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Buddhapadipa Thai Temple -
2007-09-07 23:09:00
:: Buddhapadipa Thai Temp le -----buddhapadipa.orgWritten by Roy Allan on 09/05/2007My talk this evening continues on the theme of the ten contemplations found in the Girimananda Sutta that we have been discussing over the past three weeks.Background and continuityAnd just by way of background and continuity for anyone who missed the previous sessions, I will start by putting the Girimananda Sutta in context.From my own readings of the Buddhist Suttas, it is clear regular demonstrations of the utmost compassion and caring for the sick were a prominent feature of the Buddha?s everyday life. "He who attends on the sick attends on me," was a famous statement he made on discovering a monk lying in his soiled robes, desperately ill with an acute attack of dysentery. With the help of Ananda, the Buddha washed and cleaned the sick monk in warm water. He used this occasion to exhort his disciples on the importance of ministering to the sick, reminding the monks they have neither parents nor r...
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Buddhism and the badge
2007-09-07 23:05:00
Buddhism and the badgeBy Debbie Howlett, USA TODAYMADISON, Wis. ? An internationally known Buddhist monk who teaches non-violence will lead a five-day retreat for police officers and others in public service here to help them handle job-related stress.At least 12 city police officers are among more than 500 workers and their families scheduled to attend the retreat starting Monday. The retreat will include meditation, silent meals and instruction in the practice of "mindfulness," a basic tenet of Buddhism to be aware of the consequences of one's actions. The retreat will also offer golf, swimming and hiking.Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh (pronounced tick-not-hawn) will lead the retreat, which is called "Protecting and Serving Without Stress or Fear." It is billed as a health and wellness event for those in "community service ... desiring a more peaceful, non-violent way of life." (Related item: Chat with Thich Nhat Hanh on Buddhism at 7 p.m ET on Wednesday, Aug. 20)Capt. Cheri Maples, ...
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Buddhist Opinions For Your Knowledge !
2007-09-07 22:56:00
Buddhist Opinions For Your Knowledge ! --buddhapadipa.org# Hope is the light of peace, confidence and loving-kindness so keep it in our mind.# Let everything be according to its nature. You may hold, but don?t grasp.# Don't leave the gap left for unwholesome things to enter# No complaining, no blaming, Just doing it.# Experience it for what it truly is without forming any opinion.# Fully understanding the mind leads to the highest state of wisdom.# When we associate with the good and wise man, it leads next to learning and listening to his advice.# The heart of the Buddha?s teaching describes how to avoid bad actions.# There is nothing as uplifting as loving-kindness and compassion.# Think good, speak good, then you will find only good thing in life.# If we are content with what we have, it is true that happiness will be in our hearts.# All human beings have the ability to learn, more or less, so we must learn to improve our life.# The experience of problem enables us to be...
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:: Buddhapadipa Thai Temple
2007-09-07 22:21:00
:: Buddhapadipa Thai Temp le Today, Buddhism is found in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Japan, China, etc, and in some parts of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal, also in the European countries and the USA. It is believed that the Buddhist population of the world is over 500 million.The Buddha's teachings consist of three basic principles; they are:- o Sila o Samadhi o Panna Sila is the development of morality. While Samadhi is the tool to purify the mind on order to see its nature, how to control it, how to develop it, and make use of it. Panna is wisdom or enlightenment ? the realization of the true nature of life and universe at large. The whole teaching of the Buddhais based on the three pillars. They are some time called "Majjhima Patipada" or the Middle Path of life. These are: o Right Understanding o Right Thought o Right Speech o Right Action o Right Livelihood o Right Effort ...

Buddhism unites Myanmar and Sri Lanka - Daily Mirror
2007-08-30 22:17:00
Buddhism unites Myanmar and Sri Lanka By L.B.SenaratneMyanmar (then known as Burma) had connections with Sri Lanka for many years. Even before the Ven. Welivita Sangharaja Thera thought of bringing the Upasmapada from Thailand, 500 Buddhists monks arrived in the country from Myanmar and bestowed Upasampada on the banks of Mahaweli Ganga at Getambe in Kandy. It was one of these monks Ven. Suriyagoda Thera , who became the mentor for Ven. Welivita Sangharaja Thera.The Sri Dalada Maligawa stone pillars are gifts of Burmese devotees. The exposition casket, the large glass canopy over it, the intricately worked out tusks used during the exposition of the Sacred Relic are gifts from Myanmar.It was in this backdrop that the Myanmar Acting Prime Minister and Members of the Cabinet on their visit to Sri Lanka gifted the two Tuskers to Sri Dalada Maligawa.But, there is an interesting object within the inner Shrine Room of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, which is a 'Hair Broom?.At a time when questio...
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'Buddhism, basis of strong bonds of friendship throughout history'
2007-08-30 21:51:00
'Buddhism , basis of strong bonds of friendship throughout history' - Daily NewsKANDY: Sri Lanka is not isolated in the international world. It has strong religious, cultural and political bonds with powerful Buddhist countries in the World said Enterprise Development and Investment promotion Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama.He was addressing the gathering at the opening of the Welivita Sri Asarana Sarana Saranankara Sangharaja Nahimi Memorial Buddhist Centre at Suriyagoda Viharaya, Pilimatalawa, Kandy. A visiting Thai Buddhist delegation also attended this function.VISITORS BOOK: Thailand?s Chulalonkorn University Chancellor Ven. Dhammakusala Sadaham Thera signing the visitors book after the opening of the Welivita Sri Asarana Sarana Saranankara Sangharaja Nahimi Memorial Buddhist Centre at the Pilimatalawa Suriyagoda Sri Narendrarama Raja Maha Viharaya.- Picture by Udeni RajapaksaDr. Amunugama said certain sections were carrying out adverse propaganda against Sri Lanka portraying it...
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Esala Perahera concludes in style - friday
2007-08-28 20:43:00
Esala Perahera concludes in styleThe Kandy Esala Perahera concluded without any hindrance, amidst tight security in Kandy on Tuesday.A large number of Buddhist devotees along with tourists from various parts in the world worshipped the sacred 'Tooth Relic' which paraded majestically, through the streets of Kandy.It was for the first time the Esala Perahera was televised globally via Satelite, this year.A large number of Police officials and security forces personnel were deployed in Kandy to avert any untoward incident during the pageant.The visiting top level Buddhist delegations from Thailand and Myanmar also viewed the Perahera from special enclosures.Hundreds of up-country dancers displayed various forms of dances, when the gaily decorated tasker carrying the 'Tooth Relic' walked elegantly.The Perahera commenced on August 19 and concluded on 28 on Wednesday, the final day, the Perahera took place on the streets of Kandy.The water cutting ceremony, performed at the centre of ...
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The Significance of Poya in 12 Months
2007-08-28 20:35:00
The Significance of Poya Even before the birth of Buddhism, Asian ascetics in the ancient times when there were no calendars, made it a practice on full moon days to cease worldly pursuits and engage themselves in religious activities. The Buddha adopted this practice and from this developed the preaching of the Buddhist texts and commentaries (bana) in monasteries and temples on full moon Poya days. And when the Venerable Arahat Mahinda Thero introduced Buddhism to this country in 247 BC he also introduced the Poya tradition. Following is a brief description of the 12 Poyas in the Buddhist calendar and their significance. Vesak (full moon Poya day in May) The Buddhist calendar begins with the month of Vesak. On Vesak Day, Buddhists world over commemorate the triple anniversary of Sakyamuni Siddhartha Gautama The Buddha. Triple anniversary because The Buddha was born, attained Supreme Enlightenment at the age of thirty five, and after a successful ministry of forty fi...
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Practising Buddhism around the world - Daily Mirror
2007-08-28 20:31:00
Practising Buddhism around the worldBy Ajahn BrahmavamsoWe think that once we develop these wonderful qualities of: Stillness, silence, peace, inner contentment, and freedom, they are always going to be there. And because of that we don’t actually keep hold of them, we don’t guard them. The Four Right Efforts need to be brought to mind. The Fourth Effort is perhaps the most important, as if the Buddha left the best to the last. That Fourth Right Effort is that the meditator strives, puts forth energy, and applies the mind to keep, develop, maintain and help to grow, any wholesome, skilful, thoughts which arise in the mind. You look after them and maintain them, so that they can grow stronger. Sometimes, you do all of the work to keep out the bad stuff, you do all the work to cultivate, and bring up the good stuff, but as soon as it’s there, you get heedless and allow it to disappear.Because of the laws of impermanence, suffering and non-self, and because of defilements in the ...
