MIND-MATTER , and MEDITATION
Contents
CHAPTER ONE
Meditation an Ancient Practice
Objects of Meditation (ārammana)
Mind and Thoughts
More about Thoughts
Thoughts and Kamma
Thoughts classified according to different planes of existence (lōka)
89 different types of thoughts (citta)
The Teachings of the Buddha
The Tripitaka.
Abhidhamma Pitaka -ultimate reality and thoughts: (paramatta dhamma and citta)
Mentality –Materiality or Mind-Matter (nāma-rūpa)
The First (patisandhi citta), the Last (cuti citta), and the citta of continuity of life (bhavānga citta).
Defilements (kilēsa) and Supermundane thoughts (lōkuttara citta)
Thought Moments- (citta vīthi)
Thoughts arising during meditation: Jhāna citta
52 Mental Factors (Cētasika), that arise along with thoughts (Citta)
Greed (lōbha), Aversion (dōsa) and Delusion (mōha)
Loving-Kindness (Mettā), Compassion (Karunā), Sympathetic Joy (Muditā), Equanimity (Upekkhā)
CHAPTER TWO
Five Aggregates ( Pancakkhandha)
CHAPTER THREE
Mind-Matter (Nāma-Rūpa)
Sense Objects (Ārammana)
Materiality (Rūpa)
CHAPTER FOUR
Cause and Effect (paticchasamuppādha)
The Four Foundations of Mindfulness(Satara Satipatthāna)
CHAPTER FIVE
Abhidhamma and Meditation
First the tranquillity Meditation (samatha bhāvanā)
Meditation Objects to attain different stages in tranquuility meditation (Bhāvana bhēdo)
Insight Meditation (vipassanā bhāvanā)
Mental purification for insight meditation (visuddhi)
Three Signata (tri lakkhana)
Contemplations (anupassanā)
Ten kinds of vipassana knowledge (vipassanā, ñāna)
Emancipation (vimokkha)
Deliverence (vimutti)
Doors of Emancipation( vimutti dvāra)
Purity of Morality (sīla visuddhi)
PART 2
CHAPTER SIX
The First Discourse of the Buddha- Dhammacakkhapavatthana Sutta
Before discussing the Dhammacakkhapavattana Sutta let us go back in time.
The Middle Path( majjhima patipāda) is the eight fold path (attangika magga)
CHAPTER SEVEN
The Noble Eightfold Path
The three divisions of the Eightfold Path
Morality Group (sīlakkhandha)
Concentration Group (sammādikkhandha)
Wisdom Group( paññakkhandha)
The four Noble Truths (catur āriya sacca)
The three aspects of suffering( dukkha)
The end of the cycle of birth and death.
CHAPTER EIGHT
The Eight fold path in its three Divisions, and Sub Divisions
Morality Group (sīlakkhanda)
Right Speech(sammā vācā)
Abstain from telling lies
Abstain from slanderous speech
Abstain from harsh speech.
Abstain from idle chatter
Right Action (sammā kammanatā)
Right Livelihood (sammā ājīva)
Concentration Group (samādhikkhandha)
Right effort (sammāvāyāma)
Five Hindrances (nīvarana)
to resist unwholesome thoughts that have not yet arisen, from arising,
to abandon unwholesome thoughts already arisen.
to arouse wholesome thoughts not yet arisen.
maintain wholesome thoughts already arisen.
Right Mindfulness( sammā sati)
Contemplation of the Body( kāyānupassanā)
Contemplation of feelings (vedanānupassanā)
Contemplation of the states of mind (cittānupassanā)
Contemplation of mind objects or phenomena(dhammānupassanā)
Wisdom Group (paññakkhandha)
CHAPTER NINE
Meditation and Buddhist Meditation
The Meditation of Quietude
Jhāna Absorptions and factors of Jhāna
First jhāna Absorption
Second jhāna Absorption
Third jhāna Absorption
Fourth jhāna Absorption
Ānāpānasati Sūtta
CHAPTER TEN
An Invitation to Buddhist Meditation
How to Meditate ?
Preliminaries
Preparation
the contemplation on the parts of the body(kāyāgatasati).
Contemplation on loving kindness
A word for Non-Buddhist Meditators
Meditation Instructions for both Buddhist and Non-Buddhist Meditators
Walking Meditation.
