Mahasi Sayadaw: Practice

Mahasi Sayadaw was Burmese Buddhist philosopher. Explore interesting quotes on practice.

Mahasi Sayadaw: 26 quotes0 likes

“One should keep oneself occupied all the time with wholesome deeds such as: learning, teaching, memorizing, reading, scrutinizing, and chanting the Buddhist scriptures; discharging the daily duties of a monk; discussing the Dhamma, only speaking about the Dhamma; giving or listening to Dhamma talks, and practicing asceticism.”

Source: Manual of Insight (1945), p. 18

“Sometimes the mind may wonder about practice itself. For example, the mind may wander off into analyzing whether an object was noted effectly, or sequentially, or vividly. The mind may wander off into thinking about how one is going to note an object. Under these circumstances, insight concentration cannot arise.”

Source: Manual of Insight (1945), pp. 62-63

“When intensively practicing insight, your first priority should be given to it, with the understanding that insight is the essential cause of liberation. … You should not interrupt it for a minute or even a second.”

Source: Manual of Insight (1945), p. 70

“The Vammika Sutta likens skeptical doubt to a fork in the road. Say a traveler who is carrying many valuables arrives at a fork in the road; if he lingers there unable to decide which way to take, robbers may catch and possibly kill him. In the same way, a doubtful meditator who falls prey to wavering and procrastination cannot continue on with practice. He or she will then become a victim of mental defilements and be unable to escape the cycle of suffering. Only when he or she abandons doubt by noting it and uninterruptedly continues the practice can he or she be liberated from the cycle of suffering.”

Source: Manual of Insight (1945), p. 64

“Every time one notes an object well it gives rise to delight. As a result of this, practice becomes enjoyable.”

Source: Manual of Insight (1945), p. 68