The Path of purification By Samatha-Bhavana
1. Samatha-Bhavana (concentration meditation.)
There are 40 meditation subjects.(Or sevenfold meditation subjects)
( Out of 40 meditation objects for samatha bhavana, One can choose any meditation subjects according to oneโs appropriate caritas - behavior )
1) 10 Kasinas
2) 10 kinds of foulness (Asubha)
3) 10 recollections (Anussati)
4) 4 Divine Abodes ( Brahma vihara)
5) One perception of loathsomeness in food (Ahare patikula sanna)
6) One analysis of the four elements (dhatu vavatthana)
7-10) 4 immaterial states ( Aruppa)
Ten Kasina are as follows -
1 - Earth kasina (pat hta vi- kasina)
2 - Water kasina (Apo- kasina)
3 - Fire kasina ( Tejo- kasina)
4 - Air kasina (Vayo- kasina)
5 - Blue kasina (Nila- kasina)
6 - Yellow kasina (Pita- kasina)
7 - Red kasina (Lohita- kasina)
8 - White kasina (Odata- kasina)
9 - Space kasina (Akasa- kasina) or limited space kasina
10 - Light kasina (Aloka-kasina)
The Ten kinds of Foulness(Asubha)
The Ten kinds of Foulness are corpse in different stages of decay.
According to Visuddhimagga, each of these meditation subjects is best suited for meditators who are attached in particular ways to their own or others bodies.
They are especially recommended for removing sensual desire.
1 - The bloated (unpleasantly swollen) corpse ( Uddhu mataka )
2 - The livid (blue-grey) corpse (Vinilaka)
3 - The festering (forming pus) corpse (Vipubbaka)
4 - The dismembered (cut up or torn apart) corpse (Vicchiddaka)
5 - The eaten corpse (Vikkhayitaka)
6 - The scattered- in- pieces corpse (Vikkhittaka)
7 - The hacked (cut up in uneven pieces) and scattered or a mutilated and scattered -in-pieces corpse (Hatavikkhittaka)
8 - The bleeding or bloody corpse (Lohitaka)
9 - The worm-infested corpse (puluvaka, pulavaka)
10 -The skeleton (Atthika)
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The Ten kinds of Recollections (Anussati)
1 - the recollection of the Buddha (Buddha nussati)
2 - the recollection of the Dhamma ( Dhamma nussati)
3 - the recollection of the Sangha (Sangha nussati)
4 - the recollection of morality (sila nussati)
5 - the recollection of generosity (Caga nussati)
6 - the recollection of the Devas or deitites (Devata nussati)
7 - the recollection of peace (Upasama nussati)
8 - the recollection of death (Marana nussati)
9 - the mindfulness of the body ( kaya gata nussati)
10 - the mindfulness of breathing (Anapanasati)
1- the recollection of the Buddha (Buddha nussati)
It means mindfulness with the Buddhaโs special qualities or virtues of the Buddha as the meditation subject.
THE VIRTUES OF THE BUDDHA
In pali,
Itipi so bhagava ——– The Buddha , indeed, is the Blessed one
1) Araham
2) Samma sam buddho
3) Vijja carana sampanno
4) Sugato
5) Lokavidu
6) Anuttaro purisa damma sarathi
7) Sattha de va manussanam
8) Buddho
9) Bhagava
1) Araham (Accomplished)
According to Visuddhimagga-Atthakatha, Araham has five definitions.
1. Araham - The Buddha possesses extraordinary moral conduct, concentration, wisdom, emancipation from all mental defilements and the knowledge about how to be freed from all mental defilements.
2. Araham - Having cleansed Himself of 1500 kilesa ( mental defilements) including inate habits and inclinations.
3. Araham - Having eliminated all internal enemies that are mental defilements rooted in lobha (greed), dosa (hatred) and moha (ignorance).
4. Araham - Already liberated from samsara ( the round of rebirth).
5. Araham - Having sought no place to hide, as always pure both in front of others and behind othersโ back.
The Buddha is uprooted or completely free from all mental defilements such as conceit, envy, deception, meanness, hypocrisy etc.
He is the venerable Buddha deserving of special worship by people, celestial beings and all living beings.
2) Samma sam buddho (perfectly self enlightened)
The Buddha knows the Four Noble Truths correctly without a teacher but by his own mental strength and investigation. Because of his unlimited wisdom and knowledge, the Buddha is worthy of honor.
3) Vijja-carana sampanno
(endowed with wisdom and excellent conduct)
The Buddha endowed with 3 special knowledges called โ vijjaโ.
8 kinds of special knowledge and the 15 kinds of conduct or essential practices called โcaranaโ
What are 3 kinds special knowledge?— (Tisso vijja)
1) The knowledge capable of recollecting past lives or former existences. ( pubbe ni vasa nussati nyanam. vijja )
2) The knowledge capable of seeing the decease (death) and rebirth of beings. (sattanam cutupapate nyanam. vijja )
3) The knowledge capable of eradicating defilements.
(Asavanam khaye nyanam. vijja)
What are 8 kinds of knowledge?—- (Attha Vijja)
1) Knowledge of attaining insight (Vippassana nana)
(The Buddha knows โmy body is material , made from four great elements, and this is my consciousness which is bound to it and dependent on it โ.
2) Knowledge of supernormal power of the mind - made body. (Manomayiddhi nana)
3) Having various supernormal powers. (Iddhividha nana)
He becomes one, becomes many, appears and disappear, He passes through fences, walls, mountains unhindered as if through air; He sinks into the ground and emerges from it as if it were water, He walks on the water without breaking the surface as if on land. He flies cross-legged through the air like a bird with wings. He travels in the body as far as the Brahma world.
4) Having the divine ear (Dibbasota nana)
He can hear sounds both divine and human whether far or near.
5) Knowledge of othersโ mind.( Cetopariya nana)
Understanding the ways of othersโ thought.
6) Knowledge of previous existences (Pubbenivasa nussati nana) (The rememberance of oneโs former state of existence)
7) Having the divine eyes or knowledge of the passing โaway and arising of beings.(Dibbacakkhu nana)
He sees beings passing-away and arising; inferior and superior; well-favoured and ill-favoured, to happy and unhappy destinations as kamma directs them.
8) Knowledge of eradicating defilements. (Asavakkhaya nana)
What are the 15 kinds of good conduct or Carana? namely :
1 - morality, restraint by virtue ( Sila samvara )
2 - restraint on 6 senses ( looking, listening, scents and flagrances, tasting, bodily contact and thinking), (Indriyesu guttadvarata )
3 - moderation in eating, (Bhojane mattannuta)
4 - vigilance,Devotion to wakefulness (Jagariyanuyoga)
(5-11) satta Saddhamma = the seven good states
5 - (Saddha) = faith, confidence
6 - ( Hiri ) = moral shame (shame of wrong - doing)
7 - (Ottappa) = moral dread (fear of wrong - doing)
8 - (Bahussuta) = great learning,
9 - (Araddhaviriya) = Energy, industriousness
10 - (Upatthitassati) = mindfulness, concentration
11 - (Panna) = wisdom, and
12-15 - four jhana of the non-material sphere.(Cattari Rupavacarajhanani)
For the four aeons and one hundred thousand world cycles, throughout innumerable lives the Buddha sought for the well-being of mankind and he practice the 10 parami or ten noble wholesome deeds, namely
(1) charity,
(2) morality,
(3) renunciation,
(4) wisdom,
(5) industriousness,
(6) tolerance,
(7) truthfulness,
(8) resolve,
(9) loving-kindness and
(10) equanimity and the five great sacrifices (giving up his wealth, limbs, eyes and life for the well-being of other people) which lead to Omniscience. So the Buddha is worthy of honor.
