Phra Kru Chua Obhaso
Venerable Phra Kru Chua Obhaso (1886 - 1968)
Biography
Phra Kru Vinaidhorn Chua Obhaso who was briefly addressed by his students
as ‘Phra Kru Chua,’ was a Dhammakaya Meditation practitioner who was very close
to Luang Por Wat Paknam, the Great Master Phramongkolthepmuni (Sodh
Candasaro). Phra Kru Chua was admired by
Luang Por for his good moral conducts and strict precepts observance.
Phra Kru Chua’s secular name is Chua Julajambok. He was born in Suphanburi Province, at the
same hometown as Luang Por’s. In
addition, Phra Kru Chua is a cousin of Luang Por.
He was ordained at Wat Song Phi Nong, Suphanburi Province. Later on, he was appointed to be the chief
monk of a sub-district in Song Phi Nong district.
When Luang Por Sodh became the abbot of Wat Paknam in Bangkok, Luang Por
returned to Song Phi Nong district where he met Phra Kru Chua. By that time, Luang Por told Phra Kru Chua “I
have discovered the truth” meaning that Luang Por had attained ‘Dhammakaya’
which is the truth of Buddhism.
Luang Por persuaded Phra Kru Chua to move to Wat Paknam in Bangkok. Phra Kru Chua accepted the invitation, and he
moved to Wat Paknam later on. At Wat
Paknma, Phra Kru Chua lived in the same abode as Luang Por, so he had
opportunities to practice meditation with Luang Por everyday. When Luang Por practiced advanced Dhammakaya
meditation and discovered something, Luang Por always told it to Phra Kru Chua,
and Phra Kru Chua could remember well.
This included the sayings of Luang Por given at the Meditation Workshop of
Wat Paknam, where Phra Kru Chua, other Buddhist monks, novice monks, and
Buddhist nuns practiced advanced Dhammakaya Meditation, such as the story about
the Primordial Lord Buddhas of the Three Sides namely the White Side, the
Neutral Side, and the Dark Side and the governing on existence and sentient
beings in the most refined transcendental level. Phra Kru Chua was able to remember these
stories.
As Phra Kru Chua was a very well disciplined person, he observed Buddhist
monks’ precepts strictly. So, he was
appointed by Luang Por to be ‘Phra Kru Vinaidhorn’ (the guru venerable who is
proficient on Buddhist disciplines or vinaya).
Phra Kru Chua passed away peacefully in 1968 when he was 83 year old.
Translated from the Thai version of Phra
Kru Chua’s biography
Biography, Work and Sixty Three Sermons
of Luang Por Wat Paknam
Released on the occasion of Luang Por
Wat Paknam’s Centennial Anniversary
Published by the Buddhist Meditation
and Vijja Dhammakaya Foundation,
Second Edition, Year 1985, 1500 Copies
Wat Sraket, Bangkok, Thailand
The
Three Elemental Natures
Knowledge
from practicing Dhammakaya Meditation
By
Phra Kru Vinaidhorn Chua Obhaso
(1886
– 1968)
Translated by Pittaya Wong on 6 October 2015
The rolling of robe edge [of Thai Buddhist monks] either clockwise or
counterclockwise is a mystery. I had
made several investigations to check which way is correct or incorrect. But nobody could tell, even the level 9 Pali
scholar(s). They just told me to follow
the tradition. I thought that it did not
work to close our eyes and try to find the path (answer). Later on, when I studied vipassana
[meditation] with Luang Por Wat Paknam [Phramongkolthepmuni (Sodh Candasaro)]
in Bhasicharoen, Thonburi [Bangkok] for several years, I gained the
knowledge. I returned to the upcountry
and went to Bangkok like this [for many times] during the period of sixteen
years. Finally, I knew how it was about
to roll [Buddhist monks’] robe clockwise or counterclockwise.
[The answer is that] there are three sides of transcendental Lord Buddha
who cannot get along, and they are opponents toward each other. They can never get along due to the
differences in element and nature. The
three sides of transcendental Lord Buddha bodies are the White Side, Dark Side,
and Neither Dark Nor White (Neutral) Side.
The White Side is wholesome or kusala dhamma. The transcendental Lord Buddhas who belong to
this side have crystal clear body and crowned with a lotus bud. They bring only happiness to sentient beings
and cause no suffering at all.
Another side [is the Dark Side] or akusala dhamma. The transcendental Lord Buddha body in this
side is dark like a black crystal or onyx, crowned with a lotus bud. They cause only sufferings to sentient beings
and bring no happiness.
The last side is [the Neutral Side or] abyakata dhamma. The transcendental Lord Buddha body in this
side is neither dark nor white. Their
body is crystal with the color that looks like lead and crowned with a lotus bud. They are whitened black or blackish
white. They cause neither happiness nor
suffering to sentient beings.
The Transcendental Primordial Buddha(s):
The Transcendental Primordial Buddha(s) of the White Side in the lineage
of Lord Gotama Buddha are more powerful than the transcendental White [or
crystal clear] Buddhas. They help the
White Side and cause happiness to sentient beings like the transcendental White
Buddhas. The body of Primordial
Buddha(s) is like yellow crystal with either a chest band or bang chawieng
(one edge of robe crossing over the left shoulder).
[Each Side has its own Transcendental Primordial Buddha(s) who help the
side they belong to in governing the dhatdham (dhatu or element
and dhamma or nature) of sentient beings to be in line with their
rulings. All the three sides compete or
battle to govern dhatdham all the time.]
The Transcendental Primordial Buddha(s) have six shades of radiance. The radiance of the Transcendental Primordial
Buddha(s) of the White Side softens our eyes whereas the radiance of the
Transcendental Dark Primordial Buddha(s) irritates our eyes. The radiance of the Neutral Side neither
softens nor irritates our eyes. They
cannot be in unison.
The transcendental Lord Buddha(s) of the White Side, Dark Side and the
Neutral Side always compete [and oppose] each other to govern dhatdham. The White Side brings happiness to sentient
beings while the Dark Side and Neutral Side obstruct. The Dark Side brings suffering to sentient
beings while the White Side and Neutral Side obstruct. The Neutral Side brings neither happiness nor
suffering to sentient beings while the White Side and Dark Side obstruct. They cause the inconvenience to each other,
so that they will not lose their ruling.
The White Side thinks that it is right for sentient beings to do good
deeds and gain happiness. The Dark Side
thinks that it is right for sentient beings to do bad deeds and gain
sufferings. The Neutral Side thinks that
it is right for sentient beings to neither do good deeds nor bad deeds and gain
neither happiness nor suffering [in return].
The transcendental Lord Buddhas [of the three sides] oppose to each
other. All human beings have mixed dhatdham. Why won’t they have contradiction? They are like three threads that form a
rope. One twines clockwise. Another twines counterclockwise. And the last
thread does not twine. Each
of them goes to the different direction.
So, the twining does not get along.
Each Side governs action, speech, and thought of sentient beings with
their own transcendental pitaka [or regulations]. They use vinaya pitaka to control
actions of sentient beings. Suttanta
pitaka is used to control speeches.
The paramattha pitaka is used to control the thoughts. The three Sides also compete to use their
insight power [to conquer] the innermost refinement level in the middle of dhatdham
of each living being in order to control per their transcendental pitaka. If the White Side can conquer the innermost
of a living being, the White Side will be able to control action, speech, and
thought of such living being to be wholesome.
If the Dark Side can conquer the innermost of a living being, the Dark
Side will control action, speech, and thought of such living being to be
unwholesome. If the Neutral Side can
conquer the innermost of a living being, it will be able to control the
thought, speech, and action of such living being to be neither wholesome nor
unwholesome.
It solely depends on the Side who can enter [or conquer] the innermost of
each living being. Thus, the other Sides
will not be able to enter. This is
similar to a tree stump that only one person can sit on. When a person is sitting on the tree stump,
the other persons cannot take the seat.
So, the three Sides have to compete [and battle] to govern dhatdham
at all times. This includes the Nirvana (Nibbana), the Three Realms (Arupa
realm, Rupa realm, and the Kama realm (realm of sensuality), and Lokantara
hell realm. There is no ungoverned space
throughout the ground, the sky, and the air.
Everything is governed by the three Sides. The White Side discloses. The Dark Side closes. The Neutral Side neither discloses nor
closes.
