With the Destruction of Craving Comes the Destruction of Unwholesome Kamma

Monks, develop the path and the way that leads to the destruction of craving.

And what is the path and the way that leads to the destruction of craving?

It is The Seven Factors of Enlightenment.

What seven?

The Enlightenment factor of mindfulness, the Enlightenment factor of investigation, the Enlightenment factor of energy, the Enlightenment factor of joy, the Enlightenment factor of tranquility, the Enlightenment factor of concentration, the Enlightenment factor of equanimity.

When this was said, the Venerable Udāyi asked The Perfectly Enlightened One: ‘Venerable Sir, how are The Seven Factors of Enlightenment developed and cultivated so that they lead to the destruction of craving?’

Here, Udāyi, a Monk develops the Enlightenment factor of mindfulness, which is based upon seclusion, freedom from strong feelings and elimination, maturing in release; which is immense, superb, measureless, without ill will. When he develops the Enlightenment factor of mindfulness, which is based upon seclusion, freedom from strong feelings and elimination, maturing in release; which is immense, superb, measureless, without ill will, craving is abandoned. With the abandoning of craving, (unwholesome) Kamma is abandoned. With the abandoning of (unwholesome) Kamma, discontentedness is abandoned…

(All of The Seven Factors of Enlightenment are explained in the same way to include the Enlightenment factor of investigation, energy, joy, tranquility, and concentration with the final factor being described in the same way as in the below.)

He develops the Enlightenment factor of equanimity, which is based upon seclusion, freedom from strong feelings and elimination, maturing in release; which is immense, superb, measureless, without ill will. When he develops the Enlightenment factor of equanimity, which is based upon seclusion, freedom from strong feelings and elimination, maturing in release; which is immense, superb, measureless, without ill will, craving is abandoned. With the abandoning of craving, (unwholesome) Kamma is abandoned. With the abandoning of (unwholesome) Kamma, discontentedness is abandoned.

Thus, Udāyi,

With the destruction of craving, comes the destruction of (unwholesome) Kamma;

With the destruction of (unwholesome) Kamma, comes the destruction of discontentedness.

(Reference: SN 46.26)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares how The Seven Factors of Enlightenment lead to the elimination of craving/desire/attachment. With the elimination of craving/desire/attachment unwholesome Kamma is eliminated, thus, all discontentedness is eliminated.

A Practitioner on The Path to Enlightenment will need to learn and practice The Seven Factors of Enlightenment to move the mind to “the middle” and keep it there on a consistent basis.

He further discusses how a Practitioner who develops The Seven Factors of Enlightenment leads to freedom from strong feelings and elimination, “maturing in release”.

“Maturing in release” is the experience one may have that as they deeply develop the mind, they may experience the bodily sensation of specific cravings/desires/attachments and/or specific taints/fetters being “released” from the mind.

The more one develops The Eight Fold Path starting with Right View (The Four Noble Truths) the mind can develop the ability to readily, and in some cases, instantly eliminate specific craving/desire/attachments and/or specific taints/fetters from the mind. There is much learning, reflecting, and practicing of these Teachings that is required as a prerequisite to developing this aspect of the mind.

Gotama Buddha is explaining the bodily sensation experienced upon the elimination of these pollutions of the mind as “maturing in release”

What are The Seven Factors of Enlightenment?

The Seven Factors of Enlightenment are not to determine if someone is or is not Enlightened but instead, they are used to fine tune the mind bringing it to a balanced state - “in the middle”. If a Practitioner is noticing that the mind is not “in the middle”, as described in the Chapter titled “The Middle Way: Walking The Middle Way” (Chapter 6) of the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment” (Volume 1), use the associated factors of Enlightenment to move the mind to practicing the middle way.

When the mind becomes complacent, sluggish, lethargic, dull, or lazy, this is the time to practice the Enlightenment factors of Investigation, Energy, and Joy.

When the mind is excited, elated, ecstatic, euphoric, or over stimulated, this is the time to practice the Enlightenment factors of Tranquility, Concentration, and Equanimity.

The Enlightenment factor of Mindfulness is always useful and should be practiced in each and every moment. Mindfulness will need to be developed as part of training the mind through The Eight Fold Path using Breathing Mindfulness Meditation on a consistent and ongoing basis.

1.) Mindfulness: (Awareness of mind as described in The Eight Fold Path as “Right Mindfulness”.)

2.) Investigation: (Dedicated examination, exploration, research, study, and questioning to learn The Teachings.)

3.) Energy: (Effort, determination, ambition, initiative, motivation, vigor, and enthusiasm; willingness to do something.)

4.) Joy: (Pleased and delighted not associated with any specific object; unconditioned gladness; the Practitioner is not attaining it by craving/desire/attachment.)

5.) Tranquility: (Relaxed, steadiness, stability, peacefulness, and stillness of mind.)

6.) Concentration: (Mental alertness, attentiveness, the ability to give your attention or thought to a single object or activity. “Singleness of mind” as described in The Eight Fold Path as “Right Concentration”.)

7.) Equanimity: (Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation; treating everyone impartially.)

It is, Monks, when The Seven Factors of Enlightenment are developed and cultivated in this way that they fulfill true wisdom and liberation.

(Gotama Buddha)

(Reference: SN 46.6)