4) Sugato (talking useful and truthful words)
The Buddhaโs speech is only true, correct, beneficial and welcome and agreeable to others.
Some occasions the Buddha use the speech which is true, correct, beneficial but unwelcome and disaggreable to others.
He is the Vernerable Buddha.
5) Lokavidu (knower of worlds)
The Buddha has known the world in all ways.
He has knowledge of all existences. He can perceive the nature of all beings, planes and phenomena. He knows all the past, present and future lives of beings as well as their temperament.
There are 3 kinds of worlds.
1- The world of formations (sankhara- loka)
2- The world of beings (satta-loka)
3- The world of location (Okasa-loka)
6) Anuttaro purisa damma sarathi
(peerless tamer or the incomparable leader of men to be tamed)
The Buddha is the incomparable leader or master of men to be tamed.
The Buddha could not train or help everyone with his teaching. It depends on the spiritual maturity of the individual. Noblest and unrivaled in being able to admonish, guide and reform those in need.
7) Sattha de va manussanam
(teacher of celestial and human beings)
He is the genuine, noble teacher of people and celestial beings.
The Buddha teaches how to live, how to practice meditation in order to be released from the cycle of suffering. He knows how to guide one toward the wholesome path to peace. He is able to solve the problems which could not be solved by anyone else. Then he enlightens others. He often stresses the loathsome aspects of life. He not only teaches detachment from the world but also gives many instructions on how to live happily and purely, how to relate to others, how not to judge a person, how to make an honest livelihood etc. On the other hand, deities and human beings merely come to Him for counsel or advice and teaching, thus He is their teacher.
8) Buddho
(knowing of four noble truths and Enlightened one)
The Budda, Omniscience, has discovered the Four Noble Truths by himself and awakened others.
There are 3 kinds of understanding:
a) based on thinking
b) based on learning from others
c) based on mental development which has reached the stage of full concentration. It is by the last of these that the Buddha knows the Four Noble Truths. There is no knowledge beyond the Noble Truths because all phenomena fall within their scope.
The Four Noble Truths
1) The truth of Suffering
2) The truth of the Cause of suffering
3) The truth of the Cessation of suffering
4) The Eightfold noble path leading to the cessation of suffering.
The Buddha said โall things have their causesโ and he has shown the cause and the way leading to its cessation.
9) Bhagava
( Blessed with six special qualities)
Those special qualities are
1 - (Issariya) = Control over his mind, Lordship
2 - (Dhamma) = Nine supra-mundane attributes.
(attainment of the four path and the four fruits and to Nibbana)
3 - (yasa) = Good disciples, fame
4 - (siri) = Glory
5 - (kama) = The wish to further the welfare of all beings
6 - (payatta) = Untiring energy, endeavor
So He is called the Blessed One.
The Benefits of Recollecting the Special Qualities of the Buddha
By recollecting the Virtues of the Buddha, the mind will not be invaded by evil roots such as greed, hatred, and delusion. When one continually practices applied and sustained thoughts upon the Buddhaโs special qualities , happiness arises in him or bodily bliss and mental bliss arise in him. When he is blissful, his mind becomes concentrated on the Buddhaโs special qualities as its object, thus Jhana factors eventually arise in a single moment.
In addition, One attains an abundance of faith, of mindfulness, of understanding, and of merit. One will have much happiness, overcomes fear and dread, able to bear pain and will come to feel as if he were living in the Buddhaโs presence.
2 - the recollection of the Dhamma
Dhammanussati means the recollection of the virtues of the Dhamma.
Dhamma is the Buddhaโs teaching which is endowed with six attributes.
THE VIRTUES OF DHAMMA
In Pali
1) Svakkhato Bhagavata Dhammo
2) Sanditthiko
3) Akaliko
4) Ehipassiko
5) Opaney yi ko
6) Paccattam Veditabbo Vinnuhi
1- Svakkhato Bhagavata Dhammo
(Well proclaimed by the Blessed one)
The Dhamma which is well proclaimed by the Blessed One, consists of the Scriptural Dhamma (Pariyatti Dhamma) and the Ninefold Supramundane Dhamma.(Nava Lokkuttara Dhamma) It is good in the beginning, in the middle and in the end because it declares the life of purity that is absolutely perfect and pure with the meaning and with detail.
The Scriptural Dhamma is also known as (Tipitaka) three baskets.
1 - The Basket of Discipline (Vinaya-pitaka)
2-The Basket of Discourses (Suttanta-pitaka)
3-The Basket of higher doctrine (Abdhidhamma-pitaka)
The Ninefold Supramundane Dhamma is
1 - the Fourfold Noble Path = Supramundane wholesome Dhamma (The Path of stream-entry, once returning, non returning and Arahantship).
2 -The Fourfold Fruition = Supramundane resultant Dhamma (Fruition of stream-entry, once returning, non returning and Arahantship)
3 - and Nibbana ( the end of all suffering, mind and matter are absolutely extinguished)
The practice of Dhamma should follow the middle way leading to Nibbana without approaching the two extremes, (1) addiction to sensual pleasures and (2) self- modification.
From the time of his supreme Enlightenment until passing away (attaining Parinibbana), a period of 45 years, the Buddha preached many discourses.
They were enumerated in the following order.
1 - (Dana-katha) The subject of Charity
2 - (Sila-katha) The subject of Morality
3 - (Sagga-katha) The subject of heavenly beings
4 - (Magga-katha) The subject of different levels of insight knowledge which exposes the disadvantages of sensual pleasures and advantages of freedom from all kinds of mental defilements.
None of his teaching is concerned with animosity, revenge, selfishness, racism or religious prejudice. No one can find any fault with his teaching. No reason to reject his teachings.
Because of the Dhamma is proclaimed well and completely, whenever anyone hears any part of his teaching,
- one does not long for the talk of others .
- one becomes elated , serene of mind and happy .
- one’s grief, lamentation, suffering, sorrow and despair vanish and
- one’s woe and fatigue are wholly allayed.
2) Sanditthiko
(Dhamma realised by Oneself)
The Dhamma gives many advantages not only after death, but also in this very life.
The Buddha emphasized the danger of unwholesome deeds and the merit of wholesome deeds.
All his teachings can be condensed into the fact that there is only cause and effect.
The Dhamma which is realised by oneself is the Noble Path. It can be seen by the Noble person who has done away with greed, hate, delusion in his own continuity.Furthermore, the Dhamma, which is realised by oneself, is also the Ninefold Supramundane through his reviewing knowledge without relying on faith in another.
3) Akaliko (Immediate Result)
(The Dhamma which is followed by its fruition without delay)
The Dhamma which gives immediate result, is the Supramundane Path because it is immediately followed by its own fruition or the Supramundane Fruition.
There are 5 hinderances: (1) sensual desire (2) ill-will (3) sloth and stupor (4) remose and worry and (5) doubt.They obstruct the heart and weaken insight knowledge.
To free from these hinderances, there is no simple way other than by meditation.
The more our insight meditaion matures, the more we will understand the teachings of the Buddha. After its own arising or reaching the supramundane path, one does not need to wait to get the fruition. Fruition will result immediately.
4) Ehipassiko (Come and See)
The Dhamma which is worthy of the invitation to ” come and see”, is Supramundane Path, Fruition and Nibbana.
The Buddha never encouraged blind faith and speculation. He always encouraged people to make inquiry into all teachings and sayings as do not believe anything without sound reasons. But when you yourself know things are good, praised by the wise ; things lead to benefit and happiness, you should undertake and observe them.
Invoking , praying , hoping and praising will not help,
but come and practice and you will see the Supramundane Path, Fruition and Nibbana as pure as the full moon’s disk in a cloudless sky.
5) Opaney yi ko
(Leading onto Nibbana)
All of the Buddha’s teachings lead towards Nibbana.
What is Nibbana?
People wrongly think as Nibbana is a place or a plane of existence. It cannot be seen by the eyes but it can be known by the mind only through the knowledge of the noble path (Magga Nyana). The way to attain that knowledge is only by following the Eightfold Noble Path diligently and intelligently.
Once a person has realized Nibbana he will never again land in the four lower worlds. If he attains at least the first stage of the path (Sotapatti magga), he will, from then on, be born at most seven times in the human world or in higher Deva and Brahma realms.
6) Paccattam Veditabbo Vinnuhi
(Dhamma which is realised by the wise each for oneself.)
The ninefold Supramundane state can be only experienced by the noble one.
One practices the Eightfold Noble path diligently and intelligently, one will attain Supramundane path and Nibbana by one’s own effort. No one can pass on or share the Supramundane results to another.
Even the Buddha can only explain the way to attain it.
It is up to each individual to follow that way to be a noble one.
It is more important to practice the Dhamma than to worship the Buddha. The wiser a person tries to practice the Dhamma, the more he will get happiness.
The Buddha said to a Bhikkhu (Monk)
“It will be of no use to you merely to look at my face. You must practice insight meditation; for indeed only the one who sees the Dhamma, sees me, one who does not see the Dhamma, does not see me; So you should leave my presence.
To comprehend the Dhamma, a person should practice meditation.
The Benefit of the Recollection of the special Qualities of the Dhamma.
As much as someone recollects the virtues of the Dhamma,
- the mind is not invaded by lust, hate and delusion.
- all hinderances are suppressed.
- the Jhana is attained up to access (Upacara) without reaching absorption(Appana)
Upacara = the condition of concentration just before entering any of the absorption.
Appana = the condition of concentration existing during absorption.
- one is more respectful and deferential towards the Buddha who teaches the Dhamma.
- one attains fullness of faith and has much happiness and gladness, he overcomes fear and dread, he is able to bear pain and comes to feel as if he were living in the Dhamma’s presence.
- His mind has a tendency towards the realization of imcomparable Dhamma and he has a strong awareness of conscience and shame on doing unwholesome deeds.
If he comprehends no higher, he will be at least born in a happy state.
Dharma is something to be practiced , studied or memorized.
The Dharma will benefit us only when we seriously practice it.
3. Recollection of the Sangha
Sanghanussati means the recollection of the virtues of the Sangha. Sangha is the Buddhaโs disciple which is endowed with nine attributes.The word sanga literally means โcongregationโ or โcommunityโ. It is generally used for the order of monks. However, the sangha, has a different meaning in connection with the third Gem we take our refuge in, is the โariyan Sanghaโ.
Ariya sangha or noble person is the name which denotes all those who have attained one of the four stages of enlightenment, no matter whether they are monks, nuns, unmarried lay followers or married lay followers.
How can we find out an ariyan ?
There is no way to know who is an ariyan, unless we have become enlightened ourselves. It cannot be known from someoneโs outward appearance whether he is a noble person or not, but can judge from his words with good knowledge and by listening carefully/.
We can take our refuge in the ariyan sangha even if we do not personally know any ariyans. We can recollect the virtues of the ariyans, no matter whether they are in this plane of existence or in other planes.
We can take our refuge in the Sangha also we pay respect to the monks, no matter whether they are ariyans or not , because the goal of monkhood is to apply what the Buddha taught in order to realize the truth and to try to help other people as well to realize the truth.
Study Dhamma
The noble disciples โ they are the treasurers and the protectors of the Dharma, they study it, practice it and teach it to others. This is how the tradition continues. So the Sangha plays a primary role in the preservation and spread of the Dhamma. Due to the effort and sacrifice of the Sangha, we still have a relatively easy access to the Buddhaโs teaching today over 2500 years after the Great Demise.
Duties of Sangha are to practice the Dhamma well and propagate the teaching of the Buddha.
Monks are doing their duty in community like
- Tell people not to do any evil
- Encourage them to do good
- Treat people with loving-kindness
- Teach the Dhamma
One should not do any wrong to monks ( ariyan or ordinary monks who are old or young) even if one cannot pay respect to them.
refuge to young monks refuge to old monk
The followers should minister to good religious teacher as to the zenith by kindly deeds, by kindly words, by kindly thoughts, by keeping doors open for them, and by offering their needs.
THE VIRTUES OF SANGHA
1) Suppatipanno bhagavato savakasangho (practice well)
2) Ujupathipanno bhagavato savakasangho (practice correctly)
3) Nyayapatipanno bhagavato savakasangho (practice wisely)
4) Samicipatipanno bhagavato savakasangho (practice respectably)
Yadidam cattari purisa yugani attha purisapuggala Esa bhagavato savakasangho
5) Ahuneyyo (worthy of offerings)
6) Pahuneyyo (worthy of Hospitality)
7) Dakkhineyyo (worthy of Gift)
8) Anjalikaraniyo (Worthy of Reverence)
9) Anuttaram punnakkhettam lokassa (the finest field of merit in the world)
1) Suppatipanno (practice well)
The Good (right) way the Sangha has practiced.
The task of the sangha is to put the teaching of the Buddha into practice and to preach to others.
2) Ujuppathipanno (practiced correctly)
Following the Middle path without deceit and avoiding two extremes,a monk practices correctly the way leading to higher knowledge.
(Two extremes are the constant attachment to Sensual Pleasures and the constant addiction to Self-Mortification),
Most people always pursue sensual pleasures assuming that the best way to get happiness but it is only short-lived. As soon as a person obtains the object he desires, he wants something else. He is like a thirsty person who has drunk salty water. In the effort to get pleasures, he has to suffer many hardships and disappointments. So, realizing this danger, monks do not pursue sensual pleasures.
The Buddha gave the following guidelines on how to size up a person by his words.
An ignoble person possesses the following 4 traits.
A noble person possesses the opposite of four traits.
Back biting and gossiping people are not noble persons.
1) A man says what is discreditable about others even when he is not asked. If he gets a chance to speak, he utters faults of another in full and in detail without reserve.
2) He does not say otherโs credit even when asked and let alone if unasked. When he has to speak he utters praise grudgingly and in brief.
Persons who are praising themselves are not noble persons.
3) He does not admit what is discreditable about himself even when asked let alone if unasked. When he has to speak, he admits his faults grudgingly with reservations and equivocation.
4) He says what is creditable about himself even when not asked. When he gets a chance to speak, he sings his own praises to the full and without reserve.
So ignoble persons do not respect the Dhamma and are greedy to possess great wealth and influence.
A noble person always see his defect and admits his mistake and resolves not to do it again. So this honesty and straight-forwardness is an attribute of the Ariya sangha.
An ordinary monk might pretend to be a noble person because of his desire for fame and wealth but,
scrupulous monk will never do that because he knows that people often get into trouble through such deceit.
The Buddha admonished the monks โA monk should be calm and well restrained in thought, word and deedโ.
So sangha are worthy of reverence.
3) Nyayapatipanno (practiced wisely)
Monks are practicing for the realization of inner peace and are able to freely practice the Eightfold path which leads to Nibbana.
Lay peopleโs life is very busy, not able to practice the Eightfold path so freely as a monk. Usually lay people have no wish to gain mundane welfare but wish to gain their wealth in this life. The defilements which have been accumulated are very deeply rooted but can be eliminated gradually by concentration meditation and insight meditation.
The reasons sangha have joined the Buddhaโs Order of Monks are
- to be free from all mental defilements
- try to do meritorious deeds and
- not to enjoy sensual pleasures which are the cause of grief, sorrow, lamentation and despair.
- having realized the 4 universal truth as follows
i. All beings are impermanent, they all subject to decay and death.
ii. They have no refuge and no protection. They alone have to suffer.
iii. All beings are not the owners of their own wealth. One has to pass away with empty hands.
iv. All beings are unsatisfied with wealth and sensual pleasure.
So monks practice wisely as what we call my โbodyโ are only physical phenomena, rupas, which arise and fall away and which we cannot control.
The same is said about mental phenomena. What we call โmy mindโ are only mental phenomena, namas, which arise and fall away and which are beyond control. There is no self who can direct them.
Practicing as everything is impermanent, suffering and not self.
Then ,wisdom and stages of insight are attained during the development of vipassana and attain stages of enlightenments.
4) Samicippatipanno (practiced respectably)
The Buddha taught that it is proper to pay respect to elders and to those of superior morality such as monks and nuns.
Monks dedicate their whole life to the practice of the Buddhaโs teachings to get rid of mental defilement. One can root out the mental defilement by knowing correctly the real nature of mind and matter. Monks have to practice morality, tranquility and insight meditation to know correctly about the real nature of mind and matter, so the monks are worthy of respect even if he is not an Ariya.
The Buddha constantly reminds his disciples and prescribed the monkโs ascetic appearance like following -
ยท - with simple yellow robes which are made from rags from the rubbish heap and colored with bark dye (nowadays, factory-made robes are used but the appearance has not changed much).
ยท - a shaven head not to cherish their hair and to keep away from an attractive style and (A monk is not allowed to keep hair more than two finger-widths long)
ยท - monk is not allowed to follow the changing fashion.
ยท - to make the monks humble and not to become conceited
ยท - to depend entirely on others and the support of lay people with no other source of income.
- to accept whatever is offered and cannot ask (unless invited or ill ) for what they need, except from their relatives.
ยท - to have good morality, tranquility and wisdom to provide maximum benefit for devotees from their offerings.
ยท - to teach lay people by giving opportunity for refuge to triple gem and to realize the Four Noble truth.
So the monk is deserving reverence and offerings.
When wisdom has been developed to the degree that conditioned realities are clearly understood as they are, as impermanent, dukkha(suffering) and anatta(non-self), there can be enlightenment.
cattari purisa yugani = Four Pairs of Persons (Ariya Noble sangha)
Four Pairs of Persons are as follows
1. Stream Entry — the first pair of the one who stands on the first path (satapatti-megga) and the one who stands in the first fruition (sotapatti-phala).
2. Once-Returner — the second pair of the one who stands on the second path (sakadagami-megga) and the one who stands in the second fruition.(sakadagami-phala)
3. Non-Returner —the third pair of the one who stands on the third path (anagami-megga) and the one who stands in the third fruition (anagami-phala).
4. Arahant —- the fourth pair of the one who stands on the fourth path (arahatta-megga) and the one who stands in the fourth fruition (arahatta-phala).
attha purisapuggala = The eight kinds of individuals
The eight kinds of individuals are the four persons who stand on the four paths and the four persons who stand in the four fruitions.
5) Ahuneyyo (worthy of offerings)
Worthy of gifts the Sangha has ( the four requisites ) which are brought even from far away because it makes this offering bear great benefit.
Four requistes are - the robes, alms food, medicine, and lodging.
The reputation of virtuous (the morality, tranquility and wisdom ) of noble monks can spread far and wide and can even reach the Brahma and Heavenly beings world, they come to offer alms-food to noble monks. If a person offers alms to a noble monk who has just arisen from absorption in Nibbana, he can get whatever he wishes for immediately.
The Buddha enumerated 14 grades of offerings
An offering to
1 - the Buddha
2 - a Pacceka-buddha who is enlightened but cannot preach to others.
3 - an Arahant
4 - one striving for Arahantship
5 - a non-returner
6 - one striving for non-returning
7 - once-returner
8 - one striving for once-returning
9 - a stream-winner
10 - one striving for stream-winning
11 - One outside the Buddha’s teaching who is detached from sensual pleasures.
12 - an ordinary person of moral habit.
13 - a person of poor moral habit.
14 - an animal.
The Buddha told as the offering to individuals is still less than the fruit of offering to the sangha, however, dedicating the offering to the Sangha Order, the result will be more and too great to measure.
To have greater benefit, the oneโs offering should dedicate to Sangha, the order, rather than a gift to individuals.
6) Pahuneyyo (worthy of Hospitality)
Worthy of hospitality the Sangha has.
Noble monks can be seen only when people live during the Buddhaโs Sasana. Whenever noble monks meet people, they promote their merit and guide them how to conduct themselves well, how to gain release from suffering, how to choose good friends, how to associate with each other etc.
People tend to keep good things for visitors and friends who visit them occasionally. These visitors may give some pleasure and aid to them in worldly affairs. However, offerings something to a monk or a noble monk will accumulate a great deal of merit. So monks are worthy of Hospitality more than that of visitors.
7) Dakkhineyyo (worthy of Gifts)
Worthy of offerings the Sangha has.
The Buddha assured that the offerings based on loving โkindness, compassion, respect or belief in kamma and rebirth will give much fruit in this very life and in the future life.
There are 4 different kinds of offerings.
1. there is the offering purified by the donor but not by the recipient.
( donor has morality and good character but recipient has poor morality and evil character) This offering does not give great results.
2. There is the offering purified by the recipient but not by the donor.
(The recipient has moral habit and good character but donor has poor morality and evil character). This offering does not give great results too.
3. There is the offering purified by neither the donor nor the recipient.(This offering is of least benefit.)
4. There is the offering purified by both the donor and the recipient. (This offering produces the most benefit of all.)
The Buddha said that proper and pure offerings can produce benefit.
To get immediate benefit, the offering must be endowed with 4 conditions.
- The perfection of the person receiving the alms: i.e He must be an Arahant or Anagami)
- The perfection of Generosity: the donor must feel happy for his offering before, during and after giving it.
- The perfection of the alms given: i.e They must be obtained by lawful means.
- The perfection of the dignity of the offering.
8) Anjalikaraniyo( Worthy of Reverence)
Worthy of reverential salutation the Sangha has.
If a ordinary monk is endowed with five factors:
ยท Believes in the enlightenment of the Buddha.
ยท Has good health and digestion.
ยท Is not deceitful.
ยท Sustains vigorous effort to root out the mental defilement.
ยท Is endowed with insight into the impermanence of things.
He will soon attain Arahantship. So the ordinary monk is also worthy of reverence.
Monks have to practice a lot of rules to be worthy of the peopleโs reverence. If a monk fails to follow the monastic discipline, his life becomes a burden of guilt. Therefore the Buddha constantly admonished his disciples to conduct themselves so that they would be worthy of respect.
The Buddha explained as to lie down beside of great mass of fire would be better for a monk than to lie down beside a beautiful lady because fire might cause the monk harm or even death but he would not, because of that, go down to hell. If the monk were to lie down beside a beautiful lady, his morality would easily break and his immorality would cause his birth in hell after death.
The Buddha encourages as monks must develop their morality, tranquility and wisdom while using the donorsโ four requisites ( the robes, alms food, medicine and lodging), those offerings should become very fruitful, very profitable for the donors .In this way, all Buddhaโs disciples should strive earnestly for the good of both self and others and practice the monastic rules. So they are worthy of reverence.
9) Anuttaram punnakkhettam lokassa
(the finest field of Merit in the world)
The unsurpassed field of merit for the world. Or It is the place for growing the whole worldโs merit.
Giving offerings is like farming. To get a bountiful crop, there are several necessary factors ( good mature seeds, sufficient water, fertile soil, a knowledgeable farmer, protection from pests etc.) In the same way, for an offering to be beneficial a donor must have faith, generosity, wisdom, joy and must offer his donation to a virtuous recipient.
There are more benefit of offering to monks, nuns and yogi who are striving for the fruit of stream-winning or higher attainments than the benefit of offering to animals and those with low morality.
When someone offers something to a noble monk, he will accumulate a great deal of merit.
Now we have a very precious opportunity to offer alms to virtuous monks, to observe the precepts and to practice insight meditaion because of holy monks who are maintaining the teachings of the Buddha and trying to propagate the Dhamma to lay people.
what is the benefit of recollecting the special qualities of the Sangha?
By recollecting virtues of Sangha, one’s mind is invaded neither by lust, nor by hate, nor by delusion.One could attain faithfulness and have much happiness and gladness. He overcomes fear and dread. He is able to bear pain and comes to feel as if he were living in Sangha’s presence. He might have a strong awareness of conscience and on recollecting the well-regulatedness of the Sangha. By recollecting virtures of Sangha, the hindrances have been surpassed and Jhana-factors arise in a single moment. The Jhana is only access without reaching absorption. One will be at least born in a happy state.
4 - RECOLLECTION OF MORALITY ( SILA NUSSATI)
the practice of mindfully recollecting the special qualities of morality.
5 - RECOLLECTION OF GENEROSITY (CAGA NUSSATI)
the practice of mindfully recollecting the special qualities of free generosity.
6 - RECOLLECTION OF THE DEVAS OR DEITITES ( DEVATA NUSSATI)
the recollection of Devas or deities with the special qualities of oneโs own faith.
7- RECOLLECTION OF PEACE (UPASAMA NUSSATI)
the recollection arisen, inspired by peace is a term for mindfulness that has as its object ceasing ( cessation) of all suffering.
embryo
after birth - infant
getting older to adolescent
getting older older every second
every second - everything is changing
( Nothing is permanent )
can die any age ( young or death)
everyone has to go through Birth, aging, sickness and death.
8 - RECOLLECTION OF DEATH ( MARANA NUSSATI )
Death โ mindfulness exercise should be practiced wisely in this way
After birth, all youth ends in ageing, all health ends in sickness, all life ends in death.
Death should be recollected by comparison in 7 ways.
1 - with those of great fame.(eg. This death assuredly came upon all great kings with great fame, great retinue and enormous wealth) why will it not come upon me also?
2 - With those of great merit (eg. All persons with great merit in the world and all went to the realm of death. What can be said of those like me? )
3 - With those of great strength (eg. All persons with great strength in the world and all to death. What can be said of those like me?)
4 - With those of great supernormal power (eg. All persons with great supernormal power in the world but all feel in the mouth of death too. What can be said of those like me?
5 - With those of great understanding (eg.Sariputta, the first chief disciple,fell into death too. What can be said of those like me?)
6 - With Pacceka Buddhas (eg.Pacceka Buddhas who crashed all the enemy defilements by the strength of their own knowledge and energy and reached Pacceka Buddhahood or enlightenment for themselves and were self-perfected, were still not free from death. How should I be free from it?)
7 - With fully Enlightened Buddhas.(eg. The Blessed One,who has His body adorned with the eighty minor signs and variegated with the thirty-two major signs of a great man, who has the Dhamma-body fulfilled with the treasured qualities of the aggregates of virtue, etc; pure in every aspect, who overpassed greatness of fame, of merit, of strength, of supernormal power, and of understanding ,who had no equal, who was the equal of those without equal, without double, accomplished and fully enlightened, was still not free from death. How should I be free from it?
Or recollection of death should also be as following
Everyday persons older than me, die: younger than me, die: the persons of the same age die: death has not ceased yet. So assuredly i am also will die one day.
Death should also be recollected by the 5 kinds of signless things or Unknowable things in the living world in advance.
1 - the span of life. (life โ time)
2 - The sickness.( the disease of death)
3 - Time of death (when one will die)
4 - Where the body will be laid down-(the place where the body will be laid down)
5 - The destiny ( the existence going after death)
Everybody should contemplate 5 things as follows
1 - Old age ( I cannot avoid old age. Everyone is continuously driven to it.)
2 - Disease ( I cannot avoid disease. Everyone is continuously driven to it.)
3 - Death ( I cannot avoid death. Everyone is continuously driven to it.)
4 - Seperation from his loved ones ( I will be seperated from my loved beings for life or by death. I can not avoid it )
5 - Kamma ( I am the result of my kamma or the owner of my kamma.
I am the heir of my kamma. Kamma is my matrix. Kamma is my relative. Kamma is my refuge. Whatever Kamma I do, whether good or bad, I will become heir to it.)
9 - THE MINDFULNESS OF THE BODY (KAYA GATA NUSSATI)
The mindfulness on the 32 parts of the body.
1-head hair, 2-body hair, 3-nails, 4-teeth, 5-skin
6-flesh, 7-sinews, 8-bones, 9-marrow, 10-kidneys
11-heart, 12-liver, 13-pleura, 14-spleen, 15-lungs
16-bowels, 17-stomach, 18-undigested food, 19-feces
20-brain
21-bile, 22-phlegm, 23-pus, 24-blood, 25-sweat
26-fat, 27-tears, 28-lymph, 29-saliva, 30-nasal mucus
31- oil of the joints (synovial fluid), 32-urine
10-THE MINDFULNESS OF BREATHING (ANAPANASATI)
The mindfulness of breathing (Anapanasati) and Purifying Mind by Vipassana bhavana , insight or Mindfulness meditation will be explained in detail in next chapters.
May the readers gain Dhamma knowledge & be liberated from Samsara.
Metta
Mayawati to raise special force to protect memorials
LUCKNOW - Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Friday decided to raise an exclusive force of former servicemen for the protection of monuments dedicated to the ruling Bahujan Samaj Partyโs (BSP) Dalit icons.
The chief minister decided to go ahead with her plans even without Governor B.L. Joshiโs assent to a bill and ordinance for creation of such a security force.
