DOCSLIB.ORG

Praise for a Meditator's Life of the Buddha in This Work, Bhikkhu

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Praise for A Meditator’s Life of the Buddha In this work, Bhikkhu Anālayo applies his consummate knowledge of the textual collections of Early Buddhism to the task of constructing a biography of the Buddha that focuses on his life as a meditator. The book not only paints a very human picture of the Buddha’s life, but through the exercises attached to each chapter it enables the reader to join the Buddha on his quest for enlightenment and beyond, into his mission as a teacher and through to his parinirvāṇa or passing away. While offering a scholarly portrait of the Buddha, this book is also a testament to the overarching unity of the various early Buddhist schools in their conception of the Buddha’s life, a unity that coexists along with a rich diversity in their detailed narrations about particular events in that life. Bhikkhu Bodhi, scholar and translator A Meditator’s Life of the Buddha explores the remarkable inner journey that transformed Siddhartha Gotama into a fully awakened Buddha. It traces the unfolding of the Buddha’s path from his going forth and discovery of the path, to the triumphant night of his full awakening, four and a half decades of compassionate teaching, and concludes with his final meditation. This book is simultaneously a biography of a great man, an insightful study of Early Buddhism, and a practical guidebook for serious meditators. Each chapter offers readers a rare, and often surprisingly intimate, account of how the Buddha met real-life situations. We learn how he faced difficulties and overcame fears, struggled to abandon defilements, prioritized his commitments, mastered concentration states, recognized the significance of insights, and experienced the great peace that finally characterized his life as an awakened one. It is an inspiring guide that will accelerate the reader’s own journey of awakening. Highly recommended, and sure to inspire dedicated meditators! Shaila Catherine, author of Focused and Fearless: A Meditator’s Guide to States of Deep Joy, Calm, and Clarity AMLOTB pages 234x156 v5s01.indd 1 24/11/2017 14:48 The Buddha’s life story provides an implicit support for one of the most important of early Buddhist meditation practices, the contemplation of the Buddha. Anālayo’s highly original approach to the familiar story is to present his material in the form of an explicit guide to this practice, laid out in 24 stages, which follow what we know of the Buddha’s own meditation practice. Anālayo brings his formidable scholarship to elucidating what this consisted in, drawing on discourses preserved in Pāli and Chinese that have a reliably early provenance. The extremely useful exercises with which each chapter concludes ground the scholarship in a fervent awareness of the goal, represented by the Buddha, which we should always have in mind in our own practice. Jinananda, author of Warrior of Peace: The Life of the Buddha Anālayo is both an outstanding scholar and a devoted practitioner, and this account of the Buddha’s life through his engagement with meditation may be his ideal subject. We need more accounts of the Buddha’s life that draw out what the early texts say, distinguishing that from the legends that came later. Anālayo’s mastery of both the Pāli and the Chinese sources, as well as the scholarship that surrounds them, makes him an unrivalled authority in this, and an attentive guide to the Buddha’s explorations of the mind and meditative states. In another person’s hands all this knowledge could have made A Meditator’s Life of the Buddha an exercise in scholarship, but Anālayo’s heartfelt engagement with the material and his dedication to meditation practice is evident on every page. Vishvapani, author of Gautama Buddha: The Life and Teachings of the Awakened One AMLOTB pages 234x156 v5s01.indd 2 24/11/2017 14:48 A MEDITATOR’S LIFE OF THE BUDDHA AMLOTB pages 234x156 v5s01.indd 3 24/11/2017 14:48 Also by Anālayo Satipaṭṭhāna: The Direct Path to Realization The Genesis of the Bodhisattva Ideal A Comparative Study of the Majjhima-nikāya Excursions into the Thought-world of the Pāli Discourses Madhyama-āgama Studies Perspectives on Satipaṭṭhāna The Dawn of Abhidharma Compassion and Emptiness in Early Buddhist Meditation Saṃyukta-āgama Studies Ekottarika-āgama Studies The Foundation History of the Nuns’ Order Mindfully Facing Disease and Death: Compassionate Advice from Early Buddhist Texts Buddhapada and the Bodhisattva Path Early Buddhist Meditation Studies Dīrgha-āgama Studies Vinaya Studies AMLOTB pages 234x156 v5s01.indd 4 24/11/2017 14:48 A MEDITATOR’S LIFE OF THE BUDDHA Based on the Early Discourses Anālayo AMLOTB pages 234x156 v5s01.indd 5 24/11/2017 14:48 Windhorse Publications 169 Mill Road Cambridge CB1 3AN UK [email protected] windhorsepublications.com © Anālayo, 2017 The right of Anālayo to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. As an act of Dhammadāna, Anālayo has waived royalty payments for this book. The index was not compiled by the author. Cover design by Dhammarati Cover image: Sandstone figure of the Buddha, Sarnath, fifth century AD; © The Trustees of the British Museum. Typesetting and layout