Reflections

Contents

• Contemplation of the Body
• Five Subjects for Frequent Recollection
• The Verses on Friends
• The Verses on Respect
• The Verses on the Noble Truths
• The Four Dhamma Summaries
• The Guardian Meditations
• Ten Reflections
• Ovaada-paa.timokkha Gaathaa
• The Sublime Attitudes
• Dedication of Merit

Contemplation of the Body

(LEADER):
Handa maya"m kaayagataa-sati-bhaavanaa-paa.tha"m bha.naama se:

Let us now recite the passage on mindfulness immersed in the body.

(ALL):
Aya"m kho me kaayo,

This body of mine,

Uddha"m paadatalaa,

from the soles of the feet on up,

Adho kesa-matthakaa,

from the crown of the head on down,

Taca-pariyanto,

surrounded by skin,

Puuro naanappakaarassa asucino,

filled with all sorts of unclean things.

Atthi imasmi"m kaaye:

In this body there is:

Kesaa

Hair of the head,

Lomaa

Hair of the body,

Nakhaa

Nails,

Dantaa

Teeth,

Taco

Skin,

Ma"msa"m

Flesh,

Nhaaruu

Tendons,

A.t.thii

Bones,

A.t.thimiñja"m

Bone marrow,

Vakka"m

Spleen,

Hadaya"m

Heart,

Yakana"m

Liver,

Kilomaka"m

Membranes,

Pihaka"m

Kidneys,

Papphaasa"m

Lungs,

Anta"m

Large intestines,

Antagu.na"m

Small intestines,

Udariya"m

Gorge,

Kariisa"m

Feces,

Matthake matthalu"nga"m

Brain,

Pitta"m

Gall,

Semha"m

Phlegm,

Pubbo

Lymph,

Lohita"m

Blood,

Sedo

Sweat,

Medo

Fat,

Assu

Tears,

Vasaa

Oil,

Khe.lo

Saliva,

Si"nghaa.nikaa

Mucus,

Lasikaa

Oil in the joints,

Mutta"m

Urine.

Evam-aya"m me kaayo:

Such is this body of mine:

Uddha"m paadatalaa,

from the soles of the feet on up,

Adho kesa-matthakaa,

from the crown of the head on down,

Taca-pariyanto,

surrounded by skin,

Puuro naanappakaarassa asucino.

filled with all sorts of unclean things.

Five Subjects for Frequent Recollection

(LEADER):
Handa maya"m abhi.nha-paccavekkha.na-paatha"m bha.naama se:

Let us now recite the passage for frequent recollection:

(ALL):
Jaraa-dhammomhi jara"m anatiito.

I am subject to aging. Aging is unavoidable.

Byaadhi-dhammomhi byaadhi"m anatiito.

I am subject to illness. Illness is unavoidable.

Mara.na-dhammomhi mara.na"m anatiito.

I am subject to death. Death is unavoidable.

Sabbehi me piyehi manaapehi naanaa-bhaavo vinaa-bhaavo.

I will grow different, separate from all that is dear & appealing to me.

Kammassakomhi kamma-daayaado kamma-yoni kamma-bandhu kamma-pa.tisara.no.

I am the owner of my actions, heir to my actions, born of my actions, related through my actions, and live dependent on my actions.

Ya"m kamma"m karissaami kalyaa.na"m vaa paapaka"m vaa tassa daayaado bhavissaami.

Whatever I do, for good or for evil, to that will I fall heir.

Eva"m amhehi abhi.nha"m paccavekkhitabba"m.

We should often reflect on this.

The Verses on Friends

Aññadatthu haro mitto

One who makes friends only to cheat them,

Yo ca mitto vacii-paramo,

one who is good only in word,

Anupiyañca yo aahu,

one who flatters & cajoles,

Apaayesu ca yo sakhaa,

and a companion in ruinous fun:

Ete amitte cattaaro
Iti viññaaya pa.n.dito

These four the wise know as non-friends.

AArakaa parivajjeyya

Avoid them from afar,

Magga"m pa.tibhaya"m yathaa.

like a dangerous road.

Upakaaro ca yo mitto,

A friend who is helpful,

Sukha-dukkho ca yo sakhaa,

one who shares in your sorrows & joys,

Atthakkhaayii ca yo mitto,

one who points you to worthwhile things,

Yo ca mittaanukampako,

one sympathetic to friends:

Etepi mitte cattaaro
Iti viññaaya pa.n.dito

These four, the wise know as true friends.

Sakkacca"m payirupaaseyya

Attend to them earnestly,

Maataa putta"m va orasa"m.

as a mother her child.

The Verses on Respect

Satthu-garu dhamma-garu

One with respect for the Buddha & Dhamma,

Sa"nghe ca tibba-gaaravo,

and strong respect for the Sa"ngha,

Samaadhi-garu aataapii,

one who is ardent, with respect for concentration,

Sikkhaaya tibba-gaaravo,

and strong respect for the Training,

Appamaada-garu bhikkhu,

one who sees danger and respects being heedful,

Pa.tisanthaara-gaaravo:

and shows respect in welcoming guests:

Abhabbo parihaanaaya,

A person like this cannot decline,

Nibbaanasseva santike,

stands right in the presence of Nibbana.

The Verses on the Noble Truths

Ye dukkha"m nappajaananti

Those who don't discern suffering,

Atho dukkhassa sambhava"m

suffering's cause,

Yattha ca sabbaso dukkha"m
Asesa"m uparujjhati,

and where it totally stops, without trace,

Tañca magga"m na jaananti,

who don't understand the path,

Dukkhuupasama-gaamina"m

the way to the stilling of suffering:

Ceto-vimutti-hiinaa te

They are far from release of awareness,

Atho paññaa-vimuttiyaa,

and release of discernment.

Abhabbaa te anta-kiriyaaya

Incapable of making an end,

Te ve jaati-jaruupagaa.

they'll return to birth & aging again.

Ye ca dukkha"m pajaananti

While those who do discern suffering,

Atho dukkhassa sambhava"m,

suffering's cause,

Yattha ca sabbaso dukkha"m
Asesa"m uparujjhati,

and where it totally stops, without trace,

Tañca magga"m pajaananti,

who understand the path,

Dukkhuupasama-gaamina"m:

the way to the stilling of suffering:

Ceto-vimutti-sampannaa

They are consummate in release of awareness,

Atho paññaa-vimuttiyaa,

and in release of discernment.

Bhabbaa te anta-kiriyaaya

Capable of making an end,

Na te jaati-jaruupagaati.

they won't return to birth & aging ever again.

The Four Dhamma Summaries

1. Upaniiyati loko,

The world is swept away.

Addhuvo.

It does not endure.

2. Ataa.no loko,

The world offers no shelter.

Anabhissaro.

There is no one in charge.

3. Assako loko,

The world has nothing of its own.

Sabba"m pahaaya gamaniiya"m.

One has to pass on
leaving everything behind.

4. UUno loko,

The world is insufficient,

Atitto,

insatiable,

Ta.nhaa daaso.

a slave to craving.

The Guardian Meditations

Buddhaanussati mettaa ca
    Asubha"m mara.nassati,
Iccimaa catur'aarakkhaa
    Kaatabbaa ca vipassanaa

These four meditations -- recollection of the Buddha, loving-kindness, the foulness of the body, and mindfulness of death -- are guardians & means of insight that should be done.

Visuddha-dhamma-santaano
    Anuttaraaya bodhiyaa
Yogato ca pabodhaa ca
    Buddho Buddho'ti ñaayate.

The Buddha is unfailingly pure. Because of his unexcelled Awakening, and because he trains others to awaken, he is known as the Awakened/Awakening One.

Naraanara-tiracchaana-
    bhedaa sattaa sukhesino,
Sabbe pi sukhino hontu
    Sukhitattaa ca khemino.

All living beings -- human, non-human, & animal -- who are searching for happiness: May they all be happy and, through their happiness, secure.

Kesa-lomaadi-chavaana"m
    Ayam'eva samussayo
Kaayo sabbo pi jeguccho
    Va.n.naadito pa.tikkulo,

This conglomeration of things from dead bodies, like hair of the head & hair of the body: The body as a whole is disgusting and, in terms of such things as its colors, unclean.

Jiivit'indriy'upaccheda-
    sa"nkhaata-mara.na"m siyaa,
Sabbesa"m piidha paa.niina"m
    Tañhi dhuva"m na jiivita"m.

Death, the destruction of the faculty of life, will come to all beings. Death is certain, but life is not.

Ten Reflections

Dasa ime bhikkhave dhammaa,
Pabbajitena abhi.nha"m paccavekkhitabbaa,

Those gone forth should frequently reflect on these ten things.

Katame dasa?

Which ten?

1) Veva.n.niyamhi ajjhuupagatoti.

I have left the social order.

2) Parapa.tibaddhaa me jiivikaati.

My life needs the support of others.

3) Añño me aakappo kara.niiyoti.

I must change the way I behave.

4) Kacci nu kho me attaa siilato na upavadatiiti?

Can I fault myself with regard to the precepts?

5) Kacci nu kho ma"m anuvicca viññuu sabrahma-caarii siilato na upavadantiiti?

Can my knowledgeable fellows in the holy life, on close examination, fault me with regard to the precepts?

6) Sabbehi me piyehi manaapehi naanaa-bhaavo vinaa-bhaavoti.

I will grow different, separate from all that is dear & appealing to me.

7) Kammassakomhi kamma-daayaado kamma-yoni kamma-bandhu kamma-pa.tisara.no. Ya"m kamma"m karissaami kalyaa.na"m vaa paapaka"m vaa tassa daayaado bhavissaamiiti.

I am the owner of my actions, heir to my actions, born of my actions, related through my actions, and live dependent on my actions. Whatever I do, for good or for evil, to that will I fall heir.

8) Katham-bhuutassa me rattin-divaa viitipatantiiti?

What am I becoming as the days & the nights fly past?

9) Kacci nu kho'ha"m suññaagaare abhiramaamiiti?

Is there an empty dwelling in which I delight?

10) Atthi nu kho me uttari-manussa-dhammaa,
Alam-ariya-ñaa.na-dassana-viseso adhigato,
So'ha"m pacchime kaale sabrahma-caariihi pu.t.tho,
Na ma"nku bhavissaamiiti?

Have I attained a superior human state, a truly noble knowledge & vision, such that when my fellows in the holy life ask me near the hour of my death, I will not feel ashamed?

Ime kho bhikkhave dasa dhammaa pabbajitena abhi.nha"m paccavekkhitabbaati.

These are the ten things on which those gone forth should frequently reflect.

Ovaada-paa.timokkha Gaathaa

Khantii parama"m tapo tiitikkhaa
    Nibbaana"m parama"m vadanti buddhaa,
Na hi pabbajito paruupaghaatii
    Sama.no hoti para"m vihe.thayanto

Patient forbearance is the foremost austerity.
    Liberation is foremost: that's what the Buddhas say.
He is no monk who injures another;
    nor a contemplative, he who mistreats another.

Sabba-paapassa akara.na"m,
    Kusalassuupasampadaa,
Sacitta-pariyodapana"m:
    Eta"m buddhaana-saasana"m.

The non-doing of any evil,
    The performance of what's skillful,
The cleansing of one's own mind:
    This is the Buddhas' teaching.

Anuupavaado anuupaghaato
    Paa.timokkhe ca sa"mvaro
Mattaññutaa ca bhattasmi"m
    Pantañca sayan'aasana"m.
Adhicitte ca aayogo:
    Eta"m buddhaana-saasananti.

Not disparaging, not injuring,
    Restraint in line with the monastic code,
Moderation in food,
    Dwelling in seclusion,
Commitment to the heightened mind:
    This is the Buddhas' teaching.

The Sublime Attitudes

Aha"m sukhito homi

May I be happy.

Niddukkho homi

May I be free from stress & pain.

Avero homi

May I be free from animosity.

Abyaapajjho homi

May I be free from oppression.

Aniigho homi

May I be free from trouble.

Sukhii attaana"m pariharaami

May I look after myself with ease.

(METTAA -- GOOD WILL)

Sabbe sattaa sukhitaa hontu.

May all living beings be happy.

Sabbe sattaa averaa hontu.

May all living beings be free from animosity.

Sabbe sattaa abyaapajjhaa hontu.

May all living beings be free from oppression.

Sabbe sattaa aniighaa hontu.

May all living beings be free from trouble.

Sabbe sattaa sukhii attaana"m pariharantu.

May all living beings look after themselves with ease.

(KARU.NAA -- COMPASSION)

Sabbe sattaa sabba-dukkhaa pamuccantu.

May all living beings be freed from all stress & pain.

(MUDITAA -- APPRECIATION)

Sabbe sattaa laddha-sampattito maa vigacchantu.

May all living beings not be deprived of the good fortune they have attained.

(UPEKKHAA -- EQUANIMITY)

Sabbe sattaa kammassakaa kamma-daayaadaa kamma-yonii kamma-bandhuu kamma-pa.tisara.naa.

All living beings are the owners of their actions, heir to their actions, born of their actions, related through their actions, and live dependent on their actions.

Ya"m kamma"m karissanti kalyaa.na"m vaa paapaka"m vaa tassa daayaadaa bhavissanti.

Whatever they do, for good or for evil, to that will they fall heir.

Hotu sabba"m suma"ngala"m

May there be every good blessing.

Rakkhantu sabba-devataa

May the devas protect you.

Sabba-buddhaanubhaavena

Through the power of all the Buddhas,

Sotthii hontu nirantara"m

May you forever be well.

Hotu sabba"m suma"ngala"m

May there be every good blessing.

Rakkhantu sabba-devataa

May the devas protect you.

Sabba-dhammaanubhaavena

Through the power of all the Dhamma,

Sotthii hontu nirantara"m

May you forever be well.

Hotu sabba"m suma"ngala"m

May there be every good blessing.

Rakkhantu sabba-devataa

May the devas protect you.

Sabba-sa"nghaanubhaavena

Through the power of all the Sangha,

Sotthii hontu nirantara"m

May you forever be well.

Dedication of Merit

Puññassidaani katassa
Yaanaññaani kataani me
Tesañca bhaagino hontu
Sattaanantaappamaa.naka.

May all beings -- without limit, without end --
have a share in the merit just now made,
and in whatever other merit I have made.

Ye piyaa gu.navantaa ca
Mayha"m maataa-pitaadayo
Di.t.thaa me caapyadi.t.thaa vaa
Aññe majjhatta-verino;

Those who are dear & kind to me --
beginning with my mother & father --
whom I have seen or never seen;
and others, neutral or hostile;

Sattaa ti.t.thanti lokasmi"m
Te-bhummaa catu-yonikaa
Pañc'eka-catuvokaaraa
Sa"msarantaa bhavaabhave:

beings established in the cosmos --
the three realms, the four modes of birth,
with five, one, or four aggregates --
wandering on from realm to realm:

Ñaata"m ye pattidaanam-me
Anumodantu te saya"m
Ye cima"m nappajaananti
Devaa tesa"m nivedayu"m.

If they know of my dedication of merit,
may they themselves rejoice,
And if they do not know,
may the devas inform them.

Mayaa dinnaana-puññaana"m
Anumodana-hetunaa
Sabbe sattaa sadaa hontu
Averaa sukha-jiivino

By reason of their rejoicing
in my gift of merit,
may all beings always live happily,
free from animosity.

Khemappadañca pappontu
Tesaasaa sijjhata"m subhaa.

May they attain the Serene State,
and their radiant hopes be fulfilled.

Even though the mind is intangible, it has influence over the body & all things in the world. It is capable of bringing everything in the world under its control. Still, it isn't so vicious or savage as to lack all sense of good & evil. When a person of good intentions trains the mind to enter correctly into the path of the Buddha's teachings, it will be tractable & quick to learn, developing the wisdom to bring the body, which may be behaving without any principles, back into line. In addition, it can cleanse itself to be bright & clean, free from defilements, able to realize by itself truths that are subtle & profound, bringing dazzling light into this world so dark with blindness.

This is because the true substance of the mind has been, from the very beginning, something bright & clear. But because of the preoccupations that have seeped into it and clouded it, the brightness of the mind has been temporarily darkened, making the world dark as well. If the mind were originally dark, there probably wouldn't be anyone able to cleanse it to the point where it could give rise to the light of discernment at all.

So whether the world is to be dark or bright, whether it is to experience well-being or suffering, depends on the mind of each individual. We as individuals should thus first train our own minds well, and then train the minds of others. The world will then be free from turmoil.

-- Phra Ajaan Thate Desara"nsii