Cattāri Brahmavihārā

I have begun reading the Ven. Ledi Sayadaw’s The Requisites of Enlightenment and am feeling energized and completely blown away. In my early days, I spent a lot of time studying the suttas but for the past eight or so years I felt I needed to focus more on practice so I have left more technical and daunting subjects of contemplation go to the side. I realize now that I need to step it up if I want to make the most out of this birth and apply viriya and aditthana to the study, contemplation and practice of the Dhamma. Reading the venerable’s book it’s become clear that I need to plant the seeds of vijja by reflecting on and practicing with those teachings which are unique to the Buddhadhamma so that I have a chance to gain a sure foothold on the Path and avoid being swept into the oceans of samsara for asankheyya kalpas.

How does one do this? The way that the sayadaw has suggested is to begin by contemplating and practicing with the Four Elements. My head has been aflame since I first read the opening passages of his book (much in the same way it was when I first read Arya Shantideva’s Bodhicharyavatara over 20 years ago) and I immediately started searching for more information on how to do so. I found a PDF of his Vijja Dipani which describes one way to do the meditation as well as others by the Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw. I then spent the later portion of the night until around 11 PM reading and taking notes until I had firmly set myself on the path to make progress with the Pa Auk method of the Four Elements meditation. I have also decided that I will add formal study (pariyatti) to my practice schedule from 10PM to 11PM everyday. In this way I hope to only sleep during the second watch of the night and wake for the third at 4:15AM.

I’m inspired and intrigued and can think of no better or more auspicious day to begin than on the New Moon Uposatha.