How can one experience Ceasing of all Pain?

Friends:

How can one experience Ceasing of all Pain?

The blessed Buddha once explained:
Bhikkhus, the concentration won by Awareness by Breathing, when developed
and frequently cultivated, is of great fruit and results in a big advantage...
And how, Bhikkhus, is concentration by Awareness by Breathing developed and
cultivated so that it is of great fruit and advantage?
Bhikkhus, when one have gone to the forest, or to the root of a tree, or to an
empty hut, there one sits down cross-legged, having straightened one's body
and back, and set up awareness around the nostrils, then just plainly aware of
that breathing itself one breathes in, & just solely aware of only that breath
in itself, one breathes out...
Breathing in long, one knows, notes and understands: I inhale long!
Breathing out long, one knows, notes and understands: I exhale long!
... ... ... (steps 2-15) ... ... ...
One trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe in!
One trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe out!
Therefore, if such friend feels a pleasant feeling, then he understands through
his prior training in breathing meditation:
It is impermanent; it should neither be clung to nor delighted in...
If he feels a painful feeling, then he indeed also understands:
It is impermanent; it should neither be clung to nor engaged in...
If he feels a neutral feeling there and then he also understands:
It is impermanent; it should neither be clung to nor involved in...
Whether he feels a pleasant feeling, or a painful feeling, or a  neutral feeling,
he feels it as if detached from it, and as something remote, and alien...
If he feels a feeling terminating with the body, then he understands:
If feel a feeling terminating at the same time as this body...
If he feels a feeling terminating with life, then he understands:
I feel a feeling terminating at the same time as this life...
He then understands: With the break-up of this frame of a body, following
the exhaustion of life, all that is felt, and all sensed, not being delighted in,
will turn cold right there and then... Just as, bhikkhus, an oil lamp burns in
dependence on the oil and the wick, and with the exhaustion of the oil and the
wick the flame ceases to burn through lack of fuel, exactly so too, Bhikkhus,
when such a Bhikkhu feels a feeling terminating with the body or with life...
Then he understands: With the break-up of this  fragile frame of a body,
following the exhaustion of life, all that is felt, all that is sensed, by not being
delighted in, by not being clung to, will cool down & cease right there & then!



This sublime (Ānāpāna-sati)  technique is used by all Buddhas at Awakening:
Ānāpānasati text and commentary, 1_Producing_4, Four_Fulfilling_Seven,
Breathing_Calm_and_Insight, The_LAMP_I, Experiencing_the_Breath,
The_LAMP_IV, Awareness_by_Breathing, Peaceful_and_Sublime_on Spot,
The_LAMP_III, Unique_Thing_Awareness_by_Breathing,
Magnificent_Meditation.



On the formless (ārupa) Jhānas and Ceasing: Nirodha-samāpatti:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/9_Stillings.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/g_m/jhaana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/n_r/nirodha_samaapatti.htm

Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikāya. [V:319-20]
section 54: Ānāpānasamyutta. Thread 8: The simile of the Lamp! 

Have a nice & noble day!
 
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samāhita _/\_ ]
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Breathing in-&-out can produce Absorption!

Friends:

Breathing in-&-out can produce Absorption!

