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Translated
from the Pali by Soma Thera.
For free distribution only.
From The Removal of Distracting Thoughts: A
Discourse of the Buddha (WH 21), by Soma Thera, (Kandy: Buddhist
Publication Society, 1981). Copyright ©1981 Buddhist Publication Society. Used
with permission.
Thus
have I heard. At one time the Blessed One was staying at Savatthi, in Jeta's
Grove, Anathapindika's Pleasance. The Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus,
saying, "Bhikkhus," and they replied to him saying, "Reverend
Sir." The Blessed One spoke as follows:
"Five
things should be reflected on from time to time, by the bhikkhu who is intent
on the higher consciousness. What five?
When
evil unskillful thoughts connected with desire, hate, and delusion arise in a
bhikkhu through reflection on an adventitious object, he should, (in order to
get rid of that), reflect on a different object which is connected with skill.
Then the evil unskillful thoughts are eliminated; they disappear. By their
elimination, the mind stands firm, settles down, becomes unified and
concentrated, just within (his subject of meditation).
Like
an experienced carpenter or carpenter's apprentice, striking hard at, pushing
out, and getting rid of a coarse peg with a fine one, should the bhikkhu in
order to get rid of the adventitious object, reflect on a different object
which is connected with skill. Then the evil unskillful thoughts connected with
desire, hate and delusion are eliminated; they disappear. By their elimination
the mind stands firm, settles down, becomes unified and concentrated, just
within (his subject of meditation).
If
the evil unskillful thoughts continue to arise in a bhikkhu, who in order to
get rid of an adventitious object reflects on a different object which is
connected with skill, he should ponder on the disadvantages of unskillful
thoughts thus: Truly these thoughts of mine are unskillful, blameworthy, and
productive of misery. Then the evil unskillful thoughts are eliminated; they
disappear. By their elimination, the mind stands firm, settles down, becomes
unified and concentrated, just within (his subject of meditation).
Like
a well-dressed young man or woman who feels horrified, humiliated and disgusted
because of the carcass of a snake, dog, or human that is hung round his or her
neck, should the bhikkhu in whom unskillful thoughts continue to arise in spite
of his reflection on the object which is connected with skill, ponder on the
disadvantages of unskillful thoughts thus: Truly, these thoughts of mine are
unskillful, blameworthy, and productive of misery. Then the evil, unskillful
thoughts are eliminated; they disappear. By their elimination, the mind stands
firm, settles down, becomes unified and concentrated, just within (his subject
of meditation).
Like
a keen-eyed man shutting his eyes and looking away from some direction in order
to avoid seeing visible objects come within sight, should the bhikkhu in whom
evil, unskillful thoughts continue to arise in spite of his pondering on their
disadvantageousness, endeavor to be without attention and reflection as regards
them. Then the evil, unskillful thoughts are eliminated; they disappear. By
their elimination, the mind stands firm, settles down, becomes unified and
concentrated, just within (his subject of meditation).
If
evil, unskillful thoughts continue to arise in a bhikkhu in spite of his
endeavor to be without attention and reflection as regards evil, unskillful
thoughts, he should reflect on the removal of the (thought) source of those
unskillful thoughts. Then the evil, unskillful thoughts are eliminated; they
disappear. By their elimination, the mind stands firm, settles down, becomes
unified and concentrated, just within (his subject of meditation).
Just
as a man finding no reason for walking fast, walks slowly; finding no reason
for walking slowly, stands; finding no reason for sitting down, lies down, and
thus getting rid of a posture rather uncalm resorts to a restful posture, just
so should the bhikkhu in whom evil, unskillful thoughts arise, in spite of his
endeavor to be without attention and reflection regarding them, reflect on the
removal of the (thought) source of those unskillful thoughts. Then the evil,
unskillful thoughts are eliminated; they disappear. By their elimination, the
mind stands firm, settles down, becomes unified and concentrated, just within
(his subject of meditation).
If
evil, unskillful thoughts continue to arise in a bhikkhu in spite of his
reflection on the removal of a source of unskillful thoughts, he should with clenched
teeth and the tongue pressing on the palate, restrain, subdue and beat down the
(evil) mind by the (good) mind. Then the evil, unskillful thoughts connected
with desire, hate and delusion are eliminated; they disappear. By their
elimination, the mind stands firm, settles down, becomes unified and
concentrated, just within (his subject of meditation).
Like
a strong man holding a weaker man by the head or shoulders and restraining,
subduing and beating him down, should the bhikkhu in whom evil, unskillful
thoughts continue to arise in spite of his reflection on the source of
unskillful thoughts, restrain, subdue and beat down the (evil) mind by the
(good) mind, with clenched teeth and the tongue pressing on the palate. Then
the evil, unskillful thoughts connected with desire, hate and delusion are
eliminated; they disappear. By their elimination, the mind stands firm, settles
down, becomes unified and concentrated, just within (his subject of
meditation).
When,
indeed, bhikkhus, evil unskillful thoughts due to reflection on an adventitious
object are eliminated, when they disappear, and the mind stands firm, settles
down, becomes unified and concentrated just within (his subject of meditation),
through his reflection on an object connected with skill, through his pondering
on the disadvantages of unskillful thoughts, his endeavoring to be without
attentiveness and reflection as regards those thoughts or through his
restraining, subduing, and beating down of the evil mind by the good mind with
clenched teeth and tongue pressing on the palate, that bhikkhu is called a
master of the paths along which thoughts travel. The thought he wants to think,
that, he thinks; the thought he does not want to think, that, he does not
think. He has cut down craving, removed the fetter, rightly mastered pride, and
made an end of suffering."
The
Blessed One said this, and the bhikkhus glad at heart, approved of his words.
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