Tin Tức Phật Giáo

2007-05-04T07:57:00.001-07:00

No. 1416 (tinhtan dịch)

Buddhist teacher, author to speak on living, dyingBy KELLI LACKETT

KelliLackett@coloradoan.com

Coming to terms with death changes the way you live.

That's part of the message that Buddhist teacher Judy Lief will bring to Fort Collins on May 10 in a talk about a contemplative approach to death and dying.

Lief is the author of "Making Friends with Death: A Buddhist Guide to Encountering Mortality."

"Relating with death isn't just thinking about the future. It's a quality of life - an ongoing stream of impermanence," Lief said Wednesday in a phone interview from her home in Vermont.

When people come to terms with this impermanence, "we become a little more at ease with our own humanness and vulnerability and flaws," she said. "We are not warding off our own vulnerability in order to be strong."

Ironically, this relaxed quality makes it easier to connect with those who might be ill or dying, Lief said.

Lief's approach has roots in Buddhist thought and practice but is accessible to everyone regardless of religious background, she said. The Fort Collins Shambhala Meditation Center and Hospice of Larimer County are sponsoring the event.

Lief will offer short voluntary exercises that people can use to be more present in their lives - rather than physically or mentally "checking out" during difficult circumstances, and thus be more connected with others.

"The underpinning of the whole contemplative approach is that you can train yourself to be more present, loving and compassionate," she said. "If you can be there with someone and be really present, they feel supported."

http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070504/LIFESTYLE/705040326/1024

2007-05-02T06:39:00.000-07:00

No.1414 (tinhtan dịch)

Brazil to be represented by a delegation in the UN International Buddhist Conference

by Gabriel Laera, The Buddhist Channel, April 27, 2007

Rio De Janeiro, Beazil -- Brazil will be represented in the UN International Buddhist Conference that will occur from 26th to 29th of May, in Bangkok, by members of the Director Board of Brazil Buddhist Society(BBS). The Brazilian delegation will be composed Jorge Aloice Gomes and Gabriel Nunes Laera, President and General Secretary, respectively.

They will be presenting the history of BBS (the first and only official Theravada Buddhist Religious Institution in Brazil), its last accomplishments and its role in the establishment of Theravada Buddhism in Brazil.

The delegation will also present the Project Rio Buddhavihara and its objectives in assuring firm and lasting place for establishment of the Bhikkhu Sangha and the Theravada Buddhism in Brazilian soil.This is the second opportunity that the Brazil Buddhist Society of Brazil has to honourably being able to represent the Brazilian Buddhist community in this Conference.

The Brazil Buddhist Society, headquartered in Rio De Janeiro, has had as spiritual guide Ven spiritual. Puhulwelle Vipassi Nayaka Thero, born in the Sri Lanka and resident in Brazil since 1990, until its death in October of 2006.

Since this great loss for Dhamma in Brazil and South America, BBS has been engaged in the spreading of the Project Rio Buddhavihara, a long term initiative of that aims to create a firm and lasting home for the Buddhist Teachings and its practice in Brazil.This Project will be accomplished through the establishment of Study and Practice of Buddhism under orientation spiritual of the Theravada Bhikkhu Sangha.

Thus, it represents an initiative for enormously strenghtening the presence of the Dhamma in Brazil and the South America as a whole.

The Project Rio Buddhavihara has as specific objectives:

I) To establish a lasting home for legitimate representatives of the Bhikkhu-Sangha, in such a way assuring the preservation and transmission of the Teachings of Lord Buddha;

II) To build and to mantain a landmark of Buddhist Culture and Teachings in Brazil, thus unifying the International Buddhist Theravada Buddhist Community;

III) To build a new physical structure in the configuration of a Buddhist Vihara, in acordance to the objectives of the project in the long term and for the benefit of many.

BBS's members have the honor to be able to represent the Brazilian Buddhist Community in this auspicious event, as at it represents an unique opportunity for strengthening the dialogue and definition of long-term partnership and cooperation initiatives aiming at a World-wide Buddhist Community joined and active in the construction of a future of peace and religious tolerance, basic principles of the Teachings of Lord Buddha.

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=67,4014,0,0,1,0

2007-02-22T17:56:00.000-08:00

No. 1356 (tinhtan dịch)

A simple life

By Deepal V. Perera, Pix by Samantha Perera, Daily Mirror, Feb 21, 2007

Kananvila, Sri Lanka -- On a mountain top located in Kananvila off Horana, there exists an institution called Dekanduwela Meditation Training Centre, engaged in helping people to save themselves by means of controlling one's mind and self .

