Monday, December 31, 2012

Meditating-in the New Year (video)

Ashley Wells, Seth Auberon, Wisdom Quarterly
Buddha under a fiery Bodhi tree as Mara and yakkhas attack (manicksorcar.com)

Buddhist New Year's celebration with shamans in Far East Russian Buryatia (Sky News)
   
Bye-bye 2012 mudra
To meditate or ring in the New Year? Dating a person from Asia, I learned a momentous thing: I was assured that it is a well known and ancient belief that what one does on New Year's Day that is what one will be doing for the year. It makes sense.
 
We're always trying to be happy. So we try to be happiest on New Year's eve. But what we think is happy is sometimes nothing more than excess and avoiding. What if there were a way to meditate-in the New Year?

Bangkok (torchrelay.beijing2008.cn)
There is. Los Angeles has three specific opportunities and an uncounted number of US temples that will be visited tonight and tomorrow morning.

SHAMBHALA will hold an open sit from 4:00 pm to midnight. It's not eight hours of straight sitting. There's a celebratory dinner, a video by the "Sakyan" (Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche's son and heir), walking, and lots of socializing.

AGAINST THE STREAM is following tradition with its New Year's eve "Intention Setting" ceremony. It begins in Santa Monica, ends early, and is repeated in Hollywood on Melrose, which goes into the New Year. There are helicopters, gunfire, fireworks, and a humorous stream of intentions said aloud as candles are lit and Noah Levine gives an encouraging talk.

SELF REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP also holds its annual welcoming the New Year meditation in Glendale in honor of founder Pramahansa Yogananda, Babajii, and the saints of all religions.

Three and Eight Liberations

Wisdom Quarterly based on Ven. Nyanatiloka Mahathera, A Buddhist Dictionary: A Manual of Pali Terms and Buddhist Doctrines (vimokkha)


LIBERATION (vimokkha): deliverance, emancipation, freedom from suffering; enlightenment; awakening.
 
I. The three liberations are: 1. the conditionless or signless (no nimitta) liberation, 2. the desireless liberation, and 3. the emptiness or void liberation (shuññatá-vimokkha). 
 
They are also called "the triple gateway to liberation" (vimokkha-mukha; Path of Purification XXI, 66ff) because they are three different approaches to the paths of enlightenment.
 
1. "Whosoever, being filled with determination, reflects that all formations are radically impermanent, such a person attains the conditionless liberation. 

2. Whosoever, being filled with tranquility, reflects that all formations are painful, such a person attains the desireless liberation. 

3. Whosoever, being filled with wisdom, reflects that all formations are without a self, such a person attains the emptiness liberation" (Path of Purification XXI, 70 = Pts.M. II, p. 58).
  
(1) and (2) are mentioned and explained in the Middle Length Discourses (MN 43) under the name of deliverances of mind (ceto-vimutti), and (2) and (3) appear in Dhs. (344ff, 353ff) in the section on supermundane consciousness (see Atthasálini Tr., p. 299ff).
  
II. The EIGHT LIBERATIONS occur frequently in the texts (A. VIII, 66; DN 16, etc.) and are described as follows:
 
[The Buddha:] "There are eight liberations, O meditators. What are they?
 
(1) ''While remaining in the Fine-Material Sphere, one perceives corporeal forms: this is the first liberation.
 
(2) "Not perceiving corporeal forms on one's own person, one perceives corporeal forms externally: this is the second liberation.
  
(3) ''By thinking of the beautiful, one is filled with confidence: this is the third liberation.
   .
(4) "Through the total overcoming of the corporeality-perceptions, the vanishing of the reflex-perceptions, and the non-attention to the multiformity-perceptions, with the idea 'Unbounded is space,' one reaches the plane of boundless space and abides therein: this is the fourth liberation.
 
(5) "Through the total overcoming of the sphere of boundless space, and with the idea 'Unbounded is consciousness,' one reaches the plane of boundless consciousness and abides therein: this is the fifth liberation.
 
(6) "Through the total overcoming of the plane of unbounded consciousness, and with the idea 'Nothing is there,' one reaches the plane of nothingness (ákiñeaññ-áyatana) and abides therein: this is the sixth liberation.
 
(7) "Through the total overcoming of the plane of nothingness, one reaches the plane of neither-perception-nor-non-perception and abides therein: this is the seventh liberation.
  
(8) "Through the total overcoming of the plane of neither-perception-nor-non-perception, one reaches the extinction of perception and sensation: this is the eighth liberation.
 
"These, O meditators, are the eight kinds of liberation."
 
For (1-3), see abhibháyatana; for (4-7), see jhána; for (8), see nirodha-samápatti.
 
By (3) is meant the attainment of the Fine-Material Sphere absorptions (jhánas) by means of concentrating the mind on perfectly pure and bright colored disks (kasinas) as meditation objects. 
 
According to Pts.M. this mental state is also produced by concentrating the mind on the Four Sublime States (Brahma Viharas): all-embracing loving-kindness, compassion, appreciative joy, and equanimity. The result of this is that all beings appear perfectly pure and glorified, and therefore the mind turns to the beautiful.
 
See Pts.M. II, Vimokkha-kathá; Atthasálini Tr., p. 255; App. More

Friday, December 28, 2012

A Buddhist Goddess: Prajna ("Wisdom")

Dhr. Seven, Amber Dorrian, CC Liu, Wisdom Quarterly; Sabrina, GoddessaDay.com
Prajna Paramita, the feminine embodiment of the Dharma, the Perfection of Wisdom (a gift to Ayya Anandabodhi's Hermitage/AwakeningTruth.org)
  
There is a "Buddhist Goddess," a Sophia of the East, the embodiment and personification of perfect wisdom: Prajna-Paramita.

There are ten "perfections" (paramis or paramitas) a bodhisattva (being-striving-for-enlightenment) cultivates if s/he wishes to forgo a disciple's enlightenment for the supreme enlightenment of a non-teaching (pacceka) buddha or enlightenment with the ability to effectively teach and establish the true wheel of the Dharma to a world that has lost its way, a samma-sam-buddha.

The culmination of transcendental knowledge -- liberating insight that has transcended ego, suffering, and flux -- Prajna Paramita is the feminine “Perfection of Wisdom,” who gives birth to all buddhas. Interestingly, the Goddess of Compassion, Kwan Yin, is much more famous. But both are essential elements of a supremely enlightened teacher's attainment.

Her face is serene, having attained the freedom of enlightenment. Like Kwan Yin, she is sometimes depicted as having the many arms of a Hindu goddess (devi), which is likely the largest influence on the rise of "goddesses" as prominent subjects of reverence. For the Vedas and later Hinduism promote mono- and polytheism as ways of talking about ineffable subjects directly. There is just one GOD, Brahman, which finds expression in many gods and goddesses. And so the root of all buddhas, in this way of thinking, is no ordinary deva but a superlative one: impersonal wisdom.
 
The strange back story of the tantric Taras suggests that "goddess" is more honorific -- a divine-human hybrid suitable for ruling -- than specific to any distinction in knowledge-and-vision worthy of the Noble Ones.

These goddess-figures are usually shown holding symbols illustrating their role. Prajna Paramita is a teacher, so she is often depicted holding meditation beads (emblematic of the eternal cycles of time), a rope or Magic Lasso (like Wonder Woman's, to retrieve those who have strayed from the Path), fruit (for prosperity or path-and-fruition), a lotus (purity), a vase (abundance) and, most importantly, a book (knowledge or wisdom). 
 
Uppalavanna (frank.itlab.us)
Free hands are held in a hand-yoga gesture (mudra) signifying "teaching."

The Perfection of Wisdom sutras (prajnaparamita) are a collection of sacred texts that declare the path to liberating-insight or transcendent-wisdom (bodhi, vipassana, nyana/ñana). In the Heart Sutra, the possessor of such wisdom is Avalokiteshvara, "the one looks down upon [and hears the cries of] the world." He is taken to be or later become merciful Kwan Yin (Earth Goddess, Mother Mary, a new Saraswati or Lakshmi), but the wisdom itself is Prajna.

What came first, the sacred texts or the goddess embodying them?

Khema, foremost in wisdom (iwilliam/flickr)
Sadly, for all this talk of Prajna Paramita and Avalokita (Kwan Yin), we are deprived of knowledge of the Buddha's real-life "wisdom goddesses," as embodied in his rarely discussed chief female disciples -- KHEMA and UPPALAVANNA. And little is said about the Buddha's two mothers, Maha Pajapati (Prajābatī, who became the first Buddhist nun in history) and Maha Maya Devi.

Why are they rarely discussed? Likely due to sexism and neglect, the ancient Nun's Order (Bhikkhuni Sangha) the Buddha began as an essential element of his mission became defunct. And with that loss so went knowledge of discourses delivered to nuns -- one never reads, "O, bhikkhunis!" as the opening of any sutra when it is certain the Buddha started many discourses this way -- and delivered by these two nuns, who were as important as the wonderful chief male disciples, Sariputra and Maha Moggallana, we read about all the time.
Nuns: an afterthought forced on the Buddha? 
That is what we have all been taught as the history (his story) of the Sangha. But what did the Buddha have to say about it? In the "Great Final-Nirvana Sutra" (DN 16), Mara Namuci quotes the Buddha to the Buddha, who agrees:
 
"For the Blessed One, O venerable sir, spoke these words to me: 'I shall not come to my final passing away, Namuci, until my bhikkhus and bhikkhunis (monks and nuns or male and female ascetics), as well as laymen and laywomen, have come to be true disciples -- wise, well disciplined, apt and learned, preservers of the Dharma, living according to the Dharma, abiding by the appropriate conduct, and having learned the Master's word, are able to expound it, preach it, proclaim it, establish it, reveal it, explain it in detail, and make it clear; until, when adverse opinions arise, they shall be able to refute them thoroughly and well, and to preach this convincing and liberating Dharma'" (Verse 7).
  • ñána: "knowledge, comprehension, intelligence, insight," a synonym for paññá (Sanskrit, prajna); see also vipassaná.
  • ñána-dassana-visuddhi: "purification of knowledge and vision" [knowing and seeing], the last of the seven purifications and a name for path-knowledge (magga-ñána), i.e., the penetrating realization of the path of Stream-winning, Once-returning, Non-returning, or Arhatship [full enlightenment]. The Path of Purification (XXII) furnishes a detailed explanation of it; (see visuddhi, VII).

Thursday, December 27, 2012

ZEN: Completion of study (koan)

Roshi Jeff Albrizze, PasaDharma.org (free, public Koan Study Group resumes Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013, 7:00 pm; The Book of Equanimity, CASE 46: TOKUSAN’S COMPLETION OF STUDY
American Zen groups everywhere. Heart of Zen Group, Loyola University, Maryland
 
Deva looks on (00_prototype/flickr.com)
PREFACE TO THE ASSEMBLY
The pure ground without an inch of grass for 10,000 miles still deludes people.
The clear sky without even a speck of cloud deceives us.
Though wedges are driven in and pulled out, this does not impede holding up and supporting space.
A hammer blow on the back of the head.
Let's look at a skillful expedient.

MAIN CASE
(Myheartyourheart/flickr.com)
Attention!
Great Master Tokusan addressed the assembly saying, “Exhaust the end and there's instant attainment.
The mouths of all buddhas of the three times [past, present, future] might as well hang upon the wall.
Now, there's a person who roars with laughter. Ha! Ha!
When you know this one, the essence of your exhaustive study is completed.”

APPRECIATORY VERSE
Gathering. Seizing the throat collar.
Winds burnish. Clouds sweep.
Chilling water, heaven turns to autumn.
Don't say a fish scale lacks taste.
Catching all the ocean's fish with a crescent moon.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

JOKES II: The Buddhist Comic! (video)

Editors, Wisdom Quarterly; R. Shultz; Ven. Yuttadhammo; G. Keillor; J. Rogan; S. MacFarlane...
Buddhist stand up? Oh no! Dying on stage with an American sense of humor and timing
  
Seven Minutes and 10 Seconds of Suffering
Ron Schultz, the Buddhist Comic
Bryan Krasner as Budai (sacredfools.com)
Thank you, thank you. Great to be here with you tonight at the Christian Comedy Club.

I am the Buddhist Comic. Thank you, thank you.

You know, I can feel the emptiness of the room. Can't you?

There's not a great difference between the Christians and the Buddhists -- unless, of course, you take into account that the Buddhists don't believe in an eternal God. I suppose that's a pretty big difference.
Laugh with J. tonight only...
Anyway, I want to assure you all that being a Buddhist comic, you're not going to be hearing a bunch of "make me one with everything" jokes, or vacuums with too many attachments, or schizophrenic Buddhists who want to be two with everything. He-he. There won't even be any, "How many Zen Buddhists does it take to screw in a light bulb?" [koans/jokes]. Tree in golden forest.
 
Well, okay, let let me give you an example of what you are going to hear. Okay, so there are these two colleagues. They go into a bar. And one says to the other, "I hear you're a Buddhist?" 

MoonDoxy, Fat Happy Hotei
And the Buddhist says, "Yeah, you want to make something out of it?" Thank you, no, no, really, yes.

Okay, well, let me explain this a little. You see, the Buddhist thinks there's no such thing as independent self-arising. They don't think that anything comes into being by itself. Everything is what they call dependent arising. Everything is compounded, made of something else.

So, of course, this gets me thinking. And I decide to ask my guru a question that keeps coming up for me. So I go to him and I say, "Rinpoche," which is what I call him, "Rinpoche, isn't masturbation an example of 'self-arising'?" And he smiles, and he says, "No, no, it's just clinging to self." Ha-ha. Thanks, thanks a lot.
  
"Won't be needing this" (Mr Will Coles)
You know, I started thinking maybe I'm thinking too much about this whole thing. So, so one day I'm looking through the paper, and I discover this group, Thinkers Anonymous. I think it's perfect, right? So I go to my first meeting, and it's my turn, and I say, "Hi, my name's Ron, and I haven't had a thought in... Oh, wait a minute, I just had a thought. Wait a minute, I just had another thought!

You know, thinking about thinking, one of my favorite Buddhist jokes is actually about one of the greatest Western philosophers, Rene Descartes. So you see, Rene Descartes goes into his favorite bar.
  
And the bartender says, "Oh, Mssr. Descartes, Mssr. Descartes! How nice to see you! Will it be the usual?"

And Rene Descartes says, "I think not" and disappears. Thank you, ha ha. This must be what the sound of one hand clapping sounds like. Ha ha ha.

I tell you, these Buddhists are a funny lot, aren't they? I mean, the first enlightened thing the Buddha says is, "Everything is suffering." Pretty funny stuff, huh? And then one someone asks him, "You mean, EVERYTHING is suffering?" And the Buddha says, "Isn't it?"

Heh.  Hey, thanks, no. Anyone enlightened yet!?
 
ASK A MONK: Is humor or finding things humorous allowed in Buddhism?
  
Hey, hey, speaking of that, How many Buddhists does it take to screw in an enlightenment-bulb? Hey what's enlightenment anyway! HEY. Come on, I'm dying here.

I'm just kidding. Actually, I'm not kidding. There's something you don't get from your other ways of being, huh? The Buddhists love talking about dying. "Impermanence," they call it. Now, if that ain't funny, I don't know what is.

So what's the good news here? Actually, that's it. No matter what, we're dying. Some of us a little sooner than others. Yeah.

Family Guy: "The Dangers of Religion"

Well, um, I guess the good news is here we always got karma, huh? Good ol' cause-condition-and-effect karma. You know, it's because of our karma that we're all here together today. How lucky is that? Just us chickens.

Hey, did you hear about the one about the Buddhist chicken? Ha ha ha. Nah, I'm just kidding there. There aren't any Buddhist chickens. Well, I guess my time is up.

You get it? That's an impermanence joke. Anyway, before I'm done here, I want to leave you with a paraphrase of that great semi-Buddhist comic Steven Wright: "I don't want a p*nis. Where would I put it?" Hey, hey, hey, thanks. You've been real.

Ladies and gentleman, "the Buddhist Comic"!

Audio: the Buddhist Comic
Listen to audio of the only known performance of the Buddhist Comic

It's not funny because it's true
Comedian-philosopher Joe Rogan off of DMT and into a reality that's stranger than fiction: "The American War Machine" a.k.a. our Military-Industrial Complex

THE JOKE SHOW
Garrison Keillor, Prairie Home Companion (APM/PublicRadio.org)
An old woman gets on a plane in New York and flies to Tibet. She gets off the plane, climbs a mountain to the monastery. She bangs on the door. No answer. She bangs some more. Finally the door opens and a monk says to her, "What do you want?"

"I'm here to see the lama," the woman insists. "He's busy! He's meditating right now," the monk says abruptly as begins to close the door. The woman wedges her foot in the door saying, "I'll wait." The monk, seeing no easy alternative, opens the door and welcomes the woman in: "Take a seat; have some brown rice."

The woman waits and waits for hours then finally the heavy inner chamber doors begin to open. Incense smoke swirls out. And there in the splendor of his magnificent saffron robes and bald head stands the lama. And the woman shouts, "Sheldon! Enough! It's time to come home!" MORE:



God's Money

A rabbi, a minister, and a priest... The three church leaders were talking about tithing and the division of donations in their religions. One explained that in his tradition, he gathered all that had been given. Then he drew a small circle and tossed the money in the air. "Whatever falls in the circle is God's, the rest is mine." Another explained that he did the same thing, except he drew a big circle, kept whatever landed in it, and the rest was for God. They turned to ask the third what he did. And he explained that he didn't draw any circles. He just threw the money up in the air so God could take his share. Whatever fell to the ground, that was his money. 
-Anonymous

"When I was little, I prayed every night for a bike. Then when I grew up, I learned that God does not work that way. So I stole a bike for my own kid and asked God to forgive me."
- Marvin Purser, Hollywood, Florida


A millionaire renounces trade, turns over all his money to the church, and enters the monastery. The rules are strict. No luxuries, no commodities, and he is only allowed to speak a single word every seven years. After seven years, he is brought into the abbot's office and asked what his word is. "Hungry" he mumbles. The abbot gives him a bowl of soup and sends him back to his cell. Seven years later, he is asked again. He says "cold." The abbot gives him a blanket and sends him back. Seven years after that he comes in on his own and breaks the rule by saying two words, "I quit!" The abbot looks at him and says, "I'm not surprised. You've done nothing but complain since you got here."

"I was into 'extreme couponing' back when it was just called 'holding up the line.'"
- Lisa Ann Walter
Why good girls like bad boys EXPLAINED

Final Days of the Buddha (sutra)

Wisdom Quarterly, Great Final Nirvana Discourse (Parinibbana Sutta, DN 16), based on Sister Vajira/Francis Story translation, "Last Days of the Buddha," Part II: Journey to Vesali
(MaretH/flickr.com)
  
The Four Noble Truths
1. Now the Buddha spoke saying: "Come, Ananda, let us go to Kotigama."
 
"So be it, venerable sir." Then the Blessed One took up residence at Kotigama together with a large community of ascetics.
 
(Glowing Star/flickr.com)
2. There the Blessed One addressed them, saying: "It is through not realizing, not penetrating the Four Noble Truths that this long course of birth and death has been passed through and undergone by me as well as by you.
 
"What are the four? They are the noble truth of anguish; the noble truth of the origin of anguish; the noble truth of the cessation of anguish; and the noble truth of the way to the cessation of anguish.

"But now that these have been realized and penetrated, craving for rebirth is cut off, destroyed is that which leads to becoming, and there is no re-arising."
 
3. Thus did the Blessed One say, and further the Happy One, the Venerable One said:
 
"Through not seeing the Four Noble Truths,
Long was the weary path from birth to birth.
When these are known, removed is rebirth's cause,
The root of sorrow plucked; then ends rebirth....
 
Stages of Enlightenment
Golden Buddha (freestyle-thailand.com)
6. Ven. Ananda approached the Blessed One (Bhagavan), greeted him, sat respectfully to one side, and said: "Venerable sir, here in [the city of] Nadika there have passed away the monk Salha and the nun Nanda.
 
Likewise there have passed away the layman Sudatta and the laywoman Sujata; likewise the layman Kakudha, Kalinga, Nikata, Katissabha, Tuttha, Santuttha, Bhadda, and Subhadda. What is their destiny, venerable sir? What is their future state?"
 
7. "The monk Salha, Ananda, through the destruction of the taints in this very lifetime has attained to the taint-free deliverance of mind/heart and deliverance through wisdom, having directly known and realized it by himself [Note 17].
 
"The nun Nanda, Ananda, through the destruction of the five lower fetters (that bind beings to the world of the senses), has arisen spontaneously (among the Pure Abode devas) and will come to final cessation in that very place, not liable to return from that world.
 
"The layman Sudatta, Ananda, through the destruction of the three fetters (self-belief, doubt, and clinging to the belief that rules and rituals can result in enlightenment), and the lessening of lust, hatred, and delusion, has become a once-returner and is bound to make an end of suffering after having returned but once more to this world.
 
"The laywoman Sujata, Ananda, through the destruction of the three fetters has become a stream-enterer, and is safe from falling into the states of misery, assured, and bound for enlightenment.
 
"The layman Kakudha, Ananda, through the destruction of the five lower fetters (that bind beings to the Sense Sphere), has arisen spontaneously (among the Pure Abode devas), and will come to final cessation in that very place, not liable to return from that world.
 
"So it is with Kalinga, Nikata, Katissabha, Tuttha, Santuttha, Bhadda, and Subhadda, and with more than 50 laymen in Nadika. More than 90 laymen who have passed away in Nadika, Ananda, through the destruction of the three fetters, and the lessening of lust, hatred, and delusion, have become once-returners and are bound to make an end of suffering after having returned but once more to this world.
 
"More than 500 [an idiom that means "a large number" of] laymen who have passed away in Nadika, Ananda, through the complete destruction of the three fetters have become stream-enterers and are safe from falling into the states of misery, assured, and bound for enlightenment.
 
The Mirror of the Dharma
8. "Truly, Ananda, it is nothing strange that human beings should die. 

"But if each time it happens you should come to the Tathagata [a self-referential term for the Buddha] and ask about them in this manner, indeed it would be troublesome to him. 

"Therefore, Ananda, I will give you the teaching called the Mirror of the Dharma, possessing which the noble disciple [one who has attained at least the first stage of enlightenment], should it be desired, can declare of oneself: 'There is no more rebirth for me in hell, nor as an animal or ghost, nor in any realm of woe [beneath the human world]. A stream-enterer am I, safe from falling into the states of misery, assured am I and bound for enlightenment.'"
 
9. "And what, Ananda, is that teaching called the Mirror of Dharma, possessing which the noble disciple may thus declare?
 
Mara comes as a gentleman.
"In this case, Ananda, the noble disciple possesses unwavering confidence in the Buddha as follows: 'The Blessed One is an arhat, the Fully Enlightened One, supreme in knowledge and conduct, the Happy One, the Knower of the World, the foremost trainer of beings, the teacher of devas and humans, the Enlightened One, the Blessed One.'
 
"The noble disciple possesses unwavering confidence in the Dharma as follows: 'Well expounded by the Blessed One is the Dharma, evident, timeless [18], inviting investigation, leading to liberation, to be comprehended by the wise, each for oneself.'

Mara's Craving, Lust, and Aversion lure Siddhartha (omegafoundation.siriuscomputing.net)
 
"The noble disciple possesses unwavering confidence in the Blessed One's Order of Disciples as follows: 'Well faring is the Blessed One's Order of Disciples, harmoniously, wisely, and heedfully, that is to say, the four pairs, the eight classes of persons. The Blessed One's Order of Disciples is worthy of honor, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of veneration -- the supreme field of merit [beneficial, exponentially profitable karma] in the world.'
 
"And the noble disciple possesses virtues that are dear to the Noble Ones, complete and perfect, spotless and pure, which are liberating, praised by the wise, uninfluenced (by worldly concerns), and favorable to composure/concentration of mind.
 
10. "This, Ananda, is the teaching called the Mirror of the Dharma, whereby the noble disciple may know: 'There is no more rebirth for me in hell realms, nor as an animal or ghost, nor in any realm of woe (apaya). A stream-enterer am I, safe from falling into the states of misery, assured am I and bound for enlightenment.'"
  
Mara under the Bodhi tree (sarvajan.ambedkar.org)
11. In Nadika, in the Brick House [Monastery], the Blessed One often gave counsel to the ascetics thus: "Such and such is virtue; such and such is concentration; and such and such is wisdom. Great becomes the fruit, great is the gain of concentration when it is fully developed by virtuous conduct; great becomes the fruit, great is the gain of wisdom when it is fully developed by concentration; utterly freed from the taints of lust, [again-] becoming, and ignorance is the mind/heart that is fully developed in wisdom."
  
12. When the Blessed One had stayed in Nadika as long as he wished, he spoke to the Ven. Ananda, saying: "Come, Ananda, let us go to [the city of] Vesali."
 
"So be it, O venerable sir." And the Blessed One took up his abode in Vesali together with a large community of ascetics, and stayed in Ambapali's grove. ...
 
Mara's Appeal
Mara Devaputra (fabulousmasterpieces.co.uk)
7. And when Ven. Ananda had gone away, Mara Namuci approached the Blessed One. And standing to one side he spoke to the Buddha, saying: "Now, O venerable one, let the Blessed One come to his final passing away; let the Happy One utterly pass away! The time has come for the final nirvana of the Venerable One.
 
"For the Blessed One, O venerable sir, once spoke these words to me: 'I shall not come to my final passing away, Namuci, until my monks and nuns, laymen and laywomen, have come to be true disciples -- wise, well-disciplined, apt and learned, preservers of the Dharma, living according to the Dharma, abiding by the appropriate conduct, and having learned the Buddha's word, are able to expound it, preach it, proclaim it, establish it, reveal it, explain it in detail, and make it clear. And when adverse opinions arise, they shall be able to refute them thoroughly and well, and to preach this convincing and liberating Dharma' [23].

The Buddha reclining into final nirvana, Thailand (perstephone/flickr.com)

 
8. "And now, O venerable sir, monks and nuns, laymen and laywomen, have become the Blessed One's disciples in just this way. So, O venerable sir, let the Blessed One come to his final passing away! The time has come for the final nirvana of the Venerable One.
  
"For the Blessed One, O venerable sir, spoke these words to me: 'I shall not come to my final passing away, Namuci, until this supreme life taught by me has become successful, prosperous, far-renowned, popular, and widespread, until it is well proclaimed among devas and humans.' And this too has come to pass in just this way. So, O venerable sir, let the Blessed One come to his final passing away, let the Happy One utterly pass away! The time has come for the final nirvana of the Venerable One."

9. When this was said, the Blessed One spoke to Mara Namuci saying: "Do not trouble yourself, Namuci. Before long the final nirvana of the Tathagata will come about. Three months hence the Tathagata will utterly pass away." More

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Under the Bodhi tree (sutra)

Wisdom Quarterly translation (see Ven. Anandajoti version)
Under the sprawling Bodhi tree, I saved you [all] and you [all] saved me.
 
Meditators, “this is the noble truth of disappointment.”
 
Regarding things never before heard by me knowledge arose, vision arose, wisdom arose, understanding arose, light arose.

Now to that which “this is the noble truth of disappointment” refers, that ought to be fully understood.

It has been fully understood.

Now to that which “this is the noble truth of the arising of disappointment” refers [craving bound up with ignorance], that ought to be given up.
 
It has been given up.

“This is the noble truth of the cessation of disappointment.”

Now to that which “this is the noble truth of the cessation of disappointment” refers [nirvana], that ought to be experienced.

It has been experienced.

“This is the noble truth of the practice leading to the cessation of disappointment.”

Now to that which “this is the noble truth of the practice leading to the end of disappointment” refers [the path], that ought to be developed.

It has been developed.

Declaring enlightenment
Meditators, for so long as these Four [Ennobling] Truths -- in three ways, twelvefold -- were unclear to me, without being directly known-and-seen, for that long, meditators, did I refrain from declaring to the world -- with its devas, killers, divinities, to this generation with its ascetics and priests, princes, and people -- that I was a full and supremely-enlightened teacher of devas and humans unsurpassably awakened.

But, meditators, when these Four Noble Truths... were clear to me, directly known-and-seen, then did I declare to the world...that I was a full and supremely-awakened teacher of devas and humans unsurpassably enlightened.

This knowledge-and-vision arose: Certain is my freedom of heart/mind; this is my last rebirth; there is no more of [this disappointment] to come.” More

Dalai Lama live over the holidays (webcast)

Mara , Wisdom Quarterly

Here's hoping everyone's holidays are fun. For me this series of talks by the Dalai Lama is the best thing going. Enjoy the winter solstice, the Mayan New Age and, of course, "The Big Day" in India, a celebration of all religions.
Great seasonal/perennial teachings from the Dalai Lama with two sessions over four days to live stream or download (video/audio) later, Dec. 24-27:
  • 8:00-10:00 pm PST and 11:30 pm-1:30 am PST 
  • (9:30-11:30 am and 1:00-3:00 pm IST)
New Delhi carolers (Julie McCarthy/NPR.org)
This is really interesting for many who enjoyed the broadcasts of Pema Chödrön discussing Shantideva's "Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life" and/or her book: Don't Bite the Hook: Finding Freedom from Anger, Resentment, and Other Destructive Emotions. (DalaiLama.com/webcasts)