The blessed Buddha once explained:
Bhikkhus, the concentration gained by Awareness by Breathing, when trained,
is of great fruit and advantage. And how, Bhikkhus, is this concentration by
Awareness by Breathing developed and cultivated so that it is of great fruit
and advantage? Bhikkhus, when one have gone to the forest, or to the root of
a tree, or to an empty hut, there one sits down cross-legged, having made one's
body and back straight, and set up awareness around the nostrils, then just
plain aware of that breathing in itself one breathes in, and just solely aware
of only that breathing in itself one breathes out...
1: Breathing in long, one knows, notes and understands: I inhale long!
Breathing out long, one knows, notes and understands: I exhale long!
... ... ... (steps 2-15)
One trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe in!
One trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe out!
Therefore, Bhikkhus, if a friend wishes: May I become secluded from all sense
desires, protected from any detrimental mental state, and thereby enter and
dwell in the 1st jhāna, which is directed thought and sustained thinking joined
with Joy and pleasure born of solitude, then this very same concentration by
Awareness by Breathing should be cultivated often & devoted much attention!
Furthermore if such friend should wish: By the stilling & fading of all directed
and sustained thought, may I enter & dwell in the 2nd jhāna, which is a calmed
assurance fixed by solid mental unification and joined with Joy & pleasure now
born of a concentration devoid of any active thinking, then this same method:
Awareness by Breathing should be trained often & devoted sincere attention!
Even further; if one should wish: With the fading away of joy, may I dwell in
composed equanimity, just open, aware and clearly comprehending, still feeling
pleasure in this body, by entering upon and remaining in the 3rd jhāna, about
which the Noble Ones declare: "In aware Equanimity one dwells in pleasure!",
then this very same exercise: Awareness by Breathing should be developed
regularly and dedicated much earnest consideration! Finally if one should wish:
With the leaving all behind of both pleasure and pain, even as with the prior
disappearance of both Joy and sorrow, may I enter and dwell in the 4th jhāna,
which is an entirely silenced state of utter awareness, purified by Equanimity
of neither-pain-nor-pleasure, then this same praxis: Awareness by Breathing
should be repeated daily & thus made a primary priority due to its importance!

The sublime  Awareness by Breathing (Ānāpāna-sati) used by all Buddhas:  
Ānāpānasati text and commentary, 1_Producing_4, Four_Fulfilling_Seven,
Breathing_Calm_and_Insight, The_LAMP_I, Experiencing_the_Breath,
The_LAMP_IV, Awareness_by_Breathing, Peaceful_and_Sublime_on Spot,
The_LAMP_III, Unique_Thing_Awareness_by_Breathing,
Magnificent_Meditation.

Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikāya. [V:316-7]
section 54: Ānāpānasamyutta. Thread 8: The simile of the Lamp!

Have a nice & noble day!
 
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samāhita _/\_ ]
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Special Experiences might cure illness instantly!

Friends:

Special Experiences might cure illness instantly!

Once when Venerable Girimananda was sick, the Buddha said to Ven. Ānanda.
What is the experience of acute Awareness by in-&-out Breathing?
It is when a Bhikkhu, who have gone to the forest, or to the root of a tree,
or to an empty hut, sits down cross-legged, having straightened his body and
back, and set up awareness around the nostrils, then just plain aware of only
that itself, he breathes in, and then just solely aware of only that breathing
in itself, he then breathes out...
1: Breathing in-&-out long, he knows, notes & understands: I in-&-exhale long!
2: Breathing in short, he knows, notes & understands: I in-&-exhale short!
3: He trains thus: Experiencing this entire body, I will breathe in-&out!
4: He trains thus: Calming all bodily activity, I will breathe in-&out!
5: He trains thus: Experiencing enraptured joy, I will breathe in-&out!
6: He trains thus: Experiencing a happy pleasure, I will breathe in-&out!
7: He trains thus: Experiencing all mental activity, I will breathe in-&out!
8: He trains thus: Calming all mental activity, I will breathe in-&out!
9: He trains thus: Experiencing the present mood, I will breathe in-&out!
10: He trains thus: Elating & gladdening the mind, I will breathe in-&out!
11: He trains thus: Concentrating & focusing mind, I will breathe in-&out!
12: He trains thus: Releasing, & liberating the mind, I will breathe in-&out!
13: He trains thus: Considering impermanence, I will breathe in-&out!
14: He trains thus: Considering disillusion, I will breathe in-&out!
15: He trains thus: Considering ceasing, I will breathe in-&out!
16: He trains thus: Considering relinquishment, I will breathe in-&out!
Having learnt and memorized these 16 simple steps from the Blessed One,
the Venerable Ānanda went to the Venerable Girimananda and recited these
to him. Then as soon as Venerable Girimananda heard these 16 simple steps
& the ten experiences his illness instantly subsided & he rose from  his bed!
This was thus the way Venerable Girimananda was cured from his sickness....



