Daily Dhamma Drops

samahita · July 2009

Friends:

The 4 Steps to Spiritual Force:

The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, these four Steps to Force, when developed and cultivated,
are Noble and releasing, since they lead the one, who acts upon them
out of this world by the complete & final destruction of Suffering...
They lead to disgusted disillusion, to detachment, to ceasing, to peace,
to direct knowledge, to Enlightenment, to Nibbana. What 4?
Here, friends, a Bhikkhu develops and refines:

1: The Steps to Force of concentrated desire created by effort...
2: The Steps to Force of concentrated energy created by effort...
3: The Steps to Force of concentrated thinking created by effort...
4: The Steps to Force of concentrated investigation created by effort...

These four Steps to Force are Noble and releasing, since they lead
anyone, who acts upon them out of this world by the irreversible
destruction of Suffering... The lead to utter disgust, to disillusion,
to detachment, to ceasing, to direct knowledge, to Peace...
They lead to Enlightenment, they lead to Nibbana...

Dhamma.steps.jpg

Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V:255] section 51: The 4 Forces. 3+4: Noble Disgust.

Have a nice forceful day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

The 4 steps to Force!

NgawangDrolma · July 2009

Bhante,

I've been reading your daily drops for a while at a different site (in fact maybe more than one). I never speak up, but I want to thank you. Your dharma drops are always engaging, colorful, informative, and thoughtful. And helpful!

Best wishes,
Drolma

samahita · July 2009

Friends:

The 8 stages of Mental Mastery:

The Blessed Buddha explained the gradual way to mental mastery:
1: Experiencing forms on one's own body, one visualizes small forms,
as if they were external, (e.g. a tooth, a scar) both beautiful & ugly.
When mastering these, one understands: Now I know, now I see...
This is the first stage of mastery. (Beginning with familiar objects)
2: Experiencing forms on one's own body, one visualizes large forms,
as if external, (e.g. a leg, a bone) beautiful or ugly. When mastering
these, one understands: Now I know, now I see...
This is the second stage of mastery. (Mastering form perception!)
3: Not experiencing any internal form, one visualizes small external
forms. (e.g. a glass, a chair) beautiful or ugly. When mastering these,
one understands: Now I know, now I see...
This is the third stage of mastery. (Expanding object complexity!)
4: Not experiencing internal forms, one visualizes infinite external
forms. (e.g. a galaxy, a universe) beautiful or ugly. When mastering
these, one understands: Now I know, now I see...
This is the fourth stage of mastery. (Mastering size perception!)
5: Not experiencing internal forms, one visualizes external forms.
blue forms, forms of blue radiance, blue appearance, blue lustre.
When mastering these, one understands: Now I know, now I see...
This is the fifth stage of mastery. (Mastering colour perception!)
6: Not experiencing internal forms, one visualizes external forms.
yellow forms, of yellow radiance, yellow appearance, yellow lustre.
When mastering these, one understands: Now I know, now I see...
This is the sixth stage of mastery. (First consolidating repeat!)
7: Not experiencing internal forms, one visualizes external forms.
red forms, forms of red radiance, red appearance, and red lustre.
When mastering these, one understands: Now I know, now I see...
This is the seventh stage of mastery. (Second consolidating repeat)
8: Not experiencing internal forms, one visualizes external forms.
white forms, white radiance, white appearance, white lustre.
When mastering these, one understands: Now I know, now I see...
This is the eighth stage of mastery. (3rd consolidating repeat!)

More on Mental Mastery (Abhibhayatana=Literally: Higher sphere):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/abhibhayatana.htm

The 8 Stages of Mental Mastery!

samahita · July 2009

Friends:

The Ego Illusion is the Strongest Prison!

The Blessed Buddha once said:
'I am' is an illusion. 'This I am' is an illusion. 'I shall be' is an illusion.
'I shall not become this or that' is an illusion. 'I shall be of form'
is an illusion. 'I shall become formless' is an illusion. 'I shall become
endowed with perception' is an illusion. 'I shall become without any
perception' is an illusion. 'I shall become neither with nor without
perception' is an illusion. Illusion is torture, illusion is a mind cancer,
illusion is a thorn in the future. If, however, all illusion is overcome,
one is called a stilled one, a sage. And the stilled one, the sage, is no
more reborn, grows no more old or accumulate any future deaths..
Why not? That craving, through which he could be reborn, is all gone!
If he is not reborn, how can he ever grow old? If he never grows old,
how can he ever die? If one never dies again, how ever to be in panic?
If neither in panic, nor urge, how can one ever be haunted by craving?

More on No-Self (Anatta) = impersonality, ego-lessness, I-Me-Mine-voidness:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Ego-Projection.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/I-dentification.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/No_Agent_is_Inside.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Selfless_Camera.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Input_'I'-dentification.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Neither_Agent_nor_Actor.htm!

bird.ego.jpg

The EGO is an Illegal Illusion: A Freudian Folly!

Source Text (extract): Majjhima Nikaya 140: Analysis of the Elements:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.140.than.html

Have a nice ego-diluted day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

The Ego Illusion!

samahita · July 2009

Friends:

What are the 4 & very best Right Efforts?

The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, there are these four right efforts. What four? Here, Bhikkhus:

1 Preventing Avoidance: One generates desire for the non-emergence of yet
unarisen evil disadvantageous mental states, one makes an effort, one arouses
energy, redirects mind, & strives enthusiastically to prevent bad from arising.
2 Overcoming Elimination: One generates desire for the quick elimination of
already arisen bad detrimental states, one makes an effort, arouses energy,
redirects mind, and one strives enthusiastically for eradication of all wrong...
3 Initiating Development: One generates desire for the arising of yet unarisen
advantageous mental states, one makes an effort, one arouses much energy,
redirects the mind, and strives enthusiastically for the birth of good states...
4 Maintaining Enhancement: One generates desire for the fixed maintenance
of already arisen advantageous states, for their stable increase, expansion,
& final fulfilment by development, one makes an effort, one arouses energy,
redirects the mind, and strives enthusiastically for sustaining all right & good...
These are the four right efforts!
Bhikkhus, just as the river Ganges slants, slopes, and inclines towards the East,
even so does a Bhikkhu, who develops and cultivates these Four Right Efforts
slant, slope, slide, glide and incline directly towards Nibbana!

The 4-Fold Right Effort!

More on this Right Effort!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Effort.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Avoiding_Effort.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Avoiding_Effort2.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Energetic_Effort.htm

If Good: GO! If Bad STOP! Keep on doing just that!

Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V:244] section 49: The 4 Efforts. 1: River Ganges.

Have a nice & advantageous day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

The River of Right Effort runs only Good!

samahita · July 2009

Friends:

Only Stilling of all Construction is Peace!

The Blessed Buddha once said:
Just as the oil-lamp burns on oil and wick, but after consuming of all oil and wick,
through lack of fuel, the flame comes to ceasing, similarly the Bhikkhu knows when
sensing a feeling limited to this body: I am sensing a feeling limited to this body.
Sensing a feeling limited to life, he knows: I am sensing a feeling limited to life.
He knows that: With the break-up of this fragile frame, at the ceasing of life,
all sensed, not being clung to, will grow cold and cease right there & then...
Here this monk, thus cooled, is endowed with the highest unshakable wisdom...
This is the highest and most sacred truth, to know how all Suffering will cease!
Whatever untrue can be mistaken & mislead! Only the absolute Nibbana is true...

On Stilling, Tranquillization, Subsiding & Silenced (Muni):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Calm.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Silenced.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Forest_Bliss.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Stilling_of_Clinging.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Tranquillity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Tranquillity_Passaddhi.htm

Source Text (extract): Majjhima Nikaya 140: Analysis of Elements:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.140.than.html

Have a nice, still and all silent day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Stilled Silence!

samahita · July 2009

Friends:

The Way of the 3 Higher Trainings:

The Blessed Buddha once explained:
There are, Bhikkhus, these 3 kinds of training:
1: Training in Higher Morality (adhi-sila-sikkha)...
2: Training in Higher Consciousness (adhi-citta-sikkha)...
3: Training in Higher Understanding (adhi-pañña-sikkha)...

What, Bhikkhus, is the training in higher morality?
Herein the monk is possessed of morality, is fully controlled by the monastic code
of 227 disciplinary rules, perfected in pure conduct & behaviour by recoiling from
even the minutest offense, he trains himself in these higher moral training rules.
This is called the training in higher morality!

What, Bhikkhus, is the training in higher consciousness?
Herein the monk, secluded from sensual desires, protected from any detrimental
mental state, enters & dwells in the 1st jhana of joy & pleasure born of solitude,
in directed & sustained thought. He enters the 2nd, 3rd & 4th jhana absorption.
This is called the training in higher consciousness!

What, Bhikkhus, is the training in higher understanding?
Herein the monk completely understands according to the actual reality:
What Suffering is, What the Cause of Suffering is,
What the Ceasing of Suffering is, and
What the Way leading to ceasing of Suffering is.
This is called the training in higher understanding!

mind.training.jpg

More 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/IV/The_3-fold_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Noble_8-Fold_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Golden_Middle_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Fruits_of_the_Noble_Way.htm

mind.training.4.jpg

Making Light Shine in a barren place!

Source (edited extract):
Numerical Discourses of the Buddha. Anguttara Nikaya AN 3:88-89
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/Index.Numerical.htm

Have a nice training day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Higher Training!

samahita · July 2009

Friends:

How are all the Buddhist Mental Training 3-fold?

The Blessed Buddha often emphasized:
Friends, without having mastered the basics of good morality (sila),
it is impossible to master the domain of concentration (samadhi)!
Without having mastered the domain of concentration, it is not
possible to master the sphere of understanding (pañña) !!! AN 5:22

Develop your concentration, friends, by regular & daily meditation!
Since the one who has concentration understands things according
to reality as they really are & become. And what are these things?
The momentary arising and passing away of all forms, of all feelings,
any perception, all mental constructions, & of all consciousness. SN 22:5

1:Morality (Sila) => 2:Concentration (Samadhi) => 3:Understanding (Pañña)!

About Morality (Sila): The Basics of all Good is this mighty Morality see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Mighty_is_Morality.htm

concentration.letters.jpg

About Concentration (Samadhi): The best Tool is Concentration see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Concentration_Samadhi.htm

About Understanding (Pañña): The highest Ability is Understanding see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Understanding_Ability.htm

Have a nice training day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Mental Training is 3-fold!

samahita · July 2009

Friends:

The Deepest Tranquilization is that of Greed, Hate and Ignorance!

The Blessed Buddha once said:
Formerly, when that person was still ignorant, then he was possessed & obsessed
by sexual & sensual greed, lust, desire, yearning, envy, jealousy, and miserliness...
He was obsessed & possessed by hate, anger, ill-will, irritation and stubbornness...
He was obsessed and possessed by ignorance, doubt, delusion & plain foolishness...
These evils are now overcome by him, eradicated, like a slashed and uprooted tree,
completely destroyed, and therefore unable to sprout into existence ever again!
Therefore such Bhikkhu, thus endowed, is indeed enriched by the highest Calm!
This tranquillization is his unshakable foundation! Since this, friends, is the very
highest and most precious: The Tranquillization of Greed, Hate, and Ignorance!!!

Tranquillity.Buddha.jpg

Tranquillity (Passaddhi) Quiet:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Tranquillity_Passaddhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Tranquillity.htm

Calm (Samatha) Peaceful Ease:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Forest_Bliss.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Calm.htm

The 3 Root Violations (Mula):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Fading_Away.htm

Source Text (extract): Majjhima Nikaya 140: Analysis of the Elements:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.140.than.html

Have a nice still day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Deep Calm!

samahita · July 2009

Friends:

Remembering all Details of a 1000 Universal Cycles!

Once when the Venerable Anuruddha was dwelling at Savatthi in Jeta's Grove,
Anathapindika's Park, a number of Bhikkhus went to the Venerable Anuruddha
and exchanged polite greetings with him. Then they sat down and asked the Ven.
Anuruddha: Venerable Sir: What has the Venerable Anuruddha developed and
cultivated so that he has attained to his famous greatness of direct knowledge?
He answered: It is, friends, because I have developed and cultivated these four
Foundations of Awareness that I have won great direct knowledge. What four?
Here, friends, I dwell constantly contemplating upon:
1: The body only as a frame of transient form, neither as I, me, mine, nor a self...
2: The feelings only as passing sense reactions, neither as I, me, mine, nor a self...
3: The mind only as habitual & transient moods, neither as I, me, mine, nor any self...
4: All phenomena only as momentary mental states, not as any real static existents...
while eager, clearly comprehending, and acutely aware, by that removing all desire and
therefore also all frustration rooted in this world! It is thus, friends, because I have
developed and cultivated these Four Foundations of Awareness, that I have attained
to greatness of direct knowledge. Furthermore, friends, it is indeed, because I have
developed and completely refined these 4 Foundations of Awareness, that I clearly &
easily can remember all the historical details of a Thousand Aeons... !!!

Comments:
In Buddhist cosmology an Aeon (kappa) means a universal cycle, where space first expands,
then stands almost still, then contracts and lastly implodes usually caused by extreme heat.
This is said to happen, when 7 suns, due to the contraction of space, have come so close, that
they can be seen from earth. All the oceans will have evaporated, when 5 suns can be seen!
It is worth noting that this non-steady-state model of the universe described in detail by the
Buddha ~ 2500 years ago, first was "rediscovered" in the 1920ties as the Big Bang theory...

big.bang.jpg

Details and references for further study:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bang
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Sati_Studies.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/g_m/kappa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/One_and_only_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Four_Foundations_of_Awareness.htm

Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:301-2]
section 52: Anuruddha. Thread 11: A Thousand Aeons!

Have a nice universally aware day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Remembering 1000 Aeons!

samahita · July 2009

Friends:

Good for All are the 3 Kinds of Right Bodily Action!

The Blessed Buddha once said:
How, Cunda, is purity of bodily action 3-fold?
1: Harmlessness!
Herein, someone avoids the destruction of all life, does never kill any living being.
Without stick or weapon, careful, kind, and full of sympathy, one protects the
welfare of all living beings!
2: Honesty!
One avoids all stealing, abstains from taking what is not freely given, what another
possesses of goods and property in the village or in the woods, one does not take
any of that away with thievish intent!
3: Decency!
One avoids all illicit and abusive sexual contacts, and abstains from all adultery:
One has no intercourse with youngsters there are under the protection of father,
mother, brother, relatives, nor with any married persons, nor with any convicts,
nor with betrothed persons, nor with those engaged to another partner!
This 3-fold purity of bodily action is obviously advantageous for all beings!

More on Right Action (Samma Kammanta):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Action.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Unintentional_Action.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Good_Action_dilutes_Evil_Kamma.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Good_Action_enhances_other_Good_Kamma.htm

Source (edited extract):
Numerical Discourses of the Buddha. Anguttara Nikaya AN 10:176
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/Index.Numerical.htm

Have a nice pure day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Pure Action x3!

samahita · July 2009

Friends:

Winning the Highest by Awareness!

Once when the Venerable Anuruddha was dwelling at Savatthi in
Jeta's Grove, in Anathapindika's Park, a number of Bhikkhus went
to the Venerable Anuruddha & exchanged polite greetings with him.
Then they sat down and asked the Ven. Anuruddha: Venerable Sir:
What has the Venerable Anuruddha developed & cultivated so that
he has attained to his famous greatness of direct knowledge?
He answered:
It is, friends, because I have developed and cultivated these four
Foundations of Awareness, that I have won great direct knowledge!
What four? Here, friends, I dwell constantly contemplating upon:
1: The Body only as a formed group, neither as me, lasting, nor pleasure!
2: The Feelings only as passing sensations, neither as mine, nor pleasure!
3: The Mind only as temporary mentalities, neither as I, nor any self!
4: All Phenomena only as mental states, neither as substance, nor real!
while eager, clearly comprehending, & fully aware, thereby removing
any desire & frustration rooted in this world! It is, friends, because
I have developed & cultivated these Four Foundations of Awareness,
that I have become empowered with the suprahuman forces: I see &
understand as it really is, any present defilement, the obstruction of,
the cleaning of, and the emergence from all the subtle jhana states,
all the deliverances, all concentrations, & all higher mental attainments.
It is, because I have developed and fully refined these indeed supreme
Four Foundations of Awareness, that I by the full elimination of the
mental fermentations, in this very life enter & dwell in the stainless
release of mind, & release by understanding, realizing it myself with
direct knowledge, gained through direct experience...

4.frames.of.reference.jpg

=

Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:305-6]
section 52: Anuruddha. Thread 21+24: The jhanas & fermentations!

Have a nice aware day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Winning Awakening itself by Awareness!
Direct Experience!

samahita · July 2009

Friends:

What is the Unconditioned State Like?

The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, the vanishing of all greed, all hate, and all ignorance:
This, friends, is called the Uncreated..., the Unconditioned ... the Uninclined,
the Unattracted, the Unmanifested State! The Infinite..., the True Freedom...,
the Further Shore... the Subtle..., the Inconceivable..., the Ageless..., The Unity...
the Permanent..., the Beyond of all diversity..., the Peaceful... the Deathless...,
the Sublime Sameness..., the Wonderful... the Sweet Safety..., the Fantastic...,
the Sorrowless..., the Refuge..., the Unoppressed ... the Detached..., the Release,
the Island..., the Shelter..., the Final State..., the Highest Bliss: Nibbana...
Samyutta Nikaya. 43:12-44

There exists indeed, Bhikkhus, that which is unborn, is unbecome, is uncreated,
that which is uncaused and unconditioned…
For if there were not, Bhikkhus, that which is unborn, is unbecome, is uncreated,
that which is uncaused and unconditioned, there could not be made known right
here the absolute escape from that, which is born, from that which is become,
from that which is created, from that which is conditioned...
However since there indeed exists, Bhikkhus, that sublime state, which is unborn,
which is unbecome, which is uncreated, and absolutely unconditioned, there is
therefore right now made known the complete escape from that, which is born,
from that, which is created, from that, which is conditioned...
Itivuttaka: 43

samahita · July 2009

Friends:

How to quell all Revenge!

The Blessed Buddha once said:
If in your domain the enemy has hurt you,
Why should you torture your own mind,
This lies not in the enemy's territory?

Your kind family you left all behind,
Why don't you leave your enemy also,
and the hate, that brings so much torment?

We truly entertain & play with this gnawing
anger, which brings any good one wish to purify
to sole ruin, complete fiasco and full failure!!!
Can there exist any greater fool, than one in Anger?

When someone has done us wrong,
We fly into hot rage and fierce fury!
But why then do we thus repeat and commit
the same evil as we just blamed the others?

If somebody while wishing to worry you,
Has done you some wrong and vile thing,
Why do you worry then yourself,
And thereby satisfy his wish?
If you are in rage, and longing for revenge,
whether you return some evil to him or not,
You will evermore torture yourself with the
pain that always inherently is born of any hate!

If, out of rage and anger, your enemy
Should do you some real wrong & harm,
Why do you imitate his evil behaviour
By growing blind hate in your own mind?

That wrath and hate, through which the foe
Has done you some unpleasant thing,
That inner hate, indeed, you should destroy!
Then how can you worry without any cause?

Since moment after moment all vanishes,
so too will vanish those five groups and
clusters of clinging that have done you harm!
Who is it then you're angry with?
Nothing is left out there! It is all gone now!

If one person hates another person,
Whom does he hurt most, if not himself!
We are thus the cause of our own pain,
Why then do we hate the others after all?
Source: Visuddhimagga IX,22

revenge.letters.jpg

Give the Enemy a Gift!
An almost infallible way to overcome all ill-will
towards the rival, is to present him with a gift!

The Enemy has been your family many times:
Another method is to consider the fact that the opponent
in former rebirths have been a near relation of oneself!
As the Buddha said:
Not easy is it, Bhikkhus, to find any being that, at some time
in this long round of rebirths, has not been your mother,
or father, or brother, or sister, or son, or daughter...
Source: SN 15:14-19

samahita · July 2009

Friends:

Neither Stealing nor Cheating, Taking only what is Given!

Once in Savatthi the Blessed Buddha said this:
What, householder friends, is the Dhamma explanation befitting to oneself?
Here, householder friends, a Noble Disciple reflects thus: If someone were to
take from me, what I have not given, that is, to commit theft, to steal, that would
neither be pleasing, nor agreeable to me.
If I were to take from whatever kind of another being, what he has not freely given,
that is also to commit theft, to steal, that would neither be pleasing, nor agreeable
to that other being either.... What is displeasing and disagreeable to me, is thus also
displeasing and disagreeable to any other being too! How can I inflict upon another
being, what is displeasing and disagreeable to myself? Having reflected repeatedly
thus, then gradually:
1: One will carefully avoid all taking, what is not freely given...
2: One will persuade others also to abstain from all stealing and theft...
3: One will praise only accepting, what is freely and righteously given...
In exactly this way is this good bodily behaviour purified in 3 respects!!!

Theft.b.gif

Comments:
Cheating with valuables & scales, fraud, false insurance claims, swindling,
tax evasion, and any illegitimate misappropriation of values is theft...

DO NOT MAKE OTHERS SUFFER BY STEALING WHAT THEY CLING TO!
The one who destroys life;
The one who speaks false;
The one who takes what is not given;
The one who mates with the partner of another;
The one who is addicted to drinking and drugging;
Such one - even in this world - digs up his own root!!!
Dhammapada 246-47

fraud.b.gif

The one who never takes, what is not freely given,
whether long or short, fine or foul, exquisite
or repulsive, such one is a pure one.
Dhammapada 409

More on Stealing and Consequences:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Hungry_Ghost_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ways_to_the_Barbeque.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Threefold_Right_Action.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Inevitable_Consequences.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Optimal_Observance_II.htm

Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:354]
section 55: Sotapattisamyutta. Thread 7: To the people at the Bamboo gate...

Have a nice clean & honest day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Avoid all Stealing, Cheating & Fraud!

samahita · July 2009

Friends:

Upon Reality all True Explanations will have to Converge!
Why so? Reality is one and indeed the very same.
True complete explanation must thus also be one & same!

Standard, internally Consistent and Orthodox, yet still highly Controversial for some:
Quantum Mechanics & early Theravada Buddhism agrees on at least 3 crucial points:

1: The concept of "Static Reality Out There" is violated at the absolute level!
Some attributes of the object like location, speed etc. cannot truly be said really to
be existing BEFORE observation, or INDEPENDENT of observation! Rather there
is a POTENTIALITY of multiple possibilities for these attributes to occur, out of
which only one particular one manifests, when INTENTIONAL observation collapses
this wave of potentiality into a new real actuality! This momentary EVENT Buddhism
calls a Dhamma = Basic mental state of a fundamentally dual mind-matter coincidence!
When there is looking and observation phenomena happen! When not looking they don't!
Conventional 'Reality' may thus be known better only as a particular mode of perception...
Not as an Absolute Fact!

2: The concept of "Separable Locality in Space" is violated at the absolute level!
The same phenomena can both be "individual" and "multiple" even at same time!
Individual phenomena can have more than one spatial location at the same time...
Two things spatially separated -even by 1/2 a universe- is still causally connected
as if they were entangled 'outside' or independent of space and time. Conventional
space and time may thus also be known better only as particular modes of perception...
Not as Absolute Facts!

3: The elements of Consciousness and its content Information are fundamentally REAL!
Consciousness cannot ever be set aside, since it not only is an obviously indispensable
requirement and inseparable part of any observation and phenomenon, but it is also an
irreducible fundamental element of any process of being (read becoming) alive, that cannot
be explained by or cut up into other parts! Consciousness is on the mental side, what space
is on the material side: Both can contain and display all, but they do not themselves have
any other characteristic, than their primary essence: Naked awareness & empty spatiality...
Consciousness and information are the absolute facts, and the fundamental and irreducible
reals other things, whether mental or material, are made out of & unambiguously based upon!

Some Comparable Concepts from Quantum Physics and early Theravadin Buddhism:

Quantum Physics says:
Things are in a state of superposition of multiple probabilities of which only one occurs
exactly at the moment of measurement! Before observation things are undetermined,
potential and not yet real!

Theravadin Buddhism says:
This 'Universe' starts and ends all within this ~2 meter
frame of a body...! Only when consciousness is present,
can solidity, fluidity, heat & motion manifest themselves…
When consciousness is absent, the ‘world’ therefore ends!

Quantum Physics says:
The observer participates thus in the very creation
of the object & is therefore not fully separable from it!
No observation is possible without affecting the object...

Theravadin Buddhism says:
The truth about reality is ONE, and neither two nor three!
Subject and object is a unity, and not a diverse duality...
Observation is desire driven and thus kammically creative.

Quantum Physics says:
Things can be non-locally entangled! Things that are spatially widely separated,
can still causally and instantly affect each other and act correlated!

Theravadin Buddhism says:
The sage can be both here and there simultaneously...
He can become one, & he can become many of any form!
He can instantly know other's thoughts where ever he is.

Highly recommendable for this convergent view on our future collectively created reality is this documentary:
What the BLEEP Do We Know!? extended as: Down the Rabbit Hole How far do U dare go?
http://www.whatthebleep.com/whatthebleep
http://www.whatthebleep.com/rabbithole

what.the.bleep.jpg

Best from http://www.whatthebleep.com

What the Bleep intro trailer compilation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7dhztBnpxg

More kicks on Quantum-Buddhist convergences and the –Dhamma- Theory:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/ontology.htm
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=403412
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/Some_Clues.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Discrete_States.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/III/Quantum_Buddhism.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Omniscient_Quantum_Mind.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/No_Substance_'Out_There'.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/pdfs/wheeler_law_without_law.pdf

Unique & Subtle is Knowing the real Real just as it is!

Have a really nice really real day! ;-)

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

samahita · July 2009

Friends:

The 8 Deliverances (Attha Vimokkha):

The Blessed Buddha Once said:

Bhikkhus: There are eight deliverances. Which are these?

1: Experiencing forms on one's own body, one visualizes these internal objects,
as if they were external, outside of one, (e.g. an organ, bone, tooth, or nail etc).
This is the 1st deliverance.

2: Experiencing external objects one perfectly visualizes these outer forms,
as if they right in front of one's eyes. (e.g. a pond, a mountain, or a galaxy etc).
This is the 2nd deliverance.

3: Experiencing any form, one visualizes these as perfectly stable fixed images,
and visually assured & confirmed one thinks: Oohh This is exquisitely beautiful!
This is the 3rd deliverance.

4: Through complete transcendence of experience of form, with the passing away,
and silencing of all sensory reaction, without giving any attention to any experience
of difference or any diversity whatsoever, entirely absorbed on only infinite space,
one enters and dwells immersed in this subtle sphere of infinite space...
This is the 4th deliverance.

5: By transcending this infinitude of space, now singularly aware that consciousness
itself is infinite, one enters and dwells immersed in that infinitude of consciousness!
This is the 5th deliverance.

6: By going beyond this infinitude of consciousness, now concentrating on voidness,
one enters and dwells immersed in this empty, vacant, absent void of nothingness...
This is the 6th deliverance.

7: By thoroughly leaving behind even this open vacuity of void nothingness, one enters,
and dwells immersed in the stilled state of neither-perception-nor-non-perception.
This is the 7th deliverance.

8: By transcending even this subtle sphere of neither-perception-nor-non-perception,
one reaches the ultimate ceasing of sense experience, ending all perception & feeling!
This is the final 8th deliverance...

These 8 states, Bhikkhus & Friends, are indeed the eight kinds of mental deliverance...

Unfolding Progressively Subtle Deliverance!

More on these supremely sublime mental states:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/9_Stillings.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_III.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Formless_Dimensions.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_8_stages_of_Mental_Mastery.htm

Have a nice deliverance day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

The 8 Deliverances!

samahita · July 2009

Friends:

The 4 stepping stones to entering the Stream Supreme!

Once in Savatthi the Blessed Buddha said this:
Bhikkhus, there are these four factors of Stream-Entry. What four?
1: Association with excellent persons, is a stepping-stone for Stream-Entry.
2: Hearing the true Dhamma is a stepping-stone for Stream-Entry.
3: Careful and rational attention is a stepping-stone for Stream-Entry.
4: Praxis in agreement with the Dhamma is a stepping-stone for Stream-Entry.
These 4 factors of Stream-Entry does any Noble Disciple possess!!!

OBS: The Stream Winner!
A Stream-Enterer (Sotapanna) has maximum 7 lives left before Enlightenment!
He/she cannot be reborn in hell, as a ghost, as an animal, nor as an angry demon,
and is thereby safe from the danger of kammic downfall! Further details see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/sotaapanna.htm

samahita · August 2009

Friends:

Sweet is the Fruits of the Advantageous:

Once in Savatthi the Blessed Buddha said this:
Bhikkhus, these four things when developed, cultivated and refined lead:
to the Noble Fruit of Stream-Entry (Sotapatti-phala)...
to the Noble Fruit of Once-Return (Sakadagami-phala)...
to the Noble Fruit of Non-Return (Anagami-phala)...
to the Noble Fruit of Arahat-ship (Arahatta-phala)...
to absolutely True Understanding...
to comprehensive Understanding...
to expanding Understanding...
to extensive Understanding...
to elevated Understanding...
to deep Understanding...
to wide Understanding...
to vast Understanding...
to rich Understanding...
to quick Understanding...
to joyous Understanding...
to buoyant Understanding...
to sweeping Understanding...
to unequalled Understanding...
to razor-sharp Understanding...
to profound penetrating Wisdom...
to incisive transcendent Breakthrough!
What four?
1: Friendship with excellent persons,
2: Learning the true Dhamma,
3: Careful and rational attention,
4: Praxis in accordance with the Dhamma.
These and the 4 factors of Stream-Entry lead to this pervasive fruition!

samahita · August 2009

Friends:

Patience is not silence, but speaking & acting at the
right time with a calm mind, in an unharmful way.

Generosity is not giving everything you have or spending
all of your time for the benefit of others, but not keeping
your mind hanging onto what you have.

Compassion is not putting yourself into trouble,
but taking others out of trouble.

Rev. Thalawathugoda Chandawimala, Sri Lanka
Oxford International Meditation Centre
http://www.oxfordimc.com

Of related interest:
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/Patient_is_Tolerance.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/Openhanded_Generosity.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/Karuna_is_Pity.htm

Have a nice day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Some clear drops of pure plain Truth...

samahita · August 2009

Friends:

Actually, exactly so, invariable, & not otherwise!

The Blessed Buddha once said this:
Bhikkhus, there are these four things, that are actually so, invariable,
not otherwise... What four?
Suffering is actually so, invariable, not otherwise...
The Cause of Suffering is actually so, invariable, not otherwise...
The Ending of Suffering is actually so, invariable, and not otherwise...
The Way to End all Suffering is actually so, invariable, not otherwise...
These 4 Noble Truths are actually & exactly so, invariable, & not otherwise...
Therefore, Bhikkhus, an effort should be dedicated now to really understand:
All this is Suffering! An effort should be made much of to truly comprehend:
Craving is the Cause of Suffering! An effort should be cultivated to realize:
No Craving is the End of Suffering! Effort should be made to break through,
reinforce, and develop: This Noble 8-fold Way, which ceases all Suffering...

samahita · August 2009

Friends:

One single idea can Enlighten!

The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, there is one particular idea, when a Bhikkhu
rightly disgusts this single scheme,
rightly detaches from this distinct concept,
rightly releases mentally from this sole dependence,
rightly sees the final end of this universal condition,
having rightly and thoroughly understood this unique idea,
then he is one who makes an end of suffering in this very life!
What is this one particular idea?

All Beings are sustained by Fuel!

When a Bhikkhu rightly disgusts, detaches, & releases from this reliance,
and rightly sees the end of this phenomenon by complete comprehension,
then he ends all suffering right there and then!

The 4 fold Fuel (Ahara) any process of being burns upon are:
1. Material Food (kabalinkarahara), which maintains the body.
2. Sense Contact (phassa), which feeds feeling and perception.
3. Intention (mano-sañcetana), which constructs kammic rebirth.
4. Consciousness (viññana), which sustains new consciousness.

This 'fire' of being, caused by these 5 clusters of clinging:
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…
is thereby kept burning, since it is sustained by this 4 fold flow of fuel...
Nibbana (Sanskrit: Nirvana), which literally means 'blown out' like a candle,
is only reached by extinguishing this fire of being by denying it new fuel...
When all fuel is burned up, any fire stops and becomes peacefully cool!

The Fire

of becoming

is Suffering!

Source (edited extract):
The Numerical Sayings of the Buddha. Anguttara Nikaya. [AN V:50-51]
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Acquisition_of_Fuel.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/ahara.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/n_r/nibbaana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_5_Clusters_of_Clinging.htm

Have a nice cool day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

One idea: Fuel!

samahita · August 2009

Friends:

Feed-forward Mirror Effects!

Making others happy, makes oneself happy!
Making others unhappy, makes oneself unhappy!

When happy, one easily becomes concentrated...
When unhappy, one easily becomes distracted...

When concentrated, one sees & knows it as it really is!
When unconcentrated, one can neither see nor know reality!

Seeing & knowing reality makes exact navigation possible!
Neither seeing, nor knowing reality makes navigation impossible!

Exact navigation enables perfectly right behaviour...
Erroneous navigation disables perfectly right behaviour...

When acting only right, one makes no mistakes!
When acting only wrong, one makes many mistakes!

Making mistakes is painful, both now and later...
Making no mistakes is Happiness, both now and later...

Have a Happy day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Happy Knowing!

samahita · August 2009

Friends:

Brahmavihãra Meditation gives Infinite Joy!

Training Universal Friendliness induces unalloyed Joy!
Cultivating Boundless Pity enables tranquil Tolerance!
Developing Mutual Joy produces deep Contentment!
Refining Equanimity establishes calming Serenity!

The Blessed Buddha repeatedly explained:
May all creatures, all breathing things,
all beings one and all, without exception,
experience joy and good fortune only.
May they not fall into any harm!
Anguttara Nikaya II, 72

With good will for the entire cosmos,
Cultivate a limitless & infinite heart:
Above, as below, across & all around,
Unobstructed, without any hostility.
Sutta Nipata I, 8

Overcome the angry by friendliness;
Overcome the wicked by goodness;
Overcome the miser by generosity;
Overcome the liar by truth.
Dhammapada 223

Train yourself in doing only pure good...
That lasts and brings great happiness!
Cultivate generosity, a peaceful living,
and a mentality of infinite friendliness!
Itivuttaka 16

infinite.Joy3.jpg

Have a nice joyous day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Infinite Joy!

samahita · August 2009

Friends:

What is Consciousness?

The Blessed Buddha has explained consciousness as:

A: Definitions:
What, now, is consciousness?
There are six kinds of consciousness (viññana-khandha):
1: Consciousness of form is visual consciousness,
2: Consciousness of sound is auditory consciousness,
3: Consciousness of smell is olfactory consciousness,
4: Consciousness of taste is gustatory consciousness,
5: Consciousness of touch is tactile consciousness,
6: Consciousness of thought is mental consciousness.
SN: 22:56

B: Causation by Dependent Origination:
The arising of consciousness is dependent upon specific conditions...
Without presence of these conditions, no consciousness will ever emerge...
Consciousness is named after the conditions upon which it is dependent!
Consciousness, whose arising depends on the encounter of eye & forms,
is called visual consciousness. Consciousness, whose arising depends on
the ear & sounds, is called auditory consciousness. Consciousness, whose
arising depends on the nose and smells, is called olfactory consciousness.
Consciousness, whose arising depends on the tongue and taste, is called
gustatory consciousness. Consciousness, whose arising depends on the
meeting of the body or skin and touch is called tactile consciousness.
Consciousness, whose arising depends on mind meeting a mental object,
state, idea or thought is called mental consciousness. MN 38

The central role of active Attention:
Even though the eye is intact, if external form does not fall within the
field of vision, then no attentive combination of eye & form takes place,
therefore there will not emerge any visual consciousness. Or even though
external form actually fall within the field of vision, yet if no attentive
combination of eye & form takes place, there will neither emerge any
visual consciousness. Only if, the eye is intact, external form fall within
the range of vision, & attentive combination of eye & form takes place,
then there arises the corresponding phenomenon of visual consciousness.
(Similarly so with the other 5 kinds of consciousness) MN 28

C: Dependency on the other four Clusters of Clinging:
It is impossible for anyone to explain the passing out of one existence,
and the entering into a new process of existence during transmigration,
or the initiation, growth, increase, and development of consciousness,
independently of form, feeling, perception, and mental construction...
SN 22: 53

Consciousness is constructed & causes a duality: Naming & Forming:
The Origin of Consciousness is the arising of Mental Construction...
The Ceasing of Mental Construction also ceases Consciousness...
The Origin of Name-&-Form is the arising of Consciousness...
The Ceasing of Consciousness also ceases Name-&-Form... MN 9
Only this absolute silencing is Peace, is Bliss, is Freedom…

Comment:
Like space has no essence in itself beyond being 'spacious', but can
contain, accommodate, hold, & include all material phenomena, then
similarly has consciousness no essence in itself beyond being 'aware'
of all the mental phenomena it can manifest, display, show, exhibit,
expose, express, create and reveal. It defines & establishes being...
It is momentary and vanishes instantly after it has arisen. It is Not
an abiding presence, entity, soul, I, me, ego, core, nor any identity...
Apart from conditions, there is nothing arising as or in consciousness...
All forms of consciousness are impermanence, suffering, and no-self,
whether it is past, future or present, gross or subtle, arisen internally
in oneself or externally in others, inferior or exalted, remote or near...
Buddha likened consciousness to a deceiving trick: A made-up illusion...
Consciousness is like a burning pit of hot embers one should not enter!

samahita · August 2009

Friends:

The Intention behind the Action is the Kamma!

The Blessed Buddha once said:
It is the intention behind the action, that defines the kamma!
Having wanted, wished, & willed, one acts by body, speech, and mind.
There are actions (kamma), which cause later effects to ripen in hell!
There are actions, which cause later effects to ripen as being animal!
There is kamma, which cause later effects to ripen as a hungry ghost!
There are actions, which cause later effects to ripen as human being!
There is kamma, which cause later effects to ripen in divine states!
The result of actions (vipaka) is of three kinds: Ripening here & now
in the present life, in immediate next life, or in future lives. AN 6:63

karma.blue.jpg

Ownership and inheritance of the delayed results of action:
All beings are the owners of their actions, inheritor of their deeds!
They are literally created by & born of their behaviour, they are tied
to their acts, & their undertakings determines their future destiny...
Whatever they do, good as bad, the delayed results of that action,
will be the theirs only... AN 10:206

Wherever beings spring into existence, there their actions will ripen!
Wherever the effects of their past actions matures, there, they will
earn the fruits of those deeds, be it in this life, or in the next life, or
in any other remote future life. AN 3:33

karmma.domino.jpg

Kamma = karma is just cause and delayed inevitable effect!

Neither high up in the air or free space, nor deep down in the oceans,
Nor hidden inside any distant remote & secret mountain cleft or cave
Nowhere... is a place or location found in any universe, where one can
escape the inevitable later results of wrong, bad, & evil behaviour...
Dhammapada 127

Both.types.of.kamma.jpg

samahita · August 2009

Friends:

Real & Absolute, yet not to be Seen, Heard or Sensed!

The Buddha once said about the signless Nibbana:
There is that, which is unborn, uncreated, unformed & unconstructed!
If, Bhikkhus, there was not this unborn, uncreated, unformed and unconstructed,
no escape from what is born, created, formed & constructed could ever be realized...
But since there indeed exists that, which is utterly unborn, uncreated, unformed and
unconstructed, the escape from this born, created, formed & constructed state can
therefore indeed be realized, explained and made known right here and now!

An unconditioned, unborn, and uncreated ultimate Absolute:
That which is born, that which has become into being,
that which is conditioned, that which is dependent,
that which is co-arisen, that which is created,
that which is unstable, unsafe & prone to decay,
that which is the bridge between birth and death,
this seat of disease, with nutriment & birth as its cause,
will all perish...! It is not worth clinging to or rejoice in...
The escape from this, is calm, beyond the sphere of logic,
being that which is safe and stable, that which is unborn,
that which is not dependent, but sorrow-free, and stainless,
this realm is the final ceasing of all states involving any pain,
this stilling of all construction, is absolute Bliss, and ultimate Peace...
Udana – Inspiration: VIII - 3

The Signless Sameness of Nibbana:
There is that state, where there is neither earth, water, fire nor any air,
where there is neither trace of solidity, nor fluidity, nor heat, nor motion,
where there is neither infinity of space, nor of consciousness, nor nothingness,
where even no subtle state of neither-perception-nor-non-perception remains,
where there is neither any ‘here’, nor any ‘there’ of this or any other world,
where there is neither any sun, nor moon, nor planet, nor any universe at all,
There, Bhikkhus, one cannot designate neither any coming, nor any going,
nor any remaining, nor duration, nor any beginning, & much less any ending...
Neither is there any activity, nor any movement, nor any fixed stability,
nor any ground, basis or source for any conditioning medium whatsoever...
This unity, this singularity, this signless sameness is the End of Suffering!
Udana – Inspiration: VIII - 1

Non-spatial, Non-Temporal, Invariable and Non-Reactive is Nibbana:
Where neither solidity, fluidity, heat nor motion find any footing,
there no sun, moon nor star ever shines. There is neither any light
yet nor is there any darkness. When the Noble, through stilling of
all construction, through quieting of all mental formation, directly
experiences this, then is he freed from both form & formlessness,
then is he released from both pleasure & pain and gone all beyond…
Udana – Inspiration: I – 10

Golden.Buddha.Face.jpg

Comments: There are 2 kinds of Consciousness:
1: Mundane (Of this world) and 2: Supramundane (Above and beyond this world, transcendent):

1: Sense Consciousness, that always has an object (a form, sound, smell, taste, touch, or an idea)
This is a discrete moment of awareness, that arise & cease momentarily with its object:
Like this: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

2: Signless Consciousness (animitta viññana), which is continuous and functions as
that which ‘experiences’ the bliss of Nibbana as an unbroken signless sameness:
Like this: ___________________ Continuous, same, still, unbroken, imperturbable Bliss!
It has no (sensed or felt) object, except or apart from that stilled free peace in itself…

mahaparinibbana.bw.jpg

samahita · August 2009

Friends:

Aware and Composed Dwelling:

The Blessed Buddha once said:
Monks, a Noble should dwell Aware and Composed…
This is our instruction to you!

And how does a monk dwell Aware?
Herein a friend dwells contemplating any body as a void frame only;
as a transient, painful and impersonal neither-me-nor-mine appearance,
while alert, ballanced and deliberately aware, thereby overcoming
any mental dejection of reality, arised from coveting this world…
Exactly so does he dwell with regard to any feeling..
with regard to any mentality..
with regard to any phenomenon..
Only precisely so is this Noble One Acutely Aware!

awareness.letters.jpg

And how does a monk dwell Composed?
Herein a friend dwells fully aware of all feelings, that arise..
fully aware of all feelings, that settles..
fully aware of all feelings, that ceases..
Such Noble One dwells fully aware of all thoughts, that arise..
fully aware of all thoughts, that remains..
fully aware of all thoughts, that stops..
Such clever one dwells fully aware of all perceptions, that arise..
fully aware of all perceptions, that persists..
fully aware of all perceptions, that ends..
Just so is this Noble One Calm, Cool and Composed!

samahita · August 2009

Friends:

The 5 Mental Hindrances Causes Ignorance!

ignorance.green.jpg

On the vulture’s peak hill, prince Abhaya once asked the Blessed Buddha:
Sir, what is the Causes of not seeing, not knowing, & not Understanding?

ignorance.doubt.jpg

The All-Seeing Blessed One responded:
At such time, prince, when one remains with a mind possessed and overwhelmed by
sensual desire, and one does not know any way to escape this sensual lust, that has
arisen - this condition itself, prince, is the cause of not seeing, and of not knowing.
Therefore, not seeing, and not knowing have indeed a specific cause, and is indeed
conditioned by an essential prerequisite. [Such as desire for sensing]

Then again, prince, when one remains with a mind possessed and overwhelmed by
ill will, and does not know any way to escape or still this anger, that has arisen,
then this exact condition itself is the cause of not seeing, and of not knowing.
Therefore, not seeing, and not knowing have indeed a specific cause, and is indeed
conditioned by a necessary requirement. [Such as hate, ill will, anger, and irritation]

Then again, prince, when one remains with a mind possessed and overwhelmed by
lethargy and laziness, and does not know any way to escape such apathy & dullness,
then this exact condition itself is the cause of not seeing, and of not knowing.
Therefore, not seeing, and not knowing have indeed a specific cause, and is created
by an indispensable requirement. [Such as lethargy & laziness]

Then again, prince, when one remains with a mind possessed and overwhelmed by
restlessness and regret, and does not know any way to escape this restlessness and
anxious remorse, then this exact condition itself, is the cause of not seeing, and of
not knowing. Therefore, not seeing, not knowing have indeed a cause, & is conditioned
by a specific crucial necessity. [Such as restlessness and regret]

Then again, prince, when one remains with a mind possessed and overwhelmed by
uncertainty, doubt and confusion and does not know any way to escape this doubt,
uncertainty, and confusion, then this very condition, is the cause of not seeing, and
of not knowing.Therefore, not seeing, not knowing have a cause, and is created by a
causal requirement... [Such as uncertainty and skeptical doubt]

What, Sir, is this method of teaching called?
These, prince, are called: The Hindrances...!

Comment:
Ignorance is not seeing and not knowing the 4 Noble Truths!

ignorance.kills.jpg

More on the Mental Hindrances (Nivarana) and How to Escape them:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Causes_of_Ignorance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_5_Mental_Hindrances.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Starving_the_Hindrances.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_5_Become_10.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/AN.I.3-4.html

Source: Samyutta Nikaya – The Grouped Sayings V, Mahavagga.

Have a nice unhindered day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Blocked and Blinded!

samahita · August 2009

Friends:

The Non-Locally Stilled Meditating Mind is Omniscient:

The Meditating Mind is like a turned on computer, where the keyboard is untouched and there is
no reading of inputs neither from the DVD/CD, Floppy/Hard drive, network, or any other source!
No background tasks are running. Such computer update its system state according to the speed
of its processor e.g. ~ 1 GHz. So it is very ready even though no job is active! Exactly so with the
meditating mind! It is ultra aware though ideally empty of objects & processes. Equanimity may
be likened to a computer, where whatever button is pressed on the keyboard, whatever CD or
floppy is inserted in their drives, whatever information is downloaded from the net, locally or
globally, there will be absolute no reaction on the screen! It is not a ‘frozen’, but wide open state!
Still the stream of discrete subconscious states (Bhavanga = mental moments) are running on, yet
void of any object. This very basic stream of underlying naked consciousness, may be likened to
the electrical current in the computer. The current is 'inside' the computer and makes it work,
but is not a product of the computer! Consciousness is 'inside' the brain and makes it work, but
is not made de-novo by the brain as assumed! Like the beer is inside the bottle, but not produced
by the bottle... Electricity is 'global' as it is the same current that are all-over the same town.
This current is shifting phase continuously (50 Hz). Consciousness is also 'global', since it can be
trained to perceive all possible events in any given universe, whether past, present, or far future!
This phenomenon is called 'Omniscience' & is a feature only of perfectly self enlightened beings.
However, the mind is much faster than any computer, since it change and update its system state
17 times more quickly, than any state of matter any computer possibly ever can be made of...
Basically this may very well be the bottom cause, why mind stands over and dominates matter and
not the other way around, as assumed in our present times of naive mechano-materialistic beliefs!
The intentionally choosing & determining mind directly creates, produces and manifests the world
that will appear among many closely related potential or probable paired mental & material states…
Mind makes everywhere present probability waves collapse into locally manifesting matter states!
So far does contemporary orthodox quantum-mechanics agree…Mind creates matter by intending!

humanoid.brain.jpg

samahita · August 2009

Friends:

Unique Unity:

Friendship is really the GREATEST!
Friendship motivates the entire Noble Life!
Friendship is a Synergistic Social Symbiosis:

Buddha once said:
Follow only the Good and Pure Ones,
Associate only with the Clever Ones,
To learn the Truth from these Nobles
gives an advantage like nothing else!

To follow the fools and thereby
copy & choose the wrong ways,
to not know any Good Friends,
is causing only sad Misery!

As if one strings rotten fish on a grass straw,
this very same grass will soon smell putrid too...
Exactly so with anyone, who follows a fool!

Or as if one wraps up perfume in a common leaf,
this same simple leaf will soon smell sweet too!
Exactly so with anybody, who follows a Noble...

samahita · August 2009

Friends:

Going in Ring: Comic Convergent Consistency!