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The significance of Nikini Poya - Daily Mirror
2007-08-28 20:19:00
The significance of Nikini PoyaBy Gamini Jayasinghe.Nikini full moon day falling due one month after the commencement of “Wassana Kala“the rainy season: is of special significance for Buddhists due to a number of incidents that took place on this day.Attainment of Arahatship by the Buddha’s chief attendant, Ananda Maha Thera, commencement of the first Dhamma Sangayana, convocation to settle the Buddhist canon and “Pasu Vas” or the commencement of the “Vas” period by those who had not started the period of sojourn on the Esala full moon day are some of them. For Sri Lankans this day is further more significant because of the world famous Kandy Esala Perahera which normally ends on this day.The rainy season in Dambadiva-India begins during the month of Esala (July – August). It is extremely cold in the snowy peaks of Himalayas and in the valleys where ascetics meditate under the shade of trees.Due to cold weather and heavy rain it is not convenient for them to sit unde...
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Buddhism rising in Europe, say Germans
2007-08-28 20:17:00
Buddhism rising in Europe , say Germ ansJanaka PereraColombo, (Asiantribune.com): Buddhism is definitely making headway in Germany and the rest of Europe.Expressing this view were prominent German invitees to a very significant event marking the 50th anniversary (1957-2007) of the first Sri Lankan Buddhist Mission to Germany, at the Savsiripaya Auditorium in Colombo 7, Sri Lanka on August 22.Sri Lanka honoured the mission - sponsored by the German Dharmadutha Society - with the issue of a commemorative postage stamp and a first day cover by the Government Philatelic Bureau. This is the second time that a Sri Lankan Postage Stamp depicting a scene in Germany has been issued here. Nihal Sangabo Dias designed the new stamp issued on Wednesday.Guest of Honour, German Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Juergen Weerth thanked the Sri Lankan Authorities for honouring his country in this manner. Focusing on Buddhism's contribution to the creation of close and sustainable links between the two countrie...
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Thai Buddhist delegation arrives - Daily News
2007-08-28 20:12:00
Thai Buddhist delegation arrivesMohammed NaalirCOLOMBO: The arrival of Thai Buddhist delegation is a symbol of the long lasting relationship between the two countries which maintained close cultural and religious ties for more than two centuries, Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardane said.Addressing the media at Hotel Cinnamon Grand, Minister Gunawardane said the arrival of the 81 member Buddhist delegation including 46 Buddhist monks was on an invitation extended by him to the Thai Government during his visit to Thailand to take part in the Vesak celebrations.Minister Gunawardane said Ven. Upali Thera from Thailand arrived in Sri Lanka in the 19th century, to protect Buddhism at a time when Sri Lanka's Buddha sasana was at a threat from Portuguese imperialists."Upali Thera gained the goodwill of King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe and instructed the king that the Dalada Perahara should be paraded in streets in the Kandy city", the Minister added."The ar...
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Thai-Lanka talks focus on International Buddhist Zone concept - Dailynews
2007-08-28 19:55:00
span>Thai -Lanka talks focus on International Buddhist Zone conceptCOLOMBO: Minister Khun Ying Dhipavadee Meksawan, attached to the Prime Minister's Office and the Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of Thailand yesterday called on Minister of Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama at the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs.The Special Envoy was accompanied by the Advisor and Senior Officials of the Office of the Prime Minister and the Director of Buddhist Information Division and Officials of he Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.The Special Envoy and Minister Bogollagama discussed issues ranging from bilateral relations, dynamics of terrorism, economic, trade and religious co-operation to agriculture among others. Minister Bogollagama explained the courses of action the Government is taking in dealing with terrorism in the country and stressed the two pronged approach of the Government.The two pronged approach is to weaken the LTTE and to explore a viable political settlement. He al...
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Three hours with Kassapa - Sundayobserver
2007-08-12 05:08:00
Three hours with Kassa paby Aditha DissanayakeView of Sigiriya from PidurangalaNo sooner had I landed at the Katunayake airport after almost fourteen hours of traversing through the clouds between New York and paradise i.e home, did I find myself on yet another journey, this time by road, in a seven seater van, to Inamaluwa Korale, in the Matale District. Destination; the rock citadel of King Kassapa, built to vie with Kuvera's Alakamanda and its sister rock Pidurangala.Having left Colombo long after day-break amidst much teasing whenever we talked about our adventures abroad (eheth ehemada meheth ehemai) and constantly being called (rata giya aththo) the trip otherwise faultless, was slightly spoilt when we started to search for a place to have lunch.With the buffet closed at Giman Hala, and most other restaurants saying we will have to wait at least thirty minutes till they prepared a meal for us, even though this was Saturday and only two in the afternoon, when the Manager at Hot...
