Xochitl, Ashley Wells; sutra translation by Yogi Seven, CC Liu, Wisdom Quarterly
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| What is meditation? It is stopping (jhana) then practicing for insight (vipassana) (M7) |
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| Mayan meditating by calendar (Discovery) |
The world is ending. This Mayan cycle wraps up in three weeks. And we aren't enlightened yet.
What to do, what to do?
What would a supremely wise person do? What can be done but to buckle down and commit?
WISDOM QUARTERLY: "Buddha, how long does it take to become enlightened to at least the first degree, to awaken knowledge-and-vision of the liberating Dharma?"
THE BUDDHA: As I state at the end of the "Fourfold Setting Up of Mindfulness Sutra" (DN 22), meditators, whoever is steadfast PRACTICING these four methods of mindfulness in this manner for seven years, one of two results is
certainly to be expected of such a person -- full enlightenment in this very life or, if there yet be any trace of clinging remaining, the state of non-returner.
Wait let alone seven years, meditators, whoever practices steadfast for six years... for
five years... for four years... for three years... for two years... for
one year...
Let alone one year, meditators, whoever practices these four methods for seven months, one of two
results is certainly to be expected -- full enlightenment in this very life or, if there yet be any trace of clinging remaining, the state of non-returner.
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| What is stopping? It is purification of the mind/heart by absorption. What is insight? It is the systematic contemplation of four sets of things/personal phenomena (Bumbui/flickr.com) |
Let alone seven months, meditators! Whoever practices these four
methods for six months... for
five months... for four months... for three months... for two months...
for one month... for half-a-month...
Let alone half-a-month, meditators! Whoever practices these four
methods steadfast for seven days, one of
two results is certainly to be expected -- full enlightenment in this very life or, if there yet be any trace of clinging remaining, the state of non-returner.
It is because of these beneficial results that I declared at the beginning [of this sutra]: Meditators this is the one sure route to purification of (hearts/minds of) beings, for the overcoming of all sorrow and lamentation, for the
complete undoing of (physical) pain and (mental) suffering, for
attainment of the noble paths-and-fruits, and for the realization of nirvana.
That way is the steadfast practice of these four methods of mindfulness."
Thus spoke the Enlightened One.
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