2.2.2. Overcome Evil and Unwholesome Stage of Mind

[Full title: The Fourfold Supreme Endeavour (cattāro-sammappadhāna)—(2): Overcome Evil and Unwholesome Stage of Mind (Uppannaakusala)]

Herein the disciple rouses his will to overcome the evil, unwholesome states that have already arisen and he makes effort, stirs up his energy, exerts his mind and strives.^[1]

Experienced unwholesome deeds (uppanna-akusala) means those evil unwholesome dhammas which have arisen before by means of incessant arising in the continuity of corporeality-mentality of oneself. Those unwholesome deeds which had arisen were already finished to arise and perish away in the past. It is no need to endeavour so as not to arise those unwholesome dhammas which had ceased. The practicing person must, therefore, endeavour so as not to arise only unwholesome dhammas which are similar to experienced unwholesome dhammas. Because unwholesome deeds which had experienced previously and unwholesome dhammas which will arise in future have the same character through incessant arising unwholesome kinds each other, those unwholesome dhammas which must be prevent so as not to arise again are also called uppanna-akusala through preaching methodology called sadisūpacāra (same character).^[2]

In order to abandon those unwholesome dhammas through bearing in mind in a way that “unwholesome dhammas which are similar to previous experienced ones by means of incessant arising nature should not be arisen in me”, the practicing person brings forth enthusiasm which has the efficiency to accomplish both samatha and vipassanā practices; he endeavours; he generates bodily energy and mentally energy; he rouses energy; he applies his mind and strives most ardently to fulfill both samatha and vipassanā practice through surrounding with strenuous effort which has four kinds of strong determination.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

AN IV, 4:13

[2]:

DN-Ṭ II, p. 346