An Auspicious Day

As we read in Bhaddekaratta Sutta, on one occasion while the Buddha was staying in Savatthi at Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's monastery, he told the monks that a disciple who has truly had an auspicious day is a disciple who does not chase after the past or place expectations on the future, but whatever quality is present, he/she clearly sees right there. The Buddha clarified that such a disciple does have a firm confidence, unshakable view regard to present qualities which means that he/she does not see the five aggregates as self, or self as possessing five aggregates, or five aggregates as in self, or self as in five aggregates.

This body and mind are void of self; they are consisted of the five (clinging) aggregates which are classified as forms, feelings, perception, 50 different types of fabrications, and consciousnesses. This body and mind are impermanent; each aggregate arises and immediately passes away one by one after one another according to its conditions.

As we read in Maha-suññata Sutta, the Buddha said, "There are these five clinging-aggregates where a monk should stay, keeping track of arising & passing away (thus): 'Such is form, such its origination, such its disappearance. Such is feeling... Such is perception... Such are fabrications... Such is consciousness, such its origination, such its disappearance.' As he stays keeping track of arising & passing away with regard to these five clinging-aggregates, he abandons any conceit that 'I am' with regard to these five clinging-aggregates. This being the case, he discerns, 'I have abandoned any conceit that "I am" with regard to these five clinging-aggregates.' In this way he is alert (vijja) there."

Sati or mindfulness, a beautiful fabrication accompanied with a wholesome consciousness, is the only tool which can detect these perishable aggregates. When satipatthana (sati) arises, it is aware of any aggregate appearing to sati at that moment. And if wisdom arises with sati, wisdom can study these aggregates until there are proper conditions for wisdom to understand their true natures which rise and fall away without control. Wisdom will sooner or later see them as this body and mind are impermanent, changeable, void of self, and void of permanent soul. A delusion mind which does not know realities as they are which often attaches or clings to this perishable body and mind will start to detach gradually bringing sufferings down until they are gone completely.

An auspicious day is the day when wisdom sees that there are only aggregates doing their jobs without interruptions of the "I". An auspicious day is the day when wisdom sees that these aggregates are rising and falling away one after another without any control.

May everyone have auspicious days!