The Noble Giving (Third Discourse)

Monk, just as an oil-lamp burns in dependence on oil and a wick, and when the oil and wick are used up, if it does not get any more fuel, it is extinguished from lack of fuel; so too when he feels a feeling terminating with the body, he understands: I feel a feeling terminating with the body.

When he feels a feeling terminating with life, he understands: I feel a feeling terminating with life. He understands: On the dissolution of the body, with the ending of life, all that is felt, not being excited in, will become cool right here.

Therefore a Monk possessing [this wisdom] possesses the supreme foundation of wisdom. For this, Monk, is the supreme noble wisdom, namely, the wisdom of the destruction of all discontentedness. His liberation, being founded upon truth, is unshakeable.

For that is false, Monk, which has a misleading nature, and that is true which has a non-misleading nature — Nibbāna (Enlightenment).

Therefore a Monk possessing [this truth] possesses the supreme foundation of truth. For this Monk, is the supreme noble truth, namely, Nibbāna (Enlightenment), which has a non-misleading nature.

Formerly, when he was unwise (unknowing of true reality), he undertook and accepted material possessions; now he has abandoned them, cut them off at the root, made them like a palm stump, done away with them so that they are no longer subject to future arising. Therefore a Monk possessing [this letting go] possesses the supreme foundation of letting go. For this, Monk, is the supreme noble letting go, namely, the [mentally] letting go of all material possessions.

Formerly, when he was unwise (unknowing of true reality), he experienced craving, desire, and attachment; now he has abandoned them, cut them off at the root, made them like a palm stump, done away with them so that they are no longer subject to future arising.

Formerly, when he was unwise (unknowing of true reality), he experienced anger, ill will, and hate; now he has abandoned them, cut them off at the root, made them like a palm stump, done away with them so that they are no longer subject to future arising.

Formerly, when he was unwise (unknowing of true reality), he experienced ignorance and delusion; now he has abandoned them, cut them off at the root, made them like a palm stump, done away with them so that they are no longer subject to future arising.

Therefore a Monk possessing [this peace] possesses the supreme foundation of peace. For this, Monk, is the supreme noble peace, namely, the elimination of craving/desire, anger/hatred, and ignorance/delusion.

So it was with reference to this that it was said: One should not neglect wisdom, should preserve truth, should cultivate letting go, and should train for peace.

(Reference: MN 140)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares how through eliminating craving, anger, and ignorance (unknowing of true reality), a Practitioner preserve truth and attains “the supreme noble peace”.

The Buddha starts with explaining the elimination and extinguishing of discontent feelings through cutting off and letting go of the arising feelings as a Practitioner observes the arising bodily sensations associated with arising discontent feelings - pleasant feelings, painful feelings, and feelings that are neither painful-nor-pleasant. This is accomplished through the development of The Four Foundations of Mindfulness.

Detailed explanation of The Four Foundations of Mindfulness is available in this same book series found in Chapter 5 of the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment” (Volume 1).

He then explains wisdom as being supreme especially the wisdom of how to eliminate discontentedness. Any Teacher who is actively sharing these Teachings to eliminate discontentedness and has experienced the elimination of discontentedness, has acquired this wisdom and can lead you to accomplishing that same goal. A Teacher who is sharing these Teachings to eliminate discontentedness is sharing the most supreme gift, thus, it would be wise to support them through generous offerings and gifts.

Sharing these Teachings as a Teacher and/or practicing these Teachings to eliminate discontentedness is helping you and helping all of humanity. You are “preserving truth” for the benefit of you, those close to you, and all of humanity.

“One should not neglect wisdom, should preserve truth, should cultivate letting go, and should train for peace” through training the mind to eliminate craving, anger, and ignorance (unknowing of true reality).