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NobleDhamma is Dhamma learning forum. We are trying to learn Sakyamuni Gautama the Buddha's Noble Teachings based on Tipitaka. We Invite you all for join with us and lets take a step to realize NobleDhamma as soon as we possible.
Subject: What Feeds the 5 Hindrances? Wed Apr 04, 2012 5:25 am
Friends:
What Feeds the Five Hindrances?
At Savatthi the Blessed Buddha once explained: Just as this body, is sustained by food, is dependent on food, and cannot continue without food, even so, friends, are the five mental hindrances indeed also sustained by a kind of food, they are also dependent on food, and cannot continue without ever renewed feeding…
And what, friends, is feeding for the arising and growth of sense-desire? It is frequent and careless attention to the alluring & attractive features! This food makes sensual lust arise and feeds also growth of habitual greed…
And what, friends, is feeding for the arising and aggravation of ill-will? It is frequent & careless attention to the displeasing & repulsive features! This is food makes aversion arise and feeds also growth of habitual anger…
And what is feeding the emergence & deterioration of lethargy-&-laziness? It is frequent & careless attention to drowsiness, & eaten too much Dullness! This is food makes sloth arise and feeds also worsening of habitual Laziness…
And what is feeding for the arising and escalation of restlessness-&-regret? It is frequent & careless attention to the excited, agitated & stressed mind! This food upsets and stirs the mind and feeds also habitual anxiety & worry…
And what feeds the arising, deepening & expansion of doubt-&-uncertainty? It is frequent & careless attention to doubtful theories & speculative views! This food bewilders the mind & feeds also escalation of habitual confusion...
Just as this body, is supported by food, is dependent on food, and cannot go on without food, exactly so, friends, are these 5 Mental Hindrances supported by feeding, dependent on feeding, and cannot persist without this continual mental feeding by wrongly directed attention…
More on these 5 Mental Hindrances (Nivaranas): http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_5_Mental_Hindrances.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Fire_of_Sense-Desire.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Starving_the_Hindrances.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Restlessness_and_Regret.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Doubt_and_Uncertainty.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Lethargy_and_Laziness.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suitable_Substitution.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Colourful_but_Muddy.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Anger_and_Irritation.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_5_Become_10.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/AN.I.3-4c.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/AN.I.3-4.htm
Though not visible the 5 Hindrances effectively Obstruct beings!
Source (edited extract): The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book [V:64-5] section 46: The Links. 2: The Body...
Have a nice, noble and unhindered day!
Friendship is the Greatest! Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka http://What-Buddha-Said.net
What Feeds the Hindrances?
Mentally Hindered = No Progress = No Happiness! http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Feeding_the_Hindrances.htm
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Subject: Starving the Hindrances! Thu Apr 05, 2012 7:14 am
Friends:
What is Starving of the Mental Hindrances?
At Savatthi the Blessed Buddha once explained: What, friends, is the starvation, that prevents the arising of Sense-Desire, and which also blocks any growth of already arisen Sense-Desire? It is frequent and careful attention to the Disgusting Features of things! This starvation prevents sensual lust from arising & reduces present greed… And what, friends, is the starvation that prevents the arising of Ill-Will & which also hinders any aggravation and inflation of already arisen Ill-Will? It is frequent, careful and rational attention to Universal Friendliness! This starvation prevents aversion from arising & inhibits present anger… And what is the starvation, that prevents arising of Lethargy-&-Laziness, and which also eliminates any already present Lethargy-&-Laziness? It is attention to these 3 elements of: Initiative, Launching and Endurance! This starvation prevents absent sloth from arising & stops present laziness. And what is the starving that prevents arising of Restlessness-&-Regret, and which also slow down any escalation of present Restlessness-&-Regret? It is frequent attention to this sweet, calm & peaceful Tranquillity of Mind! This starvation prevents upsetting of the mind & reduces anxiety & worry… What is the starvation that prevents the arising ofDoubt-&-Uncertainty, and which also stops any proliferation of present Doubt-&-Uncertainty? It is frequent, careful, rational attention & evaluation of these 4 Dualities: There are advantageous & disadvantageous states! There are blameable & blameless states! There are ordinary & exalted states! There are bright & dark mental states! This starvation prevents any confusion of the mind & which also dampen escalation of already present perplexity…
Comments: Memorize and use as suitable substitution, whenever a hindrance is noted!
More on these 5 Mental Hindrances (Nivaranas): http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Fire_of_Sense-Desire.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/Restlessness_and_Regret.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Feeding_the_Hindrances.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Doubt_and_Uncertainty.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Lethargy_and_Laziness.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Colourful_but_Muddy.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suitable_Substitution.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Anger_and_Irritation.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_5_Become_10.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Naturally_Radiant.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/AN.I.3-4c.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/AN.I.3-4.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Canal.htm
Source (edited extract): The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book [V:105-6] section 46: The Links. 51: The Nutriments...
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest! Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Breaking the inner Bars opens Freedom! Starving the Hindrances! http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Starving_the_Hindrances.htm
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Subject: Reuniting is Bak Poya Day! Fri Apr 06, 2012 6:09 am
Friends:
How to be a Real Buddhist through Observance?
The Bak Poya day is the full-moon of April. This holy day celebrates that the Buddha visits Ceylon for the second time to reconcile two local chiefs Mahodara and Culodara, uncle & nephew, who had fallen into war threatening hostility about a jewel-beset throne... The story shows the Buddha as fine diplomat & is given in full below!
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, white-clothed, clean bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue, and bows first 3 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 for the rest of my life!
I accept to respect & undertake these 5 training rules: I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Killing. I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Stealing. I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Sexual Abuse. I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Dishonesty. I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Alcohol & Drugs. As long as this life lasts, I am thus protected by these 5 precepts...
Then, one keeps and protects these sacred vows better than one's own eyes & children!, since they protect you & all other beings much better than any army! They are the highest offer one can give in & to this world! A journey towards the deathless Nibbana is thus started! This is the Noble Way to Peace, to Freedom, to Ease, to Happiness, initiated by Morality, developed further by Dhamma-Study and fully completed by training of Meditation...
Today indeed is Pooya or Uposatha Observance day, where any lay Buddhist normally keeps also the Eight Precepts from sunrise until next dawn. If any wish official recognition by the Bhikkhu-Sangha, they may easily forward the lines starting with "I hereby" signed by name, date, town, & country to me or join here. A Public list of this new quite rapidly growing global Saddhamma-Sangha is set up here!
The New Noble Community of Buddha's Disciples: Saddhamma Sangha: http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Saddhamma_Sangha.htm Can quite advantageously be Joined Here: http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm May your journey hereby be light, swift, and sweet. Never give up !! Bhikkhu Samahita: what.buddha.said@gmail.com
For Details on Uposatha Observance Days: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/uposatha.html
Reuniting those who are divided, by inducing harmony: Now the most compassionate Teacher, the Conqueror, rejoicing in the salvation of the whole world, when dwelling at Jetavana in the fifth year of his Buddhahood, saw that war, caused by a gem beset throne, was like to come to pass between the nagas Mahodara and Culodara, uncle and nephew and their followers! The SamBuddha, then on the Uposatha day of the dark half of the month Citta, in the early morning, took his sacred alms bowl and his robes, and, out of compassion for the nagas, sought the Nagadipa. At that time the same naga Mahodara was then king, gifted with miraculous powers, in a nagas kingdom in the ocean, that covered half a 1000 yojanas. His younger sister had been given in marriage to the naga king on the Kannavaddhamana mountain; her son was Culodara. His mother's father had given to his mother a splendid throne of jewels, then the naga had died and therefore was this war between nephew & uncle threatening!
