A Guide to Awareness
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A Study of the Saṃskāra Section of Vasubandhu's Pañcaskandhaka with Reference to Its Commentary by Sthiramati
A Study of the Saṃskāra Section of Vasubandhu's Pañcaskandhaka with Reference to Its Commentary by Sthiramati Jowita KRAMER 1. Introduction In his treatise "On the Five Constituents of the Person" (Pañcaskandhaka) Vasubandhu succeeded in presenting a brief but very comprehensive and clear outline of the concept of the five skandhas as understood from the viewpoint of the Yogācāra tradition. When investigating the doctrinal development of the five skandha theory and of other related concepts taught in the Pañcaskandhaka, works like the Yogācārabhūmi, the Abhidharmasamuccaya, and the Abhidharmakośa- bhāṣya are of great importance. The relevance of the first two texts results from their close association with the Pañcaskandhaka in terms of tradition. The significance of the Abhidharmakośabhāṣya is due to the assumption of an identical author of this text and the Pañcaskandhaka.1 The comparison of the latter with the other texts leads to a highly inconsistent picture of the relations between the works. It is therefore difficult to determine the developmental processes of the teachings presented in the texts under consideration and to give a concluding answer to the question whether the same person composed the Abhidharmakośabhāṣya and the Pañcaskandhaka. What makes the identification of the interdependence between the texts even more problematic is our limited knowledge of the methods the Indian authors and commentators applied when they composed their works. It was obviously very common to make use of whole sentences or even passages from older texts without marking them as quotations. If we assume the silent copying of older material as the usual method of Indian authors, then the question arises why in some cases the wording they apply is not identical but replaced by synonyms or completely different statements. -
Chapter-N Cetasika (Mental Factors) 2.0. Introduction
44 Chapter-n Cetasika (Mental Factors) 2.0. Introduction In the first chapter, Citta (Consciousness) has been introduced. In this chapter, Cetasika (Mental factors) which means depending on citta will be discussed in detail with reference to the Abhidhamma pitaka by dividing topics and subtopics related to the present chapter. In the eighty-nine types of consciousness, enumerated in the first chapter, fifty-two mental factors arise in varying degree.There are seven concomitants common to every consciousness. There are six others that may or may not arise in each and every consciousness. They are termed Pakinnakas or Ethically variable factors. All these thirteen are designated Annasamanas, a rather peculiar technical term. Anna means other, samana means common. Sobhanas (Good), when compared with Asobhanas (Evil), are called Aiina (other) 'being of the opposite category'. Thus the Asobhanas are in contradistinction to Sobhanas. These thirteen become moral or immoral according to the types of consciousness in which they occur. 45 The fourteen concomitants are invariably found in every type of immoral consciousness. The nineteen are common to all type of moral consciousness. The six are moral concomitants which occur as occasion arises. Therefore these fifty-two (7+6+14+19+6=52) are found in all the types of consciousness in different proportions. In this chapter all the 52- mental factors are enumerated and classified. Every type of consciousness is microscopically analysed, and the accompanying psychic factors are given in details. The types of consciousness in which each mental factor occurs, is also described. 2.1. Definition of Cetasika Cetasika=cetas+ika When citta arises, it arises with mental factors that depend on it. -
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. -
Contemplations on the Seven Factors of Awakening Contemplations on the Seven Factors of Awakening by Ajahn Tiradhammo
