October 8, 2024 at 7:00 am
#52334
Keymaster
“Sir actually I asked my above 2 questions about if seven factors of awakening lead to nibbana and about how to cultivate them before I could see your following post…”
- OK. That explains what happened.
- Your other comments below clarify that you are contemplating my long post. The main point is that Nibbana can be reached only by dispelling raga, dosa, and moha by cultivating wisdom (panna.)
- In my analogy of the glass of water, the mud can be removed by a physical process (by scooping it out or filtering using a filter). However, the defilements in a mind (samyojana/gati) can be removed only by wisdom (panna.)
To address the question you raised at the end: “So sir, is it wrong if I am trying to practice anything to develop any of the 4 factors of awakening without being sotapanna? I mean I am not sotapanna so I should not try to understand/study about those 7 factors now right?”
- There are two versions of the “eightfold path,” “seven factors of enlightenment,” “Satipatthana,” etc. There is a mundane version and a Noble version.
- The Buddha discussed that in the “Mahācattārīsaka Sutta (MN 117).” I have written a post “Mahā Cattārisaka Sutta (Discourse on the Great Forty)” to discuss it, but I think a simpler discussion is probably needed. Anyway, you can read both and ask questions.
- Most people practice the mundane versions. The Noble versions can be practiced only after understanding the world’s “anicca nature.”
- To become a Sotapanna and start on the noble path, one must practice the mundane versions and live a moral life. So, one should practice regardless. The practice automatically turns to the Noble version as one starts grasping the “anicca nature” and gradually removing sakkaya ditthi.
- Buddha’s actual teachings have been underground for a long time. Most translators of the Pali Tipitaka (including suttas) today understand only the mundane versions. We cannot blame ourselves or the translators because that is what we have been taught for generations. Waharaka Thero (who has now passed away) was born a Sotapanna (meaning he had attained the Sotapanna stage in a previous life) and was responsible for uncovering the true meanings of many concepts.