Bhante Phra Ek's Teachings : Dhamma Wheel Sutta (Part 1)

Ven. Phra Ek Techadhammo from Thailand and who is a disciple of the LuangPor Ajahn Jamnian (reputed to be an Arahant) was in Malaysia for a 3-day teaching retreat at Triple Wisdom Hall. He was teaching on the Wheel Turning Sutta (Dhammacakkapavatana Sutta). I have taken some notes during the teaching based on what he said as well as what is shown on his slides. I do try to use actual words he said or those written on his slides. I would like to share these with you guys, but do take note these are my own notes. Please also remember that these notes are not part of the Sutta. These notes support the parts of the Sutta that the Bhante was teaching. Any mistakes are mine. 

Notes from 1st day (part 1)

The Noble Truth (Ariya Sacca)

Ari = as such

Ya = factor

Sacca = the truth that applies to all sentient beings

Ariya Sacca = the truth  (of 5 aggregates) that goes according to its true nature (i.e. birth, old age, death)

The unavoidable truth of the 5 aggregates are

i. Dukka Sacca = must have suffering

ii. Dukka-samudaya Sacca = must be the cause of suffering

iii. Dukka-nirodha Sacca = once arises it must cease

iv. Dukka-Nirodhagamani Patipada Sacca (magga) 

The end of the path is the discontinuity of the 5 aggregates. 

“When dukkha is treated correctly, we ourselves will have less dukkha”.

sleep a lot – will be reborn as snake  

talk a lot- will be reborn as bird

observe precepts, do some good deeds, practise meditation, but sleep a lot- will be reborn as Naga/Dragon.

11 Types of Dukka

1. Jati – new becoming (rebirth)

2. Jara- getting old (old age, including sickness)

3. Marana- death

4. Soka- sorrow

5. Parideva- lamentation – hysterical long, high cry, wailing

6. Dukkha- physical pain

7. Domanasa- displeasure

8. Upayasa- despair (excessive mental agony, burning body & mind)

9. Appiyehi sampaygo- union with what is disliked

10. Piyehi vippayogo- separation from what is liked

11. Yampiccham na tabathi tampi- not getting what one wants

The Buddha distinguishes 2 types of old age : 

- non-exquisite (every cells are ageing every moment from the time we are born, i.e. old age that cannot be seen)   

- exquisite (old age with white hair, body getting feeble, etc, i.e. that can be seen with eyes)

#PhraEk #Techadhammo #DhammacakkapavatanaSutta 

If you wish to read more, try this one https://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2012/04/healing-with-maha-mayuri.html