DO YOU REALLY SICK!

The Blessed Buddha once noted:

There are these three kinds of bodily sick people:

One will recover by himself, even without any doctor or any medicine..

One will never recover, even if treated by the best doctor & best medicine..

One will only recover if treated by right medicine and a good doctors advice..

It is for the sake of this last person, that doctors work and medicine is made! 

Similarly with those mentally infected by illness of greed, hate & ignorance!

There are these three kinds of mentally sick people:

One will cure & free himself, even without meeting this Buddha-Dhamma...

One will never be cured, even if taught this Dhamma by the Buddha himself...

One will be cured & freed, if & only if, taught & learning this Buddha-Dhamma...

It is for the sake of this last type of person, that this Dhamma should be shared!

SUNSETS

Yet another sunset towards Death’s domain.
Think not that one will ne’er die.
Inevitable it is
That many sunsets to Death’s lie shall lead!
(Translated from the Myanmar)
U Pandita, 
The Most Venerable Ledi Sayadaw

LIFE AND EMOTIONS

All those who go through life with firm resolve (determination) are those who are not in the habit of indulging their mind (senses). `Going through life without indulging one’s senses’ should be understood to mean `going through life without (yielding to) one’s emotions (or feelings)’.

Today, many people are wending (making) their way through life with much emotion. That is why they tremble (shudder) when they are faced with the good, the bad and the many and varied ways of this mundane world.

So, in converse, it must be understood that all those who go through life with their emotions (feelings) in the forefront are those without any firm resolve (determination) in life.

All those who place their emotions (feelings) in the forefront will be incapable of distinguishing between that which is right and that which is wrong. So, it is an example of having inferior (inadequate) wisdom, is it not? That is why if you consider yourself to be a person who is going through your life with firm resolve (determination), it is necessary for you to try and avoid putting your emotions (feelings) in the forefront. In other words, unlike the habit (nature) of people with inferior wisdom, you should never indulge your senses under any circumstances.

In that way, by placing wisdom in the forefront, you will be able to distinguish between right and wrong and thus lead a worthy life with strong and firm resolve (determination).

24-05-2010

5:00 p.m.

Cittala-taung Monastery,

Pa-Auk Tawya



Do You Really Respect On Buddha?

And the Lord said: "Ananda, prepare a couch facing the mark between these two sal trees, for I am uneasy and wish to lie down." So Ananda did as the Lord asked, and then the Lord lay down on his right side, resting one foot on another in the position of the lion, mindful and clearly conscious. Then suddenly, the two sal trees burst into full bloom out of season and the flowers rained down out of respect for the Tathagata. Celestial blossoms and heavenly sandalwood powder rained down, and heavenly music and voices could be heard, all out of respect for the Tathagata. 

Then the Lord addressed Ananda and said: "Look at these sal blossoms and heavenly flowers, sandalwood powder, music and voices. Yet, it is not like this that the Tathagata is respected, venerated, esteemed, worshipped and honoured with the highest respect. But the monk and nun, the layman and the laywoman, who abide by the Dhamma, walk the way of Dhamma, practise the Dhamma - it is they who respect, venerate, esteem, worship and honour the Tathagata with the highest respect. Therefore, abide by the Dhamma, walk the way of the Dhamma and practise the Dhamma. This is how you should train yourself." ( Digha Nikaya II.137 )

NOBILITY

Only those who are able to relinquish attachments are worthy of being described as "noble."

If the Dhamma (Truth) can be fully realized with intelligence …

If wordly possessions, prestige (rank) and status are not employed to determine one's true worth or ability, i.e., truth.

It can then be said that the virtues/pleasantness of relinquishment have been well comprehended (fully grasped).

In that case, such person is worthy of being (deserves to be) called "noble."

What else is there in the world that is more satisfying (gratifying) than to be seen as a "noble" person?

What else can be there more satisfying in the world than to realize the true meaning of "nobility?"

At this opportune time in this life, may all be endowed with stronger qualities/abilities to make the right choice.

Are you a man?

[Alavaka]

Unknown author

What wealth here is best for man?

What well practiced will happiness bring?

What taste excels all other tastes?

How lived is the life they say is best?

[The Buddha:]

Faith is the wealth here best for man;

Dhamma well practiced shall happiness bring;

Truth indeed all other tastes excels;

Life wisely lived they say is best.

(Alavaka Sutta: Discourse to Alavaka SN 10.12)

Mum!

Unknown Artist

When you were 1 year old, she fed you and bathed you. You thanked her by crying all night long.

When you were 2 years old, she taught you to walk.

You thanked her by running away when she called.

When you were 3 years old, she made all your meals with love.

You thanked her bu tossing your plate on the floor.

When you were 6 years old, she walked you to school.

You thanked her buy screaming, “ I”M NOT GOING!”

When you were 7 years old, she bought you a baseball.

You thanked her by throwing it through the next- door-neighbor's window.

When you were 8 years old, she handed you an ice cream.

You thanked by dripping it all over your lap.

When you are 9 years old she paid for piano lessons.

You thanked her by never even bothering to practice.

When you were 10 years old she drove you all day, from soccer to gymnastic to one birthday party after another.

You thanked her by jumping out of the car and never looking back.

When you were 11 years old, she took you and you friends to the movies.

You thanked her by asking to sit in a different row.

When you were 12 years old, she warned you not to watch certain TV shows.

You thanked her by waiting until she left the house.

When you were 14, she paid for a month away at summer camp.

You thanked her by forgetting to write a single letter.

When you were 15, she came home from work, looking for a hug.

You thanked her by having your bedroom door looked.

When you were 16, she taught you how to drive her car.

You thanked her by taking it every chance you could.

When you were 17, she was expecting an important, call.

You thanked her by being on the phone all night.

When you were 18, she cried at your high school graduation.

You thanked her by staying out partying until dawn.

When you were 19, she paid for your college tuition, drove you to campus carried you bags.

You thanked her by saying good-bye out side the dorm so you wouldn't be embarrassed in front of your friends.

When you were 20, she ask whether you were seeing anyone.

You thanked her buy saying, “Its none of your business.”

When you are 21, she suggested certain careers for you future.

You thanked her by saying, “ I don't want to be like you.”

When you were 22, she hugged you at your college graduation.

You thanked her by asking whether she could pay for a trip to Europe.

When you were 23, she gave you furniture for your first apartment.

You thanked her by telling your friends it was ugly.

When you were 24, she met your fiance and asked about your plans for the future.

You thanked her by glaring and growling, “Muuhh-ther. Pleeeeeeeaaaazzzzeeeee!”

When you were 25, she helped to pay for your wedding, and she cried and told you how deeply she loved you.

You thanked her by moving halfway across the country.

When you were 30, she called with some advice on the baby.

You thanked her bu telling her, “Things are different now.”

When you were 40, she called to remind you of a relative's birthday.

You thanked her by saying you were “really busy right now.”

When you were 50, she fell ill and needed you to take care of her.

You thanked her buy reading about the burden parents become to their children.

And then, one day, she quietly died. And everything you never did came crashing down like thunder on your HEART....

( Unknown Writer )