Guest guest Posted January 21, 2004 Report Share Posted January 21, 2004 Ecstasy and Addiction in Buddhism I have had many people say that I might have become addicted to ecstasy. I have been saying, no, all along because ecstasy requires dispassion and equanimity for it to emerge and deepen, whereas addiction is based upon grasping and aversion. And, some have come out and stated that ecstatic contemplatives (jhana yogis) are addicted to ecstasy. What I find most interesting about the accusation that I am addicted to the ecstatic contemplative experience, is we live in a culture that is addicted to many substances, such as alcohol, nicotine and caffeine, not to mention all of the prescription medications people are taking, as well as the illegal narcotics millions of Americans buy every year. However I do not consume any of these things. I do not even take aspirin because all of the pains of sickness and old age have been erased by the ecstatic sensations that pervade this body. Others have said the Buddha rejected ecstatic states. However all one need do is read the Pali canon to see that ecstasy (jhana) was one of the most common topics the Buddha addressed. If you examine the glossary of the Digha Nikaya alone you will find these references to jhana: jhanas - Absorptions, DN 42, 1.3.21f., n.79, n.50, n.57, n.76f., 2.75ff., 4.33, n.168, 9.10ff., 16.6.8f., 17.2.3, n.583, n.611, 26.28, 29.24, 33.3.3(6), n.1118, n.1127, n.1143 Therefore in conclusion I believe you will agree with me that the ecstatic absorption states (jhanas/dhyanas) were of central importance to the historic Buddha's teaching method. Well, in the Buddha's own words, yes, ecstatic states are not only desirable, but ecstatic contemplatives (jhana yogis) are addicted to ecstasy, worse, pleasure seeking. But, he said since it is a pleasure "not of the senses" it is a pleasure worthy of seeking for one who seeks Buddhahood, Arahantship, full enlightenment, nibbana. Therefore the Buddha was addicted to ecstasy Digha Nikaya 29 Pasadika Sutta The Delightful Discourse a translation from the Pali by Maurice Walshe, Wisdom Publications, Boston 1987, 1995 24.2 There are, Cunda, these four kinds of life devoted to pleasure which are conducive to disenchantment, to dispassion, to cessation, to tranquillity, to realization, to enlightenment, to Nibbana. What are they? First a monk detached from sense-desires, detached from unwholesome mental states, enters and remains in the first jhana, which is with thinking and pondering, born of detachment, filled with delight and happiness. And, with the subsiding of thinking and pondering, by gaining inner tranquillity and oneness of mind, he enters and remains in the second jhana, which is without thinking and pondering, born of concentration, filled with delight and happiness. Again, with the fading of delight, remaining imperturbable, mindful and clearly aware, he experiences in himself that joy of which the Noble Ones say; "Happy is he who dwells with equanimity and mindfulness," he enters and remains in the third jhana. Again, having given up pleasure and pain, and with the disappearance of former gladness and sadness, he enters and remains in the fourth jhana, which is beyond pleasure and pain, and purified by equanimity and mindfulness. These are the four kinds of life devoted to pleasure which are entirely conducive to disenchantment, to cessation, to tranquillity, to realization, to enlightenment, to Nibbana. So, if wanderers from other sects should say that the followers of the Sakyan are addicted to these four forms of pleasure seeking, they should be told: "Yes," for they would be speaking correctly about you, they would not be slandering you with false or untrue statements. 25. Then such wanderers might ask: "Well then, those who are given to these four forms of pleasure-seeking - how many fruits, how many benefits can they expect?" And, you should reply: "They can expect four fruits, four benefits. What are they? The first is when a monk by destruction of three fetters has become a Stream-Winner, no more subject to rebirth in lower worlds, firmly established, destined for full enlightenment; the second is when a monk by the complete destruction of three fetters and the reduction of greed, hatred and delusion, has become a Once-Returner, and having returned once more to this world, will put an end to suffering; the third is when a monk, by the destruction of the corruptions in this very life has, by his own knowledge and realization, attained Arahantship, to the deliverance of heart and through wisdom. Such are the four fruits and the four benefits that one given to these four forms of pleasure-seeking can expect." May I benefit all beings with every thought, word, action and resource. Blessings to you, Jeff Brooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2004 Report Share Posted January 22, 2004 a thought on this jeff. if you have your #1 goal as "God, Truth, or Self" then, the ecstatic states come and go as a matter of course, they are not your objective. the absolute is continuously before you, and there will be less danger of being pooled in a static state that feels great [the underlying concern about addiction.] peace, steve c. , macdocaz1@a... wrote: > Ecstasy and Addiction in Buddhism > > I have had many people say that I might have become addicted to ecstasy. I > have been saying, no, all along because ecstasy requires dispassion and > equanimity for it to emerge and deepen, whereas addiction is based upon grasping and > aversion. And, some have come out and stated that ecstatic contemplatives > (jhana yogis) are addicted to ecstasy. > > What I find most interesting about the accusation that I am addicted to the > ecstatic contemplative experience, is we live in a culture that is addicted to > many substances, such as alcohol, nicotine and caffeine, not to mention all of > the prescription medications people are taking, as well as the illegal > narcotics millions of Americans buy every year. However I do not consume any of > these things. I do not even take aspirin because all of the pains of sickness > and old age have been erased by the ecstatic sensations that pervade this body. > > Others have said the Buddha rejected ecstatic states. However all one need > do is read the Pali canon to see that ecstasy (jhana) was one of the most > common topics the Buddha addressed. If you examine the glossary of the Digha > Nikaya alone you will find these references to jhana: > > jhanas - Absorptions, DN 42, 1.3.21f., n.79, n.50, n.57, n.76f., 2.75ff., > 4.33, n.168, 9.10ff., 16.6.8f., 17.2.3, n.583, n.611, 26.28, 29.24, 33.3.3(6), > n.1118, n.1127, n.1143 > > Therefore in conclusion I believe you will agree with me that the ecstatic > absorption states (jhanas/dhyanas) were of central importance to the historic > Buddha's teaching method. > > Well, in the Buddha's own words, yes, ecstatic states are not only desirable, > but ecstatic contemplatives (jhana yogis) are addicted to ecstasy, worse, > pleasure seeking. But, he said since it is a pleasure "not of the senses" it is > a pleasure worthy of seeking for one who seeks Buddhahood, Arahantship, full > enlightenment, nibbana. > > Therefore the Buddha was addicted to ecstasy > > Digha Nikaya 29 > Pasadika Sutta > The Delightful Discourse > a translation from the Pali by > Maurice Walshe, Wisdom Publications, Boston 1987, 1995 > > 24.2 There are, Cunda, these four kinds of life devoted to pleasure which > are conducive to disenchantment, to dispassion, to cessation, to tranquillity, > to realization, to enlightenment, to Nibbana. What are they? First a monk > detached from sense-desires, detached from unwholesome mental states, enters > and remains in the first jhana, which is with thinking and pondering, born of > detachment, filled with delight and happiness. And, with the subsiding of > thinking and pondering, by gaining inner tranquillity and oneness of mind, he > enters and remains in the second jhana, which is without thinking and pondering, > born of concentration, filled with delight and happiness. Again, with the > fading of delight, remaining imperturbable, mindful and clearly aware, he > experiences in himself that joy of which the Noble Ones say; "Happy is he who dwells > with equanimity and mindfulness," he enters and remains in the third jhana. > Again, having given up pleasure and pain, and with the disappearance of former > gladness and sadness, he enters and remains in the fourth jhana, which is beyond > pleasure and pain, and purified by equanimity and mindfulness. > > These are the four kinds of life devoted to pleasure which are entirely > conducive to disenchantment, to cessation, to tranquillity, to