Nibbāna: The Mind Stilled (Sinhalese: නිවනේ නිවීම, Nivanē nivīma) is the translation of a series of 33 sermons delivered in Sinhala by Venerable Bhikkhu Katukurunde Ñāṇananda during the late 1980s & early 1990s. The main focus of the sermons was on the psychological import of the term nibbāna and the deeper philosophical implications underlying this much-vexed term. The first volume of the 7-volume series was published in 2003.[1]
Nibbāna: The Mind Stilled
Cover for the study edition of Theravada Tipitaka Press
It was inspired by an invitation that came from his revered teacher, the late venerable Matara Sri Ñāṇārāma Mahathera, the chief incumbent of the Nissarana Vanaya Hermitage in Meetirigala and an illustrious exponent of Insight Meditation in Sri Lanka. The sermons were delivered once every fortnight before the group of resident monks from August 1988 to January 1991. Thirty three sermons have been published in seven volumes.[1]
Venerable Ñāṇananda had already written four books during the early phase of his monk’s life at Island Hermitage, Dodanduwa. They were Concept and Reality in Early Buddhist Thought,[2] Samyutta Nikaya – An Anthology(Part 2),[3] Ideal Solitude[4] and The Magic of the Mind.[5] He came under the tutelage of the late venerable Matara Sri Ñāṇārama Mahathera, when he shifted to Nissarana Vanaya Hermitage in 1972. The meeting of these two eminent disciples of the Buddha in a teacher-pupil relationship for nearly two decades, led to an outstanding seminal contribution to the understanding of Dhamma in its correct perspective.[6]
What’s inside?Edit
Nibbāna - the Bliss Supreme(Dhammapada 203) is the goal of the spiritual endeavour in Buddhism. It has been variously understood and interpreted by scholars, both ancient and modern.[7] Bhikkhu Ñāṇananda has followed a line of interpretation that highlights the psychological import of the term nibbāna drawing out at the same time the deeper philosophical implications underlying this much-vexed term. The original meaning and significance of the term nibbāna has been examined in the light of the evidence from the discourses of the Pali canon. The thoroughgoing analysis has entailed a reappraisal of some of the most controversial discourses on nibbāna.
In his analysis, he has ventured to re-interpret the discourses dealing with the law of Dependent arising (paṭiccasmuppāda) and the Middle Path. He has taken the opportunity to expatiate on the topics he has dealt in brief in his 'Concept and Reality' and 'Magic of the Mind'. His novel interpretation of the Law of Dependent arising in terms of a Vortex finds fuller expression here.[8][9] So also the via media he has suggested in pointing to the ‘Relative validity and Pragmatic value of concepts’.[10]
This middle path approach reasserts the ethical foundation of early Buddhism and reaffirms the prospect of inward peace ‘here-and-now’. The penetrative analysis of the role of language and logic has in it much that is revealing and refreshing to the semantic philosopher.
The sermons are currently being studied in the context of early Buddhist thought in a free-of-charge three-year e-learning program (2017-2018) offered by Bhikkhu Anālayo of the Numata Center for Buddhist Studies at the University of Hamburg in cooperation with the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies (Mass.).
Topics coveredEdit
vaṭṭa - The hidden vortex or whirlpool: Interdependence between Consciousness and Name-and-Form in the formula of Dependent Arising (paṭiccasmuppāda).[8]
nāma-rūpa - Name-and-Form: The elusive self-image with its ’Formal-Name’ and ’Nominal-Form’.[11][12]
The venerable author of this series has also effected a significant change in the methods adopted to reach the seekers of Dhamma. Drawing inspiration from the dictum "The Gift of Dhamma excels all other gifts"(Dhammapada 354) he has specified that all publications should be distributed free as ‘gifts of Dhamma’. The Free Distribution of Dhamma (dhammadāna-ideal) has been upheld by the Buddha in the following exhortation to the monks:
“Monks, there are these two kinds of gifts: the gift of material things and the gift of Dhamma. Of these two gifts, monks, this is supreme (namely): the gift of Dhamma.”
“Monks, there are these two kinds of distribution: the distribution of material things and the distribution of Dhamma. Of these two kinds of distribution, monks, this is supreme (namely): the distribution of Dhamma.”
(Itivuttaka 3.5.9)
A group of lay enthusiasts initiated a Dhamma Publications Trust (Sinhala: Dharma Grantha Mudrana Bhaaraya - D.G.M.B.) to bring out the sermons in book form providing an opportunity to the Buddhist public to contribute towards the publication.[6] A few years later an affiliated Trust (Sinhala: Dharma Shravana Maadhya Bhaaraya - D.S.M.B.) was set up to make the sermons available in audio form-again as a free gift to the Buddhist public.[29]
This benevolent movement has a spiritual dimension in reaffirming the age-old Buddhist values attached to dhammadāna, fast eroding before the hungry waves of commercialization. It has proved its worth by creating a healthy cultural atmosphere in which the readers and listeners shared the 'Dhamma-gift' with others, thus moulding the links of salutary friendship (kalyāna-mittatā) indispensable for the continuity of Buddhism.
