1. ABHIDHAMMA - THE PROCESS OF COGNITION

[@BuddhaKumari]

I have studied Theravada Buddhism, especially the Abhidhamma for the past 30 years. I'd like to say that Richard Jones is one of a very few Westerners who truly understands the Abhidhamma which made him an extremely effective teacher

[@LondonBuddhistVideos]

Thank you BuddhaKumari. If you live in London it would be a pleasure to see you at the London Buddhist Vihara one day.

[@LondonBuddhistVideos]

I deleted our thread in error. Please do recommend another teacher of the abhiddhammma.

[@MK-gn1nz]

Arguably the most important video on KZbin for humans

[@smlanka4u]

A superb explanation. According to Buddhism, there are 3 main mental qualities called Greed, Anger, Delusion that technically cause problems. But Karma is a result of 4 main thinking patterns. (Artat/Enlightened people don't think like that) 1) Taking impermanenant things as permanent. 2) Taking suffering as happiness. 3.) Taking non-self as self 4.) Taking bad things as good. Abhidhamma teachings in Buddhism explain how the mind processes good and bad Karma. There is a fundamental process in the mind called Citta Series/Vithi that receive information within a mind moment and processes our actions within a few mind moments. But the actions of enlightened people are don't make good and bad Karma. Their actions are just actions. But they have to face the results of their previous Karma until their last death. Thank you so much for making people aware about those great teachings.

[@LondonBuddhistVideos]

Good recap. Thank you.

[@smlanka4u]

@@LondonBuddhistVideos, You are welcome. And thank you too.

[@liberumoratio1704]

I think without meditation, the experience of meditation, as taught by Buddha and outlined in the Satipatthana. It really makes it hard to understand the process of becoming. The lesson needs to go with the experience so you can know the process. In my opinion. With such a clear explanation it makes it easier to understand when the sensation comes to watch it become. Then fade away. Such a solid scaffolding he has created with his explanation it helps to understand what is happening in the now, this moment; to give room for determination and right action. Thank you.

[@h4hackinghinduismwhilehiki319]

Indeed. Direct insight through meditation is the only way. However, having a theoretical ground always helps to keep us grounded.

[@jared3370]

23 mins in and already gained some perspective to aid me in my own meditation practice. Thank you for sharing

[@LondonBuddhistVideos]

Thank you for sharing too jared3370. Wishing you continued energy, skilful intentions and beneficial results. 🪷

[@ThiwankaWijitharathna]

I am from Sri lankan. You know Sri lanka is terawadi buddism culturel country. Actually I feel very very happy because the world become to change to rise for knowing the real truth wich had been said by our teacher lord buddha. I would like to invite to all of u come to Sri Lanka and visit our teacher's valuble relics of temple of thooth Kandy Town and Ruwanvelly temple. I know u will happy with unfogetable plesure with warships them. And meeting buddhist monk also will happy for You. Plese forgive me about my english.

[@dailyfrench]

Wow I discover this chain, Richard is a real good teacher ..🙏

[@LondonBuddhistVideos]

Thank you Game of Learning - sadly for us, Richard passed away in April. Here is the last video he filmed kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2PGe36Oqa-gprc

[@mxmus08]

Thank you for the uploads. This is such a complex and rich topic and having a good teacher that can deliver the subject matter in a compréhensive way is great. Namaste

[@LondonBuddhistVideos]

I will send Richard your feedback straight away. Much appreciated. with Metta.

[@LondonBuddhistVideos]

Richard appreciates your feedback and would be happy to send you his email address should you want to ask follow-up questions or make enquiries about future talks. If you email me at [e-mail] I will send his personal email for you. Metta

[@SamanaGunavanta]

Thanks 🙏

[@greenpeace2214]

Amazing.., very thankful for this teaching

[@szwiftyproductions1141]

Thank you. Really does help put things into perspective.

[@LondonBuddhistVideos]

With our pleasure

[@pasamusa]

It is a pity that the microphone is constantly making noise. But, taking that, this are marvelous teachings by a very clear mind. Thanks for sharing. Inlakesh

[@LondonBuddhistVideos]

Hi Pasam. Thank you for pointing out the noises - I had not noticed them! So much for being mindful. I am sorry they diminished your enjoyment but very glad that the value of the teachings came through regardless. Metta and thank you for your positive comments.

[@sunghie4711]

Anumodana Richard 🙏

[@smlanka4u]

Also, there is a mind consciousness that arise on a mind object. So, not only the 5 senses take the conscious object/intention. As mentioned, there are 28 forms of matter that emerged with immaterial elements. And the sense consciousness arise on vibrations in matter called Rupa-Kalapa that live for 17 mind moment and pass away, leaving the conditions to arise again like the mind moment itself. There is a video about Fundamental realities in the name Paramartha Ultimate Realities Discovered. There is an explanation about the formation of material and mental qualities.

[@topssar78]

Amazing 🙏🙏🙏

[@LondonBuddhistVideos]

Thank you

[@investmentprofessor2620]

Great video

[@LondonBuddhistVideos]

Thank you Dariusz

[@philosophyoflife7929]

Namo Buddhaya!!!!

[@albertthorval4674]

Hello, thank you very much for sharing. I have a question: in those states, is there a way to differentiate attention from peripheral awareness? Or are they the same type of moments with a different quality?

[@LondonBuddhistVideos]

Hi Vincent. I will try to ask a monk or another suitably qualified person and get back to you shortly. Perhaps you could email [e-mail] which would make it easier to enquire on your behalf. To explain, I am the editor of these videos. Richard passed away a year ago - he was always happy to answer questions.

[@smlanka4u]

Same type of moments. There are three moments in the Citta moments (arising, existing, and vanishing). The existing moments are same, but the mixture of mental qualities make them different.

[@BillSikes.]

Om Mani Padme Hum 🙏

[@TheBuddhaWasBornBeforeMahavira]

The buddha taught based on the concept of anatta (non-self).

[@nahanng7791]

Anatta is not a concept. It's the Truth.

[@kelvinscott2000]

I’ve been studying Buddhism extensively after spending 30 years studying deep Hinduism and Sikhism I have a question Where does the volitions of the bhavanga arise from Therefore there must be an element of determinism Also I believe the citta equates to soul or atman

[@LondonBuddhistVideos]

@@kelvinscott2000 thank you for your excellent bhavanga question. Please email Bhante Panavamsa for a suitable respond. He can be contacted via his centre in the UK. He also has a collection of Abhidhamma videos that will probably be of interest to you. Feel free to say I recommended him to you. With metta www.dhammacentre.com/

[@earlybuddhism2600]

Rest in peace sir.

[@nahanng7791]

Unfortunately he was a Buddhist and the concept of rest in peace cannot apply in Buddhism.

[@moo6672]

can you tell me in a nutshell when tadarammana does and doesn't arise, please?

[@user26912]

Taddamarana arises as the last moment of consciousness for an individual in the current life. This is the final mental event before the transition to a new existence. The nature of taddamarana is influenced by one's past actions (kamma). Wholesome or unwholesome actions can shape the nature of the final consciousness moment. Prior to taddamarana, there are often javana moments which can be ethically significant and may influence the quality of the final consciousness moment. The object that appears to the mind at the moment of death can be influenced by strong past experiences, habitual actions, or meditative practice. This object could be a kamma (deed), kamma-nimitta (symbol of the deed), or gati-nimitta (symbol of future destiny). Taddamarana specifically pertains to the moment of death. Therefore, it does not arise during the regular flow of consciousness in day-to-day life or other states of mind that are not associated with the end of life. In Buddhist cosmology, different beings experience consciousness differently. Certain realms of existence might have different processes for death and rebirth that do not involve taddamarana in the same way humans do. For non-returners (anagamis) and enlightened beings (arahants), the process of death and rebirth is different. In the case of arahants, there is no rebirth, and their final moment of consciousness is followed by parinibbana, not another existence.

[@albertonandasilo]

Other teachers said that determining knows the colour, shape, and the different characteristics of the sense object or mind-object.

[@LondonBuddhistVideos]

Alberto, if you send me your email I will let you know about some very good Abhidhamma teaching happening twice a week with a Theravada monk based in UK. I think your questions will be answered. [e-mail]

[@albertonandasilo]

I just sent you an email, thank you very much!

