Daily Dhamma Drops from Ceylon!

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
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Bhikkhu_Samahita
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Re: Daily Dhamma Drops from Ceylon!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Why can’t one have a ‘self’ that is changing?

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In short:
Because the concept of a “self” – itself! – prescribe that this “ego” remains exactly the same
over a prolonged time! So also do we subjectively indeed experience it: "Though older "I" am the
same ‘person’ with the same ‘name’..." we say and automatically tend to think…
However only the name, which is an empty designation or ‘label’ remains the same, but nothing
of what that this label ‘names’ or signifies, whether mental or physical remains the same even
for a millisecond! All mental states and also all bodily material states change momentarily!
Thus "we" are never exactly the same from one moment to the next. Nor is anything external...!

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There exists no 'Ego', 'Self', 'Agent', 'Operator', 'I-Me' or little man (homunculus) inside any being...

Secondly: A true ‘Self’ is assumed to be in full power over itself… Otherwise: If this self have
no power over itself: Who or what has then power of this self? If anything has power over the
self then this actually deserves more to be called a 'self'. However realistically all events depend
on specific causes and not any imaginary ‘self’!
Nothing is the same. Everything is changing. Nothing is a static entity. Everything is a dynamic process.
Nothing is therefore under full control of any self. And nothing can ever be under full control of self
since everything is dependent on its own specific causes.

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The "Ego-Me-I-Self" is a mere recursive auto-projection or "self"-imagination of a non-real entity!

Thirdly: There is individuality:
Only a single process of the 5 clusters of clinging (khandha) conventionally called ‘a person’
experiences the kammic after effects of it ‘own’ past activities… Other clusters of clinging
conventionally called ‘other persons’ do not run into or experience these kammic effects.
But there is no identity:
Nothing within or outside of this ever re-arising process of these 5 clusters of clinging is ever
the ‘same’ or therefore ‘identical’, or therefore an ‘identity’… The ‘person’ is thus neither ever
the ‘same’, nor ever ‘another’, but just a selfless process of ever changing momentary states…
Nothing of such ephemeral transience is ever worth clinging to!

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As the Buddha said (and only the Buddhas can re-discover this):
"Sabbe Dhamma Anatta!" = All phenomena are no-self and core-less! 
All states are Impersonal! There is no Agent, or Substance neither behind,
nor within, nor without any Appearance...

'Blissful is solitude for one who is content, learned & who see the True Dhamma.
Blissful is harmlessness towards all beings without exception.
Blissful is freedom from any sensual urge whatsoever.
Yet, the supreme bliss, is the elimination of this abysmal conceit “I am”!’
Udana – Inspiration: II – 1

On this enigmatic No-Self (Anatta) Doctrine: Self-&-Substance-lessness
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Pride.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Not_Yours.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Conceit_I_Am.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Ego-Projection.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/I-dentification.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Sandcastles.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Prison_of_Pride.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Double_Problem.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Egoless.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/We_Are_Not.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Anti-EGO-Tool.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Empty_of_What.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Anatta_No_Self.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Se ... Anatta.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Div ... reedom.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Up ... Egoism.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... anatta.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Mi ... efence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Dee ... t_Doer.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/No_ ... Person.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Wit ... oversy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Mi ... erence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Wh ... reator.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/So ... eption.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/No ... Inside.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... f_Self.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/No ... cation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ju ... ubbles.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... ctrine.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/N ... t_What.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... Camera.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/In ... nality.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Se ... rmless.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/In ... cation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/No-Ag ... ndence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ca ... y_View.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ex ... ssness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ne ... _Actor.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/W ... _Agent.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The ... Anatta.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/First ... Enmity.htm

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There is No Self!

Individuality without Identity...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Changing_Self.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
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
Location: Ceylon
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Soaked in Joy!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Jhãna is the 1st Mental Absorption!

Jhana is Pali: In Sanskrit = Dhyana, in Chinese = Chan, in Japanese = Zen. 

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Preliminaries:
Purified Morality => Clear Conscience, innocence and the mental elation thereof.
Guarding the Senses => Absence of Temptation, greed, desire, and attraction.
Clear Comprehension => Acute Awareness and Absolute Mental Presence.
Contentment => Calm and Stilled Satisfaction even with nothing. Joy and Happiness. 

