Daily Dhamma Drops from Ceylon!

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
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Bhikkhu_Samahita
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Using the Mirror...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Reflecting on all one's Behaviour:

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Intention has in future entangled physical effects outside the individual!


The Buddha to his son:
How do you consider this, Rahula: What is a mirror for?
Rahula: For reflection, Sir.

The Buddha: In the same way, Rahula, bodily acts, verbal acts, and mental
acts are to be done with constant reflection. Whenever you want to do a
bodily act, then you should reflect: This bodily act I want to do, would it
lead to misery to myself, to the misery of others, or to both?
Is this a detrimental bodily act, with painful consequences, painful results?
If, on reflection, you come to know that it would lead to your own misery,
to the misery of others, or to both, and it would be an harmful bodily act
with painful consequences, painful results, then any bodily act whatsoever
of that sort is absolutely unacceptable for you to do! But if on reflection
you know that it would not cause misery. That it would be an advantageous
bodily action with happy consequences, & pleasant results, then any bodily
act of that sort is proper for you to do.

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Any intention produces a ladder into the future upon which one climbs!

While you are doing a bodily act, you should reflect: This bodily act I am
doing now does it lead to self-misery, to the misery of others, or to both?
Is it an detrimental bodily act, with painful consequences, painful results?
If, on reflection, you come to know that it is leading to self-misery, or to
the misery of others, or to both, then you should instantly stop doing it!
But if on reflection you know that it is not disadvantageous to anybody,
then you may continue with it.

Having done a bodily act, you should again reflect .... If, on reflection,
you come to know that it led to self-misery, to the misery of others, or to
both; that it was an detrimental bodily act with painful consequences,
painful results, then you should confess it, reveal it, and lay it open to the
teacher or to a knowledgeable friend in the holy life. Having confessed it,
you should exercise restraint and self-control regarding this in the future.
But if on reflection you know that it did not lead to misery, that it was a
advantageous bodily action with happy consequences, happy results, then
you should stay mentally elated and joyful, training day and night in all the
advantageous mental qualities.

...[similarly for verbal and mental acts]...

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Intention is a choice, which reduces entropy, thus rolling out the future!  

Rahula, all past bhikkhus and recluses who purified their bodily, verbal, and
mental acts, did it through repeated reflection on their bodily, verbal, and
mental acts in exactly this way. All the future bhikkhus and recluses, & all
the bhikkhus and recluses, who at present purify their bodily, verbal, and
mental acts, do it by repeated reflection on their bodily, verbal, and mental
acts in exactly this way. Therefore, Rahula, you should train yourself:
I will purify my bodily behaviour by repeated reflection.
I will purify my verbal speech by repeated reflection.
I will purify my mental thought by repeated reflection.
Thus should you train yourself!
reference MN 61

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For details on the mechanics of Kamma = Intentional Action see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Bu ... _Kamma.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Go ... _Kamma.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ka ... g_life.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ka ... ckness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ka ... _Birth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ka ... overty.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ka ... liness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ef ... elayed.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ka ... espect.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ev ... _Kamma.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Go ... _Kamma.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ka ... igence.htm

Using the Mirror...

Reflecting on own Behaviour!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Re ... aviour.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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Faith is the Entrance!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Faith is the Entrance to what later Enlightens!

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Faith comes mostly from the heart and less from the intellect.
Faith - in itself - is blind, but it initiates repeated observation,
that later grows into confidence and when fully confirmed it
culminates in conviction. Then the Faith has become Knowledge!

What is the cause of Faith?
Suffering is proximate cause of Faith! When in pain we seek!
The 4 Factors of Stream-Entry is the Origin of Faith.
What are the four factors of Stream-Entry leading to Nibbana?

