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Energy means enthusiasm, effort, exertion and interest!
Energy means eagerness, endeavor, initiative and intensity!
Energy means action, force, power, drive and hyper keenness!
Energy means devotion, dedication, determination & commitment! Energy means enjoyment :-)
Energy pave the way for success in all and any project ...
Energy is thereby instrumental for all the perfections!
Without Energy no achievement can ever be accomplished..
The proximate cause for Energy is a sense of urgency!
The characteristic of Energy is Striving, its function is
Effort, and the manifestation of Energy is Endurance.
The Blessed Buddha said about the perfection of Energy:
Get up! Sit up!
Of what use are your dreams ?
How can you sleep, when mentally sick,
stabbed by the arrow of urge and craving. Sutta Nipata 331
Get up! Sit up!
Push on your training, until reaching pure peace!
Don't let the king of death -Mara- see you sloppy and
thus delude and dominate you like a stringed toy doll... Sutta Nipata 332
Possessed of Energy and Endurance
be always Earnest in your training.
The clever one is not satisfied before the final
goal of ending all misery is completely achieved. Theragatha 585
It is too cold, it's too hot, it's too early, it is too late!
Such bad excuses, makes one give up the training and
miss one more precious opportunity to end suffering... DN 31
This straight and Noble Way has now been clearly shown:
Don’t hesitate, walk forward and do not turn around.
Urge yourself to advance further by your own Energy!
Only thus will you obviously approach and attain Nibbana! Theragatha 637
The efforts to prevent and to eliminate all evil.
The efforts to develop and to maintain all good.
These are the 4 right efforts, taught by the Buddha. AN II 17
And what, friends, is feeding the Energy Link to Enlightenment,
not yet arisen, & food too for boosting of any present Energy ? 1: The element of initial initiative,
2: The element of launching into action,
3: The element of persistent endurance.
Systematic attention to these 3 aspects, is feeding your Energy
and is boosting any already present Energy. Samyutta Nikaya XLVI 51 Bojjhanga-samyutta
At such times, when the mind is Slow, Sluggish, and Heavy:
Then it is the right occasion: for cultivating:
The Investigation-by-curiosity enlightenment-factor,
The Energy-of-Enthusiasm enlightenment-factor,
The Rapture-of-Joy enlightenment-factor...
Why is it so ? When the mind is slow, sluggish, and heavy,
it is easily raised up by exactly these 3 mental qualities.
Suppose, friends, that a man wants a fire to blaze up,
and he put on dry grass, dry wood sticks and blow it
with dry hot air and do not cover it with any dust,
would that man then see his fire blaze up ?
Certainly So, Lord... SN V, 46. Bojjhanga-samyutta
When Moggallana where sitting nodding in the jungle night:
Well then, Moggallana, whatever experience you had in mind when
drowsiness demoralized you down, don't attend to that experience,
don't follow it. Remember instead the Dhamma, as you have heard &
memorized it, reflect on & examine it! Then raise up & repeat aloud
the details of Dhamma, as you have learnt it! Then pull both your
earlobes and rub your limbs with both your hands.! Then get up from
your seat, and after washing your eyes with cold water, look around
and upward in all directions and identify the major stars & planets!
Then attend to the experience of inner light, resolve on the clear
perception of daytime, by night as by day, and by day as by night!
By means of an Awareness thus open, unhindered & vivid, develop the
bright mind. Its possible, that by doing this, you will shake off your
lethargy... But if by doing this you don't shake off your laziness,
then continually noting what is both in front and behind set of a
distance to meditate walking back and forth, your senses inwardly
settled, while your mind is not getting lost outwards. It is possible
that by doing this you will shake off all your mental sluggishness... Anguttara Nikaya VII 58
Born as the Brahmin Mahajanaka, the Bodhisatta was once aboard
a sinking ship far from shore. All the crew were in great panic...!!!
The Bodhisatta though ate his belly full of sugar and ghee, oiled his
clothes and swam continuously for 7 days towards the shore, until
he was rescued by a guarding female devata. Later he remembered:
"Even far out at sea, where many men were lost, yet still unruffled
by worry was my mind. I just kept swimming for seven days!
This was my perfection of Energy." Mahajanaka-Jataka no. 539
SPREADING FAME
One who exerts effort,
One who is alert and always aware,
One who does good deeds voluntarily and deliberately,
One who is kind and considerate in all dealings,
One who is restrained and controlled,
One who lives according to the real truth of the Dhamma,
carefully and seriously, the fame of such one always grows! Dhammapada 24
SAFETY
By arousing & inspiring oneself to put forth energetic effort;
By meticulous carefulness; By well restrained self-control;
The wise and clever ones make themselves a safe island,
no flood or fever of desire can ever overwhelm! Dhammapada 25
A Brahmin once asked the Blessed Buddha:
Master Gotama, what is the cause of being unable to remember something
that has been memorized over a long period? The blessed Buddha answered:
Brahmin, when mind is perplexed by doubt & uncertainty, undecided, baffled
wavering and wobbling by doubt & uncertainty, and one does not understand
any actual safe escape from this arisen states mental doubt & uncertainty,
then one can neither see, nor ever understand any of what is advantageous,
neither for oneself, nor for others, nor for both oneself and others!
Then, consequently, what have been long memorized, cannot be remembered…
Why is this neglect & amnesia so? Imagine a bucket of water that is muddy,
unclear, cloudy, blurred and dark. If a man even with good eye-sight were
to inspect the reflection of his own face in it, he would neither see, nor ever
recognize it, as it really is! So too, brahmin, when mind is confused by doubt
& uncertainty, baffled, bewildered and hesitating by doubt & uncertainty,
on such occasion even things that have been long memorized, cannot recur
to the mind, not to speak of those texts, events and important information,
that have not been memorized at all…
On how to prevent Skeptical Doubt & Uncertainty (Vicikiccha):
Systematic Attention to scrutinizing investigation, examination & probing:
1: What is advantageous and what is detrimental here?
2: What is blameable and what is blameless in this situation?
3: What is ordinary and what is excellent in this particular case?
4: What is on the bright side and what is on the dark side in this aspect?
Doubt, Uncertainty, Hesitation & Vexation leads to Frustrating Perplexity! Doubt stupefies action since decision to choose any alternative is blocked.
Lethargy-&-Laziness may often be induced by self-destructive behaviour
such as: Alcohol, drugs, dope, pills, marihuana, sniffing, over-eating,
excessive masturbation and night-living. Such often life-long chemical or
behavioural causes of Lethargy-&-Laziness should be eradicated...
As long as this is not achieved one remains a phlegmatic & apathetic zombie,
drifting downwards due to inability to initiate advantageous behaviour.
Noticing Lethargy-&-Laziness (thina-middha) emerge can make it evaporate:
Herein, Bhikkhus, when Lethargy-&-Laziness is present in him, the bhikkhu
notes & understands: There is Lethargy-&-Laziness in me, and when this
Lethargy-&-Laziness is absent, he notes & understands: Now there is no
Lethargy-&-Laziness in me. He indeed also understands how yet unarisen
Lethargy-&-Laziness arises. He understands how to leave behind any arisen
Lethargy-&-Laziness, and he understands how left Lethargy-&-Laziness will
not arise again in the future. MN 10
What is the feeding cause that makes Lethargy-&-Laziness arise?
There are boredom, apathy, tiredness, lazy stretching of the body, heavy
drowsiness after too big meals, and mental sluggishness. Frequently giving
irrational and unwise attention to these mental states, this is the feeding
cause of the arising of yet unarisen Lethargy-&-Laziness, and the feeding
cause of worsening and deepening of already present Lethargy-&-Laziness. SN 46:51
What is the starving cause that makes Lethargy-&-Laziness cease?
There is the quality of initiative. There is the quality of launching action.
There is the quality of tenaciously enduring persistence. Frequently giving
rational & wise attention to these three mental elements, is the starving
cause for the non-arising of unarisen Lethargy-&-Laziness, and the starving
cause for the arousing and stirring of already present Lethargy-&-Laziness. SN 46:51
The Supreme Ideal:
Before the Buddha sat down to meditate in order to attain enlightenment,
he made this determination: May just all flesh and blood of this body dry up
into a stiff frame of only bones, tendons and skin... Not a second before
having achieved, what can be achieved by male strength, power, and energy,
will I rise from this seat... MN 70
How to stimulate the mind:
How does one stimulate the mind at a time when it needs stimulation?
If due to slowness of understanding or due to not having yet reached the
happiness of tranquillity, one's mind is dull, then one should rouse it through
reflecting on the eight objects stirring urgency. These 8 objects are: birth,
decay, disease & death; the suffering in hell, demon, ghost & animal world!
The suffering in the past and the the future rooted in this Samsara.
The suffering of the present rooted in the pursuit for food and living. Vism. IV,63
Perceiving the suffering in impermanence:
In a Bhikkhu, who is used to see the suffering in impermanence and who
frequently reflects on this, there will be established in him such an acute
sense of the danger in laziness, apathy, inactivity and lethargy, just as if
he was threatened by a mad murderer with drawn sword! AN 7:46
Lethargy-&-Laziness is an inner mental Prison:
Just as when a man has been forced into prison is Lethargy-&-Laziness,
but later when he gets released from this (inner) prison, then he is safe,
fearing no loss of property. And at that good he rejoices glad at heart...
Such is the breaking out of Lethargy-&-Laziness...
Another person has been kept in jail during a festival day, and so could see
none of the shows. When people say: Oh, how fun was this festival! He will
remain shy, mute and silent because he did not enjoy any festival himself...
Similarly is prison of Lethargy-&-Laziness... Another person that once had
been in jail on a festival day. But when freed and celebrating the festival
on a later occasion, he looks back: Before due to my own careless laziness,
I was in prison on that day & could not enjoy this fine festival. Now I shall
therefore be alert and careful. Since he remains thus alert and careful no
detrimental state can overcome his mind. Having fully enjoyed the festival,
he exclaims: What a fun festival! Good is absence of Lethargy-&-Laziness...
Whoever lives in search & urge only or pleasure and beauty,
unguarded in senses, immoderately indulging in eating,
lazy, lethargic, inactive, dulled into apathy;
Such ones Mara sweeps away like breaking
a branch of a tiny bush ... Dhammapada 7
Even if one should live a hundred years,
if lazy and idle, better it would be
to live but just a single day
striving with all one got. Dhammapada 112
Easy is the shameless life now.
Easy is it to be bold, retaliating,
lazy, uninformed and wrong-viewed. Dhammapada 244
Rouse yourself! Sit up!
Resolutely train yourself to attain peace.
Do not let the king of death, seeing you
lazy, lead you astray and dominate you. Sutta Nipata II, 10
The Blessed Buddha once explained Loving-Kindness like this:
This is what should be done by a clever one to arouse the advantageous:
Having attained a peaceful state: He should be capable, straight, and very
upright, easy to speak to, gentle and not proud, contented & easy to support,
with few duties, living simple, with calmed senses, devoted, & neither angry
nor greedy. He should not do any mean thing, which wise men would criticize.
Always he should wish: Let all beings be happy, joyous, glad, safe and secure.
Whatever living creatures there exist, still or moving, small or large, seen or
unseen, far or near, already existing or coming into being, let all these living
beings without any even single exception be completely happy!
One should never despise anyone anywhere, nor humiliate anyone anywhere,
nor ever wish for any being misery or harm, because of anger or irritation.
Just as a mother would protect her only little son even risking her own life,
exactly so should one cultivate an unbounded mentality towards all beings;
loving-kindness towards all in this universe. One should cultivate an infinite
mind, above, below and across, without barriers, without enmity, matchless.
Whether standing, going, sitting, or lying down, even when slumbering should
one practise this exalted infinite goodwill. This is said to be a Sacred State! Sn 143-151
The Buddha teaching about Infinite Friendliness = Metta
The Blessed Buddha often said:
Whatever is to be done by a teacher out of compassion for the welfare of
his students, that has now been done by me out of kind compassion for you.
Here are many suitable roots of trees. Here are many silent empty places.
Sit down & meditate now. Practice jhana. Don't be lazy. Don't become one
who miss the opportunity again & later have to regret his heedless neglect!
This is my instruction to you. This is our message to you all... MN 106, SN 35.145, SN 47.10
Withdrawal is Removal of Misery
Withdrawal is Extraction of Disease.
Withdrawal is Pulling out the splinter of Pain.
Withdrawal is Retraction from Danger.
Withdrawal is Renunciation of Ill.
Withdrawal is Letting Go of what is Burning.
Withdrawal is Turning Away from what is Sorrow.
Withdrawal is Seclusion from what is Grief.
Withdrawal is Clearing of Captivating Illusions.
Withdrawal is Waking Up from Enthralling Trance.
Withdrawal is Freedom from Enslaving Addiction.
Withdrawal is Protection from what is Entrapping.
Withdrawal is Giving Up what is Detrimental.
Withdrawal is Discharge of what is Infested.
Withdrawal is Breaking out of the Prison.
Withdrawal is Release from all Suffering...
"Back to Nature" by Robert Storm Petersen. (1882 – 1949)
The Withdrawn, as the man newly freed from prison
does not at all wish himself back in prison! The Basket of Conduct, Cariyapitaka
Infatuated with lust, impassioned and obsessed,
they are caught in their own self-created net,
like a spider, which spins it's own web!
Cutting through, the Noble Friend withdraw and go free,
Without longing, without greed, leaving all misery behind. Dhammapada 347
The Bodhisatta as the King Culasutasoma gave up his whole kingdom.
Knowing withdrawal to be an advantageous victory, he remembered:
A mighty kingdom I possessed, as if it was dropped into my hands...
Yet all this tantalizing luxury, I let fall and go without any even slight
trace of longing or clinging. This was my perfection of Withdrawal... Jataka no. 525
Lust, I say, is a great flood, a whirlpool sucking one down,
a constant yearning, seeking a hold, continually active, and
difficult to cross is such morass of sense and sensual desire...
A sage does not deviate from the good, but remains steady!
A recluse stands on firm ground, when solitarily secluded:
When withdrawn from all, truly he is calmed and silenced!
Having directly touched the Dhamma, he is independent!
He behaves right and does not envy anyone anywhere...
He who has left behind all pleasure arised from sensing,
an attachment difficult to cut, is freed of both depression and
longing, since he has cut across this great flood, and is released. Sutta Nipata IV.15
Any being, that cools down all desires and greedy lusts,
by being alert and ever aware of the inherent danger,
by directing attention only to the disgusting aspects of
all phenomena, such one withdraw from all craving and
thereby wears down and breaks the bars of the inner prison. Dhammapada 350
If one gains an infinite ease by leaving a minor pleasure,
the clever one would swap the luminous for what is a trifling
sense delight, by withdrawing from this trivial banal boredom. Dhammapada 290
The one who has reached the sublime end all perfected,
is fearless, freed of craving, desireless and detached..
Such one has broken the chains of being and is certainly
withdrawing into the final phase, wearing his last frame... Dhammapada 351
Prince Siddhattha Gotama reflected thus:
"Why do I, being subject to birth, decay, disease, death, sorrow and
defilement, thus search after things of the same nature. What if I,
who am subject to things of such nature, realize their disadvantages
and seek the unattained and unsurpassed, perfect security: Nibbana!"
"Cramped and confined is the household life, a den of dust, but the life
of the homeless is in the free open air of heaven! Hard is it for him who
abides at home to live the Holy Life as it should be lived, in all its true
perfection, and in all its purity."
"The household life is a cramped way, choked with dust. To leave it, is
like coming out into the free space of open air! It is not easy for one,
who lives at home, to live the Noble life completely perfect and pure,
bright as mother-of-pearl. Surely I will now shave off my hair and go
forth into homelessness."
Only Misery Arises.
Only Misery Ceases.
Nothing good is thus lost
by withdrawing from it all...
The brahmin Magandiya asked the Buddha about how to become calmed:
Not dwelling in the past, stilled in the present, one prefers no kind of future!
Without irritation, without agitation, without regrets, without worry, neither
boasting, nor proud, but humble and modest, one is indeed a restrained sage...
Withdrawn, not opposed to anything, not wanting anything, all unconcerned,
aloof, gentle, independent, for such one there exists neither craving or fear
for any kind of existence, nor craving or fear for any form of non-existence...
Such calmed one is indifferent to sense pleasures, detached, not clinging to
any kind of property! For him there is nothing more to take up or lay down!
For whatever others might accuse him, he remains tranquil and not agitated!
Neither opposed to anything, nor attracted to anything, with nothing of his
own, not perturbed by what does not exist, such tranquil one is truly calmed! Sutta-Nipata 849-861 Edited excerpt.
The blessed Buddha once said: Contentment is the highest Treasure! Dhammapada 204
Please imagine a state, where one always is Content…
If always content, what would, one need, urge for or want? Nothing!
What is the cause of contentment?
Mutual joy with others success is the proximate cause of contentment...
Lack of Mutual joy is therefore the cause of discontentment…
A: When did you last rejoice happily in someone else’s success?
B: When did you last enjoy the calm peace of satisfied contentment?
State-A causes state-B. Therefore: Non-state-A causes non-state-B...!
Mutual joy can be trained! Result => Calm Content!
These Eight Aspects of Feeling should be Understood!!!
A certain Bhikkhu once asked the Blessed Buddha: Venerable Sir,
1: What is feeling?
