Daily Dhamma Drops from Ceylon!

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
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Shedding it..

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Shed all that is not worth Keeping!

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
He who can curb his anger as soon as it arises,
as a timely medicine will check the snake's venom
that so quickly spreads, such a monk gives up both
the here and the beyond, just as a snake sheds
its worn-out skin.


He who entirely cuts off his lust as when entering
a pond one uproots lotus plants such a monk gives
up both the here and the beyond, just as a snake
sheds its worn-out skin.


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He who entirely cuts off all craving by drying up
its fierce and rapid flow, such a monk gives up
both the here and the beyond, just as a snake
sheds its worn-out skin.


He who entirely blots out the conceit "I Am" as
the wind demolishes a fragile bamboo bridge,
such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
just as a snake sheds its worn-out skin.


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He who does not find core or substance in any of
the realms of being, like flowers which are vainly
sought in the fig trees that bear no flowers,
such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
just as a snake sheds its worn-out skin.


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More on Release (Vimokkha, Vimutti):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Beyond_Release.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Freed_by_Knowing.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... rances.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... imutti.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Se ... leases.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... mokkha.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Fu ... Wisdom.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Source: Sutta-Nipata 1-5:
Reflections on the Uraga Sutta by Nyanaponika Thera.
Wheels 241/242 Kandy; Buddhist Publication Society:
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/Wheels/wh241.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Have a nice & noble day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Shed all that is Heavy & Unnecessary!

The Worn-out Skin!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/The ... t_Skin.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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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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Feeding the Calm...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Feeding the Tranquillity Link to Awakening!

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, just as this body, is sustained by feeding, exists in dependence
on feeding and cannot survive without food, exactly & even so are these 7
Links to Awakening also sustained by feeding, they can also only exist in
dependence on feeding and they cannot survive without feeding...
And what, Bhikkhus, is the feeding the emergence of any yet unarisen
Tranquillity Link to Awakening & also feeding of already arisen & present
Tranquillity? Just this very notion: There are 2 kinds of Calm:

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There is Tranquillity of the Body (kaya-passaddhi) and there is Tranquillity
of the Mind (citta-passaddhi)!
Frequently giving careful & rational attention
to them both, is feeding the arising of any unarisen tranquillity and indeed
also feeding of the gradual fulfillment of any already arisen tranquillity...
And what, Bhikkhus, is the starving that obstructs all emergence of any yet
unarisen tranquillity and which also hinders any already arisen tranquillity
in reaching fulfillment by development?

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There are these 2 kinds of composed calm, which should be differentiated:
Tranquillity of the Body and Tranquillity of the Mind! Not giving frequent
careful and rational attention to them; not considering them much & often;
is the starving that prevents an unarisen tranquillity from arising and also
blocks any already arisen tranquillity from reaching complete fulfillment
by mental training and progressive development by meditation...

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Comments from the classical commentaries:
Peace is the characteristic of
the Tranquillity Link to Awakening (Passaddhi-sambojjhanga). Stilling of all
bodily activity, feeling, perception, mental construction and consciousness
is the purpose of tranquillity. Settled, serene and solidified calm (samatha)
is the excessively pleasant manifestation of tranquillity. A smiling mountain!
When the mirror moves & vibrates, then one cannot see anything clearly in it.
So also with the mind: When stressed and agitated, then mind cannot figure
out what is good and what is bad on the long term. But when imperturbably
stilled, then mind can cut right through any distraction and attain absolute
certainty and understanding both spontaneously and instantaneously...

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Further conditions helpful for the emergence of the Tranquillity are:
1: Eating good and fine food...
2: Living in a pleasant climate...
3: Maintaining a comfortable posture without pain or distress...
4: Staying evenly ballanced in all situations and regarding all aspects...
5: Avoidance of restless, anxious, agitated, worried and stressed people...
6: Friendship with bodily and mentally calm people, who meditates much!
7: Commitment to calm down the mind by cultivating quiet and tranquillity!

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There is Tranquillity of the Body and there is Tranquillity of the Mind!
These mutually depend upon and enhance each other into deeper calmness.


