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Navam Poya day is the full-moon of February. This holy day celebrates the ordination of the Buddha Gotama's main disciples Sariputta and MahaMoggallana. On this day Buddha also later decides his Parinibbana.
The death moment of the Buddha, where he enters Nibbana (Sanskrit Nirvana)...!
On such Full-Moon Uposatha Poya Observance days: Any Lay Buddhist simply joins the Three Refuges and undertakes the Five Precepts like this: Newly bathed, shaved, white-clothed, with clean bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue, and bows first three times, so that feet, hands, elbows, knees & head touch the floor. Then, with joined palms at the heart, one recites these memorized lines in a loud, calm & steady voice: As long as this life lasts: I hereby take refuge in the Buddha. I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma. I hereby take refuge in the Sangha. I hereby seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time. I hereby seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time. I hereby seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time. I hereby request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time. I hereby request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd time. I hereby request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time. I will hereby respect these Three Jewels the rest of my life!
I 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 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 global Saddhamma-Sangha is set up here!
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...
Three kinds of gift are mentioned in Buddhism, namely:
1: Amisa dana: The gift of material things, 2: Abhaya dana: The fearless gift of life, 3: Dhamma dana: The gift of real Truth...
Amisa dana: – or the gift of material things is practised by people of all religions and is very common. Food, clothes and houses are given to people of little means or to refugees through various religious and social organizations. It is, no doubt, a good thing to satisfy the hunger of the starving & the yearning of the thirsty. This type of donation is highly recommended in Buddhism and is called the Amisa dana. (The donation of material things). Next comes the Abhaya dana: - or giving life to those whose lives are in danger caused by fire, water or enemies. Sometimes we hear of people, who are about to die due to lack of blood. To donate blood and save another human's life is indeed a great thing. Donation of eyes and kidneys is also highly appreciated and comes under Abhaya dana – fearless donation of life. The last one: Dhamma dana: - or the gift of Truth of the Doctrine is said to be the highest of all donations on earth. Why so? Because it opens the Door to the Deathless Dimension! There is no other giving, which is even remotely comparable.
The gift of Dhamma surpasses all other Gifts. The flavour of Dhamma surpasses all other flavours. The delight in Dhamma surpasses all other delights. He who has destroyed craving overcomes all sorrow. Dhammapada 354
Right after death during transmigration the Yama deva asks one this: "Did you never see in this world a man or a woman, eighty, ninety, or a 100 years old, frail, crooked as a gable-roof, bent down, resting on crutches, with tottering steps, shaking, far from young, with broken teeth, grey & scanty hair or bald, wrinkled, with black blotched limbs? Did that sight never make you think, that you also will become old, and cannot escape it? Did you never in this world see a man or a woman who, being sick, ailing, and grievously ill, fumbling in own filth and excrement, lifted up by some and put to bed by others? And did that sight never make you think that you also inevitably will become sick, and that you cannot ever escape it? Did you never in this world see the corpse of a man or a woman, 1, 2 or three days dead, swollen up, pale bluish-black, smelling and half-rotten? Did that repulsive sight never make you realize, that you indeed also inevitably will meet death, disintegrate and that you cannot escape it?" Source: (edited excerpt) Anguttara Nikaya 3:35
Comment: Despite observing this Suffering, one self-deceives: "It will not come to me"! Paying attention to these 3 divine messengers can lift you out of Samsara...
Good for All are the 3 Kinds of Right Bodily Action!
The Blessed Buddha once said: How, Cunda, is purity of bodily action 3-fold? 1: Harmlessness! Herein, someone avoids the destruction of all life, he does never kill any living being. Without stick or weapon, careful, kind, gentle, and full of sympathy, he protects the welfare of all living, sentient and breathing beings! 2: Honesty! One avoids all stealing, abstains from taking what is not freely given, what another possesses of goods and property in the village or in the woods, one does not take any of that away with thievish intent! 3: Decency! One avoids any illicit and abusive sexual contact, and abstains from all adultery: One has no intercourse with children, who are under the protection of father, mother, brother, relatives, nor with any married persons, nor with any convicts, nor with betrothed persons, nor with those engaged to another partner! This 3-fold purity of bodily action is obviously advantageous for all beings!
When one has understood constructions by seeing the three characteristics in them and their voidness, then one can leave both terror & delight by becoming indifferent and neutral to all states, taking them neither to be 'I', 'Me', nor 'mine'! One becomes like a man who has recently divorced his wife: The man who was married to a lovely, gorgeous, & charming wife and so deeply in love with her as to be unable to bear separation from her for a single moment. He would be disturbed & displeased to see her standing, talking & laughing with another man, and would be very unhappy and jealous, but later, when he found out that woman's faults, and he had divorced her, he would no more regard her as 'mine'; and thereafter, even though he saw her doing whatever it might be, with whomsoever it might be, he would neither be disturbed, nor displeased, but only remain, neutral, detached, aloof and indifferent! So too with the meditating disciple, who wants to get free from all phenomena: He recognizes all constructions as impermanent, and void of pleasure and self, thus seeing that nothing in reality is 'I', 'Me', or 'mine'. He therefore is released from both terror and delight, and becomes indifferent, and neutral towards all phenomena... Visuddhimagga 656
Divorced from Possessiveness, Egoism, Clinging and Frustration!
Equanimity describes the unattached awareness of one's experience as a result of perceiving the impermanence of momentary reality.. It is a peace of mind and dwelling in even calmness, that cannot be shaken by any grade of both fortunate and unfortunate circumstances. It is a concept promoted by several religions...! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equanimity
Honesty is Trust Honesty is Truthful Honesty is Guarantee Honesty is Confidence Honesty is Consistence Honesty is Convincing Honesty is Certainty Honesty is Credibility Honesty is Reliability Honesty is Authenticity Honesty is Integrity Honesty is Accuracy Honesty is Commitment Honesty is Sincerity Honesty is Security Honesty is Reality Honesty is a Must!
Honesty characteristically never deceives, it's function is to verify what is actual and factual. Honesty's manifestation is sheer excellence... Sincere and exact truthfulness is the proximate cause of honesty! All evil states and crimes converge upon transgression of Truth... Devotion to Truth is the only reliable foundation of all Nobility!
Like The Buddha demand of your own mind: You have to give me an honest answer, understand! I won't accept anything phony. And once you've answered, you have to stick to that very answer and not slide or glide around. Don't be a traitor to yourself! Be sober & straight! Therefore: Accept now this 4th training rule of avoiding all false speech!
If one is not true to the Buddha's teachings, the Buddha's teachings will not be true to oneself, either! That Dhamma, which is used as a costume, surface, uniform or alibi, does not bear fruit, as it's intention is not true! True Honesty, however, makes you quite worthy of respect!
If one is painstakingly honest towards oneself, one thereby also becomes meticulously honest towards others. If one on the contrary deceives oneself, believing own lies, one automatically also deceives others, betraying them. Honesty, however, always makes you quite worthy of respect...
Make an island of yourself, be your own light and illumination, make yourself your only safe haven; there is no other protection. Make Truth your only island, make Truth your sole refuge; Make Truth your only lamp; there is no other luminosity. Digha Nikaya, 16
The straight person, self-controlled, keeping precepts, open and honest, is both worthy and fit for the yellow robe. The hiding person, imposting, immoral, keeping secrets, not honest, is neither worthy, nor fit for the yellow robe. Dhammapada 9+10
Overcome the furious by friendship. Overcome the evil one by goodness. Overcome the miser by generosity; Overcome the liar by truth. Dhammapada 223
The one who destroys life; The one who speaks false; The one who takes what is not given; The one who mates with another's partner; The one who is addicted to drugs or alcohol; Such one - even in this world - digs up his own root! Dhammapada 246-47
They who falsely declare: "That happened" about what did not happen, or: "I did not do that" about what they actually did, they earn themselves a ticket to grilling in Hell. Dhammapada 306
When the Blessed One heard about the king’s spies, who for money stole information from others, he explained: One should not take just any job. One should not be another’s man. One should not depend on any other. One should not sell the truth for money… Udana VI-2
The Bodhisatta was once caught by a man-eater, which sat him free on the condition that he returned the next day. He kept his word and did so... Much later remembered: Protecting this way of truth, having given up my life and kingdom, I thereby set free 100 captured nobles, as the man-eater lost his nerve. In honesty I thereby reached the ultimate perfection! Mahasutasoma-Jataka no. 537
You can run from your mistake, but not from your regret. You can play with your drama, but not with your karma. Theravada Buddhist Chaiteet Heng, Malaysia
Cut Short: Mental states not mixed with any diluted form of Hate are Advantageous! Mental states not mixed with any diluted form of Greed are Advantageous! Mental states not mixed with any diluted form of Ignorance are Advantageous!
In Detail: At whatever moment any advantageous thinking pertaining to this sense sphere is accompanied by gladness and associated with knowledge, directed to any sense object, such as a visible form, a sound, a smell, a taste, a touch, or a mental object, then right at that time arises momentarily: Contact, feeling, perception, intention, idea, directed thought, sustained thinking, joy, happiness, one-pointedness of the mind, the ability of faith, energy, awareness, concentration, understanding, the ability of mind and gladness, the ability of vitality, right view, right motivation, right effort, right awareness, and right concentration! There arise the powers of conviction, enthusiasm, acute awareness, focused concentration, and understanding. There arise the powers of shame, of fear of consequences of wrong action! There arises non-greed, non-hatred, non-confusion, and non-possessiveness! There arises no ill will, but right view, shame and fear of wrongdoing! There is then bodily calmness and serene tranquillity of mind. Then emerges then mental and bodily readiness, facile mental and bodily adaptability, and rational rectitude of mind! There is then present: Awareness, clear comprehension, mental tranquillity, insight, energy, and non-distraction! These and whatever formless immaterial states these causally produce: These are the -Advantageous-mental states...
Comments: Diluted forms of Greed are: Desire, lust, yearning, longing, craving, hoping and wanting... Diluted forms of Hate are: Anger, rage, irritation, resentment, opposition & stubbornness... Diluted forms of Ignorance are: Confusion, uncertainty, doubt, perplexity and hesitation...
Using it as a tool they have faith. Just this act of having an anchor is itself faith. Its characteristic is trusting, having confidence in & being fully convinced about. Faith's function is to clarify, like a filter, and to promote entrance like a door. Faith manifests as devoted non-wavering, and as a quite resolute determination. Its proximate cause is something to have faith in, and hearing the Saddhamma. It should be seen as a hand because it takes up and holds all advantageous states, as mental wealth since it leads to future prosperity, and as a seed that initiates growth of all that is truly good.
The Blessed Buddha said: Faith is all being's best wealth; Dhamma praxis brings best happiness; Truth indeed has the best taste of all; Living in and by understanding is best! Sn. 182
Confidence is the seed, Self-control is the rain, Understanding is the yoke & plough, Shame and Conscience is the pole, A well working mind is the yoke-tie, Awareness is the ploughshare & goad. Sn. 77 By Conviction is the flood crossed; By endurance is the ocean crossed; By effort is one's suffering quelled; By wise understanding is one purified! Sn. 184
Once when the Venerable Anuruddha was dwelling at Savatthi in Jeta's Grove, in Anathapindika's Park, a number of Bhikkhus went to the Venerable Anuruddha & exchanged polite greetings with him. Then they sat down and asked the Ven. Anuruddha: Venerable Sir: What has the Venerable Anuruddha developed & cultivated so that he has attained to his famous greatness of direct knowledge? He answered: It is, friends, because I have developed and cultivated these four Foundations of Awareness, that I have won great direct knowledge! What four? Here, friends, I dwell constantly contemplating upon: 1: The Body only as a formed group, neither as me, lasting, nor pleasure! 2: The Feelings only as passing sensations, neither as mine, nor pleasure! 3: The Mind only as temporary mentalities, neither as I, nor any self! 4: All Phenomena only as mental states, neither as substance, nor real! while eager, clearly comprehending, & fully aware, thereby removing any desire & frustration rooted in this world! It is, friends, because I have developed & cultivated these Four Foundations of Awareness, that I have become empowered with the suprahuman forces: I see & understand as it really is, any present defilement, the obstruction of, the cleaning of, and the emergence from all the subtle jhana states, all the deliverances, all concentrations, & all higher mental attainments. It is, because I have developed and fully refined these indeed supreme Four Foundations of Awareness, that I by the full elimination of the mental fermentations, in this very life enter & dwell in the stainless release of mind, & release by understanding, realizing it myself with direct knowledge, gained through direct experience ...
