Peace and Happiness through Dhamma
as a good student I take notes - 3/12/06
What is Dhamma?
What is Dhamma?
Dhamma is the knowledge that enhances the quality of life. Quality of life is measured by how happy or peaceful one is. This is to be differentiated from quality of living. One who lives is in luxury house has higher quality of living compared to one who lives in a broken house. However, the rich person may not have higher quality of life compared to the poor person.
There are 2 aspects of Dhamma, the theoretical aspects and the application. One can be happy and peaceful the day one starts to apply.
How to apply?
Use The Noble Eightfold Path. The factors of the Path are inter-related and to be practised simultaneously. Those factors are mutually inclusive and mutually supportive. The Path is, of course, described in terms of three aggregates consisting of morality (sila), concentration (samàdhi) and wisdom (pannà).
The Noble Eightfold Path
1. Right Understanding (sammà diññhi)
2. Right Thought (sammà sankappa)
Practise of 1&2 leads to Wisdom (panna)
3. Right Speech (sammà vàcà)
4. Right Action (sammà kammanta)
5. Right Livelihood (sammà àjiva)
Practise of 3,4&5 leads to Morality (sila)
6. Right Effort (sammà vàyàma)
7. Right Mindfulness (sammà sati)
8. Right Concentration (sammà samàdhi)
Practise of 6,7 &8 leads to Concentration (samadhi)
Samadhi is to calm the mind. A calm mind can focus. The practice of Vipassana (insight) meditation has to go together with the practice of samadhi. Insight is the ability to see the cause and effect of relationship.
Practice of Dhamma also includes practice of Metta. The more one practices Metta the more selfless one becomes.
It is not true that it is difficult to practice. Think "One Step at a Time" and pushing the boundary of the practice. For eg, if one can meditate for 5 minutes comfortably, then one can push the limit to 8 or 10 minutes. The boundary is different from one to another.
There are 2 aspects of Dhamma, the theoretical aspects and the application. One can be happy and peaceful the day one starts to apply.
How to apply?
Use The Noble Eightfold Path. The factors of the Path are inter-related and to be practised simultaneously. Those factors are mutually inclusive and mutually supportive. The Path is, of course, described in terms of three aggregates consisting of morality (sila), concentration (samàdhi) and wisdom (pannà).
The Noble Eightfold Path
1. Right Understanding (sammà diññhi)
2. Right Thought (sammà sankappa)
Practise of 1&2 leads to Wisdom (panna)
3. Right Speech (sammà vàcà)
4. Right Action (sammà kammanta)
5. Right Livelihood (sammà àjiva)
Practise of 3,4&5 leads to Morality (sila)
6. Right Effort (sammà vàyàma)
7. Right Mindfulness (sammà sati)
8. Right Concentration (sammà samàdhi)
Practise of 6,7 &8 leads to Concentration (samadhi)
Samadhi is to calm the mind. A calm mind can focus. The practice of Vipassana (insight) meditation has to go together with the practice of samadhi. Insight is the ability to see the cause and effect of relationship.
Practice of Dhamma also includes practice of Metta. The more one practices Metta the more selfless one becomes.
It is not true that it is difficult to practice. Think "One Step at a Time" and pushing the boundary of the practice. For eg, if one can meditate for 5 minutes comfortably, then one can push the limit to 8 or 10 minutes. The boundary is different from one to another.
2 comments:
Interestingly enough, I am reading a book entitled "Good Question Good Answer" by Ven S. Dhammika. Got the book from BUBS (Bandar Utama Buddhist Society) during Wesak Day. :)
i have the same book :-)
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