Dhamma Letter No. 101

Satipatthana 25: Kayanupassana 몸관찰16: Reflection on Repulsiveness 1

DN22:

A bhikkhu should observe this very body, covered with skin from the soles of the feet below to the hairs above, and full of all kinds of filthiness.

“This body contains hair, body hair, nails, claws, teeth, skin, flesh, tendons, bones, bone marrow, kidneys, heart, liver, pleura, spleen, lungs, intestines, contents of the intestines, the stomach, the contents of the stomach; Feces, bile, sputum, pus, blood, sweat, solid fat, tears, liquid fat, saliva, runny nose, joint fluid, urine.

In this way, he dwells contemplating the body from the inside, observing the body from the outside, and observing the body from the inside and outside. He spends his time observing phenomena occurring in the body, observing phenomena that disappear from the body, and also observing phenomena that arise and disappear simultaneously in the body.

The awareness that “this is the body” is established in him.

In this way he develops his awareness to a level where there is only wisdom and right awareness. In this way, he lives detachedly without attachment to anything in the world of mind and matter.

This, bhikkhu, is the way a bhikkhu lives, observing the body from body to body.

Many modern meditators are reluctant or difficult to observe 32 body parts while observing the body. First of all, they have a hard time accepting the word disgust.  Ordinary people think that their body should be considered beautiful, nurtured and taken care of. Why should one observe one's own body as an unclean part?

Some people put time and effort into maintaining 'beautiful hair', but when the hair is drenched in food, they feel disgusted. As such, we have fantasies about our own bodies. If we observe the real thing, we can realize that it is a matter, and that matter is changing. When we desperately feel and understand the process of being born, old, sick, and dying, our attitude toward life can change.

If you are a person who has the desire to face the reality and to see and eradicate the source of suffering in body and mind, this practice will bring great results.

In particular, a person who has difficulty in carrying out the meditation because the greedy (Lobha) is too strong for himself/herself, practicing with this meditation topic will bring many benefits while letting go of attachment and observing himself objectively.

To be continued…

May you be free from any physical suffering !
May you be free from any mental suffering !
May you be develop pañña (wisdom) and understand Anattā (non-self)!

With Metta,

Ayyā Kosallā
Edited by Euna Bonovich 

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If you have any questions related to dhamma & meditation, please feel free to ask. You can reach Ayya Kosalla directly at Bhikkhuni.Kosalla@gmail.com . 

법에 대한 질문이 있으신 분은 위의 이메일 주소로 질문을 남겨주세요.

위빠사나명상의 마음관찰에 대한 논문을 한글 원본으로 읽고 싶으신 분은 클릭해서 다운로드 받을 수 있습니다. (네이버에 PDF 첨부)

The Korean Dhamma Letter is here 담마레터.

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Buddha Sāsanaṁ Ciraṁ Tiṭṭhatu! 
May the Buddha’s teachings last a long time!

​Bhavatu Sabba Sotiṁ ca Maṅgalaṁ ca!!  
May everyone be led on the path of peace and blessing!!

Sādhu Sādhu Sādhu !