Foundation of Awareness = 4 Great Frames of Reference!
The Blessed Buddha once said: Make an island of yourself, Be lamp and light for yourself, Make yourself your refuge: There is no other refuge!
Make the Dhamma your island, Make the Dhamma your lamp & light, Make Dhamma your refuge; There is no other refuge! Digha Nikaya 2.165
No Other By self alone, is harm done. By self alone, does one suffer from own evil. By self alone, is harm left undone. By self alone, is one purified & thereby saved. Both destruction and salvation is the work of yourself. No-one can purify another... Dhammapada 165
Sole Saviour: Self is indeed self's only saviour! Who else can save you? With oneself well tamed, one gains a saviour otherwise hard to find. Dhammapada 160
Focused: Neither giving up seclusion, nor neglecting meditation, Constantly living according to the Dhamma, yet still amongst all the flickering phenomena of this world, understanding the danger inherent in this existence itself! One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn. Sutta-Nipata I.3 verse 69
The material body is like the prison, because it is the site of the punishment. Perception is like the offence, because it via contact causes the punishment. Feeling is like the punishment one cannot control, as it is caused by contact. Mental construction is like the punisher, since it via craving causes feeling… Consciousness is like the villain, because this is what is tormented by feeling! Vism. Comm: Pm. 504
The Blessed Buddha once said: It is impossible, Bhikkhus and Friends, and cannot ever happen, that one possessed of right understanding should ever regard any phenomenon as really permanent ... or any phenomenon as lasting happiness ... or any phenomenon as an identical, unchanging, same, and 'my self'... But it is quite possible, that an ordinary worldling may indeed have, entertain and act upon such naive, false and distorted beliefs...
The Blessed Buddha once said: There will come a time, Bhikkhus, when all the mighty oceans will evaporate, dry up, vanish, and exist no more. But there will be no end of Suffering for beings who, blinded by Ignorance and obsessed by Craving, are hurrying and hastening through this samsaric round of endless rebirths...So is it! One day this mighty planet earth will explode in a gigantic burst of fire, be completely destroyed, and exist no more. But there will be no end of Misery for beings who, obstructed by Ignorance and addicted by Craving, are hurrying, even running and hastening from birth to repeated death in this round of rebirths... This I have now explained to you!
Video illustrating life among humans, in heaven and in hell:
Sitting in his upper chamber the immensely rich young brahmin Sumedha thought like this:
Not seeking Purity:
When a man soiled in dirt sees a pure lotus covered lake, but does not seek it to get a clean bath,
it is not an error of the lake, but a fault of the dirty man...
Even and exactly so: When there is the great lake of the deathless Nibbana capable of purifying
all the mental defilements, yet it is not being sought by the mentally polluted being, then it is not
an error of this immortal state, but a fatal fault of the mentally contaminated human being...
Neglecting the Way:
When a man surrounded by robbers does not flee, though there is a possible way to escape, then it
is not an error of this open way, but a fault of the man neglecting to break free by this road...
Even and exactly so: When there is this blessed Noble 8-fold Way leading straight to absolute
freedom, yet it is not being used, then is not an error of this supreme method, but a fault of the
man failing to follow, clear and develop this ancient path...
Rejecting the Doctor:
When a seriously sick man does not seek the help of the doctor, who knows the effective cure,
then is neither a fault of the doctor, nor of the medical treatment, but a mistake of the sick man!
Even and exactly so: When there is this sublime Teacher, who can cure all mental diseases & thereby
allay all frustration and pain, yet he is not being sought, then - indeed - it is not a fault of this guide,
but a grave error of anyone mentally unhealthy and defiled and thus prone for downfall...
These thoughts made the young man give away all his richness and become recluse in Himalaya:
Later he met the Buddha Dipankara and at his feet made the determination to be come Buddha!
Once when the Venerable Anuruddha was dwelling at Savatthi in Jeta's Grove,
in Anathapindika's Park, many Bhikkhus went to Anuruddha & exchanged polite
greetings with him. Then they sat down to one side & asked the Ven. Anuruddha:
Venerable Sir: What has the Venerable Anuruddha developed and cultivated so
that he has attained to his famous greatness of direct knowledge?
It is because I have developed & cultivated these 4 Foundations of Awareness
that I have won great direct knowledge. What four? Here, friends, I dwell always
constantly contemplating upon:
The Body only as a constructed group, neither as I, me, mine, nor as a self...
The Feelings only as passing responses, neither as I, as mine, nor as my self...
The Mind only as temporary moods, neither as I, mine, nor as any part of self...
All Phenomena only as appearing mental states, not as any real or absolute...
while eager, clearly comprehending, & fully aware, thereby removing all desire and
frustration rooted in this world! It is, friends, because I have developed and much
cultivated these Four Foundations of Awareness that I have become empowered
with suprahuman forces: With the divine ear element, which is purified, refined,
subtle and surpasses the human, I hear both divine and human sounds, both those
that are far away as well as those that are near.
Once when the Venerable Anuruddha was dwelling at Savatthi in
Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's Park, a number of Bhikkhus went to
the Venerable Anuruddha and exchanged polite greetings with him.
Then they sat down & asked the Venerable Anuruddha: Venerable
Sir: What has the Venerable Anuruddha developed & cultivated so
that he has attained to his famous greatness of direct knowledge?
It is, friends, because I have developed and cultivated these four
Foundations of Awareness that I have won great direct knowledge.
What four? Here, friends, I dwell constantly contemplating upon:
The body only as a framed group, neither as I, me, mine, nor a self...
The feelings only as passing reactions, neither as I, mine, nor self...
The mind only as habitual & transient moods, neither as I, nor self...
All phenomena only as constructed mental states, not as any real...
while eager, clearly comprehending, & fully aware, thereby removing
all desire & frustration rooted in this world! It is, friends, because
I have developed & cultivated these Four Foundations of Awareness
that I have become empowered with suprahuman force: Having been
one, I become many; having been many, I become one; I appear and I
vanish; I go fully unhindered through a wall, through any barricade,
even through a massive granite mountain as if through open space;
I dive in and out of the earth as if it were water; I travel in space
like a bird seated cross-legged, I walk on water without sinking as
though it were solid earth; with my hand I touch the moon and sun
so powerful and mighty; I master this body and any form as far as
the fine dark matter Brahma World...
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:303]
section 52: Anuruddha. Thread 12: Suprahuman Force!
Answer:
Friend your good question exemplifies a common misconception and
non-recognition of a mixed state…Since it depends how you define and
thus understand “Pity” as a mixed state, or in itself as a pure state!
In itself Pure Pity = Karunâ is defined as:
Pity originally means ‘feeling for and of other’s pain’, or "sympathy" and
"empathy". However only IF mixed with egoism it gets more unsympathetic
connotations of feeling of “own” superiority based on conscious or even
unconscious lack of respect of the sufferer's dignity, who is now seen as
“inferior”. However this Evil does not come from pity itself, which is a pure
compassion for the plight of the sufferer, but to the often unseen and
overlooked aspect of mixed-in impurities of the EGO-conceit “I am Better”!
Since for to say or think, even subconsciously, “I am Better” there just
have to be present the mistaken belief in a non-existent Ego = The conceit
that “I am” = asmi-mâna... Needless to say has this arrogant & pride-pumped
“I”-dentification & “self”-deception nothing whatsoever to do with fellow
feelings for another being’s suffering, though it can often subconsciously
be mixed with it and thus polluting this in itself advantageous & good pure pity.
Moreover regarding karuna especially as "Buddhist Pity":
There is no “sorrow” or “sadness” in this state as it is based on understanding
of cause and effect. From the Visuddhimagga: http://what-buddha-said.net/library/pdfs/PathofPurification2011.pdf
“One whose meditation subject is pity should arouse compassion for any
[evil-doing] person even if he now is happy: “Though this poor wretch is now
happy, cheerful, enjoying his wealth, still for want of even one single good
deed done now in by any of the 3 doors of intentional behaviour he will
come to experience untold future suffering in the states of loss.”
Cut short:
A Noble Person feels empathy and pity for any being in Samsara due to
understanding of the inherent dangers in that Samsaric trap for anyone
without understanding of the 4 Noble Truths, but he does not feel sorrow
or sadness on that account! If he did, then Pity (Karuna or Compassion)
would not be an advantageous (kusala) mental state promoting Happiness,
which is the sole purpose in the first place!
Medin Poya day is the full-moon of March. This holy day celebrates
that the Buddha visits his parental home after his supreme Enlightenment,
and ordains his son prince Rahula, & half brother Nanda. This day is
also called: The Sangha Day, since on this full-moon 1250 Arahats
spontaneously met & assembled around the Buddha without any call.
Buddha then spoke the famous Ovada Patimokkha core teaching!
On such Full-Moon Uposatha Poya Observance days:
Any Lay Buddhist simply joins the Three Refuges and undertakes the
Five Precepts like this: Newly bathed, shaved, white-clothed, with clean
bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue, and bows first
three times, so that feet, hands, elbows, knees & head touch the floor.
Then, with joined palms at the heart, one recites these memorized lines
in a loud, calm & steady voice:
As long as this life lasts: I hereby take refuge in the Buddha.
I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma.
I hereby take refuge in the Sangha.
I hereby seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time.
I hereby request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time.
I will hereby respect these Three Jewels the rest of my life!
I accept to respect, keep & 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 Lying & Cheating.
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...
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! The journey towards Nibbana: The Deathless is hereby started!
This is the Noble Way to Absolute Peace, to Complete Freedom, to Ultimate
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 also 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 global web Saddhamma-Sangha is set up here!
Generosity means willingness to give and share whatever.
Generosity means magnanimous and open-handed liberality.
Generosity means freedom from small and stingy pettiness.
Generosity means practicing charity for the poor and unfortunate.
Generosity means kind bigheartedness towards those worthy of it.
Generosity means warmhearted and altruistic unselfishness.
Generosity provides the kammic cause for later wealth..
Giving causes Getting... No Giving causes future Poverty!
The Blessed Buddha explained the treasure of generosity like this:
When a disciple of the Noble Ones whose mind and
mentality is all cleared of disgracing miserliness,
living at home, is freely generous and open-handed,
delighting in being magnanimous,
responsive to every request and,
is enjoying the giving of any alms.
Such is this treasure called generosity. AN VII 6
Just as a filled pot, which is overturned,
pours out all its water, leaving nothing back,
even and exactly so should one give to those in need.
whether low, middle or high, like the overturned pot,
holding nothing back…!!! Jataka Nidana [128-129]
The Generosity of Giving,
The Kindness in Speech,
The Benefit of Service,
The Impartiality of treating all Alike,
These 4 threads of Sympathy
upholds this world, like the axle do the cart! AN II 32
Giving food, one gives and later gets strength
Giving clothes, one gives and later gets beauty
Giving light, one gives and later gets vision
Giving transportation, one gives and later gets ease.
Giving shelter one gives all,
Yet one who instructs in the True Dhamma
The supreme Teaching of the Buddhas -
Such one gives the quite divine ambrosia! SN I 32
These are these five rewards of generosity:
One is liked and charming to people at large,
One is admired and respected by wise people,
One's good reputation is spread wide about,
One does not neglect a householder's true duty,
and with the break-up of the body - at the moment
of death - one reappears in a happy destination,
in the plane of the divine worlds! AN V.35
There are these two kinds of gifts:
material gifts and gifts of Dhamma.
The supreme gift is that of Dhamma.
There are these two kinds of sharing:
material sharing and sharing of Dhamma.
The supreme sharing is that of Dhamma.
There are these two kinds of help:
Material help and help with the Dhamma.
This is the supreme of the two:
help with this subtle Dhamma … It 98
The gift of Dhamma exceeds all other gifts. Dhammapada 354
The Bodhisatta once as king Sivi gave
both his eyes to a beggar who was Sakka the
king deity in disguise, who desired to test him.
He remembered "While I was wishing to give,
while I was giving and after this giving there
was neither contrariety, nor opposition in my mind
since it was for the purpose of awakening itself!