CONTEMPLATIONS ON THE SEVEN FACTORS OF AWAKENING Contemplations on the Seven Factors of Awakening by Ajahn Tiradhammo Published by: Aruna Publications, Aruna Ratanagiri Buddhist Monastery, 2 Harnham Hall Cottages, Belsay, Northumberland NE20 0HF, UK Contact Aruna Publications at www.ratanagiri.org This book is available for free download at www.forestsanghapublications.org ISBN 978-1-908444-22-6 Copyright © 2012 ARUNA PUBLICATIONS Cover photo by Gary Morrison Cover design by Nicholas Halliday If you are interested in translating this text into another language, contact us for formatting guidelines, text material, and help with copyright issues. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ See page 156 for more details on your rights and restrictions under this licence. Produced with the LaTeX typesetting system. The body-text is typeset in Gentium, distributed with the SIL Open Font Licence by SIL International. First Edition, 10,000 copies, printed in Malaysia – 2012 Printed in Malaysia by Bolden Trade ([email protected]). DEDICATION I wish to express gratitude to all my Teachers, my parents and all those who have helped in this work; especially to the Kataññutā group of Malaysia, Singapore and Australia, for bringing it into production. v CONTENTS I ntroduction ix General Instructions for Meditation xi Mindfulness 15 Investigation of Dhamma 39 Energy 51 Joy 67 Tranquillity 81 Concentration 93 Equanimity 117 The Seven Factors Together 127 Awakening 131 Bibliography 151 About the Author 155 vii INTRODUCTION This book is based on a series of talks on the Seven Factors of Awakening given at Bodhinyanarama Monastery in New Zealand during the Rains Retreat in 2007. -
Chapter 1 Introduction Overview and Statement of the Problem
1 Chapter 1 Introduction Overview and Statement of the Problem A continuing central issue in Buddhist meditation, a popular substitute for the Pāli term ‘bhāvanā ’ which literally means ‘development’ or ‘culture,’ i.e., mental development or mental culture, is how two interconnected processes are related. These processes are samatha (tranquillity) or samādhi (concentration) on the one hand and vipassanā (insight) or paññā (wisdom) on the other. 1 Samatha which denotes calmness, tranquillity, serenity and concentration possesses the function of calming, centering and unifying the mind by means of which the mind and its concomitants remain focussed on a single object. The mental unification cannot be attained all at once but develops in a graded sequence of absorption levels, namely the jhāna s. 2 Vipassanā aims to gain direct understanding of the true nature of phenomena as they really are, in terms of the three characteristics; anicca (impermanence), dukkha 3 (unsatisfactoriness) and anattā (not-self). It is generally regarded as the unique discovery of the Buddha and of central importance for the achievement of nibb āna. 4 The issue of the relationship between these processes is crucial because meditation provides the reliable means for the achievement of Buddhist liberation from the circle of existences and supreme security from bondage to ignorance. 1 Henepola Gunaratana, A Critical Analysis of the Jhanas in Theravada Buddhist Meditation , (Ph.D thesis, The American University, 1980), p. 11. 2 The grammatical rules for the use of the plural forms of Pāli terms, are very complex and depend on such things as the gender and final vowel of the term. -
The Great Discourse on Causation the Great Discourse on Causation
The Great Discourse on Causation The Great Discourse on Causation The Mahánidána Sutta and its Commentaries Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi Buddhist Publication Society Kandy • Sri Lanka Buddhist Publication Society P.O. Box 61 54, Sangharaja Mawatha Kandy, Sri Lanka Copyright © 1984, 1995 by Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi First Published in 1984 Second Edition 1995 Reprint 2000 This digital edition 2007 All rights reserved. Permission to reprint material contained in this publication should be obtained from the publishers. National Library of Sri Lanka – Cataloguing-in-Publication Data Bodhi himi The great discourse on causation : the Mahanidana Sutta and its commentaries / Bhikkhu Bodhi. – 2 nd ed. – Kandy : Buddhist Publication Society, 2000 140,xiip. ; 22cm. – First published in 1984 ISBN 955–24–0117–8 i.181.043 DDC 21ii. Title 1. Philosophy, Buddhist2. Buddhism ISBN 955-24-0117-8 Typeset at BPS CONTENTS 1.Primary Sources Dìgha Nikáya: Mahávagga Páli. Burmese Buddhasásana Council edition; Rangoon, 1954. The Dìgha Nikáya. Edited by T. W. Rhys Davids and J. Estlin Carpenter. Volume II. London: Pali Text Society, 1903. Dìgha Nikáya Aþþhakathá (Sumaògalavilásinì): Mahávagga Aþþhakathá. Burmese Buddhasásana Council edition; Rangoon, 1957. Dìgha Nikáya Þìká: Mahávagga Þìká. Burmese Buddhasásana Council edition; Rangoon, 1961. Dìghanikáyaþþhakatháþìká Lìnatthavaóóaná. Edited by Lily De Silva. Volumes I and II. London: Luzac and Company, Ltd. for the Pali Text Society, 1970. II.Previous Translations Consulted Ñáóamoli Thera. “The Mahánidána Suttanta.” Unpublished manuscript translation. Rhys Davids, T.W. and C.A.F., trans. Dialogues of the Buddha , 5th ed., Part II. London: Luzac and Company, Ltd. for the Pali Text Society, 1966. -
Samatha at Home Issue 18 Thursday 7Th January 2021
Samatha at Home (and elsewhere) A newsletter for the Samatha Sangha: 18 Thursday 7th January 2021 www.samatha.org Samatha at Home 18 Dear friends, Happy New Year! The beginning of the year presents us with some mixed news – two new vaccines are now available and being rolled out, but in the meantime a new strain of the virus is spreading significantly faster and our health services are straining under the pressure. Yīnyáng indeed! The parallels with the practice, dealing with mental defilements and the spread of the virus, have been remarked upon before, but at the moment they are particularly striking. The need to maintain discipline and deal with daily life in a mindful way applies not just to our development of our practice but to dealing with Covid-19 as well. In fact we can draw a comparison with the threefold training of Sīla (keeping precepts), Samādhi (concentration) and Paññā (wisdom). With Sīla we practise restraint in our daily lives to ensure the defilements do not get stronger and in maintaining our social distance, wearing a mask and regularly washing our hands we are practising restraint with regard to the virus, ensuring it does not overwhelm us. With Samādhi we calm the mind through breathing mindfulness (for instance) and thereby clear the mind of hindrances, developing skilful states and providing a firm foundation for further work. With the vaccine the virus is suppressed in a similar way and the way is cleared to returning to some semblance of normality. Finally, with Paññā the cause of the defilements is uprooted, the conditions for their arising eliminated. -
The Buddha and His Teachings
TheThe BuddhaBuddha andand HisHis TTeachingseachings Venerable Narada Mahathera 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 Buddha and His Teachings Venerable Nārada Mahāthera Reprinted for free distribution by The Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational Foundation Taipei, Taiwan. July 1998 Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammā-Sambuddhassa Homage to Him, the Exalted, the Worthy, the Fully Enlightened One Contents Introduction ................................................................................... vii The Buddha Chapter 1 From Birth to Renunciation ........................................................... 1 Chapter 2 His Struggle for Enlightenment ................................................. 13 Chapter 3 The Buddhahood ........................................................................... 25 Chapter 4 After the Enlightenment .............................................................. 33 Chapter 5 The Invitation to Expound the Dhamma .................................. 41 Chapter 6 Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta ................................................ 54 Chapter 7 The Teaching of the Dhamma ..................................................... 75 Chapter 8 The Buddha and His Relatives ................................................... 88 Chapter 9 The Buddha and His Relatives ................................................. 103 iii Chapter 10 The Buddha’s Chief Opponents and Supporters .................. 118 Chapter -
Pali Buddhist Dictionary
BuddhistBuddhist DictionaryDictionary ManualManual ofof BuddhistBuddhist TTerermsms && DoctrinesDoctrines by Ven. Nyanatiloka 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. Buddhist Dictionary Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines Nyanatiloka Fourth Revised Edition edited by Nyanaponika Buddhist Publication Society Kandy / Sri Lanka - 2 - Buddhist Publication Society P. O. Box 61 54, Sangharaja Mawatha Kandy, Sri Lanka First Edition 1952 Second Revised Edition 1956 Third Revised & Enlarged Edition 1972 (Pub. by Frewin & Co., Ltd., Colombo) Fourth Revised Edition 1980 (Buddhist Publication Society) Reprinted 1988 ©1980 by Buddhist