The White Side discloses the sensation, perception, volition, and
cognition [collectively, the mind] of sentient beings to believe that the
Nirvana exists.
The Dark Side closes the sensation, perception, volition, and cognition [collectively,
the mind] of sentient beings to believe that the Nirvana does not exist.
The Neutral Side makes the sentient beings believe that the Nirvana
neither exists nor unexists.
The way of the White Side is happiness.
This Side discloses to the living beings, so they will do good deeds and
go on the happy path. The way of the Dark
Side is suffering only. The Dark Side
closes the path, so the sentient beings will not believe. As a result, they do only bad deeds and go on
the suffering path. The Neutral Side is
neither good nor bad. This Side neither
discloses nor closes to sentient beings.
So, the sentient beings do neither good nor bad and enter the neither
happiness nor suffering path. The three
ways are opposite to each other, and they cannot get along. Our world is in trouble like this in the
present. [Living beings are] sometime happy, suffer, or neither happy nor
suffer, because of the power of the three Sides. They compete [and oppose] each other to
govern the dhatdham. They govern
throughout the Nirvana, the three realms, and the Lokantara hell
realm. This is the same to human beings
and animals who compete to rule their land(s) [or areas]. However, the transcendental Lord Buddhas
govern in the transcendental level. The
celestial beings, humans, and animals govern the [celestial and] physical
levels, but they are also under control of the transcendental Lord Buddhas in
the three Sides.
When a country, home, city, village, or district is governed by the White
Side more than other Sides, the White Side will control sensation, perception,
volition, and cognition [collectively, the mind] of human beings and living
beings who belong to such to do only good deeds such as abstaining from
killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, false speech, and drinking. They will do only good deeds and be kind to
each other, causing only happiness to each other without harming each
other. They will cause only happiness
and comfort to each other. The White
Side will, then, take the good deeds of human beings to yield good results
[according to the Law of Karma] such as the right seasonal rain, fertile foods,
no difficulty, and the citizen will live in comfort. After people die, they will become celestial
beings and Brahama(s) or the universal monarch (mundane Chakkavatti). When they reborn as humans, they become the
upper class people such as a Prime Minister, millionaires, monarchs, wealthy merchants or farmers who have
properties and subordinates, living happily in comfort.
When a country, home, city, village, or district is governed by the Dark
Side more than other Sides, the Dark Side will control sensation, perception,
volition, and cognition [collectively, the mind] of human beings and living
beings who belong to such to do only bad deeds such as killing, stealing,
committing sexual misconduct, lying, drinking alcohol, hating each other, being
jealous at each other, harming each other, robbing, fighting, and killing each
other. They will cause only sufferings
to each other, and the Dark Side will take the misdeeds committed by human
beings and living beings to yield bad results [according to the Law of Karma]
such as draught, bad economy, starvation, difficulty, sickness, and death. After people die, they will be punished in
any of the 456 hell realms. They have to
suffer badly, crying endlessly due to suffering. After the punishment in hell, they reborn as
hungry ghosts (peta) who have no food to eat. Then, they reborn as demons or asurakaya
and become animals. When they reborn as
human beings, they become bad persons who are poor, homeless, fool, and sinful
in their hearts. They will not be able
to become wholesome, and they will have [more] sufferings.
When a country, home, city, village, or district is governed by the
Neutral Side more than other Sides, the sensation, perception, volition, and cognition
[collectively, the mind] of people of such will be controlled to be
neutral, neither good nor bad or neither
meritorious or sinful. The Neutral Side
will take the neither good nor bad deeds of human beings and living beings to
yield the results which are neither good nor bad.
Anyone who reads this should not believe now because this is not a
persuading ads. I do not want you to
believe in me, but you should believe in yourself. You should practice [meditation] until you
attain and see by yourself [with insight].
Then, you can believe [in my words].
To allow yourself to attain and see, you have to follow the four
foundations of mindfulness (four satipatthana) which I am going to tell
you. However, I will not quote Pali
language to this guideline because I did not study the pariyatti [or
Pali language / Dhamma doctrine]. I
cannot translate [Pali language]. I have
studied only vipassana meditation after I was ordained. My master taught me only meditation, so I do
not know pariyatti. So, I will
explain only in Thai language which is easier to understand.
For anyone who wishes to practice vipassana, please sit [in
cross-legged meditation posture] with erected back and be mindful. Place your right leg over the left leg, right
hand over the left hand, and do not overlap too much. The right index finger should touch the left
thumb. Then, close your eyes to meditate
by repeating the mantra ‘Samma Arahang.’
There is a trick after you close your eyes, which is to roll your
eyeballs upward trying to reach the back.
Then, [use your mind to] look at the middle of your body, following your
breathing tube as it is a hollow tube from the roof of mouth until reaching the
navel where your breath reaches the end at the navel level, this is called ‘Sib.’
Two fingers breadth above the navel level is called ‘Suen’ [or ‘Soon’]. This is the location for mindfulness. Bring your sensation, perception, volition,
and cognition to be still at this location.
Everyone has the Dhamma sphere at this location. This Dhamma sphere enables the birth as a
human being. It is clear, pure, and
bright like a light bulb. Its size is
about an egg yolk. Focus your mind at
this point. Don’t go the other
ways. No matter what happens, still your
mind [in the middle of your body] two fingers width above the navel level. Don’t relocate [your mind] to the front or
back, to the above or below, to the internal or external, but remain still in
the middle. If your mind is outside and
the Dhamma occurs, it is vipassanupakilesa (imperfections / impurities
of insight), not vipassana. Vipassanupakilesa
belongs to the Dark Side, not the White Side.
As your body is calm or you feel light, this is kayanupassana
satipattana (mindfulness which is firmly established on physical
phenomena). When there is physical
happiness, it is vedananupassana satipattana (contemplation of
sensation). If there is brightness
occurring at the point of two fingers breadth above the navel level, either big
or small, about the size of a star or an egg yolk, it is an uggaha-nimitta
or acquired image. Please maintain
it. This is called pathama-magga
or the initial path. If it is clear like
a mirror, it is dhammanupassana satipattana (contemplation or
mindfulness of Dhamma. It can be
enlarged to be the same size as the sun or the moon. We will see an inner body arising from the
middle of this sphere. This inner body
resembles our human body, and it is called ‘the refined human body’ (in the
middle of refined human body, there is the celestial body). This refined human body is used for
reincarnation. If this body is
disconnected [permanently] from the physical human body, it means that the
human body dies. We have to clarify
about this body first because it is the body for reincarnation. It is the samudaya kaya. When this body enters the father and the
mother’s womb, it is as tall as 8 sok (approximately 4 meters). It enters the father’s
body first. If the refined human body is
to reborn as a female, it will enter the left nostril. To reborn as a male, it will enter the right
nostril [and go through the seven bases of mind]. Then, it will settle at the father’s ‘suen’
[or the seventh base] which is two fingers breadth above the navel level [of
the father’s body]. Both [the father and
mother] take part in the pregnancy [process], so they love their child. When the father and mother have a sexual
intercourse, the child will not reincarnate until there is a ‘tok suen.’ When there is ‘tok suen,’ the
reincarnation occurs. After that, the mother will get pregnant.
‘Tok Suen’ in this place means that both the father and mother
enjoy sexual intercourse until there is a deep and strong attraction. The ayatana or attraction within the
mother’s womb draws the 4 meters [refined human] body out from the father’s
[seventh base and goes through each base reversely until leaving the father’s]
nostril to enter the mother’s nostril.
Then, [the refined human body passes through the 7 bases of mind of the mother
and] settle or embed at the mother’s womb.
Also, the nourishing liquid in the heart of father and mother, a little
from the father and a little from the mother are mixed as little as the seed of
the banyan tree. The 4 meters [refined
human] body can rest inside. This is
similar to the Lord Gotama Buddha who could practice walking meditation inside
the seed of Chinese cabbage. The Lord Buddha’s body did not get smaller, and
the Chinese cabbage seed did not get bigger.
It is about the same. Also, it is
like a mirror which is as big as the lens of glasses. It can reflect the whole image of a big
mountain. The mountain does not get
smaller, and the mirror does not get bigger.
