I dedicate Volume 2 in this series on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of the Aloka Stupa at Peats Ridge in NSW, Australia.

– Venerable Mahinda

DHAMMA

Venerable Mahinda

Click on the cover to view/download the e-booklet

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I dedicate Volume 1 in this series to the memory of my teacher, the late Ven. Dr K. Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Thera, on the occasion of the 15th anniversary since his passing away on 31st August 2006. May he attain to perfect enlightenment

– Venerable Mahinda

BUDDHA

Venerable Mahinda

Click on the cover to view/download the e-booklet

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SUKHO BUDDHANAM UPPĀDO!

Happy is the Birth of All Buddhas.

This is especially important during this period of crisis, caused not only by the COVID-19 pandemic but also by natural disasters such as fire, floods and storms. Prayers alone are not enough to develop the mental resilience and generosity of heart to reach out to others in times of need.
Just as we need to continue to observe physical distancing and physical hygiene to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we need to maintain mental hygiene though our daily practice, to help us overcome fear, worry, anxiety and all the other negative thoughts and destructive emotions that arise in these times of uncertainty. We need to bridge the divides created by lockdowns and social distancing on a local and global scale with wisdom and compassionate love.

The many discourses of the Buddha were taught on different occasions to a diverse array of individuals. When we consider the current global situation, with the increased levels of fear, anxiety and other mental and physical sufferings, we need to recognise how, amongst all the Buddha’s teachings, the teachings on Metta and Mindfulness are so relevant at this time.
Metta, being the antidote for anger or aversion, will enable us to remain calm in times of trouble and not react to adverse situations. As the basis of altruism, the genuine wish for the wellbeing of others, Metta has an important role to play in developing caring and sharing communities that will be able to meet the challenges of our time in constructive and beneficial ways.

Through the cultivation of Metta, one develops the wish for all sentient beings to be well and happy. Many wholesome qualities, including compassion (KARUNA), sympathetic or appreciative joy (MUDITA) and equanimity (UPEKKHA), as well as certain outwardly-expressed qualities which form the basis of rendering service to others¹, will also begin to develop.
At some point, when the urge to reach out to others becomes very strong, the realisation of one’s own limitations will trigger the thought of gaining Enlightenment in order to acquire the knowledge and skills to help beings out of suffering. That is how the process of awakening will start to unfold.

Mindfulness will effectively check our excessive craving and grasping tendencies, which are the root cause of all the stress and tension we experience. It will also generate the wisdom and insights to overcome our self-cherishing habit, arising from our false notion of the self as “I, my, me and mine”, which is the root cause of all human problems.
Together, these two practices will provide us with calmness and insight as well as the presence of mind to deal with any difficult situations that may arise in these challenging times.

Through compassion, the Buddha perfected his virtues² and developed all the necessary knowledge and skills to help others. Through wisdom, he purified his mind from the tendencies of greed, hatred and delusion. That is how he became the All-Awakened One, under the Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya, more than 2,500 years ago.

We are indeed fortunate to be able to receive the teachings of the Buddha and have proper guidance amidst the turmoil and confusion of modern living. We should make good use of this opportunity to sow the seeds of enlightenment in our own hearts and in the hearts of the many. Let us walk in the footsteps of the Buddha with Metta and Mindfulness.

On this occasion of Vesak, we extend our Metta and goodwill to all, through our meditation and prayers.
May all suffering beings be free from suffering.
May all those in sorrow be free from sorrow.
May all those in fear and danger, be free from fear and danger.
May all beings be well and happy!

May the Blessings of the Buddha Dhamma Sangha be with you always.
Happy Vesak to all!

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1. The SANGAHA VATTHU: generosity – DĀNA, pleasant speech – PIYAVACCA, helpful actions – ATTHACARIYA, and unbiased participation – SAMANATTATA.

2. The Ten Perfections (DASA PARAMI): Generosity – DĀNA, Morality – SĪLA, Renunciation – NEKKHAMMA, Wisdom – PAÑÑĀ, Effort – VIRIYA, Patience – KHANTI, Truthfulness – SACCA, Determination – ADHITTHĀNA, Loving-kindness – METTĀ, Equanimity – UPEKKHĀ.

SUKHO BUDDHANAM UPPĀDO!

