Rev. Danny Fisher

Taking a cue from the fantastic Nate DeMontigny at Precious Metal, I’d like to take a moment to say that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the people of Burma are very much in my thoughts and prayers today as Mrs. Suu Kyi’s military trial begins in Rangoon. Throughout the day today, I will be chanting the Jaya Gāthā for her, and I hope you will too…

Mahā-kāruṇiko nātho
Hitāya sabba-pāṇinaṃ
Pūretvā pāramī sabbā
Patto sambodhim-uttamaṃ
Etena sacca-vajjena
Hotu te jaya-maṅgalaṃ

[(The Buddha), our protector, with great compassion,
For the welfare of all beings,
Having fulfilled all the perfections,
Attained the highest self-awakening.
Through the speaking of this truth,
may you have a victory blessing.]

Jayanto bodhiyā mūle
Sakyānaṃ nandi-vaḍḍhano
Evaṃ tvam vijayo hohi
Jayassu jaya-maṅgale

[Victorious at the foot of the Bodhi tree,
Was he who increased the Sakyans' delight.
May you have the same sort of victory,
May you win victory blessings.]

Aparājita-pallaṅke
Sīse paṭhavi-pokkhare
Abhiseke sabba-buddhānaṃ
Aggappatto pamodati

[At the head of the lotus leaf of the world
On the undefeated seat
Consecrated by all the Buddhas,
He rejoiced in the utmost attainment.]

Sunakkhattaṃ sumaṅgalaṃ
Supabhātaṃ suhuṭṭhitaṃ
Sukhaṇo sumuhutto ca
Suyiṭṭhaṃ brahmacārisu
Padakkhiṇaṃ kāya-kammaṃ
Vācā-kammaṃ padakkhiṇaṃ
Padakkhiṇaṃ mano-kammaṃ
Paṇidhī te padakkhiṇā
Padakkhiṇāni katvāna
Labhantatthe, padakkhiṇe

[A lucky star it is, a lucky blessing,
a lucky dawn, a lucky sacrifice,
a lucky instant, a lucky moment,
a lucky offering: i.e., a rightful bodily act
a rightful verbal act, a rightful mental act,
your rightful intentions
with regard to those who lead the chaste life.
Doing these rightful things,
your rightful aims are achieved.]

For more about this remarkable woman and her incredible sacrifices on behalf of others, I would like to share again a video I made this past November about “The Lady”…