Dharma companions is a blog focusing on Dharma activities, information dissemination and bringing awareness to the multifaceted aspects of Buddhism for the community from Shah Alam Buddhist Society (SABS). Postings should be of interest to Buddhist and anyone who seeks information on Buddhism. As the title suggest, we also aim to be a companion to those who seeks our company in this path that we undertake. May you be well, happy and peaceful.
Beginning the day after the full-moon of Asalha month (around July every year), Theravada Buddhist monks are required to observe Vassana or ‘Rains Retreat’ for a duration of 3 months. TheVassana period from July-August to October-November corresponds with the monsoon season in South and Southeast Asia (which were historically Buddhist strongholds), thus making traveling very difficult and even dangerous. Monks and nuns were often invited by Buddhist communities to reside in village Aramas (monasteries and nunneries) for the duration of the ‘rains’.
Theravada bhikkhus reciting the disciplinary code in unison to begin their observance of the annual 'Rains Retreat'.
There’s nothing more satisfying to watch than a good sports comeback story. For fans who tuned in to the Olympics Friday night, witnessing American swimmer Anthony Ervin win a gold medal at the age of 35—as the oldest American male individual swimmer since 1904—was a comeback for the ages. It’s also a story that’s deeply rooted in Ervin’s spiritual journey.
Traffic in Yangon in 2015. Photo: Aung Naing Soe / Coconuts Yangon
Senior officials say Buddhist monks in Myanmar will be penalized if caught driving motorcycles or other vehicles. Under the country’s traffic laws, monks are not allowed to drive.
12 AUG 2016 POSTED BY COREY BARNETT Lama Jimi rushed to the site of the crash to rescue the passengers. MONKS HONORED AS HEROES AFTER RISKING THEIR LIVES TO RESCUE VICTIMS OF A PLANE CRASH. The Buddhist Monks have always been viewed by people as calm, peaceful and meditative. Perhaps their strong awareness is what helped the monks of the Palyul Temple Buddhist center in McDonough, NY, quickly spring into action with a selfless and daring act which resulted in saving lives from a plane crash.
Aug 1, 2016, Staff writer, Central of Tibetan Administration
DHARAMSHALA: The Department of Religion and Culture, CTA announced results of I, II, III and IV year examination of Tibetan nuns pursuing Geshema degrees on 12 July 2016.
Human beings have always been fascinated by questions regarding the origin of the world and different myths and legends we have inherited over the ages and continents tells of the many ideas of how the universe and planet earth came to be. These ideas have formed the foundation of many religions.
Did the Buddha discover and share a similar explanation?
Most significant is the central Buddha touching the earth at the moment of his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya, indicated by the branches above his head.
Surrounding him are scenes of his life, each one associated with a north Indian pilgrimage centre.
"Love and hate are both suffering because of desire. Wanting is suffering; wanting not to have is suffering. Even if you get what you want, it’s still suffering because once you have it, you then live in the fear of losing it. How are you going to live happily with fear?"
In this 1999 interview, Richard Gere talks about his many years of Buddhist practice, his devotion to his teacher the Dalai Lama, and his work for Tibetan freedom.
I suppose it’s a sign of our current cynicism that we find it hard to believe celebrities can also be serious people. The recent prominence of “celebrity Buddhists” has brought some snide comments in the press, and even among Buddhists, but personally I am very appreciative of the actors, directors, musicians and other public figures who have brought greater awareness to the cause of Tibetan freedom and the value of Buddhist practice. These are fine artists and thoughtful people, some Buddhists, some not, among them Martin Scorsese, Leonard Cohen, Adam Yauch, Michael Stipe, Patti Smith, and of course, Richard Gere. I met Gere at his office in New York recently, and we talked about his many years of Buddhist practice, his devotion to his teacher the Dalai Lama, and his work on behalf of the dharma and the cause of the Tibetan people.
Myanmar (CNN)We arrive at the monastery via a pickup truck that doubles as a bus in Amarapura township of Mandalay,Myanmar's second city, for an unusual sightseeing activity.
I actually didn't know of the existence of the monastery here until I overheard a group of fellow travelers talking about the place over breakfast.
They described it as a place you went to, ahem, watch the monks eating lunch in the morning.
Sounded a bit like a "tourist zoo," but I decided to go along.
Metta is "love", but it is the type of love that has the qualities of a loving-kindness, friendliness, goodwill, benevolence, fellowship, amity, concord, inoffensiveness, non-violence, and a wish for a welfare and happiness of others. True metta is devoid of self-interest. True metta only gives and never wants anything in return.
In the beginning you must rely on a teacher to instruct and advise you. When you understand, then practice. When the teacher has instructed you follow the instructions. If you understand the practice it's no longer necessary for the teacher to teach you, just do the work yourselves. Whenever heedlessness or unwholesome qualities arise know for yourself, teach yourself. Do the practice yourself. The mind is the one who knows, the witness. The mind knows for itself if you are still very deluded or only a little deluded. Wherever you are still faulty try to practice right at that point, apply yourself to it.
. Practice is like that. It's almost like being crazy, or you could even say you are crazy. When you really practice you are crazy, you ''flip.'' You have distorted perception and then you adjust your perception. If you don't adjust it, it's going to be just as troublesome and just as wretched as before.
Buddhist thought is slowly seeping into the vernacular of of the so-called western world. It is no longer considered exotic to know the word 'karma' or to advocate for mindfulness; we know about the Dalai Lama and many of us harbour at least an aesthetic appreciation of Zen. In fact, the highly urbanized and refined minimalism so evident in the aesthetic staging of Zen is a powerful stimulant to tens of thousands of our companion citizens who have taken up the study of the Middle Way (ie Buddhist) practice. But we should never forget that the vast majority of western people will not become Japanese or Chinese or Vietnamese or Tibetan Buddhists. If there is ever to be a form of Buddhist thought that has a positively transformative effect in the western world, interested individuals need to examine the very basics of Buddhism.
Theravada bhikkhus reciting the disciplinary code in unison to begin their observance of the annual 'Rains Retreat'.
