Day 68: Understanding Pahāna Saññā through the Girimānanda Sutta (AN 10.60) – Study Notes from BMV Monday Sutta Study with Bhante Dr. G. Chandima

 

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?

1. Thought of Extreme Sensual Pleasure (kāma vitakka)
2. Thought of Destroying (byāpāda vitakka)
3. Thought of Abusing (vihiṁsā vitakka)
4. 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—avoiding greed, craving, and clinging. When one indulges in sensual pleasures without mindfulness of these ethical boundaries, they invite pain and suffering. The key is balance: enjoy the pleasures of life but do not let them dominate or lead to suffering.

2. Thought of Destroying (byāpāda vitakka)

As followers of the Buddha, we are urged to never entertain destructive thoughts towards any being, including ourselves. Harboring thoughts of destruction—whether physical, emotional, or mental—is a sign of failure in one's Dhamma practice. While there may be countless reasons to feel anger or resentment, true understanding of Dhamma prevents us from nurturing thoughts of harm. Destruction here is not limited to killing but includes any form of harm, whether it’s mental, emotional, or reputational.

3. Thought of Abusing (vihiṁsā vitakka)

Abuse, in any form, is a grave issue in life. As practitioners of Dhamma, we should guard our thoughts against even the thought of abuse. This applies to all forms of abuse—physical, mental, emotional, and even financial. We should make sure that we do not harbor abusive thoughts, as even a thought of abuse can derail our practice and harm our progress on the path to liberation.

4. Thoughts of Any Other Unskillful Thoughts (uppannuppanne pāpake akusale dhamme)

While the first three unskillful thoughts are the most commonly recognized, unskillful thoughts can arise in countless other ways. As practitioners of the Buddha’s teachings, we should be vigilant and ensure that we do not allow any unwholesome thoughts to take root in our thoughts. This includes all forms of greed, hatred, delusion, and any other negative mental states that obstruct our spiritual progress.

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Five Ways to Deal with These Four Akusala Thoughts

To avoid and abandon these four harmful thoughts, the Buddha provides us with five methods, which are:

1. Do Not Tolerate (nādhivāseti) – Do not tolerate and allow these thoughts to settle in your mind.
2. Give Up Immediately (pajahati) – Let go of these negative thoughts as soon as they arise.
3. Remove It (vinodeti) – Actively remove these thoughts from your thoughts and replace them with wholesome ones.
4. End It (byantī karoti) – End the cycle of these thoughts before they can grow or escalate.
5. Cease It (anabhāvaṁ gameti) – Allow these harmful thoughts to cease entirely, letting them dissolve from your mind.

What Single Practice Helps us Put the Five Ways Into Action?

Effortless Effort (sammā vāyāma).

By practicing these five methods through effortless effort, we can effectively engage in Pahāna Saññā, the practice of "giving up," and work towards the elimination of negative mental states. This leads to a more peaceful and harmonious state of mind, aligned with the teachings of the Buddha.