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Buddhist Perfections |
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| | | | | | | | Colored items are in both lists. Theravada Buddhism Theravada Buddhism 's teachings on the paramitas can be found in late canonical books and post-canonical commentaries Bodhisattva and the Art of Giving The quality of giving is one of the virtues perfected over numerous lifetimes by Shakyamuni Buddha in his Bodhisattva Nekkhamma is a Pali word generally translated as "renunciation" while also conveying more specifically "giving up the world and leading a holy life" In the Pali Canon In the Pali Canon, paññā is defined in a variety of overlapping ways frequently centering on concentrated insight See also Bodhipakkhiya dhamma (Qualities conducive to Enlightenment Four Right Exertions Five Faculties Kshanti or kṣanti ( Skt) or khanti ( Pali) has been translated as patience forbearance and forgiveness Sacca is a Pāli word meaning "real" or "true" In early Buddhist literature sacca is often found in the context of the " Pali Canon texts While adhiṭṭhāna appears sporadically in the early Pali Canon, various late-canonical and post-canonical accounts of the Buddha Upekṣā ( Sanskrit / Devanāgarī script: उपेक्षा Pali: Upekkhā) is the Buddhist concept of Equanimity. Theravada Buddhism Theravada Buddhism 's teachings on the paramitas can be found in late canonical books and post-canonical commentaries Bodhisattva and the Art of Giving The quality of giving is one of the virtues perfected over numerous lifetimes by Shakyamuni Buddha in his Bodhisattva Kshanti or kṣanti ( Skt) or khanti ( Pali) has been translated as patience forbearance and forgiveness See also Bodhipakkhiya dhamma (Qualities conducive to Enlightenment Four Right Exertions Five Faculties Dhyāna in Hinduism See also Dhyana in Hinduism In Hinduism dhyana is considered to be an instrument to gain self knowledge separating maya from In the Pali Canon In the Pali Canon, paññā is defined in a variety of overlapping ways frequently centering on concentrated insight |
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Mettā (Pāli) or maitrī (Sanskrit) has been translated as "loving-kindness,"[1][2] "friendliness,"[3][4][5] "benevolence,"[4][2] "amity,"[3] "friendship,"[4] "good will,"[4] "kindness,"[6] "love,"[3] "sympathy,"[3] and "active interest in others. Pali ( ISO 15919 / ALA-LC: Pāḷi is a Middle Indo-Aryan language or Prakrit of India. Sanskrit (sa संस्कृता वाक् saṃskṛtā vāk, for short sa संस्कृतम् saṃskṛtam) is a historical "[3] It is one of the ten pāramitās of the Theravāda school of Buddhism, and the first of the four Brahmavihāras. Theravada Buddhism Theravada Buddhism 's teachings on the paramitas can be found in late canonical books and post-canonical commentaries History Origin of the school The Theravāda school is ultimately derived from the Vibhajjavāda (or 'doctrine of analysis' grouping which was a continuation The Schools of Buddhism. Buddhism is classified in various ways The four Brahmavihāras are a series of virtues and Buddhist meditation practices designed to cultivate those virtues The mettā bhāvanā ("cultivation of mettā") is a popular form of meditation in Buddhism. Buddhist meditation encompasses a variety of Meditation techniques that develop Mindfulness, concentration, tranquility and insight
The object of mettā meditation is loving kindness (love without attachment). Upādāna is a word used in both Buddhism and Hinduism In Buddhism, upādāna is a critical link in the arising of suffering Traditionally, the practice begins with the meditator cultivating loving kindness towards themselves,[7] then their loved ones, friends, teachers, strangers, enemies, and finally towards all sentient beings. Sentience is the ability to feel or perceive subjectively. It is an important concept in the philosophy of Animal rights, in buddhist philosophy and in
Buddhists believe that those who cultivate mettā will be at ease because they see no need to harbour ill will or hostility. Buddhist teachers may even recommend meditation on mettā as an antidote to insomnia and nightmares. Insomnia is a symptom of a sleeping disorder characterized by persistent difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep despite the opportunity It is generally felt that those around a mettā-ful person will feel more comfortable and happy too. Radiating mettā is thought to contribute to a world of love, peace and happiness.
Mettā meditation is considered a good way to calm down a distraught mind by people who consider it to be an antidote to anger. Anger is an emotional state that may range from minor irritation to intense rage According to them, someone who has cultivated mettā will not be easily angered and can quickly subdue anger that arises, being more caring, more loving, and more likely to love unconditionally.
Mettā meditation: the practice of loving-kindness
Mettā signifies friendship and non-violence as well as "a strong wish for the happiness of others", but also less obvious or direct qualities such as showing patience, receptivity, and appreciation. Friendship is a term used to denote co-operative and supportive behavior between two or more beings Nonviolence is a philosophy and strategy for social change that rejects the use of physical Violence. Though it refers to many seemingly disparate ideas, Mettā is in fact a very specific form of love – a caring for another independent of all self-interest – and thus is likened to one's love for one's child or parent. Understandably, this energy is often difficult to describe in words; however, in the practice of Mettā meditation, one recites specific words and phrases in order to evoke this "boundless warm-hearted feeling. " The strength of this feeling is not limited to or by family, religion, or social class. Indeed, Mettā is a tool that permits one's generosity and kindness to be applied to all beings and, as a consequence, one finds true happiness in another person's happiness, no matter who the individual is.
Visuddhimagga method: Six stages
Contemporary metta practice is often based on a method traditionally associated with the 5th c. CE Pali exegetical text, the Visuddhimagga. Pali ( ISO 15919 / ALA-LC: Pāḷi is a Middle Indo-Aryan language or Prakrit of India. Atthakatha ( Pali for explanation commentary refers to Pali-language Theravadin Buddhist commentaries to the canonical Theravadin Tipitaka. Summary It is composed of four parts which discuss 1 Sila (discipline 2 Samadhi (meditative concentration 3 The land of wisdom [8] The full instructions for the theory and practice of mettā bhāvanā is available in the Visuddhimagga ("The path to purity"), Chapter IX, of the Buddhist scriptures. Summary It is composed of four parts which discuss 1 Sila (discipline 2 Samadhi (meditative concentration 3 The land of wisdom [9]
The six stages of mettā bhāvanā meditation which are most commonly found involve cultivating loving-kindness towards:
- Yourself[10]
- A good friend
- A 'neutral' person
- A difficult person[11]
- All four
- and then gradually the entire universe[12]
For #2 avoid choosing someone to whom you feel sexually attracted, or that is much younger or much older than yourself, or who is dead. For #3 choose someone that you might come in contact with every day, but who does not give rise to strong positive nor strong negative emotions. For #4 traditionally choose "an enemy", but avoid choosing a person who has just wrecked your life, unless you are very well grounded in awareness. For #5 treat them as equals, equally deserving of loving-kindness.
Pali Canon texts
In the Pali Canon, statements regarding the use of metta traditionally employ one or more of the following devices, often using a stock formula:
- mental purification
- a verse for wishing others well
- pervading all directions and all beings with loving-kindness.
The well-known Kakacupama Sutta and Karaniya Metta Sutta use striking metaphors to give these traditional devices vitality. Other canonical material, such as in the Paṭisambhidāmagga, elaborate on these basic devices in a manner that is perpetuated by the later traditional commentaries. The Patisambhidamagga (paṭisambhidā- Pali for "path of discrimination" sometimes called just Patisambhida for short is a Buddhist scripture part of the Atthakatha ( Pali for explanation commentary refers to Pali-language Theravadin Buddhist commentaries to the canonical Theravadin Tipitaka. Other canonical sources, such as the Abhidhamma, underline the key role of metta in the development of wholesome karma. The Abhidhamma Pitaka (abhidhammapiṭaka is the last of the three Pitakas that is baskets constituting the Pali Canon, the Scriptures of Theravāda Karma ( Sanskrit: कर्मन karman, Pāli: कमा Kamma) means "action" or "doing" whatever
Basic intention and verse
May these beings be free from animosity, free from oppression, free from trouble, and may they look after themselves with ease! — Cunda Kammaraputta Sutta[13]
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In Cunda Kammaraputta Sutta ("To Cunda the Silversmith," AN 10. The Anguttara Nikaya (aṅguttaranikāya "Gradual Collection" or "Numerical Discourses" is a Buddhist scripture the fourth of the five Nikayas or 176), the Buddha explains that mental or intentional purity (manasā soceyyaṃ) is threefold: non-greed, non-ill-will and non-delusion. Siddhārtha Gautama ( Sanskrit; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual Teacher from Ancient India and the founder Regarding the manifestation of non-ill-will the discourse describes a virtuous person in the following manner (in English and Pali):
He bears no ill will and is not corrupt in the resolves of his heart. [He thinks,] 'May these beings be free from animosity, free from oppression, free from trouble, and may they look after themselves with ease!'[13] | Avyāpannacitto hoti appaduṭṭhamanasaṃkappo, 'ime sattā averā avyāpajjā anīghā sukhī attānaṃ pariharantu'ti. [14] |
This basic statement of intention and verse can also be found in several other canonical discourses. [15]
Basic radiating formula
In over a dozen discourses, the following description (in English and Pali) is provided for radiating metta in six directions:[16]
"He abides, having suffused with a mind of loving-kindness one direction of the world, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth, and so above, below, around and everywhere, and to all as to himself; he abides suffusing the entire universe with loving-kindness, with a mind grown great, lofty, boundless and free from enmity and ill will. "[17] | So mettāsahagatena cetasā ekaṃ disaṃ pharitvā viharati. Tathā dutiyaṃ. Tathā tatiyaṃ. Tathā catutthiṃ. Iti uddhamadho tiriyaṃ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṃ lokaṃ mettāsahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyāpajjena pharitvā viharati. [18] |
In the Canon, this basic formula is expanded upon in a variety of ways. For instance, a couple of discourses[19] provide the following description of "the path to the company of Brahmā" (brahmānaṃ sahavyatāya maggo) along with a memorable metaphor:
- "What . . . is the path to the company of Brahmā? Here a bhikkhu abides pervading one quarter with a mind imbued with loving-kindness, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the forth; so above, below, around, and everywhere, and to all as to himself, he abides pervading the all-encompassing world with a mind imbued with loving-kindness, abundant, exalted, immeasurable, without hostility, and without ill well. When the deliverence of mind by loving-kindness is developed in this way, no limiting action remains there, none persists there.
- "Just as a vigorous trumpeter could make himself heard without difficulty in the four quarters, so too, when the deliverence of mind by loving-kindness is developed in this way, no limiting action remains there, none persists there. This is the path to the company of Brahmā. "[20][21]
Kakacupama Sutta (MN 21)
Incorporating facets of the above textual methods in a series of increasingly vivid similes, the Kakacupama Sutta ("Parable of the Saw Discourse," MN 21) provides the following culminating scenario:
- "Monks, even if bandits were to savagely sever you, limb by limb, with a double-handled saw, even then, whoever of you harbors ill will at heart would not be upholding my Teaching. The Majjhima Nikaya (-nikāya "Collection of Middle-length Discourses" is a Buddhist scripture the second of the five Nikayas or collections in the Monks, even in such a situation you should train yourselves thus: 'Neither shall our minds be affected by this, nor for this matter shall we give vent to evil words, but we shall remain full of concern and pity, with a mind of love, and we shall not give in to hatred. On the contrary, we shall live projecting thoughts of universal love to those very persons, making them as well as the whole world the object of our thoughts of universal love — thoughts that have grown great, exalted and measureless. We shall dwell radiating these thoughts which are void of hostility and ill will. ' It is in this way, monks, that you should train yourselves. "[22]
Karaniya Metta Sutta (Sn 1. 8)
In gladness and in safety, May all beings be at ease. — Suttanipata 1. The Sutta Nipata is a Buddhist scripture a Sutta collection in the Khuddaka Nikaya, part of the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism 8[23]
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Even as a mother protects with her life Her child, her only child, So with a boundless heart Should one cherish all living beings. — Suttanipata 1. The Sutta Nipata is a Buddhist scripture a Sutta collection in the Khuddaka Nikaya, part of the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism 8[23]
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The Karaniya Metta Sutta (Sn 1. The Sutta Nipata is a Buddhist scripture a Sutta collection in the Khuddaka Nikaya, part of the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism 8) combines both the interpersonal and radiant aspects of canonical expressions of metta.
This is what should be done By one who is skilled in goodness, And who knows the path of peace: . . . Wishing: In gladness and in safety, May all beings be at ease. | Karaṇīyam- atthakusalena yaṃ taṃ santaṃ padaṃ abhisamecca . . . Sukhino vā khemino hontu sabbe sattā bhavantu sukhitattā |
Whatever living beings there may be; Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none, The great or the mighty, medium, short or small, | Ye keci pāṇa bhūtatthi tasā vā thāvarā vā anavasesā Dīghā vā ye mahantā vā majjhamā rassakāṇukathūlā |
The seen and the unseen, Those living near and far away, Those born and to-be-born — May all beings be at ease! | Diṭṭhā vā yeva addiṭṭhā ye ca dūre vasanti avidūre Bhūtā vā sambhavesī vā sabbe sattā bhavantu sukhitattā |
Let none deceive another, Or despise any being in any state. Let none through anger or ill-will Wish harm upon another. | Na paro paraṃ nikubbetha nātimaññetha katthaci naṃ kañci Byārosanā paṭighasaññā nāññamaññassa dukkhamiccheyya |
Even as a mother protects with her life Her child, her only child, So with a boundless heart Should one cherish all living beings; | Mātā yathā niyaṃ puttaṃ āyusā ekaputtamanurakkhe Evampi sabbabhūtesū mānasaṃ bhāvaye aparimānaṃ |
Radiating kindness over the entire world Spreading upwards to the skies, And downwards to the depths; Outwards and unbounded, Freed from hatred and ill-will. | Mettaṃ ca sabbalokasmiṃ mānasaṃ bhāvaye aparimānaṃ Uddhaṃ adho ca tiriyañca asambādhaṃ averaṃ asapattaṃ |
Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down Free from drowsiness, One should sustain this recollection. This is said to be the sublime abiding. . . . [23] | Tiṭṭhaṃ caraṃ nisinno vā sayāno vā yāvatassa vigatamiddho Etaṃ satiṃ adhiṭṭheyya brahmametaṃ vihāraṃ idhamāhu. . . . [24] |
According to the Pali commentaries, the Buddha originally gave this instruction (of Loving-Kindness meditation) to Monks who were being harassed by the Tree Spirits of a forest in which the Monks were trying to meditate. Atthakatha ( Pali for explanation commentary refers to Pali-language Theravadin Buddhist commentaries to the canonical Theravadin Tipitaka. After doing this meditation in the forest it is said that the Spirits were so affected by the power of Loving-Kindness that they allowed the Monks to stay in the forest for the duration of the rainy season.
