Sayadaw U. Pandita - 30 Jan

First published in 1992

Wisdom Publications

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1991 Saddhamma Foundation

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Pandita Bivamsa, U, 1921

In this very life : the liberation teachings of the Buddha / Sayadaw U Pandita ; translated by U Aggacitta ; edited by Kate Wheeler.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 0-86171-311-7 (alk. paper)

1. Religious lifeBuddhism. 2. Spiritual lifeBuddhism.

3. BuddhismDoctrines. I. Aggacitta, U. II. Wheeler, Kate, 1955 III. Title

BQ5395.P355 2001b

294.3'444dc21 2001046878

07 06

6 5 4 3 2

2nd Printing

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Cover image of stupa Ed Hauben

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Interior design by Elizabeth Lawrence

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Six: Cultivating the Factors That Lead to Enlightenment

The Factors of Enlightenment Developed: Healing into the Deathless

I first met Sayadaw U Pandita in the spring of 1984, when he came to teach a three-month meditation course at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts. We awaited his arrival with great anticipation, having heard of his remarkable presence and unique teaching skills. In some way, that course was a turning point in the transmission of Theravda Buddhist practice in the West. In ways that we could not have imagined at the time, his teaching and presence helped to open many new doors of understanding. As a skilled meditation master, he guided us through the subtleties of practice; as a renowned scholar, he brought new meaning and life to the timeless words of the Buddha; and as a great spiritual friend, he inspired us to seek the highest freedom.

Just as the Buddha came from the warrior class of ancient India, so too, Sayadaw U Pandita is a spiritual warrior of our time. He is a rare teacher, uncompromising in his belief that liberation is possible. Through his own example of heroic endeavor, Sayadaw gave life to the last exhortation of the Buddhapractice with diligenceand inspired a whole generation of practitioners to follow suit. Sayadaw has helped us recognize our own capacity to go beyond the limitations of the conditioned mind.

It is said that the gift of Dhamma is the highest gift. What makes it possible for us to receive it is the wisdom and compassion of those who pass it on. It is a great blessing that Sayadaw U Pandita has so openly shared with us the depth and breadth of his understanding. His teachings set a high benchmark in the continuing transmission of Buddhism in the West.

In This Very Life is a collection of talks from the first three-month retreat that Sayadaw taught at the Insight Meditation Society. He describes in detail both the practical journey of awakening and a profound theoretical model of understanding. These discourses reward a thoughtful reading, allowing the familiar aspects of the teachings to mature in our minds, and challenging us with new perspectives on some old and cherished viewpoints.

This book is a treasure-house of applied Dhamma. May it help to awaken wisdom and compassion in us all.

Joseph Goldstein

Barre, Massachusetts

This book came into being through the help of many people.

We want to thank all those who arranged for and supported Sayadaw U Panditas course at the Insight Meditation Society, Barre, Massachusetts in 1984. Venerable U Aggacitta expertly and lucidly translated Sayadaw U Panditas discourses. Ron Browning asked that the tapes be transcribed. Evelyn Sweeney patiently transcribed them. U Mya Thaung went over every word of the manuscript, and Eric Kolvig edited one draft of it. We are grateful to Bruce Mitteldorf for his generous contribution toward the printing of this book.

Kate Wheeler steadfastly and very skillfully devoted months to editing the talksnone of this would have been possible without her.

Sharon Salzberg

Insight Meditation Society

Barre, Massachusetts

It is my humble and sincere wish to help you discover for yourself the state of inner peace through the essays in this book, based on the Dhamma, or way of truth, taught by the Buddha and also following the tradition of the late Venerable Mahs Sayadaw of Rangoon, Burma. I am trying my best, as far as my wisdom can take me, to provide this service to you.

The publication of these essays helps fulfill five beneficial purposes. First, it may give you access to new aspects of the Dhamma that you might not have heard before. Second, if you have already heard about these subjects, you may be able to consolidate your knowledge of the Dhamma. Third, if you have doubts, these essays may help you to clear them. Fourth, if you have certain pet views and preconceptions that are incorrect, you may be relieved of them by proper and respectful attention to the Dhamma of the Buddha.

The last and perhaps the most fulfilling aspect is that you may be able to tally your own experiences with what is written in this book. If your practice is deep, it can be a joyous and rapturous occasion when you realize that your experiences conform to the theory.

If you do not practice meditation, perhaps these essays can inspire you to begin. Then wisdom, the most potent medicine, can bring you relief from the sufferings of your mind.

I offer you my personal best wishes and encouragement. May you reach liberation, the highest goal.

Sayadaw U Pandita

The Pli terms in this text are meant to introduce a precision of meaning that is not possible in English. It is hoped that readers will pause and reflect in a way they might not, had the terms simply been translated.

Pli is used this way in Burma and in most of the communities in countries where vipassan meditation is practiced. As Pli words are incorporated into living languages, they inevitably lose endings or suffer other minor changes. The Pli in this text will differ slightly from academic usage. This reflects the use in Sayadaw U Panditas native Burma, and more important, the refined application of these terms specifically to meditation practice and understanding. For ease of readability, we have used English forms for pluralization or adjectival case.

The first use of a term in the text is italicized and subsequent uses are generally unemphasized. Definitions will be found in the glossary.

W e do not practice meditation to gain admiration from anyone. Rather, we practice to contribute to peace in the world. We try to follow the teachings of the Buddha, and take the instructions of trustworthy teachers, in hopes that we too can reach the Buddhas state of purity. Having realized this purity within ourselves, we can inspire others and share this Dhamma, this truth.