Welcome home! Please contact lincoln@icrontic.com if you have any difficulty logging in or using the site. New registrations must be manually approved which may take several days. Can't log in? Try clearing your browser's cookies.
Friendship is the Greatest! 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 :-) _/\_
What is real Richness? Bhikkhus, when a Noble Disciple possesses 4 things, then he is said to be rich, with much wealth and prosperous property. What four? Here, Bhikkhus, a Noble Disciple possesses the faith of confirmed confidence in the Supreme Buddha ... in the Perfect Dhamma ... and in the Noble Sangha.... He possesses the moral purity that is praised by the Noble Ones, unbroken ... unspotted ... untorn ... pure ... intact ... leading to absorbed concentration.... Any Noble Disciple, who possesses these 4 things is indeed really quite rich, with much heavy wealth and a lush and vast property.... SN V 402
Buddha to the Ploughman: Faith is my seed, simplicity the rain, Understanding my yoke and plough, Modesty is pole, and mind is the strap, Awareness is my ploughshare & goad! Sn 77
Suffering is the cause of Faith... Elated Joy is the effect of Faith... Entrance is the function of Faith... Trusting is the characteristic of Faith... Decisiveness is the manifestation of Faith... Faith is the Hand, that lifts one out of Suffering... Faith is the Seed, that makes one grow much good Future... Faith is the Real Wealth, since it produces the best Advantage... Vism XIV 140
How does Faith save one from pain? When one has faith in the Tathagata, Unshakable and quite well established, And good behaviour built on morality, Liked by the Noble Ones and praised! When one has confidence in the Sangha, And a view straight and clear! Then they say, that one is not poor, That one's life is not wasted... Therefore should any intelligent person, aware of the Buddha-Dhamma, be devoted to the fine faith & moral purity, which gives confirmed conviction in this safe saving Dhamma. SN V 405
Alavaka once asked the Blessed Buddha: What wealth here is best for any man? What well practiced brings happiness? What is the sweetest of all the flavours? How lived, is this life best?
The Buddha: Faith is the best wealth here for any human! Dhamma well practiced brings happiness! Nothing is sweeter than truth. A wise life lived in understanding is best...
Alavaka: How does one cross the flood of ills? How is the ocean of existence crossed? How is all suffering stilled? How is one purified?
The Buddha: By Faith is the flood of evil crossed! By attention is this existence crossed! By effort is all suffering stilled! By wisdom one is finally purified! Sn 182-184
Friendship is the Greatest! 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 :-) _/\_
Friendship is the Greatest! 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 :-) _/\_
The Blessed Buddha once explained: Bhikkhus, there are these five Clusters of Clinging. What five?
1: The Cluster of Clinging to Form... 2: The Cluster of Clinging to Feeling... 3: The Cluster of Clinging to Perception… 4: The Cluster of Clinging to Construction… 5: The Cluster of Clinging to Consciousness…
These are the 5 Clusters of Clinging! The Noble 8-fold Way should indeed be developed for the direct experience of these five Clusters of Clinging, for the full understanding and elimination of them, and for their final overcoming, abandoning and leaving all behind…This Noble 8-fold Way is developed for the uprooting of all these five Clusters of Clinging!
Explanation: The Cluster of Clinging to Form is internally to ‘own body’ and externally to what is appearing as ‘my world’ and ‘others body’… The Cluster of Clinging to Feeling is the obsession with pleasant feeling, fear of painful feeling & obstinate indifference towards neutral feeling… The Cluster of Clinging to Perception is the monomaniac fascination of the manifold, diverse, and momentarily tantalizing objects of the six senses… The Cluster of Clinging to Construction is fixated passion for intending, planning, attending, thinking, hoping, wanting, willing and worrying… The Cluster of Clinging to Consciousness is the addiction to all that is seen, heard, smelt, tasted, touched, and cognized… Cluster of Clinging means an assemblage, bunch, clump, collection, group, or knot of a tightly adhering collection of variegated attachment! There is nothing here ‘outside’ or ‘apart’ from these clusters of clinging, neither internally, nor externally! This 5-fold classification covers all... The cause of clinging is craving. The effect of clinging is becoming.
Source (edited extract): The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book [V:60-1] section 45: The Way. 178: The 5 Cluster of Clinging... Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest! 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 :-) _/\_
The Blessed Buddha once said: There are these three kinds of craving. What three?
1: The Craving for Sensing... 2: The Craving for Becoming... 3: The Craving for Non-Becoming…
These are the three kinds of craving! This Noble 8-fold Way is to be developed for the direct experience of these three kinds of craving, for the full understanding of them, for their complete elimination, and for their final overcoming, abandoning & leaving all behind. The Noble 8-fold Way is developed for the ceasing of all craving!
Comments: Any form of craving is a sign of an underlying addiction: 1: The first kind of sensual craving for sights, sounds, smells, flavours, touches, thoughts and mental states is fairly obvious, yet still tenacious... 2: The second craving is for becoming things such as: Rich, famous, praised, satisfied, beautiful, young, painless, healthy, strong, respected… etc… 3: The third kind of craving is for not becoming things such as: Sick, poor, criticized, despised, weak, ugly, afflicted, lonely, unsuccessful, dead. etc… The proximate Cause of all Suffering is this Craving, which have to be left! This is the 2nd Noble Truth! Craving means: All kinds of lust, desire, hunger, thirst, longing, urging, yearning for, attraction to, hankering, and hoping. Ceasing of all Craving is ceasing of Suffering! This is the 3rd Noble Truth! The proximate cause of craving is feeling. The effect of craving is clinging. Clinging is thus caused by craving. When craving arises, clinging also arises!
Whatever is delighted in creates craving, clinging and thus Suffering!
Friendship is the Greatest! 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 :-) _/\_
The blessed Buddha once said: Bhikkhus and friends, there are these three feelings... What three?
1: Pleasant feeling, 2: Painful feeling, 3: Neutral neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling.
These are the three basic feelings! A disciple of the Buddha, aware, focused, clearly comprehending, understands these three feelings. And contact as the cause of any feeling. When contact ceases they fade away & vanish. The Noble Way is leading to their elimination. With the final quenching of feeling, one is freed of all yearning and thus fully stilled...
Whether feeling is pleasant, painful or neither-painful-nor-pleasant, whether internal or external; whatever kind of feeling there is: Knowing: This is Suffering, perishing, momentary, disintegrating... Having been touched and contacted by them, noting their instant ceasing, their transience, one gradually loses all passion for them...
There are these three basic feelings. What three? Pleasant feeling, painful feeling, and neutral feeling. Pleasant feeling causes craving towards the felt object! Painful feeling causes craving away from the felt object! Neutral feeling causes craving for something else, than the object! All mental states converges on this very felt quality of feeling...
Friendship is the Greatest! 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 :-) _/\_
The Blessed Buddha once explained this to some gravely sick Bhikkhus: A Bhikkhu should spend his time acutely aware & clearly comprehending... This is our instruction to you! While a Bhikkhu lives in this way, aware and clearly comprehending, enthusiastic, keen, and determined, if there arises in him a pleasant feeling, then he understands this: There has arisen in me an event of pleasant feeling. Now that is dependent, it is not independent. Dependent on what? Dependent on this sense-contact! But all contact is impermanent, passing, conditioned, constructed and dependently arisen... So when this pleasant feeling has arisen in dependence on sense-contact, that indeed is impermanent, conditioned, dependently arisen, how could it ever then itself be lasting and permanent? He dwells in this way always contemplating this impermanence of contact and also of pleasant feeling, and he considers the inevitable vanishing, fading away, and total ceasing, that entails relinquishment of all constructions. While he reflects thus, then the underlying tendency to lust for contact and pleasant feeling is gradually reduced. This deep craving fades way and is finally eliminated... He understands: With the breakup of this body, at the exhaustion of this fragile life, whatever feeling, and all that is felt, whether pain or pleasure, neither being hankered after, nor clung to, will cool down right there...
Sense Organ + Sense Object + Sense Consciousness = Sense-Contact Visibility of Eye + Visible Form + Visual Consciousness = Eye-Contact Ear Sensitivity + Sound + Auditory Consciousness = Ear-Contact Nose Sensitivity + Smell + Olfactory Consciousness = Nose-Contact Tongue Sensitivity + Taste + Gustatory Consciousness = Tongue-Contact Skin Sensitivity + Touch Object + Tactile Consciousness = Body-Contact Mind Receptivity + Thought + Mental Consciousness = Mental-Contact
Contact is not the outer physical impact, but an inner mental construction!
The Buddha on Contact (Phassa): Dependent on the eye and the forms, eye-consciousness arises. The coming-together of these three phenomena, is sense-contact. MN 18
For those overcome by contact, flowing along in the stream of becoming, following a miserable path, the ending of fetters is quite far away. While those, who comprehend contact, delighting in stilling through insight, they, by breaking through contact, free from craving, are totally unbound! Sn 736-7
Subduing desire for both the inner and the outer, comprehending contact, with no greed. Doing nothing, which he himself would rebuke himself for, the enlightened person doesn't cling to what is seen, or to what is heard! Sn 778
Not attaching to the future, without sorrow over the past, he constructs no wrong 'ego-self-I-me' view fancying mere contact as 'my' experience. Sn 851
Pleasure, pain and indifference all have their source in sense-contact. When this sense-contact is absent, these affective states are also absent. The idea of appearing & disappearing, existence & non-existence, and any event of becoming & non-becoming also emerges from this same contact! Sn 870
What is the cause of sense-contact? From what arises so much clinging? By the absence of what, is there no selfish possessiveness or attachment? By the disappearance of what, does sense-contact, not make contact? Sn 871
Sense-contact depends on mentality and materiality: Name-and-Form. Clinging possessiveness has its source in longing for & wanting something! When not longing for anything, then there is no egoistic possessiveness... By the vanishing of formed objects, sense-contact cannot make contact! Sn 872
When a Bhikkhu is touched by bodily painful contact, he does not bemoan. He wouldn't long for coming into another state, or tremble at any terror! Sn 923
Pleasant Feeling induces Greed and Attraction... Painful Feeling produces Hate and Aversion... Neither-painful-nor-pleasant = neutral Feeling, causes neglect and generates Ignorance thereby!
Friendship is the Greatest! 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 :-) _/\_
The dear companion can be the proximate cause for Mutual Joy, where one rejoices in another being's success... One thus rejoicing in other's fortune is called a 'boon companion', for he is constantly glad: He laughs first and speaks afterwards! So he should be the first to be pervaded with gladness. Or on seeing a dear person being happy, cheerful and glad, mutual joy can be aroused thus: 'See this being is indeed glad! How good, how excellent!' Just as one would be glad at seeing a dear and beloved person very happy, exactly so does one pervade all other beings in all directions with mutual joy... Rejoicing mutual joy can also be aroused by remembering other's happiness in the past and recollecting the elated joy aspect in this way: 'In the past he had great wealth, a great following and he was always glad'. Or mutual joy can be aroused by apprehending the future glad aspect of his in this way: 'In the future he will again enjoy similar success and will go about in gold palanquins, on the backs of elephants or on horseback'. Having thus aroused mutual joy regarding a dear person, one can then direct the very same feeling successively towards a neutral one, and gradually towards any hostile person. Vbh 274, Vism I 316
Comments: Mutual joy causes Contentment! No mutual joy thus means Discontentment! Therefore: If being generally dissatisfied, then be happy over other's gains. Secondly: Mutual joy causes all envy & jealousy to evaporate into equanimity!
Friendship is the Greatest! 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 :-) _/\_
The 6 sense sources (Ayatana): 1. The ability to see via the eye (cakkhu) 2. The ability to hear via the ear (sota) 3. The ability to smell via the nose (ghana) 4. The ability to taste via the tongue (jivha) 5. The ability to touch via the body (kaya) 6. The ability to think & experience via the mind (mano)
The 3 kinds of Becoming (Bhava): 7. The ability to be a woman = feminine (itthi) 8. The ability to be a man = masculine (purisa) 9. The ability to be alive = vitality (jivita)
The 5 Feelings (Vedana): 10. The ability to feel bodily pleasant feeling (sukha) 11. The ability to feel bodily pain (dukkha) 12. The ability to feel mental gladness (somanassa) 13. The ability to feel mental sadness (domanassa) 14. The ability to feel neutral indifference (upekkha)
The 5 Spiritual abilities (Bala): 15. The ability to have convinced faith (saddha) 16. The ability to harness energy (viriya) 17. The ability to be aware and mindful (sati) 18. The ability to concentrate mind (samadhi) 19. The ability to understand (pañña)
The 3 Supramundane abilities: 20. The ability to come to know the yet unknown (aññataññassamitindriya) 21. The ability of the highest knowledge (aññindriya) 22. The ability of him who knows the highest (aññatavindriya)
Comments: Using these 22 tools beings can reach lasting happiness (Nibbana), which is the sole purpose and final meaning of being in existence...
Friendship is the Greatest! 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 are these four persons who are quite comparable to Trees?
There are these four kinds of trees: One itself rotten & weak, but surrounded by strong hardwood ones... One itself of strong hardwood, but surrounded by rotten & weak ones... One itself rotten & weak, and also surrounded by rotten & weak ones... One itself of strong hardwood, and also surrounded by strong hardwood ones...
