Dose of Wisdom

An apple a day

.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away

A dose of wisdom a day brings Love

Happiness and Laughter our way

***********************************************************

Never argue with a Fool

People may not know the Difference

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Reflections

As I stood by the window
watching the rain ...
A sense of calmness fills me

Pitter patter pitter patter
The rain falls ...

Reminding me of the vulnerability of Life ...
The transience of things
How much the weather can teach us -

This morning, it was sunny ...
And now, it's pouring rain

If I can live my whole life through ...

I want to live my life
With all my heart, my mind and my entire being.

To love, to share, to experience and to enjoy
Life's richness, sadness, laughter, tears and joy
To truly live a life that's my own

And to know that life is but a journey ...

A journey that will take me HOME

************************************************************************

Let's

We're all tired now
And we need to rest
So, Rest

Why the hurry, why the haste?

Why live Life in such a fast pace?

Let's all learn to relax
Let's all learn to slow down our pace
Let's all learn to smell the flowers that bloom and blossom
along our way ...

Let's all learn to be like a child
where there's always song and dance and play

Let's all learn to be like a child
where love, laughter and joy fills our day

Let's all learn to be like a child
Let's all learn to be like a child again

Let's all avoid living life so fast that it slips through our fingers
That we do not know where we are going
Or where we had been

Let's all learn to live life moment by moment

And, when we live life moment to moment

We live each and every moment of our lives ...

*************************************************************************

The World is our Creation

We are the World
What the World Needs Now is Love
Heal the World

We are the ones who Create this world
We are the ones who make this world what it is Today

Forget the past, the past is over
What good is there looking back in the past

Let go, forgive and move on

Our Mother Earth has suffered enough
All sentient beings have suffered enough
We have (ALL) suffered enough

There had been too much anger, too much hate
too much hurt, too much senseless pain
too much sorrows, too much sadness
too much ignorance, too much confusion

It's time for a new Beginning

A new beginning of love, of kindness, of compassion
of joy, of peace, of light and most important of all ...
of WISDOM

Let our Mother Earth suffer no more
Let all sentient beings suffer no more
Let us ALL suffer no more

Let us create a world
a whole new world

That's filled with love, kindness, compassion, joy, peace
and most important of all ...
WISDOM

Only we have the power to make this happen

Only we have the power to heal this world

Only we have the power to make this world a better place
for all sentient beings to live in

And, ONLY WE have the power to bring Love, Kindness, Compassion
Joy, Peace and most important of all ...
WISDOM

Back to this place we call 'Home'
Once Again ...

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My wish for All

Whatever that's bright and beautiful
Whatever that means the most to each and everyone of you
Whatever that brings All of you Happiness

I Wish them All for You

Blue be the sky that's above you
Soft be the ground that's below you
Love be the breeze that blows all around you

And, I pray that ...

Happiness will always be with each and everyone of you ...

A Happy, Loving and Peaceful world living in Harmony ...

Happy New Year Everyone !!! :)

With all my love
Maitre-Light

Reflect On It

Reflect On It :

1) Life - the 'long' and 'short' of it

People say, "Life is short".

I Differ.

How do you define 'short'?

.

What's 'short' to one may be 'long' to another.

.

One man's meat is another man's poison.

.

Life is neither 'short' nor 'long'..

.

Life is.

.

BUT, Life is definitely Impermanent and Uncertain.

.

Realising that life is impermanent and uncertain,

Shouldn't we learn to Appreciate Life?

.

Shouldn't we be Grateful and Thankful to be Alive?

.

Shouldn't we be content with our Life?

.

And, shouldn't we add some meaning to our lives by benefiting others and all beings?

2) Simplicity is Hard To Do

.

.

The simplest thing in life is the Hardest.

Notice how hard it is to smile?

.

OR how hard it is to say " Please" and "Thank You" ?

OR to give way?

Do yourself and the world a favour -

.

Make someone Smile today ....... :)

.

.

.
3) Love, Joy and Peace

Seek NOT Love,

.

BUT simply Be Loving.

.

Seek NOT Peace,

.

BUT simply Be Peaceful.

.

Seek NOT Joy,

.

BUT simply Be Joyful.

4) Dead and Gone, Alive & Ignored

Why do we 'show respect' to the dead when we can't even show respect when they're alive, or to those who are still alive?

