MASTERING
THE
CORE T EACHINGS
OF THE
BUDDHA
An Unusually Hardcore
Dharma Book
by
The Interdependent Universe
but conventionally attributed to
The Arahat
Daniel M. Ingram, MD MSPH
Third Edition
Copyright © April, 2007, By Daniel M. Ingram
daniel_ingram@interactivebuddha.com
www.interactivebuddha.com
This book is dedicated to the memory of the late Bill Hamilton.
His relentless dedication to the cultivation and promotion of wisdom despite all the consequences made him a truly great teacher.
CONTENTS
Contents......................................................................................................i Foreword and Warning..............................................................iv Part I: The Fundamentals.........................................................................1
1. Introduction to Part I..............................................................2
2. Morality, The First and Last Training....................................4
3. Concentration, The Second Training.....................................9
4. Wisdom, The Third Training................................................12
5. The Three Characteristics.......................................................16
Impermanence................................................................................................16
Suffering..........................................................................................................26
No-self.............................................................................................................28
The Five Spiritual Faculties .......................................................34
Faith and Wisdom..........................................................................................34
Energy and Concentration..............................................................................35
Mindfulness.....................................................................................................36
6. The Seven Factors of Enlightenment ....................................38
Mindfulness.....................................................................................................38
Investigation of the Truth...............................................................................40
Energy.............................................................................................................44
Rapture............................................................................................................44
Tranquility.......................................................................................................46
Concentration.................................................................................................47
Equanimity......................................................................................................47
7. The Three Trainings Revisited...............................................52
8. The Four Noble Truths .........................................................60
Truth Number One: Suffering.......................................................................60
Truth Number Two: “Desire”........................................................................62
Truth Number Three: The End of Suffering.................................................65
Truth Number Four: The Path......................................................................66
9. Practical Meditation Considerations.......................................67
When, where and for how long?....................................................................67
Daily life and Retreats.....................................................................................68
Postures...........................................................................................................73
Objects for Insight Practices...........................................................................75
Resolve............................................................................................................78
Teachers..........................................................................................................79
10. Summary................................................................................84
11. Conclusion to Part I..............................................................85
i
Part II: Light and Shadows......................................................................87
12. Introduction to Parts II & III................................................88
13. Buddhism vs. The Buddha *................................................92
14. Content and Ultimate Reality *.............................................97
15. What Went Wrong? *..........................................................102
16. A Clear Goal .........................................................................111
17. Harnessing the Energy of the “Defilements” .......................119
18. Right Thought and the Aegean Stables ................................124
19. From Content to Insight........................................................127