There are four types of persons similar to these four classes of trees: A person himself rotten & weak, but yet surrounded by the strong & good! A person himself strong & good, but yet surrounded by the rotten & weak! A person himself rotten & weak, and also surrounded by the rotten & weak! A person himself strong & good, and also surrounded by the strong & good!
How is the one himself is rotten & weak, but yet surrounded by the strong & good? Here one is immoral, and wicked, while his friends are moral men of lovely nature... Thus is a person, who himself is rotten & weak, surrounded by the strong & good, just in the same way as a rotten & weak tree is surrounded by strong & good ones...
How is a person who himself is strong & good, yet surrounded by the rotten & weak? Here one is moral, of lovely nature, but he has friends, who are immoral, & wicked... Thus is a person, who is strong & good surrounded by the rotten & weak, just in the same way as a strong & good tree, is surrounded by many rotten & weak ones...
How is a person who is rotten & weak, and also surrounded by the rotten & weak? Here one is immoral, wicked & evil, who has friends who are immoral, wicked & evil! Thus is a person, who is rotten & weak, and also surrounded by those rotten & weak, just in the same way as a rotten & weak tree, is surrounded by rotten & weak ones...
Finally: How is a person who is strong & good surrounded by the strong & good? Here one is moral of lovely nature, who has similar moral friends of lovely nature... Thus is a person, who is strong & good surrounded by the strong & good, just in the same way as a strong & good tree, is surrounded by strong & good hardcore ones...
These are the four persons comparable to trees existing in this world...
Comment: Discrimination of good & bad groups is a signature sign of Genuine Understanding!
Friendship is the Greatest! 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 :-) _/\_
Taking Refuge: The Winner move for Blinded Beings!!!
The Venerable Mahamoggallana once told a large group of young devas: Advantageous indeed is taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma & the Sangha… Because of taking refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha some beings here, at the break-up of the body, right after death, are reborn in a divine destination, in a heavenly world! There they surpass the other devas in ten respects: In life span, in divine beauty, in divine happiness, in divine fame, in divine power, and in enjoying divine forms, sounds, odours, tastes, and touchable objects… Advantageous indeed is therefore this taking refuge in the 3 Jewels: The Buddha, the Dhamma & the Sangha…
Comments: Good to know for all beings, who do neither know from where they came, nor what brought them there, and who do neither know, where they are going after death, nor what causes, will bring them there! There are 31 levels of existence. Take care!
Friendship is the Greatest! 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 :-) _/\_
The Blessed Buddha once explained: Who is welcoming and friendly, Generous, open and unselfish, A guide, an instructor, a leader, Such one will gain much honour! Digha Nikaya 31
The friend who is a helping companion, The friend both in happiness and misery, The friend who gives good & sound advice, The friend who really cares & understands... These four, the clever knows as good Friends! These 4 heroes, one should cherish devotedly, as a mother nurses her own only child. Digha Nikaya 31
If one finds a wise and intelligent friend, who lives a good, correct & fully pure life, Then, overcoming all obstacles, one should always keep his joyous and alert company... Dhammapada 328
Friendship is the Greatest! 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 :-) _/\_
1: This is Suffering! Suffering is of three kinds: a: Obvious suffering, which is any bodily pain and any mental sadness. b: Suffering due to change includes also pleasant feeling as this indeed also becomes quite disappointing, when it inevitably changes, fades, and vanishes. c: Suffering due to construction is all that is conditioned, since all this thus later inevitably will fall apart. This also includes any object which induces a neutral feeling. This 1st Noble Truth, that points out that all worldly indeed ultimately speaking is Suffering, has to be fully understood in all aspects...
2: Craving is the Cause of Suffering! a: Craving for sensing forms, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, & mental states. b: Craving for becoming. (ex: May I become rich, forever young, famous...) c: Craving for non-becoming (ex: May I not become sick, nor old, nor dead!) This Second Noble Truth on the Cause of Suffering has to be eliminated...
3: Absence of Craving is the End of Suffering! a: Not craving any sense stimuli of any kind... b: Not craving for any kind of becoming this or that in the future... c: Not craving any non-becoming, but accepting all the ills that will come... This 3rd Noble Truth on the End of Suffering has to be accomplished!
4: The Noble 8-Fold Way is the Method to End Suffering! Which Noble 8-fold Way has to be developed in order to end all suffering? Right View (samma-ditthi) Right Motivation (samma-sankappa) Right Speech (samma-vaca) Right Action (samma-kammanta) Right Livelihood (samma-ajiva) Right Effort (samma-vayama) Right Awareness (samma-sati) Right Concentration (samma-samadhi) This Fourth Noble Truth on the Way to End Suffering has to be completed.
Friendship is the Greatest! 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 :-) _/\_
The blessed Buddha once said: One should dwell reflecting on all phenomena as mental states in the light of these Four Noble Truths. How does one do so? One sees, understands, and knows it as it verily is: All this and such is suffering! Craving is the cause & origin of all suffering! The total absence of all craving is the ceasing of all suffering! This Noble 8-fold Way is the only method to eliminate all suffering! And what, Bhikkhus, is this 1st Noble Truth of Suffering? Birth is suffering, ageing is suffering, decay is suffering, death is suffering. Sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, & discontent are suffering. Being joined with any disliked is suffering. Being separated from any liked is suffering. Not getting what one wants is suffering. Getting what one does not want is suffering. In short, the five clusters of clinging are suffering. And what, Bhikkhus, is birth? In whatever being & group of individuality, there is birth, coming into being, emergence, appearance, manifestation of the 5 clusters clusters of clinging, development of the ability to sense, that, Bhikkhus, is called birth... And what, Bhikkhus, is ageing? In whatever being & group of individuality, there is ageing, decaying, broken teeth, grey hair, wrinkled skin, shrinking & fading away, weakening of the ability to sense, that, Bhikkhus, is called ageing... And what, Bhikkhus, is death? In whatever being & group of individuality, there is a passing away, cut off, disappearance, death, dying, an ending, a breaking-up of the clusters, a loss of the body, a loss of the mind, that, Bhikkhus, is called death... And what, Bhikkhus, is sorrow? Whenever, by any kind of tragedy, one is feeling pain, sorrow, frustration, distress, internal misery, or internal sadness, that Bhikkhus, is called sorrow. And what, Bhikkhus, is lamentation? Whenever, by any kind of misfortune, anyone is affected by something sad and there is crying out, grieving, moaning, wailing & weeping, that is called lamentation... And what is pain? Whatever bodily painful feeling, bodily unpleasant feeling, whatever painful or unpleasant feeling resulting from bodily contact, that is called pain... And what, Bhikkhus, is sadness? Whatever mental painful feeling, mental unpleasant feeling, all frustration resulting from mental contact, that, Bhikkhus, is called sadness... And what, Bhikkhus, is discontent? Whenever, by any kind of anguish, one is disappointed, dissatisfied, feeling discomfort, dismay, uneasiness, frustration, that is called discontent... And what Bhikkhus, is being joined with the disliked? Here whoever has unwanted, undesirable and disliked sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touches or mental states, or whoever are forced into association, & dependence to enemies, that is called being joined with the disliked... And what is being separated from the liked? Here whoever has what is wanted, liked, and pleasant sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, mental states, or whoever enjoys company of well-wishers, mother or father, brother or sister, younger or elders, friends or colleagues, and then is loosing this company, connection, or union, that is called being separated from the liked... And what is not getting what one wants and getting what one not wants? In beings subject to birth, ageing, decay, sickness & death, this wish arises: "Oh may we not meet any birth, ageing, decay, sickness & death." But such freedom cannot be gained by naive wishing. In all beings prone to sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, stress & frustration this childish wish arises: "Oh may we not be afflicted by any sorrow, lamentation, pain, or sadness", despite none such freedom ever can be won by mere wishing. That is not getting what one wants, while getting what one not wants... And what, Bhikkhus, are the five clusters of clusters of clinging? The five clusters of clusters of clinging are as follows: The cluster of clinging to all kinds of form, The cluster of clinging to all kinds of feeling, The cluster of clinging to all kinds of perception, The cluster of clinging to all kinds of mental constructions, The cluster of clinging to kinds of consciousness. These are the five clusters of clusters of clinging, that all are suffering. And that, Bhikkhus, is called the 1st Noble Truth of Suffering...
Friendship is the Greatest! 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 :-) _/\_
The 2nd Noble Truth: Craving is the Cause of Suffering!
The blessed Buddha once said: One should dwell reflecting on all phenomena as mental states in the light of these 4 Noble Truths. How does one do so? Here, one sees, understands, and knows this, as it verily is:
All this and all such is suffering! Craving is the cause and origin of all that suffering! Absence of craving is the complete ceasing of all suffering! The Noble 8-fold Way is the method to eradicate all suffering! And what, monks, is the 2nd Noble Truth on the Cause of Suffering? It is that Craving, which gives rise to rebirth, drenched with lust and greed, finding fresh attraction first here, then there: that is to say sensual craving, craving for becoming into existence, & craving for no-becoming of any being. And where does this craving arise and manifest itself? Wherever in the world there is anything attractive and pleasant, it is right there & then, on the very spot, that this craving arises and manifests itself... And what is there, in this world, that are attractive and pleasant? The eye, in this world, are attractive and pleasant, the ear, nose, the tongue, the body, the mind are attractive and pleasant, and there this craving arises & puts down its roots. Sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, & mental states are attractive and amusing, and there craving emerges & establishes itself. Visual consciousness, auditory consciousness, olfactory consciousness, taste consciousness, body consciousness, and mental consciousness in this world are attractive & alluring, and there this craving come up and implants itself. Eye-contact, ear-contact, nose-contact, tongue-contact, body-contact, mental-contact in this world are attractive and tempting, & here this craving begins and reveals itself. Any feeling born of eye-contact, ear-contact, nose-contact, tongue- contact, body-contact, mind-contact in the world are appealing & fascinating, and right there this craving occurs & installs itself. The perception and experience of any sights, sounds, smells, tastes, tangibles, & thoughts are quite interesting and captivating, and there this craving arises & imbibes itself. Intention, wishing, wanting and hoping for certain sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, thoughts, and mental ideas are enthralling & intriguing, and there this craving arises and substantiates itself. The craving itself, the drive, the push & rush for various sights, sounds, smells, tastes, tangibles, and many mental-objects in this world is attractive and seductive, and there this craving also arises and consolidates itself. Thinking of any sights, sounds, smells, tastes, tangibles, and mental-objects in this world are attractive & tantalizing, & craving arises & manifests itself. Prolonged pondering on certain sights, sounds, smells, tastes, tangibles and the manifold diversity of mental objects in this world are indeed attractive and enticing, and therefore this craving also arises, manifests, establishes enhances, habituates, ingraves and reinforces itself... And all that, is called the 2nd Noble Truth on the Cause of Suffering...
Friendship is the Greatest! 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 :-) _/\_
The 3rd Noble Truth: Ceasing of Craving Stops Suffering!
The blessed Buddha once said: One should dwell reflecting on all phenomena as mental states in the light of these Four Noble Truths. How does one do so? Here, one sees, understands, and knows this as it verily is:
This and such is suffering! Craving is the cause and origin of all suffering! Absence of craving is therefore the ceasing of all suffering! This Noble 8-fold Way is the method to eradicate all suffering!
And what, monks, is the 3rd Noble Truth on the Ceasing of Suffering? It is the complete fading away, ceasing, elimination, and eradication of all craving. It is the relinquishing release from craving, the detaching liberation from craving. And how is such freeing removal of craving, how is such ceasing of craving gained? Wherever in the world there is anything attractive and pleasant, it is right there and right then, on the spot, that this craving is deliberately left behind & ceases... And what is there in this world, that is attractive and pleasant? The eye, in this world, is attractive and pleasant, the ear, the nose, the tongue, the body, the mind is attractive and pleasant, and there this craving ceases and gradually fades away. Sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, and mental states are attractive & amusing, & there this craving ceases & bit by bit comes to an end. Eye-consciousness, ear-consciousness, nose-consciousness, tongue-consciousness, body-consciousness, mental-consciousness in this world is attractive & alluring, and there this craving ceases and finally finish. All Eye-contact, ear-contact, nose-contact, tongue-contact, body-contact, mental-contact in this world is attractive and tempting, and there this craving ceases and slowly leave off. Any feeling born of eye-contact, ear-contact, nose-contact, tongue- contact, body-contact, mind-contact in the world is appealing & fascinating, and right there this craving ceases and steadily die away. The perception and experience of any sights, sounds, smells, tastes, tangibles, & thoughts is quite interesting and captivating, and there this craving ceases & grows dim. Intention, wishing, wanting and hoping for certain sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, thoughts, ideas and mental states is enthralling & intriguing, and there this craving ceases and dissolves itself. The craving itself, the drive, push & rush for various sights, sounds, smells, tastes, tangibles, & many mental-objects in this world is attractive and seductive, and there this craving also ceases & progressively eliminates itself. Thinking of any sights, sounds, smells, tastes, tangibles, and mental-objects in this world is attractive & tantalizing, there this craving ceases & falls off drop by drop. Prolonged pondering on certain sights, sounds, smells, tastes, tangibles & the manifold diversity of mental objects in this world is attractive & enticing, & there this craving also fades away, is stilled, ceases, & is finally all eliminated... And that, bhikkhus, is called the 3rd Noble Truth on the ceasing of Suffering...
