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Hearts Yearning
2009-12-23 22:24:00 Hearts Yearning Hearts yearning, hearts burning Three wise men searched for one more wise Who opens hearts, who purifies Hearts yearing, hearts burning In sleep no peace, just this tossing-turning On earth no peace, just relentless burning
?What about the miracles?? Response To One Drawn By Sathya Sai Baba
2009-09-06 03:53:00 Recently, a writer, who had witnessed inexplicable phenomena occurring at a Sai devotee venue, asked me: what about the (Sathya Sai Baba-related) miracles that are happening around the world? I responded in terms close to the following. I shall now include some relevant links: The question is fair. It is one that many who have left Sathya Sai Baba have pondered over. I have not seen any satisfactory explanation. Typically, there is a quality of manifestation that cannot be explained. In my view, these phenomena are far removed from phenomena of the Ouija board type, what to mention many another variety studied by parapsychologists. I think that neither devotee nor non-devotee explanations can do justice to phenomena about which, in the scientific, rational sense, we can say very little. There is that arresting statement in the philosopher Paul Wittgenstein's 'Tractatus': "Whereof we cannot speak, thereof we must be silent".
Religion News Roundup: Tori Amos talks about erotic spirituality, buddhism
2009-05-27 18:59:00 In today's Religion News Roundup, two different items about the combination of spirituality with eroticism. Also, the Buddhisation of the Netherlands, plus Is This Your Brain on God? Further: What is Dan Brown's agenda? Plus some RNB Twittered items you may have missed.
Is there God in Buddhism?
2008-11-06 19:12:00 1.The answer to the often asked question, "Is there God in Buddhism?" is first No and then Yes.Its definitely No for those who like to imagine God as an old man with long white beard living somewhere above the cloud in a place called Heaven. Buddha was not interested that petty, absurd personification. Nor he was for idols. In the time of Buddha (around 500 BCE) it was already a land where God ideal was filtered through limited imaginations and turned to man made idols. Buddha himself was big against idol worship and would strongly disapprove those who make and bowdown to his statues. Although many fragments of imagination of God ideal was there in his time, yet people were fighting over 'your God vs. my God' delusion (which still humanity as a whole hasn't really come out of even about 2500 years later). One can safely say that there is no idea of God in Buddhism when best people could do is to associated limited human attributes with the Divine and could not grasp the absolute ...
Who Wants Happiness?
2008-08-15 05:20:00 I would say that every living being wants happiness. But if this is the case why it is that we continue to experience problems? Related Posts: Buddhism, Videos Add to del.icio.us © Loden Jinpa for Loden Jinpa - Merely Labeled, 2008. | Permalink | 2 comments
Why Christians Practice Buddhism by E. Raymond Rock
2008-06-18 20:44:00 Thomas Merton, famous Catholic monk belonging to the cloistered Trappist tradition (Order of Cistercians of the strict observance), once said that he wanted, “to become as good a Buddhist as I can.” Before he converted to Catholicism at age twenty-three, he read about Christian mysticism. He read works such as Augustine’s “Confessions” and Thomas a Kempis’ ... No related posts.
The actual meaning of refuge in the Triple Gems and the Precepts, fo
2008-06-10 10:51:00 The actual meaning of refuge in the Triple Gems and the Precepts, for the lay person by R. L. Ihalamulla Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Kynsey Rd, Colombo 8 The Lord Buddha showed us the Eightfold Path as the only way for the eternal ending of suffering - the attainment of Nirvana. This is something that the Buddha realized by himself and preached to the world. Eventhough he was knowledgeable in everything in the whole universe in and out, the Great Teacher taught primarily as to how to end suffering. Therefore, the teachings mainly revolve round and incorporate the essence of His Declaration that 'the cause of suffering is attachment and the only way to end suffering 'is non-attachment'. As such, the recitals -in Pali - the language in which the Buddha preached - for daily chanting for the lay person pertaining to 'taking in refuge' and the Precepts also...
Vesak Reflection on the Medical Profession
2008-06-10 10:49:00 Vesak Reflection on the Medical Profession by Nalin Swaris - The Island ' News Paper ?Physicians? as the very term implies deal with the body, which is subject to sickness, decay and death. As such physicians seem to be engaged in a Sisyphean task ? an absurd, but for many lucrative, preoccupation devoted to propping up what Shakespeare called "this muddy vesture of decay". But if we shed the devaluation of the body on the basis of an assumed dichotomy of body and soul or the body and a rebirthing identity consciousness in mainstream Buddhism, we will have an exhilarating perspective on human existence. It helps us to cultivate a holistic view of the human person as a totality of vital processes or synergies. Whatever our religion, ethnicity or social status all human beings are subjected to the paradoxical character of the human condition. We must all die. What ethics ...
Living stress free
2008-06-10 10:45:00 Living stress free by Dr. Wasantha Gunathunga Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, The other day I met a friend of mine. He said "I decided to migrate to a better country." I asked why he wanted to migrate. "There are lots of problems in the country. I want to give the best education to my children. I asked "what do you want them to be in the future"? He was not sure. "After all I want to live in peace" was his answer. My friend is not the only person who decided to migrate for peace of mind. There were so many, there will be too. This conversation provided me some insight as to how some people take serious decisions in their lives in search of peace and 'contentment. People migrate to greener pastures citing various aim to do so. Some people within the country mostly towards cities. Those who live in cities go to villages to get away from the busy life....
Relating Bhavana to daily Life
2008-06-10 10:10:00 Relating Bhavana to daily Life by Rajah Kuruppu Man comprises of mind and body. Modern medical science is now according an important place to the mind, but the Buddha over 2,500 years ago emphasised the invaluable role of the mind. In fact the opening lines of the Dhammapada, a collection of important sayings of the Buddha, state that the mind is the forerunner of all states of being, mind is supreme, mind made are they. Accordingly, Bhavana commonly translated to English as meditation, is assigned a crucial role in the practice of the Dhamma. Bhavana means the culture or the development of the mind and perhaps the English word meditation does not adequately describe Bhavana but it may be used for convenience provided the true meaning of the term Bhavana is understood. There are two kinds of Bhavana, one being Samatha or the one pointed concentration of the m...
Cyclone Nargis--a (5th) Digest of Web Postings
2008-06-08 23:22:00 A List of Recent Postings from the Web on the Aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in Burma:"UN food chief urges more funding to support aid work after Myanmar cyclone", "More than 1 million Myanmar cyclone victims have received aid, says UN", and "Myanmar: progress on aid but access for internationals still a challenge" posted by the United Nations"Myanmar monks a vital lifeline for cyclone survivors" posted by The Buddhist Channel"Burmese still lack aid a month on", "New challenges for delta aid workers", "US aid ships to leave Burma", "Comic arrested for Burma aid runs", and "Burma hits out at cyclone reports" posted by BBC"Gates Accuses Myanmar of ?Criminal Neglect?" and "Myanmar Junta Begins Evicting Cyclone Victims From Shelters" posted by The New York Times"Burma Arrests Celebrity Critic Who Organized Cyclone Relief" posted by The Washington Post"Myanmar: A month of misery" posted by The Economist"UK still worried over distribution of aid in burma", "Agencies plan to use helicopters f...
Gautama Buddha
2008-06-03 22:48:00 Gautama Buddha Gautama, whose personal name was Siddhartha, was born in the city of Lumbini and was raised in Kapilavastu. The traditional story of his life is as follows; Born a prince, his father, King Suddhodana, was said to have been visited by a wise man shortly after Siddhartha was born. The wise man said that Siddhartha would either become a great king or a holy man (Sadhu). Determined to make Siddhartha a king, the father tried to shield his son from the unpleasant realities of daily life. Despite his father's efforts, at the age of 29, he discovered the suffering of his people, first through an encounter with an elderly man. On subsequent trips outside the palace, he encountered various sufferings such as a diseased man, a decaying corpse, and a monk. These are often termed 'The Four Sights.Gautama was deeply depressed by these four sigh...
Cyclone Nargis--a (4th) Digest of Web Postings
2008-06-01 18:50:00 A List of Recent Postings from the Web on the Aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in Burma:"UN urges donors to fund relief efforts in Myanmar without delay", "Myanmar: UN welcomes increased access for international aid workers", and "UN agency seeks $28 million to fund health plan after Myanmar cyclone" posted by the United Nations"In desperate times, Burmese turn to their monks" and "India to repair Myanmar's most-revered shrine" posted by The Buddhist Channel"Myanmar's Media Criticize Cyclone Aid Agencies" and "Update on U.S. Relief for Myanmar" posted by NPR"Burma grants all UN visa requests", "UN condemns Burma 'camp closures'", and "Burma policy costs lives, says US" posted by BBC"Aid Agencies Seek Wider Access in Myanmar", "U.N. Says Myanmar Is Forcing Cyclone Survivors Out of Camps", and "Gates Blasts Myanmar Junta Over Cyclone Aid Response" posted by The Wall Street Journal"Monks Succeed in Cyclone Relief as Junta Falters" posted by The New York Times"Defence ministers establish...
Face of compassion that inspires billions
2008-05-31 12:24:00 Face of compassion that inspires billions By Upali Salgadohttp://www.sundaytimes.l-k The central figure in the story of Buddhism is Sakyamuni Gotama Buddha (also known as Gauthama Buddha). Gotama Buddha was born 2,552 years ago at Lumbini, in Nepal. He belonged to the Sakya clan, and Gotama was the family name. He was a prince, having at birth 32 unusual signs on his body, which, according to the royal court seers, indicated he would be either a Chakravarthi (Universal Monarch) or a religious leader. The Buddha?s noble philosophy, or dharma, is followed by more than three billion people across Asia. The Buddha was an extraordinary man, a ?Maha Purisha?. As a human being, he had no connections with the creator God or any other supernatural being. An extraordinary man (?Accariya Manussa?), he was beyond the human state inwardly, though living an admira...
Unravelling meaning of life through Buddhism
2008-05-31 12:19:00 Unravelling meaning of life through Buddhism Ajahn Brahmavamso is the Abbot of Bodhiyana Buddhist Monastery & Spiritual Director of the Buddhist Society of Western Australia, Perth. www.bswa.org By Ajahn Brahmavamso----------- The Sunday Times . LK Today, Buddhism continues to gain ever-wider acceptance in many lands far beyond its original home. The Buddhist Teaching of the Law of Kamma offers our society a just and incorruptible foundation and reason for the practice of a moral life. It is easy to see how a wider embracing of the Law of Kamma would lead any country towards a stronger, more caring and virtuous society. The Teaching of Rebirth places this present short lifetime of ours in a broader perspective, giving more meaning to the vital events of birth and death. The understanding of rebirth removes so much of the tragedy and grief surrounding death and turns one's attention to the quality of a lifetime, rather than its...
The Supreme Buddha
2008-05-31 11:58:00 The Supreme Buddha www.sundayobserver.lkSiddartha- Gautama is the founder of Buddhism. He is generally recognized by Buddhists as the Supreme Buddha -Sambuddha of our age. The exact time of his birth and death are uncertain. Most early 20th-century historians date his lifetime from 563 BCE to 483 BCE. More recently at a specialist symposium on this question, the majority of those scholars who presented definite opinions gave dates within 20 years either side of 400 BCE for the Buddha?s death, with others supporting earlier or later dates. Gautama, also known as Sakyamuni -?sage of the Shakyas?, is the key figure in Buddhism, and accounts of his life, discourses, and monastic rules were said to have been summarized after his demise and memorized by the Sangha. Passed down by oral tradition, the Tripitaka, the collection of teachings attributed to Gautama by the Theravada, was committed to writing about 400 years later. ?Scholars are i...
?Indian Untouchables?(Daliths) accept Buddhism
2008-05-31 11:29:00 ?Indian Untouchables?(Daliths) accept Buddhism The NationOn October 16, 1956, the world and India in particular, witnessed at Nagpur, a religious and social revolution taking place, when on a Poya day at a mass gathering, over 500,000 ?secluded caste? Indians (i.e. low caste people shunned by Hindu Society) embraced Theravada Buddhism. They were led by Dr. Babasaheb Ramj Ambedkar, an architect of the Indian Constitution in 1947 and a much respected Minister of Law in the Nehru government. Dr. Ambedkar PhD, was born in 1891 and was a member of the Mahar Community, one of the Hindu untouchable castes in India. India?s population today has over a billion people. Although the Buddha was born in present day Nepal and preached his Dharma in India, the Buddhist population in India until 1956 was only about 6.5 million. The state of Maharashtra had 6.39% Buddhists, Nagaland 5% Buddhists, Himachal Pradesh 1.5% B...
