295 LESSON 11 06 2011 Dasadhamma Sutta Discourse on The Ten Dhammas FREE ONLINE eNΔlandΔ Research and Practice UNIVERSITY and BUDDHIST GOOD NEWS
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LESSON
295
Practice a Sutta a Day
Daruka-khandha Sutta: The Log
On one
occasion the Blessed One was staying at Ajjheya
on the bank of the river Ganges. He saw a large
log being carried along by the current near the bank of the river Ganges, and
on seeing it said to the monks: “Monks, do you see that large log being
carried along by the current of the river Ganges?”
“Yes,
lord.”
“Monks, if that log doesn’t veer
toward the near shore, doesn’t veer toward the far shore, doesn’t sink in the
middle, doesn’t get washed up on high ground, doesn’t get snared by human
beings, doesn’t get snared by non-human beings, doesn’t get snared in a
whirlpool, and doesn’t become rotten inside, it will tend to the ocean, tilt to
the ocean, incline to the ocean. Why is that? Because the current of the river
Ganges tends to the ocean, tilts to the ocean, inclines to the ocean.
“In
the same way, monks, if you don’t veer toward the near shore, don’t veer toward
the far shore, don’t sink in the middle, don’t get washed up on high ground,
don’t get snared by human beings, don’t get snared by non-human beings, don’t
get snared in a whirlpool, and don’t become rotten inside, you will tend to
Unbinding, tilt to Unbinding, incline to Unbinding. Why is that? Because right
view tends to Unbinding, tilts to Unbinding, inclines to Unbinding.”
When this
was said, a certain monk addressed the Blessed One: “What, lord, is the
near shore? What is the far shore? What is sinking in the middle? What is being
washed up on high ground? What is being snared by human beings? What is being
snared by non-human beings? What is being snared by a whirlpool? What is
becoming rotten inside?”
“‘The
near shore,’ monks, stands for the six internal sense media. ‘The far shore’
stands for the six external sense media. ‘Sinking in the middle’ stands for
passion & delight. ‘Being washed up on high ground’ stands for the conceit,
‘I am.’
“And
what, monks, is being snared by human beings? There is the case where a monk
lives entangled with householders, delighting with them and sorrowing with
them, happy when they are happy, pained when they are in pain, taking on their
affairs as his own duty. This is called being snared by human beings.
“And
what, monks, is being snared by non-human beings? There is the case where a
certain monk lives the holy life in hopes of a certain company of devas,
[thinking,] ‘By means of this virtue or practice or austerity or holy life I
will become one sort of deva or another.’ This is called being snared by
non-human beings.
“‘Being
snared by a whirlpool’ stands for the five strings of sensuality.
”
And what, monks, is becoming rotten inside? There is the case where a certain
monk is unprincipled, evil, unclean and suspect in his undertakings, hidden in
his actions, not a contemplative though claiming to be one, not leading the
holy life though claiming to do so, inwardly rotten, oozing with desire, filthy
by nature. This is called becoming rotten inside.”
Now at that time Nanda the cowherd was standing not far
from the Blessed One. Then he said to the Blessed One, “Lord, I don’t veer
toward the near shore, I don’t veer toward the far shore, I won’t sink in the
middle, I won’t get washed up on high ground, I won’t get snared by human
beings, I won’t get snared by non-human beings, I won’t get snared in a
whirlpool, and I won’t become rotten inside. It would be good, lord, if I could
obtain the Going-forth, if I could obtain the Full Acceptance (as a monk).
“In
that case, Nanda, lead the cows back to their owners.”
“The
cows will go back, lord, out of attachment for their calves.”
“Lead
the cows back to their owners, Nanda.”
Then,
having led the cows back to their owners, Nanda the cowherd went to the Blessed
One and, on arrival, told him, “The cows, lord, have been led back to
their owners. Let me obtain the Going-forth in the Blessed One’s presence! Let
me obtain the Full Acceptance!”
So Nanda the cowherd obtained the Going-forth in the
Blessed One’s presence, he obtained the Full Acceptance. And not long after his
Acceptance β dwelling alone, secluded, heedful, ardent, & resolute β he in
no long time reached & remained in the supreme goal of the holy life, for
which clansmen rightly go forth from home into homelessness, knowing &
realizing it for himself in the here & now. He knew: “Birth is ended,
the holy life fulfilled, the task done. There is nothing further for the sake
of this world.” And thus Ven. Nanda became another one of the arahants.
Β§ 109. The River Current
This was
said by the Lord…
“Suppose,
bhikkhus, a man was being borne along by the current of a river that seemed
pleasant and agreeable. But upon seeing him, a keen-sighted man standing on the
bank would call out to him: ‘Hey, good man! Although you are being borne along
by the current of a river that seems pleasant and agreeable, lower down there
is a pool with turbulent waves and swirling eddies, with monsters and demons.
