Dhamma Principles › This Mind Is Luminous: Single Teachings from the Book of Ones
This Mind Is Luminous: Single Teachings from the Book of Ones
Training the mind

This Mind Is Luminous: Single Teachings from the Book of Ones

Pabhassaramidaṃ bhikkhave cittaṃ

This mind is luminous, but defiled by incoming defilements. The uninstructed ordinary person does not understand this and so does not develop the mind; the noble disciple understands and develops it. No other single thing is so unwieldy when undeveloped as the mind.

8 points

In the Book of Ones of the Aṅguttara Nikāya, the Buddha gives teachings as short single statements. Many begin, "I do not see any other single thing ... like the mind", pointing out that of all things, the mind does the most harm when untrained and the most good when trained.

The most famous are: "This mind is luminous, but it is defiled by incoming defilements" and "This mind is luminous, and it is freed from incoming defilements." The next statements say that the uninstructed ordinary person does not understand this as it really is, so for them there is no development of mind; the instructed noble disciple understands it, so for them there is development of mind.

"Luminous mind" has been interpreted in several ways. The Theravāda commentary explains it as the bhavaṅga mind. Some other traditions read it as an originally pure true mind, which Theravāda does not hold. What the readings share is that defilements are visitors, not an unchangeable essence, and so the mind can be trained to be clear.

  1. 1

    Luminous, but defiled by incoming defilements Āgantukehi upakkilesehi upakkiliṭṭhaṃ

    The Buddha says this mind is luminous, but defiled by incoming defilements. The word "incoming" shows that defilements are visitors that arrive, not something permanently fixed to the mind.

    Applying it in daily life

    When a dark mood arises, tell yourself "this is anger visiting" rather than "I'm a hot-tempered person".

  2. 2

    Luminous, and freed from incoming defilements Āgantukehi upakkilesehi vippamuttaṃ

    The paired statement says this mind is luminous, and it is freed from incoming defilements. Defilement is not a permanent state; the mind can be free of it.

    Applying it in daily life

    Recall moments when your mind was calm and clear, such as after meditating or after forgiving someone. They are evidence that your mind really can be like that.

  3. 3

    Knowing this, one develops the mind Sutavato ariyasāvakassa cittabhāvanā atthi

    The uninstructed ordinary person does not understand this as it really is, so the Buddha says there is no development of mind for them. The instructed noble disciple understands it, so there is development of mind. Right understanding is where training begins.

    Applying it in daily life

    If you've thought "that's just my nature, it can't change", change it to "this habit can be trained", and pick one thing to train this week.

  4. 4

    The undeveloped mind is unwieldy Cittaṃ bhikkhave abhāvitaṃ akammaniyaṃ hoti

    He says he sees no other single thing that is so unwieldy when undeveloped, or so wieldy when developed, as the mind. Another statement compares it to sandalwood, praised above other trees for being soft and workable; the developed mind is likewise soft and workable.

    Applying it in daily life

    Notice how on scattered days even easy tasks don't get finished. A short sit before starting work prepares your most important tool.

  5. 5

    The tamed, guarded, protected, restrained mind Cittaṃ dantaṃ guttaṃ rakkhitaṃ saṃvutaṃ

    A mind that is untamed, unguarded, unprotected and unrestrained leads to great harm; one that is tamed, guarded, protected and restrained leads to great benefit. Another statement says the mind developed and cultivated brings happiness.

    Applying it in daily life

    Before opening social media or walking into a provoking situation, set a brief intention for how you'll look after your mind.

  6. 6

    Muddy water hides the bottom Udakarahado āvilo

    Like a lake that is turbid and muddy, where a person with good eyes standing on the bank cannot see the shells, pebbles and shoals of fish, a monk with a turbid mind cannot know his own good, others' good, or realise superior states. In clear water all can be seen; so too with a mind that is not turbid.

    Applying it in daily life

    Don't make important decisions while your mind is stirred up. Let the sediment settle, then look at the problem again.

  7. 7

    The mind changes too fast for comparison Lahuparivattaṃ

    He says he sees no other single thing that changes as quickly as the mind; how quickly it changes is not easy even to illustrate with a simile.

    Applying it in daily life

    Because the mind changes quickly, a bad mood now isn't a permanent self, and this morning's good intention needs renewing often through the day.

  8. 8

    Mind is the forerunner Manopubbaṅgamā

    All unwholesome states have mind as their forerunner: mind arises first, and the unwholesome states follow. All wholesome states likewise have mind as their forerunner.

    Applying it in daily life

    Before saying or typing something important, check your mind for one second: where is it leading right now?

Try it in daily life

This is very encouraging. When you feel angry, envious or irritated, you don't have to conclude "I'm a bad person." Those moods are visitors, like clouds drifting across the sky.

But it doesn't mean doing nothing, since the discourse stresses that one who knows this develops the mind. Knowing the mind can be trained should lead to actually training it every day, even a little at a time.

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