- The Pãåimokkha is the basic code of monastic discipline. It com-
prises 227 rules of conduct and is usually recited rule by rule before an
assembly of monks once every fortnight. - The First Sangha Council was held during the rainy season retreat
immediately following the Lord Buddha’s Parinibbãna for the purpose of
officially codifying the entire body of his teachings. All of the 500 monks
scheduled to attend were fully-enlightened Arahants – except the Ven-
erable Ananda. Before his passing away, the Buddha had predicted that
Venerable Ananda, his personal attendant, would attain full enlighten-
ment in time to participate in the First Council, which he did – on the
very morning the council was scheduled to convene. - “Fundamental ignorance (avijjã) conditions the arising of condi-
tioned phenomena (sankhãra)... such is the origin of this entire mass
of suffering (dukkha).” This is an abbreviated sequence of the factors of
Dependent Origination (paåiccasamuppãda), progressing from cause to
effect. - “With the remainderless fading and cessation of fundamental igno-
rance (avijjã) comes the cessation of conditioned phenomena (sankhãra)...
such is the cessation of this entire mass of suffering (dukkha).” This is an
abbreviated sequence of the cessation of those factors. - Rãgataõhã is usually translated as “sexual desire” or “lust”. Pre-
dicted on the belief that the body is oneself and that happiness can be
achieved for oneself through bodily sensations, rãgataõhã is the desire,
even craving, to seek pleasure and self-gratification by means of the
physical body. With this mental defilement as the driving force, most
people attempt to overcome discontent and find fulfillment using phys-
ical stimulation as the primary means. If such craving is allowed a free
rein, it easily becomes a preoccupation that gives rise to even more crav-
ing, leaving the heart forever hungry and dissatisfied. For lust is a hunger
that no amount of gluttony can satiate. The harder one tries to find sat-
isfaction in this way, the more one suffers the consequences. This deep-
rooted sexual drive is the main fetter binding living beings to the Sen-
suous World (Kãma-loka).
jacob rumans
(Jacob Rumans)
#1