produces delayed and therefore hidden pain...
Relinquishing desire for pleasure gives ease now and bliss later...
More on this dual Desire (Chanda):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Fire_of_Sense-Desire.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Desire_as_Way_to_Force.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Obstructing_Corruption.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Desireless_is_Deathless.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Two_kinds_of_Desire.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Colourful_but_Muddy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/chanda.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Charcoal_Pit.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Desire_and_Lust.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Just_a_Flash.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedonism
[color=#800000]Source: Venerable Sariputta, General of the Dhamma.
The Grouped Sayings by the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya III 7-9
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
Why not Hedonism?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Why_Not.htm
The Middle Way of Wise Moderate Ontology:
The Blessed Buddha once remarked on speculation on existence:
This world, Kaccana, is generally chained up by engaged involvement, panic
clinging and attachment to various views! But one of right view neither becomes
engaged, nor does he cling to any such rigid commitment, blind assumption,
mental standpoint, adherence, nor underlying tendency!
He does not take a stand about 'My Self', nor has he any perplexity or doubt
about whatever arises, then it is only Suffering that arises, & whatever ceases,
then it is only Suffering that ceases! His assurance about this, is independent
of others... In this way, Kaccana, is there advanced right view!!!
The mistaken postulate: "All exists": Kaccana, this is the one extreme....
The equally mistaken postulate: "All does not exist"; is the opposite extreme!
Without veering towards either ofthese futile extremes, theTathagata always
teaches the Dhamma from this exceedingly subtle, and intriguing Middle:
Conditioned by ignorance, mental construction arises.
Conditioned by construction, consciousness arises.
Conditioned by consciousness, name-&-form arises.
Conditioned by name-&-form, the-6-senses arises.
Conditioned by the-6-senses, contact arises.
Conditioned by contact, feeling arises.
Conditioned by feeling, craving arises.
Conditioned by craving, clinging arises.
Conditioned by clinging, becoming arises.
Conditioned by becoming, birth arises.
Conditioned by birth, ageing, decay, & death arises.
Such is the arising of this whole mass of suffering...!
Please Note:
Neither 'Material Substantialism', nor 'Naive Realism',
nor 'Imagined Illusionism', but just dry 'Plain Realism'...
Right down in the moderate, magic & majestic middle!
More on Right View:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_View.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Straight_View.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Leaving_Wrong_View.htm
More on Buddhist Ontology: What exists & how does it exist?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_Exists.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/ontology.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Advanced_Right_View.htm
Source: The Grouped Sayings by the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya XII (15); [II 17]
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507 An Ocean of Dhamma Teaching!
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/samyutta/sn12-015.html Full text here!
Moderate yet Majestic!
The Middle Way of Wise Ontology...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Advanced_Right_View.htm
The Four Grades of Vision!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
In this some recluse or priest by means of alert energetic effort and
enthusiasm, through proper rational attention & concentrated focus
reaches absorption on this sole thought: In this foul body of disgusting
things enclosed by skin, there are head & body hairs, nails, teeth, skin,
flesh, sinews, bones, marrow, kidneys, heart, liver, pleura, spleen, lungs,
mesentery, intestines, stomach, excrement, bile, lymph, pus, blood, sweat,
fat, tears, tallow, spittle, snot, urine and joint-fluid...
This is the first attainment of Vision...
Empty Frame: Having done this and gone beyond it, he regards & perceives
any body, own or others, only as a chained frame of bones covered with flesh,
vessels, fat & skin. This is the second attainment of Vision...
Chain of Moments: Having done this & gone further, he comes to understand
and directly experience this continuous sequence of discrete conscious moments
established in and manifesting both this world and all the other dimensions.
This is the third attainment of Vision...
Continuous yet not Established: Finally, having done this & gone even further
than beyond that, he comes to understand & directly experience this unbroken
stream of consciousness, which is neither established in, nor manifesting anything
in this or any other world... This is the fourth attainment of Vision...
More on the crucial 1st & 2nd Anatomical Visions:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Meditation_On_the_Body_Kayagata-Sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/g_m/kaaya_gata_sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_9_Corpse_Meditations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Body_as_only_Form.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Evil-smelling_body.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_32_Parts.htm
Source: The Exhaustive Speeches by the Buddha. Digha Nikaya III 105-5
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=25103
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/digha/index.htm
Winning Vision!
The Four Grades of Seeing!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Winning_Vision.htm
There are Three kinds of Suffering (Dukkha):
The Blessed Buddha once explained:
Bhikkhus, there are these three kinds of suffering. What three?
1: The Suffering caused by painful feeling... (dukkha-dukkha)
2: The Suffering caused by construction... (sankhara-dukkha)
3: The Suffering caused by change… (viparinama-dukkha)
These are the three kinds of suffering! This Noble 8-fold Way is to be
developed for the direct experience of these three kinds of suffering,
for the full understanding of them, for their complete elimination,
and for their final overcoming, abandoning and leaving all behind…
The Noble 8-fold Way is to be developed for Ending of Suffering!!!
Comment:
The 1st kind of suffering due to painful feeling, mental & bodily, is obvious.
The 2nd suffering comes when pleasurable constructions always falls apart.
The 3rd suffering is when a pleasant object inevitably changes and decays.
More on Suffering (Dukkha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/What_is_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Origin_of_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Contemplating_Suffering_2.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_1st_Noble_Truth_on_Suffering.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V:56] section 45: The Way. 165: The Sufferings ...
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Inevitable is pain, change and falling apart!
The 3 Sufferings!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/The_3_kinds_of_Suffering.htm
Anger, Irritation and Aversion is diluted Hate:
How to cure these painful derivatives of Hate:
1: Review the Danger in Hate like this:
This Anger can bring me to a bad destination, downfall, pain, even to hell!
2: Know the outlet is Patience, Tolerance and Forbearance:
The Blessed Buddha once said: The greatest praxis is patience...
3: Begin and Cultivate meditation on Infinite Friendliness:
Sit down a silent & empty place with closed eye and beam from your heart:
May I be successful, happy, calmed & freed from all hostility and anger!
May my friends be successful, happy, calmed & freed from all hostility!
May my enemies be successful, happy, calmed & freed from all hostility!
May all in this village be successful, happy, calmed & freed from hostility!
May all in this town be successful, happy, calmed & freed from hostility!
May all in this city be successful, happy, calmed & freed from hostility!
May all in this country be successful, happy, calmed & freed from hostility!
May all in this earth be successful, happy, calmed & freed from hostility!
May all in this galaxy be successful, happy, calmed & freed from hostility!
May all in this universe be successful, happy, calmed & freed from hostility!
so gradually expanding beyond the limitations of space & into infinitude!
4: Note the elation & Joy of mind so trained by infinite goodness as object!
Whenever aversion, anger or irritation reappears, then immediately redirect
mind to this remembered sign of the mind released into infinite good-will.
Please indeed note that the anger instantly evaporates and an ability to
smile of ones own foolish temper can begin to shine outward again. :-)
5: Training of Infinite Friendliness can induce the first jhana absorption,
and thus can lead to a high rebirth as a divinely fine material brahma deva.
6: Keep on doing that 15-45 min every day. Note difference during the day!
May all beings be free from suffering, pain and frustration and be happy.
May all beings be free from anger, irritation, opposition & stubbornness!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Let no one deceive another,
or despise anyone anywhere,
or through anger or irritation
wish for another to suffer...
Khuddakapatha 9
Slay anger and you will be happy,
Slay anger and you will not sorrow.
For the slaying of anger in all its forms
with its poisoned root and sweet sting,
that is the only slaying the Nobles praise;
With anger slain one sorrows no more!
Samyutta Nikaya I, 161
Not by anger is Hate ever quenched.
Only by Kindness is Hate always quenched.
This Ancient Law is an Eternal Truth ...
Dhammapada 5
See also: Anger is a diluted derivative of hate = Dosa:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_to_Cure_Cruelty_and_Revengefulness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Elimination_of_Anger.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_to_Cure_Ill_Will.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Anger_and_Irritation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Subduing_Irritation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Appeasing_Anger.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Boiling_but_burnt.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/No_Revenge.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Break_Anger.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Slaying_Anger.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Curing inner Hate is a Crucial Salvage!
Appeasing Anger...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_to_Cure_Anger_and_Irritation.htm
If glad-2-get Early Buddhism e-mails click join Google Group here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/
Have a nice, noble and easy day!
Bhikkhu Samahita :-) _/\_
This World is Messed Up!
The Buddha once told a deity:
This world is suffering from Death,
Troubled by ageing, decay and sickness,
Wounded by the Dart of constant Craving!
Always is it burning with Desire and Lust...
This world is addicted to Delight and Pleasure,
Since dragged around by this urge and longing,
Craving must be cut, to break free from bondage
and reach the only absolute freedom: Nibbana...
Comments:
How can there be any freedom if there still is craving, longing and
clinging to something... Craving is Mental Slavery!
Craving is a Prison of urge...
Source:
The Grouped Sayings by the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya I 40
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
On Craving as the Cause of all Suffering see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Craving_is_Pain.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_3_kinds_of_Craving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_2nd_Noble_Truth_on_The_Cause_of_Suffering.htm
Actually Factual...
