Vol.7 No.1 January, 1997
Words of Dhamma
Yassete caturo dhamma,saddhassa gharamesino; Saccam dhammo dhiti cago, sa ve pecca na socati; asma loka param lokam, sa ve pecca na socati.
- The devoted householder in whom the four qualities of truth, morality, contentment, and renunciation are present,
is not distressed by anxiety in this life nor in the next life after death.
- Suttanipata 1.10.8
The Dhamma for Householders
Dhammika Suttam
Dhammika Upasaka, with five hundred others, visits the Buddha at Jetavana, singing his praises and asking what should be the life of a householder and that of a monk. After laying down the course of conduct to be followed by a monk, the Buddha expounds on the virtues to be cultivated by a householder.
[1] Gahatthavattam pana vo vadami,
yathakaro savako sadhu hoti.
Na hesa labbha sapariggahena,
phassetum yo kevalo bhikkhudhammo.
No householder can follow the Dhamma of bhikkhus completely. Therefore I shall tell you the Dhamma of householders, the fol-lower of which becomes a virtuous householder, a saintly person.
[2] Panam na hane na ca ghatayeyya,
na canujanna hanatam paresam.
Sabbesu bhutesu nidhaya dandam,
ye thavara ye ca tasa santi loke.
Neither should one kill any being, nor cause the killing to be done by anyone else, nor give permission to anyone else to kill. One should give up violence towards all beings.
[3] Tato adinnam parivajjayeyya,
kinci kvaci savako bujjhamano.
Na haraye haratam nanujanna,
sabbam adinnam parivajjayeyya.
And then the wise disciple will not take anything that is not given and anything not belonging to someone else. Neither should one steal, nor give permission to anyone else to steal. One should completely give up all kinds of stealing.
[4] Abrahmacariyam parivajjayeyya,
angarakasum jalitamva vinnu.
Asambhunanto pana brahmacariyam,
parassa daram na atikkameyya.
The discerning person should give up sexual misconduct like a pit filled with burning coals. And if it is impossible to practice celibacy, then at least one should not have sexual relations with anyone who is not one's spouse.
[5] Sabhaggato va parisaggato va,
ekassa veko na musa bhaneyya.
Na bhanaye bhanatam nanujanna,
sabbam abhutam parivajjayeyya.
Having gone to a meeting or assembly, one should not lie on behalf of anyone else, nor cause anyone else to lie, nor give permission to anyone else to speak lies. One should completely give up all kinds of false speech.
[6] Majjanca panam na samacareyya,
dhammam imam rocaye yo gahattho.
Na payaye pivatam nanujanna,
ummadanantam iti nam viditva.
Understanding that alcohol produces intoxication, the householder who is desirous of living a truly virtuous life should neither drink it himself, nor give it to others to drink, nor give permission to others to drink.
[7] Mada hi papani karonti bala,
karenti cannepi jane pamatte.
Etam apunnayatanam vivajjaye,
ummadanam mohanam balakantam.
Ignorant people do unwholesome deeds because of some intoxicant and cause other intoxicated people to do such deeds. One should avoid such dens of vice, which produce intoxication and delusion, and is dear to fools.
[8] Panam na hane na cadinnamadiye,
musa na bhase na ca majjapo siya.
Abrahmacariya virameyya methuna,
rattim na bhunjeyya vikalabhojanam.
One should not kill other beings, nor steal, nor tell lies, nor take any intoxicant. One should abstain from sexual misconduct, sexual intercourse and from eating at the wrong time at night.
[9] Malam na dhare na ca gandhamacare,
mance chamayam va sayetha santhate.
Etam hi atthangikamahuposatham,
Buddhena dukkhantaguna pakasitam.
One should neither wear garlands nor use perfume. One should sleep on a bedstead or on the ground or on a blanket/rug. This is called the atthangakamahuposatha i.e. the eight precepts, which has been expounded by the Buddha having full knowledge of dukkha.
[10] Tato ca pakkhassupavassuposatham,
catuddasim pancadasinca atthamim.
Patihariyapakkhanca pasannamanaso,
atthangupetam susamattarupam.
One should practice these eight precepts in the proper manner with a pure mind on the eighth day, the fourteenth day, the full moon day, and other festival days of every lunar fortnight.
[11] Tato ca pato upavutthuposatho,
annena panena ca bhikkhusangham.
Pasannacitto anumodamano,
yatharaham samvibhajetha vinnu.
Having observed the uposatha i.e. the eight precepts, the wise person, as per his/her capacity, donates food and beverages (milk, water etc.) to monks and saintly persons in the morning with a mind full of joy and devotion.
