Overview : 2. The Path of Self-Mortification

Meditation

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Overview : 2. The Path of Self-Mortification

 

 

According to the Buddha, the practice of self-mortification

 

According to the Buddha, the practice of self-mortification [attakilamathanuyoga] is fruitless, He said that it is not a practice in keeping with the tenets of Buddhism because the way in which defilements are purportedly removed are by practices of physical self-denial such as lying on a heap of practices of physical self-denial such as lying on a heap of thorns, burning oneself in the sun, burning oneself in front of a fire, beating one’s shins with a piece of wood, walking around under the weight of a burden of sand or severe fasting. Some eat only fruit or pickled vegetabkes, or thetips of rice grains, rice alone or rice husks. Lying on a heap of thorns produces such pain that all thoughts of sexual pleasure disappear temporarily. However, such practitioners, misunderstand that they have rid themselves of their defilements.

 

 

they do not lead to liberation from defilements.

 

Roasting oneself in the sun or in front of the fire, certainly burns the practitioner making them forget temporarily about the pleasures of the senses, and making them misunderstand that they have overcome their defilements. Some beat their shins each time they have a sensual thought and the shock makes them forget their desires temporarily. Some carry sand until they have built a huge sand heap and their tiredness seems to keep their desires in check. Eating insufficient food weakens the body to a point where there doesn’t seem to be any further sensual desire.

 

Because only temporary respite from craving can be found by such practices, the Buddha taught that such practices are fruitless the practice of fools who claim wisdom the practice of those with False View. Such practices are of no benefit, and they are certainly not the practice of the Noble Ones. Therefore they are not practices suitable for monks because they do not lead to liberation from defilements. These conclusions came from the supreme wisdom of the Lord Buddha.

 

to be continued...

 

 

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