2: What is the cause of feeling?
3: What is the way to emergence of feeling?
4: What is the ceasing of feeling?
5: What is the way to cease feeling?
6: What is the satisfaction in feeling?
7: What is the danger in feeling?
8: What is the escape from feeling?
The Blessed Buddha answered:
There are, Bhikkhu, three feelings:
1: The 3 feelings are pleasant feeling, painful feeling, and neutral feeling.
2: Sense contact is the proximate cause of all feeling...
3: Craving is the way leading to the emergence of feeling...
4: The end of sense contact, ceases all feeling instantly...
5: This Noble Eightfold Way is the way to cease feeling...
6: The delight and joy of feeling: This is the satisfaction within feeling...
7: The danger in feeling is its transience, & inherent change into suffering.
8: The escape from feeling is the elimination of desire and lust for feeling.
Comment:
Running after pleasurable feeling like mad robots, beings come to pain &
death ever again... Wanting short-term pleasure one gains long-term pain!
This is an unnecessarily heavy price, when there actually is an alternative
of lasting happiness called Nibbana. It is thus quite well worth the effort
to give up all emotional and sensorial addiction and obsession. Only then
can one ever be completely free, truly happy and dwell in peace :-) Yeah!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, even as many winds blow turbulent in the sky, from directions
of east, west, south, & north, both dusty and dustless winds, both cold &
hot winds, both mild & forceful winds, even so do also all the many various
feelings arise in this body: Pleasant, painful & neither-painful-nor-pleasant
feelings perpetually emerge and agitate the mind...
Just as many diverse winds, storms here and there across the sky,
So in this very body: The many types of various feelings arise,
Both pleasant, painful, and those neither painful nor pleasant.
Yet when a determined Bhikkhu does not neglect aware and clear
comprehension, then such intelligent one fully understands these
feelings and all their complex aspects of dependency...
All provoked, induced and arisen from sense contact!
Instantly vanishing, when this same contact ceases!
Having fully understood feelings, he is freed of all hidden mental
fermentation, even in this very life.. Remaining in this state, at the
body's breakup, such Mind-Master cannot ever even be imagined...
Pleasant feeling attracts and thus induces greed...
Painful feeling averts and thus produces hate...
Neither-painful-nor-pleasant neutral feeling
causes neglect & generates thus ignorance...
The blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus and friends, there are these three feelings... What three?
1: Pleasant feeling,
2: Painful feeling,
3: Neutral neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling.
These are the three basic feelings! A disciple of the Buddha, aware,
focused, clearly comprehending, understands these three feelings.
And contact as the cause of any feeling. When contact ceases they
fade away & vanish. The Noble Way is leading to their elimination.
With the final quenching of feeling, one is freed of all yearning and
thus fully stilled...
Whether feeling is pleasant, painful or neither-painful-nor-pleasant,
whether internal or external; whatever kind of feeling there is:
Knowing: This is Suffering, perishing, momentary, disintegrating...
Having been touched and contacted by them, noting their instant
ceasing, their transience, one gradually loses all passion for them...
There are these three basic feelings. What three?
Pleasant feeling, painful feeling, and neutral feeling.
All mental states converges on this very felt quality of feeling...
Bhikkhus, there are these five mental abilities to feel (vedana). What five?
1: The ability to feel pleasure (sukha).
2: The ability to feel pain (dukkha).
3: The ability to feel gladness (somanassa).
4: The ability to feel sadness (domanassa).
5: The ability to feel equanimity (upekkha).
Feelings are like bubbles, empty, void, without substance, quickly bursting!
What, Bhikkhus, is the ability to feel pleasure?
Whatever bodily pleasure there is, whatever bodily comfort, any pleasant
agreeable feeling born of body-contact: This is the ability to feel pleasure. What, Bhikkhus, is the ability to feel pain?
Whatever bodily pain there is, whatever bodily discomfort, painful, aching
disagreeable feeling born of body-contact: This is the ability to feel pain. What, Bhikkhus, is the ability to feel gladness?
Whatever mental pleasure there is, whatever mental comfort, and pleasing
agreeable feeling born of mental contact: This is the ability to feel gladness. What, Bhikkhus, is the ability to feel sadness?
Whatever mental frustration there is, whatever mental grief, disagreeable
feeling born of mental contact: This is the ability to feel sadness. What, Bhikkhus, is the ability to feel equanimity?
Whatever feeling there is, whether bodily or mental, that is neutral & thus
neither comfortable, nor uncomfortable, neither agreeable nor disagreeable:
This, Bhikkhus, is called the ability to feel equanimity. These 5, Bhikkhus, are the five abilities to feel feelings.
Noteworthy Central Implications:
If unaware & untrained then bodily pleasure and mental gladness will incite
greed, lust and derivatives such as desire, craving, wanting, urge & longing!
If unaware and untrained, then bodily pain and mental sadness will induce
aversion, hate and derivatives such as anger, wrath, irritation & opposition!
If unaware and untrained, then mental equanimity will instigate ignorance,
neglect, and derivatives such as doubt, hesitation, uncertainty & confusion!
If aware and trained then mental equanimity will activate bliss, knowing &
seeing and will through peace refine and complete all other good states!
This core causality made Buddha exclaim: All states converges on Feeling!!!
Classification of Feeling gives good Understanding!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
What, bhikkhus, are the 2 kinds of feelings?
Bodily feeling and mental feeling.
These are the 2 kinds of feelings...
What are the 3 kinds of feelings?
Pleasant feeling, painful feeling, and neither-painful-nor-pleasant
feeling. These are the 3 kinds of feelings...
What are the 5 kinds of feelings?
The ability to feel pleasure, pain, gladness, sadness and equanimity.
These are the 5 kinds of feelings...
What are the 6 kinds of feelings?
Feeling produced by eye-contact, ear-contact, nose-contact,
tongue-contact, body-contact, and feeling from mental-contact.
These are the 6 kinds of feelings...
What are the 18 kinds of feelings?
Such 6 sense-evaluations produces gladness, 6 sense-evaluations
produces sadness, and 6 sense-evaluations produces equanimity.
These are the 18 kinds of feelings...
What are the 36 kinds of feelings?
Six types of household life gladness, 6 types of Noble Life gladness,
6 types of household life sadness, 6 types of Noble Life sadness,
6 types of household life equanimity, 6 types of Noble Life equanimity.
These are the 36 kinds of feelings...
What are the 108 kinds of feelings?
The above 36 feelings here and now in the present, those 36 feelings
in the future, and the above 36 feelings in the gone by past.
These are the 108 kinds of feelings...
This, Bhikkhus, is the Dhamma explanation of the 108 feelings.
Comment:
Whenever feeling something, then classify the feeling into one or
more of these groups... Further classification of feeling does neither
seem necessary, nor practical... Detailed explanation is given here: Atthasata Sutta: The One-hundred-and-eight Exposition http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn36/sn36.022.than.html
Buddha once explained the entire chain of causes leading to Nibbana:
Ignorance is the proximate cause of mental construction.
Mental construction is the proximate cause of consciousness.
Consciousness is the proximate cause of name-&-form.
Name-&-form is the proximate cause of the 6 senses.
The 6 senses is the proximate cause of contact.
Contact is the proximate cause of feeling.
Feeling is the proximate cause of craving.
Craving is the proximate cause of clinging.
Clinging is the proximate cause of becoming.
Becoming is the proximate cause of birth.
Birth is the proximate cause of ageing, decay and death.
Ageing, decay and death is the proximate cause suffering.
Suffering is the proximate cause of faith.
Faith is the proximate cause of elation.
Elation is the proximate cause of joy.
Joy is the proximate cause of calmness.
Calmness is the proximate cause of happiness.
Happiness is the proximate cause of concentration.
Concentration is the proximate cause of seeing and knowing reality.
Seeing and knowing reality is the proximate cause of disgust.
Disgust is the proximate cause of disillusion.
Disillusion is the proximate cause of mental release.
Mental release is the proximate cause of ending all mental fermentation
linked with ignorance, associated with becoming, and caused by sensing.
Ending all mental fermentation is the proximate cause of Freedom..
Ending all mental fermentation is the proximate cause of Peace..
Ending all mental fermentation is the proximate cause of Bliss.. This - only this - is Nibbana ...
The Butterfly Effect => A Storm! 1 Cause => Many Effects!
Dependent Origination is the core chain of causality:
Dependent on ignorance arises kammic-construction (moral and immoral);
Dependent on kammic-constructions arises rebirth-consciousness;
Dependent on consciousness arises mind and body, name-&-form;
Dependent on mind and body arise the six sense sources;
Dependent on the six sense sources arises contact;
Dependent on contact arises feeling;
Dependent on feeling arises craving;
Dependent on craving arises clinging;
Dependent on clinging arises becoming;
Dependent on becoming arises birth;
Dependent on birth arises decay, ageing, death, sorrow, pain, and despair.
In this way arises this whole mass of suffering...
With the ceasing of ignorance comes also ceasing of kammic-construction;
With ceasing of kammic-construction comes also ceasing of consciousness;
With ceasing of consciousness comes ceasing of mind and body, name-&-form;
With ceasing of mind and body comes also ceasing of the six sense sources;
With ceasing of the six sense sources comes also ceasing of contact;
With ceasing of contact comes also ceasing of feeling;
With ceasing of feeling comes also ceasing of craving;
With ceasing of craving comes also ceasing of clinging;
With ceasing of clinging comes also ceasing of becoming;
With ceasing of becoming comes also ceasing of birth;
With ceasing of birth is there ceasing of ageing, death, sorrow, & despair.
In this way ceases this whole mass of suffering...
Source: BPS Wheel no 54 (Edited Excerpt):
The Mirror of the Dhamma. A Manual of Buddhist Devotional Texts.
By Narada Thera and Bhikkhu Kassapa. Revised By Bhikkhu Khantipalo: http://www.bps.lk/wh054-u.html
Have a nice & noble day!
The Blessed Buddha once said: Kayamunim vacamunim,
manomunimanasavam,
munim moneyyasampannam.
Ahu ninhatapapakam.
Silenced in body, silenced in speech,
silenced in mind, without inner noise,
blessed with silence is the sage!
He is truly washed of all evil... Itivuttaka 3.67
Calm is his mind.
Calm is his speech.
Calm is his action.
So is the tranquillity;
So is the serenity;
of one freed by the insight
of right understanding... Dhammapada 96
The Tranquillity Link to Awakening (passaddhi-sambojjhanga) has the characteristic of peace, and the function of stilling, which manifests as absence of restless trembling. Stillness of feeling, perception and mental construction is the factor that induces bodily Tranquillity. Stillness of consciousness itself induces mental Tranquillity. The proximate cause of Tranquillity is the satisfaction within Joy! The resulting effect of Tranquillity is the bliss within Happiness!
The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by careful & rational attention develops the Tranquillity Link to Awakening based on seclusion, based on disillusion, based on ceasing, and culminating in cool relinquishment, then neither can mental fermentation, nor any fever, nor any discontent ever arise in him. MN2 [i 11]
In one who is joyous, the body becomes calm & the mind becomes calm. The Tranquillity Link to Awakening emerges right there. He develops it, & for him it goes to the culmination of its development. MN118 [iii 85]
CALMED Calm is his thought, calm is his speech, and calm is his deed, who, truly knowing, is wholly freed, perfectly tranquil and wise. Dhammapada 96
CONTENT The one who eliminates discontent, tearing it out by the roots, utterly cuts it out, such one spontaneously becomes absorbed in the calm of tranquillity both day & night. Dhammapada 250
COMPOSED The one who is tranquil in movement, calmed in speech, stilled in thought, collected & composed, who sees right through & rejects all allurements of this world, such one is truly a 'Peaceful One'. Dhammapada 378
The Buddha explained how to regard the body in order to reduce greed: Whether going or standing, sitting or lying, bending or stretching, then one should note fully aware: this is movement of the body, which is a frame of bones joined with sinews, plastered with skin and flesh, full of intestines, stomach, liver, bladder, heart, lungs, kidneys, spleen, slime, mucus, sweat, pus, lymph, blood, joint-fluid, bile, and fat. Filth oozes from its nine holes as tears, earwax, snot, spittle, vomit, bile, urine, semen and excrement. Sweat and dirt stick the body, and its hollow skull is filled with a fatty brain... Only a fool, overwhelmed by ignorance, regards it as beautiful, but when it lies dead, swollen up and bluish, cast away, eaten by dogs, jackals, wolves, worms, crows and vultures nobody cares anymore about it. This impure, and evil-smelling two-footed body is cherished by many and adored as a temple. However: Whoever would be proud of such a body, or would belittle others for their less attractive body, what is this, except lack of genuine insight? The bhikkhu possessing knowledge here, having heard the Buddha's word, indeed understands it, for he sees this body as it really is. As this corps is, so is that body of mine also, understanding this, one can relinquish desire for the body, both one's own and other's. Having eliminated desire, lust & passion, the bhikkhu possessing knowledge here, has arrived at the undying, at imperturbable peace, at the unshakable state of quenching. Sn 193-205
Friendship is the Greatest! These daily messages also comes with graphics: If glad-2-get Early Buddhism by e-mail then click join here: http://groups.google.com/group/what_buddha_said Have a nice, noble and easy day! Bhikkhu Samahita :-) _/\_
The Blessed Buddha once said: Awareness of the Body induces all advantageous qualities including clear comprehension! The ancients said: Protect the sign, protect the nimitta...! The Asubha Nimitta is a Disgusting Sign fixed in memory by meditation, that one can redirect mind to whenever overcome by lust, greed and desire. This sign detaches the mind from clinging to mere forms of foul impurities... One then gain an 'off' button to turn 'off' desire and craving... This indeed is the very KEY to disable suffering, since craving is the primary cause of all suffering. Corpse Meditation (Asubha-Bhavana) effectively reduces desire!
Clever Disgust cools all obsessive greed and addictive lust: For Inspiration: A collection of Corpse Pictures Warning: Only for Adults http://s914.photobucket.com/albums/ac350/Asubha/ Password: corpses Pick out the most disgusting picture and memorize it firmly and vividly. Remember it whenever greedy! Then the greed will instantly vanish! And the frustrating urge and tearing longing therefore subsides!
The Buddha once asked: How does one view the Body only as a Form? Herein, Bhikkhus & Friends, the Bhikkhu contemplates the body from the soles of the feet upward, and from the top of the hair downward like this: This filthy frame with skin stretched over it, which is filled with many kinds of impurities consists of head-hairs, body-hairs, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, sinews, bones, marrow, kidneys, heart, liver, vomit, diaphragm, spleen, lungs, intestine, membranes, stomach, excrement, brain, bile, lymph, pus, blood, sweat, fat, tears, skin, tallow, spit, snot, joint-fluid, and urine... Just as if a man with good sight would examine a sack with openings at both ends, filled with various kinds of grain; paddy, beans, sesame, on opening it would recognize its contents thus: That is paddy, this is beans, that is sesame, this is husked rice: Even exactly so does the Bhikkhu investigate this body... While always fully aware & clearly comprehending, he thus removes any lust, urge, envy, frustration and discontent rooted in this world! Such intelligent Bhikkhu keeps contemplating any and all bodies as remote carcasses of filthy foul form. As something bound to emerge, decay and then inevitably vanish... Not regarding the body as 'mine', as belonging to 'me', or as very 'my self'! Not regarding the body as lasting, safe, as pleasant beauty, or as happiness! In this way the intelligent Bhikkhu keeps reviewing any & all bodies, whether internal or external, whether his own or others, and he notes the cause of its arising and the cause of its ceasing, or he just notice: There is this body! In this way he comes to live not clinging to & thus independent of the body! This is the way to contemplate the body only as a transient empty shell...
The fine reward is fearlessness of death and thereby fearlessness of all! Without fear there is the mental elevation of gladness and confidence! This contemplation detaches one from the body & form and frees thereby... Clever Disgust by anti-porn thereby cooling all lust and greed for body!
Just a painted puppet! A chain of bones plastered by skin with 9 oozing holes! A heap of sores and rotten excrement with evil intentions!
Friendship is the Greatest! If glad-2-get Early Buddhism by e-mail then click join here: http://groups.google.com/group/what_buddha_said Have a nice, noble and easy day! Bhikkhu Samahita :-) _/\_
A bag of bones, flesh, skin, hair, teeth, and nails...
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!
Contemplation of infinitely friendly Loving-Kindness (Metta) Having seen that like oneself all beings whatsoever searches only happiness Patiently then cultivate friendly loving-kindness for all beings like this: May I always be happy. May I always be free from suffering. May all my friends always be happy and always be free from suffering. May all neutral beings always be happy and always be free from suffering. May all my enemies always be happy and always be free from suffering too!
Within this town, this country, this continent, this planet, all the galaxies, May all sentient beings, all persons, all creatures, and all breathing things, Be happy, be free, joyous, content and peaceful in their various destinies.
Whatever living beings there may be, men, women, Noble, or ordinary, Animals, Devas, or unhappy ones, who lives in one of the ten directions, whether weak or strong, long or large, short or small, far or near seen or unseen, in existence or seeking to become this or that, With none excepted: May creatures all be of a blissful heart!
May I be free from enmity! May I be free from distress! May I be free from misery! May I live happily! Whatever beings there are: May they be free from enmity! Whatever beings there are: May they be free from distress! Whatever beings there are: May they be free from misery! Whatever beings there are: May they live happily!
May all beings … all breathing things … all creatures … all persons … all entities … women … men … the Noble Ones … those not noble ones … gods … humans … beings in the realms of deprivation in the east … west … north … south … above … as below … and all around be free from enmity, be free from distress, be free from misery, and live fully happily!
The Four Divine Abidings (Brahmavihãra):
I: Loving-kindness (Metta): Whatever beings there are: May they be happy! Whatever beings there are: May they be free from enmity! Whatever beings there are: May they be free from distress! Whatever beings there are: May they be free from misery! Whatever beings there are: May they live happily!
II: Compassionate Pity (Karuna): Whatever beings there are: May they be free from all pain & all suffering!
III: Mutual Joy with other's success (Mudita): Whatever beings there are: May they not be separated from their gains!
IV: Equanimity (Upekkha): Whatever beings there are: they are the owners of their kamma, inherit their kamma, born of their kamma, related to their kamma, abide supported by their kamma; whatever kamma they do, whether good or evil, the effect of that will be the theirs only...
Contemplation on Equanimity (Upekkha): Just as a mighty rock doesn't shake with the wind, So the wise are not disturbed, neither by praise, nor by blame. Neither clinging to the state of happiness, nor in pain when depressed. Composed and ballanced I remain! This is my perfect equipoise... Yeah!
Source: BPS Wheel no 54 (Edited Excerpt): The Mirror of the Dhamma. A Manual of Buddhist Devotional Texts. By Narada Thera and Bhikkhu Kassapa. Revised By Bhikkhu Khantipalo: http://www.bps.lk/wh054-u.html
How to be Real Buddhist through Observance? Unduwap Poya is this Fullmoon of December celebrating 2 events: 1: The arrival of Arahat Nun Theri Sanghamitta, sister of Arahat Mahinda, daughter of emperor Asoka from India in the 3rd century B.C. establishing the Order of Nuns. 2: The arrival at Anuradhapura of a sapling of the sacred Bodhi-tree at Buddhagaya, brought to Sri Lanka by Arahat Theri Sanghamitta.
This day is designated Sanghamitta Day. Nowadays Dasasil Matas; ten-precept nuns, take an active part in making these celebrations.
On such Full-Moon Uposatha Poya Observance days: Any Lay Buddhist simply joins the Three Refuges & 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 / observance day, where any lay Buddhist normally keeps even the Eight Precepts from sunrise until the next dawn... If any wish a 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 the chain of causal events: Association with a Great Man completes hearing the True Dhamma.. Hearing the true Dhamma completes Faith, Confidence and Conviction.. Faith, confidence and conviction completes Rational Attention.. Rational attention completes Mindfulness and Clear Comprehension.. Mindfulness and clear comprehension completes Guarding the Senses.. Guarding the senses completes good mental, verbal and bodily Behaviour.. Good modes of action completes the Four Foundations of Awareness.. The 4 foundations of Awareness completes the 7 Links to Awakening.. The 7 links to Awakening completes Mental Release by Understanding!
Once when Venerable Girimananda was sick, the Buddha said to Ven. Ananda. What is the experience of acute Awareness by in-&-out Breathing? It is when a Bhikkhu, who have gone to the forest, or to the root of a tree, or to an empty hut, sits down cross-legged, having straightened his body and back, and set up awareness around the nostrils, then just plain aware of only that itself, he breathes in, and then just solely aware of only that breathing in itself, he then breathes out... 1: Breathing in-&-out long, he knows, notes & understands: I in-&-exhale long! 2: Breathing in short, he knows, notes & understands: I in-&-exhale short! 3: He trains thus: Experiencing this entire body, I will breathe in-&out! 4: He trains thus: Calming all bodily activity, I will breathe in-&out! 5: He trains thus: Experiencing enraptured joy, I will breathe in-&out! 6: He trains thus: Experiencing a happy pleasure, I will breathe in-&out! 7: He trains thus: Experiencing all mental activity, I will breathe in-&out! 8: He trains thus: Calming all mental activity, I will breathe in-&out! 9: He trains thus: Experiencing the present mood, I will breathe in-&out! 10: He trains thus: Elating & gladdening the mind, I will breathe in-&out! 11: He trains thus: Concentrating & focusing mind, I will breathe in-&out! 12: He trains thus: Releasing, & liberating the mind, I will breathe in-&out! 13: He trains thus: Considering impermanence, I will breathe in-&out! 14: He trains thus: Considering disillusion, I will breathe in-&out! 15: He trains thus: Considering ceasing, I will breathe in-&out! 16: He trains thus: Considering relinquishment, I will breathe in-&out! Having learnt and memorized these 16 simple steps from the Blessed One, the Venerable Ananda went to the Venerable Girimananda and recited these to him. Then as soon as Venerable Girimananda heard these 16 simple steps & the ten experiences his illness instantly subsided & he rose from his bed! This was thus the way Venerable Girimananda was cured from his sickness....
The blessed Buddha once explained: Bhikkhus, the concentration gained by Awareness by Breathing, when trained, is of great fruit and advantage. And how, Bhikkhus, is this concentration by Awareness by Breathing developed and cultivated so that it is of great fruit and advantage? Bhikkhus, when one have gone to the forest, or to the root of a tree, or to an empty hut, there one sits down cross-legged, having made one's body and back straight, and set up awareness around the nostrils, then just plain aware of that breathing in itself one breathes in, and just solely aware of only that breathing in itself one breathes out... 1: Breathing in long, one knows, notes and understands: I inhale long! Breathing out long, one knows, notes and understands: I exhale long! ... ... ... (steps 2-15) One trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe in! One trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe out! Therefore, Bhikkhus, if a friend wishes: May I become secluded from all sense desires, protected from any detrimental mental state, and thereby enter and dwell in the 1st jhana, which is directed thought and sustained thinking joined with Joy and pleasure born of solitude, then this very same concentration by Awareness by Breathing should be cultivated often & devoted much attention! Furthermore if such friend should wish: By the stilling & fading of all directed and sustained thought, may I enter & dwell in the 2nd jhana, which is a calmed assurance fixed by solid mental unification and joined with Joy & pleasure now born of a concentration devoid of any active thinking, then this same method: Awareness by Breathing should be trained often & devoted sincere attention! Even further; if one should wish: With the fading away of joy, may I dwell in composed equanimity, just open, aware and clearly comprehending, still feeling pleasure in this body, by entering upon and remaining in the 3rd jhana, about which the Noble Ones declare: "In aware Equanimity one dwells in pleasure!", then this very same exercise: Awareness by Breathing should be developed regularly and dedicated much earnest consideration! Finally if one should wish: With the leaving all behind of both pleasure and pain, even as with the prior disappearance of both Joy and sorrow, may I enter and dwell in the 4th jhana, which is an entirely silenced state of utter awareness, purified by Equanimity of neither-pain-nor-pleasure, then this same praxis: Awareness by Breathing should be repeated daily & thus made a primary priority due to its importance!
The blessed Buddha once explained: Bhikkhus, the concentration won by Awareness by Breathing, when developed and frequently cultivated, is of great fruit and results in a big advantage... And how, Bhikkhus, is concentration by Awareness by Breathing developed and cultivated so that it is of great fruit and advantage? Bhikkhus, when one have gone to the forest, or to the root of a tree, or to an empty hut, there one sits down cross-legged, having straightened one's body and back, and set up awareness around the nostrils, then just plainly aware of that breathing itself one breathes in, & just solely aware of only that breath in itself, one breathes out... Breathing in long, one knows, notes and understands: I inhale long! Breathing out long, one knows, notes and understands: I exhale long! ... ... ... (steps 2-15) ... ... ... One trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe in! One trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe out! Therefore, if such friend feels a pleasant feeling, then he understands through his prior training in breathing meditation: It is impermanent; it should neither be clung to nor delighted in... If he feels a painful feeling, then he indeed also understands: It is impermanent; it should neither be clung to nor engaged in... If he feels a neutral feeling there and then he also understands: It is impermanent; it should neither be clung to nor involved in... Whether he feels a pleasant feeling, or a painful feeling, or a neutral feeling, he feels it as if detached from it, and as something remote, and alien... If he feels a feeling terminating with the body, then he understands: If feel a feeling terminating at the same time as this body... If he feels a feeling terminating with life, then he understands: I feel a feeling terminating at the same time as this life... He then understands: With the break-up of this frame of a body, following the exhaustion of life, all that is felt, and all sensed, not being delighted in, will turn cold right there and then... Just as, bhikkhus, an oil lamp burns in dependence on the oil and the wick, and with the exhaustion of the oil and the wick the flame ceases to burn through lack of fuel, exactly so too, Bhikkhus, when such a Bhikkhu feels a feeling terminating with the body or with life... Then he understands: With the break-up of this fragile frame of a body, following the exhaustion of life, all that is felt, all that is sensed, by not being delighted in, by not being clung to, will cool down & cease right there & then!
Whenever and wherever there is expectation, there is also hoping & longing! Whenever and wherever there is hoping & longing, there is also craving... Whenever and wherever there is craving, there is also suffering! This is the 2nd Noble Truth: Craving causes suffering... Whenever & wherever there is neither expectation, nor hoping, nor longing, nor any form of craving present, how can there ever be any suffering? This is the 3rd Noble Truth: Absence of craving ends all suffering...
Discontent Disappointment is NOT caused by the outside world! 'Loving' and 'liking' mixed with expectation => passion => suffering! 'Loving' and 'liking' without expectation = friendliness => elevation! These 2 forms of “love” lookalike, but are VERY different in outcome! Expectation is an often subconscious diluted derivative of greed, which nevertheless retains the ability to ruin any relationship and any life by inducing the mischievous and treacherous mental state called discontent! This discontent is NOT caused by the external object as often believed, but by the very 'own' internal hidden prejudgement inherent in expectation!
Awareness of Emerging Expectation Helps: If one notices expectation right when it arises, and also when it persists, this enables reflecting: "Now future suffering is created and maintained!"! This in itself gradually will reduce this diluted derivative of painful craving.
How does one create future frustration for oneself? By expecting!!! Ooh May I enjoy such and such form in the future. Ooh May I delight in this and that feeling in the future. Ooh May I experience exactly these lovely things in the future. Ooh May I receive my beloved favourite experiences in the future. Ooh May I relish only in those mental states, that I like in the future. Ooh May I be satisfied by solely favourite sorts of consciousness in future. Ooh May I Not meet this or that disliked person, event, circumstance, etc...
On the contrary: One is always content if without any expectations: Let the past be past, passed and forgotten, for never to return to it again! Let forms, feelings, experiences, hopes & mind here & now be as they may! Let whatever arise & cease! Relinquishing all hoping and wishing for whatever future forms, feelings, experiences, constructions & types of consciousness: May I just remain aware, calm, clear, content and therefore unagitated!
Let it be, as it may! Let it come, as it comes! Let it go, as it goes! Good is contentment with just what one has, with just what there is!
The Deepest Tranquilization is that of Greed, Hate and Ignorance!
The Blessed Buddha once said: Formerly, when that person was still ignorant, then he was possessed & obsessed by sexual & sensual greed, lust, desire, yearning, envy, jealousy, and miserliness... He was obsessed & possessed by hate, anger, ill-will, irritation and stubbornness... He was obsessed and possessed by ignorance, doubt, delusion & plain foolishness... These evils are now overcome by him, eradicated, like a slashed and uprooted tree, completely destroyed, and therefore unable to sprout into existence ever again! Therefore such Bhikkhu, thus endowed, is indeed enriched by the highest Calm! This tranquillization is his unshakable foundation! Since this, friends, is the very highest and most precious: The Tranquillization of Greed, Hate, and Ignorance!!!
The Blessed Buddha once said: Bhikkhus, just as this body, is sustained by feeding, exists in dependence on feeding & cannot survive without food, even so are the 7 Links to Awakening also sustained by feeding, they also can only exist in dependence on feeding and they cannot survive without feeding... And what, bhikkhus, is the feeding of the emergence of any yet unarisen joy and also feeding of the completion by increase of any already arisen joy? There are mental states that are the originator, maker, producer, root, basis & source for the awakening of joy! Frequently giving careful & rational attention to them, is feeding the arising and gradual fulfillment of joy... And what is the starving that obstructs the emergence of any yet unarisen joy and which also hinders any already arisen joy from reaching sweet fulfillment by development? There are states that are the basis & source for the joy link to awakening! Not giving frequent careful and rational attention to them; not considering them much & often; is the starving that prevents any unarisen joy from arising and also blocks any already arisen joy from reaching any complete fulfillment by mental meditative training...
Comments from the classical commentaries: Elated & ecstatic exultation is the characteristic of the Joy Link to Awakening (Piti-sambojjhanga). Motivated intentness upon is the purpose of the quality of Joy. Satisfaction lifting any depression is the manifestation of the Joy Link to Awakening. Thinking of Joy makes this state return! This can be utilized by training it! Try now! This reinforcement - in itself - has the capacity to gradually elevate and induce Joy! Therefore is the state of gladness & Joy itself mainspring, basis & source of more Joy… It is the deliberate directing attention to this, again & again, that can produce Joy!!!
Further conditions helpful for arising of the Joy Link to Awakening are: 1: Recollection of the supreme and sublime uniqueness of the Buddha... 2: Recollection of the supreme and sublime uniqueness of the Dhamma... 3: Recollection of the supreme and sublime uniqueness of the Sangha... 4: Recollection of the supreme and sublime efficacy of pure Morality... 5: Recollection of the supreme and sublime efficacy of prior Generosity… 6: Recollection of the qualities that gave the devas their divinity... 7: Remembering the stilled silent state of blissful Peace... 8: Avoidance of primitive, violent, angry, rough, and coarse people. 9: Friendship with refined & kind people, who often smile in silent ease. 10: Reviewing by reading many inspiring dhamma discourses like this one. 11: Commitment & resolute determination to elevate the mind by Joy...
There is joy joined with thinking and there is joy separated from thinking! Both leads to enraptured advance towards many advantageous states. Awakening is a veritable flood of bliss!
The dear companion can be the proximate cause for Mutual Joy, where one rejoices in another being's success... One thus rejoicing in other's fortune is called a 'boon companion', for he is constantly glad: He laughs first and speaks afterwards! So he should be the first to be pervaded with gladness. Or on seeing a dear person being happy, cheerful and glad, mutual joy can be aroused thus: 'See this being is indeed glad! How good, how excellent!' Just as one would be glad at seeing a dear and beloved person very happy, exactly so does one pervade all other beings in all directions with mutual joy... Rejoicing mutual joy can also be aroused by remembering other's happiness in the past and recollecting the elated joy aspect in this way: 'In the past he had great wealth, a great following and he was always glad'. Or mutual joy can be aroused by apprehending the future glad aspect of his in this way: 'In the future he will again enjoy similar success and will go about in gold palanquins, on the backs of elephants or on horseback'. Having thus aroused mutual joy regarding a dear person, one can then direct the very same feeling successively towards a neutral one, and gradually towards any hostile person. Vbh 274, Vism I 316
Comments: Mutual joy causes Contentment! No mutual joy thus means Discontentment! Therefore: If being generally dissatisfied, then be happy over other's gains. Secondly: Mutual joy causes all envy & jealousy to evaporate into equanimity!
The Blessed Buddha once said: How, Nandiya, does a Noble Disciple live in alert elevated joy? Here, Nandiya, any Noble Disciple is endowed with verified conviction in the Buddha thus: Worthy, honourable & perfectly self-Enlightened is the Buddha! Not satisfied with that verified conviction in the Buddha, he makes a further effort in solitude by day and seclusion at night! When thus enthusiastic, he is elevated by alertness! When thus elevated by alertness, then gladness is born! When he is gladdened, then a rapturous joy arises! When the mind is uplifted by joy, the body becomes all tranquil... One tranquil in body experiences a pure bliss of happiness! The mind of one who is happy becomes condensed and concentrated... When mind is concentrated, even subtle phenomena become plain & manifest. Since these subtle phenomena become plain and manifest, he becomes one, who lives and dwells in alert elevated joy...
Source (edited extract): The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:398] Section 55 on Stream-Entry: Sotapattisamyutta. Thread 40: Nandiya.
The characteristic of patience is acceptance, its function is to endure, and its manifestation is non-opposing tolerance! The cause of patience is understanding how things really are.. The effect of patience is calm tranquility despite presence of intensely stirring provocation.. Patience of the will produces forgiving forbearance! Patience of the intellect produces faith, confidence and certainty! Patience of the body produces resolute and tenacious endurance! Internal tolerance of states within oneself is patient endurance... External tolerance of other beings is forbearance and forgiveness...
He who patiently protects himself, protects also all other beings! He who patiently protects all other beings, protects also himself!