How to attain Jhāna Absorptions
Insight Meditation (Vipassanā Bhāvanā)
Seeing : mentality (nāma)-materiality (rūpa)
Seeing: Cause(hētu) and Effect (phala)
Meditation for lay followers
Meditating in a Home Environment.
Making Meditation a living experience.
Meditation in different Buddhist Traditions, and different methods.
The Last Days of the Buddha (Mahā Parinibbāna Sutta)
Thursday 6 January 2011
Introduction.
Many books have been written on Buddhism. This book is my modest contribution to that vast field of written Dhamma.
I had a keen interest in Buddha Dhamma. After I was introduced to Buddhist Meditation I had a desire to know more about the teachings of the Buddha. I searched for less academic books written in a simple language on the profound aspects of the teachings of the Buddha. I did not find such a handy , convenient, easy to “carry-about book”.
It was then that I conceived the idea of writing a small book in simple English containing the essentials of the teachings of the Buddha for a beginner in meditation, so that he will have the necessary requirements of the teaching in a single book without having to look for different texts in different books.
Therefore, I collected material from books, the discourses of the Buddha, information I had gathered in discussions with a few experienced meditators I had the privilege to meet , and added to it some of my own experiences in meditation,. I also prepared a step by step method of meditation according to the teachings of the Buddha, which I had noted and put together in the course of my meditation retreats.
The collection of discourses which is called the Abhidhamma, is included in the Buddhist canonical writing the Tripitaka, but unlike the discourses contained in the Sutta Pitaka, Abhidhamma gives no instructions to meditate.
However, in the course of my search for material for a book on meditation, I came across Ms.Nina van Gorkom’s book on “ Abhidhamma in Daily Life ”, which I read assiduously the subject being rather complex, but having read it I realised that Abhidhamma contains precious information about “mind and matter” which would help a meditator understand better the “ instrument “ – the mind , with which he works in his practice for the development of the mind..
Even if it were to be argued that the Abhidhamma is only of academic value for students of Buddhism, rather than of practical interest to meditators, I think at least some of the analytical exposition of “mind and matter” would interest meditators who in the course of their meditation begin to see the reality of a being as a ‘ mind-matter entity’.
Therefore, in writing this book I have also put into it without going into greater details, what I think is relevant for a meditator to know about the mind, and how it functions as described in the Abhidhamma,.
This book is written for both a Buddhist, and a non- Buddhists readership in an easily accessible format not necessarily to be read from the beginning to the end, but as a book of reference to look for a word, a subject of interest, to understand how the mind reacts to its environment, find answers to problems in meditation, or to know mental processes arising in the course of meditation. Some Chapters may contain matters that had been discussed in other Chapters which makes each chapter self-contained.
Any comment and observation will be very much appreciated.
Charles.S.Perera
53 rue du Petit Pont,
Gagny, France.
e-Mail to: perera.charles@gmail.com
30 December,2010.
Many books have been written on Buddhism. This book is my modest contribution to that vast field of written Dhamma.
I had a keen interest in Buddha Dhamma. After I was introduced to Buddhist Meditation I had a desire to know more about the teachings of the Buddha. I searched for less academic books written in a simple language on the profound aspects of the teachings of the Buddha. I did not find such a handy , convenient, easy to “carry-about book”.
It was then that I conceived the idea of writing a small book in simple English containing the essentials of the teachings of the Buddha for a beginner in meditation, so that he will have the necessary requirements of the teaching in a single book without having to look for different texts in different books.
Therefore, I collected material from books, the discourses of the Buddha, information I had gathered in discussions with a few experienced meditators I had the privilege to meet , and added to it some of my own experiences in meditation,. I also prepared a step by step method of meditation according to the teachings of the Buddha, which I had noted and put together in the course of my meditation retreats.
The collection of discourses which is called the Abhidhamma, is included in the Buddhist canonical writing the Tripitaka, but unlike the discourses contained in the Sutta Pitaka, Abhidhamma gives no instructions to meditate.
However, in the course of my search for material for a book on meditation, I came across Ms.Nina van Gorkom’s book on “ Abhidhamma in Daily Life ”, which I read assiduously the subject being rather complex, but having read it I realised that Abhidhamma contains precious information about “mind and matter” which would help a meditator understand better the “ instrument “ – the mind , with which he works in his practice for the development of the mind..
Even if it were to be argued that the Abhidhamma is only of academic value for students of Buddhism, rather than of practical interest to meditators, I think at least some of the analytical exposition of “mind and matter” would interest meditators who in the course of their meditation begin to see the reality of a being as a ‘ mind-matter entity’.
