Paṭisota | From Mindful Insight to Heartfelt Wisdom

Last Tuesday (February 25), Bhante Dr. Chandima led the fourth session of the Tuesday Sutta Discussion for the Buddhist Gem Fellowship, Malaysia, focusing on the theme of happiness derived from ethical work.  Bhante explained that how we earn money and wealth matters, as an ethical living brings the most meaningful and lasting happiness in our daily lives. The Buddha emphasizes that we should pass away free from blame regarding our wealth. The  Anaṇa Sutta clearly illustrates that this kind of happiness can only be attained when we engage in work using our body, speech, and mind in an ethical manner. Here, "ethical" refers to acting skillfully, avoiding unwholesome or harmful actions. While maintaining complete ethical integrity in work may be challenging, recognizing unwholesome aspects and patiently stepping away from them can deepen our sense of blameless happiness. Further insights from Bhante’s talk can be found in the notes here. With Metta Patisota Team

Dhammapda 53 (Sayings of the Dhamma) Puppha (Flowers) 53. Yathāpi puppha rāsimhā, Just as from a heap of flowers, kayirā mālāguṇe bahū; Many garlands can be made, Evaṁ jātena maccena, So, you, with your mortal life, kattabbaṁ kusalaṁ bahuṁ. Should do many skillful things/activities. Story: Visākh ā   Vatthu

On February 24, 2025, Bhante Dr. Chandima conducted his weekly Monday Sutta discussion for the Buddhist Maha Vihara in Malaysia on  Nirodha Saññā —the perception of Cessation.  The discussion on Nirodha Saññā , as explained by Bhante, offered a profound exploration of cessation in Buddhist thought, emphasizing its role in the path to Nibbāna. By addressing the core concept of Nirodha , Bhante clarified its dual meaning—both the cessation of craving and the more fundamental cessation described in dependent origination. The concise structure highlights the practical aspect of Buddhist practice, reinforcing that the elimination of craving is not an abstract idea but a goal achieved through the Noble Eightfold Path. This direct approach effectively presents Nirodha Saññā as an essential perception in understanding the nature of liberation and healing. The inclusion of the Buddha’s explanation from the  Girimānanda Sutta  AN 10.60 provides a clear and the definition of ...

  Please note that in this blogpost,"ethical living" and "right living" are used interchangeably. The Happiness of Blamelessness ( Anavajja Sukha ): A Guide to Ethical Living in a Complex World " A peaceful heart comes from a blameless life ." In today’s fast-paced, interconnected world, ethical living is more challenging—but also more essential—than ever. The Anavajja Sukha (happiness of blamelessness) is the deep contentment that arises from earning and living without harming oneself or others. “I’ve enjoyed wealth, supported my dependents, and overcome adversities. I have given an uplifting offering, and performed the five oblations. I have served the virtuous monks, the self-controlled celibate ones. “I have achieved whatever purpose a wise person, dwelling at home, might have in desiring wealth; what I have done brings me no regret.” Recollecting this, a mortal remains firm in the noble Dhamma. They praise him here in this life, and after death he re...

   Why Nirodha Saññā ? The term Nirodha refers to cessation, particularly the ending of all cravings. However, Nirodha can also denote a more subtle form of cessation, such as ending the cause in the doctrine of dependent origination ( SN 12.2 ). What to Cease? Craving must be ceased. How to Cease? The cessation of craving is achieved by following the Noble Eightfold Path. How Does the Buddha Introduce Nibbāna with  Nirodha Saññā ? The Buddha explains:  " This is peaceful, this is sublime: the stilling of all formations, the relinquishment of all acquisitions, the destruction of craving, lustlessness, Nibbāna ." This is known as the perception of nirodha . (AN 10.60) Peaceful ( santaṁ ) Sublime ( paṇītaṁ ) The Stilling of All Mental, Verbal and Physical Formations ( sabba saṅkhāra samatho ) The Relinquishment of All Acquisitions ( sabba upadhi paṭinissaggo ) The Destruction of Craving ( taṇhākkhayo ) Lustlessness ( virāgo ) Nibbāna Please refer to the perception of...

