Diabetes and heart diseases: Common cause of death among Buddhist monks

By Dr. Upali Illangasekera
Former Professor in Medicine,Peradeniya
Founder President, Diabetes Association of Sri Lanka (Kandy Branch)
Managing Director, Kandy Diabetes Centre

Two significant events took place in the Month of November. Sri Lanka lost one of her most erudite and respected Buddhist priests, Ven. Madulawae Sobitha Nayaka Thera at the beginning of the month. He passed away due to complications of diabetes. Then nearly a century ago in the month of November, Sir Fredrick Banting, the discoverer the life saving drug insulin used in the treatment of diabetes was born in Canada. November 14th is the birth day of Sir Banting and the authorities have named it the World Diabetes Day. All over the world including Sri Lanka, this day is used mainly to highlight and create awareness on all aspects of diabetes. Some of these activities include Diabetes Day Walks, exhibitions, lectures and screening programmes to identify those with diabetes and its complications.

Ji Xiang temple: Orphanage for the elderly

By Celia Hatton, BBC News, 21 December 2015

Fujian, China -- China has the fastest-ageing population in human history but the state provides very little support for elderly people. Ageing parents have traditionally been looked after by their children - but in today's China that is not always the case.

China has a lot of orphanages for children. But the Ji Xiang temple has an entirely different purpose - it's an orphanage for the elderly.

High in the mountains of China's southern Fujian province, the temple has all of the things you might expect to see in a Buddhist sanctuary. A giant Buddha statue dominates the cavernous main building, filling it with a golden glow. Outside, a beautifully sculpted garden is dotted with small stone statues.

A Buddhist refuge for those released from prison

by Clare Becker, The Hanover Evening Sun, Dec 28, 2015

Bodhi House takes in former prisoners at their most vulnerable moment.

GETTYSBURG, PA (USA) - From the road, it's a scene like many others in rural Adams County. A white farmhouse set back in the trees. Weather-beaten barn. A dog in the yard lifts its head at the sound of an approaching vehicle.

John Mulligan (left) runs Bodhi House, a Buddhist retreat at his family's former farmhouse in Mount Joy Township, Adams County. The retreat is used as a transitional center by ex-cons trying to re-integrate into society. (Shane Dunlap / AP)

Inside, cuttings from a bodhi tree, a tree sacred to Buddhists and traditionally planted at monasteries, catch the sunlight from a glass near the kitchen sink. A vase of pink freesia rests at the base of a small altar to the Buddha. A tall man in a pressed white cotton shirt gets up from an armchair to answer the phone. There's something about the calm, measured way he moves, his soft-spoken speech that's instantly compelling.

Extremism Loses Out in Myanmar Vote

By Oren Samet, Asia Sentinel, December 22, 2015

With the NLD’s landslide victory, have hardline monks lost their political power?

Yangon, Myanmar -- With the opposition National League for Democracy’s 
(NLD) landslide victory in Myanmar’s Nov. 8 election, the enduring popularity 
of its leader, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, was confirmed. 
The results also constituted a strong popular rebuke of military rule, as the former generals of the incumbent Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) suffered an embarrassing defeat.

                                Ma Ba Tha leader Ashin Wirathu

But another group was also revealed to be less politically powerful than expected: the Buddhist nationalist organization known as Ma Ba Tha, or the Association for the Protection of Race and Religion. Led by Buddhist monks 
who espouse a particularly vocal brand of anti-Muslim nationalism, Ma Ba 
Tha had spent months lobbying for the enactment of legislation and policies aimed at “protecting” Buddhism.

Third verse of "Anumodana" - "Sharing of merits to all Devas"

May all being inhabiting space and earth,
Devas and Nagas of mighty powers
share this merit
and may they long protect me and others

Seeds of Awareness

Published on Dec 6, 2015

Documents modern children's experiences with Anapana meditation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkZ5TZdsE_I

A Simple New Year Wish

by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, The Buddhist Channel, Jan 5, 2016

Famed Lama implores everyone to make a sincere wish to have Buddhadharma flourish and remain in this samsara

Himachal Pradesh, India  World renowned Lama and film maker Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche in his new year message has implored Buddhists to simply "... want Buddhadharma to flourish and remain in this samsara".

He paralled the flourishing, longevity, and strengthening of the Buddha Sasana to the Buddha's own dedication and personal suffering for the sake of the enlightenment of all.

The following is Rinpoche's message in full.
                                                                       Dear Friends,
In this coming new year I would like to request all of you to spend five seconds really wanting the Buddhadharma to flourish and remain in this samsara. Just simply wanting or wishing this will do. I am not even asking you to light a lamp, burn incense, fold your palms, chant a mantra, or sit and meditate. Just a sincere and clear wish, however short, from a lot of us truly wanting the Buddhadharma to flourish and remain, will be the key to its flourishing, longevity, and strengthening.

Meditation 'works just as well as anti-depressants'

Half an hour a day offers as much relief as tablets

By Jenny Hope PUBLISHED:  7 January 2014 


Researchers found regular meditation can relieve anxiety, pain and stress 
as well as traditional anti-depressants

Meditation for just half an hour can relieve depression as much as popping 
a pill, claim researchers.

They found regular meditation could also relieve anxiety, pain and stress.
In a U.S. study of previously published research involving 3,500 people, meditation alleviated symptoms of depression on a par with conventional 
anti-depressants.

Meditation, which has a long history in Eastern traditions, is one of many 'mindfulness' techniques that have grown in popularity in the West over 
the last 30 years.