The ?true? religion
2008-05-31 11:04:00 The ?true? religion By Prof. K.N. JayatillekeNation.lk Elsewhere, in the Sankada Sutta there is a clear-cut answer? to this question. There, Ananda says that in the opinion of the Buddha there are four false religions in the world; and four religions which are unsatisfactory, though not necessarily totally false, while Buddhism is distinguished from all of them. The word for religion here is used in a wide sense as in modern usage, to denote theistic and non-theistic religions, as well as pseudo-religions or religions-surrogate, i.e. substitutes for religion such as, say, Marxism, Existentialism, Humanism, etc. The four false religions or philosophies inculcating a way of life are first, Materialism which denies survival, secondly, Amoralism which denies good and evil, thirdly any religion which asserts that man is miraculously saved or doomed, and lastly theistic evolutionism which h...
Cyclone Nargis--a (3rd) Digest of Web Postings
2008-05-28 21:40:00 A List of Recent Postings from the Web on the Aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in Burma:"At donors' meeting, Ban Ki-moon says Myanmar relief effort to last at least six months", "Myanmar: UN agency moves ahead with assessing how to help cyclone-impacted children", "Myanmar: UN says aid reaches one million victims of cyclone", "Myanmar: Ban Ki-moon ?regrets? continued detention of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi", and "Myanmar: top UN officials call for release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi" posted by the United Nations"The Sangha, the hope for change in Myanmar", "The Foundation for the People of Burma", and "Myanmar villagers scavenge for rotten rice" posted by The Buddhist Channel"Myanmar Extends Opposition Leader's Detention", "A Buddhist Vision of the Myanmar Cyclone", "Myanmar Aid Now Reaching Irrawaddy Delta", and "Myanmar Rescuers: No Sign of '2nd Wave' Deaths" posted by NPR"UN official sees Burma progress", "Suu Kyi's house arrest extended", and "'Window of opportunity' in Burma" posted by...
Thailand is the "Wolrd Center of Buddhism"
2008-05-28 06:44:00 The Buddhist Channel reports that the "[United Nation] declares Thailand as 'world centre of Buddhism'". This is a truly great honor for Thailand; but with it comes responsibility. The people of Thailand embrace their religious history fully. However, our globalizing world places the future of Buddhism into a realm of uncertainty. How will Buddhism evolve as it continues to spread in the West? Is Buddhism more of a philosophy or a religion; and what are the implications? What does it mean for a nation to be considered a Buddhist nation? And, perhaps most importantly, how can/should "the world center of Buddhism" help to promote the real and original teachings of the Buddha to the rest of the world?These are important questions for all people to think about when addressing their own spiritual paths. I look forward to visiting Thailand again in the future, and hope that the vibrant Buddhist culture that I was able to experience will never fade.
Buddhism, Freedom and Society Without State
2008-05-20 03:35:00 We aspire to a world community without enemy, without war. Man is not enemy of man except through lies of the State and State of the lie. Once violence is chosen as method, falsehood becomes principle. Our direct eyewitness experience shows that the State owes its existence to violence, and maintains itself by lies, coercion, ...
By: Philaahzophy
Happy Wesak Day in Penang
2008-05-19 00:11:00 ?May Buddha shower you with abundant blessings, happiness and prosperity.?Happy Wesak DayI will be going to Penang Buddhist AssociationNo. 168, Jalan Anson,10400 PenangTelephone : 04-2280910 Mahindarama TempleMahindarama Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple2, Kampar Road, 10460 Penang, Malaysia.Telephone : 604-2825944 Ang Hock See TempleKek Lok See Temple,Ayer Itam,11500 Penang, Malaysia.Telephone : 04-8283317, 04-8286863 Facsimile : 04-8288653Teik Lim Si Templeto pray....Blessed you all...Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu
Buddhism
2008-05-18 14:00:00 The Lotus : Nelumbo nucifera; Sacred Lotus, Sacred Water Lily Buddhism is a word derived from the title “Buddha“, which means ‘Enlightened One’. It is a religion which puts emphasis on the individual for his own salvation rather than relying on a Creator or God. Buddhism is founded by Siddhartha Gautama, a 5th century prince from ...
Zen Buddhism
2008-05-06 11:03:00 Zen is the Japanese form of the Chinese Chan, which is the phonetic pronunciation of the Sanskrit dhyana or meditation. The practice of meditation — sitting or moving — is the basis for Zen activity of all kinds, whether in the temple, tea-room, the home or the martial-arts practice hall. Zen Buddhism originated from China ...
