Daily Dhamma Drops from Ceylon!

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
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Bhikkhu_Samahita
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How2 Cure Depression?

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Cause & Effect: Action & Reward:

Video on how Methodological Metta Meditation cures Depression!
http://vimeo.com/bhikkhusamahita/metta-meditation
or


More on Metta (Friendliness) Meditation:
What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Metta.htm
What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Hey_Friend.htm
What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Mothers_Love.htm
What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kalyanamitta.htm
What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unique_Unity.htm
What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Loving-Kindness.htm
What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Calm_Kindness.htm
What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Across_Borders.htm
What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Safe_Medicine.htm
What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Friendliness_Frees.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
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Water filter insets are urgently needed!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Dear Friends:

Some Water filter insets are urgently needed!
So not to get re-infected with bilharzia liver-worms again! are some water filter
insets needed for purification of the water here.
Advantageous Donations for this Noble purpose are welcome here:

http://What-Buddha-Said.net

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Many thanx in advance for kind assistance w. health. :-)
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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
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What is the Highest Blessing?

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

What is the Highest Blessing?

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Thus have I heard: On one occasion the Exalted One was dwelling at the
monastery of Anathapindika, in Jeta’s grove, near Savatthi. Now when the
night was far spent a certain deity, whose surpassing radiance illuminated
the entire Jeta Grove, came to the presence of the Exalted One. After
drawing near, he respectfully saluted Him and stood at one side. Standing
thus, he addressed the Exalted One in verse:
Many deities and men wishing to know what is good, have pondered on the
blessings and auspicious signs of luck. Tell me what is the highest blessing?
What is the best protection?

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The Blessed Buddha responded:
Not to associate with fools, but only with the wise. To honour only those who
are worthy of honour. This is the highest blessing & also the best protection.

To live in a suitable place, to have done merits in the past, and to set oneself
on the right path. This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.

Great learning, good skills, a highly trained discipline, and a pleasant speech.
This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.

The support of father and mother, the cherishing of wife and children, and
a peaceful job. This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.

Generosity, pure morality, the helping of relatives, and blameless behaviour.
This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.

To avoid all evil action, to abstain from intoxicants, and firmness in virtue.
This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.

Reverence, humility, contentment, gratitude & hearing the Dhamma in time.
This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.

Patience, respect, sight of calm recluses and suitable conversation in time.
This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.

Self-control, living the Noble life, realizing the Noble Truths and Nibbana.
This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.

The be unmoved by the 8 worldly conditions # sorrowless, stainless, & safe.
This is the highest blessing and also the best protection.

Having fulfilled all these requirements, everywhere they are undefeated,
everywhere they go in safety, fearing nothing, cooled, calmed and serene...

These are the highest blessings and also the best protections!

#: Gain and loss, fame and disrespect, praise and blame, happiness & sorrow.

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Source: Sutta Nipata Sn 258-269 in BPS Wheel no 54 (Edited Excerpt):
The Mirror of the Dhamma. A Manual of Buddhist Devotional Texts.
By Narada Thera and Bhikkhu Kassapa. Revised By Bhikkhu Khantipalo:
http://www.bps.lk/wh054-u.html

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Regarding Blessing (Mangala) as a good, lucky or auspicious sign see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... angala.htm

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The Highest Blessing...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The ... essing.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
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Suffering here is Inevitable...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Suffering in this World is Inevitable!

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The entire world is in flames, all the entire world is blazing up in smoke!
The entire world is burning, the entire world is decaying and vanishing...
But that which does not vanish or burn, which is experienced by the Nobles,
where Death has no entry, in that stilled silence mind finds sweet delight.

Samyutta Nikaya 1.168

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Without sign, unknown, uncertain, is the life here of mortals, demanding,
short, tied up with pain and misery. For there's no way by which those who
are born will not die. All Beings will surely die even if they become very old!