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More on Tranquillity (Passaddhi) and Calm (Samatha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Br ... nsight.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... saddhi.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... amatha.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... il_One.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ca ... nsight.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/H ... _Alert.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/forest_bliss.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Calm_Power.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Forest_Bliss.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Silenced.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Calmed.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Calm.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Sources (edited extracts):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V: 65-6+102-8] 46: Links. 2+51: Group & Nutriments....

Have a nice & noble day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Tranquillity can be Trained!

Feeding Tranquillity!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/F ... illity.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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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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The 11 Advantages!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The 11 Advantages of Infinite Friendliness:

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When one cultivates regular meditation on Infinite Friendliness (Metta),
then these 11 advantages are produced, can be expected and observed:

1: One sleeps in comfort.
2: One wakes in comfort.
3: One dreams no evil dreams.
4: One is dear to human beings.
5: One is dear to non-human beings.
6: Deities guard and protect one.
7: Fire, poison and weapons cannot affect one.
8: One's mind is easily concentrated.
9: The expression of one's face is serene.
10: One dies unconfused and without panic.
11: If one penetrates no higher, then one is reborn in the Brahma-world.

These 11 advantages emerges and hold insofar as goodwill is maintained!
Vism I 312-314, AN V 342

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RADIATING PEACE
The Noble Friend, who dwells in friendly good-will,
Who has faith in the Teaching of the Buddhas,
Will reach the place of Peace, the mode of ease,
The stilling of all formation,
The calming of all construction,
Purest Happiness itself ...
Dhammapada 368

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The blessed Buddha said:
With good-will for the entire cosmos,
Cultivate a limitless heart and mind:
Beaming above, below, and all around,
Unobstructed, without trace of hostility.
Sutta Nipata I, 8

May all creatures, all breathing and living things,
All beings, one and all, without any exception,
Experience the good fortune of pure Happiness!
May they not fall into any harm... :-)
Anguttara Nikaya II, 72

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Universal Friendliness, which cures all aversion, is a divine state!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Metta.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... ve_Saw.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Bl ... liness.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Un ... liness.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Al ... ndness.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... odwill.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/A ... ndness.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/In ... lassic.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Selfl ... eetest.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_B ... enship.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Universal Friendliness Blazes even Beyond!

The 11 Advantages!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The ... ntages.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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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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Intention is the Kamma!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The Intention behind the Action is the Kamma!

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
It is the intention behind the action, that defines the kamma!
Having wanted, wished, & willed, one acts by body, speech, and mind.
There are actions (kamma), which cause later effects to ripen in hell!
There are actions, which cause later effects to ripen as being animal!
There is kamma, which cause later effects to ripen as a hungry ghost!
There are actions, which cause later effects to ripen as human being!
There is kamma, which cause later effects to ripen in divine states!
The result of actions (vipaka) is of three kinds: Ripening here & now
in the present life, in immediate next life, or in future lives. AN 6:63

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Ownership and inheritance of the delayed results of action:
All beings are the owners of their actions, inheritor of their deeds!
They are literally created by & born of their behaviour, they are tied
to their acts, & their undertakings determines their future destiny...
Whatever they do, good as bad, the delayed results of that action,
will be the theirs only... AN 10:206

Wherever beings spring into existence, there their actions will ripen!
Wherever the effects of their past actions matures, there, they will
earn the fruits of those deeds, be it in this life, or in the next life, or
in any other remote future life. AN 3:33

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Kamma = karma is just cause and delayed inevitable effect!

Neither high up in the air or free space, nor deep down in the oceans,
Nor hidden inside any distant remote & secret mountain cleft or cave
Nowhere... is a place or location found in any universe, where one can
escape the inevitable later results of wrong, bad, & evil behaviour...
Dhammapada 127

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Comments: Cause & Effect. Everything arises from a reason or cause!
Doing Good gets Good! The result of advantageous action is pleasure!
Doing Bad begets Evil! The result of disadvantageous action is pain!
Suffering now is often the delayed result of own past bad behaviour!
Enjoying now is often the delayed result of own past good behaviour!
Not taking responsibility for one's own life is pathetic victimization;
"The others or the circumstances did it!" playing the blame game...


On intentional Action = Kamma & resulting effects (vipaka):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ka ... ention.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Unint ... Action.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Bu ... _Kamma.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/K ... _Fruit.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/K ... ovable.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/I ... uences.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Go ... _Kamma.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Kamma is the Intention!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/In ... _Kamma.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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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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Let it Go!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Learning The Five Grades of Mental Purity:

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Initially the Noble Learner temporarily disables the mental hindrances
and bindings by "Substitution by the Opposite" using insight. Lust is thus
temporarily substituted by disgust, anger by friendliness, restlessness
by calm, laziness by energy and doubt is substituted by certainty.

Later the Noble Learner temporarily overcomes the mental hindrances
and bindings by "Suppression" by entering one-pointed absorption of
concentration, which is unmixed, unpolluted and untainted by hindrances.

Later the Noble Learner permanently eliminates another fraction of the
hindrances & bindings by "Cutting Off" at reaching path-moment of the
Stream-entry, Once-Returner, Non-Returner and Arahat (Magga) state.

Later the Noble Learner permanently eliminates the remaining fraction
of hindrances by effortless "Calming" at reaching the fruition-moment of
the Stream-entry, Once-Returner, Non-Returner & Arahat (Phala) state.

Finally the Noble Learned irreversibly leaves behind all mental hindrances
and bindings by "Escape" into the unconditioned and unconditional element
of Nibbana, without remaining traces of either clinging or other fuel...

Take Home: Substitution => Suppression => Cut Off => Calming => Escape!

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More on Withdrawal:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Witdr ... Wisdom.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Source: The Path of Purification: Visuddhimagga. 5th century AC.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=771100" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Have a nice & noble learning day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_ Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Learning to Let Go!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/Level ... Behind.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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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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What is this Right Effort?

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

What is this vital Right Effort?

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That Noble Eightfold Way, leading to Nibbana, is simply this:
Right View, Right Motivation, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood,
Right Effort, Right Awareness and Right Concentration.
But what is Right Effort?

The 4-fold Definition of Right Effort:
1: The effort to overcome already present disadvantageous mental states..
2: The effort to prevent future disadvantageous mental states from arising..
3: The effort to begin developing so far absent advantageous mental states..
4: The effort to maintain and perfect already arisen advantageous mental states..

This is Right Effort!

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The Characterization of Right Effort:
Striving for replacing wrong view with right view, is Right Effort!
Striving for replacing wrong motivation with right motivation, is Right Effort!
Striving for replacing wrong speech with right speech, is Right Effort!
Striving for replacing wrong action with right action, is Right Effort!
Striving for replacing wrong livelihood with right livelihood, is Right Effort!
Striving for replacing wrong effort with right effort, is Right Effort!
Striving for replacing wrong awareness with right awareness, is Right Effort!
Striving for replacing wrong concentration w. right concentration, is Right Effort!

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The Explanation of the 4 Right Efforts:
The 4 right efforts are 1: Control 2: Overcoming 3: Development 4: Maintenance!
What is the effort of control? When seeing an object with the eye, one neither
grasps after the whole object, nor any of its details, thereby one strives well to
prevent bad, detrimental states, such as longing and frustration, to flood in on one!
One guards and controls the sense of sight, and do similarly with the other senses.
What is the effort of overcoming? One does not accept any lust, hate, or anger,
that has arisen, but leaves it instantly, dispels it, destroys it, and makes it vanish.
What is the effort of development? One develops the enlightenment-factor of
awareness, of investigation, of energy, of joy, of tranquillity, of concentration,
and the enlightenment-factor of equanimity based on solitude, seclusion, and
ceasing, which is leading to maturity, and culminating in spiritual self-surrender.
What is the effort of maintenance? One dominated by desire maintains firmly
in his mind a favourable object of concentration, such as a skeleton, or a corpse
that is full of worms, bluish-black, full of holes, and bloated, while one dominated
by anger maintains firmly in his mind a favourable object of concentration, such
as infinite friendliness, universal pity, mutual joy, or well balanced equanimity...

