Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa)

by Ashin Janakabhivamsa | 66,666 words

English translation of "Abhidhamma in Daily Life" by Professor Ko Lay. Revised by Sayadaw U Silananda, International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University, Yangon, 1999...

Part 8 - Reciprocal Effect Of Bhávaná

Those who wish to meditate bhávaná kammatthana ought to do so in remote sylvan resorts, leading a solitary life. When you practice bhávaná you will achieve jhana, only you see most clearly the faults of sensual pleasures. To obtain Magga and Phala you must go further and develop loath and disgust on rupa and nama khanda (body and mind) throughout the whole cycles of deaths and rebirths.

If you meditate alone concentrating your mind on the four Brahmacariya practices, you will be reborn in the celestial abode of Brahmas, when you no longer yearn for company of a female Brahma. On becoming a Brahma, one lives alone in divine ecstasy, emanating living-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and enjoying supra mundane life in heavenly mansion. But for the person who has achieved Magga and Phala it is quite different. He no longer has any attachment not only to material things such as a heavenly mansion but also to his nama and rupa; he then attains cessation of all suffering, the Supreme Bliss of Nibbána. The state of Nibbána is the cessation of all mind and matter, all sufferings, all existences; only the dhatu (ultimate element) remains.

Therefore each type of wholesome deed (Dana, Síla, bhávaná, etc.) produces corresponding results in equal measure. All forms of kusala kamma bring beneficial results. Therefore, if you have the lofty aim attaining Nibbána, you must first get rid of all evil thoughts; then you must pave the noble way along samsara by doing wholesome deed as much as possible.

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: