tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5073201181295569712024-02-08T19:45:29.158+05:30Spiritual Gurus of IndiaKnow all about the spiritual gurus of India who inspired me and download e-books and speeches on themNithyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866010230500164274noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507320118129556971.post-46739686191322978962012-08-21T17:01:00.001+05:302012-08-21T17:01:39.363+05:30Dhammapada - Chapter 15 - Happy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Chapter 15 of Dhammapada deals with happiness. To remain happy in life we should not hate anyone. People thrive for wordly pleasures. In the midst of such people, the one who doesn't make such efforts to pursue the wordly leads a happy life. A person should maintain equanimity in both victory and defeat. Only then he remains happy always. Further the verses say that lust and anger are the biggest enemies and there is no happiness beyond the supreme peace.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Health is the greatest wealth, contentment is the greatest wealth, trust is the greatest kinship and unbinding is the greatest bliss. One should associate with the noble ones and spend time with them. Associating with ignorant is worser than being with enemies.</div>
<br />
This chapter contains 12 verses :<br />
<br />
<b><u>Verse 197:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>How very happily we live,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>free from hostility</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>among those who are hostile.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Among hostile people,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>free from hostility we dwell.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 198:</u></b><br />
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<i>How very happily we live,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>free from misery</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>among those who are miserable.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Among miserable people,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>free from misery we dwell.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 199:</u></b><br />
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<i>How happily we live,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>free from busyness</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>among those who are busy.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Among busy people,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>free from busy people we dwell.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 200:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>How very happily we live,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>we who have nothing,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>We feed on rapture</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>like the Radiant Gods.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 201:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Winning gives birth to hostility.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Losing, one lies down in pain.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The calmed he down with ease,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>having set winning & losing aside.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 202:</u></b><br />
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<i>There is no fire like passion,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>no loss like anger,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>no pain like the aggregates,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>no ease other than peace.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 203:</u></b><br />
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<i>Hunger: the foremost illness.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Fabrications: the foremost pain.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>For one knowing this truth</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>as it actually is,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>unbinding is the foremost ease.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 204:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Freedom from illness : the foremost good fortune.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Contentment : the foremost wealth.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Trust : the foremost kinship.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Unbinding : the foremost ease.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 205:</u></b><br />
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<i>Drinking the nourishment, the flavor,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>of seclusion and calm,</i></div>
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<i>one is freed from evil, devoid of distress,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>refreshed with the nourishment</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>of rapture in the Dhamma.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 206:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It's good to see Noble Ones.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Happy their company - always.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Through not seeing any fools</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>constantly, constantly</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>one would be happy.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 207:</u></b><br />
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<i>For living with a fool,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>one grieves a long time.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Painful is the communion with fools,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>as with an enemy - always.</i></div>
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<i>Happy is the communion</i></div>
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<i>with the enlightened,</i></div>
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<i>as with a gathering of kin.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 208:</u></b><br />
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<i>So: the enlightened man,</i></div>
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<i>discerning, learned, enduring, dutiful,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>noble, intelligent, a man of integrity :</i></div>
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<i>follow him - one of this sort -</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>as the moon, the path</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>of zodiac stars.</i></div>
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Chapter 14 of Dhammapada elaborates the qualities of the Awakened, THE BUDDHA. The Buddha is one whose victory cannot be undone. There is nothing called craving in him and so he cannot be swayed away.<br />
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It is very difficult to take birth as a human. Even difficult is to get the teachings of the enlightened and it is very rare for the birth of a Buddha to occur. Abandoning all evil and purifying one's own mind by oneself - this is the teaching of Buddha.<br />
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Endurance of patience is the foremost austerity. One cannot attain renunciation if one hurts another. Only who does not harm others is a true saint.<br />
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The verses give guidelines on how one can progress in the path of spirituality:<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Refrain from finding faults in others</li>
<li>Refrain from hurting others</li>
<li>Train yourself in the highest forms of discipline and conduct</li>
<li>Be moderate in eating food</li>
<li>Take delight in solitude</li>
<li>Engage in higher thoughts (meditation)</li>
<li>Stay away from sensual pleasure</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br />
The four noble truths are:<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Life means suffering</li>
<li>The origin of suffering is attachment</li>
<li>The cessation of suffering is attainable</li>
<li>The path of the cessation of suffering (Eight fold Path)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
There are 18 verses in this chapter and each of them is a gem:<br />
<br />
<b><u>Verse 179:</u></b><br />
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<i>Whose conquest can't be undone,</i></div>
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<i>whose conquest no one in the world can reach;</i></div>
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<i>awakened, his pasture endless, pathless:</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>by what path will you lead him astray?</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 180:</u></b><br />
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<i>In whom there is no craving</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>-the sticky ensnarer-</i></div>
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<i>to lead him anywhere at all;</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>awakened, his pasture endless, pathless:</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>by what path will you lead him astray? </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 181:</u></b><br />
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<i>They, the enlightened, intent on jhana,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>delighting in stilling and renunciation,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>self awakened and mindful:</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>even the devas view them with envy.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 182:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Hard the winning of a human birth.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Hard the life of mortals.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Hard the chance to hear the true Dhamma.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Hard the arising of Awakened Ones.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<u><b>Verse 183:</b></u><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The non-doing of any evil,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>the performance of what's skillful,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>the cleansing of one's own mind:</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>this is the teaching of the Awakened.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 184:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Patience endurance : the foremost austerity.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Unbinding: the foremost, so say the Awakened.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>He who injures another is no contemplative.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>He who mistreats another, no monk.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 185:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Not disparaging, not injuring,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>restraint in line with the Patimokkha,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>moderation in food,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>dwelling in seclusion,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>commitment to the heightened mind :</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>this is the teaching of the Awakened.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 186 - 187:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Not even if it rained gold coins</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>would we have our fill</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>of sensual pleasures.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>'Stressful, they give little enjoyment' -</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>knowing this, the wise one</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>finds no delight</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>even in heavenly sensual pleasures.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>He is one who delights</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>in the end of craving,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>a disciple of the Righty</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Self Awakened One.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 188 - 192:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>They go to many a refuge,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>to mountains, to forests,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>parks, trees and shrines :</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>people threatened with danger.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>That's not the secure refuge,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>not the supreme refuge,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>that's not the refuge,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>having gone to which,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>you gain release</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>from all sufferings and stress.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>But when, having gone</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>to the Buddha, Dhamma</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and Sangha for refuge,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>you see with right discernment</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>the four noble truths -</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>stress,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>the cause of stress,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>the transcending of stress,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and the noble eight fold path,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>the way to the stilling of stress :</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>that's the secure refuge,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>that's the supreme refuge,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>that's the refuge,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>having gone to which,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>you gain release</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>from all suffering and stress.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 193:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It's hard to come by</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>a thoroughbred of a man.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It's simply not true</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>that he's born everywhere.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Wherever he's born, an enlightened one,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>the family prospers, is happy.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 194:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>A blessing : the arising of Awakened Ones.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>A blessing : the teaching of true Dhamma.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>A blessing : the concord of the Sangha.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The austerity of those in concord is a blessing.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 195 - 196:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>If you worship those worthy of worship,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>- Awakened Ones or their disciples -</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>who've transcended complications,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>lamentations and grief,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>who are unendangered,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>fearless and bound :</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>there is no measure for reckoning</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>that your merit is 'this much'.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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This chapter emphasizes that one should not focus on the worldly things. One should not associate with people with false views. One should live only according to the reality and follow the path of Dhamma. Further, the verses explain the impermanence of life. It is compared to a mirage or a bubble. If one comes out of this illusion even the king of death cannot see him. If one comes out of his evil habits and cultivates good habits, he will illuminate the world. Wise people think beyond the worldly.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
There are twelve verses in this chapter :<br />
<br />
<b><u>Verse 167:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Don't associate with lowly qualities.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Don't consort with heedlessness.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Don't associate with wrong views.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Don't busy yourself with the world.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 168:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Get up! Don't be heedless.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Live the Dhamma well.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>One who lives the Dhamma</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>sleeps with ease</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>in this world and the next.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 169:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Live the Dhamma well.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Don't live it badly.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>One who lives the Dhamma</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>sleeps with ease</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>in this world and the next.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 170:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>See it as a bubble,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>see it as a mirage:</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>one who regards the world this way</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>the King of Death doesn't see.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 171:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Come look at this world</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>all decked out</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>like a royal chariot,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>where fools plunge in,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>while those who know don't cling.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 172:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Who once was heedless,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>but later is not,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>brightens the world</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>like the moon set free from a cloud.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 173:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>His evil-done deed</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>is replaced with skillfulness:</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>he brightens the world</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>like the moon set free from a cloud. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 174:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Blinded this world -</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>how few here see clearly!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Just as birds who've escaped</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>from a net are few,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>few are the people who make it to heaven.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 175:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Swans fly the path of the sun;</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>those with the power fly through space;</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>the enlightened flee from the world,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>having defeated the armies of Mara.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 176:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The person who tells a lie,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>who transgresses in this one thing,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>transcending concern for the world beyond:</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>there is no evil he might not do.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 177:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>No misers go to the world of devas.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Those who don't praise giving are fools.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The enlightened express their approval for giving</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and so find ease in the world beyond.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Verse 178:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Sole dominion over the earth,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>going to heaven,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>lordship over all the worlds:</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>the fruit of Stream-entry excels them.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<!-- End BidVertiser code --></div>Nithyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866010230500164274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507320118129556971.post-37383953560646729002012-01-22T16:07:00.000+05:302012-01-22T16:07:21.651+05:30Dhammapada - Chapter 12 - Self<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mu_ETHv3snQ/TNeDQ4n2LCI/AAAAAAAAAPM/yJSrYysWFqY/s1600/dhammapada3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mu_ETHv3snQ/TNeDQ4n2LCI/AAAAAAAAAPM/yJSrYysWFqY/s200/dhammapada3.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><br />
The twelfth Chapter of Dhammapada focuses on the concept of SELF. The chapter starts of by saying that one should protect oneself in all the three stages of life - namely childhood, youth and old age by acquisition of virtue. One has the ability to advice another only when he establishes himself in proper virtues. One should be one's own savior and that can be achieved only through self discipline.<br />
<br />
