Daily Dhamma Drops from Ceylon!

Bhikkhu_Samahita · Post by **Bhikkhu_Samahita** » Thu Jul 10, 2014 11:24 pm

Friends:

Universal is Genuine Goodwill for all Beings!

The Buddha on the Universality of Friendliness:
Sabbe satta bhavantu sukhi tattha.
May all beings become thus Happy!

As I am, so are others... As others are, so am I...
Having thus identified self and others,
Never Harm anyone, nor have any being abused.
Sutta Nipata 3.710

"No I haven't seen the cat either ..."

With good will for the entire cosmos, cultivate a limitless heart & mind:
Beaming above, below, & all around, unobstructed, without trace of hostility.
Sutta Nipata I, 8

Train yourself in doing good
that lasts and brings happiness.
Cultivate generosity, the life of peace,
and a mind of infinite universal love.
Itivuttaka 22

Video on Metta Meditation on Universal Friendliness:
How to cure Depression? https://vimeo.com/73424140

Bhikkhu_Samahita · Post by **Bhikkhu_Samahita** » Sat Jul 12, 2014 1:14 am

Friends

How to be a Real True Buddhist through Observance?

This Esala Poya day is the full-moon of July, which is noteworthy since on this celebrated day:
1: The Blessed Buddha preached his First Sermon: The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta.
2: The Bodhisatta was conceived in Queen Maya who dreamt a white elephant entered her side.
3: The Blessed Buddha made the Great Withdrawal from the world at the age of 29 years.
4: The Blessed Buddha performed the Twin Miracle (yamaka-patihariya) of dual appearance.
5: The Blessed Buddha explained the Abhi-Dhamma in the Tavatimsa heaven to his mother.
6: The ordination of Prince Arittha at Anuradhapura, under Arahat Mahinda on Sri Lanka.
7: The foundation of the celebrated Mahastupa & enshrinement of relics by King Dutugemunu.
8: The next day the yearly 3 months rains retreat (vassa) of Buddhist Bhikkhus start.

The Buddha performing the Twin Miracle of simultaneously producing water & flames from his body.

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

As long as this life lasts:
I hereby take refuge in the Buddha.
I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma.
I hereby take refuge in the Sangha.

I hereby seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time.

I request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time.
I request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd …
I request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time.
I will respect these Three Jewels the rest of my life!

I accept to respect & undertake these 5 training rules:
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Killing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Stealing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Sexual Abuse.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Dishonesty.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Alcohol & Drugs.
As long as this life lasts, I am thus protected by these 5 precepts...

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

Queen Maya who dreamt a white elephant entered her side when the Bodhisatta was conceived.

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

The New Noble Community of Disciples: The Saddhamma Sangha:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Saddhamma_Sangha.htm

Can quite advantageously be Joined Here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm

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

Bhikkhu Samahita: [email protected]

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

Today Esala Full-Moon Poya day!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/E ... ya_Day.htm

Bhikkhu_Samahita · Post by **Bhikkhu_Samahita** » Sat Jul 12, 2014 11:27 pm

Friends:

Formless is the Fruit of the 4 Infinite States:

The Blessed Buddha once pointed out some fine future fruits:
I: The release of mind by universal friendliness developed linked with
the 7 links to Enlightenment, has the beautiful liberation as culmination!

II: The release of mind by compassionate pity developed all joined with
the 7 links to Enlightenment, has the infinitude of space, as culmination!
This is the 1st formless absorption.

III: The release of mind by altruistic & mutual joy developed all linked
with the 7 links to Enlightenment, has the infinitude of consciousness,
as ultimate culmination... This is the 2nd formless absorption.

IV: The release of mind by imperturbable equanimity developed combined
with the 7 links to Enlightenment, has the sphere of nothingness, as the
absolute culmination... This is the 3rd formless absorption.

So do these 4 divine & infinite states of friendliness, pity, mutual joy and
equanimity, when cultivated together with the 7 links to Enlightenment:
Awareness, Investigation, Energy, Joy, Tranquillity, Concentration and
Equanimity, lead to entry and absorption into these 4 sublime formless
mental dimensions of supra-mundane consciousness...

Final Entry after much meditation...

More on the infinitely divine states (Brahma-Viharas):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/In ... liness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Endless_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoi ... Mudita.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/E ... pekkha.htm

From Delight in Diversity to Unification in Oneness...

Source:
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book V 115-21
Section 46: On The Enlightenment Factors. Linked with Friendliness: 54.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sa ... index.html

Have a nice and noble day!

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

Four Fine Formless Fruits!

From Delight in Diversity to Unification in Oneness...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Th ... nsions.htm

Bhikkhu_Samahita · Post by **Bhikkhu_Samahita** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 3:59 am

Friends:

Which are the Kammically Neutral States?

Cut Short:
Mental states, which are neither Advantageous (kusala), nor Disadvantageous (akusala),
are Neutral (avyakata), ethically indeterminable, and morally undefined as being neither
good nor bad, neither right nor wrong, and thus neither wholesome nor unwholesome ...

In Detail: Which states are neither Advantageous, nor Disadvantageous?

1: States that are RESULTING EFFECTS (vipaka) of prior actions (kamma) are themselves neutral:
There are states, which are the resulting effects of prior advantageous and disadvantageous states...
These states are either a feeling, a perception, a mental construction, or a moment of consciousness.
These resulting effects are neither advantageous, nor disadvantageous, but inherently neutral..

2: UNINTENTIONAL ACTIONS (kiriya kamma) = inert and ineffective actions are neutral states:
There are mental states, which neither are advantageous, nor disadvantageous, nor are resultants.
These are unintentional inert actions, which does not cause any effects, or kammic accumulation.
These states are neither advantageous, nor disadvantageous, nor causes, nor effects, but neutral.
All actions of the Arahat are kiriya kamma = neutral states not causing any kammic accumulation.
Stepping on and killing an ant, while not having seen it, nor wished to harm it, is a neutral action.

3: All forms of PHYSICAL MATTER, MATERIALITY, also called FORM (rupa) are neutral states:
Mountains, trees, food, water, air, knives, weapons, and even atomic bombs are all neutral states.
It is the intention behind utilizing these dead and passive things, which can be either good or bad...

4: The state of NIBBANA is an undecided, indeterminate, undeterminable, and all neutral state:
This Unconditioned Element of Nibbana is a neutral state, which causes nothing, and as such
is neither advantageous, nor disadvantageous, neither a cause, nor an effect of anything else...

These are the neutral states, which are neither advantageous, nor disadvantageous..

What is Neutral?

Which are the Kammically Neutral States?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Wh ... eutral.htm

Bhikkhu_Samahita · Post by **Bhikkhu_Samahita** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 10:54 pm

Friends:

What are the 5 Primary Categories of Being?

I: There is the Cluster of Clinging to Material Form (Rupa):
Form or materiality is composed of these 4 Primary Elements:
1: Solidity based microscopically on the force of extension.
2: Fluidity based microscopically on the force of cohesion.
3: Heat based microscopically on the property of vibration.
4: Motion based microscopically on the property of energy.
From these 4 can be derived all other formed phenomena...
Form (Rupa) in Buddhism is a quality, but not a substance...
Whatever there are of formed things, whether past, present
or future, internal or external, fine or gross, high or low,
far or near, all these belong to this form group. Desire, lust
craving and clinging to that, is the cluster of clinging to form!

II: There is the Cluster of Clinging to Mental Feeling (Vedana):
There are these five kinds of Feeling:
1: Bodily pleasant feeling and 2: Bodily painful feeling.
3: Mentally glad feeling and 4: Mentally sad feeling. And finally:
5: Indifferent feeling = Neither painful, pleasant, sad, nor glad.
Feeling is born as effect of eye contact, or ear contact, or nose
contact, or tongue contact, or body contact, or mental contact...
Whatever there is of feeling, whether past, present or future,
internal or external, fine or gross, high or low, far or near, all
that belongs to this feeling group. Desire, lust, craving for, and
clinging to these reactions, is the cluster of clinging to feeling!

III: There is the Cluster of Clinging to Mental Perception (Sañña):
There are these six kinds of Perception:
1: Visual perception of form and color. 2: Auditory perception of sound.
3: Olfactory perception of smell. 4: Gustatory perception of taste.
5: Tactile perception of touch. 6: Mental perception of ideas and states.
Whatever there is of perception, whether past, present or future,
internal or external, fine or gross, high or low, far or near, all that
belongs to this perception group. Desire, lust, craving for and clinging to
these perceived experiences, is the cluster of clinging to perception!

IV: There is the Cluster of Clinging to Mental Construction (Sankhara):
There are six kinds of mental construction dealing with visual objects,
or hearable objects, or smellable, or tastable, or touchable objects, or
thinkable objects. Whatever there is of mental construction, whether past,
present or future, internal or external, fine or gross, high or low, far or
near, all that belongs to this mental construction group. Desire, craving for
and clinging to these objectives, is the cluster of clinging to construction!
Wanting to see some special form is the mental construction of intention...