Tibetan Buddhism
2008-05-05 09:10:00 Amitabha, Buddha of Infinite Light Buddhism in Tibet has developed its own form of Tantric belief and practice, known as Vajrayana or Tantryana. Its purpose is to give immediate access to the enlightened mind. The enlightened mind lies like a vajra, or ‘diamond’, hidden in the clutter of human delusion: it is there simply ...
Mahayana Buddhism
2008-05-04 06:18:00 A famous Bodhisattva is Guan Yin, the Goddess of Compassion Mahayana is the form of Buddhism found in Tibet, China, Mongolia, Vietnam, Korea and Japan. It recognizes the Theravadin scriptures and adds many more, some composed after Buddha’s lifetime. Some were based on remembered teaching, some are mythological, others are said to have ...
Theravada Buddhism
2008-05-03 06:16:00 Theravada — the Way of the Elders — is the oldest form of Buddhism, being largely unchanged from the third century BC. The word ‘theravada’ means ‘teachings of the elders’. It is found throughout Southeast Asia. In Theravada Buddhism, the liberation of the individual, spiritual philosophy and a system of ethics ...
Henro Pilgrims
2008-04-28 03:35:00 ??Listen to the sound of henro chantingA familiar site at the temples of Shikoku are the scores of henro, white-clad pilgrims making their way around the 1,400km pilgrimage route of the 88 Sacred Temples of Shikoku.The pilgrimage covers the island in a clockwise route starting and finishing at Ryozenji Temple near Tokushima. The 88th temple is Okuboji Temple, south of Takamatsu.The pilgrims are following in the footsteps of Kobo Daishi (aka Kukai 774-835), the Buddhist saint and founder of the Shingon school of Buddhism, headquartered at Koyasan in Wakayama Prefecture.Pilgrims have been following in Kobo Daishi's footsteps for over a 1000 years. The first guide book to the trail was written back in 1685. Pilgrims traditionally stayed at temple guest houses (shokubo) along the way and you can find lodgings at shokubo today. Walking the 88 Sacred Temples of Shikoku can take around two months, though many of the henro are now older people who visit the temples by bus over the course o...
Zentsuji Temple Kagawa Prefecture
2008-04-25 04:30:00 ???Zentsuji in Kagawa Prefecture in northern Shikoku near Takamatsu is number 75 and the largest of the 88 Sacred Temples of Shikoku - an ancient pilgrimage route that circles the island of Shikoku.The temple was the home of Kobo Daishi (Kukai), the founder of the Koyasan temple complex in Wakayama and one of the most influential Buddhist priests in Japanese history. Kobo Daishi is reputed to have been born in the area and to have grown up in the temple.The huge, tree-lined grounds have a number of sub-temples and an impressive five storey pagoda. Under the main temple building (Meido) it is possible to walk through a dark passageway feeling your wall along a wall painted with mandalas and other religious icons as you symbolically re-enact the path to enlightenment of the historical Buddha.In later life, Kobo Daishi was responsible for the building of many of the sub-temples in the Zentsuji complex and there is a statue of the great man in the Kanchi-in sub-temple.Zentsuji TempleTel...
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 ...
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 ...
Dhamma in the age of Globalisation
2008-04-19 22:48:00 Dhamma in the age of globalisation Can the ancient teachings of the Buddha, which date back more than 2,500 years, cure the modern angst of globalisation? Ask Seksan Prasertkul, and the answer from the former Thai Marxist revolutionary is a firm ?yes?. ?The problems arising from globalisation are essentially spiritual,? said Seksan, a former leader of the 1973 students? uprising and a one-time guerrilla who once chose violence as a path towards change. Buddha Dharma, or Buddhist teachings, as the spiritual medicine for human suffering is therefore needed more than ever in the age of globalisation, he said. In his view, globalisation is not all bad. Its fierce forces of greed and competition may have spurred more intensive individual pursuits of material gains that destroy human connections. The great disparity it creates may have triggered deep resentment among the oppressed who often turn to tribal violence to stave off globalisation threats. ?But globalisation has...
