Buddhism As Education

For anything to succeed in this natural world it must harmonize with, be in line with Dhamma, follow from and serve, the Law of Nature. Anything that fits with, conforms to, follows from, and serves the Law of Nature is "Dhammic." To be Dhammic is to be non-violent, unselfish, compassionate, mindful, and cool. Ajarn Buddhadasa summarized it in two words "peaceful" and "useful." Being "peaceful" means doing nothing to hurt, harm, exploit, abuse, or oppress anyone, whether others of oneself. Such peacefulness requires a heart-mind free of selfishness and egoism. Being "useful" means helping in the struggle for genuine liberation from suffering, no mater on what level or in what area of life. True Dhamma does not concoct dualities likes "personal-social" or "worldly-spiritual." Don't believe that socialism is dead! This is just the materialist propaganda of neo-conservative diehard capitalists. Real socialism has ne...

The practice of Amitabha recitation is a direct and speedy way to realize Buddhahood in the Perfect Teaching and it is astounding. Hence all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas extol this Buddha recitation practice as it is also the practice of all the Buddhas. In the Amitabha Sutra, the World Honored One exhorted us three times to seek rebirth in the Pure Land while the Buddhas from six directions exhorted us to believe in this Sutra, which is also an exhortation to us that we must believe in the words of Sakyamuni Buddha. The Buddhas from the six directions represents Buddhas from the ten directions from the past, from the present and from the future. Hence from this we know that the World Honored One’s intention in exhorting us to seek rebirth in the Pure Land, is tantamount to all Buddhas from the ten directions exhorting us to seek rebirth in the Pure Land. This exhortation is truly unfathomable, earnest to the highest degree. The Buddha educates sentient beings so that they may become enlig...

The root cause of people’s problems is that they are too content, therefore they have drawn innumerable and endless calamities onto themselves. To cultivate Buddhahood is to learn from the Buddha. Irrespective of status, professions, all must learn the spirit of the Buddha, the ideas of Buddha and the compassion of Buddha, and implement all these qualities in their daily lives. Therefore, our life style should be modest and content. Excess is shared with all sentient beings. This is the difference between Buddhas-Bodhisattvas and the lay people: The Buddhas-Bodhisattvas share their good fortune with everybody while the lay people indulge in their good fortune, unwilling to share their fortune with others. This is over content. The saying, “six roots are pure, tainted not by one dust” actually means that the six roots i.e. eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and mind remain unperturbed in face of temptation. It does not mean a state of purity attained by eschewing social contact. If upon facin...

The Buddha’s freedom of thoughts and religious tolerance are astonishing to the student of history of religions. Once in Nalanda, a famous householder named Upali was expressly sent by his teacher Mahavira to meet the Buddha and defeat him in argument on certain points in the theory of Karma, because the Buddha’s views on the subject were different from those of Mahavira’s. Quite contrary to expectations, Upali, at the end of the discussion, was convinced that the views of the Buddha were right and those of his master were incorrect. So he requested the Buddha to accept him as one of his disciples, but the Buddha asked him to reconsider it and not to be in a hurry, “for considering carefully is good for well known men like you.” When Upali expressed his desire again, the Buddha requested him to continue respecting and supporting his old religious teachers as he used to. In the third century B.C. the great Buddhist King Asoka of India following this noble example of tolerance and unders...

Some people used to say that “we are free thinkers and do not have a religion”. But if anyone is a free thinker, then certainly he must be a Buddhist because the Buddha encouraged freedom of thoughts. The freedom of thoughts allowed by the Buddha is unheard of elsewhere in the history of religions. This freedom is necessary because according to the Buddha, man’s emancipation depends on his own realization of truth and not on the benevolent grace of a god or any external power as a reward for his obedient good behavior. The Buddha never said to his disciples “pray and believe”. The Buddha used to say “come and see, investigate, do not believe anything blindly.” In Buddhism, blind faith is condemned and is substituted by Saddha – confidence, based on knowledge and understanding. Although a Buddhist seeks refuge in the Buddha as his moral teacher, he makes neither self surrender nor sacrificing his freedom of thoughts. Without sacrificing his freedom of thoughts, a Buddhist can exercise h...