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Buddha once explained:
Here, householder, the Noble Disciple possesses confirmed faith,
confidence & conviction in the Buddha in this way:
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 & enlightened
is the Buddha!!!
He possesses confirmed confidence in the Dhamma in this way:
Perfectly formulated is this Buddha-Dhamma, visible right here &
now, immediately effective, timeless, inviting each and everyone to
come and see for themselves, inspect, examine & verify. Leading
each and everyone through progress towards perfection. Directly
observable, experiencable and realizable by each intelligence...
He also possesses confirmed confidence in the Sangha in this way:
Perfectly training is the Noble Sangha of the Buddha's disciples:
The right way, the true way, the good way and the direct way!
Therefore do these eight kinds of individuals, the four Noble pairs,
deserve gifts, self-sacrifice, offerings, hospitality & reverential
salutation with joined palms, since this Noble Sangha community
of the Buddha's Noble disciples, is an unsurpassable & forever
unsurpassed Field of Merit, in this world, for this world, to honour,
and support... He possesses the Morality esteemed by the Noble
ones: Unbroken, untorn, unspotted, unmottled, freeing, praised by
the clever, natural, leading to mental concentration, & absorption...
These 4 factors of Stream-Entry does the Noble Disciple possess!

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Links on Faith, Confidence, and Conviction (Saddha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Lay_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Fine_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Rich_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Dual_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Raining_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Mutual_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Leaping_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Highest_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/F ... _Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Faith_Summary.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Fu ... _Frees.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/P ... _Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/U ... _Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Dev ... elight.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/A ... _Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/O ... _Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/G ... _Faith.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/DPP ... addhaa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... _Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Han ... d_Seed.htm

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Faith is the Entrance!

Any Noble Disciple confirms faith into assured conviction..
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Fine_Faith.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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Joy Sweeps the Mind into Bliss!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

How does the Noble live in Alert Elevated Joy?

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
How, Nandiya, does a Noble Disciple live in alert elevated joy?
Here, Nandiya, any Noble Disciple is endowed with verified conviction in the
Buddha thus: Worthy, honourable & perfectly self-Enlightened is the Buddha!
Not satisfied with that verified conviction in the Buddha, he makes a further
effort in solitude by day and seclusion at night!
When thus enthusiastic, he is elevated by alertness!
When thus elevated by alertness, then gladness is born!
When he is gladdened, then a rapturous joy arises!
When the mind is uplifted by joy, the body becomes all tranquil...
One tranquil in body experiences a pure bliss of happiness!
The mind of one who is happy becomes condensed and concentrated...
When mind is concentrated, even subtle phenomena become plain & manifest.
Since these subtle phenomena become plain and manifest, he becomes one,
who lives and dwells in alert elevated joy...

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More on this blessed Bliss:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Forest_Bliss.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Joy_Piti.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoi ... Mudita.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Jo ... _World.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Bl ... _Bliss.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Jo ... Beyond.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/I ... usness.htm

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Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:398]
Section 55 on Stream-Entry: Sotapattisamyutta. Thread 40: Nandiya.

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Have a nice elevated day!

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

Joy Sweeps Mind into Bliss!

Alert Elevated Joy!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Al ... ed_Joy.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
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Location: Ceylon
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The Ultimate Peace!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The 10 Contemplations is Daily Buddhist Routine!

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus & friends: There is one contemplation, which when often
practiced and developed leads to the complete turning away from
the world, to detachment, to stilling, to ceasing, to Peace, to final
penetrating knowledge, to Enlightenment, and thus to Nibbana...
Any Noble Disciple who by progress has understood the Dhamma
dwells frequently in this state. Which is that one contemplation?
It is reflecting regarding the qualities of ultimate Peace like this:
This is peaceful, this is sublime, namely, the stilling of all kammic
construction, the leaving all behind of all substrata of any being,
the complete vanishing of all sorts of craving, ceasing, Nibbana...
Whatever, Bhikkhus & friends, there is of both conditioned &
unconditioned things, dependent & independent constructions,
detachment is considered the highest of them, that is, the final
destruction of ego-belief, the overcoming of all desire & thirst,
the rooting out of clinging, the breaking out of this long round
of rebirths, the vanishing of craving, absolute release, Nibbana...

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The Buddha emphasized:
Nibbana is the Highest Happiness!
Source: AN 1:16.10 + 10:60 + 4.34

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

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The Ultimate Peace!

Nibbana is the Highest Happiness...

Nibbana is the Highest Happiness...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Pe ... lation.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
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Bhikkhu_Samahita
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A Mountain of Advantage!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

How to Accumulate a Mountain of Advantage?

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, if anyone were to say about something, that it is a Mountain
of Advantage, then it is about the Four Foundations of Awareness that
one could rightly say this. For this is indeed an absolute accumulation of
advantage, these Four Foundations of Awareness. What four?
When an determined and devoted Bhikkhu considers:
1: The Body just as a transient frame: An empty container ...
2: The Feelings only as fleeting contacts: A short reactive blink ...
3: The Mind merely as temporary temper: A mentally habitual mood...
4: Phenomena as made up of and manifested by momentary mental states ...

while always acutely aware and clearly comprehending, he thereby removes
any greed, envy, jealousy, irritation and dissatisfaction rooted in this world...
If, bhikkhus, one were to say of anything: A heap of pure advantageousness,
it is about these four establishments of mindfulness that one could rightly
say this. For this is a complete and excellent mass of good uplifting future,
that is, these Four Foundations of Awareness...

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The Four Frames of Reference!

Details On Foundations of Awareness (Sati):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... t/sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Clear ... ension.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/A ... s_Sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Cl ... esence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Thousand_Aeons.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sa ... litude.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Sati_Summary.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/1_Producing_4.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Causes_of_sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sati_Acute.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Sati_Studies.htm

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Source of reference (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V: 187] 47 The Foundations of Awareness: 45 Accumulated Advantage..

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Have a nice & noble day!

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

A Mountain of Advantage!

The 4 Frames of Reference!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/A ... antage.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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Universal Friendliness Smiles!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

How to train and expand Universal Friendliness!

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Sitting alone, in silence, each early morning, with closed eyes one wishes:
May I radiate and meet only infinite friendliness, kindness and goodwill!
May I and all the various beings on the 31 levels of existence develop and find
only the genuine good of infinite friendliness, kindness and goodwill!
May I and all beings on the sense-desire, fine-material and the formless plane
develop and encounter this fine infinite friendliness, kindness and goodwill!
May I and all beings in the front, to the right, the back, the left and below as
above develop and experience high infinite friendliness, kindness and goodwill!
May I and all beings in this city, country and universe always be fully aware
and deeply mindful of this infinite friendliness, kindness and goodwill!
May I and all beings in this city, country and universe examine all details and
subtle aspects of this sublime infinite friendliness, kindness and goodwill!
May I and all beings in this city, country and universe put enthusiastic effort
into their praxis of infinite friendliness, kindness and goodwill!
May I and all beings in this city, country and universe find enraptured joy and
jubilant gladness in this infinite friendliness, kindness and goodwill!
May I and all beings in this city, country and universe cultivate the tranquillity
of quiet, silent and all stilled infinite friendliness, kindness and goodwill!
May I and all beings in this city, country and universe attain concentrated and
absorbed one-pointedness of infinite friendliness, kindness and goodwill!
May I and all beings in this city, country and universe dwell in undisturbable
and imperturbable balance of infinite friendliness, kindness and goodwill!
Yeah! (Print this out, dwell in each state until deep, use ~ 25-45 minutes.

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Comment: Universal Friendliness is the 1st endless state (Appamañña)
This gradually reduces all hate, anger, irritation, resentment, opposition,
stubbornness, mental rigidity, and unhappiness related with these states.
Release of Mind by Universal Friendliness (Metta-Ceto-Vimutti) is >16
times more worth, than any merit won by whatever worldly gift or gain...
Joining with the 7 links to Awakening will later cause formless jhana...

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More on fine Friendliness (Metta):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Un ... diance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Al ... ndness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sy ... mpathy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... ve_Saw.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The ... ntages.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Eva ... _Enemy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ge ... odwill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Bl ... odwill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Cosmic_Goodness.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Unbounded_Mind.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Safe_Medicine.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Loving-Kindness.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Goodness_Galore.htm

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Friendship is the Greatest


Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
http://groups.google.com/group/Buddha-Direct
http://groups.google.com/group/What_Buddha_Said

Genuine is Goodwill :-)

Universal is Friendliness!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Un ... liness.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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Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
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Feeding the Enthusiasm!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

How to Feed the Energy 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, so are the 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 is the feeding of the emergence of any yet unarisen Energy and also
feeding of the very completion by advance of any already arisen Energy Link
to Awakening? There are these 3 elements of:
Initiative, Launching into effort and Endurance ...
Frequently giving careful and rational attention to them, is feeding the arising
of any unarisen Energy Link to Awakening and also feeding of the fulfillment
of any already arisen Energy Link to Awakening...
And what, Bhikkhus, is the starving that obstructs the emergence of any yet
unarisen Energy Link to Awakening & which also hinders any already arisen
Energy Link from reaching any fulfillment by deliberate development?
There are these three elements of:
Initiative, Launching and Endurance ...
Not giving frequent, careful and rational attention to them; not considering
them much and often; is the starving that prevents any unarisen Energy Link
to Awakening from arising and also blocks any already arisen Energy Link to
Awakening from reaching any complete fulfillment by training & development.

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Comments from the classical commentaries:
Enthusiastic and eager exertion is the characteristic of the Energy Link to
Awakening (Viriya-sambojjhanga). Effort producing advantage is the goal
of the Energy quality. Activity overcoming mental slack is the manifestation
of this Energy Link to Awakening.
While too lazy to do what should be done simply ask yourself:
What is missing here???
Is it the element of mental initiative wishing to get up that is missing here now,
or is it the element of actual bodily launching into effort that is missing here,
or is it the element of endurance, persistence, perseverance and stamina that
is missing here now? This discrimination - in itself - has the capacity to gradually
stir up and induce energy!

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Further conditions helpful for the emergence of the Energy are:

1: Reflection on the long-term dangers of inactivity such as hell...
2: Reviewing the benefits to be gained by energetic praxis.
3: Remembering that no journey can ever be ended by a lazy one.
4: Giving credit to the good givers of the alms-food received.
5: Honouring the Greatness of the prior effort of the Master.
6: Honouring the Greatness of the prior effort of the Lineage.
7: Removing laxity by perceiving light, change of posture and open air.
8: Avoidance of slack, lazy, sluggish, negligent and careless people.
9: Friendship with enthusiastic, energetic and persistent people.
10: Reviewing the Four Right Efforts often and systematically.
11: Commitment and resolute determination to arouse more energy...

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There is bodily energy and there is mental energy! Both are a crucial for
all progress towards any advantageous state. Awakening is Waking Up
from sloth and daydreaming!

Energy is the Fifth Mental Perfection:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Enthu ... Energy.htm
Curing Laziness and lethargy:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Cu ... ziness.htm
Get Moving Right Now:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Arous ... _Going.htm

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For a full Study on Energy (Viriya): The root Hero of all Success:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Enthu ... Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/P ... Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/B ... Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... f_Hero.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/E ... Effort.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/A ... Effort.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/F ... Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Energy_Viriya.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Dual_Energy.htm

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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....

Feeding the Enthusiasm!

By focusing on: Initiative, Launching and Endurance...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/F ... Energy.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
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retrofuturist
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Re: Daily Dhamma Drops from Ceylon!

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings bhante,

Do you know specifically which sutta the first of those quotes is from?

