Daily Dhamma Drops from Ceylon!

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
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Bhikkhu_Samahita
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The Life of the Lord Buddha!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The illustrated life of the Lord Buddha!

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The Devas request the Bodhisatta in Tusita Heaven to descend and become a Buddha.

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Queen Mahamaya dreams a white elephant enters her side during the conception.

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King Suddhodana and the Brahmin soothsayers examines the newborn Bodhisatta.

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The Seer Kaladevala also called Asita explains that the Bodhisatta will become Buddha.

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The Bodhisatta meditates during his father's plowing festival.

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The Bodhisatta uses his arching skills to win his future wife Yasodhara Rahulamata.

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The Bodhisatta sees the 4 signs: An old, sick & dead man and a calm wandering recluse.

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The Bodhisatta observes his dancing girls & realizes the vanity and depravity of luxury.

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He decides to leave his wife and newborn son Rahula and become a wandering recluse.

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He leaves his palace at night on his horse Kanthaka followed by his driver Channa.

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He crosses the river Anoma, cuts his topknot, throws it up, where Sakka catches it.

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Gotama then strives and starves himself for six years without result. The 5 leaves him.

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The maiden Sujata offers the last milk-rice meal on the morning of his Enlightenment.

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The Buddha throws the plate into the river Nerañjara, where Naga Mahakala hears it.

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Gaining the 6 higher powers he sees the rebirth of beings and recalls all his prior lives.

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He is indifferent to the temptations of Mara's 3 daughters: Raga, Tanha and Arati.

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Under the Ajapala-nigrodha banyan tree Buddha spent a week cross-legged in Jhana.

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The Mahabrahma Sahampati requests the Buddha to open the doors to Deathlessness...

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The Naga King Mucalinda protects the fasting Buddha in 3rd week after enlightenment.

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Descending in Sankassa after having spoken the Abhidhamma to the assembled Devas.

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The Buddha explains the true Dhamma to the many beings for their long-term welfare.

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The Buddha compassionately attends to the sick and dying to guide them through it.

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The Buddha visits his home and his former wife Yasodhara in the city of Kapilavatthu.

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He meets his father the Sakiyan King Suddhodana.

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There he brings his son Rahula to the Sangha, who ordains him. Rahula later awakens.

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He shows his half brother Nanda the beauty of the divine nymphs & ordains him as monk.

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The Buddha dispels the manifold doubts of many of the elder Brahmin chiefs.

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The Buddha explains Breathing Meditation Anapana-sati on the full-moon of November

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He realizes that his long prepared mission has finally been completed & renounces life.

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He deliberately accepts some accidentally poisoned food from Cunda & gets very sick.

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Soon after the Lord Buddha dies and attains Parinibbana in the small town of Kusinara.

See also:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/g/gotama.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/b/buddha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... isatta.htm

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BBC Video series on the Life of Buddha:

The Life of Buddha Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WiswuYO1cE
The Life of Buddha Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlZmbjqLPCU
The Life of Buddha Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcD9O_E-xec
The Life of Buddha Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xuE53jhlXk
The Life of Buddha Part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ypFmNfPLng

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More on the Buddha:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Well_Gone.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Master_Presence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/The_Blessed_One.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/Met ... imet00.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Su ... imiles.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... tteyya.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Bu ... lation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/T ... uddhas.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... mbodhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ho ... tteyya.htm

The 2 Best Book sources on the life of the Buddha are:
1: The story of Gotama Buddha. Tr. by N.A. Jayawickrama, Pali Text Society 1990.
http://www.pariyatti.org/Bookstore/prod ... sku=132935
2: Life of the Buddha according to the Pali Canon. Translated by: Bhikkhu Nanamoli
http://www.pariyatti.org/Bookstore/prod ... cfm?PC=555

Thanx for the nice pictures kindly forwarded by our friend Rohitha Samarakoon.


Have a nice & noble day!

