1.4.2

Lesson 1.4.2 Vandana: Esa Bhagavato sāvaka-saṅgho – Inspiration Gained through the Ariyan Disciples

Vandana is the term used to pay respect and express veneration while recollecting the qualities of the one being honoured. The statement esa Bhagavato sāvaka-saṅgho (These [people] form the order of disciples of the Bhagavā) was the exact wording recommended by the Buddha at various occasions, and is here introduced in the Dhajaggasutta. It is said that a meditator can overcome fear, doubt and an accumulation of impediments by recollecting the inspiring qualities of the Saṅgha. One’s mind will leave greed, aversion and delusion behind while also developing deference, conquering anxiety, instigating faith and becoming filled with joy. The term refers to those enlightened beings that are also qualified as ‘those four pairs of men’ (yadidaṃ cattāri purisa-yugāni) which then add up to ‘eight kinds of individuals’ (aṭṭha-purisa-puggalā). The formula presented in this lesson provides the suggested wording when paying respect to the members of the Bhikkhusaṅgha and the commentarial explanations in the Introduction explain it in more detail.