The extremely evil action of the person lacking in virtue is similar to that of the parasitic maluva creeper. The creeper grows on the tree and crushes it into destruction. The evil doer's action also crushes himself in that way. It can be observed that those actions which harm the self or others can be done easily while those actions which do good to the self or others are difficult to do.<br />
<br />
It is important that one helps others but he should make sure that in the process of helping others he doesn't hinder his spiritual progress. At any point of time one should be well aware of his spiritual goals and strive hard towards achieving it.<br />
<br />
There are 10 verses in this chapter:<br />
<br />
<b><u>Verse 157:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>If you hold yourself dear</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>then guard, guard yourself well.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The wise person would stay awake</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>nursing himself</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>in any of the three watches of the night,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the three stages of life.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 158:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>First he'd settle himself</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>in what is correct,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>only then teach others.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He wouldn't stain his name</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>: he is wise.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 159:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>If you'd mold yourself</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the way you teach others,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>then well trained,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>go ahead and tame-</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>for , as they say,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>what's hard to tame is</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>you yourself.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 160:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Your own self is</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>your own mainstay,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>for who else could your mainstay be?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>With you yourself- well trained</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>you obtain the mainstay hard to obtain.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 161:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>The evil he himself has done</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>-self born, self created-</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>grinds down the dullard,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>as a diamond, as a precious stone.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 162:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>When overspread by extreme vice-</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>like a sal tree by a vine-</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>you do to yourself</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>what an enemy would wish.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 163:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>They're easy to do-</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>things of no good</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and of no use to yourself.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>What's truly useful and good</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>is truly harder than hard to do.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 164:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>The teaching of those</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>who live the Dhamma,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>worthy ones, noble:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>whoever maligns it</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>- a dullard -</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>inspired by evil view-</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>bears fruit for his own destruction,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>like the fruiting of the bamboo.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 165:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Evil is done by oneself</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>by oneself is one defiled.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Evil is left undone by oneself</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>by oneself is one cleansed.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Purity and impurity are ones own doing.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>No one purifies another.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>No other purifies one.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 166:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Don't sacrifice your own welfare</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>for that of another,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>no matter how great.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Realizing your own true welfare,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>be intent on just that.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<!-- End BidVertiser code --></div>Nithyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866010230500164274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507320118129556971.post-1651405263803301372011-05-19T16:30:00.002+05:302011-05-19T18:02:14.882+05:30Dhammapada - Chapter 11 - Ageing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mu_ETHv3snQ/TNeDQ4n2LCI/AAAAAAAAAPM/yJSrYysWFqY/s1600/dhammapada3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mu_ETHv3snQ/TNeDQ4n2LCI/AAAAAAAAAPM/yJSrYysWFqY/s200/dhammapada3.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">First of all I would like to express my apologies for not updating my blog for a long time. Now we will continue our journey through Dhammapada.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Life's most traumatic experiences are OLD AGE, DISEASE and DEATH. These are the very experiences which awakened the Buddha and lead him to enlightenment. This chapter talks about the first of these - Ageing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The verses explain the impermanence of this body. It gets diseased, loses its strength, and death puts an end to it. One has passion towards the body but after death this body is thrown away and one can see bones and skull strewn around. Seeing this nobody feels the lust. The human body decays but the experience of truth of never decays. The calm one experiences this truth. Buddha concludes this Chapter withe verse saying that most people spend their life squandering the precious days with no thought about the inevitable old age that will overtake them. Youth is allowed to slip by without having garnered either material or spiritual wealth. The Buddha's admonition to mankind in this passage, is that they must, in time, become mindful of the passage of time and the speedy fading of the glamor of youth.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are 11 verses in this chapter.</div><br />
<b><u>Verse 146:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>What laughter, why joy,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>when constantly aflame?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Enveloped in darkness,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>don't you look for lamp?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 147:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Look at the beautiful image,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>a heap of festering wounds, shored up:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>ill, but the object of many resolves,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>where there is nothing lasting or sure.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 148:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Worn out is this body,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>a nest of diseases, dissolving.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>This putrid conglomeration</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>is bound to break up,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>for life is hemmed in with death.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 149:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>On seeing these bones discarded</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>like gourds in the fall,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>pigeon gray: what delight?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 150:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>A city made of bones,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>plastered over with flesh and blood,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>whose hidden treasures are:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>pride and contempt,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>ageing and death.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 151:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Even royal chariots</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>well embellished</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>get run down,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and so does the body</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>succumb to old age.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>But the Dhamma of the good</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>doesn't succumb to old age:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the good let the civilized know.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 152:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>This unlistening man</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>matures like an ox.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>His muscles develop,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>his discernment not.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 153-154:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Through the round of many births I roamed</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>without reward, without rest,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>seeking the house builder.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Painful is birth again and again.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>House builder you are seen!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>You will not build a house again.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>All your rafters broken,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the ridge pole destroyed,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>gone to the Unformed, the mind</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>has come to the end of craving.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 155-156:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Neither living the chaste life</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>nor gaining wealth in their youth,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>they away like herons</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>in a dried-up lake</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>depleted of fish.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Neither living the chaste life</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>nor gaining wealth in their youth,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>they he around,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>misfired the bow,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>sighing over old times.</i></div><br />
<br />
</div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1590303806/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399353&creativeASIN=1590303806">The Dhammapada: A New Translation of the Buddhist Classic with Annotations</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1590303806&camp=217145&creative=399349" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><label id="showTextCategoryLinkPreview_l1"> (See all </label><a href="http://www.amazon.com/General-Buddhism-Religion-Spirituality-Books/b/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399357&creativeASIN=1590303806&ie=UTF8&node=12282">Buddhism Books</a>)<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1590303806&camp=217145&creative=399357" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1586380206/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399353&creativeASIN=1586380206">The Dhammapada (Classics of Indian Spirituality)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1586380206&camp=217145&creative=399349" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><label id="showTextCategoryLinkPreview_l1"> (See all </label><a href="http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399357&creativeASIN=1586380206&ie=UTF8&node=15755351">Buddhism Sacred Writings Books</a>)<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1586380206&camp=217145&creative=399357" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RKRWQG/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B002RKRWQG">Dhammapada, a collection of verses; being one of the canonical books of the Buddhists</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B002RKRWQG&camp=217145&creative=399349" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0938077872/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399353&creativeASIN=0938077872">The Dhammapada</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0938077872&camp=217145&creative=399349" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><label id="showTextCategoryLinkPreview_l1"> (See all </label><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zen-Buddhism-Religion-Spirituality-Books/b/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399357&creativeASIN=0938077872&ie=UTF8&node=12286">Zen Books</a>)<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0938077872&camp=217145&creative=399357" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RKRWQG/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B002RKRWQG">Dhammapada, a collection of verses; being one of the canonical books of the Buddhists</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B002RKRWQG&camp=217145&creative=399349" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Begin BidVertiser code -->
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<!-- End BidVertiser code --></div>Nithyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866010230500164274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507320118129556971.post-83267356736238122072011-02-15T11:44:00.000+05:302011-02-15T11:44:58.426+05:30Dhammapada - Chapter 10 - The Rod<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mu_ETHv3snQ/TNeDQ4n2LCI/AAAAAAAAAPM/yJSrYysWFqY/s1600/dhammapada3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mu_ETHv3snQ/TNeDQ4n2LCI/AAAAAAAAAPM/yJSrYysWFqY/s200/dhammapada3.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The 10th Chapter of Dhammapada is based on the concept of punishment. All are frightened of being hurt or any threat to one's life. To all life is dear. Seeing that others see the same way as oneself, equating others to oneself, refrain from harming or killing. People who like to be happy are in search of pleasure hurt others through various acts of violence for their own happiness. These victims too want to be happy as much as those who inflict pain on them. Those who inflict pain do not achieve happiness even in their next birth.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">To know further read the verses that follow. There are 17 verses in this chapter:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 129</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>All tremble at the rod,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>all are fearful of death.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Drawing the parallel to yourself,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>neither kill nor get others to kill.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 130</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>All tremble at the rod,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>hold their life dear.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Drawing the parallel to yourself,</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>neither kill nor get others to kill.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div><b><u>Verse 131</u></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Whoever takes a rod</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>to harm living beings desiring ease,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>when he himself is looking for ease,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>will meet with no ease after death.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div><b><u>Verse 132</u></b></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Whoever doesn't take a rod</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>to harm living beings desiring ease,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>when he himself is looking for ease,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>will meet with ease after death.</i></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div><b><u>Verse 133</u></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Speak harshly to no one,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>or the words will be thrown</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>right back at you.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Contentious talk is painful,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>for you get struck by rods in return.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div><b><u>Verse 134</u></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>If, like a flattened metal pot</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>you don't resound,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>you have attained an Unbinding;</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>in you there's found</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>no contention.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div><b><u>Verse 135</u></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>As a cowherd with a rod</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>drives cows to the field,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>so ageing and death</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>drive the life of living beings.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div><b><u>Verse 136</u></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>When doing evil deeds,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the fool is oblivious.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The dullard is tormented</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>by his own deeds,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>as if burned by a fire.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div><b><u>Verse 137-140</u></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Whoever, with a rod,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>harasses an innocent man, unarmed,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>quickly falls into any of the ten things:</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>harsh pains, devastation, a broken body,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>grave illness, mental derangement, trouble </i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>with the government, violent slander, relatives lost,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>property dissolved, houses burned down.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>At the break-up of the body</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>this one with no discernment,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>reappears in hell.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div><b><u>Verse 141</u></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Neither nakedness nor matted hair</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>nor mud nor the refusal of food</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>nor sleeping on the bare ground</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>nor dust and dirt nor squatting austerities</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>cleanses the mortal</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>who's not gone beyond doubt.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div><b><u>Verse 142</u></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>If, though adorned, one lives in tune</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>with the chaste life</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>-calmed, tamed and assured-</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>having put down the rod towards other beings,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>he's a contemplative, a brahmin, a monk.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div><b><u>Verse 143</u></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Who in the world</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>is a man constrained by conscience,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>who awakens to censure</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>like a fine stallion to whip.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div><b><u>Verse 144</u></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Like a fine stallion</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>struck with a whip,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>be ardent and chastened.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Through conviction, virtue,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>persistence, concentration, judgment,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>consummate in knowledge and conduct,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>mindful,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>you will abandon this non-insignificant pain.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div><b><u>Verse 145</u></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Irrigators guide the water.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Fletchers shape the arrow shaft.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Carpenters shape the wood.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Those of good practices control themselves.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div>For further reading:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0195640802?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0195640802">The Dhammapada: With Introductory Essays, Pali Text, English Translation and Notes (Oxford India Paperbacks)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0195640802" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/8179921581?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=8179921581">Dhammapada</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=8179921581" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060513705?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0060513705">The Still Point Dhammapada: Living the Buddha's Essential Teachings</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0060513705" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9626343079?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=9626343079">The Voice of the Buddha: The Dhammapada and other key Buddhist teachings</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=9626343079" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/088050515X?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=088050515X">The Book Of The Books: Discourses On The Dhammapada Of Gautam The Buddha (Book of the Books)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=088050515X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Begin BidVertiser code -->
