Dhammānussati meditation

In this section, we will discuss Dhammānussati bhāvanā or recollection on the qualities of the Dhamma.

 

If this world is a dry desert, the Dhamma proclaimed by the supreme Buddha is a stream of water that flows through the desert. By listening to the Dhamma, people suffering from sorrow and grief became purified and peaceful. Because of the power of the Dhamma, Angulimāla and others who had cruel mindsets and evil habits were transformed into noble ones with extremely kind hearts. The helpless lady Patācāra, who was once out of her mind and went astray, later became a virtuous and courageous arahant nun because of the power of the Dhamma. The Dhamma, taught by the Buddha, can appease your mind. The Four Noble Truths is the essence of the teachings of the Buddha. You are fortunate if you hear, think or contemplate the Four Noble Truths; you are among the few who contemplate this rare teaching.

 

A Buddha appears into this world to achieve one goal, just one. That only goal is to teach the Four Noble Truths to beings suffering in this samsara in order to escape from this samsara and attain nibbana. Therefore, the realization of the Four Noble Truths is a miracle of mind, an intellectual transformation. The miracle occurs only through the knowledge of Dhamma expounded by the Buddha.

 

Since the Four Noble Truths are well expounded by the Buddha, it is ‘svakkhāto’. The Dhamma is ‘sanditṭhiko’ since the Dhamma can be realized in this very life. The Dhamma is ‘akāliko’ as it can be realized at any time period. It is called ehipassiko because anyone can be asked to “come and see (investigate) this Dhamma”. Because the Dhamma needs to be understood and investigated within oneself, it is ‘opanyko’. As any wise person can realize this Dhamma through wise consideration it is known as ‘paccattaṁ vēditabbo viññuhi’. The contemplation of the great qualities of Dhamma, as listed above, is Dhammānussati meditation. Dhammānussati meditation is possible only if you know the teachings of the Buddha well enough. The message of Dhamma is pleasant and peaceful; one cannot obtain the same calmness by engaging in mundane tasks such as watching movies and television, reading books, novels and newspapers, or listening to music and comedy. The mundane sensual pleasures cannot eliminate sorrow and pain you experience.

 

When you listen to the teachings of the Buddha, when you retain the Dhamma, when you investigate the Dhamma within your life, and when you examine the world through the Dhamma, a serene transformation will happen within you. You will  be happy and peaceful. Therefore, determine to contemplate Dhammānussati, starting from this very moment; at least for a moment each day.