Feelings Welcome to this month's Buddha Quote. In this issue there are two teachings from the Buddha. First, from the August edition, the Buddha teaching was from the Kumma Sutta: The Tortoise. A reader wisely commented regarding the nature of Mara in this Buddha teaching. I'm going to repeat this sutta with my commentary, as I didn't comment at the time. The teaching itself is a metaphorical story of how a tortoise has to remain constantly alert or aware, especially when he knows danger is near. In this case it's about a Jackal, or other dangerous predator that may bite one of the tortoise's limbs if he sticks them out while the predator is nearby. Knowing there is danger, or even the possibility of being biten, the tortoise wisely refuses to put himself in a vulnerable position. This is the message behind the story that the Buddha is wanting us to understand. Use your senses to determine what is good and what is not. Act accordingly. Mara is just the personification of what is not good. The sutta is repeated below for those readers that may have missed it. Kumma Sutta: The Tortoise "A tortoise was foraging for food in the evening along the shore of a lake. A jackal was also foraging for food in the evening along the shore of the same lake. The tortoise saw the jackal and withdrew completely into its shell and remained perfectly quiet and still. The jackal had seen the tortoise from afar and went to the tortoise hovering, ready, "As soon as the tortoise stretches out one or another of its limbs, or its neck, I'll seize it, and eat it." When the tortoise did not stretch out any limbs, or its neck, the jackal, without any opportunity here, lost interest and left. "In the same way, Mara is continually, ceaselessly, hovering around you, waiting. ’Perhaps I'll get an opportunity by means of the eye... the ear... the nose... the tongue... the body. Perhaps I'll get an opportunity by means of the intellect.' Thus, monks, you should dwell with the doors to your senses well-guarded. "On seeing a form with the eye, do not grasp at any theme or details by which, if you were to dwell without restraint over the ability of your eye, evil, unskillful qualities such as greed or distress might become you. Practice restraint. Guard that which the eye sees. Hold fast and secure your restraint with regard to that which your eye sees. "On hearing a sound with the ear... "On smelling an aroma with the nose... "On tasting a flavor with the tongue... "On touching a tactile sensation with the body... "On perceiving an idea with the intellect, do not grasp at any theme or details by which, if you were to dwell without control over that ability of the intellect, evil, unskillful qualities such as greed or distress might overtake and become you. Practice restraint. Guard and secure your intellect. "When you dwell with the doors to your senses well-guarded through mindfulness, Mara, will not get an opportunity. He will lose interest and leave, just as the jackal left the tortoise." Like a tortoise with its limbs withdrawn into its shell, so can be you, the thoughts of the heart. Not dependent, harming no others, totally unbound, he would berate no one. -The Buddha The second Buddha teaching is regarding the confusing subject of 'self' and not 'self'. Below is an excerpt of a sutta where the Buddha explains why feeling does not constitute the 'self', even though it sure feels like the various feelings that arise within us are, without a doubt us, or are evidence of 'self'. Anatta-lakkhana Sutta: The Discourse on the Not-self Characteristic "Feeling is not 'self'. If feeling were 'self', then feeling would not lead to unease and suffering. If feeling were 'self' it would be of this nature: 'May my feeling become this, may my feeling not become that'. Since feeling is not 'self', it does lead to unease and suffering. If feeling were 'self' it would be of this nature: 'May my feeling become this, may my feeling not become that.' -The Buddha Here the Buddha is teaching that the feeling that arises within you is not real. It may seem real because it is arising within you, but it does not have to be acted upon. If you do act upon it, it may well develop into something of the nature of an affliction, unease or suffering. If you don't act upon it, it will eventually subside. If, for instance, you feel anxiety arising, you can eventually get to the point where you understand that it is not you, and that it will pass away, as it arose. If you don't get to this point you may always fall prey to anxiety and it's suffering nature. The same can be used for other feelings that arise and then, eventually, pass away. One way to counteract an arising feeling is to question it. Inquire as to who, what and why it is arising. What is the point of it? Why is it arising? Who is causing it to arise? In this way gain insight to the nature of the feeling. Then, act upon what is real according to your senses. There's no doubt to understand, and employ this concept takes practice. The Buddha also said awakening takes time. It requires a constant guarding of your senses so that you can make progress. This is an abstract concept and as a result may take time to process to understand and actually put into practice. I feel every attempt should be made to do this. When we fail, we simply get back on the path again. Even when that arising feeling is joy, it is best to be careful. If the joy is not from truth then it may be fleeting in nature. As a result you may cling to the joy as it passes away, wanting more, only to suffer because you want more joy. It is better to cultivate balance, or the middle way as per the Buddha's teachings. To all, may you cultivate a peaceful path! If you'd like to comment on this article please do so. I look forward to hearing what you have to say. Thank you for subscribing to this once-per-month Buddha dhamma, or teaching. Please consider that this monthly article is about digging deeper into what the Buddha taught so as to have a better understanding. In this way we can have something firm to apply to our lives that frees us from those aspects of life that trap us. This, as opposed to something that sounds good, but is more fluff then substance. Feel free to pass this sutta article on to any that you feel may enjoy it. Thank you for your time and comments. Disclaimer: This writing is provided as information only. These are the writer's thoughts and beliefs with regard to the practice of Buddhism. Your opinion may vary as a result. If you wish to express you opinion please do so with the above link. Source: "Kumma Sutta: The Tortoise" (SN 35.199), translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Access to Insight. "Anatta-lakkhana Sutta: The Discourse on the Not-self Characteristic" (SN 22.59), translated from the Pali by N.K.G. Mendis. Access to Insight, accesstoinsight.org You are subscribed to Taste the Dhamma, The Buddha Quotes .... The back issues are at the following URL... http://www.noble-buddhism-beliefs.com/Taste_the_Dhamma_The_Buddha_Quotes_-backissues.html If you wish to remove yourself from this mailing, please click on the following URL... http://noble-buddhism-beliefs.com/cgi-bin/mailout/mailmgr.cgi?us=LQ.21172465.26940041.0fce58a1f1bdf8785a256ff0f7ae4b66 (If the above URL is not a link, copy-and-paste the URL into your Web browser. That will confirm your removal.) To change your e-mail address, please click on the following URL... http://noble-buddhism-beliefs.com/cgi-bin/mailout/mailmgr.cgi?ca=LQ.21172465.26940041.0fce58a1f1bdf8785a256ff0f7ae4b66 (If the above URL is not a link, copy-and-paste the URL into your Web browser. 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