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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Bhikkhu_Samahita
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Re: Daily Dhamma Drops from Ceylon!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

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

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Who enters Nibbãna, Happy, Free in Peace?

Wrong question! Why? There was no-one really there in the first place...!
Nibbana is there. Beings attain it, but no-one is ever seen entering it...
There was no 'entity' or 'person' there, but a process that simply stops!

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Right question: Not Who, but What is then absolutely free?
Right answer: Form is then free, Feeling is then free, Perception is then free,
Mental Construction is then free, and Consciousness itself is then free!
Cut short: The 5 clusters of clinging are instantly freed!
When all craving and all clinging is completely relinquished and eliminated,
then they are all completely irreversibly freed and they by that evaporate,
disintegrate, fade away and vanish... This is the signless Nibbana...

The Blessed Buddha once explained:
When past conditioning is exhausted, and no fresh causality is produced,
then mind is no longer lead to future rebirth. When cravings no more arise,
the seed is consumed! Still-minded ones cease like the flame of this lamp...
Sutta Nipata 235

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What actually stops burning right there?
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The Fire of Greed, Hate and Ignorance, is finally extinguished in Nibbana...

On this veritable "Fire of Painful Existence" see also:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Burning.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... g_Five.htm

What actually stops burning right there?
Just this evil Greed, Hate and Ignorance!!!


Extinguishing the Fire!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Cea ... _Flame.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

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

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The 20 Kinds of False "Self"-Projection:

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What are the 20 invalid Theories of an only apparently existing "Ego-self"?
1: My "self" is identical with my Body: This physical matter is my "Ego".
2: My "self" has a Body, this physical matter is owned by my "Ego".
3: My "self" is hidden somewhere inside & included within this Body frame.
4: This Body form is hidden inside and included within a pervading "Ego".

5: My "self" is identical with my Feelings: Pain, pleasure & neutral feeling is my "Ego".
6: My "self" has Feelings, these sensations are owned by my very own "Ego".
7: My "self" is hidden inside among these Feelings, included within these emotions.
8: These Feelings are hidden inside and included within my all-pervading "Ego-self".


9: My "self" is identical with my Perceptions: These experiences are my "Ego".
10: My "self" has Perceptions: These experiences are owned by my very own "Ego".
11: My "self" is hidden inside these Perceptions, included among all these experiences.
12: These Experiences are hidden inside & included inherently within my "Ego-self".

13: My "self" is identical with my Mental Constructions: Ideas & intentions are my "Ego".
14: My "self" possess mental Constructions: These activities are owned by my "Ego".
15: My "self" is hidden inside among these mental Constructions, included as a core.
16: These Cogitations are hidden inside & included inherently within my "ego-self".


17: My "self" is identical with my Consciousness: This bare awareness is my "Ego".
18: My "self" has a Consciousness: This naked awareness is owned by my "Ego".
19: My "self" is hidden inside this Consciousness, included in all aware moments.
20: This Consciousness is hidden inside & included inherently within my "self".

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The imagined EGO tragi-comically imprisons itself in overblown pride and ego-centrism!
Even without noticing it, since it is so blindly fallen in love with this non-existent Myself!
Enveloped in Egotism this Ego then systematically destroys itself by egoistic behaviour!
The very conception of an 'Ego' is thus a catastrophic form of mental auto-cannibalism,
which beings repeat life after life, resulting in immense pain for themselves & all others...


Why are these 20 common assumptions invalid, erroneous, wrong and false?

Because any concept of a "Self" inherently implies 3 criteria:
1 Sameness: It is something constant over time: An "identical same self"...
2 Control: That it is "self"-controllable: i.e. fully independent and autonomic...
3 Pleasant: That it is pleasant, since if self was not pleasant, & the "Self" really
was in full power, then it would instantly make whatever is self, become pleasant!
However, neither body, feeling, perception, mental construction, nor consciousness
is constant and the same, even for a moment... Therefore they cannot possibly ever
qualify as a "same self", nor be identical with any stable and definable identity...!!!
Neither is body, feeling, perception, mental construction, nor consciousness fully
controllable... Neither can they thus ever meet the control requirements of a self!
Neither is body, feeling, perception, mental construction, nor consciousness always
pleasant... They can therefore never contain or coincide with any autonomic self!

