The Awakened One
The Wings
to
Awakening
An Anthology from the Pali Canon
Translated and Explained
by
Thanissaro Bhikkhu
(Geoffrey DeGraff)
PART II: THE SEVEN SETS
B. The Four Frames of Reference (§§26-48)
http://www.abuddhistlibrary.com/Buddhism/B%20-%20Theravada/Suttas%20I/wings/2b.html
The four frames of reference (satipatthana) are a set of teachings that show where a meditator should focus attention and how. This dual role — the “where” and the “how” — is reflected in the fact that the term satipatthana can be explained etymologically in two ways. On the one hand, it can be regarded as a compound of sati (mindfulness, reference, the ability to keep something in mind) and patthana (foundation, condition, source), thus referring to the object that is kept in mind as a frame of reference for giving context to one’s experience. Alternatively, satipatthana can be seen as a compound of sati and upatthana (establishing near, setting near), thus referring to the approach (the how) of keeping something closely in mind, of maintaining a solid frame of reference. Scholars are divided as to which interpretation is right, but for all practical purposes they both are. The Buddha was more a poet than a strict etymologist, and he may have deliberately chosen an ambiguous term that would have fruitful meanings on more than one level. In the practice of the frames of reference, both the proper object and the proper approach are crucial for getting the proper results. In fact, as we shall see, the taking of a proper object entails the beginning of the proper approach, and the approach ends by taking as its objects the qualities of mind developed in the course of pursuing the approach itself. In other words, as we mentioned in the Introduction concerning the Buddha’s Awakening, the “what” merges with the “how” as the “how” of the investigation ultimately becomes what gets investigated.
The texts give two different pictures of the role that the frames of reference play in the practice. Some [§§33-34, 36] state that developing the frames of reference is a precondition for jhana, which then forms a basis for transcendent discernment. Others [§§27, 43] make no mention of jhana, stating that one goes directly from the frames of reference to the transcendent. On the surface, this would seem to indicate that there are two alternate paths: one with and one without jhana. This reading, though, contradicts the many passages maintaining that jhana is necessary for the development of transcendent discernment [§§165, 166, 171, 173, 178; some of these passages simply say “concentration” instead of jhana, but there seems to be every reason to assume that concentration here means right concentration, which is nothing other than jhana]. Thus we must look for an alternative reading, and we find one suggested by passages indicating that the development of the frames of reference implicitly entails the full development of the seven factors of Awakening. Because these factors are closely associated with jhana, this would indicate that the proper development of the frames of reference necessarily incorporates, in and of itself, the practice of jhana.
This reading is confirmed by §29, which states that the way to develop the frames of reference is through the noble eightfold path, which includes jhana. It is also confirmed by §31, which describes how the frames of reference relate to the sixteen steps of breath meditation. As we shall see in III/E, these sixteen steps are also a description of how jhana is developed and then used as a vehicle for fostering discernment and ending the effluents of the mind. Thus, we can view the outline of frames-of-reference practice as a description of the stages in the mindful mastery of jhana and its application to the ending of the effluents.
The proper objects that act as frames of reference are four: the body in and of itself, feelings in and of themselves, the mind in and of itself, and mental qualities in and of themselves. The “in and of itself” here is important. To take the body as a frame of reference in this way, for instance, means that one views it not in terms of its function in the world — for then the world would be the frame of reference — but simply on its own terms, as it is directly experienced. In other words, one is not concerned with its relative worth or utility in terms of the values of the world — its beauty, strength, agility, etc. — but simply what it is when regarded in and of itself.
The four objects that act as frames of reference fall into two classes. The first class — the body, feelings, and the mind — act as the “given” objects of meditation practice: what experience presents, on its own, as an object for meditation. The meditator takes any one of these objects as a frame of reference, relating all of experience to his/her chosen frame. For example, although one will experience feelings and mind states in the course of taking the body as a frame of reference, one tries to relate them to the experience of the body as their primary frame. A feeling is viewed as it affects the body, or the body affects it. The same holds for a mind state. An analogy for this practice is holding an object in one’s hand. When other objects come into contact with the hand, one is aware that they are making contact, but one does not let go of the object in one’s hand in order to grasp after them.
The second class of objects — mental qualities (dhamma) — denotes the qualities of mind that are developed and abandoned as one masters the meditation. The list of “dhammas” given in §30 would seem to belie the translation “mental qualities” here, as they include not only the five hindrances and seven factors of Awakening, which are obviously mental qualities, but also the five aggregates, the six sense media, and the four noble truths, which would seem to fit better with another meaning of the word dhamma, i.e., “phenomena.” However, if we look more closely at each of these other classes, we will see that they actually deal with variant forms of abandoning the hindrances and developing the factors of Awakening. The section on the sense media focuses less on the media than on the abandoning of the fetters — passion and delight (S.XLI.1; MFU pp. 52-53) — associated with those media. The section on the aggregates describes a state of practice that is elsewhere [§149] identified as a developed form of concentration, in which the aggregates that comprise the state of jhana form the object of analysis [§173]. The section on the noble truths describes a state of practice that elsewhere [§169] is said to require the sort of mental stability and clarity found only in jhana. Thus all the approaches to “dhammas in and of themselves” would appear to be variations on the abandoning of the hindrances and the development of the factors of Awakening. Because the stated function of the frames of reference is to bring about the culmination of the factors of Awakening, and through them the development of clear knowing and release [§92], the translation of dhamma as “mental quality” seems an appropriate way to keep that function in mind and to avoid getting lost in the details of its different aspects.
There is historical support for this interpretation as well. The Vibhanga, an ancient Abhidhamma text, includes only the hindrances and the factors of Awakening in its discussion of this heading. The same holds true with the Sarvastivadin version of this discourse, preserved in Chinese translation. Scholars have questioned whether these two texts should be taken as evidence that the original discussion of dhamma here included only these two topics. The issue is impossible to decide from the texts available to us, but a case can be made for concluding that, regardless of what the original version may have been, the early tradition regarded the abandoning of the hindrances and the development of the factors of Awakening as encompassing all the factors that might be included under this heading.
Each of the four objects of mindfulness is said to be sufficient for bringing about Awakening [§44]. This point is easy to understand if we look at the approach taken to each of the objects, for then it becomes clear that the approach ultimately involves the development of mental qualities in and of themselves, regardless of what object is first taken up for meditation.
That approach falls into three stages. The first stage — here taking the body as an example — is simply called the frame of reference [§29]:
There is the case where a monk remains focused on the body in & of itself — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world.
Four terms here are key. “Remaining focused” (anupassin) can also be translated as “keeping track.” This denotes the element of concentration in the practice, as one tries to stay with one particular theme in the midst of the welter of experience. “Ardent” (atapi) denotes the factor of effort or exertion in the practice; the Commentary equates this with right exertion, which contains an element of discernment in its ability to distinguish skillful from unskillful mental qualities. “Alert” (sampajano) means being clearly aware of what is happening in the present. This, too, relates to discernment. “Mindful” (satima) literally means being able to remember or recollect. Here it means keeping one’s task in mind. The task here is a dual one — remaining focused on one’s frame of reference, and putting aside the distractions of greed and distress that would come from shifting one’s frame of reference back to the world. In other words, one tries to stay with the phenomenology of immediate experience, without slipping back into the narratives and world views that make up one’s sense of the world. In essence, this is a concentration practice, with the three qualities of ardency, alertness, and mindfulness devoted to attaining concentration. Mindfulness keeps the theme of the meditation in mind, alertness observes the theme as it is present to awareness, and also is aware of when the mind has slipped from its theme. Mindfulness then remembers where the mind should be focused, and ardency tries to return the mind to its proper theme as quickly and skillfully as possible. In this way, these three qualities help to seclude the mind from sensual preoccupations and unskillful mental qualities, thus bringing it to the first jhana.
Passage §33 confirms this reading by equating the successful performance of this first stage in the practice with the first jhana, whereas §§35-36 give advice on how to bring the mind to concentration if this method does not work: focus on the problem of the mind’s not settling down, and bring the mind to an inspiring theme that will accomplish the desired end.
When the method does work, §33 describes the next step as a variation on the basic exercise:
Remain focused on the body in & of itself, but do not think any thoughts connected with the body.
This, it says, takes the mind to the second jhana, where directed thought and evaluation are abandoned. From there the mind can go up to the fourth [§72].
These points may be illustrated with some meditation techniques that are currently popular in the West: In a “mental noting” practice, mindfulness is a matter of remembering to keep up the noting, alertness means seeing whatever phenomena arise to be noted, and ardency is a matter of sticking with the noting relentlessly and being ever more quick and precise in one’s alertness. In terms of the factors constituting jhana practice, the mindfulness and alertness here would be related to directed thought, ardency to singleness of preoccupation, while alertness aimed at evaluating the results of the noting — and ardency in keeping the “pressure” of the noting just right — would be related to evaluation. If this practice is then conducted in line with the texts, it should reach a stage where the mind settles down into the singleness of the first jhana. Then the meditator would be encouraged to stop the noting, so that the mind could engage in subtler mindfulness and alertness, and thus enter the second jhana.
In a “scanning” or “body sweep” practice, mindfulness means remembering to stick with the process of scanning the body, while alertness would mean seeing the subtle sensations of the body being scanned. Ardency would mean sticking with the scanning process, and trying to be ever more sensitive to the subtlest sensations. As in the previous case, these activities are related to factors of jhana, and the process, if conducted in line with the texts, should culminate in a state of full-bodied singleness, at which time the motion of the scanning can be brought to stillness, and the mind can enter deeper concentration.
In “breath” practice, mindfulness means keeping the breath in mind as the theme of the meditation, alertness means being sensitive to the sensations of the breath. Ardency means sticking with the process relentlessly, as well as taking up the stages of “training” [§31; III/E], in which one tries to be aware of the entire body with each in and out breath, and to let the breath sensations grow calm. In terms of jhana factors, mindfulness would be related to directed thought, alertness to evaluation, and ardency to singleness of preoccupation. As awareness fills the body and the breath grows calm, one’s alertness stays steadily with the breath, and the mind enters the singleness of jhana. At this point, one no longer needs consciously to direct the mind to the breath or to enlarge one’s awareness any further. Thus the mind, as above, can develop subtler mindfulness and alertness, and so enter the second jhana.
According to §32, once concentration has been established on one’s own body in this way, it may give rise to a similar “knowledge and vision” of the bodies of other people. Knowledge and vision, here, seems to denote intuitive knowledge through the psychic powers that some people develop through concentration. If used properly, this knowledge can help develop a sense of dispassion toward the processes of existence, as one sees that all bodies, even the most desirable, are subject to the same common shortcomings of being inconstant, stressful, and not-self.
Whether one pursues this meditation with one’s own body or the bodies of others, it comes under the first stage of practice, as indicated by the following phrase:
In this way he remains focused internally on the body in & of itself, or externally on the body in & of itself, or both internally & externally on the body in & of itself.
Once the first stage has produced a solid state of concentration, the second stage — the development of the frame of reference [§29] — can begin:
One remains focused on the phenomenon of origination with regard to the body, on the phenomenon of passing away with regard to the body, or on the phenomenon of origination & passing away with regard to the body.
The “phenomenon of origination and passing away” covers three sorts of events: conditioned occurrences in the object that forms one’s frame of reference itself (in this case, the body); events in the other two “object” frames of reference (feelings and mind); or events in the “approach” frame of reference, i.e., the mental qualities that are developed (or interfere with) the process of taking a frame of reference to begin with. For instance, when focused on the body one may notice the arising and passing away of breath sensations in the body. Or one might notice the arising and passing away of feelings of pleasure or mental states of irritation while one remains anchored in the body. Or one might notice lapses of mindfulness in one’s focus on the body.
In each of these cases, if the origination and passing away is of neutral events such as the aggregates, one is directed simply to be aware of them as events, and to let them follow their natural course unimpeded so as to see what factors accompany them and lead to their origination. As for events that are connected with the presence or absence of skillfulness, however, one is encouraged to manipulate and experiment with them so as to observe and further understand their causal interrelationships. This will enable one to become skillful in maximizing skillful mental qualities and minimizing unskillful ones. In other words, one develops insight into the process of origination and passing away by taking an active and sensitive role in the process, just as one learns about eggs by trying to cook with them, gathering experience from one’s successes and failures in attempting increasingly difficult dishes.
The need for active participation in the practice explains why meditation must begin by mastering a particular technique, rather than passively watching whatever may arise in the present. The technique gives shape to one’s present input into the present moment and makes one more sensitive to this aspect of this/that conditionality. It also provides an active context for appreciating mental qualities as they help or hinder one’s success in the technique. Eventually, when one’s sensitivity is sufficiently well developed, one can go beyond the technique to explore and master the process of causality as it functions in developing skillful qualities in the mind.
This process can be illustrated with the passage devoted to equanimity. In the first step, as one is still in the beginning stages of observing the mind in its attempts at meditation, one simply discerns the presence and absence of equanimity.
There is the case where, there being equanimity as a factor of Awakening present within, he discerns that ‘Equanimity as a factor of Awakening is present within me.’ Or, there being no equanimity as a factor of Awakening present within, he discerns that ‘Equanimity as a factor of Awakening is not present within me.’
In watching the course of this arising and passing away as one tries to bring the mind to the equanimity of jhana, one should begin to see patterns of cause and effect in what does and doesn’t work. This enables one skillfully to give rise to equanimity even when it is not present of its own accord, and — once it is present — can strengthen it until it reaches the point of utmost development:
He discerns how there is the arising of unarisen equanimity as a factor of Awakening. And he discerns how there is the culmination of the development of equanimity as a factor of Awakening once it has arisen.
A similar process is recommended for events in the “object” frames of reference. This is shown by the standard description of the sixteen steps of breath meditation [§31]. One trains oneself to breathe conscious of the entire body, or to breathe sensitive to feelings of rapture and pleasure, as this training fosters the factors of jhana. One trains oneself to satisfy, steady, and release the mind, as this training brings mastery over the stages of jhana. Passage §179 makes a similar point, directing the meditator to replace unskillful forms of distress, joy, and equanimity with more skillful versions of the same emotions, and then replacing skillful distress with skillful joy, and skillful joy with skillful equanimity.
As this process leads to stronger and more refined states of concentration, it refines one’s sensitivity to the fact that the grosser one’s participation in the process of origination and passing away in the mind, the grosser the level of stress that results. This leads one to let go of the grosser levels of one’s participation as one is able to detect them. This can have one of two results. (1) It may lead to even more refined states of concentration, as one abandons the factors that obscure equanimity, or as one focuses one’s equanimity on ever more refined objects. (2) Or, as one becomes able to focus on the activity involved even in refining equanimity, one comes to realize that it, too, is a process of input into the present, fabricated for the sake of non-becoming [§182]. Thus, as a sense of dispassion develops toward equanimity, one goes beyond it to a state called non-fashioning (atammayata) [§179], through the third and final stage of frames-of-reference practice:
Or his mindfulness that ‘There is a body (feeling, mind, mental quality)’ is maintained [simply] to the extent of knowledge & recollection. And he remains independent, unsustained by (not clinging to) anything in the world.
This stage corresponds to a mode of perception that the Buddha in M.121 terms “entry into emptiness”:
Thus he regards it [this mode of perception] as empty of whatever is not there. Whatever remains, he discerns as present: “there is this.”
This is the culminating equipoise where the path of the practice leads unmediated to the state of non-fashioning and from there to the fruit of Awakening and release.
Some meditators, reading the two preceding passages, try to step immediately to the stage of non-fashioning without first having gained the inner sensitivity to cause and effect, action and non-action, that comes from developing concentration. In practice, though, this doesn’t work. Only through that sensitivity can the basic causal relationships of dependent co-arising and this/that conditionality be discovered. This discovery is needed to give rise to a sense of dispassion — as one grows more and more disenchanted with the inconstant and artificial nature of all mental phenomena and develops a strong desire to gain release from them. It is also needed to uncover the precise point of non-fashioning between becoming and non-becoming where that release can be found.
As we shall see in later sections (in particular, III/E and III/H), the basic pattern of the three stages in frames-of-reference meditation —
- focusing on events in and of themselves in the present moment,
- understanding their causal relationships with other events by learning to manipulate them skillfully, and then
- arriving at a state of fully developed equipoise, transcending even one’s skill, free from any present input into the causal network —
is basic to all aspects of Buddhist meditation practice. Among other things, it underlies the stages in breath meditation, the mastery of concentration, and the strategy of discernment leading to the transcendent. Thus it should be kept firmly in mind as one reads passages not only in this section, but also throughout the entire book.
The texts contained in this section, for the most part, provide added details to the outline sketched here. For example, §§45-46 provide a variation on stage two by showing how mindfulness can be developed into equanimity by manipulating perceptions, viewing loathsome objects as unloathsome, and unloathsome objects as loathsome, etc. Anyone attempting these perception games needs firm powers of concentration and sharp discernment so as not to become obsessed with perceptual distortions (sañña vipallasa). If handled properly, though, the process of manipulation gives important insights into the way the mind labels its objects, and can drive home lessons on the arbitrary nature of perception and the need not to be deceived by it.
The same point holds true for the contemplation of body parts mentioned in §30. This contemplation has been denounced in Western circles for promoting a negative self-image, but here it is necessary to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy negative images of one’s own body. An unhealthy negative image is one that views the bodies of other people as attractive, and one’s own as unattractive. This is unhealthy in that it creates feelings of inferiority concerning one’s own body, compounded by lust and desire for the bodies of others. A healthy negative image sees that all bodies, no matter how attractive, young, or healthy they may seem at the skin level, are composed of the very same parts, all equally unattractive. The livers and intestines of even the most attractive people, if paraded down a walkway, would never capture a title in a beauty contest; if featured in an advertisement, they wouldn’t sell. Thus there is no real reason to feel that one’s body is inherently inferior to theirs. This perception of the equality of all bodies, if handled properly, is healthy in that it helps liberate one not only from feelings of inferiority but also from the disease of lust and desire, promoting a sense of dispassion toward lustful thoughts in general. As this theme of contemplation is developed through hands-on manipulation of one’s perception of the body, it enables one to realize that, when reduced to their simple “bodyness,” as bodies in and of themselves, all bodies are on a par, and that questions of attractiveness and unattractiveness derive ultimately from the context of one’s frame of reference. One sees that the obstacles to equanimity and higher insights in the practice are not so much the objects of lust or hatred as they are the terms and contexts in which those objects are perceived. This insight can form the basis for perceptual skills that can act as a very liberating antidote to the mind’s tendency to self-delusion.
One passage contained here that does not deal with the stages of frames-of-reference meditation is §47. This passage focuses on a charge that has been often leveled at Early Buddhism: that the practice it recommends is essentially selfish, in that one is striving simply for one’s own welfare. The Buddha answers this charge by denying any radical distinction between one’s own true welfare and that of others. To work for the true welfare of others is to work for one’s own true welfare; to work for one’s own is to work for theirs. The first point can be illustrated by a number of passages in this collection — showing, for example, how expressions of gratitude to one’s parents can foster one’s own true happiness [§§123, 124], how support for contemplatives enables one to hear the Dhamma [§128], how virtuous conduct toward other people and their possessions strengthens mindfulness [§27], and how attitudes of good will, compassion, appreciation, and equanimity foster concentration and release the mind from obstructive mental qualities [§98]. Thus, the quality of one’s assistance to others cannot help but have an effect on the development of one’s own mind.
As for the reverse dynamic — the way in which working for one’s own welfare works for the welfare of others — the Buddha illustrates this point with a perceptive analogy for the interaction of living beings: two acrobats balancing on the end of a pole. If one acrobat loses balance, both will fall. For both to stay balanced, each must maintain his or her own balance. This analogy indicates that the act of developing good qualities in one’s own mind is, in itself, an act of kindness to others. One protects them from the detrimental effects of one’s uncontrolled anger, etc., and exposes them to the beneficial effects of one’s own mindfulness, equanimity, and other skillful qualities. Thus it is not possible to practice the frames of reference properly without the rest of the world’s benefiting to a greater or lesser degree. And in a world where no one can keep the balance of another person, the example of one’s own skill in keeping balance is an instructive gift for those with the eyes to see and the intelligence to take one’s example to heart.
Once one has attained full Awakening and needs to do nothing more for one’s own welfare, one continues to act for the welfare of others within the framework of three frames of reference [§179], different from the four discussed in this section. The three are: the ability to remain (1) untroubled, mindful, and alert when others do not respond to one’s teachings; (2) equanimous, mindful, and alert when some do and some do not respond to one’s teachings; and (3) untroubled, mindful, and alert when others do respond to one’s teachings. In other words, one’s mental balance is so firm that other beings’ success or failure in responding to one’s help cannot disturb the mind. It is only in this context — the three frames of reference following full Awakening — that the Buddha allows for the possibility of helping others with no thought for one’s own welfare, for at that point one’s true welfare has no further needs. The Awakened person lives out the remainder of his/her life, insofar as his/her kamma allows, for “the welfare of the many, the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world” [Mv.11.1].
Passages from the Pali Canon ![[go to top]](http://www.abuddhistlibrary.com/Buddhism/icon/scrollup.gif)
§ 26. Imagine a tree devoid of branches & leaves: Its buds don’t grow to maturity, its bark doesn’t grow to maturity, its sapwood doesn’t grow to maturity, its heartwood doesn’t grow to maturity. In the same way, when — there being no mindfulness or alertness — a person is devoid of mindfulness or alertness, the prerequisite for a sense of conscience & concern [for the results of wrong-doing] becomes spoiled. There being no sense of conscience & concern…the prerequisite for restraint of the senses becomes spoiled. There being no restraint of the senses…the prerequisite for virtue becomes spoiled. There being no virtue…the prerequisite for right concentration becomes spoiled. There being no right concentration…the prerequisite for knowledge & vision of things as they actually are present becomes spoiled. There being no knowledge & vision of things as they actually are present, the prerequisite for disenchantment & dispassion becomes spoiled. There being no disenchantment & dispassion, the prerequisite for knowledge & vision of release becomes spoiled…
Now imagine a tree abundant in its branches & leaves: Its buds grow to maturity, its bark grows to maturity, its sapwood grows to maturity, its heartwood grows to maturity. In the same way, when — there being mindfulness & alertness — a person is abundant in mindfulness & alertness, the prerequisite for a sense of conscience & concern becomes abundant. There being a sense of conscience & concern…the prerequisite for restraint of the senses becomes abundant. There being restraint of the senses…the prerequisite for virtue becomes abundant. There being virtue…the prerequisite for right concentration becomes abundant. There being right concentration…the prerequisite for knowledge & vision of things as they actually are present becomes abundant. There being knowledge & vision of things as they are actually present, the prerequisite for disenchantment & dispassion becomes abundant. There being disenchantment & dispassion, the prerequisite for knowledge & vision of release becomes abundant.
– A.VIII.81
§ 27. Uttiya: It would be good, Venerable Sir, if the Blessed One would teach me the Dhamma in brief so that, having heard the Dhamma from the Blessed One, I might dwell alone, secluded, heedful, ardent, & resolute.
The Buddha: In that case, Uttiya, you should purify what is most basic with regard to skillful mental qualities. And what is the basis of skillful mental qualities? Well-purified virtue & views made straight. Then, when your virtue is well-purified and your views made straight, in dependence on virtue, established in virtue, you should develop the four frames of reference…Then, when in dependence on virtue, relying on virtue, you develop the four frames of reference, you will go beyond the realm of Death.
– S.XLVII.16
§ 28. Mindful & Alert. Stay mindful, monks, and alert. This is our instruction to you all. And how is a monk mindful? There is the case where a monk remains focused on the body in & of itself — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. He remains focused on feelings…mind…mental qualities in & of themselves — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world [§213]. This is how a monk is mindful.
And how is a monk alert? There is the case where feelings are known to the monk as they arise, known as they persist, known as they subside. Thoughts are known to him as they arise, known as they persist, known as they subside. Discernment (vl: perception) is known to him as it arises, known as it persists, known as it subsides. This is how a monk is alert. So stay mindful, monks, and alert. This is our instruction to you all.
– S.XLVII.35
§ 29. Analysis. I will teach you the frames of reference, their development, and the path of practice leading to their development. Listen & pay close attention. I will speak.
Now, what are the frames of reference? There is the case where a monk remains focused on the body in & of itself — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. He remains focused on feelings…mind…mental qualities in & of themselves — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. These are called the frames of reference.
And what is the development of the frames of reference? There is the case where a monk remains focused on the phenomenon of origination with regard to the body, remains focused on the phenomenon of passing away with regard to the body, remains focused on the phenomenon of origination & passing away with regard to the body — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world.
He remains focused on the phenomenon of origination with regard to feelings…with regard to the mind…with regard to mental qualities, remains focused on the phenomenon of passing away with regard to mental qualities, remains focused on the phenomenon of origination & passing away with regard to mental qualities — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. This is called the development of the frames of reference.
And what is the path of practice to the development of the frames of reference? Just this noble eightfold path: right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration. This is called the path of practice to the development of the frames of reference.
§ 30. In Detail. This is the direct path for the purification of beings, for the overcoming of sorrow & lamentation, for the disappearance of pain & distress, for the attainment of the right method, & for the realization of Unbinding — in other words, the four frames of reference. Which four?
There is the case where a monk remains focused on the body in & of itself — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world [§213]. He remains focused on feelings…mind…mental qualities in & of themselves — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world.
BODY
And how does the monk remain focused on the body in & of itself?
[a] There is the case where a monk — having gone to the wilderness, to the foot of a tree, or to an empty building — sits down folding his legs crosswise, holding his body erect and setting mindfulness to the fore [parimukham: in the Abhidhamma, this is translated literally as “around the mouth”; in the Vinaya, the same term is used to mean the front of the chest]. Always mindful, he breathes in; mindful he breathes out.
Breathing in long, he discerns that he is breathing in long; or breathing out long, he discerns that he is breathing out long. Or breathing in short, he discerns that he is breathing in short; or breathing out short, he discerns that he is breathing out short. He trains himself to breathe in sensitive to the entire body and to breathe out sensitive to the entire body. He trains himself to breathe in calming bodily fabrication [the breath] and to breathe out calming bodily fabrication. Just as a skilled turner or his apprentice, when making a long turn, discerns that he is making a long turn, or when making a short turn discerns that he is making a short turn; in the same way the monk, when breathing in long, discerns that he is breathing in long; or breathing out short, he discerns that he is breathing out short…He trains himself to breathe in calming bodily fabrication, and to breathe out calming bodily fabrication.
In this way he remains focused internally on the body in & of itself, or externally on the body in & of itself, or both internally & externally on the body in & of itself. Or he remains focused on the phenomenon of origination with regard to the body, on the phenomenon of passing away with regard to the body, or on the phenomenon of origination & passing away with regard to the body. Or his mindfulness that ‘There is a body’ is maintained to the extent of knowledge & recollection. And he remains unsustained by (not clinging to) anything in the world. This is how a monk remains focused on the body in & of itself.
[b] Furthermore, when walking, the monk discerns that he is walking. When standing, he discerns that he is standing. When sitting, he discerns that he is sitting. When lying down, he discerns that he is lying down. Or however his body is disposed, that is how he discerns it.
In this way he remains focused internally on the body in & of itself, or focused externally…unsustained by anything in the world. This is how a monk remains focused on the body in & of itself.
[c] Furthermore, when going forward & returning, he makes himself fully alert; when looking toward & looking away…when bending & extending his limbs…when carrying his outer cloak, his upper robe & his bowl…when eating, drinking, chewing, & savoring…when urinating & defecating…when walking, standing, sitting, falling asleep, waking up, talking, & remaining silent, he makes himself fully alert.
In this way he remains focused internally on the body in & of itself, or focused externally…unsustained by anything in the world. This is how a monk remains focused on the body in & of itself.
[d] Furthermore…just as if a sack with openings at both ends were full of various kinds of grain — wheat, rice, mung beans, kidney beans, sesame seeds, husked rice — and a man with good eyesight, pouring it out, were to reflect, ‘This is wheat. This is rice. These are mung beans. These are kidney beans. These are sesame seeds. This is husked rice,’ in the same way, monks, a monk reflects on this very body from the soles of the feet on up, from the crown of the head on down, surrounded by skin and full of various kinds of unclean things: ‘In this body there are head hairs, body hairs, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, tendons, bones, bone marrow, kidneys, heart, liver, pleura, spleen, lungs, large intestines, small intestines, gorge, feces, bile, phlegm, pus, blood, sweat, fat, tears, skin-oil, saliva, mucus, fluid in the joints, urine.’ [§66]
In this way he remains focused internally on the body in & of itself, or focused externally…unsustained by anything in the world. This is how a monk remains focused on the body in & of itself.
[e] Furthermore…just as a skilled butcher or his apprentice, having killed a cow, would sit at a crossroads cutting it up into pieces, the monk contemplates this very body — however it stands, however it is disposed — in terms of properties: ‘In this body there is the earth property, the liquid property, the fire property, & the wind property.’
In this way he remains focused internally on the body in & of itself, or focused externally…unsustained by anything in the world. This is how a monk remains focused on the body in & of itself.
[f] Furthermore, as if he were to see a corpse cast away in a charnel ground — one day, two days, three days dead — bloated, livid, & festering, he applies it to this very body, ‘This body, too: Such is its nature, such is its future, such its unavoidable fate’…
Or again, as if he were to see a corpse cast away in a charnel ground, picked at by crows, vultures, & hawks, by dogs, hyenas, & various other creatures…a skeleton smeared with flesh & blood, connected with tendons…a fleshless skeleton smeared with blood, connected with tendons…a skeleton without flesh or blood, connected with tendons…bones detached from their tendons, scattered in all directions — here a hand bone, there a foot bone, here a shin bone, there a thigh bone, here a hip bone, there a back bone, here a rib, there a chest bone, here a shoulder bone, there a neck bone, here a jaw bone, there a tooth, here a skull…the bones whitened, somewhat like the color of shells…piled up, more than a year old…decomposed into a powder: He applies it to this very body, ‘This body, too: Such is its nature, such is its future, such its unavoidable fate.’
In this way he remains focused internally on the body in & of itself, or externally on the body in & of itself, or both internally & externally on the body in & of itself. Or he remains focused on the phenomenon of origination with regard to the body, on the phenomenon of passing away with regard to the body, or on the phenomenon of origination & passing away with regard to the body. Or his mindfulness that ‘There is a body’ is maintained to the extent of knowledge & recollection. And he remains unsustained by (not clinging to) anything in the world. This is how a monk remains focused on the body in & of itself.
FEELINGS
And how does a monk remain focused on feelings in & of themselves? There is the case where a monk, when feeling a painful feeling, discerns that he is feeling a painful feeling. When feeling a pleasant feeling, he discerns that he is feeling a pleasant feeling. When feeling a neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling, he discerns that he is feeling a neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling.
When feeling a painful feeling of the flesh, he discerns that he is feeling a painful feeling of the flesh. When feeling a painful feeling not of the flesh, he discerns that he is feeling a painful feeling not of the flesh. When feeling a pleasant feeling of the flesh, he discerns that he is feeling a pleasant feeling of the flesh. When feeling a pleasant feeling not of the flesh, he discerns that he is feeling a pleasant feeling not of the flesh. When feeling a neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling of the flesh, he discerns that he is feeling a neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling of the flesh. When feeling a neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling not of the flesh, he discerns that he is feeling a neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling not of the flesh.
In this way he remains focused internally on feelings in & of themselves, or externally on feelings in & of themselves, or both internally & externally on feelings in & of themselves. Or he remains focused on the phenomenon of origination with regard to feelings, on the phenomenon of passing away with regard to feelings, or on the phenomenon of origination & passing away with regard to feelings. Or his mindfulness that ‘There are feelings’ is maintained to the extent of knowledge & recollection. And he remains unsustained by (not clinging to) anything in the world. This is how a monk remains focused on feelings in & of themselves.
MIND
And how does a monk remain focused on the mind in & of itself? There is the case where a monk, when the mind has passion, discerns that the mind has passion. When the mind is without passion, he discerns that the mind is without passion. When the mind has aversion, he discerns that the mind has aversion. When the mind is without aversion, he discerns that the mind is without aversion. When the mind has delusion, he discerns that the mind has delusion. When the mind is without delusion, he discerns that the mind is without delusion.
When the mind is restricted, he discerns that the mind is restricted. When the mind is scattered, he discerns that the mind is scattered. When the mind is enlarged, he discerns that the mind is enlarged. When the mind is not enlarged, he discerns that the mind is not enlarged. When the mind is surpassed, he discerns that the mind is surpassed. When the mind is unsurpassed, he discerns that the mind is unsurpassed. When the mind is concentrated, he discerns that the mind is concentrated. When the mind is not concentrated, he discerns that the mind is not concentrated. When the mind is released, he discerns that the mind is released. When the mind is not released, he discerns that the mind is not released.
In this way he remains focused internally on the mind in & of itself, or externally on the mind in & of itself, or both internally & externally on the mind in & of itself. Or he remains focused on the phenomenon of origination with regard to the mind, on the phenomenon of passing away with regard to the mind, or on the phenomenon of origination & passing away with regard to the mind. Or his mindfulness that ‘There is a mind’ is maintained to the extent of knowledge & recollection. And he remains unsustained by (not clinging to) anything in the world. This is how a monk remains focused on the mind in & of itself.
MENTAL QUALITIES
And how does a monk remain focused on mental qualities in & of themselves?
