Have a big enough heart to love unconditionally, and a broad enough mind to embrace the differences
that make each of us unique. ~D.B. Harrop
Venerable Dhammadipa [center], an abbot of Chuang Yen Monastry in Carmel, New York
Embrace love and compassion with all your spirit. Understand that they never hurt or offend,
they just heal and empower. ~Steve Maraboli
Montpelier Province, France
The recital of the Jayamangala Gatha, a set of eight benedictory stanzas extolling the virtues of the Buddha, is usually done on important occasions or when inaugurating any venture of significance. The contents of the stanzas, when recited clearly, are intended to bring happiness and success in all good endeavours we embark upon. These verses have come to be called “The Stanzas of Victory” or Jayamangala Gatha. A unique feature that concludes each verse is the line “By virtue of this, may joyous victory be yours.” These stanzas are regarded as efficacious because they relate to eight occasions, each based on beautiful story, where the Buddha triumphed over his powerful opponents by the sheer power of good.
Through these verses, one will realize that true victory is JOY; where none is left dejected or in pain. Each time the Buddha triumph over His adversaries, He left them with realizations and awe over the pure powers of generosity, patience, self control, loving kindness, serenity, peace, truthfulness and other virtues. The vanguished never leaves without lamp of wisdom being lighted; ensuring them greater happiness.
While the origin of these stanzas is shrouded in mystery, it can be stated with certainty that they were compose in Sri Lanka by a devout Buddhist poet.
Source: Jayamangala Gatha, Stanzas of Victory, by Messengers of Dharma (M.O.D.). This CD is donated to me by my youtube friend from Malasia.
We all want love and understanding, but we often confuse love with desire. Love and desire are different. When they get mixed up together, we need to look at them deeply and make an effort to sort them out! There are three kinds of intimacy: physical, emotional, and spiritual. Physical intimacy can’t be separated from emotional intimacy; we always feel some emotional intimacy when we’re sexual, even if we profess not to. When spiritual intimacy is there, then physical and emotional intimacy can be healthy, healing, and pleasurable. ~Thich Nhat Hanh
Water flows over these hands.
May I use them skillfully
to preserve our precious planet.
~Thich Nhat Hahn
Flowers in Rhode Island
A tree inside the National Archives of French Overseas Territories in AiX-En-Provence, France
A tree inside the National Archives of French Overseas Territories in AiX-En-Provence, France
You are far from the end of your journey.
The way is not in the sky.
The way is in the heart.
See how you love. ~Buddha
All beings tremble before violence.
All fear death, all love life. See
yourself in others.
Then whom can
you hurt? What harm can you do?
~Buddha
Here is the great Earth,
filled with the smell of incense,
covered with a blanket of flowers,
the Great Mountain, the Four Continents,
wearing a jewel of the Sun and Moon.
In my mind I make them the Paradise of a Buddha,
and offer it all to You.
By this deed,
May every living being
Experience the Pure World.
~Tibetan Prayer
