Most Venerable Bhante Walpola Piyananda's 80th Birthday Celebrating - Collected Essays
Collected Essays of Bhante Walpola Piyananda Celebrating His 80th Birthday. Ven. Walpola Piyananda Nayake Maha Thera has chosen to dedicate his life to sharing the teaching of the Buddha in the Western World, knowing that it has so much wisdom to offer; not an easy task for someone coming from a foreign background. However these articles reflect his ability to make a great impact on the American Community. He has helped many people and monks new to this country in many ways throughout the years, He has helped these monks to establish Dharma Centers in various parts in this country. Venerable Walpola Piyananda is an extraordinary monk and dharma teacher who exemplifies wisdom, compassion and selflessness. He has made a profound impact on numberous individuals and communities worldwide through his teachings and service. On his auspicious 80th birthday, I express my deepest gratitude to Venerable Walpola Piyananda for his remarkable contributions and limitless love. Ven. Walpola Piyananda Maha Thero has been a pioneer in establishing Theravada Buddhism in America and developing knowledge of the Buddha Dhamma through radio and promoting education to uplift the children of his native Sri Lanka. As a Theravada monk, he has manifested a sense of caring with wisdom and compassion by providing hospitable spiritual and physical shelter at his Los Angeles monastery. Bhante, as he is affectionately known, is a teacher with a great breadth of interests spanning from the origins of Buddhism to how Western people could apply the teachings, Dhamma, into their daily life. I have known Bhante since we were students at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)…. This edition of his collected works is an important contribution for Western readers.
Collected Essays of Bhante Walpola Piyananda Celebrating His 80th Birthday. Ven. Walpola Piyananda Nayake Maha Thera has chosen to dedicate his life to sharing the teaching of the Buddha in the Western World, knowing that it has so much wisdom to offer; not an easy task for someone coming from a foreign background. However these articles reflect his ability to make a great impact on the American Community. He has helped many people and monks new to this country in many ways throughout the years, He has helped these monks to establish Dharma Centers in various parts in this country. Venerable Walpola Piyananda is an extraordinary monk and dharma teacher who exemplifies wisdom, compassion and selflessness. He has made a profound impact on numberous individuals and communities worldwide through his teachings and service. On his auspicious 80th birthday, I express my deepest gratitude to Venerable Walpola Piyananda for his remarkable contributions and limitless love. Ven. Walpola Piyananda Maha Thero has been a pioneer in establishing Theravada Buddhism in America and developing knowledge of the Buddha Dhamma through radio and promoting education to uplift the children of his native Sri Lanka. As a Theravada monk, he has manifested a sense of caring with wisdom and compassion by providing hospitable spiritual and physical shelter at his Los Angeles monastery. Bhante, as he is affectionately known, is a teacher with a great breadth of interests spanning from the origins of Buddhism to how Western people could apply the teachings, Dhamma, into their daily life. I have known Bhante since we were students at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)…. This edition of his collected works is an important contribution for Western readers.
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without fail, no matter what. The positive results you will see in your
own lives, as well as in the lives of others around you, will surprise
you, encourage you, and inspire you.
24
PURITY OF MIND
“Sleep and wake in comfort;
You see no evil dreams;
You are dear to humans and non-humans;
Deities protect you;
Fire, poison and weapons cannot touch you.
“Your mind quickly concentrates,
Your countenance is serene,
And when you die,
It will be without
Confusion in your mind.
“Even if you fail to attain Nibbana,
You will pass to a world of bliss.”
There was once a senior monk named Sangharakkhita. When
his sister gave birth to a son she named him after her brother. He soon
grew up, entered the Sangha and was given the name Sangharakkhita
Bhaginayya. The young monk was offered two sets of robes and he
wished to share one with his uncle who refused, saying that he had
enough robes. The young monk felt disheartened by his uncle’s refusal
and thought that it would be better if he disrobed and became a layman.
After this decision, the young monk thought that when he
became a layman he would sell the two sets of robes and buy a female
goat. That goat would breed quickly and he would soon have enough
money to marry. Then he and his wife would have a son. He imagined
that he would take the child to see his uncle in the monastery. On
the way he would hold the child in his arms but his wife told him to
just drive the cart and not to worry about the child. This started an
argument between them. During the argument he accidentally dropped
the child on the ground and the cart drove over the young boy, killing
him. The man was so furious that he readied himself to beat his wife
with a goat whip, but did not strike her.
At that moment, lost in thought while fanning his uncle with a
palm branch, he accidentally struck the elder on the head. The senior
monk knowing the thoughts of his nephew said to him, “You were
unable to beat your wife. Why have you beaten an old monk?”
The young Sangharakkhita shocked and embarrassed fled
from the monastery. Young monks caught him and took him to see the
Buddha.
The Buddha was told what happened and said to young
Sangharakkhita that the mind has a tendency to stray from its original
thought toward far distant destinations. He also said that one should
strive diligently for liberation from the bondage of sensual lust, ill will
and ignorance. Then the Buddha uttered a verse, “The mind is capable
of traveling vast distances – up or down, north or south, east or west –
in any direction. It can travel to the past or the future. It roams about
on its own.”
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