Mental Factors of Entry:
1: Absence of any Urge of Desire
2: Absence of any Aversion of Ill Will
3: Absence of any Lethargy and Laziness
4: Absence of any Restlessness and Regret
5: Absence of any Doubt and Uncertainty
1: Presence of Directed Thought
2: Presence of Sustained Thought
3: Presence of Rapturous Joy
4: Presence of Pleasurable Bliss
5: Presence of Single-Pointed Focus 

Subjective Experience:
Intense presence and awareness. Effortless, undistracted, and focused thinking.
Attention anchored even at ease at any chosen object. Mind is fixed and unified.
Result of chain of reasoning arguments is always reached quickly and successfully.
Body is without any pain and is felt like being a feather inside a big empty silent hall.
There is Joy, Bliss and Happiness mixed into Solid Calm like a Smiling Mountain! 

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Stages:
1: Directing (adverting to sign of serenity).
2: Attaining entrance and stabilizing that.
3: Prolonging and controlling duration.
4: Emergence from absorption.
5: Reviewing (looking back on). 

Grades:
I: Access Concentration like in neighbourhood approaching (upacara-samadhi).
II: Full Absorption Concentration fixed and anchored on object (appana-samadhi). 

Techniques which can induce Jhana Absorption:
Awareness of Breathing (AnapanaSati)
Basic Entirety Object (Kasina)
Inner Organs and Corpses (KayagataSati)
The 4 Infinite and Divine States (Metta)
The 4 Formless States (Aruppa) 

Manual:
The Path of Purification: Visuddhimagga.
By the Great Explainer: Buddhaghosa. 5th century AC.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.phtml?prod_id=771100

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Buddha Said:
Having momentarily eliminated the five mental hindrances of: Sense Desire, Ill Will,
Lethargy and Laziness, Restlessness and Regret, and Doubt and Uncertainty,
defiling imperfections of the mind that obstruct concentration and understanding,
quite secluded from sensual pleasures, separated from disadvantageous mental states,
one enters and dwells in the first Jhana absorption of directed and sustained thought
joined with joy and pleasure born of secluded solitude. One makes this joy and pleasure
born of secluded solitude pervade, perfuse and fill the entire body so that all parts is
thrilled by this joy and pleasure born of secluded solitude. Even as a clever barber or
his apprentice would put soap powder in a brass basin, sprinkle it with water, gradually
knead and moist it into a ball of foam soaked thoroughly everywhere inside out yet
without dripping so too he pervade, perfuse and fill his entire body so that all parts is
completely drenched with joy and pleasure born of secluded solitude.

More on Jhana absorption:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Detai ... ptions.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Requi ... rption.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_ ... ration.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/C ... amadhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... jhaana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Samma-Samadhi.htm

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Soaked in Joy!

Jhãna Mental Absorption is like being a Smiling Mountain :-)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Jh ... rption.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
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
Location: Ceylon
Contact:

The Problem ...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The Problem of Life is sure Death!

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
The days and nights are flying past. Life dwindles hurriedly away:
The life of mortals vanishes like water in a tiny stream.
SN 4:10

FUTURE FALL
As in the morning one may fear the falling of the ripened fruits;
So do all mortals in this world live in constant fear of death...
Since they know: Certain is their future death!
Sn 576

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CERTAIN
All beings are subject to death, end in death, can never escape death.
As every earthenware pot that has been fashioned by the potter's hand,
No matter whether small or great will fall & break to pieces in the end:
Just so are all beings subject to death, end in death, can never escape death.
All beings some time have to die, their life one day will end in death,
And they will fare after their doings: The good or bad fruits they will earn.
The evil-doer fares to the burning hell. The good Noble man to a happy world.
Hence, Noble doings you should perform as a safe provision for the next life,
For good doings for the next world give to all living beings their only support
On the other side! SN 3:22

