Daily Dhamma Drops from Ceylon!

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
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Bhikkhu_Samahita
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The Four Trees...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

How are these four persons who are quite comparable to Trees?

There are these four kinds of trees:
One is itself rotten and weak, but is surrounded by strong hardwood trees...
One is itself of strong hardwood, but is surrounded by rotten and weak trees...
One is itself rotten and weak, and is also surrounded by rotten and weak trees...
One is itself of strong hardwood, and is also surrounded by strong hardwood trees...

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Schiele: Four Trees

There are four types of persons similar to these four classes of trees:
A person is himself rotten and weak, but is surrounded by strong and good persons!
A person is himself strong and good, but is surrounded by rotten and weak persons!
A person is himself rotten and weak, and is also surrounded by rotten and weak persons!
A person is himself strong and good, and is also surrounded by strong and good persons!

How is the one himself rotten and weak, but yet surrounded by the strong and good?
Here one is immoral, and wicked, while his friends are moral men of lovely nature...
Thus is a person, who himself is rotten and weak, surrounded by the strong and good,
just in the same way as a rotten and weak tree is surrounded by strong and good ones...

How is a person who himself is strong and good, yet surrounded by the rotten and weak?
Here one is moral, of lovely nature, but he has friends, who are immoral, and wicked...
Thus is a person, who is strong and good surrounded by the rotten and weak, just in the
same way as a strong and good tree, is surrounded by many rotten and weak ones...

How is a person who is rotten and weak, and also surrounded by the rotten and weak?
Here one is immoral, wicked and evil, who has friends who are immoral, wicked and evil!
Thus is a person, who is rotten and weak, and also surrounded by those rotten and weak,
just in the same way as a rotten and weak tree, is surrounded by rotten and weak ones...

Finally: How is a person who is strong and good surrounded by the strong and good?
Here one is moral of lovely nature, who has similar moral friends of lovely nature...
Thus is a person, who is strong and good surrounded by the strong and good, just in the
same way as a strong and good tree, is surrounded by strong and good hardcore ones...
These are the four persons comparable to trees existing in this world...

Comment:
Discrimination of good and bad groups is a signature sign of genuine understanding!
The rotten and weak may take with them other beings in their inevitable fall...
The strong and good may take with them other beings in their inevitable rise...
The wise therefore selects his fine friends like when picking exquisite flowers. ;-)

Source:
The 4th Higher Science Abhidhamma Book: The Personality Concept: Puggala-Paññatti.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=130096

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Monet: Four Trees

More on Buddhist Personality Analysis:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Human_Types.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_7_Persons.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Nine_Supremes.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Fo ... lities.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... Person.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... lained.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... _Trees.htm

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Choose Company Carefully!

The Four Trees...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Th ... _Trees.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
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Bhikkhu_Samahita
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Beautiful is Bliss!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The Happiness of Bliss is the Goal of all Life!

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The Buddha on the Beauty of Bliss:
Blissful is solitude for one who is content, learned & who sees the Dhamma.
Blissful is harmlessness towards all beings without any exception.
Blissful is freedom from any sensual urge whatsoever.
Yet, the supreme bliss, is the elimination of this abysmal conceit “I am”!

Udana – Inspiration: II – 1

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Mind initiates and precedes all Phenomena...
Mind is their chief! They are all mind-made!
Therefore:
If a person thinks, speaks or acts with a pure mind:
Happiness then follows him like the cart-wheel that
follows the foot of the ox...

Dhammapada 2

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Oh let us live happily! Possessing nothing at all!
Let us feed on joy, just like the shining Devas!

Dhammapada 200

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Nibbanam paranam sukham...
Nibbana is the Highest Bliss!
Dhammapada 203/204

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On this precious 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/IV/Un ... d_Yeah.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... /sukha.htm

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Beautiful is Bliss!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Buddha_on_Bliss.htm
Image

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
User avatar
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Posts: 2750
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The Burning Five!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The 5 Clusters of Clinging are Burning on Ignorance!

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The Blessed Buddha once explained:
Friends, form is burning, feeling is burning, perception is burning, mental
constructions are burning, and consciousness itself is burning...
Burning with what?: 

Burning with Greed. 
Burning with Hate. 
Burning with Ignorance. 
Burning with rebirth. 
Burning with ageing. 
Burning with decay.
Burning with sickness & pain. 
Burning with death. 
I tell you!: Burning with Suffering! 

Understanding this fully, friends, the learned Noble Disciple is disgusted
with all form, with all feeling, with all perception, and with all constructions!
He is disgusted even with consciousness itself! The experience of this disgust,
produces disillusion and disenchantment. Through this disillusion, the mind is
completely released from all habituated attachment, and tenacious clinging!
When it is thus entirely liberated, then this assurance appears to the Noble:
"This mind is fully and irreversibly freed" and one instantly understands:
The rebirth process is now finally ended, this Noble Life have been completed,
done is what should be done, there is no state of being beyond this one...

ImageImage

Comments:
The 5 clusters of clinging only take up and cling to the objects, since they
don't know the 4 Noble Truths. If they knew: This object is also and only
suffering, they would neither take it up in the first place, nor ever cling to it...
Dukkha is thus caused by this "not knowing" = ignorance of the 4 Noble Truths!

More on these 5 Clusters of Clinging (Khandha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Any_Kind.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Not_Yours.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Leash.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/House_on_Fire.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Finge ... f_Soil.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Acqui ... f_Fuel.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Bur ... Prison.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Cl ... Truths.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Br ... _Bonds.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... handha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... inging.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_ ... inging.htm

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Source:
The Grouped Sayings by the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya 22:61 III 71
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sa ... index.html

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The Burning Five!

The 5 Clusters of Clinging are Burning on Ignorance!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... g_Five.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
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Bhikkhu_Samahita
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The irresolvable!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The Happiness of Bliss is the Goal of all Life!

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The 10 indeterminable subjects deliberately undeclared by the Buddha:

1: The cosmos is eternal
2: The cosmos is not eternal,
3: The cosmos is finite...
4: The cosmos is infinite...
5: The mind and the body (brain) are the same. (inseparable)
6: The mind is one thing and the body (brain) is another. (separable)
7: After death a Tathagata exists...
8: After death a Tathagata does not exist...
9: After death a Tathagata both does and does not exist...
10: After death a Tathagata neither exists, nor does he not exist.

“And they lived arguing, quarrelling, and disputing, wounding one another
with weapons of the mouth, saying, "The Dhamma is like this, not like that.
The Dhamma is not like that, it is like this." Ud 6.4

Due to their irresolvable nature, these 10 questions should be laid all aside,
since they only provoke endless and fruitless speculation and dispute, which
needless to say blocks any progress whatsoever toward the ending of suffering!

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Sources:
AN 10.93 Ditthi Sutta: Views A v 185
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html
MN 63 i 426 Cula-Malunkyovada Sutta: The Shorter Instructions to Malunkya
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html
Ud 6.4 Ud 66 Tittha Sutta: Various Sectarians
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html
AN 7.51 A iv 67 Avyakata Sutta: The Undeclared
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

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The irresolvable!

Indeterminable questions should be laid aside...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Undeclared.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
User avatar
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Posts: 2750
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
Location: Ceylon
Contact:

Reclusiveness...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The Solitary Rhinoceros Horn:

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Originally spoken by solitary Pacceka Buddhas!

 Laying aside all violence, respecting all beings,
 never harming even one of them,
 one should never wish for a son,
 nor neither for any companion.
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 Affection comes into being for one who has associations;
 following this affection, this misery arises.
 Seeing the peril born of this affection, this passion, this lust
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 Sympathising with friends and companions one misses ones goal
 Being shackled in mind.
 Seeing such danger in acquaintance,
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 The considerations which exists for sons and wives is like
 a spreading bamboo entangled, a solid web of bars,
 Like a single young bamboo shoot up free, not caught up with others
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 As a deer is not tied up goes where-ever it wishes
 Fully free in forest, an understanding friend,
 regarding and enjoying his independence,
 should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 Among many companions;
 whether one rests, stand, sit, or walk;
 there are endless requests from others...
 Having respect for and appreciation of Freeing Independence...
 which is not liked by any other, [than Nobles]
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 Among many companions;
 there are sport, enjoyment, and great love for sons and men
 Although loathing the later separation from what is liked,
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.
 
