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FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 9

In the First Sermon or Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta, The mind that is equipped with Right Understanding
SN 56.11, the Buddha declares that the Noble Eightfold and Right Thoughts is not easily swayed. It will always
Path is the path to the cessation of suffering. It refers to remain balanced and equanimous.
all the eight path factors, not just meditation.
Traditionally the Noble Eightfold Path is explained in There is so much emphasis on meditation because
terms of Sīla, Samādhi, and Paññā. These three stages meditation is about the culture of the mind, and it is
of practice aim at purifying our body, speech and mind only through meditation that the three unskilful roots
from the unskilful tendencies of grasping, aversion and can be effectively overcome. Sīla is the foundation, and
delusion. Paññā is the result, but Samādhi is the direct cause.
That’s why it stands out and is often emphasised.
The practice of Sīla, or good conduct, involves the
restraint of speech such as lying, slandering, harsh and However, in the quest of truth, we need to consider the
frivolous talk, and the restraint of body actions such as three-fold training in its totality.
killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct. It also includes
the practice of Right Livelihood which avoids causing We will know that we are practising the Noble Eightfold
hurt or harm towards any sentient being. Path properly when we feel a transformation taking
place within ourselves: when we are able to let go of
Restraint from wrong speech and wrong body actions things that we used to cling on to; when our anger
prevents unskilful tendencies from manifesting at becomes more subdued; and our deluded idea of self,
the level of speech and body actions, thus preventing of ‘I, my, me, and mine’ is reduced. In other words we
transgression or causing harm towards oneself and know that the system works because we notice how the
others through speech and body actions. tendencies of grasping, aversion and delusion begin to
fade away and we experience a greater sense of peace
However, the tendencies of grasping, aversion and and happiness in our lives.
delusion can still manifest at the mental level. Hence the
need for the cultivation of Samādhi, or mental culture, Within Theravāda Buddhist meditation itself,
through Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right there are so many teachers who teach different
Concentration. When these three factors are present, techniques of meditation, in both samatha and
the tendencies of grasping, aversion and delusion are vipassanā. Which sutta in the Pāli Canon is our best
prevented from manifesting at the mental level, thereby source to know the actual method taught by the
enabling one to experience a sense of calmness and Buddha, and be guided by it?
tranquillity.
The main source of Samatha Vipassanā meditation
However, unskilful tendencies can still manifest when techniques in the Pāli tradition come from the
one’s mind is out of Samādhi, i.e. when one comes out Mahāsatipatṭhāna Sutta, DN 22, or the discourse on the
of meditation and the factors of effort, mindfulness development of Mindfulness Meditation.
and concentration are not in proper focus. Hence the
need to develop Paññā, wisdom or insight, through the In the opening chapter of the Mahāsatipatṭhāna
cultivation of Right Understanding and Right Thoughts. Sutta, the Buddha says that the Four Foundations
Right Understanding consists of the understanding of of Mindfulness are the way to purify one’s mind; to
the Four Noble Truths, the law of Karma, and the Three overcome sorrow and lamentation; to put an end to
Characteristics of Existence, namely Anicca, Dukkha, mental and physical stress; to attain higher knowledges
and Anattā (Or impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and insights; and to realize the bliss of Nibbāna.
and non-self). Right Thoughts are thoughts free from The Four Foundations of Mindfulness refer to
coveteousness, cruelty, and hatred, but imbued with mindfulness of the body, feelings, mind (or mental
renunciation, loving-kindness and compassion. states), and the Dhamma (with reference to the five