(wikipedia)
In some tellings, Excalibur's scabbard was said to have powers of its own, as the one wearing it would not lose even a drop of blood. Any wounds received while wearing the scabbard would not bleed at all, thus preventing the death of the wearer. For this reason, Merlin chides Arthur for preferring the sword over the scabbard, saying that the latter was the greater treasure.
Dhamma are the weapons used by the army (right effort) to fight against defilements
In the simile used in this sutta: AN 7.67 š°But it occurred to me some of the weapons, whilst chanting them, also act as an armor of invincibility, like Excalibur's scabbard. So as long as one is continuously chanting it (and reflecting on its meaning), one is invulnerable to the 5 hindrances and defilements.
Which sutta passsages work for you like that? Here are a few of my favorites:
AN 4.14 saį¹vara
1. eye
cakkhunÄ rÅ«paį¹ disvÄ
| With-the-eye, [visible]-form (he) sees. |
na nimittag-gÄhÄ« hoti
| (he) Does-not {grab}-signs ****. |
NÄ-nubyaƱjanag-gÄhÄ«.
| Does-not {grab}-features. |
yatvÄdhikaraį¹amenaį¹ cakkhu’ndriyaį¹ a-saį¹vutaį¹ viharantaį¹
| Since-if-he-were-to {dwell with the} eye-faculty un-restrained ***********, |
AbhijjhÄ-domanassÄ pÄpakÄ a-kusalÄ dhammÄ anvÄssaveyyuį¹,
| greed-(and)-distress (and) evil un-skillful states would-invade [his mind]. |
tassa saį¹varÄya paį¹ipajjati,
| His restraint (is put into) practice. |
rakkhati cakkhu-’ndriyaį¹,
| (he) protects (the) eye-faculty. |
Cakkhu-’ndriye saį¹varaį¹ Äpajjati.
| The eye-faculty restraint (he) undertakes. |
similarly for 2. ear ... 6. mind
1. KÄma-vitakkaį¹
uppannaį¹ kÄma-vitakkaį¹
| (with an) arisen {thought of}-sensuality |
nÄ-(a)dhivÄseti
| (he) Does-not-tolerate (it)! |
pajahati
| gets rid (of it), |
vinodeti
| removes (it), |
Byantī-karoti
| destroys (it), |
anabhÄvaį¹ gameti;
| annihilation! (he makes it) go (there)! |
(same formula for next 3)
2. ByÄpÄda-vitakkaį¹
3. Vihiį¹sÄ-vitakkaį¹
4. PÄpake a-kusale
AN 4.14 seven awakening factor sequence also infuses you with a feeling of invincibility:
power of chanting, going to war with MÄra
SN 22.29: Such impeccable, irrefutable logic, so sobering
It's said in such a plain straightforward way I feel powerless to follow wrong thoughts while chanting and reflecting on each word of this sutta.SN 22.29 one who delights in dukkha, not freed from dukkha
excerpt:
SN 22.29 abhinandana-suttaį¹
| SN 22.29 delight-discourse |
♦ 29. sÄvatthi-nidÄnaį¹.
| (In) sÄvatthi-(this)-originates. |
“yo, bhikkhave,
| "**, *********, [if] |
rÅ«paį¹ abhinandati,
| form [is what] {he} seeks-delight (in), |
dukkhaį¹ so abhinandati.
| suffering (is what) he seeks-delight (in). |
yo dukkhaį¹ abhinandati,
| he, (who) {seeks-delight in} suffering, |
a-parimutto so dukkhasmÄti vadÄmi.
| not-free (is) he (from) suffering, (I) say. |
yo vedanaį¹ abhinandati,
| [if] feeling [is what] {he} seeks-delight (in), |
dukkhaį¹ so abhinandati.
| suffering (is what) he seeks-delight (in). |
yo dukkhaį¹ abhinandati,
| he, (who) {seeks-delight in} suffering, |
a-parimutto so dukkhasmÄti vadÄmi.
| not-free (is) he (from) suffering, (I) say. |
(and so on for all 5 aggregates, and a converse way stating way to freedom of suffering for all 5)
Which are your favorite passages that you find make you invulnerable to hindrances and defilements?
submit your suggestions.
Comments
Post a Comment