Therefore, in writing this book I have also put into it without going into greater details, what I think is relevant for a meditator to know about the mind, and how it functions as described in the Abhidhamma,.
This book is written for both a Buddhist, and a non- Buddhists readership in an easily accessible format not necessarily to be read from the beginning to the end, but as a book of reference to look for a word, a subject of interest, to understand how the mind reacts to its environment, find answers to problems in meditation, or to know mental processes arising in the course of meditation. Some Chapters may contain matters that had been discussed in other Chapters which makes each chapter self-contained.
Any comment and observation will be very much appreciated.
Charles.S.Perera
53 rue du Petit Pont,
Gagny, France.
e-Mail to: perera.charles@gmail.com
30 December,2010.
Acknowledgement.
Writing this book had been the inspiration I derived from those who encouraged me in the pursuit of my spiritual search. I was born a Buddhist but that by itself did not make me a Buddhist. It was first the Buddhist environment that was around me, and my mother’s devotion to Buddhism and the rituals and ceremonies into which she introduced me as a child that fascinated me to Buddhism. It was that beginning which later awakened in me the desire to know more about the teachings of the Buddha.
Thereafter, I understood the rituals and ceremonies, the temples and the serene statues were only the outer coating of a more profound philosophy that was not limited to offering flowers, lighting lamps, giving alms to monks, and making prayers. The search of the philosophy opened me to the core of my religion the Buddhist meditation.
It was first my friend late Godwin Samararatne who introduced me to the profundity of the Buddhist Meditation and invited me to follow retreats at his Meditation Centre at Nilambe.
My subsequent meeting with the Venerable Late Amatha Gavesi of the Pallekele Devena Pethis Samatha Vipassana Meditation Centre, Kundasale, opened me to yet undiscovered meditation experiences. The Pallekele Meditation Centre is run by Buddhist Nuns (Manio) trained by Venerable late Amatha Gavesi to teach meditation to lay Buddhists.
I express my deep gratitude to Venerable Dhammadinna Manio who initially guided me through different stages of mental concentration, the Venerable Chandra Manio in charge of the Meditation Centre, who instructed me in Vipassana meditation, and Venerable Subhadra Manio and Venerable Khema Manio who guided me through various phases of meditation.
It was in my further search into the teachings that I came across the books on Abhidhamma written by Ms Nina van Gorkom, which enabled me to understand the subtlety of the teachings of Abhidhamma which explains in detail the “mind – matter” entity. It was reading her writings that made me realise that a knowledge of Abhidhamma is a key to understand the unobservable complexity of the mind and its implication in mental development. It was that which inspired me to write the present book.
I pay tribute to these learned men and women all my spiritual teachers I met on my path in search for Dhamma and extend my gratitude to all of them, and transfer some of the merit I may have accumulated in following the path, to those who are no more for their contribution to my understanding the sublime teachings of the Compassionate Buddha.
In this book I have given the Buddhist Canonical terms in italics against the English words, to help any one who is foreign to the teachings of the Buddha to familiarise with the Buddhist Canonical terms which are in Pali.
I also thank my wife who though foreign to my religion, nevertheless, encouraged me through out the long period of writing this book. My son Lalith helped me to keep on writing with out slacking in my attention.
I should be failing in my duty if I do not thank my close relative Mr. Duminda Tennakoon the Director of the Sampath Graphics, Piliyandala, who did the compilation of the book. If not for him this book may not have seen the light of day.
I also thank profusely …………………………………………… the Publisher and his staff for their excellent work in bringing out this book in print.
Charles.S.Perera,
53 rue du Petit Pont,
Gagny, France. 30 December,2010
e-mail: perera.charles@gmail.com
Writing this book had been the inspiration I derived from those who encouraged me in the pursuit of my spiritual search. I was born a Buddhist but that by itself did not make me a Buddhist. It was first the Buddhist environment that was around me, and my mother’s devotion to Buddhism and the rituals and ceremonies into which she introduced me as a child that fascinated me to Buddhism. It was that beginning which later awakened in me the desire to know more about the teachings of the Buddha.
Thereafter, I understood the rituals and ceremonies, the temples and the serene statues were only the outer coating of a more profound philosophy that was not limited to offering flowers, lighting lamps, giving alms to monks, and making prayers. The search of the philosophy opened me to the core of my religion the Buddhist meditation.