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<!-- End BidVertiser code --></div>Nithyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866010230500164274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507320118129556971.post-66782121102752100352011-01-21T15:11:00.001+05:302011-01-21T15:12:22.519+05:30Dhammapada - Chapter 9 - The Evil<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TNeDQ4n2LCI/AAAAAAAAAPM/PBq74QxptY8/s1600/dhammapada3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TNeDQ4n2LCI/AAAAAAAAAPM/PBq74QxptY8/s200/dhammapada3.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The ninth chapter of Dhammapada focuses on the evils of doing evil and the merits of doing merit. It says - Any act which is virtuous, which is meritorious should be done quickly without a delay because if one were to perform meritorious action hesitantly, his mind would start taking delight in the evil. Sometimes a person may do evil but he should be careful enough not to do it again and again. Accumulation of evil is painful whereas accumulation of merit brings happiness. Evil seems sweet until it ripens.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Some tend to believe that evil can be taken lightly. Their attitude to wrong-doing is that they can get away with anything whatsoever. But evil accumulates little by little-very much like a water pot being filled drop by drop. Little by little the evil accumulates until he is filled by it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The underlying message of this chapter is that one should always perform good deeds and keep away from evil activities.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are 13 verses in this Chapter:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 116</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Be quick in doing what's admirable.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Restrain your mind from what is evil.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>When you are slow in making merit,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>evil delights the mind.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 117</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>If a person does evil,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>he shouldn't do it again and again,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>shouldn't develop a penchant for it.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>To accumulate evil brings pain.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 118</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>If a person makes merit,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>he should do it again and again,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>should develop a penchant for it.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>To accumulate merit brings ease.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 119</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Even the evil meet with good fortune</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>as long as their evil has yet to mature.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>But when it's matured</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>that's when they meet with evil.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 120</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Even the good meet with bad fortune</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>as long as their good has yet to mature.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>But when it's matured</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>that's when they meet with good fortune.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 121</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Don't be heedless of evil</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(It won't come to me).</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A water jar fills,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>even with water falling in drops.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>With evil, even if bit by bit,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>habitually - the fool fills himself full.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 122</u></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"></span></b><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>Don't be heedless of evil</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>(It won't come to me).</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>A water jar fills,</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>even with water falling in drops.</i></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>With merit, even if bit by bit,</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>habitually - the enlightened one fills himself full.</i></div><div style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline;"><b><br />
</b></div></div><br />
<b><u>Verse 123</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Like a merchant with a small</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>but well laden caravan - a dangerous road,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>like a person who loves life - a poison,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>one should avoid - evil deeds.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><u><b>Verse 124</b></u><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>If there's no wound on the hand,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>that hand can hold poison.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Poison would penetrate</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>where there's no wound.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>There's no evil for those </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>who don't do it.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 125</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Whoever harasses an innocent man,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>a man pure, without blemish:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the evil comes right back to the fool</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>like fine dust thrown against the wind.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 126</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Some are born in the human womb,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>evildoers in hell,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>those on the good course go to heaven,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>while those without effluent: totally unbound.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 127</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Not up in the air,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>nor in the middle of the sea,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>nor going into a cleft in the mountains</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>-nowhere on earth-</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>is a spot to be found</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>where you could stay and escape</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>your evil deed.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 128</u></b><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>Not up in the air,</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>nor in the middle of the sea,</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>nor going into a cleft in the mountains</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>-nowhere on earth-</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>is a spot to be found</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>where you could stay and not</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>succumb to death.</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Chapter 10 will be continued in the next blog post.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1590306414?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1590306414">The Dhammapada (Book and Audio-CD Set): Teachings of the Buddha</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1590306414" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0032Z8KMA?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0032Z8KMA">The Dhammapada</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0032Z8KMA" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0810972956?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0810972956">The Way of the Buddha: The Illustrated Dhammapada (Gift Book)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0810972956" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0913546984?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0913546984">Dhammapada: Essential Teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha (Tibetan Translation Series)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0913546984" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1602062544?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1602062544">WISDOM OF THE BUDDHA: The Unabridged Dhammapada</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1602062544" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Begin BidVertiser code -->
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<!-- End BidVertiser code --></div>Nithyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866010230500164274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507320118129556971.post-61054594242231920522010-12-12T19:36:00.000+05:302010-12-12T19:36:41.670+05:30Dhammapada - Chapter 8 - Thousands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TNeDQ4n2LCI/AAAAAAAAAPM/PBq74QxptY8/s1600/dhammapada3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TNeDQ4n2LCI/AAAAAAAAAPM/PBq74QxptY8/s200/dhammapada3.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Chapter 8 of Dhammapada is based on the theme of thousands. To sum up in one sentence, the core of this chapter is quality is better than quantity. One good thing is better than thousand bad things. Expressions replete with thousands of words are of no value. One meaningful word is more valuable, if hearing it one is pacified. A poem replete with thousands of verses is of no value if it has no useful meaning. One single stanza pregnant with wisdom is more valuable, if hearing it one is pacified. As in all the chapters this chapter also stresses the importance of self control. It says that a person who has conquered the Self is of more value than a person who has conquered thousands of men in a battle. Self conquest is greater than the conquest of others. The victory of one who conquers the Self cannot be turned into defeat. He remains a self controlled individual who lives ever disciplined.</div><br />
<br />
Read on all the verses to get the whole content of this chapter. There are 16 verses in this chapter:<br />
<br />
<b><u>Verse 100</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Better than if there were thousands</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>of meaningless words is</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>one meaningful word</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>that on hearing brings peace.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 101</u></b><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Better than if there were thousands</i></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>of meaningless verses is</i></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>one meaningful verse</i></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>that on hearing brings peace.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div><b><u>Verse 102</u></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And better than chanting hundreds </i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>of meaningless verses is</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>one Dhamma - saying</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>that on hearing brings peace.</i></div></div><div><br />
</div><div><b><u>Verse 103 - 105</u></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Greater in battle</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>than the man who would conquer</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>a thousand - thousand men,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>is who would conquer just one - himself.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Better to conquer yourself than others.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>When you have trained yourself,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>living in constant self control,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>neither a deva nor a gandhabba,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>nor a Mara banded with Brahmas,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>could turn that triumph</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>back into defeat.</i></div></div><div><br />
</div><div><b><u>Verse 106</u></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>You could, month by month,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>at a cost of thousands,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>conduct sacrifices a hundred times</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>or </i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>pay a single moment's homage</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>to one person, self cultivated.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Better than a hundred years of sacrifice</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>would that homage be.</i></div></div><div><br />
</div><div><b><u>Verse 107</u></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>You could, for a hundred years,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>live in a forest tending a fire,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>or</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>pay a single moment's homage</i></div></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>to one person, self cultivated.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Better than a hundred years of sacrifice</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>would that homage be.</i></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div><b><u>Verse 108</u></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Everything offered or sacrificed in the world</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>for an entire year by one seeking merit</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>doesn't come to a fourth.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Better to pay respect to those</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>who have gone the straight way.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div><b><u>Verse 109</u></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>If you are respectful by habit</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>constantly honoring the worthy,</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>four things increase:</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>long life, beauty, happiness, strength.</i></div></div><div><br />
</div><div><b><u>Verse 110</u></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Better than one hundred years </i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>lived without virtue, uncentered, is</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>one day lived by a virtuous person</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>absorbed in jhana.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div><b><u>Verse 111</u></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And better than a hundred years </i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>lived undiscerning, uncentered, is</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>one day lived by a discerning person</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>absorbed in jhana.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div><b><u>Verse 112</u></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And better than a hundred years</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>lived apathetic and unenergetic, is</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>one day lived energetic and firm.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div><b><u>Verse 113</u></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And better than a hundred years</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>lived without seeing, arising and passing away, is</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>one day lived seeing, arising and passing away.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div><b><u>Verse 114</u></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And better than a hundred years</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> lived without seeing the Deathless state, is</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>one day lived seeing the Deathless state.</i></div></div><div><br />
</div><div><b><u>Verse 115</u></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And better than a hundred years</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>lived without seeing the ultimate Dhamma, is</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>one day lived seeing the ultimate Dhamma.</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div>Chapter 9 will be continued in the next blog post.</div><div><br />
</div><div>For further reading:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0810972956?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0810972956">The Way of the Buddha: The Illustrated Dhammapada (Gift Book)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0810972956" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1602062544?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1602062544">WISDOM OF THE BUDDHA: The Unabridged Dhammapada</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1602062544" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0553373765?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0553373765">Dhammapada: The Sayings of Buddha</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0553373765" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/189336142X?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=189336142X">Dhammapada : Annotated & Explained</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=189336142X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1842931199?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1842931199">The Dhammapada: The Essential Teachings of the Buddha (Sacred Wisdom)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1842931199" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Begin BidVertiser code -->
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<!-- End BidVertiser code --></div>Nithyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866010230500164274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507320118129556971.post-76517532761322144162010-12-11T17:37:00.001+05:302010-12-11T17:38:23.671+05:30Dhammapada - Chapter 7 - Arahants<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TNeDQ4n2LCI/AAAAAAAAAPM/PBq74QxptY8/s1600/dhammapada3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TNeDQ4n2LCI/AAAAAAAAAPM/PBq74QxptY8/s200/dhammapada3.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>The 7th Chapter of <a href="http://spiritualgurusofindia.blogspot.com/2010/10/dhammapada.html">Dhammapada</a> talks in depth about Arahants. Arahant, in Buddhism, signifies a spiritual practitioner who has realized certain high stages of attainment. The verses explain all about the character and activities of a person who has attained enlightenment. They say that the Arahants are at the end of their journey in the life and death cycle and their quest for liberation has succeeded. They are sorrow-less and totally released in mind. They have got rid of all knots and no bonds bind them. No anxiety exists in them. Those mindful ones make the effort to keep their attentiveness always in trim. They are not at all attached to abodes or settlements.<br />
<br />
<br />
The verses further say that those whose senses are calmed like a horse trained by a horse-tamer, who have fully given up judgment, who is free of influences, the sight of those mentally stable ones please even the gods.<br />
The Arahant has no faith but in himself. He is aware of deathlessness - the unconditioned. He is a breaker of connections, because he has severed all worldly links. He has destroyed all the opportunities for rebirth. He has given up all desires. Because of these the Arahant is truely noble person. <br />
<br />
There are 10 verses in this chapter as quoted below:<br />
<br />
<b><u>Verse 90</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>In one who has gone the full distance,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>is free from sorrow,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>is fully released in all respects,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>has abandoned all bonds:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>no fever is found.</i></div><br />
