Showing posts with label Buddhadasa quote. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Buddhadasa quote. Show all posts

Monday, August 05, 2024

Throw it back

"The last step, the fourth step of the fourth tetrad, the sixteenth step of anapanasati is called patinissagganupassana (contemplating throwing back). Patinissagga is a curious word; it means to throw back or give back. When we arrive at this step, we contemplate our throwing back, our returning, everything to which we were once attached. This is step sixteen.

There is a simple metaphor for explaining this step. Throughout our lives we have been thieves. All along, we have been stealing things that exist naturally, that belong to nature, namely, the sankhara. We have plundered them and taken them to be our selves and our possessions. We are nothing but thieves. For this we are being punished by dukkha. We suffer dukkha because of all our attachment and thieving. As soon as we observe the way things really are through the succession of steps in this tetrad, we let go. We cease being thieves. We return everything to its original owner—nature. It all belongs to nature. Don't claim anything to be "I" or "mine" ever again! Our goal is made clear by this metaphor."

p. 96-7 Mindfulness with breathing by Buddhadasa




Thursday, June 13, 2024

Buddhadasa quote




"If the mind has correct samadhi, we will observe in the mind three distinct qualities. The quality of mind that is firm, steady, undistracted, and focused on a single object is called samahitatà (stability, collectedness). That mind is clear and pure, not disturbed by anything, unobscured by defilement. A mind empty of defilement is called parisuddhi (purity). Such a citta is fit and supremely prepared to perform the duties of the mind. This is called kammaniyatà (active-ness, readiness). It might be wise to memorize these three words: samabitatà (stability), parisuddhi (purity), and kammaniyata (activeness). For correct concentration all three of these qualities must be present. This kind of concentration can be used not only in formal meditation practice but in any of the necessary activities of life."

p. 85 Mindfulness of Breathing.