Daily Dhamma Drops from Ceylon!

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
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Bhikkhu_Samahita
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Prison Dhamma

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Prison Dhamma: Bad situation converted into Good opportunity!


Doing Time, Doing Vipassana:



The Dhamma Brothers:


3 Excellent & Complete Meditation Manuals are here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/pdf ... nasati.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/pdf ... Manual.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/pdf ... on2011.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

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

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Sweet is Verbal, Bodily & Mental Silence!

The Blessed Buddha once said:
Kayamunim vacamunim,
manomunimanasavam,
munim moneyyasampannam.
Ahu ninhatapapakam.


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Silenced in body, silenced in speech,
silenced in mind, without inner noise,
blessed with silence is the sage!
He is truly washed of all evil...

Itivuttaka 3.67

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

Dhammapada 96

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More on Mental Tranquillity:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... saddhi.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/F ... illity.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... il_One.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Meditation dampens the electroencephalographic brain-wave frequency almost 10 fold!
from ~30Hz to <3Hz and significantly suppresses the amplitude ("silent and almost flat").
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_on_meditation" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

3 Excellent & Complete Meditation Manuals are here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/pdf ... nasati.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/pdf ... Manual.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/pdf ... on2011.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Triple Silenced...

Sweet Silence is Verbal, Bodily & Mental Calm!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/Silenced.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
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Bhikkhu_Samahita
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Agitated or Alert?

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

What to Train when Mind is High and Alert?

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The Blessed Buddha once explained:
On any occasion, Bhikkhus, when mind is excited and high, then it is time
for training the Tranquillity Link to Awakening, the Concentration Link
to Awakening, and the Equanimity Link to Awakening. Why is it so?
Because when the mind is excited and high, Bhikkhus, then it is easy to
calm it down with exactly those mental states...
Imagine, Bhikkhus, a man wants to extinguish a great fire. If he throws
wet grass, wet cow-dung, wet timber into it, sprays it with water, and
scatters soil over it, would he be able to extinguish that great bonfire?
Yes, Venerable Sir.
Even so here, Bhikkhus, on any occasion, when the mind is excited and high,
then it is convenient to train & develop the Tranquillity Link to Awakening,
the Concentration Link to Awakening, & the Equanimity Link to Awakening.
Why is it so? Because when the mind is excited and high, Bhikkhus, then it
is easy to calm it down & still it with the qualities of exactly those states!
Awareness, however, Bhikkhus, I tell you, is always useful & good to train!

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Ultra Aware and Alert, but not the least Agitated!

On the training these condensing mental abilities:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... saddhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/C ... amadhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/E ... pekkha.htm

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Sources (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V: 114-5] 46: Links. 53: Fire....

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Agitation and Irritation can be converted into Advantageous Alertness!

Alert or Agitated?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/H ... _Alert.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
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Straight View + Morality ...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

What is the Starting Point of Advantageous States?

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Venerable Bahiya once approached the Blessed Buddha and asked:
Sir, Please teach me the Dhamma in brief, so that I can withdraw into
retreat and dwell secluded, keen, ardent, alert and determined.
Well, Bahiya, purify the very starting point of all advantageous states.
And what is the starting point of all advantageous states?

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Morality that is well purified, and a view that is made straight #...
Then, Bahiya, when your Morality is well purified and your view is straight,
based upon Morality, established upon Morality, you should develop these
Four Foundations of Awareness. What four? Here, Bahiya, live reflecting on:

1: The Body merely as a transient and compounded Form..
2: Feelings just as vanishing Reactions to sense-contact..
3: Mind only as a group of habitual and conditioned Moods..
4: All Phenomena simply as discrete momentary Mental States..


Thereby removing any desire, jealousy, envy & discontent rooted in this world..
When, Bahiya, based upon Morality, established upon Morality, you develop
these Four Foundations of Awareness in such a way, then both night and day,
you will grow in all advantageous states, and not decline into any degradation!
Then the Venerable Bahiya, delighted, enjoying and rejoicing in what the
Blessed Buddha had explained, rose from his seat, and, after kneeling for
the Blessed One, keeping him on his right, he left. Then dwelling all alone,
withdrawn, diligent, ardent, and resolute, the Venerable Bahiya, realizing it
by direct experience, in this very life entered that incomparable goal of the
Noble life for the sake of which clansmen rightly go forth from this household
life into homelessness. He directly knew: Destroyed is rebirth, the Noble life is
completed, done is what had to be done, there is no more coming into any state
of being. Venerable Bahiya had become another one of the awakened Arahats!

