Daily Dhamma Drops from Ceylon!

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
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Bhikkhu_Samahita
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Decisive is Determination!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Determination is the 8th Mental Perfection:

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Only determination can completely fulfill the other mental perfections!
Its characteristic is an unwavering decision, its function is to overcome
hesitation, and its manifestation is unfaltering persistence in this task...!
The proximate cause of determination is strong willpower to succeed!
Only the power of resolute determination lifts any praxis to perfection...

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When the Future Buddha placed his back against the trunk of The Bodhi
Tree, he right there made this mighty decision:
"Let just the blood and flesh of this body dry up and let the skin & sinews
fall from the bones. I will not leave this seat before having attained that
absolute supreme Enlightenment!"
So determined did he invincibly seat
himself, from which not even 100 earthquakes could make him waver.
Jataka Nidana

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A female lay follower (Upasika) at the time of the Buddha kept pure the
precepts, comprehended the nature of impermanence, the consequent
fragility of the body and thereby won stream-entry (Sotapanna)...
After passing away, she re-arose as the favourite attendant of Sakka,
the king of Gods. Reviewing her own merit, she remembered her prior
admonition to herself:

"Let this body break up as it may,
herein will not be any excuse or
relaxation of the effort...!"


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Whose mind is like a rock, determined, unwavering, immovable,
without a trace of lust of urging towards all the attractions,
without a trace of aversion of pushing away all the repulsive,
from what, can such a refined mind ever suffer?
Udana IV - 4

Using the tools of Faith, Morality, Effort, Determination, Meditation and
true Understanding of the Dhamma, one gradually perfects first knowing
and then behaviour. So well equipped & always aware, one becomes capable
of eliminating of this great heap of suffering once and for all ...
Dhammapada 144

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What is being determined by Right Motivation?
The decision for always being motivated to withdrawal,
The decision for always being motivated to good-will,
The decision for always being motivated to harmlessness,
This is being determined by Right Motivation...
Samyutta Nikaya XLV 8

My mind is firm like a rock,
unattached to sensual things,
no shaking in the midst of a world,
where all is decaying and vanishing...
My mind has been thus well developed,
so how can suffering ever touch me?
Theragatha 194

The four determinations:
One should not neglect the Dhamma,
One should guard well the Truth,
One should be devoted to Withdrawal,
and one should always train only for Peace.
Majjhima Nikaya 140

Fearing being predestined for Hell if he became a King, who had to punish
criminals violently, the Bodhisatta determined not to show any intelligence,
and played dumb, deaf and crippled for sixteen years, only showing his real
abilities, when he was on the verge of being buried alive!
This was his ultimate perfection of resolute determination...
The Basket of Conduct: Cariyapitaka

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More of the 10 mental perfections (paramis):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... ctions.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_1 ... levels.htm

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Decisive is Determination!

Resoluteness resolves all hesitation...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Deter ... rmines.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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Noble is Friendship :-)

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Wise Company gives good Advantage:

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
I am a friend and helper to all,
I am sympathetic to all living beings.
I develop a mind full of love & one
who always delight in harmlessness!
I gladden my mind, fill it with joy,
and make it immovable and unshakable.
I develop these divine states of mind
not cultivated by simple men.
Theragatha 648-9

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I am a friend of the footless,
I am a friend of the bipeds;
I am a friend of those with four feet,
I am a friend of the many-footed.
May not the footless harm me,
may not the bipeds harm me,
may not those with four feet harm me, &
may not those with many feet harm me.
AN II 72

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A friend, who always lends a hand,
a friend both in sorrow and joy,
a friend who offers good counsel,
a friend who sympathizes too.
These are the four kinds of true friends:
One who is wise, who have understood much,
will always cherish and serve such friends
just as a mother tends her only child.
DN III, 188

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Among tigers, lions, leopards & bears I lived in the jungle.
No one was frightened of me, nor did I fear anyone.
Uplifted by such universal friendliness, I enjoyed the forest.
Finding great solace in such sweetly silenced solitude…
Suvanna-sama Jataka 540

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And how does a Bhikkhu abide with his mind imbued with friendliness
extending over one direction? Just as he would feel friendliness on
seeing a dearly favourite person, so he extends this same loving-kindness
to all beings in all directions, one by one, & as above so below.
Abhidhamma Pitaka: Appamañña-vibhanga

