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Sila (Morality), Samadhi (Concentration) and Panna (Wisdom)
Sila (Morality), Samadhi (Concentration) and Panna (Wisdom)
imprint is created in the brain (mano dhatu), incorporating energy with the same
intensity of anger just arose, with the potential of generating and sustaining future
angry thoughts. While only arising of an angry thought leaves an imprint with less
intensity in the brain, escalating this angry thought to verbal and physical action
leaves a very strong, intense imprint in the brain. These imprints in the brain
would trigger similar reaction with a strong intensity and influence, when anger
arises in this individual in a future time. This process is surpassed (samatikkamaya)
by the precept of sila.
When one keeps practicing the exercise of surpassing unwholesome thoughts
without escalating to verbal and physical action, one is able to exercise effective
restraint in respect of future verbal and physical action. This function becomes
easier as mano dhatu (brain) does not exert too much pressure, as restraint by way
of sila had prevented leaving stronger imprints in the brain. This is how the precept
of sila averts sorrow (soka) and lamentation (parideva) in a virtuous individual.
Then, we need to consider the precept of concentration (Samadhi). In terms of the
analysis in the Satipattana Sutta, concentration means preserving the mind without
getting in to contact with defilements. The spell, during which the mind is devoid
of defilements, is known as Samadhi (concentration). The principle of surpassing
sorrow and lamentation is also applied in the case of the precept of Samadhi as
well. Even though, there is potential for defilements to arise in an individual, mind
could be isolated from defilements, through the restraint of verbal and bodily
action (sila). As the restraint of verbal and bodily action progresses to a higher
level, mind getting in to contact with defilements becomes gradually weakened.
Only non-restraint of verbal and bodily action would reinforce the future potential
of emerging similar unwholesome thoughts and accompanying imprints in the
brain. When we take the analogy of a car engine which is idling for some time,
you will notice how a battery gets weaker unless you step on the accelerator to
boost the engine and battery power. Similarly, when we escalate our unwholesome
thoughts to action, that would reinforce the magnetic energy (kama) inherent in us.
So, unwholesome thoughts would inflame the mind and the inflamed mind would
reinforce the magnetic energy (kama) to intense levels. Restraint of action would
weaken the reinforcement of magnetic energy gradually. One who practices
morality (sila) for the purpose of restraint of action would find such mental states
to be filled with peace and bliss. So,One continues to retain the mind free from
defilements. This would result in a meditator developing a Samadhi state in the
mind. This Samadhi state would enable a meditator to develop thoughts based on
loving kindness (metta) which would always establish the mind on wholesome