 The 10 Experiences are:
 1: The experience of Impermanence, and Transience (Anicca-Saññā).
 http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Impermanence.htm
 2: The experience of No-Self, and Egoless Impersonality (Anatta-Saññā).
 http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Egolessness.htm
 3: The experience of Loathsome Foulness, and Disgust (Asubha-Saññā).
 http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Disgust.htm
 4: The experience of Danger, Damage, and Disadvantage (Ādīnava-Saññā).
 http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Danger.htm
 5: The experience of Leaving Behind, Overcoming; Giving up (Pahāna-Saññā).
 http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Elimination.htm
 6: The experience of Disillusion, Dispassion, & Detachment (Virāga-Saññā).
 http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Fading_Away.htm
 7: The experience of Ceasing, Stilling, and Final Finishing (Nirodha-Saññā).
 http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Ceasing.htm
 8: The experience of Disgust with the Whole World (Sabbaloka-Anabhirati-Saññā).
 http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Disappointment.htm
 9: The experience of Decay of all Formations (Sabbasankhāresu Anicca-Saññā)
 http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_Universal_Transience.htm
 10: The experience of Awareness by in-and-out Breathing (Ānāpānasati-Saññā)
 http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_the_Breath.htm


Ven. Webu Sayadaw was a great promoter of Ānāpāna-sati meditation.

Awareness by Breathing (Ānāpāna-sati):  Ānāpānasati text and commentary
Awareness_by_Breathing, Breathing_Calm_and_Insight, The_LAMP_I,
The_LAMP_II, The_LAMP_III, The_LAMP_IV, Experiencing_the_Breath,
Peaceful_and_Sublime_on_the_Spot, 1_Producing_4, Four_Fulfilling_Seven,
Unique_Thing_Awareness_by_Breathing, Magnificent_Meditation.



Source (edited extract):
Numerical Discourses of the Buddha. Anguttara Nikāya AN 10:60, V 108ff.
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/Index.Numerical.htm

Have a nice & noble day!
 
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samāhita _/\_ ]
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Mental Release comes by Understanding!

Friends:

Mental Release comes by Understanding!

The Blessed Buddha once explained the chain of causal events:
Association with a Great Man completes hearing the True Dhamma..
Hearing the true Dhamma completes Faith, Confidence and Conviction..
Faith, confidence and conviction completes Rational Attention..
Rational attention completes Mindfulness and Clear Comprehension..
Mindfulness and clear comprehension completes Guarding the Senses..
Guarding the senses completes good mental, verbal and bodily Behaviour..
Good modes of action completes the Four Foundations of Awareness..
The 4 foundations of Awareness completes the 7 Links to Awakening..
The 7 links to Awakening completes Mental Release by Understanding!

Details are outlined here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Dhamma_Contemplation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Lay_Faith.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Careful_and_Rational_Attention.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Clear_Comprehension.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Guarding_the_Sense_Doors.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Guarding_the_Senses.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Five_Basics.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Four_Foundations_of_Awareness.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Seven_Links_to_Awakening.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Understanding_is_the_Chief.htm

More on Mental Release (Vimokkha, Vimutti): The_8_Deliverances,
Freed by Knowing, Fulfilling_Release_by_Wisdom, Self-Control_Releases

More on the supreme Understanding Ability:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Freed_by_Knowing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_Chief_Ability.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/n_r/pannaa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Right_Understanding.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Understanding_is_the_Chief.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Supreme_Understanding.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Revealing_Understanding.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Understanding_Ability.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Outstanding_Understanding.htm

Source:
The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: Anguttara Nikāya V 115

Have a nice & noble day!
 
