New Year's Eve 2019, US and world celebrate

Associated Press (ap.org); Bhante; Crystal Q., Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Filipinos cheer during a New Year countdown at the Eastwood Shopping Mall late Monday, Dec. 31, 2018 in suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines. Filipinos welcome the New Year with the loudest noise possible including setting off powerful firecrackers in one of Asia's most violent celebrations.

.

Hello, 2019: Revelry, reflection, mark transition to new year

Fireworks, concerts, spiritual services, and political addresses abounded to mark the transition to 2019.

Revelers across the planet bid farewell today (Monday) to a year filled with challenges to many of the world's most basic institutions, including political, trade, and religious ones.

A look at how people around the world are ushering in 2019:

LONDON - Britons ushered in the new year with the familiar chimes of Big Ben, even though the world famous clock has been disconnected for more than a year because of a conservation project. More

Los Angeles Buddhist Vihara of Pasadena, California, celebrates on Jan. 1, 2019 (facebook)

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Comedy: Christian Trust and Cave Porn (video)

Editors, Wisdom Quarterly; Family Guy; Curb Your Enthusiasm(?)

Marriage is nothing but trouble, and it's been this way since the time of the cave dwellers, who must have experienced all the same problems of poor communication and not getting along, according to the geniuses at Family Guy.

Trust in the Lord, or at least the Lord's Army. What could go wrong?

• Irish jokes (ireland-information.com)
• Vegan Spirituality, California
• Camera of the future here today (Osmo Pocket) 

Human/Mouse Utopia: "Universe 25" (video)

Brilliant.org, Today I Found Out, 12/28/18; Pat Macpherson, Seth Auberon, Wisdom Quarterly

Guy Tried to Build a Mouse Utopia and it all Went to Heck

(Brilliant.org/todayifoundout) Support Brilliant on Patreon for a variety of perks, including Simon's voice on your GPS and the ever requested Simon Whistler whistling package: patreon.com.

In 1968 an expert on animal behavior and population control named John B. Calhoun built what was essentially a utopia for mice that was purpose-built to satisfy their every need. Despite going out of his way to ensure the inhabitants of his perfect mouse society never wanted for anything, within two years virtually the entire population was dead. What happened? Text: todayifoundout.com

Sources

• eprints.lse.ac.uk/22514/1/230..., ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti..., ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti..., circulatingnow.nlm.nih.gov/20..., books.google.co.uk/books?id=q..., cabinetmagazine.org/issues..., smithsonianmag.com/smart-n...

Mysterious ruins that defy history (video)

Origins Explained, Oct. 11, 2018; Pat Macpherson, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Top 9 most mysterious ruins that defy history

This Top 10 list of strange ancient artifacts of unexplained ruins are some of the most bizarre and mysterious discoveries ever made. 

9. Çatalhöyük, Turkey 

Built in what was once Mesopotamia, the city of Çatalhöyük, which now resides in Turkey, is easily one of the biggest mysteries of the ancient world, really ancient, it reached its heyday around 7000 BCE! This place makes ancient Rome look modern. These tightly clustered mud brick houses kind of look like honeycombs. 

8. Palenque, Mexico

Mexico is a land of many mysteries and lost people and cities. But easily the biggest civilization, with the biggest mystery surrounding them, are the Mayans. This tribe came from an unknown area, arrived in Mexico, and set up an empire that lasted over 3,000 years. Then they were gone. To this day, many still study the Mayans in order to find out more about them, and especially what happened to them. 

7. Cahokia, United States 

This one might come as a surprise. In the United States, there is an old city that used to be the biggest city in North America at one point in time. This was the city of Cahokia, a pre-Columbian Native American city. It was founded around the year 600 and lasted until the 14th century. You can still go there today. It's across from St. Louis on the other side of the Mississippi river. 

6. Derinkuyu, Turkey 

Turkey is home to another ancient, fascinating, and mysterious place: Derinkuyu. The concept of making underground cities may seem like something from fantasy television shows, or Fraggle Rock, but many cultures have made very grand underground cities. 

5. Yonaguni Monument, Japan 

Off of the coast of Japan, there is a place called Yonaguni Island, which was famous for hammerhead sharks. Now, people are more intrigued by some unnerving formations in the water that were found by a diver in 1987. The Yonaguni Monument is a series of rock formations that has the scientific world split as to whether this is a natural design or something made by humans. And it's a debate that continues on to this day. 

4. Machu Picchu, Peru 

Machu Picchu is arguably one of the most interesting and revealing places in the world. Why? Because it's through this city that we got to take a look inside the Incan Empire. This civilization ruled a lot of South America for quite some time, and their territory included Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, and more. And yet, for a while, we didn't know that much about them, until we found Machu Picchu. 

3. Thonis, Egypt 

If you're big into history, then you knew that it was only a matter of time before Egypt showed up on this list. And as you know, it is home to many ruins and mysteries and the main topic of several videos. 

2. Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe 

Sticking with Africa, let's head to Zimbabwe, which holds one of the biggest mysteries of the continent. It's called Great Zimbabwe. Yeah, doesn't really sound mysterious. But don't let that fool you. There's more to this than you might think.

1. Pompeii, Italy 

There are many scary stories in history, but the story of Pompeii is one that we just can’t get over. This is the city that was built in the fertile valley near a volcano, Mt. Vesuvius. When it erupted, it caught people by surprise and buried the city in soot and ash and left it covered and perfectly preserved for hundreds of years. Now much of it has been uncovered, and it is a sad historical marvel, and many people were frozen in time forever. 

Origins Explained is the place to be to find all the answers to your questions, from mysterious events and unsolved mysteries to everything there is to know about the world and its amazing animals. Subscribe for new videos (goo.gl/UIzLeB). Watch "REAL Mermaid Sightings Around The World" (youtu.be/ChM0CBRmVsM), "10 Sea Monsters ATTACKING A Boat" (youtu.be/0XROvoPCDNc), "STRANGEST Animals People Keep As Pets" (youtu.be/OMa96nPqz-Y).

Taoism: We have a SECOND brain (video)

Mantak Chia (via Be Inspired, Dec. 5, 2018); Pat Macpherson, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Techniques to Activate Our Second Brain

Mantak Chia, "We have a second brain." Do this to activate the second brain. ►Struggle and have a hard time? Consider taking an online therapy session with Be Inspired's partner, BetterHelp (tryonlinetherapy.com/beinspired). ►Motivational Alarm Tones (beinspiredchannel.com/alarms). ►This video was uploaded with the permission of the owner. Special thanks to LONDON REAL for this amazing interview. Subscribe. ► Follow on facebook, instagram. ►BeInspiredChannel.Com.

Child molested by Cardinal McCarrick in confession

Associated Press (ap.org, Dec. 28, 2018); Seth Auberon (ed.), Wisdom Quarterly

I did it for my sweet Jesus, and Mary forgives me, and Satan made me do it.

VATICAN CITY, Holy See - The Vatican's sexual abuse case against ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick has expanded significantly after a man testified that the retired American archbishop sexually abused him for years starting when he was 11, including during confession.

James Grein testified Thursday in New York before the judicial vicar for the New York City archdiocese, who was asked by the Holy See [Vatican] to take his statement for the Vatican's canonical case, said Grein's attorney Patrick Noaker.

The testimony, which lasted about an hour, was difficult and stressful but Grein was proud to have done it, Noaker said.

"He wants his church back. He felt that in order to accomplish that end, he had to go in and testify here and tell them what happened, and give the church itself the chance to do the right thing," Noaker said in a telephone interview Friday.

Grein initially came forward in July after the New York archdiocese announced that a church investigation determined an allegation that McCarrick had groped another teenage altar boy in the 1970s was credible.

Grein's claims, first reported by The New York Times, are more serious. He has alleged that McCarrick first exposed himself to Grein when he was 11 and then sexually molested him for years thereafter.

