Venerable Grandfather
Varado 's blessings via email:
May the merits accumulated by you bring you lasting peace and happiness wherever you are reborn. May you continue to progress in the training. May the future bring you all support and friendship for your physical and spiritual well-being.
As for sangham.net, may it continue as a tool of communication between friends. May it bring happiness to those who hold the Buddha's teachings dear. As for me, I am unable to administer the site, and therefore relinquish it to others. If it moves into decline, no fears. Has the Buddha not made clear the impermanence of conditioned things? How could what is born not die?
Originated phenomena are indeed unlasting, subject to arising and disappearance. Having arisen they cease. Their subsiding is happiness [supreme].
Thank you for publishing my translations. May they bring happiness to the world.
I send my best wishes to Upasika Sophorn, Upasaka Moritz, Upasika Cheav Villa. May they succeed in their practice and may their support of the site bring them much merit.
In celebration, I recite the Mangala Sutta:
Maṅgala Sutta: On What is Supremely Auspicious
Associating not with fools, but with the wise; and honouring those worthy of honour: this is supremely auspicious.
Living in a suitable locality having previously performed meritorious deeds, and having a rightly directed disposition: this is supremely auspicious.
Being one of great learning, being well-trained in a craft and in the code of discipline, and having well-spoken speech: this is supremely auspicious.
Supporting one’s parents, nurturing one’s wife and children, and having an occupation which is peaceful: this is supremely auspicious.
Generosity, living a life of righteousness, assisting one’s relatives, and being virtuous in conduct: this is supremely auspicious.
Shunning and spurning what is unvirtuous, abstaining from intoxicating drink, and being diligent in doing what is righteous: this is supremely auspicious.
Respect, mildness, contentment, gratitude, and timely listening to the teaching: this is supremely auspicious.
Patience, meekness when being admonished, the timely visiting of ascetics, and discussing the teaching: this is supremely auspicious.
Austerity; the practice of celibacy; insight into the noble truths; the realisation of the Untroubled: this is supremely auspicious.
One whose mind does not tremble when touched by the [eight] worldly conditions, being free of grief and spiritual defilement, and who has reached safety from [the danger of] bondage [to individual existence]: this is supremely auspicious.
Having cultivated such things, those who are everywhere undefeated by Māra’s army go everywhere in safety: this for them is supremely auspicious
Sadhu, Sadhu
Maybe Venerable Grandfather
Varado might have it understood wrong. Venerable Grandfather and his near near and far fellows in the modern western world are given to make use of the given possibilities toward highest release so that those relaying on given in faith can meet each other often and help each other in encouragements and that your faithfull follower have possibilities to get in touch with your Sanghas, aside of trade and in an enviroment not pulling them into the nets of the world, make merits of the ten kinds with own effort in strange of mind, speech and body.
It's not so, that you should think to have been given a burden or a task to maintain or entertain, but simply a proper condition that you may also let, out of compassion, others to what is of long time benefit for them on a good, best avaliable field.
As for long lasting: the more and often the Bhikkhus meet each other, as long as wise provide with the possibility that they can, long lasting can be expected.
It's not a gift of burden but of release and freedom, the sphere of condition that parents and elders give to those having come in bond. It's a gift toward former relatives, well placed in the Sangha of the Buddha of many living far from their former beloved.
May the Venerables make proper use, out of compassion, in what ever way they wish, with this Sanghadana toward the western modern worlds children and grandchildren of the Buddhas heritage.
The Venerables only task isn't administer but to use the given in faith to keep the track virtual for the world by walking it to the final releasing stage, not a little more, and make use of only given for releasing purpose.
There might be younger and it-skilled fellows of your who may feel inspired and who would fast understand the technical things and help the elders with means of given and independency, access, looking after sharing email account, storeplaces, face and paccaya for dwelling and meeting in this realm.
It's a world unique here and maybe it wouldn't stay to be the only one of it's kind, dedicated toward sublime, given and free of need of remorse to access for those with the right aspiration and devotion.
No need to fear that those following the given track lack on support or left alone in the middle of the deep forest.
There is no reason to worry about elders and parents, those going in front or having gone the track before.
mudita
* Johann : Ven. Gandfather, as for "If it moves into decline, no fears. Has the Buddha not made clear the impermanence of conditioned things? How could what is born not die?", that is not very skilful and not the way the Buddha talk his disciples to encourage when receiving a gift for the Sangha. May Bhante be remind that it is impossible that merits not minimum purified on one side happen in this domain and that all those are headed toward the dethless, lasting real happiness. It's not good to throw away the raft before crossing or in the middle of tbe stream or to nurish such thoughts and again, not a single giver bere fears that his gifts are not the most lasting sacrifies. Just to inform those new touched proper.
First Things First and
Sensitivity through generosity are very useful teachings here in this fundamental basic's regard. No need to deal with means maybe necessary in outer lands to attract effortlessness.
* Johann: Original post restored, after edits by Grandfather Varado