Buddhism As Education

In the commentary to the Kathinakkhandaka (Section on Kathina) of the Vinaya Pitaka, kathina is defined as a concept of conglomeration which means bringing things together. It is a concept that arises because of certain things that come together. For example: A Bhikkhu/s (Buddhist monk/s) who has/have spent the first vassa; A Sangha (Community of Bhikkhus) comprising at least five bhikkhus; Robe season (the Kathina month) - first month after the end of the first vassa i.e. final month of the rainy season; A rightfully acquired robe - the robe to be donated must not be requested by a member of the Sangha, nor must any hint be given for the robe to be offered, rather the robe must be offered spontaneously by the donor. These are some criterias that come together for the concept of kathina to arise. In fact, two meanings of kathina are given in the Vinaya Commentaries: A frame used during the Buddha's time for sewing double layered robes together. The edges of one robe were fixed to...

Nandaka Vihara in Cherok Tokun, Bukit Mertajam will be having its Kathina Day (Annual Offering of Robes) on 31 October 2010 (Sunday) from 8.00 am to 12.30 pm. The Kathina programme for that day are as follows:- 8.00 am - Pindapata (Almsround) - Rice only 8.30 am - Food Stalls Open for Devotees 10.30 am - Sanghikadana (Food Offerings to the Sangha) 12.00 pm - Kathina Robes Offering; Dhamma Talk, Paritta Chanting; Sharing of Merits 12.30 pm - Adjournment All are devotees and friends are welcome. May the Sasana remain forever. Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu!

How the kathina ceremony came about is recorded in the Mahavagga, the third book of the Vinaya Pitaka (Vin III. 351 ff). The following is a summary of the account. At one time monks of Pava were on the way to see the Lord who was staying at Savatthi in Jetavana, Anathapindika's monastery. They were all forest dwellers, all alms men, all wearers of rag robes, all wearers of the three robes. As vassa was approaching, they were unable to reach Savatthi in time, so they entered vassa on the way at Saketa. They spent the vassa in a state of longing, thinking: "the Lord is staying close to us, six yojanas (about 60 kilometers) from here, but we are not getting the chance to see the Lord". Ten after the vassa, the monks continued on their journey to Jetavana, Savatthi where the Lord was staying. It was raining and the waters were gathering, while swamps were forming. By the time the monks arrived at their destination, their robes were drenched and they were all exhausted. Having...

The full moon day of Asahla (Vassa) is an auspicious day for Buddhist devotees. On this day, meritorious deeds are done specially due to the following reasons:- 1) It was on this day that the Bodhisatta was conceived in Queen Maya's womb; 2) It was on this day that the Bodhisatta renounced the world to seek Enlightenment; 3) It was on this day that the Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon, Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta or the Discourse on the Turning Wheel of the Dhamma. Thus, the Bodhisatta came into the human world, renounced his worldly pleasures and left the mundane world and delivered the first sermon. Because of these three great events, this day has a special significance for all Buddhist. When the Bodhisatta was about to pass away from the Tusita deva realm after enjoying the luxuries of a deva and Brahmas entreated, "it is time to be a Buddha in the human world". Thus, the Bodhisatta was conceived in the royal mother Queen Maha Maya's womb on the Full Moon Da...

Ven. Dhammasubho, the Abbot of Nandaka Vihara at his seat The guest sanghas taking their seat in preparation for the Dana The chanting of suttas commenced The newly constructed sangha quarters (also known as Kuti in Pali) Another two Kutis nearby The vihara's garden Construction in progress, expected to be ready in a month's time Nandaka Vihara is situated in Cherok To' Kun, Bukit Mertajam in Seberang Perai Tengah. To go to Nandaka, you may drive into the road leading towards the To' Kun Hill and you will see a signboard on the right side before reaching the To' Kun hillside. After turning to your right, you will past a Chinese temple and proceed straight via single lane road which will lead you right to the vihara. The vihara is a very nice and environmentally friendly in nature and man made. Its landscape was made and designed to ensure its foundation remain as strong as possible.

15 August 2010, 7 pm - His Eminence Thritsab Gyabra Rinpoche accompanied by Supha Rinpoche and the other lamas last night conducted another chanting session and a final fire puja ceremony in order to ease the sufferings of the wondering spirits, the departed ones and other ghosts. Prior to this Thritsab Gyabra Rinpoche also officiated the release of lotus candle lights into the river in order to lead the wondering spirits, departed ones and the ghost out of the suffering realms. On completion of these event, Thritsab Gyabra Rinpoche and Supha Rinpoche blessed all the devotees who were present.

His Eminence Thritsab Gyabra Rinpoche accompanied by Supha Rinpoche and the other lamas today conduct another session of Dharma discourse at Palme Gon Buddhist Society in Jalan Bagan Lallang, Butterworth. In today's Dharma discourse Gyabra Rinpoche explained the significance of Om Mane Padme Hung and its meaning to the devotees and informed us on the importance and effectiveness on reciting Om Mane Padme Hung regularly. After the explanation, Gyabra Rinpoche led his group to chant various mantras and sutras based on the Concise Sandhana of Chenrezig.

14 August 2010, 7 pm - After the liberation completed, Venerable Sek Chin Seng continued with another session of prayers and chanting for the memorial service held in conjunction of the 7th Lunar month where merits were passed to the departed ones as well as the wondering spirits and ghosts in order to ease their sufferings and lead them to a better realm.

Venerable Sek Chin Seng blessing all the fish, birds and tortoise during the prayers for liberation of these animals into the riverside. Devotees who are present also participated in the meritorious event which lasted for about an hour plus. Ven Sek Chin Seng blessing all the fish prior to the liberation Devotees participating in the liberation by releasing the fish and tortoise Devotees participating in the liberation by releasing the fish and tortoise "Yahoo! I'm free. I'm free" "Me too, we are all free"

His Eminence Thritsab Gyabra Rinpoche will be at Palme Gon Buddhist Society, Jalan Bagan Lallang, Butterworth on tomorrow 15 August 2010 to conduct a mass prayer and offering ceremony in conjunction of the 7th Lunar Month. During this event Gyabra Rinpoche will lead devotees in mantra recitation, chanting, fire offering and liberation of animals to dedicate our merits to the departed and our love ones. The prayer session for the day shall commence at 9.00 am. All are most welcomed.

Venerable Hai Tao Supha Rinpoche Our sincere thanks and heartfelt gratitude to both Venerable Hai Tao and Supha Rinpoche for their great meritorious Dhamrma service - mass prayers and chanting session, mass liberation, blessing services, passing of merits for the benefit of all devotees, our community, our departed parents, departed grandparents, relatives and the unborn, the wondering spirits, ghosts and for cleansing our karmic debts. Namo Amitabha. Om Mane Padme Hung.

Venerable Sek Chin Seng conducted the prayer ceremony and offering service to the departed ones on 13 August 2010 night. Later, he also lead devotees to light up the lotus candles for the purpose of offering merits to the spirits and ghost to ease their sufferings and pain.

Offering to the Buddha and Kuan Yin Offering to the Dzambhala Bathing the Dzambhala for cleansing of bad Karma and to wade off evils Prayers and blessings for the departed foetus Lamp offerings at the main altar near the river-side Lamp lighting at the mail altar Lamp lighting and offerings Prayers and offerings for the departed foetus Prayers and offerings for the departed foetus Prayers and offerings for the departed foetus Prayers and offerings for the departed foetus Prayers and offerings to our departed parents, grandparents and relatives Fire offerings to ease the suffering and pain of the wondering spirits, ghosts and to clear our karmic debts