Daily Dhamma Drops from Ceylon!

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
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The Peak!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Inclining, sloping, bending and falling towards Enlightenment!

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, just as all the rafters in a peaked house slant, slant, slope, tilt, tend,
incline & veer towards the roof peak, even so, when a bhikkhu begin to develop
and cultivate the Seven Links to Awakening, then he indeed slants, slopes, tilts,
tends, inclines & veers towards Nibbana... Why and how is this convergence so?
When, friends, a Bhikkhu trains, develops, expands, consolidates 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, and ceasing, maturing & culminating in release,
then these 7 Links to Awakening and the repeated training of them, in and by
themselves, make him slant, slope, tilt, tend, veer and incline towards Nibbana...

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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_Clothes.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/R ... rgence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/S ... _Seven.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/V ... ration.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... Fruits.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/U ... _Seven.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/W ... mes_14.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_7 ... kening.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/L ... enment.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... kening.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... Vision.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... kening.htm

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Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
[V: 75-6] section 46: The Links. 7: The Peaked House....

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Have a nice & noble day!

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

The Peak!

Doing right leads upwards...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Peak.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

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

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Back-2-Basics #1 = Avoid all Killing => Peace!



Avoidance of all Killing of any Sentient Being is the most Basic Buddhist training rule #1
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Never_Kill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Not_Killing.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/Back_to_Basics.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/O ... ance_I.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
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The 3 Gateways...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

There are Three Gateways to Enlightenment!

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It is these 3 contemplations that produce the three gateways to Awakening!
These three gateways to liberation lead to the only outlet from this world:

Seeing mainly impermanence leads the determined one to the signless liberation:
Seeing of all constructions as impermanent, limited in space, circumscribed
in time, and liable to destruction makes mind enter into the signless state.
When such disciple, with great determination, attends to all phenomena as
impermanent, transient and vanishing, he then acquires the signless liberation.

Considering mainly suffering leads the calm one to the desireless liberation:
Regarding of all constructions as an ultimately painful misery, thus seeing all
phenomena as a terror, stirring up and torturing any being, makes the mind
enter into the desireless state. When one who dwells in tranquillity regards
all formations as great suffering, then he acquires the desireless liberation..

Meditating mainly on no-self leads the intelligent one to the void liberation:
Comprehending all things, constructions, phenomena and states as alien and
remote, ownerless, selfless, coreless, impersonal, and neither-I-me-nor-mine,
makes mind enter into the void empty state. When one who has great wisdom

These three gateways to liberation leading to the only exit from this world:
Enlightenment! This is therefore Knowledge and Vision of the Noble Way!
Ps II 48+58, Visuddhimagga 658

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More on these 3 gateways to Mental Liberation (Vimokkha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... mokkha.htm

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The Enlightenment reached is in all 3 cases the very same..

The 3 Gateways...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_3_Gateways.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

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

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Stilling all Clinging ceases all Suffering!

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The Buddha once said about the relinquishing of the 5 Clusters of Clinging:
The fading away, silencing, stilling, ceasing and bringing to an end of all feeling, of all
perception, of all mental construction, and of all consciousness, only this pacification
completely eliminates all suffering, ends all disease, and fully overcomes all decaying,
all sickness, all ageing, and all death... SN 22:30

Comments: Let the wave run out in mirror-blank silver lake silence!
The fluid motion we call a wave, which creates the optical illusion of one and the same
mass of water moving linearly all over the surface of the lake, is produced by the wind,
and maintained by the stored up energies. Now, after the wind has ceased, and if no new
wind again whips up the lake water, then the stored up energies will gradually be exhausted,
and that will slowly cease all the perturbed motion! The wave will come to an end, by gradual
diminishing, and running out.. Similarly, if a fire does not get new fuel, it will gradually quench...
Just in exactly the same way is this process of 5 Clusters of Clinging, which the uneducated
identifies with and construes as an illusory I-Me-Ego, produced and fed by craving (Tanha),
and maintained for some time by means of the stored up fuel of past long habituated clinging...
If no new craving impels again, then the accumulation of past clinging will be exhausted and
the process of 5 Clusters of Clinging will reach final extinction. This ultimate stilling of the
process of clinging is called Nibbana, and if it occurs at the death of the Arahat, then it is
called Anupadisesa-Nibbana, i.e., Nibbana with no residual traces of clinging remaining...

