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**Nicihntm** · 04-10-2012, 10:50 PM

Nevertheless, I note that within SN 46.*, in the Suttas towards the end, the seven factors of enlightenment are connected to each of the brahmaviharas as well as anapanasati. This tells me that both the brahamaviharas as well as anapanasati are able to be used for the elimination of the hindrances and the development of the factors, which also means that brahmavihara practice is capable of supporting panna.

greetings Daverupa

upon a swift review, the brahmaviharas are mentioned often in Chapter 46, however, generally in relation to abandoning the hindrance of ill-will. SN 46.29 accompanies each factor of enlightenment with 'exalted, measureless, without-ill' mind. but Bhikkhu Bodhi's translation is in error here, where he uses "release" for "vossaggapariṇāmiṃ". Vossagga is 'relinquishment' rather than 'release' (vimutti). SN 46.29 concludes saying with enlightenment factors developed, "he penetrates & sunders" the mass of greed, the mass of hatred & the mass of delusion. thus brahmaviharas here appear to remain factors of concentration, given the act of "penetration" is wisdom.

SN 46.54 conclusively concludes: "The liberation of mind by loving-kindness has the beautiful as its culmination for a bhikkhu who has not penetrated to a superior liberation". Thus, it appears unambiguously clear there is a liberation superior to liberation by loving-kindness.

Gombrich seems to err in regarding the term "ceto-vimutti" to be a synonym for Nibbana. MN 43 lists five kinds of "ceto-vimutti", namely, liberation of mind by the 4th jhana, liberation of mind by the brahmaviharas , liberation of mind by the sphere of nothingness, liberation of mind by the signless and liberation of mind by sunnata (emptiness). MN 43, consistant with the suttas, declares liberation of mind by sunnata to be foremost, to be unprovoked (unshakeable) and to be synonymous with Nibbana, that is, empty of greed, empty of hatred & empty of delusion.

The body of suttas is consistent throughout and "union with Brahmā" is naturally not a metaphor for Nibbāna. In short, there is no need to reinvent the wheel regarding this matter.

With metta

Kati panāvuso, paccayā adukkhamasukhāya cetovimuttiyā samāpattiyā’’ti?

Friend, how many conditions are there for the attainment of the neither-pleasant-nor-painful awareness-release?

Friend, there are four conditions for the attainment of the neither-pleasant-nor-painful awareness-release. There is the case where a monk, with the abandoning of pleasure & stress — as with the earlier disappearance of elation & distress — enters & remains in the fourth jhana: purity of equanimity & mindfulness, neither-pleasure-nor-pain. These are the four conditions for the attainment of the neither-pleasant-nor-painful awareness-release.

****

Yā cāyaṃ, āvuso, appamāṇā cetovimutti, yā ca ākiñcaññā cetovimutti, yā ca suññatā cetovimutti, yā ca animittā cetovimutti

The limitless [Brahma-Vihara] awareness-release, the nothingness awareness-release, the emptiness awareness-release, the theme-less-awareness-release

MN 43 the unprovoked awareness-release is declared the foremost. And this unprovoked awareness-release is empty of passion, empty of aversion, empty of delusion.

cetovimutti suññā rāgena, suññā dosena, suññā mohena.

MN 43
That, friend, which is the destruction of greed, hate and delusion that is Nibbana”

SN 38:1.

04-10-2012, 10:50 PM	#5
Nicihntm Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 562 Senior Member	Nevertheless, I note that within SN 46., in the Suttas towards the end, the seven factors of enlightenment are connected to each of the brahmaviharas as well as anapanasati. This tells me that both the brahamaviharas as well as anapanasati are able to be used for the elimination of the hindrances and the development of the factors, which also means that brahmavihara practice is capable of supporting panna. greetings Daverupa upon a swift review, the brahmaviharas are mentioned often in Chapter 46, however, generally in relation to abandoning the hindrance of ill-will. SN 46.29 accompanies each factor of enlightenment with 'exalted, measureless, without-ill' mind. but Bhikkhu Bodhi's translation is in error here, where he uses "release" for "vossaggapariṇāmiṃ". Vossagga is 'relinquishment' rather than 'release' (vimutti). SN 46.29 concludes saying with enlightenment factors developed, "he penetrates & sunders" the mass of greed, the mass of hatred & the mass of delusion. thus brahmaviharas here appear to remain factors of concentration, given the act of "penetration" is wisdom. SN 46.54 conclusively concludes: "The liberation of mind by loving-kindness has the beautiful as its culmination for a bhikkhu who has not penetrated to a superior liberation". Thus, it appears unambiguously clear there is a liberation superior to liberation by loving-kindness. Gombrich seems to err in regarding the term "ceto-vimutti" to be a synonym for Nibbana. MN 43 lists five kinds of "ceto-vimutti", namely, liberation of mind by the 4th jhana, liberation of mind by the brahmaviharas , liberation of mind by the sphere of nothingness, liberation of mind by the signless and liberation of mind by sunnata (emptiness). MN 43, consistant with the suttas, declares liberation of mind by sunnata to be foremost, to be unprovoked (unshakeable) and to be synonymous with Nibbana, that is, empty of greed, empty of hatred & empty of delusion. The body of suttas is consistent throughout and "union with Brahmā" is naturally not a metaphor for Nibbāna. In short, there is no need to reinvent the wheel regarding this matter. With metta Kati panāvuso, paccayā adukkhamasukhāya cetovimuttiyā samāpattiyā’’ti? Friend, how many conditions are there for the attainment of the neither-pleasant-nor-painful awareness-release? Friend, there are four conditions for the attainment of the neither-pleasant-nor-painful awareness-release. There is the case where a monk, with the abandoning of pleasure & stress — as with the earlier disappearance of elation & distress — enters & remains in the fourth jhana: purity of equanimity & mindfulness, neither-pleasure-nor-pain. These are the four conditions for the attainment of the neither-pleasant-nor-painful awareness-release. *** Yā cāyaṃ, āvuso, appamāṇā cetovimutti, yā ca ākiñcaññā cetovimutti, yā ca suññatā cetovimutti, yā ca animittā cetovimutti The limitless [Brahma-Vihara] awareness-release, the nothingness awareness-release, the emptiness awareness-release, the theme-less-awareness-release MN 43 the unprovoked awareness-release is declared the foremost. And this unprovoked awareness-release is empty of passion, empty of aversion, empty of delusion. cetovimutti suññā rāgena, suññā dosena, suññā mohena. MN 43 That, friend, which is the destruction of greed, hate and delusion that is Nibbana” SN 38:1.
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