The Buddha answers Rāhula’s request by teaching on the external sense objects in light of the three characteristics.At Sāvatthī. “What do you think, Rāhula? Are sights permanent or impermanent?” “Impermanent, sir.” … “… sounds … smells … tastes … touches … Are thoughts permanent or impermanent?” “Impermanent, sir.” … “Seeing this, a learned noble disciple grows disillusioned with sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, and thoughts. Being disillusioned, desire fades away. …”
Your Daily Digital Buddhist Devotion for 03/12/2020
The Buddha answers Rāhula’s request by teaching on the internal sense organs in light of the three characteristics.So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then Venerable Rāhula went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him, “Sir, may the Buddha please teach me Dhamma in brief. When I’ve heard it, I’ll live alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute.
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Your Daily Digital Buddhist Devotion for 03/11/2020
Father, Etc. At Sāvatthī. “Possessions, honor, and popularity are brutal, bitter, and harsh. They’re an obstacle to reaching the supreme sanctuary. When I’ve comprehended the mind of a certain person, I understand: ‘This venerable would not tell a deliberate lie even for the sake of their father. … (To be expanded as in SN 17.37.) brother … sister … son … daughter … wife.’ But some time later I see them tell a deliberate lie because their mind is overcome and overwhelmed by possessions, honor, and popularity.
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Your Daily Digital Buddhist Devotion for 03/10/2020
Mother At Sāvatthī. “Possessions, honor, and popularity are brutal, bitter, and harsh. They’re an obstacle to reaching the supreme sanctuary. When I’ve comprehended the mind of a certain person, I understand: ‘This venerable would not tell a deliberate lie even for the sake of their mother.’ But some time later I see them tell a deliberate lie because their mind is overcome and overwhelmed by possessions, honor, and popularity. So brutal are possessions, honor, and popularity—bitter and harsh, an obstacle to reaching the supreme sanctuary.
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Your Daily Digital Buddhist Devotion for 03/09/2020
Prince Ajātasattu supplied devadatta with 500 carts of offerings, leading to his downfall.Near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. Now at that time Prince Ajātasattu was going with five hundred carts in the morning and the evening to attend on Devadatta, presenting him with an offering of five hundred servings of food. Then several mendicants went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him, “Sir, Prince Ajātasattu is going with five hundred carts in the morning and the evening to attend on Devadatta, presenting him with an offering of five hundred servings of food.
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Your Daily Digital Buddhist Devotion for 03/08/2020
Material possessions, honor, and praise led to Devadatta’s downfall, like the fruit of a plantain.At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, on the Vulture’s Peak Mountain, not long after Devadatta had left. There the Buddha spoke to the mendicants about Devadatta: “Possessions, honor, and popularity came to Devadatta for his own ruin and downfall. It’s like a banana tree … or a bamboo … or a reed, all of which bear fruit to their own ruin and downfall … It’s like a mule, which becomes pregnant to its own ruin and downfall.
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Your Daily Digital Buddhist Devotion for 03/07/2020
Devadatta’s bright nature was cut off due to material possessions, honor, and praise.At Sāvatthī. “Possessions, honor, and popularity are brutal … Devadatta cut off his bright quality because his mind was overcome and overwhelmed by possessions, honor, and popularity. So brutal are possessions, honor, and popularity. …”
Your Daily Digital Buddhist Devotion for 03/06/2020
Devadatta’s wholesome nature was cut off due to material possessions, honor, and praise.At Sāvatthī. “Possessions, honor, and popularity are brutal … Devadatta cut off his skillful quality because his mind was overcome and overwhelmed by possessions, honor, and popularity. So brutal are possessions, honor, and popularity. …”
Your Daily Digital Buddhist Devotion for 03/05/2020
Devadatta’s wholesome root was cut off due to material possessions, honor, and praise.At Sāvatthī. “Possessions, honor, and popularity are brutal … Devadatta cut off his skillful root because his mind was overcome and overwhelmed by possessions, honor, and popularity. So brutal are possessions, honor, and popularity. …”
Your Daily Digital Buddhist Devotion for 03/04/2020
Devadatta provoked a schism due to material possessions, honor, and praise.At Sāvatthī. “Possessions, honor, and popularity are brutal … Devadatta caused a schism in the Saṅgha because his mind was overcome and overwhelmed by possessions, honor, and popularity. So brutal are possessions, honor, and popularity. …”