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The Buddha pointed out Harmlessness as the best protection by saying:
I am a friend of the footless, I am a friend of all bipeds; I am a friend of those with four feet, I am a friend of the many-footed! Anguttara Nikaya 4.67
As I am, so are others... As others are, so am I... Having thus identified self with others, Never harm anyone, nor make any hurt. Sutta-Nipata 705
Among tigers, lions, leopards and bears I lived in the jungle. No one was frightened of me, nor did I fear anyone... Uplifted by such universal friendliness, I enjoyed the forest. Finding great solace in that sweetly silenced solitude… Suvanna-sama Jataka 540
The Buddha indeed pointed out Gratitude as an important mental quality: These two people are hard to find in the world. Which two? The one who is first to do a kindness, and the one who is grateful and thankful for a kindness done. Anguttara Nikaya 2.118
I tell you, monks, there are two people who are not easy to repay. Which two? Your mother & father. Even if you were to carry your mother on one shoulder & your father on the other shoulder for 100 years, & were to look after them by anointing, massaging, bathing, & rubbing their limbs, and they were to defecate and urinate right there on your shoulders, you would not thereby repay your parents. Even if you were to establish your mother & father in absolute sovereignty over this great earth, abounding in the seven treasures, you would not in that way repay your parents! Why is that? Mothers and fathers do much for their children. They care for them, they nourish them for long, and they introduce them to this world. But anyone who rouses his unbelieving mother & father, settles & establishes them in faith; rouses his immoral mother & father, establishes them in virtue; rouses his stingy mother & father, settles & establishes them in generosity; rouses his unwise mother & father, settles & establishes them on a new level of understanding: It is in this way that one truly repays one's mother's and father's many longstanding services. Anguttara Nikaya 2.32
Mother & father, compassionate to their family, are called Brahma, first teachers, honour them with food & drink, clothing & bedding, and anointing, bathing, washing their feet. Performing these services to their parents, the wise are praised right here and after death rejoice in heaven. Itivuttaka 106
If this is what you think of me: The Blessed One, is sympathetic, is seeking our well-being, teaches us this Dhamma out of sympathy, then you should train yourself in being in harmony, cordial, and without conflict and train in yourselves cultivation of all the 37 best mental qualities: The 4_Foundations_of_Awareness, the 4 right efforts, the 4_Feet_of_Force, the 5 Abilities, 5 powers, the 7 Links to Awakening, & the Noble_8-Fold_Way. Majjhima Nikaya 103 A Tathagata is worshipped, honoured, respected, thanked & shown gratitude by any follower, who keeps practicing the Dhamma in accordance with true Dhamma, who keeps practicing masterfully, who lives in and by the Dhamma! Digha Nikaya 16
We will undertake & practice those qualities that makes one a contemplative, so that all those who helped us by services of robes, alms-food, lodging, and medicines will bring them great fruit and great future reward. Majjhima Nikaya 39
Comments: In Pali, the word for gratitude = kataññu literally means to have a sense of what was done for one in the past even when long ago. Remembering all help! A network of kindness and gratitude is what sustains whatever goodness there is and ever will be in this - otherwise destitute & impoverished - world!
Even evaluation is characteristic of the Equanimity Link to Awakening. (Upekkha-Sambojjhanga). Preventing both deficiency & excess and securing impartiality is the function of Equanimity. Imperturbable ballance is the manifestation of the Equanimity Link to Awakening. Equanimity just looks on whenever new phenomena arises and ceases. This stable yet plastic patience purifies all the other advantageous mental states, which reach maximum, when joined with Equanimity...
Equanimity (Upekkha) is a moderating mental construction. Equanimity is also a mood of neither gladness nor sadness. Equanimity is also a feeling of neither pain nor pleasure. Equanimity is also the neutral ability to be indifferent. Equanimity is also the 4th infinitely divine dwelling. Equanimity is also a quite high form of happiness. Equanimity is also a refined mental purification. Equanimity is therefore a Link to Enlightenment...
There is Equanimity both regarding live beings and dead things. There is Equanimity both regarding all internal & external states. There is Equanimity both regarding all past, present and future. There is Equanimity both regarding all mentality & all materiality.
The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by alert & rational attention develops the Equanimity Link to Awakening based on seclusion, based on disillusion, on ceasing, culminating in full renouncing relinquishment, then neither can mental fermentation, nor any fever, nor discontent ever arise in him. MN2 [i 11]
When mind is concentrated one can observe all closely in equanimity. The Equanimity Link to Awakening arises right there. He develops it, and for him repeatedly meditating it goes gradually to the completion of its development. MN118 [iii 85]
The Blessed Buddha once said: How, Cunda, is purity of mental action threefold? 1: Herein, someone is all without jealousy, acquisitiveness, and greedy envy. Whatever another person possesses of goods and property, he does not long or yearn for it lime this: "Oh may I get what that other person has!"
2: He is free from ill-will since he harbours no angry thoughts in his mind! Rather he thinks: Oh, may these beings be free from all hate and ill-will, and may they lead a happy and easy life free from all trouble and harm!
3: He possesses right understanding and this unshakable right view: result of all advantageous and disadvantageous actions! There is this world, and there is the next world. There are duties towards father and mother. There are spontaneously reborn beings. There are in this world recluses and monks of right, pure and perfect living, who have themselves understood and directly realized both this very world and the next, and are able to explain them both....This is the threefold mental purity, Cunda!
The Blessed Buddha once said: Bhikkhus, this sweet concentration by Awareness by Breathing, when it is developed and cultivated, is peaceful and sublime, an ambrosial pleasant dwelling in itself, and it disperses and quells right on the very spot all evil detrimental mental states, whenever and wherever they arise...! Exactly as in a hot summer month, when a cloud of dust and dirt has been swirled up, then a sudden great & heavy rainfall makes it vanish by quelling it on the spot, so too does this concentration by Awareness by Breathing, when developed and cultivated often, and which is peaceful and sublime, an ambrosial pleasant dwelling in itself, disperse, scatter, evaporate and quell right on the spot all evil & disadvantageous mental states whenever & wherever they arise. And how is this so? Bhikkhus, when one have gone to the forest, or to the root of a tree, or to an empty hut, there & then one sits down cross-legged, having straightened one's body and back, & set up awareness around the nostrils, then just plainly aware of only that breathing itself one breathes in, and just solely aware of only that very breathing itself one breathes out... Feeling only the touch of air passing! 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! It is in exactly this way, Friends & Bhikkhus, that this fine concentration by Awareness by Breathing is developed & cultivated so that it indeed is peaceful and sublime, an ambrosial pleasant dwelling in itself! And it is in this way that it disperses and quells on the spot all evil detrimental states whenever and wherever they arise!
How is constant Awareness Established only by Breathing?
Sitting cross-legged, with straight back, elevated chin, in a silent place, the yogi remains focusing all attention on the touch point of air in his nostrils:
Fully aware one inhales and fully aware one exhales... When inhaling a long breath, one notices that... When exhaling a long breath, one notices that... When inhaling a short breath, one notices that... When exhaling a short breath, one notices that... Experiencing the whole body, one inhales... Experiencing the whole body, one exhales... Calming all bodily activity, one inhales... Calming all bodily activity, one exhales...
One trains thus: Experiencing joyous rapture, I will inhale... One trains thus: Experiencing joyous rapture, I will exhale... One trains thus: Experiencing a happy pleasure, I will inhale... One trains thus: Experiencing a happy pleasure, I will exhale... One trains thus: Experiencing all mental activity, I will inhale... One trains thus: Experiencing all mental activity, I will exhale... One trains thus: Calming all mental activity, I will inhale... One trains thus: Calming all mental activity, I will exhale...
One trains thus: Experiencing all mentality as mood, I will inhale... One trains thus: Experiencing all mentality as mood, I will exhale... One trains thus: Satisfying and gladdening the mind, I will inhale... One trains thus: Satisfying and gladdening the mind, I will exhale... One trains thus: Focusing the mind by concentration, I will inhale... One trains thus: Focusing the mind by concentration, I will exhale... One trains thus: Releasing the mind from hindrance, I will inhale... One trains thus: Releasing the mind from hindrance, I will exhale...
One trains thus: Considering the impermanence of change, I will inhale... One trains thus: Considering the impermanence of change, I will exhale... One trains thus: Considering the detachment in disillusion, I will inhale... One trains thus: Considering the detachment in disillusion, I will exhale... One trains thus: Considering the stilling within cessation, I will inhale... One trains thus: Considering the stilling within cessation, I will exhale... One trains thus: Considering open and freed relinquishing, I will inhale... One trains thus: Considering open and freed relinquishing, I will exhale...
This is how continuous Awareness is established just by breathing!!! Breathing meditation can bring the yogi into 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Jhana... It is a unique praxis used by all Buddhas at their very Enlightenment!!!
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All Buddhas Awakened by Breath Meditation! It has aspects both of serene calm (Samatha) & incisive insight (Vipassana). It is extraordinarily advantageous to train this unique breathing technique. Can recommend this booklet about standard Breathing Meditation very much: Mindfulness of Breathing. Classic Anapanasati meditation manual of the root Pali texts translated by Bhikkhu Ñanamoli. BPS. 1998. http://what-buddha-said.net/library/pdfs/anapanasati.pdf
The ideal is when Calm and Insight goes hand in hand, as if yoked together!
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Sakka - the king of the 33 divinities - once spoke these verses to the Blessed Buddha:
Having slain what, does one sleep in ease? Having slain what, does one never sorrow? What is the one thing 0ohh Gotama Whose killing you can approve?
The Blessed One: Having slain Anger, one sleeps in ease; Having slain Anger, one does not sorrow The killing of Anger, 0ohh Vasava With its poisoned root and honeyed tip: This is the killing, the Noble Ones approve. For having slain that, one does not grieve.
Sakka continued: I am not one easily upset in mind. Nor easily agitated by anger's whirl. I never become angry for long Nor does anger hang on in me. When angry, I do not despise. Nor do I praise own qualities. I keep myself well under control. Thus protecting my own good future!
Therefore: Bring Anger under control; Do not let your friendships waste away. Do not blame the one who is blameless; Do not speak splitting or divisive speech. Their own anger crushes enraged people. Like the roaring mountain avalanche!
Do not let Anger overpower you; Do not become angry with the angry. Noble Ones always remain harmless. Their own hate crushes angry people. Like a devastating mountain avalanche.