<b><u>Verse 91</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>The mindful keep active,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>don't delight in settling back.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>They renounce every home,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>every home,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>likes swans taking off from a lake.</i></div><br />
<b><u>Verse 92</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Not hoarding, having understood food,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>their pastures - emptiness </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and freedom without sign:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>their trail,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>like that of birds through space</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>can't be traced.</i></div><br />
<b><u>Verse 93</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Effluents ended, independent of nutriment,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>their pastures - emptiness</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>and freedom without sign:</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>their trail,</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>like that of birds through space</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>can't be traced.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 94</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>He whose senses are steadied</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>like stallions well trained by charioteers,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>his conceit abandoned,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>free of effluent,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Such: even devas adore him.</i></div><br />
<b><u>Verse 95</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i> Like the earth, he doesn't react - </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>cultured , Such, like Indra's pillar,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>like a lake free of mud.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>For him - Such - there's no travelling on.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 96</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Calm is his mind,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>calm is his speech and his deed:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>one who's released through right knowing,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>pacified Such.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 97</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>The man</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>faithless / beyond conviction</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>ungrateful / knowing the Unmade</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>a burglar / who has severed connections</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>who has destroyed his chances / conditions</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>who eats vomit: has disgorged expectations :</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the ultimate person.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 98</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>In village or wilds,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>valley, plateau:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>that place is delightful</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>where arahants dwell.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 99</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Delightful wilds</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>where the crowds don't delight </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>those free from passion delight,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>for they're not searching</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>for sensual pleasures.</i> </div><br />
Chapter 8 will be continued in the next blog post.<br />
<br />
For further reading:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140442847?ie=UTF8&tag=sgoi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0140442847">The Dhammapada (Penguin Classics)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sgoi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0140442847" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1145793770?ie=UTF8&tag=sgoi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1145793770">The Dhammapada</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sgoi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1145793770" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0199555133?ie=UTF8&tag=sgoi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0199555133">The Dhammapada: The Sayings of the Buddha (Oxford World's Classics)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sgoi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0199555133" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1590306414?ie=UTF8&tag=sgoi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1590306414">The Dhammapada (Book and Audio-CD Set): Teachings of the Buddha</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sgoi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1590306414" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0812977270?ie=UTF8&tag=sgoi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0812977270">The Dhammapada: Verses on the Way (Modern Library Classics)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sgoi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0812977270" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Begin BidVertiser code -->
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<!-- End BidVertiser code --></div>Nithyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866010230500164274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507320118129556971.post-44720870832014946062010-12-08T14:57:00.009+05:302010-12-10T17:32:16.846+05:30Dhammapada - Chapter 6 - The Wise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TNeDQ4n2LCI/AAAAAAAAAPM/PBq74QxptY8/s1600/dhammapada3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TNeDQ4n2LCI/AAAAAAAAAPM/PBq74QxptY8/s200/dhammapada3.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The sixth chapter of Dhammapada talks about the wise. It describes the qualities of a wise man and guides us how to identify such a person. Further the verses encourage us to associate ourselves with such people with whose association we would gain lot of benefits. It is said that as the irrigators guides the water, as the fletchers shape the arrow shaft, as the carpenters shape the wood, a wise man controls his mind. These lines highlight the importance of the control of mind which is a difficult thing to attain for a normal person. The wise are neither moved by praise nor blame. They are equanimous at any point of time.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<br />
</div>There are 14 verses in this Chapter.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Verse 76</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Regard him as one, who points out treasure,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the wise one who seeing your faults rebukes you.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Stay with this sort of sage</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>For the one who stays with the sage of this sort,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>things get better, not worse.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 77</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Let him admonish, instruct, deflect you</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>away from poor manners.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>To the good he is endearing,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>to the bad he is not.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 78</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Don't associate with bad friends.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Don't associate with the low.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Associate with admirable friends.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Associate with the best.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 79</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Drinking the Dhamma, refreshed by the Dhamma,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>one sleeps at ease with clear awareness and calm.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>In the Dhamma revealed by the noble ones,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the wise person always delights.</i></div><br />
<b><u>Verse 80</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Irrigators guide the water.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Fletchers shape the arrow shaft.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Carpenters shape the wood.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The wise controls themselves.</i></div><br />
<b><u>Verse 81</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>As a single slab of of rock</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>won't budge in the wind,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>so the wise are not moved</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>by praise, by blame.</i></div><br />
<b><u>Verse 82</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Like a deep lake, </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>clear unruffled, and calm,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>so the wise becomes clear, calm,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>on hearing the words of Dhamma.</i></div><br />
<b><u>Verse 83</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Everywhere, truly, those of integrity stand apart.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>They, the good, don't chatter in hopes of favour or gains.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>When touched now by pleasure, now pain,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the wise give no sign of high, or low.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 84</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>One who wouldn't - not for his own sake</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>nor that of another - hanker for wealth,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>a son, a kingdom, his own fulfillment,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>by unrighteous means:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>he is righteous, rich in virtue, discernment.</i></div><br />
<b><u>Verse 85 - 89</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Few are the people who reach far ashore.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>These others simply scurry along this shore.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>But those who practice Dhamma</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>in line with the well-taught Dhamma,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>will cross over the realm of Death</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>so hard to transcend.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Forsaking dark practices,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the wise person should develop the bright,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>having gone from home to no home</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>in seclusion, so hard to enjoy.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>There he should wish for delight,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>discarding sensuality - he who has nothing.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He should cleanse himself - wise - </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>of what defiles the mind.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Whose minds are well-developed</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>in the factors of self awakening,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>who delight in non-clinging,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>relinquishing grasping -</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>resplendent, their effluents ended:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>they in the world are unbound.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Chapter 7 will be continued in future blog posts.<br />
<br />
For further reading:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dhammapada-Translation-Buddhist-Classic-Annotations/dp/1590303806?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Dhammapada: A New Translation of the Buddhist Classic with Annotations</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1590303806" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dhammapada-Classics-Indian-Spirituality/dp/1586380206?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Dhammapada (Classics of Indian Spirituality)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1586380206" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dhammapada-collection-canonical-Buddhists-ebook/dp/B002RKRWQG?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Dhammapada, a collection of verses; being one of the canonical books of the Buddhists</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B002RKRWQG" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dhammapada-Balangoda-Ananda-Maitreya/dp/0938077872?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Dhammapada</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0938077872" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dhammapada-Shambhala-Pocket-Classics-Thomas/dp/0877739668?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Dhammapada (Shambhala Pocket Classics)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0877739668" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Begin BidVertiser code -->
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<!-- End BidVertiser code --></div>Nithyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866010230500164274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507320118129556971.post-20223423654221711432010-11-24T13:40:00.000+05:302010-11-24T13:40:51.119+05:30Dhammapada - Chapter 5 - Fools<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TNeDQ4n2LCI/AAAAAAAAAPM/PBq74QxptY8/s1600/dhammapada3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TNeDQ4n2LCI/AAAAAAAAAPM/PBq74QxptY8/s200/dhammapada3.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Chapter 5 of Dhammapada is based on the subject of "Fools". A person who is unaware of Dhamma is considered to be a fool. It has been advised that one should not associate himself with a fool. It is better to be alone that to be associated with a fool. The chapter further says that a fool torments himself by clinging to worldly things and the enemy of a fool is none other than himself.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This chapter has 16 verses. Read on to taste it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 60</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Long for the wakeful is the night,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Long the weary, a league</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>For fools unaware of true Dhamma,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Samsara is long.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 61</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>If, in your course, you don't meet</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>your equal, your better,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>then continue on your course</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>firmly, alone.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>There is no fellowship with fools.</i></div><br />
<b><u>Verse 62</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>I have sons, I have wealth,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the fool torments himself.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>When even he himself</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>doesn't belong to himself,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>how then sons?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>how wealth?</i></div><br />
<b><u>Verse 63</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>A fool with a sense of his foolishness</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>is - at least to that extent - wise.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>But a fool who thinks himself wise</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>really deserves to be called fool.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 64</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Even if for a lifetime</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the fool stays with a wise,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>he knows nothing of the Dhamma - </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>as the ladle,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the taste of soup.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 65</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Even if for a moment,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the perceptive person stays with the wise,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>he immediately knows the Dhamma - </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>as the tongue,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the taste of soup.</i></div><br />
<b><u>Verse 66</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Fools, their wisdom weak,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>are their own enemies</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>as they go through life,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>doing evil that bears bitter fruits.</i></div><br />
<b><u>Verse 67</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>It's not good,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the doing of the deed</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>that, once it's done,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>you regret,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>whose result you reap crying,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>your face in tears.</i></div><br />
<b><u>Verse 68</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>It's good,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the doing of the deed</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>that, once it's done,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>you don't regret,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>whose result you reap gratified,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>happy at heart.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 69</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>As long as evil has yet to ripen,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the fool mistakes it for honey.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>But when the evil ripens,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the fool falls into pain.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 70</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Month after month</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the fool might eat </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>only a tip-of-grass measure of food,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>but he won't be worth</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>one sixteenth of those</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>who fathomed the Dhamma.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 71</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>An evil deed, when done,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>doesn't - like ready milk - </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>come out right away.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>It follows the fool,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>smoldering like a fire</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>hidden in the ashes.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 72</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Only for his ruin</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>does renown come to the fool.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>It ravages his bright fortune</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and rips his head apart.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 73</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>He would want unwarranted status,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>preeminence among monks,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>authority among monasteries,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>homage from lay families.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 74</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Let householders and those gone forth</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>both think that this</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>was done by me alone.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>May I alone determine</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>what's the duty and what's not:" :</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the resolve of a fool</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>as they grow - his desire and pride.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 75</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>The path to the material gain</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>goes on way,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the way to unbinding,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>another.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Realizing this, the monk,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>a disciple to the Awakened One,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>should not relish offerings,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>should cultivate seclusion</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>instead.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Chapter 6 will be continued in the next blog post.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Begin BidVertiser code -->
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<!-- End BidVertiser code --></div>Nithyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866010230500164274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507320118129556971.post-85262773762930154852010-11-11T10:04:00.000+05:302010-11-11T10:04:13.433+05:30Dhammapada - Chapter 4 - Blossoms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TNeDQ4n2LCI/AAAAAAAAAPM/PBq74QxptY8/s1600/dhammapada3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TNeDQ4n2LCI/AAAAAAAAAPM/PBq74QxptY8/s200/dhammapada3.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>The fourth chapter of Dhammapada is based on the theme of flowers. Each verse expresses a notion by relating it to a flower. For example, the first verse poses the question - Just as an expert in garland making will select, pluck and arrange flowers in garlands, who will understand the nature of life and the Dhamma. As an answer to this question, the second verse says that the learner, seeker, the well disciplined in the path of Dhamma will perceive the Dhamma and understand the nature of life.<br />
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Read on to further explore the depth of each verse. There are 16 verses in this chapter :<br />
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<b><u>Verse 44:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Who will penetrate this earth</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and this realm of death</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>with all its gods?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Who will ferret out</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the well-taught Dhamma saying,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>as the skillful flower arranger,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the flower.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 45:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>The learner on the path</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>will penetrate this earth</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and the realm of death</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>with all its gods.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The learner on the path</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>will ferret out</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the well taught Dhamma saying,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>as the skillful flower arranger,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the flower.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 46:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Knowing this body is like foam,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>realizing its nature - a mirage - </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>cutting out the blossoms of Mara,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>you can go where the King of Death can't see.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 47:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>The man immersed in gathering blossoms,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>his heart distracted :</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>death sweeps him away - </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>as a great flood, a village asleep.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 48:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>The man immersed in gathering blossoms,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>his heart distracted :</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>insatiable in sensual pleasures :</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the End-Maker holds him under his sway.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 49:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>As a bee - without harming the blossom,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>its color, its fragrance - </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>takes away its nectar and flies away:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>so should a sage go through a village.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 50:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Focus, not on the rudeness of others,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>not on what they've done or left undone,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>but on what you have</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and haven't done yourself.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 51:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Just like a blossom, </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>bright colored but scentless:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>a well-spoken word is fruitless</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>when not carried out.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 52:</u></b><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>Just like a blossom, </i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>bright colored and full of scent:</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>a well-spoken word is fruitful</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>when well carried out.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<b><u>Verse 53:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Just as from a heap of flowers,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>many garland strands can be made,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>even so one born and mortal should do</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>- with what's born and mortal - </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>many a skillful thing.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 54:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>No flower's scent goes against the wind - </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>not sandalwood, jasmine, lavender.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>But the scent of good does go against the wind.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The person of integrity wafts a scent in every direction.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 55:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Sandalwood, lavender, lotus and jasmine</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>among these scents,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the scent of virtue</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>is unsurpassed.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 56:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Next to nothing, this fragrance</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>- sandalwood, lavender - </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>while the scent of the virtuous</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>wafts to the gods, supreme</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 57:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Those consummate in virtue,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>dwelling in heedfulness,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>released through right knowing,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Mara can't follow their tracks.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 58 - 59:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>As in the pile of rubbish</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>cast by the side of a highway,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>a lotus might grow clean smelling,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>pleasant the heart,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>so in the midst of rubbish like</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>people, run-of-the-mill and blind,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>there dazzles with discernment,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the disciple of the Rightly Self Awakened One.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Chapter 5 will be continued in the next blog post.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Begin BidVertiser code -->
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<!-- End BidVertiser code --></div>Nithyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866010230500164274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507320118129556971.post-62793283756196042232010-11-08T10:24:00.002+05:302010-11-08T10:31:36.378+05:30Dhammapada - Chapter 3 - The Mind<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TNeDQ4n2LCI/AAAAAAAAAPM/PBq74QxptY8/s1600/dhammapada3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TNeDQ4n2LCI/AAAAAAAAAPM/PBq74QxptY8/s200/dhammapada3.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>The third chapter of Dhammapada expounds upon the subject of mind. The verses talk in great detail about the characteristics of mind - how wavering the mind is, how difficult it is to control the mind. It further explains the benefits of a controlled mind and the handicaps of an ill-controlled mind.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are 11 verses in Chapter 3.</div><b><u><br />
</u></b><br />
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</u></b><br />
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<b><u>Verse 33:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Quivering, Wavering, hard to guard,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>hold in check: the mind.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The sages makes it straight - </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>like a fletcher, the shaft an arrow.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 34:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Like a fish pulled from its home in the water</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and thrown on land:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>this mind flips and flaps about </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>to escape Mara's sway.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 35:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Hard to hold down, nimble,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>alighting wherever it likes: the mind</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Its taming is good.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The mind well tamed brings ease.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 36:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>So hard to see, so very very subtle,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>alighting wherever it likes: the mind.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The wise should guard it.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The mind protected brings ease.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 37:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Wandering far, going alone,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>bodiless, lying in a cave: the mind.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Those who restrain it: from Mara's bond,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>they will be freed.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 38:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>For a person of unsteady mind,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>not knowing true Dhamma,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>serenity, set adrift:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>discernment doesn't grow full.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 39:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>For a person of unsoddened mind,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>unassaulted awareness</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>abandoning merit and evil, wakeful,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>there is no danger, no fear.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 40:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Knowing this body is like a clay jar,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>securing this mind like a fort,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>attack Mara with the spear of discernment,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>then guard what's won,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>without settling there,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>without laying claim.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 41:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>All too soon, this body,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>will lie on the ground, cast off,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>bereft of consciousness,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>like a useless scrap of wood.</i></div><br />
<b><u>Verse 42:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Whatever an enemy might do</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>to an enemy,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>or a foe to a foe,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the ill-directed mind </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>can do you the worse.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 43:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Whatever a mother, father,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>or other kinsman,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>might do for you,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the well-directed mind,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>can do for you even better.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;">Chapter 4 will be continued in the next post.</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Begin BidVertiser code -->
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<!-- End BidVertiser code --></div>Nithyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866010230500164274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507320118129556971.post-33881398806658298232010-10-31T18:32:00.006+05:302010-11-01T13:29:25.889+05:30Ramana Maharishi - A short Biography<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TIyWKi9sQaI/AAAAAAAAALg/_nNMdFInrCs/s1600/Ramana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TIyWKi9sQaI/AAAAAAAAALg/_nNMdFInrCs/s200/Ramana.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Introduction</span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Sri Ramana Maharishi, born Vekatraman Iyer, was a Hindu sage. He was born in a Tamil speaking Brahmin family in Thiruchuzhi, Tamil Nadu. After having attained liberation at the age of 16, he left home for Arunachala, a mountain considered sacred by Hindus, at Thruvannamalai, and lived there for the rest of his life. Although born a Brahmin, after having attained Moksha he declared himself an "Atiasrami", a Sastraic state of non-attachment to anything in life and beyond all caste restrictions. The ashram that grew around him, Sri Ramana Ashram is situated at the foothill of Arunachala to the west to the pilgrimage town of Thiruvannamalai.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Early Life</span></b></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">About thirty miles south of Madurai there is a village Tirucculi by name with an ancient Siva temple about which two of the great Tamil saints, Sundaramurti and Manikkavacakar, have sung. In this sacred village there lived in the latter part of the nineteenth century an uncertified pleader, Sundaram Aiyar with his wife Alagammal. Piety, devotion and charity characterised this ideal couple. Sundaram Aiyar was generous even beyond his measure. Alagammal was an ideal Hindu wife. To them was born Venkataraman - who later came to be known to the world as Ramana Maharshi - on the 30th of December, 1879. It was an auspicious day for the Hindus, the Ardradarsanam day. On this day every year the image of the Dancing Siva, Nataraja, is taken out of the temples in procession in order to celebrate the divine grace of the Lord that made Him appear before such saints as Gautama, Patanjali, Vyaghrapada, and Manikkavacaka. In the year 1879 on the Ardra day the Nataraja Image of the temple at Tirucculi was taken out with all the attendant ceremonies, and just as it was about to re-enter, Venkataraman was born.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">There was nothing markedly distinctive about Venkataraman’s early years. He grew up just as an average boy. He was sent to an elementary school in Tirucculi, and then for a year’s education to a school in Dindigul. When he was twelve his father died. This necessitated his going to Madurai along with the family and living with his paternal uncle Subbaiyar. There he was sent to Scott’s Middle School and then to the American Mission High School. He was an indifferent student, not at all serious about his studies. But he was a healthy and strong lad. His school mates and other companions were afraid of his strength. If some of them had any grievance against him at any time, they would dare play pranks with him, only when he was asleep. In this he was rather unusual : he would not know of anything that happened to him during sleep. He would be carried away or even beaten without his waking up in the process.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">It was apparently by accident that Venkataraman heard about Arunachala when he was sixteen years of age. One day an elderly relative of his called on the family in Madurai. The boy asked him where he had come from. The relative replied “From Arunachala”. The very name ‘Arunachala’ acted as a magic spell on Venkataraman, and with an evident excitement he put his next question to the elderly gentleman, “What! From Arunachala! Where is it?” And he got the reply that Tiruvannamalai was Arunachala.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Referring to this incident the Sage says later on in one of his hymns to Arunachala : ‘Oh, great wonder! As an insentient hill it stands. Its action is difficult for anyone to understand. From my childhood it appeared to my intelligence that Arunachala was something very great. But even when I came to know through another that it was the same as Tiruvannamalai I did not understand its meaning. When, stilling my mind, it drew me up to it, and I came close, I found that it was the Immovable.’</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Quickly following the incident which attracted Venkataraman’s attention to Arunachala, there was another happening which also contributed to the turning of the boy’s mind to the deeper values of spirituality. He chanced to lay his hands, on a copy of Sekkilar’s Periyapuranam which relates the lives of the Saiva saints. He read the book and was enthralled by it. This was the first piece of religious literature that he read. The example of the saints fascinated him; and in the inner recesses of his heart he found something responding favourably. Without any apparent earlier preparation, a longing arose in him to emulate the spirit of renunciation and devotion that constituted the essence of saintly life.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The spiritual experience that Venkataraman was now wishing devoutly to have came to him soon, and quite unexpectedly. It was about the middle of the year 1896; Venkataraman was seventeen then. One day he was sitting up alone on the first floor of his uncle’s house. He was in his usual health. There was nothing wrong with it. But a sudden and unmistakable fear of death took hold of him. He felt he was going to die. Why this feeling should have come to him he did not know. The feeling of impending death, however, did not unnerve him. He calmly thought about what he should do. He said to himself, “Now, death has come. What does it mean? What is it that is dying? This body dies.” Immediately thereafter he lay down stretching his limbs out and holding them stiff as though rigor mortis had set in. He held his breath and kept his lips tightly closed, so that to all outward appearance his body resembled a corpse. Now, what would happen? This was what he thought : “Well, this body is now dead. It will be carried to the burning ground and there burnt and reduced to ashes. But with the death, of this body am I dead? Is the body I? This body is silent and inert. But I feel the full force of my personality and even the voice of the ‘I’ within me, apart from it. So I am the Spirit transcending the body. The body dies but the Spirit that transcends it cannot be touched by death. That means I am the deathless Spirit”. As Bhagavan Sri Ramana narrated this experience later on for the benefit of his devotees it looked as though this was a process of reasoning. But he took care to explain that this was not so. The realization came to him in a flash. He perceived the truth directly. ‘I’ was something very real, the only real thing. Fear of death had vanished once and for all. From then on, ‘I’ continued like the fundamental sruti note that underlies and blends with all the other notes. Thus young Venkataraman found himself on the peak of spirituality without any arduous or prolonged sadhana. The ego was lost in the flood of Self-awareness. All on a sudden the boy that used to be called Venkataraman had flowered into a sage and saint.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Ascetic Life</span></b></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">There was a curse on Venkataraman’s family - in truth, it was a blessing - that one out of every generation should turn out to be a mendicant. This curse was administered by a wandering ascetic who, it is said, begged alms at the house of one of Venkataraman’s forbears, and was refused. A paternal uncle of Sundaram Aiyar’s became a sannyasin; so did Sundaram Aiyar’s elder brother. Now, it was the turn of Venkataraman, although no one could have foreseen that the curse would work out in this manner. Dispassion found lodgement in Venkataraman’s heart, and he became a parivrajaka.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> Venkataraman tavelled from Madurai to Tiruvannamalai. The rest of what we regard as Ramana’s life - this is how we shall call him hereafter - was spent in Tiruvannamalai. Ramana was not formally initiated into sannyasa. As he came out of the temple and was walking along the streets of the town, someone called out and asked whether he wanted his tuft removed. He consented readily, and was conducted to the Ayyankulam tank where a barber shaved his head. Then he stood on the steps of the tank and threw away into the water his remaining money. He also discarded the packet of sweets given by the Bhagavatar’s wife. The next to go was the sacred thread he was wearing. As he was returning to the temple he was just wondering why he should give his body the luxury of a bath, when there was a downpour which drenched him.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The first place of Ramana’s residence in Tiruvannamalai was the great temple. For a few weeks he remained in the thousand-pillared hall. But he was troubled by urchins who pelted stones at him as he sat in meditation. He shifted himself to obscure corners and even to an underground vault known as Patala-lingam. Undisturbed he used to spend several days in deep absorption. Without moving he sat in samadhi, not being aware of even the bites of vermin and pests. But the mischievous boys soon discovered the retreat and indulged in their pastime of throwing potsherds at the young Svami. There was at the time in Tiruvannamalai a senior Svami by name Seshadri. Those who did not know him took him for a madman. He sometimes stood guard over the young Svami, and drove away the urchins. At long last he was removed from the pit by devotees without his being aware of it and deposited in the vicinity of a shrine of Subrahmanya. From then on there was some one or other to take care of Ramana. The seat of residence had to be changed frequently. Gardens, groves, shrines - these were chosen to keep the Svami. The Svami himself never spoke. Not that he took any vow of silence; he had no inclination to talk. At times the texts like Vasistham and Kaivalyanavanitam used to be read out to him.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">A little less than six months after his arrival at Tiruvannamalai Ramana shifted his residence to a shrine called Gurumurtam at the earnest request of its keeper, a Tambiransvami. As days passed and as Ramana’s fame spread, increasing numbers of pilgrims and sight-seers came to visit him. After about a year’s stay at Gurumurtam, the Svami - locally he was known as Brahmana-svami - moved to a neighbouring mango orchard.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">It was in the beginning of 1916 that the mother came, resolved to spend the rest of her life with Ramana. Soon after his mother’s arrival, Ramana moved from Virupaksa to Skandasramam, a little higher up the hill. The mother received training in intense spiritual life. She donned the ochre robe, and took charge of the Asrama kitchen. Nagasundaram, Ramana's younger brother too became a sannyasin, assuming the name Niranjanananda. Among Ramana’s devotees he came to be popularly known as Chinnaswami (the Younger Swami). In 1920 the mother grew weak in health and ailments incidental to old age came to her. Ramana tended her with care and affection, and spent even sleepless nights sitting up with her. The end came on May 19, 1922, which was the Bahulanavami day, in the month of Vaisakha. The mother’s body was taken down the hill to be interred. The spot chosen was at the southernmost point, between Palitirtham Tank and the Daksinamurti Mantapam. While the ceremonies were being performed, Ramana himself stood silently looking on. Niranjanananda Swami took his residence near the tomb. Ramana who continued to remain at Skandasramam visited the tomb every day. After about six months he came to stay there, as he said later on, not out of his own volition but in obedience to the Divine Will. Thus was founded the Ramanasramam. A temple was raised over the tomb and was consecrated in 1949. As the years rolled by the Asramam grew steadily, and people not only from India but from every continent of the world came to see the sage and receive help from him in their spiritual pursuits.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Teachings</span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The philosophy of Sri Ramana - which is the same as that of Advaita-Vedanta has for its aim Self realization. The central path taught in this philosophy is the inquiry into the nature of Self, the content of the notion ‘I’. Ordinarily the sphere of the ‘I’ varies and covers a multiplicity of factors. But these factors are not really the ‘I’. For instance, we speak of the physical body as ‘I’; we say, ‘I am fat’, ‘I am lean’ etc. It will not take long to discover that this is a wrong usage. The body itself cannot say, ‘I’ for it is inert. Even the most ignorant man understands the implication of the expression ‘my body’. It is not easy, however, to resolve the mistaken identity of the ‘I’ with egoity (ahankara). That is because the inquiring mind is the ego, and in order to remove the wrong identification it has to pass a sentence of death, as it were, on itself. This is by no means a simple thing. The offering of the ego in the fire of wisdom is the greatest form of sacrifice.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">End of Worldly Life</span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The golden jubilee of Ramana’s coming to stay at Tiruvannamalai was celebrated in 1946. In 1947 his health began to fail. He was not yet seventy, but looked much older. Towards the end of 1948 a small nodule appeared below the elbow of his left arm. As it grew in size, the doctor in charge of the Asrama dispensary cut it out. But in a month’s time it reappeared. Surgeons from Madras were called, and they operated. The wound did not heal, and the tumour came again. On further examination it was diagnosed that the affection was a case of sarcoma. The doctors suggested amputating the arm above the affected part. Ramana replied with a smile : “There is no need for alarm. The body is itself a disease. Let it have its natural end. Why mutilate it? Simple dressing of the affected part will do.” Two more operations had to be performed, but the tumour appeared again. Indigenous systems of medicine were tried; and homeopathy too. The disease did not yield itself to treatment. The sage was quite unconcerned, and was supremely indifferent to suffering. He sat as a spectator watching the disease waste the body. But his eyes shone as bright as ever; and his grace flowed towards all beings. Crowds came in large numbers. Ramana insisted that they should be allowed to have his darsana. Devotees profoundly wished that the sage should cure his body through an exercise of supernormal powers. Some of them imagined that they themselves had had the benefit of these powers which they attributed to Ramana. Ramana had compassion for those who grieved over the suffering, and he sought to comfort them by reminding them of the truth that Bhagavan was not the body : “They take this body for Bhagavan and attribute suffering to him. What a pity! They are despondent the Bhagavan is going to leave them and go away - where can he go, and how?” The end came on the 14th of April, 1950.<br />
<br />
To know more visit the blogs<br />
<a href="http://sri-ramana-maharshi.blogspot.com/">Arunachala and Sri Ramana Maharishi.</a><br />
<a href="http://bhagwan-ramana-maharshi.blogspot.com/">http://bhagwan-ramana-maharshi.blogspot.com/</a><br />
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<!-- End BidVertiser code --></div>Nithyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866010230500164274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507320118129556971.post-56077605598610592292010-10-31T18:16:00.004+05:302010-12-10T19:10:42.249+05:30Sri Ramakrishna - A Short Biography<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TIyV5Ic6tPI/AAAAAAAAALQ/t3ZXzj5NNjU/s1600/Ramakrishna_at_studio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TIyV5Ic6tPI/AAAAAAAAALQ/t3ZXzj5NNjU/s200/Ramakrishna_at_studio.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="156" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Introduction</span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Sri Ramakrishna was a famous mystic of 19th century India. His religious school of thought lead to the formation of the Ramkrishna mission by his chief disciple Swami Vivekananda. Many of his disciples and devotees believe that he was an avatar or incarnation of God. He is also referred to as "Paramahamsa" by his devotees. Paramahamsa is a Sanskrit religio-theological title of honor applied to Hindu spiritual leaders of lofty status who are regarded to have attained enlightenment. The title may be translated as "Supreme Swan" and is based on the swan being equally at home on land or water. Similarly, a true sage is equally at home in the realms of matter and spirit. The swan is also, according to Indian legend, able to separate milk and water. Thus the swan symbolizes the ability of a Self realized master to separate truth from the insubstantiality of delusion.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Early Life</span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Sri Ramakrishna was born on February 18, 1836 in the interior village of Kamarpukur in the Hooghly district in a pious Brahmin family, on the second lunar day of the bright fortnight of Falgun. Sri Ramakrishna's childhood name was Gadadhar. After learning elementary reading in the primary school, he stayed at home and served the deity of Raghuvira. He himself would pluck the flowers and perform puja daily. In school, the arithmetic book by Shuvankara would confuse him.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">He could sing of his own exquisite sweet voice. He could sing almost all songs he heard in yatras (theatrical performances). He was ever cheerful since his childhood. Everybody in the locality, children, men and women, all loved him.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Holy men frequently visited a guest house in the garden of Laha Babus near Gadadhar's house. He would meet them and serve them. When the storytellers read from the Puranas, he would listen to everything with rapt attention. In this way he learnt all the stories of the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavata.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">One day he was passing through a field to to a nearby village. He was eleven then. Ramakrishna himself narrated that he suddenly lost consciousness on seeing a miraculous light. People said he had fainted. Actually he had attained Bhava Samadhi.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">After the death of his father, Gadadhar came to Calcutta with his elder brother. He was then 17 or 18 year old. In Calcutta, he spent some days at Nathair Bagan, few days in the house of Govinda Chatterjee in Jhamapukur where he performed puja. In this connection, he performed puja for sometime in the family of the Mittras of Jhamapukur.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Sri Ramkrishna's elder brother, Pundit Ramkumar was appointed the first priest of the Kali Temple dedicated by Rani Rasmani, Gadadhar also used to come here often from Calcutta and after some time he was also appointed for the puja work. As he had been performing puja for sometime, a change came over him. He would remain absorbed and keep sitting beside the image of the Mother.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Soon after his near and dear ones arranged for his marriage in the belief that it might change his state. He was married in 1859 to Sarada Mani Devi who was just 6 years old while Gadadhar was 21 or 22 year old. After his marriage Sri Ramakrishna returned to Dakshineswar Kali Temple but instead of toning down, his spiritual fervour and devotion only increased. To cultivate humility and eliminate the distinction between his own high Brahmin caste and Pariahs belonging to low caste he would clean their quarters with his own hand and long hair.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Ascetic Life</span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">A wandering monk known as Totapuri, initiated Ramkrishna in Advaitic Vedanta. The initiation took place in the city of Dakshineswar. It is said that after being initiated by Totapuri, Ramakrishna remained in absolute state of meditation, for a period of approximately six months.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">In his thirst for the divine, Ramkrishna followed different religious paths including various branches of Hinduism. Not content to stop there, however, he also practiced Islam and later meditated deeply on Christ, experiencing the same divine Reality through these non-Hindu paths. Thus, he came to the conclusion, based on direct experience, that all religions lead to the same goal.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><br />
</b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Teachings</span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Sri Ramakrishna emphasized God Realization as the supreme goal of all living beings. He taught that kamini-kanchana is an obstacle to God-Realization. Kamini-Kanchana literally translates to "Women and Gold". Ramakrishna looked upon the world as Maya and he explained that <i>Avidya Maya</i> represents the dark force of creation (eg. sensual desire, evil passions, greed, lust and cruelty), which keep the people on lower planes of consciousness. These forces are responsible for human entrapment in the cycle of birth and death, and they much be fought and vanquished. <i>Vidya Maya, </i>on the other hand, represents higher forces of creation (eg. spiritual virtues, enlightening qualities, kindness, purity, love and devotion), which elevates human beings to the higher planes of consciousness. Ramakrishna practices several religions, including Islam and Christianity, and recognized that in spite of differences, all religions are valid and true and they lead to the same ultimate goal - GOD.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">End of Worldly Life</span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">In the beginning of 1885 Ramakrishna suffered from Clergyman's throat which eventually developed into throat cancer. He was moved to Shyampukur near Calcutta, where some of the best physicians of the time we engaged. When his condition deteriorated, he was relocated to a large garden house at Cossipore on December 11, 1885.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">During his last days, he was looked after by his monastic disciples and Sarada Devi. Ramakrishna was advised by the doctors not to strain his throat at any cost, but ignoring their advice, he incessantly involved in conversations with the visitors. According to the traditional accounts, before his death, Ramkrishna transferred his spiritual powers to Vivekananda and reassured Vivekananda of his avataric status. He asked Vivekananda to take care of his disciples and teach them. Ramakrishna's condition gradually worsened and he expired in the early morning hours of August 16, 1886 at th3 Cossipore garden house. According to his disciples, this was Mahasamadhi. After the death of their master, the monastic disciples led by Vivekananda formed a fellowship at a half ruined house at Baranagar near river Ganga, with financial assistance of the household disciples. This became to first Math or monastery of the disciples who constituted the first Ramakrishna Order.</div><div><br />
For further reading:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1848501463?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1848501463">Thakur: Sri Ramakrishna: A Biography</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1848501463" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Sri-Ramakrishna-Swami-Nikhilananda/dp/0911206019?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0911206019" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Teachings-Sri-Ramakrishna-Ramakrisha/dp/8185301190?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Teachings of Sri Ramakrishna</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=8185301190" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sayings-Sri-Ramakrishna/dp/8178231468?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=8178231468" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sri-Ramakrishna-Smaranam-Swami-Jnanadananda/dp/B002WJH4SI?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Sri Ramakrishna Smaranam</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B002WJH4SI" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Begin BidVertiser code -->
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<!-- End BidVertiser code --></div>Nithyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866010230500164274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507320118129556971.post-60112424258629251162010-10-31T18:10:00.003+05:302010-12-10T19:14:17.817+05:30Vallalar - A Short Biography<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TIyVOVC3ZCI/AAAAAAAAALA/tO06G3ubgTQ/s1600/vallalar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TIyVOVC3ZCI/AAAAAAAAALA/tO06G3ubgTQ/s200/vallalar.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Introduction</span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Arutprakasa Vallalar Chidambaram Ramalingam, popularly known as Vallalar was the foremost saints of the 19th century who propagated the notion of Samarasa Sudha Sanmarga Sathiya Sangam (Common, pure, good and true way of life). He came to uplift the whole humanity towards perfect bliss without hunger, disease, thirst, desire, poverty, fear, death, with full self existent delight or bliss through true knowledge, true love, true compassion accompanied by common wealth activities without disparities of dogmatic rituals pertaining to any religion, philosophy, caste, creed, color, sex or nationality. </div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Early Life</span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Ramalinga was born at Marudur, a small village fifteen kilometers north-west of Chidambaram, on Sunday October 5, 1823, at 5:54 PM. Ramaiah Pillai, a Saiva faith and Chinnammai were the couple who were blessed with this embodiment of God. Ramalinga was the fifth child of Ramaiah who had remained childless after losing five wives in succession and then married Chinnammai as his sixth wife. When Ramalinga was six months old, his father died, and his mother moved to her village Ponneri.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Ramalinga was exposed to a spiritual experience at Chidambaram Nataraja Temple when he was barely five months old. The parents took the baby boy to the sacred shrine of Nataraja for worshiping the deity. When the priest drew aside the veil, the child experienced the formless aspect of God. In later years he said of this experience</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>In tender age when, with my mother,</i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>I came to You in Chidambaram,</i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>and the screen being lifted,</i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>the Divine revealed the vacant space behind,</i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>You admitted me to the secret which is as clear as the void space</i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>O Lord, my Joy, You ripened me at once, without bitterness in my heart.</i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Ascetic Life</span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">In the first stage of his life, St.Ramlingam followed the path of devotion. In the path of devotion complete surrender to God is possible only through the shedding of ego. The early songs of St.Ramalingam show how he was troubled with this ego and how he got rid of it through the help of God. </div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">From his twelfth year onwards St. Ramalingam worshiped Thyagaraja, Vadivudaiamman and Muruga at Thiruvotriyur. Until his leaving Madras in his thirty fifth year, he regularly visited this temple for twenty three years. In these twenty three years of his life, he underwent many spiritual and mystical experiences. </div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">St. Ramlinga lived for nine years (1858 - 1867) at a small village known as Karunkuli. He left the city of Madras because he thought that the city was not conducive for a spiritual life. This nine year period in Karunkuli is an important phase in the life of St. Ramalingam. During this period he lived in isolation. He spent most of his time in meditation and in worship. This period reveals a great change in his ideas and ideals. His thoughts while in Madras were about religion whereas while he was in Karunkuli it was a stage of transition from religion to transcendentalism.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">After spending nine years in solitude and meditation, he became a Sanmargi - one who realized the underlying truth of all religions. He did not stop with that. He wished to establish a new society on the basis of his realization. St. Ramalinga selected Vadaloor, a small village near Chidambaram, as the place to formulate and extend his plan for a society based on love and honesty. In 1865 he established a poor feeding center. On the inaugural day, he lit the fire on the stone stove with the declaration that the fire shall be alive and the needy be fed forever. On Jan 15th 1872 he established the Sathiya Gnana Sabhai (Hall of True Knowledge).</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Teachings</span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The path of Samarasam contains four disciplines :</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><i>1. a.Gnana Indriya Ozhukkam (Ozhukkam means self - control):</i></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><ol><li>Listening to the praise of God</li>
<li>Preventing bad words entering our ears</li>
<li>Avoiding looks of harshness and wickedness</li>
<li>Abstaining from touching evil things</li>
<li>Abstaining from gluttony etc.</li>
</ol><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><i>1. b. Karma Indriya Ozhukkam:</i></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><ol><li>Speaking sweet words</li>
<li>Telling no lies</li>
<li>Resisting by all means from harmful deeds to other living beings</li>
<li>Leading a religious life</li>
<li>Associating ourselves with people of saintly character</li>
<li>Maintaining a healthy body</li>
</ol><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><i>2. Karma Ozhukkam</i></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><ol><li>The mind has to be directed to the Cit Sabhai by taking it away from other objects (Cit Sabhai is the heart in which the Divine abodes)</li>
<li>Not to enquire into the faults of others</li>
<li>Not to be wicked</li>
</ol><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><i>3. Jiva Ozhukkam</i></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><ol><li>Jiva Ozhukkam is the discipline that teaches one to treat all human beings as equal, and feel the presence of oneself in all human beings. </li>
<li>One must not be affected by the various distinctions as social, national, linguistic, caste, religion, etc. because the soul belongs to a different sphere where no differences exist.</li>
</ol><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><i>4. Anma Ozhukkam</i></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><ol><li>Anma Ozhukkam is further development of Jiva ozhukkam. Here the soul looks upon all living beings alike ( not only human beings but also other beings). Here the soul feels great compassion for all the beings, considers 'Anma' as the 'Sabhai' and the 'Inner Light' as God. </li>
</ol><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">End of Worldly Life</span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">St.Ramalingam spent the last part of his life in a small hut known as "Siddhi Valaham" (place of attainment or self-realization), in a small village called Mettukuppam. Here St.Ramalingam practiced the life of a yogi and lived in isolation. Till 1874 he lived in that hut. On January 30, 1874, he disappeared from that hut. St.Ramalingam locked himself inside the room he used to occupy and expressed his desire that none should venture to open it. He also added that if the government officials persist to open it, let them be convinced of his desire of not opening it. If it is opened, the room will be found vacant, since from that moment itself he will enter the soul of everyone and lead them to the right path of Grace. These utterances proved to be final.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">As forecast by the saint early, the news reached the government . The then collector of Arcot rushed to the spot along with the doctors and police. The doctor went around the room and was surprised to sense the fragrance of "Pachai Karpooram" (Bournial not combustible) against his own suspicion of scenting of foul smell in case of decayed body. The collector was informed of the experience gained by the doctor and the collector also went around the room and got the same experience as that of the doctor. He then enquired the followers assembled there to the type of work that had been carried on. Fully respecting the Saint, he gave a sum of Rs.20/- for the good work being done there and returned back to his office.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
For further reading:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ASB3XU?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000ASB3XU">Arut Perunjothi Agaval: Thiruvarutprakasa Vallalar</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000ASB3XU" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000D5KKE?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0000D5KKE">Voice of Vallalar: A modern critique on the Tiruarutpa</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0000D5KKE" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<!-- End BidVertiser code --></div>Nithyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866010230500164274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507320118129556971.post-7340854003674920482010-10-31T18:08:00.001+05:302010-12-10T19:19:29.561+05:30Buddha - A Short Biography<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TIyVuSUDjII/AAAAAAAAALI/Gf7KbpnqoTA/s1600/Buddha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TIyVuSUDjII/AAAAAAAAALI/Gf7KbpnqoTA/s200/Buddha.jpg" width="145" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Introduction</span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Gautam Buddha was a spiritual teacher from ancient India who founded Buddhism. Buddha means "Awakened One". From this general account of the nature of Buddha we now consider this specific person known to history as the Buddha. His life like that of most great religious teachers has been adorned with miracles and legends but from this mass of myth, a historical core can be found and even the mythical element should not be dismissed just as pure fantasy since much of it conveys an important message. The Buddha's given name was Siddhartha and his family name was Gotama. Buddhas know him as the Buddha Gotama or the Buddha Shakyamuni, the sage of Shakya clan. The dates for his birth, accepted now by most historically oriented scholars is 563 B.C. to 483 B.C. though other dates are also recognized.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Early Life</span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Though for history, the story of the Buddha begins with his birth, from the traditional Buddha's perspective, the story goes back much further. It goes back aeons and aeons into the past.According to the Pali sources, the Bodhisattva(a being bound for complete enlightenment) career of our own Buddha began thousands of years ago in the past in the dispensation of a Buddha named Dipankara, who is the 26th Buddha before Gotama. At that time Gotama Buddha was a young man named Sumedha. When his parents died and left him a great amount of wealth he reflected upon the impermanence of all wealth and worldly enjoyments. Then he renounced the household life and became a hermit living in the forest and practicing meditation. One day he came into the town in order to gather supplies and on that occasion he learnt that an enlightened Buddha Dipankara was coming into the town. Then when the Buddha Dipankara entered the town, the hermit Sumedha saw him coming and he was so awed by his majesty, by his presence, by his serenity, that he bowed down on his feet right down on the mud and he made an aspiration in his mind that he too wanted to become a Buddha sometime in the future. Then when the Buddha Dipankara came up to him he saw there is Sumedha bowing down on the mud, he read his mind and saw his wish and he leaped into the future and saw that the aspiration could succeed and he gave Sumedha the prediction that aeons and aeons down the future, he would become a Buddha named Gotama.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">After striving for thousands of births, in the last birth Sumedha took birth as the son of King Sudhodhana, the leader of Shakya clan and Queen Maha Maya in Lumbini and was raised in the small kingdom of Kapilavastu. His birth, according to many texts was full of miracles and wonders. Soon after he was born and brought back into the palace, the king called in the court astrologers to foretell his future. Eight Brahmins, noteworthy astrologers came to examine the baby and consulted the horoscope. When they finished, all the astrologers with one exception held up two fingers. The two fingers symbolized the destiny of Siddhartha, either he would grown up to become a great emperor if he is shielded from the sorrows of the world or else he would renounce the world and become a spiritual leader whose teachings would spread throughout the world. The one exception raised only one finger said that it was sure that Siddhartha would renounce the world.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The king, who did not want his son to become an ascetic built three palaces, one for each seasons and kept Siddhartha engrossed in all sorts of luxuries and worldly pleasure and shielded him from the sufferings of the world. When he reached the age of 16, he was married to a cousin of same age, Yasodhara who gave birth to a son named Rahula.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Ascetic Life</span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">At the age of 29, Siddhartha left his palace in search of enlightenment. Despite his fathers efforts to to hide from him sickness, old age and suffering, Siddhartha is said to have witnessed an old man, a diseased man, a decaying corpse and an ascetic. These depressed him, and he initially strived to overcome aeging, sickness and death by leading the life of an ascetic.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">In his ascetic life Siddhartha went to various places and learnt meditation techniques from a number of gurus but none of them satisfied him. Siddhartha and a group of five ascetics then set out to take their austerities further. They tried to find enlightenment through deprivation of worldly goods, including food, practicing self mortification. After nearly starving himself to death by restricting his food intake to around a leaf or a nut per day, he collapsed in a river while bathing and almost drowned. Siddhartha began to reconsider his path. Then he remembered a moment in childhood in which he had been watching his father start the season's plowing. He attained a concentrated and focused state that was blissful and refreshing, the jhana.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> According to the early Buddhist texts, after realizing that the meditative jhana was the right path to awakening, Gautama discovered what Buddhists call The Middle Way - a path of moderation away from the extremes of self indulgence and self mortification. Gotama then sat under the Pipal tree, now known as The Bodhi Tree - in Bodh Gaya, India, when he vowed never to arise until he had found the truth. The other four companions, believing that he had abandoned his search and become indisciplined, left him. After a reputed 49 days of meditation, at the age of 35, he attained Enlightenment.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Teachings</span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><i>The Four Noble Truths</i></b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><ol><li style="text-align: justify;">Life means suffering</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The origin of suffering is attachment</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The cessation of suffering is attainable</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Noble Eightfold path is the path to cessation of suffering</li>
</ol><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><i>Noble Eightfold Path</i></b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><ol><li style="text-align: justify;">Right View</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Right Intention</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Right Speech</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Right Action</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Right Livelihood</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Right Effort</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Right Mindfulness</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Right Concentration</li>
</ol><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><i>Dependent Origination</i></b> - the mind creates suffering as a natural product of a complex process</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><i>Anicca</i></b> - All things that come will have an end</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><i>Dukkha</i></b> - Nothing which comes to be is ultimately satisfying</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><i>Anatta</i></b> - Nothing in the realm of experience can really be said to be "I" or "Mine"</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><i>Nibanna</i></b> - It is possible for sentient beings to realize a dimension of awareness which is totally peaceful, and all suffering due to the mind's interaction with the conditioned world.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">End of Worldly Life</span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">At the age of 80, Buddha announced that he would soon reach Parinivana, or final deathless state, and abandon his earthly body. Buddha's final words are reported to have been "All composite things pass away. Strive for your own liberation with diligence".</div><div><br />
For further reading:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015T6900?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0015T6900">The Life of Buddha and Its Lessons</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0015T6900" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0143034367?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0143034367">Buddha</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0143034367" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0143116010?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0143116010">Wake Up: A Life of the Buddha</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0143116010" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1928706126?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1928706126">The Life of the Buddha : According to the Pali Canon</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1928706126" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0861713753?ie=UTF8&tag=spiritu0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0861713753">Prince Siddhartha: The Story of Buddha</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spiritu0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0861713753" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<!-- End BidVertiser code --></div>Nithyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866010230500164274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507320118129556971.post-21506709106089854852010-10-29T12:49:00.001+05:302010-11-08T10:58:21.200+05:30Dhammapada - Chapter 2 - Heedfulness<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TNeDQ4n2LCI/AAAAAAAAAPM/PBq74QxptY8/s1600/dhammapada3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TNeDQ4n2LCI/AAAAAAAAAPM/PBq74QxptY8/s200/dhammapada3.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>This chapter touches upon the foundation on which Buddhism rests - MINDFULNESS. Mindfulness is considered to be the most significant aspect of Buddhism and is emphasized deeply. In other words, it is the essence of Buddhism. Mindfulness is accepted to play a central role in the path of liberation and subsequent enlightenment. It can be described as complete awareness of one's physical and mental activities or consciousness. Right mindfulness is the seventh element in the Noble Eightfold Path.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This chapter of Dhammapada contains 16 verses. Each of the verses demonstrate the importance of mindfulness and the fruits of practicing it. The first verse itself says mindfulness is the path to the Deathless. It is further added in the subsequent verses that one who practices mindfulness attains all glory and is freed from the shackles of bondage.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 21</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Heedfulness: the path to the Deathless</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Heedlessness: the path to death</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The heedful do not die</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The heedless are as if already dead.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 22</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Knowing this is a true distinction,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>those wise in heedfulness,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>rejoice in heedfulness,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>enjoying the range of noble ones.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></div><b><u>Verse 23</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>The enlightened, constantly absorbed in jhana,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>persevering, firm in their effort:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>they touch Unbinding,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the unexcelled safety from bondage.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 24</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Those with initiative,mindful,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>clean in action, acting with due consideration,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>heedful, restrained,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>living in the Dhamma: their glory grows.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 25</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Through initiative, heedfulness,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>restraint and self control,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the wise would make an island,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>no flood can submerge.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 26</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>They're addicted to heedlessness</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>- dullards, fools-</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>while one who is wise</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>cherishes heedfulness</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>as his highest wealth.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 27</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Don't give way to heedlessness</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>or to intimacy with sensual delight - </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>for a heedful person absorbed in jhana,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>attains an abundance of ease.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 28</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>When the wise person drives out heedlessness,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>with heedfulness,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>having climbed the high tower of discernment,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>sorrow-free he observes the sorrow crowd - </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>as the enlightened man,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>having scaled a summit, </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the fools on the ground below.</i></div><br />
<b><u>Verse 29</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Heedful among the heedless,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>wakeful among those asleep,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>just as as a fast horse advances,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>leaving the weak behind:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>so does the wise.</i></div><br />
<b><u>Verse 30</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Through heedfulness, Indra won</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>to lordships over the gods.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Heedfulness is praised,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>heedlessness is censured - always.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><u>Verse 31</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>The monk delighting in heedfulness,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>seeing danger in heedlessness,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>advances like a fire,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>burning fetters great and small.</i></div><br />
<b><u>Verse 32</u></b><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>The monk delighting in heedfulness,</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>seeing danger in heedlessness,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>- incapable of falling back - </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>stands right on the verge of Unbinding.</i></div><div><br />
</div><div>Chapter 3 to be continued in the next post.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Begin BidVertiser code -->
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<!-- End BidVertiser code --></div>Nithyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866010230500164274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507320118129556971.post-12998618662040968072010-10-28T11:06:00.002+05:302010-11-08T10:59:37.968+05:30Dhammapada - Chapter 1 - Pairs<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TNeDQ4n2LCI/AAAAAAAAAPM/PBq74QxptY8/s1600/dhammapada3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TNeDQ4n2LCI/AAAAAAAAAPM/PBq74QxptY8/s200/dhammapada3.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>The first chapter of the Dhammapada consists a collection of twin verses. There are 20 verses in this chapter. Each verse is a gem. In a comparative way, Buddha's thoughts have been illustrated beautifully in simple words that even a layman can understand.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">One of my favorites in this chapter is: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>As rain seeps into an ill thatched hut,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>so passion, the undeveloped mind.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>As rain doesn't seep into a well thatched hut,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>so passion does not, the well developed mind.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The significance of a controlled mind is stressed and presented here in such a lucid manner. Passion being a big hurdle in the path of spirituality should be avoided completely.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mere reading of spiritual teachings is not going to help us in ascending in the spiritual path. One has to follow the teaching in a dedicated manner. This thought is expressed in one of the verses.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>If he recites many teachings, but - heedless man-</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>doesn't do what they say,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>like a cowherd counting the cattle of others</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>he has no share in the contemplative life.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>If he recites next to nothing but follows the Dhamma,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>in line with the Dhamma,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>abandoning passion, aversion, delusion;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>alert, his mind well-released,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>not clinging either here or hereafter;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>he has his share in the contemplative world.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The 20 verses in this chapter as below:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>Verse 1-2</u></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Phenomena are preceded by the heart,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>ruled by the heart,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>made by the heart,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>If you speak or act with a corrupted heart,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>then suffering follows you -</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>as the wheel of the cart,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the tract of the ox that pulls it</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>Phenomena are preceded by the heart,</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>ruled by the heart,</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>made by the heart,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>If you speak of act with a calm, bright heart,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>then happiness follow you,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>like a shadow</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>that never leaves.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b><u>Verse 3-6</u></b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"He insulted me, hit me, beat me, robbed me"-</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>for those who brood on this,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>hostility isn't stilled.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>"He insulted me, hit me, beat me, robbed me"-</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>for those who do not brood on this,</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>hostility is stilled.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Hostilities aren't stilled through hostility, regardless. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Hostilities are stilled through non-hostility :</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>this, an unending truth.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Unlike those who do not realize that</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>we are on the verge of perishing</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>those you do: their quarrels are stilled.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div><b><u>Verse 7 - 8</u></b></div><div><b><u><br />
</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>One who stays focused on the beautiful,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>is unrestrained with the senses,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>knowing no moderation in food,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>apathetic, unenergetic:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Mara overcomes him</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>as the wind, a weak tree.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>One who stays focused on the foul,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>is restrained with regards to the senses,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>knowing moderation in food,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>full of conviction and energy:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Mara does not overcome him</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>as the wind, a mountain of rock.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div><b><u>Verse 9 - 10</u></b></div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He who depraved, devoid of truthfulness</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and self control,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>puts on the ochre robe,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>doesn't deserve the ochre robe.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>But he who is free of depravity,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>endowed with truthfulness and self control,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>well established in the precepts,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>truly deserves the ochre robe.</i> </div><div><br />
</div><div><b><u>Verse 11 - 12</u></b></div><div><b><u><br />
</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Those who regard non-essence as essence</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and see essence as non-</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>don't get to the essence,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>ranging about in wrong resolves.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>But those who know essence as essence</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and non essence as non-</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>get to the essence,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>ranging about the right resolves.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b><u>Verse 13 - 14</u></b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b><br />
</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i></i><br />
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i>As rain seeps into an ill thatched hut,</i></i></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i>so passion, the undeveloped mind.</i></i></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i>As rain doesn't seep into a well thatched hut,</i></i></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i>so passion does not, the well developed mind.</i></i></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><br />
</i></i></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b><u>Verse 15 - 18</u></b></span></i></span></i></i></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span></i></span></i></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><i>Here he grieves, he grieves hereafter.</i></i></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><i>In both worlds the wrong doer grieves.</i></i></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><i>He grieves, he's afflicted,</i></i></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><i>seeing the corruption of his deeds.</i></i></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><i><br />
</i></i></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><i>Here he rejoices, he rejoices hereafter.</i></i></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><i>In both worlds, the merit maker rejoices.</i></i></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><i>He rejoices, is jubilant,</i></i></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><i>seeing the purity of his deeds.</i></i></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><i><br />
</i></i></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><i>Here he's tormented, he is tormented hereafter.</i></i></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><i>In both worlds, the wrong doer is tormented.</i></i></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><i>He is tormented at the thought, </i></i><i></i></i></div><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><i><i><i>"I've done wrong."</i></i></i></i></div></div><i></i><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>Having gone to a bad destination, he is tormented all the more.</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>Here he delights, he is delighted hereafter.</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>In both worlds, the merit maker delights.</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>He delights at the thought, "I've made merit."</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>Having gone to a good destination, he delights all the more.</i></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br />
</span></i></span></i></i></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i></i></span></i></span></i></i></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><i><i><i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b><u>Verse 19 - 20</u></b></span></i></span></i></i></i></i></i></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><i><i><i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b><br />
</b></span></i></span></i></i></i></i></i></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><i><i><i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"></span></i></span></i></i></i></i></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><i><i><i><i><i>If he recites many teachings, but - heedless man-</i></i></i></i></i></i></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><i><i><i><i><i>doesn't do what they say,</i></i></i></i></i></i></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><i><i><i><i><i>like a cowherd counting the cattle of others</i></i></i></i></i></i></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><i><i><i><i><i>he has no share in the contemplative life.</i></i></i></i></i></i></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><i><i><i><i><i><br />
</i></i></i></i></i></i></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><i><i><i><i><i>If he recites next to nothing but follows the Dhamma,</i></i></i></i></i></i></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><i><i><i><i><i>in line with the Dhamma,</i></i></i></i></i></i></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><i><i><i><i><i>abandoning passion, aversion, delusion;</i></i></i></i></i></i></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><i><i><i><i><i>alert, his mind well-released,</i></i></i></i></i></i></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><i><i><i><i><i>not clinging either here or hereafter;</i></i></i></i></i></i></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><i><i><i><i><i>he has his share in the contemplative world.</i></i></i></i></i></i></i></div><i><br />
<br />
</i><br />
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br />
</span></i></span></i></i></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i>Chapter 2 to be continued in the next blog post.</i></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Begin BidVertiser code -->
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<!-- End BidVertiser code --></div>Nithyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866010230500164274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507320118129556971.post-10893655142086543832010-10-27T10:09:00.001+05:302010-11-08T11:01:10.174+05:30Dhammapada<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TNeDQ4n2LCI/AAAAAAAAAPM/PBq74QxptY8/s1600/dhammapada3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hnkTdPnNtic/TNeDQ4n2LCI/AAAAAAAAAPM/PBq74QxptY8/s200/dhammapada3.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>I just got to flip through one of the books of Buddhist literature called "<i>Dhammapada</i>". After going through a few pages of it, I realized it is not just another book to glance through, but a piece of precious knowledge to be studied deeply. It is a must read for not only the spiritually inclined people but also a common man. It is a boon for the one who studies it deeply and practices it ardently. For the spiritually inclined it is a spiritual guide, for the rest, it is an ethical guide.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Just to give a brief introduction of the book -<i> Dhammapada</i> is an anthology of verses attributed to <a href="http://spiritualgurusofindia.blogspot.com/p/buddha.html">Buddha</a>. It is considered to be one of the masterpiece of Buddhist literature. The title <i>Dhammapada</i> is a combination of two words "<i>Dhamma</i>" and "<i>Pada</i>". The word <i>Dhamma</i> can be referred to the Buddha's doctrine, or an eternal truth, or righteousness and the word <i>Pada</i> means foot and in this context it can be taken to mean path. The <i>Dhammapada</i> is available in lot of versions such as <i>Gandhari Dharmapada</i>,<i> Patna Dharmapada</i>, but the Pali version is the best-known.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Pali version of<i> Dhammapada</i> contains 423 verses categorized into 26 chapters.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><ol><li style="text-align: justify;">Pairs</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Heedfulness</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The Mind</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Blossoms</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Fools</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The Wise</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Arahants</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Thousands</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Evil</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The Rod</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Ageing</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Self</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Worlds</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Awakened</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Happy</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Dear Ones</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Anger</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Impurities</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The Judge</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The Path</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Miscellany</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Hell</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Elephants</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Craving</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Monks</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Brahmins</li>
</ol><div style="text-align: justify;">As I travel through each of the chapters, I will post my thoughts on the same in the next series of blog posts.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Begin BidVertiser code -->
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<!-- End BidVertiser code --></div>Nithyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866010230500164274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507320118129556971.post-21116014754753147762010-10-26T09:04:00.000+05:302010-10-26T09:16:45.722+05:30Buddha - How to meet evil?<div style="text-align: justify;">Once a person came to Buddha and started abusing him. He went on and on, abuse after abuse in a loud voice. Expecting a response from Buddha he kept looking at him but Buddha was completely unperturbed. He maintained his usual calm, serene and smiling face.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This further agitated the person and he hurled more abuses. Again, Buddha was calm, serene, smiling and looking more peaceful than ever. Then this person stopped for a moment and asked Buddha, "I have been abusing you for so long but there is no reaction from your side. You remain in peace. How come?"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now Buddha finally spoke "It is like if someone offers you a sweet, what would you do?". The man replied "Well I like sweets, so I would eat them and enjoy them."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Buddha continued "Okay, now if someone offered you something bitter, what would you do?". The man quickly replied, "Of course, I would not accept it. I would return it back to the one who has given it."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Buddha said, "So I choose not to accept your abuse, you may take them back". At this the man realized the wisdom and greatness of Buddha.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Begin BidVertiser code -->
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<!-- End BidVertiser code --></div>Nithyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866010230500164274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507320118129556971.post-18998738361738868102010-10-25T12:21:00.000+05:302010-10-26T09:17:19.820+05:30Swami Brahmananda Spiritual Talks<div style="text-align: justify;">Swami Brahmananda was one of the most eminent and one of the most beloved of the disciples of Sri Ramakrishna. Sri Ramakrishna regarded him as his own son and admitted him to the utmost intimacy. This book is a collection of various spiritual talks of Swami Brahmananda.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The counsels given by Swami Brahmananda are pre-eminently practical. They are the spontaneous expression of Swami's own wide vision and profound spiritual experience. Their power is irresistible. They transform and redeem. They kindle fresh ardour in the heart. They transmute life into living. Charged with a holy message they go forth now, bearing to world and cloister alike, the promise of spiritual achievement.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/22lxktajsds5bsi/brahmananda%20spirtual%20talks%201933.pdf"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Download here</span></a></b></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Begin BidVertiser code -->
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<!-- End BidVertiser code --></div>Nithyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866010230500164274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507320118129556971.post-1162067847596969212010-10-08T13:16:00.000+05:302010-10-08T13:17:12.390+05:30Ramana Maharishi And The Squirrel<div style="text-align: justify;">A squirrel was accustomed to eating with Ramana Maharishi's own hands. Maharishi usually used to feed the squirrel with nuts. It so happened on a day that the squirrel came on it's usual time for food but Bhagwan was occupied with reading or some other activity that he delayed in feeding it. At this the squirrel got angry and bit Bhagwan's finger. Amused, Bhagwan decided not to feed the the squirrel with his own hands.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thinking so, he left the nuts on the window and asked the squirrel to fill its belly. The squirrel was virtually upset and ran all over the body of Bhagwan as if to plead him seeking his forgiveness. Bhagwan, however was unmoved. This continued for two to three days. The squirrel was also obstinate enough not to eat until Bhagwan fed it. Ultimately Bhagwan gave in, feeding the squirrel with his own hands out of his immeasurable compassion.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">PERSEVERANCE AS EXERCISED BY THE SQUIRREL IS WHAT IS NEEDED FOR A DEVOTEE TO ATTAIN SALVATION.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Begin BidVertiser code -->
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<!-- End BidVertiser code --></div>Nithyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866010230500164274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507320118129556971.post-39851381193586578702010-10-07T11:37:00.000+05:302010-10-07T11:47:00.493+05:30The Buddha and His DhammaThe Buddha and His Dhamma contains the life and the essence of the teaching of Buddha. This noble book was penned down by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and this turned out to be his last book. This book is treated as holy text by Indian Buddhists.<br />
<br />
This book contains three parts:<br />
Book 1: Siddhartha Gautama - How a Bodhisatta became the Buddha<br />
Book 2: Campaign of Conversion<br />
Book 3: What the Buddha taught<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?amhbq0cegpwa7cc">Download here</a><span id="goog_81072670"></span><span id="goog_81072671"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Begin BidVertiser code -->
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<!-- End BidVertiser code --></div>Nithyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866010230500164274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507320118129556971.post-22297224000661572242010-10-02T15:00:00.000+05:302010-10-08T13:28:46.361+05:30How to deal with the wicked - Sri Ramakrishna<div style="text-align: justify;">Once Sri Ramakrishna was explaining that one should see God in everyone. At that point one of the devotees asked "Sir, if a wicked man is about to do harm, or actually does so, should we keep quiet then?"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Master replied -</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"A man living in society should make a show of tamas to protect himself from evil-minded people. But he should not harm anybody in anticipation of harm likely to be done him."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Listen to a story. Some cowherd boys used to tend their cows in a meadow where a terrible poisonous snake lived. Everyone was on the alert for fear of it. One day a brahmachari was going along the meadow. The boys ran to him and said: 'Revered sir, please don't go that way. A venomous snake lives over there.' 'What of it, my good children?' said the brahmachari. 'I am not afraid of the snake. I know some mantras.' So saying, he continued on his way along the meadow. But the cowherd boys, being afraid, did not accompany him. In the mean time the snake moved swiftly toward him with upraised hood. As soon as it came near, he recited a mantra, and the snake lay at his feet like an earthworm. The brahmachari said: 'Look here. Why do you go about doing harm? Come, I will give you a holy word. By repeating it you will learn to love God. Ultimately you will realize Him and so get rid of your violent nature.' Saying this, he taught the snake a holy word and initiated him into spiritual life. The snake bowed before the teacher and said, 'Revered sir, how shall I practise spiritual discipline?' 'Repeat that sacred word', said the teacher, 'and do no harm to anybody'. As he was about to depart, the brahmachari said, 'I shall see you again.'"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Some days passed and the cowherd boys noticed that the snake would not bite. They threw stones at it. Still it showed no anger; it behaved as if it were an earthworm. One day one of the boys came close to it, caught it by the tail, and, whirling it round and round, dashed it again and again on the ground and threw it away. The snake vomited blood and became unconscious. It was stunned. It could not move. So, thinking it dead, the boys went their way."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Late at night the snake regained consciousness. Slowly and with great difficulty it dragged itself into its hole; its bones were broken and it could scarcely move."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Many days passed. The snake became a mere skeleton covered with a skin. Now and then, at night, it would come out in search of food. For fear of the boys it would not leave its hole during the day-time. Since receiving the sacred word from the teacher, it had given up doing harm to others. It maintained its life on dirt, leaves, or the fruit that dropped from the trees."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"About a year later the brahmachari came that way again and asked after the snake. The cowherd boys told him that it was dead. But he couldn't believe them. He knew that the snake would not die before attaining the fruit of the holy word with which it had been initiated. He found his way to the place and, searching here and there, called it by the name he had given it. Hearing the teacher's voice, it came out of its hole and bowed before him with great reverence. 'How are you?' asked the brahmachari. 'I am well, sir', replied the snake. 'But', the teacher asked, 'why are you so thin?' The snake replied: 'Revered sir, you ordered me not to harm any body. So I have been living only on leaves and fruit. Perhaps that has made me thinner.'"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"The snake had developed the quality of sattva; it could not be angry with anyone. It had totally forgotten that the cowherd boys had almost killed it."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"The brahmachari said: 'It can't be mere want of food that has reduced you to this state. There must be some other reason. Think a little.' Then the snake remembered that the boys had dashed it against the ground. It said: 'Yes, revered sir, now I remember. The boys one day dashed me violently against the ground. They are ignorant, after all. They didn't realize what a great change had come over my mind. How could they know I wouldn't bite or harm anyone?' The brahmachari exclaimed: 'What a shame! You are such a fool! You don't know how to protect yourself. I asked you not to bite, but I didn't forbid you to hiss. Why didn't you scare them by hissing?'</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"So you must hiss at wicked people. You must frighten them lest they should do you harm. But never inject your venom into them. One must not injure others." </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Begin BidVertiser code -->
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