Computer class in Summer 2025

 

2025 Summer Education Class

 

Organize cheap health check

Normally, health checks and screenings are expensive. That is why we invited professionals to conduct health checks at a cheaper cost so that it would be affordable to many people.

The service included a Quantum Resonance Magnetic Analyzer machine which can detect 20 diseases, and a FoHoway magnetic massage machine.

Dhamma Reflection: Shift of perspective 观点转变 和正见

I occasionally translate with the intention of assisting others in reading the Pali text in English. But since I have to be careful, this will make me anxious. It takes a while to complete, particularly at the moment while I'm working on the Visuddhimagga subcommentary.

Besides that, long hour of sitting in front of computer leads to back pain, headache and tiredness in the eyes.

However, in the peaceful moment of today, I have an inspiration. What if, instead of putting people before myself, I dedicate this translation work? Allow me to savor the process of studying the Pali and its exquisite significance from Visuddhimagga.

The translation process no longer seems as tiresome as it did before the mental shift. I can take pleasure in the procedure. This is referred to as having a right view and thinking compassionately about myself first.
How to analyse the above situation?
During a moment of peace, a significant transformation occurred through a profound insight. The practitioner discovered they could reframe their translation work as an act of dedication rather than viewing it as a burden. This marked an important shift from purely outward-focused service to a more balanced approach to practice. The mindset transformed from a pressured sense of "I must help others" to a more sustainable perspective of "I can enjoy learning while being of benefit," exemplifying sammā-diṭṭhi (Right View) in practical application.
This transformation embodies several key Buddhist principles. It demonstrates the essential balance between self-care and service to others, emphasizing the importance of sammā-saṅkappa (Right Intention) in our actions. The practitioner's approach shows how mindfulness can be integrated into daily work, while also highlighting the fundamental Buddhist teaching that mettā (loving-kindness) must begin with oneself before it can authentically extend to others.

The practical outcomes of this shift in perspective were significant. The work became less exhausting, and the practitioner found greater enjoyment in the process. This new approach likely led to improved quality in both study and translation work, establishing a more sustainable path for long-term Dhamma service. This transformation aligns perfectly with the Buddha's teaching of the Middle Way, showing how internal shifts in understanding can lead to external changes in our experience and effectiveness in practice.

 我偶尔翻译巴利文成英文是为了帮助他人阅读。但由于需要谨慎,这会让我感到焦虑。完成需要一段时间,特别是现在我正在研究清净道论的注释。此外,长时间坐在电脑前会导致背痛、头痛和眼睛疲劳。

然而,在今天平静的时刻,我有了一个启发。如果与其把他人放在自己之前,不如把这项翻译工作当作一种奉献?让我细细品味学习巴利文和清净道论精妙含义的过程。

在这种心态转变之后,翻译过程不再像以前那样令人疲惫。我可以享受这个过程。这就是所谓的正见,首先要慈悲地对待自己。

分析上述情况:

在平静的时刻,通过深刻的领悟发生了重要的转变。修行者发现他们可以将翻译工作重新定位为一种奉献,而不是将其视为负担。这标志着从纯粹外向的服务转向更平衡的修行方式的重要转变。心态从压力重重的"我必须帮助他人"转变为更可持续的"我可以在学习中获得快乐,同时造福他人",这体现了正见的实际运用。

这种转变体现了几个重要的佛教原则。它展示了自我关怀与服务他人之间的基本平衡,强调了正思维在我们行动中的重要性。修行者的方法显示了如何将正念融入日常工作,同时也突出了慈心必须从自身开始,然后才能真诚地延伸到他人这一基本佛教教义。

这种观点转变带来的实际成果是显著的。工作变得不那么疲惫,修行者在过程中找到了更多乐趣。这种新方法可能导致学习和翻译工作质量的提高,为长期的佛法服务建立了一条更可持续的道路。这种转变完全符合佛陀所教导的中道,显示了内在理解的转变如何能导致我们在体验和修行效果上的外在改变。

Dhamma Reflection: High Kamma and Low Kamma

 我们必须考虑我们的业力。如果我们的业力高而他人的业力低，由于他们的业力低，他们就无法与我们在一起。在佛教中，业（kamma）意味着有意图的行为。

业力意味着前世所做的事情，或者我们在今生最近或过去所做的行为。

如果我们的业力不相容，我们就无法在一起。即使我们的业力看似相容，如果我们的行为、举止和想法不相似，从长远来看我们终将分离。这。 就是为什么我们必须从各种可能性来思考。

We have to consider our kamma. If our kamma is high and the other person's karma is low, they cannot stay with us due to their low kamma. In Buddhism, kamma means intentional action.

Karma means things done in past lives, or actions we have performed recently or in the past time in this life.

If our kamma is not compatible, we cannot stay together. Even if our karma seems compatible, if our actions, behavior and thoughts are not similar, we will depart from each other in the long run.

That's why we have to think from various possibilities.

 Dear devotees, brothers and sisters,

We seek your kind contribution to the operational cost of Aggacara International Theravada Education and Meditation Centre in Yangon for the year 2025. The estimated cost of RM12,000 will cover the teachers' salaries and utility expenses. 

We plan to open a free kindergarden for underprivileged children.

Your kind assistance will enable us to continue our efforts in educational and outreach programmes.  

Dhamma Reflection: The Four Types of Kamma in Our Lives

Let me share a story that illustrates how these four types of kamma manifest in our daily lives.

In Buddhist teachings, there are four types of kamma that shape our experiences: Productive kamma (Janaka), Supportive kamma (Upatthambhaka), Obstructive kamma (Upapilaka), and Destructive kamma (Upaghataka). 

There was a young girl who came to stay at an education center at the age of 9. She was fortunate to receive good food and quality education from various teachers. Her loving mother supported her education wholeheartedly and constantly encouraged her to continue her studies. However, when she turned 14, her mother passed away. 

Her relatives especially her aunt then encouraged her to return to their village, claiming it was for further studies. In reality, the aunt had selfish motives - she wanted the girl to help care for her during childbirth and look after her new baby. Upon returning to the village, the girl abandoned her studies and spent her time playing with old friends.

In this story, we can clearly see the four types of kamma at work. Being born as a human with the ability to understand Dhamma and study well represents productive kamma. As the Buddha taught in SN 56.48, human birth is as rare as a blind turtle putting its head through a single yoke floating in the vast ocean. 

Her mother's support exemplifies supportive kamma, acting as a kalyāṇamitta (spiritual friend) who enhanced her positive circumstances. The mother's passing away manifested as obstructive kamma, weakening the girl's opportunity for education and spiritual growth. 

Finally, the aunt's selfish manipulation, driven by lobha (greed), became destructive kamma, completely blocking the girl's educational progress.

We should actively cultivate supportive kamma through meritorious deeds such as dāna (generosity), maintaining sīla (moral conduct through observing precepts), and practicing bhāvanā (meditation). We must be vigilant to avoid creating obstructive kamma through harmful actions like injuring beings, speaking falsely, or being negligent in our duties.

While some destructive kammas may seem overwhelming, the Buddha taught that we can mitigate their effects through persistent wholesome actions. 

Remember, while past kamma conditions our present circumstances, our current choices and intentions shape our future. By understanding these four types of kamma, we can navigate life's challenges with wisdom and create conditions conducive to spiritual progress on the Noble Eightfold Path.

我们生命中的四种业

让我分享一个故事，来说明这四种业如何在我们的日常生活中显现。

在佛教教义中，有四种业塑造着我们的经历：产生业（Janaka业）、支持业（Upatthambhaka业）、障碍业（Upapilaka业）和破坏业（Upaghataka业）。

有一个年轻女孩9岁时来到一个教育中心。她很幸运能得到良好的食物和来自各位老师的优质教育。她慈爱的母亲全心全意地支持她的教育，并不断鼓励她继续学习。然而，当她14岁时，她的母亲去世了。

她的亲戚，特别是她的阿姨，鼓励她回到村里，声称是为了继续学习。实际上，那位阿姨有自私的动机 - 她想让这个女孩在她分娩期间照顾她，并照看她的新生儿。回到村里后，这个女孩放弃了学习，把时间都花在与老朋友玩耍上。

在这个故事中，我们可以清楚地看到四种业在起作用。生为人身并具有理解佛法和学习的能力代表着产生业。正如佛陀在《相应部》(SN 56.48)中所教导的，人身难得，就像一只盲龟每百年浮出水面一次，将头伸进漂浮在广阔海洋中的单孔轭中一样稀有。

她母亲的支持体现了支持业，作为善知识（kalyāṇamitta）增强了她的积极环境。母亲的去世显现为障碍业，削弱了女孩接受教育和精神成长的机会。

最后，她的阿姨出于贪欲（lobha）的自私操纵成为破坏业，完全阻断了女孩的教育进步。

我们应该通过功德善业积极培养支持业，如布施（dāna）、持守戒律（sīla）和修习禅定（bhāvanā）。我们必须警惕避免造作障碍业，如伤害众生、妄语或怠慢职责等有害行为。

虽然某些破坏业可能看似难以克服，但佛陀教导说，我们可以通过持续的善行来减轻其影响。

请记住，虽然过去的业决定了我们现在的处境，但我们当前的选择和意图会塑造我们的未来。通过理解这四种业，我们可以以智慧应对生活的挑战，创造有利于在八正道上精神进步的条件。

New teachings in January 2025

 Pāḷi Class

Khandha Sutta

Part I: https://youtu.be/eeepPVrrLdk

Part II: https://youtu.be/alwhES8laNY

Part. III https://youtu.be/_IJYsLqeTMs?si=cSD_wzk1gnVs5ayn

Abhidhamma Class

Chapter of Compendium

Part I:https://youtu.be/iSPu_K-l8cc

Part II: https://youtu.be/v16E_c8OcCk

Khandha Sutta Protective Discourse Against Venomous Creatures

 Learning Khandha Sutta

The recording is at Youtube. Here is the link: 

Video 1:https://youtu.be/eeepPVrrLdk

The below is the text:

Learn Pāḷi Through Sutta

Taught by Sayagyi Cālā Therī, 8 Jan 2024

 

KHANDHA SUTTA

 

Sabbāsīvisajātīnaṁ,  

Dibbamantāgadhaṁ viya, 

Yaṁ nāseti visaṁ ghoraṁ,

 Sesañcāpi parissayaṁ.

Ānākkhettamhi sabbattha, 

sabbadā sabbapāṇinaṁ,

Sabbaso pi nivāreti, parittaṁ taṁ bhaṇāma he. 

Oh good people! Let us recite this protective Sutta which, like the medicine of a divine mantra, destroys the terrible venom of all poisonous creatures and thoroughly destroys all other dangers to all beings in all places at all times within the sphere of Authority (of the Paritta).

Virūpakkhehi me mettaṁ,   

Mettaṁ Erāpathehi me,

Chabyāputtehi me mettaṁ,

Mettaṁ Kaṇhāgotamakehi ca.

 May there be love between me and the Virūpakkhas. May there be love between me and the Erāpathas. May there be love between me and the Chabyāputtas. May there be love between me and the Kaṇhāgotamakas.

[Kaṇhāgotamakanāgarājakula]

 

Apādakehi me mettaṁ, Mettaṁ dvipādakehi me.

Catuppadehi me mettaṁ,  Mettaṁ bahuppadehi me.                    

May there be love between me and creatures without feet. May there be love between me and creatures with two feet. May there be love between me and creatures with four feet. May there be love between me and creatures with many feet. 

Mā maṁ apādako hiṁsi, Mā maṁ hiṁsi dvipādako, Mā maṁ catuppado hiṁsi,

Mā maṁ hiṁsi bahuppado.

May creatures without feet not harm/injure/kill me. May creatures with two feet not harm me. May creatures with four feet not harm me. May creatures with many feet not harm me.

Sabbe sattā sabbe pāṇā,         

Sabbe bhūtā ca kevalā,          

Sabbe bhadrāni passantu,     

Mā kañci pāpamāgamā.    

All creatures, all beings that breathe, and all beings that have been born,

may they all without exception see what is good. May not any evil (suffering) come to any being. 

Kañci = kiñci =kiṃ+ ci =something/any  

 Appamāṇo Buddho, Appamāṇo Dhammo,  Appamāṇo Saṅgho,

 pamāṇavantāni sarīsapāni,

 Ahi vicchikā satapadī,

 uṇṇanābhī sarabhū mūsikā.                     [sarabū] 

Immeasurable is the Buddha, immeasurable is the Dhamma, immeasurable is the Saṁgha. Limited are creeping things: snakes, scorpions, centipedes, spiders, lizards, mice.

Katā me rakkhā, kataṁ me parittaṁ, 

Paṭikkamantu bhūtāni, Sohaṁ namo Bhagavato,

Namo sattannaṁ Sammāsambuddhanaṁ.

A protection has been made by me, a safeguard has been made by me.

Let all the creatures withdraw.

I pay homage to the Buddha I pay homage to the seven Fully Enlightened Ones.

Khandha-suttaṁ Niṭṭhitaṁ.

End of Khandha Sutta.

 

Extra information at: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/piyadassi/protection.html#s5

Chanting by Sayadaw Pandita at: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=O6GD5w5MF6Q&t=0s

 

 

 

Books at Academia

 Our books can be downloaded at Academia too. The links are:

https://independent.academia.edu/AdCaLa

https://independent.academia.edu/aggacara

The commentary of Indriyasaṃyutta

The commentary of Indriyasaṃyutta of the Saṃyuttanikāya

Click here to download the file.