At Dekanduwela the uniqueness about the place is that it helps out people, (men and women) lead a simple life for 14 days and learn Buddhism, meditation and live like a monk for two weeks.

"What we offer here is that we give an opportunity for all men and women to become a monk for short period and thereby give an opportunity for them to learn and practice how to pay homage according to Buddhist rituals and principles" said care taker of the Dekanduwela Meditation Training Centre Bhikkuni Ma-inoluwe Dharmashanthi.

According to Bhikkuni Dharmashanthi ever since the 14 day monk hood programme was introduced in 2003, it has become very popular among both young and old irrespective of their religion and gender.

"Most of the people who come here are students, graduates, professionals and fathers and mothers from various social standings. By being here they can understand more about Buddhism and practice accordingly. As for Sri Lanka this concept is considered as new but for other countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore, Myanmar and Vietnam, the concept of people taking into monk hood for a short period has been in practice for a long time" the Bhikkuni said.

"The main reason to introduce a 14 day monk hood is to facilitate working people where they can attend the programme with out any difficulty. To join the programme one has to apply for it and the age limit is set between 18 years to 45 years. After the ceremony accordingly the participants will be ordained as Buddhist monks or nuns. For women shaving of their heads is not necessary but they will only be allowed to wear sil clothing. At the time they will be conferred names and during their period here they will be referred only by that name.
Every day the training sessions start at 5.00 in the morning and is scheduled to end at 10 pm. The process also involves training on homage to Buddhist rituals and that includes a daily Buddha anusasana by the senior chief monk.

"Most of the people who come here are highly involved in today's active life style and they have become slave to it. As they come here during the first few days, they find it difficult to adjust from their lay life. The quiet and peaceful surroundings, cut off from the rest of civilization make students under stand the importance of the simple life style and meditation helps to calm their mind".

" Through our experience we have found that people who under went short term monk hood do better in their life. They become even more religious minded and respect others than ever before.

This training also involves getting people back to the temple and understanding the Buddhist monks better, as they also have gone through the same process.

On the other hand there are many people who want to join the monk hood but because of their other commitments such as marriage and children, they are unable to do so. Our service is also aimed at people who want to become monks for a short period and learn about Buddhism better than before. After the training we also give them a certificate. .

When Life visited the Dekanduwela Meditation training centre, the on going training programme was for women.

According to Bhikkuni Dharmashanthi upon receiving the applications, they will be sorted out on gender, age and accordingly the progamme will be divided for the time period. “Once we conclude this batch we will be switching to males and the Buddhist monks will take over training sessions and it's a continous process where we teach Buddhism in a different way." Bhikkuni Dharmashanthi concluded.

The Dekadunwela Meditation Training Centre is managed by the Buddhist Cultural Centre of Nedimala Dehiwala.

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=43,3747,0,0,1,0

2007-02-19T18:47:00.001-08:00

No. 1352 (tinhtan dịch)

Dharmekh Stupa (6th century)

The stupa at Sarnath marks the spot where the Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. First constructed during the reign of Emperor Ashoka (2nd century B.C.) it was later rebuilt by the Maryan and Gupta dynasties, attaining its present form in the early 6th century.

During the colonial period Colonel Cunningham drilled a shaft down the center of the stupa and discovered a tablet with the word Dhamekha, which is believed to be a corrupted form of Dharma Chakra, meaning "turning the wheel of the law." It coincides with the records of Buddha's first sermon, when he "set the wheel of law into motion."

The present stupa is 31.3 meters tall and 28.3 meters wide. Swastika and lotus wreath designs cover the lower portion.

http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/

2007-02-02T16:19:00.001-08:00

No. 1340 (tinhtan dịch)

Associate professor publishes Buddhist translation

News-Leader, Feb 1, 2007

Springfield, MI (USA) -- Dr. Stephen Berkwitz, associate professor of religious studies at Missouri State University, recently published "The History of the Buddha's Relic Shrine: A Translation of the Sinhala Thupavasma," a 300-page translation from a 13th century Sri Lankan text.

Berkwitz worked with a linguistics professor in Sri Lanka to translate the text. It took about 18 months because there is no Sinhala-English dictionary available for the ancient form.

The text Berkwitz translated is unique, he said, because it is both literary and historical. Written by Parakama Pandita, it incorporates poetic descriptions as well as elaborate similes and imagery, he said.

The primary focus of Berkwitz's book, published by Oxford University Press, centers on the description of how a Sri Lankan relic shrine — Thupa — was built in the second century B.C. to enshrine parts of the Buddha's bodily relics (believed to be a bushel of his cremated bones).

The book also contains a descriptive account of how Buddhism spread outside of India.
"This version is written explicitly for a wide audience," Berkwitz said. "It tells us something important about how Buddhism was understood and practiced at a popular level."

Berkwitz has been studying Buddhism for more than a decade. In 2005-06, he received a Fulbright U.S. Senior Scholar Award, which allowed him to travel to Sri Lanka for seven months to conduct research on early colonial-era Buddhist poetry — particularly literature written in the Sinhala language — and to lecture at the University of Colombo regarding the status of Buddhism in the United States.

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=62,3678,0,0,1,0

2007-01-26T17:54:00.000-08:00

No 1329 ( Tinh Tấn dịch)

Monk reflects on a growing faith

By WAVENEY ANN MOORE, St Petersburg Times, January 13, 2007
St Petersburg, FL (USA) -- The Buddhist monk sat lotus-style before a small group of rapt devotees in a nondescript Pinellas Park home. He taught about "loving friendliness" to all beings, about truth and about peace.

Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, who was visiting from a monastery he founded in West Virginia, appeared much younger than his 79 years. Originally from Sri Lanka, he is considered a pioneer of Buddhism in the United States. He said when he arrived in America in the 1960s, there were few books about the faith, and only scholars seemed interested in Buddhism.

Now the religion is growing rapidly in America and elsewhere, said Gunaratana, who warned those gathered that they must learn the correct interpretations of Buddha's teachings.

"The truth does not change," said the man who has been a monk since he was 12.

There were at least 1,082,000 adult Buddhists in the United States in 2001, according to the American Religious Identification Survey, which was done by the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Gunaratana and others believe there are many more now.

The religion is growing in the United States because of immigration and non-Asian converts, but it is probably growing fastest in Australia, the monk said.

Jim Cameron, an ordained Buddhist minister who runs the Bodhi Tree Meditation Center in Largo, which Gunaratana helped found in 1987, thinks the Tampa Bay area reflects the growth in Buddhism that can be seen nationwide.

"I think the Tampa Bay area may be the fastest growing in the U.S. I really believe that. There are 25 groups," Cameron said. "Buddhism addresses very fundamental human concerns, basic issues of life, and it offers a very practical approach."

During a recent interview, Gunaratana explained why he thinks the faith has grown.

"People are attracted to the Buddhist message of peace," he said. "This is the religion that has never had the history of shedding one drop of blood," the monk said, adding, however, that individual Buddhists have not all adhered to the teaching.

Other things also make the religion attractive, he said.

"It's because it is nonviolent and nondiscriminating," he said. "We have no discrimination, no gender discrimination. We emphasize meditation."

The monk, who founded the Bhavana Society, a monastery in rural West Virginia, said his book on meditation, Mindfulness in Plain English, has been translated into 20 languages. Among his other books is Journey to Mindfulness, The Autobiography of Bhante G., written with former St. Petersburg Times reporter Jeanne Malmgren.

The Pinellas Park home was just one of several stops Gunaratana made while in the Tampa Bay area. He also planned to go to Miami and Boston, and to teach a course on a cruise ship.

He sat on a cloth-draped chair as he taught last week. Those who had come to hear him sat barefoot on the floor. A tiered altar covered with silky red fabric dominated the small living room. On it was a gold-toned statue of Buddha and offerings of candles, bouquets of flowers and bowls of fruit. Garbage trucks rumbled past the home as he gave his mid morning lesson.

The small home in Pinellas Park houses the Samadhi Buddhist Meditation Center run by Bhikkhuni Sudarshana, a Buddhist nun from Sri Lanka, and several monks. Sudarshana led a chant after Gunaratana's teachings and served the monk a vegetarian meal that included rice, a dish of lentils, noodles and vegetables. Monks must eat their two daily meals after sunrise and before noon, and their food must be in the form of offerings.

Gunaratana has been in the Tampa Bay area many times before. In 1987, when he was invited to Florida to celebrate Buddha's birthday, he helped found the Bodhi Tree Meditation Center at 11355 Dauphin Ave., south of Walsingham Road in Largo. The 1-acre property includes a meditation hall, outdoor areas for walking meditation, a bookstore, and a specimen of the Bodhi tree, under which Buddha is said to have found enlightenment. The center has Sunday gatherings and extended retreats.

Cameron is a staunch admirer of Gunaratana and says he has tried to emulate him in at least one area.

"When he addresses people, he always addresses people as friend, and many years ago, I started doing the same thing," he said. "I found it is transforming. It's such a connecting way with other human beings, no matter who they are."