CRUSHED
Just as the mighty rocky mountains are stretching high up in the sky,
Extending wide on all the land around and weighing heavily down on it!
Just so do old age and Death suppress all living beings in this universe,
whether warriors, priests, traders, workers, sweepers & all animals too.
Not sparing anyone or anything whatsoever, crushing all life to be found.
SN 3:25

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MOMENTARY
Whosoever knows this body to be as temporary as a bubble,
as insubstantial as the mirror image, such one will break the
flower tipped arrows of Mara and cannot be seen by this
King of Death ... Dhammapada 46
 
SURPRISE (again)!
Death carries off the man while distracted by gathering flowers
of sensual pleasures, exactly and even so as a great flood carries
away a sleeping village. Dhammapada 47

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Regarding Death and the Deathless State:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Death.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_Thorn.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Game_Over.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/End_Making.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Ageing_Again.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Problem.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Bag_of_Bones.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_Deathless.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Momentary_Life.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Age ... _Death.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/De ... lation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... marana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... ension.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/In ... he_End.htm

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The Problem ...

Certain is Death!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Problem.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
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
Location: Ceylon
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Elevated is the Boundless Mind!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Infinite Loving-Kindness is an Exalted State!

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The Blessed Buddha once explained Loving-Kindness like this:
This is what should be done by a clever one to arouse the advantageous:
Having attained a peaceful state: He should be capable, straight, and very
upright, easy to speak to, gentle and not proud, contented & easy to support,
with few duties, living simple, with calmed senses, devoted, and neither angry,
nor greedy. He should not do any mean thing, which wise men would criticize.
He always should wish: Let all beings be happy, joyous, glad, safe and secure.
Whatever living creatures there exist, still or moving, small or large, seen or
unseen, far or near, already existing or coming into being, let all these living
beings without any even single exception be perfectly happy!
One should never despise anyone anywhere, nor humiliate anyone anywhere,
nor ever wish for any being misery or harm, because of anger or irritation.
Just as a mother would protect her only little son even risking her own life,
exactly so should one cultivate an unbounded mentality towards all beings;
loving-kindness towards all in this universe. One should cultivate an infinite
mind, above, below and across, without barriers, without enmity, matchless.
Whether standing, going, sitting, or lying down, even when slumbering should
one practise this exalted infinite goodwill. This is said to be a Sacred State!
Sn 143-151

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The Buddha teaching about Infinite Friendliness = Metta

On this exalted Infinite Friendliness (Metta) see also:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_B ... enship.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Selfl ... eetest.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/A ... ndness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Bl ... liness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Un ... armony.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/G ... Encore.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... Friend.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Bl ... Bright.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Bl ... Bright.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Metta.htm

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Exalted bliss is Infinite Loving-Kindness!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Unbounded_Mind.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
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
Location: Ceylon
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Supra-Human Delight!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Tranquillity is the way to Superhuman Delight!

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Tranquillity comes due to insight. As he is sitting, whether by night or by day,
then he experiences neither fatigue, heaviness, rigidity, slowness, nor sickness
in his body, nor in his mind, but rather his body and mind are tranquil, very light,
adaptable, pliable, quite sharp and ultra-clear! With his body and mind aided by
such tranquillity, he experiences a superhuman delight, about which it is said:

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A Bhikkhu with his mind all quiet...
Retired to a remote & empty place.
There right insight in the Dhamma,
Awards him a superhuman delight!
It is because he really comprehends
The rise and fall of all phenomena
That he relishes this high happiness:
A silent joy not of this world!
A bliss transcending the human!
And knows it to be the deathless...
Dhammapada 373-74

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More on this delightful Joy (Piti), that is not of this world:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ha ... Beyond.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Jo ... Beyond.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Jo ... _World.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Al ... ed_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Joy_Piti.htm

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Supra-Human Delight!

Tranquillity is the way to Superhuman Delight!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Sup ... elight.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
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
Location: Ceylon
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Get the Good Going!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

How Emerges the Ability of Energy?

