1. -1- What the Buddha Taught A series of lecture-discussions sponsored by Oxford Soto Zen Suggested by Les Kaye Led by Jimmyle Listenbee Based on What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula

2. -2- Lecture 7b Chapter 5-B (pp. 47 – 49) The Four Noble Truths The 4th Noble Truth: MAGGA: “The Path”

3. -3- The Four Noble Truths I.Dukkha II.Samudaya, the arising or origin of dukkha III.Nirodha, the cessation of dukkha IV.Magga, the way leading to the cessation of dukkha

4. -4- The 4th Noble Truth: The Way Leading to the Cessation of Dukkha AKA: “The Noble Eightfold Path” “The Middle Way”

5. -5- The Middle Path Avoids two extremes: The search for happiness through the Pleasures of the Senses (“low, common, unprofitable, the way of ordinary [ignorant] people”) The search for happiness through self- mortification (“painful, unworthy, unprofitable, the way of the ascetics”)

6. -6- The Noble Eightfold Path (a composite - not linear - list) 1.Right Understanding 2.Right Thought 3.Right Speech 4.Right Action 5.Right Livelihood 6.Right Effort 7.Right Mindfulness 8.Right Concentration

7. -7- Buddha’s Essential Practice Practical Guide for all Buddhist Practice The 8 divisions of the path are not “stepping stones”, but are to be practiced and developed simultaneously, as far as possible, according to the capacity of the individual. They are all linked together, and each helps the cultivation of the others.

8. -8- The Three Essentials of Buddhist Training & Discipline a)Ethical Conduct (Sila) b)Mental Discipline (Samadhi) c)Wisdom (Pañña) The Eightfold Path aims at perfecting and promoting these. The Eight Divisions of the Path can be grouped under these three headings.

9. -9- Three Headings  Wisdom ①Right Understanding ②Right Thought  Ethical Conduct ③Right Speech ④Right Action ⑤Right Livelihood  Mental Discipline ⑥Right Effort ⑦Right Mindfulness ⑧Right Concentration --- Today we address Mental Discipline

10. -10- Buddhist “Perfection” There are two qualities to be developed: Wisdom and Compassion Mental Discipline is the foundation of Wisdom.

11. -11- Mental Discipline The mind is trained and disciplined and developed through Right: ⑥Effort ⑦Mindfulness ⑧Concentration

12. -12- Mental Discipline ⑥Right Effort = The energetic will to 1Prevent evil and unwholesome states of mind from arising; 2Get rid of such states that have already arisen within a person; 3Produce, to cause to arise, good and wholesome states of mind not yet arisen; 4Develop and bring to perfection the good and wholesome states of mind already present in a person. DISCUSSION

13. [1] The activities of the body; [2] Sensations or feelings; [3] The activities of the mind; [4] Ideas, thoughts, conceptions and things. -13- The 2 nd Factor of Mental Discipline (7) Right Mindfulness (Attentiveness) To be diligently aware, mindful and attentive, with regard to:

14. Soto Zen practice primarily emphasizes Zazen (Sitting Meditation) And secondarily emphasizes Kinhin (Walking Meditation). -14- Right Mindfulness of the [1]Body Is developed in meditation practice through concentration on the breath, posture and/or simple action.

15. -15- 1One continually returns his/her concentration to the breath; 2The sitting posture uses efficient vertical spine alignment, taking advantage of its 4 harmonic curves and developing postural support for flexible action as well as quiet endurance. Weight is equally distributed on the sitz-bones and knees [or feet if bench-sitting.] 3The eyes are open in a state of alert, wakeful attention, which is not directed toward anything. 4The position of the hands (the dhyani mudra) is a form of delicate intentional non-action (as are the crossed legs of Lotus and Burmese postures). In Zazen…

16. -16- What did Buddha say upon the moment of his enlightenment? “I am __________!” Further reading: Shambala Dictionary of Buddhism and Zen, ZAZEN p. 260-1. We will have a handout of this reading to accompany the lecture/discussion of Chapter 7, Meditation on August 1. DISCUSSION More on Zazen…

17. 1One continually returns concentration to the breath in harmony with one’s own and others’ actions; 2The walking action uses the most efficient transfer of weight through the feet in alignment with the hip joints. (See handouts.) 3The eyes are open: alert, wakeful attention which is not directed toward anything. 4The position of the hands (shashu mudra) is a form of serene intentional readiness. -17- Kinhin

18. -18- Right Mindfulness of [2]Sensations, [3]Emotions & [4]Conceptions During Kinhin & Zazen, one practices intense awareness of the other 3 foci of mindfulness besides static & dynamic posture and breath: 2Bodily Feelings & Sensations; 3Emotional Feelings and States; 4Ideas, Thoughts, Conceptions and Things. This skill of awareness is then/simultaneously practiced in all activities of daily life.

19. -19- Mindfulness of [2] Bodily Feelings & Sensations One should be clearly aware of all forms of feelings and sensations, pleasant, unpleasant & neutral, and How they arise and disappear. In Zazen & Kinhin we take note of the sensation, the “Look at it and let it go.” --- Dub Leigh (Buddhist Rolfer) DISCUSSION

20. -20- Mindfulness of [3] Activities of the Mind One should be clearly aware whether one’s mind is lustful or not, given to hatred or not, deluded or not, distracted or concentrated, etc. One should be aware of all passing and habitual states of mind and How they arise and disappear. In Zazen & Kinhin we take note of the emotion or habitual mood, then “Look at it and let it go.” DISCUSSION

21. -21- Mindfulness of [4] Ideas, Thoughts, Conceptions and Things One should know the nature of Ideas, Thoughts, Conceptions, Predjudices, Plans, Beliefs, Objectifications of People, Situations, etc. How they arise and disappear. DISCUSSION: Things! You name it! In Zazen & Kinhin we take note of the mental object or objectification or then “Look at it [perhaps also laugh at it!] and let it go.”

22. -22- The Setting-up of Mindfulness Homework: Read the Satipatthana Sutta, p. 109-119

23. -23- (8) Right Concentration The 3 rd and last factor of Mental Discipline leads to The 4 Stages of Dhyana (Trance or ‘Higher’ Meditation) 1 st Stage: > Passionate Desires and Unwholesome Thoughts are discarded; (read examples p. 48: ‘sensuous lust…skeptical doubt’) > Feelings of Joy, Happiness and certain mental activities are maintained; 2 nd Stage: > All Intellectual Activities are suppressed/[abandoned]; > ‘One-pointedness of mind’ is developed; > Feelings of Joy & Happiness are still retained; 3 rd Stage: > Joy (an active sensation) disappears; > Happiness (a disposition) remains, along with Equanimity; 4 th Stage: > All Feelings - Sensations and Emotions - disappear; > Only pure Equanimity and Awareness remain.