What The Buddha taught a ruler’s a good example

At the age of w seven years old when Lahula, the son of Buddha ordained as a novice, Buddha emphasized to teach and guide often his son to be a good novice such as Lahulovada sutta  etc. It was why Ven. Lahula was a good example who obeyed the instruction of The Buddha and others who were wise. Without good guidance mentally and physically the children cannot be good and educated citizens. Even though we captivate a tree, we need to pour water to it. In the same way, when people want to develop their country, they need to cultivate their leader well. Without good cause, good effect will not be brought about. The Buddha taught King Pasenadi of Kosala how much a good leader is important as the following.

The Buddha discussed the principle with King Pasenadi of Kosala. He told the king he should train himself to have a good friends, good associates, and good companions. Having a good friends, he should dwell with diligence in wholesome things: offering, morality and meditation.

Then The Buddha explained how this example set by the king ( the ruler) would affect the the people of kingdom: king’s wives, the noblemen at court, the troops, and all people in the towns and in the countryside would see how the king was diligent in wholesome things, and then  t hey would be inspired also to be diligent in doing wholesome things, the kings, his wives and his proverty would be well protected. To be reborn at the time of such virtuous kings is time-achievement ( kalasampatti), at such time, the people are taught not to kill  sentient beings especially human being, not to steal, not to engage in sexual misconduct, not to tell lies, not to drink intoxicants, and they are taught to be moderate in eating. And seeing that their ruler is   in this way virtuous, they also become virtuous; seeing how their ruler practices the four diving abiding (cattaro brahma vihara) : loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity. They also do so.

“Why do our children not develop just as the children of others?” said some parents. Actually children really need good guidance of their parent. We should not blame our children why they are not claver and educated children. If they have good guidance, they can mostly develop their lives well like the children of others. In the same way  if the people cultivate their leader well, they will possess the good future and a progressive country. It is dependant origination. 

Bibliography

Kalyana mitta Sutta,Dutiya Vagga, Kosala Samyutta, Sagatha Vagga Samyutta, 
Samyutta Nikaya, Suttanta Pitaka.

Pa-Auk tawya Saya daw. The wrking of kamma (2008).Penang:

Penang Buddhist Association.Malaysia.

LIVING IN THE GRATEFUL WORLD

Be grateful to those who have hurt or harmed you, for they have reinforced your determination.

Be grateful to those who have deceived you, for they have deepened your insight.

Be grateful to those who have hit you, for they have  reduce your karmic obstacles.

Be grateful to those who have abandoned you, for they have taught you to be independent.

Be grateful to those who have made you stumble, for they have strengthened your ability.

Be grateful to those who have denounced you, for they have increase your wisdom and concentration.

Be grateful to those who had made you Firm and Resolute and Helped in your Achievement.

Bibliography

 Shi Wuling Ven. (2006). Living a grateful world, The teaching of Ven. Chin Kung. Path to peace. Taipei: The corporate Body of the Buddha Educational Foundation.

A GRATEFUL OX 

An ox would be killed. When a Theravada Buddhist monk in Sri. lanka, Asia saw it, he bought it. Then the ox respected the monk, Even though animals know to be grateful, human beings should be careful to be grateful, shouldn't they be? Gratitude(katannuta) is one of (38) supreme blessings(Mangalas) in Buddhism. Many Buddhists in Myanmar(Burma) abstain eating meat of ox, cow and buffalo. Venerable Ledy Sayadaw taught people to avoid eating meat because they help people to harrow  fields to cultivate crops. Gratitude provides the world  beautifully and happily. Boddhi satta (Future-Buddha) was the most grateful because he wanted  all sentient beings who were his parents in past life  to free from cycle of birth and death (Samsara) and he decided to become The Buddha.To become the Buddha he had to practice The Ten Perfections(Dasa Parami) such as Generosity(Dana) Morality(sila) Renunciation(Nekkhama) etc.If A person who is grateful to  one should be been grateful, he will succeeds  his purpose easily and progress in his life. 

Ven. Talawatugoda Saddhamangala Thero, a Theravada Buddhist monk,Chief Incumbent  and a grateful ox in Sri Lumbini Viveka Senasanaya, Koswatta, Sri. Lanka, Asia.

The benefits of approaching and visiting the Buddha

At the house of Adinnapubbaka the question of whether one could or could not be reborn in a celestial world simply by mentally professing profound faith in the Buddha, without giving in charity or observing the moral precepts, was brought up. So the Buddha willed that Matthakundali should appear in person; Matthakundali soon appeared fully decked with celestial ornaments and told them about his rebirth in the Tavatimsa, heaven world. 

In pictures: Hillary Clinton visits Burma.  http://www.livestation.com/channels/10-bbc_world_news_english. Retrieved  9 December, 2011

Introduction

Saddhaya tarati ogham = A person can overcome the cycle of birth and death(Samsara) by confidence.(Buddha taught it in Alavaka vatthu).If a person  is faithful the triple gems--- Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha, Action(Kamma), Reaction(Kamma phala) and so on, one  can cross and overcome the cycle of Birth and death(Samsara). When one has confidence, one  wants to perform wholesome then one increases one's good deeds. One's life will develop step by step and finally one can obtain the most peaceful bliss(Nibbana named Santisukkh. ( Santni means Peace and Sukkha signifies Bliss and Happiness). It is a evident story at the time of the Buddha to prove the statement.

Matthakundali Vatthu

Manopubbangama dhamma

manosettha manomaya

manasa ce pasannena

bhasati va karoti va

tato nam sukha¹ manveti

chayava anapayini.

Translation: All mental phenomena have mind as their forerunner; they have mind as their chief; they are mind-made. If one speaks or acts with a pure mind, happiness (sukha) follows him like a shadow that never leaves him.

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1. Sukham/sukha: in this context, happiness, satifactoriness, fortune, etc., and rebirth in the three upper planes of happy existence.

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The Story of Matthakundali

While residing at the Jetavana monastery in Savatthi, the Buddha uttered Verse (2) of this book, Dhammapada, with reference to Matthakundali, a young Brahmin. Matthakundali was a young brahmin, whose father, Adinnapubbaka, was very stingy and never gave anything in charity. Even the gold ornaments for his only son were made by himself to save payment for workmanship. When his son fell ill, no physician was consulted, until it was too late. When he realized that his son was dying, he had the youth carried outside on to the verandah, so that people coming to his house would not see his possessions.

On that morning, the Buddha arising early from his deep meditation of compassion saw, in his Net of Knowledge, Matthakundali lying on the verandah. So when entering Savatthi for alms-food with his disciples, the Buddha stood near the door of the brahmin Adinnapubbaka. The Buddha sent forth a ray of light to attract the attention of the youth, who was facing the interior of the house. The youth saw the Buddha; and as he was very weak he could only profess his faith mentally. But that was enough. When he passed away with his heart in devotion to the Buddha he was reborn in the Tavatimsa celestial world.

From his celestial abode the young Matthakundali, seeing his father mourning over him at the cemetery, appeared to the old man in the likeness of his old self. He told his father about his rebirth in the Tavatimsa world and also urged him to approach and invite the Buddha to a meal. At the house of Adinnapubbaka the question of whether one could or could not be reborn in a celestial world simply by mentally professing profound faith in the Buddha, without giving in charity or observing the moral precepts, was brought up. So the Buddha willed that Matthakundali should appear in person; Matthakundali soon appeared fully decked with celestial ornaments and told them about his rebirth in the Tavatimsa world. Then only, the audience became convinced that the son of the brahmin Adinnapubbaka by simply devoting his mind to the Buddha had attained much glory.

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Verse 2: All mental phenomena have mind as their forerunner; they have mind as their chief; they are mind-made. If one speaks or acts with a pure mind, happiness (sukha) follows him like a shadow that never leaves him.

At the end of the discourse Matthakundali and his father Adinnapubbaka attained Sotapatti Magga and Sotapatti Phala. Adinnapubbaka also donated almost all his wealth to the cause of the Buddha's Teaching.

Conclusion

We realize that one's good mind provides one to be born in heaven.

Mind leads the world( Cittena niyate loko). Success and failure or happiness and pain depend on one's mind too much. So one should  be mindful, endeavour and be wise situations and one's mind all the times.

Bibliography

http://www.tipitaka.net/tipitaka/dhp/verseload.php?verse=002.

Retrieved  9 December, 2011

In pictures: Hillary Clinton visits Burma. http://www.livestation.com/channels/10-bbc_world_news_english.