realization, to > enlightenment, to Nibbana. So, if wanderers from other sects should say that the > followers of the Sakyan are addicted to these four forms of pleasure seeking, > they should be told: "Yes," for they would be speaking correctly about you, > they would not be slandering you with false or untrue statements. > > 25. Then such wanderers might ask: "Well then, those who are given to these > four forms of pleasure-seeking - how many fruits, how many benefits can they > expect?" And, you should reply: "They can expect four fruits, four benefits. > What are they? The first is when a monk by destruction of three fetters has > become a Stream-Winner, no more subject to rebirth in lower worlds, firmly > established, destined for full enlightenment; the second is when a monk by the > complete destruction of three fetters and the reduction of greed, hatred and > delusion, has become a Once-Returner, and having returned once more to this world, > will put an end to suffering; the third is when a monk, by the destruction of > the corruptions in this very life has, by his own knowledge and realization, > attained Arahantship, to the deliverance of heart and through wisdom. Such are > the four fruits and the four benefits that one given to these four forms of > pleasure-seeking can expect." > > May I benefit all beings with every thought, word, action and resource. > > Blessings to you, > > Jeff Brooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2004 Report Share Posted January 23, 2004 Some gr8 sage said that " you say what you have read but I say what I have seen from my eyes," Then essence is in Practical realization ur views!! gauravbingo_ridley <bingo_ridley > wrote: a thought on this jeff.if you have your #1 goal as "God, Truth, or Self" then, the ecstatic states come and go as a matter of course, they are not your objective. the absolute is continuously before you, and there will be less danger of being pooled in a static state that feels great [the underlying concern about addiction.]peace,steve c., macdocaz1@a... wrote:> Ecstasy and Addiction in Buddhism> > I have had many people say that I might have become addicted to ecstasy. I > have been saying, no, all along because ecstasy requires dispassion and > equanimity for it to emerge and deepen, whereas addiction is based upon grasping and > aversion. And, some have come out and stated that ecstatic contemplatives > (jhana yogis) are addicted to ecstasy. > > What I find most interesting about the accusation that I am addicted to the > ecstatic contemplative experience, is we live in a culture that is addicted to > many substances, such as alcohol, nicotine and caffeine, not to mention all of > the prescription medications people are taking, as well as the illegal > narcotics millions of Americans buy every year. However I do not consume any of > these things. I do not even take aspirin because all of the pains of sickness > and old age have been erased by the ecstatic sensations that pervade this body.> > Others have said the Buddha rejected ecstatic states. However all one need > do is read the Pali canon to see that ecstasy (jhana) was one of the most > common topics the Buddha addressed. If you examine the glossary of the Digha > Nikaya alone you will find these references to jhana:> > jhanas - Absorptions, DN 42, 1.3.21f., n.79, n.50, n.57, n.76f., 2.75ff., > 4.33, n.168, 9.10ff., 16.6.8f., 17.2.3, n.583, n.611, 26.28, 29.24, 33.3.3(6), > n.1118, n.1127, n.1143> > Therefore in conclusion I believe you will agree with me that the ecstatic > absorption states (jhanas/dhyanas) were of central importance to the historic > Buddha's teaching method.> > Well, in the Buddha's own words, yes, ecstatic states are not only desirable, > but ecstatic contemplatives (jhana yogis) are addicted to ecstasy, worse, > pleasure seeking. But, he said since it is a pleasure "not of the senses" it is > a pleasure worthy of seeking for one who seeks Buddhahood, Arahantship, full > enlightenment, nibbana. > > Therefore the Buddha was addicted to ecstasy> > Digha Nikaya 29> Pasadika Sutta> The Delightful Discourse> a translation from the Pali by > Maurice Walshe, Wisdom Publications, Boston 1987, 1995> > 24.2 There are, Cunda, these four kinds of life devoted to pleasure which > are conducive to disenchantment, to dispassion, to cessation, to tranquillity, > to realization, to enlightenment, to Nibbana. What are they? First a monk > detached from sense-desires, detached from unwholesome mental states, enters > and remains in the first jhana, which is with thinking and pondering, born of > detachment, filled with delight and happiness. And, with the subsiding of > thinking and pondering, by gaining inner tranquillity and oneness of mind, he > enters and remains in the second jhana, which is without thinking and pondering, > born of concentration, filled with delight and happiness. Again, with the > fading of delight, remaining imperturbable, mindful and clearly aware, he > experiences in himself that joy of which the Noble Ones say; "Happy is he who dwells > with equanimity and mindfulness," he enters and remains in the third jhana. > Again, having given up pleasure and pain, and with the disappearance of former > gladness and sadness, he enters and remains in the fourth jhana, which is beyond > pleasure and pain, and purified by equanimity and mindfulness.> > These are the four kinds of life devoted to pleasure which are entirely > conducive to disenchantment, to cessation, to tranquillity, to realization, to > enlightenment, to Nibbana. So, if wanderers from other sects should say that the > followers of the Sakyan are addicted to these four forms of pleasure seeking, > they should be told: "Yes," for they would be speaking correctly about you, > they would not be slandering you with false or untrue statements.> > 25. Then such wanderers might ask: "Well then, those who are given to these > four forms of pleasure-seeking - how many fruits, how many benefits can they > expect?" And, you should reply: "They can expect four fruits, four benefits. > What are they? The first is when a monk by destruction of three fetters has > become a Stream-Winner, no more subject to rebirth in lower worlds, firmly > established, destined for full enlightenment; the second is when a monk by the > complete destruction of three fetters and the reduction of greed, hatred and > delusion, has become a Once-Returner, and having returned once more to this world, > will put an end to suffering; the third is when a monk, by the destruction of > the corruptions in this very life has, by his own knowledge and realization, > attained Arahantship, to the deliverance of heart and through wisdom. Such are > the four fruits and the four benefits that one given to these four forms of > pleasure-seeking can expect."> > May I benefit all beings with every thought, word, action and resource.> > Blessings to you,> > Jeff BrooksTo visit your group on the web, go to:/ To from this group, send an email to: SiteBuilder - Free web site building tool. Try it! 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Guest guest Posted January 23, 2004 Report Share Posted January 23, 2004 Hi, In my view, there is no such thing as addiction to ecstacy. Bliss is our true nature; we cannot have too much existence. We live in a world where everyone is addicted to sense pleasures and self-attribution. When one of us, usually after great struggle, finally manages to get "clean", all the addicts think she has a problem. It's crazy. I think that for one who has not acheived the goal, blissful states are purifying, and can therefore be understood as part of one's sadhana. How can one do too much sadhana? If something more is needed God or guru will guide. Chris , gaurav singh <gaurav_singh12> wrote: > hi, > > Some gr8 sage said that " you say what you have read but I say what I have seen from my eyes," > > Then essence is in Practical realization > ur views!! > > > gaurav > > bingo_ridley <bingo_ridley> wrote: > a thought on this jeff. > > if you have your #1 goal as "God, Truth, or Self" then, the ecstatic > states come and go as a matter of course, they are not your > objective. the absolute is continuously before you, and there will > be less danger of being pooled in a static state that feels great > [the underlying concern about addiction.] > > peace, > > steve c. > > > > , macdocaz1@a... wrote: > > Ecstasy and Addiction in Buddhism > > > > I have had many people say that I might have become addicted to > ecstasy. I > > have been saying, no, all along because ecstasy requires > dispassion and > > equanimity for it to emerge and deepen, whereas addiction is based > upon grasping and > > aversion. And, some have come out and stated that ecstatic > contemplatives > > (jhana yogis) are addicted to ecstasy. > > > > What I find most interesting about the accusation that I am > addicted to the > > ecstatic contemplative experience, is we live in a culture that is > addicted to > > many substances, such as alcohol, nicotine and caffeine, not to > mention all of > > the prescription medications people are taking, as well as the > illegal > > narcotics millions of Americans buy every year. However I do not > consume any of > > these things. I do not even take aspirin because all of the pains > of sickness > > and old age have been erased by the ecstatic sensations that > pervade this body. > > > > Others have said the Buddha rejected ecstatic states. However all > one need > > do is read the Pali canon to see that ecstasy (jhana) was one of > the most > > common topics the Buddha addressed. If you examine the glossary > of the Digha > > Nikaya alone you will find these references to jhana: > > > > jhanas - Absorptions, DN 42, 1.3.21f., n.79, n.50, n.57, n.76f., > 2.75ff., > > 4.33, n.168, 9.10ff., 16.6.8f., 17.2.3, n.583, n.611, 26.28, > 29.24, 33.3.3(6), > > n.1118, n.1127, n.1143 > > > > Therefore in conclusion I believe you will agree with me that the > ecstatic > > absorption states (jhanas/dhyanas) were of central importance to > the historic > > Buddha's teaching method. > > > > Well, in the Buddha's own words, yes, ecstatic states are not only > desirable, > > but ecstatic contemplatives (jhana yogis) are addicted to ecstasy, > worse, > > pleasure seeking. But, he said since it is a pleasure "not of the > senses" it is > > a pleasure worthy of seeking for one who seeks Buddhahood, > Arahantship, full > > enlightenment, nibbana. > > > > Therefore the Buddha was addicted to ecstasy > > > > Digha Nikaya 29 > > Pasadika Sutta > > The Delightful Discourse > > a translation from the Pali by > > Maurice Walshe, Wisdom Publications, Boston 1987, 1995 > > > > 24.2 There are, Cunda, these four kinds of life devoted to > pleasure which > > are conducive to disenchantment, to dispassion, to cessation, to > tranquillity, > > to realization, to enlightenment, to Nibbana. What are they? > First a monk > > detached from sense-desires, detached from unwholesome mental > states, enters > > and remains in the first jhana, which is with thinking and > pondering, born of > > detachment, filled with delight and happiness. And, with the > subsiding of > > thinking and pondering, by gaining inner tranquillity and oneness > of mind, he > > enters and remains in the second jhana, which is without thinking > and pondering, > > born of concentration, filled with delight and happiness. Again, > with the > > fading of delight, remaining imperturbable, mindful and clearly > aware, he > > experiences in himself that joy of which the Noble Ones > say; "Happy is he who dwells > > with equanimity and mindfulness," he enters and remains in the > third jhana. > > Again, having given up pleasure and pain, and with the > disappearance of former > > gladness and sadness, he enters and remains in the fourth jhana, > which is beyond > > pleasure and pain, and purified by equanimity and mindfulness. > > > > These are the four kinds of life devoted to pleasure which are > entirely > > conducive to disenchantment, to cessation, to tranquillity, to > realization, to > > enlightenment, to Nibbana. So, if wanderers from other sects > should say that the > > followers of the Sakyan are addicted to these four forms of > pleasure seeking, > > they should be told: "Yes," for they would be speaking correctly > about you, > > they would not be slandering you with false or untrue statements. > > > > 25. Then such wanderers might ask: "Well then, those who are given > to these > > four forms of pleasure-seeking - how many fruits, how many > benefits can they > > expect?" And, you should reply: "They can expect four fruits, > four benefits. > > What are they? The first is when a monk by destruction of three > fetters has > > become a Stream-Winner, no more subject to rebirth in lower > worlds, firmly > > established, destined for full enlightenment; the second is when a > monk by the > > complete destruction of three fetters and the reduction of greed, > hatred and > > delusion, has become a Once-Returner, and having returned once > more to this world, > > will put an end to suffering; the third is when a monk, by the > destruction of > > the corruptions in this very life has, by his own knowledge and > realization, > > attained Arahantship, to the deliverance of heart and through > wisdom. Such are > > the four fruits and the four benefits that one given to these four > forms of > > pleasure-seeking can expect." > > > > May I benefit all beings with every thought, word, action and > resource. > > > > Blessings to you, > > > > Jeff Brooks > > > > > > Links > > > / > > > > > Terms of Service. > > > > > > SiteBuilder - Free web site building tool. Try it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2004 Report Share Posted January 23, 2004 In a message dated 1/23/04 3:28:09 PM Mountain Standard Time, chriskirner1956 writes: In my view, there is no such thing as addiction to ecstacy. Bliss is our true nature; we cannot have too much existence. This is also my view. In the midst of a busy 12 hour work day, filled with the wonder of working with many different people, finding myself in Bliss, neither sought or unexpected, a very natural state of being and result of continued sadhana, year after year after year. OM NAMAH SIVAYA Kanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2004 Report Share Posted February 9, 2004 Hello Chris, and thank-you for your kind support. I agree, how can one be accused of addiction for enjoying a beautiful day? There is of course no harm in the enjoyment, only in the attachment, and one who has arrived at the absorption states is, by definition, free of attachment. Best regards, Jeff Brooks , "Chris Kirner" <chriskirner1956> wrote: > Hi, > > > In my view, there is no such thing as addiction to ecstacy. Bliss is > our true nature; we cannot have too much existence. > > We live in a world where everyone is addicted to sense pleasures and > self-attribution. When one of us, usually after great struggle, > finally manages to get "clean", all the addicts think she has a > problem. It's crazy. > > I think that for one who has not acheived the goal, blissful states > are purifying, and can therefore be understood as part of one's > sadhana. How can one do too much sadhana? If something more is needed > God or guru will guide. > > Chris > > > > , gaurav singh > <gaurav_singh12> wrote: > > hi, > > > > Some gr8 sage said that " you say what you have read but I say what > I have seen from my eyes," > > > > Then essence is in Practical realization > > ur views!! > > > > > > gaurav > > > > bingo_ridley <bingo_ridley> wrote: > > a thought on this jeff. > > > > if you have your #1 goal as "God, Truth, or Self" then, the > ecstatic > > states come and go as a matter of course, they are not your > > objective. the absolute is continuously before you, and there will > > be less danger of being pooled in a static state that feels great > > [the underlying concern about addiction.] > > > > peace, > > > > steve c. > > > > > > > > , macdocaz1@a... wrote: > > > Ecstasy and Addiction in Buddhism > > > > > > I have had many people say that I might have become addicted to > > ecstasy. I > > > have been saying, no, all along because ecstasy requires > > dispassion and > > > equanimity for it to emerge and deepen, whereas addiction is > based > > upon grasping and > > > aversion. And, some have come out and stated that ecstatic > > contemplatives > > > (jhana yogis) are addicted to ecstasy. > > > > > > What I find most interesting about the accusation that I am > > addicted to the > > > ecstatic contemplative experience, is we live in a culture that > is > > addicted to > > > many substances, such as alcohol, nicotine and caffeine, not to > > mention all of > > > the prescription medications people are taking, as well as the > > illegal > > > narcotics millions of Americans buy every year. However I do not > > consume any of > > > these things. I do not even take aspirin because all of the > pains > > of sickness > > > and old age have been erased by the ecstatic sensations that > > pervade this body. > > > > > > Others have said the Buddha rejected ecstatic states. However > all > > one need > > > do is read the Pali canon to see that ecstasy (jhana) was one of > > the most > > > common topics the Buddha addressed. If you examine the glossary > > of the Digha > > > Nikaya alone you will find these references to jhana: > > > > > > jhanas - Absorptions, DN 42, 1.3.21f., n.79, n.50, n.57, n.76f., > > 2.75ff., > > > 4.33, n.168, 9.10ff., 16.6.8f., 17.2.3, n.583, n.611, 26.28, > > 29.24, 33.3.3(6), > > > n.1118, n.1127, n.1143 > > > > > > Therefore in conclusion I believe you will agree with me that the > > ecstatic > > > absorption states (jhanas/dhyanas) were of central importance to > > the historic > > > Buddha's teaching method. > > > > > > Well, in the Buddha's own words, yes, ecstatic states are not > only > > desirable, > > > but ecstatic contemplatives (jhana yogis) are addicted to > ecstasy, > > worse, > > > pleasure seeking. But, he said since it is a pleasure "not of > the > > senses" it is > > > a pleasure worthy of seeking for one who seeks Buddhahood, > > Arahantship, full > > > enlightenment, nibbana. > > > > > > Therefore the Buddha was addicted to ecstasy > > > > > > Digha Nikaya 29 > > > Pasadika Sutta > > > The Delightful Discourse > > > a translation from the Pali by > > > Maurice Walshe, Wisdom Publications, Boston 1987, 1995 > > > > > > 24.2 There are, Cunda, these four kinds of life devoted to > > pleasure which > > > are conducive to disenchantment, to dispassion, to cessation, to > > tranquillity, > > > to realization, to enlightenment, to Nibbana. What are they? > > First a monk > > > detached from sense-desires, detached from unwholesome mental > > states, enters > > > and remains in the first jhana, which is with thinking and > > pondering, born of > > > detachment, filled with delight and happiness. And, with the > > subsiding of > > > thinking and pondering, by gaining inner tranquillity and oneness > > of mind, he > > > enters and remains in the second jhana, which is without thinking > > and pondering, > > > born of concentration, filled with delight and happiness. Again, > > with the > > > fading of delight, remaining imperturbable, mindful and clearly > > aware, he > > > experiences in himself that joy of which the Noble Ones > > say; "Happy is he who dwells > > > with equanimity and mindfulness," he enters and remains in the > > third jhana. > > > Again, having given up pleasure and pain, and with the > > disappearance of former > > > gladness and sadness, he enters and remains in the fourth jhana, > > which is beyond > > > pleasure and pain, and purified by equanimity and mindfulness. > > > > > > These are the four kinds of life devoted to pleasure which are > > entirely > > > conducive to disenchantment, to cessation, to tranquillity, to > > realization, to > > > enlightenment, to Nibbana. So, if wanderers from other sects > > should say that the > > > followers of the Sakyan are addicted to these four forms of > > pleasure seeking, > > > they should be told: "Yes," for they would be speaking correctly > > about you, > > > they would not be slandering you with false or untrue statements. > > > > > > 25. Then such wanderers might ask: "Well then, those who are > given > > to these > > > four forms of pleasure-seeking - how many fruits, how many > > benefits can they > > > expect?" And, you should reply: "They can expect four fruits, > > four benefits. > > > What are they? The first is when a monk by destruction of three > > fetters has > > > become a Stream-Winner, no more subject to rebirth in lower > > worlds, firmly > > > established, destined for full enlightenment; the second is when > a > > monk by the > > > complete destruction of three fetters and the reduction of greed, > > hatred and > > > delusion, has become a Once-Returner, and having returned once > > more to this world, > > > will put an end to suffering; the third is when a monk, by the > > destruction of > > > the corruptions in this very life has, by his own knowledge and > > realization, > > > attained Arahantship, to the deliverance of heart and through > > wisdom. Such are > > > the four fruits and the four benefits that one given to these > four > > forms of > > > pleasure-seeking can expect." > > > > > > May I benefit all beings with every thought, word, action and > > resource. > > > > > > Blessings to you, > > > > > > Jeff Brooks > > > > > > > > > > > > Links > > > > > > / > > > > > > > > > > Terms of > Service. > > > > > > > > > > > > SiteBuilder - Free web site building tool. Try it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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