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samāhita _/\_ ]
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

How to be Real Buddhist through Observance?

Friends:

How to be Real  Buddhist through Observance?

Unduwap Poya is this Fullmoon of December celebrating 2 events:
1: The arrival of Nun Theri Sanghamitta, sister of Arahat Mahinda,
from India in the 3rd century B.C. establishing the Order of Nuns.
2: The arrival at Anuradhapura of a sapling of the sacred Bodhi Tree
at Buddhagaya, brought to Sri Lanka by Arahat Theri Sanghamitta.

Arahat Theri Sanghamitta arrives w. tree.

This day is designated Sanghamitta Day. Nowadays Dasasil Matas;
ten-precept nuns, take an active part in making these celebrations.

Arahat Theri Sanghamitta, daughter of Emperor Asoka & sister to Mahinda.

Details on the Arahat Nun Theri Sanghamitta and the MahaBodhi Tree:
See: http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/sa/sanghamitta_theri.htm
and the Tree http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/b/bodhirukka.htm

The over 2000 years old Bodhi Tree in Ceylon.
Please notice the Lay Buddhist wear all white
clothes, which was classic at Buddha’s time! 

On such Full-Moon Uposatha Poya Observance days:
Any Lay Buddhist simply joins the Three Refuges & undertakes the
Five Precepts like this: Newly bathed, shaved, white-clothed, with
clean bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue, and
bows first three times, so that feet, hands, elbows, knees & head
touch the floor. Then, with joined palms at the heart, one recites
these memorized lines in a loud, calm & steady voice:

As long as this life lasts:
I hereby take refuge in the Buddha.  
I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma.
I hereby take refuge in the Sangha.
I hereby seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time.
I hereby request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time.
I will hereby respect these Three Jewels the rest of my life!

I accept to respect & undertake these 5 training rules: 
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Killing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Stealing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Sexual Abuse.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Dishonesty.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Alcohol & Drugs.
As long as this life lasts, I am thus protected by these 5 precepts...

Then, one keeps and protects these sacred vows better than one's
own eyes & children!, since they protect you & all other beings much
better than any army! They are the highest offer one can give in/to
this world! So is the start towards Nibbāna: the Deathless Element!
This is the Noble Way to Peace, to Freedom, to Ease, to Happiness,
initiated by Morality, developed further by Dhamma-Study and
fulfilled by training of Meditation...

Today indeed is Pooya or Uposatha / observance day, where any lay
Buddhist normally keeps even the Eight Precepts from sunrise until
the next dawn... If any wish a recognition by the Bhikkhu-Sangha,
they may simply forward the lines starting with "I hereby ..." signed
with name, date, town & country to me or join here.  A public list of
this new quite rapidly growing global Saddhamma-Sangha is set up
here!

Sanghamitta Theri arrives at Ceylon with a sapling of the Bodhi Tree

The Modern Community of Buddha's Disciples: Saddhamma Sangha:      
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Saddhamma_Sangha.htm

Can quite advantageously be Joined Here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm
May your journey hereby be light, swift and sweet. Never give up !!

Bhikkhu Samahita: what.buddha.said@gmail.com
For Details on The Origin of Uposatha Observance Days:     
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/uposatha.html

Have a nice & noble day!
 
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samāhita _/\_ ]
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Buddhist Bibliography January 2011 update

Buddhist Bibliography January 2011 update 

The January 2011 update to the Buddhist bibliography of over 8,000
books is now online at :
http://www.golden-wheel.net/buddbib.html

while the Buddhist directory is still at :

http://www.golden-wheel.net/buddlinks.html

and the Buddhist pictures at :

http://www.golden-wheel.net/buddpic.html

while the Buddhist history chronology is still at :

http://www.golden-wheel.net/buddates.html

Enjoy your reading !
 

Karunã: The Great Good Helper!

Friends:

Karunã: The Great Good Helper!