V: There is the Cluster of Clinging to Consciousness (Viññana):
There are six kinds of consciousness:
1: The Visual Consciousness of seeing. 2: The Auditory Consciousness of hearing.
3: Olfactory Consciousness of smelling. 4: Gustatory Consciousness of tasting.
5: Tactile Consciousness of touching. 6: The Mental Consciousness of thinking.
Whatever there is of consciousness, whether past, present or future, internal
or external, fine or gross, high or low, far or near, all that belongs to this very
consciousness group. Desire, craving for and clinging to this aware recognition,
is the cluster of clinging to consciousness!

If Clinging: How can one ever be Free?
If Not Free: How can one ever be Happy?

Source: The Grouped Sayings by the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya XXII (56); [III 59-61]
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507 A Vast Ocean of True Dhamma Teaching!
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/su ... ml#Khandha On these Clusters!

Have a nice, noble and relinquished day!

The 5 Clusters!

What are the 5 Clusters of Clinging?
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/What_ ... inging.htm

Bhikkhu_Samahita · Post by **Bhikkhu_Samahita** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 11:43 pm

Friends:

Cool Canadians Teach Children How to Cope:

http://www.macleans.ca/society/health/b ... curriculum

"The first blue bead stands for “breathe.” The second, red, cues her to reflect on her "thoughts",
yellow makes her consider "emotions" etc.. Reminders to “take a mindful breath, and to be a little more stable.”

"Students practised breathing, “body scans”, and learned to “surf the wave” of difficult emotions,
like anger or anxiety, "

“Tai-Chi: There are 415 kids in a gym,” says principal Hugh Blackman, “and you can hear a pin drop.”

"You have to start with teachers,”

"The 'Mind-Up' program is Mindfulness training to teachers, including classroom “brain-breaks” 3 times daily."

"The response was overwhelmingly positive... "

"Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto concluded that, when it comes to warding off
a relapse into major depression, mindfulness is as effective as medication.."

"A 2013 paper found that 10- and 11-year-olds, who participated in an eight-week program were better
able to ignore distractions. Another found that 12-to-16-year-old students had fewer symptoms of
stress and depression."

Naqvi finds in times of stress it helps her understand “it’s okay, everyone feels the same way.
Taking a deep breath makes you feel more confident, and ready for what you’re about to do.”

Anapanasati breathing meditation guided and explained:
As streaming audio
https://soundcloud.com/bhikkhu-samahita ... meditation
As mp3
https://www.dropbox.com/s/b75hbanxcxf01 ... tation.mp3

3 Excellent & Complete Meditation Manuals are here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/pdf ... nasati.pdf
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/pdf ... Manual.pdf
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/pdf ... on2011.pdf

Sound worldwide meditation centers can be found here:
http://www.dhamma.org/en/bycountry

Regarding Asian and Sri Lankan Monasteries and Meditation Centers See:
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/pdf ... treats.pdf
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/pdf ... _Lanka.pdf

Father and son: Hard-core Thai Tiger version: White Silence...

Where to Start...

Cool Canadians Teach Children How to Cope:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Where_to_Start.htm

Bhikkhu_Samahita · Post by **Bhikkhu_Samahita** » Thu Jul 17, 2014 9:51 pm

Friends:

What are the 16 roots of Imperturbable Peace?

1: The undepressed mind is not perturbed by any sadness, therefore it is unperturbed..
2: The unexcited mind is not perturbed by any agitation, therefore it is unperturbed..
3: The unattracted mind is not perturbed by any desire, therefore it is unperturbed..
4: The unopposed mind is not perturbed by any anger, therefore it is unperturbed..
5: The self-reliant mind is not perturbed by other's opinions, therefore it is unperturbed..
6: The uninvolved mind is not perturbed by any annoyance, therefore it is unperturbed..
7: The released mind is not perturbed by any sensual lust, therefore it is unperturbed..
8: The detached mind is not perturbed by any clinging, therefore it is unperturbed..
9: The unhindered mind is not perturbed by any obstruction, therefore it is unperturbed.
10: The unified mind is not perturbed by any diverse variety, therefore it is unperturbed..
11: The mind reinforced by faith is not perturbed by any doubt, therefore it is unperturbed..
12: The enthusiastic keen mind is not perturbed by any laziness, therefore it is unperturbed..
13: The acutely aware mind is not perturbed by any negligence, therefore it is unperturbed..
14: The concentrated mind is not perturbed by any distraction, therefore it is unperturbed..
15: The understanding mind is not perturbed by any confusion, therefore it is unperturbed..
16: The illuminated mind is not perturbed by any dark blind ignorance, thus it is unperturbed..
These sixteen roots of success lead to the obtaining of super-human power and to the
fearlessness of one enjoying the success of supra-human force...
Source: Sariputta, in: The Path of Discrimination: Patidasambhidamagga II 206

The most Venerable Sariputta

Unperturbed...