This World is Messed Up in Craving!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Actually_Factual.htm
Friendship is Most Advantageous!
Buddha once explained the Advantages of Friendship (Mittanisamsa):
He who maintains genuine friendship, never betraying anybody, will always
whenever he goes far out of his home, receive abundance of hospitality.
Many will obtain their benefit through him.
He who nurtures genuine friendship will be honoured in whatever country,
village, town, house, group or family he visits.
He who perpetuates genuine friendship will triumph over all his enemies.
Robbers cannot overpower him. Royalty will not look down upon him.
He who continues genuine friendship, returns home with feeling of amity,
rejoices in the crowds of people, and becomes the chief among his kinsmen.
He who keeps up genuine friendship, being hospitable to all others, in turn,
receives hospitality. Being respectful to others, in turn, receives respect.
He enjoys both praise and fame.
He who sustains genuine friendship, a generous giver, receives gifts himself.
Worshipping the worthy, will himself be worshipped gaining prosperity & fame.
He who upholds genuine friendship, shines gloriously like fire, radiant like
a deity. Prosperity and good fortune will never forsake or leave him.
He who prolongs genuine friendship, will enjoy abundant wealth. What is
sown in his field will flourish. The fruit of that which is sown he enjoys.
He who carries on genuine friendship, should he fall from a precipice or
mountain or tree, he will be protected and will not be seriously harmed.
He who preserves genuine friendship cannot be overthrown by enemies even
as the deep-rooted banyan tree cannot be overthrown by the gust of wind.
Source:
These ten gathas (stanzas) recounting the beneficial effects of friendship,
are found in the Mugapakkha (Temiya) Jataka, vol. vii. No. 538.
Translated by Ven. Piyadassi Thero kindly forwarded by Seelagawesi Thero.
More on this mighty Friendliness (Metta) and Friendship:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unsurpassable_Radiance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/All-Embracing_Kindness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Symbiotic_Sympathy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_11_Advantages.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Genuine_Goodwill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Blazing_Goodwill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Cosmic_Goodness.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Unbounded_Mind.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Goodness_Galore.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Loving-Kindness.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Hey_Friend.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Most Advantageous is Friendship!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Advantageous_is_Friendship.htm
The Quenched Dimension:
Peaceful, tamed, smokeless, wishless, and harmless,
unobstructed both in front and behind, untroubled,
unconcerned with both past and future, pure, aloof,
imperturbable, beyond wavering & doubt, confident,
directly knowing, calmed & freed, the Arahat being
enters the final state:
The cooling of all craving,
The stilling of all construction,
The releasing of all the clinging,
The relinquishing of all acquisition,
Detachment, disillusion, ceasing,
Formless, senseless and deathless,
Silent, free, & blissful pure peace...
Nibbâna... Yeah!!!
More on this uncreated state - Nibbana (Sanskrit = Nirvana):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Final_Freedom.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/climax_of_calm.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Reaching_Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_2_Nibbanas.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/What_is_Nibbana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Proximate_Cause.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Nibbana_or_non-return.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
The Climax of Calm!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/climax_of_calm.htm
What is this crucial Right View?
The Noble Eightfold Way, leading to Nibbana, is simply this:
Right View
Right Motivation
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Awareness
Right Concentration
But what is Right View?
Right View of Ownership of Kamma:
All beings are owners of their kamma, inherit their kamma,
are born of their kamma, are created by their kamma, are
linked to their kamma and any intentional action (=kamma)
they do, whether good or bad, the effects of that will be
theirs only, following them like a shadow, that never leaves...
This is Right View!
Right View of the Ten Phenomena:
Giving alms has good effects, any self-sacrifice results in pleasure,
small gifts are also beneficial. There is resulting fruition thus of any
good and any bad behaviour. There is moral efficacy of any relation
to mother and father. There is this world and there are other worlds.
There are beings who are spontaneously and instantaneously born.
There exist good and pure recluses and priests in this world, who
having followed the right method of practice, themselves by their
own supra-human abilities, have directly experienced the other worlds
and who explain them and thereby make them known here...
This is Right View!
Right View of the Four Noble Truths:
Right view of this is Suffering...
Right view of Craving is the Cause of Suffering...
Right view of No Craving is the End of Suffering...
Right view of the Noble 8-fold Way leads to the end of Suffering...
[color=#FF0000]This is Right View!
More on Right View (Samma-ditthi):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/g_m/magga.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Advanced_Right_View.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Certain_Rightness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Sun.htm
Further study:
Majjhima Nikaya 9. Samma-ditthi Sutta: The Discourse on Right View:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/majjhima/mn009.html
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
What is Right View?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_View.htm
What is this vital Right Motivation?
The Noble 8-fold Way, leading to Nibbana, is simply this:
Right View
Right Motivation
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Awareness
Right Concentration
But what is Right Motivation?
Right Motivation is Triple:
1: The Motivation for Withdrawal:
Being motivated by a general absence of greed, craving, and desire!
Being motivated by generous giving relinquishing all possessiveness.
Being motivated by detachment from the five sense-desires of urge
for alluring and tempting sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touches...
Being motivated by cutting attachment to the 5 clusters of clinging
to forms, feelings, perceptions, constructions and consciousness...
Such radical renunciation is Right Motivation!
2: The Motivation for Non-Ill-Will = Friendly Goodwill:
Being motivated by universal friendliness, infinite goodwill, care,
non-anger, hatelessness and a sympathy wishing and working for all
sentient being's happiness, content, comfort, benefit and welfare...
Such gentle kindness is Right Motivation!
3: The Motivation for Non-Violence = Harmlessness:
Being motivated by absolute non-violence, absence of cruelty, and by
compassionate pity, thereby offering all sentient beings guaranteed
safety and protection from any evil, painful, bad or wrong treatment...
Such giving of protective fearlessness to all is Right Motivation!
The opposites of these advantageous intentions are Wrong Motivation...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Pics/buddhists_praying.jpg
More on Right Motivation (Samma-Sankappa):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Sincere_Motivation.htm
Further study:
Majjhima Nikaya 117. Maha-cattarisaka Sutta: The Discourse on The Great Forty:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/majjhima/mn117.html
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Right Motivation!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Motivation.htm
Sincere Motivation, Dedication and Determination!
Any well motivated Buddhist inclined for non-greed sees the danger in all desire...
Any well motivated Buddhist inclined for non-hate recognizes the error in all anger.
Any well motivated Buddhist inclined for understanding knows the block of ignorance.
Any well motivated Buddhist inclined for renunciation feels the miseries of lay life.
Any well motivated Buddhist inclined for seclusion perceives the stress of society.
Any well motivated Buddhist inclined for release comprehends the panic in clinging.
Any well motivated Buddhist inclined for awakening is dedicated to ending of rebirth!
This degree of whole-hearted sincerity, dedication and resolute determination does
indeed determine the remaining time in Samsara before finally reaching Nibbana...
More on this crucial issue of Motivation:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Samsara.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Signless_Nibbana.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Motivation.htm
Have a nice well motivated day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Dedication enhances Determination!
Sincere Motivation!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Sincere_Motivation.htm
What is this imperative Right Speech?
The Noble Eightfold Way, leading to Nibbana, is simply this:
Right View, Right Motivation, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood,
Right Effort, Right Awareness, and Right Concentration.
But what is Right Speech ?
1: Avoiding all lying, pretending and any false speech...
2: Abstaining from any kind of divisive or splitting talk...
3: Refraining from all aggressive or irritated scolding...
4: Stilling of any idle and empty gossiping...
That is Right Speech!
The Characterization of Noble Speech:
Eliminating any false speech any Noble Friend dwells avoiding all lies,
a truth-speaker, one to be relied on, trustworthy, loyal, not a deceiver
of the world. Abstaining from malicious speech, he does not tell them there,
what he has heard about those here, or repeat here, what he heard there,
harming those there. Thus is he a reconciling diplomat stilling all quarrels.
The Noble Friend is rejoicing in peace, loving it, delighting in it, one who
defends peace. Abandoning all harsh and aggressive speech he refrains
from it. He speaks whatever is blameless and pleasing to the ear, agreeable,
touching the heart, elegant, gratifying and appealing to the many.
Discarding idle and empty chatter, he speaks at the right time & only about
what is correct, advantageous & to the point, of Dhamma and self-control.
He is a speaker, whose words are to be treasured and remembered, timely,
reasoned, well-defined, well-formulated, beneficial and leading to the goal...
This is Right and Noble Speech!
Buddha once noted:
Man is born with an axe in his mouth, whereby he cuts himself down!
The Ten Advantageous Subjects:
Talk on the Modesty of having few wants,
Talk on the Bliss of Contentment,
Talk on the Joy of Seclusion,
Talk on the Ease of Disentanglement,
Talk on the Energy of Enthusiasm,
Talk on the Advantage of Morality,
Talk on the Calm of Concentration,
Talk on the Insight of Understanding,
Talk on the Freedom of Release,
Talk on the Direct Knowledge and Vision of Release ...
Such is Right Speech!
