Sunday, 04/19/2026
Brief preaching of the Dhammapada Sutra - part 4
Update: 02/08/2024
0:00
/
4:19
The monk explained the poem No. 5 which belongs to the chapter of Bhikkhu including two parts: The Buddha spoke these verses; how to apply them to the living of monks and lay people.
The Buddha spoke the verse 364. “The bhikkhu who in Dhamma dwells/ in Dhamma delighting and pondering/ remembering the Dhamma/ he does not decline from Dhamma True” from the story “The diligence of bhikkhu Dhammārāma”. Upon hearing this, bhikkhu Dhammārāma developed unshakable faith, let go defilements and immediately attained Sainthood.
The word “Dharma” in the Commentary on the Dhammapada means: First, Dharma is meditation and insight. Second, Dharma is the place where a Bhikkhu contemplates in four subjects of body, feelings, mind and mental objects. Third, Dharma is 37-factor enlightenment and 9-dharma supramundane (four Noble Paths, four Noble Fruits and Nirvana) that a Bhikkhu always remembers.
“Bhikkhu” in the Commentary means: is a person who is able to let go of afflictions. Second, Bhikkhu has three meanings to make the devil afraid; mendicant; to cut off afflictions. Third: a person who is not attached to name and form. Fourth: A Bhikkhu needs to uphold Four Pure Precepts and Four Protective Meditations.
In the Commentary, “meditation” means: First, it is to burn away afflictions; Second, there are five levels (contemplation, reflection, joy, happiness, and Contemplation of mind) to eliminate five hindrances (sleep, doubt, anger, officiousness, and greed); Third is the acceptance of letting go to cultivate and control the mind to give rise to good qualities of wisdom - purity and harmony; Fourth, meditation has two: “concentration and insight”. Concentration meditation is to focus the mind on an object and rely on the breath to stop the wandering thoughts arising in the mind. Insight meditation is to pay attention, to observe; when paying attention for a long time, there is concentration and wisdom. Learning and understanding the Buddha’s teachings, we will realize that conditioned things are born and die, are impermanent, suffering, without a self, and condition rising – learning and understanding the Buddha teachings, this is a person with right view, correct understanding.
He encouraged Buddhists to have the spirit of self-study and practice to maintain faith in the Three Jewels, live a life of true service, and let go easily, because when we die, we have to let go! Through verse 364 "The bhikkhu who in Dhamma dwells/ in Dhamma delighting and pondering/ reminds the Dhamma/ he does not decline from Dhamma True" shows us the wise use of mind of the Dhammārāma Bhikkhu, knowing how to practice the Dharma, is a noble offering to the World-Honored One. Let us diligently study and practice to increase morality, concentration, and wisdom every day as a way to show gratitude and repayment to the Patriarch and the Three Jewels.
Image recorded:
