But, as Ãcariya Mun points out here, rãgataõhã also has another
more sinister side, for passionate intentions can easily become aggres-
sive and violent. Thus, united in a passion for physical stimulation, the
kilesas of greed and aversion join forces in the guise of rãgataõhã, which
strives to assuage its insatiable hunger by dominating and exploiting
others. In this way, passion for sex and lust for power are two aspects of
the same fundamental craving. The thirst for war and murder, the thirst
for torture and all forms of abuse, all have their roots in rãgataõhã. As
such, rãgataõhã is a primary factor governing birth in the sub-human
realms (demons, ghosts, animals, and hells).
- The sphere of conventional reality (sammuti) includes all condi-
tioned phenomena without exception. That is, all phenomena character-
ized by being impermanent (anicca), bound up with suffering (dukkha),
and not-self (anattã) are relative, conventional realities. Only Nibbãna
is completely beyond the sphere of conventional reality.
- Sugato, meaning “well-gone” or “gone to a good destination”, is a
frequently used epithet for the Buddha.
- Sãdhu, meaning “it is well”, is an exclamation expressing appreci-
ation or approval.
- Samãdhi’s access level is upacãra samãdhi. It is the level that pre-
cedes the complete stillness of full absorption (appanã samãdhi). At
this level the citta may engage with external phenomena, such as devas,
without losing its fundamental inward focus.
- “The Venerable Ãcariya Mun taught that all hearts share the
same language. Regardless of one’s language or nationality, the heart
has nothing but simple awareness, which is why he said that all hearts
have the same language. When a thought arises, we understand it; but
in translating it into words, it must become this or that language, so
we don’t really understand one another. The feelings within the heart,
however, are the same for everyone. This is why Dhamma fits the heart
perfectly, for Dhamma is not any particular language. Dhamma is the
language of the heart.”
- comments by Ãcariya Mahã Boowa
