The monk reclining at ease surrounded by the beauty of many flowers is a representation of Nibbana which is beyond the preceeding knowledge, (and is adorned with the beauty and fragrance of wisdom and compassion). There is no longer concern with appreciation or admiration of the gem since the final stage has already been attained. (Hence in the two pictures below, the gem has been cast upon the ground while one enlightened being joyfully investigates the world, the other sits tranquilly in enjoyment of inner peace and clarity. It is noteworthy that of these two figures, one is not a monk, thus illustrating that the highest goal is not only for those who practice in the homeless life.)
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Just that! *smile* ...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html
BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_
This picture points out the contrast between freedom and clinging: sensuous grasping (kamapadana), grasping at view (ditthupadana), grasping at belief in the efficacy of rites and vows (silabbatupadana), and grasping at belief in a soul theory (attavadupadana). These four kinds of grasping are represented by the four snakes that entwine and overcome their victim. One must, therefore, use the sword of wisdom to subdue grasping. One method of employing the sword is through meditation on corpses. Once relieved of the burden of grasping and attachment one attains absolute freedom as expressed in the grace and delicacy of the dancer in the right hand corner.
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Just that! *smile* ...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html
BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_
The figure drowning in the sea of samsara, the wandering-on, is contrasted with the wise and free man whose dance symbolizes release and liberation. The top half of his picture contrasts freedom and ignorance. Ignorance in this instance is defined as one’s grasping or attachment to the constituents of one’s own personality (upadana-khandha - the five aggregates or heaps), which are here portrayed by five thieves.
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Just that! *smile* ...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html
BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_
The hooked fish and the man struggling to stop himself drowning here express the bondage of samsara. Contrasted to this state of turbulence are four men at the top who have become Noble disciples. Seated tranquilly around the Three Gems that signify Nibbana, they are last released from the unsatisfactoriness of the world.
(This unsatisfactoriness (dukkha) is of course not “out there” in the world, but lies in the hearts of all unenlightened persons being the result of their defilements.)
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Just that! *smile* ...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html
BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_
The woman here represents the weakness encountered when confronting the Five Heaps or Aggregates personified by the five thieves. Lacking the courage to resist, and unable to help herself, she must depend on or seek help from someone else. In this case, religion or the Dhamma here represented by the monk, is the source of sufficient strength to subjugate the Five Heaps. Once she embraces and follows the Practice-Path, she frees herself from the threat of the Five Heaps. Deliverance from danger and fear is dependent upon realization and practice of the Dhamma. Realization is the ultimate goal and practice of the Dhamma is the means whereby one may help oneself.
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Just that! *smile* ...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html
BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_
The explanations to the pictures are translated by Sulak Sivaraksa and Don Sweetbaum. Explanatory portions in brackets have been added by Ven. Bhikkhu Khantipalo.
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“Wherever the Buddha’s teachings have flourished,
either in cities or countrysides,
people would gain inconceivable benefits.
The land and people would be enveloped in peace.
The sun and moon will shine clear and bright.
Wind and rain would appear accordingly,
and there will be no disasters.
Nations would be prosperous
and there would be no use for soldiers or weapons.
People would abide by morality and accord with laws.
They would be courteous and humble,
and everyone would be content without injustices.
There would be no thefts or violence.
The strong would not dominate the weak
and everyone would get their fair share.”
(The Buddha speaks of the infinite life sutra or adornment, purity, equality and enlightenment of the mahayana school)
nate sante baram sokham
Just that! *smile* ...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html
BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_
also a German translation of it (incl. links for detail word explanations / not finally prooreaded => thanks if somebody responses on mistakes): Dhamma lehren mit Bildern