by Ruth Rudd Printed by Bell & Bain Ltd, Glasgow British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data: A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. ISBN: 978-1-909314-99-3 Limit of Liability: While the publisher and author have used their best efforts in preparing this book so as to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered, the advice and practices contained in it may not be suitable for your situation. You should consult with a professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor author shall be liable for any damage. AMLOTB pages 234x156 v5s01.indd 6 24/11/2017 14:48 CONTENTS abOUT THE AUTHOR ix ACKNOWLEDGEMENT x PUblISHER’S ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS xi MEDITATIVE EXERCISES RECOmmENDED IN EACH CHAPTER xii FOREWORD BY JACK KORNFIELD xv INTRODUCTION 1 Chapter I THE MOTIVATION TO GO FORTH 5 Chapter II MORAL CONDUCT 14 Chapter III OBSTACLES TO CONCENTRATION 23 Chapter IV ABSORPTION 32 Chapter V THE IMMATERIAL ATTAINMENTS 42 Chapter VI FORCEFUL CONTROL OF THE MIND 51 Chapter VII BREATH CONTROL 60 Chapter VIII FASTING 69 Chapter IX FINDING THE PATH 78 Chapter X DETERMINATION 87 Chapter XI RECOLLECTION OF PAST LIVES 96 Chapter XII THE DIVINE EYE 105 Chapter XIII AWAKENING 115 Chapter XIV THE DECISION TO TEACH 125 AMLOTB pages 234x156 v5s01.indd 7 24/11/2017 14:48 VIII / CONTENTS Chapter XV THE TWO EXTREMES 134 Chapter XVI THE FOUR TRUTHS 143 Chapter XVII THE THREE TURNINGS 152 Chapter XVIII HONOURING THE DHARMA 162 Chapter XIX TEACHING 171 Chapter XX SEEING THROUGH VIEWS 180 Chapter XXI DWELLING IN EMPTINESS 189 Chapter XXII DAILY CONDUCT 198 Chapter XXIII OLD AGE, DISEASE, AND DEATH 207 Chapter XXIV THE FINAL MEDITATION 216 CONCLUSION 225 REFERENCES 234 LIST OF abbREVIATIONS 243 SUBJECT INDEX 245 INDEX LOCORUM 255 AMLOTB pages 234x156 v5s01.indd 8 24/11/2017 14:48 ABOUT THE AUTHOR Born in 1962 in Germany, Bhikkhu Anālayo was ordained in 1995 in Sri Lanka, and completed a PhD on the Satipaṭṭhāna-sutta at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, in 2000 – published in 2003 by Windhorse Publications under the title Satipaṭṭhāna: The Direct Path to Realization. Anālayo is a professor of Buddhist Studies; his main research area is early Buddhism and in particular the topics of the Chinese Āgamas, meditation, and women in Buddhism. Besides his academic pursuits, he spends most of his time in meditation under retreat conditions and regularly teaches meditation. He presently resides at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies in Massachusetts. AMLOTB pages 234x156 v5s01.indd 9 24/11/2017 14:48 X / A MEDITATOR’S LIFE OF THE BUDDHA ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I am indebted to Bhikkhu Bodhi, Bhikkhunī Dhammadinnā, Ann Dillon, Linda Grace, Michael Running, Syinchen Shi, and Matt Weingast for commenting on a draft version of this book. AMLOTB pages 234x156 v5s01.indd 10 24/11/2017 14:48 PUBLISHER’S ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS / XI PUBLISHER’S ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Windhorse Publications wishes to gratefully acknowledge grants from the Triratna European Chairs’ Assembly Fund and the Future Dharma Fund towards the production of this book. Windhorse Publications also wishes to gratefully acknow- ledge and thank the individual donors who gave to the book’s production via our “Sponsor- a-book” campaign. AMLOTB pages 234x156 v5s01.indd 11 24/11/2017 14:48 MEDITATIVE EXERCISES RECOMMENDED IN EACH CHAPTER Chapter 1 Reflecting on old age, disease, and death 12 Chapter 2 Recollecting one’s wholesome conduct 21 Chapter 3 Distinguishing between wholesome and unwholesome thoughts 30 Chapter 4 Noting the divine quality of a concentrated mind 40 Chapter 5 Contemplating emptiness 50 Chapter 6 Working with five methods to remove distraction 59 Chapter 7 Mindfulness of breathing in sixteen steps 67 Chapter 8 Cultivating contentment 76 Chapter 9 Rejoicing in wholesome states of mind 85 Chapter 10 Contemplating feelings 94 Chapter 11 Contemplating dharmas 104 Chapter 12 Contemplating consciousness and name-and-form 113 Chapter 13 Cultivating dispassion, cessation, and letting go 123 Chapter 14 Arousing compassion 132 Chapter 15 Balancing the awakening factors 141 Chapter 16 Applying the four truths to daily practice 151 Chapter 17 Inclining the mind towards Nirvāṇa 160 AMLOTB pages 234x156 v5s01.indd 12 24/11/2017 14:48 MEDITATIVE EXERCISES RECOMMENDED IN EACH CHAPTER / XIII Chapter 18 Recollecting the Dharma 169 Chapter 19 Cultivating equanimity 178 Chapter 20 Non-attachment to views 187 Chapter 21 Perception of space as a mode of dwelling in emptiness 196 Chapter 22 Clear comprehension in daily activities 206 Chapter 23 Mindfulness of death 214 Chapter 24 Recollecting the community 224 Conclusion Recollecting the Buddha 231 AMLOTB pages 234x156 v5s01.indd 13 24/11/2017 14:48 XIV / A MEDITATOR’S LIFE OF THE BUDDHA AMLOTB pages 234x156 v5s01.indd 14 24/11/2017 14:48 FOREWORD / XV FOREWORD BY JACK KORNFIELD You hold in your hand a wonderful gift, offered to Western readers from my accomplished and respected friend, Bhikkhu Anālayo.
Recommended publications
  • From Grasping to Emptiness – Excursions Into the Thought-World of the Pāli Discourses (2)

    From Grasping to Emptiness – Excursions Into the Thought-World of the Pāli Discourses (2)

    From Grasping to Emptiness – Excursions into the Thought-world of the Pāli Discourses (2) Anālayo © 2010 Anālayo Published by The Buddhist Association of the United States 2020 Route 301, Carmel, New York 10512 Printed in Taiwan Cover design by Laurent Dhaussy ISBN 978-0-615-25529-3 Introduction 3 1. Grasping / Upādāna 5 1.1 Grasping at Sensual Pleasures 5 1.2 Grasping at Views 7 1.3 Grasping at Rules and Observances 9 1.4 Grasping at a Doctrine of Self 10 1.5 The Five Aggregates [Affected by] Clinging 13 1.6 Grasping and Nibbāna 15 1.7 Freedom from Grasping 16 2. Personality View / Sakkāyadihi 19 2.1 Manifestations of Personality View 19 2.2 Removal of Personality View 24 3. Right View / Sammādihi 27 3.1 Wrong View 27 3.2 Right View and Investigation 29 3.3 Right View as the Forerunner of the Path 31 3.4 Arrival at Right View 33 3.5 Right View and the Four Noble Truths 34 4. Volitional Formations / Sakhārā 39 4.1 Sakhāras as an Aggregate 40 4.2 Sakhāras as a Link in Dependent Arising 44 4.3 Sakhāras in General 48 5. Thought / Vitakka 55 5.1 The Ethical Perspective on Thought 56 5.2 The Arising of Thought 57 5.3 The Vitakkasahāna-sutta 60 5.4 Vitakka in Meditation 64 5.5 Thought Imagery 66 6. Wise Attention / Yoniso Manasikāra 69 6.1 Wise ( Yoniso ) 69 6.2 Attention ( Manasikāra ) 72 6.3 The Implications of Wise Attention 72 6.4 The Importance of Wise Attention 78 7.
  • Vatthūpama Sutta

