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Kāmacchanda - craving, sensual (sensuous) desire
One of the five hindrances (nīvaraṇa)
Six things are conducive to the abandonment of sensual desire:
1. Learning how to meditate on impure objects;
2. Devoting oneself to the meditation on the impure;
3. Guarding the sense doors;
4. Moderation in eating;
5. Noble friendship;
6. Suitable conversation.
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NOTE: when downloading the Audiobook Chapter on Sensual Desire via the orange button, the downloaded file will automatically appear on your device (in the folder where your downloads usually appear).
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Audiobook: The Training of the Heart
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We've just released the audiobook version of Bodhi Leaf 107, The Training of the Heart. The talk that Ajahn Chah gave in 1977 to a group of Western Monks in Bangkok, here beautifully narrated by Karen Blochlinger, examines the realisation of dukkha (suffering) and the training of the heart (mind), to let go of clinging and grasping—which causes the real suffering.
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Ajahn Chah was born in northeast Thailand in 1918 and ordained at the age of nine. At 20 he took higher ordination as a monk and studied basic scriptural teachings and Pāli. Later he became an ascetic monk and devoted himself to practice in forests, caves and remote areas. He settled in a forest grove in 1954 and attracted a small group of monastic disciples. His reputation spread and eventually he became well known as a teacher for his simple, down to earth, witty and profound talks.
Excerpt:
This dukkha, this suffering, is the first of the four noble truths. Most people want to get away from it. They don’t want to have any kind of suffering at all. Actually, this suffering is what brings us wisdom; it makes us contemplate dukkha. Happiness (sukha) tends to make us close our eyes and ears. It never allows us to develop patience. Comfort and happiness make us careless. Of these two defilements, Dukkha is the easiest to see. Therefore we must bring up suffering in order to put an end to our suffering. We must first know what dukkha is before we can know how to practise meditation.
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During the coming months we will hold several auctions on eBay. We will be selling a number of books that were donated to us, but that are not necessarily part of our catalog.
The next two auctions start on Sunday, September 6, at midnight (0:00h); some might consider the products to be great collectors’ items.
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The Middle Way: 21 periodicals published between 1947 and 1951. They are in good shape (although the staples at the spine are somewhat rusty).
Stories inside these Middle Way volumes include The Buddha and His Modern Disciples, The Influence of Buddhism on Siam, The Further Shore, The Function of Ignorance, Refuge Through Words, The New Zen Buddhism, The Buddhist Movement in the West, Buddhism in Modern Life, and Put Forth Energy
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We will also auction a complete set of The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (English translation): six volumes in eight books, published 1990-1998.
The Great Chronicle of Buddhas is an impressive work by the Venerable Mingun Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vicittasarabhivamsa, based on the Pāli Text Buddhavamsa. The set contains a combination of instructions, explanations of terms, stories and biographies on the 25 previous Buddhas.
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The second lesson of Exploring the Path chapter 3.8, on sammāsati, is now online:
This selection from the Vibhaṅgasutta defines sammāsati as the Fourfold Establishing of Awareness, the cattāro satipaṭṭhānā. These cattāro satipaṭṭhānā refer to the ongoing process of the never ending task of the meditator of observing—anupassī—all manifestations one encounters throughout one’s life. They appear within the respective two physical and two mental manifestations: ‘observing body in body’, ‘observing sensations in sensations’, ‘observing mind in mind’ and ‘observing mental contents in mental contents’. They comprise the path of purification for beings and enable to overcome sorrow and lamentation, to extinguish suffering and grief, to walk the path of truth and to realise nibbāna.
According to the Buddha the true Dhamma will prevail for a long time, as long as the cattāro satipaṭṭhānā are maintained, developed, and cultivated.
But likewise the Buddha also declared that if the cattāro satipaṭṭhānā are not practised as they should be, the Dhamma will perish. Therefore the introduction to lesson 3.8.1 expresses the concern about current tendencies of misconception. What originated as mindfulness based on the Buddha’s teaching has undergone a precarious transformation into distorted practises, detached from the Eightfold Noble Path. What about 2600 years ago commenced as sammāsati to guide those having left the householders life towards nibbāna has completely lost the perspective of liberation and turned into an adaptive, better way of a mindfully appreciated life and a search for mental calm, stress-reduction, and relaxation.
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Articles published were of the hand of many Venerable Mahatheras, including Ledi Sayadaw.
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Some articles included updates on the Council’s activities in regard to the recitation (interesting reads for gratitude and historical reasons); the majority examine aspects of the Buddha’s teachings and their practical application in day-to-day life.
In the light of this newsletter’s theme, the hindrance sensual desire, craving, it is worthwhile having a look at Vol. VIII, No. 3, from 1961. It contains two interesting articles that touch on this topic: The Five Hindrances (by Nyānaponika Mahāthera) and The Buddhist Way of Life (a talk by Myanaung U Tin).
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Pariyatti organizes pilgrimages for Vipassana students of S.N. Goenka. The itinerary of Along the Path enables meditators to visit and meditate at the four great places related to the Buddha's life, as well as four other inspiring and important locations in India & Nepal; The Golden Path travels to the main sites associated with the chain of teachers in the tradition of Vipassana as taught by S.N. Goenka in Burma (Myanmar).
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Upcoming Dates - 朝圣之旅，启程在即
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Along the Path (North India & Nepal)
朝圣路上 – 印度、尼泊尔
November 1–22, 2020 (Cancelled due to COVID-19)
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January 30–February 20, 2021 (English/ Chinese)
2021年1月30日至2月20
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February 27–March 20, 2021
The Golden Path (Burma) * English/Chinese
金色之旅 – 缅甸朝圣
January 9–26, 2021
2021年01月09日 – 26日
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In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is still uncertain whether we will be able to proceed with our scheduled pilgrimages. If any pilgrimage is cancelled before it commences, please rest assured that we will refund 100% of the fees.
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Donations: Either one-time or monthly pledge
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Pariyatti is a charitable, non-profit, educational support system for the Dhamma community. Pariyatti exists because of funds donated by supporters.
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FACT: Did you know that Pariyatti's mandate is to preserve and make accessible authentic Theravāda teachings to inspire, support and deepen understanding of Dhamma for Vipassana students, scholars, and seekers?
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