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Solid Moments – Happiness Right Now and the Direct Experience of the Dharma Foundation for Young People
The Discourse on Youth and Happiness (Samidi Sutta) is chanted in the 2000 Zen Monastery Chanting Book, page 117. The original Chinese text is found in the Miscellaneous Āgama No. 1078, the Separate Translation Miscellaneous Āgama, and the Pali version in Samyutta Nikāya 1, 2.10, allowing reference to three versions, all of which have been translated into Vietnamese and English. The version in the 2000 Zen Monastery Chanting Book is based on Āgama 1078, with some differences among the versions to be considered and supplemented. Before Christmas, the two Chinese versions were distributed to the venerable monks to read together and deepen their understanding.
Samidi (Tam Di Đề) came from a noble family in Rājagaha, and was only 19 years old when the World-Honored One attained enlightenment. One year later, the Buddha led 1,200 young monastics back to Rājagaha, organized a rains retreat in the young palm grove, and practiced walking meditation. Once, while Samidi was sitting in meditation, he heard a loud explosion like New Year’s firecrackers and wanted to move because of fear. The Buddha taught that this was an inner obstacle: the external event is small, but fear arising in the mind is the root. By staying in his place and accepting the sound, the explosion disappeared. The lesson is that when the mind is stable, obstacles cannot hinder the path of practice. Later, Samidi received a visiting non-Buddhist philosopher, but his understanding was limited, and the Buddha reminded him to be careful in transmitting the Dharma.
The teaching of dwelling happily in the present moment invites us to live in peace and joy right in the present moment, not waiting for the future, transcending time (Akalika) and directly experiencing it (Sanditthika). The four essential characteristics of the Dharma are:
- Svakkhato – clearly expounded by the World-Honored One
- Sanditthika – to be realized here and now
- Akalika – timeless, always effective
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Ehipassika – inviting all to come and see, to observe and experience for themselves
Practicing mindful breathing, listening to the sound of the bell three times, each time with three breaths, allows body and mind to settle, to touch the present moment and recognize immediate happiness. The five worldly sensual pleasures—wealth, sensuality, fame, food, and sleep—bring little joy and much suffering; they are fires of affliction to be let go of in order to dwell peacefully in the Dharma.