Noaker said in the testimony Thursday, Grein also gave "chilling" details about alleged repeated incidents of groping during confession -- a serious canonical crime on top of the original offense of sexually abusing a minor. More

Second historic solo trek across Antarctica

Associated Press (ap.org, Dec. 27, 2018); Seth Auberon, Pfc. Sandoval, Wisdom Quarterly

A British adventurer was close to becoming the second person to traverse Antarctica completely unassisted just a few days after an American became the first to conquer the feat, which was previously said to be impossible.

Louis Rudd's expedition blog on Thursday showed that the 49-year-old has only has about 50 miles (80 kms) left on the journey across the continent and is expected to finish Saturday. If Rudd — a Hereford, England, resident and captain in the British Army — completes the journey, he'll become the second man to do so after Colin O'Brady of Portland, Oregon, became the first on Wednesday.

Empire Beneath the Ice (Quayle)

The more than 900-mile (1448-km) trek took O'Brady 54 days. O'Brady and Rudd were competing to become the first to travel across Antarctica without getting new supplies or help from the wind. O'Brady won after he covered the last roughly 80 miles (129 kms) in one big, impromptu final push to the finish line that took well over an entire day.

"While the last 32 hours were some of the most challenging hours of my life, they have quite honestly been some of the best moments I have ever experienced," O'Brady posted on Instagram, where he has been documenting the arduous journey.

Rudd congratulated O'Brady on his blog late Wednesday. "I've just heard that the American Colin's finished," he wrote. "Fantastic, well done to him. He'd pushed really hard all the way across and done extremely well, so congratulations to him." Rudd wrote... More

Jewel Chant (Ratana Sutra)

Editors, Wisdom Quarterly based on Buddhanet.net (abbreviated Pali chant)

Discourse on Great Blessings (Maha-Mangala Sutta)

Check this out, Mr. Pope, ancient relics.

Êvam mê suttam êkam samayam bhagavâ Sâvatthiyam viharati Jêtavanê Anâthapindikassa ârâmê, atha kho aññatarâ dêvatâ abhikkantaya rattiyâ abhikanta vannâ kêvalakappam Jêtavanam bhâsetvâ, yêna bhagavâ tênupasamkami. Upasam kamitvâ bhagavantam abhivâdetvâ êkamantam atthâsi. Êkamantam thitâ kho sâ dêvatâ bhagavantam gâthâya ajjhabhâsi. Bahû dêvâ manussâ ca mangalâni acintayum. Âkankhamânâ sotthânam brûhi mangala muttamam. Asêvanâ ca bâlânam panditânam ca sêvanâ. Pûjâ ca pûjaniyânam êtam mangala muttamam...

This sutra was delivered by the Buddha in the City of Vesali, whose citizens appealed to the Buddha for help because they were afflicted by famine, pestilence, and disturbances from foul spirits.

As a mark of protection for the people of Vesali, the Buddha delivered this sutra to exorcise these spirits as part of getting the pestilence to subside.

Protection

Whatever beings are assembled here, terrestrial or celestial, may they all be happy! Moreover, may they listen attentively listen.

Accordingly, give heed, good beings. Show love to these human beings, who day and night bring offerings. Guard them zealously.

Whatever treasure there is, either here or in worlds beyond, whatever precious jewel in the precious jewel. By this truth may there be happiness!

The tranquil Sage of the Shakyas realized that cessation, passion-free, Deathless (nirvana) supreme. There is nought comparable with to Dharma. In truth, in the Dharma is this precious jewel. By this truth may there be happiness!

That enlightenment praised by the Buddha supreme is described as "concentration without interruption. There is nought like that concentration. In truth, in the Dharma is this precious jewel. By this truth may there be happiness!

Those eight individuals,* praised by the virtuous, constitute four pairs. They, who are worthy of offerings, disciples of the Welcome One -- to these gifts given yield abundant fruit. In truth, in the *[Noble] Sangha is this precious jewel. By this truth may there be happiness!

With steadfast mind, applying themselves thoroughly in the dispensation of the Buddha, exempt (from passion), they have attained to "that which should be attained" and, plunging into the Deathless, they enjoy peace obtained without price. In truth, in the [Noble] Sangha is this precious jewel. By this truth may there be happiness!

Just as a firm post sunk in the earth cannot be shaken by the four winds, even so do I declare him to be a noble person who thoroughly perceives the [Four] Noble Truths. In truth, in the [Noble] Sangha is the precious jewel. By this truth may there be happiness!

Those who comprehend clearly the [Four] Noble Truths, well taught by him of wisdom deep, do not -- however exceeding heedless they may be -- undergo an eighth rebirth. In truth, in the [Noble] Sangha is this precious jewel. By this truth may there be happiness!

For one with the acquisition of insight, three conditions come to nought, namely: self-illusion, doubt [about the Buddha, Dhama, or Sangha], and clinging to (useless) rites and ceremonies [that in themselves are incapable of resulting in enlightenment], should there be any.

From the four states of misery [below the human plane of rebirth], one is absolutely freed and is incapable of committing the six heinous crimes [that would lead to rebirth on those planes]. In truth, in the [Noble] Sangha is this precious jewel. By this truth may there be happiness!

Whatever harmful deeds one does, whether by body, word, or thought, one is incapable of hiding it. For it has been said that such an act (kama) is impossible for one who has seen the Path. In truth, in the [Noble] Sangha is this precious jewel. By this truth may there be happiness!

Like unto the woodland groves with blossoming tree tops in the first heat of the summer season has the sublime doctrine, which leads to nirvana, been taught for the highest good. In truth, in the Buddha is this precious jewel. By this truth may there be happiness.

The unrivalled Enlightened One, the Knower, the Giver, and the Bringer of the Excellent has expounded the excellent Dharma. In truth, in the Buddha is this precious jewel. By this truth may there be happiness!

Their past is extinct, fresh becoming there is not, their minds are not attached to a future rebirth, their craving grows not -- and those wise ones go out even as this lamp. In truth, in the [Noble] Sangha is this precious jewel. By this truth may there be happiness!

We beings here assembled, whether terrestrial or celestial, salute the Accomplished Buddha, honored by devas and humans. May there be happiness!

We beings here assembled, whether terrestrial or celestial, salute the Accomplished Dharma, honored by devas and humans. May there be happiness!

We beings here assembled, whether terrestrial or celestial, salute the Accomplished Sangha, honored by devas and humans. May there be happiness!

Maha Mangala Sutra: Great Blessings Discourse

Editors, Wisdom Quarterly based on Buddhanet.net (abbreviated Pali chant)

Deva: What is life's highest blessing?

Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One (the Buddha) was staying at the monastery of Anathapindika in Jeta's Grove near Savatthi (ancient India).

Now when the night was far spent, a certain deva (angelic deity, "shining one"), whose surpassing splendor illuminated the entire woodland grove, came into the presence of the Blessed One.

Drawing near, the deva saluted him, stood respectfully to one side, and addressed the Blessed One in verse:

Many devas and humans yearning after the good have pondered blessings. Pray, tell me the highest blessing!

To avoid associating with fools, to associate with the wise, to honor those worthy of honor -- this is the highest blessing.

To reside in a suitable location, to have completed meritorious deeds in the past, to establish oneself on the right course -- this is the highest blessing.

Wide learning, skillful handicraft, well trained discipline, pleasant speech -- this is the highest blessing.

Support of father and mother, cherishing spouse and children, harmless occupation -- this is the highest blessing.

Generosity (liberality), good conduct, helping relatives, blameless action -- this is the highest blessing.

To cut and abstain from further harm, foregoing intoxicants, steadfastness in virtue -- this is the highest blessing.

Reverence, humility, contentment, gratitude, opportune listening to the Dharma (truth, teaching, doctrine) -- this is the highest blessing.

Patience, compliance, seeing wanderers (purified ones), uplifting spiritual discussion in season (at the appropriate time) -- this is the highest blessing.

Self control, the supreme life, perception of the (four) ennobling truths, the realization of nirvana -- this is the highest blessing!

• AUDIO: What is "nirvana"? (Bhikkhu Bodhi)

One whose heart/mind does not flutter by contact with worldly things, sorrowless, stainless, secure -- this is the highest blessing.

For those fulfilling these -- everywhere invincible, in every way moving happily -- these are the highest blessings.

Tired of all these CHEM trails (video)

Ken Adachi (educate-yourself.org, Switzerland), Stephanie Meier (mirror): Wisdom Quarterly

 

Death Angel: chemtrail or sylph?

Three radio shows (Part 1 Ken Adachi & Don Nicoloff radio, Pt. 2 K&D radio, Pt. 3 K&D) give a good idea of the overall agenda of chemtrail aerosol spraying and how these things are mitigated through the use of orgone generators and focused intent.

Air elemental beings identified by the ancient Greeks (and Paracelsus) as sylphs are stimulated and energized by orgone generators and will literally vacuum up and transmute chemtrails into harmless substances.

Of course, this is hard to believe by the average person unaware of ether beings, but the evidence can be seen right over our heads if we know what to look for. First, download and unzip these MP3 audio files before and listen to them.

Once the file is downloaded and unzipped, listen and delete it after listening. Here are the instructions on how to do this.

 

Parts 1 and 2 are exclusively devoted to chemtrails; Part 3 has a little on chemtrails but is mostly about water fuel technologies. Parts 1 and 2 include information on chemtrails, orgone generators, and sylphs. Information on Brown's Gas from the April 30 show may be of interest. More

• Police seize drugs and cash worth ~$20 million in DTLA

Xmas Retreat: The First Day (Dec. 22)

Ellie Askew, Nature Center Sayalays, Ananda M. (DMI), Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

The retreat began at 9:00 am with a dozen practitioners in the main hall in Arcadia, next to Pasadena. It was a sunny morning, and an American teacher gave instructions on the purpose of sitting with great posture. Palms turned up (to signify letting go), back straight, nothing rigid, everything soft and easy. It makes sitting longer easier.

The first sit zipped by in an hour. Then there was a talk with simple instructions from the historical Buddha -- the Kalama Sutra (the "F*ck Authority Discourse"), the Parable of the Raft, the Analogy of Imponderable Questions (Malunkyaputta Sutra), HOW to let go, the Parable of the Poisoned Arrow, and humor.

Yoga
We had a break and did yoga stretches followed by energizing breathwork. Then we ate lunch together, self serve as much as we wanted, with mindful eating instructions. The food was of great variety, vegan and nonvegan, provided by donors. We all sat together after the monastics, and more people kept arriving.

Dharma talk

Dharma talk by Ajahn Brahm

At 12:30 we began again, this time with a comfortable sitting posture and a talk on the meditations/absorptions by the enlightened British monk, Ajahn Brahm from Australia. It was a fun and heart opening talk on the immediate benefits of developing concentration by letting go, just as the morning instructions had explained.

Then came the second best part -- lying down for a guided meditation of progressive relaxation, focusing on the breath and energy centers to a Tibetan singing bowl. We went so deep that to come out, we sat up in trance, did a demonstration to show that there is no self (anatta, emptiness, suññata), which is to say, all phenomena are impersonal.

Tea ceremony

Green tea is a great tonic for meditation.

We then did a super-slow walking meditation that sped up and spilled out into the sunshine for walking meditation. We came back to lock in the lessons by sitting perfectly still as the original instructions were repeated, connecting everything we had practiced. Then came the tea ceremony, hot green tea and sesame sweets eaten together in mindful silence bringing together into daily life all we had practiced on the cushion.

Field trip

Support Native American Los Angeles

It was now 3:00 pm, and we were given a choice. Everyone voted for a field trip. We loaded up into the Mercedes limousine van and were driven to the highest point in Los Angeles to watch the sun set. We stopped at the Native American Cultural Center, Haramokngna, in the Angeles National Forest on Angeles Crest Highway and learned about the original inhabitants of the Los Angeles Basin.

Chemtrails block our view
Then it was onto the Mt. Wilson Observatory for views of all of LA County and chemtrails being laid down right over us. We came back, and the people staying overnight got their room assignments. There was an optional evening chanting many new people attended, we got snacks, and went to bed to start fresh tomorrow.

(LAM) Look up! What in the World Are They Spraying?

FREE Xmas Meditation Retreat (Dec. 22-25)

Ellie Askew, Nature Center Sayalays, Ananda M. (DMI), Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

I'm a Siberian mushroom shaman anyway.

ATTEND ALL OR DROP IN FOR ANY PORTION OF THIS RETREAT. Looking for mental recharging and spiritual development over the holidays? This retreat will definitely give participants useful tools for life. We'll enjoy a variety of sitting, standing, and walking meditations, with guidance, Dharma talks, and discussions along the way. Sleep over or come over daily: a limited number of free overnight requests at the center accepted. We'll start each morning with group meditation, 8:30 to 9:30 am, and end each day at 5:30 pm. Vegan and non-vegan lunch options, snacks, and tea provided. FREE, donations accepted, as you wish. First come, first served. Waiting list applies. Get your space now.

• Free Xmas Meditation Retreat
• Dec. 22-25, 8:30 AM-5:30 PM
• FREE instruction, food, lodging...

In the seen, let there be only the seen (sutra)

Maurice O'Connell Walshe (trans.), Malunkyaputta Sutra (SN 35.95) edited and updated by Dhr. Seven, Ellie Askew, Ananda (D.M.I.), Wisdom Quarterly

Grasshopper, what would you have me say?

[The Buddhist monk Ven. Malunkyaputta ("Mel") once requested of the Buddha:]

 

"Venerable sir, it would be good for me if the Blessed One would teach me in brief a doctrine so that, having heard it, I might dwell withdrawn, secluded (from all distractions and sense desires), full of energy, ardent, and resolute."

 

"Well now, Mel, what am I to say to the younger monastics if you -- a frail, aged, and venerable man far gone in years, at the end of your life -- ask for instruction in brief?"

 

"What do you think, Mel? Objects cognizable by the eye, not seen, that you have not seen before, that you do not see now, and do not wish to see -- have you any desire, lust, or fondness for them?"

 

"No, indeed, venerable sir."

• [The same is then said regarding sounds, scents, flavors, tangibles, and mental objects.]

"Well then, Mel, in things seen, heard, otherwise sensed (muta, smelled, tasted, or touched), or cognized:

 

"In the seen, let there be only the seen, in the heard only the heard, in the otherwise sensed only the otherwise sensed, in the cognized only the cognized...

 

"Then, Mel, there will be no 'thereby'* for you.

• *This is almost impossible to translate adequately because, literally, there is no agent here,  no "seer," "feeler," or "knower." "There will be no 'thereby' whereby one will be lustful, hateful, or deluded (SA [SN commentary])."

"Having no 'thereby' you have no 'there.'*

• *If there is no agent (i.e., no "self") then there is nowhere such an agent can be located. "You will have no 'there'": you will not be bound "here" nor attached "there," i.e., with regard to the seen, heard,  otherwise sensed, or cognized (SA).

"Having no 'there,' Mel, there will be for you neither this world, nor the next, nor anywhere in between.* That in itself is the end of suffering."

• *"You will realize that [in an ultimate sense] nothing [no "self" or "ego" of any kind] is really reborn."

"Indeed, venerable sir, I understand in full the meaning of what the Blessed One has stated in brief."

 

Forms perceived cause loss of mindfulness,

If we dwell on their endearing charms,

Passion grips the heart, and feeling flows,

Clinging has us firmly in its grip:

So emotions rise and grow in strength,

Of diverse kinds, all based on what was seen.

Some of greed and some of hate born —

Grievously they all afflict the human heart,

Heaping up his store of pain and disappointment:

Thus for such a person nirvana's far away.

• [The same is said for sounds, scents, tastes, tangibles, and thoughts (objects of mind).]

One who's not inflamed by things one sees,

Seeing forms retains one's mindfulness,

Not in passion's grip, simply feels,

On such a one, clinging cannot get any hold.

If one just observes the things one sees,

Not reacting to their shape or form,

One will pull down the pile, not build it up.

Mindfully proceeding on one's way,

Heaping up no store of pain or disappointment:

Then for one nirvana's very near.

• [The same is said for sounds, scents, tastes, tangibles, and thoughts (mind objects).]

"Indeed, venerable sir, I understand in full the meaning of what the Blessed One has stated in brief."

• [This would mean that Mel has become enlightened to at least the first stage (stream entry) by understanding and  penetrating the impersonal nature of all existence, the Five Aggregates clung to as self. Indeed, the Buddha confirms Mel's words. In due course, Mel/Ven. Malunkyaputta becomes fully enlightened, an arahant.]

Chanting: "Itipiso Katha" (video)

Thai Theravada monks (motionclip88); text buddhanet.net; Editors, Wisdom Quarterly

1. Buddha Vandana: Iti pi so Bhagavâ-Araham: Sammâ-sambuddho. Vijjâ-carana sampanno, Sugato Lokavidû Anuttarro, Purisa-damma-sârathi, Satthâ deva-manussânam Buddho Bhagavâti.

TRANSLATION: "Honoring the Buddha: Thus, indeed, is the Blessed One: He is the Awakened One, fully enlightened, endowed with clear vision and virtuous conduct, sublime, Knower of worlds, incomparable leader of humans to be tamed, teacher of devas and humans, enlightened and blessed."

2. Dhamma Vandana: Svâkkhato Bhagavatâ Dhammo Sanditthiko Akâliko Ehi-passiko Opanâyiko Paccattam veditabbo viññuhiti.

TRANSLATION:  "Honoring the Dharma: The Dharma [Teaching] of the Blessed One is well expounded, seen here and how, immediate in efficacy, inviting one to come and see (investigate for oneself), leading onward (to nirvana), to be realized directly by the wise, each for oneself."

3. Sangha Vandana: Supati-panno Bhagavato sâvaka sangho, Ujupati-panno Bhagavato sâvaka sangho. Ñâya-patipanno Bhagavato sâvaka sangho. Sâmici-patipanno Bhagavato sâvaka sangho Yadidam cattâri purisa yugâni attha-purisa-puggalâ Esa Bhagavato sâvaka sangho. Âhu-neyyo, pâhu-neyyo, Dakkhi-neyyo,añjalikaraniyo, anuttaram puññakkhetam lokassâti.

TRANSLATION: "Honoring the Community: The community of the Blessed One's [enlightened] disciples has entered on the good way; the community of the Blessed One's disciples has entered on the direct way; the community of the Blessed One's disciples has entered on the proper way. That is to say, the four pairs and eight types of persons, which is the community of the Blessed One's disciples, is worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, and worthy of reverential salutation, for they are an incomparable field of merit in the world."

*Pali language pronunciation basics

a as a in what

â as a in father
i as i in mint

î as ee in see
u as u in put

û as oo in pool
e as a in cage

o as o in no

n as ng in sing

ñ as gn in signore
 

Pausing
Prolong vowels with ^ or (-) such as â, î , û, e, and o. Pause for double letters such as dd in Buddha: Bu-ddha, mm in Dhammam: Dha-mmam, ss in Ehi-passiko: E-hi-pa-ssiko.

Exploring the Word of the Buddha (audio)

Bhikkhu Bodhi (archive.org); Dhr. Seven, Amber Larson, Crystal Q., Wisdom Quarterly

The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha: A New Translation of the Majjhima Niakaya

.

Exploring the Word of the Buddha: A Systematic Study of the Middle Length Discourses (Majjhima Nikaya) of the Buddha as taught by Bhikkhu Bodhi (1-58) II A: MP3.

• AUDIO: LISTEN NOW

In this audio series, the famous American Theravada Buddhist monk Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi translates the words of the Buddha and then systematically analyzes them for clarity in modern English to a Western audience interested in the actual teachings of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, Siddhartha Gautama.

The REAL "Mary Poppins" (video)

Honest Trailers (Screen Junkies, 12/18/18); Flicks And the City; Editors, Wisdom Quarterly

"Saving Mr. Banks" untold true story with Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks

Honest Trailers: Mary Poppins

Before you see Mary Poppins Returns, see Disney's best live-action movie of the 1960s (not a lot of competition). It's Mary Poppins (1964)! Watch the Honest Trailers commentary to see an inside look from the writer's perspective (youtube.com). 

Voiceover narration by Jon Bailey. Title Design: Robert Holtby. Written by Spencer Gilbert, Dan Murrell, Joe Starr, Lon Harris. Produced by Spencer Gilbert, Dan Murrell, Joe Starr, and Max Dionne. Edited by Kevin Williamsen and TJ Nordaker. Assistant Editor: Emin Bassavand. Music Composed by Matt Citron. Vocals by Matt Citron, Lynn Andrews, Annie Worden.

 
Mary Poppins Returns (2018)

Emily Blunt, former stutterer, gives an outstanding performance as
she explains in a Fresh Air interview with Terry Gross (NPR.org)

The Buddha's advice to his son

John D. Ireland, excerpt, Rahula Sutra (Sn 2.11); Amber Larson, Dhr. Seven, Wisdom Quarterly

Young Prince Rahula, prompted by his mother (Bimba Devi/Yasodhara) asks for his "inheritance." After renouncing the world, the Buddha came back to save his son, wife, family, relatives, friends, and the whole world by teaching the Path to Freedom he had discovered. The Buddha gives his son his inheritance by directing Ven. Sariputra to ordain the boy, giving him a spiritual inheritance far better than the one he asked for.

 

All in the family: Rahula, the Buddha, Ananda

"Rahula, renouncing the five [captivating] pleasures of the senses that [trap,] entrance, and delight the mind, and with confidence departing from home, become one to make an end of  all suffering!
 
"Associate with good friends, and choose remote lodgings, secluded, free of noise. Eat but moderately. Robes, alms (food), medicinal remedies, and a dwelling -- use without craving (clinging to) these things. Be not one who returns to the world.*

• *By being dragged back to the world by craving for these things (Commentary).

Rahula, when you see your father -- that's him in the front -- ask him for your inheritance.

 

The mother of Rahula, Bimba Devi

Practice restraint according to the Discipline (monastic disciplinary code or vinaya), and exercise restraint of the five sense faculties.

"Practice mindfulness of the body to continually develop dispassion [towards it to gain freedom from it.] Avoid the sign of the beautiful (subha) that is connected with passion [and therefore with clinging]. By meditating on the foul* aspects, cultivate a mind that is calm and collected (pure, concentrated, undistracted).

• *The "foul" (asubha, unlovely) refers to contemplation of the body by bringing to mind the body as a corpse moving through various stages of decomposition and the contemplation of the 32 parts of the body as it is now -- as a means of being able to let go and develop liberating detachment from the body and dispassion toward its beautiful signs or aspects (subha-nimitta).

"Meditate on the signless.*

The marriage of Prince Siddhartha and Princess Bimba (Yasodhara) before birth of Rahula

• *The signless (animitta) is one of the Three Liberations (vimokkha) by which beings are freed from the world (rebirth, samsara). The other two are desirelessness (appanihita) and emptiness (sunnata, the impersonal nature of all condition things). The signless is connected with the idea of impermanence of all conditioned things (cf. The Path of Purification, Visuddhi Magga, XXI 67f).

Princess Bimba holding Prince Siddhartha (W)

"And [thereby] get rid of the tendency toward conceit (mana, misconceiving). By thoroughly understanding and uprooting conceit one will live in the (highest, unmatched) peace."

"In this way the Buddha repeatedly advised his son, who became a Buddhist monk named Venerable Rahula."