30 October 2012

Real Mindfulness - 02

Real Mindfulness
Sacca Dhamma Teaching of
Thabarwa Sayadaw U Ottamasara

Delivered on 31st July 2012

Part - Two
In order to develop and attain real or genuine mindfulness, effort, concentration, thinking, analyzing and understanding, one needs to abandon placing central emphasis on those created mindfulness, effort and concentration.
One has high tolerance or patience does not necessarily mean that one is, by nature, totally free from dosa (anger).  It is merely an attained one, created one and not original.  Let me explain. 
When one is confronting with the circumstances which triggers his anger or frustration, in order to cover up that particular ugly state of mind, one will automatically create and utilize one's patience or endurance or tolerance power to overcome that particular situation.  That is called created endurance, created tolerance and created patience. Not original.
One attains devotion for Buddha, dhamma and sangha (Triple Gems) only when one takes refuge in the Triple Gems.  Similarly, when one meets or runs into elders, one would create respects for the elders in that very moment. 
By nature, worldings are not free from pride and ego.  However, worldings have ability and capability to create variety of mind (mental conditions) depending on the time, place, circumstances and switch to those created mind instantly (utilize the created mind) to fit into the particular circumstances.  That is called kamma cause....a created mind....created mental condition.
Likewise, the mindfulness, effort and concentration that one knows are also created mindfulness, effort and concentration.  They are being created to fit into various circumstances and encounters.  They are not real or genuine mindfulness, effort and concentration born out of one's ability in abandoning said created mindfulness, effort and concentration.
Mindfulness, which one knows or possess is also created mindfulness.  The mindfulness which one utilizes depending on place, time, situation and circumstances is also called created mindfulness. 
Abandoning paying central emphasis on created mindfulness, effort, concentration and striving oneself free from those created mindfulness, effort and concentration is true dhamma.
Likewise, one needs to strive one's very best to attain  .....

  • real or genuine mindfulness and effort which can abandon placing emphasis on created mindfulness and effort,
  • real or genuine concentration which can abandon placing emphasis on created concentration,
  • real mindfulness, effort and concentration that can abandon kamma causes, and
  • knowledge and wisdom that can abandon kamma causes.
Naturally worldings are capable of doing or carrying out kamma causes such as thinking this and that, contemplating on this and that, concentrating on this and that but lacks the ability in abandoning placing emphasis on those kamma causes or created actions.
Only when one strives very persistently in abandoning placing central emphasis on created mindfulness, effort and concentration on things, time, places, circumstances, one would realize the true Dhamma which is the one and only Magga Path (Ariya Path).....abandoning mental action, abandoning endeavours of mind, abandoning habitual utilization of mind and abandoning norms of mind.
It is so easy to use mind on usual and habitual tasks such as placing mindfulness on something, using effort to do something, placing concentration on something, somebody, time and place.
But, attaining real or genuine mindfulness, effort and concentration is difficult.  One needs the help of Buddha, dhamma and sangha if one wishes to abandon placing emphasis on created mindfulness, effort and concentration.
One needs to put in one's best effort and place central emphasis on mindfulness and concentration if one determines to abandon :
  • the mindfulness which one had already attained,
  • the mindfulness which one is automatically endowed with,
  • the mindfulness which one is striving hard to attain as well as
  • the mindfulness, effort and concentration which one is automatically endowed with. 

Placing central emphasis on created mindfulness is far easier than abandoning those created mindfulness, effort and mental action which one has already endowed with.
Worldings already have created concentration for carrying out their tasks or endeavours.  However, attaining real or genuine concentration is so much more difficult so one needs to put in one's best mindfulness, effort and concentration and contemplates persistently on it.
The teaching is over now.
May all the merits we have done until now be dedicated to all sentient being.
May all beings rejoice in our merits.
Sadhu.....Sadhu.....Sadhu.....

26 October 2012

Real Mindfulness - 01

Real Mindfulness
Sacca Dhamma Teaching of
Thabarwa Sayadaw U Ottamasara

Delivered on 31st July 2012

Part - One

Kamma causes (actions or intention of an act) are for doing only and using only.  Kaya-kamma (physical action) means all movements of the body or parts of the body, Vaci-kamma (oral or verbal action) means all verbal expressions and Mano-kamma (mental action) is the functioning of the mind.   

As long as one is using one's mind, it is called mental action.  As long as one is using one's body, it is called physical action.  
  • Using visual objects, voice and language are kamma cause. 
  • Using taste, feeling and thinking are kamma cause.
  • Using eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, mind, visual objects, sound, smell, taste and feeling are also kamma cause.
  • Technology is kamma result (effect). 
  • Using technology can be called kamma cause.
  • Using time, place and life are also kamma cause. 

Staying idle or not doing anything physically, mentally or verbally does not necessarily means eradicating the root-cause of those kamma actions. It is not the correct way.  It is not sufficient. 


Eradicating the root cause does not necessarily imply merely abandoning of one's kamma cause such as doing or not doing anything.  Though one needs to abandon physical action, verbal action and mental action, it is insufficient to just abandoning them in that way. 

One needs to center their utmost abilities to carry out :
  • Dana, which is the ability that can use all living and nonliving things as abandoning purpose,
  • Sila, abandoning power to all physical and oral actions,
  • Bhavana, abandoning power to all mental actions.

It does not necessarily matter whether :
  • the mind is carrying out the tasks of the mind or
  • the eyes are doing the jobs of the eyes or
  • the ears are doing the jobs of the ears or
  • the body is carrying out the tasks of the body.   

Doing the job or carrying out the tasks is not really important.   

It is more important to have ability to abandon placing central emphasis on those tasks.   

It is more important to place central emphasis on real dana, real sila and real bhavana. 
Placing central emphasis on mindfulness is also mental action .... be it on purpose or automatic, all are called kamma causes.   

Eradicating the root cause means striving to abandon mind from putting mindfulness on endeavours, on purpose or automatically.   

Effort always come together with mindfulness.   
Concentration is attained through effort and mindfulness. 

If one places effort and mindfulness over issues, such as health, rules and regulations, one will eventually attained concentration on these issues. 

Likewise, if one places effort and mindfulness over Buddha, dhamma and sangha, one will have interests in religion, dhamma and thus one will eventually attain concentration on these subjects. 

If one sets eyes on technologies or medicine and place mindfulness and effort over these subjects, one will attain concentration and eventually becomes specialist in these field. 

Be it doing something or idling or doing nothing but eating and sleeping .... these actions still amount to committing kamma cause.  Whatever the conduct is, be it big or small, there is always an involvement of mindfulness, effort and concentration in it. 

One needs to have knowledge, skill and expertise to carry out tasks, think and plan for his job, business and endeavours.   

Likewise, all the yogis (meditators) have faith and understanding in the method and technique of meditation that he or she is practicing; he or she will also be able to think and understand other's methods, techniques and teachings and he or she will, more or less, have mindfulness, effort and concentration on his or her method of meditation.....these are just kamma causes. 

Those kamma causes such as mindfulness, effort, concentration, thinking, analyzing, understanding, all are related to mental action, superficial and created truth. 
To be continued

19 October 2012

Guided Insight Meditation Talk dd 4th March 2012-02 (pm)


Guided Insight Meditation Talk
by Thabarwa Sayadaw U Ottamasara
At Chompaka Lodge, Kuala Lumpa, Malaysia
4th March 2012 (evening) 

Part - Two


Constant awareness of using-only, doing-only, experiencing-only, knowing-only will make all our action to be doing-only, will make all our knowing to be knowing-only, and whatever occurs to be experiencing only.  

My teaching is freed, no idea of someone or something.  Using mind and body, time and place, all are to use-only, without the idea of someone or something. The aim of practicing meditation or doing good deeds must be : not to use the idea of someone or something in all our actions. For the past ten years, I have been sharing the truth of using-only, experiencing-only, doing-only, and knowing-only.  

