{"id":30117,"date":"2021-09-14T11:39:56","date_gmt":"2021-09-14T04:39:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/watmarpjan.org\/en\/?p=30117"},"modified":"2021-09-14T11:39:56","modified_gmt":"2021-09-14T04:39:56","slug":"questions-and-answers-with-ajahn-anan-akincano-2021-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/watmarpjan.org\/en\/questions-and-answers-with-ajahn-anan-akincano-2021-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Questions and Answers with Ajahn Anan Akincano 2021 Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

Q and A with Lay Disciples 2021<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Answers by Ajahn Anan Akincano<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Q: Please might you explain the difference between samadhi and jhana?\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

A: Samadhi means the firmly established mind. Samma samadhi, Right Samadhi, is the\u00a0 mind firmly established for the the sake of contemplating in order to understand the\u00a0 Dhamma.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jhana is happiness of mind derived from peace and one pointedness. The first jhana has five factors of applied thought, sustained thought, rapture,\u00a0 happiness, and one-pointedness. The second jhana has rapture, happiness, and one pointedness, the third jhana happiness and one-pointedness, and the fourth jhana\u00a0 one-pointedness. These are states of deeper samadhi.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When one exits the jhana, then one goes to upacara samadhi, neighborhood\u00a0 concentration. This is the proper state of Right Samadhi within which one can\u00a0 contemplate to understand the 4 Noble Truths, to contemplate everything as anicca,\u00a0 dukkha, and anatta.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The path we are walking on now is that of contemplating in order to give rise to\u00a0 samadhi a little bit at a time, to give rise to Right Samadhi bit by bit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It is possible to enter upacara samadhi; as one\u2019s samadhi improves then one enters\u00a0 upacara samadhi. Sometimes one may enter the first jhana, then after one exits the\u00a0 jhana, one can contemplate to see the body clearly, to see that all rupa and nama are\u00a0 anatta.<\/span><\/p>\n

Do not worry about this. Do one\u2019s practice in the present moment. Contemplate\u00a0 anicca, dukkha, and anatta to give rise to emptiness bit by bit. The mind can then\u00a0 gather in samadhi that is good and stable and its possible to enter jhana and be\u00a0 peaceful in jhana.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, one wants the paths and fruits of nibbana. The faster way to reach the\u00a0 paths and fruits is to use upacara samadhi to contemplate and see the Dhamma.\u00a0 Ascetics and hermits go into jhana first, but using upacara samadhi is a faster way. At first one has khanika samadhi, momentary concentration, and this gathers and\u00a0 accumulates a little bit at a time. Then upacara samadhi arises, which is close to\u00a0 jhana. This is correct samadhi. Jhana is peacefulness only. Usually those with jhana\u00a0 go higher and higher in terms of concentration but do not contemplate. Practicing by\u00a0 contemplating first as I have described above one also can enter jhana just the same,\u00a0 but upon exiting the jhana then one has Right Samadhi.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Q: Does anapanasati leads into samadhi as well as into jhana?\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

A: Yes. We speak of the 1st jhana, with its five jhana factors, as part of the anapanasati\u00a0 practice. One practices mindfulness and contemplates rupa, the body within the body \u2014this happens in upacara samadhi.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With khanika samadhi one sees but not very clearly. With upacara samadhi one can\u00a0 contemplate and see clearly. With the strength and energy of the first jhana, upon\u00a0 exiting the jhana, then one can contemplate with even more enrgy. One uses both sati and samadhi. Peacefulness only is jhana. With less peacefulness one contemplates\u00a0 and brings up wisdom, one uses both peacefulness and wisdom.<\/span><\/p>\n

Q: What is the reason, that lets one enter samadhi or jhana?\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

A: Do not think about jhana, this is too much, too high. Think about samadhi. Have\u00a0 mindfulness and use samadhi to contemplate. Practice not liking or disliking, letting\u00a0 go, contemplating anicca, dukkha, and anatta, and contenplating emptiness. Then\u00a0 samadhi arises bit by bit to various degrees.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the beginning, the mind is not at the level of jhana, but the mind can gather\u00a0 together and is capable of seeing the Dhamma. The mind gathers to one point, one\u00a0 has wisdom, and one sees the Dhamma at this point\u2014this is without using jhana.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

———-\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

-You are caring for the Buddhasasana and helping the monastics obtain the four\u00a0 requisites so that they may have the time and opportunity to seek the truth that the\u00a0 Buddha taught. As a layperson, it is more difficult as one has less time available to\u00a0 seek after the Dhamma. You help the monastics to obtain whatever it is that they\u00a0 need, which helps make it possible for the paths and fruits of Nibbana to arise. And\u00a0 you do this with a mind that lets go. The benefit of this is that it helps your mind to\u00a0 realize emptiness more quickly. I anumodana with your practice of dana that you do\u00a0 with wisdom \u2013 this wisdom which is important. May this merit help you to realize\u00a0 vimutti, freedom.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

