Yoniso Manasikāra — Wise Attention

This is part 19 of a course going through the similes and metaphors of the Buddha. Course home 1: Introduction to Imagery in the EBTs2: Taṇhā — Craving3: Rāga — Passion4: Vyāpāda — Hatred and Aversion5: Thīnamiddha — Sloth and Torpor6: Uddhaccakukkuca — Restlessness and Worry7: Vicikicchā — Doubt8: Vedanā — Feelings9: Vedanānupassanā — Investigating Feelings10: Sukha — Happiness11: Upekkhā — Equanimity12: Yathābhūtañāṇadassana — Knowledge and Vision of the Way Things Are13: Vimutti — Liberation14: Upādāna – Grasping15: Sakkāyadiṭṭhi - Self View16: Sammādiṭṭhi - Right View17: Saṅkhāra — Activity18: Vitakka — Thought19: Yoniso Manasikāra — Wise Attention20: Vipassanā — Insight21: Samatha & Vipassanā — Tranquility & Insight22: Samādhi — Immersion23: Viveka — Seclusion24: Vossagga — Letting Go25: Suññatā — Emptiness26: Conclusion

Illustration by Ayya Vimalayani aka "Ven Yodha"

The world is full of distractions from the spiritual path.

Textbook

Read Chapter 6 of:

From Grasping to Emptiness: Excursions into the Thought-world of the Pāli Discourses Volume 2 – Bhikkhu Anālayo (.pdf)

Suttas

AN 3.109: Unprotected (.pdf)

AN 3.130: With Anuruddha (2)

AN 3.133 Yodhājīva Sutta: An Archer (.pdf)

Dhp 365–369: from The Monk Chapter

Thag 1.77 Hatthāroha Putta Theragāthā: Hatthārohaputta (.pdf)

Similes

Hecker similes: 19, 42, 45 and 63.

Reflection

The similes here are among the most dramatic and dynamic in the course. Why do you think that is?

Continue to Part 20, Vipassanā — Insight

...or go back to part 18