The extinguishing of the Fire of Craving (Tanha) ceases all Suffering!
Friendship is the Greatest! 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 :-) _/\_
The 4th Noble Truth: The Noble 8-fold Way ceases Suffering!
The blessed Buddha once said: One should dwell reflecting on all phenomena as mental states in the light of these Four Noble Truths. How does one do so? Here, one sees, understands, and knows this, as it verily and really is:
All this is suffering! Craving is causing all that suffering! Absence of craving ceases all suffering! This Noble 8-fold Way is the only method to cease all suffering!
And what, Bhikkhus, is this Noble Truth of the Way to cease all suffering? It is just this Noble 8-fold Way, namely:
Right View (samma-ditthi) Right Motivation (samma-sankappa) Right Speech (samma-vaca) Right Action (samma-kammanta) Right Livelihood (samma-ajiva) Right Effort (samma-vayama) Right Awareness (samma-sati) Right Concentration (samma-samadhi)
And what, Bhikkhus and friends, is Right View? It is, Bhikkhus, knowing such is suffering, such is the cause of suffering, knowing such is the ceasing of suffering, and knowing such is the way leading to the cessation of suffering. This is called Right View... And what, Bhikkhus and friends, is Right Motivation? Being motivated by withdrawal, by good-will, and being motivated by utter harmlessness. This, Bhikkhus and friends, is called Right Motivation... And what, Bhikkhus and friends, is Right Speech? Refraining from any lying, from slandering, from scolding, and refraining from empty gossip. This is called Right Speech... And what, Bhikkhus and friends, is Right Action? Refraining from all killing, from all stealing and cheating, and avoiding all sexual misconduct. This is called Right Action... And what, Bhikkhus and friends, is Right Livelihood? Here, Bhikkhus and friends, the Noble Disciple, having given up all wrong livelihood, lives by right livelihood. This is called Right Livelihood... And what, Bhikkhus and friends, is Right Effort? Here, Bhikkhus and friends, one makes a decision, makes an effort, stirs up energy, exerts the mind and strives to prevent the arising of unarisen evil disadvantageous mental states. One makes a decision... and strives hard to overcome any evil disadvantageous mental state that already have arisen. One makes a decision... and strives to develop all yet unarisen advantageous mental states. One makes a decision, makes an effort, stirs up energy, exerts the mind and strives to maintain any advantageous mental states, that already have arisen, not letting them fade away, growing them greater, to the fulfilled perfection of development. This is called Right Effort... And what, Bhikkhus and friends, is Right Awareness? Here, Bhikkhus, one dwells considering the body as a group of mere form, alert, clearly comprehending & aware, thereby ending worldly urge & trouble... One dwells considering feelings just as assigned responses, alert, clearly comprehending and aware, thereby ending all worldly urge and trouble... One dwells considering mind & mentality just as ever changing moods, alert, clearly comprehending and aware, thereby ending worldly urge and trouble... One dwells considering all phenomena only as always shifting mental states, alert, clearly comprehending & aware, thereby ending worldly urge & trouble... This is called Right Awareness... And what, Bhikkhus and friends, is Right Concentration? Secluded from sensual desires, protected from any detrimental mental state, one enters & dwells in the 1st jhana; full of Joy & pleasure born of solitude, joined with directed and sustained thought. Again, with the stilling of directed & sustained thought, one enters & dwells in the 2nd jhana, calmed and assured unification of mind, in joy & pleasure now born of a concentration, which is empty of all thought and thinking! Again, friends, with the fading away of joy, one dwells in equanimity, just aware & clearly comprehending, still feeling bodily pleasure, one enters upon & remains in the 3rd jhana, regarding which the Noble Ones declare: 'In aware Equanimity one dwells in Happiness!'... Again, friends, with the leaving behind of both pleasure and pain, & with the prior fading away of both joy & sorrow, one enters & dwells in the 4th jhana; a serene mental state of still, open and clear awareness, purified by the Equanimity of neither-pain-nor-pleasure! This is Right Concentration... That, Bhikkhus, is called the Way leading to the Ceasing of all Suffering...
Friendship is the Greatest! 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 :-) _/\_
The Blessed Buddha once said: And how, Bhikkhus, is release of mind by serene equanimity (Upekkha) achieved? What does this liberation have as its destination, what is its culmination, what is its sweet fruit, and what is the ultimate goal of mental release by universally neutral & imperturbable equanimity? Here, a Bhikkhu dwells pervading first the entire frontal quadrant, with a mind imbued with infinite equanimity, so the second quadrant, the 3rd quadrant, and the 4th quadrant. As above, so below, across, and everywhere, & as to all beings also to himself, he dwells pervading the entire universe with a mind saturated with unlimited equanimity, immense, exalted, measureless, without hostility, without any enmity, without any ill will! Thus prepared and expanded, he then develops:
1: The Awareness Link to Awakening joined with limitless equanimity. 2: The Investigation Link to Awakening fused with such equanimity. 3: The Energy Link to Awakening together with infinite equanimity. 4: The Joy Link to Awakening accompanied with absolute equanimity. 5: The Tranquillity Link to Awakening linked with serene equanimity. 6: The Concentration Link to Awakening associated with equanimity. 7: The Equanimity Link to Awakening joined with endless equanimity. Based upon seclusion, disillusion, ceasing, and culminating in release.
If he then wishes: May I dwell experiencing the repulsive in any unrepulsive & tempting, then he can dwell experiencing repulsiveness therein. If he wishes: May I dwell experiencing the unrepulsive in any disgusting & repulsive, then he dwells experiencing pleasing beauty in whatever disgusting! If he wishes: May I dwell experiencing the repulsive in what is both unrepulsive & repulsive, he dwells experiencing repulsive disgust in it. If he wishes: May I dwell experiencing the unrepulsive in what is both unrepulsive & repulsive, he experiences only unrepulsive beauty by it! If he wishes: Avoiding both the repulsive and the unrepulsive, may I dwell in equanimity, just aware and clearly comprehending, then he dwells in equanimity, just aware and clearly comprehending! Or else, completely transcending the realm of infinitude of consciousness, only aware that there is nothing, he enters & dwells in the sphere of the void, empty & vacuous nothingness.. I tell you Bhikkhus for a wise Bhikkhu here, who has not yet penetrated to an even more superior mental release, the mental release by imperturbable equanimity has the subtle sphere of the nothingness as its final culmination!
Source of reference (edited extract): The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book [V: 115-21] 46: The Links. 54: Joined by Friendliness... Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest! 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 :-) _/\_
The young brahman Magha once asked the Blessed Buddha: When giving food, where would this offering be most purified for the donor? The Blessed One answered: If any open-handed householder, a lordly giver, Magha, seeking merit, looking for merit, sacrifices, giving food and drink to others, such one would achieve most merit, if the recipient is pure and Noble. Such, who indeed wander unattached in the world, having & wanting nothing, fully accomplished, in complete self-control, upon them, at the right time one should bestow an offering. Those who have cut all mental bonds and fetters, who are tamed, completely released, without affliction, without desire, upon them, at the right time, should one bestow an offering. Upon these purified & Noble Ones should any brahman, who is looking for merit, place his sacrifice! Sutta-Nipata verses 488-491 Edited excerpt.
Pure giving cut short: Give 2 those who don't want anything! The gods became gods as a result of their giving!
Friendship is the Greatest! 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 :-) _/\_
The computer here used for the Dhamma-drops is unfortunately crashing down: Fan and fan-controller on mother-board is finished. New fan did not work at all. Occasional errors on Hard-disk and Key-board. Daily freezing during AV-updates due to old slow CPU, which cannot be upgraded. Video-editing is impossible due to small graphics card, which neither can be upgraded (Soldered to motherboard). A replacement Power-Laptop, suitable for Dhamma-Video editing, is thus needed.
B: Direct Bank wire transfer to this Bank account: ING bank, Netherland. Account#: 3983392 - Mr. A J Schrier IBAN NL34INGB0003983392 BIC INGBNL2A Phone: +31757851279 or +31610570795 (mobile) Email: ajschrier@yahoo.co.uk
C: Cheque, bank-draft or money-order to: Mr. Miguel Stig Lima Kanslergade 7 st. tv. Copenhagen 2100 Ø, DENMARK Phone +45 20820962 or +45 32102664 Email: stiglima@gmail.com
By seeing that: If only happy at one's own success, such egoistic Joy is rare and limited! If happy at other's success also, the Joy is more frequent & even infinite!
By observing that: It starts with basic sympathy, develops into acceptance, genuine approval, & appreciation. It culminates in rejoicing altruistic sympathy by directing mind to initiation, much cultivation & boundless expansion of Mutual Joy!
By knowing that: Mutual Joy is the proximate cause of fully satisfied contentment! Lack of mutual joy is therefore the proximate cause of discontentment! Mutual Joy instantly eliminates acidic jealousy, grudge and green envy! Mutual Joy is an infinite, truly divine, elevating and sublime mental state!
The Blessed Buddha succintly pointed out: If it were impossible to cultivate this Good, I would not tell you to do so!
Buddhaghosa: See how this worthy being is very Happy! How fine! How excellent! How sweet!
Let there be Happiness. Let there be open Freedom. Let there be Peace. Let there be Bliss from cultivating this. Let there be Understanding of this mental state of Mutual Joy!
Friendship is the Greatest! 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 :-) _/\_
Generosity means willingness to give and share whatever. Generosity means magnanimous and open-handed liberality. Generosity means freedom from small and stingy pettiness. Generosity means practicing charity for the poor and unfortunate. Generosity means kind bigheartedness towards those worthy of it. Generosity means warmhearted and altruistic unselfishness. Generosity provides the kammic cause for later wealth.. Giving causes Getting... No Giving causes Poverty!
The Blessed Buddha explained the treasure of generosity like this: When a disciple of the Noble Ones whose mind and mentality is all cleared of disgracing miserliness, living at home, is freely generous and open-handed, delighting in being magnanimous, responsive to every request and, is enjoying the giving of any alms. Such is this treasure called generosity. AN VII 6
Just as a filled pot, which is overturned, pours out all its water, leaving nothing back, even and exactly so should one give to those in need. whether low, middle or high, like the overturned pot, holding nothing back…!!! Jataka Nidana [128-129]
The Generosity of Giving, The Kindness in Speech, The Benefit of Service, The Impartiality of treating all Alike, These 4 threads of Sympathy upholds this world, like the axle do the cart! AN II 32
Giving food, one gives and later gets strength Giving clothes, one gives and later gets beauty Giving light, one gives and later gets vision Giving transportation, one gives and later gets ease. Giving shelter one gives all, Yet one who instructs in the True Dhamma - The supreme Teaching of the Buddhas - Such one gives the quite divine ambrosia! SN I 32
These are these five rewards of generosity: One is liked and charming to people at large, One is admired and respected by wise people, One's good reputation is spread wide about, One does not neglect a householder's true duty, and with the break-up of the body - at the moment of death - one reappears in a happy destination, in the plane of the divine worlds! AN V.35
There are these two kinds of gifts: material gifts and gifts of Dhamma. The supreme gift is that of Dhamma. There are these two kinds of sharing: material sharing and sharing of Dhamma. The supreme sharing is that of Dhamma. There are these two kinds of help: Material help and help with the Dhamma. This is the supreme of the two: help with this subtle Dhamma … It 98
The gift of Dhamma excells all other gifts. Dhammapada 354
Friendship is the Greatest! 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 :-) _/\_
Is mind truly capable of operating in this present and real moment of now?
Memories: When mind is stuck in the forever gone and now unreal past: Memory is at best incomplete, one sided, and revisionist because mental consciousness is a process, which molds thoughts of past events into forms colored by preferences and biases conditioned by past education, experience, and reasoning. These are simply attachments serving the ego, the delusional self. Since memory requires mental processing any noticing of its conclusions is not truly in the present moment, since mind processes these thoughts, feelings, emotions, perspectives, attitudes, and viewpoints constructed in the past. The moment any mental state/idea is formulated by mind, time continues its flow leaving its conclusions behind in the past...
Planning: When mind imagines the yet uncome and equally unreal future: Originating from the same mental processes, the motivation to make plans is indicative of a mind afflicted. It is a mind conditioned by dukkha, that is: Mental and/or physical pain, suffering, stressed and dissatisfied, tormented with feelings rising out of a desperate need to protect the delusional self, a mind struggling to prevent what it realizes in its ignorance is inevitable deterioration, death, and annihilation. Moment by moment. Life by life.
Mindfulness of the present & Meditation Reveals How Our Minds Operate: Real-time personal observations of our own minds operating in what might be the best approximation of the present moment is during awareness meditation. It reminds of sitting in the middle of a busy train terminal watching travelers come into and disappear out of the view. There seems to be no mental limit as to direction, volume, or capacity in these passing mental phenomena, that all arise conditioned by mental contact with both external and internal events, past, present and future, all totally out of reach of personal control.
This does not mean that we are left helpless, as we can chose to: A. Pay attention to these mental phenomena, thereby giving them importance and conditioned reinforcement resulting in clinging and attachment. B. Or, passively observe, smiling in equanimity, simply letting them pass away into the same empty mental oblivion from which they arose. C. Develop and train a mind which is totally devoid of the arising of thought, where all mental processing has ceased. This is a mind free of clinging, desire, and attachment. When all mental processing has ceased, such a mind is truly in the present moment, because no reflection is required, as no mental, or physical action is being processed or contemplated.
It all boils down to a personal choice to participate, or not to participate in these flickering, yet captivating effects of mental processing. When faced with such decisions I have found it beneficial to follow Buddha's advice as given in the Ambalatthika-rahulovada Sutta regarding the crucial importance of observing, practicing and training our minds.
Friendship is the Greatest! 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 :-) _/\_
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!
Friendship is the Greatest! 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 :-) _/\_
The Blessed Buddha once explained: Bhikkhus, the concentration gained by Awareness by Breathing, when developed & cultivated, is of great fruit & big advantage... And how, Bhikkhus, is concentration by Awareness by Breathing developed & cultivated so that it is of great fruit & advantage? Bhikkhus, when one have gone to the forest, or to the root of a tree, or to an empty hut, there one sits down cross-legged, having straightened one's body and back, and set up awareness around the nostrils, then just plain aware of that itself one breathes in, & just solely aware of only that breathing itself one breathes out... Breathing in long, one knows, notes and understands: I inhale long! Breathing out long, one knows, notes & understands: I exhale long! ... ... ... (steps 2-15) ... ... ... One trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe in! One trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe out! Therefore, Bhikkhus, if a friend wishes: May I, via the complete transcendence of experience of form, with the passing away and silencing of sensory reaction, without giving any attention to any experience of any diversity, detail or any difference whatsoever, just solely aware that this open space is indeed infinite & endless, enter & dwell immersed in the sphere of this infinitude of space, then this same concentration by Awareness by Breathing should be cultivated often and devoted much wholehearted attention! Furthermore if such friend should wish: By the transcendence of this infinitude of space, just singly aware that consciousness is infinite, may I enter and dwell all immersed in that sphere of the infinitude of consciousness; then Awareness by Breathing should also here be trained often and devoted much sincere attention! Even further; if one should wish: May I, by wholly transcending this subtle sphere of the infinity of consciousness, only aware of that there is nothing, enter & dwell in empty void of nothingness, then this very same exercise: Awareness by Breathing should be trained regularly and dedicated much earnest consideration! Even more; if one should wish: May I, by thoroughly transcending this delicate sphere of void nothingness, enter and dwell in the refined sphere of inert neither-perception-nor-non-perception, then this very same exercise: Awareness by Breathing should be trained regularly and dedicated much earnest consideration! Finally; if one should wish: By leaving all behind, and transcending even this placid sphere of neither-perception-nor-non-perception, may I enter & dwell in the ultimate ceasing of perception & feeling then this very same sublime meditation: Awareness by Breathing should be repeated everyday and thus given the primary priority!
Source (edited extract): The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:316-7] section 54: Anapanasamyutta. Thread 8: The simile of the Lamp!
Friendship is the Greatest! 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 :-) _/\_
The Blessed Buddha once said: Awareness of the Body induces all advantageous qualities including clear comprehension! The ancients said: Protect the sign, protect the nimitta...! The Asubha Nimitta is a Disgusting Sign fixed in memory by meditation, that one can redirect mind to whenever overcome by lust, greed and desire. This sign detaches the mind from clinging to mere forms of foul impurities... One then gain an 'off' button to turn 'off' desire and craving... This indeed is the very KEY to disable suffering, since craving is the primary cause of all suffering. Corpse Meditation (Asubha-Bhavana) effectively reduces desire!
Clever Disgust cools all obsessive greed and addictive lust: For Inspiration: A collection of Corpse Pictures Warning: Only for Adults http://s914.photobucket.com/albums/ac350/Asubha/ Password: corpses Pick out the most disgusting picture and memorize it firmly and vividly. Remember it whenever greedy! Then the greed will instantly vanish! And the frustrating urge and tearing longing therefore subsides!
Friendship is the Greatest! 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 :-) _/\_
Sense-Desire is the foremost and deepest mental hindrance (Nivarana). The texts given below aim at illustrating how this obsessive and addictive urge for sensing only pleasure in the form of sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touches arise, cease, and is finally cured. The present-day dominance of the porno and entertainment industry speaks -in itself- clearly of this problems abundance among human beings today...
The Blessed Buddha once said: On this occasion the Blessed One was staying at Gaya's Head, together with a thousand Bhikkhus. There the Blessed One told these Bhikkhus this: Bhikkhus, all this is burning! And what, Bhikkhus, is that All that is burning? The eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and the mind is burning. All forms, sounds, smells, flavours, touches, and mental states are also burning! Whatever kind of consciousness of sense-contact is also burning! Any feeling arised caused by contact, whether pleasant, painful or neutral, that too is also burning... Burning with what? I say: Burning with the fire of lust, hate and ignorance, birth, ageing, death, sadness, disappointment, frustration, and Suffering! The Fire Sermon Samyutta Nikaya. Book IV 19-20
First priority: Noticing Sense-Desire (kama-chanda) makes it fade away: Herein, Bhikkhus, when sense-desire is present in him the Bhikkhu notes: "There is sense-desire in me," and when sense-desire is absent, he notes: "There is no sense-desire in me." He also understands how any yet unarisen sense-desire arises. He understands how to leave behind any already arisen sensual desire, and he understands how left sense-desire will not ever arise again in the future. MN 10
What is the feeding cause that makes Sense-Desire arise? There are attractive and alluring features and aspects of any object... Frequently giving irrational & unwise attention to them, this is the feeding cause of the arising of unarisen sense-desire, and also the feeding cause of the increase and expansion of sense-desire, that already has arisen. SN 46:51
What is the starving cause that makes Sense-Desire cease? There are disgusting and repulsive features and aspects of any object... Frequently giving rational & wise attention to them, this is the starving cause of the non-arising of unarisen sense-desire, and the starving cause of the decrease and shrinking of sense-desire that already has arisen. SN 46:51
Comments
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 :-) _/\_
Faith is the Seed, Hand, & Wealth of Beings!
What is real Richness?
Bhikkhus, when a Noble Disciple possesses 4 things, then he is said to be rich,
with much wealth and prosperous property. What four?
Here, Bhikkhus, a Noble Disciple possesses the faith of confirmed confidence
in the Supreme Buddha ... in the Perfect Dhamma ... and in the Noble Sangha....
He possesses the moral purity that is praised by the Noble Ones, unbroken ...
unspotted ... untorn ... pure ... intact ... leading to absorbed concentration....
Any Noble Disciple, who possesses these 4 things is indeed really quite rich,
with much heavy wealth and a lush and vast property.... SN V 402
Buddha to the Ploughman:
Faith is my seed, simplicity the rain, Understanding my yoke and plough,
Modesty is pole, and mind is the strap, Awareness is my ploughshare & goad!
Sn 77
Suffering is the cause of Faith...
Elated Joy is the effect of Faith... Entrance is the function of Faith...
Trusting is the characteristic of Faith...
Decisiveness is the manifestation of Faith...
Faith is the Hand, that lifts one out of Suffering...
Faith is the Seed, that makes one grow much good Future...
Faith is the Real Wealth, since it produces the best Advantage...
Vism XIV 140
How does Faith save one from pain?
When one has faith in the Tathagata, Unshakable and quite well established,
And good behaviour built on morality, Liked by the Noble Ones and praised!
When one has confidence in the Sangha, And a view straight and clear!
Then they say, that one is not poor, That one's life is not wasted...
Therefore should any intelligent person, aware of the Buddha-Dhamma,
be devoted to the fine faith & moral purity, which gives confirmed conviction
in this safe saving Dhamma.
SN V 405
Alavaka once asked the Blessed Buddha:
What wealth here is best for any man? What well practiced brings happiness?
What is the sweetest of all the flavours? How lived, is this life best?
The Buddha:
Faith is the best wealth here for any human!
Dhamma well practiced brings happiness! Nothing is sweeter than truth.
A wise life lived in understanding is best...
Alavaka:
How does one cross the flood of ills? How is the ocean of existence crossed?
How is all suffering stilled? How is one purified?
The Buddha:
By Faith is the flood of evil crossed! By attention is this existence crossed!
By effort is all suffering stilled! By wisdom one is finally purified!
Sn 182-184
For fine further Faith (Saddha) please see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Going_Forth_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Outstanding_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Unwavering_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Analysis_of_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Power_of_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Faith_Summary.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Highest_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Fruitful_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Leaping_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Mutual_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Dual_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Fine_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Rich_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Lay_Faith.htm
Rich is Faith!
Faith is mental wealth and the only real richness...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Rich_Faith.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 :-) _/\_
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 :-) _/\_
The five Clusters of Clinging (Khandha):
The Blessed Buddha once explained:
Bhikkhus, there are these five Clusters of Clinging. What five?
1: The Cluster of Clinging to Form...
2: The Cluster of Clinging to Feeling...
3: The Cluster of Clinging to Perception…
4: The Cluster of Clinging to Construction…
5: The Cluster of Clinging to Consciousness…
These are the 5 Clusters of Clinging! The Noble 8-fold Way should indeed
be developed for the direct experience of these five Clusters of Clinging,
for the full understanding and elimination of them, and for their final
overcoming, abandoning and leaving all behind…This Noble 8-fold Way is
developed for the uprooting of all these five Clusters of Clinging!
Explanation:
The Cluster of Clinging to Form is internally to ‘own body’ and externally
to what is appearing as ‘my world’ and ‘others body’…
The Cluster of Clinging to Feeling is the obsession with pleasant feeling,
fear of painful feeling & obstinate indifference towards neutral feeling…
The Cluster of Clinging to Perception is the monomaniac fascination of the
manifold, diverse, and momentarily tantalizing objects of the six senses…
The Cluster of Clinging to Construction is fixated passion for intending,
planning, attending, thinking, hoping, wanting, willing and worrying…
The Cluster of Clinging to Consciousness is the addiction to all that is seen,
heard, smelt, tasted, touched, and cognized…
Cluster of Clinging means an assemblage, bunch, clump, collection, group,
or knot of a tightly adhering collection of variegated attachment!
There is nothing here ‘outside’ or ‘apart’ from these clusters of clinging,
neither internally, nor externally! This 5-fold classification covers all...
The cause of clinging is craving. The effect of clinging is becoming.
More on these 5 Clusters of Clinging (Khandha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Any_Kind.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Not_Yours.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Leash.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Like_Foam.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Fingernail_of_Soil.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Acquisition_of_Fuel.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Clustered_Truths.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Burning_Five.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Stilling_of_Clinging.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/g_m/khandha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_5_Clusters_of_Clinging.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Things_that_can_be_clung_to.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_are_the_5_Clusters_of_Clinging.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V:60-1] section 45: The Way. 178: The 5 Cluster of Clinging...
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Being is caused by Clinging...
The 5 Clusters of Clinging...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/The_5_Clusters_of_Clinging.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 :-) _/\_
The 3 kinds of Craving (Tanhã):
The Blessed Buddha once said: There are these three kinds of craving.
What three?
1: The Craving for Sensing...
2: The Craving for Becoming...
3: The Craving for Non-Becoming…
These are the three kinds of craving!
This Noble 8-fold Way is to be developed for the direct experience of
these three kinds of craving, for the full understanding of them, for their
complete elimination, and for their final overcoming, abandoning & leaving
all behind. The Noble 8-fold Way is developed for the ceasing of all craving!
Comments: Any form of craving is a sign of an underlying addiction:
1: The first kind of sensual craving for sights, sounds, smells, flavours,
touches, thoughts and mental states is fairly obvious, yet still tenacious...
2: The second craving is for becoming things such as: Rich, famous, praised,
satisfied, beautiful, young, painless, healthy, strong, respected… etc…
3: The third kind of craving is for not becoming things such as: Sick, poor,
criticized, despised, weak, ugly, afflicted, lonely, unsuccessful, dead. etc…
The proximate Cause of all Suffering is this Craving, which have to be left!
This is the 2nd Noble Truth! Craving means: All kinds of lust, desire, hunger,
thirst, longing, urging, yearning for, attraction to, hankering, and hoping.
Ceasing of all Craving is ceasing of Suffering! This is the 3rd Noble Truth!
The proximate cause of craving is feeling. The effect of craving is clinging.
Clinging is thus caused by craving. When craving arises, clinging also arises!
Whatever is delighted in creates craving, clinging and thus Suffering!
More on this thorny Craving (Tanha) causing all pain:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Cut_Craving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Craving_is_Pain.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Craving_is_Cause.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Origin_of_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ceasing_of_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Craving_is_Catastrophic.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_3_kinds_of_Craving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_2nd_Noble_Truth_on_The_Cause_of_Suffering.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V:58] section 45: The Way. 175: The 3 Cravings ...