Like ripe fruits, whose downfall, whose danger always is inevitable falling,
so for mortals, once born, the constant danger is forever hereafter death!

As a potter's clay vessels, large & small, fired & unfired, all end up broken,
so too life heads to death. Young & old, wise & foolish, rich & poor: Everyone
come under the sway of death, all have death as their assured certain end.

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Note the hands are taken the Head and Mind that suffers!

For those overcome by death, gone to the other world, father cannot protect
son, nor relatives any family. See: Even while relatives are looking & wailing
heavily, mortals are one by one led away like dumb cows to the slaughter...

In this way is the world afflicted with aging & death! Knowing this indeed
inescapable and unavoidable nature of the world, the enlightened don't ever
grieve! You don't know from where the dying came or where he is going...
Seeing neither end, you lament uselessly in blind vain.. Helping nobody at all!

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If, by lamenting, confused, harming yourself, any good use could be gained
the prudent would do it as well. But not by weeping & grief do you gain peace
of mind. Pain just arises all the more. Your body is hurt. You grow thin, pale,
harming yourself by yourself. Not in that folly way, are the dead protected.
Lamentations are all in pointless vain.

Not abandoning grief, a person suffers all the more pain. Bewailing one whose
time is done, you fall under the sway of grief yourself. Look at others, going
along, people arriving in line with their past actions: Falling under the sway
of death, beings simply shivers here, for a short unstable waste of a life...

For however they imagine it to be, it always becomes quite other than that!
That's a fate of their blinded estrangement. See this evil way of the world...

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Even if a person lives a century, or even more, he will be separated from his
community, friends & relatives. He leaves his life alone & naked right there!

So, having heard the Arahat, who have subdued all lamentation, seeing that
the dead is one whose time is done, understanding: "I can't fetch him back."
Just as one would extinguish a burning shelter with water, even so does the
Enlightened One, intelligent, clever and wise, blow away any arisen sorrow,
like a strong wind, a bit of cotton fluff!

Seeking your own happiness, you should pull out your own injuring arrow:
All your own lamentation, longing, hoping, hungering producing only sorrow!
With arrow pulled out, independent, attaining peace of awareness, all grief
is transcended, griefless you are unbound, free, safe, at ease in peace...

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Source: Salla Sutta: The Arrow. Snp 3.8, PTS: Sn 574-593
Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu (Edited Extract)
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html
Kindly forwarded by our Friend Ivan Dhammavaro Wijaya:

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More on Suffering, Misery, Dissatisfaction, Frustration & Stress (Dukkha):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Source_of_What.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Wh ... fering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta ... .196.1.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Or ... fering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... dukkha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ce ... fering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Co ... fering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... fering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Co ... ring_2.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/St ... ration.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... fering.htm

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More on this inevitable Death (Marana):
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/V/Ageing_Again.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/End_Making.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/IV/Momentary_Life.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Age ... _Death.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... marana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/De ... lation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/In ... he_End.htm

Suffering in this World is Inevitable!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The ... _Suffering Dukkha.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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Space Compassion ..

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

How is Release by Infinite Pity Achieved?

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
And how, Bhikkhus, is the mental release by universal pity achieved?
What does this liberation have as its destination, what is its culmination,
what is its sweet fruit, and what is the goal of release by universal pity?
Here, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu dwells pervading the frontal quadrant with a
mind imbued with infinite pity, so the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarter. As above,
so below, across, and everywhere! To all beings and to himself, he dwells
pervading the entire universe with a mind saturated with unlimited pity,
immense, exalted, vast, measureless, without hostility, without enmity,
without any trace of ill will! Thus prepared & expanded he then develops:
1: The Awareness Link to Awakening joined with this limitless pity.
2: The Investigation Link to Awakening fused with such vast pity.
3: The Energy Link to Awakening together with this infinite pity.
4: The Joy Link to Awakening accompanied with this absolute pity.
5: The Tranquillity Link to Awakening linked with this spacious pity.
6: The Concentration Link to Awakening associated with this great pity.
7: The Equanimity Link to Awakening joined with this endless pity.

While based upon seclusion, disillusion, ceasing, & culminating in release.
If he then wishes:
May I dwell experiencing the repulsive in the unrepulsive and tempting,
then he can dwell experiencing the repulsive therein. If he wishes:
May I dwell experiencing the unrepulsive in the disgusting and repulsive,
then he dwells experiencing pleasing beauty in whatever is disgusting!
If he then wishes: May I dwell experiencing the repulsive in what is both
unrepulsive and repulsive, he dwells experiencing repulsive disgust in it.
If he wishes: May I dwell experiencing the unrepulsive in what is both
unrepulsive and repulsive, he experiences only excessive beauty in it!
If he wishes: Avoiding both the repulsive and the unrepulsive, may I dwell
in equanimity, just aware & clearly comprehending, then he dwells in this
equanimity, just aware and clearly comprehending. Or else, by completely
transcending of all experience of form, fully stilling any perception of all
sense-reaction, non attending to any experience of diversity, only aware
that space is infinite, he enters and dwells in the infinitude of space...
I tell you Bhikkhus, for a wise Bhikkhu here, who has not yet penetrated
to an even more superior mental release, this release of mind by infinite
pity has the sublime sphere of the infinitude of space as its culmination!

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On this infinite Pity (maha-karuna):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Endless_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Karuna_is_Pity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Safe_Medicine.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Com ... e_Pity.htm

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On these 7 Links to Awakening (Sambojjhanga):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Sun.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Peak.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Clothes.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/R ... rgence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/S ... _Seven.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/V ... ration.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... Fruits.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/U ... _Seven.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/W ... mes_14.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_7 ... kening.htm

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Source of reference (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V: 115-21] 46: The Links. 54: Joined by Friendliness...

Have a nice & noble day!

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

Pity can open a mental infinitude of space!

Infinite Pity!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/III/S ... assion.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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The Safe Entrance!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Universes may implode, but a Stream-Winner is Safe!

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Once in Savatthi the Blessed Buddha said this:
Bhikkhus, those for whom you have sympathy and who you think should be respected,
whether friends or colleagues, relatives or associates, these you should try to explain,
convince, and establish in these four factors of stream-entry. What four?
You should explain, convince, and establish them in Faith in the Three Jewels thus:
Worthy, honourable and perfectly self-Enlightened is the Buddha! Consummated in all...
Perfectly formulated is the Dhamma, visible right here and now, immediately effective...
Perfectly training is this Noble Sangha community of the Buddha's Noble disciples...

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You should explain, convince, and establish them in the saving purity of Morality thus:
Any Noble possesses the Morality esteemed by the Noble ones: Unbroken, pure, untorn,
unspotted, freeing, praised by the clever, natural, leading to concentration. Why?
Bhikkhus, there may be alteration in these four great elements: In the earth element;
all solidity, in the water element; all fluidity, in the heat element; all thermal vibration,
in the air element; all motion, but there cannot be alteration in the Noble Disciple who
possesses confirmed confidence in the Three Jewels. It always remains impossible
that such Noble Disciple should be reborn in hell, as animal, as angry demon, or as ghost!
Therefore: Those for whom you have sympathy and who you think should be respected,
whether friends or colleagues, relatives or associates, these you should try to explain,
convince, and establish in these four factors of stream-entry...

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Faith is the Seed, the initiator, the Source of the Beginning.
Faith is the Hand that takes up all the advantageous states.
Faith is the Wealth above all, since it brings real Happiness.
Faith is the Jump, since it enables beings to cross the flood.
Faith is the Purifier, since it clears contaminating defilements.

More on gaining a surely safe future: Stream-Entry:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Fine_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_6_Keys.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_4_Doors.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Divine_Tracks.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_to_Enter.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Stream-Enterer.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Faith_Summary.htm

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Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:365-6]
section 55: Sotapattisamyutta. Thread 17: Friends and Colleagues 2...

