Daily Dhamma Drops from Ceylon!

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
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No Craving = No Suffering!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

No Craving is the Ceasing of all Suffering!

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
What, now, is this Noble Truth on the Elimination of all Suffering?
It is the complete fading away & irreversible elimination of all Craving,
the rejection & leaving of it, & the liberating release from it! SN 56:11

But where may this craving vanish, where may it be extinguished?
Wherever in the world, there are delightful and pleasurable things!
Right there and then may this craving be overcome, and quenched...
DN 22

Be it in the past, the present, or in any future, whatever true recluse
considers all delightful, attractive & pleasurable things in this world
as impermanent anicca, as miserable dukkha, & as without a self anatta,
as diseases & as cancers, it is he who conquers craving... SN 12:66

By final fading away and elimination of craving, clinging also ceases;
By the elimination of clinging, the process of becoming also ceases;
By the elimination of the process of becoming, rebirth also ceases;
Through the elimination of all rebirth, all decay, ageing & death!,
sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, & despair is finally extinguished...
Only that is the eradication of this entire mass of Suffering...
SN 12:43

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More on this thorny Craving causing all pain:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Cut_Craving.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/C ... s_Pain.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Cr ... _Cause.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Or ... fering.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ce ... fering.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Cr ... rophic.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... raving.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... fering.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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No Craving = No Suffering!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ce ... fering.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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Rejoicing produces Bliss!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Unselfish Joy! How to Rejoice in Others Success:

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By seeing that:
If only happy at one's own success, such egoistic Joy is rare and limited!
If happy at others success also, the Joy is more frequent & even infinite!

By observing that:
It starts with basic sympathy, develops into acceptance, genuine approval,
& appreciation. It culminates in rejoicing altruistic sympathy by directing
mind to initiation, much cultivation & boundless expansion of Mutual Joy!

By knowing that:
Mutual Joy is the proximate cause of sweet, fully satisfied contentment!
Lack of mutual joy is therefore the proximate cause of discontentment!
Mutual Joy instantly eliminates acidic jealousy, grudge and green envy!
Mutual Joy is an infinite, truly divine, elevating and sublime mental state!
Mutual Joy is 1 of the 4 mental states of the Brahma-devas (Brahmavihara)


The Blessed Buddha pointed out:
If it were impossible to cultivate this Good, I would not tell you to do so!

Buddhaghosa:
See how this worthy being is very Happy!
How fine! How excellent! How sweet!

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Let there be Happiness. Let there be open Freedom.
Let there be Peace. Let there be Bliss from cultivating this.
Let there be Understanding of this mental state of Mutual Joy!


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Cultivation of Mutual Joy is the specific medicine against Envy & Jealousy:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mutual_Joy.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Rejoicing_Joy.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/I ... usness.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Mudita: The Buddha's Teaching on Unselfish Joy: BPS Wheel Publication No. 170
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... el170.html" 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;

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Mutual Joy Rejoices in Other's Success...


Mutually Rejoicing Bliss!

http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoi ... Mudita.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
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Hungry Ghost Rebirth!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Those who steal get a Hungry Ghost Rebirth!

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Those who steal food & who are too lazy for doing good deeds, become
corpse or menstruation eating Ghosts, and abortion eating Ghosts (Peta).
Whosoever are engaged in low praxis, mean, miserly, avaricious, stingy,
& the constantly greedy are reborn after death as swollen neck Ghosts...
Whoever prevents others from giving and does not himself give anything,
becomes an ever hungry and thirsty Ghost, needle-mouthed & big-bellied...
Whoever clings to his wealth only for his family, but who neither enjoys,
nor shares it, is reborn as ghost eating only what is given, such as things
given at funerals... Whoever longs to steal anothers property, but then
later regrets it, is reborn as a peta feeding on excrement, pus and vomit...
Whoever speaks aggressively, angry, words hitting like daggers, becomes
a ghost with mouth like a furnace burning fiercely with red coals and ashes...
And whoever is cruel minded, without sympathy and quarrelsome, would
become a fiery ghost eating worms, leeches, insects, crabs and beetles...