Why do we 'give' so much to the dead when we won't even give when they're alive, or to those who are still alive?

Why do we 'act' filial to the dead when we can't even be filial when they are alive, or to those who are still alive?

"Concern about dead people, who are worthless, their assets (body, etc) having all dried up, is not likely to be of much use when compared with concern for the living."

- Venerable Ajahn La

5) Problem = Opportunity


A problem is "Problem' only if we see it as one.

But, when we can look at a problem as an opportunity to Learn,

A problem becomes problem no more.

6) Suffering = Joke.

Life is suffering.

Life is a joke.

That means : suffering is a joke

When we can look at suffering as we would a joke,

And when we can laugh at suffering as we would laugh at a joke,

We suffer no more...... ;)

"Ringggg......." Wakie, Wakie ......

"Ringggg......." Wakie, Wakie ......



The 'end' of the Earth lies not in the hands of God/s, or due to the forces of Nature, but through the foolishness and foolish acts/deeds of humans.


Our Mother Earth is not polluted or sick. It's the Delusioned minds of Humans that are polluted and sick.

( When Human minds are selfish, we waste, we deforest, we pollute the environment through our foolish acts / deeds etc ... Result? Earth becomes polluted / sick )




We complain about other countries polluting us with haze yearly.

Yet, it's 'funny' we Never 'see' that we pollute ourselves with 'haze' everyday : by smoking; and, depending on which Lunar month or day - our constant burning of incense paper etc ...



We are born not to make money; or to make babies; or to eat; or to make friends or enemies.


We are born To Serve, To Help, To Benefit others and all sentient beings, and to make ourselves, and this impermanent and uncertain life of ours a more meaningful one for ourselves and all beings.

How Will We Know?

How will we know? How can we appreciate?


Without Darkness, how will we know Light

Without Disasters, how will we know Humanity and Family.



Without War, how will we know Peace and Harmony

Without Adversity, how will we know Strength and Courage.



Without Obstacles, how will we know Hard work and Perseverance

Without people Hurting us, how will we know Forgiveness, or how to forgive.



Without Hate, how will we know Love / Loving-Kindness

Without Anger, how will we know Patience and Understanding.



Without Cruelty, how will we know Compassion and Kindness.

Without Loss, how will we know to Treasure & Cherish and Impermanence.



Without people who are Arrogant / Egoistic, how will we know Humility.

Without people who are Rude, how will we know Courtesy.



Without people who are Dishonest, how will we know Honesty

Without Sadness, how will we know Joy.



Without Poverty, how will we know Generosity, or what it is to have

Without Hunger and Thirst, how will we know Food and Water.



Without Greed and Stinginess, how will we know Generosity.

Without Taking, how will we know Giving, or what it means to Give.



Without Selfishness, how will we know Kindness and the importance of Sharing.

Without Extremism, how will we know Moderation.



Without False Knowledge and/or Wrong views, how will we know Truth.

And, Without Ignorance, how will we know Wisdom.

Happiness Is

Happiness Is ...

Contentment : When you are so content you have no want for anything.

1) Everywhere - You just have to 'see' it - it doesn't mean everything is perfect -

It means you have decided to see / look beyond the imperfections of life, and see how perfect Life actually is :

"A Beautiful world can only be seen through the eyes of a happy heart."

.

2) Here and Now : Being present every moment.

3) Being at peace with who you are, how you are, what you are despite how little you have

4) Be One with Universe / Nature

5) Meditation

Truths of Life

Truths of Life :



When we have 'A', we want 'B'.

When we have 'B', we want 'C',

Or maybe 'A' again....etc etc ...

So, round and round we go in a vicious Endless cycle -

Like a dog chasing its tail.



We are unhappy because we are not content ( with who we are with, what we have, how much or how little we have etc )

We are not content because we keep craving and wanting for more, and our attachment ( for fame, fortune, status, power, etc )

In the process, we suffer ...

Because we want and crave, therefore we suffer.

We keep wanting and craving because we lack wisdom.

In essence, wisdom will lead us out of suffering.

Wisdom Ends Suffering .....



We can be FREE only if we LET GO

We can LET GO only if we ACCEPT & FORGIVE

We can ACCEPT & FORGIVE only if we know IT DOES NOT MATTER



Actually, a lot of things in life ( eg. fame, fortune, wealth, status, power, possessions, appearance etc ) REALLY DON'T MATTER.



