Reflecting on the Jhana Factors
If you drive back from a peaceful mountain region to the busy town you can reflect on all the milestones and passing sights either while you drive or when you are back home. Now of course watching the scenery while…
Author Archives: theravadin
Dancing on the Ocean of Nothingness
Imagine a person, hovering over the water surrounded by an endless ocean stretching in all directions. As you come closer, you realize that this person does not really hover over the water. In fact, it is falling towards the water….
Forever taking a stand
The most difficult part in insight meditation is to realize that your mind always takes a stand. Otherwise it could not exist. If you see, you took a stand on a sight, a see-sensing, a seeing, a see-feeling If you…
So close you cannot see it
Or: What does sankhara mean? There is quite a deal of confusion regarding this important Buddhist term some of the translations run as follows volitional formations mental formations fabrications, etc. etc. However, a translation for sankhara is quite easy š…
Can consciousness see itself?
For those interested in understanding how insight leads to enlightenment probably the best contemporary resource are venerable ĆÄį¹ananda’s texts. This venerable monk, currently residing in Sri Lanka, combines a deep understanding of the pali canon – not just in theory…
Tissabhuti’s disease
Here comes another very beautiful story from the ancient days of early Buddhism. Enjoy: At that time in the MahÄvihÄra lived a monk named TissabhÅ«ti who was currently studying the books of monastic discipline. One early morning while he was…
Zen like Vipassana :-)
Don’t you love this: āāIdha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaį¹ paį¹ipanno hoti ā āno cassa no ca me siyÄ, na bhavissati na me bhavissati, yadatthi yaį¹ bhÅ«taį¹ taį¹ pajahÄmÄ«āti upekkhaį¹ paį¹ilabhati. Here, o monks, a monk does train himself thus: – “Had…
Buddhist Christian?
Buddhist Channel had an article today about the topic of Buddhist Christians or Christian Buddhists having to practice in secrecy :-). Well, they do not fear angry Buddhists but somehow their own Christian fellow-believers. Why is that? Monotheistic wrath? š…
Even the 4 noble truths
…i would encourage you to read this post first. Otherwise you will have a hard time understanding what is said next: Now, interpreting “iti pajanati” directly as a way to meditate, even Buddha’s 4 noble truth become themself a theme…
Craving for Nibbana?
Or: How can i desire Nibbana if it is supposed to be the end of desires? Part of mainstream Buddhism and supported by a notion from late Mahayana school of thought is the proposition that you cannot achieve Nibbana if…