Dhammavadaka

[David N. Snyder]

Hi yawares,

I moved your post here since it is not related to the birthday thread.

There are no "official" titles or names to each of the jhanas, as far as I know, except for the formless jhanas / realms. So those are just some of the characteristics of the first four jhanas, but are in no way meant to be considered as official names.

[yawares]

Dear Members,

I found this picture in Facebook...many beautiful new trend Buddha statues...love love them.

Wat Buddhavihara Berlin


The Root of All Virtues

In the Sallekha Sutta (MN 8) the Buddha talks about 44 kinds of effacement for removal of the corresponding defilements(kilesas). The very first effacement is harmlessness; this wholesome quality is most important since it is the root of all other virtues.

"But herein, Cunda, effacement should be practiced by you:
(1) Others will be harmful; we shall not be harmful here — thus effacement can be done."
...
(42) Others will be lacking in mindfulness; we shall be established in mindfulness here — thus effacement can be done.
(43) Others will be without wisdom; we shall be endowed with wisdom — thus effacement can be done.
(44) Others will misapprehend according to their individual views, hold on to them tenaciously and not easily discard them; we shall not misapprehend according to individual views nor hold on to them tenaciously, but shall discard them with ease — thus effacement can be done.

Commentary: "Harmlessness is called 'effacement,' because it effaces harmfulness, i.e., it cuts it off (chindati). ...
It has the characteristic mark of making one refrain from immorality which, on its part, has the mark of harming. Hence harmlessness is an especially strong productive cause of morality; and morality, again, is the basis for concentration of mind, while concentration is the basis for wisdom. In that way harmlessness (non-violence) is the root of all virtues."
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... -mn-008-17

***********
Love Buddha's dhamma,
yawares/sirikanya

[yawares]

Dear Members,

Today I've a beautiful sutta to share with you all.


********
Cakkavatti Sutta: The Wheel-turning Emperor
[Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu]

A Monk's Wealth (DN26)

"Wander, monks, in your proper range, your own ancestral territory. When you
wander in your proper range, your own ancestral territory, you will grow in long
life, beauty, pleasure, wealth, & strength.

********
"And what constitutes a monk's wealth?

There is the case where a monk keeps pervading the first direction [the east] —
as well as the second direction, the third, & the fourth — with an awareness
imbued with good will.
Thus he keeps pervading above, below, & all around, everywhere & in every
respect the all-encompassing world with an awareness imbued with good will:
abundant, expansive, immeasurable, free from hostility, free from ill will.

"He keeps pervading the first direction — as well as the second direction, the
third, & the fourth — with an awareness imbued with compassion... imbued with
appreciation...

"He keeps pervading the first direction — as well as the second direction, the
third, & the fourth — with an awareness imbued with equanimity.
Thus he keeps pervading above, below, & all around, everywhere & in every
respect the all-encompassing world with an awareness imbued with equanimity:
abundant, expansive, immeasurable, free from hostility, free from ill will.

"This constitutes a monk's wealth."
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

************
Love Buddha's dhamma,
yawares/tidathep

[yawares]

Dear Members,

Lotus Buddha Painting


David's Book : List #492

The ten comparisons made to what attachment to sense desire is like:

1. A skeleton whose bare bones do nothing to feed the hunger of a dog

2. A piece of raw flesh which two birds are fighting over and one may die from the fight

3. A burning torch that is about to burn the hand of the person holding the torch

4. A pit of burning charcoal that we may be pushed into

5. A poisonous snake which might attack us at any given moment

6. A dream

7. Borrowed possessions, of no lasting value

8. A tree laden with fruit that perishes as people grab for the fruit, breaking the branches

9. An impaling stick

10. A slaughterhouse where lives are lost
(from Majjhima Nikaya 22)

*********
yawares

[yawares]

Dear Members,

I truly love List #504 - #505 and this beautiful Bali Buddha painting


************
David's Book : List #504 - #505
[By Dr.David N. Snyder]

List no. 504
Ten types of householders who enjoy the senses and pursue wealth:

The Buddha lists 9 different types, each missing one or more of the following positive traits,
found in the last one mentioned, shown here, which is considered the highest and best of the
householders.

