Daily Dhamma Drops from Ceylon!

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
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Bhikkhu_Samahita
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Sad is Sorrow!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Sad Sorrow consumes the Dejected Mind!

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Sorrow and sadness is a burning of mind associated with loss of relatives,
loss of job, social position, lover, spouse, and whatever favoured belonging.
Where grief oppresses mind, sorrow has inner consuming as characteristic.
Its function is to consume the mind completely, as if eating it up from inside.
It is manifested as a constant gloomy sadness of a deprived depressed mind.
It is suffering, because it is an intrinsic mental torment, where the mind
with this melancholic state as its basis & source tortures itself even more!

This sadness is part & parcel of the The 1st Noble Truth on Suffering:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... fering.htm

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Sorrow is like a poisoned dart!
That penetrates a being's heart;
Setting up a consuming burning there,
Like burning with a red-glowing spear;
This state of mind brings future pain:
Such as disease, and then ever again:
Ageing and death, so one may thus tell
Wherefore it is called pain as well...


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Sorrow is as all other suffering an inevitable effect of craving and clinging...
Irreversible elimination of all craving and clinging therefore cures all sorrow!

On this basic existential fact of Suffering (Dukkha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Source_of_What.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Wh ... fering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Or ... fering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta ... .196.1.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... dukkha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ce ... fering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Su ... tution.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ca ... y_View.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Co ... fering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... fering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Co ... ring_2.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/St ... ration.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The ... Dukkha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... fering.htm

Sad is Sorrow!

Sadness is part and parcel of the The 1st Noble Truth on Suffering...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Sad_Sorrow.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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Contemplating the Qualities of the Buddha!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The 10 Contemplations are Daily Buddhist Routine!

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus & friends: There is one contemplation which when often practised
and much developed leads to the complete turning away from the world, to
detachment, to stilling, to ceasing, to peace, to final penetrating knowledge,
to Enlightenment, and thus to Nibbana...
Any Noble Disciple who by progress have understood the true Dhamma dwells
frequently in this state. Which is that one contemplation? It is reflecting over
the qualities of the Buddha exactly like this:
Worthy, honourable & perfectly self-Enlightened is the Buddha! Consummated
in knowledge and behaviour, totally transcended, expert in all dimensions,
knower of all worlds, unsurpassable trainer of those who can be tamed,
both teacher & guide of gods as well as of humans, blessed, exalted, awakened,
and perfectly enlightened is the Buddha! Source: Anguttara Nikaya 1:16.1 + 6:10

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More on the phenomenon of a perfectly self-enlightened Buddha:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... mbodhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ho ... tteyya.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... uddhas.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Bu ... lation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... tteyya.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Su ... imiles.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/Met ... imet00.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_Blessed_One.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Master_Presence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Life_of_Buddha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/SammaSambuddho.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/b/buddha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Well_Gone.htm

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More on the Deathless Dimension: Nibbana:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Nibbana_Still.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_2_Nibbanas.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... ension.htm

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The Perfectly Self-Enlightened One...

Contemplating the Qualities of the Buddha!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Bu ... lation.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
Location: Ceylon
Contact:

Visible right here and now!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The 10 Contemplations are Daily Buddhist Routine!

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus & friends: There is one contemplation, which when often practised
and developed leads to the complete turning away from the world, to detachment,
to stilling, to ceasing, to Peace, to final penetrating knowledge, to Enlightenment,
and thus to Nibbana... Any Noble Disciple who by progress has understood the
Dhamma dwells frequently in this state. Which is that one contemplation?
It is reflecting over the qualities of the Dhamma exactly like this: "Perfectly
formulated is this Buddha-Dhamma, visible right here & now, immediately effective,
timeless, inviting each & everyone to come and see for themselves, inspect, examine
and verify. Leading each & everyone through progress towards perfection. Directly
observable, experiencable and realizable by each intelligence...
Source: Anguttara Nikaya 1:16.1 + 6:10     

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More on the Deathless Dimension & the Law: Nibbana & Dhamma:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Nibbana_Still.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_2_Nibbanas.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... ension.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... dhamma.htm

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Visible right here and now!

Contemplating the Qualities of the Dhamma!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Dh ... lation.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 Noble Disciple Community....

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The Ten Contemplations is Daily Routine!

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus & friends: There is one contemplation which when often
practised and developed leads to the complete turning away from
the world, to detachment, to stilling, to ceasing, to Peace, to final
penetrating knowledge, to Enlightenment, and thus to Nibbana...
Any Noble Disciple who by progress have understood the Dhamma
dwells frequently in this state. Which is that one contemplation?
It is reflecting over the qualities of the Noble Sangha like this:
"Perfectly training is this Noble Sangha community of the Buddha's
Noble Disciples. Training the right way, the true way, the good way,
the direct way! Therefore do these eight kinds of individuals, these
four Noble pairs, deserve both gifts, self-sacrifice, offerings, much
hospitality and reverential salutation with joined palms, since this
Noble Sangha community of the Buddha's Noble disciples, is indeed
an unsurpassable & forever unsurpassed field of merit, in this world,
for this world, to honour, support, uphold, respect and protect..."
Source: AN 1:16.3 + 6:10

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Higher Education just of Another Kind - details inside...    

More on the Three Jewels (Ti-Ratana) and Nobility (Ariya):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/b/buddha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Three_Jewels.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... sangha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... ratana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... uggala.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Peace.htm

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Remembering this Sangha Community of Disciples:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sangha
http://www.dhammawiki.com/index.php?title=Sangha
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Lay_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Divine_Refuge.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Three_Jewels.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Saddhamma_Sangha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... sangha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Refu ... ecepts.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sa ... lation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... sarana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Fullm ... ce_Day.htm

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The Noble Community....

Contemplating the Qualities of the Sangha!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sa ... lation.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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Patience is the Highest Praxis!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Patience is the 6th Perfection:

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

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He who patiently protects himself, protects also all other beings!
He who patiently protects all other beings, protects also himself!

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

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

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The innocent one, who has done nothing wrong,
Who endures abuse, flogging and even imprisonment,
Such one, armed with stamina, the great force of tolerance,
Such stoic one, who self-possessed can accept, I call a Holy One!
Dhammapada 399

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

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

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

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

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

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Have a nice, noble & patient day!

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

Very Advantageous is Patience, Tolerance & Endurance!

Patience is the Highest Praxis!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Patie ... erance.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:

Anger is Danger!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

How to pacify Anger and Irritation?

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
There are, Bhikkhus and Friends, five methods to quell Hate and Anger.
Which are these?

Towards any person against whom hatred and anger have arisen,
1: One should quickly direct mind to, cultivate and develop:
All-embracing, gentle and kind friendliness towards that person... or
2: One should quickly direct mind to, cultivate and develop:
compassion and pity ... mutual joy and ... indifferent equanimity ... or
3: One should avoid and not pay that person any attention at all ... or
4: One should remind oneself of the law of ownership of kamma or
5: One should know that this person too is the owner and inheritor of his
own actions, that he is born and created by them, that his actions are his
future foundation, and that he will have both his good and bad actions
as his inevitable future... In these 5 ways one may overcome hate and anger...

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More on how to overcome Hate, Anger, Irritation, and their evil derivatives:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Slaying_Anger.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/An ... tation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_E ... _Anger.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ho ... tation.htm

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Source (edited extract):
Numerical Discourses of the Buddha. Anguttara Nikaya AN 5:161

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Have a nice & noble day!

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

Anger is Danger!

How to tranquilize anger & irritation?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/A ... _Anger.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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Disentangling the Knot...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Disentangling both the inner and the outer Knot:

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

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

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

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On Detachment:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Fi ... reedom.htm

Disentangling the Knot...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Disentangling.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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The Power of Insight!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The Power of Insight Purifies any Mind!

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In what sense is insight a power?
Understanding impermanence, it is not disappointed by expecting endurance!
Knowing suffering, it is not excited, even when experiencing sense pleasure!
Comprehending no-self, it is not deceived by an apparent, yet imaginary ego!
Apprehending disgust, it is not obsessed by the delight of the adored object.
Appreciating disillusion, it does not get addicted, when influenced by greed..
Recognizing ceasing as peace, it does not get hooked on any form of arising..
Realizing relinquishment, it is not perturbed by any panic induced by clinging!
Insight does neither waver, nor vacillate, nor hesitate, as if in ignorance...
Nor is it indecisive, as if in doubt or uncertainty. Thus is insight a Power...!!!
Vism 703

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More on Insight (Vipassana):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Br ... nsight.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... sights.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... ssanaa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Hi ... ibbana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Cat ... _Snake.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ca ... nsight.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/In ... y_Life.htm

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The Power of Insight!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The ... nsight.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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Just a Bag of Bones!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Any body is a Dying Bag of Bones!

All formations, all constructions, mental as physical, are truly transient...
It is their nature to arise and cease right there, where they arised...
Having arisen these captivating discrete mental states instantly pass away!
The calming, stilling & ceasing of these momentary appearances is happiness.
Therefore: Even in the present every being dies millions of times per second!
So also will they die in any possible future. So have they always died...
In the same way then: I shall surely die! There is no doubt in me about this.
Uncertain is life, but certain is death. I shall surely die. Death will be the
termination of my life. Life is very insecure, but death is sure, death is sure!
Not long, alas! and this my beloved puppet-like body will lie upon the earth!
Rejected, void of consciousness, disgusting, and as useless as a rotten log...
This very body, from the soles of the feet up to the the crown of the head,
is a just a bag of bones surrounded by skin, full of various mean impurities:
Hair of the head, hair of the body, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, sinews, bones,
marrow, kidneys, heart, liver, membranes, spleen, lungs, bowel, intestines,
slime, excrement, brain, bile, lymph, pus, blood, sweat, fat, tears, tallow,
spit, snot, joint-fluid, and foul urine...
Just a bag of bones, flesh and skin — skin, flesh and bones... A rotten log...

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Comments:
Keeping this precious and very realistic imagery in mind, will then gradually
reduce and weaken these violent lusts, voracious greeds and uncontrollable
wanton desires, that attract beings into self-destructive forms of suffering
such as: Porno-mania, pedophilia, HIV-transmitting sexuality, over-eating,
abuse of drugs, alcohol, and pills, all addictions to the manifold and diverse
forms, feelings, perceptions, mental constructions and variants of (doped)
consciousness... All this - though fascinating - remains just an ensnaring and
enthralling Suffering (Dukkha), disguised as pleasure and satisfaction....

More on this Buddhist ultra-realism regarding the Death of the Body:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Death.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_Thorn.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Foul_Frame.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Game_Over.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_32_Parts.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ev ... g_body.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Bo ... lation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/De ... lation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/In ... he_End.htm

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JUST A FORM OF FRAME
This body is always worn out, a fragile form, a nest of disease,
a rotting mass of deception, since its life surely and always
ends in Decay and Death ...
Dhammapada 148

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A BAG OF BONES
Like withered leaves scattered by the autumn wind
are these pale and whitened bones. What happiness
can there ever be in them?
Dhammapada 149

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MY PRECIOUS AND ADORED BODY!
It is a bag held up by bones, plastered with skin,
full of blood and flesh. In it lives only ageing, sickness,
death, pride and petty self-deceit...
Dhammapada 150

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

Have a nice & noble day!

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

Just a Bag of Bones!
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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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Escaping the ant-in-the-honey-pot

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The Layman's Way to Happiness:

By Prof. Lily de Silva, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

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Life in the modern age has become particularly trying and problematic.
Though it remains a fact that the standard of living has generally improved,
man is still suffering immensely under the weight of present-day living.
The physical condition of man has been reduced to such a pathetic level that
he succumbs to untimely death by killer diseases such as cancer, heart failure,
diabetes, etc. to an unprecedented degree. Mentally, he is so tension-ridden
that he has forgotten the art of relaxing, and he cannot even enjoy sound
sleep without the aid of tranquilizers. In this set up interpersonal relations
have become so brittle and vulnerable that the divorce rate has indeed become
alarmingly high, thus letting loose a whole series of other social problems such
as uncared-for children, juvenile delinquency, suicide, etc. Thus life has become
a problematic burden and a solution to make life more tolerable and enjoyable
is a great and pressing need.

