Poṭṭhapāda Full Moon Day Online Retreat 

Friday September 4th, 2020  

 

Please join Dhamma USA on Friday September 4th, 2020 (PST) to observe the Poṭṭhapāda Puṇṇamī. This program will be held online via Zoom and will be conducted in English.



Importance of Poṭṭhapāda Puṇṇamī:

Puṇṇamī (Sanskrit: Proṣṭhapāda/Bhādrapadā; Sinhala: Binara; Thai: Phattarapratha; Burmese: Tawthalin; Khmer: Phuttrobot) commemorates the day that the Bhikkhuni Sangha, or Order of the Female Buddhist Monastic, was established. The first bhikkuni ordained was the aunt and stepmother of Buddha, Mahapajapathi Gothami. After Queen Maha Maya, the mother of the Prince Siddhartha, passed away, Mahapajapathi Gothami married King Suddodhana and cared for Prince Siddhartha. Seven years after becoming the Buddha, Mahapajapathi Gothami requested that the Buddha allow her to enter the Order of the Sangha. However, the Buddha denied her request. To show her commitment and earnestness, Mahapajapathi Gothami along with 500 other women shaved their heads, wore robes, and stood outside the place where the Buddha was residing to make another request. Ananda, who was one of the Buddha’s principal disciples and Mahapajapathi Gothami’s son, made one final request to the Buddha to ordain the women. The Buddha agreed, and Mahapajapathi Gothami became the first fully ordained bhikkhuniThe 500 women who came with her were subsequently ordained as well. 

 

Image from dailynews.lk
 

Time Zone Schedule:
 

Time zone

Day

Time

Pacific Standard Time

Friday

5:00-9:30 PM

Central Time

Friday

7:00-11:30 PM

Indian Standard Time

Saturday

5:30-10:00 AM

Singapore Standard Time

Saturday

8:00 AM-12:30 PM

Indochina Standard Time

Saturday

7:00-11:30 AM


Program Schedule (PST):
5:00 PM: Observing Eight Precepts & Buddha Vandanā
6:00 PM: Dhamma Talk
7:00 PM: Meditation
8:00 PM: Sutta Discussion
9:00 PM: Buddha Vandanā and Paritta Chanting
9:30 PM: Releasing of the Eight Precepts

 

Please click here to RSVP. Those who sign up will receive the Zoom link and password.

 

Eight Precepts - Aṭṭha Sīla - A Must For A Buddhist Practitioner on a full moon day

VANDANĀ - Homage

Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā sambuddhassa

Homage to Him, the Blessed One, the Exalted One, the Fully
Enlightened One!


TI-SARAṆA - Three Refuges

Buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi

Dutiyampi buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Dutiyampi dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Dutiyampi saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi

Tatiyampi buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Tatiyampi dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Tatiyampi saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi

I go to the Buddha as my refuge.
I go to the Dhamma as my refuge.
I go to the Sangha as my refuge.

For the second time, I go to the Buddha as my refuge.
For the second time, I go to the Dhamma as my refuge.
For the second time, I go to the Saṅgha as my refuge.

For the third time, I go to the Buddha as my refuge.
For the third time, I go to the Dhamma as my refuge.
For the third time, I go to the Sangha as my refuge.


Aṭṭha SĪLA - Eight Precepts

Pānātipātā veramaṇi sikkhā padaṃ samādiyāmi
Adinnādānā veramaṇi sikkhā padaṃ samādiyāmi
Abrahmacariyā veramaṇi sikkhā padaṃ samādiyāmi
Musāvādā veramaṇi sikkhā padaṃ samādiyāmi
Surā meraya majja pamādaṭṭhānā veramaṇi sikkhā padaṃ
samādiyāmi
Vikālabhojanā veramanī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi
Nacca-gīta-vādita-visūka dassana - mālā - gandha - vilepana - dhāraṇa - maṇḍaṇa - vibhūsanaṭṭhānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.
Uccāsayana - mahāsayanā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.


I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from killing living beings.
I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from taking things not given.
I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from sexual indulgence.
I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from false speech.
I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from distilled and fermented
liquor (drinks and drugs) that causes intoxication or heedlessness.
I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from taking food in inappropriate times.
I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from dancing, singing, music and unseemly shows; from the use of garlands, perfumes and unguents; from things that tend to beautify and adorn (the person).
I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from (using) high and luxurious seats.

Click here to learn Eight Precepts.
Click here to learn Five Precepts.
Check here for Buddha Vandana and Bojjhanga Sutta chanting.
Click here to learn more about Full Moon Day list.
Click here for Mother's Day event and the Pali Chanting text.

