Learning the Last Days of the Buddha (excerpt) in Mahā-parinibbāna Sutta (DN 16) of Digha Nikaya from the Tipitaka. The Buddha (the Blessed One) addresses the bhikkhus on the realization of the Four Noble Truths and the Four Specific Attainments. Further meanings (pls. rely on your own investigation):- [English - Pāli] Four Noble Truths -- cattāri ariyasaccāni. craving -- taṇhā. becoming -- bhāva. birth -- jāti. suffering -- dukkha; unsatisfactoriness; cycle of birth and death in existence (i.e. Saṃsāra). enlightenment -- sambodhi (fully-awakened). virtue, concentration, wisdom -- sīla, samādhi and paññā. lust, hatred, and delusion -- lobha, dosa, moha (greed, aversion, delusion). taints -- āsava; mential effluents; outflow. fetters -- saññojana. world of the senses -- referring to the six senses. sīla -- virtue & morality. (virtue -- e.g. patience, generosity, gratitude, respect, restraint etc.) (morality -- e.g. ethical conduct, integrity, conscience etc.) samādhi -- right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration. paññā -- wisdom, right understanding, right knowledge, right view, right thought, discernment. The Four Noble Truths are:- 1. the noble truth of suffering (pāli:dukkha); 2. the noble truth of the origin (pāli: samudaya) of suffering; 3. the noble truth of the cessation (pāli: nirodha) of suffering; and 4. the noble truth of the way to the cessation (i.e. Noble Eight-fold Path) of suffering . The three fetters are:- 1. belief in a self (pāli: sakkāya-diṭṭhi); 2. sceptical doubt (pāli: vicikicchā); and 3. attachment to rites and rituals (pāli: sīlabbata-parāmāso). The five lower fetters are:- 1. belief in a self (pāli: sakkāya-diṭṭhi); 2. sceptical doubt (pāli: vicikicchā); 3. attachment to rites and rituals (pāli: sīlabbata-parāmāsa); 4. sensual desire (pāli: kāmacchanda); and 5. ill will (pāli: vyāpāda). For source of above extract, please go to:- http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.16.1-6.vaji.html [An acknowledgment of appreciation and thanks to Sister Vajira & Mr. Francis Story and "accesstoinsight.org" for the text available online.] "The gift of truth excels all other gifts." ~ Buddha

• published: 16 Dec 2013
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