The passage refers to a balanced approach to meditation: please see
"Connected Discourses of the Buddha" tr Bhikkhu Bodhi) page 1946 n272 for
details.

Piya

On 12/30/06, pgd2507 <pgd2507@...> wrote:
>
> Dear Group,
>
> I was reading the translation of:
>
> "Iddhipada Vibhanga Sutta"
> Analysis of the Bases of Power
> by Ven. Thanissaro Bhikkhu
>
> I am not clear on what the Buddha is saying in the following passage:
>
> "And how does a monk dwell perceiving what is in front and behind so
> that what is in front is the same as what is behind, and what is behind
> is the same as what is in front? There is the case where a monk's
> perception of what is in front and behind is well in hand, well-attended
> to, well-considered, well-tuned ('penetrated') by means of discernment.
> This is how a monk keeps perceiving what is in front and behind so that
> what is in front is the same as what is behind, and what is behind is
> the same as what is in front."
>
> 1.
> when Buddha talks about "what is in front and what is behind" is he
> referring to objects outside the body OR bodily sensations in front and
> on the back OR something else altogether?
>
> If he means outside objects, would it then imply that eyes be kept open?
>
> 2.
> what is meant by all these terms used in relation to perception:
> "well in hand", "well-attended to", "well-considered", "well-tuned
> ('penetrated')"
> how are these distinguished and distinctly attained?
> what are the pali words used for these phrases?
>
> 3.
> what kind of discernment is intended in the phrase, "by means of
> discernment"?
> is it about seeing in everything the inescapable trio of anicca, dukkha
> and anatta?
>
> Would someone be so kind as to throw some light..
>
> I eagerly await.
>
> Many thanks and metta,
>
> P. G. Dave
>
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>
>
>


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