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Topic Summary

Posted by: Dhammañāṇa
« on: September 28, 2017, 02:28:52 PM »

Some words for the wise who never like to miss a chance to give:

As it is traditional teached to householder as to wait or hope of a blessing, return, even an Anumodana as motivator for you joy, is to dedicate your gift also verbal, share your merits with those able to receive.

Here for example, a short Pali-Stanza is used:

ឥទំ វោ ទានំ ញាតីនំ ហោតុ សុខិតា ហោន្តុ ញាតយោ

Īdaṃ vo dānaṃ ñātīnaṃ hotu sukhitā hontu ñātayo!

May this sacrifies be for (my) relatives, may (my) relatives develope happiness with it!

For what ever you might regard as your relatives for now, it's proper shared for your feeling well with the target of your sacrify all the time.

As for protecting your gift and the possible also a receiver not to take on it, if it's not really dedicated of what his aspiration is, my person gave some explainings here: [Q&A] Details on what may be given as alms (Tips for alms-giving)

To pick out just the suggested dedication, without the maybe usefull explainings around it:

 _/\_

May Venerable Sir/Lady accept this offering of food (or what ever) of mine, and may this be a support for the highest and most compassionate goal he/she strives for and has left home; to become another Arahat soon if not yet, have long live, honor, well-being and strengh, so that he might be an unexcelled field of merits for many, for a long time.


Here my person likes to end the short explaining in regard of gratitude of one who has gone forth for a noble aim, using the refuge of the three juwels for his best protected deliverance.

May those having compassion with possible wrong understood or expressed guidance here, have the goodness and possibility to add or correct them.

Puññassidāni katassa
Yānaññāni katāni me
Tesañca bhāgino hontu
Sattānantāppamāṇaka.


May all beings  —  without limit, without end  —
   have a share in the merit just now made,
   and in whatever other merit I have made.

Ye piyā guṇavantā ca
Mayhaṃ mātā-pitādayo
Diṭṭhā me cāpyadiṭṭhā vā
Aññe majjhatta-verino;


Those who are dear & kind to me  —
   beginning with my mother & father  —
   whom I have seen or never seen;
   and others, neutral or hostile;

Sattā tiṭṭhanti lokasmiṃ
Te-bhummā catu-yonikā
Pañc'eka-catuvokārā
Saṃsarantā bhavābhave:


beings established in the cosmos  —
   the three realms, the four modes of birth,
   with five, one, or four aggregates  —
   wandering on from realm to realm:

Ñātaṃ ye pattidānam-me
Anumodantu te sayaṃ
Ye cimaṃ nappajānanti
Devā tesaṃ nivedayuṃ.


If they know of my dedication of merit,
   may they themselves rejoice,
   And if they do not know,
   may the devas inform them.

Mayā dinnāna-puññānaṃ
Anumodana-hetunā
Sabbe sattā sadā hontu
Averā sukha-jīvino


By reason of their rejoicing
   in my gift of merit,
   may all beings always live happily,
   free from animosity.

Khemappadañca pappontu
Tesāsā sijjhataṃ subhā.


May they attain the Serene State,
   and their radiant hopes be fulfilled.


May all beings become soon and in this very life khmer.

Venerables.

 _/\_  _/\_  _/\_
Posted by: Dhammañāṇa
« on: September 28, 2017, 01:06:06 PM »

As for asking food from your (possible new) relatives , it's no fault. Even if often not that welcome but merely a chance for your relatives.

That is why some might ask you to do not throw Dhamma into public domain, or share it for wordily benefit, but better give it consciously to your begging family members.

And that is why it is not proper to ask in an enviroment where not only family members are around, and/or you are not explicitly invited to approach if you lack of something.

Not to speak of eating on one table with householders, other gender, and potencial restricted members, even share expressions of how delicious the food of others provided tastes giving more and more reason to join the food prepeared of the corpses of your (possible future) family ancestors.

You may faul into debts with the Noble Ones as much as necessary, it will be not for your failing, if headed torward Nibbana and worthy of gift dedicated into the greate unexcelled field of merits.

Debts, but to whom?

Be clear of what family you are already member and/or what family you tend to become a full member.

As a wife might not forget her mother, father, relatives, when leaving her family, but needs to put them on secound or third place, following your man, you are now obligated to your husband (nissaya) new father and mother in law (Sangha), yet only by the means of Vinaya, no blood relatives at this point, to be well protected for your welfare and the prosperity , your final purpose to gain your last birth and ending all depts for this world.

Able to give what is really your own, Bhagavā, rightouse liberal with no strings attached.

Which kind of the seven kinds of wives would you like to be or become?
Posted by: Dhammañāṇa
« on: September 28, 2017, 11:57:11 AM »

To be possible able to walk on, for those seeing their fault and understand "quote liced obi, non liced povi"

For those advocating for more liberality in sharing their attainments:

8. Should any bhikkhu report (his own) superior human state, when it is factual, to an unordained person, it is to be confessed.

For those dare to try to point out the possible faults even of their fathers:

Should any bhikkhu report (another) bhikkhu's serious offense to an unordained person — unless authorized by the bhikkhus — it is to be confessed.

You would do well to lead certain talks in given enviroment for such and be graceful having so long be supported by Devas, tolerating your failures and trust that you will learn. Those householders who tried to guard you with their questions and giving you the food of sharing interest.

It is notonly for your protection but also for the protection of the faith of many why there is less freedom once you make use of the goodness of the Noble One, leaded by the Buddha, and receive the alm of to country for your hopeful Noble quest.

That is all off what a recluse in the tradition of the Noble Ones should be graceful reflecting before using any kind of pre-requisite. Any other gratitude that may arise is torward Mara appearing as Deva right on your side.

Without making debts, you will not be able to walk on, but it is very importand to do not fall into debts that pull you back into the world.

That is the reason why you could break certain promises you might had made , with the blessing of the Noble Ones, yet certain wordily hardship will nevertheless probably arise.
Posted by: Dhammañāṇa
« on: September 28, 2017, 10:38:17 AM »

How and whom do they pay gratitude, if even? Are they graceful for what they get for support of their spiritual life?

Generously answered by Subhuti Bhikkhu on his blog:

How Do Monks Say Grace Before Eating?

Bhikkhu Subhuti  0  September 28, 2017  Interesting Things, Monk Life, Teaching

How Do Monks Say Grace Before Eating?

Do Theravāda monks say anything before they eat? Do they give thanks? Who do they say thanks to? Or is it something else?

Buddhist monks generally do a reflection and chant something before eating. In fact it is said that the monks incurs debt if they doe not reflect before eating. Actually, there are 4 reflections concerning the Four Requisites:

1. Robes
2. Food
3. Lodging
4. Medicine


If the monk does not reflect on these before use (for food and medicine) or at least once daily (for robes and lodging), then he incurs a debt for using the requisites without proper reflection.

So what is the reflection for food?

“Wisely reflecting, I use this almsfood
Not for fun, not for pleasure, not for fattening, not for beautification,
Only for the nourishment and maintenance of this body,
For keeping it healthy,
For helping with the Holy-life,
Thinking thus, “I shall destroy old feelings (of hunger)
And not produce new feelings (of overeating).
Thus there will be freedom from physical discomfort and living at ease.”

There is one more evening chant that is done at my monastery in Sri Lanka

Dependent upon and existing through causes and merely [a combination of
various] elements are both the almsfood and the one who partakes of it; mere
elements, not a being, lifeless, void [of a self/soul]. All of this alms-food is not
loathsome [yet], but having come into contact with this putrid body becomes
exceedingly loathsome.


It sounds a little bit lifeless doesn’t it? However, the goal of Buddhism is to see the to see the impermanent, and suffering nature of everything. We should see that there is no substance that can be called a self. We should go beyond concepts and see only the real ultimate realities. We do this to destroy the view of a self, and to remove craving. At its highest, we wish to have the natural enlightened-passionless personality that only partakes in the functional activities to keep ourselves alive, up and running. In the meantime, if that is the goal, we should point ourselves, and aim in that very same direction. If we do, The Buddha said that it is like the high mountain water that eventually flows into the great oceans.

