Dhammapada 96

Calm in mind, speech, and action
And released through right understanding,
Such a person
Is fully at peace.

14th-century Goryeo Buddhist painting returns home

Korea Herald, Oct 17, 2016

Kolmar Korea CEO Yoon Dong-han donates “Water-Moon Avalokiteshvara” to National Museum of Korea

Seoul, South Korea -- The rare 14th century Buddhist painting “Water-Moon Avalokiteshvara” has found its home at the National Museum of Korea.

The Goryeo Buddhist painting “Water-Moon Avalokitesvara,” purchased and donated to the National Museum of Korea by Kolmar Korea Chairman Yoon Dong-han (Yonhap)

With less than 50 paintings from the Goryeo kingdom “Water-Moon Avalokiteshvara” in existence today, it was remarkable that Yoon Dong-han, the chairman of leading cosmetics and pharmaceutical manufacturing company Kolmar Korea, was able to buy the painting in Japan and bring it back home.

Alerted to the availability of the piece, Yoon bought the painting for 2.5 billion won ($2.19 million) from a Japanese art dealer in the spring.

On Monday, the National Museum of Korea was officially gifted the painting, the first-ever “Water-Moon Avalokiteshvara” for the museum. A six-month inspection preceded Monday’s ceremony, with cooperation from the Cultural Heritage Administration.

Although the museum has been endowed with works of art of higher monetary value in the past, the historical and national significance of the piece is unprecedented, Jung Myung-hee, researcher at the National Museum of Korea, explained.

Learn to undo the perceptions

What the Buddha Taught Us About Race

Thai forest monk Thanissaro Bhikkhu discusses four main takeaways from his new translation of the Sutta Nipata.

By Emma Varvaloucas 

OCT 13, 2016

The Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho, Thailand | Photo by Christopher Rose http://tricy.cl/2evDRt3

Thai forest monk Thanissaro Bhikkhu is a prolific translator of the Pali canon, the earliest complete set of the Buddha’s teachings. Than Geoff, as he is known to his students and friends, has recently printed his translation of the Sutta Nipata (“The Discourse Group”). Made up of 72 suttas in total, the Sutta Nipata contains some of the most well-known canonical poems (you may have heard, for instance, of the Metta Sutta) and presents the Buddha’s thoughts on such topics as racism and classism. Despite the text’s antiquity, it is particularly pertinent to today’s sociopolitical climate.

Below, the monk answers four quick questions about the Sutta Nipata.

Buddhist Animal Rights Conference adopts Resolution calling on Govt. of Sri Lanka to enact the Animal Welfare Bill

The Buddhist Channel, Oct 18, 2016 Seoul, South Korea -- The first Asian Buddhist Animal Rights Conference co-hosted by Dharma Voices for Animals (DVA) and Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE) was held successfully at Hotel Skypark Kingstown, Dongdaemun in Seoul, South Korea on Friday September 30, 2016 immediately after the conclusion of the 28th General Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists Conference in the same city. << DVA members at Hotel Skypark, Kingstown, Dongdaemun, Seoul, South Korea (Sept. 26, 2016). Left to Right: Bob Isaacson, Ananda Mahinkanda,Venerable Thich Phuoc Tan, Senaka Weeraratna, Henry Dang (Hon. Secretary-General, Buddhist Federation of Australia), Dr. Chamith Nanayakkara, Albert Mah It was a full day Conference.

MN 10 (Satipatthana Sutta)

“Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is one who acts in full awareness when going forward and returning; who acts in full awareness when looking ahead and looking away; who acts in full awareness when flexing and extending his limbs; who acts in full awareness when wearing his robes and carrying his outer robe and bowl; who acts in full awareness when eating, drinking, consuming food, and tasting; who acts in full awareness when defecating and urinating; who acts in full awareness when walking, standing, sitting, falling asleep, waking up, talking, and keeping silent.

“In this way he abides contemplating the body as a body internally, externally, and both internally and externally... And he abides independent, not clinging to anything in the world. That too is how a bhikkhu abides contemplating the body as a body." 

How to Choose a Type of Mindfulness Meditation

A new study teases out the different benefits of four kinds of meditation.  By Kira M. Newman | October 13, 2016.Okea/Adobe Stock
Many beginner meditators, myself included, start out with a mindful breathing meditation: one breath in, one breath out, the mind wanders, you bring it back.