Reply To: Validity of current interpretation of Satipatthana Sutta

#51052
Lal
Keymaster

I will say three things to consider:

1. Keeping the mind focused on the breath (or a water bowl, ball of clay, etc., as in mundane versions of kasina meditation) can stop it from wandering into sensual, angry, or ignorant thoughts. The latter three things cause a mind to be agitated and stressful.

  • Therefore, I agree that forcefully keeping the mind on a “neutral object” will stop the mind’s agitation and have a calming effect (Samatha.) 
  • If one lives a moral, simple life (i.e., abstain from akusala kamma over a long time) while simultaneously engaging in such mundane techniques (breath, kasina), one can even attain “mundane jhanas.” 
  • That is what ancient yogis did. They went deep into jungles (to be away from women and other sensual attractions), lived simple lives, and cultivated anariya jhana using the breath or mundane kasina techniques. So, they will be reborn in a Brahma realm and live a peaceful life there. But at the end of that lifetime, they will return to kama loka and can be reborn in the apayas. So, it is a temporary solution. 

2. The above procedure cannot cultivate the wisdom (panna) necessary to attain any magga phala

  • I would love for anyone to explain how that could be possible. 

3. Focusing the mind on examining Dhamma concepts will address both of the above issues. This is called “insight meditation” or Vipassanā.

  • It will keep the mind away from sensual, angry, or ignorant thoughts and help to calm it (Samatha).
  • It will cultivate wisdom (panna) that will remove ingrained defilements (samyojana/anusaya) from the mind and lead to magga phala.
  • With the cultivation of panna, one’s mind automatically abstains from akusala kamma. Thus, one may automatically enter Ariya jhana with this practice. Even in the absence of entering any jhana, one is certain to attain magga phala.
  • However, the time taken will depend on each person. Do not expect quick results.

__________

The goal of a Buddhist is to attain magga phala and end the suffering in the rebirth process! 

  • Regarding #2, some say, “Do the breath meditation to calm the mind,” and then do Vipassanā.
  • Of course, that will work if they understand how to do Vipassanā. But my observation (observing those who attend meditation retreats like Goenka-type) is that they never do real Vipassanā. Most of such programs lead to only SamathaDoes anyone know of someone who has attained a magga phala by attending such “meditation retreats”?

P.S. It is quite likely that anyone who translates  “Ānāpānapabba” as “Section on Respiration” will not know how to do Vipassanā!

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