Leaving all that “cold” stuff aside, we do have warm metta or loving-kindness energy as a central part of our teachings and practice. This is probably to keep us sane in the the process of enlightenment.

We often reflect on the donors who were kind enough to support us with our meal. Surely, this would fit into your view of the traditional “giving thanks.” Usually, we wish loving-kindness (mettā) in the 4 ways to the Four Requisite Donors and the Helpers of the monastery. We also wish loving-kindness to the devas (angelic beings who look after us).

“For our Four Requisite Donors (and helpers)
May you be free from danger
May you be free from Mental Anxiety
May you be free from Physical Pain
May you be happy and well.”


If a donor is present for a monastery meal, we will often give a talk on the cause and effects of making a meal for virtuous monks. I recently spoke to a donor of the Saṅgha meal about virtue, being attracted to monks who wish to follow the rules, and how that will affect him in this very life and in the future. If he becomes a monk he now wishes to become a monk that does not touch money. He never thought that not touching money was possible beforehand because he had never met a monk that followed the basic principle rules that we naturally associate with “monk”. Such monks who do not use money are rare among the hundreds of thousands of monks that live in Myanmar. He once tried to give me some money, but I refused it. He had never seen that before in his entire life.  He wanted to know more about me.  Now he is donating meals instead of money, and many meals too. The purity of the morality of the receiver can help bring greater fruits from the donation. That is why you intuitively know that giving to a sober human beggar who is disabled is better than giving to a drunk beggar or to a dog.  You might not really know how to explain it, but you know. The morality by itself is important, but not as important as what one does with it.

Morality leads to concentration
Concentration leads to Wisdom
Wisdom leads to Enlightenment

When one reflects in this way while giving, it “gives” more power to the donor. It is called a donation that is rooted in Non-greed (generosity), Non-anger (loving-kindness) and Non-delusion (wisdom). The factor of wisdom should always be developed when making a donation. As the monks wish to aim and point ourselves towards the goal. You do too. When you give donations to monks, virtuous monks who wish to practice, you build associations and desires to be that way too. May you soon “eat” the fruits of your donations!

Scroll down near the end to see the reflections at this link here: https://www.ancient-buddhist-texts.net/Texts-and-Translations/Chanting-for-Meditators/00-Daily-1-Morning-Chants.htm

While going for alm, the comment was deleted but was generously send via email with the gift to share it for others elsewhere. Sadhu!

Quote from: via email by Subuti
Please do not comment on pages or social media.  You may share and republish and then comment as you wish.
This makes me tired.  You do not understand the posts and cannot write properly.


Be well.
Bks


On Sep 28, 2017 7:19 AM, "Samana Johann" <anandajoti@gmail.com> wrote:
New comment on your post "How Do Monks Say Grace Before Eating?"
Author: Samana Johann (IP: 203.144.93.107, 203.144.93.107)
Email: samana.johann@sangham.net
URL: http://forum.sangham.net/
Comment:
Sadhu for sharing this word, Bhante. Okasa, that my person adds a little maybe useful. May Bhante correct possible mistakes within this Anumodana:

Maybe it would be worthy to add, that such as blessings, it's a different to give a teaching (anumodana) is actually a later appearence. Blessings will for the most reduce possible merits of the donor, if he takes such in return. In fact the blessing is a merit making by the monk, or a way to lighten his debts it not pure for now.

Originaly the Buddhas disciples didn't gave blessings. There was the situation that wanderers of another sect gave blessings to the donors which leaded them to prefer a giving to them and the Buddhas Bhikkhus had a hard to get alm food. After this was reported by the monks to the Buddha, the Buddha allowed them to give a blessing.