[a] There is the case where a monk remains focused on mental qualities in & of themselves with reference to the five hindrances. And how does a monk remain focused on mental qualities in & of themselves with reference to the five hindrances? There is the case where, there being sensual desire present within, a monk discerns that ‘There is sensual desire present within me.’ Or, there being no sensual desire present within, he discerns that ‘There is no sensual desire present within me.’ He discerns how there is the arising of unarisen sensual desire. And he discerns how there is the abandoning of sensual desire once it has arisen. And he discerns how there is no further arising in the future of sensual desire that has been abandoned. (The same formula is repeated for the remaining hindrances: ill will, sloth & drowsiness, restlessness & anxiety, and uncertainty.)
In this way he remains focused internally on mental qualities in & of themselves, or externally on mental qualities in & of themselves, or both internally & externally on mental qualities in & of themselves. Or he remains focused on the phenomenon of origination with regard to mental qualities, on the phenomenon of passing away with regard to mental qualities, or on the phenomenon of origination & passing away with regard to mental qualities. Or his mindfulness that ‘There are mental qualities’ is maintained to the extent of knowledge & recollection. And he remains unsustained by (not clinging to) anything in the world. This is how a monk remains focused on mental qualities in & of themselves with reference to the five hindrances. [§§131-147; 159]
[b] Furthermore, the monk remains focused on mental qualities in & of themselves with reference to the five aggregates for sustenance/clinging. And how does he remain focused on mental qualities in & of themselves with reference to the five aggregates for sustenance/clinging? There is the case where a monk [discerns]: ‘Such is form, such its origination, such its disappearance. Such is feeling… Such is perception…Such are fabrications…Such is consciousness, such its origination, such its disappearance.’
In this way he remains focused internally on mental qualities in & of themselves, or focused externally…unsustained by anything in the world. This is how a monk remains focused on mental qualities in & of themselves with reference to the five aggregates for sustenance/clinging. [§§149; 170; 173; 199-207]
[c] Furthermore, the monk remains focused on mental qualities in & of themselves with reference to the sixfold internal & external sense media. And how does he remain focused on mental qualities in & of themselves with reference to the sixfold internal & external sense media? There is the case where he discerns the eye, he discerns forms, he discerns the fetter that arises dependent on both. He discerns how there is the arising of an unarisen fetter. And he discerns how there is the abandoning of a fetter once it has arisen. And he discerns how there is no further appearance in the future of a fetter that has been abandoned. (Similarly with the ear, nose, tongue, body, & intellect.)
In this way he remains focused internally on mental qualities in & of themselves, or focused externally…unsustained by anything in the world. This is how a monk remains focused on mental qualities in & of themselves with reference to the sixfold internal & external sense media.
[d] Furthermore, the monk remains focused on mental qualities in & of themselves with reference to the seven factors of awakening. And how does he remain focused on mental qualities in & of themselves with reference to the seven factors of awakening? There is the case where, there being mindfulness as a factor of awakening present within, he discerns that ‘Mindfulness as a factor of awakening is present within me.’ Or, there being no mindfulness as a factor of awakening present within, he discerns that ‘Mindfulness as a factor of awakening is not present within me.’ He discerns how there is the arising of unarisen mindfulness as a factor of awakening. And he discerns how there is the culmination of the development of mindfulness as a factor of awakening once it has arisen. (The same formula is repeated for the remaining factors of awakening: analysis of qualities, persistence, rapture, serenity, concentration, & equanimity.)
In this way he remains focused internally on mental qualities in & of themselves, or externally…unsustained by (not clinging to) anything in the world. This is how a monk remains focused on mental qualities in & of themselves with reference to the seven factors of awakening.
[e] Furthermore, the monk remains focused on mental qualities in & of themselves with reference to the four noble truths. And how does he remain focused on mental qualities in & of themselves with reference to the four noble truths? There is the case where he discerns, as it is actually present, that ‘This is stress…This is the origination of stress…This is the cessation of stress…This is the way leading to the cessation of stress.”
In this way he remains focused internally on mental qualities in & of themselves, or externally on mental qualities in & of themselves, or both internally & externally on mental qualities in & of themselves. Or he remains focused on the phenomenon of origination with regard to mental qualities, on the phenomenon of passing away with regard to mental qualities, or on the phenomenon of origination & passing away with regard to mental qualities. Or his mindfulness that ‘There are mental qualities’ is maintained to the extent of knowledge & recollection. And he remains unsustained by (not clinging to) anything in the world. This is how a monk remains focused on mental qualities in & of themselves with reference to the four noble truths. [§§184-240]
Now, if anyone would develop these four frames of reference in this way for seven years, then one of two fruits can be expected for him: either gnosis [the knowledge of Awakening] right here & now, or — if there be any remnant of clinging-sustenance — non-return.
Let alone seven years. If anyone would develop these four frames of reference in this way for six years… five… four… three… two years… one year… seven months… six months… five… four… three… two months… one month… half a month, then one of two fruits can be expected for him: either gnosis right here & now, or — if there be any remnant of clinging-sustenance — non-return.
Let alone half a month. If anyone would develop these four frames of reference in this way for seven days, then one of two fruits can be expected for him: either gnosis right here & now, or — if there be any remnant of clinging-sustenance — non-return.
‘This is the direct path for the purification of beings, for the overcoming of sorrow & lamentation, for the disappearance of pain & distress, for the attainment of the right method, & for the realization of Unbinding — in other words, the four frames of reference.’ Thus was it said, and in reference to this was it said.
– M.10
§ 31. In practice. Now, how is mindfulness of in-&-out breathing developed & pursued so as to bring the four frames of reference to culmination?
On whatever occasion a monk breathing in long discerns that he is breathing in long; or breathing out long, discerns that he is breathing out long; or breathing in short, discerns that he is breathing in short; or breathing out short, discerns that he is breathing out short; trains himself to breathe in…&… out sensitive to the entire body; trains himself to breathe in…&…out calming bodily fabrication: On that occasion the monk remains focused on the body in & of itself — ardent, alert, & mindful — subduing greed & distress with reference to the world. I tell you, monks, that this — the in-&-out breath — is classed as a body among bodies, which is why the monk on that occasion remains focused on the body in & of itself — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world.
On whatever occasion a monk trains himself to breathe in…&…out sensitive to rapture; trains himself to breathe in…&…out sensitive to pleasure; trains himself to breathe in…&…out sensitive to mental fabrication; trains himself to breathe in…&…out calming mental fabrication: On that occasion the monk remains focused on feelings in & of themselves — ardent, alert, & mindful — subduing greed & distress with reference to the world. I tell you, monks, that this — close attention to in-&-out breaths — is classed as a feeling among feelings, which is why the monk on that occasion remains focused on feelings in & of themselves — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world.
On whatever occasion a monk trains himself to breathe in…&…out sensitive to the mind; trains himself to breathe in…&…out satisfying the mind; trains himself to breathe in…&…out steadying the mind; trains himself to breathe in…&…out releasing the mind: On that occasion the monk remains focused on the mind in & of itself — ardent, alert, & mindful — subduing greed & distress with reference to the world. I don’t say that there is mindfulness of in-&-out breathing in one of confused mindfulness and no alertness, which is why the monk on that occasion remains focused on the mind in & of itself — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world.
On whatever occasion a monk trains himself to breathe in…&…out focusing on inconstancy; trains himself to breathe in…&…out focusing on dispassion; trains himself to breathe in…&…out focusing on cessation; trains himself to breathe in…&…out focusing on relinquishment: On that occasion the monk remains focused on mental qualities in & of themselves — ardent, alert, & mindful — subduing greed & distress with reference to the world. He who sees clearly with discernment the abandoning of greed & distress is one who oversees with equanimity, which is why the monk on that occasion remains focused on mental qualities in & of themselves — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world.
This is how mindfulness of in-&-out breathing is developed & pursued so as to bring the four frames of reference to culmination.
– M 118
§ 32. Internal & External. There is the case where a monk remains focused internally on the body in & of itself — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. As he remains focused internally on the body in & of itself, he becomes rightly concentrated there, and rightly clear. Rightly concentrated there and rightly clear, he gives rise to knowledge & vision externally of the bodies of others.
He remains focused internally on feelings in & of themselves — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. As he remains focused internally on feelings in & of themselves, he becomes rightly concentrated there, and rightly clear. Rightly concentrated there and rightly clear, he gives rise to knowledge & vision externally of the feelings of others.
He remains focused internally on the mind in & of itself — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. As he remains focused internally on the mind in & of itself, he becomes rightly concentrated there, and rightly clear. Rightly concentrated there and rightly clear, he gives rise to knowledge & vision externally of the minds of others.
He remains focused internally on mental qualities in & of themselves — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. As he remains focused internally on mental qualities in & of themselves, he becomes rightly concentrated there, and rightly clear. Rightly concentrated there and rightly clear, he gives rise to knowledge & vision externally of the mental qualities of others.
– D.18
§ 33. Mindfulness & Concentration. Having abandoned the five hindrances — imperfections of awareness that weaken discernment — the monk remains focused on the body in & of itself — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. He remains focused on feelings…mind…mental qualities in & of themselves — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. Just as if an elephant trainer were to plant a large post in the ground and were to bind a forest elephant to it by the neck in order to break it of its forest habits, its forest memories & resolves, its distraction, fatigue, & fever over leaving the forest, to make it delight in the town and to inculcate in it habits congenial to human beings; in the same way, these four frames of reference are bindings for the awareness of the disiciple of the noble ones, to break him of his household habits, his household memories & resolves, his distraction, fatigue, & fever over leaving the household life, for the attainment of the right method and the realization of Unbinding.
Then the Tathagata trains him further: ‘Come, monk, remain focused on the body in & of itself, but do not think any thoughts connected with the body. Remain focused on feelings in & of themselves, but do not think any thoughts connected with feelings. Remain focused on the mind in & of itself, but do not think any thoughts connected with mind. Remain focused on mental qualities in & of themselves, but do not think any thoughts connected with mental qualities.’ With the stilling of directed thought & evaluation, he enters the second jhana…
– M.125
§ 34. Monks, those who are new, not long gone-forth, only recently come to this doctrine & discipline, should be roused, encouraged, & exhorted by you to develop the four frames of reference [in this way]:
‘Come, friends, remain focused on the body in & of itself — being ardent, alert, with your minds unified, clear, concentrated, & single-minded for knowledge of the body as it actually is. Remain focused on feelings in & of themselves…focused on the mind in & of itself…focused on mental qualities in & of themselves — being ardent, alert, one-pointed, with your minds unified, clear, concentrated, & single-minded for knowledge of mental qualities as they actually are.’
Monks, even those who are learners — who have yet to attain their hearts’ desire, who stay resolved on the unsurpassed security from bondage — even they remain focused on the body in & of itself — being ardent, alert, one-pointed, with their minds unified, clear, concentrated, & single-minded for complete comprehension of the body. They remain focused on feelings in & of themselves…focused on the mind in & of itself…focused on mental qualities in & of themselves — being ardent, alert, one-pointed, with their minds unified, clear, concentrated, & single-minded for complete comprehension of mental qualities.
Even those who are Arahants — whose mental effluents are ended, who have reached fulfillment, done the task, laid down the burden, attained the true goal, totally destroyed the fetter of becoming, and who are released through right gnosis — even they remain focused on the body in & of itself — being ardent, alert, one-pointed, with their minds unified, clear, concentrated, & single-minded, disjoined from the body. They remain focused on feelings in & of themselves…focused on the mind in & of itself…focused on mental qualities in & of themselves — being ardent, alert, one-pointed, with their minds unified, clear, concentrated, & single-minded, disjoined from mental qualities.
So even those who are new, not long gone-forth, only recently come to this doctrine & discipline, should be roused, encouraged, & exhorted by you to develop the four frames of reference [in this way].
– S.XLVII.4
§ 35. Taking Note. Suppose that there is a foolish, inexperienced, unskillful cook who has presented a king or a king’s minister with various kinds of curry: mainly sour, mainly bitter, mainly peppery, mainly sweet, alkaline or non-alkaline, salty or non-salty. He does not take note of (lit: pick up on the theme of) his master, thinking, ‘Today my master likes this curry, or he reaches out for that curry, or he takes a lot of this curry, or he praises that curry’…As a result, he is not rewarded with clothing or wages or gifts. Why is that? Because the foolish, inexperienced, unskillful cook does not pick up on the theme of his own master.
In the same way, there are cases where a foolish, inexperienced, unskillful monk remains focused on the body in & of itself — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. As he remains thus focused on the body in & of itself, his mind does not become concentrated, his defilements [Comm: the five Hindrances] are not abandoned. He does not take note of that fact (does not pick up on that theme). He remains focused on feelings in & of themselves…the mind in & of itself…mental qualities in & of themselves — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. As he remains thus focused on mental qualities in & of themselves, his mind does not become concentrated, his defilements are not abandoned. He does not take note of that fact. As a result, he is not rewarded with a pleasant abiding here & now, nor with mindfulness & alertness. Why is that? Because the foolish, inexperienced, unskillful monk does not take note of his own mind (does not pick up on the theme of his own mind).
Now suppose that there is a wise, experienced, skillful cook who has presented a king or a king’s minister with various kinds of curry…He takes note of his master, thinking, ‘Today my master likes this curry, or he reaches out for that curry, or he takes a lot of this curry or he praises that curry’…As a result, he is rewarded with clothing, wages, & gifts. Why is that? Because the wise, experienced, skillful cook picks up on the theme of his own master.
In the same way, there are cases where a wise, experienced, skillful monk remains focused on the body in & of itself…feelings in & of themselves…the mind in & of itself…mental qualities in & of themselves — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. As he remains thus focused on mental qualities in & of themselves, his mind becomes concentrated, his defilements are abandoned. He takes note of that fact. As a result, he is rewarded with a pleasant abiding here & now, together with mindfulness & alertness. Why is that? Because the wise, experienced, skillful monk picks up on the theme of his own mind.
§ 36. Directing & Not Directing the Mind. Ananda, if a monk or nun remains with mind well established in the four frames of reference, he/she may be expected to realize greater-than-ever distinction.
There is the case of a monk who remains focused on the body in & of itself — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. As he remains thus focused on the body in & of itself, a fever based on the body arises within his body, or there is sluggishness in his awareness, or his mind becomes scattered externally. He should then direct his mind to any inspiring theme [Comm: such as recollection of the Buddha]. As his mind is directed to any inspiring theme, delight arises within him. In one who feels delight, rapture arises. In one whose mind is enraptured, the body grows serene. His body serene, he feels pleasure. As he feels pleasure, his mind grows concentrated. He reflects, ‘I have attained the aim to which my mind was directed. Let me withdraw [my mind from the inspiring theme].’ He withdraws & engages neither in directed thought nor in evaluation. He discerns, ‘I am not thinking or evaluating. I am inwardly mindful & at ease.’
Furthermore, he remains focused on feelings…mind…mental qualities in & of themselves — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. As he remains thus focused on mental qualities in & of themselves, a fever based on mental qualities arises within his body, or there is sluggishness in his awareness, or his mind becomes scattered externally. He should then direct his mind to any inspiring theme. As his mind is directed to any inspiring theme, delight arises within him. In one who feels delight, rapture arises. In one whose mind is enraptured, the body grows serene. His body serene, he is sensitive to pleasure. As he feels pleasure, his mind grows concentrated. He reflects, ‘I have attained the aim to which my mind was directed. Let me withdraw.’ He withdraws & engages neither in directed thought nor in evaluation. He discerns, ‘I am not thinking or evaluating. I am inwardly mindful & at ease.’
This, Ananda, is development based on directing. And what is development based on not directing? A monk, when not directing his mind to external things, discerns, ‘My mind is not directed to external things. It is not attentive to what is in front or behind. It is released & undirected. And furthermore I remain focused on the body in & of itself. I am ardent, alert, mindful, & at ease.’
When not directing his mind to external things, he discerns, ‘My mind is not directed to external things. It is not attentive to what is in front or behind. It is released & undirected. And furthermore I remain focused on feelings… mind…mental qualities in & of themselves. I am ardent, alert, mindful, & at ease.’
This, Ananda, is development based on not directing.
Now, Ananda, I have taught you development based on directing and development based on not directing. What a teacher should do out of compassion for his disciples, seeking their welfare, that I have done for you. Over there are [places to sit at] the foot of trees. Over there are empty dwellings. Practice jhana, Ananda. Do not be heedless. Do not be remorseful in the future. That is our instruction to you all.
– S.XLVII.10
§ 37. Proper Range 1. Once a hawk suddenly swooped down on a quail and seized it. Then the quail, as it was being carried off by the hawk, lamented, ‘O, just my bad luck and lack of merit that I was wandering out of my proper range and into the territory of others! If only I had kept to my proper range today, to my own ancestral territory, this hawk would have been no match for me in battle.’
‘But what is your proper range?’ the hawk asked. ‘What is your own ancestral territory?’
‘A newly plowed field with clumps of earth all turned up.’
So the hawk, without bragging about its own strength, without mentioning its own strength, let go of the quail. ‘Go, quail, but even when you have gone there you won’t escape me.’
Then the quail, having gone to a newly plowed field with clumps of earth all turned up and climbing up on top of a large clump of earth, stood taunting the hawk, ‘Now come and get me, you hawk! Now come and get me, you hawk!’
So the hawk, without bragging about its own strength, without mentioning its own strength, folded its two wings and suddenly swooped down toward the quail. When the quail knew, ‘The hawk is coming at me full speed,’ it slipped behind the clump of earth, and right there the hawk shattered its breast.
This is what happens to anyone who wanders into what is not his proper range and is the territory of others.
For this reason, you should not wander into what is not your proper range and is the territory of others. In one who wanders into what is not his proper range and is the territory of others, Mara gains an opening, Mara gains a foothold. And what, for a monk, is not his proper range and is the territory of others? The five strands of sensuality. Which five? Forms cognizable by the eye — agreeable, pleasing, charming, endearing, fostering desire, enticing. Sounds cognizable by the ear…Smells cognizable by the nose…Tastes cognizable by the tongue…Tactile sensations cognizable by the body — agreeable, pleasing, charming, endearing, fostering desire, enticing. These, for a monk, are not his proper range and are the territory of others.
Wander, monks, in what is your proper range, your own ancestral territory. In one who wanders in what is his proper range, his own ancestral territory, Mara gains no opening, Mara gains no foothold. And what, for a monk, is his proper range, his own ancestral territory? The four frames of reference…This, for a monk, is his proper range, his own ancestral territory.
§ 38. Proper Range 2. There are in the Himalayas, the king of mountains, difficult, uneven areas where neither monkeys nor human beings wander. There are difficult, uneven areas where monkeys wander, but not human beings. There are level stretches of land, delightful, where both monkeys and human beings wander. In such spots hunters set a tar trap in the monkeys’ tracks, in order to catch some monkeys. Those monkeys who are not foolish or careless by nature, when they see the tar trap, will keep their distance. But any monkey who is foolish & careless by nature comes up to the tar trap and grabs it with its paw, which then gets stuck there. Thinking, ‘I’ll free my paw,’ he grabs it with his other paw. That too gets stuck. Thinking, ‘I’ll free both of my paws,’ he grabs it with his foot. That too gets stuck. Thinking, ‘I’ll free both of my paws and my foot,’ he grabs it with his other foot. That too gets stuck. Thinking, ‘I’ll free both of my paws and my feet as well,’ he grabs it with his mouth. That too gets stuck. So the monkey, snared in five ways, lies there whimpering, having fallen on misfortune, fallen on ruin, a prey to whatever the hunter wants to do with him. Then the hunter, without releasing the monkey, skewers him right there, picks him up, and goes off as he likes.
This is what happens to anyone who wanders into what is not his proper range and is the territory of others. For this reason, you should not wander into what is not your proper range and is the territory of others…
§ 39. Mindfulness of the Body. There is the case where a monk, seeing a form with the eye, is obsessed with pleasing forms, is repelled by unpleasing forms, and remains with body-mindfulness unestablished, with limited awareness. He does not discern, as it actually is present, the release of awareness, the release of discernment where any evil, unskillful mental qualities that have arisen utterly cease without remainder. (Similarly with ear, nose, tongue, body, & intellect.)
Just as if a person, catching six animals of different ranges, of different habitats, were to bind them with a strong rope. Catching a snake, he would bind it with a strong rope. Catching a crocodile…a bird…a dog…a hyena…a monkey, he would bind it with a strong rope. Binding them all with a strong rope, and tying a knot in the middle, he would set chase to them.
Then those six animals, of different ranges, of different habitats, would each pull toward its own range & habitat. The snake would pull, thinking, ‘I’ll go into the anthill.’ The crocodile would pull, thinking, ‘I’ll go into the water.’ The bird would pull, thinking, ‘I’ll fly up into the air.’ The dog would pull, thinking, ‘I’ll go into the village.’ The hyena would pull, thinking, ‘I’ll go into the charnel ground.’ The monkey would pull, thinking, ‘I’ll go into the forest.’ And when these six animals became internally exhausted, they would submit, they would surrender, they would come under the sway of whichever among them was the strongest. In the same way, when a monk whose mindfulness immersed in the body is undeveloped & unpursued, the eye pulls toward pleasing forms, while unpleasing forms are repellent. The ear pulls toward pleasing sounds…the nose pulls toward pleasing smells…the tongue pulls toward pleasing tastes…the body pulls toward pleasing tactile sensations…the intellect pulls toward pleasing ideas, while unpleasing ideas are repellent. This, monks, is lack of restraint.
And what is restraint? There is the case where a monk, seeing a form with the eye, is not obsessed with pleasing forms, is not repelled by unpleasing forms, and remains with body-mindfulness established, with immeasurable awareness. He discerns, as it actually is present, the release of awareness, the release of discernment where all evil, unskillful mental qualities that have arisen utterly cease without remainder. (Similarly with ear, nose, tongue, body, & intellect.)
Just as if a person, catching six animals of different ranges, of different habitats, were to bind them with a strong rope…and tether them to a strong post or stake.
Then those six animals, of different ranges, of different habitats, would each pull toward its own range & habitat…And when these six animals became internally exhausted, they would stand, sit, or lie down right there next to the post or stake. In the same way, when a monk whose mindfulness immersed in the body is developed & pursued, the eye does not pull toward pleasing forms, and unpleasing forms are not repellent. The ear does not pull toward pleasing sounds…the nose does not pull toward pleasing smells…the tongue does not pull toward pleasing tastes…the body does not pull toward pleasing tactile sensations…the intellect does not pull toward pleasing ideas, and unpleasing ideas are not repellent. This, monks, is restraint.
The strong post or stake is a term for mindfulness immersed in the body.
Thus you should train yourselves: ‘We will develop mindfulness immersed in the body. We will pursue it, give it a means of transport, give it a grounding. We will steady it, consolidate it, and set about it properly.’ That’s how you should train yourselves.
§ 40. Suppose, monks, that a large crowd of people comes thronging together, saying, ‘The beauty queen! The beauty queen!’ And suppose that the beauty queen is highly accomplished at singing & dancing, so that an even greater crowd comes thronging, saying, ‘The beauty queen is singing! The beauty queen is dancing!’ Then a man comes along, desiring life & shrinking from death, desiring pleasure & abhorring pain. They say to him, ‘Now look here, mister. You must take this bowl filled to the brim with oil and carry it on your head in between the great crowd & the beauty queen. A man with a raised sword will follow right behind you, and wherever you spill even a drop of oil, right there will he cut off your head.’ Now what do you think, monks: Will that man, not paying attention to the bowl of oil, let himself get distracted outside?
No, lord.
I have given you this parable to convey a meaning. The meaning is this: The bowl filled to the brim with oil stands for mindfulness immersed in the body. Thus you should train yourselves: ‘We will develop mindfulness immersed in the body. We will pursue it, give it a means of transport, give it a grounding. We will steady it, consolidate it, and set about it properly.’ That’s how you should train yourselves.
§ 41.
With mindfulness immersed in the body
well established,
restrained with respect to the six
media of contact,
always concentrated, the monk
can know Unbinding for himself.
– UD.III.5
§ 42. Whoever pervades the great ocean with his awareness encompasses whatever rivulets flow down into the ocean. In the same way, whoever develops & pursues mindfulness immersed in the body encompasses whatever skillful qualities are on the side of clear knowing.
When one thing is practiced & pursued, the body is calmed, the mind is calmed, thinking & evaluating are stilled, and all qualities on the side of clear knowing go to the culmination of their development. Which one thing? Mindfulness immersed in the body.
When one thing is practiced & pursued, ignorance is abandoned, clear knowing arises, the conceit ‘I am’ is abandoned, latent tendencies are uprooted, fetters are abandoned. Which one thing? Mindfulness immersed in the body.
Those who do not taste mindfulness of the body do not taste the Deathless. Those who taste mindfulness of the body taste the Deathless.
Those who are heedless of mindfulness of the body are heedless of the Deathless.
Those who comprehend mindfulness of the body comprehend the Deathless.
– A.I.225, 227, 230, 235, 239, 245
§ 43. The Deathless. There are these four frames of reference. Which four? There is the case where a monk remains focused on the body in & of itself — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. As he remains focused on the body in & of itself, he abandons desire with regard to the body. As he abandons desire with regard to the body, he realizes the Deathless.
He remains focused on feelings in & of themselves…mind in & of itself… mental qualities in & of themselves — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. As he remains focused on mental qualities in & of themselves, he abandons desire with regard to mental qualities. As he abandons desire with regard to mental qualities, he realizes the Deathless.
– S.XLVII.37
§ 44. It is just as if there were a great pile of dust at a four-way intersection. If a cart or chariot came from the east, that pile of dust would be totally leveled. If a cart or chariot came from the west…from the north…from the south, that pile of dust would be totally leveled. In the same way, when a monk remains focused on the body in & of itself, then evil, unskillful qualities are totally leveled. If he remains focused on feelings…mind… mental qualities in & of themselves, then evil, unskillful qualities are totally leveled.
– S.LIV.10
§ 45. Now when Ven. Anuruddha was meditating in solitude, this train of thought appeared in his awareness: ‘Whoever neglects the four frames of reference neglects the noble path going to the right ending of stress. Whoever undertakes the four frames of reference undertakes the noble path going to the right ending of stress.’
Then Ven. Maha Moggallana, as soon as he perceived with his awareness the train of thought in Ven. Anuruddha’s awareness — as a strong man might extend his flexed arm or flex his extended arm — appeared in front of Ven. Anuruddha and said to him, ‘To what extent are the four frames of reference undertaken?’
Anuruddha: ‘There is the case, my friend, of a monk who internally remains focused on the phenomenon of origination with regard to the body, remains focused on the phenomenon of passing away with regard to the body, remains focused on the phenomenon of origination & passing away with regard to the body — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world.
‘Externally he remains focused on the phenomenon of origination with regard to the body…
‘Internally & externally he remains focused on the phenomenon of origination with regard to the body, remains focused on the phenomenon of passing away with regard to the body, remains focused on the phenomenon of origination & passing away with regard to the body — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world.
‘If he wants, he remains percipient of loathsomeness in the presence of what is not loathsome. If he wants, he remains percipient of unloathsomeness in the presence of what is loathsome. If he wants, he remains percipient of loathsomeness in the presence of what is not loathsome & what is. If he wants, he remains percipient of unloathsomeness in the presence of what is loathsome & what is not. If he wants — in the presence of what is loathsome & what is not — cutting himself off from both, he remains equanimous, alert, & mindful. [§§98; 181]
(Similarly with regard to feelings, mind & mental qualities.)
‘It is to this extent, my friend, that the four frames of reference are undertaken…’
– S.LII.1
§ 46. It is good for a monk if, at the appropriate times, he remains percipient of loathsomeness in the presence of what is not loathsome. It is good if, at the appropriate times, he remains percipient of unloathsomeness in the presence of what is loathsome…percipient of loathsomeness in the presence of what is not loathsome & what is…percipient of unloathsomeness in the presence of what is loathsome & what is not. It is good if, at the appropriate times — in the presence of what is loathsome & what is not — cutting himself off from both, he remains equanimous, alert, & mindful.
Now, with what purpose should a monk remain percipient of loathsomeness in the presence of what is not loathsome? ‘Don’t let passion arise within me in the presence of things that excite passion.’ With this purpose should a monk remain percipient of loathsomeness in the presence of what is not loathsome.
And with what purpose should a monk remain percipient of unloathsomeness in the presence of what is loathsome? ‘Don’t let aversion arise within me in the presence of things that excite aversion’…
And with what purpose should a monk remain percipient of loathsomeness in the presence of what is not loathsome & what is? ‘Don’t let passion arise within me in the presence of things that excite passion. Don’t let aversion arise within me in the presence of things that excite aversion’…
And with what purpose should a monk remain percipient of unloathsomeness in the presence of what is loathsome & what is not? ‘Don’t let aversion arise within me in the presence of things that excite aversion. Don’t let passion arise within me in the presence of things that excite passion’…
And with what purpose should a monk — in the presence of what is loathsome & what is not — cutting himself off from both, remain equanimous, alert, & mindful? ‘Don’t let passion — in any object, in any place, in any amount — arise within me in the presence of things that excite passion. Don’t let aversion — in any object, in any place, in any amount — arise within me in the presence of things that excite aversion. Don’t let delusion — in any object, in any place, in any amount — arise within me in the presence of things that excite delusion.’ With this purpose should a monk — in the presence of what is loathsome & what is not — cutting himself off from both, remain equanimous, alert, & mindful. [§§98; 181]
– A.V.144
§ 47. Protecting Oneself & Others. Once upon a time, monks, a bamboo acrobat, having erected a bamboo pole, addressed his assistant, Frying Pan: ‘Come, my dear Frying Pan. Climb up the bamboo pole and stand on my shoulders.’
‘As you say, Master,’ Frying Pan answered the bamboo acrobat and, climbing the bamboo pole, stood on his shoulders.
So then the bamboo acrobat said to his assistant, ‘Now you watch after me, my dear Frying Pan, and I’ll watch after you. Thus, protecting one another, watching after one another, we’ll show off our skill, receive our reward, and come down safely from the bamboo pole.’
When he had said this, Frying Pan said to him, ‘But that won’t do at all, Master. You watch after yourself, and I’ll watch after myself, and thus with each of us protecting ourselves, watching after ourselves, we’ll show off our skill, receive our reward, and come down safely from the bamboo pole.’
What Frying Pan, the assistant, said to her Master was the right way in that case.
Monks, a frame of reference is to be practiced with the thought, ‘I’ll watch after myself.’ A frame of reference is to be practiced with the thought, ‘I’ll watch after others.’ When watching after oneself, one watches after others. When watching after others, one watches after oneself.
And how does one, when watching after oneself, watch after others? Through pursuing [the practice], through developing it, through devoting oneself to it. This is how one, when watching after oneself, watches after others.
And how does one, when watching after others, watch after oneself? Through endurance, through harmlessness, and through a mind of kindness & sympathy. This is how one, when watching after others, watches after oneself.
A frame of reference is to be practiced with the thought, ‘I’ll watch after myself.’ A frame of reference is to be practiced with the thought, ‘I’ll watch after others.’ When watching after oneself, one watches after others. When watching after others, one watches after oneself.
§ 48. Then, when the Blessed One had entered the Rains Retreat, there arose a severe illness within him. Sharp & deadly were the pains, but he bore them mindfully, alert, & unperturbed. The thought occurred to him, ‘It would not be proper for me to enter total Unbinding without addressing my attendants & without taking leave of the community of monks. Why don’t I, suppressing this illness with persistence, remain resolved on the fabrication of life?’ So he suppressed the illness with persistence & remained resolved on the fabrication of life. His illness abated.
Then he recovered from the illness. Soon after his recovery he came out of his dwelling & sat down in the shade of the building, on a seat prepared for him. Then Ven. Ananda approached him and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat down to one side. As he was sitting there he said to the Blessed One, ‘What a happy sight to see the Blessed One in comfort! What a happy sight to see the Blessed One at ease! Because of the Blessed One’s sickness my own body felt as if it were drugged. I lost my bearings. Things were unclear to me. Yet I still took a measure of comfort in the thought that the Blessed One would not enter total Unbinding as long as he hadn’t given at least some pronouncement concerning the community of monks.’
‘What more does the community of monks want from me, Ananda? I have taught the Dhamma without an inner or an outer version. The Tathagata has no closed fist with regard to teachings. Whoever has the thought, ‘I will rule the community of monks,’ or ‘The community of monks is dedicated to me,’ he should give some pronouncement concerning the community of monks. But the Tathagata has no such thoughts. So why should he give some pronouncement concerning the community of monks?
‘I am old now, Ananda, & aged. My years have turned eighty. Just as an old cart is kept going with the help of bamboo strips, it seems to me as if the Tathagata’s body is kept going with the help of bamboo strips. The only time the Tathagata’s body feels at ease is when, not attending to any theme at all, and with the cessation of certain feelings, he enters & remains in the theme-less concentration of awareness. Therefore each of you should remain with your self as an island, your self as your refuge, without anything else as a refuge. Remain with the Dhamma as an island, the Dhamma as your refuge, without anything else as a refuge. And how does a monk remain with his self as an island, his self as his refuge, without anything else as a refuge? How does he remain with the Dhamma as an island, the Dhamma as his refuge, without anything else as a refuge? There is the case where a monk remains focused on the body in & of itself — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. He remains focused on feelings…mind…mental qualities in & of themselves — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. This is how a monk remains with his self as an island, his self as his refuge, without anything else as a refuge, with the Dhamma as an island, the Dhamma as his refuge, without anything else as a refuge. For those who — now or after I am gone — remain with their self as an island…the Dhamma as their refuge, without anything else as a refuge, they will be the highest of the monks who desire training.’
– D.16
http://thehamiltonproject.blogspot.in/2011/12/yogi-toobox-anapanasati-sutta.html
Samadhanga Sutta
The Factors of Concentration
The Buddha explains how the progressive development of jhana (absorption) leads to the development of the supranormal
I
have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying at
Savatthi, in Jeta’s Grove, Anathapindika’s monastery. There he addressed
the monks, “Monks, I will teach you the five-factored noble right
concentration. Listen, and pay close attention. I will speak.”
“As you say, lord,” the monks replied.
The
Blessed One said: “Now what, monks, is five-factored noble right
concentration? There is the case where a monk — quite withdrawn from
sensuality, withdrawn from unskillful qualities — enters and remains in
the first jhana: rapture and pleasure born from withdrawal, accompanied
by directed thought and evaluation. He permeates and pervades, suffuses
and fills this very body with the rapture and pleasure born from
withdrawal. There is nothing of his entire body unpervaded by rapture
and pleasure born from withdrawal.
“Just
as if a skilled bathman or bathman’s apprentice would pour bath powder
into a brass basin and knead it together, sprinkling it again and again
with water, so that his ball of bath powder — saturated, moisture-laden,
permeated within and without — would nevertheless not drip; even so,
the monk permeates, suffuses and fills this very body with the rapture
and pleasure born of withdrawal. There is nothing of his entire body
unpervaded by rapture and pleasure born from withdrawal. This is the
first development of the five-factored noble right concentration.
“Furthermore,
with the stilling of directed thoughts & evaluations, he enters and
remains in the second jhana: rapture and pleasure born of composure,
unification of awareness free from directed thought and evaluation —
internal assurance. He permeates and pervades, suffuses and fills this
very body with the rapture and pleasure born of composure. There is
nothing of his entire body unpervaded by rapture and pleasure born of
composure.
“Just
like a lake with spring-water welling up from within, having no inflow
from east, west, north, or south, and with the skies periodically
supplying abundant showers, so that the cool fount of water welling up
from within the lake would permeate and pervade, suffuse and fill it
with cool waters, there being no part of the lake unpervaded by the cool
waters; even so, the monk permeates and pervades, suffuses and fills
this very body with the rapture and pleasure born of composure. There is
nothing of his entire body unpervaded by rapture and pleasure born of
composure. This is the second development of the five-factored noble
right concentration.
“And
furthermore, with the fading of rapture, he remains in equanimity, is
mindful & alert, and senses pleasure with the body. He enters &
remains in the third jhana, of which the Noble Ones declare, ‘Equanimous
& mindful, he has a pleasurable abiding.’ He permeates and
pervades, suffuses and fills this very body with the pleasure divested
of rapture, so that there is nothing of his entire body unpervaded with
pleasure divested of rapture.
“Just
as in a blue-, white-, or red-lotus pond, there may be some of the
blue, white, or red lotuses which, born and growing in the water, stay
immersed in the water and flourish without standing up out of the water,
so that they are permeated and pervaded, suffused and filled with cool
water from their roots to their tips, and nothing of those blue, white,
or red lotuses would be unpervaded with cool water; even so, the monk
permeates and pervades, suffuses and fills this very body with the
pleasure divested of rapture. There is nothing of his entire body
unpervaded with pleasure divested of rapture. This is the third
development of the five-factored noble right concentration.
“And
furthermore, with the abandoning of pleasure and stress — as with the
earlier disappearance of elation and distress — he enters and remains in
the fourth jhana: purity of equanimity and mindfulness,
neither-pleasure-nor-pain. He sits, permeating the body with a pure,
bright awareness, so that there is nothing of his entire body unpervaded
by pure, bright awareness.
“Just
as if a man were sitting wrapped from head to foot with a white cloth
so that there would be no part of his body to which the white cloth did
not extend; even so, the monk sits, permeating his body with a pure,
bright awareness. There is nothing of his entire body unpervaded by
pure, bright awareness. This is the fourth development of the
five-factored noble right concentration.
“And
furthermore, the monk has his theme of reflection well in hand, well
attended to, well-considered, well-tuned1 by means of discernment.
“Just
as if one person were to reflect on another, or a standing person were
to reflect on a sitting person, or a sitting person were to reflect on a
person lying down; even so, monks, the monk has his theme of reflection
well in hand, well attended to, well-pondered, well-tuned by means of
discernment. This is the fifth development of the five-factored noble
right concentration.
“When
a monk has developed and pursued the five-factored noble right
concentration in this way, then whichever of the six higher knowledges
he turns his mind to know and realize, he can witness them for himself
whenever there is an opening.
“Suppose
that there were a water jar, set on a stand, brimful of water so that a
crow could drink from it. If a strong man were to tip it in any way at
all, would water spill out?”
“Yes, lord.”
“In
the same way, when a monk has developed and pursued the five-factored
noble right concentration in this way, then whichever of the six higher
knowledges he turns his mind to know and realize, he can witness them
for himself whenever there is an opening.
“Suppose
there were a rectangular water tank — set on level ground, bounded by
dikes — brimful of water so that a crow could drink from it. If a strong
man were to loosen the dikes anywhere at all, would water spill out?”
“Yes, lord.”
“In
the same way, when a monk has developed and pursued the five-factored
noble right concentration in this way, then whichever of the six higher
knowledges he turns his mind to know and realize, he can witness them
for himself whenever there is an opening.
“Suppose
there were a chariot on level ground at four crossroads, harnessed to
thoroughbreds, waiting with whips lying ready, so that a skilled driver,
a trainer of tamable horses, might mount and — taking the reins with
his left hand and the whip with his right — drive out and back, to
whatever place and by whichever road he liked; in the same way, when a
monk has developed and pursued the five-factored noble right
concentration in this way, then whichever of the six higher knowledges
he turns his mind to know and realize, he can witness them for himself
whenever there is an opening.
“If
he wants, he wields manifold supranormal powers. Having been one he
becomes many; having been many he becomes one. He appears. He vanishes.
He goes unimpeded through walls, ramparts, and mountains as if through
space. He dives in and out of the earth as if it were water. He walks on
water without sinking as if it were dry land. Sitting crosslegged he
flies through the air like a winged bird. With his hand he touches and
strokes even the sun and moon, so mighty and powerful. He exercises
influence with his body even as far as the Brahma worlds. He can witness
this for himself whenever there is an opening.
“If
he wants, he hears — by means of the divine ear-element, purified and
surpassing the human — both kinds of sounds: divine and human, whether
near or far. He can witness this for himself whenever there is an
opening.
“If
he wants, he knows the awareness of other beings, other individuals,
having encompassed it with his own awareness. He discerns a mind with
passion as a mind with passion, and a mind without passion as a mind
without passion. He discerns a mind with aversion as a mind with
aversion, and a mind without aversion as a mind without aversion. He
discerns a mind with delusion as a mind with delusion, and a mind
without delusion as a mind without delusion. He discerns a restricted
mind as a restricted mind, and a scattered mind as a scattered mind. He
discerns an enlarged mind as an enlarged mind, and an unenlarged mind as
an unenlarged mind. He discerns an excelled mind2 as an excelled mind,
and an unexcelled mind as an unexcelled mind. He discerns a concentrated
mind as a concentrated mind, and an unconcentrated mind as an
unconcentrated mind. He discerns a released mind as a released mind, and
an unreleased mind as an unreleased mind. He can witness this for
himself whenever there is an opening.
“If
he wants, he recollects his manifold past lives,3 i.e., one birth, two
births, three births, four, five, ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, one
hundred, one thousand, one hundred thousand, many aeons of cosmic
contraction, many aeons of cosmic expansion, many aeons of cosmic
contraction and expansion, [recollecting], ‘There I had such a name,
belonged to such a clan, had such an appearance. Such was my food, such
my experience of pleasure and pain, such the end of my life. Passing
away from that state, I re-arose there. There too I had such a name,
belonged to such a clan, had such an appearance. Such was my food, such
my experience of pleasure and pain, such the end of my life. Passing
away from that state, I re-arose here.’ Thus he remembers his manifold
past lives in their modes and details. He can witness this for himself
whenever there is an opening.
“If
he wants, he sees — by means of the divine eye, purified and surpassing
the human — beings passing away and re-appearing, and he discerns how
they are inferior and superior, beautiful and ugly, fortunate and
unfortunate in accordance with their kamma: ‘These beings — who were
endowed with bad conduct of body, speech, and mind, who reviled the
noble ones, held wrong views and undertook actions under the influence
of wrong views — with the break-up of the body, after death, have
re-appeared in the plane of deprivation, the bad destination, the lower
realms, in hell. But these beings — who were endowed with good conduct
of body, speech, and mind, who did not revile the noble ones, who held
right views and undertook actions under the influence of right views —
with the break-up of the body, after death, have re-appeared in the good
destinations, in the heavenly world.’ Thus — by means of the divine
eye, purified and surpassing the human — he sees beings passing away and
re-appearing, and he discerns how they are inferior and superior,
beautiful and ugly, fortunate and unfortunate in accordance with their
kamma. He can witness this for himself whenever there is an opening.
“If
he wants, then through the ending of the mental effluents, he remains
in the effluent-free awareness-release & discernment-release, having
known and made them manifest for himself right in the here and now. He
can witness this for himself whenever there is an opening.”
That is what the Blessed One said. Gratified, the monks delighted in the Blessed One’s words.
1984 செ செப் 13 2016
பாடங்கள்
பயன்படுத்தி தமிழ், இந்த Google மொழிபெயர்ப்பு சரியான மொழிபெயர்ப்பு வழங்க செய்க
http://www.translate.google.com/
விழித்தெழுந்த ஒரு உண்மையான போதனைகள்
Samadhanga சட்டா
செறிவு காரணிகள்
புத்தர் ஞானம் (உறிஞ்சுதல்) முற்போக்கான வளர்ச்சி supranormal வளர்ச்சி வழிவகுக்கிறது என்பதை விளக்குகிறது
நான்
ஒரு சந்தர்ப்பத்தில் ஆசிர்வதிக்கப்பட்ட ஒருவர் Jeta தான் குரோவ்,
Anathapindika மடாலயம், Savatthi தங்கி என்று கேள்விப்பட்டேன். அங்கு அவர், துறவிகள் உரையாற்றினார் “மாங்க்ஸ், நான் நீங்கள் ஐந்து இலக்க
காரணியாக உன்னத வலது செறிவு கற்பிக்கும். கேள், கவனம் செலுத்த. நான்
பேசுவேன்.”
“நீங்கள் சொல்வது போல், ஆண்டவன்,” துறவிகள் பதிலளித்தார்.
ஆசிர்வதிக்கப்பட்ட
ஒருவர் கூறினார்: “இப்போது என்ன, துறவிகள், ஐந்து காரணியாக உன்னத வலது
செறிவு ஒரு துறவி அங்கு வழக்கு உள்ளது - மிகவும், உணர்ச்சி மிகு இருந்து
திரும்பப் பெறப்பட unskillful குணங்கள் இருந்து திரும்பப் பெறப்பட -
நுழைந்து முதல் ஞானத்தில் நிலையில் உள்ளார்:? இருந்து பிறந்த பேரானந்தம்
மற்றும் இன்பம் திரும்பப் பெற வேண்டும், இயக்கிய சிந்தனை மற்றும் மதிப்பீடு சேர்ந்து.
அவர் ஊடுருவி மற்றும் பாதித்து, suffuses மற்றும் பேரானந்தம் மற்றும்
பின்வாங்கும் பிறந்த மகிழ்ச்சியோடு இந்த உடல் நிரப்புகிறது. பேரானந்தம்
மற்றும் பின்வாங்கும் பிறந்த மகிழ்ச்சி மூலம் unpervaded அவரது முழு உடல்
எதுவும் இல்லை.
“ஒரு
திறமையான bathman அல்லது bathman பழகுனர், தண்ணீர் மீண்டும் மீண்டும் அதை
தெளித்து குளியல் பவுடர் அவரது பந்து என்று ஒரு பித்தளை பாத்திரத்தில்
குளியல் தூள் ஊற்ற அதை ஒன்றாக பிசைந்து வேண்டும் என்றால், போல் -
நிறைவுற்ற, ஈரம் அளவுடைய, உள்ளும், வியாபித்து, - இருப்பினும்
சொட்டு மாட்டார்கள்;.. எனக்கு, துறவி ஊடுருவி, suffuses மற்றும்
பேரானந்தம் மற்றும் திரும்ப பிறந்த மகிழ்ச்சியோடு இந்த உடல் நிரப்பும்
பேரானந்தம் மற்றும் பின்வாங்கும் பிறந்த மகிழ்ச்சி மூலம் unpervaded அவரது
முழு உடல் ஒன்றும் இல்லை இந்த முதல் வளர்ச்சி ஆகும் ஐந்து இலக்க காரணியாக உன்னத வலது செறிவு.
“மேலும்,
இயக்கிய எண்ணங்கள் மற்றும் மதிப்பீடுகள் மேலும் ஆற்றல் கொண்டு, அவர்
நுழையும் மற்றும் இரண்டாவது ஞானத்தில் நிலையில் உள்ளார்:. பேரானந்தம்
மற்றும் மன பிறந்த இன்பம், இயக்கிய சிந்தனை மற்றும் மதிப்பீடு இருந்து இலவச
விழிப்புணர்வு ஐக்கியப்படுத்துவது - உள் உத்தரவாதம் அவர் ஊடுருவி மற்றும்
பாதித்து, suffuses இந்த நிரப்பும் பேரானந்தம் மற்றும் மன பிறந்த மகிழ்ச்சியோடு மிகவும் உடல். பேரானந்தம்
மற்றும் மன பிறந்த மகிழ்ச்சி மூலம் unpervaded அவரது முழு உடல் எதுவும்
இல்லை.
“ஜஸ்ட்
வசந்த நீர் ஒரு ஏரி, இருந்து தலைதூக்காது கிழக்கு, மேற்கு, வடக்கு, அல்லது
தெற்கில் இருந்து எந்த வரத்து கொண்ட, வானம் அவ்வப்போது, ஏராளமான மழை
வழங்குவதன் போன்ற தண்ணீரை கொண்டு குளிர் ஊற்று ஏரி இருந்து தலைதூக்காது
என்று என்று உட்புகும்
ஆணவத்தையும், மூடு மற்றும் குளிர் நீரில் அதை நிரப்ப, குளிர் நீரில் மூலம்
unpervaded ஏரி எந்த பகுதியாக அங்கு இருப்பது. எனக்கு, துறவி ஊடுருவி
மற்றும் பாதித்து, suffuses மற்றும் பேரானந்தம் மற்றும் மன பிறந்த
மகிழ்ச்சியோடு இந்த உடல் நிரப்பும் உள்ளன பேரானந்தம் மற்றும் மன பிறந்த மகிழ்ச்சி மூலம் unpervaded அவரது முழு
உடல் எதுவும் இல்லை. இந்த ஐந்து காரணியாக உன்னத வலது செறிவு இரண்டாவது
வளர்ச்சி உள்ளது.
“மேலும்
மேலும், பேரானந்தம் மறைதல், அவர் மனஅமைதி உள்ள, உள்ளது கவனத்தில் &
எச்சரிக்கை, மற்றும் உடல் இன்பம் உணர்ந்துள்ளார். அவர் நுழையும் &
நோபல் ஒன்ஸ் பிரகடனம் இது மூன்றாவது ஞானத்தில், இருந்துவிடும் ‘Equanimous
& கவனத்தில், அவர் ஒரு மகிழ்ச்சிகரமான மதிக்கும். ‘ அவர் ஊடுருவி மற்றும் பாதித்து, suffuses மற்றும் என்று பேரானந்தம்
அகற்றிக்கொண்டது மகிழ்ச்சியோடு unpervaded அவரது முழு உடல் ஒன்றும்
இல்லை, பேரானந்தம் அகற்றிக்கொண்டது மகிழ்ச்சியோடு இந்த உடல்
நிரப்புகிறது.
“ஜஸ்ட்
ஒரு, blue- வெள்ளை, அல்லது சிவப்பு தாமரை குளத்தில், அங்கு, பிறந்து
நீரில் வளரும் இது, நீலம், வெள்ளை, அல்லது சிவப்பு தாமரைகள் சில, நீரில்
மூழ்கியிருந்த தங்க மற்றும் வெளியே எழுந்து நின்று இல்லாமல் வளம்
இருக்கலாம் தண்ணீர்,
அவர்கள் நிறைந்திருந்த மற்றும் தொற்றியிருக்கிறது, மிளிர்ந்தன மற்றும்
அவற்றின் வேர்கள் இருந்து தங்கள் குறிப்புகள் குளிர் நீர் நிரப்பப்பட்டு,
என்று அந்த, நீலம், வெள்ளை, அல்லது சிவப்பு தாமரைகள் ஒன்றும், குளிர்ந்த
நீரை unpervaded செய்யப்படும்; கூட, துறவி ஊடுருவி மற்றும் பாதித்து, suffuses மற்றும் பேரானந்தம் அகற்றிக்கொண்டது மகிழ்ச்சியோடு
இந்த உடல் நிரப்புகிறது. பேரானந்தம் அகற்றிக்கொண்டது மகிழ்ச்சியோடு
unpervaded அவரது முழு உடல் எதுவும் இல்லை. இந்த ஐந்து காரணியாக உன்னத வலது
செறிவு மூன்றாவது அபிவிருத்தித் உள்ளது.