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The 4 great frames of Reference!

Comment #: Efficacy of Kamma!
The Straight View is understanding that everyone is responsible for their own
actions & that all beings experience the delayed resulting effects - good as bad -
not only in this life, but in many future lives!

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Details On Foundations of Awareness (Sati):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_ ... reness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/A ... s_Sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Causes_of_sati.htm

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Source of reference (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V: 165-6] 47 The Foundations of Awareness: 47 Bahiya..

Straight View + Morality ...

What is the Starting Point of all Advantageous States?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Straight_View.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
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Craving causes Conflict!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Craving causes conflict, competition, & catastrophic calamity!

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
Truly, caused by craving for sense pleasure, conditioned by craving for simple
sense pleasure, propelled by craving for sense pleasure, wholly induced by craving
for sense pleasure, kings fight with kings, princes with princes, priests with priests,
citizens with citizens and the mother quarrels with the son, the son with the mother,
the father with the son, the son with the father; brother quarrels with brother,
brother with sister, sister with brother, & friend brawl with friend! Thus, pushed
into conflict, quarrelling, & fighting, they readily attack each other with fists and
eapons, thereby suffering both pain & death! Furthermore, caused by craving for
plain sense pleasure, conditioned by craving for simple sense pleasure, propelled by
craving for sense pleasure, wholly induced by craving for sense pleasure, burglars
break into houses, rob, plunder, steal from friends, commit highway robbery, and
seduce the wives of others. Then the rulers have such people caught and inflict upon
them various forms of punishment. Thereby they meet death or deadly pain...
Such is the misery of craving for sense pleasure, accumulation of pain & suffering in
this present life, caused, initiated, prepared & entirely dependent upon this evil urge
for sense pleasure! Finally: Beings engage in evil mental, verbal & bodily behaviour;
as a consequence of that, at breakup of the body, right after death, they are whirled
into the downfall, and re-arise in a state of misery, in an unhappy destination, in the
abyss of one of the many inferno hells... Such also is the misery of craving for sense
pleasure: Accumulation of suffering in the future life, entirely due to craving for low
pleasure, created by craving for pleasure, caused by craving for pleasure, utterly
dependent on this malign sense pleasure craving. MN 13...

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More on this painful Craving:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Why_Not.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Cut_Craving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Sandcastles.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/C ... s_Pain.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Cr ... _Cause.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... raving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Fe ... ffects.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Pr ... Causes.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... fering.htm

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Craving causes Conflict!

Craving is Catastrophic both now & later!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/Cr ... rophic.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
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The Experience of Ceasing!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The Stilling of Craving Ceases all Suffering!

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
What, Ananda, is the experience of Ceasing?
When a Bhikkhu retires to the forest, to the root of a tree, or an empty hut
& thinks thus: This is Peace, this is sublime, namely, the stilling of all mental
construction, the ending of all kammic formation, the evaporation of all fuel
for becoming, the ceasing of all craving, the relinquishing of all by detachment,
cessation, Nibbana Then this very reflection itself is the experience of Ceasing ...

Some Simple Comments:
Ceasing means complete ending of & total absence of all greed, hate & ignorance!
Cultivating reflection on ceasing reduces all desire for initiation, and origination..

Simile:
Greed, lust, & desire fades away slowly like the colours of cloth hanging in the sun!

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More on the experience of Ceasing (Nirodha-Sañña):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/9_Stillings.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Ceasing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_to_Escape.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/St ... t_Dead.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... sights.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... irodha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Fu ... Wisdom.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... apatti.htm

The reward is:
Approach to Nibbana by the destruction, stilling and ceasing of all Craving!

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Source (edited extract):
The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha. Anguttara Nikaya AN 10:60, AN V 108ff.
Girimananda Sutta http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

The Experience of Ceasing!

The Stilling of Craving Ceases all Suffering!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ex ... easing.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

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

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

What is the Equanimity Link to Awakening?

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Even evaluation is characteristic of the Equanimity Link to Awakening.
(Upekkha-Sambojjhanga). Preventing both deficiency & excess and
securing impartiality is the function of Equanimity. Imperturbable
ballance is the manifestation of the Equanimity Link to Awakening.
Equanimity just looks on whenever new phenomena arises and ceases.
This stable yet plastic patience purifies all the other advantageous
mental states, which reach maximum, when joined with Equanimity...

