The Discipline of Transcendence, Vol 1

 
Discourses on the 42 Sutras of Buddha
Talks given from 21/08/76 am to 30/08/76 am


English Discourse series
10 Chapters
Year published: 1976
Originally published in two volumes, later released as four volumes.
The Discipline of Transcendence, Vol 1
Chapter #1
Chapter title: The most excellent way
21 August 1976 am in Buddha Hall

THE BUDDHA SAID:
TO BE FREE FROM THE PASSIONS AND TO BE CALM, THIS IS THE MOST EXCELLENT WAY.
THOSE WHO LEAVE THEIR PARENTS, GO OUT OF THE HOME, UNDERSTAND THE MIND, REACH THE SOURCE, AND COMPREHEND THE IMMATERIAL, ARE CALLED SHRAMANAS.
THOSE WHO OBSERVE THE PRECEPTS OF MORALITY, WHO ARE PURE AND SPOTLESS IN THEIR BEHAVIOUR, AND WHO EXERT THEMSELVES FOR THE ATTAINMENT OF THE FRUITS OF SAINTSHIP ARE CALLED ARHATS.
NEXT IS THE ANAGAMIN. AT THE END OF HIS LIFE, THE SPIRIT OF THE ANAGAMIN ASCENDS TO THE HEAVEN AND OBTAINS ARHATSHIP.
NEXT IS THE SKRIDAGAMIN. THE SKRIDAGAMIN ASCENDS TO THE HEAVEN (AFTER HIS DEATH), COMES BACK TO THE EARTH ONCE MORE, AND THEN ATTAINS ARHATSHIP.
NEXT IS THE SROTAPANNA. THE SROTAPANNA DIES SEVEN TIMES AND IS BORN SEVEN TIMES, WHEN HE FINALLY ATTAINS ARHATSHIP.
BY THE SEVERANCE OF PASSIONS IS MEANT THAT LIKE THE LIMBS SEVERED THEY ARE NEVER AGAIN MADE USE OF.

GAUTAM BUDDHA is like the highest peak of the Himalayas, like Gourishanker... one of the purest beings, one of the most virgin souls, one of the very rare phenomena on this earth. The rarity is that Buddha is the scientist of the inner world -- scientist of religion. That is a rare combination. To be religious is simple, to be a scientist is simple -- but to combine, synthesize these two polarities is incredible. It is unbelievable, but it has happened.
Buddha is the richest human being who has ever lived; rich in the sense that all the dimensions of life are fulfilled in him. He is not one-dimensional.

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