buddhism/2024/maranasati/

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buddhism/2024/maranasati/

https://shanenull.com/buddhism/2024/maranasati/

[shane0]

probability

maranasati is the king of meditations

the buddha

• https://youtube.com/@reflectionsoflife

it’s not the strong or intelligent that survive it’s the one that adapts to changes

Darwin

• and escaping denial of mortality is the basis for sanity
• the point is live in the moment
• don’t be an asshole and don’t waste time with assholes
• love everyone because soon you and they will be dead
• remember the point is to get over the depression
• to melt the delusion of an ego
• delusion is the opposite ignoring death makes people selfish greedy disrespectful etc etc etc
  = i find this chart helpful
• these are some robot responses scoped to american male demographic ranked by age
• the percent chance I die today is around 0.001%
• but that doesn’t scare the greed and ignorance out of the ego
• seeing the number of people that lose the daily alive lottery puts it in perspective quickly
• i try to practice maranasati hourly and my goal is

get past maranasati meditation quickly and transform the fear into compassion this should take seconds not minutes

most people do not believe they will die till they are very old
death ultimately does not give a crap how wealthy healthy old and no amount of insurance savings or exercise can save you in the end

Rank	Age	Deaths per Day	Deaths per Year	Approx. Population	Death Rate per 100,000
1	85+	2,826	1,031,490	600,000	17,190.5
2	75	132	48,180	800,000	6,031.8
3	65	72	26,280	1,000,000	2,640.0
4	55	57	20,963	1,500,000	1,397.5
5	45	33	12,031	1,800,000	668.4
6	35	19	6,933	1,900,000	373.3
7	25	14	5,024	2,000,000	251.2
8	15	8	2,792	2,200,000	126.9
9	5	1	769	2,100,000	16.4
10	1	1	540	2,000,000	27.0

It's that the world is basically a forced labor camp from which the workers, perfectly innocent, are led forth by lottery, a few each day, to be executed. I don't think that's just the way I see it.I think that's the way it is.

Are there alternative views? Yes. Will any of them stand close scrutiny? No.

cormac mccarthy - sunset limited

related

• chant https://youtu.be/D2cR0V_ftVk

"I CANNOT ESCAPE DEATH. BUT AT LEAST I CAN ESCAPE THE FEAR OF IT." - EPICTETUS

https://shanenull.com/buddhism/2023/maranasati/

“the contemplation of a bloated corpse, the contemplation of a worm-infested corpse, the contemplation of a putrefied corpse, the contemplation of a bloody corpse, {Dt.20} the contemplation of a blue-black corpse, the contemplation of a devoured corpse, the contemplation of a dismembered corpse, the contemplation of a skeleton, the contemplation of an immolated corpse, and the contemplation of the unpleasantness of food”

Excerpt From The Perfection of Wisdom in Twenty-Five Thousand Lines 84000 – Translating the Words of the Buddha

[shane0]

https://www.kechara.com/centres/

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https://shanenull.com/stoicism/memento_mori/

[shane0]

The nine worldly perceptions, i.e. the perception
of a swollen corpse, a worm-eaten corpse, a festering corpse, a bloody
corpse, a discoloured corpse, a mangled corpse, a scattered corpse, the
bones, a burned corpse. The four worldly trances, the four holy Unli-
mited, the four formless attainments, the five superknowledges.

prajnaparamita

[shane0]