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Source: (edited excerpts): Venerable Nyanatiloka Mahathera.
The Word of the Buddha: http://www.pariyatti.com/book_404201.html

More on these 5 Clusters of Clinging (Khandha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Any_Kind.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Not_Yours.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Leash.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... inging.htm

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Stilling all Clinging..
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/St ... inging.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
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Perfection is Possible!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The are 10 Perfect Mental Qualities!

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Contemplation of the Ten Perfecting Qualities (Dasa Parami):
1: May I be generous and always helpfully giving service (Dana parami).
2: May I be morally pure, virtuous and well-disciplined (Sila parami).
3: May I be modest and withdrawing into simple living (Nekkhamma parami).
4: May I be wise by understanding what should be known (Pañña parami).
5: May I be enthusiastic, energetic, & never giving up the good (Viriya parami).
6: May I be patient, tolerant, and forgive other's wrongs (Khanti parami).
7: May I be honest, trustworthy, scrupulous, and truthful (Sacca parami).
8: May I be firm, resolute, determined, and immovable (Adhitthana parami).
9: May I be kind, gentle, compassionate and friendly (Metta parami).
10: May I be calm, balanced, serene and imperturbable (Upekkha parami).
May I train to be mentally perfect. May I be perfect to keep training!


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More on these 10 Mental Perfections (Dasa Parami):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... aramii.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... ctions.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_1 ... levels.htm

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Source: BPS Wheel no 54 (Edited Excerpt):
The Mirror of the Dhamma. A Manual of Buddhist Devotional Texts.
By Narada Thera and Bhikkhu Kassapa. Revised By Bhikkhu Khantipalo:
http://www.bps.lk/wh054-u.html

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Have a nice, noble and utterly perfect day!

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

Perfection is Possible!

The 10 Perfect Qualities...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/The ... lities.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 10 Perfect Similes!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The 10 Perfect Qualities Explained:

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The 10 Perfect Qualities (Dasa Parami) are:

1st Perfection: Generosity (Dana):
Just as a water pot turned upside down lets all its liquid run out, and takes
none of it back, so is the perfection of generosity not having the slightest
remorse over what has been given away, even when sacrificing everything!
2nd Perfection: Morality (Sila):
Just as a yak whose tail is caught in bush will rather die than to tear it off,
so consists the perfection of morality in being meticulously careful about
keeping all precepts and promises & not breaking them in any circumstance,
even if being threatened with death!
3rd Perfection: Withdrawal (Nekkhamma):
Just as one imprisoned in jail does not desire anything more intensely than
to get out of there, so the perfection of withdrawing renunciation consists
in the longing to get out of the prison of transitory existence & having only
this one wish: To spit out the impermanent, to be rid of it once and for all!
4th Perfection: Understanding (Pañña):
Just as a monk on alms-round neglects no house, but goes to all the families
without exception, so the perfection of understanding consists in leaving
no gaps, leaving nothing out, & of being ready to learn from all wise people,
who are more advanced, even though they may be younger than oneself.
5th Perfection: Energy (Viriya):
Just as a lion marshals his strength whether standing, going, or sitting even
so does the perfection of energetic & enthusiastic effort consist in keeping
on striving with initiative launching into action, that endures until fulfilment!
6th Perfection: Patience (Khanti):
Just as the great earth accepts even the most disgusting things thrown onto
it, so consists the perfection of patience in accepting slander, disgrace and
every disrespect without aversion, enduring them, while letting them pass.
7th Perfection: Honesty (Sacca):
Just as a star never strays from its fixed orbit, so consists the perfection
of honest truthfulness in not lying under any circumstances, not moving even
an inch from the actual and real truth for any trivial advantage whatsoever.
8th Perfection: Determination (Adhitthana):
Just as a mountain stands immoveable even in the strongest storm and is
incapable of being thrown over, so consists the perfection of determination
in remaining unshakeable in one's advantageous choices and not being able
to be distracted by anything when pursuing something good and beneficial.
9th Perfection: Friendliness (Metta):
Just as water refreshes and cleanses both just and unjust persons without
discrimination, so does the perfection of friendliness include both friends
and foes alike and doesn't display any distinction, favouritism, or partiality.
10th Perfection: Equanimity (Upekkha):
Just as the great earth remains unmoved and equanimous, avoiding like and
dislike whether one throws pure or impure things onto it, even so does the
perfection of equanimity consist in always remaining, calm and composed,
neither being repulsed nor attracted, whether by any pain or any pleasure.
Imperturbable even in strong conflicts as well as in the greatest success!

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Sujata perfecting generosity by giving The Buddha his last meal before Awakening!

More on these 10 Mental Perfections (Dasa Parami):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... aramii.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... ctions.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The ... lities.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_1 ... levels.htm

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Source: Buddhavamsa II verses 117-166 (Edited Excerpt):
In: Similes of the Buddha: An introduction BP 427S by Hellmuth Hecker.
Tr. Ven. Khantipalo and Ven. Piyadhammo. Ed. Ven. Nyanatusita.
http://www.bps.lk
Have a nice & noble day!

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

The 10 Perfect Similes!

Perfecting the Mind Perfects the World!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/The ... lained.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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Stopping Pain...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The ability to feel Pain ceases in the 1st Jhâna!

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
Here, Bhikkhus, while a Bhikkhu is dwelling diligent, enthusiastic, and resolute,
there arises in him the ability to feel pain. He understands it thus: There has arisen
in me an ability to feel pain. That has a cause, a source, a causal condition.
It is impossible for that ability to feel pain to arise without a cause, without a source,
without a condition. He thereby understands the ability to feel pain; he understands
the causal origin of the ability to feel pain; he also understands the very ceasing of
the ability to feel pain; and he understands when the ability to feel pain ceases without
any remaining trace... And where, Bhikkhus and Friends does the arisen ability to feel pain
cease without remains? Here, Bhikkhus, aloof of any lust, quite secluded from any sense
desire, thus protected from a disadvantageous mental state, one enters and dwells in the
1st Jhana mental absorption, which is full of joy and pleasure, born of solitude, joined and
fused with single-pointed directed thought and sustained thinking... It is right there that
the arisen ability to feel pain ceases without remainder. This, friends, is thus a Bhikkhu
who has understood the ceasing of the ability to feel pain! He directs his mind accordingly..

More on ending Pain:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/En ... l_Pain.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/En ... Itself.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/C ... s_Pain.htm

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Comment to the over-estimating meditator:
If you still can feel bodily pain in back, knee, or wherever while meditating,
your current mental state is obviously by definition below the 1st Jhana...

On how to attain the Jhana absorptions:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Detai ... ptions.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Requi ... rption.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_ ... ration.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/C ... amadhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... jhaana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Samma-Samadhi.htm

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Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V:213] section 48: The Abilities. 36: Irregular Order ...

Stopping Pain...

The ability to feel Pain ceases in the 1st Jhâna!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/St ... l_Pain.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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Immutable Signless Sameness!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

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

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

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

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

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

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

1: Sense Consciousness, that always has an object (a form, sound, smell, taste, touch, or an idea)
This is a discrete moment of awareness, that arise and cease momentarily with its object:
Blinking like this: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Such a moment cannot ever be kept, nor thus 'owned'...

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

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The Buddha Gotama entering Nibbana 80 years old ~ 483 BC.
Though dying as you see: Happy is he _/\_ _/\_ _/\_ :-)


More on this sublime Blissful State called Nibbana:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Final_Freedom.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Reaching_Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/climax_of_calm.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Nibbana_Still.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Uncreated.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_2_Nibbanas.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... ed_One.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Wh ... ibbana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/St ... inging.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... Arahat.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ni ... _Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... bbaana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Im ... nimity.htm

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Immutable Signless Sameness!

Real and Absolute, yet not to be Seen, or Sensed..
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... ibbana.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
User avatar
Bhikkhu_Samahita
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Body Awareness..

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Awareness of the Body induces all Advantages!