Karunā is feeling the pain of other beings, either partially or completely;

Possible translations:
1: Pity not from above: “I am better”, but as if in the other being’s shoes…
2: Compassion is OK, but that is difficult to reach up to for many beings…
3: Fellow feeling, sympathy, empathy, understanding are all OK, but somewhat
missing these essential points:

A: It is an inability to see and accept other being’s suffering and distress!
B: It is a deep desire to make others feel free, glad, happy and peaceful!
C: It is extended to and pervaded over many beings simultaneously…

The proximate cause of Karunā = pity is noticing other being’s helplessness.
The immediate effect of Karunā = pity is evaporation of all evil cruelty!

Pity (Karunā ) is one of the four divine and infinite dwellings (Brahmavihāra) :
Karuna_is_Pity, Endless Pity, Space_Compassion, What_is_Wrong,
Safe_Medicine, Great_Compassion, Compassionate_Pity,
How_to_Cure_Cruelty_and_Revengefulness

Have a nice & noble day!
 
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samāhita _/\_ ]
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Awareness of the Body just as a Foul Frame!

Friends:

Awareness of the Body just as a Foul Frame!

The Buddha once asked: How does one view the Body only as a Form?
Herein, Bhikkhus & Friends, the Bhikkhu contemplates the body from the
soles of the feet upward, and from the top of the hair downward like this:
This filthy frame with skin stretched over it, which is filled with many kinds
of impurities consists of head-hairs, body-hairs, nails, teeth, skin, flesh,
sinews, bones, marrow, kidneys, heart, liver, vomit, diaphragm, spleen, lungs,
intestine, membranes, stomach, excrement, brain, bile, lymph, pus, blood,
sweat, fat, tears, skin, tallow, spit, snot, joint-fluid, and urine...
Just as if a man with good sight would examine a sack with openings at both
ends, filled with various kinds of grain; paddy, beans, sesame, on opening it
would recognize its contents thus: That is paddy, this is beans, that is sesame,
this is husked rice: Even exactly so does the Bhikkhu investigate this body...
While always fully aware & clearly comprehending, he thus removes any lust,
urge, envy, frustration and discontent rooted in this world! Such intelligent
Bhikkhu keeps contemplating any and all bodies as remote carcasses of filthy
foul form. As something bound to emerge, decay and then inevitably vanish...
Not regarding the body as 'mine', as belonging to 'me', or as very 'my self'!
Not regarding the body as lasting, safe, as pleasant beauty, or as happiness!
In this way the intelligent Bhikkhu keeps reviewing any & all bodies, whether
internal or external, whether his own or others, and he notes the cause of its
arising and the cause of its ceasing, or he just notice: There is this body!
In this way he comes to live not clinging to & thus independent of the body!
This is the way to contemplate the body only as a transient empty shell...

The fine reward is fearlessness of death and thereby fearlessness of all!
Without fear there is the mental elevation of gladness and confidence!
This contemplation detaches one from the body & form and frees thereby...
Clever Disgust by anti-porn thereby cooling all lust and greed for body!

Just a painted puppet!
A chain of bones plastered by skin with 9 oozing holes!
A heap of sores and rotten excrement with evil intentions!

For Inspiration have a collection of Corpse Pictures been deposited here:
http://s914.photobucket.com/albums/ac350/Asubha/  Password: corpses

See also: A Bag of Bones: On the Body compiled by Bhikkhu Khantipalo:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/khantipalo/wheel271.htm
kāyagatāsati, Meditation_On_the_Body, The_9_Corpse_Meditations,
Body_as_only_Form, Evil-smelling_body, The_Skeleton.
Meditation_On_the_Body_Kayagata-Sati,

Source Text: Majjhima Nikāya 119: Kayagata-Sati Sutta
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Meditation_On_the_Body_Kayagata-Sati.htm

Have a nice & noble day!
 
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samāhita _/\_ ]
http://What-Buddha-Said.net