(The following is a translation of an article published in the September 1995 issue of the Hindi Vipashyana Patrika.)
Let us practise and develop the four brahmavihara (the nature of a brahma, hence sublime or divine state of mind, in which the four pure qualities are present):
—the brahmavihara of infinite metta (loving kindness),
—the brahmavihara of infinite karuṇa (compassion),
—the brahmavihara of infinite mudita (sympathetic joy),
—the brahmavihara of infinite upekkha (equanimity).
There is a simple way to practise and develop the four brahmavihara: by the giving of dana that is pure in the past, present, and future, and pure in three ways.
How does dana become pure in the past, present and future? When the mind of the donor is suffused with joy and delight before giving dana, while giving dana, and after giving dana, then the dana becomes pure in the past, present and future.
How does dana become pure in three ways? When the mind of the donor is filled with benevolence; when the recipient is living a life of pure sila; and when the dana, irrespective of the amount and value, is earned by one’s own labour, honestly and through right livelihood; then the dana is pure in three ways.
Dana that is pure in the past, present, and future, and pure in three ways is highly beneficial.
How does such dana help to develop the four brahmavihara? When the thing or place or facility that is given as dana is not for a particular person but for the benefit and welfare of all meditators, this dana helps to develop the four brahmavihara.
The mind of the donor is filled with infinite metta when he thinks—“Because of my dana, countless people are gaining or will gain happiness by receiving this wonderful Dhamma”.
The mind of the donor is filled with infinite karuṇa when he thinks—“Because of this dana, there are so many suffering people in the world who will find a way out of their suffering, get the benefit of Dhamma and find contentment”.
The mind of the donor is filled with infinite mudita with the thought—“Oh! So many people are getting happiness and contentment through the practice of Dhamma because of my dana”.
The mind of the donor is filled with infinite upekkha with the thought—“Whether anyone praises my dana or criticizes it, whether I get success or failure because of this dana, it is of no concern to me. My dana is not for self-acclaim or for success or failure. This dana, given with pure volition, is solely for the benefit of others”.
In this way, meditators! The four brahmavihara are developed by giving pure dana.
Meditators! The brahmavihara should be practised and developed. The practice of the brahmavihara is highly beneficial for us.
Mahaparinirvan Express Yatra for Meditators
Indian Railways started the Mahaparinirvan Express last year for pilgrimage to the Buddhist holy sites (www.railtourismindia.com).
Indian Railways have offered a special discount of 21% to Global Vipassana Foundation (GVF) on all ticket prices. This special discount is on the condition that discount amount will be donated to GVF on behalf of the Vipassana meditators travelling to the Buddhist holy sites.
Vipassana meditators may avail this opportunity of going on pilgrimage as well as giving dana towards the construction of Global Vipassana Pagoda.
The Rail Tourism department is also trying to organize group meditation for meditators under the Bodhi tree in the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya after the temple is closed for the day, so there will be no disturbances from the sightseeing tourists. Similar group meditation shall be arranged in Kushinagar. The group sittings will be arranged only if there are at least 8-10 Vipassana meditators on the same train and there is no other engagement on that particular day in the temple premises.
Meditators wishing to participate may visit: www.railtourismindia.com. For further information, contact Mr. Arun Shirivastava, [91] 99714-96669; Email: arunsrivastava@irctc.com or Mr. Manish Shinde, [91] 93235-26462; Email: manish@globalpagoda.org
Donations through Core Banking and SWIFT Transfer
Donations to Sayagyi U Ba Khin Memorial Trust (Vipassana International Academy, Dhamma Giri, Igatpuri) and Vipassana Research Institute can now be remitted from anywhere in India through any branch of the State Bank of India (SBI) under core banking system.
Account Numbers of State Bank of India, Igatpuri branch:
1 Sayagyi U Ba Khin Memorial Trust: 11542160342
2 Vipassana Research Institute: 11542165646.
(Igatpuri Branch Code Number: 0386)
Donations from outside India can be remitted through SWIFT transfer to State Bank of India, Igatpuri Branch, Maharashtra, India.
SWIFT Transfer details are as follows:
1. Sayagyi U Ba Khin Memorial trust: SBININ BB 528 Branch code 01247 beneficiary Sayagyi U Ba Khin Memorial Trust Account No. 11542160342 Igatpuri branch code: 0386
2. Vipassana Research Institute (VRI): SBININ BB 528 Branch code 01247 beneficiary Vipassana Research Institute Account No. 11542165646 Igatpuri branch code: 0386
NB Please inform Accounts Department, Dhamma Giri, Igatpuri 422 403, Email: info@giri.dhamma.org about your donation with all relevant details so that the receipt of your donation can be sent to you.
Workshop and Open Day at Dhamma Malaya
Dhamma Malaya, the Vipassana centre in Malaysia which opened 11 months ago, has already hosted 16 ten-day and two Satipatthana courses with an average of 50 students in every course.
Dhamma Server Workshop 30-31 August 2008
Nearly 80 old students attended served by 9 assistant teachers, including about 25 from Singapore. The Singapore group included some Burmese old students. The workshop included talks by Goenkaji, meditation sessions, self-introspection, and discussion groups in English and Mandarin which included points relevant to local culture and conditions. One common suggestion was to have more workshops to train and inspire more servers. There were many helping hands for the following Open Day to prepare the centre, cook food and welcome and guide the visitors.
Open Day 1 September 2008
This was a public holiday in Malaysia and an estimated 400 visitors came to see the centre. There had been extensive outreach to old students via email as well as press releases in several languages in state and national papers. In addition, there were posters, invitation letters as well as some personal visits to local business owners to invite them along. Two buses were hired to bring the family and friends of old students from Kuala Lumpur. Other groups came in car pools from different parts of the country.
Each group was met by a guide, offered brochures, a drink and a snack and given a tour of the centre to show them the single rooms and other facilities. They were shown a five-minute video about local children’s courses in either English or Mandarin. Screenings of Doing Time Doing Vipassana were held four times in the mini-hall and were well attended with 40-50 per group. During some of the following Q & A sessions, people were already filling in the course application forms. Some visitors signed up for the first English-Tamil course to be held in late October.
Visitors remarked how they felt unusually peaceful and happy at the centre. The new gardens are growing up on the breezy hill surrounded by a green plantation. Press representatives were invited and given media kits. The national Star English paper and a Tamil newspaper reported the event. Three local Chinese newspapers gave ample positive coverage, declaring that the “secrets” of the new centre were now revealed. Photos of the servers’ workshop and open day can be seen on the old student section of www.malaya.dhamma.org
Pali Workshop
A seven-day Pali workshop has been organized at Jaipur for English speaking non-Indian Vipassana meditators from 1 to 9 December (11 am), 2008 at Kothari Farms (Marugandha), two kms off Jaipur-Ajmer Express Highway, on Bhankrota-Jaisinghpura Road, Bhankrota, Jaipur. For registration, contact Anil Mehta, Email: anilmehta02@yahoo.com
Goenkaji’s Discourses on Television
Aastha: Daily, 9:40 to 10 am
Hungama: and Bindass: Daily, 4.30 to 6.00 am
Zee: Urja, Daily, 4:30 am
USA: Aastha TV at 6 pm EST (Monday to Friday) on WORLDDIRECT platform of DIRECTV on channel no. 2005. (Please confirm exact telecast timings.)
Children’s Courses in Mumbai
To serve children’s courses in Mumbai, call 98200-22990.