The 16 Supra-Human Roots!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_16_Roots.htm

Bhikkhu_Samahita · Post by **Bhikkhu_Samahita** » Fri Jul 18, 2014 11:02 pm

Friends:

The Blessed Buddha once said:

Sabbe satta, sabbe pana,
sabbe bhuta ca kevala,
sabbe bhadrani passantu.
Ma kañci papamagama.

May all creatures, all living things,
all beings without any exception,
experience good happiness only!
May they not fall into any harm.
Anguttara Nikaya 4.67

Solitude is happiness for one, who is content,
who has heard the Dhamma and clearly sees.
Non-violence is happiness in this world:
Harmlessness towards all living beings.
Udana 10

HARMLESS
The one, who has left violence,
who never harm any being,
whether they are trembling or still,
who never kill, nor causes to kill,
such one, harmless, is a Holy One.
Dhammapada 405

More on Harmlessness (Ahimsa):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Bl ... _Bliss.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/O ... ance_I.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Patie ... erance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Bo ... olence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Not_Killing.htm

May all Beings be Happy!

http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ma ... _Happy.htm

Bhikkhu_Samahita · Post by **Bhikkhu_Samahita** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 2:59 am

Friends:

An Advantageous Daily Routine:

One should often contemplate the inevitable fact of DEATH! Why actually doing this?
Because this inevitably makes one approach Nibbana – The only Deathless Destination - ...
Neglecting thinking about death makes one accumulate future rebirths, and thereby also
future rounds of ageing, decay, sickness and inevitable death! This is thus only Suffering!
Considering death is therefore quite advantageous, but initially not exactly pleasant…
Death contemplation gradually induces full fearlessness for death and all other anxieties.
Neglecting death is therefore detrimental, though more dull & pleasant as if anesthetized …
This fact remains: One looses ALL again & again at the moment of death including this body…
Death itself is painless and should not be feared. It is life itself that is painful and dreadful
and therefore should be feared! The only way to escape life-death-cycle is not to be (re)-born…
Only this is Peace ! Only this is Freedom from all future suffering! Only this is END of all pain...
Only this cessation of Samsara is - in itself - irreversibly lasting Happiness !

As the Buddha Gotama said:
Nibbanam paranam sukham...
Nibbana is the Highest Bliss!
Dhammapada 203/204

On daily Death-Contemplation as advised by the Buddha:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Death.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Game_Over.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Problem.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Deathless.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... _State.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/De ... lation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/D ... thless.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... ension.htm

Stopping the Spin...

About End-Making!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/End_Making.htm

Bhikkhu_Samahita · Post by **Bhikkhu_Samahita** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 10:07 pm

Friends:

Regarding the Best Way to Be:

The Blessed Buddha once said:
Sabbadanam dhammadanam jinati
sabbarasam dhammaraso jinati
sabbaratim dhammarati jinati
tanhakkhayo sabbadukkham jinati.

THE SUPREME GIFT
The gift of Dhamma surpasses all other gifts.
The taste of Truth excels every other taste.
The joy of Understanding exceeds any other joy.
The elimination of Craving overcomes, quenches &
triumphs over all pain, all sorrow, and all suffering ...
Dhammapada 354

Be understanding to your perceived enemies.
Be loyal to all your good friends.
Be strong enough to face the changing world each day.
Be weak enough to know you cannot do everything alone.
Be generous to those who need your help.
Be frugal with that you need yourself.
Be wise enough to know, that you do not know everything.
Be foolish enough to believe in the unknown miracle.
Be willing to share your joys, resources and riches.
Be willing to share and bear the sorrows of others.
Be a leader, when you see the path others may have missed.
Be a follower, when you are shrouded by the mists of uncertainty.
Be the first to congratulate an opponent, who succeeds.
Be the last to criticize a colleague, who fails.
Be sure where your next step will fall, so that you will not tumble.
Be sure of your final destination, in case you are going the wrong way.
Be loving to those, who love you, and also towards those who don't...
Be friendly to those, who do not love you since then they may change.
Above all: Be AWARE!

Be Good!

The Best Way to Be
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Be_Good.htm

Bhikkhu_Samahita · Post by **Bhikkhu_Samahita** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 11:32 pm

Friends:

Realizable here & now in each & every Moment!

The Blessed Buddha once said:
Overwhelmed and obsessed by desire, anger, & confusion, one aims at one's
own ruin, others' ruin, and at the ruin of both! One thereby suffers much
mental pain and frustration... If, however, desire, anger, and confusion are
eliminated, then one aims neither at one's own ruin, nor at others' ruin, nor
at the ruining of both, and one therefore neither suffers any mental pain
nor any frustration at all! Hence is Nibbana realizable right here and now
in this very lifetime, immediate, inviting, intriguing, and intelligible to each
intelligence! Exactly in so far as anyone has made real the complete ceasing
of all greed, hate, and confusion, just in so far, to exactly that very degree,
is Nibbana realizable right here and now in this very life, immediate, instant,
inviting, interesting, and intelligible to each and every intelligent being...

Follow this Golden Middle Way:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/G ... le_Way.htm

Light it up by probing it with a beam of scrutinizing examination!

Source:
Numerical Discourses of the Buddha. Anguttara Nikaya AN 3:55
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta ... erical.htm

Intelligent Invitation!

Who can do it? You can do it!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/III/I ... viting.htm

Bhikkhu_Samahita · Post by **Bhikkhu_Samahita** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 12:41 am

Friends:

Ignorance is the Root of Suffering!

At Varanasi in the Deer Park at Isipatana, they once asked Sariputta:
Ignorance, ignorance, it is said, what now, friend, is this ignorance,
and in what way is one immersed in such ignorance?
Here, friend, the uninstructed ordinary person does not understand
as it really is: The arising, the ceasing, the satisfaction, the danger,
nor the escape, nor the way leading to escape, neither in the case of
form, nor of in the case of feeling, nor of in the case of perception,
nor of in the case of mental construction, nor of in the case of this
consciousness. This, friends, is called ignorance, and in this way is
one indeed still immersed in the fatal blindness of ignorance...

Source:
The Grouped Sayings by the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya 22:131+5 III 174-6
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sa ... index.html

What is Ignorance?

Ignorance is the Root of Suffering!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Wh ... orance.htm

Bhikkhu_Samahita · Post by **Bhikkhu_Samahita** » Thu Jul 24, 2014 1:18 am

Friends:

What are the Causes of Ignorance?

First: Ignorance is not seeing and not knowing the 4 Noble Truths fully!

The near and proximate cause is the 5 mental hindrances:
Ignorance comes into being caused by the 5 mental hindrances!
That is right here and now:
Ignorance grows up caused by desire and lust...
Ignorance arises caused by aversion and ill-will...
Ignorance emerges caused by lethargy and laziness...
Ignorance appears caused by restlessness and regret...
Ignorance comes into being caused by doubt and uncertainty...
All these 5 factors will obscure, obstruct and distort the 4 Noble Truths!
So also will these 5 mental hindrances block the manifold and profound
implications and wide-ranging consequences of these 4 Noble Truths!

The remote and subtle cause is fermentation ~ assuming and supposing:
Conditioned by mental fermentation (asava) does ignorance emerge:
That is multi-factorially, on the long-term, as a hidden latent tendency:
Ignorance is caused by the mental fermentation linked with sense-desire.
Ignorance is caused by the mental fermentation associated with views.
Ignorance is caused by the mental fermentation coupled with becoming.
Ignorance is caused by the mental fermentation joined with ignorance itself!

The often unseen emotional causal component of ignorance is neutral feeling:
Ignorance is caused by a feeling of neutral indifference, since this absence
of both pleasure and pain promotes neglect by disabling interest and examination,
which then logically results in not knowing the specifics of the object = ignorance...
Thus the unaware mind will automatically disregard all objects, that does neither
arouses any pleasure, nor burns with any pain... This default discarding inevitably
causes ignorance as the object is not offered any attention, or examination..

Ignorance thus grows in a fatal positively self-enhancing feedback-loop!

The Blessed Buddha said:
Bhikkhus, a beginning of ignorance cannot be pointed out in this way:
Before this point in time, there was no ignorance, afterward it came.
But, Bhikkhus, it can be pointed out in this way:
Caused by this, ignorance comes to be. Bhikkhus, I tell you, ignorance too
has a causing condition! What is the causing condition of ignorance?
The five mental hindrances is the reply...
Source: AN X 61, AN X 62

What is ignorance, what is the origin of ignorance, what is the ceasing of
ignorance, and what is the way leading to the ceasing of ignorance?
Not knowing about suffering, not knowing about the origin of suffering,
not knowing about the ceasing of suffering, not knowing about the way
leading to the ceasing of suffering, this is called ignorance!
With the arising of the mental fermentations, ignorance also arises.
With the ceasing of the mental fermentations, ignorance also ceases!
The way leading to the ceasing of ignorance is just this Noble 8-fold Way:
That is; Right view, right motivation, right speech, right action,
right livelihood, right effort and right concentration.
Source: MN 9

What Causes Ignorance?[/color][/i]
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Ca ... orance.htm

Bhikkhu_Samahita · Post by **Bhikkhu_Samahita** » Thu Jul 24, 2014 11:47 pm

Friends:

Making oneself into a Mighty Friend:

Friendliness means Goodwill
Friendliness means Kindness
Friendliness means Helpfulness
Friendliness means Assistance
Friendliness means Support
Friendliness means Benevolence
Friendliness means Concern
Friendliness means Care
Friendliness means Compassion
Friendliness means Cooperation
Friendliness means Mutual Aid
Friendliness means Mutual Advantage
Friendliness means Symbiosis
Friendliness means Sympathy
Friendliness means Basic Trust

The Blessed Buddha once said:
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, having understood,
will always cherish and serve such friends
just as a mother tends her only child.
DN III 188

As a mother even with her life protects her only child,
so let one cultivate immeasurable loving-kindness towards
all living beings.

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
the release of mind by infinite & endless friendliness far excels &
even surpasses them all. Itivuttaka 27

He who does not strike nor makes
others strike, who robs not nor makes
others rob, sharing love with all that live,
finds enmity with none. Itivuttaka 22

Thus he who both day and night
takes delight in harmlessness
sharing love with all that live,
finds enmity with none. SN I 208

When one with a mind of love
feels compassion for the entire world --
above, below and across,
unlimited everywhere. Jataka 37

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,
and may not those with many feet harm me.
AN II 72

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

I am a friend and helper to all,
I am sympathetic to all living beings.
I develop a mind full of love
and takes always delight in harmlessness.
I gladden my mind, fill it with joy,
and make it immovable and unshakable.
I develop the divine states of mind
not cultivated by simple men. Theragatha. 648-9

Bhikkhu_Samahita · Post by **Bhikkhu_Samahita** » Sun Jul 27, 2014 12:33 am

Friends:

Faith in the Three Jewels is the Entrance!

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 enlightened is the Buddha!
Perfectly formulated is this Buddha-Dhamma, visible right here and now,
immediately effective, timeless, inviting each & everyone to come and see
for themselves, inspect, examine and verify! Leading each and everyone
through progress towards perfection. Directly observable, experiencable
and realizable by each intelligence...
Perfectly training is the Noble Sangha community of Buddha's disciples.
Training the right way, the true way, the good way, and the direct way!
Therefore do these eight kinds of individuals, the 4 Noble pairs, deserve
both gifts, self-sacrifice, offerings, hospitality and reverential salutation
with joined palms, since this Noble Sangha community of Noble disciples,
is an unsurpassable and forever unsurpassed field of merit, in and for this
world, to support, worship, respect, protect, give to and gain from ...

Therefore:
Buddham saranam gacchami
Dhammam saranam gacchami
Sangham saranam gacchami

I take refuge in the Buddha!
I take refuge in the Dhamma!
I take refuge in the Sangha!

Thereby Honouring:
The Torch-bearer of Mankind!

On How to become a real true Buddhist:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refuge_(Buddhism)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Saddhamma_Sangha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Refu ... ecepts.htm

The 3 Jewels: Tiratana!

Honouring the 3 Jewels is the Entrance!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... Jewels.htm

Dhamma Wheel

Daily Dhamma Drops from Ceylon!

Mighty is Metta :-) _/\_

Today Esala Full-Moon Poya day!

The Formless Fruits!

What is Neutral?

The 5 Clusters!

Where to Start...

Unperturbed...

Happy is Harmlessness!

Stopping the Spin...

Be Good!

Intelligent Invitation!

What is Ignorance?

What Causes Ignorance?

Blazing is Friendliness :-)

Entrance is the 3 Jewels!