Dhamma Letter No. 126

Satipatthana 43: Vedanānupassanā (Observation of feeling) 느낌관찰 7

Bhikkhuni Kosalla Vippasini

Mar 21, 2023

This follows on from previous ‘observations of feeling’: Dhamma letter No. 110~No. 115.

The fruit of Buddha's enlightenment is the twelve links.

1. ignorance or delusion (Avijja)

2. kamma-formations (Sankhara)

3. consciousness (Vinnana)

4. mind and matter (Nama-rupa)

5. six sense bases (Salayatana)

6. contact or impression (Phassa)

7. feeling / sensation (Vedana)

8. craving (Tanha)

9. clinging (Upadana)

10. becoming (Bhava)

11. rebirth (Jati)

12. old age and death (Jara-marana)

Feeling / sensation is a very important factor that becomes a condition for birth at the point of putting an end to, and it is also important in training to avoid going from feeling to craving and attachment.

In sensory observation of the body, there are five senses.

When each of the five gates of the eye, ear, nose, tongue, skin (body) meets the five objects of matter, sound, smell, taste, touch, and in contact with each other, the desire to crave and the hatred to abhor arise in the eye consciousness, ear consciousness, nose consciousness, tongue consciousness, and body consciousness. The 6th consciousness door that recognizes the object touched by these 5 senses doors works together.

Through the senses of the body and the feeling, the Sañña (accumulated one's own ideas or beliefs) is revealed.

These emotional states make the body tense, uncomfortable, and cause suffering.

So, how can we switch to a state of calm bliss rather than suffering/dissatisfaction?

Eliminating such causes through continuous observation through Sati sampajañña is Vipassana meditation. You have to get rid of the rooted Sankhara (行蘊: volitional actions/formation) that has been accumulated through many births.

Get out of the polluted and habitual patterns, and also be calm without reacting to new sensations. In order to do so, continuous awareness, as well as wisdom, must be applied at the same time.

Be aware of the sensations coming from the six gates (六門).

It is good to be aware of all six senses, but it's good to focus on just one sense at first. Once you get used to one sense, you can try the others.

To be continued…

May you cultivate your Sati continuously (Samma-Viriya)!

May you achieve the Samma-Diṭṭhi (Right View) through Satipatthāna (vipassana meditation)!

May all practice well and reach to Magga (道, the path of enlightenment) and Phala (果, the fruit of enlightenment)!

with Metta,

Ayyā Kosallā
Edited by Euna Bonovich

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.

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The Korean Dhamma Letter is here 담마레터.

Bhikkuni Kosalla Vipassini resides in Mahabodhi Meditation Vihara in Arizona, USA.

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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 !