THE
MOST VENERABLE BENEFACTOR MAHÆSØ SAYÆDAW'S (3rd WANNING DAY OF NATTAW 1334 ME./23.12.1972 A.D) First and foremost I would like to express my satisfaction to see all of you meditation instructors, responsible administrators and devotees from meditation centres all over the country. I am also very glad to be aware of all your unwavering and unanimous effort in striving this year's anniversary congregation, a full success in MAHÆSØ tradition. I would like to greet you with my warm blessing for your health, prosperity, security and deliverance from all suffering. Now I am going to give admonishment to meditation instructors and responsible administrators of various meditation centres as I have done in previous years. I intend to give this admonishment under seven headings:- (1)
Strict observance of vinaya (1) STRICT OBSERVANCE OF VINAYA:- (Discipline or code of conduct for Buddhist monks) “Vinayo næma Buddha sæsanassa æyu, vinaye thite sæsanam thitamhoti” As expressed in commentary, Vinaya is the “life” of Buddha Sæsanæ. Sæsanæ is alive only when vinaya prevail. Prevailance of vinaya depends on those persons who observe and practise the strict discipline of vinaya. That is why everyone who revere and care for the perpetuation of sæsanæ should practise strict discipline of the vinaya most respectfully and also direct and urge his followers and close associates to do the same. The Lord Buddha exhorted how to observe the strict discipline of vinaya as follows:- Idha
bikkhave bikkhu sølavæ hoti, In this Sæsanæ Bhikkhu must observe strict morality (søla), that is Pætimokkha Søla. Pætimokkha means those who respectfully comply it can escape from the danger of lower existences (apæya sufferings): the animal world, ghost world, demon world and hell. In brief, that is the abstinence from the two kinds of offenses such as committing the unwholesome deeds and speaking unwholesome speeches. Moreover, to safeguard the Pætimokkha søla - æcæragocara sampanno - one must possess noble moral conduct and wholesome domain and associates. That is very wide and for detail explanation, can refer to Visuddhi magga søla niddesa (Pg. 16, M 57 etc.). I hope you all must be mostly well versed with it. Then, to observe Pætimokkha fully and whole-heartedly- Anumattesu vajjesu bhayadassævi- seemingly tiniest offense must be observed as the greatest sin. There are seven groups of immoral conduct that can befall to bhikhus. Out of these seven, dukkata and dubbhæsita are regarded as less offensive. Even the seemingly less offensive and less important code of conducts, if breached intentionally can send one to the four lower worlds (apæya). So, by realizing the danger of Apæya suffering one should strive to observe carefully to be free from even the smallest misconduct. Saddhæsædhano hiso patimokkha samvaro Pætimokkha Søla is to be fulfilled with strong faith. It would not be too much of a burden to observe for those who have strong faith. As you all have practised satipa¥¥hæna meditation, you all must have strong faith. So with unwavering determination you all should most humbly observe strict vinaya discipline. Nowadays most of bhikkhu are getting lax in observing the codes of conduct regarding the wearing of robes, eye discipline, money matters, dealing with supporting laities etc, etc. As responsible persons of meditation centres you all should most earnestly observe all the vinaya discipline without any exception. Buddha exhorted anumattesu vajjesu bhayadassævî-seemingly tiniest offense must be taken as greatest sin which can result in abominable suffering. Whatever Buddha admonishes must be regarded as moral directive. I would like to remind you again, to observe the vinaya discipline most earnestly yourself and also urge your subordinates to do the same. In this main meditation centre of Yangon, you all can see that we observe vinaya discipline to our utmost and also we try to fulfill the appiccho-santutthi-sallekho (Frugality-Contentment-Destruction) of defilements virtues as much as we can by abstaining smoking, beetle-chewing and other frivolous degrading habits. By such abstinence we gain more time for the noble cause of pariyatti-pa¥ipatti and respectability by the devotees. I am very glad to hear that some of the branch meditation centres are also practising in the same tradition. So I most ardently wish that may you all be able to observe the strict discipline of vinaya and also practise the pæsædika virtues (gracious, amiable conduct) resulting in worthy benefits for you all and the pa¥ipatti sæsanæ. (2) PROFOUND REVERENCE FOR DHAMMA What dhamma to revere? It is no other than the mindfulness, concentration and wisdom that you attain by practising the satipa¥¥hæna vipassanæ meditation. You all must practise yourself whenever you have a chance and also urge and instigate others to practise by inspirational preaching. The most important fact is that as you all are urging others to practise there should be no negligence on your part. (3) CORRECTNESS OF METHOD People come to practise satipa¥¥hana meditation in your centre with full confidence in you. So it is most important that meditation instructors should teach, instruct and guide the meditators precisely and fully to enable them to perceive the attainable concentration and insight. You must instruct them correctly the Mahæsø Meditation method in accordance with the Mahæsatipa¥¥hæna sutta to attain seven visuddhi and sixteen vipassanæ ñæ¼a (from næmarþpapariccheda ñæ¼a to paccavekkha¼æ ñæ¼a) by contemplating the physical and mental phenomena at the moment of occurrence. It is learnt that some of the branch centres are teaching all kinds of meditation methods though they named their centres as Mahæsø Meditation Centres. That is very unscrupulous of them. I would like to warn them through you as the name indicates, they should teach the precise and correct Mahæsø meditation method only. I also would like you to convey my advice for them to scrutinize and assess the progress or otherwise of their meditators closely and carefully in accordance with the sermon on progress of insight meditation and to give the methodical guidance correctly and precisely. (4) PERPETUATION OF THE CENTERS I refer to perpetuation of the meditation centres those you all are taking in charge. One day we all are going to pass away. At that time the meditation centre can continue functioning regularly only if the inheriting individual is able enough to maintain the meditation master's qualities in Mahæsø tradition. If he is unqualified and incompetent or irresponsible and negligent, the centre will just go down to the status of an ordinary monastery. It is very important that you all should choose subordinates, assistants and inheritors on the basis of reverence for Dhamma. You should choose only those persons who had actually practised satipa¥¥hæna meditation to the satisfactory stage and those who revere Dhamma and have good moral and ethical conduct. Take care not to receive in your centre those persons who do not revere Dhamma, negligent, irresponsible with formidable conduct for any reason. If need be you can send them to the main centre in Yangon for necessary training. (5) CO-OPERATION AND CO-ORDINATION The main object of holding such annual congregation at this centre is to give you all a chance to co-operate and to co-ordinate. I started teaching satipa¥¥hæna vipassanæ meditation at this centre on the full-moon day of Nattaw 1311 BE (4-12-1949 AD). Since the first anniversary in 1312 the annual congregation was held every year at this centre with the aim of instilling the spirit of co-operation and co-ordination among the responsible persons in promoting and propagating the pa¥ipatti sæsanæ. Here I would like to express my appreciation for your sincerity and faithfulness in making this annual congregation a success by your united efforts. I regard it as your reverence for dhamma and respect for your elders. Abhinham sannipætæ sannipætabahula samaggæ sannipatissanti. In accordance with the Lord Buddha's admonishment, frequent meetings, repeated conference, united efforts in co-operation and co-ordination are sure way to success and progress. In areas where there are more than one centre you all should co-operate and co-ordinate by working together in mutual respect and cordiality. You all should welcome and encourage whoever preaches or teaches the dhamma if it is in accordance with the correct way of satipa¥¥hæna vipassanæ method. No matter who works for it, if it is for the promotion and propagation of pa¥ipatti sæsanæ in correct way you all should cooperate. Another warning I want to give you is not to have too much attachment for the dwellings, relatives, material properties and supporting laities. Here in our centre I do not encourage offering of the dwellings for personal ownership. I always direct the donors to offer to the sangha order for common use by the meditators. None of the buildings in this centre are my own personal property. So no possession, no bondage, no inheritance to take care of. I wish you all to follow this example of non-attachment, less problem and more time to devote for the progress of dhamma in a tranquil atmosphere. (6) NEXT YEAR'S PROGRAMME To make the most benefit out of your precious time and talent, I intend to include dhamma recitation 30 min sections by you all, taking in turns. We shall start three days before the actual anniversary day. Recitation of suttas from Pæ¹i cannon with brief Myanmar translations by meditation lecturers and preachers (4) in the forenoon and (4) in the afternoons. Major sermons will be given by selected famous masters (Dhamma kathikas) every evening. Detail programme will be drawn and prescribed by the authorities after due consultations with various responsible persons. Useful suggestions and advice are welcomed from you if you have any. (7) ADVICE ON PREACHING:- Finally we come to the subject of advice on preaching. That is for you to give suggestions on most likely beneficial points regarding the preaching of dhamma. I would like to give you some outlines for you to discuss. (a) Preaching by you as meditation masters should mainly confine to subjects on satipa¥¥hæna meditation practices as precisely and correctly with the original texts of Pæ¹i cannon. (b) Avoid reciting the Pæ¹i stanzas and verses in melodious sounds and tunes. (c) Do not use comical, imaginary and groundless frivolous tales and stories just to attract the lay audience. (d) As you are under the patronage of Mahæsø meditation centre give teachings and instructions according to the Mahæsø meditation methods. (e) Take care to avoid using statements and expressions or criticisms that are detrimental or degrading or insulting to other persons. In conclusion, I wish you all may be able to practise yourselves the morality, concentration and wisdom to the fullest extent and urge and help your devotees and disciples to do the same. May you all by striving the promotion and the propagation of sæsanæ attain the noble bliss of Nibbæna and final deliverance of the suffering in the shortest and easiest way. Sædhu! Sædhu! Sædhu!
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