Power Mindfulness

8/11/2019 Power Mindfulness

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The Power of Mindfulness

The Power of MindfulnessThe Power of Mindfulness

The Power of MindfulnessThe Power of Mindfulness

eBUDDHANET'S

BOOK LIBRARYE!"il# $de"%$uddh"ne&ne&

(e$ si&e# www$uddh"ne&ne&

Buddh" Dh"r!" Edu)"&ion Asso)i"&ion In)


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Pu$lished in *++,

Su-hi Ho&u Sdn Bhd

.*/ 0"l"n M"&"n1 Ku)hin1

,,2++ Air I&"!3Pen"n1

Tel 4+. 5*66,,5

7"8 4+. 5*66**5

E!"il# su-hiho&u%!"8isne&!9

7irs& :u$lished in The Li1h& of &he Dh"!!" ;R"n1oone :rin&in1s $9 (heel Pu$li)"&ion3 BPS fro! ,?45@,??6

L"9ou& $9 Su-hi Ho&u


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THE

PO(ER

O7MIND7ULNESS

AN INUIRY INTO THE

S=OPE O7 BARE ATTENTIONAND THE

PRIN=IPAL SOUR=ES O7 ITS

STRENTH

NYANAPONIKA THERA


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=ONTENTS

In&rodu)&ion >

7our Sour)es of Power in B"re A&&en&ion

,

The 7un)&ions of CTid9in1 "nd CN"!in1 ,

Tid9in1 U: &he Men&"l Household ,N"!in1 6

*The Non)oer)i>e Pro)edure ,*

O$s&")les &o Medi&"&ion ,*

Three =oun&er!e"sures ,6

S&o::in1 "nd Slowin1 Down *.

Kee:in1 S&ill *.S:on&"nei&9 2

Slowin1down 6

Su$li!in"l Influen)es .*

.Dire)&ness of /ision .6

The 7or)e of H"$i& .6

Asso)i"&i>e Thou1h& 2.The Sense of Ur1en)9 26

The Ro"d &o Insi1h& 4+

i>


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INTRODU=TION

I

I

s !indfulness ")&u"ll9 " :ower in i&s own ri1h& "s

)l"i!ed $9 &he &i&le of &his ess"9F Seen fro! &he >iew

:oin& of &he ordin"r9 :ursui&s of life3 i& does no& see!

so 7ro! &h"& "n1le !indfulness3 or "&&en&ion3 h"s "r"&her !odes& :l")e "!on1 !"n9 o&her see!in1l9 !ore

i!:or&"n& !en&"l f")ul&ies ser>in1 &he :ur:ose of >"rie1"&ed

wishfulfil!en& Here3 !indfulness !e"ns Gus&C&o w"&)h ones s&e:s so &h"& one !"9 no& s&u!$le or

!iss " )h"n)e in &he :ursui& of ones "i!s Onl9 in &he

)"se of s:e)ifi) &"s-s "nd s-ills is !indfulness so!e&i!es)ul&i>"&ed !ore deli$er"&el93 $u& here &oo i& is s&ill

re1"rded "s " su$ser>ien& fun)&ion3 "nd i&s wider s)o:e

"nd :ossi$ili&ies "re no& re)o1nied

E>en if one &urns &o &he Buddh"s do)&rine3 &"-in1

onl9 " surf")e >iew of &he >"rious )l"ssifi)"&ions "nd

lis&s of !en&"l f")&ors in whi)h !indfulness "::e"rs3

one !"9 $e in)lined &o re1"rd &his f")ul&9 Gus& "s Cone

"!on1 !"n9 A1"in one !"9 1e& &he i!:ression &h"& i&

h"s " r"&her su$ordin"&e :l")e "nd is e"sil9 sur:"ssed

in si1nifi)"n)e $9 o&her f")ul&ies

Mindfulness in f")& h"s3 if we !"9 :ersonif9 i&3 "


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r"&her un"ssu!in1 )h"r")&er =o!:"red wi&h i&3 !en&"l

f")&ors su)h "s de>o&ion3 ener193 i!"1in"&ion3 "nd in&el

li1en)e3 "re )er&"inl9 !ore )olourful :erson"li&ies3 !"-

in1 "n i!!edi"&e "nd s&ron1 i!:")& on :eo:le "nd si&

>


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u"&ions Their )onJues&s "re so!e&i!es r":id "nd >"s&3

&hou1h of&en inse)ure Mindfulness3 on &he o&her h"nd3

is of "n uno$&rusi>e n"&ure I&s >ir&ues shine inw"rdl93"nd in ordin"r9 life !os& of i&s !eri&s "re :"ssed on &o

o&her !en&"l f")ul&ies whi)h 1ener"ll9 re)ei>e "ll &he

)redi& One !us& -now !indfulness well "nd )ul&i>"&ei&s ")Ju"in&"n)e $efore one )"n "::re)i"&e i&s >"lue

"nd i&s silen& :ene&r"&i>e influen)e Mindfulness w"l-s

slowl9 "nd deli$er"&el93 "nd i&s d"il9 &"s- is of " r"&herhu!dru! n"&ure Ye& where i& :l")es i&s fee& i& )"nno&

e"sil9 $e dislod1ed3 "nd i& ")Juires "nd $es&ows &rue

!"s&er9 of &he 1round i& )o>ers

u"&ions Their )onJues&s "re so!e&i!es r":id "nd >"s&3

&hou1h of&en inse)ure Mindfulness3 on &he o&her h"nd3

is of "n uno$&rusi>e n"&ure I&s >ir&ues shine inw"rdl93"nd in ordin"r9 life !os& of i&s !eri&s "re :"ssed on &o

o&her !en&"l f")ul&ies whi)h 1ener"ll9 re)ei>e "ll &he

)redi& One !us& -now !indfulness well "nd )ul&i>"&ei&s ")Ju"in&"n)e $efore one )"n "::re)i"&e i&s >"lue

"nd i&s silen& :ene&r"&i>e influen)e Mindfulness w"l-s

slowl9 "nd deli$er"&el93 "nd i&s d"il9 &"s- is of " r"&herhu!dru! n"&ure Ye& where i& :l")es i&s fee& i& )"nno&

e"sil9 $e dislod1ed3 "nd i& ")Juires "nd $es&ows &rue

!"s&er9 of &he 1round i& )o>ers

"li&iesof " si!il"r &9:e3 "re of&en o>erloo-ed or underr"&ed

In &he )"se of !indfulness3 i& reJuired " 1enius

li-e &he Buddh" &o dis)o>er &he Chidden &"len& in &he!odes& 1"r$3 "nd &o de>elo: &he >"s& inheren& :ower

of &h"& :o&en& seed I& is3 indeed3 &he !"r- of " 1enius

&o :er)ei>e "nd &o h"rness &he :ower of &he see!in1l9s!"ll Here3 &rul93 i& h"::ens &h"&3 wh"& is li&&le

$e)o!es !u)h A re>"lu"&ion of >"lues &"-es :l")e The

s&"nd"rds of 1re"&ness "nd s!"llness )h"n1e Throu1h&he !"s&er !ind of &he Buddh"3 !indfulness is fin"ll9

re>e"led "s &he :oin& where &he >"s& re>ol>in1 !"ss of

world sufferin1 is le>ered ou& of i&s &wofold "n)hor"1e

in i1nor"n)e "nd )r">in1

The Buddh" s:o-e of &he :ower of !indfulness in "

>er9 e!:h"&i) w"9#

Mindfulness3 I de)l"re3 is "llhel:ful

SAMYUTTA3 .4#2?

>i


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All &hin1s )"n $e !"s&ered $9 !indfulness

All &hin1s )"n $e !"s&ered $9 !indfulness

7ur&her3 &here is &h"& sole!n "nd wei1h&9 u&&er"n)e

o:enin1 "nd )on)ludin1 &he S"&i:"h"n" Su&&"3 &heDis)ourse on &he 7ound"&ions of Mindfulness#

This is &he onl9 w"93 !on-s3 for &he :urifi)"&ion of$ein1s3 for &he o>er)o!in1 of sorrow "nd l"!en&"&ion3

for &he des&ru)&ion of :"in "nd 1rief3 for re")hin1 &he

ri1h& :"&h3 for &he "&&"in!en& of Ni$$"n"3 n"!el9 &hefour found"&ions of !indfulness

In ordin"r9 life3 if !indfulness3 or "&&en&ion3 is dire)&ed

&o "n9 o$Ge)&3 i& is r"rel9 sus&"ined lon1 enou1h for&he :ur:ose of )"reful "nd f")&u"l o$ser>"&ion ener"ll9

i& is followed i!!edi"&el9 $9 e!o&ion"l re")&ion3

dis)ri!in"&i>e &hou1h&3 refle)&ion3 or :ur:oseful")&ion In " life "nd &hou1h& 1o>erned $9 &he Buddh"s

&e")hin1 &oo3 !indfulness ;s"&i< is !os&l9 lin-ed wi&h

)le"r )o!:rehension ;s"!:"G""< of &he ri1h& :ur:oseor sui&"$ili&9 of "n ")&ion3 "nd o&her )onsider"&ions

Thus "1"in i& is no& >iewed in i&self Bu& &o &":

&he ")&u"l "nd :o&en&i"l :ower of !indfulness i& is

ne)ess"r9 &o unders&"nd "nd deli$er"&el9 )ul&i>"&e i&in i&s $"si)3 un"llo9ed for!3 whi)h we sh"ll )"ll $"re

"&&en&ion

B9 $"re "&&en&ion we unders&"nd &he )le"r "nd sin1le

!inded "w"reness of wh"& ")&u"ll9 h"::ens &o us

"nd in us3 "& &he su))essi>e !o!en&s of :er)e:&ion I&is )"lled C$"re $e)"use i& "&&ends &o &he $"re f")&s of

" :er)e:&ion wi&hou& re")&in1 &o &he! $9 deed3 s:ee)h

>ii


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or !en&"l )o!!en& Ordin"ril93 &h"& Purel9 re)e:&i>e

s&"&e of !ind is3 "s we s"id3 Gus& " >er9 $rief :h"se of &he

&hou1h& :ro)ess of whi)h one is of&en s)"r)el9 "w"reBu& in &he !e&hodi)"l de>elo:!en& of !indfulness

"i!ed "& &he unfoldin1 of i&s l"&en& :owers3 $"re "&&en&ion

is sus&"ined for "s lon1 " &i!e "s ones s&ren1&h of)on)en&r"&ion :er!i&s B"re "&&en&ion &hen $e)o!es &he

-e9 &o &he !edi&"&i>e :r")&i)e of S"&i:"h"n"3 o:enin1

&he door &o !inds !"s&er9 "nd fin"l li$er"&ion

B"re "&&en&ion is de>elo:ed in &wo w"9s# ;,< "s "

!e&hodi)"l !edi&"&i>e :r")&i)e wi&h sele)&ed o$Ge)&s

;*< "s "::lied3 "s f"r "s :r")&i)"$le3 &o &he nor!"l e>en&s

of &he d"93 &o1e&her wi&h " 1ener"l "&&i&ude of !indfulness

"nd )le"r )o!:rehension The de&"ils of &he :r")&i)eh">e $een des)ri$ed elsewhere3 "nd need no& $e

re:e"&ed here

The :ri!"r9 :ur:ose of &his ess"9 is &o de!ons&r"&e"nd e8:l"in &he effi)")9 of &his !e&hod3 &h"& is3 &o show

&he ")&u"l :ower of !indfulness P"r&i)ul"rl9 in "n "1e

li-e ours3 wi&h i&s su:ers&i&ious worshi: of )e"selesse8&ern"l ")&i>i&93 &here will $e &hose who "s-# CHow )"n

su)h " :"ssi>e "&&i&ude of !ind "s &h"& of $"re "&&en&ion

:ossi$l9 le"d &o &he 1re"& resul&s )l"i!ed for i&F In re:l93

one !"9 $e in)lined &o su11es& &o &he Jues&ioner no& &orel9 on &he words of o&hers3 $u& &o :u& &hese "sser&ions

of &he Buddh" &o &he &es& of :erson"l e8:erien)e Bu&

&hose who do no& 9e& -now &he Buddh"s &e")hin1 wellenou1h &o "))e:& i& "s " reli"$le 1uide3 !"9 hesi&"&e &o

&"-e u:3 wi&hou& 1ood re"sons3 " :r")&i)e &h"& Gus& on

See N9"n":oni-" Ther"3 The He"r& of Buddhis& Medi&"&ion

;London# Rider =o3 ,?4*iii


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"))oun& of i&s r"di)"l si!:li)i&9 !"9 "::e"r s&r"n1e &o

&he! In &he followin13 " nu!$er of su)h C1ood re"sons

"re &herefore :roffered for &he re"ders s)ru&in9The9 "re "lso !e"n& "s "n in&rodu)&ion &o &he 1ener"l

s:iri& of S"&i:"h"n" "nd "s :oin&ers &o i&s wide "nd

si1nifi)"n& :ers:e)&i>es 7ur&her!ore3 i& is ho:ed &h"&he who h"s &"-en u: &he !e&hodi)"l &r"inin1 will re)o1nie

in &he followin1 o$ser>"&ions )er&"in fe"&ures of

his own :r")&i)e3 "nd $e en)our"1ed &o )ul&i>"&e &he!deli$er"&el9

i8


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7OUR SOUR=ES O7 PO(ER IN BARE ATTENTION

(7OUR SOUR=ES O7 PO(ER IN BARE ATTENTION

e sh"ll now de"l wi&h four "s:e)&s of $"re "&&en&ion3

whi)h "re &he !"ins:rin1s of &he :owerof !indfulness The9 "re no& &he onl9 sour)es of i&s

s&ren1&h3 $u& &he9 "re &he :rin)i:"l ones &o whi)h &he

effi)")9 of &his !e&hod of !en&"l de>elo:!en& is dueThese four "re#

,&he fun)&ions of C&id9in1u: "nd Cn"!in1

e8er)ised $9 $"re "&&en&ion

*

i&s non>iolen&3 non)oer)i>e :ro)edure

&he )":")i&9 of s&o::in1 "nd slowin1 down

.&he dire)&ness of >ision $es&owed $9 $"re "&&en&ion

, THE 7UN=TIONS O7 CTIDYIN AND CNAMIN

Tid9in1 U: &he Men&"l Household

If "n9one whose !ind is no& h"r!onied "nd )on&rolled

&hrou1h !e&hodi)"l !edi&"&i>e &r"inin1 should

&"-e " )lose loo- "& his own e>er9d"9 &hou1h&s "nd")&i>i&ies3 he will !ee& wi&h " r"&her dis)on)er&in1

si1h& A:"r& fro! &he few !"in )h"nnels of his :ur:oseful

&hou1h&s "nd ")&i>i&ies3 he will e>er9where $ef")ed wi&h " &"n1led !"ss of :er)e:&ions3 &hou1h&s3

feelin1s3 "nd )"su"l $odil9 !o>e!en&s showin1 " disorderliness

"nd )onfusion whi)h he would )er&"inl9no& &oler"&e in his li>in1roo! Ye& &his is &he s&"&e of

"ff"irs &h"& we &"-e for 1r"n&ed wi&hin " )onsider"$le

:or&ion of our w"-in1 life "nd our nor!"l !en&"l

,


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")&i>i&9 Le& us now loo- "& &he de&"ils of &h"& r"&her

un&id9 :i)&ure

")&i>i&9 Le& us now loo- "& &he de&"ils of &h"& r"&her

un&id9 :i)&ure

sionssu)h "s si1h&s "nd sounds3 :"ssin1 )ons&"n&l9

&hrou1h our !ind

Mos& of &he! re!"in >"1ue "nd fr"1!en&"r9 so!e

"re e>en $"sed on f"ul&9 :er)e:&ions "nd !isGud1e!en&s

="rr9in1 &hese inheren& we"-nesses3 &he9 of&enfor! &he un&es&ed $"sis for Gud1e!en&s "nd de)isions

on " hi1her le>el of )ons)iousness True3 "ll &hese )"su"l

sense i!:ressions need no& "nd )"nno& $e o$Ge)&s

of fo)used "&&en&ion A s&one on &he ro"d &h"& h"::ens&o !ee& our 1l"n)e will h">e " )l"i! on our "&&en&ion

onl9 if i& o$s&ru)&s our :ro1ress or is of in&eres& &o us for

so!e re"son Ye& if we ne1le)& &hese )"su"l i!:ressions&oo of&en3 we !"9 s&u!$le o>er !"n9 s&ones l9in1 on

our ro"d "nd "lso o>erloo- !"n9 1e!s

Besides &he )"su"l sense i!:ressions3 &here "re &hose

!ore si1nifi)"n& "nd defini&e :er)e:&ions3 &hou1h&s3

feelin1s "nd >oli&ions whi)h h">e " )loser )onne)&ion

wi&h our :ur:oseful life Here &oo3 we find &h"& " >er9hi1h :ro:or&ion of &he! "re in " s&"&e of u&&er )onfusion

Hundreds of )ross)urren&s fl"sh &hrou1h &he !ind3

"nd e>er9where &here "re C$i&s "nd ends of unfinished&hou1h&s3 s&ifled e!o&ions "nd :"ssin1 !oods M"n9

!ee& " :re!"&ure de"&h Owin1 &o &heir inn"&el9 fee$le

n"&ure3 our l")- of )on)en&r"&ion or su::ression$9 new "nd s&ron1er i!:ressions3 &he9 do no& :ersis&

"nd de>elo: If we o$ser>e our own !ind3 we sh"ll

no&i)e how e"sil9 di>er&ed our &hou1h&s "re3 how of&en&he9 $eh">e li-e undis)i:lined dis:u&"n&s )ons&"n&l9

*


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in&erru:&in1 e")h o&her "nd refusin1 &o lis&en &o &he

o&her sides "r1u!en&s A1"in3 !"n9 lines of &hou1h&

re!"in rudi!en&"r9 or "re lef& un&r"nsl"&ed in&o will"nd ")&ion3 $e)"use )our"1e is l")-in1 &o "))e:& &heir

:r")&i)"l3 !or"l or in&elle)&u"l )onseJuen)es If we )on&inue

&o e8"!ine !ore )losel9 our ">er"1e :er)e:&ions3&hou1h&s or Gud1e!en&s3 we sh"ll h">e &o "d!i& &h"&

!"n9 of &he! "re unreli"$le The9 "re Gus& &he :rodu)&s

of h"$i&3 led $9 :reGudi)es of in&elle)& or e!o&ion3$9 our :e& :referen)es or ">ersions3 $9 l"iness or selfishness3

$9 f"ul&9 or su:erfi)i"l o$ser>"&ions

Su)h " loo- in&o lon1ne1le)&ed Ju"r&ers of &he !ind

will )o!e "s " wholeso!e sho)- &o &he o$ser>er I& will

)on>in)e hi! of &he ur1en& need for !e&hodi)"l !en&"l

)ul&ure e8&endin1 $elow &he &hin surf")e l"9er of &he!ind &o &hose >"s& &wili1h& re1ions of )ons)iousness we

h">e Gus& >isi&ed The o$ser>er will &hen $e)o!e "w"re

&h"& &he rel"&i>el9 s!"ll se)&or of &he !ind &h"& s&"ndsin &he in&ense li1h& of :ur:oseful will "nd &hou1h& is no&

" reli"$le s&"nd"rd of &he inner s&ren1&h "nd lu)idi&9 of

)ons)iousness in i&s &o&"li&9 He will "lso see &h"& &heJu"li&9 of indi>idu"l )ons)iousness )"nno& $e Gud1ed $9

" few o:&i!"l resul&s of !en&"l ")&i>i&9 ")hie>ed in $rief3

in&er!i&&en& :eriods The de)isi>e f")&or in de&er!inin1

&he Ju"li&9 of )ons)iousness is selfunders&"ndin1 "ndself)on&rol# whe&her &h"& di! "w"reness )h"r")&eris&i)

of our e>er9d"9 !ind "nd &he un)on&rolled :or&ion of

e>er9d"9 ")&i>i&9 &ends &o in)re"se or de)re"se

I& is &he d"il9 li&&le ne1li1en)e in &hou1h&s3 words

"nd deeds 1oin1 on for !"n9 9e"rs of our life ;"nd"s &he Buddh" &e")hes3 for !"n9 e8is&en)es


15/81

)hiefl9 res:onsi$le for &he un&idiness "nd )onfusion we

find in our !inds This ne1li1en)e )re"&es &he &rou$le

"nd "llows i& &o )on&inue Thus &he old Buddhis& &e")hersh">e s"id# CNe1li1en)e :rodu)es " lo& of dir& As in

" house3 so in &he !ind3 onl9 " >er9 li&&le dir& )olle)&s

in " d"9 or &wo3 $u& if i& 1oes on for !"n9 9e"rs3 i& will1row in&o " >"s& he": of refuse

The d"r-3 un&id9 )orners of &he !ind "re &he hideou&sof our !os& d"n1erous ene!ies 7ro! &here &he9

"&&")- us un"w"res3 "nd !u)h &oo of&en su))eed in

defe"&in1 us Th"& &wili1h& world :eo:led $9 frus&r"&eddesires "nd su::ressed resen&!en&s3 $9 >")ill"&ions3

whi!s "nd !"n9 o&her sh"dow9 fi1ures3 for!s " $")-1round

fro! whi)h u:sur1in1 :"ssions @ 1reed "nd

lus&3 h"&red "nd "n1er @ !"9 deri>e :owerful3 su::or&Besides3 &he o$s)ure "nd o$s)urin1 n"&ure of &h"& &wili1h&

re1ion is &he >er9 ele!en& "nd !o&hersoil of &he

&hird "nd s&ron1es& of &he &hree roo&s of e>il ;"-us"l"!ul"en Bu& how "re we &o de"l wi&h &h"& unwield93 &"n1led

!"ssF Usu"ll9 we &r9 &o i1nore i& "nd &o rel9 on

&he )oun&er")&in1 ener1ies of our surf")e !ind Bu& &he

An"1"ri-" B o>ind"3 The Ps9)holo1i)"l A&&i&ude of E"rl9

Buddhis& Philoso:h9 ;London# Rider =o3 ,?4,


16/81

onl9 s"fe re!ed9 is &o f")e i& @ wi&h !indfulness No&hin1

!ore diffi)ul& is needed &h"n &o ")Juire &he h"$i& of

dire)&in1 $"re "&&en&ion &o &hese rudi!en&"r9 &hou1h&s"s of&en "s :ossi$le The wor-in1 :rin)i:le here is &he

si!:le f")& &h"& &wo &hou1h&s )"nno& )oe8is& "& &he

s"!e &i!e# if &he )le"r li1h& of !indfulness is :resen&3&here is no roo! for !en&"l &wili1h& (hen sus&"ined

!indfulness h"s se)ured " fir! foo&hold3 i& will $e "

!"&&er of )o!:"r"&i>el9 se)ond"r9 i!:or&"n)e how &he!ind will &hen de"l wi&h &hose rudi!en&"r9 &hou1h&s3

!oods "nd e!o&ions One !"9 Gus& dis!iss &he! "nd

re:l")e &he! $9 :ur:oseful &hou1h&s or one !"9 "llow"nd e>en )o!:el &he! &o )o!:le&e wh"& &he9 h">e &o

s"9 In &he l"&&er )"se &he9 will of&en re>e"l how :oor

"nd we"- &he9 ")&u"ll9 "re3 "nd i& will &hen no& $e diffi)ul&

&o dis:ose of &he! on)e &he9 "re for)ed in&o &heo:en This :ro)edure of $"re "&&en&ion is >er9 si!:le

"nd effe)&i>e &he diffi)ul&9 is onl9 &he :ersis&en)e in

"::l9in1 i&

O$ser>in1 " )o!:le8 &hin1 !e"ns iden&if9in1 i&s

)o!:onen& :"r&s3 sin1lin1 ou& &he se:"r"&e s&r"ndsfor!in1 &h"& in&ri)"&e &issue If &his is "::lied &o &he

)o!:le8 )urren&s of !en&"l "nd :r")&i)"l life3 "u&o!"&i)"ll9

" s&ron1 re1ul"&in1 influen)e will $e no&i)e"$le

As if "sh"!ed in &he :resen)e of &he )"l!l9 o$ser>in1e9e3 &he )ourse of &hou1h&s will :ro)eed in " less disorderl9

