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Basic Buddhist Teachings 16 - Right Diligence
Dharma is the fourth field of Mindfulness, not only the teachings but also all phenomena, including physical Dharma and mental Dharma. Dharma encompasses 51 mental formations and the objects of the mind such as Contact (the contact between the senses and the object), Perception (cognition), and Attention (mindfulness). Contemplating Dharma means using the breath and mindfulness to illuminate the present object in the mind. This is equivalent to Dharma Selection - one of the seven factors of enlightenment, and relates to the Five Faculties of Mindfulness.
The Buddha taught about many types of realms for contemplation. The 18 realms include six senses, six sense objects, and six consciousnesses, reflecting the nature of the universe. The six elements include earth, water, fire, wind, space, and consciousness. We can also contemplate six other realms: desire, non-desire, anger, non-anger, harm, and non-harm. Vegetarianism is the practice of non-harm, nurturing compassion. The Buddha also taught about three realms: the form realm, the desire realm, and the formless realm, along with two realms: the conditioned realm and the unconditioned realm. Contemplating these realms helps overcome delusion and transform suffering.
Right diligence is a part of the Noble Eightfold Path and is practiced through the Four Right Efforts: preventing unwholesome states that have not arisen, transforming unwholesome states that have arisen, developing wholesome states that have not arisen, and nurturing wholesome states that have arisen. Right diligence must be nurtured with joy and lightness. The Buddha taught about the five faculties and five powers which include Faith, Diligence, Mindfulness, Concentration, and Wisdom. Faith is belief in the path, Diligence is energy, Mindfulness is mindfulness, Concentration is not only in meditation but in all daily activities, and Wisdom is the insight arising from practice.