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Thus knowing right and wrong effort as right and wrong effort, is Right View.
Awareness of presence of right and wrong effort, is Right Awareness.
Right effort has the function of striving, exertion and endurance...
Keep on keeping on! Never give up! Always Come again!

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Further study of Buddhist Right Effort (Samma-Padhana):
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/samma-vayamo.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/A ... Effort.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Av ... ffort2.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... Effort.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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[i]What is this Right Effort?[/i]
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_ ... Effort.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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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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Kamma is improvable!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Effect of Action is not fixed, but Modifiable by new Action:

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Painful effects of past wrong action is reduced by future right action.
Painful effects of past wrong action is enhanced by more wrong action.
Pleasurable effects of past right action is reduced by new wrong action.
Pleasurable effects of past right action is enhanced by right action now.


Behaviour (kamma) is almost always mixed: Sometimes good, often bad!
Later effects are thus similarly mixed: Sometimes pleasure, often pain...
Good begets good & dilutes & delays evil. Evil begets evil & delays good!

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For details on the mechanics of Kamma = Intentional Action see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ka ... ention.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Bu ... _Kamma.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/K ... _Fruit.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/I ... uences.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Go ... _Kamma.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ka ... g_life.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ka ... ckness.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ka ... _Birth.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ka ... overty.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ka ... liness.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ef ... elayed.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ka ... espect.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ev ... _Kamma.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Go ... _Kamma.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ka ... igence.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Some sound sources of the Buddha on Kamma:
AN 3.99 Lonaphala Sutta The Salt Crystal:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Yes We Do it! ................................... Too late pal...

Kamma & the Ending of Kamma:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... ml#part1-b" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Instant Karma in Action!........ Thus Don't do Evil!

Have a nice & noble day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita _/\_
http://What-Buddha-Said.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Kamma can be Modified!

Effect of Action is not fixed, but Modifiable by new Action...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/K ... ovable.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
User avatar
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Posts: 2750
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
Location: Ceylon
Contact:

The Best Protection!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Morality is not a Prison, but the only Effective Protection!

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What is Morality?
Morality is the root cause of all success and all what is good.
Morality is the intention behind avoidance of all wrongdoing.
Morality is the mental combination of non-envy, goodwill and right view.
Morality is the self-control enabled by awareness, tolerance & restraint.
Morality is the non-breaking of the rules one have accepted and respects.

What is the Meaning of Morality?
Morality means consistency between all mental, verbal & bodily actions.
Morality means upholding the foundation of all advantageous states.

What is the Function of Morality?
To STOP bad and evil behaviour and it’s painful future effects.
To ATTAIN blameless mental purity and the blissful joy of innocence.

What is the Manifestation of Morality?
The virtuous blameless innocence of mental, verbal and behavioural purity.

What is the Proximate Cause of Morality?
The scrupulous shame within conscience is the cause of any moral ethics.
The fear of the results of wrongdoing is the Cause of any moral ethics.
Shame and fear of wrongdoing are therefore 2 protectors of the world!

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Ultra-Cut:
Doing Good creates Pleasure!
Doing Evil creates Pain!


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More on this basic first cause of all Good: Morality (Sila)!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Sila_1_to_5.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Happy_Habbit.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/What_is_Virtue.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Be ... ection.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... Basics.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Best_ ... Praxis.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Si ... lation.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Source: The Path of Purification: Visuddhimagga.
Written by 'the great explainer' Ven. Buddhaghosa in 5th century AC.
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/pdf ... on2011.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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The Best Protection!

Pure Morality is not a Prison, but a Safe Shield...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Be ... ection.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
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Today is the Medin Sangha Poya Day!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

How to be a Real Buddhist through Observance?

Medin Poya day is the full-moon of March. This holy day celebrates
that the Buddha visits his parental home after his supreme Enlightenment,
and ordains his son prince Rahula, & half brother Nanda. This day is
also called: The Sangha Day, since on this full-moon 1250 Arahats
spontaneously met & assembled around the Buddha without any call.
Buddha then spoke the famous Ovada Patimokkha core teaching!

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On such Full-Moon Uposatha Poya 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 & head touch the floor.
Then, with joined palms at the heart, one recites 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 hereby request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time.
I will hereby respect these Three Jewels the rest of my life!

I accept to respect, keep & 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 Lying & Cheating.
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... 

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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! The journey towards Nibbana: The Deathless is hereby started!
This is the Noble Way to Absolute Peace, to Complete Freedom, to Ultimate
Happiness, initiated by Morality, developed further by Dhamma-Study and
fulfilled by training of Meditation...

Today indeed is Pooya or Uposatha or observance day, where any lay
Buddhist normally keeps also 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 hereby ..." signed with
name, date, town, & country to me or join here. A public list of this new
quite rapidly growing global web Saddhamma-Sangha is set up here!

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The New Noble Community of Buddha's Disciples: The Saddhamma Sangha:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Saddhamma_Sangha.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Can quite advantageously be Joined Here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

May your journey hereby be light, swift, and sweet. Never give up !!
Bhikkhu Samahita: [email protected].

For Details on The Origin of Uposatha Observance Days:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/uposatha.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Buddha with his Rahula, who also awakened into enlightenment!

Have a nice observance day!

Sangha Poya Day!

True Buddhists Respect the Observance Days...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/III/M ... ya_Day.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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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 Noble Disciple Community....

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The Ten Contemplations is Daily Routine!

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

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

More on the Three Jewels (Ti-Ratana) and Nobility (Ariya):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/b/buddha.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Three_Jewels.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... sangha.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... ratana.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... uggala.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Peace.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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

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The Noble Community....

Contemplating the Qualities of the Sangha!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sa ... lation.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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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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Blazing and Bright..

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,
similarly; whatever good thoughts one fulfils by doing 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 -
blazes forth, and thus outshines 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 these together 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 brings
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 sacrifice life, objects, or fire, who bathe
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 such perfectly released mind!

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More on the Mind:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/In_Control.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Non-Control.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Luminous_is_Mind.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta ... I.8-10.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ma ... t_Mind.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Hi ... ibbana.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Source:
The Itivuttaka 27: Thus was it Said:
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=404214" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/kh ... index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Luminous Mind!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Bl ... Bright.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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
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Inevitable is Death..

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Death Contemplation is Daily Routine:

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
Contemplation on death, Bhikkhus and friends, when developed and frequently
practised, brings high reward and blessing, has the Deathless Dimension itself
as goal and sweet fruit. And how so? Bhikkhus and friends, at every dawn and
dusk the wise Bhikkhu thinks to himself: Truly, there are many possibilities of
dying: a snake may bite me, or a scorpion or centipede may sting me, and thereby
I may lose my life. This would be an obstruction!
Or I may stumble and fall down; or become seriously sick, or bad men, or evil
spirits may attack me, and thereby I may die. That would indeed be for me an
obstruction blocking approach and access to the deathless state of Nibbana!
Here, a Bhikkhu therefore considers by intelligent reflection: Are there still
found in me unsubdued evil and disadvantageous mental states, that if I should
die today or tonight, would lead me to a bad, painful, low, ugly, poor, painful,
or unsuccessful next life?
Now, if he by such reflection realize that there are indeed still unsubdued,
evil, and disadvantageous mental states found in him, then he should use his
outmost determination, energetic effort, endurance, steady awareness, and
clear comprehension in order to subdue these evil and disadvantageous mental
states! If, however, the Bhikkhu by reflection notices that there are not anymore
found in him any evil, and disadvantageous mental states, then such Bhikkhu can
dwell in pure blissful serene joy, training himself in all advantageous things both
by day and by night! Source: Anguttara Nikaya 8:74

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More on the inevitable fact of Death:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Death.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Deathless.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... /amata.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... ension.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/D ... thless.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Inevitable is Death..

http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/De ... lation.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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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:

What is Reality?

