The Buddha: Seclusion for Meditation (sutra)

Based on texts sourced by Theravadin ("How to Really Cleanse Your Mind"); translation by Seven, Ven. Karunananda, Ph.D., and Amber Dorrian, Wisdom Quarterly

Scene from the Dhammapada (114) as the Buddha teaches lay and monastic hearers (savakas)

 

“…Meditators, herein [in accordance with this teaching] the ordinary-uninstructed-worldling -- who has neither seen noble [enlightened] ones  nor great persons [those ennobled by their actions, i.e., brahmins], who is neither knowledgeable nor trained in the teaching of noble ones -- does not know which thoughts are wise to think and which unwise.
  

On a lotus pedestal (Peterpribylla/flickr.com)

“So one thinks what is best left unthought and does not think what would be beneficial to think.

  

“Meditators, what thoughts are best left unthought? Such thoughts as arouse sensual cravings not yet arisen and thoughts that develop arisen sensual cravings…

  

“Furthermore, one unwisely thinks these unprofitable thoughts:

• Was I in the past or not?
• What was I in the past?
• Will I be in the future or not?
• What will I be in the future?” (Sabbāsava Sutra)

“…O meditators, one who has heard the Dharma dwells in twofold seclusion -- with body secluded [withdrawn, guarded, able to succeed in meditation] and with mind secluded.

  

“When dwelling secluded one recollects the Dharma [one has studied] and follows it.
  
“At such times, O meditators, when secluded one remembers and thinks about (contemplates, considers) the Dharma again and again, mindfulness [non-evaluative awareness] as a Factor of Enlightenment has begun... mindfulness as a factor of enlightenment is being cultivated...” (SN, Mahavagga, Sīlasutta).
 
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Posted in: 31 planes of existence,Buddhist meditation,factors of enlightenment,mindfulness practice,power of thought,rebirth,seclusion,thinking,vipassana,withdrawal