(Sutta Exploration Series with Bhikkhu Candana)
Week 30
Indriyabhāvanā Sutta, "Development of the Faculties." MN 152 (from the Majjhima Nikāya/Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha).
Recorded on March 26th, 2022.
Today's Sutta exploration session was devoted to the "Indriyabhāvanā Sutta" or the “Development of the Faculties,” MN 152. In this powerful sutta, Lord Buddha teaches the Ven. Ānanda how to develop the sense faculties in ways that let go of 'liking' and 'disliking' with the tools of wise attention, so that the mind can rest in equanimity instead of giving in to the proliferation of thought, which adds on to the dukkha. Thus, any sense experience is to be seen with wise or "radical" attention, where we do not give in to the 'liking' or 'disliking' that arise upon Contact, but rather attend to sense experience with a mind that is the witness of all and thereby rests in peace, without being pulled into the narratives that arise after Contact has taken place on the six sense doors.
Being an incredible master of similes, Lord Buddha gives us some wonderful images in this sutta to make his teachings go straight to the heart. Here, Bhante Candana's insightful commentary and elaboration could not be more apt, as his words helped unpack the deeper meanings of these images and the overall spirit of encouragement with which Lord Buddha teaches the Ven. Ānanda.
In the Q&A section, Bhante Candana addressed some questions in relation to Ven. Ananda's unique role in the Buddha's Dispensation as the one whose photographic memory of the teachings allowed for most of the Dhamma to be recited at the Frist Counsel three months after Lord Buddha's death; with regards to Ven. Ananda's own journey on the Path, and how big of an inspiration he is for practitioners today, especially when it comes to the importance of making the best use of our time here on this planet as human beings, never taking life and the Dhamma for granted. Yet again, Bhante Candana's talk today shook the listener from within NOT to delay practicing and purifying our minds in order to taste Nibbana in this very life, before it is too late. Bhante inspired us to practice with a sense of urgency, giving one's all, and not believe in the lies that our minds masterfully lull us by, such as when we do not practice vigilance to keep our attention where it needs to be, and often allow it to drift to things ultimately unimportant and even harmful.
May this talk bring you peace and harmony into your life.
Note: Bhante Candana can be reached at bhantecandana@gmail.com
Also, as a Bhikkhu living alone, without the support of a community, if you like to contribute by supporting Bhante in his requisites and work in teaching, his free online translations and recordings of suttas, and his work of providing free psychotherapy sessions to low-income individuals and their families, you may consider donating via Paypal: www.paypal.me/candanabhikkhu
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