Sutta reference: Imagine yourself as Brahma [Solved]

Exploring the Dhamma, as understood from the perspective of the ancient Pali commentaries.
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fivebells
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Sutta reference: Imagine yourself as Brahma [Solved]

Post by fivebells »

I remember Thanissaro quoting a sutta in which the Buddha instructs a householder to imagine himself as Brahma or some other deity while he is surrounded by his children. Anyone got a pointer?

Edit: Oops, this is what I was thinking of, not quite the same thing.
“Furthermore, you should recollect the devas: ‘There are the devas of the
Four Great Kings, the devas of the Thirty-three, the devas of the Hours, the
Contented Devas, the devas who delight in creation, the devas who have power
over the creations of others, the devas of Brahm›’s retinue, the devas beyond
them. Whatever conviction they were endowed with that—when falling away
from this life—they re-arose there, the same sort of conviction is present in me
as well. Whatever virtue they were endowed with that—when falling away from
this life—they re-arose there, the same sort of virtue is present in me as well.
Whatever learning they were endowed with that—when falling away from this
life—they re-arose there, the same sort of learning is present in me as well.
Whatever generosity they were endowed with that—when falling away from this
life—they re-arose there, the same sort of generosity is present in me as well.
Whatever discernment they were endowed with that—when falling away from
this life—they re-arose there, the same sort of discernment is present in me as
well.’ At any time when a disciple of the noble ones is recollecting the conviction,
virtue, learning, generosity, and discernment found both in himself and the
devas, his mind is not overcome with passion, not overcome with aversion, not
overcome with delusion. His mind heads straight, based on the (qualities of the)
devas. And when the mind is headed straight, the disciple of the noble ones gains
a sense of the goal, gains a sense of the Dhamma, gains joy connected with the
Dhamma. In one who is joyful, rapture arises. In one who is rapturous, the body
grows calm. One whose body is calmed experiences ease. In one at ease, the
mind becomes concentrated.
“Mah›n›ma, you should develop this recollection of the devas while you are
walking, while you are standing, while you are sitting, while you are lying down,
while you are busy at work, while you are resting in your home crowded with
children.” — AN 9:13
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mirco
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Re: Sutta reference: Imagine yourself as Brahma [Solved]

Post by mirco »

That's a guide to brahmavihāra meditation.:

EDIT: Can you please tell me where to find that sutta, because when I look up AN 9:13 I think it's Sutta number 13 from the book of nines from the Anguttara Nikaya, but that's something different (Kotthita Sutta)

EDIT II: Google helped. It's AN 11:13, Mahanama Sutta.

Be Well,
Mirco
pegembara
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Re: Sutta reference: Imagine yourself as Brahma [Solved]

Post by pegembara »

This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, so I have heard: "Living with Brahma are those families where, in the home, mother & father are revered by the children. Living with the first devas are those families where, in the home, mother & father are revered by the children. Living with the first teachers are those families where, in the home, mother & father are revered by the children. Living with those worthy of gifts are those families where, in the home, mother & father are revered by the children. 'Brahma' is a designation for mother & father. 'The first devas' is a designation for mother & father. 'The first teachers' is a designation for mother & father. 'Those worthy of gifts' is a designation for mother & father. Why is that? Mother & father do much for their children. They care for them, nourish them, introduce them to this world."


Mother & father,
compassionate to their family,
are called
Brahma,
first teachers,
those worthy of gifts
from their children.
So the wise should pay them
homage,
honor
with food & drink
clothing & bedding
anointing & bathing
& washing their feet.
Performing these services to their parents,
the wise
are praised right here
and after death
rejoice in heaven.

Itivuttaka: The Group of Fours
And what is right speech? Abstaining from lying, from divisive speech, from abusive speech, & from idle chatter: This is called right speech.
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