“Which nine? i.e. the perception of a swollen corpse, a worm-eaten corpse, a festering corpse, a bloody corpse (P 20), a blueish corpse, a corpse being devoured, a scattered corpse, a burned corpse, a corpse of only bones. He should develop the perception of revulsion from food. ”

buddhismPrajnaparamitaLargeSutraOnPerfectWisdom

[shane0]

celebrating the end of death

Type of Holiday	Example Holiday	Country/Region	Interesting Detail
Remembrance Days	Remembrance Day	Commonwealth Nations	Honors soldiers who died in war.
	Memorial Day	USA	Commemorates fallen military personnel.
	Día de los Muertos	Mexico, Latin America	Celebrates and honors deceased loved ones.
Religious Observances	All Souls’ Day	Catholic countries	Prayers and remembrance for the dead.
	Good Friday	Christian nations	Commemorates the death of Jesus Christ.
	Arba'een	Shia Islam	Marks 40 days after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein.
National Mourning Days	Martyrs' Day	Various countries	Honors national heroes and martyrs.
	Hiroshima Peace Memorial Day	Japan	Remembers victims of the atomic bombing.
	9/11 Remembrance Day	USA	Honors victims of the September 11 attacks.
Leaders' Death Anniversaries	Martin Luther King Jr. Day	USA	Honors civil rights leader MLK Jr.
	Gandhi Jayanti	India	Marks Mahatma Gandhi’s birth, but also his ideals.
	Kim Il-sung Memorial Day	North Korea	Commemorates North Korea’s founding leader.
Cultural & Ancestral Festivals	Chuseok	Korea	Honors ancestors with feasts and ceremonies.
	Qingming Festival	China	Tomb-sweeping day to honor the dead.

same days wars ended

War	End Date	Holiday Name	Countries That Observe It	Interesting Detail
World War I	November 11, 1918	Armistice Day / Remembrance Day / Veterans Day	Many (France, UK, Canada, USA, etc.)	Marks the signing of the armistice ending WWI.
World War II (Europe)	May 8, 1945	Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day)	Europe, USA, Russia (May 9)	Celebrates Nazi Germany's surrender.
World War II (Pacific)	September 2, 1945	V-J Day (Victory over Japan Day)	USA (unofficial), UK	Marks Japan’s formal surrender aboard USS Missouri.
Korean War	July 27, 1953	Korean War Armistice Day	South Korea, North Korea, USA	Marks the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement.
Vietnam War	April 30, 1975	Reunification Day	Vietnam	Celebrates the fall of Saigon and end of the war.
Falklands War	June 14, 1982	Liberation Day	Falkland Islands	Celebrates the British victory over Argentina.
Gulf War	February 28, 1991	Liberation Day (Kuwait)	Kuwait	Marks the end of the Gulf War and Kuwait's liberation.

[shane0]

cormac mccarthy

• reading cormac mccarthy books is maranasait meditation
• https://shanenull.com/stoicism/cormac/

[shane0]

fear

• https://plumvillage.org/books/fear

Essential Wisdom For Getting Through The Storm

Fear is destructive, and it’s a pervasive problem we all face. Thich Nhat Hanh has written a powerful and practical strategic guide to overcoming our debilitating uncertainties and personal terrors. In Fear: Essential Wisdom for Getting through the Storm, Thay explores the origins of our fears, illuminating a path to finding peace and freedom from anxiety and offering powerful tools to help us to live freely and happily.

“Written in words so intimate, calm, kind, and immediate, this extraordinary book feels like a message from our very own heart….Thich Nhat Hanh is one of the most important voices of our time, and we have never needed to listen to him more than now.”

—Sogyal Rinpoche

[shane0]

physics

• Current measurements show that the Moon is slowly drifting away from Earth at a rate of about 3.8 centimeters per year.

[shane0]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_retroreflectors_on_the_Moon

[shane0]

https://writings.stephenwolfram.com/2023/02/computational-foundations-for-the-second-law-of-thermodynamics/

[shane0]

• uh oh entropy!

[shane0]

sutra on impermanence

• https://read.84000.co/translation/toh309.html

“Good health is impermanent,
Youth does not last.
Prosperity is impermanent,
And life, too, does not last.
How can beings, afflicted as they are by impermanence,
Take delight in desirable things like these?”

[shane0]

• https://www.ctworld.org.tw/Buddhist%20e-Books/Books05/index.html

All who are born will die, All beauty will fade,
The strong are stricken by illness;
No one can escape.
Even the great Mount Sumeru
Will erode by the kalpas end.
The vast and fathomless seas
Eventually dry up.
The earth, sun, and moon All perish in due time.
Not one thing in the world Can escape impermanence.
From beings in the heaven of Neither-thought-nor-non-thought,
Down to the wheel-turning kings,
Accompanied by the seven treasures and Surrounded by a thousand sons, When their lives have ended, Without a moment's delay,
They drift again in the sea of death, And suffer according to their karma.

[shane0]

chant

• https://www.serenecolombo.org/maranasati-verses-of-mindfulness-of-death/

1. Pavāta dīpa tulyāya – sāyu santatiyākkhayaṁ
   Parūpamāya samphassaṁ – bhāvaye maraṇassatiṁ
   Life passes towards its end like the flame of a lamp goes out by the wind. Seeing how others die applying it to one’s own life, one should develop mindfullness of death.

2. Mahāsampatti sampattā – yathā sattā matā idha
   Tathā ahaṁ marissāmi – maraṇaṁ mama hessati
   Just as beings that once enjoyed great prosperity are now dead, even so one day I too will die. Death will indeed come to me.

3. Uppattiyā saheveḍaṁ – maraṇaṁ āgataṁ sadā
   Māraṇatthāya okāsaṁ – vadhako viya esati
   Death has followed each and every birth. Therefore, like an executioner, death always seeks an opportunity to destroy my life.

4. Īsakaṁ anivattaṁ taṁ – satataṁ gamanussukaṁ
   Jīvitaṁ udayā atthaṁ – suriyo viya dhāvati
   Life, without stopping a moment, ever keen on moving, runs on towards death like the sun that travels to set without stopping after it rises.

5. Vijju bubbula ussāva – jalarāji parikkhayaṁ
   Ghātako’va ripūtassa – sabbatthā’pi avāriyo
   This life comes to an end like a streak of lightning, a bubble of water, a dew drop on a leaf, or a line drawn on water. Like an enemy, death chases after one constantly. Death can never be avoided by any means.

6. Suyasatthāma puññiddhi – buddhi vuddhe jinaddvyaṁ
   Ghātesi maraṇaṁ khippaṁ – kā tu mādisake kathā
   If death could come in an instant, even to Supreme Buddhas, private Buddhas, and arahants endowed with great glory, prowess, merit, supernormal powers and wisdom, what could be said of me?

7. Paccayāna’ñca vekalyā – bāhirajjhattu paddavā
   Marāmoraṁ nimesā’pi – maramāno anukkhaṇa’nti.
   Due to the change of supporting factors, constant injuries arising internally and externally the life heads towards death changing every instant. Death will come one in the twinkling of an eye.

Etena saccena suvatthi hotu!
By this truth, may there be well-being!

[shane0]

https://youtu.be/D2cR0V_ftVk

[shane0]

sutras

The Sutra on Wisdom at the Hour of Death: This sutra emphasizes cultivating a clear understanding of non-self, compassion, non-attachment, and recognizing the true nature of the mind as wisdom.

The Mahaparinirvana Sutra: This sutra, considered the Buddha's final teachings, emphasizes the impermanence of all things and the importance of letting go of attachments.

You can find English translations of the "Wisdom of the Hour of Death" sutra in various sources. Here are a few options:
Online Resources:

• 84000: https://84000.co/translation/toh122
• Lotsawa House: https://www.lotsawahouse.org/words-of-the-buddha/sutra-wisdom-hour-of-death
• Dharma Friends: https://www.dharma-friends.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/translation-of-Wisdom-at-the-Hour-of-Death-Sutra.pdf
• Samye Translations: https://www.samyetranslations.org/translation/the-noble-mahayana-sutra-the-wisdom-of-the-hour-of-death/
  Books:
  You can also find translations of the sutra in various book formats. Check your local bookstore or online retailers like Amazon.

[shane0]

tibetan

Here are links to some of the most respected Lamrim texts, which contain instructions on preparing for death, among many other teachings. Many translations of these works are available both in print and online.