The many kinds of Pointless Talk (also today called NEWS!):
Such as talk on kings, robbers, ministers, armies, dangers, wars,
foods, drinks, clothing, furniture, jewelry, cosmetics, relatives,
vehicles, villages, towns, cities, countries, women, heroes, places,
amusements, the dead, trifles, the origin of the world, the origin
of the sea, whether metaphysical things are so, or are not so...
Such talk is pointless, irrelevant, detrimental, empty of any good...
Divisive Gossip!
Knowing right and wrong speech as right and wrong speech, is right view.
Awareness of presence of right and wrong speech, is right awareness.
Exchanging wrong speech with right speech, is right effort...
More on Right Speech (Samma Vaca):
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/samma-vaca.html
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Not_Splitting.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Not_Scolding.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Not_Deceiving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Not_Gossiping.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Speech.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Fourfold_Right_Speech.htm
What is Right Speech?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Speech.htm
Karunã: The Great Good Helper!
Karuna is feeling the pain of other beings, either partially or completely;
Possible translations:
1: Pity not from above: “I am better”, but as if in the other being’s shoes…
2: Compassion is OK, but that is difficult to reach up to for many beings…
3: Fellow feeling, sympathy, empathy, understanding are all OK, but somewhat
missing these essential points:
A: It is an inability to see and accept other being’s suffering and distress!
B: It is a deep desire to make others feel free, glad, happy and peaceful!
C: It is extended to and pervaded over many beings simultaneously…
The proximate cause of Karuna = pity is noticing other being’s helplessness .
The immediate effect of Karuna = pity is evaporation of all evil cruelty!
Pity (Karuna) is one of the four divine and infinite dwellings (Brahmavihara):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Endless_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Safe_Medicine.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Karuna_is_Pity.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/V/Compassionate_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Space_Compassion.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/brahma_vihaara.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_to_Cure_Cruelty_and_Revengefulness.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Seeing other being's Helplessness...
Great Compassion!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/Karuna_is_Pity.htm
What is this essential Right Action?
The Noble Eightfold Way, leading to Nibbana, is simply this:
Right View, Right Motivation, Right Speech, Right Action,
Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Awareness and
Right Concentration. But what is Right Action?
The 3-fold Definition of Right Action:
1: Avoiding all killing and harming of any living being...
2: Abstaining from taking and thus stealing what is not given...
3: Stopping all adultery and all abuse of any sense-pleasure...
That is Right Action!
The Characterization of Right Action. The blessed Buddha said:
Friends, it is caused by behaviour in conflict with the Dhamma,
by reason of immoral behaviour, that some beings here, right at
the breakup of the body, after death, reappear lost in states of
pain, in an unhappy destination, in the downfall, even in the hells...
It is caused by behaviour in harmony with the Dhamma, by reason
of moral behaviour, that some beings here, on the breakup of the
body, right after death, reappear in a happy destination, even in
the divine worlds!!! And which, friends, are the 3 kinds of bodily
moral behaviour in harmony with the Dhamma?
Here someone, stop all killing of living beings, abstains from injuring
living beings; with rod & weapon laid aside, gentle and kind, such one
dwells sympathetic towards all living beings.
Avoiding the taking of what is not given, one refrains from stealing,
what is not freely give. One does not take by way of theft the wealth
and property of others, neither in the village nor in the forest.
Abandoning abuse of sensual pleasures, such one gives up misuse in
sensual pleasures. One does not have intercourse with partners, who
are protected by their mother, or father, or mother and father, or
brother, or sister, or relatives, who is married, betrothed to another,
who are protected by law, in prison, or who are engaged to other side.
That is how there are three kinds of bodily moral behaviour in harmony
with the Dhamma... [color=#800000]Such is Right Action!
Explanation:
Primary of these is the ending of intentional killing or destroying of
other beings either by physical action or by verbal incitement, ranging
from killing eggs of lice and bugs, or causing abortion, to any slaughter
of living creatures, including human beings.
Restraint from taking, what is not given, means abstaining from taking,
with intention to steal, living beings or non-living articles, which have
an owner. Removing or appropriating them, without owner's consent,
either by physical effort or by inciting another to do so.
Restraint from wrong behaviour in sensual pleasures means abstention
from any kind of sex, which will cause pain and suffering to others.
Examples will be adultery, since this causes the disruption of marriage,
rape, intercourse with minors protected by parents, and perversion of
others. Included here also are abstention from use of booze, drugs
and any kinds of intoxicants, which causes carelessness, and gambling
with cards, dices, on horses, teams etc.
Knowing right and wrong action as right and wrong action, is right view.
Awareness of presence of right and wrong action, is right awareness.
Exchanging wrong action with right action, is right effort...
The factors of the Noble 8-fold way thus mutually enhance each other!
Any intentional action - good as bad - determines - whether the future
will be pleasant or painful for the acting individuality...
Further study of Buddhist Right Action (Samma-Kammanta):
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/samma-kammanto.html
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Action_Determines.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
What is Right Action?
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Action.htm
What is this critical Right Livelihood?
The Noble Eightfold Way, leading to Nibbana, is simply this:
Right View, Right Motivation, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood,
Right Effort, Right Awareness and Right Concentration.
But what is Right Livelihood?
The 5-fold Definition of Right Livelihood:
1: Earning a living not involving any trading with Living Beings.
2: Earning a living not involving any selling of Meat, Fish or Flesh.
3: Earning a living not involving any selling of any form of Weapons.
4: Earning a living not involving any dealing with Alcohol or Drugs .
5: Earning a living not involving any selling of any form of Poison.
That is Right Livelihood!
The Characterization of Right Livelihood for lay people:
Any livelihood that neither involves any killing, injuring, harming, nor any
imprisoning of any living being, nor stealing, taking what is not given, cheating,
any bribery or corruption, or lying, or false deceiving, tricks, or use of false
measures and weights, neither sensual, nor any sexual abuse, neither the use
or selling of alcohol, or of intoxicating illegal drugs, that causes carelessness,
neither by oneself, nor by getting or inciting other employed beings to do so,
such is Right Livelihood!
The Explanation of Right Livelihood for Buddhist Monks and Nuns:
Neither living, nor receiving food by astrology, soothsaying, prediction of future
events, nor by palmistry, geomancy, dream-reading, charms and spells, amulets or
fake divination, nor by any rituals, running errands or messages, political flatter,
arranging marriages, funerals or divorces, medical praxis, or by producing art or
poetry, or by professional disputation or debate, this is Right Livelihood!
Knowing right and wrong Livelihood as right and wrong Livelihood, is Right View.
Awareness of presence of right and wrong Livelihood, is Right Awareness.
Exchanging wrong Livelihood with right Livelihood, is Right Effort...
Further study of Buddhist Right Livelihood (Samma-Ajiva):
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/samma-ajivo.html
What is Right Livelihood?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Livelihood.htm
What is this vital Right Effort?
That Noble Eightfold Way, leading to Nibbana, is simply this:
Right View, Right Motivation, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood,
Right Effort, Right Awareness and Right Concentration.
But what is Right Effort?
The 4-fold Definition of Right Effort:
1: The effort to overcome already present disadvantageous mental states..
2: The effort to prevent future disadvantageous mental states from arising..
3: The effort to begin developing so far absent advantageous mental states..
4: The effort to maintain and perfect already arisen advantageous mental states..
This is Right Effort!
The Characterization of Right Effort:
Striving for replacing wrong view with right view, is Right Effort!
Striving for replacing wrong motivation with right motivation, is Right Effort!
Striving for replacing wrong speech with right speech, is Right Effort!
Striving for replacing wrong action with right action, is Right Effort!
Striving for replacing wrong livelihood with right livelihood, is Right Effort!
Striving for replacing wrong effort with right effort, is Right Effort!
Striving for replacing wrong awareness with right awareness, is Right Effort!
Striving for replacing wrong concentration w. right concentration, is Right Effort!
The Explanation of the 4 Right Efforts:
The 4 right efforts are 1: Control 2: Overcoming 3: Development 4: Maintenance!
What is the effort of control? When seeing an object with the eye, one neither
grasps after the whole object, nor any of its details, thereby one strives well to
prevent bad, detrimental states, such as longing and misery, to flood in on one!
One guards and controls the sense of sight and do similarly with the other senses.
What is the effort of overcoming? One does not accept any lust, hate or anger,
that has arisen, but leaves it instantly, dispels it, destroys it, and makes it vanish.
What is the effort of development? One develops the enlightenment-factor of
awareness, of investigation, of energy, of joy, of tranquility, of concentration,
and the enlightenment-factor of equanimity based on solitude, seclusion, and
ceasing, which is leading to maturity and culmination of spiritual self-surrender.
What is the effort of maintenance? One dominated by desire maintains firmly
in his mind a favourable object of concentration, such as a skeleton, or a corpse
that is full of worms, bluish-black, full of holes, and bloated, while one dominated
by anger maintains firmly in his mind a favourable object of concentration, such
as infinite friendliness, universal pity, mutual joy or well balanced equanimity...
Thus knowing right and wrong effort as right and wrong effort, is Right View.
Awareness of presence of right and wrong effort, is Right Awareness.
