The Living Computer
Photo: Buddhadāsa Indapañño Archives C06356
“Why be so strict with vedanā? Isn’t it possible to enjoy your positive feelings without being attached to them?”
~ Response by Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu ~
Atammayatā is the state of mind which makes it possible for the mind to experience Nibbāna. When the mind is covered and enclosed by concoctions, then it cannot experience Nibbāna, but when there is atammayatā – that is the state of mind which is unconcocted, unaffected, uninfluenced by anything – this state of mind then is the one in which Nibbāna can make contact. Nibbāna can make contact with the mind which is not covered or enclosed. So therefore we do not say that atammayatā is Nibbāna, but atammayatā is the state of mind that makes it possible to experience Nibbāna.
To put it more briefly, atammayatā is the state of mind which is not concocted, bound, or covered by anything. Atammayatā is the state of mind which is most free, which is completely free, and so through atammayatā the mind can make contact with Nibbāna.
Another way to put it, rather metaphorically, is that atammayatā is personal freedom, and that Nibbāna is universal freedom. Nibbāna is the universal state of freedom that can be discovered by everyone. Just make the mind atammayatā and you will discover that universal Nibbāna.
From the retreat “The Living Computer,” as translated from the Thai by Santikaro
Dhamma Questions & Responses sessions were offered by Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu in 1990-1991 to foreign meditators attending Suan Mokkh International Dharma Hermitage courses.
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