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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.
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.
This, unquestionably - so has there been heard by me - was so stated by the Lord, was stated by the worthy Arahant:
"There exists indeed, monks, that which is unborn, is unbecome, is uncreated, that which is uncaused and unconditioned… For if there were not that which is unborn, is unbecome, is uncreated, that which is uncaused and unconditioned, there could not be made known right here the absolute escape from that which is born, from that which is become, from that which is created, from that which is conditioned. However since there indeed exists that sublime state, which is unborn, which is unbecome, which is uncreated, and utterly unconditioned, there is therefore right now made known the complete escape from that, which is born, from that, which is become, from that, which is created, from all that, which is dependent and conditioned."
So said the Lord Buddha while adding: "That which is born, that which is become, that which is co-arisen, that which is conditioned, that which is created, that which is unstable, that which is the bridge between birth and death, this seat of disease, with nutriment as its source, is only perishable… It is nothing in which to rejoice! The escape from this is stilled calm, beyond the sphere of logic, being that which is stable sameness, that which is unborn, that which is independent, not co-arisen, grief-free, dustless, this state is the ceasing of conditions involving suffering, it is the pacification of all formation! It is Peace. It is the highest Bliss…"
This matter, too, was stated by the Lord Buddha, so has there been heard by me.
Source: The Itivuttaka - Spoken by Buddha. The Unborn Sutta 43
The Blessed Buddha once said: Here, Ananda, the Bhikkhu considers it all like this: This is the supreme peace, this is sublime calm: The stilling of all formations, the silencing of all mental construction, the relinquishing of all substrata fuelling existence, the fading away of all craving, detachment, release, ceasing, Nibbana... In this way, Ananda, the Bhikkhu may enter a mental absorption in which there is no notion of 'I' and 'mine', no attacks of conceiving any internal consciousness or any external objects and wherein he is both mentally released and fully liberated through understanding this all... In this silenced and wholly stilled state there is no inclination to "I" and "mine-making", and no more attacks of conceit by latent tendencies to identification, egotism, and narcissism! Anguttara Nikaya AN 3:32
Knowing both what the inner is and the outer is, one is neither stirred, nor troubled any more! When thus stilled and imperturbable, there is neither any attraction, nor any repulsion... One has crossed and escaped ageing and death!!! Sutta Nipata 1048
Life, personality, pleasure, pain, endures joined in one conscious moment, that flicks by... Whether such ceased clusters of clinging are those of a dead or alive does not matter, they are all alike, momentarily gone never to return... No world is born and appears as manifest, if consciousness is not produced! Only when consciousness is present, does the world emerge! When consciousness momentarily dissolves, the world is dead and vanished! So both the being & the world starts and ends within each conscious moment! Both are reborn millions of times per second! Not only at conventional death.. This is how death also should be recollected, as the shortness of the moment. This is the highest sense this concept of conscious existence ever will allow... (Vism I 238, Nd I 42 )
Both 'Being' & 'World' occurs only as discrete conscious moments!
Neither Stealing nor Cheating, Taking only what is Given!
Once in Savatthi the Blessed Buddha said this: What, householder friends, is the Dhamma explanation befitting to oneself? Here, householder friends, a Noble Disciple reflects thus: If someone were to take from me, what I have not given, that is, to commit theft, to steal, that would neither be pleasing, nor agreeable to me. If I were to take from whatever kind of another being, what he has not freely given, that is also to commit theft, to steal, that would neither be pleasing, nor agreeable to that other being either.... What is displeasing and disagreeable to me, is thus also displeasing and disagreeable to any other being too! How can I inflict upon another being, what is displeasing and disagreeable to myself? Having reflected repeatedly thus, then gradually: 1: One will carefully avoid all taking, what is not freely given... 2: One will persuade others also to abstain from all stealing and theft... 3: One will praise only accepting, what is freely and righteously given... In exactly this way is this good bodily behaviour purified in 3 respects!!!
Comments: Cheating with valuables & scales, fraud, false insurance claims, swindling, tax evasion, and any illegitimate misappropriation of values is theft...
DO NOT MAKE OTHERS SUFFER BY STEALING WHAT THEY CLING TO! The one who destroys life; The one who speaks false; The one who takes what is not given; The one who mates with the partner of another; The one who is addicted to drinking and drugging; Such one - even in this world - digs up his own root!!! Dhammapada 246-47
The one who never takes, what is not freely given, whether long or short, fine or foul, exquisite or repulsive, such one is a pure one. Dhammapada 409
Source (edited extract): The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:354] section 55: Sotapattisamyutta. Thread 7: To the people at the Bamboo gate...
Buddha once asked: What, friends, are the Four Foundations of Awareness?
1: Body as foul frame: While always acutely alert & clearly comprehending, thus removing any lust, urge, envy, frustration & discontent rooted in this world, the intelligent Bhikkhu keeps contemplating & regarding any & all Body as an alien frame of filthy & foul form... As something bound to emerge, decay and vanish... Neither as mine, nor belonging to me, nor as 'what I am', nor as a manifested representation of 'myself'! Neither as lasting, stable safety! Nor as pleasant beauty and pride!
2: Feeling as annoying reaction: The intelligent Bhikkhu keeps contemplating & regarding any & all Feeling as a remote ever recurring reactivity... As something bound to arise, decay & fade away! Not as mine, felt by me, nor belonging to me, nor as what 'I am', nor as something felt by my very self! Neither as lasting, stable & safe! Nor as ever pleasure & only bliss!
3: Mind as passing moods: The intelligent Bhikkhu keeps contemplating & regarding any & all Mind as a habituated set of bizarre mentalities of a weird nature, that appears, dwindles, flutters & flickers... Neither as something that 'I am', nor as a part of 'me', nor making up my ego or my self! Neither as lasting, stable or same! Not as fascinating! Not as soul!
4: Phenomena as momentary appearances: The intelligent Bhikkhu keeps contemplating & regarding any & all Phenomena as mentally constructed appearances of momentary manifestation always ending right where they arised. Not as mine, belonging to me or any self! Not as something lasting, stable or real! Not as existent, enduring, substantial, material, absolute or authentic!
This is the fourfold Foundation of Awareness...!!! This - only this - is the sole way to the purification of beings!!! Why is it actually so? It is an indispensable support for a presence, that has to stand near! It has to be made manifest, to be of service as a guarding activity! It has to be established, as a continuous dominance of comprehension! It is essential & absolutely necessary for optimizing any behaviour! It is a crucially needed key, imperative for preventing all mistakes! It is a vitally fundamental prerequisite for guidance & self-control! It is the only thing that can overcome relapses of careless neglect! When not aware of what one is doing, serious mistakes is inevitable!
Breathing Fulfills the 4 Foundations of Awareness!
Once in Savatthi the Blessed Buddha said this: How, Ananda, is this fine concentration by Awareness by Breathing (Anapanasati) developed and cultivated so that it fulfils the Four Foundations of Awareness (Sati) ?
Whenever, Ananda, a Bhikkhu: 1: Breathing long, knows, notes & understands: I breathe in & out long! 2: Breathing short, knows, notes & understands: I breathe in & out short! 3: Trains thus: Experiencing this entire body, I will breathe in & out! 4: Trains thus: Calming all bodily activity, I will breathe in & out! On that occasion the Bhikkhu dwells contemplating the body as a group, keen, clearly comprehending, and aware, thereby removing all desire and frustration rooted in this world! This is a certain kind of body, Ananda, a kind of accumulation, just this breathing in and breathing out in itself...
Whenever, Ananda, a Bhikkhu: 5: Trains thus: Experiencing enraptured joy, I will breathe in & out! 6: Trains thus: Experiencing a happy pleasure, I will breathe in & out! 7: Trains thus: Experiencing all mental activity, I will breathe in & out! 8: Trains thus: Calming all mental activity, I will breathe in & out! On that occasion the Bhikkhu dwells contemplating feeling as a reaction, keen, clearly comprehending, & aware, thereby removing all desire and frustration rooted in this world! For what reason? Close attention to breathing in & breathing out is also a certain kind of feeling, Ananda... Whenever, Ananda, a Bhikkhu: : 9: Trains thus: Experiencing the present mood, I will breathe in & out! 10: Trains thus: Elating, & satisfying the mind, I will breathe in & out! 11: Trains thus: Concentrating, & focusing mind, I will breathe in & out! 12: Trains thus: Releasing, & liberating the mind, I will breathe in & out! On that occasion the Bhikkhu dwells contemplating mind only as moods, keen, clearly comprehending, & aware, thereby removing all desire and frustration rooted in this world! I tell you, Ananda, there is no gaining concentration by awareness by breathing for one, who is confused, and who lacks clear comprehension of the actually present mentality & mood!
Whenever, Ananda, a Bhikkhu: 13: Trains thus: Contemplating impermanence, I will breathe in & out! 14: Trains thus: Contemplating disillusion, I will breathe in & out! 15: Trains thus: Contemplating ceasing, I will breathe in & out! 16: Trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe in & out! On that occasion the Bhikkhu dwells contemplating all phenomena as mental states, keen, clearly comprehending, & aware, thereby removing all desire and frustration rooted in this world! Having by understanding seen what really is the elimination of greed and discontent, he is one who just looks on, over-viewing carefully in imperturbable equanimity... It is, Ananda, when Awareness by Breathing is trained, developed and refined in this very way, that it fulfills the 4 Foundations of Awareness... These 16 steps should be memorized fully. Print out & bring to pillow!
The blessed Buddha once explained: Bhikkhus, the concentration gained by Awareness by Breathing, when trained, is of great fruit and advantage. And how, Bhikkhus, is this concentration by Awareness by Breathing developed and cultivated so that it is of great fruit and advantage? Bhikkhus, when one have gone to the forest, or to the root of a tree, or to an empty hut, there one sits down cross-legged, having made one's body and back straight, and set up awareness around the nostrils, then just plain aware of that breathing in itself one breathes in, and just solely aware of only that breathing in itself one breathes out... 1: Breathing in long, one knows, notes and understands: I inhale long! Breathing out long, one knows, notes and understands: I exhale long! ... ... ... (steps 2-15) One trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe in! One trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe out! Therefore, Bhikkhus, if a friend wishes: May I become secluded from all sense desires, protected from any detrimental mental state, and thereby enter and dwell in the 1st jhana, which is directed thought and sustained thinking joined with Joy and pleasure born of solitude, then this very same concentration by Awareness by Breathing should be cultivated often & devoted much attention! Furthermore if such friend should wish: By the stilling & fading of all directed and sustained thought, may I enter & dwell in the 2nd jhana, which is a calmed assurance fixed by solid mental unification and joined with Joy & pleasure now born of a concentration devoid of any active thinking, then this same method: Awareness by Breathing should be trained often & devoted sincere attention! Even further; if one should wish: With the fading away of joy, may I dwell in composed equanimity, just open, aware and clearly comprehending, still feeling pleasure in this body, by entering upon and remaining in the 3rd jhana, about which the Noble Ones declare: "In aware Equanimity one dwells in pleasure!", then this very same exercise: Awareness by Breathing should be developed regularly and dedicated much earnest consideration! Finally if one should wish: With the leaving all behind of both pleasure and pain, even as with the prior disappearance of both Joy and sorrow, may I enter and dwell in the 4th jhana, which is an entirely silenced state of utter awareness, purified by Equanimity of neither-pain-nor-pleasure, then this same praxis: Awareness by Breathing should be repeated daily & thus made a primary priority due to its importance!
Once when Venerable Girimananda was sick, the Buddha said to Ven. Ananda. What is the experience of acute Awareness by in-&-out Breathing? It is when a Bhikkhu, who have gone to the forest, or to the root of a tree, or to an empty hut, sits down cross-legged, having straightened his body and back, and set up awareness around the nostrils, then just plain aware of only that itself, he breathes in, and then just solely aware of only that breathing in itself, he then breathes out... 1: Breathing in-&-out long, he knows, notes & understands: I in-&-exhale long! 2: Breathing in short, he knows, notes & understands: I in-&-exhale short! 3: He trains thus: Experiencing this entire body, I will breathe in-&out! 4: He trains thus: Calming all bodily activity, I will breathe in-&out! 5: He trains thus: Experiencing enraptured joy, I will breathe in-&out! 6: He trains thus: Experiencing a happy pleasure, I will breathe in-&out! 7: He trains thus: Experiencing all mental activity, I will breathe in-&out! 8: He trains thus: Calming all mental activity, I will breathe in-&out! 9: He trains thus: Experiencing the present mood, I will breathe in-&out! 10: He trains thus: Elating & gladdening the mind, I will breathe in-&out! 11: He trains thus: Concentrating & focusing mind, I will breathe in-&out! 12: He trains thus: Releasing, & liberating the mind, I will breathe in-&out! 13: He trains thus: Considering impermanence, I will breathe in-&out! 14: He trains thus: Considering disillusion, I will breathe in-&out! 15: He trains thus: Considering ceasing, I will breathe in-&out! 16: He trains thus: Considering relinquishment, I will breathe in-&out! Having learnt and memorized these 16 simple steps from the Blessed One, the Venerable Ananda went to the Venerable Girimananda and recited these to him. Then as soon as Venerable Girimananda heard these 16 simple steps & the ten experiences his illness instantly subsided & he rose from his bed! This was thus the way Venerable Girimananda was cured from his sickness....
At Savatthi the Blessed Buddha once said to his monks: I will teach you the Unconstructed, Unconditioned & Uncreated State, & the way leading to this unconstructed, unconditioned & uncreated state... Listen & pay attention to that, which will lead you to lasting happiness! And what, is this unconstructed, unconditioned and uncreated state? The elimination of greed, the stilling of hate, & the absence of ignorance: This is the unconstructed, unconditioned & uncreated state of Nibbana... And what is the good way leading to this unconstructed, unconditioned & uncreated state?
Awareness of the body as a collection of organs is a way to unconstruct... The four foundations of awareness is a way to this uncreated dimension... Serene calm and profound insight is a way to this unconditioned sphere... Concentrated directed thought & sustained examination is such a way... Absorption into emptiness, signlessness, and into the uninclined is a way... The four right efforts is a way to this unconditional state... The four roads to force is a way to this unchanging state... The five pure abilities is a way to this unfailing state... The five pure powers is a way to this undecaying state... The seven links to awakening is a way to this deathless state... The Noble 8-fold Way is a way to this immaculate state...
These are the only ways leading to the unconstructed, unconditioned and uncreated state. Bhikkhus, I have now taught you the unconstructed, the unconditioned, the uncreated, and the way leading to this unconstructed, unconditioned & uncreated state. Whatever should be done, bhikkhus, by a considerate teacher out of sympathy for his disciples, wishing their sole welfare, that I have now done for you. There are roots of trees, bhikkhus, there are empty huts. Meditate, do not neglect your meditation, bhikkhus, since you will bitterly regret it later! This is our instruction to you all...
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...
Giving is the prime cause of Wealth! No giving = no wealth, much giving = much future wealth!
Giving Food, one gives and later gets Strength! Giving Clothes, one gives and later gets Beauty! Giving Medicine, one gives and later gets Health! Giving Shelter, one gives and later gets Protection! Giving Transport, one gives and later gets Swift Ease! Giving Lamps, one gives and later gets Light and Sight! Giving Learning, one gives and later gets Intelligence! Giving True Dhamma, one gives & later gets Deathlessness! Thus this gift of True Dhamma exceeds all other gifts...
Some Water filter insets are urgently needed! So not to get re-infected with bilharzia liver-worms again! are some water filter insets needed for purification of the water here. Advantageous Donations for this Noble purpose are welcome here:
Thus have I heard: On one occasion the Exalted One was dwelling at the monastery of Anathapindika, in Jeta’s grove, near Savatthi. Now when the night was far spent a certain deity, whose surpassing radiance illuminated the entire Jeta Grove, came to the presence of the Exalted One. After drawing near, he respectfully saluted Him and stood at one side. Standing thus, he addressed the Exalted One in verse: Many deities and men wishing to know what is good, have pondered on the blessings and auspicious signs of luck. Tell me what is the highest blessing? What is the best protection?
The Blessed Buddha responded: Not to associate with fools, but only with the wise. To honour only those who are worthy of honour. This is the highest blessing & also the best protection.
To live in a suitable place, to have done merits in the past, and to set oneself on the right path. This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.
Great learning, good skills, a highly trained discipline, and a pleasant speech. This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.
The support of father and mother, the cherishing of wife and children, and a peaceful job. This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.
Generosity, pure morality, the helping of relatives, and blameless behaviour. This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.
To avoid all evil action, to abstain from intoxicants, and firmness in virtue. This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.
Reverence, humility, contentment, gratitude & hearing the Dhamma in time. This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.
Patience, respect, sight of calm recluses and suitable conversation in time. This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.
Self-control, living the Noble life, realizing the Noble Truths and Nibbana. This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.
The be unmoved by the 8 worldly conditions # sorrowless, stainless, & safe. This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.
Having fulfilled all these requirements, everywhere they are undefeated, everywhere they go in safety, fearing nothing, cooled, calmed and serene...
These are the highest blessings and also the best protections!
#: Gain and loss, fame and disrespect, praise and blame, happiness & sorrow.
Source: Sutta Nipata Sn 258-269 in BPS Wheel no 54 (Edited Excerpt): The Mirror of the Dhamma. A Manual of Buddhist Devotional Texts. By Narada Thera and Bhikkhu Kassapa. Revised By Bhikkhu Khantipalo: http://www.bps.lk/wh054-u.html
The entire world is in flames, all the entire world is blazing up in smoke! The entire world is burning, the entire world is decaying and vanishing... But that which does not vanish or burn, which is experienced by the Nobles, where Death has no entry, in that stilled silence mind finds sweet delight. Samyutta Nikaya 1.168
Without sign, unknown, uncertain, is the life here of mortals, demanding, short, tied up with pain and misery. For there's no way by which those who are born will not die. All Beings will surely die even if they become very old!
Like ripe fruits, whose downfall, whose danger always is inevitable falling, so for mortals, once born, the constant danger is forever hereafter death!
As a potter's clay vessels, large & small, fired & unfired, all end up broken, so too life heads to death. Young & old, wise & foolish, rich & poor: Everyone come under the sway of death, all have death as their assured certain end.
Note the hands are taken the Head and Mind that suffers!
For those overcome by death, gone to the other world, father cannot protect son, nor relatives any family. See: Even while relatives are looking & wailing heavily, mortals are one by one led away like dumb cows to the slaughter...
In this way is the world afflicted with aging & death! Knowing this indeed inescapable and unavoidable nature of the world, the enlightened don't ever grieve! You don't know from where the dying came or where he is going... Seeing neither end, you lament uselessly in blind vain.. Helping nobody at all!
If, by lamenting, confused, harming yourself, any good use could be gained the prudent would do it as well. But not by weeping & grief do you gain peace of mind. Pain just arises all the more. Your body is hurt. You grow thin, pale, harming yourself by yourself. Not in that folly way, are the dead protected. Lamentations are all in pointless vain.
Not abandoning grief, a person suffers all the more pain. Bewailing one whose time is done, you fall under the sway of grief yourself. Look at others, going along, people arriving in line with their past actions: Falling under the sway of death, beings simply shivers here, for a short unstable waste of a life...
For however they imagine it to be, it always becomes quite other than that! That's a fate of their blinded estrangement. See this evil way of the world...
Even if a person lives a century, or even more, he will be separated from his community, friends & relatives. He leaves his life alone & naked right there!
So, having heard the Arahat, who have subdued all lamentation, seeing that the dead is one whose time is done, understanding: "I can't fetch him back." Just as one would extinguish a burning shelter with water, even so does the Enlightened One, intelligent, clever and wise, blow away any arisen sorrow, like a strong wind, a bit of cotton fluff!
Seeking your own happiness, you should pull out your own injuring arrow: All your own lamentation, longing, hoping, hungering producing only sorrow! With arrow pulled out, independent, attaining peace of awareness, all grief is transcended, griefless you are unbound, free, safe, at ease in peace...
The Blessed Buddha once said: And how, Bhikkhus, is the mental release by universal pity achieved? What does this liberation have as its destination, what is its culmination, what is its sweet fruit, and what is the goal of release by universal pity? Here, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu dwells pervading the frontal quadrant with a mind imbued with infinite pity, so the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarter. As above, so below, across, and everywhere! To all beings and to himself, he dwells pervading the entire universe with a mind saturated with unlimited pity, immense, exalted, vast, measureless, without hostility, without enmity, without any trace of ill will! Thus prepared & expanded he then develops: 1: The Awareness Link to Awakening joined with this limitless pity. 2: The Investigation Link to Awakening fused with such vast pity. 3: The Energy Link to Awakening together with this infinite pity. 4: The Joy Link to Awakening accompanied with this absolute pity. 5: The Tranquillity Link to Awakening linked with this spacious pity. 6: The Concentration Link to Awakening associated with this great pity. 7: The Equanimity Link to Awakening joined with this endless pity. While based upon seclusion, disillusion, ceasing, & culminating in release. If he then wishes: May I dwell experiencing the repulsive in the unrepulsive and tempting, then he can dwell experiencing the repulsive therein. If he wishes: May I dwell experiencing the unrepulsive in the disgusting and repulsive, then he dwells experiencing pleasing beauty in whatever is disgusting! If he then wishes: May I dwell experiencing the repulsive in what is both unrepulsive and repulsive, he dwells experiencing repulsive disgust in it. If he wishes: May I dwell experiencing the unrepulsive in what is both unrepulsive and repulsive, he experiences only excessive beauty in it! If he wishes: Avoiding both the repulsive and the unrepulsive, may I dwell in equanimity, just aware & clearly comprehending, then he dwells in this equanimity, just aware and clearly comprehending. Or else, by completely transcending of all experience of form, fully stilling any perception of all sense-reaction, non attending to any experience of diversity, only aware that space is infinite, he enters and dwells in the infinitude of space... I tell you Bhikkhus, for a wise Bhikkhu here, who has not yet penetrated to an even more superior mental release, this release of mind by infinite pity has the sublime sphere of the infinitude of space as its culmination!
Source of reference (edited extract): The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book [V: 115-21] 46: The Links. 54: Joined by Friendliness...
Universes may implode, but a Stream-Winner is Safe!
Once in Savatthi the Blessed Buddha said this: Bhikkhus, those for whom you have sympathy and who you think should be respected, whether friends or colleagues, relatives or associates, these you should try to explain, convince, and establish in these four factors of stream-entry. What four? You should explain, convince, and establish them in Faith in the Three Jewels thus: Worthy, honourable and perfectly self-Enlightened is the Buddha! Consummated in all... Perfectly formulated is the Dhamma, visible right here and now, immediately effective... Perfectly training is this Noble Sangha community of the Buddha's Noble disciples...
You should explain, convince, and establish them in the saving purity of Morality thus: Any Noble possesses the Morality esteemed by the Noble ones: Unbroken, pure, untorn, unspotted, freeing, praised by the clever, natural, leading to concentration. Why? Bhikkhus, there may be alteration in these four great elements: In the earth element; all solidity, in the water element; all fluidity, in the heat element; all thermal vibration, in the air element; all motion, but there cannot be alteration in the Noble Disciple who possesses confirmed confidence in the Three Jewels. It always remains impossible that such Noble Disciple should be reborn in hell, as animal, as angry demon, or as ghost! Therefore: Those for whom you have sympathy and who you think should be respected, whether friends or colleagues, relatives or associates, these you should try to explain, convince, and establish in these four factors of stream-entry...
Faith is the Seed, the initiator, the Source of the Beginning. Faith is the Hand that takes up all the advantageous states. Faith is the Wealth above all, since it brings real Happiness. Faith is the Jump, since it enables beings to cross the flood. Faith is the Purifier, since it clears contaminating defilements.
The Blessed Buddha often noted contentment as the highest treasure: There is the case where a Bhikkhu is quite content with whatever old robe, quite content with whatever old almsfood, quite content with whatever hut, and quite content with whatever bitter medicine for curing sickness. This Dhamma is for one who is content, not for one who is discontent! Thus was it said. And with reference to exactly this salient contentment with whatever little one has, was this simple, serene modesty well spoken... AN VIII 30
Contentment with whatever little one has!
And how is a Bhikkhu content? Just as a bird, wherever it goes, flies with its wings as its only burden, even so is he content with a single set of robes to protect his body and begged almsfood to pacify his hunger. Wherever he goes, he takes only these few simple necessities as robes, belt, bowl and razor along with him. This is how a Bhikkhu is content... DN 2
There is the case where a Bhikkhu is content with whatever old robe at all, with whatever old almsfood at all, with whatever old hut at all. He speaks in praise of being content with any old requisite at all. He does not, for the sake of any requisite, do anything unsuitable or inappropriate. When not getting any requisites, he is not troubled. When getting requisites, he just uses it without being attached to it. He is not obsessed, blameless, and seeing the drawbacks and dangers of possessions, he realizes the escape from them. He does not, on account of his contentment with any old requisite at all, exalt himself or disparage others. Thus is he modest, clever, energetic, alert, & acutely aware! This, Bhikkhus, is called a Bhikkhu standing quite firm in the ancient, original lineage of the Noble Ones... AN IV 28
Good are friends, when need arises. Good is contentment with just what one has. Good is merit done well, when life is at the end. Good is the elimination of all Suffering! Dhammapada 331
Solitude is happiness for one who is content, who has heard the Dhamma and clearly understands. Harmlessness is happiness in all worlds! Harmlessness towards all breathing beings. Udana 10
Therefore be capable, upright, and straight, easy to instruct, gentle, and not proud, content and easy to support with little, with few duties, living simple and light, with peaceful abilities, mastering all, modest, and with no greed for support. Do not do even a minor thing that the wise and noble would later criticize. Sutta Nipata I, 8
At that time a girl named Sujata Senani lived in Uruvela. When adult, she prayed before a certain Banyan tree, that she might get a husband equal to herself in caste and that her firstborn may be a son. Her prayer was successful, since so indeed did it happen. At the full moon day of the Vesak month, she rose at early dawn & milked the cows. As soon as new buckets were placed under the cows, their milk poured forth in streams spontaneously all by itself. Seeing this miracle, she knew something special was going on.
Sujata offering the Bodhisatta her milk rice.
Now at that very night the Future Buddha had 5 specific dreams that made him conclude: Certainly, without doubt, today is the very day, I will reach Enlightenment! His 5 colored radiance illuminated the whole tree. Then Sujata came & offered the cooked milk rice in the hands of the Great Being. After that a grass-cutter came going with a bundle of grass just harvested from nearby. He offered the Great Being 8 handfuls of Kusa grass, when he saw that this Sage was a Holy Man. The Future Buddha accepted the grass and proceeded to the foot of the great Bodhi-Tree. Reaching the imperturbable Eastern side, where all Buddhas take their seat, he sat down determined & said to himself: This is indeed the immovable spot where all the Buddhas have planted themselves! This is the very place for destroying the net of desire! Then the Future Buddha turned his back to the trunk and faced East. Right there he then made this mighty decision:
Let just blood & flesh of this body dry up & let skin & sinews fall from the frame of bones. I will not leave this seat before having attained the absolute supreme Enlightenment!
So determined did he seat himself in this unconquerable seat, which not even a 100 strikes of lightning could make him waver from. At this very moment the rebel deity Mara -the Evil One- raised exclaiming: Prince Siddhattha will now pass beyond my power, but I will never allow it! and sounding the Mara's war shout, he prepared his army & went out for battle. Then Mara said to his militia: This Sakyamuni, son of Suddhodana, is far greater, than any other man, so we will never succeed to fight him up front. We will therefore attack him from behind. Frustrated, being unable even to touch this Wielder of Power even with 9 mighty hurricanes of wind, rain, rocks, weapons, red coals, hot ashes, sand, mud, & darkness Mara somewhat in panic commanded his army: Why do you stand still? Seize, kill & drive away this prince. And Mara yelled: Siddhattha, leave this seat. It is not yours but mine! Hearing this the Well-gone One replied: Mara, neither have you ever fulfilled the 10 perfections to the third degree, nor have you given the 5 great donations. Neither has you striven for insight, nor for the welfare of the world, nor for enlightenment! Therefore does this seat not belong to you, but indeed only and forever to me! Suddenly overpowered by fear Mara's followers fled helter-skelter in all directions. Not two went the same way, but leaving their weapons in a chaos all behind, they fled terrified by panic. Seeing them flee, the great assembly of deities triumphantly shouted: Mara is defeated. Prince Siddhattha has Won! Let us celebrate the Victory! The deities then sang:
The Victory has this illustrious Buddha Won. The Evil One, The End-maker is defeated & done. Thus they jubilantly circled the wisdom throne, the band of nagas singing their praises of the Seer, the flocks of birds singing their praises of the Sage, the assembly of Deities singing their praises of the Conqueror, the group of Brahmas singing their praises of the Worthy One.
It was before the sun had set that the Tathagata thus conquered Mara & defeated his army. Then at the same night, after having bathed, while the Bodhi-Tree rained red sprigs on his robe, the Consummate One acquired knowledge of previous existences in the first watch of the night: With the mind thus concentrated, purified, bright, fixed, unified, focused, tractable, compliant, steady & imperturbable, I directed it to remembrance of my past lives. I recollected numerous past lives, i.e., one birth, two...five, ten...fifty, a hundred, a thousand, a hundred thousand, many eons of cosmic contraction, many eons of cosmic expansion: There I had such a name, belonged to such a clan & species, had such a body. Such was my food, such my experience of pleasure & pain, such the end of my life. Passing away from that state, I re-arose there. There I had such name, belonged to such a sort & family, had such a form. Such was my food, such my experience of pleasure & pain, such the end of my life. Passing away from that state, I re-arose here. Thus I remembered my various past lives in all their various modes & details. This was the first knowledge I attained in the first watch of the night. Ignorance was destroyed; knowledge arose; darkness was destroyed; light arose as happens in one who is alert, aware, and determined. But the pleasant feeling that arose in this way did not invade my mind nor remain. With the mind thus still concentrated, purified, bright, intact, pliant, malleable, steady, & imperturbable, I directed it to the knowledge of the passing away & reappearance of beings. I saw by means of the divine eye, purified & surpassing the human eye I saw beings passing away & re-appearing, and I realized how & why they are high & low, beautiful & ugly, fortunate & unfortunate all in accordance with the intentions of their prior actions: 'These beings who were endowed with bad behavior of body, speech, & mind, who reviled the Noble Ones, held wrong views and acted under the influence of wrong views, with the break-up of the body, after death, have re-appeared in the plane of misery, the bad destinations, the lower realms, even in the hells. But these beings, who were gifted with good behavior of body, speech & mind, who did not revile the Noble Ones, who held right views and acted under the influence of right views, with the break-up of the body, after death, have re-appeared in happy destinations, even in a divine world.' Thus -- by means of the divine eye, purified & surpassing the human -- I saw beings passing away & re-appearing, all in accordance with their particular mixture of good & bad kamma. But the satisfaction that arose in this way did not invade my mind nor did it remain. With the mind thus concentrated, fully absorbed, I directed it towards understanding the stilling of all the mental fermentations. Then I realized how it actually comes to be, that:
Such is Misery... Such is the Cause of Misery... Such is the End of Misery... Such is the Way to End Misery...
Such is the mental fermentations... Such is the cause of mental fermentation... Such is the end of mental fermentation... Such is the way leading to the end of mental fermentation...!
When my mind saw that, realized that, it was freed of the fermentation of sense-desire, released from the fermentation of becoming, unobstructed by the fermentation of ignorance. Fully & Perfectly Enlightened - The Buddha - perceiving this immense glory, spoke these 2 solemn verses, which never has been omitted by any of countless thousands of prior Buddhas:
Through this round of countless existences have I searched yet failed to find 'the Creator', who framed this formation: What Misery! is such Endless Birth, Ageing, Decay & Death!!
Now I see that 'the Constructor' of this structure is Craving...!!! Never shall this construction be build again, as all the rafters are shattered and the main beam is busted & fully broken... At this stilling of all Craving, mind has finally found calm…
Then, friends, this vision of certainty then arose in me: This release is irreversible, this is the last rebirth, this endless reappearance has finally ended...
What are the Benefits of Training Mental Concentration?
Once in Savatthi the Blessed Buddha said this: Bhikkhus, train and develop concentration! Any Bhikkhu, who is concentrated understands things as they really are and as they really become! How? 1: He understands as it really is: This and such is Suffering, 2: He understands as it really is: This and such is the Cause of Suffering, 3: He understands as it really is: This and such is the Ceasing of Suffering, 4: He understands as it really is: This is the Way leading to the End of Suffering! Bhikkhus, develop concentration! A Bhikkhu, who is concentrated understands not only the appearance, but things as they really are and as they really become! Therefore, Bhikkhus, an effort should be made to comprehensively understand: This is Suffering; This is the Cause of Suffering; This is the End of Suffering; This is the way leading to the End of Suffering... An effort should be made to comprehend, fathom, grasp, understand, and penetrate these Four Noble Truths!
Comments: Those who makes that effort, and understands, shortens this Samsaric round... Those who neglects that effort, and ignores it, prolongs this Samsaric round...
[size=15pt][color=#BF0000][i][u]Making oneself into a Mighty Friend:[/u][/i][/color][/size]
[b]Friendliness means Goodwill Friendliness means Kindness Friendliness means Helpfulness Friendliness means Assistance Friendliness means Support Friendliness means Benevolence Friendliness means Concern Friendliness means Care Friendliness means Compassion Friendliness means Cooperation Friendliness means Mutual Aid Friendliness means Mutual Advantage Friendliness means Symbiosis Friendliness means Sympathy Friendliness means Basic Trust [/b]
[color=#BF0000][u]The Blessed Buddha once said:[/u][/color] A friend who always lends a hand, a friend both in sorrow and joy, a friend who offers good counsel, a friend who sympathizes too. These are the four kinds of true friends: one who is wise, having understood, will always cherish and serve such friends just as a mother tends her only child. [i][color=#BF0000]DN III 188[/color][/i]
As a mother even with her life protects her only child, so let one cultivate immeasurable loving-kindness towards all living beings.
Bhikkhus, whatever kinds of worldly merit there are, all are not worth one sixteenth part of the release of mind by universal friendliness; in shining, glowing and beaming radiance the release of mind by infinite & endless friendliness far excels & even surpasses them all. [color=#BF0000][i]Itivuttaka 27[/i] [/color]
He who does not strike nor makes others strike, who robs not nor makes others rob, sharing love with all that live, finds enmity with none. [color=#BF0000][i]Itivuttaka 22[/i] [/color]
Thus he who both day and night takes delight in harmlessness sharing love with all that live, finds enmity with none. [color=#BF0000][i]SN I 208 [/i][/color]
When one with a mind of love feels compassion for the entire world -- above, below and across, unlimited everywhere. [color=#BF0000][i]Jataka 37 [/i][/color]
I am a friend of the footless, I am a friend of the bipeds; I am a friend of those with four feet, I am a friend of the many-footed. May not the footless harm me, may not the bipeds harm me, may not those with four feet harm me, and may not those with many feet harm me. [color=#BF0000][i]AN II 72[/i] [/color]
Among tigers, lions, leopards & bears I lived on the wood. No one was frightened of me, nor did I fear anyone. Uplifted by such universal friendliness I enjoyed the forest. Finding great solace in silent solitude. [color=#BF0000][i]Suvanna-sama Jataka 540 [/i][/color]
I am a friend and helper to all, I am sympathetic to all living beings. I develop a mind full of love and takes always delight in harmlessness. I gladden my mind, fill it with joy, and make it immovable and unshakable. I develop the divine states of mind not cultivated by simple men. [color=#BF0000][i]Theragatha. 648-9[/i][/color]
[b]Have a [color=#BF0000]nice, noble and friendly[/color] day![/b]
[color=#BF0000]Friendship is the Greatest! [/color] Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ http://What-Buddha-Said.net [color=#BF0000][i] [b]Blazing is Friendliness :-)[/b][/i][/color]
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!
Faith has 2 main Components: Devotion & Conviction!
The two components of Faith (saddha): 1: An affective emotional component pouring from the heart as devotion: One Trusts! 2: A cognitive component residing in the intellect as a fixed view or opinion: One Believes! One is convinced ..
Initiation, Evolution, Maturation and Culmination of Faith: Both are necessary for initiating spiritual praxis and mental training. Both are, by the effects of this praxis and training later replaced, yet also reinforced, by direct experience: One Knows! The Faith has thus gradually evolved and grown strong into first Confidence and later, when validated and verified into persuaded Conviction. The ability of Faith initiates as seed the ability of Energy, which repeatedly trains the ability of Awareness, which then purifies the ability of Concentration, which then enables the ability of Understanding to penetrate into real progress... When unshakable these 5 abilities have become powers!
Replacement and Reinforcement by Direct Experience: The confident Noble Disciple having repeatedly trained so, having repeatedly been aware so, having repeatedly worked on concentration so, and having repeatedly understood so, by that therefore becomes fully confident in those states, which were previously only heard of or known from reading: Now I dwell having directly experienced them with my own body and having fully penetrated them by understanding: I see them through! Samyutta Nikaya V:226
The Fruit of Faith: Entering the Stream to Awakening! Hereafter is Faith never more needed as Sceptical Doubt have been irreversibly eradicated. One has thus entered the Stream leading to Awakening with Enlightenment as assured destination within max. 7 lives: And yet another Noble has been born by emerging out of the egg of Faith! The shell of Ignorance has been broken... A Learner is going the few final rounds... Smiling as smelling freed peace & bliss... The Battle with Mara has begun. Yeah!
The Ancient Elders explained: As one repeats the observation and contemplation of the unavoidable dissolution of all phenomena by their decay, gradual destruction, fall, breakup and ultimate ceasing, then all formations, all constructions, all kinds of becoming, generation, birth, life, destiny, station, or abode, appears as a great dread of total terror!!! When one sees how past phenomena have ceased, present ones are ceasing, and those to be generated in any far future all inevitably also will cease, then what is called -knowledge of appearance as terror- arises in the meditating disciple just in the same way a mother gives up of all hope, when she see her 3 sons beheaded one after the other... When seeing the 2nd son axed she knows: All 3 will die... !!! The meditator's seeing & noting the ceasing of all past, & all present phenomena, is like the woman's seeing the eldest & the middle son's head being slashed off... His realizing the unavoidable ceasing of all future phenomena, by comprehending: All phenomena, whether mental or material, arising in any future will all cease too! is like her giving up hope for the youngest son, thinking: He too will die like them... Vism 645
What the Buddha taught on rebirth is well documented: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.135.than.html Causes of favourable or painful rebirth: MN 135, AN III.65, Dhp 310, Dhp 316 Behaviour determines the destination after death: Dhp 17, Dhp 18, Dhp 240 The laws of kamma are as inviolable as the law of gravity: SN XLII.6 Why not just settle for divine rebirth among the devas?: SN V.7 The preciousness of our human life: SN XX.2, SN LVI.48 How to gain rebirth as an elephant or a horse: AN X.177 What's so bad about being reborn?: SN V.6
In Majjhima Nikaya 135 a brahman raises the problem: There are found people who are short-lived, and those that are long-lived; there are found people who are very sick, and those that are healthy; there are found people who are ugly, and also those that are beautiful; there are found people who are powerless, and those that are powerful; there are found people who are poor, and those that are rich; there are found people who are of low family, and those that are of high family; there are found people who are stupid, and those that are intelligent. What then, Master Gotama, is the reason for this diverse inferiority & superiority among human beings?
The Blessed One replied: Beings are owners of their kamma, inherit their kamma, kamma is their maker and creator, they are born from and by their kamma, kamma is the womb from which they emerge, they are linked and associated to their past kamma as their friend and refuge... Therefore does kamma divide beings into the high and low, beautiful and ugly!
In Anguttara Nikaya III,40 it is said: "Killing, stealing, adultery, lying, backbiting, harsh angry speech and empty prattling, practiced, cultivated and frequently engaged in, will lead to hell, the animal world or the realm of ghosts." Further: "Whoso kills and is cruel, will either go to hell, or if reborn as a human, will be short-lived. Whosoever tortures other beings, will be afflicted with disease. The hater will be ugly & hideous, the envious will be without influence, the stubborn will be of low rank, the indolent will be ignorant. In the reverse case, a person will be reborn in a heavenly world; or, if reborn as a human being, and will be endowed with health, beauty, influence, riches, noble rank and intelligence."
In the Milindapañha the King asks the Arahat Nagasena: What is it, Venerable Sir, that will be reborn after death? O King: A psycho-physical combination of mentality-&-materiality (name-and-form = nama-rupa). But how? Is it the same psycho-physical name-and-form combination as this present one? No, O King. But the present psycho-physical combination produces kammically advantageous and disadvantageous intentional activities, and through such kamma a new psycho-physical combination will be created, conditioned and born. Source: The Milindapañha
Buddhaghosa explains in his Visuddhimagga (Path of Purification): Whosoever has no clear idea about death and does not know that death consists in the dissolution of the five groups of existence (i.e. form, feeling, perception, mental formations, & consciousness), he thinks that it is a person, or being, that dies and transmigrates to a new body in a new place. And whosoever has no clear idea about rebirth, and does not know that rebirth consists in the arising of the five groups of existence, he thinks that it is a person, or being, that is reborn, or that the person reappears in a new body. And whosoever has no clear idea about Samsara, the round of rebirths, he thinks that a real person wanders from this world to another world, comes from that world to this world, etc. And whosoever has no clear idea about the phenomena of existence, he thinks that the phenomena are his ego or something appertaining to the ego, or something permanent, joyful, or pleasant. And whosoever has no clear idea about the conditional arising of the phenomena of existence, and about the arising of kammic volitions conditioned through ignorance, he thinks that it is the ego that understands or fails to understand, that acts or causes to act, that enters into a new existence at rebirth. Or he thinks that the atoms or the Creator, etc., with the help of the embryonic process, shape the body, provide it with various faculties; that it is the ego that receives the sensuous impression, that feels, that desires, that becomes attached, that enters into existence again in another world. Or he thinks that all beings come to life through fate or chance. A mere phenomenon it is, a conditioned thing, that rises in the following existence. But not from a previous life does it transmigrate there, and yet it cannot arise without a previous cause. When this conditionally arisen bodily-mental phenomenon (the fetus) arises, one says that it has entered into a next existence. However, no being (satta), or life-principle (jiva), has transmigrated from the previous existence into this existence, and yet this embryo could not have come into existence without a previous cause. Source: Visuddhimagga (Chap. XVII)
Everywhere, in all the realms of existence, the noble disciple sees only mental and material phenomena kept going through the interlocking of causes and effects. No producer of the intentional act or kamma does he see apart from the kamma activity itself, and no recipient of the kamma-result apart from the result itself. And he is well aware that wise men are using merely conventional language, when with regard to a kammical act, they speak of a doer, or an agent, or with regard to a kamma-result, they speak of the recipient of the result. No doer of the deeds is found, No one who ever reaps their fruits; Empty phenomena roll on: Conditioned States: This only is the correct view. And while the deeds and their results roll on and on, all being conditioned by other phenomena. In this infinite causal matrix, there is no first beginning to be found, just as it is with seed and tree... No god, no Brahma, can be called The maker of this wheel of life: Only Empty phenomena roll on, all dependent on their causal conditions. Source: Visuddhimagga (Chap. XIX).
The Blessed Buddha once said: When a Bhikkhu develops the Ways to Force that is enriched with concentrated Energy, constructed by effort, by thinking: In this way will my Energy, neither be too slack nor too tense, it will neither be constricted internally, nor scattered externally, then he dwells experiencing both what is in front & what is behind, so above, so also below, so by day, so also at night! Therefore, with a mind all open & unrestricted, he develops the dazzling bright mind, which is pervaded by luminosity... However: What is Energy that is too slack? Energy joined with indifference. This is Energy, that is too slack... What is Energy that is too tense? It is restless & agitated Energy. That is Energy, that is too tense... What is Energy that is constricted internally? It is Energy joined with lethargy & laziness. Inwardly choked! What is Energy that is scattered externally? Energy directed & diverted externally for the 5 sense pleasures... This is called Energy that is scattered & distracted externally... How does one dwell experiencing both the front & what is behind? The perception of front, & back, is well attended to, & thereby well comprehended, well considered, & penetrated by understanding... How does one dwell seeing as below, so above; as above, so below? One reviews this very frame of body upwards from the soles of the feet, & downwards from the tips of the hairs, enclosed in skin, as full of many kinds of impurities: There are in this body: Head-hairs, body-hairs, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, sinews, bones, bone-marrow, kidneys, heart, liver, pleura, spleen, lungs, intestines, mesentery, vomit in the stomach, excrement, bile, lymph, pus, blood, sweat, fat, tears, mucus, saliva, snot, fluid of the joints, and urine... So does one come to see both, what is above, and what is below! How does one dwell by day, so at night; as at night, so by day? Here, at night a Bhikkhu trains the Ways to Force, that is enriched with concentrated Energy, constructed by effort, using the same techniques, qualities, features, & aspects, as he trains during the day. And how, does one dwell with a mind, that is all open & unrestricted, a dazzling bright mind, which is pervaded by luminosity...? Here, always the perception of day-light is well attended to & well resolved upon by determination. It is in exactly this way, that one dwell with a mind, that is all open & unrestricted, a dazzling bright mind, which is pervaded by its very own luminosity...
[Size=200][Color=#800000]Friends:[/Color][/Size], 19 September 2013, , [Size=150][Color=#Bf0000][I][U]How To Be A Real Buddhist Through Observance?[/U][/I][/Color][/Size], .Binara Poya Day Is The Full-Moon Of September. This Holy Day Celebrates The Inauguration Of The Bhikkhuni Sangha By The Ordination On This Very Day Of Queen Mahapajapati, The Buddha's Foster-Mother & Her Retinue. For Life Details On This Excellent Woman, Who Awakened As Arahat Theri: Http://What-Buddha-Said.Net/Library/Dppn/Maha/Mahapajapati_Gotami.Htm
[Color=#Bf0000][B][U]On Such Full-Moon Uposatha Poya Observance Days:[/U][/B][/Color] Any Lay Buddhist Simply Joins The Three Refuges And Undertakes The Five Precepts Like This: Newly Bathed, Shaved, White-Clothed, With Clean Bare Feet, One Kneels At A Shrine With A Buddha-Statue, And Bows First Three Times, So That Feet, Hands, Elbows, Knees & Head Touch The Floor. Then, With Joined Palms At The Heart, One Recites These Memorized Lines In A Loud, Calm & Steady Voice:
[B][U]As Long As This Life Lasts: [/U][/B] [B][Color=#Bf0000]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.[/Color] I Will Hereby Respect These Three Jewels The Rest Of My Life! [/B]
[B][U]I Accepts To Respect & Undertake These 5 Training Rules: [/U] [Color=#Bf0000]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.[/Color] As Long As This Life Lasts, I Am Thus Protected By These 5 Precepts...[/B]
Then, One Keeps And Protects These Sacred Vows Better Than One's Own Eyes & Children!, Since They Protect You & All Other Beings Much Better Than Any Army! They Are The Highest Offer One Can Give In & To This World! So Is The Start Towards Nibbana: The Deathless Element! This Is The Noble Way To Peace, To Freedom, To Ease, To Happiness, Initiated By Morality, Developed Further By Dhamma-Study And Fulfilled By Training Of Meditation...
