s. lahuta^.
This term, as a designation for the meditation exercises (bha^vana^), is found only in the Com. In the suttas the word is only used in a concrete sense for ”field of activity or occupation”, as agriculture, trade, etc.
(of the body): s. asubha, sivathika^, ka^yagata^sati.
kabalinka^ra^ha^ra (q.v.).
the name of a class of heavenly beings of the sensuous sphere; s. deva.
”proficiency”, namely, of mental concomitants (ka^ya-pa^gun~n~ata^), and of consciousness (citta-pa^gun~n~ata^), are 2 mental phenomena associated with all wholesome consciousness. Cf. Tab. II.
s. lahuta^.
”analytical knowledge” or ”discrimination”, is of 4 kinds: analytical knowledge of the true meaning (attha-patisambhida^), of the law (dhamma-patisambhida^), of language (nirutti-patisambhida^), of ready wit (patibha^na-patisambhida^).
As an alternative rendering of the fourth term (patibha^na), Bhikkhu n~a^namoli proposes: perspicuity (in expression and knowledge).
1. The analytical knowledge of the meaning (attha-p.) is the knowledge with regard to the sense.
2. The analytical knowledge of the law (dhamma-p.) is the knowledge with regard to the law.
3. The analytical knowledge of language (nirutti-p.) is the knowledge of the language with regard to those former 2 things.
4. The analytical knowledge of ready-wit (patibha^na-p.) is the knowledge about the (former 3) kinds of knowledge" (Vibh. XV).
"(1) attha (Sanskrit artha, ? ar, to reach; result, meaning, purpose, true substance) designates, in short, the fruit (phala) of a cause (hetu); for since the fruit of a cause results from adhering to the cause, and is reached and effected thereby, therefore it is called result (attha). In particular, however, 5 things are considered as attha, namely: everything dependent on conditions, Nibba^na, the meaning of words, karma-result, and functional consciousness. When anyone reflects on that meaning any knowledge of his, falling within the category concerned with meaning (or result), is the ”analytical knowledge” of meaning.
"(2) dhamma (Sanskrit dharma, ? dhar, to bear; bearer, condition, law, phenomenon, thing) is, in short, a name for condition (paccaya).... In particular, however, 5 things are considered as dhamma, namely: every cause (hetu) producing a result, the noble path, the spoken word, the karmically wholesome, the karmically unwholesome. When anyone reflects on that law, any knowledge of his, falling within the category concerned with law (or cause), is the ”analytical knowledge” of the law.
In Vibh. it is further said: ”The knowledge of suffering is the ”analytical knowledge” of the true meaning (attha-patisambhida^), the knowledge of its origin is the ”analytical knowledge” of the law (dhamma-patisambhida^). The knowledge of the cause is the ”analytical knowledge” of the law (dhamma-patisambhida^), the knowledge of the result of the cause is the ”analytical knowledge” of the true meaning (attha-patisambhida^)... That the monk knows the law, the sunas etc. this is called the ”analytical knowledge” of the law (dhamma-patisambhida^); if however, he understands the meaning of this or that speech... it is called the ”analytical knowledge” of the true meaning (attha-patisambhida^).”
(3) "”The knowledge of the language concerning those things” means: the language corresponding to reality, and the unfailing mode of expression concerning the true meaning and the law.
(4) "”Knowledge about the kinds of knowledges” is that knowledge which has all knowledges as object and considers them. Or, the analytical knowledge of ready wit (patibha^na-patisambhida^) means the knowledge of the above mentioned 3 kinds of knowledge, in all their details, with their objects, functions, etc." (Vis.M. XIV).
On the 7 qualities leading to the attainment of the 4 ”analytical knowledge” , s. A. VII, 37 - See Vis.M. XIV, 21ff; Vibh. XV; Pts.M. Patisambhida^ Katha^.
bala and bha^vana^ bala: ”power of reflection”, and ”power of mental development”. About these 2 powers it is said in A. II, 10:
"What, o monks, is the power of reflection? If, o monks, someone thinks thus: ”Bad conduct in deeds, words and thoughts verily bears bad fruits both in this life, as well as in the next life”, and in consequence of this consideration, he abandons bad conduct in deeds, words and thoughts, follows good conduct, and keeps his heart pure, this, o monks, is the power of reflection.
"What, o monks, is the power of mental development? If, o monks, a monk develops the factors of enlightenment (bojjhanga, q.v.), bent on solitude, on detachment, on extinction, and ending in deliverance, namely: mindfulness, investigating of the law, energy, rapture, tranquillity, concentration, and equanimity, this, o monks, is the power of mental development."
the 4 ”foundations of mindfulness”, lit.”awarenesses of mindfulness” (sati-upattha^na), are: contemplation of body, feeling, mind and mind-objects. - For sati, s. prec.