 One is a friend of the four directions and not hostile,
 being pleased with whatever comes ones way.
 A fearless bearer of the dangers,
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 Even some wanderers [& some bhikkhus] are not kindly disposed
 and also some householders dwelling in a house can also be hostile.
 Paying little attention to the children [pupils] of others;
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 Having shed the appearance of a householder,
 like a naked tree, whose leaves have fallen;
 A true Hero, having cut the householders bond,
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 If one can obtain a zealous companion,
 an associate of good & pure disposition,
 who is resolute, firm, unwavering
 overcoming all obstructions, swiftly,
 One should wander with him, elated & mindfull.

 Certainly let us praise the excellent fortune
 of having a Friend, better or equal than one-self,
 such one should truly be followed.
 However if such Noble Friend is absent, not to be found
 then enjoying only blameless things,
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 Seeing that even golden bracelets, quite well made
 inevitable are clashing together, when two on same arm,
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 In same way seeing: With a companion there would be
 objectionable empty talk and abuse for me.
 Seeing such danger of the future in company,
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 For sensual pleasures, variegated, sweet and delightful
 disturb and perturb the mind with their manifold forms.
 Seeing the danger in the many forms of sensual delights,
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

This for me is a calamity, a cancer tumour, a misfortune,
 a dis-ease, a barb and a fear! Seeing the danger of sensual
 strands of pleasure exactly like such distress & disaster,
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 Cold, heat, hunger and thirst, rainy storm
 and the sting of the scorching sun, gadflies and snakes,
 having mindfully endured all these, training patience,
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 As an Elephant with massive shoulders,
 spotted by age, but Noble in mind,
 may leave the herds and live as it pleases
 all alone in the forest peace,
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 It is an IMPOSSIBILITY!!! for one who delights in company
 to obtain even a trace of even temporary release...
 Having heard such word from the son of the sun,
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 Gone beyond the contortions of wrong view,
 arrived at the fixed straight course to salvation,
 having gained the way, having entered the stream,
 thinking: Ice-Clear Certain Insight has arisen in me;
 I am not to be led by others anymore...
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 Being without desire, without deceit, without thirst,
 without hypocrisy, with delusion and faults blown all away,
 without longing for anything whatsoever in the whole world,
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 One should avoid a companion defiled by evil,
 who does not see the goal, who has accepted bad behaviour.
 One should not associate with one who is dominated by
 wrong views and is negligent, all blinded, fumbling...
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 One should cultivate one certain Friend of Great Learning,
 Expert in the Doctrine, a Noble Friend possessed of ultra-sharp
 Intelligence. When understanding one’s aim, [from such friend]
 having dispelled any doubt and dried out all confusion,
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 Not finding any satisfaction in sport, activity
 and empty entertainment, nor in the fading happiness
 arisen from sensual pleasures of this glitter world,
 one should pay no attention whatsoever to such,
 abstain from adornment of mere body frame
 and speaking only plain straight absolute truth,
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 Leaving behind son and wife, and father and mother
 and house and wealth, and sensual pleasures to the limit
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 This is an attachment, a bond, a chain; here is
 little happiness, modest satisfaction, much misery,
 this is a hook of pain! Seeing this, knowing this, the wise
 should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 Having broken ones chains asunder, like a fish breaking
 through the catching net, not returning, like a fire gone out,
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 With downcast eyes, not foot-loose, nor restless,
 with senses well-guarded, with mind well protected,
 not emitting any defiled mental dirt,
 not burning inside, cooled with no fewer, contented,
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 Having shed the marks of a householder, like a winter tree
 its leaves, having left the house, wearing the saffron robe,
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 Showing no greed for mere taste, not wanton,
 not hireling for others, going on an uninterrupted
 begging round, not bound to this or that family,
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 Having left behind the five hindrances of the mind,
 having blown away all defilements, utterly independent,
 having cut out affection and hate, passion and aversion
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 Having put both happiness and misery all behind,
 even so with joy and dejection already,
 having gained the precious equanimity, purified tranquillity
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 Determined, solidly resolute for the attainment of
 the Supreme Goal, with great force, not indolent,
 of firm exertion, furnished with power and enduring strength
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 Neither giving up seclusion nor meditation, constantly
 living according to the Dhamma, yet amongst all the
 flickering phenomena of this world, understanding
 the ultimate danger inherent in this existence itself…,
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 Working for the utter destruction of craving,
 not negligent, not foolish, learned, possessing
 continuous mindfulness, brightly aware, very present,
 having examined the doctrine, restrained, energetic,
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 Like a mighty lion is not trembling at any sound,
 not caught up with others,
 like the wind passes freely through a net,
 not in love like a lotus leave sheds a falling water drop,
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 Wandering Victorious, like a long toothed tiger
 the king of beasts, one should resort
 to secluded remote hermitages,
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 Training at regular times friendliness, empathy
 pity, joy, equanimity, and mental release,
 unobstructed, unimpeded by the entire world
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 Leaving behind the dust of passion, aversion and confusion
 having broken all such mental chains all apart,
 not even slightly nervous at the moment of complete life destruction,
 One should wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

