The Second Treatise on the Perfections – 2829
Therefore, one should exert great efforts in order to enjoy the delicious taste of
truth.
8. The Perfection of Resolution
The Pāḷi word
adhiṭṭhāna
is usually translated as “resolution.”
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If one fulfils
resolution as a perfection one has to establish it firmly and steadfastly in one’s
mind. That was why, when the Bodhisatta Sumedha reflected on the perfection
of resolution (
adhiṭṭhāna-pāramī
), he likened it to a rocky mountain, which is
unshaken by strong winds but remains firmly rooted at its own place.
From this comparison, it is clear that resolution (
adhiṭṭhāna
) means bearing in
mind without wavering at all, as regards to what one is determined to do.
Therefore, if one intends to attain the knowledge of the paths and fruitions or
omniscience, i.e., if one is determined to become a Buddha, one’s determination
to practise for achieving them must be borne in mind as firmly as a rocky
mountain.
Resolution has thus been likened to an unshaken mountain, and there are
various kinds of resolution as described in the texts.
Resolution concerning the Observance Day
The Chapter about the Observance Day (
Uposathakkhandhaka
, Vin Mv 2)
mentions three kinds of Observance Day:
1. The Saṅgha observance (
Saṅgha-uposatha
).
2. The group observance (
gaṇa-uposatha
).
3. The individual observance (
puggala-uposatha
).
1. The Saṅgha observance is the one that is observed at the meeting of a
minimum of four monastics inside a monastic boundary hall (
sīma
) on the full
moon and new-moon days. There, the Monastic Rules (
Pātimokkha
) are recited
by one monastic to whom others listen respectfully. Such an observance is also
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Then the author goes on to explain the Myanmar word, which is a translation, not
only of
adhiṭṭhāna
but also of
samādāna
used in observing precepts. As the author’s
explanation, though elaborate, is chiefly concerned with the Myanmar word, we left it
out from our translation.