    Vatthūpama Sutta

    Majjhima Nikya 1 M 7 Vatthûpama Sutta Vatthûpama Sutta The Discourse on the Parable of the Cloth [We are purified internally by the mind] (Majjhima Nikya 7/1:36-40) Translated by Piya Tan ©2003 1 The Sutta and its title 1.1 THE SUTTA TITLE. The Vatthûpama Sutta (M 7) records the brahmin Sundarika Bhāra,dvāja’s meeting with the Buddha at Jeta,vana. This discourse has two main parts: in the first, the Buddha instructs on the nature of self-purity, and in the second, he addresses Sundarika Bhāra,dvāja on the latter’s view on external purification. Evidently, Sundarika is present (“sitting not far from the Blessed One”) throughout the whole discourse addressed to the monks, and when he questions the Buddha in the second half of the dis- course, the Buddha answers him. The second half of the Vatthûpama Suitta is about the Buddha’s teaching Sundarika Bhāra,dvāja and his awakening as an arhat. Sundarika presents us with an identity problem because the Sutta Nipāta, too, has a description of his awakening as an arhat, that is, in the (Pūraḷāsa) Sundarika Bhāra,dvāja Sutta (Sn 3.4/- 79 f, 86).1 It is likely, however, that the two discourses are about two different Bhāra,dvājas, so that their accounts are separately recorded by the Khuddaka Reciters (or those who compiled the Sutta Nipāta) and by the Majjhima Reciters. It is possible that the “Sundarika Bhāradvāja” of the Vatthûpama Sutta—we shall call him Sundarika I —is a different person from his namesake, Sundarika II of the Sutta Nipāta.
  • Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION

    Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION

    Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION Adhigato kho me ayaṃ dhammo gambhīro duddaso duranubodho santo paṇīto atakkāvacaro nipuṇo paṇḍitavedanīyo. … Ahañ c'eva kho pana dhammaṃ deseyyaṃ pare ca me na ājāneyyuṃ. Vin.I.4-5, M.I.167-168, S.I.136. This dhamma 1 attained by me is deep, hard to see, hard to comprehend, serene, subtle, beyond the dominion of reasoning, recondite, apprehensible only to the wise. … Would I preach the dhamma , others will not understand. 2 From the very beginning of Buddhist recorded history, two particular meanings of the term dhamma , ‘reality realised’ and ‘teaching taught’ by the Buddha, have been closely related. In the above passage, which is generally regarded as a revelation of the Buddha’s thought after his perfect enlightenment and prior to his first teaching; 3 the word dhamma is used in these two distinct contexts. Its first appearance in the phrase ‘ dhamma attained by me’ ( adhigato… dhammo ) represents the ‘reality realised’ or spiritually experienced by the Buddha. Its occurrence in the second phrase ‘would I preach the dhamma ’ (dhamma deseyya ) stands for the ‘teaching taught’ by the Buddha which can be regarded as the ‘verbal expression’ of the reality he has realised. In this latter sense, the term dhamma equals the English word ‘truth,’ being a true 1 This study uses Pali diacritics for technical terms throughout, except in the discussion related to Buddhist traditions in which the Sanskrit usage is more appropriate. In the latter case, the Sanskrit form will be used instead. Both the Pali and Sanskrit diacritics are italicised. Exceptions are made for proper or specific names, unless they are being referred to in Pali phrases.
  • Compassion & Social Justice

    Compassion & Social Justice

    COMPASSION & SOCIAL JUSTICE Edited by Karma Lekshe Tsomo PUBLISHED BY Sakyadhita Yogyakarta, Indonesia © Copyright 2015 Karma Lekshe Tsomo No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the editor. CONTENTS PREFACE ix BUDDHIST WOMEN OF INDONESIA The New Space for Peranakan Chinese Woman in Late Colonial Indonesia: Tjoa Hin Hoaij in the Historiography of Buddhism 1 Yulianti Bhikkhuni Jinakumari and the Early Indonesian Buddhist Nuns 7 Medya Silvita Ibu Parvati: An Indonesian Buddhist Pioneer 13 Heru Suherman Lim Indonesian Women’s Roles in Buddhist Education 17 Bhiksuni Zong Kai Indonesian Women and Buddhist Social Service 22 Dian Pratiwi COMPASSION & INNER TRANSFORMATION The Rearranged Roles of Buddhist Nuns in the Modern Korean Sangha: A Case Study 2 of Practicing Compassion 25 Hyo Seok Sunim Vipassana and Pain: A Case Study of Taiwanese Female Buddhists Who Practice Vipassana 29 Shiou-Ding Shi Buddhist and Living with HIV: Two Life Stories from Taiwan 34 Wei-yi Cheng Teaching Dharma in Prison 43 Robina Courtin iii INDONESIAN BUDDHIST WOMEN IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE Light of the Kilis: Our Javanese Bhikkhuni Foremothers 47 Bhikkhuni Tathaaloka Buddhist Women of Indonesia: Diversity and Social Justice 57 Karma Lekshe Tsomo Establishing the Bhikkhuni Sangha in Indonesia: Obstacles and
  • The Buddhist Way of Life Yasodhara Dhamma School

    The Buddhist Way of Life Yasodhara Dhamma School

    The Buddhist Way of Life Buddhist Ethics for Children Published by Yasodhara Dhamma School Sri Lanka Buddhist Monastery, SLBM Inc. Brisbane QLD 4078, Australia Authored by Ven. Nadimale Sudhamma Author - Ven. Nadimale Sudhamma Educationalist – Australia (B.Teach, Graduate Cert. of Applied Linguistics, MEd - Australia) Deputy Principal, Yasodhara Dhamma School Former Primary School Teacher with the Education QLD Blog Site: http://dhamma_stream.blogspot.com.au Printed by – Nethwin Printers “Dalada Sewane Api” Padanama, Gatambe Junction, Kandy Sri Lanka Ph; 081 - 2386908 Publisher – Yasodhara Dhamma School, Sri Lanka Buddhist Monastery Inc. 114, Considine Street, Ellen Grove, Brisbane, QLD 4078. Web: http://www.srilankaramaqld.org 2019 All Rights Reserved Preface The Buddhist way of life was authored by Venerable Nadimale Sudhamma as an introductory textbook for beginners who study Buddhism in Yasodhara Dhamma School. This book aims to inculcate basic Buddhist teaching in young minds and develop their interest in practicing Buddhism in daily life. The lack of Buddhist textbooks written in English language aiming beginners is a hindrance for propagating Buddhism in Australian society and, this book caters to fill the gap. Venerable Sudhamma was a devoted supporter to Sri Lanka Buddhist Monastery even before her ordination as a Buddhist nun. She was the founder of Yasodhara Sinhala School and a key figure behind developing Yasodhara Dhamma School. Now they are leading institutes in propagating Sinhalese Buddhist values among Sri Lankan community in Queensland- Australia. Sadaham Gangula is another Buddhist publication organized with the authorship of Venerable Sudhamma, a collection of Dhamma Talks delivered at the SLBM. While dedicated to achieving her own spiritual goals, Venerable Sudhamma has dedicatedly supported to the progress of Sri Lanka Buddhist monastery in Brisbane and Subodharamaya in Peradeniya-Sri Lanka.
  • Early Buddhist Concepts in Today's Language