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The Blessed Buddha repeatedly emphasized:
Bhikkhus, when one thing is developed and repeatedly practised, then it leads
to a supreme sense of urgency, to a supreme advantage, to a supreme ceasing
of bondage, to a supreme full awareness and clear comprehension, to winning
knowledge and vision, to a happy life here and now, to realization of the fruit
of clear vision and releasing deliverance. What is that one unique thing?
It is awareness occupied with the body! Bhikkhus, those who get full taste of
body awareness, also get a taste of the deathless! While those who neglect all
practice of body awareness, cannot ever taste of the deathless! (AN I 43+45)

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A beautiful and attractive self? Something worth clinging to?

The bhikkhu devoted to body awareness is a conquers both boredom and delight,
and boredom does not overcome him! He dwells transcending boredom as it arises.
He is a conqueror of fear and dread, and fear and dread do not conquer him, since
he dwells transcending fear and dread, just as they arise. He is one who tolerates
cold and heat... who endures any adversity ... arisen bodily feelings that are painful
... even life threatening! He becomes an obtainer of the four jhanas based on the
form and colour aspect of the head hairs, nails, teeth, skin, organs, or bones etc.
He comes to penetrate the six kinds of direct-knowledge.

So let a man, if he is wise,
Untiringly devote his days
To mindfulness of body, which
Rewards him in so many ways.

More on this extremely beneficial body awareness praxis:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Foul_Frame.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Bag_of_Bones.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Skeleton.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_32_Parts.htm

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Body Awareness..

Regarding of the Body rightly induces all Advantages!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Body_Awareness.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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Hello: Meeting the locals ;-)

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Friendship is Most Advantageous!

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Hello: Meeting the locals ;-)

Buddha once explained the Advantages of Friendship (Mittanisamsa):
He who maintains genuine friendship, never betraying anybody, will always
whenever he goes far out of his home, receive abundance of hospitality.
Many will obtain their benefit through him.

He who nurtures genuine friendship will be honoured in whatever country,
village, town, house, group or family he visits.

He who perpetuates genuine friendship will triumph over all his enemies.
Robbers cannot overpower him. Royalty will not look down upon him.

He who continues genuine friendship, returns home with feeling of amity,
rejoices in the crowds of people, and becomes the chief among his kinsmen.

He who keeps up genuine friendship, being hospitable to all others, in turn,
receives hospitality. Being respectful to others, in turn, receives respect.
He enjoys both praise and fame.

He who sustains genuine friendship, a generous giver, receives gifts himself.
Worshipping the worthy, will himself be worshipped gaining prosperity & fame.

He who upholds genuine friendship, shines gloriously like fire, radiant like
a deity. Prosperity and good fortune will never forsake or leave him.

He who prolongs genuine friendship, will enjoy abundant wealth. What is
sown in his field will flourish. The fruit of that which is sown he enjoys.

He who carries on genuine friendship, should he fall from a precipice or
mountain or tree, he will be protected and will not be seriously harmed.

He who preserves genuine friendship cannot be overthrown by enemies even
as the deep-rooted banyan tree cannot be overthrown by the gust of wind.

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Source:
These ten gathas (stanzas) recounting the beneficial effects of friendship,
are found in the Mugapakkha (Temiya) Jataka, vol. vii. No. 538.
Translated by Ven. Piyadassi Thero kindly forwarded by Seelagawesi Thero.

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More on this mighty Friendliness (Metta) and Friendship:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Un ... diance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Al ... ndness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sy ... mpathy.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/IV/Bl ... odwill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Cosmic_Goodness.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Unbounded_Mind.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Goodness_Galore.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Loving-Kindness.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Hey_Friend.htm

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Most Advantageous is Friendship!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Adv ... ndship.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
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Feeding the Concentration ..

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Feeding the Concentration Link to Awakening!

