- Gradual training
The Buddha sometimes described the practice ("patipatti") of his teaching as "the gradual training" (
Pali : "anupubbasikkhā") because theeightfold path involves a process of mind-body transformation that unfolds over a sometimes lengthy period.The emphasis on gradual training may be understood by the fact that just as the human habits which give rise to suffering have been built up over a long period of time those same habits similarly take a long time to undo requiring a sustained effort achievable only with a genuine commitment to training.
The gradual approach to teaching and training was a hallmark of the Buddha's method of instruction. Whenever he felt that a person to whom the Dhamma had not yet been revealed was in a suitably receptive frame of mind he would deliver a 'graduated discourse' (
Pali : "ānupubbī-kathā") [Variously translated "Gradual discourse" (Walshe 1995, p. 215); "gradual instruction," (Nyanatiloka, 1980), entry for "ānupubbī-kathā" at http://www.budsas.org/ebud/bud-dict/dic3_a.htm; "progressive instruction," IAST|Ñāṇamoli & Bodhi (2001), p. 485. and "step-by-step talk" (Thanissaro 1998). ] — which took a certain form.
# Generosity ("dāna")
# Virtue ("sīla")
# Heaven ("sagga")
# Danger of sensual pleasure ("IAST|kāmānaṃ ādīnava")
# Renunciation ("nekkhamma ")
# TheFour Noble Truths ("cattāri ariya-saccāni") [See, for instance, [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/index.html Bullitt (2005).] ]ee also
*
Four Noble Truths
*Threefold Training Notes
Bibliography
* Bullitt, John T. (2005). "Dhamma". Retrieved 2007-11-08 from "Access to Insight" at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/index.html.
*, Bhikkhu (trans.) & Bodhi, Bhikkhu (ed.) (2001). "The Middle-Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikāya". Boston: Wisdom Publications. ISBN 0-86171-072-X.
* Nyanatiloka (1980). "Buddhist Dictionary: Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines". Kandy, Sri Lanka:
Buddhist Publication Society . ISBN 955-24-0019-8. Retrieved 2007-11-10 from "BuddhaSasana" at http://www.budsas.org/ebud/bud-dict/dic_idx.htm.*
Thanissaro Bhikkhu (trans.) (1998). "Kutthi Sutta: The Leper" (Ud. 5.3). Retrieved 2007-11-12 from "Access to Insight" at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/ud/ud.5.03.than.html.* Walshe, Maurice (1995). "The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Dīgha Nikāya". Boston: Wisdom Publications. ISBN 0-86171-103-3.
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