Buddhism As Education

The Most Venerable Hai Tao will be coming over to Butterworth, Penang on 10 March next month to conduct a mass liberation and fire offering ceremony in the afternoon and dhamma talk in the evening. The above event organise by the Palme Gon Buddhist Society of Butterworth. For more information please contact Mdm Chan Poh Choo at her mobile 012-4900944 or Ms Chan Ling Ling at 012-4278987. All devotees and friends are most welcomed.

Buddhism never found the need to give new interpretations to its teachings. Newly verified scientific discoveries never contradict the teachings of the Buddha as the method and teachings of Buddhism are scientifically valid. Buddhism's principles can be maintained under any circumstances without changing its basic ideas. The understanding capacity of the value of these religious ideas may diminish and disappear from human's mind. And humans may experience the difficultiy of practicing these principles in a corrupted society. However, the value of the Buddha's teaching will be appreciated by every cultured and understanding personat any time. As complimented by Albert Einstein, a physicist and mathematician and winner of the Noble Prize, who is popularly regarded as the most outstanding scientist of the twentieth century. "The religion of the future will be a cosmic religion. It should transcend a personal God and avoid dogmas and theology. Covering both the natural and...

Buddhism is the only religion, which was explained to mankind through experience, realisation, wisdom and enlightenment of its founder i.e. the Buddha without introducing it as a message by a god. It starts from the root of known experience and not blind faith. Human problems must be understood by one through human experience and solved by developing great humane qualities. One should find the solution through the purification and development of human mind and not through outsiders. That is why the Buddha never introduce himself as a supernatural saviour. He did not acknowledge that there is such a saviour. According to him, we can be our own saviours.

The Buddha was an unequalled teacher. He freely and actively invited both his followers and those of other beliefs to challenge his teachings from every possible angle till there was no room for any kind of doubt. True to his injunctions, his followers have debated about his doctrine and even founded various schools of Buddhism according to their understanding without violence or bloodshed. The Buddha knew that if one really believed that one knows the truth, one should not be afraid to have it challenged, as the truth always win. His replies to numerous questions enriched the Buddhist doctrine into a vast religious field. We are today able to answer any questions about Buddhism, simply by referring to the Buddha's explanations.

As the Buddha’s concern is the true happiness of all beings, his teachings can be practiced in society or seclusion by all of every race and belief. It is totally unbiased and truly universal. Purification of the Mind Buddhism is the only religion that encourages not just the ceasing of all evil and the doing of all good – it also teaches the purification of one’s mind, which is the root of all good and evil, the cause of both suffering and true happiness. Self Reliance When the Buddha was meditating to gain enlightenment, no gods came to reveal any hidden secrets of spiritual power. No one gave him any religious laws to teach. He said, “I never had any teacher or divinity to teach me or tell me how to gain enlightenment. I achieved supreme wisdom by my own effort, energy, knowledge and purity.” Likewise, we can attain this highest goal through perseverance in perfecting ourselves. Freedom of thought From the intellectual and philosophical content of Buddhism rose the freedom of though...

Tangka, or Tibetan Buddhist story painting, is a fascinating element of Tibet autonomous region's culture. At an ongoing exhibition of national heritage items at the Beijing Agricultural Exhibition Hall, visitors can see how Tibetan artisans paint Tangka, and take a closer look at how the exquisite art is made. Tangka dazzles viewers with its bright colors and exquisite delineation. Folk artist Xi Hedao is drawing gold lines, a demanding skill in Tangka painting. The gold lines can bestow the figure with a glamorous glow. Tangka features strict composition and elaborate depiction. Some pieces are colored while others are painted with black lines. Another artist Niang Ben is displaying this skill. The artists are demonstrating how to paint a Tangka at the national heritage exhibition. Viewers can learn about the pigments, skills, and themes of the paintings. The ingredients and proportion of the pigments are secret, and the uniquely created pigment guarantees Tan...

The historical Buddha is an embodiment of all the virtues that he preached. He preached and translated all his words into action. He was tireless in his spreading of the truth and was a perfect model example. At no time did he ever show any human weakness or base passion. His qualities of morality, wisdom and compassion are almost perfect the world has ever known. You can become perfect too The Buddha represents the highest peak of spiritual cultivation possible. He taught that all can attain true perfection. No other founder of a religion has ever said that its followers too have the same chance to gain the same experience of peace, happiness and salvation as oneself. But the Buddha taught that anyone could attain the same bliss of supreme enlightenment if one was to practice as the Buddha did. Beyond religion If the definition of “religion” is the unquestionable belief and worship in a supreme entity with the obligation to carry out rites and rituals then Buddhism is definitely not a...

The liberation area situated by the riverside. The river is named Sungai Prai, Butterworth. The offerings of fruits, flowers, mlik, cookies, cakes, light, prayer banners and flags, lotus candles and crystal pagodas on the shrine table. The main prayer shrine inside the society's premises in Butterworth with all the item offerings. The society's vice president, Mdm Chan Poh Choo with some of the Rinpoches at their mantra recitation service recently. She is an active organiser of some major events organised by the society for the past ten years.

The Palme Gon Buddhist Society in Bagan Lallang, Butterworth held its animal liberation service yesterday at the Prai river situated near the society's premises. Our devotees, members and supporters who attended help to release all the animals. Fishes, Crabs, Frogs and Tortoise were released into the river while the Crickets were released in the plant bushes at the riverside. Prior to the animal liberation, prayers and mantra recitation were conduct, followed by blessing of holy water on the animals due for release.

The Palme Gon Buddhist Society in Bagan Lallang had recently held a blessing and smoke offering service for its devotess and supporters in conjunction with the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration. After the service the Rinpoches later blessed the devotees with Mantra recitations.

Buddhism is an education about our living environment and us. The Buddha teaches us to recognize ourselves, our thoughts, speech, and actions as well as the consequences they evoke. Most importantly, the Buddha wants us to restore our original and complete wisdom. He teaches that everyone possesses the ability to attain complete understanding of life and the universe and it is only because of delusion, that we are unable to realize it. We are blinded by discrimination, wondering thoughts and attachments and forget the original pure mind of our self nature. In this way, we have caused ourselves much unneeded suffering. The Buddha also teaches us to view our environment clearly. Environment refers to the people, matters and objects that we came across every day. When our hearts are free from discriminatory thoughts and attachments, we will be able to view everything clearly and deal with them appropriately. Thus, we can live in harmony with others and succeed in all our endeavors. What d...