Neither were these eyes, nor the rest of myself
disagreeable to me. Omniscience was dear to me,
therefore I gave both my eyes." The Basket of Conduct
Cariyapitaka I-8
Full story: Sivi Jataka no. 499
The Bodhisatta once as the Wise Hare gave his roasted body
as alms to a beggar by jumping into a fire:
He remembered: "There came a beggar and asked for food.
Myself I gave so that he might eat. In alms-giving there was
none equal to me. In alms I had thereby reached the absolute
ultimate perfection." From then and the rest of this world-cycle
the moon will display a characteristic 'hare-in-the-moon' sign! Sasa-Jataka no. 316
Giving of things, treasures, external possessions, job,
position, wife, and child is the first perfection of giving.
Giving the offer of one's organs, limbs, and senses is
the second higher perfection of giving.
Giving the sacrifice of one's life is the ultimate
perfection of giving. The clarifier of sweet meaning 89
(Commentary on Buddhavamsa)
Madhuratthavilasini [59]
Venerable Buddhadatta: 5th century.
Generosity is the first mental perfection (parami): Clinging and egoism creates internal panic and social tension.
Giving and sharing creates internal elation and external harmony...
What is gladly given, returns more than thousandfold!
Giving requires Relinquishing! Giving is Anti-Clinging!
Giving is the opposite mental state of Greed...
The cypress hermitage here have long needed some new roofing. Furthermore is the verandah
floor caving in due to almost complete undermining by rat tunnels. Hopefully can these required
improvements be finished before the torrential heavy rain sets in during the June-July monsoon.
The fact that all materials have to be truck-transported from Kandy (=~60km) and then further
hand-carried 2 km uphill this knuckles mountain to 4000 feets elevation usually increases the
costs significantly, as there is no road-access to here. Your kind contribution is thus requested here: http://what-buddha-said.net/various/Dhammadhara_Foundation.htm
The roof & verandah improvements will enable a safe path for pre-dawn & night walking-meditation
under cover from the often quite heavy rain, and under lights so not to step on the quite common
poisonous polanga-pit-viper snakes, who often visits this hermitage in their night-hunt for frogs.
For Donation via Western Union or Sri Lankan Post-Office order:
Send the funds to Mail Address:
Venerable Bhikkhu Samahita
Cypress Hermitage, Bambarella
20838 Tawalantenna
Kandy, Central Province.
SRI LANKA
Please notify me by email: bhante.samahita@gmail.com
about sender address and western union control number.
Direct Bank-wire transfer or bank-draft-cheque is also possible.
Please email me bhante.samahita@gmail.com for account details.
The Blessed Buddha once said:
When a Bhikkhu develops the The Feet of Force, that is enriched with concentrated desire,
concentrated energy, concentrated thought & concentrated investigation, all constructed
by effort, by thinking: In this way will my desire, energy, thinking and investigating 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 that is all open & unrestricted, he develops
the dazzling bright mind, which is pervaded by its own luminosity...
When the 4 feet of suprahuman force have been developed, refined and cultivated in exactly
this way, then the Bhikkhu possesses the various kinds of suprahuman force: With the divine
ear element, which is purified and surpasses the human, he hears both divine and human sounds,
both those that are far away, as well as those that are near.
Even evaluation is characteristic of the Equanimity Link to Awakening. (Upekkha-Sambojjhanga). Preventing both deficiency & excess and
securing impartiality is the function of Equanimity. Imperturbable
ballance is the manifestation of the Equanimity Link to Awakening.
Equanimity just looks on whenever new phenomena arises and ceases.
This stable yet plastic patience purifies all the other advantageous
mental states, which reach maximum, when joined with Equanimity...
Equanimity (Upekkha) is a moderating mental construction.
Equanimity is also a mood of neither gladness nor sadness.
Equanimity is also a feeling of neither pain nor pleasure.
Equanimity is also the neutral ability to be indifferent.
Equanimity is also the 4th infinitely divine dwelling.
Equanimity is also a quite high form of happiness.
Equanimity is also a refined mental purification.
Equanimity is therefore a Link to Enlightenment...
There is Equanimity both regarding live beings and dead things.
There is Equanimity both regarding all internal & external states.
There is Equanimity both regarding all past, present and future.
There is Equanimity both regarding all mentality & all materiality.
The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be
overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by alert & rational attention
develops the Equanimity Link to Awakening based on seclusion, based
on disillusion, on ceasing, culminating in full renouncing relinquishment,
then neither can mental fermentation, nor any fever, nor discontent
ever arise in him. MN2 [i 11]
When mind is concentrated one can observe all closely in equanimity.
The Equanimity Link to Awakening arises right there. He develops it,
and for him repeatedly meditating it goes gradually to the completion
of its development. MN118 [iii 85]
It has aspects both of serene calm (Samatha) & incisive insight (Vipassana).
It is extraordinarily advantageous to train this unique breathing technique.
Can recommend this booklet about standard Breathing Meditation very much:
Mindfulness of Breathing. Classic Anapanasati meditation manual of the root
Pali texts translated by Bhikkhu Ñanamoli. BPS. 1998. http://what-buddha-said.net/library/pdfs/anapanasati.pdf
The ideal is when Calm and Insight goes hand in hand, as if yoked together!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
When a Bhikkhu develops the Feet of Force that is enriched with concentrated desire,
concentrated energy, concentrated thought & concentrated investigation, all constructed
by effort, by thinking: In this way will my desire, energy, thinking and investigating 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 and what is behind, so above, so also below,
so by day, so also at night! Therefore, with a mind that is all open & unrestricted, he develops
the dazzling bright mind, which is pervaded by its own luminosity...
When the 4 feet of suprahuman force have been developed, refined and cultivated in exactly
this way, the Bhikkhu possesses the various kinds of suprahuman force: He remembers many
of his prior lives, one rebirth, two lives, three lives, four lives, five lives, ten past lives, twenty
lives, thirty lives, forty lives, fifty lives, a hundred past lives, one thousand prior lives, several
100.000 lives, many aeons (universal cycles) of world-contraction and expansion (big bangs):
There such was my name, species, family, such my appearance, such was my food, such was my
experience of pleasure and pain, such my life; passing away from there, I was reborn elsewhere.
There such was my name, species, family, such my appearance, such was my food, such was my
experience of pleasure & pain, such my life length; passing away from there, I was reborn here.
Thus he recollects his manifold various past lives & worlds in all their minutely specific details...
The Blessed Buddha often emphasized:
Bhikkhus, whatever kinds of worldly merit there are, all are not worth one
sixteenth part of the release of mind by universal friendliness; in shining,
glowing and beaming radiance, such release of mind by universal friendliness
far excels & surpasses them all... Itivuttaka 27
See this good being is happy! How fine! How excellent! Let there be Happiness!
Let there indeed be Freedom! Let there indeed be Peace! Let there be Bliss....
Let there be Understanding of this good principle. Buddhaghosa
May all beings be joyous and safe! Let every creature's mind rejoice!
Let every single living being's mind be exceedingly jubilant!
One should maintain an infinite friendliness for every single living being,
in gentle sympathy for this entire universe, unlimited, endless and vast!
This is the Divine Dwelling while actually here, they say. Buddha Gotama
The Bhikkhu pervades all beings with all-embracing friendliness ...
The Bhikkhu encompass all beings with universal & endless pity ...
The Bhikkhu permeates all beings with infinite & mutual joy ...
The Bhikkhu suffuses all beings with unlimited equanimity ... Digha Nikaya 33
May all creatures, all breathing things,
all beings one and all, without exception,
experience good fortune only.
May they not fall into any harm. Anguttara Nikaya II, 72
Thus he who both day and night
takes delight in harmlessness
sharing love with all that live,
finds enmity with none. Samyutta Nikaya I 208
A certain not very well known Bhikkhu once asked the Blessed Buddha:
Venerable Sir, the removal of Greed, Hate, and Ignorance, is it often said…
What, Venerable Sir, is the real meaning of that statement?
This removal of Greed, Hate, & Ignorance is a description of the dimension
of Nibbana…The final elimination of the mental fermentations is spoken of
just like that.
Then that Bhikkhu asked the Blessed One:
Venerable Sir, the Deathless, the Deathless, is it often said…
What, Sir, is this Deathless and what is the way leading the Deathless?
The destruction of Greed, of Hate, and the destruction of Ignorance:
This is called the Deathless. The Noble 8-fold Way is the way leading to
this Deathless; that is:
Right View (samma-ditthi)
Right Motivation (samma-sankappa)
Right Speech (samma-vaca)
Right Action (samma-kammanta)
Right Livelihood (samma-ajiva)
Right Effort (samma-vayama)
Right Awareness (samma-sati)
Right Concentration (samma-samadhi)
Bhikkhu, I will teach you the taintless, the truth, the far shore ...
... the subtle ... the very difficult to see ... the unageing ... the stable ...
... the undisintegrating ... the unmanifested ... the unproliferated ...
... the peaceful ... the deathless ... the sublime ... the auspicious ...
... the secure ... the destruction of craving ... the wonderful ...
... the amazing ... the unailing ... the undecaying state ...
... the unafflicted ... disillusion ... purity ... freedom ...
... the unadhesive ... the island ... the shelter ... the asylum ...
... the refuge ... the destination ... Nibbana
The Evil Devil meeting the true Saint![/size][/size]
The Buddha once spoke straight to Namuci also called Mara the Evil One:
Sense pleasure is your first army, discontent your 2nd, while hunger and
thirst is your 3rd army. The 4th is craving, the 5th is lethargy and laziness,
fear is your 6th, doubt is the 7th, hypocrisy and stubbornness is your 8th.
Gain, renown, honour, and whatever falsely received fame is your 9th army
you Kanha black dark-minded one. One who is not hero cannot conquer that,
but having defeated it, one gains great happiness. Having brought my mind
under full control, well-established in continuous awareness, I will wander
through the kingdoms, training many disciples, who alert and well motivated,
despite your temptations, will go where having gone, one cannot ever grieve!
Realizing his defeat Mara , the Evil One, replied: For seven long years I have
followed the Blessed One, step by step, without ever obtaining even a single
opportunity against this perfectly Self-Enlightened One, who is fully aware.
Like a crow, which circled a yellow stone, which appeared like a lump of fat,
thinking "Perhaps I can find something soft & sweet here", but after having
attacked the rock, without getting anything, went away sadly disappointed,
even and exactly so will I have to go away. Discouraged the demon's lute fell
from his armpit and overwhelmed by frustration he disappeared right there.. Sutta-Nipata verses 436-449 . Edited excerpt.
This highborn hedonistic devil is called Namuci = “no escape”, since he lets
no one escape, and Mara = “death”, since he leads beings into a repeated
cycle of birth and death.... Buddha also rightly called him The Evil One,
since he with ease can enter any being's mind and make them do evil.
One who wants to develop the recollection of deities should possess the special
quality of faith evoked by means of the noble path. He should go into solitary
retreat and recollect his own special qualities of faith, purity and understanding,
with the deities as if standing as witnesses, in this very way: There are deities on
the plane of the Four Great Kings, of the Realm of the Thirty-three, Yama World,
the Contented Devas, those enjoying own creation, those with power over others
creations, those of the Brahma world, and those formless ones far above them...
All those deities were possessed of faith so that on dying here they were reborn
there, and such faith is present in me too. And those deities were possessed of
virtue ... of learning... of generosity ... of understanding, such that when they died
here they were reborn there in a divine dimension, and such understanding is also
present in me too! (AN III 287). He recollects his own special qualities, making the
deities stand as witnesses. When a bhikkhu is devoted to this remembrance of the
deities, he becomes dearly loved by those deities. He obtains even greater fullness
of faith. He has much happiness and gladness. And if he penetrates no higher, he is
at least headed for a happy destiny.
Typical appearance and postures of some Devas.
Now when a man is truly wise,
His constant task will surely be
This recollection of the Deities
Blessed with such mighty potency! Vism I 226
Sakka king of the 33 devas hovering about with 2 nymphs.
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, there are these Four Foundations of Awareness. What four?
When a Bhikkhu keenly contemplates:
1: The mere form within all Body...
2: The mere reaction within all Feeling...
3: The mere mood within all Mind...
4: The mental state within all Phenomena..
while always acutely aware & clearly comprehending, he thereby removes
any urge, envy, jealousy, frustration and discontent rooted in this world...