    Early Buddhist Concepts in Today's Language

    1 Early Buddhist Concepts In today's language Roberto Thomas Arruda, 2021 (+55) 11 98381 3956 [email protected] ISBN 9798733012339 2 Index I present 3 Why this text? 5 The Three Jewels 16 The First Jewel (The teachings) 17 The Four Noble Truths 57 The Context and Structure of the 59 Teachings The second Jewel (The Dharma) 62 The Eightfold path 64 The third jewel(The Sangha) 69 The Practices 75 The Karma 86 The Hierarchy of Beings 92 Samsara, the Wheel of Life 101 Buddhism and Religion 111 Ethics 116 The Kalinga Carnage and the Conquest by 125 the Truth Closing (the Kindness Speech) 137 ANNEX 1 - The Dhammapada 140 ANNEX 2 - The Great Establishing of 194 Mindfulness Discourse BIBLIOGRAPHY 216 to 227 3 I present this book, which is the result of notes and university papers written at various times and in various situations, which I have kept as something that could one day be organized in an expository way. The text was composed at the request of my wife, Dedé, who since my adolescence has been paving my Dharma with love, kindness, and gentleness so that the long path would be smoother for my stubborn feet. It is not an academic work, nor a religious text, because I am a rationalist. It is just what I carry with me from many personal pieces of research, analyses, and studies, as an individual object from which I cannot separate myself. I dedicate it to Dede, to all mine, to Prof. Robert Thurman of Columbia University-NY for his teachings, and to all those to whom this text may in some way do good.
  • “Siam's Borān Buddhism” from the Reign of Rāmā I (1782-1809 CE.)

    “Siam's Borān Buddhism” from the Reign of Rāmā I (1782-1809 CE.)

    The Dhammakāyānussati-kathā: A Trace of “Siam's Borān Buddhism” from the Reign of Rāmā I (1782-1809 CE.) Woramat Malasart A thesis submitted for the degree of Master of Arts Of the University of Otago, Dunedin New Zealand June 4, 2019 Abstract The Dhammakāya text genre appears in manuscripts, inscriptions, and printed texts found in Central Thailand, Northern Thailand, and Cambodia. Texts belonging to this genre share the same core Pāli verses, and date back to the Ayutthaya period. In this thesis, I transliterate, translate, contextualise and analyse the Dhammakāyānussati-kathā, “Words on the Recollec- tion of the Body of Dhammas,” which was part of the Suat Mon Plae, a collection of Bud- dhist chanting rituals compiled during the 1st reign (1782-1809), using a historical-critical approach to the text. The Dhammakāyānussati-kathā consists of verses composed in Pāli fol- lowed by the Thai translation, using a traditional method called yok sab. The first three parts of the Dhammakāyānussati-kathā share the core Pāli verses of the Dhammakāya text genre, but the final section, which praises the Buddha‟s physical body, is different. The Pāli vers- es describe the Buddha‟s auspicious marks including radiance, hair, height, etc., verses that are also found in the Golden Manuscript Braḥ Dhammakāya, a text that can be dated to the 1st reign. Today, the Dhammakāyānussati-kathā is not well-known in Central Thailand, but its similar texts are still used in Northern Thailand and Cambodia during buddhābhiṣeka and the ritual of installing the Buddha‟s heart into a Buddha statute and chedī.
  • The Mission Accomplished