FUEL ON FIRE ? Not by anger is Hate ever quenched. Only by Kind Friendliness is Hate always quenched. This Ancient Law is an Eternal Truth ... Dhammapada Illustration 5 Background Story 5
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Curing the agitated Restlessness and the anxious Regret!
Noticing Restlessness-&-Regret arise can make it fade away: When Restlessness-&-Regret is present, the bhikkhu notes & understands: There is Restlessness-&-Regret in me, while when Restlessness-&-Regret is absent, then he notes & understands: No Restlessness-&-Regret is in me. He also understands well how unarisen Restlessness-&-Regret arises. He understands how to leave behind any arisen Restlessness-&-Regret, and he understands how left Restlessness-&-Regret will not arise again. MN 10
What is the feeding cause that makes Restlessness-&-Regret arise? There are unrest, unsettledness, nervous unease, agitation & anxiety, often giving irrational & unwise attention to such states, this is the feeding cause of the arising of unarisen Restlessness-&-Regret, & the feeding cause of worsening and exacerbation of already arisen Restlessness-&-Regret. SN 46:51
What is the starving cause that makes Restlessness-&-Regret cease? There is the mental state of serene tranquillity, calm, quietude, stillness, imperturbability, peace, frequently giving rational & wise attention to this exquisite mental state, is the starving cause for the non-arising of unarisen Restlessness-&-Regret, & the starving cause for the dampening and calming of Restlessness-&-Regret, that has already been stirred up. SN 46:51
Advantageous reflections whenever Restlessness-&-Regret is provoked: When the mind is restless, it is the proper time for cultivating the following factors of enlightenment: Tranquillity, Concentration and Equanimity, because an agitated mind can easily be quietened by them. SN 46:53
Restlessness-&-Regret is like Slavery: Just as when a man is a slave, not independent, but dependent on others, unable to go where he likes, exactly & even so is restlessness since it forces one into unwanted activity & destroys any ease & calm. Later he is set free from slavery, is now independent, no longer dependent, a freeman who can go where he wants. And at that he rejoices, is glad at heart... Such is also the blissful freedom from restlessness. DN 2
Deliberately Directing to a Conscious and Clever Centre of Concentration: Herein, Ananda, a Bhikkhu attends to this single Focus: This is Real, this is Supreme, namely: The Stilling of all mental Construction, The Calming of all Restless Activity, The Fading of all Concern and Anxiety, The Cooling of all Temptation and Urge, The Ending of all Longing and Craving, The Exhaustion of all Fuel of Becoming, Ceasing, Peace, Bliss, Freedom, Nibbana … AN V 319
DOING GOOD = NO REGRET! Here and now the good-doer rejoices! :-) Even so after passing away and re-emerging, the doer of good reaps only Joy & ease... So both here and beyond, the wise with merit well done, enjoys the purity of own prior good behaviour. Dhammapada 15
DOING BAD = MUCH REGRET! Here and now the bad-doer suffers... :-( Even so after passing away and re-emerging, the doer of wrong reaps only pain and regret... So both here and beyond, the evil wrongdoing fool suffers the painful results of prior bad behaviour. Dhammapada 16
Restlessness-&-regret is followed by worry, anxiety, agitation and attention deficit!
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The Blessed Buddha once said: Bhikkhus, the absence of all greed, all hate, and all ignorance: This, friends, is called the Uncreated, the Unconditioned, the Uninclined, the Unattracted, the Unmanifested, the Infinite, the absolute Freedom, the Further Shore, the Subtle, the Inconceivable, the Ageless, the Unity, the Permanent, the Beyond of all diversity, the Peaceful, the Deathless..., the Sublime Sameness, the Wonderful, the Sweet Safety, the Fantastic, the Sorrowless, the Refuge, the Unoppressed, the Detached, the Release, the Island..., the Shelter..., the Final State..., the Highest Bliss: Nibbana... Samyutta Nikaya. 43:12-44
There exists indeed, Bhikkhus, that which is unborn, unbecome, uncreated, that which is uncaused and unconditioned… For if there were not, Bhikkhus, that which is unborn, unbecome, uncreated, that which is uncaused & unconditioned, there could not be known here the absolute escape from that, which is born, from that which is become, from that which is created, from that which is conditioned... However, since there indeed exists, this still sublime state, which is unborn, which is unbecome, which is uncreated, and absolutely unconditioned, there can therefore right now be made known the complete escape from all that, which is born, from that, which is created, from that, which is conditioned... Itivuttaka: 43
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The Buddha once told Ananda: Ananda, it is not easy to teach the Dhamma to others. One should consider five things before teaching Dhamma to others. What five? One should teach thinking: 1: I will teach the Dhamma gradually starting with the most simple. 2: I will teach about the cause & effect of doing what is advantageous. 3: I will teach from and about gentle kindness out of genuine sympathy. 4: I will teach Dhamma not for the sake of gain, fame or admiration. 5: I will teach Dhamma without hurting or harming myself and others. Ananda, it is not easy to teach the Dhamma to others. One should consider these five things before teaching Dhamma to others. Anguttara Nikaya III.184
Just as the ocean has a gradual deepening sloping off the continental shelf, with a sudden drop-off only after a long stretch, exactly in the same way, is this Doctrine and Discipline (dhamma-vinaya) a gradual training, a gradual development, a gradual progression, with a sudden penetration to understanding only after a long stretch. Udana 5.5
The Buddha's teaching is build upon this way of gradual development. His method of "gradual instruction" (anupubbi-katha), and "gradual training" (anupubbi-sikkha) makes the practitioner at each stage of development discover new and ever deeper & more important aspects of the law of cause-&-effect kamma, the cornerstone of Right View.
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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
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The Joy Link to Awakening (Piti-sambojjhanga) has the characteristic of suffusing contentment, and the property of gladdening satisfaction. This Joy Link to Awakening manifests as mental elation, which can reach five successively increasing degrees of intensity:
1: Minor Joy, which can raise the hair on the body when thrilled. 2: Momentary Joy, which is flashing like lightning at various occasions. 3: Showering Joy, which breaks over the body repeatedly like sea-waves. 4: Uplifting Joy, which can be strong enough to even levitate the body. 5: Pervading Joy, which is like a heavy sponge all saturated with water. Visuddhimagga IV 94-9
The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by careful & rational attention develops the Joy Link to Awakening based on seclusion, on disillusion, on ceasing, & culminating in relinquishment, then neither can any mental fermentation, nor any fever, or discontent ever arise in him. MN2 [i 11]
In one who has aroused enthusiastic energy, there arises a joy not of this world & the Joy Link to Awakening emerges there. He develops it, & for him it goes to the culmination of its development. MN118 [iii 85]
Any one convinced by understanding of Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha, gets an enthusiastic sense of the sublime good goal of Nibbana & gains gladness connected, joined, and fused with this Dhamma...! In any one gladdened, Joy is born. The body of the Joyous is calmed. One of calm body experiences pleasure and happiness! The mind of one who is happy becomes concentrated. The concentrated mind sees and knows things as they really are. This brings disgust and disillusion, which enables full direct experience of mental release. It is in this way that Joy indeed is a factor leading to Awakening! MN [i 37-8], AN [iii 21-3], DN [iii 21-3]
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The Buddha once explained: Bhikkhus, this world has been fully understood by the Tathagata. The Tathagata is completely released from this world. The origin of this world has been fully understood by the Tathagata. The origin of this world has been completely abandoned by the Tathagata. The ceasing of this world has been fully understood by the Tathagata. The ceasing of this world has been completely realized by the Tathagata. The way leading to the ceasing of this world has been fully understood by the Tathagata and this way has been completely developed by the Tathagata. Bhikkhus, in the world with its devas, maras, and brahmas, with its recluses and priests, among humankind with its princes and people, whatever is seen, heard, sensed, cognized, attained, sought, and reflected upon by the mind, all that is fully understood by the Tathagata. It is therefore he is called the Tathagata. Bhikkhus, from the night when the Tathagata awakened to this unsurpassable perfect enlightenment & until the night, when he passes away into the Nibbana-element with no trace left, whatever he speaks, says, and explains all that is true, correct, just and exactly so and not otherwise at all! It is therefore he is called the Tathagata. As the Tathagata says, so he does. As the Tathagata does, so he says. It is therefore he is called the Tathagata. In the world with its devas, maras, and brahmas, with its recluses and priests, among humankind with its princes and people, the Tathagata is the conqueror, the undefeated, the all-seeing, the wielder of power. It is therefore he is called the Tathagata! Itivuttaka 112
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On such Full-Moon Uposatha Poya Observance days: Any Lay Buddhist simply joins the Three Refuges and undertakes the Five Precepts like this: Newly bathed, shaved, white-clothed, with clean bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue, and bows first three times, so that feet, hands, elbows, knees & head touch the floor. Then, with joined palms at the heart, one recites these memorized lines in a loud, calm & steady voice:
As long as this life lasts: I hereby take refuge in the Buddha. I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma. I hereby take refuge in the Sangha. I hereby seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time. I hereby seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time. I hereby seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time. I hereby request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time. I hereby request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd time. I hereby request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time. I will hereby respect these Three Jewels the rest of my life!
I accept to respect & undertake these 5 training rules: I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Killing. I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Stealing. I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Sexual Abuse. I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Dishonesty. I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Alcohol & Drugs. As long as this life lasts, I am thus protected by these 5 precepts... Then, one keeps and protects these sacred vows better than one's own eyes & children!, since they protect you & all other beings much better than any army! They are the highest offer one can give in & to this world! So is the start towards Nibbana: the Deathless Element! This is the Noble Way to Peace, to Freedom, to Ease, to Happiness, initiated by Morality, developed further by Dhamma-Study and fulfilled by training of Meditation...
Today indeed is Pooya or uposatha or observance day, where any lay Buddhist normally keeps even the Eight Precepts from sunrise until the next dawn... If any wish an official recognition by the Bhikkhu-Sangha, they may simply forward the lines starting with "I hereby ..." signed with name, date, town, & country to me or join here. A public list of this new quite rapidly growing global Saddhamma-Sangha is set up here!
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The Buddha once explained to Ven. Anuruddha: What are the 8 thoughts of a great man? 1: This Dhamma is for one who is modest, not for one who wants much. 2; This Dhamma is for one who is content, not for one who is discontent. 3: This Dhamma is for one who is reclusive, not for the socializing parrot. 4: This Dhamma is for one who is enthusiastic, not for one who is lazy. 5: This Dhamma is for one who is aware, not for one who is distracted. 6: This Dhamma is for one who is focused, not for one who is scattered. 7: This Dhamma is for one who understands, not for one who is confused. 8: This Dhamma is for one who enjoys unity, not for one who seeks diversity. When you think these 8 thoughts of a great man, then you can always easily attain the four jhanas, that provides a pleasant dwelling right here and now! Secondly, your rag-robe & simple alms-food, your dwelling at the tree-root, your bed on a spread of grass, and your smelling medicine will seem to you as the best of the best. Therefore will you live contented, in sweet delight, satisfied, dwelling in calm comfort, not agitated, and thus approach release. Anguttara Nikaya IV 227 (edited excerpt)
Comments: Later during this Rains Retreat in the Eastern Bamboo Park, Ven. Anuruddha dwelling alone, secluded, alert, ardent, & resolute, in no long time reached & remained in that supreme goal of the holy life for which clansmen rightly go forth into homelessness, and directly experiencing it himself he understood: "Rebirth is ended, this Noble life is completed, what should be done is done. There is no further state in this world." And thus Ven. Anuruddha became another one of the Arahats.
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Equanimity (Upekkha) entails a composed equipoise of solid mental balance! It is Tatra-majjhattata = keeping to the moderate middle of all phenomena. Equanimity balances consciousness so it prevents both all excessiveness and any deficiency. In equanimity mind is neither attracted by attractive things, nor repelled by repulsive things. The cause of equanimity is seeing the law of kamma: All beings are born and created by their kamma, they are owners of their kamma, inherit their kamma, whatever they do, whether good or bad, the effects of that will be theirs only, following them like a shadow of past! The effect of Equanimity is threefold: Exquisite, relaxed & subtle peace felt as calm happiness is instantly gained. Equanimity purifies and completes all the 7 crucial Links to Awakening... Equanimity is the proximate cause of knowledge and vision (ñanadassana)!
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What the Buddha taught on rebirth is well documented: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.135.than.html Causes of favourable or painful rebirth: MN 135, AN III.65, Dhp 310, Dhp 316 Behaviour determines the destination after death: Dhp 17, Dhp 18, Dhp 240 The laws of kamma are as inviolable as the law of gravity: SN XLII.6 Why not just settle for divine rebirth among the devas?: SN V.7 The preciousness of our human life: SN XX.2, SN LVI.48 How to gain rebirth as an elephant or a horse: AN X.177 What's so bad about being reborn?: SN V.6
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The absence of possessions and possessiveness... Blameless daily begging of alms food... Content, calm and composed with modest needs... Detached ease regarding all phenomena... Fearlessness of robbery, violence and loss... Freedom from government, and taxation... Freedom from bosses, and administrators... Unobstructed in all directions and realms...
JOY Oh let us live happily! Freed from aversion, going even among those, who hate. Among those in anger, let us live free from all anger. Dhammapada 197
CONTENTED Oh let us live happily! Freed from discontent, going easy among those, who want ever more. Among those dissatisfied let us live free from any discontent. Dhammapada 198
NOTHING Oh let us live happily! Having nothing at all! Let us feed on Joy, just like the bright shining Devas. Dhammapada 200
GREAT Health is the greatest gain. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest company. Nibbana is the greatest Bliss ... Dhammapada 204
SWEET The one who has tasted the sweetness of solitude in cooled calm, such one fears not, wrongdo not, as so indeed is the sweetness of the joy of Dhamma. Dhammapada 205
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At Savatthi. Sitting to one side, the Venerable Radha said to the Blessed One: Venerable sir, it is said, 'suffering, suffering', What now, venerable sir, is suffering? Radha, all form is suffering, all feeling is suffering, all perception is suffering, all intentional mental formation is suffering, and consciousness itself is suffering. Understanding this, Bhikkhu, a well instructed Noble Disciple experiences disgust towards any form, disgust towards any feeling, disgust towards any perception, disgust towards any mental construction, & disgust towards consciousness itself! Experiencing disgust, he becomes disillusioned! Through this disillusion his mind is released. When mind is released, one instantly knows: This mind is liberated, and one understands: Extinguished is rebirth, this Noble Life is all completed, done is what should be done, there is no state of being beyond this...
Comments: These 5 clusters of clinging are what denotes both the internal 'individual' and the 'external' real world. However as they continually change, no same internal 'self'= identity or external 'substance'= reality can ever be found! Since always changing they are always lost and therefore are they always ultimately speaking suffering! An inner mental prison of craving for something inevitably, unambiguously & spontaneously vanishing! A fever of folly obsession…
The Suffering and Imprisonment is NOT outside, but inside in our mind!
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What is simple & straight, yet also very intricate?
Once the Blessed Buddha said this: This Noble Truth of Suffering has been made known by me; This Noble Truth on The Cause of Suffering has been made known by me; This Noble Truth on The End of Suffering has been made known by me; This Noble Truth on The Way to End Suffering has been made known by me! Within these 4 Noble Truths there are innumerable meanings & implications, a myriad of shades & nuances and countless aspects, features and details... Therefore, Bhikkhu, an effort should be made much of to understand: All this is Suffering; an effort should be made much of to comprehend: Craving is the Cause of Suffering! An effort should be made so to realize: No Craving is the End of Suffering! An effort should be made to penetrate, remember, and develop: This Noble 8-fold Way which ceases all Suffering...
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Sitting alone, in silence, each early morning, with closed eyes, one wishes: May I radiate and meet with only infinite pity, sympathy, and compassion! May I & all the various beings on the 31 levels of existence develop & find only this genuine gentleness of infinite pity, sympathy, and compassion! May I & all beings on the sense-desire, fine-material, & the formless plane develop & encounter this tender infinite pity, sympathy, and compassion! May I & all beings in the front, to the right, the back, the left & below as above develop & experience caring infinite pity, sympathy, & compassion! May I & all beings in this city, country, and universe always be fully aware and deeply mindful of this warm infinite pity, sympathy, and compassion! May I & all beings in this city, country, and universe examine all details & subtle aspects of this benevolent infinite pity, sympathy, and compassion! May I & all beings in this city, country, & universe put enthusiastic effort in their praxis of this affectionate infinite pity, sympathy, & compassion! May I & all beings in this city, country and universe find enraptured joy & jubilant gladness in this fond infinite pity, sympathy, and compassion! May I & all beings in this city, country, & universe cultivate the tranquillity of quiet, silent, stilled, & endlessly merciful pity, sympathy, & compassion! May I & all beings in this city, country and universe attain concentrated & absorbed one-pointedness by this infinite pity, sympathy, and compassion! May I & all beings in this city, country, and universe dwell in imperturbable equanimity joined with this loving infinite pity, sympathy, and compassion... Yeah! Print this out, dwell in each state until clear, use ~ 25-45 minutes.
Comment: All-Embracing Pity is the 2nd infinitely divine state (Appamañña) This gradually reduces all aggressiveness, cruelty, ferocity, viciousness, rage, inner & outer violence, and unhappiness related with these states. Joined with the 7 links to Awakening it will later cause formless jhanas...
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Once in Savatthi the Blessed Buddha said this: "Bhikkhus, there is one unique thing, which when trained and cultivated, is of great fruit and great advantage. What is that one unique thing? It is Awareness by Breathing (Anapanasati)! And how, Bhikkhus, is this Awareness by Breathing trained, developed, cultivated and refined so that it is of really great fruit and of immense long-term advantage? Bhikkhus, when a Bhikkhu, who have gone to the forest, or to the root of a tree, or to an empty hut, then he 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 itself, he breathes out... 1: Breathing in long, he knows, notes and understands: I inhale long! Breathing out long, he knows, notes and understands: I exhale long! 2: Breathing in short, he knows, notes and understands: I inhale short! Breathing out short, he knows, notes and understands: I exhale short! 3: He trains thus: Experiencing the entire body, I will breathe in-&-out! 4: Calming all bodily activity, I will breathe in-&-out! 5: Experiencing enraptured joy, I will breathe in-&-out! 6: Experiencing a happy pleasure, I will breathe in-&-out! 7: Experiencing all mental activity, I will breathe in-&-out! 8: Calming all mental activity, I will breathe in-&-out! 9: Experiencing the present mood, I will breathe in-&-out! 10: Elating and satisfying the mind, I will breathe in-&-out! 11: Concentrating and focusing mind, I will breathe in-&-out! 12: Releasing, and liberating the mind, I will breathe in-&-out! 13: Contemplating impermanence, I will breathe in-&-out! 14: Contemplating disillusion, I will breathe in-&-out! 15: Contemplating ceasing, I will breathe in-&-out! 16: He trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe in-&-out! It is, Bhikkhus, when Awareness by Breathing is trained, developed and refined in exactly this way, that it is of great fruit and advantage!"
Comments: These 16 steps should be memorized fully. Print out and bring to pillow! Breath meditation produces both calm (Samatha) and insight (Vipassana) by stilling the bursts of distractions, which obstructs all plans of thinking. It is capable of inducing all the four levels of mental absorption (Jhana). Continuous awareness can be established by this technique, which has no adverse side-effects, is simple yet profound, and especially well suited for those plagued by stress, agitation, restlessness, worries, speculation, anxiety, fear, hesitation, doubts, uncertainty and confusion. Nobody!, who have trained this technique, have ever regretted it! Most just smiles silently... ;-), not without reason, like the Buddha image illustrated below!
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Noticing Doubt-&-Uncertainty (vicikiccha) emerge can make it fade away: Herein, Bhikkhus, when Doubt-&-Uncertainty is present in him, the bhikkhu notes & understands: "There is Doubt-&-Uncertainty in me", and when this Doubt-&-Uncertainty is absent, he similarly notices and understands: "Now no Doubt-&-Uncertainty is in me". He also fully understands how unarisen Doubt-&-Uncertainty arises. He also understands how to leave behind any arisen Doubt-&-Uncertainty, and he understands how left and eliminated Doubt-&-Uncertainty will not arise again in the future. MN 10
What is the feeding cause that makes Doubt-&-Uncertainty arise? There are doubtful, unclear, indeterminable, and inconclusive ambiguities! Often giving irrational and unwise attention to such matters, is the feeding cause of the arising of yet absent Doubt-&-Uncertainty, and the feeding cause of worsening and aggravation of Doubt-&-Uncertainty, that already emerged. SN 46:51
What is the starving cause that makes Doubt-&-Uncertainty cease? There are advantageous & detrimental states, blameable and blameless, average and excellent states, and dark and bright states, frequently giving rational and wise attention to these, is the starving cause for prevention of unarisen Doubt-&-Uncertainty, and the starving cause for the elimination of Doubt-&-Uncertainty, that has already appeared. SN 46:51
Some advantageous reflections regarding Doubt-&-Uncertainty: There are these 6 things, which help to throw out doubt: 1: The state of being learned in the Buddha-Dhamma. 2: Examining the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha. 3: Understanding the advantageousness of Moral Discipline. 4: Being decided and convinced about the 3 Jewels. 5: Sympathetic, clever and helpful friends, who knows directly. 6: Explaining talk and teachings that can dispel doubt.
