Guest guest Posted June 8, 2006 Report Share Posted June 8, 2006 Friends: The five Impurities block the Lucidity of Mind: The Blessed Buddha once said:There are five impurities of gold impaired by which it becomes neither pliantnor wieldy, it lacks radiance, is weak & easily broken and cannot be formed...What are these five impurities? They are: Iron, copper, tin, lead and silver.But if the gold has been purified from these five impurities, then it will indeedbe pliant and wieldy, radiant and firm, and can be formed well. Whatever kindof jewellery one wishes to make from it, be it a diadem, earrings, a necklace or a golden chain, it will easily serve that purpose well.Similarly, there are five impurities of the mind impaired by which the mind isneither pliant nor wieldy, it lacks radiant lucidity and stability, and cannot concentrate well upon the eradication of the mental fermentations (āsava). What are these five impurities? They are: Sense-Desire, Evil-Will, Lethargy & Laziness, Restlessness & Regret, Doubt & Uncertainty... But if the mind is freed of these five mental impurities, then it will be plastic, flexible, and wieldy, will be of radiant lucidity and firm calm stability, and willconcentrate well upon the elimination of the mental fermentations. Whateversupra-human state realizable by these higher mental abilities one may pursue, one will in each case be able to directly experience it, as an eye-witness... Source (edited extract): The Numerical Sayings of the Buddha. Anguttara Nikaya. The Book of Fives 23: Four deeds of Merit... [iII: 16-7] Comments:The 4 mental fermentations are wrong, false & hidden assumptions associated with:1: Sense-desire (kāmāsava). Ex: "Sensing is only & always pleasant. Pain exists not!"2: Desiring becoming into new existence (bhavāsava): Ex: "All life is good, Death exists not!"3: Wrong views (ditthāsava): Ex: "I am better, know better & what I think is thus never wrong!"4: Ignorance (avijjāsava): Ex: "Suffering, craving, ending craving & the Noble Way exists not!" PS: Please include the word Samahita in any comment, since then will my automatic mail filters pick it up and I will see it & respond!! Bhikkhu Samahita, Sri Lanka. Friendship is the Greatest ... Let there be Calm & Free Bliss !!! http://What-Buddha-Said.net Buddha-Direct What_Buddha_Said Dhamma-Questions sent to my email are quite Welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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