On Thailand’s Late King and the Power of Goodness

BY THANISSARO BHIKKHU| OCTOBER 24, 2016

This famous photo of King Bhumibol is a favorite of the Thai people, who see it as emblematic of all the work he did on their behalf

Monk-scholar Thanissaro Bhikkhu recalls the life and example of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, who died at the age of 88 earlier this month.

Iti 3.26

Why Won Buddhists in South Korea oppose THAAD deployment

By Ock Hyun-ju, Korea Herald, Oct 23, 2016 Seoul, South Korea -- One Saturday morning, passers-by curiously turned their heads as a group of people in white robes began to collectively pray, strike a gong and sound a wooden percussion instrument in central Seoul. Won Buddhists join their hands in prayer, opposing the government’s plan to deploy the US anti-missile system in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, during a press conference in front of the building of the Defense Ministry in central Seoul on Sept. 30. (Yonhap) Signs and placards that read “THAAD to the US, Peace to Korea” and “No War, No THAAD” were seen at the scene as they prayed and practiced meditation in front of the country’s Defense Ministry building.

Theragatha1.16

"Just as a fine thoroughbred
Proceeds with ease,
Tail and mane flying in the wind;
So my days and nights
Proceed with ease,
Full of spiritual joy." 

“Yathāpi bhaddo ājañño,
naṅgalāvattanī sikhī;
Gacchati appakasirena,
evaṃ rattindivā mama;
Gacchanti appakasirena,
sukhe laddhe nirāmise”ti.

… Belaṭṭhasīso thero ….

Your own spiritual light will shine forth permanently, by Hui Neng

Posted on 21 October 2016 by Buddhism Now

Bhikkhu Zhi Chang, a native of Gui Xi of Xin Zhou, joined the Order in his childhood, and was very zealous in his efforts to realize the Essence of Mind. One day, he came to pay homage to the Patriarch, and was asked by the latter whence and why he came.

‘I have recently been to the White Cliff Mountain in Hong Zhou,’ replied he, ‘to interview the Master Da Tong, who was good enough to teach me how to realize the Essence of Mind and thereby attain Buddhahood. But as I still have some doubts, I have travelled far to pay you respect. Will you kindly clear them up for me, Sir.’

10 Misconceptions about Buddhism (#9)

This article is the ninth in the 10 Misconceptions about Buddhism series with scholars Robert E. Buswell Jr. and Donald S. Lopez Jr. 

Slow-Motion Satori

The Zen tradition’s “sudden enlightenment” may not be so sudden after all. JUN 26, 2014

The East Asian Zen tradition has long understood enlightenment to be a sudden flash of insight rather than a gradual revelation. Zhongfeng Mingben, a Chinese Chan (Zen) master in the Linji (Japanese, Rinzai) lineage, described the sudden approach to enlightenment in verse:

Chan practice does not involve any progression,
The absolute essence is free from all extremes and representations.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
In one realization, all is realized,
In one flash of cognition, all is cognized.

Theragatha 1.52

Although the monk talks about being protected by the rain in his kuti, it can also be metaphorical. "My mind is serene in my body" also means that a trained mind is not affected by worldly troubles.

"The sky rains down, like a beautiful song,
My little hut is ro­ofed and pleasant,
Sheltered from the wind.
My mind is serene in my body:
So rain, sky, as you please."

“Vassati devo yathā sugītaṃ,
Channā me kuṭikā sukhā nivātā;
Cittaṃ susamāhitañca kāye,
Atha ce patthayasi pavassa devā”ti.

… Subāhutthero …

Putting an End to Buddhist Patriarch

In order to become a force for social change, Buddhism needs to rid itself of enduring ills—the barring of female ordination first among them.
By Ajahn Brahm  JAN 30, 2015 Tricycle

On December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, an African-American woman refused to obey a bus driver’s order to give up her seat to a white passenger. This simple act of defiance became one of the most important symbols of the modern Civil Rights Movement in the United States.

Before she passed away in 2005, Rosa Parks became a Buddhist—at age 92.
One can speculate that this female icon—and fierce opponent of discrimination—chose Buddhism because it lends itself to the advancement of social justice causes.

She was right.

Theragatha 1.108 - It's never too late...

"At 120 years old

I went forth into homelessness.
I’ve attained the three knowledges
And fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions." 

“Sa vīsa­vassasa­tiko,
pabbajiṃ anagāriyaṃ;
Tisso vijjā anuppattā,
kataṃ buddhassa sāsanan”ti.

Introducing Tue Quang Foundation’s Collection Of Commentaries

The Buddhist Channel, Oct 24, 2016

Nevada, USA -- On September 25, 2016, Tue Quang Wisdom Light Foundation of Nevada, USA announced the completion of the Vietnamese translation of the entire collection of Sastras (Commentaries) in the Taisho Tripitaka (from volume 25 to volume 32) at the Lieu Quán Buddhist Cultural Center in Hue, Vietnam.

Most Venerable Thích Hui En, Chief Abbot of  Tu Ðàm Temple, Hue, introduced the Sastras

Present at the ceremony were Most Venerable Thích Quang Nhuen, Senior Advisor to the Lieu Quán Center, Most Venerable Thích Hei en, Executive Director of the Lieu Quán Center, Bhiksus and Bhiksunis from the Hu? Buddhist Institute, local temples and schools. Also present were Dr. Tren tien Huyen, President of Tue Quang Foundation, Dr. Nguyên Hue-Ðào Nguyên, local scholars and students.

Advisors to Dalai Lama share Buddhist teachings in Ark

by Brejamin Perkins, KTHV, October 24, 2016

LITTLE ROCK, AR (USA) -- The spiritual advisor to the Dalai Lama is touring Arkansas this month. Today, he and other Buddhist Monks participated in a ceremony, "Silence, Stillness and Interfaith Harmony" at the Arkansas House of Prayer at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Little Rock.

They came to offer blessings and share Buddhist teachings to those interested in learning more about the practice and faith. Over 100 attendees came out to the event to learn and listen to the teachings. Lame Tenzin, a Tibetan Monk, has been practicing his entire life and remembered his own journey towards enlightenment.

“At the beginning of my monk training, I didn’t like it very much," he recalled. "We had to get up at four in the morning and meditate in very cold places.”

Theragatha 1.86

Don't waste your time with other teachers.

"Outside of here there are many other doctrines;
Those paths don’t lead to nibbāna, but this one does.
Indeed, the Blessed One himself counsels the Saṅgha;
The Teacher shows the palms of his hands." ~ Theragatha 1.86

“Ito bahiddhā puthu aññavādinaṃ,
Maggo na nibbānagamo yathā ayaṃ;
Itissu saṃghaṃ bhaga­vānu­sāsati,
Satthā sayaṃ pāṇitaleva dassayan”ti.

… Nāgito thero ….

Support Buddhist Music !

Plan B & Kalyana Mitra 

Semoga Semua Hidup Berbahagia-Irvyn Wongso (covered by Plan B from Bodhi KL).

Please like and share this amazing Buddhist music out and happiness out to all people!

Theragatha 1.96

Do not underestimate your good kamma

"I offered a single flower,
And then amused myself in heavens
For 800 million years;
With what’s left over I’ve realized nibbāna." 

“Ekapupphaṃ cajitvāna,

asīti vassakoṭiyo;
Saggesu paricāretvā,
sesakenamhi nibbuto”ti.

~ Khaṇḍasumano thero

Historic Siddhartha Festival announced

The Buddhist Channel, Oct 24, 2016

“A Celebration of Indians Remembering an Indian from the Past”

Bodhgaya, India -- November 11th to 13th this year, at Bodhgaya, in true Indian style and spirit, Indian Buddhist practitioners and students will gather from various traditions to pay homage to the Buddha.

10 Misconceptions about Buddhism (#8)

This article is the eighth in the Tricycle blog series 10 Misconceptions about Buddhism with scholars Robert E.Buswell Jr. & Donald S.Lopez Jr. 

Four Ennobling Truths

The four noble truths are not true for ever JUN 19, 2014

Sharon Salzberg on getting started with meditation

Sharon Salzberg explains the ins and outs of a core technique—meditating on the breath.

BY SHARON SALZBERG| OCTOBER 7, 2016 Lion's Roar

"Rest your attention lightly—as lightly as a butterfly rests on a flower." Photo by Prachanart Viriyaraks.

This classic meditation practice is designed to deepen concentration by teaching us to focus on the in-breath and out-breath.

Sit comfortably on a cushion or a chair. Keep your back erect, but without straining or overarching. (If you can’t sit, lie on your back, on a yoga mat or folded blanket, with your arms at your sides.)

Close your eyes, if you’re comfortable with that. If not, gaze gently a few feet in front of you. Aim for a state of alert relaxation.

It will pass

When life is good do not take it for granted as it will pass. Be mindful, be compassionate and nurture the circumstances that find you in this good time so it will last longer. When life falls apart always remember that this too will pass. Life will have its unexpected turns - Ajahn Brahm.

Fusing Contemplative Practice with Social Action

Theravada Buddhist monk Bhikkhu Bodhi talks about the importance of Engaged Buddhism and his organization’s annual Walk to Feed the Hungry.

By Regina Valdez 

OCT 04, 2016

What is our role as Buddhists in relieving suffering?

In the Metta Sutta, the Buddha tells us to wish all beings happiness and well-being. But what, exactly, does wishing actually do for others? What does wishing do for the 3.1 million children who die of hunger every year, or the 25 percent of the world’s children who are stunted due to malnutrition?

Thag 1.111

“Going forth is hard, living at home is hard,

Dhamma is profound, and money is hard to come by.
Getting by is difficult for we who accept whatever comes,
So we should always remember impermanence.” 

“Duppabbajjaṁ ve duradhivāsā gehā,
Dhammo gambhīro duradhigamā bhogā;
Kicchā vutti no itarītareneva,
Yuttaṁ cintetuṁ satata­ma­nicca­tan”ti.

Zhou Enlai – Disciple of Master Xu Yu

Mao Zedong once asked Zhou Enlai, "Why do you always handle things so well, so perfectly?: Zhou replied, "Chairman, beside Marxism-Leninism, I also have Buddhism."

Original Chinese Language Article By: http://www.miaojsy.com 
(Translated by Adrian Chan-Wyles PhD)

Few people are aware of the fact that Zhou Enlai was a devout Buddhist, and a disciple of Master Xu Yun (1840-1959).  This fact was revealed in the 1999 study entitled ‘Buddhist Culture’, published paper No.41:

The Significance of the Kaṭhina Robe Offering Ceremony

by BD Dipananda Courtesy of Buddhistdoor

...Buddhism is the most advanced knowledge

The Mindful Judge

by Gretchen Rohr| October 18, 2016 Lion's roar

Intentional awareness has served Gretchen Rohr well in her challenging work as a magistrate judge in Washington, D.C.

Gretchen Rohr, in a 2013 ceremony, is installed as a magistrate judge in the D.C. Superior Court by Superior Court Chief Judge Lee F. Satterfield. To her left is her Buddhist teacher, Gina Sharpe, founder of New York Insight.

10 Misconceptions about Buddhism (#7)

Only the Occasional Brothel

The “unconstrained conduct” of Zen is more literary trope than pervasive practice. By Robert E. Buswell, Jr., Donald S. Lopez, Jr.  JUN 12, 2014

This article is the seventh in the 10 Misconceptions about Buddhism series with scholars Robert E. Buswell Jr. and Donald S. Lopez Jr. 

The world's happiest man reveals what makes him unhappy

Matthieu Ricard's brain operates in a way never before documented by scientists  Kashmira Gander Tuesday 18 October 2016

Matthieu Ricard, a Tibetan Buddhist monk, is said to be the world’s happiest man. But there is one thing that grinds even his gears.

Scientists gave the 70-year-old the moniker after he took part in a 12-year study into meditation and compassion at the University of Wisconsin. 

Assu Sutta SN 15.3

Ajahn Chah - Mindful Way

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu7mtlbVBOA&feature=youtu.be

Uploaded on May 22, 2007

Excerpts from the BBC documentary 'The Mindful Way' which show Luang Por Chah (also available in full on video.google.com), briefly featuring the young Ajahn Liam who was later nominated by Luang Por Chah to lead Wat Pah Pong and continues to do so.

For more video, audio and text see http://www.ajahnchah.org 
Video series of biography of Ajahn Chah: http://www.ajahnchah.org/videos.htm

Dhammapada 56

Why Mainstream Media Continue To Boycott Buddhist/Dalits Events And Gatherings

by Ravikiran Shinde, Counter Currents, October 14, 2016 Nagpur, India -- Dr. Ambedkar in his speech delivered on Oct 13, 1935, in Yewala, in Nashik district had thundered that although he was born as a Hindu, he would not die as one. He advised the Depressed Classes to abandon all agitation for temple-entry privileges; instead, he advised that they should leave Hinduism entirely and embrace some another religion. Vexed by the rampant Caste discrimination rooted in the Hinduism that did not spare even a foreign returned doctorate scholar like him, he fought against the bigotry all his life. Twenty-One years later, On October 14, after studying various other religions he chose Buddhism – an indigenous religion of India that promotes peace and equality and which is based on human compassion than any divine power.  So influenced was he about the religion that he demolished the cast –based Hindu ideology and gave birth to Indian Constitution based on Liberty, Equality,Fraternity and justice. The fundamentals enshrined in the Constitution are proof of that.

Body Scan for Kids

October 12, 2016  An 11-minute body scan for children to help bring calmness, attention, and appreciation to hectic daytime routines and marathon bedtime rituals.  By Mark Bertin

Africa Studio/Adobe Stock

This is a body scan for children. If you’re a parent, you might choose to do this with your child, or feel free to use the audio as part of bedtime or at any other time of the day.

How violent poo-chucker turned Buddhist

by Erin Godwin, Chinchilla News, 15th Oct 2016

Brisbane, Australia -- One of Queensland's most violent prisoners, who threw urine and feces at correction officers, says Buddhism has saved him.