Monthly News
May 2019
"There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth. Not going All the way and Not starting”
Buddha
This month we pay special tribute to Buddha who is celebrated every year worldwide on the Full moon of May. All spiritual seekers honor this great Sage for His teachings, Wisdom, and showing us The Way out of suffering.
Below find special chants we have recorded on Soundcloud for this occasion. Through this Soundcloud channel we introduce 3 main chants of Buddha. Enjoy, Listen, Join in, Meditate and Celebrate.
One of the basic tenets of Buddhism is what is reverently known as The Triple Gem or The Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
Buddha wisely gave a variety of teachings because all sentient beings (beings with consciousness and feeling) have individual personalities and inclinations. In this sense we each understand these teachings according to our level of mind and disposition. Simple explained:
The Buddha is The Awakened One. It is reason we took birth of earth and what our Soul aspires to be: awakened, enlightened to our true nature.
The root word budh means to open ones eyes, or 'wake up!.' There are many Buddhas. The 'historical' Buddha is Buddha Shakyamuni who lived around 2,500 years ago. He purified all of the impurities of his mind. He then realized during deep meditation the means of love, compassion and wisdom, and developed one of the most sacred philosophies and traditions. Today this is called Buddhism.
The Dharma is the complete body of teachings that Buddha gave. It is the essential philosophy that all may attain peace and joy because fundamentally that is our true nature.
Imagine The Buddha as an amazingly effective, intuitive doctor of complementary and alternative medicine. The Dharma is the perfect medicine that cures root causes, and The Sangha is like a loving support that assists us in taking our proper care and correct remedies.
The Sangha is the community of ordained monks, nuns and lay persons that practice the Dharma. The Buddha taught that we should surround ourselves with those of similar interests, teachers and lay practitioners to inspire us in the beneficial activities of the Dharma.
The Four Noble Truths are essential Buddhist beliefs that Buddha taught when he Turned the Wheel of Dharma. In order to understand Buddhism beliefs and practices, one must learn, understand and then apply these Four Noble Truths and the Eight Fold Path:
The First Noble Truth is: Suffering Exists. In Sanskrit the word is Duhkha, This is not a pessimistic view of life, but actual fact of Life.
The Second Noble Truth is: Cause of Suffering is due to our ignorance (not knowing the true nature of our mind), and our undo attachments and desires (Trishna.)
The Third Noble Truth is: End or Cessation of Suffering, termed Nirvana, is based in the liberation or ending this misery. Buddha taught that we Do Not need to suffer in our lives.
The Fourth Noble Truth is: The Path to Freedom, or liberation (marga). This is taught as The Eight Fold Path which in essence is the prescription for enlightenment. It is "The Way" to live without suffering.
The Eight Fold Path contains the basic beliefs of Buddhism. These fundamental Buddhist beliefs are as important today as they were over 2,500 years ago when Buddha taught aspirants to study and contemplate them: Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration
One of the most basic Buddhism beliefs is the practice of Meditation, The essence of The Three Jewels, The Four Noble Truths and The Eight Fold Path is the same in All branches of Buddhism as well as essential part of all spiritual practices. After all, the core intent for all practitioners is to emerge from the miserable cycle of what is called Samsara, or suffering, by developing immeasurable love, compassion and wisdom..
Through our Yogavani Mission Soundcloud channel we introduce 3 main chants of Buddha. Experienced meditators and those wishing to start an ongoing daily practice now have an opportunity to join in this month special Buddha sadhana practices and celebration.
https://soundcloud.com/yogavani-mission/om-mane-padme-hum
Chant "Om Mane Padme Hum"
Translation: “May I invoke the blessings of The Buddha and His Boddhisatwas. May He be with me to protect me from All the obstacles during my practices, my sadhana, and Guide me on my path”
14th Dalai Lama describes:
"It
is very good to recite the mantra Om mani padme hum, but while you are
doing it, you should reflect on its meaning, for the meaning of the six
syllables is great and vast... The first, Om symbolizes the
practitioner's impure body, speech, and mind; it also symbolizes the
pure exalted body, speech, and mind of a Buddha. The path is indicated
by the next four syllables. Mani, meaning jewel, symbolizes the factors
of method: (the) altruistic intention to become enlightened,
compassion, and love. The two syllables, padme, meaning lotus,
symbolize wisdom.
Purity must be achieved by an indivisible unity of
method and wisdom, symbolized by the final syllable hum, which indicates
indivisibility.
(link below for your reference)
https://youtu.be/zusd5ZrSLuA
https://soundcloud.com/yogavani-mission/prajnaparamita-sutra-the-heart-sutra
"Gate, Gate, Paragate, Paramsangate, Bodhi Svaha!"
Translation: "Gone, gone, gone beyond, Gone altogether beyond, crossing to the other shore. This is Enlightenment!"
The mantra carries such meaning that one can easily take it half a dozen ways. The translations may be true, yet may be inadequate to express the full meaning. This is the marvel of a mantra. It is just a word or just a sound until you hold it in your heart, mind and soul. The meaning comes through repetition and involvement. Let it take you to the other shore!
https://soundcloud.com/yogavani-mission/buddham-sharanam-gaccham
"Buddham Sharanam Gacchami, Dhammam Sharanom Gacchami, Sangham Sharanom Gacchami"
"Buddham sharanam gacchami - I go to the Buddha for refuge
Dhammam sharanam gacchami - I go to the Dhamma for refuge
Sangham sharanam gacchami - I go to the Sangham for refuge"
May you reflect on this and really see Buddha Dhamma Sangha as a refuge. Take this as opportunities for reflection and consideration. It is not a matter of believing in Buddha Dhamma Sangha - not a faith in concepts - but a using of symbols for mindfulness, for awakening the mind here-and-now, being here-and-now.
With Love and a Fearless Spirit.
Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantih - Eternal Peace
We at Yogavani Mission are always here to help serve your Higher Self!
Private consultations available upon request.
Call 212-581-5200
visit Yogavani Mission on Facebook or
Email: hlistopad@gmail.com