Paṭisota

1. Compassionate Service Does Not Always Mean Immediate Presence Jīvaka’s anxiety arose not from negligence, but from care and responsibility. In modern life—whether in healthcare, teaching, caregiving, or leadership—we often feel guilty when we cannot be everywhere at once. This story reminds us that right intention and sincere effort matter more than physical immediacy. Ethical service is not measured by perfection. At the same time, the story suggests that the situation might have been better if Jīvaka had planned his timing more carefully. From this, we can also learn the importance of knowing when and how to help others. Sometimes we genuinely wish to help, but because we fail to organize our time and responsibilities wisely, we are unable to act effectively. As a result, others may suffer greatly, and in some cases, even lose their lives. 2. Skillful Care Must Be Guided by Wisdom, Not Fear Jīvaka treated the Buddha as he would any other patient, guided by medical knowledge rather...

                Dhammapda 90 (Sayings of the Dhamma) Arahanta (Fully liberated one) 90.   Gataddhino visokassa, For one who has completed the journey, is free of sorrow, Vippamuttassa sabbadhi; has been completely liberated in every way, Sabba gantha pahīnassa, who has abandoned all ties, Parilāho na vijjati. No burning affliction can be found. Full Translation: For one who has completed the journey, is free of sorrow, has been completely liberated in every way, and has abandoned all ties, no burning affliction can be found. Story:  Jīvaka Pañha     Vatthu Notes for Context: Gataddhino — “One Who Has completed the journey.” In Buddhist teachings, this designation applies to the  arahant . Human beings are said to travel two broad kinds of journeys: The wilderness road ( kantāra ) The road of repeated existence ( saṃsāra ) Sabba gantha pahīnassa — “One Who Has Abandoned All ties” The phrase sabbaganthappahīnassa...

                5. Right View as the Forerunner of Right Action ( Sammā-Kammanta ) Tatra bhikkhave, sammādiṭṭhi pubbaṅgamā hoti.  Kathañca bhikkhave, sammādiṭṭhi pubbaṅgamā hoti: micchākammantaṃ micchākammantoti pajānāti, sammākammantaṃ sammākammantoti pajānāti. Sāssa hoti sammādiṭṭhi. There, monks, right view comes first. And how, monks, does right view come first? One understands wrong action as wrong action, and right action as right action. This, monks, is right view. → As with action, the Buddha places right view ( sammā-diṭṭhi )  at the forefront of ethical conduct. Moral behaviour does not begin with rules but with clear seeing —knowing which bodily actions lead to harm and which lead to wellbeing. 5.1 Katamo ca bhikkhave, micchākammanto:  pāṇātipāto, adinnādānaṃ, kāmesu micchācāro. Ayaṃ bhikkhave, micchākammanto. And what, monks, is wrong action? Killing living beings, taking what is not given, and misconduct in se...

Cittānupassanā  — Contemplation of the Thought (cont.) 3.10 Mahaggataṃ vā cittaṃ ‘mahaggataṃ cittan’ti pajānāti.  He/she understands an expanded thought as “an expanded thought.” A mahaggata   thought  is uplifted, vast, and spacious—often associated with meditative absorptions, encompassing both material-sphere consciousness ( rūpāvacara ) and immaterial-sphere consciousness ( arūpāvacara ). 3.11 Amahaggataṃ vā cittaṃ ‘amahaggataṃ cittan’ti pajānāti. He/she understands an unexpanded thought as “an unexpanded thought.” An amahaggata   thought  is limited, small, and confined—characteristic of sensual-sphere thoughts ( kāmāvacara ). It lacks the uplift of deep concentration or the expansiveness of boundless qualities. Here, the practitioner simply recognizes a  thought  that remains ordinary, unrefined, or preoccupied with mundane concerns. 3.12 Sauttaraṃ vā cittaṃ ‘sauttaraṃ cittan’ti pajānāti. He/she understands a thought that has a hi...

1. Notes on the 10 Akusala and 10 Kusala  (unwholesome and wholesome) Ten Akusala Kamma (Unwholesome Activities) From the Sāleyyaka Sutta (MN 41) (A) Three Bodily Misdeeds ( kāya-kamma ) Killing living beings ( pāṇātipāta ) Stealing / Taking what is not given ( adinnādāna ) Sexual misconduct ( kāmesu micchācāra ) (B) Four Verbal Misdeeds ( vacī-kamma ) False speech ( musāvāda ) Divisive speech ( pisuṇā vācā ) Harsh speech ( pharusā vācā ) Gossiping/Idle chatting ( samphappalāpa ) (C) Three Mental Misdeeds ( mano-kamma ) Covetousness ( abhijjhā ) Ill-will ( byāpāda ) Wrong view ( micchā-diṭṭhi ) These ten lead to rebirth in “dark destinations” ( kaṇhaṃ gatī ), as the sutta explains.  Ten Kusala Kamma (Wholesome Activities) From the Sāleyyaka Sutta (MN 41) — the exact opposites of the above. (A) Three Bodily Good Actions ( kāya-kamma ) Abstaining from killing ( pāṇātipātā veramaṇī ) Abstaining from stealing ( a...