  Dhammapda 51-52 (Sayings of the Dhamma) Puppha (Flowers) 51. Yathāpi ruciraṁ pupphaṁ, Like a beautiful flower, Vaṇṇavantaṁ agandhakaṁ; Brightly coloured but lacking scent, Evaṁ subhāsitā vācā, So are well-spoken words aphalā hoti akubbato. Fruitless when not carried out. 52. Yathāpi ruciraṁ pupphaṁ, Like a beautiful flower, Vaṇṇavantaṁ sagandhakaṁ;  Brightly coloured and with scent, Evaṁ subhāsitā vācā, So are well-spoken words Saphalā hoti sakubbato Fruitful when carried out. Story: Chattapāṇi Upāsaka  Vatthu

On February 17, 2025, Bhante Dr. Chandima conducted his weekly Monday Sutta discussion for the Buddhist Maha Vihara in Malaysia on Virāga Saññā —the perception of freedom from lust. He explained that Virāga is more than just the cessation of craving; it is the very essence of Nibbāna, a state where the mind is free from greed, hatred, and delusion, leading to profound peace. 🌸 Bhante emphasized that rāga (often translated as passion) should not be confused with the positive energy we feel on the dhamma path. The literal meaning of rāga is "colouring," specifically from lust, and when our sensual pleasures turn into lust, rāga creates dissatisfaction ( dukkha ). However, by recognizing the level of our lust, we can manage it skillfully and bring ourselves closer to Virāga —lustlessness. This is the secular Buddhist view, but the deeper understanding is how Virāga attributes to the quality of Nibbāna. In the Girimānanda Sutta (AN 10.60), the Buddha introduces Nibbāna thro...

Why Virāga Saññā ? The term Virāga refers to the quality of being free from lust. It alludes to the nature of Nibbāna, indicating that Virāga Saññā represents a perception where the mind is no longer colored ( rāga ) or influenced by greed or craving. This complete absence of rāga (lust) marks the profound peace of Nibbāna, highlighting that the cessation of craving is not just a fleeting experience, but the essence of Nibbāna itself. Virāga  is the state where the greed   and  cravings that perpetuate dissatisfaction ( dukkha ) cease to exist. It is the extinguishing of  rāga  to sensory pleasures, material posessions, and emotional reactions. The Buddha described virāga as the cooling of the heart and mind, where the burning states of greed and aversion are no longer present. It also s ignifies liberation from the endless cycle of craving and clinging, which originates in  taṇhā  (craving). It is the freedom from the constant urge to satisfy...

  Last night, Bhante Dr. Chandima led the third session of the sutta discussion for Buddhist Gem Fellowship, Malaysia focusing on the theme of the happiness found in indebtedness. Bhante explained that this concept of indebtedness is explored from both pre-Buddhist and Buddha-era perspectives. He elaborated on how a Buddhist can live debt-free in today’s modern financial landscape, which is shaped by systems of credit and debit. For instance, in the current world, taking on credit—such as through loans, mortgages, or credit cards—is often necessary for managing finances. However, the challenge lies not in using credit, but in using it wisely. Bhante emphasized that while Buddhists should navigate modern financial realities, they should do so without giving in to greed or the addictive pursuit of material desires. Further insights from Bhante’s talk can be found in the notes here.  With Metta Patisota Team

  Last Monday, Bhante Dr. Chandima delved into the concept of 𝘗𝘢𝘩ā𝘯𝘢 𝘚𝘢ññā (the perception of Giving Up). Bhante explained that the purpose of 𝘗𝘢𝘩ā𝘯𝘢 𝘚𝘢ññā is to give up four unskillful thoughts through five practices under the framework of effortless effort, where effortless effort signifies right living. Bhante elaborated that the first unskillful thought is “extreme sense pleasure,” the second is the thought of destroying others and oneself, the third is the thought of abuse, and the fourth encompasses any other arising thoughts related to unskillful actions.   The five practices to address these four forms of akusala are: 1) Not tolerating when akusala arises, 2) Giving them up outright, 3) Removing them, 4) Ending the process of akusala, and 5) Ceasing the akusala. Bhante emphasized that none of these practices can be achieved without the right effort—or what he calls “effortless effort.” He further explained the four ways to apply effortless effort: 1. Effo...

  Dhammapda 50 (Sayings of the Dhamma) Puppha (Flowers) 50. Na paresaṁ vilomāni, Do not dwell on the faults of others, na paresaṁ katākataṁ; nor on what they have or haven't done. Attano va avekkheyya, Instead, reflect on your own actions, katāni akatāni ca. both those you have and haven't performed. Story: Pāveyya Ājīvaka Vatthu

  It’s when a gentleman/lady owes no debt, large or small, to anyone. kulaputto na kassaci kiñci dhāreti appaṁ vā bahuṁ vā (Anaṇa Sutta) AN 4.62 Anaṇa (Freedom from Debt) In a spiritual and financial context, Anaṇa signifies a state of being free from the burdens of debt. The term Iṇa means debt itself, which can be seen as a metaphor for the struggles or cravings we may face in life. Debt is often tied to feelings of obligation, stress, and even loss of control. In Buddhism, freedom from debt ( anaṇa ) can also symbolize liberation from such cravings or the "debts" we owe to greed, materialism, and ego. Just as one would aim to live without financial debt, Anaṇa in a spiritual sense also represents the freedom from mental and emotional burdens, such as greed, envy, and craving. Iṇa (Debt) Iṇa is the debt itself, something that creates obligations and chains. Financially, it’s the money owed, but in a broader sense, it can also refer to any form of spiritual, emotional, ...

  Why Pahāna Saññā ? In this teaching, the Buddha explains the complete management and removal of four unskillful ( akusala ) thoughts that arise in our thoughts daily. To address them, we should practice Pahāna Saññā , which involves "giving up" these harmful Akusala thoughts in five distinct ways . Essentially, we need to relinquish these four unwholesome thoughts through five methods. What Are the Four Bad Thoughts? Thought of Extreme Sensual Pleasure ( kāma vitakka ) Thought of Destroying ( byāpāda vitakka ) Thought of Abusing ( vihiṁsā vitakka ) Thoughts of Any Other Unskillful Thoughts ( uppannuppanne pāpake akusale dhamme ) 1. Thought of Extreme Sensual Pleasure ( kāma vitakka ) Many people mistakenly interpret this as the Buddha instructing us to completely abandon all sensual pleasures for lay people. However, the Buddha’s guidance is not about renouncing sensual pleasure entirely for lay people. Instead, it is about recognizing the limits of sensual enjoyment—avoid...

  Dhammapda 49 (Sayings of the Dhamma) Puppha (Flowers) 49. Yathā pi bhamaro pupphaṁ, As a bee gathers nectar from a flower vaṇṇagandha ṁ  aheṭhayaṁ; (And moves on) without harming its colour and fragrance  Paleti rasamādāya, taking its essence  evaṁ gāme munī care. Just so should a sage move through a village ( gathering what is needed without causing harm). Story: Macchariya Kosiya Seṭṭhi Vatthu

Why  Ādīnava Saññā? Through the concept of Ādīnava Saññā , the Buddha highlights 49 types of health issues, primarily physical ailments. These aren’t just random occurrences; they can arise from the natural process of aging, or from poor choices we make, such as unhealthy lifestyle habits, mental health issues, poor food choices, and lack of fitness. It’s important to understand that these issues often don’t arise due to bad karma, but simply because we carry a physical body.  The body, made up of the five aggregates (form, feeling, perception, mental formations/karma, and consciousness), is inherently subject to decay, aging, and illness. The Buddha teaches us the reality of the body, not to foster negativity, but to help us gain a deeper understanding of its true nature and inevitable vulnerabilities. By recognizing this, we can approach life with greater wisdom and acceptance, free from resistance or fear, and, most importantly, take steps to avoid illness as much as p...