The bejewelled throne, the Buddha and the deva Samiddhisumana. Mural painting. Kelaniya Temple http://www.kelaniyatemple.com/
The nagas of the mountains were also armed with many miraculous powers. The deva Samiddhisumana took his rajayatana tree standing in Jetavana, his own fair habitation, holding it like a parasol over the Conqueror, he, with the Teacher's leave, attended him to that spot, where he had formerly dwelt. That very deva had been, in his latest birth, a man in Nagadipa. On the very spot where thereafter the rajayatana tree stood, he had seen PaccekaBuddhas taking their meal. And at the sight his heart was glad & he offered branches to cleanse their alms bowls. Therefore he was reborn in that very same tree in the pleasant Jetavana garden, outside of the gate rampart. The God of all gods saw in this an advantage for that deva, and, for the sake of the good, which should spring therefrom for Ceylon, he brought him there together with his tree. Hovering there in midair above the battlefield, the Master, who drives away
spiritual darkness, called forth dreadful darkness over the nagas! Then comforting those who were distressed by terror, he once again spread light abroad. When they saw the Blessed One, they joyfully did reverence to the Masters feet. Then the Vanquisher preached to them the Dhamma that makes concord, & both nagas gladly gave up the throne to the Sage. When the Master, having alighted on the earth, had taken his place on a seat there, and had been refreshed with divine food and drink served by the naga kings, he, the Lord, established in the three refuges and in the 8 moral precepts eighty kotis of snake-spirits, dwellers in the ocean and on the mainland. The naga-king Maniakkhika of Kalyani, maternal uncle to this naga Mahodara, who had come there to take part in the battle, and who before, at the Buddhas first coming, having heard the true Dhamma preached, had become established in the 3 refuges & in the moral duties, prayed now to the Tathagata: Great is the compassion that you have shown us here, Master! Had you not appeared we had all been consumed to ashes. May your compassion yet settle also and especially on me, you who are rich in friendly loving kindness, please peerless one, come again back here to my home country. When the Lord had consented by his silence to return, then he planted the rajayatana tree on that very spot as a sacred memorial, & the Lord of the Worlds gave over the rajayatana tree & the precious throne seat to the naga kings to do homage thereto: In remembrance that I have used these, do homage to them naga kings! This, well beloved, will bring to pass many blessings & happiness for you for a long time! When the Blessed One had uttered this and other exhortations to the nagas, he, the compassionate saviour of all the worlds, returned to the Jetavana monastery.
Here ends the explanation of the Visit to Nagadipa.
Source: Mahavamsa I:44. The Great Chronicle of Ceylon. Translated. By Wilhelm Geiger 1912; reprinted in 1980. http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=130010I
Have a nice harmonious reuniting day!
Friendship is the Greatest! Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka. http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Reuniting is Bak Poya Day!
Have a nice harmonious reuniting day! http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Bak_Poya_Day.htm
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Subject: The Zombie Mind! Sat Apr 07, 2012 6:49 am
Friends:
How does Lethargy & Laziness Suppress Mind?
A Brahmin Priest once asked the Blessed Buddha: Master Gotama, what is the cause of being unable to remember even something that has been memorized over a long period & also that which has not been memorized? Brahmin, when mind is retarded by lethargy & laziness, dimmed, detained & dominated by lethargy and laziness, and one does not understand any actual safe escape from this arisen lethargy and laziness, in that very moment, one can neither see, nor understand, what is advantageous, neither for oneself, nor for others, nor for both oneself and others. Consequently, whatever have been memorized, cannot be remembered… Why is this neglect so? Imagine a bowl of water covered with moss, water plants and algae. If a man with good eye-sight were to inspect the reflection of his own face in it, he would neither see, nor recognize it, as it really is! So too, brahmin, when mind is slowed down by lethargy and laziness, dimmed, detained and handicapped by lethargy & laziness, on such occasions even texts long memorized do not recur to the mind, not to speak of those texts, events and information, that have not been actively memorized at all…
How to cure Laziness: Attention to these 3 elements of: initiative, launching and endurance!
More on curing this common mental defilement: Laziness (Thina-middha): http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Curing_Lethargy_and_Laziness.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/thiina_middha.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Arousal_Get_Up_and_Going.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suitable_Substitution.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Enthusiastic_is_Energy.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/AN.I.3-4.htm
Source (edited extract): The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book [V:122-3] section 46: The Links. 55: To Sangarava...
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest! Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Subject: How-2-Cure Lethargy and Laziness? Sun Apr 08, 2012 5:05 am
Friends:
How to cure Heavy Lethargy and Laziness!
Lethargy-&-Laziness may often be induced by self-destructive behaviour such as: Alcohol, drugs, dope, pills, marihuana, sniffing, over-eating, excessive masturbation and night-living. Such often life-long chemical or behavioural causes of Lethargy-&-Laziness should be eradicated... As long as this is not achieved one remains a phlegmatic & apathetic zombie, drifting downwards due to inability to initiate advantageous behaviour.
Noticing Lethargy-&-Laziness (thina-middha) emerge can make it evaporate: Herein, Bhikkhus, when Lethargy-&-Laziness is present in him, the bhikkhu notes & understands: There is Lethargy-&-Laziness in me, and when this Lethargy-&-Laziness is absent, he notes & understands: Now there is no Lethargy-&-Laziness in me. He indeed also understands how yet unarisen Lethargy-&-Laziness arises. He understands how to leave behind any arisen Lethargy-&-Laziness, and he understands how left Lethargy-&-Laziness will not arise again in the future. MN 10
What is the feeding cause that makes Lethargy-&-Laziness arise? There are boredom, apathy, tiredness, lazy stretching of the body, heavy drowsiness after too big meals, and mental sluggishness. Frequently giving irrational and unwise attention to these mental states, this is the feeding cause of the arising of yet unarisen Lethargy-&-Laziness, and the feeding cause of worsening and deepening of already present Lethargy-&-Laziness. SN 46:51
What is the starving cause that makes Lethargy-&-Laziness cease? There is the quality of initiative. There is the quality of launching action. There is the quality of tenaciously enduring persistence. Frequently giving rational & wise attention to these three mental elements, is the starving cause for the non-arising of unarisen Lethargy-&-Laziness, and the starving cause for the arousing and stirring of already present Lethargy-&-Laziness. SN 46:51
The Supreme Ideal: Before the Buddha sat down to meditate in order to attain enlightenment, he made this determination: May just all flesh and blood of this body dry up into a stiff frame of only bones, tendons and skin... Not a second before having achieved, what can be achieved by male strength, power, and energy, will I rise from this seat... MN 70
How to stimulate the mind: How does one stimulate the mind at a time when it needs stimulation? If due to slowness of understanding or due to not having yet reached the happiness of tranquillity, one's mind is dull, then one should rouse it through reflecting on the eight objects stirring urgency. These 8 objects are: birth, decay, disease & death; the suffering in hell, demon, ghost & animal world! The suffering in the past and the the future rooted in this Samsara. The suffering of the present rooted in the pursuit for food and living. Vism. IV,63
Perceiving the suffering in impermanence: In a Bhikkhu, who is used to see the suffering in impermanence and who frequently reflects on this, there will be established in him such an acute sense of the danger in laziness, apathy, inactivity and lethargy, just as if he was threatened by a mad murderer with drawn sword! AN 7:46
Lethargy-&-Laziness is an inner mental Prison: Just as when a man has been forced into prison is Lethargy-&-Laziness, but later when he gets released from this (inner) prison, then he is safe, fearing no loss of property. And at that good he rejoices glad at heart... Such is the breaking out of Lethargy-&-Laziness... Another person has been kept in jail during a festival day, and so could see none of the shows. When people say: Oh, how fun was this festival! He will remain shy, mute and silent because he did not enjoy any festival himself... Similarly is prison of Lethargy-&-Laziness... Another person that once had been in jail on a festival day. But when freed and celebrating the festival on a later occasion, he looks back: Before due to my own careless laziness, I was in prison on that day & could not enjoy this fine festival. Now I shall therefore be alert and careful. Since he remains thus alert and careful no detrimental state can overcome his mind. Having fully enjoyed the festival, he exclaims: What a fun festival! Good is absence of Lethargy-&-Laziness...
