What is the last thing to let go?

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
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Dhammanando
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Re: What is the last thing to let go?

Post by Dhammanando »

SarathW wrote:What is let go?
What is the Pali word for let go?
In the Suttas paṭinissagga and its synonym vossagga are the words that usually get translated ‘relinquishment’, ‘letting go’ and suchlike. What is relinquished is appropriation (ādāna) which is a term for taṇhā and upādāna.

  • In what sense is vipassanā a power?

    Through contemplation of impermanence vipassanā is unshakable by perception of permanence, thus vipassanā is a power.

    Through contemplation of pain it is unshakable by perception of pleasure, thus vipassanā is a power.

    Through contemplation of not-self it is unshakable by perception of self, thus vipassanā is a power.

    Through contemplation of dispassion it is unshakable by delight, thus vipassanā is a power.

    Through contemplation of fading away it is unshakable by greed, thus vipassanā is a power.

    Through contemplation of cessation it is unshakable by arising, thus vipassanā is a power.

    Through contemplation of relinquishment (paṭinissaggānupassanā) it is unshakable by appropriation (ādāna), thus vipassanā is a power.

    It is unshakable, immovable and cannot be shifted by ignorance and by the defilements and aggregates that accompany ignorance, thus vipassanā is a power. This is vipassanā as a power.
    (Paṭisambhidāmagga 99)
Rūpehi bhikkhave arūpā santatarā.
Arūpehi nirodho santataro ti.


“Bhikkhus, the formless is more peaceful than the form realms.
Cessation is more peaceful than the formless realms.”
(Santatarasutta, Iti 73)
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Dhammanando
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Re: What is the last thing to let go?

Post by Dhammanando »

Dhammanando wrote:In the Suttas paṭinissagga and its synonym vossagga are the words that usually get translated ‘relinquishment’, ‘letting go’ and suchlike.
The corresponding verbs are vossajjati and paṭinissajjati.

  • Etamādīnavaṃ ñatvā, dukkhaṃ ārambhapaccayā,
    Sabbārambhaṃ paṭinissajja, anārambhe vimuttino.

    Ucchinnabhavataṇhassa, santacittassa bhikkhuno,
    Vitiṇṇo jātisaṃsāro, natthi tassa punabbhavo ti.


    "Knowing this peril, that 'Misery is because of exertion', giving up all exertion, for a bhikkhu who is released in non-exertion, whose craving for existence has been cut off, with calmed mind, the journeying on in [repeated] births has been crossed over. There is no renewed existence for him."
    — Dvayatānupassanāsutta, Sn. 745-6 (Norman tr.)
Rūpehi bhikkhave arūpā santatarā.
Arūpehi nirodho santataro ti.


“Bhikkhus, the formless is more peaceful than the form realms.
Cessation is more peaceful than the formless realms.”
(Santatarasutta, Iti 73)
dhammarelax
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Re: What is the last thing to let go?

Post by dhammarelax »

SarathW wrote:I am just think in term of six senses and ten fetters. Is there something you let go last? Say I let go my eye, ear, tongue etc consciousness.
I think all this is not me, mine myself in terms of mental formations and body.

But "I" still see "I" am sitting here and writing this post.

So how can "I" let go everything and dive into Nirvana? :)
Before Nibanna you get in to cessation to know the order read the Shorter series of answers in the MN.
Even if the flesh & blood in my body dry up, leaving just the skin, tendons, & bones, I will use all my human firmness, human persistence and human striving. There will be no relaxing my persistence until I am the first of my generation to attain full awakening in this lifetime. ed. AN 2.5
Lombardi4
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Re: What is the last thing to let go?

Post by Lombardi4 »

Bhante, can we add nekkhamma to the list as possible translations of "letting go?"
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Dhammanando
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Re: What is the last thing to let go?

Post by Dhammanando »

Upasaka Sumana wrote:Bhante, can we add nekkhamma to the list as possible translations of "letting go?"
Yes. Paṭinissagga is the broad term and then nekkhamma is a more specialised one. Nekkhamma is paṭinissagga with respect to desire for sense-pleasures.
Rūpehi bhikkhave arūpā santatarā.
Arūpehi nirodho santataro ti.


“Bhikkhus, the formless is more peaceful than the form realms.
Cessation is more peaceful than the formless realms.”
(Santatarasutta, Iti 73)
Lombardi4
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Re: What is the last thing to let go?