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The initiation of deliberately directing mind for the sole purpose of exertion,
is the very first initiating sprouting arising of the mental ability of energy .
The growing of keen eagerness and enthusiasm under the influence of the
success of the exertion itself, expands the arising of the energy ability.
Presence of focused attention and fixed consideration conditioned by the
guided control of exertion, increases the emergence of the energy ability.
The unification of one-pointed concentration under the condensing
influence of this effort, adds to the arising of the energy ability.
Non-appearance of laziness, is the advantage of the energy ability.
Absence of the frustration of laziness, is the charm of this ability.
Entering mental absorption is the motive behind the energy ability.
Assured stability of effort is the very power of the energy ability.
Enthusiastic pleasure & joy is the fascination of the energy ability.
The emergence of laziness is the danger for the ability of energy.
Through bold striving this ability of energy escapes from laziness!

Source: The Path of Discrimination: Patisambhidamagga IV
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/pdf ... on2011.pdf

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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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Get the Good Going!

Energy entails Enthusiasm ;-)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... Energy.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
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
Location: Ceylon
Contact:

Questions and Answers..

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Doubt is overcome by asking those who Know!

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The brahmin Magandiya once asked the Buddha some subtle questions:
Question: How does quarrels and disputes arise?
Answer: From what is liked and beloved arise quarrels and disputes.

Question:
How does these likes, longings and hopes emerge?
Answer: Likes, longings and hopes all have desire as their origin.

Question:
How does this desire come into being?
Answer: Desire arises depending on pleasure and pain.

Question: How does pleasure and pain then appear?
Answer: Pleasure and pain arises depending on contact.

Question: How does this event of contact happen?
Answer: Contact arises dependent upon name and form.

Question: How does such sensed contact completely cease?
Answer: When form has disappeared, contacts cannot make contact....

Question: In which mental state does all forms of form disappear?
Answer: In neither-perception-nor-non-perception does all form disappear!

Question: Is this state the supreme mental purity?
Answer: The state of quenching without remaining clinging is the supreme!
The recluse does neither dispute that, nor does he renew any existence...


Sutta-Nipata 862-877 Edited excerpt.

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More on clearing Doubt-&-Uncertainty by asking questions:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Noble_Purpose.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Sa ... estion.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Wh ... reator.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Que ... he_Boy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/F ... gation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ne ... _Actor.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Fi ... e_Will.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Cu ... tainty.htm

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Questions and Answers...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Que ... nswers.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
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
Location: Ceylon
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Kamma versus Social Position?

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Which Intentional Actions (Kamma) influence Social Position?

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A student once asked the Buddha:
Master Gotama, what is the cause and condition why some human beings
are influential and prominent, while others are neglected and disrespected?

The Blessed Buddha then explained:
Here, friend, some man or woman is envious, is one who is jealous, resents, and
begrudges the gains, honour, respect, reverence, salutations, fame, name or
veneration that is rightly received by others...
Because of intending and performing such action, at the breakup of the body,
right after death, such one is reborn in a state of difficulty, in a wretched
destination, in the painful purgatory, or even in the hells...
But if such one at the breakup of the body, right after death, is not reborn
in an state of deprivation, a painful destination, the purgatory, or in the hells,
but instead comes back to the human state, then wherever such one is reborn,
such one is not influential, unimportant, neglected and disrespected #!
These are the actions, friend, leading to future disrespect: Being envious, being
one who is jealous, resents, and begrudges the gains, honour, respect, reverence,
salutations, fame, name or veneration that is rightly received by others...
However, friend, any man or woman, who is neither envious, jealous, resenting,
nor begrudging the gains, honour, respect, reverence, salutations, fame, name and
veneration rightly received by others, because of intending and undertaking such
good mental action, at breakup of the body, after death, such one reappears in
a pleasurable and happy destination, even in one of the many divine dimensions!
But if at the breakup of the body, right after death, such one is not reborn in
a happy destination, in the heavenly worlds, but instead comes back to a human
state, then wherever such one reappears, such one is influential, and respected !!!
This is the way, friend, leading to prominence and influence, namely neither being
envious, jealous, resenting, nor begrudging the gains, honour, respect, reverence,
salutations, fame, name or veneration that is rightly received by others...

#: Such one escapes hell, because the evil present kamma is modified by past good!
%: Such one miss heaven, because the good present kamma is modified by past evil!