“மேலும்
மேலும், இன்பம் மற்றும் மன அழுத்தம் கைவிட்டார் - எழுச்சி மற்றும் துன்பம்
முந்தைய காணாமல் - அவர் நுழையும் மற்றும் நான்காவது ஞானத்தில் நிலையில்
உள்ளார்:. மனஅமைதி மற்றும் நெறிகள் தூய்மை, இரண்டும் இன்பம் அல்லது வலி
அவர், பரந்தும் அமர்ந்திருக்கிறார் உடல் ஒரு தூய, பிரகாசமான விழிப்புணர்வு, என்று அங்கு தூய, பிரகாசமான விழிப்புணர்வு unpervaded அவரது முழு உடல் எதுவும் இல்லை.
“ஒரு
மனிதன் என்று அவரது உடல் வெள்ளை துணியால் பொருந்தாது இது எந்தப் பாகமும்
இருக்கும் ஒரு வெள்ளைத் துணி கொண்டு உச்சி முதல் உள்ளங்கால் வரை
மூடப்பட்டிருக்கும் உட்கார்ந்திருந்த வெறும் போல்; கூட, துறவி, ஒரு தூய
அவரது உடல் ஊடுருவி அமர்ந்து, பிரகாசமான விழிப்புணர்வு. தூய, பிரகாசமான விழிப்புணர்வு unpervaded அவரது
முழு உடல் எதுவும் இல்லை. இந்த ஐந்து காரணியாக உன்னத வலது செறிவு
நான்காவது வளர்ச்சி உள்ளது.
“மேலும் மேலும், துறவி நன்கு கையில் பிரதிபலிப்பு, நன்கு உணர்விலும்
மூலம் நன்கு கருதப்படுகிறது, நன்கு tuned1, கலந்து அவரது தீம் உள்ளது.
“ஒரு
நபர் மற்றொரு மீது பிரதிபலிக்கும் நடந்ததோ போல், அல்லது நின்ற நபர் ஒரு
உட்கார்ந்து நபர், அல்லது ஒரு உட்கார்ந்து நபர் மீது பிரதிபலிக்கும்
இருந்தன படுத்து ஒரு நபர் மீது பிரதிபலிக்கும் இருந்தன; கூட, துறவிகள்,
துறவி பிரதிபலிப்பு அவரது தீம் நன்றாக உள்ளது கையில், நன்றாக, கலந்து, நன்கு யோசிச்சேன் உணர்விலும் மூலம் நன்கு சீர்.
இந்த ஐந்து காரணியாக உன்னத வலது செறிவு ஐந்தாவது வளர்ச்சி உள்ளது.
“ஒரு துறவி வளர்ந்த மற்றும், இந்த வழியில் ஐந்து இலக்க காரணியாக உன்னத
வலது செறிவு செயல்படுத்தியது பின்னர் ஆறு அதிக தத்துவம் எது அவர் தெரியும்
மற்றும் உணர அவரது மனதில் மாறிவிடும், அவர் ஒரு தொடக்க உள்ளது போதெல்லாம்
அவைகளைத் தன் சாட்சியாக முடியும்.
“அங்கு ஒரு காகம் ஊற்றிக் குடித்து முடியும் என்று ஒரு நிலைப்பாட்டை
அமைக்க, ஒரு குடத்தை என்று, தண்ணீர் விளிம்புவரை வெளியே கசிவு நீர் என்று,
ஒரு வலுவான மனிதன் எந்த வழியில் அதை முனை இருந்தால்
வைத்துக்கொள்ளுங்கள்.?”
“ஆம், ஆண்டவரே.”
“அவர்
எனக்கு உணர அவரது மனதில் மாறும் ஆறு அதிக தத்துவம் எது ஒரு துறவி வளர்ந்த
மற்றும் இந்த வழியில் ஐந்து இலக்க காரணியாக உன்னத வலது செறிவு
செயல்படுத்தியது, அதே வழியில், அவர் ஒரு உள்ளது போதெல்லாம் அவைகளைத் தன்
சாட்சியாக முடியும் திறப்பு.
“வெளியே கசிவு நீர் என்று, ஒரு வலுவான மனிதன் எங்கும் உள்ள அனைத்து
அணைக்கரைகள் தளர்த்த இருந்தால் ஒரு காகம் ஊற்றிக் குடித்து முடியும் என்று
நீர் விளிம்புவரை ஒரு செவ்வக தண்ணீர் தொட்டி இருந்தன வைத்துக்கொள்வோம் -
-, நிலை தரையில் அமைக்க அணைக்கரைகள் சூழப்பட்டிருக்கிறது.?”
“ஆம், ஆண்டவரே.”
“அவர்
எனக்கு உணர அவரது மனதில் மாறும் ஆறு அதிக தத்துவம் எது ஒரு துறவி வளர்ந்த
மற்றும் இந்த வழியில் ஐந்து இலக்க காரணியாக உன்னத வலது செறிவு
செயல்படுத்தியது, அதே வழியில், அவர் ஒரு உள்ளது போதெல்லாம் அவைகளைத் தன்
சாட்சியாக முடியும் திறப்பு.
“நிலை
தரையில் ஒரு தேர் இருந்தன நான்கு குறுக்கு தெருக்களில், thoroughbreds
பயன்படுத்தப்பட, தயாராக பொய் சாட்டைகள் காத்திருக்கிறார்கள், ஒரு திறமையான
இயக்கி, அடக்கக் கூடிய குதிரைகள் ஒரு பயிற்சியாளர், ஏற்ற வேண்டும் என்று
மற்றும் வைத்துக்கொள்வோம் - தனது இடது கையால் தலைமுடி மற்றும் சவுக்கை
எடுத்து அவரது
வலது - மீண்டும், என்ன இடத்திற்கு குடியேறி சாலை அவர் விரும்பினார் மூலம்
ஓட்ட மற்றும்; அதே வழியில், ஒரு துறவி பின்னர் அவர் திருப்பி ஆறு அதிக
தத்துவம் எது வளர்ந்த மற்றும் இந்த வழியில் ஐந்து இலக்க காரணியாக உன்னத
வலது செறிவு செயல்படுத்தியது, அவரது மனதில் ஒரு தொடக்க உள்ளது போதெல்லாம் அவர் தன்னை அவர்களுக்கு சாட்சியாக முடியும் தெரியும் மற்றும் உணர.
“அவர்
விரும்பினால், அவர் பன்மடங்கு supranormal அதிகாரங்களை அவர் பல ஆகிறது ஒரு
விளங்கியதால். அவர் ஒரு ஆகிறது பல இருந்திராத அவர் தோன்றும் அவர்
மறைந்துவிட்டான் அவர் வெளி மூலம் என்றால் சுவர்கள், மதிற்சுவர்கள், மற்றும்
மலைகள் வழியாக தடுக்கப்படாமல் செல்கிறது அவர் பாய்கிறார் மற்றும்…. அது
நீர் இருந்தது போல் பூமியிலிருந்து. அவர் அதை வறண்ட நிலத்தில் இருந்தது
போல் மூழ்கி இல்லாமல் தண்ணீர் மேல் நடக்கிறார். அமர்வு அவர் விமான மூலம்
பறக்கிறது ஒரு சிறகு பறவை போல crosslegged. அவர் தொட்டு கூட சூரியன்
மற்றும் சந்திரன் மிகவும் வலிமைமிக்க பக்கவாதம் தன் கையினால் மற்றும் சக்திவாய்ந்த. அவர் கூட இதுவரை பிரம்மா உலகங்கள் என அவரது உடல்
செல்வாக்கை செலுத்துகிறது. ஒரு தொடக்க உள்ளது போதெல்லாம் அவர் தன்னை இந்த
சாட்சி முடியும்.
“அவர் விரும்பினால், அவர் கேட்கிறான் - தெய்வீக காது உறுப்பு வழியாக,
சுத்திகரிக்கப்பட்ட மற்றும் மனித விஞ்சி மூலம் - ஒலிகள் இரண்டு வகையான:.,
தெய்வீக மற்றும் மனித அருகிலும் தொலைவிலும் என்பதை அவர் ஒரு தொடக்க
உள்ளது போதெல்லாம் தன்னை இந்த சாட்சி முடியும்.
“அவர்
விரும்பினால், அவர் மற்ற மனிதர்கள், மற்ற தனிநபர்கள் விழிப்புணர்வு, தனது
சொந்த விழிப்புணர்வு அதை இணைத்துக்கொண்டிருந்தன நிலையில் தெரியும். அவன்
காமம் இல்லாமல் ஒரு மனதில் உணர்வு இல்லாமல் ஆர்வம் கொண்ட ஒரு மனதில்,
மற்றும் ஒரு மனதில் ஆர்வம் கொண்ட ஒரு மனதில் பகுத்துணருகிறார். அவர் ஒரு
பகுத்துணருகிறார் வெறுப்பை
இல்லாமல் ஒரு மனதில் வெறுப்பை இல்லாமல் வெறுப்பினால் ஒரு மனம், மற்றும்
ஒரு மனதில் வெறுப்பை மனதில். அவர் மாயை இல்லாமல் ஒரு மனதில் கற்பனையாக
இல்லாமல் கற்பனையாக ஒரு மனம், மற்றும் ஒரு மனதில் கற்பனையாக ஒரு மனம்
பகுத்துணருகிறார். அவர் ஒரு என ஒரு கட்டுப்படுத்தப்பட்ட மனதில்
பகுத்துணருகிறார் ஒரு
சிதறி மனதில் மனதில், மற்றும் ஒரு சிதறி மனதில் தடை. அவர் ஒரு unenlarged
மனதில் ஒரு விரிவான மனதில், மற்றும் ஒரு unenlarged மனதில் ஒரு விரிவான
மனதில் பகுத்துணருகிறார். அவர் ஒரு unexcelled மனதில் ஒரு சிறந்து மனதில்
ஒரு சிறந்து mind2, மற்றும் ஒரு unexcelled மனதில் பகுத்துணருகிறார். அவர் ஒரு அடர்த்தியான மனதில், மற்றும் ஒரு unconcentrated மனதில் ஒரு
unconcentrated மனதில் ஒரு அடர்த்தியான மனதில் பகுத்துணருகிறார். அவர் ஒரு
விடுதலை மனதில், மற்றும் வெளிவராத மனதில் வெளிவராத மனதில் ஒரு
வெளியிடப்பட்டது மனதில் பகுத்துணருகிறார். ஒரு தொடக்க உள்ளது போதெல்லாம்
அவர் தன்னை இந்த சாட்சி முடியும்.
“அவர்
விரும்புகிறார் என்றால், அவர் தனது பன்மடங்கு கடந்த உயிர்களை, என்று
நினைவு கூர்கிறார் 3 அதாவது, ஒரு பிறப்பு, இரண்டு பிறப்பு, மூன்று பிறப்பு,
நான்கு, ஐந்து, பத்து, இருபது, முப்பது, நாற்பது, ஐம்பது, நூறு, ஆயிரம்,
ஒரு லட்சம், பல யுகங்கள் அண்ட
சுருக்கம், அண்ட விரிவாக்கம் பல யுகங்கள், அண்ட சுருங்குதல் மற்றும்
விரிவாக்கம், [அமைதிப்படுத்திக்] பல யுகங்கள், ‘இன்று நான், அத்தகைய ஒரு
பெயர் இருந்தது போன்ற ஒரு குலத்தைச் சேர்ந்தவன், இது போன்ற ஒரு தோற்றம்
இருந்தது. இத்தகைய போன்ற என் அனுபவம் என் உணவு இருந்தது, இன்பமும்,
துன்பமும் என் வாழ்க்கை இறுதியில். அந்த மாநிலத்தில் இருந்து
மறைவைப்பற்றி, நான் அங்கு கூட நான் இப்படிப்பட்ட ஒரு பெயர் இருந்தது போன்ற
ஒரு குலத்தைச் சேர்ந்தவன், இது போன்ற ஒரு தோற்றம் இருந்தது மீண்டும்
எழுந்தது.. அத்தகைய என் அனுபவம் என் உணவு இருந்தது, இன்பம் மற்றும் வலி, என் வாழ்க்கை இறுதியில். அந்த மாநிலத்தில் இருந்து மறைவைப்பற்றி, நான் இங்கே-எழுந்தது மீண்டும். ‘ இவ்வாறு அவர் பன்மடங்கு கடந்த தங்கள் முறைகள் மற்றும் விவரங்கள்
வாழ்கிறார் நினைவு. ஒரு தொடக்க உள்ளது போதெல்லாம் அவர் தன்னை இந்த சாட்சி
முடியும்.
“அவர்
விரும்புகிறார் என்றால், அவர் பார்க்கிறார் - தெய்வீக கண்,
சுத்திகரிக்கப்பட்ட மூலம் மற்றும் மனித விஞ்சி - மனிதர்கள் ஒழிந்துபோம்
மறு தோன்றும், அவர்கள் ஏற்ப தாழ்வான மற்றும் உயர்ந்த, அழகான மற்றும்
அசிங்கமான, அதிர்ஷ்டம் மற்றும் துரதிர்ஷ்டமான எப்படி பகுத்துணருகிறார்
தங்கள் கம்மா:
‘இந்த மனிதர்கள் - உன்னத தான், நடைபெற்ற தவறான கருத்துக்களை வைது தவறான
கருத்துக்களை செல்வாக்கின் கீழ் நடவடிக்கைகளை மேற்கொண்டார் யார் உடல்,
பேச்சு, மனம், கெட்ட நடத்தை உணர்வும் கொண்டிருந்த - உடல் உடைந்ததை, இறந்த
பிறகு ,,
இழப்பு, கெட்ட இலக்கு, குறைந்த பகுதிகள் விமானம் மீண்டும் தோன்றினார்
நரகத்தில் வேண்டும் ஆனால் இந்த மனிதர்கள் -. உடல், பேச்சு, மற்றும் மன
நன்னடத்தைப் உணர்வும் கொண்டிருந்த, மந்த தான் தூற்றுவதற்கு வில்லை, யார்
நடைபெற்றது இறந்த
பிறகு, நல்ல இடங்களுக்கு உள்ள, மீண்டும் தோன்றினார் பரலோக உலகில் உடல்
உடைந்ததை ‘- வலது கருத்துக்களும் நடவடிக்கைகளும் வலது காட்சிகள்
செல்வாக்கின் கீழ் மேற்கொண்டார். இவ்வாறு
- தெய்வீக கண், சுத்திகரிக்கப்பட்ட மற்றும் மனித விஞ்சி மூலம் -. அவர்
மனிதர்கள் ஒழிந்துபோம் மறு தோன்றும் காண்கிறது, அவர்கள் தங்கள் கம்மா
ஏற்ப தாழ்வான மற்றும் உயர்ந்த, அழகான மற்றும் அசிங்கமான, அதிர்ஷ்டம்
மற்றும் துரதிர்ஷ்டமான எப்படி பகுத்துணருகிறார் அவர் யாரையும் ஒரு தொடக்க உள்ளது போதெல்லாம் இந்த தன்னை சாட்சியாக.
“அவர்
விரும்புகிறார் என்றால், மன கழிவுகளின் முடிவின் மூலம், அவர்,
எஞ்சியிருப்பதை கழிவுகளை-இலவச விழிப்புணர்வு வெளியீடு மற்றும் உணர்விலும்
வெளியீடு, அறியப்பட்ட மற்றும் வலது இங்கே இப்போது அவைகளைத் தன் பகிரங்கமான
கூறிவிட்டார். அவர் தன்னை இந்த சாட்சி முடியும் எப்போது ஒரு தொடக்க உள்ளது. “
என்று ஆசிர்வதிக்கப்பட்ட ஒருவர் சொன்னார். திருப்தியைக், துறவிகள் ஆசிர்வதிக்கப்பட்ட ஒருவர் வார்த்தைகளை மகிழ்ச்சியடைந்தார்.
5-10-2007-
Spiritual Community of The True Followers of The Path Shown by The Awakened One
Kindly visit:
http://www.wayofdesign.com/thaipics/jataka4a.htm
Chulmani Chedi in Heaven
Celetial beings hover in the sky. Sakka, in green skin, kneels by a monk to hear the preaching. The central theme of the painting is the Chulmani Chedi (stupa) in the middle of an octagonal shaped courtyard. Aside from the natural pigments used in this painting, the figures and the chedi are also gilded with gold leaf giving the picture a subtle richness.
19th Century, Bangkok Period
Natural pigments on teak wood
Original teak wood frame
Size: 80 cm (ht.) x 60 cm (width)
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/index-similes.html
Index of Similes
This is a partial index of the similes and metaphors that appear in the suttas available at Access to Insight. Only the imagery that illustrates points of Dhamma is included here; imagery that serves primarily a literary or narrative function is not included (e.g., Ambapali’s description of her long-lost youthful beauty). The subject of each image is given in the braces {}. The tilde (~) stands for the head-word in a given entry.
Suttas without hyperlinks are those not currently available at Access to Insight; they are included here only for reference.
A ![[go up]](http://www.accesstoinsight.org/icon/scrollup.gif)
- Acrobats {watching after oneself/others} SN 47.19
- Ancient city {awakening} SN 12.65
- Animals bound together by a rope {lack of mindfulness} SN 35.206
- Archer: {brevity of life; heedfulness} SN 20.6; archer’s apprentice {jhana} AN 9.36. See also Arrow, Fletcher.
- Arrow: {dukkha} Sn 3.8; poisoned {speculative views} MN 63, {craving} MN 105, {contagiousness of evil} Iti 76; person shot with two ~ {physical and mental pain} SN 36.6; in the heart {sensuality} Sn 4.15; piercing a horsehair {subtlety of Dhamma} SN 56.45; Thag 1.26; removed {greed} SN 1.5; shot into the night {bad people} Dhp 304; straightened by a fletcher (see Fletcher). See also Doctor, Fletcher.
B
- Bamboo: destroyed by its own fruit {evil} Dhp 164, Iti 50; spreading {solitude in the wilderness} Sn 1.3
- Bathman or bathman’s apprentice {rapture of 1st jhana} DN 2, DN 11, DN 12, MN 39, MN 119, AN 5.28
- Bandits {external sense media} SN 35.197
- Barley reaper {defilements} Miln II.1.8
- Beast of burden {persistence} Sn 1.4
- Beauty queen {mindfulness} SN 47.20
- Bee gathering nectar {sage} Dhp 49
- Bird: escaping from net {rarity of heavenly birth} Dhp 174; leaving no track {arahant} Dhp 92; sighting shore {seeking the Buddha; meaning of Tathagata} DN 11, AN 6.54; spattered with dirt {mindfulness} SN 9.1; with wings as its only burden {contentment} DN 2, DN 11
- Blindness {ignorance} MN 75
- Blind men: row of {ignorance} MN 95; and the elephant {ignorance} Ud 6.4
- Blind sea-turtle poking his head up through a yoke {rarity of human birth} MN 129, SN 56.48
- Boat being bailed out {defilements} Dhp 369
- Bog {sensuality} Sn 4.15
- Boil, festering {the body} AN 9.15
- Boiling the River Ganges {speech} MN 21
- Bones: chain or heap {sensuality} MN 54, AN 5.76; mountain {length of samsara} Iti 24
- Bottomless chasm {painful feeling} SN 36.4
- Boulder thrown into lake {kamma} SN 42.6
- Bowl of poison {passion} Thig 14
- Branch, man grasping a {self-view} AN 4.178
- Bubble on water {appropriate attention} SN 22.95
- Bull: born into a herd of cattle {arahant} AN 5.179; yoked to a load {endurance} Thag 14.2. See also Cow.
- Burning ghee or oil {meditation on the fire property} Ud 8.9, Ud 8.10
- Burning grass or leaves {not-self} SN 35.101
- Burning refuge {dukkha} Sn 3.8
- Butcher or butcher’s apprentice: {meditation on the four properties} DN 22, MN 119; {trance of non-breathing} MN 36. See also Bull, Cow.
- Butcher of goats {kamma} AN 3.99
- Butter from water{wrong view} MN 126
C
- Calf not seeing its mother {change & alteration} SN 22.80. See also Cow.
- Carpenter: {wearing down the effluents} SN 22.101; {self-control} Dhp 80, Dhp 145; {applied thought} Miln II.3.13
- Cart wheel {suffering} Dhp 1
- Catching arrows {brevity of life; heedfulness} SN 20.6
- Cave {the body; sensuality} Sn 4.2
- Cesspool difficult to clean {impurities} Sn 2.6
- Chaff: {corrupt person} Sn 1.5, Sn 2.6; {dead body} SN 35.69; {others’ faults} Dhp 252
- Chariot: {anger} Dhp 222; {the body} Dhp 151; {concentration} AN 5.28; {mindfulness} MN 119; {world} Dhp 171
- Chariots, relay {stages of insight} MN 24
- Charioteer {sense-restraint} Dhp 94
- Cheater {others’ errors} Dhp 252
- Children playing with sand castles {aggregates} SN 23.2
- City of bones {the body} Dhp 150
- City superintendent at a crossroads {consciousness} Miln II.3.12
- Cleansing of the body with scouring balls and bath powder {cleansing the mind} AN 3.70
- Cleansing of the head with paste and clay {cleansing the mind} AN 3.70
- Cliff, frightful {fear of birth, aging, and death} SN 56.42
- Cloth: person covered with white {4th jhana} DN 2, DN 11, DN 12, MN 39, AN 5.28; soiled {conceit} SN 22.89; to be dyed {defiled and undefiled mind} MN 7, Ud 5.3
- Cock’s feather in fire {unattractiveness} AN 7.46
- Conch-trumpet blower {sublime attitudes} SN 42.8
- Constellations {heedfulness} AN 10.15
- Cotton tuft {rapture} Thag 1.104
- Couple eating their child {purpose of food} SN 12.63
- Cow: butchered {meditation on the four properties} DN 22, MN 119; flayed {contact} SN 12.63; led to slaughter {inevitability of death} AN 7.70, Sn 3.8; milked dry {lack of moderation} MN 33, AN 11.18; producing milk, curds, butter, ghee, etc. {practice for oneself and others} AN 4.95; roaming in the mountains {mastery of jhana} AN 9.35; skinned {sensuality} MN 146; that runs away {fool} SN 11.5; udder {brief time} SN 20.4. See also Bull, Butcher.
- Cowherd: competent {skillfulness} MN 33, AN 11.18; counting another’s cattle {heedlessness} Dhp 19; driving cattle {aging and death} Dhp 135; incompetent {unskillfulness} MN 33, AN 11.18; mindful of his cows {skillfulness} MN 19; prodding and poking his cows {skillfulness} MN 19; reflecting on the places his cattle have wandered {uposatha} AN 3.70. See also Bull, Cow.
- Crafts, Trades, and Professions. See Archer, Bathman, Butcher, Carpenter, Charioteer, Cowherd, Doctor, Elephant tamer, Fletcher, Goldsmith, Horsetrainer, Irrigator, Ivory carver, King, Magician, Potter, Silversmith, Trader, Turner, Warrior, Weigher.
- Creeper pod {future dangers} MN 45
- Crooked chariot wheels {faults} AN 3.15
- Cymbals striking together {contact} Miln II.3.8
D
- Darkness, intergalactic {fear of birth, aging, and death} SN 56.46
- Debt {conviction} AN 6.45
- Deer that wanders in the wilderness {solitude} Sn 1.3
- Dewdrop on tip of grass blade {brevity of life} AN 7.70
- Digging in earth {speech} MN 21
- Dirt-washer {purifying the mind} AN 3.100 (i-x)
- Doctor {the Buddha} MN 63, MN 105. See also Arrow.
- Dog: chasing swine {gratitude} SN 7.14; gnawing on a chain of bones {sensuality} MN 54; tied to a post {self-view} SN 22.99, SN 22.100.
- Donkey that thinks it’s a cow {insincerity with regard to the Dhamma} AN 3.81
- Drawing pictures in space {speech} MN 21
- Dream, waking from: {sensuality} MN 54; {death} Sn 4.6
- Drinking water {subduing hatred}: from a clear pool AN 5.162; from a dirty pool AN 5.162; from a puddle in a hoofprint AN 5.162
- Drum peg {listening to Dhamma} SN 20.7
- Dry piece of wood {mindfulness} MN 119
- Dung beetle {pride} SN 17.5
- Dust: on a fingertip {dukkha} SN 13.1, {rarity of human birth} SN 20.2; thrown into wind {evil} Dhp 125
- Dusty road {household life} DN 2, DN 11, DN 12, MN 36, MN 125
E
- Earth {arahant} Dhp 95
- Elephant: and the blind men {ignorance} Ud 6.4; footprint {four noble truths} MN 28, {heedfulness} SN 3.17, AN 10.15; in battle {patient endurance} Dhp 320, Thag 3.8; in battle {sensual passion} AN 5.139, {sense-restraint} AN 5.140; in rut {self-control} Dhp 324, Dhp 326; in the wild {mature companion} Sn 1.3; relieves an itch {solitude in the wilderness} AN 9.40; renouncing its herd {solitude in the wilderness} Sn 1.3; snared {attachments} MN 66; stuck in mud {heedfulness} Dhp 327; tamable {factors for exertion} MN 90; tamed {self-training} Dhp 322
- Elephant-tamer {renunciation} MN 125
- Embers in a pit {passion} Thig 14
- Empty water pot {mindfulness} MN 119
- Executioner: five {aggregates} SN 35.197; sixth {passion/delight} SN 35.197
- Eyes, man opening and closing his {faculties} MN 152
F
- False path in the forest {wrong eightfold path} MN 19
- Farmer’s urgent duties {self-training} AN 3.91
- Field: neglecting one’s own {teaching Dhamma} DN 12; spoiled by weeds {passion} Dhp 356
- Fire: {clinging} SN 12.52, SN 35.28, SN 44.9; {heedfulness} Dhp 31; {passion} Dhp 251; {discernment} Thag 1.3; fire’s destination {nibbana} Ud 8.10; fire not returning {solitude in the wilderness} Sn 1.3; hidden in ashes {unskillful action} Dhp 71
- Fire-stick {sensuality} MN 36; {feeling} SN 48.39
- Firebrand with excrement: {practicing Dhamma for no one’s benefit} AN 4.95; {failing to practice Dhamma} SN 22.80, Iti 91
- Fish: caught in net {solitude in the wilderness} Sn 1.3, {sensuality} Thag 4.8; caught in trap {sensuality} Ud 7.4; caught on a hook {six senses} SN 35.189; in dried-up puddle {self-view} Sn 4.2, SN 5.10; flip-flapping on dry land {unsteady mind} Dhp 34; rising through the water {recognizing a wise person} AN 4.192; rotten and wrapped in grass {associating with fools} Iti 76; struggling in water {quarreling} Sn 4.15
- Fisherman {Mara} SN 35.189
- Flame: overthrown by wind {arahant} Sn 5.6; passed from one lamp to another {rebirth} Miln III.5.5; unbinding of {nibbana} Thig 5.10;
- Fletcher straightening an arrow: {exertion} MN 101; {training the mind} Dhp 33, Thag 1.29; {restraint} Dhp 145, Dhp 80. See also Arrow.
- Flies’ eggs {sensuality} MN 33, AN 11.18
- Flood {craving, sensuality, becoming, ignorance} SN 1.1, SN 45.171; {greed} Sn 4.15; sweeping away a sleeping village {death} Dhp 47, Dhp 286. See also River, Ocean.
- Flower: blossom {speech} Dhp 51; heap {skillfulness} Dhp 53; scent {integrity} Dhp 54. See also Lotus.
- Flower-arranger {Dhamma follower} Dhp 44
- Foam {the body} Dhp 46
- Fords {asking questions} MN 33, AN 11.18
- Forest: {desire} Dhp 283; {Dhamma} Sn 2.1
- Fort {mind} Dhp 40
- Fragrances {heedfulness}: flower AN 10.15; root AN 10.15; wood AN 10.15
- Frontier fortress: {the body} SN 35.204; {seven skillful qualities} AN 7.63; {liberation is not for everyone} AN 10.95; {guarding oneself} Dhp 315, Thag 14.1; foundation post {conviction} AN 7.63; moat {shame} AN 7.63; encircling road {concern} AN 7.63; weapons {learning} AN 7.63; army {persistence} AN 7.63; gate-keeper {mindfulness} AN 7.63; ramparts {discernment} AN 7.63; stores of grass {1st jhana} AN 7.63; stores of rice {2nd jhana} AN 7.63; stores of sesame {3rd jhana} AN 7.63; stores of tonics {4th jhana} AN 7.63
- Fruit, ripe {death} Sn 3.8
- Full moon {discernment} Thig 1.3. See Moon.
- Full water pot {mindfulness} MN 119
- Fumigation {teaching Dhamma} MN 33, AN 11.18
G
- Gem with colored thread inside {clear seeing} DN 2, DN 11, DN 12
- Gift of food {good will} SN 20.4
- Goat butcher {kamma} AN 3.99
- Gold: coins raining {sensuality} Dhp 186; disappearance of {disappearance of Dhamma} SN 16.13; ingot {discernment and virtue} Dhp 229; mountain {sensuality} SN 4.20; ornament {arahant} AN 4.28
- Goldsmith: purifying gold {purifying the mind} AN 3.100 (i-x), AN 3.100 (xi-xv); crafting any kind of article {supranormla powers} DN 2, DN 11
- Gong {applied and sustained thought} Miln II.3.14
- Gourds in autumn {bones} Dhp 149
- Grass: with sharp blades {wrong practice} Dhp 311; wild grass after rain {dukkha} Dhp 335
- Green reed cut down {foolish person} SN 1.10
- Ground far from the sky {foolish person} SN 5.10
- Guest house {feelings in the body} SN 36.14
- Guest refusing the host’s food {insulting behavior} SN 7.2
H
- Handful of leaves {Dhamma} SN 56.31
- Hands clapping {contact} Miln II.3.8
- Hawk attacking quail {mindfulness} SN 47.6
- Head of snake {sensuality} Sn 4.1
- Head on fire: See Turban on fire
- Head sliced open with sword {pain} MN 36
- Hell, saved from {Dhamma} DN 12
- Hen covering her eggs {virtue, etc.} MN 53, SN 22.101
- Herd of cattle {arahant} AN 3.57
- Herons wasting away {falling short of celibacy} Dhp 155
- Himalayas {good people} Dhp 304
- Hog, fat and lazy {foolish person} Dhp 325
- Honey ball {flavor of Dhamma} MN 18
- Hooks {six senses}: SN 35.189
- Horse: awakened by the whip {conscience} SN 1.18; deprived of fodder {father of fools} SN 7.14; fast {wise person} Dhp 29; stallion {self-training} Dhp 94, Dhp 144, Dhp 380; stirred by a goad-stick {trainable person} AN 4.113; tamed {self-tamed person} Dhp 322; thoroughbred {arahant} Thag 2.27, Thig 5.10; thoroughbred {jhana} AN 11.10; thoroughbred {qualities of a consummate monk} AN 3.94, AN 8.13; unbroken colt {jhana} AN 11.10
- Horsetrainer {trainable person} AN 4.111
- House: built from the bottom up {four noble truths} SN 56.44; fireproof {mindfulness/awareness} SN 35.202; flammable {mindfulness/awareness} SN 35.202; on fire {the body} SN 1.41; with poor roof {unguarded mind} AN 3.105.
I
- Illness, man recovering from {hindrances} DN 2, DN 11, DN 12, MN 39
- Incense wrapped in leaf {associating with people of integrity} Iti 76
- Indra’s pillar {arahant} Dhp 95
- Inscription in rock or water {anger} AN 3.130
- Insects falling into flame {ignorance} Ud 6.9
- Iron ball aflame, eating or swallowing an: {restraint} Dhp 307, Iti 48, Iti 91; {sensuality} Dhp 371
- Irrigator {self-control} Dhp 80, Dhp 145
- Island {refuge in Dhamma} DN 16, DN 26, SN 47.13, Dhp 25, Dhp 236, Dhp 238, Sn 5.10
- Ivory carver or his assistant {supranormal powers} DN 2, DN 11
J
K
L
- Lake: deep and calm {wise people} Dhp 82; dried-up {virtue} Dhp 155; free of mud {arahant} Dhp 95; person stranded in the middle {clinging} Sn 5.10; spring-fed {jhana} DN 2, DN 11, DN 12, MN 39, MN 119, AN 5.28; unruffled by wind {arahant} Iti 92.
