(6.3) Theravada - The Practice Guide (Meditation Object Selection)

[Niết Bàn Tầm]

THERAVADA

3. THE PRACTICE OF PARI-AJNA EKAGRATA

3.1. METHODS TO SELECT A MEDITATION OBJECT [6]

In the Great Seal (Mahāmudrā), the two great masters Tilopa and Naropa used the below two methods to select a kasina for their disciples.
▪ Based on the yin-yang characteristi*** *** of the Four Elements
Along the yin-yang spectrum, the Four Elements are in the following order: Earth (most yin) < Water < Fire < Wind (most yang).
  + Earth (pathavi) kasina is suitable for reaching the First Jhana. Use a clay ball of 5cm (or 2") diameter, smooth it well, and paint with light pink color.
  + Water (āpo) kasina is useful for entering the Second Jhana. Fill a small cup with water and use its surface for visualization.
  + Fire (tejo) kasina is helpful for culminating in the Third Jhana. Use the flame from a duck egg oil lamp.
  + Wind (vāyo) kasina fits well for cultivating the Fourth Jhana. Use the image of a window curtain slightly flying in the wind.

▪ Based on the cultivator's temperaments
  + For people who are hot-tempered (quick-witted, astute, sensitive), use a water kasina, or a light blue ball of 3cm diameter as an object of meditation.
  + For those who are slow-witted (dull, slow, boring, insensitive), use a fire kasina, or a red ball of 3cm diameter as an object of meditation.

The actual process of selecting an appropriate kasina has never been described in any meditation text until now in this document. It often occurs as follows. The selector must be an experienced cultivator of at least the Fourth Jhana. At this level of mindfulness and concentration, this selector will be able to find a kasina suitable to a new practitioner based on the practitioner's two essential traits: Filial Piety and Honesty [7]. The experienced cultivator may also examine several other aspects such as aura, resolve, and idiosyncratic karma to advise on ways to enhance good karma, and reduce or prevent the effects of bad karma. If the new practitioner's aura, for example, is torn (due to sickness), bent, noncircular, dull or lack of color, an appropriate charm will be recommended. To counteract bad karma, some proper action plans may be devised; one of which is to encourage the performance of meritorious deeds and the cultivation of virtues. Sometimes it is necessary to have up to three or four experienced cultivators to carefully look into the whole process before a decision is made.

 The Importance of Filial Piety

Filial piety is the utmost necessary condition. This meditation method of Theravada is developed for Humankind [note the capitalized 'H']. In Buddhism, Human beings differ from all kinds of animals by only the way they love their parents. In this subject, the Buddha says that there are two people we can never repay. [8] Who are they? Mom and Dad! We should carry them on our shoulders, walk from here to the First Jhana, step by step to the Fourth Jhana and come back. On the way up and down, we feed them and make them happy by singing and gently massaging them. Our parents meanwhile should eat and even shit on our shoulders. All these should still be far too little for us to repay them. Why? Because they bear us in the right place so we can easily find the right Path to liberation. This is an incredible opportunity! Therefore, the Buddha says when we cannot find the Buddha, go home and adore our parents. In that way, we reverence the Buddha!

In my [Tibu's] experience of guiding my friends, I usually meditate upon the question: Can this friend of mine attain Nirvana in this incarnation? The answer is NO if the person is an ungrateful son by the way of not obeying his parents. The answer is always YES even if the person kills or rapes people but he always obeys his parents. This is the Natural Law.


Endnotes:
[6] See more in 'The Buddha and His Teachings' by Narada Mahathera.
[7] It is noteworthy that honesty includes Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood in the Noble Eightfold Path. It also means 'say what you do and do what you say' in layman's terms.
[8] See 'The Book of the Gradual Sayings (Anguttara-Nikaya)', Volume 1, page 56.