2011 ARCHIVE - Dharma Day - July 15th

'From his greater lamp a lesser lamp we light within us.'

Dharma Day falling on a Friday allowed us to celebrate it during our usual weekly Right Livelihood period. Arthapriya gave an introductory talk, emphasizing its true value and significance, concluding with a lengthy, and moving account from the Samutta Nikaya, about the moment when the Buddha first successfully communicated his insight to Kaundinya. 

The Shrine before the Puja

After this Kavyasiddhi led us in a period where we personally recollected a moment when the Buddha's teaching had greatly impacted upon us. We then paired up, and shared what that experience had been to someone else. The morning finished with a simple Threefold Puja, led by Vidyavajra, during which we could express our reverence and gratitude to the Buddha, This was further heightened by a reading from The Udana, and the chanting of the Conditionality Verses. After the penultimate verse :-

'Reverencing the Buddha, we offer candles

To Him, who is the light,we offer light

From his greater lamp a lesser lamp we light within us The lamp of Bodhi shining within our hearts'

After the Puja

we chanted the Shakyamuni Mantra whilst making our own symbolic offering of a candle to the shrine. Once the words of the final verse faded away like a drift of incense, Vidyavajra recited those penultimate words once more, as a reminder of the real meaning and significance of this day

'From his greater lamp a lesser lamp we light within us.'