The Buddha's gradual instruction

Dhr. Seven, Amber Larson, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Ellie Askew (eds.), Ven. Nyanatiloka (Buddhist Dictionary: Manual of Terms and Doctrines, palikanon.com), Wisdom Quarterly

First, reflect on the power of giving (dana), of letting go to benefit others (Goalcast). 

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Now I'm settled, so teach me insight.

Another way to enlightenment is to cultivate serenity, detach, and practice systematic mindfulness.

This is for the arising of wisdom -- penetrating insight. Practice of this leads to the perfection of wisdom (prajna-paramita), the greatest bliss of all.

Serenity derived from samadhi is very blissful, which often stimulates the habit of attachment and suffering when the bliss we cling to dissolves. And it will. But there is a higher bliss.*

Practicing in tandem is the wisest way. The Buddha, the "Sage of the Scythians" Shakyamuni, often gave the gradual instruction starting with talk of karma and virtue (dana-sila-bhavana or sila-samadhi-prajna), the rewards of celestial bliss, serenity, dispassion, concentration, leading up to wisdom as liberating-insight -- to see that all is impersonal and not worth clinging to.

The eye of wisdom arose and the listener understood directly, often entering the first stage of enlightenment on the spot.

Ennoble me = enlighten me

Seeing things as they really are, one lets go and awakens.

"Gradual instruction" (ānupubbī-kathā) is a progressive talk or sutra/discourse given by the Buddha when it is necessary to first prepare the listener's mind/heart before speaking on the advanced teaching of the Four Noble (Ennobling) Truths.

The stock passage (e.g., DN 3, DN 14, MN 56) runs as follows:

"Then the Blessed One gave a gradual instruction -- that is to say, he spoke on generosity (letting go, giving, dāna), on virtuous conduct (sīla), and on heaven (sagga).

"He further explained the peril, the vanity, and the depravity of sensual craving, and the advantages of renunciation (letting go, nonclinging).

"When the Blessed One perceived that the listener's heart/mind was prepared, pliant, free of hindrances, elevated, and lucid, he explained that exalted teaching unique to buddhas (buddhānam sāmukkamsikā desanā), that is:

1. disappointment
2. its cause [ignorance that gives rise to craving]
3. its cessation, and
4. the path to the end of all disappointment."

*Nirvana is the highest bliss of all. When the Buddha realized it, he is reputed to have said something to the effect of, "I who wept with all my brother's tears laugh and am glad, for there is freedom!"

He had just seen why all suffering happens -- karma caused by ignorance (delusion) and the attraction (greed) and aversion (hatred) that arise from it -- and what could be done to end it all. "Now the builder of this house had been seen, its ridgepole shattered.

"The Buddha laid down virtue, concentration,
and wisdom as the Path to peace, the way to
enlightenment. But in truth these things
are not the essence of Buddhism. They are
but the Path... The essence of Buddhism
is peace, and that peace arises from
realizing the true nature of all things..."
(Ajahn Chah, A Taste of Freedom)