马佛青普照寺复工工程的公开招标正在进行。 马佛青欢迎有意参与的承包商从即日起，至2008年12月1日，联络马佛青总会秘书处（03-7804 9154/9157）或管理委员会主席—钟汉源（012-3799 232），以索取招标图测及有关文件详情。 The Invitation to Bid for the construction of the YBAM Puzhao Buddhist Vihara is currently underway. YBAM welcomes interested contractors to contact the Secretariat of YBAM (03-7804 9154/9157) or the Chairman of Puzhao Buddhist Vihara Management Committee, Bro Chong Hung Wang （012-3799 232) for further details on the particular tender documents and plans, starting today until 1/12/2008.

Vegetarianism is being initiated by sages in China and India since time immemorial to prohibit the infliction of cruelties upon fellow animate beings - the basal step in regenerating the Great Compassionate Love which is pure quality inherent in the nature of man, to the enlighterned truth that all life forms whether human or non-human are rooted from one common heritage. That is, we share a common life force animates within physical bodies. Although many discrepant issues have been put forward by those who do not understand or those who oppose the importance of a vegetarian diet, yet the foundation if vegetarianism remains unperturb because of its fundamental values. Today, with adequate evidential material which involve men from all walks of life and traditions, vegetarianism is constantly acknowledged all over the world by young and old, as an essential diet to promote not only health consciousness - the most relevant way to human development, but also moralities as the principality...

The Taiping Bodi Langka Ram Buddhist Temple in Perak will be organising its annual Kathina celebration on 9 November 2008 from 7.00am to 1.00pm. The Kathina robes (which includes a Bowl) sponsorship is RM150 per person. All devotees and friends are most welcome to participate in this event. For further information you may contact 05-8077216.

Mahindarama Buddhist Temple at Jalan Kampar, Penang will be holding its annual Kathina (presentation of Robes and otther requisites) celebration on 19/10/2008 from 7.30am to 3.00pm. Each sponsorhip of a robe will be RM120.00 and all devotees and friends are welcome to participate in this event. For more information, please contact 04-2825944 or log into the Mahindarama Web .

Than Hsiang Temple will be holding its annual vegetarian festival at its premises from 29 September to 7 October. All devotees are most welcomed to grace this event. For further details kindly contact : Than Hsiang Temple. 132, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia. Tel: 604-6414822; Fax: 604-6421896

The Seberang Jaya Buddhist Association in Butterworth will be organising a blood donation campaign this Sunday on 21st September, from 9.00am to 2.00pm. The address of the association is as below: - Seberang Jaya Buddhist Association No 2999 Mukim 1 Jalan Todak Seberang Jaya 13700 Prai. Tel: 04-3976449 All devotees, friends and members are most welcome to participate in this event.

Almost five hundred years ago, in China, a father sat down to write to his son. He wanted his son to know what had happened in his life. Many years before, when he was very young, he went to a temple and at that temple, he met a very distinguished man. He naturally paid his respects to this gentleman who in turn told him: “You are supposed to pass the imperial examination next year, why are you not studying?” Mr. Liao-Fan, for that was the father's name, asked the gentleman his name, where he was from, and how he was able to know what Mr. Liao-Fan was supposed to do. Mr. Kong, for that was the gentleman's name, told him that he knew how to predict what was going to happen, and that he was supposed to teach this art to Mr. Liao-Fan. Mr. Liao-Fan went home and being a respectful and filial son told his mother everything that it happened. His mother wisely told him: “Invite the gentleman to our house, but before we believe what people tell us, we need to first test them to make su...

This simple, convenient, and effective way to prac;tice Buddha Recitation is especially suitable for those who find that they have little time for cultivation. It helps us to be mindful of Buddha Amitabha, and brings us quiet joy. We begin when we wake up. Sit up straight and clearly recite “Amituofo” ten times with a calm and focused mind, aloud or silently. We repeat this process eight more times, each time doing one round of ten recitations. Recite nine times daily at these times: Upon waking up Before breakfast After breakfast Before work Before lunch After lunch Before dinner After dinner Upon retiring The key is regularity; disruption of this practice will reduce its effectiveness. When we recite consistently without interruption, we will soon feel an increase in our purity of mind, wisdom, and serenity. Diligent practice of this method, together with unwavering belief and vows, can ensure fulfillment of our wish to reach the Western Pure Land.

In recent years, our world has become beset with calamities and our lives increasingly filled with suffering and unhappiness. As times goes on, these adversities will become more and more severe. Someone asked how the Great Compassionate Buddhas and Bodhisattvas liberate all people from their pain. We need to understand the real meaning of liberation. It does not mean that the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas will deliver food when we do not have enough to eat, or clothes when we do not have enough to wear. Then how do they help us? By teaching us how to overcome greed, anger and ignorance so that our minds will no longer be deluded, but awakened. By teaching us of the Law of Cause and Effect. To end our suffering, we first have to know what causes it. As human beings, we undergo the sufferings of birth, old age, sickness and death. We suffer hardships, do not attain what we seek, are parted from our loved ones and find ourselves in the presence of those whom we resent or even hate. We are sur...

There are three types of fire puja that can be requested as follows :- 1.Jinsik, jin (giving/offering) sik (burning). Within this there are 5 different types: peaceful,expansive ,magnetising, wrathful and multi (combination of the four). Jinsik fire puja is usually done on a Lama's recommendation or at the end of a long retreat. 2.Sang (purify) This is the purification of the environment, your own physical body and mind which is done through using offerings and fire. Sang fire puja is helpful if there are problems with your business, personally your energy is low, or you feel you are unpopular. It is also a practice done for the environment in times of drought, floods, crops being damaged by insects, cyclones or any kind of inauspiscious circumstances. 3. Sur. This is the dedication to hungry ghosts or the deceased. Hungry spirits can only eat through smell, so by placing offerings of smell in the fire, they can be satisfied. Sur puja is done when a relative or friend dies, especia...

As it was stated in the Sutra of Generosity, one will attain the Heavenly Eyes of clarity and purity, one will obtain the Wisdom of Clarity and Discrimination when they offer the lamps to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. As it was also stated in the Sutra of Different Distribution, one will obtain ten virtues and merits by offering a lamp to Thatagathas. They are : 1. To illuminate the world as a bright lamp of the dharma. 2. To have perfect eye sight without any defects. 3. To obtain Heavenly Eyes easily. 4. To attain the discriminative wisdom, which knows the difference between virtues and non-virtues. 5. To liberate oneself from dullness and ignorance. 6. One will not be confused and bewildered by outer phenomena. 7. One will not reborn into a place of darkness and stupidity. 8. One will obtain great merit and great virtues. 9. One will reborn into the Heavens (especially the 2nd Heaven - Trayatrimsa). 10. One will swiftly attain the great bliss of Nirvana.

The merits and benefits of Fire Puja are as follows :- 1. As special skillful means in Vajrayana Buddhism. 2. To offer to Buddhas, Bodhisattvas deities, dakinis and protectors. 3. To swiftly attain the mundane and supra-mundane accomplishments. 4. To attain the power and activities of 'pacification'; to pacify all obstacles of our minds and bodies and to subdue all evil deeds and negative karma. 5. To attain the power and activities of 'increasing' to increase one's merit, wisdom, life span as well as our wealth and prosperity. 6. To attain the power and activities of 'magnetizing', to attract the essence and substances of power, longevity, fame and harmonious relationship. 7. To attain the power and activities if 'subjugation', to destroy all misdeeds, evil karma and demonic forces and obstructions.