The Safe Entrance!

Universes may implode, but a Stream-Winner is Safe!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Im ... ration.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:

Contentment is the Highest Treasure!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Contentment is the most supreme Treasure!

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The Blessed Buddha often noted contentment as the highest treasure:
There is the case where a Bhikkhu is quite content with whatever old robe,
quite content with whatever old almsfood, quite content with whatever hut,
and quite content with whatever bitter medicine for curing sickness.
This Dhamma is for one who is content, not for one who is discontent!
Thus was it said. And with reference to exactly this salient contentment
with whatever little one has, was this simple, serene modesty well spoken...
AN VIII 30

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Contentment with whatever little one has!

And how is a Bhikkhu content?
Just as a bird, wherever it goes, flies with its wings as its only burden,
even so is he content with a single set of robes to protect his body and
begged almsfood to pacify his hunger. Wherever he goes, he takes only
these few simple necessities as robes, belt, bowl and razor along with him.
This is how a Bhikkhu is content...
DN 2

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There is the case where a Bhikkhu is content with whatever old robe at all,
with whatever old almsfood at all, with whatever old hut at all. He speaks in
praise of being content with any old requisite at all. He does not, for the sake
of any requisite, do anything unsuitable or inappropriate. When not getting any
requisites, he is not troubled. When getting requisites, he just uses it without
being attached to it. He is not obsessed, blameless, and seeing the drawbacks
and dangers of possessions, he realizes the escape from them. He does not,
on account of his contentment with any old requisite at all, exalt himself or
disparage others. Thus is he modest, clever, energetic, alert, & acutely aware!
This, Bhikkhus, is called a Bhikkhu standing quite firm in the ancient, original
lineage of the Noble Ones... AN IV 28

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Good are friends, when need arises.
Good is contentment with just what one has.
Good is merit done well, when life is at the end.
Good is the elimination of all Suffering!
Dhammapada 331

Solitude is happiness for one who is content,
who has heard the Dhamma and clearly understands.
Harmlessness is happiness in all worlds!
Harmlessness towards all breathing beings.
Udana 10

Therefore be capable, upright, and straight,
easy to instruct, gentle, and not proud,
content and easy to support with little,
with few duties, living simple and light,
with peaceful abilities, mastering all,
modest, and with no greed for support.
Do not do even a minor thing that the
wise and noble would later criticize.
Sutta Nipata I, 8

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More on Contentment (santutthi), which is caused by rejoicing mutual joy:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ca ... ontent.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoi ... Mudita.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ca ... ntment.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... _vamsa.htm

Have a nice & noble day!

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

Contentment is the Highest Treasure!!

Cool Calm Comfort...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Contentment.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 Main Event....

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The Event of Awakening:

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At that time a girl named Sujata Senani lived in Uruvela. When adult,
she prayed before a certain Banyan tree, that she might get a husband
equal to herself in caste and that her firstborn may be a son. Her prayer
was successful, since so indeed did it happen. At the full moon day of the
Vesak month, she rose at early dawn & milked the cows. As soon as new
buckets were placed under the cows, their milk poured forth in streams
spontaneously all by itself. Seeing this miracle, she knew something special
was going on. 

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Sujata offering the Bodhisatta her milk rice.

Now at that very night the Future Buddha had 5 specific dreams that
made him conclude: Certainly, without doubt, today is the very day,
I will reach Enlightenment! His 5 colored radiance illuminated the  whole tree.
Then Sujata came & offered the cooked milk rice in the hands  of the Great Being.
After that a grass-cutter came going with a bundle of grass just harvested from
nearby. He offered the Great Being 8 handfuls of Kusa grass, when he saw that
this Sage was a Holy Man. The Future Buddha accepted the grass and proceeded
to the foot of the great Bodhi-Tree.  Reaching the imperturbable Eastern side,
where all Buddhas take their seat, he sat down determined & said to himself:
This is indeed the immovable  spot where all the Buddhas have planted themselves!
This is the very place for destroying the net of desire!
Then the Future Buddha turned his back to the trunk and faced East.
Right there he then made this mighty decision:

Let just blood & flesh of this body dry up & let skin & sinews fall from the frame of bones.
I will not leave this seat before having attained the absolute supreme Enlightenment!


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So determined did he seat himself in this unconquerable seat, which not
even a 100 strikes of lightning could make him waver from.
At this very moment the rebel deity Mara -the Evil One- raised exclaiming:
Prince Siddhattha will now pass beyond my power, but I will never allow it!
and sounding the Mara's war shout, he prepared his army & went out for
battle. Then Mara said to his militia: This Sakyamuni, son of Suddhodana,
is far greater, than any other man, so we will never succeed to fight him
up front. We will therefore attack him from behind. Frustrated, being unable
even to touch this Wielder of Power even with 9 mighty hurricanes of wind,
rain, rocks, weapons, red coals, hot ashes, sand, mud, & darkness Mara somewhat
in panic commanded his army: Why do you stand still?
Seize, kill & drive away this prince. And Mara yelled: Siddhattha, leave this seat.
It is not yours but mine! Hearing this the Well-gone One replied:
Mara, neither have you ever fulfilled the 10 perfections to the third degree,
nor have you given the 5 great donations. Neither has you striven for insight,
nor for the welfare of the world, nor for enlightenment! Therefore does this
seat not belong to you, but indeed only and forever to me!
Suddenly overpowered by fear Mara's followers fled helter-skelter
in all directions. Not two went the same way, but leaving their weapons
in a chaos all behind, they fled terrified by panic. Seeing them flee, the
great assembly of deities triumphantly shouted: Mara is defeated. Prince
Siddhattha has Won! Let us celebrate the Victory! The deities then sang:

The Victory has this illustrious Buddha Won.
The Evil One, The End-maker is defeated & done.
Thus they jubilantly circled the wisdom throne,
the band of nagas singing their praises of the Seer,
the flocks of birds singing their praises of the Sage,
the assembly of Deities singing their praises of the Conqueror,
the group of Brahmas singing their praises of the Worthy One.


It was before the sun had set that the Tathagata thus conquered Mara &
defeated his army. Then at the same night, after having bathed, while the
Bodhi-Tree rained red sprigs on his robe, the Consummate One acquired
knowledge of previous existences in the first watch of the night:
With the mind thus concentrated, purified, bright, fixed, unified, focused,
tractable, compliant, steady & imperturbable, I directed it to remembrance
of my past lives. I recollected numerous past lives, i.e., one birth, two...five,
ten...fifty, a hundred, a thousand, a hundred thousand, many eons of cosmic
contraction, many eons of cosmic expansion:
There I had such a name, belonged to such a clan & species, had such
a body. Such was my food, such my experience of pleasure & pain,
such the end of my life. Passing away from that state, I re-arose there.
There I had such name, belonged to such a sort & family, had such a form.
Such was my food, such my experience of pleasure & pain, such the
end of my life. Passing away from that state, I re-arose here. Thus I
remembered my various past lives in all their various modes & details.
This was the first knowledge I attained in the first watch of the night.
Ignorance was destroyed; knowledge arose; darkness was destroyed;
light arose as happens in one who is alert, aware, and determined.
But the pleasant feeling that arose in this way did not invade my mind
nor remain. With the mind thus still concentrated, purified, bright, intact,
pliant, malleable, steady, & imperturbable, I directed it to the knowledge
of the passing away & reappearance of beings. I saw by means of the divine
eye, purified & surpassing the human eye I saw beings passing away &
re-appearing, and I realized how & why they are high & low, beautiful &
ugly, fortunate & unfortunate all in accordance with the intentions of their
prior actions: 'These beings who were endowed with bad behavior of
body, speech, & mind, who reviled the Noble Ones, held wrong views and
acted under the influence of wrong views, with the break-up of the body,
after death, have re-appeared in the plane of misery, the bad destinations,
the lower realms, even in the hells.
But these beings, who were gifted with good behavior of body, speech &
mind, who did not revile the Noble Ones, who held right views and acted
under the influence of right views, with the break-up of the body, after
death, have re-appeared in happy destinations, even in a divine world.'
Thus -- by means of the divine eye, purified & surpassing the human --
I saw beings passing away & re-appearing, all in accordance with their
particular mixture of good & bad kamma.
But the satisfaction that arose in this way did not invade my mind nor did
it remain. With the mind thus concentrated, fully absorbed, I directed it
towards understanding the stilling of all the mental fermentations.
Then I realized how it actually comes to be, that: 

Such is Misery...
Such is the Cause of Misery...
Such is the End of Misery...
Such is the Way to End Misery...

Such is the mental fermentations...
Such is the cause of mental fermentation...
Such is the end of mental fermentation...
Such is the way leading to the end of mental fermentation...!


When my mind saw that, realized that, it was freed of the fermentation of
sense-desire, released from the fermentation of becoming, unobstructed by
the fermentation of ignorance. Fully & Perfectly Enlightened - The Buddha -
perceiving this immense glory, spoke these 2 solemn verses, which never has
been omitted by any of countless thousands of prior Buddhas:

Through this round of countless existences have I searched
yet failed to find 'the Creator', who framed this formation:
What Misery! is such Endless Birth, Ageing, Decay & Death!!

Now I see that 'the Constructor' of this structure is Craving...!!!
Never shall this construction be build again, as all the rafters
are shattered and the main beam is busted & fully broken...
At this stilling of all Craving, mind has finally found calm…


Then, friends, this vision of certainty then arose in me: This release
is irreversible, this is the last rebirth, this endless reappearance has
finally ended...


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Here do all the Buddhas Awaken: Bodhgaya!

About Awakening see also:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... isatta.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/b/buddha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... mbodhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... /bodhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... irukka.htm

The Main Event....

The Moment of Enlightenment!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Samma ... .short.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
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Light, Love and Life after Life...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Light, Love and Life after Life...



On Rebirth from an Early Buddhist Perspective:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rebirth.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
User avatar
Bhikkhu_Samahita
Posts: 2750
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Comprehending the Crucial Core ..

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

What are the Benefits of Training Mental Concentration?

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Once in Savatthi the Blessed Buddha said this:
Bhikkhus, train and develop concentration! Any Bhikkhu, who is concentrated
understands things as they really are and as they really become! How?
1: He understands as it really is: This and such is Suffering,
2: He understands as it really is: This and such is the Cause of Suffering,
3: He understands as it really is: This and such is the Ceasing of Suffering,
4: He understands as it really is: This is the Way leading to the End of Suffering!

Bhikkhus, develop concentration! A Bhikkhu, who is concentrated understands
not only the appearance, but things as they really are and as they really become!
Therefore, Bhikkhus, an effort should be made to comprehensively understand:
This is Suffering; This is the Cause of Suffering; This is the End of Suffering;
This is the way leading to the End of Suffering... An effort should be made to
comprehend, fathom, grasp, understand, and penetrate these Four Noble Truths!

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Comments:
Those who makes that effort, and understands, shortens this Samsaric round...
Those who neglects that effort, and ignores it, prolongs this Samsaric round...

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More on these 4 Noble truths:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... Truths.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

Source (edited extract):

The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:414]
section 56: Saccasamyutta. Thread 1: Concentration...

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Terse Truths!