Mayawati convened a meeting of the state cabinet Friday afternoon and took an administrative decision to proceed with raising the new force.
The force would be headed by a retired army officer of the rank of colonel.
The cabinet meeting was followed by a press conference, where state Cabinet Secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh gave justification for the governmentโs decision to go ahead without waiting for a word from the governor.
According to him, โthe new force would be in place in the next 2-3 weeks.โ
โNormally, one does not require a legislation to raise a special security force which could be done through an administrative order only; but because of certain extraordinary provisions the government had decided to adopt the constitutional process for which a bill was duly passed by the state assembly and forwarded to the governor as early as on Feb 18. However, when no word was received from Raj Bhavan for more than a month, the state government issued an ordinance, that was sent to Raj Bhavan on March 26,โ Singh told mediapersons.
He said: โWhile it is the governorโs prerogative to take any view in the matter, the state government had no choice but to initiate the recruitment process for raising the new force because of the impending threats to the memorials and monuments erected as a mark of respect to icons of the downtrodden classes.โ
โYou are aware how such monuments, memorials and parks have become an eyesore for those opposed to these great social reformers belonging to the lower and backward castes,โ he added.
โYou can imagine the social upheaval that could be caused in case such elements manage to vandalise any of these spots. Therefore, it was imperative for us to ensure the protection and security of these places without any further delay.โ
Principal Home Secretary Fateh Bahadur was entrusted with the task of raising the new force for which rules were also framed overnight.
Mayawati says Centre was not serious about implementing RTE
Mayawati
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Saturday said it would not be possible for the State Administration to fund implementation of the newly-enacted Right to Education and asked the Centre to give money for the scheme.
She accused the Centre of overlooking practical aspects of implementing the much talked about Right to Education Act by not arranging money for its implementation.
Ms. Mayawati alleged that the Centre was not serious about implementing the Act. โThis was the reason the Centre did not look into practical aspects while implementing the Act and a nominal provision was made in the Budget,โ she said in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
โIf the Centre is really willing to implement the Right to Education Act to benefit the people, it should bear the financial burden to be created on the state for implementation of the Act,โ she said.
The Chief Minister said that to implement the Act in Uttar Pradesh, Rs.18,000 crore would be needed in one year, of which 45 per cent (Rs.8,000 crore) has to be arranged by the State.
It would be difficult for the State to arrange Rs.8,000 crore considering its present financial condition, she said.
Ms. Mayawati said if the Centre seriously wanted to implement the Act, it should provide the required funds to UP. โThe State had in a letter sent to the Centre in November last year already requested for required funds,โ she said.
Press Information Bureau
(C.M. Information Campus)
Information & Public Relations Department, U.P.
C.M. orders action against the then DMs of
Chitrakoot and Sultanpur for irregularities MNREGA
The then CDOs of Mahoba and Chitrakoot suspended,
departmental inquiry set up
Lucknow: March 30, 2010
Taking serious note of the complaints of irregularities in the
implementation of MNREGA, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Ms. Mayawati
ordered departmental inquiry against the then DMs of Chitrakoot and
Sultanpur districts. She also ordered suspension of the then CDOs of
Mahoba and Chitrakoot districts. She has also ordered departmental inquiry
against the then CDO of Sultanpur by giving him a charge sheet and
suspension of other guilty officers of the Gonda, Balrampur, Mahoba,
Sultanpur and Chitrakoot districts. She also ordered inquiry in these cases.
Ms. Mayawati has warned that corruption would not be tolerated in
the implementation of MNREGA. Issuing strict orders to the officers, she
said that the infrastructure and development works under MNREGA should
be carried out with full honesty. She said that the state government would
take serious note of any laxity in the implementation of MNREGA, which is
directly linked with the employment of the poor and the officers/employees
responsible for it would not be spared at any cost. Likewise, she warned
that those found guilty in the implementation of other programmes of the
Rural Development Department, would not be spared as well.
It may be recalled that on the directives of the C.M.,
Nigrani Samitishave been set up at the Tehsil level all over the state to monitor the
progress of the works being carried out under MNREGA. Besides, senior
officers had also been carrying out spot verification of the works being
carried out under MNREGA. The C.M. has also ordered third party
verification of the MNREGA and other development works.
On the directives of the Chief Minister, the complaints were seriously
investigated. After the investigations were carried out, the suspension of
the then CDO of Gonda district, Mr. Raj Bahadur, has been ordered and
departmental inquiry has also been set up against him. Besides, the project
director Mr. G.P. Gautam, Nazir/assistant accountant Mr. Sudhir Kumar
Singh, Accountant Mr. Avdhesh Kumar Singh and Statistical assistant Mr.
Durgesh Mishra have been suspended with immediate effect.
Likewise, in Balrampur district, the project director Mr. Amresh Nand
Rai, the then project director Mr. Bhagwati Prasad Verma and the then incharge
account officer currently project economist Mr. Brij Kishore Lal
Srivastava have been put under suspension and departmental action has
also been ordered against them.
In Mahoba, the then CDO, Mr. Jairam Lal Verma, project director, Mr.
Har Narain, the then BDOs Mr. Lal Singh, Mr. Aditya Kumar and Mr. Rajesh
Kuril have also been suspended for irregularities in the implementation of
MNREGA.
In Sultanpur district, departmental action has been ordered against
the then DM, Mr. R.K. Singh and the then CDO Mr. B. Ram by charge
sheeting them. Besides, the project director Mr. Chhote Lal Kuril, senior
clerk Mr. Manoj Kumar, assistant accountant Mr. Devki Nandan Yadav and
accountant Mr. Vijay Shankar Dubey have also been suspended.
In the Chitrakoot district, the then DM Mr. Hridesh Kumar and the
then (now retired) CDO Mr. Gaya Prasad Singh have been charge sheeted
on the directives of the C.M. for irregularities in the implementation of
MNREGA and departmental action has also been initiated. Besides, the then
CDO, Mr. Pramod Chandra Srivastava, the then project director, Mr. Ram
Kishun, assistant accountant Munnu Lal and junior clerk Atul Kant Khare
have also been suspended.
In view of the serious stance taken by C.M. against the corrupt
officers/employees, as many as 42 officers have been suspended and
departmental action had been initiated against 69 officers so far by charge
sheeting them. Moreover, 51 officers/employees were awarded adverse
entries after the completion of departmental inquiries and increment of 4
officers/employees had been stopped.
Besides, FIRs have been lodged in 40 cases in 29 districts. Under it,
action had been initiated against 38 Gram Pradhans, 30 Gram Vikas/Gram
Panchayat Adhikari and action had also been initiated against 48 officers of
various departments. The C.M. has directed the divisional commissioners to
pay personal attention and ensure completion of the inquiry on priority
basis and file the charge sheet in the courts.
*******
News item related to suicide by three farmers in Banda district
because of irregularities in MNREGA totally false and baseless
Deceased had enough means of earning
Lucknow: March 30, 2010
A government spokesman, terming the news item which
appeared in a section of press today, titled
โAtmahatyaon KiMukhya Wajah MNREGA Mein Dhandhliโ
as false and baseless,said that the three farmers of Banda had not died because of
financial crisis or starvation. Instead, they died because of family
disputes and diseases. These incidents had nothing to do with
MNREGA.
