Paṭisota

1. Sense-restraint ( indriya-saṃvara ) is wise guidance, not repression The simile of well-trained horses guided by a skilled charioteer makes it clear that the Buddha does not promote shutting down the senses or fearing sense experience (MN 152) . Seeing, hearing, and thinking continue to function fully, but they are guided by right mindfulness and wisdom , rather than driven by craving or aversion. When the senses are unguarded, they habitually pull the mind (thoughts) outward toward stimulation and reaction. When trained, however, they become cooperative faculties , supporting calm, clarity, and progress on the path to liberation. 2. Inner cultivation speaks louder than visibility or proximity Although Arahant  Mahākaccāyana lived far away in Avanti and was not always physically present among the Saṅgha, his depth of practice made him immediately recognizable—even anticipated—by Sakka. The story reminds us that spiritual presence is not measured by how often one is seen, how ...

                         Dhammapda 94 (Sayings of the Dhamma) Arahanta (Fully liberated one) 94.  Yass’indriyāni samathaṅ gatāni, One whose sense faculties are well-established in calm, Assā yathā sārathinā sudantā like well-trained horses guided by a charioteer; Pahīnamānassa anāsavassa, who has abandoned conceit and is free from  taints (influxes/fermentations) , Devāpi tassa pihayanti tādino. Even the devas admire such a steadfast one. Full Translation: One whose sense faculties are calmed, like well-trained horses guided by a charioteer—who has abandoned conceit and is free from  taints —such a steadfast person is admired even by the devas. Story:  Mah ā Kacc āyana  Thera Vatthu

4.4 Dhammānupassanā : Contemplation of the Awakening Factors ( bojjhaṅga ) Puna caparaṃ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhammesu dhammānupassī viharati sattasu bojjhaṅgesu. Kathañca pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhammesu dhammānupassī viharati sattasu bojjhaṅgesu? Again, further, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells contemplating mental phenomena as mental phenomena about the seven awakening factors. And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu dwell contemplating mental phenomena as mental phenomena about the seven awakening factors? This section presents the bojjhaṅgas as a mature mode of dhammānupassanā , where practice is no longer focused merely on restraint or diagnosis of defilements, but on recognizing, cultivating, and fulfilling the qualities that directly conduce to awakening . The emphasis is reflexive and experiential: the practitioner knows whether each factor is present or absent, how it arises, and how it reaches fulfillment through deliberate cultivation ( bhāvanā ). 4.4.1 (Right) Mindfulness ( sati-...

                          1. Freedom Begins with Reducing influxes/outflowings  ( Āsava ) The Buddha teaches that our suffering is not primarily caused by people or situations, but by influxes/outflowings that repeatedly prompt us to act—craving pleasure, seeking  control, clinging to views, or acting out of ignorance. For lay people, the practice is to slow down and notice what is driving us before we think or speak.  Very often, the same patterns repeat: irritation when things do not go our way, restlessness when there is nothing to gain, or anxiety when control is threatened. Each time we pause and see these forces clearly, instead of obeying them automatically, an āsava weakens. Over time, this creates more space between impulse and action, allowing wisdom to guide daily life rather than habit. For a deeper understanding of āsava and how they are abandoned, refer to the Sabbāsava Sutta (MN 2)  2...