Daily Dhamma Drops from Ceylon!

Friends:

Without Clinging one is Liberated!

The disciple Bhadravudha once asked the Blessed Buddha:
How can one release all clinging?
By dispelling all craving, thereby all clinging is also released, because craving
causes clinging! Thus do absence of craving result in absence of clinging said
the Blessed One. Bhadravudha, where-ever above, below, across, and also in
between: Whatever beings grasp and cling to in the world, by that very thing
is they followed to death... Attaching to anything, means attaching to death!
Therefore, knowing this, seeing people clinging even in panic to the realm of
death, any aware & alert Bhikkhu would neither grasp, nor cling to anything
in the entire world. Seeing all those people, who habitually are very attached
to many worldly things and thus clinging to death's realm, he stills all craving.
By stilling all craving, all clinging is relinquished. No wanting means no clutch!
Sutta-Nipata 1101-04 Edited excerpt.

Comment:
While dwelling detached the later ordained Bhadravudha became an arahat!



More on this catastrophic Clinging (Upadana):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Cool_Calm.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Shaking_off_Evil.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Stilling_of_Clinging.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Terror_of_Being.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/u_v/upaadaana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_4_kinds_of_Clinging.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Clinging_to_the_notion_I_Am.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_are_the_5_Clusters_of_Clinging.htm

Have a nice & noble day!

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

Without Clinging!

Friends:

Gradually Deeper Degree of Ceasing:

In the 1st meditative jhana absorption, all sense-desire ceases...
In the 2nd meditative jhana absorption, conceptual thinking ceases.
In the 3rd meditative jhana absorption, enraptured Joy ceases.
In the 4th meditative jhana absorption, breathing in and out ceases.
In the sphere of infinite space, experience of form & sense reaction ceases.
In the sphere of infinite consciousness, experience of infinite space ceases.
In the sphere of nothingness, experience of infinite consciousness ceases.
In the sphere of neither-perception-nor-non-perception, nothingness ceases...
When attaining complete mental cessation, all perception and sensation ceases.
These 9 sublime states have been perfectly formulated by the blessed Buddha,
who knew and saw directly. therefore should we recite them together for the
future advantage, welfare and happiness for both human beings and devas...



More on meditative (jhana) absorption:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Art_of_Absorption.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Jhana_Absorption.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/g_m/jhaana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Joys_Beyond_This_World.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Concentration.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Requisites_for_Jhana_Absorption.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Details_of_the_Jhana_Absorptions.htm

Source: The Exhaustive Speeches by the Buddha. Digha Nikaya 33
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=25103
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/digha/index.html

For the complete details of the entrance to these exalted states:
see: The Path of Purification: Visuddhimagga. Chapter III-XI:
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=771100

Have a nice & noble day!

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

Sweet Ceasing...

Friends:

The 3 Stages of Mental Perfection:

The 10 Mental Perfections (paramis = paramitas) are:

1: Generosity (Dana)
2: Morality (Sila)
3: Withdrawal (Nekkhamma)
4: Understanding (Pañña)
5: Enthusiastic Energy (Viriya)
6: Patient Forbearance (Khanti)
7: Honesty & Truthfulness (Sacca)
8: Resolute Determination (Adhitthana)
9: Kind Friendliness (Metta)
10: Balanced Equanimity (Upekkha)



The Buddha said:
"So few as these only, are these supreme mental qualities, which culminates
in Awakening. There is nothing elsewhere beyond them! Be thorough, firm
and systematic to complete them all..."

These 10 mental perfections can be developed to three levels:
I: Those who awakens as disciples = Savaka-Bodhis give all possessions away
including wife and kids to perfect generosity. Similar level with the 9 other
perfections...

II: Those who awakens as Solitary Buddhas = Pacceka-Buddhas give an
organ, limb or eye away to perfect generosity. Similar level with the 9 other
perfections...

III: Those who awakens as Perfect Buddhas = Sammasam-Buddhas give
even their own life away to perfect generosity. Similar level with the 9
other metal perfections...

The basic perfection of generosity is the relinquishing of one's children,
wives, and belongings, such as wealth. The intermediate perfection of
giving is the relinquishing of one's own limbs. The ultimate perfection of
giving is the relinquishing of one's own life. The 3 stages in the perfection
of morality should be understood as the non-transgression of morality on
account of the three: children and wife, limbs, and life. The three stages in
the perfection of withdrawal, as the withdrawal of those three bases after
cutting off attachment to them. The 3 perfections of understanding, as the
discrimination between what is advantageous or detrimental to beings after
rooting out craving for one's belongings, limbs, and life. The three stages in
the perfection of energy, as striving for the relinquishing of these 3things.
The three stages in the perfection of patience, as tolerance to obstacles
to one's belongings, limbs, and life. The 3 stages of perfection of Honesty,
as the non-abandoning of honesty due to one's belongings, limbs, and life.
The 3 stages of perfection of determination, as unshakeable determination
despite the destruction of one's belongings, limbs, & life, bearing in mind
that perfections ultimately succeed through a unflinching determination!
The three stages in the perfection of friendliness, as the maintaining of
friendliness towards any one, who destroys one's belongings! The 3 stages
in the perfection of equanimity, as maintaining an attitude of imperturbable
impartial neutrality towards all beings and phenomena, whether they are
helpful or harmful in regard to ones belongings, limbs, and life. In this way
should the analysis of the mental perfections be understood.





More on the 10 Mental Perfections:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/n_r/paramii.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Ten_Perfections.htm



Have a nice & noble day!

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

Perfection!

Friends:

How to be a real true Buddhist?

Simply and easily by joining the Three Refuges and undertaking
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 and
head touch the floor. Then, with joined palms in front of the heart,
one recite 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 seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time.
I seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time.
I seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time.
I request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time.
I request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd time.
I request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time.

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...

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!
This is the very start on the path towards Nibbana -the Deathless Element-
This is the Noble Way to Peace, to Freedom, to Bliss, initiated by Morality,
developed further by Dhamma-Study and fulfilled by training Meditation...
If any wish an official recognition by the Bhikkhu-Sangha, they may simply
forward the lines starting with "I.." signed with name, date, town & country
to me. I have then out up a public list of this evolving Saddhamma Sangha.
May your journey hereby be eased, light, swift and sweet. Never give up!!!
One can also join the Saddhamma Sangha by taking the 3 refuges 5 accept
the 5 training rules right here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Saddhamma_Sangha.htm



More on this basic first cause of all Good: Morality (Sila)!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Sila_1_to_5.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Happy_Habbit.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/What_is_Virtue.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Best_Protection.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Five_Basics.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sila_Contemplation.htm


Behaviour gradually evolves and spread like rings of pure good!

Have a nice & noble day!

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

Perfect Praxis!

Friends:

Emergence of the Four Frames of Reference:

The Buddha once explained the profundity of causality like this:

Arising of Nutriment induces the emergence of the Body...
Ceasing of Nutriment induces the passing away of the Body...

