Date: 9th August 2025
Format: Online Session with Dr. Rajesh Savera and Dr. Lim Siow Jin
On 9th August, an online study session was held with Dr. Rajesh Savera and Dr. Lim Siow Jin, focusing on the discourse from the Saṁyutta Nikāya 22.43 of the Pali Tipitaka. In this teaching, the Buddha, residing at Sāvatthī, instructed the monks to dwell as their own island (dīpa) and as their own refuge, relying on the Dhamma alone. The central theme of the discourse emphasizes self-reliance in practice and the liberation that comes from understanding the true nature of the five aggregates.
The Buddha’s Teaching
The Buddha explained that sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, and despair arise due to clinging to the five aggregates—
- Form (rūpa)
- Feeling (vedanā)
- Perception (saññā)
- Mental formations (saṅkhāra)
- Consciousness (viññāṇa)
Mistaking these impermanent and ever-changing phenomena as a permanent “self” leads to attachment and suffering. By insightful examination of their impermanence and not-self (anattā) nature, one can overcome this distorted perception. With this realization, attachment ceases, and the mind is freed from sorrow, living with ease and peace.
Key Insights from the Session
Dr. Savera and Dr. Lim Siow Jin elaborated on the practical relevance of this discourse:
- Self-Reliance in Practice: True refuge lies within. One must cultivate inner strength through insight rather than depending on external conditions.
- Investigation into Suffering: By understanding the root of sorrow in mistaken identity with the aggregates, one can dismantle delusion.
- Impermanence as Liberation: Recognizing the changing nature of body and mind leads to letting go of attachment.
- Living at Ease: With wisdom, one lives free from clinging and agitation, experiencing calm and clarity in daily life.
Conclusion : Saṁyutta Nikāya 22.43
The Saṁyutta Nikāya 22.43 underscores the timeless truth that liberation begins with self-reliance and wisdom. By deeply investigating the impermanent nature of existence, practitioners can transcend sorrow and discover inner peace. This teaching serves as a profound reminder that the path to freedom lies within, through cultivating insight and releasing attachment to what is not-self.
To watch Full Video Click The Link Below
https://www.facebook.com/drsavera/videos/719436760860281