 


 Buddhist Funeral Service for Late Mrs. Patricia Locke

August 9, 2020

4PM-5PM

Patricia Lorraine Belanger was born on April 13th, 1934 In Chicago Heights, Illinois and passed from this life on July 31st, 2020 in her family home in Lakewood, California. She attended Long Beach City College and California State University, Long Beach, where she earned her qualification as a high school English and Spanish teacher. Throughout her career she taught in various settings in California, Hawaii, and Germany. She raised her two children, Vanessa Karam and Dr. Kenneth Locke, who sadly predeceased her eight years ago. Being divorced, she raised them mostly on her own, living and working in Germany during most of that time so that her children would have the benefit of an international upbringing. After retiring from teaching, she continued to support educational causes, including the Ken Locke Golden Benefactor Award at UWest. She was a devoted mother and grandmother and a thoroughly good person who made friends and maintained friendships in many places around the world. She is survived by her daughter Vanessa, grandson Salim, daughter-in-law Huong, and son-in-law Brahim as well as countless friends and former students whose lives she touched.

 

Agenda:

  1. Administering Five Precepts – Venerable Sumitta
  2. Welcome Speech & Introduction – Vanessa Karam 
  3. Dedicating of the Funeral Clothe – Venerable Rakkhita
  4. Reciting of the Stanzas on Impermanence 
  5. Buddhist Teaching on Death & Transferrin Merits – Venerable Sumitta
  6. Chanting of Protective Discourses – Lankarama Resident Monks
  7. Speech – Dr. Victor Gabriel
  8. Any other speech if any
  9. Conclusion – Vanessa Karam


1. Five Precepts:


VANDANĀ - Homage


Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā sambuddhassa


Homage to Him, the Blessed One, the Exalted One, the Fully
Enlightened One!



TI-SARAṆA - Three Refuges


Buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi


Dutiyampi buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Dutiyampi dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Dutiyampi saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi


Tatiyampi buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Tatiyampi dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Tatiyampi saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi


I go to the Buddha as my refuge.
I go to the Dhamma as my refuge.
I go to the Sangha as my refuge.


For the second time, I go to the Buddha as my refuge.

For the second time, I go to the Dhamma as my refuge.
For the second time, I go to the Saṅgha as my refuge.

For the third time, I go to the Buddha as my refuge.
For the third time, I go to the Dhamma as my refuge.
For the third time, I go to the Sangha as my refuge.


PAÑCA SĪLA - Five Precepts

Pānātipātā veramaṇi sikkhā padaṃ samādiyāmi
Adinnādānā veramaṇi sikkhā padaṃ samādiyāmi
Kāmesu micchācārā veramaṇi sikkhā padaṃ samādiyāmi
Musāvādā veramaṇi sikkhā padaṃ samādiyāmi
Surā meraya majja pamādaṭṭhānā veramaṇi sikkhā padaṃ
samādiyāmi

I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from killing living beings.
I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from taking things not given.
I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from sexual misconduct.
I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from false speech.
I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from distilled and fermented
liquor (drinks and drugs) that causes intoxication or heedlessness.

3. Dedication of Funeral Clothe
Imaṃ mataka vatthaṃ bhikkhu saṅghassa dema ///
(I dedicate this funeral clothe to the community of Mahā Saṅgha)

4. Stanzas on Impermanence
Aniccā vata saṅkhārā - uppāda vaya dhammino
uppajjitvā nirujjanti - tesaṃ vūpasamo sukho /// (Mahā Parinibbāna Sutta)

(All things are impermanent -They arise and pass away
Having arisen they come to an end -Their coming to peace is bliss)
5.Transferring Merits
Idaṃ me ñātinaṃ hotu - sukhitā hontu ñātayo ///
(May this merit be shared with my relatives! May those relatives be well, and happy!)

