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The hypothesis of non-self in Buddhist philosophy
2008-04-20 22:36:00
The hypothesis of non-self in Buddhist philosophy By Dr. Tilokasundari Kariyawasam- Daily MirrorThe individual is nama and rupa (mind and matter). In Buddhist terminology it is treated as one unit. In the Abhidhammma, matter is fairly extensively dealt with and it is analyzed into 28 factors. They are aspects rather than factors of elements. Matter becomes food for the mind, as mind is the reaction to contact. It is the process of becoming which is also the process of ceasing, of birth and of death. There is a dependent simultaneous origination. As such, thought becomes materialized and matter conceptualized, which makes as it appears, a phenomenon (ruppati ti rupam). They are appearances as they appear to the human mind. Thus matter is energy without substance and mind is energy without an entity. Thus what is ?apparent? is only a phenomenon. All ...
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Reasons for opulence and happiness and causes for ruin
2008-04-20 22:11:00
Reasons for opulence and happiness and causes for ruin By Gamini Jayasinghe - Daily MirrorMore than two thousand five hundred years ago, Buddha enunciated four causes that lead to weal and happiness in this world and four other causes for the spiritual progress, conducive to the good and happiness of a noble son in the other world. The Exalted One also enunciated twelve causes for some one to face a ruinous state. On one occasion, the Blessed One was dwelling amongst the Kolians, His maternal relatives in the town named Kakkarapatta. A Kolian son named Dighajanu approached Him and requested Him to preach the Doctrine or things that lead to weal and happiness in this world and things conducive to the good and happiness in the other world. The literary meaning of Dighajanu is ?long knee.? Dighajanu?s family name was Vyaggapajja, so called because ...
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Uncovering Sri Lanka?s past: the beginnings in the 19th century
2008-03-21 20:41:00
Uncovering Sri Lanka ?s past: the beginnings in the 19th centuryby Haris de Silva The Island Thus, when serious investigations began it was the Mahavansa that provided the information to locate the ancient monuments and also to identify what was discovered by ground surveys. Although the excavations done and discoveries made during the 19th century were almost wholly the result of interested British officials, Buddhist priests in Anuradhapura too had taken a great interest in what were their own, and had taken steps to uncover some of the more important religious monuments.. For instance, Forbes (1828) had noted that between 1828 and 1829 Abhayagiriya had been cleared of jungle by a priest and Ievers in his Manual has noted that in 1841 Thuparamaya had been similarly restored by a priest. Further, he also notes that in 1853 Ruvanveliseya had been covered with white cloth and a kota (pinnacle) placed on it. However, from his notes it is obvious that very ...
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Second century Buddha statue discovered in Taxila
2008-03-21 09:07:00
Second century Buddha statue discovered in TaxilaMarch 19: Islamabad: Pakistani archaeologists have found a rare 2,000-year-old Buddha sculpture in red sandstone in the historical town of Taxila.The 13 by 12 cm statue, featuring Buddha sitting cross-legged on a throne supported by two lions, is believed to be a 2nd century AD marvel."It's the discovery of the century -- a rare 2nd century AD sculpture of Lord Buddha made in red sandstone," Muhammad Ashraf Khan, Director for Exploration and Excavation in the Department of Archaeology and Museums, told reporters shortly after the discovery.The statue was found during excavations at the site of a Buddhist monastery, located about 10 km north of the Taxila Museum, that existed between the 2nd and 5th century AD.Under the soles of the Buddha figure are Dharmachakras (wheels of law). His right hand is raised in the 'Abhyamudra' or reassurance gesture with 'Dharmara Mudra' on the palm and a peepul tree behind him, the Dawn newspaper r...