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As the word of the Buddha is of everlasting value and universal applicability,
and as the Buddha preached not only to monks and nuns but also to the lay
public as well, it is useful to find a teaching of the Buddha which is relevant
to our present-day problems:
In the Pattakammavagga of the Anguttara Nikaya (A II, 69) the Buddha
preached a sutta to Anathapindika on the fourfold pleasures of a layman.
It is our considered opinion that this sutta offers adequate insight to meet
the demands of the present-day problems as well. The four types of pleasure
listed there are:
1: Atthisukha, the pleasure of having material wealth;
2: Bhogasukha, the pleasure of enjoying material wealth;
3: Ananasukha, the pleasure of being debtless; and
4: Anavajjaskha, the pleasure of being blameless.
Let us take these for discussion one by one and see how these four sources
of pleasure can be harnessed for living a happy life in the present-day world.

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Atthisukha — Man should not only have a righteous means of living, avoiding
blameworthy trades such as dealing in meat, liquor, poison, firearms & slavery,
he should also entertain a wholesome attitude towards his right occupation.
For instance, if a doctor welcomes epidemics in the locality in order to make
much money, or a trader hopes for natural calamities to send market prices up,
the money earned by such unscrupulous individuals is not righteous money as
their intentions are impure and foul. Also one should not deceive or exploit
others in carrying out one's occupation. Exerting oneself with great energy,
one should earn one's living, and such hard-earned wealth is called righteous
wealth (dhammika dhammaladdha). Again one could have great wealth, but if
one does not experience a sense of contentment with what one has, one cannot
really enjoy atthisukha or the pleasure of having. The amassing of wealth of
such a person is like trying to fill a bottomless vessel. This is one of the widely
spread maladies we see in the present-day society. Inordinate expansion of
wealth becomes a source not of happiness, but of greed, anxiety, and envy.
Such wealth exposes the possessor to the jealousies and manoeuvres of other
unscrupulous individuals, hence the occurrence of blackmailing and kidnapping
from time to time. But if one does have a correct means of earning one's living
and the correct attitude to wealth, one can escape many of the hazards which
money brings in its wake to modern man...

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Bhogasukha — Wealth has only instrumental value and the proper enjoyment
of wealth is an art which is worth carefully cultivating. Buddhism deplores both
extravagance and miserly hoarding. One must maintain a healthy balanced
standard of living according to one's means. If, in the enjoyment of wealth,
one overindulges in sense pleasures, one is bound to run into health hazards in
a very short time. If, for instance, one overindulges in food just because one
can afford it, one will soon be overcome by diseases such as heart failure, high
blood pressure and diabetes. Such a one will be faced with the situation of
"cutting his neck with his own tongue." Moderation in food is a virtue praised
in Buddhism and it is a health-promoting habit. Often in the name of enjoying
wealth, man cultivates unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking.
It is paradoxical that man, who actually loves himself most, should act as if
he were his own worst enemy by indulging in habits which ultimately reduce
him to a physical wreck. It is medically established that smoking causes the
highest percentage of lung cancer, and that drinking causes irreparable damage
to vital organs of the body including brain and liver. If only one pauses to just
ponder over one's own welfare, and if only one entertains at least some degree
of compassion towards oneself, one would not get into the clutches of these
vicious habits. Wealthy men often end up in the pitiful plight of the ant fallen
in the pot of honey. Such men did not know the art of enjoying bhogasukha.
The regard the body as an instrument for pleasure, and they wear out and
debilitate the body's capacity for enjoyment in double quick time, long before
the natural process of wear and tear sets in. If we love ourselves, we have to
treat our bodies with proper care without taxing it with overindulgence and
deprivation. It is with the body that we can enjoy not only the pleasures of
the senses, but even the spiritual bliss of Nibbana. Another aspect of the joy
of wealth is the art of sharing. Without being an Adinnapubbaka, a miserly
"never-giver," if one learns to share one's riches with those worthy, the less
fortunate and have-nots, one will have the noble experience of rejoicing at
the joy of another. At the same time one will learn the love and good will of
others, instead of becoming the target of envy, jealousy and intrigue.

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Ananasukha — The pleasure of being debtless is the third quality discussed
in our sutta. Economically if one can be completely free of debt, one is indeed
a very fortunate person. To be really debtless in society one has to discharge
one's obligations scrupulously. As a wage earner one has to discharge one's
duties for which one is paid, otherwise one can be indebted to the employer.
As a parent one has to fulfill one's obligations to one's children. In our society
children are taught to worship and look after their parents, and it is well to
bear in mind that parents too have to qualify themselves for the honour they
receive by being dutiful parents. It should be emphasized that fathers who
neglect their families as a result of their addiction to vices such as drinking
and gambling fall far short of the ideal of debtlessness. One can have the
satisfaction of being debtless only if one has fulfilled one's obligations in all
social roles one has to perform.

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Anavajjasukha — The satisfaction of leading a blameless life is the highest
form of satisfaction that a layman can have. Every society has a code of
ethics to be followed by its members. According to Buddhism the minimum
code of ethics regulating the life of its adherent disciples is the pañcasila:
the Five Precepts. If one practices these virtues, one can have the satisfaction
of leading a righteous life to a great extent. Refraining from doing to others
what one does not like others to do to oneself, is the basic inviolable principle
underlying these virtues. Buddhism speaks of hiri and ottappa, the sense of
shame and the fear of doing wrong, as deva dhamma or celestial qualities.
These are the basic qualities which separate man from the animal kingdom.
Unlike the animals man has a conscience, which makes him squeamish about
doing wrong... Buddhism recognizes blameless mental activity as well.
Mental activities which arise from greed, hatred & ignorance are detrimental
and thus blameworthy. Let us see how such mental behaviour causes unhappiness.
Take for instance the case of a person who is angry. What are the symptoms
of anger? Hard breathing, accelerated heart beat, faster circulation of blood,
feeling hot, sweating, trepidation, restlessness, etc. — these are the physical
manifestations of anger. These are certainly not pleasant physical experiences.
Each time the cause of anger is remembered, even though the rage of physical
manifestations of anger may not be that marked, one feels quite restless and
mentally ill at ease. We use expressions such as "boiling with anger," "I got the
devil on to me," etc. to mean getting angry, and these sayings are literally
expressive of the situation. It is impossible for one to be angry and happy at
the same time. An irritable person is truly a very sad person, and what is worse
he infects others around him too with the same sadness. The cultivation of
sublime modes of behaviour such as loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic
joy and equanimity are truly conducive to happy living. Those who live with
such attitudes habitually are pleasant and amicable people, who can be happy
when all alone, as well as in any company.

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If we truly understand the sound significance of these 4 kinds of happiness
elucidated in our sutta, and translate them into action, then our life will be
much more pleasant, easy and happy even in this modern age.

Kindly shared by Ven. Vicittalankara, Mumbai, India.

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Full Source text: AN 4.62 PTS: A ii 69 Anana Sutta: Debtless
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

More on this Happiness, pleasure, bliss (Sukha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Happy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Samana-Sukha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Buddha_on_Bliss.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Me ... dicine.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Un ... d_Yeah.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... /sukha.htm

With neither Debt, nor Regret...

The Layman's Happiness!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The ... piness.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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We are 1 Biig Family!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Kinship with All: Be Gentle and Kind towards your Family!