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

The Life of the Lord Buddha!
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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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Desireless is Deathless..!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

How can one realize the Deathless Here and Now?

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, there are these Four Foundations of Awareness. What four?
When a Bhikkhu keenly contemplates:

1: The mere form within all Body...
2: The mere reaction within all Feeling...
3: The mere mood within all Mind...
4: The mental state within all Phenomena..


while always acutely aware & clearly comprehending, he thereby removes
any urge, envy, jealousy, frustration and discontent rooted in this world...
While contemplating the body as mere form, feeling as mere reaction, mind
as mere mood and all phenomena as momentary mental states, whatever lust,
desire and craving he has for any form, for any feeling, for any mentality, and
for whatever juicy phenomenon, that very desire is abandoned and eliminated
right there and then! When desire is eliminated, the Deathless dimension itself
is realized...

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The 4 Frames of Reference

Details on these 4 Foundations of Awareness (Sati):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_ ... reness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/A ... s_Sati.htm

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More on this dual Desire (Chanda):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... Desire.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/De ... _Force.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ob ... uption.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/D ... thless.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Tw ... Desire.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Co ... _Muddy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... chanda.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... al_Pit.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Desire_&_Lust.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Just_a_Flash.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Why_Not.htm

Source of reference (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V: 181-2] 47 The Foundations of Awareness: 37 Desire..

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Desireless is Deathless..

The Four Fabulous Frames of Reference!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/D ... thless.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
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The 16 Aspects!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Penetrating the 4 Noble Truths in 16 Aspects:

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At the moment of penetrating the four noble truths, then the 4 truths are
penetrated to collectively as a single true reality in these sixteen aspects:

1: The 1st Truth: Suffering means painful oppression, affliction, & torment!
2: Suffering also means consequence of being constructed and conditioned..
3: Suffering has the meaning of burning, consuming, stabbing & excruciating!
4: Suffering has the inevitable effect of change, inconstancy & transience..
as its meaning of trueness by actual and factual reality...
5: The 2nd Truth: Craving as the cause has the meaning of being accumulated.
6: Craving has the meaning of source, origin, seed, cause and root of all pain!
7: Craving has the meaning of bondage, addiction, slavery and imprisonment...
8: Craving has impediment, obsession, limitation and obstructing hindrance,
as its meaning of trueness by actual and factual reality...
9: The 3rd Truth: Ceasing of pain by ending craving has the meaning of escape,
10: Ceasing has the meaning of seclusion, protection, and only ultimate safety...
11: Ceasing has the meaning of being unformed, unconstructed & unconditioned!
12: Ceasing has Nibbana, an absolute peace by deathlessness, highest happiness
as its meaning of trueness by actual and factual reality...
13: The 4th Truth: The Way to end suffering has the meaning of outlet & exit...
14: The Way has the meaning of cause, of method, of means, and of approach!
15: The Way has the meaning of seeing, of understanding, and of developing..
16: The Way has dominance, uniqueness & absolutely indispensable necessity,
as its meaning of trueness by actual and factual reality...
These 4 truths in these sixteen ways are included in one unified truthfulness.
What is included as one is unity. Unity is penetrated by 1 single understanding.
Therefore have these four truths only a single and same penetration moment!
Ps II 107, Vism 691

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More on these Buddhist Core Four Noble Truths (Ariya-Sacca):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Indeed_True.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... /sacca.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... e_Fact.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... Truths.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/W ... erever.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

The 16 Aspects!

Noble are the 4 Truths....
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/The_16_Aspects.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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Friendship can cross any Border!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Friendliness can cross any Border!

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If friendship between animal beings can cross even remote species borders,
so can and should we humans also make our kind friendship extend beyond
any national, religious, cultural, gender, educational, job, and age border!
Only in this very good way, can we establish a society, where we can sleep
with the doors open, and dance with the children in our arms. So be it :-)

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

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

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

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

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

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The 9th mental Perfection is Friendliness (Metta):
Just as water refreshes and cleanses both just and unjust persons without
discrimination, so does the perfection of friendliness include both friends
and foes alike, and doesn't enact any distinction, favouritism, or partiality.