If only we have the wisdom to see this, to know this, to understand this and to realise this ...

In essence, Wisdom will lead us to Freedom.

Wisdom frees Us .....



How do we get Wisdom?

"The Buddha taught the Noble Eightfold path as the WAY to freedom. It has helped me, and I hope it'll help you, too."

By realising that craving, the cause of our suffering is due to lack of wisdom ( Right View / Understanding )

By having Right View, we change our thoughts, speech and actions to one of contentment, unconditional and universal love, kindness and compassion; with no more discontentment, no more craving / attachment, no more anger, no more hate, no more selfishness, no more jealousy ... ( Right Thoughts, Right Speech, Right Action )

We will be transformed to a better, kinder person, and will not want to harm any beings because we are filled with love, kindness and compassion.

By not wanting to harm any being, we'll move towards helping, serving and benefiting all beings ( Right Livelihood )

As a result, we'll constantly make an effort to do good, and to abstain / refrain from evil deeds ( Right Effort )

By consciously making the Effort to do good, it makes us more mindful of our thoughts, speech and action every moment ( Right Mindfulness )

By being Mindful moment to moment, every moment; we start to concentrate ( Right Concentration )

With Right Concentration ( Meditation ), we'll come to have the Right View / Understanding and more Awareness of life and things around us (i.e. Wisdom )

Thus, the cycle of Purification begins, and the cycle of samsara comes to an end.

With Wisdom, we end our suffering and we free ourselves from the cycle of samsara, the wheel of Life.

The Four Noble Truths ( The Wheel of Life ) - THE BUDDHA

The Four Noble Truths ( The Wheel of Life ) - THE BUDDHA

1) Suffering is caused by ...

2) Craving, Desires, Lust, Attachments etc

3) To reach Nibbana we must practice

4) The Noble Eightfold Path



Simply Put :

1) There is Suffering.

2) The cause of suffering is craving / attachment.

3) There is a way out of suffering.

4) The way out of suffering is The Noble Eightfold Path.




THE NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH - THE BUDDHA

1) RIGHT View / Understanding

2) RIGHT Thoughts

3) RIGHT Speech

4) RIGHT Action

5) RIGHT Livelihood

6) RIGHT Effort

7) RIGHT Mindfulness

8) RIGHT Concentration

Food for Thought - Chew On it :

Food for Thought - Chew On it :



1) If there's a god/goddess, and if he/she is all merciful, kind and peace-loving, would he/she want any being to suffer, or to be sacrificed in his /her name, for him/her?


2) When we die, we rot in the soil.

When animals die, they rot in our stomachs.


3) Would you sacrifice your life so that others can eat/live?

Please learn to appreciate, be grateful and thankful to all beings who sacrifice their lives so that we can eat/live.


4) Regardless of who you are, what you are, how you are and where you are (i.e your name, reputation, social status and position) when you are alive,

Please know that when you die, you'll be NOTHING but fertilizer for the soil.

Kalama Sutta / What is Right, What is Wrong

Kalama Sutta


As they were sitting to one side, the Kalamas of Kesaputta said to the Blessed One, 'Lord, there are some priests & contemplatives who come to Kesaputta. They expound & glorify their own doctrines, but as for the doctrines of others, they deprecate them, revile them, show contempt for them, & disparage them. And then other priests & contemplatives come to Kesaputta. They expound & glorify their own doctrines, but as for the doctrines of others, they deprecate them, revile them, show contempt for them, & disparage them. They leave us simply uncertain & doubtful: Which of these venerable priests & contemplatives are speaking the truth, and which ones are lying?'

'Of course you are uncertain, Kalamas. Of course you are doubtful. When there are reasons for doubt, uncertainty is born. So in this case, Kalamas, don't go by reports, by legends, by traditions, by scripture, by conjecture, by inference, by analogies, by agreement through pondering views, by probability, or by the thought, "This contemplative is our teacher." When you know for yourselves that, "These qualities are unskillful; these qualities are blameworthy; these qualities are criticized by the wise; these qualities, when adopted & carried out, lead to harm & to suffering" — then you should abandon them...

'What do you think, Kalamas? When greed arises in a person, does it arise for welfare or for harm?'