[@LondonBuddhistVideos]

I have just sent the email - here is a summary of Bhante Pannavamsa's Abhidhamma Study Group. Zoom Meeting ID: 920-416-0619 Tuesdays: Abhidhamma Study, 7pm - 8.30pm (UK time) Thursdays: Abhidhamma Study, 7pm - 8.30pm (UK time) Sundays: Meditation & Abhidhamma Q&A, 9am onwards (UK time) Also, see his Playlist on KZbin for the classes which have already taken place, if you need to catch up - kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2m5dKJoha5npKs

[@zeeshan79]

I am new to Buddhism and I absolutely loved this video. I am very saddened to know in one of the comment that Richard passed away in April, may his soul rest in peace. I have a question (anyone who has good hold of Buddhism can answer). Richard was talking about law of Karma and it's impact on this and subsequent life's to come. Let's say, I did some mistake without knowing about it (like in many religion killing an animal on certain occasion is considered auspicious, and this culture is inculcated in a child from the very beginning of his life). So, this child has no idea about what's going on around him, and he follows the same tradition. So his/her crime will reflect in his Karma? Also, in Buddhism killing some insect which could potentially harm you, is it allowed? Regards

[@LondonBuddhistVideos]

Dear Un known. Thank you for your kind words. Richard was indeed a wonderful teacher and a wonderful example of the Dhamma he taught. I recall many a lesson with Richard where we discussed and debated the very questions that you raise. However, I am a student of the dhamma, like yourself, and I would prefer your question to be answered by one of the other imminent teachers or monks at the Vihara (rather than by myself). I hope you will be happy to wait for a few days while I seek an answer for you? Metta LBV

[@LondonBuddhistVideos]

Dear un known first of all my apologies for this delay in replying to this question. my response to the query is that, even though person who does the killing is not aware that it is an unwholesome Karma and its consequences if he does it intentionally he does an unwholesome Karma. According to the teachings, the five conditions must be present to constitute an act of killing.the thing killed must be a living beingyou, the killer, must know or be aware that it is a living beingyou must have the intention to kill itthere must be an effort to killthe being must be killed as the result As long as those conditions are met in your act, It can be a killing which can generate bad Karma, whether you do it for pleasure or as a traditional game or for any other reason. Regarding the killing of insects, I can again say that if you do it intentionally it is an act of killing but depending on the victim of the killing the Karma can be big or small. I hope this would be a sufficient respond to the query. with metta Ven. Kassapa, London Buddhist Vihara Resident Monk

[@zeeshan79]

Dear Sir, Thank you for your insightful reply. I got the theme/rationale of the topic. Though I have a continuation question( please forgive me if it's a silly question). I want to know what Buddhism has to say about law of karma from the perspective of wastage of materialistic/physical/non-living things. Example: if I waste water, will that be reflected on my karma. If yes, what is the intensity for the same. Also, does Buddhism believe that physical things like river, mountains etc have consciousness of their own? Regards

[@sumedhaedirisingha4715]

Dear, thanks for asking these kind of questions which will help to think more he * adhidhamma teaches seven basic feelings always born with each mind * among them there is one called chethana * chethana setup body action and kamma (reflections) * when you have bad chethana you will do bad action and it will be a result of bad kamma( bad reflection) * when you do actions definitely there is chethana also * so you know what the chethana was when the action happned (action mean killing someone, donating something , wasting something etc. * you hate someone and he is thirsty, you waste water cause you don’t want to give him in this you had bad chethana and done bad action , it will gives you bad kamma physical things like river, mountains etc. dont have consciousness of their own they have only rupa *********** hope someone will correct if i am wrong*************

[@sunghie4711]

@@sumedhaedirisingha4715 you right , sadhu3x 🙏

[@bihrig11]

Is there somewhere to get the study sheets being used in the video?

[@LondonBuddhistVideos]

Email [e-mail]

[@LondonBuddhistVideos]

Check your email. Metta x

[@sonali10380]

@@LondonBuddhistVideos could I get those sheets🙏

[@LondonBuddhistVideos]

Download from www.londonbuddhist.co.uk/abhidhamma-handouts

[@sonali10380]

@@LondonBuddhistVideos thank you!

[@rpcrazy]

36:00 "it has to be" It doesn't have to be, only in normal working consciousness. Altered states receive different inputs. In 5th jhana consciousness is received in the "ether" state without objects

[@tanned06]

The objects of the ārupa attainments are not without objects - they are called formless objects (concepts); even the supramundane consciousness attained at the path and fruition attainments have an object: Nibbāna.