Two day long conference on Hinduism and Buddhism concluded
2008-04-16 19:26:00 JAWALAMUKHI—-The two day long conference on Hinduism and Buddhism, Back to Basics, concluded here today, under the chairmanship of B K Modi. He said the main purpose of the conference was to provide an opportunity to establish a common platform for all Buddhist traditions in imparting the teachings of Buddha of global peace.  Modi Chairman ...
Isabella Mori?s Buddhist Blog Carnival
2008-04-16 14:08:00 Isabella Mori’s blog “change therapy: making lives better, making better lives” is sponsoring a Buddhist carnival. What’s that? It’s a selection of buddhist posts all over the blogosphere. Isabella kindly included Riehlife’s features on Eden Maxwell.
The role of monks in modern Thai society: Has Buddhism gone astray?
2008-04-07 05:59:00 Out and about on the streets and sights of Bangkok, there’s a spectacle blend of modern and ancient smells, sounds and sights to be had. On one end of the city, you’ll find yourself surrounded by towering skyscrapers, hi tech shopping malls, hi-speed sky train and subway transit systems, posh fashion districts, and IT hubs ...
Buddhist sect, woman reach settlement over ?purification? sex assault by pr
2008-03-21 21:10:00 On four different occasions from December 2005 to May 2006, the old priest performed indecent acts on the woman, using the excuse of her needing to undergo purification to rid her body of eczema that was plaguing it and feeling her up.
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...
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...
Get your dose of Buddhism
2008-03-10 05:53:00 The vast majority of Muslims do not know anything about Buddhism except its name, and that Buddha is a piece of clay that Buddhists worship! While Muslims very well understand Islam, Christianity, and Judaism -to an extent- they have fallen short of understanding the Asian and far-eastern teachings and religions merely because of ...
Giving Alms or Dana in Buddhism
2008-03-05 14:39:00 Andrew KH TanToday I gave Alms / Dana in Buddhism of 1. 1x10kg Super Thai RiceMahindarama Buddhist Temple : Mahindarama consist of two Pali words namely Arahant Mahinda, the name of a famous Missionary Buddhist monk who was also one of King Asoka's sons, assigned by the father himself to introduce the Buddha-dhamma to the Island of Tambapanni ( Modern Sri Lanka ) some 2000 years ago.The second word, Arama basically means a holy place, a shrine, a temple (Vihara) or a place of refuge. Therefore Mahindarama, is a place where the people of the beautiful Island of Penang (Pearl of the Orient) go for their refuge to the Triple Gems (the Buddha, His teaching - the Dhamma and the Holy Order - the Sangha).,2.1x10kg Super Thai Rice to Ang Hock Si Temple on Perak Road which honors Mahayana Buddhism with Future Buddha the Laughing Buddha - Budai Luohan , Amitabha Buddha, Kwan Ying Pusa (Avalokistevara Boddhisatva), Wen Shu Pusa (Manjusri Boddhisatva).Listen Prajna-...
Japanese monk sings rap to bring Buddhism to youth
2008-02-29 04:27:00 A Japanese Buddhist monk is getting down with rap music. Kansho Tagai, aka Happiness Kansho or Mr Happiness, learned to rap at the age of 47, and is doing a pretty good job of opening the religious doors to young fans.
By: Latest News
Manjusri, the Gentle Glory Bodhisattva
2008-02-28 15:10:00 The Bodhisattva of Great WisdomBuddhism consistently promotes two virtues: Compassion and Wisdom. Avalokitesvara embodies Great Compassion; the last Bodhisattva on the right, Manjusri (Chinese Wen Shu) represents Great Wisdom.An oft-told example illustrates the relationship of the two virtues of Wisdom and Compassion. Suppose you are approached by a homeless person asking for a handout. You give him some money-which he promptly spends on alcohol. You have been compassionate, but not wise. So the next time you are approached, you give nothing; now you have been wise, but not compassionate. What is the solution? Buy him some food. This is wise and compassionate. Compassion without wisdom is foolish; wisdom without compassion is harsh. As every good parent knows, the two must be used in balance.Thus Manjusri maintains the balance of Wisdom amongst the Bodhisattvas. His name means "Gentle Glory," a good description of the main benefit of Wisdom. Often (though not here) shown...
