Dilemma summarized in 8 seconds
kāya-gatā-sati active 24/7 (remembrance + application of Dharma while immersed in body)
A lapse of sati eventually will result in horrific death or suffering
SN 47.20 the most beautiful lady in the world
The Buddha was staying in the land of the Sumbhas,
near the town Sedaka.
There the Buddha addressed the monks:
“monks, suppose that word spread quickly around town that
‘Larissa, the most beautiful lady in the world is coming!
Her beauty is unparalleled, with a personality and temperament to match.
A large crowd would gather.
Larissa would dance and sing in a most thrilling way.
On hearing that ‘Larissa, the most beautiful lady in the world is singing!
She's dancing!’
an even larger crowd would gather.
Then Bob, a man who wants to live and doesn’t want to die, comes along.
Bob and Larissa were dear friends as young children.
Sadly, Larissa moved away.
Fifteen years later Bob is a very eligible bachelor.
Larissa visiting town was no coincidence.
Bob wants to be happy, and he dislikes pain.
Bob is a man who doesn't want to die,
he wants to live the life of his dreams.
They’d say to Bob:
‘Mister, this is a bowl full to the brim with oil.
You must carry it in between this large crowd and Larissa,
your childhood friend who is now the most beautiful lady in the world.
And a man with a drawn sword will follow behind you.
Wherever you spill even a drop,
he’ll chop off your head right there.’
What do you think, monks?
Don't you think Bob wants to steal a glance at Larissa?
Isn't Bob wondering what life would be like to be married to
Larissa, the most beautiful lady in the world?
A most highly skilled singer, dancer, master of the culinary arts;
sharp witted, prudent, great sense of humor, able to converse amiably on any topic;
a financial wizard at managing a splendid lifestyle with her high income profession
while Bob is unemployed and lives a life of leisure;
yet despite their fun and expensive lifestyle she's fiscally responsible by socking away a good 30% of her gross earnings every month towards retirement;
a handywoman who can fix any household, plumbing, vehicle breakdown;
a gentle soul with a soft patient voice who is kind to everyone regardless of age, station, good or ill manner;
very forgiving of Bob's many annoying personality traits and habits;
someone who would be a devoted and loyal wife?
The monks replied, "yes sir, Bob would be very tempted."
What do you think, monks?
Despite that extreme temptation,
do you really think Bob would lose focus of that bowl of oil?
Would Bob dare get distracted by anything at all,
lest he spill a drop and get his head chopped off? ”
“No, sir.”
“I made this simile to demonstrate
how mindfulness immersed in the body is practiced.
‘A bowl of oil filled to the brim’ is a term for
remembering and applying Dharma while immersed in the perception of the body.
So you should train like this:
‘We will develop remembering and application of Dharma
while immersed in the perception of the body.
Whatever activity we do internally or
externally by interacting with the outside world,
our attention retains some awareness of the body,
as an anchor that keeps the mind connected to the Buddha Dharma,
rather than drifting away negligently to non Dharma, as is the worldly norm.
We’ll cultivate this practice, make it our vehicle and our basis,
keep it up, consolidate it, and properly implement it.’
Monks, that is how you should train.”
frankk note:
The original sutta is pretty bare bones.
I've added some fun and clarifying details that are implied,
but they are my additions and not part of the actual sutta SN 47.20 Janapadakalyāṇī.
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