Buddhism As Education

While residing at the Jetavana Monastery in Savatthi, the Buddha spoke this verse, with reference to Mattakundali, a young Brahmin. Mattakundali was a young Brahmin, whose father, Adinnapubbaka was very misery and never gave anything in charity. Even the gold ornaments for his only son were made by himself to save payment for the workmanship. When his son fell ill one day, no physician was consulted, until it was too late. When he realized that his son was dying, he had the youth carried outside on the veranda, so that people coming into his house would not see his possessions. On that morning, the Buddha arising from his deep meditation of compassion, saw in his Net of knowledge, Mattakundali lying on the veranda. So when entering Savatthi for alms-food with his disciples, the Buddha stood near the door of the Brahmin Adinnapubbaka. The Buddha send forth a ray of light to attact attention of the youth, who was facing the interior of the house. The young man saw the Buddha and he was v...

Buddhism exists and aims for the Enlightenment of one and all. Therefore, Buddhahood or Supreme Enlightenment is the ultimate goal of a Buddhist. Simply put, it is the achievement of True Happiness. Very broadly summarized, the level of spiritual attainment as stages towards Supreme Enlightenment include the following. Arahanthood One can aspire to attain Arahanthood (Arahantship), becoming an Arahant (Arahat). An Arahant is one who has attained the bliss and enlightenment of Nirvana, achieving Freedom from Craving, Aversion and Ignorance (which cause all suffering), ending the cycle of birth and death for oneself. Bodhisattvahood An Arahant can also progress to attain Bodhisattvahood, becoming a Bodhisattva. A Bodhisattva is one who resolves, out of Compassion, to help all other living beings, along with oneself, to progress towards Supreme Enlightenment. Though Bodhisattvas vow not to enter the bliss of Supreme Enlightenment before all others are released from suffering, they realize...

In this ceremony, devotees usually line up before sunrise to meditatively cirumambulate the perimeter of the temple, bowing once every three steps, while chanting mantras or the name of the Buddha in praise of Him. Upon every prostration, the Buddha can be visualized standing upon one's open palms to receive the Buddha. The open palms symbolize lotuses that denote blossoming of purity IThough the Lotus flower's roots are in the "mud of defilements", it blossoms pure and untainted from it). Every prostration is thus the paying respects to the Buddha (or the countless Buddhas and Bodhisattvas). This practice helps to purify the Mind, humble the ego and lessen obstacles along the spiritual path as one repents past misdeeds and aspires towards spiritual improvement. With mindfulness of one's body, speech and Mind during practice, concentration and calmness can be attained. As the ceremony is long, it reminds one of the long and difficult journey towards Enlightenment ...

In this ceremony, devotees hold a lit candle after sunset as they pave around the perimeter of a temple, holy object or monument in walking meditation as they chant mantras or the Buddha's name in praise of Him. The ceremony represents the passing of the light of wisdom (sharing of the Truth) to every direction of the world to dispel the darkness if Ignorance. On personal level, it has the significance of lighting up one's inner lamp of Wisdom. The indefinite passing on of the light to countless others without one's own flame dying illustrates that Wisdom can be shared without loss on one's part. The burning of the wick with the melting of the candle reminds us of the impermanence and transience of all conditional things, including our own lives. Reflecting so helps us to treasure every moment alive without attachment. Mindfulness is practiced in not letting the flame be extinguished. This is symbolic of the constant guarding of the Mind against negative factors detrime...

Upavasatha Days On Upavasatha or new and full Moon days (the first and fifteen days of the lunar month), many Buddhist assemble in temples to meditate, make offerings, recite sermons and perform acts of veneration to the Triple Gem. Many also take vegetarian meals on these days as they observe the Eight Precepts. Ullambana Day Ullambana is an expression of Buddhists' respect for their ancestors and their Compassion for all beings suffering in the realms of misery. The observance of Ullambana on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month is based on the incident of Venerable Mogallana, a disciple of the Buddha who discovered through his meditative powers that his mother had been reborn in one of the realms of misery. Distressed, he approached the Buddha for help, who then advised him to make offerings to the Sangha, as their merit of doing so would help to relieve the suffering of his mother and that of other beings in the realms of misery. Making offerings to relieve the sufferin...

Wesak Day is the most important event of the year for the Buddhist community. It commemorates the Birth, Enlightenment and Final Nirvana of the Buddha on the full moon day of the fourth lunar month. This occasion is observed by millions of Buddhist throughout the world. It is a festival for rejoice and goodwill to all. It is also an occasion for reflection of our own personal spiritual development. For some Buddhist, the observance of Wesak begins early in the morning when they assemble at temples to observe the Eight Precepts. Others may join the communal observances by going through the ceremony of taking the Threefold Refuge, observing the Five Precepts, making offerings at shrines and chanting. They may also participate in processions and circumambulation and listen to sermons of the Buddha's Teachings. In some temples or centres, Buddhist take part in ceremonial bathing of an image of baby Prince Siddhartha (The Buddha when he was a Prince), place in a basin of perfumed water ...

