Just like the emergency instructions on an aeroplane.
Metta,
Paul
Just like the emergency instructions on an aeroplane.
retrofuturist wrote: ↑Thu Dec 14, 2017 5:50 am Greetings,
Just like the emergency instructions on an aeroplane.
Metta,
Paul
Is this a Mahayana bent?
Cunda, it is impossible that one who is himself sunk in the mire should pull out another who is sunk in the mire. But it is possible, Cunda, that one not sunk in the mire himself should pull out another who is sunk in the mire.
https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitak ... .nypo.html
But my understanding is that Metta is about saving yourself: one should protect one's "universal goodwill" (translation per TB) like a mother protects an only child so one will not create unwholesome kamma (e.g. break precepts) and suffer its consequences, such as potentially undermining one's progress on the path (and AN 8:63 as quoted describes BV first, so somebody must have thought it was okay -- which isn't to say it has to be first).
Hi SarathW, I don't think the discourse you linked to is suggesting a householder BV practice; it is describing a lesser (non-liberative) type of equanimity that occurs in the uninstructed, an equanimity that goes more or less unnoticed between efforts at sense gratification. That's how I'm understanding it anyway (with the aid of TB's notes).SarathW wrote: ↑Thu Dec 14, 2017 9:08 am It seems that Buddha wanted to differentiate the BV practice by the average householder and the recluse....
https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitak ... .than.html
Agree.JohnK wrote: ↑Thu Dec 14, 2017 2:42 pmBut my understanding is that Metta is about saving yourself: one should protect one's "universal goodwill" (translation per TB) like a mother protects an only child so one will not create unwholesome kamma (e.g. break precepts) and suffer its consequences, such as potentially undermining one's progress on the path (and AN 8:63 as quoted describes BV first, so somebody must have thought it was okay -- which isn't to say it has to be first).
[Edit: And metta supports sila which gladdens the mind and supports concentration.]
Possibly you are getting overly inspired above & departing from MN 52, which is the sutta of this topic. While the Eightfold Path has a metta & compassion or non-ill-will/non-harming-non-cruelty component in its 2nd factor, MN 52 appears to be about big mind universal BV, which probably requires are very pure & exalted mind to perform. A mind that has not reached jhana obviously still has traces of ill-will & other hindrances; despite is apparent good intentions.JohnK wrote: ↑Thu Dec 14, 2017 2:42 pmBut my understanding is that Metta is about saving yourself: one should protect one's "universal goodwill" (translation per TB) like a mother protects an only child so one will not create unwholesome kamma (e.g. break precepts) and suffer its consequences, such as potentially undermining one's progress on the path (and AN 8:63 as quoted describes BV first, so somebody must have thought it was okay -- which isn't to say it has to be first).
[Edit: And metta supports sila which gladdens the mind and supports concentration.]
Again, a bhikkhu abides pervading one quarter with a mind imbued with loving-kindness, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth; so above, below, around, and everywhere, and to all as to himself, he abides pervading the all-encompassing world with a mind imbued with loving-kindness, abundant, exalted, immeasurable, without hostility and without ill will.... Again, a bhikkhu abides pervading one quarter with a mind imbued with equanimity…
MN 52
Thank you, DooDoot, that's a kind way to put it.
It looks like you have summed up the sutta very well. Blessings.
Agree.