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Source:
The Moderate speeches of the Buddha: The short speech on Action. MN 135
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=25072X Full Text:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/su ... n135a.html

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For details on the mechanics of Kamma = Intentional Action see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ka ... ention.htm
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

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Kamma versus Social Position?

Which behaviour leads to future Fame or Disrespect?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ka ... espect.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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Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
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Floated by Joy :-)

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The Joy (Pîti) Link to Awakening!

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The Joy Link to Awakening (Piti-sambojjhanga)
has the characteristic
of suffusing contentment, and the property of gladdening satisfaction.
This Joy Link to Awakening manifests as mental elation, which can reach
five successively increasing degrees of intensity:

1: Minor Joy, which can raise the hair on the body when thrilled.
2: Momentary Joy, which is flashing like lightning at various occasions.
3: Showering Joy, which breaks over the body repeatedly like sea-waves.
4: Uplifting Joy, which can be strong enough to even levitate the body.
5: Pervading Joy, which is like a heavy sponge all saturated with water.

Visuddhimagga IV 94-9

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The Buddha once said: What mental fermentations (asava) should be
overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by careful & rational attention
develops the Joy Link to Awakening based on seclusion, on disillusion,
on ceasing, & culminating in relinquishment, then neither can any mental
fermentation, nor any fever, or discontent ever arise in him. MN2

In one who has aroused enthusiastic energy, there arises a joy not of
this world & the Joy Link to Awakening emerges there. He develops it,
& for him it goes to the culmination of its development. MN118 [iii 85]

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Any one convinced by understanding of Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha,
gets an enthusiastic sense of the sublime good goal of Nibbana &
gains gladness connected, joined, and fused with this Dhamma...!
In any one gladdened, Joy is born. The body of the Joyous is calmed.
One of calm body experiences pleasure and happiness! The mind of
one who is happy becomes concentrated. The concentrated mind
sees and knows things as they really are. This brings disgust and
disillusion, which enables full direct experience of mental release.
It is in this way that Joy indeed is a factor leading to Awakening!
MN , AN [iii 21-3], DN [iii 21-3]

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Further inspirations on the elevating & ecstatic quality of Joy (Piti):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ha ... Beyond.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Jo ... Beyond.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Jo ... _World.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Al ... ed_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Joy.htm

Have a nice & noble day!

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

Joy is a link to Enlightenment!

Floated by Joy :-)
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/III/Joy_Piti.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
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
Location: Ceylon
Contact:

Going Forth Faith!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

How is the Faith leading to the Going Forth?

Having heard the Buddha speak, a householder or a householder's son or
one born in some other family, hears that Buddha-Dhamma. On hearing this
sublime Dhamma, he acquires faith in the Tathagata. Possessing that faith,
he considers thus: Household life is crowded, cramped, frustrating & dusty!
The Life gone forth is out in the wide open... It is not easy, while living in a
home, to live this Noble life utterly perfect and pure, as a polished shell...
Suppose I shave off my hair and beard, put on the yellow robe, and go forth
from the home life into homelessness. On a later occasion, leaving behind any
small or large fortune, leaving behind a small or a large circle of relatives,
he shaves off his hair and beard, puts on the ochre robe, & then goes forth
from the home life into the free and open homelessness...
So is the faith of those, who after countless lives finally have accumulated
and possesses the right and ripe conditions for attaining the advantageous
state of a Bhikkhu under a Buddha! This is indeed the quickest step towards
winning the Bliss of the deathless Nibbana!

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For more Fabulously Fine Faith (Saddha) please see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... _Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/O ... _Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/U ... _Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/A ... _Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/P ... _Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Highest_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Leaping_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/F ... _Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Mutual_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Dual_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/Lay_Faith.htm

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Source:
MN 27: Culahatthipadopama Sutta. Short Simile on Elephant Footprint
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

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Going Forth Faith!

Lay life is dusty while the Noble life is out in the open ;-)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/G ... _Faith.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
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
Location: Ceylon
Contact:

Lethargic Laziness...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

How does Lethargy & Laziness Suppress Mind?

