From Feeling up to Attainment

"Oh good man! Feeling is called 'taking-in'. Beings do good or evil at the stage of feeling. Therefore, we say that feeling is the taking-in. Oh good man! Through the causal relation of feeling, all kinds of defilements arise. The 37 elements of the Bodhi truly annihilate these. For this reason, we call feeling as taking-in. Good thoughts wipe out well the defilements. Hence, we speak of 'augmenting'. Why? We make efforts and try to learn. And so we arrive at those 37 elements of Enlightenment. Meditation truly destroys the evil defilements. This is always grounded on exclusive mindfulness. Thus, meditation is the master. Worldwide, all four armed forces move according to the will of the Head General. It's the same with the 37 elements of Enlightenment. All follow the will of the master, which is the mind.

When someone enters dhyana [meditation], the 37 elements of Enlightenment discriminate well all phases of the Dharma. Therefore, meditation is what leads someone. We look into the 37 elements of Enlightenment and see that Wisdom is the most superior. For this reason, Wisdom is the most superior (of 37 elements). This is why Wisdom [is established] as being superior. Thus, Wisdom sees defilements. Through the power of Wisdom, defilements die.

Worldwide, the four armed forces crush out the enemies. There may be one or two who are brave and strong, and do so well. So it is with the 37 elements concerning to Enlightenment. Through the power of Wisdom, one ends up with defilements. Therefore, Wisdom is that (element) which is superior.

Oh good man! By learning and practicing the 37 elements of Enlightenment, one gains the four dhyanas, the miraculous divine powers, and peace. But this is not called 'real'. When it ends up with defilements and Emancipation is reached, we say 'real'. A person can aspire to learn and practice the 37 elements of Enlightenment, and be blessed with worldly bliss, supramundane bliss, the fruition of Shramana practice, and Emancipation. However, we cannot call this the ‘Ultimate’. When it puts an end to all practices of the 37 elements of Enlightenment, that is Nirvana. This is why I say that the Ultimate is Great Nirvana."

Read More on the Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 44 - On Bodhisattva Kasyapa 5.

from feeling up to attainment.mp3