Patisambhidamagga Mettakatha (Ps. 2. 4)
May all beings be free from enmity, affliction and anxiety, and live happily. — Mettākathā (Ps. 2. The Patisambhidamagga (paṭisambhidā- Pali for "path of discrimination" sometimes called just Patisambhida for short is a Buddhist scripture part of the 4)[25]
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In the Khuddaka Nikaya's Paṭisambhidāmagga, traditionally ascribed to Ven. The Khuddaka Nikaya (-nikāya "Minor Collection" is the last of the five Nikayas or collections in the Sutta Pitaka, which is one of the "three The Patisambhidamagga (paṭisambhidā- Pali for "path of discrimination" sometimes called just Patisambhida for short is a Buddhist scripture part of the Sariputta, is a section entitled Mettākathā (Ps. Śāriputra ( Sanskrit: शारिपुत्र or Sāriputta ( Pāli) was one of two principal disciples of The Buddha. The Patisambhidamagga (paṭisambhidā- Pali for "path of discrimination" sometimes called just Patisambhida for short is a Buddhist scripture part of the 2. 4, "Metta Instruction"). [26] In this instruction, a general formula (below, in English and Pali), essentially identical to the aforementioned Cunda Kammaraputta Sutta verse (especially evident in the Pali), is provided for radiating metta:
"May all beings be free from enmity, affliction and anxiety, and live happily. "[25] | Sabbe sattā averā abyāpajjā anīghā sukhī attānaṃ pariharantu. [27] |
In addition, this instruction categorizes twenty-two ways in which "the mind-deliverence of lovingkindness" (mettācetovimutti) can be radiated as follows:
- five ways of "unspecified pervasion" (anodhiso pharaṇā):
- all beings (sabbe sattā )
- all breathing things (sabbe pāṇā bhāvapariyāpannā)
- all creatures (sabbe bhūtā bhāvapariyāpannā)
- all persons (sabbe puggalā bhāvapariyāpannā)
- all with a personality (sabbe attabhāvapariyāpannā)
- seven ways of "specified pervasion" (anodhiso pharaṇā):
- all women (sabbā itthiyo)
- all men (sabbe purisā)
- all Noble Ones (sabbe ariyā)
- all non-Noble Ones (sabbe anariyā)
- all deities (sabbe devā)
- all humans (sabbe manussā)
- all born in lower realms (sabbe vinipātikā)
- ten ways of "directional pervasion" (disā-pharaṇā):
- of the eastern direction (puratthimāya disāya)
- of the western direction (pacchimāya disāya)
- of the northern direction (uttarā disāya)
- of the southern direction (dakkhīṇāya disāya)
- of the eastern intermediate direction (puratthimāya anudisāya)[28]
- of the western intermediate direction (pacchimāya anudisāya)
- of the northern intermediate direction (uttarā anudisāya)
- of the southern intermediate direction (dakkhīṇāya anudisāya)
- of the downward direction (heṭṭhimāya disāya)
- of the upward direction (uparimāya disāya).
Moreover, the directional pervasions can then be applied to each of the unspecific and specific pervasions. For instance, after radiating metta to all beings in the east (Sabbe puratthimāya disāya sattā . . . ), one radiates metta to all beings in the west and then north and then south, etc. ; then, one radiates metta to all breathing things in this fashion (Sabbe puratthimāya disāya pāṇā . . . ), then all creatures, persons, and so forth until such is extended for all those born in the lower realms.
Abhidhammic descriptor (Dhs. 189)
What are the three causes of good karma? The absence of lust, hate and dulness.
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In the Abhidhamma's Dhammasangani, the causes of "good" or "wholesome" (kusala) and "bad" or "unwholesome" (akusala) karmic states (dhammā) are described (Dhs. 188ff. The Dhammasangani (-saṅgaṇi or -ī is a Buddhist scripture part of the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism where it is included in the Abhidhamma Pitaka The Abhidhamma Pitaka (abhidhammapiṭaka is the last of the three Pitakas that is baskets constituting the Pali Canon, the Scriptures of Theravāda The Dhammasangani (-saṅgaṇi or -ī is a Buddhist scripture part of the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism where it is included in the Abhidhamma Pitaka Karma ( Sanskrit: कर्मन karman, Pāli: कमा Kamma) means "action" or "doing" whatever The Dhammasangani (-saṅgaṇi or -ī is a Buddhist scripture part of the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism where it is included in the Abhidhamma Pitaka ). The three causes of wholesome karma are stated to be the non-greed, non-hate and non-delusion (alobho adoso amoho). Non-hate is then defined in the following manner:
"The absence of hate, hating, hatred; love, loving, loving disposition; tender care, forbearance, considerateness; seeking the general good, compassion; the absence of malice, of malignity; that absence of hate which is the root of good (karma). "[29] | Yo adoso adussanā adussitattaṃ metti mettāyanā mettāyitattaṃ anuddayā anuddayanā anuddayitattaṃ hitesitā anukampā avyāpādo avyāpajjho adoso kusalamūlaṃ, ayaṃ vuccati adoso. [30] |
See also
Notes
- ^ Bodhi (2005), pp. Ahimsa ( Devanagari: sa अहिंसा IAST ahiṃsā is a Sanskrit term meaning Non-violence (literally the avoidance of violence - The four Brahmavihāras are a series of virtues and Buddhist meditation practices designed to cultivate those virtues Love is any of a number of Emotions and experiences related to a sense of strong Affection. Happiness is an Emotion associated with feelings ranging from contentment and satisfaction to Bliss and intense Joy. In Buddhism, kammaṭṭhāna is a Pali word (Sanskrit karmasthana) which literally means the place of work, figuratively it 90, 131, 134, passim; Gethin (1998), pp. 26, 30, passim [spelled as two words: "loving kindness"]; Harvey (2007), pp. 247-8 [spelled without a hyphen: "lovingkindness"]; Ñāṇamoli & Bodhi (2001), pp. 120, 374, 474, passim; Salzberg (1995), passim [without a hyphen]; Walshe (1995), p. 194.
- ^ a b Warder (2004), pp. 63, 94.
- ^ a b c d e Rhys Davids & Stede (1921-25), p. 540, entry for "Mettā," retrieved 2008-04-29 from "U. Chicago" at http://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/getobject.pl?c.3:1:177.pali.
- ^ a b c d Monier Williams, 1964, p. 834, entry for "Maitrī," retrieved 2008-04-29 from "U. Cologne" at http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/cgi-bin/serveimg.pl?file=/scans/MWScan/MWScanjpg/mw0834-meSUraNa.jpg.