'For harm, lord.'

'And this greedy person, overcome by greed, his mind possessed by greed: Doesn't he kill living beings, take what is not given, go after another person's wife, tell lies, and induce others to do likewise, all of which is for long-term harm & suffering?'

'Yes, lord.'

(Similarly for aversion & delusion.)

So what do you think, Kalamas: Are these qualities skillful or unskillful?'

'Unskillful, lord.'

'Blameworthy or blameless?'

'Blameworthy, lord.'

'Criticized by the wise or praised by the wise?'

'Criticized by the wise, lord.'

'When adopted & carried out, do they lead to harm & to suffering, or not?'

'When adopted & carried out, they lead to harm & to suffering...'

'...Now, Kalamas, don't go by reports, by legends, by traditions, by scripture, by conjecture, by inference, by analogies, by agreement through pondering views, by probability, or by the thought, "This contemplative is our teacher." When you know for yourselves that, "These qualities are skillful; these qualities are blameless; these qualities are praised by the wise; these qualities, when adopted & carried out, lead to welfare & to happiness" — then you should enter & remain in them.

'What do you think, Kalamas? When lack of greed arises in a person, does it arise for welfare or for harm?'

'For welfare, lord.'

'And this ungreedy person, not overcome by greed, his mind not possessed by greed: He doesn't kill living beings, take what is not given, go after another person's wife, tell lies, or induce others to do likewise, all of which is for long-term welfare & happiness — right?'

'Yes, lord.'

(Similarly for lack of aversion & lack of delusion.)

So what do you think, Kalamas: Are these qualities skillful or unskillful?'

'Skillful, lord.'

'Blameworthy or blameless?'

'Blameless, lord.'

'Criticized by the wise or praised by the wise?'

'Praised by the wise, lord.'

'When adopted & carried out, do they lead to welfare & to happiness, or not?'

'When adopted & carried out, they lead to welfare & to happiness...'

— AN 3.65

The Kalama Sutta

Do not simply believe what you hear just because you have heard it for a long time, or it has been spoken by the sages, teachers and authorities.

Do not follow tradition blindly merely because it has been practised in that way for many generations.

Do not be quick to listen to rumours.

Do not confirm or accept anything just because it agrees with your scriptures.

Do not foolishly make assumptions.

Do not abruptly draw conclusions by what you see and hear.

Do not be fooled by outward appearances.

Do not hold on tightly to any view or idea just because you are comfortable with it, or that it has been spoken by many, by the teachers, sages or authorities; or that it has been passed down for a long time.

Do not accept as fact anything that you yourself find to be logical.

Do not be convinced of anything out of respect and deference to your spiritual teachers. You should go beyond opinion and belief. You can rightly reject anything which when accepted, practised and perfected leads to more aversion, more craving and more delusion.

They are NOT beneficial and are to be avoided.

Conversely, you can rightly accept anything which when accepted and practised leads to unconditional love, contentment and wisdom.

These things allow you time and space to develop a happy and peaceful mind. This should be your criteria on what is and what is not the truth; on what should be and what should not be the spiritual practice.

**************************************************************

What is right & What is wrong

What is right (good kamma) and what is wrong (bad kamma)

"Rahula, whatever action of body, speech and mind, done deliberately, which creates happiness for yourself, for other people and for other beings, that is called good kamma (right), which helps, which serves, which creates greater peace, happiness, and harmony in this world, This is called good kamma (right).

Whichever that creates more suffering, more pain, more disharmony, and more violence in this world; Whatever that is, that is bad kamma (wrong)."

- The Buddha

What is the right thing to do?

The right thing is the most compassionate thing.

What is the most compassionate thing?

The most compassionate thing is the wisest thing.

What is the wisest thing?

The wisest thing is that which brings or cause no harm to all beings.

The wisest thing is that which when done, creates more love, more kindness, more forgiveness, more peace, more happiness and more harmony to all beings, and the world.

The wrong thing is that which when done, creates and brings about more pain, more suffering, more jealousy, more hurt, more anger, more hate, more unhappiness, more disharmony and cause harm to all beings, and the world.

Metta Sutta

Karaniya Metta Sutta - The Discourse on Loving Kindness



A group of bhikkhus from Savatthi, after each obtaining a subject of meditation from the Buddha, travelled to a place far away and came to a large forest grove, a suitable place for meditation.