This is similar to the way for reincarnation [through] father and mother’s
womb. When the elements from father and
mother harden into a cluster, the five branches develop to become a human
body. The five branches are the head,
the two arms, and the two legs. Then,
the spirit or refined human body gets smaller and equal to the human body
[embryo in the mother’s womb]. The eyes
[of the refined human body fit] to the eyes [of embryo], the ears to the ears,
and the nose, mouth, arms, and legs fit to each other. [The refined human body or spirit is
completely] connected to the human body (physical body) and grow up in the womb
until the mother delivers. This is
called ‘reincarnating body.’
To reborn, when someone nearly dies, the dhatdham will draw [or
pull] the refine human body [or spirit] to be disconnected from the human body. The patient will twist his body, startle, or
make an overwhelming facial expression.
When the bodies are disconnected from each other, the refined human body
will ‘Tok Suen’ at the spot [in the middle of the body] which is two
fingers breadth above the navel level, equal to the size of an egg yolk. Then, it becomes the 4 meters body, moving
out from the nostril of the human body, leaving it to be rotten and seeking for
reincarnation further. Whoever attains
Dhammakaya, will be able to see clearly. The unknowing persons guess that the spirit
reborn. The spirit alone cannot
reborn. It can reborn only with the
whole body. Because, for each body that
lies within us, each body has a heart for perception. Within the heart, there is a citta
sphere which is as big as an eye pupil, floating in the heart nourishing
liquid. This is for thinking. Viññāna is within the citta sphere. It is as big as the tip of a match head. This is for cognition. It is similar to each body. As we know about the inner bodies, we can
comprehend easily. As you know about the
refined human body, we can proceed further.
The inner bodies, starting from the physical human body, there are refined
human body, crude celestial body, and refined celestial body which is the
fourth body from the physical human body.
When we reach this body, we can do 30 kammatthana(s) (meditation)
namely the 10 kasina(s) (things that one can behold directly), 10 asubha(s)
(objects of repulsion), and 10 anussati(s) (recollections). The eyes of this body (starting from the eyes
of the refined human body onward) are the divine eyes which can see heaven,
hell, peta (hungry ghost), and asurakaya (demon). We can use this body to visit hell, heaven, peta
realm, and asurakaya realm. We
can converse with them and ask them about their livings and the causes of their
karma. However, we cannot see the Brahma
realms which are more refined than heaven or celestial realm. The Dhamma sphere within the celestial body
is called dutiya-magga (the second path). When we expand it to equal the moon or the
sun disc, we will see the fifth body arising at the center of the dutiya-magga. This body is called the crude Brahma
body. In the middle of crude Brahma
body, there is the refined Brahma body which is the sixth body. This body is well adorned and more beautiful
than the celestial body. This body can
practice the 4 kammatthana(s) namely the four rupa jhana(s) (fine
material jhana). The eye of this
body is panna-cakkhu or the wisdom eye which can see throughout the 16
levels of Brahma realm. We can visit the
16 levels of Brahma realm with this body.
We can converse with the Brahmas in the 16 levels, but we cannot see the
4 levels of Arupa-Brahma because they are more refined than the Rupa-Brahma.
We have to bring our sensation, perception, volition, and cognition to
unite and still at the spot which is [in the middle of the body] two fingers
breadth above the navel level of the sixth body or Rupa-Brahma body. The Dhamma sphere within this body is tatiya-magga
(the third path). As we enlarge the tatiya-magga
sphere to equal to the sun or the moon disc, we will see the crude Arupa-Brahma
body. In the middle of the crude
Arupa-Brahma body, we will see the refined Arupa-Brahma body which is the
eighth body. The refined Arupa-Brahma
body is even more beautiful. This body
can practice the 6 kammatthana(s) namely the four arupa-jhana(s)
(immaterial jhana), aharepatikulasanna (perception of disgust
of food) and catudhatuvavattana
(analysis of the four elements). So, totally there are 40 kammatthana(s). The eye of this body is samanta-cakkhu
(omniscience) which can see the 4 levels of Arupa-Brahma realm. We can visit the Arupa-Brahma realm with this
body, but we cannot see the Nirvana (Nibbana) yet.
We have to still the mind further at the center [of our body] which is two
fingers breadth above the navel level.
In the middle of the refined Arupa Brahma body which is the eighth body,
there is the Dhamma sphere called catuttha-magga (the fourth path). When the sphere is
enlarged to equal the moon or the sun disc, we will see another body called
‘Dhammakaya’ which is the ninth body.
Dhammakaya resembles a Buddha statue.
This beautiful body is crystal clear and crowned with a lotus bud. The Dhammakaya’s eye is called ‘Buddha-Cakkhu.’ This body can see the Nirvana, and we can
visit the Nirvana with this body. We
will be able to see the transcendental Lord Buddhas from the White Side,
Neutral Side, and Dark Side. We can meet
them, and we will know about the rolling of robe either clockwise or
counterclockwise. Anyone who reaches
this level can [now] believe [in my words].
If you don’t believe, it is up to you.
There are three types of people, the White Side, the Dark Side, and the
Neutral Side. The White Side will
believe. The Dark Side will not
believe. The Neutral Side will be
indifferent. If you want to know which
side one belongs to, you can observe from his/her behaviors. Honesty, sage, wise, and meritorious are the
qualities of the White Side. Fraudulent,
unwholesome courage, and unwholesomely wise are the qualities of the Dark
Side. The Neutral Side is neither honest
nor fraudulent.
There are many levels of Dhammakaya depending on the respective levels of
refinement. The first Dhammakaya which
is the 9th body is called the crude Gotrabhu Dhammakaya. Within the crude Gotrabhu Dhammakaya, there
is the refined Gotrabhu Dhammakaya.
Within the refined Gotrabhu Dhammakaya, there is Sotapattimagga body [or
crude Sotapanna Dhammakaya]. Wihtin the
Sotapattimagga body, there is Sotapatti-phala body [or refined Sotapanna
Dhammakaya]. Within Sotapatti-phala
body, there is Sakadagamimagga body [or crude Sakadagami Dhammakaya]. Within the Sakadagamimagga body, there is
Sakadagami-phala body [or refined Sakadagami Dhammakaya]. Wihtin Sakadagami-phala body, there is
Anagami-magga body [or crude Anagami Dhammakaya]. Within Anagami-magga body, there is Anagami-phala
body [or refined Anagami Dhammakaya].
Within Anagami-phala body, there is Arahatta-magga body [or crude Arahat
Dhammakaya]. Wihtin Arahatta-magga body,
there is Arahatta-phala body [or refined Arahat Dhammakaya]. Totally, there are 18 bodies.
The 8 bodies namely the human body, celestial body, Rupa Brahma body, and
Arupa Brahma body, both crude and refined level, are panca-khanda (five
aggregates), and they are aniccam (impermanent), dukkham
(suffering), and anattaa (non-self).
However, the 10 bodies ranging from the Gotrabhu Dhammakaya, Sotapanna
Dhammakaya, Sakadagami Dhammakaya, Anagami Dhammakaya, and Arahat Dhammakaya,
both crude and refined level, are dhamma-khanda which are niccam
(permanent), sukkham (blissful), and attaa (true-self). These bodies do not subject to change or
fluctuation. The panca-khanda
bodies are mundane whereas the dhamma-khanda are supra-mundane. The panca-khanda bodies can be used to
practice samatha (mental calm) which comprises of the 40 kammatthana(s). The supra-mundane bodies can be used for
practicing vipassana infinitely.
The 40 Samatha Kammatthana (Mental Calm Meditations)
Now, I would like to talk about the 40 kammatthana(s). We will use only the 8 lokiya
(mundane) bodies namely the human body, refined human body, celestial body,
refined celestial body, Rupa Brahma body, refined Rupa Brahma body, Arupa
Brahma body, and refined Arupa Brahma body.
If we are to practice the 40 kammatthana(s), we have to sap
kaya (shuffle inner bodies) and sawn kaya(insert inner bodies) first
in order to do it competently. We have
to reverse backward from the 8th body to the 7th, the 6th,
the 5th, and so on until reaching the 1st body. Then we proceed from the 1st body
to the 2nd, the 3rd, and so on until reaching the 8th
body. Then proceed reversely from the 8th
body until reaching the 1st body.
Practice the sap kaya and sawn kaya like this for 7 times
or more until we gain expertise and all the bodies become crystal clear.
As the [inner transcendental] bodies become crystal clear, practice the kasina
meditation within the dutiya-magga sphere of the celestial body. When the dutiya-magga sphere becomes
crystal clear and enlarges as big as the moon or the sun, repeat the mantra ‘pathavi
kasinam’ in mind. Then, the earth [solid
element or solidity] will arise inside the sphere. This is the pathavi kasina which is
clear like a crystal. When our mind
becomes firmly refined and deepens further through the earth [or solidity], the
water [cohesive element or fluid] will arise in the middle of the earth
sphere. This is apo kasina (water
kasina). Thus, the earth will
disappear. As our mind becomes more refined
further than the water, the wind [mobile element] will arise in the middle of apo
kasina. This is vayo kasina (air or wind kasina), and the apo
kasina will disappear. They arise
and disappear respectively. The 4th
one is tejo kasina (fire kasina).
The 5th one is nila kasina (green kasina). The 6th one is pita kasina
(yellow kasina). The 7th one is lohita kasina (red kasina).
The 8th one is odata kasina (white kasina). The 9th one is aloka kasina
(bright light kasina). And the 10th one is akasa kasina
(aperture kasina). As our mind
becomes very much more refined than the kasina(s), the kasina(s)
disappear. Then, there arises the 10 asubha(s).
It all starts with our own body which is like a corpse. The first one is the inflated corpse. The second one is the corpse that turns
green. The third one is the fully
inflated corpse with leaking pus. The fourth
one is the corpse which breaks. The
fifth one is the corpse eaten by animals.
The sixth one is the corpse which parts into pieces. The seventh one is the corpse with scattered
parts. The eighth one is the corpse full
of blood. The ninth one is the corpse
full of worms. The
tenth one is the corpse with only the skeletons. As our mind becomes firmly still and refined
further than the ten asubha(s), they disappear, and the 10 anussati(s) or recollections will arise.
As the mind becomes refined until reaching buddhanussati
(recollection of the Lord Buddha), the virtues of the Lord Buddha arise. When the mind reaches dhammanussati
(recollection of the Dhamma), the virtues of the Dhamma arise. When the mind reaches sanghanussati
(recollection of the Sangha or Buddhist monks), the virtues of the Sangha
arise. The rest will arise respectively,
ranging from the fourth one which is recollection of sila (moral disciplines), resulting the virtues of sila
to arise. The fifth one is the
recollection of dhana (generosity), resulting the virtues of dhana to
arise. The sixth one is recollection of
the virtues that cause one to reborn as a celestial being, resulting the
virtues that result one to become a celestial being to arise. The seventh one is recollection of kaya
(or body), resulting the virtues that cause one to recollect the kaya to
arise. The eighth one is recollection of
the breathing in and out, resulting the virtues that cause one to recollect of
the breathing in and out to arise. The
ninth one is recollection of death, resulting the virtues that cause one to
recollect death to arise. The tenth one
is recollection of the virtues of the Nibbana (or Nirvana), resulting the
virtues that cause one to recollect suffering cessation to arise. The celestial body can do all of the 30 kammathana(s)
like this.
As the mind becomes firmly refined further than the 10anussati(s)
or recollections, it will reach the metta brahma vihara (sublime
attitude of compassion). When the mind
becomes compassionate toward other living beings in general (wishing other
sentient beings to be happy), the first jhana (meditative absorption)
arises in the middle of the celestial body.
Then, the Rupa Brahma body will appear seating on the base which is jhana
disc comprising of vitakka (applied thought), vicara (sustained
thought), piti (rapture), sukkha (peaceful happiness), and ekaggata
(one-pointed concentration). The jhana
disc is 2 wa or 4 meters in diameter and 1 kueb (1 hand’s width) or
approximately 25 centimeters thick. It
is rounded like the moon [disc] and crystal clear like a mirror.
As the mind becomes firmly refined until reaching the karuna brahma
vihara (sublime attitude of the merciful helpfulness feeling). The mind wishes to free other living beings
from sufferings. The dutiya-jhana
which is the second sphere arises in the middle of the pathama-jhana
(the first state of meditative absorption).
Then the pathama-jhana disappears altogether with vitaka
(applied thought) and vicara (sustained thought). There remains onlypiti (rapture), sukkha
(peaceful happiness), and ekaggata (one-pointed concentration). When the mind becomes firmly still further
until reaching the mudita brahma vihara (sublime attitude of sympathetic
joy), the appreciation when others experience good things, the tatiya-jhana arises
in the middle of the dutiya-jhana.
The dutiya jhana disappears altogether with piti (rapture).
As the mind becomes firmly refined until reaching upekkha brahma vihara
(sublime attitude of equanimity], the feeling of neither happy nor
sad towards others’ suffering, the catuttha-jhana or the fourth
meditative absorption arises in the middle of the third jhana
sphere. The third jhana sphere,
then, disappears altogether with sukkha (happiness). There remains only ekaggata
(one-pointed concentration)and equanimity which arises altogether with the
fourth jhana.
The Rupa-Brahma body can do these four kammathana(s). So, totally, there have been 34 kammathana(s). As the mind becomes firmly refined further
than the four rupa-jhana(s), the Arupa-Brahma body will arise in the
middle of the tatiya-magga sphere which is in the middle of the
Rupa-Brahma body. Then, Arupa-Brahma
body is seated in the air (akasanancayatana-jhana). The air is 2 wa or 4 meters in
diameter and 1 kueb (1 hand’s width) or 25 centimeters thick
amidst the spaciousness. It is rounded
like the moon [disc]. If we measure the
circumference, it is 6 wa or 12 meters.
Each of the four rupa-jhana(s) is 6 wa or 12 meters in
circumference as well. As the mind
becomes firmly refined further than the air, thinking that the air is too
coarse, vinnanancayatana-jhana will arise in the middle of the air
sphere. This is the second arupa-jhana
which is 2 wa or 4 meters in diameter and 1 kueb (1 hand’s width)
or 25 centimeters thick as well. Then, the
air disappears. As the mind becomes
firmly refined further than vinnanancayatana-jhana, thinking that Viññāna
is too coarse, akincannayatana-jhana which is the emptiness that is even
more refined will arise in the middle of vinnanancayatana-jhana disc. This is the third arupa-jhana. Then, vinnanancayatana-jhana will
disappear.
The third arupa jhana is the level that Prince Siddharta, the
ascetic, attained when he studied with Alara Kalama, an ascetic. So, the Prince furthered his study with
another ascetic, Uddaka Ramaputta. Uddaka told him to refine the mind further
until attaining nevasannanasannayatana-jhana (the sphere of neither
perception nor non-perception). This is
the 38thkammathana.
The 39thkammathana is aharepatikulasanna (perception
of disgust of food), seeing the foods that others eat. The foods are refined that they infiltrate within
rice and water, similar to the salty taste inside the salt or sweetness inside the
sugar. The foods nourish our body from
top to toes. The rice and water turn
into excrement. The 40thkammathana
is catudhatuvavattana
(analysis of the four elements), seeing the elements that nourish foods
and our body from top to toes, including our hairs which the elements nourish
throughout. Altogether, there are 40 kammathana(s). These are samatha (mental calm) level. We can count on only the kammathana(s)
that occur inside, we cannot count on those that occur outside because they are
dhassanupa kilesa.
When Prince Siddharta completed all of these, he knew clearly that they
did not lead to enlightenment because he had not reached Dhammakaya yet. By that time, he attained the refined human
body, celestial body, Rupa Brahma body, and Arupa Brahma body only. He realized that they were not the path
toward enlightening Buddhahood.
Therefore, the Prince wandered alone further for six years to practice
self-mortification. This was because the
transcendental Buddha(s) from the Dark Side and the Neutral Side tried to
obstruct him as mara(s) [or the evil obstructers]. They did not obstruct moderately, but they
obstructed badly. If there were no
obstruction from transcendental Buddha(s) from other Sides, it would be easier
for Prince Siddharta [to attain enlightenment].
The Prince did not know as well that he was obstructed by the evil mara(s).