Today Indeed Is Pooya Or Uposatha Or Observance Day, Where Any Lay Buddhist Normally Keeps Even The Eight Precepts From Sunrise Until The Next Dawn... If Any Wish An Official Recognition By The Bhikkhu-Sangha, They May Simply Forward The Lines Starting With "I Hereby ..." Signed With Name, Date, Town & Country To Me Or Join Here. A Public List Of This New Quite Rapidly Growing New Global Saddhamma-Sangha Is Set Up Here!
Cruelty, Mercilessness & Revengefulness are diluted Hate:
How to cure these evil derivatives of Cruelty:
1: Review the Danger in Cruelty like this: This can bring me to a bad destination, the downfall, to pain, even to hell! This is a path of thorns, an evil way, a dark state, conflict, violence, pain!
2: How does a friend dwell pervading all with his heart endued with pity? Just as he would feel pity on seeing an unlucky, unfortunate person, so he pervades all beings with infinite pity. Therefore first of all he imagines a poor man, unlucky, unfortunate, in every way a fit object for pity, ugly, reduced to utter misery, with hands and feet cut off, sitting in the shelter for the helpless, with an empty pot in front of him, with maggots oozing from sores on hands and legs, moaning, infinite pity should be felt for him in this way: 'This being has been reduced to utter misery! If he just could be freed from this misery...' Then later one can arouse the same pity and compassion for a neutral person and later for even a wrong-doing person! This is the complete mastery of pity: Compassion even with the Evil One!
3: All wrong doing is caused by blindness: A real pity for the wrong-doers! All wrong-doers will thus suffer immensely in the future. How sad for them!
4: Begin and Cultivate meditation on Infinite pity: Sit down a silent, empty place with closed eyes & beam this from the heart: May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating awareness of pity. May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating examination of pity. May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating energetic pity. May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating joyous infinite pity. May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating stilled infinite pity. May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating concentrated pity. May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating imperturbable pity. Beaming first out in front, then right, left, down below and also up above: May all beings live happily and free from suffering, pain and frustration. May all beings be free from hate, cruelty, mercilessness & revengefulness!
One who is virtuous and wise Shines like a blazing fire; Like a bee collecting nectar He acquires wealth by harming none! Digha Nikaya III, 188
May all breathing creatures, all living things, All beings, every one without exception, Experience good fortune only! May they not fall into harm. Anguttara Nikaya II, 72
Solitude is happiness for one who is content, Who has heard the Dhamma and clearly sees. Non-violence is happiness in the world Harmlessness towards all living beings. Udana 10
JOY Oh let us live happily! Freed from all cruelty! Living even among those, who always flames by hate! Among those dominated by anger, let us live free from anger! Dhammapada 197
Gotama Buddha explained this about the Pacceka-Buddhas:
The muni Vedeha (Ananda) bowing his body, asked the Tathagata, who was staying at Jetavana: PaccekaBuddhas exist, yet by what reasons do they arise, 0h wise one? Then the best of the omniscient, the great wise one told the following to Ananda in a sweet voice:
Those who paid honour to all former Buddhas, without attaining liberation during the period in which their teaching was known, who are wise by means of sense of urgency, whose intelligence is very sharp, also without the instruction of Buddhas, these attain insight alone even by means of a tiny limited object of meditation... And furthermore, in this whole world, there is no one except me, equal to these PaccekaBuddhas. I shall clearly express the following, only an short description, of the distinction of these great heroic Munis (silenced ones)...
Listen, all of you, who wish for the highest medicine, your attention should be very calm, always directed to their good words, which are sweet like fine honey of those great wise men, who are fully & perfectly enlightened all by themselves!
These are the explanations of PaccekaBuddhas, who assembled on Mount Gandhamadana, pronounced one after the other, about the sorrow of any desire and the cause of the overcoming of all craving, & how they attained their insight. Conscious of the absence of lust, while being in the midst of the objects of lust, their minds are dispassionate in an infatuated world, having dumped the proliferations, & subdued all obstructions, they all attained insight thus:
Putting aside any violence to all beings, not hurting any of them, good and compassionate, with a mind filled with friendliness, one should live, alone, like the horn of a rhinoceros...
Their morality are pure, their wisdom purified, their minds are concentrated, practicing watchfulness, reflecting, seeing the characteristics of the dhamma, they understand it, having developed all the elements of the Noble Way and the Links to Enlightenment...
Having perfected the fulfillment of merit, with the motive to become a solitary conqueror, they become PaccekaBuddhas, self-existent, independent, such is destination of the wise, who does not attain the state of a disciple during the time in which, there still remains the knowledge of the SammaSamBuddhas teaching...
Their dhamma being great, being all sublime manifestations of the core essential dhamma, powerful are their minds, having overcome the flood of suffering, their minds are exalted, seeing the highest & deepest truth, they are like lions, like the horn of a rhinoceros...
With serene senses, calm, concentrated, remembering all beings in remote border districts, illuminating like lamps in the other world and in this world, thus are these PaccekaBuddhas, always good...
Having destroyed all hindrances, these kings of men, illuminators of the world, shining like pure solid gold, undoubtedly worthy of any gifts in this world, are these PaccekaBuddhas, always good...
There are in this world together with the divine world, good teachings of PaccekaBuddhas. Those fools, who after having heard these, do not act accordingly, whirl round in suffering again and again...
Those who act accordingly, having heard the good words of PaccekaBuddhas, which are like pure streaming honey of small delicate bees, become seers of the truths, possessing Wisdom! Thus spoke the Gotama Buddha about those solitary ones Awakened like a rhinoceros horn...
The Blessed Buddha once said: Bhikkhu, There is no lasting materiality, no lasting form whatsoever... There is no lasting feeling whatsoever... There is no lasting perception whatsoever... There is no lasting mental construction whatsoever... There is no lasting conscious awareness whatsoever... Nothing here is permanent, everlasting, eternal, not subject to change, not transient, not vanishing! Nothing is stable, safe or lasting ... !!! SN 22.96/vol. iii, 144
The eye is impermanent, visual forms, eye-consciousness, eye contact, and whatever is felt as pleasant, painful or neither-painful-nor-pleasant, born of this eye-contact, that also is impermanent... The ear is impermanent, sounds, hearing-consciousness, ear contact, and whatever is felt as pleasant, painful or neither-painful-nor-pleasant, born of this ear-contact, that also is impermanent... The nose is impermanent, smells, smelling-consciousness, nose contact, and whatever is felt as pleasant, painful or neither-painful-nor-pleasant, born of this nose-contact, that also is impermanent... The tongue is impermanent, flavours, tasting-consciousness, tongue contact, and whatever is felt as pleasant, painful or neither-painful-nor-pleasant, born of this tongue-contact, that also is impermanent... The body is impermanent, touches, touching-consciousness, body contact, and whatever is felt as pleasant, painful or neither-painful-nor-pleasant, born of this body-contact, that also is impermanent... The mind is impermanent, thoughts, thinking-consciousness, mind contact, and whatever is felt as pleasant, painful or neither-painful-nor-pleasant, born of this mind-contact, that also is impermanent... SN 35.43/vol. iv, 28
All formations, all constructions, all conditions are impermanent... MN 35/vol. i, 230
Whatever can emerge, that will indeed also cease... MN 56/vol. i, 380
Impermanence, as pointed out in the commentaries, is not always Evident unless specifically looked for! Know it in advance and then you can see it...
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 apparent continuity is disrupted by discerning rise and fall, the characteristic of impermanence becomes apparent in its true nature. Vism. Ch. xxi/p. 640
Observing the abrupt Change of all States discloses their discrete nature: When continuity is disrupted means when continuity 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 transience characteristic becomes properly evident through these states discrete disconnectedness, regarded as if each moment were iron darts hitting the screen of awareness. Or as single pearls on a string, but not continuous as the string itself... VismA. 824
The forest bhikkhu pays much attention to the experience of forest: Thereby he enters deeper yet unattained depths of concentration. By living remote he is not distracted by any unsuitable phenomena. He is free from anxiety and stress. He abandons attachment to life. He enjoys a taste of the bliss of seclusion, and the silenced peace. He lives secluded and apart. Calm and remote abodes delight his heart. The hermit that in woods can dwell alone, may gain the bliss as well. Whose savour is beyond the price of royal bliss even in any paradise. So let the forest delight a wise man for his precious dwelling's site. Sources: MN 121, AN III 343, Vism I 73
ALONE The one who sits and lives solitary, & walks alone finds great delight in the silence of the forest... Dhammapada 305
SUCH ONE The One wearing only 3 robes, who is thin with veins showing, who meditates alone in the forest, such one is a Holy One... Dhammapada 395
The blessed Buddha once said: Contentment is the Highest Treasure! Dhammapada 204
Solitude is happiness for one who is content, Who understands & clearly sees the Dhamma. Udana 10
What is the proximate cause of contentment? Mutual joy with others success is the proximate cause of contentment... Therefore: If one is always gladdened by other's success, one will always be content! Therefore: If one is never gladdened by other's success, one will always be discontent! Therefore is contentment caused by an altruistic mental state & not by external richness... Example: Rich people possessing all the things they ever desired, can still be very discontent! And vice versa: Poor people not having much, can still be very content and very much smiling!
The Blessed Buddha once said: Bhikkhus, growing in five areas of progress, the Noble Disciple attains a Noble growth, and acquires the essence, acquires the best, one possibly can in this bodily existence! What are these 5 areas:
1: One grows in Faith, 2: One grows in Morality, 3: One grows in Learning, 4: One grows in Generosity, 5: One grows in Understanding.
Developing in these five areas of progress, a noble disciple grows with a Noble Progress, and acquires the very core essence, acquires the optimal advantage, of this bodily existence. When one grows here in Faith and Morality, in Wisdom, Liberality, and Learning, the virtuous lay disciple acquires right here the very quintessence of all what is advantageous!
The Buddha once explained to Ven. Anuruddha: What are the 8 thoughts of a great man? 1: This Dhamma is for one who is modest, not for one who wants much. 2; This Dhamma is for one who is content, not for one who is discontent. 3: This Dhamma is for one who is reclusive, not for the socializing parrot. 4: This Dhamma is for one who is enthusiastic, not for one who is lazy. 5: This Dhamma is for one who is aware, not for one who is distracted. 6: This Dhamma is for one who is focused, not for one who is scattered. 7: This Dhamma is for one who understands, not for one who is confused. 8: This Dhamma is for one who enjoys unity, not for one who seeks diversity. When you think these 8 thoughts of a great man, then you can always easily attain the four jhanas, that provides a pleasant dwelling right here and now! Secondly, your rag-robe & simple alms-food, your dwelling at the tree-root, your bed on a spread of grass, and your smelling medicine will seem to you as the best of the best. Therefore will you live contented, in sweet delight, satisfied, dwelling in calm comfort, not agitated, and thus approach release. Anguttara Nikaya IV 227 (edited excerpt)
Comments: Later during this Rains Retreat in the Eastern Bamboo Park, Ven. Anuruddha dwelling alone, secluded, alert, ardent, & resolute, in no long time reached & remained in that supreme goal of the holy life for which clansmen rightly go forth into homelessness, and directly experiencing it himself he understood: "Rebirth is ended, this Noble life is completed, what should be done is done. There is no further state in this world." And thus Ven. Anuruddha became another one of the Arahats.
Sense-Desire is the foremost and deepest mental hindrance (Nivarana). The texts given below aim at illustrating how this obsessive and addictive urge for sensing only pleasure in the form of sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touches arise, cease, and is finally cured. The present-day dominance of the porno and entertainment industry speaks -in itself- clearly of this problems abundance among human beings today...
The Blessed Buddha once said: On this occasion the Blessed One was staying at Gaya's Head, together with a thousand Bhikkhus. There the Blessed One told these Bhikkhus this: Bhikkhus, all this is burning! And what, Bhikkhus, is that All that is burning? The eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and the mind is burning. All forms, sounds, smells, flavours, touches, and mental states are also burning! Whatever kind of consciousness of sense-contact is also burning! Any feeling arised caused by contact, whether pleasant, painful or neutral, that too is also burning... Burning with what? I say: Burning with the fire of lust, hate and ignorance, birth, ageing, death, sadness, disappointment, frustration, and Suffering! The Fire Sermon Samyutta Nikaya. Book IV 19-20
First priority: Noticing Sense-Desire (kama-chanda) makes it fade away: Herein, Bhikkhus, when sense-desire is present in him the Bhikkhu notes: "There is sense-desire in me," and when sense-desire is absent, he notes: "There is no sense-desire in me." He also understands how any yet unarisen sense-desire arises. He understands how to leave behind any already arisen sensual desire, and he understands how left sense-desire will not ever arise again in the future. MN 10
What is the feeding cause that makes Sense-Desire arise? There are attractive and alluring features and aspects of any object... Frequently giving irrational & unwise attention to them, this is the feeding cause of the arising of unarisen sense-desire, and also the feeding cause of the increase and expansion of sense-desire, that already has arisen. SN 46:51
What is the starving cause that makes Sense-Desire cease? There are disgusting and repulsive features and aspects of any object... Frequently giving rational & wise attention to them, this is the starving cause of the non-arising of unarisen sense-desire, and the starving cause of the decrease and shrinking of sense-desire that already has arisen. SN 46:51
Which medicine cures Sense-Desire, so that it does not re-arise again? These six things leads to the gradual elimination of sense-desire: 1. Learning how to meditate on ugly and disgusting objects. 2. Frequent and intense meditation on disgusting objects. 3. Guarding the sense doors. 4. Moderation in eating. 5. Noble friendship with one who knows how to quell sense-desire. 6. Suitable conversation on the disadvantages of hedonism. Commentary to the Satipatthana Sutta
1. Learning how to meditate on disgusting objects. Meditation on disgusting objects produces repulsion towards attractive objects as a result. This reduces desire for these objects. AN 5:36
The 32 inner organs of the body; A skin sac of bones with 9 oozing holes: Herein, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu reflects on just this body, confined within the skin and full of manifold ugly impurities from the soles upward and from the top of the hair downwards in this way: "There is in this body: head and body hair, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, sinews, bones, marrow, kidneys, heart, liver, pleura, spleen, lungs, intestines, bowels, stomach, excrement, bile, pus, blood, sweat, fat, tears, lymph, spit, slime, snot, joint-fluid, urine and the brain in the skull."
The 9 Corpse Contemplations: The Bhikkhu goes to a cemetery to see a corpse one day, 2 or 3 days dead: Bloated, livid, putrid, rotting, stinking & festering, he applies this experience to his own body in this way: "This body, too: Such is its nature & its future, such its unavoidable destiny'... He meditates as if he were seeing a corpse cast away in a cemetery, picked at by crows, vultures, and hawks, by dogs, hyenas, and various other animals ... a skeleton covered partly with flesh and blood, connected with sinews ... a fleshless skeleton smeared with blood, connected with tendons ... a skeleton without meat as a chain of bones connected with tendons... as bones detached from their tendons, scattered in all directions; here a hand bone, there a foot bone, here a shinbone, there a thigh bone, here a hip bone, there a back bone, here a rib, there a chest bone, here a shoulder bone, there a neck bone, here a jaw bone, there a tooth, here a skull... He contemplates his body as bones whitened, as bones somewhat like the colour of sea-shells ... as bones piled up, more than a year old ... as bones rotting and crumbling into black powder. This is Awareness focused on the body merely as a putrid and rotting form! MN 10
As inspiration for this acquisition of this sign of disgust (asubha-nimitta) curing any lust have a collection of corpse pictures been deposited at the link below. It can only be viewed by adults > 18 years http://s914.photobucket.com/albums/ac350/Asubha/ Password: corpses
Such memorized image of disgust is then remembered whenever lust re-arise. If the memorized image is vivid, then this urge of desire instantly vanish, since disgust and desire cannot co-exist in the mind at the same time. Even just noting the desire can cure it, since such advantageous Awareness cannot occur simultaneously in combination with detrimental thought of lust. Therefore, at the exact time of knowing the sense desire, that arose in the preceding moment, that sense desire no longer exists, but only the event of Awareness knowing and noticing it...
3. Guarding the sense doors: And how, Bhikkhus, does one guard the doors of the senses? Seeing a form with the eye, one does neither get caught up by any of the general features, nor does one become obsessed with any particular detail of this captivating form... Hearing a sound with the ear, one does neither get caught by any of the common aspects, nor does one become infatuated with any specific detail of this sweet sound... Smelling a smell with the nose, one does neither get caught by any of the prevailing qualities, nor does one become as if possessed by any particular detail of this seducing smell... Tasting a taste with the tongue, one does neither get caught by any of the prevalent hallmarks, nor does one become as if gripped by any peculiar detail of this dazzling taste... Touching a thing with the body, one does neither get caught by any of the regular attributes, nor does one become as if fixated by any distinct detail of this fascinating touch... Thinking a thought with the mind, one does neither get caught by any of the universal signs, nor does one become as if immersed in any particular detail of this entrancing mental state... Since, if one leaves the sense ability of the eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and mind uncontrolled, then evil detrimental states of lust, greed and discontent will immediately invade and degrade the mind... Therefore does one practise and gain control of the senses, one guards the doors of the senses, one reins back the senses, one keeps the senses restrained, and in check... SN 35:239
The Blessed Buddha once said: Bhikkhus, there are these five kinds of Mental Hindrance. What five?
1: The Mental Hindrance of Desire for Sensing... 2: The Mental Hindrance of Aversion and Ill-Will... 3: The Mental Hindrance of Lethargy and Laziness… 4: The Mental Hindrance of Restlessness and Regret… 5: The Mental Hindrance of Doubt and Uncertainty…
These are the 5 kinds of Mental Hindrance! The Noble 8-fold Way should be developed for the direct experience of these five Mental Hindrances, for the full understanding and elimination of them, and for their final and total overcoming, abandoning and leaving all behind! This Noble 8-fold Way is developed for the sake of uprooting all Mental Hindrance!
Explanation of the 5 Mental Hindrances: Desire for sights, sounds, smells, flavours, touches, & thoughts is obvious. Aversion is hate, anger, irritation, opposition, resistance, & stubbornness. Lethargy & Laziness is all sluggish indolence, stupor, slow & slack inactivity. Restlessness & Regret is all agitation, anxiety, hurry, remorse, and worry. Doubt & Uncertainty is indecision, hesitation, perplexity, & qualm dilemma. Mental Hindrance means a mental & invisible yet real & ultimately effective obstacle, obstruction, block, impediment, hurdle, and debilitating handicap!
Honesty is the 7th Mental Perfection. Like the moon remains in its fixed orbit around the earth, even so should one stay and stick with the truth, thereby insisting on honesty. This guarantee induces trust, confidence and assured certainty in the mind, as well as in the society. You can play with your drama, but not with your karma..
The Blessed Buddha once said: There are ten kasina spheres, Bhikkhus. And which are these? Someone perceives solid earth as his kasina, above, below, round about, undivided, as entirety, infinite, without boundaries, ends or limits. Again, someone perceives fluid water as his kasina ... or fire ... or wind ... or blue ... or yellow ... or red ... or white ... or space ... or consciousness, above, below, round about, undivided, as entirety, infinite, without boundaries, ends or limits. These are the subtle ten kasina spheres... Consciousness above, below, all around about, undivided, as entirety, infinite, without boundaries, ends or limits is considered as the very highest of these kasina spheres. There are beings dwelling in such subtle perceptions, however even these high aloof beings experience impermanence and change! Understanding this, any wise and Noble disciple turns away from it. By turning all away from it, he thereby detaches from the highest, how much more so from all lower states!
Comments on these Elements perceived as 'Entirety' or 'Wholeness': Kasina meditation is a mental absorption gained into a unity aspect: 'Earth' here does not mean a substance, but solidity and extension. 'Water' here neither means a substance, but fluidity and cohesion. 'Fire' here neither means a substance, but heat and vibration. 'Wind' or 'air' here means motion and kinetic energy. The unity aspect is thus not 'material', but a quality or propert.
Kasina means: Entirety, Totality, Unity, Wholeness and Oneness... It is a purely external method of inducing concentration and reach jhana absorption by unifying & condensing all undivided attention on a single homogenous, pure and uniform object or aspect... There are 10 objects. Consciousness itself is regarded the finest: 1: The Earth kasina, 2: Water kasina, 3: Fire kasina, 4: Wind kasina, 5: The Blue kasina, 6: Yellow kasina, 7: Red kasina, 8: White kasina, 9: The Light or the consciousness kasina, 10: The Space kasina. The colour kasinas is a blue, yellow, red or white circular disk ~1" feet in diameter of cloth, or painted cardboard or plywood, which is set up ~2 meters from the meditator who by gazing intensively at it internalizes it and thereby construct an artificial visualization! In the earth kasina, the object of gazing may be a ploughed field seen from afar, or a round piece of earth prepared for the purpose. In the water kasina one may gaze at a pond seen from an elevation, or at water contained in a vessel. Similarly with the fire and wind. One must keep the mind away from all outside contacts & various thoughts on other objects, as well as all those disturbing and often detrimental mental visions or pseudo-hallucinations that may arise. Now, while exclusively fixing the eyes and thoughts on the blue disk as the sole object, the things around the disk seem to disappear and the disk itself becomes more and more a purely mental appearance. Then, whether the eyes are opened or closed, one perceives this now purely mentalized kasina disk, as wholly pure uniformly bright blue. This is the so-called acquired image (uggaha-nimitta) which, though apparently induced by means of the physical eyes, is nevertheless produced and visualized only by the mind, independent of the eyes! This fragile mentally produced image one should make so steady it no longer vanishes, but remains firmly fixed in the mind. Then it will become continually steadier, brighter, and more intensive. Such all pervading pure blue is the mental reflex-image (patibhaga-nimitta) & associated with it is the access concentration (upacara-samadhi). During this stage all mental hindrances (nivarana) have temporarily, been suppressed. No sensual lust (kama-chanda) can arise in such focused state. No ill-will (vyapada) can irritate the mind. So is also all lethargy and laziness (thina-middha) overcome. No restlessness or regret (uddhacca-kukkucca) and no wavering in confused doubt (vicikiccha) can any more divert the mind. If it is still possible for these five mental hindrances to arise, there can be no lasting calm of the mind. When they are gone, & the calm appears is if even solid one may reach the absorption level concentration (appana-samadhi) and thereby enter into the first jhana. The first jhana is a state of calm peace, joyful bliss, and directed thought & sustained thinking (vitakka-vicara), i.e. inner speech or verbal activities of the mind... By the fading away & stilling of these verbal activities of the mind, one has attained the second jhana, a state of calm joy & happiness (piti-sukha), freed from all thinking and pondering. When the joy fades away the third jhana is reached, which is characterized by a serene equanimous happiness (upekkha-sukha). At the ceasing of happiness, a state of perfect equanimity (upekkha) remains. This is called the fourth jhana. After emerging from the fourth jhana, the mind becomes serene, pure, lucid, stainless, devoid of wrong, pliable, able to act, firm and imperturbable. Such mind is capable of all...
The Blessed Buddha explained: Monks, there are the ten kasina devices (for concentration). What are the ten? Someone perceives the earth kasina, above, below, on all sides, undivided, unbounded; another person perceives the water kasina... the fire kasina... the wind kasina... the blue... yellow... white... red kasina... the space kasina... the consciousness kasina, above, below, on all sides, undivided, unbounded. These are the ten kasina devices. Among these ten, this is the highest — when one perceives this subtle consciousness kasina above, below... unbounded. There are, indeed, monks, such persons who perceive in that way. But even for persons who thus perceive, change takes place, transformation takes place!
For a detailed explanation of the kasina exercises see Vism IV, V. The Path of Purification: Visuddhimagga. Excellent translation by Bhikkhu Nanamoli. Written by 'the great explainer' Buddhaghosa in 5th century AC on Ceylon: http://what-buddha-said.net/library/pdfs/PathofPurification2011.pdf
The Blessed Buddha once said: Bhikkhus, just as this body, is sustained by feeding, exists in dependence on feeding and cannot survive without food, so are the 7 Links to Awakening also sustained by feeding, they can also only exist in dependence on feeding and they cannot remain without feeding... And what, bhikkhus, is the feeding of the emergence of any yet unarisen equanimity and also feeding of the completion by condensation of any arisen Equanimity? There are states that are the basis & source Equanimity! Frequently pointing careful and rational attention to them, is feeding the emergence of unarisen equanimity & also feeding of the gradual fulfillment of any arisen Equanimity Link to Awakening... And what, Bhikkhus, is the starving that obstructs all emergence of a yet unarisen equanimity and which also hinders any already arisen Equanimity Link from reaching complete fulfillment by development? There are states that are the basis and source for the equanimity! Not giving frequent, careful and rational attention to them; not considering them much and often; is the starving that prevents an unarisen equanimity from arising and also blocks any already arisen equanimity from reaching any complete fulfillment through training in the form of frequent meditation!
Comments from the classical commentaries: Imperturbable onlooking ballance is characteristic of the equanimity. (Upekkha-Sambojjhanga). Moderation, seeking the neutral middle, composure and control is the purpose of the quality of Equanimity (Upekkha). Imperturbability is the manifestation of the equanimity. This stable yet still plastic patience purifies all the other advantageous mental states, which thus reach their maximum, when joined with Equanimity...
Further conditions helpful for the emergence of the equanimity are: 1: Impartiality regarding all living & sentient beings... 2: Indifference regarding all inanimate constructions... 3: Avoiding biased people who prefer favouritism & one-sided partiality... 4: Friendship with well ballanced people unmoved by both pleasure & pain... 5: Commitment to ballance the mind into even & imperturbable Equanimity!
There is Equanimity towards living beings and regarding material things! There is Equanimity towards internal states & regarding external states! There is Equanimity towards all past, present, and future times, and events! There is Equanimity towards all mentality and regarding all materiality!
Sources (edited extracts): The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book [V: 65-6+102-8] 46: Links. 2+51: Group & Nutriments.... Have a nice & noble day!
The Buddha explained how to regard the body in order to reduce greed: Whether going or standing, sitting or lying, bending or stretching, then one should note fully aware: this is movement of the body, which is a frame of bones joined with sinews, plastered with skin and flesh, full of intestines, stomach, liver, bladder, heart, lungs, kidneys, spleen, slime, mucus, sweat, pus, lymph, blood, joint-fluid, bile, and fat. Filth oozes from its nine holes as tears, earwax, snot, spittle, vomit, bile, urine, semen and excrement. Sweat and dirt stick the body, and its hollow skull is filled with a fatty brain... Only a fool, overwhelmed by ignorance, regards it as beautiful, but when it lies dead, swollen up and bluish, cast away, eaten by dogs, jackals, wolves, worms, crows and vultures nobody cares anymore about it. This impure, and evil-smelling two-footed body is cherished by many and adored as a temple. However: Whoever would be proud of such a body, or would belittle others for their less attractive body, what is this, except lack of genuine insight? The bhikkhu possessing knowledge here, having heard the Buddha's word, indeed understands it, for he sees this body as it really is. As this corps is, so is that body of mine also, understanding this, one can relinquish desire for the body, both one's own and other's. Having eliminated desire, lust & passion, the bhikkhu possessing knowledge here, has arrived at the undying, at imperturbable peace, at the unshakable state of quenching. Sn 193-205
What are the 8 Training Rules (Precepts), which brings Divinity?
The Blessed Buddha once said: The habitual praxis of the observance day endowed with eight features brings high reward and blessing, & is of sublime dignity and greatness. And which are these eight features? Here, any Noble Disciple considers within himself: Throughout their life the Arahats avoid the killing of any living being, they do not hurt any of them. Without stick or any weapon, tender-hearted, gentle, caring, & mild they think only of the welfare of all living beings! So will also I, this day and night, avoid the killing and hurting of all living and breathing beings. Without any cudgel or weapon, tender-hearted, full of kindness, I will think only on the joyous welfare of all living beings and creatures. In this regard I will follow the Arahats, & I shall observe this observance day praxis perfectly! With this first praxis is the observance day enriched. Observed in this very way, the observance day endowed with eight features brings high - even divine - reward & blessing & is of sublime dignity and immense greatness...
All sentient beings feel pain from violence... All sentient beings fear death in panic! Seeing other beings are like oneself; Treating other beings like oneself; One should never ever harm or kill ... Dhammapada 129
Whoever never injures, neither with weapon nor stick, beings searching for their happiness - when after death - seeking same happiness, such gentle one always gains it! Dhammapada 132
Harmlessness protects Everyone!
The one who has left all violence, who never harms any being at all, whether they are moving or still, who neither kill, nor causes to kill, such one, harmless, is a Holy One. Dhammapada 405
Friends, this highly advantageous praxis can be undertaken by anyone, at any time, all day long, in all situations, and at all locations! Therefore Do it!, Repeat it!, and Remember it!:
When walking, one understands: "I am walking.." When standing, one knows: "I am standing.." If sitting, one notes: "I am sitting down now.." While lying down, one reflects: "I am lying down.."
When moving forward or returning, one clearly comprehends exactly that.. When looking forward or away, one clearly comprehends exactly that.. When bending or extending a limb, one clearly comprehends exactly that.. When dressing or carrying things, one clearly comprehends exactly that.. When eating, drinking, or chewing, one clearly comprehends exactly that.. When defecating or urinating, one clearly comprehends exactly that.. When walking, standing or sitting, one clearly comprehends exactly that.. When falling asleep or waking up, one clearly comprehends exactly that.. When talking or dwelling in silence, one clearly comprehends exactly that..
Rational and alert attention is thus a cause of ultra clear comprehension! When continuous Awareness is established, it can prevent all mistakes, and their painful after-effects... In this way do clear comprehension lead reduced frustration and gain of new satisfaction! If correctly cultivated, and made much of, this praxis will be for all beings welfare and happiness for a long, long time... Why so? Clear comprehension purifies the purpose, the suitability, the domain, and the unconfused focus of any activity!
Any Buddhist disciple should avoid taking anything from anywhere knowing it belongs to another. He should neither steal, nor swindle, nor incite others to steal or cheat. He should completely avoid all theft, deception and fraud. Sutta Nipata 2.397
The young brahman Magha once asked the Blessed Buddha: When giving food, where would this offering be most purified for the donor? The Blessed One answered: If any open-handed householder, a lordly giver, Magha, seeking merit, looking for merit, sacrifices, giving food and drink to others, such one would achieve most merit, if the recipient is pure and Noble. Such, who indeed wander unattached in the world, having & wanting nothing, fully accomplished, in complete self-control, upon them, at the right time one should bestow an offering. Those who have cut all mental bonds and fetters, who are tamed, completely released, without affliction, without desire, upon them, at the right time, should one bestow an offering. Upon these purified & Noble Ones should any brahman, who is looking for merit, place his sacrifice! Sutta-Nipata verses 488-491 Edited excerpt.
Pure giving cut short: Give 2 those who don't want anything!
If friendship between animal beings can cross even remote species borders, so can and should we humans also make our kind friendship extend beyond any national, religious, cultural, gender, educational, job, and age border! Only in this very good way, can we establish a society, where we can sleep with the doors open, and dance with the children in our arms. So be it :-)
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 & mind: Beaming above, below, & all around, unobstructed, without trace of hostility. Sutta Nipata I, 8
For one who deliberately & aware develops Universal Friendliness Seeing the fading away of clinging, All chains are worn down & broken. Itivuttaka 27
Let no one deceive another or despise anyone anywhere, or through anger or irritation wish for another to suffer. Sutta Nipata I, 8
I am a friend of the footless, I am a friend of all bipeds; I am a friend of those with four feet, I am a friend of the many-footed! Anguttara Nikaya 4.67
As I am, so are others... As others are, so am I... Having thus identified self and others, Never Harm anyone, nor have any abused. Sutta Nipata 3.710
Among tigers, lions, leopards & bears I lived in the jungle. No one was frightened of me, nor did I fear anyone. Uplifted by such universal friendliness, I enjoyed the forest. Finding great solace in such sweetly silenced solitude… Suvanna-sama Jataka 540
Train yourself in doing good that lasts and brings happiness. Cultivate generosity, the life of peace, and a mind of infinite universal love. Itivuttaka 22
The 9th mental Perfection is Friendliness (Metta): Just as water refreshes and cleanses both just and unjust persons without discrimination, so does the perfection of friendliness include both friends and foes alike, and doesn't enact any distinction, favouritism, or partiality.
Therefore did the Buddha point out Harmlessness as the best protection:
I am a friend of the footless, I am a friend of all bipeds; I am a friend of those with four feet, I am a friend of the many-footed! Anguttara Nikaya 4.67
As I am, so are others... As others are, so am I... Having thus identified self with others, Never Harm anyone, nor make any hurt. Sutta-Nipata 705
Among tigers, lions, leopards & bears I lived in the jungle. No one was frightened of me, nor did I fear anyone... Uplifted by such universal friendliness, I enjoyed the forest. Finding great solace in that sweetly silenced solitude… Suvanna-sama Jataka 540
Comments
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.
A huge wooden hall was built outside the cave to house the 500 Arahants.
This was built by King Ajatasattu, who tried to do some good after having killed his
father the good king Bimbisara, King of Magadha.
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/DPPN/sa/sattapanniguha.htm
http://dhammawiki.com/index.php?title=The_Sattapanni_Cave
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.
Today is Nikini Poya Day.
True Buddhists Respect the Poya Days!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/III/Nikini_Poya_Day.htm
The Utterly Uncreated and Unborn State!
This, unquestionably - so has there been heard by me - was so stated by the Lord,
was stated by the worthy Arahant:
"There exists indeed, monks, that which is unborn, is unbecome, is uncreated,
that which is uncaused and unconditioned… For if there were not that which is
unborn, is unbecome, is uncreated, that which is uncaused and unconditioned,
there could not be made known right here the absolute escape from that which
is born, from that which is become, from that which is created, from that which
is conditioned. However since there indeed exists that sublime state, which
is unborn, which is unbecome, which is uncreated, and utterly unconditioned,
there is therefore right now made known the complete escape from that,
which is born, from that, which is become, from that, which is created,
from all that, which is dependent and conditioned."
So said the Lord Buddha while adding:
"That which is born, that which is become, that which is co-arisen,
that which is conditioned, that which is created, that which is unstable,
that which is the bridge between birth and death, this seat of disease,
with nutriment as its source, is only perishable… It is nothing in which to rejoice!
The escape from this is stilled calm, beyond the sphere of logic, being that which
is stable sameness, that which is unborn, that which is independent, not co-arisen,
grief-free, dustless, this state is the ceasing of conditions involving suffering,
it is the pacification of all formation! It is Peace. It is the highest Bliss…"
This matter, too, was stated by the Lord Buddha, so has there been heard by me.
Source: The Itivuttaka - Spoken by Buddha. The Unborn Sutta 43
Links on & to Nibbana (Nirvana), the Deathless Dimension:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Final_Freedom.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/climax_of_calm.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Reaching_Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Entrance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Nibbana_Still.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_to_Enter.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Uncreated.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/What_is_Nibbana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Proximate_Cause.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Nibbana_or_non-return.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Nibbana_True_Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/n_r/nibbaana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Signless_Nibbana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Imperturbable_Equanimity.htm
The Unborn Situation!
Nibbana is an Utterly Uncreated and Unborn State!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Unborn_State.htm
Stilling of all Mental Construction is Nibbâna!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Here, Ananda, the Bhikkhu considers it all like this:
This is the supreme peace, this is sublime calm: The stilling of all formations,
the silencing of all mental construction, the relinquishing of all substrata
fuelling existence, the fading away of all craving, detachment, release,
ceasing, Nibbana...
In this way, Ananda, the Bhikkhu may enter a mental absorption in which
there is no notion of 'I' and 'mine', no attacks of conceiving any internal
consciousness or any external objects and wherein he is both mentally
released and fully liberated through understanding this all...
In this silenced and wholly stilled state there is no inclination to "I" and
"mine-making", and no more attacks of conceit by latent tendencies to
identification, egotism, and narcissism!
Anguttara Nikaya AN 3:32
Knowing both what the inner is and the outer is,
one is neither stirred, nor troubled any more!
When thus stilled and imperturbable, there is
neither any attraction, nor any repulsion...
One has crossed and escaped ageing and death!!!
Sutta Nipata 1048
More on Nibbana: A Quenched State of Peace, Freedom, and Max. Bliss:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Final_Freedom.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/climax_of_calm.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Reaching_Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Entrance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Nibbana_Still.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_to_Enter.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Uncreated.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/What_is_Nibbana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Proximate_Cause.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Unborn_State.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Nibbana_or_non-return.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Nibbana_True_Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/n_r/nibbaana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Signless_Nibbana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Imperturbable_Equanimity.htm
Stilled is Nibbana...
The stilling of all mental formation is the supreme peace!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Nibbana_Still.htm
Any conscious moment also dies immediately!
Life, personality, pleasure, pain, endures joined in one conscious moment,
that flicks by... Whether such ceased clusters of clinging are those of a
dead or alive does not matter, they are all alike, momentarily gone never
to return... No world is born and appears as manifest, if consciousness is
not produced! Only when consciousness is present, does the world emerge!
When consciousness momentarily dissolves, the world is dead and vanished!
So both the being & the world starts and ends within each conscious moment!
Both are reborn millions of times per second! Not only at conventional death..
This is how death also should be recollected, as the shortness of the moment.
This is the highest sense this concept of conscious existence ever will allow...
(Vism I 238, Nd I 42 )
Both 'Being' & 'World' occurs only as discrete conscious moments!
Being or rather becoming proceeds as a discrete Blinking:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Void_Blinking.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Discrete_States.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Momentary_Life.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Impermanence_Anicca.htm
No being is Static: In the blinking tunnel flows the process of re-becoming!
Being is Blinking!
Existence is discrete and not continuous!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Momentary_Consciousness.htm
Neither Stealing nor Cheating, Taking only what is Given!
Once in Savatthi the Blessed Buddha said this:
What, householder friends, is the Dhamma explanation befitting to oneself?
Here, householder friends, a Noble Disciple reflects thus: If someone were to
take from me, what I have not given, that is, to commit theft, to steal, that would
neither be pleasing, nor agreeable to me.
If I were to take from whatever kind of another being, what he has not freely given,
that is also to commit theft, to steal, that would neither be pleasing, nor agreeable
to that other being either.... What is displeasing and disagreeable to me, is thus also
displeasing and disagreeable to any other being too! How can I inflict upon another
being, what is displeasing and disagreeable to myself? Having reflected repeatedly
thus, then gradually:
1: One will carefully avoid all taking, what is not freely given...
2: One will persuade others also to abstain from all stealing and theft...
3: One will praise only accepting, what is freely and righteously given...
In exactly this way is this good bodily behaviour purified in 3 respects!!!
Comments:
Cheating with valuables & scales, fraud, false insurance claims, swindling,
tax evasion, and any illegitimate misappropriation of values is theft...
DO NOT MAKE OTHERS SUFFER BY STEALING WHAT THEY CLING TO!
The one who destroys life;
The one who speaks false;
The one who takes what is not given;
The one who mates with the partner of another;
The one who is addicted to drinking and drugging;
Such one - even in this world - digs up his own root!!!
Dhammapada 246-47
The one who never takes, what is not freely given,
whether long or short, fine or foul, exquisite
or repulsive, such one is a pure one.
Dhammapada 409
More on Stealing and Consequences:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Hungry_Ghost_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ways_to_the_Barbeque.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Threefold_Right_Action.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Inevitable_Consequences.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Optimal_Observance_II.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:354]
section 55: Sotapattisamyutta. Thread 7: To the people at the Bamboo gate...
Have a nice clean & honest day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Avoid all Stealing, Cheating & Fraud!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/Not_Stealing.htm
Establishing the 4 Foundations of Awareness!
Buddha once asked: What, friends, are the Four Foundations of Awareness?
1: Body as foul frame:
While always acutely alert & clearly comprehending, thus removing
any lust, urge, envy, frustration & discontent rooted in this world,
the intelligent Bhikkhu keeps contemplating & regarding any & all
Body as an alien frame of filthy & foul form... As something bound
to emerge, decay and vanish... Neither as mine, nor belonging to me,
nor as 'what I am', nor as a manifested representation of 'myself'!
Neither as lasting, stable safety! Nor as pleasant beauty and pride!
2: Feeling as annoying reaction:
The intelligent Bhikkhu keeps contemplating & regarding any & all
Feeling as a remote ever recurring reactivity... As something bound
to arise, decay & fade away! Not as mine, felt by me, nor belonging
to me, nor as what 'I am', nor as something felt by my very self!
Neither as lasting, stable & safe! Nor as ever pleasure & only bliss!
3: Mind as passing moods:
The intelligent Bhikkhu keeps contemplating & regarding any & all
Mind as a habituated set of bizarre mentalities of a weird nature,
that appears, dwindles, flutters & flickers... Neither as something
that 'I am', nor as a part of 'me', nor making up my ego or my self!
Neither as lasting, stable or same! Not as fascinating! Not as soul!
4: Phenomena as momentary appearances:
The intelligent Bhikkhu keeps contemplating & regarding any & all
Phenomena as mentally constructed appearances of momentary
manifestation always ending right where they arised. Not as mine,
belonging to me or any self! Not as something lasting, stable or real!
Not as existent, enduring, substantial, material, absolute or authentic!
This is the fourfold Foundation of Awareness...!!! This - only this -
is the sole way to the purification of beings!!! Why is it actually so?
It is an indispensable support for a presence, that has to stand near!
It has to be made manifest, to be of service as a guarding activity!
It has to be established, as a continuous dominance of comprehension!
It is essential & absolutely necessary for optimizing any behaviour!
It is a crucially needed key, imperative for preventing all mistakes!
It is a vitally fundamental prerequisite for guidance & self-control!
It is the only thing that can overcome relapses of careless neglect!
When not aware of what one is doing, serious mistakes is inevitable!
The 4 Great Frames of Reference!
Details On Four Foundations of Awareness (Sati):
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/What_is_Right_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Careful_and_Rational_Attention.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Four_Foundations_of_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Clear_and_Aware_Comprehension.htm
Clear comprehension is a must!
The 4 Great Frames of Reference!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Four_Foundations_of_Awareness.htm
Breathing Fulfills the 4 Foundations of Awareness!
Once in Savatthi the Blessed Buddha said this: How, Ananda, is this fine
concentration by Awareness by Breathing (Anapanasati) developed and
cultivated so that it fulfils the Four Foundations of Awareness (Sati) ?
Whenever, Ananda, a Bhikkhu:
1: Breathing long, knows, notes & understands: I breathe in & out long!
2: Breathing short, knows, notes & understands: I breathe in & out short!
3: Trains thus: Experiencing this entire body, I will breathe in & out!
4: Trains thus: Calming all bodily activity, I will breathe in & out!
On that occasion the Bhikkhu dwells contemplating the body as a group,
keen, clearly comprehending, and aware, thereby removing all desire and
frustration rooted in this world! This is a certain kind of body, Ananda,
a kind of accumulation, just this breathing in and breathing out in itself...
Whenever, Ananda, a Bhikkhu:
5: Trains thus: Experiencing enraptured joy, I will breathe in & out!
6: Trains thus: Experiencing a happy pleasure, I will breathe in & out!
7: Trains thus: Experiencing all mental activity, I will breathe in & out!
8: Trains thus: Calming all mental activity, I will breathe in & out!
On that occasion the Bhikkhu dwells contemplating feeling as a reaction,
keen, clearly comprehending, & aware, thereby removing all desire and
frustration rooted in this world! For what reason? Close attention to
breathing in & breathing out is also a certain kind of feeling, Ananda...
Whenever, Ananda, a Bhikkhu: :
9: Trains thus: Experiencing the present mood, I will breathe in & out!
10: Trains thus: Elating, & satisfying the mind, I will breathe in & out!
11: Trains thus: Concentrating, & focusing mind, I will breathe in & out!
12: Trains thus: Releasing, & liberating the mind, I will breathe in & out!
On that occasion the Bhikkhu dwells contemplating mind only as moods,
keen, clearly comprehending, & aware, thereby removing all desire and
frustration rooted in this world! I tell you, Ananda, there is no gaining
concentration by awareness by breathing for one, who is confused, and
who lacks clear comprehension of the actually present mentality & mood!
Whenever, Ananda, a Bhikkhu:
13: Trains thus: Contemplating impermanence, I will breathe in & out!
14: Trains thus: Contemplating disillusion, I will breathe in & out!
15: Trains thus: Contemplating ceasing, I will breathe in & out!
16: Trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe in & out!
On that occasion the Bhikkhu dwells contemplating all phenomena as
mental states, keen, clearly comprehending, & aware, thereby removing
all desire and frustration rooted in this world! Having by understanding
seen what really is the elimination of greed and discontent, he is one
who just looks on, over-viewing carefully in imperturbable equanimity...
It is, Ananda, when Awareness by Breathing is trained, developed and
refined in this very way, that it fulfills the 4 Foundations of Awareness...
These 16 steps should be memorized fully. Print out & bring to pillow!
The Buddha explains Awareness by Breathing
(Anapanasati Sutta, Majjhima Nikaya 118)
More on this sublime technique used by all Buddhas at Awakening:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Awareness_by_Breathing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/Manual/Meditation.Manual.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/anapana_sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_I.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_II.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_III.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_IV.htm
Full text and all classic commentarial explanations:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/pdfs/anapanasati.pdf
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:329-31]
section 54: Anapanasamyutta. Thread 13: Ananda!
Breathing makes Awareness..
Unique and Subtle is Breathing Meditation!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/1_Producing_4.htm
Breathing in-&-out can produce Absorption!
The blessed Buddha once explained:
Bhikkhus, the concentration gained by Awareness by Breathing, when trained,
is of great fruit and advantage. And how, Bhikkhus, is this concentration by
Awareness by Breathing developed and cultivated so that it is of great fruit
and advantage? Bhikkhus, when one have gone to the forest, or to the root of
a tree, or to an empty hut, there one sits down cross-legged, having made one's
body and back straight, and set up awareness around the nostrils, then just
plain aware of that breathing in itself one breathes in, and just solely aware
of only that breathing in itself one breathes out...
1: Breathing in long, one knows, notes and understands: I inhale long!
Breathing out long, one knows, notes and understands: I exhale long!