Not from speaking much is one called clever. The patient one is free from anger and free from fear, only such steady persisting one, is rightly called clever... Dhammapada 258
Patient tolerance is the highest praxis... Nibbana is the supreme Bliss! So say all the Buddhas. Dhammapada 184
The innocent one, who has done nothing wrong, Who endures abuse, flogging and even imprisonment, Such one, armed with stamina, the great force of tolerance, Such stoic one, who self-possessed can accept, I call a Holy One! Dhammapada 399
One should follow those who are determined, tolerant, and enduring, intelligent, wise, diligent, clever, good-willed and evidently Noble. One shall stick to them as the moon remains in its regular orbit. Dhammapada 208
Friends, even if bandits were to cut you up, savagely, limb by limb, with a two-handled saw, you should not get angry, but do my bidding: Remain pervading them and all others with a friendly Awareness imbued with an all-embracing good-will, kind, rich, expansive, and immeasurable! Free from hostility, free from any ill will. Always remembering this very Simile of the Saw is indeed how you should train yourselves. Majjhima Nikaya 21
The five ways of removing irritating annoyance: Bhikkhus, there are these five ways of removing annoyance, by which any irritation can be entirely removed by a Bhikkhu, when it arises in him. What are these five ways? 1: Friendliness can be maintained towards an irritating person or state.. 2: Understanding can be undertaken towards an irritating person or state.. 3: On-looking Equanimity can be kept towards an irritating person or state.. 4: One can forget and ignore the irritating person, mental or physical state.. 5: Ownership of Kamma of the irritating person can be reflected upon thus: This good person is owner of his actions, inherit the result his actions, is indeed born of his actions and only he is responsible for his actions be they good or bad. This too is how annoyance with the irksome can be instantly removed. These are the five ways of removing annoyance, and by which any irritation can be entirely removed in a friend, exactly when it arises... Anguttara Nikaya V 161
Buddha to his son Rahula: Develop an Imperturbable Mind like the elements: Rahula, develop a mind like earth, then contacts of arisen like and dislike will not obsess your mind! Rahula, on the earth is dumped both the pure and the impure: excreta, urine, saliva, pus, blood, but the earth does not detest any of those... Even and exactly so make your mind stable like the earth! Rahula, develop a mind like water, then contacts of arisen pleasure and pain will not seize your mind. Rahula with water both the pure and the impure are cleaned... Washed away with water are excreta, urine, saliva, pus, and blood, yet the water does not despise any of that! Even so make the mind fluid and adaptable like the water! Rahula, develop a mind like fire, then the contacts of any arisen attraction or aversion will neither consume, nor hang on to your mind! Rahula, fire burns both the pure and the impure, burns excreta, urine, saliva, pus, and blood, yet the fire does not loathe any of that.. In the same manner refine the mind into a tool like an all consuming and purifying fire! Rahula, develop a mind similar to space, then contacts of arisen delight and frustration does neither take hold of, nor remain in your mind. Space does not settle anywhere! Similarly make the mind unsettled and unestablished like open space. When you expand mind like space, contacts of delight and frustration will neither be able to dominate, nor obsess your mind... Majjhima Nikaya 62
The blessed Buddha once said: Among tigers, lions, leopards and bears I lived in the jungle. None of them was frightened of me, nor did I fear any of them! Uplifted by such universal friendliness, I enjoyed the deep forest. Finding great solace in such sweet and silenced solitude… Suvanna-sama Jataka 540
I am a friend of the footless, I am a friend of all bipeds; I am a friend of those with four feet, I am a friend too of any many-footed! Anguttara Nikaya IV 67
May all creatures, all breathing things; All beings, one and all, without exception, Experience good fortune only! :-) May they not fall into any harm. Anguttara Nikaya II 72
With good will for the entire cosmos, Cultivate an infinite heart and mind: Beaming above, below, and all around, Unobstructed, without trace of hostility. Sutta Nipata I
Only determination can completely fulfill the other mental perfections! Its characteristic is an unwavering decision, its function is to overcome hesitation, and its manifestation is unfaltering persistence in this task...! The proximate cause of determination is strong willpower to succeed! Only the power of resolute determination lifts any praxis to perfection...
When the Future Buddha placed his back against the trunk of The Bodhi Tree, he right there made this mighty decision: "Let just the blood and flesh of this body dry up and let the skin & sinews fall from the bones. I will not leave this seat before having attained that absolute supreme Enlightenment!" So determined did he invincibly seat himself, from which not even 100 earthquakes could make him waver. Jataka Nidana A female lay follower (Upasika) at the time of the Buddha kept pure the precepts, comprehended the nature of impermanence, the consequent fragility of the body and thereby won stream-entry (Sotapanna)... After passing away, she re-arose as the favourite attendant of Sakka, the king of Gods. Reviewing her own merit, she remembered her prior admonition to herself:
"Let this body break up as it may, herein will not be any excuse or relaxation of the effort...!"
Whose mind is like a rock, determined, unwavering, immovable, without a trace of lust of urging towards all the attractions, without a trace of aversion of pushing away all the repulsive, from what, can such a refined mind ever suffer? Udana IV - 4
Using the tools of Faith, Morality, Effort, Determination, Meditation and true Understanding of the Dhamma, one gradually perfects first knowing and then behaviour. So well equipped & always aware, one becomes capable of eliminating of this great heap of suffering once and for all ... Dhammapada 144
What is being determined by Right Motivation? The decision for always being motivated to withdrawal, The decision for always being motivated to good-will, The decision for always being motivated to harmlessness, This is being determined by Right Motivation... Samyutta Nikaya XLV 8 My mind is firm like a rock, unattached to sensual things, no shaking in the midst of a world, where all is decaying and vanishing... My mind has been thus well developed, so how can suffering ever touch me? Theragatha 194
The four determinations: One should not neglect the Dhamma, One should guard well the Truth, One should be devoted to Withdrawal, and one should always train only for Peace. Majjhima Nikaya 140 Fearing being predestined for Hell if he became a King, who had to punish criminals violently, the Bodhisatta determined not to show any intelligence, and played dumb, deaf and crippled for sixteen years, only showing his real abilities, when he was on the verge of being buried alive! This was his ultimate perfection of resolute determination... The Basket of Conduct: Cariyapitaka
Comments
Energy is the 5th Mental Perfection:
Energy means enthusiasm, effort, exertion and interest!
Energy means eagerness, endeavor, initiative and intensity!
Energy means action, force, power, drive and hyper keenness!
Energy means devotion, dedication, determination & commitment!
Energy means enjoyment :-)
Energy pave the way for success in all and any project ...
Energy is thereby instrumental for all the perfections!
Without Energy no achievement can ever be accomplished..
The proximate cause for Energy is a sense of urgency!
The characteristic of Energy is Striving, its function is
Effort, and the manifestation of Energy is Endurance.
The Blessed Buddha said about the perfection of Energy:
Get up! Sit up!
Of what use are your dreams ?
How can you sleep, when mentally sick,
stabbed by the arrow of urge and craving.
Sutta Nipata 331
Get up! Sit up!
Push on your training, until reaching pure peace!
Don't let the king of death -Mara- see you sloppy and
thus delude and dominate you like a stringed toy doll...
Sutta Nipata 332
Possessed of Energy and Endurance
be always Earnest in your training.
The clever one is not satisfied before the final
goal of ending all misery is completely achieved.
Theragatha 585
It is too cold, it's too hot, it's too early, it is too late!
Such bad excuses, makes one give up the training and
miss one more precious opportunity to end suffering...
DN 31
This straight and Noble Way has now been clearly shown:
Don’t hesitate, walk forward and do not turn around.
Urge yourself to advance further by your own Energy!
Only thus will you obviously approach and attain Nibbana!
Theragatha 637
The efforts to prevent and to eliminate all evil.
The efforts to develop and to maintain all good.
These are the 4 right efforts, taught by the Buddha.
AN II 17
And what, friends, is feeding the Energy Link to Enlightenment,
not yet arisen, & food too for boosting of any present Energy ?
1: The element of initial initiative,
2: The element of launching into action,
3: The element of persistent endurance.
Systematic attention to these 3 aspects, is feeding your Energy
and is boosting any already present Energy.
Samyutta Nikaya XLVI 51 Bojjhanga-samyutta
At such times, when the mind is Slow, Sluggish, and Heavy:
Then it is the right occasion: for cultivating:
The Investigation-by-curiosity enlightenment-factor,
The Energy-of-Enthusiasm enlightenment-factor,
The Rapture-of-Joy enlightenment-factor...
Why is it so ? When the mind is slow, sluggish, and heavy,
it is easily raised up by exactly these 3 mental qualities.
Suppose, friends, that a man wants a fire to blaze up,
and he put on dry grass, dry wood sticks and blow it
with dry hot air and do not cover it with any dust,
would that man then see his fire blaze up ?
Certainly So, Lord...
SN V, 46. Bojjhanga-samyutta
When Moggallana where sitting nodding in the jungle night:
Well then, Moggallana, whatever experience you had in mind when
drowsiness demoralized you down, don't attend to that experience,
don't follow it. Remember instead the Dhamma, as you have heard &
memorized it, reflect on & examine it! Then raise up & repeat aloud
the details of Dhamma, as you have learnt it! Then pull both your
earlobes and rub your limbs with both your hands.! Then get up from
your seat, and after washing your eyes with cold water, look around
and upward in all directions and identify the major stars & planets!
Then attend to the experience of inner light, resolve on the clear
perception of daytime, by night as by day, and by day as by night!
By means of an Awareness thus open, unhindered & vivid, develop the
bright mind. Its possible, that by doing this, you will shake off your
lethargy... But if by doing this you don't shake off your laziness,
then continually noting what is both in front and behind set of a
distance to meditate walking back and forth, your senses inwardly
settled, while your mind is not getting lost outwards. It is possible
that by doing this you will shake off all your mental sluggishness...
Anguttara Nikaya VII 58
Born as the Brahmin Mahajanaka, the Bodhisatta was once aboard
a sinking ship far from shore. All the crew were in great panic...!!!
The Bodhisatta though ate his belly full of sugar and ghee, oiled his
clothes and swam continuously for 7 days towards the shore, until
he was rescued by a guarding female devata. Later he remembered:
"Even far out at sea, where many men were lost, yet still unruffled
by worry was my mind. I just kept swimming for seven days!
This was my perfection of Energy."
Mahajanaka-Jataka no. 539
SPREADING FAME
One who exerts effort,
One who is alert and always aware,
One who does good deeds voluntarily and deliberately,
One who is kind and considerate in all dealings,
One who is restrained and controlled,
One who lives according to the real truth of the Dhamma,
carefully and seriously, the fame of such one always grows!
Dhammapada 24
SAFETY
By arousing & inspiring oneself to put forth energetic effort;
By meticulous carefulness; By well restrained self-control;
The wise and clever ones make themselves a safe island,
no flood or fever of desire can ever overwhelm!
Dhammapada 25
More on Energy, Enthusiasm, and Eager Effort: (Viriya):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Energy_as_Way_to_Force.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Definition_of_Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Arising_of_Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Ability_of_Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Origin_of_Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Enthusiastic_is_Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/u_v/viriya.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Energetic_Effort.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Power_of_Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Ballanced_Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Chief_Hero.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Avoiding_Effort.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Energy_Viriya.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Dual_Energy.htm
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
Energetic effort enables Success!
Enthusiastic is Energy!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/Enthusiastic_is_Energy.htm
Doubt and Uncertainty Perplex the Mind!
A Brahmin once asked the Blessed Buddha:
Master Gotama, what is the cause of being unable to remember something
that has been memorized over a long period? The blessed Buddha answered:
Brahmin, when mind is perplexed by doubt & uncertainty, undecided, baffled
wavering and wobbling by doubt & uncertainty, and one does not understand
any actual safe escape from this arisen states mental doubt & uncertainty,
then one can neither see, nor ever understand any of what is advantageous,
neither for oneself, nor for others, nor for both oneself and others!
Then, consequently, what have been long memorized, cannot be remembered…
Why is this neglect & amnesia so? Imagine a bucket of water that is muddy,
unclear, cloudy, blurred and dark. If a man even with good eye-sight were
to inspect the reflection of his own face in it, he would neither see, nor ever
recognize it, as it really is! So too, brahmin, when mind is confused by doubt
& uncertainty, baffled, bewildered and hesitating by doubt & uncertainty,
on such occasion even things that have been long memorized, cannot recur
to the mind, not to speak of those texts, events and important information,
that have not been memorized at all…
On how to prevent Skeptical Doubt & Uncertainty (Vicikiccha):
Systematic Attention to scrutinizing investigation, examination & probing:
1: What is advantageous and what is detrimental here?
2: What is blameable and what is blameless in this situation?
3: What is ordinary and what is excellent in this particular case?
4: What is on the bright side and what is on the dark side in this aspect?
Doubt, Uncertainty, Hesitation & Vexation leads to Frustrating Perplexity!
Doubt stupefies action since decision to choose any alternative is blocked.
Medicine for Doubt and Uncertainty:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Barren_Stagnation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/AN.I.3-4.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/AN.I.3-4c.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suitable_Substitution.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Understanding_is_the_Chief.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_to_Overcome_Doubt.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Curing_Doubt_and_Uncertainty.htm
Vexation, Hesitation, Confusion and Painful Perplexity...
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V:123-4] section 46: The Links. 55: To Sangarava...
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Doubt & Uncertainty...
How to cure Heavy Lethargy and Laziness!
Lethargy-&-Laziness may often be induced by self-destructive behaviour
such as: Alcohol, drugs, dope, pills, marihuana, sniffing, over-eating,
excessive masturbation and night-living. Such often life-long chemical or
behavioural causes of Lethargy-&-Laziness should be eradicated...
As long as this is not achieved one remains a phlegmatic & apathetic zombie,
drifting downwards due to inability to initiate advantageous behaviour.
Noticing Lethargy-&-Laziness (thina-middha) emerge can make it evaporate:
Herein, Bhikkhus, when Lethargy-&-Laziness is present in him, the bhikkhu
notes & understands: There is Lethargy-&-Laziness in me, and when this
Lethargy-&-Laziness is absent, he notes & understands: Now there is no
Lethargy-&-Laziness in me. He indeed also understands how yet unarisen
Lethargy-&-Laziness arises. He understands how to leave behind any arisen
Lethargy-&-Laziness, and he understands how left Lethargy-&-Laziness will
not arise again in the future. MN 10
What is the feeding cause that makes Lethargy-&-Laziness arise?
There are boredom, apathy, tiredness, lazy stretching of the body, heavy
drowsiness after too big meals, and mental sluggishness. Frequently giving
irrational and unwise attention to these mental states, this is the feeding
cause of the arising of yet unarisen Lethargy-&-Laziness, and the feeding
cause of worsening and deepening of already present Lethargy-&-Laziness.
SN 46:51
What is the starving cause that makes Lethargy-&-Laziness cease?
There is the quality of initiative. There is the quality of launching action.
There is the quality of tenaciously enduring persistence. Frequently giving
rational & wise attention to these three mental elements, is the starving
cause for the non-arising of unarisen Lethargy-&-Laziness, and the starving
cause for the arousing and stirring of already present Lethargy-&-Laziness.
SN 46:51
The Supreme Ideal:
Before the Buddha sat down to meditate in order to attain enlightenment,
he made this determination: May just all flesh and blood of this body dry up
into a stiff frame of only bones, tendons and skin... Not a second before
having achieved, what can be achieved by male strength, power, and energy,
will I rise from this seat... MN 70
How to stimulate the mind:
How does one stimulate the mind at a time when it needs stimulation?
If due to slowness of understanding or due to not having yet reached the
happiness of tranquillity, one's mind is dull, then one should rouse it through
reflecting on the eight objects stirring urgency. These 8 objects are: birth,
decay, disease & death; the suffering in hell, demon, ghost & animal world!
The suffering in the past and the the future rooted in this Samsara.
The suffering of the present rooted in the pursuit for food and living.
Vism. IV,63
Perceiving the suffering in impermanence:
In a Bhikkhu, who is used to see the suffering in impermanence and who
frequently reflects on this, there will be established in him such an acute
sense of the danger in laziness, apathy, inactivity and lethargy, just as if
he was threatened by a mad murderer with drawn sword!
AN 7:46
Lethargy-&-Laziness is an inner mental Prison:
Just as when a man has been forced into prison is Lethargy-&-Laziness,
but later when he gets released from this (inner) prison, then he is safe,
fearing no loss of property. And at that good he rejoices glad at heart...
Such is the breaking out of Lethargy-&-Laziness...
Another person has been kept in jail during a festival day, and so could see
none of the shows. When people say: Oh, how fun was this festival! He will
remain shy, mute and silent because he did not enjoy any festival himself...
Similarly is prison of Lethargy-&-Laziness... Another person that once had
been in jail on a festival day. But when freed and celebrating the festival
on a later occasion, he looks back: Before due to my own careless laziness,
I was in prison on that day & could not enjoy this fine festival. Now I shall
therefore be alert and careful. Since he remains thus alert and careful no
detrimental state can overcome his mind. Having fully enjoyed the festival,
he exclaims: What a fun festival! Good is absence of Lethargy-&-Laziness...
Whoever lives in search & urge only or pleasure and beauty,
unguarded in senses, immoderately indulging in eating,
lazy, lethargic, inactive, dulled into apathy;
Such ones Mara sweeps away like breaking
a branch of a tiny bush ...
Dhammapada 7
Even if one should live a hundred years,
if lazy and idle, better it would be
to live but just a single day
striving with all one got.
Dhammapada 112
Easy is the shameless life now.
Easy is it to be bold, retaliating,
lazy, uninformed and wrong-viewed.
Dhammapada 244
Rouse yourself! Sit up!
Resolutely train yourself to attain peace.
Do not let the king of death, seeing you
lazy, lead you astray and dominate you.
