Part 2 of 2
I asked Asaf Federman of Israel, a Pali scholar and long-standing friend, to translate the eight worldly conditions since a single Pali word can communicate more than a single meaning in English. I have expanded a little on his response. The eight conditions are:
1. Profit and Loss
2. Success and Failure
3. Praise and Blame
4. Pleasure and Pain
The Pali words communicate more than a single English word.
- Gain (profit, possessions)
- Loss (also decline in what one has gained)
- Praise (Fame, reputation, renown, what others think/say of you, approval of others)
- Blame (loss of reputation, censure, at fault)
- Success (stronger tone than praise – includes maximising attention from others for what you do)
- Failure (discredited, reprehensible),
- Pleasure (pursuing to experience pleasurable sensations).
- Absence of pleasure. Unhappiness. Suffering.
The Buddha showed the way to living a way of life, which respects ethics, mindfulness/awareness and wisdom in the face of the eight worldly conditions. He made clear that those who live in caring ways will receive appreciative joy (mudita) from others. People will rejoice in the outcome of caring actions and a dignified way of life benefitting people, creatures and the environment. He said wise thoughts, speech and action are worthy of praise.
Asaf pointed out that the word for condition in this discourse (sutta) is dharma. He emphasised that the eight conditions happen as a phenomenon of the world (nama/rupa/mentality-materiality). We develop wisdom to see clearly this manifestation of dharma and live a life not making our peace of mind dependent on changes in the eight worldly conditions. Asaf added that the Buddha offers a beautiful teaching in this short discourse.
Discourse in Pali (minus diacretics )
Katame attha? Labho ca, alabho ca, yaso ca, ayaso ca, ninda ca, pasamsa ca, sukhañca, dukkhañca. Ime kho, bhikkhave, attha lokadhamma lokam anuparivattanti, loko ca ime attha lokadhamme anuparivattati.
For the Hebrew speaking world.
Asaf translated the sutta into Hebrew. https://mindfulness.co.il/2022/10/8-worldly-conditions/
Final Word
Memorise, Reflect and Meditation on the four dualities (pairs) of the worldly conditions.
Remember to reflect and meditate on that outside of the worldly conditions – love, compassion, gratitude, service, wisdom, freedom from dependency for peace of mind and happiness on dualities so we know a liberated way of life with a proper perspective on our roles.