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

All Phenomena are just Mental States:

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Question: What is a phenomenon?

Answer: A phenomenon is an experienced state manifesting as an appearance, a mentally
observed event, a conscious occasion! Whether experienced as a mental object: Examples:
An experienced thought, idea, feeling, mood, or experienced as a physical object: Examples:
An experienced sight, sound, smell, taste or touch; this experience is just a mental ‘state’,
which is what in early Buddhism is called a ‘Dhamma’ . This event is just a passing moment
of consciousness in time! As such: Everything worldly is a mental state! Nothing exists as
an independent of mind 'physical' object 'out there', until it is observed as a mind experience…
Before and after this direct observation, this ‘thing’, remains just an ‘idea’ or a mere potential
possibility or quantum-mechanical likelihood for observation! Not quite as 'real' anymore…

They once asked the Buddha:
What is the Cause of a Phenomenon?

He replied: Attention (manasikara) is the cause of any phenomenon!
Why so? When attention is present, the phenomenon appears...
When attention is absent, the phenomenon disappears!
and he further later added:
This World both Begins and Ends within this 2 fathom frame of bones... SN I 62
The ALL is thereby actually just a sensed and experienced representation... SN IV 15

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Insisting on Real Direct Experience:
This ultra-realistic insistence on direct experience is also called Radical Empiricism,
a pragmatic conception of reality, which philosophically was coined by William James.

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For further study on Phenomena as mere mental states:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/P ... States.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/C ... rgence.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... dhamma.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_ALL.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Out_in.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radical_Empiricism" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_James" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenomenon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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The Phenomenon ‘Match’ Occurring only momentarily by
mentally experienced observation! Not ‘out there’ as an observer-independent ‘substance’,
but 'in here' in our observer-mind, as just yet another experiencable passing mental state…

What is Reality?

Mental Representations...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Wh ... omenon.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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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 Disciple ...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

How is the Faith leading to Lay Discipleship?

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Having heard the Buddha speak the Lay Disciple exclaims:
Excellent, Lord, excellent! It is as if someone were to set up right what had
been knocked and turned upside-down, or it is as if someone revealed what
was covered up and hidden, or it is as if someone pointed out the way to one
who had got lost by going astray, or it is as if someone brought a lamp into a
dark place, so that those with eyes could see the forms there! Exactly so has
the Blessed Buddha explained this true Dhamma in many various clear ways.
Therefore do I, Venerable Sir, hereby take refuge in the Blessed Buddha,
hereby take refuge in the true Dhamma, and hereby take refuge in the
Noble Sangha... May the Blessed Buddha accept and know me as a lay-follower
from this day on and as long as this life shall last! So is the faith of those who
after countless lives at last have accumulated and now possesses the right and
ripe conditions for attaining the valuable state of lay disciple of a Buddha...
This is the very first step towards the Bliss of Deathless Nibbana!

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On Faith (Saddha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Rich_Faith.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Fine_Faith.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Dual_Faith.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Raining_Faith.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Mutual_Faith.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Leaping_Faith.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Highest_Faith.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/F ... _Faith.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Fu ... _Frees.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Faith_Summary.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/P ... _Faith.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Dev ... elight.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/U ... _Faith.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/A ... _Faith.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/O ... _Faith.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/G ... _Faith.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... addhaa.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... _Faith.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Han ... d_Seed.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Source: DN 2 The Fruits of Retreat: Samaññaphala Sutta I 85
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Fine is Faith!

The Disciple elevates his future...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Lay_Faith.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
User avatar
retrofuturist
Posts: 27848
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 9:52 pm
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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Re: Daily Dhamma Drops from Ceylon!

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings bhante,

Thank you for sharing!

On Saturday I will be having an urban retreat with some of my spiritual friends. I thought you would like to know that as part of the retreat I will be sharing information on the brahma-viharas and that your collected words on the subject of mudita have come in very handy!

:buddha1:

Metta,
Retro. :)
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
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