Sutta Nipata II, 10
More on curing this common defilement: Laziness (Thina-middha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Lethargy_and_Laziness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Enthusiastic_is_Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Arousal_Get_Up_and_Going.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suitable_Substitution.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/thiina_middha.htm
Have a nice, noble & active day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Lethargy and Laziness Lays Life in Ruins!
Infinite Loving-Kindness is an Exalted State!
The Blessed Buddha once explained Loving-Kindness like this:
This is what should be done by a clever one to arouse the advantageous:
Having attained a peaceful state: He should be capable, straight, and very
upright, easy to speak to, gentle and not proud, contented & easy to support,
with few duties, living simple, with calmed senses, devoted, & neither angry
nor greedy. He should not do any mean thing, which wise men would criticize.
Always he should wish: Let all beings be happy, joyous, glad, safe and secure.
Whatever living creatures there exist, still or moving, small or large, seen or
unseen, far or near, already existing or coming into being, let all these living
beings without any even single exception be completely happy!
One should never despise anyone anywhere, nor humiliate anyone anywhere,
nor ever wish for any being misery or harm, because of anger or irritation.
Just as a mother would protect her only little son even risking her own life,
exactly so should one cultivate an unbounded mentality towards all beings;
loving-kindness towards all in this universe. One should cultivate an infinite
mind, above, below and across, without barriers, without enmity, matchless.
Whether standing, going, sitting, or lying down, even when slumbering should
one practise this exalted infinite goodwill. This is said to be a Sacred State!
Sn 143-151
The Buddha teaching about Infinite Friendliness = Metta
On this exalted Infinite Friendliness (Metta) see also:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Buddha_on_Noble_Frienship.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Selfless_Friendship_is_Sweetest.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/All_Embracing_Kindness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Blazing_Friendliness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/United_in_Harmony.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Goodwill_Encore.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Good_Friend.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Blazing_&_Bright.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Blazing_&_Bright.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Metta.htm
Have a nice good-willed day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Exalted bliss is Infinite Loving-Kindness!
Meditation Remoulds Mind into Magnificence!
The Blessed Buddha often said:
Whatever is to be done by a teacher out of compassion for the welfare of
his students, that has now been done by me out of kind compassion for you.
Here are many suitable roots of trees. Here are many silent empty places.
Sit down & meditate now. Practice jhana. Don't be lazy. Don't become one
who miss the opportunity again & later have to regret his heedless neglect!
This is my instruction to you. This is our message to you all...
MN 106, SN 35.145, SN 47.10
Manual on the 4 Main Meditation Methods taught by the Blessed Buddha:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/Manual/Meditation.Manual.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Magnificent_Meditation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_40_Meditations.htm
Meditation Purifies & Refines the Mind!
Mind-Moulding!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Mind_Moulding.htm
Withdrawal is the 3rd Mental Perfection:
Withdrawal is Removal of Misery
Withdrawal is Extraction of Disease.
Withdrawal is Pulling out the splinter of Pain.
Withdrawal is Retraction from Danger.
Withdrawal is Renunciation of Ill.
Withdrawal is Letting Go of what is Burning.
Withdrawal is Turning Away from what is Sorrow.
Withdrawal is Seclusion from what is Grief.
Withdrawal is Clearing of Captivating Illusions.
Withdrawal is Waking Up from Enthralling Trance.
Withdrawal is Freedom from Enslaving Addiction.
Withdrawal is Protection from what is Entrapping.
Withdrawal is Giving Up what is Detrimental.
Withdrawal is Discharge of what is Infested.
Withdrawal is Breaking out of the Prison.
Withdrawal is Release from all Suffering...
"Back to Nature" by Robert Storm Petersen. (1882 – 1949)
The Withdrawn, as the man newly freed from prison
does not at all wish himself back in prison!
The Basket of Conduct, Cariyapitaka
Infatuated with lust, impassioned and obsessed,
they are caught in their own self-created net,
like a spider, which spins it's own web!
Cutting through, the Noble Friend withdraw and go free,
Without longing, without greed, leaving all misery behind.
Dhammapada 347
The Bodhisatta as the King Culasutasoma gave up his whole kingdom.
Knowing withdrawal to be an advantageous victory, he remembered:
A mighty kingdom I possessed, as if it was dropped into my hands...
Yet all this tantalizing luxury, I let fall and go without any even slight
trace of longing or clinging. This was my perfection of Withdrawal...
Jataka no. 525
Lust, I say, is a great flood, a whirlpool sucking one down,
a constant yearning, seeking a hold, continually active, and
difficult to cross is such morass of sense and sensual desire...
A sage does not deviate from the good, but remains steady!
A recluse stands on firm ground, when solitarily secluded:
When withdrawn from all, truly he is calmed and silenced!
Having directly touched the Dhamma, he is independent!
He behaves right and does not envy anyone anywhere...
He who has left behind all pleasure arised from sensing,
an attachment difficult to cut, is freed of both depression and
longing, since he has cut across this great flood, and is released.
Sutta Nipata IV.15
Any being, that cools down all desires and greedy lusts,
by being alert and ever aware of the inherent danger,
by directing attention only to the disgusting aspects of
all phenomena, such one withdraw from all craving and
thereby wears down and breaks the bars of the inner prison.
Dhammapada 350
If one gains an infinite ease by leaving a minor pleasure,
the clever one would swap the luminous for what is a trifling
sense delight, by withdrawing from this trivial banal boredom.
Dhammapada 290
The one who has reached the sublime end all perfected,
is fearless, freed of craving, desireless and detached..
Such one has broken the chains of being and is certainly
withdrawing into the final phase, wearing his last frame...
Dhammapada 351
Prince Siddhattha Gotama reflected thus:
"Why do I, being subject to birth, decay, disease, death, sorrow and
defilement, thus search after things of the same nature. What if I,
who am subject to things of such nature, realize their disadvantages
and seek the unattained and unsurpassed, perfect security: Nibbana!"
"Cramped and confined is the household life, a den of dust, but the life
of the homeless is in the free open air of heaven! Hard is it for him who
abides at home to live the Holy Life as it should be lived, in all its true
perfection, and in all its purity."
"The household life is a cramped way, choked with dust. To leave it, is
like coming out into the free space of open air! It is not easy for one,
who lives at home, to live the Noble life completely perfect and pure,
bright as mother-of-pearl. Surely I will now shave off my hair and go
forth into homelessness."
Only Misery Arises.
Only Misery Ceases.
Nothing good is thus lost
by withdrawing from it all...
Nothing is Worth Clinging to!
More of the 10 mental perfections (paramis) and Withdrawal (Nekkhamma)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Ten_Perfections.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Levels_of_Leaving_Behind.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Withdrawn_and_Accomplished.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Withdrawal Wins!
One becomes Calmed by Stilling all Agitation!
The brahmin Magandiya asked the Buddha about how to become calmed:
Not dwelling in the past, stilled in the present, one prefers no kind of future!
Without irritation, without agitation, without regrets, without worry, neither
boasting, nor proud, but humble and modest, one is indeed a restrained sage...
Withdrawn, not opposed to anything, not wanting anything, all unconcerned,
aloof, gentle, independent, for such one there exists neither craving or fear
for any kind of existence, nor craving or fear for any form of non-existence...
Such calmed one is indifferent to sense pleasures, detached, not clinging to
any kind of property! For him there is nothing more to take up or lay down!
For whatever others might accuse him, he remains tranquil and not agitated!
Neither opposed to anything, nor attracted to anything, with nothing of his
own, not perturbed by what does not exist, such tranquil one is truly calmed!
Sutta-Nipata 849-861 Edited excerpt.
More on Calm (Samatha) = Tranquil Ease:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Calm.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Forest_Bliss.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Silenced.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Calm_Power.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Calm_and_Insight.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Tranquil_One.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/samatha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Breathing_Calm_and_Insight.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Calmed...
What is the Cause of Contentment (Santutthi?)
The blessed Buddha once said:
Contentment is the highest Treasure!
Dhammapada 204
Please imagine a state, where one always is Content…
If always content, what would, one need, urge for or want? Nothing!
What is the cause of contentment?
Mutual joy with others success is the proximate cause of contentment...
Lack of Mutual joy is therefore the cause of discontentment…
A: When did you last rejoice happily in someone else’s success?
B: When did you last enjoy the calm peace of satisfied contentment?
State-A causes state-B. Therefore: Non-state-A causes non-state-B...!
Mutual joy can be trained! Result => Calm Content!
How? Please see here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mutual_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Contentment.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Calm_and_Content.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoicing_Bliss_is_Mudita.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Infinitely_Joyous_Consciousness.htm
Enjoy Elevated Rejoice! It cures!
When providing the cause, one gains the effect…
What Causes Contentment?
How2 Get Calm Contentment?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Cause_of_Contentment.htm
These Eight Aspects of Feeling should be Understood!!!
A certain Bhikkhu once asked the Blessed Buddha: Venerable Sir,
1: What is feeling?
2: What is the cause of feeling?
3: What is the way to emergence of feeling?
4: What is the ceasing of feeling?
5: What is the way to cease feeling?
6: What is the satisfaction in feeling?
7: What is the danger in feeling?
8: What is the escape from feeling?
The Blessed Buddha answered:
There are, Bhikkhu, three feelings:
1: The 3 feelings are pleasant feeling, painful feeling, and neutral feeling.
2: Sense contact is the proximate cause of all feeling...
3: Craving is the way leading to the emergence of feeling...
4: The end of sense contact, ceases all feeling instantly...
5: This Noble Eightfold Way is the way to cease feeling...
6: The delight and joy of feeling: This is the satisfaction within feeling...
7: The danger in feeling is its transience, & inherent change into suffering.
8: The escape from feeling is the elimination of desire and lust for feeling.
Comment:
Running after pleasurable feeling like mad robots, beings come to pain &
death ever again... Wanting short-term pleasure one gains long-term pain!
This is an unnecessarily heavy price, when there actually is an alternative
of lasting happiness called Nibbana. It is thus quite well worth the effort
to give up all emotional and sensorial addiction and obsession. Only then
can one ever be completely free, truly happy and dwell in peace :-) Yeah!
All mental states converges on Feeling (Vedana):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Indifference_Creates_Ignorance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Three_Basic_Kinds_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Feeling_Causes_and_Effects.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_8_Aspects_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Bodily_and_Mental_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Detached_from_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Dependent_on_Contact.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Focusing_on_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Analysis_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_108_Feelings.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Emotional_Storm.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Latent_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Five_Feelings.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book IV [232-3]
section 36: On Feeling: Vedana. A Certain Bhikkhu... 23.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Feelings Dominate & Dictate!
Feelings are just passing reactions.
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/The_8_Aspects_of_Feeling.htm
Blown here and there by Emotional Storms!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, even as many winds blow turbulent in the sky, from directions
of east, west, south, & north, both dusty and dustless winds, both cold &
hot winds, both mild & forceful winds, even so do also all the many various
feelings arise in this body: Pleasant, painful & neither-painful-nor-pleasant
feelings perpetually emerge and agitate the mind...
Just as many diverse winds, storms here and there across the sky,
So in this very body: The many types of various feelings arise,
Both pleasant, painful, and those neither painful nor pleasant.
Yet when a determined Bhikkhu does not neglect aware and clear
comprehension, then such intelligent one fully understands these
feelings and all their complex aspects of dependency...
All provoked, induced and arisen from sense contact!
Instantly vanishing, when this same contact ceases!
Having fully understood feelings, he is freed of all hidden mental
fermentation, even in this very life.. Remaining in this state, at the
body's breakup, such Mind-Master cannot ever even be imagined...
Pleasant feeling attracts and thus induces greed...
Painful feeling averts and thus produces hate...
Neither-painful-nor-pleasant neutral feeling
causes neglect & generates thus ignorance...
All converges on Feeling (Vedana):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Indifference_Creates_Ignorance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Three_Basic_Kinds_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Feeling_Causes_and_Effects.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_8_Aspects_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Bodily_and_Mental_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Detached_from_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Dependent_on_Contact.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Focusing_on_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Analysis_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_108_Feelings.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Emotional_Storm.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Latent_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Five_Feelings.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book IV [219]
section 36: On Feeling: Vedana. The Sky: Akasam. 12.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Beings are tossed around by empty emotions!
Emotional Storms!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Emotional_Storm.htm
The Three Basic Kinds of Feeling!
The blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus and friends, there are these three feelings... What three?
1: Pleasant feeling,
2: Painful feeling,
3: Neutral neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling.
These are the three basic feelings! A disciple of the Buddha, aware,
focused, clearly comprehending, understands these three feelings.
And contact as the cause of any feeling. When contact ceases they
fade away & vanish. The Noble Way is leading to their elimination.
With the final quenching of feeling, one is freed of all yearning and
thus fully stilled...
Whether feeling is pleasant, painful or neither-painful-nor-pleasant,
whether internal or external; whatever kind of feeling there is:
Knowing: This is Suffering, perishing, momentary, disintegrating...
Having been touched and contacted by them, noting their instant
ceasing, their transience, one gradually loses all passion for them...
There are these three basic feelings. What three?
Pleasant feeling, painful feeling, and neutral feeling.
All mental states converges on this very felt quality of feeling...
All converges on Feeling (Vedana):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Indifference_Creates_Ignorance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Three_Basic_Kinds_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Feeling_Causes_and_Effects.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_8_Aspects_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Bodily_and_Mental_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Detached_from_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Dependent_on_Contact.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/u_v/vedanaa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Focusing_on_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Analysis_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_108_Feelings.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Emotional_Storm.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Latent_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Five_Feelings.htm
From Sense Contact arises all Feeling!
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book IV [204-5] 36: feeling. Vedana. Focused on Pleasure. 1-2.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Any feeling arises from sense contact!
The 3 Basic Feelings...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Three_Basic_Kinds_of_Feeling.htm
The 5 Abilities producing Feeling!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, there are these five mental abilities to feel (vedana). What five?
1: The ability to feel pleasure (sukha).
2: The ability to feel pain (dukkha).
3: The ability to feel gladness (somanassa).
4: The ability to feel sadness (domanassa).
5: The ability to feel equanimity (upekkha).
Feelings are like bubbles, empty, void, without substance, quickly bursting!
What, Bhikkhus, is the ability to feel pleasure?
Whatever bodily pleasure there is, whatever bodily comfort, any pleasant
agreeable feeling born of body-contact: This is the ability to feel pleasure.
What, Bhikkhus, is the ability to feel pain?
Whatever bodily pain there is, whatever bodily discomfort, painful, aching
disagreeable feeling born of body-contact: This is the ability to feel pain.
What, Bhikkhus, is the ability to feel gladness?
Whatever mental pleasure there is, whatever mental comfort, and pleasing
agreeable feeling born of mental contact: This is the ability to feel gladness.
What, Bhikkhus, is the ability to feel sadness?
Whatever mental frustration there is, whatever mental grief, disagreeable
feeling born of mental contact: This is the ability to feel sadness.
What, Bhikkhus, is the ability to feel equanimity?
Whatever feeling there is, whether bodily or mental, that is neutral & thus
neither comfortable, nor uncomfortable, neither agreeable nor disagreeable:
This, Bhikkhus, is called the ability to feel equanimity.
These 5, Bhikkhus, are the five abilities to feel feelings.
Noteworthy Central Implications:
If unaware & untrained then bodily pleasure and mental gladness will incite
greed, lust and derivatives such as desire, craving, wanting, urge & longing!
If unaware and untrained, then bodily pain and mental sadness will induce
aversion, hate and derivatives such as anger, wrath, irritation & opposition!
If unaware and untrained, then mental equanimity will instigate ignorance,
neglect, and derivatives such as doubt, hesitation, uncertainty & confusion!
If aware and trained then mental equanimity will activate bliss, knowing &
seeing and will through peace refine and complete all other good states!
This core causality made Buddha exclaim: All states converges on Feeling!!!
More on Feeling:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Three_Basic_Kinds_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_8_Aspects_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Bodily_and_Mental_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Detached_from_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Dependent_on_Contact.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Focusing_on_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Analysis_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_108_Feelings.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Emotional_Storm.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Latent_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Five_Feelings.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V:209] section 48: The Abilities. 36: Definitions ...
Watch the Feeling arise and cease!
The 5 Feelings...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Five_Feelings.htm
Classification of Feeling gives good Understanding!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
What, bhikkhus, are the 2 kinds of feelings?
Bodily feeling and mental feeling.
These are the 2 kinds of feelings...
What are the 3 kinds of feelings?
Pleasant feeling, painful feeling, and neither-painful-nor-pleasant
feeling. These are the 3 kinds of feelings...
What are the 5 kinds of feelings?
The ability to feel pleasure, pain, gladness, sadness and equanimity.
These are the 5 kinds of feelings...
What are the 6 kinds of feelings?
Feeling produced by eye-contact, ear-contact, nose-contact,
tongue-contact, body-contact, and feeling from mental-contact.
These are the 6 kinds of feelings...
What are the 18 kinds of feelings?
Such 6 sense-evaluations produces gladness, 6 sense-evaluations
produces sadness, and 6 sense-evaluations produces equanimity.
These are the 18 kinds of feelings...
What are the 36 kinds of feelings?
Six types of household life gladness, 6 types of Noble Life gladness,
6 types of household life sadness, 6 types of Noble Life sadness,
6 types of household life equanimity, 6 types of Noble Life equanimity.