However, after he attained enlightenment, he knew about the evil mara(s). Prince Siddharta had practiced self-mortification
for a long time. He withheld his breaths
and tried fasting. These were due to the
obstructing mara(s) [who persuaded the Prince to do so]. However, with the perseverance and wisdom of
Prince Siddharta, he finally changed his practice by consuming foods until his
body gained strength from Mathupayas Yaku Rice offered by Lady Sujata. Then, he tried an oracle by floating the gold
tray [which was used by Lady Sujata to contain foods] into the Nairanjah river
and made a wish for the gold tray to float upstream if he would attain
enlightenment; otherwise, it should float downstream. After he made a wish and placed the gold tray
onto the water surface, the gold tray floated upstream for the distance of 20 wa
or 40 meters and sank. Prince Siddharta
witnessed this, and he was assured that he would attain enlightenment.
In the evening, Prince Siddharta received eight handful of grasses from Sothiya
Brahmin. After that, the Prince spread
the grasses under the Bodhi tree and made a wish that if he would attain
enlightenment and become a Buddha, may the diamond throne [seat] appear. By the end of his wishing, the diamond throne
which was 7 meters in height appeared.
As Prince Siddharta saw this, he had no more hesitation. Thus, he took his seat on the throne and made
a vow that he would not rouse from his seat if he would not attain
enlightenment although his blood, flesh, and heart would dry up until there
remained only the skeletons. Prince
Siddharta was confident in sacrificing his own life because he witnessed that
his wishes came true. So, he was certain
that he would attain enlightenment.
As the Prince was firmly confident, he closed his eyes and meditated until
reaching the refined human body, celestial body, Rupa Brahma body, and Arupa
Brahma body. He sap(shuffle) and sawn
(insert)his [inner] bodies very well until they became crystal clear. Then, he rested his mind in the middle of catuttha-magga
sphere which was within the center of Arupa Brahma body.
When the Dhammakaya was to arise, allowing Prince Siddharta to become the
Buddha, mara(s) [the evil ones] were alerted, both Lord Mara Deity and
his subordinates. The transcendental Dark
Buddha(s) also obstructed Prince Siddharta badly.
This is the crucial part that some Buddhist teachers or scholars deleted
because they did not know about the inner bodies. They thought that the human body of Prince
Siddharta who was sitting under the Bodhi tree was in no way comparable to the
Lord Mara Deity who was 150 yojana or 2,400 kilometers in height. So, they deleted the part about encountering
the evil mara(s), thinking that the commentary admired the Prince
Siddharta too much by exaggerating the story.
They thought that Lord Gotama Buddha had no supernatural power, and
everything was just personifications.
They believed that the 3 goddess daughters of Lord Mara Deity meant the
thinking of Prince Siddharta. For the part
that Tanha (desire) goddess tried to sexually entice Prince Siddharta, they
thought that it was the Prince’s mind which wandered into his wife, Princess Bhimba,
and his son, Prince Rahula. For the part
of the story that Arati (aversion) goddess sexually allured Prince Siddharta,
they thought that the Prince’s mind just wandered [into sensual desire]. When the Prince drove away all the Lord Mara
Deity’s daughters, they thought that it meant his mind stopped thinking [about
sensual desire] already. After the three
daughters of Lord Mara Deity left, the Lord Mara Deity rallied to confront
Prince Siddharta, but the Buddhist teachers and scholars thought that the
Prince’s mind was experiencing the five hindrances or the obstacles that block
the mind from transcending to wisdom.
Their explanations are quite believable for those who do not know about
the inner bodies and have to think in order to figure out all about these. The height of Lord Mara Deity’s elephant was
150 yojana or 2,400 kilometers whereas the Bodhi tree where Prince
Siddharta was sitting under was only 120 sok or 60 meters in
height. So, they are not
comparable. I myself tried to do the
scaling by turning the yojana (1 yojana = 16 kilometers) into
centimeter, and I drew a picture of Lord Mara’s elephant which is 150
centimeters in height. Its nails are 5
centimeters each. The elephant is 150 yojana
in height, so its nails are 5 yojana each. When the Lord Mara Deity rid the elephant, Lord
Mara Deity controlled the elephant to take Prince Siddharta’s throne. If the Prince took a look with his naked
eyes, he would not be able to see the face of Lord Mara Deity or the
elephant. He would not see even a half
of the elephant’s nails because the human eyes could see within 1 yojana
(16 kilometers) only. But the elephant’s
nails were 5 yojana each. By the
way, they were celestial. How could they
be seen?
The truth is that Prince Siddharta did not see them with his naked eyes,
but he saw with the samanta-cakkhu or the divine eyes of the Arupa
Brahma body which was further than the dibba-cakkhu (divine eye) and
panna-cakkhu (wisdom eye). He almost
reached Buddha-cakkhu which was beyond imagination. Although many more elephants would be piled
up, they were still lower than Prince Siddharta’s throne because the Lord Mara
Deity and his subordinates were celestial bodies. The Prince encountered them with his Arupa
Brahma body which was more refined and superior. The celestial bodies were in no way to fight
with him. No matter how the
transcendental Dark Buddha(s) tried to obstruct Prince Siddharta, the
transcendental White Buddha, [the Primordial Buddha(s) of the White Side or Ton
Dhat Ton Dham], also helped to fight.
All of these are real… the Lord Mara Deity, the subordinate mara(s),
and the Lord Mara Deity’s daughters.
They were celestial bodies which could not be seen with naked eyes. We have to reach the dibba-cakkhu
(divine eye), panna-cakkhu (wisdom eye), or samanta-cakkhu in
order to see them because their bodies are celestial. For the transcendental Lord Buddha bodies
(Dhammakaya), they can be seen with Buddha-cakkhu only.
As the Buddhist teachers and scholars had revised this story in the past
40 years, since 1917, they deleted most of the supernatural parts of the Lord
Gotama Buddha. This was because they did
not know about the inner bodies. So,
they deleted all the parts which were supernatural. This caused the truth to fade away. Indeed, what the commentators already
described was not detailing enough, when comparing to the truth. The commentators gave only brief explanations. I myself have to write briefly as well. I am unable to write the thorough story
because there are so many details.
When the Lord Mara Deity was defeated, the Dhammakaya arose in the middle of
catuttha-magga sphere, in the middle of the Arupa Brahma body, which is
the eighth body of Prince Siddharta. The
Dhammakaya body resembles a Buddha statue, crowned with a lotus bud. This crystal clear body is the ninth body of
Prince Siddharta. This body is the body
of Buddhahood. When attaining this body,
it is called ‘Gotrabhu-nana’ which allowed Prince Siddharta to recall
past lifetimes. Entering hundreds or
thousands bodies, hundreds or thousands lifetimes can be recalled. Entering tens of thousands or hundreds of
thousands bodies, tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands lifetimes can be
recalled. Entering innumerable bodies,
innumerable lifetimes can be recalled.
The Dhammakaya makes it possible for one to meet and converse with the
Lord Buddha(s) either from the White Side, Dark Side, or Neutral Side.
After attaining the Gotrabhu Dhammakaya, Prince Siddharta considered the ariyasacca
(The Four Noble Truths). He saw that
human bodies suffer from birth, aging, illness, and death. He saw the celestial body as samudaya (cause
of sufferings), seeking for reincarnation endlessly. He saw the Rupa Brahma and Arupa Brahma body
as nirodha (cessation of suffering) for the sake of ending [coarse]
sufferings. He saw the Dhammakaya as magga
(the path leading to enlightenment) for the sake of being away from
sufferings. Then, Prince Siddharta
proceeded into samapatti to consider the Four Noble Truths.
The term ‘samapatti’ means rupa-jhana(s) and arupa-jhana(s)
which are proceeded by Rupa Brahma body and Arupa Brahma body respectively. These are the lokiya [mundane] bodies,
so their jhana(s) are named ‘lokiya-jhana(s).’ However, for the rupa-samapatti and arupa
samapatti which are proceeded by Dhammakaya, which is a lokuttara [supra-mundane]
body, the Dhammakaya’s jhana(s) are called ‘lokuttara-jhana.’ Then, having the Gotrabhu Dhammakaya to
proceed into samapatti to view dukkha (suffering), samudaya
(cause of suffering), nirodha (cessation of suffering), and magga
(path to liberation) further on until the Gotrabhu Dhammakaya ‘Tok Suen,’
resulting the another clearer, brighter, and more refined Dhammakaya to arise.
The term ‘Tok Suen’ means processing the samapatti more and
more until the Dhammakaya becomes [exceptionally] clear. Then, the Dhammakaya ceases and turns into a
crystal clear sphere which is about the same size of an egg yolk, arising at
[the center of the body] which is two fingers breadth above navel level. This is ‘Tok Suen.’ Consequently, there arises another Dhammakaya
which is clearer and cleaner than the previous one. Next, proceed further into samapatti
until the new Dhammakaya ‘Tok Suen,’ and another Dhammakaya arises
again. This is the attainment of
Sotapatti-magga body [crude Sotapanna Dhammakaya]. Proceed into samapatti with Sotapatti-magga
body and view the Four Noble Truths until the Sotapatti-magga body ‘Tok Suen.’ Then, the Sotapatti-phala body [refined
Sotapanna Dhammakaya] will arise. This
is the first level of Noble disciple who sees the Four Noble Truths more
clearly than commoners or Gotrabhu individuals.
So far, it has been totally 4 kicca (duty).
Then, proceed into samapatti with the Sotapatti-phala body and view
dukkha, samudaya, nirodha, and magga, until the Sotapatti-phala body
‘Tok Suen.’ There will arise
another Dhammakaya called Sakadagami-magga body [crude Sakadagami
Dhammakaya]. Take the Sakadagami-magga body
to proceed into samapatti and view dukkha, samudaya, nirodha, and
magga until the Sakadagami-magga body ‘Tok Suen.’ Then, the new body called Sakadagami-phala [refined
Sakadagami Dhammakaya] will arise. This
is the second level of Noble disciple who sees the Four Noble Truths more
clearly than the Sotapanna individuals.
So far, it has been totally eight kicca (duty).
Take the Sakadagami-phala body to proceed into samapatti and view dukkha,
samudaya, nirodha, and magga, until the Sakadagami-phala body ‘Tok Suen.’ There will arise another body called Anagami-magga
body [crude Anagami Dhammakaya]. Then,
proceed into samapatti with Anagami-magga body and view dukkha,
samudaya, nirodha, and magga.
The Anagami-magga body will ‘Tok Suen,’ and there will arise the
Anagami-phala body [refined Anagami Dhammakaya]. This is the third level of Noble disciple who
can see the Four Noble Truths more clearly than the Sakadagami individuals. So far, it has been totally 12 kicca (duty).
Proceed into samapatti with Anagami-phala body and view dukkha,
samudaya, nirodha, and magga until the body ‘Tok Suen.’ Then, another body will arise. This is the attainment of Arahatta-magga body
[crude Arahat Dhammakaya]. Take this new
body to proceed into samapatti and view dukkha, samudaya, nirodha,
and magga until it ‘Tok Suen.’
Then, this is the attainment of another body called Arahatta-phala body
[refined Arahat Dhammakaya]. This is the
fourth level of Noble disciple. This
body can see the Four Noble Truths more clearly and thoroughly than the Anagami
individuals. So far, it has been totally
16 kicca or the 16 duties. This
is the completion of monastic practice, and there is no more.
When attaining the Arahat Dhammakaya, Prince Siddharta realized without
doubt that he already became the Buddha.
Among the 18 bodies, 8 of them are lokiya [mundane] body
comprising of the human body, celestial body, Rupa Brahma body, and Arupa
Brahma body, both crude and refined level.
If any of these 8 bodies enters jhana or meditative absorption,
it becomes the lokiya-jhana all alike.
For the Dhammakaya(s), ranging from the Gotrabhu body until the Arahat
body, and the other [more refined] Dhammakya(s) within the Arahat Dhammakaya
body further, being the tow bodies, chood bodies, chan
bodies, torn bodies, parg bodies, and pued bodies, until
the bodies become innumerable, these are the lokuttara bodies. When any of these lokuttara bodies
enter into meditative absorption or jhana, it becomes lokuttara-jhana
[supra-mundane jhana]. If one
wishes to enter Nibbana (Nirvana), one can do so with the lokuttara
body by abandoning the lokiya bodies in the Three Worlds.
The lokiya bodies can abandon layers of body as well. For example, to reborn in the celestial
realm, hell realm, peta (hungry ghost) realm, or asurakaya
(demon) realm, one has to disconnect the refined human body (which the
celestial body rests within) to reborn. (Those
who seek for reincarnation are called ‘sambhavesi body.’ If they found the place for incarnation
already, they are called the celestial body) Leaving the human body in the
human world. The mind, citta, and
viññāna of human body will cease altogether with the human body.
If one attains rupa-jhana, one can reborn in the Brahma realm by
taking the Rupa Brahma body there, leaving the celestial body in the celestial
realm whereas the mind, citta, and viññāna of the celestial body
cease altogether with the celestial body.
If one attains arupa-jhana, one has to reborn in the Arupa Brahma
realm by taking the Arupa Brahma body there, leaving the Rupa Brahma body in
the Rupa Brahma realm. The mind, citta,
and viññāna of the Rupa Brahma will cease altogether with the Rupa
Brahma body.
If one wishes to reborn in the human world again, one has to sawn (settle)
into the Rupa Brahma body, celestial body, and the human body (refined – crude)
inside the mother’s womb, respectively as usual.
If one reborn as an animal, the physical body is an animal but there are
the refined human body, celestial body, Rupa Brahma body, Arupa Brahma body,
and Dhammakaya(s) inside, similar to a human.
Anyone who practices vipassana until attaining Dhammakaya, s(he)
can ask the animals about their karmas that result them to become animals. The animals’ inner bodies will be able to
tell you thoroughly, no matter what kind of animals they are because the
celestial body, Rupa Brahma body, and Arupa Brahma body do reincarnate, but
they do not get old or get sick. They
can remember their past lifetimes. Human
and animal bodies have to be born, get old, get sick, and die, and they cannot
remember their past lifetimes.
The Nibbana (Nirvana), the Three Realms namely (1) Arupa Brahma
realm, (2) Rupa Brahma realm, and (3) the Sensual realm which comprises of
(3.1) the celestial world, (3.2) the human world, and (3.3) hells, and the Lokantara
Hell realm which is the deepest level of all hells are available within all
human bodies. All bodies… every realm… have
five khanda(s) (the five aggregates consist of corporeality or form,
sensation, perception, volition, and cognition). Even the Arupa Brahma level, they have five khanda(s). The difference is that their five khanda(s)
are even more refined. For hell realms
and hell creatures in the Lokantara hell realm, they also have five khanda(s). Moreover, the Phra Nibbana (the
residents of Nirvana) also have five khanda(s), but the five khanda(s)
of Phra Nibbana are named differently.
1)
Khanda-loka – Within the body of Phra Nibbana
is called ‘Dhamma-Khanda’ instead of the ‘five khanda.’
2)
Sattava-loka – Within the body of Phra Nibbana
is called ‘Ariyasacca’ instead of ‘Sattavaloka.’
3)
Akasa-loka – Wihtin the body of Phra Nibbana
is called ‘Dhammadhatu’ instead of ‘Akasa-dhatu.’ We can say that it is the six dhatu
(elements). This is the akasa-dhatu
or air element which is more refined, subtle, neat, and cool or frigid.
The Nibbana in the middle of the center of human body is called ‘Nibbana
Bhen’ or ‘Living Nirvana’ or Saupadisesa Nibbana. However, the Nibbana which is located
above the Three Realms for the distance which is 3 times of the Three Realms,
is the residence of Lord Buddhas, Paccekka Buddhas (or Silent Buddhas),
and Arahant disciples (the fully enlightened ones) who already passed
away. This residence is called ‘Ayatana
Nibbana’ or ‘Anupadisesa Nibbana.’
The center of Ayatana Nibbana conforms to the center of ‘Nibbana
Bhen’ or Saupadisesa Nibbana which rests inside the human
bodies. When the dhatdham proceeds
into jhana-samapatti until it ‘Tok Suen’ of the Nibbana Bhen,
one is able to enter the center of Ayatana Nibbana. The Ayatana Nibbana which is located
above the three realms will, then, draw the dhatdham toward the Ayatana
Nibbana. This is not different from
the celestial body who intends to reborn in the mother’s womb. After it ‘Tok Suen,’ the center of
origin (Suen Kam Nerd Derm) which is at the womb of the mother will draw
the celestial body to settle at the center of origin of the womb.
Likewise, the Anupadisesa Nibbana, which is located above the Three
Realms for the distance of three times of the Three Realms, draws the Saupadisesa
Nibbana which is inside the human body to adhere to the Ayatana Nibbana. [Like the pulling force of a magnet or
gravity of planets.] This is because
both have [similar] ayatana. Saupadisesa
Nibbana has its ayatana, and this is the same to Anupadisesa
Nibbana. When the dhatdham
proceeds into samapatti until it ‘Tok Suen,’ matching to the same
center, it is drawn to adhere together.
This is similar to the ayatana within the eyes and ayatana
within figures, when they match by ‘Tok Suen,’ they are drawn to each
other.
The content about Nirvana in the Pali scripture is like concealing
something, and it is questionable. I, Phra
Kru Vinaidhorn Chua, quote the translations but exclude the Pali language
because I cannot translate. So, I quote
only the translation of three statements as follows:
1) The Lord Buddha said “Monks! There is such ayatana where there is no earth, water, wind, and fire. It is none of the akasanancayatana, vinnanancayatana, akincannayatana, and nevasanna nasannayatana. It is neither this world nor the other worlds. It is neither the moon nor the sun. Moreover, Monks! I am not saying that such ayatana is about coming, going, situating, passing away, or reincarnating. The ayatana has no footing. It has no going on. There is no emotion. This is it, the end of suffering.”
How can we comprehend the above statement as whatever
about Nibbana is not mentioned except that there is ayatana only. This is not wrong because there is no earth, water,
wind, and fire [elements] in Nibbana. In addition, there is no akasanancayatana-jhana,
vinnanancayatana-jhana, akincannayatana-jhana, and nevasanna-nasannayatana-jhana. These are available in the Arupa Brahma realm
only. This world and the other worlds
are not available in the Nibbana.
They exist only in human world, celestial world, Brahma realm, and mara
world. Both the moon and the sun are not
available in Nibbana, they are available only to the human world. The aforesaid are not available in the Nibbana. How can one know where the Nibbana is?
2) “This nature (Dhamma) is profound. It can hardly be seen. It can hardly be attained. This nature is calm, subtle, unpredictable, and refined. The pandit (virtuous ones) will be eligible to know this.”
This statement tells us what the Nibbana is
about. But those who do not know about Nibbana
will not be able to comprehend.
3)
“This nature is already calmed. This nature is neat. Whatever nature is the state of calmness for all
sankhara(s) [or bodily, verbal, and mental formation], the given up of
all upadhi (kilesa or mental impurities
which are the cause of incarnation), the end of tanha (craving) and raga (lust). It is Nibbana,
the place for cessation.
This statement tells us only the nature of Nibbana, but the location of Nibbana is not given. So, it is hard to grasp the essence. If I am to say more, it will be like distorting the Lord Buddha’s sayings since this statement is from the Pali scripture. I am afraid of sin [from distorting the Lord Buddha’s teaching] as well.
Regarding the Nibbana seen by those who attained Dhammakaya, there are only crystal clear fantastic things. The Lord Buddha(s)’ transcendental bodies [or Dhammakayas] are crystal clear. It is the same to other things which are splendid crystals such as Culla Chakkavatti crystals, Maha Chakkavatti crystals, and Parama Chakkavatti crystals. The humans who have much merit will be able to use them. These crystals are sent from Nibbana. There are also the celestial Culla Chakkavatti crystals, celestial Maha Chakkavatti crystals, and celestial Parama Chakkavatti crystals which are used by the celestial beings and Brahma beings who have much merit. These crystals are sent from the Nibbana as well. In addition, there are Buddha Culla Chakkavatti crystals, Buddha Maha Chakkavatti crystals, and Buddha Parama Chakkavatti crystals which are used in the Nibbana. All of them are wonderful kaya-siddhi [the body of mystical power] crystals which are available in innumerable number. But they are not mentioned in the Pali scriptures.
When the Lord Buddha was alive, he might have had taught all about this. There are some hints available in the old scriptures such as “Becoming an enlightened Arahant who can eliminate defilements completely and reach the crystal world which is Nibbana.” Presently, there is not so many mentioning about Nibbana. It has been eliminated. It has been lessened more and more as we can witness.
Now that Buddhism has lasted more than two thousand years, I am afraid that the Lord Buddha’s sayings were deviated (or omitted) so much until nobody knows [the truth] about the Nibbana.
It was concluded that the Nibbana did not exist. The Dark Side has always tried to use their insight power to control the sensation, perception, volition, and cognition (collectively, the mind) of the commentators to adjust the Lord Buddha’s sayings until the contents become deviated.
This is because the Nibbana is a crucial point aimed by Lord Buddha(s) and Arahant(s). The Dark Side put so much effort to conceal the Nibbana. This is because the Dark Side will be able to joyfully manipulate the sentient beings who are still in the Three Realms. For anyone who reaches Nibbana, s(he) will no longer be afraid [of the Dark Lords]. Therefore, the Dark Side has tried to obstruct as much as possible.
The Nibbana is the place for considerable bliss
which nothing can be compared to. There
are the transcendental supra-mundane Chakkavatti(s) who take care and
serve the Lord Buddha(s) in the Nibbana.
Their bodies are crystal clear.
They do not look after the Nibbana only, the transcendental supra-mundane
Chakkavatti(s) and Buddha(s) also look after the Three Realms
continuously. They bring about fertility
to nourish the sentient beings. The Lord
Buddhas in Nibbana are more than the parents who [look after] their
children. Normally, no matter how bad
the children are, the parents still love them, although the children have no
gratitude at all. The virtues of the
Lord Buddha(s) are even more than that because they are compassionate and
helpful toward all sentient beings without discrimination. Even the Buddhist disciples who may be evil
or have no gratitude like Phra Devadatta, the Lord Buddha(s) still have
compassion upon him always. Thus, the
Lord Buddha(s)’ virtues are beyond describing.
It is stated in an old scripture that if
a man is made to have one thousand heads, each head has one hundred
mouths and each mouth has one hundred tongues, these are not enough to describe
the virtues of the Lord Buddha(s) throughout one kappa or aeon
However, the mighty Dark Side is the opposite. Although a man who has one thousand heads, with each head having one hundred mouths and each mouth having one hundred tongues, these are not enough to describe the might and harm of the evil mara(s) throughout an aeon. Every Dark Lord Buddha is the Lord of Death. They cause only sufferings to sentient beings, and the sufferings of sentient beings are numerous. This is the nature or Dhamma of the Dark Side. Therefore, we can endlessly describe about their harm.
The Lord Buddha(s) who belong to the White Side send
fertility to nourish sentient beings or Buddhist monks and novice monks in the
religion, please observe that for any Buddhist monastery where Buddhist monks
and novice monks observe precepts strictly, the monastery or temple will be
well-known and receive much offerings.
Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen is an example.
Luang Por Wat Paknam (Phramongkolthepmuni) accepts the Dhamma and Vinaya
only. He does not accept things that
contradict to the Dhamma and Vinaya.
He observes 227 precepts strictly without missing a single one. He is also reckless in purifying his precepts
observance by confessing his possibly violation of precepts at dawn everyday.
Luang Por teaches and directs Buddhist monks and novice monks to have the right conducts daily. So, Wat Paknam Temple is fertile and faces with no shortage. Hundreds of monks, novice monks, and laypeople can live here without starving. Sometime, there are some faults or imperfections as the resident monks and novice monks came from other temples. They still have the habits from their former temples. Consequently, they have misconducts, and these are the Dhamma of the Dark Side. The Dark Side sends the badness to obstruct, but it cannot obstruct much because there are so many other monks and novice monks who are strict in the disciplines. So, the Dark Side cannot obstruct conveniently. If the monks and novice monks follow Luang Por’s teachings, it is not only Wat Paknam that can be fertile, tens of other temples can be fertile as well.
The transcendental Buddha(s) from the Dark Side are mighty. They are the Lord of Death who worsen the lives of sentient beings. They always conceal all about themselves. They do not want others to know about them. This is similar to an evil human who commits misdeeds and does not want anyone to know about. The transcendental Dark Lord Buddha(s) always conceal their own evil things. It is difficult to find someone to encounter their might, and the transcendental Dark Lord Buddhas are not afraid of anyone.