The guardian spirits of the trees dwelling in that forest thought that if those bhikkhus were staying in the forest, it would not be proper for them to live with their families in the trees. So, they descended from the trees, thinking that the bhikkhus would stop there only for one night.

But the bhikkhus were still there at the end of a fortnight and it occurred to them that the bhikkhus might be staying there till the end of the rainy season.

They realised that if that was so they and their families would have to live on the ground for a long time. So, they decided to frighten away the bhikkhus by making ghostly sounds and frightful visions. They showed up with bodies without heads, and with heads without bodies, etc.

The bhikkhus were very upset and left the place and returned to the Buddha, and related everything to him. The Buddha told them that this had happened because previously they went without any 'weapon' and that they should go back there armed with a suitable weapon. So saying, the Buddha taught them the entire Metta Sutta, the discourse on Loving-Kindness, as their weapon.

The bhikkhus were instructed to radiate their loving-kindness to all beings that inhabit the earth while reciting the Metta Sutta.

They should harbour no ill-will or fear towards any being.

Thus the bhikkhus returned to the forest grove and did exactly as they were told.

The guardian spirits of the trees, on receiving loving-kindness from the bhikkhus, reciprocated by readily welcoming and not harming them.

They willingly stayed on the ground and so much harmony and peace was generated. There were no more ghostly sounds and ungainly sights. Thus left in peace, the bhikkhus meditated on the body and came to realise its fragile and impermanent nature.



The Benefits of practising, chanting and meditating on the Metta Sutta ........

1) Comfortable Sleep

2) Waking Up Comfortably

3) Not having bad dreams

4) Being loved by all humans

5) Being loved by non-humans

6) Protection by gods

7) Not being subject to danger from fire, poisons and weapons

8) Mental poise

9) Brightness of facial complexion

10) Ability to face death without fear

11) The birth in the Brahma world after death

The Metta Sutta - The Discourse on Loving-Kindness

Karanîya mattha kusalena
He who is skilled in doing good,
Yantam santam padam abhi-samecca
And who wishes to attain that state of calm (i.e. Nibbana) should act thus :
Sakko ujû ca sûjû ca
He should be able, upright, perfectly upright,
Suvaco cassa mudu anatimâni
Obedient, gentle and humble.


Santussako ca subharo ca
Contented, easily supportable (not a burden to others),
Appa-kicco ca sallahuka-vutti
With few duties, simple in livelihood.
Santindriyo ca nipako ca
Controlled in senses, discreet, not impudent;
Appa-gabbho kulesu ananu giddho
Not greedily attached to families.


Naca khuddham samâcare kinci
He should not commit any slight wrong,
Yena viññû pare upava-deyyumso
That other wise men might deplore
Sukhino vâ khemino hontu
May all beings be happy and safe,
Sabbe sattâ bhavantu sukhi-tattâ
May their hearts be happy.


Ye keci pâna bhû-tatthi
Whatsoever living beings that exist;
Tasâvâ thâvarâ vâ anava sesâ
Weak, or strong, without exception,
Dighâ vâ ye mahantâ vâ
Long, stout or medium,
Majjhimâ-rassa-kânuka thûlâ
Short, small or large.


Ditthâ vâ yeva additthâ
Those seen (visible) or unseen (not visible)
Ye ca dûre vasanti avidûre
And those dwelling far or near,
Bhûtâ vâ sambhavesi vâ
Those who are born and those who are to be born.
Sabbe sattâ bhavantu sukhi-tattâ
May all beings, without exception, be happy minded.


Na paro param nikubbetha
Let no one deceive another
Nâti-mannêtha katthaci nam kancin
Or despise anyone anywhere.
Byâro-sanâ patigha-saññâ
In anger or ill will,
Nâññâ-maññassa dukkha-miccheyya
Let them not wish each other harm.


Mâtâ yathâ niyam puttam
Just as a mother would guard her only child
Âyusâ eka-putta-manu rakkhe
At the risk of her own life,
Evampi sabba bhûtesu
Even so towards all beings
Mânasam-bhâvaye apari-mânam
Let him cultivate boundless mind.


Mettañca sabba lôkasmin
Let thoughts of boundless love pervade the whole world;
Manasam-bhâvaye apari-mânam
Above, below and across
Uddham adhô ca tiriyanca
Without any obstruction,
Asam-bâdham averam asa-pattam
Without any hatred, without any enmity.


Tittham caram nisinno vâ
Whether he stands, walks, sits
Sayâno vâ yâva tassa vigata middho
Or lies down, as long as he is awake,
Etam satim adhitthheyya
He should develop this mindfulness.
Brahma metam viharam idha-mâhu
This they say is the Highest conduct here.


Ditthiñca anupa gamma sîlavâ
Not falling into (wrong) views,
Dassa-nena sampanno
Virtuous and endowed with vision (insight),
Kâmesu vineyya gedham
He discards attachment to sensuous desires.
Nahi jâtu gabbha seyyam punaretî ti
Truly, he does not come again; to be conceived in a womb.


Etena sacca vajjena - Sotthi me hotu sabbadâ
By the firm determination of this truth may I ever be well.

Etena sacca vajjena - Sabba rogo vinasatu
By the firm determination of this truth may I be free from illness.

Etena sacca vajjena - Hotu me jaya mangalam
By the firm determination of this truth may peaceful victory be mine!




2nd Version


Karaniya Metta Sutta -
The Discourse on Loving Kindness

This is what should be done
By one who is skilled in goodness
And who knows the path of peace

Let them be able and upright
Straightforward and gentle in speech
Humble and not conceited
Contented and easily satisfied
Unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways
Peaceful and calm, wise and skillful
Not proud and demanding in nature
Let them not do the slightest thing
That the wise would later reprove
Wishing in their hearts in gladness and in safety
May all beings be at ease

.

Whatever living beings there may be
Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none
The great or the mighty, medium, short or small
The seen and the unseen
Those living near and far away
Those born and to be born
May all beings be at ease!

.

Let none deceive another
Or despise any being in any state
Let none through anger or ill-will
Wish harm upon another

Even as a mother protects with her life
Her child, her only child
So with a boundless heart
Should one cherish all living beings
Radiating kindness over the entire world
Spreading upwards to the skies
And downwards to the depths
Outward and unbounded
Freed from drowsiness
One should sustain this recollection
This is said to be the sublime abiding

.

By not holding to fixed or false views
The pure hearted one, having clarity of vision
Being freed from all sense desires
Is not born again into this world

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Ratana Sutta - The Buddha

Ratana Sutta - The Discourse of Jewels


The Power of the Ratana Sutta

Once, a famine broke out in Vesali. It began with a serious drought. There was an almost total failure of crops and many people died of starvation, followed by an epidemic of diseases. People could hardly cope with the disposal of the corpses. The stench of death was everywhere and it attracted evil spirits.

In their grief and sorrow, the people of Vesali tried to seek help from various sources but finally they decided to seek help from the Buddha. So a mission headed by Mahali, the Licchavi prince, requested King Bimbisara to invite the Buddha to pay a visit to Vesali and help them in their distress. Instead the king directed them to personally go and extend the invitation. The Enlightened One knew that his visit would be beneficial to many people, so he consented to go to Vesali.

The Buddha set out for Vesali with a large retinue of bhikkhus. As soon as he reached Vesali, heavy rains fell in torrents, thus cleansing the city. The Enlightened One was put up in a specially prepared rest house. Sakka, king of the Devas, came with his followers to pay homage to him and the evil spirits fled. That same evening the Buddha delivered the Ratana Sutta and requested Venerable Ananda to recite the same sutta while going round the city.

Ananda did as he was told and as the protective verses (parittas) were being recited, many of those who were sick recovered. The Buddha delivered the same Sutta for seven consecutive days. At the end of the seventh day, everything returned to normal in Vesali. Heavy rains cleansed the city of the pollution. The Licchavi princes and the people of Vesali were very much relieved and were overjoyed. They were also very grateful to the Buddha.



The Ratana Sutta


Yânîdha bhûtâni samâ-gatâni
Whatever beings are here assembled,
Bhummâ nivâ yâni va antalikkhê
Whether terrestial or celestial,
Sabbe va bhûtâ sumanâ bhavantu
May every being be happy !
Athopi sakkacca sunantu bhâsitam
Moreover, may they attentively listen to my words.



Tasmâhi bhûtâ nisâmetha sabbe
Accordingly give good heed, all ye beings!
Mettam karôtha mânusiya pajâya
Show your love to humans who,
Divâ ca rattô ca haranti yê balim
Day and night, bring offerings to you,
Tasmâhi nê rakkhatha appamattâ
Wherefore guard them zealously.



Yankinci vittam idhavâ huram vâ
Whatsoever treasure there be - either here or in the world beyond,
Saggêsu vâyam ratanam panîtam
Or whatsoever precious jewel in the heavens -
Nano-samam atthi tathâgatena
Yet there is none is comparable to the Accomplished One.
Idampi Buddhê ratanam panîtam
Truly, in the Buddha is this precious jewel found.
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu
By this truth, may there be happiness.



Khayam virâgam amatam panitam
That Cessation, Passion free, Immortality Supreme,
Yadajjhagâ sakyamunî samâhito
Through concentration, the tranquil sage of the Sakyas realised:
Natena dhammena samatthi kincî
There is nought comparable with that Dhamma.
Idampi Dhamme ratanam panîtam
Truly, in the Dhamma is this precious jewel.
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu
By this truth, may there be happiness!



Yambuddha settho parivannayî sucim
That sanctity praised by the Buddha Supreme,
Samâdhi mânantari kañña mâhû
Is described as `concentration without interruption'.
Samâdhinâ tena samo na vijjatî
There is nought like that concentration.
Idampi Dhamme ratanam panîtam
Truly, in the Dhamma is this precious jewel.
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu
By this Truth, may there be happiness!



Ye puggalâ attha satam pasatthâ
Those eight Individuals, praised by the virtuous
Cattâri etâni yugâni honti
They constitue four pairs.
Te dakkhineyyâ sugatassa sâvakâ
They, the worthy of offerings, the disciples of the Welcome One,
Etesu dinnâni mahapphalânî
To these gifts given yield abundant fruit.
Idampi Sanghê ratanam panîtam
Truly, in the Sangha is this precious jewel.
Etena saccena suvatthi hôtu
By this Truth, may there be happiness!



Yê suppa-yuttâ manasâ dalhena
With steadfast mind, applying themselves
Nikkâmino Gotama-sâsanamhî
Thoroughly in the Dispensation of Gotama,
Te patti pattâ amatam vigayha
Exempt (from passion), they have attained to that which should be attained.
Laddhâ mudhâ nibbutim bhunjamâna
And plunging into the Deathless, they enjoy the peace obtained without price.
Idampi Sanghe ratanam panîtam
Truly, in the Sangha is this precious jewel.
Etena saccena suvatthi hôtu
By this Truth, may there be happiness!



Yathinda khîlô pathavim sito siyâ
Just as a firm post, sunk in the earth,
Catubbhi vâtebhi asampa kampiyo
Cannot be shaken by the four winds;
Tathûpamam sappurisam vadâmi
Even so do I declare him to be a righteous person
Yo ariya saccâni avecca passatî
Who thoroughly perceives the Noble Truths.
Idampi Sanghê ratanam panîtam
Truly, in the Sangha is this precious jewel.
Etena saccena suvatthi hôtu
By this Truth, may there be happiness!



Ye ariya saccâni vibhâva-yanti
Those who comprehend clearly the Noble Truths,
Gambhîra-paññena sudesitâni
Well taught by Him of wisdom deep,
Kincâpi te honti bhusappa mattâ
Although they may be mightily neglectful
Na tê bhavam atthamam âdiyanti
They can never undergo an eighth birth
Idampi Sanghe ratanam panîtam
Truly, in the Sangha is this precious jewel.
Etena saccena suvatthi hôtu
By this Truth, may there be happiness!



Sahâ vassa dassana sampadâya
For him with acquisition of Insight,
Tayassu dhammâ jahitâ bhavantî
Three things are abandoned, namely,
Sakkâya-ditthi vici-kicchi-tanca
Self-illusion, doubt and
Sîlabbatam vâpi yadatthi kinci
Indulgence in (wrongful) rites and ceremonies, whatever there are.
Catû hapâyehica vippa muttô
From the four states of misery, he is absolutely freed,
Cha câbhi thânâni abhabbo kâtum
And is incapable of committing the six heinous crimes.
Idampi Sanghê ratanam panîtam
Truly, in the Sangha is this precious jewel.
Etena saccena suvatthi hôtu
By this Truth, may there be happiness!



Kincâpi so kammam karoti pâpakam
Whatever evil actions he does,
Kâyena vâcâ uda cetasâ vâ
Whether by body, speech or mind.
Abhabbo so tassa paticchâ-dâya
He is not capable of hiding it;
Abhabbatâ dittha padassa vuttâ
For it has been said that such an act is impossible for one who has seen the Path.
Idampi Sanghe ratanam panitam
Truly, in the Sangha is this precious jewel.
Etena saccena suvatthi hôtu
By this Truth, may there be happiness!



Vanappa gumbhe yathâ phussitagge
Like unto the woodland groves with blossomed treetops
Gimhâna-mâse pathamasmim gimhe
In the first heat of the Summer season,
Tathû pamam dhamma varam adesayi
Has the Sublime Doctrine,
Nibbâna gâmim paramam hitâya
That leads to Nibbana, been taught for the Highest Good.
Idampi Buddhê ratanam panitam
Truly, in the Buddha is this precious jewel.
Etena saccena suvatthi hôtu
By this Truth, may there be happiness!



Varô varaññû varado varâharo
The unrivalled Excellent One, the Knower, the Giver, and the Bringer of the Excellent
Anuttaro dhamma varam adesayi
Has expounded the excellent Doctrine.
Idampi Buddhe ratanam panitam
Truly, in the Buddha is this precious jewel.
Etena saccena suvatthi hôtu
By this Truth, may there be happiness!



Khinam purânam navam natthi sambhavam
Their past is extinct, a fresh becoming there is not,
Viratta cittâ âyatike bhavasmim
Their minds are not attached to a future birth,
Te khina-bijâ avirul-hicch
And their desires grow not.
Nibbanti dhîra yathâ-yam padipô
Those wise ones go out even as this lamp.
Idampi Sanghe ratanam panitam
Truly, in the Sangha is this precious jewel.
Etena saccena suvatthi hôtu
By this Truth, may there be happiness!



Yanîdha bhûtâni samâ-gatâni
Whatsoever beings are here assembled
Bhummâ-nivâ yâniva anta-likkhê
Whether terrestial or celestial,
Tathagatam deva-manussa-pûjitam
Salute the Buddha, the Tathagata honoured by gods and men.
Buddham namassâma suvatthi hôtu
May there be happiness!



Yanîdha bhûtâni samâ-gatâni
Whatsoever beings are here assembled
Bhummâ-nivâ yâniva anta-likkhê
Whether terrestial or celestial,
Tathagatam deva-manussa-pûjitam
Salute the Dhamma, the Tathagata honoured by gods and men.
Dhammam namassâma suvatthi hôtu
May there be happiness!



Yanîdha bhûtâni samâ-gatâni
Whatsoever beings are here assembled
Bhummâ-nivâ yâniva anta-likkhê
Whether terrestial or celestial,
Tathagatam deva-manussa-pûjitam
Salute the Sangha, the Tathagata honoured by gods and men.
Dhammam namassâma suvatthi hôtu
May there be happiness!


Etena sacca vajjena - dukkhâ vûpa samentu mê
By these true words may all suffering cease.
Etena sacca vajjena - bhayâ vûpa samentu mê
By these true words may all fears cease.
Etena sacca vajjena - rogâ vûpa samentu mê
By these true words may all diseases cease.


Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Points To Ponder

1) Points to Ponder:


i) We're human before 'labels' separate us.

So are you human, or are you separated?

'Labels' >> Names (Brian/Bryan/Ah Seng), gender (male/female), social status (rich/poor), age (young/old), appearance (beautiful/plain, etc), profession (CEO/Cleaner/Blue Collar/White Collar), race, religion etc...


ii) Politics is about PEOPLE.....

1) People against people;

2) Or, People (working) for people......

So, which is yours?


iii) It is not important what we say our religion is....

What's important is -

Do we PRACTICE it?

* Even if we do practice, are we practising the 'essence' of it -

Every moment from the heart, genuinely from the heart......And that's what's important.

So, are you saying, or, are you practising the religion?

iv) We're not here to judge ..... who's right, who's wrong, who's/what's good, who's/what's bad.....

We 're here to bridge the gap, to create more peace and harmony to this place we call "Home".

So, are you judging, or Are you bridging the gap?