The Tree of Wisdom The River of No Return The practice and development on insight meditattion Sujiva THE TREE OF WISDOM Printed for free distribution by Sukhi Hotu Sdn Bhd www.sukhihotu.com 1-T Jalan Gottlieb 10350 Penang, Malaysia Tel & Fax: 604-2294811 Email: [email protected] ___________________________ D9-6-1 Block D9 Jalan PJU 1A/46 Dana 1 Commercial Centre 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Tel & Fax: 603-7842 6828 Email: [email protected] Copyright © 2009 Sujiva No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or me- chanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. ISBN : 983-9382-47-1 This print – 4,000 copies, July 2009 Book layout & design by Sukhi Hotu VENERABLE SUJIVA Venerable Sujiva is a well-known Buddhist Theravadin monk who has devoted his early years to the teaching of vipassana meditation in Malaysia. He is also well- respected by his students for his compassion, skilful guidance and deep understanding of the Buddha’s teaching. The Venerable has conducted countless vipassana retreats at the Santisukharama hermitage in Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia since 1982. Another milestone in the development of his teaching of vipassana meditation occurred in 1996 when he began conducting retreats abroad, particularly in Australia. Since then he has held numerous retreats in Hong Kong, New Zealand, Republic of Czech, Republic of Slovakia, Sweden, Italy and the United States. He has also conducted meditation workshops and discussions during a brief stay in Switzerland in 1999. An Abhidhamma course was also held that year in the United States and Hong Kong. His sharp discerning skills at times seemingly unconventional from the mainstream techniques, makes him a contemporary meditation master much sought after. The Venerable donned the robes shortly after graduating from the University of Malaya with an honour degree in Agricultural Science in 1975. During his monastic training, he practiced under several distinguished meditation masters, notably Ovadacariya Sayadaw U Pandita of Burma. He has authored a number of books on Vipassana Meditation and Buddhist poetry. Contents CONTENTS PREFACE Part I GROUND ZERO Obscure Origins 1 What is Insight Meditation? 3 Basic Requirements 8 Five Factors of Striving 30 Mindfulness 32 Satipatthana Mindfulness 38 The Process of Mindfulness 41 Concentration and Mindfulness 42 Part II THE SATIPATTHANA VIPASSANA METHOD 44 The Satipatthana Sutta Chapter 1 Mindfulness of Body - Establishing Stability 48 The Burmese Satipatthana Method Preliminary Instructions Priority of Objects A Note on Progressive Practice Body Sensations Four Postures Balance of Postures Breath The Rising/Falling of the Abdomen Open and Narrow Awareness Breath Meditation vs Rising/Falling Clear Comprehension Contents Chapter 2 Mindfulness of Feelings – Crossing the Ocean 96 What is Feeling? Sensations Bodily Painful Feelings Right Attitude Bodily ‘Happy’ Feelings Mentally Painful/Displeasurable Feelings Mentally Pleasurable Feelings Neutral/Indifferent Feeling Chapter 3 Mindfulness of Consiousness 113 Citta Consciousness and Mental States (Citta and Cetasikas) Active Consciousness (Kamma Citta) Unwholesome Consciousness Wholesome Consciousness (Kusala Cittani) Mind vs Mind Factors contributing to the continuity of Mindfulness Chapter 4 Mindfulness of Phenomena 137 Five Hindrances (Nivarana) Five Aggregates (Khandha) Six Sense Bases (Ayatana) Seven Factors of Enlightenment (Sambojjhanga) Four Noble Truths Part III FUNCTIONAL VIPASSANA 190 Chapter 1 Clearing 194 Contents Chapter 2 Strengthening Concentration 200 Reasons why people practice Concentration Types & Levels of Concentration Right and Wrong Concentration Levels of Concentration Factors That Bring About Concentration Inborn Kammic Factors External Factors The Five Factors of Concentration The Eleven Conditions That Lead to Concentration Absorptions and Skills of Concentration Skills of Concentration and Attainment Chapter 3 Balancing of the Controlling Faculties 224 The Five Controlling Faculties The Direct Relationship The Co-Dependent Relationship Balancing the Faith and Wisdom Faculties Balancing the Energy and Concentration Faculties Ways of Balancing Energy and Concentration Faculties The Influence of Temperament Balancing is a Dynamic Process The Sitibhava Sutta Chapter 4 Sharpening of Faculties 245 Opening and Reception Clear Perception and Recognition Trancending and Going Beyond Concepts Ultimate Realities Nine Ways of Sharpening the Faculties Contents Chapter 5 Wisdom/Understanding 268 Three Universal Characteristics of Existence Anatta Progress of Insight and the Three Universal Characteristics Knowledge of Discrimination into Mind and Matter Knowledge and Conditionality Knowledge of Comprehension Knowledge of Arising and Dissolution Knowledge of Dissolution Knowledge of Terror Knowledge of Danger/Faults Knowledge of Disenchantment Knowledge of Desire for Deliverance Knowledge of Contemplation/Reflection Knowledge of Equanimity of Formations Conformity Knowledge Knowledge of Change