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If Buddhism predicts Maithreya Buddha, why can?t we read horoscopes ?
2007-08-05 04:18:00
Are we simple survival machines?If Buddhism predicts Maithreya Buddha , why can?t we read horoscopes ?Do you believe in fate? Do you believe in horoscopes? Do you believe in a foreordained future? A destiny perhaps? Human history is filled with an attempt to see where you will put your foot next, and if that weren?t enough where the children of your children will put their feet. What makes us such slaves to our unwritten future?Every major religion is based on the idea of foretelling our future. Even in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were given a destiny, and each character thereafter was given hope through God?s word of what they ought to do, their fate marked in the will of God. Even Buddhism, which is as close to a philosophical religion as it gets, speaks of the Buddha who was, Sakyamuni, and the Buddha yet to be, the Maitreya.Essentially our mortal mind cannot comprehend that we are here simply at the whim of biology. How can it be that life was breathed into us and we awoke t...
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Dondra Festival of 2007 still on...
2007-08-05 03:25:00
As mentions before, Dondra festival has begun on last Poyaday. It'll last after 7 days with "Thoyill" and "Ginipegeema" ceremony.Here are soe photos to view, I've taken.Main statue of Buddha."Dhatu" of reverence Arahat Seevali.some of Shops of the festive season From the possession day of launching the ceremony
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The day that the Buddha delivered his first sermon...
2007-07-29 20:20:00
The day that the Buddha delivered his first sermon...by Samangie WettimunyOne night, while in deep slumber, Queen Maya ,the wife of King Suddhodhana of Kapilavatthu in India (then known as Jambudipa) had an unusual dream in which she saw the four Deva Rajahs (four guardian deities of the world) carrying her with the couch to the foothills of the Himalayas.There a snow white baby elephant, carrying a white lotus in his trunk walked thrice round the couch of the sleeping queen and entered into her womb from the right side of her abdomen.Many a thousand years ago Queen Maya saw this dream on an Esala Full Moon Poya day, the buddhist literature reveals. In fact that unusual dream indicated the conception of Boddhisatta in the womb of Queen Maya.About ten months later he was born to this world (his last birth) as Prince Siddartha. This great birth brought immense happiness to the King and the queen who did not have children for twenty years, more than all that the prince's birth was a g...
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Poson at the Sri Dalada Maligawa
2007-07-29 20:15:00
Commemorating Poson at the Sri Dalada MaligawaBy Udumbara UdugamaThe Temple of the Tooth Relic of the Buddha, the Sri Dalada Maligawa is a hallowed place of worship for all Buddhists the world over. Yesterday, as Sri Lankans marked Poson Purapasaloswaka Poya, The Sunday Times visited the Sri Dalada Maligawa to witness the special Poson programme.Poson Poya is significant because it was on such a full moon Poya day that Mahinda Maha Thera set foot in Sri Lanka. Therefore, the emphasis is on Mihintale, eight km away from Anuradhapura where Mahinda Maha Thera met King Devanampiyatissa.Painting depicting Princess Hemamala and Prince Danta bringing the Sacred Tooth Relic to Sri LankaThe Maha Thera arrived in Mihintale with his entourage comprising theras Ittiya, Uttiya, Sambala, Baddhasala, Sumana samanera and Upasaka Banduka who was the only layman.Standing atop the Missaka rock, they watched King Devanampiyatissa hunting and aiming his arrow at a frightened and cornered deer. ?Tissa? s...
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The Maha Sangha?s role in preserving Buddhism
2007-07-29 20:05:00
The Maha Sangha ?s role in preserving Buddhism (By Priyanga Kumari Jayakody)The following is an analysis of the importance of the Maha Sangha in the advent of Arahat Mahinda by Ven. Lenadora Soratha Thera, the Assistant Director of Education, Pallepola Educational Zone.Afghanistan is a country rich with Buddha statues but the inhabitants of Afghanistan are not Buddhists. This is because the country did not have a group of persons to protect and preserve Buddhism. If there were, the massive destruction of Buddha statues in that country would not have taken place. From that point of view, the importance of the presence of Maha Sangha can be easily determined. The presence of the Sangha Saasana is a sin qua non to foster, protect, and preserve a sublime philosophy like Buddhism, meant for the eternal welfare of the mankind.Arahat Mahinda?s visit and Sanga SaasanaThe Sangha Saasana is the legacy bestowed upon the Sri Lankan society through Arahat Mahinda. According to the chronicles like ...