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Equanimity (Upekkha) is a moderating mental construction.
Equanimity is also a mood of neither gladness nor sadness.
Equanimity is also a feeling of neither pain nor pleasure.
Equanimity is also the neutral ability to be indifferent.
Equanimity is also the 4th infinitely divine dwelling.
Equanimity is also a quite high form of happiness.
Equanimity is also a refined mental purification.
Equanimity is therefore a Link to Enlightenment...

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There is Equanimity both regarding live beings and dead things.
There is Equanimity both regarding all internal & external states.
There is Equanimity both regarding all past, present and future.
There is Equanimity both regarding all mentality & all materiality.

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

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When mind is concentrated one can observe all closely in equanimity.
The Equanimity Link to Awakening arises right there. He develops it,
and for him repeatedly meditating it goes gradually to the completion
of its development. MN118 [iii 85]

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Further inspirations on the imperturbable quality of Equanimity:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Even_ ... nimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/H ... _Alert.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Div ... reedom.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Ser ... nimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/E ... nimity.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Exq ... nimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/F ... nimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/E ... pekkha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... ekkhaa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Un ... nimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_7 ... kening.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Im ... nimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Se ... Beyond.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... ttataa.htm

Imperturbable is Equanimity...

Equanimity = Upekkhaa!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/E ... pekkha.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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Bedside proof of the Non-Locality of Consciousness...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Bedside proof of the Non-Locality of Consciousness...


Dr. Pim van Lommel on the fact of a Consciousness Beyond Biological Brain Life... Like the bottle contains the beer, but DOES NOT produce the beer... Similarly: The brain contains consciousness, but the brain DOES NOT produce consciousness!

Rebirth from an Early Buddhist Perspective:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Rare_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Divine_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Animal_Rebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Samsaric_Dread.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... _Hells.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Fi ... ations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Bir ... fering.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... estiny.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/En ... ebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... ations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ka ... ebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ma ... ebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... _Round.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Hu ... ebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Hu ... ebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Pas ... Effect.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/W ... inking.htm

The Truth of Rebirth And Why it Matters for Buddhist Practice by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... birth.html
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... ebirth.pdf

REBIRTH VIDEOS:
Scientific Rebirth Research:
http://www.near-death.com/experiences/r ... ion01.html
BBC documentary on Near Death Experiences:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci4YoaEFVRk
Near-Death Experiences on the Intensive Care Unit
http://youtu.be/fDwYCFiJ2Ys
Reincarnation research by Ian Stevenson Children's past life memories:
http://youtu.be/h6M-nXjh_9I
Scientific Evidence of Rebirth by Dr Jim Tucker:
http://youtu.be/z-1BvpDZwiw
The Cardiologist on the Near-Death Experience 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICdizzVY5h4
The Cardiologist on the Near-Death Experience 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFxc67bLrW0
Near-Death Website:
http://near-death.com/
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
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Bhikkhu_Samahita
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As a Mother's Love...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Mettã is likened to a Mother's Love:

The Blessed Buddha once said:
As a mother would risk even her own life to protect her only child, exactly
so let us cultivate immeasurable loving-kindness towards all living beings!

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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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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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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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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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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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On this mighty Friendly Goodwill (Metta):
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

As a Mother's Love...

Mega Mighty is Mettã :-)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/As_Mothers_Love.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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Today is the Medin Sangha Poya Day!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

How to be a Real Buddhist through Observance?

Medin Poya day is the full-moon of March. This holy day celebrates
that the Buddha visits his parental home after his supreme Enlightenment,
and ordains his son prince Rahula, & half brother Nanda. This day is
also called: The Sangha Day, since on this full-moon 1250 Arahats
spontaneously met & assembled around the Buddha without any call.
Buddha then spoke the famous Ovada Patimokkha core teaching!

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On such Full-Moon Uposatha Poya Observance days:
Any Lay Buddhist simply joins the Three Refuges and undertakes the
Five Precepts like this: Newly bathed, shaved, white-clothed, with clean
bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue, and bows first
three times, so that feet, hands, elbows, knees & head touch the floor.
Then, with joined palms at the heart, one recites these memorized lines
in a loud, calm & steady voice:

As long as this life lasts:
I hereby take refuge in the Buddha.
I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma.
I hereby take refuge in the Sangha.
I hereby seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time.
I hereby request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time.
I will hereby respect these Three Jewels the rest of my life!

