[Nutpoode]

In another thread, Element was kind enough to offer the following in response to another question I had:

Bhikkhus, in dependence on an element there arises a perception, there arises a view, there arises a thought.

SN 14.13
Bhikkhus, sensual thoughts arise with a source, not without a source; thought of ill will arises with a source, not without a source; thought of harming arises with a source, not without a source. And how is this so?

In dependence on the sensuality element there arises sensual perception; in dependence on the sensual perception there arises sensual intention; in dependence on the sensual intention there arises sensual desire; in dependence on the sensual desire there arises sensual passion; in dependence on the sensual passion there arises a sensual quest.

In dependence on the ill will element there arises perception of ill will...

In dependence on the cruelty element there arises perception of harming...

In dependence on the renunciation element there arises perception of renunciation...

In dependence on the non-ill will element there arises perception of non-ill will...

In dependence on the harmlessness element there arises perception of harmlessness. In dependence on the perception of harmlessness there arises intention of harmlessness; in dependence on intention of harmlessness there arises desire for harmlessness; in dependence on desire for harmlessness there arises passion for harmlessness; in dependence on passion for harmlessness there arises a quest for harmlessness.

SN 14.12 The above quote speaks to a deeper question than the one I was asking and wanted to pursue it here. If this is not the appropriate forum, I apologize in advance. Though it could belong in the general forum, it is part of the Pali Canon and so I chose here to post.

Can someone speak more on 'dependence'? Actually, I'm not sure that will answer my questions and so, here is some background:

I once had a regular meditation practice of an hour a day. A crisis intervened leaving my days many hours short of what I needed for many years and that practice was a casualty. In order to properly get input I'm going to be particularly forthcoming in this post. My wife was in prison until earlier this month. Five years ago my wife was raped by a guard. Through the subsequent trial and the severe retribution that followed I teetered on the edge of depression and despair. Anger and thoughts of revenge held those enemies at bay. I am not prepared to second guess my choice to embrace and nurture those feelings at this time, but I sincerely feel that they kept me alive at the time. My point is, my wife is home now and those feelings and thoughts are no longer necessary or helpful (if they ever were) but they have become habits.

I could replace those thoughts with others by simply being aware of those thoughts arising and addressing them when they do but does that get to the root of the matter. I am not looking to bury those feelings but banish them. I feel as if I have an extraordinary opportunity here and would prefer not to make any unnecessary missteps. Any direction would be appreciated.

[Nashhlkq]

Can someone speak more on 'dependence'?

hello again, Yagr

as i mentioned previously, thoughts arise in dependence on an "element", that is, in dependence on the most basic underlying tendencies or instinctual drives of life

the Buddha said there are at least seven underlying tendencies, namely:

(1) The underlying tendency of sensual craving.

(2) The underlying tendency of resistance (anger).

(3) The underlying tendency of views.

(4) The underlying tendency of uncertainty.

(5) The underlying tendency of conceit.

(6) The underlying tendency of craving for becoming.

(7) The underlying tendency of ignorance.

Anusaya Sutta elsewhere, the Buddha described the most basic underlying instinct drive simply as "craving for existence"

A first beginning of the craving of existence cannot be conceived, (of which it can be said), 'Before that, there was no craving for existence and it came to be after that.'

AN 10.62 in your situation, thoughts arose from craving for existence and the associated resistance (anger) that arose when that existence was threatened

in brief, your wife's life & personal well-being was threatened & violated so thoughts arose from the instinct to defend your wife's life

the Buddha said:

129. All tremble at violence; all fear death. Putting oneself in the place of another, one should not kill nor cause another to kill.

130. All tremble at violence; life is dear to all. Putting oneself in the place of another, one should not kill nor cause another to kill.

Dhammapada

[HowardtheDuck]

My point is, my wife is home now and those feelings and thoughts are no longer necessary or helpful (if they ever were) but they have become habits.

I could replace those thoughts with others by simply being aware of those thoughts arising and addressing them when they do but does that get to the root of the matter. I am not looking to bury those feelings but banish them.

hello again, Yagr

it appears your mind has suffered some deep trauma. uprooting such trauma generally is hard work. it is the kind of work people ordinarily engage in therapy for. however you seem to have a strength of mind that can use Buddhism

from a Buddhist perspective, the road to cleansing would include:

(1) developing equinimity, by reflecting the perpetrator of the harmful action has also caused harm to himself & will reap a commensurate result, somewhere. the Buddha said:

136. When the fool commits evil deeds, he does not realize (their evil nature). The witless man is tormented by his own deeds, like one burnt by fire.

137. He who inflicts violence on those who are unarmed and offends those who are inoffensive, will soon come upon one of these ten states:

138-140 Sharp pain or disaster, bodily injury, serious illness or derangement of mind, trouble from the government or grave charges, loss of relatives or loss of wealth or houses destroyed by ravaging fire; upon dissolution of the body that ignorant man is born in hell.

Dhammapada (2) developing compassion, by reflecting the perpetrator of the harmful action was suffering and therefore wishing they be free from their suffering & to stop harming. here, we can practise, repeatedly: "May he be free from his suffering; may he find the true happiness that comes from not harming others; may he stop harming himself & others"

(3) developing appreciative & proper regard towards oneself, affirming oneself, restoring oneself and rejecting/divorcing oneself from the action of the other.

Buddha said: ‘ When someone offers you a gift and you decline to accept it, to whom then does it belong?’

Man replied: ‘ Well then it belongs to the person who offered it.’

Buddha replied: ‘That is correct. So if I decline to accept your abuse, does it not then still belong to you?' (4) developing recollection of the Buddha, Dhamma & Noble Sangha (Enlightened Beings), recollecting they care for us & wish us to be well & cleansed. in Buddhism, it is held the love & compassion of the Enlightened Buddha is limitless, excluding none

Buddho susuddho karuṇā-mahaṇṇavo,
The Buddha, absolutely pure, with ocean-like compassion

Pali chant (5) developing the perception of impermanence, that one day we all must die. the Buddha said:

5. Hatred is never appeased by hatred in this world. By non-hatred alone is hatred appeased. This is a law eternal.

6. There are those who do not realize that one day we all must die. But those who do realize this settle their quarrels.

Dhammapada Develop the meditation of the perception of impermanence. For when you are developing the meditation of the perception of impermanence, the conceit 'I am' will be abandoned.

MN 62 kind regards

element

[Yartonbler]

Element,

I have found resonance in both answers you've offered to my questions and thank you for taking the time. That said, you quoted part of my post in post 3 of this thread (just above this one, but didn't add a comment). Was that an oversight? I did ask a question there as well (but forgot the question mark i.e. "...but does that get to the root of the matter?") If you did have an answer to that, I would be happy to listen. Thank you regardless.

[Keeriewof]

...you quoted part of my post in post 3 of this thread (just above this one, but didn't add a comment)...

hello Yagr

i have now added my suggestions

may you & your wife find peace & wellness

kind regards

element

[CGH1KZzy]

hello Yagr

i have now added my suggestions

may you & your wife find peace & wellness

kind regards

element

We shall and thank you.

[ZESINTERS]

(6) Develop mindfulness with breathing meditation, which will cleanse the more subtle aspects of the psyche and bring the mind into the peace of the present moment.



The Buddha said:

If a person should wish: 'May neither my body be fatigued nor my eyes, and may my mind, through lack of clinging/sustenance, be released from fermentations [outflows],' then he should attend carefully to this same concentration through mindfulness with in-&-out breathing.

Dipa Sutta