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, just 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 also only exist in dependence on feeding
and they cannot remain without feeding... And what, bhikkhus, is the feeding
of the emergence of any yet unarisen concentration link to awakening and
also feeding of the completion by condensation of any arisen concentration
link to awakening? There are two signs: The sign of calm, serenity & silence
and the sign of non-distraction and non-scatter!
Frequently giving careful and rational attention to them, is feeding arising
of any yet unarisen concentration link to awakening & also feeding of the
gradual fulfillment of any already arisen concentration link to awakening...
And what, Bhikkhus, is the starving that obstructs all emergence of a yet
unarisen concentration link to awakening & which also hinders any already
arisen Concentration Link from reaching fulfillment by development?
The sign of calm serene silence & the sign of non-distraction & non-scatter!
Not giving frequent, careful and rational attention to them; not considering
them much and often; is the starving that prevents an unarisen concentration
link to awakening from arising & also blocks any already arisen concentration
link to awakening from reaching any complete fulfillment by mental training
and progressive development by meditation...

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Comments from the classical commentaries:
Focus is the characteristic of the concentration link to awakening
(Samadhi-Sambojjhanga). Ceasing of all distraction, disturbance, diversion,
agitation, mental instability and wavering is the purpose of the quality of
Concentration (Samadhi). Penetration is the manifestation of concentration.
This stability produces breakthrough to understanding! Some Concentration
is present in all consciousness. This focus can be trained by fixing attention.

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Further conditions helpful for the emergence of the concentration are:
1: Keeping own body, behaviour, belongings and surroundings fully clean...
2: Routine in recognizing the sign of calm and the sign of non-distraction...
3: Ballancing the abilities of energetic striving vs. concentration evenly...
4: Controlling, confining and restraining the mind, whenever necessary...
5: Pushing, prodding and exerting the mind, whenever needed...
6: Gladdening, encouraging and easing the mind, whenever suitable...
7: Looking on, just overseeing the mind in equanimity, when appropriate...
8: Avoiding unconcentrated, agitated, diffuse and scatter-minded people...
9: Friendship with concentrated people with experience in absorption...
10: Frequent reviewing of the absorptions (jhanas) and the liberations...
11: Commitment to focus mind into one-pointed absorbed concentration!
There is concentration while thinking and concentration without thinking!
Mental absorption (Jhana) is the higher being's exquisite state!

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On how to attain the Jhana absorptions:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Detai ... ptions.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Requi ... rption.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... bility.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_ ... ration.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/F ... ration.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/C ... amadhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... jhaana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Jh ... rption.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Samma-Samadhi.htm

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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

Steady Focus Fixes Attention...

Feeding Concentration!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/F ... ration.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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Aware and Settled..

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Acutely Aware is Aloof, Above, and at Ease!

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Once the Blessed One was staying at Vesali in Ambapali's grove.
There and then, he taught the Bhikkhus in this very way:
Bhikkhus a Noble Friend should remain: Aware and Settled!

And how does a Noble remain Aware?
In this: Such Noble Friend sees any Body as just a frame of materiality
- a mere transient physical form - thereby keeping any lust and rejection
arisen for and of this world under firm control. Aroused, composed, & alert.
Such Noble Friend sees any Feeling as just a reaction to sense contact
- a mere short-lived mental response - thereby keeping any desire & aversion
arisen for this world under firm control. Just eager, calm and clear.
Such Noble Friend sees any Mentality as just a passing set of moods
- a mere ever-changing complex habitual mental formation - thereby keeping
any craving and anger arisen from this world under firm control, by being
keen, balanced and attentive.
Such Noble Friend sees any phenomenon as just a fleeting experience
- a mere blinking appearance of a momentary mental state - thereby keeping
any attraction and repulsion arisen from this world under firm control by
remaining aloof, above, at ease while acutely aware. Thus is a Noble Aware...

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And how does a Noble remain Settled?
In this: When going out, & when returning such Friend is continuously
settled in awareness of exactly that relocation…
When looking forward, & when gazing backward such Noble Friend is
continuously settled in awareness of just exactly that seeing…
When bending a leg, & when stretching an arm such Noble Friend is
continuously settled in awareness of only exactly that movement…
When wearing a robe, & when bearing a bowl such Noble Friend is
continuously settled in awareness of exactly that presence...
When eating, when drinking, when chewing, when tasting, and
when swallowing such Noble Friend is continuously settled in
awareness of exactly that eating process…
When using the toilet, when walking, standing, sitting, lying, sleeping,
waking up, speaking, and when keeping silent such Noble Friend is
continuously settled in awareness of exactly that activity...
Thus is a Noble Settled...
A Bhikkhu should remain Aware and Settled, Bhikkhus.
This is our instruction to you.