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Source (edited extract):
Pañcagatidipani by Ashvaghosa & Saddhammaghosa: 11-12th century AC.
Tr. by Ann A. Hazlewood. Journal of the Pali Text Society. Vol. XI 1987:
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=132714" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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More details on the Peta (ghost) destination:
From the Tipitaka: Minor Anthologies Vol 4, Vimanavatthu & Petavatthu
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=130738" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... vatthu.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ghosts_Petas.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Please enjoy study here for details on Rebirth:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rebirth.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Rare_Rebirth.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Divine_Rebirth.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Animal_Rebirth.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Endless_Round.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Samsaric_Dread.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... _Hells.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/O ... Family.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... estiny.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Fi ... ations.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... ations.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ka ... ebirth.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... _Round.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ma ... ebirth.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Hu ... ebirth.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Hu ... ebirth.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/W ... inking.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Hungry Ghost Rebirth!

http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Hu ... ebirth.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 4 Noble Truths...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Indeed is this Samsara a Sea of Suffering!

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As the 4 Noble Truths always say:
1: All this and such is Suffering!
2: Craving is the Cause of Suffering!
3: Ceasing of Craving is the End of Suffering!
4: The Noble 8-fold Way is the method to end all Suffering!


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More on these core facts here:
The 1st Noble Truth on Suffering (Dukkha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... fering.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The 2nd Noble Truth on The Cause of Suffering:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... fering.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The 3rd Noble Truth on The Ceasing of Suffering:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... fering.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The 4th Noble Truth on The Noble Way to end all Suffering:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... fering.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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The 4 Noble Truths...

This Samsara is indeed a Sea of Suffering!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Indeed_True.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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Avoid all Killing!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Not Killing promotes Harmlessness and thus produces Peace!

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Once in Savatthi the Blessed Buddha said this:
What, householder friends, is the Dhamma explanation befitting to oneself?
Here, householder friends, a Noble Disciple reflects thus: I am one who wishes
to live, who does not wish to die; I desire happiness & do not like any suffering.
If someone were to take my life, it would neither be pleasing nor agreeable to me.
If I kill whatever another being: One who also wishes to live, who also does not
wish to die, who also desires happiness & who also dislike suffering, that would
neither be pleasant nor acceptable to that other being either...
What is displeasing and disagreeable to me, is also displeasing and disagreeable
to any other being too. How can I inflict upon another being what is displeasing
and disagreeable to myself? Having reflected repeatedly thus, then gradually:
1: He/she will carefully avoid all destruction of any life-form whatsoever...
2: He/she will persuade others also to abstain from all destruction of any life...
3: He/she will speak praising harmlessness and avoidance of all & any killing...
In exactly this way is this good bodily behaviour purified in three respects!!!

Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:353]
section 55: Sotapattisamyutta. Thread 7: To the people at the Bamboo gate...

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HARMLESSNESS AVOIDS THE ULTIMATE WRONG!
All sentient beings feel pain from violence.
All sentient beings fear death.
Seeing other beings are like oneself;
Treating other beings like oneself;
One should never ever harm nor kill ...
Dhammapada 129

Whoever harms the harmless & innocent beings,
upon such very fool, pain of evil promptly return
as dust thrown against the wind.
Dhammapada 125

Whoever injures, with weapon or stick, beings
searching for their happiness - when after death -
seeking same happiness, such fool never finds it!
Dhammapada 131

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Whoever never injures, with weapon nor stick, beings
searching for their happiness - when after death -
seeking same happiness, such clever & kind one
always gain it!
Dhammapada 132

The Noble is not one who injures living beings.
The Noble is one who never injures living beings.
Dhammapada 270

Ever are the true disciples of the Buddha
well awake & quite aware. Constantly they
meditate both day & night on Harmlessness.
Dhammapada 300

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The one who has left violence,
who never harm any being,
whether moving are stationary,
who never kill nor causes to kill,
such one, harmless, is a Holy One.
Dhammapada 405

The one who is friendly among the hostile,
who is harmless among the violent,
who is detached among the greedy,
such one is a Holy One.
Dhammapada 406

More on Harmlessness and non-violence (Ahimsa):
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/Ha ... erance.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/O ... ance_I.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... Action.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_ ... Action.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/II/What_is_Virtue.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Slaying_Anger.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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NEVER KILL! May all Beings become Happy thereby!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Never_Kill.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/O ... ance_I.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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ViDeO: Back-2-Basics #1 = Never Kill!
http://youtu.be/6HFqhHKCtqc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
High Definition:


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Avoid all Killing!