- Lamp: going out {detachment} SN 54.8; in a dark house {insight} Miln II.1.14; passing its flame to another {rebirth} Miln III.5.5; in the dark {stock exclamation of appreciation of the Dhamma} — see Uprighting what had been overturned
- Leaf, yellowed {aging} Dhp 235
- Leaky boat {pain} Sn 4.1
- Leaves: blown from a tree {unwholesome states} Thag 17.2; handful of {Dhamma} SN 56.31
- Leper covered with sores {sensuality} MN 75
- Lily crushed in hand {self-view} Dhp 285
- Limb falling from tree {nibbana} SN 47.13
- Linchpin in a moving cart {generosity and kindness} AN 4.32
- Lion: in the wild {solitude in the wilderness} Sn 1.3, Sn 3.1; unstartled by sounds {wise person} Sn 1.3, Sn 1.12
- Line drawn on water {brevity of life} AN 7.70
- Loan, man taking out a {hindrances} DN 2, DN 11, DN 12, MN 39
- Log in a stream {path of practice} SN 35.200. See also Stream.
- Lost caravan leader {virtue} Snp IV.13
- Lotus: pond {jhana} DN 2, DN 11, DN 12, MN 39, MN 119, AN 5.28; pond {the world} MN 26; rising above the water {Tathagata} AN 10.81; scent of {self-view} SN 22.89; unsmeared by water {solitude in the wilderness} Sn 1.3, Sn 1.12; unsmeared by water {sensuality} Sn 4.9. See also Flower, Water on a lotus.
- Lute, disassembled {not-self} SN 35.205
M
- Magic show {the body} Thig 14
- Magician {consciousness} SN 22.95
- Man: burning different kinds of wood {persistence and exertion} MN 90; carrying burning grass torch {sensuality} MN 54; pursuing a woman {unworthy teacher} DN 12; repaid by king {feeling} Miln II.3.9; returning home after long absence {kamma} Dhp 219; seeking heartwood {seeking the Buddha} MN 18, MN 138; seeking heartwood {appropriate attention} SN 22.95; seeking heartwood {not-self} SN 35.193; with borrowed goods {sensuality} MN 54;
- Man & woman in love {desire}“: MN 101
- Meat thrown into a fire {brevity of life} AN 7.70
- Merchant with caravan {avoiding evil} Dhp 123
- Middle of the sea {stillness of mind} Sn 4.14
- Milk: {evil deed} Dhp 71; from a cow {self-view} DN 9; from a cow’s horn {wrong view} MN 126. See also Cow.
- Mirage: {the body} Dhp 46, Thig 14; {perception} SN 22.95
- Mire, person stuck in the {ignorance} MN 8
- Mirror of the Dhamma {stream-entry} DN 16
- Money {uposatha observance} AN 10.46
- Monkey: caught in tar trap {mindfulness} SN 47.7; in forest {heedlessness} Dhp 334; swinging from branch to branch {untrained in Dhamma; inconstancy of mind} SN 12.61, Sn 4.4
- Moon: {arahant} Dhp 413; {good will} Iti 27 (a), (b); {heedfulness} AN 10.15; {jhana} Dhp 387; full {arahant} Thig 1.3; set free from a cloud {heedfulness, skillfulness} Dhp 172, Dhp 382, Iti 74; waning {unvirtuous person} DN 31, SN 5.10; waxing {virtuous person} DN 31;
- Morning star {good will} Iti 27
- Mother risking life for child {good will} Sn 1.8
- Mountain: of gold {sensuality} SN 4.20; of solid rock {arahant} Ud 3.4, Thag 14.1 of solid rock {imperturbability} AN 6.55; of solid rock {restraint} Dhp 7;
- Mountains crushing in from all directions {brevity of life} SN 3.25
- Mules, tamed {self-tamed person} Dhp 322
- Muñja grass {resolve and determination} Sn 3.2
- Mural painted on wall {the body} Thig 14
- Murderer with sword: {disenchantment} AN 6.103; {heedfulness} AN 7.46
- Mustard seed: {passion} Dhp 407; {sensuality} Dhp 401. (Note: the famous parable in which the Buddha instructs a grieving Kisa Gotami to fetch a mustard seed from the first household she can find that has never known death is found in the Commentaries to Thig 10.1 (ThigA X.1) and Dhp 114.)
N
- Noise from a soft catskin bag {speech} MN 21
O
- Ocean: an abode for mighty creatures {Dhamma-vinaya} Ud 5.5; crossing over the {arahant} Iti 69; slope of ~ floor {progress of Dhamma practice} Ud 5.5; greatness of {stream-entry} SN 13.8; intolerance to dead bodies {unvirtuous person} Ud 5.5; many treasures of {37 wings to awakening} Ud 5.5; middle of ~ is calm {stillness of mind} Sn 4.14; polluted by a pot of poison {abuse towards the Tathagata} Iti 89; salty taste of {release} Ud 5.5; stability of {restraint of the Vinaya} Ud 5.5; steady level of {nibbana} Ud 5.5. See also Flood.
- Oil from gravel {wrong view} MN 126
- Oil lamp: depends on wick and fuel {feeling} SN 36.7; flickering of {six senses} MN 146
- Ornament of gold {arahant} AN 4.28
- Ox: {suffering} Dhp 1; {person who doesn’t listen} Dhp 152; eating corn {sensuality} SN 35.205; joined by a single yoke {sense-bases and their objects} SN 35.191
P
- Painting of a woman or man: {not-self} SN 22.100; {nutriment} SN 12.64
- Palm leaf dropping away {aversion}: Iti 88
- Palm tree: with top cut off {awakening} MN 105; uprooted {awakening} MN 49, SN 22.3, SN 41.7, SN 44.1.
- Pastures {mindfulness} MN 33, AN 11.18
- Path, man showing the {Tathagata} SN 22.84
- Peacock {jhana} Sn 1.12
- Peg in drum {listening to Dhamma} SN 20.7
- Person looking down from a rocky crag {wise person} Iti 38
- Person reflecting on another {higher knowledges} AN 5.28
- Person riding a small wooden plank in the great ocean {laziness} Iti 78
- Pillar at a bathing ford {wise person} Sn 1.12
- Pit of embers: {intellectual intention} SN 12.63; {sensuality} MN 54, Thig 14
- Plow {discernment} Sn 1.4. See also Yokes.
- Poison {evil deeds} Dhp 123
- Poison, man drinking: {restraint} MN 105; {volition} Miln II.3.11
- Polished shell {life as a bhikkhu} DN 2, DN 11, DN 12, MN 36, MN 125, Ud 5.6
- Pond {integrity}: delightful, SN 3.19; haunted, SN 3.19
- Pool of water: clear or mudddy {mind} AN 1.45-46; in a mountain glen {arahant} DN 2, DN 11, DN 12, MN 39
- Poor person: {fetters} MN 66; {speech} AN 10.24
- Pot: flattened metal {nibbana} Dhp 134; of pickled greens {passion} Thig 1.1; smashed by stone {delusion} Sn 3.2
- Potter or potter’s apprentice {supranormal powers} DN 2, DN 11, DN 12
- Potter’s clay vessels {inevitability of death} Sn 3.8
- Princes of wattle-and-daub towns {heedfulness} AN 10.15
- Prison, man released from {hindrances} DN 2, DN 11, DN 12, MN 39
- Propagation of plants {aggregates} SN 22.54
Q
- Quail snared by a rotten creeper {attachments} MN 66
R
- Rabbit caught in snare {fetters} Dhp 342
- Raft {eightfold path}: MN 22, SN 35.197, Sn 1.2
- Rafters of house: {defilements} Dhp 153; {heedfulness} AN 10.15
- Rag, saving the good part of a {subduing hatred} AN 5.162
- Rain: {austerity} Sn 1.4; entering hut {passion} Dhp 13; from a cloud {generosity} Iti 75; from a thunderhead {discernnment} AN 4.102; sent by devas {brevity of life} AN 7.70; stilling a cloud of dust {silencing one’s thoughts} Iti 87, Thag 15.1
- Rams butting heads {contact} Miln II.3.8
- Reeds or rushes: destroyed by their own fruit {defilements} SN 3.23; drawn from their sheaths{supranormal powers} DN 2, DN 11, DN 12; matted {craving} AN 4.199.
- Reflection of one’s face in mirror {mind-reading} DN 2, DN 11 DN 12; {”I am” with possessiveness} SN 22.83
- Reservoir with four inlets and outlets {virtuous conduct} AN 8.54
- Rhinoceros horn {solitude in the wilderness} Sn 1.3
- Rich person {speech} AN 10.24
- Riddle tree {purity of vision} SN 35.204
- Ridge-pole of house {ignorance} Dhp 153
- River: {craving} Dhp 251, Iti 109; flow down to the sea {heedfulness} AN 10.15; carrying everything with it {brevity of life} AN 7.70; swift current {hunger} Sn 4.15, {hindrances} AN 5.51; gives up its name upon reaching the sea {going-forth} Ud 5.5; person swept away by a {not-self} SN 22.93. See also Flood.
- Road: {eightfold path} MN 33, AN 11.18; dangerous {evil deeds} Dhp 123
- Rock: broken in two {sphere of nothingness} MN 105; in wind {wise person} Dhp 81
- Roots, medicinal {craving} Dhp 337
- Rubbish pile with lotus {Buddha} Dhp 58
- Rust eating iron {evil deeds} Dhp 240
S
- Sack full of grains {the body} DN 22, MN 119
- Salt: in water {evil deed} AN 3.99; taste of ocean {Dhamma} Ud 5.5
- Sand castles {aggregates} SN 23.2
- Saw used by an attacking bandit {patient endurance} MN 21, MN 28
- Seed: {conviction} Sn 1.4; bitter {wrong view} AN 10.104; capable of sprouting {kamma} AN 3.33; mustard ~ {sensuality} Dhp 401; mustard ~ {passion} Dhp 407; rotting in a field: SN 5.10; sweet: AN 10.104. See also Mustard seed.
- Seedling not watered {change & alteration} SN 22.80.
- Seizure {anger} Dhp 251
- Servant murdering his master {not-self} SN 22.85
- Shack, flammable {mindfulness/awareness} SN 35.202. See also House.
- Shadow that never leaves {kamma} SN 3.4, SN 3.20, Dhp 1
- Sheaf of barley thrashed repeatedly {foolish person} SN 35.207
- Sheaves of reeds {dependent co-arising} SN 12.67
- Ship left ashore over winter {fetters} SN 22.101
- Shore: far {nibbana} SN 35.197; far {external sense media} SN 35.200; near {self-view} SN 35.197; near {internal sense media} SN 35.200. See also Stream.
- Shot with arrow {craving} Sn 2.10, Sn 4.1; {present kamma} MN 101
- Shuttle {wise person} Sn 1.12
- Silversmith {purifying the mind} Dhp 239, Sn 4.16
- Sick man, taking pity on a {hatred} AN 5.162
- Slavery, man freed from {hindrances} DN 2, DN 11 DN 12, MN 39
- Snake: giving one’s hand to a poisonous ~ {sense-restraint} MN 105; pulled from its slough {mind-made body} DN 2, DN 11; shedding its skin {defilements} Sn 1.1; water-snake bites man {wrong grasp of Dhamma} MN 22
- Snapping one’s fingers {equanimity} MN 152
- Snare {delusion} Dhp 251
- Sound of drums {clairaudience} DN 2, DN 11, DN 12
- Soup tasted by ladle {wise person and fool} Dhp 64
- Space gathered under the term “house” {form} MN 28
- Spear {good-will} SN 20.5
- Spider snared in its own web {passion} Dhp 347
- Spitting {equanimity} MN 152
- Spring-fed lake: See Lake.
- Staircase build at a crossroads {wrong view} DN 9
- Stallion. See Horse.
- Stick thrown up into the air {rebirth} SN 15.9
- Stone ball thrown into wet clay {mindfulness} MN 119
- Storekeeper {perception} Miln II.3.10
- Storm cloud {evil} Thag 14.1
- Stream: sinking in the middle of {passion} SN 35.200; snared by a whirlpool {sensuality} SN 35.200; washed up on high ground of {conceit} SN 35.200; See also Shore.
- String, ball of {craving} AN 4.199; thrown against a door {mindfulness} MN 119; unwinding to its end {end of suffering} DN 2.
- Strong man: nourished on royal food {foolish person} Sn 4.8; extending his arm {appearance/disappearance of devas} DN 20, SN 6.1, SN 6.2; extending his arm {equanimity} MN 152;
- Suckling calf going to its mother {desire} Dhp 284, Ud 7.4. See also Cow.
- Sun: dispelling the dark {absence of delusion} Iti 88; filling the sky {heedfulness} AN 10.15; filling the sky {awakening} Ud 1.3; speed of {death} SN 20.6
- Sunlight: {merit} Iti 27; {virtue/concentration/discernment} Iti 59; not landing on ground {consciousness} SN 12.64
- Surgeon: see Doctor
- Swans: flying {enlightened ones} Dhp 175; taking off from a lake {mindful ones} Dhp 91.
- Swift pair of messengers {samatha-vipassana} SN 35.204
- Sword drawn from its scabbard {mind-made body} DN 2, DN 11, DN 12
T
- Tall building in central square {passing away and re-appearance of beings} DN 2, DN 11, DN 12, MN 39
- Tangle: SN 7.6
- Tangled skein {craving} AN 4.199
- Tank filled with water {supranormal powers} AN 5.28
- Tendon in fire {perception of the unattractive} AN 7.46
- Thief shot with spears {consciousness} SN 12.63
- Thoroughbred. See Horse.
- Thundercloud: {conviction} SN 3.24; {discernment} AN 4.102
- Tortoise evading a jackal {sense-restraint} SN 35.199
- Track of ox {kamma} Dhp 1
- Trades. See Crafts and Trades.
- Trader watching over a fine steed {self-training} Dhp 380
- Trail in space {arahant} Dhp 254
- Travel: from village to village {recollection of past lives} DN 2, DN 11, DN 12, MN 39; in desolate country {hindrances} DN 2, DN 11, DN 12, MN 39
- Treasure, doorways leading to {doors to the Deathless} MN 52, AN 11.17
- Tree: changing {inconstancy} MN 146; gold {the body} Thig 14; growing back after having been cut {craving} Dhp 338; growing on mountain {craving} AN 3.48; haven for birds {conviction} AN 5.38; killed by vine {vice} Dhp 162, {three unskillful roots} AN 3.69; leaning to the east {virtue} SN 55.22; overcome by wind {restraint} Dhp 7; pliant {the mind} AN 1.47; shedding its leaves {solitude in the wilderness} Sn 1.3 (a, b); with delicious fruit {sensuality} MN 54; with roots cut {aggregates} Thig 5.8
- Tuning a stringed instrument {right effort} AN 6.55
- Turban or head on fire, person with {aroused persistence} AN 6.20 (a, b), AN 10.51, Thag 1.39
- Turban tightening around one’s head {pain} MN 36
- Turner or turner’s apprentice {mindfulness} DN 22
- Turtle lanced by harpoon {the perils of fame} SN 17.3
- Tusker: see Elephant.
U
- Uprighting what had been overturned {stock exclamation of appreciation of the Dhamma} DN 2, DN 12, DN 16, DN 31, MN 4, MN 41, MN 57, MN 58, MN 72, MN 75, MN 107, MN 135, SN 3.1, SN 7.2, SN 7.6, SN 7.14, SN 7.17, SN 12.48, SN 35.127, SN 42.2, SN 42.3, SN 42.6, SN 42.8, SN 42.9, SN 51.15, AN 3.65, AN 3.72, AN 4.111, AN 4.184, AN 10.176, AN 10.177, Ud 5.3
V
W
- Warrior: {celibacy} AN 5.75, AN 5.76; {Buddha} Dhp 387; untrained {hindrances} SN 3.24, {worthy monk} AN 4.181
- Waste-water pool {ignorance} AN 4.178
- Water: container filled to brim {mindfulness} MN 119 (a, b); drawn from a pond {stream-entry} SN 13.2; drops in a hot pan {mindfulness} MN 66, {equanimity} MN 152; filling a jar {evil} Dhp 121; person sinking in {factors of awakening} AN 7.15; ripples {preoccupations} Sn 4.15; rolling off a lotus leaf {equanimity} MN 152, {dukkha} Sn 4.6, Dhp 336, {sensuality} Dhp 401, {greed} Iti 88;
- Weigher holding a scale {virtuous conduct} AN 8.54
- Well in desert {nibbana} SN 12.68
- Wet piece of wood {mindfulness} MN 119
- Wheels: four {prosperity} AN 4.31; of cart {kamma} Dhp 1
- Wild deer: {arahant} Ud 2.10, {sensuality} MN 26
- Wind: blowing across the sky {feeling} SN 36.12; blowing cotton fluff {dukkha} Sn 3.8; blowing leaves from a tree {awakening} Thag 17.2; coming out of bellows {exertion} MN 36; overcoming a tree {restraint} Dhp 7; unsnared by a net {solitude in the wilderness} Sn 1.3, {wise person} Sn 1.12
- Winnowing {faults of others} Dhp 252
- Woman meeting her father-in-law {urgency} MN 28
- Wood scrap {the body} Dhp 41
- Wounded man wandering in jungle {restraint} SN 35.206
- Wounds, dressing {restraint} MN 33, AN 11.18
XYZ