Week 117 (Recorded on June 22nd, 2024).
• PDF link to a free digital copy of the Sutta can be obtained from the website: www.mindreleas...
Poṭṭhapāda Sutta, “Discourse to Poṭṭhapāda’” (Part 5 - final), From the Dīgha Nikāya or The Long Discourses (DN 9).
Today in this fifth, Bhante completed his discussion of the Poṭṭhapāda Sutta (“Discourse to Poṭṭhapāda”) DN 9, walking us through the powerful and rich question and answer taking place between Lord Buddha and the wandering ascetic Poṭṭhapāda, and in this latter part, also with Poṭṭhapāda's friend Citta. By the end of this lengthy interaction, Poṭṭhapāda takes Refuge in the Triple Gem, while his friend Citta not only becomes a Bhikkhu, but after some time, also attains Arahantship.
This sutta brought to our attention many key aspects of the Dhamma, including what true liberation entails, and the role of perception in it. Bhante helped us see that Nirodha is ultimately the cessation of all perceptions (saññā), where the mind is able to finally rest, a state that the wandering ascetics of other sects at the time of Lord Buddha were trying to reach, yet never did. No matter how many jhanas one attains, how long one is able to stay in blissful states of mind, so long as one has not penetrated through the mirage that is perception, there is no true liberation.
Bhante also emphasized the role humility in being able to absorb the Dhamma, given our tendency to approach the Dhamma with the mold of our perceptions and views, while trying to force the Dhamma into that mold, because of which we remain in our 'homeostasis' of dukkha. Yet, Lord Buddha discovers the Dhamma not for some temporary bliss or relief, but for the complete and final release from suffering, through the wonderful and unique Path that is the Noble Eightfold Path.
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(Being a homeless monk, Bhikkhu Candana lives without the support of a Buddhist community, but survives thanks to the occasional donations he receives to obtain his food, shelter, transportation and medicine).
21 июн 2024