 People associate with others for some motive of
 advantage for themselves; nowadays real Friends
 without such motive hidden behind are hard to find.
 Attentive to their own good only, humans are impure.
 One should therefore wander solitary as a rhinoceros horn.

Source: Sutta-Nipata I.3 v35-75
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html
http://store.pariyatti.org/Sutta-Nipata_p_1831.html
 
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Sword-horn from Rhinoceros Unicornis: The Indian one-horned rhinoceros

Comments: Such is it really!
Without periods of solitary seclusion one lacks completion of mindfulness;
With muddled mindfulness, one cannot complete any investigation of wisdom..
With incomplete investigation of the wisdom, no energy arises as curiosity and engagement…
With such sluggish energy, lacking the necessary effort no rapture arises, still unsatisfied…
With no rapturous joy arisen, one is discontented not satisfied, restless, lacking results;
and neither body nor thought is silenced! With no tranquillity arisen, body is not at ease
no high concentration can the ever emerge… With no attainment of high level concentration
no aloof equanimity can evolve… With no fulfilment of aloof equanimity, thought and reality
itself cannot be looked on as from above with proper care...
Consequently attainment of: Freedom through direct Knowledge is obstructed like a bird
without wings simply cannot fly ...

More on Sweet Solitude Alone:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Alone_yet_Free.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Sweet_Solitude.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/PACCEKABUDDHA.htm

Reclusiveness...

Sweet is Solitude :-)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... s_Horn.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
User avatar
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Posts: 2750
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
Location: Ceylon
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Untroubled Yeah!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

What is the Fruit of the Noble Way?

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
While alive, then he is untroubled, & when he dies too, then he is not worried!
A recluse who has seen the goal, lives undisturbed even in a sorrowful world...
Ud 46

Wherever he goes, there he is unafraid.. Wherever he sleeps, there he is unalarmed!
The nights and days does neither touch nor burn him. He sees nothing in this world
that is to be kept or lost.. Therefore his mind dwells in goodwill and gentle kindness
towards all beings until he falls asleep.
SN I 110

One who has attained the Dhamma has no task to do, as his task has been accomplished.
As long as he has not obtained a foothold, the swimmer must strive to his utmost,
but when he has found a place to rest his feet and gone up to dry land,
his striving is over, because he has crossed to the further shore...
SN I 48

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Untroubled, unworried, unconcerned, unagitated & undisturbed!

More good even better here ;-)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/climax_of_calm.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Un ... nimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... ension.htm

Untroubled Yeah!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Un ... d_Yeah.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
User avatar
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Posts: 2750
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
Location: Ceylon
Contact:

Goodness Galore _/\_ :-)

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Compassion is the Core of Buddhism!