Right effort has the function of striving, exertion and endurance...
Keep on keeping on! Never give up! Always Come again!
Further study of Buddhist Right Effort (Samma-Padhana):
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/samma-vayamo.html
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Avoiding_Effort.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Avoiding_Effort2.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_River_of_Energetic_Effort.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
[i]What is this Right Effort?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Effort.htm
What is this Fundamental Right Awareness?
That Noble Eightfold Way, leading to Nibbana, is simply this:
Right View, Right Motivation, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood,
Right Effort, Right Awareness and Right Concentration.
But what is Right Awareness?
The 4-fold Definition of Right Awareness:
1: Awareness of the Body merely as a transient and compounded Form..
2: Awareness of Feelings just as conditioned emotional Responses..
3: Awareness of Mind only as habituated and temporary Moods..
4: Awareness of Phenomena only as constructed Mental States..
Right Awareness is of these 4, while being alert, & clearly comprehending,
will put away longing towards and aversion against anything in this world!
The Characterization of Right Awareness:
Awareness of wrong view or right view present now, is Right Awareness!
Awareness of wrong motivation or right motivation, is Right Awareness!
Awareness of wrong speech or right speech now, is Right Awareness!
Awareness of wrong action or right action, is Right Awareness!
Awareness of wrong livelihood or right livelihood, is Right Awareness!
Awareness of wrong effort or right effort, is Right Awareness!
Awareness of wrong awareness or right awareness, is Right Awareness!
Awareness of wrong or right concentration now, is Right Awareness!
The Explanation of Acute Awareness and Clear Comprehension:
When inhaling & exhaling long, one notices and is fully aware of just that..
When inhaling & exhaling short, one notices & is fully aware of just that..
One trains: I will breathe in-&-out clearly comprehending the entire body.
One trains: I will breathe in-&-out calming the breath & all bodily activity.
When walking, one notices and clearly comprehends, that one is walking.
When standing, one notices and clearly comprehends, that one is standing.
When sitting, one notices & clearly comprehends, that one is sitting down.
When lying down, one notices & clearly comprehends, that one is lying.
Going forward one notices & clearly comprehends, this going forward.
When returning one notices and clearly comprehends, this returning.
When looking in front or back, one is notices, & is clearly aware of that.
When bending or stretching, when lifting or carrying, when eating or
drinking, chewing or tasting, one is aware of and comprehends just that.
When passing excrement or urine one clearly comprehends exactly that.
While falling asleep and waking up, when speaking or keeping silence,
one notices, knows and understands exactly that & clearly comprehends,
that this is, what one is doing just right here and exactly now...
Continuous awareness of purpose, suitability, domain and nature of one's
current behaviour, whether mental, verbal or bodily is Right Awareness
and clear comprehension...
The Function of Right Awareness and its associates:
Knowing right/wrong awareness as right/wrong awareness, is right view.
Exchanging wrong awareness with right awareness is right effort.
Right awareness has the function of observing, noticing, remembering &
knowing the reality that neither any body, nor any form, nor any feeling,
nor any mentality, nor any phenomena, nor any mental state is happiness,
truly attractive, lasting, satisfying or even personal, something keepable...
All phenomena are momentary: They pass away right after the moment of
their arising and occurrence! Nothing is permanent, everything is in a state
of flux: Arising and ceasing, emerging and vanishing, coming and going,
again and again and again and again and ever again...!!! Anicca = Change...
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Friends, this is the only direct way to the mental purification of beings,
to the overcoming & elimination of sorrow, frustration, pain and misery,
to gaining the right method, to the realization of Nibbana, that is:
This establishing of the 4 Foundations of Awareness...
The 4 frames of reference...
Awareness is therefore a Mountain of Advantage!
Take Home: The 4 Foundations of Right Awareness are:
1: Being aware of the BODY as a mere transient form.
2: Being aware of the FEELING as a mere reactive response.
3: Being aware of the MIND as a mere passing set of moods.
4: Being aware of the PHENOMENON as a mere mental state.
Further study of Buddhist Right Awareness (Samma-Sati):
Root texts by the Buddha:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/index.html#satipatthana
Complete reference on Satipatthana: The Direct Path to Realization:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/pdfs/Satipatthana.pdf
Studies, anthologies and commentaries:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/samma-sati.html
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/bps/misc/wayof.html
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/bps/wheels/wheel370.html
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/bps/wheels/wheel019.html
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/thanissaro/wings/part2.html#part2-a
For further study on the illuminating presence of Awareness:
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/III/Awareness_Sati.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/II/Careful_and_Rational_Attention.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Clear_and_Aware_Comprehension.htm
Have a nice, noble and aware day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
What is Right Awareness?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Awareness.htm
What is this Sublime Right Concentration?
That Noble Eightfold Way, leading to Nibbana, is simply this:
Right View, Right Motivation, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood,
Right Effort, Right Awareness and Right Concentration…
But what is Right concentration?
The Buddha explained The 4-fold definition of Right Concentration:
Having eliminated the 5 mental hindrances, mental defects that obstruct
understanding, quite secluded from sensual desires, protected from any
detrimental mental state, one enters and dwells in the 1st jhana; full of joy
and pleasure born of solitude, joined with directed and sustained thought.
One makes this joy and pleasure born of seclusion drench, saturate, soak,
and suffuse the body, so that no part of the entire body is unperfused by
this intense joy and pleasure! Just as a skilled bath-man puts soap powder
in a copper basin and sprinkling it gradually with water, whips it until the
water soaks and pervades all the soap powder, yet without dripping, so too,
does the noble friend make the joy and pleasure born of solitude permeate
and pervade the entire body! Again, friends, with the stilling of directed
and sustained thought, one enters and dwells in the 2nd jhana: a calmed
assurance of unification of mind with even deeper joy and pleasure now
born of concentration, devoid of any thought! One makes this exquisite
joy and pleasure born of concentration drench, saturate, soak, & suffuse
the body, so no part of the whole body is unperfused by this profound joy
and pleasure: Just as a lake whose waters welled up from below within it
itself, & it had no other sources neither by showers of rain, then this cool
fount of water welling up from deep within would immerse, fill, & pervade
the entire lake, even and exactly so does one make this joy & pleasure born
of concentration infuse this entire body! Furthermore, friends, with the
fading away of the joy, the friend dwells in even equanimity, just aware &
clearly comprehending, still feeling pleasure in the body, one enters upon
and remains in the 3rd jhana, regarding which the Noble Ones declare:
"In aware equanimity one dwells in pleasure!" One makes the pleasure apart
from of joy flood, saturate, soak, and suffuse the body, so that there is no
part of one's whole body unperfused by this pleasure divested of joy...
Just as in a lotus pond some lotuses are born, grow and thrive immersed
under the water & the cool water soaks them from their roots to their tips,
so too, do the noble friend make the pleasure divested of joy drench, fill,
flood and pervade this entire body. Finally, friends, with the leaving behind
of both pleasure and pain, and with the prior disappearance of both joy and
sorrow, one enters and dwells in the 4th jhana; a completely stilled mental
state of awareness, purified by an equanimity of neither-pain-nor-pleasure.
One sits illuminating the body internally with this pure bright mind, so that
there is no part of one's whole body not illuminated by this pure bright mind!
Just as a man were sitting covered from the head down with a white cloth,
so that no part of his whole body was uncovered by this white textile; even
so does one sit encompassing this entire body with a pure bright & radiant
mind, so that there is no part of one's whole body not illuminated by this
pure, bright, and luminous mind...
Comment: No trivial worldly pleasure can ever surpass such sublime bliss!
The Function of Right concentration and its associates is:
Seeing right/wrong concentration as right/wrong concentration, is right view.
Exchanging wrong concentration with right concentration is right effort.
Right concentration functions as a drill: Focusing, unifying, & penetrating!
Concentration induces the intense Breakthrough!
On how to attain the Jhana absorptions:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Details_of_the_Jhana_Absorptions.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Requisites_for_Jhana_Absorption.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Concentration_Ability.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/library/DPPN/wtb/g_m/jhaana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Jhana_Absorption.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Samma-Samadhi.htm
Further study of Buddhist Right concentration (Samma-Samadhi):
Root texts by the Buddha:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/samma-samadhi.html
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/jhana.html
The Jhanas in Theravadin Buddhist Meditation:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/Wheels/wh_351_353.html
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/Wheels/wh351.pdf
Complete Manual on Meditation and Absorption: The Path of Purification:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/pdfs/PathofPurification2011.pdf
Have a nice, noble and concentrated day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
What is Right Concentration?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Concentration.htm
Emergence is directly knowing the Noble Way!
At the stream-entry moment - right there & then - as an internal light flash:
Right view emerges from wrong view and from all defilements as seeing...
Right motivation emerges from wrong motivation as now directing...
Right speech emerges from wrong speech as kindly embracing...
Right action emerges from wrong action as clever originating...
Right livelihood emerges from wrong livelihood as full cleansing...
Right effort emerges from wrong effort as enthusiastic exerting...
Right awareness emerges from wrong awareness as alert establishing...
Right concentration emerges from wrong concentration as non-distraction...
