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The Progressive Path
The Progressive Path
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The Progressive Path
Ven. Pitiduve Siridhamma Thero
ISBN - 978-955-1610-76-0
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Siri Sadaham Ashramaya
Bellanthara, Dehiwala, Sri Lanka.
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The Progressive Path
Our lives are subject to ascendance as well as downfall. We
can avoid the pitfalls only if, we correctly understand the causes
for downfall. Parabhava Sutta dwells on the causes for one’s down-
fall in the society.
Buddha Dhamma is not for preparation for after life, it is meant for
use this very life. We must study the teachings embedded in the
sutta diligently and put to use our learning in day to day affairs.
Only then will Buddhism become a practical way of life.
The preaching of the Parabhava Sutta was for the human gods
(deva), that is, for beings belonging to the deva clan. Study of its’
contents clearly reveal that it is important and relevant to human
beings and not to the deity.
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Parabhava tammpurisam – mayam puccama gotamam
Bhagavamtham puttu magamma – kin parabhava tho mukham
We can differentiate the one who prospers from the one who decline
by analyzing their preferences. The lover of Dhamma prospers
whereas, the hater of Dhamma declines.
Herein, the Buddha points out despising Dhamma as the first cause
for one’s downfall.
Some state that one cannot progress by just means it is the unjust
that achieve progress. Such thinking is fermented by treating wealth
as the measure of progress. If one is unhappy, is thinking and
repenting about means used to amass wealth and living in constant
fear of losing one’s wealth and even life, then how can that be
cousidered as progress?
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Real progress therefore, is achieved by one’s economic and spiritual
development. The two factors should be at equilibrium and at rest
as the plates of a weighing scale.
If vicious are dear to him, doesn’t like the virtuous, and approves
the teachings of the ill natured, such a person shall suffer decline.
Any one despising the virtuous shall never comprehend the truth
or Dhamma. Hence, associating with the virtuous and replicating
their practice is the way to realizing Dhamma. If we strike an
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allegiance with those who are unjust and unfair, we too shall soon
become one of them, fond of the immoral and followers of their
doctrine, which will be the cause of our downfall.
The man, (a) fond of sleep, (b) fond of company, is verbose, (c)
inactive, (d) lazy and (e) manifesting anger is bound to decline.
Sleep is essential for all creatures. However, there should be a limit
to sleep. 5-8 hours sleep per day is sufficient for a normal person
from a health perspective. Sleep is habit forming and this is the
danger of sleeping regularly.
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Any person acting without effort shall suffer spiritual decline. In
the discourse Viyagga pajja, in discussing the background required
for progress in this life, Buddha made mention of effort as essential
to success. Any person cultivating this quality shall achieve
economic success and stability.
Monks, the Gods were victorious. The Asuras lost. Tavtimsa gods
approached Sakka with Vepacitti asura bound as instructed.
Vepacitti vent his wrath on Sakka using abusive speech, on stepping
into the Sudham Sabha where Sakka held court.
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a runaway bull is trampled by a stampeding herd, the patient one
rides over the fool.”
Having learned the 3rd cause for downfall, he queries the Blessed
One as to the 4th cause.
Whoever being affluent, does not support his mother and father
who are old and past their prime, that is the cause of his downfall.