Arising of Contact induces the emergence of Feeling...
Ceasing of Contact induces the passing away of Feeling...

Arising of Naming-&-forming induces the emergence of Mind...
Ceasing of Naming-&-forming induces the passing away of Mind...

Arising of Attention induces the emergence of Phenomena...
Ceasing of Attention induces the passing away of Phenomena...

Therefore is considering, contemplating, analyzing, and recollecting:
1: Body merely as a transient form grown up on food;
2: Feeling only as passing emotion arisen from sense-contact;
3: Mind just as changing mood emerged from naming-&-forming;
4: Phenomena only as momentary mental states created by attention...
a crucial necessity! Reflecting on these 4 facts repeatedly, & thoroughly,
is called initiating and developing the Four_Foundations_of_Awareness,
which, in itself, is the mental treasure par excellence, leading steadily,
and directly to the Deathless Element: Nibbana...



More on these Four Foundations of Awareness (Satipatthana):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Awareness_Sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Awareness_Ability.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/satipatthaana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Four_Foundations_of_Awareness.htm



Source: The Grouped Sayings by the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya V 184
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html

Have a nice & noble day!

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

Causes of Emergence...

Friends:

A Simple Way to Establish True Awareness:

Friends, this highly advantageous praxis can be undertaken by anyone,
at any time, all day long, in all situations, and at all locations! Therefore
Do it!, Repeat it!, and Remember it!:

When walking, one understands: "I am walking.."
When standing, one knows: "I am standing.."
If sitting, one notes: "I am sitting down now.."
While lying down, one reflects: "I am lying down.."

When moving forward or returning, one clearly comprehends exactly that..
When looking forward or away, one clearly comprehends exactly that..
When bending or extending a limb, one clearly comprehends exactly that..
When dressing or carrying things, one clearly comprehends exactly that..
When eating, drinking, or chewing, one clearly comprehends exactly that..
When defecating or urinating, one clearly comprehends exactly that..
When walking, standing or sitting, one clearly comprehends exactly that..
When falling asleep or waking up, one clearly comprehends exactly that..
When talking or dwelling in silence, one clearly comprehends exactly that..



Rational and alert attention is thus a cause of ultra clear comprehension!
When continuous Awareness is established, it can prevent all mistakes,
and their painful after-effects... In this way do clear comprehension lead
reduced frustration and gain of new satisfaction! If correctly cultivated,
and made much of, this praxis will be for all beings welfare and happiness
for a long, long time... Why so? Clear comprehension purifies the purpose,
the suitability, the domain, and the unconfused focus of any activity!

More on Comprehension (Sampajañña):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Awareness_Sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/sampajanna.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Clear_and_Aware_Comprehension.htm



Source: The Exhaustive Speeches by the Buddha. Digha Nikaya 22
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/digha/dn22.htm
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=25103l

Have a nice & noble day!

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

Clear Comprehension!

Friends:

What is the process of Becoming?

A friend asked:
Conditioned by clinging, becoming comes into being... What is Becoming?

Answer:
Cut short: Becoming is the process whereby the next moment arises...
This next moment has both physical and mental properties and is as such
dependent upon consciousness... If no clinging is present in this moment,
no next moment will arise for that Arahat individuality... That is Nibbana!
Every new moment and thus also the death-rebirth-moment is the result of
this process of becoming, which drives all change and push time forward!

In more detail:
The process of becoming can take place in three planes or dimensions:
1: Becoming in the plane of sense desire (kama-bhava), which is what drives
the life-process forward for all ghosts, animals, humans and lower devas.
2: Becoming in the plane of fine-material existence (rupa-bhava), which is
what drives the life-process forward for higher devas like e.g. Brahma etc.
3: Becoming in the plane of formless existence (arupa-bhava), which is
what drives the life-process forward for the highest formless devas.
On this Buddhist Cosmology of these three main dimensions please study:
The 31 Planes of Existence:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sagga/loka.html

This process of becoming has two sides:
The active side: Where new advantageous or detrimental intentional actions
(kamma-bhava) create delayed future resultant forms of high or low rebirth.
The passive resultant side: Where this rebirth in every moment & in between
lives recreates or regenerates mental and material phenomena of existence.

There are the two kinds of craving related to becoming!
1: Craving for Becoming:
Examples: May I become rich, famous, praised, satisfied, beautiful, happy...
2: Craving for Non-Becoming:
Examples: May I not become sick, criticized, poor, ugly, old, dead, unhappy...
As these states are uncontrollable, both kinds of craving create suffering!



The Blessed Buddha explained the process of Becoming (bhava) like this:

At Savatthi. "Monks, there are these four floods. Which four?
The flood of sensuality, the flood of becoming, the flood of views,
and the flood of ignorance. These are the four floods." SN v 59

"Monks, there are these four yokes. Which four?
The yoke of sensuality, the yoke of becoming, the yoke of views, and
the yoke of ignorance. And what is the yoke of becoming?
There is the case where a certain person does not understand, as it really is,
the arising, the passing away, the allure, the drawbacks, and the escape
from becoming. When he does not understand this becoming, as it really is,
he becomes obsessed with passion, delight, attraction, infatuation, thirst,
and fascinated fever for new forms of becoming. Thereby he then induces
craving for becoming something new: To go further, wandering-on, heading
to new birth & ever repeated death! This is the yoke of becoming..." AN ii 10

This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, so I have heard:
"There are these three searches. Which three? The search for sensuality,
the search for becoming, the search for a holy noble life.
These are the three searches." Iti 44-98

"What is the origin of suffering? The craving that induce further becoming,
accompanied by passion and delight, relishing now here & later there, that is:
Craving for sensing, craving for becoming, craving for non-becoming...
This is called the origin of suffering." MN i 46

"From the arising of becoming, comes the arising of birth. From the ceasing
of becoming, comes the ceasing of birth. And the way leading to the ceasing
of birth is just this very noble eightfold path: Right view, right motivation,
right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right awareness,
and right concentration." MN i 46

"And what is becoming? What is the arising of becoming? What is the ceasing
of becoming? What is the way leading to the cessation of becoming?
There are these three forms of becoming: Sensual becoming, fine material
becoming, and formless becoming. This is called becoming. From the arising of
clinging comes the arising of becoming. From the ceasing of clinging comes
the ceasing of becoming. And the way of practice leading to the ceasing of
becoming is just this very noble eightfold path: Right view, right motivation,
right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right awareness,
and right concentration." MN i 46

"From craving as a requisite condition comes clinging...
From clinging as a requisite condition comes becoming...
From becoming as a requisite condition comes birth...
From birth as a requisite condition comes ageing, decay, sickness
and death! So is the emergence of this entire mass of suffering!" D ii 55

"Having seen danger right in the process of becoming itself, and in searching
for new forms of becoming or for non-becoming, I didn't affirm any kind of
becoming, or cling to any kind of delight in becoming." MN i 326

"What are these four noble truths? They are the noble truth of suffering;
the noble truth of the origin of suffering; the noble truth of the cessation
of suffering; and the noble truth of the way to the cessation of suffering.
When these profound truths, bhikkhus, have been realized and penetrated,
then craving for existence is cut off, destroyed is that process which leads
to renewed becoming, & there is not created fresh future becoming." DN ii 72


Any form of Becoming proliferates into Suffering...

Have a nice & noble day!

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

What is Becoming?

Friends:

The Quenched Dimension:

Peaceful, tamed, smokeless, wishless, and harmless,
unobstructed both in front and behind, untroubled,
unconcerned with both past and future, pure, aloof,
imperturbable, beyond wavering & doubt, confident,
directly knowing, calmed & freed, the Arahat being
enters the final state:

The cooling of all craving,
The stilling of all construction,
The releasing of all the clinging,
The relinquishing of all acquisition,
Detachment, disillusion, ceasing,
Formless, senseless and deathless,
Silent, free, & blissful pure peace...
Nibbâna... Yeah!!!



More on this uncreated state - Nibbana (Sanskrit = Nirvana):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Final_Freedom.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/climax_of_calm.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Reaching_Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_2_Nibbanas.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/What_is_Nibbana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Proximate_Cause.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Nibbana_or_non-return.htm



Have a nice & noble day!

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

The Climax of Calm!

Friends:

The Ego is the Greatest Self-Deception!

Even when old and sick, the wise Elder Khemaka spoke these wise words &
thereby made himself and 60 listening Bhikkhu friends awakened Arahats!
"Friends, I do not speak of 'I Am' as inside form, nor do I speak of 'I Am'
as outside or apart from form! I do not speak of 'I Am' as within feeling,
nor do I speak of 'I Am' as outside or apart from feeling! I do not speak
of 'I Am' as within experience, nor do I speak of 'my self' as outside or
apart from experience! I do not speak of 'my ego' as being within mental
construction, nor do I speak of 'my self' as outside or apart from mental
construction! I do not speak of 'my ego' as within consciousness, nor do I
speak of 'my self, ego or identity' as outside or apart from consciousness!
Friends, although the concept 'I Am' has not yet been eliminated fully by
me regarding these five clusters of clinging, still I do neither regard any
among them, nor within them as 'This entity is what I am... This is my ego!'
Friends, even though a Noble Disciple has broken the five minor mental
chains, eliminated the five lower fetters, still, regarding these 5 clusters
of clinging, there remains in him a residual conceit of conceiving 'I Am',
there lingers a subtle desire for possessing a core ego: 'I Am' and there
hang on a latent tendency to construing or contriving 'I Am', that has not
yet been uprooted! Sometime later while he dwells contemplating the rise
and fall of the 5 clusters of clinging: 'Such is form, such is the originating
cause and ceasing of form. Such is feeling, such is the originating cause &
ceasing of feeling. Such is perception, the originating cause and ceasing of
perception. Such is mental construction, such is the originating cause and
ceasing of mental construction. Such is consciousness, such is the initiating
cause of consciousness and such is it's ceasing! As he dwells thus seriously
contemplating the rise & fall in these five clusters of clinging, any residual
conceit 'I Am', any remnant desire to conceive and deposit 'My Ego', and
any latent tendency to construe a fixed and stable identity as 'My Self',
that had not yet been uprooted, becomes uprooted & eliminated completely...
While the elder Khemaka spoke these words, he and 60 Bhikkhus awakened!



Source: The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya III [130-1]
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/samyutta/sn22-089.html
As book: http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507

The causes produce arising when present, while ceasing when absent:
Food, ignorance, lust for form, and kamma causes the body and form.
Contact, ignorance, lust for feeling, and kamma causes all feeling.
Contact, ignorance, lust for perception, and kamma causes all perception.
Contact, ignorance, lust for construction, and kamma causes construction.
Name-&-Form, ignorance, desire to be and remain conscious, and kamma
causes consciousness to emerge, when present, and cease when absent.
No ego, self, soul or identity can ever be found neither within, nor outside
these ever changing and incessantly arising and ceasing transient states...



More on this deepest self-deception: The conceit that 'I Am' (Asmi-mana):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Pride.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Conceit_I_Am.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/I-dentification.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Prison_of_Pride.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Anti-EGO-Tool.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Anatta_No_Self.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ending_Pain_Itself.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/No_Agent_is_Inside.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Solo_Self-Deception.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Mistaken_Reference.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Input_'I'-dentification.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Selfless_and_Harmless.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Clinging_to_the_notion_I_Am.htm



Have a nice, noble and egoless day!

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

Without any Ego!

Friends:

DIVINE:
If one speak the truth, is not angry and gives
when asked, even when one has only a little,
one may win a divine future state...
Dhammapada 224

FINAL BLISS:
The homeless sages, always restrained,
in both body and behaviour, finally pass to
the deathless state, where sorrow is not...
Dhammapada 225

ENTHUSIASM:
Those who are always aware and awake;
Training day and night, intent only on Nibbana,
their mental fermentations gradually evaporate.
Dhammapada 226



Comments: When Devas have been asked what good deeds they had
accomplished here on earth to cause them to be reborn in the happy
world in which they live, they have given different answers. Speaking
the truth, restraining anger, leaving hatred, listening to the dhamma,
charitable gifts of goods and wealth, even giving small gifts of fruit
and vegetables to a Bhikkhu or someone else are among the answers.
Even if we are poor, and have only the most modest gift to offer to
the Noble Sangha of Bhikkhus, such gifts are extremely meritorious!

In order for us to never return to the world in which we are now living,
we must become a faith-devote, a faith-liberated one, a body-witness,
a both-ways-liberated one, a Dhamma-devotee, a vision-attainer, or
a wisdom-liberated one, or finally an fully awakened Arahat!

The Buddha taught us to be “always alert and ever aware" so that we
may attain Arahatship, become liberated from all suffering while here,
and thus obtain the benefits of never having to experience birth,
old age, sickness, and death again! He insisted that we must train both
day and night, during all activities, in order to reach the supreme, blissful,
rapturous, quenched, satiated, stilled and calm state….NIBBANA!



With Metta, Jonathan

Liberation!

Friends:

Determination is the 8th Mental Perfection:

Only determination can completely fulfill the other mental perfections!
Its characteristic is an unwavering decision, its function is to overcome
hesitation, and its manifestation is unfaltering persistence in this task...
The proximate cause of determination is strong willpower to succeed!
Only the power of resolute determination lifts any praxis to perfection...



When the Future Buddha placed his back against the trunk of the Bodhi
tree, then he right there made this mighty decision:
"Let just the blood and flesh of this body dry up and let the skin & sinews
fall from the bones. I will not leave this seat before having attained that
absolute supreme Enlightenment!" So determined did he invincibly seat
himself, which not even 100 earthquakes could make him waver from.
Jataka Nidana

A female lay follower (Upasika) at the time of the Buddha kept pure the
precepts, comprehended the nature of impermanence, the consequent
fragility of the body and thereby won stream-entry (Sotapanna)...
After passing away, she re-arose as the favorite attendant of Sakka,
the king of Gods. Reviewing her own merit, she remembered her prior
admonition to herself:

"Let this body break up as it may,
herein will not be any excuse or
relaxation of the effort...!!!"

