As You
Let go
Of control
And are no longer
Frozen in time
The joy of your being
Will return like the serenity of nature
Melting mountain snow
To be once again
In the spring
Of the
Eternal
Flow
For
Forever
Frets not
To and fro
As it is only love which it knows
And in your silence
It is there
Where you
Will
Go
~ Silent lotus
Here’s a beautiful lovingkindness chant from the Theravadin tradition that I first came across while on retreat at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts.
This kind of chant can be a meditation in its own right. As you learn the meaning it becomes a series of reflections and aspirations which help retrain the mind. Even when you don’t understand the meaning fully it can be a mindfulness practice which helps us develop calm and focus. And also, as long as you’re chanting these Pali words you won’t be doing so much of that tiresome thinking that causes worry, stress, anger, etc.
It comes with a very pleasant lilting tune, and here is a version of the traditional Pali chant, by the Venerable Ariya Ñana.
http://www.wildmind.org/audio/Ariya-Nani-metta-chant.mp3
And as an added bonus, here’s a modern setting of the metta chant by Imee Ooi, a self-taught composer and arranger who is classically trained in piano and has done numerous musical works for television networks in and out of Malaysia.
http://www.wildmind.org/audio/metta.mp3
Aham avero homi May I be free from enmity and danger
abyapajjho homi May I be free from mental suffering
anigha homi May I be free from physical suffering
sukhi attanam pariharami May I take care of my own happiness
Mama matapitu May my parents
acariya ca natimitta ca teacher, family, and friends
sabrahmacarino ca fellow Dhamma farers
avera hontu be free from enmity and danger
abyapajjha hontu be free from mental suffering
anigha hontu be free from physical suffering
sukhi attanam pariharant may they take care of their own happiness
Imasmim arame sabbe yogino May all meditators in this place
avera hontu be free from enmity and danger
abyapajjha hontu be free from mental suffering
anigha hontu be free from physical suffering
sukhi attanam pariharantu May they take care of their own happiness
Imasmim arame sabbe bhikkhu May all monks in this place
samanera ca and novice monks
upasaka – upasikaya ca laymen and laywomen disciples
avera hontu be free from enmity and danger
abyapajjha hontu be free from mental suffering
anigha hontu be free from physical suffering
sukhi – attanam pariharantu May they take care of their own happiness
Amhakam catupaccaya – dayaka May our donors of the four supports: clothing, food, medicine and lodging
avera hontu be free from enmity and danger
abyapajjha hontu be free from mental suffering
anigha hontu be free from physical suffering
sukhi – attanam pariharantu May they take care of their own happiness
Amhakam arakkha devata May our guardian devas
Ismasmim vihare in this monastery
Ismasmim avase in this dwelling
Ismasmim arame in this compound
arakkha devata May the guardian devas
avera hontu be free from enmity and danger
abyapajjha hontu be free from mental suffering
anigha hontu be free from physical suffering
sukhi – attanam pariharantu may they take care of their own happiness
Sabbe satta May all beings
sabbe pana all breathing things
sabbe bhutta all creatures
sabbe puggala all individuals (all beings)
sabbe attabhava – pariyapanna all personalities (all beings with mind and body)
sabbe itthoyo may all females
sabbe purisa all males
sabbe ariya all noble ones (awakened beings)
sabbe anariya all worldlings (those yet to attain awakening)
sabbe deva all devas (deities)
sabbe manussa all humans
sabbe vinipatika all those in the woeful planes
avera hontu be free from enmity and dangers
abyapajjha hontu be free from mental suffering
anigha hontu be free from physical suffering
sukhi attanam pariharantu may they take care of their own happiness
Dukkha muccantu May all being be free from suffering
Yattha-laddha-sampattito mavigacchantu May whatever they have gained not be lost
Kammassaka All beings are owners of their own Kamma
Purathimaya disaya in the eastern direction
pacchimaya disaya in the western direction
uttara disaya in the northern direction
dakkhinaya disaya in the southern direction
purathimaya anudisaya in the southeast direction
pacchimaya anudisaya in the northwest direction
uttara anudisaya in the northeast direction
dakkhinaya anudisaya in the southwest direction
hetthimaya disaya in the direction below
uparimaya disaya in the direction above
Sabbe satta May all beings
sabbe pana all breathing things
sabbe bhutta all creatures
sabbe puggala all individuals (all beings)
sabbe attabhava – pariyapanna all personalities (all beings with mind and body)
sabbe itthoyo may all females
sabbe purisa all males
sabbe ariya all noble ones (awakened beings)
sabbe anariya (those yet to attain awakening)
sabbe deva all devas (deities)
sabbe manussa all humans
sabbe vinipatika all those in the woeful planes
avera hontu be free from enmity and dangers
abyapajjha hontu be free from mental suffering
anigha hontu be free from physical suffering
sukhi attanam pariharantu may they take care of their own happiness
Dukkha muccantu May all beings be free from suffering
Yattha-laddha-sampattito mavigacchantu May whatever they have gained not be lost
Kammassaka All beings are owners of their own kamma
Uddham yava bhavagga ca As far as the highest plane of existence
adho yava aviccito to as far down as the lowest plane
samanta cakkavalesu in the entire universe
ye satta pathavicara whatever beings that move on earth
abyapajjha nivera ca may they be free of mental suffering and enmity
nidukkha ca nupaddava and from physical suffering and danger
Uddham yava bhavagga ca As far as the highest plane of existence
adho yava aviccito to as far down as the lowest plane
samanta cakkavalesu in the entire universe
ye satta udakecara whatever beings that move on water
abyapajjha nivera ca may they be free of mental suffering and enmity
nidukkha ca nupaddava and from physical suffering and danger
Uddham yava bhavagga ca As far as the highest plane of existence
adho yava aviccito to as far down as the lowest plane
samanta cakkavalesu in the entire universe
ye satta akasecara whatever beings that move in air
abyapajjha nivera ca may they be free of mental suffering and enmity
nidukkha ca nupaddava and from physical suffering and danger.
Source: http://www.wildmind.org
A Buddhist Memorial Service for the late upasaka Soy Oung, presided by the Maha Thera Sovannathera Hong Huy and Maha Thera Pañapadipo Sophal Pat Wat Ratanarangsey, Revere, Massachusetts United States of America, Saturday the 2nd Waning Moon of Āsāḷha B.E.2556, August 4, A.D.2012 Year of the Dragon
What makes the lotus flower so special?
The lotus flower is one of the most ancient and deepest symbols of our planet. The lotus flower grows in muddy water and rises above the surface to bloom with remarkable beauty. At night the flower closes and sinks underwater, at dawn it rises and opens again. Untouched by the impurity, lotus symbolizes the purity of heart and mind. The lotus flower represents long life, health, honor and good luck.
The lotus (Sanskrit and Tibetan padma) is one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols and one of the most poignant representations of Buddhist teaching.
The roots of a lotus are in the mud, the stem grows up through the water, and the heavily scented flower lies pristinely above the water, basking in the sunlight. This pattern of growth signifies the progress of the soul from the primeval mud of materialism, through the waters of experience, and into the bright sunshine of enlightenment.
Though there are other water plants that bloom above the water, it is only the lotus which, owing to the strength of its stem, regularly rises eight to twelve inches above the surface.
According to the Lalitavistara, “the spirit of the best of men is spotless, like the lotus in the muddy water which does not adhere to it.”
According to another scholar, “in esoteric Buddhism, the heart of the beings is like an unopened lotus: when the virtues of the Buddha develop therein, the lotus blossoms; that is why the Buddha sits on a lotus bloom.”
The lotus is one of Buddhism’s best recognized motifs and appears in all kinds of Buddhist art across all Buddhist cultures. Scrolling lotuses often embellish Buddhist textiles, ceramics and architecture. Continue reading
• What is Buddhism?
Buddhism is a religion to about 300 million people around the world. The word comes from ‘budhi’, ‘to awaken’. It has its origins about 2,500 years ago when Siddhartha Gotama, known as the Buddha, was himself awakened (enlightened) at the age of 35.
• Is Buddhism a Religion?
To many, Buddhism goes beyond religion and is more of a philosophy or ‘way of life’. It is a philosophy because philosophy ‘means love of wisdom’ and the Buddhist path can be summed up as:
(1) to lead a moral life,
(2) to be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions, and
(3) to develop wisdom and understanding.
• How Can Buddhism Help Me?
Buddhism explains a purpose to life, it explains apparent injustice and inequality around the world, and it provides a code of practice or way of life that leads to true happiness.
• Why is Buddhism Becoming Popular?
Buddhism is becoming popular in western countries for a number of reasons, The first good reason is Buddhism has answers to many of the problems in modern materialistic societies. It also includes (for those who are interested) a deep understanding of the human mind (and natural therapies) which prominent psychologists around the world are now discovering to be both very advanced and effective.
• Who Was the Buddha?
Siddhartha Gotama was born into a royal family in Lumbini, now located in Nepal, in 563 BC. At 29, he realised that wealth and luxury did not guarantee happiness, so he explored the different teachings religions and philosophies of the day, to find the key to human happiness. After six years of study and meditation he finally found ‘the middle path’ and was enlightened. After enlightenment, the Buddha spent the rest of his life teaching the principles of Buddhism — called the Dhamma, or Truth — until his death at the age of 80.
• Was the Buddha a God?
He was not, nor did he claim to be. He was a man who taught a path to enlightenment from his own experience.
• Do Buddhists Worship Idols?
Buddhists sometimes pay respect to images of the Buddha, not in worship, nor to ask for favours. A statue of the Buddha with hands rested gently in its lap and a compassionate smile reminds us to strive to develop peace and love within ourselves. Bowing to the statue is an expression of gratitude for the teaching.
Continue reading
