BASIC THEMES

Basic Themes FOUR TREATISES ON BUDDHIST PRACTICE by Ajaan Lee Dhammadharo (Phra Suddhidhammaraṅsī Gambhīramedhācariya) Translated from the Thai by Ṭhānissaro

What is the Triple Gem? INTRODUCTION Parts of this analysis of the Triple Gem were originally used to teach new

I. BUDDHAṀ SARAṆAṀ GACCHĀMI I go to the Buddha for refuge Ordinarily, for the world to experience happiness and harmony,

II. DHAMMAṀ SARAṆAṀ GACCHĀMI I go to the Dhamma for refuge There are three levels to the Dhamma, the teachings

III. SAṄGHAṀ SARAṆAṀ GACCHĀMI I go to the Saṅgha for refuge. The word Saṅgha, if translated as a substantive, refers to those

SUMMARY The gist of our discussion of the Triple Gem comes down simply to this: A. ‘Buddha’ can be divided into

The Path to Peace & Freedom for the Mind INTRODUCTION This analysis of the Path is intended as a guide

THE PATH All of the Buddha’s teachings and their practice can be summed up in a mere eight factors – I.

VIRTUE There are three levels of virtue – 1. Heṭṭhima-sīla: normalcy of word and deed, which consists of three kinds of

CONCENTRATION Concentration has three levels – 1. Kāmāvacara-khaṇika-samādhi: (momentary concentration in the sensory realm): The mind keeps thinking, coming to rest,

DISCERNMENT Discernment is of three kinds – 1. Sutamaya-paññā: discernment that comes from studying. 2. Cintāmaya-paññā: discernment that comes from reflecting. 3.

Basic Themes PROLOGUE Beginning meditators should search for two things as external aids to their practice – 1. Suitable companions (puggala-sappāya): Be

INTRODUCTION This handbook on keeping the breath in mind has had a number of readers who have put it into

I. RECOLLECTION OF THE BUDDHA Arahaṁ sammā-sambuddho bhagavā: Buddhaṁ bhagavantaṁ abhivādemi. The Blessed One is Worthy and Rightly Self-awakened. I

II. GOODWILL Declare your purity, taking the Buddha, Dhamma, and Saṅgha as witness once more, repeating this Pali passage: Parisuddho

III. THE FOUL: TRANQUILITY MEDITATION In other words, remove all befouling mental states from the mind. The things that befoul

IV. MINDFULNESS OF DEATH: INSIGHT MEDITATION In other words, keep death in mind. This is where the mind advances to