These are the 36 kinds of feelings...
What are the 108 kinds of feelings?
The above 36 feelings here and now in the present, those 36 feelings
in the future, and the above 36 feelings in the gone by past.
These are the 108 kinds of feelings...
This, Bhikkhus, is the Dhamma explanation of the 108 feelings.
Comment:
Whenever feeling something, then classify the feeling into one or
more of these groups... Further classification of feeling does neither
seem necessary, nor practical... Detailed explanation is given here:
Atthasata Sutta: The One-hundred-and-eight Exposition
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn36/sn36.022.than.html
All mental states converges on Feeling (Vedana):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Indifference_Creates_Ignorance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Three_Basic_Kinds_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Feeling_Causes_and_Effects.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_8_Aspects_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Bodily_and_Mental_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Detached_from_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Dependent_on_Contact.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Focusing_on_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Analysis_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_108_Feelings.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Emotional_Storm.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Latent_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Five_Feelings.htm
Classification of the object in various ways makes one understand it better!
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book IV [231-2]
section 36: On Feeling: Vedana. The 108... 22.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Analytical Classification enhance Understanding!
The 108 Feelings!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/The_108_Feelings.htm
Mental Causality implies Dual Co-Arising!
When there is expectation, then there is bound to be disappointment.
When expectation is absent, then disappointment cannot come into being.
Whenever there is pride, then there is bound to be wounded pride.
When pride is absent, then wounded pride cannot come into being.
Whenever there is anger, then there is bound to be conflict.
When anger is absent, then conflict cannot come into being.
When there is perception, then there is bound to be deception.
When perception is absent, then deception cannot come into being.
When there is birth, then there is bound to be ageing, decay & death.
When birth is absent, then ageing, decay & death cannot come into being.
When there is craving, then there is bound to be suffering.
When craving is absent, then suffering cannot come into being.
When there is suffering, then happiness cannot come into being.
When suffering is absent, then happiness comes into being. :-)
When this arises, then that also emerges!
When this ceases, then that also ends.
When this is, then that also comes into being!
When this is not, then that cannot come into being.
More on Dependent Origination (Paticca-Samuppada):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/ontology.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Not_Yours.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Evident_Facts.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Crucial_Necessity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Elemental_Analysis.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Caused_by_What.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Profound_Causality.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Proximate_Cause.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Dependent_Causation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Cohesive_Co-Origination.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Collapsible_Co-Cessation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Dependent_Origination.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Dependent_Origination.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Causes_of_Emergence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/No-Agent_but_Dependence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Past_Cause_Present_Effect.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/n_r/paticca_samuppaada.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Assured_&_Ascertained_Awakening.htm
Both the Cause and its Effects arise!
Bound to Be...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Bound_to_be.htm
Transcendence from Ignorance to Nibbâna!
Buddha once explained the entire chain of causes leading to Nibbana:
Ignorance is the proximate cause of mental construction.
Mental construction is the proximate cause of consciousness.
Consciousness is the proximate cause of name-&-form.
Name-&-form is the proximate cause of the 6 senses.
The 6 senses is the proximate cause of contact.
Contact is the proximate cause of feeling.
Feeling is the proximate cause of craving.
Craving is the proximate cause of clinging.
Clinging is the proximate cause of becoming.
Becoming is the proximate cause of birth.
Birth is the proximate cause of ageing, decay and death.
Ageing, decay and death is the proximate cause suffering.
Suffering is the proximate cause of faith.
Faith is the proximate cause of elation.
Elation is the proximate cause of joy.
Joy is the proximate cause of calmness.
Calmness is the proximate cause of happiness.
Happiness is the proximate cause of concentration.
Concentration is the proximate cause of seeing and knowing reality.
Seeing and knowing reality is the proximate cause of disgust.
Disgust is the proximate cause of disillusion.
Disillusion is the proximate cause of mental release.
Mental release is the proximate cause of ending all mental fermentation
linked with ignorance, associated with becoming, and caused by sensing.
Ending all mental fermentation is the proximate cause of Freedom..
Ending all mental fermentation is the proximate cause of Peace..
Ending all mental fermentation is the proximate cause of Bliss..
This - only this - is Nibbana ...
The Butterfly Effect => A Storm! 1 Cause => Many Effects!
More on this uncreated state - Nibbana (Sanskrit = Nirvana):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Final_Freedom.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/climax_of_calm.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Reaching_Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_2_Nibbanas.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/What_is_Nibbana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Nibbana_or_non-return.htm
Multi-factorial are Phenomena: Caused by many factors...
On Causality as general principle:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causality
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Caused_by_What.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Causes_of_Emergence.htm
Source: The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya II 29-32
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Understanding an effect requires knowing its cause!
Causality!
All Things Proceed from a Cause!
Dependent Origination is the core chain of causality:
Dependent on ignorance arises kammic-construction (moral and immoral);
Dependent on kammic-constructions arises rebirth-consciousness;
Dependent on consciousness arises mind and body, name-&-form;
Dependent on mind and body arise the six sense sources;
Dependent on the six sense sources arises contact;
Dependent on contact arises feeling;
Dependent on feeling arises craving;
Dependent on craving arises clinging;
Dependent on clinging arises becoming;
Dependent on becoming arises birth;
Dependent on birth arises decay, ageing, death, sorrow, pain, and despair.
In this way arises this whole mass of suffering...
With the ceasing of ignorance comes also ceasing of kammic-construction;
With ceasing of kammic-construction comes also ceasing of consciousness;
With ceasing of consciousness comes ceasing of mind and body, name-&-form;
With ceasing of mind and body comes also ceasing of the six sense sources;
With ceasing of the six sense sources comes also ceasing of contact;
With ceasing of contact comes also ceasing of feeling;
With ceasing of feeling comes also ceasing of craving;
With ceasing of craving comes also ceasing of clinging;
With ceasing of clinging comes also ceasing of becoming;
With ceasing of becoming comes also ceasing of birth;
With ceasing of birth is there ceasing of ageing, death, sorrow, & despair.
In this way ceases this whole mass of suffering...
More on this profound Dependent Origination (Paticca-Samuppada):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/ontology.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Not_Yours.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Crucial_Necessity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Elemental_Analysis.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Caused_by_What.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Proximate_Cause.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Cohesive_Co-Origination.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Collapsible_Co-Cessation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Dependent_Origination.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Causes_of_Emergence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/No-Agent_but_Dependence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/n_r/paticca_samuppaada.htm
Source: BPS Wheel no 54 (Edited Excerpt):
The Mirror of the Dhamma. A Manual of Buddhist Devotional Texts.
By Narada Thera and Bhikkhu Kassapa. Revised By Bhikkhu Khantipalo:
http://www.bps.lk/wh054-u.html
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Dependent Causation...
Sweet is Verbal, Bodily & Mental Silence!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Kayamunim vacamunim,
manomunimanasavam,
munim moneyyasampannam.
Ahu ninhatapapakam.
Silenced in body, silenced in speech,
silenced in mind, without inner noise,
blessed with silence is the sage!
He is truly washed of all evil...
Itivuttaka 3.67
Calm is his mind.
Calm is his speech.
Calm is his action.
So is the tranquillity;
So is the serenity;
of one freed by the insight
of right understanding...
Dhammapada 96
More on Mental Tranquillity:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Tranquillity_Passaddhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Tranquillity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Tranquil_One.htm
Have a nice calm day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Silenced!
What is the Tranquillity Link to Awakening?
The Tranquillity Link to Awakening (passaddhi-sambojjhanga) has the
characteristic of peace, and the function of stilling, which manifests
as absence of restless trembling. Stillness of feeling, perception and
mental construction is the factor that induces bodily Tranquillity.
Stillness of consciousness itself induces mental Tranquillity.
The proximate cause of Tranquillity is the satisfaction within Joy!
The resulting effect of Tranquillity is the bliss within Happiness!
The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be
overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by careful & rational attention
develops the Tranquillity Link to Awakening based on seclusion, based
on disillusion, based on ceasing, and culminating in cool relinquishment,
then neither can mental fermentation, nor any fever, nor any discontent
ever arise in him. MN2 [i 11]
In one who is joyous, the body becomes calm & the mind becomes calm.
The Tranquillity Link to Awakening emerges right there. He develops it,
& for him it goes to the culmination of its development. MN118 [iii 85]
CALMED
Calm is his thought, calm is his speech,
and calm is his deed, who, truly knowing,
is wholly freed, perfectly tranquil and wise.
Dhammapada 96
CONTENT
The one who eliminates discontent, tearing it out
by the roots, utterly cuts it out, such one spontaneously
becomes absorbed in the calm of tranquillity both day & night.
Dhammapada 250
COMPOSED
The one who is tranquil in movement, calmed in speech,
stilled in thought, collected & composed, who sees right
through & rejects all allurements of this world, such one
is truly a 'Peaceful One'.
Dhammapada 378
Inspirations on the calming & soothing of serene Tranquillity (Passaddhi):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Tranquillity_Passaddhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Tranquillity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Tranquil_One.htm
Inner Calm Soothes the Mind!
Tranquillity!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/III/Tranquillity_Passaddhi.htm
Seeing the Body as it really is disables desire!
The Buddha explained how to regard the body in order to reduce greed:
Whether going or standing, sitting or lying, bending or stretching, then one
should note fully aware: this is movement of the body, which is a frame of
bones joined with sinews, plastered with skin and flesh, full of intestines,
stomach, liver, bladder, heart, lungs, kidneys, spleen, slime, mucus, sweat,
pus, lymph, blood, joint-fluid, bile, and fat. Filth oozes from its nine holes as
tears, earwax, snot, spittle, vomit, bile, urine, semen and excrement. Sweat
and dirt stick the body, and its hollow skull is filled with a fatty brain...
Only a fool, overwhelmed by ignorance, regards it as beautiful, but when it
lies dead, swollen up and bluish, cast away, eaten by dogs, jackals, wolves,
worms, crows and vultures nobody cares anymore about it. This impure, and
evil-smelling two-footed body is cherished by many and adored as a temple.
However: Whoever would be proud of such a body, or would belittle others
for their less attractive body, what is this, except lack of genuine insight?
The bhikkhu possessing knowledge here, having heard the Buddha's word,
indeed understands it, for he sees this body as it really is. As this corps is,
so is that body of mine also, understanding this, one can relinquish desire
for the body, both one's own and other's. Having eliminated desire, lust &
passion, the bhikkhu possessing knowledge here, has arrived at the undying,
at imperturbable peace, at the unshakable state of quenching. Sn 193-205
On this radical method to cure greed: Meditation on Disgust (Asubha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Meditation_On_the_Body_Kayagata-Sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_9_Corpse_Meditations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Constructive_Destruction.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Disgust.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Body_as_only_Form.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/How_to_cure_Greed.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Released_by_Disgust.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Corpse_Meditation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/asubha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Evil-smelling_body.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Sons_Flesch.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/What_is_Mara.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Skeleton.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_32_Parts.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Food_Disgust.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Oozing_Out.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Any_Kind.htm
Have a nice desireless day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Bluish Victory!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Bluish_Victory.htm
If glad-2-get Early Buddhism by e-mail then click join here:
http://groups.google.com/group/what_buddha_said
Have a nice, noble and easy day!
Bhikkhu Samahita :-) _/\_
Seeing Disgusting Objects Dispels Greed!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Awareness of the Body induces all advantageous qualities including clear
comprehension! The ancients said: Protect the sign, protect the nimitta...!
The Asubha Nimitta is a Disgusting Sign fixed in memory by meditation,
that one can redirect mind to whenever overcome by lust, greed and desire.
This sign detaches the mind from clinging to mere forms of foul impurities...
One then gain an 'off' button to turn 'off' desire and craving... This indeed
is the very KEY to disable suffering, since craving is the primary cause of all
suffering. Corpse Meditation (Asubha-Bhavana) effectively reduces desire!
How to cure compulsive over-eating, bulimia, and anorexia:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_32_Parts.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Body_as_only_Form.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Fire_of_Sense-Desire.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Pics/disgust.let.jpg
How to cure sex obsession, porno addiction and gross perversions:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Corpse_Meditation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Body_Contemplation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_9_Corpse_Meditations.htm
How to cure any greed, lust, desire, voracity, lewdness, longing and craving:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Skeleton.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Disgust.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Meditation_On_the_Body_Kayagata-Sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Pics/Death.skeleton.paint.jpg
Clever Disgust cools all obsessive greed and addictive lust:
For Inspiration: A collection of Corpse Pictures Warning: Only for Adults
http://s914.photobucket.com/albums/ac350/Asubha/ Password: corpses
Pick out the most disgusting picture and memorize it firmly and vividly.
Remember it whenever greedy! Then the greed will instantly vanish!
And the frustrating urge and tearing longing therefore subsides!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Pics/skeleton.jpg
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Pics/skeleton_sitting.jpg
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
How to Control Lust?
Disgust Evaporates Greed!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/How_to_cure_Greed.htm
Awareness of the Body just as a Foul Frame!
The Buddha once asked: How does one view the Body only as a Form?
Herein, Bhikkhus & Friends, the Bhikkhu contemplates the body from the
soles of the feet upward, and from the top of the hair downward like this:
This filthy frame with skin stretched over it, which is filled with many kinds
of impurities consists of head-hairs, body-hairs, nails, teeth, skin, flesh,
sinews, bones, marrow, kidneys, heart, liver, vomit, diaphragm, spleen, lungs,
intestine, membranes, stomach, excrement, brain, bile, lymph, pus, blood,
sweat, fat, tears, skin, tallow, spit, snot, joint-fluid, and urine...
Just as if a man with good sight would examine a sack with openings at both
ends, filled with various kinds of grain; paddy, beans, sesame, on opening it
would recognize its contents thus: That is paddy, this is beans, that is sesame,
this is husked rice: Even exactly so does the Bhikkhu investigate this body...
While always fully aware & clearly comprehending, he thus removes any lust,
urge, envy, frustration and discontent rooted in this world! Such intelligent
Bhikkhu keeps contemplating any and all bodies as remote carcasses of filthy
foul form. As something bound to emerge, decay and then inevitably vanish...
Not regarding the body as 'mine', as belonging to 'me', or as very 'my self'!
Not regarding the body as lasting, safe, as pleasant beauty, or as happiness!
In this way the intelligent Bhikkhu keeps reviewing any & all bodies, whether
internal or external, whether his own or others, and he notes the cause of its
arising and the cause of its ceasing, or he just notice: There is this body!
In this way he comes to live not clinging to & thus independent of the body!
This is the way to contemplate the body only as a transient empty shell...
The fine reward is fearlessness of death and thereby fearlessness of all!
Without fear there is the mental elevation of gladness and confidence!
This contemplation detaches one from the body & form and frees thereby...
Clever Disgust by anti-porn thereby cooling all lust and greed for body!
Just a painted puppet!
A chain of bones plastered by skin with 9 oozing holes!
A heap of sores and rotten excrement with evil intentions!
For Inspiration have a collection of Corpse Pictures been deposited here:
http://s914.photobucket.com/albums/ac350/Asubha/ Password: corpses
See also: A Bag of Bones: On the Body compiled by Bhikkhu Khantipalo:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/khantipalo/wheel271.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Meditation_On_the_Body_Kayagata-Sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_9_Corpse_Meditations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/How_to_cure_Greed.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Body_as_only_Form.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Corpse_Meditation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Evil-smelling_body.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Sons_Flesch.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_32_Parts.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Skeleton.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Food_Disgust.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Oozing_Out.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Bluish_Victory.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
If glad-2-get Early Buddhism by e-mail then click join here:
http://groups.google.com/group/what_buddha_said
Have a nice, noble and easy day!
Bhikkhu Samahita :-) _/\_
A bag of bones, flesh, skin, hair, teeth, and nails...
The 32 Parts!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_32_Parts.htm
Karunã: The Great Good Helper!
Karuna is feeling the pain of other beings, either partially or completely;
Possible translations:
1: Pity not from above: “I am better”, but as if in the other being’s shoes…
2: Compassion is OK, but that is difficult to reach up to for many beings…
3: Fellow feeling, sympathy, empathy, understanding are all OK, but somewhat
missing these essential points:
A: It is an inability to see and accept other being’s suffering and distress!
B: It is a deep desire to make others feel free, glad, happy and peaceful!
C: It is extended to and pervaded over many beings simultaneously…
The proximate cause of Karuna = pity is noticing other being’s helplessness.
The immediate effect of Karuna = pity is evaporation of all evil cruelty!
Pity (Karuna ) is one of the four divine and infinite dwellings (Brahmavihara) :
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Endless_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Safe_Medicine.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Karuna_is_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/What_is_Wrong.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Great_Compassion.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Compassionate_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Space_Compassion.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/brahma_vihaara.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_to_Cure_Cruelty_and_Revengefulness.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Seeing other being's Helplessness...
Great Compassion!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/Karuna_is_Pity.htm
Divine Dwelling is infinite and produces Gods!
Contemplation of infinitely friendly Loving-Kindness (Metta)
Having seen that like oneself all beings whatsoever searches only happiness
Patiently then cultivate friendly loving-kindness for all beings like this:
May I always be happy. May I always be free from suffering.
May all my friends always be happy and always be free from suffering.
May all neutral beings always be happy and always be free from suffering.
May all my enemies always be happy and always be free from suffering too!
