"The Noble Path, for Laypeople" with Bhante Sumitta

Dhamma Talk on

"The Noble Path, for Laypeople"

with Bhante Sumitta

Join us live:

https://youtu.be/giSvEsRuC2g

Date: August 4, 2021

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

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:

"Yato kho gahapatiputta ariyasāvakassa cattāro kammakilesā pahīṇā honti, catūhi ṭhānehi pāpakammaṃ na karoti, cha ca bhogānaṃ apāyamukhāni na sevati, so evaṃ cuddasapāpakāpagato, chaddisāpaṭicchādī,1 ubhayalokavijayāya paṭipanno hoti, tassa ayaṃ ceva loko āraddho hoti paro ca loko. So kāyassa bhedā parammaraṇā sugatiṃ saggaṃ lokaṃ upapajjati.

Sigalovada Sutta (DN 31)
The Discourse to Sigala
Layperson's Code of Discipline
Summary

As we discuss the fundamental teachings of the Buddha, which would help us transcend the world of suffering, we have also been discussing certain discourses that are very much relevant in overcoming the day-to-day problems in our lives. This time we chose another important sutta called “the Singalovada Sutta” for our discussion.

The Singalovada Sutta is highly regarded in the world as the code of discipline of the lay people. Here, the Buddha recommends us very important moral virtues and codes of discipline, which are very essential for a happy and trouble free life. This is relatively a long discourse. Basically this Sutta talks about 20 dhamma factors.

1.     Four Vices in Conduct
2.     Four Biases
3.     Six channels for dissipating wealth
4.     Six directions of worship (Six sides of household and social duties)

1. Four Vices of Conduct:
"What are the four vices in conduct that he has eradicated? The destruction of life, householder, is a vice and so are stealing, sexual misconduct, and lying. These are the four vices that he has eradicated."

2. Four Biases
"In which four ways does one commit no evil action? Led by desire does one commit evil. Led by anger does one commit evil. Led by ignorance does one commit evil. Led by fear does one commit evil.

3. Six channels for dissipating wealth
"What are the six channels for dissipating wealth which he does not pursue?
(a) "indulgence in intoxicants which cause infatuation and heedlessness; (b) sauntering in streets at unseemly hours; (c) frequenting theatrical shows; (d) indulgence in gambling which causes heedlessness; (e) association with evil companions; (f) the habit of idleness.

4. Six directions of worship (Six sides of household and social duties)
"And how, young householder, does a noble disciple cover the six quarters?
"The following should be looked upon as the six quarters. The parents should be looked upon as the East, teachers as the South, wife and children as the West, friends and associates as the North, servants and employees as the Nadir, ascetics and brahmans as the Zenith.
East= Parents
South= Teachers
West=Husband and Wife relationship
North= Friends and associates
Nadir= Employers and Employees
Zenith=Religious and spiritual Institute
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!)
References:

References:
Ven. Narada Thera's Translation
A Pictorial Presentation of the Advice to Sigala