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A Brahmin Priest once asked the Blessed Buddha:
Master Gotama, what is the cause of being unable to remember even
something that has been memorized over a long period & also that which
has not been memorized?
Brahmin, when mind is retarded by lethargy & laziness, dimmed, detained
& dominated by lethargy and laziness, and one does not understand any
actual safe escape from this arisen lethargy and laziness, in that very
moment, one can neither see, nor understand, what is advantageous,
neither for oneself, nor for others, nor for both oneself and others.
Consequently, whatever have been memorized, cannot be remembered…
Why is this neglect so? Imagine a bowl of water covered with moss,
water plants and algae. If a man with good eye-sight were to inspect
the reflection of his own face in it, he would neither see, nor recognize
it, as it really is! So too, brahmin, when mind is slowed down by lethargy
and laziness, dimmed, detained and handicapped by lethargy & laziness,
on such occasions even texts long memorized do not recur to the mind,
not to speak of those texts, events and information, that have not been
actively memorized at all…

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How to cure Laziness:
Attention to these 3 elements of: initiative, launching and endurance!

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More on curing this common mental defilement: Laziness (Thina-middha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Cu ... ziness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... middha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Arous ... _Going.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Su ... tution.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Enthu ... Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/AN.I.3-4.htm

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Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V:122-3] section 46: The Links. 55: To Sangarava...

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Have a nice & noble day!

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

Laziness imprisons the Mind!

Lethargic Laziness...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Le ... ziness.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
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
Location: Ceylon
Contact:

Dhamma-Video and Dhamma-Audio-Book production Gear

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Dhamma-Video and Dhamma-Audio-Book production Gear is very much Needed.

Two wish-lists providing the required items are public here:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... 6B06086BD4

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... 6B46BEE37C

Support is welcome and advantageous here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/
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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:

Winning is Wisdom!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

How to Win the Social Game using Wisdom?

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The Blessed Buddha once explained:
Overcome the angry with friendliness;
Overcome the wicked with goodness;
Overcome the miser with generosity;
Overcome the liar with truth.

Dhammapada 223

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And what is the treasure of generosity?
There is the case where a disciple of the Noble Ones,
having cleaned his mind of the stain of stinginess,
living at home, freely generous, and open-handed,
delighting in being magnanimous, enjoying any request,
delighting in the giving of alms to those needy & worthy...
This is called the treasure of generosity!

AN 7.6

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There are these five future rewards of generosity:
One is admired and liked by an overwhelming majority of the people.
One is respected by the good, the intelligent and the wise persons.
One's good reputation is spread easily, rapidly and far about.
One fulfills the rightful duties of the householder, and
With the break-up of the body, one will reappear in a good destination,
in the heavenly and exquisitely divine worlds!

AN 5.35

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On this Future Wealth Creating and Wisely Open-Handed Generosity (Dana):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/giving.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Pure_Merit.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Glad_Giving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_3_Gifts.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/K ... remony.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... /caaga.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... /daana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Openh ... rosity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Rev ... rosity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ge ... lation.htm

Have a nice & noble day!

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

How to Win the Social Game using Wisdom?

Winning Wisdom!

http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Winning_Wisdom.htm
Image

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

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

The 300 Spears!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Seeing the 4 Truths is of Primary Importance!

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The Blessed Buddha once said this:
Bhikkhus, imagine a man with a life span of a hundred years. If some ask him:
Good man, morning, noon & evening you will be pierced with a 100 spears and
despite being stabbed and impaled daily with 300 spears, you will survive
a full 100 years, after which you will break through to the Four Noble Truths!
Will you agree to go through that?
Then, Bhikkhus, he should accept this offer as a good deal..! For what reason?
Because since an inconceivable beginning of Samsaric time, all beings have been
& will eternally continue to be hit by spears, cut by swords, & chopped by axes.
Secondly: Breaking through to the Four Noble Truths is not joined by any pain
or frustration. Breaking through to the Four Noble Truths is joined only by an
extreme happiness, joy, bliss and peace...

What four Truths?
The Noble Truth of Suffering is an in all being immanent misery!
The Noble Truth on Craving as the primary Cause of all Suffering!
The Noble Truth on Ceasing of Craving as the End of all Suffering!
The Noble Truth on This Noble 8-fold Way as the method to End all Suffering!

Therefore, Bhikkhus, an effort should be dedicated to really understand:
All this is Suffering! An effort should be made much of to truly comprehend:
Craving is the Cause of Suffering! An effort should be aroused to realize:
No Craving is the End of Suffering! Effort should be made to set in motion,
to reinforce, and refine: This Noble 8-fold Way which Ceases all Suffering...

Comments:
These 4 Noble Truths are really the crucial core of early & any Buddhism since,
they open the doors to the Deathless Dimension: Nibbana !

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More on these 4 Noble Truths (Cattari Ariya Saccani):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ignorance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Actually_So.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/True_Wisdom.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Four_but_One.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Cl ... Truths.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Stick.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... e_Fact.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Si ... omplex.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... Truths.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/So ... ources.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Pe ... htened.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... fering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... fering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... fering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... fering.htm

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Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:440-1]
section 56: Saccasamyutta. Thread 35: 100 Spears ...

The 300 Spears!

Seeing the 4 Truths is Crucial...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/300_Spears.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
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
Location: Ceylon
Contact:

Metta Means Most!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Amity is Precious and Universal!

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As I am, so are others...
As others are, so am I...
Having thus identified self and others,
Never Harm anyone, nor have any abused.
Sutta Nipata 3.710

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Among tigers, lions, leopards & bears I lived in the jungle.
No one was frightened of me, nor did I fear anyone.
Uplifted by such universal friendliness, I enjoyed the forest.
Finding great solace in such sweetly silenced solitude…
Suvanna-sama Jataka 540

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I am a friend of the footless,
I am a friend of all bipeds,
I am a friend of those with four feet,
I am a friend of the many-footed!
Anguttara Nikaya 4.67

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May all creatures, all breathing things,
all beings one and all, without exception,
experience good fortune only.
May they not fall into any harm.
Anguttara Nikaya II, 72

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Panda clings to saving Chinese Policeman after forest-fire :-)

Train yourself in doing good
that lasts and brings happiness.
Cultivate generosity, the life of peace,
and a mind of infinite universal love.
Itivuttaka 22

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With good will for the entire cosmos,
cultivate a limitless heart & mind:
Beaming above, below, & all around,
unobstructed, without trace of hostility.
Sutta Nipata I, 8

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He who does not punish nor makes others punish,
He who steals not nor makes others steal,
who friendly shares with all that lives,
finds enmity with none.
Itivuttaka 27

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Let no one deceive another
or despise anyone anywhere,
or through anger or irritation
wish for another to suffer.
Sutta Nipata I, 8

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For one who deliberately & aware
develops Universal Friendliness
Seeing the fading away of clinging,
All chains are worn down & broken.
Itivuttaka 27

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Overcome the angry by friendliness;
overcome the wicked by goodness;
overcome the miser by generosity;
overcome the liar by truth.
Dhammapada 223

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Who is hospitable, open and friendly,
Generous, gentle and unselfish,
A guide, an instructor, a leader,
Such a one to honour may attain.
Digha Nikaya 31

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The friend who is a helper and comrade,
the friend in both good and bad times,
the friend who gives good advice,
the friend who never despises,
these four as friends the clever keep
and cherish with pure devotion
as does a mother her only son.
Digha Nikaya 31

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Having killed anger you sleep in ease.
Having killed anger you do not grieve.
The noble ones praise the slaying of anger
-- with its honeyed crest & poison root --
for having killed it you do not grieve.
Samyutta Nikaya II, 70

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Knowing that the other person is angry,
one who remains mindful and calm
acts for his own best interest
and for the other's interest, too.
Samyutta Nikaya I, 162

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Train yourself in doing only good
that lasts and brings great happiness.
Cultivate generosity, a peaceful living,
and a mentality of infinite friendliness.
Ittivuttuka 16

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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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On Metta = Friendliness:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Metta.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Hey_Friend.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Mothers_Love.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kalyanamitta.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unique_Unity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Loving-Kindness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Calm_Kindness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Across_Borders.htm

Metta Means Most!

Amity is Precious and Universal!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Met ... s_Most.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

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