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Bhikkhus, whatever kinds of worldly merit there are, all are not worth
one sixteenth part of the release of mind by universal friendliness;
in shining, glowing and beaming radiance, in invisible shielding protection,
such release of mind by universal friendliness far excels & surpasses them all...
Itivuttaka 27

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Universal Friendliness (Metta) is 1 of 4 Infinite States (Appamañña Brahma-Vihara):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... ihaara.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_B ... enship.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Selfl ... eetest.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/A ... ndness.htm
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .irel.html
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... el007.html
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoi ... Mudita.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Bl ... liness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Un ... armony.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... Friend.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/G ... Encore.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Bl ... Bright.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Frien ... _Frees.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kalyanamitta.htm
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=404214
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Metta.htm

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The Buddha on Noble Friendship :-)

Infinite is All-Embracing Kindness!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_B ... enship.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
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Even is Equanimity...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Balanced Equanimity is the Tenth Mental Perfection:

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Equanimity characteristically induces & promotes impartial neutrality...
Its function is to look upon things with an even unreactive indifference!
Its manifestation is the gradual stilling of both attraction & repulsion..
Its proximate cause is seeing, that all inherit the results of their actions.
Its effect is utter purification & perfection of all other mental qualities,
by ending both discontent & delight, thereby providing the necessary
equal calm required for their complete assessment & accomplishment.

Equanimity means Unaffectable..
Equanimity means Unprovokable..
Equanimity means Undisturbable..
Equanimity means Unexcitable..
Equanimity means Imperturbable..
Equanimity means Disengaged..
Equanimity means Disentangled..
Equanimity means Detached..
Equanimity means Immovable..
Equanimity means Unbeatable..
Equanimity means Untemptable..
Equanimity means Wholly Immune..
Equanimity means Indifferent..
Equanimity means Impartial..
Equanimity means Unbiased..
Equanimity means Disinterested..
Equanimity means Balanced..
Even like a smiling mountain!
Cool Calm is the ultimate Balm!


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The Threefold Equanimity (Upekkha):
If Indifferent towards:
Internal states & external phenomena,
Living beings & lifeless things,
Past, present & future events,
How can one be hurt, upset,
disturbed or distressed?

Calm is his mind.
Calm is his speech.
Calm is his action.
So is the Tranquility;
So is the Equanimity;
Of one freed by the Insight
Of right Knowledge.
Dhammapada 96

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Although a man is richly dressed and adorned,
if he is in peace, at ease, in equanimity, calmed,
composed, controlled, celibate and harmless
towards all beings, then verily he is a Holy One,
a recluse, a sage ...
Dhammapada 142

Equanimity towards one's own internal states -
that is indeed a link to Enlightenment.
Equanimity regarding external phenomena & conditions -
that is indeed also a link to Enlightenment.
Samyutta Nikaya V Bojjhanga-samyutta.

Such noble friend finally develops
the link to awakening that is Equanimity
during Awareness of in-&-out breathing,
which protects against damaging mental states,
tends to detachment, to ceasing, tends to release
& culminates in complete self-surrender...
If, friends, Awareness of in-&-out breathing,
is so cultivated and so made much of, it is
indeed of great fruit, of great advantage!
One whose Awareness of breathing in-&-out
is perfected, well developed, and gradually
brought to refined growth thus, according to the
teaching of the Buddha, such one illuminates the
entire world, just like the full moon freed from clouds.
Samyutta Nikaya V Anapana-samyutta.

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The Blessed One once said:
Now how, Ananda, in the discipline of a Noble One is there
the unsurpassable development of the senses?
There is the case where, when seeing a form with the eye,
there arises in a monk what is agreeable, or what is disagreeable,
or what is both agreeable & disagreeable. He recognizes that:
This agreeable thing has arisen in me, or this disagreeable thing...
or this both agreeable & disagreeable thing, has arisen in me:
And that is constructed, conditioned, coarse & dependently co-arisen!
But this is peaceful, this is exquisite, namely even & equal equanimity!
Instantly, that arisen agreeable or disagreeable thing ceases,
and Equanimity takes its calm stance!
Just as a man with good eyes, having closed them, might open them;
or when open, might close them, that is how quickly, how rapidly,
how easily, no matter what it refers to, Equanimity make
whatever arisen agreeable thing... or disagreeable thing...
or both agreeable & disagreeable thing cease right there,
and Equanimity takes its even stance!
In the discipline of The Noble One, this is called the unsurpassable
development of the senses with regard to visible forms cognizable
by the eye. Similar is the supreme development of the other senses.
MN 152

