Brahmavihara Dhamma

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Brahmavihara Dhamma Contents A Brahmavihāra Dhamma by The Venerable Mahāsi Sayādaw of Burma Translated by U Min Swe (Min Kyaw Thu) Buddha Sāsanānuggaha Organization Mahāsi Translation Committee, Rangoon Brahmavihāra Dhamma by The Venerable Mahāsi Sayādaw of Burma Translated by U Min Swe (Min Kyaw Thu) First printed and published in the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma July 1985 New Edition Edited by Bhikkhu Pesala September 2018 All rights reserved Contents Editor’s Foreword.................................................................................vii Translator’s Preface.............................................................................viii Part One The Meaning of Brahmavihāra..............................................................1 Analysis of the Meaning....................................................................1 Making Preparations for Meditation.................................................2 Crossed-legged Sitting Posture.........................................................3 Meditate in All Four Postures............................................................3 Reflect on the Faults of Anger............................................................4 Benefits of Patience.............................................................................6 How to Develop Loving-kindness..........................................................8 Radiation of Loving-kindness............................................................9 Loving-kindness Practised by the Elder Subhūti........................15 Loving-kindness Practised by Dhanañjāni Brahmin.................16 Eleven Advantages of Loving-kindness...............................................19 The Story of Visākha....................................................................20 The Story of Uttarā.......................................................................23 Developing Loving-kindness With Insight.....................................27 Part Two Way of Sitting Comfortably..................................................................29 Unsuitable Persons...........................................................................30 Suitable Persons................................................................................31 How Absorption Is Achieved...............................................................33 Method of Reflection to Subdue Anger...............................................35 Reflection According to the Ten Verses...........................................37 Reflecting on Ownership of Kamma...............................................38 Reflecting on the Bodhisatta’s Virtues............................................39 The Story of Khantivādī...............................................................39 The Story of Dhammapāla............................................................42 The Patience of an Elephant, a Monkey and a Dragon................44 The Patience of Venerable Puṇṇa.................................................44 By Reflecting on the Elements.........................................................46 By Giving a Gift................................................................................47 Breaking down the Barriers.............................................................48 How Absorption on Loving-kindness Is Achieved.........................49 iii iv Brahmavihāra Dhamma Part Three Introductory Verses..............................................................................50 Tree Deities Terrify Five Hundred Monks.......................................51 Metta Sutta Delivered to Pacify the Deities.................................52 Not Only Recitation but Also Practice.........................................53 The Metta Sutta............................................................................54 Must Be Capable of Practising.....................................................54 Must Be Upright and Honest.......................................................56 Should Be Meek and Compliant..................................................58 Must Be Gentle..............................................................................59 Should Not Be Haughty...............................................................59 Should Be Easily Contented.........................................................60 Should Be Frugal..........................................................................62 Should Be Carefree.......................................................................63 Of Light Livelihood......................................................................64 I Did Not Find It Burdensome......................................................65 With the Sense-faculties Restrained............................................66 Protective Understanding Must Be Mature................................66 Seven Kinds of Suitability............................................................67 Should Be Free From Rudeness....................................................68 Free of Attachment to Benefactors...............................................69 The Last Fundamental Rule of Conduct......................................71 Ordinary Way of Developing Loving-kindness..............................72 Developing Specified Loving-kindness......................................73 Developing Loving-kindness for the Seen and Unseen.............76 Developing Loving-kindness to Be Free from Misery................78 How Genuine Loving-kindness Should Be Developed...............82 How to Develop Loving-kindness Without Limit.......................83 Time and Posture for Developing Loving-kindness...................85 The Four Sublime Abidings.............................................................85 Illimitable States and Sublime Abidings....................................86 Escaping Rebirth by Rejecting Wrong-view................................86 How to Reject Self-view................................................................89 How to Be Liberated from Entering a Womb..............................91 Contents v Part Four The Second Mettā Sutta....................................................................94 The Story of Roja the Malla..........................................................96 U Ba Htu’s Loving-kindness........................................................98 The Story of Sāmāvatī...................................................................99 The Story of Sīhabāhu.................................................................107 The Story of Suvaṇṇasāma.........................................................108 