The Very Brief Stages of the Path

By Fenner, Todd

Book Id: WPLBN0000708182
Format Type: PDF eBook:
File Size: 0.1 MB
Reproduction Date: 2005

Title:	The Very Brief Stages of the Path
Author:	Fenner, Todd
Volume:
Language:	English
Subject:	Religion, Buddhism, Buddhism and literature
Collections:	Buddhist Literature Collection, BuddhaNet: Buddhist Information and Education Network
Historic Publication Date:
Publisher:	Buddhanet: Buddhist Information and Education Network


Citation APA MLA Chicago Fenner, B. T. (n.d.). The Very Brief Stages of the Path. Retrieved from https://www.gutenberg.us/

Description
BuddhaNet: Buddhist Information and Education Network document.

Excerpt
Excerpt: First a little background: Literature on the Stages of the Path abound in Buddhism. It might be said that Shakyamuni's formula of hearing, reflecting, and meditation represents such an outline as well as the formula of discipline, meditation, and wisdom. the former are stages we should take regarding any teaching. That is, first we hear, read etc. Then we examine it with reason and experience. Shakyamuni said we should not simply take his teachings out of respect for him but rather test them as we would test the purchase of gold. Finally, we should meditate on them. Here meditation is samadhi. What this means is that after generating a particular mind from hearing and reflection, we make this an integral part of us through the power of concentration. For instance, we hear about compassion and attended many teachings on it. Then we reflect and mentally go through all the different reasoning?s such as 'all beings were once our mothers' and/or the 'exchange of self and other' when compassion dawns in us i.e. when we have generated the mind of compassion, we continually cultivate that mind till compassion is with us always, or at least more e often than not. We do the same with refuge, renunciation, wisdom etc. There are varying degrees of concentration. But this is the general idea.