Cattāri Brahmavihārā

Today is both Christmas’ Eve and the last uposatha day of the year! Spurred by a dhamma talk of Ajahn Amaro’s on virtue I was inspired to do a little research on the them of morality meditation and found the following: http://www.dhammacenter.org/40_meditation_subjects/6_recollection_anussati May this be of benefit!

4. Recollection of Morality (Silanussati)

One who wishes to practice Silanussati should find a quiet, secluded place and contemplate his or her own moral conduct (Sila) in accordance with the eight virtues of moral conduct which are:

1. Sila are not torn: Precepts (Sila) for householders and for monks are not broken at the beginning or at the end [first or last precept], like a cloth which is frayed at the edges, therefore, the precepts are not torn. [This means if one breaks the first or the last precepts, his or her precepts are like the cloth which is frayed at the edges.]

2. Sila are not holed: No single precept is broken in the middle [such as the third of five precepts], like a cloth with a hole in the middle.

3. Sila are not blotched: Precepts are not broken in consecutive order. No two or three consecutive precepts are broken, like a cow with big black or red spots on her back or belly. These precepts are not blotched.

4. Sila are not mottled: Precepts are not broken here and there like a cow speckled with different colored spots. Such precepts are not mottled.

In another sense, Sila are not torn, holed, blotched or mottled when they are not destroyed by the seven bonds of sexuality (Methunasanyoga) or by unwholesome states such as anger and hatred.

5. Sila are liberating: Precepts liberate one from the slavery of craving.

6. Sila are praised by the wise: Precepts are praised by the wise such as Lord Buddha and the Noble ones.

7. Sila are untouch by craving and wrong view: Precepts are untouched by craving and wrong view. They are precepts that nobody can criticize by saying, ‘There are flaws in your Sila.’

8. Sila are for concentration: Precepts bring one to gain access concentration and they also help one to develop the paths and fruits of concentration.

Benefits

When the meditator reviews his or her precepts both extensively and intensively, the power of Sila such as being untorn will protect one’s mind from being disturbed by lust, anger or delusion. The mind is filled with morality. The Jhana will be attained by the one who calms the Five Hindrances. He or she will attain at least access concentration. However, the virtues of morality are both multiple and profound. A meditator may contemplate various virtues of morality and, as a result, the Jhเna may reach only access concentration level, not attainment concentration.

Post Script:

Here is a link to the dhamma talk which got it all started: http://www.abhayagiri.org/main/medium/2176/