Ichibata Yakushi Temple
2008-02-27 06:48:00 ????, ???Last weekend we took a trip up into the mountains to visit Ichibata Yakushi Temple in Shimane Prefecture. Heavy snowfall deterred all the other tourists, so we had the place to ourselves.Many temples and shrines in Japan become associated with particular benefits, Tenmangu shrines for success with exams, shrines and temples for blessings for cars, Izumo Taisha shrines for finding marriage partners, etc.Ichibata Yakushi Temple, perched on a mountaintop in Shimane Prefecture is the equivalent of a Japanese "Lourdes" for those with any kind of eye complaint, with hundreds of thousands of pilgrims making their way there everyyear.The temple was founded in 894, and was built around a statue of Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of medicine and healing.A local fisherman found the sculpture of Yakushi washed up on a local beach. The current along the Shimane coast comes from Korea, so this is the probable source of the statue.He took it home and prayed fervently in front of it, and many m...
How to practise Buddhism
2008-02-21 17:02:00 Buddhism is considered a way of life. As such, practising Buddhism is just leading our lives according to the teaching of the Buddha.Basically, we are to get rid of the three evils, namely avarice or greed, hatred and delusion.We can stay away from greed by being generous, giving things and rendering services to others more than receiving them. In this way we will be less egoistic and think more of others' needs than our own.Avoiding hatred towards others is a bit more difficult to practise but if we think in terms of reincarnation and treat others as our mothers, fathers, siblings and relatives in our past lives, then we have every reason to endear them to us and not otherwise.Getting rid of delusion is to practise detachment. We should not attach too much of our feeling towards our dear ones as according to Buddhism, all things are not constant. Withering of flowers is a very good example of this. If we attach too much feeling towards our dear ones we may feel very sad should the...
Wordless Wednesday #29: Buddhism and Forestry
2008-02-19 09:05:00 Check out other Wordless Wednesday photos.n.b.: Please excuse me, I know it is supposed to be wordless but I couldn't help but explain the link between Buddhism, Cambodia's religion, and the forests. A lot of things has been said about the forests of Cambodia and one thing is for sure - the forests are rapidly disappearing with the country's opening to a market-oriented economy. Here's a section of what I wrote years ago:Forest cover has decreased from over 70% in 1970 to around 35% today (depending on which source you are using), and many globally important mammals such as kouprey, tigers, and elephants are on the path to extinction. The forests, upon which local people depended for firewood, medicines, building materials, and religious or spiritual value, have been ruthlessly destroyed by logging companies. Given the traditional prestige of Buddhist monks among the population and the natural ecological orientation of Buddhism as a belief system and way of life, monks are a pri...
What I Learnt from Buddhism
2008-02-16 17:23:00 In my quest for a religion to follow, I have studied Christianity and Buddhism.In this post, I would like to talk about what I have learnt from Buddhism.Buddhism is more a way of life than religion as practised by followers of other faiths. I learn from Buddhism that we are responsible for our every act. In other words, no one else will be able to help you achieve nirvana (eternal bliss) but yourself. According to Buddhism, we cannot free ourselves from suffering because of greed, hatred and delusion. We want more of everything and it leads to disappointment when we fail to get what we want. We get angry easily over minor things and start hating the one who aggravates us. Delusion refers to failure to understand the cause and effect phenomenon. One way of getting rid of these three ills is through meditation. It makes us less greedy, not so easily angered and realise that there is such a thing as karma. Some monks have done experiments to prove the truth in cause and effect phenomen...
Sam Harris: It?s not about atheism, it?s about reason and genuine respect f
2008-02-15 21:26:00 Having just watched the recent Sam Harris + Rabbi David Wolpe debate on the existence of God, I was reminded of Sam Harris’ very important and agreeable position that a big part of the cultural struggle being fought be secularists should not be about atheism specifically, but about reason generally. Now, the subject of religion ...
Acharya Padamsambhava played vital role for propagation of Buddhism
2008-02-15 14:28:00 Mandi: Mr. V.S. Kokje, Governor said that the contribution of Acharya Padamsambhava for propagation of Buddhism always be remembered by the people. He said that Padamsambhava played great role for spread of Buddhism in
As Richard Dawkins says, some of us just go one god further
2008-02-12 03:07:00 From Matterr via The Friendly Atheist A question and a comment: Why is Buddha on this list? Isn’t Buddha said to have simply been a creative, deep-thinking, compassionate and insightful human male? Including the Flying Spaghetti Monster probably would have put things further into perspective. |
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