‘How we can strengthen our practice’
Dhamma Talk by Venerable Bhukkuni Kusuma
Recounted
by Pennie White, B.A. Dip.Ed.,
Assistant Editor Buddha Dhyana Dana
Review.
Venerable Bhikkuni Kusuma visited the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. On 14 November 2001. During this visit John D. Hughes’ student Pennie White, B.A. Dip. Ed. had the opportunity to ask this great Buddhist Nun a question. Pennie White asked, “How can we strengthen our practice?”.
Venerable Bhikkuni Kusuma said we need confidence (in Pali saddha) to do anything . We cannot do anything without it. We need confidence in ourselves, others and in Buddha Dhamma. If we have no confidence we have no starting point. We need to have an open mind. Doubt will prevent us doing anything. Confidence takes away any doubt and gives you unlimited freedom. Don’t doubt and you get the blessings.
There are five things you need in balance to strengthen your practice . As well as confidence (saddha) you need mindfulness (sati) moment to moment in body, speech and mind. If we go too fast using a bad mind we will crash. If you can observe your own body, speech and mind and look at the bad then this is a wholesome mind that you are using and we have a chance to correct it by going slowly. It is being alive, wakeful, having wisdom.
The third factor is right effort (in pali viriya). Unwholesome factors like hate, greed and ignorance come very easily. Unwholesome minds grow easily like weeds go naturally in a garden. To grow beautiful flowers in the garden takes effort and similarly the wholesome minds take effort. To recoginise the good and love the good, appreciate and support the good will help the good grow like the good plants. Then you can support each other, you become ‘good company’. Non greed is difficult. Non hate is also difficult and needs effort. Hate has many aspects like regret, self pity and jealosy. Give up all that. They are no use.
When you see parts of the crocodile in the water but some parts are hidden by the water, you see some of the crocodile and you know the rest of the crocodile may be there too waiting to bite you. The same applies the unwholesome minds, if you see some aspect of it there, all of it may be, effort is required to keep it down.
The fourth factor is right concentration (in pali samadhi) not too much not to little.
The fifth factor is wisdom (in pali panna) in many directions. There are the four noble truths and anicca, dukkha, anatta. All of that. The five factors in balance in just the right amount.
There is no limit to the mindfulness you can take this to the highest level and the other factors will grow in proportion the mindfulness you develop. If you develop too much saddha without the other factors you may become foolish. Your effort or viriya needs not too much not too little in balance with the other factors.
There was a magician who thought he was clever to glue the pieces of a lion back together. Once the magician had finished the lion pounced on him and ate him. What is that? This is how you create you own anger.
Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu