Noble Friends of Toronto
The Enlightened One compassionately taught him the Noble Dhamma. In no time, that young man, the son of the Nobleman, attained the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana. Soon after, he received ordination. He became a noble son of the Supreme Buddha.
“Let the Blessed One teach the Noble Dhamma. There are beings with little defilements in their hearts. If they haven’t the opportunity to listen to the Dhamma, they will wither away. If they have the opportunity to listen to the Dhamma, they will realise the Truth and flourish!”
(Mahavagga Pali)
Over 2500 years ago, there lived a young man who lived a luxurious life. He was the son of a Nobleman. To him, every need and want was met. To him belonged the most extravagant clothes, the most expensive perfumes, and the best vehicles. To serve his every need was a servant at his hand. To entertain him were the most beautiful dancers.
Yet one day, he felt that something was missing. Something he couldn’t quite understand. He felt that there was something more to life. He reflected on his life and thought to himself, “what point is there in this life of just eating and dancing?” he pondered further. Looking for an answer, he slipped into his golden pair of slippers and left his palace. Not knowing where he was going or not knowing what he was looking for, he kept on walking.
Out of frustration he said, “This life is such a nuisance”.
What he heard at that very moment was a miraculous reply to his words.
“Oh Yasa, but this life I lead is not nuisance”
Miraculous voice
He held his head high and looked around to see where that miraculous voice came from.
In front of him was an extraordinary being with the most beautiful appearance, so calm and tranquil. In front of him was the Supreme Buddha, the incomparable teacher to both humans and deities.
The Enlightened One compassionately taught him the Noble Dhamma. In no time, that young man, the son of the Nobleman, attained the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana. Soon after, he received ordination. He became a noble son of the Supreme Buddha.
Once a nobleman’s son, leading a life of pure luxury, and now a noble monk, leading a life so simple and free, Yasa became a part of the community of Sangha.
The qualities of the Supreme Buddha’s community of Sangha are most precious and admirable. These precious qualities were taught to us by our Supreme Teacher, the Awakened One himself (Dhajagga Sutta-SN).
So let us take a few moments to contemplate and recollect the great qualities of our Great Teacher’s noble community of Sangha.
“Supatipanno “ - The Noble Sangha follow the path to eradicate passion, lust, ill-will, hatred and delusion.
“Ujupatipanno” - The Noble Sangha follow the straight way, the Noble Eightfold Path.
“Nayapatipanno “ - The Noble Sangha follows the path to realise the Four Noble Truths in order to eradicate suffering.
“Samicipatipanno “ - The Noble Sangha teaches the Noble Dhamma to others, so that they too can understand the Four Noble Truths.
“Yadidam chaththari purisa yugani “ - The Noble Sangha consist of four types when taken as pairs: The stream entrant, The once-returner, The Never Returner and The Arahant.
Eight individuals
“Atta purisa puggala” - When taken individually, the community of Sangha consist of eight individuals:
1. The one striving to Enter the stage of Stream Entry Fruit
2. The stream Entrant
3. The one striving to attain the stage Once-Returner
4. The once-Returner
5. The one striving to reach the stage of a Non-returner
6. Non-Returner
7. The one striving for the stage of Arahanthood
8. The arahant
“Ahuneyyo” - Because they hold these great qualities, The Supreme Buddha’s community of Sangha are worthy of receiving offerings even from those residing faraway.
“Pahuneyyo” - Because they hold these great qualities they are worthy of hospitality.
“Dakkineyyo” - Because they hold these great qualities they are worthy of receiving offering from others in expectation of merits.
“Anjalikaraneeyo” - Because they hold these great qualities they are worthy of respect and worship.
“Anuttaram punchakketham lokassathi” - Beholding these supreme qualities, the Supreme Buddha’s Noble Sangha is a field of merits to both humans and deities.
May the homage be to those Noble disciples who encompass such supreme qualities!
May you always be well and happy!
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