[12] Dhammena matapitaro bhareyya,
payojaye dhammikam so vanijjam.
Etam gihi vattaya'mappamatto,
sayampabhe nama upeti deveti.
One should practice right livelihood and should take good care of one's parents. The householder who is heedful and lives a virtuous life in this way is born in the world of (sayampabha) devas.
Letters to the Teacher
Dear S.N.Goenka,
A dream has come true. The first Vipassana course in Ireland has finally happened. It was wonderful and a privilege to serve the Irish people as they received the wonderful Dhamma on their own soil.
Ireland was once known as the Island of Saints and scholars. But in the past thirty years it is best known for sectarian violence and bombs and terrorist activity. We so badly need Dhamma. Thank you for sending teachers who have been such an inspiration to us.
There is so much goodwill for us to get established here. Members of the Dhamma community in England have been so supportive.
May the Dhamma continue to spread throughout the world. May all beings be happy !
With mettā,
Una Ferguson Dublin, Ireland.
What is the Value of Dhamma Service?
Student: What is the value of Dhamma service ?
S.N.Goenka: Understand that you are learning how to apply Dhamma in day-to-day life. After all, Dhamma is not an escape from daily responsibilities. By learning how to deal in a Dhammic way with students and situations here in the little world of a meditation centre, you train yourself to act in the same way in the world outside. Despite the unwanted behaviour of another person, you practice trying to keep the balance of your mind, and to generate love and compassion in response. This is the lesson you are trying to master here.
You are a student as much as those sitting in the course. Keep learning while humbly serving others; keep thinking, "I am here in training, to practice serving without expecting anything in return. I am working so that others may benefit form Dhamma. Let me help them by setting a good example, and in doing so, help myself as well".
Student: What should we do when we are giving Dhamma service and a conflict arises with another Dhamma worker ?
S. N. Goenka: When you are in conflict or confrontation with others, retire from service; don't serve. When you cannot keep your mind free from negativities, keep the mind calm, quiet, full of love and compassion for others, then understand: "I am not fit to serve now-I had better meditate." Otherwise, you will only be distributing this vibration of negativity to others.
You may say, "The other person is at fault, not me." But whatever the apparent cause may be, your mistake is that you have started generating negativity.
If you find that there is some fault with those who are working with you, then very politely and very humbly you can point it out: "To me, it looks like this is not correct, this is not according to Dhamma." If the other person does not understand, then very humbly and politely explain again after some time. Still the other person may not agree. You have given all your reasons, explained your point of view calmly, without making your mind unbalanced.
Suppose this doesn't work. I would say that to explain your view twice is enough. In very rare cases you can do it a third time, but not more than that, never ! Otherwise, no matter how correct your view may be, it shows that you have developed a tremendous amount of attachment to it. You want things to happen according to your view, and that is not helpful. When pointing something out to your Dhamma brother or sister who has made a mistake, you can mention it once, twice, at the utmost, thrice. If that doesn't help, then, without backbiting, politely tell him or her: "Well, this is my understanding. Perhaps our elders can explain it to you better than I can."
Before putting the case to anyone else, first talk with the person with you have a difference of opinion. Only then inform the elders, senior students, assistant teachers or, in rare instances, the Teacher. But first you have to speak with the person concerned. Only then there is no unwholesome speech. Otherwise, you are backbiting, you are breaking your sila, which is wrong.
Still, if nothing has worked and this person is not improving, then don't have aversion, have more compassion. You always have to examine yourself whether you are getting agitated when you want something very right to be done and it is not being done. If so, it means your ego is strong; your attachment to your ego, your views is strong. This is not Dhamma. Try to correct yourself before trying to correct others.
Highlights of 1996
International Initiatives
- 'The Hill of Dhamma', a documentary on Dhamma Giri produced by the Vipassana Worldwide Video Project, was broadcast on Myanmar TV in March. The film is now distributed worldwide and is available to old students for purchase.
- Dhamma over the Internet: The computer network that reaches out to over 15 million people across the planet, is now carrying extensive information on Vipassana. Dhamma is now reaching out to anyone who has a computer, telephone line and is connected to the Internet.
- In 1995, Vipassana Homepages were contacted 200 to 300 times daily. In 1996, the ' visitors ' have increased to between 500 and 800 daily. Many application forms now come for courses taken via the Internet.
North and South America
- Construction of a new Dhamma Hall was completed in the California Centre, USA.
