I Dependent Co Arising : Perception
The Great Way is not difficult
for those who have no preferences.
When not attached to love or hate,
all is clear and undisguised.
Separate by the smallest amount, however
and you are as far from it as heaven is from earth.
Third Patriarch of Zen (China)
- Currently studying CoDependent Arising :How the mind transform sensory data into a self, a selfing story
- Last Deeper Dive in August was on Perception
- Purpose: How we construct a self and how we suffer with respect to this selfing
- Dependent co arising: the model to.this point: Ignorance conditions formations, Formations conditions consciousness, Consciousness conditions name and form, names and form conditions six sense bases, six sense bases condition contact, contact condition feeling.
- And where is perception in this model? perception is part of name and form : contact, feeling, perception, thought, and attention. What we feel, we perceive. Then we think of what is perceived. Thinking begins the process of judgment that leads to mental proliferation.
- Perception: That quality of mind the recognizing distinguishing characteristics marks of an object: color, size shape
- Names it and stories in memory for future reference
- Importance to balance perception with mindfulness EX: seeing someone from a distance, we think we know who they are but upon closer investigation!
- Thinking begins the process of judgment that leads to mental proliferation.
- Tonight some words about Feeling. Feeling tone either ranges from the very unpleasant to the pleasant. Feeling is like the flavor of the experience. Feeling describes plant of unpleasant emotions, such as anger (unpleasant) or perhaps surprise (meant) Feeling accompanies perception.
- Mahavedalla Sutta The Greater Set of Questions-and-Answers: the buddha speaks to have Feeling and Perception are conjoined
- Told this story about generosity: Anathapindika, a prosperous businessman, first heard of the Buddha from his brother-in-law. He traveled to the Buddha’s location in Rājagaha and, after hearing the Dharma, became a devoted lay follower and attained the first stage of enlightenment. Upon his return to Savatthi, he sought a suitable place for the Buddha and his followers to reside, as they had no permanent home. He found a beautiful park belonging to Prince Jeta, which he famously purchased by covering the entire ground with gold coins, fulfilling Prince Jeta’s challenge. Prince Jeta was so impressed by Anathapindika’s generosity that he donated the remaining part of the park to the cause. Anathapindika built the Jetavana Monastery on the land, providing essential facilities such as living quarters, meditation halls, and dining areas. what is not told in this story, is about the beggar girl. When Anathapindika is soliciting for funds for the center she gives away the only thing she knows; her dress.
Anathapindika ask Prince Jeta for Property for a Mediation Center
Additional Resources
Carlson, P. Feelings and Perceptions. https://orlandoinsightmeditation.org/2016/09/feelings-and-perceptions/ Orlando Insight Meditation Group. September 15, 2016a
Abrosia, Gloria Taraniya The Experience of Feeling: (Insight into the Aggregates) Insight Journal, The Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, Spring 2000
Chodron , Pema, When Things Fall Apart. Shambala. Boulder 2016.
Goldstein, J. Buddhist Teachings on Perceptions and Formations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w5QLJHdj74 YouTube 12/2024
Smith, R. Perception with Recognition Guided Meditation https://dharmaseed.org/talks/53754 Dharma Seed December 12, 2018
with kindness
Andy
