The Foundation of Dhamma Practice

[Tep Sastri]

Right Concentration Originates from Right Virtues (Kusala Sīla)

Hello Everyone !

The following message points to the fact that wise (appropriate, yoniso) attention supported by conviction in the Buddha's Teaching (Dhamma) is ALL IT TAKES to develop right concentration & true peace. Yoniso-manasikāra is another great quality similar to heedfulness (Appamāda).

"Bhikkhus, when mindful awareness is not present, gone wrong in mindful awareness, the cause for Hiri-ottappa is destroyed. [Hiri is shame prior to a wrong doing. Ottappa is fear of the consequence of a wrong doing.] When Hiri-ottappa is not present, gone wrong in Hiri-ottappa, the cause for control (Saṁvara) of the sense faculties (eye-, ear-, ..., mind-) is destroyed. When the control of the sense faculties is not present, gone wrong in the control of the sense faculties, the cause for virtues (Sīla) is destroyed. When virtues are not present, gone wrong in virtues, the cause for right consentration (Samma-samādhi) is destroyed."  [Anguttara Nikāya Atthakanipāta 9. Sativaggo]

Summing Up:  Mindful awareness (Sati-sampajañña) arises --> Moral shame and fear (Hiri-ottappa) grow --> Control (Saṁvara) of the sense faculties is unshakable --> Developed virtues (Sīla) --> Right consentration (Samma-samādhi) arises.

This 'mindful awareness' (Sati-sampajañña) to restrain the sense-faculties from unwholesome conducts is the nutriment for Hiri-ottappa to grow. But, how does Sati-sampajañña arise? Its arising is conditioned by directing wise attention (Yoniso-manasikāra) to the Dhamma. But wise attention does not arise, if there is a weak conviction/faith(Saddhā) in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha.

According to the Avijja Sutta (AN 10.61):  Unshakable conviction (Saddhā) --> unbroken appropriate attention (Yoniso-manasikāra)  --> culminated sense restraint (Indriya-samvāra) --> three wholesome conducts (bodily, verbally, mentally) grow firm --> established mindfulness in the body, feeling, mind, and mind-objects (i.e. the four foundations of mindfulness). 

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Pali  Notes:

Control (or restraint) of the five faculties (Indriya-saṁvara) of the highest level is actually five-fold with regard to: 1. virtue(Sīla), 2. mindfulness(Sati), 3. insight(Ñāṇa), 4. patience(Khanti), and 5. effort(Viriya). Therefore, in order that our sense faculties are completely restrained along with spiritual faculty development (Indriya bhāvanā), noble mindfulness must be supported by insight, patience, and effort.

Ñāṇa: as faculty of understanding, it is included in paññā (wisdom = perfected knowledge). The latter signifies the spiritual wisdom which embraces the fundamental truths of morality & conviction. Perception (saññā) is necessary to the forming of ñāṇa, it precedes it as sure knowledge.  [The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary]

Best wishes

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