Metta

[Jimbeaux]

I was inspired by the following post to find out more about Metta, and start a discussion on the topic.

Anthony,

One translation of metta is "loving kindness". With all of these things they are qualities or states rather than the words themselves. For me, it is something important to cultivate.

To share, a simple way I use of reflecting on this is the following:

May I be free of enmity and danger, May I be free of physical suffering, May I be free of mental suffering, May I take care of myself happily.

Then extend this to someone you care about, then someone you are neutral about, then someone you have difficulty with, eventually to all beings. A lovely formulation I heard for the "all beings" was:

In the north direction, in the east direction, in the south direction, in the west direction, above and below, as far up as the highest realms of existence, as far down as the lowest realms of existence ...

When I first heard these phrases they really sang in me. Of course, they are just words. But for me, the saying of them and noticing what arises helps.

If others know more about this practice maybe they could share in a new thread. A metta thread would be good to start .

All the best,

Barry

I read more about Metta here:

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/buddharakkhita/wheel365.html

I find it fascinating and would love to share in the wisdom my Wahnam surely has on the topic.

Also, is it in the spirit of Metta that Sigung encourages us to bless someone after a Chi Kung exercise? Or to bless those who have wronged us?

In fact, I wish to thank Sigung for this advice. Thanks to his advice on this, I've discovered that wishing someone well who has done me wrong is an immediate and incredibly relieving experience. It's so simple, yet so effective.

I find the morals/ideals/way of living inherent in Metta to be very inspiring, and I want to develop my understanding of it further. I have decided to memorize the Karaniya Metta Sutta, and always try to act with love as a first step.

What beautiful words:
May all be well and secure,
May all beings be happy!

Jim

[Jimbeaux]

I've come to another question.

Is it common for Buddhists to look at different types of Buddhism for insight?
I ask because the website I posted in the last post was from a Theravada Buddhist website, yet it seems that most discussions in the Wahnam forum are about Zen Buddhism.

My guess is that there is no conflict. That there are many paths one can follow.

[Kingmonkey]

I've come to another question.

Is it common for Buddhists to look at different types of Buddhism for insight?
I ask because the website I posted in the last post was from a Theravada Buddhist website, yet it seems that most discussions in the Wahnam forum are about Zen Buddhism.

My guess is that there is no conflict. That there are many paths one can follow.

There are indeed many paths one can follow. I guess there are as many paths as there are individuals, as long as they are individuals.

But there is only one path for you, go out and find it!

I would say no there is no conflict. I define myself as a Zen Buddhist and without knowing about the practice of metta as such, I started to do exactly that, it just happened.

If you're interested in Buddhism, I suggest you first have a look at the main schools of Buddhism which are Theravada, Mahayana and Vajraiana (Zen is a branch of the Mahayana school).
If you found what you think siuts you best, just follow it. That does not mean you can not practice things from other schools, but I think you should have at least a red line to follow. You would'nt do a little bit Shaolin Quan, a little Wing Chun, a little bagua and a little taj chi chuan would you?
You have chosen to learn Shaolin Kung Fu at Shaolin Wahnam where you also get insights in to Taoistic practices, Zen Practices etc. but the red line is laid out clearely...

Once you have found your path, don't think, just walk it.

Hope that helps
best regards
Pat

[Luo Lang]

I have a much more simple advice!

I suggest the book Shukavati written by Sifu. It covers all you may want to know about the different approaches as well as basic information.

Best regards,

[Kingmonkey]

.....Or Sigungs "complete Book of Zen"
I found it very inspiring

Sifu, You'r allways so simple and direct, Thank you!

[joko]

My guess is that there is no conflict. That there are many paths one can follow.

Your guess is right. There is no conflict.

Regarding paths:
In the beginning, it seems that there are many paths one can follow.
Take any path, then do the journey. ...
Somewhere along the journey, then, ... actually they are the same path...
Remember the saying "From formless to form to formless"?

With love,
Joko

[joko]

.
"A lovely formulation I heard for the "all beings" was:

In the north direction, in the east direction, in the south direction, in the west direction, above and below, as far up as the highest realms of existence, as far down as the lowest realms of existence ..."

Indeed, it is lovely.

And this is what the Holy Quran says:

[2:115] To GOD belongs the east and the west; wherever you go there will be the presence of GOD. GOD is Omnipresent, Omniscient.

______________________________________________

Joko

[Nick Jones]

Dear brother Pat,

I define myself as a Zen Buddhist

No I, just emptiness.

[Jimbeaux]

Thank you all for your insightful comments and Barrys for turning me on to Metta.

Kingmonkey, this made me think a bit:

You would'nt do a little bit Shaolin Quan, a little Wing Chun, a little bagua and a little taj chi chuan would you?

I agree that I wouldn't do this in the long term. However, I'd bet many in our school have done precisely this before falling in love with Shaolinquan. Take my Sifu, Kai, for example who did many martial arts before kung fu.

I'm still in this searching phase when it comes to the spiritual side of things. I may not even choose any form of Buddhism in the end, but I find it fascinating. I have to admit I do need to learn/experience more, though.
I will definitely check out one of Sigung's books.

Would any of you recommend more "The Complete book of Zen" or "Shukavati" to a newcomer to Buddhism?

Thanks again,
Jim

[Kingmonkey]

Dear brother Pat,


No I, just emptiness.

Dear brother Nick
of course you are completely right, just emptiness am very aware of that, but if just emptiness would have wrote just emptiness instead of I , just emptiness suppose the post would have become quite confusing.......

Jimbeux: both books are very profound, I really can`t tell you which one to choose. To me the complete Book of Zen was much more important but I know of others who would say that it was Sukhavati to them.
Why not let it flow and let your karma choose....

with lots of love
Pat

[Luo Lang]

How was it with a Great Past Master telling?:
The Tao which can be called the Tao is not the Tao!

