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Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

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Truly, they are well controlled in every way."<br />

Ksanti (patience) is also praised in this book:<br />

"If, like a broken gong, you utter nothing,<br />

Then you have reached Nirvana, for anger is<br />

unknown to you."<br />

"Forbearance <strong>and</strong> patience are the highest penance,<br />

'Nirvana is supreme,' proclaim the Buddhas,<br />

Hurting others bodily, one is not a monk.<br />

One is not a recluse oppressing others."<br />

The last three paramitas (virya, energy; dhyana,<br />

meditation; <strong>and</strong> prajna, wisdom) are to be found<br />

mentioned often in Hinayana texts as desirable spiritual<br />

qualities, if not as perfections. Though we may trace<br />

these qualities going by the same names in both yanas,<br />

yet there is a difference in their underlying philosophy.<br />

These qualities are not paramitas since they lack the<br />

teaching of nonegoism (of both persons <strong>and</strong> dharmas).<br />

The Hinayana philosophy of an atomic theory of<br />

indivisible particles <strong>and</strong> the idea of similarly indivisible<br />

instants of time in which "minds" arise, abide, <strong>and</strong><br />

decline, make this teaching incomplete. Why should<br />

these little ideas of permanence be clung to?<br />

(Mr. Chen here refers particularly to the<br />

Sarvastivada Abhidharma theories of matter <strong>and</strong><br />

time with which Theravada Abhidharma has<br />

173

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