It's actually, especial as a alms begging monk not so easy to survive amoung the todays "other" sects, but it is possible, possible even without blessing. Once, after much patient and careful teachings here and there, donors, even less educated, become real joyful giver, would even reject any that seems to be a blessing, possible even turn to share their merits, dedicate them for the welfare of the receiver by giving him a blessing that he might find the higherst blessing with this paccaya (cause). Doners which turn from poor wishing or trading chance takers to rich Devas and real givers, how ever poor they outwardly may be. That's the only happiness a monk should enjoy when he receives, taking such greatness as a sample for his own goodness to be developed against the grain of the world.

May Bhante, how ever, never fall into the danger of being to proud and feel secure in having gained some good amount of virtue, it not the heart would. It's also a matter of upanissaya of individualls that designs a common appearence and there has to be developed certain understandings for it as well.

Anumodana!

(Either comments are no more wished, or there is a technical problem, if appearing two times, may there be pardon for the test.)


Quote from: An additional gift on his blog, wish out of certain reasons was not displayed there
Please do not comment on pages or social media.  You may share and republish and then comment as you wish.
This makes me tired.  You do not understand the posts and cannot write properly.

Be well.
Bks


Of course it's an insult, but my person will continue to explain.

Once you receive the alms of Devas, Gods and talk with them, know them well, it's good to remember that this is the reason of upanissayapaccaya.

It's seldom.

When one leaves the house he is wise to reject alms of those running after you. It may break your heart and you may feel like a ungreatful selfish ignorant, deriving them of possibilities.

While the break this post, two Devas remind some people, blessed childs encouraging their grandmothers.

The first is blessed with here grandmother, children in Western counties will not easy find such. Intoduced by here devoted grandmother, the about 2 year old girl left here grandmothers guardiance already behind, not even able to falt here hand, palm on palm, she enjoys already the bliss of giving, doing merits totally alone.

The other deva, to scared, about the same age, called her busy grandmother "Ma! Ta!" ("Mommy, the grandfather!") The grandmother was so perplex that she needed to tell all around about the story.

As some others and their child had assamble, kneeing, waiting to receive a blessing, my person told them: "If elders return to us and remind us, it's a blessing and it's good to be very attentive of what younger, those not so gifted or lower seeming people have to tell."

In our ignorance and self-overesteemate we destroy not only our own merits very quick but even whole old traditions, families and cultures.

And you householder that you are gifted to hear this should remember that is not wise to seek just for support of defending what you acctually don't understand for now.

And also in this regard it was said .

Don't be an arrogant fool who thinks he knows already much and avoid what ever is selfsupporting, how ever pleasant and right it seems for you.

Don't forget: You are gifted if you are attentive of not so good spoken words, more then one who seeks for perfections outwardly.

Anumodana!

While the Buddha, Arahats, an those following them, might pardon all your childish thoughts and acts, like a father, Devas and Gods are not free of defilements and their goodness is limited.

It will be hard to walk the holly live in this would without being regarded by Devas and Gods, supported only by the trading men.

Don't be respectless and foolish, even if receiving the most annoying gift of those seeing your blindly running about destroying your own future with the skills you have been gifted.

You will be another slave of this world for a long long time, giving blessing on one side, and take food improper and without grace on the other hand. It's not sure that you are gifted in possessing certain skills, so the wise way is to sacrify them for those who are walking on the path and do not return. In this way you cut yourselt off of the possibility to be pulled back into the world.

It's not easy, but there are no rewards if not giving at first, to do not loose the path for you can not take your possession with you on this tiny way you do not know. Not always are there Gods and Devas guarding you and it's more often that Mara offers the oppotunity to help you carry things, since even he would like to know where all this untouchable are gone to.

Gifted are you householder, gifted young recluse to hear of what the Buddha spoke. Who ever meets the Dhamma, meets the Buddha. Who ever meets the Buddha, meets the Dhamma.

Be not well, Bhante Subhuti but simply do well and take on the risk of simply faith. It's never a loose to left unsecure behind, for it's not sure and wastes previous time.

How gifted you are, even still a householder, to listen to this talk!