Whose mind is like a rock, determined, unwavering, immovable,
without a trace of lust of urging towards all the attractions,
without a trace of aversion of pushing away all the repulsive,
from what, can such a refined mind ever suffer?
Udana IV - 4

Using the tools of Faith, Morality, Effort, Determination, Meditation and
true Understanding of the Dhamma, one gradually perfects first knowing
and then behaviour. So well equipped & always aware, one becomes capable
of eliminating all of this great heap of suffering once and for all ...
Dhammapada 144



What is being determined by right Motivation?
The decision for being motivated by withdrawal,
The decision for being motivated by good-will,
The decision for being motivated by harmlessness:
This is being determined by right Motivation...
Samyutta Nikaya XLV 8

My mind is firm like a rock,
unattached to sensual things,
no shaking in the midst of a world,
where all is decaying and vanishing...
My mind has been thus well developed,
so how can suffering ever touch me?
Theragatha 194



The four determinations:
One should not neglect the Dhamma,
One should guard well the Truth,
One should be devoted to Withdrawal,
Majjhima Nikaya 140

Fearing being predestined for Hell if he became a King, who had to punish
criminals violently, the Bodhisatta determined not to show any intelligence,
and played dumb, deaf and crippled for sixteen years, only showing his real
abilities, when he was on the verge of being buried alive!
This was his ultimate perfection of resolute determination...
The Basket of Conduct: Cariyapitaka

More of the 10 mental perfections (paramis):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Ten_Perfections.htm



Have a nice, noble and resolute day!

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

Decisive Determination!

Friends:

Friendly Goodwill is the 9th Mental Perfection:

Friendliness means Goodwill
Friendliness means Kindness
Friendliness means Helpfulness
Friendliness means Assistance
Friendliness means Support
Friendliness means Benevolence
Friendliness means Concern
Friendliness means Care
Friendliness means Compassion
Friendliness means Cooperation
Friendliness means Mutual Aid
Friendliness means Mutual Advantage
Friendliness means Sympathy
Friendliness means Symbiosis

Only friendliness can completely evaporate the poison of hate and anger!
Its characteristic is promoting other being's welfare, its function is to
do only good, and its manifestation is kindness, sympathy, and gentleness...
The proximate cause of friendliness is seeing the good aspects of things!
The proximate cause of understanding compassion is this very friendliness!



The Blessed Buddha said about friendliness (Metta):
"Bhikkhus, whatever kinds of worldly merit there are, all are not worth
one sixteenth part of the release of mind by universal friendliness;
in shining, glowing and beaming radiance, this release of mind by
universal friendliness far excels & surpasses them all..."

What are the 11 Advantages of cultivating such Universal Friendliness?
The four Brahma Viharas; The four Divine States:
The four Supreme States; The four Infinite States:

"Friends, eleven advantages are to be expected as effect from the release
of mind into friendliness by the practice of Goodwill, by cultivating amity,
by making much of it frequently, by making friendliness the vehicle, the tool,
the basis, by insisting on it, by being well established in it as a sublime habit!
What are these eleven advantages ?
One falls asleep well! One wakes up Happy!
One dreams no evil dreams!
One is liked and loved by all human beings!
One is liked and loved by all non-human beings too!
One is guarded and protected by the divine devas!
One cannot be harmed by fire, poison, or weapons!
One easily attains the concentration of absorption!
Ones appearance becomes serene, calm, and composed!
One dies without confusion, bewilderment, or panic!
One reappears after death on the Brahma level, if one
has penetrated to no higher level in this very life!



When the mind is released into friendliness by the practice of goodwill,
by manifesting friendliness, by cultivating amity, by frequently making much
of it, by making friendliness the vehicle, the tool, the basis, the medium, the
foundation, by persisting in it, by insisting on it, by properly consolidating it,
by thoroughly undertaking it, by making it a familiar supreme habit, by so
being well established in it, these eleven blessings can be expected!"
Anguttara Nikaya V 342

There, Oohh friends, the Bhikkhu with a mind full of friendly loving-kindness
pervading first one direction, then a 2nd one, then a 3rd one then the 4th one,
as below so above, across and all around, everywhere identifying himself with
all sentient beings, he is encompassing the whole world with a mind of friendly
loving-kindness, with a wide mind, vast, refined, unbounded, cleared, exalted,
pure and bright, free from all hate and ill will ...

There, Oh friends, the Bhikkhu with a mind full of understanding compassion
pervading first the front, then the right side, then the back, then the left side,
as below so above, across & all around, all over, far & wide; identifying himself
with all sentient beings, he is perfusing the whole universe with a mind imbued
with pity, with a spacious mind, a refined mind, infinite, purified, all luminous,
freed from all anger and any trace of enmity ...

There, the Bhikkhu with a mind full of altruistic, sympathetic and mutual Joy
pervading the North, then the East, then the South, then the West, as below
so above, across & all around, universally, infinitely; identifying himself with
all sentient beings, he is suffusing all galaxies with a mind elevated by genuine
mutual and altruistic sympathetic joy, with an open mind, immeasurable, wide,
limitless, pure & shining, free from all aversion and bitterness ...

There, Oohh friends, the Bhikkhu with a mind full of balanced equanimity is
pervading first the frontal quadrant, then the right, then the rear & then the
left quadrant, as below so above, across and all around, everywhere placing
himself with all sentient beings, he is permeating the whole world with a mind
satiated of stilled and balanced equanimity, calmed, with a mountain-like mind,
cultivated, endless, clean, dazzling, freed from any irritation and resentment."



"So too, Bhikkhus, others may speak to you timely or untimely, true or untrue,
gentle or harsh, beneficial or harmful, based on kindness or on bitter hate!
If they abuse you verbally, you should train yourselves in this way:
"Our minds will remain unaffected, we shall speak no angry words, will dwell
friendly and understanding, with thoughts of kindness and no inward anger!
We shall remain friendly and beam goodwill towards that very person, and we
shall dwell extending it to the entire universe, mentally overflowing, exalted,
measureless and infinite in friendliness, without any trace hostility or ill-will."
That is how you should train yourselves. Even if bandits were savagely to cut
you up, limb by limb, with a two-handled saw, one who harbours hate on that
account, would not be one who carried out my teaching. Bhikkhus, you should
keep this instruction on this Simile of the Saw constantly in mind...
Majjhima Nikaya, Sutta 21

Thus he who both day and night
takes delight in harmlessness
sharing love with all that lives,
finds enmity with none...
Samyutta Nikaya. I 208

When one with a mind of love
feels compassion for the entire world
above, below and across,
unlimited everywhere.
Jataka 37



The Bodhisatta once was born as the righteous king Ekaraja. His kingdom was
taken by force and he and his son was buried in a pit to the neck...
King Ekaraja, however neither resisted, nor bore even slight ill will against the
invaders. Later he remembered this as his ultimate perfection of friendliness.
Ekaraja Jataka 303

On the Practice of Loving-Kindness (Metta):
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/bps/wheels/wheel007.html

On Universal Friendliness:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Metta.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Good-Will_Again.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Bon_Benevolence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Goodwill_Encore.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Released_by_GoodWill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/All-Embracing_Kindness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Infinite_and_Divine_Classic.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Buddha_on_Noble_Frienship.htm

More on the 10 mental perfections (paramis):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Ten_Perfections.htm

Have a friendly, nice & noble day!

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

Friendliness Frees!

Friends:

Narcissism versus the Bliss of Impersonality:

The notion of 'I Am' is a false assumption based on a longstanding conceit!
The notion of 'Mine' is a false assumption based on a deep, deep craving!
The notion of 'This is My Self' is a false assumption based on wrong view!



The mentally constructed idea of an internally existing, invisible yet stable,
same and independent entity of identity, being in full control and mastering
the individual, is rooted in an inflated false experience of self-importance!
This fabricated 'Ego' assuming an imaginary 'Self' rapidly becomes deeply
and tragically in love with itself... This 'auto-romance', even though merely
a hypothetical ideation, nevertheless demands to be gratified, praised and
respected without end, & therefore reacts violently towards any external
or internal threats against its postulated unique yet fictional magnificence!
The root of all EGOISM therefore starts right there when this conceptual
notion of 'I-Me-Mine-Myself-My-Identity-My-Personality' is born...!!!
The effects are well known as being wholly catastrophic both individually
socially, locally and globally, here and now, later and in much later lives...
They assumed existence of an Ego is thus the biggest invisible obstruction
and the worst covered calamity for any being in any world, whether divine
or human, whether high or low, whether past, present or in any far future...
Basically is this Self-belief based on an assumption that either is the body,
the feelings, the perceptions, the mental constructions, or consciousness
itself an 'embodiment' of an otherwise invisible and unobservable 'Self'..
This 'representational' ego entity is then exalted to be the center of the
universe... However, this self 'imaging' is merely a manifestation of simple
identification with and clinging to body form, social position, professional
occupation, and so called 'personal' possessions, which all are transient...
Such is this highly treacherous, dangerous, & tragic mental ego-projection.


Always gratifying an 'ego-me-self' that simply does not exist!

The primary self-deception is "I Am..."
Then comes the fermentation "I Am this and/or that..."
Finally is added "I Am better, worse, or equal to this & that!"
Yet this "I", that is assumed to be this or that, is not itself...


Selflessness versus overblown "I-am-Superior" Egoism!

The Blessed Buddha said:

From everywhere, above as below, set free & released, beyond the concept
of ‘I am this or that’, one has then crossed a river never crossed before...
Thus liberated, does one not renew any cyclic process of being.
Udana – Inspiration: VII - 1

Blissful is solitude for one who is content, learned & who sees the Dhamma.
More blissful is harmlessness towards all beings without any exception.
Even more blissful is freedom from all sensual craving whatsoever...
Yet, the supreme bliss, is the elimination of this abysmal conceit “I am”!’
Udana – Inspiration: II – 1

Sabbe Dhamma Anatta - All states are selfless...


The Ego is alone in an unreal world fractured by hidden false assumptions!

More on Anti-Egoism:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Pride.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Conceit_I_Am.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Ego-Projection.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Prison_of_Pride.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Anti-EGO-Tool.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Anatta_No_Self.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/No_Agent_is_Inside.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Solo_Self-Deception.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Mistaken_Reference.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Selfless_and_Harmless.htm

Have a nice, noble & selfless day!

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

Fake I-dentification!

Friends:

Is Money Happiness or Suffering?



Ultimately:
All that ever arises is only Dukkha... (Including all wealth!)
All that ever ceases is also only Dukkha... (So only pain is really lost!)



Pragmatically, conventionally and relatively seems money to have become a
both practical and necessary evil in most but not all societies. Remember in
the beginning of this universal eon we were all a shining society of radiant
devas feeding on Joy moving through space freely. Now we have decayed
to mere ever more wanting humans ...

However:
When there is money, there is inevitably recurring bills, depts, loans...
When there is recurring bills, depts, loans, inevitably there is also worry!
When there is recurring or permanent worry, there is also frustration.
When there is frequent frustration, that is indeed mental Suffering...
Suffering is not Happiness...



A wise one said:
Those things we give emphasis to in our lives can also become our prison!
My first inclination -if I have money- is not to lose it! Therefore it makes
me become increasingly fearful of others, or put security systems around
my home. So money may not achieve any good life, because it is simply not
true, that money can make humans ever happy!




Interestingly, it seems IMHO that Mr. Mara, Mr. Namuci, The End-maker,
The Tempter, The Evil One, have mind manipulated some otherwise good,
intelligent and faithful people to think, and even repeatedly postulate:

Money is only happiness!
Money is sole satisfaction!
Money is just ecstasy!
No bad side-effects are there ever with money!



Well.. then.., let there be Happiness.. But not Fever.. Nor fire .. Nor Worry!
If ever possible ...

Have a nice & noble and reflective day!

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

Is Money Happiness?

Friends:

Learning The Five Grades of Mental Purity:



Initially the Noble Learner temporarily disables the mental hindrances
and bindings by "Substitution by the Opposite" using insight: Lust is thus
temporarily substituted by disgust, anger by friendliness, restlessness
by calm, laziness by energy and doubt is substituted by certainty.

Later the Noble Learner temporarily overcomes the mental hindrances
and bindings by "Suppression" by entering one-pointed absorption of
concentration, which is unmixed, unpolluted and untainted by hindrances.
Later the Noble Learner permanently eliminates a partial fraction of the
hindrances & bindings by "Cutting Off" at reaching path-moment of the
Stream-entry, Once-Returner, Non-Returner and Arahat (Magga) state.

Later the Noble Learner permanently eliminates the remaining fraction
of hindrances by effortless "Calming" at reaching the fruition-moment of
the Stream-entry, Once-Returner, Non-Returner & Arahat (Phala) state.

Finally the Noble Learned irreversibly leaves behind all mental hindrances
and bindings by "Escape" into the unconditioned and unconditional element
of Nibbana, without remaining traces of either clinging or other fuel...

Take Home: Substitution => Suppression => Cut Off => Calming => Escape!



More on Withdrawal:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Witdrawal_Wins_Wisdom.htm



Source: The Path of Purification: Visuddhimagga. 5th century AC.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=771100

Have a nice & noble learning day!

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

Learning to Let Go and Leave it all Behind...