―There is the case where this enjoyer of sense pleasures seeks after wealth lawfully, not
arbitrarily, and in so doing makes himself happy and cheerful, and also shares his wealth with
others and does meritorious deeds therewith, and further makes use of it without greed and
longing, without infaturation, and is not heedless of the danger or blind to his own salvation – in
such a way he is praiseworthy on four counts. (from Anguttara Nikaya 10.91)

List no. 505
Ten meritorious actions leading to human or divine rebirth:

1. Giving
2. Morality
3. Meditation
4. Reverence by paying respect to monks and elders
5. Performing services to others
6. Transference of merits to others
7. Rejoicing in others' merit
8. Learning this true Dhamma
9. Teaching this true Dhamma
10. Correcting views
(from Anguttara Nikaya V. 57)

************
yawares/tidathep

[yawares]

Dear Members,

This is my most favorite list:



David's Book : List #520
[By Dr.David N. Snyder]

List no. 520
Ten Powers of a Tathagatha (samma-sam-buddha):
1. The Tathagata understands as it actually is the possible as possible and the impossible as
impossible.

2. The Tathagata understands as it actually is the results of actions undertaken, past, future and
present, with possibilities and with causes.

3. The Tathagata understands as it actually is the ways leading to all destinations.

4. The Tathagata understands as it actually is the world with its many and different elements.

5. The Tathagata understands as it actually is how beings have different inclinations.

6. The Tathagata understands as it actually is the disposition of the faculties of other beings,
other persons.

7. The Tathagata understands as it actually is the defilement, the cleansing and the emergence in
regard to the jhanas, liberations, concentrations and attainments.

8. The Tathagata recollects his manifold past lives, that is, one birth, two births, three births,
four births, five births, ten births, twenty births, thirty births, forty births, fifty births, a hundred
births, a thousand births, a hundred thousand births, many aeons of world-contraction, many
aeons of world-expansion, many aeons of world-contraction and expansion: 'There I was so
named, of such a clan, with such an appearance, such was my nutriment, such my experience of
pleasure and pain, such my life-term; and passing away from there, I reappeared elsewhere; and
there too I was so named, of such a clan, with such an appearance, such was my nutriment, such
my experience of pleasure and pain, such my life-term; and passing away from there, I
reappeared here.' Thus with their aspects and particulars he recollects his manifold past lives.

9. ―Again, with the divine eye, which is purified and surpasses the human, the Tathagata sees
beings passing away and reappearing, inferior and superior, fair and ugly, fortunate and
unfortunate, and he understands how beings pass on according to their actions.

10. ―Again, by realizing it for himself with direct knowledge, the Tathagata here and now enters
upon and abides in the deliverance of mind and deliverance by wisdom that are taintless with the
destruction of the taints.
(from Majjhima Nikaya 12, Samyutta Nikaya 12)

*********
yawares/tidathep

[tidathep]

Hi David/Members,



Metta Verses For Recitation
[www.buddhanet.net/metta07.htm ]

As far up as the highest existence
As far down as the lowest existence
In the entire universe
Whatever beings that move
on earth, on water or in air
may they be free
from suffering and enmity
from physical suffering and danger.

Pervading Loving- kindness . . .

May I be free from enmity/danger
May I be free from mental suffering
May I be free from physical suffering
May I take care of myself happily.

May my father and mother and teachers
Relatives and friends,members and fellow doctors
May they be free from enmity
Be free from mental suffering
Be free from physical suffering
Take care of themselves happily.

********
tidathep/yawares

[yawares]

Dear Members,


David's Book : List #481
[By Dr.David N. Snyder]

List no. 481
Ten qualities that can lead one into purgatory according to his actions:

1. He takes lives, such as a hunter, bloody handed, given up to killing and slaying, void of
compassion for all tiny creatures.

2. He takes what is not given

3. He acts wrongly in sensual desires

4. He engages in untruthful speech

5. He engages in slander

6. He engages in harsh speech

7. He engages in idle babble

8. He is covetous and envious of others

9. He engages in harmful thoughts

10. He has wrong understanding
(Anguttara Nikaya 10. 211)

***************
yawares/tidathep (tidathep means Tep's daughter)

[yawares]

Dear Members,

I would like to thank David ...I learned so much from his book...This list #55 is a new knowledge to me... especially #5...I saw pictures about many weddings at the temples and didn't know that were wrong..until now!!
Nowaday, many temples let the lay-people arrange 'BEAUTY CONTESTS'/THAI DANCES on the premises!! That's why Tep/I only go to Wat Paa(forest temple).



David's Book : List #555
[By Dr.David N. Snyder]

List no. 555
13 sanghadisesas are rules requiring an initial and subsequent meeting of the Sangha (communal
meetings). If the monk breaks any rule here he has to undergo a period of probation or displine
after which, if he shows himself to be repentant, he may be reinstated by a Sangha of not less
than twenty monks. Like the parajikas, the sanghadisesas can only come about through the
monk's own intention and cannot be accidentally invoked. The thirteen sanghadisesas are:

1. Discharge of semen, except while dreaming, or getting someone to discharge your semen.

2. Lustful bodily contact with a woman, including kissing or holding hands.

3. Making lustful remarks to a woman alluding to her genitals or sexual intercourse.

4. Requesting sexual favors from a woman, or telling her that she would benefit (i.e., spiritually)
from having sex with the monk.