It was first my friend late Godwin Samararatne who introduced me to the profundity of the Buddhist Meditation and invited me to follow retreats at his Meditation Centre at Nilambe.
My subsequent meeting with the Venerable Late Amatha Gavesi of the Pallekele Devena Pethis Samatha Vipassana Meditation Centre, Kundasale, opened me to yet undiscovered meditation experiences. The Pallekele Meditation Centre is run by Buddhist Nuns (Manio) trained by Venerable late Amatha Gavesi to teach meditation to lay Buddhists.
I express my deep gratitude to Venerable Dhammadinna Manio who initially guided me through different stages of mental concentration, the Venerable Chandra Manio in charge of the Meditation Centre, who instructed me in Vipassana meditation, and Venerable Subhadra Manio and Venerable Khema Manio who guided me through various phases of meditation.
It was in my further search into the teachings that I came across the books on Abhidhamma written by Ms Nina van Gorkom, which enabled me to understand the subtlety of the teachings of Abhidhamma which explains in detail the “mind – matter” entity. It was reading her writings that made me realise that a knowledge of Abhidhamma is a key to understand the unobservable complexity of the mind and its implication in mental development. It was that which inspired me to write the present book.
I pay tribute to these learned men and women all my spiritual teachers I met on my path in search for Dhamma and extend my gratitude to all of them, and transfer some of the merit I may have accumulated in following the path, to those who are no more for their contribution to my understanding the sublime teachings of the Compassionate Buddha.
In this book I have given the Buddhist Canonical terms in italics against the English words, to help any one who is foreign to the teachings of the Buddha to familiarise with the Buddhist Canonical terms which are in Pali.
I also thank my wife who though foreign to my religion, nevertheless, encouraged me through out the long period of writing this book. My son Lalith helped me to keep on writing with out slacking in my attention.
I should be failing in my duty if I do not thank my close relative Mr. Duminda Tennakoon the Director of the Sampath Graphics, Piliyandala, who did the compilation of the book. If not for him this book may not have seen the light of day.
I also thank profusely …………………………………………… the Publisher and his staff for their excellent work in bringing out this book in print.
Charles.S.Perera,
53 rue du Petit Pont,
Gagny, France. 30 December,2010
e-mail: perera.charles@gmail.com
Bibiliography
In the writing of this book I made reference to and took excerpts from the following :
1 The Manual of Abhidhamma-Abhidhammattha Sangaha by Nārada Mahā Thera,
“Rays of the Dhamma” Series 2
2. Abhidhamma in Daily Life by Nina Van Gorkom
3. The Abhidhamma Practice by Dr.N.K.G.Mendis
The Wheel Publication, Buddhist Publication Society, Kandy.
4. Buddhist Dictionary-Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines by Nyanatiloka.
Buddhist Publication Society, Kandy
5. The Noble Eightfold Path- The way to the End of Suffering by Bikkhu Bodhi
Buddhist Publication Society, Kandy
6. The Questions of King Milinda- An Abridgement of the Milindapahana
By N.K.G.Mendis
Buddhist Publication Society
7. The Way of Mindfulness-The Satipatthana Sutta Commentary by Soma Thera
Buddhist Publication Society.
8. Websites: Accesstoinsight - http://www.accesstoinsight.org/index-sutta.html
Abhidhamma in Daily Life: http://www.vipassana.info/nina-abhi-00.htm
In the writing of this book I made reference to and took excerpts from the following :
1 The Manual of Abhidhamma-Abhidhammattha Sangaha by Nārada Mahā Thera,
“Rays of the Dhamma” Series 2
2. Abhidhamma in Daily Life by Nina Van Gorkom
3. The Abhidhamma Practice by Dr.N.K.G.Mendis
The Wheel Publication, Buddhist Publication Society, Kandy.
4. Buddhist Dictionary-Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines by Nyanatiloka.
Buddhist Publication Society, Kandy
5. The Noble Eightfold Path- The way to the End of Suffering by Bikkhu Bodhi
Buddhist Publication Society, Kandy
6. The Questions of King Milinda- An Abridgement of the Milindapahana
By N.K.G.Mendis
Buddhist Publication Society
7. The Way of Mindfulness-The Satipatthana Sutta Commentary by Soma Thera
Buddhist Publication Society.
8. Websites: Accesstoinsight - http://www.accesstoinsight.org/index-sutta.html
Abhidhamma in Daily Life: http://www.vipassana.info/nina-abhi-00.htm
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