Tag: virtue

  • Bojjha’nga – Seven Factors of Awakening

    This is one of my favourite themes in the suttas. The Bojjha’nga show a progression of dependence in various wholesome states arising from attending to bhikkhus who are accomplished in virtue, concentration, wisdom, liberation, knowledge and vision of liberation.  I believe it is also possible to do this in our imaginations in a virtual way.…

  • Upgrading Your Uposatha Observance: five then eight and beyond

    The Dhamma is internally consistent and truthful. It is amazingly complete and flawless.  It is possible to take almost any aspect of the Dhamma and see relations with most other aspects of the Dhamma. Some people misunderstand precepts and think that more is better. Thus someone practicing ten precepts might be considered more virtuous than…

  • Benefits from regular observance of eight precepts

    A10.47 Sakya Sutta (The Sakyans and the Eight Precepts) paraphrased from The Book of the Gradual Sayings (Anguttara Nikaaya) vol. 2, translated by F.L. Woodward by MK.   [Thanissaro Bhikkhu‘s translation] [Sister Upalavanna’s translation] [สักกสูตร] The Blessed One asks some Sakyans at Kapilavatthu whether they practice the eight precepts every Uposatha Day. [The Sakyans are a…

  • Moral Conduct as the Basis for Spiritual Development

    Buddhist suttas-discourses are translated into English in various ways. Ven. Thanissaro Bhikkhu translates satipa.t.thaana as “the four frames of reference.” Others translate it as the four establishments of mindfulness or the four foundations of mindfulness. I prefer “the four establishments of mindfulness” or to just leave it in the Paali as satipa.t.thaana. This is the…

  • Vientiane Visa Run

    I’m at Vientiane. I am very comfortable and well. Thai VisaI was doing a vipassana meditation retreat at Section 5, Wat Mahadhatu and the date for my Thai visa came up (after 30 days). I didn’t plan much beforehand so on Thursday, 3 Sept, I did some research by Internet and took a taxi to…

  • Mirror of the Dhamma – Four things Posssessed by Sotapannas

    This list is from the Sa.myutta Nikaaya, Mahavagga, SN.V.55.8. confirmed confidence in the Buddha confirmed confidence in the Dhamma confirmed confidence in the Sangha of Ariyapuggala (noble ones – enlightened beings) possess the virtues (Siila) dear to the noble ones, unbroken, untorn, unblemished, unmottled, freeing, praised by the wise, ungrasped, leading to concentration.

  • Ten Bases for Meritorious Deeds

    The following list of ten bases for meritorious deeds (pu~n~nakiriyavathu) shows ten ways to develop wholesome karma for the sense sphere (kammavacarakuala.m). I believe this list is from a commentary on the Dharma. I strongly recommend everyone memorize this list and make strenuous efforts to put the list into practice. This will be for your…

  • Purification for the Sake of What?

    Majjhima Nikaya MN24.15. Rathavinita Sutta: The Relay Chariots (รถวินีตสูตร) “So too, friend,(1) purification of virtue is for the sake of reaching purification of mind;(2) purification of mind is for the sake of reaching purification of view;(3) purification of view is for the sake of reaching purification by overcoming doubt;(4) purification by overcoming doubt is for…

  • Benefit of the Holy Life

    Majjhima Nikaya MN29.6. Mahaasaaropama Sutta: The Greater Discourse on the Simile of the Heartwood (มหาสาโรปมสูตร) “Bhikkhus, here some clansman goes forth out of faith from the home life to homelessness, considering: ‘I am a victim of birth, ageing, and death, of sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, and despair; I am a victim of suffering, a prey…