5. Arranging for a date, affair, or marriage between a man and woman.

6. Building a hut without permission from the Sangha, or building a hut that exceed 3 x 1.75
meters in size.

7. Having someone else build a hut for you without permission from the sangha, or exceeding 3
x 1.75 meters in size.

8. Making unfounded charges about another bhikkhu in the hopes of having him disrobed.

9. Making deceitfully worded charges about another bhikkhu in the hopes of having him
disrobed.

10. Agitating for a schism, even after having been rebuked three times.

11. Supporting an agitator, even after he was rebuked three times. (This only applies if there are
fewer than four supporters.)

12. Rejecting well-grounded criticism, even after having been rebuked three times.

13. Criticizing the justice of one's own banishment, even after having been rebuked three times.
(from the Vinaya Pitaka)

********
yawares

[tidathep]

Hi All,



Verse 34: As a fish quivers when taken out of its watery home and thrown on to dry ground, so does the mind quiver when it is taken out of the sensual world to escape from the realm of Mara (i.e., kilesa vatta, round of moral defilements).

Verse 35: The mind is difficult to control; swiftly and lightly, it moves and lands wherever it pleases. It is good to tame the mind, for a well-tamed mind brings happiness.

Verse 45: The Ariya Sekha2 shall examine this earth (i.e., the body), the world of Yama (i.e., the four Apayas) and the world of man together with the world of devas. The Ariya Sekha shall examine the well-taught Path of Virtue (Dhammapada) as an expert florist picks and chooses flowers.

*********
tidathep/yawares

[yawares]

Dear Members,



David's Book : List #487
[By Dr.David N. Snyder]

List no. 487
Ten reflections for a monk or nun:

1. I have become casteless.

2. My life is dependent on others

3. My behavior should be different [from that of householders]

4. Can I fault myself with regard to my virtue?

5. Can my knowledgeable fellows in the holy life, on close examination, fault me with regard to
my virtue?

6. I will grow different, separate from all that is dear and appealing to me

7. I am the owner of my actions (kamma), heir to my actions, born of my actions, related
through my actions, and have my actions as my arbitrator. Whatever I do, for good or for
evil, to that will I fall heir.

8. What am I becoming as the days and nights fly past?

9. Do I delight in an empty dwelling?

10. Have I attained a superior human attainment, a truly noble distinction of knowledge and
vision, such that, when my fellows in the holy life question me in the last days of my
life, I won't feel abashed?: a person gone forth should often reflect on this.
(from Anguttara Nikaya 10.48)

**************
yawares/sirikanya

[yawares]

Dear Members,



David's Book : List #526
[By Dr.David N. Snyder]

List no. 526
11 obstructions to spiritual growth for a monk:

1. There is the case where a monk is not well-versed in forms.

2. He is unskilled in characteristics.

3. There is the case where a monk acquiesces with an arisen thought of sensuality or to ill-will.
He does not abandon it, dispel it, demolish it, or wipe it out of existence.

4. There is the case where a monk, on seeing a form with the eye, grasps at themes or details by
which — as he dwells without restraint over the faculty of the eye — evil, unskillful
qualities such as greed or distress might assail him. Or he grasps through any of the other
sense doors.

5. There is the case where a monk does not teach others in detail the Dhamma as he has heard
and mastered it.

6. There is the case where a monk does not go time and again to the monks who are learned,
well-versed in the tradition.

7. There is the case where a monk, when the Dhamma-Vinaya proclaimed by the Tathagata is
being taught, doesn't gain knowledge of the meaning, doesn't gain knowledge of the
Dhamma, doesn't gain joy connected with the Dhamma.

8. There is the case where a monk does not discern, as it actually is, the noble eightfold path.

9. There is the case where a monk does not discern, as they actually are, the Four Foundations of
Mindfulness.

10. There is the case where a monk — when faithful householders invite him to accepts gifts of
cloth, alms food, lodgings, and medicinal requisites for curing the sick — knows no
moderation in taking.

