Post # 33 - ‘Sathyakkriya’ Part 2- How it is done?

Are you visiting this Blog for the first time? It would be good if you could read the Post # 1 to know about this Blog. Thereafter read the posts in sequence for the best benefits.

When it comes to a  ‘truth’ there is nothing more certain than the virtues of the noble triple gem- virtues of the Buddha, virtues of Dhamma, and virtues of Sanga (Arahants, including all those who come within the qualification of Ariya Maha Sanga), to contemplate on. So we will use this as the means to practice Sathyakkriya (the power of truth). Thus this Sthyakkriya will be done along with the meditation practice of contemplation on the virtues of the noble Triple Gem - Buddhanu Sathi Bhavana; Dhammanu Sathi Bhavana  and Sanganu Sathi Bhavana which is a part of the 40 methods of Serenity meditation  described in the Pali Commentary for developing concentration.

Step 1

When you practice Sathyakkriya by using contemplation on the virtues of the Noble Triple Gem, unlike its use in serenity meditation, it is best to recollect those virtues that have inspired you during your different exposures to Dhamma and have got impressed in your memory. Why it is in your memory is because they have been found to be significant by you and therefore has been retained in memory. In other words they are close to your heart and you have some ownership or belonging to them. Reciting a known stanza on the other hand about virtues of the Buddha (Budu Gunna  gayana), is also good (eg. Eithi Pisso or any other), but it might sometimes become a mechanical recitation than something coming out with more mindfulness, and will not be as effective as your own recollections. It might therefore be safer to use both methods if you have a doubt, given that you have the time to spare. That is, first recall from memory the Virtues of the Buddha as you know them (does not matter how much, but what is important is what is impressed in your mind) and then follow up with a known recital. You will then as a practice of Sathyakkriya, observe and endorse that these virtues are true.

It is good if the recollection is made in some rational sequence such as –first Boddhisatta Guna (virtues of the person before attaining enlightenment), then Buddhu Guna (his virtues upon attainment of enlightenment) and thereafter Sammma Sambuddha Guna (the virtues of the enlightened one, after having taught his new found Dhamma that made him a Buddha, to be understood by others) in that order. Then you observe with determination that, “the virtues that I recollected are true and I remind myself that they are true”.

At the beginning what might be recollected can be small but it does not matter, so long as they are actually coming from your memory. As you keep repeating this regularly, the list will expand and you will be surprised as to how much of it keeps coming up. In addition what virtues that you have come to know anew from listening to Dhamma or reading the Dhamma, can also be included in the same sequence.

There are many benefits apart from the Sathyakkriya aspect, of doing this meditation like this. First by contemplating on the virtues of the Buddha you begin to see the incomparable greatness of this teacher and your trust (saddha) in him begins to increase. Also when these virtues keep coming up in your mind regularly you tend to emulate them to the best of your ability and thus become a good person who is more acceptable in society. Also in this exercise or recalling from memory the details of a chosen subject which has been stored at various times at various memory locations, you begin to train your mind to respond similarly in other situations as well. This skill will help you to deal with many situations in life by readily recalling earlier instances where you had dealt with similar ones. This is particularly useful for the student preparing for exams. Their need at the time of writing the exam or responding to oral examination is to be able to recall selectively what they have gathered as knowledge on the particular subject during the preparatory period without missing out anything. 

You may construct your list of Buddha’s virtues carefully with due diligence so that you have ownership to your meditation subject and make it a live list so that you can update it regularly.  

A similar process can be followed for the virtues of Dhamma and virtues of Sanga to make the meditation subject complete. 

Step 2

After this, it is good to do a little meditation on loving kindness and goodwill to all (Mettha Bhavana), compassion and well wishing to all those in distress (Karuna Bahavana), experiencing altruistic joy in seeing other’s happiness (Mudhita  bahawana) and equanimity (Uppekka bahawana). This will help to enhance the purity of the mind at that moment as a support to Sathyakkriya.

Step 3

As a third step you might also recall as many as possible the merits that have been acquired by you, that come to your mind (Punya Kamma and Kusala Kamma).  We may call this a Punyanu Sathi Bahavana which can also be done as a Sathyakkriya. That is observing that the wholesome effects of these meritorious deeds are true. It is important that these are real situations and where possible recollect the actual happening or relive the event. As in the previous bahavanas, what you can recollect here at the beginning will also be limited but will keep expanding as you recall more of it when you do this regularly.

It is customary in Buddhist practice that after such an exercise to invite the deities to partake in this merit. This will enable them to recall such merits that they have accumulated in their samsaric journey. It is said that by these recollection the deities will make such merits come to the fore from their dormant states in the mind and enhance the fortunes that they already enjoy, as a consequence. Thus the favours of such deities will be more forthcoming than before to the meditator who was responsible for triggering the process in the minds of the deities.

You may therefore prepare a complete recital on the above lines to the best of your recollection. This can be updated regularly as you recall more. Then, following the recital, make a determination as a Sathyakkriya. 

This may go as follows:

“The virtues of Buddha, the virtues of Dhamma and the virtues of Sanga that I recollected are true. If they are true, may the power of this truth and the blessings of the deities who partook in the merit, help me to fulfill my following wish & etc.. & etc. & etc   …….?

Whatever the outcome may be, this practice will certainly give you a lot of mental relief and comfort which will help you to cope with worrying afflictions.