Handling a cult situation by Upasaka HL Wai

Excerpts here ...

'Accept situation calmly - One of the very first experiences one gets after realizing that they have been duped by a religious cult is the feeling of being a dope. ... '

Reflection on Food .....

This food I take not for play,
not for fattening.
not for beautifying,
not for intoxication,
But only for the continuation
and nourishment of this body.
For keeping it unharmed,
for helping it to lead a pure life.
Thinking, I shall destroy hunger,
Thus will I be free from bodily troubles and live at ease.........

How not to add to pain and suffering?

English Buddhist Hymns development in Malaysia: Messengers of Dharma (MOD)’s journey

Written by  Cedric Tan (Member of MOD) 17 October 2013

My initial exposure to English language Buddhist hymns was when I was five years old in Seck Kia Eenh Buddhist Temple in Melaka in 1970. Hymns sung were mostly devotional in nature written by American Buddhists of Japanese descent. The late Ven. Sumangalo who was a visiting monk between 1959 until his demise in 1963 was instrumental in introducing these songs to Malaysia and since Seck Kia Eenh was one of his frequent stops, these songs slowly grew popular with the youth. By the time the late Ven. Ananda Mangala became the resident monk in 1963, Buddhist songs were incorporated not only during Sunday morning service but also into Buddhist plays which he staged regularly.

Recycling, the Buddhist way

The Buddhist monks in the Buddha's time recycled their robes long before we talk about recycling. Sitting thus at one side, rajah Udena said this to venerable Ānanda,

Dhammapada 204

Hyon Gak sunim: “I have deep respect for Buddha Dharma and the Jogye Order,” denies severing ties with Korean Buddhism

by Emi Hayakawa, Buddhist True Network (BTN), August 2, 2016

Seoul, South Korea -- On July 28 2016, Harvard-educated American Zen Buddhist monk Hyon Gak sunim, the current abbot of Bulyee Seon Center in Germany, uploaded a strong message on his Facebook account outlining various problems besetting Korean Buddhism.

<< Hyon Gak sunim

The message caused controversy within Korean society as various media highlighted and further analyzed the issues raised, on top of his purported announcement that he will “sever ties” with Korean Buddhism.

During an exclusive phone interview with BTN (Buddhist True Network) on August 1st 2016, Hyon Gak sunim explained that his comment regarding “severing ties” with Korean Buddhism have been misinterpreted by the Korean media.  The venerable is currently residing outside of Korea, working in Germany and Greece to create a sangha to further propagate Korean Buddhism across the globe.

He further explained that as an American, and Korean being his second language, his use of Korean expressions could have factored into the misinterpretation. During his phone interview, Hyon Gak stated (in Korean), “How can I leave Korea? I cannot leave Korean Buddhism. I will not be able to sever ties with my works in helping the sattva. I express myself in English, and in my head I also express myself in English, and in that manner I express myself using the Korean language.”