A summary of the sequence of the gradual training

Discussion
1

For a summary of the sequence of the gradual training outlined by the Buddha (as I understand), please see:

  1. Read suttas (https://suttacentral.net/) & Obtain right view: first mundane right view (the law of kamma), then supramundane right view (the four noble truths), and obtain faith in the Buddha and his teaching: for details see https://discourse.suttacentral.net/t/se … ning/17081
    [Mundane right view: AN 3.112 (A i 263), AN 3.34, AN 3.76, AN 4.232, AN 4.235, AN 5.57, AN 6.63, MN 41, MN 43, MN 60, MN 130, MN 135, MN 136, SN 42.6, SN 12.51, SN 12.2,SN 15.13;
    Supermundane right view: SN 56.11; MN 141, MN 114, MN 9, DN 15, DN 16, DN 22, SN 45.8; AN 9.1]

[*Need to understand the five aggregates (esp. Sankhara and vinnana) to truly comprehend the first noble truth, need to understand dependent origination to truly understand the second noble truth; need to understand nibbana to truly understand the third noble truth; need to understand the entire sequence of the path to truly understand the fourth noble truth.]

  1. Cultivate right intention/thinking/resolve (non-sensual desire, non-ill will, non-cruelty); resolve/sustain our mind on non-sensual desire, non-ill will, and harmlessness, be mindful that these states are there, and make such thinking become the inclination of the mind to overcome underline tendencies: for details see https://discourse.suttacentral.net/t/se … olve/18034
    [MN 13, MN 45, MN 46, MN 54, MN 75, MN 129, 130, MN 149, SN 35.244, SN 35.101, SN 35.28, SN 35.115, SN 35.199, SN 35.203; MN 19, MN 20, MN 22, MN 62, MN 21, MN 55; AN 11.15]

  2. Sila practice:
    Repeated reflect/examine on Kamma and Its Fruits (MN 60, MN 135, AN 5.57); Establish conscience/prudence about bad bodily/verbal/mental conduct and unwholesome qualities as well as fear of their consequences; seeing danger in the slightest fault; understand the rewards of sila (MN 54, AN 3.65, AN 4.111, AN 4.54, AN 8.7, AN 8.39-40, AN 10.1-3, AN 10.76, AN 11.12, DN 16, T 211.31 SuttaCentral SN 3.25); purify the three fold conduct and livelihood by living restrained in precepts and by repeated reflection/examination (DN 1, MN 61, AN 5.57, AN 10.176, AN 11.12; AN 11.2; MN 97, SN 42.2, SN 42.3, AN 8.54, MN 117).

For details see https://discourse.suttacentral.net/t/se … tice/18184

  1. Establish sense restraint and moderation in eating (AN 6.63, SN 35.115, SN 35.199, SN 46.6; MN 38, MN 45, MN 46, MN 54, MN 75, SN 35.244; SN 35.101, SN 35.28, SN 35.115, SN 35.199, SN 35.203; MN 27; MN 2; AN 4.2; MN 114; Iti16 SuttaCentral, AN 3.68, SN 9.11; SN 35.244, MN 14, MN 75; MN 26, SN 35.115);

For details see
https://discourse.suttacentral.net/t/se … aint/18332

  1. Practice wakefulness/vigilance (MN 125, AN 4.13-14, MN 20; SN 45.8; AN 4.14); Overcome five hindrances (AN 1.2; AN 1.11-20; AN 10.51; AN 4.61; SN 46.51; SN 46.53; MN 62; SN 35.95; AN 7.58; SN 47.10; SN 46.53; Iti 85; MN 107, AN 4.13-14, AN 7.74, MN 20; SN 47.6);
    Obtain noble contentment (MN 27, AN 4.28);

  2. Establish mindfulness/awareness and clear comprehension (MN 107, AN 7.67 – door keeper simile; the basic part of MN 10 – the awareness of body/feeling/mind/five hindrances; SN 47.3, AN 8.63; SN 48.9; SN 47.6);

  3. Obtain right Samadhi – the four Jhanas [equipped with right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, and right mindfulness] (MN 26; SN 4.6; AN 4.41; MN 111, MN 128, AN 7.67, DN22, MN 20, MN 122, MN 125, MN 44, MN 62, MN 64, MN 52, MN 66; AN 8.63, AN 3.73, AN 4.41, MA 168, AN 54.9, SN 36.11; AN 5.96, AN 5.98, AN 9.34, AN 9.35, DN 33; SN 48.1; AN 3.102 Nimittasutta);

  4. Contemplate the four domains of mindfulness – body/feeling/mind/Dhammas (five aggregates, six sense fields), understand their impersonal nature, anicca/dukkha/anatta; contemplate the four noble truths and Nibbana (MN 64, AN 9.36, AN 11.16, MN 52, MA 217, MA 205, T 92; MN 125, MN 118, MN 62; AN 10.60; SN 47.4, SN 47.6).

  5. Obtain right knowledge/deliverance: attain the realization of (as opposed to mere knowledge about) the four noble truths and cessation of defilements; experiencing the ending of cravings (craving for sensual pleasures, renewed existence, and extermination) which is Nibbana (MN 125).

May we all succeed in walking the noble 8-fold path and enter nibbana.

Metta,

Starter

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