Recollection the Special Attributes of the Buddha

Recollection of the Buddha is a meditative practice that involves remembering the Buddha's qualities. It's a Theravada Buddhist practice that can help with mental tranquility and spiritual benefits. 

How it works

• The practice involves remembering the Buddha's qualities. 
• It also includes remembering the Dhamma and Sangha. 
• The practice is intended to create a sense of joy and confidence. 
• The first two recollections create a sense of confidence in the practice. 
• The last three recollections create a sense of confidence in one's own worthiness to follow the practice. 

Other recollections Recollection of the Dhamma (Dhammanusati), Recollection of the Sangha (Sanghanusati), Recollection of virtues (Silanussati), Recollection of generosity (Caganussati), and Recollection of devas (Devatanussati). 

Benefits

The practice of recollection can help with mental clarity and mindfulness while fostering spiritual growth.

Q.18. How should we recollect the special attributes of the Buddha to reach access Jhāna?

           An. A meditator with absolute confidence who wants to practice Buddhanussati should go into solitary retreat in a favourable abode and recollect the special attributes of the Enlightened One as follows:

1.    So Bhagavā itipi Arahaṁ the Blessed One is known as Arahaṁ because he has destroyed all defilements and become noble, worthy of special veneration by all men, devas and brahmas.

2.    So bhagavā itipi Sammāsambuddho the blessed One is known as Sammāsambuddhao because he is fully enlightened understanding all that should be understood by him.

3.    So Bhagavā itipi Vijjācaranasampanno the Blessed One is known as Vjjācaranasmpanno because he is endowed with supreme wisdom and virtuous conduct.

4.    So Bhagavā itipi Sugato the Blessed One is known as Sugato because of being gone to an excellent place (Nibbana) and because he speaks only what is true and beneficial.

5.    So Bhagavā itipi Lokavidu the Blessed One is known as Lokavidu because he knows tree worlds: the world of beings ( satta-loka), the world of formations (sankharaloka) and the world of location (okasa-loka)

6.    So Bhagavā itipi Anuttraropurisadhammasarathi the Blesse One is known as Anuttaropurisadhamanussanam because he is incomparable in taming those who deserve to be tamed.

7.    So Bhagavā itipi sttha devamanussānam the Blessed One is known as Satthadevamanussānm because he is the guiding treacher of gods (devas and brahmas) and men.

8.    So Bhagava itipi Buddho the Blessed One is known as Buddho because he himself is enlightened and he can enlighten others to know the four Noble Truths and become noble persons (Ariyas).

9.    So Bhagavā itipi Bhagavā the Blessed One is known as Bhagavā because he is the most exalted and blessed One. He is blessed with special qualities auch as six kinds of glory Issariya, Dhamma, Yasa, Siri, Kama, and Payatta.

When the meditator is recollecting the Buddha’s attributes as above repeatedly, his mind is not obsessed or distressed by greed, by hate or by delusion; but it is quite upright with the Buddha’s attributes as its object. The jhāna factors are developed and all the hindrance and defilements are separated. The mind becomes joyful, peaceful and concentration access Jhāna arises.

 

Q.19. Why should we recollect the attributes of the Buddha? What are the benefits of this recollecting?

An. Repeated recollection the attributes of the Buddha is called Buddhānussati. It is one of the four guidance meditations. It is also the most of meditation subject. We should recollect the attributes of the Buddha and it is very benefits and protects us from external danger such as hindrances and defilements and also internal dangers such as which a person while beads.

The benefits of Buddhānussati are:

1.    A meditator reverses his teacher, the Buddha, with great respect.

2.    He attains fullness of faith or confidence in the Buddha

3.    He attains good mindfulness

4.    He develops wisdom and understanding

5.    He gains a lot of merit

6.    He has much joy and happiness (bliss)

7.    He overcomes fear and dread

8.    He is able to endure pain

9.    He comes to feel as if he were living in the Master’s presence

10. His body, permeated and inhibited by the Buddha’s attributes, becomes as worthy of veneration as a chamber of relies

11. His mind bends towards the sphere of the Buddha

12. When he encounters as opportunity to commit an immoral action, he feels ashamed and frightened to commit it as though he were in front of the Teacher

13. Even if he does not attain Path-consciousness and its Fruition in the present existence, he is at least headed for a happy destiny.