Fast Facts:

For more information

Bhante Henepola Gunaratana and the Bhavana Society, West Virginia: www.bhavanasociety.org/visit

The Bodhi Tree Meditation Center, Largo: www.bodhitreefla.org

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=61,3626,0,0,1,0

2007-01-20T13:38:00.000-08:00

No. 1320 (Minh Chau dich)

Walk towards enlightenment

By KEE HUA CHEE, The Star, January 20, 2007

Hong Kong is synonymous with shameless materialism. Yet, less than an hour away, on Lantau Island, is simplicity and calm.

Hong Kong, China -- BUILT atop the highest terrain on Lantau Island, the Giant Buddha is only 13 years old but already it’s a place of pilgrimage. Legends surround the world’s tallest seated outdoor bronze Buddha.

According to one story, Japan agreed to sponsor the entire cost of building the statue, provided it looked towards Tokyo. Beijing, upon hearing the news, put a stop to the nonsense, and this led to the Buddha now peering towards Beijing!

All large statues of the Buddha on mainland China face the South China Sea – except Hong Kong’s Giant Buddha. As for the cost, it was all of HK$1!

Reportedly, the Chinese construction firm that built the statue sold it to the Po Lin Monastery, which has been on Lantau for 82 years, for the token sum.

The project started in 1983 when Hong Kong was a British colony, and it was inaugurated 10 years later by monks from a dozen countries. Its official name is Tian Tan (Big Buddha), and its massive lotus base is modelled after the sacrificial platform of Beijing’s Temple of Heaven (Tian).

The statue is actually made of 202 huge bronze plates skillfully welded together to create a seamless appearance. The application of pure 24K gold on the face imparts a golden glow that seems completely natural, especially when the sun casts its rays at dawn and dusk.

Seated on the lotus throne atop a three-tiered altar, the Giant Buddha has a serene expression, bestowing peace and pleasure to all. On a clear day, it can even be seen from Macau.

His right hand is raised to deliver blessings and remove obstacles to all believers. The left hand rests on the thigh with palm outwards, fingers pointing slightly downwards to signify compassion to mankind. In front are six larger than life statues of Buddhist angels.

Apart from Big Buddha, devotees also come to worship a tiny little item the size of a grain of rice said to be a relic from the neck of Gautama Buddha. Reportedly 2,500 years old, the relic was brought to Hong Kong in October 1992 by the monastery’s abbot, the Venerable Chi Wai.

“From Sri Lanka, I brought back the relic of Sakyamuni,” said the abbot.

“At the airport, I had to open the case to the airport authorities and the waiting media. Everyone saw it was white. When I installed it in Big Buddha, it was yellow. Now it has turned red, a most auspicious colour!”

The Po Lin Monastery, built in 1924 by three Zen masters, is a Buddhist retreat of international repute. Its library boasts many religious texts and treasured scripts, while the main temple contains a white jade Buddha.

Many come to pray and enjoy the monk’s vegetarian lunch.

Wisdom walk

Wisdom Walk is an open-air ode to the Buddhist prayer, the Heart Sutra, which espouses the so-called Middle Path.

Consisting of only 260 characters, the Heart Sutra here is engraved in exquisite Chinese calligraphy on 38 gigantic, timber blocks arranged into the number “8” against a hillock, so the columns appear to slowly rise as you go nearer.

Each of the 8m-10m wooden pillar is also engraved with timeless advice, except for the one at the highest point. This pillar is left blank to represent its key theme of nirvana, a form of emptiness and bliss.

Many come here even though they have no interest in calligraphy or Buddhism, just to enjoy the bracing air and spectacular setting.

Calligraphy, topography

Wisdom Walk is the brainchild of scholar and calligrapher Prof Jao Tsung-I, who visited Mt Tai Shan in China 1980 and saw the Heart Sutra carved onto a rock face. There he had a vision of pillars containing the scripture.

He decided on wood because it is long lasting but will not last an eternity, thus reflecting the impermanence of nature.

In 2002, Prof Jao completed the 260-character calligraphy, which he dedicated to the people of Hong Kong. Installation took six months and was completed in 2004. A trio of skilled craftsmen painstakingly replicated Prof Jao’s masterpiece onto the 38 tree trunks, each spliced into a pair.

It may not be instantly obvious that the pillars form an “8” or infinity symbol, but if you stand on a conveniently placed rock at the base of the formation, you can discern it. The Heart Sutra is revered by Buddhists, as the chanting and reciting of these 260 characters is said to be able to help eliminate mental obstructions and create spiritual peace.

Nature, Buddhism and art – this is what Wisdom Walk encompasses. Breath deeply, relax, let all negative thoughts flow away and empty your mind of earthly desires; who knows, your personal enlightenment may be on its way.

2006-12-31T18:04:00.000-08:00

No. 1305 (tinhtan dịch)

Temple of the tooth relic

"Dalada Maligawa" as called by Sri Lankans, is the most venerated Buddhist shrine of the whole island. The temple was originally built by King Vimaladharmasuriya I (1592-1603) in two stories. Nothing remains of the original building built around 1600. During the reign of King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe (1747-1781) the temple was modified and rebuilt. The temple was badly damaged by a bomb blast in 1998, but much of the damage has since been restored.

The tooth relic:
Legend has it that after the creamation of the Buddha at Kushinagar, the remains, including one of his teeth, were kept in India. During the time Buddhism in India was undergoing much hardship, the tooth was smuggled to Sri Lanka, hidden in the hair of an Orissan princess. First it was taken to the Kingdom of Anuradhapura and later brought to several other kingdoms in Sri Lanka, until it reached its final resting place at the Kandyan kingdom in 1592.

http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/chiangmai/chetyotindex.htm

2006-12-22T17:10:00.000-08:00

No. 1300 (tinhtan dịch)

Buddhist stupas mentioned by Hieun Tsang recovered in Orissa

New Delhi, Dec 19: Buddhist stupas mentioned by Chinese traveller Hieun Tsang in his writings have been recovered during excavations in Orissa.The Orissan Institute of Maritime and South East Asian Studies, Bhubaneswar, has conducted excavations at Langudi, Tarapur, Deuli and Kayama and reported recovery of Buddhist stupas mentioned by Hieun Tsang, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni told Rajya Sabha in a written reply.The excavations have also brought to light several short inscriptions in Brahmi, Shankh lipi, proto-Oriya and Oriya scripts and other material remains dating back to 2nd Century BC to 7th to 8th Centuries AD, she said.The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has declared the Langudi Hill and the archaeological remains as monuments of national importance.The Union Tourism Ministry sanctioned an amount of Rs 740.67 lakh in 2004-05 for the development of the Buddhist circuit in Orissa for upgrading facilities at Langudi and other Buddhist places.

http://www.newkerala.com/news4.php?action=fullnews&id=68832

2006-12-16T16:33:00.000-08:00

No. 1294 ( Hạt Cát dịch)

Buddhadasa disciples protest against charms rite
by SUPAPHONG CHAOLAN, Bangkok Post, Dec 16, 2006

Surat Thani, Thailand -- Disciples of revered monk Buddhadasa Bhikkhu have protested against the consecration of Buddha amulets at a temple in Chaiya district, complaining the idea of producing good luck charms is ''anti-Buddhist.''

The late Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, recognised as one of the most influential figures in Thai Buddhism, was the temple's abbot for 45 years.

About 200 laymen and students yesterday marched to Wat Phra Boromthatchaiya where they rallied against an amulet sanctification rite being organised at the temple. The ceremony will be held on Monday.

Prayoon Yamananthakul, chairman of a Buddhist association in Surat Thani, said followers of Buddhadasa Bhikkhu did not oppose the move to produce Buddha images to raise funds for construction of a hospital building at a military camp.

The disciples, however, disagreed with the use of the temple as the ceremonial venue. Performing the rite went against the teachings of Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, who said good luck charms had no place in Buddhism.

''We have no intention of obstructing the ceremony, but we want it to be performed elsewhere, not at Wat Phra Boromthatchaiya (where Buddhadasa Bhikkhu had been abbot),'' said Mr Prayoon.

His group asked the organisers and acting abbot of the temple, Phra Udomthampreecha, to move the rite elsewhere, but without success.

Surat Thani governor Niwat Sawatkaew said his assistant Theerayuth Iemtrakul would look into the group's demands
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=52,3530,0,0,1,0

2006-12-16T16:29:00.000-08:00

No. 1293 ( Upekha dịch)

On India PM’s Tokyo list, Rs 5500-cr (US$ 3.7 mil) Buddhist infrastructure upgrade
by CITHARA PAUL, Indian Express, December 13, 2006

Holy places in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to benefit most with new roads, airports, tourist centres proposed

New Delhi, India -- The tourism sector in India is waiting eagerly for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Japan, starting tomorrow, with details of treaties involving Japanese investment worth Rs 5,570 crore (US$ 3.7 mil) likely to be finalised during his four-day stay.

The pacts would be part of the larger joint declaration to celebrate 2007 as the India-Japan Friendship and Exchange Year. The treaties come at a time when the inflow of Japanese tourists into India has been seeing a steady rise, growing 28% over the past two years, according to the Tourism Ministry.

The proposed projects will mainly cover Buddhist sites for infrastructure development with Japanese aid through next year. The Rs 5,570 crore fund will pay for works such as building roads, airports, tourist facilities and conservation in specified regions.

Buddhist holy places in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Himachal pradesh, Sikkim and Jammu & Kashmir are likely to benefit.

The two countries are also working on an eight-point plan to boost tourism, which includes preferential treatment in issuing visas, more direct flights and joint tourism promotions.

“Japan has a strong presence in the Indian tourism sector and we are expecting to double the Japanese impact in next three years,’’ said a senior ministry official.

There is more for the Buddhist circuit, covering Sarnath, Kushinagar, Piprawaha and Saraswathy in UP, and Bodhgaya, Nalanda, Rajgir and Vaishali in Bihar.

The Phase II of these projects, ending in 2012, will be providing Rs 680 crore for a period of seven years. Works include widening of highways, roadside plantations, conservation of monuments, construction of visitor and meditation centres, and power and water supply to Buddhist sites.

Japan will is also extend support to the Phase II of the Ajanta Ellora Conservation and Tourism Infrastructure Development Project. The places being covered by this project include Aurangabad, Daulatabad, Lonar, Nasik, Pune and Elephenta caves, apart from Ajanta and Ellora.
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=42,3532,0,0,1,0

2006-12-13T18:24:00.000-08:00

No. 1290 ( Hạt Cát dịch)

Dalai Lama Tells Followers to Steer Clear of Relic Show
By Adeline Chia, The Straits Times, December 12, 2006

Singapore -- A mega exhibition of Buddhist relics is proving popular among believers here but has drawn the ire of the Dalai Lama’s Office.

Controversial: The exhibition has attracted more than 30,000 people, but the Dalai Lama’s Office says believers would be worshipping an evil spirit.

Touted as the biggest organised here, with more than 100 million relics – pearl-like remains of spiritual masters after cremation – the event opened last weekend at the Singapore Expo.

Over the weekend, some 30,000 people flocked to the exhibition, which will run until Sunday.

But believers were told they would be worshipping an “evil spirit” – by the Dalai Lama’s Office in Dharamsala, India.

The statement hit out at the organiser, Gelugpa Buddhist Association Singapore, for staging the event and questioned the authenticity of the relics.

In its response, the association said it is a legitimate sect but not aligned with the Dalai Lama’s teachings.

The local Buddhist authority, the Singapore Buddhist Federation, declined to comment even after being contacted several times.

Buddhist Fellowship president Angie Monksfield saw the quarrel as a self-contained one: “There are differences in the groups in the Tibetan tradition, and it’s up to them to resolve them.”

Both the Dalai Lama and the Gelugpa Buddhist Association belong to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. The majority of Buddhists here belong to the Mahayana tradition, which originated in India and spread to China.

Ms Monksfield described her 2,000-member Buddhist Fellowship as “mainstream and non-sectarian”.

She said believers should decide for themselves if they wanted to go to the event, adding: “Personally, I wouldn’t go because just looking at relics doesn’t add any value to my spiritual development.”

A Straits Times check confirmed that a statement was issued by the Dalai Lama’s Office. It expressed “deep concern” about the exhibition, and that the Gelugpa Buddhist Association “actively opposes (the Dalai Lama’s) advice and teachings”.

It said that any person associated with the sect “effectively becomes non-Buddhist”.

Fliers of the statement have been distributed in some Waterloo Street shops and restaurants by anonymous parties. The area is popular with Buddhists.

The exhibition is free. The association will hold a 500-table charity vegetarian banquet on its last day. The most expensive table costs $3,800 for 10 people, and tables are nearly sold out.

Ms Jenny Chow, secretary-general of the Gelugpa Buddhist Association, said money raised from the dinner and alms will go to building a Buddhist relic museum in Singapore.

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=57,3522,0,0,1,0

2006-12-13T18:12:00.000-08:00

No. 1289 ( Upekha dịch)

Exhibit shows Buddha influence on Nehru

By Venkat Parsa

New Delhi, Dec. 13: An exhibition, Lord Buddha through the Eyes of Nehru, which was inaugurated here on Wednesday to mark the 2550th anniversary of Mahaparinirvana of Buddha and 117th birth anniversary of Nehru, portrays how the first Indian Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru drew extensively from Gautam Buddha. Buddhist thought illuminated India’s worldview and shaped the Indian foreign policy under Jawaharlal Nehru.

