Viveka — Seclusion

This is part 23 of a course going through the similes and metaphors of the Buddha. Course home 1: Introduction to Imagery in the EBTs2: Taṇhā — Craving3: Rāga — Passion4: Vyāpāda — Hatred and Aversion5: Thīnamiddha — Sloth and Torpor6: Uddhaccakukkuca — Restlessness and Worry7: Vicikicchā — Doubt8: Vedanā — Feelings9: Vedanānupassanā — Investigating Feelings10: Sukha — Happiness11: Upekkhā — Equanimity12: Yathābhūtañāṇadassana — Knowledge and Vision of the Way Things Are13: Vimutti — Liberation14: Upādāna – Grasping15: Sakkāyadiṭṭhi - Self View16: Sammādiṭṭhi - Right View17: Saṅkhāra — Activity18: Vitakka — Thought19: Yoniso Manasikāra — Wise Attention20: Vipassanā — Insight21: Samatha & Vipassanā — Tranquility & Insight22: Samādhi — Immersion23: Viveka — Seclusion24: Vossagga — Letting Go25: Suññatā — Emptiness26: Conclusion

Illustration by Ayya Vimalayani aka "Ven Yodha"

There is a time for learning from others, but the real work of englightenment happens privately. But even privacy is an inferior form of seclusion compared with inner seclusion from the senses.

Textbook

Read Chapter 10 of:

From Grasping to Emptiness: Excursions into the Thought-world of the Pāli Discourses Volume 2 – Bhikkhu Anālayo (.pdf)

Suttas

SN 9.1 Viveka Sutta: Seclusion (.pdf)

AN 6.42 Nāgita Sutta: With Nāgit (.pdf)

AN 7.67 Nagaropama Sutta: The Simile of the Citadel

AN 9.42 Pañcala Sutta: Cramped

Similes

Hecker similes: 15, 33, and 59.

Reflection

How is samādhi related to character?

Continue to Part 24, Vossagga — Letting Go

...or go back to part 22