11. There is the case where a monk shows no extra respect for the elder monks with seniority,
who have been ordained long, who are leaders of the Community.
(from Anguttara Nikaya 11.18)

***********
yawares/tidathep

[yawares]

Dear Members,

This lovely Monday is the right time to present this wonderful list:

David's Book : List #593
[By Dr.David N. Snyder]

List no. 593
The 38 Blessings:

1. Not associating with fools
2. Keeping the company of wise ones
3. Paying reverence to those who are worthy of reverence
4. Having one‘s abode in a favorable place
5. Gaining merit in the past
6. The pursuit of higher aspirations
7. Being rich in knowledge
8. Being rich in skill
9. The moral precepts, well practiced
10. Using only well-spoken words
11. Supporting parents in every way
12. Caring for the family
13. Unconfused actions
14. Generosity
15. Right living
16. Caring for one‘s realatives
17. Refraining from unskillful things
18. To abhor unwholeseom things
19. To avoid unwholesome things
20. To avoid intoxicants
21. Diligence in righteousness
22. Reverence
23. Humility
24. Contentment
25. Gratitude
26. Hearing the Dhamma at the right time
27. Patience
28. Compliance
29. Seeing the monks
30. Discussing the Dhamma
31. Self-restraint
32. A holy life
33. Seeing The Four Noble Truths
34. Realizing Nibbana
35. A heart not trembling, unshaken
36. A heart not trembling, sorrowless
37. A heart not trembling, stainless
38. A heart not trembling, secure
(from Khuddaka Nikaya, Sutta Nipata 2.4)

********
I wish I can post a Buddha painting again,
yawares/tidathep

[yawares]

Dear Members,

This list might be long...but so very amazing!!!! And today is Uposatha Day



David's Book : List #605
[By Dr.David N. Snyder]

List no. 605
100 titles and descriptions for Buddha (some of the Pali is shown in parentheses):

1. All-seeing (Annadatthudasa)
2. All-transcending sage (Sabbabhibhu Dhiro)
3. All-vanquishing sage
4. Arahant (fully enlightened)
5. Awakened One
6. Best of those who can be tamed
7. Blessed One
8. Brahma (as in master of the brahma-viharas)
9. Buddha (Awakened One, Enlightened One)
10. Bull among men
11. Bull among seers
12. Bull of the Sakyan clan
13. Caravan leader
14. Conqueror of beasts
15. Conqueror of Mara (Maraji)
16. Consummate in knowledge & conduct
17. Dhamma
18. Discoverer (in the Dhamma after it died out)
19. Dispeller of darkness
20. Elucidator of meaning
21. Endowed with all the foremost marks
22. Endowed with knowledge and good conduct (Vijjacaranasampanna)
23. Exalted One
24. Expert with regard to the world
25. The Eye
26. First in the world
27. Foremost jewel
28. Foremost of all people
29. Foremost of charioteers
30. Foremost of those who can cross
31. Foremost sage
32. Fortunate One
33. Freed (nibbana)
34. Fully enlightened one
35. Giver of the deathless
36. God of gods (Devadeva)
37. Gotama (his family name)
38. Great One
39. Great seer
40. Guide (Nayaka)
41. Healer (meditation types)
42. Helper (Natha)
43. Helper of the World (Lokanatha)
44. Him-of-the-Ten-Powers (Dasabala)
45. Incomparable Charioteer of men to be tamed
46. King of the Dhamma (Dhammaraja)
47. Kinsman of the sun
48. Knower (enlightened) of the World (Lokavidu)
49. Knowledge
50. Lion (of the Dhamma; Siha in Pali)
51. Lion Man (Narasiha)
52. Lion of the Sakyas (Sakyasiha)
53. Lord Buddha (respectful, devotional title in appreciation for the teachings)
54. Lord of sages (Muninda)
55. Lord of the Dhamma
56. Master Gotama (referring to being a teacher with his birth name)
57. Noble One (by attainments, not birth)
58. Of excellent wisdom (Varapañña)
59. One who sees (Cakkhuma)
60. One who transcends all (Sabbabhibhu)
61. Peaceful sage
62. Peerless bull
63. Perfect in knowledge and practice
64. Physician (Bhisakka)
65. The Perfect One
66. Pure (enlightenment)
67. Radiant One (Angirasa)
68. Recluse (monk not attached to home or possessions)
69. Related to the sun (Adiccabandhu)
70. Rightly self-awakened
71. Sakyamuni (Sage of the Sakyas)
72. Samma-sam-Buddha (teacher of the masses, rediscovering Dhamma)
73. Self-dependent (Sayambhu)
74. Shower of the way
75. Siddhattha (his given name)
76. Stainless (pure in virtues)
77. Sublime One
78. Supreme among those who can be released
79. Tathagata (the one ―thus-gone‖ or ―thus-come―)
80. Teacher (Sattha)
81. Teacher of divine and human beings
82. Teacher of the world (Lokagaru)
83. Thoroughly mature
84. Torchbearer of mankind (Ukkadharo manussanam)
85. Training leader (Vinayaka)
86. Ultimate leader
87. Unconquered conqueror
88. Unexcelled trainer for those people fit to be tamed
89. Unsurpassed charioteer of beings to be tamed
90. Unsurpassed doctor and surgeon
91. Unvanquished (Anabhibhuto)
92. Vanquisher (Abhibhu)
93. Victor in battle
94. Wanderer (monk gone forth from lay life)
95. Wellfarer
96. Well-gone one (Sugata)
97. Wielder of power (Vasavatti)
98. With great wisdom (Bhuripañña)
99. World-knower
100. Worthy one
(There are even more, but these are the major 100 titles used in the Pali Canon.)