Within this town, this country, this continent, this planet, all the galaxies,
May all sentient beings, all persons, all creatures, and all breathing things,
Be happy, be free, joyous, content and peaceful in their various destinies.
Whatever living beings there may be, men, women, Noble, or ordinary,
Animals, Devas, or unhappy ones, who lives in one of the ten directions,
whether weak or strong, long or large, short or small, far or near
seen or unseen, in existence or seeking to become this or that,
With none excepted: May creatures all be of a blissful heart!
May I be free from enmity! May I be free from distress!
May I be free from misery! May I live happily!
Whatever beings there are: May they be free from enmity!
Whatever beings there are: May they be free from distress!
Whatever beings there are: May they be free from misery!
Whatever beings there are: May they live happily!
May all beings … all breathing things … all creatures … all persons …
all entities … women … men … the Noble Ones … those not noble ones …
gods … humans … beings in the realms of deprivation in the east … west …
north … south … above … as below … and all around be free from enmity,
be free from distress, be free from misery, and live fully happily!
The Four Divine Abidings (Brahmavihãra):
I: Loving-kindness (Metta):
Whatever beings there are: May they be happy!
Whatever beings there are: May they be free from enmity!
Whatever beings there are: May they be free from distress!
Whatever beings there are: May they be free from misery!
Whatever beings there are: May they live happily!
II: Compassionate Pity (Karuna):
Whatever beings there are: May they be free from all pain & all suffering!
III: Mutual Joy with other's success (Mudita):
Whatever beings there are: May they not be separated from their gains!
IV: Equanimity (Upekkha):
Whatever beings there are: they are the owners of their kamma, inherit
their kamma, born of their kamma, related to their kamma, abide supported
by their kamma; whatever kamma they do, whether good or evil, the effect
of that will be the theirs only...
Contemplation on Equanimity (Upekkha):
Just as a mighty rock doesn't shake with the wind,
So the wise are not disturbed, neither by praise, nor by blame.
Neither clinging to the state of happiness, nor in pain when depressed.
Composed and ballanced I remain! This is my perfect equipoise... Yeah!
More on Divine Dwelling (Brahmavihara) = The 4 Infinite States:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Endless_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mutual_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Safe_Medicine.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Higher_Release.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Unbounded_Mind.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Blazing_Goodwill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The-Effective_Saw.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Universal_Friendliness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unsurpassable_Radiance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Infinite_and_Divine_Classic.htm
Source: BPS Wheel no 54 (Edited Excerpt):
The Mirror of the Dhamma. A Manual of Buddhist Devotional Texts.
By Narada Thera and Bhikkhu Kassapa. Revised By Bhikkhu Khantipalo:
http://www.bps.lk/wh054-u.html
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Divine Mentality produces Divine Future!
Divine Dwelling...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Divine_Dwelling.htm
How to be Real Buddhist through Observance?
Unduwap Poya is this Fullmoon of December celebrating 2 events:
1: The arrival of Arahat Nun Theri Sanghamitta, sister of Arahat Mahinda, daughter
of emperor Asoka from India in the 3rd century B.C. establishing the Order of Nuns.
2: The arrival at Anuradhapura of a sapling of the sacred Bodhi-tree at Buddhagaya,
brought to Sri Lanka by Arahat Theri Sanghamitta.
This day is designated Sanghamitta Day. Nowadays Dasasil Matas;
ten-precept nuns, take an active part in making these celebrations.
Details on the Arahat Nun Theri Sanghamitta and the MahaBodhi:
See: http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/sa/sanghamitta_theri.htm
and the Tree http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/b/bodhirukka.htm
On such Full-Moon Uposatha Poya Observance days:
Any Lay Buddhist simply joins the Three Refuges & 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 / observance day, where any lay
Buddhist normally keeps even the Eight Precepts from sunrise until
the next dawn... If any wish a 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 Modern Community of Buddha's Disciples: Saddhamma Sangha:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Saddhamma_Sangha.htm
Can quite advantageously be Joined Here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm
May your journey hereby be light, swift and sweet. Never give up !!
Bhikkhu Samahita: bhikkhu.samahita@what-buddha-said.net
For Details on The Origin of Uposatha Observance Days:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/uposatha.html
Have a nice observance day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Lay Buddhists keep the Poya days clean!
On this unduwap Poya day did Arahat Theri Sanghamitta arrive!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/III/Unduwap_Poya_Day.htm
If you wish these messages with graphics and
links embedded by e-mail then click join here:
http://groups.google.com/group/what_buddha_said
Have a nice, noble and easy day!
Bhikkhu Samahita :-) _/\_
Mental Release comes by Understanding!
The Blessed Buddha once explained the chain of causal events:
Association with a Great Man completes hearing the True Dhamma..
Hearing the true Dhamma completes Faith, Confidence and Conviction..
Faith, confidence and conviction completes Rational Attention..
Rational attention completes Mindfulness and Clear Comprehension..
Mindfulness and clear comprehension completes Guarding the Senses..
Guarding the senses completes good mental, verbal and bodily Behaviour..
Good modes of action completes the Four Foundations of Awareness..
The 4 foundations of Awareness completes the 7 Links to Awakening..
The 7 links to Awakening completes Mental Release by Understanding!
Details are outlined here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Dhamma_Contemplation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Lay_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Careful_and_Rational_Attention.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Clear_Comprehension.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Guarding_the_Sense_Doors.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Guarding_the_Senses.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Five_Basics.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Four_Foundations_of_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Seven_Links_to_Awakening.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Understanding_is_the_Chief.htm
More on the supreme Understanding Ability:
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:
The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: Anguttara Nikaya V 115
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Pics/BuddhaFaceClose.jpg
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Mental Release comes by Understanding!
Freed by Knowing...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Freed_by_Knowing.htm
If you wish these messages with graphics and
links embedded by e-mail then click join here:
http://groups.google.com/group/what_buddha_said
Have a nice, noble and easy day!
Bhikkhu Samahita :-) _/\_
Special Experiences might cure illness instantly!
Once when Venerable Girimananda was sick, the Buddha said to Ven. Ananda.
What is the experience of acute Awareness by in-&-out Breathing?
It is when a Bhikkhu, who have gone to the forest, or to the root of a tree,
or to an empty hut, sits down cross-legged, having straightened his body and
back, and set up awareness around the nostrils, then just plain aware of only
that itself, he breathes in, and then just solely aware of only that breathing
in itself, he then breathes out...
1: Breathing in-&-out long, he knows, notes & understands: I in-&-exhale long!
2: Breathing in short, he knows, notes & understands: I in-&-exhale short!
3: He trains thus: Experiencing this entire body, I will breathe in-&out!
4: He trains thus: Calming all bodily activity, I will breathe in-&out!
5: He trains thus: Experiencing enraptured joy, I will breathe in-&out!
6: He trains thus: Experiencing a happy pleasure, I will breathe in-&out!
7: He trains thus: Experiencing all mental activity, I will breathe in-&out!
8: He trains thus: Calming all mental activity, I will breathe in-&out!
9: He trains thus: Experiencing the present mood, I will breathe in-&out!
10: He trains thus: Elating & gladdening the mind, I will breathe in-&out!
11: He trains thus: Concentrating & focusing mind, I will breathe in-&out!
12: He trains thus: Releasing, & liberating the mind, I will breathe in-&out!
13: He trains thus: Considering impermanence, I will breathe in-&out!
14: He trains thus: Considering disillusion, I will breathe in-&out!
15: He trains thus: Considering ceasing, I will breathe in-&out!
16: He trains thus: Considering relinquishment, I will breathe in-&out!
Having learnt and memorized these 16 simple steps from the Blessed One,
the Venerable Ananda went to the Venerable Girimananda and recited these
to him. Then as soon as Venerable Girimananda heard these 16 simple steps
& the ten experiences his illness instantly subsided & he rose from his bed!
This was thus the way Venerable Girimananda was cured from his sickness....
The 10 Experiences are:
1: The experience of Impermanence, and Transience (Anicca-Sañña).
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Impermanence.htm
2: The experience of No-Self, and Egoless Impersonality (Anatta-Sañña).
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Egolessness.htm
3: The experience of Loathsome Foulness, and Disgust (Asubha-Sañña).
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Disgust.htm
4: The experience of Danger, Damage, and Disadvantage (Adinava-Sañña).
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Danger.htm
5: The experience of Leaving Behind, Overcoming; Giving up (Pahana-Sañña).
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Elimination.htm
6: The experience of Disillusion, Dispassion, & Detachment (Viraga-Sañña).
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Fading_Away.htm
7: The experience of Ceasing, Stilling, and Final Finishing (Nirodha-Sañña).
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Ceasing.htm
8: The experience of Disgust with the Whole World (Sabbaloka-Anabhirati-Sañña).
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Disappointment.htm
9: The experience of Decay of all Formations (Sabbasankharesu Anicca-Sañña)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Universal_Transience.htm
10: The experience of Awareness by in-and-out Breathing (Anapanasati-Sañña)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_the_Breath.htm
On Awareness by Breathing:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_I.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/pdfs/anapanasati.pdf
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_II.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_IV.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/1_Producing_4.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_III.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Four_Fulfilling_Seven.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Magnificent_Meditation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_the_Breath.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Awareness_by_Breathing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/anapana_sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Breathing_Calm_and_Insight.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Peaceful_and_Sublime_on_the_Spot.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unique_Thing_Awareness_by_Breathing.htm
Source (edited extract):
Numerical Discourses of the Buddha. Anguttara Nikaya AN 10:60, V 108ff.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/Index.Numerical.htm
Calming is Simple: Stay focused on the Breath!
Experiencing the Breath!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_the_Breath.htm
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links embedded by e-mail then click join here:
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Have a nice, noble and easy day!
Bhikkhu Samahita :-) _/\_
Breathing in-&-out can produce Absorption!
The blessed Buddha once explained:
Bhikkhus, the concentration gained by Awareness by Breathing, when trained,
is of great fruit and advantage. And how, Bhikkhus, is this concentration by
Awareness by Breathing developed and cultivated so that it is of great fruit
and advantage? Bhikkhus, when one have gone to the forest, or to the root of
a tree, or to an empty hut, there one sits down cross-legged, having made one's
body and back straight, and set up awareness around the nostrils, then just
plain aware of that breathing in itself one breathes in, and just solely aware
of only that breathing in itself one breathes out...
1: Breathing in long, one knows, notes and understands: I inhale long!
Breathing out long, one knows, notes and understands: I exhale long!
... ... ... (steps 2-15)
One trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe in!
One trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe out!
Therefore, Bhikkhus, if a friend wishes: May I become secluded from all sense
desires, protected from any detrimental mental state, and thereby enter and
dwell in the 1st jhana, which is directed thought and sustained thinking joined
with Joy and pleasure born of solitude, then this very same concentration by
Awareness by Breathing should be cultivated often & devoted much attention!
Furthermore if such friend should wish: By the stilling & fading of all directed
and sustained thought, may I enter & dwell in the 2nd jhana, which is a calmed
assurance fixed by solid mental unification and joined with Joy & pleasure now
born of a concentration devoid of any active thinking, then this same method:
Awareness by Breathing should be trained often & devoted sincere attention!
Even further; if one should wish: With the fading away of joy, may I dwell in
composed equanimity, just open, aware and clearly comprehending, still feeling
pleasure in this body, by entering upon and remaining in the 3rd jhana, about
which the Noble Ones declare: "In aware Equanimity one dwells in pleasure!",
then this very same exercise: Awareness by Breathing should be developed
regularly and dedicated much earnest consideration! Finally if one should wish:
With the leaving all behind of both pleasure and pain, even as with the prior
disappearance of both Joy and sorrow, may I enter and dwell in the 4th jhana,
which is an entirely silenced state of utter awareness, purified by Equanimity
of neither-pain-nor-pleasure, then this same praxis: Awareness by Breathing
should be repeated daily & thus made a primary priority due to its importance!
The sublime Awareness by Breathing (Anapana-sati) used by all Buddhas:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_I.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/pdfs/anapanasati.pdf
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_II.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_IV.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/1_Producing_4.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_III.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Four_Fulfilling_Seven.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Magnificent_Meditation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_the_Breath.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Awareness_by_Breathing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/anapana_sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Breathing_Calm_and_Insight.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Peaceful_and_Sublime_on_the_Spot.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unique_Thing_Awareness_by_Breathing.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:316-7]
section 54: Anapanasamyutta. Thread 8: The simile of the Lamp!
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Mind becomes Exalted, when One-Pointed!
Absorption by Breathing!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_II.htm
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links embedded by e-mail then click join here:
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Have a nice, noble and easy day!
Bhikkhu Samahita :-) _/\_
How can one experience Ceasing of all Pain?
The blessed Buddha once explained:
Bhikkhus, the concentration won by Awareness by Breathing, when developed
and frequently cultivated, is of great fruit and results in a big advantage...
And how, Bhikkhus, is concentration by Awareness by Breathing developed and
cultivated so that it is of great fruit and advantage?
Bhikkhus, when one have gone to the forest, or to the root of a tree, or to an
empty hut, there one sits down cross-legged, having straightened one's body
and back, and set up awareness around the nostrils, then just plainly aware of
that breathing itself one breathes in, & just solely aware of only that breath
in itself, one breathes out...
Breathing in long, one knows, notes and understands: I inhale long!
Breathing out long, one knows, notes and understands: I exhale long!
... ... ... (steps 2-15) ... ... ...
One trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe in!
One trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe out!
Therefore, if such friend feels a pleasant feeling, then he understands through
his prior training in breathing meditation:
It is impermanent; it should neither be clung to nor delighted in...
If he feels a painful feeling, then he indeed also understands:
It is impermanent; it should neither be clung to nor engaged in...
If he feels a neutral feeling there and then he also understands:
It is impermanent; it should neither be clung to nor involved in...
Whether he feels a pleasant feeling, or a painful feeling, or a neutral feeling,
he feels it as if detached from it, and as something remote, and alien...
If he feels a feeling terminating with the body, then he understands:
If feel a feeling terminating at the same time as this body...
If he feels a feeling terminating with life, then he understands:
I feel a feeling terminating at the same time as this life...
He then understands: With the break-up of this frame of a body, following
the exhaustion of life, all that is felt, and all sensed, not being delighted in,
will turn cold right there and then... Just as, bhikkhus, an oil lamp burns in
dependence on the oil and the wick, and with the exhaustion of the oil and the
wick the flame ceases to burn through lack of fuel, exactly so too, Bhikkhus,
when such a Bhikkhu feels a feeling terminating with the body or with life...
Then he understands: With the break-up of this fragile frame of a body,
following the exhaustion of life, all that is felt, all that is sensed, by not being
delighted in, by not being clung to, will cool down & cease right there & then!
This sublime (Anapana-sati) technique is used by all Buddhas at Awakening:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_I.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/pdfs/anapanasati.pdf
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_II.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/1_Producing_4.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_III.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Four_Fulfilling_Seven.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Magnificent_Meditation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_the_Breath.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Awareness_by_Breathing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/anapana_sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Breathing_Calm_and_Insight.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Peaceful_and_Sublime_on_the_Spot.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unique_Thing_Awareness_by_Breathing.htm
On the formless (arupa) Jhanas and Ceasing: Nirodha-samapatti:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/9_Stillings.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/g_m/jhaana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/n_r/nirodha_samaapatti.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:319-20]
section 54: Anapanasamyutta. Thread 8: The simile of the Lamp!
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Mental Silencing also ends Pain!
Stilling by Breathing!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_IV.htm
If you wish these messages with graphics and
links embedded by e-mail then click join here:
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Have a nice, noble and easy day!
Bhikkhu Samahita :-) _/\_
Expectation is bound to give Disappointment!
Whenever and wherever there is expectation, there is also hoping & longing!
Whenever and wherever there is hoping & longing, there is also craving...
Whenever and wherever there is craving, there is also suffering!
This is the 2nd Noble Truth: Craving causes suffering...
Whenever & wherever there is neither expectation, nor hoping, nor longing,
nor any form of craving present, how can there ever be any suffering?
This is the 3rd Noble Truth: Absence of craving ends all suffering...
About the 4 Noble Truths (Ariya-Sacca):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_4_Noble_Truths.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_4_Truths_Meaning.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_1st_Noble_Truth_on_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_2nd_Noble_Truth_on_The_Cause_of_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_3rd_Noble_Truth_on_The_Ceasing_of_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_4th_Noble_Truth_on_The_Way_to_Cease_Suffering.htm
Discontent Disappointment is NOT caused by the outside world!
'Loving' and 'liking' mixed with expectation => passion => suffering!
'Loving' and 'liking' without expectation = friendliness => elevation!
These 2 forms of “love” lookalike, but are VERY different in outcome!
Expectation is an often subconscious diluted derivative of greed, which
nevertheless retains the ability to ruin any relationship and any life by
inducing the mischievous and treacherous mental state called discontent!
This discontent is NOT caused by the external object as often believed,
but by the very 'own' internal hidden prejudgement inherent in expectation!
About Expectation: Always Different!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/Always_Different.htm
Awareness of Emerging Expectation Helps:
If one notices expectation right when it arises, and also when it persists,
this enables reflecting: "Now future suffering is created and maintained!"!
This in itself gradually will reduce this diluted derivative of painful craving.