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
Clinging is caused by Craving!
Craving creates Suffering...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_3_kinds_of_Craving.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 :-) _/\_
The Three Basic Kinds of Feeling!
The blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus and friends, there are these three feelings... What three?
1: Pleasant feeling,
2: Painful feeling,
3: Neutral neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling.
These are the three basic feelings! A disciple of the Buddha, aware,
focused, clearly comprehending, understands these three feelings.
And contact as the cause of any feeling. When contact ceases they
fade away & vanish. The Noble Way is leading to their elimination.
With the final quenching of feeling, one is freed of all yearning and
thus fully stilled...
Whether feeling is pleasant, painful or neither-painful-nor-pleasant,
whether internal or external; whatever kind of feeling there is:
Knowing: This is Suffering, perishing, momentary, disintegrating...
Having been touched and contacted by them, noting their instant
ceasing, their transience, one gradually loses all passion for them...
There are these three basic feelings. What three?
Pleasant feeling, painful feeling, and neutral feeling.
Pleasant feeling causes craving towards the felt object!
Painful feeling causes craving away from the felt object!
Neutral feeling causes craving for something else, than the object!
All mental states converges on this very felt quality of feeling...
All converges on Feeling (Vedana):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Indifference_Creates_Ignorance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Three_Basic_Kinds_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Feeling_Causes_and_Effects.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_8_Aspects_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Bodily_and_Mental_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Detached_from_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Dependent_on_Contact.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/u_v/vedanaa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Focusing_on_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Analysis_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_108_Feelings.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Emotional_Storm.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Latent_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Five_Feelings.htm
From Sense Contact arises all Feeling!
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book IV [204-5] 36: feeling. Vedana. Focused on Pleasure. 1-2.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Feeling Causes Craving!
The 3 Basic Feelings...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Three_Basic_Kinds_of_Feeling.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 :-) _/\_
Real Peace is without urge for Pleasant Feeling!
The Blessed Buddha once explained this to some gravely sick Bhikkhus:
A Bhikkhu should spend his time acutely aware & clearly comprehending...
This is our instruction to you! While a Bhikkhu lives in this way, aware and
clearly comprehending, enthusiastic, keen, and determined, if there arises
in him a pleasant feeling, then he understands this: There has arisen in me
an event of pleasant feeling. Now that is dependent, it is not independent.
Dependent on what? Dependent on this sense-contact! But all contact is
impermanent, passing, conditioned, constructed and dependently arisen...
So when this pleasant feeling has arisen in dependence on sense-contact,
that indeed is impermanent, conditioned, dependently arisen, how could it
ever then itself be lasting and permanent? He dwells in this way always
contemplating this impermanence of contact and also of pleasant feeling,
and he considers the inevitable vanishing, fading away, and total ceasing,
that entails relinquishment of all constructions. While he reflects thus,
then the underlying tendency to lust for contact and pleasant feeling is
gradually reduced. This deep craving fades way and is finally eliminated...
He understands: With the breakup of this body, at the exhaustion of this
fragile life, whatever feeling, and all that is felt, whether pain or pleasure,
neither being hankered after, nor clung to, will cool down right there...
Sense Organ + Sense Object + Sense Consciousness = Sense-Contact
Visibility of Eye + Visible Form + Visual Consciousness = Eye-Contact
Ear Sensitivity + Sound + Auditory Consciousness = Ear-Contact
Nose Sensitivity + Smell + Olfactory Consciousness = Nose-Contact
Tongue Sensitivity + Taste + Gustatory Consciousness = Tongue-Contact
Skin Sensitivity + Touch Object + Tactile Consciousness = Body-Contact
Mind Receptivity + Thought + Mental Consciousness = Mental-Contact
Contact is not the outer physical impact, but an inner mental construction!
The Buddha on Contact (Phassa):
Dependent on the eye and the forms, eye-consciousness arises.
The coming-together of these three phenomena, is sense-contact. MN 18
For those overcome by contact, flowing along in the stream of becoming,
following a miserable path, the ending of fetters is quite far away.
While those, who comprehend contact, delighting in stilling through insight,
they, by breaking through contact, free from craving, are totally unbound!
Sn 736-7
Subduing desire for both the inner and the outer, comprehending contact,
with no greed. Doing nothing, which he himself would rebuke himself for,
the enlightened person doesn't cling to what is seen, or to what is heard!
Sn 778
Not attaching to the future, without sorrow over the past, he constructs
no wrong 'ego-self-I-me' view fancying mere contact as 'my' experience.
Sn 851
Pleasure, pain and indifference all have their source in sense-contact.
When this sense-contact is absent, these affective states are also absent.
The idea of appearing & disappearing, existence & non-existence, and any
event of becoming & non-becoming also emerges from this same contact!
Sn 870
What is the cause of sense-contact? From what arises so much clinging?
By the absence of what, is there no selfish possessiveness or attachment?
By the disappearance of what, does sense-contact, not make contact?
Sn 871
Sense-contact depends on mentality and materiality: Name-and-Form.
Clinging possessiveness has its source in longing for & wanting something!
When not longing for anything, then there is no egoistic possessiveness...
By the vanishing of formed objects, sense-contact cannot make contact!
Sn 872
When a Bhikkhu is touched by bodily painful contact, he does not bemoan.
He wouldn't long for coming into another state, or tremble at any terror!
Sn 923
Pleasant Feeling induces Greed and Attraction...
Painful Feeling produces Hate and Aversion...
Neither-painful-nor-pleasant = neutral Feeling,
causes neglect and generates Ignorance thereby!
All states converges on Feeling (Vedana):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Three_Basic_Kinds_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Feeling_Causes_and_Effects.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_8_Aspects_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Bodily_and_Mental_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Detached_from_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Dependent_on_Contact.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Focusing_on_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Analysis_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_108_Feelings.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Emotional_Storm.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Latent_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Five_Feelings.htm
More on Contact (Phassa):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Diversity_of_Contacts.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/In_Dependence_on_Contact.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book IV [214]
section 36: Feeling. Vedana. The Sick-Ward. 8.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
Have a nice, noble and independent day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Feeling is caused by Contact...
Depending on Contact!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Dependent_on_Contact.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 :-) _/\_
Mutual Joy cures all vicious Envy and Jealousy!
The dear companion can be the proximate cause for Mutual Joy, where one
rejoices in another being's success... One thus rejoicing in other's fortune
is called a 'boon companion', for he is constantly glad: He laughs first and
speaks afterwards! So he should be the first to be pervaded with gladness.
Or on seeing a dear person being happy, cheerful and glad, mutual joy can
be aroused thus: 'See this being is indeed glad! How good, how excellent!'
Just as one would be glad at seeing a dear and beloved person very happy,
exactly so does one pervade all other beings in all directions with mutual joy...
Rejoicing mutual joy can also be aroused by remembering other's happiness
in the past and recollecting the elated joy aspect in this way: 'In the past he
had great wealth, a great following and he was always glad'. Or mutual joy
can be aroused by apprehending the future glad aspect of his in this way:
'In the future he will again enjoy similar success and will go about in gold
palanquins, on the backs of elephants or on horseback'. Having thus aroused
mutual joy regarding a dear person, one can then direct the very same feeling
successively towards a neutral one, and gradually towards any hostile person.
Vbh 274, Vism I 316
Comments:
Mutual joy causes Contentment! No mutual joy thus means Discontentment!
Therefore: If being generally dissatisfied, then be happy over other's gains.
Secondly: Mutual joy causes all envy & jealousy to evaporate into equanimity!
Mutual Joy (Mudita), which cures all envy and jealousy, is a divine state!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mutual_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoicing_Bliss_is_Mudita.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Infinitely_Joyous_Consciousness.htm
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Mutual Joy Causes Contentment! :-)
Rejoicing Joy!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Rejoicing_Joy.htm
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 :-) _/\_
Human Beings Possess 22 Abilities!
The 6 sense sources (Ayatana):
1. The ability to see via the eye (cakkhu)
2. The ability to hear via the ear (sota)
3. The ability to smell via the nose (ghana)
4. The ability to taste via the tongue (jivha)
5. The ability to touch via the body (kaya)
6. The ability to think & experience via the mind (mano)
The 3 kinds of Becoming (Bhava):
7. The ability to be a woman = feminine (itthi)
8. The ability to be a man = masculine (purisa)
9. The ability to be alive = vitality (jivita)
The 5 Feelings (Vedana):
10. The ability to feel bodily pleasant feeling (sukha)
11. The ability to feel bodily pain (dukkha)
12. The ability to feel mental gladness (somanassa)
13. The ability to feel mental sadness (domanassa)
14. The ability to feel neutral indifference (upekkha)
The 5 Spiritual abilities (Bala):
15. The ability to have convinced faith (saddha)
16. The ability to harness energy (viriya)
17. The ability to be aware and mindful (sati)
18. The ability to concentrate mind (samadhi)
19. The ability to understand (pañña)
The 3 Supramundane abilities:
20. The ability to come to know the yet unknown (aññataññassamitindriya)
21. The ability of the highest knowledge (aññindriya)
22. The ability of him who knows the highest (aññatavindriya)
Comments:
Using these 22 tools beings can reach lasting happiness (Nibbana),
which is the sole purpose and final meaning of being in existence...
More on the Abilities (indriya):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/g_m/indriya.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Elements_Diversity_and_Abilities.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Analysis_of_the_Abilities.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Fruits_of_the_Abilities.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Five_Abilities_Summary.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Finding_the_Abilities.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ability_Purification.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Developing_Abilities.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Analytical_Abilities.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Dominant_Abilities.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Origin_of_Abilities.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Uprooting_Ability.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_5_Abilities.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Final_Abilities.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Well_Equipped.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Capable is the Human State...
The 22 Abilities!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/The_22_Abilities.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 are these four persons who are quite comparable to Trees?
There are these four kinds of trees:
One itself rotten & weak, but surrounded by strong hardwood ones...
One itself of strong hardwood, but surrounded by rotten & weak ones...
One itself rotten & weak, and also surrounded by rotten & weak ones...
One itself of strong hardwood, and also surrounded by strong hardwood ones...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Pics/schiele.four-trees.jpg
Schiele: Four Trees
There are four types of persons similar to these four classes of trees:
A person himself rotten & weak, but yet surrounded by the strong & good!
A person himself strong & good, but yet surrounded by the rotten & weak!
A person himself rotten & weak, and also surrounded by the rotten & weak!
A person himself strong & good, and also surrounded by the strong & good!
How is the one himself is rotten & weak, but yet surrounded by the strong & good?
Here one is immoral, and wicked, while his friends are moral men of lovely nature...
Thus is a person, who himself is rotten & weak, surrounded by the strong & good,
just in the same way as a rotten & weak tree is surrounded by strong & good ones...
How is a person who himself is strong & good, yet surrounded by the rotten & weak?
Here one is moral, of lovely nature, but he has friends, who are immoral, & wicked...
Thus is a person, who is strong & good surrounded by the rotten & weak, just in the
same way as a strong & good tree, is surrounded by many rotten & weak ones...
How is a person who is rotten & weak, and also surrounded by the rotten & weak?
Here one is immoral, wicked & evil, who has friends who are immoral, wicked & evil!
Thus is a person, who is rotten & weak, and also surrounded by those rotten & weak,
just in the same way as a rotten & weak tree, is surrounded by rotten & weak ones...
Finally: How is a person who is strong & good surrounded by the strong & good?
Here one is moral of lovely nature, who has similar moral friends of lovely nature...
Thus is a person, who is strong & good surrounded by the strong & good, just in the
same way as a strong & good tree, is surrounded by strong & good hardcore ones...
These are the four persons comparable to trees existing in this world...
Comment:
Discrimination of good & bad groups is a signature sign of Genuine Understanding!
Source:
The 4th Higher Science Abhidhamma Book: The Personality Concept: Puggala-Paññatti.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=130096
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Pics/monet.4.trees.jpg
Monet: Four Trees
More on Buddhist Personality Analysis:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Human_Types.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_7_Persons.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Nine_Supremes.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Four_Personalities.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Ideal_Person.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_9_Supremes_Explained.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_4_Persons_similar_to_Trees.htm
Have a nice discriminating day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Choose Company Carefully!
The Four Trees...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/The_4_Persons_similar_to_Trees.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 :-) _/\_
Taking Refuge: The Winner move for Blinded Beings!!!
The Venerable Mahamoggallana once told a large group of young devas:
Advantageous indeed is taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma & the Sangha…
Because of taking refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha some beings here,
at the break-up of the body, right after death, are reborn in a divine destination,
in a heavenly world! There they surpass the other devas in ten respects: In life span,
in divine beauty, in divine happiness, in divine fame, in divine power, and in enjoying
divine forms, sounds, odours, tastes, and touchable objects… Advantageous indeed
is therefore this taking refuge in the 3 Jewels: The Buddha, the Dhamma & the Sangha…
Comments:
Good to know for all beings, who do neither know from where they came, nor what
brought them there, and who do neither know, where they are going after death,
nor what causes, will bring them there! There are 31 levels of existence. Take care!
For taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha see here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Three_Jewels.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Saddhamma_Sangha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Refuges_and_Precepts.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book IV [256] section 40:10 On Sakka ...
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html
Have a nice day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Refuge is Rescue!
Taking Refuge is the Winner move for Blinded Beings!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Divine_Refuge.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 is a Friend Good?
The Blessed Buddha once explained:
Who is welcoming and friendly,
Generous, open and unselfish,
A guide, an instructor, a leader,
Such one will gain much honour!
Digha Nikaya 31
The friend who is a helping companion,
The friend both in happiness and misery,
The friend who gives good & sound advice,
The friend who really cares & understands...
These four, the clever knows as good Friends!
These 4 heroes, one should cherish devotedly,
as a mother nurses her own only child.
Digha Nikaya 31
If one finds a wise and intelligent friend,
who lives a good, correct & fully pure life,
Then, overcoming all obstacles, one should
always keep his joyous and alert company...
Dhammapada 328
More on the good in beautiful Friendship (Kalyanamittata):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Buddha_on_Noble_Frienship.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Selfless_Friendship_is_Sweetest.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/All_Embracing_Kindness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Blazing_Friendliness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/United_in_Harmony.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Good_Friend.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Goodwill_Encore.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Good_Friendship.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Blazing_&_Bright.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Friendliness_Frees.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kalyanamitta.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Metta.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Fine Friendship never Fails!
The Good Friend!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Good_Friend.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 :-) _/\_
The 4 Noble Truths are the Core of Buddhism!
1: This is Suffering!
Suffering is of three kinds:
a: Obvious suffering, which is any bodily pain and any mental sadness.
b: Suffering due to change includes also pleasant feeling as this indeed also
becomes quite disappointing, when it inevitably changes, fades, and vanishes.
c: Suffering due to construction is all that is conditioned, since all this thus
later inevitably will fall apart. This also includes any object which induces a
neutral feeling. This 1st Noble Truth, that points out that all worldly indeed
ultimately speaking is Suffering, has to be fully understood in all aspects...
2: Craving is the Cause of Suffering!
a: Craving for sensing forms, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, & mental states.
b: Craving for becoming. (ex: May I become rich, forever young, famous...)
c: Craving for non-becoming (ex: May I not become sick, nor old, nor dead!)
This Second Noble Truth on the Cause of Suffering has to be eliminated...
3: Absence of Craving is the End of Suffering!
a: Not craving any sense stimuli of any kind...
b: Not craving for any kind of becoming this or that in the future...
c: Not craving any non-becoming, but accepting all the ills that will come...
This 3rd Noble Truth on the End of Suffering has to be accomplished!
4: The Noble 8-Fold Way is the Method to End Suffering!
Which Noble 8-fold Way has to be developed in order to end all suffering?
Right View (samma-ditthi)
Right Motivation (samma-sankappa)
Right Speech (samma-vaca)
Right Action (samma-kammanta)
Right Livelihood (samma-ajiva)
Right Effort (samma-vayama)
Right Awareness (samma-sati)
Right Concentration (samma-samadhi)
This Fourth Noble Truth on the Way to End Suffering has to be completed.
More on these quintessential Four Noble Truths (Ariya-Sacca):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Actually_So.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Indeed_True.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Four_but_One.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_16_Aspects.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Focused_Truths.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Clustered_Truths.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Absolute_Certainty.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/sacca.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Ultimate_Fact.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Simple_yet_Complex.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Concentrated_Truth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_4_Noble_Truths.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Perfectly_Enlightened.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_4_Truths_Meaning.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Indispensable_Necessity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_1st_Noble_Truth_on_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_2nd_Noble_Truth_on_The_Cause_of_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_3rd_Noble_Truth_on_The_Ceasing_of_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_4th_Noble_Truth_on_The_Way_to_Cease_Suffering.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
The 4 Truths have to be fully understood...
The 4 Noble Truths!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_4_Noble_Truths.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 :-) _/\_
The 1st Noble Truth: All this is Suffering!!
The blessed Buddha once said:
One should dwell reflecting on all phenomena as mental states in the light
of these Four Noble Truths. How does one do so? One sees, understands,
and knows it as it verily is:
All this and such is suffering! Craving is the cause & origin of all suffering!
The total absence of all craving is the ceasing of all suffering!
This Noble 8-fold Way is the only method to eliminate all suffering!
And what, Bhikkhus, is this 1st Noble Truth of Suffering?
Birth is suffering, ageing is suffering, decay is suffering, death is suffering.
Sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, & discontent are suffering. Being joined
with any disliked is suffering. Being separated from any liked is suffering.
Not getting what one wants is suffering. Getting what one does not want is
suffering. In short, the five clusters of clinging are suffering.
And what, Bhikkhus, is birth?
In whatever being & group of individuality, there is birth, coming into being,
emergence, appearance, manifestation of the 5 clusters clusters of clinging,
development of the ability to sense, that, Bhikkhus, is called birth...
And what, Bhikkhus, is ageing?
In whatever being & group of individuality, there is ageing, decaying, broken
teeth, grey hair, wrinkled skin, shrinking & fading away, weakening of the
ability to sense, that, Bhikkhus, is called ageing...
And what, Bhikkhus, is death?
In whatever being & group of individuality, there is a passing away, cut off,
disappearance, death, dying, an ending, a breaking-up of the clusters, a loss
of the body, a loss of the mind, that, Bhikkhus, is called death...
And what, Bhikkhus, is sorrow?
Whenever, by any kind of tragedy, one is feeling pain, sorrow, frustration,
distress, internal misery, or internal sadness, that Bhikkhus, is called sorrow.
And what, Bhikkhus, is lamentation?
Whenever, by any kind of misfortune, anyone is affected by something sad
and there is crying out, grieving, moaning, wailing & weeping, that is called
lamentation...
And what is pain?
Whatever bodily painful feeling, bodily unpleasant feeling, whatever painful
or unpleasant feeling resulting from bodily contact, that is called pain...
And what, Bhikkhus, is sadness?
Whatever mental painful feeling, mental unpleasant feeling, all frustration
resulting from mental contact, that, Bhikkhus, is called sadness...
And what, Bhikkhus, is discontent?
Whenever, by any kind of anguish, one is disappointed, dissatisfied, feeling
discomfort, dismay, uneasiness, frustration, that is called discontent...
And what Bhikkhus, is being joined with the disliked?
Here whoever has unwanted, undesirable and disliked sights, sounds, smells,
tastes, touches or mental states, or whoever are forced into association, &
dependence to enemies, that is called being joined with the disliked...
And what is being separated from the liked?
Here whoever has what is wanted, liked, and pleasant sights, sounds, smells,
tastes, touches, mental states, or whoever enjoys company of well-wishers,
mother or father, brother or sister, younger or elders, friends or colleagues,
and then is loosing this company, connection, or union, that is called being
separated from the liked...
And what is not getting what one wants and getting what one not wants?
In beings subject to birth, ageing, decay, sickness & death, this wish arises:
"Oh may we not meet any birth, ageing, decay, sickness & death." But such
freedom cannot be gained by naive wishing. In all beings prone to sorrow,
lamentation, pain, sadness, stress & frustration this childish wish arises:
"Oh may we not be afflicted by any sorrow, lamentation, pain, or sadness",
despite none such freedom ever can be won by mere wishing.
That is not getting what one wants, while getting what one not wants...
And what, Bhikkhus, are the five clusters of clusters of clinging?
The five clusters of clusters of clinging are as follows:
The cluster of clinging to all kinds of form,
The cluster of clinging to all kinds of feeling,
The cluster of clinging to all kinds of perception,
The cluster of clinging to all kinds of mental constructions,
The cluster of clinging to kinds of consciousness.
These are the five clusters of clusters of clinging, that all are suffering.
And that, Bhikkhus, is called the 1st Noble Truth of Suffering...
More on 1st Noble Truth: This is Suffering:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Samsaric_Dread.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Devoured_by_Delight.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sour_Sense_Sources.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Samsaric_Round.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_3_Divine_Messages.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Long Speeches of the Buddha. Digha Nikaya. Book II [308-]
Thread: The Foundations of Awareness. Mahasatipatthana Sutta 22.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=251033
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/digha/index.html
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
This and Such is Suffering...
The 1st Noble Truth!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/The_1st_Noble_Truth_on_Suffering.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 :-) _/\_
The 2nd Noble Truth: Craving is the Cause of Suffering!
The blessed Buddha once said:
One should dwell reflecting on all phenomena as mental states in the light
of these 4 Noble Truths. How does one do so? Here, one sees, understands,
and knows this, as it verily is:
All this and all such is suffering!
Craving is the cause and origin of all that suffering!
Absence of craving is the complete ceasing of all suffering!
The Noble 8-fold Way is the method to eradicate all suffering!
And what, monks, is the 2nd Noble Truth on the Cause of Suffering?
It is that Craving, which gives rise to rebirth, drenched with lust and greed,
finding fresh attraction first here, then there: that is to say sensual craving,
craving for becoming into existence, & craving for no-becoming of any being.
And where does this craving arise and manifest itself?
Wherever in the world there is anything attractive and pleasant, it is right
there & then, on the very spot, that this craving arises and manifests itself...
And what is there, in this world, that are attractive and pleasant?
The eye, in this world, are attractive and pleasant, the ear, nose, the tongue,
the body, the mind are attractive and pleasant, and there this craving arises
& puts down its roots. Sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, & mental states
are attractive and amusing, and there craving emerges & establishes itself.
Visual consciousness, auditory consciousness, olfactory consciousness, taste
consciousness, body consciousness, and mental consciousness in this world are
attractive & alluring, and there this craving come up and implants itself.
Eye-contact, ear-contact, nose-contact, tongue-contact, body-contact,
mental-contact in this world are attractive and tempting, & here this craving
begins and reveals itself. Any feeling born of eye-contact, ear-contact,
nose-contact, tongue- contact, body-contact, mind-contact in the world are
appealing & fascinating, and right there this craving occurs & installs itself.
The perception and experience of any sights, sounds, smells, tastes, tangibles,
& thoughts are quite interesting and captivating, and there this craving arises
& imbibes itself. Intention, wishing, wanting and hoping for certain sights,
sounds, smells, tastes, touches, thoughts, and mental ideas are enthralling &
intriguing, and there this craving arises and substantiates itself.
The craving itself, the drive, the push & rush for various sights, sounds, smells,
tastes, tangibles, and many mental-objects in this world is attractive and
seductive, and there this craving also arises and consolidates itself.
Thinking of any sights, sounds, smells, tastes, tangibles, and mental-objects
in this world are attractive & tantalizing, & craving arises & manifests itself.
Prolonged pondering on certain sights, sounds, smells, tastes, tangibles and
the manifold diversity of mental objects in this world are indeed attractive
and enticing, and therefore this craving also arises, manifests, establishes
enhances, habituates, ingraves and reinforces itself...
And all that, is called the 2nd Noble Truth on the Cause of Suffering...
More on the 2nd Noble Truth: Craving of the Cause of Suffering!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Cut_Craving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Craving_is_Pain.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Craving_is_Cause.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/How_to_cure_Greed.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Origin_of_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Craving_is_Catastrophic.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Long Speeches of the Buddha. Digha Nikaya. Book II [306-314]
Thread: The Foundations of Awareness. Mahasatipatthana Sutta 22.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=251033
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/digha/index.html
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Longing leads to misery...
Craving Causes Suffering!
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 :-) _/\_
The 3rd Noble Truth: Ceasing of Craving Stops Suffering!
The blessed Buddha once said:
One should dwell reflecting on all phenomena as mental states in the light
of these Four Noble Truths. How does one do so?
Here, one sees, understands, and knows this as it verily is:
This and such is suffering!
Craving is the cause and origin of all suffering!
Absence of craving is therefore the ceasing of all suffering!
This Noble 8-fold Way is the method to eradicate all suffering!
And what, monks, is the 3rd Noble Truth on the Ceasing of Suffering?
It is the complete fading away, ceasing, elimination, and eradication of all craving.
It is the relinquishing release from craving, the detaching liberation from craving.
And how is such freeing removal of craving, how is such ceasing of craving gained?
Wherever in the world there is anything attractive and pleasant, it is right there
and right then, on the spot, that this craving is deliberately left behind & ceases...
And what is there in this world, that is attractive and pleasant?
The eye, in this world, is attractive and pleasant, the ear, the nose, the tongue,
the body, the mind is attractive and pleasant, and there this craving ceases and
gradually fades away. Sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, and mental states
are attractive & amusing, & there this craving ceases & bit by bit comes to an end.
Eye-consciousness, ear-consciousness, nose-consciousness, tongue-consciousness,
body-consciousness, mental-consciousness in this world is attractive & alluring,
and there this craving ceases and finally finish. All Eye-contact, ear-contact,
nose-contact, tongue-contact, body-contact, mental-contact in this world is
attractive and tempting, and there this craving ceases and slowly leave off.
Any feeling born of eye-contact, ear-contact, nose-contact, tongue- contact,
body-contact, mind-contact in the world is appealing & fascinating, and right
there this craving ceases and steadily die away. The perception and experience
of any sights, sounds, smells, tastes, tangibles, & thoughts is quite interesting
and captivating, and there this craving ceases & grows dim. Intention, wishing,
wanting and hoping for certain sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, thoughts,
ideas and mental states is enthralling & intriguing, and there this craving ceases
and dissolves itself. The craving itself, the drive, push & rush for various sights,
sounds, smells, tastes, tangibles, & many mental-objects in this world is attractive
and seductive, and there this craving also ceases & progressively eliminates itself.
Thinking of any sights, sounds, smells, tastes, tangibles, and mental-objects in this
world is attractive & tantalizing, there this craving ceases & falls off drop by drop.
Prolonged pondering on certain sights, sounds, smells, tastes, tangibles & the manifold
diversity of mental objects in this world is attractive & enticing, & there this craving
also fades away, is stilled, ceases, & is finally all eliminated...
And that, bhikkhus, is called the 3rd Noble Truth on the ceasing of Suffering...
The extinguishing of the Fire of Craving (Tanha) ceases all Suffering!
More on the 3rd Noble Truth: The End of all Suffering!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ceasing_of_Suffering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Stilling_of_Clinging.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Signless_Nibbana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Nibbana_True_Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Peace.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Long Speeches of the Buddha. Digha Nikaya. Book II [306-314]
Thread: The Foundations of Awareness. Mahasatipatthana Sutta 22.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=251033
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/digha/index.html
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Stopping Craving Ends Suffering!
Relinquishing is the 3rd Noble Truth...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_3rd_Noble_Truth_on_The_Ceasing_of_Suffering.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 :-) _/\_
The 4th Noble Truth: The Noble 8-fold Way ceases Suffering!
The blessed Buddha once said:
One should dwell reflecting on all phenomena as mental states in the light of these
Four Noble Truths. How does one do so? Here, one sees, understands, and knows
this, as it verily and really is:
All this is suffering!
Craving is causing all that suffering!
Absence of craving ceases all suffering!
This Noble 8-fold Way is the only method to cease all suffering!
And what, Bhikkhus, is this Noble Truth of the Way to cease all suffering?
It is just this Noble 8-fold Way, namely:
Right View (samma-ditthi)
Right Motivation (samma-sankappa)
Right Speech (samma-vaca)
Right Action (samma-kammanta)
Right Livelihood (samma-ajiva)
Right Effort (samma-vayama)
Right Awareness (samma-sati)
Right Concentration (samma-samadhi)
And what, Bhikkhus and friends, is Right View?
It is, Bhikkhus, knowing such is suffering, such is the cause of suffering,
knowing such is the ceasing of suffering, and knowing such is the way leading
to the cessation of suffering. This is called Right View...
And what, Bhikkhus and friends, is Right Motivation?
Being motivated by withdrawal, by good-will, and being motivated by utter
harmlessness. This, Bhikkhus and friends, is called Right Motivation...
And what, Bhikkhus and friends, is Right Speech?
Refraining from any lying, from slandering, from scolding, and refraining
from empty gossip. This is called Right Speech...
And what, Bhikkhus and friends, is Right Action?
Refraining from all killing, from all stealing and cheating, and avoiding all
sexual misconduct. This is called Right Action...
And what, Bhikkhus and friends, is Right Livelihood?
Here, Bhikkhus and friends, the Noble Disciple, having given up all wrong
livelihood, lives by right livelihood. This is called Right Livelihood...
And what, Bhikkhus and friends, is Right Effort?
Here, Bhikkhus and friends, one makes a decision, makes an effort, stirs up
energy, exerts the mind and strives to prevent the arising of unarisen evil
disadvantageous mental states. One makes a decision... and strives hard to
overcome any evil disadvantageous mental state that already have arisen.
One makes a decision... and strives to develop all yet unarisen advantageous
mental states. One makes a decision, makes an effort, stirs up energy,
exerts the mind and strives to maintain any advantageous mental states,
that already have arisen, not letting them fade away, growing them greater,
to the fulfilled perfection of development. This is called Right Effort...
And what, Bhikkhus and friends, is Right Awareness?
Here, Bhikkhus, one dwells considering the body as a group of mere form,
alert, clearly comprehending & aware, thereby ending worldly urge & trouble...
One dwells considering feelings just as assigned responses, alert, clearly
comprehending and aware, thereby ending all worldly urge and trouble...
One dwells considering mind & mentality just as ever changing moods, alert,
clearly comprehending and aware, thereby ending worldly urge and trouble...
One dwells considering all phenomena only as always shifting mental states,
alert, clearly comprehending & aware, thereby ending worldly urge & trouble...
This is called Right Awareness...
And what, Bhikkhus and friends, is Right Concentration?
Secluded from sensual desires, protected from any detrimental mental state,
one enters & dwells in the 1st jhana; full of Joy & pleasure born of solitude,
joined with directed and sustained thought.
Again, with the stilling of directed & sustained thought, one enters & dwells
in the 2nd jhana, calmed and assured unification of mind, in joy & pleasure
now born of a concentration, which is empty of all thought and thinking!
Again, friends, with the fading away of joy, one dwells in equanimity, just
aware & clearly comprehending, still feeling bodily pleasure, one enters
upon & remains in the 3rd jhana, regarding which the Noble Ones declare:
'In aware Equanimity one dwells in Happiness!'...
Again, friends, with the leaving behind of both pleasure and pain, & with
the prior fading away of both joy & sorrow, one enters & dwells in the 4th
jhana; a serene mental state of still, open and clear awareness, purified by
the Equanimity of neither-pain-nor-pleasure! This is Right Concentration...
That, Bhikkhus, is called the Way leading to the Ceasing of all Suffering...
Further study on the Noble 8-fold Way:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Middle_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Fulfilled_First_.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Noble_8_fold_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_3-fold_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Failed_by_Neglect.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Noble_8-Fold_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Fruits_of_the_Noble_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_4th_Noble_Truth_on_The_Way_to_Cease_Suffering.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Long Speeches of the Buddha. Digha Nikaya. Book II [306-314]
Thread: The Foundations of Awareness. Mahasatipatthana Sutta 22.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=251033
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/digha/index.html
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
The Noble Way!
The 4th Noble Truth is the method to end Pain...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_4th_Noble_Truth_on_The_Way_to_Cease_Suffering.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 is Release by Equanimity Achieved?
The Blessed Buddha once said:
And how, Bhikkhus, is release of mind by serene equanimity (Upekkha)
achieved? What does this liberation have as its destination, what is
its culmination, what is its sweet fruit, and what is the ultimate goal
of mental release by universally neutral & imperturbable equanimity?
Here, a Bhikkhu dwells pervading first the entire frontal quadrant,
with a mind imbued with infinite equanimity, so the second quadrant,
the 3rd quadrant, and the 4th quadrant. As above, so below, across,
and everywhere, & as to all beings also to himself, he dwells pervading
the entire universe with a mind saturated with unlimited equanimity,
immense, exalted, measureless, without hostility, without any enmity,
without any ill will! Thus prepared and expanded, he then develops:
1: The Awareness Link to Awakening joined with limitless equanimity.
2: The Investigation Link to Awakening fused with such equanimity.
3: The Energy Link to Awakening together with infinite equanimity.
4: The Joy Link to Awakening accompanied with absolute equanimity.
5: The Tranquillity Link to Awakening linked with serene equanimity.
6: The Concentration Link to Awakening associated with equanimity.
7: The Equanimity Link to Awakening joined with endless equanimity.
Based upon seclusion, disillusion, ceasing, and culminating in release.
If he then wishes:
May I dwell experiencing the repulsive in any unrepulsive & tempting,
then he can dwell experiencing repulsiveness therein. If he wishes:
May I dwell experiencing the unrepulsive in any disgusting & repulsive,
then he dwells experiencing pleasing beauty in whatever disgusting!
If he wishes: May I dwell experiencing the repulsive in what is both
unrepulsive & repulsive, he dwells experiencing repulsive disgust in it.
If he wishes: May I dwell experiencing the unrepulsive in what is both
unrepulsive & repulsive, he experiences only unrepulsive beauty by it!
If he wishes: Avoiding both the repulsive and the unrepulsive, may I
dwell in equanimity, just aware and clearly comprehending, then he
dwells in equanimity, just aware and clearly comprehending! Or else,
completely transcending the realm of infinitude of consciousness,
only aware that there is nothing, he enters & dwells in the sphere of
the void, empty & vacuous nothingness.. I tell you Bhikkhus for a wise
Bhikkhu here, who has not yet penetrated to an even more superior
mental release, the mental release by imperturbable equanimity has
the subtle sphere of the nothingness as its final culmination!
More on this serene mental state of Equanimity (Upekkha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Even_is_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/High_and_Alert.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Divorced_Freedom.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Serene_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Empty_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Exquisite_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Equanimity_Upekkha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/u_v/upekkhaa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unshakable_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_7_Links_to_Awakening.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Imperturbable_Equanimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Serene_Equanimity_and_Beyond.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/tatra_majjhattataa.htm
Source of reference (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V: 115-21] 46: The Links. 54: Joined by Friendliness...
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Imperturbability induces Peace...
Serene is Equanimity!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Empty_Equanimity.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 :-) _/\_
To whom should one give, to gain most Merit?
The young brahman Magha once asked the Blessed Buddha:
When giving food, where would this offering be most purified for the donor?
The Blessed One answered: If any open-handed householder, a lordly giver,
Magha, seeking merit, looking for merit, sacrifices, giving food and drink to
others, such one would achieve most merit, if the recipient is pure and Noble.
Such, who indeed wander unattached in the world, having & wanting nothing,
fully accomplished, in complete self-control, upon them, at the right time one
should bestow an offering. Those who have cut all mental bonds and fetters,
who are tamed, completely released, without affliction, without desire, upon
them, at the right time, should one bestow an offering. Upon these purified &
Noble Ones should any brahman, who is looking for merit, place his sacrifice!
Sutta-Nipata verses 488-491 Edited excerpt.
Pure giving cut short: Give 2 those who don't want anything!
The gods became gods as a result of their giving!
More on Giving (Dana) and Merit (Puñña), which is the main next life support:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/giving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/4_Goods.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Glad_Giving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/n_r/punna.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/caaga.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Kathina_Ceremony.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/daana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Reviewing_Generosity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Openhanded_Generosity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Generosity_Contemplation.htm
Giving is getting, since it causes a kammic wealth, which will be reflected back.
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Giving is Getting!
Pure Merit!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Pure_Merit.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 :-) _/\_
Request for required PC replacement:
http://what-buddha-said.net/Pics/pc_crash2.jpg
http://what-buddha-said.net/Pics/PC.crash1.jpg
The computer here used for the Dhamma-drops is unfortunately crashing down:
Fan and fan-controller on mother-board is finished. New fan did not work at all.
Occasional errors on Hard-disk and Key-board. Daily freezing during AV-updates
due to old slow CPU, which cannot be upgraded. Video-editing is impossible due
to small graphics card, which neither can be upgraded (Soldered to motherboard).
A replacement Power-Laptop, suitable for Dhamma-Video editing, is thus needed.
http://what-buddha-said.net/Pics/monkPC.jpg
http://what-buddha-said.net/Pics/elibrary.gif
If you Happily wish to help share the Dhamma world-wide,
then the following options for a contribution are available:
A: Secure online donation via VISA/Credit-Debit-card or bank account:
Click “donate” lowest of this Dhammadhara Foundation webpage:
http://what-buddha-said.net/various/Dhammadhara_Foundation.htm
B: Direct Bank wire transfer to this Bank account:
ING bank, Netherland.
Account#: 3983392 - Mr. A J Schrier
IBAN NL34INGB0003983392
BIC INGBNL2A
Phone: +31757851279
or +31610570795 (mobile)
Email: ajschrier@yahoo.co.uk
C: Cheque, bank-draft or money-order to:
Mr. Miguel Stig Lima
Kanslergade 7 st. tv.
Copenhagen 2100 Ø,
DENMARK
Phone +45 20820962 or +45 32102664
Email: stiglima@gmail.com
Many Thanx in advance for your quite kind help!
The website http://What-Buddha-Said.net has recently been chosen to be
among the 50 best Buddhist blogs: The 50 Best Buddhism Blogs:
http://www.zencollegelife.com/50-best-buddhism-blogs/
“Our Editors and Readers selected your blog because of its high
standard of quality information mixed with your excellent commentary.”
http://what-buddha-said.net/Pics/Buddha.Face.golden.s2.jpg
http://what-buddha-said.net/Pics/award.jpg
http://What-Buddha-Said.net has more users than ever ~20.000 hits/month:
http://what-buddha-said.net/Pics/trafficGraph.wbs11.jpg
For the website’s continuation & Dhamma-video expansion a new PC is crucial.
May All Beings Become Thus Happy Thereby!
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Give a Helping Hand to a Better Buddhist World!
Request and Award!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/various/Request_and_Reward.htm
Unselfish Joy! How to Rejoice in Other's Success:
By seeing that:
If only happy at one's own success, such egoistic Joy is rare and limited!
If happy at other's success also, the Joy is more frequent & even infinite!
By observing that:
It starts with basic sympathy, develops into acceptance, genuine approval,
& appreciation. It culminates in rejoicing altruistic sympathy by directing
mind to initiation, much cultivation & boundless expansion of Mutual Joy!
By knowing that:
Mutual Joy is the proximate cause of fully satisfied contentment!
Lack of mutual joy is therefore the proximate cause of discontentment!
Mutual Joy instantly eliminates acidic jealousy, grudge and green envy!
Mutual Joy is an infinite, truly divine, elevating and sublime mental state!
The Blessed Buddha succintly pointed out:
If it were impossible to cultivate this Good, I would not tell you to do so!
Buddhaghosa:
See how this worthy being is very Happy!
How fine! How excellent! How sweet!
Let there be Happiness. Let there be open Freedom.
Let there be Peace. Let there be Bliss from cultivating this.
Let there be Understanding of this mental state of Mutual Joy!
Cultivation of Mutual Joy is the specific medicine against Envy & Jealousy:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mutual_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Rejoicing_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Infinitely_Joyous_Consciousness.htm
Mudita: The Buddha's Teaching on Unselfish Joy: BPS Wheel Publication No. 170
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/various/wheel170.html
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Mutual Joy Rejoices in Other' Good Luck...
Mutually Rejoicing Bliss!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoicing_Bliss_is_Mudita.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 :-) _/\_
Generosity is the first Perfection:
Generosity means willingness to give and share whatever.
Generosity means magnanimous and open-handed liberality.
Generosity means freedom from small and stingy pettiness.
Generosity means practicing charity for the poor and unfortunate.
Generosity means kind bigheartedness towards those worthy of it.
Generosity means warmhearted and altruistic unselfishness.
Generosity provides the kammic cause for later wealth..
Giving causes Getting... No Giving causes Poverty!
The Blessed Buddha explained the treasure of generosity like this:
When a disciple of the Noble Ones whose mind and
mentality is all cleared of disgracing miserliness,
living at home, is freely generous and open-handed,
delighting in being magnanimous,
responsive to every request and,
is enjoying the giving of any alms.
Such is this treasure called generosity.
AN VII 6
Just as a filled pot, which is overturned,
pours out all its water, leaving nothing back,
even and exactly so should one give to those in need.
whether low, middle or high, like the overturned pot,
holding nothing back…!!!
Jataka Nidana [128-129]
The Generosity of Giving,
The Kindness in Speech,
The Benefit of Service,
The Impartiality of treating all Alike,
These 4 threads of Sympathy
upholds this world, like the axle do the cart!
AN II 32
Giving food, one gives and later gets strength
Giving clothes, one gives and later gets beauty
Giving light, one gives and later gets vision
Giving transportation, one gives and later gets ease.
Giving shelter one gives all,
Yet one who instructs in the True Dhamma
- The supreme Teaching of the Buddhas -
Such one gives the quite divine ambrosia!
SN I 32
These are these five rewards of generosity:
One is liked and charming to people at large,
One is admired and respected by wise people,
One's good reputation is spread wide about,
One does not neglect a householder's true duty,
and with the break-up of the body - at the moment
of death - one reappears in a happy destination,
in the plane of the divine worlds!
AN V.35
There are these two kinds of gifts:
material gifts and gifts of Dhamma.
The supreme gift is that of Dhamma.
There are these two kinds of sharing:
material sharing and sharing of Dhamma.
The supreme sharing is that of Dhamma.
There are these two kinds of help:
Material help and help with the Dhamma.
This is the supreme of the two:
help with this subtle Dhamma …
It 98
The gift of Dhamma excells all other gifts.
Dhammapada 354
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 :-) _/\_
Why Does Mind Avoid the Present Moment?
Is mind truly capable of operating in this present and real moment of now?
Memories: When mind is stuck in the forever gone and now unreal past:
Memory is at best incomplete, one sided, and revisionist because mental
consciousness is a process, which molds thoughts of past events into
forms colored by preferences and biases conditioned by past education,
experience, and reasoning. These are simply attachments serving the ego,
the delusional self. Since memory requires mental processing any noticing
of its conclusions is not truly in the present moment, since mind processes
these thoughts, feelings, emotions, perspectives, attitudes, and viewpoints
constructed in the past. The moment any mental state/idea is formulated
by mind, time continues its flow leaving its conclusions behind in the past...
Planning: When mind imagines the yet uncome and equally unreal future:
Originating from the same mental processes, the motivation to make plans is
indicative of a mind afflicted. It is a mind conditioned by dukkha, that is:
Mental and/or physical pain, suffering, stressed and dissatisfied, tormented
with feelings rising out of a desperate need to protect the delusional self,
a mind struggling to prevent what it realizes in its ignorance is inevitable
deterioration, death, and annihilation. Moment by moment. Life by life.
Mindfulness of the present & Meditation Reveals How Our Minds Operate:
Real-time personal observations of our own minds operating in what might be
the best approximation of the present moment is during awareness meditation.
It reminds of sitting in the middle of a busy train terminal watching travelers
come into and disappear out of the view. There seems to be no mental limit as
to direction, volume, or capacity in these passing mental phenomena, that all
arise conditioned by mental contact with both external and internal events,
past, present and future, all totally out of reach of personal control.
This does not mean that we are left helpless, as we can chose to:
A. Pay attention to these mental phenomena, thereby giving them importance
and conditioned reinforcement resulting in clinging and attachment.
B. Or, passively observe, smiling in equanimity, simply letting them pass away
into the same empty mental oblivion from which they arose.
C. Develop and train a mind which is totally devoid of the arising of thought,
where all mental processing has ceased. This is a mind free of clinging, desire,
and attachment. When all mental processing has ceased, such a mind is truly
in the present moment, because no reflection is required, as no mental, or
physical action is being processed or contemplated.
It all boils down to a personal choice to participate, or not to participate in
these flickering, yet captivating effects of mental processing.
When faced with such decisions I have found it beneficial to follow Buddha's
advice as given in the Ambalatthika-rahulovada Sutta regarding the crucial
importance of observing, practicing and training our minds.
source: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.061.than.html
By our friend and kind editor Ronald J. Chiodi, Concord USA.
More on awareness of the present = Mindfulness (Sati):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Clear_and_Aware_Comprehension.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Four_Foundations_of_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Careful_and_Rational_Attention.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Awareness_Ability.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Aware_and_Composed.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sati_a_la_Anuruddha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Awareness_Analysis.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/One_and_only_Way.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Mindfulness = Focus on NOW!
Evading the Present!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Evading_the_Present.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 :-) _/\_
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
Gracious is an Attitude of Gratitude!
Appropriate Appreciation is Advantageous!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/The_Grace_of_Gratitude.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 :-) _/\_
If one wish to experience Infinite Formlessness?
The Blessed Buddha once explained:
Bhikkhus, the concentration gained by Awareness by Breathing,
when developed & cultivated, is of great fruit & big advantage...
And how, Bhikkhus, is concentration by Awareness by Breathing
developed & cultivated so that it is of great fruit & advantage?
Bhikkhus, when one have gone to the forest, or to the root of a
tree, or to an empty hut, there one sits down cross-legged, having
straightened one's body and back, and set up awareness around
the nostrils, then just plain aware of that itself one breathes in,
& just solely aware of only that breathing itself one breathes out...
Breathing in long, one knows, notes and understands: I inhale long!
Breathing out long, one knows, notes & understands: I exhale long!
... ... ... (steps 2-15) ... ... ...
One trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe in!
One trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe out!
Therefore, Bhikkhus, if a friend wishes: May I, via the complete
transcendence of experience of form, with the passing away and
silencing of sensory reaction, without giving any attention to any
experience of any diversity, detail or any difference whatsoever,
just solely aware that this open space is indeed infinite & endless,
enter & dwell immersed in the sphere of this infinitude of space,
then this same concentration by Awareness by Breathing should
be cultivated often and devoted much wholehearted attention!
Furthermore if such friend should wish: By the transcendence of
this infinitude of space, just singly aware that consciousness is
infinite, may I enter and dwell all immersed in that sphere of the
infinitude of consciousness; then Awareness by Breathing should
also here be trained often and devoted much sincere attention!
Even further; if one should wish: May I, by wholly transcending
this subtle sphere of the infinity of consciousness, only aware of
that there is nothing, enter & dwell in empty void of nothingness,
then this very same exercise: Awareness by Breathing should be
trained regularly and dedicated much earnest consideration!
Even more; if one should wish: May I, by thoroughly transcending
this delicate sphere of void nothingness, enter and dwell in the
refined sphere of inert neither-perception-nor-non-perception,
then this very same exercise: Awareness by Breathing should be
trained regularly and dedicated much earnest consideration!
Finally; if one should wish: By leaving all behind, and transcending
even this placid sphere of neither-perception-nor-non-perception,
may I enter & dwell in the ultimate ceasing of perception & feeling
then this very same sublime meditation: Awareness by Breathing
should be repeated everyday and thus given the primary priority!
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:316-7]
section 54: Anapanasamyutta. Thread 8: The simile of the Lamp!
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_II.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_I.htm
Mindfulness of Breathing. Meditation manual by Bhikkhu Ñanamoli. BPS. 1998.
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/pdfs/anapanasati.pdf
On the formless (arupa) Jhanas and Ceasing: nirodha-samapatti:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/9_Stillings.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/g_m/jhaana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/n_r/nirodha_samaapatti.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Calm and Insight!
Reaching Formlessness by Breathing!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_III.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 :-) _/\_
Seeing Disgusting Objects Dispels Greed!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
Awareness of the Body induces all advantageous qualities including clear
comprehension! The ancients said: Protect the sign, protect the nimitta...!
The Asubha Nimitta is a Disgusting Sign fixed in memory by meditation,
that one can redirect mind to whenever overcome by lust, greed and desire.
This sign detaches the mind from clinging to mere forms of foul impurities...
One then gain an 'off' button to turn 'off' desire and craving... This indeed
is the very KEY to disable suffering, since craving is the primary cause of all
suffering. Corpse Meditation (Asubha-Bhavana) effectively reduces desire!
How to cure compulsive over-eating, bulimia, and anorexia:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_32_Parts.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Body_as_only_Form.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Fire_of_Sense-Desire.htm
How to cure sex obsession, porno addiction and gross perversions:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Corpse_Meditation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Body_Contemplation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_9_Corpse_Meditations.htm
How to cure any greed, lust, desire, voracity, lewdness, longing and craving:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Skeleton.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Disgust.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Meditation_On_the_Body_Kayagata-Sati.htm
Clever Disgust cools all obsessive greed and addictive lust:
For Inspiration: A collection of Corpse Pictures Warning: Only for Adults
http://s914.photobucket.com/albums/ac350/Asubha/ Password: corpses
Pick out the most disgusting picture and memorize it firmly and vividly.
Remember it whenever greedy! Then the greed will instantly vanish!
And the frustrating urge and tearing longing therefore subsides!
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Constructive Repulsion...
Disgust Evaporates Lust!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/How_to_cure_Greed.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 :-) _/\_
Urging for Pleasure is a Burning Obsession!
Sense-Desire is the foremost and deepest mental hindrance (Nivarana).
The texts given below aim at illustrating how this obsessive and addictive
urge for sensing only pleasure in the form of sights, sounds, smells, tastes
and touches arise, cease, and is finally cured. The present-day dominance
of the porno and entertainment industry speaks -in itself- clearly of this
problems abundance among human beings today...
The Blessed Buddha once said:
On this occasion the Blessed One was staying at Gaya's Head, together
with a thousand Bhikkhus. There the Blessed One told these Bhikkhus this:
Bhikkhus, all this is burning! And what, Bhikkhus, is that All that is burning?
The eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and the mind is burning. All forms, sounds,
smells, flavours, touches, and mental states are also burning! Whatever kind
of consciousness of sense-contact is also burning! Any feeling arised caused
by contact, whether pleasant, painful or neutral, that too is also burning...
Burning with what? I say: Burning with the fire of lust, hate and ignorance,
birth, ageing, death, sadness, disappointment, frustration, and Suffering!
The Fire Sermon Samyutta Nikaya. Book IV 19-20
First priority: Noticing Sense-Desire (kama-chanda) makes it fade away:
Herein, Bhikkhus, when sense-desire is present in him the Bhikkhu notes:
"There is sense-desire in me," and when sense-desire is absent, he notes:
"There is no sense-desire in me." He also understands how any yet unarisen
sense-desire arises. He understands how to leave behind any already arisen
sensual desire, and he understands how left sense-desire will not ever arise
again in the future. MN 10
What is the feeding cause that makes Sense-Desire arise?
There are attractive and alluring features and aspects of any object...
Frequently giving irrational & unwise attention to them, this is the feeding
cause of the arising of unarisen sense-desire, and also the feeding cause
of the increase and expansion of sense-desire, that already has arisen.
SN 46:51
What is the starving cause that makes Sense-Desire cease?
There are disgusting and repulsive features and aspects of any object...
Frequently giving rational & wise attention to them, this is the starving cause
of the non-arising of unarisen sense-desire, and the starving cause of the
decrease and shrinking of sense-desire that already has arisen.
SN 46:51