The Sobhana Cittas in Our Life - The worthiest homage

We would like to have kusala cittas more often. We may think that the circumstances of our life or other people prevent us from kusala. However, if we know the conditions for the cultivation of kusala, there will be more kusala cittas in our life. Through the study of the Dhamma we will learn how to cultivate kusala. If we have not studied Dhamma we may think that we are performing kusala, while we have, on the contrary, akusala cittas. For example, we may think that when giving something away, there are only kusala cittas. However, lobha-mūla-cittas may also arise. We may give something to friends and expect them to be kind to us in return. This is not kusala, but lobha. When we study Dhamma we learn that the pure way of giving is giving without expecting anything in return. We should find out why we are giving. Do we, deep in our hearts, wish for something in return? Or do we want to have less defilements?

 

People have different accumulations and because of these accumulations

kusala cittas or akusala cittas arise. For example, when people visit a temple

and see others presenting gifts to the monks, they may, because of their

different accumulations, react in different ways. Some people may appreciate

someone else's good deeds; others may not be interested at all. If one would

only know the value of kusala and realize that appreciating the good deeds of

others is a way of dāna (generosity), one would use more opportunities to

cultivate wholesomeness.

 

If the Buddha had not attained enlightenment and taught Dhamma we would

not have any means of knowing ourselves thoroughly ; we would not have a

precise knowledge of our kusala cittas and akusala cittas and of the

conditions through which they arise. The Buddha taught people how to

cultivate wholesomeness and to eradicate defilements and thus, living

according to the precepts and performing other kinds of wholesomeness is

the way to pay respect to him. We read in the 'Mahā-Parinibbāna-

sutta' (Dialogues of the Buddha II, No. 16, Ch.V, 137, 138) that before the

Buddha passed away, the twin Sāla trees, which were full of flowers although

it was not the season, dropped their flowers all over his body, heavenly

Mandārava-flowers and sandalwood-powder descended on his body and

heavenly music sounded out of reverence for him. The Buddha said to

Ānanda:

 

'Now it is not thus, Ānanda,

that the Tathāgata is rightly honoured,

reverenced, venerated, held sacred or revered.

But the monk or the sister, the devout man or the devout woman,

who continually fulfills all the greater and the lesser duties,

who is correct in  life, walking according to the precepts- -

it is he who rightly honours, reverences, venerates, holds sacred,

and reveres the Tathāgata with the worthiest homage.

Therefore, Ānanda,

be constant in the fulfillment of the greater and of the lesser duties,

and be correct in life, walking according to the precepts ;

and thus, Ānanda, should it be taught.'