Vipassana Meditation 1-12-2018
1 December - 7 December
In our final week we continue with Choiceless Awareness as our vipassanΔ practice, explore The Perfections, and begin to think about building a sustainable practice beyond the course.
Saturday - The Perfections (1) Book
Contemplation - Day 64https://course.org/campus/mod/book/view.php?id=200
Saturday - The Perfections (1)
1. The Perfections (1)
THE PERFECTIONS
(or pΔrami )
The pΔrami or perfections are qualities to be developed in our daily lives for the benefit of all beings. In the early texts of the PΔli Canon they are spoken of only generally, but the commentarial tradition has elucidated each of the qualities and settled on the figure of ten as being their number. The Perfections, in this form, are influential in popular Buddhist practise and one can see their links to both the brahmavihΔra qualities and to the Five Spiritual Faculties that we have just met. Their practical use may be as a check-list of aspirations against which we may compare the attitude and approach that we are bringing to the spiritual life. This excerpt from the Visuddhimagga explains how we should behave to others if we aspire to the status of ‘Great Beings’ and is composed of the ten pΔrami :
“For the Great Beings’ minds retain their balance by giving preference to beings’ welfare, by dislike of beings’ suffering, by desire for the various successes achieved by beings to last, and by impartiality towards all beings. And to all beings they give gifts, which are a source of pleasure, without discriminating thus: ‘It must be given to this one, it must not be given to this one’. And in order to avoid doing harm to beings they undertake the precepts of virtue. They practise renunciation for the purpose of perfecting their virtue. They cleanse their understanding for the purpose of non-confusion about what is good and bad for beings. They constantly arouse energy, having beings’ welfare and happiness at heart. When they have acquired heroic fortitude through supreme energy, they become patient with beings’ many kinds of faults. They do not deceive when promising ‘We shall give you this; we shall do this for you’. They are unshakeably resolute upon beings’ welfare and happiness. Through unshakeable lovingkindness they place them first (before themselves). Through equanimity they expect no reward.”
GENEROSITY
We can make it a priority in our interactions with others regardless of whether it is reciprocated. Giving selflessly, without thought of reward. If we cannot give material sustenance to others then we can generously provide spiritual and emotional sustenance. Being helpful, being approachable, lending a hand. The important thing is that our intent is pure. The size of the gift or the magnitude of the assistance we render is measured in relation to the wholesomeness of our intention. Giving simply to give is a noble act. One aspect of dΔna or generosity is the support of the Sangha - the Buddhist monks and nuns - who are reliant on this generosity for their basic requisites. If we are able to give in this way then it is a valuable contribution to the survival of the Buddha’s teachings.
VIRTUE
For lay people the key to behaving with morality and to our spiritual development is observance of the Five Precepts. We can choose to observe them in their most basic form - not intentionally killing, not stealing, not engaging in sexual misconduct, not lying or slandering, not drinking alcohol. We can also further develop our understanding of the precepts so that we act more skilfully in every aspect of our lives. Following the Buddha’s exhortation: “Do good, refrain from doing evil, and purify the mind.” If we behave ethically, then both we, and the people with whom we interact, will suffer less. We will also behave in a way that is encouraging of other people’s development. SβΉla can be looked upon as getting the conditions right. We do this for our own sake and that of others.
RENUNCIATION
Being without selfishness and indulgence. Able to willingly sacrifice our pleasures. Simplifying. Prioritising what is important. Avoiding the trivial and unskilful. Freeing ourselves from lust and craving. Guarding the sense doors.
“When the spirit of renunciation is alive within us it is not unpleasant to give up things that we want - it begins to feel like a blessing that we have this encouragement to do so. We feel grateful that we have a form that sustains long-term effort of body, speech and mind to go against the deep, strong flow of self-seeking passions. We know how without it we mightn’t have held the tension long enough for a letting-go to happen. When letting-go does happen we discover tremendous energy - all the energy that was previously locked into maintaining the rigidity. Each time we rediscover this precious reservoir of energy our aspirations are refreshed and reaffirmed.” - Ajahn Munindo
WISDOM
May we develop in Wisdom in order that we may see things as they are. May we see the light of truth and share it with others. May we walk on with Wisdom towards enlightenment.
“Drinking deep the Dhamma,
One lives happily, with tranquil mind.
The wise ever delight in the Dhamma,
revealed by the noble ones.”
https://course.org/campus/mod/page/view.php?id=201
Contemplation - Day 64
383. Having striven, brahmin,
cut the stream;
discard sense desires.
Knowing the destruction
of conditioned things, brahmin,
you know the Uncreated.
384. When in two states the brahmin
crosses beyond,
from ‘One Who Knows’
all fetters fall away.
385. In whom there exists
neither this shore,
nor the far shore,
nor yet both;
free from cares and fetters,
him I call a brahmin.
386. Meditative, stainless and secluded,
with duty done and free of taints,
having attained the Supreme Goal -
him I call a brahmin.
Last modified: Thursday, 12 January 2017, 7:08 pm