14. “In one meditation, I had the sure knowledge for a few moments that all the versions of me throughout life until the present were and are fabrications, that there is no time but the present and nothing but experience through the six sense bases and what the mind makes of it. Then a big wave of fear came into the mind, “I’m going nuts, coming unglued, unhinged, unmoored!” I swam back to safety. Was I going nuts? Or if this was experiential insight, why so scary? What allows insight to be stabilized and integrated?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Insight meditation] [Time] [Not-self] [Fear] // [Self-identity view] [Habits] [Gradual Teaching] [Spiritual friendship] [Characteristics of existence]
Sutta: The Buddha is a kalyāṇa-mitta for the world. [Buddha]
3. “Are any of the lists in this sutta (MN 95.14; MN 95.20) explained in other suttas?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Ñāṇiko. [Sutta] // [Bhikkhu Bodhi]
Reference: P.A. Payutto’s Dictionary of Numerical Dhammas (in Thai). [P. A. Payutto] [Tipiṭaka] [Pāli]
Explanation of volume and page numbers in the Pāli Tipiṭaka.
Comment by Debbie Stamp: Similar listings often refer to the gradual training. [Gradual Teaching]
Sutta: MN 107: Gaṇakamoggallāna Sutta.
Sutta: MN 47: Vīmaṃsaka Sutta.
8. “Could you comment on the phrase in the Metta Sutta, “Not born again into this world?”” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Rebirth] [Sutta] // [Goodwill] [Skillful qualities] [Gradual Teaching] [Not-self] [Views]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 37
Quote: “What is the mind of an Arahant like?” – “Only compassion” — Ajahn Mahā Boowa. [Ajahn Mahā Boowa] [Arahant] [Compassion]
4. Questions about the heavens as other realms and/or states of mind. Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro. [Deva] [Realms of existence] [Christianity] // [Happiness] [Stream entry] [Great disciples] [Gradual Teaching]
Sutta: SN 56.11.22: Dhammacakka Sutta: The deva realms.
Sutta: SN 46.4: Praise for Sāriputta.
Sutta: AN 3.128: Sāriputta puts Anuruddha on the right track.
Reflection about the two results of dukkha (AN 6.63.42). [Suffering] [Conditionality] [Ignorance] [Faith]
5. “I’ve come across the word ‘celestial state.’ Does that help to clarify the Christian definition of heaven?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro. [Deva] [Christianity] // [Realms of existence] [Rebirth]
Follow-up: “Is the Buddha’s teaching on heaven a way to prepare the mind to recognize the Four Noble Truths?” [Gradual Teaching] [Four Noble Truths] [Happiness] [Kamma]
Comment by Ajahn Kaccāna: Generosity, virtue, and the hope of heaven can be a potent force for goodness even without renunciation. [Gradual Teaching]