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**Ufkkrxcq** · 05-13-2011, 07:17 AM

When confused and overwhelmed by the Dhamma in these ways, recall the gradual training, below. Using reflexion, one knows where one is on the Path, and also thereby knows the next step.

MN 56 begins the gradual training: generosity, virtue, heaven & hell, the dangers of sensuality, the harm of defilements, the benefits of renunciation. Then, only after this conversation went well, the Buddha teaches Upali the Four Noble Truths. This is then Right View and the practice can begin wholeheartedly.

Upali begins the conversation as a hostile interlocutor, and, after being swayed by the Buddha's reasoning, is delivered the "gradual training" and:

When he knew that the householder Upali’s mind [380] was ready, receptive, free from hindrances, elated, and confident, he expounded to him the teaching special to the Buddhas: suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path. Just as a clean cloth with all marks removed would take dye evenly, so too, while the householder Upali sat there, the spotless immaculate vision of the Dhamma arose in him: “All that is subject to arising is subject to cessation.” Then the householder Upali saw the Dhamma, attained the Dhamma, understood the Dhamma, fathomed the Dhamma; he crossed beyond doubt, did away with perplexity, gained intrepidity, and became independent of others in the Teacher’s Dispensation.589 Then he said to the Blessed One: “Now, venerable sir, we must go. We are busy and have much to do.” All in the course of a single conversation.

MN 107 continues expositing the gradual training all the way to nibbana. The Buddha gives a partial description of the meditative practice here -- all of which is done under the umbrella of an understanding of the 4NT as we already see in MN 56.

05-13-2011, 07:17 AM	#34
Ufkkrxcq Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 359 Senior Member	When confused and overwhelmed by the Dhamma in these ways, recall the gradual training, below. Using reflexion, one knows where one is on the Path, and also thereby knows the next step. MN 56 begins the gradual training: generosity, virtue, heaven & hell, the dangers of sensuality, the harm of defilements, the benefits of renunciation. Then, only after this conversation went well, the Buddha teaches Upali the Four Noble Truths. This is then Right View and the practice can begin wholeheartedly. Upali begins the conversation as a hostile interlocutor, and, after being swayed by the Buddha's reasoning, is delivered the "gradual training" and: When he knew that the householder Upali’s mind [380] was ready, receptive, free from hindrances, elated, and confident, he expounded to him the teaching special to the Buddhas: suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path. Just as a clean cloth with all marks removed would take dye evenly, so too, while the householder Upali sat there, the spotless immaculate vision of the Dhamma arose in him: “All that is subject to arising is subject to cessation.” Then the householder Upali saw the Dhamma, attained the Dhamma, understood the Dhamma, fathomed the Dhamma; he crossed beyond doubt, did away with perplexity, gained intrepidity, and became independent of others in the Teacher’s Dispensation.589 Then he said to the Blessed One: “Now, venerable sir, we must go. We are busy and have much to do.” All in the course of a single conversation. MN 107 continues expositing the gradual training all the way to nibbana. The Buddha gives a partial description of the meditative practice here -- all of which is done under the umbrella of an understanding of the 4NT as we already see in MN 56.
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