- The Northwest Centre in the USA, began Anapana courses. The experimental programme, called Advanced Attention Development ( AAD ) consists of 7 to 10 one hour sessions over a 2 to 3 week period where children practice Anapana and learn about moral conduct and law of cause & effect through story telling and puppet shows. To date, 110 students (aged 6 to 14 years) have participated including children with behavioural difficulties. Results have been very encouraging and many schools are showing interest in this programme.
- In South America, 12 courses were conducted in 7 countries for 500 students. First ever Vipassana course was held in Cuba. Instructions and discourses have been translated into Portuguese for Brazil. The search for a Dhamma House in Venezuela has begun.
Australia and New Zealand
- A new centre called Dhamma Aloka was established near Melbourne. Courses are underway with a current capacity of 30 students.
- Anapana is being taught in a number of Sydney primary and secondary schools as part of religious and education curriculum.
- The first children's course was conducted in New Zealand.
South and East Asia
- 12 courses were held in the centre in Kyoto, Japan.
- S. N. Goenka visited Taiwan for the second time last July and gave public talks in all major cities. Since mid-1995, twenty-four 10-day courses were held for 2,400 students.
- The first children's course was conducted with much success in Myanmar (Burma). Children can now also accompany parents to the large Sunday group sitting at Rangoon centre where separate facility is provided for them to practice Anapana.
Europe
- The first 30-day course in Europe was held in Dhamma Dipa, United Kingdom.
- Dhamma Haus, Germany held its first Satipatthana course with German translation. 25 courses of various kinds were held.
- The first Vipassana course organized in Ireland with 20 students participating. 2 more courses are planned this year.
- Serbia had its first Vipassana course at a site between Belgrade and Sarajevo after the end of the war in Bosnia. The tremendous response led to another course. Significantly, there is evidence that Emperor Ashoka's envoys carrying the teaching of Buddha reached this region-many Pali words are still used in Serbo-Croat language.
- Demand for more Vipassana courses is increasing in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Russia, Holland, Switzerland.
Middle East
- Israel had two courses serving about 250 students. More than 100 students are on the waiting list. The work is on for a Dhamma house.
India
- A total of 7302 students were served in Dhamma Giri, Igatpuri. Amongst them were groups of students from Taiwan, Indonesia. A group of above 30 male and female new students from Iran participated in a course in November.
- The Government of Maharashtra officially granted (on-duty) leave for high-ranking officials to participate in Vipassana courses.
Pune Vipassana Centre
- A meditator in Pune has donated 22 acres near Markal village, about 8 kms from Alandi and 30 kms from Pune, on the bank of the Indryani river. S. N. Goenka has named the centre as Dhamma Anand (Joy of Dhamma).
- A meditation hall with capacity for 200 students has already been constructed. The first one-day course was conducted on 1 September 1996 and about 160 meditators attended the course.
- The first ten-day course will be conducted from 31 Jan. to 11 Feb. 1997, using tents as temporary accommodation.
- S. N. Goenka and Mataji are visiting Dhamma Anand for the first time on 3 March 1997.
- There has been a marked increase in the number of jail courses. Nashik Central Jail declared a Dhamma Centre, and like in Dhamma Tihar (Tihar Jail) will have two courses a month. Overall, 22 courses were held in jails, with a total of 1216 inmate-students.
- The Rajasthan Government has received orders that their newly recruited officers shall undergo Vipassana courses. Twenty such officers received Vipassana in December 1996. Others are expected soon. It has also been decided that all officers and employees of one police station at Jaipur will also take Vipassana courses, and if this experiment is successful, it will be extended to other police stations also.
- The Himachal Pradesh Police Department has proposed to hold courses in its police academy. Eight officials have learned Vipassana.
- Eighty MBA students from Symbiosis, a well-known business management academy in Pune, participated in Vipassana courses in Dhamma Thali, Jaipur.
- 21 IAS probation officers form the Administrative Academy, Musoorie, participated in a 3-day executive Anapana course at Dhamma Salil, Dehradun Centre.
Vipassana Courses for Maharashtra Prisons
After Dhamma Tihar, Nashik Central Jail has become the second prison in India to be declared a Dhamma Centre. So far, seven Vipassana courses have been held here and over 550 inmates have participated. Vipassana students here include convicted terrorists.
Impressed after a visit here in August, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra ( in a letter dated 3rd September, 1996 ) has ordered that two Vipassana courses be organised every month in every prison in Maharashtra. The letter also states "officers, workers from the different jails of the state should be allowed to take special paid leave for attending a Vipassana course. The Government should bear the travelling costs of such jail-officers and workers. (The Finance Ministry has offered such a facility to higher officers according to P.L - 2496 / 3 / ser - 9; 15.5.96)"