Previously, I could teach only in one way. The situation now is quite different. After putting ten years of continuous efforts (to share this quality), I now can successfully do it (share this quality) how it should be done. Only by practice, you can be able to solve the problem, to be doing what should be done.  
Doing good deeds or practicing meditation as you like, is not difficult. To be able to do what should be done is very difficult. Doing what you can do is very easy. Before you understand what I want you to understand, you will understand only what you can understand. Human intelligence does not have enough quality to understand the truth of : doing-only, experiencing-only, knowing-only.  That’s why the practice is essential.  

Understanding what you cannot understand is trying to improve the quality of your mind. Before you are able to practice how I want you to practice, you will practice only how you are able to. Do how you can do in practicing meditation, but your aim in practicing should be, to go beyond what you can do. What I want you to do is : to do beyond what you can do. You must solve this problem only by continuous practice.  

Doing physical, oral or mental actions with the idea of something or someone is easy, but doing all actions with the understanding of : using-only, experiencing-only, doing-only, and knowing-only is very difficult. Doing actions with attention to the action is easy, but doing the action with the understanding of : use-only, experience-only, do-only, and know-only goes beyond. Try to do what you cannot do by following this practice will improve the quality of your mind.  

I am training your mind to be more and more qualified. Concerning the body, I can do everything very easily.  But what is very difficult for the mind is not to forget the truth : to use- only, to experience-only, to do-only, and to know-only. The truth of to use-only, is the truth of the mind also. In fact we are using our mind without understanding the truth of our mind, this is why the idea of something or someone is involved in all our mental and physical actions. 

To know the situation of the mind is very easy, you can check your mind anytime and you can understand the present situation of your mind. But your mental action is controlled by the idea of someone or something. To know something is very easy for the mind, but to know the truth of : use-only, do-only is very difficult to understand for the mind.  

Using the created truth in the right way is the key for the natural awakening to the original truth and original wisdom.  

There is no created truth which is complete, no created wisdom which is complete.  

We are all using the created truth and created wisdom.  This is why nobody is really complete, no-thing is really complete. 

The original truth and original wisdom are really complete.  

We are using the created truth with attachment.  That is why we cannot know beyond the created truth.  

If there is strong attachment to yourself, most of your knowing will be concerning (relating to) yourself. Your ”knowing” cannot go beyond “yourself” because of attachment to yourself. If there is no attachment to yourself you can know beyond someone, beyond yourself.  

Attachment makes the quality of our understanding limited. Reminding the mind the truth of using-only, experiencing-only, doing-only, and knowing-only is the way to keep the mind free from attachment. 

The teaching is over now. 

May all the merits we have done until now be dedicated to all sentient being. 

May all beings rejoice in our merits. 

Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu

Source : 20120304  ET5 chempaka (mp3)
Recorded by Sibylle Bonu
@ Sayalay Daw Khema

15 October 2012

Guided Insight Meditation Talk dd 4th March 2012-01 (pm)


Guided Insight Meditation Talk
by Thabarwa Sayadaw U Ottamasara
At Chompaka Lodge, Kuala Lumpa, Malaysia
4th March 2012 (evening) 

Part - One

 

We are traditionally using our mind and body with the wrong idea of someone or something. If there is wrong understanding of “I”, our using of life will not be “using-only”. Wrong understanding of someone, something, time and place are always in our mind. That’s why all our mental actions are not doing-only. The way we use our mind is not using-only.  

My teaching concerns the truth : “to use-only, to experience-only, to do-only and to know-only”. This truth concerns all the truth, everything, everyone, every time and every place. Because there is wrong understanding of someone or something, all our physical, oral or mental actions are not doing-only.  

The truth of doing-only means only action without the wrong idea of someone or something, without grasping to the action of doing or not doing. To do-only is just doing, without wrong understanding of someone or something. All physical, oral and mental actions are, not to be attached to, nor to be rejected, as something. Without forgetting the truth of using-only or doing-only, we must try to remove the idea of something or someone from our mind.  


If the idea of something or someone is controlling our action, our action will not be doing-only. Which means, if we are doing with the wrong idea of “I”, there is grasping to the method we are using, grasping to the time and place and grasping to whatever occurs.  

Our traditional ability is using mind and body with grasping, grasping as our own mind and our own life. This grasping habit comes from the wrong idea of someone or something. If you do not pay attention to the truth of using-only and experiencing-only, you will practice meditation with attachment to the method, to the time, to the place and to the life we are using. Using the created truth in this way is wrong.  

All my teaching concerns to the truth : to use-only, to experience-only, to do-only and to know-only. Doing with the idea of someone or something is not doing-only. Experiencing whatever occurs with the wrong idea of good or bad is not experiencing-only. Using life, time and place with the wrong idea is not using-only. Knowing with “I” or knowing with the wrong idea of something, all our habitual knowing are not knowing.  

The idea of someone or something is involving in all our action, in all our experience, in all our knowing. It is quite sure that the idea of someone or something is controlling all our physical, oral and mental actions. To solve this traditional mistake, it is important not to forget the truth of : using-only, experiencing-only, doing-only, knowing-only.  

The truth is beyond our understanding.  You can not understand this truth by hearing.  Only by practice you can understand the opposite situation of using-only, opposite to using with the idea of someone or something; experiencing-only opposite to experiencing with the wrong idea of someone or something; doing-only opposite to doing with the wrong idea of someone or something; knowing-only opposite to knowing with the wrong idea of someone or something.  

What we can understand now is only doing with “I”, using with “I”, experiencing with “I”. Because there is the idea of something or someone in our mind, we cannot understand doing-only without the idea of “I”, without the idea of someone; knowing-only without the idea of someone or something.  

In fact the idea of “I” is coming along with our action, that’s why our understanding of “I do it”, “I know it” happens. If there is no “I” in the cause, there will be also no “I”, no “someone” in the effect. We know as we see, we see with the idea of “I”, that’s why the idea of “I know” happens.  

Wrong understanding of someone or something is always controlling all our actions, not only in practicing meditation but also in our daily life.  This is why you should not forget the truth of :  to do-only. This right understanding is necessary in anytime anywhere and any situation.  


To be continued

4 October 2012

Middle Way for Real Freedom

MIDDLE WAY FOR REAL FREEDOM

Summary of the Teaching of Thabarwa Sayadaw U Ottamasara,
Delivered on 16th September 2012

 

We are used to center or pay attention to the created truth only. All living beings, non living beings, time and place are just created truth. All the causes and effects that we currently know are also just created truth. Our current intelligence and knowledge are also just created truth. Our body and current mind is also just created truth. Because of attachment to the created truths, all our actions cannot go beyond the created truth. Our mind is always connecting one created truth after another. All our mental actions are concerned only with created truth. 

Our goal is to use the created truths in the right way. As long as we are using the created truths wrongly, enlightenment will not appear. By using the created truths in the right way, enlightenment will appear. In order to use the created truths in the right way, it is necessary to know and contemplate the truth of created truths.  

Created truths are neither to be rejected nor attached, thinking them as reality or real importance but to use-only, to experience-only and to know-only. 

The Truth of the created truths is :
1)       To be use-only, to experience-only, to do-only, and to know-only
            (The Truth of Not Rejecting)
2)       Not to be attached, focused and centered as reality and real
           importance. (The Truth of Not Attaching)

The Truth of Created Truths
(1)  The Truth of
Not-Attaching
(2)  The Truth of
Not-Rejecting
To Abandon the Centering,
To Abandon the Grasping,
To Abandon the Thinking
On the created truths as reality or real importance.
TO USE-ONLY
TO EXPERIENCE-ONLY
TO DO-ONLY
TO KNOW-ONLY

 Not rejecting means using-only, experiencing-only, doing-only and knowing-only.
 Not attaching means to abandon the mental centering on the created truths. 

“Use-only, experience-only” means using-only, experiencing-only without attachment or without any idea of something or someone. Use-only means using without mental centering on the created truth. In fact, we are using the created truth all the time but there is mental grasping and centering in all our actions. 

Constant mindfulness of “to use-only, to experience-only” intends to stop the habit of mental centering. Remind the truth of “to use-only” intends to make the mental centering and grasping habit weaker and weaker. Try to remember the truth of the created truths. All actions including practicing meditation are to be used-only and experienced-only but Not to be attached as original reality. Our actions must be free from the wrong idea of something or someone. All the effects, good or bad must be experienced-only but must not be centered as original reality. 

Centering or using with the idea of something, someone or individual is wrong. The truth of created truths is also to be used-only and just to be reminded-only. 

We are traditionally doing good deeds with our normal understanding. Our intelligence is not perfect that is why all our understandings are not perfect. All actions of doing good deeds must be controlled by the middle way of remembering the truth of the created truths. 

Try to abandon the mental centering on the created truth by remembering the truth of “using-only, experiencing-only, doing-only and knowing-only.” Try to be Using-only, Experiencing-only, Knowing-only by remembering the truth of “Abandoning the mental centering”. 

Using-only the way is right but mental grasping on it is wrong.  

Understanding the truth of “use-only; experience-only” intends to enable the abandoning the habit of mental centering and grasping on our intelligence or whatever we know. 

Our mind and intelligence are to be used-only and be experienced-only but not to be centered as real importance. By reminding the truth of the created truths, try to use the created truths in a right way. The traditional habit of mind is the centering and grasping as reality. Continuous remembering the truth of use-only, experience-only, do-only and know-only intend to abandon the mental centering related on action. 

Abandon the centering; Center the abandoning. 

Try to love and remember constantly the truth of created truths “To experience-only and Not to center as reality.” 

Try to abandon the mental centering on the created truths. 

Attempt to abandon the mental centering by remembering the truth of “use-only, experience-only”, is also to be done-only, used only but not to be grasped. Try also to detach on the attempt for abandoning the centering. That means to abandon the centering on enabling the abandonment or not.

The more abandoning the mental centering on any action, the more ability of “using-only and experiencing-only. Attachment arises because of the mental centering. 

The less the mental centering, the less attachment, then the power of using-only arises. The less attaching, the more power of abandoning, sacrificing, enduring, and courage to any loss. The more power of abandoning, sacrificing, enduring, and courage to any loss. the more detachment. In this way, all our actions will be free from wrong understanding and right understanding which knows the original truth will appear. 
 

Our mind, body and our life, all are to use-only and not to attached, centered and taken as reality or real importance. We are traditionally using our life with wrong understanding. 

Following the way is correcting the traditional mistake of mental centering on created truths. Only right understanding can control all our actions in the right way, then all our action and knowing will be doing-only and knowing-only without likes and dislikes. Whatever happens, good or bad, are to be experienced-only but not to be centered and grasped. 

Rejecting and attaching to the created truth is wrong. Reminding the truth of created truths will enable us not to reject nor attach to the created truths.

We are traditionally using the created truth without the right understanding. That mean we are using the created truth in the wrong way; that’s why there is no ending. In whatever we do, whatever we know and even in practicing meditation, there is mental grasping and centering to this method or that method. 

Helping people, keeping precepts and practicing meditation is necessary, but in all these actions of good deeds, not forgetting the truth of the created truths is most important. Constant awareness of the truth, “TO USE-ONLY but NOT TO CENTER” is necessary in order to make the attachment to the created truth less and less. 

Understanding or not is also not important. To be free from the attachment to the situation of understanding or not is important. If there is attachment in the understanding or not, we are not using the understanding and not-understanding in the right way.

Triple Abandoning
1)        Abandon the centering related on any action.
2)        Abandon the centering on abandoning and not-abandoning.
3)        Abandon the centering on understanding and not-understanding. 

------Teaching is over-------- 

by Soe Win Htut
3rd October 2012