Happy is the Birth of All Buddhas.

The Buddha is an embodiment of great wisdom and compassion. And wisdom and compassion is what we all need to cultivate, especially during this time of crises. Through wisdom, we will know how to take good care of ourselves, and with compassion, we will be able to reach out to others.

This year, due to the Movement Control Order,  you will not be able to visit temples as usual to make offerings and prayers… Never mind! Take this opportunity to visit your inner temple. The real temple is within your own hearts. 

Remember that there are two kinds of offerings or PUJĀ. There is ĀMISA PUJĀ and PATIPATTI PUJĀ.

ĀMISA PUJĀ is the offering of lights, incense, flowers and so on. It includes all the material offerings. You can still do this during the e-Vesak celebrations with offerings of lights and also make various offerings in your own home.

The second type of offering is called PATIPATTI PUJĀ. It refers to the offering of practice. So, for this year’s Vesak, as we celebrate the Birth, Enlightenment and the Great Passing Away (of MAHAPARINIBBANA) of the Buddha, you should all spend the whole day immersed in the Dhamma. You can do this by practising Metta, loving-kindness, meditation at least twice a day, morning and evening (best would be just before sunrise and sunset), and in between, during the day, you should cultivate mindfulness as much as you can. Watch your thoughts, speech and body actions. Please make an effort to overcome any wrong thoughts, speech and body action with Right Thought, Right Speech and Right Body Actions.

We should understand that the peace and harmony that we pray for – especially at this present time – can only arise when there is peace and wellbeing in our own minds and hearts.  That is why it is so important for us to train our own body, speech and mind to become peaceful. The peace we generate within us will naturally influence those around us, extending to the whole world.

Start the day by paying homage to the Buddha, Dhamma and the Sangha in your own home. If you do not have a proper shrine, you can improvise one. It would be good if you could also get your parents, spouse and other family members to join in. Otherwise, you can do it yourself and think of them as you do.

Make offerings of light, flowers, incense etc. Then bow down three times, paying homage to the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. Go for refuge, by reciting ‘Buddham saranam gacchami…’. Renew your five precepts, or take the eight precepts especially for Vesak Day – it’s up to you.

If your parents are around, pay respects to your parents. Thank them for all the good things they have done for you. Truly express your gratitude to them. If tears well up in your eyes – very good!  Seek forgiveness for anything which you have done that may have hurt or offended them. Then sincerely wish them to have long, health and happy lives. And also tell them not to worry, that you will walk the Dhamma’s path and take care of them in their old age.

If your parents are no more, just think of them and later dedicate merits for their spiritual wellbeing.

You should also rejoice in and appreciate all the attention and care you have received from your teachers and all other family members.

Then, celebrate. Celebrate your own virtues of reverence, humility and gratitude. Rejoice in the goodness of others around you.

After that, sit somewhere quietly and start your meditation.

At the end of the day, after immersing yourself in Metta and mindfulness throughout the day, offer whatever merits you have acquired to the Buddha; to all the past, present and future Buddhas. Make the firm determination that you will continue to grow in the Dhamma’s path, to develop wisdom, compassion and all other wholesome qualities until your final liberation.

Then, pray for blessings, guidance and protection, so that you will have the strength, the courage and the wisdom to overcome whatever problems that may arise by bringing them into your path of practice.

That’s how you should celebrate e-Wesak 2020. Do join us in the following:

1.      6 May 2020 (Wesak Eve) 5.00 pm: Puja and guided meditation by Bhante Mahinda

2.      6 May 2020 (Wesak Eve) 7.00 pm Bodhi Puja led by Sayadaw U Aggana  

3.      7 May 2020 (Wesak Day) 8.00 pm: One-Time One-Heart e-Wesak and Metta Meditation from home follows by Wesak Message from Bhante

May the Blessings of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha be with you all always.

May the pandemic outbreak of the Covid-19 virus be ended swiftly. May all the frontline healthcare workers be blessed and protected. May all those who are directly or indirectly affected by the pandemic be free from harm and danger.

May all suffering beings be free from suffering. May those in sorrow be free from sorrow, and those in fear and danger, may they be free from fear and danger.

May all beings be well, happy and healthy.

Happy Wesak to all!

Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu.