Learning to recite the verses in NARASĪHA GATHĀ [LION OF MEN] in English. "Princess Yasodharā (consort of Prince Siddhartha) uttered the following verses to her son, Rāhula, when he was introduced to the Lord Buddha on His first visit to Kapilavatthu (His home town) after His Enlightenment. Princess Yasodharā pointed out the Unique Physical Characteristics of the Buddha to her son who met Him for the first time". ~ late Most Venerable Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Maha Thera [An acknowledgement of appreciation and thanks to Sister Imee Ooi and "mindtv" for the availiability of rendition online.] [For source of above rendition, please go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymz8nBxDeOQ] NARASĪHA GATHĀ [LION OF MEN] His red sacred feet are marked with an excellent wheel; His long heels are decked with characteristic marks; His feet are adorned with a chowrie (camara) and parasol. That, indeed is your father, lion of men. He is a delicate and nobleSakya Prince; His body is full of characteristic marks; He is a hero amongst men, intent on the welfare of the world. That, indeed is your father, lion of men. Like the full moon is His face; He is dear to gods and men; He is like an elephant amongst men; His gait is graceful as that of an elephant of noble breed. That, indeed is your father, lion of men. He is of noble lineage, sprung from the warrior caste; His feet have been honored by gods and men; His mind is well-established in morality and concentration. That, indeed is your father, lion of men. Long and prominent is His well-formed nose, His eye-lashes are like those of a heifer; His eyes are extremely blue; like a rainbow are His blue-black eyebrows. That, indeed is your father, lion of men. Round and smooth is His well-formed neck; His jaw is like that of a lion; His body is like that of the king of beasts; His beautiful skin is of bright golden colour. That, indeed is your father, lion of men. Soft and deep is His sweet voice; His tongue is as red as vermilion; His white teeth are twenty in each row. That, indeed is your father, lion of men. Like the color of collyrium is His blue-black hair; like a polished golden plate is His forehead; as white as the morning star is His beautiful tuft of hair (between the eyebrows). That , indeed is your father, lion of men. Just as the moon, surrounded by a multitude of stars, follows the sky path, even so goes The Lord of monks, accompanied by His disciples. That, indeed is your father, lion of men. Further meanings:- Morality (Pāli: Sīla) consists of - 1.Right speech (Pāli: sammā-vācā), 2.Right action (Pāli: sammā-kammanta) & 3.Right livelihood (Pāli: sammā-ājīva) in the Noble Eight-fold Path (Pāli: ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo). Samādhi [Pāli] consists of - 1.Right effort [Pāli: sammā-vāyāma], 2.Right mindfulness [Pāli: sammā-sati] & 3.Right concentration [Pāli: sammā-samādhi] (i.e. the 4 jhānas in Noble Eight-fold Path.) Samādhi when cultivated & developed together with Morality (virtues; Pāli: Sīla) leads to right knowledge (Pāli: sammā-ñāṇa); insight of the 3 characteristics of phenomena (Pāli/English: anicca/inconstant/flux, dukkha/stress/sorrowful, anattā/insubstantiality/not-self); wisdom (Pāli:paññā); right view/understanding (Pāli: sammā-diṭṭhi); right resolve/intention/motivation/thought (Pāli:sammā sankappa); right liberation/emancipation (Pāli: sammā-vimutti) & Nibbāna (total unbinding). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Buddhist Meditation encompasses a broad variety of gradual wholesome practice of self-development or spiritual cultivation according to the Noble Eight-fold Path (ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo) to gain right view or right understanding (wisdom) of the Four Noble Truths (cattāri ariyasaccāni) for the purpose of understanding & overcoming greed/avarice, demerit/sin, and delusion/ignorance (lobha, dosa and moha) to develop insight into the true nature of phenomena of the 5-khandhas (aggregates i.e. mind and body) in order to realize anicca (inconstant/flux), dukkha (stress/sorrowful) and anattā (insubstantiality/not-self) which leads to Nibbāna (Unbound/Unconditioned/Deathless), the ever-present substantial supramundane (conscious) state (Absolute Peace/Reality). Buddhist meditation is a wholesome mental and physical cultivation [Pāli: bhāvanā] which is non-superstitious, non-mystical & non-delusional. Sabbadanam dhammadanam jinati "The Gift of Dhamma excels all gifts" - Buddha

• published: 18 Oct 2011
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