1. Je Tsongkhapa’s Lamrim Chenmo (The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment)

• This is one of the most comprehensive Lamrim texts, covering the stages of practice from the initial foundation to advanced practices for preparing the mind at death.
• Link: The Lamrim Chenmo is published in multiple volumes by Snow Lion Publications, part of Shambhala. Here is a direct link to the publisher's website:
  • Lamrim Chenmo - Snow Lion Publications (Shambhala)

2. Pabongka Rinpoche’s Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand

• This text is a more accessible Lamrim teaching, based on a famous 24-day teaching given by Pabongka Rinpoche in 1921. It includes practical guidance on contemplation of death and impermanence, with detailed, step-by-step practices.
• Link: This book is widely available and published by Wisdom Publications:
  • Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand - Wisdom Publications

3. Gampopa’s Jewel Ornament of Liberation

• This is the main Lamrim text in the Kagyu tradition, covering foundational and advanced practices, including teachings on impermanence and preparing for death.
• Link: A well-regarded translation is available from Shambhala Publications:
  • The Jewel Ornament of Liberation - Shambhala Publications

4. Atisha’s Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment

• This short text by Atisha is the foundational Lamrim text that inspired later Lamrim developments. It provides the framework for all stages of the path, including contemplation on death and impermanence.
• Link: A translation is available through the Berzin Archives:
  • Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment - Berzin Archives

Many other resources and commentaries on the Lamrim are available through online Tibetan Buddhist study websites, such as the Berzin Archives (Study Buddhism) and Lotsawa House. You might also explore FPMT’s online library, which has various translations and commentaries.

[shane0]

Visuddhimagga

The word "Visuddhimagga" is a Pali term that can be broken down into two main components:

1. Visuddhi (विसुद्धि in Sanskrit, विसुद्धि in Pali)
2. Magga (मार्ग in Sanskrit, मग्ग in Pali)

Let’s explore the meaning of each part:

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1. Visuddhi (विसुद्धि / विसुद्धि)

• Vi-: A prefix meaning "special," "complete," or "thorough."
• Suddhi: Derived from the root śuddh (शुद्ध), meaning "purity," "cleanliness," or "purification."
• Visuddhi: Together, this means "complete purity," "thorough purification," or "ultimate purification." In a Buddhist context, it refers to the purification of the mind and the path to liberation.

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2. Magga (मार्ग / मग्ग)

• Magga: This word means "path," "way," or "road." It is the Pali equivalent of the Sanskrit word mārga (मार्ग).
• In Buddhism, magga often refers to the Noble Eightfold Path (Ariyo Atthangiko Maggo), which is the path leading to the cessation of suffering and the realization of enlightenment.

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Combined Meaning of Visuddhimagga

When combined, Visuddhimagga translates to "The Path of Purification" or "The Way of Complete Purification." It signifies a systematic and thorough path to purifying the mind and achieving liberation (nibbana or nirvana).

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Context of the Visuddhimagga

The Visuddhimagga is a foundational text in Theravada Buddhism, written by the 5th-century scholar-monk Buddhaghosa. It serves as a comprehensive manual for meditation and the Buddhist path, detailing:

• The Seven Stages of Purification (Satta Visuddhi),
• The 40 Meditation Subjects (Kammatthana),
• And the progressive steps to attain insight (vipassana) and enlightenment.

The title reflects the text's purpose: to guide practitioners along the path of mental and spiritual purification, leading to the ultimate goal of liberation.

aubha bhavana

• one of the 40 techniques

The Buddhist meditation technique you are referring to is called "Asubha Bhavana" or "Meditation on Foulness." This practice involves contemplating the unattractive or repulsive aspects of the body to counteract attachment, desire, and lust. It is often used to develop dispassion and to understand the impermanent and unsatisfactory nature of the physical form.

In this practice, meditators may visualize or reflect on the body's internal organs, decaying corpses, or other aspects of the body that are typically considered unpleasant. The goal is to cultivate mindfulness, reduce attachment to the physical form, and develop a deeper understanding of impermanence (anicca) and non-self (anatta).

This technique is particularly emphasized in Theravada Buddhism and is one of the 40 meditation subjects (kammatthana) outlined in the Visuddhimagga, a classic Buddhist text. However, it is important to approach this practice with proper guidance, as it can be intense and is not suitable for everyone.

The practice of Asubha Bhavana (meditation on foulness or unattractiveness) is primarily rooted in the Pali Canon, the authoritative scriptures of Theravada Buddhism. While there isn't a single sutra (sutta in Pali) dedicated exclusively to this practice, it is mentioned and taught in several texts. Below are some key suttas and sources where this meditation technique is discussed:

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1. Satipatthana Sutta (MN 10)

• Context: This is one of the most important suttas on mindfulness meditation. It outlines the four foundations of mindfulness, one of which is mindfulness of the body (kayanupassana).
• Teaching: In the section on mindfulness of the body, the Buddha instructs meditators to contemplate the body's unattractive nature, including its parts (e.g., hair, teeth, skin, organs) and its eventual decay. This is a form of Asubha Bhavana.
• Key Quote:

  "Again, monks, a monk reflects on this very body, from the soles of the feet up and from the crown of the head down, enclosed by skin and full of various kinds of impurities: 'In this body there are head hairs, body hairs, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, sinews, bones, bone marrow, kidneys, heart, liver, pleura, spleen, lungs, intestines, mesentery, stomach, excrement, bile, phlegm, pus, blood, sweat, fat, tears, grease, saliva, mucus, synovial fluid, urine.'"

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2. Kayagatasati Sutta (MN 119)

• Context: This sutta focuses on mindfulness of the body (kayagatasati).
• Teaching: The Buddha explains various methods for developing mindfulness of the body, including contemplation of the body's foulness and impermanence. This includes reflecting on the body's decomposition after death.
• Key Quote:

  "Just as if a sack with openings at both ends were full of various kinds of grain... so too, a monk reviews this very body... as full of many kinds of impurity."

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3. Maha-Rahulovada Sutta (MN 62)

• Context: This sutta contains advice given by the Buddha to his son, Rahula, on meditation and mindfulness.
• Teaching: The Buddha instructs Rahula to meditate on the elements (earth, water, fire, air) and the unattractive nature of the body to overcome attachment and develop dispassion.
• Key Quote:

  "Develop meditation on the foul, Rahula, for when you meditate on the foul, any lust will be abandoned."

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4. Patikulamanasikara Sutta (Discourse on Reflecting on Foulness)

• Context: This is a lesser-known sutta that specifically focuses on reflecting on the body's unattractive nature.
• Teaching: The Buddha teaches monks to contemplate the body's impurities and impermanence to overcome attachment and develop insight.

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5. Visuddhimagga (Path of Purification)

• Context: While not a sutra, the Visuddhimagga by Buddhaghosa is a comprehensive manual on Buddhist meditation practices. It elaborates on Asubha Bhavana as one of the 40 meditation subjects (kammatthana).
• Teaching: The text provides detailed instructions on how to meditate on the foulness of the body, including visualizing corpses in various stages of decay.

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6. Digha Nikaya (Long Discourses)

• In the Mahasatipatthana Sutta (DN 22), a longer version of the Satipatthana Sutta, the Buddha similarly teaches mindfulness of the body, including contemplation of its unattractive aspects.

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Purpose of Asubha Bhavana

The practice of contemplating foulness is not meant to induce disgust or negativity but to:

1. Counteract lust and attachment to the body.
2. Develop insight into impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha), and non-self (anatta).
3. Cultivate equanimity and dispassion.

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If you're interested in exploring these teachings further, the Satipatthana Sutta and Kayagatasati Sutta are excellent starting points. However, it's recommended to study and practice these techniques under the guidance of a qualified teacher, as they can be psychologically intense.