Dhamma Letter No. 71
Discover more from The Dhamma Letter
We continue from the last dhamma letter.
How to overcome thoughts(defilements) during meditation and lifetime?
I hope that you will once again familiarize yourself with the content of defilements discussed earlier in Dhamma Letters no. 64, no. 65, no. 66.
Usually, some try to turn away from it as a mind who hates the thought itself. However, it becomes the root that causes defilement, and the root deepens.
In order to completely remove the root, it must be removed with wisdom and by observing. That is the greatness of vipassana(insight) meditation.
You can see the progress of your practice only by changing your perception of your own thoughts. It should be kept in mind that just because we ignore the problem to be solved in the end, it will not be solved by covering it up for a while.
You must first observe the thoughts that occur in your daily life, to restore and purify the mind so that no unwholesome thoughts arise.
If you want to stop thoughts that arise during sitting meditation, do not hide or forcefully suppress deeply ingrained wholesome or unwholesome thoughts.
You must face it and investigate. And understand the causes behind them head on, so that those thoughts can disappear as soon as you see them.
You must have the courage to face the agony head-on and repeat it over and over again. It should be borne in mind that the deeper the root, the more time it will take.
Therefore, Buddhist practice values precepts (Sīla: morality) above all else, which is why it is the beginning of the practice. This is because samādhi (concentration / tranquility), paññā (wisdom) can only arise when a good heart is prepared. This is why giving (dāna) is the beginning of the practice of pāramī (perfection). See Dhamma letter no. 10.
To be continued...
May you reap the fruits of your practice through the right efforts!
May you be peaceful and happy!
May all practice well for 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.
위빠사나명상의 마음관찰에 대한 논문을 한글 원본으로 읽고 싶으신 분은 클릭해서 다운로드 받을 수 있습니다. (네이버에 PDF 첨부)
The Korean Dhamma Letter is here 담마레터.
Bhikkuni Kosalla Vipassini resides in Mahabodhi Meditation Vihara in Arizona, USA. Donations are gratefully accepted, whether you provide needed requisites for the monastic, or offer funds. If you are inspired to donate, you may do so.
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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 !