Friends:

Morality is the 2nd Mental Perfection:

Avoiding all Harm!
Doing only Good...
Purifying the Mind:
This is the True Dhamma
of all the Buddhas!
Dhammapada 183



Morality is the foundation,
the initiator and the origin of all,
that is fine, good and very beautiful...
One must therefore purify true morality!
Theragatha 612



All success is rooted in a clean morality, cultivated to purity!
Theragatha 608



Morality is a mighty Power!
Morality is a forceful Weapon!
Morality is a supreme Jewel!
Morality is a marvellous Protection!
Theragatha 614



Harmlessness towards all living beings,
Speaking only kind and wise truths,
Taking nothing not freely given,
Enjoying only one's own partner,
Never abusing drinks or drugs.
Having given up and left all behind
these five harmful actions, such
Good One truly possesses right morality...
AN III 205-6

Ananda once asked the Buddha:
"What, Venerable Sir, is the rewarding advantage of morality?"
"Freedom from regret, Ananda!"
"And what is the advantage of freedom from regret?"
"Joy that produces bliss, Ananda.
Bliss then generates happiness.
Happiness enables concentration.
Concentration facilitates vision and knowledge.
Vision and knowledge brings disillusion and detachment
Disillusion and detachment induces direct experience of
certain and complete mental release, Ananda…"
AN X.1



Intention always comes first!
Intention is of all states the primer.
By intention are all things initiated.
By construction of mind are all phenomena formed.
So - if with good intention one thinks, speaks or acts:
Joy and pleasure surely follows one, like a never-leaving shadow
However - if with evil intention one thinks, speaks or acts:
Pain certainly follows one, like the wheel follows the car.
Dhammapada 1+2

Both the moral and immoral doings:
Both the good and the bad behaviour;
That human beings do here;
These are truly only their own possession...!!!
These, they take along with them, when they die, go and rearise,
These actions, good, neutral and bad are what follows them,
like the shadow, that never ever leaves...
So do only what is admirable and advantageous,
as an accumulating investment for the future life!
Good prior doings are the only support and help for all beings,
when they re-arise in the world of the next state of being…
SN III 4



Here and now the good-doer rejoices... Even so after
passing away and re-emerging, the doer of good,
reaps only joy, pleasure and satisfaction ...
So both here and there, the wise with merit well done
and stored, enjoys the moral purity of prior actions.
Dhammapada 15

Here and now the bad-doer suffers... Even so after
passing away and re-emerging, the doer of wrong and evil,
reaps only pain, discontent, despair, and regret ...
So both here and there, the fool with wrong views
and bad behaviour, suffers agony as the inevitable
effect of prior evil behaviour.
Dhammapada 16



As the yak-ox watch her tail even onto death,
without breaking through, when caught in thorns,
guard your doings as your own life, by avoiding all
overstepping of this fine line, between right and wrong.
The Basket of Behaviour, Cariyapitaka

The Bodhisatta once as the Naga serpent King Sankhapala
guarded his precepts of moral habit, even when tortured:
Though pierced with sharp bamboo stakes and hacked with
hunting knives, I raged no anger against these hunters, as this
was my final perfection of Morality!
Sankhapala Jataka no. 524



The 5 precious precepts (pañca-sila):
I accept the training rule of avoiding all killing of breathing beings.
I accept the training rule of not to take anything, that is not given.
I accept the training rule of abstaining from any sexual misconduct.
I accept the training rule of desisting from all incorrect speech.
I accept the training rule of no drinks or drugs causing carelessness.

True Buddhists undertake these precious precepts right here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm

These are timeless laws of only pure good,
which all the mighty seers of the past
have fully followed and made their Way!

This Virtue of Morality is like Rock:
A solid foundation for all good states!
Immorality creates regret, and thus destroys all joy...
Purity creates calm, and thus the subtle concentration,
which is necessary for gaining all higher understanding!
Only higher Understanding can ever set one completely Free...



More on this basic first cause of all Good: Morality (Sila):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Sila_1_to_5.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/What_is_Virtue.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Best_Protection.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Five_Basics.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Best_Buddhist_Praxis.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sila_Contemplation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Optimal_Observance_I.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Optimal_Observance_II.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Optimal_Observance_IV.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Optimal_Observance_V.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Buddhist_Life_Standards_Law_1.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Buddhist_Life_Standards_Law_2.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Buddhist_Life_Standards_Law_3.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Buddhist_Life_Standards_Law_4.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/The_Good_Disciple.htm

More of these 10 mental perfections (paramis):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Ten_Perfections.htm

Have a nice & noble day!

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

Mighty is Morality!

Friends:

Some Good Gardening Advice:

Yearn not for a body free of disease and suffering, because having pain
and becoming sick is an inevitable part of being alive and having a body..

Wish not for a life free of mishaps and obstacles, because without them
one tends to become, narrow-minded, neglectful, arrogant and egoistic..

Pray not for a quick shortcut fix regarding spiritual introspect, because
without serious effort, one becomes a short-and-shallow surface-glider..

Fear not the haunting disturbance of evils, while accumulating good merit,
because without them one's determination does not grow steel strong..

Hope not for easy success in one’s work, because without difficulties
and failures, one tends to undervalue others and become overly proud.

Build not relationships on selfish gain, because a friendship based on the
purpose of gaining profit has lost its genuine good meaning, and function!

Look not for a universal agreement regarding one’s "own" personal opinion,
because complete adoption to a single rigid view will produce intolerance..

Expect not repayment, appreciation or reward for benevolent services,
because calculation and expectation contradicts true altruistic service.

Engage not irrationally into profitable attractions, because jumping too
quickly into temptation may well blind rational attention & true wisdom.

Stir not at being victim of injustice, because keenness to clear reputation
belongs to an ego clinging in panic to the imagined idea of my superior self.



In brevity:
- Consider disease and suffering as medicines to the body and life
- Use mishaps as a means of self-liberation
- Treat obstacles as enjoyable challenges
- Greet haunting bad-lucks as good companions
- Consider difficulties as life enjoyments
- Thank bad friends as helping you in self-adjustment
- View unpleasant dissidents as friendly entertainment
- See favors as merely unimportant sandals plentiful to dispose
- Regard disinterest in temptations as an honourable achievement
- Employ injustice as an entry door to spiritual perfection.
- Know that patience, tolerance and endurance is the highest praxis

From: MSN group: The Garden of Happiness...


Good Mental Gardening creates Ease, Calm and Bliss...

More on establishing continuous Awareness (Sati):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Right_On.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sati_Acute.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Clever_Presence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Thousand_Aeons.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Awareness_Sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Sharing_Supreme.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Winning_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Aware_and_Settled.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Four_Postures.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Aware_and_Composed.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Awareness_Ability.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Four_Foundations_of_Awareness.htm

Have a nice & noble day!

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

Good Gardening!

Friends:

The Noble 8-fold Way:

From right View comes right Motivation.
From right Motivation comes right Speech.
From right Speech comes right Action.
From right Action comes right Livelihood.
From right Livelihood comes right Effort.
From right Effort comes right Awareness.
From right Awareness comes right Concentration.
From right Concentration comes right Understanding.
From right Understanding comes right mental Release.
From right Release comes full Freedom, Bliss, and Peace!
Thus opened are the doors to the Deathless State...!!!