- ^ Kamalashila (1996).
- ^ Gombrich (2002), p. 64-5.
- ^ Regarding the cultivation of loving kindness towards oneself, this is not specifically recommended by the Buddha himself in the pertinent canonical discourses but is inferred in the commentarial literature from other discourses. Siddhārtha Gautama ( Sanskrit; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual Teacher from Ancient India and the founder
- ^ See, for instance, Kamalashila (1996) and Salzberg (1995).
- ^ Centuries before the Visuddhimagga's famous instructions for metta practice, Upatissa's Vimuttimagga provided a similar though less detailed framework:
- Thus after the yogin has clearly understood the way of destroying hatred, has identified friends, indifferent ones and enemies with himself, and acquired facility in the practice, he should gradually arouse the thought of loving-kindness and develop it for various bhikkhus in (his) dwelling-place. . . . After that he should develop (loving-kindness for beings) in one direction. . . . Thus he spreads loving-kindness towards all beings of the four directions, above, below. . . . (Upatissa et al. , 1995, p. 187. )
Interestingly, however, the aforementioned method is not the first one described by Upatissa. Instead, In a manner reminiscent of the Karaniya Metta Sutta (see below), Upatissa starts his description of metta practice with the following:- Q. What is loving-kindness? What is the practising of it?. . .
- A. As parents, on seeing their dear and only child, so one arouses thoughts of loving-kindness and benevolence towards that child, so one arouses thoughts of loving-kindness and benevolence towards all beings. Thus is loving-kindness to be known. The undisturbed dwelling of the mind in this practice is called the practising of it. . . . (Upatissa et al. , 1995, p. 181. )
- ^ In the Visuddhimagga, Ch. IX, vv. 8-10 (Buddhaghosa & Ñāṇamoli (1999), pp. 289-90), Buddhaghosa identifies three sources in the Tipitaka for metta practice (the Khuddaka Nikaya's Sutta Nipata 145, the Khuddaka Nikaya's Paṭisambhidā-magga ii. Bhadantācariya Buddhaghosa was a 5th century Indian Theravadin Buddhist commentator and scholar The Khuddaka Nikaya (-nikāya "Minor Collection" is the last of the five Nikayas or collections in the Sutta Pitaka, which is one of the "three 30, and the Abhidhamma's Vibhanga 272); and, in none of these texts is cultivating metta towards oneself mentioned. Origins According to the commentarial tradition In the commentaries of Theravada Buddhism it was held that the Abhidhamma was not a later addition to the tradition However, Buddhaghosa states that the Tipitaka references to metta are for the purpose of meditative absorption (such as jhana practices); whereas cultivating metta towards oneself is instead practiced as "an example" for cultivating metta towards other. Dhyāna in Hinduism See also Dhyana in Hinduism In Hinduism dhyana is considered to be an instrument to gain self knowledge separating maya from That is, one first cultivates metta towards oneself in order to seed metta that is subsequently extended towards others. Buddhaghosa bases this latter approach on the following statement by the Buddha in the canonical Samyutta Nikaya i. The Samyutta Nikaya (Saṃyutta Nikāya SN, "Connected Discourses" or "Kindred Sayings" is a Buddhist scripture the third of the five Nikayas 75 (also in the Khuddaka Nikaya's Udāna 47):
- Searching all directions
- with one's awareness,
- one finds no one dearer
- than oneself.
- In the same way, others
- are fiercely dear to themselves.
- So one should not hurt others
- if one loves oneself. (Thanissaro, 1994)
- ^ In the Pali canon, a classic example of extending loving-kindness and compassion (Pali: karuna) to "difficult persons" can be found in the "Parable of the Saw" sutta (MN 21), where the Buddha provides the following instruction:
- 'Monks, even if bandits were to sever you savagely limb by limb with a two-handled saw, he who gave rise to a mind of hate toward them would not be carrying out my teaching. Karuṇā ( Sanskrit; Pāli) is generally translated as " Compassion " or "pity The Majjhima Nikaya (-nikāya "Collection of Middle-length Discourses" is a Buddhist scripture the second of the five Nikayas or collections in the Herein, monks, you should train thus: "Our minds will remain unaffected, and we shall utter no bitter words; we shall abide compassionate for their welfare, with a mind of loving-kindness, never in a mood of hate. We shall abide pervading them with a mind imbued with loving-kindness; and starting with them, we shall abide pervading the all-encompassing world with a mind imbued with loving-kindness, abundant, exalted, immeasurable, without hostility, and without ill will. " This is how you should train, monks. ' (Bodhi, 2005, pp. 278-79. )
(Excerpts from this sutta are also available on-line at Buddharakkhita, 2006, and Thanissaro, 1997. ) - ^ Kamalashila (1996), p. 25-26.
- ^ a b Thanissaro (1997). Square-bracketed text is part of the original Thanissaro (1997) translation.
- ^ La Trobe University (n. d. ), Anguttara Nikaya, book 5, BJT p. The Anguttara Nikaya (aṅguttaranikāya "Gradual Collection" or "Numerical Discourses" is a Buddhist scripture the fourth of the five Nikayas or 488, retrieved 2007-11-26 at http://www.chaf.lib.latrobe.edu.au/dcd/tipitika.php?title=sutta%20pitaka&action=next&record=7056.
- ^ In addition to AN 10. The Anguttara Nikaya (aṅguttaranikāya "Gradual Collection" or "Numerical Discourses" is a Buddhist scripture the fourth of the five Nikayas or 176, other discourses that contain this text include: Sāleyyaka Sutta ("The Brahmans of Sala," MN 41) (Ñanamoli & Khantipalo, 1993); Verañjaka Sutta ("The Brahmins of Verañja," MN 42, which is substantially a reiteration of MN 41 in a different locale); Sevitabbāsevitabba Sutta ("To Be Cultivated and Not to Be Cultivated," MN 114) (Ñāṇamoli & Bodhi, 2001, p. The Majjhima Nikaya (-nikāya "Collection of Middle-length Discourses" is a Buddhist scripture the second of the five Nikayas or collections in the 917); Paṭhama-niraya-sagga Sutta ("First Discourse on Hell and Heaven," AN 10. The Anguttara Nikaya (aṅguttaranikāya "Gradual Collection" or "Numerical Discourses" is a Buddhist scripture the fourth of the five Nikayas or 211); Dutiya-niraya-sagga Sutta ("Second Discourse on Hell and Heaven," AN 10. 212); Paṭhama-sañcetanika Sutta ("First Discourse on Intentional Actions," AN 10. 217); Dutiya-sañcetanika Sutta ("Second Discourse on Intentional Actions," AN 10. 218); as well as in the Patisambhidamagga (see below) and the paracanonical Milindapanha. The Patisambhidamagga (paṭisambhidā- Pali for "path of discrimination" sometimes called just Patisambhida for short is a Buddhist scripture part of the
- ^ See for instance, in the Digha Nikaya alone, Mahāsudassana Sutta ("The Great Splendor Discourse," DN 17), v. The Digha Nikaya (dīghanikāya "Collection of Long Discourses" is a Buddhist scripture the first of the five Nikayas or collections The Digha Nikaya (dīghanikāya "Collection of Long Discourses" is a Buddhist scripture the first of the five Nikayas or collections 2. 4 (Walshe, 1995, p. 287); Mahāgovinda Sutta ("The Great Steward Discourse," DN 19), v. The Digha Nikaya (dīghanikāya "Collection of Long Discourses" is a Buddhist scripture the first of the five Nikayas or collections 59 (Walshe, 1995, p. 312); Udumbarika-Sīhanāda Sutta ("The Great Lion's Roar to the Udumbarikans Discourse," DN 19), v. The Digha Nikaya (dīghanikāya "Collection of Long Discourses" is a Buddhist scripture the first of the five Nikayas or collections 17 (Walshe, 1995, pp. 390-391); and Cakkavatti-Sīhanāda Sutta ("The Lion's Roar on the Turning of the Wheel Discourse," DN 79), v. The Digha Nikaya (dīghanikāya "Collection of Long Discourses" is a Buddhist scripture the first of the five Nikayas or collections 28 (Walshe, 1995, p. 405).
- ^ This particular English text is from the Nyanaponika (1988) translation of the Vatthūpama Sutta ("Simile of the Cloth," MN 7), v. The Majjhima Nikaya (-nikāya "Collection of Middle-length Discourses" is a Buddhist scripture the second of the five Nikayas or collections in the 12.
- ^ La Trobe University (n. d. ), Majjhima Nikaya, book 1, BJT p. The Majjhima Nikaya (-nikāya "Collection of Middle-length Discourses" is a Buddhist scripture the second of the five Nikayas or collections in the 88, retrieved 2007-12-03 at http://www.chaf.lib.latrobe.edu.au/dcd/tipitika.php?title=&record=2987.
- ^ See, for instance, the Subha Sutta ("To Subha," MN 99) (Ñāṇamoli & Bodhi, 2001, pp. The Majjhima Nikaya (-nikāya "Collection of Middle-length Discourses" is a Buddhist scripture the second of the five Nikayas or collections in the 816-17); and, the Tevijja Sutta ("The Threefold Knowledge Discourse," DN 13), vv. The Digha Nikaya (dīghanikāya "Collection of Long Discourses" is a Buddhist scripture the first of the five Nikayas or collections 76-77 (Walshe, 1995, p. 194). See also the Dhānañjāni Sutta ("To Dhānañjāni," MN 97) (Ñāṇamoli & Bodhi, 2001, p. The Majjhima Nikaya (-nikāya "Collection of Middle-length Discourses" is a Buddhist scripture the second of the five Nikayas or collections in the 796), in which a similar statement about union with Brahma is made by the Ven. Sariputta without the trumpeter metaphor. Śāriputra ( Sanskrit: शारिपुत्र or Sāriputta ( Pāli) was one of two principal disciples of The Buddha.
- ^ MN 99 (Ñāṇamoli & Bodhi, 2001, pp. 816-17). In this translation, this text is presented as one paragraph. Here, it was divided into two, thus following the Pali text presentation, to enhance readability.
- ^ Given this text's length, relatively uncomplicated translation and lesser known status (e. g. , compared with the Karaniya Metta Sutta), the associated Pali text is not represented in this main article but here:
- 'Katamo ca . . . , brahmānaṃ sahavyatāya maggo: idha . . . , bhikkhu mettāsahagatena cetasā ekaṃ disaṃ pharitvā viharati. Tathā dutiyaṃ, tathā tatiyaṃ, tathā catutthiṃ. Iti uddhamadho tiriyaṃ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṃ lokaṃ mettā sahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyāpajjhena pharitvā viharati. Evaṃ bhāvitāya kho . . . , mettāya cetovimuttiyā yaṃ pamāṇakataṃ kammaṃ, na taṃ tatrāvasissati. Na taṃ tatrāvatiṭṭhati.