Comprehending the Crucial Core in the 4 Noble Truths!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Co ... _Truth.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
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Blazing is Friendliness :-)

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Making oneself into a Mighty Friend:

Friendliness means Goodwill
Friendliness means Kindness
Friendliness means Helpfulness
Friendliness means Assistance
Friendliness means Support
Friendliness means Benevolence
Friendliness means Concern
Friendliness means Care
Friendliness means Compassion
Friendliness means Cooperation
Friendliness means Mutual Aid
Friendliness means Mutual Advantage
Friendliness means Symbiosis
Friendliness means Sympathy
Friendliness means Basic Trust


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The Blessed Buddha once said:
A friend who always lends a hand,
a friend both in sorrow and joy,
a friend who offers good counsel,
a friend who sympathizes too.
These are the four kinds of true friends:
one who is wise, having understood,
will always cherish and serve such friends
just as a mother tends her only child.
DN III 188

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As a mother even with her life protects her only child,
so let one cultivate immeasurable loving-kindness towards
all living beings.

Bhikkhus, whatever kinds of worldly merit there are,
all are not worth one sixteenth part of the release of mind by
universal friendliness; in shining, glowing and beaming radiance
the release of mind by infinite & endless friendliness far excels &
even surpasses them all. Itivuttaka 27

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He who does not strike nor makes
others strike, who robs not nor makes
others rob, sharing love with all that live,
finds enmity with none. Itivuttaka 22

Thus he who both day and night
takes delight in harmlessness
sharing love with all that live,
finds enmity with none. SN I 208

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When one with a mind of love
feels compassion for the entire world --
above, below and across,
unlimited everywhere. Jataka 37

I am a friend of the footless,
I am a friend of the bipeds;
I am a friend of those with four feet,
I am a friend of the many-footed.
May not the footless harm me,
may not the bipeds harm me,
may not those with four feet harm me,
and may not those with many feet harm me.
AN II 72

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

I am a friend and helper to all,
I am sympathetic to all living beings.
I develop a mind full of love
and takes always delight in harmlessness.
I gladden my mind, fill it with joy,
and make it immovable and unshakable.
I develop the divine states of mind
not cultivated by simple men. Theragatha. 648-9

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On this mighty state of Friendliness (Metta) Friendship:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Sy ... mpathy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... ve_Saw.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The ... ntages.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Eva ... _Enemy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ge ... odwill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Cosmic_Goodness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Bl ... odwill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Unbounded_Mind.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Goodness_Galore.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Loving-Kindness.htm

Have a nice, noble and friendly day!

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

Blazing is Friendliness :-)


Goodwill is always a mutual advantage!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Bl ... liness.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
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Imperturbable is Calm!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Imperturbable Calm!

The Blessed Buddha once said:
Knowing that the other person is angry,
The one who remains aware and calm
acts in and for his own best interest,
and for the other's interest, too!
Samyutta Nikaya I, 162

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Exalted in mind, just open and clearly aware,
the recluse trained in the ways of the sages:
One who is such, calmed and ever mindful,
He has no sorrows!
Udana IV, 7

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Calm is his mind.
Calm is his speech.
Calm is his action.
So is the tranquillity;
So is the equanimity;
of one freed by the insight
of right understanding...
Dhammapada 96

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More on this sweetly silenced Tranquillity (Passaddhi):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Forest_Bliss.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/F ... illity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... saddhi.htm

Have a nice calm day!

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

Sweet Serene Calm!

Tranquillity Causes Happiness!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/III/Calm.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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Blending like Milk and Water...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Leaving all Quarrels enables Social Harmony!

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
When this subtle Dhamma has been taught by me, in many various ways,
using different methods of explanation, then it is only to be expected
that those, who cannot agree, accept, allow, & approve of what really
is well stated and well spoken by others, that they will become angry,
quarrelsome and start disputes, where they will stab each other with
verbal daggers! Yet too, when this sublime Dhamma has been taught by
me, in many variable ways, using diverse methods of explanation, it is
also only to be expected, that those, who can agree, accept, allow, and
approve of what really is well formulated and well spoken of by others,
that they will live in harmony, in calm, friendly and mutual appreciation,
without arguments, blending like milk and water, regarding each other
with kind eyes. In this very way can they come to sleep with open doors
and dance with their children in their arms ...

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So we can sleep with open doors & dance with the children in our arms!

More on High Harmony:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Un ... armony.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unique_Unity.htm

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Blending like Milk and Water!

Source:
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book IV [225]
Section 36: On Feeling. The Carpenter. Pancakanga: 19.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sa ... index.html

Have a nice day!

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

Healthy Human Harmony!

Blending like Milk and Water...

http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Milk_and_Water.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
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Dual is Faith!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Faith has 2 main Components: Devotion & Conviction!

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The two components of Faith (saddha):
1: An affective emotional component pouring from the heart
as devotion: One Trusts!
2: A cognitive component residing in the intellect as a fixed
view or opinion: One Believes! One is convinced ..

Initiation, Evolution, Maturation and Culmination of Faith:
Both are necessary for initiating spiritual praxis and mental
training. Both are, by the effects of this praxis and training
later replaced, yet also reinforced, by direct experience:
One Knows!
The Faith has thus gradually evolved and grown strong into
first Confidence and later, when validated and verified into
persuaded Conviction.
The ability of Faith initiates as seed the ability of Energy,
which repeatedly trains the ability of Awareness, which then
purifies the ability of Concentration, which then enables the
ability of Understanding to penetrate into real progress...
When unshakable these 5 abilities have become powers!

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Replacement and Reinforcement by Direct Experience:
The confident Noble Disciple having repeatedly trained so,
having repeatedly been aware so, having repeatedly worked
on concentration so, and having repeatedly understood so,
by that therefore becomes fully confident in those states,
which were previously only heard of or known from reading:
Now I dwell having directly experienced them with my own
body and having fully penetrated them by understanding:
I see them through! Samyutta Nikaya V:226

The Fruit of Faith: Entering the Stream to Awakening!
Hereafter is Faith never more needed as Sceptical Doubt
have been irreversibly eradicated. One has thus entered
the Stream leading to Awakening with Enlightenment as
assured destination within max. 7 lives: And yet another
Noble has been born by emerging out of the egg of Faith!
The shell of Ignorance has been broken...
A Learner is going the few final rounds...
Smiling as smelling freed peace & bliss...
The Battle with Mara has begun. Yeah! 

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For fine further Faith (Saddha) please see:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/G ... _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/Faith_Summary.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Highest_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/F ... _Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Leaping_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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Dual is Faith!

Devotion and Conviction reinforces the Mind...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Dual_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
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Total Terror!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Knowing any Appearance to be as Total Terror!

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The Ancient Elders explained:
As one repeats the observation and contemplation of the unavoidable dissolution
of all phenomena by their decay, gradual destruction, fall, breakup and ultimate
ceasing, then all formations, all constructions, all kinds of becoming, generation,
birth, life, destiny, station, or abode, appears as a great dread of total terror!!!
When one sees how past phenomena have ceased, present ones are ceasing, and
those to be generated in any far future all inevitably also will cease, then what is
called -knowledge of appearance as terror- arises in the meditating disciple just
in the same way a mother gives up of all hope, when she see her 3 sons beheaded
one after the other... When seeing the 2nd son axed she knows: All 3 will die... !!!
The meditator's seeing & noting the ceasing of all past, & all present phenomena,
is like the woman's seeing the eldest & the middle son's head being slashed off...
His realizing the unavoidable ceasing of all future phenomena, by comprehending:
All phenomena, whether mental or material, arising in any future will all cease too!
is like her giving up hope for the youngest son, thinking: He too will die like them...
Vism 645

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On the Advantages of noting & contemplating Dissolution:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Trap.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The ... Turban.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/No ... reakup.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... _Being.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Co ... ring_2.htm

Total Terror!

Knowing any Appearance to be as Total Terror!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Total_Terror.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

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