The emptiness which can be called the emptiness is not the emptiness!

Some more confusion?

To come back to the original question: personally I think Sukhavati covers everything one needs to have a profound knowledge. Of course the complete book of Zen as well. I have read many books so far but those very two are not only profound but also simple, direct and most effective!

[Nick Jones]

Dear Sipak,

The emptiness which can be called the emptiness is not the emptiness!

When we name or discuss Emptiness or the Tao, we create a mental concept of emptiness, which becomes the subject of our naming or discussion.

Some more confusion?

Only in discussion, when we let go, everything becomes clear!

Dear Pat,

I intended no criticism and apologise if what I wrote was unclear. I just observed as I read that rather than writing 'I practice Zen Buddhism', you had chosen to write

I define myself as a Zen Buddhist

Not saying it's right or wrong to do so. Just an observation I can notice in my own mind also.

Back on subject: Both Sukhavati and The Complete book of Zen are excellent books. Personally, I feel Sukhavati has a more metaphysical flavour and The Complete Book of Zen has a more practical flavour. Which suits you more will depend on where you are in your practice.

All the best!
Nick

[Kingmonkey]

I intended no criticism and apologise if what I wrote was unclear.

Dear Brother

No criticism has reached me, I will not accept your apologise, because what you wrote was not at all unclear, not to me.
My awnser to that was but a joke, trying to tell that I am well aware of the fact, but cant help using words....

I define myself as a Zen Buddhist, my wife may define me as her Lover, my children may define me as their father, you may define me as your brother, my Sifu may define me as his stdent and a chinese Zen Buddhist Master may define me as a silly longnose.
I haven't yet got rid of "I", I reduced it quite a bit but I still define myself. What I may really be and what I do may be something completely else.

I agree that I wouldn't do this in the long term. However, I'd bet many in our school have done precisely this before falling in love with Shaolinquan. Take my Sifu, Kai, for example who did many martial arts before kung fu.

That's exactly how it was ment to be understood, reread my first post and you will see that I told you to look around before you choose, but once you have chosen (whatever it may be) don't look around to much anymore, follow the invisible line. This is my humble oppinion of course, there may be others.....

The Tao which can be called the Tao is not the Tao!

The emptiness which can be called the emptiness is not the emptiness!

Some more confusion?

Not at all thank you, you made it quite clear.

sincerely
Pat

[joko]

Some more confusion?

To be confused is not always bad. There is also the good side of confusion.

More, and more, and more, ... and more confused, ... ... when the confusion reaches its ultimate... , ... then it's all clear.

Joko

[Jimbeaux]

I thought I could post the Metta Sutta, rather than just linking to it in my first post. It seems more direct and effective. Look at how beautiful it is.


1. The Karaniya Metta Sutta: Hymn of Universal Love

1 Karaniyam atthakusalena
Yan tam santam padam abhisamecca
Sakko uju ca suju ca
Suvaco c'assa mudu anatimani

Who seeks to promote his welfare,
Having glimpsed the state of perfect peace,
Should be able, honest and upright,
Gentle in speech, meek and not proud.

2
Santussako ca subharo ca
Appakicco ca sallahukavutti
Santindriyo ca nipako ca
Appagabbho kulesu ananugiddho

Contented, he ought to be easy to support,
Not over-busy, and simple in living.
Tranquil his senses, let him be prudent,
And not brazen, nor fawning on families.

3
Na ca khuddam samacare kinci
Yena viññu pare upavadeyyum
Sukhino va khemino hontu
Sabbe satta bhavantu sukhitatta

Also, he must refrain from any action
That gives the wise reason to reprove him.
(Then let him cultivate the thought
May all be well and secure,
May all beings be happy!

4
Ye keci panabhut'atthi
Tasa va thavara va anavasesa
Digha va ye mahanta va
Majjhima rassakanukathula

Whatever living creatures there be,
Without exception, weak or strong,
Long, huge or middle-sized,
Or short, minute or bulky,

5
Dittha va yeva adittha
Ye ca dure vasanti avidure
Bhuta va sambhavesi va
Sabbe satta bhavantu sukhitatta

Whether visible or invisible,
And those living far or near,
The born and those seeking birth,
May all beings be happy!

6
Na paro param nikubbetha
Natimaññetha katthacinam kanci
Byarosana patighasañña
Naññamaññassa dukkham iccheyya

Let none deceive or decry
His fellow anywhere;
Let none wish others harm
In resentment or in hate.

7
Mata yatha niyam puttam
Ayusa ekaputtam anurakkhe
Evampi sabbabhutesu
Manasam bhavaye aparimanam

Just as with her own life
A mother shields from hurt
Her own son, her only child,
Let all-embracing thoughts
For all beings be yours.

8
Mettañ ca sabba-lokasmim
Manasam bhavaye aparimanam
Uddham adho ca tiriyanca
Asambadham averam asapattam

Cultivate an all-embracing mind of love
For all throughout the universe,
In all its height, depth and breadth —
Love that is untroubled
And beyond hatred or enmity.

9
Titthañ caram nisinno va
Sayano va yavat'assa vigatamiddho
Etam satim adhittheyya
Brahmam etam viharam idhamahu

As you stand, walk, sit or lie,
So long as you are awake,
Pursue this awareness with your might:
It is deemed the Divine State here.

10
Ditthiñca anupagamma silava
Dassanena sampanno
Kamesu vineyya gedham
Na hi jatu gabbhaseyyam punar eti'ti

Holding no more to wrong beliefs,
With virtue and vision of the ultimate,
And having overcome all sensual desire,
Never in a womb is one born again.