I accept to respect, keep & undertake these 5 training rules:
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Killing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Stealing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Sexual Abuse.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Lying & Cheating.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Alcohol & Drugs.

As long as this life lasts: I am thus protected by these 5 precepts... 

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As long as this life lasts, I am thus protected by these 5 precepts...
Then, one keeps and protects these sacred vows better than one's
own eyes & children!, since they protect you & all other beings much
better than any army! They are the highest offer one can give in & to
this world! The journey towards Nibbana: The Deathless is hereby started!
This is the Noble Way to Absolute Peace, to Complete Freedom, to Ultimate
Happiness, initiated by Morality, developed further by Dhamma-Study and
fulfilled by training of Meditation...

Today indeed is Pooya or Uposatha or observance day, where any lay
Buddhist normally keeps also the Eight Precepts from sunrise until the
next dawn... If any wish an official recognition by the Bhikkhu-Sangha,
they may simply forward the lines starting with "I hereby ..." signed with
name, date, town, & country to me or join here. A public list of this new
quite rapidly growing global web Saddhamma-Sangha is set up here!

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The New Noble Community of Buddha's Disciples: The Saddhamma Sangha:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Saddhamma_Sangha.htm

Can quite advantageously be Joined Here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm

May your journey hereby be light, swift, and sweet. Never give up !!
Bhikkhu Samahita: [email protected]

For Details on The Origin of Uposatha Observance Days:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/uposatha.html

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Buddha with his Rahula, who also awakened into enlightenment!

Have a nice observance day!

Sangha Poya Day!

Real Buddhists Respect the Observance Days...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/III/M ... ya_Day.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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Friendliness Frees!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Friendly Goodwill is the 9th Mental Perfection:

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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 Sympathy
Friendliness means Symbiosis


Only friendliness can completely evaporate the poison of hate and anger!
Its characteristic is promoting other being's welfare, its function is to
do only good, and its manifestation is kindness, sympathy, and gentleness...
The proximate cause of friendliness is seeing the good aspects of things!
The proximate cause of understanding compassion is this very friendliness!

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The Blessed Buddha said about friendliness (Metta):
"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, this release of mind by
universal friendliness far excels & surpasses them all..."

What are the 11 Advantages of cultivating such Universal Friendliness?
The four Brahma Viharas; The four Divine States:
The four Supreme States; The four Infinite States:

"Friends, eleven advantages are to be expected as effect from the release
of mind into friendliness by the practice of Goodwill, by cultivating amity,
by making much of it frequently, by making friendliness the vehicle, the tool,
the basis, by insisting on it, by being well established in it as a sublime habit!
What are these eleven advantages ?
One falls asleep well! One wakes up Happy!
One dreams no evil dreams!
One is liked and loved by all human beings!
One is liked and loved by all non-human beings too!
One is guarded and protected by the divine devas!
One cannot be harmed by fire, poison, or weapons!
One easily attains the concentration of absorption!
Ones appearance becomes serene, calm, and composed!
One dies without confusion, bewilderment, or panic!
One reappears after death on the Brahma level, if one
has penetrated to no higher level in this very life!

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When the mind is released into friendliness by the practice of goodwill,
by manifesting friendliness, by cultivating amity, by frequently making much
of it, by making friendliness the vehicle, the tool, the basis, the medium, the
foundation, by persisting in it, by insisting on it, by properly consolidating it,
by thoroughly undertaking it, by making it a familiar supreme habit, by so
being well established in it, these eleven blessings can be expected!"
Anguttara Nikaya V 342

There, Oohh friends, the Bhikkhu with a mind full of friendly loving-kindness
pervading first one direction, then a 2nd one, then a 3rd one then the 4th one,
as below so above, across and all around, everywhere identifying himself with
all sentient beings, he is encompassing the whole world with a mind of friendly
loving-kindness, with a wide mind, vast, refined, unbounded, cleared, exalted,
pure and bright, free from all hate and ill will ...

There, Oh friends, the Bhikkhu with a mind full of understanding compassion
pervading first the front, then the right side, then the back, then the left side,
as below so above, across & all around, all over, far & wide; identifying himself
with all sentient beings, he is perfusing the whole universe with a mind imbued
with pity, with a spacious mind, a refined mind, infinite, purified, all luminous,
freed from all anger and any trace of enmity ...

There, the Bhikkhu with a mind full of altruistic, sympathetic and mutual Joy
pervading the North, then the East, then the South, then the West, as below
so above, across & all around, universally, infinitely; identifying himself with
all sentient beings, he is suffusing all galaxies with a mind elevated by genuine
mutual and altruistic sympathetic joy, with an open mind, immeasurable, wide,
limitless, pure & shining, free from all aversion and bitterness ...

