Discourse 5 – Tilakkhana and Micca Ditthi

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    • #14260
      Lal
      Keymaster

      This discussion topic is on the fifth and final desana on “Tilakkhana and Micca Ditthi”:

      Three Marks of Existence – English Discourses

    • #14265
      Johnny_Lim
      Participant

      Hi Lal,

      A puthujjana who has not been exposed to the Tilakkhana would not see the worthlessness of worldly things, not even to mention the danger of them. But I believe most people would have in some point of their lives experienced a sense of emptiness and loneliness after or even while enjoying sense pleasures. And because they are not exposed to Buddha Dhamma, they continue to do more of those worldly things which they think can ‘fix’ their problems. But very often they would end up in greater disappointment. They do feel suffering or at least a sense of unsatisfactoriness that lies behind these sense pleasures. But they couldn’t quite make out the reason for such feelings. Instead of finding a more fundamental approach to rectify their issues, they just find another sense pleasure to fill in the void in their heart. Is it appropriate to observe this phenomenon using the doctrine of Udayavaya nana and viparinama dukkha, which are essentially the DNA of the Annica nature?

      We often forget that suffering is our best teacher. It is like the entrance ticket to Nibbana.

    • #14269
      Lal
      Keymaster

      Johnny said: 1. ” But I believe most people would have in some point of their lives experienced a sense of emptiness and loneliness after or even while enjoying sense pleasures.”
      2. “And because they are not exposed to Buddha Dhamma, they continue to do more of those worldly things which they think can ‘fix’ their problems.”

      Very true in both cases.

      They don’t know about any other way, other than to seek even higher doses of alcohol, drugs, etc.

      That is very unfortunate. This is why we should try to spread the message of the Buddha to anyone interested. That may make a big difference in some people’s lives. One good thing about the internet is that any person will have access to website like this one and could be exposed to the teachings of the Buddha.

      When one can experience the relief in following the Buddha’s path, one will never go back to alcohol or drugs. It will not be easy in the beginning, but if traction is made, that will change those lives forever.

      Johnny said: “We often forget that suffering is our best teacher. It is like the entrance ticket to Nibbana.”

      Suffering by itself cannot be the best teacher, unless one is aware that a solution exists. So, if one who is suffering is exposed to Buddha Dhamma, that could be a huge opportunity for that person. Most people who are suffering do not realize that there is a solution; they are just not aware of Buddha’s correct teachings.

      Of course, you are correct in the sense that, for one who is familiar with Buddha Dhamma, “a suffering event” can be an eye opener. That could be either major life event for oneself or even to another, that clearly illustrates the anicca nature and the dangers in the rebirth process.

      • #14290
        Johnny_Lim
        Participant

        Lal,

        “Suffering by itself cannot be the best teacher, unless one is aware that a solution exists. So, if one who is suffering is exposed to Buddha Dhamma, that could be a huge opportunity for that person. Most people who are suffering do not realize that there is a solution; they are just not aware of Buddha’s correct teachings.”

        Agreed!

    • #14995
      Anonymous
      Inactive

      Hello,

      In this discourse at minute marker 4:37, you say

      “therefore, the Noble version of samma ditthi is free of cravings and does not have any saññā vipallāsa and that is the first factor in the Noble Eightfold Path. Without the right vision or samma ditthi, one cannot start on the Noble Path. One has to see the unfruitful nature of worldly things and they cannot bring permanent happiness in the long run.”

      Does one have to be “free of cravings” to be on the Noble Path or just see the dangers of cravings?

      With metta,
      Donna

    • #14996
      Lal
      Keymaster

      @Donna: Yes. I should have said it a bit differently.

      What I meant was that the Noble version of samma ditthi LEADS one to be free of cravings. When one starts comprehending Tilakkhana, one starts losing ditthi vipallāsa, and it is removed at the Sotapanna stage. However, even then one still has sanna vipallasa and citta vipallasa, which will be removed at higher stages; see, “Ditthi, Saññā, and Sankhāra – How They Relate“.

      So, I should have said, “therefore, the Noble version of samma ditthi will lead one to be free of cravings, and one on the Noble Path does not have ditthi vipallāsa, and that is the first factor in the Noble Eightfold Path”.

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