Source: The Exhaustive Speeches by the Buddha. Digha Nikaya 18
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=25103
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/digha/index.html


Note the 8 spokes in the wheel!

Further study on the Noble 8-fold Way (Ariyo Atthangiko Maggo):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Path
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Middle_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Fulfilled_First_.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_3-fold_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Failed_by_Neglect.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Noble_8-Fold_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Golden_Middle_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Fruits_of_the_Noble_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_4th_Noble_Truth_on_The_Way_to_Cease_Suffering.htm



Have a nice & noble day!

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

The 8 Steps to End all Suffering!

Friends:

Generosity is the first Perfection:

Generosity means willingness to give and share whatever.
Generosity means magnanimous and open-handed liberality.
Generosity means freedom from small and stingy pettiness.
Generosity means practicing charity for the poor and unfortunate.
Generosity means kind bigheartedness towards those worthy of it.
Generosity means warmhearted and altruistic unselfishness.
Generosity provides the kammic cause for later wealth..
Giving causes Getting... No Giving causes future Poverty!



The Blessed Buddha explained the treasure of generosity like this:
When a disciple of the Noble Ones whose mind and
mentality is all cleared of disgracing miserliness,
living at home, is freely generous and open-handed,
delighting in being magnanimous,
responsive to every request and,
is enjoying the giving of any alms.
Such is this treasure called generosity.
AN VII 6



Just as a filled pot, which is overturned,
pours out all its water, leaving nothing back,
even and exactly so should one give to those in need.
whether low, middle or high, like the overturned pot,
holding nothing back…!!!
Jataka Nidana [128-129]



The Generosity of Giving,
The Kindness in Speech,
The Benefit of Service,
The Impartiality of treating all Alike,
These 4 threads of Sympathy
upholds this world, like the axle do the cart!
AN II 32



Giving food, one gives and later gets strength
Giving clothes, one gives and later gets beauty
Giving light, one gives and later gets vision
Giving transportation, one gives and later gets ease.
Giving shelter one gives all,
Yet one who instructs in the True Dhamma
- The supreme Teaching of the Buddhas -
Such one gives the quite divine ambrosia!
SN I 32



These are these five rewards of generosity:
One is liked and charming to people at large,
One is admired and respected by wise people,
One's good reputation is spread wide about,
One does not neglect a householder's true duty,
and with the break-up of the body - at the moment
of death - one reappears in a happy destination,
in the plane of the divine worlds!
AN V.35



There are these two kinds of gifts:
material gifts and gifts of Dhamma.
The supreme gift is that of Dhamma.
There are these two kinds of sharing:
material sharing and sharing of Dhamma.
The supreme sharing is that of Dhamma.
There are these two kinds of help:
Material help and help with the Dhamma.
This is the supreme of the two:
help with this subtle Dhamma …
It 98

The gift of Dhamma exceeds all other gifts.
Dhammapada 354



The Bodhisatta once as king Sivi gave
both his eyes to a beggar who was Sakka the
king deity in disguise, who desired to test him.
He remembered "While I was wishing to give,
while I was giving and after this giving there
was neither contrariety, nor opposition in my mind
since it was for the purpose of awakening itself!
Neither were these eyes, nor the rest of myself
disagreeable to me. Omniscience was dear to me,
therefore I gave both my eyes."
The Basket of Conduct
Cariyapitaka I-8
Full story: Sivi Jataka no. 499



The Bodhisatta once as the Wise Hare gave his roasted body
as alms to a beggar by jumping into a fire:
He remembered: "There came a beggar and asked for food.
Myself I gave so that he might eat. In alms-giving there was
none equal to me. In alms I had thereby reached the absolute
ultimate perfection." From then and the rest of this world-cycle
the moon will display a characteristic 'hare-in-the-moon' sign!
Sasa-Jataka no. 316



Giving of things, treasures, external possessions, job,
position, wife, and child is the first perfection of giving.
Giving the offer of one's organs, limbs, and senses is
the second higher perfection of giving.
Giving the sacrifice of one's life is the ultimate
perfection of giving.
The clarifier of sweet meaning 89
(Commentary on Buddhavamsa)
Madhuratthavilasini [59]
Venerable Buddhadatta: 5th century.



Generosity is the first mental perfection (parami):
Clinging and egoism creates internal panic and social tension.
Giving and sharing creates internal elation and external harmony...
What is gladly given, returns more than thousandfold!



More of the 10 mental perfections (paramis):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Ten_Perfections.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_10_mental_perfections_(parami)_in_three_levels.htm

More on Generosity (Dana) = The 1st mental perfection:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Glad_Giving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/caaga.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/daana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Openhanded_Generosity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Generosity_Contemplation.htm

Have a nice, noble and generous day!

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

Glad Generous Giving!

Friends:

Patience is the 6th Perfection:

The characteristic of patience is acceptance, it's function is to endure,
and it's manifestation is non-opposing tolerance! The cause of patience
is understanding how things really are.. The effect of patience is calm,
and tranquillity despite intensely stirring provocation..
Patience of the will produces forgiving forbearance!
Patience of the intellect produces faith, confidence, and certainty!
Internal tolerance of states within oneself is patient endurance...
External tolerance of other beings is forbearance and forgiveness...



He who patiently protects himself, protects also others!
He who patiently protects others, protects also himself!



Not from speaking much is one called clever.
The patient one, free from anger, free from fear,
only such one, is rightly called clever...
Dhammapada 258



Patient tolerance is the highest praxis...
Nibbana is the supreme Bliss!
So say all the Buddhas.
Dhammapada 184



The innocent one, who has done nothing wrong,
who patiently endures abuse, flogging & even imprisonment,
such one, armed with endurance, the great force of tolerance,
such one, I call a Holy One.
Dhammapada 399



One should follow those who are determined, tolerant, and enduring,
intelligent, wise, diligent, clever, good-willed and evidently Noble.
One shall stick to them as the moon remains in it's regular orbit.
Dhammapada 208



Friends, even if bandits were to cut you up, savagely, limb by limb,
with a two-handled saw, you should not get angry, but do my bidding:
Remain pervading them & all others with a friendly Awareness imbued
with an all-embracing good-will, kind, rich, expansive, & immeasurable!
Free from hostility, free from any ill will. Always remembering this very
Simile of the Saw is indeed how you should train yourselves.
Majjhima Nikaya 21



The five ways of removing irritating annoyance:
Bhikkhus, there are these five ways of removing annoyance, by which any
irritation can be entirely removed by a Bhikkhu, when it arises in him.
What are these five ways?
1: Friendliness can be maintained towards an irritating person or state..
2: Understanding can be undertaken towards an irritating person or state..
3: On-looking Equanimity can be kept towards an irritating person or state..
4: One can forget and ignore the irritating person, mental or physical state..
5: Ownership of Kamma of the irritating person can be reflected upon thus:
This good person is owner of his actions, inherit the result his actions, & is
indeed born of his actions & only he is responsible for his actions be they
good or bad. This too is how annoyance with the irksome can be instantly
removed. These are the five ways of removing annoyance, and by which any
irritation can be entirely removed in a friend, exactly when it arises...
Anguttara Nikaya V 161



Buddha to his son Rahula: Develop an Imperturbable Mind like the elements:
Rahula, develop a mind like earth, then contacts of arisen like and dislike
does not obsess your mind! Rahula, on the earth is dumped both the pure &
the impure: excreta, urine, saliva, pus, blood, but the earth does not detest
any of those... Even & exactly so make your mind stable like the earth!
Rahula, develop a mind like water, then contacts of arisen pleasure and pain
does not seize your mind. Rahula with water both the pure and the impure
are cleaned... Washed away with water are excreta, urine, saliva, pus, and
blood, yet the water does not despise any of that! Even so make the mind
fluid and adaptable like the water!
Rahula, develop a mind like fire, then the contacts of any arisen attraction
and aversion does neither consume, nor hang on to your mind! Rahula, fire
burns both the pure and the impure, burns excreta, urine, saliva, pus, and
blood, yet the fire does not loathe any of that.. In the same manner refine
the mind like an all consuming and purifying fire!
Rahula, develop a mind similar to space, then contacts of arisen delight and
frustration does neither take hold of, nor remain in your mind. Space does
not settle anywhere! Similarly make the mind unsettled and unestablished
like open space. When you expand mind like space, contacts of delight and
frustration will neither be able to dominate, nor obsess your mind...
Majjhima Nikaya 62



More on the 10 mental perfections (paramis):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Ten_Perfections.htm

Have a nice, noble and patient day!

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

Patience is the Highest Praxis!

Friends:

The Fourfold Prime Advantage:



A deity once asked the Buddha:
What is good, when one is old?
What is good, when established?
What is a human's finest treasure?
What is hard for robbers to steal?
The blessed Buddha answered:
Morality is good, even when one is old!
Conviction is good, when firmly established!
Understanding is any human's finest treasure!
Merit well done is impossible for robbers to steal!



Source:
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya I [39-40]
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html



Have a nice, noble & advantageous day!

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

The 4-Fold Advantage!

Friends:

The Catastrophic Conceit "I Am":



All the egoism is born right when assuming the impersonal and transient
phenomena, such as body, feeling, perception, mental construction, and
consciousness to be "I-Me-Mine", thereby conceiving the idea: "I am"!
At once hereafter one falls desperately in love with this hypothetical
ego, exalts, gratifies and even worships it, as the most dear possession
of all... Pride is born right here! By comparing this non-existent entity:
"My Personal Identity" with external equally conceived perceptions, one
erroneously concludes: "I am better than ..." There arrogance is born...
Or one concludes equally erroneously: "I am worse than or equal to ..."
When there is pride, there is bound to be wounded pride! Because of that
"I-Me"-construing, ego-love and self-overestimation, one cannot respect
what should be respected. Feeling threatened by any realistic evaluation
of this adored "Ego", all potential "critics" or "competitors" are violently
repressed... By clinging to this cherished idea of "Myself", harming, hate,
ill-will, and violence thereby come into being. Even wars are initiated by
immature & infantile imagination of "Own Greatness" or "National Lead"!
Thus more than fatal is verily this cramped conceit: "I Am this and that"!
Serene Joy is however connected with open, and detached impersonality.
If there is no "I", no "Me", what then to be proud of, or violently defend?



As the blessed Buddha said:
Blissful is the overcoming of all sense-desire.
More blissful is dwelling in complete harmlessness.
Even more blissful is solitude for one content and learned.
But highest is the bliss of uprooting this deepest conceit: "I am"!
Udana – Inspiration: II – 1



Frequent reflection on the impermanent and transient flux of all internal
and external phenomena, leads towards this counter-intuitive, yet crucial
comprehension of the fact of No-Self=Anatta. Absolutely freeing is that...

Sabbe Dhamma Anatta ...
All States are Selfless!!!

More on Anti-Egoism: Be as humble as a doormat:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Pride.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Conceit_I_Am.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/I-dentification.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Prison_of_Pride.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Anti-EGO-Tool.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Anatta_No_Self.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/No_Agent_is_Inside.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Solo_Self-Deception.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Mistaken_Reference.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Selfless_and_Harmless.htm

Have a nice, noble and humble day!

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

The Prison of Pride!

Friends:

Reaching Final Peace of Mind:

A deity once spoke this verse to the Blessed One:
Life inevitably ceases, short is the span of life.
No safe shelter exists for one prone to ageing..
Seeing this danger of certain death, one should
do meritorious deeds, which brings happiness...

The Exalted Buddha responded:
Life inevitably ceases, short is the span of life.
No safe shelter exists for one prone to ageing..
Seeing this danger of certain Death, one should
drop the fleshy bait of this evanescent world!



More on this uncreated peace - Nibbana (Sanskrit = Nirvana):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Final_Freedom.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/climax_of_calm.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Reaching_Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_2_Nibbanas.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/What_is_Nibbana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Proximate_Cause.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Nibbana_or_non-return.htm



Source: The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya I 2
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html



Have a nice, noble and peaceful day!

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

Reaching Peace...

Friends:

Regarding Rebirth and Transmigration:







Please enjoy your study here for rare details on Rebirth:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Rare_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Divine_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Animal_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Samsaric_Dread.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Minor_Hells.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Hell_Destiny.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Five_Destinations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_5_Destinations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Kamma_and_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Samsaric_Round.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mad_Demon_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Human_Being_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Hungry_Ghost_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/What_passes_on_by_Rebirth-Linking.htm

Have a nice & noble day!

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

Really Real is Rebirth...

Friends:

Unselfish Joy: How to rejoice in others Success:



By seeing that:
If only happy at one's own success, such ego Joy is rare and limited!
If happy also at others success, the Joy is more frequent & even infinite!

By observing that:
It starts with basic sympathy, develops into acceptance, genuine approval
and appreciation. It culminates in rejoicing mutual joy by directing mind
to initiation, frequent cultivation and boundless expansion of Mutual Joy..

By knowing that:
Mutual Joy is the proximate cause of satisfied contentment!
Mutual Joy eliminates all acidic jealousy, grudge and green envy!
Mutual Joy is an infinite, truly divine, elevating and sublime mental state!

Buddha:
If it were impossible to cultivate this Good, I would not tell you to do so!

Buddhaghosa:
See how this good being is very Happy!
How fine! How excellent! How sweet!

Let there be Happiness. Let there be open Freedom.
Let there be Peace. Let there be Bliss from this.
Let there be Understanding of this Mutual Joy!



Moreover:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mutual_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Rejoicing_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Infinitely_Joyous_Consciousness.htm



Mudita: The Buddha's Teaching on Unselfish Joy: BPS Wheel Publication No. 170
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/various/wheel170.html

Have a nice, noble and joyous day!

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

Rejoicing Joy!