# Fear (Bhaya) / Cowardliness (Bhīrū) ## Where Fear Comes From? ![[Dhp - 16. Piyavagga#Notes]] ### Defect in Conduct leads to Fear > [!NOTE] Defect in Conduct -> Fear — In Bhayabheravasutta ([MN4](https://suttacentral.net/mn4/en/sujato)) > Before my awakening—when I was still unawakened but intent on awakening—I too thought, > > _Mayhampi kho, brāhmaṇa, pubbeva sambodhā anabhisambuddhassa bodhisattasseva sato etadahosi:_ > > ‘Remote lodgings in the wilderness and the forest are challenging. It’s hard to maintain seclusion and hard to find joy in solitude. > > _‘durabhisambhavāni hi kho araññavanapatthāni pantāni senāsanāni, dukkaraṁ pavivekaṁ, durabhiramaṁ ekatte,_ > > The forests seem to rob the mind of a mendicant who isn’t immersed in samādhi.’ > _haranti maññe mano vanāni samādhiṁ alabhamānassa bhikkhuno’ti._ > > Then I thought, > _Tassa mayhaṁ, brāhmaṇa, etadahosi:_ > > ‘There are ascetics and brahmins with **unpurified conduct of body, speech, and mind** who frequent remote lodgings in the wilderness and the forest. Those ascetics and brahmins **==summon unskillful fear and dread because of these defects in their conduct==**. > > _‘ye kho keci samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā **aparisuddhakāyakammantā** araññavanapatthāni pantāni senāsanāni paṭisevanti, aparisuddhakāyakammantasandosahetu have te bhonto samaṇabrāhmaṇā **akusalaṁ bhayabheravaṁ** avhāyanti._ > > But I don’t frequent remote lodgings in the wilderness and the forest with unpurified conduct of body, speech, and mind. > _Na kho panāhaṁ aparisuddhakāyakammanto araññavanapatthāni pantāni senāsanāni paṭisevāmi;_ > > My conduct is purified. > _parisuddhakāyakammantohamasmi._ > > --- > ... (Buddha went on to explain the same about **unpure livelihood, jealousy, ill will, drowsiness, restless, doubts, and many more.**) ## Cowardice — Part of the 10 Armies of Māra ![[Snp3.2 Padhānasutta#^10-armies]] ## How Buddha Vanquished Fear ### By Facing them > [!tip] Buddha Faced his Fears — In Bhayabheravasutta ([MN4](https://suttacentral.net/mn4/en/sujato)) > Then I thought, > _Tassa mayhaṁ, brāhmaṇa, etadahosi:_ > > ‘Why do I always meditate expecting that fear to come? > _‘kiṁ nu kho ahaṁ aññadatthu bhayapaṭikaṅkhī viharāmi?_ > > Why don’t I **get rid of that fear and dread just as it comes**, while **remaining just as I am**?’ > > _Yannūnāhaṁ yathābhūtaṁ yathābhūtassa me taṁ bhayabheravaṁ āgacchati, tathābhūtaṁ tathābhūtova taṁ bhayabheravaṁ paṭivineyyan’ti._ > > **(1)** Then that fear and dread came upon me as I was walking. > _Tassa mayhaṁ, brāhmaṇa, caṅkamantassa taṁ bhayabheravaṁ āgacchati._ > > **I didn’t stand still or sit down or lie down until I had got rid of that fear and dread while walking**. > _So kho ahaṁ, brāhmaṇa, neva tāva tiṭṭhāmi na nisīdāmi na nipajjāmi, yāva caṅkamantova taṁ bhayabheravaṁ paṭivinemi._ > > **(2)** Then that fear and dread came upon me as I was standing. > _Tassa mayhaṁ, brāhmaṇa, ṭhitassa taṁ bhayabheravaṁ āgacchati._ > > **I didn’t walk or sit down or lie down until I had got rid of that fear and dread while standing**. > _So kho ahaṁ, brāhmaṇa, neva tāva caṅkamāmi na nisīdāmi na nipajjāmi. Yāva ṭhitova taṁ bhayabheravaṁ paṭivinemi._ > > **(3)** Then that fear and dread came upon me as I was sitting. > _Tassa mayhaṁ, brāhmaṇa, nisinnassa taṁ bhayabheravaṁ āgacchati._ > > **I didn’t lie down or stand still or walk until I had got rid of that fear and dread while sitting**. > _So kho ahaṁ, brāhmaṇa, neva tāva nipajjāmi na tiṭṭhāmi na caṅkamāmi, yāva nisinnova taṁ bhayabheravaṁ paṭivinemi._ > > **(4)** Then that fear and dread came upon me as I was lying down. > _Tassa mayhaṁ, brāhmaṇa, nipannassa taṁ bhayabheravaṁ āgacchati._ > > **I didn’t sit up or stand still or walk until I had got rid of that fear and dread while lying down**. > _So kho ahaṁ, brāhmaṇa, neva tāva nisīdāmi na tiṭṭhāmi na caṅkamāmi, yāva nipannova taṁ bhayabheravaṁ paṭivinemi._ ### "Who Care If I Die!?" ![[Snp3.2 Padhānasutta#^what-if-i-die]] ## Notes - (Vilas) [[(2023-04-28) Meeting on Jealousy and Fear!!]] ## Suttas - [[Dhp - 16. Piyavagga]] - What brings sorrow and fear? - [[Snp3.2 Padhānasutta]] - How Buddha vanquished fear - MN4 Bhayabheravasutta ([link](https://suttacentral.net/mn4/en/sujato)) - Buddha on what brings Fear (e.g. unpurified conduct) and how he vanquished them!