Friday, March 14, 2014

What made the Bodhisatta seek Enlightenment?


Sitting in his upper chamber the immensely rich young brahmin Sumedha thought like this:

Not seeking Purity:
When a man soiled in dirt sees a pure lotus covered lake, but does not seek it to get a clean bath,
it is not an error of the lake, but a fault of the dirty man...
Even and exactly so: When there is the great lake of the deathless
Nibbāna capable of purifying
all the mental defilements, yet it is not being sought by the mentally polluted being, then it is not
an error of this immortal state, but a fatal fault of the mentally contaminated human being...
Neglecting the Way:
When a man surrounded by robbers does not flee, though there is a possible way to escape, then it
is not an error of this open way, but a fault of the man neglecting to break free by this road...
Even and exactly so: When there is this blessed
Noble 8-fold Way leading straight to absolute
freedom, yet it is not being used, then is not an error of this supreme method, but a fault of the
man failing to follow, clear and develop this ancient path...
Rejecting the Doctor:
When a seriously sick man does not seek the help of the doctor, who knows the effective cure,
then is neither a fault of the doctor nor of the medical treatment, but a mistake of the sick man!
Even and exactly so: When there is this sublime
Teacher, who can cure all mental diseases & thereby
allay all frustration and pain, yet he is not being sought, then - indeed - it is not a fault of this guide,
but a grave error of anyone mentally unhealthy and defiled and thus prone for downfall... 

These thoughts made the young man give away all his richness and become recluse in Himalaya:

Sumedha's Similes..
Have a nice & noble day!
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Friendship is the Greatest! Bhikkhu Samāhita _/\_ ]
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Metta Means Most!


As I am, so are others...
As others are, so am I...
Having thus identified self and others,
Never Harm anyone, nor have any abused.
Sutta Nipata 3.710


Among tigers, lions, leopards & bears I lived in the jungle.
No one was frightened of me, nor did I fear anyone.
Uplifted by such universal friendliness, I enjoyed the forest.
Finding great solace in such sweetly silenced solitude…
Suvanna-sama Jataka 540


I am a friend of the footless,
I am a friend of all bipeds,
I am a friend of those with four feet,
I am a friend of the many-footed!
Anguttara Nikaya 4.67


May all creatures, all breathing things,
all beings one and all, without exception,
experience good fortune only.
May they not fall into any harm.
Anguttara Nikaya II, 72

Panda clings to saving Chinese Policeman after forest-fire :-) 

Train yourself in doing good
that lasts and brings happiness.
Cultivate generosity, the life of peace,
and a mind of infinite universal love.
Itivuttaka 22


With good will for the entire cosmos,
cultivate a limitless heart & mind:
Beaming above, below, & all around,
unobstructed, without trace of hostility.
Sutta Nipata I, 8


He who does not punish nor makes others punish,
He who steals not nor makes others steal,
who friendly shares with all that lives,
finds enmity with none.
Itivuttaka 27


Let no one deceive another
or despise anyone anywhere,
or through anger or irritation
wish for another to suffer.
Sutta Nipata I, 8


For one who deliberately & aware
develops Universal Friendliness
Seeing the fading away of clinging,
All chains are worn down & broken.
Itivuttaka 27


Overcome the angry by friendliness;
overcome the wicked by goodness;
overcome the miser by generosity;
overcome the liar by truth.
Dhammapada 223


Who is hospitable, open and friendly,
Generous, gentle and unselfish,
A guide, an instructor, a leader,
Such a one to honour may attain.
Digha Nikaya 31


The friend who is a helper and comrade,
the friend in both good and bad times,
the friend who gives good advice,
the friend who never despises,
these four as friends the clever keep
and cherish with pure devotion
as does a mother her only son.
Digha Nikaya 31


Having killed anger you sleep in ease.
Having killed anger you do not grieve.
The noble ones praise the slaying of anger
-- with its honeyed crest & poison root --
for having killed it you do not grieve.
Samyutta Nikaya II, 70


Knowing that the other person is angry,
one who remains mindful and calm
acts for his own best interest
and for the other's interest, too.
Samyutta Nikaya I, 162


Train yourself in doing only good
that lasts and brings great happiness.
Cultivate generosity, a peaceful living,
and a mentality of infinite friendliness.
Itivuttaka 16


Solitude is happiness for one who is content,
who has heard the Dhamma and clearly sees.
Non-violence is happiness in this world:
Harmlessness towards all living beings.
Udana 10

Have a nice & noble day!
signature.pic
Friendship is the Greatest! Bhikkhu Samāhita _/\_ ]
http://What-Buddha-Said.net