For all of 2025 (our 15th Anniversary) we will study six significant sutras:
Metta Sutra: (January and February)
A very short exposition on the multi-meaning loving-kindness, friendliness, goodwill, amity, accord, benevolence, inoffensiveness, and non-violence
Diamond Sutra: (March and April)
Known for its concise and powerful teachings on emptiness and the nature of reality.
Heart Sutra: (May and June)A very short yet profound summary of the Perfection of Wisdom teachings, often recited in Mahayana Buddhism.
Lotus Sutra: (July and August)
A central text in Mahayana Buddhism, emphasizing the potential for all beings to achieve Buddhahood.
Avatamsaka Sutra: (September and October)Describes the interconnectedness of all things and the Buddha's vast, inconceivable wisdom.
Platform Sutra: (November and December)Considered a key text in Chan (Zen) Buddhism, detailing the teachings of the patriarchs and the path to enlightenment.
To “study” means immersion. We will read the sutras, look into commentaries and when, plus the different teachings being offered. Think of this as visiting a foreign country for two months and you study the language by speaking it, experiencing and developing a feel for its facets. In addition you may wish to write-out your thoughts, raise questions with me in Dokusan, and talk among yourselves. The overarching question is the role of sutras and chanting in your Practice.
Sn 1.8 PTS: Sn 143-152
Karaniya Metta Sutta: The Buddha's Words on Loving-Kindness
translated from the Pali by
The Amaravati Sangha © 2004
This is what should be done
By one who is skilled in goodness,
And who knows the path of peace:
Let them be able and upright,
Straightforward and gentle in speech,
Humble and not conceited,
Contented and easily satisfied,
Unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways.
Peaceful and calm and wise and skillful,
Not proud or demanding in nature.
Let them not do the slightest thing
That the wise would later reprove.
Wishing: In gladness and in safety,
May all beings be at ease.
Whatever living beings there may be;
Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none,
The great or the mighty, medium, short or small,
The seen and the unseen,
Those living near and far away,
Those born and to-be-born —
May all beings be at ease!
Let none deceive another,
Or despise any being in any state.
Let none through anger or ill-will
Wish harm upon another.
Even as a mother protects with her life
Her child, her only child,
So with a boundless heart
Should one cherish all living beings;
Radiating kindness over the entire world:
Spreading upwards to the skies,
And downwards to the depths;
Outwards and unbounded,
Freed from hatred and ill-will.
Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down
Free from drowsiness,
One should sustain this recollection.
This is said to be the sublime abiding.
By not holding to fixed views,
The pure-hearted one, having clarity of vision,
Being freed from all sense desires,
Is not born again into this world.
By this Tuesday, January 14, please read over the Sutra and listen to it being chanted at least twice. Feel and experience the sound and words. How does it sit with you?
We will chant the sutra during our service and then discuss it during my Dharma talk. Hereto think of this as your study, immersion, absorbing, or jumping of a hundred foot pole.
For more detail on the sutra:
Join us Tuesday night January 14, at 7:00PM/ET, in person at the First Congregational Church of Falmouth, or Zoom https://zoom.us/j/7096899032?status=success#success
Password FSZS
Please contact me if you have questions.
Bowing,
Sangaku
Unshin Sangaku Dan Joslyn-sensei
Founder and Guiding Teacher
Falmouth Soto Zen Sangha
404-702-7646
Comments