According to the investigation conducted by DM Banda, the
deceased Chunnu s/o Ram Dayal r/o Chakchatgan Tehsil Banda
had enough food and other articles like clothes etc. in his
possession and the bank personnel were not harassing him for
the recovery of dues. Chunnu committed suicide on March 27 last
by hanging himself. The deceased had 1.228 hectare of land in
his name and he had about 30 bighas of
Balkat land. He had aRs. 55,000 credit card in his name which belonged to the Triveni
Kshetriya Gramin Bank Kalu Kuan. He had Rs. 44988 at present.
Likewise, Chhuttu Singh r/o Duredi Tehsil Banda ran his
tractor to earn living. He died because of family quarrel. Jagdish
Patel r/o Baberu Tehsil complained of stomach ache and he was
admitted at the PHC. Later, he was referred to district hospital
Banda. He died while he was being taken to Kanpur. The
deceased had 12 bighas of land. He died of disease.
According to the report furnished by DM Banda, Chunnu
and Chhuttu Singh were the earning members of their families.
Therefore, the family members of both the deceased were being
provided benefit of National Family Welfare Programme.
*******
MOU to be signed between Foundation and
State Government for cooperation in field of
Mother-Child Welfare and Health Services
Lucknow: 24 March 2010
The Founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mrs. Melinda Gates along
with her colleagues
โ Family Health, Global Health Programme Director GaryDarmstadt, Director of Foundation Mr. Ashok Alexander, Chief of Staff Jeffrey Spector
and Ms. Usha Kiran, Senior Programme Officer met the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister
Ms. Mayawati at her official residence here today. She held detailed discussions on
various programmes of Medical, Health and Family Welfare being conducted all over
the State by the Foundation. She also discussed future plans. The Chief Minister
thanked Mrs. Melinda Gates for taking interest in Uttar Pradesh and said that the State
Government would extend full cooperation in the efforts being made by the
Foundation.
Speaking to Mrs. Melinda, the Chief Minister Ms. Mayawati said that the Vidhan
Sabha elections of the state were held in the year 2007 and her party got clear
mandate in it after 16 year long political instability. She said that she had inherited
nothing politically. Manyawar Shri Kanshiram Ji had founded BSP by uniting poor and
SC/STs and because of the poor she got majority. She said that her priority was to serve
the poor people. But, when she came to power the law and order situation of the state
was very poor. After streamlining the same, various welfare schemes for the poor were implemented. She said that Ambedkar Gram Sabha Vikas Yojna had been implemented in the name of the Architect of the Constitution, Baba Saheb Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar.
This scheme was being implemented all over the state, she added.
The Chief Minister said that Mahamaya Garib Balika Ashirwad Yojna and Savitri
Bai Phule Balika Shiksha Madad Yojna had been implemented with a view to helping
the poor girls of the state. Besides, Manyawar Shri Kanshiram Ji Shahri Garib Awas
Yojna and Sarvajan Hitai Shahri Garib Makan (slum area) Malikana Haq Yojna had
been implemented for the benefit of poor. Moreover, U.P. Mukhyamantri Mahamaya
Garib Arthik Madad Yojna had also been implemented for the benefit of BPL families.
She said that her government had paid special attention to improve Medical, Health
and Family welfare services in the state. Earlier, the poor people could not afford
treatment because of financial constraints. The state government had provided various facilities to the deprived and poor people, so that they could also get better medical facilities in the government hospitals.
During the meeting, Mrs. Melinda Gates informed C.M. that the Foundation was
especially focussing on child care, mother health, polio and T.B. eradication. She also
assured that the Foundation would invest Rs. 250 crore for the welfare of mother and
child. She said that the Foundation was also exploring various possibilities of
coordination with the State Government.
Mrs. Gates said that the Foundation also wanted to extend its cooperation in
those areas, which were so far untouched by the Medical, Health and Family Welfare
services. She said that the Foundation was currently conducting schemes worth Rs.
500 crore in the State. She said that the Foundation
โs expenses in the State were thehighest. Besides, the Foundation was also interested in enhancing its contribution to
improve the health indicators of the State.
Welcoming Foundation
โs resolve, the Chief Minister assured Mrs. Melinda Gatesthat the State Government would extend its full cooperation in the efforts being made
by the same and a formal shape would also be given to these efforts. She said that an
MOU would be signed between the State Government and the Foundation.
The Chief Minister, welcoming Mrs. Melinda Gates and her colleagues, said that
after several years of political instability in U.P., the people of the State gave
opportunity to her party to form a majority government in May 2007. After almost two
decades her party had formed a stable government in the state. She said that after
assuming power all possible efforts had been made to create a strong structure to
provide medical, health and family welfare services to all the people of the state with
special focus on the poor people.
Ms. Mayawati said that owing to the serious efforts made by the State
Government, the poor people were getting the benefit of better medical services now.
The State Government, through its limited resources, was making special efforts to
improve the Medical and Health facilities in the state, so that people could get easy
access to these facilities, she added. The cooperation of NGOs is also sought in it, she
said.
The Chief Minister said that she was informed that the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation had been working for the welfare of the destitute of the world. She
expressed her gratitude towards the interest shown by the Foundation in Uttar
Pradesh. She expressed the hope that the Foundation would make large contribution in
the field of Medical, Health and Family Welfare.
The Chairman of the U.P. Advisory Council, Mr. Satish Chandra Mishra, Chief
Secretary Mr. Atul Kumar Gupta, Additional Cabinet Secretary Mr. Netram, Principal
Secretary to C.M. Mr. Shailesh Krishna and other Secretaries to C.M., Principal
Secretary Medical, Health and Family Welfare Mr. Pradeep Shukla, D.G. Medical &
Health Dr. R.R. Bharti and other officers were present on the occasion.
********
Central Government should adopt constructive
approach towards development schemes of State
State
โs development hampered as education, energy,roads, transport and airport projects pending with Centre
Centre should install n-power projects
at Narora, Bulandshahr and Bundelkhand,
state government will provide land, water and other facilities
Lucknow: March 22, 2010
A spokesman of the Uttar Pradesh Government said that the
Central Government should adopt constructive approach towards
the various development schemes related with education, energy,
roads, transport and airports on the basis of public-privatepartnership
(PPP). He said that owing to the indifference of the
Central Government, numerous PPP projects related with various
infrastructure sectors had been pending.
The spokesman said that U.P. was the largest state of the
country population wise. The state government had been making all
possible efforts to remove backwardness, unemployment and
regional imbalances through its own limited resources, but the
state
โs development could not be given fillip as various projects hadbeen pending with the Central Government. He said that the state
government had taken initiative in the technical education sector
and had been ensuring setting up of various vocational educational
institutions on the basis of PPP. The Central Government should
extend financial cooperation in this regard, he added. Likewise, the
Central Government should clear the Taj International Airport to be
set up at greater Noida immediately. He said that if the Centre
decided to set up n-power plants at Narora, Bulandshahr or in
Bundelkhand, then the state government would provide land, water
and other facilities for these plants.
The government spokesman said that the state government
had given importance to PPP in its new economic policy. The state
government had accorded top priority to the development of various
infrastructure facilities, he added. Under the new economic policy,
he said, sectors like power, transport, drinking water supply, roads,
canals, industry, medical and health and education had been
identified for the development of rural and urban infrastructure.