"nd w"9w"rd !"nner i& will no& $e so e"sil9

di>er&ed3 "nd will rese!$le !ore "nd !ore " wellre1ul"&edri>er

Durin1 de)"des of &he :resen& life "nd &hrou1hou&!illenni" of :re>ious li>es &r">ersin1 &he round of e8is&

2


17/81

en)e3 &here h"s s&e"dil9 1rown3 wi&hin e")h indi>idu"l3

" )losel9 -ni& s9s&e! of in&elle)&u"l "nd e!o&ion"l :reG

udi)es3 of $odil9 "nd !en&"l h"$i&s &h"& "re no lon1er

Jues&ioned "s &o &heir ri1h&ful :osi&ion "nd useful fun)

&ion in hu!"n life Here "1"in3 &he "::li)"&ion of $"re

"&&en&ion loosens &he h"rd soil of &hese of&en >er9 "n)ien&

l"9ers of &he hu!"n !ind3 :re:"rin1 &hus &he 1round

for sowin1 &he seed of !e&hodi)"l !en&"l &r"inin1 B"re

"&&en&ion iden&ifies "nd :ursues &he sin1le &hre"ds of

&h"& )losel9 in&erwo>en &issue of our h"$i&s I& sor&s ou&

)"refull9 &he su$seJuen& Gus&ifi)"&ions of :"ssion"&e

i!:ulses "nd &he :re&ended !o&i>es of our :reGudi)es

7e"rlessl9 i& Jues&ions old h"$i&s of&en 1rown !e"nin1

less I& un)o>ers &heir roo&s3 "nd &hus hel:s "$olish "ll

&h"& is seen &o $e h"r!ful In $rief3 $"re "&&en&ion l"9s

o:en &he !inu&e )re>i)es in &he see!in1l9 i!:ene&r"


18/81

$le s&ru)&ure of unJues&ioned !en&"l :ro)esses Then

&he sword of wisdo! wielded $9 &he s&ron1 "r! of )on

s&"n& !edi&"&i>e :r")&i)e will $e "$le &o :ene&r"&e &hese

)re>i)es3 "nd fin"ll9 &o $re"- u: &h"& s&ru)&ure where

reJuired If &he inner )onne)&ions $e&ween &he sin1le

:"r&s of " see!in1l9 )o!:")& whole $e)o!e in&elli1i$le3

&he9 &hen )e"se &o $e in"))essi$le

(hen &he f")&s "nd de&"ils of &he !inds )ondi&ioned

n"&ure "re un)o>ered $9 !edi&"&i>e :r")&i)e3 &here is "nin)re"sed )h"n)e &o effe)& fund"!en&"l )h"n1es in &he

!ind In &h"& w"93 no& onl9 &hose hi&her&o unJues&ioned

h"$i&s of &he !ind3 i&s &wili1h& re1ions "nd i&s nor!"l

:ro)esses "s well3 $u& e>en &hose see!in1l9 solid3 indis:u&"$lef")&s of &he world of !"&&er @ "ll will $e)o!e

CJues&ion"$le "nd lose !u)h of &heir self"ssur"n)e

4


19/81

M"n9 :eo:le "re so i!:ressed "nd in&i!id"&ed $9 &h"&

$l"nd self"ssur"n)e of "ssu!ed Csolid f")&s3 &h"& &he9

hesi&"&e &o &"-e u: "n9 s:iri&u"l &r"inin13 dou$&in1 &h"&

i& )"n effe)& "n9&hin1 wor&hwhile The "::li)"&ion of

$"re "&&en&ion &o &he &"s- of &id9in1 "nd re1ul"&in1 &he

!ind will $rin1 :er)e:&i$le resul&s @ resul&s whi)h will

dis:el &heir dou$&s "nd en)our"1e &he! &o en&er !ore

full9 " s:iri&u"l :"&h

The &id9in1 or re1ul"&in1 fun)&ion of $"re "&&en&ion3

we should no&e3 is of fund"!en&"l i!:or&"n)e for &h"&C:urifi)"&ion of $ein1s !en&ioned $9 &he Buddh" "s &he

firs& "i! of S"&i:"h"n" This :hr"se refers3 of )ourse3

&o &he :urifi)"&ion of &heir !inds3 "nd here &he >er9firs& s&e: is &o $rin1 ini&i"l order in&o &he fun)&ionin1 of

&he !en&"l :ro)esses (e h">e seen how &his is done

$9 $"re "&&en&ion In &h"& sense3 &he )o!!en&"r9 &o &heCDis)ourse on &he 7ound"&ion of Mindfulness e8:l"ins

&he words Cfor &he :urifi)"&ion of $ein1s "s follows#

CI& is s"id# Men&"l &"in&s defile $ein1s !en&"l )l"ri&9

:urifies &he! Th"& !en&"l )l"ri&9 )o!es &o $e $9 &his

w"9 of !indfulness ;s"&i:"h"n" !"11"


20/81

(e s"id $efore &h"& $"re "&&en&ion C&idies u: or re1ul"&es

&he !ind $9 sor&in1 ou& "nd iden&if9in1 &he

>"rious )onfused s&r"nds of &he !en&"l :ro)ess Th"&

iden&if9in1 fun)&ion3 li-e "n9 o&her !en&"l ")&i>i&93 is)onne)&ed wi&h " >er$"l for!ul"&ion In o&her words3

Ciden&if9in1 :ro)eeds $9 w"9 of e8:ressl9 Cn"!in1

&he res:e)&i>e !en&"l :ro)esses

6


21/81

Pri!i&i>e !"n $elie>ed &h"& words )ould e8er)ise "

!"1i)"l :ower# CThin1s &h"& )ould $e n"!ed h"d los&

&heir se)re& :ower o>er !"n3 &he horror of &he un-nownTo -now &he n"!e of " for)e3 " $ein1 or "n o$Ge)& w"s

;&o :ri!i&i>e !"n< iden&i)"l wi&h &he !"s&er9 o>er i&

Th"& "n)ien& $elief in &he !"1i)"l :o&en)9 of n"!es"::e"rs "lso in !"n9 f"ir9 &"les "nd !9&hs3 where &he

:ower of " de!on is $ro-en Gus& $9 f")in1 hi! )our"1eousl9

"nd :ronoun)in1 his n"!e

There is "n ele!en& of &ru&h in &he Cword!"1i) of

:ri!i&i>e !"n3 "nd in &he :r")&i)e of $"re "&&en&ion wewill find &he :ower of n"!in1 )onfir!ed The C&wili1h&

de!ons of &he !ind @ our :"ssion"&e i!:ulses "nd

o$s)ure &hou1h&s @ )"nno& $e"r &he si!:le $u& )l"rif9in1

Jues&ion "$ou& &heir Cn"!es3 !u)h less &he -nowled1eof &hese n"!es Hen)e &his is of&en "lone suffi)ien&

&o di!inish &heir s&ren1&h The )"l!l9 o$ser>"n&

1l"n)e of !indfulness dis)o>ers &he de!ons in &heirhidin1 :l")es The :r")&i)e of )"llin1 &he! $9 &heir

n"!es dri>es &he! ou& in&o &he o:en3 in&o &he d"9li1h&

of )ons)iousness There &he9 will feel e!$"rr"ssed "ndo$li1ed &o Gus&if9 &he!sel>es3 "l&hou1h "& &his s&"1e of

$"re "&&en&ion &he9 h">e no& 9e& e>en $een su$Ge)&ed &o

"n9 )loser Jues&ionin1 e8)e:& "$ou& &heir n"!es3 &heir

iden&i&9 If for)ed in&o &he o:en while s&ill in "n in)i:ien&s&"1e3 &he9 will $e in)":"$le of wi&hs&"ndin1 s)ru&in9

"nd will Gus& dwindle "w"9 Thus " firs& >i)&or9

o>er &he! !"9 $e won3 e>en "& "n e"rl9 s&"1e of &he:r")&i)e

The "::e"r"n)e in &he !ind of undesir"$le "nd

=o!9 &o Su&&" Ni:"&" > .

5


22/81

i1no$le &hou1h&s3 e>en if &he9 "re >er9 flee&in1 "nd onl9

h"lf"r&i)ul"&e3 h"s "n un:le"s"n& effe)& u:on ones self

es&ee! Therefore su)h &hou1h&s "re of&en sho>ed "side3un"&&ended &o "nd uno::osed Of&en &he9 "re "lso

)"!oufl"1ed $9 !ore :le"sin1 "nd res:e)&"$le l"$els

whi)h hide &heir &rue n"&ure Thou1h&s dis:osed of inei&her of &hese &wo w"9s will s&ren1&hen &he "))u!ul"&ed

:ower of i1no$le &enden)ies in &he su$)ons)ious

7ur&her!ore3 &hese :ro)edures will we"-en ones will&o resis& &he "risin1 "nd &he do!in"n)e of !en&"l defile!en&s3

"nd s&ren1&hen &he &enden)9 &o e>"de &he issues

Bu& $9 "::l9in1 &he si!:le !e&hod of )le"rl9 "nd hones&l9n"!in1 or re1is&erin1 "n9 undesir"$le &hou1h&s3

&hese &wo h"r!ful de>i)es3 i1nor"n)e "nd )"!oufl"1e3

"re e8)luded Then)e &heir de&ri!en&"l )onseJuen)es

on &he s&ru)&ure of &he su$)ons)ious "nd &heir di>ersionof !en&"l effor& will $e ">oided

(hen i1no$le &hou1h&s or :erson"l shor&)o!in1s"re )"lled $9 &heir ri1h& n"!es3 &he !ind will de>elo:

"n inner resis&"n)e "nd e>en re:u1n"n)e "1"ins& &he!

In &i!e i& !"9 well su))eed in -ee:in1 &he! in )he)-"nd fin"ll9 eli!in"&in1 &he! E>en if &hese !e"ns

do no& $rin1 undesir"$le &enden)ies full9 under )on&rol

"& on)e3 &he9 will s&"!: u:on &he! &he i!:")& of

re:e"&ed resis&"n)e whi)h will we"-en &he! whene>er&he9 re"::e"r To )on&inue our :ersonifi)"&ion3 we !"9

s"9 &h"& unwholeso!e &hou1h&s will no lon1er $e &he

uno::osed !"s&ers of &he s)ene3 "nd &his diffiden)e of&heirs will !"-e &he! )onsider"$l9 e"sier &o de"l wi&h

I& is &he :ower of !or"l sh"!e ;hiri$"l"< &h"& h"s $een

!us&ered here "s "n "ll93 !e&hodi)"ll9 s&ren1&hened $9

?


23/81

&hese si!:le 9e& su$&le :s9)holo1i)"l &e)hniJues

&hese si!:le 9e& su$&le :s9)holo1i)"l &e)hniJues

I& is one of &he !os& $enefi)i"l fe"&ures of ri1h& !indfulness3

"nd :"r&i)ul"rl9 of $"re "&&en&ion3 &h"& i& en"$lesus &o u&ilie "ll e8&ern"l e>en&s "nd inner !en&"l

e>en&s for our :ro1ress E>en &he uns"lu&"r9 )"n $e

!"de " s&"r&in1 :oin& for &he s"lu&"r9 if3 &hrou1h &hede>i)e of n"!in1 or re1is&erin13 i& $e)o!es "n o$Ge)& of

de&")hed -nowled1e

In se>er"l :"ss"1es of &he S"&i:"h"n" Su&&" &he

fun)&ion of n"!in1 or C$"re re1is&erin1 see!s &o $e

indi)"&ed $9 for!ul"&in1 &he res:e)&i>e s&"&e!en&s $9

w"9 of dire)& s:ee)h There "re no less &h"n four su)hins&"n)es in &he dis)ourse#

,C(hen e8:erien)in1 " :le"s"n& feelin13 he -nows I

e8:erien)e " :le"s"n& feelin13 e&)

*

CHe -nows of " lus&ful ;s&"&e of< !ind3 Mind is

lus&ful3 e&)

CIf ;&he hindr"n)e of< sense desire is :resen& in hi!3

he -nows3 Sense desire is :resen& in !e3 e&)

.