Could the assumed ‘"self"’ be a combination of any of 1-20? Not so! Why not?
If "self" is not found within any of 1-20, it cannot ever be a collection of them!


The 4 Mechanisms of unseen, assumed, and associative Ego-projection:
1+5+9+13+17 are examples of illusory identification with mere passing states...
2+6+10+14+18 are examples of fictitious immanence and invented ownership...
3+7+11+15+19 are examples of imagined inclusion in something becoming otherwise...
4+8+12+16+20 are examples of phony possessing as an invisible acquisition...

This doctrine of selflessness, Anatta, No-self, Not-Anyone-Anything-Anywhere is
particular to the Buddhas. No other is able to discover, comprehend, nor teach this!


More on this subtle, counter-intuitive, profound, baffling, yet liberating Selflessness:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Anatta_No_Self.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The ... Anatta.htm

The Blessed Buddha once radically pointed out:
"All phenomena is void of a "self" or of what belongs to any "self"!
Within this frame is therefore nothing belonging to anyone, anywhere,
nor is there anything owned by this frame in anyone, anywhere or elsewhere..."


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Like a Scarecrow empty of self, soul, ownership & ego...

On clinging to "personality" view (Sakkaya Ditthi) and selflessness (Anatta):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/I-dentification.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Ego-Projection.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Anatta_No_Self.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/No ... Inside.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... ctrine.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ju ... ubbles.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ne ... _Actor.htm

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A Void Empty of anything REAL is the EGO...

Source: The Moderate Speeches of the Buddha.
Majjhima Nikaya 106 [ii 106] The Way to the Imperturbable.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=25072X
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/ma ... index.html

Illusory I-dentification = Inner Ego-Prison...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Ego-Projection.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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The Rewarding Fruit!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

What is the Resulting Reward Fruit?

The Blessed Buddha once said:
The rewarding fruition of morality is freedom from regrets!
The rewarding fruition of freedom from regret is gladness!
The rewarding fruition of gladness is rapturous joy!
The rewarding fruition of joy is serene tranquillity!
The rewarding fruition of tranquillity is Happiness!
The rewarding fruition of happiness is concentration!
The rewarding fruition of concentration is knowing & seeing!
The rewarding fruition of knowing & seeing is realism!
The rewarding fruition of realism is disillusion!
The rewarding fruition of disillusion is release!
Step by step does morality thus lead to the Highest!
Source: AN 10:1

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About Fruition (Phala):
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/DPP ... /phala.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... _phala.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... uggala.htm

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Have a nice fruitful day!

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

The Rewarding Fruit!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/Re ... itions.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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The 2 Blind Drivers...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The Advantageous & the Detrimental!

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There are these two kinds of Desire:
1: Advantageous Desire for unbinding, for release, for peace, for Nibbana...
Why is this form of desire advantageous ?
Because it leads towards ultimate safety, freedom, and lasting Happiness!

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2: The Detrimental Desire for forms, for body, for feelings, for perceptions,
for mental constructions, for sensing, & for the various types of consciousness.
Why is this form of desire detrimental?
Because it leads to repeated births, ageing, decaying, sickness & repeated death!
Because it leads to sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress, misery & desperate despair.
I tell you, because such desire leads to Suffering...
These are the two kinds of Desire!

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There are these two kinds of Disgust:
1: The Advantageous Disgust towards forms, towards body, towards feelings,
towards perceptions, towards mental constructions, towards sensing, towards the
manifold and various types of consciousness, towards all internal and all external ...
Why is this form of disgust advantageous ?
Because it leads towards ultimate safety, freedom, and lasting Happiness!

2: The Detrimental Disgust towards friends on the Noble life, towards morality,
towards meditation, towards understanding, towards right view, towards right
motivation, towards right speech, towards right behaviour, towards right livelihood,
towards right effort, and towards right concentration...
Why is this form of disgust detrimental?
Because it leads to repeated births, ageing, decaying, sickness & repeated death!
Because it leads to sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress, misery & desperate despair.
I tell you, because such desire leads to Suffering...
These are the two kinds of Disgust!

Comments:
The autopilot monkey-mind runs with any desire, even if it is catastrophic...
This same folly also runs away from any disgust, even if it is advantageous!

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More on this dual Desire (Chanda):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... Desire.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/De ... _Force.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ob ... uption.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/D ... thless.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Tw ... Desire.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Co ... _Muddy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... chanda.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... al_Pit.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Desire_&_Lust.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Just_a_Flash.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Why_Not.htm

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The 2 Blind Drivers...

Desire and disgust can be both advantageous and detrimental!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Tw ... Desire.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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United in Harmony :-)

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The 6 Things Uniting in Harmony to be Remembered:

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
These six things are to be remembered in order to Unite any Community in Harmony:
Which six?
1: Friendly Behaviour (metta-kaya-kamma=friendly bodily action) both in public and in private.
2: Friendly Speech (metta-vaci-kamma=friendly verbal action) both in public and in private.
3: Friendly Thought (metta-mano-kamma=friendly mental action) both in public and in private.
4: Sharing of Gains (sadharana-bhogi=common wealth) even down to any single lump of food.
5: Moral Harmony (sila-samannagato=uniform morality): All respect the same ethical rules.
6: Harmony in Views (ditthi-samannagato=uniform attitude): All share the same general views.
These 6 things are to be considered & remembered both for individual & social Harmony...

Comments:
So we can sleep with open doors and dance with the children in our arms :-)

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On Harmony:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unique_Unity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Milk_and_Water.htm

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Source (edited extract):
The Numerical Sayings of the Buddha. Anguttara Nikaya.
The Book of Sixes 11: To be Remembered... [III: 288-9]

United in Harmony :-)

Blending like Milk and Water...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Un ... armony.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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In the Dhamma's Presence!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Contemplating the Qualities of the Dhamma:

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, experienceable
and realizable by each intelligence...

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When a bhikkhu is devoted to this recollection of the Dhamma, he thinks:
I never in the past met a master, who taught a law that led onward thus,
who possessed this talent, nor do I now see any such a master other than
the Blessed One. Seeing the Dhamma's special qualities in this very way,
he is respectful and deferential towards the Master. He entertains great
reverence for the Dhamma and attains the fullness of faith and insight.
He has much happiness and gladness. He conquers fear and dread.
He is able to endure pain. He comes to feel as if he were living in the
Dhamma's presence. When recollecting the Dhamma's special qualities,
dwelling in this remembrance, his body becomes as worthy of worship
as a shrine room. His mind tends towards the realization of the peerless
Dhamma. When he encounters an opportunity for transgression, then he
has vivid awareness of conscience and shame induced by recollecting the
well-regulatedness of the Dhamma. And if he penetrates no higher, he is
at least headed for a happy destiny...

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Now when a man is truly wise,
His constant task will surely be,
This recollection of the Dhamma,
Blessed with such mighty potency!
Vism I 218

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The blessed Buddha 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 all other tastes.
The joy of Understanding exceeds all other joys.
The Elimination of craving overcomes and quenches
all ill, all pain, all sorrow, and all suffering ...
Dhammapada 354

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Remembering this perfect ever returning Dhamma Doctrine:
http://www.dhammawiki.com/index.php?title=Dhamma
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Three_Jewels.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... dhamma.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Dh ... lation.htm

In the Dhamma's Presence!

The Joy of Understanding exceeds all other Joys. :-)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Dhamma_Presence.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

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