Externally this change-of-lineage emerges from all symbols and conventions!
This mental remodelling is an irreversible phase transition to the Noble state!
Vism 681
Noble Emergence from all the assuming mental fermentations!
More on Stream-Entry (Sotapatti-magga):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_6_Keys.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_4_Doors.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Internal_Bath.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Divine_Tracks.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_to_Enter.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Stream-Enterer.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Stream_Entrance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Stream-Entry_Tools.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Assured_Destination.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/sotaapanna.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/ariya_puggala.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Entering_the_Stream_Supreme.htm
Entering the Stream leading to Nibbana within 7 lives at most...
Have a nice noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Emergence of Stream-Entry!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Entry_Emergence.htm
How is the Mental Release by Mutual Joy?
The Blessed Buddha once explained:
How is the release of mind by infinite mutual joy (Mudita) achieved?
What does this liberation have as its destination, what is its culmination,
what is its sweet fruit, and what is the ultimate goal of mental release
by universally mutual, unselfish, altruistic, appreciative & rejoicing joy?
Here, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu dwells pervading the frontal quadrant with a
mind imbued with infinite mutual joy, so the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quadrant.
As above, so below, across, and everywhere to all beings as for himself,
he dwells pervading the entire cosmos with a mind fully saturated with
unlimited mutual joy, immense, exalted, measureless, without hostility,
without any enmity, without any trace of ill will, of jealousy or of envy!
Thus prepared and mentally quite expanded, he then develops:
1: The Awareness Link to Awakening joined with limitless mutual joy.
2: The Investigation Link to Awakening fused with such mutual joy.
3: The Energy Link to Awakening together with infinite mutual joy.
4: The Joy Link to Awakening accompanied with absolute mutual joy.
5: The Tranquillity Link to Awakening linked with noble mutual joy.
6: The Concentration Link to Awakening associated with mutual joy.
7: The Equanimity Link to Awakening joined with endless mutual joy.
Based upon seclusion, disillusion, ceasing, and culminating in release...
If he then wishes:
May I dwell experiencing repulsion by any attractive & tempting object,
then he can dwell experiencing repulsiveness therein. If he wishes: May I
dwell experiencing the unrepulsive in any disgusting and repulsive object,
then he experiences pleasing beauty in whatever disgusting & ugly thing!
If he wishes: Avoiding both the repulsive & the unrepulsive, may I dwell
in equanimity, just aware & clearly comprehending, then he experiences
equanimity, just aware and clearly comprehending! When meditating he
can completely transcend the realm of infinitude of space, only aware
that consciousness is infinite, he can enter and dwell in the sphere of the
infinitude of consciousness.. I tell you Bhikkhus for a quite wise Bhikkhu
here, who has not yet penetrated to an even more superior mental release,
the mental release by infinite, altruistic and mutual joy has the sphere of
the infinitude of consciousness as its culmination!
More on Mutual Joy (Mudita):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/brahma_vihaara.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoicing_Bliss_is_Mudita.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/What_is_Wrong.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Safe_Medicine.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Rejoicing_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mutual_Joy.htm
Comments: Are you Discontent? Here is Why!
Mutual joy is the proximate cause of contentment.
Consequentially: Lack of mutual joy produces frustrated discontent!
Mutual joy also eliminates jealousy and envy! Absence of mutual joy
therefore induces the acid like mental pain called envy and jealousy!
Source of reference (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V: 115-21] 46: The Links. 54: Joined by Friendliness...
Rejoice!
Mutual joy is the cause of contentment!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Infinitely_Joyous_Consciousness.htm
Revulsion Releases since Disillusion Frees!
Any kind of form whatsoever; Any kind of feeling whatsoever;
Any kind of perception whatsoever; Any kind of construction whatsoever;
Any kind of consciousness whatsoever; Whether past, present or future;
Whether internal or external; Whether fair or foul; Whether high or low;
Whether far or near; Should be seen & understood as it really is:
This is transient, impermanent, uncertain and ultimately unsafe!
This is therefore disappointing, frustrating, and inevitably painful!
This is thus 'Not Me', 'Not Mine', 'Not what I am', 'Not My Self'...
Seeing this, the Noble learner is disgusted by all kinds of forms, feelings,
perceptions, mental constructions and all types of consciousness.
Being disgusted he experiences disillusion, disenchantment, and dispassion.
By this very disillusion, is craving fully extinguished and his mind is released!
Such cooled and liberated one understands: This round of rebirth is ended,
the Noble Life is completed, done is what should be done, there is no state
of becoming beyond this...
More on the Mental Release induced by Disgust:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Released_by_Disgust.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Disgust.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Constructive_Destruction.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Meditation_On_the_Body_Kayagata-Sati.htm
More on these 5 Clusters of Clinging (Khandha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Any_Kind.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Not_Yours.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Leash.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Like_Foam.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Fingernail_of_Soil.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Acquisition_of_Fuel.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Clustered_Truths.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Burning_Five.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Stilling_of_Clinging.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/g_m/khandha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_5_Clusters_of_Clinging.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_are_the_5_Clusters_of_Clinging.htm
Source: The Grouped Sayings by the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya II 124-5
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
Disillusion Frees!
Revulsion Releases all Clinging...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Any_Kind.htm
Goodwill is Genuine, Authentic and Universal!
The Buddha on Goodwill:
As I am, so are others...
As others are, so am I...
Having thus identified self and others,
Never Harm anyone, nor have any abused.
Sutta Nipata 3.710
Quite pro roller-skate retrofit IMHO :-) Born legless and adopted by smart family.
Among tigers, lions, leopards and bears I lived in the jungle.
No one was frightened of me, nor did I fear anyone.
Uplifted by such universal friendliness, I enjoyed the forest.
Finding great solace in such sweetly silenced solitude…
Suvanna-sama Jataka 540
I am a friend of the footless,
I am a friend of all bipeds;
I am a friend of those with four feet,
I am a friend of the many-footed...
Therefore none of them ever harm me!
Anguttara Nikaya 4.67
May all creatures, all breathing things,
all beings one and all, without exception,
experience good fortune only.
May they not fall into any harm.
Anguttara Nikaya II, 72
With good will for the entire cosmos,
cultivate a limitless heart and mind:
Beaming above, below, and all around,
unobstructed, without trace of hostility.
Sutta Nipata I, 8
Train yourself in doing only good
that lasts and brings great happiness.
Cultivate generosity, a peaceful living,
and a mentality of infinite friendliness.
Ittivuttuka 16
Solitude is happiness for one who is content,
who has heard the Dhamma and clearly sees.
Non-violence is happiness in this world:
Harmlessness towards all living beings.
Udana 10
Consort only with the good,
come together with the good.
To learn the teaching of the good
gives wisdom like nothing else can.
Samyutta Nikaya 1.31
More on the blazing Friendliness (Metta):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Metta.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Hey_Friend.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Mothers_Love.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kalyanamitta.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unique_Unity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Loving-Kindness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Calm_Kindness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Across_Borders.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Safe_Medicine.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Friendliness_Frees.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Goodness_Galore.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Cosmic_Goodness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/What_is_Wrong.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Unbounded_Mind.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Good_Friendship.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Blazing_Goodwill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Good-Will_Again.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Bon_Benevolence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Goodwill_Encore.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Genuine_Goodwill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Good_Friend.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Blazing_vs_Bright.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Evaporated_Enemy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_11_Advantages.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The-Effective_Saw.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/United_in_Harmony.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Blazing_Friendliness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Infinite_Friendliness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Symbiotic_Sympathy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Universal_Friendliness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Friendship_is_Universal.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Release_of_Resentment.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Released_by_GoodWill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/All-Embracing_Kindness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Grace_of_Goodwill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unsurpassable_Radiance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/All_Embracing_Kindness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Advantageous_is_Friendship.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Infinite_and_Divine_Classic.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/brahma_vihaara.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Selfless_Friendship_is_Sweetest.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Buddha_on_Noble_Frienship.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Friendly_plus_Unselfish_equals_Honourable.htm
Goodwill is Genuine :-)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Goodwill_is_Genuine.htm
The Seven Qualities of an Arahat:
For any fully awakened Arahat:
1: The impermanence of all constructions is perfectly seen and comprehended.
2: The addiction and torture of all sense-desires is perfectly perceived & known..
3: His mind is only inclined towards solitude, seclusion, silent ease, and Peace...
4: The Four Foundations of Awareness are continually & perfectly established...
5: The Five Mental Abilities & Powers are thoroughly developed & consummated...
6: The Seven Links to Awakening are utterly refined and fully accomplished...
7: The Noble Eightfold Way is perfectly realized, acquired and all concluded...
By these 7 criteria, he clearly and invariably recognizes, that for him, has the
mental fermentations associated with Sense-Desire, joined with Becoming,
and grounded in Ignorance been completely and irreversibly eliminated!
Cut of at the root and like a palm tree stump never ever to grow again...
The mission is completed. Done is what was to be done. No more of this...