Doubt-&-Uncertainty is like a Desert: Doubt-&-Uncertainty is just as when a rich man travels through a desolate desert where there is no food and much danger. Freedom from Doubt-&-Uncertainty is like when he has crossed the desert, and gradually reaches safety near a village, a secure place, free from danger. There he is relieved. DN 2
So is it when doubts about one of the 8 objects of doubt has arisen. See # Doubting whether the Master really is a perfectly Enlightened One or not, one cannot become assured of it with confidence. Unconvinced one remains unable to attain to the paths and fruits of Nobility. Thus, as the traveller in the desert is uncertain whether robbers are there or not, he produces in his mind, again & again, a state of wavering & vacillation, a lack of decision, a state of anxiety, and thus he creates in himself an obstacle for reaching the safe ground of the Noble Ones (ariya-bhumi). In that way, is sceptical doubt like travelling in a barren and dry desert!
#: They are, according to the Vibhanga: doubt in regard to the Buddha, the Dhamma, the Sangha, the (threefold) training, the past, the future, and the conditionality of dependently arisen phenomena.
Doubt and uncertainty can only be indecisive about which action to choose and thus paralyzes the skeptic by hesitancy leaving the problem unsettled! Doubt can only be eliminated by examining and scrutinizing the object much.
Once elderly yet undecided brahman Dhotaka asked the Buddha: I see here in the world of beings divine & human, good ones, who lives simply by possessing nothing. I thus bow for you All-around Eye. Please Sakyan, release me from my doubts! The Buddha answered: No one in this world, Dhotaka, can I ever release from doubting. But knowing the most excellent Dhamma, you will cross the raving ocean of vacillating uncertainty. Dhotaka now more confident: I admire, Great Seer, that peace supreme, all stilled, knowing which, living aware and detached, I'll go beyond the imprisoning entanglement of this world. Then I will teach you that peace even right here, not just hearsay words, understanding which, living aware and detached, you will go beyond the incarcerating entanglement of this world.
Teach me as your friend, O best one, the Dhamma of detachment so that I may know directly, so that I, as unaffected as space, may live right here, at ease in peace, calmed, stilled and not dependent on anything... Whatever you are aware of, Dhotaka, above, below, across, or in between; know this as a chain to this world! Thus, do not create any craving for any form of being in existence, any form of new becoming or any non-becoming! Sutta Nipata V 6
Entering the jungle of views and opinions, one will never reach certainty!
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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.
Comments
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Harming others will Hurt yourself!
The Buddha pointed out Harmlessness as the best protection by saying:
I am a friend of the footless,
I am a friend of all bipeds;
I am a friend of those with four feet,
I am a friend of the many-footed!
Anguttara Nikaya 4.67
As I am, so are others...
As others are, so am I...
Having thus identified self with others,
Never harm anyone, nor make any hurt.
Sutta-Nipata 705
Among tigers, lions, leopards and bears I lived in the jungle.
No one was frightened of me, nor did I fear anyone...
Uplifted by such universal friendliness, I enjoyed the forest.
Finding great solace in that sweetly silenced solitude…
Suvanna-sama Jataka 540
More on Harmlessness (Ahimsa):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Harmlessness_and_Tolerance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Blessing_all_Beings_by_Bliss.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unsurpassable_Radiance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Selfless_and_Harmless.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/avihimsaa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/May_all_be_Happy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Genuine_Goodwill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Patient_is_Tolerance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Bon_Benevolence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Not_Killing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Never_Kill.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Protecting others protects yourself!
Happy is Harmlessness!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Happy_Harmlessness.htm
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Gratitude appreciates all assistance!
The Buddha indeed pointed out Gratitude as an important mental quality:
These two people are hard to find in the world. Which two?
The one who is first to do a kindness, and
the one who is grateful and thankful for a kindness done.
Anguttara Nikaya 2.118
I tell you, monks, there are two people who are not easy to repay.
Which two? Your mother & father. Even if you were to carry your mother
on one shoulder & your father on the other shoulder for 100 years, & were
to look after them by anointing, massaging, bathing, & rubbing their limbs,
and they were to defecate and urinate right there on your shoulders, you
would not thereby repay your parents. Even if you were to establish your
mother & father in absolute sovereignty over this great earth, abounding in
the seven treasures, you would not in that way repay your parents!
Why is that? Mothers and fathers do much for their children. They care for
them, they nourish them for long, and they introduce them to this world.
But anyone who rouses his unbelieving mother & father, settles & establishes
them in faith; rouses his immoral mother & father, establishes them in virtue;
rouses his stingy mother & father, settles & establishes them in generosity;
rouses his unwise mother & father, settles & establishes them on a new level
of understanding: It is in this way that one truly repays one's mother's and
father's many longstanding services.
Anguttara Nikaya 2.32
Mother & father, compassionate to their family, are called Brahma, first teachers,
honour them with food & drink, clothing & bedding, and anointing, bathing, washing
their feet. Performing these services to their parents, the wise are praised right
here and after death rejoice in heaven. Itivuttaka 106
If this is what you think of me:
The Blessed One, is sympathetic, is seeking our well-being, teaches us this
Dhamma out of sympathy, then you should train yourself in being in harmony,
cordial, and without conflict and train in yourselves cultivation of all the 37
best mental qualities: The 4_Foundations_of_Awareness, the 4 right efforts,
the 4_Feet_of_Force, the 5 Abilities, 5 powers, the 7 Links to Awakening,
& the Noble_8-Fold_Way. Majjhima Nikaya 103
A Tathagata is worshipped, honoured, respected, thanked & shown gratitude
by any follower, who keeps practicing the Dhamma in accordance with true
Dhamma, who keeps practicing masterfully, who lives in and by the Dhamma!
Digha Nikaya 16
We will undertake & practice those qualities that makes one a contemplative,
so that all those who helped us by services of robes, alms-food, lodging, and
medicines will bring them great fruit and great future reward.
Majjhima Nikaya 39
Comments:
In Pali, the word for gratitude = kataññu literally means to have a sense of
what was done for one in the past even when long ago. Remembering all help!
A network of kindness and gratitude is what sustains whatever goodness
there is and ever will be in this - otherwise destitute & impoverished - world!
Thus: Thank you for reading this!
Source (edited extract): The Lessons of Gratitude by Thanissaro Bhikkhu:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/thanissaro/lessonsofgratitude.html
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Appropriate_Appreciation.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Appropiate Appreciation is Advantageous!
Gracious is Gratitude!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/The_Grace_of_Gratitude.htm
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What is the Equanimity Link to Awakening?
Even evaluation is characteristic of the Equanimity Link to Awakening.
(Upekkha-Sambojjhanga). Preventing both deficiency & excess and
securing impartiality is the function of Equanimity. Imperturbable
ballance is the manifestation of the Equanimity Link to Awakening.
Equanimity just looks on whenever new phenomena arises and ceases.
This stable yet plastic patience purifies all the other advantageous
mental states, which reach maximum, when joined with Equanimity...
Equanimity (Upekkha) is a moderating mental construction.
Equanimity is also a mood of neither gladness nor sadness.
Equanimity is also a feeling of neither pain nor pleasure.
Equanimity is also the neutral ability to be indifferent.
Equanimity is also the 4th infinitely divine dwelling.
Equanimity is also a quite high form of happiness.
Equanimity is also a refined mental purification.
Equanimity is therefore a Link to Enlightenment...
There is Equanimity both regarding live beings and dead things.
There is Equanimity both regarding all internal & external states.
There is Equanimity both regarding all past, present and future.
There is Equanimity both regarding all mentality & all materiality.
The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be
overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by alert & rational attention
develops the Equanimity Link to Awakening based on seclusion, based
on disillusion, on ceasing, culminating in full renouncing relinquishment,
then neither can mental fermentation, nor any fever, nor discontent
ever arise in him. MN2 [i 11]
When mind is concentrated one can observe all closely in equanimity.
The Equanimity Link to Awakening arises right there. He develops it,
and for him repeatedly meditating it goes gradually to the completion
of its development. MN118 [iii 85]
Further inspirations on the imperturbable quality of Equanimity:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Even_is_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/High_and_Alert.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Divorced_Freedom.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Serene_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Empty_Equanimity.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Exquisite_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Equanimity_Upekkha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/u_v/upekkhaa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unshakable_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_7_Links_to_Awakening.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Imperturbable_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Serene_Equanimity_and_Beyond.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/tatra_majjhattataa.htm
Imperturbable is Equanimity...
Equanimity = Upekkhaa!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Equanimity_Upekkha.htm
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 :-) _/\_
The Three Kinds of Mental Purity!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
How, Cunda, is purity of mental action threefold?
1: Herein, someone is all without jealousy, acquisitiveness, and greedy envy.
Whatever another person possesses of goods and property, he does not long
or yearn for it lime this: "Oh may I get what that other person has!"
2: He is free from ill-will since he harbours no angry thoughts in his mind!
Rather he thinks: Oh, may these beings be free from all hate and ill-will,
and may they lead a happy and easy life free from all trouble and harm!
3: He possesses right understanding and this unshakable right view:
result of all advantageous and disadvantageous actions! There is this world,
and there is the next world. There are duties towards father and mother.
There are spontaneously reborn beings. There are in this world recluses and
monks of right, pure and perfect living, who have themselves understood and
directly realized both this very world and the next, and are able to explain
them both....This is the threefold mental purity, Cunda!
More on Mental Purification (Visuddhi)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ability_Purification.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_7_Purifications.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Immaculate_Integrity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/u_v/visuddhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Levels_of_Leaving_Behind.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_8_Understandings.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_purpose_of_purification.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_7_stages_of_Purification.htm
Source (edited extract):
Numerical Discourses of the Buddha. Anguttara Nikaya AN 10:176
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/Index.Numerical.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Mental Purity Entails Peace, Freedom & Happiness!