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The techniqe of meditation based on the Eight Fold Path
2008-03-21 03:51:00
The techniqe of meditation based on the Eight Fold Path by R. L. Ihalamulla, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Improved efficiency The after effect of meditation lasts longer the longer you meditate. Sometimes you feel lazy and tend to postpone things that need to be done. Even if you attend to some work it would take a long time to finish. The after effect of meditation helps you to be more alert and focus better on the task you are engaged in. Thus you'll be able to finish it sooner and more successfully than before. If your mind gets distracted while being occupied in the task, you become aware of it before long and Observat...
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Advent of Maithree Buddha Sasanaya
2008-03-21 03:48:00
Advent of Maithree Buddha Sasanaya Part one of a discussion series on Self in Buddhism By U. Sapukotana - Daily Mirror Homage to the Master who helped us to distinguish the hardwood from the bark and to see the essence of the ?Tathagata Darshanaya.? Preamble ( This note is written with the full realization of the limitation of the ?word? and language to communicate the Truth which is beyond words or language). The less known sculpture in the Islamabad museum where in the same statue, Gautama Buddha is shown and the other side shows Maithree Bodhisatta, conveys a strong message. The message is that Maithree Buddha Sasana is the continuation of the Sasana of the Gautama Buddha in its pure form. In the greatest intellectual dialogue recorded in human history between the Buddha and Arahant Subhuti in the Maha Pragna Paramita Sutra, Buddha expli...
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Wisdom and Samadhi - a two way process
2008-03-21 03:37:00
Wisdom and Samadhi - a two way process Ven. Acariya Nanasampanna Thera Daily News A person, who wants to train his heart to become skilful and to know what is behind the deluded tricks of the defilements (kilesas), must not be attached to study and learning in Buddhism to such an extent that it gives rise to the defilements. But also he must not abandon study and learning, for to do this goes beyond the teaching of the Buddha. Both these ways are contrary to the purpose which the Buddha desired that one should aim at. Meditation ************************** In other words, when one is practising meditation for the purpose of developing Samadhi, do not let the Citta (mind) grasp at what it has learnt by study, for it will be led into thoughts of the past and future. Samadhi One must instead make the Citta keep to the present, which means that just that aspect of Dhamma which one is developing must be one's ...
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Significance of Medin Full Moon Poya Day
2008-03-21 03:24:00
Significance of Medin Full Moon Poya Day- Daily Mirror By Gamini Jayasinghe The significance of Medin Full Moon Poya day is mainly due to the fact that it was on the first Medin Full Moon poya day after the Enlightenment and seven years after his Abhiniskramanaya Buddha visited His relatives in Kimbulwatapura or Sakya Desa, the kingdom of King Suddhodhana. For Sri Lankans this day is particularly important because it is the climax of Sri Pada pilgrimage season. From the time of the Abhiniskramanaya or the day when prince Siddhartha left the palace and went in search of the truth , Mokshaya, total liberation, the final emancipation or freedom from transmigration, the state of Nirvana, his father, king Suddhodhana, kept himself linformed of the developments of his beloved son. During a period of six years he heard various news, some of which were hea...
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Stop Tibet violence or I will quit: Dalai Lama
2008-03-21 03:24:00
Stop Tibet violence or I will quit: Dalai Lama By Jonathan AllenDaily MirrorDHARAMSALA, India, Tuesday (Reuters) - The Dalai Lama said today he would resign as Tibetan leader if the situation veers out of control in Tibet and denied accusations from China that he was inciting riots.?If things become out of control then my only option is to completely resign,? Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, told a news conference at his base of Dharamsala in northern India. Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama speaks to the media in Dharmsala, India, Tuesday, March 18, 2008. Today, China's premier Wen Jiabao accused the Dalai Lama of orchestrating riots in which dozens may have died and said his followers were trying to ?incite sabotage? of Beijing's August Olympic Games.The Dalai Lama, who fled into exile in India in 1959, denied Chinese ac...
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Priyantha De Silva and Media History In Sri Lanka
2008-01-25 08:50:00
A few months ago, I've seen on a blog of TV radio Sri Lanka , a person had insulted me as "What do you know about Media ?".I newer gave them an answer and laughed.When my childhood, a music group called "SHA", had came our house to stay about one week. (There was a one who had some relationship with us, in the band). Many singers and songstress like M.S. Fernando, Mariazell Gunathilaka and many others have came our house and had dinner , that my mother had cooked. Those days I was very familiar with singers, specially , with Abewardana Balasuriya. One day from the SLRC ( Sri Lanka Brodcasting ) had came our house to observe the information that I've posted by a letter.And they came to Matara from Colombo for that reason and got my sign to prove their attendance.They'd erected a antenna to get all the signal from other parts of the island ,in our home garden to search more. ***************************************** ***************************************** **In 1994 , I've posted a ...
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Meeting Ajahn Brahm in a relaxed mood
2007-12-09 03:15:00
Meeting Ajahn Brahm in a relaxed mood By D. C. Ranatungahttp://www.sundaytimes.lk About an hour?s drive from Perth in Australia brings us to Serpentine, a quiet hilly suburb where renowned meditation master Ajahn Brahmavamso has his monastery. It?s around ten in the morning and the Thai devotees who had brought the alms spread them out on a table in the alms hall and move out with plates of rice in their hands. They form a queue to serve the monks as they come in. We also join them. Sharp at 10.30, Ajahn Brahm appears with around 15 monks following him carrying alms bowls. Ever-smiling, he greets us with ?ayubowan? as he approaches and accepts a spoonful of rice. The monks walk into the alms hall to serve themselves and we walk upstairs and await their arrival to bless us before they eat. We move out as they start taking the ?dana?. The meditation hall ...
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Seeing the Buddha today
2007-11-25 05:24:00
Seeing the Buddha today By Ven.Dr.Mirrisse Dhammika TheraLakbimanews.lk Flowers were blooming everywhere. The sun was shining bright, as never before. Even the wild animals were showing a great affection for each other. A new era was about to dawn. Mankind was in awe.These were some of the remarkable events that signified the birth of the Buddha who brought peace and harmony to all beings. During the eighty years of his life, in particular the forty five years since achieving Buddhahood, human qualities such as compassion, patience, loving-kindness, tolerance and selflessness were realised. These noble qualities had revolutionised the legacy of human life. It had transformed human thoughts and minds to divinity. Who would be sceptical that Gouthama the Buddha had shed light on these noble human qualities! Buddha is not alive but, His Teachings areIn the final hours, the Buddha was lying down and monks were standing around Him. When the Buddha?s chief attendant Venerable...
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Religious influence over the global power struggle
2007-11-25 05:20:00
Religious influence over the global power struggle Ven.Professor Niso R. Fukoka Thera,Viharadhip-athi of Kofuji Temple, Kobe, Japan.Lakbimanews.lkInterviewed by Manjula Pradeep Weerasooriya. Q. Certain countries in the world are engaged in a struggle for power and building up power blocks, turning the entire globe into a battle field. What are the causes of this power mania? A. There are three major religious beliefs that have flourished internationally. These are Christianity, Islam and Buddhism. Among them Buddhism is a religion of free thinking and non violence. No other known religion is more conducive to the peaceful coexistence of religions and social harmony than the philosophy of the Buddha. Most other religious beliefs are characteristically fundamentalist in approach. Any action, utterance, or criticism contradictory to the concept of their religion is met with contempt. They are prepared to pursue any action deemed necessary in such events even to the extent of...
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Greed, the cause of destruction
2007-11-25 05:20:00
Greed, the cause of destruction By Ven. Galagedera Rathanawansa TheraLakbimanews Thoughts originating from a mind full of greed is the root cause of evil in all beings, other than in the case of enlightened ones who have annihilated greed by attaining Buddhahood, Passe Buddhahood or Arahanthship. Greed is a natural phenomenon of the mind. Greed binds beings attached to the cycle of samsara. Having realised this common phenomenon of the mind, the Buddha said that greed exceeding the limits of control begets harm and destruction to people. We realise this truth when we see the lives of many people in our day to day life.?Thanhaya Jaayathi Soko - Thanhaya Jaajathi Bhayan Thanhaya vippamutthassa -Natthi soko kutho Bhayan?.Greed begets sorrow and fear. Once greed is annihilated there will be no sorrow or fear. This is the meaning of the above stanza. Greed is defined as a craving, lust, fascination or desire depending on various circumstances. When the phenomenon o...
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Happiness - the supreme wealth
2007-11-25 05:16:00
Happiness - the supreme wealth Lakbimanews Ven.Lenadora Soratha Thera, retired Assistant Director of Education. Interviewed by Priyanga Kumuduni Jayakody. Q. The Buddha pronounced that ?happiness is supreme among all wealth.? How do you perceive the pattern of modern life in relation to this maxim? A. This involves a broad based comparison of the disciplines of monastic and lay life that prevailed in ancient society and modern society. It is important to identify the features of ancient society and modern society that are compatible with this pronouncement of the Buddha. The ancient way of life, especially of the clergy more than the laity, was well in harmony with the concept of the Buddha, that happiness is the supreme wealth. One of the important factors that contributed towards this tendency was the simplicity of the ancient life style. It was not as complex as of the modern day. People?s aspirations were a few and easily sustainable. The backdrop was such...
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Academic studies in Buddhism and universities in Sri Lanka
2007-11-25 05:13:00
Academic studies in Buddhism and universities in Sri Lanka Daily News Part I of this article was published in Buddhist spectrum on November 21, 2007 Professor Y. KARUNADASA It is against this background that we have to consider the position of Buddhist studies in Sri Lanka today, particularly in its universities and other institutions of higher learning. As we all know in five of our national universities today there are departments of Pali and Buddhist Studies . Buddhist studies in Sri Lanka We also have a postgraduate institute and two universities entirely devoted to buddhist studies. The fact that they all have ?Pali and Buddhist? as part of their designation shows that their Buddhist studies programmes are oriented towards Theravada Buddhism, for all literary works in Pali relate only to Theravada Buddhism. Therefore, the question that arises here is whether this orientation of Sri Lanka Buddhist studies to one particular school of ...
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Wisdom and Samadhi - two way process
2007-11-25 05:11:00
Wisdom and Samadhi - two way process Daily NewsVen. Acariya Nanasampanna Thera Detached like a rain-drop on a leaf A person, who wants to train his heart to become skilful and to know what is behind the deluded tricks of the defilements (kilesas), must not be attached to study and learning in Buddhism to such an extent that it gives rise to the defilements. But also he must not abandon study and learning, for to do this goes beyond the teaching of the Lord. Both these ways are contrary to the purpose which the Buddha desired that one should aim at. In other words, when one is practising meditation for the purpose of developing Samadhi, do not let the Citta grasp at what it has learnt by study, for it will be led into thoughts of the past and future. One must instead make the Citta keep to the present, which means that just that aspect of Dhamma which one is developing must be one?s only concern. When there i...
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Significance of Il Pasalosvaka Poya
2007-11-25 05:08:00
[Today is Il Pasalosvaka Poya] Significance of Il Pasalosvaka Poya Daily NewsRupa BANDUWARDENA Il Poya is rather the climax of the Vassana season. After attaining enlightenment Sakyamuni Gautama proceeded to Saranath and preached His first sermon to the five ascetics. The Buddha addressed the 60 Arhants who observed Vassana thus: ?Caratha Bhikkawe Charikang Bahujana Hithaya, Bahujana Sukhaya, Lokanukampaya Aththaya Hithaya Sukhaya Devamanussang? Art by Sarath Nanda Kumara According to ancient chronicles the first Vassana was observed at Isipathana in Benaras. Later, Yasakula Putra and his 55 disciples listened to his discourses with utmost faith and attained Arhantship. The Buddha addressed the 60 Arhants who observed Vassana thus: ?Caratha Bhikkawe Charikang Bahujana Hithaya, Bahujana Sukhaya, Lokanukampaya Aththaya Hithaya Sukhaya Devamanussang? The Buddha said: Go forth Bhikkhus into the world ...

Meditation and medicine
2007-11-25 05:07:00
Meditation and medicine Daily NewsVen. Mandawala Pannawansa Thera In the Western world of today there is a famous expression: ?Living in the present moment? They also say: ?Here and now!? Most of the people who use these expressions do not know their origin. They come from the ?Satipatthana Sutta?. In Sanskrit there is the word: Kshana, the shortest possible moment. Life is a sum of Kshanas. Past is gone and future has not yet come. The only moment that exists is the Present. Therefore we should live in the present moment. Sages like Buddha who live in the present moment are not swayed by past worries and unending future projects. Meditation is living in the present moment. A Brahmin comes to Buddha and asks about his spiritual practice. In response to his question Buddha says: we eat, we sleep, we walk etc. Then Brahmin replies: we also do the same thing. At the Brahmin?s answer Buddha says: But there is a difference; when we...
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Tissamaharamaya - the modernised monument of Magama
2007-11-25 05:02:00
Tissamaharamaya - the modernised monument of Magama Daily NewsNemsiri MUTUKUMARA The Maha Aramaya and the Mahacetiya in Magama in the deep South of Ruhunu Rata was built by King Kavantissa?s father of the heroic king Dutugemunu and his younger brother Saddhatissa. When the Thuparama and other Buddhist monasteries had been built in the Rajarata, many a similar Vihararama and Dagaba were built in Magama in the capital of Ruhuna. However, the first ruler to have begun the construction of sacred places of Buddhist worship in Ruhuna was Mahanaga. He is credited with the Sandagiri Seya, the Yatala Cetiya, Velipiti Viharaya, Kudorapavu Vihara and the Menik Dagaba. However, Henry Parker, an irrigation officer of the British Administration in his ?Archaeology of Tissamaharama - Report on Archaeological discoveries at Tissamaharama, 1884,? opines the Yatala Cetiya to have been built by Yatthalakatissa, the son of Mahanaga and the Maharam...
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The Buddha - The True Peacemaker
2007-11-25 04:57:00
The Buddha - The True Peacemaker Daily NewsVen. Horowpothane Sathindriya Thera At the present time, globally people talk about peace as a burning issue in our human society. Though most people very much prefer to live in a peaceful atmosphere and an untroubled environment, some unwise and uncivilised citizens, leaders, politicians and their henchmen create terrible fear and danger within our global society. Even though innumerable peace talks, forums, conferences, meetings and negotiations endlessly take place, there are no signs or gestures to console or comfort ourselves by achieving this so-called peace. It is disgraceful and contemptible that in the name of peace, hypocritical and insincere members of our human family incite and encourage unacceptable anarchy to achieve their own personal hidden agendas. Honesty, sincerity and veracity should be present in one?s mind to achieve true peace. The Supreme Teacher the Buddha...
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The Buddha teaching of Anatta (noself)
2007-11-15 21:04:00
The Buddha teaching of Anatta (noself) (Reply to 'Buddhism and the self' - CDN of 25.10.07)Dailynews.lk J.C. Boange The Buddha in His second sermon Anatta Lakhana Sutta delivered to the five ascetics, considered the five aggregates comprising a being and stated thus Translation of the Sutta by Dr. K.N.G. Mendis Wheel Publication 268 The Buddha preaching, Nagarjunakonda, 3rd or 4th century A.D. Worship of the Buddha, Amaravati, carved out of limestone. Courtesy Frontline "Form O Monks, is not self, if form were self, then form would not lead to affliction and it should obtain regarding form; May my form be thus, may my form not be thus, and indeed, O Monks, since form is not self, therefore form leads to affliction and it does not obtain regarding form: May my form be thus, may my form not be thus: Similarly the other four aggregates, feeling, perception, mental formations and consciousness have been a...
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Defilement of Buddha statues -- a sacrilege
2007-11-01 22:50:00
Defilement of Buddha statues -- a sacrilege Priyanga Kumari Jayakody interviews Ven.Medagama Dhammananda Thera of Asgiri Maha Viharaya. . Q. A few days ago there was a furore about modelling a candle in the shape of a Buddha statue. This is not the first occasion in which the Buddha statue or Buddhism has become the subject of sacrilege. A. Yes, from ancient days there were various threats to Buddhist culture. Many of our artefacts of archaeological value in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa have been destroyed. Among them were Buddha statues which were without the heads. There is a motive behind this destruction. Our sculptors modeled Buddha statues emphasizing the features of devotion and reverence. When such features are destroyed, devotion and reverence disappears. There are a number of motives behind destruction of this nature. Certain ethnic and cultural groups cannot endure the culture of another country. There is also another kind of ?empty? individuals hunting for t...
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Reaching the supreme bliss of Nibbana
2007-11-01 22:45:00
Buddha?s doctrine Reaching the supreme bliss of Nibbana All discoveries of the Buddha are conducive to Nibbana or Emancipation. The Buddha?s doctrine leads eventually to connecting with Nibbana, though it can begin from anywhere, just like all rivers of the world flow into the ocean in the end, his preaching style [manner] is described in the Brahmajala Sutta in the Dighanikaya thus:?dana katham, sila katham, sagga katham, kamanam adinavam,...adikallyanam,majhe kallyanam, pariyosana kallayanam sattham,sabbayanjanam kevala paripunnam, brahamchariyam pakaseti?At the beginning, the Buddha teaches us about generosity [dana]. Next he speaks about morality [virtue] [sila] and about heavenly bliss. Immediately after, he explains the evil effects of sensuous pleasures and how the defilements [cankers] contaminate our ordinary mind. Then the Buddha emphasizes how to become free from the worldly lustful things. So the beginning of the Dhamma is good. The middle of the Dhamma is good a...
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Strive to come out of the quagmire of defilement
2007-11-01 22:38:00
Strive to come out of the quagmire of defilement By Ven.Ketawala Indasara Thera, Parivenadhipathi of Kananke Rajamahaviharaya, Sri Poorvaramaya, Kokmaduwa, Weligama.---- Lakbima News ?Appamada Rathahotha - Sachittha Manurakkhathe, Dugga Uddharatha Atthanan - Panke Sakkocha Kunjarothi.? (Dhammapada -Nagavagga) This is the wap full moon period., Wap full moon is significant to Buddhists because certain important events connected with Buddhism took place on the Wap full moon day. The return of the Buddha to the city of Sankassa, Dambadiva, from the ?Thusitha? divine land where he spent the previous rainy season, ending of ?vas? precepts by Bhikkus of higher ordination, beginning of the ?Cheevara maasaya? and Maithri Bodhisaththa entering the Bhikku order during the lifetime of the Buddha are among such important events according to the Buddhist calendar. In view of this significance, it is deemed appropriate to deliver a sermon based on the stanza mentioned at the beg...
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Analysis of the Bhikku Sasana during the lifetime of the Buddha
2007-11-01 22:36:00
Analysis of the Bhikku Sasana during the lifetime of the Buddha - Lakbima News Shakthi Sathkumara interviews Ven.Dr.Walpola Wimalagnana Thera, Viharadhipathi of Gangaramaya, Peliyagoda, Q. Reverend Sir, may we listen to a brief analysis of the nature of Bhikku Sasana, when the Buddha was living. A. During the lifetime of the Buddha, his lifestyle itself was illustrious to keep the Bhikkus disciplined. At the same time, the conduct of the Bhikkus during the lifetime of the Buddha that was in keeping with the teachings of the Supreme Being was exemplary.One day, King Kosala came to Jethavanaramaya in the city of Savasthi and having bowed before the Buddha, gently stroked the Buddha?s lotus feet with great reverence. Then the Buddha addressed the king thus: ?King Kosala, You are the monarch of this great kingdom. From that exalted position of yours, why are you displaying so much of affection and reverence to me??To this question, King Kosala answered thus: ?My Lo...