-Giving in the present is giving with wisdom, as well. You help others according to\u00a0 your strength and ability. In the world, we meet with those who are poor and we help\u00a0 as we are able.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

-Where there is faith, one gives and helps there. Contemplate with wisdom.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Q: You mention in your message, that the parami of the Buddha, Dhamma and\u00a0 Sangha brings prosperity in the Dhamma, to see the light of Dhamma and to\u00a0 understand emptiness and later you write about partaking of the purity of the\u00a0 Buddha by realizing emptiness. It looks, as if the Triple Gem would take fully care\u00a0 of us if we just follow their guidance, their clear teachings and if we whole heartedly surrender ourselves, based on proper Dana-, Sila- and Dhamma Practice. It sounds like an invitation to immerse freely into emptiness one day, if the causes and conditions are perfectly fitting. If there is a partaking of the purity of a\u00a0 Buddha by realizing emptiness, in my understanding it means, that then all these\u00a0 beings become Buddhas.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

A: Yes, this is correct. Follow the teachings and this is the highest homage. Cultivate\u00a0 high wisdom to understand the teachings, and take the Triple Gem as one\u2019s refuge.\u00a0 Follow the teachings and then one\u2019s heart can be Buddha. This is correct. One\u2019s\u00a0 practice of dana and sila helps one\u2019s mind to be still and peaceful more easily. This\u00a0 dana helps to cut out and put down the sense of self. One sacrifices for others, and\u00a0 one has the 5 precepts as a firm and balanced foundation. Use wisdom to recollect\u00a0 often and bring the mind to stillness and emptiness. Contemplate all things as empty, which is Buddha.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Q: It is said, that the Buddhasasana will end in 2436 years. Does this mean, that the\u00a0 Dhammakaya of the Buddha will disappear?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

A: In the future you mention, material development continues to increase and inner\u00a0 qualities decrease. People\u2019s interest in Buddhism declines. The delusion of humans\u00a0 increases; people are lost. As the Buddhasasana declines, good people who die go to\u00a0 the deva worlds. Those who are born have no sila.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At the end of the 5,000 year period of the Buddhasasana, the relics of Lord\u00a0 Buddha gather together at Bodh Gaya. Then the Dhammakaya forms one last body\u00a0 that gives teachings to the devas (no humans present). After this, the relics disappear and the Dhammakaya disappears. After this, no one knows about the Buddhasasana.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

People will not have sila and it will be all chaotic and disturbed in the world.\u00a0 We can see in the present that some people are not interested in Buddhism, have no\u00a0 religion, and so on \u2013 in the future the whole world will be filled with this kind of\u00a0 people. These are people who do not believe in rebirth, devas, merit and demerit, or\u00a0 Nibbana \u2013 everyone will be like this. Children could be born without parents using\u00a0 science and technology. Perhaps they were just ordered, made, and raised in a\u00a0 scientific facility. Then children could feel unloved, without mother or father, and\u00a0 without anything in the world. Machinery may replace parts of the human body \u2013\u00a0 people will become lower. People will kill and destroy each other a lot. Humans will\u00a0 be as if animals. The Buddhasasana will be all gone.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Q: And regarding the word Dhammakaya, can you give a deeper explanation?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

A: The Dhammakaya is the parami that takes care of us in the present. The Buddha can be described with three bodies \u2013 the physical body, the citta that is in Nibbana, and\u00a0 the Dhammakaya. In the sense of the Dhammakaya, this is the Buddha still here, the\u00a0 parami that takes care of all of us, which is something that some meditators can see.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Q: Certain places like the Ruwanwaheli Stupa or the tooth relic temple in Sri Lanka\u00a0 seem to have a very special powerful radiance and it seems that the Dhamma flows\u00a0 there in a special way. It is like a heap of Dhamma-energy which is present. Can\u00a0 you explain a bit more about this point?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

A: These are places with parami, where devas come and take care of the location.\u00a0 People come with minds of faith to these places. The parami of the Buddha has been\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

called down, determined, to these places already. People with faith come, the parami\u00a0 is there, and when people bow and pay homage at these sites, piti and samadhi arise\u00a0 more easily, such as in the two places you mention. These are blessed and auspicious\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

places. One can connect with the parami of the Buddha at these sites. Even if you do not go there in person, you can recollect such places. Recollect\u00a0 the relics and goodness there, such as recollecting the Ruwanwelisaya Chedi or the\u00a0 Temple of the Tooth, one can feel rapture arise. This is Buddhanusati. <\/span><\/p>\n

—————-\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The relics of the Buddha have a special energy in them, a radiance. The Buddha is\u00a0 nature; Buddha relics have the energy already and no additional adhitthana is\u00a0 required.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On important days one can see these rainbows – one sees them in Thailand for\u00a0 instance during chedi or Uposatha ceremonies, among other occasions. The meaning\u00a0 here is that your group has faith in the Buddhasasana and can prosper in your\u00a0 Dhamma practice.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When calling on the parami of the Buddha, one recollects the purity, compassion,\u00a0 and great wisdom of the Buddha, and rapture can arise in the mind.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, anywhere where people have faith the parami of the Buddha can come. For\u00a0 instance, you recollect the Buddha, and the Buddha is giving you lovingkindness\u00a0 already. It is up to your mind how much you feel this happening. If your mind is\u00a0 peaceful the feeling is more.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rainbows also occur naturally of course but on special holidays or occasions they can arise, as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

———–\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Determined here means to make the mind firm, to set one’s heart on a specific goal –\u00a0 one needs effort and khanti, patient endurance, to do this. For example, one\u00a0 determines to sit in meditation every day. Then one needs effort, khanti, and firm\u00a0 application of mind to accomplish this goal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The parami of the Buddha is lokuttara, above the world; it is an energy that is\u00a0 lokuttara, it is pure, and it is there at these sites all the time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Even if one is not at the holy site or special place, one can recollect it. When one\u00a0 recollects it, it is as if one is there already. If one travels there in person, this may give rise to annoyance and aversion of various types as one encounters the difficulties of\u00a0 physical travel. If one sits in meditation and recollects the place, one can feel full in\u00a0 one’s heart and at ease. Travel is more difficult. Such places can help give rise to\u00a0 peacefulness more easily and help one go to Nibbana more easily. One recollects the\u00a0 goodness of the Buddha and one feels full and happy. For instance, one could\u00a0 recollect Bodh Gaya, how the Buddha awakened there, one recollects what the\u00a0 Buddha awakened to, then one practices to follow the same path to awakening, as\u00a0 well.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Regarding how, out of the Dhammakaya bodies may get formed to give teachings to\u00a0 beings: Yes (these bodies being astral or heavenly bodies).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Anumodana. These are very good questions. May they help you in your\u00a0 understanding of Dhamma practice. May you see the Dhamma in this life.<\/span><\/p>\n

————–\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We see the important anniversary day of Visakha Puja is coming up, which is an\u00a0 important day in the Buddhasasana. The Lord Buddha has great brightness and gave\u00a0 teachings to benefit humans, devas, and Brahmas – to benefit all beings. We get this\u00a0 benefit, we do goodness, we practice sila, and together this supports our practice of\u00a0 paying homage through bhavana. This is a benefit that you receive having made\u00a0 merit with Wat Marp Jan constantly. Another benefit is that the parami of the\u00a0 Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha brings you prosperity in the Dhamma, to see the light of Dhamma, to understand emptiness.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We celebrate this upcoming important holiday and we respect the Lord Buddha. May all of this bring success to you in partaking of the purity of the Buddha by\u00a0 realizing emptiness – realizing the brightness of the Buddha in your own heart by\u00a0 seeing the Dhamma. May you have strong and balanced health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

—————-\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Q: What about sports players and athletes getting samadhi? Can this samadhi give\u00a0 rise to spontaneous insight?\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

A: The samadhi is not stable enough, it\u2019s too focused on outer goals and filled with a\u00a0 sense of self that wants to accomplish objectives. The samadhi keeps wavering or\u00a0 moving and has a sense of self mixed in. However, if one gets samadhi like this and\u00a0 then directs that samadhi to contemplation then this could work, but one would\u00a0 likely need someone to teach one how to contemplate.<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Q and A with Lay Disciples 2021 Answers by Ajahn Anan Akincano Q: Please might you explain the difference between samadhi and jhana?\u00a0 A: Samadhi means the firmly established mind. Samma samadhi, Right Samadhi, is the\u00a0 mind firmly established for the the sake of contemplating in order to understand the\u00a0 Dhamma.\u00a0 Jhana is happiness of…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","filesize_raw":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[84],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30117","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reflections"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/watmarpjan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30117","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/watmarpjan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/watmarpjan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/watmarpjan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/watmarpjan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30117"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/watmarpjan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30117\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30119,"href":"https:\/\/watmarpjan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30117\/revisions\/30119"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/watmarpjan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30117"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/watmarpjan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30117"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/watmarpjan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30117"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}