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NAMO
TASSA
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'THE
BUDDHIST HOUR'
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Hillside
Radio 87.6 FM & 88.0 FM |
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The Buddhist Hour Radio Broadcast for Sunday 9 September 2001
The topic of today’s broadcast is: Blessings on Founder’s Day from Gods and Humans
Millenniums ago, there was a great debate among the various inhabitants of the universe on the question of what are the highest blessings.
It is said this question started with tree spirits talking amongst themselves and gradually this question went to higher and higher heaven realms where the gods debated at great length but could not come to a conclusion of what ought to be included in the list of highest blessings.
Ultimately, the debate reached the heaven of the Thirty Three presided over by the King of the Gods Lord Sakka.
In the debates in the heaven of the Thirty Three, the advisor gods could not reach agreement on this question and there seemed to be no way in which it could be resolved.
The awakening of Lord Buddha over two and half thousand years ago was a cosmic event known by not only humans but many layers of heavenly kingdoms.
Lord Sakka knew that Buddha was the wisest person alive and sent one of his servants from his heaven worlds to wait on him and ask him what are the highest blessings. The messenger deva emitted much white light and came to Anathadapindika Grove for an audience with the Buddha. Many of Buddha's Monks saw the brightness of this deva and heard the request what is the highest blessing.
The Maha Mangala Sutta is included in that ancient anthology of the Pali Canon called A Collection of Discourses (Sutta Nipata). The Sutta Nipata is the fifth item of the Minor Collection (khuddaka-nikaya) and is divided into five sections. The Maha Mangala Sutta is the fourth Sutta of the second of these, called the Lesser Section. The contents of this sutta also appear in the first item of the Minor Collection, known as Minor Readings (khuddaka-patha), called there simply Mangala Sutta.
The story of the Maha Mangala Jataka was about the previous lives of the Buddha when he was leading the life of a hermit near Benares. He then expounded the eight groups of Blessings, viz: unqualified benevolence, humility, social service, liberality, domestic felicity, uprightness compelling universal respect, proper understanding of kamma-functioning, and mental peace.
The use of Maha, meaning Great, used as a prefix enlarges and emphasises the meaning of the word or expression to which it is attached. Thus 'Mahadhana' (great wealth), 'Mahakaruna' (great compassion), 'Mahapatha' (high road), Mahapurisa' (great being), Maharaja' (great king or emperor). Other examples are Mahabohdi and Mahavihara.
The roots of the word Mangala have derived from mam (woeful condition) and ga-la (driving away and cutting off): therefore it means that which is obstructive to woe. In practice it has the positive significance ‘conducive to well-being'.
'Mangala' though at times used in spiritual sense, usually has worldly associations. It generally stands for conditions making for satisfaction, happiness and prosperity. Thus it is the most yearned-for thing in worldly happiness and domestic welfare. No wonder any sign or omen, any Mangala believed to point the way to such happiness is eagerly seized upon.
When it is so much of a blessing, persons will eagerly seek and look for it in physical omens and material signs which they think lead to it.
Many deities and human beings have pondered what are blessings, which they hope will bring them safety:
The points mentioned or implied in the text are:
1. That the inhabitants of the deva and human worlds desired happiness and safety, which was connected, they thought, with what they considered "auspicious" or "lucky".
2. That many of them had been deeply pondering for a long time as to what were real blessings, omens or auspices.
3. That their reflection was rooted in a strong desire for personal welfare, safety and subjective happiness.
4. That in spite of their sincere and persistent efforts they could not agree regarding the real nature of Mangalam-uttamam, the Highest Blessings.
5. That only the Buddha, the embodiment of Supreme Wisdom, could throw proper light on the subject.
6. Therefore, the deva approached the Buddha with the question troubling the human and deva worlds.
7. That the Blessed One was earnestly emplored to clearly expound the truth on the subject, for the welfare of gods and men.
From the above, two distinct issues emerge:
1. That happiness in the human and deva worlds leaves much to be desired.
2. That the inhabitants of these planes have an intense desire to attain to perfection of happiness.
It is the practice of our Teacher to arrange processes which cause specific "events" to occur from time to time, including his birth anniversary, so many persons make merit contingent on the advent of the "event" and the event delivers blessings of different types to the participants.
9 September is Founder’s Day, a peak event at our Centre and it provides a suitable occasion for persons to improve their material and spiritual well being.
Our Centre arranges gifts to be distributed on this annual celebration of Founder’s Day, that marks the establishment date, 9 September 1978, of our self-funding organisation. Founder’s Day marks the Birth Anniversary of our Founder and resident Teacher, Master John D. Hughes.
Founder’s Day is today (Sunday). It is the third day of a Five-Day Bhavana Course currently in progress at our Centre. The theme for this year’s Founder’s Day and the Five-Day Course is; “Blessings that Improve Well Being”.
There are four blessings for improving well being. These are:
1. Always recognise blessings: only recognising blessings can bring contentment and only contentment can bring happiness.
2. Cherish blessings everywhere: cherish what one has, feel gratitude and try to repay others’ kindness.
3. Cultivating blessings all the time: enjoying blessings means they are gradually consumed, while cultivating blessings makes one blissful as they increase.
4. Constantly sow the seeds of blessings: develop one’s potential and encourage all to sow the seeds extensively in the field of blessings so that everyone will harvest blessings.
The acceptance of blessings conditions persons towards wholesome conduct. Such a change of attitude leads to definite improvement in not only domestic and social affairs but also in national and international ones.
There are innumerable examples of the popular idea of blessings.
The first level of Blessings are the “Lesser Sphere of Blessings” (Cullamangalacakkavala in Pali).
These are stated as:
By the power of all the Buddhas, by the power of all the Dhammas, by the power of all the Sanghas, the Buddha-treasure, the Dhamma-treasure, the Sangha-treasure, the Three Treasures, by their power, by the power of the 84,000 section of Dhamma, by the power of the Three Pitakas, by the power of the Conqueror’s disciples: may all your diseases, all your dangers, all your obstacles, all your distress, all your unlucky signs, all your inauspiciousness, all be destroyed. Long-life increasing, wealth-increasing, fortune-increasing, fame-increasing, power-increasing, beauty-increasing, happiness-increasing, may they ever be. Dukkha, disease, danger, enmity, sorrow, perils and distress, not only one obstacle, may they be destroyed by this power.
On Founder's Day this year, a compilation video titled "Blessings on Founder's Day for Gods and Humans" will be launched. The video shows the blessings generated on Founder’s Day at the Centre over the last 25 years. This video has been prepared in tribute to Buddha Dhamma Teacher, Master John D. Hughes on his 71st Birth Anniversary.
The video contains a potted history of ceremonies, speeches, activities and good deeds that give rise to blessings held on Founder's Day.
On Founder’s Day in 1998 we focused on ‘tolerant art’ within the local Shire. The major theme gave focus to all stages of the processes that brought the event into the actuality of tolerance.
There are several levels of knowledge of tolerance (ahimsa) used, some of which are found in our library and some in our technical reports. Other samples are yet to be written down for future use.
In 1990, on the occasion of our Teacher's 60th Birth Anniversary, key Members arranged the publication of a Souvenir Accolade. This was posted world-wide to many important persons.
To share merits from our Teacher's 66th. Birth Anniversary, our Committee Members arranged the publication of a selection of testimonial blessings received from well known Sangha Members.
The Venerable Ajahn Dr. Viriyananda Mahathero, Head Abbot of Buddha Vihara Temple Incorporated, 939 Canterbury Road, Box Hill, 3128, Victoria, Australia, wrote:
The best Kalayanamitra John David Hughes founded the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. 17 years ago. He has sacrificed his life for the benefit of the community. He teaches Buddhism to those who wish to learn. Not many Australians sacrifice their lives like John David Hughes. I, Dr Viriyananda, have known John David Hughes for more than ten years. We have a great friendship.
I have had the great honour of having the meditation hall at Upwey named after me. I wish to express my appreciation to John David Hughes, and the members, and friends at Upwey, for this honour and for everything they have done for me.
Also, The World Fellowship of Buddhists Council recognise the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. as one of the most important centres in Australia.
The Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. has a future project to further establish and expand for the benefit of the Australian community. The Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. will remain forever.
I wish to thank John David Hughes and all members and friends at the Buddhist Discussion Centre for their mutual support and co-operation.
On your birthday, the 9th of September, the year of the "Mickey Mouse", the year of success and prosperity, you are 66 years old, according to astrology you will live to be 106 years old.
May the Triple Gem bless John David Hughes and all members and friends of the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.
Yours in the Dhamma Ajahn Dr. Viriyananda. In 1995, our Teacher received a message from the Supreme Patriarch of the Buddhists of Bangladesh. The Sangharaj of the Bangladesh. His Magnanimous Holiness Most Venerable Shilalankar Mahathero from Mirzapore Shanti Dham Bihara, Chittagong, Bangladesh, on the 65th Birth anniversary of our Teacher Mr. John D. Hughes.
My Dear John Hughes,
You are one of the apostles of our New World Buddhist order in Australia and one of the pioneers of Buddhism in the Australia - New Zealand region.
I pray for your attainment of 'Bodhisattva Parami' in this life and may you be happy all along with all your friends far and near working hand in hand with you for the spreading of Buddhism in your continent.
I would then offer to you bountiful merits for all the good things you have completed in your life and offer bountiful merits to your abbots, friends, upasaks and upasikas as well. I'm so happy and contented to know that Buddhism continues to flourish in every corner of the world unabated even for a moment, that the 21st Century to come will hopefully usher a New Buddhist Era for the benefit of all human beings living on this planet that 'World Peace' will one day in this process be achieved.
Finally, I congratulate you on the Celebration of your 65th Birthday and make a presentation to you of a 'Sandalwood Buddha Image' as a mark of my 'Loving Kindness' for you, the members of your family and your friends.
Sincerely yours, Venerable Shilalankar Mahathero The Sangharaj of the Supreme Sangha Council of Bangladesh
These blessings to our Teacher are two of many received for Founder’s Day over the years.
In 1994, Founder’s Day was blessed by the attendance of many Monks who chanted Blessings for the Long Life and Prosperity of John D. Hughes and the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.
Sixty four red candles were lit and offered to Buddha at the Dharma Wheel altar positioned near the Southern Gate entrance of the Centre. John D. Hughes offered fire prevention sticks, which had been prepared during his three day silent retreat held from 6 - 8 September 1994, to Monks, Members and friends present. Our Centre premises are in a forest which at times is subject to fierce forest fires.
In previous fires, the wind changed when the 100 foot fire front was within one quarter mile of the Centre. Members have chanted "The Quails Protection" many times to protect the Centre from fire.
On Founder's Day in 1995, our Teacher shared the blessing of teaching the Prajnaparamita over three years and three moons.
One of the Buddhist verses chanted to bless people (Sumangalagatha in Pali) is:
May all good blessings be, may all the devas guard you well, by the power of all the Buddhas, may you be safe continuously. May all good blessings be, may all the devas guard you well. By the power of all the Dhammas, may you be safe continuously. May all good blessings be, may all the devas guard you well, by the power of all the Sanghas, may you be safe continuously.
Blessings vary in nature and scope according to the needs of the individual in different stages of development.
The Mangala Sutta is a sublime garland of blessings full of fragrance, radiant with benevolence, shining with truth and aglow with practical utility.
An auction of John D. Hughes Ch’an paintings will occur at 3.00pm today. The paintings will be on display all day. If you are interested in bidding please attend today's auction.
John D. Hughes and Anita Svensson will attend a conference in Taiwan this month. The title of the conference is ‘International Conference on Religious Co-operation'. The conference will deal with co-operation policies before the religions.
If you would like more information on Founder’s Day please contact the Centre on 9754 3334. You are most welcome to attend.
May you associate with the wise. May you always recognise blessings May you cherish blessings everywhere. May you cultivate blessings all the time. May you constantly sow the seeds of blessings May you be well and happy.
This script was written and edited by John D. Hughes, Julian Bamford, Leanne Eames, Lisa Nelson and Julie O’Donnell.
Disclaimer:
As we, the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd., do not control the actions of our service providers from time to time, make no warranty as to the continuous operation of our website(s). Also, we make no assertion as to the veracity of any of the information included in any of the links with our websites, or an other source accessed through our website(s).
Accordingly, we accept no liability to any user or subsequent third party, either expressed or implied, whether or not caused by error or omission on either our part, or a member, employee or other person associated with the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.
References:
Chan Meditation Center, “Chan Magazine”, (Summer 2001) Dharma Drum Publications
Pali Chanting - with translations. Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya Press. Bangkok 2517/1974
Soni, Dr. R.L. Life's Highest Blessings The Maha Mangala Sutta. The Wheel No. 254/256 Buddhist Publication Society Inc. Sri Lanka 1978
Nyanatyloka. Ven. Buddhist Dictionary Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines. Nyanaponika.Ven Editor. Buddhist Publication Society, Sri Lanka 1980. (Ref: page 190 for spelling of ‘Sakka’)
ISYS
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This Radio Script is for Free Distribution. It
contains Buddha Dhamma material and is provided for the purpose of
research and study. © Copyright. The Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. |