[@albertonandasilo]

Determining consciousness is a functional mind-conscious moment, we don't take any decisions there, that happens in javana. Like the stomach working without our permission, determining is the same. I think so, anyway I like how he teach, thanks

[@LondonBuddhistVideos]

I hope you attend the current online classes Alberto. Bhante Pannavamsa very much encourages questions and deep engagement with the material. I have just sent the email - here is a summary of Bhante Pannavamsa's Abhidhamma Study Group. Zoom Meeting ID: 920-416-0619 Tuesdays: Abhidhamma Study, 7pm - 8.30pm (UK time) Thursdays: Abhidhamma Study, 7pm - 8.30pm (UK time) Sundays: Meditation & Abhidhamma Q&A, 9am onwards (UK time) Also, see his Playlist on KZbin for the classes which have already taken place, if you need to catch up - kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2m5dKJoha5npKs

[@vikasgour369]

Sadhu sadhu sadhu

[@bayreuth79]

If there is no self then what is the meaning of liberation?

[@LondonBuddhistVideos]

Hello Bayreuth79. Richard Jones (my dhamma teacher) is not teaching at the moment unfortunately. However, I will ensure that he is made aware of your comment and I will, if possible, post a reply direct from him as soon as possible. With metta, Paula@London Buddhist Videos

[@martinratcliffe5987]

Realising that there is no self. Not intellectually, but actually.

[@kampagang9236]

The "Dhamma" itself liberating itself. Which our normal eyes see it as "I" liberated "myself". But the true is there is no "I".

[@rohanofelvenpower5566]

liberation from samsara, sort of like merging the real I into what is (dhamma/truth).

[@vimottimkk2892]

You have your self because you have ignorance​ when you do Vipassana it have wisdom that you seen no self.

[@rpcrazy]

9:40 it's hard to talk about the bhavanga(the process of existence) without prior knowledge of the gandhabbaya which then gets into hard conversations about soul or not-soul blah blah, but it's real, energy body is real, and people still want to deny it. Bhavanga Calanga means vibrating bhavanga, what's vibrating? The soul, or the hadaya Vatthu made out of shudastaka and surrounded by pasada rupa correspondening with the sense faculties. So if you don't actually know about the subtle body, talking about this particular deep abhidhamma is of lesser value.

[@nahanng7791]

Nah nah. There's no soul

[@rpcrazy]

@@nahanng7791 you say that within conjecture though. Your narrative is fine but I urge you to look at the evidence of, and necessity even, of the gandhabba and the hadaya vatthu which is functionally "the soul". It's just not what western people think it is, that's all. And yes there's no "thing" that transfers, but there is a continuum and it's mechanism which is "the soul".

[@nahanng7791]

There's no i or soul.

[@nahanng7791]

@@rpcrazy if you like Hinduism then so be it. But the Truth is there's no I , soul or Self.

[@nahanng7791]

@@rpcrazy the continuation of the arising and ceasing of the citta creates an illusion that there's a solid soul or being but since you don't even know what the doctrine of Anatta is , it's pointless to explain

[@caffeconcerto2591]

It seems bhavanga is speculative...

[@LondonBuddhistVideos]

Please say more..

[@markv7458]

Great lecture but I find that Abhidhamma including Reincarnation in its system of thinking adds a contradiction.

[@nahanng7791]

In Buddhism there's no reincarnation but there's rebirth. Those 2 are different

[@buddhamovie2939]

The Buddha was not a god and the philosophy of Buddhism does not entail any theistic world view. The teachings of the Buddha are aimed solely at liberating sentient beings from suffering.

[@buddhamovie2939]

Wisdom is right understanding "The cause of suffering is The birth." The Buddha therefore taught that stopping birth is a means of liberation from The Samsara.

[@buddhamovie2939]

Without children is to stop the birth of the body. Nirvana is to stop the birth of the mind. Nothing immortality: Buddhism teach "consciousness" but doesn't teach "soul".

[@LondonBuddhistVideos]

Thank you for your views Buddha Movie. I agree. Paula LBV with metta

[@rohanofelvenpower5566]

@@buddhamovie2939 he didn't teach "stopping birth" that is worded a bit upside down as it implies an unnatural change. He taught how to achieve the dharmmakaya that is free of birth as well as samsara because it is 'eternall immortal'

[@buddhamovie2939]

"… When we become aware of our body and mind and accept the truth of them, that they are impermanent, do not persist and are beyond control, then we will be liberated and abide in the greatest happiness.”

[@nahanng7791]

This is the tool to destroy the wrong view of Christianity's view of a soul or Advaita Vedanta's view of the Self.