Meditation Sequence (5)

Avijjā (ignorance) is not knowing the Four Noble Truths. That humans, devas, and brahmas perceive their existence as happiness is solely due to not knowing the Truth. When one obtains the khandhas (aggregates), they fail to realize that these khandhas are dukkha-saccā (the Truth of Suffering)—mere fuel. Thus, they pray for more. As long as fuel exists, fire will burn. Only when fuel is exhausted and the fire extinguished can suffering cease. The sole place where all suffering ceases is Nibbāna. Avijjā also prevents recognition of Nibbāna, so beings mistake human, deva, or brahma existence for true happiness. Craving what they perceive as happiness, they pray relentlessly. But what they gain is merely more fuel. With fuel, the fire must burn. Whether one prays for merit or acts without prayer, the result is the same: the khandhas—dukkha-saccā, fuel for the fire—are all that is obtained. Even unwholesome deeds lead to the fuel of suffering in the lower realms. As long as fuel remains unexhausted and the fire unquenched, true happiness remains unattained. Who forces us to repeatedly receive this fuel and fire? Tracing the culprit, we find only Avijjā. Commanded by Avijjā, taṇhā (craving) demands more. This demand traps us in inescapable suffering—samsāric bondage, cycling through endless rebirths. Ah! All these are but fuel! Wherever there is fuel, fire burns, consuming everything. Remember this: Avijjā alone binds us to these burning existences. It is our greatest enemy—an inner enemy. Outer enemies can be fended off with weapons or barriers. But this inner assailant torments from within. While external torment can be avoided, escaping the inner torment is hard. To defeat it, we must turn an inner weapon against it: Avijjā must be slain by Vijjā (wisdom). Vijjā is seeing the arising and passing of the khandhas. When Vijjā arises in the mind, Avijjā loses its foothold. Thus, remember: only Vijjā can destroy it. Observing the arising/passing of each moment of consciousness is slaying the inner foe of Avijjā, destroying delusion (moha). Charity (dāna), morality (sīla), or tranquility meditation (samatha) cannot kill Avijjā. Only by seeing the arising/passing of the khandhas does Vijjā arise. Only by seeing dukkha-saccā in the khandhas does Vijjā arise. When Vijjā arises, Avijjā perishes. This is the method to slay the inner enemy. Having never known this method, we have died countless deaths. Even when killed by others, it is only because Avijjā has shrouded these khandhas—we die because this body exists. Death from illness or old age? It is Avijjā that commands craving, forcing us to receive this body and thus die. Therefore, know that Avijjā is the true killer behind all death. Its presence causes this cycle; without it, nothing arises. Avijjā leads the 12 links of Paṭiccasamuppāda (Dependent Origination). These 12 links are our life process. As long as Avijjā leads, we remain trapped in birth and death. So, do not fear death. Fear only the arising of Avijjā. If Avijjā arises, death repeats endlessly. But with true Vijjā, we reach the deathless (amata). Thus, know: Avijjā is the prime culprit behind the khandhas. When Vijjā sees dukkha-saccā within the body, Avijjā cannot remain—it flees. Seeing the Truth, the knowing mind (Vijjā) slays the ignorant mind (Avijjā). Thus, Avijjā ceases. When Avijjā ceases, all phenomena dependent on it cease. How to cease Avijjā? Simply make it know what it does not know. Avijjā does not know dukkha-saccā. When you observe the arising/passing phenomena in your body, you see dukkha-saccā. Seeing it, you know. Knowing, Vijjā arises and Avijjā ceases. This is forcing Avijjā to flee by making it "know" its ignorance. Failing to do this, Avijjā will keep leading you to repeated deaths. If you possess this weapon yet do not use it, it is as if you choose to die again and again. Now is the time! Wield your weapon—the one that slays Avijjā, your would-be killer. This weapon liberates you from death. Remember: it is the weapon of immortality. Freed from death, you are freed from birth, aging, sickness, and all suffering. Thus, Magga-saccā (the Truth of the Path) replaces Samudaya-saccā (the Truth of the Cause). Avijjā (ignorance) is Samudaya-saccā. Vijjā (wisdom) is Magga-saccā. When Samudaya ceases, Magga arises. With Samudaya gone, Dukkha-saccā ceases. In place of consciousness and mind-matter (the dukkha-saccā born of Avijjā), Nirodha-saccā (the Truth of Cessation) manifests. Transform Avijjā into Vijjā: - Samudaya-saccā becomes Magga-saccā - Dukkha-saccā becomes Nirodha-saccā Only Magga and Nirodha remain. When the wheel turns on these two, aging, sickness, death, slavery to spouses and children— all suffering ceases. With the cessation of Avijjā, all dukkha ceases. Dr. Ashin Parami