Dhamma Talk by Most Ven. Dhammapala from Nepal
We are delightfully welcome his visit this Sunday, most Ven. Dhammapala from Nepal currently resided in Sambuddhaloka Temple Riverside, California. As a part of his monastic mission, this is not the only time he visited Nevada Buddhist Temple. He visited Nevada Buddhist Temple last year as well. His Dhamma talks attracted youth last year as well and stories told gave our community deeper meaning and lessons to our life. This Dhamma talk is specially directed towards youth nonetheless also ideal to everyone.
We would like to share some information about Ven. Dhammapala’s monastic life with all of you.
“Ordained in 1998, august 18th, in Nepal under a Burmese Monk. He Came to sri Lanka in 2000 January 17th and started primary education from Nalanda Pirivena, Mount Lavinia and secondary education from Parama Dhamma Chetiya Maha Pirivena at Ratmalana, Sri Lanka. He obtained BA General degree with following subjects: Buddhist Civilization, Pali and Sanskrit in 2007 from the Buddhist & Pali University, Sri Lanka and passed BA (Hons) Special Degree on Psychology from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, in 2010. He completed all levels of examination held by Oriental Studies society of Sri Lanka (Pracheena Bhasa Sangama) Royal Pandith Degree (Rajakeey Panditha), 2010 and served as a Visiting Lecturer of Psyhcology in the University of Peradeniya 2011 – 2012, and served at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Independence square, as a visiting Lecturer of Psychological Counseling (Resource Person) 2011-2012.”
Listening to the Dhamma or teachings of the Buddha is one of the ways to gain meritorious deeds. It has mentioned in books that at the time of the Buddha, one day Buddha preached Dhamma to his disciples. There was a frog listened to Buddha’s teachings. It did not mean frog understand the “Pali” language. It means, frog listened to the voice waves and the frog’s mind might have purified at the moment. So there was an old man came with a cane and without seeing the frog, this man stick the cane right on top of frog’s head. Frog died instantly and born in the celestial realm. Frog remembered while in celestial world that the last action before died was listened to the Buddha’s teachings which resulted in born in celestial world. Probably Buddha saw it or communicated with the frog’s spirit after died and appeared in celestial world because Buddha had various levels of wisdom to do such things that ordinary human beings cannot comprehend. The lesson is that purity in the mind listening to Dhamma Sermons allows us to gain meritorious deeds and Buddha stated in “Maha Mangala Sutta” that listen to the Dhamma as one of the auspicious acts. Likewise, Dhamma discussion also one of the auspicious acts which we can gain meritorious deeds. By committing all these acts, purity arise in the mind removing desire, delusion and anger in the mind which is how meritorious deeds generates in the mind.
May Noble Triple Gem Bless You!