"Finding Divinity Within Based on Brahma Vihara"

Dhamma Talk on

"Finding Divinity Within"

with Bhante Sumitta

Join us live:

https://youtu.be/kI7wLepGrJ0

Date: August 5, 2021

7.30 pm (EST); 4:30 PM (PST)

There are four qualities of a divine being: benevolence, compassion, sympathy, and equanimity. Through Buddhist meditation, we can nurture these divine traits within ourselves. Bhante Sumitta explains how to develop and perfect all four.

Devatārādhanā (Invitation to the Devas)

Samantā cakkavālesu atrā gacchantu devatā
saddhammam munirājassa sunantu sagga mokkhadam
parittassavana kālo ayam bhadantā //
parittadhammassavana kālo ayam bhadantā
(From all round the world systems may the devas come here. The true Dhamma of the King of sages is to be heard; leading to heaven and liberation.)
Salutation to the Buddha
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā sambuddhassa ///
(Homage to Him, the Blessed One, the Exalted One, the Fully Enlightened One!)

Title Stanza:

Karaṇīya Metta Sutta - The Discourse on Loving-Kindness - (KN 1.9)

Karaṇīyamattha-kusalena, yantaṃ santaṃ padaṃ abhisamecca

This is what should be done by one who is adept in what is beneficial, and who has

understood the peaceful path:

Sakko ujū ca sūjū ca, suvaco cassa mudu anatimāni

One is to be competent, straightforward, upright, easily admonished, gentle, and humble;

Santussako ca subharo ca, appakicco ca sallahukavutti

Content and easy to support, with few duties and a minimalist lifestyle;

Santindriyo ca nipako ca, appagabbho kulesu ananugiddho

Peaceful, prudent, and unobtrusive; not greedy when amidst families;

Na ca khuddhaṃ samācare kiñci, yena viññū pare upavadeyyuṃ

Not doing anything – no matter how minor – that the wise would criticize.

Sukhino vā khemino hontu, sabbe sattā bhavantu sukhitattā

Wishing, “May everyone be happy and safe! May all beings be happy within themselves!

Ye keci pāna bhūtatthi, tasā vā thāvarā vā anavasesā

Whatever living beings there are – without exception; whether weak or strong;

Dīghā vā ye mahantā vā, majjhimā-rassakā anuka thūlā

Long, large, medium, or short; tiny or huge;

Diṭṭhā vā yeva adiṭṭhā, ye ca dūre vasanti avidūre

Seen or unseen; living far away or close by;

Bhūtā vā sambhavesī vā, sabbe sattā bhavantu sukhitattā

Whether they have come into being or are seeking a state of existence –

May all beings be happy within themselves!

Na paro paraṃ nikubbetha, nātimaññetha katthaci naṃ kañci

May no one deceive another, or despise anyone anywhere;

Byārosanā paṭigha-saññā, nāññamaññassa dukkhamiccheyya

May no one, out of anger or aversion, wish for another to suffer”.

Mātā yathā niyaṃ puttaṃ, āyusā ekaputtamanurakkhe

Just as a mother would protect with her life her only child,

Evampi sabba bhūtesu, manasaṃ-bhavaye aparimānaṃ

In the same way, one should develop a boundless heart towards all beings.

Mettañca sabba lokasmiṃ, mānasaṃ-bhavaye aparimānaṃ

One should develop a boundless heart of loving-kindness towards the entire world –

Uddhaṃ adho ca tiriyañ ca, asambādhaṃ averaṃ asapattaṃ

Above, below, and all around, unconstrained, without hostility or enmity.

Tiṭṭhañ-caraṃ nisinno vā, sayāno vā yāvatassa vigatamiddho

Whether standing, moving, sitting, or reclining, as long as one is not drowsy,

Etaṃ satiṃ adhiṭṭheyya, brahmametaṃ vihāraṃ idha-māhu

One should be mindfully dedicated to this. This is called a divine abiding.

Diṭṭhiñ ca anupagamma sīlavā, dassanena sampanno

Not adhering to opinions, a virtuous person has perfect awareness;

Kāmesu vineyya gedhaṃ, na hi jātu gabbha-seyyaṃ punaretī ti

Having removed obsession with sensuality, one does not return to birth in a womb.

Transferring Merits to Devas & Other Beings:
Ettāvatā ca amhehi - Sambhataṃ puñña-sampadaṃ - Sabbe devā / bhūtā / sattā anumodantu - Sabba-sampatti-siddhiyā
(For the sake of all attainment & success, may all heavenly beings / spirits / sentient beings rejoice in the extent to which we have gathered a consummation of merit.)
Transferring Merits to Departed Ones:
Idaṃ me ñātinaṃ hotu - sukhitā hontu ñātayo.
(May all departed ones receive this merit, share this merit and be well and happy and healthy whereever they are!)
Aspiration for Kalyānamitta friends:
Iminā puñña-kammena - Mā me bāla-samāgamo
Sataṃ samāgamo hotu - Yāva Nibbāna-pattiyā.
(By means of this meritorious deed - May I never join with the foolish. May I join always with the wise - Until the time I attain Nibbana.)
Aspiration for Nibbāna:
Idaṃ me puññaṃ - Āsavakkhayā vahaṃ hotu sabba dukkhā pamuñcatu; sabba bhayā pamuñcatu; sabba rogā pamuñcatu!
(By the power of this merit, may I be led to the path of of the cessation of all cankers! may I be released from all fears! may I be released from all diseases!)

Blessing to All:

Sabbītiyo vivajjantu sabbarogo vinassatu, mā te bhavatvantarāyo, sukhī dīghāyuko bhava!
(May you avoid all calamities and may all disease be destroyed, may there be no obstacles for you, may you be happy and live long!)
Bhavatu sabbamaṅgalaṁ, rakkhantu sabbadevatā, sabba Buddhānubhāvena / dhamānubhāvena / sanghānubhāvena sadā sotthī bhavantu te!
(May there be every blessing, and may all of the gods protect you, by the power of all the Buddhas / dhamma / sangha may you be safe forever!)
Abhivādanasīlissa - niccaṃ vuddhāpacāyino cattāro dhammā vaddhanti - āyu vaṇṇo sukhaṃ balaṃ
(For somebody, who is showing respect to those of virtuous character, who is always paying homage to the venerable ones, four things grow for him: life-span, beauty of complexion, happiness, strength.)
Āyurārogya sampatti - sagga sampatti meva ca ato nibbāna sampatti - imina te samijjhatu!
(By the power of this the four dhammas - life, complexion, comfort and strength will be developed to the one who is constantly respectful to the to elders and worthy ones!)
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