The Six Impediments of The Path.

The Living Journal – The six impediments of the path.

I can show you the way, but to attain the enlightenment, you have to work for yourself.- Quoted By the Buddha.

The six impediments of the path or the obscuration of the path, which affect our understanding of the Dharma.

1] Pride – to learn or to practice the Dharma, avoid pride. Once we have pride we will never learn, as we will always think that we are much better or more capable than our teachers.

2] Lack of faith [Not referring to blind faith] without faith nothing will happen, even if we have met with auspicious circumstances that allow us to practice, such as to have the time to practice, to have a good teacher and to have met the Dharma.

Why do we think that Buddhas are special ? There is absolutely no reason why we should think so. But because of faith, devotion arises. Once we have analyzed the Buddha’s teachings, and we are firmly convinced that the Buddhas really have an all-encompassing knowledge and wisdom, our faith and devotion will grow even stronger. Hence. We must have faith to learn or to even meet the Dharma and faith is an absolute pre-requisite to achieve enlightenment.

3] Lack of effort – Without right effort, we will not be able achieve our goals. Buddha Shakyamurni said to his disciples, “ I can show you the way, but to attain the enlightenment, you have to work for yourself”

If we don’t practice, even the Buddha Himself can not help us. If it possible for Buddha to liberate us all, out of compassion for us, the Buddha would have done so.

We are responsible for our own liberation, putting effort into our practice is all well and good, but right effort is also important. Right actions and efforts increase our inner realization and understanding. Wrong actions and efforts, like killing, stealing are those actions that should be avoided.

4] Outward distraction -  A distracted mind will not be able to concentrate and to improve our practice. It would be better to minimize activities that may cause us to lose our focus, such as partying, nightclubbing and gossiping. It is very easy for our mind to become attached to objects that attract our six senses or six consciousness, which are our eyes, nose, tongue, ears, touch and mind. 

[Your may refers to the Heart sutra explanations on how nature is emptiness and emptiness is nature and what is form, form is emptiness and emptiness is form]

When we are easily distracted by objects of the six senses may cause us to act rashly and irrationally. Like some animals will immerse themselves in mud to feel cool under the hot sun, but if they are becoming stuck in the mud, the animals will die. We learn to be less attached to objects and learn to let go or detached and to learn to control our mind.

5] Inward tension – If the string is too tight, it will break. If the string is too loose, it won’t work. If we focus too much, we become tense and may cause us to lose our concentration by falling asleep or becoming lazy. When we push ourselves too hard during meditation, we would become tired and confused, when we are too relaxed , we would then falling into asleep, this is the same concept should be applied to our practice..

6] Discouragement – Do not discouraged when we made effort to listen to the Dharma. Stop thinking that , “ I have wasted two hours listening to this teaching, instead of being here, is better I could be at home watching Oscar academy awards. All these thoughts serve no purpose except to discourage and prevent us from practicing.

The basic of Six Paramitas. (To be discussed separately)

Paramita is a Sanskrit word and in Tibetan words the six Paramitas, is “phar-phying-drug” it’s literally means Perfection or completeness. It’s also known as the 六度般若波羅蜜 in Mahayana traditions. In Buddhism, these virtues are cultivated as a way of purification of karma and helping the disciples to live an unobstructed life, while reaching the goal of enlightenment.

1. Generosity.

2. Virtue, morality, ethics conduct.

3. Patience, tolerance, forgiveness, acceptance, endurance.

4. Diligence, vigor, joyful endeavour.

5. One point concentration, meditative concentration.

6. Wisdom

Thank you for reading, may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps to spread the precious Buddha’s precious Dharma and turning the Dharma wheels in the world.

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease

But increase further and further.

Nagarjuna's Dedication of Merit

By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.

May we liberate migrators from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

*Note

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