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The history of the Dalada Perahera
2007-07-29 19:57:00
The history of the Dalada PeraheraBy Gamini JayasingheAccording to the chronicles King Guhasiva of Kalinga in East India had in his possession the left canine Tooth of the Buddha which he held in the highest esteem. It was believed that it was the ruler who had the Tooth Relic with him that was blessed with divine power to rule the subjects. Another king of a kingdom in the same region waged war with King Guhasiva in a bid to possess the Tooth Relic. The king was determined not to hand over the Relic to the enemy. However, he was not confident in combating the enemy and the alternative for him was to send the Tooth Relic to King Mahasena of Sri Lanka who was his friend and contemporary. Thereupon, King Guhasiva arranged his own daughter, princess Hemamala to take the Tooth Relic to Sri Lanka.She was asked to go in disguise with her husband prince Danta. It was during the fourth century BC that princess Hemamala hid the Tooth Relic in her knot of hair and embarked from Thambuliputhth...
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Buddhist perspective
2007-07-29 19:53:00
Family life from a Buddhist perspective(By Ven.Panangala Vajiragnana Thera, the Viharadhipathi of Nasoli Buddhist Temple, Italy)Buddhism does not exalt lay life as in the case of ascetic life nor does it abhor or reject lay life altogether. For the benefit of the laity, Buddhism explains a way of life that enables comfortable living by the observance of the ?five precepts?When one considers the practical aspects of meditation in a layman?s life, it is imperative to examine its impact on the ?worldly? well-being as enunciated in Buddhist philosophy.The clergy and the laityThe teachings of Buddha on a broad basis could be divided into two main categories: teachings pertaining to the clergy and those which are relevant to the laity. Bhikku and Bhikkuni, or monks and nuns form the clergy while Upasaka and Upasikas or lay male and female devotees which form the laity. The precepts observable under the first category are undoubtedly motivated to attain absolute cessation of suffering whic...
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Ven. Welivita Saranankara Thera and revival of Upasampada
2007-07-29 19:46:00
Ven. Welivita Saranankara Thera and revival of UpasampadaBy Cecil JayasingheThe Esala month is sacred to the Buddhists and the Sangha, in that it was on the Esala Poya Day that the Thathagatha preached the Dhammachakka Pavaththana Sutta to the Five Disciples, Baddhiya, Vappa, Mahanama, Assaji and Kondangna, the First Sanghayanawa and the dispatch of the Sacred Bowl to Sri Lanka or Tunsinhale. It was on July 14 in 1753 that Venerable Saranankara Thera received the Upasampada or Higher Ordination from Siamese Maha Thera Upali and Maha Thera Ariyamuni at Visungama in Kandy.The events that led to the disappearance and the revival of the Upasampada were due to several reasons, mainly on account of internal dissensions within the Buddhist Sangha fraternity and the indifference of the people to uphold or observe the Vinaya -- the sacred rituals and practices of Buddhism. By the dawn of the 17th century, Buddhist practices, discipline and the Vinaya had been neglected. Of special significan...
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Buddhism, a way of life in Thailand
2007-07-29 19:37:00
In search of One World?... On the wings of SriLankan Airlines :Buddhism , a way of life in Thailand by Lionel Yodhasinghe, reporting from BangkokA farm field outskirt Bangkok,Children take meal at a Sunday schoolThe evening is colourful in any townlet in Thailand as many Thais are used to visit the temples in the evening. Many parents with their children, after the hard day work take time in the evening to go to temple and pay homage to The Triple Gem and seek the blessings of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.Later, they switch to the markets adjacent to every temple for shopping to buy the daily needs for the household. As the sun sets small time businessmen in every temple premises put up their temporary trade huts and display many varieties of food, clothing, toys and many other consumer items at these market places, it is a common sight in Thailand.The temple going of Thais thus continue till mid night and business of trade stalls in these places as well as in other streets in the ci...
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