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Overcome the angry by friendliness,
overcome the wicked by goodness,
overcome the miser by generosity,
overcome the liar by truth...

Dhammapada 223

He who neither punishes, nor makes others punish,
He who neither steals, nor makes others steal,
He who in friendly goodwill shares with all that lives,
such kind gentle one meets no enmity anywhere...

Itivuttaka 27

Train yourself in doing only what is good,
that will last and bring great happiness!
Cultivate generosity, a peaceful living,
and a mentality of infinite friendliness...

Itivuttaka 16

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More on Friendly Goodwill (Metta): The sweetest fragrance of all!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... ihaara.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Un ... diance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... odwill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Re ... odWill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The ... ntages.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ge ... odwill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/G ... Encore.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Bl ... odwill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Cosmic_Goodness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Loving-Kindness.htm

Goodness Galore _/\_ :-)

Try to Be Good in all Thought, Speech and Action.
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Goodness_Galore.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
User avatar
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Posts: 2750
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
Location: Ceylon
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Critique versus Blaming!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Self-Critique versus Blaming others!

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A good friend asked:
1: How can we avoid self-blame, when things are not right?
2: How can we get rid of the feeling of spiritual inadequacy?

Answer 1:
Blaming (whether of oneself, or others) contains a stint of hate/aversion,
that makes blaming quite unsuitable as a vehicle for reconstructive purposes…
Critique/good advice (whether of one-self, or others) should better be based
on these 5 principles given by the blessed Buddha:

[1] "Do I think/speak at the right time, or not?
[2] "Do I think/speak of actual facts, or not?
[3] "Do I think/speak gently or harshly?
[4] "Do I think/speak long-term advantageous thoughts/words or not?
[5] "Do I think/speak with a kind heart, or internally/externally malicious?
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dham ... l#admonish

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Answer 2: “Spiritual inadequacy” can be utilized in 2 widely different ways:
A: Skillfully:
To urge one to enhance or stabilize the effort by inducing a sense of urgency!
B: Un-skillfully:
By straining mind by self-blaming and self-hating disabling all good efforts…
Whenever state B is recognized, then redirect mind to state A. This can indeed
elevate the mind by adding purposefulness! to even a ‘bad’, unwanted, wrong,
and displeasing state by inducing a sense of –meaning- even with the absurd!
Like: “Ahh what an excellent training ground and thus opportunity for progress
is not this frustrating event!” Or:
“OK fine, but there is definitely room for improvement here…” ;-)

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However: The utility and efficacy of self-critique depends on the individual:
1: The mostly greedy, lusty and desirous one, will tend towards complacency.
2: The mostly angry, and irritated one, will tend towards denial, or self-hatred.
3: The mostly confused and uncertain, will tend towards neglect, or hesitation.
Unfortunately: In either of these 3 cases, the final result is the very same:
The mental defilements are left unabated in dominating the mind, whether it
is due to carelessness (1), opposition (2), or disregard and vacillation (3).
Why so? The problem (inner and mental) is not SEEN as it really IS, to the degree
it actually is present in mind, thought, speech and behaviour, due to grossly
lapsing or completely absent (self) Awareness (sati)…

Lapsing Awareness are periods of:
Mind seeing mind for split-seconds, or a few seconds at most…
interrupted by:
Mind looking for pleasure for minutes/hours/days/months/years/lives…

As Ven. Luang Pu Atulo aptly noted:
The Mind sent Outside is the Cause of Suffering.
The Effect of the Mind sent Outside is Suffering.
The Mind seeing the Mind is the Path: The Noble Way!
The Effect of Mind seeing Mind, is the End of Suffering.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/solid_siam.htm

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Critique versus Blaming!

Progress vs. denial, neglect, and careless complacency..
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Cri ... laming.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
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Luminous is the Mind!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Luminous, but veiled by alien defilement is the Mind:

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The exalted Buddha once said:
Friends, I know of no other single thing, so quickly changing as this swift mind,
insofar as it is not easy to find just one other phenomena changing equally fast..
Shining bright, friends, is this mind, yet it is obstructed by external defilements.
Naturally luminous, is that pure mind, when it is safely released and freed from
these alien impurities. Innately radiant is this mind, though it is soiled by these
accumulated foreign obscurations. This, the ordinary unlearned persons cannot
understand as it really is.. I tell you, that is why uneducated ordinary persons
neither meditate, nor develop mentally. Luminous is that mind, friends, when it is
purified and released from these fermented pollutions. This does the learned Noble
disciple fully understand as it really is. I tell you, that is why that educated Noble
disciple develops and steadily improves mentally by training meditation regularly...

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More on the Magnificent Luminous Mind:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/In_Control.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Non-Control.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mind_Reading.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Bl ... Bright.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... uality.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ma ... t_Mind.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Hi ... ibbana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/F ... tality.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Om ... m_Mind.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Im ... e_Mind.htm

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Source: The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: Anguttara Nikaya I 8-11:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta ... I.8-10.htm

Luminous is the Mind!

But reversibly veiled by alien defilement..
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Luminous_is_Mind.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
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Posts: 2750
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Rescue ...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Rescue into Salvation is Possible!

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There may be no tomorrow,
But do not fear!
Do not feel sorrow.
Salvation is near.

If one puts in the effort,
And does good deeds,
Then one should not worry;
Their kamma harbours good seeds.


Purity is attainable,
If one simply tries.
Impurity is easier,
But that's no surprise.

Keep your focus,
And see your goal.
Always be mindful,
Don't fall in a hole.


Always be vigilant,
And never surrender.
Keep doing what's good,
Let kamma be your tender.


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Kindly shared by our friend Kevin Walker. (on the path)

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On this Noble Eightfold Way (Ariya Atthangika Magga):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Middle_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_3-fold_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Noble_8_fold_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Rare_Emergence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_N ... ld_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/G ... le_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... inings.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Fruit ... le_Way.htm

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Rescue ...

Heading Home ..
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Salvation.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
User avatar
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Posts: 2750
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
Location: Ceylon
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How to become a Buddhist Nun?

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

How to be a Real Buddhist through Observance?

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

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

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

As long as this life lasts:
I hereby take refuge in the Buddha.
I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma.
I hereby take refuge in the Sangha.
I hereby seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time.
I hereby request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time.

I will hereby respect these Three Jewels the rest of my life!


I accepts to respect & undertake these 5 training rules:
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Killing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Stealing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Sexual Abuse.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Dishonesty.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Alcohol & Drugs.

As long as this life lasts, I am thus protected by these 5 precepts...


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

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

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

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

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

Have a nice poya day!

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

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How to be a Real Buddhist through Observance?

Binara Poya Day!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/III/B ... ya_Day.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
User avatar
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Posts: 2750
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
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Evading the Present Reality ..

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Why Does Mind Avoid the Present Moment?

Is mind truly capable of operating in this present and real moment of now?

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Memory-dwelling: When mind is stuck in the forever gone and now unreal past:
Memory is at best incomplete, one sided, and revisionist, since consciousness
is a process, which moulds thoughts of past events into forms coloured by
preferences and biases conditioned by past education, experience, and not
so sound reasoning. These are simply attachments serving the ego, this elusive
delusional self with what it wants to hear. Since this memory requires mental
processing any noticing of its conclusions, is not truly in the present moment,
since mind processes these thoughts, feelings, emotions, perspectives, attitudes,
and viewpoints constructed in the past. The moment any mental state/idea is
formulated by mind, time continues its flow leaving mind behind stuck in the past...

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Planning ahead: When mind imagines the yet uncome and equally unreal future:
Originating from the same mental processes, the motivation to make plans is
indicative of an afflicted mind. It is a mind conditioned by dukkha, that is:
Mental and/or physical pain, suffering, stressed and dissatisfied, tormented
with feelings rising out of a constant dissatisfaction with the present state,
something - often indefinable, yet indispensable - is missing... which necessitates
a desperate need to protect this delusional self against this ever frustrating now!
Such a mind is struggling to prevent, what it realizes as inevitable deterioration,
death, and annihilation. Moment by moment. Life by life. Such projection and
imagination of the future - near as distant - is notoriously inaccurate, unreliable
and often wide of the mark of reality, and thus folly fairy-tale day-dreaming...