| Date |
Venue |
Age |
Registration |
| 21-9 |
Ulhasnagar |
10-12 yrs |
19 & 20-9 |
| 21-9 |
Ghatkopar |
13-16 yrs |
19 & 20-9 |
| 5-10 |
South Mumbai |
9-15 yrs |
3 & 4-10 |
| 12-10 |
Ulhasnagar |
13-16 yrs |
10 & 11-10 |
| 19-10 |
Ghatkopar |
10-12 yrs |
17 &18-10 |
| 2-11 |
South Mumbai |
9-15 yrs |
1 & 2-11 |
| 9-11 |
Ulhasnagar |
10-12 yrs |
7 & 8-11 |
| 16-11 |
Ghatkopar |
13-16 yrs |
14 & 15-11 |
| 23-11 |
Matunga |
13-16 yrs |
21 & 22-11 |
| 7-12 |
South Mumbai |
9-15 yrs |
29 & 30-11 |
| 7-12 |
Matunga |
13-16 yrs |
29 & 30-11 |
| 21-12 |
Ulhasnagar |
13-16 yrs |
6 & 7-12 |
| 21-12 |
Ghatkopar |
10-12 yrs |
6 & 7-12 |
To serve children’s courses in Mumbai, call 98200-22990.
Course Timings: 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. Registration: 11 am to 1 pm
Course Venues: Ghatkopar (W): SNDT School, New Bldg., Cama Lane, Opp. Vidyut Soc. Tel: 2510-1096, 2516-2505. Matunga: Amulakh Amirchand High School, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Rd, New SNDT College, King’s Circle, Matunga, Tel: 2510-1096, 2516-2505. South Mumbai: Times of India Building, Tel: 2308-1622. Ulhasnagar: Guru Nanak School, Kurla Camp, Ulhasnagar-4. Tel: (0251) 252-2693. NB Please: *bring cushion, *register on specified phone numbers, *inform in advance if unable to attend after registration, *arrive on time for the course.
New Responsibilities
Acaryas:
Ms. Nila Halai, Bhuj, India / UK
Spread of Dhamma among Indian expatriates in Europe
New Appointments
Assistant Teachers:
1. & 2. Mr. Babu Ramsingh & Mrs. Shanti Chauhan, Gwalior
3. & 4. U San Lwin & Daw Tin Tin Naing, Myanmar
5. Daw Hla Myint, Myanmar
6. Daw Nyo Nyo Win, Myanmar
7. Mrs. Chin-ing Helen Chen, Taiwan
8. Ms. Maria Luisa Ferro, Italy
9. Mrs. Robin Curry, USA
Children’s Course Teachers:
1. Mr. Ashok Kumar Patel, Visnagar
2. Mr. Girishkumar Choudhary, Mehsana
3. Mrs. Smita Vora, Rajkot
4. Mr. Tejas Goda, Rajkot
5. Ms. Madhu Saparia, Rajkot
6. Mr. Rajesh Patel, Rajkot
7. Mrs. Jagruti Kothari, Rajkot
8. U Htay Myint, Myanmar
9. U Thein Htay, Myanmar
10. Daw Nywe, Myanmar
11. Daw Myint Myint San, Myanmar
12. Daw Kan Moe Moe, Myanmar
13. Daw Khin Aye Aye, Myanmar
14. Ms. Ellen Goldstein, USA
15. Ms. Janene Case, USA
16. Mr. Mathew Aaron, USA
17. Mr. Rajesh Bawankule, USA
18. Mrs. Ujwala Khante, USA
19. Mr. Tony Foley, USA
20. Mrs. Rosa Kittsteiner, USA
Dhamma Dohas
Kṣaṇa-kṣaṇa maṅgala hī jage, kṣaṇa-kṣaṇa sukha hī hoya;
Kṣaṇa-kṣaṇa apane karma para, sāvadhāna yadi hoya.
Every moment brings well-being,
every moment brings happiness,
If, every moment, one is mindful of one’s actions.
Sukha dukha meṅ ulajhā rahā, sadā rahā santapta;
Sukha dukha lāge eka se, hoya nahi uttapta.
Entangled in pleasure and pain, one is constantly tormented;
By regarding joy and sorrow alike;
one is freed from torment.
Dhana āye nāce nahīṅ, jāye mana nā roya;
Aise śānta svabhāva ke, sajjana birale hoṅya.
Not dancing when wealth comes, not wailing when it is lost;
rare are such wise and tranquil beings.
Jīvana meṅ āṅdhī cale, cale teja tūphāna;
Cita vicalita hove nahiṅ, yahi santa pahacāna.
When there is a storm in life and a fierce gale blows;
the mind does not waver, this is the mark of a saint.