Four Times, Rightly Developed and Coordinated, Gradually Culminate in the Destruction of the Taints

Monks, these four times, rightly developed and coordinated, gradually culminate in the destruction of the taints.

What four?

The time for listening to The Teachings, the time for discussing The Teachings, the time for serenity, and the time for wisdom.

These four times, rightly developed and coordinated, gradually culminate in the destruction of the taints.

Just as, when it is raining and the rain pours down in thick droplets on a mountain top, the water flows down along the slope and fills the clefts, gullies, and creeks; these, becoming full, fill up the pools; these, becoming full, fill up the lakes; these, becoming full, fill up the streams; these, becoming full, fill up the rivers; and these, becoming full, fill up the great ocean; so too, these four times, rightly developed and coordinated, gradually culminate in the destruction of the taints.

(Reference: AN 4.147)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares the four (4) times to gradually develop the mind to eliminate The Ten Fetters (i.e. taints/pollution of mind).

1.) “The time for listening to The Teachings” is when a Practitioner seeks understanding through learning with a Teacher as they share discourses to guide Students to learn, reflect, and practice The Teachings. A Practitioner will need to make time to learn directly with a Teacher. A Practitioner will be unable to learn these Teachings alone and attain Enlightenment alone without a Teacher. Only a true Buddha would be able to accomplish that goal. The last Buddha currently known to the world existed over 2,500 years ago.

Seeking guidance with a Teacher through listening to The Teachings will gradually lead towards the elimination of The Ten Fetters.

2.) “The time for discussing The Teachings” is beneficial as a Practitioner is able to converse with others who are interested to have open discussions about The Teachings. This will help a Practitioner to develop their understanding of The Teachings due to the insight and effort needed to discuss The Teachings with others. Open discussions about The Teachings can further develop the mind’s understanding through needing to articulate The Teachings confirming one’s own understanding. It is important to ensure that you are discussing The Teachings with someone who is interested in discussing The Teachings rather than, attempting to forcefully share with arrogance or pride.

There is no obligation to share these Teachings with others. The discussion that Gotama Buddha is recommending is open dialogue where Students are able to confirm their understanding through joint sharing, not actually through teaching others.

In order to teach others, it is important to have acknowledgement from your Teacher that you are prepared to share these Teachings with others so that it is confirmed that your practice has developed to a point where you are capable to share these Teachings and take on the responsibility of guiding Students on The Path to Enlightenment.

If you attempted to share these Teachings without your Teacher’s support, you would find it extremely difficult to successfully guide others along The Path to Enlightenment and you will most likely be causing more harm than benefit.

Do not be in a hurry or make a rushed decision to share these Teachings. The very best Teacher would need to first be a very deep Practitioner. It is through developing your own practice of these Teachings that you will have the wisdom to be able to help others along The Path to Enlightenment. Focus on your own growth and development so that you can experience liberation of mind or Enlightenment. Rushing to take on Students as a Teacher is oftentimes based in “conceit” (i.e. arrogance or pride). Taking on Students is a significant responsibility and should only be done so with deep reflection and support from your Teacher. Taking on Students too early can actually impede your own progress on The Path to Enlightenment as the time and effort involved in sharing these Teachings with Students can take away from your own learning and development along the path.

3.) “The time for serenity” is ensuring the mind has time to rest and relax. To progress towards the attainment of Enlightenment and to attain Enlightenment, a Practitioner will need to dedicate much time, effort, and energy towards the inner work to train the mind. If the mind is not in the middle, this can be exhausting. Therefore, a Practitioner needs to know when to apply effort towards progressing in their practice and when to rest and relax while not allowing the mind to become complacent. The mind needs to find the middle as it relates to learning and progressing on The Path to Enlightenment.

There are going to be periods of significant growth and times where growth is more slow. That is normal as the mind gradually progresses towards Enlightenment. And, as a Practitioner is progressing, they will need to know when to allow for rest and relax while ensuring they do not allow the mind to become complacent.

4.) “The time for wisdom” is to apply the wisdom of these Teachings in a given situation to ensure a wholesome outcome.

To eliminate The Ten Fetters and attain Enlightenment, a Practitioner will need to develop wisdom through listening to The Teachings, discussing The Teachings, taking time for rest and relaxation, and then apply the acquired wisdom in daily life. It is through practice of The Teachings through applying wisdom that the condition of the mind is improved.

Applying the wisdom of these Teachings in daily life will gradually lead towards the elimination of The Ten Fetters and attainment of Enlightenment.

Just like during a rain storm the water is directed from the mountain top, down a slope to fill the clefts, gullies, and creeks along with the pools, lakes, streams, and rivers flowing into the ocean, when a Practitioner chooses to listen to The Teachings, discuss The Teachings, take time for rest and relaxation, and then apply the acquired wisdom in daily life, this will all gradually lead to the elimination of The Ten Fetters and attainment of Enlightenment.

You are welcome to progress in your practice by learning these Teachings through the resources provided in books, audiobooks, videos, podcast, online classes, in-person learning, and all the other ways, these Teachings are shared with you openly and freely while seeking guidance with a Teacher. This book has contact information for you to be able to connect with a Teacher and a Community of Practitioners where you will be welcomed to learn and practice these Teachings.