Whoever lives in search & urge only or pleasure and beauty, unguarded in senses, immoderately indulging in eating, lazy, lethargic, inactive, dulled into apathy; Such ones Mara sweeps away like breaking a branch of a tiny bush ... Dhammapada 7
Even if one should live a hundred years, if lazy and idle, better it would be to live but just a single day striving with all one got. Dhammapada 112
Easy is the shameless life now. Easy is it to be bold, retaliating, lazy, uninformed and wrong-viewed. Dhammapada 244
Rouse yourself! Sit up! Resolutely train yourself to attain peace. Do not let the king of death, seeing you lazy, lead you astray and dominate you. Sutta Nipata II, 10
More on curing this common defilement: Laziness (Thina-middha): http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Lethargy_and_Laziness.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Enthusiastic_is_Energy.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Arousal_Get_Up_and_Going.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suitable_Substitution.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/thiina_middha.htm
Have a nice, noble & active day!
Friendship is the Greatest! Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka. http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Lethargy and Laziness Lays Life in Ruins! http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Curing_Lethargy_and_Laziness.htm
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Subject: Infinite is All-Embracing Kindness! Mon Apr 09, 2012 6:04 am
Friends:
Wise Company gives good Advantage:
The Blessed Buddha once said: I am a friend and helper to all, I am sympathetic to all living beings. I develop a mind full of love & one who always delight in harmlessness! I gladden my mind, fill it with joy, and make it immovable and unshakable. I develop these divine states of mind not cultivated by simple men. Theragatha 648-9
I am a friend of the footless, I am a friend of the bipeds; I am a friend of those with four feet, I am a friend of the many-footed. May not the footless harm me, may not the bipeds harm me, may not those with four feet harm me, & may not those with many feet harm me. AN II 72
A friend, who always lends a hand, a friend both in sorrow and joy, a friend who offers good counsel, a friend who sympathizes too. These are the four kinds of true friends: One who is wise, who have understood much, will always cherish and serve such friends just as a mother tends her only child. DN III, 188
Among tigers, lions, leopards & bears I lived in the jungle. No one was frightened of me, nor did I fear anyone. Uplifted by such universal friendliness, I enjoyed the forest. Finding great solace in such sweetly silenced solitude… Suvanna-sama Jataka 540
And how does a Bhikkhu abide with his mind imbued with friendliness extending over one direction? Just as he would feel friendliness on seeing a dearly favourite person, so he extends this same loving-kindness to all beings in all directions, one by one, & as above so below. Abhidhamma Pitaka: Appamañña-vibhanga
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, in invisible shielding protection, such release of mind by universal friendliness far excels & surpasses them all... Itivuttaka 27
Universal Friendliness (Metta) is 1 of 4 Infinite States (Appamañña Brahma-Vihara): http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/brahma_vihaara.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Buddha_on_Noble_Frienship.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Selfless_Friendship_is_Sweetest.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/All_Embracing_Kindness.htm http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/iti/iti.1.024-027.irel.html http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/nanamoli/wheel007.html http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoicing_Bliss_is_Mudita.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Blazing_Friendliness.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/United_in_Harmony.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Good_Friend.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Goodwill_Encore.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Blazing_&_Bright.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Friendliness_Frees.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kalyanamitta.htm http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=404214 http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Metta.htm
The Buddha on Noble Friendship :-)
Infinite is All-Embracing Kindness! http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Buddha_on_Noble_Frienship.htm
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Subject: Some clear drops! Tue Apr 10, 2012 5:38 am
Friends:
On point clears drops cut short!
Patience is not silence, but speaking and acting at the right time with a calm mind, in a right, kind, gentle and 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 temporarily have on loan.
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!
Some clear drops!
Pure Plain Truth Soothes the Mind... http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/Clear_Drops.htm
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Subject: Profound Peace! Wed Apr 11, 2012 8:48 am
Friends:
How differs Death and Ceasing of Perception and Feeling?
Venerable Mahakotthita once asked Venerable Sariputta: Friend, what is the difference between a dead body and a Bhikkhu, who has attained the state of cessation of perception and feeling?
Venerable Sariputta then answered: Friend, in a dead body any bodily activity is stilled and has all ceased. The verbal activity is stilled and has all ceased. The mental activity is stilled and has all ceased. The metabolic life activity is exhausted. The heat has dissipated, and the mental abilities have all broken up and been destroyed.
In the bhikkhu, who has attained to the cessation of perception and feeling, All bodily activity and breathing is stilled and has all ceased; All verbal activity and all thinking is stilled and has all ceased; All mental activity and all sensing is stilled and has completely ceased; But the metabolic life activity is not exhausted. The heat has not dissipated. Furthermost: The mental abilities have then become exceptionally clear ... ! Friend, this is the difference between a dead body and a Bhikkhu, who has attained to the meditative state of cessation of perception and feeling...
More on the profound attainment of stilled Cessation (Nirodha-samapatti): http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/9_Stillings.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Ceasing.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_18_Principal_Insights.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/anupubba_nirodha.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/n_r/nirodha_samaapatti.htm
Source: MN 43 The Great Speech of Questions and Answers. For definitions of the Terms: see: The Minor Speech of Questions and Answers. MN 44 http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/majjhima/mn044.html
Have a nice silent day!
Friendship is the Greatest! Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Profound Peace!
Attainment of Silenced Cessation (Nirodha-samapatti)... http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Stilled_but_not_Dead.htm
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Subject: Gracious is Gratitude! Thu Apr 12, 2012 8:57 am
Friends:
Gratitude appreciates all assistance!
The Buddha indeed pointed out Gratitude as an important mental quality: These two people are hard to find in the world. Which two? The one who is first to do a kindness, and the one who is grateful and thankful for a kindness done. Anguttara Nikaya 2.118
I tell you, monks, there are two people who are not easy to repay. Which two? Your mother & father. Even if you were to carry your mother on one shoulder & your father on the other shoulder for 100 years, & were to look after them by anointing, massaging, bathing, & rubbing their limbs, and they were to defecate and urinate right there on your shoulders, you would not thereby repay your parents. Even if you were to establish your mother & father in absolute sovereignty over this great earth, abounding in the seven treasures, you would not in that way repay your parents! Why is that? Mothers and fathers do much for their children. They care for them, they nourish them for long, and they introduce them to this world. But anyone who rouses his unbelieving mother & father, settles & establishes them in faith; rouses his immoral mother & father, establishes them in virtue; rouses his stingy mother & father, settles & establishes them in generosity; rouses his unwise mother & father, settles & establishes them on a new level of understanding: It is in this way that one truly repays one's mother's and father's many longstanding services. Anguttara Nikaya 2.32
Mother & father, compassionate to their family, are called Brahma, first teachers, honour them with food & drink, clothing & bedding, and anointing, bathing, washing their feet. Performing these services to their parents, the wise are praised right here and after death rejoice in heaven. Itivuttaka 106
If this is what you think of me: The Blessed One, is sympathetic, is seeking our well-being, teaches us this Dhamma out of sympathy, then you should train yourself in being in harmony, cordial, and without conflict and train in yourselves cultivation of all the 37 best mental qualities: The 4_Foundations_of_Awareness, the 4 right efforts, the 4_Feet_of_Force, the 5 Abilities, 5 powers, the 7 Links to Awakening, & the Noble_8-Fold_Way. Majjhima Nikaya 103 A Tathagata is worshipped, honoured, respected, thanked & shown gratitude by any follower, who keeps practicing the Dhamma in accordance with true Dhamma, who keeps practicing masterfully, who lives in and by the Dhamma! Digha Nikaya 16
We will undertake & practice those qualities that makes one a contemplative, so that all those who helped us by services of robes, alms-food, lodging, and medicines will bring them great fruit and great future reward. Majjhima Nikaya 39
Comments: In Pali, the word for gratitude = kataññu literally means to have a sense of what was done for one in the past even when long ago. Remembering all help! A network of kindness and gratitude is what sustains whatever goodness there is and ever will be in this - otherwise destitute & impoverished - world!
Thus: Thank you for reading this!
Source (edited extract): The Lessons of Gratitude by Thanissaro Bhikkhu: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/thanissaro/lessonsofgratitude.html http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Appropriate_Appreciation.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest! Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Appropiate Appreciation is Advantageous!
Gracious is Gratitude! http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/The_Grace_of_Gratitude.htm
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Subject: Samsara is an endless Time-Ocean Fri Apr 13, 2012 6:52 am
Friends:
One can Escape the Suffering of Samsara!
The Blessed Buddha once said: Inconceivable is the beginning of this Samsara; not to be discovered is any first beginning of beings, who, blinded by ignorance and ensnared by craving, are hurrying, and hastening through this round of rebirths... Source: (edited excerpt) SN 3:35
Some Comments: Samsara is the crushing wheel of existence, which literally is meaning 'perpetual wandering': A sea of life & death ever restlessly heaving up & down, the symbol of this never-ending process of ever again & again being born, growing old, becoming weak & sick, suffering, and dying... More precisely put: Samsara is the unbroken sequence of re-arisings of combinations of the momentary events of the 5-fold cluster of clinging, which constantly changing from moment to moment, follow continually one upon the other, through inconceivable periods of time. A single life constitutes only a tiny microscopic fraction of these trillions of eons... In order to comprehend the 1st noble truth, one must therefore gaze long and contemplate upon this Samsara, upon this frightful sequence of ever rebirth mostly in lower painful forms, and not merely upon one single lifetime, which may sometimes not seem very painful until aged... The term Suffering: Dukkha in the first noble truth therefore refers not only to painful bodily & mental feelings, caused now by displeasing contacts & impressions, but it comprises in addition every thing creating suffering or which is liable to produce it later... The truth of Suffering teaches that, owing to the universal law of impermanence, even high and sublime states of happiness are subject to change and destruction, and that all states of existence therefore ultimately are unsatisfactory... Without exception they all carry in themselves the seeds of suffering! 'Du' means bad. 'Kha' means state. Dukkha thus means 'Bad State'... Samsara is a Bad State of Suffering. Nibbana is a Good State of Peace!
Video illustrating life among humans, in heaven and in hell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QDBHCxvX-Q
For details on this Round of Rebirths: Samsara see: http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Samsara.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Endless_Round.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/samsaara.htm
Source (edited excerpt): The Word of the Buddha: Venerable Nyanatiloka Mahathera. http://www.pariyatti.com/book_404201.html
Same, but not sane, rebirth repeat...
Samsara is an endless Time-Ocean of Suffering! http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Samsaric_Round.htm
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Subject: The Layman's Way to Happiness :-) Sat Apr 14, 2012 6:02 am
Friends:
The Layman's Way to Happiness:
By Prof. Lily de Silva, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
Life in the modern age has become particularly trying and problematic. Though it remains a fact that the standard of living has generally improved, man is still suffering immensely under the weight of present-day living. The physical condition of man has been reduced to such a pathetic level that he succumbs to untimely death by killer diseases such as cancer, heart failure, diabetes, etc. to an unprecedented degree. Mentally, he is so tension-ridden that he has forgotten the art of relaxing, and he cannot even enjoy sound sleep without the aid of tranquilizers. In this set up interpersonal relations have become so brittle and vulnerable that the divorce rate has indeed become alarmingly high, thus letting loose a whole series of other social problems such as uncared-for children, juvenile delinquency, suicide, etc. Thus life has become a problematic burden and a solution to make life more tolerable and enjoyable is a great and pressing need.
As the word of the Buddha is of everlasting value and universal applicability, and as the Buddha preached not only to monks and nuns but also to the lay public as well, it is useful to find a teaching of the Buddha which is relevant to our present-day problems: In the Pattakammavagga of the Anguttara Nikaya (A II, 69) the Buddha preached a sutta to Anathapindika on the fourfold pleasures of a layman. It is our considered opinion that this sutta offers adequate insight to meet the demands of the present-day problems as well. The four types of pleasure listed there are: 1: Atthisukha, the pleasure of having material wealth; 2: Bhogasukha, the pleasure of enjoying material wealth; 3: Ananasukha, the pleasure of being debtless; and 4: Anavajjaskha, the pleasure of being blameless. Let us take these for discussion one by one and see how these four sources of pleasure can be harnessed for living a happy life in the present-day world.
Atthisukha — Man should not only have a righteous means of living, avoiding blameworthy trades such as dealing in meat, liquor, poison, firearms & slavery, he should also entertain a wholesome attitude towards his right occupation. For instance, if a doctor welcomes epidemics in the locality in order to make much money, or a trader hopes for natural calamities to send market prices up, the money earned by such unscrupulous individuals is not righteous money as their intentions are impure and foul. Also one should not deceive or exploit others in carrying out one's occupation. Exerting oneself with great energy, one should earn one's living, and such hard-earned wealth is called righteous wealth (dhammika dhammaladdha). Again one could have great wealth, but if one does not experience a sense of contentment with what one has, one cannot really enjoy atthisukha or the pleasure of having. The amassing of wealth of such a person is like trying to fill a bottomless vessel. This is one of the widely spread maladies we see in the present-day society. Inordinate expansion of wealth becomes a source not of happiness, but of greed, anxiety, and envy. Such wealth exposes the possessor to the jealousies and manoeuvres of other unscrupulous individuals, hence the occurrence of blackmailing and kidnapping from time to time. But if one does have a correct means of earning one's living and the correct attitude to wealth, one can escape many of the hazards which money brings in its wake to modern man...
Bhogasukha — Wealth has only instrumental value and the proper enjoyment of wealth is an art which is worth carefully cultivating. Buddhism deplores both extravagance and miserly hoarding. One must maintain a healthy balanced standard of living according to one's means. If, in the enjoyment of wealth, one overindulges in sense pleasures, one is bound to run into health hazards in a very short time. If, for instance, one overindulges in food just because one can afford it, one will soon be overcome by diseases such as heart failure, high blood pressure and diabetes. Such a one will be faced with the situation of "cutting his neck with his own tongue." Moderation in food is a virtue praised in Buddhism and it is a health-promoting habit. Often in the name of enjoying wealth, man cultivates unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking. It is paradoxical that man, who actually loves himself most, should act as if he were his own worst enemy by indulging in habits which ultimately reduce him to a physical wreck. It is medically established that smoking causes the highest percentage of lung cancer, and that drinking causes irreparable damage to vital organs of the body including brain and liver. If only one pauses to just ponder over one's own welfare, and if only one entertains at least some degree of compassion towards oneself, one would not get into the clutches of these vicious habits. Wealthy men often end up in the pitiful plight of the ant fallen in the pot of honey. Such men did not know the art of enjoying bhogasukha. The regard the body as an instrument for pleasure, and they wear out and debilitate the body's capacity for enjoyment in double quick time, long before the natural process of wear and tear sets in. If we love ourselves, we have to treat our bodies with proper care without taxing it with overindulgence and deprivation. It is with the body that we can enjoy not only the pleasures of the senses, but even the spiritual bliss of Nibbana. Another aspect of the joy of wealth is the art of sharing. Without being an Adinnapubbaka, a miserly "never-giver," if one learns to share one's riches with those worthy, the less fortunate and have-nots, one will have the noble experience of rejoicing at the joy of another. At the same time one will learn the love and good will of others, instead of becoming the target of envy, jealousy and intrigue.
Ananasukha — The pleasure of being debtless is the third quality discussed in our sutta. Economically if one can be completely free of debt, one is indeed a very fortunate person. To be really debtless in society one has to discharge one's obligations scrupulously. As a wage earner one has to discharge one's duties for which one is paid, otherwise one can be indebted to the employer. As a parent one has to fulfill one's obligations to one's children. In our society children are taught to worship and look after their parents, and it is well to bear in mind that parents too have to qualify themselves for the honour they receive by being dutiful parents. It should be emphasized that fathers who neglect their families as a result of their addiction to vices such as drinking and gambling fall far short of the ideal of debtlessness. One can have the satisfaction of being debtless only if one has fulfilled one's obligations in all social roles one has to perform.
Anavajjasukha — The satisfaction of leading a blameless life is the highest form of satisfaction that a layman can have. Every society has a code of ethics to be followed by its members. According to Buddhism the minimum code of ethics regulating the life of its adherent disciples is the pañcasila: the Five Precepts. If one practices these virtues, one can have the satisfaction of leading a righteous life to a great extent. Refraining from doing to others what one does not like others to do to oneself, is the basic inviolable principle underlying these virtues. Buddhism speaks of hiri and ottappa, the sense of shame and the fear of doing wrong, as deva dhamma or celestial qualities. These are the basic qualities which separate man from the animal kingdom. Unlike the animals man has a conscience, which makes him squeamish about doing wrong... Buddhism recognizes blameless mental activity as well. Mental activities which arise from greed, hatred & ignorance are detrimental and thus blameworthy. Let us see how such mental behaviour causes unhappiness. Take for instance the case of a person who is angry. What are the symptoms of anger? Hard breathing, accelerated heart beat, faster circulation of blood, feeling hot, sweating, trepidation, restlessness, etc. — these are the physical manifestations of anger. These are certainly not pleasant physical experiences. Each time the cause of anger is remembered, even though the rage of physical manifestations of anger may not be that marked, one feels quite restless and mentally ill at ease. We use expressions such as "boiling with anger," "I got the devil on to me," etc. to mean getting angry, and these sayings are literally expressive of the situation. It is impossible for one to be angry and happy at the same time. An irritable person is truly a very sad person, and what is worse he infects others around him too with the same sadness. The cultivation of sublime modes of behaviour such as loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity are truly conducive to happy living. Those who live with such attitudes habitually are pleasant and amicable people, who can be happy when all alone, as well as in any company.
If we truly understand the sound significance of these 4 kinds of happiness elucidated in our sutta, and translate them into action, then our life will be much more pleasant, easy and happy even in this modern age.
Kindly shared by Ven. Vicittalankara, Mumbai, India.
Full Source text: AN 4.62 PTS: A ii 69 Anana Sutta: Debtless http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an04/an04.062.than.html
More on this Happiness, pleasure, bliss (Sukha): http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Happy.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Samana-Sukha.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Buddha_on_Bliss.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mental_Medicine.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Untroubled_Yeah.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/sukha.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest! Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ http://What-Buddha-Said.net
With neither Debt, nor Regret...
The Layman's Happiness! http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_Laymans_Happiness.htm
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Subject: Feeding Tranquillity! Sun Apr 15, 2012 6:01 am
Friends:
Feeding the Tranquillity Link to Awakening!
The Blessed Buddha once said: Bhikkhus, just as this body, is sustained by feeding, exists in dependence on feeding and cannot survive without food, exactly & even so are these 7 Links to Awakening also sustained by feeding, they can also only exist in dependence on feeding and they cannot survive without feeding... And what, Bhikkhus, is the feeding the emergence of any yet unarisen Tranquillity Link to Awakening & also feeding of already arisen & present Tranquillity? Just this very notion: There are 2 kinds of Calm:
There is Tranquillity of the Body (kaya-passaddhi) and there is Tranquillity of the Mind (citta-passaddhi)! Frequently giving careful & rational attention to them both, is feeding the arising of any unarisen tranquillity and indeed also feeding of the gradual fulfillment of any already arisen tranquillity... And what, Bhikkhus, is the starving that obstructs all emergence of any yet unarisen tranquillity and which also hinders any already arisen tranquillity in reaching fulfillment by development?
There are these 2 kinds of composed calm, which should be differentiated: Tranquillity of the Body and Tranquillity of the Mind! Not giving frequent careful and rational attention to them; not considering them much & often; is the starving that prevents an unarisen tranquillity from arising and also blocks any already arisen tranquillity from reaching complete fulfillment by mental training and progressive development by meditation...
Comments from the classical commentaries: Peace is the characteristic of the Tranquillity Link to Awakening (Passaddhi-sambojjhanga). Stilling of all bodily activity, feeling, perception, mental construction and consciousness is the purpose of tranquillity. Settled, serene and solidified calm (samatha) is the excessively pleasant manifestation of tranquillity. A smiling mountain! When the mirror moves & vibrates, then one cannot see anything clearly in it. So also with the mind: When stressed and agitated, then mind cannot figure out what is good and what is bad on the long term. But when imperturbably stilled, then mind can cut right through any distraction and attain absolute certainty and understanding both spontaneously and instantaneously...
Further conditions helpful for the emergence of the Tranquillity are: 1: Eating good and fine food... 2: Living in a pleasant climate... 3: Maintaining a comfortable posture without pain or distress... 4: Staying evenly ballanced in all situations and regarding all aspects... 5: Avoidance of restless, anxious, agitated, worried and stressed people... 6: Friendship with bodily and mentally calm people, who meditates much! 7: Commitment to calm down the mind by cultivating quiet and tranquillity!
There is Tranquillity of the Body and there is Tranquillity of the Mind! These mutually depend upon and enhance each other into deeper calmness.
More on Tranquillity (Passaddhi) and Calm (Samatha): http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Breathing_Calm_and_Insight.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Tranquillity_Passaddhi.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/samatha.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Tranquil_One.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Calm_and_Insight.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/High_and_Alert.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/forest_bliss.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Calm_Power.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Forest_Bliss.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Silenced.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Calmed.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Calm.htm
Sources (edited extracts): The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book [V: 65-6+102-8] 46: Links. 2+51: Group & Nutriments....
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest! Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Subject: Giving is Future Getting! Mon Apr 16, 2012 7:41 am
Friends:
To whom should one give, to gain most Merit?
The gods became gods as a result of their giving!
The young brahman Magha once asked the Blessed Buddha: When giving food, where would this offering be most purified for the donor? The Blessed One answered: If any open-handed householder, a lordly giver, Magha, seeking merit, looking for merit, sacrifices, giving food and drink to others, such one would achieve most merit, if the recipient is pure and Noble. Such, who indeed wander unattached in the world, having & wanting nothing, fully accomplished, in complete self-control, upon them, at the right time one should bestow an offering. Those who have cut all mental bonds and fetters, who are tamed, completely released, without affliction, without desire, upon them, at the right time, should one bestow an offering. Upon these purified & Noble Ones should any brahman, who is looking for merit, place his sacrifice! Sutta-Nipata verses 488-491 Edited excerpt.
Pure giving cut short: Give 2 those who don't want anything!
More on Giving (Dana) and Merit (Puñña), which is the main next life support: http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/giving.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/4_Goods.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Glad_Giving.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/n_r/punna.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/caaga.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Kathina_Ceremony.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/daana.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Reviewing_Generosity.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Openhanded_Generosity.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Generosity_Contemplation.htm
Giving is getting, since this kamma wealth, will be reflected back as a future echo :-)
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest! Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Giving is Future Getting!
Pure Merit! http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Pure_Merit.htm
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Subject: The 5 minor mental chains! Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:43 am
Friends:
There are these 5 Minor mental chains (Samyojana):
The Blessed Buddha once emphasized: Bhikkhus, there are these five Lower mental chains. What five? 1: The mental chain of belief in 'my same identity' (sakkaya-ditthi) 2: The mental chain of skeptical doubt (vicikiccha) 3: The mental chain of clinging to rule & Ritual (silabbata-paramasa) 4: The mental chain of lust for sensuality (kama-raga) 5: The mental chain of anger & ill will (vyapada)
There exist these 5 Lower mental chains! The Noble 8-fold Way should be developed for the direct experience of these five minor mental chains, for the full understanding and elimination of them, and for their final overcoming, destruction and full abandonment! This Noble 8-fold Way is developed for the breaking asunder all of these five minor mental chains!
Explanation of these mental, yet harder-than-steel chains: 1: Belief in "my identity" construing an internal fake ‘stable same entity’. 2: Sceptical doubts about the perfection of Buddha’s self-enlightenment. 3: Blind superstition in rules & rituals projecting into them a false efficacy. 4: Lust for sensing is addiction to all seen, heard, sensed, and cognized. 5: Ill will is all hate & derivatives such as anger, aversion, and irritation. These Chains bind beings to birth in the 6 lower worlds, where all beings are dominated by sense-desire!
Mental chains are not visible, yet quite real, & harder than any steel!
How to Cut these Five mental chains or Fetters (Samyojana) see: http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Nibbana_or_non-return.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_5_Lower_Chains.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/samyojana.htm
Source (edited extract): The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book [V:61] section 45: The Way. 179: The 5 Lower mental chains...
The 5 minor mental chains!
Mental chains are real and harder than any steel! http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_5_Lower_Chains.htm
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Subject: The 7 Links 2 Awakening! Wed Apr 18, 2012 5:16 am
Friends:
What are the 7 Links to Awakening?
1: The Awareness is a link to Awakening (sati-sambojjhanga). 2: The Investigation of the states is a link to Awakening (vicaya-sambojjhanga). 3: The Energy is a link to Awakening (viriya-sambojjhanga). 4: The Joy is a link to Awakening (piti-sambojjhanga). 5: The Tranquillity is a link to Awakening (passaddhi-sambojjhanga). 6: The Concentration is a link to Awakening (samadhi-sambojjhanga). 7: The Equanimity is a link to Awakening (upekkha-sambojjhanga). These are the seven links leading to final Enlightenment...
Those whose minds are well-developed in these 7 factors of self-awakening, who delight in non-clinging, who relinquish all grasping, whose minds are all around luminous, whose mental fermentations are all stilled; They, even while still in this world, are all unbound right here!
Further Study on the 7 Links to Awakening: http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Awareness_Sati.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Investigation_Vicaya.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Energy_Viriya.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Joy_Piti.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Tranquillity_Passaddhi.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Concentration_Samadhi.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Equanimity_Upekkha.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/7_Links_to_7_Wings.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Meaning_of_the-7_Links_to_Awakening.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest! Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ http://What-Buddha-Said.net
There are 7 Links to Enlightenment!
The 7 Links... http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_7_Links_to_Awakening.htm
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Subject: Noticing what is going on! Thu Apr 19, 2012 5:05 am
Friends:
Awareness (Sati) is a Link to Enlightenment!
The Awareness Link to Awakening (sati-sambojjhanga) is basically the same mental property (sati-cetasika), which inherently is included in:
The Four Foundations of Awareness (satipatthana) The Ability of Awareness (satindriya) The Power of Awareness (satibala) The Right Awareness Path Factor (samma-sati-magganga)
Trained, developed and refined in a degree that gradually enlightens!
The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by careful & rational attention develops the Awareness Link to Awakening based on seclusion, disillusion, ceasing, and culminating in relinquishment, neither can any fermentation, nor any fever, nor any vexation ever arise in him. MN 2 [i 11] The Ability of Awareness is to anchor attention on any chosen object and when this ability is unshakable & well fixed, it is the Power of Awareness! Awareness is a Foundation (patthana), when well established (upatthana) continually - without distractions interrupting - on these four objects: 1: Body as mere form: Just a group of foul and fragile organs... 2: Feeling as a mere reactive response assigned to any contact... 3: Mind as only a changing set of habitual mentalities and moods... 4: Phenomena simply as appearances of momentary mental states... Not lasting, but transient! Not pleasure, but pain! Not self, but impersonal! Neither neglecting, nor forgetting that these universal characteristics are relevant and true for absolutely all aspects of these four objects, the false and distorted perception of beauty in what really is disgusting, of pleasure in what really is painful, of self in what really is selfless and impersonal, gradually fades away and the mental fermentations (asava) of sensing, of views, of ignorance and of becoming are overcome by elimination.
Further inspirations on this lucid and penetrating quality of Awareness: Training of Clear Comprehension (sampajanna): http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Clear_Comprehension.htm Training of the Four Foundations of Awareness (satipatthana): http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/Manual/Meditation.Manual.hm What is Right and Noble Awareness? Answer and Details at: http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Awareness.htm
Further studies in this universally superb mental state: http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Sati_Studies.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Causes_of_sati.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Sati_Summary.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sati_in_Solitude.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Clear_Comprehension.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Noble_Awareness.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/One_and_only_Way.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Awareness.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Awareness_Analysis.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sati_a_la_Anuruddha.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Awareness.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Careful_and_Rational_Attention.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Four_Foundations_of_Awareness.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Clear_and_Aware_Comprehension.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest! Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ http://What-Buddha-Said.net Noticing what is going on!
Subject: Unhindered Elevation! Fri Apr 20, 2012 5:44 am
Friends:
Dhamma Evaporates the Mental Hindrances!
The Blessed Buddha once said: When, Bhikkhus, a Noble Disciple listens carefully to the Dhamma, alert with keen ears, attending to it as a matter of crucial concern, indeed as something of vital importance, directing his entire mind to it, in that very moment, the Five Mental Hindrances are absent in him... On that occasion the Seven Links to Awakening approaches complete fulfilment...
And what are the Five Mental Hindrances, that are absent on that occasion? The mental hindrance of Sense-Desire is all absent on that very occasion. The mental hindrance of Evil-Will is all absent in these exact moments. The mental hindrance of Lethargy & Laziness is all absent during that period. The mental hindrance of Restlessness & Regret is all absent on that event. The mental hindrance of Doubt & Uncertainty is all absent in that interval. These are the 5 Mental Hindrances that are entirely absent in that moment.
And what are the 7 Links to Awakening that approaches fulfilment there? The Awareness Link to Awakening develops towards complete fulfilment! The Investigation Link to Awakening arises and approaches fulfilment! The Energy Link to Awakening also pushes forward towards fulfilment! The Joy Link to Awakening elevates & moves towards complete fulfilment! The Tranquillity Link to Awakening silently comes to a stilled fulfilment! The Concentration Link to Awakening absorbs into one-pointed fulfilment! The Equanimity Link to Awakening also gains fulfilment by development! These are the 7 Links to Awakening that are fulfilled by development on that occasion. When, Bhikkhus, a Noble Disciple listens carefully to the Dhamma, alert with keen ears, attending it as a matter of crucial concern, as something of vital importance, directing his entire mind to it, in that very moment the Five Mental Hindrances are absent in him. On that occasion the Seven Links to Awakening develop towards complete fulfilment...
Source (edited extract): The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book [V: 95-6] section 46: The Links. 38: Unhindered...
Have a nice, noble and elevated day!
Friendship is the Greatest! Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Subject: Re: Daily Dhamma Drops from Ceylon! Fri Apr 20, 2012 10:37 am
Setting into Motion the Wheel of Dhamma!
Isipatana (lit: "Place of the Seers") at Sarnath is the site of the famous Migadaya or Deer Park near Benares (Varanasi) . It was there Gotama Buddha preached his first sermon, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta to his 5 friends, the Pañcavaggiya monks, thereby setting in Motion the Wheel of Truth! This location is one of the 4 Sacred Buddhist Pilgrimage sites: Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kusinara.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarnath http://what-buddha-said.net/library/DPPN/i_/isipatana.htm http://what-buddha-said.net/library/DPPN/pa/pancavaggiya.htm The Buddha's speech: The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta text is here: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn56/sn56.011.nymo.html
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Subject: Curiosity Feeds Understanding... Sat Apr 21, 2012 7:46 am
Friends:
Investigation is a Link to Awakening!
The Investigation of states Link to Awakening (dhammavicaya-sambojjhanga) : is basically the same mental property (pañña-cetasika), that understands everything and which also is inherently included in the: The Understanding feet of force (vimamsiddhipada) The Ability of Understanding (paññindriya) The Power of Understanding (paññabala) The Right View Path Factor (samma-ditthi-magganga) It can be trained, developed & refined to a degree that fully enlightens! If one single quality should be pointed out as thee cause of Awakening, then it is this Investigation of states Link to Awakening that enlightens!
