Bhante Phra Ek's Teachings : Dhamma Wheel Sutta (Part 4)

Notes from 3rd day)

Sati = mindfulness

When we forget things, this is not the “mindfulness” the Buddha is referring to in this context. Forgetting things is normal as humans. This is important, otherwise we don’t know what mindfulness is. Mindfulness also has many levels. Fundamental level of mindfulness (mindfulness on wholesome objects) is important for Samatha meditation. This is in order to have a wholesome mind doing meditation. Do it in a relaxing manner. No need to be too tight, not trying to control our body & mind. Often when we meditate, it’s like we withdraw from the whole universe just to focus on either our breath (sitting) or on our legs (walking). 

Think of Buddha not as a mere person (human) but having qualities as a Buddha. When we have sati, samadhi naturally arises. It’s the same/cannot be separate like bulb and electricity. But as Ven. Hui Neng said, the only difference is we turn the light inwards, not outwards as in a light bulb. 

The second level of mindfulness is seeing the suffering rise and fall. Seeing happiness rise and fall. Phenomena rise and fall. Knowing/aware of arising cause of suffering, so that we can prevent future resulting karma. If the anger in you now in present moment, you can take it out to destroy it. But you cannot, because everything rises and fall away. That means at that time, there is no anger, i.e. fallen away. Not something hiding inside. Same with happiness. It arises and fall. So, we’ll not attached to any happiness or unhappy occasions. 

The third level of mindfulness is not forgetting that the 5 aggregates are Dukkha. Anagamins have 100% pure concentration and a little wisdom. Realm of Anagamins = no. 23 to no.27 of the 32 realms. 

Story of King Pukusati. He walked for nearly 14 days from what is today Lucknow, India to meet with the Buddha. King entered 4th Jhana and the Buddha knew he won’t survive for long and also entered the 4th Jhana to meet him. But his 4th Jhana is supramundane Jhana. The Buddha realised he needed to call the King out from the Jhana. Sallekha Sutta. Self-effacement, whereby the Buddha advised that Jhana cannot wipe out the defilements. After teaching, the King attained Anagamin. Next day he died. After death, the next mind moment arises immediately. Not interval. Reborn in the Brahma realm for Anagamins. As he was contemplating the 4 Noble Truths, at the time of death, he immediately after reborn in Brahma realm. In contemplation, he saw the forming of the 5 aggregates and at that time he attained Arahantship.

Nirodha Sacca (cessation of Dukkha)

- The extinguishment of cravings (tanha) is called the cessation of Dukkha. In other words, the disappearing of the causes of Dukkha is Nirodha. 

- Giving up or abandoning (Cago) of view of self 

- Relinquishment (patinissago)

- Freedom from (mutti) sensual desires & irritation

- Non-reliance (analayo) on anything even this 5 aggregates.

Magga Sacca (Noble Eightfold Path)

Mundane : fruit of wholesomeness will be with the 5 aggregates samsara.

Supramundane : stopping the continuity of 5 aggregates (no more rebirth)

1. Right View (samma ditthi)

2. Right Resolve (samma sankappa)

3. Right Speech (samma vaca)

4. Right Action (samma kammanta)

5. Right Livelihood (samma ajiva)

6. Right Effort (samma vayama)

7. Right Mindfulness (samma sati)

8. Right Stability of the Mind (samma samadhi)

(note: noticed how Bhante uses the word Right Stability of Mind, instead of the usual Right Concentration?)

There’s more after this, but that’s all I am sharing for now on Bhante’s teaching of the Cakkapavatana Sutta. In the evening sessions during the retreat, Bhante also taught us how to apply the Four Noble Truths during meditation, and it is not the usual observing the impermanence or the rise and fall of our objects of contemplations/ mindfulness (such as our feelings, etc). There is more to it. I have not heard this being taught by any other teachers (including the Myanmar Sayadaws). Therefore, it was super useful to me, at least. It is a step in the right direction for me. What I learned from the Sayadaws, this Thai Bhante builds upon it further. It’s not like I am practising one method and then switches to another. Nope, it's not like that). 

Hopefully these “notes” have bee useful to you all. Please read other posts if you have the time, such as this one: https://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2012/08/i-need-to-be-burned-in-good-way.html

#mindfulness #Brahmarealm #anagamin