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Mindfulness of the present and Meditation Reveals How Our Minds Operate:
Real-time personal observation of our own mind operating in what might be
the best approximation of the present moment is during awareness meditation.
It reminds of sitting in the middle of a busy train terminal watching travellers
come into and disappear out of our view. There seems to be no mental limit as
to direction, volume, or capacity in this often chaotic flow of passing thoughts,
that all arise conditioned by mental contact with both external & internal events,
past, present and future, all totally out of reach of our personal control now...
Being obsessively preoccupied with following after the captivating content of this
mental flux of noisy conceptual abstractions, continuously evades the real present..  

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This does not mean that we are left helpless, as we can chose to:

A. Pay attention to these mental phenomena, thereby giving them importance
and conditioned reinforcement will result in clinging and attachment.

B. Or, passively observe, smiling in equanimity, simply letting them pass away
into the same empty mental oblivion from which they arose. 

C. Final solution: The Stilling of all conceptual Thinking (vitakka-vicara):
Develop and train a mind, which is totally devoid of the arising of thought,
where all mental processing has ceased. This is a mind free of clinging, desire,
and attachment. When all mental processing has ceased, such a mind is truly
in the present moment, because no reflection is required, as no mental, or
physical action is being processed, or even contemplated..

It all boils down to a personal choice to participate, or not to participate in
these flickering, yet captivating labyrinths of insignificant mental processing..
When faced with such decisions it is quite beneficial to follow Buddha's
advice to his son as given in the Ambalatthika-rahulovada Sutta regarding
the crucial importance of observing, practicing and training our minds.

Source: Majjhima Nikaya 61: Ambalatthika-rahulovada Sutta:
Instructions to Rahula on the Mango Stone.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

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By our friend Ronald J. Chiodi, Concord USA.

More on awareness of the present = Mindfulness (Sati):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Wi ... reness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Aw ... ettled.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/N ... reness.htm

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Evading the Present Reality ..

Why Does Mind Avoid the Present Moment?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Eva ... resent.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
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Bhikkhu_Samahita
Posts: 2750
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
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Back to Basics!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

How to protect all Beings best? The 5 Golden Rules:

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Rule 1:
Do neither Kill nor praise Killing. Rather avoid taking any kind of Life.
Also make others stop killing too, by praising holy harmlessness and non- cruelty.
Greatest is this Offer to the world of Beings: The safety from torture and violent murder..
The painful future karmic effect of Killing is short lifetime and brutal non-natural death!
Do neither harm, nor praise any harming, whether instrumental, mental, verbal or physical.
Put down the stick, knife, and all weapons. Indeed end now all violence, brutality & hostility!
Quell all aggression by praising mercy & peace. Greatest is this Offer to the world of Beings:
The safety from injury, wounding and sudden pain. The painful future karmic effects of
harming violence are non-curable disease, disability, and loss of limbs in future rebirths.

Rule 2:
Do neither Steal, nor praise any kind of Stealing. Avoid taking all that is not freely given.
Make others abstain from theft by praising modesty and honesty. Greatest is this relief
to the world of owners: The safety from loss, damage and undue costs to insurances.
The painful future karmic effect of stealing is loss, poverty, need, deficiency, hunger,
and thirst in many future rebirths..

Rule 3:
Do neither abuse sexually, nor praise any abuse. Avoid other’s partners and those engaged or
protected by others. Make all others abstain from any sexual abuse too. Greatest is this offer
to any parent or lover: The safety from deceit, adultery, jealousy and sexual abuse. The painful
future karmic effect of abuse and adultery is future homosexuality, abnormality, and disability.