A detailed treatment of this subject, so important for the practice of Buddhist mental culture, is given in the 2 Satipattha^na Suttas (D. 22; M. 10), which at the start as well as the conclusion, proclaim the weighty words: "The only way that leads to the attainment of purity, to the overcoming of sorrow and lamentation, to the end of pain and grief, to the entering of the right path, and to the realization of Nibba^na is the 4 foundations of mindfulness."
After these introductory words, and upon the question which these 4 are, it is said that the monk dwells in contemplation of the body, the feelings, the mind, and the mind-objects, "ardent, clearly conscious and mindful, after putting away worldly greed and grief."
These 4 contemplations are in reality not to be taken as merely separate exercises, but on the contrary, at least in many cases, especially in the absorptions, as things inseparably associated with each other. Thereby the Satipatha^na Sutta forms an illustration of the way in which these 4 contemplations relating to the 5 groups of existence (khandha, q.v.) simultaneously come to be realized, and finally lead to insight into the impersonality of all existence.
(1) The contemplation of the body (ka^yanupassana^) consists of the following exercises: mindfulness with regard to in-and-outbreathing (a^na^pa^nasati, q.v.), minding the 4 postures (iriya^patha, q.v.), mindfulness and clarity of consciousness (satisampajan~n~a, q.v.), reflection on the 32 parts of the body (s. ka^yagata^sati and asubha), analysis of the 4 physical elements (dha^tuvavattha^na, q.v.), cemetery meditations (si^vathika^ q.v.).
(2) All feelings (vedana^nupassana^) that arise in the meditator he clearly perceives, namely: agreeable and disagreeable feeling of body and mind, sensual and super-sensual feeling, indifferent feeling .
(3) He further clearly perceives and understands any state of consciousness or mind (citta^nupassana^), whether it is greedy or not, hateful or not, deluded or not, cramped or distracted, developed or undeveloped, surpassable or unsurpassable, concentrated or unconcentrated, liberated or unliberated.
(4) Concerning the mind-objects (dhamma^nupassana^), he knows whether one of the five hindrances (ni^varana, q.v.) is present in him or not, knows how it arises, how it is overcome, and how in future it does no more arise. He knows the nature of each of the five groups (khandha, q.v.), how they arise, and how they are dissolved. He knows the 12 bases of all mental activity (a^yatana q.v.): the eye and the visual object, the ear and the audible object, .. mind and mind-object, he knows the fetters (samyojana, q.v.) based on them, knows how they arise, how they are overcome, and how in future they do no more arise. He knows whether one of the seven factors of enlightenment (bojjhanga, q.v.) is present in him or not, knows how it arises, and how it comes to full development. Each of the Four Noble Truths (sacca, q.v.) he understands according to reality.
The 4 contemplations comprise several exercises, but the Satipattha^na should not therefore be thought of as a mere collection of meditation subjects, any one of which may be taken out and practised alone. Though most of the exercises appear also elsewhere in the Buddhist scriptures, in the context of this sutta they are chiefly intended for the cultivation of mindfulness and insight, as indicated by the repetitive passage concluding each section of the sutta (see below). The 4 contemplations cover all the 5 groups of existence (khandha, q.v.), because mindfulness is meant to encompass the whole personality. Hence, for the full development of mindfulness, the practice should extend to all 4 types of contemplation, though not every single exercise mentioned under these four headings need be taken up. A methodical practice of Satipattha^na has to start with one of the exercises out of the group ”contemplation of the body”, which will serve as the primary and regular subject of meditation: The other exercises of the group and the other contemplatons are to be cultivated when occasion for them arises during meditation and in everyday life.
After cach contemplation it is shown how it finally leads to insight-knowledge: "Thus with regard to his own body he contemplates the body, with regard to the bodies of others he contemplates the body, with regard to both he contemplates the body. He beholds how the body arises and how it passes away, beholds the arising and passing away of the body.”A body is there” (but no living being, no individual, no woman, no man, no self, nothing that belongs to a self; neither a person, nor anything belonging to a person; Com.): thus he has established his attentiveness as far as it serves his knowledge and mindfulness, and he lives independent, unattached to anything in the world.””
In the same way he contemplates feeling, mind and mind-objects.
In M. 118 it is shown how these four foundations of mindfulness may be brought about by the exercise of mindfulness on in-and-out breathing (a^na^pa^na-sati, q.v.).
Literature: The Way of Mindfullness, tr. of Sutta and Com., by Soma Thera (3rd ed; Kandy 1967, BPS). - The Heart of Buddhist Meditation, by Nyanaponika Thera (3rd ed.; London. Rider & Co.). The Foundations of Mindfulness (tr. of M. 10), Nyanasatta Thera (Wheel 19). The Satipattha^na Sutta and its Application to Modern Life, V. F. Gunaratna (WHEEL 60). - The Power of Mindfulness by Nyanaponika Thera (WHEEL 121/122).
the 3 ”articles of (heretical) belief”. which in A. III, 61 are declared as leading to inactivity, are: (1) the belief that all happiness and woe are produced through former karma (prenatal actions; s. karma); (2) that everything is uncaused; (3) that everything is created by God.
(1) is the teaching of Niggantha-Na^thaputta, the leader of the Nigganthas, the modern Jains. The fault with this doctrine is that it does not account for that happiness and woe which either are the result of the present life”s good or bad action, or are associated with the corresponding action. (2) is the doctrine of Makkhali Gosa^la; s. ditthi.
According to the above 3 doctrines, man is not responsible for his actions, so that all moral exertions become useless.
s. kappa.
a^po-dha^tu (s. dha^tu).
he 8 ”stages of mastery”, ...
the 8 ”stages of mastery”, are powers to be obtained by means of the kasina-exercises (s. kasina). In the Com. to M.77, where a^yatana is explained by ”means” (ka^rana) it is said: "The abhibha^yatana through their counteracting may master (suppress) the adverse states, and by means of higher knowledge they may master the objects of mind." They are means for transcending the sensuous sphere.
The stereotype text often met with in the Suttas (e.g. D.11, D.33; M.77; A.VIII.65; A.X.29) is as follows:
(1) "Perceiving (blue..., red..., yellow..., white) forms on one”s own body, one sees forms externally small ones, beautiful or ugly; and in mastering these one understands: ”I know, I understand.” This is the first stage of mastery.
(2) "Perceiving forms on one”s own body, one sees forms externally, large ones .... This is the second stage of mastery.
(3) "Not perceiving forms on one”s own body, one sees forms externally, small ones .... This is the third stage of mastery.
(4) "Not perceiving forms on one”s own body, one sees forms externally, large ones .... This is the fourth stage of mastery.
(5) "Not perceiving forms on one”s own body, one sees forms externally, blue forms, forms of blue colour, blue appearance, blue lustre, and mastering these one understands: ”I know, I understand. This is the fifth stage of mastery."
(6-8) The same is repeated with yellow, red and white forms.
As preparatory kasina-object for the 1st and 2nd exercise one should choose on one”s own body a small or a large spot, beautiful or ugly, and thereon one should concentrate one”s full undivided attention, so that this object after a while reappears as mental reflex or image (nimitta, q.v.) and, as it were, as something external. Such an exercise, though appearing quite mechanical, if properly carried out will bring about a high degree of mental concentration and entrance into the 4 absorptions (jha^na, q.v.). In the 3rd and 4th exercises the monk by an external kasina-object gains the mental reflexes and absorptions. As objects of the remaining exercises, perfectly clear and radiant colours should be chosen, flowers, cloth, etc.
A kasina-object of small size is said to be suitable for a mentally unsteady nature, one of a large size for a dull nature, a beautiful object for an angry nature, an ugly one for a lustful nature.
In Vis.M. V it is said: "By means of the earth-kasina one succeeds in reaching the stage of mastery with regard to small and large objects .... By means of the blue-kasina one succeeds in causing blue forms to appear, in producing darkness, in reaching the stage of mastery with regard to beautiful and ugly colours, in reaching ”deliverance through the beautiful”, etc." (cf. vimokkha II, 3). The same is also said with regard to the other colour kasinas.
The ”unconscious beings”, are a class of heavenly beings in the fine-material world; s. deva (II)."There are, o monks, heavenly beings known as the unconscious ones. As soon, however, as in those beings consciousness arises, those beings will vanish from that world. Now, o monks, it may happen that one of those beings after vanishing from that world, may reappear in this world...." (D. 24). Further details, s. Kath., Yam. (Guide, pp. 68, 79, 96 ff.).
”self-mortification”, is one of the two extremes to be avoided, the other extreme being addiction to sensual pleasures (ka^ma-sukha), whilst the Noble 8-fold Path constitutes the Middle Path (majjhima-patipada^, q.v.). See the Buddha”s first sermon, "The Establishment of the Realm of Dhamma" (Dhamma-cakkappavattana-Sutta).
”recollection of the Enlightened One”; s. anussati.
= cittass”ekaggata^ (q.v.).