Not Killing promotes Harmlessness & thus produces Peace!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Not_Killing.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:

A Love Supreme!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

On True Love (A Doctors observation):

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It was approximately 8.30 a.m. on a busy morning when an elderly gentleman in
his eighties arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He stated that
he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9.00 a.m.
I took his vital signs and had him take a seat. I knew it would take more than
an hour before someone would to able to attend to him. I saw him check his
watch anxiously for the time and decided to evaluate his wound, since I was
not busy with another patient. On examination, the wound was well healed.
Hence, I talked to one of the doctors to get the supplies to remove his sutures
and redress his wound. We began to engage in a conversation, while I was taking
care of his wound. I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment later as
he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, and said that he needed to
go to the nursing home to have breakfast with his wife.
I inquired about her health. He told me that she had been in the nursing home
for a while as she was a victim of Alzheimer's disease. I probed further and
asked if she would be upset, if he was slightly late. He replied that she no longer
knew who he was, and that she had not been able to recognize him since five
years ago. I asked him in surprise, "And you still go every morning, even though
she doesn't know who you are?" Then he smiled as he patted my hand and said,
"She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is!" ;-)

I had to hold back my tears as he left. I had goose bumps on my arm, and I thought,
"That is the kind of love I want in my life." True love is neither physical, nor romantic.
True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, was not, will be, and will not ever be…

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More on True Love (Metta):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Adv ... ndship.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/May ... _Happy.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Fri ... versal.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Goo ... enuine.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The ... ntages.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Unbounded_Mind.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Cosmic_Goodness.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Goodness_Galore.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Loving-Kindness.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Mothers_Love.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Hey_Friend.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A Love Supreme!

On True Love (A Doctors observation):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Love_Supreme.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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May all Beings be Happy!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The Blessed Buddha once said:

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


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

Anguttara Nikaya 4.67

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

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

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More on Harmlessness (Ahimsa):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Bl ... _Bliss.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/O ... ance_I.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Patie ... erance.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Bo ... olence.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Not_Killing.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

May all Beings be Happy!

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

Aloof is Equanimity!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Regarding all Phenomena with aloof Equanimity!

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When one has understood constructions by seeing the three characteristics in
them and their voidness, then one can leave both terror & delight by becoming
indifferent and neutral to all states, taking them neither to be 'I' nor 'mine'!
One becomes like a man who has recently divorced his wife: The man who was
married to a lovely, gorgeous, & charming wife and so deeply in love with her as to
be unable to bear separation from her for a single moment. He would be disturbed
& displeased to see her standing, talking & laughing with another man, and would
be very unhappy & jealous, but later, when he found out that woman's faults,
and he divorced her, he would no more take her as 'mine'; and thereafter, even
though he saw her doing whatever it might be, with whomsoever it might be,
he would neither be disturbed, nor displeased, but only neutral and indifferent!
So too with the meditating disciple, who wants to get free from all phenomena:
He recognizes all constructions as impermanent, and void of pleasure and self,
thus seeing that nothing in reality is 'I' or 'mine'. He therefore abandons both
terror and delight, and becomes indifferent and neutral towards all phenomena...
Vism 656

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Divorced from Possessiveness, Egoism, Clinging and Frustration!

