perception of: s. a^loka-san~n~a^.
”greed”, is one of the 3 unwholesome roots (múla, q.v.) and a synonym of ra^ga (q.v.) and tanha^ (q.v.).
fetters, the 5: s. samyojana.
worlds, the 4: apa^ya (q.v.).
”conceit”, pride, is one of the 10 fetters binding to existence (s. samyojana). It vanishes completely only at the entrance to Arahatship, or Holiness (cf. asmi-ma^na). It is further one of the proclivities (s. anusaya) and defilements (s. kilesa)."
The (equality-) conceit (ma^na), the inferiority-conceit (oma^na) and the superiority-conceit (atima^na): this threefold conceit should be overcome. For, after overcoming this threefold conceit, the monk, through the full penetration of conceit, is said to have put an end suffering" (A. VI, 49).
"Those ascetics and brahman priests who, relying on this impermanent, miserable and transitory nature of corporeality, feelings, perceptions, mental formations and consciousness, fancy: ”Better am I”, or ”Equal am I”, or ”Worse am I”, all these imagine thus through not understanding reality" (S. XXII, 49).
In reality no ego-entity is to be found. Cf. anatta^.
(lit.”the killer”), is the Buddhist ”Tempter-figure. He is often called ”Ma^ra the Evil One” (pa^pima^ ma^ro) or Namuci (lit.”the non-liberator”, i.e. the opponent of liberation). He appears in the texts both as a real person (i.e. as a deity) and as personification of evil and passions, of the totality of worldly existence, and of death. Later Pa^li literature often speaks of a ”fivefold Ma^ra” (pan~ca-ma^ra): 1. M. as a deity (devaputta-ma^ra), 2. the M. of defilements (kilesa-m.), 3. the M. of the aggregates (khandha-m.), 4. the M. of the karma-formations (kamma-m.), and 5. Ma^ra as death (maccu-m.).
As a real person, M. is regarded as the deity ruling over the highest heaven of the sensuous sphere (ka^ma^vacara), that of the paranimmitavasavatti-devas, the ”deities wielding power over the creations of others” (Com. to M. 1). According to tradition, when the Bodhisatta was seated under the Bodhi-tree, Ma^ra tried in vain to obstruct his attainment of Enlightenment, first by frightening him through his hosts of demons, etc., and then by his 3 daughters” allurements. This episode is called ”Ma^ra”s war” (ma^ra-yuddha). For 7 years M. had followed the Buddha, looking for any weakness in him; that is, 6 years before the Enlightenment and one year after it (Sn. v. 446). He also tried to induce the Buddha to pass away into Parinibba^na without proclaiming the Dhamma, and also when the time for the Buddha”s Parinibba^na had come, he urged him on. But the Buddha acted on his own insight in both cases. See D. 16.
For (3) M. as the aggregates, s. S. XXIII, 1, 11, 12, 23. See Padha^na Sutta (Sn. v. 425ff.); Ma^ra Samyutta (S. IV).
magga == 八正道
”path”. 1. For the 4 supermundane paths (lokuttara-magga), s. ariya-puggala - 2. The Eightfold Path (atthangika-magga) is the path leading to the extinction of suffering, i.e. the last of the 4 Noble Truths (sacca, q.v.), namely:
Wisdom (pan~n~a^) III.
1. Right view (samma^-ditthi)
2. Right thought (samma^-sankappa)
Morality (si^la) I.
3. Right speech (samma^-va^ca^)
4. Right bodily action (samma^-kammanta)
5. Right livelihood (samma^-a^ji^va)
Concentration (sama^dhi) II.
6. Right effort (samma^-va^ya^ma)
7. Right mindfulness (samma^-sati)
8. Right concentration (samma^-sama^dhi)
1. Right view or right understanding (samma^-ditthi) is the understanding of the 4 Noble Truths about the universality of suffering (unsatisfactoriness), of its origin, its cessation, and the path leading to that cessation. - See the Discourse on ”Right Understanding” (M. 9, tr. and Com. in ”R. Und.”).
2. Right thought (samma^-sankappa): thoughts free from sensuous desire, from ill-will, and cruelty.
3. Right speech (samma^-va^ca^): abstaining from lying, tale-bearing, harsh language, and foolish babble.
4 Right bodily action (samma^-kammanta): abstaining from killing, stealing, and unlawful sexual intercourse.
5. Right livelihood (samma^-a^ji^va): abstaining from a livelihood that brings harm to other beings, such as trading in arms, in living beings, intoxicating drinks, poison; slaughtering, fishing, soldiering, deceit, treachery soothsaying, trickery, usury, etc.
6. Right effort (samma^-va^ya^ma): the effort of avoiding or overcoming evil and unwholesome things, and of developing and maintaining wholesome things (s. padha^na).
7. Right mindfulness (samma^-sati): mindfulness and awareness in contemplating body, feelings, mind, and mind-objects (s. sati, satipattha^na).
8. Right concentration (samma^-sama^dhi): concentration of mind associated with wholesome (kusala) consciousness, which eventually may reach the absorptions (jha^na, q.v.). Cf. sama^dhi.
There are to be distinguished 2 kinds of concentration, mundane (lokiya) and supermundane (lokuttara) concentration. The latter is associated with those states of consciousness known as the 4 supermundane paths and fruitions (s. ariya-puggala). As it is said in M. 117:
"I tell you, o monks, there are 2 kinds of right view: the understanding that it is good to give alms and offerings, that both good and evil actions will bear fruit and will be followed by results.... This, o monks, is a view which, though still subject to the cankers, is meritorious, yields worldly fruits, and brings good results. But whatever there is of wisdom, of penetration, of right view conjoined with the path - the holy path being pursued, this is called the supermundane right view (lokuttara-samma^-ditthi), which is not of the world, but which is supermundane and conjoined with the path."
In a similar way the remaining links of the path are to be understood.
As many of those who have written about the Eightfold Path have misunderstood its true nature, it is therefore appropriate to add here a few elucidating remarks about it, as this path is fundamental for the understanding and practice of the Buddha”s .teaching.
First of all, the figurative expression ”path” should not be interpreted to mean that one has to advance step by step in the sequence of the enumeration until, after successively passing through all the eight stages, one finally may reach one”s destination, Nibba^na. If this really were the case, one should have realized, first of all, right view and penetration of the truth, even before one could hope to proceed to the next steps, right thought and right speech; and each preceding stage would be the indispensable foundation and condition for each succeeding stage. In reality, however, the links 3-5 constituting moral training (si^la), are the first 3 links to be cultivated, then the links 6-8 constituting mental training (sama^dhi), and at last right view, etc. constituting wisdom (pan~n~a^).
It is, however, true that a really unshakable and safe foundation to the path is provided only by right view which, starting from the tiniest germ of faith and knowledge, gradually, step by step, develops into penetrating insight (vipassana^) and thus forms the immediate condition for the entrance into the 4 supermundane paths and fruits of holiness, and for the realization of Nibba^na. Only with regard to this highest form of supermundane insight, may we indeed say that all the remaining links of the path are nothing but the outcome and the accompaniments of right view.
Regarding the mundane (lokiya) eightfold path, however, its links may arise without the first link, right view.
Here it must also be emphasized that the links of the path not only do not arise one after the other, as already indicated, but also that they, at least in part, arise simultaneously as inseparably associated mental factors in one and the same state of consciousness. Thus, for instance, under all circumstances at least 4 links are inseparably bound up with any karmically wholesome consciousness, namely 2, 6, 7 and 8, i.e. right thought, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration (M. 117), so that as soon as any one of these links arises, the three others also do so. On the other hand, right view is not necessarily present in every wholesome state of consciousness.
Magga is one of the 24 conditions (s. paccaya 18).
Literature: The Noble Eightfold Path and its Factors Explained, by Ledi Sayadaw (WHEEL 245/247). - The Buddha”s Ancient Path, by Piyadassi Thera (BPS).- The Noble Eightfold Path, by Bhikkhu Bodhi (WHEEL 308/311).
the 4 streams of: pun~n~a-dha^ra^ (q.v.). - For transference of merit, s. patti-da^na.
metta == 慈
(in the Arahat): s. hasituppa^da-citta.
rules, the 5, 8 or 10: s. sikkha^pada.
rúpa (lit.”name and form”): ”mind-and-body”, mentality and corporeality. It is the 4th link in the dependent origination (s. paticcasamuppa^da 3, 4) where it is conditioned by consciousness, and on its part is the condition of the sixfold sense-base. In two texts (D. 14, 15), which contain variations of the dependent origination, the mutual conditioning of consciousness and mind-and-body is described (see also S. XII, 67), and the latter is said to be a condition of sense-impression (phassa); so also in Sn. 872.
The third of the seven purifications (s. visuddhi), the purification of views, is defined in Vis.M. XVIII as the "correct seeing of mind-and-body," and various methods for the discernment of mind-and-body by way of insight-meditation (vipassana^, q.v.) are given there. In this context, ”mind” (na^ma) comprises all four mental groups, including consciousness. - See na^ma.
In five-group-existence (pan~ca-voka^ra-bhava, q.v.), mind-and body are inseparable and interdependent; and this has been illustrated by comparing them with two sheaves of reeds propped against each other: when one falls the other will fall, too; and with a blind man with stout legs, carrying on his shoulders a lame cripple with keen eye-sight: only by mutual assistance can they move about efficiently (s. Vis.M. XVIII, 32ff). On their mutual dependence, see also paticca-samuppa^da (3).
With regard to the impersonality and dependent nature of mind and corporeality it is said:
"Sound is not a thing that dwells inside the conch-shell and comes out from time to time, but due to both, the conch-shell and the man that blows it, sound comes to arise: Just so, due to the presence of vitality, heat and consciousness, this body may execute the acts of going, standing, sitting and lying down, and the 5 sense-organs and the mind may perform their various functions" (D. 23).
"Just as a wooden puppet though unsubstantial, lifeless and inactive may by means of pulling strings be made to move about, stand up, and appear full of life and activity; just so are mind and body, as such, something empty, lifeless and inactive; but by means of their mutual working together, this mental and bodily combination may move about, stand up, and appear full of life and activity."
(lit.”name”): ”mind”, mentality. This term is generally used as a collective name for the 4 mental groups (arúpino khandha), viz. feeling (vedana^), perception (san~n~a^), mental formations (sankha^ra) and consciousness (vin~n~a^na). Within the 4th link (na^ma-rúpa) in the formula of the paticcasamuppa^da (q.v.), however, it applies only to karma-resultant (vipa^ka) feeling and perception and a few karma-resultant mental functions inseparable from any consciousness. As it is said (M. 9; D. 15; S. XII, 2): "Feeling (vedana^), perception (san~n~a^), volition (cetana^), impression (phassa), mental advertence (manasika^ra): this, o brother, is called mind (na^ma)." With the addition of 2 more mental factors, namely, mental vitality (ji^vita) and concentration (sama^dhi), here ”stationary phase of mind” (cittatthiti), these 7 factors are said in the Abhidhammattha Sangaha to be the inseparable mental factors in any state of consciousness.
For the complete list of all the 50 mental formations of the sankha^ra-kkhandha (not including feeling and perception), s. Tab. II.
”requiring guidance”, is said of a person "who through advice and questioning, through wise consideration, and through frequenting noble-minded friends, having intercourse with them, associating with them, gradually comes to penetrate the truth" (Pug. 162). Cf. ugghatitan~n~ú.
san~n~a^ (-citta,-ditthi): perception (or consciousness, or view) of permanency, is one of the 4 perversions (vipalla^sa, q.v.).
family, Passing from n.f. to n.f.: kolankola; s. sota^pan~n~a^.
truths, the 4: ariya-sacca; s. sacca. - The 2-fold knowledge of the n.t.; s. sacca-n~a^na.