On reaching that pool you will die or suffer close to death.’ Then, bhikkhus,
upon hearing the words of that person, that man would struggle against the
current with hands and feet.
“I
have made use of this simile, bhikkhus, to illustrate the meaning. And this is
the meaning here: ‘The current of the river’ is a synonym for craving. ‘Seeming
pleasant and agreeable’ is a synonym for the six internal sense-bases. ‘The
pool lower down’ is a synonym for the five lower fetters. ‘Turbulent waves’ is
a synonym for anger and frustration. ‘Swirling eddies’ is a synonym for the
five strands of sensual pleasure. ‘Monsters and demons’ is a synonym for
womenfolk. ‘Against the current’ is a synonym for renunciation. ‘Struggling
with hands and feet’ is a synonym for instigating energy. ‘The keen-sighted man
standing on the bank’ is a synonym for the Tathagata, the Arahant, the Fully
Enlightened One.”
Desiring future security from bondage One should abandon
sensual desire However painful this may be. Rightly comprehending with wisdom,
Possessing a mind that is well released, One may reach freedom step by step.
One who is a master of knowledge, Who has lived the holy life, Is called one
gone to the world’s end, One who has reached the further shore.
Dasadhamma Sutta: Discourse on The Ten Dhammas
Thus have
I heard:
On one
occasion the Blessed One was living near Savatthi at Jetavana at the monastery
of Anathapindika.
Then the
Blessed One addressed the monks, saying: “Monks.” β “Venerable
Sir,” they said by way of reply. The Blessed One then spoke as follows:
“These
ten essentials[1]
must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth (to live the
holy life). What are these ten?
1.
“‘I am now changed into a different mode of life (from that of a layman).’
This must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth.
2.
“‘My life depends on others.’ This must be reflected upon again and again
by one who has gone forth.
3.
“‘I must now behave in a different manner.’ This must be reflected upon
again and again by one who has gone forth.
4.
“‘Does my mind upbraid me regarding the state of my virtue?’[2]
This must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth.
5.
“‘Do my discerning fellow-monks having tested me, reproach me regarding
the state of my virtue?’ This must be reflected upon again and again by one who
has gone forth.
6.
“‘There will be a parting (some day) from all those who are dear and
loving to me. Death brings this separation to me.’ This must be reflected upon
again and again by one who has gone forth.
7.
“‘Of kamma[3]
I am constituted. Kamma is my inheritance; kamma is the matrix; kamma is my
kinsman; kamma is my refuge. Whatever kamma I perform, be it good or bad, to
that I shall be heir.’ This must be reflected upon again and again by one who
has gone forth.
8.
“‘How do I spend my nights and days?’ This must be reflected upon again
and again by one who has gone forth.
9.
“‘Do I take delight in solitude?’ This must be reflected upon again and
again by one who has gone forth.
10.
“‘Have I gained superhuman faculties? Have I gained that higher wisdom so
that when I am questioned (on this point) by fellow-monks at the last moment
(when death is approaching) I will have no occasion to be depressed and
downcast?’ This must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone
forth.
“These,
monks, are the essentials that should be reflected again and again by one who
has gone forth (to live the holy life).”
So spoke
the Blessed One. Those monks rejoiced at the words of the Blessed One.
Notes
1.
Dhammas.
2.
Sila.
3.
Literally action β mental,
verbal, and physical.
Kindly send the following as SMS & Emails to your
friends and be missionaries of Social Transformation and Economic Emancipation
for the Majority People to build PraBuddha Bharat for Equality
55. Establishment of 58 government secondary schools in minority-dominated areas of 22 selected districts by CM of
UP BSP Govt
56.Formation of a commission to provide the status of minority
institution to βtaleemi idaarβ (educational institutions) by CM of UP BSP Govt
57.Distribution of Manyawar Shri Kanshiram Ji Handloom Weavers
awards.
58. βUP Dr. Shakuntala Misra Rehabilation Universityβ at a cost of Rs.400 crore
to provide quality education to the differently-abled students.
for the visually impaired and 2% other disabled, so far, 677 and 1320 fair
shops allotted, respectively by CM UP govt
60. Disabled pension rate increased to Rs.300 pm from Rs.150-
the total no. of disabled pensioners during 2009-10 increased to 708077 by BSP
61. Several welfare schemes implemented for Sarv-Samaj βwomenβ also by CM of UP
Ms.Mayawati jiβs BSP Govt
62. Amendment of the zamindari kanoon to ensure equitable share
of women in patriarchal landed property by CM of UPβs BSP Govt.
63. The amount of dole for destitute women increased to Rs.300
pm from Rs.150 by CM of UP Ms.Mayawati jiβs BSP Govt