There, Oohh friends, the Bhikkhu with a mind full of balanced equanimity is
pervading first the frontal quadrant, then the right, then the rear & then the
left quadrant, as below so above, across and all around, everywhere placing
himself with all sentient beings, he is permeating the whole world with a mind
satiated of stilled and balanced equanimity, calmed, with a mountain-like mind,
cultivated, endless, clean, dazzling, freed from any irritation and resentment."

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"So too, Bhikkhus, others may speak to you timely or untimely, true or untrue,
gentle or harsh, beneficial or harmful, based on kindness or on bitter hate!
If they abuse you verbally, you should train yourselves in this way:
"Our minds will remain unaffected, we shall speak no angry words, will dwell
friendly and understanding, with thoughts of kindness and no inward anger!
We shall remain friendly and beam goodwill towards that very person, and we
shall dwell extending it to the entire universe, mentally overflowing, exalted,
measureless and infinite in friendliness, without any trace hostility or ill-will."
That is how you should train yourselves. Even if bandits were savagely to cut
you up, limb by limb, with a two-handled saw, one who harbours hate on that
account, would not be one who carried out my teaching. Bhikkhus, you should
keep this instruction on this Simile of the Saw constantly in mind...
Majjhima Nikaya, Sutta 21

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

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

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The Bodhisatta once was born as the righteous king Ekaraja. His kingdom was
taken by force and he and his son was buried in a pit to the neck...
King Ekaraja, however neither resisted, nor bore even slight ill will against the
invaders. Later he remembered this as his ultimate perfection of friendliness.
Ekaraja Jataka 303

On the Practice of Loving-Kindness (Metta):
http://what-buddha-said.net/library/Wheels/wh006.pdf

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On Universal Friendliness:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Metta.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Go ... _Again.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Bo ... olence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/G ... Encore.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Re ... odWill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Al ... ndness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/In ... lassic.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_B ... enship.htm

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More on the 10 mental perfections (paramis):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... ctions.htm

Have a friendly, nice & noble day!

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

Friendliness Frees!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Frien ... _Frees.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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Contact:

Energy Boosts Endavour!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Enthusiastic Energy Boosts Advantageous Right Effort!

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By it one strives and struggles, thus is it energetic effort.
Any advantageous exertion of endeavour is a right effort.
By it one works in the right direction, thus is it right effort.
It is right, because it eliminates all the ugly evil mentalities.
It is effort, because it brings progress of well-being and bliss.
Therefore is it called Right Effort. It is a name for Energy...
Right Effort achieves these four functions:
1: Elimination of already arisen detrimental mental states!
2: Prevention of detrimental mental states not yet arisen!
3: Initiation of advantageous mental states not yet arisen!
4: Maintenance of already arisen advantageous mental states!
Thus is it fourfold. That is why it is called the 4 right efforts...

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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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Source: The Path of Purification:
Visuddhimagga by Ariya Buddhaghosa from 5th century AC.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=771100

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Energy Boosts Endavour!

Energy Thrusts Advantageous Right Effort!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/E ... Effort.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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Patience is the Highest Praxis...!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Patience is the 6th Perfection:

The characteristic of patience is acceptance, its function is to endure,
and its manifestation is non-opposing tolerance! The cause of patience
is understanding how things really are.. The effect of patience is calm
tranquility despite presence of intensely stirring provocation..
Patience of the will produces forgiving forbearance!
Patience of the intellect produces faith, confidence and certainty!
Patience of the body produces resolute and tenacious endurance!
Internal tolerance of states within oneself is patient endurance...
External tolerance of other beings is forbearance and forgiveness...

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He who patiently protects himself, protects also all other beings!
He who patiently protects all other beings, protects also himself!

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Not from speaking much is one called clever.
The patient one is free from anger and free from fear,
only such steady persisting one, is rightly called clever...
Dhammapada 258

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Patient tolerance is the highest praxis...
Nibbana is the supreme Bliss!
So say all the Buddhas.
Dhammapada 184

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The innocent one, who has done nothing wrong,
Who endures abuse, flogging and even imprisonment,
Such one, armed with stamina, the great force of tolerance,
Such stoic one, who self-possessed can accept, I call a Holy One!
Dhammapada 399

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One should follow those who are determined, tolerant, and enduring,
intelligent, wise, diligent, clever, good-willed and evidently Noble.
One shall stick to them as the moon remains in its regular orbit.
Dhammapada 208

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Friends, even if bandits were to cut you up, savagely, limb by limb,
with a two-handled saw, you should not get angry, but do my bidding:
Remain pervading them and all others with a friendly Awareness imbued
with an all-embracing good-will, kind, rich, expansive, and immeasurable!
Free from hostility, free from any ill will. Always remembering this very
Simile of the Saw is indeed how you should train yourselves.
Majjhima Nikaya 21

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The five ways of removing irritating annoyance:
Bhikkhus, there are these five ways of removing annoyance, by which any
irritation can be entirely removed by a Bhikkhu, when it arises in him.
What are these five ways?
1: Friendliness can be maintained towards an irritating person or state..
2: Understanding can be undertaken towards an irritating person or state..
3: On-looking Equanimity can be kept towards an irritating person or state..
4: One can forget and ignore the irritating person, mental or physical state..
5: Ownership of Kamma of the irritating person can be reflected upon thus:
This good person is owner of his actions, inherit the result his actions, is
indeed born of his actions and only he is responsible for his actions be they
good or bad. This too is how annoyance with the irksome can be instantly
removed. These are the five ways of removing annoyance, and by which any
irritation can be entirely removed in a friend, exactly when it arises...
Anguttara Nikaya V 161

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Buddha to his son Rahula: Develop an Imperturbable Mind like the elements:
Rahula, develop a mind like earth, then contacts of arisen like and dislike
will not obsess your mind! Rahula, on the earth is dumped both the pure and
the impure: excreta, urine, saliva, pus, blood, but the earth does not detest
any of those... Even and exactly so make your mind stable like the earth!
Rahula, develop a mind like water, then contacts of arisen pleasure and pain
will not seize your mind. Rahula with water both the pure and the impure
are cleaned... Washed away with water are excreta, urine, saliva, pus, and
blood, yet the water does not despise any of that! Even so make the mind
fluid and adaptable like the water!
Rahula, develop a mind like fire, then the contacts of any arisen attraction
or aversion will neither consume, nor hang on to your mind! Rahula, fire burns
both the pure and the impure, burns excreta, urine, saliva, pus, and blood,
yet the fire does not loathe any of that.. In the same manner refine the mind
into a tool like an all consuming and purifying fire!
Rahula, develop a mind similar to space, then contacts of arisen delight and
frustration does neither take hold of, nor remain in your mind. Space does
not settle anywhere! Similarly make the mind unsettled and unestablished
like open space. When you expand mind like space, contacts of delight and
frustration will neither be able to dominate, nor obsess your mind...
Majjhima Nikaya 62

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More on the 10 mental perfections (paramis):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... ctions.htm

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Have a nice, noble & patient day!

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

Very Advantageous is Patience, Tolerance & Endurance!

Patience is the Highest Praxis!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Patie ... erance.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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STEALING induces future POVERTY!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

BACK-2-BASICS #2 = STEALING induces POVERTY!

HD:

SD:


Any Buddhist disciple should avoid taking anything from anywhere knowing it belongs to another. He should neither steal, nor swindle, nor incite others to steal or cheat. He should completely avoid all theft, deception and fraud. Sutta Nipata 2.397

The second Basic Buddhist Training-rule (precept) is avoiding taking what is not given. Avoidance of all stealing, cheating, fraud, theft, embezzlement and misappropriating of any kind of valuables from any individual or organization that pure and for all advantageous behaviour induces a safe harmony personally and also in any society.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Not_Stealing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Back_to_Basics.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_ ... Action.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Hu ... ebirth.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/O ... nce_II.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:

Forest Bliss :-)

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The Ease of Serene Forest Calm:

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A radiant deity once asked the Buddha:
Those who dwell deep in the forest,
Peacefully living the Noble life,
Eating only a single meal a day,
Why is their appearance so serene?

The Blesses Buddha responded:
They do not trouble over the past,
Nor do they crave for any future,
They live just with what is present,
Therefore are their looks so serene!

By urging towards the yet unreal future,
By longing back into a forever lost past,
Fools verily dry up and wither away,
Like a green creeper cut at the root...

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More on Forest Bliss:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/forest_bliss.htm

Source: The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya I 5
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sa ... index.html

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Forest Bliss :-)

Solitary serene calm is Bliss in the Forest!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Forest_Bliss.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

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