... ... ... (steps 2-15)
One trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe in!
One trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe out!
Therefore, Bhikkhus, if a friend wishes: May I become secluded from all sense
desires, protected from any detrimental mental state, and thereby enter and
dwell in the 1st jhana, which is directed thought and sustained thinking joined
with Joy and pleasure born of solitude, then this very same concentration by
Awareness by Breathing should be cultivated often & devoted much attention!
Furthermore if such friend should wish: By the stilling & fading of all directed
and sustained thought, may I enter & dwell in the 2nd jhana, which is a calmed
assurance fixed by solid mental unification and joined with Joy & pleasure now
born of a concentration devoid of any active thinking, then this same method:
Awareness by Breathing should be trained often & devoted sincere attention!
Even further; if one should wish: With the fading away of joy, may I dwell in
composed equanimity, just open, aware and clearly comprehending, still feeling
pleasure in this body, by entering upon and remaining in the 3rd jhana, about
which the Noble Ones declare: "In aware Equanimity one dwells in pleasure!",
then this very same exercise: Awareness by Breathing should be developed
regularly and dedicated much earnest consideration! Finally if one should wish:
With the leaving all behind of both pleasure and pain, even as with the prior
disappearance of both Joy and sorrow, may I enter and dwell in the 4th jhana,
which is an entirely silenced state of utter awareness, purified by Equanimity
of neither-pain-nor-pleasure, then this same praxis: Awareness by Breathing
should be repeated daily & thus made a primary priority due to its importance!
The sublime Awareness by Breathing (Anapana-sati) used by all Buddhas:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_I.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/pdfs/anapanasati.pdf
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_II.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_IV.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/1_Producing_4.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_III.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Four_Fulfilling_Seven.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Magnificent_Meditation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_the_Breath.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Awareness_by_Breathing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/anapana_sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Breathing_Calm_and_Insight.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Peaceful_and_Sublime_on_the_Spot.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unique_Thing_Awareness_by_Breathing.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:316-7]
section 54: Anapanasamyutta. Thread 8: The simile of the Lamp!
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Mind becomes Exalted, when One-Pointed!
Absorption by Breathing!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_II.htm
Special Experiences might cure illness instantly!
Once when Venerable Girimananda was sick, the Buddha said to Ven. Ananda.
What is the experience of acute Awareness by in-&-out Breathing?
It is when a Bhikkhu, who have gone to the forest, or to the root of a tree,
or to an empty hut, sits down cross-legged, having straightened his body and
back, and set up awareness around the nostrils, then just plain aware of only
that itself, he breathes in, and then just solely aware of only that breathing
in itself, he then breathes out...
1: Breathing in-&-out long, he knows, notes & understands: I in-&-exhale long!
2: Breathing in short, he knows, notes & understands: I in-&-exhale short!
3: He trains thus: Experiencing this entire body, I will breathe in-&out!
4: He trains thus: Calming all bodily activity, I will breathe in-&out!
5: He trains thus: Experiencing enraptured joy, I will breathe in-&out!
6: He trains thus: Experiencing a happy pleasure, I will breathe in-&out!
7: He trains thus: Experiencing all mental activity, I will breathe in-&out!
8: He trains thus: Calming all mental activity, I will breathe in-&out!
9: He trains thus: Experiencing the present mood, I will breathe in-&out!
10: He trains thus: Elating & gladdening the mind, I will breathe in-&out!
11: He trains thus: Concentrating & focusing mind, I will breathe in-&out!
12: He trains thus: Releasing, & liberating the mind, I will breathe in-&out!
13: He trains thus: Considering impermanence, I will breathe in-&out!
14: He trains thus: Considering disillusion, I will breathe in-&out!
15: He trains thus: Considering ceasing, I will breathe in-&out!
16: He trains thus: Considering relinquishment, I will breathe in-&out!
Having learnt and memorized these 16 simple steps from the Blessed One,
the Venerable Ananda went to the Venerable Girimananda and recited these
to him. Then as soon as Venerable Girimananda heard these 16 simple steps
& the ten experiences his illness instantly subsided & he rose from his bed!
This was thus the way Venerable Girimananda was cured from his sickness....
The 10 Experiences are:
1: The experience of Impermanence, and Transience (Anicca-Sañña).
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Impermanence.htm
2: The experience of No-Self, and Egoless Impersonality (Anatta-Sañña).
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Egolessness.htm
3: The experience of Loathsome Foulness, and Disgust (Asubha-Sañña).
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Disgust.htm
4: The experience of Danger, Damage, and Disadvantage (Adinava-Sañña).
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Danger.htm
5: The experience of Leaving Behind, Overcoming; Giving up (Pahana-Sañña).
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Elimination.htm
6: The experience of Disillusion, Dispassion, & Detachment (Viraga-Sañña).
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Fading_Away.htm
7: The experience of Ceasing, Stilling, and Final Finishing (Nirodha-Sañña).
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Ceasing.htm
8: The experience of Disgust with the Whole World (Sabbaloka-Anabhirati-Sañña).
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Disappointment.htm
9: The experience of Decay of all Formations (Sabbasankharesu Anicca-Sañña)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Universal_Transience.htm
10: The experience of Awareness by in-and-out Breathing (Anapanasati-Sañña)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_the_Breath.htm
Ven. Webu Sayadaw was a great promoter of Anapana-sati meditation.
On Awareness by Breathing:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_I.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/pdfs/anapanasati.pdf
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_II.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_IV.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/1_Producing_4.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_III.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Four_Fulfilling_Seven.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Magnificent_Meditation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_the_Breath.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Awareness_by_Breathing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/anapana_sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Breathing_Calm_and_Insight.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Peaceful_and_Sublime_on_the_Spot.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unique_Thing_Awareness_by_Breathing.htm
Source (edited extract):
Numerical Discourses of the Buddha. Anguttara Nikaya AN 10:60, V 108ff.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/Index.Numerical.htm
Calming is Simple: Stay focused on the Breath!
Experiencing the Breath!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_the_Breath.htm
An Unconstructed and Unchanging State!
At Savatthi the Blessed Buddha once said to his monks:
I will teach you the Unconstructed, Unconditioned & Uncreated State, &
the way leading to this unconstructed, unconditioned & uncreated state...
Listen & pay attention to that, which will lead you to lasting happiness!
And what, is this unconstructed, unconditioned and uncreated state?
The elimination of greed, the stilling of hate, & the absence of ignorance:
This is the unconstructed, unconditioned & uncreated state of Nibbana...
And what is the good way leading to this unconstructed, unconditioned &
uncreated state?
Awareness of the body as a collection of organs is a way to unconstruct...
The four foundations of awareness is a way to this uncreated dimension...
Serene calm and profound insight is a way to this unconditioned sphere...
Concentrated directed thought & sustained examination is such a way...
Absorption into emptiness, signlessness, and into the uninclined is a way...
The four right efforts is a way to this unconditional state...
The four roads to force is a way to this unchanging state...
The five pure abilities is a way to this unfailing state...
The five pure powers is a way to this undecaying state...
The seven links to awakening is a way to this deathless state...
The Noble 8-fold Way is a way to this immaculate state...
These are the only ways leading to the unconstructed, unconditioned and
uncreated state. Bhikkhus, I have now taught you the unconstructed, the
unconditioned, the uncreated, and the way leading to this unconstructed,
unconditioned & uncreated state. Whatever should be done, bhikkhus, by
a considerate teacher out of sympathy for his disciples, wishing their sole
welfare, that I have now done for you. There are roots of trees, bhikkhus,
there are empty huts. Meditate, do not neglect your meditation, bhikkhus,
since you will bitterly regret it later! This is our instruction to you all...
Buddha Gotama enters Nibbana in year 483 BC.
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
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/n_r/nibbaana.htm
Not a place, yet a real state of the most supreme Bliss !
Source:
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book IV [359-62]
Section 43: On The Unconstructed. The way to the unconstructed state: 1-11.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
The Uncreated State!
An Unconstructed and Unchanging Absolute...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Uncreated.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
Cause & Effect: Action & Reward:
Giving is the prime cause of Wealth!
No giving = no wealth, much giving = much future wealth!
Giving Food, one gives and later gets Strength!
Giving Clothes, one gives and later gets Beauty!
Giving Medicine, one gives and later gets Health!
Giving Shelter, one gives and later gets Protection!
Giving Transport, one gives and later gets Swift Ease!
Giving Lamps, one gives and later gets Light and Sight!
Giving Learning, one gives and later gets Intelligence!
Giving True Dhamma, one gives & later gets Deathlessness!
Thus this gift of True Dhamma exceeds all other gifts...
More on Generosity = The 1st mental perfection:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Glad_Giving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Openhanded_Generosity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Generosity_Contemplation.htm
The Gods became the Gods, by Giving to the Pure Ones!
Giving is Getting!
Cause & Effect = Good Action & Reward:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Giving.htm
How2 Cure Depression?
Video on how Methodological Metta Meditation cures Depression!
http://vimeo.com/bhikkhusamahita/metta-meditation
or
More on Metta (Friendliness Meditation:
What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Metta.htm
What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Hey_Friend.htm
What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Mothers_Love.htm
What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kalyanamitta.htm
What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unique_Unity.htm
What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Loving-Kindness.htm
What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Calm_Kindness.htm
What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Across_Borders.htm
What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Safe_Medicine.htm
What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Friendliness_Frees.htm
Some Water filter insets are urgently needed!
So not to get re-infected with bilharzia liver-worms again! are some water filter
insets needed for purification of the water here.
Advantageous Donations for this Noble purpose are welcome here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Many thanx in advance for kind assistance w. health. :-)
What is the Highest Blessing?
Thus have I heard: On one occasion the Exalted One was dwelling at the
monastery of Anathapindika, in Jeta’s grove, near Savatthi. Now when the
night was far spent a certain deity, whose surpassing radiance illuminated
the entire Jeta Grove, came to the presence of the Exalted One. After
drawing near, he respectfully saluted Him and stood at one side. Standing
thus, he addressed the Exalted One in verse:
Many deities and men wishing to know what is good, have pondered on the
blessings and auspicious signs of luck. Tell me what is the highest blessing?
What is the best protection?
The Blessed Buddha responded:
Not to associate with fools, but only with the wise. To honour only those who
are worthy of honour. This is the highest blessing & also the best protection.
To live in a suitable place, to have done merits in the past, and to set oneself
on the right path. This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.
Great learning, good skills, a highly trained discipline, and a pleasant speech.
This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.
The support of father and mother, the cherishing of wife and children, and
a peaceful job. This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.
Generosity, pure morality, the helping of relatives, and blameless behaviour.
This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.
To avoid all evil action, to abstain from intoxicants, and firmness in virtue.
This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.
Reverence, humility, contentment, gratitude & hearing the Dhamma in time.
This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.
Patience, respect, sight of calm recluses and suitable conversation in time.
This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.
Self-control, living the Noble life, realizing the Noble Truths and Nibbana.
This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.
The be unmoved by the 8 worldly conditions # sorrowless, stainless, & safe.
This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.
Having fulfilled all these requirements, everywhere they are undefeated,
everywhere they go in safety, fearing nothing, cooled, calmed and serene...
These are the highest blessings and also the best protections!
#: Gain and loss, fame and disrespect, praise and blame, happiness & sorrow.
Source: Sutta Nipata Sn 258-269 in BPS Wheel no 54 (Edited Excerpt):
The Mirror of the Dhamma. A Manual of Buddhist Devotional Texts.
By Narada Thera and Bhikkhu Kassapa. Revised By Bhikkhu Khantipalo:
http://www.bps.lk/wh054-u.html
Regarding Blessing (Mangala) as a good, lucky or auspicious sign see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/g_m/mangala.htm
The Highest Blessing...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_Highest_Blessing.htm
Suffering in this World is Inevitable!
The entire world is in flames, all the entire world is blazing up in smoke!
The entire world is burning, the entire world is decaying and vanishing...
But that which does not vanish or burn, which is experienced by the Nobles,
where Death has no entry, in that stilled silence mind finds sweet delight.
Samyutta Nikaya 1.168
Without sign, unknown, uncertain, is the life here of mortals, demanding,
short, tied up with pain and misery. For there's no way by which those who
are born will not die. All Beings will surely die even if they become very old!
Like ripe fruits, whose downfall, whose danger always is inevitable falling,
so for mortals, once born, the constant danger is forever hereafter death!
As a potter's clay vessels, large & small, fired & unfired, all end up broken,
so too life heads to death. Young & old, wise & foolish, rich & poor: Everyone
come under the sway of death, all have death as their assured certain end.
Note the hands are taken the Head and Mind that suffers!
For those overcome by death, gone to the other world, father cannot protect
son, nor relatives any family. See: Even while relatives are looking & wailing
heavily, mortals are one by one led away like dumb cows to the slaughter...
In this way is the world afflicted with aging & death! Knowing this indeed
inescapable and unavoidable nature of the world, the enlightened don't ever
grieve! You don't know from where the dying came or where he is going...
Seeing neither end, you lament uselessly in blind vain.. Helping nobody at all!
If, by lamenting, confused, harming yourself, any good use could be gained
the prudent would do it as well. But not by weeping & grief do you gain peace
of mind. Pain just arises all the more. Your body is hurt. You grow thin, pale,
harming yourself by yourself. Not in that folly way, are the dead protected.
Lamentations are all in pointless vain.
Not abandoning grief, a person suffers all the more pain. Bewailing one whose
time is done, you fall under the sway of grief yourself. Look at others, going
along, people arriving in line with their past actions: Falling under the sway
of death, beings simply shivers here, for a short unstable waste of a life...
For however they imagine it to be, it always becomes quite other than that!
That's a fate of their blinded estrangement. See this evil way of the world...
Even if a person lives a century, or even more, he will be separated from his
community, friends & relatives. He leaves his life alone & naked right there!
So, having heard the Arahat, who have subdued all lamentation, seeing that
the dead is one whose time is done, understanding: "I can't fetch him back."
Just as one would extinguish a burning shelter with water, even so does the
Enlightened One, intelligent, clever and wise, blow away any arisen sorrow,
like a strong wind, a bit of cotton fluff!
Seeking your own happiness, you should pull out your own injuring arrow:
All your own lamentation, longing, hoping, hungering producing only sorrow!
With arrow pulled out, independent, attaining peace of awareness, all grief
is transcended, griefless you are unbound, free, safe, at ease in peace...
Source: Salla Sutta: The Arrow. Snp 3.8, PTS: Sn 574-593
Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu (Edited Extract)
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/snp/snp.3.08.than.html
Kindly forwarded by our Friend Ivan Dhammavaro Wijaya:
More on Suffering, Misery, Dissatisfaction, Frustration & Stress (Dukkha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Source_of_What.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/What_is_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/SN/SN.III.196.1.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Origin_of_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/dukkha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ceasing_of_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Contemplating_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_3_kinds_of_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Contemplating_Suffering_2.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Stopping_Mental_Frustration.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_1st_Noble_Truth_on_Suffering.htm
More on this inevitable Death (Marana):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Death.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/The_Thorn.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Game_Over.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Ageing_Again.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/End_Making.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Problem.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Bag_of_Bones.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Momentary_Life.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Ageing_and_Death.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/g_m/marana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Death_Contemplation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Inevitable_but_not_the_End.htm
Suffering in this World is Inevitable!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_Fact_of_Suffering Dukkha.htm
How is Release by Infinite Pity Achieved?
The Blessed Buddha once said:
And how, Bhikkhus, is the mental release by universal pity achieved?
What does this liberation have as its destination, what is its culmination,
what is its sweet fruit, and what is the goal of release by universal pity?
Here, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu dwells pervading the frontal quadrant with a
mind imbued with infinite pity, so the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarter. As above,
so below, across, and everywhere! To all beings and to himself, he dwells
pervading the entire universe with a mind saturated with unlimited pity,
immense, exalted, vast, measureless, without hostility, without enmity,
without any trace of ill will! Thus prepared & expanded he then develops:
1: The Awareness Link to Awakening joined with this limitless pity.
2: The Investigation Link to Awakening fused with such vast pity.
3: The Energy Link to Awakening together with this infinite pity.
4: The Joy Link to Awakening accompanied with this absolute pity.
5: The Tranquillity Link to Awakening linked with this spacious pity.
6: The Concentration Link to Awakening associated with this great pity.
7: The Equanimity Link to Awakening joined with this endless pity.
While based upon seclusion, disillusion, ceasing, & culminating in release.
If he then wishes:
May I dwell experiencing the repulsive in the unrepulsive and tempting,
then he can dwell experiencing the repulsive therein. If he wishes:
May I dwell experiencing the unrepulsive in the disgusting and repulsive,
then he dwells experiencing pleasing beauty in whatever is disgusting!
If he then wishes: May I dwell experiencing the repulsive in what is both
unrepulsive and repulsive, he dwells experiencing repulsive disgust in it.
If he wishes: May I dwell experiencing the unrepulsive in what is both
unrepulsive and repulsive, he experiences only excessive beauty in it!
If he wishes: Avoiding both the repulsive and the unrepulsive, may I dwell
in equanimity, just aware & clearly comprehending, then he dwells in this
equanimity, just aware and clearly comprehending. Or else, by completely
transcending of all experience of form, fully stilling any perception of all
sense-reaction, non attending to any experience of diversity, only aware
that space is infinite, he enters and dwells in the infinitude of space...
I tell you Bhikkhus, for a wise Bhikkhu here, who has not yet penetrated
to an even more superior mental release, this release of mind by infinite
pity has the sublime sphere of the infinitude of space as its culmination!
On this infinite Pity (maha-karuna):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Endless_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Karuna_is_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Safe_Medicine.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Compassionate_Pity.htm
On these 7 Links to Awakening (Sambojjhanga):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Sun.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Peak.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Clothes.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Rare_Emergence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Sequential_Seven.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Vast_Penetration.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Seven_Fruits.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Unsurpassable_Seven.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/When_7_becomes_14.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_7_Links_to_Awakening.htm
Source of reference (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V: 115-21] 46: The Links. 54: Joined by Friendliness...
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Pity can open a mental infinitude of space!
Infinite Pity!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/III/Space_Compassion.htm
Universes may implode, but a Stream-Winner is Safe!
Once in Savatthi the Blessed Buddha said this:
Bhikkhus, those for whom you have sympathy and who you think should be respected,
whether friends or colleagues, relatives or associates, these you should try to explain,
convince, and establish in these four factors of stream-entry. What four?
You should explain, convince, and establish them in Faith in the Three Jewels thus:
Worthy, honourable and perfectly self-Enlightened is the Buddha! Consummated in all...
Perfectly formulated is the Dhamma, visible right here and now, immediately effective...
Perfectly training is this Noble Sangha community of the Buddha's Noble disciples...
You should explain, convince, and establish them in the saving purity of Morality thus:
Any Noble possesses the Morality esteemed by the Noble ones: Unbroken, pure, untorn,
unspotted, freeing, praised by the clever, natural, leading to concentration. Why?
Bhikkhus, there may be alteration in these four great elements: In the earth element;
all solidity, in the water element; all fluidity, in the heat element; all thermal vibration,
in the air element; all motion, but there cannot be alteration in the Noble Disciple who
possesses confirmed confidence in the Three Jewels. It always remains impossible
that such Noble Disciple should be reborn in hell, as animal, as angry demon, or as ghost!
Therefore: Those for whom you have sympathy and who you think should be respected,
whether friends or colleagues, relatives or associates, these you should try to explain,
convince, and establish in these four factors of stream-entry...
Faith is the Seed, the initiator, the Source of the Beginning.
Faith is the Hand that takes up all the advantageous states.
Faith is the Wealth above all, since it brings real Happiness.
Faith is the Jump, since it enables beings to cross the flood.
Faith is the Purifier, since it clears contaminating defilements.
More on gaining a surely safe future: Stream-Entry:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Fine_Faith.htm
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/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/III/Faith_Summary.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:365-6]
section 55: Sotapattisamyutta. Thread 17: Friends and Colleagues 2...
The Safe Entrance!
Universes may implode, but a Stream-Winner is Safe!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Impossible_Alteration.htm
Contentment is the most supreme Treasure!
The Blessed Buddha often noted contentment as the highest treasure:
There is the case where a Bhikkhu is quite content with whatever old robe,
quite content with whatever old almsfood, quite content with whatever hut,
and quite content with whatever bitter medicine for curing sickness.
This Dhamma is for one who is content, not for one who is discontent!
Thus was it said. And with reference to exactly this salient contentment
with whatever little one has, was this simple, serene modesty well spoken...
AN VIII 30
Contentment with whatever little one has!
And how is a Bhikkhu content?
Just as a bird, wherever it goes, flies with its wings as its only burden,
even so is he content with a single set of robes to protect his body and
begged almsfood to pacify his hunger. Wherever he goes, he takes only
these few simple necessities as robes, belt, bowl and razor along with him.
This is how a Bhikkhu is content...
DN 2
There is the case where a Bhikkhu is content with whatever old robe at all,
with whatever old almsfood at all, with whatever old hut at all. He speaks in
praise of being content with any old requisite at all. He does not, for the sake
of any requisite, do anything unsuitable or inappropriate. When not getting any
requisites, he is not troubled. When getting requisites, he just uses it without
being attached to it. He is not obsessed, blameless, and seeing the drawbacks
and dangers of possessions, he realizes the escape from them. He does not,
on account of his contentment with any old requisite at all, exalt himself or
disparage others. Thus is he modest, clever, energetic, alert, & acutely aware!
This, Bhikkhus, is called a Bhikkhu standing quite firm in the ancient, original
lineage of the Noble Ones... AN IV 28
Good are friends, when need arises.
Good is contentment with just what one has.
Good is merit done well, when life is at the end.
Good is the elimination of all Suffering!
Dhammapada 331
Solitude is happiness for one who is content,
who has heard the Dhamma and clearly understands.
Harmlessness is happiness in all worlds!
Harmlessness towards all breathing beings.
Udana 10
Therefore be capable, upright, and straight,
easy to instruct, gentle, and not proud,
content and easy to support with little,
with few duties, living simple and light,
with peaceful abilities, mastering all,
modest, and with no greed for support.
Do not do even a minor thing that the
wise and noble would later criticize.
Sutta Nipata I, 8
More on Contentment (santutthi), which is caused by rejoicing mutual joy:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Calm_and_Content.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoicing_Bliss_is_Mudita.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Cause_of_Contentment.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/ariya_vamsa.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Contentment is the Highest Treasure!!
Cool Calm Comfort...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Contentment.htm
The Event of Awakening:
At that time a girl named Sujata Senani lived in Uruvela. When adult,
she prayed before a certain Banyan tree, that she might get a husband
equal to herself in caste and that her firstborn may be a son. Her prayer
was successful, since so indeed did it happen. At the full moon day of the
Vesak month, she rose at early dawn & milked the cows. As soon as new
buckets were placed under the cows, their milk poured forth in streams
spontaneously all by itself. Seeing this miracle, she knew something special
was going on.
Sujata offering the Bodhisatta her milk rice.
Now at that very night the Future Buddha had 5 specific dreams that
made him conclude: Certainly, without doubt, today is the very day,
I will reach Enlightenment! His 5 colored radiance illuminated the whole tree.
Then Sujata came & offered the cooked milk rice in the hands of the Great Being.
After that a grass-cutter came going with a bundle of grass just harvested from
nearby. He offered the Great Being 8 handfuls of Kusa grass, when he saw that
this Sage was a Holy Man. The Future Buddha accepted the grass and proceeded
to the foot of the great Bodhi-Tree. Reaching the imperturbable Eastern side,
where all Buddhas take their seat, he sat down determined & said to himself:
This is indeed the immovable spot where all the Buddhas have planted themselves!
This is the very place for destroying the net of desire!
Then the Future Buddha turned his back to the trunk and faced East.
Right there he then made this mighty decision:
Let just blood & flesh of this body dry up & let skin & sinews fall from the frame of bones.
I will not leave this seat before having attained the absolute supreme Enlightenment!
So determined did he seat himself in this unconquerable seat, which not
even a 100 strikes of lightning could make him waver from.
At this very moment the rebel deity Mara -the Evil One- raised exclaiming:
Prince Siddhattha will now pass beyond my power, but I will never allow it!
and sounding the Mara's war shout, he prepared his army & went out for
battle. Then Mara said to his militia: This Sakyamuni, son of Suddhodana,
is far greater, than any other man, so we will never succeed to fight him
up front. We will therefore attack him from behind. Frustrated, being unable
even to touch this Wielder of Power even with 9 mighty hurricanes of wind,
rain, rocks, weapons, red coals, hot ashes, sand, mud, & darkness Mara somewhat
in panic commanded his army: Why do you stand still?
Seize, kill & drive away this prince. And Mara yelled: Siddhattha, leave this seat.
It is not yours but mine! Hearing this the Well-gone One replied:
Mara, neither have you ever fulfilled the 10 perfections to the third degree,
nor have you given the 5 great donations. Neither has you striven for insight,
nor for the welfare of the world, nor for enlightenment! Therefore does this
seat not belong to you, but indeed only and forever to me!
Suddenly overpowered by fear Mara's followers fled helter-skelter
in all directions. Not two went the same way, but leaving their weapons
in a chaos all behind, they fled terrified by panic. Seeing them flee, the
great assembly of deities triumphantly shouted: Mara is defeated. Prince
Siddhattha has Won! Let us celebrate the Victory! The deities then sang:
The Victory has this illustrious Buddha Won.
The Evil One, The End-maker is defeated & done.
Thus they jubilantly circled the wisdom throne,
the band of nagas singing their praises of the Seer,
the flocks of birds singing their praises of the Sage,
the assembly of Deities singing their praises of the Conqueror,
the group of Brahmas singing their praises of the Worthy One.
It was before the sun had set that the Tathagata thus conquered Mara &
defeated his army. Then at the same night, after having bathed, while the
Bodhi-Tree rained red sprigs on his robe, the Consummate One acquired
knowledge of previous existences in the first watch of the night:
With the mind thus concentrated, purified, bright, fixed, unified, focused,
tractable, compliant, steady & imperturbable, I directed it to remembrance
of my past lives. I recollected numerous past lives, i.e., one birth, two...five,
ten...fifty, a hundred, a thousand, a hundred thousand, many eons of cosmic
contraction, many eons of cosmic expansion:
There I had such a name, belonged to such a clan & species, had such
a body. Such was my food, such my experience of pleasure & pain,
such the end of my life. Passing away from that state, I re-arose there.
There I had such name, belonged to such a sort & family, had such a form.
Such was my food, such my experience of pleasure & pain, such the
end of my life. Passing away from that state, I re-arose here. Thus I
remembered my various past lives in all their various modes & details.
This was the first knowledge I attained in the first watch of the night.
Ignorance was destroyed; knowledge arose; darkness was destroyed;
light arose as happens in one who is alert, aware, and determined.
But the pleasant feeling that arose in this way did not invade my mind
nor remain. With the mind thus still concentrated, purified, bright, intact,
pliant, malleable, steady, & imperturbable, I directed it to the knowledge
of the passing away & reappearance of beings. I saw by means of the divine
eye, purified & surpassing the human eye I saw beings passing away &
re-appearing, and I realized how & why they are high & low, beautiful &
ugly, fortunate & unfortunate all in accordance with the intentions of their
prior actions: 'These beings who were endowed with bad behavior of
body, speech, & mind, who reviled the Noble Ones, held wrong views and
acted under the influence of wrong views, with the break-up of the body,
after death, have re-appeared in the plane of misery, the bad destinations,
the lower realms, even in the hells.
But these beings, who were gifted with good behavior of body, speech &
mind, who did not revile the Noble Ones, who held right views and acted
under the influence of right views, with the break-up of the body, after
death, have re-appeared in happy destinations, even in a divine world.'
Thus -- by means of the divine eye, purified & surpassing the human --
I saw beings passing away & re-appearing, all in accordance with their
particular mixture of good & bad kamma.
But the satisfaction that arose in this way did not invade my mind nor did
it remain. With the mind thus concentrated, fully absorbed, I directed it
towards understanding the stilling of all the mental fermentations.
Then I realized how it actually comes to be, that:
Such is Misery...
Such is the Cause of Misery...
Such is the End of Misery...
Such is the Way to End Misery...
Such is the mental fermentations...
Such is the cause of mental fermentation...
Such is the end of mental fermentation...
Such is the way leading to the end of mental fermentation...!
When my mind saw that, realized that, it was freed of the fermentation of
sense-desire, released from the fermentation of becoming, unobstructed by
the fermentation of ignorance. Fully & Perfectly Enlightened - The Buddha -
perceiving this immense glory, spoke these 2 solemn verses, which never has
been omitted by any of countless thousands of prior Buddhas:
Through this round of countless existences have I searched
yet failed to find 'the Creator', who framed this formation:
What Misery! is such Endless Birth, Ageing, Decay & Death!!
Now I see that 'the Constructor' of this structure is Craving...!!!
Never shall this construction be build again, as all the rafters
are shattered and the main beam is busted & fully broken...
At this stilling of all Craving, mind has finally found calm…
Then, friends, this vision of certainty then arose in me: This release
is irreversible, this is the last rebirth, this endless reappearance has
finally ended...
Here do all the Buddhas Awaken: Bodhgaya!
About Awakening see also:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/b/bodhisatta.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/b/buddha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/sammaa_sambodhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/bodhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/b/bodhirukka.htm
The Main Event....
The Moment of Enlightenment!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/SammaSambuddho.short.htm
On Rebirth from an Early Buddhist Perspective:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rebirth.htm
What are the Benefits of Training Mental Concentration?
Once in Savatthi the Blessed Buddha said this:
Bhikkhus, train and develop concentration! Any Bhikkhu, who is concentrated
understands things as they really are and as they really become! How?
1: He understands as it really is: This and such is Suffering,
2: He understands as it really is: This and such is the Cause of Suffering,
3: He understands as it really is: This and such is the Ceasing of Suffering,
4: He understands as it really is: This is the Way leading to the End of Suffering!
Bhikkhus, develop concentration! A Bhikkhu, who is concentrated understands
not only the appearance, but things as they really are and as they really become!
Therefore, Bhikkhus, an effort should be made to comprehensively understand:
This is Suffering; This is the Cause of Suffering; This is the End of Suffering;
This is the way leading to the End of Suffering... An effort should be made to
comprehend, fathom, grasp, understand, and penetrate these Four Noble Truths!
Comments:
Those who makes that effort, and understands, shortens this Samsaric round...
Those who neglects that effort, and ignores it, prolongs this Samsaric round...
More on these 4 Noble truths:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_4_Noble_Truths.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_1st_Noble_Truth_on_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_2nd_Noble_Truth_on_The_Cause_of_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_3rd_Noble_Truth_on_The_Ceasing_of_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_4th_Noble_Truth_on_The_Way_to_End_Suffering.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:414]
section 56: Saccasamyutta. Thread 1: Concentration...
Terse Truths!
Comprehending the Crucial Core in the 4 Noble Truths!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Concentrated_Truth.htm
[size=15pt][color=#BF0000][i][u]Making oneself into a Mighty Friend:[/u][/i][/color][/size]
[b]Friendliness means Goodwill
Friendliness means Kindness
Friendliness means Helpfulness
Friendliness means Assistance
Friendliness means Support
Friendliness means Benevolence
Friendliness means Concern
Friendliness means Care
Friendliness means Compassion
Friendliness means Cooperation
Friendliness means Mutual Aid
Friendliness means Mutual Advantage
Friendliness means Symbiosis
Friendliness means Sympathy
Friendliness means Basic Trust [/b]
[img]http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Pics/friendliness.yl.jpg[/img]
[color=#BF0000][u]The Blessed Buddha once said:[/u][/color]
A friend who always lends a hand,
a friend both in sorrow and joy,
a friend who offers good counsel,
a friend who sympathizes too.
These are the four kinds of true friends:
one who is wise, having understood,
will always cherish and serve such friends
just as a mother tends her only child.
[i][color=#BF0000]DN III 188[/color][/i]
[img]http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Pics/friendliness.duck.jpg[/img]
As a mother even with her life protects her only child,
so let one cultivate immeasurable loving-kindness towards
all living beings.
Bhikkhus, whatever kinds of worldly merit there are,
all are not worth one sixteenth part of the release of mind by
universal friendliness; in shining, glowing and beaming radiance
the release of mind by infinite & endless friendliness far excels &
even surpasses them all. [color=#BF0000][i]Itivuttaka 27[/i] [/color]
[img]http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Pics/2_on_journey.jpg[/img]
He who does not strike nor makes
others strike, who robs not nor makes
others rob, sharing love with all that live,
finds enmity with none. [color=#BF0000][i]Itivuttaka 22[/i] [/color]
Thus he who both day and night
takes delight in harmlessness
sharing love with all that live,
finds enmity with none. [color=#BF0000][i]SN I 208 [/i][/color]
[img]http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Pics/friend-advantage.jpg[/img]
When one with a mind of love
feels compassion for the entire world --
above, below and across,
unlimited everywhere. [color=#BF0000][i]Jataka 37 [/i][/color]
I am a friend of the footless,
I am a friend of the bipeds;
I am a friend of those with four feet,
I am a friend of the many-footed.
May not the footless harm me,
may not the bipeds harm me,
may not those with four feet harm me,
and may not those with many feet harm me.
[color=#BF0000][i]AN II 72[/i] [/color]
[img]http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Pics/tigerhug2.jpg[/img]
Among tigers, lions, leopards & bears I lived on the wood.
No one was frightened of me, nor did I fear anyone.
Uplifted by such universal friendliness I enjoyed the forest.
Finding great solace in silent solitude. [color=#BF0000][i]Suvanna-sama Jataka 540 [/i][/color]
I am a friend and helper to all,
I am sympathetic to all living beings.
I develop a mind full of love
and takes always delight in harmlessness.
I gladden my mind, fill it with joy,
and make it immovable and unshakable.
I develop the divine states of mind
not cultivated by simple men. [color=#BF0000][i]Theragatha. 648-9[/i][/color]
[img]http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Pics/friendliness.trees.l.jpg[/img][img]http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Pics/freindliness.fl.jpg[/img]
[color=#BF0000][u]On this mighty state of Friendliness [i](Metta)[/i] Friendship: [/u][/color]
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Symbiotic_Sympathy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The-Effective_Saw.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_11_Advantages.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Evaporated_Enemy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Genuine_Goodwill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Cosmic_Goodness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Blazing_Goodwill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Unbounded_Mind.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Goodness_Galore.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Loving-Kindness.htm
[b]Have a [color=#BF0000]nice, noble and friendly[/color] day![/b]
[color=#BF0000]Friendship is the Greatest! [/color]
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
[color=#BF0000][i]
[b]Blazing is Friendliness :-)[/b][/i][/color]
[b]Goodwill is always a mutual advantage![/b]
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Blazing_Friendliness.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
Faith has 2 main Components: Devotion & Conviction!
The two components of Faith (saddha):
1: An affective emotional component pouring from the heart
as devotion: One Trusts!
2: A cognitive component residing in the intellect as a fixed
view or opinion: One Believes! One is convinced ..
Initiation, Evolution, Maturation and Culmination of Faith:
Both are necessary for initiating spiritual praxis and mental
training. Both are, by the effects of this praxis and training
later replaced, yet also reinforced, by direct experience:
One Knows!
The Faith has thus gradually evolved and grown strong into
first Confidence and later, when validated and verified into
persuaded Conviction.
The ability of Faith initiates as seed the ability of Energy,
which repeatedly trains the ability of Awareness, which then
purifies the ability of Concentration, which then enables the
ability of Understanding to penetrate into real progress...
When unshakable these 5 abilities have become powers!
Replacement and Reinforcement by Direct Experience:
The confident Noble Disciple having repeatedly trained so,
having repeatedly been aware so, having repeatedly worked
on concentration so, and having repeatedly understood so,
by that therefore becomes fully confident in those states,
which were previously only heard of or known from reading:
Now I dwell having directly experienced them with my own
body and having fully penetrated them by understanding:
I see them through! Samyutta Nikaya V:226
The Fruit of Faith: Entering the Stream to Awakening!
Hereafter is Faith never more needed as Sceptical Doubt
have been irreversibly eradicated. One has thus entered
the Stream leading to Awakening with Enlightenment as
assured destination within max. 7 lives: And yet another
Noble has been born by emerging out of the egg of Faith!
The shell of Ignorance has been broken...
A Learner is going the few final rounds...
Smiling as smelling freed peace & bliss...
The Battle with Mara has begun. Yeah!
For fine further Faith (Saddha) please see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Going_Forth_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Outstanding_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Unwavering_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Analysis_of_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Power_of_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Faith_Summary.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Highest_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Fruitful_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Leaping_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Mutual_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Dual_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Fine_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Rich_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Lay_Faith.htm
Dual is Faith!
Devotion and Conviction reinforces the Mind...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Dual_Faith.htm
Knowing any Appearance to be as Total Terror!
The Ancient Elders explained:
As one repeats the observation and contemplation of the unavoidable dissolution
of all phenomena by their decay, gradual destruction, fall, breakup and ultimate
ceasing, then all formations, all constructions, all kinds of becoming, generation,
birth, life, destiny, station, or abode, appears as a great dread of total terror!!!
When one sees how past phenomena have ceased, present ones are ceasing, and
those to be generated in any far future all inevitably also will cease, then what is
called -knowledge of appearance as terror- arises in the meditating disciple just
in the same way a mother gives up of all hope, when she see her 3 sons beheaded
one after the other... When seeing the 2nd son axed she knows: All 3 will die... !!!
The meditator's seeing & noting the ceasing of all past, & all present phenomena,
is like the woman's seeing the eldest & the middle son's head being slashed off...
His realizing the unavoidable ceasing of all future phenomena, by comprehending:
All phenomena, whether mental or material, arising in any future will all cease too!
is like her giving up hope for the youngest son, thinking: He too will die like them...
Vism 645
On the Advantages of noting & contemplating Dissolution:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Trap.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_Burning_Turban.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Noting_the_Breakup.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Terror_of_Being.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Contemplating_Suffering_2.htm
Total Terror!
Knowing any Appearance to be as Total Terror!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Total_Terror.htm
Regarding Rebirth and Transmigration:
What the Buddha taught on rebirth is well documented:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.135.than.html
Causes of favourable or painful rebirth: MN 135, AN III.65, Dhp 310, Dhp 316
Behaviour determines the destination after death: Dhp 17, Dhp 18, Dhp 240
The laws of kamma are as inviolable as the law of gravity: SN XLII.6
Why not just settle for divine rebirth among the devas?: SN V.7
The preciousness of our human life: SN XX.2, SN LVI.48
How to gain rebirth as an elephant or a horse: AN X.177
What's so bad about being reborn?: SN V.6
An Orthodox Buddhist explanation of the transmigration of consciousness:
Rebirth Explained: V. F. Gunaratna, BPS, Kandy, Wheel Publication No. 167-69
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/Wheels/wh_167_169.html
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/Wheels/wh_167_168_169.pdf
The contemporary Science on Rebirth:
Rebirth is IMHO scientifically well documented by 60 years of rigorous
research mostly by the late professor Ian Stevenson of Virginia University:
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/personalitystudies/
Consciousness is not continuous, but a series of discrete ultra-short moments.
This entails that one is "reborn" millions of times per second with each re-arising
of a new moment of consciousness! Also after the 'death' moment does consciousness
rearise! Life is -in fact- therefore not a single shot, but a chain-reaction of rebirths!
Please EXAMINE this crucial issue by WATCHING & REFLECTING over these Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/RutherfordInstitute#p/search/0/YLKT5UsKoqM
http://www.ial.goldthread.com/clips/tucker.wmv
http://www.ial.goldthread.com/interviews.html
Please enjoy study here for rare details on Rebirth:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Rare_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Divine_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Animal_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Samsaric_Dread.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Minor_Hells.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Hell_Destiny.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Five_Destinations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_5_Destinations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Kamma_and_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Samsaric_Round.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mad_Demon_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Human_Being_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Hungry_Ghost_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/What_passes_on_by_Rebirth-Linking.htm
Have a nice, noble and reborn day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Really Real is Rebirth...
Rebirth Explained!
How does Kamma cause Rebirth?
In Majjhima Nikaya 135 a brahman raises the problem:
There are found people who are short-lived, and those that are long-lived; there are found people
who are very sick, and those that are healthy; there are found people who are ugly, and also those
that are beautiful; there are found people who are powerless, and those that are powerful; there
are found people who are poor, and those that are rich; there are found people who are of low
family, and those that are of high family; there are found people who are stupid, and those that
are intelligent. What then, Master Gotama, is the reason for this diverse inferiority & superiority
among human beings?
The Blessed One replied:
Beings are owners of their kamma, inherit their kamma, kamma is their maker and creator,
they are born from and by their kamma, kamma is the womb from which they emerge,
they are linked and associated to their past kamma as their friend and refuge...
Therefore does kamma divide beings into the high and low, beautiful and ugly!
In Anguttara Nikaya III,40 it is said:
"Killing, stealing, adultery, lying, backbiting, harsh angry speech and empty prattling, practiced,
cultivated and frequently engaged in, will lead to hell, the animal world or the realm of ghosts."
Further: "Whoso kills and is cruel, will either go to hell, or if reborn as a human, will be short-lived.
Whosoever tortures other beings, will be afflicted with disease. The hater will be ugly & hideous,
the envious will be without influence, the stubborn will be of low rank, the indolent will be ignorant.
In the reverse case, a person will be reborn in a heavenly world; or, if reborn as a human being, and
will be endowed with health, beauty, influence, riches, noble rank and intelligence."
In the Milindapañha the King asks the Arahat Nagasena:
What is it, Venerable Sir, that will be reborn after death?
O King: A psycho-physical combination of mentality-&-materiality (name-and-form = nama-rupa).
But how? Is it the same psycho-physical name-and-form combination as this present one?
No, O King. But the present psycho-physical combination produces kammically advantageous and
disadvantageous intentional activities, and through such kamma a new psycho-physical combination
will be created, conditioned and born. Source: The Milindapañha
Buddhaghosa explains in his Visuddhimagga (Path of Purification):
Whosoever has no clear idea about death and does not know that death consists in the dissolution
of the five groups of existence (i.e. form, feeling, perception, mental formations, & consciousness),
he thinks that it is a person, or being, that dies and transmigrates to a new body in a new place.
And whosoever has no clear idea about rebirth, and does not know that rebirth consists in the
arising of the five groups of existence, he thinks that it is a person, or being, that is reborn, or
that the person reappears in a new body. And whosoever has no clear idea about Samsara, the
round of rebirths, he thinks that a real person wanders from this world to another world, comes
from that world to this world, etc. And whosoever has no clear idea about the phenomena of
existence, he thinks that the phenomena are his ego or something appertaining to the ego, or
something permanent, joyful, or pleasant. And whosoever has no clear idea about the conditional
arising of the phenomena of existence, and about the arising of kammic volitions conditioned
through ignorance, he thinks that it is the ego that understands or fails to understand, that acts
or causes to act, that enters into a new existence at rebirth. Or he thinks that the atoms or the
Creator, etc., with the help of the embryonic process, shape the body, provide it with various
faculties; that it is the ego that receives the sensuous impression, that feels, that desires, that
becomes attached, that enters into existence again in another world. Or he thinks that all beings
come to life through fate or chance. A mere phenomenon it is, a conditioned thing, that rises in the
following existence. But not from a previous life does it transmigrate there, and yet it cannot arise
without a previous cause. When this conditionally arisen bodily-mental phenomenon (the fetus) arises,
one says that it has entered into a next existence. However, no being (satta), or life-principle (jiva),
has transmigrated from the previous existence into this existence, and yet this embryo could not
have come into existence without a previous cause. Source: Visuddhimagga (Chap. XVII)
Everywhere, in all the realms of existence, the noble disciple sees only mental and material
phenomena kept going through the interlocking of causes and effects. No producer of the
intentional act or kamma does he see apart from the kamma activity itself, and no recipient
of the kamma-result apart from the result itself. And he is well aware that wise men are using
merely conventional language, when with regard to a kammical act, they speak of a doer, or an
agent, or with regard to a kamma-result, they speak of the recipient of the result. No doer of
the deeds is found, No one who ever reaps their fruits; Empty phenomena roll on: Conditioned
States: This only is the correct view. And while the deeds and their results roll on and on, all
being conditioned by other phenomena. In this infinite causal matrix, there is no first beginning
to be found, just as it is with seed and tree... No god, no Brahma, can be called The maker of this
wheel of life: Only Empty phenomena roll on, all dependent on their causal conditions.
Source: Visuddhimagga (Chap. XIX).
The Excerpts here are from: Kamma and Rebirth by Nyanatiloka MahaThera:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/nyanatiloka/wheel394.html#ch2
Reborn again!
Further Info on rebirth linking:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebirth_(Buddhism)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rebirth.htm
http://www.beyondthenet.net/dhamma/rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Rare_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Divine_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Animal_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Endless_Round.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Samsaric_Dread.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Minor_Hells.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/One_BIG_Family.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Hell_Destiny.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Five_Destinations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_5_Destinations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Kamma_and_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Samsaric_Round.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mad_Demon_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Human_Being_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Hungry_Ghost_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/What_passes_on_by_Rebirth-Linking.htm
Kammic rebirth information entropy crystallizes in new location!
About intentional Action = Kamma & resulting effects (vipaka):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Kamma_and_Fruit.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_is_intention.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/g_m/karma.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/u_v/vipaaka.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Buddha_on_Kamma.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Good_Action_dilutes_Evil_Kamma.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_leading_to_short_&_long_life.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Effect_of_Action_is_Delayed.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/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/Kamma_leading_to_Stupidity_or_Intelligence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Good_Action_enhances_other_Good_Kamma.htm
How Does Kamma Cause Rebirth?
One is actually 'reborn' ever again millions of times each second!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/Rebirth_and_Kamma.htm
Energy is a Way to Suprahuman Force!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
When a Bhikkhu develops the Ways to Force that is enriched with
concentrated Energy, constructed by effort, by thinking:
In this way will my Energy, neither be too slack nor too tense, it will
neither be constricted internally, nor scattered externally, then he
dwells experiencing both what is in front & what is behind, so above,
so also below, so by day, so also at night! Therefore, with a mind all
open & unrestricted, he develops the dazzling bright mind, which is
pervaded by luminosity... However:
What is Energy that is too slack?
Energy joined with indifference. This is Energy, that is too slack...
What is Energy that is too tense?
It is restless & agitated Energy. That is Energy, that is too tense...
What is Energy that is constricted internally?
It is Energy joined with lethargy & laziness. Inwardly choked!
What is Energy that is scattered externally?
Energy directed & diverted externally for the 5 sense pleasures...
This is called Energy that is scattered & distracted externally...
How does one dwell experiencing both the front & what is behind?
The perception of front, & back, is well attended to, & thereby well
comprehended, well considered, & penetrated by understanding...
How does one dwell seeing as below, so above; as above, so below?
One reviews this very frame of body upwards from the soles of the
feet, & downwards from the tips of the hairs, enclosed in skin, as
full of many kinds of impurities: There are in this body: Head-hairs,
body-hairs, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, sinews, bones, bone-marrow,
kidneys, heart, liver, pleura, spleen, lungs, intestines, mesentery,
vomit in the stomach, excrement, bile, lymph, pus, blood, sweat,
fat, tears, mucus, saliva, snot, fluid of the joints, and urine...
So does one come to see both, what is above, and what is below!
How does one dwell by day, so at night; as at night, so by day?
Here, at night a Bhikkhu trains the Ways to Force, that is enriched
with concentrated Energy, constructed by effort, using the same
techniques, qualities, features, & aspects, as he trains during the day.
And how, does one dwell with a mind, that is all open & unrestricted,
a dazzling bright mind, which is pervaded by luminosity...?
Here, always the perception of day-light is well attended to & well
resolved upon by determination. It is in exactly this way, that one
dwell with a mind, that is all open & unrestricted, a dazzling bright
mind, which is pervaded by its very own luminosity...
Mental Energy!
More on Energy (Viriya):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Energy_Viriya.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Ability_of_Energy.htm
Energy is a Way to Suprahuman Force!
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:278]
section 51: The 4 Forces: Thread 20: Analysis of the Ways.
Energy is Force!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Energy_as_Way_to_Force.htm
The Inauguration Of The Bhikkhuni Sangha By The Ordination On This Very
Day Of Queen Mahapajapati, The Buddha's Foster-Mother & Her Retinue.
For Life Details On This Excellent Woman, Who Awakened As Arahat Theri:
Http://What-Buddha-Said.Net/Library/Dppn/Maha/Mahapajapati_Gotami.Htm
[Img]Http://What-Buddha-Said.Net/Pics/Bhikkhunis.Jpg[/Img][Img]Http://What-Buddha-Said.Net/Pics/Chengyen.Gif[/Img]
[Img]Http://What-Buddha-Said.Net/Pics/Burmese.Nuns.Jpg[/Img][Img]Http://What-Buddha-Said.Net/Pics/Cheng.Yen22.Jpg[/Img]
[Color=#Bf0000][U]More On Binara Poya And The Initiation Of The Bhikkhuni Order:[/U][/Color]
Http://What-Buddha-Said.Net/Drops/Iii/Binara_Poya_Bhikkhuni.Htm
[Img]Http://What-Buddha-Said.Net/Pics/Samaneris.Jpg[/Img]
[Color=#Bf0000][B][U]On Such Full-Moon Uposatha Poya Observance Days:[/U][/B][/Color]
Any Lay Buddhist Simply Joins The Three Refuges And Undertakes The
Five Precepts Like This: Newly Bathed, Shaved, White-Clothed, With Clean
Bare Feet, One Kneels At A Shrine With A Buddha-Statue, And Bows First
Three Times, So That Feet, Hands, Elbows, Knees & Head Touch The Floor.
Then, With Joined Palms At The Heart, One Recites These Memorized Lines
In A Loud, Calm & Steady Voice:
[B][U]As Long As This Life Lasts: [/U][/B]
[B][Color=#Bf0000]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.[/Color]
I Will Hereby Respect These Three Jewels The Rest Of My Life! [/B]
[B][U]I Accepts To Respect & Undertake These 5 Training Rules: [/U]
[Color=#Bf0000]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.[/Color]
As Long As This Life Lasts, I Am Thus Protected By These 5 Precepts...[/B]
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...
[Img]Http://What-Buddha-Said.Net/Pics/Bhikkhuni.Western.Jpg[/Img]
Today Indeed Is Pooya Or Uposatha Or Observance Day, Where Any Lay
Buddhist Normally Keeps Even The Eight Precepts From Sunrise Until The
Next Dawn... If Any Wish An Official Recognition By The Bhikkhu-Sangha,
They May Simply Forward The Lines Starting With "I Hereby ..." Signed With
Name, Date, Town & Country To Me Or Join Here. A Public List Of This New
Quite Rapidly Growing New Global Saddhamma-Sangha Is Set Up Here!
[Color=#Bf0000][U]This New Noble Community Of The Buddha's Disciples: [/U][/Color]
[B]The Saddhamma Sangha: [/B]
Http://What-Buddha-Said.Net/Sangha/Saddhamma_Sangha.Htm
[Color=#Bf0000][B]Can Quite Advantageously Be Joined Here:[/B][/Color]
Http://What-Buddha-Said.Net/Sangha/Sangha_Entry.Htm
May Your Journey Hereby Be Light, Swift And Sweet. Never Give Up!!
[Color=#Bf0000][U]For Details On The Origin Of Uposatha Observance Days: [/U] [/Color]
Http://Www.Accesstoinsight.Org/Ptf/Uposatha.Html
[B]Have A [Color=#Bf0000]Nice Poya[/Color] Day![/B]
[Color=#Bf0000]Friendship Is The Greatest! [/Color]
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
Http://What-Buddha-Said.Net
[Img]Http://What-Buddha-Said.Net/Pics/Bhikkhuni.Western3.Jpg[/Img]
[B]How To Be A Real Buddhist Through Observance?[/B]
[Color=#Bf0000][I][B]Binara Poya Day![/B][/I][/Color]
Http://What-Buddha-Said.Net/Drops/Iii/Binara_Poya_Day.Htm
Cruelty, Mercilessness & Revengefulness are diluted Hate:
How to cure these evil derivatives of Cruelty:
1: Review the Danger in Cruelty like this:
This can bring me to a bad destination, the downfall, to pain, even to hell!
This is a path of thorns, an evil way, a dark state, conflict, violence, pain!
2: How does a friend dwell pervading all with his heart endued with pity?
Just as he would feel pity on seeing an unlucky, unfortunate person, so he
pervades all beings with infinite pity. Therefore first of all he imagines a
poor man, unlucky, unfortunate, in every way a fit object for pity, ugly,
reduced to utter misery, with hands and feet cut off, sitting in the shelter
for the helpless, with an empty pot in front of him, with maggots oozing
from sores on hands and legs, moaning, infinite pity should be felt for him
in this way: 'This being has been reduced to utter misery! If he just could
be freed from this misery...' Then later one can arouse the same pity and
compassion for a neutral person and later for even a wrong-doing person!
This is the complete mastery of pity: Compassion even with the Evil One!
3: All wrong doing is caused by blindness: A real pity for the wrong-doers!
All wrong-doers will thus suffer immensely in the future. How sad for them!
4: Begin and Cultivate meditation on Infinite pity:
Sit down a silent, empty place with closed eyes & beam this from the heart:
May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating awareness of pity.
May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating examination of pity.
May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating energetic pity.
May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating joyous infinite pity.
May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating stilled infinite pity.
May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating concentrated pity.
May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating imperturbable pity.
Beaming first out in front, then right, left, down below and also up above:
May all beings live happily and free from suffering, pain and frustration.
May all beings be free from hate, cruelty, mercilessness & revengefulness!
One who is virtuous and wise
Shines like a blazing fire;
Like a bee collecting nectar
He acquires wealth by harming none!
Digha Nikaya III, 188
May all breathing creatures, all living things,
All beings, every one without exception,
Experience good fortune only!
May they not fall into harm.
Anguttara Nikaya II, 72
Solitude is happiness for one who is content,
Who has heard the Dhamma and clearly sees.
Non-violence is happiness in the world
Harmlessness towards all living beings.
Udana 10
JOY
Oh let us live happily! Freed from all cruelty!
Living even among those, who always flames by hate!
Among those dominated by anger, let us live free from anger!
Dhammapada 197
Regarding Pity and Compassion (Karuna) see also:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Endless_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Karuna_is_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Safe_Medicine.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/What_is_Wrong.htm
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/harris/bl141.html
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Great_Compassion.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Compassionate_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Space_Compassion.htm
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/anguttara/an05-161.html
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/anguttara/an06-013.html
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Mercy, Pity & Compassion Soften the Mind!
Cure your Cruelty!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_to_Cure_Cruelty_and_Revengefulness.htm
Gotama Buddha explained this about the Pacceka-Buddhas:
The muni Vedeha (Ananda) bowing his body, asked the Tathagata, who was
staying at Jetavana: PaccekaBuddhas exist, yet by what reasons do they
arise, 0h wise one? Then the best of the omniscient, the great wise one told
the following to Ananda in a sweet voice:
Those who paid honour to all former Buddhas, without attaining liberation
during the period in which their teaching was known, who are wise by means
of sense of urgency, whose intelligence is very sharp, also without the
instruction of Buddhas, these attain insight alone even by means of a tiny
limited object of meditation... And furthermore, in this whole world, there
is no one except me, equal to these PaccekaBuddhas. I shall clearly express
the following, only an short description, of the distinction of these great
heroic Munis (silenced ones)...
Listen, all of you, who wish for the highest medicine, your attention should
be very calm, always directed to their good words, which are sweet like
fine honey of those great wise men, who are fully & perfectly enlightened
all by themselves!
These are the explanations of PaccekaBuddhas, who assembled on Mount
Gandhamadana, pronounced one after the other, about the sorrow of any
desire and the cause of the overcoming of all craving, & how they attained
their insight. Conscious of the absence of lust, while being in the midst of
the objects of lust, their minds are dispassionate in an infatuated world,
having dumped the proliferations, & subdued all obstructions, they all
attained insight thus:
Putting aside any violence to all beings, not hurting any of them, good and
compassionate, with a mind filled with friendliness, one should live, alone,
like the horn of a rhinoceros...
Their morality are pure, their wisdom purified, their minds are
concentrated, practicing watchfulness, reflecting, seeing the
characteristics of the dhamma, they understand it, having developed all the
elements of the Noble Way and the Links to Enlightenment...
Having perfected the fulfillment of merit, with the motive to become a
solitary conqueror, they become PaccekaBuddhas, self-existent,
independent, such is destination of the wise, who does not attain the state
of a disciple during the time in which, there still remains the knowledge of
the SammaSamBuddhas teaching...
Their dhamma being great, being all sublime manifestations of the core
essential dhamma, powerful are their minds, having overcome the flood of
suffering, their minds are exalted, seeing the highest & deepest truth, they
are like lions, like the horn of a rhinoceros...
With serene senses, calm, concentrated, remembering all beings in remote
border districts, illuminating like lamps in the other world and in this world,
thus are these PaccekaBuddhas, always good...
Having destroyed all hindrances, these kings of men, illuminators of the
world, shining like pure solid gold, undoubtedly worthy of any gifts in this
world, are these PaccekaBuddhas, always good...
There are in this world together with the divine world, good teachings of
PaccekaBuddhas. Those fools, who after having heard these, do not act
accordingly, whirl round in suffering again and again...
Those who act accordingly, having heard the good words of
PaccekaBuddhas, which are like pure streaming honey of small delicate
bees, become seers of the truths, possessing Wisdom! Thus spoke the
Gotama Buddha about those solitary ones Awakened like a rhinoceros horn...
Source: The Canonical Apadana I 7-14
More on these solitary and silenced Pacceka-Buddhas:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/n_r/pacceka_buddha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/pa/pacceka_buddha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Rhinoceros_Horn.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pratyekabuddha
Enlightened without a Teacher!
Solitary and Silenced is the Pacceka-Buddhas!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/PACCEKABUDDHA.htm
It appears as Lasting, but it is Never so!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhu, There is no lasting materiality, no lasting form whatsoever...
There is no lasting feeling whatsoever...
There is no lasting perception whatsoever...
There is no lasting mental construction whatsoever...
There is no lasting conscious awareness whatsoever...
Nothing here is permanent, everlasting, eternal, not subject to change,
not transient, not vanishing! Nothing is stable, safe or lasting ... !!!
SN 22.96/vol. iii, 144
The eye is impermanent, visual forms, eye-consciousness, eye contact,
and whatever is felt as pleasant, painful or neither-painful-nor-pleasant,
born of this eye-contact, that also is impermanent...
The ear is impermanent, sounds, hearing-consciousness, ear contact,
and whatever is felt as pleasant, painful or neither-painful-nor-pleasant,
born of this ear-contact, that also is impermanent...
The nose is impermanent, smells, smelling-consciousness, nose contact,
and whatever is felt as pleasant, painful or neither-painful-nor-pleasant,
born of this nose-contact, that also is impermanent...
The tongue is impermanent, flavours, tasting-consciousness, tongue contact,
and whatever is felt as pleasant, painful or neither-painful-nor-pleasant,
born of this tongue-contact, that also is impermanent...
The body is impermanent, touches, touching-consciousness, body contact,
and whatever is felt as pleasant, painful or neither-painful-nor-pleasant,
born of this body-contact, that also is impermanent...
The mind is impermanent, thoughts, thinking-consciousness, mind contact,
and whatever is felt as pleasant, painful or neither-painful-nor-pleasant,
born of this mind-contact, that also is impermanent...
SN 35.43/vol. iv, 28
All formations, all constructions, all conditions are impermanent...
MN 35/vol. i, 230
Whatever can emerge, that will indeed also cease...
MN 56/vol. i, 380
Impermanence, as pointed out in the commentaries, is not always Evident
unless specifically looked for! Know it in advance and then you can see it...
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 apparent continuity is disrupted by discerning rise and fall,
the characteristic of impermanence becomes apparent in its true nature.
Vism. Ch. xxi/p. 640
Observing the abrupt Change of all States discloses their discrete nature:
When continuity is disrupted means when continuity 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 transience characteristic becomes properly evident through
these states discrete disconnectedness, regarded as if each moment were
iron darts hitting the screen of awareness. Or as single pearls on a string,
but not continuous as the string itself...
VismA. 824
More on the Universal Fact of Impermanence:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Transient_formations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Perceiving_Transience.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Impermanence_Anicca.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Internal_Transience.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_External_Transience.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Impermanence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Contemplating_Impermanence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Contemplating_Impermanence_2.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Universal_Transience.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
What Comes, also Goes!
Impermanence = Anicca!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Impermanence_Anicca.htm
Remote & Solitary is Forest Bliss!
The forest bhikkhu pays much attention to the experience of forest:
Thereby he enters deeper yet unattained depths of concentration.
By living remote he is not distracted by any unsuitable phenomena.
He is free from anxiety and stress. He abandons attachment to life.
He enjoys a taste of the bliss of seclusion, and the silenced peace.
He lives secluded and apart. Calm and remote abodes delight his heart.
The hermit that in woods can dwell alone, may gain the bliss as well.
Whose savour is beyond the price of royal bliss even in any paradise.
So let the forest delight a wise man for his precious dwelling's site.
Sources: MN 121, AN III 343, Vism I 73
ALONE
The one who sits and lives solitary,
& walks alone finds great delight
in the silence of the forest...
Dhammapada 305
SUCH ONE
The One wearing only 3 robes,
who is thin with veins showing,
who meditates alone in the forest,
such one is a Holy One...
Dhammapada 395
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Forest_Bliss.htm
Have a nice calm day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Forest Bliss...
Sweet, Calm and Silent is Forest Bliss...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/forest_bliss.htm
What is the Cause of Contentment?
The blessed Buddha once said:
Contentment is the Highest Treasure!
Dhammapada 204
Solitude is happiness for one who is content,
Who understands & clearly sees the Dhamma.
Udana 10
What is the proximate cause of contentment?
Mutual joy with others success is the proximate cause of contentment...
Therefore: If one is always gladdened by other's success, one will always be content!
Therefore: If one is never gladdened by other's success, one will always be discontent!
Therefore is contentment caused by an altruistic mental state & not by external richness...
Example: Rich people possessing all the things they ever desired, can still be very discontent!
And vice versa: Poor people not having much, can still be very content and very much smiling!
Contentment even with almost nothing!
More on the Contentment:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Contentment.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Cause_of_Contentment.htm
How to cultivate mutual joy & thus increase contentment:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mutual_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoicing_Bliss_is_Mudita.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Infinitely_Joyous_Consciousness.htm
Proof:
The beings above are without many possessions, yet seemingly quite content!
Have a nice content day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Calm and Content!
Contentment is the Highest Treasure!
If one is always gladdened by other's success, one will always be content!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Calm_and_Content.htm
Real Progress is gaining Real Freedom!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, growing in five areas of progress, the Noble Disciple attains a
Noble growth, and acquires the essence, acquires the best, one possibly can
in this bodily existence! What are these 5 areas:
1: One grows in Faith,
2: One grows in Morality,
3: One grows in Learning,
4: One grows in Generosity,
5: One grows in Understanding.
Developing in these five areas of progress, a noble disciple grows with a Noble
Progress, and acquires the very core essence, acquires the optimal advantage,
of this bodily existence. When one grows here in Faith and Morality, in Wisdom,
Liberality, and Learning, the virtuous lay disciple acquires right here the very
quintessence of all what is advantageous!
More on Purification (Visuddhi):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mental_Purity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ability_Purification.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_7_Purifications.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Immaculate_Integrity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/u_v/visuddhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_8_Understandings.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Levels_of_Leaving_Behind.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_purpose_of_purification.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_7_stages_of_Purification.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book IV [250]
section 37:34 On growth ...
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
What is Progress?
Real Progress is more Mental Freedom!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/What_is_Progress.htm
The 8 Thoughts of a Great Man!
The Buddha once explained to Ven. Anuruddha:
What are the 8 thoughts of a great man?
1: This Dhamma is for one who is modest, not for one who wants much.
2; This Dhamma is for one who is content, not for one who is discontent.
3: This Dhamma is for one who is reclusive, not for the socializing parrot.
4: This Dhamma is for one who is enthusiastic, not for one who is lazy.
5: This Dhamma is for one who is aware, not for one who is distracted.
6: This Dhamma is for one who is focused, not for one who is scattered.
7: This Dhamma is for one who understands, not for one who is confused.
8: This Dhamma is for one who enjoys unity, not for one who seeks diversity.
When you think these 8 thoughts of a great man, then you can always easily
attain the four jhanas, that provides a pleasant dwelling right here and now!
Secondly, your rag-robe & simple alms-food, your dwelling at the tree-root,
your bed on a spread of grass, and your smelling medicine will seem to you
as the best of the best. Therefore will you live contented, in sweet delight,
satisfied, dwelling in calm comfort, not agitated, and thus approach release.
Anguttara Nikaya IV 227 (edited excerpt)
Full text here:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an08/an08.030.than.html
Comments:
Later during this Rains Retreat in the Eastern Bamboo Park, Ven. Anuruddha
dwelling alone, secluded, alert, ardent, & resolute, in no long time reached &
remained in that supreme goal of the holy life for which clansmen rightly go
forth into homelessness, and directly experiencing it himself he understood:
"Rebirth is ended, this Noble life is completed, what should be done is done.
There is no further state in this world." And thus Ven. Anuruddha became
another one of the Arahats.
More on Ven. Anuruddha Buddha's cousin & one of his most eminent disciples.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/ay/anuruddha.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Great Thinking Produces Great Future!
The 8 Great Thoughts!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_8_Great_Thoughts.htm
Urging for Pleasure is a Burning Obsession!
Sense-Desire is the foremost and deepest mental hindrance (Nivarana).
The texts given below aim at illustrating how this obsessive and addictive
urge for sensing only pleasure in the form of sights, sounds, smells, tastes
and touches arise, cease, and is finally cured. The present-day dominance
of the porno and entertainment industry speaks -in itself- clearly of this
problems abundance among human beings today...
The Blessed Buddha once said:
On this occasion the Blessed One was staying at Gaya's Head, together
with a thousand Bhikkhus. There the Blessed One told these Bhikkhus this:
Bhikkhus, all this is burning! And what, Bhikkhus, is that All that is burning?
The eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and the mind is burning. All forms, sounds,
smells, flavours, touches, and mental states are also burning! Whatever kind
of consciousness of sense-contact is also burning! Any feeling arised caused
by contact, whether pleasant, painful or neutral, that too is also burning...
Burning with what? I say: Burning with the fire of lust, hate and ignorance,
birth, ageing, death, sadness, disappointment, frustration, and Suffering!
The Fire Sermon Samyutta Nikaya. Book IV 19-20
First priority: Noticing Sense-Desire (kama-chanda) makes it fade away:
Herein, Bhikkhus, when sense-desire is present in him the Bhikkhu notes:
"There is sense-desire in me," and when sense-desire is absent, he notes:
"There is no sense-desire in me." He also understands how any yet unarisen
sense-desire arises. He understands how to leave behind any already arisen
sensual desire, and he understands how left sense-desire will not ever arise
again in the future. MN 10
What is the feeding cause that makes Sense-Desire arise?
There are attractive and alluring features and aspects of any object...
Frequently giving irrational & unwise attention to them, this is the feeding
cause of the arising of unarisen sense-desire, and also the feeding cause
of the increase and expansion of sense-desire, that already has arisen.
SN 46:51
What is the starving cause that makes Sense-Desire cease?
There are disgusting and repulsive features and aspects of any object...
Frequently giving rational & wise attention to them, this is the starving cause
of the non-arising of unarisen sense-desire, and the starving cause of the
decrease and shrinking of sense-desire that already has arisen.
SN 46:51
Which medicine cures Sense-Desire, so that it does not re-arise again?
These six things leads to the gradual elimination of sense-desire:
1. Learning how to meditate on ugly and disgusting objects.
2. Frequent and intense meditation on disgusting objects.
3. Guarding the sense doors.
4. Moderation in eating.
5. Noble friendship with one who knows how to quell sense-desire.
6. Suitable conversation on the disadvantages of hedonism.
Commentary to the Satipatthana Sutta
1. Learning how to meditate on disgusting objects.
Meditation on disgusting objects produces repulsion towards attractive
objects as a result. This reduces desire for these objects. AN 5:36
The 32 inner organs of the body; A skin sac of bones with 9 oozing holes:
Herein, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu reflects on just this body, confined within the
skin and full of manifold ugly impurities from the soles upward and from the
top of the hair downwards in this way: "There is in this body: head and body
hair, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, sinews, bones, marrow, kidneys, heart, liver,
pleura, spleen, lungs, intestines, bowels, stomach, excrement, bile, pus,
blood, sweat, fat, tears, lymph, spit, slime, snot, joint-fluid, urine and
the brain in the skull."
The 9 Corpse Contemplations:
The Bhikkhu goes to a cemetery to see a corpse one day, 2 or 3 days dead:
Bloated, livid, putrid, rotting, stinking & festering, he applies this experience
to his own body in this way: "This body, too: Such is its nature & its future,
such its unavoidable destiny'... He meditates as if he were seeing a corpse
cast away in a cemetery, picked at by crows, vultures, and hawks, by dogs,
hyenas, and various other animals ... a skeleton covered partly with flesh and
blood, connected with sinews ... a fleshless skeleton smeared with blood,
connected with tendons ... a skeleton without meat as a chain of bones
connected with tendons... as bones detached from their tendons, scattered
in all directions; here a hand bone, there a foot bone, here a shinbone,
there a thigh bone, here a hip bone, there a back bone, here a rib, there a
chest bone, here a shoulder bone, there a neck bone, here a jaw bone,
there a tooth, here a skull... He contemplates his body as bones whitened,
as bones somewhat like the colour of sea-shells ... as bones piled up, more
than a year old ... as bones rotting and crumbling into black powder.
This is Awareness focused on the body merely as a putrid and rotting form!
MN 10
As inspiration for this acquisition of this sign of disgust (asubha-nimitta)
curing any lust have a collection of corpse pictures been deposited at the
link below. It can only be viewed by adults > 18 years
http://s914.photobucket.com/albums/ac350/Asubha/
Password: corpses
Such memorized image of disgust is then remembered whenever lust re-arise.
If the memorized image is vivid, then this urge of desire instantly vanish,
since disgust and desire cannot co-exist in the mind at the same time.
Even just noting the desire can cure it, since such advantageous Awareness
cannot occur simultaneously in combination with detrimental thought of lust.
Therefore, at the exact time of knowing the sense desire, that arose in the
preceding moment, that sense desire no longer exists, but only the event of
Awareness knowing and noticing it...
3. Guarding the sense doors:
And how, Bhikkhus, does one guard the doors of the senses?
Seeing a form with the eye, one does neither get caught up by any of the
general features, nor does one become obsessed with any particular detail
of this captivating form...
Hearing a sound with the ear, one does neither get caught by any of the
common aspects, nor does one become infatuated with any specific detail
of this sweet sound...
Smelling a smell with the nose, one does neither get caught by any of the
prevailing qualities, nor does one become as if possessed by any particular
detail of this seducing smell...
Tasting a taste with the tongue, one does neither get caught by any of the
prevalent hallmarks, nor does one become as if gripped by any peculiar detail
of this dazzling taste...
Touching a thing with the body, one does neither get caught by any of the
regular attributes, nor does one become as if fixated by any distinct detail
of this fascinating touch...
Thinking a thought with the mind, one does neither get caught by any of the
universal signs, nor does one become as if immersed in any particular detail
of this entrancing mental state...
Since, if one leaves the sense ability of the eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and
mind uncontrolled, then evil detrimental states of lust, greed and discontent
will immediately invade and degrade the mind... Therefore does one practise
and gain control of the senses, one guards the doors of the senses, one reins
back the senses, one keeps the senses restrained, and in check... SN 35:239
These are the 5 Mental Hindrances:
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, there are these five kinds of Mental Hindrance. What five?
1: The Mental Hindrance of Desire for Sensing...
2: The Mental Hindrance of Aversion and Ill-Will...
3: The Mental Hindrance of Lethargy and Laziness…
4: The Mental Hindrance of Restlessness and Regret…
5: The Mental Hindrance of Doubt and Uncertainty…
These are the 5 kinds of Mental Hindrance! The Noble 8-fold Way should
be developed for the direct experience of these five Mental Hindrances,
for the full understanding and elimination of them, and for their final and
total overcoming, abandoning and leaving all behind! This Noble 8-fold Way
is developed for the sake of uprooting all Mental Hindrance!
Explanation of the 5 Mental Hindrances:
Desire for sights, sounds, smells, flavours, touches, & thoughts is obvious.
Aversion is hate, anger, irritation, opposition, resistance, & stubbornness.
Lethargy & Laziness is all sluggish indolence, stupor, slow & slack inactivity.
Restlessness & Regret is all agitation, anxiety, hurry, remorse, and worry.
Doubt & Uncertainty is indecision, hesitation, perplexity, & qualm dilemma.
Mental Hindrance means a mental & invisible yet real & ultimately effective
obstacle, obstruction, block, impediment, hurdle, and debilitating handicap!
For details on the Mental Hindrances – Nivaran?a and their removal:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/AN.I.3-4.htm
More on these 5 Mental Hindrances (Nivaranas):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_5_Mental_Hindrances.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Fire_of_Sense-Desire.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Restlessness_and_Regret.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Starving_the_Hindrances.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Feeding_the_Hindrances.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Doubt_and_Uncertainty.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Lethargy_and_Laziness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suitable_Substitution.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Colourful_but_Muddy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Anger_and_Irritation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_5_Become_10.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Naturally_Radiant.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/AN.I.3-4c.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/AN.I.3-4.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Canal.htm
The unhindered & undefiled mind is calm & luminous!
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V:60] section 45: The Way. 177: The 5 Mental Hindrances ...
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
Mental Handicaps are Real yet Invisible.. .
The 5 Mental Hindrances!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_5_Mental_Hindrances.htm
Honesty is the 7th Mental Perfection. Like the moon remains in its fixed orbit around the earth, even so should one stay and stick with the truth, thereby insisting on honesty. This guarantee induces trust, confidence and assured certainty in the mind, as well as in the society. You can play with your drama, but not with your karma..
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Truth_Triumphs.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Not_Deceiving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Speech.htm
Absorption into the Singular Kasina Entirety!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
There are ten kasina spheres, Bhikkhus. And which are these?
Someone perceives solid earth as his kasina, above, below, round about,
undivided, as entirety, infinite, without boundaries, ends or limits.
Again, someone perceives fluid water as his kasina ... or fire ... or wind ...
or blue ... or yellow ... or red ... or white ... or space ... or consciousness,
above, below, round about, undivided, as entirety, infinite, without
boundaries, ends or limits. These are the subtle ten kasina spheres...
Consciousness above, below, all around about, undivided, as entirety,
infinite, without boundaries, ends or limits is considered as the very
highest of these kasina spheres. There are beings dwelling in such
subtle perceptions, however even these high aloof beings experience
impermanence and change! Understanding this, any wise and Noble
disciple turns away from it. By turning all away from it, he thereby
detaches from the highest, how much more so from all lower states!
Comments on these Elements perceived as 'Entirety' or 'Wholeness':
Kasina meditation is a mental absorption gained into a unity aspect:
'Earth' here does not mean a substance, but solidity and extension.
'Water' here neither means a substance, but fluidity and cohesion.
'Fire' here neither means a substance, but heat and vibration.
'Wind' or 'air' here means motion and kinetic energy.
The unity aspect is thus not 'material', but a quality or propert.
More on this way of inducing Mental Absorption (Jhana):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/g_m/kasina.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Kasina_Absorption.htm
Kasina Absorption!
Unifying mind into a singular entirety!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_10_Kasinas.htm
Absorption is inducible by Object Unification!
Kasina means: Entirety, Totality, Unity, Wholeness and Oneness...
It is a purely external method of inducing concentration and reach
jhana absorption by unifying & condensing all undivided attention
on a single homogenous, pure and uniform object or aspect...
There are 10 objects. Consciousness itself is regarded the finest:
1: The Earth kasina, 2: Water kasina, 3: Fire kasina, 4: Wind kasina,
5: The Blue kasina, 6: Yellow kasina, 7: Red kasina, 8: White kasina,
9: The Light or the consciousness kasina, 10: The Space kasina.
The colour kasinas is a blue, yellow, red or white circular disk ~1"
feet in diameter of cloth, or painted cardboard or plywood, which
is set up ~2 meters from the meditator who by gazing intensively at
it internalizes it and thereby construct an artificial visualization!
In the earth kasina, the object of gazing may be a ploughed field
seen from afar, or a round piece of earth prepared for the purpose.
In the water kasina one may gaze at a pond seen from an elevation,
or at water contained in a vessel. Similarly with the fire and wind.
One must keep the mind away from all outside contacts & various
thoughts on other objects, as well as all those disturbing and often
detrimental mental visions or pseudo-hallucinations that may arise.
Now, while exclusively fixing the eyes and thoughts on the blue disk
as the sole object, the things around the disk seem to disappear and
the disk itself becomes more and more a purely mental appearance.
Then, whether the eyes are opened or closed, one perceives this now
purely mentalized kasina disk, as wholly pure uniformly bright blue.
This is the so-called acquired image (uggaha-nimitta) which, though
apparently induced by means of the physical eyes, is nevertheless
produced and visualized only by the mind, independent of the eyes!
This fragile mentally produced image one should make so steady it
no longer vanishes, but remains firmly fixed in the mind. Then it will
become continually steadier, brighter, and more intensive. Such all
pervading pure blue is the mental reflex-image (patibhaga-nimitta)
& associated with it is the access concentration (upacara-samadhi).
During this stage all mental hindrances (nivarana) have temporarily,
been suppressed. No sensual lust (kama-chanda) can arise in such
focused state. No ill-will (vyapada) can irritate the mind. So is also
all lethargy and laziness (thina-middha) overcome. No restlessness
or regret (uddhacca-kukkucca) and no wavering in confused doubt
(vicikiccha) can any more divert the mind. If it is still possible for
these five mental hindrances to arise, there can be no lasting calm
of the mind. When they are gone, & the calm appears is if even solid
one may reach the absorption level concentration (appana-samadhi)
and thereby enter into the first jhana. The first jhana is a state of
calm peace, joyful bliss, and directed thought & sustained thinking
(vitakka-vicara), i.e. inner speech or verbal activities of the mind...
By the fading away & stilling of these verbal activities of the mind,
one has attained the second jhana, a state of calm joy & happiness
(piti-sukha), freed from all thinking and pondering. When the joy
fades away the third jhana is reached, which is characterized by
a serene equanimous happiness (upekkha-sukha). At the ceasing of
happiness, a state of perfect equanimity (upekkha) remains. This is
called the fourth jhana. After emerging from the fourth jhana, the
mind becomes serene, pure, lucid, stainless, devoid of wrong, pliable,
able to act, firm and imperturbable. Such mind is capable of all...
The Blessed Buddha explained:
Monks, there are the ten kasina devices (for concentration).
What are the ten? Someone perceives the earth kasina, above, below,
on all sides, undivided, unbounded; another person perceives the water
kasina... the fire kasina... the wind kasina... the blue... yellow... white...
red kasina... the space kasina... the consciousness kasina, above, below,
on all sides, undivided, unbounded. These are the ten kasina devices.
Among these ten, this is the highest — when one perceives this subtle
consciousness kasina above, below... unbounded. There are, indeed,
monks, such persons who perceive in that way. But even for persons
who thus perceive, change takes place, transformation takes place!
For a detailed explanation of the kasina exercises see Vism IV, V.
The Path of Purification: Visuddhimagga. Excellent translation by
Bhikkhu Nanamoli. Written by 'the great explainer' Buddhaghosa
in 5th century AC on Ceylon:
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/pdfs/PathofPurification2011.pdf
More on Mental Absorption (Jhana):
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/II/The_5_Mental_Hindrances.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Concentration_Samadhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Concentration.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Samma-Samadhi.htm
The Jhanas in Theravada Buddhist Meditation by Henepola Gunaratana Mahathera:
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/Wheels/wh351.pdf
Absorption into the Kasina!
Jhana is inducible by Object Unification!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Kasina_Absorption.htm
Feeding the Serene Equanimity!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, just as this body, is sustained by feeding, exists in dependence on
feeding and cannot survive without food, so are the 7 Links to Awakening
also sustained by feeding, they can also only exist in dependence on feeding
and they cannot remain without feeding... And what, bhikkhus, is the feeding
of the emergence of any yet unarisen equanimity and also feeding of the
completion by condensation of any arisen Equanimity?
There are states that are the basis & source Equanimity! Frequently pointing
careful and rational attention to them, is feeding the emergence of unarisen
equanimity & also feeding of the gradual fulfillment of any arisen Equanimity
Link to Awakening... And what, Bhikkhus, is the starving that obstructs all
emergence of a yet unarisen equanimity and which also hinders any already
arisen Equanimity Link from reaching complete fulfillment by development?
There are states that are the basis and source for the equanimity!
Not giving frequent, careful and rational attention to them; not considering
them much and often; is the starving that prevents an unarisen equanimity
from arising and also blocks any already arisen equanimity from reaching
any complete fulfillment through training in the form of frequent meditation!
Comments from the classical commentaries:
Imperturbable onlooking ballance is characteristic of the equanimity.
(Upekkha-Sambojjhanga). Moderation, seeking the neutral middle, composure
and control is the purpose of the quality of Equanimity (Upekkha).
Imperturbability is the manifestation of the equanimity. This stable yet still
plastic patience purifies all the other advantageous mental states, which thus
reach their maximum, when joined with Equanimity...
Further conditions helpful for the emergence of the equanimity are:
1: Impartiality regarding all living & sentient beings...
2: Indifference regarding all inanimate constructions...
3: Avoiding biased people who prefer favouritism & one-sided partiality...
4: Friendship with well ballanced people unmoved by both pleasure & pain...
5: Commitment to ballance the mind into even & imperturbable Equanimity!
There is Equanimity towards living beings and regarding material things!
There is Equanimity towards internal states & regarding external states!
There is Equanimity towards all past, present, and future times, and events!
There is Equanimity towards all mentality and regarding all materiality!
On Equanimity (Upekkha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Even_is_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/High_and_Alert.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Divorced_Freedom.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Serene_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Empty_Equanimity.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Exquisite_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Equanimity_Upekkha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/u_v/upekkhaa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unshakable_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_7_Links_to_Awakening.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Imperturbable_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Serene_Equanimity_and_Beyond.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/tatra_majjhattataa.htm
Sources (edited extracts):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V: 65-6+102-8] 46: Links. 2+51: Group & Nutriments....
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Serene is Mental Ballance...
Feeding Equanimity!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Equanimity.htm
Seeing the Body as it really is disables desire!
The Buddha explained how to regard the body in order to reduce greed:
Whether going or standing, sitting or lying, bending or stretching, then one
should note fully aware: this is movement of the body, which is a frame of
bones joined with sinews, plastered with skin and flesh, full of intestines,
stomach, liver, bladder, heart, lungs, kidneys, spleen, slime, mucus, sweat,
pus, lymph, blood, joint-fluid, bile, and fat. Filth oozes from its nine holes as
tears, earwax, snot, spittle, vomit, bile, urine, semen and excrement. Sweat
and dirt stick the body, and its hollow skull is filled with a fatty brain...
Only a fool, overwhelmed by ignorance, regards it as beautiful, but when it
lies dead, swollen up and bluish, cast away, eaten by dogs, jackals, wolves,
worms, crows and vultures nobody cares anymore about it. This impure, and
evil-smelling two-footed body is cherished by many and adored as a temple.
However: Whoever would be proud of such a body, or would belittle others
for their less attractive body, what is this, except lack of genuine insight?
The bhikkhu possessing knowledge here, having heard the Buddha's word,
indeed understands it, for he sees this body as it really is. As this corps is,
so is that body of mine also, understanding this, one can relinquish desire
for the body, both one's own and other's. Having eliminated desire, lust &
passion, the bhikkhu possessing knowledge here, has arrived at the undying,
at imperturbable peace, at the unshakable state of quenching. Sn 193-205
On this radical method to cure greed: Meditation on Disgust (Asubha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Meditation_On_the_Body_Kayagata-Sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_9_Corpse_Meditations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Constructive_Destruction.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Disgust.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Body_as_only_Form.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/How_to_cure_Greed.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Released_by_Disgust.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Corpse_Meditation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/asubha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Evil-smelling_body.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Sons_Flesch.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/What_is_Mara.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/IV/Food_Disgust.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Oozing_Out.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Any_Kind.htm
Bluish Victory!
Disgust Disables Greedy Lust and Desire!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Bluish_Victory.htm
What are the 8 Training Rules (Precepts), which brings Divinity?
The Blessed Buddha once said:
The habitual praxis of the observance day endowed with eight features
brings high reward and blessing, & is of sublime dignity and greatness.
And which are these eight features? Here, any Noble Disciple considers
within himself: Throughout their life the Arahats avoid the killing of any
living being, they do not hurt any of them. Without stick or any weapon,
tender-hearted, gentle, caring, & mild they think only of the welfare of
all living beings! So will also I, this day and night, avoid the killing and
hurting of all living and breathing beings. Without any cudgel or weapon,
tender-hearted, full of kindness, I will think only on the joyous welfare
of all living beings and creatures. In this regard I will follow the Arahats,
& I shall observe this observance day praxis perfectly! With this first
praxis is the observance day enriched. Observed in this very way, the
observance day endowed with eight features brings high - even divine -
reward & blessing & is of sublime dignity and immense greatness...
All sentient beings feel pain from violence...
All sentient beings fear death in panic!
Seeing other beings are like oneself;
Treating other beings like oneself;
One should never ever harm or kill ...
Dhammapada 129
Whoever never injures, neither with weapon nor stick,
beings searching for their happiness - when after death -
seeking same happiness, such gentle one always gains it!
Dhammapada 132
Harmlessness protects Everyone!
The one who has left all violence,
who never harms any being at all,
whether they are moving or still,
who neither kill, nor causes to kill,
such one, harmless, is a Holy One.
Dhammapada 405
More on Harmlessness and Non-Violence (Ahimsa):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kamma_leading_to_short_vs_long_life.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Harmlessness_and_Tolerance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Threefold_Right_Action.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Action.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Five_Basics.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/What_is_Virtue.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Not_Killing.htm
More on this Optimal Buddhist Behaviour of Observance:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Fullmoon_Observance_Day.htm
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/atthasila.html
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/uposatha.html
Source (edited extract):
Numerical Discourses of the Buddha. Anguttara Nikaya AN 8:44
Harmlessness is Crucial
Best Buddhist Behaviour: Never Kill!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Optimal_Observance_I.htm
A Simple Way to Establish True Awareness:
Friends, this highly advantageous praxis can be undertaken by anyone,
at any time, all day long, in all situations, and at all locations! Therefore
Do it!, Repeat it!, and Remember it!:
When walking, one understands: "I am walking.."
When standing, one knows: "I am standing.."
If sitting, one notes: "I am sitting down now.."
While lying down, one reflects: "I am lying down.."
When moving forward or returning, one clearly comprehends exactly that..
When looking forward or away, one clearly comprehends exactly that..
When bending or extending a limb, one clearly comprehends exactly that..
When dressing or carrying things, one clearly comprehends exactly that..
When eating, drinking, or chewing, one clearly comprehends exactly that..
When defecating or urinating, one clearly comprehends exactly that..
When walking, standing or sitting, one clearly comprehends exactly that..
When falling asleep or waking up, one clearly comprehends exactly that..
When talking or dwelling in silence, one clearly comprehends exactly that..
Rational and alert attention is thus a cause of ultra clear comprehension!
When continuous Awareness is established, it can prevent all mistakes,
and their painful after-effects... In this way do clear comprehension lead
reduced frustration and gain of new satisfaction! If correctly cultivated,
and made much of, this praxis will be for all beings welfare and happiness
for a long, long time... Why so? Clear comprehension purifies the purpose,
the suitability, the domain, and the unconfused focus of any activity!
More on Comprehension (Sampajañña):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Awareness_Sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/sampajanna.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Clear_and_Aware_Comprehension.htm
Source: The Exhaustive Speeches by the Buddha. Digha Nikaya 22
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/digha/dn22.htm
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=25103l
Be Aware of every single Monent!
Clear Comprehension!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Clear_Comprehension.htm
Any Buddhist disciple should avoid taking anything from anywhere knowing it belongs to another. He should neither steal, nor swindle, nor incite others to steal or cheat. He should completely avoid all theft, deception and fraud. Sutta Nipata 2.397
The second Basic Buddhist Training-rule (precept) is avoiding taking what is not given. Avoidance of all stealing, cheating, fraud, theft, embezzlement and misappropriating of any kind of valuables from any individual or organization that pure and for all advantageous behaviour induces a safe harmony personally and also in any society.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Not_Stealing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Back_to_Basics.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Action.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Hungry_Ghost_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Optimal_Observance_II.htm
To whom should one give, to gain most Merit?
The gods became gods as a result of their giving!
The young brahman Magha once asked the Blessed Buddha:
When giving food, where would this offering be most purified for the donor?
The Blessed One answered: If any open-handed householder, a lordly giver,
Magha, seeking merit, looking for merit, sacrifices, giving food and drink to
others, such one would achieve most merit, if the recipient is pure and Noble.
Such, who indeed wander unattached in the world, having & wanting nothing,
fully accomplished, in complete self-control, upon them, at the right time one
should bestow an offering. Those who have cut all mental bonds and fetters,
who are tamed, completely released, without affliction, without desire, upon
them, at the right time, should one bestow an offering. Upon these purified &
Noble Ones should any brahman, who is looking for merit, place his sacrifice!
Sutta-Nipata verses 488-491 Edited excerpt.
Pure giving cut short: Give 2 those who don't want anything!
More on Giving (Dana) and Merit (Puñña), which is the main next life support:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/giving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/4_Goods.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Glad_Giving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/n_r/punna.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/caaga.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Kathina_Ceremony.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/daana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Reviewing_Generosity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Openhanded_Generosity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Generosity_Contemplation.htm
Giving is getting, since this kamma wealth, will be reflected back as a future echo :-)
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Giving is Future Getting!
Pure Merit!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Pure_Merit.htm
Friendliness can cross any Border!
If friendship between animal beings can cross even remote species borders,
so can and should we humans also make our kind friendship extend beyond
any national, religious, cultural, gender, educational, job, and age border!
Only in this very good way, can we establish a society, where we can sleep
with the doors open, and dance with the children in our arms. So be it :-)
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 & mind:
Beaming above, below, & all around,
unobstructed, without trace of hostility.
Sutta Nipata I, 8
For one who deliberately & aware
develops Universal Friendliness
Seeing the fading away of clinging,
All chains are worn down & broken.
Itivuttaka 27
Let no one deceive another
or despise anyone anywhere,
or through anger or irritation
wish for another to suffer.
Sutta Nipata I, 8
I am a friend of the footless,
I am a friend of all bipeds;
I am a friend of those with four feet,
I am a friend of the many-footed!
Anguttara Nikaya 4.67
As I am, so are others...
As others are, so am I...
Having thus identified self and others,
Never Harm anyone, nor have any abused.
Sutta Nipata 3.710
Among tigers, lions, leopards & bears I lived in the jungle.
No one was frightened of me, nor did I fear anyone.
Uplifted by such universal friendliness, I enjoyed the forest.
Finding great solace in such sweetly silenced solitude…
Suvanna-sama Jataka 540
Train yourself in doing good
that lasts and brings happiness.
Cultivate generosity, the life of peace,
and a mind of infinite universal love.
Itivuttaka 22
The 9th mental Perfection is Friendliness (Metta):
Just as water refreshes and cleanses both just and unjust persons without
discrimination, so does the perfection of friendliness include both friends
and foes alike, and doesn't enact any distinction, favouritism, or partiality.
More on this fabulously fine Friendliness (Metta):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Symbiotic_Sympathy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The-Effective_Saw.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_11_Advantages.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Evaporated_Enemy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Genuine_Goodwill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/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
Goodwill Blazes Beyond... :-)
Friendship can cross any Border!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Across_Borders.htm
Harming others will Hurt yourself!
Therefore did the Buddha point out Harmlessness as the best protection:
I am a friend of the footless,
I am a friend of all bipeds;
I am a friend of those with four feet,
I am a friend of the many-footed!
Anguttara Nikaya 4.67
As I am, so are others...
As others are, so am I...
Having thus identified self with others,
Never Harm anyone, nor make any hurt.
Sutta-Nipata 705
Among tigers, lions, leopards & bears I lived in the jungle.
No one was frightened of me, nor did I fear anyone...
Uplifted by such universal friendliness, I enjoyed the forest.
Finding great solace in that sweetly silenced solitude…
Suvanna-sama Jataka 540
More on Harmlessness (Ahimsa):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Harmlessness_and_Tolerance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Blessing_all_Beings_by_Bliss.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unsurpassable_Radiance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Selfless_and_Harmless.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/avihimsaa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/May_all_be_Happy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Genuine_Goodwill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Patient_is_Tolerance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Bon_Benevolence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Not_Killing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Never_Kill.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Happy Harmlessness!
Non-Violence Protects all Beings...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Happy_Harmlessness.htm