Mental Purity!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mental_Purity.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 :-) _/\_
Winning Calm & Serene Bliss by Breathing..!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, this sweet concentration by Awareness by Breathing, when it is
developed and cultivated, is peaceful and sublime, an ambrosial pleasant
dwelling in itself, and it disperses and quells right on the very spot all evil
detrimental mental states, whenever and wherever they arise...!
Exactly as in a hot summer month, when a cloud of dust and dirt has been
swirled up, then a sudden great & heavy rainfall makes it vanish by quelling
it on the spot, so too does this concentration by Awareness by Breathing,
when developed and cultivated often, and which is peaceful and sublime,
an ambrosial pleasant dwelling in itself, disperse, scatter, evaporate and
quell right on the spot all evil & disadvantageous mental states whenever &
wherever they arise. And how is this so? Bhikkhus, when one have gone to
the forest, or to the root of a tree, or to an empty hut, there & then one
sits down cross-legged, having straightened one's body and back, & set
up awareness around the nostrils, then just plainly aware of only that
breathing itself one breathes in, and just solely aware of only that very
breathing itself one breathes out... Feeling only the touch of air passing!
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!
It is in exactly this way, Friends & Bhikkhus, that this fine concentration
by Awareness by Breathing is developed & cultivated so that it indeed is
peaceful and sublime, an ambrosial pleasant dwelling in itself! And it is in
this way that it disperses and quells on the spot all evil detrimental states
whenever and wherever they arise!
More on this sublime technique used by all Buddhas at Awakening:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unique_Thing_Awareness_by_Breathing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Concentration.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Awareness_by_Breathing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Concentration_Samadhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/Manual/Meditation.Manual.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/anapana_sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_IV.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_III.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_II.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_I.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/pdfs/anapanasati.pdf
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:321-22]
section 54: Anapanasamyutta. Thread 9: At Vesali!
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Breathing Meditation Offers Calm Clarity!
On the Spot!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Peaceful_and_Sublime_on_the_Spot.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 :-) _/\_
How is constant Awareness Established only by Breathing?
Sitting cross-legged, with straight back, elevated chin, in a silent place, the
yogi remains focusing all attention on the touch point of air in his nostrils:
Fully aware one inhales and fully aware one exhales...
When inhaling a long breath, one notices that...
When exhaling a long breath, one notices that...
When inhaling a short breath, one notices that...
When exhaling a short breath, one notices that...
Experiencing the whole body, one inhales...
Experiencing the whole body, one exhales...
Calming all bodily activity, one inhales...
Calming all bodily activity, one exhales...
One trains thus: Experiencing joyous rapture, I will inhale...
One trains thus: Experiencing joyous rapture, I will exhale...
One trains thus: Experiencing a happy pleasure, I will inhale...
One trains thus: Experiencing a happy pleasure, I will exhale...
One trains thus: Experiencing all mental activity, I will inhale...
One trains thus: Experiencing all mental activity, I will exhale...
One trains thus: Calming all mental activity, I will inhale...
One trains thus: Calming all mental activity, I will exhale...
One trains thus: Experiencing all mentality as mood, I will inhale...
One trains thus: Experiencing all mentality as mood, I will exhale...
One trains thus: Satisfying and gladdening the mind, I will inhale...
One trains thus: Satisfying and gladdening the mind, I will exhale...
One trains thus: Focusing the mind by concentration, I will inhale...
One trains thus: Focusing the mind by concentration, I will exhale...
One trains thus: Releasing the mind from hindrance, I will inhale...
One trains thus: Releasing the mind from hindrance, I will exhale...
One trains thus: Considering the impermanence of change, I will inhale...
One trains thus: Considering the impermanence of change, I will exhale...
One trains thus: Considering the detachment in disillusion, I will inhale...
One trains thus: Considering the detachment in disillusion, I will exhale...
One trains thus: Considering the stilling within cessation, I will inhale...
One trains thus: Considering the stilling within cessation, I will exhale...
One trains thus: Considering open and freed relinquishing, I will inhale...
One trains thus: Considering open and freed relinquishing, I will exhale...
This is how continuous Awareness is established just by breathing!!!
Breathing meditation can bring the yogi into 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Jhana...
It is a unique praxis used by all Buddhas at their very Enlightenment!!!
Details are found in this Meditation Manual:
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/pdfs/anapanasati.pdf
More on Awareness by Breathing (Anapana-sati):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_I.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_II.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/1_Producing_4.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_IV.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_III.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Four_Fulfilling_Seven.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Magnificent_Meditation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/anapana_sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_the_Breath.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:
Middle Length Sayings of the Buddha. Majjhima Nikaya 118 Anapanasati:
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=25072X
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/majjhima/mn118.html
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Calm Breathing Focuses your Attention!
Breath Meditation!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Awareness_by_Breathing.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 :-) _/\_
All Buddhas Awakened by Breath Meditation!
It has aspects both of serene calm (Samatha) & incisive insight (Vipassana).
It is extraordinarily advantageous to train this unique breathing technique.
Can recommend this booklet about standard Breathing Meditation very much:
Mindfulness of Breathing. Classic Anapanasati meditation manual of the root
Pali texts translated by Bhikkhu Ñanamoli. BPS. 1998.
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/pdfs/anapanasati.pdf
The ideal is when Calm and Insight goes hand in hand, as if yoked together!
More on this both simple yet quite profound Breathing Meditation:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_I.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_II.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_IV.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_III.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Awareness_by_Breathing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_the_Breath.htm
More on Insight (Vipassana):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Calm_and_Insight.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/In_this_very_Life.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Highway_to_Nibbana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_18_Principal_Insights.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Breathing_Calm_and_Insight.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Mental Calm induces incisive Insight...
Calm and Insight!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Breathing_Calm_and_Insight.htm
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 Only Clever Killing:
Sakka - the king of the 33 divinities - once
spoke these verses to the Blessed Buddha:
Having slain what, does one sleep in ease?
Having slain what, does one never sorrow?
What is the one thing 0ohh Gotama
Whose killing you can approve?
The Blessed One:
Having slain Anger, one sleeps in ease;
Having slain Anger, one does not sorrow
The killing of Anger, 0ohh Vasava
With its poisoned root and honeyed tip:
This is the killing, the Noble Ones approve.
For having slain that, one does not grieve.
Sakka continued:
I am not one easily upset in mind.
Nor easily agitated by anger's whirl.
I never become angry for long
Nor does anger hang on in me.
When angry, I do not despise.
Nor do I praise own qualities.
I keep myself well under control.
Thus protecting my own good future!
Therefore: Bring Anger under control;
Do not let your friendships waste away.
Do not blame the one who is blameless;
Do not speak splitting or divisive speech.
Their own anger crushes enraged people.
Like the roaring mountain avalanche!
Do not let Anger overpower you;
Do not become angry with the angry.
Noble Ones always remain harmless.
Their own hate crushes angry people.
Like a devastating mountain avalanche.
FUEL ON FIRE ?
Not by anger is Hate ever quenched.
Only by Kind Friendliness is Hate always quenched.
This Ancient Law is an Eternal Truth ...
Dhammapada Illustration 5 Background Story 5
More on Anger (A Diluted Derivative of Hate = Dosa):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_to_Cure_Cruelty_and_Revengefulness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_to_Cure_Anger_and_Irritation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Elimination_of_Anger.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_to_Cure_Ill_Will.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Anger_and_Irritation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Subduing_Irritation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Appeasing_Anger.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Boiling_but_burnt.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/No_Revenge.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Break_Anger.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Slaying_Anger.htm
Source: The Grouped sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya I 237-40
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
What is the only Clever Killing?
Kill Anger!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Slaying_Anger.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 :-) _/\_
Curing the agitated Restlessness and the anxious Regret!
Noticing Restlessness-&-Regret arise can make it fade away:
When Restlessness-&-Regret is present, the bhikkhu notes & understands:
There is Restlessness-&-Regret in me, while when Restlessness-&-Regret is
absent, then he notes & understands: No Restlessness-&-Regret is in me.
He also understands well how unarisen Restlessness-&-Regret arises.
He understands how to leave behind any arisen Restlessness-&-Regret, and
he understands how left Restlessness-&-Regret will not arise again. MN 10
What is the feeding cause that makes Restlessness-&-Regret arise?
There are unrest, unsettledness, nervous unease, agitation & anxiety, often
giving irrational & unwise attention to such states, this is the feeding cause
of the arising of unarisen Restlessness-&-Regret, & the feeding cause of
worsening and exacerbation of already arisen Restlessness-&-Regret.
SN 46:51
What is the starving cause that makes Restlessness-&-Regret cease?
There is the mental state of serene tranquillity, calm, quietude, stillness,
imperturbability, peace, frequently giving rational & wise attention to this
exquisite mental state, is the starving cause for the non-arising of unarisen
Restlessness-&-Regret, & the starving cause for the dampening and calming
of Restlessness-&-Regret, that has already been stirred up. SN 46:51
Advantageous reflections whenever Restlessness-&-Regret is provoked:
When the mind is restless, it is the proper time for cultivating the following
factors of enlightenment: Tranquillity, Concentration and Equanimity,
because an agitated mind can easily be quietened by them.
SN 46:53
Restlessness-&-Regret is like Slavery:
Just as when a man is a slave, not independent, but dependent on others,
unable to go where he likes, exactly & even so is restlessness since it forces
one into unwanted activity & destroys any ease & calm. Later he is set free
from slavery, is now independent, no longer dependent, a freeman who can
go where he wants. And at that he rejoices, is glad at heart...
Such is also the blissful freedom from restlessness.
DN 2
Deliberately Directing to a Conscious and Clever Centre of Concentration:
Herein, Ananda, a Bhikkhu attends to this single Focus:
This is Real, this is Supreme, namely:
The Stilling of all mental Construction,
The Calming of all Restless Activity,
The Fading of all Concern and Anxiety,
The Cooling of all Temptation and Urge,
The Ending of all Longing and Craving,
The Exhaustion of all Fuel of Becoming,
Ceasing, Peace, Bliss, Freedom, Nibbana …
AN V 319
DOING GOOD = NO REGRET!
Here and now the good-doer rejoices! :-)
Even so after passing away and re-emerging,
the doer of good reaps only Joy & ease...
So both here and beyond, the wise with merit well done,
enjoys the purity of own prior good behaviour.
Dhammapada 15
DOING BAD = MUCH REGRET!
Here and now the bad-doer suffers... :-(
Even so after passing away and re-emerging,
the doer of wrong reaps only pain and regret...
So both here and beyond, the evil wrongdoing fool
suffers the painful results of prior bad behaviour.
Dhammapada 16
Restlessness-&-regret is followed by worry, anxiety, agitation and attention deficit!
On Restlessness and Regret (uddhacca and kukkucca) versus Calm:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Forest_Bliss.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suitable_Substitution.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Tranquillity_Passaddhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Restlessness_and_Regret.htm
Have a nice, noble and calm day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Restless Regret Fractures all Attention!
Restlessness & Regret scatters the Mind!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Curing_Restlessness_and_Regret.htm
Restlessness-&-regret is followed by worry, anxiety, agitation and attention deficit!
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 :-) _/\_
How is the Unconditioned State?
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, the absence of all greed, all hate, and all ignorance:
This, friends, is called the Uncreated, the Unconditioned, the Uninclined,
the Unattracted, the Unmanifested, the Infinite, the absolute Freedom,
the Further Shore, the Subtle, the Inconceivable, the Ageless, the Unity,
the Permanent, the Beyond of all diversity, the Peaceful, the Deathless...,
the Sublime Sameness, the Wonderful, the Sweet Safety, the Fantastic,
the Sorrowless, the Refuge, the Unoppressed, the Detached, the Release,
the Island..., the Shelter..., the Final State..., the Highest Bliss: Nibbana...
Samyutta Nikaya. 43:12-44
There exists indeed, Bhikkhus, that which is unborn, unbecome, uncreated,
that which is uncaused and unconditioned…
For if there were not, Bhikkhus, that which is unborn, unbecome, uncreated,
that which is uncaused & unconditioned, there could not be known here the
absolute escape from that, which is born, from that which is become, from
that which is created, from that which is conditioned...
However, since there indeed exists, this still sublime state, which is unborn,
which is unbecome, which is uncreated, and absolutely unconditioned, there
can therefore right now be made known the complete escape from all that,
which is born, from that, which is created, from that, which is conditioned...
Itivuttaka: 43
More on this Sublime and Supreme Bliss:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Final_Freedom.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Reaching_Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/climax_of_calm.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Nibbana_Still.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/IV/The_Unborn_State.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Signless_Nibbana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Imperturbable_Equanimity.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Sweet is Singular Sameness!
The Uncreated!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/The_Uncreated.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 :-) _/\_
Gradually Dawns the Dhamma!
The Buddha once told Ananda:
Ananda, it is not easy to teach the Dhamma to others.
One should consider five things before teaching Dhamma to others.
What five? One should teach thinking:
1: I will teach the Dhamma gradually starting with the most simple.
2: I will teach about the cause & effect of doing what is advantageous.
3: I will teach from and about gentle kindness out of genuine sympathy.
4: I will teach Dhamma not for the sake of gain, fame or admiration.
5: I will teach Dhamma without hurting or harming myself and others.
Ananda, it is not easy to teach the Dhamma to others. One should
consider these five things before teaching Dhamma to others.
Anguttara Nikaya III.184
Just as the ocean has a gradual deepening sloping off the continental
shelf, with a sudden drop-off only after a long stretch, exactly in the
same way, is this Doctrine and Discipline (dhamma-vinaya) a gradual
training, a gradual development, a gradual progression, with a sudden
penetration to understanding only after a long stretch. Udana 5.5
The Buddha's teaching is build upon this way of gradual development.
His method of "gradual instruction" (anupubbi-katha), and "gradual
training" (anupubbi-sikkha) makes the practitioner at each stage of
development discover new and ever deeper & more important aspects
of the law of cause-&-effect kamma, the cornerstone of Right View.
More on Dhamma (as Discrete States ao. aspects):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/ontology.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_Boat.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Discrete_States.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Discrete_States.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Dhamma_Presence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/dhamma.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Dhamma_Contemplation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Momentary_Consciousness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Omniscient_Quantum_Mind.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/No_Substance_'Out_There'.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Gradually Dawns the Dhamma!
Gradual is the Dhamma Teaching!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Gradual_Teaching.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 :-) _/\_
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 day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Laziness is a Disaster of Mental Mud!
Lethargy and Laziness...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Curing_Lethargy_and_Laziness.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 :-) _/\_
The Joy (Pîti) Link to Awakening!
The Joy Link to Awakening (Piti-sambojjhanga) has the characteristic
of suffusing contentment, and the property of gladdening satisfaction.
This Joy Link to Awakening manifests as mental elation, which can reach
five successively increasing degrees of intensity:
1: Minor Joy, which can raise the hair on the body when thrilled.
2: Momentary Joy, which is flashing like lightning at various occasions.
3: Showering Joy, which breaks over the body repeatedly like sea-waves.
4: Uplifting Joy, which can be strong enough to even levitate the body.
5: Pervading Joy, which is like a heavy sponge all saturated with water.
Visuddhimagga IV 94-9
The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be
overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by careful & rational attention
develops the Joy Link to Awakening based on seclusion, on disillusion,
on ceasing, & culminating in relinquishment, then neither can any mental
fermentation, nor any fever, or discontent ever arise in him. MN2 [i 11]
In one who has aroused enthusiastic energy, there arises a joy not of
this world & the Joy Link to Awakening emerges there. He develops it,
& for him it goes to the culmination of its development. MN118 [iii 85]
Any one convinced by understanding of Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha,
gets an enthusiastic sense of the sublime good goal of Nibbana &
gains gladness connected, joined, and fused with this Dhamma...!
In any one gladdened, Joy is born. The body of the Joyous is calmed.
One of calm body experiences pleasure and happiness! The mind of
one who is happy becomes concentrated. The concentrated mind
sees and knows things as they really are. This brings disgust and
disillusion, which enables full direct experience of mental release.
It is in this way that Joy indeed is a factor leading to Awakening!
MN [i 37-8], AN [iii 21-3], DN [iii 21-3]
Further inspirations on the elevating & ecstatic quality of Joy (Piti):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Happiness_of_the_Flesh_and_Beyond.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Joys_of_the_Flesch_and_Beyond.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Joys_Beyond_This_World.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Alert_Elevated_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Joy.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Joy is a link to Enlightenment!
Floated by Joy :-)
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/III/Joy_Piti.htm
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 One thus come & thus gone!
The Buddha once explained:
Bhikkhus, this world has been fully understood by the Tathagata.
The Tathagata is completely released from this world.
The origin of this world has been fully understood by the Tathagata.
The origin of this world has been completely abandoned by the Tathagata.
The ceasing of this world has been fully understood by the Tathagata.
The ceasing of this world has been completely realized by the Tathagata.
The way leading to the ceasing of this world has been fully understood by
the Tathagata and this way has been completely developed by the Tathagata.
Bhikkhus, in the world with its devas, maras, and brahmas, with its recluses
and priests, among humankind with its princes and people, whatever is seen,
heard, sensed, cognized, attained, sought, and reflected upon by the mind,
all that is fully understood by the Tathagata. It is therefore he is called the
Tathagata. Bhikkhus, from the night when the Tathagata awakened to this
unsurpassable perfect enlightenment & until the night, when he passes away
into the Nibbana-element with no trace left, whatever he speaks, says, and
explains all that is true, correct, just and exactly so and not otherwise at all!
It is therefore he is called the Tathagata. As the Tathagata says, so he does.
As the Tathagata does, so he says. It is therefore he is called the Tathagata.
In the world with its devas, maras, and brahmas, with its recluses and priests,
among humankind with its princes and people, the Tathagata is the conqueror,
the undefeated, the all-seeing, the wielder of power.
It is therefore he is called the Tathagata!
Itivuttaka 112
Full text here:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/iti/iti.4.106-112x.irel.html#iti-112
Comments:
The designation Tathagata has 2 (contracted) meanings:
Tatha + gata = Thus come (to Enlightenment)
Tath + agata = Thus gone (beyond to Nibbana)
More on the Buddha:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/sammaa_sambodhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/How-2-Meet_Buddha_Metteyya.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_10_Future_Buddhas.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Buddha_Contemplation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/me_mu/metteyya.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sumedhas_Similes.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/Metteyya/arimet00.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_Blessed_One.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Master_Presence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Life_of_Buddha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/SammaSambuddho.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/b/buddha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Well_Gone.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Worthy, honourable & perfectly self-Enlightened is the Buddha!
The Tathagata!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/The_Tathagata.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 :-) _/\_
How to be a Real Buddhist through Observance?
Durutu Poya day is the full-moon of January. This holy day celebrates
the first visit of the Buddha to Sri Lanka. The Buddha visited the very
place, where the present magnificent Mahiyangana Stupa was built to
enshrine the Buddha's hair relics and the collar bone. For Details see:
http://www.buddhanet.net/sacred-island/mahiyangana.html and
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/ma/mahiyangana.htm
On such Full-Moon Uposatha Poya Observance days:
Any Lay Buddhist simply joins the Three Refuges and undertakes the
Five Precepts like this: Newly bathed, shaved, white-clothed, with clean
bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue, and bows first
three times, so that feet, hands, elbows, knees & head touch the floor.
Then, with joined palms at the heart, one recites these memorized lines
in a loud, calm & steady voice:
As long as this life lasts:
I hereby take refuge in the Buddha.
I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma.
I hereby take refuge in the Sangha.
I hereby seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time.
I hereby request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time.
I will hereby respect these Three Jewels the rest of my life!
I accept to respect & undertake these 5 training rules:
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Killing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Stealing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Sexual Abuse.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Dishonesty.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Alcohol & Drugs.
As long as this life lasts, I am thus protected by these 5 precepts...
Then, one keeps and protects these sacred vows better than one's
own eyes & children!, since they protect you & all other beings much
better than any army! They are the highest offer one can give in & to
this world! So is the start towards Nibbana: the Deathless Element!
This is the Noble Way to Peace, to Freedom, to Ease, to Happiness,
initiated by Morality, developed further by Dhamma-Study and
fulfilled by training of Meditation...
Today indeed is Pooya or uposatha or observance day, where any lay
Buddhist normally keeps even the Eight Precepts from sunrise until the
next dawn... If any wish an official recognition by the Bhikkhu-Sangha,
they may simply forward the lines starting with "I hereby ..." signed with
name, date, town, & country to me or join here. A public list of this new
quite rapidly growing global Saddhamma-Sangha is set up here!