Mantras are short sacred phrases or syllables that symbolizes certain teachings or qualities like the six-syllabled mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum" which symbolizes Compassion, representing Truth in its various aspects may be recited. Chanting mantras helps to bring the Mind to Peace and Calmness while purifying it. Each specific mantra can help bring about certain positive characteristics in the Mind such as Compassion, Wisdom and Courage. Homage to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas Homage to the names of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas e.g. Namo amituofo or Homage to Amitabha Buddha and Namo Daci Dabei Guanshiyin Pusa or Homage to Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva of Great Compassion, can be chanted single mindedly to recall and invoke in oneself the virtues and qualities they personify. Doing so helps to remind us that we too can attain perfection in various qualities like them.

Chanting or Puja is a melodious way of reading as one reflects upon the Buddha's teachings. Besides aiding memorization, chanting in a soothing tune has a calming effect on both the reciter and the hearer. Chanting should be done solemnly with mindfulness and energy. Like meditation, chanting helps one to concentrate and develop a peaceful state of Mind. Words of the Buddha may also be recited in mindfulness of the Triple Gem in times of fear or disturbance, whether arising from external source or from oneself, so that such disturbances can be overcome. This is possible as the Triple Gem is free from all kinds of defilements and hindrances such as craving, aversion and ignorance. Chanting can be done in any language. Popular languages include Pali, Sanskrit (languages used during the Buddha's time), Chinese, Tibetan, Thai, English, etc. Lay Buddhists often chant once in the morning and once in the evening. The purpose of Morning Puja is to remind oneself to be mindful of the ...

Offering of Lights The offering of light reminds us of the illuminating brightness of Wisdom which dispels the darkness of Ignorance on the path towards Enlightenment. This urges us to seek the light of ultimate Wisdom. Reverencing the Buddha, we offer candles and lamps: To Him, who is the light, we offer light. From His great lamp, a lamp we light within us: The lamp of Bodhi (awakening) shining within our hearts. Offering of Flowers The offering of fresh and beautiful flowers which soon becomes withered, scentless and discoloured serves as a reminder of the impermanence of all things, including our very lives. This urges us to treasure every moment of our life while not becoming attached to it. Reverencing the Buddha, we offer flowers: Flowers that today are fresh and sweetly blooming, Flowers that tomorrow are faded and fallen. Our bodies too, like flowers will also pass away. Offering of Incense The offering of fragrant burning incense which fills the air symbolizes the virtue and ...

Sunday, June 5 · 8:30pm - 10:30pm Venue: NGEDON TENGYE LING BUDDHIST SOCIETY at 39 Persiaran Medan Bercham 3, Pusat Bandar Baru Bercham, 31400, Ipoh, Perak. About the Dharma Master Khenpo Yeshi was born into a noble family in Kham, East Tibet in 1969. From early childhood, he showed a deep interest in the study of Dharma. Tibetan Dzogchen master, H.E. Lungdok Rinpoche, as well as H.E. Khenpo Könchok Gyaltsen took a personal interest in guiding young Yeshi and, at the age of thirteen, he was granted empowerments, transmissions and oral instructions in the cycle of sNying thig. Arriving in South India at nineteen, Khenpo Yeshi went to Sera Monastery. He continued to excel in his academic studies, ascending to the top of his Shedra classes. Later, he entered Dzogchen Monastery in order to complete his studies in both the Sutra and Tantra trainings. Over the years, Khenpo Yeshi studied closely with more than two dozen eminent Khenpos, including H.E. Khenchen Meiwa Tubten Rinpoche and H.E. ...

Buddhism in practice is more colourful than just learning about the Buddha's life and his teachings. It includes many observances, some of which are common to all Buddhist while the other characteristic of a particular culture or country. As we are beings of both reason and emotion, devotional rituals are important in helping us emotionally connect to the Buddha and his teachings. Rituals can bring meaningful solemnity into practice, helping us to focus and attain calmness. These should be done out of sincere faith, not fear or superstition. Shrine The shrine found in Buddhist homes or temples is a focal point of Buddhist observance dedicated to the Triple Gem. The Buddha image in the center of the shrine represents and remind us of the Buddha and the ideal of Enlightenment and its perfect qualities of Wisdom and Compassion among many others. It helps to inspire us as we recall the greatness of the Buddha and his teachings. The shrine may also include other objects such as volume o...