All of their lives the Arahants … 'keep the eight precepts, with all of there factors'.... So in this respect, I too from now on shall keep the observance days observances.
AN10.41 Uposatha Sutta (Condensed Excerpt)
Virtue is a key aspect to the path of practice. Not only is it part of the three trainings covering iii. upright speech; iv. upright action; v. upright means of support, and covering a hefty chunk of the sutta's, it is also a heavy part of the mendicants training as found in the VInaya Books.
Recollecting our own virtues can cover either the specific precepts we take upon ourselves, or qualities we aim to nurture and develop fully (such as Metta, Solitude…).
This practice can be used either to help one's practice when there is difficulty in focusing, or planned ahead of time as a practice in its own right.
Recollecting our own virtues can cover either the specific precepts we take upon ourselves, or qualities we aim to nurture and develop fully (such as Metta, Solitude…).
This practice can be used either to help one's practice when there is difficulty in focusing, or planned ahead of time as a practice in its own right.
The Practice
- Start by familiarizing yourself with the practices described in the Reading Meditation.
- Once you are familiar with this practice. Choose a text either from the resources below, or another text which focuses on the qualities you wish to look at. And practice according to the advice in the Reading Meditation resources.
- Meditate for a few moments to ground yourself before commencing.
- Whilst going through the text pause longer on each aspect, or focus entirely on one aspect for the session.
- Reread the passage or text from time to time.
Resources
There are several posts of my commentary style writings within the Notes section of this site that may be useful to this recollection.
Specifically
Training the Mind
Cease To Do Evil
Guide To The Householder Way Of LifeMetta Expressed Through The Brahmaviharas
Precepts & Range Of Action Explained
The Eleven Benefits of Metta
There are also several translations found in the Translations section that may also be of use to this recollection.
Specifically
Pervading The Divine Dwellings - MN7 (excerpt)
Aṅgulimala Sutta Paritta - The Aṅgulimala Discourse Protection - MN86 (excerpt)
Bhaddekaratta Gāthā - The Verses On Spending Ones Time Well - MN131 (excerpt)
Rāhula Sutta - The Discourse To Honourable Rāhula - Snp 2.11 (KhN 5.23)
Gilāna Sutta - The Discourse For The Sick - AN5.121
Cetanā sutta - [Developing] Intentions - SN 12.38
Āditta-pariyāya Sutta - The That Which Burns Discourse - S.35.28; Vin.Mv.I.12
Dutiya Sārāṇīya Sutta - The Second Discourse On Things To Remember - AN6.12
Saṅkhitta Aṭṭhaṅguposatha Sutta - The Observance Day Endowed with Eight Factors - AN8.41
Samkhitta Sutta - The Brief Discourse to Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī - AN 8.53 (VinCv10.5)
Pabbajitābhiṇha Sutta - What One Who Has Separated From Society For Mastery Should Do Often - AN10.48
Specifically
Training the Mind
Cease To Do Evil
Guide To The Householder Way Of LifeMetta Expressed Through The Brahmaviharas
Precepts & Range Of Action Explained
The Eleven Benefits of Metta
There are also several translations found in the Translations section that may also be of use to this recollection.
Specifically
Pervading The Divine Dwellings - MN7 (excerpt)
Aṅgulimala Sutta Paritta - The Aṅgulimala Discourse Protection - MN86 (excerpt)
Bhaddekaratta Gāthā - The Verses On Spending Ones Time Well - MN131 (excerpt)
Rāhula Sutta - The Discourse To Honourable Rāhula - Snp 2.11 (KhN 5.23)
Gilāna Sutta - The Discourse For The Sick - AN5.121
Cetanā sutta - [Developing] Intentions - SN 12.38
Āditta-pariyāya Sutta - The That Which Burns Discourse - S.35.28; Vin.Mv.I.12
Dutiya Sārāṇīya Sutta - The Second Discourse On Things To Remember - AN6.12
Saṅkhitta Aṭṭhaṅguposatha Sutta - The Observance Day Endowed with Eight Factors - AN8.41
Samkhitta Sutta - The Brief Discourse to Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī - AN 8.53 (VinCv10.5)
Pabbajitābhiṇha Sutta - What One Who Has Separated From Society For Mastery Should Do Often - AN10.48
Off-Site Resources
Access To Insight Sila section
Access To Insight's recollection of one's own virtues text sections: AN 3.70, AN 11.12, AN 11.13
PDF article by Piya Tan
Access To Insight's recollection of one's own virtues text sections: AN 3.70, AN 11.12, AN 11.13
PDF article by Piya Tan