8 Worldly Conditions

Exploring the Facts of Life –the Eight Worldly Conditions

- according to the view point of Ven. Narada Mahathera

Optimist: Life is absolutely rosy

Pessimist:The world is full of thorny

Realistic Standpoint:The world is abounds with beautiful roses and prickly thorns as well.

They appreciate roses as it is and understand the nature of the thorns, view them as they are and will take precaution not to be wounded.

8 Worldly Conditions

"These eight worldly conditions, bhikkhus, ceaselessly revolve

around the world while the world ceaselessly

revolves around the eight worldly conditions."

-Lokavipatti Sutta-

8 Worldly Conditions:Vicissitudes of Life

(Atthalokadhamma)Desirable Undesirable

Gain (labha) Loss (alabha)

Fame (yasa) Defame(ayasa)

Praise(pasamsa) Blame(ninda)

Happiness(sukha) Pain (dukha)

Gain (lobha) Vs Loss (alaha)

• Business world: profit and loss

- material gains/ happiness though temporary, does conduce to health and longevity


Problem arises in case of lose

- often lead to mental derangement

- When unbearable, think of suicide


The recommend remedy:1. Exhibit moral courage and maintain a balance

mind.2. Console oneself thinking-a. “ someone had benefited thereby though

unrighteously, may he be well and happy”b. “Its only a minor loss”3. Philosophical attitude- “There is nothing to be

called Me or Mine”


Visakha, the Buddha’s Chief female lay disciple,lost her expensive garment in a monastery.

Instead of grieving over the temporary loss, she took it as an opportunity to perform a meritorious act/ practice a sublime virtue.

Fame (yasa) Vs Defame (ayasa)

Fame:

- Most welcome, gladden our hearts

- Most laymen desire to become famous, willing to pay at any price.

- Most people do even a good action with an ulterior motive.


Fame:

- If we are worthy of fame, it will come to us unsought, the bee will be attracted to the flower, the flower does not invite the bee.


Defame:- It is palatable either to the ear or mind.- The pain of mind is still greater when the

so-called report is unjust and absolutely false.

- It take years or lifetime to build up good reputation but it can be ruin in just a very short time.

Fame (yasa) Vs Defame (ayasa)- We may live the life of a

Buddha, but we will not be exempt from criticism, attacks and insults.

Some antagonist of the Buddha spread the rumour that a lady used to spend night in the monastery, Buddha and his disciple murdered that lady…


Sometimes, it is needless to waste time in correcting the false reports unless the situation compel you to make clarification.

The enemy is gratified when he sees that you are hurt. If you are indifference, such misinterpretation will fall on deaf ears.

Useful Advise: The World is full of thorns and pebbles. It is impossible to remove them.

But if we have to walk in spite of such obstacles, it is advisable to wear a pairs of slippers and walk harmlessly.


Praise (pasamsa) Vs Blame (ninda)Being praised – elated

Being blamed – depressed

The wise: do not exhibit either elation or depression like a solid rock that is not shaken by the wind they remain unmoved.

Praise (pasamsa) Vs Blame (ninda)

Praise: if worthy, is pleasing to the ears.

Flattery: unworthy, though pleasing, it is deceptive

Worldly standpoint: a word of praise goes a long way, sometimes it is used to obtain favour.


Blame!!!

The Buddha says: They who speak much are blamed. They who speak a little are blamed. They who are silent are also blamed. In this world there is none who is not blamed.

The deluded and wicked are prone to seek only the ugliness in others but not the good and beautiful.


One may help others to the best of one’s ability, but later the very persons whom one has helped will find fault with him, even rejoice for his downfall.

Devadatta, a pupil and cousin of the Buddha, who made an unsuccessful attempt to crush Him to death by hurling a rock from above.


Buddha was invited by a Brahmin for alms to his house.When Buddha visited his house, the Brahmin try to insults Buddha through words.

The Buddha did not retaliate, but politely gave back what the Brahmin gave him.


Blame are the common lot of humanity.When being blamed, we should think that we are being given an opportunity to practicepatience. Instead of being offended, we shouldbe grateful to our adversaries.

Happiness (sukha) Vs Pain (dukha)What can be endured with ease – sukhaWhat is difficult to bear – dukha

Sensual Pleasure – illusory and temporaryMaterial possessions- genuine happiness?Real happiness – is found within

Happiness (sukha) Vs Pain (dukha)

4 kinds of happiness for Layman:

1. Happiness of possession (atthi sukha)2. Enjoyment of such possessions (bhoga sukha)3. Not falling into debt (ananasukha)4. Leading a blameless life (anavajjasukha)

Nibbanic bliss- bliss of relief from suffering, is the highest form of happiness.


Pain ( Dukha)1. Old Age2. Decease3. Separation with the loved one4. Meet with the unpleasant5. Death


Pain ( Dukha)Sometimes, death comes not singly but in numbersWhich may even cause insanity Kisagotami: required by Budhha to get some mustard seed from a house where no one has died.


The Buddha said:When touched by worldly conditions the mind of an Arahant never waves. Admist gain and loss, fame and defame, praise and blame, happiness and pain, let us try to maintain a balanced mind.

8 Winds of Change

The Buddha: World as an unending flux of becoming

“What exist is changeable and what is not changeable does not exist”

Impermanent (Anicca)



• The World is a passing phenomenon.

Thus all gods and human beings and animals and material forms – everything in this universe – is subject to the law of impermanency

Suffering

• If our mind seeks a permanent existence

but life creates an impermanent physical

body. + We take this as life, and then

unsatisfactoriness disturbs the mind.

=Suffering

• If our mind seeks a permanent existence

but life creates an impermanent physical

body. + We take this as life, and then

unsatisfactoriness disturbs the mind.

=Suffering

Lotus• We are living in muddy world.

Numerous are the lotuses that spring therefrom. Without being contaminated by the mud, they adorn the world.

Like lotuses we should try to lead beamless noble lives, ignore the mud that may be thrown to us.

Lotus

• Cultivate non-attachment: alone we come, alone we go.

• Non-attachment is happiness in this world.

8 Worldly Conditions

Documents

lady fame yasa vs

temporary loss

real happiness

worthy of fame

minor loss

word of praise

pain of mind

highest form of happiness