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"These five
controlling faculties or forces have to be revolving in us. One
needs to have a foundation of sîla (morality) in order for them to
be able to turn. Only with pure sîla will these five faculties be
able to revolve. Isn't that true?"
"It's true,
Bhante."
When Sayadaw elaborates the meaning of the words
'controlling faculties' and 'forces', he has a habit of giving a
very elaborate explanation. He often speaks for many days explaining
the meaning of those controlling faculties or forces and their
types. He is apt to include their characteristics, their function,
and their. Since he brings together the theoretical and the
experiential aspects, it is meaty and engaging. Anybody who can read
the scriptures can talk about the theoretical aspect. There is no
way one who doesn't have first-hand experience could talk about the
experiential aspects, though. It is a uncommon ability to be able to
give explanations including first-hand experience. It is not easy at
all.
It was after Sayadaw had given that explanation to the
author that the Shwe Taung Gon Sâsana Yeiktha emblem came to be.
That symbol has come to be on all six cars, on all the books,
buttons, gates, key-chains, and mopeds. There are five facets around
that wheel of that emblem and there is one in the middle. All
together, six facets. The word written on the middle one is "Sîla".
The color of that middle portion is white. It means that sîla
(morality) must be pure. It means that only with pure sîla are the
five controlling faculties able to roll along.
Of the other
five facets, on the one at the top is written the word "pañña". That
one is colored yellow. Deep yellow. Yellow stands for radiance. The
meaning is that that wisdom is luminous. It is true. Don't they say,
"Paññasamâ Âbhâ natthi: there is no radiance like that of wisdom"?
There are two aspects to the right of the aspect of pa?ña and two to
the left. On the right side, the upper one bears the word "Saddhâ".
That one is colored light blue. It is a clear blue. With saddhâ
(faith), the mind stays clear, he says. Of the two facets on the
right, on the lower one is written the little word "Vîriya". That
facet is red. Red means courage. Vîriya is the courage to face and
surmount whatever difficulty may come. With vîriya, the mind is
courageous indeed.
On the left side, the lower facet bears
the word "Sati". It is yogi-color: brown. The meaning of the brown
worn by yogis [in Myanmar] is that with continual mindfulness, the
mind keeps on repelling and rejecting the kilesas (defilements). Of
the two left-hand facets, on the upper one is written the word
"Samâdhi". It's color is deep blue. Deep-blue refers to steadiness,
serenity. With samâdhi, the mind is peaceful and stable.
If
you want pañña to illuminate the mental processes, strive to keep
your sila pure, he says. Only then may the mind be cleared by faith.
Then, with vîriya, the mind may become courageous. Next, with
samâdhi, the mind becomes serene. Only then will
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