More On Equanimity (Upekkha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Se ... Beyond.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Im ... nimity.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Un ... nimity.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/E ... pekkha.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/F ... nimity.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/E ... nimity.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Ser ... nimity.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Even_ ... nimity.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Equanimity describes the unattached awareness of one's experience as a result
of perceiving the impermanence of momentary reality. It is a peace of mind and
dwelling in even calmness that cannot be shaken by any grade of both fortunate
and unfortunate circumstances. It is a concept promoted by several religions...!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equanimity" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Have a nice divorced day!

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

Serene Ease...

Aloof is Equanimity!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Div ... reedom.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:

Abstract absorbed Absence ...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Voidness is Absolute Absence of Agitation:

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The Blesses Buddha once said:
Not attending to the experience of people or city, the monk focuses on the single,
even and same experience of Forest...! His mind is absorbed into that experience of
Forest and he acquires assured confidence, fixed imperturbability and determination.
There and then he understands: Whatever agitation there always was in the experience
of city and people, all that is absent here.. Here only remains a minor distraction
rooted in this silent, sweet, same, single and even experience of endless Forest!
Thus he understands: This field of mental state is indeed void of the experience of
the buzz of people and city. There is present only this stilled sameness condensed on
the experience of Forest. Thus he regards the present state as void of what actually is
absent, while what now actually still remains in presence, that he notes as still present!
This, Ananda is the very first step in the gradual, genuine, undistorted, ancient and
pure descent into Voidness...
Again and then, Ananda, by now not attending to the experience of forest, the monk shifts
and focuses until he reaches one-pointed absorption on the single, even and same unified
Experience of the extensive solidity of Earth...
Experience of the cohesive fluidity of Water...
Experience of the vibrating radiation of Heat...
Experience of the energetic mobility of Motion...
Experience of the infinitude of Space...
Experience of the infinitude of Consciousness...
Experience of the empty void of Nothingness...
Experience of neither perception, nor non-perception...
Experience of the signless and objectless mental absorption...
In this void state, he understands that all other phenomena are now quite absent!
Only the non-voidness due to the subtle signless mental absorption is still present...
This too, Ananda, is the gradual, genuine, undistorted and pure descent into voidness...

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Source:
The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha. 121 [iii 106] The minor speech on Voidness.

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More on these supremely sublime mental states:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/9_Stillings.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_III.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/drops/II/Th ... nsions.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... astery.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Abstract absorbed Absence ...

Pure Descent into Voidness!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/De ... idness.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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Re: Daily Dhamma Drops from Ceylon!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

How does one gain the Divine All-Seeing Eye?

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
Which concentration, Bhikkhus, when practised and developed often will lead
to gaining the divine eye of vast understanding (dibba-cakkhu ?
When the Bhikkhu reflects on experiencing light, fixes his mind on this perception
of daylight, always, both at day-time and also at night! In this way, with wakeful
and stainless mind, he develops a state of luminous consciousness accompanied by
a bright radiant inner mental light. This concentration, developed and practised
often indeed leads to the attainment of the eye of understanding (dibba-cakkhu) ...

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Visuddhimagga XIII, 95 says that this luminous state of mind is a prerequisite
condition for reaching the knowledge of the divine eye. This enlightening training
also evaporates all Lethargy-and-Laziness.

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More on the divine eye (dibba-cakkhu):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... cakkhu.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Divine_Eye.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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The All-Seeing Eye..

Making Mental Light!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ma ... _Light.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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What is Becoming?

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

What is the process of Becoming?

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A friend asked:
Conditioned by clinging, becoming comes into being... What is Becoming?

Answer:
Cut short: Becoming is the process whereby the next moment arises...
This next moment has both physical and mental properties and is as such
dependent upon consciousness... If no clinging is present in this moment,
no next moment will arise for that Arahat individuality... That is Nibbana!
Every new moment and thus also the death-rebirth-moment is the result of
this process of becoming, which drives all change and push time forward!

In more detail:
The process of becoming can take place in three planes or dimensions:
1: Becoming in the plane of sense desire (kama-bhava), which is what drives
the life-process forward for all ghosts, animals, humans and lower devas.
2: Becoming in the plane of fine-material existence (rupa-bhava), which is
what drives the life-process forward for higher devas like e.g. Brahma etc.
3: Becoming in the plane of formless existence (arupa-bhava), which is
what drives the life-process forward for the highest formless devas.

