Cattāri Brahmavihārā

I have been doing a lot of thinking and some reading of late on the bodhisatta ideal and other practices which I have come to think of as the natural growth of the brahma-viharas. In particular, I have been re-reading certain Mahayana/Vajrayana texta such as the Wheel of Sharp Weapons and the Bodhicaryavatara and the lojong texts of various Tibetan lineages and have been inspired by them even if I can’t swallow them whole. Regardless of the unpalatable doctrinal differences in terms of Tantric and Mahayana Abhidharma I still feel that there is much to be learned from these texts and the saintly men and women who have and continue to this day to practice according to these teachings.

Anyhow, my reading has brought me back to where I began and I have once again encountered the Ven. Ledi Sayadaw’s Manual of the Excellent Man but am noe approaching it with renewed vigor. That being so, it seems timely and utterly relevant to take today to ponder on the true meaning of dana parami. Whether I realize it or not my recent commitment to be of service to all I meet is nothing less than the practice of dana and I intend to spend this week reflecting on the theme.

May the goodness of my practice be shared with all being! May I ever be of service and give freely of whatever I have!