The Lord Buddha(s) from the White Side, like Lord Gotama Buddha, who passed away to Nibbana, are in no way to fight [with the transcendental Dark Lord Buddha], although there are millions or asankheyya (innumerable) of the transcendental White Lord Buddhas. This is because the transcendental White Lord Buddha(s) who passed away by entering the Nibbana with their Dhammakaya(s) are like prawns or crabs that slough off the crusts. Their sloughed bodies are too soft to battle with the Dark Lord Buddha(s).] They are unlike the other ancient Buddhas who entered Nibbana with their living human bodies. However, the Buddhas who entered the Nibbana like this still find it quite difficult to battle with the Dark Lord Buddhas.
Regarding our Lord Gotama Buddha, he also wished to enter Nibbana alive as well. But he was in no way to battle [with the transcendental Dark Lord Buddha], so he had to pass away and entered Nibbana. After he newly attained enlightenment, he went to take a seat under the banyan tree, the evil Lord Mara Deity [celestial body] asked him to enter Nibbana on that very day. But Lord Gotama Buddha replied to the evil Lord Mara Deity that if the four Buddhist communities which comprise of bhikkhu (male Buddhist monks), bhikkhuni (female Buddhist monks), upasaka (laymen), and upasika (laywomen), are not well pure and the religion is not well propagated, he would not enter Nibbana. After the evil Lord Mara Deity heard that, it disappeared. This is stated in the Pali scripture.
After the evil Lord Mara Deity left, the transcendental
Dark Lord Buddha appeared. Please do not
believe in my words yet because this part of the story is not available in the
Pali scripture. But it was seen by those
who attained Dhammakaya. You have to
practice [Dhammakaya meditation] until you have and become Dhammakaya as
instructed previously. Then, you can
take a look by yourself [with your insight.]
Then, it is up to you to believe or disbelieve. When the transcendental Dark Lord Buddha
appeared in front of Lord Gotama Buddha, his body was clear like a [black]
crystal. The Dark Buddha questioned “As
you are not to enter Nibbana yet, are you going to battle with me or do
the propagation?” Lord Gotama Buddha had
attained enlightenment and Buddhahood for not so long, and he did not know
much. So, he proceeded into samapatti
for seven days to meet with other ancient Lord Buddhas in Nibbana
until he reached the Lord Buddha who entered Nibbana alive with human
body. He asked the ancient Lord Buddha
if he should battle or do the propagation.
The ancient Lord Buddha of the White Side said “You better do
propagation. You are in no way to battle
because your parami (perfection) is less than him [The Dark Lord
Buddha]. Then, the ancient Lord Buddha
gave Lord Gotama Buddha a guidance to make only one agreement. Then, Lord Gotama Buddha retreated from his nirodha-samapatti
and replied [to the Dark Lord Buddha] that “I will do the
propagation.” The Dark Lord, thus, set
up four conditions [for Lord Gotama Buddha to follow] as follows:
1.
Do not involve in the projects [of the Dark Side] that
cause sufferings to sentient beings. Do
not tell anyone about this.
2.
Do not allow the Buddhist disciples to express their
might and power to involve in the Dark Side’s projects.
3.
When doing propagation, teach people that the cause is
‘karma’ of living beings. Do not teach
that it is due to the transcendental Dark Lord Buddha(s).
4.
Enter Nibbana at the age of 80 year old.
If Lord Gotama Buddha accepted these four conditions,
the Dark Lord Buddha agreed not to invade him.
The Lord Gotama Buddha set up only one condition that “There is no specific
ending to my religion. As long as there
are magga (path) and phala (fruition), my religion still lasts.”
After they made the pledge for no invasion, Lord
Gotama Buddha had taught sentient beings.
As Buddhism was widespread, and there were more disciples, the Dark Side
used its trick by governing the sensation, perception, volition, and cognition
of Buddhist disciples to commit misdeeds.
For example, Ven. Suthin had a sexual intercourse, Ven. Thaniya committed
adhinnadana (taking what is not given), and the monks at Vakkumuta River
committed manussa vikkaha (killing other human(s) or oneself). Also, some disciple monks boasted the
supra-normal quality which they did not really possess (boasting uttari
manussa dhamma) resulting in one of the 4 Parajika. The Dark Lord also governed the mind of
Buddhist disciple monks to commit 13 Sanghadisesa, 2 Aniyata, 30 Nissaggiya
Pacittiya, 92 Pacittiya, 4 Patidesaniya, 75 Sekhiyavatta,
and 7 Adhikarana-samatha. Totally, there are 227 precepts. The Lord Gotama Buddha had to regulate more precepts
[for Buddhist monks]. For a Buddhist
religion where the Lord Buddha regulates so many precepts, there will be less
attainment of magga and phala.
If there are less precepts, the attainment of magga and phala
will be more. The Dark Lord Buddha had
intervened the Buddhist religion of Lord Gotama Buddha, resulting the Lord
Gotama Buddha to regulate so many precepts that made it hard for disciples to
do things [freely]. Then, the Dark Lord
Buddha set up its own rule that the Buddhist disciple monks, who did not
violate the precepts and had good conducts, belong to the Lord Gotama
Buddha. On the other hand, the disciple
monks who committed misconducts and violated the precepts are disciples of the
Dark Lord. As the Dark Lord did like
this, Lord Gotama Buddha had to remain still.
If he would say anything about the Dark Side, it would breach agreed
conditions. Normally, the Lord Buddha(s)
of the White Side always keep their words or promises. If Lord Gotama Buddha was to complain the
Dark Lord Buddha, the Dark Lord would say that dishonesty and fraudulent are
the nature or Dhamma of the Dark Side which the Dark Lord had to follow. If Lord Gotama Buddha would battle with the
Dark Lord, he would have no time for propagation because he had to still his
mind in nirodha-samapatti only. [The
Lord Buddhas from different Sides battle each other with insight power and vijja
or super-knowledge, not physical action.]
In addition, Lord Gotma Buddha’s perfection level is only four asankheyya
(aeon) and one hundred thousand maha-kappa (sub-aeon). The Dark Lord Buddha’s perfection level was
hundreds or one thousand or more than one thousand asankheyya (aeon). If the Lords battle each other, Lord Gotama
will not be able to compete as the perfection power of the Dark Lord Buddha was
more.
Anyone who knew the truth about the Dark Side will be
mistreated by the Dark Side. So, Lord
Gotama had to be patient by doing the propagation only in order to liberate the
living beings.
Even saying that “Mara (the evil) has a victory
over Phra (the virtuous)” will dissatisfy the Dark Side. We have to say “Phra has a victory
over Mara,” and the Dark Side will be able to punish sentient beings
more conveniently. Therefore, Lord
Gotama Buddha had to be patient.
When Lord Gotama Buddha turned 80 year old, he made
several hints to his attendant, Venerable Ananda, thinking that he would enter Nibbana
alive. Lord Gotama told Venerable Ananda
that if Tathagata (Lord Buddha addressing himself) prospered the 4 iddhipada,
it would be possible to live long as one kappa (sub-aeon) or more. Lord Gotama persevered to give hints to
Venerable Ananda as many as 16 districts, 3 times for each district, hoping
that Venerable Ananda would request him [to prosper the 4 iddhipata in
order] to live longer. But the Dark Side
governed the mind of Venerable Anada not to make the request. After Lord Gotama made 16 hints which equaled
to the 16 duties, there was no more chance.
Then, the Lord Mara Deity went to see Lord Gotama Buddha and reminded
him to enter Nibbana as agreed.
If Venerable Ananda made the request, the Dark Side will lose the
opportunity. The Lord Gotama Buddha
would be able to proceed into samapatti to merge [the physical body to] all
the inner bodies, innumerable of them, to become one and crystal clear. Then, he would be able to enter Nibbana
alive. If he could do so, he would not
have to be afraid [of the Dark Side].
But he had to pass away and enter Nibbana [with his Dhammakaya
only]. It would be excellent if he could
enter Nibbana alive.
Some English Dhamma terms and
definitions are from
“Samatha and Vipassana Meditation”
By The Most Venerable
Phrathepyanmongkol
Wat Luang Phor Sodh Dhammakayaram,
Rajchaburi Province, Thailand
www.dhammacenter.org