Publication Society ISBN – 955 – 24 – 0019 – 8 - 3 - From The Preface To The First Edition As a first attempt of an authentic dictionary of Buddhist doctrinal terms, used in the Pàli Canon and its Commentaries, this present manual will fill a real gap felt by many students of Buddhism. It provides the reader not with a mere superficial enumeration of important Pàli terms and their English equivalents, but offers him precise and authentic definitions and explan- ations of canonical and post-canonical terms and doc- trines, based on Sutta, Abhidhamma and Commen- taries, and illustrated by numerous quotations taken from these sources, so that, if anyone wishes, he could, by intelligently joining together the different articles, produce without difficulty a complete exposition of the entire teachings of Buddhism. As already pointed out by the author in the preface to his Guide through the Abhidhamma-Piñaka (Colombo 1938), there are found in the Abhidhamma Canon numerous technical terms not met with in the Sutta Canon; and again other terms are found only in the Commentaries and not in Sutta and Abhidhamma. -
A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma
This eBook is offered freely. If you wish, you may donate and help us continue offering our services. May you be happy! To make a donation, please visit: www.pariyatti.org PARIYATTI 867 Larmon Road Onalaska, Washington 98570 USA 360.978.4998 www.pariyatti.org Pariyatti is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the world by: v Disseminating the words of the Buddha v Providing sustenance for the seeker’s journey v Illuminating the meditator’s path COMPENDIUM OF CONSCIOUSNESS 1 A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma 01titles.p65 1 08/04/2000, 12:26 PM COMPENDIUM OF CONSCIOUSNESS 3 A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma The Abhidhammattha Sangaha of ¾cariya Anuruddha Bhikkhu Bodhi, General Editor Pali text originally edited and translated by Mah±thera N±rada Translation revised by Bhikkhu Bodhi Introduction and explanatory guide by U Rewata Dhamma & Bhikkhu Bodhi Abhidhamma tables by U S²l±nanda BPS PARIYATTI EDITIONS 2007.CompMan.frontmatter.pmd 3 12/4/2006, 10:19 PM BPS PARIYATTI EDITIONs AN IMPRINT OF PARIYATTI PUBLISHING 867 Larmon Road Onalaska, WA 98570 www.pariyatti.org Copyright © 1993, 1999 Buddhist Publication Society All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any means whatsoever without the written permission of BPS Pariyatti Editions, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Published with the consent of the original publisher. Copies of this book for sale in the Americas only. Grateful acknowledgement is made to the Pali Text Society and to Ven. U Silananda for permission to use the Abhidhamma tables indicated in “A Note on the Tables” following the preface. -
How Innovative Is the Alayavijnana
HOW INNOVATIVE IS THE ĀLAYAVIJÑĀNA? The ālayavijñāna in the context of canonical and Abhidharma vijñāna theory by William S. Waldron* INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................ 2 A. THE CANONICAL CONCEPTIONS ...................................................................................................................... 1 AA. ‘Vijñāna’ as ‘consciousness’, ‘vijñāna’ as ‘Cognition’ ................................................................................... 1 AB. ‘Vijñāna’ within the ‘pratītya-samutpāda’ Series............................................................................................ 2 AC. The Latent Dispositions (anuśaya) in Early Buddhist Thought....................................................................... 3 B. MOMENTARINESS AND CONTINUITY IN THE ABHIDHARMA ................................................................... 6 BA. Abhidharma Analysis of Mind: Its Purpose, Methods and Problematics ........................................................ 6 BB. The ‘Synchronic’ Analysis of Mind ................................................................................................................ 7 BC. ‘Diachronic’ Discourse: Traditional Continuities – Karma, ‘Kleśa’ and Seeds .............................................. 9 BD. ‘Sarvāstivādin’ Doctrines ...............................................................................................................................12 -
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.