Dhamma Wheel Buddhist Forum

Let one not trace back the past
Or yearn for the future-yet-to-come.
That which is past is left behind
Unattained is the "yet-to-come."
But that which is present he discerns —
With insight as and when it comes.



Bhaddekaratta Sutta
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[Devata:]
Those who abide in the forest, Peaceful, living the holy life; Those who eat but a single meal; — why is it their face is so calm?

[The Buddha:]
They do not grieve over the past, Nor do they yearn for the future; They live only in the present — That is why their face is so calm. It's from yearning for the future, And from grieving over the past; This is how fools become withered — Like a fresh reed that's been hacked down.

danieLion wrote:Can the idea of "living in the present moment" (or "living in the moment", "being present", "living in moment-to-moment experience", "being in the moment", "taking it one moment at a time", etc...) be supported by the suttas?

The Blessed One said, "What is the All? Simply the eye & forms, ear & sounds, nose & aromas, tongue & flavors, body & tactile sensations, intellect & ideas.

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Stefan wrote:

Let one not trace back the past
Or yearn for the future-yet-to-come.
That which is past is left behind
Unattained is the "yet-to-come."
But that which is present he discerns —
With insight as and when it comes.

Bhaddekaratta Sutta
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .nana.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"And how, monks, does one trace back the past? He thinks: 'I was of such form in the past' and brings delight to bear on it. ...
"And how, monks, does one yearn for the future? He thinks: 'I may have such form in the future' and brings delight to bear on it. ...
"And how is one drawn into present things? ... an uninstructed ordinary man... looks upon form as self, ...

mikenz66 wrote: the key problem is in seeing a self in past, future, or present:

• Setting at Savatthi. “Bhikkhus, form is suffering, both of the past and future, not to speak of the present. Seeing thus, bhikkhus, the instructed noble disciple is indifferent towards form of the past; he does not seek delight in form of the future; and he is practising for disenchantment with form of the present, for its fading away and cessation. - SN22.(10) Suffering in the Three Times BB Trans

Alex123 wrote:

mikenz66 wrote: the key problem is in seeing a self in past, future, or present:

Right. Another problem is clinging to past, future or present.

• Setting at Savatthi. “Bhikkhus, form is suffering, both of the past and future, not to speak of the present. Seeing thus, bhikkhus, the instructed noble disciple is indifferent towards form of the past; he does not seek delight in form of the future; and he is practising for disenchantment with form of the present, for its fading away and cessation. - SN22.(10) Suffering in the Three Times BB Trans

The problem, it seems, is not simply thoughts about past or future - but clinging, delight, and wrong views.

Sarva wrote: Hi Alex
Wouldn't this mean that we should not express remorse or regret for our past action as by doing so we are clinging to the past? If so then how should we see karma?
Metta

Alex123 wrote:

Sarva wrote: Hi Alex
Wouldn't this mean that we should not express remorse or regret for our past action as by doing so we are clinging to the past? If so then how should we see karma?
Metta

My understanding is that: Learn the lesson from your mistake, forgive, forget, and move on. No need to add additional remorse and regret over things that you cannot alter any more.

SN 42.8 wrote:"There is the case, headman, where a Tathagata appears in the world, worthy and rightly self-awakened, consummate in clear knowing & conduct, well-gone, a knower of the cosmos, unexcelled trainer of those to be tamed, teacher of human & divine beings, awakened, blessed. He, in various ways, criticizes & censures the taking of life, and says, 'Abstain from taking life.' He criticizes & censures stealing, and says, 'Abstain from stealing.' He criticizes & censures indulging in illicit sex, and says, 'Abstain from indulging in illicit sex.' He criticizes & censures the telling of lies, and says, 'Abstain from the telling of lies.'

"A disciple has faith in that teacher and reflects: 'The Blessed One in a variety of ways criticizes & censures the taking of life, and says, "Abstain from taking life." There are living beings that I have killed, to a greater or lesser extent. That was not right. That was not good. But if I become remorseful for that reason, that evil deed of mine will not be undone.' So, reflecting thus, he abandons right then the taking of life, and in the future refrains from taking life. This is how there comes to be the abandoning of that evil deed. This is how there comes to be the transcending of that evil deed.

Alex123 wrote:

Sarva wrote: Hi Alex
Wouldn't this mean that we should not express remorse or regret for our past action as by doing so we are clinging to the past? If so then how should we see karma?
Metta

My understanding is that: Learn the lesson from your mistake, forgive, forget, and move on. No need to add additional remorse and regret over things that you cannot alter any more.