On this Buddhist Cosmology of these three main dimensions please study:
The 31 Planes of Existence:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... /bhava.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dham ... /loka.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This process of becoming has two sides:
The active side: Where new advantageous or detrimental intentional actions
(kamma-bhava) create delayed future resultant forms of high or low rebirth.
The passive resultant side: Where this rebirth in every moment & in between
lives recreates or regenerates mental and material phenomena of existence.

There are the two kinds of craving related to becoming!
1: Craving for Becoming:
Examples: May I become rich, famous, praised, satisfied, beautiful, happy...
2: Craving for Non-Becoming:
Examples: May I not become sick, criticized, poor, ugly, old, dead, unhappy...
As these states are uncontrollable, both kinds of craving create suffering!

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The Blessed Buddha explained the process of Becoming (bhava) like this:

At Savatthi. "Monks, there are these four floods. Which four?
The flood of sensuality, the flood of becoming, the flood of views,
and the flood of ignorance. These are the four floods." SN v 59

"Monks, there are these four yokes. Which four?
The yoke of sensuality, the yoke of becoming, the yoke of views, and
the yoke of ignorance. And what is the yoke of becoming?
There is the case where a certain person does not understand, as it really is,
the arising, the passing away, the allure, the drawbacks, and the escape
from becoming. When he does not understand this becoming, as it really is,
he becomes obsessed with passion, delight, attraction, infatuation, thirst,
and fascinated fever for new forms of becoming. Thereby he then induces
craving for becoming something new: To go further, wandering-on, heading
to new birth & ever repeated death! This is the yoke of becoming..." AN ii 10

This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, so I have heard:
"There are these three searches. Which three? The search for sensuality,
the search for becoming, the search for a holy noble life.
These are the three searches." Iti 44-98

"What is the origin of suffering? The craving that induce further becoming,
accompanied by passion and delight, relishing now here & later there, that is:
Craving for sensing, craving for becoming, craving for non-becoming...
This is called the origin of suffering." MN i 46

"From the arising of becoming, comes the arising of birth. From the ceasing
of becoming, comes the ceasing of birth. And the way leading to the ceasing
of birth is just this very noble eightfold path: Right view, right motivation,
right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right awareness,
and right concentration." MN i 46

"And what is becoming? What is the arising of becoming? What is the ceasing
of becoming? What is the way leading to the cessation of becoming?
There are these three forms of becoming: Sensual becoming, fine material
becoming, and formless becoming. This is called becoming. From the arising of
clinging comes the arising of becoming. From the ceasing of clinging comes
the ceasing of becoming. And the way of practice leading to the ceasing of
becoming is just this very noble eightfold path: Right view, right motivation,
right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right awareness,
and right concentration." MN i 46

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"From craving as a requisite condition comes clinging...
From clinging as a requisite condition comes becoming...
From becoming as a requisite condition comes birth...
From birth as a requisite condition comes ageing, decay, sickness
and death! So is the emergence of this entire mass of suffering!" D ii 55

"Having seen danger right in the process of becoming itself, and in searching
for new forms of becoming or for non-becoming, I didn't affirm any kind of
becoming, or cling to any kind of delight in becoming." MN i 326

"What are these four noble truths? They are the noble truth of suffering;
the noble truth of the origin of suffering; the noble truth of the cessation
of suffering; and the noble truth of the way to the cessation of suffering.
When these profound truths, bhikkhus, have been realized and penetrated,
then craving for existence is cut off, destroyed is that process which leads
to renewed becoming, & there is not created fresh future becoming." DN ii 72

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Any form of Becoming proliferates into Suffering...

