This Esala Poya
day is the full-moon of July, which is noteworthy since on this celebrated
day:
1: The
Blessed Buddha preached his First Sermon: The
Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta.
2: The Bodhisatta was conceived in
Queen
Maya who dreamt a white elephant entered her side.
3: The Blessed Buddha made the
Great
Withdrawal from the world at the age of 29 years.
4: The Blessed Buddha performed the Twin Miracle (yamaka-patihariya)
of dual appearance.
5:
The Blessed
Buddha explained the
Abhi-Dhamma in the
Tavatimsa heaven to his mother.
6:
The ordination of
Prince Arittha at Anuradhapura, under Arahat
Mahinda
on Sri Lanka.
7: The
foundation of the celebrated
Mahastupa & enshrinement of relics by
King
Dutugemunu.
8: The next day the yearly 3 months rains retreat (vassa) of Buddhist
Bhikkhus start.
On such Uposatha
Observance days:
Any Lay Buddhist
simply joins the
Three Refuges and undertakes
the Five
Precepts like this: Newly bathed, shaved, white-clothed,
with clean bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue,
and bows first three times, so that feet, hands, elbows, knees and
head touch the floor. Then, with joined palms in front of the heart,
one recite these memorized lines in a loud, calm & steady voice:
|
As long
as this life lasts:
I hereby take refuge in the Buddha.
I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma.
I hereby take refuge in the Sangha.
I hereby
seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time. |
 |
|
I hereby request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time.
I will hereby respect these
Three Jewels the rest of my life! |
 |
I accept to respect & undertake these 5 training rules:
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Killing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Stealing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Sexual Abuse.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Dishonesty.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Alcohol & Drugs.
As long as this life lasts, I am thus protected by these 5 precepts...
Then, one keeps
and protects these sacred vows better than one's own
eyes & children!, since they protect you & all other beings much better
than any army! They are the highest offer one can give in & to this world!
This is the very start on the path towards Nibbāna -the Deathless Element-
This is the Noble Way to Peace, to Freedom, to Bliss, initiated by
Morality,
developed further by
Dhamma-Study
and fulfilled by training of
Meditation...
Today indeed is
Pooya or uposatha or observance day, where any lay Buddhist
normally keeps the
Eight Precepts
from sunrise until the next dawn...
If any wish an official recognition by the Bhikkhu-Sangha, they may simply
forward the lines starting with "I..." signed with name, date, town &
country
to me or join
here. A
public list of this new Saddhamma-Sangha is
here!
The New Noble
Community of Disciples: The Saddhamma Sangha:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Saddhamma_Sangha.htm
Can quite advantageously be Joined Here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm
May your journey
hereby be eased, light, swift and sweet. Never give up !!!
Bhikkhu Samahita: what.buddha.said@gmail.com
For
Details on Uposatha Observance Days
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/uposatha.html