More on what those gone to the end, have perfected:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/ay/arahat.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Awareness_Sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Perfectly_Enlightened.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Best_among_Gods_and_Men.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Five_Abilities_Summary.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Leading_to_Enlightenment.htm
Source: The Exhaustive Speeches by the Buddha. Digha Nikaya 34
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=25103
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/digha/index.html
The 7 Arahat Qualities!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Arahat_Qualities.htm
The Ultimate Goal is complete Extinguishing of Craving:
By the gradual stilling, giving up, fading away, letting go, relinquishing
and thus ceasing of all greed, desire, lust, craving, clinging, attachment,
adherence, obsession, and latent tendency towards the various elements
of forms, feelings, perceptions, constructions & kinds of consciousness,
the mind is finally said to be well released...!!!
Therefore; those recluses & priests, who are well released by Extinction
of Craving, have reached the Ultimate End & won Absolute Security from
Bondage, they have achieved a Sublime Nobility, they have accomplished
the Supreme Good! They are therefore Best among all Gods & all Humans!!!
Even these mighty Devas as Indra, Brahma and Pajapati praise them with
these long standing ovations from afar:
Homage to you, Thoroughbred Man!
Admirable are you, Supreme Man!
We do not know on what you Meditate!
See also:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Arahat_Qualities.htm
Source:
The Grouped Sayings by the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya 22(4+79): [III 13+-91]
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/samyutta/sn22-001.htm
The Ultimate Goal!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Best_among_Gods_and_Men.htm
How to be a real true Buddhist?
Simply and easily by joining the Three Refuges and undertaking
the Five Precepts like this: Newly bathed, shaved, white-clothed,
with clean bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue,
and bows first three times so that feet, hands, elbows, knees and
head touch the floor. Then, with joined palms in front of the heart,
one recite these memorized lines in a loud, calm & steady voice:
As long as this life lasts:
I hereby take refuge in the Buddha.
I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma.
I hereby take refuge in the Sangha.
I seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time.
I seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time.
I seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time.
I request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time.
I request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd time.
I request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time.
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...
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!
This is the very start on the path towards Nibbana -the Deathless Element-
This is the Noble Way to Peace, to Freedom, to Bliss, initiated by Morality,
developed further by Dhamma-Study and fulfilled by training Meditation...
If any wish an official recognition by the Bhikkhu-Sangha, they may simply
forward the lines starting with "I.." signed with name, date, town & country
to me. I have then out up a public list of this evolving Saddhamma Sangha.
May your journey hereby be eased, light, swift and sweet. Never give up!!!
One can also join the Saddhamma Sangha by taking the 3 refuges 5 accept
the 5 training rules right here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Saddhamma_Sangha.htm
More on this basic first cause of all Good: Morality (Sila)!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Sila_1_to_5.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Happy_Habbit.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/What_is_Virtue.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Best_Protection.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Five_Basics.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sila_Contemplation.htm
Behaviour gradually evolves and spread like rings of pure good!
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka ]
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Perfect Praxis!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Best_Buddhist_Praxis.htm
Enthusiastic Energetic Effort gains all Success:
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Friends, the lazy person dwells in misery, soiled by evil detrimental states.
Great is the personal advantage, which such one thereby neglects & looses.
But the energetic & enthusiastic person lives happily, secluded from evil
detrimental states, & great is the personal advantage, that he thereby wins.
It is not by the inferior, that the supreme is attained. Rather, it is only by a
truly supreme effort, that the supreme state is attained. Friends, this Noble
Life is a sublime juice! Therefore, friends, while this Dhamma Teaching is still
present here arouse your energy for the attainment of the yet unattained,
for achievement of the yet unachieved, for realization of the yet unrealized...
Considering your own future, friends, is enough motivation to make all effort
for reaching this goal; considering the good future of others, is also enough
motivation to do your best; considering the best of both, is more than enough
inspiration to strive for the supreme goal with diligent thoroughness!
Thus enthusiastically, friends, should you train yourselves!
More on Energy (Viriya): The root Cause of all Success
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Enthusiastic_is_Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Energy_Viriya.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Energy.htm
Source: The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya II 29
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
Get Up! Arousal Wins!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Arousal_Get_Up_and_Going.htm
How to be a Real Buddhist through Observance?
Nikini Poya day is the full-moon of August. Bhikkhus who did not enter the yearly
rains retreat (Vas) early at Esala Poya day (peravas), are allowed to enter the
the rains retreat now in August (pasuvas). Nikini Poya day celebrates the first ever
Dhammasangayana - The First Buddhist Council where, what the Buddha said, was
agreed upon and recited. This took place at the Saptapanni Rock Cave in Rajagaha
(now Rajgir, India), under the patronage of Mahakassapa Thera and it went on for
seven long months. It established the original authentic Tipitaka: The 3 Baskets
of Sacred Text = The Pali Canon spoken by the historical Buddha and his disciples.
One of the 7 Sattapanni Caves, where the First Buddhist Council was held ~ 483 BC.
On this first Buddhist Council:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Buddhist_Council
Video of the Sattapanni Caves:
On such Observance days:
Any Lay Buddhist simply joins the Three Refuges and undertakes
the Five Precepts like this: Newly bathed, shaved, white-clothed,
with clean bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue,
and bows first three times, so that feet, hands, elbows, knees and
head touch the floor. Then, with joined palms in front of the heart,
one recite these memorized lines in a loud, calm & steady voice:
As long as this life lasts:
I hereby take refuge in the Buddha.
I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma.
I hereby take refuge in the Sangha.
I hereby seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time.
I hereby request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time.
I will hereby respect these Three Jewels the rest of my life!
I accept to respect & undertake these 5 training rules:
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Killing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Stealing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Sexual Abuse.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Dishonesty.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Alcohol & Drugs.
As long as this life lasts, I am thus protected by these 5 precepts...
Then, one keeps and protects these sacred vows better than one's
own eyes & children!, since they protect you & all other beings much
better than any army! They are the highest offer one can give in & to
this world! So is the start towards Nibbana: the Deathless Element!
This is the Noble Way to Peace, to Freedom, to Ease, to Happiness,
initiated by Morality, developed further by Dhamma-Study and
fulfilled by training of Meditation...
Today indeed is Pooya or Uposatha or observance day, where any lay
Buddhist normally keeps the Eight Precepts from sunrise until the
next dawn... If any wish an official recognition by the Bhikkhu-Sangha,
they may simply forward the lines starting with "I hereby ..." signed with
name, date, town & country to me or join here:
A public list of this new Saddhamma-Sangha is set up here!
The New Noble Community of Disciples: The Saddhamma Sangha:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Saddhamma_Sangha.htm
And can quite advantageously be Joined Here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm
May your journey hereby be light, swift and sweet. Never give up !!
Bhikkhu Samahita: what.buddha.said@gmail.com
For Details on Uposatha Observance Days:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/uposatha.html
This huge cave hall was built to house the Sixth Buddhist Council convened in 1955
to recite the Pali Tipitaka and authenticate the texts. On the 2,500th Anniversary
of the Buddha’s final passing away (Parinibbana), 2,500 monks assembled from the
Theravada Buddhist countries. Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw performed the central
role as Chief Questioner (Pucchaka), which was fulfilled by Venerable Mahakassapa
in the First Council, held three months after the Buddha’s passing away. To house
this great hall, an artificial hill was constructed by voluntary workers at Kaba-Aye
in Rangoon. This great hall is still used to hold the examinations in the Tipitaka.
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Today is Nikini Poya Day.
True Buddhists Respect the Poya Days!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/III/Nikini_Poya_Day.htm
Released by Disengaged Non-identification!
At Savatthi The Buddha once said:
All form is transient, all feeling is transient, all perception is transient,
all mental constructions are transient, all consciousness is transient...
This transience is suffering! What is suffering is no-self! What is no-self
should be seen as it really is with correct understanding in this very way:
'All this is not mine, this I am not, this is not my self!'...
When one sees and understands this thus, as it really is with correct and
penetrating understanding, then one maintains no views on what is past.
When one maintains no more views regarding the past, then one neither
maintains any views about the future. When one has relinquished all views
about the future, then one is not being possessed by stubborn clinging...
Having no trace of immovable clinging left, the mind becomes disillusioned
regarding all form, all feeling, all perception, all mental constructions, and
all consciousness. By that it is released from the 3 mental fermentations
through detached non-clinging... By being released, the mind is all silenced!
By being thus stilled, the mind becomes content... Being content, it is not
agitated anymore... Being thus unagitated, one indeed attains Nibbana!
Right there and then, one instantly understands: Ended is this process of
rebirth, this Noble Life has been lived, done is all what had to be done,
there is no state beyond this...
More on this nicely ballanced Equanimity (Upekkha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Even_is_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Serene_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Exquisite_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Empty_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/drops/IV/Unshakable_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
Source:
The Grouped Sayings by the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya III 55-58
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
Have a nice, noble & serene day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Tranquillity ballances out the extreme states...
Not Agitated…
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Imperturbable_Equanimity.htm
The 3 Universal Characteristics are Absolute:
All form is unstable, falling apart, transient and inevitably vanishing!
Therefore is all form fragile, frustrating, and ultimately disappointing!
Therefore is all form ownerless, neither what I am, nor mine or self!