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
It is not easy, Bhikkhus & Friends, to find even a single living being that
during this immensely long round of rebirths has not at least 10 times
been your mother, father, brother, sister, son, or daughter!
How is this possible? Inconceivable, Bhikkhus and Friends, is the beginning
of this Samsaric round; not to be discovered is the ultimate first beginning
of individual beings who, blinded by ignorance and all obsessed by craving,
are hurrying and hastening through this round of rebirths!
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book SN 15:14-19

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On Samsara: The Dreadful Round:
Long is Samsara for the simpleton, who does not know the Dhamma.
Long is the night for one, who keeps awake.
Long is the mile for one, who is tired.
Long is the rebirth round for one, who is unaware of the true Dhamma.
Dhammapada 60

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On Samsara:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... msaara.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Samsara.htm

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Please enjoy study here for details on Rebirth:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Rare_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Divine_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Animal_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Endless_Round.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Samsaric_Dread.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... _Hells.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/O ... Family.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... estiny.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Fi ... ations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... ations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ka ... ebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... _Round.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ma ... ebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Hu ... ebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Hu ... ebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/W ... inking.htm

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Have a nice & noble day!

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

We are 1 Biig Family!

Samasa entails Kinship with All Beings. :-)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/O ... Family.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 Art of Absorption!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The 10 Tricks in the Art of Jhãna Concentration:

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1: Making the basis pure: Means clean body, clean room and clean morality.
2: Balanced abilities = Energy equals concentration. Faith equals understanding.
3: Skill in the sign: Any moment of absorption is remembered exactly for recollection.
4: One exerts the mind on all occasions, it advantageously should be pushed forth.
5: One controls the mind on all occasions, it advantageously should be held back.
6: One encourages mind on occasions it advantageously should be incited and cheered.
7: One observes the mind with calm equanimity, when things proceed appropriately.
8: One avoids all distracted, agitated, frantic, unconcentrated, and stressed persons.
9: One cultivates company with well focused, determined and concentrated persons.
10: One is resolutely determined upon that absorption level of jhana concentration.

Vism I 128.

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More on this penetrating and thrilling absorption Concentration (Samadhi):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Samma-Samadhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Jh ... rption.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/drops/II/Jo ... _World.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_ ... ration.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... bility.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Requi ... rption.htm

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The Art of Absorption!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Art ... rption.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:

Calm is Comfort...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Contentment is the most supreme Treasure!

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The Blessed Buddha often noted contentment as the highest treasure:
There is the case where a Bhikkhu is quite content with whatever old robe,
quite content with whatever old almsfood, quite content with whatever hut,
and quite content with whatever bitter medicine for curing sickness.
This Dhamma is for one who is content, not for one who is discontent!
Thus was it said. And with reference to exactly this salient contentment
with whatever little one has, was this simple, serene modesty well spoken...
AN VIII 30

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Contentment with whatever little one has!

And how is a Bhikkhu content?
Just as a bird, wherever it goes, flies with its wings as its only burden,
even so is he content with a single set of robes to protect his body and
begged almsfood to pacify his hunger. Wherever he goes, he takes only
these few simple necessities as robes, belt, bowl and razor along with him.
This is how a Bhikkhu is content...
DN 2

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There is the case where a Bhikkhu is content with whatever old robe at all,
with whatever old almsfood at all, with whatever old hut at all. He speaks in
praise of being content with any old requisite at all. He does not, for the sake
of any requisite, do anything unsuitable or inappropriate. When not getting any
requisites, he is not troubled. When getting requisites, he just uses it without
being attached to it. He is not obsessed, blameless, and seeing the drawbacks
and dangers of possessions, he realizes the escape from them. He does not,
on account of his contentment with any old requisite at all, exalt himself or
disparage others. Thus is he modest, clever, energetic, alert, & acutely aware!
This, Bhikkhus, is called a Bhikkhu standing quite firm in the ancient, original
lineage of the Noble Ones... AN IV 28

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Good are friends, when need arises.
Good is contentment with just what one has.
Good is merit done well, when life is at the end.
Good is the elimination of all Suffering!
Dhammapada 331

Solitude is happiness for one who is content,
who has heard the Dhamma and clearly understands.
Harmlessness is happiness in all worlds!
Harmlessness towards all breathing beings.
Udana 10

Therefore be capable, upright, and straight,
easy to instruct, gentle, and not proud,
content and easy to support with little,
with few duties, living simple and light,
with peaceful abilities, mastering all,
modest, and with no greed for support.
Do not do even a minor thing that the
wise and noble would later criticize.
Sutta Nipata I, 8

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More on Contentment (santutthi), which is caused by rejoicing mutual joy:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ca ... ontent.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoi ... Mudita.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ca ... ntment.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... _vamsa.htm

Have a nice & noble day!

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

Contentment is the Highest Treasure!!

Cool Calm Comfort...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Contentment.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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Contact:

The Same insane Rebirth repeat...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

One can Escape the Suffering of Samsara!

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
Inconceivable is the beginning of this Samsara; not to be discovered is
any first beginning of beings, who, blinded by ignorance and ensnared
by craving, are hurrying, and hastening through this round of rebirths...
Source: (edited excerpt) SN 3:35

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Some Comments:
Samsara is the crushing wheel of existence, which literally is meaning
'perpetual wandering': A sea of life & death ever restlessly heaving up
& down, the symbol of this never-ending process of ever again & again
being born, growing old, becoming weak & sick, suffering, and dying...
More precisely put: Samsara is the unbroken sequence of re-arisings of
combinations of the momentary events of the 5-fold cluster of clinging,
which constantly changing from moment to moment, follow continually
one upon the other, through inconceivable periods of time. A single life
constitutes only a tiny microscopic fraction of these trillions of eons...
In order to comprehend the 1st noble truth, one must therefore gaze
long and contemplate upon this Samsara, upon this frightful sequence
of ever rebirth mostly in lower painful forms, and not merely upon one
single lifetime, which may sometimes not seem very painful until aged...
The term Suffering: Dukkha in the first noble truth therefore refers
not only to painful bodily & mental feelings, caused now by displeasing
contacts & impressions, but it comprises in addition every thing creating
suffering or which is liable to produce it later... The truth of Suffering
teaches that, owing to the universal law of impermanence, even high and
sublime states of happiness are subject to change and destruction, and
that all states of existence therefore ultimately are unsatisfactory...
Without exception they all carry in themselves the seeds of suffering!
'Du' means bad. 'Kha' means state. Dukkha thus means 'Bad State'...
Samsara is a Bad State of Suffering. Nibbana is a Good State of Peace!

Video illustrating life among humans, in heaven and in hell:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QDBHCxvX-Q
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For details on this Round of Rebirths: Samsara see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Samsara.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Endless_Round.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... msaara.htm

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

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Same, but not sane, rebirth repeat...

Samsara is an endless Time-Ocean of Suffering!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... _Round.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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What is Right Motivation?

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

What is this vital Right Motivation?

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The Noble 8-fold Way, leading to Nibbana, is simply this:
Right View
Right Motivation
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Awareness
Right Concentration
But what is Right Motivation?


Right Motivation is Triple:

1: The Motivation for Withdrawal:
Being motivated by a general absence of greed, craving, and desire!
Being motivated by generous giving relinquishing all possessiveness.
Being motivated by detachment from the five sense-desires of urge
for alluring and tempting sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touches...
Being motivated by cutting attachment to the 5 clusters of clinging
to forms, feelings, perceptions, constructions and consciousness...
Such radical renunciation is Right Motivation!

2: The Motivation for Non-Ill-Will = Friendly Goodwill:
Being motivated by universal friendliness, infinite goodwill, care,
non-anger, hatelessness and a sympathy wishing and working for all
sentient being's happiness, content, comfort, benefit and welfare...
Such gentle kindness is Right Motivation!

3: The Motivation for Non-Violence = Harmlessness:
Being motivated by absolute non-violence, absence of cruelty, and by
compassionate pity, thereby offering all sentient beings guaranteed
safety and protection from any evil, painful, bad or wrong treatment...
Such giving of protective fearlessness to all is Right Motivation!

The opposites of these advantageous intentions are Wrong Motivation...

http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Pics/buddhists_praying.jpg

More on Right Motivation (Samma-Sankappa):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Sin ... vation.htm

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Further study:
Majjhima Nikaya 117. Maha-cattarisaka Sutta: The Discourse on The Great Forty:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/su ... mn117.html

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Right Motivation!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_ ... vation.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

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