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More on this fabulously fine Friendliness (Metta):
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/IV/Bl ... odwill.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Cosmic_Goodness.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

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Goodwill Blazes Beyond... :-)

Friendship can cross any Border!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Across_Borders.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:

Serene is Silenced Equanimity...

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Serene Equanimity promotes imperturbable Peace:

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Equanimity just looks on and observes, while calmly settled in composed neutrality.
Equanimity is characterized as promoting the aspect of impartiality among beings.
Its function is to see the equality of all beings. It is manifested as the quieting of
both resentment and approval. Its proximate cause is seeing and comprehending
the ownership and efficacy of kamma thus: All beings are owners of their actions,
born, created and conditioned by the accumulated effect of their past intentions!
Whose, if not theirs, is the choice by which they have become happy, or unhappy,
or will break free from suffering, or have fallen down from their past good state?
Equanimity succeeds, when it makes both resentment and approval subside, and it
fails, when it instead produces a bored, indifferent, & careless state of negligence!
Vism I 318

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Comments:
Non-involved and even Equanimity is a subtle form of happiness... By stabilization
it perfects and consummates all the other six links to awakening: Awareness,
Investigation, Energy, Joy and Concentration. Equanimity is the proximate cause
for knowing and seeing it, as it really is. Equanimity quenches any upset agitation!
When seeing and noting: 'All this is constructed, conditioned, coarse and transient!
But this state of serene equanimity is indeed exquisitely peaceful...', then instantly
ceases any arisen agreeable or nasty feeling, when Equanimity takes its stance

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Power of Equanimity: Not much agitation, wavering or panic here!
(Self-immolation though is neither recommendable, nor Buddhist praxis..)

Equanimity (Upekkha) is indeed a divine state and itself a link to Awakening!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Se ... Beyond.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Im ... nimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_7 ... kening.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Un ... nimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/E ... pekkha.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/F ... nimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/E ... nimity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Even_ ... nimity.htm

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Have a nice serene day!

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

Serene Equanimity...

Absence of Agitation means Zero Stress!
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/Ser ... nimity.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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Investigation is a Way to Suprahuman Force!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Investigation is a Way to Suprahuman Force!

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
When a Bhikkhu develops the Ways to Force, that is enriched with
concentrated Investigation, constructed by effort, by thinking:
In this way will my Investigation, neither be too slack, nor too tense,
it will neither be constricted internally, nor scattered externally,
then he dwells experiencing both what is in front, & what is behind,
what is above, so also below, so by day, so also by night! Therefore,
with a mind all open & unrestricted, he develops the dazzling bright
mind, which is pervaded by its own internal luminosity... However:
What is Investigation, that is too slack? Investigation joined with
sloppy carelessness is called Investigation, that is too slack!
What is Investigation, that is too tense? Restless, hurried, agitated
Investigation is called an Investigation, that is too tense!
What is Investigation, that is constricted internally? Investigation
done in laziness. This is Investigation that is constricted internally!
What is Investigation, that is scattered externally? Investigation
that in craving & urge is directed towards the five sense pleasures.
This is called Investigation that is scattered & diverted externally!
How does one dwell experiencing both the front & what is behind?
The perception of front & back, is well attended to, & thereby well
comprehended, well considered, & well known by understanding...
This is Investigation, that knows both what is in the front & back!
How does one dwell seeing as below, so above; as above, so below?
One reviews this very frame of body upwards from the soles of the
feet, & downwards from the tips of the hairs, enclosed by skin, as
full of many kinds of impurities: There are in this body: Head-hairs,
body-hairs, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, sinews, bones, bone-marrow,
kidneys, heart, liver, pleura, spleen, lungs, intestines, mesentery,
vomit in the stomach, excrement, bile, lymph, pus, blood, sweat, fat,
tears, slime, spit, snot, joint fluid , and urine...This is Investigation,
that knows what is below, so also above; as above, so also below...
How does one dwell as by day, so at night; as at night, so by day?
Here, at night a Bhikkhu trains the Steps to Force that is enriched
with concentrated Investigation, constructed by effort, using the
same techniques, qualities, & aspects, as he trains during the day.
So does one abide as by day, so at night; as by night, so by day!
And how, does one dwell with a mind that is all open & unrestricted,
a dazzling bright mind, which is pervaded by its own luminosity...?
Here, friends, the perception of day-light is well attended to & well
resolved upon by determination. It is in exactly this way, that one
dwells with a mind, that is all open & unrestricted, a dazzling bright
mind, which is pervaded by its own luminosity...

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Investigation=inquiry=scrutiny=analysis

More on The Four Steps to Force (iddhi-pada):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... _paada.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Su ... orce_I.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Su ... rce_II.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Su ... ce_III.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Su ... rce_IV.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Su ... orce_V.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/De ... _Force.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/En ... _Force.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... _Force.htm

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Investigation is a Way to Suprahuman Force!

Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:278]
section 51: The 4 Forces: Thread 20: Analysis of the Ways.

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Have a nice curious day!

Investigation is a Way to Force!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/In ... _Force.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:

Crushing the Carrot!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

No Urge for Delight Ceases the Suffering!

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The Venerable Migajala once drew near to the Accomplished One, bowed,
paid his respects, sat down, and asked him: Venerable Sir, it would be good
if the Blessed One would teach me the Dhamma in brief, then I might dwell
alone, withdrawn to the forest, attentive, keen, and determined...
The consummated Buddha then explained:
There are here, Migajala, forms experienceable by the eye, sounds that are
experienceable by the ear, odours experienceable by the nose, many tastes
experienceable by the tongue, tactile objects experienceable by the body,
and mental phenomena cognizable by the mind, that all are quite attractive,
charming, enjoyable, pleasing, enticing, and very tantalizing. In anyone who
seeks delight in them, welcomes them, and clings to them, delight arises!
With the arising of this delight, Migajala, there is the arising of Suffering!
In anyone who does not seek delight in them, who does not welcome them,
who does not remain holding on or clinging to them, that delight ceases...
With the ceasing of this delight, there comes the cessation of suffering...
Then Venerable Migajala, agreeing & rejoicing in what the Buddha had said,
rose from his seat, & after having bowed for the Blessed One, keeping him
on his right, he left for the forest. There, alone, withdrawn, enthusiastic,
devoted, & resolute, Venerable Migajala, realized it by direct experience,
himself, in this very life, by entering and abiding in that unsurpassed goal of
the Noble life for which men of good family rightly go forth from the dusty
household life into homelessness. He directly knew: Destroyed is rebirth,
the holy life has been lived, done is what had to be done, there is no state
of being beyond this! The Venerable Migajala became one of the Arahats...

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The addiction to pleasure by sensing is an obsessive slavery!

More on Sense-Desire (Kama) = Hedonism:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Why_Not.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Just_a_Flash.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/C ... s_Pain.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/AN.I.1-2.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/AN.I.3-4.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... al_Pit.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta ... I.3-4c.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... /kaama.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Co ... _Muddy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Mi ... erence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... timuli.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ob ... uption.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... s_Hook.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Cr ... rophic.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Co ... uction.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... Desire.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/W ... ageous.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Jo ... Beyond.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ha ... Beyond.htm

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Source:
The Grouped Sayings by the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. Book IV 35-7
The 6 senses section 35. Thread on Delight: Migajala Sutta (63)
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sa ... index.html

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Crushing the Carrot!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Cr ... Carrot.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:

When Evil Turns Good!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Even a Serial Killer can Awaken as a pure Arahat!

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Angulimala killed 999 humans, yet later became an eminent Arahat!

Here are his inspirations from his later forest life in harmless bliss:
He whose past misdeeds are covered later by good deeds; illuminates this world, as does
the moon freed from all clouds. Who once did live in negligence, yet then is negligent no
more, he illuminates this world, like the moon freed from all clouds. Who repays the evil
deeds he did, by doing beneficial good instead, he illuminates this world, like the moon
freed from all clouds. Any young Bhikkhu who devotes his life to the Buddha's Dhamma,
he illuminates this world, like the moon freed from all clouds.

Let my enemies but hear this discourse on the Dhamma,
Let them be devoted to the Buddha's Teaching,
Let my enemies wait on those good people,
Who guide others to accept the Dhamma...

Let my enemies pay attention to the Dhamma from time to time, yet again & again,
and hear this Doctrine as told by real men who preach forbearance, of those who also
speak in high praise of kind & gentle friendliness, let them follow up on that Noble
Dhamma by friendly, harmless and gentle behaviour.
For surely those who will not wish to harm you, me or anyone else, those who wish to protect
all beings, tiny or huge, feeble or strong, they will thus approach and attain the all-surpassing
highest peace...

Canal-makers guide the water, Fletchers straighten out the arrow, carpenters plane the planks,
But clever men train to tame the mind! There are some that tame with beatings, with goads and
with whips; But I was tamed by a Worthy who had no knife, rod, nor any weapon. Harmless is the
name I now bear, yet I was dangerous in the past! The name I bear today is true: Now I harm no
living being at all... And though I once lived as a notorious killer named Finger-garland# swept
along by the great flood, I went for refuge to the Buddha. And although I once was cruel,
bloody-handed & named Finger-garland, see the refuge I now have found: The bond of being
has been all cut! While I did many deeds that lead to rebirth in the bad realms of pain,
Yet their result has passed me now and so I can eat free from debt*.

They are fools who have no shame, who give themselves to negligence! But wise are those who
guard alertness and treat it as their greatest treasure! Do not give way to negligence, nor seek
delight in sensual pleasures, but meditate with diligence, and reach this perfect blissful peace...

Well indeed was that choice of mine, let it stand, as it was not wrong: Of all the teachings known
to humans, I have found the very best! Well indeed was that choice of mine, let it stand, since it
was not ill, I have gained the triple knowledge and done all that the Buddha told.

I stayed in forests, at the root of a tree, in the cool mountain caves But wherever I went,
I was always mentally agitated and troubled... But now I rest and rise in easy happiness & happily
I spend my life. For now I am free of Mara's snares, thanx to the Master's pity! A Brahmin was I
by descent, on both sides high and purely born. Today I am the Master's son, My Teacher is the
Dhamma-King... Freed of craving, not clinging, with guarded senses, well restrained, spit out have I
the root of evil, and stilled all mental fermentations.

The Master has been waited on & what should be done has been done!
The heavy load is put down. What induce new becoming is rooted out..

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Source: The verses of the Elders. Theragatha: vv. 866-891
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=132595
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/kh ... index.html

Note on the nick-name: #Finger-garland!
He was named Finger-garland, since he wore a finger of those 999
human beings he killed threaded as a chain around his neck...!

Note on being *free of dept:
The awakened Arahat has done what he should and can thus eat the alms-food given by others
without becoming in dept. Other Bhikkhus eat the alms-food in dept, as there is still something
they have to do...

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http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... imaala.htm

When Evil Turns Good!

Like the Moon Freed from all Clouds...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Wh ... s_Good.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

Theravada Forest Tradition.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net
User avatar
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Posts: 2750
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:26 am
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The 4 Infinite States!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Development of Infinite All-Embracing Kindness!

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus and Friends: There are these four infinite mental states:
The Bhikkhu pervades all beings with all-embracing friendliness...
The Bhikkhu encompass all creatures with universal & endless pity...
The Bhikkhu permeates all individuals with infinite and mutual joy...
The Bhikkhu suffuses all living mortals with unlimited equanimity...
First in one direction, then in the 2nd, then the 3rd, & finally the 4th,
above, below, all around, in every location, unifying himself with all beings,
he pervades the entire universe with a kind and all-embracing friendliness,
with an all-encircling compassion & pity, with an all-enveloping mutual and
altruistic joy, and with an all-encompassing imperturbable equanimity, fully
utilizing a refined mind, made great, vast, profound, infinite, immeasurable,
released from all hate, anger, irritation, opposition and stubbornness...
Source: DN 33

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Because of hate, overwhelmed and obsessed by hate, one lives while
doing evil deeds, speaking wrong words, and thinking bad thoughts...
Thus one neither really understands one's own welfare, nor the
welfare of others, nor the welfare of both... If, however, this hate
is overcome and subdued, then one lives while doing good deeds,
speaking kind words, and thinking advantageous thoughts...
Therefore one really knows, what is one's own welfare, for the
welfare of others, & for the welfare of both one self & others...
Source: AN 3:55

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More on these 4 Infinite and Divine States (Appamañña Brahma-Vihara):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... ihaara.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_B ... enship.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Selfl ... eetest.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/A ... ndness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoi ... Mudita.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Bl ... liness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Un ... armony.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... Friend.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/G ... Encore.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Bl ... Bright.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Frien ... _Frees.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kalyanamitta.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Metta.htm

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Have a nice infinite day!

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

The 4 Infinite States!

All-Embracing is Universal Kindness :-)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/In ... lassic.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:

Thinking as Way to Supra-Human Force.

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Thinking as Way to Supra-Human Force!

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The Blessed Buddha once said:
When a Bhikkhu develops the Ways to Force that is enriched with concentrated thinking,
constructed by effort, by thinking: thus will thinking, neither be too slack, nor too tense,
it will neither be constricted internally, nor scattered externally, then he experiences
both what is in front and what is behind, what is above, so also below, as by day, so also
at night! Therefore, with a mind all open and unrestricted, he develops the dazzling bright
mind, which is pervaded by its own internal luminosity... However:
What is thinking that is too slack?
Thinking joined with dullness is called thinking that is too slack!
What is thinking that is too tense?
Restless and agitated thinking is called thinking that is too tense
What is thinking that is constricted internally?
Thinking done with lethargy and laziness. This is thinking that is constricted internally!
What is thinking that is scattered externally?
It is thinking that is distracted and diverted externally urging for the 5 sense pleasures...
This is called thinking that is scattered and distracted externally!
How does one dwell experiencing both the front and what is behind?
The perception of front, back, is well attended to, and thereby well comprehended,
well considered, and penetrated by understanding... This is called thinking that knows both
what is in the front and back!
How does one dwell seeing as below, so above; as above, so below?
One reviews this very frame of body upwards from the soles of the feet, and downwards
from the tips of the hairs, enclosed by skin, as full of many kinds of impurities: There are
in this body head-hairs, body-hairs, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, sinews, bones, bone-marrow,
kidneys, heart, liver, pleura, spleen, lungs, intestines, mesentery, vomit in the stomach,
excrement, bile, lymph, pus, blood, sweat, fat,tears, slime, spit, snot, joint fluid, and urine...
This is called thinking that is below, so above; as above, so below...
How does one dwell as by day, so at night; as at night, so by day?
Here, at night a Bhikkhu trains the Ways to Force that is enriched with concentrated thinking,
constructed by effort using the same techniques, qualities, features, and aspects, as he trains
during a day. And how, does one dwell with a mind that is all open and unrestricted, a dazzling
bright mind, which is pervaded by its own luminosity...?
Here, friends, the perception of day-light is well attended and well resolved upon by determination.
It is in exactly this way that one dwells with a mind that is all open, unrestricted, unbounded and
dazzling bright mind, which is pervaded by its own luminosity...

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More on the 4 Feet of Suprahuman Force!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... _paada.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Su ... orce_I.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Su ... rce_II.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Su ... ce_III.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Su ... rce_IV.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Su ... orce_V.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/De ... _Force.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/En ... _Force.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/th ... _Force.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/In ... _Force.htm

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Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V: 278]
section 51: The 4 Forces: Thread 20: Analysis of the Ways.

Thinking as a Way to Force!

The dazzling bright min pervaded by its own luminosity...
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/th ... _Force.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:

Selfless Friendship is the Greatest!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Without Ego, Friendship can even be Infinite:

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The Blessed Buddha said of this beautiful Friendship (Kalyanamittata):
By this following method, Ananda, it may be understood how the entire
Holy & Noble Life is sole good friendship, good companionship, and good
comradeship: By relying upon me as a good friend, Ananda, beings subject
to birth are freed from birth, ageing beings are freed from their ageing,
beings subject to disease are cured from illness, beings subject to death
escape death, and beings subject to sorrow, lamentation, pain, & desperate
despair are freed from this grief, pain, frustration and endless Suffering!
Therefore, Ananda it may be emphasized, how this entire Noble Life is all
based on good friendship, beautiful amity, and benevolent harmony...

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Comments:
Selfless friendship is the most deep, genuine, sincere and sweet!
Why so? It is not limited or tainted by any egoistic self-interest,
which otherwise interferes, as soon as an assumed 'self' suspects
even minor overstepping of its perceived territorial 'my' domain..
If there is no self present, how can it ever be possessive? ")

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The Blessed Buddha often emphasized: Sabbe Dhamma Anatta...
All states are selfless, egoless, ownerless, & void of any core "I"-dentity!

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More on this very best good within beautiful friendship (Kalyanamittata):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_B ... enship.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Selfl ... eetest.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/A ... ndness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/In ... liness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Bl ... liness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Un ... armony.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... Friend.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/G ... Encore.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/II/Bl ... Bright.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Go ... ndship.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Frien ... _Frees.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unique_Unity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Kalyanamitta.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Metta.htm

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Source:
The Grouped Sayings by the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya 3(18):
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sa ... index.html

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If animals despite differences can display so beautiful inter-species
friendship so more should we humans be kind towards all beings!'


Selfless is Friendship!

Friendship is the Greatest!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Selfl ... eetest.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:

Calm => Happy :-)

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The 8 Pleasures of the Reclusive Sage:

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The absence of possessions and possessiveness...
Blameless daily begging of alms food...
Content, calm and composed with modest needs...
Detached ease regarding all phenomena...
Fearlessness of robbery, violence and loss...
Freedom from government, and taxation...
Freedom from bosses, and administrators...
Unobstructed in all directions and realms...

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JOY
Oh let us live happily! Freed from aversion,
going even among those, who hate. Among
those in anger, let us live free from all anger.
Dhammapada 197

CONTENTED
Oh let us live happily! Freed from discontent,
going easy among those, who want ever more.
Among those dissatisfied let us live free from
any discontent.
Dhammapada 198

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NOTHING
Oh let us live happily! Having nothing at all!
Let us feed on Joy, just like the bright shining Devas.
Dhammapada 200

GREAT
Health is the greatest gain.
Contentment is the greatest treasure.
Confidence is the greatest company.
Nibbana is the greatest Bliss ...
Dhammapada 204

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SWEET
The one who has tasted the sweetness of solitude
in cooled calm, such one fears not, wrongdo not,
as so indeed is the sweetness of the joy of Dhamma.
Dhammapada 205

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On Joy (Piti):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Jo ... _World.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Al ... ed_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Joy_Piti.htm

Have a nice & noble day!

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

Reclusive Bliss = Samana-Sukha!

Calm => Happy :-)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Samana-Sukha.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:

Without any Beginning..

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

The Samsaric Cycle has No first Beginning...

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The Blessed Buddha once explained the round of existence as this:
No first beginning of ignorance can be perceived, bhikkhus, before
which there was no ignorance, and after which ignorance had emerged.
Nevertheless ignorance has its specific causal conditions:
When there is mental fermentation, ignorance also comes into being.
When the 5 mental hindrances are present, ignorance grows & expands.
AN V 113, MN I 54

No first beginning of craving for becoming can ever be perceived,
before which there was no craving for becoming, and after which
craving for becoming had emerged.
Nevertheless craving for becoming has its specific causal condition:
When there is ignorance of the 4 truths, craving for becoming arises.
AN V 116

But why does the Blessed One give this exposition of the round with
those two things as starting points? Because they are the outstanding
causes of kammic action that leads to the happy and unhappy destinies!
Ignorance is prime cause of behaviour, that results in any unhappy destiny.
Vism 525

Naturally: In no cyclic process can a beginning ever be pointed out...
Why not? There is neither beginning nor end of a fully closed circle!

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For explanation of this wheel of becoming click here:
http://www.vimokkha.com/paticcasamuppada.html

More on these prime causes of the round (vatta) of being:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Th ... orance.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Th ... rances.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Th ... ations.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... /vatta.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/II/Wh ... orance.htm

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Without any Beginning..

This Samsaric Cycle has No first Beginning...
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/V/No_Beginning.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:

Mind-ReMoulding!

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

Meditation Remoulds Mind into Magnificence!

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The Blessed Buddha often said:
Whatever is to be done by a teacher out of compassion for the welfare of
his students, that has now been done by me out of kind compassion for you.
Here are many suitable roots of trees. Here are many silent empty places.
Sit down & meditate now. Practice jhana. Don't be lazy. Don't become one
who miss the opportunity again & later have to regret his heedless neglect!
This is my instruction to you. This is our message to you all...
MN 106, SN 35.145, SN 47.10

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Manual on the 4 Main Meditation Methods taught by the Blessed Buddha:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/Man ... Manual.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Mag ... tation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Th ... ations.htm

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Mind-Moulding!

Meditation Purifies & Refines the Mind!
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Mind_Moulding.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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What is Disadvantageous?

Post by Bhikkhu_Samahita »

Friends:

What actually are the Disadvantageous Mental States?

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Cut Short:
Mental states mixed or joined with any form of even diluted hate are Disadvantageous!
Mental states mixed or joined with any form of even diluted greed are Disadvantageous!
Mental states mixed or joined with any form of even diluted ignorance are Disadvantageous!

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In Detail:
At whatever occasion any disadvantageous thought pertaining to the sense sphere, accompanied
by gladness and associated with knowledge, pointed to any sense object, such as a visible form,
a sound, a smell, a taste, a touch, or a mental object, then right at that time arises momentarily:
Contact, feeling, perception, intention, idea, directed thought, sustained thinking, joy, happiness,
one-pointedness of the mind, the ability of faith, energy, awareness, concentration, understanding,
the ability of mind & gladness, the ability of vitality, wrong view, wrong motivation, wrong effort,
wrong awareness, and wrong concentration. There arise the powers of conviction, enthusiasm,
acute awareness, focused concentration, understanding. There arise the evil effects of no-shame,
of no-fear of the results of wrong-doing! There arise greed, hatred, confusion, and possessiveness.
There arises then wrong view, but neither shame, conscience, nor any fear of wrongdoing...
Calm, insight and non-distraction is present. These and whatever formless immaterial mental
states these later causally produce: These are called Disadvantageous mental states...

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More on Disadvantageous & Detrimental States (Akusala Dhamma):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Non-Control.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Ev ... ng_Bad.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPP ... kusala.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/W ... ageous.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Wh ... geous2.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/W ... ageous.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Disad ... ubject.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_L ... encies.htm

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Source:
The Classification of States. Dhammasangani. The 1st of the 7 Abhidhamma Books.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=130622

What is Disadvantageous?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Wh ... mental.htm
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Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon.

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