    The Mission Accomplished

    TheThe MissionMission AccomplishedAccomplished Ven. Pategama Gnanarama Ph.D. HAN DD ET U 'S B B O RY eOK LIBRA E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.buddhanet.net Buddha Dharma Education Association Inc. The Mission Accomplished A historical analysis of the Mahaparinibbana Sutta of the Digha Nikaya of the Pali Canon. by Ven. Pategama Gnanarama Ph. D. The Mission Accomplished is undoubtedly an eye opening contribution to Bud- dhist analytical Pali studies. In this analytical and critical work Ven. Dr. Pate- gama Gnanarama enlightens us in many areas of subjects hitherto unexplored by scholars. His views on the beginnings of the Bhikkhuni Order are interesting and refreshing. They might even be provocative to traditional readers, yet be challenging to the feminists to adopt a most positive attitude to the problem. Prof. Chandima Wijebandara University of Sri Jayawardhanapura Sri Lanka. A masterly treatment of a cluster of Buddhist themes in print Senarat Wijayasundara Buddhist and Pali College Singapore Published by Ti-Sarana Buddhist Association 90, Duku Road. Singapore 429254 Tel: 345 6741 First published in Singapore, 1997 Published by Ti-Sarana Buddhist Association ISBN: 981–00–9087–0 © Pategama Gnanarama 1997 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval systems or technologies now known or later developed, without per- mission in writing from the publisher. Cover: Mahaparinibbana; an ancient stone carving from Gandhara — Loriyan Tangai. Photograph reproduced by Mr K. C. Wong. Contents Introductory . 8 Chapter 1: The Mahaparinibbana Sutta & its Different Versions .
  • Ánanda Thera

    Ánanda Thera

    Ánanda Thera Ven. Ananda Ministering the sick Monk Introduction – Reading the story of Ven. Ananda Thera, we come to know the significance of paying homage to Bodhi tree. It was instructed by Buddha to plant a sapling Bodhi tree to represent him – Buddha said to Ananda – 1. “Ánanda bring a sapling from the Bodhi Tree in Buddha Gaya and plant it in Jetavana. He then said: "In my absence, let my devotees pay homage to the great Bodhi Tree that gave me protection during enlightenment. Let the Bodhi Tree be a symbol of my presence. Those who honor the Bodhi. 2. The next significant contribution was the formation of the Bhikkhuni Sangha order for the first time in Buddha’s Ministry. 3. The next, is the Ratana Sutta – Yatana Tote - whenever, some one recite Ratana Sutta – Yatana Tote – we are reminded of Ven. Ananda who first recite this paritta sutta to clean the evil off the city of Vasali. 4. He attained the Arahantship on the day of the First Council of the Dhamma, (Sangayana), post Maha Parinaibbana period. He was declared the guardian of the Dhamma because of his retentive memory. Page 1 of 42 Dhamma Dana Maung Paw, California 5. One very significant lesson we can learn from the Maha-parinibbana Sutta is Buddha’s instruction to Ananda - "Ananda, please prepare a bed for me between the twin sal-trees, with its head to the north. I am tired, and will lie down." When we meditate we should always face towards the Northerly direction to accrue the purity of the Universe.
  • The Concept of Existence (Bhava) in Early Buddhism Pranab Barua

    The Concept of Existence (Bhava) in Early Buddhism Pranab Barua

    The Concept of Existence (Bhava) in Early Buddhism Pranab Barua, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Thailand The Asian Conference on Ethics, Religion & Philosophy 2021 Official Conference Proceedings Abstract The transition in Dependent Origination (paṭiccasamuppāda) between clinging (upādāna) and birth (jāti) is often misunderstood. This article explores the early Buddhist philosophical perspective of the relationship between death and re-birth in the process of following bhava (uppatti-bhava) and existing bhava (kamma-bhava). It additionally analyzes the process of re- birth (punabbhava) through the karmic processes on the psycho-cosmological level of becoming, specifically how kamma-bhava leads to re-becoming in a new birth. The philosophical perspective is established on the basis of the Mahātaṇhāsaṅkhaya-Sutta, the Mahāvedalla-Sutta, the Bhava-Sutta (1) and (2), the Cūḷakammavibhaṅga-Sutta, the Kutuhalasala-Sutta as well as commentary from the Visuddhimagga. Further, G.A. Somaratne’s article Punabbhava and Jātisaṃsāra in Early Buddhism, Bhava and Vibhava in Early Buddhism and Bhikkhu Bodhi’s Does Rebirth Make Sense? provide scholarly perspective for understanding the process of re-birth. This analysis will help to clarify common misconceptions of Tilmann Vetter and Lambert Schmithausen about the role of consciousness and kamma during the process of death and rebirth. Specifically, the paper addresses the role of the re-birth consciousness (paṭisandhi-viññāṇa), death consciousness (cūti-viññāṇa), life continuum consciousness (bhavaṅga-viññāṇa) and present consciousness (pavatti-viññāṇa) in the context of the three natures of existence and the results of action (kamma-vipāka) in future existences. Keywords: Bhava, Paṭiccasamuppāda, Kamma, Psycho-Cosmology, Punabbhava iafor The International Academic Forum www.iafor.org Prologue Bhava is the tenth link in the successive flow of human existence in the process of Dependent Origination (paṭiccasamuppāda).
  • Satipaṭṭhāna Meditation: a Practice Guide