While contemplating the body as mere form, feeling as mere reaction, mind
as mere mood and all phenomena as momentary mental states, whatever lust,
desire and craving he has for any form, for any feeling, for any mentality, and
for whatever juicy phenomenon, that very desire is abandoned and eliminated
right there and then! When desire is eliminated, the Deathless dimension itself
is realized...
The Blessed Buddha once said:
When a Bhikkhu develops the Ways to Force, that is enriched with
concentrated Investigation, constructed by effort, by thinking:
In this way will my Investigation, 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,
what is above, so also below, so by day, so also by night! Therefore,
with a mind all open & unrestricted, he develops the dazzling bright
mind, which is pervaded by its own internal luminosity... However:
What is Investigation, that is too slack? Investigation joined with
sloppy carelessness is called Investigation, that is too slack!
What is Investigation, that is too tense? Restless, hurried, agitated
Investigation is called an Investigation, that is too tense!
What is Investigation, that is constricted internally? Investigation
done in laziness. This is Investigation that is constricted internally!
What is Investigation, that is scattered externally? Investigation
that in craving & urge is directed towards the five sense pleasures.
This is called Investigation that is scattered & diverted 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, & well known by understanding...
This is Investigation, that knows both what is in the front & back!
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 by 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, slime, spit, snot, joint fluid , and urine...This is Investigation,
that knows what is below, so also above; as above, so also below...
How does one dwell as by day, so at night; as at night, so by day?
Here, at night a Bhikkhu trains the Steps to Force that is enriched
with concentrated Investigation, constructed by effort, using the
same techniques, qualities, & aspects, as he trains during the day.
So does one abide as by day, so at night; as by night, so by day!
And how, does one dwell with a mind that is all open & unrestricted,
a dazzling bright mind, which is pervaded by its own luminosity...?
Here, friends, the perception of day-light is well attended to & well
resolved upon by determination. It is in exactly this way, that one
dwells with a mind, that is all open & unrestricted, a dazzling bright
mind, which is pervaded by its own luminosity...
The Blessed Buddha once said:
When a Bhikkhu develops the Ways to Force that is enriched with concentrated thinking,
constructed by effort, by thinking: thus will thinking, neither be too slack, nor too tense,
it will neither be constricted internally, nor scattered externally, then he experiences
both what is in front and what is behind, what is above, so also below, as by day, so also
at night! Therefore, with a mind all open and unrestricted, he develops the dazzling bright
mind, which is pervaded by its own internal luminosity... However:
What is thinking that is too slack?
Thinking joined with dullness is called thinking that is too slack!
What is thinking that is too tense?
Restless and agitated thinking is called thinking that is too tense
What is thinking that is constricted internally?
Thinking done with lethargy and laziness. This is thinking that is constricted internally!
What is thinking that is scattered externally?
It is thinking that is distracted and diverted externally urging for the 5 sense pleasures...
This is called thinking that is scattered and distracted externally!
How does one dwell experiencing both the front and what is behind?
The perception of front, back, is well attended to, and thereby well comprehended,
well considered, and penetrated by understanding... This is called thinking that knows both
what is in the front and back!
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, and downwards
from the tips of the hairs, enclosed by 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, slime, spit, snot, joint fluid, and urine...
This is called thinking that is below, so above; as above, so below...
How does one dwell as 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 thinking,
constructed by effort using the same techniques, qualities, features, and aspects, as he trains
during a day. And how, does one dwell with a mind that is all open and unrestricted, a dazzling
bright mind, which is pervaded by its own luminosity...?
Here, friends, the perception of day-light is well attended and well resolved upon by determination.
It is in exactly this way that one dwells with a mind that is all open, unrestricted, unbounded and
dazzling bright mind, which is pervaded by its own luminosity...
Karuna is feeling the pain of other beings, either partially or completely;
Possible translations:
1: Pity not from above: “I am better”, but as if in the other being’s shoes…
2: Compassion is OK, but that is difficult to reach up to for many beings…
3: Fellow feeling, sympathy, empathy, understanding are all OK, but somewhat
missing these essential points:
A: It is an inability to see and accept other being’s suffering and distress!
B: It is a deep desire to make others feel free, glad, happy and peaceful!
C: It is extended to and pervaded over many beings simultaneously…
The proximate cause of Karuna = pity is noticing other being’s helplessness .
The immediate effect of Karuna = pity is evaporation of all evil cruelty!
Comments
How to be a Real Buddhist through Observance?
Navam Poya day is the full-moon of February. This holy day celebrates
the ordination of the Buddha Gotama's main disciples Sariputta and
MahaMoggallana. On this day Buddha also later decides his Parinibbana.
The death moment of the Buddha, where he enters Nibbana (Sanskrit Nirvana)...!
On such Full-Moon Uposatha Poya Observance days:
Any Lay Buddhist simply joins the Three Refuges and undertakes the
Five Precepts like this: Newly bathed, shaved, white-clothed, with clean
bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue, and bows first
three times, so that feet, hands, elbows, knees & head touch the floor.
Then, with joined palms at the heart, one recites these memorized lines
in a loud, calm & steady voice:
As long as this life lasts:
I hereby take refuge in the Buddha.
I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma.
I hereby take refuge in the Sangha.
I hereby seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time.
I hereby request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time.
I will hereby respect these Three Jewels the rest of my life!
I 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 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 global Saddhamma-Sangha is set up here!
The New Noble Community of Buddha's Disciples: The Saddhamma Sangha:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Saddhamma_Sangha.htm
Can quite advantageously be Joined Here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm
May your journey hereby be light, swift, and sweet. Never give up !!
Bhikkhu Samahita: what.buddha.said@gmail.com
For Details on The Origin of Uposatha Observance Days:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/uposatha.html
Have a nice Poya Observance day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Today is Navam Poya Day!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Navam_Poya_Day.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
What are the 3 kinds of Buddhist Gifts?
Three kinds of gift are mentioned in Buddhism, namely:
1: Amisa dana: The gift of material things,
2: Abhaya dana: The fearless gift of life,
3: Dhamma dana: The gift of real Truth...
Amisa dana: – or the gift of material things is practised by people
of all religions and is very common. Food, clothes and houses are
given to people of little means or to refugees through various
religious and social organizations. It is, no doubt, a good thing to
satisfy the hunger of the starving & the yearning of the thirsty.
This type of donation is highly recommended in Buddhism and
is called the Amisa dana. (The donation of material things).
Next comes the Abhaya dana: - or giving life to those whose lives
are in danger caused by fire, water or enemies. Sometimes we
hear of people, who are about to die due to lack of blood.
To donate blood and save another human's life is indeed a great
thing. Donation of eyes and kidneys is also highly appreciated
and comes under Abhaya dana – fearless donation of life.
The last one: Dhamma dana: - or the gift of Truth of the Doctrine
is said to be the highest of all donations on earth. Why so?
Because it opens the Door to the Deathless Dimension!
There is no other giving, which is even remotely comparable.
Openhanded Giving is the 1st Mental Perfection...
Sabba danam Dhamma danam jinati
Sabbam rasam Dhamma raso jinati
Sabbam ratim Dhamma rati jinati
Tanhakkayo sabba dukkham jinati
The gift of Dhamma surpasses all other Gifts.
The flavour of Dhamma surpasses all other flavours.
The delight in Dhamma surpasses all other delights.
He who has destroyed craving overcomes all sorrow.
Dhammapada 354
Most Gods actually became Divine Beings as a result of Giving!
More on Generosity (Dana) = The 1st mental perfection:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Glad_Giving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_3_Gifts.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Kathina_Ceremony.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/caaga.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/daana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Openhanded_Generosity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Generosity_Contemplation.htm
Sumedha - the young millionaire - gives away all his property!
Source:
Ven. Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero http://www.buddhist-book.com Singapore
Giving gains Getting!
The 3 Golden Gifts ...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_3_Gifts.htm
Having Observed, yet failed to pay Attention!
Right after death during transmigration the Yama deva asks one this:
"Did you never see in this world a man or a woman, eighty, ninety, or a 100
years old, frail, crooked as a gable-roof, bent down, resting on crutches,
with tottering steps, shaking, far from young, with broken teeth, grey &
scanty hair or bald, wrinkled, with black blotched limbs? Did that sight
never make you think, that you also will become old, and cannot escape it?
Did you never in this world see a man or a woman who, being sick, ailing,
and grievously ill, fumbling in own filth and excrement, lifted up by some
and put to bed by others? And did that sight never make you think that
you also inevitably will become sick, and that you cannot ever escape it?
Did you never in this world see the corpse of a man or a woman, 1, 2 or
three days dead, swollen up, pale bluish-black, smelling and half-rotten?
Did that repulsive sight never make you realize, that you indeed also
inevitably will meet death, disintegrate and that you cannot escape it?"
Source: (edited excerpt) Anguttara Nikaya 3:35
Comment:
Despite observing this Suffering, one self-deceives: "It will not come to me"!
Paying attention to these 3 divine messengers can lift you out of Samsara...
All in this World, whatsoever, is Suffering: This is the 1st Noble Truth:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_1st_Noble_Truth_on_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_4_Noble_Truths.htm
Naive Self-Deception.. .
Having Observed, yet failed to pay Attention!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_3_Divine_Messages.htm
Good for All are the 3 Kinds of Right Bodily Action!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
How, Cunda, is purity of bodily action 3-fold?
1: Harmlessness!
Herein, someone avoids the destruction of all life, he does never kill any living being.
Without stick or weapon, careful, kind, gentle, and full of sympathy, he protects the
welfare of all living, sentient and breathing beings!
2: Honesty!
One avoids all stealing, abstains from taking what is not freely given, what another
possesses of goods and property in the village or in the woods, one does not take
any of that away with thievish intent!
3: Decency!
One avoids any illicit and abusive sexual contact, and abstains from all adultery:
One has no intercourse with children, who are under the protection of father,
mother, brother, relatives, nor with any married persons, nor with any convicts,
nor with betrothed persons, nor with those engaged to another partner!
This 3-fold purity of bodily action is obviously advantageous for all beings!
More on Right Action (Samma Kammanta):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Action.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Unintentional_Action.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Good_Action_dilutes_Evil_Kamma.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Good_Action_enhances_other_Good_Kamma.htm
Source (edited extract):
Numerical Discourses of the Buddha. Anguttara Nikaya AN 10:176
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/Index.Numerical.htm
Pure Action x 3!
Harmlessness, Honesty & Decency Protects All...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Threefold_Right_Action.htm
Regarding all Phenomena with aloof Equanimity!
When one has understood constructions by seeing the three characteristics in them
and their voidness, then one can leave both terror & delight by becoming indifferent
and neutral to all states, taking them neither to be 'I', 'Me', nor 'mine'!
One becomes like a man who has recently divorced his wife: The man who was married
to a lovely, gorgeous, & charming wife and so deeply in love with her as to be unable to
bear separation from her for a single moment. He would be disturbed & displeased to
see her standing, talking & laughing with another man, and would be very unhappy and
jealous, but later, when he found out that woman's faults, and he had divorced her,
he would no more regard her as 'mine'; and thereafter, even though he saw her doing
whatever it might be, with whomsoever it might be, he would neither be disturbed, nor
displeased, but only remain, neutral, detached, aloof and indifferent!
So too with the meditating disciple, who wants to get free from all phenomena:
He recognizes all constructions as impermanent, and void of pleasure and self,
thus seeing that nothing in reality is 'I', 'Me', or 'mine'. He therefore is released from
both terror and delight, and becomes indifferent, and neutral towards all phenomena...
Visuddhimagga 656
Divorced from Possessiveness, Egoism, Clinging and Frustration!
More 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
Equanimity describes the unattached awareness of one's experience as a result
of perceiving the impermanence of momentary reality.. It is a peace of mind and
dwelling in even calmness, that cannot be shaken by any grade of both fortunate
and unfortunate circumstances. It is a concept promoted by several religions...!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equanimity
Detached Freedom!
Regarding all Phenomena with aloof Equanimity!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Divorced_Freedom.htm
Truthful Honesty is the 7th Mental Perfection:
Honesty is Trust
Honesty is Truthful
Honesty is Guarantee
Honesty is Confidence
Honesty is Consistence
Honesty is Convincing
Honesty is Certainty
Honesty is Credibility
Honesty is Reliability
Honesty is Authenticity
Honesty is Integrity
Honesty is Accuracy
Honesty is Commitment
Honesty is Sincerity
Honesty is Security
Honesty is Reality
Honesty is a Must!
Honesty characteristically never deceives, it's function is to verify what
is actual and factual. Honesty's manifestation is sheer excellence...
Sincere and exact truthfulness is the proximate cause of honesty!
All evil states and crimes converge upon transgression of Truth...
Devotion to Truth is the only reliable foundation of all Nobility!
Like The Buddha demand of your own mind:
You have to give me an honest answer, understand! I won't accept anything
phony. And once you've answered, you have to stick to that very answer and
not slide or glide around. Don't be a traitor to yourself! Be sober & straight!
Therefore: Accept now this 4th training rule of avoiding all false speech!
If one is not true to the Buddha's teachings, the Buddha's teachings will
not be true to oneself, either! That Dhamma, which is used as a costume,
surface, uniform or alibi, does not bear fruit, as it's intention is not true!
True Honesty, however, makes you quite worthy of respect!
If one is painstakingly honest towards oneself, one thereby also becomes
meticulously honest towards others. If one on the contrary deceives oneself,
believing own lies, one automatically also deceives others, betraying them.
Honesty, however, always makes you quite worthy of respect...
Make an island of yourself, be your own light and illumination,
make yourself your only safe haven; there is no other protection.
Make Truth your only island, make Truth your sole refuge;
Make Truth your only lamp; there is no other luminosity.
Digha Nikaya, 16
The straight person, self-controlled, keeping precepts,
open and honest, is both worthy and fit for the yellow robe.
The hiding person, imposting, immoral, keeping secrets,
not honest, is neither worthy, nor fit for the yellow robe.
Dhammapada 9+10
Overcome the furious by friendship.
Overcome the evil one by goodness.
Overcome the miser by generosity;
Overcome the liar by truth.
Dhammapada 223
The one who destroys life;
The one who speaks false;
The one who takes what is not given;
The one who mates with another's partner;
The one who is addicted to drugs or alcohol;
Such one - even in this world - digs up his own root!
Dhammapada 246-47
They who falsely declare: "That happened" about what did not happen, or:
"I did not do that" about what they actually did, they earn themselves a
ticket to grilling in Hell.
Dhammapada 306
When the Blessed One heard about the king’s spies, who for money stole
information from others, he explained: One should not take just any job.
One should not be another’s man. One should not depend on any other.
One should not sell the truth for money…
Udana VI-2
The Bodhisatta was once caught by a man-eater, which sat him free on the
condition that he returned the next day. He kept his word and did so...
Much later remembered: Protecting this way of truth, having given up my
life and kingdom, I thereby set free 100 captured nobles, as the man-eater
lost his nerve. In honesty I thereby reached the ultimate perfection!
Mahasutasoma-Jataka no. 537
More of the 10 mental perfections (paramis):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Ten_Perfections.htm
You can run from your mistake, but not from your regret.
You can play with your drama, but not with your karma.
Theravada Buddhist Chaiteet Heng, Malaysia
Truth always Triumphs!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/Truth_Triumphs.htm
Which Mental States are Advantageous?
Cut Short:
Mental states not mixed with any diluted form of Hate are Advantageous !
Mental states not mixed with any diluted form of Greed are Advantageous !
Mental states not mixed with any diluted form of Ignorance are Advantageous !
In Detail:
At whatever moment any advantageous thinking pertaining to this sense sphere is
accompanied by gladness and associated with knowledge, directed to any sense object,
such as a visible form, a sound, a smell, a taste, a touch, or a mental object, then right
at that time arises momentarily: Contact, feeling, perception, intention, idea, directed
thought, sustained thinking, joy, happiness, one-pointedness of the mind, the ability of
faith, energy, awareness, concentration, understanding, the ability of mind and gladness,
the ability of vitality, right view, right motivation, right effort, right awareness, and
right concentration! There arise the powers of conviction, enthusiasm, acute awareness,
focused concentration, and understanding. There arise the powers of shame, of fear of
consequences of wrong action! There arises non-greed, non-hatred, non-confusion, and
non-possessiveness! There arises no ill will, but right view, shame and fear of wrongdoing!
There is then bodily calmness and serene tranquillity of mind. Then emerges then mental
and bodily readiness, facile mental and bodily adaptability, and rational rectitude of mind!
There is then present: Awareness, clear comprehension, mental tranquillity, insight, energy,
and non-distraction! These and whatever formless immaterial states these causally produce:
These are the -Advantageous- mental states...
Comments:
Diluted forms of Greed are: Desire, lust, yearning, longing, craving, hoping and wanting...
Diluted forms of Hate are: Anger, rage, irritation, resentment, opposition & stubbornness...
Diluted forms of Ignorance are: Confusion, uncertainty, doubt, perplexity and hesitation...
More on Advantageous States (Kusala Dhamma):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Seed_of_Good.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Clever_Action.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/g_m/kusala.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/What_is_Advantageous.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/What_is_Disadvantageous.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Accumulation_of_Advantage.htm
Source:
The Classification of States: The Dhammasangani. The 1st of the 7 Abhidhamma Books.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=130622
http://www.amazon.com/dhammasangani-Enumeration-realities-Bibliotheca-Indo-Budhica/dp/8170306108/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204111405&sr=8-1
What is Advantageous?
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/What_is_Advantageous2.htm
Faith is an advantageous Hand, Wealth and Seed:
Using it as a tool they have faith. Just this act of having an anchor is itself faith.
Its characteristic is trusting, having confidence in & being fully convinced about.
Faith's function is to clarify, like a filter, and to promote entrance like a door.
Faith manifests as devoted non-wavering, and as a quite resolute determination.
Its proximate cause is something to have faith in, and hearing the Saddhamma.
It should be seen as a hand because it takes up and holds all advantageous states,
as mental wealth since it leads to future prosperity, and as a seed that initiates
growth of all that is truly good.
The Blessed Buddha said:
Faith is all being's best wealth;
Dhamma praxis brings best happiness;
Truth indeed has the best taste of all;
Living in and by understanding is best!
Sn. 182
Confidence is the seed,
Self-control is the rain,
Understanding is the yoke & plough,
Shame and Conscience is the pole,
A well working mind is the yoke-tie,
Awareness is the ploughshare & goad.
Sn. 77
By Conviction is the flood crossed;
By endurance is the ocean crossed;
By effort is one's suffering quelled;
By wise understanding is one purified!
Sn. 184
More on this initiating Faith (Saddha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Lay_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Rich_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Dual_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Leaping_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Highest_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Faith_Summary.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Power_of_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/Outstanding_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Buddha_on_Faith.htm
Enjoying an Anchor ...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Hand_Wealth_and_Seed.htm
Winning the Highest by Awareness!
Once when the Venerable Anuruddha was dwelling at Savatthi in
Jeta's Grove, in Anathapindika's Park, a number of Bhikkhus went
to the Venerable Anuruddha & exchanged polite greetings with him.
Then they sat down and asked the Ven. Anuruddha: Venerable Sir:
What has the Venerable Anuruddha developed & cultivated so that
he has attained to his famous greatness of direct knowledge?
He answered:
It is, friends, because I have developed and cultivated these four
Foundations of Awareness, that I have won great direct knowledge!
What four? Here, friends, I dwell constantly contemplating upon:
1: The Body only as a formed group, neither as me, lasting, nor pleasure!
2: The Feelings only as passing sensations, neither as mine, nor pleasure!
3: The Mind only as temporary mentalities, neither as I, nor any self!
4: All Phenomena only as mental states, neither as substance, nor real!
while eager, clearly comprehending, & fully aware, thereby removing
any desire & frustration rooted in this world! It is, friends, because
I have developed & cultivated these Four Foundations of Awareness,
that I have become empowered with the suprahuman forces: I see &
understand as it really is, any present defilement, the obstruction of,
the cleaning of, and the emergence from all the subtle jhana states,
all the deliverances, all concentrations, & all higher mental attainments.
It is, because I have developed and fully refined these indeed supreme
Four Foundations of Awareness, that I by the full elimination of the
mental fermentations, in this very life enter & dwell in the stainless
release of mind, & release by understanding, realizing it myself with
direct knowledge, gained through direct experience ...
Foundation of Awareness = 4 Great Frames of Reference!
Much more on Awareness:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Four_Foundations_of_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Awareness_Ability.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sati_a_la_Anuruddha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Seeing_the_Possible.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Awareness_Analysis.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/One_and_only_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Noble_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Awareness_Sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Sati_Summary.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sati_Acute.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Sati_Studies.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:305-6]
section 52: Anuruddha. Thread 21+24: The jhanas & fermentations!
Winning by Awareness!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Winning_Awareness.htm
No one Other can ever Save You!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Make an island of yourself,
Be lamp and light for yourself,
Make yourself your refuge:
There is no other refuge!
Make the Dhamma your island,
Make the Dhamma your lamp & light,
Make Dhamma your refuge;
There is no other refuge!
Digha Nikaya 2.165
No Other
By self alone, is harm done.
By self alone, does one suffer from own evil.
By self alone, is harm left undone.
By self alone, is one purified & thereby saved.
Both destruction and salvation is the work of yourself.
No-one can purify another...
Dhammapada 165
Sole Saviour:
Self is indeed self's only saviour!
Who else can save you?
With oneself well tamed, one gains a saviour
otherwise hard to find.
Dhammapada 160
Focused:
Neither giving up seclusion, nor neglecting meditation,
Constantly living according to the Dhamma, yet still amongst all
the flickering phenomena of this world, understanding the danger
inherent in this existence itself! One should wander solitary as
a rhinoceros horn. Sutta-Nipata I.3 verse 69
More on Mental 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/drops/V/The_8_Understandings.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
Don't ever rely on any other than the Dhamma and yourself...
Make Yourself into an Island and Lamp!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Island_and_Lamp.htm
Unfortunately did Facebook enforce me to use my lay name on my old account.
Here is my 2 new monk FB accounts where new and old friends are welcome:
https://www.facebook.com/bhante.samahita
and
https://www.facebook.com/samahita.thera
The 5 Clusters of Clinging Suffer!
The material body is like the prison, because it is the site of the punishment.
Perception is like the offence, because it via contact causes the punishment.
Feeling is like the punishment one cannot control, as it is caused by contact.
Mental construction is like the punisher, since it via craving causes feeling…
Consciousness is like the villain, because this is what is tormented by feeling!
Vism. Comm: Pm. 504
No "person" suffers! Only these 5 Clusters of Clinging (Khanda) can suffer:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Any_Kind.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Origin.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Leash.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Fingernail_of_Soil.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Burning_Five.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Acquisition_of_Fuel.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Certain_Rightness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_5_Clusters_of_Clinging.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Things_that_can_be_clung_to.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_are_the_5_Clusters_of_Clinging.htm
Have a nice relinquishing day!
A House on Fire!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/House_on_Fire.htm
What is Right Understanding of the 3 Facts!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
It is impossible, Bhikkhus and Friends, and cannot ever happen,
that one possessed of right understanding should ever regard
any phenomenon as really permanent ... or
any phenomenon as lasting happiness ... or
any phenomenon as an identical, unchanging, same, and 'my self'...
But it is quite possible, that an ordinary worldling may indeed have,
entertain and act upon such naive, false and distorted beliefs...
More on this supreme Ability to Understand:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Freed_by_Knowing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Chief_Ability.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/n_r/pannaa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Right_Understanding.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Understanding_is_the_Chief.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Supreme_Understanding.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Revealing_Understanding.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Understanding_Ability.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Outstanding_Understanding.htm
Source:
Numerical Discourses of the Buddha. Anguttara Nikaya AN 15:1-3
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/Index.Numerical.htm
Understanding the 3 Basics!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/III/Right_Understanding.htm
Blinded by Ignorance & Driven on by Craving!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
There will come a time, Bhikkhus, when all the mighty oceans will evaporate,
dry up, vanish, and exist no more. But there will be no end of Suffering for
beings who, blinded by Ignorance and obsessed by Craving, are hurrying
and hastening through this samsaric round of endless rebirths...So is it!
One day this mighty planet earth will explode in a gigantic burst of fire,
be completely destroyed, and exist no more. But there will be no end of
Misery for beings who, obstructed by Ignorance and addicted by Craving,
are hurrying, even running and hastening from birth to repeated death in
this round of rebirths... This I have now explained to you!
Video illustrating life among humans, in heaven and in hell:
For details on this Round of Rebirths = Samsara see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/samsaara.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/The_Samsaric_Round.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/Endless_is_Rebirth.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/Samsaric_Dread.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Samsara.htm
Please enjoy your study here on Rebirth:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Rare_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Divine_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Animal_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Endless_Round.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Samsaric_Dread.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Minor_Hells.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Hell_Destiny.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Five_Destinations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_5_Destinations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Kamma_and_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Samsaric_Round.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mad_Demon_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Human_Being_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Hungry_Ghost_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/What_passes_on_by_Rebirth-Linking.htm
Snared by the colors of existence the beings whirl around like flies in a bottle!
Source:
Grouped Discourses of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya SN 22:99
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
Like flies in a bottle...
Endless is the Samsaric Round!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Endless_Round.htm
Friends:
What made the Bodhisatta seek Enlightenment?
Sitting in his upper chamber the immensely rich young brahmin Sumedha thought like this:
Not seeking Purity:
When a man soiled in dirt sees a pure lotus covered lake, but does not seek it to get a clean bath,
it is not an error of the lake, but a fault of the dirty man...
Even and exactly so: When there is the great lake of the deathless Nibbana capable of purifying
all the mental defilements, yet it is not being sought by the mentally polluted being, then it is not
an error of this immortal state, but a fatal fault of the mentally contaminated human being...
Neglecting the Way:
When a man surrounded by robbers does not flee, though there is a possible way to escape, then it
is not an error of this open way, but a fault of the man neglecting to break free by this road...
Even and exactly so: When there is this blessed Noble 8-fold Way leading straight to absolute
freedom, yet it is not being used, then is not an error of this supreme method, but a fault of the
man failing to follow, clear and develop this ancient path...
Rejecting the Doctor:
When a seriously sick man does not seek the help of the doctor, who knows the effective cure,
then is neither a fault of the doctor, nor of the medical treatment, but a mistake of the sick man!
Even and exactly so: When there is this sublime Teacher, who can cure all mental diseases & thereby
allay all frustration and pain, yet he is not being sought, then - indeed - it is not a fault of this guide,
but a grave error of anyone mentally unhealthy and defiled and thus prone for downfall...
These thoughts made the young man give away all his richness and become recluse in Himalaya:
Later he met the Buddha Dipankara and at his feet made the determination to be come Buddha!
More on the Bodhisatta Sumedha, who later bloomed as Gotama Buddha:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/s/sumedha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/d/diipankara.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/g/gotama.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/b/bodhisatta.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/b/buddha.htm
He made himself into a bridge over some mud so Buddha Dipankara's feets would not be soiled.
Sumedha's Similes..
The Thoughts of a Buddha to be!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sumedhas_Similes.htm
Friends:
Establishing Awareness gains Divine Hearing!
Once when the Venerable Anuruddha was dwelling at Savatthi in Jeta's Grove,
in Anathapindika's Park, many Bhikkhus went to Anuruddha & exchanged polite
greetings with him. Then they sat down to one side & asked the Ven. Anuruddha:
Venerable Sir: What has the Venerable Anuruddha developed and cultivated so
that he has attained to his famous greatness of direct knowledge?
It is because I have developed & cultivated these 4 Foundations of Awareness
that I have won great direct knowledge. What four? Here, friends, I dwell always
constantly contemplating upon:
The Body only as a constructed group, neither as I, me, mine, nor as a self...
The Feelings only as passing responses, neither as I, as mine, nor as my self...
The Mind only as temporary moods, neither as I, mine, nor as any part of self...
All Phenomena only as appearing mental states, not as any real or absolute...
while eager, clearly comprehending, & fully aware, thereby removing all desire and
frustration rooted in this world! It is, friends, because I have developed and much
cultivated these Four Foundations of Awareness that I have become empowered
with suprahuman forces: With the divine ear element, which is purified, refined,
subtle and surpasses the human, I hear both divine and human sounds, both those
that are far away as well as those that are near.
Details for further study:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Four_Foundations_of_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/One_and_only_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/abhinna.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/sa/saavatthi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/j/jetavana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Sati_Studies.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:304]
section 52: Anuruddha. Thread 13: The Divine Ear!
Have a nice day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
The Divine Ear!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/Divine_Hearing.htm
Friends:
Suprahuman Force is gained by Awareness!
Once when the Venerable Anuruddha was dwelling at Savatthi in
Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's Park, a number of Bhikkhus went to
the Venerable Anuruddha and exchanged polite greetings with him.
Then they sat down & asked the Venerable Anuruddha: Venerable
Sir: What has the Venerable Anuruddha developed & cultivated so
that he has attained to his famous greatness of direct knowledge?
It is, friends, because I have developed and cultivated these four
Foundations of Awareness that I have won great direct knowledge.
What four? Here, friends, I dwell constantly contemplating upon:
The body only as a framed group, neither as I, me, mine, nor a self...
The feelings only as passing reactions, neither as I, mine, nor self...
The mind only as habitual & transient moods, neither as I, nor self...
All phenomena only as constructed mental states, not as any real...
while eager, clearly comprehending, & fully aware, thereby removing
all desire & frustration rooted in this world! It is, friends, because
I have developed & cultivated these Four Foundations of Awareness
that I have become empowered with suprahuman force: Having been
one, I become many; having been many, I become one; I appear and I
vanish; I go fully unhindered through a wall, through any barricade,
even through a massive granite mountain as if through open space;
I dive in and out of the earth as if it were water; I travel in space
like a bird seated cross-legged, I walk on water without sinking as
though it were solid earth; with my hand I touch the moon and sun
so powerful and mighty; I master this body and any form as far as
the fine dark matter Brahma World...
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:303]
section 52: Anuruddha. Thread 12: Suprahuman Force!
Details and references for further study:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/One_and_only_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Four_Foundations_of_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/sa/saavatthi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/j/jetavana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/brahma_loka.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/b/brahmaloka.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Sati_Studies.htm
Supra-Human Force!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suprahuman_Force.htm
Friends:
A good Friend quite wisely asked:
Question:
but isn't pity actually the near enemy of karuna?
Answer:
Friend your good question exemplifies a common misconception and
non-recognition of a mixed state…Since it depends how you define and
thus understand “Pity” as a mixed state, or in itself as a pure state!
In itself Pure Pity = Karunâ is defined as:
Pity originally means ‘feeling for and of other’s pain’, or "sympathy" and
"empathy". However only IF mixed with egoism it gets more unsympathetic
connotations of feeling of “own” superiority based on conscious or even
unconscious lack of respect of the sufferer's dignity, who is now seen as
“inferior”. However this Evil does not come from pity itself, which is a pure
compassion for the plight of the sufferer, but to the often unseen and
overlooked aspect of mixed-in impurities of the EGO-conceit “I am Better”!
Since for to say or think, even subconsciously, “I am Better” there just
have to be present the mistaken belief in a non-existent Ego = The conceit
that “I am” = asmi-mâna... Needless to say has this arrogant & pride-pumped
“I”-dentification & “self”-deception nothing whatsoever to do with fellow
feelings for another being’s suffering, though it can often subconsciously
be mixed with it and thus polluting this in itself advantageous & good pure pity.
Moreover regarding karuna especially as "Buddhist Pity":
There is no “sorrow” or “sadness” in this state as it is based on understanding
of cause and effect. From the Visuddhimagga:
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/pdfs/PathofPurification2011.pdf
“One whose meditation subject is pity should arouse compassion for any
[evil-doing] person even if he now is happy: “Though this poor wretch is now
happy, cheerful, enjoying his wealth, still for want of even one single good
deed done now in by any of the 3 doors of intentional behaviour he will
come to experience untold future suffering in the states of loss.”
Cut short:
A Noble Person feels empathy and pity for any being in Samsara due to
understanding of the inherent dangers in that Samsaric trap for anyone
without understanding of the 4 Noble Truths, but he does not feel sorrow
or sadness on that account! If he did, then Pity (Karuna or Compassion)
would not be an advantageous (kusala) mental state promoting Happiness,
which is the sole purpose in the first place!
See also:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pity
More on Pity (Karunâ = Compassion):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Endless_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Safe_Medicine.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Karuna_is_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/What_is_Wrong.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Great_Compassion.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Compassionate_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Space_Compassion.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/brahma_vihaara.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_to_Cure_Cruelty_and_Revengefulness.htm
Pure is Unpolluted Pity...
May all beings becomes happy thereby!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Pure_Pity.htm
Friends:
How to be a Real Buddhist through Observance?
Medin Poya day is the full-moon of March. This holy day celebrates
that the Buddha visits his parental home after his supreme Enlightenment,
and ordains his son prince Rahula, & half brother Nanda. This day is
also called: The Sangha Day, since on this full-moon 1250 Arahats
spontaneously met & assembled around the Buddha without any call.
Buddha then spoke the famous Ovada Patimokkha core teaching!
On such Full-Moon Uposatha Poya Observance days:
Any Lay Buddhist simply joins the Three Refuges and undertakes the
Five Precepts like this: Newly bathed, shaved, white-clothed, with clean
bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue, and bows first
three times, so that feet, hands, elbows, knees & head touch the floor.
Then, with joined palms at the heart, one recites these memorized lines
in a loud, calm & steady voice:
As long as this life lasts:
I hereby take refuge in the Buddha.
I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma.
I hereby take refuge in the Sangha.
I hereby seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time.
I hereby request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time.
I will hereby respect these Three Jewels the rest of my life!
I accept to respect, keep & 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 Lying & Cheating.
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...
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! The journey towards Nibbana: The Deathless is hereby started!
This is the Noble Way to Absolute Peace, to Complete Freedom, to Ultimate
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 also 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 global web Saddhamma-Sangha is set up here!
The New Noble Community of Buddha's Disciples: The Saddhamma Sangha:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Saddhamma_Sangha.htm
Can quite advantageously be Joined Here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm
May your journey hereby be light, swift, and sweet. Never give up !!
Bhikkhu Samahita: what.buddha.said@gmail.com
For Details on The Origin of Uposatha Observance Days:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/uposatha.html
Buddha with his Rahula, who also awakened into enlightenment!
Have a nice observance day!
Sangha Poya Day!
True Buddhists Respect the Observance Days...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/III/Medin_Poya_Day.htm
Friends:
Generosity is the first Perfection:
Generosity means willingness to give and share whatever.
Generosity means magnanimous and open-handed liberality.
Generosity means freedom from small and stingy pettiness.
Generosity means practicing charity for the poor and unfortunate.
Generosity means kind bigheartedness towards those worthy of it.
Generosity means warmhearted and altruistic unselfishness.
Generosity provides the kammic cause for later wealth..
Giving causes Getting... No Giving causes future Poverty!
The Blessed Buddha explained the treasure of generosity like this:
When a disciple of the Noble Ones whose mind and
mentality is all cleared of disgracing miserliness,
living at home, is freely generous and open-handed,
delighting in being magnanimous,
responsive to every request and,
is enjoying the giving of any alms.
Such is this treasure called generosity.
AN VII 6
Just as a filled pot, which is overturned,
pours out all its water, leaving nothing back,
even and exactly so should one give to those in need.
whether low, middle or high, like the overturned pot,
holding nothing back…!!!
Jataka Nidana [128-129]
The Generosity of Giving,
The Kindness in Speech,
The Benefit of Service,
The Impartiality of treating all Alike,
These 4 threads of Sympathy
upholds this world, like the axle do the cart!
AN II 32
Giving food, one gives and later gets strength
Giving clothes, one gives and later gets beauty
Giving light, one gives and later gets vision
Giving transportation, one gives and later gets ease.
Giving shelter one gives all,
Yet one who instructs in the True Dhamma
Such one gives the quite divine ambrosia!
SN I 32
These are these five rewards of generosity:
One is liked and charming to people at large,
One is admired and respected by wise people,
One's good reputation is spread wide about,
One does not neglect a householder's true duty,
and with the break-up of the body - at the moment
of death - one reappears in a happy destination,
in the plane of the divine worlds!
AN V.35
There are these two kinds of gifts:
material gifts and gifts of Dhamma.
The supreme gift is that of Dhamma.
There are these two kinds of sharing:
material sharing and sharing of Dhamma.
The supreme sharing is that of Dhamma.
There are these two kinds of help:
Material help and help with the Dhamma.
This is the supreme of the two:
help with this subtle Dhamma …
It 98
The gift of Dhamma exceeds all other gifts.
Dhammapada 354
The Bodhisatta once as king Sivi gave
both his eyes to a beggar who was Sakka the
king deity in disguise, who desired to test him.
He remembered "While I was wishing to give,
while I was giving and after this giving there
was neither contrariety, nor opposition in my mind
since it was for the purpose of awakening itself!
Neither were these eyes, nor the rest of myself
disagreeable to me. Omniscience was dear to me,
therefore I gave both my eyes."
The Basket of Conduct
Cariyapitaka I-8
Full story: Sivi Jataka no. 499
The Bodhisatta once as the Wise Hare gave his roasted body
as alms to a beggar by jumping into a fire:
He remembered: "There came a beggar and asked for food.
Myself I gave so that he might eat. In alms-giving there was
none equal to me. In alms I had thereby reached the absolute
ultimate perfection." From then and the rest of this world-cycle
the moon will display a characteristic 'hare-in-the-moon' sign!
Sasa-Jataka no. 316
Giving of things, treasures, external possessions, job,
position, wife, and child is the first perfection of giving.
Giving the offer of one's organs, limbs, and senses is
the second higher perfection of giving.
Giving the sacrifice of one's life is the ultimate
perfection of giving.
The clarifier of sweet meaning 89
(Commentary on Buddhavamsa)
Madhuratthavilasini [59]
Venerable Buddhadatta: 5th century.
Generosity is the first mental perfection (parami):
Clinging and egoism creates internal panic and social tension.
Giving and sharing creates internal elation and external harmony...
What is gladly given, returns more than thousandfold!
Giving requires Relinquishing! Giving is Anti-Clinging!
Giving is the opposite mental state of Greed...
More of the 10 mental perfections (paramis):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Ten_Perfections.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_10_mental_perfections_(parami)_in_three_levels.htm
More on Generosity (Dana) = The 1st mental perfection:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Glad_Giving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/caaga.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/daana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Generosity_Contemplation.htm
Have a nice, noble and generous day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/_ Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Sharing Elevates Your Future!
Glad is Generous Giving!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Openhanded_Generosity.htm
Dear Dhamma Friends:
New Roofing and Floor Repair is Requested:
The cypress hermitage here have long needed some new roofing. Furthermore is the verandah
floor caving in due to almost complete undermining by rat tunnels. Hopefully can these required
improvements be finished before the torrential heavy rain sets in during the June-July monsoon.
The fact that all materials have to be truck-transported from Kandy (=~60km) and then further
hand-carried 2 km uphill this knuckles mountain to 4000 feets elevation usually increases the
costs significantly, as there is no road-access to here. Your kind contribution is thus requested here:
http://what-buddha-said.net/various/Dhammadhara_Foundation.htm
The roof & verandah improvements will enable a safe path for pre-dawn & night walking-meditation
under cover from the often quite heavy rain, and under lights so not to step on the quite common
poisonous polanga-pit-viper snakes, who often visits this hermitage in their night-hunt for frogs.
For Donation via PayPal click here:
http://what-buddha-said.net/various/Dhammadhara_Foundation.htm
or send to PayPal account: dhammadhara@gmail.com
For Donation via Western Union or Sri Lankan Post-Office order:
Send the funds to Mail Address:
Venerable Bhikkhu Samahita
Cypress Hermitage, Bambarella
20838 Tawalantenna
Kandy, Central Province.
SRI LANKA
Please notify me by email: bhante.samahita@gmail.com
about sender address and western union control number.
Direct Bank-wire transfer or bank-draft-cheque is also possible.
Please email me bhante.samahita@gmail.com for account details.
For subscribing to Automatically Recurring Monthly Donation: click here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/various/Subscribe_to_Regular_Donation.htm
Many Thanx in Advance!
Sabbe Sattâ Bhavantu Sukhi Tattâ:
May Many Beings Become Thus Happy Thereby!
Roof Repair Request..
Giving Shelter is giving & later getting the Best!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/various/Roof_Repair_Request.htm
Friends:
How to gain the Divine Hearing Element?
The Blessed Buddha once said:
When a Bhikkhu develops the The Feet of Force, that is enriched with concentrated desire,
concentrated energy, concentrated thought & concentrated investigation, all constructed
by effort, by thinking: In this way will my desire, energy, thinking and investigating 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 that is all open & unrestricted, he develops
the dazzling bright mind, which is pervaded by its own luminosity...
When the 4 feet of suprahuman force have been developed, refined and cultivated in exactly
this way, then the Bhikkhu possesses the various kinds of suprahuman force: With the divine
ear element, which is purified and surpasses the human, he hears both divine and human sounds,
both those that are far away, as well as those that are near.
About Abhiñña: The 6 suprahuman forces, higher powers, or supernormal knowledge's see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/abhinna.htm
More on the 4 Feet of Suprahuman Force!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/g_m/iddhi_paada.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suprahuman_Force_I.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suprahuman_Force_III.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suprahuman_Force_IV.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suprahuman_Force_V.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Desire_as_Way_to_Force.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Energy_as_Way_to_Force.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Thinking_as_Way_to_Force.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Investigation_as_Way_to_Force.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:265-66]
section 51: The 4 Forces: Thread 11: Shaking The Mansion.
Divine Hearing...
Supra-Human abilities are accessible.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suprahuman_Force_II.htm
Friends:
What is the Equanimity Link to Awakening?
Even evaluation is characteristic of the Equanimity Link to Awakening.
(Upekkha-Sambojjhanga). Preventing both deficiency & excess and
securing impartiality is the function of Equanimity. Imperturbable
ballance is the manifestation of the Equanimity Link to Awakening.
Equanimity just looks on whenever new phenomena arises and ceases.
This stable yet plastic patience purifies all the other advantageous
mental states, which reach maximum, when joined with Equanimity...
Equanimity (Upekkha) is a moderating mental construction.
Equanimity is also a mood of neither gladness nor sadness.
Equanimity is also a feeling of neither pain nor pleasure.
Equanimity is also the neutral ability to be indifferent.
Equanimity is also the 4th infinitely divine dwelling.
Equanimity is also a quite high form of happiness.
Equanimity is also a refined mental purification.
Equanimity is therefore a Link to Enlightenment...
There is Equanimity both regarding live beings and dead things.
There is Equanimity both regarding all internal & external states.
There is Equanimity both regarding all past, present and future.
There is Equanimity both regarding all mentality & all materiality.
The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be
overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by alert & rational attention
develops the Equanimity Link to Awakening based on seclusion, based
on disillusion, on ceasing, culminating in full renouncing relinquishment,
then neither can mental fermentation, nor any fever, nor discontent
ever arise in him. MN2 [i 11]
When mind is concentrated one can observe all closely in equanimity.
The Equanimity Link to Awakening arises right there. He develops it,
and for him repeatedly meditating it goes gradually to the completion
of its development. MN118 [iii 85]
Further inspirations on the imperturbable quality of Equanimity:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Even_is_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/High_and_Alert.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Divorced_Freedom.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Serene_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Empty_Equanimity.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Exquisite_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Equanimity_Upekkha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/u_v/upekkhaa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unshakable_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_7_Links_to_Awakening.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Imperturbable_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Serene_Equanimity_and_Beyond.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/tatra_majjhattataa.htm
Imperturbable is Equanimity...
Equanimity = Upekkhaa!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Equanimity_Upekkha.htm
Friends:
All Buddhas Awakened by Breath Meditation!
It has aspects both of serene calm (Samatha) & incisive insight (Vipassana).
It is extraordinarily advantageous to train this unique breathing technique.
Can recommend this booklet about standard Breathing Meditation very much:
Mindfulness of Breathing. Classic Anapanasati meditation manual of the root
Pali texts translated by Bhikkhu Ñanamoli. BPS. 1998.
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/pdfs/anapanasati.pdf
The ideal is when Calm and Insight goes hand in hand, as if yoked together!
More on this both simple yet quite profound Breathing Meditation:
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_IV.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_III.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Awareness_by_Breathing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_the_Breath.htm
More on Insight (Vipassana):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Calm_and_Insight.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/In_this_very_Life.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Highway_to_Nibbana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_18_Principal_Insights.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Breathing_Calm_and_Insight.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Mental Calm induces incisive Insight...
Calm and Insight!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Breathing_Calm_and_Insight.htm
Friends:
On seeing many Universal Cycles of Past Lives...
The Blessed Buddha once said:
When a Bhikkhu develops the Feet of Force that is enriched with concentrated desire,
concentrated energy, concentrated thought & concentrated investigation, all constructed
by effort, by thinking: In this way will my desire, energy, thinking and investigating 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 and what is behind, so above, so also below,
so by day, so also at night! Therefore, with a mind that is all open & unrestricted, he develops
the dazzling bright mind, which is pervaded by its own luminosity...
When the 4 feet of suprahuman force have been developed, refined and cultivated in exactly
this way, the Bhikkhu possesses the various kinds of suprahuman force: He remembers many
of his prior lives, one rebirth, two lives, three lives, four lives, five lives, ten past lives, twenty
lives, thirty lives, forty lives, fifty lives, a hundred past lives, one thousand prior lives, several
100.000 lives, many aeons (universal cycles) of world-contraction and expansion (big bangs):
There such was my name, species, family, such my appearance, such was my food, such was my
experience of pleasure and pain, such my life; passing away from there, I was reborn elsewhere.
There such was my name, species, family, such my appearance, such was my food, such was my
experience of pleasure & pain, such my life length; passing away from there, I was reborn here.
Thus he recollects his manifold various past lives & worlds in all their minutely specific details...
About Abhiñña: The 6 suprahuman forces, higher powers, see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/abhinna.htm
About Kappa: The immensely long universal cycle or eon or kalpa (big bang to next big bang) see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/g_m/kappa.htm
On folly longing after a now unreal past, that has passed never ever to return:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/No_Nostalgia.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/At_All_Times.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Anti-EGO-Tool.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Seing_the_Past.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Hidden_Horror.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Seing_Past_Lives.htm
More on the 4 Feet of Suprahuman Force!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/g_m/iddhi_paada.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suprahuman_Force_I.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suprahuman_Force_II.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suprahuman_Force_III.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suprahuman_Force_IV.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suprahuman_Force_V.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Desire_as_Way_to_Force.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Energy_as_Way_to_Force.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Thinking_as_Way_to_Force.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Investigation_as_Way_to_Force.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:265-66]
section 51: The 4 Forces: Thread 11: Shaking The Mansion.
Seeing Many Aeons...
On seeing many Universal Cycles of Past Lives...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suprahuman_Force_IV.htm
Friends:
Mental Release by Friendliness Outshines All!
The Blessed Buddha often emphasized:
Bhikkhus, whatever kinds of worldly merit there are, all are not worth one
sixteenth part of the release of mind by universal friendliness; in shining,
glowing and beaming radiance, such release of mind by universal friendliness
far excels & surpasses them all...
Itivuttaka 27
See this good being is happy! How fine! How excellent! Let there be Happiness!
Let there indeed be Freedom! Let there indeed be Peace! Let there be Bliss....
Let there be Understanding of this good principle.
Buddhaghosa
May all beings be joyous and safe! Let every creature's mind rejoice!
Let every single living being's mind be exceedingly jubilant!
One should maintain an infinite friendliness for every single living being,
in gentle sympathy for this entire universe, unlimited, endless and vast!
This is the Divine Dwelling while actually here, they say.
Buddha Gotama
The Bhikkhu pervades all beings with all-embracing friendliness ...
The Bhikkhu encompass all beings with universal & endless pity ...
The Bhikkhu permeates all beings with infinite & mutual joy ...
The Bhikkhu suffuses all beings with unlimited equanimity ...
Digha Nikaya 33
May all creatures, all breathing things,
all beings one and all, without exception,
experience good fortune only.
May they not fall into any harm.
Anguttara Nikaya II, 72
Thus he who both day and night
takes delight in harmlessness
sharing love with all that live,
finds enmity with none.
Samyutta Nikaya I 208
More on this shining, radiating, all and everywhere beaming Friendliness:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Buddha_on_Noble_Frienship.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Harmlessness_and_Tolerance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/All_Embracing_Kindness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/All-Embracing_Kindness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoicing_Bliss_is_Mudita.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Blazing_Friendliness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Blazing_&_Bright.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Goodwill_Encore.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Good_Friendship.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Metta.htm
The Unsurpassable Radiance!
Mental Release by Friendliness Outshines All. :-)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unsurpassable_Radiance.htm
Friends:
What is the Deathless State?
A certain not very well known Bhikkhu once asked the Blessed Buddha:
Venerable Sir, the removal of Greed, Hate, and Ignorance, is it often said…
What, Venerable Sir, is the real meaning of that statement?
This removal of Greed, Hate, & Ignorance is a description of the dimension
of Nibbana…The final elimination of the mental fermentations is spoken of
just like that.
Then that Bhikkhu asked the Blessed One:
Venerable Sir, the Deathless, the Deathless, is it often said…
What, Sir, is this Deathless and what is the way leading the Deathless?
The destruction of Greed, of Hate, and the destruction of Ignorance:
This is called the Deathless. The Noble 8-fold Way is the way leading to
this Deathless; that is:
Right View (samma-ditthi)
Right Motivation (samma-sankappa)
Right Speech (samma-vaca)
Right Action (samma-kammanta)
Right Livelihood (samma-ajiva)
Right Effort (samma-vayama)
Right Awareness (samma-sati)
Right Concentration (samma-samadhi)
Bhikkhu, I will teach you the taintless, the truth, the far shore ...
... the subtle ... the very difficult to see ... the unageing ... the stable ...
... the undisintegrating ... the unmanifested ... the unproliferated ...
... the peaceful ... the deathless ... the sublime ... the auspicious ...
... the secure ... the destruction of craving ... the wonderful ...
... the amazing ... the unailing ... the undecaying state ...
... the unafflicted ... disillusion ... purity ... freedom ...
... the unadhesive ... the island ... the shelter ... the asylum ...
... the refuge ... the destination ... Nibbana
More on the Deathless Dimension:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Deathless_Dimension.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Desireless_is_Deathless.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V:8] section 45:7 A certain Bhikkhu ...
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
The Unborn and Uncreated state!
The Deathless...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Deathless.htm
Friends:
The Evil Devil meeting the true Saint![/size][/size]
The Buddha once spoke straight to Namuci also called Mara the Evil One:
Sense pleasure is your first army, discontent your 2nd, while hunger and
thirst is your 3rd army. The 4th is craving, the 5th is lethargy and laziness,
fear is your 6th, doubt is the 7th, hypocrisy and stubbornness is your 8th.
Gain, renown, honour, and whatever falsely received fame is your 9th army
you Kanha black dark-minded one. One who is not hero cannot conquer that,
but having defeated it, one gains great happiness. Having brought my mind
under full control, well-established in continuous awareness, I will wander
through the kingdoms, training many disciples, who alert and well motivated,
despite your temptations, will go where having gone, one cannot ever grieve!
Realizing his defeat Mara , the Evil One, replied: For seven long years I have
followed the Blessed One, step by step, without ever obtaining even a single
opportunity against this perfectly Self-Enlightened One, who is fully aware.
Like a crow, which circled a yellow stone, which appeared like a lump of fat,
thinking "Perhaps I can find something soft & sweet here", but after having
attacked the rock, without getting anything, went away sadly disappointed,
even and exactly so will I have to go away. Discouraged the demon's lute fell
from his armpit and overwhelmed by frustration he disappeared right there..
Sutta-Nipata verses 436-449 . Edited excerpt.
This highborn hedonistic devil is called Namuci = “no escape”, since he lets
no one escape, and Mara = “death”, since he leads beings into a repeated
cycle of birth and death.... Buddha also rightly called him The Evil One,
since he with ease can enter any being's mind and make them do evil.
More on this poor devil some others call Satan or Mara:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/g_m/maara.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/What_is_Mara.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/ma/maara.htm
Mara Namuci: The Evil One!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Namuci_The_Evil_One.htm
Friends:
Contemplating the Deities and what made them so:
One who wants to develop the recollection of deities should possess the special
quality of faith evoked by means of the noble path. He should go into solitary
retreat and recollect his own special qualities of faith, purity and understanding,
with the deities as if standing as witnesses, in this very way: There are deities on
the plane of the Four Great Kings, of the Realm of the Thirty-three, Yama World,
the Contented Devas, those enjoying own creation, those with power over others
creations, those of the Brahma world, and those formless ones far above them...
All those deities were possessed of faith so that on dying here they were reborn
there, and such faith is present in me too. And those deities were possessed of
virtue ... of learning... of generosity ... of understanding, such that when they died
here they were reborn there in a divine dimension, and such understanding is also
present in me too! (AN III 287). He recollects his own special qualities, making the
deities stand as witnesses. When a bhikkhu is devoted to this remembrance of the
deities, he becomes dearly loved by those deities. He obtains even greater fullness
of faith. He has much happiness and gladness. And if he penetrates no higher, he is
at least headed for a happy destiny.
Typical appearance and postures of some Devas.
Now when a man is truly wise,
His constant task will surely be
This recollection of the Deities
Blessed with such mighty potency!
Vism I 226
Sakka king of the 33 devas hovering about with 2 nymphs.
More on the many types of Deities (Devas) literally meaning 'Shining Ones':
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/t/tusita.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Divine_Rebirth.htm
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sagga/loka.html
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/t/taavatimsa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/deva.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Divinity_Contemplation.htm
Have a divine day!
Remembering the Deities!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Remembering_Deities.htm
Friends:
How can one realize the Deathless Here and Now?
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, there are these Four Foundations of Awareness. What four?
When a Bhikkhu keenly contemplates:
1: The mere form within all Body...
2: The mere reaction within all Feeling...
3: The mere mood within all Mind...
4: The mental state within all Phenomena..
while always acutely aware & clearly comprehending, he thereby removes
any urge, envy, jealousy, frustration and discontent rooted in this world...
While contemplating the body as mere form, feeling as mere reaction, mind
as mere mood and all phenomena as momentary mental states, whatever lust,
desire and craving he has for any form, for any feeling, for any mentality, and
for whatever juicy phenomenon, that very desire is abandoned and eliminated
right there and then! When desire is eliminated, the Deathless dimension itself
is realized...
The 4 Frames of Reference
Details on these 4 Foundations of Awareness (Sati):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Awareness_Sati.htm
More on this dual Desire (Chanda):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Fire_of_Sense-Desire.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Desire_as_Way_to_Force.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Obstructing_Corruption.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Desireless_is_Deathless.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Two_kinds_of_Desire.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Colourful_but_Muddy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/chanda.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Charcoal_Pit.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Desire_&_Lust.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Just_a_Flash.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Why_Not.htm
Source of reference (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V: 181-2] 47 The Foundations of Awareness: 37 Desire..
Desireless is Deathless..
The Four Fabulous Frames of Reference!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Desireless_is_Deathless.htm
Friends:
Investigation is a Way to Suprahuman Force!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
When a Bhikkhu develops the Ways to Force, that is enriched with
concentrated Investigation, constructed by effort, by thinking:
In this way will my Investigation, 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,
what is above, so also below, so by day, so also by night! Therefore,
with a mind all open & unrestricted, he develops the dazzling bright
mind, which is pervaded by its own internal luminosity... However:
What is Investigation, that is too slack? Investigation joined with
sloppy carelessness is called Investigation, that is too slack!
What is Investigation, that is too tense? Restless, hurried, agitated
Investigation is called an Investigation, that is too tense!
What is Investigation, that is constricted internally? Investigation
done in laziness. This is Investigation that is constricted internally!
What is Investigation, that is scattered externally? Investigation
that in craving & urge is directed towards the five sense pleasures.
This is called Investigation that is scattered & diverted 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, & well known by understanding...
This is Investigation, that knows both what is in the front & back!
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 by 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, slime, spit, snot, joint fluid , and urine...This is Investigation,
that knows what is below, so also above; as above, so also below...
How does one dwell as by day, so at night; as at night, so by day?
Here, at night a Bhikkhu trains the Steps to Force that is enriched
with concentrated Investigation, constructed by effort, using the
same techniques, qualities, & aspects, as he trains during the day.
So does one abide as by day, so at night; as by night, so by day!
And how, does one dwell with a mind that is all open & unrestricted,
a dazzling bright mind, which is pervaded by its own luminosity...?
Here, friends, the perception of day-light is well attended to & well
resolved upon by determination. It is in exactly this way, that one
dwells with a mind, that is all open & unrestricted, a dazzling bright
mind, which is pervaded by its own luminosity...
Investigation=inquiry=scrutiny=analysis
More on The Four Steps to Force (iddhi-pada):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/g_m/iddhi_paada.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suprahuman_Force_I.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suprahuman_Force_II.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suprahuman_Force_III.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suprahuman_Force_IV.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suprahuman_Force_V.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Desire_as_Way_to_Force.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Energy_as_Way_to_Force.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Thinking_as_Way_to_Force.htm
Investigation 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.
Have a nice curious day!
Investigation is a Way to Force!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Investigation_as_Way_to_Force.htm
Friends:
Thinking as Way to Supra-Human Force!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
When a Bhikkhu develops the Ways to Force that is enriched with concentrated thinking,
constructed by effort, by thinking: thus will thinking, neither be too slack, nor too tense,
it will neither be constricted internally, nor scattered externally, then he experiences
both what is in front and what is behind, what is above, so also below, as by day, so also
at night! Therefore, with a mind all open and unrestricted, he develops the dazzling bright
mind, which is pervaded by its own internal luminosity... However:
What is thinking that is too slack?
Thinking joined with dullness is called thinking that is too slack!
What is thinking that is too tense?
Restless and agitated thinking is called thinking that is too tense
What is thinking that is constricted internally?
Thinking done with lethargy and laziness. This is thinking that is constricted internally!
What is thinking that is scattered externally?
It is thinking that is distracted and diverted externally urging for the 5 sense pleasures...
This is called thinking that is scattered and distracted externally!
How does one dwell experiencing both the front and what is behind?
The perception of front, back, is well attended to, and thereby well comprehended,
well considered, and penetrated by understanding... This is called thinking that knows both
what is in the front and back!
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, and downwards
from the tips of the hairs, enclosed by 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, slime, spit, snot, joint fluid, and urine...
This is called thinking that is below, so above; as above, so below...
How does one dwell as 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 thinking,
constructed by effort using the same techniques, qualities, features, and aspects, as he trains
during a day. And how, does one dwell with a mind that is all open and unrestricted, a dazzling
bright mind, which is pervaded by its own luminosity...?
Here, friends, the perception of day-light is well attended and well resolved upon by determination.
It is in exactly this way that one dwells with a mind that is all open, unrestricted, unbounded and
dazzling bright mind, which is pervaded by its own luminosity...
More on the 4 Feet of Suprahuman Force!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/g_m/iddhi_paada.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suprahuman_Force_I.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suprahuman_Force_II.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suprahuman_Force_III.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suprahuman_Force_IV.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suprahuman_Force_V.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Desire_as_Way_to_Force.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Energy_as_Way_to_Force.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/thinking_as_Way_to_Force.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Investigation_as_Way_to_Force.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V: 278]
section 51: The 4 Forces: Thread 20: Analysis of the Ways.
Thinking as a Way to Force!
The dazzling bright min pervaded by its own luminosity...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/thinking_as_Way_to_Force.htm
Friends:
Karunã: The Great Good Helper!
Karuna is feeling the pain of other beings, either partially or completely;
Possible translations:
1: Pity not from above: “I am better”, but as if in the other being’s shoes…
2: Compassion is OK, but that is difficult to reach up to for many beings…
3: Fellow feeling, sympathy, empathy, understanding are all OK, but somewhat
missing these essential points:
A: It is an inability to see and accept other being’s suffering and distress!
B: It is a deep desire to make others feel free, glad, happy and peaceful!
C: It is extended to and pervaded over many beings simultaneously…
The proximate cause of Karuna = pity is noticing other being’s helplessness .
The immediate effect of Karuna = pity is evaporation of all evil cruelty!
Pity (Karuna) is one of the four divine and infinite dwellings (Brahmavihara):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Endless_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Safe_Medicine.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Karuna_is_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/What_is_Wrong.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Great_Compassion.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Compassionate_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Space_Compassion.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/brahma_vihaara.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_to_Cure_Cruelty_and_Revengefulness.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Seeing other being's Helplessness...
Great Compassion!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/Karuna_is_Pity.htm