According to Nehru Memorial Museum assistant curator Tripat Kumar, the exhibition, organised by Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, seeks to depict the deep influence of Gautam Buddha on Nehru.The Indian parliamentary democracy, too, had its seeds in the four Buddhist Councils.

The first Buddhist Council met three months after the Mahaparinirvana of Buddha at Rajgriha. The second Buddhist Council was a 100 years later at Vaishali. The Third Buddhist Council was 236 years later at Pataliputra. The Fourth Buddhist Council was 400 years later under King Kanishka in Ceylon.

The stirring Buddhist symbols became national emblems. The national emblem is the lion of Sarnath and the Ashoka Chakra in the national tricolour, were all from the Buddhist lore.

Pandit Nehru, piloting the resolution in the Constituent Assembly on July 22, 1947, "The wheel represents the Buddhist dharma chakra and was used as an emblem by Ashoka in 3rd century BC."

Similarly, several of Nehru’s formulations like the Panchsheel Doctrine, embodied in the Sino-Indian Trade Agreement of April 29, 1954, were drawn from the Buddha.

The Panchsheel Doctrine was: mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty; mutual non-aggression; mutual non-interference in each other’s affairs; equality and mutual benefit; and peace co-existence.

Stressing on the importance of the leacy of Buddha, Nehru had said, "It is essentially through the message of the Buddha we can look at our problems in the right perspective and draw back from the conflict and from competing with one another in the realm of conflict, violence and hatred."

http://www.asianage.com/presentation/leftnavigation/news/india/exhibit-shows-buddha-influence-on-nehru.aspx

2006-12-12T19:59:00.000-08:00

No. 1288 (Hạt Cát dịch)

An ubuntu Buddhist in Ixopo
Barbara Ludman

12 December 2006

It's 6.30 on a misty morning at the Buddhist Retreat Centre near the town of Ixopo in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province. Thirty people are stretching through a session of "mindful yoga" in a hall with cool parquet floors and tall windows that frame the greenery outside.

Hours later, when the mist clears, they can walk through a forest up a gentle slope to the stupa, or shrine, and look across the valley to the clusters of homesteads that make up Chibini village.

The centre is among the most beautiful spots on the planet, with paths winding through a paradise of indigenous trees, rare orchids and tree ferns. Duiker and vervet monkeys live in the forest; otters have been spotted in the dam below the centre; there are horses there, and rescued cats and their progeny patrol the grounds.

When Durban-based Dutch architect Louis van Loon bought 140 hectares of derelict farmland in 1970, it was what he describes as a "wild wattle wilderness".

Over the next decade he dug up pine seedlings on the roadside and replanted them on the farm to get a fast-growing forest going. Then he added indigenous trees. There are thousands of them now, attracting 160 species of birds, including the endangered blue swallow. For both accomplishments, the centre has been awarded National Heritage status.

It is just as well that the surroundings are inspirational, because the accommodation is spartan. Most visitors stay in a rambling residence - one narrow bed, shelves for clothes behind a muslin curtain, and a shared bathroom across the hall, as in an old-fashioned hotel.

Unsurprisingly, cellphones only work - and then sporadically - at the foot of a 5m-high Buddha statue sculpted by Van Loon and set in a small park.

But you don't go to the BRC for mod cons and luxury. You don't even go there for the fabulous vegetarian food. You go there to chill, or to learn how to live in the moment - a skill most of us lost when childhood ended.

Relearning mindfulness
It is called mindfulness, and can be learnt in a variety of ways. At the BRC, there are structured weekends called "the radiant awareness of being" or "the application of mindfulness" (this for health professionals working in HIV/Aids). But there are also weekends devoted to making and flying a kite; or learning to sketch; or drumming. There's a very popular birding weekend.

The author of the best-selling Quiet Food cookery book runs an annual retreat titled "an introduction to mindful cooking". Anthony Shapiro, the centre's artist-in-residence (see sidebar), leads pottery retreats.

It's an unusual programme for an institution devoted to unlocking the spiritual dimension in the individual. And when the centre opened some 25 years ago, the retreats and workshops were not without controversy.

How does "mindful birdwatching" qualify as a Buddhist retreat?

"Buddhists make it their business simply to sit down on a cushion and notice that that is all that's happening: that they're sitting, not standing. And that they're breathing," says Van Loon.

"This is being mindful - being present in the here and now, however simple and uneventful. It is the perfect antidote to our frenetic, compulsive-obsessive lifestyle.

