Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta: The Sermon : 3. The Noble Middle Way [majjhima patipada]

Meditation

Meditation for Beginngers

 

Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta: The Sermon:

 

3. The Noble Middle Way [majjhima patipada]

 

 

Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta: The Sermon

 

Anyone who wishes to escape from the Cycle of Existence [vadda samara], who has gone to all the trouble to re-nounce the life of a householder, should devote themselves to the practice of the Middle Way [majjhima patipada], which consists of eight components, and is thus often re-ferred to as the “Noble Eightfold Path”. The Buddha him-self, having surveyed the world with the special wisdom accessible only to a Buddha, saw that it is possible to see the Four Noble Truths (i.e. The Existence of Suffering, the Origin of Suffering, the Extinction of Suffering and the way to the Extinction of Suffering) only by the practice of the Eightfold Path. The Noble Eightfold Path is the only way in which defilements can be uprooted from the mind. It is a condition of becoming enlightened as the Four Noble Truths. It is a condition of attaining Nirvana.

 

 

A Wide Ocean: It can be compared to compared to the wide ocean into which all rivers must flow.

 

Commentorial Metaphors: The Noble Middle Way

 

1. A  Righteous Emperor: It can be compared to a Righteous Emperor of unrivalled majesty-whose rule all other kings must accept with obeisance. This is because the Noble Eightfold Path is a supreme and noble practice.

 

2. A Wide Ocean: It can be compared to compared to the wide ocean into which all rivers must flow. The Noble Eightfold Path is endowed with all thirty-seven of the Factors of Enlightenment. The Thirty – Seven Factors of Enlightenment comprise of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, The Four Strivings, The Four Foundations of Success, The Five Faculties, The Five Powers, The Seven Factors of Enlightenment and the Noble Eightfold Path.

 

3. A Palace Spire: It can be compared to a jewel on top of the spire of the palace of the Lord Buddha’s Teachings. The  Noble Eightfold Path is the most auspicious of all the virtuous teachings of the Lord Buddha.

 

4. A Wish-fulfilling Jewel: It can be compared to a wish-fulfilling jewel of eight facets.

 

5. The Chariot of Dhamma: It can be compared to the chariot which mobilizes the Lord Buddha’s teachings, and which transports the practitioner to Nirvana.

 

to be continued...

 

 

Meditation - Related Articles

What is meditation?

7 Bases of mind 

How many kinds of meditation are there?

The Right Concentration

The False Concentration 

How to Meditate 

A Meditation Guide

Learning Meditation

Basic Meditation Method 

Meditation is not difficult 

Dhammakaya Temple  

Meditation Retreat