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With the fading of rapturous joy, he remains in equanimity,
aware & alert, still physically sensitive to bodily pleasure.
He enters & remains in the third jhana, of which the Noble Ones
declare: 'In aware Equanimity, one abides in pleasure...'
With the stilling of pleasure & pain as with the earlier disappearance
of elation & frustration, he enters & remains in the fourth jhana:
sole Awareness purified by equanimity, - neither pleasure nor pain -
This is called Right Concentration...
The elimination of both sensual desires & of discontent,
the ejection of laziness, the calming of all regrets,
just this pure Equanimity being aware of all mental
properties exactly at the moment they appear:
That I call the direct knowledge of release
the breakthrough from ignorance.
Sutta Nipata V 13: Udaya's Questions

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Equanimity is 'Tatra-majjhattata', which designates the evenly balanced
keeping to the moderate middle of all things. It has as characteristic, that
it affects the balance of consciousness and mental properties as a single
function of single taste, which prevents both overt excessiveness and any
lack or insufficiency. Equanimity thereby puts an end to biased partiality by
manifesting moderation well within range of the properly reasoned midway.
Visuddhimagga XIV

The Buddha once explained:
I would make my bed in a charnel ground, with a skeleton for my pillow..
And cowherd boys came up and spat on me, urinated on me, threw dirt at me,
and poked sticks into my ears! While others, exultant & thrilled brought me
offerings of food, caskets of perfume & incense and garlands of flowers!
Yet I do not recall, that I ever showed any partiality towards any of them...
I was the same to them all! Neither arousing any fondness nor any aversion!
This was my ultimate perfection of equanimity...
MN 12 Lomahamsanapariyaya
The Hair-raising Presentation
Cariyapitaka III 15

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More on Equanimity (Upekkha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Se ... Beyond.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Im ... nimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Un ... nimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/E ... pekkha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/F ... nimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/E ... nimity.htm

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More of the 10 mental perfections (paramis):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... ctions.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_1 ... levels.htm

Even is Equanimity...

Balanced Equanimity is the 10th Mental Perfection!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Even_ ... nimity.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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Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
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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
User avatar
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Posts: 2750
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
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Mighty Majestic Magic!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Establishing Awareness Creates a Mighty Magic Power!

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Venerable Sariputta

Saketa was the place where Venerable Sariputta said this to Venerable Anuruddha:
Friend Anuruddha, by cultivating and making much of which conditions have you
developed such mighty magic power and supreme majesty ?

Friend, it is by cultivating and making much of the Four Foundations of Awareness
that I have done so. What four? Herein friend,

I dwell contemplating body just as a form ... & the rise and fall of body ...
both own and other ... internal and external ... past, present and future!
I dwell contemplating feeling just as reaction ... & the rise and fall of feeling ...
both own and other ... internal and external ... past, present and future!
I dwell contemplating all mind just as moods ... & the rise and fall of mind ...
both own and other ... internal and external ... past, present and future!
I dwell contemplating all phenomena just as mental states ...
& rise and fall of mental states ... both own and other ... internal and external ...
whether past, present and future!

Moreover, friend it is by cultivating and making much of these Four Foundations of Awareness
that I have come to completely & directly experience this thousandfold galactic world-system.
Moreover, it is because of having cultivated & made much of these Four Foundations of Awareness
that the painful feelings that come upon my body make no contact on my mind.
Moreover, it is because of having cultivated & made much of these Four Foundations of Awareness
that I enjoy  many forms of magic powers: From being one I become many, visible or invisible ...
& even as far as the fine material Dark matter Brahma world do I exert power with my body.
Moreover, it is because of having cultivated & made much of these Four Foundations of Awareness,
that I hear with divine hearing purified and supra-human the sound of both man and deva, far or near.
Moreover, it is because of having cultivated & made much of these Four Foundations of Awareness,
that I know the minds of other beings; the lustful as lustful ... the liberated as liberated.
Moreover, it is because of having cultivated & made much of these Four Foundations of Awareness,
that I know, as it really is, the cause of any given event and what is not the cause of this event.
Moreover, it is because of having cultivated & made much of these Four Foundations of Awareness,
that I know as they really are the cause and conditions of any given action, whether performed in
the past, future or present time.
Moreover, it is because of having cultivated & made much of these Four Foundations of Awareness,
that I know, as it really is, the gradual and final result of any given practise.
Moreover, it is because of having cultivated & made much of these Four Foundations of Awareness,
that I know, as they really are, the diverse character of whatever being.
Moreover, it is because of having cultivated & made much of these Four Foundations of Awareness,
that I know, as they really are, the natures of other beings and persons minds.
Moreover, it is because of having cultivated & made much of these Four Foundations of Awareness,
that I know, as they really are, the corruption, purification and uprising of the attainments of any
trance, mental release and concentration.
Moreover, it is because of having cultivated & made much of these Four Foundations of Awareness,
that I can remember my past lives, as they really were: One, two ... thousand births in all their
minutest detail and peculiarity.
Moreover, it is because of having cultivated & made much of these Four Foundations of Awareness,
that I know and see with divine supra-human sight, as they really are, the going & coming of beings,
death & rebirth, transmigrating according to their behaviour.
Moreover, it is because of having cultivated & made much of these Four Foundations of Awareness,
that I know, as it really is, in this very life, by my own unaided ability, the destruction of the mental
fermentations, & the calm blissful dwelling in release & insight freed from all mental fermentation...

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Venerable Anuruddha

Source: Samyutta Nikaya V Maha Vagga, Section on Anuruddha.

Anuruddha was first cousin of the Buddha & an eminently Aware master disciple:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... ruddha.htm
More on these crucial Four Foundations of Awareness:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/F ... reness.htm

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Mighty Majestic Magic!

Awareness cannot be underestimated ...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mi ... ajesty.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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Rejoicing produces Bliss!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Unselfish Joy! How to Rejoice in Others Success:

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By seeing that:
If only happy at one's own success, such egoistic Joy is rare and limited!
If happy at others success also, the Joy is more frequent & even infinite!

By observing that:
It starts with basic sympathy, develops into acceptance, genuine approval,
& appreciation. It culminates in rejoicing altruistic sympathy by directing
mind to initiation, much cultivation & boundless expansion of Mutual Joy!

By knowing that:
Mutual Joy is the proximate cause of sweet, fully satisfied contentment!
Lack of mutual joy is therefore the proximate cause of discontentment!
Mutual Joy instantly eliminates acidic jealousy, grudge and green envy!
Mutual Joy is an infinite, truly divine, elevating and sublime mental state!
Mutual Joy is 1 of the 4 mental states of the Brahma-devas (Brahmavihara)


The Blessed Buddha pointed out:
If it were impossible to cultivate this Good, I would not tell you to do so!

Buddhaghosa:
See how this worthy being is very Happy!
How fine! How excellent! How sweet!

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Let there be Happiness. Let there be open Freedom.
Let there be Peace. Let there be Bliss from cultivating this.
Let there be Understanding of this mental state of Mutual Joy!


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Cultivation of Mutual Joy is the specific medicine against Envy & Jealousy:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mutual_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Rejoicing_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/I ... usness.htm

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Mudita: The Buddha's Teaching on Unselfish Joy: BPS Wheel Publication No. 170
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... el170.html

Have a nice & noble day!

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

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Rejoicing gives Bliss!

Mutual Joy in Other's Success...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoi ... Mudita.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:

Restlessness and Regret!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Restlessness and Regret Agitates the Mind!

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A Brahmin Priest once asked the Blessed Buddha:
Master Gotama, what is the cause of being unable to remember something
that has been memorized over a long period and also that which has not
been memorized?
Brahmin, when then mind is agitated by restlessness and regret, stressed,
agitated, troubled and tyrannized by restlessness and regret, & one does
neither know, nor understand any actual safe escape from this dominating
restlessness and regret, in that moment, then one can neither see, nor ever
understand what is advantageous, neither for oneself, nor for others, nor
for both oneself and for others. Then, consequently, even texts, that have
been long memorized, cannot be remembered. Why is this blind neglect so?
Imagine a bowl of water with the surface stirred up by wind into ripples,
undulations & small wavelets. If a man with good eye-sight were to inspect
the reflection of his own face in it, he would neither see nor recognize it,
as it really is! So too, brahmin, when the mind is distracted by restlessness
and regret, excited, anxious, distressed, worried, perturbed and upset by
restlessness and regret, on any such occasion even texts long memorized
do not recur to the mind, not to speak of those texts, events & knowledge,
that have not been memorized at all…