Historical and Spiritual Significance by: Dhammasami, Bhikkhu Sri Saddhatissa International Buddhist Center, London (Aug 2005) Today we have been engaged in a series of programs that are part of the Kathina robe-offering ceremony. It is important that we understand about what we are doing -- in this particular case, about the Kathina ceremony; to be aware of some thing we are undertaking is Buddhist way of doing things, which is technically called Right Understanding. There is more chance for Right Understanding when Right Mindfulness is present. So today it is nothing but appropriate for us to reflect on the practice of Kathina -- the Theravada traditional robe-offering ceremony. The word 'Kathina' is Pali in origin. It means a frame used in sewing robes those days in India. However, before we talk about this Kathina let us look at some other monastic practices related to it so that we can understand Kathina ceremony in a broader perspective. Practice Of Retre...

Mahindarama Buddhist Temple of Penang will be holding its Annual Kathina Offering on 19 October (Sunday) from 7.00am - 3.00pm. The sponsorship of robes will be RM120.00 per tray. All Buddhist devotees are welcomed to participate in this annual offering. For further information on this event, kindly contact the below address:- Mahindarama Buddhist Temple 2. Jalan Kampar 10460 Penang Tel: 042825944 Email: admin@mahindarama.com Website: http://mahindarama.com

Namo Aryavalokitesvaraya Bodhisattva Mahasattva Mahakarunakaya ( 3 times ) Namo ratnarayaya/Namo aryavalokitesvaraya/Bodhisattvaya/mahasattvaya/mahakarunikaya/Om/sarva abhayah/sunadhasya/Namo sukrtvemama/aryavalokitesvaragarbha/Namo nilakantha/(Siri)Mahabhadrasrame/Sarvathasubham/ajeyam/sarvasattvanamavarga/mahadhatu/Tadyatha/Om avaloke/lokite/kalate/Hari/mahabodhisattva/sarva sarva/mala mala/(Masi) Mahahrdayam/kuru kuru karmam/(Kuru) Kuruvijayati/mahavijayati/Dharadhara/dharin suraya/Chala chala/mama bhramara/muktir/Ehi ehi/chinda chinda/harsam prachali/Basa basam presaya/hulu hulu mala/Hulu hulu hilo/sara sara/siri siri/suru suru/Bodhiya bodhiya/bodhaya bodhaya/Maitreya/nilakantha/dharsinina/Payamana svaha/siddhaya svaha/mahasiddhaya svaha/Siddhayogesvaraya svaha/nilakanthasvaha/Varahananaya svaha/simhasiramukhaya svaha/Sarvamahasiddhaya svaha/cakrasiddhaya svaha/Padmahastaya svaha/nilakanthavikaraya svaha/Mahasisankaraya svaha/Namo ratnatrayaya/Namo aryavalokitesvaraya svaha/Om sidd...

Mantras are a sound manifestation coming from emptiness. They are the authentic sound of emptiness.From the point of view of the absolute truth and of emptiness itself, the mantra does not have any existence. There is neither sound nor mantra. Sounds and mantras, as with all other forms of manifestation, are located in the relative realm that arises from emptiness. In the relative realm, sounds, although devoid of their own entity, have the power to designate, name, and act on the mind. When, for instance, someone tells us "You are a fine person" or "You are very disagreeable," the words "fine" or "disagreeable" are not "things." They are only sounds that are not either "fine" or "disagreeable" in themselves, but simply evoke the thoughts of "fine" and "disagreeable" and produce an effect on the mind. Similarly, in the relative domain mantras are endowed with an infallible power of action. Mantras...

On the 4 September, being an associate member of Yayasan Belia Buddhist Malaysia (YBBM), I received a copy of the latest Berita YBAM volume 119 from October 2007 to April 2008 from the Young Buddhist Association Malaysia (YBAM). After going through the articles of Berita YBAM, I noticed two of the reports on pages 12 and 15 that interest me and I decided to check and study them deeply to ascertain the events and happenings written. Upon reading the reports of the events, which involved the construction of the Puzhao Buddhist Vihara, I was gravely upset, saddened and disappointed, despite after 51 years of Merdeka on our nation, we were supposed to have a Malaysia which were to be for all Malaysians, but what I had found out is we were still restricted in terms of religious activities, movements and the construction of places of worship. Then, I took a few seconds looking at the federal constitution which I had. Even though the religious freedom of non-muslims are guaranteed and enshrin...