Discourse on Sallekha Sutta

One by one, little by little, moment by moment, a wise man should remove his own Impurities as a smith removes the dross from silver.
- Dhammapada verse 239

(Translated by Acharya Buddharakkhita)

In the eighth sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya, the Bhikkhu Maha Cunda visits the Buddha at Jetavana, Anathapindika’s monastery. Maha Cunda asks the Blessed One how false views about the self and the universe may be overcome by one who has just begun to meditate. The Buddha replies that it is only through the cultivation of proper wisdom that an individual is able to see that there is nothing that is “mine,” “I” or “self.”

He then goes on to explain how such false views can be conquered through the practice of effacement, how the mind can be inclined towards it, and how in this way, defilements can be extinguished and liberation won. Thus, the Sallekha Sutta is a discourse on the gradual refinement of character. As explained by Bikkhu Bodhi, “the Buddha rejects the view that the mere attainment of the meditative absorptions is effacement and explains how effacement is properly practised in his teaching.”

Ven. Ududumbara Kashyapa Thera will give a six-hour public discourse on the Sallekha Sutta at the Mihilaka Medura of the BMICH on Sunday June 8 from 12.30 – 6.30 p.m.

This discourse will be the last in the series of thirteen, six-hour suttas that the Ven. Ududumbara Kashyapa has been delivering.

The Ven. Kashyapa Thero has preached the Dhamma at large gatherings all over Sri Lanka and is widely recognized as an excellent though unassuming interpreter of the canonical texts.

He is also well-known to those who watch the Buddhist Channel who value the effortless ease with which he explains complex teachings in a simple way, making them accessible to young and old alike. Examples taken from the struggle of daily life are used to explain in an intuitive way the finer points of the Dhamma, enabling his listeners to internalize the Dhamma and connect with it. All those interested in listening to this discourse are welcome to attend.

Those wishing to sit within the Mihilaka Meduara main hall are kindly advised to bring a cushion or folding chair to sit on. There will be chairs in an adjoining room where there will be a live telecast of the discourse.