    Satipaṭṭhāna Meditation: a Practice Guide

    Praise for Satipaṭṭhāna Meditation: A Practice Guide This is a pearl of a book. On reading it, and comparing it to the author’s previous two studies of satipaṭṭhāna, the impression is that of having left the university lecture theatre and entered the meditation hall, where the wise and experienced teacher is offering Dhamma reflections, illuminating the practice of satipaṭṭhāna with a fertile and colourful lucidity, free of footnotes and arcane cross-references. This book is a treasure-house of practical teachings, rendered accessible with a clear and simple eloquence. The author states that his motivation has been to enrich the practice of satipaṭṭhāna rather than to compete with other approaches – he has succeeded admirably in this, I feel, and with praiseworthy skill and grace. – Ajahn Amaro This breathtaking practice guide is brief, and profound! It offers a detailed, engaging, and flexible approach to satipaṭṭhāna meditation that can be easily applied both in meditation and in day-to-day activities. The inspired practice suggestions and joyful enquiry that pervade each chapter will draw students, gradually but surely, towards deep liberating insight. Satipaṭṭhāna Meditation: A Practice Guide is destined to become an invaluable resource for meditators! – Shaila Catherine, author of Focused and Fearless: A Meditator’s Guide to States of Deep Joy, Calm, and Clarity Once more Bhikkhu Anālayo has written a masterpiece that holds within it an accessible and clear guide to developing and applying the teachings held within the Satipaṭṭhāna-sutta. Within this book Anālayo explores the subtle nuances of developing mindfulness and how that dedicated cultivation leads to the awakening pointed to in the discourse.
  • Awakening with Insight Meditation Retreat with Shaila Catherine

    Awakening with Insight Meditation Retreat with Shaila Catherine

    Verein Selbsthilfe und Kommunikation e. V. About the retreat: This silent meditation retreat will Awakening with Insight emphasize a balance of mindfulness, concentration, and meditative investigation. Instructions will encourage mindfulness of breath, body, and mind to enhance the potential for liberating Shaila Catherine insight. Meditation instructions, is the founder of Bodhi Courses, an online Dhamma consultations with the teachers, and classroom (http://www.bodhicourses.org), and daily dharma teachings make this Insight Meditation South Bay, a Buddhist retreat suitable for both new and meditation center in Silicon Valley in California experienced practitioners. (http://www.imsb.org). She has been practicing meditation since 1980, accumulating more than By cultivating a calm, balanced eight years of silent retreat experience, and has awareness, we can dissolve any taught internationally since 1996. Shaila studied suffering that may entangle our hearts with masters in India, Thailand, and Nepal, and also and discover our freedom in the midst with the founders of western meditation centers of things. such as Joseph Goldstein and Christopher Titmuss. Meditation Retreat She completed a one-year intensive meditation with Shaila Catherine retreat with the focus on concentration and jhāna, and authored Focused and Fearless: A Meditator’s August 14th 2017 - Guide to States of Deep Joy, Calm, and Clarity. Shaila August 20th 2017 practiced intensively under the direction of Venerable Pa-Auk Sayadaw from 2006-2015, Studienhaus Schönwag absorbing a precise and rigorous approach to More Information about Shaila’s near Weilheim/Oberbayern samādhi and vipassanā that continues to inform her work: teaching. She authored Wisdom Wide and Deep: A Organized by: Practical Handbook for Mastering Jhāna and Bodhi Verein Selbsthilfe und Vipassanā to help make this traditional training in Courses: www.bodhicourses.org Kommunikation e.V.