Sunil Vijayapala Australia

Here are some excerpts of sutras ignored by our Poojakavaroos (Sri Lankan Bhikkus, very few ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”realƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ Bhikkus who follow the path of Buddha remain) for reasons known only to them.

In the following sermon Buddha declares he was once the Omnipotent God, as the consequence of his Past merit. This implies the present reigning Creator(God of Christians, Jews, Muslims etc.) will eventually become a Buddha in the distant future.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Itivuttaka: The Group of Ones 22 – Khuddaka Nikaye

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, so I have heard: “Monks, don’t be afraid of acts of merit. This is another way of saying what is blissful, desirable, pleasing, endearing, charming ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚ i.e., acts of merit. I am cognizant that, having long performed meritorious deeds, I long experienced desirable, pleasing, endearing, charming results. Having developed a mind of good will for seven years, then for seven aeons of contraction & expansion I didn’t return to this world. Whenever the aeon was contracting, I went to the realm of Streaming Radiance. Whenever the aeon was expanding, I reappeared in an empty Brahma-abode. There I was the Great Brahman, the Unconquered Conqueror, All-seeing, & Wielder of Power. Then for thirty-six times I was Sakka, ruler of the gods. For many hundreds of times I was a king, a wheel-turning emperor, a righteous king of Dhamma, conqueror of the four corners of the earth, maintaining stable control over the countryside, endowed with the seven treasures[1] ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚ to say nothing of the times I was a local king. The thought occurred to me: ‘Of what action of mine is this the fruit, of what action the result, that I now have such great power & might?’ Then the thought occurred to me: ‘This is the fruit of my three [types of] action, the result of three types of action, that I now have such great power & might: i.e., giving, self-control, & restraint.'”

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The below sutra explains the importance of Samatha Bhavanaa, mentioned in many sutras, often critisized by our monks as a Hindu Yogi practice. Samma Samadi the final stage of the 8 Fold Noble Path is the practice of Samatha Bhavanaa.

Vijja-bhagiya Sutta ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Anguttara Nikaye

A Share in Clear Knowing

“These two qualities have a share in clear knowing. Which two? Tranquillity (samatha) & insight (vipassana). “When tranquillity is developed, what purpose does it serve? The mind is developed. And when the mind is developed, what purpose does it serve? Passion is abandoned.

“When insight is developed, what purpose does it serve? Discernment is developed. And when discernment is developed, what purpose does it serve? Ignorance is abandoned.

“Defiled by passion, the mind is not released. Defiled by ignorance, discernment does not develop. Thus from the fading of passion is there awareness-release. From the fading of ignorance is there discernment-release.”

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Here is a suttra which purely signifies the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”ConsciousnessƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ element. In fact this is discernment RELEASE, the crushing of ignorance. Once the Consciousness has no hold(probably in this Suttra its Bhavanga Citta) no new Bhava hence no potential birth. During the life time of a Noble person too this could be true as the Consciousness just lacks a hold to engage in formations of merit and de-merit which would condition new Consciousnesses.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Upaya Suttra ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Samyutta Nikaya

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ “If a monk abandons passion for the property of consciousness, then owing to the abandonment of passion, the support is cut off, and there is no landing of consciousness. Consciousness, thus not having landed, not increasing, not concocting, is released. Owing to its release, it is steady. Owing to its steadiness, it is contented. Owing to its contentment, it is not agitated. Not agitated, he (the monk) is totally unbound right within. He discerns that ‘Birth is ended, the holy life fulfilled, the task done. There is nothing further for this world.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In the following Suttras Buddha explains effort alone doesnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t elevate Consciousness levels (Samadhi), time takes a role. A simile is that however much a farmer fertilizers a plot, its at the right time flowers and eventually fruits appear. Nimitta appears automatically followed by Samadhi. But to reach these stages persistence, perseverance and right effort should be put into.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Mahavedalla Sutta ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Majjhima nikaye

Accayika Sutta

ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”But when the time has come, his mind is released from fermentations through lack of clinging/sustenance.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ A corrupt monk being reprimanded by Buddha.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Vitakkasanthana Sutta ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚ The Relaxation of Thoughts

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ “‘Worthless man, haven’t I taught the Dhamma in many ways for the fading of passion, the sobering of intoxication, the subdoing of thirst, the destruction of attachment, the severing of the round, the ending of craving, dispassion, cessation, unbinding? Haven’t I in many ways advocated abandoning sensual pleasures, comprehending sensual perceptions, subduing sensual thirst, destroying sensual thoughts, calming sensual fevers? Worthless man, it would be better that your penis be stuck into the mouth of a poisonous snake than into a woman’s vagina. It would be better that your penis be stuck into the mouth of a black viper than into a woman’s vagina. It would be better that your penis be stuck into a pit of burning embers, blazing and glowing, than into a woman’s vagina. Why is that? For that reason you would undergo death or death-like suffering, but you would not on that account, at the break-up of the body, after death, fall into deprivation, the bad destination, the abyss, hell. But for this reason you would, at the break-up of the body, after death, fall into deprivation, the bad destination, the abyss, hell…

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ One of the most interesting Suttras where Buddha confronts both God the Creator(Baka) and Mara(Satan) at the same time.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Brahma-nimantanika Suttra ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” a long suttra.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Buddha challenged by Baka and Mara, conquers them explaining the impermanence of all conditioned things however long they exist in the universe.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ “When this was said, I told Baka Brahma, ‘How immersed in ignorance is Baka Brahma! How immersed in ignorance is Baka Brahma! ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚ in that what is actually inconstant he calls “constant.” What is actually impermanent he calls “permanent.”

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ “Then Mara, the Evil One, taking possession of an attendant of the Brahma assembly, said to me, ‘Monk! Monk! Don’t attack him! Don’t attack him! For this Brahma, monk, is the Great Brahma, the Conqueror, the Unconquered, the All-Seeing, All-Powerful, the Sovereign Lord, the Maker, Creator, Chief, Appointer and Ruler, Father of All That Have Been and Shall Be. There were, monk, before your time, brahmans & contemplatives in the world

“When this was said, Baka Brahma told me, ‘But, good sir, what is actually constant I call “constant.” What is actually permanent I call “permanent.” What is actually eternal I call “eternal.”

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ There are, brahma, bodies other than yours that you don’t know, don’t see, but that I know, I see. There is, brahma, the body named Abhassara (Radiant/Luminous) from which you fell away & reappeared here.[4] From your having lived here so long, your memory of that has become muddled. That is why you don’t know it, don’t see it, but I know it, I see it. Thus I am not your mere equal in terms of direct knowing, so how could I be inferior? I am actually superior to you.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ “‘There is, brahma, the body named Subhakinha (Beautiful Black/Refulgent Glory) … the body named Vehapphala (Sky-fruit/Great Fruit), {the body named Abhibhu (Conqueror)}[5] which you don’t know, don’t see, but that I know, I see. Thus I am not your mere equal in terms of direct knowing, so how could I be your inferior? I am actually superior to you.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ “‘Well then, good sir, I will disappear from you.’

“‘Well then, brahma, disappear from me if you can.’

“Then Baka Brahma, [thinking,] ‘I will disappear from Gotama the contemplative. I will disappear from Gotama the contemplative,’ was not able to disappear from me. When this was said, I said to Baka Brahma, ‘Well then, brahma, I will disappear from you.’

“‘Well then, good sir, disappear from me if you can.’

“So then, monks, I fabricated a fabrication of psychic power to the extent that Brahma, the Brahma assembly, and the attendants of the Brahma assembly heard my voice but did not see me. Having disappeared, I recited this verse:

‘Having seen

danger

right in becoming,

and becoming

searching for non-becoming,[10]

I didn’t affirm

any kind of becoming,

or cling to any delight.’

“Then in Brahma, the Brahma assembly, and the attendants of the Brahma assembly there arose a sense of amazement & awe: ‘How amazing! How awesome! ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚ The great power, the great might of Gotama the contemplative! Never before have we seen or heard of any other contemplative or brahman of such great power, such great might as that of this Gotama the contemplative, who went forth from a Sakyan clan! Living in a generation that so delights in becoming, so rejoices in becoming, is so fond of becoming, he has pulled out becoming by the root!’

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ And finally my 2 cents worth of commentƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ What needs to be done to reach the Noble plane? JhanaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s are certainly not enough to reach Lokkuttara or Supra mundane plane but act as a base or a foundation as perfect concentration is mandatory to realize the 4 Noble truths. Ancient times Brahmans or Hindu Yogis achieved highest Jhanas, but never reached the Lokuttara or Supra Mundane plane. Why do we need to tranquil the body, the first stage in Jhana concentration? The tranquility of the body attained at the 4th base at Anapanasatti (here its breath body) is a condition for happiness which in turn acts as a condition for perfect concentration or Samadhi. At this purified state of mind the contemplative power of the mind is far superior to the ordinary mind. You come out of this state and by stages attempt to lose interest on feelings born out of the 5 strands of pleasure, eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and also lose interest on ideas. (Of course this losing of interest must be practiced every moment irrespective one is meditating or not) This means basically losing interest on forms(especially the opposite sex as this is the highest sexuality among humans, especially men), sounds, flavours, odours, tangible objects and ideas. This really means losing interest on SEEING, HEARING, FEELINGS and THINKING. When one loses interest on above there is no HOLDING on to anything in this world. When there is no holding (or technical term Clinging) there will be no BECOMING. When becoming(bhava) ceases there will be no more BIRTH(jhati). Simply this is what Buddhists aim for.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Read an article here on the decline of Buddhism in Sri Lanka few days ago. While it may be declining in Sri Lanka thanks to our Pojakavaroos, itƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s gaining ground in countries like Britain, Australia, USA, where a right effort is maintained to practice Buddhism, without much engagement in Poojas, but as Buddha rightly showed, through Meditation to purify the mind. If Sri Lankan Bhikkus too engage and guide followers in meditation, things would be quite different from the situation now prevailing in our country. If teachers are corrupt what would you expect the students to be? Buddha lived by example and did not commit any act contravening to Vinaya even in secrecy. Well if Emblipitiya Bhikkus grow their own Marijuana what do you expect Embilipitiya people would follow? If Bhikkus keep women in our citadel Anuradhapura and build houses for them and keep families, you need not go any further. If Bhikkus serve liquor to laymen, what example do they show? If sick monks in hospitals have sex with nursesƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦ well the list never ends! Corrupt Bhikkus existed even during BuddhaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s time and latter times and they were chased away but that is a thing of the past as the powerful Chief monks in Sri Lanka are the biggest crooks, patronized by corrupt politicians and the rich.

The Order is in decline, with corrupt practices but Buddhism remains as pure as it was 2600 years ago. Buddhism will last only around 5000 years and it has already reached its peak and will decline as Buddha predicted, proving every Conditioned thing other than Nibbana is impermanent. No legislation can stop this. We almost lost Buddhism during the time of western invaders and through the hypocritical Kandyan Concention. If not for Ven. Sumangala, Olcott, and other Bhikkus who sacrificed theirs lives in the name of Buddhism, by now majority of us would be Christians and Catholics as much as India lost it through marauding mogul Muslim invaders. The revival came at the right time and will come in the future.

Those who are fortunate and understand Buddhism will escape future birth or at least enter the Stream. Of course the seeds of Satan(Mara) in the form of Saints are apparent in this world, convincing people to accept immorality as Morality, helping the unfortunate and attract them to their abodes to end up eventually in abyss of hell. True Buddhists need not worry and if we do worry we give in to Mara. Buddha never gave in to Mara who followed him for 7 years, even one year after his enlightenment. As some writers do, itƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s unwise to call Buddhism a PHILOSOPHY, which lacks criteria observed in a philosophy like syllogism and rationality. Based on empirical observations and direct knowledge, it lacks the properties of a Religion which is dogmatic. ItƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s unique and could only be defined as the Noble Truth or Universal Truth.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sunil Vijayapala

Australia