Satipattana Suthra

 Vap Poya,

2022.10.09,

 

Fruit of Anagami

අනාගාමි ඵල 

 

Buddha’s Gratitude

අනුබුදු මහා මහින්ද මහා රහතන් වහන්සේ සම්බුදු පුද 

මහා සංඝමිත් මහාරහත් භික්ෂුණින් වහන්සේ සම්බුදු සිරිබෝ පුද 

 

 

The first human quality The Buddha expounded on attaining the exalted state of “Supreme Buddha” is the virtue of gratitude. From the 8^th day of his becoming the supreme Buddha up to the end of the 14^th day. He stood directly opposite the Jaya-Sri- Maha-Bo Tree gazing at the Bodhi Tree without blinking the eyes. For seven continuous days he showed his gratitude for the faithfulness with which the Bodhi Tree stood by him on the night of the Wesak Full Moon day at Bodhgaya in India about 2611 years ago.

Arrival of Buddha / Dhamma to Sri Lanka

The Arahat Maha Mahinda brought the teachings of the Buddha to Sri Lanka about 2,300 years ago. He came from India. He arrived at Mihintale, a hillock, situated 12 km north of Anuradhapura. He came with his entourage of four Bhikkus, one novice bhikku, and one upasaka. He was exemplarily successful in introducing the disquisition (doctrine) of the Buddha to the people in Sri Lanka.

Buddhists gratitude to the Buddha

Amongst the 84,000 themes of the Discourse of the Buddha, made over a period of 45 years, the Maha Satipattana Suthra (sermon) may be considered to be its backbone. As such, to a layman who is observing the Buddhist way of virtue, practicing the way of virtue, a gift of a Maha Satipattana Suthrya book will be received / accepted with esteem, as it will be a most respectful way of acknowledging the progress of the Donee.

Implementation of such gratitude

In keeping step with such thought, since the year 2008 a set of like-minded people (Donors) have engaged in the practice of gifting Mha Satipattana Suthrya books to those observing the Eight Precept on at least 10 Poya days (Full moon days) of the 12 Poya days that fall annually.

They are being thus honored because by observing Sil they automatically practice Dassana nuththariya (දස්සනා නුත්තරිය), Savana nuththariya (සවනා නුත්තිරිය), Labana nuththariya (ලබානුරුත්තරිය), Seela nuththariya (සිලානුරුත්තරිය)

Donees responsibilities

They are required to recite the Sutra, all together, after observing the eight precept. It is further requested that the recital be in the traditional heart-soothing way. Thereafter, they are being requested to:

 1. Pass-on the merit so accrued to those who passed away due to conflicts from the year 1971. Wish speedy recovery & tranquility to those disabled, Succor, relief to their parents & families

 2. Solace for those employed abroad & solace also to their families at home. 

  3. The Donees are training themselves to recite the Suthra at funeral houses, which has been the tradition in the not too distant past in Sri Lanka.

It is expected to hold a competition with respect to recital by the Upasaka - Upasika & so monitor the progress. The Donors are of the view that such support would help the Donees in their progress in the Dhamma, & in due course attending the Supreme State of Arahat and thereby Nirvana.

The books are gifted in a methodical manner, following the geographical demarcation of the country for administrative purposes. The need in a locality is met before moving to the next. This way there are about 250-280 localities with a total of around 350,000 to 400,000 upasaka-upasikas.

Having commenced the meritorious deed in the year 2008, by now over 6,600 books have been gifted. The print is of quality & also in its presentation. The letters of the Suthra are large and the discourse by the Buddha in the Pali language is printed in the Sinhala alphabet (Sri Lankan language). The Sinhala meaning of the Pali Suthra is included in the book.

Although, about Rs. 400 million (to 600 million) would be the estimated full cost of the Dhamma Dana, implementation will be in stages and will be considerate of the Donors’ portfolio.

The practice currently followed is to serve about one hundred donees at a time, which will cost around Rs. 110,000/-. These donees will be from about one to two temples in te North Central Province.

Thank you for the interest towards this meritorious deed whose benefit will follow you through Sansara until the moment of your reaching the Blissful State of the Arahat and finally attain Parinirvana.

May The Tripple Gem be your guide.

With Metta,