What is Becoming?
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Wha ... coming.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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Posts: 2750
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
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SERENE ZEN SOLITUDE

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

SERENE ZEN SOLITUDE AMONGST WHITE CLOUDS

http://youtu.be/pv6P-08A_u0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Documentary about Buddhist Hermits in the Chinese mountains.
Extracts from the award winning film: "Amongst White Clouds" by Edward A. Burger about Zen Buddhist hermit monks living in remote hermitages in China's Zhongnan Mountains. Some fine pearls: "Put all your mind into it, but don't think...", "This reckless deluded mind", "Don't fear it, don't hurt it", "Let go of it all: Examine yourself & meditate quietly!", "Everyone has this precious jewel opportunity to awaken", "Work is spiritual cultivation", "When old your body won't list to you anymore, then it's too late to practice", "Leaving the world is a way of returning to it..." "Don't follow your old habits: Observe you mind", "We plant seeds in the past", "Why did you come here...?", "Holding on to this self is birth & death", "The Buddha is like a wise Doctor and all beings are like sick patients..."
"There is nothing more to say..."
To buy full HD DVD go: http://www.amongstclouds.com" 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
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Posts: 2750
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Fine Faith Flows into Nibbana!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

How does rightly verified Faith lead to Nibbãna?

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, just exactly as, when rain pours down in heavy drops on a mountain,
then the water runs down the slope and fills the clefts, gullies, and creeks.
When these brim over, then they replenish the pools, which fill up the lakes,
which supply the rivers, which run out in the great ocean...
Similarly for any Noble Disciple, do verified confidence in the Three Jewels
the Buddha, the Dhamma, & the Sangha, and morality praised by the Nobles
flow onwards & beyond, leading to eradication of the 3 Mental Fermentations.

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On Faith (Saddha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_Three_Jewels.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/Fruit ... le_Way.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/Th ... ations.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:396]
Section 55 on Stream-Entry: Sotapattisamyutta. Thread 38: Rain.

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Raining Faith ..

Fine Faith Flows into Nibbana!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Raining_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
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Posts: 2750
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
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Released by Friendliness!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Honourable Friends:

Release of Mind through Friendliness (Metta-ceto-vimutti):

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Can be reached through systematic & continuous maintenance of this noble wish:
May all sentient beings without exception, in all 31 forms of individual existence,
residing in the 3 realms, of inconceivable number, extending infinitely in all 10 directions,
enduring boundlessly through all past, present and future time, to an absolute complete
and endless degree, come to see it all as it really is, conquer all craving and hostility,
reach utter harmlessness, and by that be perfused with the ultimate bliss ... !!!

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The FRIEND of pure GOODWILL (Metta):
May I & all beings pay Constant Attention to, Always Aware of infinite Friendliness!
May I & all beings keep Examining Noble Friendliness based on endless Goodwill!
May I & all beings put enthusiastic effort & energy into developing limitless Friendliness!
May I & all beings rejoice in the Blissful Joy emanating from all genuine Noble Friendliness!
May I & all beings dwell in the Tranquillity which follows Friendliness made inestimable!
May I & all beings gain one-pointed Concentration arised from the calm of vast Friendliness!
May I & all beings experience imperturbable Equanimity arised from illimitable Friendliness!

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The all-embracing PITY of UNDERSTANDING EMPATHY (Karuna):
May I & all beings pay Constant Attention to, Always Aware of infinite Pity!
May I & all beings keep Examining Noble Pity based on endless Understanding!
May I & all beings put enthusiastic effort & energy into developing limitless Pity!
May I & all beings rejoice in the Blissful Joy emanating from all genuine Noble Pity!
May I & all beings dwell in the Tranquillity which follows Pity made inestimable!
May I & all beings gain one-pointed Concentration arised from the calm of vast Pity!
May I & all beings experience imperturbable Equanimity arised from illimitable Pity!

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The MUTUAL JOY: Joy with the success of others too (Mudita):
May I & all beings pay Constant Attention to, Always Aware of infinite Mutual Joy!
May I & all beings keep Examining Noble Mutual Joy based on endless rejoicing!
May I & all beings put enthusiastic effort & energy into developing limitless Mutual Joy!
May I & all beings rejoice in the Blissful Joy emanating from all genuine Noble Mutual Joy!
May I & all beings dwell in the Tranquillity which follows Mutual Joy made inestimable!
May I & all beings gain one-pointed Concentration arised from the calm of vast Mutual Joy!
May I & all beings experience imperturbable Equanimity arised from illimitable Mutual Joy!

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EQUANIMITY: Unaffectable, Unprovokable, and Undisturbable (Upekkha):
May all the infinite number of sentient beings, without even any single exception,
in all 31 forms of individual existence, residing in the 3 realms, of inconceivable number,
extending infinitely in all 10 directions, enduring eternally through all past, present & future time,
to a completely infinite degree, develop Equanimity & become one who smiles silently like a mountain!
May I & all beings pay Constant Attention to, Always Aware of infinite Equanimity!
May I & all beings keep Examining Noble Equanimity based on endless imperturbability!
May I & all beings put enthusiastic effort & energy into developing limitless Equanimity!
May I & all beings rejoice in the Blissful Joy emanating from all genuine Noble Equanimity!
May I & all beings dwell in the Tranquillity which follows Equanimity made inestimable!
May I & all beings gain one-pointed Concentration arised from the calm of vast Equanimity!
May I & all beings experience imperturbable Equanimity arised from illimitable Equanimity!

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Yeah, let it be even so :-) In brevity the 4 Sublime Abidings permuted with the 7 links to Awakening
It shines, blazes, lifts, elevates, and protects supremely like indeed nothing else ....
Going through systematically each morning keeps all day smiling !!! hehehe :-)
For free copy as a gift of Dhamma, May I & all beings be freed by friendliness thereby!

More here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_B ... enship.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/Metta.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Released by Friendliness!

Release of Mind can occur thorugh Friendliness (Metta-ceto-vimutti):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Re ... odWill.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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Why do we Suffer?

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

That Craving Causes Pain is a Noble Truth!

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
What, now, is the Second Noble Truth on the Cause of Suffering?
The Cause of suffering is Craving, which bound up with pleasure and
desire, delighting now here, now there, gives rise to renewed rebirth!
SN 56:11

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But where and when does this Craving arise and take root?
Wherever in the world there are delightful and pleasurable objects,
exactly right there & then this craving arises, takes root & grows...
The eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind, forms, sounds, smells, tastes,
touches, ideas, thoughts, mental states, consciousness of sensation,
sense contacts, feelings born of contact, perceptions, intentions,
cravings, thoughts, & reflections are all attractive and pleasurable:
Right there & then this toxic craving arises, roots & grows...
This is called the Noble Truth on the Origin of Suffering! DN 22

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Feeling is the Cause of Craving:
If perceiving a form, sound, smell, taste, touch, idea, or mental state
as pleasant, then one is attracted: Right there craving, greed, desire,
lust, longing and urge is born. Pleasant feeling thus causes Greed!
If perceiving the sense object as unpleasant, then one is repelled:
Right there hate, anger, aversion, antipathy, and opposition is born!
Unpleasant or painful feeling thus causes Hate & all its derivatives!
If perceiving the object as neither pleasant nor unpleasant, then one
is disinterested, and thus neither observes nor examines the object:
Right there Ignorance, neglect, unawareness, and disregard is born...
Neutral & indifferent feeling thus causes Ignorance to arise!  MN 38

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The 3 kinds of Craving:
1: There is craving for Sensing forms, sounds, smells, tastes, touches,
ideas, thoughts and mental objects & states! (This is Kama-Tanha)...
2: There is craving for Becoming this or that like rich, healthy, famous,
beautiful, respected, successful & adored etc. (This is Bhava-Tanha)...
3: There is craving for Non-Becoming this or that like poor, sick, dead,
ignored, disregarded, ugly, failed & despised. (This is Vibhava-Tanha)...
DN 22

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More on this thorny Craving causing all pain:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Cut_Craving.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/C ... s_Pain.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Cr ... _Cause.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Or ... fering.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... raving.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... fering.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Why do we Suffer?

Craving is the Cause of Suffering!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Cr ... _Cause.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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