All feeling is unsteady, disintegrating, temporary and just fading away!
Therefore is all feeling feeble, annoying, and really a painful suffering!
Therefore is all feeling unkeepable, alien, not-me-nor-mine-nor-any-self!
All perception is fickle, collapsing, transitory and quickly disappearing!
Therefore is all perception frail, bothering, and never quite enough!
Therefore is all perception foreign, strange, not-me-nor-mine-nor-self!
All construction is insecure, subsiding, ephemeral and always leaving!
Therefore is all construction brittle, irksome, and invariably inadequate!
Therefore is all construction impersonal and not-me-nor-mine-nor-self!
All consciousness is momentary, fleeting, passing, evanescent and lost!
Therefore is all consciousness insubstantial, tedious, and quite miserable!
Therefore is all consciousness egoless, alien and neither-me-nor-I-nor-self!
Thus seeing, thus knowing, thus assured, and clearly comprehending, but
shattered, and disgusted, yet still calm, cool and collected, one gradually
stops taking up and accumulating these things, since only fools pick up pain!
One instead Relinquishes! This -only and exactly this release by letting go-
is the liberating escape from all suffering, be it past, future or present!
The Blessed Buddha said:
Whether Perfect Ones appear in the world, or whether Perfect Ones do not
appear in the world, this still remains the same condition, an immutable fact,
and a fixed regular nature-law: That all constructions are impermanent, that
all constructions are subject to suffering, that everything is without a self...
Anguttara Nikaya III 134
Constructions are all impermanent:
When he sees thus with understanding
And turns away from what is ill,
Then that is the path to mental purity.
Constructions are all suffering:
When he sees thus with understanding
And turns away from what is sick,
Then this is the path to mental purity.
All states are all without a same self:
When he sees thus with understanding
And turns away from what is illusory,
This is verily the path to mental purity.
Dhammapada 277-79
Regarding these 3 general characteristics or signs (Ti-lakkhana) see also:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_3_Universal_Characteristics.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/ti_lakkhana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Anything_Whatsoever.htm
The 3 Ultimate Facts!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_3_Ultimate_Facts.htm
Mahãmoggallãna on the Foul Body:
You ragged shed of a chain of bones, sewn together with flesh and sinews.
Fie upon you evil-smelling body worshipping those who have another's limbs.
You bag of shit, tied up with skin, you demon with lumps on your chest...
Nine holes is there in you body, ever streaming with disgusting things...
You body, with your nine oozing holes, makes an evil smell and is all brimful
of smelly mess. Any Bhikkhu desiring purity avoids this putrid form as one
avoids any stinking heap of rotten excrement...
If any person knew you body, as I know you, he would violently avoid you,
keeping far away, as one avoids a fetid toilet-pit in the rainy season...
This is so, Great Hero, as you say, Ascetic and here many sink down as an
old drowning bull in deep, wet, and fatal mud.. Feverishly desiring the foul!
See this painted puppet, a heap of sores, a constructed form, diseased,
decaying, falling apart, with many evil intentions, of no permanent stability,
or safety ...
In whomever such Awareness of the body as a dangerous & disgusting trap
is not developed, not pursued, Mara gains entry, Mara gains a foothold...
These 'body-lovers' becomes Mara's - the Evil Ones' - friends and soldiers!
Not knowing, not seeing Suffering - the 1st Truth - they run about claiming:
Body is beautiful, form is happiness, there is neither sickness, decay, ageing
nor any death! When Mara contacts them, they say: Come on in Sir, touch me!,
it will be my honour and pleasure ... Because of this false & wrong view, such
feverish 'body-lovers' share a future painful destiny with Mara the Evil One!
Body (Kaya) understood only as being a Fragile Form:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Foul_Frame.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Bag_of_Bones.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Skeleton.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_32_Parts.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Body_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Corpse_Meditation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Body_Contemplation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Body_as_only_Form.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_9_Corpse_Meditations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Immersing_the_Body_in_the_Mind.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Meditation_On_the_Body_Kayagata-Sati.htm
Awareness of the Body gives fearlessness of even death!
Meditation on the Body disables greed, lust, and lewd desire!
The 9 Corpse Meditations induces a bold, brave, and confident joy!
Source: Theragatha: verses 1150-1157
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
The Body is a Bag of Bones; a Painted Puppet!
The Foul Frame...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Evil_smelling_body.htm
The Effects of Action (Kamma) is delayed as a Sown Seed!
[u]The Blessed Buddha once explained:
Regarding the effects of actions, Ananda, as to the person here who avoids
all killing of any living being, who avoids all stealing of what is not given,
who avoids any misconduct in sensual pleasures, who avoids all false speech,
divisive speech, aggressive speech, and all idle & empty gossip, who is neither
envious, nor jealous, is good-willed, and who is of right view, yet who at the
breakup of the body, after death, is reborn in a state of deprivation, in a
dreadful destination, in the painful purgatory, or even in the hells then it is
because either earlier - prior to this - such one also did evil actions to be
felt as painful, or later - after this - such one did evil actions to be felt as
pain, or at moment of death such one entered into & maintained wrong views!
Because of one or more of these, right after death, such one is reborn in a
bad state of deprivation, a dreadful destination, in the painful purgatory,
or even in the hells. But since such one also - here & now - has been one who
avoids all killing of any living being, who avoids taking anything what is not given,
who avoids all misconduct in sensual pleasures, who avoids all false speech,
divisive speech, aggressive speech, & all idle & empty gossip, who is neither
envious, nor jealous, who is of good will, & who holds right views, such one
will experience the pleasant results of that good behaviour, either here and
now, or in the next rebirth, or in some subsequent later existence...
Comments: Behaviour (kamma) is always mixed: Sometimes good, sometimes bad!
The effects are therefore similarly mixed: Sometimes pleasure, sometimes pain...
Good begets good & dilutes & delays evil. Evil begets evil & dilutes & delays good!
Source:
The Moderate speeches of the Buddha: The great speech on Action. MN 136
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=25072X Full Text:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/majjhima/mn136.html
An illustration of the delayed, overlapping & interfering result of mixed kamma:
For details on the mechanics of Kamma = Intentional Action see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_is_intention.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Intention_is_Kamma.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Unintentional_Action.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Buddha_on_Kamma.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Kamma_and_Fruit.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Kamma_is_improvable.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Inevitable_Consequences.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Good_Action_dilutes_Evil_Kamma.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_leading_to_short_&_long_life.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_leading_to_Health_&_Sickness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_leading_to_Low_or_High_Birth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_leading_to_Wealth_or_Poverty.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_leading_to_Beauty_&_Ugliness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Effect_of_Action_is_Delayed.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_leading_to_Power_or_Disrespect.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Evil_Kamma_enhances_other_Evil_Kamma.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Good_Action_enhances_other_Good_Kamma.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_leading_to_Stupidity_or_Intelligence.htm
Mixed cause => Mixed Effect!
Variable are the Delayed Effects of Mixed Kamma!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Effect_of_kammic_Action_is_Delayed.htm
The Forward & Reverse Causality of Existence:
So have I heard:
After 7 days of non-stop sitting meditation in the bliss of Awakening,
The Buddha in the last watch of the night directed his unified attention to
dependent co-arising in both forward & reverse order in this very way:
If A leads to => B, then non-A leads to => non-B!
When this is present, then that comes into being...
When this emerges, that arises too...
When this is absent, then that does not come into being...
When this ceases, that vanishes too...
The forward causality:
When ignorance arises, mental construction also appears..
When mental construction arises, consciousness also comes into being..
When consciousness arises, name-&-form also comes to be..
When name-&-form arises, then the six senses emerge too..
When the six senses arise, then contact is the consequence..
When contact arises, then feeling is assigned too..
When feeling arises, then urge and craving surely follows..
When craving arises, then clinging too becomes dominant..
When clinging arises, then the process of becoming is initiated..
When becoming arises, then rebirth inevitably also appears..
When rebirth arises, then aging and death, sorrow, distress, pain, grief
and despair also arises. This verily is the origin, the causing, the arising
of this entire mass of Suffering...
The reverse causality:
Consequently, when this very same ignorance is utterly uprooted & eliminated,
then mental construction is tranquilized, all stilled, and it ceases & dissolves..
When mental construction ceases, then consciousness itself fades away..
When consciousness ceases, then naming-&-forming also terminate..
When name-&-form ceases, then the six senses come to an end..
When the six senses cease, then contact closes down as well..
When contact ceases, then feeling stops out too..
When feeling ceases, then craving also evaporates..
When craving ceases, then clinging is relinquished too..
When clinging ceases, then the re-becoming process essentially ends!
When becoming ceases, then this process of endless rebirth is exhausted too..
When birth ceases, then aging, death, sorrow, sadness, and pain also finishes.
This verily is the cessation, and the final end of this whole mass of Suffering...!
Dispersing all Darkness...
Then, he, the Blessed One, on recognizing the profundity of that sequence,
exclaimed: When the appearance of phenomena becomes clearly manifest
to this very Noble Friend through rapt meditation, then he is constantly s
cattering Mara’s - the Evil One's - army, exactly as the sun continuously
disperses all darkness, when lighting up the bright sky...
