Latest Dhamma Sharing

Five Rewards of Giving

“These are the five rewards of generosity:

1. One is dear and appealing to people at large,
2. one is admired by good people,
3. one’s good name is spread about,
4. one does not stray from the rightful duties of the householder, and
5. with the break-up of the body at death, one reappears in a good destination, in the heavenly worlds.”
   

— AN 5.35

布施的五种效益

「比丘们！有这五种布施的效益，哪五种呢？

一、对众人来说，施者是可爱和富有吸引力；

二、他被善人们赞赏、仰慕；

三、他的好名声传播千里；

四、他有尽到在家人的责任；

五、身体崩解后，他会往生善趣、天界中。

比丘们！这是五种布施的效益。」

《增支部5集35经》

Inner Exploration – 2nd Edition (2020)

• Happiness, Restlessness and Mindfulness

• Retreat Opening Instruction
• The Four-element Meditation
• Contemplation of Feelings
• Contemplation of Feelings (continue)
• Mindfulness
• Summary and clarification
  • 01:10 About Anapanasati
  • 08:28 Four-element Meditation
  • 27:17 Discerning Five Aggregates
  • 33:39 Contemplation of Feelings
  • 44:34 Handling Common Mental States

• Talk 1: Introduction 4 Foundations of Mindfulness / Contemplation of 4 Postures
• Talk 2: Quality to cultivate prior meditation practice
• Talk 3: Dependent Origination, Part 1
• Talk 4: Dependent Origination, Part 2
• Talk 5: Dependent Origination, Part 3
• Talk 6: Dependent Origination, Part 4
• Talk 7: Dependent Origination, Part 5

Radiating good thoughts to help oneself and others.

According to Abhidhamma, our thoughts can directly influence matter, not only within our bodies, but also beyond our bodies.

If we investigate what is happening in the world today, we may become convinced of the frightening possibility that our collective thoughts and actions are affecting the normal balance and rhythms of nature. Climate chaos, global warming, virus, and the repeated occurrence of natural disasters are mainly arising from the corruption in our own minds.

According to Ledi Sayadaw, the well-known 19th-century Burmese scholar-monk, in the manual of Cosmic order (Niyāma Dīpanī), karma can be classified in two ways, as that which affects only ourselves and that which “overflows” its boundaries and affects others (even inanimate things) as well. Indeed, he states, “When men become exceedingly corrupt in thought and deed, all the overflowing course of their karma rushes from this extensive earth up to the orbit of the moon, sun, and stars, antagonizing even the realm of space and the whole organic world of trees, etc.”. Please also see AN IV.70

These words are only a warning of what may come. It is hoped that humankind wakes from its dreams of greed, hatred, and delusion before it is too late. Otherwise we will end up turning the planet into a disaster-zone where life as we know it can no longer exist.

The good news is that if we improve our thoughts, words, and actions, that change will affect not only ourselves but others and the environment as well. For example, if we radiate thoughts of loving-kindness, wisdom, tolerance, compassion, contentment, and gratitude and develop these qualities in our daily lives, we might be able to counter some of the negativity that is creating many of the problems in the world. This would have a healing effect on everyone. The Buddha was known for his tolerance and compassion, emphasizing the importance of developing these qualities in our daily lives.

One meditation practice taught by the Buddha in particular can heal our hearts and minds and act as a balm healing the hearts and minds of others. It is called loving-kindness and compassion meditation (mettā karuna bhāvanā). For this meditation, we sincerely wish others be well, free from all fears, dangers, and free from all suffering.

Such good thoughts will produce many consciousness-born kalāpas. These particles will have a preponderance of fire-element. That fire-element can produce many generations of temperature-born kalāpas, internally and externally. These are manifested as good vibrations or energy emanating from us that have a positive effect on ourselves and others.

Mind leads the world.

The only way to effectively help oneself and others, to improve the world, to heal our wounded planet and save ourselves from destruction, is to radiate thoughts of love, wisdom, appreciation, compassion and gratitude towards all living beings, even to the great Earth itself, which has sustained life for so many generations. We are sisters and brothers in this world. Let’s start radiating good thought to oneself and others before too late.

Sabbītiyo vivajjantu sabbarogo vinassatu,
May all stress be dispelled,  may all disease be destroyed,

mā te bhavatvantarāyo, sukhī dīghāyuko bhava!
may no dangers be for you, may you be happy and live long!

Bhavatu sabbamaṅgalaṁ, rakkhantu sabbadevatā,
May there be every blessing for you, and may all devas protect you,

sabba-Buddhānubhāvena sadā sotthī bhavantu te!
by the power of all the Buddhas may you be safe forever!

Bhavatu sabbamaṅgalaṁ, rakkhantu sabbadevatā,
May there be every blessing for you, and may all devas protect you,

sabba-Dhammānubhāvena sadā sotthī bhavantu te!
by the power of  Dhamma, may you be safe forever!

Bhavatu sabbamaṅgalaṁ, rakkhantu sabbadevatā,
May there be every blessing for you, and may all devas protect you,

sabba-Saṅghānubhāvena sadā sotthī bhavantu te!
by the power of the Saṅghas, may you be safe forever!

By the power of your good deeds, may you be safe forever!

Words of Wisdom by Sayalay Susīlā (written on 28th March 2020)

Happiness, Restlessness and Mindfulness (Video URL: https://youtu.be/BVq_TC8MGZk)

Retreat Opening Instruction (Video URL: https://youtu.be/6qn_7GWDfFc)

The Four-element Meditation (Video URL: https://youtu.be/sl940zQEp8g)

Contemplation of Feelings (Video URL: https://youtu.be/g02qjGDwFLo)

Contemplation of Feelings (continue) (Video URL: https://youtu.be/g02qjGDwFLo)

Mindfulness (Video URL: https://youtu.be/atXT-lNIewU)

Summary and clarification (Video URL: https://youtu.be/u3WQvxldTg4)

01:10 About Anapanasati
08:28 Four-element Meditation
27:17 Discerning Five Aggregates
33:39 Contemplation of Feelings
44:34 Handling Common Mental States

Dhamma And Meditation Program with Sayalay Susīlā @ Thornhill, ON, Canada (02nd & 23rd June 2019)

End Of Suffering (Dvayatanupassana Sutta) – Part 1 (02nd June 2019) Video URL: https://youtu.be/YVheYhQMHlA
End Of Suffering (Dvayatanupassana Sutta) – Part 2 (23rd June 2019) Video URL: https://youtu.be/pWTwncrGpG8