As the Venerable author emphasizes, Dhamma deserves no ‘price-tag’ precisely because it is ‘price-less’. Is everything that comes free to us, necessarily worthless? What about the air and the sunshine?
Many a parched traveller on the desert path has had a refreshing drink of the nectar of Dhamma free of charge ever since. Many an enthusiastic benevolent heart seized the opportunity to participate in a genuine act of dhammadāna.[6]
It is in point of merit that the "gift of Dhamma excels all other gifts". Dhamma is the nectar that quenches the insatiate samsaric (pali:saṃsāra: Cycle of rebirth) thirst of beings. The gift of Dhamma is therefore of far greater merit than an ordinary gift of food or drink.(AN 9,5) For those who are magnanimous- Dhammadāna is forever an unfailing source of altruistic joy.[6]
English translationEdit
Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol. I)(PDF), Dharma Grantha Mudrana Bharaya, 2003, ISBN978-955-8832-02-8
Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol. II)(PDF), Dharma Grantha Mudrana Bharaya, 2004, ISBN978-955-9886-42-6
Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol. III)(PDF), Dharma Grantha Mudrana Bharaya, 2005, ISBN978-955-1255-05-3
Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol. IV)(PDF), Dharma Grantha Mudrana Bharaya, 2006, ISBN978-955-1255-07-7
Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol. V)(PDF), Dharma Grantha Mudrana Bharaya, 2007, ISBN978-955-1255-13-8
Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol. VI)(PDF), Dharma Grantha Mudrana Bharaya, 2010, ISBN978-955-1255-33-6
Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol. VII)(PDF), Dharma Grantha Mudrana Bharaya, 2011, ISBN978-955-1255-34-3
^Nanananda (2007) [1974]. (PDF). Dharma Grantha Mudrana Bharaya. ISBN978-955-1255-09-1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-24.
^ abcdNanananda (2003). Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol.1). pp. VII–VIII.
^ abNanananda (2003). Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol.1). p. 13.
^ abNanananda (2003). Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol.1). pp. 33ff.
^Nanananda (2007). Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol.5). pp. 445ff.
^Nanananda (1997) [1971]. Concept and Reality in Early Buddhist Thought. pp. 38ff.
^Nanananda (2004). Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol.2). pp. 132ff.
^Nanananda (2007). Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol.5). pp. 533ff.
^Nanananda (2004). Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol.2). pp. 134ff.
^Nanananda (2003). Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol.1). pp. 108ff.
^Nanananda (2003). Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol.1). p. 93.
^Nanananda (2005). Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol.3). pp. 241ff.
^Nanananda (2004). Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol.2). pp. 218ff.
^Nanananda (2007). Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol.5). p. 451.
^Nanananda (2010). Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol.6). pp. 582ff.
^Nanananda (2003). Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol.1). pp. 8ff.
^Nanananda (2003). Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol.1). pp. 65ff.
^Nanananda (2007). Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol.5). pp. 450ff.
^Nanananda (2003). Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol.1). p. 83.
^Nanananda (2007). Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol.5). pp. 490ff.
^Nanananda (2006). Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol.4). pp. 392ff.
^Nanananda (2011). Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol.7). pp. 653ff.
^Nanananda (2011). Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol.7). pp. 704ff.
^Nanananda (2011). Nibbana - The Mind Stilled (Vol.7). pp. 661ff.
^DSMB. . Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
External linksEdit
Dhamma Sermons and Books by Venerable Bhikkhu Katukurunde Nananada
Entry in National Library of Sri Lanka site
Entry in the British Library
Interviews with Ven. Nanananda Thera
August 30, 2023
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The topic of this article may not meet Wikipedia s notability guideline for books Please help to demonstrate the notability of the topic by citing reliable secondary sources that are independent of the topic and provide significant coverage of it beyond a mere trivial mention If notability cannot be shown the article is likely to be merged redirected or deleted Find sources Nibbana The Mind Stilled news newspapers books scholar JSTOR April 2016 Learn how and when to remove this template message Nibbana The Mind Stilled Sinhalese න වන න ව ම Nivane nivima is the translation of a series of 33 sermons delivered in Sinhala by Venerable Bhikkhu Katukurunde Naṇananda during the late 1980s amp early 1990s The main focus of the sermons was on the psychological import of the term nibbana and the deeper philosophical implications underlying this much vexed term The first volume of the 7 volume series was published in 2003 1 Nibbana The Mind StilledCover for the study edition of Theravada Tipitaka PressAuthorMost Ven Katukurunde Nanananda TheraOriginal titleන වන න ව ම Nivane nivima CountrySri LankaLanguageEnglishSubjectDhamma sermonsGenreReligiousPublisherDharma Grantha Mudrana BharayaPublished in English2003 Contents 1 History 2 What s inside 2 1 Topics covered 3 Free Distribution of Dhamma 4 English translation 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksHistory EditIt was inspired by an invitation that came from his revered teacher the late venerable Matara Sri Naṇarama Mahathera the chief incumbent of the Nissarana Vanaya Hermitage in Meetirigala and an illustrious exponent of Insight Meditation in Sri Lanka The sermons were delivered once every fortnight before the group of resident monks from August 1988 to January 1991 Thirty three sermons have been published in seven volumes 1 Venerable Naṇananda had already written four books during the early phase of his monk s life at Island Hermitage Dodanduwa They were Concept and Reality in Early Buddhist Thought 2 Samyutta Nikaya An Anthology Part 2 3 Ideal Solitude 4 and The Magic of the Mind 5 He came under the tutelage of the late venerable Matara Sri Naṇarama Mahathera when he shifted to Nissarana Vanaya Hermitage in 1972 The meeting of these two eminent disciples of the Buddha in a teacher pupil relationship for nearly two decades led to an outstanding seminal contribution to the understanding of Dhamma in its correct perspective 6 What s inside EditNibbana the Bliss Supreme Dhammapada 203 is the goal of the spiritual endeavour in Buddhism It has been variously understood and interpreted by scholars both ancient and modern 7 Bhikkhu Naṇananda has followed a line of interpretation that highlights the psychological import of the term nibbana drawing out at the same time the deeper philosophical implications underlying this much vexed term The original meaning and significance of the term nibbana has been examined in the light of the evidence from the discourses of the Pali canon The thoroughgoing analysis has entailed a reappraisal of some of the most controversial discourses on nibbana In his analysis he has ventured to re interpret the discourses dealing with the law of Dependent arising paṭiccasmuppada and the Middle Path He has taken the opportunity to expatiate on the topics he has dealt in brief in his Concept and Reality and Magic of the Mind His novel interpretation of the Law of Dependent arising in terms of a Vortex finds fuller expression here 8 9 So also the via media he has suggested in pointing to the Relative validity and Pragmatic value of concepts 10 This middle path approach reasserts the ethical foundation of early Buddhism and reaffirms the prospect of inward peace here and now The penetrative analysis of the role of language and logic has in it much that is revealing and refreshing to the semantic philosopher The sermons are currently being studied in the context of early Buddhist thought in a free of charge three year e learning program 2017 2018 offered by Bhikkhu Analayo of the Numata Center for Buddhist Studies at the University of Hamburg in cooperation with the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies Mass Topics covered Edit vaṭṭa The hidden vortex or whirlpool Interdependence between Consciousness and Name and Form in the formula of Dependent Arising paṭiccasmuppada 8 nama rupa Name and Form The elusive self image with its Formal Name and Nominal Form 11 12 anidassana vinnaṇa Non Manifestative Consciousness 13 The cinema simile An illustration of Dependent Arising paṭiccasmuppada 14 satipaṭṭhana A scaffolding for the systematic up building of mindfulness and knowledge 15 papanca and papanca saṅkha conceptual proliferation and prolific concepts 16 phassa Contact A hybrid between Verbal Impression adhivacana samphassa and Resistance Impression paṭigha samphassa 17 dvayata Duality The antinomian conflict 18 The Chess Game simile An illustration of duality 19 antojaṭa bahijaṭa The Tangle Within and the Tangle without 20 dukkha Conflict An alternation between This ness itthabhava and Otherwise ness annathabhava 21 tathata Thusness or Suchness 22 nibbana Extinction more dreaded than fire 7 The world arises in the six sense spheres 23 The dilemma and the tetra lemma The Undetermined Points avyakatavatthuni 24 Relative validity and pragmatic value of concepts 25 26 The Seamstress simile The two ends and the middle 27 The Toolkit The 37 Participative Factors of Enlightenment 28 Free Distribution of Dhamma EditThe venerable author of this series has also effected a significant change in the methods adopted to reach the seekers of Dhamma Drawing inspiration from the dictum The Gift of Dhamma excels all other gifts Dhammapada 354 he has specified that all publications