Monthly Archives: March 2020

How few are those who will enter into Nibbāna

Posted on March 10, 2020 by Vajragoni

2.5 (15) The Lay Follower (Upāsaka Sutta)

Thus has it been made known. At one time the Blessed One was residing near Sāvatthī, at the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Park. A certain lay-follower from Icchānaṅgala had been staying in Sāvatthī in order to settle-up some business affairs. Afterwards, he approached the Blessed One and having bowed respectfully to him, sat down on one side. After a while, the Blessed One addressed the lay follower thusly: “It’s been a long time, upāsaka, since you have been amongst us.” read more

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Be Not Attached

Posted on March 9, 2020 by Vajragoni

2.3 (13) The Stick (Daṇḍa Sutta)

Thus has it been made known. At one time the Blessed One was residing near Sāvatthī, at the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Park. Nearby a large group of boys were beating a snake with a stick. Now the Lord, having dressed in his robe and outer cloak while carrying his alms-bowl, was walking towards Sāvatthī during the forenoon when he encountered those boys between Sávatthì and the Jeta Wood beating that snake with a stick. read more

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The Nāga Lord is near, he’s very near…

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Vajragoni

2: Muccalinda

2.1 Muccalinda (11) (Muccalinda Sutta)

Thus has it been made known. At one time the Blessed One was contemplating near Uruvelā, on the bank of the river Nerañjarā which nearby stood the Muccalinda Tree, when he arose from his Deep Samadhis at the end of seven days having thus newly realizing Enlightenment. read more

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How to Become an Arahant

Posted on March 5, 2020 by Vajragoni

1:10 (10) Bāhiya (Bāhiya Sutta)

Thus has it been made known. On one occasion the Blessed One was residing near Sāvatthī, at the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Park. On the same occasion, Bāhiya of the Bark-Cloth was living at the seashore near Suppāraka. He was highly esteemed, honored, venerated and was someone who was a recipient of robes, alms, lodgings and medicine in case of sickness. read more

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Child Support

Posted on March 4, 2020 by Vajragoni

1.8 (8) Saṅgāmaji (Saṅgāmaji Sutta)

Thus has it been made known. At one time the Blessed One was residing near Sāvatthī, at the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Park. It was during that time when Venerable Saṅgāmaji arrived in Sāvatthī to listen to the Dharma-Lord’s discourse. Meanwhile, his former wife heard that he was staying in the vicinity and thus tracked him down with his child in tow. read more

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Is there a Goblin in the House?

Posted on March 3, 2020 by Vajragoni

1:6 Mahākassapa (6) (Kassapa Sutta)

Thus has it been made known. At another time the Blessed One was staying near Rājagaha, at the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels’ Feeding Sanctuary. It was then that the Venerable Mahákassapa who was residing at the Pepper Cave suddenly became violently ill with a serious disease. After a period of time he recovered from the illness when the thought occurred to him, “What if I were to enter Rājagaha for a quest of alms?” read more

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The Haughty Brāmin

Posted on March 2, 2020 by Vajragoni

1:4 Haughty (4) ((Huhuṅka Sutta)

Thus it has been made known. At another time the Blessed One was contemplating near Uruvelā, on the bank of the river Nerañjarā which nearby stood the Ajapāla Banyan Tree, when he arose from his Deep Samadhis at the end of seven days having thus completed the contemplative session. read more

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The Bodhi-Dharma

Posted on March 1, 2020 by Vajragoni

Our rendition and exegesis of the Udāna begins with three parallel passages that concerns Dependent Co-Origination, both in “forward” and “reverse” order, i.e., in something occurring that affects another vs. refusing to engage the catalyst thus preventing and nullifying another consequential action. All of this, of course, has its import after the Buddha arises from his own Deep-Samadhi beneath the Bodhi-tree, or the “tree whose roots” first initiates the awakening of the first Bodhi-Dharma on the origin of all dukkha. It’s the tree of knowledge, not in the negative sense like in the Book of Genesis, but an auspicious one whose roots nourish and engender a deep-gnosis concerning the path to spiritual growth and enlightenment and thus liberation from the samsaric toil. read more

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