Rule 4:
Do neither speak false, nor praise any kind of lying. Rather avoid all untruth and falsehood and
induce all others also to speak only truth by praising sincerity. Greatest is this praxis in the world
of listeners: Honesty ensuring the confidence of trust in the society. The painful future karmic
effect of lying is being deceived, disrespected, lowly positioned, or worse in many future rebirths.

Rule 5:
Do neither drink alcohol, nor praise any kind of intoxication that induces neglect, and carelessness.
Rather refrain from liquor & make all others abstain too. This is the optimal social habit of behaviour
in the world of beings ensuring decency, sanity and sound reasoning. The painful future karmic effect
of drinking is stupidity, insanity, madness, forgetfulness, poor memory, and worse in future rebirths.

There are these five great original gifts, genuine, long-standing, traditional, ancient, uncorrupted
from the beginning, that are not open to suspicion, that never will be open to suspicion, and which
never are censured or criticized by any truly wise recluse, monk, or priest...

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Details of The Five Buddhist Precepts (pañca-sila):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... Basics.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Refu ... ecepts.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... a_pada.htm

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Back to Basics!

How to protect all Beings best? The 5 Golden Rules:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Back_to_Basics.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
User avatar
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Posts: 2750
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
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Clever Presence!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The 4 Foundations of Awareness:

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

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

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

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

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

Check it Out: It pays off inestimably!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/C ... dation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/O ... ly_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/F ... reness.htm

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Clever Presence!

The 4 Foundations of Awareness:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Cl ... esence.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
User avatar
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Posts: 2750
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
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Check it Out!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

How to Feed the ability to Investigate all states!

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, as this body, is sustained by feeding, exists in dependence on
feeding & cannot survive without food, so are the 7 Links to Awakening
also sustained by feeding, they can only exist in dependence on feeding
and they cannot survive without feeding... And what is the feeding of the
emergence of any yet unarisen Investigation & feeding of the completion
by progress of already arisen Investigation of states Link to Awakening?

This formula: There are states that are:
1: Advantageous or Disadvantageous.
2: Blamable or Blameless.
3: Ordinary or Excellent.
4: On the Bright side or on the Dark side.


Frequently giving careful & rational attention to them, is feeding arising
of any unarisen ability to investigate & feeding also for the fulfillment
of any already arisen Investigation of states Link to Awakening...

And what, Bhikkhus, is the starving that obstructs the emergence of yet
unarisen ability to investigate & which also hinders ongoing Investigation?
There are, bhikkhus, things that are advantageous or disadvantageous,
blamable or blameless, ordinary or excellent and on the bright side or on
the dark side
: not giving frequent, careful & rational attention to them,
not considering them much and often, is the starving that prevents any
unarisen ability to investigate from arising and also blocks any already
arisen investigation of states link to awakening from reaching complete
fulfillment and refinement by mental development...

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Comments from the classical commentaries:
Examining is the characteristic of the Investigation Link to Awakening
(Dhamma-Vicaya-sambojjhanga). Scrutiny, inspection, inquiry, exploration,
analysis, research & repeated review is the purpose of the investigation.
Interested and eager curiosity is the manifestation of this investigating.
Before, while and after doing any mental, verbal or bodily action simply
then ask yourself: Are this behaviour advantageous or disadvantageous,
blamable or blameless, ordinary or excellent, on the bright or dark side
and act accordingly! Keep on refining this crucial ethical discrimination!

Conditions helpful for the emergence of the ability to investigate are:
1: Asking questions to yourself and those you respect.
2: Clean, healthy and hygienic mental, physical and bodily praxis.
3: Avoidance of people with reduced and confused understanding.
4: Friendship with people with exact and profound understanding.
5: Repeated reviewing reflection on all the deeper questions.
6: Commitment to finding out precisely why and how: Cause and effect!

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There is investigation of external states and there is investigation of
internal states. Both are crucial for all progress towards understanding.
Awakening is a pure knowing that is the result of perfect investigation!

Sources (edited extracts):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V: 65-6+102-8] 46: Links. 2+51: Group & Nutriments....

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http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/I ... Vicaya.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/The_7 ... kening.htm

Check it Out!

Feeding the ability to Investigate!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/F ... gation.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
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