Buddhism and Modern Cosmology:
Modern cosmology have recently found out, that the universe is not in a steady state,
but undergoes periodic expansions (big bang) and contractions. The Buddha Gotama
also told exactly so, but more than 2500 years ago, by explaining an awakened memory:
"He recalls to mind his various temporary states in days gone by - one life, two lives or
three or four or 5 rebirths, 10 or 20, 30 or fifty, a 100 or a 1000 or a 100.000 rebirths,
through many aeons of cosmic contraction and many aeons of cosmic expansion...
Now there comes a time, friends, when, sooner or later, after the lapse of a long, long
period of contraction, this world-system implodes away. And when this happens beings
have mostly been reborn at the level of radiance, and there they dwell, made of mind,
feeding on joy, radiating light from themselves, traversing space, and dwelling in glory;
and thus they remain for a long, long period of time. Now then there comes also a time,
friends, when, sooner or later, this world-system begins to re-evolve by expansion..."
The Buddha thus clearly knew about big bangs! Source: Digha Nikaya 1: Brahma-Jala Sutta

big.bang.jpg

Buddhism and Space-Time Relativity:
Time & space are not universal! Albert Einstein presented the special & general relativity
theory almost a hundred years ago. Still the philosophical implications is only assumed by
few mathematicians. Mainly Einstein's relativity theory points out that time and locality
in space cannot be regarded independent, if the observer & object is moving fast relative
to each other. Differently moving observers will experience different speeds of time even
when using the same watches. They will disagree on the time order of observed events!
A 'Universal' or ‘Absolute’ or 'same' time does therefore not exist! Time is relative...
Buddha also told about this > 2500 years ago, when comparing the life-lengths of beings:
"Bhikkhus, 50 human years is one night and day to the four guardian devas. The life span of
these four guardian devas are 500 of those very long divine years...
Bhikkhus, 1600 human years is one night and day to the devas with power over other beings
mental & physical creations. Their life span are 16 thousand of those very long divine years!"
Buddha thus also knew about time relativity! Source: Anguttara Nikaya III.71: Muluposatha Sutta

Relativity: Gravitation Curved Space-Time!

Buddhism and Quantum Mechanics:
Matter is quanta of discrete events and not a permanent same and solid enduring substance!
Another implication of both Einstein's theory and also of quantum mechanics, is that matter
cannot truly be regarded to be continuously existing neither in time, nor in space. A movement
of a body is thus -absolutely speaking- events of disappearance in one place and its re-arising
in the next place! This process is though so incredible fast, that we experience it as continuous
moving existence. This discreteness of quantum theory is also found exactly so explained in the
Higher Buddha-Dhamma ie: The Abhidhamma considers movement of a 'formed' body to be a
serial decaying and re-arising in adjacent locations! The world thus blinks, rather than endures…
So modern Science, even regarding physical phenomena (Buddhist concept: Rupa is simply ’form’),
is not so modern after all. Most seem to be rediscovering of what was already known millenniums
ago, but now ignored & forgotten! Same wine on new bottles: We are going in ring! How comic ;-)

Have a nice day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Comic Convergent Consistency!

samahita · August 2009

Friends:

Who and How are the 7 types of Noble Persons?

The Blessed Buddha once explained:
Monks, there are seven types of noble persons existing in the world. What seven?

disciple.let1.jpg

1: The one freed both ways (ubhato-bhaga-vimutta),
2: The one freed by understanding (pañña-vimutta),
3: The direct experience body-witness (kaya-sakkhi),
4: The one having won view and vision (ditthippatta),
5: The one freed by faith (saddhavimutta),
6: The follower of Dhamma (dhammanusari),
7: The follower of faith (saddhanusari).

And how, monks, is the person freed Both Ways?
As to this, monks, some person is dwelling, having directly experienced with both body and
mind those peaceful mental releases, which are formless, and having seen by understanding
all his mental fermentations are utterly eliminated. He is freed both ways and has done
what should be done! He can therefore never become negligent ever again...

And how, monks, is the person freed by Understanding?
As to this, monks, some person is dwelling, without having directly experienced with both body
and mind those peaceful mental releases, which are formless, yet having seen by understanding
all his mental fermentations are utterly destroyed. He is freed by understanding and has done
what should be done. He can therefore never become negligent ever again...

And how monks, is the person who is a Body-Witness?
As to this, monks, some person is dwelling, without having directly experienced with both body
and mind those peaceful mental releases, which are formless, yet having seen by understanding
only some of his mental fermentations are fully annihilated. He is a body-witness and he has still
something to do. If he trains hard, lives remote with good friends, & balances his mental abilities,
then he may realize here & now, by his own super-knowledge, that matchless goal of the Noble
Life for which young men of good family go forth into homelessness, entering into and remaining
in it, he might dwell in the bliss of that sublime fruit...

And how monks, is the person who has Won View and Vision?
As to this, monks, some person is dwelling, without having directly experienced with both body
and mind those peaceful mental releases, which are formless, but having seen by understanding
only some of his mental fermentations are utterly eradicated. However, those things explained
by the Tathagata are fully understood & fully practised by him. He has won view & vision, but
has still something to do. If he trains hard ... then he might come to dwell in the sublime fruit.

And how monks, is the person who is Freed by Faith?
As to this, monks, some person is dwelling, without having directly experienced with both body
and mind those peaceful mental releases, which are formless, but having seen by understanding
only some of his mental fermentations are utterly eradicated. But his faith in the Tathagata is
settled, fixed, genuine, & established. This, monks, is called a person, who is Freed by Faith, but
he has still something to do. If he trains hard ... then he might come to dwell in the sublime fruit.

And how monks, is the person who is Striving for and following after Dhamma?
As to this, monks, some person is dwelling, without having directly experienced with both body
and mind those peaceful mental releases, which are formless, and although having seen some by
understanding his mental fermentations are not yet utterly destroyed! Furthermore: All those
things explained by the Tathagata are still only moderately approved of and practiced by him...
However, he possesses the ability of faith, energy, awareness, concentration, & understanding!
This, monks, is called the person, who is striving for Dhamma, but he has still something to do.
If he trains hard ... then he might come to dwell in the sublime fruit.

And how monks, is the person who is Striving for and following after Faith?
As to this, monks, some person is dwelling, without having directly experienced with both body
and mind those peaceful mental releases, which are formless, and although having seen some by
understanding his mental fermentations are not yet utterly destroyed, but he has enough faith
in the Tathagata, enough affection for the Buddha to develop his mental ability of faith, energy,
awareness, of concentration, & of understanding. This, monks, is called the person, who is striving
out of Faith, but he has still something to do. If he trains hard ... then he will come to dwell in
the supreme fruit in the future.

I, monks, do not say that the attainment of profound knowledge suddenly comes straightaway!
Gaining final knowledge is achieved gradually through steady progress by study, and meditation..

Source: Majjhima Nikaya 70. May this Way by our one-pointed effort become swift!

The Noble Person Shines Uniquely of Pure Good!

More on Buddhist Personality Classification:
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 noble day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

The 7 Nobles...

samahita · August 2009

Friends

How is the gradual refinement of the 5 mental abilities?

There are these 5 mental Abilities:
The ability of faith,
The ability of energy,
The ability of awareness,
The ability of concentration,
The ability of understanding!

ability.letters.big.gif

What are the six aspects of these abilities?
They are dominant.
They are initiating.
They makes quality.
They are stabilizing.
They are completing.
They are the foundation.

ability.cultivation.jpg

How are the abilities to be understood in the sense of being dominant?
When one leaves behind skeptic doubt, the faith ability is found in one as being dominated
by definitive decision. This faith ability dominated by resolute determination to decision,
then facilitates exertion, presence, non-distraction and seeing.

When one leaves behind laziness, the energy ability is found in one as being dominated
by exertion of effort. This energy ability dominated by exerting effort, then facilitates
presence, non-distraction, seeing and decisiveness.

When one leaves behind negligence, the awareness ability is found in one as being dominated
by presence. This awareness ability dominated by presence, firmly founded, then facilitates
non-distraction, seeing, decisiveness and exertion.

When one leaves behind agitation, the concentration ability is found in one as being dominated
by non-distraction. This concentration ability dominated by non-distraction, calm, then facilitates
seeing, decisiveness, exertion and presence.

When one leaves behind ignorance, the understanding ability is found in one as being dominated
by seeing. This understanding ability dominated by seeing, penetrative and clear, then facilitates
decisiveness, exertion, presence and non-distraction.

This is how the abilities are to be found and understood as through dominance!

More on these 5 Mental Abilities:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Faith_Summary.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Ability_of_Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Awareness_Ability.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Concentration_Ability.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Understanding_Ability.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Five_Abilities_Summary.htm

Source: Sariputta in: The Path of Discrimination: Patidasambhidamagga
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=133494

Have a nice able day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Authoritative Abilities!

samahita · August 2009

Friends

The 4 Foundations of Awareness:

awareness.letters.jpg

Which Four Foundations?
1: Only if and when the Noble Friend resides regarding any Body -own or other-
simply as a heaped up group, just as a transient, compounded and complex form,
only as a fragile, accumulated and alien assemblage, while being alert, aware and
thereby clearly comprehending, then will he cause effective removal of all urge
and frustration rooted in this world…!!!

2: Only if and when a Noble Friend dwells observing any Feeling –from within or
from without– simply as an affective emotional reaction, as an assigned response,
only as a fleeting sensation, while being keen, fully conscious and continuously
attentive, then will he thereby consequently eliminate all desire and discontent
caused simply by being in and contacting this world…!!!

3: Only if and when a Noble Friend abides viewing any Mood –present or remote-
simply as a fancy thought, just as a made up mentality, only as a conscious moment,
while being ready, actively investigating and deliberately discriminating, then will
he thereby naturally eradicate all longing and sadness inherent in this world…!!!

4: Only if and when a Friend lives interpreting any Phenomenon –internal or external –
simply as a passing mental state, just as a mentally created and conditioned construct,
only as an experienced appearance, merely as a created imaginary reflected imprint,
while being acutely awake, mindful and carefully understanding, then will he thereby
overcome all attraction and repulsion entrenched and ingrained in this world…!!!

Without any even single exception:
Whoever in the distant and ancient past has Awakened to full Enlightenment;
Whoever in the present, right now is Awakening to complete Enlightenment;
Whoever in the near and far future will Awaken to perfect Enlightenment;
All those have been freed, is being freed, will be freed only through and by:
Initiating, Cultivating & Establishing these unique 4 Foundations of Awareness!
The single and sole cause of really Being Mentally Present…!!!

presence.drop.jpg

Check it Out: It pays off inestimably!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Crucial_Foundation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/One_and_only_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Four_Foundations_of_Awareness.htm

Have a nice aware in presence day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Clever Presence!

samahita · August 2009

Friends:

The Non-Empty Void of Blinking States!

Void, Void, they say! Void of exactly What?
There is no & never was any permanent entity or individuality internally ‘in here’!
All processes of being is void of ‘continuous’, ‘same’ or 'identical' internal identity!
Neither is there any time stable, same substance, same world externally out there!
All is void of a constant same enduring lasting entity…There is no static existence…
There is only a flux of change, transience & ever renewed momentary becoming..
Avoiding both extremes of Eternalism & Annihilationism one should remain in the
Middle of Dependent Co-Arising:
When this is present, that appears.
When this is absent, that does not appear.
With the emergence of this, that too arises.
With the ceasing of this, that too disappears.
Just as there is a mirror and a reflection even so is:
The apprehending and the apprehended;
That which knows and what is known;
Mentality and Materiality;
Naming-and-Forming;
Mind and Matter...
Transient indeed is this subtle essentially inseparable & dual dynamic appearance,
since both elements is momentary, changing, discretely blinking in a passing serial
sequence of ultra-quick arising and ceasing, how can such be said to exist even for
a moment? Even while perceived, this moment is already gone, for never to return!
This is all void, empty is this world, a vacant hollow are all these phenomena:
Void of permanence, sameness, satisfying substance and void of self!

More on Voidness (Suññata): Descent_into_Voidness
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/sunna.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Descent_into_Voidness.htm

Have a nice empty day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka ]
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Into the Void!

samahita · August 2009

Friends:

Careful & Rational Attention weakens the Mental Hindrances:

attention.paying.jpg

The Blessed Buddha once said:
When one attends carefully & rationally, unarisen Sense-Desire does neither arise, nor later expand.
When one attends carefully & rationally, unarisen Ill-Will does neither arise, nor later expand.
When one attends carefully & rationally, unarisen Lethargy & Laziness does neither arise, nor expand.
When one attends carefully & rationally, unarisen Restlessness & Regret does neither arise, nor expand.
When one attends carefully & rationally, unarisen Doubt & Uncertainty does neither arise, nor expand.
Furthermore the Awareness Link to Awakening arises, & is gradually completed by mental development.
Any unarisen Investigation Link to Awakening arises, & is gradually completed by mental evolution.
Any unarisen Energy Link to Awakening arises, & is gradually completed by repeated mental refinement.
Any unarisen Joy Link to Awakening arises, & is gradually completed by meditative mental improvement.
Any unarisen Tranquillity Link to Awakening arises, & is gradually completed by mental expansion.
Any unarisen Concentration Link to Awakening arises, & is gradually completed by mental sophistication.
Any unarisen Equanimity Link to Awakening arises, & is gradually completed by mental maturation.

attention.letters.jpg

More on the 5 Mental Hindrances and 7 Links to Awakening:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_5_Mental_Hindrances.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Seven_Links_to_Awakening.htm

Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V:93-4] section 46: The Links. 35: Careful Attention...

Have a nice attentive day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Careful Attention!

samahita · August 2009

Friends:

4 Hard-core-real Lasting Advantages:

A deity once asked the Buddha
What is good even when one is old?
What is good when established?
What is human's most precious treasure?
What is hard for thieves to steal?

The blessed Buddha answered:

1: Morality is good even when one is old!

2: Faith is good when firmly established!

3: Understanding is human's most precious treasure!
Understanding.blue.gif

4: Merit well earned is hard for thieves to steal!
merit.letters.jpg

More on these 4 Everlasting Advantages:
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/Mighty_is_Morality.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/III/Faith_Summary.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/Understanding_is_the_Chief.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/n_r/punna.htm

Source: Samyutta Nikaya I 36

Have a nice advantageous day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

4 x Good!

samahita · August 2009

Friends:

Representation, Image, or Manifestation, but not Substance!

What one 'sees' is only an 'Image', not a thing, not a 'substance out there', but a mental
construction, an experience, an immaterial sensation, created by sense-organ, object and
consciousness ‘in here’ in the mind and brain... Just like the image on the PC-screen is indeed
electronically created and not 'really' in there: There is an image of an Apple on the screen,
but naturally no real apple inside the PC…
Likewise:
There is an image of an Apple on the mental visual screen (occipital brain cortex), but from
that image one cannot conclude, that a real apple exists outside, apart from or completely
independent of the perceiving mind… !!! Like in the mirror, there is no 'Person' in there and
like in the cinema, there is no 'Actors' on that screen; There is only 'Images' of persons and
things. They appear as real, but are Not really Real...

representation.letters.jpg

Image of what then, one may ask?
We will never know as we only have the mental images and never the 'original ' object!
Even to claim that this 'original' exists, is then merely metaphysical speculation based
on a somewhat naive, simple-minded - if not even childish – materialist world view…
The thing for 'itself' -das ding an sich- as Emanuel Kant called the assumed object
undistorted by the process perception will by definition never be available to us...

Seeing -Images- instead of -Realities- is halfway to seeing -Nothingness-…
Seeing -Nothingness- is halfway to disabling the urge of -Craving-…
Disabling -Craving- is halfway to te deathless dimension -Nibbana-!

The Blessed Buddha once said:
In the seen is merely the process of seeing and what is seen.
In the heard is merely the process of hearing and what is heard.
In the sensed is merely the process of sensing and what is sensed.
In the thought is merely the process of thinking and what is thought of.
So knowing, you will not be connected with that…
So disconnected, you will not be absorbed in that...
So neither ‘with that’ nor ‘in that’ you -are!- not -by that- sensation!
When there is no -you- inferred or conjectured by that sensation,
then -you- are neither -here-, -there-, -both-, -beyond- nor -in between-…
Only this - is the End of Suffering!!!
Source: Udana – Inspiration: I – 10

Golden.Buddha.Face.jpg

Have a nice observant day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Only an Image!
The Experienced World is a Representation!

samahita · August 2009

Friends:

Which Mental States are Advantageous?

Cut Short:
Mental states not mixed with any diluted form of Hate are Advantageous!
Mental states not mixed with any diluted form of Greed are Advantageous!
Mental states not mixed with any diluted form of Ignorance are Advantageous!

In Detail:
At whatever moment any advantageous thinking pertaining to this sense sphere is
accompanied by gladness and associated with knowledge, directed to any sense object,
such as a visible form, a sound, a smell, a taste, a touch, or a mental object, then right
at that time arises momentarily: Contact, feeling, perception, intention, idea, directed
thought, sustained thinking, joy, happiness, one-pointedness of the mind, the ability of
faith, energy, awareness, concentration, understanding, the ability of mind and gladness,
the ability of vitality, right view, right motivation, right effort, right awareness, and
right concentration! There arise the powers of conviction, enthusiasm, acute awareness,
focused concentration, and understanding. There arise the powers of shame, of fear of
consequences of wrong action! There arises non-greed, non-hatred, non-confusion, and
non-possessiveness! There arises no ill will, but right view, shame and fear of wrongdoing!
There is then bodily calmness and serene tranquillity of mind. Then emerges then mental
and bodily readiness, facile mental and bodily adaptability, and rational rectitude of mind!
There is then present: Awareness, clear comprehension, mental tranquillity, insight, energy,
and non-distraction! These and whatever formless immaterial states these causally produce:
These are the -Advantageous- mental states...

Comments:
Diluted forms of Greed are: Desire, lust, yearning, longing, craving, hoping and wanting...
Diluted forms of Hate are: Anger, rage, irritation, resentment, opposition & stubbornness...
Diluted forms of Ignorance are: Confusion, uncertainty, doubt, perplexity and hesitation...

More on Advantageous States (Kusala Dhamma):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Seed_of_Good.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Clever_Action.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/g_m/kusala.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/What_is_Advantageous.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/What_is_Disadvantageous.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Accumulation_of_Advantage.htm

Source:
The Classification of States: The Dhammasangani. The 1st of the 7 Abhidhamma Books.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=130622
http://www.amazon.com/dhammasangani-Enumeration-realities-Bibliotheca-Indo-Budhica/dp/8170306108/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204111405&sr=8-1

Have a nice advantageous day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

What is Advantageous?

samahita · August 2009

Friends:

Who can do it ?

AUTO-TOOL:
Urge, incite and teach yourself by yourself!
Examine and evaluate yourself with yourself!
Guard yourself, aware of yourself, in yourself!
Friend :-) _/\_ and you will live in Happiness ...
Dhammapada 379

just.do.it.jpg

MASTER!
For self is the master of self.
For self is the protector of self.
For self is the saviour of self.
Control therefore yourself by taming,
like one, who have bought a new horse!
Dhammapada 380

NIBBANA!
Full of Joy, content and satisfied, the Noble friend
with perfect confidence in the Teaching of the Buddha,
will reach the place of Peace, the unconditional and
unconditioned sameness of Happiness itself ...
Dhammapada 381

Meditation_Blue.s.jpg

Who can do it? You can do it!

Have a nice decisive day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Remastered!

samahita · August 2009

Friends:

Sweet is Verbal, Bodily & Mental Silence!

The Blessed Buddha once said:

Kayamunim vacamunim,
manomunimanasavam,
munim moneyyasampannam.
Ahu ninhatapapakam.

Serene.calmed.silenced.jpg

Silenced in body, silenced in speech,
silenced in mind, without inner noise,
blessed with silence is the sage!
He is truly washed of all evil...
Itivuttaka 3.67

Silenced.Samadhi.Buddha2L.jpg

Calm is his mind.
Calm is his speech.
Calm is his action.
So is the tranquillity;
So is the serenity;
of one freed by the insight
of right understanding...
Dhammapada 96

More on Mental Tranquillity:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Tranquillity_Passaddhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Tranquillity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Tranquil_One.htm

Have a nice calm day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Silenced!

samahita · August 2009

Friends:

Feel Pity for all those Falling:

It is a great pity with all those beings thinking:
Pleasure is the only good; by that they fall!
Terror is the only goal; by that they fall!
Sensuality is innocent; by that they fall!
Violence is allowable; by that they fall!
Money makes happy; by that they fall!
Power is progress; by that they fall!
Falsehood is OK; by that they fall!
Stealing makes rich; by that they fall!
Conceit covers up; by that they fall!
Science knows all; by that they fall!
Killing can be good; by that they fall!
Hunting is only fun; by that they fall!
Adultery is matured; by that they fall!
Paedophilia is harmless; by that they fall!
Drugs is fantastic; by that they fall!
Booze is medicine; by that they fall!
Giving does not help; by that they fall!
After death is nothing!; by that they fall!
The Hells do not exist; by that they fall!
Action has no effect; by that they fall!
I am the better than...; by that they fall!
Making merit cannot elevate; by that they fall!

It is a great pity with all those beings:
who is veiled by wrong view; by that they fall!
who is fooled by own opinion; by that they fall!
who is gripped by greed and lust; by that they fall!
who is stirred by hate and anger; by that they fall!
who is clinging to anything worldly; by that they fall!
who is confused by not knowing; by that they fall!
who prostitutes themselves; by that they fall!
who cheat and deceives; by that they fall!
who pretends what is not; by that they fall!
who hides what is actual fact; by that they fall!
who destroys beings or things; by that they fall!
who pollute milieu and society; by that they fall!
who deliberately do evil knowing it; by that they fall!
who fails their duties and obligations; by that they fall!
who misses the obvious opportunities; by that they fall!
It is a great pity with all those blinded by ignorance,
bound and dragged by craving, while pushed by aversion:
By that they surely fall into states of pain, agony and despair!
As if gripped by the arms by two strong men and hurled into a big fire...

compassionate.novice.b.jpg

More on this caring Great Compassion (maha-karuna)!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Endless_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Karuna_is_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Space_Compassion.htm

Blue_Lotus.small.jpg

Have a nice compassionate day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Great Compassion!

samahita · August 2009

Friends:

Appropriate Appreciation is Gratitude!

One should be grateful towards one's Parents! Why so?
They have worked hard and very long raising one into being!

One should be grateful towards one's Teachers! Why so?
They do much to make one learn and understand the good...

One should be grateful towards one's Friends! Why so?
They have shown one an open kindness and much goodwill!

One should be grateful towards one's Spouse! Why so?
They have loyally accompanied one along a long way...

What is the future kammic effect of gratitude or ungratefulness?
The one who is grateful will receive gifts and favours ever again!
The one who is ungrateful will never again receive gifts or favours !
Thankfulness wisely invested thus pays back quite a lot!

Therefore: Always Say Thanx!

Thanx for Your Attention! ;-)

On Contentment and Rejoicing Appreciation:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Contentment.htm
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

Have a nice gracious day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Gracious Gratitude!

samahita · August 2009

Friends:

Genuine Goodwill Blazes and Shines!

The blessed Buddha once said:
Among tigers, lions, leopards & bears I lived in the jungle.
No one of them was frightened of me, nor did I fear anyone!
Uplifted by such universal friendliness, I enjoyed the forest.
Finding great solace in such sweet and silenced solitude…
Suvanna-sama Jataka 540

I am a friend of the footless,
I am a friend of all bipeds;
I am a friend of those with four feet,
I am a friend of the many-footed!
Anguttara Nikaya IV 67

May all creatures, all breathing things,
all beings one and all, without exception,
experience good fortune only! :-)
May they not fall into any harm.
Anguttara Nikaya II 72

With good will for the entire cosmos,
cultivate an infinite heart and mind:
Beaming above, below, and all around,
unobstructed, without trace of hostility.
Sutta Nipata I

More good even better here ;-) _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Blazing_Goodwill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Good-Will_Again.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Buddha_on_Noble_Frienship.htm

Have a nice good-willed day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Genuine Goodwill!

samahita · August 2009

Friends:

Contemplating Transience reduces false perception of permanence:

The Blessed Buddha once said:
Aniccanupassanam bhavento niccasaññam pajahati...
When developing the contemplation of Impermanence
(Anicca), one overcomes perception of permanence...

impermanence.letters.jpg

The anytime, everywhere, & for everybody directly observable facts are:
All states will pass...
All things will vanish...
All formations are unstable...
All mountains crumble into nothing...
All memories are lost like tears in rain...
Nothing remains static without change...
All buildings & homes collapse into dust...
All phenomena are of a nature to breakup...
All moments momentarily cease never to return...
All Universes implodes into pointless singularity...
All phenomena are momentary & thus temporary...
All bodies grow old, decrepit, fall & finally rotten...
All worldly happiness & pleasure changes & are lost...
All beings grow old, sick, ugly, dement, smelling & die...
All forms of form will decay, deteriorate & fall apart...
All constructions - physical as mental - arises & ceases...
There is no lasting permanence anywhere except Nibbana...

Death.impermanence.suffering.jpg

Have a nice transient day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

All will Vanish! Nothing is thus worth clinging to...

samahita · September 2009

Friends:

The Seven Stages of Purification!

Following the Noble 8-fold Way the mind is purified in 7 stages:
1: Purification of Morality (sila-visuddhii).
2: Purification of Mind (citta-visuddhi).
3: Purification of View (ditthi-visuddhi).
4: Purification by Overcoming Doubt (kankha-vitarana-visuddhi).
5: Purification by knowledge & vision of what is Path and Not-Path.
6: Purification by knowledge and vision of Progress on the Path.
7: Purification of Knowledge and Vision (ñanadassana-visuddhi).

The classic text is MN 24 Ratha-vinita Sutta: The Relay Chariots:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.024.than.html

And for a complete account of Full Mental Purification:
The Path of Purification: Visuddhimagga." by the great explainer
Buddhaghosa in 5th century AC well translated by Bhikkhu Ñanamoli.
http://www.pariyatti.org/Bookstore/productdetails.cfm?sku=771100

More on these 7 stages of mental purity:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_purpose_of_purification.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Levels_of_Leaving_Behind.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_7_Purifications.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/9_Stillings.htm
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=404506

Have a nice pure day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Mental Purification!

samahita · September 2009

Friends:

How to be a Real Buddhist through Observance?

Binara Poya day is the full-moon of September. This holy day celebrates
the inauguration of the Bhikkhuni Sangha by the ordination on this very
day of Queen Mahapajapati, the Buddha's foster-mother & her retinue.
For life details on this excellent woman, who awakened as Arahat Theri:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/maha/mahapajapati_gotami.htm

More on Binara Poya and the initiation of the Bhikkhuni Order:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Binara_Poya_Bhikkhuni.htm

On such Full-Moon Uposatha Poya Observance days:
Any Lay Buddhist simply joins the Three Refuges and undertakes the
Five Precepts like this: Newly bathed, shaved, white-clothed, with clean
bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue, and bows first
three times, so that feet, hands, elbows, knees & head touch the floor.
Then, with joined palms at the heart, one recites these memorized lines
in a loud, calm & steady voice:

As long as this life lasts:
I hereby take refuge in the Buddha.
I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma.
I hereby take refuge in the Sangha.
I hereby seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time.
I hereby request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time.
I will hereby respect these Three Jewels the rest of my life!

I accepts to respect & undertake these 5 training rules:
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Killing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Stealing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Sexual Abuse.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Dishonesty.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Alcohol & Drugs.
As long as this life lasts, I am thus protected by these 5 precepts...

Then, one keeps and protects these sacred vows better than one's
own eyes & children!, since they protect you & all other beings much
better than any army! They are the highest offer one can give in & to
this world! So is the start towards Nibbana: The Deathless Element!
This is the Noble Way to Peace, to Freedom, to Ease, to Happiness,
initiated by Morality, developed further by Dhamma-Study and
fulfilled by training of Meditation...

Today indeed is Pooya or Uposatha or observance day, where any lay
Buddhist normally keeps even the Eight Precepts from sunrise until the
next dawn... If any wish an official recognition by the Bhikkhu-Sangha,
they may simply forward the lines starting with "I hereby ..." signed with
name, date, town & country to me or join here. A public list of this new
quite rapidly growing new global Saddhamma-Sangha is set up here!

This New Noble Community of The Buddha's Disciples:
The Saddhamma Sangha:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Saddhamma_Sangha.htm
Can quite advantageously be Joined Here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm

May your journey hereby be light, swift and sweet. Never give up!!

For Details on The Origin of Uposatha Observance Days:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/uposatha.html

Have a nice poya day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Binara Poya Day!

samahita · September 2009

Friends:

The Purpose of Purification is Release!

Buddha explained that it is for the sake of Nibbana that one trains the mind:
Morality is for the sake of self-control, control for the sake of absence of regret,
Absence of regrets is for the sake of joy, joy is for the for the sake of bliss,
Bliss is for the sake of tranquillity, tranquillity is for the sake of happiness,
Happiness is for the sake of absorption into one-pointed concentration,
Concentration is for the sake of knowledge & vision of how reality comes to be,
Knowledge and vision of how reality comes into being is for the sake of disgust,
Disgust is for the sake of disillusion, dry disillusion is for the sake of release,
Mental release is for the sake of knowledge and vision of awakening release,
Knowledge & vision of release is for the sake of Nibbana without clinging!
For this purpose is this speech, for this purpose is this noble advice!
For this purpose should one pay attention to this chain of causes!
That is: For the purpose of release of mind through non-clinging...

release.letters.jpg

More on Mental Release (Vimokkha, Vimutti):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Freed_by_Knowing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_8_Deliverances.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/u_v/vimutti.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/u_v/vimokkha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Fulfilling_Release_by_Wisdom.htm

Source: Parivara XII.2, SN II 32, AN V 2

Have a nice detached day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Noble Release!

samahita · September 2009

Friends:

Disentangling both the inner and the outer Knot:

The Blessed Buddha once said:
When a wise man well established in moral purity,
Develops his mind and his understanding,
Then as Bhikkhu, earnest and intelligent,
He disentangles this entangled knot...
SN I 13

Just as a man standing firm on the ground and taking up a well-sharpened
sword might disentangle a great mesh of bamboos, so too, does this Bhikkhu
possessing 4 things: Morality, Concentration, Energy, and Understanding cut
away the maze of mess and demolish all the labyrinthine snarls of confusion!
Vism I 4

Disentangling from the world by withdrawal unravels the outer complication...
Disentangling from name-&-form, body and mind, releases the inner intricacy...
Thus freed from fermentations of all what is physical and all what is mental,
one disengages & detaches from this enmeshed, ensnaring & perplexing puzzle!

Have a nice unfoiled day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Disentangling the Knot...

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