The spokesman said that the Government of India did not
have any policy or guidelines regarding the PPP in the field of
education. On the contrary, as many as 06 ITIs and 08 polytechnics
were being set up on the basis of PPP by the state government. He
said that the Ministry of Human Resource Development had not
taken any initiative to ensure setting up of polytechnics, degree
level technical institutions, centres of excellence, secondary schools,
degree colleges/universities on the basis of PPP even though it had
unlimited possibilities.
The spokesman said that the Central Government should
formulate long term action plan for the education sector in
consultation with the state governments. He said that the Centre
should extend cooperation to the educational institutions set up on
PPP basis by the state government.
The spokesman said that the state government had decided to
set up coal based new power plants in the state. He said that
proposals for providing coal linkages for Jawaharpur (Etah), Dopaha
(Sonbhadra), Lalitpur and Yamuna Express Way projects had been
pending with the Central Government. Besides, proposal for
allotment of 06 coal blocks had also been sent to the Centre. The
spokesman demanded from the Union Coal Ministry that quota of
coal should be allotted to the state government on the priority
basis. He said that the Centre had been installing 12 ultra mega
power projects in various parts of the country, which would
generate 48,000 MW of power. None of these projects is being set
up in U.P. despite repeated requests sent to the Centre, he said.
Regarding the Taj International Airport pending with the
Centre, the spokesman said that the state government had
proposed its construction on the basis of the PPP and according to
the guidelines of the Planning Commission. He emphasised that the
Centre should give its approval for the construction of Taj
International Airport without any further delay. Owing to this delay,
the air traffic congestion could not be checked on one hand, while
on the other the state government
โs efforts to ensure rapiddevelopment of infrastructure facilities could not be given thrust.
Besides, the Centre should give its clearance for this airport, so that
direct/indirect employment opportunities could be created and also
for the rapid development of infrastructure facilities in the area.
The government spokesman said that the state government
had also decided to set up another airport in Kushinagar on the
basis of PPP because it would encourage tourism in the Buddhist
Circuit as well as it would also provide air connectivity to the people
of eastern Uttar Pradesh with gulf countries. He demanded that the
Union Finance Ministry and Home Ministry should give their
permission immediately in this regard.
The spokesman said that whenever the Central government
decided to undertake construction of National Highways, it
pressurised the state government for entering into such an
agreement under which the state government could not construct
new express ways or state highways on the basis of PPP in the
future. He said that the state government could not shut the
possibilities of investments in the road sector on the basis of PPP.
He said that land is a state subject and the state government had
developed a suitable mechanism in the form of joint committees to
resolve the issues of competitive roads and construction of
interchanges. He said that the Government of India should utilise
these forum for coordinated development of roads. He said that the
Centre should not impose any unnecessary agreement on the state.
He said that several proposals for the widening and strengthening of
state highways had been pending with the Union Road Transport
and National Highways Ministry, which should be approved
immediately.
The spokesman said that a subsidiary of Uttar Pradesh State
Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) is proposed to be created for
the development/modernisation of bus terminals on PPP basis. The
state government had sought GOI
โs permission, which was stillpending with the Centre even though several reminders had been
sent and meetings had been held. He said that the Central
Government should give its permission at the earliest.
———
Take stringent action against officers involved in power theft
โ
Chief MinisterNews item published regarding involvement of
minister in power theft in Muzaffarnagar false and baseless
3-Member team of Power Corporation investigating
irregularities in incoming/independent power feeders
Lucknow: March 21, 2010
The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Ms. Mayawati ordered senior officers to
take stringent action against those involved in power theft cases. She also
directed them to launch an extensive drive to stop power pilferage all over the
state. Following the orders of the Chief Minister, the U.P. Power Corporation
had already launched an extensive drive to check power theft.
On the basis of the information received from the Power Corporation, a
government spokesman termed the news item published in a section of press
regarding involvement of a minister and an MP in the power theft in
Muzaffarnagar district as false and baseless. The spokesman said that the said
factory, from where the power theft is reported, is not owned by the minister.
He said that during the investigation, tampering with the incoming feeders
came to light at certain power sub centres of Muzaffarnagar district. He said
that a 3-member team of Power Corporation had been conducting on the spot
investigation of the irregularities reported at incoming power feeders.
Appropriate action would be taken against the guilty after the submission of
report, the spokesman stated.
The spokesman said that it was also being investigated whether the
power consumers connected with the feeders in question were also involved in
the irregularities. The meters of these consumers had also been sent for
investigation.
The spokesman said that F.I.R. had been lodged regarding the remotes
recovered from the incoming feeders at Narha and Sujdu power sub centres of
Muzaffarnagar district. F.I.R. had also been lodged regarding irregularities in
the independent power feeder at Sardhana power sub centre of Meerut district.
————
Badal Chatterjee takes charge as Additional Director,
Information and Public Relations Department
Lucknow: March 23, 2010
The 1979 batch senior PCS officer Mr. Badal
Chatterjee took charge as Additional Director in the State
Information and Public Relations Department here today.
It may be recalled that Mr. Chatterjee has been
transferred from the Labour Department where he was
posted as Special Secretary.
*******
Agra gears up for biggest Dalit empowerment show
Agra is gearing up for the annual three-day Ambedkar Jayanti celebrations starting April 14 that are seen as a demonstration of SC/ST empowerment over the past decades.
Each year, a Bheem Nagri - the venue of the celebrations - comes up in a different area, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Arvind Pushkar told IANS.
“The main focus is on the Bheem Manch that has a new theme each year. Last year, it was the Parliament House. This year, the theme is Buddhist culture and trends,” Pushkar added.
Towards this, new roads are being built, water and power supply lines being laid, and civic amenities in six villages behind the Taj Mahal are being updated and streamlined.
The Agra Development Authority, the Municipal Corporation, Awas Vikas and half a dozen other agencies are pouring in their resources to provide upgraded facilities as lakhs of visitors are expected, along with a host of politicians.
The organising committee members said the whole 14-km stretch would be flood-lit with “attractive display of lighting”.
The main dais will be 120 feet long, 80 feet high and 75 feet wide with the Kanshi Ram Memorial in Lucknow as the backdrop, flanked by pillars with Buddhist motifs, according to Devi Singh Azad, a senior member of the committee.
The state culture department, Uttar Pradesh Tourism and the Information and Public Relations department would arrange for artistes and programmes.
Organising committee members are upbeat as Chief Minister Mayawati is expected to announce a package of special developmental schemes for this Taj Mahal city, gearing up for the Commonwealth Games rush.
SC/ST constitute more than one-third of the 20 lakh plus population of Agra, described often as the SC/ST capital of north India.
“The city was a favourite of both B.R. Ambedkar and (Bahujan Samaj Party founder) Kanshi Ram,” SC/ST activist Netra Pal Singh said.
STAFF WRITER 14:34 HRS IST
Pratapgarh (UP), Apr 3 (PTI) A local court today summoned Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt on April 24 in the case filed against him for his “jadoo ki jhappi and pappi” (magical hug and kiss) remark on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati during last year’s Lok Sabha elections.
Chief Judicial Magistrate Anirudh Kumar Tewari issued the summons for Dutt’s appearance when the chargesheet filed in the case came up before the court.
The sub-inspector of police, who had investigated the FIR lodged in this connection on April 16, 2009 at the Nagar Kotwali against the actor, had filed the chargesheet before the CJM on March 18, prosecution sources said.