Chained Events...
Everything has a Cause: Conditioned Origination & Cessation:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Caused_by_What.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Cohesive_Co-Origination.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Collapsible_Co-Cessation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Causes_of_Emergence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/n_r/paticca_samuppaada.htm
Source:
The Udana: Inspired utterances by the Buddha: I – 3
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=404214
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/khuddaka/udana/index.html
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
All Phenomena are Chained Events!
The Forward & Reverse Causality of Existence!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Assured_Ascertained_Awakening.htm
Unfortunately have I again contracted a parasite infection called Schistosomiasis
(also known as liver-fluke, bilharzia, bilharziosis or snail fever)! from the infected wild
pigs living here in this jungle, who excrement in my mountain stream water supply.
Some medicine is therefore needed, which is not available here on Sri Lanka. (See below)
If any of you kind Dhamma-friend could get the medicine from your doctor
pharmacy/pharmacist or health-care-provider and send it here it would be VERY fine.
Since the parasite eggs can spread to the brain and spinal cord, which effectively would
disable me, then the medicine is somewhat urgently needed.
NEEDED MEDICINE:
A: Tablets PRAZIQUANTEL 600mg: 36 tablets (for treatment)
(brands: Distoside, Biltricide, Cesol, Cysticide, Zentozide)
and
B: Tablets ARTHEMETER 40, 50 or 100 mg: 336 tablets
(for 1 years prevention)
Send to Mail Address:
Venerable Bhikkhu Samahita
Cypress Hermitage, Bambarella
20838 Tawalantenna
Kandy, Central Province.
SRI LANKA
Phone: (+94) 081 562 0553
Email: bhikkhu.samahita@What-Buddha-Said.net
Many Thanx in Advance :-)
About Generosity (Dana): The First Mental Perfection:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Openhanded_Generosity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Reviewing_Generosity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Glad_Giving.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Many Thanx in Advance!
Sabbe Sattâ Bhavantu Sukhi Tatthâ:
May Many Beings Become Thus Happy Thereby!
Some Medicine is Needed urgently!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/various/Urgent_Medicine_Request.htm
Genuine Goodwill Blazes & Shines!
The blessed Buddha once said:
Among tigers, lions, leopards and bears I lived in the jungle.
None of them was frightened of me, nor did I fear any of them!
Uplifted by such universal friendliness, I enjoyed the deep forest.
Finding great solace in such sweet and silenced solitude…
Suvanna-sama Jataka 540
I am a friend of the footless,
I am a friend of all bipeds;
I am a friend of those with four feet,
I am a friend too of any many-footed!
Anguttara Nikaya IV 67
May all creatures, all breathing things;
All beings, one and all, without exception,
Experience good fortune only! :-)
May they not fall into any harm.
Anguttara Nikaya II 72
With good will for the entire cosmos,
Cultivate an infinite heart and mind:
Beaming above, below, and all around,
Unobstructed, without trace of hostility.
Sutta Nipata I
More genuine good even better here ;-) _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Blazing_Goodwill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_11_Advantages.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net//drops/IV/All-Embracing_Kindness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net//drops/V/Advantageous_is_Friendship.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Buddha_on_Noble_Frienship.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Friendliness Blazes and Shines beyond all!
Genuine Goodwill!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Genuine_Goodwill.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
Experiencing Impermanence Exposes the Futility of Clinging!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
What, Ananda, is experiencing impermanence, inconstancy and transience?
When a Bhikkhu, having gone to a forest, to the foot of a tree, or to an empty
place, reflects: all form is inconstant, all feeling is fleeting, any experience
is impermanent, all mental construction is transient, and all consciousness is
momentary and in this way remains noting the impermanence, the inconstancy
and transience of these 5 Clusters of Clinging...
Then this, Ananda, is indeed the very experience of impermanence...,
The perception of inconstancy... and the sensation of transience...
Source (edited extract):
Numerical Discourses of the Buddha. Anguttara Nikaya AN 10:60, AN V 108ff.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an10/an10.060.than.html
Buddha furthermore explained:
Bhikkhus, there is no lasting matter or materiality, no lasting form whatsoever...
There is no lasting feeling whatsoever... no lasting perception whatsoever...
There is no lasting mental construction whatsoever...
There is no lasting consciousness or awareness of anything whatsoever...
There is no permanent, everlasting, eternal thing that is not subject to change,
not transient, not vanishing, that will last as long as eternity...
SN 22.96/vol. iii, 144
All formations, all constructions are impermanent, transient, vanishing...
MN 35/vol. i, 230
Whatever can arise and emerge, that also will surely cease...
MN 56/vol. i, 380
Comments from the classical commentaries:
Impermanence is not Evident unless specifically looked for:
False apparent continuity covers up and camouflages impermanence:
The characteristic of impermanence does not become apparent because,
when rise and fall are not given attention, it is concealed by continuity...
However, when continuity is disrupted by observing rise & fall here & now,
the characteristic of impermanence becomes apparent in its true nature.
Vism. Ch. xxi/p. 640
Moments of mental states always change as iron darts hit:
Observing the abrupt change of all states discloses their discrete nature:
When continuity is disrupted means, when it is exposed by observation of
the perpetual alteration of states as they go on occurring in succession.
For it is not through the connectedness of states, that the characteristic of
impermanence becomes apparent to one who rightly observes rise and fall,
but rather the characteristic becomes properly evident through their discrete
disconnectedness, regarded as if each moment were iron darts, hitting in on
reality one by one separately, instead of as a continuous flow of slow change.
VismA. 824
All states rise and fall. This characteristic of change, ageing, & evanescence
is the universal impermanence of all worldly. Nothing here escapes change!
It is a distortion of view, perception, and thinking to regard anything as lasting!
Impermanence inherently implies suffering as all what is liked will evaporate!
Impermanence implies no-self as nothing remains identical as an entity or identity!
Whether internal or external: It is only passing states - material and mental - ...
Experiencing impermanence thus also means seeing suffering and no-self!
When realizing that all states passes on and evaporates instantly,
one realizes the impossible futility inherent in all forms of clinging.
It is like sand running out between the fingers. It can never be kept!
Nothing can ever be kept, owned, possessed, maintained, or retained!
So let it go. Release it! Relinquish it all. Do not fear. Nothing lasting is lost!
It was never yours anyway. It will go away by itself anyway. It is pain anyway!
It was never really the same anyway, and it will never ever return again anyway...
All things arise, go through a series of changes and die. All phenomena are
impermanent, every living being eventually dies. Life has a limit and is always
in a state of uncertainty. This is an undeniable reality! Life is very uncertain,
only death is certain. Knowing that death is certain and is the natural destiny
that everyone has to face, we should not be afraid of death. To be considered
really free in life, we must be free from the fear of death. We must humbly
contemplate the words “All things are impermanent.” We must indeed be aware
that birth and death comes at any moment. Every moment is thus impermanent.
Enlightenment can be achieved by this acute awareness of impermanence!
More on impermanence, inconstancy, & transience (Anicca)
Anicca (Impermanence) According to Theravada (Bhikkhu Ñanamoli)
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/various/wheel186.html
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/anicca.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Transient_formations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Perceiving_Transience.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Impermanence_Anicca.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Internal_Transience.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_External_Transience.htm
Memento Mori: Remember your mortality, that you must and surely will die!
Total is Transience...
The Experience of Impermanence!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Impermanence.htm
Free from Fear by Release from all Anxiety:
The young deity Subrahma once asked the Buddha:
Always frightened is this Mind!
Always agitated is this Mind!
About present problems.
About future problems.
If there is a release from this worry & anxiety,
please then now kindly explain it to me...
Whereupon the Blessed Buddha declared:
I see no other real safety for any living being,
except from control of the senses,
except from the relinquishment of all,
except from awakening into Enlightenment!
More on systematic relinquishment:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Leaving_All_Behind.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Not_Resisting_Anything.htm
Source: The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya I 54
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
Original deposited here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Free_from_Fear.htm
Have a nice relinquishing day Without Worry !
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Fearless Safety!
Noble indeed is this 8-fold Way:
From right View comes right Motivation.
From right Motivation comes right Speech.
From right Speech comes right Action.
From right Action comes right Livelihood.
From right Livelihood comes right Effort.
From right Effort comes right Awareness.
From right Awareness comes right Concentration.
From right Concentration comes right Understanding.
From right Understanding comes right mental Release.
From right Release comes full Freedom, Bliss, and Peace!
Thus opened are the doors to the Deathless State...!
Source: The Exhaustive Speeches by the Buddha. Digha Nikaya 18
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=25103
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/digha/index.html
Note the 8 spokes in the wheel symbolizing the 8 steps of the Noble Way!
Further study on the Noble 8-fold Way (Ariyo Atthangiko Maggo):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Path
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Middle_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Fulfilled_First_.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_3-fold_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Failed_by_Neglect.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Noble_8-Fold_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Golden_Middle_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Fruits_of_the_Noble_Way.htm
There is no other way out of Suffering...
The Noble 8-fold Way
The 8 Steps to End all Suffering!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Noble_8_fold_Way.htm