In the context of liberating wisdom the Buddha frequently employs a term called “yathabhuta” when
describing the practice of insight meditation.
Usually this term is translated as “as it really is”. So, a passage like this:
Sāvatthinidānaṃ. ‘‘Rūpaṃ, bhikkhave, anattā. Yadanattā taṃ ‘netaṃ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti evametaṃ yathābhūtaṃ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṃ. Vedanā anattā… saññā anattā… saṅkhārā anattā… viññāṇaṃ anattā. Yadanattā taṃ ‘netaṃ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti evametaṃ yathābhūtaṃ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṃ. Evaṃ passaṃ…pe… nāparaṃ itthattāyāti pajānātī’’ti. Chaṭṭhaṃ.
…is usually translated as:
I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anathapindika in Jeta’s grove in Savatthi. From there the Blessed One addressed
the monks: Monks, matter [sic] lacks self, that which lacks self is not mine it is not I or my self. This should be seen as it really is, with right wisdom. – Feelings – perceptions – Intentions – Consciousness is not self. – Monks, the noble disciple seeing it thus turns from matter, turns from feelings, turns from perceptions, turns from intentions, and turns from consciousness. Turning, [he] is calmed and released. Knowledge arises: I am released; birth is destroyed, the holy life is lived to the end, and I know there is nothing more to wish.’ SN 21. 1. 2. 6.
The above paragraph, of which the Khandha and Salayatana chapter of the SN are filled with (in various variations, interspersed by similes and explanations) are vipassana meditation instructions. But, do we realize that when reading English (or other translations) of those passages? Can you discover a clear meditation instruction in the English paragraph above?
The paragraph starts out with an instruction (see the sentence in italics above) and continues to apply the same kind of instruction to either of the 5 groups of grasping or, in case of the Salayatana chapter of the Samyutta Nikaya, to the six sense impressions. In both instances the description makes it clear that whatever experience arises to the meditator it has to be dealt with in the way the instruction outlines.
Finally in the last part of the above paragraph, the result is mentioned. It is a short form of the elaborate 16 stages of insight knowledge culminating in the realization of nibbana.
Let us have a closer look at this instruction part and -at the same time- give an alternative (more literal) translation:
Yadanattā taṃ ‘netaṃ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti evametaṃ yathābhūtaṃ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṃ
Whatever is void of self of that (think): “This is not mine. This am i not. This is not my self.” So is this as soon as it/as far as it has become (come into existance) (yathābhūtaṃ) to be seen (daṭṭhabbaṃ ) with right/correct wisdom.
A couple of observations. daṭṭhabbaṃ or ‘to be seen’ does literally mean what it says: looking. There is only one way to see these things, and that is in a meditative session/environment. The verb does not say “think” or “conceptualize” or “reflect” or “analyse” and you will attain to Nibbana. No, it clearly says that you have to see these phenomena in a certain fashion, with right wisdom.
Now, even “right wisdom” would be an empty phrase if we do not know how we should see them in our meditation. Well, we don’t have to look far, everything is right in front of us, explained in this little paragraph. However, and that is the special point of this posting, the simple non-literal translation of “yathabhuta” with “as it really is” does not help in the context of meditation. It is not completely wrong either, but if we go word for word and consider some other facts, the meaning behind yathabhuta is even more powerful. The problem here is, that the listener at Buddha’s time was very well aware of the literal meaning of those terms. He was able to grasp from this and the context the “instruction” part. He may have even applied the instruction at the same time of hearing the discourse spoken. No wonder then, that many suttas tell us about attainments of Nibbana while listening to such words. But, back to our text:
Literally then, yathā means:
Yathā (adv.) [fr. ya˚; Vedic yathā; cp. kathā, tathā] as, like, in relation to, after (the manner of).
More important though, take a look at other examples where the word is used:
- yathā kāmam (as far as his liking goes) according to his liking
- yathā kālam (as far as the time) in time, timely
- yath’ āgato tathā — gato as he came, thus he went
Bhūtaṃ is simply the past perfect of being, meaning “become”. Have a look at the PED’s definition:
Bhūta [pp. of bhavati, Vedic etc. bhūta] grown, become; born, produced; nature as the result of becoming.
So, what does this term stand for? “as born“, “as far as become“?! He should see things as far as they were born? “What the heck does that mean?” – We can almost hear that question raised by the translators of pali texts…How can you see something as born?
Well, it took quite some time and effort to dig out the ancient meditation techniques of Theravada, and it just happened recently, some 50 years ago and it is mainly the Burmese Sangha who deserves our compliments for this re-establishment of vipassana practice in Theravada.
Of course, in the course of vipassana, to see phenomena like feeling, form, perception, mental preparations and consciousness as “This is not mine” [tag it!] AS (SOON/FAR) as they arise or as soon as they are born makes complete and utter sense. We are reminded of the Bahiya sutta, where the Buddha says, “by the seen, just the seen”, or this (and many other similar) beautiful verses:
Uddhaṃ, tiriyaṃ apācinaṃ,
yāvatā jagato gati
samavekkhitā va dhammānaṃ
khandhānaṃ udayabbayaṃ.
Audio: http://pariyatti.com/downloads/dwob/itivuttaka_4_111.mp3Above, across or back again,
wherever the wakeful went
let him carefully observe
the rise and fall of compounded things.Itivuttaka 4.111
http://tipitaka.org/romn/cscd/s0504m.mul3.xml#para111
But such an observation and thus translation and choice of words is hard for someone who was never experienced a vipassana meditation or similar instruction. So now, we live with Western translations and go for vipassana retreats and some ask: “Why did not the Buddha give this kind of instruction in the Suttas?”
The right answer is: Well, he did! In fact, overwhelmingly many texts talk in this direct way, but it might need another generation of pali translators to uncover them. We find many instances with variations of this basic technique of using labels to stop short the mind at bare awareness and thus by slowing the movie allowing a very deep look into the mind.
In fact, we might even learn more and derive more details for current vipassana meditation instructions if we take a look at the Pali texts from this very literal and meditation-related point of view.
khandy
Excellent post!
I wish to comment to this phrase at the end, though: “… this basic technique of using labels to stop short the mind at bare awareness…”
In my experience, the technique of using labels is to stop the self-centric tendency to proliferate, to complicate, using concepts and stories: “my leg hurts,” “i see a beautiful woman,” “he is verbally abusing me,” etc. When sati (in saṅkhāra) is not yet well-established, saññā is ready to add pollutions to the knowing of viññāṇa. We therefore restrain saññā within the confines of objective labels only: “pain,” “raising,” “falling,” “seeing,” “hearing,” etc.
On the notion of bare awareness as you put it, i feel that Vipassanā practice develops much more than this. The Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta specifies 3 factors: ātāpī, sati, sampajañña. Certain teachers take pain to always mention sati-sampajañña as a pair. If sati implies “noting,” sampajañña implies “understanding.” Vipassanā would be incomplete without this factor of understanding.
Finally, you are right on: suttas are meditation manuals, not texts for academic studies. In this light, i come across wonderful instructions that are repeated over and over in the Nikāya.
khandy
Oh, one more thing…
Elsewhere, you mentioned that the meaning of sati includes “memory.” This is true, when one considers the mental labels with which the Vipassanā practitioner trains saññā. Sati also means remembering the practice instructions — by extension, this implies memorizing the suttas. Saññā encompasses memory and capacities based on memory: recognition, perception, recall, reasoning…
Cheers!
theravadin
Very good. Yes, you are absolutely right. i was actually thinking whether to include that into my post, but i guess it wont be the last one. Sati being memory we find passages where the Buddha uses it in a broader sense to include the memory of the teachings.
With regard to the labels however, there is one tricky issue which i think would ask for another post: The “dry vipassana” school, where most people take on vipassana without any prior samatha training make people use a vast amount of very superficial labels at first…like “hurting”, “moving” etc etc.
Of course, these concepts will help the mind to slow down the proliferation a bit, but they are very blunt and will have to be reduced/refined when concentration and insight pick up speed.
For anyone interested i highly highly recommend Ven. Nyananandas article “Seeing-Through”:
http://nibbanam.com/nibbana_guide_en.htm (you need to read the whole article though)
which is based on the meditation training he provides in Sri Lanka. You will see in that article how the noting labels “concepts” can be refined in accordance with the progress and i will definitely do another post on the various labels the suttas provide us with.
Thanks khandy for your comments.
khandy
I suppose we are on the same page.
My observation “when sati is not yet well-established…” suggests that the non-subjective labels tend to be used during the initial phase. And, yes, these may become too mechanical to enable further progress.
Looking forward to reading more of your posts!
theravadin
A great (thorough) compilation of passages related to yathabhuta can be found in “Encyclopaedia of Buddhism, W.G. Weeraratne (ed.), Sri Lanka: Department of Buddhist Affairs” by Ven. Bhikkhu Analayo:
http://www.buddhismuskunde.uni-hamburg.de/fileadmin/pdf/analayo/Yathabhuta.pdf
To his credit he emphasizes the meaning “as it has come to be” for “yathabhuta” as essential for understanding how knowledge “of what is or is not” was perceived to be of utmost importance in the early Buddhist Sangha. Thanks, Bhante!
BT Tay
Yes but the literal analysis here(in this wesite) is nice . This is just my opinion , though .
In the phrase : Yadanattā taṃ ‘netaṃ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti evametaṃ yathābhūtaṃ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṃ
there is very deep / profound stuff which is usually neglected . Please look at Ani Sutta(Drum Peg) for example.
Perhaps yathābhūtaṃ here may also mean as far as this view / realization is born / produced (the Yadanattā taṃ ‘netaṃ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti) .
Anatta is a realization that needs to become born / produced .
And all that is to be seen ((daṭṭhabbaṃ) with sammapannaya .
taṃ may serve as a sort of emphasis .
Anatta is not the usual kind of stuff and one really needs the prerequisite panna and this is lokuttara panna.
Sabbe dhamma anatta .
“Anatta Lip service” is easy but that is not sammappaññāya.
Please correct / refute me if I am wrong .
BT Tay
09:01:38 6-1-2016
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BT Tay
11 Aug 2022 10:54:48 UTC
Some sanskrit dictionary gives :
Yathābhūtam (यथाभूतम्).—ind. according to what has taken place, according to truth, truly, exactly.
Yathābhūtam (यथाभूतम्):—[=yathā-bhūtam] [from yathā > ya-tama] ind. in accordance with fact, acc° to what has happened, acc° to the truth .
Personally therefore for myself the “yathā-bhūtaṃ” in the Anattalakkhana Sutta should include all the meanings , not just ” as it has occurred”, because this particular ” as it has occurred ” involves “anatta” which led to Arahantship of the 5 bhikkhus ( tena kho pana samayena cha loke arahanto honti , which is in the Vinaya Mahavagga version but absent from the Samyutta Nikaya version of the Anattalakkhana Sutta).”Anatta” is a unique realization-vision of reality exactly as it truly and really is .It is in accordance with the facts as it has occurred in the Sutta itself – how Anatta was introduced and taught to the 5 bhikkhus as per the Anattalakkhana Sutta .
BT Tay
11 Aug 2022 11:10:03 UTC
BT Tay
11 Aug 2022 11:27:31 UTC
Response to : Pingback: Seeing Things as the Way They Are
If I were to say this to a Buddhist meditator – this statement will have different meanings according to the meditators background .
yathā-bhūtaṃ the Anattalakkhana Sutta context – deals with anatta and the place and context that the term yathā-bhūtaṃ occurs has special significance .
I am now more inclined towards the meaning : according to reality-truth as it really is .
BT Tay
11 Aug 2022 11:38:07 UTC
BT Tay
11 Aug 2022 12:13:09 UTC
Rhys Davids Pali -English Dictionary has :
yathābhūta(ŋ) in reality, in truth, really, definitely, absolutely; as ought to be,
truthfully, in its real essence.
But in your article above you have used yathā and bhūta from PED but did not also quote yathābhūta(ŋ) from the PED ?
yathā-bhūtaṃ in the PED and Sanskrit Dictionaries seem to agree very well .
BT Tay
11 Aug 2022 12:19:49 UTC