6. Chanting
BUDDHA VANDANĀ - Homage to the Buddha
Iti’pi so bhagavā, arahaṃ, Sammā sambuddho, Vijjā caraṇa sampanno, Sugato, lokavidū, Anuttaro purisa damma sārathī, Satthā deva manussānaṃ, Buddho, bhagavā’ti.
Such indeed is the Blessed One, exalted, Perfectly Enlightened, endowed with knowledge and virtues, Well-gone, Knower of the worlds, a Supreme trainer of persons to be trained, Teacher of gods and men, Enlightened and Blessed.
DHAMMA VANDANĀ - Homage to the Dhamma
Svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo Sandiṭṭhiko akāliko Ehi-passiko opanayiko Paccattaṃ veditabbo viññūhi’ti.
Well expounded is the Dhamma by the Blessed One, visible here and now; not delayed in time, inviting one to come and see; onward leading to Nibbana to be attained by the wise, each for himself.
SAṄGHA VANDANĀ - Homage to the Saṅgha
Supaṭipanno bhagavato sāvaka saṅgho Uju paṭipanno bhagavato sāvaka saṅgho Ñāya paṭipanno bhagavato sāvaka saṅgho Sāmīci paṭipanno bhagavato sāvaka saṅgho Yadidaṃ cattāri purisa yugāni aṭṭha purisa puggalā Esa bhagavato sāvaka saṅgho Āhuneyyo pāhuneyyo Dakkhiṇeyyo añjali karaṇīyo Anuttaraṃ puññakkhettaṃ lokassā’ti.
Of good conduct is the Order of the Disciples of the Blessed One. Of upright conduct is the Order of the Disciples of the Blessed One. Of wise conduct is the Order of the Disciples of the Blessed One. Of dutiful conduct is the Order of the Disciples of the Blessed One. That is to say: the Four Pairs of Persons, the Eight Kinds of individuals, this community (Saṅgha) of the Blessed One's disciples is worthy of gifts, is worthy of hospitality, is worthy of offerings, is worthy of reverential salutation, is an incomparable field of merit for the world.

Karanīyametta Sutta
Karaṇīya Mettā Sutta (Sn 1.8) The Discourse on Loving-kindness 

Karaṇīyam-attha-kusalena, yantaṃ santaṃ padaṃ abhisamecca, 
This is what should be done by one who is skilled in goodness and who knows the path of peace: 
Sakko ujū ca suhujū ca, suvaco cassa mudu anatimānī, 
Let them be able and upright, straightforward and gentle in speech, humble and not conceited,

Santussako ca, subharo ca, appakicco ca, sallahuka-vutti, 
Contented and easily satisfied, unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways. 

Santindriyo ca, nipako ca, appagabbho, kulesu ananugiddho. Peaceful and calm, and wise and skillful, not proud and demanding in nature. 

Na ca khuddaṃ samācare kiñci, yena viññū pare upavadeyyuṃ. Let them not do the slightest thing that the wise would later reprove, 

Sukhino vā khemino hontu, sabbe sattā bhavantu sukhitattā. Wishing: In gladness and in safety, may all beings be at ease. 

Ye keci pāṇa-bhūtatthi, tasā vā, thāvarā vā, anavasesā, Whatever living beings there may be, whether they are weak or strong, omitting none, 

Dīghā vā ye mahantā vā, majjhimā rassakā aṇuka-thūlā, The great or the mighty, medium, short, or small, 

Diṭṭhā vā ye ca adiṭṭhā, ye ca dūre vasanti avidūre, The seen and the unseen, those living near and far away, 

Bhūtā vā, sambhavesī vā, sabbe sattā bhavantu sukhitattā. Those born and to be born, may all beings be at ease.

 Na paro paraṃ nikubbetha, nātimaññetha katthaci naṃ kiñci, Let none deceive another or despise any being in any state. 

Byārosanā paṭīgha-saññā, nāññam-aññassa dukkham-iccheyya. Let none through anger or ill-will wish harm upon another. 

Mātā yathā niyaṃ puttaṃ, āyusā eka-puttam-anurakkhe, Even as a mother protects with her life her child, her only child, 

Evam-pi sabba-bhūtesu, māna-sambhāvaye aparimāṇaṃ. So with a boundless heart should one cherish all living beings, 

Mettañca sabba-lokasmiṃ, māna-sambhāvaye aparimāṇaṃ, Radiating kindness over the entire world: spreading upwards to the skies 

Uddhaṃ adho ca tiriyañca, asambādhaṃ averaṃ asapattaṃ. and downwards to the depths, outwards and unbounded, freed from hatred and ill-will. 

Tiṭṭhañ’caraṃ nisinno vā, sayāno vā, yāvatassa vigatam-iddho, Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down, free from drowsiness, 

Etaṃ satiṃ adhiṭṭheyya. Brahmam-etaṃ vihāraṃ idham-āhu. One should sustain this recollection. This is said to be the sublime abiding. 

Diṭṭhiñca anupagamma, sīlavā dassanena sampanno, By not holding to fixed views, the pure-hearted one, having clarity of vision, 

Kāmesu vineyya gedhaṃ, Na hi jātu gabbha-seyyaṃ punaretīti. Being freed from all sense-desires, is not born again into this world. 

Further Reading: