Buddhist Answers to Question asked 016 : What is the ultimate goal of Buddhism

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xcQyaDPMsY

Published on May 4, 2015

Buddhist Answers to Questions Asked presented
by Venerable Sander Khemadhammo
Master's degree in Psychology from Radboud University-Netherlands, Wat Phra Dhammakaya Thailand

Dhammapada 3

He berated me! He hurt me!
He beat me! He deprived me!
For those who hold such grudges,
hostility is not appeased.

Speculative Views encouraged by the Evil One

'At Savatthi. Then, in the morning, the Bhikkhuni Vajira dressed and, taking bowl and robe, entered Savatthi for alms. [360] When she had walked for alms in Savatthi and had returned from her alms round, after her meal she went to the Blind Men’s Grove for the day’s abiding. Having plunged into the Blind Men’s Grove, she sat down at the foot of a tree for the day’s abiding.

Christian nuns sat for Vipassana meditation.

Uncovering the meaning of mindfulness: A conversation with Joseph Goldstein

BY DANNY FISHER| AUGUST 29, 2016 Lion's Roar

“People are being exposed to so many different traditions and teachers, and so for me the big question is and remains, ‘How to manage that? How do we handle all of that in a way that contributes to people’s understanding rather than confusion?’ I think that’s the big challenge for the Dharma in the West.”

Buddhist Answers to Question asked 015 : What inspired you to enter the Buddhist monkhood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kiXPFnRLxU

Published on May 3, 2015

Buddhist Answers to Questions Asked presented
by Venerable Sander Khemadhammo.
Master's degree in Psychology from Radboud University-Netherlands, Wat Phra Dhammakaya Thailand.

Brahmajala Sutta

"There are, 
monks, some ascetics and Brahmins who are Eel-Wrigglers. 
When asked about this or that matter, 
they resort to evasive statements, 
and they wriggle like eels on four grounds."

Life is too Precious to Rush

Bodhicitta Socially Engaged Buddhist Community

Sometimes the greatest blessing we can give ourselves is to just have time to go slow - to clear your head, to savour the quality and beauty of life, to contemplate, to do things mindfully and peacefully, to breathe, to have a cup of tea and see the universe in that. To call a friend and talk as long as you need, to hug the ones you love and be available to those who suffer. These things don't cost a lot, but they are the contents of a truly human life, they are worth more than money. These are things we neglect in the modern, fast paced, distracted and multi tasking world. If we try to fit in too much and don't know how to simplify, sometimes we actually have less quality. Then our lives are not happy, because we don't have time to deeply be present and see our connectedness with life and all beings - because we have not touched the spring of stillness within us. If we have no peace and self knowledge we can't live with wisdom. Simplify, monkify. Be well and make time for what is truly meaningful dear friends, because life is too precious to be rushed. Breathe, awaken, enliven and compashify.

YOGINI NUNS

Gebchak Gonpa is one of Tibet’s largest nunneries and is dedicated to preserving a unique female lineage of yogic practice.

Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo letter

Buddhist Answers to Question asked 014 : What is Buddhism’s view on the family life

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVVLKlXW_40

Published on May 3, 2015

Buddhist Answers to Questions Asked presented
by Venerable Sander Khemadhammo.
Master's degree in Psychology from Radboud University-Netherlands, Wat Phra Dhammakaya Thailand.

Buddha Maitreya

Are you supporting Patriarchy?

Ayya Yeshe June 13, 2015 · 

If you support Buddhist Centres that only raise funds for Asian males, and charges Western monastics, you're supporting Patriarchy and the this in turn means that Westerners (majority women) will have no chance to ordain and practice full time as equals to their Tibetan counterparts. We all have power to support or change oppression in Buddhism. Supporting monastics who in turn support you has been a Buddhist practice for 2600 years. Why not open a dialogue with your centre about the double standard of supporting only Tibetan monastic males and not Non Himalayan monastic women when we all have the same vows.... Be the change you want to see. Lets break the gender glass ceiling in Buddhism. If you would like to support Western monastics and our hermitage project for socially engaged Buddhist women.

On a lighter note

NEVER GIVE UP - TWO QUALITIES: Discontent with regard to skillful qualities & Unrelenting exertion

Aṅguttara Nikāya - Book of the Twos
Sutta No. 5: Relentlessly ( Upaññātasutta )

“Monks, I have known two qualities through experience: discontent with regard to skillful qualities and unrelenting exertion.”

Buddhist Answers to Question asked 013: Making a donation on behalf of a deceased person

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx15rD2nitg 

Published on May 3, 2015

Buddhist Answers to Questions Asked presented
by Venerable Sander Khemadhammo.
Master's degree in Psychology from Radboud University-Netherlands, Wat Phra Dhammakaya Thailand.

The Death of The Buddha’s Mother

Silence surrounds maternal death, in Maya’s time and in ours.

Kim Gutschow Harvard Divinity School winter/spring 2016Birth of Buddha under the Shal tree held by his mother, stone relief sculpture from East India, 10th century AD. The Art Archive at Art Resource, NY

Understanding Anger in the Itivuttaka

'This was said by the Lord…

Living with Than Ajahn Mahā Boowa

Monk: Can you share something like living with Than Ajahn Mahā Boowa. What would you say about one or several things that you felt was most important or most valuable?

Buddhist Answers to Question asked 012 : What are the Buddhist principles in raising children

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Satd1rs5iY

Published on May 3, 2015

Buddhist Answers to Questions Asked presented
by Venerable Sander Khemadhammo.
Master's degree in Psychology from Radboud University-Netherlands, Wat Phra Dhammakaya Thailand.

7 Things the Buddha Never Said

BY THANISSARO BHIKKHU| AUGUST 29, 2016 Lion's Roar

The historical Buddha said many things in his long lifetime of teaching. But have you ever heard a supposed Buddha quote and wondered, Did he really say that?Monk Thanissaro Bhikkhu, a trained translator of the Buddha’s words, certainly has. Here he reveals seven of many he’s found. See if you’re not surprised.

Photo by David Gabriel Fischer.

A Nation's Welfare In the Buddha's Words ..

In the Buddha's Words ..   Conditions of a Nation's Welfare

; .. At that time the Venerable Ananda was standing behind the Blessed One, fanning him, and the Blessed One addressed the Venerable Ananda thus:

"What have you heard, Ananda: do the Vajjis ..

Life indeed is uncertain, death is certain

addhuvaṃ me jīvitaṃ

dhuvaṃ me maraṇaṃ
avassaṃ mayā maritabbameva
maraṇapariyosānaṃ me jīvitaṃ
jīvitameva aniyataṃ
maraṇaṃ niyatanti

My life is unsure,
my death is sure.
Indeed, in the future I must die.
My life has death as its final end.
Life indeed is uncertain,
death is certain.

A CBC Q&A with Buddhist Rob Hogendoorn, who investigates abuse in Buddhism

CBC News, Aug 12, 2016

'It's a matter of principle for any Buddhist to speak out against this'

Maasland, Netherlands -- A Buddhist monk in Windsor is facing two counts of sexual assault against a child.

Rob Hogendoorn is a Dutch journalist who is investigating 17 abuse cases involving Buddhist monks in the Netherlands. (Rob Hogendoorn)
 
Windsor Police allege the crime took place two years ago, when child was six, and they believe there could be more victims. 

Buddhist Answers to Question asked 011 : What is the meaning of reincarnation in Buddhism

Published on May 4, 2015

Buddhist Answers to Questions Asked presented
by Venerable Sander Khemadhammo.
Master's degree in Psychology from Radboud University-Netherlands, Wat Phra Dhammakaya Thailand

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEn1tI7chKY

The Heart

The heart that we speak about, is merely the place where all our feelings arise.

The Lord Buddha Himself had these experienced over and over again. In order not to be reborn again and again, He was able to extricate such experiences of suffering from the heart.

Buddha images on Nepalese currency

New animated film “Kubo and the Two Strings” introduces kids to Buddhist concepts

The Buddhist Channel, August 30, 2016 San Francisco, CA (USA) -- Kubo and the Two Strings matches its incredible animation with an absorbing story that has something to offer audiences of all ages.

Buddhist Answers to Question asked 010 : Why were we born & What is our purpose in life

Published on Oct 1, 2014

Buddhist Answers to Questions Asked presented
by Venerable Sander Khemadhammo
Master's degree in Psychology from Radboud University-Netherlands, Wat Phra Dhammakaya Thailand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0kfSBiHd6E

We need to practice with the thinking mind

"We need to practice with the thinking mind. How? Whenever the mind is thinking, we notice. Try to be aware of thinking again and again, and then slowly the mind will come to know the meaning of object. When the thinking mind becomes an object, then you cannot be involved in the thinking. Thinking comes and goes, but awareness is already there; awareness is present. But whenever you are involved in thinking, awareness disappears. If we are not skillful enough at recognizing thinking, then we can go back to body sensations, back and forth, back and forth. Later, when we recognize thinking, then we will also recognize awareness arises, because the mind understands that thinking is an object. We begin to understand that the mind is not involved in the thinking process, it is separate. So, to practice with the thinking mind, be aware of the thinking and be aware of the physical object, back and forth repeatedly."
~ Sayadaw U Tejaniya

Buddhist ceremonial hall plans approved in Runcorn

By Oliver Clay, Liverpool Echo, 17 Aug 2016 Wat Phra Singh on High Street awarded full planning permission Liverpool, UK -- A Buddhist ceremonial hall has been given the go-ahead in Runcorn. A diagram of the ubosot hall, which could be installed after gaining full planning permission at Wat Phra Singh temple on High Street in Runcorn.

Make The Best Meditation Seat: The Samadhi-Sausage

Tutorial on How to Sit

Many times I have given advice to yogis on how to sit properly and I have received raving success. In fact, I asked one fellow student to model for the pictures you will see in this article and he was absolutely amazed at how comfortable he was as soon as he sat down. He spoke loudly with joy and excitement once he was seated in the Samādhi-Sausage, which prompted other people to peek inside the room to see what all of the commotion was about.
(Note: The shirt was raised up and tied to reveal his posture and it is not normal for him to be like that!)

Samādhi-Sausage and yogi