Reflect and Open – Sunday
Day 3 – Sunday, 31st December
10.30am-12.30pm (practice/talk)
Programme
Bodhilila led a talk on openness and acceptance, followed by meditations.
Quotations:
“Not everything that is faced can be changed but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” James Baldwin
“But I know somehow that only when it is dark enough that you can see the stars.” Martin Luther King
What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life tomorrow: our life is the creation of our mind.
If one speaks or acts with an impure mind, suffering follows as the wheel of the cart follows the beast that draws the cart.
What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life tomorrow: our life is the creation of our mind.
If one speaks or acts with a pure mind, joy follows us as our own shadow.
‘He insulted me, he hurt me, he defeated me, he robbed me’. Those who think such thoughts will not be free from hate.
‘He insulted me, he hurt me, he defeated me, he robbed me’. Those who think not such thoughts will be free from hate.
For hate is not conquered by hate: hate is conquered by love. This is a law eternal.
Many do not know that we are here in this world to live in harmony. Those who know this do not fight against each other.
(Opening verses of the Dhammapada adapted from Penguin edition translated by Juan Mascaro)
Recordings
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3.30-5.00pm (optional groups plus Q&A/practice)
Programme
After groups, a discussion of just sitting, interruption, caffeinated pigeons and different practices for different situations. Followed by a body-based metta bhavana led by Maitripushpa
Recordings
Video
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7.00-8.30pm (practice)
Programme
Ratnadeva spoke about reflecting on the past year with gratitude and went on to explore gratitude as a practice. He then led a Katanyata Bhavana (Cultivation of Loving-kindness) meditation practice.
Recordings
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11.00pm-12.15am (chanting in the New Year)
Programme
Bodhilila led us in a meditation followed by a Buddha puja based on extracts from the Dhammapada. We then meditated into the New Year.
Buddha Puja
from the Dhammapada
1. Praise
He is calm like the earth that endures
He is steady like a column that is firm
He is pure like a lake that is clear
He is free from samsara – the endless round of suffering.
In the light of his vision
He has found true freedom.
His thoughts are peace,
His words are peace,
And his work is peace.
2. Salutation
By what earthly path could you lead the Buddha astray,
He who can wander the pathless ways of the Infinite?
The Buddha, who is awake, whose victory cannot be reversed,
Is a being none can conquer.
One of true vision is not easy to find.
Freed from craving, hatred and delusion,
A Buddha is a guide to be treasured.
1st reading
What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life tomorrow: our life is the creation of our mind.
If one speaks or acts with an impure mind, suffering follows as the wheel of the cart follows the beast that draws the cart.
What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life tomorrow: our life is the creation of our mind.
If one speaks or acts with a pure mind, joy follows us as our own shadow.
‘He insulted me, he hurt me, he defeated me, he robbed me’. Those who think such thoughts will not be free from hate.
‘He insulted me, he hurt me, he defeated me, he robbed me’. Those who think not such thoughts will be free from hate.
For hate is not conquered by hate: hate is conquered by love. This is a law eternal.
Many do not know that we are here in this world to live in harmony. Those who know this do not fight against each other.
Shakyamuni mantra + offerings
3. Going for Refuge
People in fear flee for refuge to mountains or forests,
To groves, sacred trees or shrines.
But these are not a safe refuge.
They are not a refuge that frees from sorrow.
One who goes for refuge to the Buddha,
To the Truth teachings, and to the community he taught,
They go indeed to a great refuge.
That is a safe refuge, a haven of wisdom and compassion.
Those who go to that refuge will eventually be free from sorrow.
Refuges and Precepts
4. Acknowledging Unskilfulness
Hold not a fault of little matter
Thinking – ‘this is minor to me’.
The falling of drops of water will in time fill a water jar.
In the same way, foolish people become full of delusion,
Though they gather it little by little.
Focus not on the flaws of others,
Nor on their deeds and misdeeds.
Focus instead on what we ourselves regret,
What we have done, or not done.
Neither in the sky, nor deep in the ocean,
Nor in a mountain cave, nor any worldly place,
Can we avoid our unskilful actions.
5. Rejoicing
Oh, let us live in joy,
Kindly among those who blame.
Among those who hate, let us live in love,
Among those who fight, let us live in peace,
Among those who crave, let us live content,
Among those who slumber, let us live awake.
When we know the balm of solitude,
And experience the relief of silence,
Then we are free from fear and sorrow,
And feel the joy of the Dhamma.
It is a delight to see the noble and ethical;
Contact with them inspires and gladdens us.
6. Awake and Watchful
The followers of Buddha Gotama
Are awake and ever watchful.
And ever by night and by day
They remember the Buddha, their teacher.
The followers of Buddha Gotama
Are awake and ever watchful.
And ever by night and by day
They find joy in deep contemplation.
This being, that becomes,
From the arising of this, that arises,
This not being, that does not become,
From the ceasing of this, that ceases.
7. Transference of benefit
As from a large garden of flowers
Many garlands and wreaths can be made,
So, by a human being in this life,
Much good can be achieved.
May any merit gained through Dhamma practice
Be shared equally among all beings.
The perfume of flowers goes not against the wind –
Not even the finest perfumes
Of sandalwood, of rose, or of jasmine.
But the perfume of virtue
Does travel against the wind,
And it can reach right to the ends of this world.
End with Sabe satta sukhi hontu mantra
Recordings
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