Magha Puja Dhamma Talk now Available 🌕
Here's the video of the main Dhamma Talk during our One-Day-Retreat on Magha Puja Full Moon at Dhammagiri.
And here's the audio version - Ajahn Dhammasiha talking about the Ovādapātimokkha, 16 lines of verse the Buddha recited on Magha Puja to describe his teaching and the practice leading to Nibbāna in a nutshell:
One Day Retreat with Chanting, Triple Refuge & Precepts Ceremony, Meditation, Dhamma Talk, and recitation of Ovādapāṭimokkha at Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage, Sun 05/03
08:30 am
Arrival of participants at Dhammahall
Silent Meditation
09:00 am
Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem
Observance of 8 or 5 precepts
Guided Meditation
10:00 am
Preparation of food for Almsoffering
10:30 am
Almsoffering
Anumodanā & Blessing
Shared Meal
11:50 am
Dhamma Talk on Magha Puja,
"Spontaneous Meeting of 1,250 Arahant Disciples"
01.00 pm Break / Walking Meditation
01:30 pm
Chanting including Ovādapāṭimokkha
Silent Meditation
03:00 pm
Evening Chanting
Guided / Silent Meditation
Short Walking Meditation
Dhamma Reflection
Sharing Merits with All Beings
05.00 pm
End of program
The ceremony at 9.00 am is not just for those observing 8 precepts as it includes the option of taking only 5 precepts.
It is possible to participate only for parts of the program, but please be seated in the Dhammahall at least 15 minutes before start of sessions.
Māgha Pūjā is also known as 'Sangha Day', and is one of the most important full moon days in the Buddhist calendar. It commemoreates the occasion of 'Sāvakasannipāta', a spontaneous gathering of 1,250 Arahant disciples, which happens at least once in the lifetime of each Buddha. In the case of our Buddha Gotama, the Sāvakasannipāta took place at the full moon in February:
1,250 bhikkhus gathered spontaneously, without any prior arrangement, in the Veḷuvana ('Bamboo Grove Monastery') at Rājagaha, where the Lord Buddha was staying on that night
All these monks have been ordained by the Buddha personally, with the famous injunction "Ehi Bhikkhu, svākkhāto dhammo, cara brahmacariyaṃ sammā dukkhassa antakiriyāyā ti" ("Come monk, the Dhamma is well expounded, live the holy life to make an end of all suffering")
All of them are 'chaḷabhiññā' Arahants who have attained the six higher knowledges, and they arrive by means of their psychic powers
It is the full moon night of the constallation Māgha, and the Buddha recites the 'Ovadapātimokkha' in their presence
The Ovādapātimokkha is justly famous as a concise summary of the complete practice leading to awakening, expressed in only 16 lines of verse:
"Abstain from any evil deed,
accomplish what is good and true,
and fully purify your mind -
That is what all the Buddhas teach.
Enduring patience is the best
of all ascetic practices;
The best of everything at all
is called Nibbāna by the sage.
If you cause harm to anyone
you can't be called a genuine monk!
Refrain from harming and abuse,
and strictly keep the Buddha's rules;
Be moderate when taking food,
and dwell alone in solitude
devoted to the Higher Mind -
That is what all the Buddhas teach."
[Dhammapada Verses 183-185, trsl by Aj Dhs]
