Page 40 - Because I know, I can let go
P. 40

or cling to, something as being female, or purisaññā, as being male: just listen to a sound,
        or look at a picture which is shadowy, or indistinct, and there will be this regarding of it as
        being something or other, even a touch on the skin which goes unnoticed by the physical
        eyes will involve this form of perception.



        First there’s remembering, or recognition, which isn’t a danger, but when there’s the
        regarding of something as being this or that there’ll be dukkha too.



        The perception of ‘self’ is attasaññā, the perception of something being a possession is
        attaniyasaññā: regarding this as being ‘me,’ is attasaññā, regarding a house, for instance,
        as being ‘mine’ is attaniyasaññā, following which there’s dukkha.  The regarding of ‘me’
        as being like this or like that, and of something as being a possession, of being ‘mine,’ this

        represents the deeper level of saññā.


        The four kinds of saññā are:
               1) Regarding something as being a loss,

               2)regarding something as breaking even,
               3)regarding something as being a gain.


        These three are the province of someone who has the ‘me’ and ‘mine’ delusion.  The

        ignorant are caught up in feelings of losing, breaking even, and of gaining.  They have
        this ignorance throughout their lives and never know the fourth kind of saññā, that is,
        nippetikapākiyasaññā, the perception of breaking through, of penetration.  These words
        ‘breaking through’ refer to the breaking up of ignorance.  So, get to know ‘loss’ as one form

        of madness, ‘breaking even’ as another, and ‘gain’ as yet another.


        One caught up in the craziness of getting, losing, or breaking even, most especially those
        living in the towns  where they do  their business, will  only  be sensitive to  those three

        concepts, will see life in those ways.  Even those of us who live in a temple should beware
        because the feelings of losing, of breaking even, or of making gains will still be in evidence.
        As with the making of merit, we’ll want to gain, get something back for our generosity.
        Donate one baht and we’ll want a castle in the air, or whatever, depending on what we

        consider to be a good gain.



        40     Because I Know...
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