Published by the East Midlands Buddhist Association. (EMBA)

Published by the East Midlands Buddhist Association. (EMBA)

Registered as a U.K. Charity (519860). Issue No 1. May 2011.

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Anusasana

The Concept of Loving-kindness (Part 1)

The concept of "Metta" (Sanskrit- Maitri) plays a key role in Buddhist ethics. It is not easy to find a proper English equivalent for this graceful Pali term. Good-will, loving-kindness, benevolence, friendliness and Universal love are suggested as the best renderings.

In the world today you can find very advanced intellectuals, scientists, psychologists, religious leaders, veteran politicians, philosophers, brilliant writers, talented speakers, vastly talented sports persons and powerful world leaders. In spite of these persons invaluable contributions peace and security is fading away from this world day by day. What is the reason for this tragedy? It is the lack of Metta or good-will among mankind.

Without a sincere wish for the welfare and genuine happiness of all beings, there is no way one can establish a stable peace and security in this planet.

"Love is the soil in which the loved ones grow. It enriches the other person without limiting or restricting him. Love elevates humanity. Love costs nothing. Love should not be selective. Some may think of love as something to receive, but it is basically a giving process". (K. Sri Dhammananda “How to live without fear and worry). This love is not self-centered. This kind of love is called a universal love.

Buddhist concept of Metta should be differentiated from ordinary carnal love and personal affection. It is neither carnal love nor personal affection; neither neighbourliness nor racial brotherhood; Neither political brotherhood nor racial brotherhood. It is limitless in scope and range. Barriers it has none. Discrimination it makes not. It enables one to regard the whole world as one's motherland and all as fellow beings.

One must cultivate loving-kindness without being confined to limitations and restrictions.

"Just as a mother would protect her only child even at the risk of her own life, even so one should cultivate loving-kindness towards all beings" (suttanipatha).

This is the advice of the Buddha. The practitioner of universal love must treat all living beings without exception. Extending boundless heart, whatever living beings there may be feeble or strong, long (or tall) stout, or medium, short, small or large, seen or unseen, those dwelling far or nearer, those who are born and those who are yet to be born.

He not only considers about animate beings but also extends his loving kindness towards inanimate substances. He does not harm and pollute environment, water, air, soil or anything around him. Such is the characteristic of real Metta. To the one who has reached the culmination of loving-kindness can easily identify all beings making no difference between oneself and others. At this stage so called "I" is lost whole in him. This is how the separatism is evaporated.

He who practises Metta can gain inconceivable results. By cultivating loving-kindness one can eradicate ill-will, anger, hatred, harm, cruelty and grudges. In his exhortation to Rev. Rahula the Buddha says:

"Cultivate Rahula the meditation on loving-kindness; for by cultivating loving-kindness ill-will is banished. Cultivate Rahula, the meditation on compassion; for by cultivating compassion harm and cruelty are banished".(Maha rahulavada sutta).

Vicious thoughts of animosity and cruelty are most detrimental and harmful to those who harbour them. Animosity and cruelty are the outcome of anger. So without eliminating anger one cannot attain inner peace. As Piyadassi Thera mentions in his 'The Buddha's ancient path'; "Metta is the best antidote for anger in oneself. It is the best medicine for those who are angry with us. According to "Mettanisansa Sutta"(results of loving-kindness) one can achieve eleven advantages through the extension of loving-kindness.

He falls asleep in ease awakens from sleep in ease. He does not have bad dreams. He is loved by humans and non-humans alike. Deities protect him fire, poison and weapons do not affect him. His mind is easily concentrated on the object of meditation. Complexion and appearance become beautiful and lovable. At the last moment of his life he will pass away calmly and peacefully with no pain. Apart from that if he has not developed his mind further by the practice of insight. He will subsequently be born in Brahma realm.

(To be continued)

'Sabbe satta bavanthu sukithaththa' .May all beings live in happiness.

Ven. Teldeniyaye Amitha

Regular Feature Article by Kalyanamithra

ITIPISO BHAGAVA –Part 3 (Contd)

In the previous 2 articles we discussed three epithets of the Buddha that we contemplate on reciting the stanza ‘Itipiso Bhagava…’:Arahato, Samma Sambuddho, Vijjacarana Sampanno…..’.Here we will discuss three further qualities:Sugato, Lokavidu, Anutharo-Purisadhammasarathi.

Sugatomeans Sublime.The word is derived from ‘Su’ meaning good or well and ‘Gatho’ meaning gone.So literallySugatomeans well gone.The Buddha is ‘well gone’ in many ways.It is easy to remember them if you contemplate in the following manner:

1 Buddha is ‘well gone’ in thepastin that as Bodhisatta, he spent many eons perfecting theParamisout of compassion to the worldlings.

2 Buddha is ‘well gone’ in thepresentin that by practicing theMajjima Patipadahe realisedNibbana.

3 Buddha is ‘well gone’ in thefuturein that as he no more wandering in theSamsara.

4 Buddha is ‘well gone’ because his demeanor was graceful.

5 Buddha is ‘well gone’ in speech because he spoke with a voice of supreme quality (Brahma Swara) and only what is true, pleasant and beneficial.

It is on account of all these factors that the Buddha calledSugatha.

Lokavidumeans ‘knower of the worlds’.It is said that the Buddha knew the physical world (the universe) in all aspects.However, here ‘the worlds’ should not be taken literally as the physical world.For the Buddha it is this fathom long body with the consciousness that constitute the world.We are familiar with the saying of the Buddha, ‘It is in this fathom long carcass with its perceptions and consciousness that I make known the world, the arising of the world, the cessation of the world and the way leading to the cessation of the world’.Buddha also said ‘I do not say that there is a worlds end where one is neither born nor ages nor dies nor passes away nor reappears which can be known or seen or reached by travel.Yet I do not say that there is ending of suffering without reaching the worlds end’.From this it is clear thatfor the Buddha, it is this fathom long carcass with its perceptions and consciousness and suffering insamsarathat constitute the world. Buddha’s knowledge about this world of suffering is comprehensive, hence his ability to guide us to the ‘worlds end’:Nibbana.

The next virtue is anuttaro-purusadammasarathi.Sometimes anuttaroandpurusadammasarathiare treated as separate virtues and sometimes as one..

Anutaromeans incomparable.When this is considered as a separate virtue it signifies that the Buddha is incomparable in in virtue (sila), mental composure (samadhi), wisdom (panna), deliverance and knowledge and vision of deliverance.

When considered as a single virtue it means that the Buddha is the incomparable tamer of tameable beings.This refers to his ability to discipline and lead undisciplined beings towards fortunate realms ornibbana.Buddha used various methods to discipline misguided beings.Usually he guided them towards good by explaining the benefits of virtue and the perils of wrong doing.He also had a special set of abilities calleddasa balawhich enabled him to ‘read’ the type of person he is dealing with.Having understood the type of person, his inclinations and attitudes the Buddha was able to guide them appropriately.Dasa balaare unique to the Buddha.In rare instances he used his miraculous powers to this end.HenceAnutaro-purusadammasarathisignifies the Buddha’s unsurpassed ability to help beings realizenibbana.

Wisdom (EMBA newsletter) 1st issue May 2011

(Editor’s column)

We are pleased to send the 1st issue of our( Wisdom) Newsletter for 2011 and hope you would find the contents useful. Please do share the contents with your family and friends. We would value your comments & your feedback -critical or complimentary. Please note that previous copies are available on our web site at: www.Leicesterbuddhistvihara.co.uk).

a.  Vesak Celebrations May 2011:

The vesak celebrations this year has a very special significance as the Buddhists all over the world are celebrating the 2600th year Sambudhdhatva Jayanthi (the Anniversary of Sakyamuni Gauthama Buddha’s Enlightenment). The Sambudhdhtva Jayanthi should not be a ‘one day even’t but should be spread over the whole year. The least we as Buddhists can do is to reflect on the beautiful teachings of the Buddha and to practice and perfect his Doctrine of how to attain the eternal state of Bliss- Nibbhana. The resident monks at Leicester vihara are available and willing to respond to all your religious and spiritual needs and also can guide you in the teachings and the practice of Buddha Dhamma. Please contact them to arrange a meeting with them at a mutually convenient time and date.

b. EMBA elects a new committee for 2011/2012:

The following were elected to the new committee of the EMBA for 2011/2012 at the AGM held on 27th March:

The president: Dr C.S.Nanayakkara, Vice President: Mr Sarath Fernando, Secretary: Mrs Samanthi Hills, Treasurer: Mr Samitha Guruge,

General Com. members: Mrs Padmini Fernando, Mr Sunil Silva, Mr Harold Yatigammana, Mr Shantha Perera, Mr Rukman De Silva

Auditor: Mrs Malathi Gunawardena

c.The Senior most Trustee tenders his resignation

Dr Nanda De Silva has tendered his resignation as the senior most and longest serving Trustee on personal grounds. He was a founder member of the EMBA and had been a very active member. He was a very well respected and a very popular member and his advice as a trustee was very sound and balanced. We wish him every success and express our very sincere appreciation of all his services, dedication and support to the EMBA over the years.

d.EMBA appeals for new members:

EMBA would like to make a special appeal to all those who at present use the Leicester Vihara facilities(including the services from the resident monks) but have not yet become a member of the EMBA.

Membership numbers do matter a great deal on several counts. The maintenance of the vihara premises and to provide the basic needs of the resident monks incur a very significant monthly outgoings.

In addition, the new visa applications and renewals for the resident monks also incur very substantial fees to be paid to the U.K.Border Agency(UKBA).

The present accommodation at Leicester Vihara premises is so limited and at a premium requiring the need to hire suitable Halls to hold any of our special Ceremonies/religious functions incurring extra hall hire charges.

There are many other regular monthly outgoings- council tax, insurance cover, repairs and maintenance of the buildings, gas, electricity, telephone and internet bills, travel expenses to the resident monks etc do add up to a significant regular monthly expenses that have to be met by the limited amount of money we receive from the regular ‘standing orders’ we get from the membership and any other ‘ad-hoc’donations.

Any contributions you make (however small) to the EMBA will help to cover some of the needs highlighted. There are many other outgoings as well. By enrolling as a member, you would help us to share the cost of the regular outgoings. This will also allow the continuing development and the progress of the EMBA & the Leicester Vihara for the benefit of all the local Buddhist community. The details asked in the application forms to become a member will be kept with the Executive committee and will not be shared with any other outside agency (except the respective Bank/Building Society if a regular standing order is given). The EMBA circulation list will only include the relevant e mail addresses.

All contributions made will be acknowledged in writing. If you need any further details, please contact me, the resident monks or our Treasurer Mr Samitha Guruge.

Dr.C.S.Nanayakkara

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Routine Vihare (Religious) Activities

Vihara is open for visitors from 9 am – 8 pm

*Daily Chanting & Meditation:

~Evenings from 6.p.m – 7 pm.

*Weekly: /Alternate weeks:

- 5.30 pm-: 7.30pm Saturdays, 2 hour meditation practice

-7.30 pm – 9.30 pm Alternate Wednesdays: The Serene Reflection Group (led by Kevin Commons)

*Monthly:

-9 am – 11 am: 2nd Saturday, 2 hour meditation practice

-4 pm – 6 pm: 3rd Sunday- Dhamma School for children (temporarily suspended till further notice)

-5 pm- 6.30 pm: Last Saturday of the month, Special Dhamma Sermon

*Special/Family services: as agreed with resident monks.

( Ven D Rathanajothi, Ven T Amitha)

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EMBA/Leicester Vihara News

1.Efforts to fill the vacancy ( 3rd resident monk).

The EMBA has initiated the sponsorship process through the UKBA to fill the vacancy created by the departure of Ven Pannasara. All relevant documents have furnished to support the application form (details of the Buddhist monk from Sri Lanka will be notified once the Visa process is successful) which will have to be approved by the British High Commission in Sri Lanka. The Visa application fees will cost the EMBA over one lakh of rupees with no guarantee of absolute success. We will keep the membership posted of further developments.

2. EMBA members show their gratitude

Large number of vihara devotees organized a special alms giving on Sunday 24th April in memory of late Mrs Eugina Hamine beloved mother of Ven Rathanajothi who passed away peacefully 3 months ago. Approximately 40 members attended the special Event. providing the alms and offer of pirikara. Ven K.Gunawansa & Ven M.Soratha from Jethavana Buddhist Vihara attended as special guest monks to support the 2 resident monks. Special thanks to the venerable monks and all those who attended and prepared the alms and offer of Pirikara and financial contributions to make this event a great success.

Important Dates for your diary

a.Friday 15th July from 6 pm at the Vihara: Invitation for the resident monks to observe the ‘Rain Retreat’ (Vas Aradana)

b.Sunday October 30th: Annual Katina Ceremony to be held at Blaby Village Hall

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EMBA Annual Vesak Celebrations- 21st May 2011