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Knowing and Seeing: Theravada Vipassana
As most of us know, the three pieces of training of morality, concentration, and
wisdom, are the three stages of Buddhist practice. Through the practice of
the three pieces of training, an ordinary person can attain supreme Nibbàna,6 and
become a Noble One.
The compiled by the Venerable Buddhaghosa is an
exposition of the three pieces of training. It is based on the Pali texts and commentaries and explains the seven stages of purification, and sixteen
vipassanà bits of knowledge. But how to attain them has been a difficult question for all Buddhists over many generations. For this, we are fortunate to
have the Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw of Pa-Auk Forest Monastery. His teaching is the same as, indeed it is in much more detail than,
what is described in the Vis. Based on the very same sources, the Pali texts, commentaries and itself, the Sayadaw teaches yogis, step by step, how to attain those stages of purification,
and vipassanà knowledge.
The goal of the teaching at Pa-Auk Forest Monastery is, in accordance
with the ancient texts, to realize Nibbàna in this very life. To achieve that
end, yogis must comprehend all mentality-materiality, also known as the
five aggregates, as impermanence, suffering, and non-self. As for the objects of vipassanà meditation, they are not only the internal and external
five aggregates but also the five aggregates of past, future, and present,
gross and subtle, superior and inferior, far and near. Only after comprehending all of them penetratively as impermanence, suffering, and non-self, can yogis attain the Noble Paths and Fruitions, and thereby gradually
eradicate or reduce various defilements. After having seen Nibbana for
the first time, yogis can see clearly that they have attained the First Path
and Fruition; what defilements they have abandoned; and what defilements they still need to abandon.7 Then they continue to practice vipassanà to attain the higher Paths and Fruitions up to Arahantship, whereby
they are no longer subject to rebirth and will attain final Nibbàna after
death.
It is very fortunate that I still have the opportunity, in this age wherein
Buddhism is degenerating, to practice the original system of Buddhist
meditation. It makes me feel as if I were back in the Buddha's time. For
this, I am very grateful to the Sayadaw, who spent many years practicing
in the forest and studying the Pali texts and commentaries to rediscover
this teaching. It is out of compassion that he sacrifices much of his time
to teach meditation for the benefit of humankind. His teaching is markedly clear and detailed throughout the seven stages of purification. This is rare teaching and hard to come by, not only in Taiwan but in the whole
world.
From April to June, the Sayadaw conducted a two-month meditation retreat for the first time in Taiwan, at Yi-Tung Temple. Among many Taiwanese, his teaching will definitely arouse interest in the original meditation. It is also a great help to fill in some gaps in Mahàyàna meditation.
Hopefully the reader will, after reading the profound talks, and answers to
questions, given in Taiwan by the Sayadaw, be able to have a deeper understanding of the Buddha's teachings.
May the true Dhamma endure long. May the publication of this book
help provide a refuge for those who wish to know what the rounds of
birth&death are, and who wish to attain liberation. May this book guide
more people onto the right path to liberation, so that they can realize for
themselves: `All formations are impermanent, all dhammas are non-self,
and Nibbà
wisdom, are the three stages of Buddhist practice. Through the practice of
the three pieces of training, an ordinary person can attain supreme Nibbàna,6 and
become a Noble One.
The compiled by the Venerable Buddhaghosa is an
exposition of the three pieces of training. It is based on the Pali texts and commentaries and explains the seven stages of purification, and sixteen
vipassanà bits of knowledge. But how to attain them has been a difficult question for all Buddhists over many generations. For this, we are fortunate to
have the Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw of Pa-Auk Forest Monastery. His teaching is the same as, indeed it is in much more detail than,
what is described in the Vis. Based on the very same sources, the Pali texts, commentaries and itself, the Sayadaw teaches yogis, step by step, how to attain those stages of purification,
and vipassanà knowledge.
The goal of the teaching at Pa-Auk Forest Monastery is, in accordance
with the ancient texts, to realize Nibbàna in this very life. To achieve that
end, yogis must comprehend all mentality-materiality, also known as the
five aggregates, as impermanence, suffering, and non-self. As for the objects of vipassanà meditation, they are not only the internal and external
five aggregates but also the five aggregates of past, future, and present,
gross and subtle, superior and inferior, far and near. Only after comprehending all of them penetratively as impermanence, suffering, and non-self, can yogis attain the Noble Paths and Fruitions, and thereby gradually
eradicate or reduce various defilements. After having seen Nibbana for
the first time, yogis can see clearly that they have attained the First Path
and Fruition; what defilements they have abandoned; and what defilements they still need to abandon.7 Then they continue to practice vipassanà to attain the higher Paths and Fruitions up to Arahantship, whereby
they are no longer subject to rebirth and will attain final Nibbàna after
death.
It is very fortunate that I still have the opportunity, in this age wherein
Buddhism is degenerating, to practice the original system of Buddhist
meditation. It makes me feel as if I were back in the Buddha's time. For
this, I am very grateful to the Sayadaw, who spent many years practicing
in the forest and studying the Pali texts and commentaries to rediscover
this teaching. It is out of compassion that he sacrifices much of his time
to teach meditation for the benefit of humankind. His teaching is markedly clear and detailed throughout the seven stages of purification. This is rare teaching and hard to come by, not only in Taiwan but in the whole
world.
From April to June, the Sayadaw conducted a two-month meditation retreat for the first time in Taiwan, at Yi-Tung Temple. Among many Taiwanese, his teaching will definitely arouse interest in the original meditation. It is also a great help to fill in some gaps in Mahàyàna meditation.
Hopefully the reader will, after reading the profound talks, and answers to
questions, given in Taiwan by the Sayadaw, be able to have a deeper understanding of the Buddha's teachings.
May the true Dhamma endure long. May the publication of this book
help provide a refuge for those who wish to know what the rounds of
birth&death are, and who wish to attain liberation. May this book guide
more people onto the right path to liberation, so that they can realize for
themselves: `All formations are impermanent, all dhammas are non-self,
and Nibbà
1204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2000
21 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw
13 books4 followersThe Most Venerable Bhaddanta Āciṇṇa Mahāthēra, more commonly referred to as the Pa-Auk Sayadaw, is a Theravāda monk, meditation teacher and the abbot of the Pa-Auk Forest Monastery in Mawlamyine.
Sayadaw was ordained as a novice in 1944 and fully ordined in 1954. He became a forest monk, and developed a set of meditation methods often called the "Pa-Auk Method".
Sayadaw was ordained as a novice in 1944 and fully ordined in 1954. He became a forest monk, and developed a set of meditation methods often called the "Pa-Auk Method".
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October 20, 2023
I have always admired and respected Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw. This book is an absolute treasure. It offers a glimpse of the meditation training being taught at Pa Auk Monastery, from cultivating samatha to vipassana. Everything is based on what the Buddha taught - discerning materiality and mentality as well as their causes, seeing them as impermanent, dukkha and non-self. I really enjoyed reading this book.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews