Dr. Most Venerable
Mirisse Dhammika Nayaka Thero

Bhavana for the Mind Full of Faith

One who has faith, prefers to associate individuals with virtues and has a high degree of faith in the dhamma. Such a person always enjoys generosity and tries to lead a virtuous life.

Therefore, one who is full of faith may try to develop the bhavana on the qualities of the Buddha. By forcing the mind or the qualities of the Great Teacher, one is able to establish samadhi which is not to be misunderstood as worship. This is merely a focus of the mind on the supreme qualities of the Great Teacher who rediscovered the phenomena of the dhamm and taught the mankind the four noble truths including the attainment of nirvana. A meditator doesn’t focus the mind on the physical qualities of the Buddha but His virtues. One can incorporate these qualities in one’s life. When one with a faith mind does bhavana on Buddha’s qualities one will not only achieve Samadhi, but also enjoy the mental happiness and rapture, minimizing the unwholesome activities caused by mind, body and words.

Bhavana on Buddha’s Qualities

Buddha’s life is a mirror of the dhamma He uncovered. For easy understating His qualities can be placed into 9 groups. The focus of the mind into each of those qualities is recommended in this method of bhavana.

1. Arahang: The Buddha freed Himself of all defilements. He never committed any act even in secrecy. Thus, He is worthy of respect from all divine, human and other beings.

2. SammaSambuddha: He realized the Dhamma without any external help. This means the realization of the 4 noble truths.

3. VijjacharanaSamapanno: Buddha is called vijjacharanasampanno because of His incomparable wisdom.

4. Sugatho: He attained Nirvana though the noble eightfold path.

5. Lokavidu: He realized the true nature of the universal phenomena.

6. AnnutharoPurusadhammaSarathi: He reached out to those who were unreachable with metthaand loving kindness and helped them back to the main stream of society.

7. Sattha Deva-manusanag: He taught all beings about life, death and beyond, to attain nirvana. He is the greatest being of all beings in realms of existence.

8. Buddho: He is called the Buddha because He realized the Dhamma for the benefit of Himself and for all other beings.

9. Bhagava: He is calledbhagava because He became id of all attachments and brought the unending cycle of births and rebirths to an end.

One who undertakes this bhavana may sit in front of a Buddha statue or find an environment suitable for the purpose. It is useful to place a statue in front. First one has to sit comfortably in front of the statue for some time and keep looking at it. Then close the eyes and focus the mind on each and every quality of the Buddha and try to establish samadhi. This samadhi will bring joy and repute as one realizes the Buddha qualities in-depth. Some may even achieve a higher level of samadhi by getting rid of hindrance factors in the mind.

Bhavana for the Intellectual Mind (Quotes from Ven. K. ShriDhammanandaMahaThera)

Buddhi means wisdom. One who is wise likes to associate with virtuous people and act cautiously without delay. Such an individual does not postpone things unnecessarily. He/She can easily adapt to any environment and never feel disappointed or retreat due to criticism, obstacles and discrimination. When one is wise, one has to firm determination to realize what is wholesome and what is not. Therefore, for the intellectual mind, bhavana on reflections of death in more appropriate and may achieve progress effectively.

Bhavana on the Reflection on Death

. All beings that are born are subject to death it is inevitable. When the sun rises in the morning, it sets in the evening. Similarly life ends in death. With these thoughts in mind, one is able to realize the impermanent nature of life.

. All worldly beings and every thing around us appear and disappear, deliverance from this suffering is blissful;

. Soon will this body be buried in the soil, Then it becomes something like a dead trunk in the woods;

. Bribes and friendships, certainly do not help to escape the death:

. Elder or younger, educated or not, no one can escape the death that is inherent.

. Birth comes together with death, like an executioner who always carries out orders to kill;

. Death is at war with each one of us, He is the winner and we are always the losers.

. Nothing is permanent in this world we know, suffering brings realization laying the foundation for nirvanic bliss.

. One may chose any one of the above phrases and focus on it to establish samadhi. It will allow one to realize how life ends in death through stages of infancy, childhood, adulthood, and old age.

When one trains the mind on this bhavana, one’s mind is occupied with wholesome qualities. Gradually one distances oneself from unwholesome activities. This person develops the desire to cultivate great virtues. All obsessive desires decrease, resulting in mindful calmness. One beings to look at oneself and others with loving kindness. Such an individual attends to his duties and responsibilities towards others without delay.

Therefore, reflecting on death should not be understood as a suggestion that destroys happiness but as a method to achieve more peace and harmony in the mind. Those who forget about death, destroy not only themselves but also others and the society. The mindful individual notices it all around.