BUDDHISM IN KERALA: Feeding the Joy Link to Awakening!

Monday, December 27, 2010

Feeding the Joy Link to Awakening!

Friends:

Feeding the Joy Link to Awakening!

The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus, just as this body, is sustained by feeding, exists in dependence on
feeding & cannot survive without food, even so are the 7 Links to Awakening
also sustained by feeding, they also can only exist in dependence on feeding
and they cannot survive without feeding... And what, bhikkhus, is the feeding
of the emergence of any yet unarisen joy and also feeding of the completion
by increase of any already arisen joy? There are mental states that are the
originator, maker, producer, root, basis & source for the awakening of joy!
Frequently giving careful & rational attention to them, is feeding the arising
and gradual fulfillment of joy... And what is the starving that obstructs the
emergence of any yet unarisen joy and which also hinders any already arisen
joy from reaching sweet fulfillment by development? There are states that
are the basis & source for the joy link to awakening! Not giving frequent
careful and rational attention to them; not considering them much & often;
is the starving that prevents any unarisen joy from arising and also blocks
any already arisen joy from reaching any complete fulfillment by mental
meditative training...

Comments from the classical commentaries:
Elated & ecstatic exultation is the characteristic of the Joy Link to Awakening
(Pīti-sambojjhanga). Motivated intentness upon is the purpose of the quality of Joy.
Satisfaction lifting any depression is the manifestation of the Joy Link to Awakening.
Thinking of Joy makes this state return! This can be utilized by training it! Try now!
This reinforcement - in itself - has the capacity to gradually elevate and induce Joy!
Therefore is the state of gladness & Joy itself mainspring, basis & source of more Joy…
It is the deliberate directing attention to this, again & again, that can produce Joy!!!

Further conditions helpful for arising of the Joy Link to Awakening are:
1: Recollection of the supreme and sublime uniqueness of the Buddha...
2: Recollection of the supreme and sublime uniqueness of the Dhamma...
3: Recollection of the supreme and sublime uniqueness of the Sangha...
4: Recollection of the supreme and sublime efficacy of pure Morality...
5: Recollection of the supreme and sublime efficacy of prior Generosity…
6: Recollection of the qualities that gave the devas their divinity...
7: Remembering the stilled silent state of blissful Peace...
8: Avoidance of primitive, violent, angry, rough, and coarse people.
9: Friendship with refined & kind people, who often smile in silent ease.
10: Reviewing by reading many inspiring dhamma discourses like this one.
11: Commitment & resolute determination to elevate the mind by Joy...

There is joy joined with thinking and there is joy separated from thinking!
Both leads to enraptured advance towards many advantageous states.
Awakening is a veritable flood of bliss!