Barre Center for Buddhist Studies

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A Comprehensive Matrix of Constructed Experience

Sutta Study
Andrew Olendzki
Fall 2004

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These are the building blocks with which we construct our world. Every action which creates karma is represented on this chart. It is meant as an exhaustive categorization of all conditioned human experience. Try examining each of these options, one at a time, and look for examples of such activity in your own life and practice. You will find that such a matrix of experience provides a generic and de-personalized way of looking at what is taking place moment by moment, which supports the investigative aspects of insight meditation. As we begin to see more clearly the arising and passing away of both mental and physical events, and see them as an expression of underlying causal patterns rather than as the agency of a stable self, it becomes easier to penetrate the web of illusions that bind us.

“These states, bhikkhus, are aflicted by ignorance. But with the complete fading away and cessation of ignorance, there is no longer that body/speech/mind conditioned by which pleasure and pain arises in oneself. There is not longer a field, a basis, a sphere, or a cause, conditioned by which pleasure and pain arises in oneself.” (A4:171)

When ignorance acts as a causal influence on the formation of intentions, the craving that necessarily comes with it ensures that every action will involve grasping and will thus formulate karmic substrates that require further rebirth and suffering. When ignorance is replaced with wisdom, as with an arahant, or with moments of insight more generally, then this karmic mechanism is undermined and there occurs a moment of freedom from such conditioning.

matrix

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Insight Journal

Fall 2004

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In this volume:

War and Peace

By Andrew Olendzki

Article

The Working of Boundless Compassion

By Tai Unno

Interview

In This World, Hate Never Yet Dispelled Hate

By Sarah Doering

Article

A Comprehensive Matrix of Constructed Experience

By Andrew Olendzki

Sutta Study

Generating Spiritual Friendship: Reflections from a Gray Haired Mentor

By Jean Esther

Article

Lessons from an Illness

By Marilyn Judson

Article

What Is Mindfulness… And Why Is It Important to Therapists?

By Christopher K. Germer

Article

The Steadfast Family Man (Anguttara Nikaya 5:40 & 3:48)

By Andrew Olendzki

Poem

 

All issues:

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  • Home
  • About Us
    • New and Notable
    • COVID-19 Safety Protocols
    • Mission and Values
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
    • Board of Directors
    • IMS
    • Staff
    • Job Openings
    • Getting to BCBS
    • Mailing List
    • Contact Us
  • Onsite Programs
    • Current Course Calendar
    • Everything You Need to Know About Residential Programs
    • Typical Residential Schedule
    • Continuing Education Credits
    • Financial Assistance
    • Teacher Dāna
  • Online Programs
    • Upcoming Programs
    • Wisdom Collaborations
    • Previously Offered Programs
    • Cancellation Policy
  • Path Programs
  • Teaching Faculty
  • Resources
    • Insight Journal
    • Bhikkhu Anālayo’s Offerings
    • The Daily Sit
    • Freely Offered Dharma
      • Events
      • Courses
    • BCBS Publishing
    • BCBS Bookstore
    • Access to Insight
    • Dharma Seed
    • Ways to Engage in Social Justice
  • Generosity
    • Donate
    • Recurring Donations
    • Planned Giving
    • Stocks, DAFs, and IRA Gifts
    • Teacher Dāna
    • Volunteer