Mindfulness Insight Meditation - Buddhist Teachings

186: Qualities of the Dhamma and the Sangha

• Satipatthana Meditation Society of Canada • Season 6 • Episode 9

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Nammo tasambhato rahatho samma sambudassa nammo tasambhvatho rahato samma sambudasa namo tasambhvatho rahatto samma sambudassa Tiravara Buddhism series Dhamma top number nine. Today's topic is qualities of Dhamma and Sangha. There are six qualities are mentioned in the Buddha Dharma. And when we talk about Dharma, one would hear usage fairly often. Nine Dharma and Ten Dharma. What nine dharma means full pathma full fushanthamma and one nipana. When we say nine, it is Lokutra Dhamma Supramandane Dhamma. And when we say ten Dhamma, to those aforementioned nine Dhamma, add one more. The entire body of Buddhist teaching during his forty-five years of his ministry. That is ten Dhamma. As we see, there are six qualities to the Dhamma. The first one is Swakato, well expounded. Ten Dhamma are good at the beginning, are good in the middle and are good at the end. What does it mean? One explanation is we started with precepts morality. That means the beginning starts with precepts morality. And in the middle we build up concentration, samadhi. And at the end is wisdom. That's why it said good at the beginning, precepts, good in the middle, samadic concentration, and good at the end, wisdom. Another way of presentation is at the beginning. If you listen carefully and seriously, at that time one is free of worries and anxiety. The beginning part. That's what it means by good at the beginning. Listening to Dharma. Good in the middle, practicing the Dharma, good at the end, attainment of Nibbana. So our elders have taught us two different ways to view it, the statement, well expounded. Second quality is sanditi call to be realized by oneself. Of course, listening, reading, and discussion, the nine Dharma is good, but will not give you full understanding. Full understanding comes by realizing the Dharma oneself through the practice to be realized by oneself. If you want to understand Buddha Dharma completely, you must realize by yourself. Number three, a galigal gives immediate result. Immediate means there is no moment in between the cause and the effect. The cause and its result. And it is very specific this statement is. So they also deserve the respect. But it is the Dharma. Number five, are who near worthy of gifts? These are Sangas are worthy of accepting gifts brought from far distance. Six Bahunio worthy of hospitality. They are worthy of hospitality, which we all intended for guests. When a guest comes to your house, you give great hospitality. And these monks deserve great hospitality. Number seven, decineo, worthy of offerings. Given by the lived people, with the intention for a better existence in the next life. Some people, their attitude is such, oh, we don't have much parami. We are far away from Nibbana. So we will do acts of generosity so that we have good karma and have a better existence in the next life. That is Dati Neyo, worthy of offerings. You see, and a great fertile ground. Whatever you grow, you plant, they sprout beautifully and strongly and firmly. Just like that, these monks are the good fertile ground for the world to grow their good karmic seed. You plant your karmic seed, and they are the perfect ground. Those are the nine qualities of Sangha. The qualities of Buddha, nine of them, Dharma six, and Sangha nine, were expounded in the Dajaga Sutta Discourse on Banner or Flag at the monastery of Anathabindaka at Jatas Grove near Sawati City. That's where the Buddhist taught this discourse. Before the battle started, the king of the Dewa, his name is Sakat, King Sakat, give a battle cry speech. If fear, trembling, and terror strikes you in the battle, look at the crest of my banner. But if you are not near me, look at the banner or the crest of the general Bajabadi. If not, look at the banner of the General Faruna. If not, look at the crest or banner or flag of General Isana. Those are his three Greek generals. He was battling along with them. And if you look at the crest of my crest or my generals, fear and trembling will disappear. That's what the Sakha said. And in the sutta the Buddhists carry on, Buddhist stated, those who look at the banners of the Sakha in general, fear, trembling, and terror may or may not disappear. Some great, some no, they're still scared. Because they are not free from lust, ill will, and ignorance. The queen and the general themselves are subject to trembling, subject to terror, and they still run away, subject to running away. And after he opens with that, the Buddha talked about the qualities of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. And the Buddha said, Whatever fear, trembling or terror that would arise in you, remember and reflect the qualities of the Buddha, all the qualities of the Dharma, all the qualities of the Sangha, and the fear, trembling and terror will disappear. Why? Because the enlightened one is free from lust, free from ill will, and free from ignorance. He is without fear, without trembling, and without terror. And he does not run away. So yeah, the monk said, O monks, because this is the situation when he was talking to this monk. Probably a group of monks are going into the forest for meditation. O monks, when in a forest or at the foot of a tree, or a secluded place, remember the worthy ones. No fear will arise in you. If not, remember the Dharma that leads to the salvation and is well taught. If not, remember the Ariya Sangha, the unsurpassed field of merit. Thus, in you who remember the Buddha or the Dharma or the Sangha qualities, fear, trembling and terror will never come. So that is the A sense of the content of the Jaga Sutta Discourse on Crest Banner and Flags. Given to a group of monks who are going into the far deep forest for meditation. And a lot of Buddhists we do many, many. We recite these things. Also, we repeatedly say out aloud or say it in thoughts. The qualities of Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha. It's called Buddha Nusati or Dhamma Nusati or Sangha Nusati. Say, may all of you who are stricken with fear and terror in your meditation or in a far secluded place reflect on these. Buddha himself told us that the fear will be quiet down and there will be no more trembling and terror. May all of you be able to practice mindfulness inside meditation and attain enlightenment as soon as possible. Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu. Thank you very much.