********
yawares/tidathep

[tidathep]

Dear All,



Verse 419: Him I call a brahmana, who knows the death and rebirth of beings in every detail, who is detached, who follows the good practice and knows the Four Noble Truths.

Verse 420: Him I call a brahmana, whose destination the devas or gandhabbas or men do not know who has eradicated moral intoxicants and is an arahat.

Verse 421: Him I call a brahmana, who does not cling to the past, future and present khandha aggregates and who is free from moral defilements and attachment.

Verse 422: Him I call a brahmana, who is fearless like a bull, who is noble and diligent, who is a seeker of high moral virtues and a conqueror (of three Maras), who is free from craving, who has been cleansed of moral defilements and knows the Four Noble Truths.

Verse 423: Him I call a brahmana, who knows past existences, who sees the celestial as well as the lower worlds, who has reached the end of rebirths, who, with Magga Insight, has become an arahat and has accomplished all that is to be accomplished for the eradication of moral defilements.

********
tidathep/yawares

[tidathep]

Dear All,



Verse 415: Him I call a brahmana, who, in this world, has given up sensual pleasures, and leaving the home-life has become a bhikkhu; who has eradicated sensual desires and has come to the end of existence.

Verse 416: Him I call a brahmana, who, in this world, has given up craving, and leaving the home-life has become a bhikkhu; who has eradicated craving and has come to the end of existence.

Verse 417: Him I call a brahmana, who has given up attachment to (sensual pleasures of) human life, has transcended attachment to (sensual pleasures of) deva life and is completely free from all attachment.

Verse 418: Him I call a brahmana, who has given up taking delight (in sensual pleasures) and not taking delight (in solitude); who has attained perfect peace and is free from moral defilements; who has overcome all the five khandhas (lit., the world) and is diligent.

*********
tidathep

[tidathep]

Dear All,



Verse 411: Him I called a brahmana, who has no craving, who through knowledge of the Four Noble Truths is free from doubt, and has realized Nibbana the Deathless.

Verse 412: Him I call a brahmana, who, in this world, has transcended both ties good and evil; who is sorrowless and, being free from the taints of moral defilements, is pure.

Verse 413: Him I call a brahmana, who, like the moon (in a cloudless sky), is pure, clear and serene, and in whom craving for existence is extinct.

Verse 414: Him I call a brahmana, who, having traversed this dangerous swamp (of passion), this difficult road (of moral defilements), the ocean of life (samsara) and the darkness of ignorance (moha), and having crossed the fourfold Flood, has reached the other shore (Nibbana); who practises Tranquility and Insight Meditation, who is free from craving and from doubt, who clings to nothing and remains in perfect peace.

**********
Love Buddhas
tidathep

[tidathep]

Dear All,
Happy Uposatha Day to you all



Verse 407: Him I call a brahmana, from whom passion, ill will, pride and detraction have fallen off like a mustard seed from the tip of an awl.

Verse 408: Him I call a brahmana, who speaks gentle, instructive and true words, and who does not offend anyone by speech.

Verse 409: Him I call a Brahmana, who, in this world takes nothing that is not given him, be it long or short, big or small, good or bad.

Verse 410: Him I call a brahmana, who has no desire either for this world or for the next, who is free from craving and from moral defilements.

************
tidathep/yawares

[yawares]

Dear David,



I/Tep/Tidathep would like to dedicate Yod-Phra-Gan-Tipitaka Gatha and Jinapanjara Gatha(Chinnabunchorn) to you and your family:

Yod-Phra-Gan-Tipitaka Gatha: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDjXUc1XfpU

Jinapanjara Gatha: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7BH9PtPK5c

Thai people believe that these Gathas can do magic to all chanters...to purify your mind/protection.

yawares

[David N. Snyder]

Thanks!

Very nice sound to that chant!