DIGHA NIKAYA 8 – The Longer Discourse on the Lion’s Roar
“Marks of ‘The Lions Roar’ of The Buddha” by Steve Lin
“What should be said is this:
‘The ascetic Gotama roars his lion’s roar;
he roars it in an assembly; he roars it boldly; they question him; he answers their questions; his answers are satisfactory; they think him worth listening to; they’re confident after listening; they show their confidence; they practice accordingly; and they succeed in their practice.’
Full Sutta …. please read.
https://suttacentral.net/dn8/en/sujato
THREE INSIGHTS FROM SUTTA
Doubts will arise when we get our focus off the core teachings of The Buddha.
Stream-entry (sotapanna) includes faith and confidence in The Buddha and his teachings from the suttas.
To get rid of doubt of The Buddha and his teachings, focus on the study of the suttas, listening to quality dhamma talks, and practice the teachings including regular meditation.
TIPS FOR MEDITATION FROM SUTTA
Observe any doubts that arise in thoughts and in meditation.
Observe the cause of those doubts in thoughts and meditation.
Release those thoughts about “causes”and doubts … replacing with faith growing thoughts.
When doubts arise… it’s important to recognize that doubt for what it is. But that’s not enough. Doubts arise from a cause… which needs to be understood. Look for insights in the causes of the doubts. What is fueling doubts?
PREPARATION FOR GUIDED MEDITATION
🧘🏽♂️ MEDITATION PLACE
Find a comfortable place that is quiet to sit and meditate with few interruptions and distractions to the senses.
RELAX
After sitting comfortably on a cushion or pillow or floor, place hands in lap and close the eyes.
TRIPLE GEM (1-2 min)
Prepare the mind and concentration by taking “Refuge in the Triple Gem”.
Visualize each one in the mind (as an object) and generate faith and warm feelings with each one. Don’t rush this.
I take refuge in The Buddha.
I take refuge in The Dhamma.
I take refuge in The Sangha.
SATIPATTHĀNA WARM UP (3-5 min)
“The Breath”
Begin to focus in the breathing without attaching or stressing about it. Just relax and observe the breath.
As you breath in… observe it and release.
As you breath out… observe it and release.
Observing the rhythm of the breath is essential to relax the body and to practice releasing.
Use the out breath to practice releasing.
Relaxed smiling is good to use to help relax.
I often will use the phrase “Peace” (in breath)
“Release” (our breath)
Continue observing breathing until it becomes very subtle or almost unnoticeable.
SATIPATTHĀNA WARM UP (3-5 min)
“The Body”
As the breath fades, the mind relaxes, the body also begins to relax.
Observe the body as a (body) form. It’s not self, but only a shell, a rupa, that temporarily supports consciousness.
As observing, the body, let the breath and body fade.
SATIPATTHĀNA WARM UP (3-5 min)
“The Mind”
As the breath fades and the body relaxes, the mind tends to become active or stay busy.
As thoughts arise, don’t engage with them. Observe them and then let them fade.
They will rise and they will fall unless there is engagement to feed the thoughts.
SELF-GUIDED MEDITATION
Focus the mind on The Buddha roaring his teachings in an assembly.
Focus the mind on The Buddha roaring his teachings boldly.
Focus the mind on The Buddha roaring his teachings where people can question him and he answers their questions.
Focus the mind on The Buddha roaring his teachings with answers that are satisfactory.
Focus the mind on The Buddha roaring his teachings where students think him worth listening to.
Focus the mind on The Buddha roaring his teachings where they’re confident after listening.
Focus the mind on The Buddha roaring his teachings they are able show their confidence.
Focus the mind on The Buddha roaring his teachings and the students practice accordingly to those teachings.
Focus the mind on The Buddha roaring his teachings and those who listen and practice the teachings are ‘successful in their practice.’