The New Noble Community of Buddha's Disciples: Saddhamma Sangha:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Saddhamma_Sangha.htm
Can quite advantageously be Joined Here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm
May your journey hereby be light, swift, and sweet. Never give up !!
Bhikkhu Samahita: what.buddha.said@gmail.com
For Details on The Origin of Uposatha Observance Days:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/uposatha.html
Have a nice observance day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
How to be a Real Buddhist by Observance?
Duruthu Poya Day!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Durutu_Poya_Day.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 :-) _/\_
The 8 Thoughts of a Great Man!
The Buddha once explained to Ven. Anuruddha:
What are the 8 thoughts of a great man?
1: This Dhamma is for one who is modest, not for one who wants much.
2; This Dhamma is for one who is content, not for one who is discontent.
3: This Dhamma is for one who is reclusive, not for the socializing parrot.
4: This Dhamma is for one who is enthusiastic, not for one who is lazy.
5: This Dhamma is for one who is aware, not for one who is distracted.
6: This Dhamma is for one who is focused, not for one who is scattered.
7: This Dhamma is for one who understands, not for one who is confused.
8: This Dhamma is for one who enjoys unity, not for one who seeks diversity.
When you think these 8 thoughts of a great man, then you can always easily
attain the four jhanas, that provides a pleasant dwelling right here and now!
Secondly, your rag-robe & simple alms-food, your dwelling at the tree-root,
your bed on a spread of grass, and your smelling medicine will seem to you
as the best of the best. Therefore will you live contented, in sweet delight,
satisfied, dwelling in calm comfort, not agitated, and thus approach release.
Anguttara Nikaya IV 227 (edited excerpt)
Full text here:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an08/an08.030.than.html
Comments:
Later during this Rains Retreat in the Eastern Bamboo Park, Ven. Anuruddha
dwelling alone, secluded, alert, ardent, & resolute, in no long time reached &
remained in that supreme goal of the holy life for which clansmen rightly go
forth into homelessness, and directly experiencing it himself he understood:
"Rebirth is ended, this Noble life is completed, what should be done is done.
There is no further state in this world." And thus Ven. Anuruddha became
another one of the Arahats.
More on Ven. Anuruddha Buddha's cousin & one of his most eminent disciples.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/ay/anuruddha.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Great Thinking Produces Great Future!
The 8 Great Thoughts!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_8_Great_Thoughts.htm
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 :-) _/\_
Equanimity gives delicate Peace & Happiness!
Equanimity (Upekkha) entails a composed equipoise of solid mental balance!
It is Tatra-majjhattata = keeping to the moderate middle of all phenomena.
Equanimity balances consciousness so it prevents both all excessiveness and
any deficiency. In equanimity mind is neither attracted by attractive things,
nor repelled by repulsive things. The cause of equanimity is seeing the law of
kamma: All beings are born and created by their kamma, they are owners of
their kamma, inherit their kamma, whatever they do, whether good or bad,
the effects of that will be theirs only, following them like a shadow of past!
The effect of Equanimity is threefold:
Exquisite, relaxed & subtle peace felt as calm happiness is instantly gained.
Equanimity purifies and completes all the 7 crucial Links to Awakening...
Equanimity is the proximate cause of knowledge and vision (ñanadassana)!
On the solidified & imperturbable mental balance of Equanimity (Upekkha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/tatra_majjhattataa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Serene_Equanimity_and_Beyond.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Imperturbable_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unshakable_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/u_v/upekkhaa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Equanimity_Upekkha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Empty_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Serene_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/High_and_Alert.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/What_is_Wrong.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Even_is_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Safe_Medicine.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Equanimity induces serene Peace!
Exquisite is Equanimity!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Exquisite_Equanimity.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 :-) _/\_
Regarding Rebirth and Transmigration:
What the Buddha taught on rebirth is well documented:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.135.than.html
Causes of favourable or painful rebirth: MN 135, AN III.65, Dhp 310, Dhp 316
Behaviour determines the destination after death: Dhp 17, Dhp 18, Dhp 240
The laws of kamma are as inviolable as the law of gravity: SN XLII.6
Why not just settle for divine rebirth among the devas?: SN V.7
The preciousness of our human life: SN XX.2, SN LVI.48
How to gain rebirth as an elephant or a horse: AN X.177
What's so bad about being reborn?: SN V.6
An Orthodox Buddhist explanation of the transmigration of consciousness:
Rebirth Explained: V. F. Gunaratna, BPS, Kandy, Wheel Publication No. 167-69
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/Wheels/wh_167_169.html
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/Wheels/wh_167_168_169.pdf
The contemporary Science on Rebirth:
Rebirth is IMHO scientifically well documented by 60 years of rigorous
research mostly by the late professor Ian Stevenson of Virginia University:
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/personalitystudies/
Consciousness is not continuous, but a series of discrete ultra-short moments.
This entails that one is "reborn" millions of times per second with each re-arising
of a new moment of consciousness! Also after the 'death' moment does consciousness
rearise! Life is -in fact- therefore not a single shot, but a chain-reaction of rebirths!
Please EXAMINE this crucial issue by WATCHING & REFLECTING over these Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/RutherfordInstitute#p/search/0/YLKT5UsKoqM
http://www.ial.goldthread.com/clips/tucker.wmv
http://www.ial.goldthread.com/interviews.html
Please enjoy study here for rare details on Rebirth:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Rare_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Divine_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Animal_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Samsaric_Dread.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Minor_Hells.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Hell_Destiny.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Five_Destinations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_5_Destinations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Kamma_and_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Samsaric_Round.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mad_Demon_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Human_Being_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Hungry_Ghost_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/What_passes_on_by_Rebirth-Linking.htm
Have a nice & noble reborn day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Really Real is Rebirth...
Rebirth Explained!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rebirth.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 :-) _/\_
The 8 Pleasures of the Reclusive Sage:
The absence of possessions and possessiveness...
Blameless daily begging of alms food...
Content, calm and composed with modest needs...
Detached ease regarding all phenomena...
Fearlessness of robbery, violence and loss...
Freedom from government, and taxation...
Freedom from bosses, and administrators...
Unobstructed in all directions and realms...
JOY
Oh let us live happily! Freed from aversion,
going even among those, who hate. Among
those in anger, let us live free from all anger.
Dhammapada 197
CONTENTED
Oh let us live happily! Freed from discontent,
going easy among those, who want ever more.
Among those dissatisfied let us live free from
any discontent.
Dhammapada 198
NOTHING
Oh let us live happily! Having nothing at all!
Let us feed on Joy, just like the bright shining Devas.
Dhammapada 200
GREAT
Health is the greatest gain.
Contentment is the greatest treasure.
Confidence is the greatest company.
Nibbana is the greatest Bliss ...
Dhammapada 204
SWEET
The one who has tasted the sweetness of solitude
in cooled calm, such one fears not, wrongdo not,
as so indeed is the sweetness of the joy of Dhamma.
Dhammapada 205
On Joy (Piti):
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
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Reclusive Bliss = Samana-Sukha!
Calm => Happy :-)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Samana-Sukha.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 :-) _/\_
What is Suffering?
At Savatthi. Sitting to one side, the Venerable Radha said to the Blessed One:
Venerable sir, it is said, 'suffering, suffering', What now, venerable sir, is suffering?
Radha, all form is suffering, all feeling is suffering, all perception is suffering,
all intentional mental formation is suffering, and consciousness itself is suffering.
Understanding this, Bhikkhu, a well instructed Noble Disciple experiences disgust
towards any form, disgust towards any feeling, disgust towards any perception,
disgust towards any mental construction, & disgust towards consciousness itself!
Experiencing disgust, he becomes disillusioned! Through this disillusion his mind
is released. When mind is released, one instantly knows: This mind is liberated,
and one understands: Extinguished is rebirth, this Noble Life is all completed,
done is what should be done, there is no state of being beyond this...
Comments:
These 5 clusters of clinging are what denotes both the internal 'individual'
and the 'external' real world. However as they continually change, no same
internal 'self'= identity or external 'substance'= reality can ever be found!
Since always changing they are always lost and therefore are they always
ultimately speaking suffering! An inner mental prison of craving for something
inevitably, unambiguously & spontaneously vanishing! A fever of folly obsession…
The Suffering and Imprisonment is NOT outside, but inside in our mind!
More on Suffering = Dukkha
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Source_of_What.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/What_is_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Origin_of_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Contemplating_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_3_kinds_of_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Contemplating_Suffering_2.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_1st_Noble_Truth_on_Suffering.htm
Source:
The Grouped Sayings by the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya 22:55 III 185
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
Life comes at a price...
What is Suffering?
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Cause_of_Identity_View.htm
If glad-2-get Early Buddhism by e-mail including pictures
and embedded (recommended) then click join here:
http://groups.google.com/group/what_buddha_said
Have a nice, noble and easy day!
Bhikkhu Samahita :-) _/\_
What is simple & straight, yet also very intricate?
Once the Blessed Buddha said this:
This Noble Truth of Suffering has been made known by me;
This Noble Truth on The Cause of Suffering has been made known by me;
This Noble Truth on The End of Suffering has been made known by me;
This Noble Truth on The Way to End Suffering has been made known by me!
Within these 4 Noble Truths there are innumerable meanings & implications,
a myriad of shades & nuances and countless aspects, features and details...
Therefore, Bhikkhu, an effort should be made much of to understand:
All this is Suffering; an effort should be made much of to comprehend:
Craving is the Cause of Suffering! An effort should be made so to realize:
No Craving is the End of Suffering! An effort should be made to penetrate,
remember, and develop: This Noble 8-fold Way which ceases all Suffering...
More on these 4 Noble Truths (Cattari Ariya Saccani):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ignorance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/True_Wisdom.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Clustered_Truths.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Ultimate_Fact.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_4_Noble_Truths.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sour_Sense_Sources.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_1st_Noble_Truth_on_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_2nd_Noble_Truth_on_The_Cause_of_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_3rd_Noble_Truth_on_The_Ceasing_of_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_4th_Noble_Truth_on_The_Way_to_End_Suffering.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:430]
section 56: Saccasamyutta. Thread 19: Implications...
The 4 Noble Truths evaporates Ignorance...
Simple yet Complex!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Simple_yet_Complex.htm
If glad-2-get Early Buddhism by e-mail including pictures
and embedded links (recommended) then click join here:
http://groups.google.com/group/what_buddha_said
Have a nice, noble and easy day!
Bhikkhu Samahita :-) _/\_
How to train endless Pity and Compassion!
Sitting alone, in silence, each early morning, with closed eyes, one wishes:
May I radiate and meet with only infinite pity, sympathy, and compassion!
May I & all the various beings on the 31 levels of existence develop & find
only this genuine gentleness of infinite pity, sympathy, and compassion!
May I & all beings on the sense-desire, fine-material, & the formless plane
develop & encounter this tender infinite pity, sympathy, and compassion!
May I & all beings in the front, to the right, the back, the left & below as
above develop & experience caring infinite pity, sympathy, & compassion!
May I & all beings in this city, country, and universe always be fully aware
and deeply mindful of this warm infinite pity, sympathy, and compassion!
May I & all beings in this city, country, and universe examine all details &
subtle aspects of this benevolent infinite pity, sympathy, and compassion!
May I & all beings in this city, country, & universe put enthusiastic effort
in their praxis of this affectionate infinite pity, sympathy, & compassion!
May I & all beings in this city, country and universe find enraptured joy &
jubilant gladness in this fond infinite pity, sympathy, and compassion!
May I & all beings in this city, country, & universe cultivate the tranquillity
of quiet, silent, stilled, & endlessly merciful pity, sympathy, & compassion!
May I & all beings in this city, country and universe attain concentrated &
absorbed one-pointedness by this infinite pity, sympathy, and compassion!
May I & all beings in this city, country, and universe dwell in imperturbable
equanimity joined with this loving infinite pity, sympathy, and compassion...
Yeah! Print this out, dwell in each state until clear, use ~ 25-45 minutes.
Comment: All-Embracing Pity is the 2nd infinitely divine state (Appamañña)
This gradually reduces all aggressiveness, cruelty, ferocity, viciousness,
rage, inner & outer violence, and unhappiness related with these states.
Joined with the 7 links to Awakening it will later cause formless jhanas...
More on Pity (Karuna = Compassion):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Karuna_is_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Safe_Medicine.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/What_is_Wrong.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Great_Compassion.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Compassionate_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Space_Compassion.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
Karunã is All-Embracing Pity!
An Endless and Divine State...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/Endless_Pity.htm
If glad-2-get Early Buddhism by e-mail including pictures
and embedded links (recommended) then click join here:
http://groups.google.com/group/what_buddha_said
Have a nice, noble and easy day!
Bhikkhu Samahita :-) _/\_
Awareness by Breathing is a Unique Thing!
Once in Savatthi the Blessed Buddha said this:
"Bhikkhus, there is one unique thing, which when trained and cultivated,
is of great fruit and great advantage. What is that one unique thing?
It is Awareness by Breathing (Anapanasati)! And how, Bhikkhus, is
this Awareness by Breathing trained, developed, cultivated and refined
so that it is of really great fruit and of immense long-term advantage?
Bhikkhus, when a Bhikkhu, who have gone to the forest, or to the
root of a tree, or to an empty hut, then he 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 itself, he breathes out...
1: Breathing in long, he knows, notes and understands: I inhale long!
Breathing out long, he knows, notes and understands: I exhale long!
2: Breathing in short, he knows, notes and understands: I inhale short!
Breathing out short, he knows, notes and understands: I exhale short!
3: He trains thus: Experiencing the entire body, I will breathe in-&-out!
4: Calming all bodily activity, I will breathe in-&-out!
5: Experiencing enraptured joy, I will breathe in-&-out!
6: Experiencing a happy pleasure, I will breathe in-&-out!
7: Experiencing all mental activity, I will breathe in-&-out!
8: Calming all mental activity, I will breathe in-&-out!
9: Experiencing the present mood, I will breathe in-&-out!
10: Elating and satisfying the mind, I will breathe in-&-out!
11: Concentrating and focusing mind, I will breathe in-&-out!
12: Releasing, and liberating the mind, I will breathe in-&-out!
13: Contemplating impermanence, I will breathe in-&-out!
14: Contemplating disillusion, I will breathe in-&-out!
15: Contemplating ceasing, I will breathe in-&-out!
16: He trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe in-&-out!
It is, Bhikkhus, when Awareness by Breathing is trained, developed
and refined in exactly this way, that it is of great fruit and advantage!"
Comments:
These 16 steps should be memorized fully. Print out and bring to pillow!
Breath meditation produces both calm (Samatha) and insight (Vipassana)
by stilling the bursts of distractions, which obstructs all plans of thinking.
It is capable of inducing all the four levels of mental absorption (Jhana).
Continuous awareness can be established by this technique, which has no
adverse side-effects, is simple yet profound, and especially well suited
for those plagued by stress, agitation, restlessness, worries, speculation,
anxiety, fear, hesitation, doubts, uncertainty and confusion. Nobody!,
who have trained this technique, have ever regretted it! Most just smiles
silently... ;-), not without reason, like the Buddha image illustrated below!
The Anapana-sati meditation technique is used by all Buddhas at Awakening:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Awareness_by_Breathing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_the_Breath.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/anapana_sati.htm
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/library/pdfs/anapanasati.pdf
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_IV.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_II.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_I.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:311]
section 54: Anapanasamyutta. Thread 1: A Unique Thing!
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
One Single Thing!
Unique is Awareness by Breathing!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unique_Thing_Awareness_by_Breathing.htm
If glad-2-get Early Buddhism by e-mail including pictures
and embedded links (recommended) then click join here:
http://groups.google.com/group/what_buddha_said
Have a nice, noble and easy day!
Bhikkhu Samahita :-) _/\_
How to cure hesitant Doubt and Uncertainty!
Noticing Doubt-&-Uncertainty (vicikiccha) emerge can make it fade away:
Herein, Bhikkhus, when Doubt-&-Uncertainty is present in him, the bhikkhu
notes & understands: "There is Doubt-&-Uncertainty in me", and when this
Doubt-&-Uncertainty is absent, he similarly notices and understands: "Now
no Doubt-&-Uncertainty is in me". He also fully understands how unarisen
Doubt-&-Uncertainty arises. He also understands how to leave behind any
arisen Doubt-&-Uncertainty, and he understands how left and eliminated
Doubt-&-Uncertainty will not arise again in the future. MN 10
What is the feeding cause that makes Doubt-&-Uncertainty arise?
There are doubtful, unclear, indeterminable, and inconclusive ambiguities!
Often giving irrational and unwise attention to such matters, is the feeding
cause of the arising of yet absent Doubt-&-Uncertainty, and the feeding
cause of worsening and aggravation of Doubt-&-Uncertainty, that already
emerged. SN 46:51
What is the starving cause that makes Doubt-&-Uncertainty cease?
There are advantageous & detrimental states, blameable and blameless,
average and excellent states, and dark and bright states, frequently giving
rational and wise attention to these, is the starving cause for prevention of
unarisen Doubt-&-Uncertainty, and the starving cause for the elimination
of Doubt-&-Uncertainty, that has already appeared. SN 46:51
Some advantageous reflections regarding Doubt-&-Uncertainty:
There are these 6 things, which help to throw out doubt:
1: The state of being learned in the Buddha-Dhamma.
2: Examining the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha.
3: Understanding the advantageousness of Moral Discipline.
4: Being decided and convinced about the 3 Jewels.
5: Sympathetic, clever and helpful friends, who knows directly.
6: Explaining talk and teachings that can dispel doubt.
Doubt-&-Uncertainty is like a Desert:
Doubt-&-Uncertainty is just as when a rich man travels through a desolate
desert where there is no food and much danger.
Freedom from Doubt-&-Uncertainty is like when he has crossed the desert,
and gradually reaches safety near a village, a secure place, free from danger.
There he is relieved. DN 2
So is it when doubts about one of the 8 objects of doubt has arisen. See #
Doubting whether the Master really is a perfectly Enlightened One or not,
one cannot become assured of it with confidence. Unconvinced one remains
unable to attain to the paths and fruits of Nobility. Thus, as the traveller
in the desert is uncertain whether robbers are there or not, he produces in
his mind, again & again, a state of wavering & vacillation, a lack of decision,
a state of anxiety, and thus he creates in himself an obstacle for reaching
the safe ground of the Noble Ones (ariya-bhumi). In that way, is sceptical
doubt like travelling in a barren and dry desert!
#: They are, according to the Vibhanga: doubt in regard to the Buddha,
the Dhamma, the Sangha, the (threefold) training, the past, the future,
and the conditionality of dependently arisen phenomena.
Doubt and uncertainty can only be indecisive about which action to choose
and thus paralyzes the skeptic by hesitancy leaving the problem unsettled!
Doubt can only be eliminated by examining and scrutinizing the object much.
Once elderly yet undecided brahman Dhotaka asked the Buddha:
I see here in the world of beings divine & human, good ones,
who lives simply by possessing nothing. I thus bow for you All-around Eye.
Please Sakyan, release me from my doubts!
The Buddha answered: No one in this world, Dhotaka, can I ever release
from doubting. But knowing the most excellent Dhamma, you will cross the
raving ocean of vacillating uncertainty.
Dhotaka now more confident: I admire, Great Seer, that peace supreme,
all stilled, knowing which, living aware and detached, I'll go beyond the
imprisoning entanglement of this world.
Then I will teach you that peace even right here, not just hearsay words,
understanding which, living aware and detached, you will go beyond the
incarcerating entanglement of this world.
Teach me as your friend, O best one, the Dhamma of detachment so that I
may know directly, so that I, as unaffected as space, may live right here,
at ease in peace, calmed, stilled and not dependent on anything...
Whatever you are aware of, Dhotaka, above, below, across, or in between;
know this as a chain to this world! Thus, do not create any craving for any
form of being in existence, any form of new becoming or any non-becoming!
Sutta Nipata V 6
Entering the jungle of views and opinions, one will never reach certainty!
See also:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Barren_Stagnation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suitable_Substitution.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Doubt_and_Uncertainty.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/u_v/vicikicchaa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_to_Overcome_Doubt.htm
Have a nice, noble & assured day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Doubt Creates Hesitation!
Uncertainty => Vexation...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Curing_Doubt_and_Uncertainty.htm
If glad-2-get Early Buddhism by e-mail including pictures
and embedded links (recommended) then click join here:
http://groups.google.com/group/what_buddha_said
Have a nice, noble and easy day!
Bhikkhu Samahita :-) _/\_
Doubt and Uncertainty Perplexes 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 baffles and stupefies the Mind!
Doubt & Uncertainty...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Doubt_and_Uncertainty.htm