The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by careful & rational attention develops the investigation of states link to awakening based on seclusion, disillusion, ceasing, & culminating in relinquishment, then neither can any fermentation, nor any fever, nor discontent ever arise in him. MN2 [i 11]
Remaining thus aware, then he examines, analyzes, & comes to understand that quality with penetrating insight. While thus aware, exploring into, examining, analyzing, and coming to full intuitive comprehension, then this investigation of states link to awakening becomes aroused. He develops it, and for him it goes to the culmination of its development. MN118 [iii 85]
The ability of investigation of states is to examine, scrutinize and analyze any chosen object and when this ability is unshakable and unfailing, it then becomes the power of investigation of phenomena! By thorough and eager investigation one understands that all things are caused and conditioned and as such only are compounded constructions, that pass through the inconceivably rapid moments (~10-43 sec.) of arising, presence, & ceasing! Remaining neither the 'same', nor 'stable' for two consecutive moments... Comprehending this universal flux gradually disables craving and clinging... Therefore do not trust anything (especially not 'your-self'!) blindly..., but keep on examining and question what is doubtful and not quite clear. Don't jump into any premature conclusion, before having examined it again! The Investigation of states Link to awakening is the sword, that cuts right through the jungle of views to real seeing, understanding and true knowing!
Investigation is found in the last five (III-VII) of these 7 Purifications: I: Purification of morality (sila-visuddhii) II: Purification of mind (citta-visuddhi) III: Purification of view (ditthi-visuddhi) IV: Purification by overcoming doubt (kankha-vitarana-visuddhi) V: Purification by knowledge and vision of what is path and not-path VI: Purification by knowledge and vision of progress on the path. VII: Purification of knowledge and vision (ñanadassana-visuddhi).
Investigation is inherent in these 3 Comprehending Contemplations: Contemplation of Impermanence (aniccanupassana) Contemplation of Suffering (dukkhanupassana) Contemplation of Impersonality (anattanupassana)
Investigation leads to the 9 kinds of real Insight-Knowledge: 1. Contemplation of Arising and Ceasing (udayabbayanupassana-ñana) 2. Contemplation of Instant Dissolution (bhanganupassana-ñana) 3. Contemplation of Appearance as Terror (bhayatupatthana-ñana) 4. Contemplation of Danger (adinavanupassana-ñana) 5. Contemplation of Disgust (nibbidanupassana-ñana) 6. The Desire for mental Release (muccitu-kamyata-ñana) 7. Reflecting and repelling contemplation (patisankhanupassana-ñana) 8. Equanimity regarding all constructions (sankharupekkha-ñana) 9. Adaptation confirming to the absolute truth (saccanulomika-ñana).
Further inspirations on this probing quality of Investigation of states: http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Investigation.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Because_of_Not_Examining.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest! Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Subject: The Meaning of the 7? Sun Apr 22, 2012 5:27 am
Friends:
How are the 7 Links leading to Awakening?
Venerable Sariputta once explained: They conduce and lead to the state of enlightenment; in this sense are they links to awakening! They are in, of and by themselves enlightening; also in this sense are they indeed links to awakening!
Establishing as the meaning of Awareness has to be directly experienced. Examination as the meaning of Investigation has to be directly experienced. Exertion of Effort as the meaning of Energy has to be directly experienced. Intense Contentment as the meaning of Joy has to be directly experienced. Stilled Peace as the meaning of Tranquillity has to be directly experienced. Non-Distraction as the meaning of Concentration has to be directly experienced. Even Ballance as the meaning of Equanimity has to be directly experienced.
They are enlightening as a root, thus are they links to awakening. They are enlightening as a cause, thus are they links to awakening. They are enlightening as a requisite, thus are they links to awakening. They are enlightening as a purification, thus are they links to awakening. They are enlightening as blamelessness, thus are they links to awakening. They are enlightening as withdrawal exit, thus are they links to awakening. They are enlightening as delivering freedom, thus are they links to awakening. They are enlightening as lack of fermentation, thus are they links to awakening. They are enlightening as silent solitary seclusion, thus are they links to awakening. They are enlightening as a releasing relinquishment, thus are they links to awakening.
On these 7 Links to Awakening (Sambojjhanga): http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Sun.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Peak.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Clothes.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Rare_Emergence.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Sequential_Seven.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Vast_Penetration.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Seven_Fruits.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Unsurpassable_Seven.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/When_7_becomes_14.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_7_Links_to_Awakening.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Leading_to_Enlightenment.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Seven_Links_to_Awakening.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Cause_of_Knowledge_and_Vision.htm
Source (edited extract): Sariputta Path of Discrimination: Patisambhidamagga. Treatise on the Links to Awakening XIII.
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest! Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ http://What-Buddha-Said.net
How do 7 states cause Enlightenment?
The Meaning of the 7 link tyo Awakening: http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Meaning_of_the-7_Links_to_Awakening.htm
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Subject: The Chief Root Hero! Mon Apr 23, 2012 6:43 am
Friends:
Energy (Viriya) is a Link to Awakening!
The Energy Link to Awakening (Viriya-sambojjhanga): Is basically the same mental property (viriya-cetasika), as that which performs any effort of action and which also is inherently included in the: The Energy Feet of Force (viriyiddhipada) The Ability of Energy (viriyindriya) The Power of Energy (viriyabala) The Right Effort Path Factor (samma-vayama-magganga) When trained, developed and aroused energy is capable of enlightening!
The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by careful & rational attention develops the Energy Link to Awakening based on seclusion, disillusion, ceasing, & culminating in relinquishment, then neither can any mental fermentation, nor any fever, or discontent ever arise in him.]i] MN2 [i 11][/i]
In one who examines, finds out why, & comes to assured comprehension, in him his energy link to awakening becomes aroused. He develops it, & for him it goes to the culmination of its development. MN118 [iii 85]
The ability of energy is to initiate, launch into action and to complete any undertaking using persistent endurance. When this ability becomes unshakable and unfailing, it then becomes the mighty Power of Energy!
The function of energy is this four-fold Right Effort of: 1: Eradicating evil & disadvantageous states that have arisen in the mind. 2: Preventing the arising of yet unarisen disadvantageous mental states. 3: Initiating and developing yet unarisen advantageous mental states. 4: Increasing, refining & completing already arisen advantageous states. The characteristic of energy is readiness, willingness, enthusiastic ease, eager and keen vigour. The manifestation of energy is action, exertion, endeavour, industry, struggle, powerful striving and accomplishment!
Lazy: The one, who does not rise, when it is time to rise. Who though young and strong, is weak in mind, soft in will, and lazy by nature, such slow one does never find the way to Nibbana. Dhammapada 280
Get up! Sit up! Of what use are your dreams? How can you sleep, when sick, stabbed by the arrow of craving... Sutta Nipata 331
Get up! Sit up! Push on your training, until reaching sole peace! Do not let the king of death see you sloppy and thus delude and dominate you like a toy doll... Sutta Nipata 332
Feeding the Energy: And what, friends, is feeding the Energy Link to Enlightenment, that has not yet arised, and food too for boosting of any present Energy? 1: The element of mental initiative, 2: The element of launching into action, 3: The element of enduring persistence. Systematic attention to these, is feeding any yet unarisen Energy Link to Awakening, and food too for boosting any present Energy. Samyutta Nikaya XLVI 51 Bojjhanga-samyutta
Fivefold final Energy: Following the Buddha the energy in the disciple culminates, when he finally thinks: Let just this blood and flesh dry up & wither away so only skin, sinews and bones remain, I will not give up my quest and stray from this Noble 8-fold Path before having reached Enlightenment...!
For a full Study on Energy (Viriya): The root Hero of all Success: http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Definition_of_Energy.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Arising_of_Energy.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Ability_of_Energy.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Origin_of_Energy.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Enthusiastic_is_Energy.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Power_of_Energy.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Ballanced_Energy.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Chief_Hero.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Energetic_Effort.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Avoiding_Effort.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Energy.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Energy_Viriya.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Dual_Energy.htm
The Chief Root Hero!
Energy is the Chief Root Hero of all Success!!! http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Energy_Viriya.htm
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Subject: Compassionate is Pity! Tue Apr 24, 2012 5:00 am
Friends:
Compassionate Pity cures all bitter Cruelty:
How does a Bhikkhu dwell pervading one direction with his mind endued with compassion? Just as he would feel compassion on seeing an unlucky, unfortunate person, so he pervades all beings with boundless compassion! Therefore first of all, on eyeing a wretched man, deplorable, unfortunate, in every way a fit object for compassion, horrid, reduced to utter misery, with hands and feet cut off, sitting in the shelter for the weak & helpless with an empty dirty pot placed before him, with maggots in all his wounds, moaning, compassionate pity should be felt for him in this way: This being has been reduced to misery: If only he could be freed from his suffering! Similarly too should a Bhikkhu whose meditation subject is compassion also arouse compassion for an evil-wrong-doing person, even if he is happy now: Though this poor wretch is now happy, cheerful, & enjoying his wealth, but still, since he has neglected to do even one single good deed, he can come to experience untold suffering anytime after a downfall to the states of loss! Such infinitely compassionate pity he feels towards all beings and especially both towards himself, the dear friend, the neutral one, & the hostile person, thereby breaking down the wrong attitude barrier separating these objects. Vbh 273, Vism I 315
Compassionate Pity (Karuna), which cures all cruelty, is a divine state! 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/IV/Safe_Medicine.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/What_is_Wrong.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Great_Compassion.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Space_Compassion.htm
Have a nice compassionate day!
Friendship is the Greatest! Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka. http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Compassionate Pity!
There are many in worse circumstances than ourselves! http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Compassionate_Pity.htm
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Subject: The Sequential Seven! Wed Apr 25, 2012 6:25 am
Friends:
The 7 Links to Awakening develop Sequentially!
The Blessed Buddha once explained: Whenever withdrawn in body and withdrawn in mind one reflects on the Buddha-Dhamma, then the Awareness Link to Awakening arises and develops. Thus acutely aware one examines that!
Whenever examining a mind state, then the Investigation Link to Awakening arises and develops. While thus being curious & enthusiastically investigating, keen energy is aroused!
Whenever energy is aroused in one who is enthusiastic, then the Energy Link to Awakening arises and develops. While energetic & enthusiastic one succeeds: Therefore Joy is born!
Whenever succeeding in eager joy, then the Joy Link to Awakening arises and develops. One thus joyous becomes mentally satisfied and therefore calmed both in body and in mind!
Whenever calmed in body and mind, then the Tranquillity Link to Awakening arises & develops. One thus satisfied, calmed, serene, settled and tranquil in both body and mind becomes Happy!
Whenever calmed & comfortable in the body and tranquil & happy in the mind, then the Concentration Link to Awakening arises and develops. When mentally concentrated one reviews all states rationally & reasonably as if from above!
Whenever one well balanced reviews all mental states rationally & reasonably, then the Equanimity Link to Awakening arises and develops. In Equanimity one knows and sees things right as they really are and later become.
It is in this very way that The Seven Links to Awakening develop sequentially, one after the other; successively one leading to, and producing the next...
On these 7 Links to Awakening (Sambojjhanga): http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Sun.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Peak.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Clothes.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Rare_Emergence.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Sequential_Seven.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Vast_Penetration.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Seven_Fruits.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Unsurpassable_Seven.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/When_7_becomes_14.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_7_Links_to_Awakening.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Leading_to_Enlightenment.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Seven_Links_to_Awakening.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Cause_of_Knowledge_and_Vision.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Meaning_of_the-7_Links_to_Awakening.htm
Source (edited extract): The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book [V: 67-69] section 46: The Links.3: Morality....
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest! Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ http://What-Buddha-Said.net
The Sequential Seven!
Successively one leading to, and producing the next... http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Sequential_Seven.htm
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Subject: Floated by Joy :-) Thu Apr 26, 2012 5:34 am
Friends:
The Joy (Pîti) Link to Awakening!
The Joy Link to Awakening (Piti-sambojjhanga) has the characteristic of suffusing contentment, and the property of gladdening satisfaction. This Joy Link to Awakening manifests as mental elation, which can reach five successively increasing degrees of intensity:
1: Minor Joy, which can raise the hair on the body when thrilled. 2: Momentary Joy, which is flashing like lightning at various occasions. 3: Showering Joy, which breaks over the body repeatedly like sea-waves. 4: Uplifting Joy, which can be strong enough to even levitate the body. 5: Pervading Joy, which is like a heavy sponge all saturated with water. Visuddhimagga IV 94-9
The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by careful & rational attention develops the Joy Link to Awakening based on seclusion, on disillusion, on ceasing, & culminating in relinquishment, then neither can any mental fermentation, nor any fever, or discontent ever arise in him. MN2 [i 11]
In one who has aroused enthusiastic energy, there arises a joy not of this world & the Joy Link to Awakening emerges there. He develops it, & for him it goes to the culmination of its development. MN118 [iii 85]
Any one convinced by understanding of Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha, gets an enthusiastic sense of the sublime good goal of Nibbana & gains gladness connected, joined, and fused with this Dhamma...! In any one gladdened, Joy is born. The body of the Joyous is calmed. One of calm body experiences pleasure and happiness! The mind of one who is happy becomes concentrated. The concentrated mind sees and knows things as they really are. This brings disgust and disillusion, which enables full direct experience of mental release. It is in this way that Joy indeed is a factor leading to Awakening! MN [i 37-8], AN [iii 21-3], DN [iii 21-3]
Further inspirations on the elevating & ecstatic quality of Joy (Piti): http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Happiness_of_the_Flesh_and_Beyond.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Joys_of_the_Flesch_and_Beyond.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Joys_Beyond_This_World.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Alert_Elevated_Joy.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Joy.htm
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest! Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ http://What-Buddha-Said.net
Joy is a link to Enlightenment!
Floated by Joy :-) http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/III/Joy_Piti.htm
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Subject: The Sun! Fri Apr 27, 2012 5:40 am
Friends:
Friendship is seeding the 7 links to Awakening!
The Blessed Buddha once said: Just as dawn is the forerunner and the precursor of the rising of the Sun, exactly so is good and Noble friendship for any disciple the forerunner and the precursor of the mental emergence of the Seven Links to Awakening! When a Bhikkhu has a good and Noble friend, it is to be expected that he will develop and cultivate these 7 Links to Awakening. And how does a Bhikkhu who has a good & Noble friend develop & cultivate these 7 Links to Awakening? Here, friends, this Bhikkhu trains, develops, deepens, reinforces and refines: 1: The Awareness Link to Awakening: sati-sambojjhanga. 2: The Investigation Link to Awakening: dhammavicaya-sambojjhanga. 3: The Energy Link to Awakening: viriya-sambojjhanga. 4: The Joy Link to Awakening:piti-sambojjhanga. 5: The Tranquillity Link to Awakening: passaddhi-sambojjhanga. 6: The Concentration Link to Awakening: samadhi-sambojjhanga. 7: The Equanimity Link to Awakening: upekkha-sambojjhanga. based upon seclusion, disillusion, ceasing of craving, and culminating in release! It is in exactly in this way that any Bhikkhu, who has a good and Noble Friend, truly trains, grows, intensifies, reinforces & refines the 7 Links to Awakening...
On these 7 Links to Awakening (Sambojjhanga): http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Sun.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Peak.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Clothes.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Rare_Emergence.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Sequential_Seven.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Vast_Penetration.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Seven_Fruits.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Unsurpassable_Seven.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/When_7_becomes_14.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_7_Links_to_Awakening.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Leading_to_Enlightenment.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Seven_Links_to_Awakening.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Cause_of_Knowledge_and_Vision.htm http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Meaning_of_the-7_Links_to_Awakening.htm
Source edited extract: The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book [V: 101] section 46: The Links. 48: The Sun....
Have a nice & noble day!
Friendship is the Greatest! Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ http://What-Buddha-Said.net
How to become One who Shines?
The Sun! http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Sun.htm