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Comments.
Unfailing Continuity of clear Awareness is the crucial issue here!
That settled unfailing Awareness of all moments as they pass by mind
flickering in time, can disable and eliminate the otherwise domineering
autopilot and always pleasure-seeking monkey-mind!
Black-hole non-awareness should noted in these common daily situations:
"Oops where is my keys?", "Ach, I forgot my umbrella there... again!"

Illustrative Story:
A Zen monk once sought a teacher living in the mountains. When he
reached his hut, he quickly entered after leaving his sandals outside.
After his reverential bowing, but before he could make any request,
this teacher asked him:
"To which side of the door did you put your sandals outside?"
Stunned by the fact that he could not remember this trivial fact,
he realized just there on the very spot, that establishing unfailing
continuous awareness was an essential requirement, he yet had to
fulfill... He stayed therefore for years on this mountain with that
well seeing teacher to do exactly that!

Source:
Samyutta Nikaya - Kindred Sayings V
On the four foundations of Awareness.

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The Awareness Ability:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/C ... ension.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/F ... reness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ca ... ention.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/A ... antage.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... bility.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_ ... reness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Aw ... mposed.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sa ... ruddha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/A ... alysis.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/F ... reness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/O ... ly_Way.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/C ... dation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Wi ... reness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/N ... reness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/A ... s_Sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Cl ... esence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sa ... litude.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Sati_Summary.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sati_Acute.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Sati_Studies.htm

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Have a nice & noble day!

Aware and Settled!

Oops where did I put my keys?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Aw ... ettled.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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Rare Emergence...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Exceptionally Rare is the arising of the Links to Awakening!

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, the exquisitely refined & sophisticated 7 Links to Awakening do
never arise apart from the appearance of a Well-Come-Well-Gone One,
an Arahat, a Perfectly Self-Enlightened Buddha! They never emerge outside
the discipline of a thus Happy & Successful One! Which seven?

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.

These uniquely advanced, delicate & intricate Seven Factors of Awakening
do never emerge other than after the arrival of a Tathagata, an Arahat,
a Perfectly Self-Enlightened Buddha! They never emerge outside the
discipline of a Fortunate One!

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On the 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/R ... rgence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/S ... _Seven.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/V ... ration.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... Fruits.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/U ... _Seven.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/W ... mes_14.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_7 ... kening.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/L ... enment.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... kening.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... Vision.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... kening.htm

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Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V: 77] section 46: The Links. 9+10: Arising...

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Have a nice & noble day!

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

Rare Emergence...

The 7 Links to Awakening do rarely arise!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/R ... rgence.htm
Image

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:

Compassion cures Cruelty!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Compassionate Pity cures all bitter Cruelty:

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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

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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/Gr ... assion.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/S ... assion.htm

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What is the proximate cause of Pity?
The proximate cause of Compassionate Pity (Karuna), which induces this
fine mental state, is seeing, knowing and understanding the HELPLESSNESS
of most beings, since they do the wrong that cause their misery influenced
by ignorance, which blind and obstruct their understanding of right & wrong,
and influenced by greed, lust and desire, which bind and drag them despite
their struggles, and influenced by hate, aversion and opposition, which push
and burn them from inside. Out of self-control they are thus bound to commit
wrong repeatedly and thus later experience the resulting downfall!

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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/Com ... e_Pity.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:

The 7 invisible Diamonds!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

There are Seven Advantageous Mental Qualities:

What are these 7 invisible Diamonds!?
The Faith of conviction.
The Shame of conscience.
The Fear of wrongdoing.
The Learning of intelligence.
The Awareness of mindfulness.
The Understanding of wisdom.


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Enabling details here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Faith_Summary.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... ttappa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Be ... ection.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/A ... s_Sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Wh ... ogress.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Under ... _Chief.htm

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Sources:
The Exhaustive Speeches by the Buddha. Digha Nikaya III 252
The Moderated Speeches of the Buddha. Majjhima Nikaya I 356

Have a nice enabling day!

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

Mental quality far exceeds any material fancy!

The 7 invisible Diamonds!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/The_S ... amonds.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

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