Ven Ududumbara Kashyapa Thero will deliver a five hour discourse on the Karaniya Metta Sutta aimed at revealing the deep Dhamma encapsulated in the well-known words of the sutta on Saturday 4 March 2017.
The discourse will begin at 1.30 pm and end at 6.30 pm at the Bodhirajaramaya of the Panagoda Army Camp. All are welcome.
The Karaniya Metta Sutta is one of the Buddha’s best known suttas. But, although most can recognize the Pali stanzas when it is recited, how many understand what they mean? Even among those that do understand, how many appreciate the layers of meaning embedded in each word? This is the third in a series of discourses that are part of the “Prathyaveksha” Program, which began with an all-night discourse by the Ven Thero on 8 October 2016, at Ruvanveliseya.
The Buddha explained the term Prathyaveksha and its importance in the Ariyawansa Sutta as the process of constantly examining one’s thoughts, words and deeds mindfully, and reflecting on them with wisdom. The Buddha drew attention to Prathyaveksha as an essential condition for the realization of Nibbana when he said that Arahants will tread the earth only if worldlings trapped in the round of samsara diligently engage in “Prathyaveksha”.
The “Prathyaveksha” program, launched by the Ven. Thero and the Chitta Vishuddhi Foundation in October 2016 was aimed at encouraging people to constantly engage in “Prathyaveksha”and thereby liberate themselves from engaging in unwholesome thoughts, words and deeds. In this way, the practitioner of “Prathyaveksha” inspires others and becomes a role model.
An Arahant has unconditional Metta for all beings. Metta means loving friendliness or kindness and is the focus of the Karaniya Metta Sutta. During his discourse on 4 March 2017, Ven Kashappa Thero will explain how the teachings contained in the Karaniya Metta Sutta should be incorporated into the practice of “Prathyaveksha.”
Over 40,000 people attended the launch of the “Prathyaveksha” program at the Ruvanveliseya. A large number is also expected to attend the discourse on the Karaniya Metta Sutta on 4 March.