295 LESSON 11 06 2011 Dasadhamma Sutta Discourse on The Ten Dhammas FREE ONLINE eNālandā Research and Practice UNIVERSITY and BUDDHIST GOOD NEWS letter to VOTE for BSP ELEPHANT to attain Ultimate Bliss-Through http://sarvajan.ambedkar.org
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LESSON
295
Practice a Sutta a Day
KEEPS DUKKHA AWAY
Daruka-khandha Sutta: The Log
On one occasion the Blessed One was staying at Ajjheya on the bank of the riverGanges. He saw a large log being carried along by the current near the bank of the river Ganges, and on seeing it said to the monks: "Monks, do you see that large log being carried along by the current of the river Ganges?"
"Yes, lord."
"Monks, if that log doesn't veer toward the near shore, doesn't veer toward the far shore, doesn't sink in the middle, doesn't get washed up on high ground, doesn't get snared by human beings, doesn't get snared by non-human beings, doesn't get snared in a whirlpool, and doesn't become rotten inside, it will tend to the ocean, tilt to the ocean, incline to the ocean. Why is that? Because the current of the river Ganges tends to the ocean, tilts to the ocean, inclines to the ocean.
"In the same way, monks, if you don't veer toward the near shore, don't veer toward the far shore, don't sink in the middle, don't get washed up on high ground, don't get snared by human beings, don't get snared by non-human beings, don't get snared in a whirlpool, and don't become rotten inside, you will tend to Unbinding, tilt to Unbinding, incline to Unbinding. Why is that? Because right view tends to Unbinding, tilts to Unbinding, inclines to Unbinding."
When this was said, a certain monk addressed the Blessed One: "What, lord, is the near shore? What is the far shore? What is sinking in the middle? What is being washed up on high ground? What is being snared by human beings? What is being snared by non-human beings? What is being snared by a whirlpool? What is becoming rotten inside?"
"'The near shore,' monks, stands for the six internal sense media. 'The far shore' stands for the six external sense media. 'Sinking in the middle' stands for passion & delight. 'Being washed up on high ground' stands for the conceit, 'I am.'
"And what, monks, is being snared by human beings? There is the case where a monk lives entangled with householders, delighting with them and sorrowing with them, happy when they are happy, pained when they are in pain, taking on their affairs as his own duty. This is called being snared by human beings.
"And what, monks, is being snared by non-human beings? There is the case where a certain monk lives the holy life in hopes of a certain company of devas, [thinking,] 'By means of this virtue or practice or austerity or holy life I will become one sort of deva or another.' This is called being snared by non-human beings.
"'Being snared by a whirlpool' stands for the five strings of sensuality.
" And what, monks, is becoming rotten inside? There is the case where a certain monk is unprincipled, evil, unclean and suspect in his undertakings, hidden in his actions, not a contemplative though claiming to be one, not leading the holy life though claiming to do so, inwardly rotten, oozing with desire, filthy by nature. This is called becoming rotten inside."
Now at that time Nanda the cowherd was standing not far from the Blessed One. Then he said to the Blessed One, "Lord, I don't veer toward the near shore, I don't veer toward the far shore, I won't sink in the middle, I won't get washed up on high ground, I won't get snared by human beings, I won't get snared by non-human beings, I won't get snared in a whirlpool, and I won't become rotten inside. It would be good, lord, if I could obtain the Going-forth, if I could obtain the Full Acceptance (as a monk).
"In that case, Nanda, lead the cows back to their owners."
"The cows will go back, lord, out of attachment for their calves."
"Lead the cows back to their owners, Nanda."
Then, having led the cows back to their owners, Nanda the cowherd went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, told him, "The cows, lord, have been led back to their owners. Let me obtain the Going-forth in the Blessed One's presence! Let me obtain the Full Acceptance!"
So Nanda the cowherd obtained the Going-forth in the Blessed One's presence, he obtained the Full Acceptance. And not long after his Acceptance — dwelling alone, secluded, heedful, ardent, & resolute — he in no long time reached & remained in the supreme goal of the holy life, for which clansmen rightly go forth from home into homelessness, knowing & realizing it for himself in the here & now. He knew: "Birth is ended, the holy life fulfilled, the task done. There is nothing further for the sake of this world." And thus Ven. Nanda became another one of the arahants.
§ 109. The River Current
This was said by the Lord...
"Suppose, bhikkhus, a man was being borne along by the current of a river that seemed pleasant and agreeable. But upon seeing him, a keen-sighted man standing on the bank would call out to him: 'Hey, good man! Although you are being borne along by the current of a river that seems pleasant and agreeable, lower down there is a pool with turbulent waves and swirling eddies, with monsters and demons. On reaching that pool you will die or suffer close to death.' Then, bhikkhus, upon hearing the words of that person, that man would struggle against the current with hands and feet.
"I have made use of this simile, bhikkhus, to illustrate the meaning. And this is the meaning here: 'The current of the river' is a synonym for craving. 'Seeming pleasant and agreeable' is a synonym for the six internal sense-bases. 'The pool lower down' is a synonym for the five lower fetters. 'Turbulent waves' is a synonym for anger and frustration. 'Swirling eddies' is a synonym for the five strands of sensual pleasure. 'Monsters and demons' is a synonym for womenfolk. 'Against the current' is a synonym for renunciation. 'Struggling with hands and feet' is a synonym for instigating energy. 'The keen-sighted man standing on the bank' is a synonym for the Tathagata, the Arahant, the Fully Enlightened One."
Desiring future security from bondage One should abandon sensual desire However painful this may be. Rightly comprehending with wisdom, Possessing a mind that is well released, One may reach freedom step by step. One who is a master of knowledge, Who has lived the holy life, Is called one gone to the world's end, One who has reached the further shore.
Dasadhamma Sutta: Discourse on The Ten Dhammas
Thus have I heard:
On one occasion the Blessed One was living near Savatthi at Jetavana at the monastery of Anathapindika.
Then the Blessed One addressed the monks, saying: "Monks." — "Venerable Sir," they said by way of reply. The Blessed One then spoke as follows:
"These ten essentials[1] must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth (to live the holy life). What are these ten?
1. "'I am now changed into a different mode of life (from that of a layman).' This must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth.
2. "'My life depends on others.' This must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth.
3. "'I must now behave in a different manner.' This must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth.
4. "'Does my mind upbraid me regarding the state of my virtue?'[2] This must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth.
5. "'Do my discerning fellow-monks having tested me, reproach me regarding the state of my virtue?' This must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth.
6. "'There will be a parting (some day) from all those who are dear and loving to me. Death brings this separation to me.' This must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth.
7. "'Of kamma[3] I am constituted. Kamma is my inheritance; kamma is the matrix; kamma is my kinsman; kamma is my refuge. Whatever kamma I perform, be it good or bad, to that I shall be heir.' This must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth.
8. "'How do I spend my nights and days?' This must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth.
9. "'Do I take delight in solitude?' This must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth.
10. "'Have I gained superhuman faculties? Have I gained that higher wisdom so that when I am questioned (on this point) by fellow-monks at the last moment (when death is approaching) I will have no occasion to be depressed and downcast?' This must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth.
"These, monks, are the essentials that should be reflected again and again by one who has gone forth (to live the holy life)."
So spoke the Blessed One. Those monks rejoiced at the words of the Blessed One.
Notes
1.
Dhammas.
2.
Sila.
3.
Literally action — mental, verbal, and physical.
Kindly send the following as SMS & Emails to your friends and be missionaries of Social Transformation and Economic Emancipation for the Majority People to build PraBuddha Bharat for Equality
55. Establishment of 58 government secondary schools in minority-dominated areas of 22 selected districts by CM of UP BSP Govt
56.Formation of a commission to provide the status of minority institution to 'taleemi idaar' (educational institutions) by CM of UP BSP Govt
57.Distribution of Manyawar Shri Kanshiram Ji Handloom Weavers awards.
58. 'UP Dr. Shakuntala Misra Rehabilation University' at a cost of Rs.400 crore to provide quality education to the differently-abled students.
59. 1% reservation for the visually impaired and 2% other disabled, so far, 677 and 1320 fair shops allotted, respectively by CM UP govt 60. Disabled pension rate increased to Rs.300 pm from Rs.150- the total no. of disabled pensioners during 2009-10 increased to 708077 by BSP
61. Several welfare schemes implemented for Sarv-Samaj "women" also by CM of UP Ms.Mayawati ji's BSP Govt
62. Amendment of the zamindari kanoon to ensure equitable share of women in patriarchal landed property by CM of UP's BSP Govt.
63. The amount of dole for destitute women increased to Rs.300 pm from Rs.150 by CM of UP Ms.Mayawati ji's BSP Govt
MAY YOU BE EVER HAPPY, WELL AND SECURE
MAY YOU LIVE LONG
MAY ALL SENTIENT AND NON-SENTIENT BEINGS BE EVER HAPPY
MAY YOU BE ALWAYS HAVE CALM, QUIET, ALERT,ATTENTIVE AND
EQUANIMITY MIND WITH A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING THAT
NOTHING IS PERMANENT
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