On this poisonous Craving (Tanha) see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Cut_Craving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Craving_is_Pain.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Craving_is_Cause.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Origin_of_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ceasing_of_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Craving_is_Catastrophic.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_3_kinds_of_Craving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_2nd_Noble_Truth_on_The_Cause_of_Suffering.htm
Expectation is a Sandcastle...
Expectation = Disappointment = Suffering!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Expectation.htm
Expectation inevitably creates Disappointment:
How does one create future frustration for oneself? By expecting!!!
Ooh May I enjoy such and such form in the future.
Ooh May I delight in this and that feeling in the future.
Ooh May I experience exactly these lovely things in the future.
Ooh May I receive my beloved favourite experiences in the future.
Ooh May I relish only in those mental states, that I like in the future.
Ooh May I be satisfied by solely favourite sorts of consciousness in future.
Ooh May I Not meet this or that disliked person, event, circumstance, etc...
On the contrary: One is always content if without any expectations:
Let the past be past, passed and forgotten, for never to return to it again!
Let forms, feelings, experiences, hopes & mind here & now be as they may!
Let whatever arise & cease! Relinquishing all hoping and wishing for whatever
future forms, feelings, experiences, constructions & types of consciousness:
May I just remain aware, calm, clear, content and therefore unagitated!
Let it be, as it may!
Let it come, as it comes!
Let it go, as it goes!
Good is contentment with just what one has, with just what there is!
More on calm satisfied Contentment:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Contentment.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Calm_and_Content.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Cause_of_Contentment.htm
Source: The Grouped Sayings by the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya III 11-12
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
Let it come & go as it is... So be it!
Acceptance!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/Always_Different.htm
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links embedded by e-mail then click join here:
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Have a nice, noble and easy day!
Bhikkhu Samahita :-) _/\_
The Deepest Tranquilization is that of Greed, Hate and Ignorance!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Formerly, when that person was still ignorant, then he was possessed & obsessed
by sexual & sensual greed, lust, desire, yearning, envy, jealousy, and miserliness...
He was obsessed & possessed by hate, anger, ill-will, irritation and stubbornness...
He was obsessed and possessed by ignorance, doubt, delusion & plain foolishness...
These evils are now overcome by him, eradicated, like a slashed and uprooted tree,
completely destroyed, and therefore unable to sprout into existence ever again!
Therefore such Bhikkhu, thus endowed, is indeed enriched by the highest Calm!
This tranquillization is his unshakable foundation! Since this, friends, is the very
highest and most precious: The Tranquillization of Greed, Hate, and Ignorance!!!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Pics/Tranquillity.Buddha.jpg
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Pics/Moon.tranquil.jpg
Tranquillity (Passaddhi) Quiet:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Tranquillity_Passaddhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Tranquillity.htm
Calm (Samatha) Peaceful Ease:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Forest_Bliss.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Calm.htm
The 3 Root Violations (Mula):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Fading_Away.htm
Source Text (extract): Majjhima Nikaya 140: Analysis of the Elements:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.140.than.html
Have a nice still day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Absence of greed, hate & ignorance is Safe Silence...
Deep Calm!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Tranquil_One.htm
If you wish these messages with graphics and
links embedded by e-mail then click join here:
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Have a nice, noble and easy day!
Bhikkhu Samahita :-) _/\_
Feeding the Joy Link to Awakening!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, just as this body, is sustained by feeding, exists in dependence on
feeding & cannot survive without food, even so are the 7 Links to Awakening
also sustained by feeding, they also can only exist in dependence on feeding
and they cannot survive without feeding... And what, bhikkhus, is the feeding
of the emergence of any yet unarisen joy and also feeding of the completion
by increase of any already arisen joy? There are mental states that are the
originator, maker, producer, root, basis & source for the awakening of joy!
Frequently giving careful & rational attention to them, is feeding the arising
and gradual fulfillment of joy... And what is the starving that obstructs the
emergence of any yet unarisen joy and which also hinders any already arisen
joy from reaching sweet fulfillment by development? There are states that
are the basis & source for the joy link to awakening! Not giving frequent
careful and rational attention to them; not considering them much & often;
is the starving that prevents any unarisen joy from arising and also blocks
any already arisen joy from reaching any complete fulfillment by mental
meditative training...
Comments from the classical commentaries:
Elated & ecstatic exultation is the characteristic of the Joy Link to Awakening
(Piti-sambojjhanga). Motivated intentness upon is the purpose of the quality of Joy.
Satisfaction lifting any depression is the manifestation of the Joy Link to Awakening.
Thinking of Joy makes this state return! This can be utilized by training it! Try now!
This reinforcement - in itself - has the capacity to gradually elevate and induce Joy!
Therefore is the state of gladness & Joy itself mainspring, basis & source of more Joy…
It is the deliberate directing attention to this, again & again, that can produce Joy!!!
Further conditions helpful for arising of the Joy Link to Awakening are:
1: Recollection of the supreme and sublime uniqueness of the Buddha...
2: Recollection of the supreme and sublime uniqueness of the Dhamma...
3: Recollection of the supreme and sublime uniqueness of the Sangha...
4: Recollection of the supreme and sublime efficacy of pure Morality...
5: Recollection of the supreme and sublime efficacy of prior Generosity…
6: Recollection of the qualities that gave the devas their divinity...
7: Remembering the stilled silent state of blissful Peace...
8: Avoidance of primitive, violent, angry, rough, and coarse people.
9: Friendship with refined & kind people, who often smile in silent ease.
10: Reviewing by reading many inspiring dhamma discourses like this one.
11: Commitment & resolute determination to elevate the mind by Joy...
There is joy joined with thinking and there is joy separated from thinking!
Both leads to enraptured advance towards many advantageous states.
Awakening is a veritable flood of bliss!
More on this delightful Joy (Piti), that is not of this world:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Happiness_of_the_Flesh_and_Beyond.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Joys_of_the_Flesch_and_Beyond.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Joys_Beyond_This_World.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Alert_Elevated_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Joy_Piti.htm
Sources (edited extracts):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V: 65-6+102-8] 46: Links. 2+51: Group & Nutriments....
Gladness keeps away the Madness ;-)
Feeding the Joy!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Joy.htm
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Have a nice, noble and easy day!
Bhikkhu Samahita :-) _/\_
Mutual Joy cures all vicious Envy and Jealousy!
The dear companion can be the proximate cause for Mutual Joy, where one
rejoices in another being's success... One thus rejoicing in other's fortune
is called a 'boon companion', for he is constantly glad: He laughs first and
speaks afterwards! So he should be the first to be pervaded with gladness.
Or on seeing a dear person being happy, cheerful and glad, mutual joy can
be aroused thus: 'See this being is indeed glad! How good, how excellent!'
Just as one would be glad at seeing a dear and beloved person very happy,
exactly so does one pervade all other beings in all directions with mutual joy...
Rejoicing mutual joy can also be aroused by remembering other's happiness
in the past and recollecting the elated joy aspect in this way: 'In the past he
had great wealth, a great following and he was always glad'. Or mutual joy
can be aroused by apprehending the future glad aspect of his in this way:
'In the future he will again enjoy similar success and will go about in gold
palanquins, on the backs of elephants or on horseback'. Having thus aroused
mutual joy regarding a dear person, one can then direct the very same feeling
successively towards a neutral one, and gradually towards any hostile person.
Vbh 274, Vism I 316
Comments:
Mutual joy causes Contentment! No mutual joy thus means Discontentment!
Therefore: If being generally dissatisfied, then be happy over other's gains.
Secondly: Mutual joy causes all envy & jealousy to evaporate into equanimity!
Mutual Joy (Mudita), which cures all envy and jealousy, is a divine state!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mutual_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoicing_Bliss_is_Mudita.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Infinitely_Joyous_Consciousness.htm
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Mutual Joy Causes Contentment! :-)
Rejoicing Joy!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Rejoicing_Joy.htm
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Have a nice, noble and easy day!
Bhikkhu Samahita :-) _/\_
How does the Noble live in Alert Elevated Joy?
The Blessed Buddha once said:
How, Nandiya, does a Noble Disciple live in alert elevated joy?
Here, Nandiya, any Noble Disciple is endowed with verified conviction in the
Buddha thus: Worthy, honourable & perfectly self-Enlightened is the Buddha!
Not satisfied with that verified conviction in the Buddha, he makes a further
effort in solitude by day and seclusion at night!
When thus enthusiastic, he is elevated by alertness!
When thus elevated by alertness, then gladness is born!
When he is gladdened, then a rapturous joy arises!
When the mind is uplifted by joy, the body becomes all tranquil...
One tranquil in body experiences a pure bliss of happiness!
The mind of one who is happy becomes condensed and concentrated...
When mind is concentrated, even subtle phenomena become plain & manifest.
Since these subtle phenomena become plain and manifest, he becomes one,
who lives and dwells in alert elevated joy...
More on this blessed Bliss:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Forest_Bliss.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Joy_Piti.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoicing_Bliss_is_Mudita.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Joys_Beyond_This_World.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Blessing_all_Beings_by_Bliss.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Joys_of_the_Flesch_and_Beyond.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Infinitely_Joyous_Consciousness.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:398]
Section 55 on Stream-Entry: Sotapattisamyutta. Thread 40: Nandiya.
Have a nice elevated day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Joy Sweeps Mind into Smiling!
Alert Elevated Joy!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/Alert_Elevated_Joy.htm
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Have a nice, noble and easy day!
Bhikkhu Samahita :-) _/\_
Patience is the 6th Perfection:
The characteristic of patience is acceptance, its function is to endure,
and its manifestation is non-opposing tolerance! The cause of patience
is understanding how things really are.. The effect of patience is calm
tranquility despite presence of intensely stirring provocation..
Patience of the will produces forgiving forbearance!
Patience of the intellect produces faith, confidence and certainty!
Patience of the body produces resolute and tenacious endurance!
Internal tolerance of states within oneself is patient endurance...
External tolerance of other beings is forbearance and forgiveness...
He who patiently protects himself, protects also all other beings!
He who patiently protects all other beings, protects also himself!
Not from speaking much is one called clever.
The patient one is free from anger and free from fear,
only such steady persisting one, is rightly called clever...
Dhammapada 258
Patient tolerance is the highest praxis...
Nibbana is the supreme Bliss!
So say all the Buddhas.
Dhammapada 184
The innocent one, who has done nothing wrong,
Who endures abuse, flogging and even imprisonment,
Such one, armed with stamina, the great force of tolerance,
Such stoic one, who self-possessed can accept, I call a Holy One!
Dhammapada 399
One should follow those who are determined, tolerant, and enduring,
intelligent, wise, diligent, clever, good-willed and evidently Noble.
One shall stick to them as the moon remains in its regular orbit.
Dhammapada 208
Friends, even if bandits were to cut you up, savagely, limb by limb,
with a two-handled saw, you should not get angry, but do my bidding:
Remain pervading them and all others with a friendly Awareness imbued
with an all-embracing good-will, kind, rich, expansive, and immeasurable!
Free from hostility, free from any ill will. Always remembering this very
Simile of the Saw is indeed how you should train yourselves.
Majjhima Nikaya 21
The five ways of removing irritating annoyance:
Bhikkhus, there are these five ways of removing annoyance, by which any
irritation can be entirely removed by a Bhikkhu, when it arises in him.
What are these five ways?
1: Friendliness can be maintained towards an irritating person or state..
2: Understanding can be undertaken towards an irritating person or state..
3: On-looking Equanimity can be kept towards an irritating person or state..
4: One can forget and ignore the irritating person, mental or physical state..
5: Ownership of Kamma of the irritating person can be reflected upon thus:
This good person is owner of his actions, inherit the result his actions, is
indeed born of his actions and only he is responsible for his actions be they
good or bad. This too is how annoyance with the irksome can be instantly
removed. These are the five ways of removing annoyance, and by which any
irritation can be entirely removed in a friend, exactly when it arises...
Anguttara Nikaya V 161
Buddha to his son Rahula: Develop an Imperturbable Mind like the elements:
Rahula, develop a mind like earth, then contacts of arisen like and dislike
will not obsess your mind! Rahula, on the earth is dumped both the pure and
the impure: excreta, urine, saliva, pus, blood, but the earth does not detest
any of those... Even and exactly so make your mind stable like the earth!
Rahula, develop a mind like water, then contacts of arisen pleasure and pain
will not seize your mind. Rahula with water both the pure and the impure
are cleaned... Washed away with water are excreta, urine, saliva, pus, and
blood, yet the water does not despise any of that! Even so make the mind
fluid and adaptable like the water!
Rahula, develop a mind like fire, then the contacts of any arisen attraction
or aversion will neither consume, nor hang on to your mind! Rahula, fire burns
both the pure and the impure, burns excreta, urine, saliva, pus, and blood,
yet the fire does not loathe any of that.. In the same manner refine the mind
into a tool like an all consuming and purifying fire!
Rahula, develop a mind similar to space, then contacts of arisen delight and
frustration does neither take hold of, nor remain in your mind. Space does
not settle anywhere! Similarly make the mind unsettled and unestablished
like open space. When you expand mind like space, contacts of delight and
frustration will neither be able to dominate, nor obsess your mind...
Majjhima Nikaya 62
More on the 10 mental perfections (paramis):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Ten_Perfections.htm
Have a nice, noble & patient day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Advantageous is Patience, Tolerance & Endurance!
Patience is the Highest Praxis!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Patient_is_Tolerance.htm
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links embedded by e-mail then click join here:
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Have a nice, noble and easy day!
Bhikkhu Samahita :-) _/\_
Genuine Goodwill Blazes & Shines!
The blessed Buddha once said:
Among tigers, lions, leopards and bears I lived in the jungle.
None of them was frightened of me, nor did I fear any of them!
Uplifted by such universal friendliness, I enjoyed the deep forest.
Finding great solace in such sweet and silenced solitude…
Suvanna-sama Jataka 540
I am a friend of the footless,
I am a friend of all bipeds;
I am a friend of those with four feet,
I am a friend too of any many-footed!
Anguttara Nikaya IV 67
May all creatures, all breathing things;
All beings, one and all, without exception,
Experience good fortune only! :-)
May they not fall into any harm.
Anguttara Nikaya II 72
With good will for the entire cosmos,
Cultivate an infinite heart and mind:
Beaming above, below, and all around,
Unobstructed, without trace of hostility.
Sutta Nipata I
More genuine good even better here ;-) _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Blazing_Goodwill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_11_Advantages.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net//drops/IV/All-Embracing_Kindness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net//drops/V/Advantageous_is_Friendship.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Buddha_on_Noble_Frienship.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Friendliness Blazes and Shines beyond all!
Genuine Goodwill!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Genuine_Goodwill.htm
If you wish these messages with graphics and
links embedded by e-mail then click join here:
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Have a nice, noble and easy day!
Bhikkhu Samahita :-) _/\_
Determination is the 8th Mental Perfection:
Only determination can completely fulfill the other mental perfections!
Its characteristic is an unwavering decision, its function is to overcome
hesitation, and its manifestation is unfaltering persistence in this task...!
The proximate cause of determination is strong willpower to succeed!
Only the power of resolute determination lifts any praxis to perfection...
When the Future Buddha placed his back against the trunk of The Bodhi
Tree, he right there made this mighty decision:
"Let just the blood and flesh of this body dry up and let the skin & sinews
fall from the bones. I will not leave this seat before having attained that
absolute supreme Enlightenment!" So determined did he invincibly seat
himself, from which not even 100 earthquakes could make him waver.
Jataka Nidana
A female lay follower (Upasika) at the time of the Buddha kept pure the
precepts, comprehended the nature of impermanence, the consequent
fragility of the body and thereby won stream-entry (Sotapanna)...
After passing away, she re-arose as the favourite attendant of Sakka,
the king of Gods. Reviewing her own merit, she remembered her prior
admonition to herself:
"Let this body break up as it may,
herein will not be any excuse or
relaxation of the effort...!"
Whose mind is like a rock, determined, unwavering, immovable,
without a trace of lust of urging towards all the attractions,
without a trace of aversion of pushing away all the repulsive,
from what, can such a refined mind ever suffer?
Udana IV - 4
Using the tools of Faith, Morality, Effort, Determination, Meditation and
true Understanding of the Dhamma, one gradually perfects first knowing
and then behaviour. So well equipped & always aware, one becomes capable
of eliminating of this great heap of suffering once and for all ...
Dhammapada 144
What is being determined by Right Motivation?
The decision for always being motivated to withdrawal,
The decision for always being motivated to good-will,
The decision for always being motivated to harmlessness,
This is being determined by Right Motivation...
Samyutta Nikaya XLV 8
My mind is firm like a rock,
unattached to sensual things,
no shaking in the midst of a world,
where all is decaying and vanishing...
My mind has been thus well developed,
so how can suffering ever touch me?
Theragatha 194
The four determinations:
One should not neglect the Dhamma,
One should guard well the Truth,
One should be devoted to Withdrawal,
and one should always train only for Peace.
Majjhima Nikaya 140
Fearing being predestined for Hell if he became a King, who had to punish
criminals violently, the Bodhisatta determined not to show any intelligence,
and played dumb, deaf and crippled for sixteen years, only showing his real
abilities, when he was on the verge of being buried alive!
This was his ultimate perfection of resolute determination...
The Basket of Conduct: Cariyapitaka
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
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Decisive is Determination!
Resoluteness resolves all hesitation...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Determination_Determines.htm