- Seyyathāpi . . . , balavā saṅkhadhamo appakasireneva catuddisā viññāpeyya. Evameva kho . . . , evaṃ bhavitāya mettāya ceto vimuttiyā, yaṃ pamāṇakataṃ kammaṃ na taṃ tatrāvasissati. Na taṃ tatrāvatiṭṭhati. Ayampi kho . . . , brahmāṇaṃ sahavyatāya maggo. (La Trobe University, n. d. , Majjhima Nikaya, book 2, BJT p. The Majjhima Nikaya (-nikāya "Collection of Middle-length Discourses" is a Buddhist scripture the second of the five Nikayas or collections in the 730 [MN 99], retrieved 2007-11-26 at http://www.chaf.lib.latrobe.edu.au/dcd/tipitika.php?title=&record=3702. )
In this particular Pali text, the word that is repeatedly elided (". . . ") is māṇava ("student" or "young man") so that only the text that is common to all of the identified discourses is represented here. (For instance, in MN 97, instead of māṇava, it uses the name of the brahmin being addressed. ) - ^ Buddharakkhita (1987).
- ^ a b c Amaravati Sangha (2004). Space between sentences and half-sentences is not in the original English translation but is based on the Pali text presented here.
- ^ La Trobe University (n. d. ), Suttanipata (1. The Sutta Nipata is a Buddhist scripture a Sutta collection in the Khuddaka Nikaya, part of the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism 8), vv. 143-152, BJT pp. 44-46, retrieved 2007-11-25 starting at http://www.chaf.lib.latrobe.edu.au/dcd/tipitika.php?title=&record=8041. Intra-sentence lines formatted to match English translation.
- ^ a b Cited in Buddhaghosa & Ñāṇamoli (1999), p. 302, Vsm. Summary It is composed of four parts which discuss 1 Sila (discipline 2 Samadhi (meditative concentration 3 The land of wisdom IX,50. See also Ñanamoli (1987), section 11, "Methodical Practice: from the Patisambhidamagga," where this sentence is translated as: "May all beings be freed from enmity, distress and anxiety, and may they guide themselves to bliss. "
- ^ In this section of this article, the primary English-language sources are Buddhaghosa & Ñāṇamoli (1999), pp. 301-304, Vsm. Summary It is composed of four parts which discuss 1 Sila (discipline 2 Samadhi (meditative concentration 3 The land of wisdom IX,49-58; and, Ñanamoli (1987), section 11, "Methodical Practice: from the Patisambhidamagga. " The Pali is primarily based on La Trobe University (n. d. ), Patisambhidamagga 2, BJT pp. The Patisambhidamagga (paṭisambhidā- Pali for "path of discrimination" sometimes called just Patisambhida for short is a Buddhist scripture part of the 64-80, retrieved 2007-11-25 starting at http://www.chaf.lib.latrobe.edu.au/dcd/tipitika.php?title=&record=9611.
- ^ La Trobe University (n. d. ), Patisambhidamagga 2, BJT p. The Patisambhidamagga (paṭisambhidā- Pali for "path of discrimination" sometimes called just Patisambhida for short is a Buddhist scripture part of the 64, retrieved 2007-11-25 at http://www.chaf.lib.latrobe.edu.au/dcd/tipitika.php?title=&record=9611.
- ^ An "intermediate direction" (anudisā) is the midpoint between two compass points. For instance, the "eastern intermediate direction" refers to either the direction to the north-east (between north and east) or the south-east (between south and east).
- ^ a b Rhys Davids (1900), pp. 275-276.
- ^ La Trobe University (n. d. ), Abhidhamma Pitaka, vol. The Abhidhamma Pitaka (abhidhammapiṭaka is the last of the three Pitakas that is baskets constituting the Pali Canon, the Scriptures of Theravāda 1, Dhammasangani, BJT p. The Dhammasangani (-saṅgaṇi or -ī is a Buddhist scripture part of the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism where it is included in the Abhidhamma Pitaka 402, retrieved 2007-11-26 at http://www.chaf.lib.latrobe.edu.au/dcd/tipitika.php?title=&record=10965.
Sources
- Acharya Buddharakkhita (trans. ) (1987/2006). "Kakacupama Sutta: The Parable of the Saw (excerpt)" from Positive Response: How to Meet Evil With Good (Bodhi Leaves No. 109). Kandy, Sri Lanka: Buddhist Publication Society (1987). The Buddhist Publication Society is a charity whose goal is to explain and spread the doctrine of the Buddha. Retrieved from "Access to Insight" (2006) at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.021x.budd.html.
- Amaravati Sangha (trans. ) (1994, 2004). "Karaniya Metta Sutta: The Buddha's Words on Loving-Kindness" from Chanting Book: Morning and Evening Puja and Reflections (1994). Hemel Hempstead: Amaravati Publications. Retrieved 2007-11-25 from "Access to Insight" (2004) at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/snp/snp.1.08.amar.html.
- Bodhi, Bhikkhu (2005). Bhikkhu Bodhi (b 1944 NYC) born Jeffrey Block, is an American Buddhist monk, ordained in Sri Lanka and currently teaching in the In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon. Somerville, MA: Wisdom Publications. ISBN 0-86171-491-1.
- Buddhaghosa, Bhadantacariya & Bhikkhu Ñāṇamoli (trans. Bhadantācariya Buddhaghosa was a 5th century Indian Theravadin Buddhist commentator and scholar ) (1999). The Path of Purification: Visuddhimagga. Seattle, WA: BPS Pariyatti Editions. The Buddhist Publication Society is a charity whose goal is to explain and spread the doctrine of the Buddha. ISBN 1-928706-00-2.
- Gethin, Rupert (1998). Dr Rupert Mark Lovell Gethin ( b 1957 Edinburgh is a Lecturer in Indian Religions in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies and co-director of the Centre for Buddhist The Foundations of Buddhism. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-289223-1.
- Gombrich, Richard (1988; reprinted 2002). Richard Francis Gombrich (born 17 July 1937) is a British Indologist and scholar of Sanskrit, Pāli, and Buddhist Studies Theravada Buddhism: A Social History from Ancient Benares to Modern Colombo. Routledge: London. ISBN 0-415-07585-8.
- Harvey, Peter (2007). Peter Harvey is an Australian television Journalist, currently employed with the Australian Nine Network ’s 60 Minutes program An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-31333-3.
- Ñāṇamoli, Bhikkhu (trans. ) & Bhikkhu Bodhi (ed. ) (2001). The Middle-Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikāya. Boston: Wisdom Publications. ISBN 0-86171-072-X.
- Ñanamoli Thera (trans. ) & Bhikkhu Khantipalo (ed. ) (1993/1994). Saleyyaka Sutta: The Brahmans of Sala (MN 41). The Majjhima Nikaya (-nikāya "Collection of Middle-length Discourses" is a Buddhist scripture the second of the five Nikayas or collections in the Retrieved 2007-12-23 from "Access to Insight" (1994 transcription) at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.041.nymo.html.
- Nyanaponika Thera (trans. Nyanaponika Thera or Nyaniponika Mahathera ( July 21, 1901, Hanau &ndash 19 October, 1994, Forest Hermitage Kandy ) (1988/1998). "Vatthupama Sutta: The Simile of the Cloth" (MN 7) from The Simile of the Cloth & the Discourse on Effacement (Wheel No. The Majjhima Nikaya (-nikāya "Collection of Middle-length Discourses" is a Buddhist scripture the second of the five Nikayas or collections in the 61). Kandy, Sri Lanka: Buddhist Publication Society (1988). The Buddhist Publication Society is a charity whose goal is to explain and spread the doctrine of the Buddha. Retrieved 2007-12-03 from "Access to Insight" (1998) at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.007.nypo.html.
- Rhys Davids, Caroline A. F. ([1900], 2003). Caroline Augusta Foley Rhys Davids (1857–1942 was a Pāli language scholar and translator and from 1923-1942 president of the Pali Text Society which was Buddhist Manual of Psychological Ethics, of the Fourth Century B. C. , Being a Translation, now made for the First Time, from the Original Pāli, of the First Book of the Abhidhamma-Piṭaka, entitled Dhamma-Sangaṇi (Compendium of States or Phenomena). Kessinger Publishing. ISBN 0-7661-4702-9.
- Rhys Davids, T. Thomas William Rhys Davids ( May 12, 1843 - December 27, 1922) was a British scholar of the Pāli language and founder of W. & William Stede (eds. ) (1921-5). The Pali Text Society’s Pali–English Dictionary. Chipstead: Pali Text Society. The Pali Text Society was founded in 1881 by TW Rhys Davids "to foster and promote the study of Pali texts" Retrieved 2008-04-29 from "U. Chicago" at http://dsal.uchicago.edu/dictionaries/pali/.
- Salzberg, Sharon (1995). Sharon Salzberg is a teacher of Asian meditation practices particularly Vipassanā (mindfulness and Mettā (loving-kindness methods Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness. Boston: Shambhala Publications. ISBN 1-57062-176-4.
- Thanissaro Bhikkhu (trans. ) (1997). Cunda Kammaraputta Sutta: To Cunda the Silversmith (AN 10. The Anguttara Nikaya (aṅguttaranikāya "Gradual Collection" or "Numerical Discourses" is a Buddhist scripture the fourth of the five Nikayas or 176). Retrieved 2007-11-25 from "Access to Insight" at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an10/an10.176.than.html.
- Upatissa, Arahant, N. R. M. Ehara (trans. ), Soma Thera (trans. ) and Kheminda Thera (trans. ) (1995). The Path of Freedom (Vimuttimagga). Kandy, Sri Lanka: Buddhist Publication Society. The Buddhist Publication Society is a charity whose goal is to explain and spread the doctrine of the Buddha. ISBN 955-24-0054-6.
- Walshe, Maurice (1995). The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Dīgha Nikāya. Somerville, MA: Wisdom Publications. ISBN 0-86171-103-3.
- Warder, A.K. (1970; reprinted 2004). Anthony Kennedy Warder is a scholar of Indology, mostly in Buddhist studies and related fields such as the Pāli and Sanskrit languages Indian Buddhism. Motilal Banarsidass: Delhi. ISBN: 81-208-1741-9.
External links
Mahāsi Sayādaw (1904-1982 was a famous Burmese Buddhist Monk and Meditation master who had a significant impact on the teaching of Vipassana Sharon Salzberg is a teacher of Asian meditation practices particularly Vipassanā (mindfulness and Mettā (loving-kindness methods
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