Samantabhadra Bodhisattva

Samanta meaning "universally extending" and Bhadra meaning "great virtue" the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra extends his virtue and compassion to all sentient beings. Samantabhadra is known as the Bodhisattva of "Universal Worthy" as his virtue is that of a sage's. As a cosmic entity, Samatabhadra is the embodyment of all Bodhisattva practices and merits indispensable in the attainment of Buddhahood.

The Discourse on a Layperson's Duties (Sigalovada sutta)

One morning, the Buddha left the Bamboo Grove to go into Rajagaha. On his alms round he saw a young man called Sigala, dripping wet as though he had just taken a bath. Sigala was bowing down in each of the four directions — to the East, South, West and North. He was bowing to the sky above and to the ground beneath his feet. Seeing all this, the Buddha stopped and asked the young man what he was doing.

"This was my father's last wish just before he died," Sigala replied. "My father advised me to worship in all directions, to keep evil away from the four directions and from above and below."

The Buddha thought about this and said, "It is the right thing to do, to keep the advice your father gave you as his last wish, but you must not take your father's words literally. Your father did not intend that you should actually bow down in this way." Then the Buddha explained the real meaning of worshipping in all directions:

Caning not the way to discipline child

It is welcoming to note that the women, family and community development minister will review the Child Act stating among other things, that caning could be an offence under a new law to replace the Child Act 2001.

We appreciate the fact that we aim to make alignments and rectifications to the Conventions on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which Malaysia is a signatory. 

We firmly believe this is the right direction that children have rights and it is wrong to inflict pain upon another, especially to children. Hitting a child and inflicting pain as a reminder and lesson for any wrongdoing may not be the best way to do affect change.

While the physical pain may serve as a lesson, the lessons from the mental pain is stronger, the lesson they will eventually pick up will be that violence is a legitimate process of learning. 

Studies have shown that in terms of whether parental aggression (spanking) decreases aggression in the child, the answer is no. In fact, spanking tends to increase child aggression.

"Nama Dhamma" - Ajahn Chah

What is true love? Thich Nhat Hanh

Published on Jan 17, 2015

Thay answers question on 21 June 2014.

Topics: buddhism, thich nhat hanh, love, true love, suffering, happiness, immeasurables, maitri, metta, loving kindness, karuna, compassion, mudita, joy, upeksha, upekkha, inclusiveness, equanimity, non-discrimination.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8IMoN_9TyA

The Bhumi-sparsa (Pali: Bumi-phassa) mudra

"In one of Buddhism's iconic images, Gautama Buddha sits in meditation with his left palm upright on his lap, while his right hand touches the earth. Demonic forces have tried to unseat him, because their king, Mara, claims that place under the bodhi tree. As they proclaim their leader's powers, Mara demands that Gautama produce a witness to confirm his spiritual awakening. The Buddha simply touches the earth with his right hand, and the Earth itself immediately responds: "I am your witness." Mara and his minions vanish. The morning star appears in the sky. This moment of supreme enlightenment is the central experience from which the whole of the Buddhist tradition unfolds."

The passing of the day - Goenkaji

Following is an account of how Goenkaji faced his last moments, on Sunday, September 29, 2013.

Sometimes the end of life comes as peacefully as the passing of the day.

In the last months of his long life, Goenkaji was confined to a wheelchair and faced increasing pain, yet he strove to carry on with his daily routine. Often he had recalled how the Buddha served until his last moments. It was clear that Goenkaji intended to follow that great example. He continued to meet with visitors and to take a close interest in the Dhamma work.

Ordination of 33 women and six men

Thirty three women entered the order of Bhikkunies under the tutelage of    Ven. Dr. Kolonnawe Kusuma  Therani at the Hettiyadeniya  

Sri Sudharshana Dharmanikethana on 2015-02-01 

Chief incumbent of the Horana Arya Kema Meditation Centre Ven. Dr.  

Kusuma Therani said it was for the first time in the history of Buddhism 

    in Sri Lanka after ordaining of 500 women by Ven. Sanghamitta Therani, 

     who established the order of Bhikkunies, that a large number of women entered the order of Bhikkunies.   

Six men also entered the order of monks during the ceremony. The 

ordaining ceremony was organised under the guidance of Chief Incumbent 

   of the Sri Sudharshana Dharmanikethana Ven. Ketawala Hemaloka Thera. (Pix by Kushal Chamath)

Meditation Sitting Position