ARTICLES ON BUDDHISM

Bliss

There is no fire like lust, no evil like hatred.

There are no disasters equal to the Khandhas.

There is no happiness greater than the peace of Nibbana.

  Dhammapada – 202-4 (Balangoda Ananda Maitreya translation)

Dasadhamma Sutta: Discourse on The Ten Dhammas

Thus have I heard:
  On one occasion the Blessed One was living near Savatthi at Jetavana at the monastery of Anathapindika.

Then the Blessed One addressed the monks, saying: "Monks." — "Venerable Sir," they said by way of reply.

The Blessed One then spoke as follows:
  "These ten essentials must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth (to live the holy life). What are these ten?"

1. "I am now changed into a different mode of life (from that of a layman).
  This must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth."

2. "My life depends on others.
  This must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth."

3. "I must now behave in a different manner.
  This must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth."

4. "Does my mind upbraid me regarding the state of my virtue?
  This must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth."

5. "Do my discerning fellow-monks having tested me, reproach me regarding the state of my virtue?
  This must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth."

6. "There will be a parting (some day) from all those who are dear and loving to me. Death brings this separation to me.
  This must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth."

7. "Of kamma I am constituted. Kamma is my inheritance; kamma is the matrix; kamma is my kinsman; kamma is my refuge. Whatever kamma I perform, be it good or bad, to that I shall be heir.
  This must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth."

8. "How do I spend my nights and days?
  This must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth."

9. "Do I take delight in solitude?
  This must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth."

10. "Have I gained superhuman faculties? Have I gained that higher wisdom so that when I am questioned (on this point) by fellow-monks at the last moment (when death is approaching) I will have no occasion to be depressed and downcast?
  This must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth."

"These, monks, are the essentials that should be reflected again and again by one who has gone forth (to live the holy life)."

So spoke the Blessed One. Those monks rejoiced at the words of the Blessed One.

- Dasadhamma Sutta: Discourse on The Ten Dhammas (AN 10.48)
translated from the Pali by Piyadassi Thera.
Access to Insight (BCBS Edition), 30 November 2013,
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an10/an10.048.piya.html

 

Heart of a Noble One

The Lord Buddha taught that his Dhamma, when placed in the heart of an ordinary run-of-the-mill person, is bound to be thoroughly corrupted, but if placed in the heart of a Noble One, it is bound to be genuinely pure & authentic, something that at the same time can be neither effaced nor obscured.

So as long as we are devoting ourselves merely to the theoretical study of the Dhamma, it can't serve us well. Only when we have trained our hearts to eliminate their 'chameleons'—their defilements—will it benefit us in full measure. And only then will the true Dhamma be kept pure, free from distortions & deviations from its original principles.

  Phra Ajaan Mun Bhūridatto

Care for Your Own Heart

The practice of the Dhamma in keeping with the Dhamma that he gave with utter compassion unequalled by that of anyone else in the world: This is the true homage to the Buddha. The seeing of the truth that lies within you, using discernment step by step at all times: This is the seeing of the Buddha step by step. The seeing of the truth with the full heart using discernment: This is the seeing of the Buddha in full. The true Buddha, the true Dhamma, lie within the heart. To attend to your own heart is to attend to the Buddha. To watch over your own heart with mindfullness & discernment is to see the Buddha, Dhamma, & Saṅgha in a genuine way.

Phra Ajaan Maha Boowa Ñāṇasampanno

The Vital Link by Bhikkhu Bodhi

The foundation and basis for claiming to live the life and extend the right effort of the Buddhist path cannot easily weather the effect of the unsatisfactory, excessive desire for those other attainables that the ordinary life holds high. But anyone of us might be just treading water, projecting the image of one exposed to awakening. It is especially important that the next generation see and experience the reality that is necessary on this path. Desire and greed, hunger and violence to achieve what isn't fruitful, needs to be seen clearly and dealt with carefully. This article, The Vital Link, by Bhikkhu Bodhi is an excellent jumping off point. Be encouraged and commit to striving for what really matters.

The Vital Link - Bhikkhu Bodhi - Vipassana Fellowship Ltd.