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On how to prevent Restlessness & Regret (=curable anxiety):
1: Frequent systematic attention both to bodily and mental Tranquillity!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Forest_Bliss.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/AN.I.3-4.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta ... I.3-4c.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Cu ... Regret.htm

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Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V:123] section 46: The Links. 55: To Sangarava...

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Have a nice & noble day!

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

Restlessness and Regret Agitates the Mind!

Restlessness and Regret!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Re ... Regret.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:

Calmed..

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

One becomes Calmed by Stilling all Agitation!

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The brahmin Magandiya asked the Buddha about how to become calmed:
Not dwelling in the past, stilled in the present, one prefers no kind of future!
Without irritation, without agitation, without regrets, without worry, neither
boasting, nor proud, but humble and modest, one is indeed a restrained sage...
Withdrawn, not opposed to anything, not wanting anything, all unconcerned,
aloof, gentle, independent, for such one there exists neither craving or fear
for any kind of existence, nor craving or fear for any form of non-existence...
Such calmed one is indifferent to sense pleasures, detached, not clinging to
any kind of property! For him there is nothing more to take up or lay down!
For whatever others might accuse him, he remains tranquil and not agitated!
Neither opposing anything, nor attracted to anything, with nothing of his own,
not perturbed by what does not exist, such tranquil one is truly calmed!
Sutta-Nipata 849-861 Edited excerpt.

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More on Calm (Samatha) = Tranquil Ease:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Calm.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Forest_Bliss.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Silenced.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Calm_Power.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ca ... nsight.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... il_One.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... amatha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Br ... nsight.htm

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Have a nice & noble day!

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

Calmed...

Tranquillity slides into Bliss!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Calmed.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
User avatar
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The Luminous Mind!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Luminous is the Mind released by Friendliness!

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The Blessed Buddha once explained:
Whatever meritorious action one performs, all these together are not worth
1/16th part of a mind released into friendliness, since the mind released into
friendliness blazes forth, & outshines all with an unsurpassable brilliance...
Just as the radiance from all the stars and planets does not match even a
1/16th part of the radiance from the moon, which thus outshines all the stars
and planets, similarly; whatever intention making one do meritorious actions,
all these together are not worth one-sixteenth fraction, of the mind released
by infinite friendliness!!! Since a mind released into friendliness - all alone -
friends!! blazes forth, outshine all these with an incomparable radiance...
Just as the mighty sun rising at autumn dawn, by making any fog evaporate,
scattering any dark thundercloud, makes the sky all blue & clear, so it alone
freely shines, blazes in a blue brilliance, - exactly so - whatever thoughts
there may be for gaining merit, all together these are not worth one 16th
fraction, of a mind released into friendliness!!! Since the mind released into
friendliness - all alone - outshines all these with inestimable luminosity!
So did the Lord Buddha state this matter, and he further added:
For the Noble friend, who by will, who fully aware and deliberately bring
infinite, boundless and endless friendliness into being, this mountain like
limitless goodwill makes all evil substrate evaporate, & the chains of mind,
these mental fetters become thin, slender and slack. If a friend without
ill will cares for even one single living being, such friend, through that,
becomes quite skilled and clever, so far more for the Noble Friend, who
by possessing a caring heart for all sentient beings, without even a single
exception, accumulates great, massive, and immense amounts of merit!!!
Those gurus and priests who sacrifices life, objects or fire, who baths
ceremoniously, devoted to mere forms and empty ritual, blindly attached
to and obsessed by culture, tradition of primeval & often unknown origin,
do never experience even a 16th of this release of mind by friendliness
fully brought into being, just like the vagueness of even all the stars cannot
either ever outshine the moon! Since there cannot exist any evil animosity
whatsoever, nor enmity at all, neither even an atomic trace of hate in a
Nobly Released One, who by caring indiscriminately and infinitely for all
living beings, who by possessing such treasure of a mind relinquished by
friendliness, simply cannot ever suppress, dominate, harm, or kill even the
smallest sentient breathing being! Luminous is a perfectly released mind!

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More on the Mind:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/In_Control.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Non-Control.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Luminous_is_Mind.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta ... I.8-10.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ma ... t_Mind.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Hi ... ibbana.htm

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Source:
The Itivuttaka 27: Thus was it Said:
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=404214
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/kh ... index.html

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Have a nice & noble day!

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

Luminous Mind!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Bl ... Bright.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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The Painted Puppet!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Disgust disables Greed, Lust and Voracity!

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
What, Ananda, is the experience of disgust? Here the Bhikkhu contemplates
this body from the soles of the feet upward, and back again from the top of
the hair downward, seeing it as frame of bones with a skin stretched over it,
and filled with much filthy putrescence such as: head-hairs, body-hairs, nails,
teeth, skin, flesh, sinews, bones, marrow, kidneys, heart, liver, vomit, spleen,
diaphragm, lungs, intestine, mesentery, stomach, excrement, brain, bile, lymph,
pus, blood, sweat, fat, tears, skin, tallow, spit, slime, snot, joint-fluid, & urine.
This is the experience of disgust.

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Source (edited extract):
The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha. Anguttara Nikaya AN 10:60, AN V 108ff.
Girimananda Sutta http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

More on this cooling Disgust whose purpose is evaporation of Greed, Lust and Desire:
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/III/T ... ations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Me ... a-Sati.htm

For Inspiration have a collection of Corpse Pictures Only for Adults been deposited here:
http://s914.photobucket.com/albums/ac350/Asubha/ Guest Password: corpses

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The rewards are:
1: Absence of greed, lust, desire, craving, urge, need, longing and discontent.
2: Fearlessness of Death & thereby Fearlessness of All! = Elevated Joy!

Any Body is just a painted puppet!
A chain of bones plastered by skin with 9 oozing holes!
A heap of sores & rotten excrement with evil intentions!

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The Painted Puppet!

Disgust Disables Greed, Lust and Voracity!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ex ... isgust.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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Fabolous Friendliness Frees :-)

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

How to Beam & Extend Amity Universally:

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The Grace of Goodwill: A Meditation on Friendliness (Metta):
May my mind be filled with the thought of Kind Friendliness & open Amity.
May the minds of my good teachers be filled with the thought of Friendliness.
May the minds of my parents and dear ones be filled with the thought of Friendliness.
May the minds of all unfriendly persons be filled with the thought of Friendliness.
May the minds of all living beings be filled with the thought of Friendliness.
May the minds of all strangers be filled with the thought of Friendliness.
May we be free from fear, tension, anxiety, worry, and restlessness.
May our hearts become soft. May our words be pleasing to others.
May we be generous. May we be gentle. May we be relaxed.
May we be happy and peaceful. May we be healthy.
May we be a source of pure peace and happiness.

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May the minds of everyone in this room be free from greed, anger, hatred, jealousy, and fear.
May the peace and tranquillity of tender Friendliness pervade their entire bodies and minds.
May they have good fortune. May they be prosperous. May they have really good friends
May the minds of everyone in this building, in this street, in this city, in this nation on
this continent, on this planet & in this universe be free from greed, anger, & doubt.
May these thoughts of Friendliness embrace them, charge them and envelope them.
May every cell, every drop of blood, every atom, be charged with kind amity.
May the peace & tranquillity of goodwill pervade their entire bodies & minds.
May they be happy-hearted. May they be free from worries and troubles.
May all beings in all directions throughout this multiverse be happy.
May they be filled with Friendliness, abundant, exalted, & infinite!
May they be free from enmity affliction, and anxiety.
May they live happily.

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May all beings in all directions, all around the universe be happy.
May they have good fortune. May they be prosperous.
May they be famous. May they have good friends.
May they be reborn in a happy destination.
May they be reborn in the heavens.
May all beings Awaken swiftly!
May they become thus Happy!

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Inspired by 2 really good friends.

More on this shining, radiating through all & everywhere beaming Friendliness:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/In ... liness.htm

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The Grace of Goodwill!

Fabolous Friendliness Frees :-)
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/Th ... odwill.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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Gracious is Gratitude!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Gratitude Appreciates all Assistance!

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The Buddha indeed pointed out Gratitude as an important mental quality:
These two people are hard to find in the world. Which two?
The one who is first to do a kindness, and
the one who is grateful and thankful for a kindness done.
Anguttara Nikaya 2.118

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I tell you, monks, there are two people who are not easy to repay.
Which two? Your mother & father. Even if you were to carry your mother
on one shoulder & your father on the other shoulder for 100 years, & were
to look after them by anointing, massaging, bathing, & rubbing their limbs,
and they were to defecate and urinate right there on your shoulders, you
would not thereby repay your parents. Even if you were to establish your
mother & father in absolute sovereignty over this great earth, abounding in
the seven treasures, you would not in that way repay your parents!
Why is that? Mothers and fathers do much for their children. They care for
them, they nourish them for long, and they introduce them to this world.
But anyone who rouses his unbelieving mother & father, settles & establishes
them in faith; rouses his immoral mother & father, establishes them in virtue;
rouses his stingy mother & father, settles & establishes them in generosity;
rouses his unwise mother & father, settles & establishes them on a new level
of understanding: It is in this way that one truly repays one's mother's and
father's many longstanding services.
Anguttara Nikaya 2.32

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Mother & father, compassionate to their family, are called Brahma, first teachers,
honour them with food & drink, clothing & bedding, and anointing, bathing, washing
their feet. Performing these services to their parents, the wise are praised right
here and after death rejoice in heaven. Itivuttaka 106

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If this is what you think of me:
The Blessed One, is sympathetic, is seeking our well-being, teaches us this
Dhamma out of sympathy, then you should train yourself in being in harmony,
cordial, and without conflict and train in yourselves cultivation of all the 37
best mental qualities: The 4_Foundations_of_Awareness, the 4 right efforts,
the 4_Feet_of_Force, the 5 Abilities, 5 powers, the 7 Links to Awakening,
& the Noble_8-Fold_Way. Majjhima Nikaya 103
A Tathagata is worshipped, honoured, respected, thanked & shown gratitude
by any follower, who keeps practicing the Dhamma in accordance with true
Dhamma, who keeps practicing masterfully, who lives in and by the Dhamma!
Digha Nikaya 16

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We will undertake & practice those qualities that makes one a contemplative,
so that all those who helped us by services of robes, alms-food, lodging, and
medicines will bring them great fruit and great future reward.
Majjhima Nikaya 39

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Comments:
In Pali, the word for gratitude = kataññu literally means to have a sense of
what was done for one in the past even when long ago. Remembering all help!
A network of kindness and gratitude is what sustains whatever goodness
there is and ever will be in this - otherwise destitute & impoverished - world!

Thus: Thank you for reading this!

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Source (edited extract): The Lessons of Gratitude by Thanissaro Bhikkhu:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... itude.html
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ap ... iation.htm

Have a nice & noble day!

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

Appropiate Appreciation is Advantageous!

Gracious is Gratitude!

http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/The ... titude.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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Pure is Peace...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

What are the qualities of Nibbâna?

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Nibbana is:
Total ease, complete calm, absolute freedom, perfect happiness & pure peace…
Absence of any uncertainty, doubt, confusion, any delusion and all ignorance…
Presence of confidence, certainty, understanding all, and direct experience…
Absence of any greed, lust, desire, urge, attraction, hunger, and temptation…
Presence of imperturbable and serene composure in an all stilled equanimity…
Absence of all hate, anger, aversion, hostility, irritation, & stubborn rigidity…
Presence of universal goodwill: An infinite & all-embracing friendly kindness…
Nibbana is not a place, not an idea, not a fantasy deception, not a conceit,
not a conception, not a cause, not an effect, not finite, not definable,
not formed, not begun, not ending, not changing, not temporal, but lasting…
Nibbana is unborn, unbecome, unmade, uncreated, uncaused, unconditioned,
and unconstructed, yet ultimately real…
Nibbana is void of eye, visible objects & visual consciousness, void of ear,
sounds & auditory consciousness, void of nose, smells & smell consciousness,
void of tongue, tastes & gustatory consciousness, void of body, touch & tactile
consciousness and void of mind, thoughts and mental consciousness…
Pure Peace @ Rest …

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
Hard it is to see the unconstructed, the undistorted! This independent state
is not easily realized. Craving is all cut for the One, who knows, since he sees,
that there is nothing to cling to ... !!! Udana – Inspiration: VIII - 2

In any dependence there is bound to be instability. In free independence there
cannot be any instability. When there is no liable instability, no feeble wavering,
there is a quiet calm, stillness, serenity and peace.
When there is such solid tranquillity, then there is no tendency to drift,
no attraction, neither any mental push, nor any pull, nor any strain of appeal
or repulsion. When there is no attraction, no drift, no bending, then there is
no movement, no development, and neither any coming, & much less any going.
Neither any starting, nor any ending occurs... When there is neither any coming,
nor any going, then there is neither any ceasing, nor any re-appearance...
There being neither ceasing, nor reappearing, then there is neither any here,
there, beyond, nor in between... This – just this – is the End of Suffering.

Udana – Inspiration: VIII - 4
Having understood this unconstructed state, released in mind, with the chain
to becoming eliminated, they attain to the sublime essence of all states.
Delighting in the calmed end of craving, those steady Noble Ones have left all
being & becoming behind.  

Nibbana is The Highest Bliss!

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One, who so knows, sees, that there is nothing to cling to ...

More on this uncreated state - Nibbana (Sanskrit = Nirvana):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Final_Freedom.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/climax_of_calm.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Reaching_Peace.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_2_Nibbanas.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Wh ... ibbana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_P ... _Cause.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Nibba ... return.htm

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Pure is Peace...

Nibbana is The Highest Bliss!
One, who so knows, understands that there is nothing to cling to...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Peace.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 3 Roots...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The 3 Root States of all, that is Advantageous:

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By means of Non-Greed, they are not greedy, lusty, desirous, yearning or longing.
Non-greed has the characteristic of easy absence of desire for any given object.
It does not cling, attach or adhere, but rolls off like a water drop on a lotus leaf!
The function of non-greed is not to lay hold on, grasp, fasten or cling to anything.
It is manifested as a state of not treating as a shelter, like one who leaves dirt...

Through Non-Hate, they do not react with hate, anger, irritation, or opposition.
Non-hate has the characteristic of lack of cruelty. Gently, it does not oppose...
Its function is to remove any fever of annoyance, and allay all fury exasperation.
Non-hate is manifested as a pleasant and mild agreeableness, like the full moon!

Due to Non-Delusion, they are not ignorant, confused, in doubt, or perplexed...
Non-delusion has the characteristic of seeing through, penetrating to the real
nature of phenomena, understanding their essence, and not just their appearance.
The function of non-delusion is to illuminate the object everywhere, like a lamp.
Non-delusion is manifested as non-bewilderment, like a clever guide in a forest.

These three states should be regarded as the roots of all that is advantageous!
Vism I 465.

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More on the 3 Roots of Good and Evil (Mula):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Fading_Away.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... /muula.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/W ... ageous.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Pr ... ements.htm

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The 3 Roots

Absence of all ill!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Absence_of_Ill.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:

Aware and Composed...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Aware and Composed Dwelling:

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
Monks, a Noble should dwell Aware and Composed…
This is our instruction to you!

And how does a monk dwell Aware?
Herein a friend dwells contemplating any body as a void frame only;
as a transient, painful and impersonal neither-me-nor-mine appearance,
while alert, ballanced and deliberately aware, thereby overcoming
any mental rejection of reality, arised from coveting this world…
Exactly so does he dwell with regard to any feeling..
with regard to any mood and mentality..
with regard to any phenomenon..
Only precisely so is this Noble One Acutely Aware!

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And how does a monk dwell Composed?
Herein a friend dwells fully aware of all feelings, that arise..
fully aware of all feelings, that settle..
fully aware of all feelings, that cease..
Such Noble One dwells fully aware of all thoughts, that arise..
fully aware of all thoughts, that remain..
fully aware of all thoughts, that stop..
Such clever one dwells fully aware of all perceptions, that arise..
fully aware of all perceptions, that persist..
fully aware of all perceptions, that end..
Just so is this Noble One Cool, Calm, and Composed!

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Any disciple should dwell Aware and Composed.
This is our instruction to you…

More Awareness (Sati):
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/Se ... ssible.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/Sati_Summary.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sati_Acute.htm

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Aware and Composed...

Cool Calm soothes like a Mental Balm...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Aw ... mposed.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

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