03. The Four Noble Truths - Teaching 2
21.04.2024
True cessations
Buddha said, “You should attain cessations”, i.e. the permanent cessation of suffering. Temporary cessations are not enough. Suffering is normal. Whatever problems and difficulties and challenges we’re experiencing is normal. Understanding this should make us relax. It will make us want to be free from this cycle. It will help us develop an authentic renunciation - a wish to abandon contaminated existence. Contaminated aggregates.
We are modern day trainee Buddhas. We are following in the footsteps of Buddha to attain a permanent cessation of suffering for ourselves and everyone else.
We need to contemplate the preciousness of this human life.
In order to gain permanent cessation of our delusions we need a direct realisation of emptiness and then to meditate on this until we have eliminated their causes.
True Paths
To do this we need to follow true paths. This is an internal process. We cannot judge how others are progressing on this path. This is an inner path to happiness. Can be condensed into 3: higher moral discipline, higher concentration, and higher wisdom. They are called higher because they are motivated by renunciation or wisdom.
Higher moral discipline
This is a determination to abandon inappropriate actions. It makes us pure because it makes our actions pure. It gives you freedom because your mind is protected and it’s at peace. When we have delusion in our mind we don’t have control. We practice on moral discipline by contemplating its benefits. It’s more meritorious to practice pure m.d. in degenerate times than making offerings for aeons in fortunate times. We need faith and respect in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Moral discipline is not a judgement.
Different types of moral disciplines:
- Gathering virtuous Dharmas - any actions related to Dharma activity.
- Benefiting living beings. P548 of JPGF. Small actions have big effects. Dharma centres run on small actions. We should help others in ways they want to be helped, not necessarily by helping them in the way that we think they need to be helped.
- Restraint - holding yourself back from negative actions. Turn your mind around so it becomes peaceful.
Higher concentration
P14 in HTSOHP:
It’s important to develop concentration through meditation to gain deeper understanding of Dharma. We don’t need to be in isolation. It’s OK to be busy. But need time out to train in single-pointed concentration. Our main obstacle is distraction. Moral discipline prevents gross distractions, concentration prevents subtle distractions.
Higher wisdom
Reading from HTSOHP:
The practices of Buddha Shakyamumi
With respect to Buddha Shakyamuni there are 2 practices:
- Essence of Good Fortune - self-generation practice of Buddha Shakyamuni
- Prayers for Meditation
Need to contemplate them from our heart. Reading from the introduction of Prayers for Meditation.
Commentary to Prayers for Meditation:
Going for refuge, generating bodhichitta, generating the 4 immeasurables, visualising the Field for Accumulating Merit, prayer of the 7 limbs, offer the mandala, prayer of the Stages of the Path, receiving blessings and purifying.
Then we can dissolve Guru B Shakyamuni into our heart if we wish. We can engage in self-generation if we wish. Meditate on Lamrim.
Then dedicate.
Should try to incorporate it in our lives in some way.