CIf &he enli1h&en!en& f")&or !indfulness is :resen&in hi!3 he -nows3 The enli1h&en!en& f")&or

!indfulness is :resen& in !e3 e&)

,+


24/81

In )on)ludin1 &his se)&ion3 we $riefl9 :oin& ou& &h"&

&he &id9in1u: "nd n"!in1 of !en&"l :ro)esses is &he

indis:ens"$le :re:"r"&ion for full9 unders&"ndin1 &he!in &heir &rue n"&ure3 &he &"s- of insi1h& ;>i:"ss"n"In )on)ludin1 &his se)&ion3 we $riefl9 :oin& ou& &h"&

&he &id9in1u: "nd n"!in1 of !en&"l :ro)esses is &he

indis:ens"$le :re:"r"&ion for full9 unders&"ndin1 &he!in &heir &rue n"&ure3 &he &"s- of insi1h& ;>i:"ss"n"


25/81

* *

O$s&")les &o Medi&"&ion

B

B

o&h &he world surroundin1 us "nd &he world of ourown !inds "re full of hos&ile "nd )onfli)&in1 for)es

)"usin1 us :"in "nd frus&r"&ion (e -now fro! our Own

$i&&er e8:erien)e &h"& we "re no& s&ron1 enou1h &o !ee&"nd )onJuer "ll &hese "n&"1onis&i) for)es in o:en )o!$"&

In &he e8&ern"l world we )"nno& h">e e>er9&hin1

e8")&l9 "s we w"n& i&3 while in &he inner world of &he!ind3 our :"ssions3 i!:ulses3 "nd whi!s of&en o>erride

&he de!"nds of du&93 re"son "nd our hi1her "s:ir"&ions

(e fur&her le"rn &h"& of&en "n undesir"$le si&u"&ion

will onl9 worsen if e8)essi>e :ressure is used "1"ins& i&

P"ssion"&e desires !"9 1row in in&ensi&9 if one &ries &osilen)e &he! $9 sheer for)e of will Dis:u&es "nd Ju"rrels

will 1o on endlessl9 "nd 1row fier)er if &he9 "re

f"nned "1"in "nd "1"in $9 "n1r9 re&or&s or $9 >"in"&&e!:&s &o )rush &he o&her !"ns :osi&ion A dis&ur$"n)e

durin1 wor-3 res& or !edi&"&ion will $e fel& !ore

s&ron1l9 "nd will h">e " lon1erl"s&in1 i!:")& if one

re")&s &o i& $9 resen&!en& "nd "n1er "nd "&&e!:&s &osu::ress i&

Thus3 "1"in "nd "1"in3 we !ee& wi&h si&u"&ions inlife where we )"nno& for)e issues Bu& &here "re w"9s of

!"s&erin1 &he >i)issi&udes of life "nd )onfli)&s of !ind

wi&hou& "::li)"&ion of for)e Non>iolen& !e"ns !"9of&en su))eed where "&&e!:&s "& )oer)ion3 in&ern"l or

e8&ern"l3 f"il Su)h " non>iolen& w"9 of !"s&erin1 life

,*


26/81

"nd !ind is S"&i:"h"n" B9 &he !e&hodi)"l "::li)"&ion

of $"re "&&en&ion3 &he $"si) :r")&i)e in &he de>elo:!en&

of ri1h& !indfulness3 "ll &he l"&en& :owers of "non)oer)i>e "::ro")h will 1r"du"ll9 unfold3 wi&h &heir

$enefi)i"l resul&s "nd &heir wide "nd une8:e)&ed i!:li)"&ions

In &his )on&e8& we "re !"inl9 )on)erned wi&h &he

$enefi&s of S"&i:"h"n" for &he !"s&er9 of !ind3 "ndfor &he :ro1ress in !edi&"&ion &h"& !"9 resul& fro! "

non)oer)i>e :ro)edure Bu& we sh"ll "lso )"s& o))"sion"l

side 1l"n)es "& i&s re:er)ussions on e>er9d"9 lifeI& will no& $e diffi)ul& for " &hou1h&ful re"der &o !"-e

!ore de&"iled "::li)"&ion &o his own :ro$le!s

The "n&"1onis&i) for)es &h"& "::e"r in !edi&"&ion"nd &h"& "re li"$le &o u:se& i&s s!oo&h )ourse "re of

&hree -inds#

, e8&ern"l dis&ur$"n)es3 su)h "s noise

* !en&"l defile!en&s ;-iles""rious in)iden&"l s&r"9 &hou1h&s3 or surrender&o d"9dre"!in1

These dis&r")&ions "re &he 1re"& s&u!$lin1 $lo)-sfor " $e1inner in !edi&"&ion who h"s no& 9e& ")Juired

suffi)ien& de8&eri&9 &o de"l wi&h &he! effe)&i>el9 To

1i>e &hou1h& &o &hose dis&ur$in1 f")&ors onl9 when &he9")&u"ll9 "rise "& &he &i!e of !edi&"&ion is insuffi)ien&

If )"u1h& un:re:"red in ones defen)e3 one will s&ru11le

wi&h &he! in " !ore or less h":h""rd "nd ineffe)&i>ew"93 "nd wi&h " feelin1 of irri&"&ion whi)h will

i&self $e "n "ddi&ion"l i!:edi!en& If dis&ur$"n)es of

,


27/81

"n9 -ind "nd uns-ilful re")&ions &o &he! o))ur se>er"l

&i!es durin1 one session3 one !"9 )o!e &o feel u&&erl9

frus&r"&ed "nd irri&"&ed "nd 1i>e u: fur&her "&&e!:&s &o

!edi&"&e3 "& le"s& for &he :resen& o))"sion

In f")&3 e>en !edi&"&ors who "re Jui&e well infor!ed

$9 $oo-s or " &e")her "$ou& "ll &he de&"ils )on)ernin1

&heir su$Ge)& of !edi&"&ion of&en l")- ins&ru)&ion on

how &o de"l s-ilfull9 wi&h &he dis&ur$"n)es &he9 !"9!ee& The feelin1 of hel:lessness in f")in1 &he! is &he

!os& for!id"$le diffi)ul&9 for " $e1innin1 !edi&"&or A&

&h"& :oin& !"n9 "))e:& defe"&3 "$"ndonin1 :re!"&urel9"n9 fur&her effor& "& !e&hodi)"l :r")&i)e As in worldl9

"ff"irs3 so in !edi&"&ion3 ones w"9 of de"lin1 wi&h &he

Cini&i"l diffi)ul&ies will of&en $e de)isi>e for su))ess or

f"ilure

(hen f")ed $9 inner "nd ou&er dis&ur$"n)es3 &he

ine8:erien)ed or unins&ru)&ed $e1inner will 1ener"ll9

re")& in &wo w"9s He will firs& &r9 &o sho>e &he! "w"9

li1h&l93 "nd if he f"ils in &h"&3 he will &r9 &o su::ress

&he! $9 sheer for)e of will Bu& &hese dis&ur$"n)es "re

li-e insolen& flies# $9 whis-in1 @ firs& li1h&l9 "nd &hen

wi&h in)re"sin1 >i1our "nd "n1er @ one !"9 :erh":s

su))eed in dri>in1 &he! "w"9 for " while3 $u& usu"ll9


28/81

&he9 will re&urn wi&h "n e8"s:er"&in1 )ons&"n)93 "nd

&he effor& "nd >e8"&ion of whis-in1 will h">e :rodu)ed

onl9 "n "ddi&ion"l dis&ur$"n)e of ones )o!:osure

S"&i:"h"n"3 &hrou1h i&s !e&hod of $"re "&&en&ion3

offers " non>iolen& "l&ern"&i>e &o &hose fu&ile "nd e>en

h"r!ful "&&e!:&s "& su::ression $9 for)e A su))essful

non>iolen& :ro)edure in !ind)on&rol h"s &o s&"r& wi&h

&he ri1h& "&&i&ude There !us& $e firs& &he full )o1ni

,.


29/81

"n)e "nd so$er "))e:&"n)e of &he f")& &h"& &hose &hree

dis&ur$in1 f")&ors "re )oinh"$i&"n&s of &he world we

li>e in3 whe&her we li-e i& or no& Our dis"::ro>"l of&he! will no& "l&er &he f")& (i&h so!e we sh"ll h">e

&o )o!e &o &er!s3 "nd )on)ernin1 &he o&hers @ &he !en&"l

defile!en&s3 we sh"ll h">e &o le"rn how &o de"l wi&h&he! effe)&i>el9 un&il &he9 "re fin"ll9 )onJuered

, Sin)e we "re no& &he sole inh"$i&"n&s of &hisdensel9 :o:ul"&ed world3 &here "re $ound &o $e e8&ern"l

dis&ur$"n)es of >"rious -inds3 su)h "s noise "nd in&erru:&ions

$9 >isi&ors (e )"nno& "lw"9s li>e in Cs:lendidisol"&ion3 Cfro! noise of !en "nd do1s un&rou$led3 or

in Ci>or9 &owers hi1h "$o>e &he )rowd Ri1h& !edi&"&ion

is no& es)":is! i& is no& !e"n& &o :ro>ide hidin1

:l")es for &e!:or"r9 o$li>ion Re"lis&i) !edi&"&ionh"s &he :ur:ose of &r"inin1 &he !ind &o f")e3 &o unders&"nd

"nd &o )onJuer &his >er9 world in whi)h we li>e

And &his world ine>i&"$l9 in)ludes nu!erous o$s&")les&o &he life of !edi&"&ion

* The Bur!ese !edi&"&ion !"s&er3 &he /ener"$le

M"h"si S"9"d"w s"id# CIn "n unli$er"&ed worldlin1!en&"l defile!en&s "re sure &o "rise "1"in "nd "1"in He

h"s &o f")e &h"& f")& "nd -now &hese defile!en&s well

in order &o "::l9 "1"in "nd "1"in &he "::ro:ri"&e re!ed9

of s"&i:"h"n" Then &he9 will 1row we"-er3 !oreshor&li>ed3 "nd will fin"ll9 dis"::e"r To -now &he

o))urren)e "nd n"&ure of defile!en&s is &herefore "s

i!:or&"n& for " !edi&"&or "s &o -now &he o))urren)e ofhis no$le &hou1h&s

B9 f")in1 ones own defile!en&s one will $e s&irred

&o in)re"se &he effor& &o eli!in"&e &he! On &he o&her

,2


30/81

h"nd3 if ou& of " f"lse sh"!e or :ride one &ries &o ">er&

ones 1l"n)e when &he9 "rise3 one will ne>er &rul9 Goin

issue wi&h &he!3 "nd will "lw"9s e>"de &he fin"l "ndde)isi>e en)oun&er B9 hi&&in1 $lindl9 "& &he!3 one will

onl9 e8h"us& or e>en hur& oneself Bu& $9 o$ser>in1

)"refull9 &heir n"&ure "nd $eh">iour when &he9 "risein ones own !ind3 one will $e "$le &o !ee& &he! well

:re:"red3 &o fores&"ll &he! of&en3 "nd fin"ll9 &o $"nish

&he! full9 Therefore !ee& 9our defile!en&s wi&h" free "nd o:en 1l"n)e Be no& "sh"!ed3 "fr"id or dis)our"1ed

The &hird 1rou: of in&ruders dis&ur$in1 &he

!edi&"&ors !ind "re s&r"9 &hou1h&s "nd d"9dre"!s

These !"9 )onsis& of >"rious !e!ories "nd i!"1es of

&he :"s&3 re)en& or re!o&e3 in)ludin1 &hose e!er1in1fro! su$@)ons)ious de:&hs &hou1h&s of &he fu&ure @

:l"nnin13 i!"1inin13 fe"rin13 ho:in1 "nd &he )"su"l

sense:er)e:&ions &h"& !"9 o))ur "& &he >er9 &i!e of!edi&"&ion3 of&en dr"11in1 "f&er &he! " lon1 &r"il of

"sso)i"&ed ide"s (hene>er )on)en&r"&ion "nd !indfulness

sl")-en3 s&r"9 &hou1h&s or d"9dre"!s "::e"r "ndfill &he >")uu! Thou1h &he9 see! insi1nifi)"n& in &he!sel>es3

&hrou1h &heir freJuen& o))urren)e &he9 for! "

!os& for!id"$le o$s&")le3 no& onl9 for &he $e1inner3

$u& in "ll )"ses when &he !ind is res&less or dis&r")&edHowe>er3 when &hese in>"ders )"n $e -e:& "& $"93 e>en

lon1 )on&inuous :eriods of !edi&"&ion )"n $e ")hie>ed

As in &he )"se of &he !en&"l defile!en&s3 s&r"9 &hou1h&swill $e en&irel9 e8)luded onl9 "& &he s&"1e of Ar"h"&shi:3

when &he :erfe)& !indfulness &here$9 o$&"ined -ee:s

unf"ilin1 w"&)h "& &he door of &he !ind,4


31/81

If &he9 "re &o sh":e our "&&i&ude3 "ll &hese f")&s "$ou&

&he &hree -inds of dis&ur$in1 f")&ors !us& $e 1i>en full

wei1h& "nd $e full9 "$sor$ed $9 our !ind Then3 in&hese &hree dis&ur$in1 f")&ors3 &he no$le &ru&h of sufferin1

will !"nifes& i&self &o &he !edi&"&or >er9 in)isi>el9

&hrou1h his own :erson"l e8:erien)e# CNo& &o o$&"inwh"& one w"n&s is sufferin1 The &hree o&her no$le

&ru&hs should "lso $e e8e!:lified $9 referen)e &o &he

s"!e si&u"&ion In su)h " w"93 e>en when de"lin1 wi&hi!:edi!en&s3 &he !edi&"&or will $e wi&hin &he do!"in

of S"&i:"h"n" He will $e en1"1ed in &he !indful

"w"reness of &he 7our No$le Tru&hs @ " :"r& of &he )on&e!:l"&ionof !en&"l o$Ge)&s ;dh"!!"nu:"ss"n"e &he firs& su))essful &es& of our :e")eful we":ons#

$9 unders&"ndin1 our "d>ers"ries $e&&er3 we h">e

)onsolid"&ed our :osi&ion whi)h w"s for!erl9 we"-ened$9 "n e!o&ion"l "::ro")h "nd $9 &r"nsfor!in1

&hese "d>ers"ries in&o &e")hers of &he &ru&hs3 we h">e

won &he firs& "d>"n&"1e o>er &he!

Three =oun&er!e"sures

If we "re !en&"ll9 :re:"red $9 " re"lis&i) >iew of &hese&hree f")&ors "n&"1onis&i) &o !edi&"&ion3 we sh"ll $e

less in)lined &o re")& "& on)e $9 irri&"&ion when &he9

")&u"ll9 "rise (e sh"ll $e e!o&ion"ll9 in " $e&&er

,6


32/81

:osi&ion &o !ee& &he! wi&h &he non>iolen& we":ons

of whi)h we sh"ll now s:e"-

There "re &hree de>i)es for )oun&erin1 dis&ur$"n)es

&h"& "rise in !edi&"&ion The &hree should $e "::lied in

su))ession whene>er &he :re)edin1 de>i)e h"s f"iled &o

dis:ose of &he dis&ur$"n)e All &hree "re "::li)"&ions of

$"re "&&en&ion &he9 differ in &he de1ree "nd dur"&ion

of "&&en&ion 1i>en &o &he dis&ur$"n)e The 1uidin1 rule

here is# &o 1i>e no !ore !en&"l e!:h"sis &o &he res:e)

&i>e dis&ur$"n)e &h"n is ")&u"ll9 reJuired $9 )ir)u!

s&"n)es

, 7irs&3 one should no&i)e &he dis&ur$"n)e )le"rl93

$u& li1h&l9# &h"& is3 wi&hou& e!:h"sis "nd wi&hou& "&&en&ion

&o de&"ils Af&er &h"& $rief ")& of no&i)in13 one should&r9 &o re&urn &o &he ori1in"l su$Ge)& of !edi&"&ion If &he

dis&ur$"n)e w"s we"- or ones :re)edin1 )on)en&r"&ion

f"irl9 s&ron13 one !"9 well su))eed in resu!in1 )on&e!:l"&ionA& &h"& s&"1e3 $9 $ein1 )"reful no& &o 1e&

in>ol>ed in "n9 C)on>ers"&ion or "r1u!en& wi&h &he

in&ruder3 we sh"ll on our :"r& no& 1i>e i& " re"son &o s&"9

lon1 "nd in " 1ood nu!$er of )"ses &he dis&ur$"n)ewill soon de:"r& li-e " >isi&or who does no& re)ei>e "

>er9 w"r! wel)o!e Th"& )ur& dis!iss"l !"9 of&en en"$le

us &o re&urn &o our ori1in"l !edi&"&ion wi&hou& "n9serious dis&ur$"n)e &o &he )o!:osure of !ind

The non>iolen& de>i)e here is# &o "::l9 $"re "&&en&ion

&o &he dis&ur$"n)e3 $u& wi&h " !ini!u! of res:onse&o i&3 "nd wi&h " !ind $en& on wi&hdr"w"l This is &he

>er9 w"9 in whi)h &he Buddh" hi!self de"l& wi&h ino::or&une

>isi&ors3 "s des)ri$ed in &he M"h"su"&" Su&&"#


33/81

CQwi&h " !ind $en& on se)lusionQ "nd wi&hdr"wn3 his

,5


34/81

)on>ers"&ion "i!in1 "& dis!issin1 ;&hose >isi&orsoid &he!3 one should &re"& &he! Cwi&h&he indifferen& :oli&eness of " 1en&le!en

* If3 howe>er3 &he dis&ur$"n)e :ersis&s3 oneshould re:e"& &he "::li)"&ion of $"re "&&en&ion "1"in

"nd "1"in3 :"&ien&l9 "nd )"l!l9 "nd i& !"9 $e &h"& &he

dis&ur$"n)e will >"nish when i& h"s s:en& i&s for)e Here&he "&&i&ude is &o !ee& &he re:e"&ed o))urren)e of " dis&ur$"n)e

$9 " rei&er"&ed CNo3 C " de&er!ined refus"l &o

$e defle)&ed fro! ones )ourse This is &he "&&i&ude of:"&ien)e "nd fir!ness The )":")i&9 for w"&)hful o$ser>"&ion

h"s &o $e "ided here $9 &he )":")i&9 &o w"i& "nd

&o hold ones 1round

These &wo de>i)es will 1ener"ll9 $e su))essful wi&hin)iden&"l s&r"9 &hou1h&s "nd d"9dre"!s3 whi)h "re fee$le

$9 n"&ure3 $u& &he o&her &wo &9:es of dis&ur$"n)es3

&he e8&ern"l ones "nd defile!en&s3 !"9 "lso 9ield Jui&eof&en

Bu& if3 for so!e re"son3 &he9 do no& 9ield3 oneshould deli$er"&el9 &urn ones full "&&en&ion &o &he dis&ur$"n)e

"nd !"-e i& "n o$Ge)& of -nowled1e Thus one

&r"nsfor!s i& fro! " dis&ur$"n)e &o !edi&"&ion in&o "

le1i&i!"&e o$Ge)& of !edi&"&ion One !"9 )on&inue wi&h&h"& new o$Ge)& un&il &he e8&ern"l or in&ern"l )"use for

"&&endin1 &o i& h"s )e"sed or3 if i& :ro>es s"&isf")&or93

one !"9 e>en re&"in i& for &he res& of &h"& session7or ins&"n)e3 when dis&ur$ed $9 " :ersis&en& noise3

we should 1i>e &he noise our undi>ided "&&en&ion3 $u&

we should &"-e )"re &o dis&in1uish &he o$Ge)& i&self fro!our re")&ion &o i& 7or e8"!:le3 if resen&!en& "rises3 i&

,?


35/81

should $e )le"rl9 re)o1nied in i&s own n"&ure whene>er

i& "rises In doin1 so we sh"ll $e :r")&isin1 &he )on&e!:l"&ion

of !indo$Ge)&s ;dh"!!"nu:"ss"n"< "))ordin1&o &he followin1 :"ss"1e of &he S"&i:"h"n" Su&&"# CHe

-nows &he e"r "nd sounds3 "nd &he fe&&er ;e1 resen&!en&iour B9 &h"& :ro)edure3 one "1"in re!"ins en&irel9wi&hin &he r"n1e of S"&i:"h"n" $9 :r")&isin1 &he )on&e!:l"&ion

of &he s&"&e of !ind ;)i&&"nu:"ss"n"< "nd of

!indo$Ge)&s ;dh"!!"nu:"ss"n"# "&&en&ion &o &he hindr"n)esiolen&

:ro)edure I& is " de>i)e >er9 )h"r")&eris&i) of &he

s:iri& of S"&i:"h"n"3 &o !"-e use of "ll e8:erien)es"s "ids on &he :"&h In &h"& w"9 ene!ies "re &urned

*+


36/81

in&o friends for "ll &hese dis&ur$"n)es "nd "n&"1onis&i)

for)es h">e $e)o!e our &e")hers3 "nd &e")hers3 whoe>er

&he9 !"9 $e3 should $e re1"rded "s friends

(e )"nno& fore1o &o Juo&e here " :"ss"1e fro! "

no&ewor&h9 li&&le $oo-3 The Li&&le Lo)-s!i&h $9 K"&herineBu&ler H"&h"w"93 " !o>in1 hu!"n do)u!en& of for&i&ude

"nd :r")&i)"l wisdo! ")Juired $9 sufferin1#

I "! sho)-ed $9 &he i1nor"n)e "nd w"s&efulness

wi&h whi)h :ersons who should -now $e&&er &hrow "w"9

&he &hin1s &he9 do no& li-e The9 &hrow "w"9 e8:erien)es3:eo:le3 !"rri"1es3 si&u"&ions3 "ll sor&s of &hin1s

$e)"use &he9 do no& li-e &he! If 9ou &hrow "w"9 "

&hin13 i& is 1one (here 9ou h"d so!e&hin1 9ou h">e

no&hin1 Your h"nds "re e!:&93 &he9 h">e no&hin1 &owor- on (here"s3 "l!os& "ll &hose &hin1s whi)h 1e&

&hrown "w"9 "re )":"$le of $ein1 wor-ed o>er $9 " li&&le

!"1i) in&o Gus& &he o::osi&e of wh"& &he9 wereQ Bu&!os& hu!"n $ein1s ne>er re!e!$er "& "ll &h"& in "l!os&

e>er9 $"d si&u"&ion &here is &he :ossi$ili&9 of " &r"nsfor!"&ion

$9 whi)h &he undesir"$le !"9 $e )h"n1ed in&o&he desir"$le

(e s"id $efore &h"& &he o))urren)e of &he &hree dis&ur$in1

ele!en&s )"nno& "lw"9s $e :re>en&ed The9 "re:"r&s of our world3 "nd &heir )o!in1 "nd 1oin1 follows

i&s own l"ws irres:e)&i>e of our "::ro>"l or dis"::ro>"l

Bu& $9 "::l9in1 $"re "&&en&ion we )"n ">oid $ein1 swe:&"w"9 or dislod1ed $9 &he! B9 &"-in1 " fir! "nd )"l!

s&"nd on &he se)ure 1round of !indfulness3 we sh"ll

re:e"& in " !odes& de1ree3 $u& in "n essen&i"ll9 iden&i)"lw"93 &he his&ori) si&u"&ion under &he Bodhi Tree (hen

M"r"3 &he E>il One3 "& &he he"d of his "r!93 )l"i!ed &he

*,


37/81

soil on whi)h &he fu&ure Buddh" s"&3 &he l"&&er refused

&o $ud1e Trus&in1 in &he :ower of !indfulness3 we !"9

)onfiden&l9 re:e"& &he Bodhis"&&"s "s:ir"&ion on &h"&o))"sion# M" !"! &h"n" ")">i CM"9 he ;M"r"< no&

dislod1e !e fro! &his :l")e ;P"dh"n" Su&&"en&s &h"& :"ss $efore our o$ser>"n&e9es in &he :r")&i)e of $"re "&&en&ion3 &he9 "rise3 "nd

h">in1 "risen3 &he9 :"ss "w"9

soil on whi)h &he fu&ure Buddh" s"&3 &he l"&&er refused

&o $ud1e Trus&in1 in &he :ower of !indfulness3 we !"9

)onfiden&l9 re:e"& &he Bodhis"&&"s "s:ir"&ion on &h"&o))"sion# M" !"! &h"n" ")">i CM"9 he ;M"r"< no&

dislod1e !e fro! &his :l")e ;P"dh"n" Su&&"en&s &h"& :"ss $efore our o$ser>"n&

e9es in &he :r")&i)e of $"re "&&en&ion3 &he9 "rise3 "ndh">in1 "risen3 &he9 :"ss "w"9

Our "d>"n&"1e here is &he o$>ious f")& &h"& &wo&hou1h& !o!en&s )"nno& $e :resen& "& &he s"!e &i!e

A&&en&ion refers3 s&ri)&l9 s:e"-in13 no& &o &he :resen&

$u& &o &he !o!en& &h"& h"s Gus& :"ssed "w"9 Thus3 "slon1 "s !indfulness holds sw"93 &here will $e no Cdis&ur$"n)e

or Cdefiled &hou1h& This 1i>es us &he )h"n)e

&o hold on &o &h"& se)ure 1round of "n Co$ser>ers :os&3

our own :o&en&i"l C&hrone of enli1h&en!en&

B9 &he Juie&enin1 "nd neu&r"liin1 influen)e of

de&")hed o$ser>"&ion "s "::lied in our &hree de>i)es3&he in&erru:&ions of !edi&"&ion will in)re"sin1l9 lose &he

s&in1 of irri&"&ion3 "nd &here$9 &heir dis&ur$in1 effe)&

This will :ro>e &o $e "n ")& of &rue >ir"1" ;dis:"ssione3 "nd refr")&or9

**


38/81

n"&ure of &he !ind I& "lso en"$les hi! &o de"l s!oo&hl9

wi&h &he >"rious diffi)ul& si&u"&ions "nd o$s&")les !e&

wi&h in d"il9 life To illus&r"&e &he e>en Ju"li&9 of ener19reJuired for "&&"inin1 &o &he !edi&"&i>e "$sor:&ions3

The P"&h of Purifi)"&ion ;/isuddhi!"11"< des)ri$es "

&es& whi)h s&uden&s of sur1er9 in "n)ien& d"9s h"d &ounder1o "s " :roof of &heir s-ill A lo&us le"f w"s :l")ed

in " $owl of w"&er3 "nd &he :u:il h"d &o !"-e "n in)ision

&hrou1h &he len1&h of &he le"f3 wi&hou& )u&&in1 i&en&irel9 or su$!er1in1 i& He who "::lied "n e8)ess of

for)e ei&her )u& &he le"f in&o &wo or :ressed i& in&o &he

w"&er3 while &he &i!id one did no& e>en d"re &o s)r"&)hi& In f")&3 so!e&hin1 li-e &he 1en&le $u& fir! h"nd of &he

sur1eon is reJuired in !en&"l &r"inin13 "nd &his s-ilful3

well$"l"n)ed &ou)h will $e &he n"&ur"l ou&)o!e of &he

non>iolen& :ro)edure in &he :r")&i)e of $"re "&&en&ion

*


39/81

Kee:in1 S&ill

7

7

or " full "nd uno$s&ru)&ed unfold!en& of &he!inds )":")i&ies3 &he influen)e of &wo )o!:li!en&"r9

for)es is needed# ")&i>"&in1 "nd res&r"inin1 Th"&

&wofold need w"s re)o1nied $9 &he Buddh"3 &he 1re"&-nower of !ind He "d>ised &h"& &he f")ul&ies of ener19

;>iri9indri9"< "nd of )on)en&r"&ion ;s"!"dhindri9"en f")&ors

of enli1h&en!en& ;$oGGh"n1"< "s sui&"$le for rousin1

&he !ind3 "nd "no&her &hree for )"l!in1 i& In $o&h

)"ses3 "!on1 &he s:iri&u"l f")ul&ies "nd &he enli1h&en!en&f")&ors3 i& is !indfulness &h"& no& onl9 w"&)hes

o>er &heir eJuili$riu!3 $u& "lso ")&i>"&es &hose &h"& "re

slu11ish "nd res&r"ins &hose &h"& "re &oo in&ense

Mindfulness3 &hou1h see!in1l9 of " :"ssi>e n"&ure3

is in f")& "n ")&i>"&in1 for)e I& !"-es &he !ind "ler&3"nd "ler&ness is indis:ens"$le for "ll :ur:oseful ")&i>i&9

In &he :resen& inJuir93 howe>er3 we sh"ll $e !"inl9 )on)erned

wi&h &he res&r"inin1 :ower of !indfulness (e

sh"ll e8"!ine how i& !"-es for disen&"n1le!en& "ndde&")h!en&3 "nd how i& :osi&i>el9 hel:s in &he de>elo:!en&

of &he !en&"l Ju"li&ies reJuired for &he wor- of

deli>er"n)e

See P"&h of Purifi)"&ion3 :: ,2 f

I$id3 :: ,4 ff The &hree rousin1 f")&ors "re in>es&i1"&ion3ener19 "nd r":&ure &he &hree )"l!in1 ones3 &r"nJuilli&93

)on)en&r"&ion "nd eJu"ni!i&9

*.


40/81

In :r")&isin1 $"re "&&en&ion3 we -ee: s&ill "& &he

!en&"l "nd s:"&i"l :l")e of o$ser>"&ion3 "!ids& &he

loud de!"nds of &he inner "nd ou&er world Mindfulness:ossesses &he s&ren1&h of &r"nJuilli&93 &he )":")i&9

for deferrin1 ")&ion "nd "::l9in1 &he $r"-e3 for s&o::in1

r"sh in&erferen)e "nd for sus:endin1 Gud1e!en&while :"usin1 &o o$ser>e f")&s "nd &o refle)& u:on &he!

wisel9 I& "lso $rin1s " wholeso!e slowin1 down in &he

i!:e&uosi&9 of &hou1h&3 s:ee)h "nd ")&ion Kee:in1 s&ill"nd s&o::in13 :"usin1 "nd slowin1 down @ &hese will

$e our -e9 words when s:e"-in1 now of &he res&r"inin1

effe)& of $"re "&&en&ion

An "n)ien& =hinese $oo- s&"&es#

CIn !"-in1 &hin1s end3 "nd in !"-in1 &hin1s s&"r&3

&here is no&hin1 !ore 1lorious &h"n -ee:in1 s&ill

In &he li1h& of &he Buddh"s &e")hin13 &he &rue Cend of

&hin1s is Ni$$"n" whi)h is )"lled &he Cs&illin1 of for!"&ions;s"n-h"r"n"! >u:"s"!oi&ies I& is &he Cend of &he world "ndof sufferin13 whi)h &he Buddh" :ro)l"i!ed )"nno& $e

re")hed $9 w"l-in13 !i1r"&in1 or &r"ns!i1r"&in13 $u&

)"n $e found wi&hin oursel>es Th"& end of &he world isher"lded $9 e")h deli$er"&e ")& of -ee:in1 s&ill3 s&o::in13

or :"usin1 CKee:in1 s&ill3 in &h"& hi1hes& sense3 !e"ns

s&o::in1 &he "))u!ul"&ion of -"!!"3 "$s&"inin1 fro!our un)e"sin1 )on)ern wi&h e>"nes)en& &hin1s3 "$s&"in

*2


41/81

in1 fro! :er:e&u"ll9 "ddin1 &o our en&"n1le!en&s in

s"!s"r" @ &he round of re:e"&ed $ir&h "nd de"&h B9

followin1 &he w"9 of !indfulness3 $9 &r"inin1 oursel>es&o -ee: s&ill "nd :"use in &he "&&i&ude of $"re "&&en&ion3

we refuse &o &"-e u: &he worlds :ersis&en& )h"llen1e &o

our dis:osi&ions for 1reed or h"&red (e :ro&e)& oursel>es"1"ins& r"sh "nd delusi>e Gud1e!en&s we refr"in

fro! $lindl9 :lun1in1 in&o &he whirl:ool of in&erferin1

")&ion wi&h "ll i&s inheren& d"n1ers

He who "$s&"ins fro! in&erferin1 is e>er9where se)ure

SUTTA NIPATA3 / ?2

He who -ee:s s&ill "nd -nows where &o s&o: will no&

!ee& d"n1er

TAOTE=HIN3 =HAPTER ..

The =hinese s"9in1 Juo&ed e"rlier s&"&es in i&s se)ond

:"r& &h"& &here is no&hin1 !ore 1lorious in !"-in1

&hin1s s&"r& &h"n in -ee:in1 s&ill E8:l"ined in &heBuddhis& sense3 &hese &hin1s effe)&i>el9 s&"r&ed $9

-ee:in1 s&ill "re C&he &hin1s ;or Ju"li&ies< !"-in1 for

de)re"se of -"!!i) "))u!ul"&ion In de"lin1 wi&h

&he!3 we !"9 follow &he &r"di&ion"l di>ision of !en&"l&r"inin1 in&o !or"li&9 ;or )ondu)&el9 hel:ed $9 &he "&&i&ude of -ee:in1 s&ill )ul&i>"&ed$9 $"re "&&en&ion

, =ondu)& How )"n we i!:ro>e our )ondu)&3 i&s!or"l Ju"li&9 "nd i&s s-ill in &"-in1 ri1h& de)isionsF If

we e"rnes&l9 desire su)h "n i!:ro>e!en&3 i& will 1ener"ll9

$e wises& &o )hoose &he line of le"s& resis&"n)e*4


42/81

If we &urn &oo Jui)-l9 "1"ins& &hose shor&)o!in1s dee:l9

roo&ed in old h"$i&s or in :owerful i!:ulses3 we !i1h&

suffer dis)our"1in1 defe"& (e should :"9 "&&en&ion firs&&o our $le!ishes of ")&ion "nd s:ee)h "nd our errors of

Gud1e!en& )"used $9 &hou1h&lessness "nd r"shness Of

&hese &here "re !"n9 In our li>es &here "re nu!erousins&"n)es where one shor& !o!en& of refle)&ion !i1h&

h">e :re>en&ed " f"lse s&e:3 "nd &here$9 w"rded off "

lon1 )h"in of !iser9 or !or"l 1uil& &h"& s&"r&ed wi&h" sin1le !o!en& of &hou1h&lessness Bu& how )"n we

)ur$ our r"sh re")&ions3 "nd re:l")e &he! $9 !o!en&s

of !indfulness "nd refle)&ionF To do so will de:endon our )":")i&9 &o s&o: "nd :"use3 &o "::l9 &he $r"-es

"& &he ri1h& &i!e3 "nd &his we )"n le"rn $9 :r")&isin1

$"re "&&en&ion In &h"& :r")&i)e we sh"ll &r"in oursel>es

If we &urn &oo Jui)-l9 "1"ins& &hose shor&)o!in1s dee:l9

roo&ed in old h"$i&s or in :owerful i!:ulses3 we !i1h&

suffer dis)our"1in1 defe"& (e should :"9 "&&en&ion firs&&o our $le!ishes of ")&ion "nd s:ee)h "nd our errors of

Gud1e!en& )"used $9 &hou1h&lessness "nd r"shness Of

&hese &here "re !"n9 In our li>es &here "re nu!erousins&"n)es where one shor& !o!en& of refle)&ion !i1h&

h">e :re>en&ed " f"lse s&e:3 "nd &here$9 w"rded off "

lon1 )h"in of !iser9 or !or"l 1uil& &h"& s&"r&ed wi&h

" sin1le !o!en& of &hou1h&lessness Bu& how )"n we)ur$ our r"sh re")&ions3 "nd re:l")e &he! $9 !o!en&s

of !indfulness "nd refle)&ionF To do so will de:end

on our )":")i&9 &o s&o: "nd :"use3 &o "::l9 &he $r"-es"& &he ri1h& &i!e3 "nd &his we )"n le"rn $9 :r")&isin1

$"re "&&en&ion In &h"& :r")&i)e we sh"ll &r"in oursel>es

en)es!e& wi&h durin1 &he :eriods of !edi&"&i>e :r")&i)e

(hen f")in1 "1"in "nd "1"in &he in)iden&"l sense

i!:ressions3 feelin1s or s&r"9 &hou1h&s whi)h in&erru:&our )on)en&r"&ion when )ur$in1 "1"in "nd "1"in our

desire &o res:ond &o &he! in so!e w"9 when su))eedin1

"1"in "nd "1"in in -ee:in1 s&ill in f")e of &he! @

we sh"ll $e :re:"rin1 oursel>es &o :reser>e &h"& inners&illness in &he wider "nd un:ro&e)&ed field of e>er9d"9

life (e sh"ll h">e ")Juired " :resen)e of !ind &h"&

will en"$le us &o :"use "nd s&o:3 e>en if we "re &"-en$9 sur:rise or "re suddenl9 :ro>o-ed or &e!:&ed

Our :resen& re!"r-s refer &o &hose $le!ishes of)ondu)& li"$le &o "rise &hrou1h &hou1h&lessness "nd

*6


43/81


44/81

r"shness3 $u& whi)h !"9 $e !ore or less e"sil9 )he)-ed

&hrou1h !indfulness De8&eri&9 in de"lin1 wi&h &hese

will "lso "ffe)& &hose !ore o$s&in"&e de>i"&ions fro!!or"l )ondu)& roo&ed in s&ron1 :"ssion"&e i!:ulses or

in dee:l9 in1r"ined $"d h"$i&s The in)re"sed &r"nJuilli&9

of !ind ")hie>ed in -ee:in1 s&ill for $"re "&&en&ionwill res&r"in &he i!:e&uosi&9 of :"ssions The ")Juired

h"$i& of :"usin1 "nd s&o::in1 will ")& "s " $r"-e &o &he

in1r"ined h"$i&s of indul1in1 in unwholeso!e deeds

B9 $ein1 "$le &o -ee: s&ill for $"re "&&en&ion3 or &o

:"use for wise refle)&ion3 >er9 of&en &he firs& &e!:&"&ion&o lus&3 &he firs& w">e of "n1er3 &he firs& !is& of

delusion3 will dis"::e"r wi&hou& )"usin1 serious en&"n1le!en&

A& whi)h :oin& &he )urren& of unwholeso!e

&hou1h& :ro)ess is s&o::ed will de:end on &he Ju"li&9of !indfulness If !indfulness is -een3 i& will su))eed

"& " >er9 e"rl9 :oin& in )"llin1 " s&o: &o " series of

defiled &hou1h&s or ")&ions $efore we "re )"rried "lon1$9 &he! &oo f"r Then &he res:e)&i>e defile!en&s will

no& 1row $e9ond &heir ini&i"l s&ren1&h3 less effor& will

$e reJuired &o )he)- &he!3 "nd fewer -"!!i) en&"n1le!en&s3or none3 will follow

Le& us &"-e &he e8"!:le of " :le"s"n& >isu"l o$Ge)&

whi)h h"s "roused our li-in1 A& firs& &h"& li-in1 !i1h&no& $e >er9 ")&i>e "nd insis&en& If "& &his :oin& &he

!ind is "lre"d9 "$le &o -ee: s&ill for de&")hed o$ser>"&ion

or refle)&ion3 &he >isu"l :er)e:&ion )"n e"sil9 $edi>es&ed of i&s s&ill >er9 sli1h& "d!i8&ure of lus& The

o$Ge)& $e)o!es re1is&ered "s CGus& so!e&hin1 seen &h"&

h"s )"used " :le"s"n& feelin13 or &he "&&r")&ion fel& issu$li!"&ed in&o " Juie& "es&he&i) :le"sure Bu& if &h"&

*5


45/81

e"rlies& )h"n)e h"s $een !issed3 &he li-in1 will 1row

in&o "&&")h!en& "nd in&o &he desire &o :ossess If now

" s&o: is )"lled3 &he &hou1h& of desire !"9 1r"du"ll9lose i&s s&ren1&h i& will no& e"sil9 &urn in&o "n insis&en&

)r">in13 "nd no ")&u"l "&&e!:&s &o 1e& :ossession

of &he desired o$Ge)& will follow Bu& if &he )urren& oflus& is s&ill un)he)-ed3 &hen &he &hou1h& of desire !"9

e8:ress i&self $9 s:ee)h in "s-in1 for &he o$Ge)& or e>en

de!"ndin1 i& wi&h i!:e&uous words Th"& is3 unwholeso!e!en&"l -"!!" is followed $9 unwholeso!e >er$"l

-"!!" A refus"l will )"use &he ori1in"l )urren&

of lus& &o $r"n)h ou& in&o "ddi&ion"l s&re"!s of !en&"ldefile!en&s3 ei&her s"dness or "n1er Bu& if e>en "&

&h"& l"&e s&"1e one )"n s&o: for Juie& refle)&ion or $"re

"&&en&ion3 "))e:& &he refus"l3 "nd renoun)e wishfulfil!en&3

fur&her )o!:li)"&ions will $e ">oided Howe>er3if )l"!ourin1 words "re followed $9 unwholeso!e $odil9

-"!!"3 "nd if3 dri>en $9 )r">in13 one &ries &o 1e&

:ossession of &he desired o$Ge)& $9 s&e"l&h or for)e3 &hen&he -"!!i) en&"n1le!en& is )o!:le&e "nd i&s )onseJuen)es

!us& $e e8:erien)ed in &heir full i!:")& Bu&

s&ill3 if e>en "f&er &he )o!:le&ion of &he e>il ")&3 ones&o:s for refle)&ion3 i& will no& $e in >"in 7or &he !indfulness

&h"& "rises in &he for! of re!orseful re&ros:e)&ion

will :re)lude " h"rdenin1 of )h"r")&er "nd !"9

:re>en& " re:e&i&ion of &he s"!e ")&ion

The E8"l&ed One on)e s"id &o his son3 R"hul"

;M"GGhi!" 4,


46/81

:erfor! will $e h"r!ful &o !9self3 or h"r!ful &o o&hers

or h"r!ful &o $o&h i& will $e "n unwholeso!e ")&ion3

:rodu)in1 sufferin13 resul&in1 in sufferin13 @ &hen 9oushould )er&"inl9 no& :erfor! &h"& ")&ion

:erfor! will $e h"r!ful &o !9self3 or h"r!ful &o o&hersor h"r!ful &o $o&h i& will $e "n unwholeso!e ")&ion3

:rodu)in1 sufferin13 resul&in1 in sufferin13 @ &hen 9ou

should )er&"inl9 no& :erfor! &h"& ")&ion

CAlso "f&er 9ou h">e :erfor!ed "n ")&ion3 $9 $od93

s:ee)h or !ind3 9ou should )onsider &h"& ")&ionQ If3in )onsiderin1 i&3 9ou re"lie# This ")&ion whi)h I h">e

:erfor!ed h"s $een h"r!ful &o !9self3 or h"r!ful &o

o&hers3 or h"r!ful &o $o&h i& w"s "n unwholeso!e ")&ion3

:rodu)in1 sufferin13 resul&in1 in sufferin1 @ &hen 9oushould in &he fu&ure refr"in fro! i&

* Tr"nJuilli&9 (e sh"ll now )onsider how s&o::in1for $"re "&&en&ion "lso hel:s one &o "&&"in "nd

s&ren1&hen &r"nJuilli&9 ;s"!"&h"< in i&s dou$le sense#

1ener"l :e")e of !ind "nd !edi&"&i>e )on)en&r"&ionB9 de>elo:in1 &he h"$i& of :"usin1 for $"re "&&en&ion3

i& $e)o!es in)re"sin1l9 e"sier &o wi&hdr"w in&o

ones own inner s&illness when un"$le &o es)":e $odil9

fro! &he loud3 insis&en& noises of &he ou&er worldI& will $e e"sier &o fore1o useless re")&ions &o &he foolish

s:ee)h or deeds of o&hers (hen &he $lows of f"&e

"re :"r&i)ul"rl9 h"rd "nd in)ess"n&3 " !ind &r"ined in$"re "&&en&ion will find " refu1e in &he h">en of "::"r

+


47/81

en& :"ssi>i&9 or w"&)hful non")&ion3 fro! whi)h :osi&ion

i& will $e "$le &o w"i& :"&ien&l9 un&il &he s&or!s

h">e :"ssed There "re si&u"&ions in life when i& is $es&&o "llow &hin1s &o )o!e &o &heir n"&ur"l end He who

is "$le &o -ee: s&ill "nd w"i& will of&en su))eed where

"11ressi>eness or $us9 ")&i>i&9 would h">e $een >"nJuishedNo& onl9 in )ri&i)"l si&u"&ions3 $u& "lso in &he

nor!"l )ourse of life3 &he e8:erien)e won $9 o$ser>"n&

-ee:in1 s&ill will )on>in)e us &h"& we need no& ")&i>el9res:ond &o e>er9 i!:ression we re)ei>e3 or re1"rd e>er9

en)oun&er wi&h :eo:le or &hin1s "s " )h"llen1e &o our

in&erferin1 ")&i>i&9

B9 refr"inin1 fro! $us9in1 oursel>es unne)ess"ril93

e8&ern"l fri)&ions will $e redu)ed "nd &he in&ern"l &ensions

&he9 $rin1 will loosen u: re"&er h"r!on9 "nd:e")e will :er>"de &he life of e>er9 d"93 $rid1in1 &he

1": $e&ween nor!"l life "nd &he &r"nJuilli&9 of !edi&"&ion

Then &here will $e fewer of &hose dis&ur$in1inner re>er$er"&ions of e>er9d"9 res&lessness whi)h3 in

" )o"rse or su$&le for!3 in>"de &he hours of !edi&"&ion3

:rodu)in1 $odil9 "nd !en&"l unres& =onseJuen&l93 &hehindr"n)e of "1i&"&ion3 " )hief o$s&")le &o )on)en&r"&ion3

will "::e"r less of&en "nd will $e e"sier &o o>er)o!e

when i& "rises

B9 )ul&i>"&in1 &he "&&i&ude of $"re "&&en&ion "s of&en

"s o::or&uni&9 offers3 &he )en&rifu1"l for)es of !ind3

!"-in1 for !en&"l dis&r")&ion3 will :e&er ou& &he )en&ri:e&"l&enden)93 &urnin1 &he !ind inw"rd "nd !"-in1

for )on)en&r"&ion3 will 1"&her s&ren1&h =r">in1 will

no lon1er run ou& in :ursui& of " >"rie&9 of )h"n1in1o$Ge)&s

,


48/81

Re1ul"r :r")&i)e of sus&"ined "&&en&ion &o " )on&in

uous series of e>en&s :re:"res &he !ind for sus&"ined

)on)en&r"&ion on " sin1le o$Ge)&3 or " li!i&ed nu!$er

of o$Ge)&s3 in &he s&ri)& :r")&i)e of !edi&"&ion 7ir!ness

or s&e"diness of !ind3 "no&her i!:or&"n& f")&or in )on

)en&r"&ion3 will li-ewise $e )ul&i>"&ed

Thus3 &he :r")&i)e of -ee:in1 s&ill3 :"usin1 "nd s&o:

:in1for$"re"&&en&ion3fos&ersse>er"ls"lien&)o!:onen&s

of !edi&"&i>e &r"nJuilli&9# )"l!ness3 )on)en&r"&ion3 fir!

ness3 "nd redu)&ion of &he !ul&i:li)i&9 of o$Ge)&s I& r"ises

&he ">er"1e le>el of nor!"l )ons)iousness "nd $rin1s i&

)loser &o &he le>el of &he !edi&"&i>e !ind This is "n

i!:or&"n& :oin& $e)"use of&en &oo wide " 1": $e&ween

&hese &wo !en&"l le>els re:e"&edl9 frus&r"&es "&&e!:&s

"& !en&"l )on)en&r"&ion "nd hinders &he ")hie>e!en& of

s!oo&h )on&inui&9 in !edi&"&i>e :r")&i)e

In &he seJuen)e of &he se>en f")&ors of enli1h&en


49/81

!en&3 we find &h"& &he enli1h&en!en& f")&or of &r"nJuil

li&9 ;:"ss"ddhi s"!$oGGh"n1"< :re)edes &h"& of )on)en

&r"&ion ;s"!"dhis"!$oGGh"n1"ious re!"r-s3 we sh"ll $e&&er unders&"nd &hese

s&"&e!en&s

Insi1h& I& h"s $een s"id $9 &he E8"l&ed One#

CHe whose !ind is )on)en&r"&ed sees &hin1s "s &he9 re"ll9"re Therefore3 "ll &hose w"9s $9 whi)h $"re "&&en&ion

s&ren1&hens )on)en&r"&ion "lso :ro>ide " su::or&in1

)ondi&ion for &he de>elo:!en& of insi1h& Bu& &here

is "lso " !ore dire)& "nd s:e)ifi) hel: whi)h insi1h&re)ei>es fro! -ee:in1 s&ill in $"re "&&en&ion

*


50/81

ener"ll93 we "re !ore )on)erned wi&h h"ndlin1

"nd usin1 &hin1s &h"n wi&h -nowin1 &he! in &heir

&rue n"&ure Thus we usu"ll9 1r"s: in h"s&e &he >er9firs& few si1n"ls )on>e9ed &o us $9 " :er)e:&ion Then3

&hrou1h dee:l9 in1r"ined h"$i&3 &hose si1n"ls e>o-e "

s&"nd"rd res:onse $9 w"9 of Gud1e!en&s su)h "s 1ood$"d3 :le"s"n&un:le"s"n&3 usefulh"r!ful3 ri1h&wron1

These Gud1e!en&s3 $9 whi)h we define &he o$Ge)&s in

rel"&ion &o oursel>es3 le"d &o )orres:ondin1 re")&ions$9 word or deed Onl9 r"rel9 does "&&en&ion dwell u:on

" )o!!on or f"!ili"r o$Ge)& for "n9 lon1er &i!e &h"n is

needed &o re)ei>e &he firs& few si1n"ls So3 for &he !os&:"r&3 we :er)ei>e &hin1s in " fr"1!en&"r9 !"nner "nd

&hen)e !is)on)ei>e &he! 7ur&her3 onl9 &he >er9 firs&

:h"se of &he o$Ge)&s lifes:"n3 or " li&&le !ore3 )o!es

in&o &he fo)us of our "&&en&ion One !"9 no& e>en $e)ons)iousl9 "w"re &h"& &he o$Ge)& is " :ro)ess wi&h "n

e8&ension in &i!e @ " $e1innin1 "nd "n end &h"& i&

h"s !"n9 "s:e)&s "nd rel"&ions $e9ond &hose )"su"ll9:er)ei>ed in " li!i&ed si&u"&ion &h"&3 in $rief3 i& h"s "

-ind of e>"nes)en& indi>idu"li&9 of i&s own A world

:er)ei>ed in &his su:erfi)i"l w"9 will )onsis& of sh":elessli&&le lu!:s of e8:erien)es !"r-ed $9 " few su$Ge)&i>el9

sele)&ed si1ns or s9!$ols The s9!$ols )hosen

"re de&er!ined !"inl9 $9 &he indi>idu"ls selfin&eres&

so!e&i!es &he9 "re e>en !is"::lied The sh"dowli-eworld &h"& resul&s in)ludes no& onl9 &he ou&er en>iron!en&

"nd o&her :ersons3 $u& "lso " 1ood :"r& of ones

own $odil9 "nd !en&"l :ro)esses These3 &oo3 $e)o!esu$Ge)&ed &o &he s"!e su:erfi)i"l !"nner of )on)e:&u"li"&ion

The Buddh" :oin&s ou& four $"si) !is)on)e:


51/81

&ions &h"& resul& fro! dis&or&ed :er)e:&ions "nd un!e&hodi)"l

"&&en&ion# &"-in1 &he i!:ure for :ure3 &he

i!:er!"nen& for l"s&in13 &he :"inful "nd :"in$rin1in1for :le"s"n&3 "nd &he i!:erson"l for " self or so!e&hin1

$elon1in1 &o &he self (hen &he se"l of selfreferen)e is

&hus s&"!:ed "1"in "nd "1"in u:on &he world of e>er9d"9e8:erien)e3 &he $"si) !is)on)e:&ion3 CThis $elon1s

&o !e ;"&&"ni9"< will s&e"dil9 :u& for&h roo&s in&o "ll

&he $odil9 "nd !en&"l f")&ors of our $ein1 Li-e &he h"irroo&s of " :l"n&3 &hese will $e fine3 $u& fir! "nd wides:re"d

@ &o su)h "n e8&en&3 in f")&3 &h"& &he no&ions of CI

"nd C!ine will h"rdl9 $e sh"-en $9 !ere in&elle)&u"l)on>i)&ions "$ou& &he none8is&en)e of " self ;"n"&&"es &o us !ore

full9 "nd !ore &rul9 No lon1er dr"11ed "& on)e in&o&he whirl:ool of selfreferen)e3 "llowed &o unfold &he!sel>es

$efore &he w"&)hful e9e of !indfulness3 &he9 will

dis)lose &he di>ersi&9 of &heir "s:e)&s "nd &he wide ne&

of &heir )orrel"&ions "nd in&er)onne)&ions The )onne)&ionwi&h selfin&eres&3 so n"rrow "nd of&en f"lsif9in13

will re)ede in&o &he $")-1round3 dw"rfed $9 &he wider

>iew now 1"ined The :ro)esses o$ser>ed dis:l"9 in&heir seri"l o))urren)e "nd in &heir )o!:onen& :"r&s "

)ons&"n& $ir&h "nd de"&h3 " rise "nd " f"ll There$9 &he

f")&s of )h"n1e "nd i!:er!"nen)e i!:ress &he!sel>es

.


52/81

on &he !ind wi&h 1rowin1 in&ensi&9 The s"!e dis)ern!en&

of rise "nd f"ll dissol>es &he f"lse )on)e:&ions of

uni&9 )re"&ed under &he influen)e of &he e1o)en&ri) "&&i&udeSelfreferen)e un)ri&i)"ll9 o>errides di>ersi&9 i&

lu!:s &hin1s &o1e&her under &he :re)on)e:&ions of $ein1

" self or $elon1in1 &o " self Bu& $"re "&&en&ion re>e"ls&hese sh"! uni&ies "s i!:erson"l "nd )ondi&ioned :heno!en"

7")in1 &hus "1"in "nd "1"in &he e>"nes)en&3

de:enden& "nd i!:erson"l n"&ure of life:ro)esseswi&hin "nd wi&hou&3 we will dis)o>er &heir !ono&on9

"nd uns"&isf")&or9 n"&ure# in o&her words3 &he &ru&h of

sufferin1 Thus3 $9 &he si!:le de>i)e of slowin1 down3:"usin1 "nd -ee:in1 s&ill for $"re "&&en&ion3 "ll &hree of

&he )h"r")&eris&i)s of e8is&en)e @ i!:er!"nen)e3 sufferin13

"nd nonself @ will o:en &he!sel>es &o :ene&r"&i>e

insi1h& ;>i:"ss"n"e !e)h"nis! of &he !ind&h"&3 wi&h "n in)re"sin1 reli"$ili&9 "nd swif&ness of

res:onse3 )"n :re>en& &he u:sur1e of e>il or unwise

i!:ulses (i&hou& su)h " s-ill we !"9 in&elle)&u"ll9re"lise &hose i!:ulses &o $e unwholeso!e3 $u& s&ill

su))u!$ &o &he! due &o &heir own :owerful s:on&"nei&9

The :r")&i)e of :"usin1 !indfull9 ser>es3 &here

2


53/81

fore3 &o re:l")e unwholeso!e s:on&"nei&9 or h"$i&s $9

wholeso!e ones 1rounded in our $e&&er -nowled1e

"nd no$ler in&en&ions:ro&e)& &he $od93 si!il"rl9 &he !ind needs s:on&"ne

fore3 &o re:l")e unwholeso!e s:on&"nei&9 or h"$i&s $9wholeso!e ones 1rounded in our $e&&er -nowled1e

"nd no$ler in&en&ions

:ro&e)& &he $od93 si!il"rl9 &he !ind needs s:on&"neouss:iri&u"l "nd !or"l self:ro&e)&ion The :r")&i)e of

$"re "&&en&ion will :ro>ide &his >i&"l fun)&ion A :erson

of ">er"1e !or"l s&"nd"rds ins&in)&i>el9 shrin-sfro! &hou1h&s of &hef& or !urder (i&h &he hel: of &he

!e&hod of $"re "&&en&ion3 &he r"n1e of su)h s:on&"neous

!or"l $r"-es )"n $e >"s&l9 e8&ended "nd e&hi)"l

sensi&i>i&9 1re"&l9 hei1h&ened

In "n un&r"ined !ind3 no$le &enden)ies "nd ri1h&

&hou1h&s "re of&en "ss"iled $9 &he sudden ou&$re"- of:"ssions "nd :reGudi)es The9 ei&her su))u!$ or "sser&

&he!sel>es onl9 wi&h diffi)ul&9 "f&er "n inner s&ru11le

Bu& if &he s:on&"nei&9 of &he unwholeso!e is )he)-ed or1re"&l9 redu)ed3 "s des)ri$ed "$o>e3 our 1ood i!:ulses

"nd wise refle)&ions will h">e 1re"&er s)o:e &o e!er1e

"nd e8:ress &he!sel>es freel9 "nd s:on&"neousl9 Their

n"&ur"l flow will 1i>e us 1re"&er )onfiden)e in &he :owerof &he 1ood wi&hin us i& will "lso )"rr9 !ore )on>i)&ion

for o&hers Th"& s:on&"nei&9 of &he 1ood will no&

$e err"&i)3 for i& will h">e dee: "nd fir! roo&s in :re>ious!e&hodi)"l &r"inin1 Here "::e"rs " w"9 $9 whi)h

" :re!edi&"&ed 1ood &hou1h& ;s"s"n-h"ri-"-us"l"i&es " :"r":hr"sein P"li &er!s# S"s"n-h"ren" "s"n-h"ri-"! :"&&"$$"!3

C$9 :re!edi&"&ed in&en&ion"l effor& s:on&"nei&9 )"n $e

won

If &he nu!erous "ids &o !en&"l 1row&h "nd li$er"

&ion found in &he Buddh"s &e")hin1 "re wisel9 u&ilied3

&here is ")&u"ll9 no&hin1 &h"& )"n fin"ll9 wi&hs&"nd &he

S"&i:"h"n" !e&hod "nd &his !e&hod s&"r&s wi&h &he

si!:le :r")&i)e of le"rnin1 &o :"use "nd s&o: for $"re

"&&en&ion

Slowin1down

A1"ins& &he i!:e&uosi&93 r"shness "nd heedlessness of

&he un&r"ined !ind3 &he :r")&i)e of :"usin1 "nd s&o:

:in1 se&s u: " slowin1down The de!"nds of !odern

life3 howe>er deli$er"&e3 !"-e i& i!:r")&i)"$le &o

in&rodu)e su)h " slowdown of fun)&ions in&o &he rou

&ine of &he ">er"1e wor-in1 d"9 Bu& "s "n "n&ido&e

"1"ins& &he h"r!ful )onseJuen)es of &he he)&i) s:eed


55/81

of !odern life3 i& is "ll &he !ore i!:or&"n& &o )ul&i>"&e

&h"& :r")&i)e in ones leisure hours3 es:e)i"ll9 in :eri

ods of s&ri)& S"&i:"h"n" :r")&i)e Su)h :r")&i)e will

"lso $es&ow &he worldl9 $enefi&s of 1re"&er )"l!3 effi

)ien)9 "nd s-ill in ones d"il9 round of wor-

7or &he :ur:ose of !edi&"&i>e de>elo:!en&3 slow

in1down ser>es "s "n effe)&i>e &r"inin1 in heedfulness3

A &re"&ise of =hinese T"ois!3 s&ron1l9 influen)ed $9 M"h"9"n"

6


56/81

sense)on&rol3 "nd )on)en&r"&ion Bu& ":"r& fro! &h"&3

i& h"s " !ore s:e)ifi) si1nifi)"n)e for !edi&"&i>e :r")&i)e

In &he )o!!en&"r9 &o &he S"&i:"h"n" Su&&"3 i& iss"id &h"& &he slowin1 down of !o>e!en&s !"9 hel: in

re1"inin1 los& )on)en&r"&ion on " )hosen o$Ge)& A !on-3

so we re"d3 h"d $en& his "r! Jui)-l9 wi&hou& re!e!$erin1his su$Ge)& of !edi&"&ion "s his rule of :r")&i)e

de!"nded On $e)o!in1 "w"re of &h"& o!ission he &oo-

his "r! $")- &o i&s :re>ious :osi&ion "nd re:e"&ed &he!o>e!en& !indfull9 The su$Ge)& of !edi&"&ion referred

&o w"s :ro$"$l9 C)le"rl9 )o!:re

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