How to Contemplate for Insight.....................................................110 Impermanence and Contemplation of Impermanence.............111 Suffering and Contemplation of Suffering................................113 Not-self and Contemplation of Not-self.....................................114 Continuation of the Second Metta Sutta........................................116 The First Mettā Sutta......................................................................117 Developing Insight While Practising Loving-kindness...........121 Part Five What is Compassion?..........................................................................122 The Compassion of the Bodhisatta................................................123 The Buddha’s Great Compassion....................................................125 Towards Whom Should Compassion First Be Developed?.......126 How to Develop Compassion..........................................................129 How the Attainment of Great Compassion Occurs...................131 Constant Anxiety is Pitiable.......................................................132 Being Swept Away by Aging, Disease, and Death is Pitiable....135 Compassion Arose When I Was a Novice..................................136 Having Nothing to Depend On is Pitiable................................138 The Buddhas Only Show the Way..............................................139 Abandoning Everything is Pitiable...........................................140 The Story of Emperor Asoka......................................................141 Being a Slave to Craving Is Pitiable............................................143 Part Six Beings Are Pierced by Arrows........................................................147 How to Remove the Arrow.............................................................150 Enmeshed and Swept Away by the Current of Craving............155 Enmeshed and Swept Away by the Current of Wrong Views...156 Consumed by Eleven Fires.........................................................159 How to Develop Sympathetic-joy....................................................164 vi Brahmavihāra Dhamma Part Seven What is Equanimity?..........................................................................172 Is It Not Bad to Be Indifferent to Others’ Welfare?....................172 Reflecting on the Pros and Cons................................................173 Proximity of Equanimity...........................................................174 The Exposition of Kamma..................................................................176 The Questions Raised by Subha.........................................................182 The Buddha’s Answer to Subha..........................................................183 The Cause of Short and Long Life.................................................186 The Cause of Sickness and Health.................................................189
Recommended publications
  • F Non-Violent Mentallyill
    Association ~ of Counties Washington, D.C. wwvy.countynews.org Vol. 34 No.12 ~ June17, 2002 Bush asks for new Cabinet Department of Homeland Security BY M. MINDYMORElTI Chemical, Biological, Radio- SEMOR STAFF IVRITER logical and Nuclear Countermea- In a recent primetime address sures, and to the nation, President George W. ~ Information Analysis and In- Bush proposed creating a new De- frastructure Protection. partment ofHomeland Security. If Another key component of the approved, this new department new department, and possibly the would be the first new major gov- one most vital to county govern- ernment department in more than ments, is the State/Local Govern- 50 years, and would pull together ment & Private Sector Coordina- several government entities already tion. Under this coordination, the in existence. The president's pro- department would streamline rela- posal closely mirrors a bi-partisan tions with the federal government Senate bill introduced in May. forstate and local The Photo by Donald Murray governments. As part of the president's pro- new department would contain an President-elect Ken Mayfield (r) discusses his testimony with Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick posal, agencies such as the Federal intergovernmental hy (D-vt.). affairs officethat Emergency Management Agency would coordinate the federal home- (FEMA), the Coast Guard, Cus- land security programs with local toms Service, Boarder Patrol, Im- officials. ayfield calls for diversion migration and Naturalization Ser- It would give state and local vice (INS), the Animal and Plant officialsone primary contact instead HealthInspecuon Service(APHIS), of many, and there would be an f non-violent mentally ill the recently created Transportation additional primary contact just for Security Administration, the training, equipment, planning and Nuclear Emergency Search Team other critical needs emer- Bl Donacb MURRai such as a year as part ofa coalition of more Paula M.
    [Show full text]
  • Buddhism Key Terms Pairs
    Pairs! Cut out the pairs and challenge your classmate to a game of pairs! There are a number of key terms each of which correspond to a teaching or belief. The key concepts are those that are underlined and the others are general words to help your understanding of the concepts. Can you figure them out? Practicing Doctrine of single-pointed impermanence – Non-injury to living meditation through which states nothing things; the doctrine of mindfulness of Anicca ever is but is always in Samatha Ahimsa non-violence. breathing in order to a state of becoming. calm the mind. ‘Foe Destroyer’. A person Phenomena arising who has destroyed all The Buddhist doctrine together in a mutually delusions through Anatta of no-self. Pratitya interdependent web of Arhat training on the spiritual cause and effect. path. They will never be reborn again in Samsara. A person who has Loving-kindness generated spontaneous meditation practiced bodhichitta but who Pain, suffering, disease Metta in order to ‘cultivate has not yet become a and disharmony. Bodhisattva Dukkha loving-kindness’ Buddha; delaying their Bhavana towards others. parinirvana in order to help mankind. Meditation practiced in (Skandhas – Sanskrit): Theravada Buddhism The four sublime The five aggregates involving states: metta, karuna, which make up the Brahmavihara Khandas Vipassana concentration on the mudita and upekkha. self, as we know it. body or its sensations. © WJEC CBAC LTD 2016 Pairs! A being who has completely abandoned Liberation and true Path to the cessation all delusions and their cessation of the cycle of suffering – the Buddha imprints. In general, Enlightenment of Samsara.
    [Show full text]
  • Metta Bhavanabhavana Loving-Kindnessloving-Kindness Meditationmeditation Ven
    MettaMetta BhavanaBhavana Loving-kindnessLoving-kindness MeditationMeditation Ven. Dhammarakkhita HAN DD ET U 'S B B O RY eOK LIBRA E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.buddhanet.net Buddha Dharma Education Association Inc. Metta Bhavana Loving-kindness Meditation Venerable Dhammarakkhita Published for free dist ribution 974–344–130–1 First edition , copies August Enquiries: Ms. Savanraya Vipatayotin (Nay) Dhammodaya Meditation Centre / Mu Tambol Th anon — Khat Ampur Muang, Nakhon Pathom , Th ailand Tel. (-) . Fax. (-) Website: http//www.rissir.com/dhammodaya E-mail: [email protected] Cover design by Dhammarakkhita with technical assistance from Khun Sangthong Srikaewpraphan Metta Bhavana Loving-kindness Meditation Venerable Dhammarakkhita Venerable Dhammarakkhita is an Australian Buddhist Monk of the Myanmar Th eravada tradition. He has been a monk for about eight years. After extensive and intensive practice in vipassana-mindfulness/insight meditation in Australia and Myanmar, his teacher Venerable Chanmyay Sayadaw instructed him to teach vipassana in Myanmar, Singapore and East and West Malaysia. Venerable Dhammarakkhita spent three years successfully establishing a monastery in South Africa. Th ese days he teaches by invitation in Myanmar, Japan and Th ailand and gives talks wherever he goes. “If you truly love yourself, you’ll easily love another; If you truly love yourself, you’ll never harm another.” Introduct ion Th is short explanation on how to practise Metta Bhavana or Loving -kindness Meditation was given as a three-day week- end retreat at Dhammodaya Meditation Centre in Nakhon Pathom in Th ailand. Mae-chee Boonyanandi, a Th ai Buddhist nun, has invited Venerable Chanmyay Saya daw of Myanmar to be the patron of the Centre.
    [Show full text]
  • By Bob Funkhouser Saddle Horse Report • August 14, 2017
    by Bob Funkhouser t was a long plane ride from South Africa. Mark Turner was right out of high school, having grown up in Cradock on the eastern Cape. He had never seen a big airplane, much less been on one. With only a few dollars in his pocket the Iyoung man was going to a strange country, however, he was going with an incredible opportunity to help fulfill his dream of being a horse trainer. “I was first exposed to American Saddlebreds through my dad. He’s my biggest influence,” said Turner. “My older sister showed. My first horse was actually a jumper before I ever sat on a Saddlebred. He was a Gymkhana horse. We enjoyed horses as a family. Mom didn’t have any interest in riding but she made tail bags and things for us. We would trailer in and out and stay at the campgrounds. It was a big social outing. I didn’t even know you stayed at a horse show until I got here in the states.” 130 Saddle Horse Report • August 14, 2017 Finding A Home A Long Way From Home Through this gate and down this drive have gone some of the greatest horsemen, show ring champions,and producers the American Saddlebred industry has ever known. Although he loved horses from an early age, to South Africa to do a clinic. There was a South seeing all of her magnificent spotted horses in the training isn’t something Turner sought at first. He African Turner knew by the name of Chappy Scott magazine and we knew about Don Harris and Mitch thought for sure he was going to be a vet but he soon who was a friend of Bud’s and Scott asked Bud to Clark with Imperator and Sky Watch.
    [Show full text]
  • Harness Horse of the Year, 1947-2017 Hannelore Hanover Is the 59Th Horse and 27Th Trotter of the U.S
    Awards and Earnings Harness Horse of the Year, 1947-2017 Hannelore Hanover is the 59th horse and 27th trotter of the U.S. Harness Writers Association by the U.S. to be honored as Horse of the Year in the 71-year Trotting Association. The list below gives performance history of the balloting as now conducted on behalf data for the year in which each was chosen: Year Horse Age Gait Sts. W P S Best Time Earnings 2017 Hannelore Hanover ...................5.......... T ....... 17 .........10 ......5 ........0 ...................1:492 ............. $1,049,129 2016 Always B Miki ...........................5...........P ........ 18 .........12 ......5 ........0 ...................1:46................. 1,487,292 2015 Wiggle It Jiggleit (g) ...................3...........P ........ 26 .........22 ......3 ........0 ...................1:474 ............... 2,181,995 2014 JK She’salady (f) .........................2...........P ........ 12 .........12 ......0 ........0 ...................1:501s ................. 883,330 2013 Bee A Magician (f) .....................3.......... T ....... 17 .........17 ......0 ........0 ...................1:51................. 1,547,304 2012 Chapter Seven ............................4.......... T ....... 10 ...........8 ......2 ........0 ...................1:501 ............... 1,023,025 2011 San Pail ......................................7.......... T ....... 16 .........14 ......2 ........0 ...................1:504 ............... 1,289,000 2010 Rock N Roll Heaven ..................3...........P ........ 21 .........16
    [Show full text]
  • Social Values in the Metta Sutta
    Social Values in the Metta Sutta Bhante Bokanoruwe Dewananda SOCIAL VALUES IN THE METTA SUTTA. Copyright © by Bhante Bokanoruwe Dewananda. All rights reserved. Printed in Sri-Lanka. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of breif quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. All inquiries regarding this book are welcome. Contact: Dr.B.Dewananda (0094-11-2791197) Those who wish to contribute towards the printing of Dhamma materials are cordially welcome. For inquiries, please send us an email: [email protected] Book and Cover Design by: Ruvan Chintaka ISBN: First Edition: March 2017 Let's bring Aurora (Sun Beams) of peace to every corner of the world by practicing loving-kindness very sincerely, because that is what is lacking in the modern society of the world. This, humble work of mine is dedicated with a devotion filled mind to my beloved parents, who brought me into this world, all Dhamma teachers who paved the way for the Buddhist Monastic Order and all supporters who did so much to bring this to completion --- Bhante Bokanoruwe Dewananda Contents Foreword 2 Introduction 4 1 Metta Sutta- Discourse on Loving Kindness 6 2 The Concise Meaning of the Metta Sutta 8 3 What is Meditation? 11 4 The Reason for Preaching the Metta Sutta 20 5 Terminology of Words in the Sutta 23 6 Values of the Karaniya Metta Sutta 66 7 Some Important Canonical Notes that Support the Values of Loving-Kindness 87 8 Techniques for Practicing Loving Kindness 102 9 The Benevolent Profits of Loving Kindness 125 Glossary of the Metta Sutta 134 1 SOCIAL VALUES IN THE METTA SUTTA FOREWORD am so blessed to have been asked by Bhante I Dewananda to write the foreword for his book.
    [Show full text]
  • The General Stud Book : Containing Pedigrees of Race Horses, &C
    ^--v ''*4# ^^^j^ r- "^. Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive in 2009 witii funding from Lyrasis IVIembers and Sloan Foundation http://www.archive.org/details/generalstudbookc02fair THE GENERAL STUD BOOK VOL. II. : THE deiterol STUD BOOK, CONTAINING PEDIGREES OF RACE HORSES, &C. &-C. From the earliest Accounts to the Year 1831. inclusice. ITS FOUR VOLUMES. VOL. II. Brussels PRINTED FOR MELINE, CANS A.ND C"., EOILEVARD DE WATERLOO, Zi. M DCCC XXXIX. MR V. un:ve PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. To assist in the detection of spurious and the correction of inaccu- rate pedigrees, is one of the purposes of the present publication, in which respect the first Volume has been of acknowledged utility. The two together, it is hoped, will form a comprehensive and tole- rably correct Register of Pedigrees. It will be observed that some of the Mares which appeared in the last Supplement (whereof this is a republication and continua- tion) stand as they did there, i. e. without any additions to their produce since 1813 or 1814. — It has been ascertained that several of them were about that time sold by public auction, and as all attempts to trace them have failed, the probability is that they have either been converted to some other use, or been sent abroad. If any proof were wanting of the superiority of the English breed of horses over that of every other country, it might be found in the avidity with which they are sought by Foreigners. The exportation of them to Russia, France, Germany, etc. for the last five years has been so considerable, as to render it an object of some importance in a commercial point of view.
    [Show full text]
  • Tdn Europe • Page 2 of 11 • Thetdn.Com Friday • 19 February 2021
    FRIDAY, 19 FEBRUARY 2021 MNASEK MUCH THE BEST IN UAE OAKS SUMMER ROMANCE TAKES Mnasek (Empire Maker), a $15,000 purchase by Al Rashid NEXT STEP IN BALANCHINE Stables at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale last June, continued to write her fairytale story at Meydan on Thursday, posting her second win from three starts and first stakes win with a facile score in the G3 UAE Oaks. A longshot 6 3/4-length winner on debut going seven furlongs at Meydan on Dec. 17, Mnasek had to settle for second, seven lengths behind Saturday=s Saudi Derby contender Soft Whisper (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), after missing the break in the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas up to a mile on Jan. 28. Away much more smoothly up to 1900 metres on Thursday, Mnasek broke on top from the rail but soon dropped back to allow Jumeirah Beach (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) to take up the running. Fourth and about three lengths off the lead rounding the first bend, jockey Pat Dobbs made a deliberate move to put the filly on the outside midway down the backstretch and she was poised ominously four-wide rounding Summer Romance | DRC/Erika Rasmussen the bend. Shooting to the lead as they straightened, Mnasek By Kelsey Riley drew clear effortlessly to crush her overmatched opposition by Summer Romance (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) was named a >TDN 6 1/2 lengths. Nayefah (Super Saver) made eye-catching Rising Star= on debut when winning a Yarmouth maiden by two headway late to be second, while Last Sunset (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) lengths in June of 2019, and she followed that effort up was third.
    [Show full text]
  • On the Laws and Practice of Horse Racing
    ^^^g£SS/^^ GIFT OF FAIRMAN ROGERS. University of Pennsylvania Annenherg Rare Book and Manuscript Library ROUS ON RACING. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2009 with funding from Lyrasis IVIembers and Sloan Foundation http://www.archive.org/details/onlawspracticeOOrous ON THE LAWS AND PRACTICE HORSE RACING, ETC. ETC. THE HON^T^^^ ADMIRAL ROUS. LONDON: A. H. BAILY & Co., EOYAL EXCHANGE BUILDINGS, COENHILL. 1866. LONDON : PRINTED BY W. CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET, AND CHAKING CROSS. CONTENTS. Preface xi CHAPTER I. On the State of the English Turf in 1865 , . 1 CHAPTER II. On the State of the La^^ . 9 CHAPTER III. On the Rules of Racing 17 CHAPTER IV. On Starting—Riding Races—Jockeys .... 24 CHAPTER V. On the Rules of Betting 30 CHAPTER VI. On the Sale and Purchase of Horses .... 44 On the Office and Legal Responsibility of Stewards . 49 Clerk of the Course 54 Judge 56 Starter 57 On the Management of a Stud 59 vi Contents. KACma CASES. PAGE Horses of a Minor Age qualified to enter for Plates and Stakes 65 Jockey changed in a Race ...... 65 Both Jockeys falling abreast Winning Post . 66 A Horse arriving too late for the First Heat allowed to qualify 67 Both Horses thrown—Illegal Judgment ... 67 Distinction between Plate and Sweepstakes ... 68 Difference between Nomination of a Half-bred and Thorough-bred 69 Whether a Horse winning a Sweepstakes, 23 gs. each, three subscribers, could run for a Plate for Horses which never won 50^. ..... 70 Distance measured after a Race found short . 70 Whether a Compromise was forfeited by the Horse omitting to walk over 71 Whether the Winner distancing the Field is entitled to Second Money 71 A Horse objected to as a Maiden for receiving Second Money 72 Rassela's Case—Wrong Decision ...
    [Show full text]
  • Pax 350, Fall Term, 2016 Syllabus
    • PAX 350, FALL TERM, 2016 • SYLLABUS • BUDDHISM, PEACE AND CONTEMPLATIVE TRADITION • • Instructor: Hugh Curran • Office Hours: Tuesdays by appointment • Office: Peace & Reconciliation Studies • Rm. 213 East Annex • University of Maine • Orono, Maine 04469 • • Peace Studies: 207-581-2636 • E-mail [email protected] • Technical help: 1-877-947-4357 or 581-3199 • E-mail: [email protected] • • Required Texts: • Thich Nhat Hanh, The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching • Thich Nhat Hanh, "The Sun My Heart" • Shing Yun: Only a Great Rain • Pema Chodrin: When Things Fall Apart • • Supplemental: “Video Lectures" (lectures 1-10 & History of Zen-Part 1-6); "Zen Readings” (see icons above lessons): Articles include: The Way of Zen; The Spirit of Zen; Mysticism; Sermons of a Buddhist Abbot ;Dharma Rain; • • Recommended: • Donald Lopez, “The Story of Buddhism” • Dalai Lama: How to Practice Thich Nhat Hanh:"Commentaries on the Heart Sutra" • • The UMA Bookstore 800 number is: 1-800-621- 0083 • The Fax number of the UMA Bookstore is: 1-800- 243-7338The UM Bookstore number is:1-207- 581- 1700 and e-mail at [email protected] • • Course Objective: • Course Objective: • This course is designed as an introduction to Buddhism, especially the practice of Zen (Ch'an). We will examine spiritual & ethical aspects including stories, sutras, ethical precepts, ecological issues, and how we can best embody the Way in our daily lives. • • University Policy: • In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and in pursuing its own goals of pluralism, the University of Maine shall not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or citizenship status, age, disability, or veterans status in employment, education, and all other areas of the University.
    [Show full text]
  • John Bull's Other Ireland
    John Bull’s Other Ireland: Manchester-Irish Identities and a Generation of Performance Item Type Thesis or dissertation Authors O'Sullivan, Brendan M. Citation O'Sullivan, B. M. (2017). John Bull’s Other Ireland: Manchester- Irish identities and a generation of performance (Doctoral dissertation). University of Chester, United Kingdom. Publisher University of Chester Download date 28/09/2021 05:41:52 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10034/620650 John Bull’s Other Ireland Manchester-Irish Identities and a Generation of Performance Thesis submitted in accordance with the requirements of the University of Chester for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Brendan Michael O’Sullivan May 2017 Declaration The material being presented for examination is my own work and has not been submitted for an award of this, or any other HEI except in minor particulars which are explicitly noted in the body of the thesis. Where research pertaining to the thesis has been undertaken collaboratively, the nature of my individual contribution has been made explicit. ii Table of Contents Preface .......................................................................................................... 2 Locating Theory and Method in Performance Studies and Ethnography. .. 2 Chapter 1 ..................................................................................................... 12 Forgotten but not Gone ............................................................................ 12 Chapter 2 ....................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • TÌM HIỂU KINH Mettâ-Sutta BÀI KINH VỀ LÒNG NHÂN ÁI Hoang Phong
    1 TÌM HIỂU KINH Mettâ-sutta BÀI KINH VỀ LÒNG NHÂN ÁI Hoang Phong Mettâ-suttalà một bản kinh ngắn rất phổ biến trong các quốc gia theo Phật Giáo Nguyên Thủy cũng như các quốc gia theo Phật Giáo Đại Thừa. Tên quen thuộc bằng tiếng Việt của bản kinh này là "Kinh Từ Bi" , thế nhưng chữ mettâtrong tiếng Pa-li không có nghĩa là từ bimà chỉ có nghĩa là lòng tốt, lòng từ tâm, lòng thương yêu. Các bản dịch sang các ngôn ngữ Tây phương thì mang tựa là: Discourse on Loving Kindness, Discourse on Good Will, Discourse on Friendliness, Discours sur la Bonté, Discours sur la Bonté Bienveillante, Discours sur l' Amour Bienveillant v.v..., tóm lại tất cả đều có 2 nghĩa là Bài thuyết giảng về Lòng Tốt, Lòng Thiện Cảm, Tình Thương Yêu... Do đó thiết nghĩ nếu dịch ra tiếng Việt thì có lẽ bản kinh này nên mang tựa đề là "Kinh về Lòng Từ Ái", chữ từ trong tiếng Hán có nghĩa là thương và ái là yêu. Trong quyển Hán-Việt Tự-Điển của Đào Duy Anh thì chữ từ áiđược định nghĩa là lòng thương yêu. Tuy rằng hầu hết các quyển tự điển khác, từ quyển Việt-Nam Tự Điển của hội Khai-Trí Tiến-Đức (1931) cho đến các quyển tự điển mới gần đây đều có nêu lên và định nghĩa chữ từ ái, thế nhưng trên thực tế thì không mấy khi thấy chữ này được sửdụng và hình như đã biến thành một từ "cũ" (?).
    [Show full text]