Remembering With GladnessThough the teachings of Buddhism are characterized by their sober recognition of the difficult aspects of our lives, they are also brightened by great joy. The Buddha himself taught about many kinds of joy and gladness - physical and mental, mild and intense. In fact, he taught that joy is a crucial factor on the Path of awakening, a truth that he discovered in his personal search for the Dhamma. Echoing this wisdom many, many years later, the closing verse of the Heart Sutra of the Mahayana tradition rejoices, “Bodhi! Svaha!” which means “Awakening! Yeah!” Since year-end is a time that invites reflection of what has gone before and perhaps invites a celebration, this is a good time to share the teaching of “pāmojja.” Pāmojja is a joy that is mentioned in a number of suttas in the Pāli texts, a form of gladness that arises when one’s mind is free of remorse and able to focus on the good one has done. So take time to reflect on 2021, and remember your practice - the time you spent in meditation, the giving of your energy and resources, the chanting, the times when you practiced right speech. Recall all the ways you manifested the Dharma in your life this year. Let it bring a smile to your heart. You did it, day by day. We all did it, together, day by day. With mudita (empathetic joy), Ayya Dhammadipa Book Launch: Chat about “Gifts Greater Than the Oceans” on Tuesday, Dec. 28 at 6:30 pm ESTJoin Ayya Dhammadipa and Dassanāya Buddhist Community Board Member Dana Elliott for conversation and Q&A about Ayya’s new book, “Gifts Greater Than the Oceans.” Link to the event here. New Weekly Schedule for 2022And with a New Year comes a new routine. The weekly schedule for 2022 is a bit different from last year’s schedule, to accommodate the various time zones of folks who want to participate. All times noted here are in the Eastern US time zone. Due to high rates of COVID infection in Alexandria and the DC area, in person meditation is not possible now. These sits will be virtual only, beginning January 4th. Link to any meditation here.
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