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The Buddha: Our Spiritual 'Contemporary'
2007-10-25 01:43:00
The Buddha : Our Spiritual 'Contemporary ' Dr Peter Nelson - Daily News In the modern world, with its dominant capitalist and scientific worldviews, the spiritual dimension has receded drastically from our everyday lives. Indeed, for many people, religious belief either appears to be an irrational anachronism, or simply irrelevant to the more important task of making money or 'getting ahead.' Equally disturbingly, genuine religious concepts, if they survive in the popular consciousness, are often misappropriated to the 'new age' agenda of 'self-improvement' - i.e. the 'I deserve this BMW because I am at one with the universe' schools! In this short article, however, I would like to suggest that three defining and closely related philosophical positions of our time - namely empiricism, scepticism and self-reliance - need not lead to materialist or nihilist conclusions. Indeed, Siddhartha Gothama shared these three positions 2...
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Myanmar, Sri Lanka Maha Sangha have close links - Amarapura Sangha Sabha
2007-10-25 01:35:00
*********** From, Daily News:Myanmar , Sri Lanka Maha Sangha have close links - Amarapura Sangha Sabha As a common and trusted friend of the Myanmar Sangha and the Myanmar people would be ever ready if called upon to provide a bridge of trusted communication between the various parties. May the Triple Gem bless the Sangha, the laity and Government of Myanmar and help them towards justice and freedom of the mind, the release of the Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha says in a media release. The full text of the statement: "The Maha Sangha of Sri Lanka and Myanmar enjoy a close relationship for over 1,000 years. When the Cholas attacked Sri Lanka in the 11th century and destroyed all our temples, the Burmese Sangha gave refuge in their temples to the fleeing Maha Sangha of Lanka. When in the 12th century during King Vijayabahu's reign, the Maha Sangha of Sri Lanka was established in Myanmar to become the leading Nikaya (lineage) in Myanmar. Dur...
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uality of Mindfulness; aided by instructions and attention
2007-10-25 01:28:00
The Quality of Mindfulness ; aided by instructions and attention - Daily Mirrorhe Quality of Mindfulness; aided by instructions and attention The first five disciples of the Buddha were to observe Vas for the first time. Picture shows the ritual of offering robes to the monks. Painting by Amila Atapattu Ven. Ajahn Brahmavamso Mindfulness is one of the controlling faculties (indriya) which creates success in meditation. If it's not fully understood, and fully practised, one can waste a lot of time in one's meditation. I will now explain the quality of mindfulness. Setting up the "Gatekeeper" in...
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Significance of Vap full moon Poya Day
2007-10-25 01:14:00
Significance of Vap full moon Poya DayBy: Gamini Jayasinghe---Daily MirrorVap full moon Poya day is a day of paramount importance to Buddhists worldwide and particularly for us in Sri Lanka due to a number of special events taking place on this day some of which take place annually.In the past monks did not have permanent homes and they made ?Pallankans? or bed-steads under the shade of trees, sat there and meditated and had to go from door to door with a bowl to beg for food, which is called Pindapatha, food received in the bowl.However, during the period from Esala (June-July) to Vap (September-October) with pouring rain in Dambadiva (India) and it is extremely cold in the snowy peaks of the Himalayas and the valley where ascetics meditate under the shade of trees. Due to the inclement climatic conditions hindering sheltered nests to live in during this season birds migrate to other regions where the climate in not so cold.During the rainy season worms, insects and other living th...
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