of Lineage Path Knowledge Fruition Knowledge Reviewing Knowledge Sharpening, Directing of Mindfulness and the Development of Insight Cycles within Cycles The Pin Point Method Perception, Attention and Volition Chapter 6 Nibbana 323 Chapter 7 Purification and transformation 330 Latencies Transformation Purification The Simple Man’s Criteria of Insight Progress Four Kinds of Progress Contents Part IV AUXILLIARY MATTERS 348 Chapter 1 Helpful tranquility exercises 348 Kasina objects The Four Divine abodes Recollection of the Triple Gem Recollection of Peace Meditation on Death Meditation on Body Parts Chapter 2 Meditation and Problems 400 Problems of beginners Problems with non-beginners Some problems that occur to both beginners & non-beginners Chapter 3 Practice of Mindfulness in Daily Life 413 Establishing conditions conducive for practice in daily life Establishing mindfulness in daily life. Part V CONCLUSION 418 Spreading the Light Loving-kindness/Compassion and Vipassana Teaching Vipassana Meditation Spreading the Way PREFACE 1 PREFACE 1 As with the earlier book – “The Essentials of Insight Meditation”, this book too is a compilation of notes taken from my personal practice and talks given at various retreats. At best, it is a personal research into a profound subject and so is not to be taken as a scholastic work or to be a reference for spiritual realisations. Other than those from textural sources, some of which have been indicated, one will also find ideas that are my own postulations and conclusions. So, the reader will have to be wary and exercise his own discretions and judgements. However, I also do not believe that the practice which I describe here have strayed too far off from the Burmese system of insight meditation that I had been trained in. Meditation as I see it, is a practice that evolves with the situations it finds itself in – like a growing tree or a flowing river, with many unexpected twists and turns. And it has, since the last book which was published and translated into several languages. It has been 10 years hence that I was separated from the conservative and classical oriental form and exposed to the open, pluralistic occidental ideas, the language and presentation of the universal truths have taken a different form. Besides, by now, I have encountered and discovered many new ways of looking at and many new methods of dealing with the situations. My main aim here, besides putting on record my own failing memory of the many gems I have encountered while praticing the Dhamma, is also to offer useful tips and methods to my friends, the number which PREFACE 1 has grown considerably, especially in Europe, as well as others who are sincerely interested in insight meditation. I hope that they may benefit from the tips and methods and progress to live with less suffering and more peace. The book is divided into three parts: 1. The classical presentation by way of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness 2. A functional presentation as to why we do what we do 3. Miscellaneous helpful topics To add interest, I have included photographs which were taken before and while the book was being written. These are images that passed through my mind that may have influenced to some degree the final outcome. Finally, I must acknowledge all those who have helped to make this book possible. Ms Leong Poh Chwee for helping to type out the book and its various drafts. Datuk Dr Victor Wee and Lee Lee Kim for editorial input, Tan Siang Chye for the art work, Steve Christopher for the helping to type the first draft, Aaron Lee for typesetting and the various generous donors, the many yogis who had served as guinea pigs to my new techniques, and also others who had helped in other ways. Sujiva Pian Dei Ciliegi Italy 2009 PREFACE 2 PREFACE 2 Regarding the title of the book: The Tree of Wisdom The River of No Return - The practice and development of insight meditation The Tree of Wisdom We planted many trees at the hermitage in Kota Tingggi, Malaysia. I counted over 200 species. They are now the pride of the place, not to mention giving the wonderful and refreshing ambience to those in search of spiritual peace. When I told this to my Swiss friend Beat, a botanist, he nearly dropped off from his chair. That is because there are only over 30 species in the whole of Switzerland. Now I am actively promoting the planting of trees in Europe. This time it is with the conifers in mind. However, the interest does not seem to be just based on enviromentalism alone or for that matter, aesthetics. As a cleric once wrote, “The man who plants trees goes to heaven.” He repopulated large parts of Switzerland with larches. There is obviously also something spiritual about it. I think it has something to do with symbolism and recognition of Nature. I was asked once, which flower I liked best. I answered, “The lotus, and the one with the purest white.” As far as temperate ones are concerned, I chose the Columbine (Aquilegia sp) at that time because of its three dimensional structure not common among flowers.