Ven.

VO HUU DANH
Ven. NGUYEN HOANG PHUC

5501201045
5501201046

According to Buddhism, life is a combination

of mind (nma) and matter (rpa). Mind
consists of the combination of sensations,
perceptions,
volitional
activities
and
consciousness. Matter consists of the
combination of the four elements of solidity,
fluidity, motion and heat.

Understanding the functioning of our mind

forms the basis of Buddhist philosophy and
practice:
Manopubbagam dhamm, manoseh
manomay
"All things are preceded by the mind, led by
the mind, created by the mind.
(Dhp.1)

Mind is defined in Buddhism as a nonphysical phenomenon which perceives,

thinks, recognizes, experiences and reacts to
the environment.

Phandana capala citta,

Drakkha dunnivraya;
Uju karoti medhv,
Usukrova tejana.
Mind agitated, wavering,
hard to guard and hard to check,
one of wisdom renders straight
as arrow-maker a shaft.
Dhp.33

The wise one

straightens and
steadies
the
vacillating mind
that is difficult
to guard, like a
fletcher
straightening
an arrow-shaft.

The wise man can and does bring the mind

under his mastery and renders it accessible,
reliable, calm, and content.
That is true. Our mind is really difficult to
see, to use and control it. We usually
wandering and follow desires of five senses.
And working follow emotional of greed,
hatred.

Dunniggahassa lahuno,
yatthakmaniptino;
Cittassa damatho sdhu,
citta danta sukhvaha.
The mind is very hard to check and swift,
it falls on what it wants.
The training of the mind is good,
a mind so tamed brings happiness.
Dhp.35

Sududdasa sunipua,
yatthakmaniptina;
Citta rakkhetha medhv,
citta gutta sukhvaha.
The mind is very hard to see and find,
it falls on what it wants.
One whos wise should guard the mind,
a guarded mind brings happiness.
Dhp.36

The mind moves about so fast, it is difficult

to be seen and get hold of it fully. It is swift.
It has a way of focusing upon whatever it
likes. It is good and of immense advantage
to tame the mind. The tamed mind leads to
happiness.

Dragama ekacara,
asarra guhsaya;
Ye citta sayamessanti,
mokkhanti mrabandhan.

Drifting far, straying all alone, formless,

recumbent in a cave (of heart).
They will be free from Maras bonds
who restrain this mind.
Dhp.37

The mind is capable of travelling vast

distances - up or down, north or south, east
or west - in any direction. It can travel to the
past or the future. It roams about all alone. It
is without any perceptible forms. If an
individual were to restrain the mind fully, he
will achieve freedom from the bonds of
death.

The cave of the heart is the lair of the mind.

So those who track it down to that core of their
being will be able to tame it. There is no
drawing near to the cave of the heart except
through meditation.

The mind is unruly, fickle, difficult to subdue,

but by effort, mindfulness and unflagging selfdiscipline, one can master its vagrant
tendencies, escape the torrents of the passions
and find "an island which no flood can
overwhelm.

Uhnenappamdena,
sayamena damena ca;
Dpa kayirtha medhv,
ya ogho nbhikrati.

By energy and heedfulness,

by taming and by self-control,
the one whos wise should make as island
no flood can overwhelm.
Dhp.25

The whole world is full of defilements. The

sensualities of life are a vast and forceful
flood. But the wise person builds steadfastly
for himself an Island that cannot be washed
away by those vast floods. The Island is built
of steadfastness, mindfulness, restraint and
discipline. Once steadily established on that
island, the flood cannot overwhelm the wise.

The one who conquers himself, the victor

over his own mind, achieves a conquest
which can never be undone, a victory
greater than that of the mightiest warriors.

Yo sahassa sahassena,
sagme mnuse jine;
Ekaca jeyyamattna,
sa ve sagmajuttamo.

Though thousand times a thousand

in battle one may conquer,
yet should one conquer just oneself
one is the greatest conqueror.
Dhp.103

Att have jita seyyo,

y cya itar paj;
Attadantassa posassa,
nicca saatacrino.

Greater the conquest of oneself

than subjugating others,
that one whos always self-restrained,
that one whos tamed of self .
Dhp.104

When one bandit see another, he attacks

the second bandit. In the same way, one
person sees someone he hates, he also
does harm to the hated person. But what the
badly deployed mind does to the possessor
of that mind is far worse than what a bandit
would do to another bandit or what one
hater will do to another hater.

Diso disa ya ta kayir,

ver v pana verina;
Micchpaihita citta,
ppiyo na tato kare.

Whatever foe may do to foe,

or haters those they hate
the ill-directed mind indeed
can do one greater harm.
Dhp.42

Na ta mt pit kayir,
ae vpi ca tak;
Sammpaihita citta,
seyyaso na tato kare.
What ones mother, what ones father,
whatever other kin may do,
the well directed mind indeed
can do greater good.
Dhp.43

If the thatching is weak, rain seeps through the

house. Just as a badly thatched roof lets in the
rain, the uncultured temperament too is open to
passions. The temperament that is not cultured
is penetrated easily by lust.

Yath agra ducchanna,

vuh samativijjhati;
Eva abhvita citta,
rgo samativijjhati.

Even as the rain does penetrate

a house that's badly thatched,
likewise lust does penetrate
the mind uncultivated.
Dhp.13

Yath agra suchanna,

vuh na samativijjhati;
Eva subhvita citta,
rgo na samativijjhati.

As rain does never penetrate

a house that is well-thatched,
so lust does never penetrate
the mind well cultivated.
Dhp.14

Buddha has compassion for all beings. He

was a doctor can cure all mind disease for all
beings. Every religion is nothing but help
people refrain from all evils, to do what is
good and to purify the mind. Especially
Buddhism, it is not a system of faith and
worship.

It is a practical way of life through Eightfold

Path. If we understand and practise it, we
are able to understand the value of life and
able to attain our spiritual life; we are
certainly content with what we have and
ready to share them to others. So we are
free from mental sufferings and finally we
can sooner or later attain Nibbna.