A Discourse on Paticcasamuppada

by Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw | 62,614 words

The Paticcasamuppada refers to “The Doctrine of Dependent Origination”. This is the English translation done by U Aye Maung Published by U Min Swe Buddhasasana Nuggaha Organization Rangoon, Burma....

Chapter 7 - Silabbatupadana

(clinging To False Practices)

Silabbatupadana is clinging to wrong practices that do not lead to cessation of suffering. It is the view which identifies the habits of cows, dogs and other animals with the way to the end of dukkha. It found expression among some ascetics in the time of the Buddha. Like animals, they lived naked, ate, defecated and went about on all fours, and slept on the ground. They believed that such a way of life served to purge them of all evil kamma and forestall new kammic action, thereby assuring them of an end to suffering and eternal bliss after death.

To a Buddhist, this kind of belief may sound incredible but some peoples preferences are very odd and they differ in their views and inclinations. So there came to the Buddha two ascetics, one Punna who lived like an ox and another Seniya who lived like a dog. They asked the Lord about the benefits of their practice. The Lord was reluctant to answer but when pressed for his view, he replied that an ascetic who committed himself wholly to the habits of an ox or a dog would be reborn as an ox or a dog after death; that it was wrong to believe that such practices led to the deva world; and that one who held a wrong belief was likely to land in hell or in the animal world. Then the Buddha went on to describe:

  1. the evil practices that bear evil fruits,
  2. the good practices that bear good fruits,
  3. the evil practices mixed with good practices and
  4. the practice of the Ariyan path that leads to the total extinction of good and bad kammas.

On hearing this sermon Punna became the disciple of the Buddha. Seniya joined the order and attained Arahatship through the practice of the Dhamma.

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