The Simile of the Wax Figure and understanding ultimate reality prevents unwholesome mental states.

 "The Simile of the Wax Figure

Take a pure white block of wax, about one viss (1.6 kg).
Place it on the table.
What do people see?
#They_see_a_wax_block

Then let it soften in the sun.
Shape it into an elephant
With beautiful tusks, a royal white elephant.
Now what do people see?
They see an elephant.

If you squeeze and knead it,
#Do_you_find_elephant_or_wax?
You find wax.
Are people seeing wax or elephant?
#They_see_wax_as_elephant
#It's_just_a_shaped_form

What truly exists - elephant or wax?
#Seeing_the_non-existent_as_existent

Then reshape it into a horse.
Knead it again -
#What_truly_exists_horse_or_wax?
People see the horse,
But nobody sees the existing wax.

#This_is_how_consciousness_sees

In truth, is it wax or just visible form (rūpa)?
#Looking_however_you_want_there's_only_visible_form

Don't we wrongly perceive it as:
- Male/female
- Devas/brahmas
- Sons/daughters?
#This_is_wrong_perception

Consider this carefully..."

This simile illustrates how we misconceive reality through wrong perception and conceptualization.

"🌺The Simile of Son/Daughter🌺

When holding what you think is your daughter
And kissing her - do you find a daughter or just a smell?
When holding what you think is your son
And kissing him - do you find a son or just a smell?

#Through_conceptual_thinking:
'My daughter was born!'
'My son was born!'
#This_is_mind-consciousness
#Just_thinking_and_imagining

But when nose contacts:
Daughter or smell?
Son or smell?
Only smell is found - this is nose-consciousness
Isn't there nāma (consciousness)?
Isn't there rūpa (smell)?
#These_are_the_two_realities

Searching for son or daughter:
Can you find them?
#If_not_found_do_they_exist?
What's actually found - son/daughter or nāma-rūpa?
#When_truth_is_known_delusion_disappears

#Looking_with_parent's_eyes_sees_sons_and_daughters
#This_is_conceptual_mind-consciousness

Consider this carefully..."

This simile illustrates how we superimpose concepts of "son" and "daughter" over the ultimate reality of just nāma-rūpa (mind-matter).

🌺The Ear-Door🌺

Who knows nāma-rūpa? Not a person, but magga-sacca.
Which path? (Samādhi path, Venerable Sir)
#One_who_has_samādhi

When someone speaks harshly, insultingly:
#Mindfulness_when_hearing is taught
With mindfulness, what's found?
Just nāma-rūpa:
- Hearing consciousness (nāma)
- Sound (rūpa)
#Only_these_two_are_found

Without learning (sutavā):
When called "thief!" - anger arises
Is anger wholesome or unwholesome?
Does it bring happiness or suffering?
#The_Buddha_taught_not_to_accept_suffering

#Due_to_lack_of_learning_anger_arises
Where does it arise?
#It_arises_taking_things_personally

When investigating:
#Is_there_a_thief_or_just_sound?
When hearing "sound" - does anger arise?
When hearing "thief" - anger arises

Need to distinguish conventional/ultimate truth:
- Hearing consciousness (nāma)
- Sound (rūpa)
#Two_realities

As Mogok Sayadaw taught:
"Ear hears Dhamma, wisdom turns to khandhas"

#When_turned_to_khandhas:
- No "thief" found
- No "dog" found
#This_is_ñāta_pariññā

#To_prevent_rāga_dosa_moha
We must analyze khandhas

What appears: beings
What's found: five aggregates

When this is clearly known,
āsavas of wrong view and ignorance cease.
When suffering truth is known,
āsavas of sensuality and becoming cease..."