should be distributed free as gifts of Dhamma The Free Distribution of Dhamma dhammadana ideal has been upheld by the Buddha in the following exhortation to the monks Monks there are these two kinds of gifts the gift of material things and the gift of Dhamma Of these two gifts monks this is supreme namely the gift of Dhamma Monks there are these two kinds of distribution the distribution of material things and the distribution of Dhamma Of these two kinds of distribution monks this is supreme namely the distribution of Dhamma Itivuttaka 3 5 9 A group of lay enthusiasts initiated a Dhamma Publications Trust Sinhala Dharma Grantha Mudrana Bhaaraya D G M B to bring out the sermons in book form providing an opportunity to the Buddhist public to contribute towards the publication 6 A few years later an affiliated Trust Sinhala Dharma Shravana Maadhya Bhaaraya D S M B was set up to make the sermons available in audio form again as a free gift to the Buddhist public 29 This benevolent movement has a spiritual dimension in reaffirming the age old Buddhist values attached to dhammadana fast eroding before the hungry waves of commercialization It has proved its worth by creating a healthy cultural atmosphere in which the readers and listeners shared the Dhamma gift with others thus moulding the links of salutary friendship kalyana mittata indispensable for the continuity of Buddhism As the Venerable author emphasizes Dhamma deserves no price tag precisely because it is price less Is everything that comes free to us necessarily worthless What about the air and the sunshine Many a parched traveller on the desert path has had a refreshing drink of the nectar of Dhamma free of charge ever since Many an enthusiastic benevolent heart seized the opportunity to participate in a genuine act of dhammadana 6 It is in point of merit that the gift of Dhamma excels all other gifts Dhamma is the nectar that quenches the insatiate samsaric pali saṃsara Cycle of rebirth thirst of beings The gift of Dhamma is therefore of far greater merit than an ordinary gift of food or drink AN 9 5 For those who are magnanimous Dhammadana is forever an unfailing source of altruistic joy 6 English translation EditNibbana The Mind Stilled Vol I PDF Dharma Grantha Mudrana Bharaya 2003 ISBN 978 955 8832 02 8 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol II PDF Dharma Grantha Mudrana Bharaya 2004 ISBN 978 955 9886 42 6 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol III PDF Dharma Grantha Mudrana Bharaya 2005 ISBN 978 955 1255 05 3 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol IV PDF Dharma Grantha Mudrana Bharaya 2006 ISBN 978 955 1255 07 7 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol V PDF Dharma Grantha Mudrana Bharaya 2007 ISBN 978 955 1255 13 8 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol VI PDF Dharma Grantha Mudrana Bharaya 2010 ISBN 978 955 1255 33 6 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol VII PDF Dharma Grantha Mudrana Bharaya 2011 ISBN 978 955 1255 34 3See also EditConceptual proliferationReferences Edit a b Nanananda 2003 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol 1 PDF Dharma Grantha Mudrana Bharaya pp IX ISBN 955 8832 02 2 Archived from the original PDF on 2011 07 24 Nanananda 2012 1971 Concept and Reality in Early Buddhist Thought PDF Dharma Grantha Mudrana Bharaya ISBN 978 955 24 0136 7 Nanananda 2009 1972 Samyutta Nikaya An Anthology Part 2 PDF Dharma Grantha Mudrana Bharaya ISBN 978 955 1255 26 8 Archived from the original PDF on 2011 07 24 Nanananda 2010 1973 Ideal Solitude Dharma Grantha Mudrana Bharaya ISBN 978 955 1255 31 2 Nanananda 2007 1974 The Magic of the Mind PDF Dharma Grantha Mudrana Bharaya ISBN 978 955 1255 09 1 Archived from the original PDF on 2011 07 24 a b c d Nanananda 2003 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol 1 pp VII VIII a b Nanananda 2003 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol 1 p 13 a b Nanananda 2003 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol 1 pp 33ff Nanananda 2007 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol 5 pp 445ff Nanananda 1997 1971 Concept and Reality in Early Buddhist Thought pp 38ff Nanananda 2004 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol 2 pp 132ff Nanananda 2007 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol 5 pp 533ff Nanananda 2004 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol 2 pp 134ff Nanananda 2003 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol 1 pp 108ff Nanananda 2003 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol 1 p 93 Nanananda 2005 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol 3 pp 241ff Nanananda 2004 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol 2 pp 218ff Nanananda 2007 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol 5 p 451 Nanananda 2010 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol 6 pp 582ff Nanananda 2003 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol 1 pp 8ff Nanananda 2003 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol 1 pp 65ff Nanananda 2007 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol 5 pp 450ff Nanananda 2003 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol 1 p 83 Nanananda 2007 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol 5 pp 490ff Nanananda 2006 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol 4 pp 392ff Nanananda 2011 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol 7 pp 653ff Nanananda 2011 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol 7 pp 704ff Nanananda 2011 Nibbana The Mind Stilled Vol 7 pp 661ff DSMB About DSMB Seeingthroughthenet net Archived from the original on 4 October 2011 Retrieved 28 June 2011 External links EditDhamma Sermons and Books by Venerable Bhikkhu Katukurunde Nananada Entry in National Library of Sri Lanka site Entry in the British Library Books and talks by Ven Nanananda Thera Interviews with Ven Nanananda Thera Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w 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