05/13/2026
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๐: ๐พ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ด๐๐
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๐๐ ๐พ๐๐
Ignorance (Avijja) is precisely the lack of awareness regarding its own presence and the presence of attachment within the mind. Mindfulness (Sati), conversely, is the clear recognition of the ignorance and attachment currently existing in the mind.
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โBecause we are unaware of the ignorance and attachment residing within us, their power continues to grow. However, if you possess the ability to observe and identify their presence, their influence will naturally weaken.
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โWhile everything and everyone can be an object of mindfulness, ignorance and attachment should be the primary objects.
โIn reality, most practitioners remain mindful of many different objects except for their own ignorance and attachment. This is why their progress is often slow.
Maintaining mindfulness on external or physical objects is not difficult; that is why I suggest that the object itself is not the most important thing. However, maintaining mindfulness on ignorance and attachment is no easy task. It is easy for a student to follow "this way" or "that way," or a specific technique. But it is truly difficult to walk the Middle Way, as one easily becomes attached to the method or the technique itself.
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โThis is why I do not instruct or require students to follow a specific technique. I only emphasize that practitioners must follow the Middle Wayโsimply acting or not acting with mindfulness and detachment (Upekkha). If the power of ignorance and craving is strong, practitioners usually desire to follow a specific teacher or method; in doing so, they fail to follow the truth of Anatta (Non-self) or the law of Anicca (Impermanence).
Sayadaw Ashin Ottamathara
Sฤdhu ๐ Sฤdhu ๐ Sฤdhu ๐
Namo Buddhassa ๐
Namo Dhammassa ๐
Namo Sanghassa ๐