Post by Lombardi4 »

Thank you, Bhante. Are craving and letting go exact opposites? In other words, if we had to find an antonym for craving (in Buddhist terms) it would be 'letting go'? Renunciation seems another alternative. I'm just wondering what word (in English) is the exact opposite of craving.
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Dhammanando
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Re: What is the last thing to let go?

Post by Dhammanando »

Upasaka Sumana wrote:Thank you, Bhante. Are craving and letting go exact opposites? In other words, if we had to find an antonym for craving (in Buddhist terms) it would be 'letting go'? Renunciation seems another alternative. I'm just wondering what word (in English) is the exact opposite of craving.
The usual oppositions are:

Nekkhamma(-vitakka) vs. kāma(-vitakka).
(Thoughts of) renunciation vs. (thoughts of) sensual desire.

Paṭinissagga/vossagga vs. ādāna (= taṇhā + upādāna)
Relinquishing vs. appropriation (= craving + grasping)

Taṇhā vs. nibbāna
Craving vs. blowing out.

or:

Taṇhā vs. alobha
Craving vs. non-attachment

Alobha and Nibbāna might both be said to be "the exact opposite of craving", but in different senses. Alobha is the wholesome root that's directly opposed to the unwholesome root of lobha (of which craving is one form). Nibbāna is the "exact opposite" in the sense that the third noble truth is the opposite of the second: it's what puts an end to it.
Rūpehi bhikkhave arūpā santatarā.
Arūpehi nirodho santataro ti.


“Bhikkhus, the formless is more peaceful than the form realms.
Cessation is more peaceful than the formless realms.”
(Santatarasutta, Iti 73)
SarathW
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Re: What is the last thing to let go?

Post by SarathW »

There are three kind of craving Sensual , Bhava and Vibhava.
You have explained the opposite of sensual craving.
So what are the opposites of Bhava and Vibhava?
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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Dhammanando
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Re: What is the last thing to let go?

Post by Dhammanando »

SarathW wrote:There are three kind of craving Sensual , Bhava and Vibhava.
You have explained the opposite of sensual craving.
So what are the opposites of Bhava and Vibhava?
Alobha opposes all three kinds of craving; Nibbāna extinguishes all three.
Rūpehi bhikkhave arūpā santatarā.
Arūpehi nirodho santataro ti.


“Bhikkhus, the formless is more peaceful than the form realms.
Cessation is more peaceful than the formless realms.”
(Santatarasutta, Iti 73)
Lombardi4
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Re: What is the last thing to let go?

Post by Lombardi4 »

Thank you, Bhante. That's great!
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samseva
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Re: What is the last thing to let go?

Post by samseva »

ground wrote:Life. :sage:
I agree.
SarathW
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Re: What is the last thing to let go?

Post by SarathW »

Dhammanando wrote:
SarathW wrote:There are three kind of craving Sensual , Bhava and Vibhava.
You have explained the opposite of sensual craving.
So what are the opposites of Bhava and Vibhava?
Alobha opposes all three kinds of craving; Nibbāna extinguishes all three.
Can I say relinquishment (paṭinissaggānupassanā oppose all three kinds of craving?
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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Dhammanando
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Re: What is the last thing to let go?

Post by Dhammanando »

SarathW wrote:
Dhammanando wrote:
SarathW wrote:There are three kind of craving Sensual , Bhava and Vibhava.
You have explained the opposite of sensual craving.
So what are the opposites of Bhava and Vibhava?
Alobha opposes all three kinds of craving; Nibbāna extinguishes all three.
Can I say relinquishment (paṭinissaggānupassanā oppose all three kinds of craving?
Yes, when it's being used as a term for the tadaṅga (substitution of opposites) kind of relinquishment. But no when it's being used as a term for the pakkhandana (full-arrival) relinquishment when Nibbāna is realised. In the latter case we are talking about an extinguishing and not a mere opposition.
Rūpehi bhikkhave arūpā santatarā.
Arūpehi nirodho santataro ti.


“Bhikkhus, the formless is more peaceful than the form realms.
Cessation is more peaceful than the formless realms.”
(Santatarasutta, Iti 73)
freedom
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Re: What is the last thing to let go?

Post by freedom »

What is the last thing to let go?
The Truth. :computerproblem:
One should not be negligent of discernment, should guard the truth, be devoted to relinquishment, and train only for calm - MN 140.
SarathW
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Re: What is the last thing to let go?

Post by SarathW »

Fair enough.
No need to get angry about it.
:)
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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