"So why not extend this clarity of experiencing where you are and what is happening from moment to moment to everything else in your life, including watching a bird fly past? Or brushing your teeth?

"We can find profound philosophy and meaning in life in the moments when we are truly in touch with things. Sketching, for example, is a powerful way of getting out of our self-centredness, by closely observing something other than our own dramas."

'ubuntu Buddhism'
Van Loon describes what is practised at the BRC as "ubuntu Buddhism", influenced both by the spirit of Africa, the concept of ubuntu, and the culture of the West. "I think Western science and psychology, African philosophy and art have an incredible richness and depth which can contribute to an exciting new Buddhism," he says.

Is Buddhism a religion or a philosophy? He doesn't actually answer the question. Some people call it a religion, he says, and some a philosophy. But "Buddhism doesn't have the usual concepts and doctrines, dogmas, the articles of faith and belief built into its philosophy that most religions find absolutely fundamental, like a firm belief in a creator God, for example. For most people, that disqualifies it as a religion.

"It's not that Buddhism denies or accepts the existence of God, but that it does not find theological concepts like original sin, judgement, heaven and hell, etcetera very useful or meaningful in living our day-to-day existence."

The centre is remarkably laid back, and teachers - who, by the way, donate their services, in Buddhist tradition - also seem to follow Van Loon's tolerant lead. If you skip a meditation session or a lecture, it's no big deal. You can go deeply into Buddhist philosophy and meditation practice. Or you can put that aside for another day, another visit, so long as you adhere, at least while you're there, to the most important stricture: do not cause harm.

You can attend every session in the hope that at some point you may be blissed out, if only for a moment or two. Or you can simply drink in the gentleness and joy that seems to pervade the BRC.

What's remarkable is that it works, either way. For weeks afterwards, you're not concerned about taxi drivers cutting in front of you, and stopping. You just shrug it off. It's their karma. And it's not that important.

In this world
What is, then? "We can't sit on our meditation cushions and work on our spiritual well-being without incorporating the welfare of those around us," says Van Loon. The Buddhist principle of living a noble life in the midst of everyday chaos has been applied towards improving the lives of the people in the valley.

Thus: Woza Moya (Come Spirit), a non-profit organisation linked to Chibini. The BRC has raised funds to build and maintain both a primary and secondary school. There's an active HIV/Aids programme, with home-based care workers from the community trained at the clinic in Ixopo and involved in everything from counselling to orphan intervention.

Which makes it okay for retreatants to search for their spirituality without feeling hypocritical about contemplating their navel while surrounded by incredible poverty.

Nobody stops you from supplementing the pittance you pay for lodging with a donation to Woza Moya - but nobody will harass you for it either. It is, after all, your karma.

http://www.southafrica.info/plan_trip/holiday/culture_heritage/ixopo.htm

2006-12-11T09:08:00.000-08:00

No.1286 (Minh Chau dich)

In the Himalayas, a former Buddhist kingdom struggles to retain its identity

The Associated Press, December 9, 2006

GANGTOK, Sikkim (India) -- Dawn at Enchey Monastery is a cacophonous scene straight from Sikkim's past: Young monks chant prayers, old lamas ring bells and dozens of ordinary people pace around, spinning rows of prayer wheels.

But listen closely, and the present day reality of this former Himalayan kingdom is clearly audible — a Bollywood show tune being hummed by a young, red-robbed monk between his prayers.

More than a century of foreign domination — first by Britain and now by India — has left the Buddhist natives of this mountainous land vastly outnumbered, their way of life overwhelmed by the vibrant culture of northern India's plains.

It's a story played out over the past century across the Himalayas, from Tibet, conquered by China in 1951, to largely forgotten realms like Sikkim, absorbed by

ndia in 1975.

Fantasized as exotic Shangri-La's, a patchwork of once flourishing Buddhist kingdoms that dominated the Earth's highest peaks for centuries find themselves ruled from faraway capitals and inundated by outsiders, their cultures marginalized in a world fast developing around them.

"The plainsmen have money for temples, their own television, movies," said monk Kayzang Chhophel, 53, referring to Hindus from other parts of India.

From his spot in Enchey's courtyard, the icy peak of Mount Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest at 28,000 feet (8,400 meters) and sacred to Sikkimese, rises in the distance.

All around, the bustling morning routine at Enchey, with its pagoda-like yellow roof and sweeping views of the snowcapped Himalayas, is a fraying oasis against the melancholy that seems to have overtaken Sikkim's Buddhists.

Chhophel glanced at the young shaven-headed novices sitting cross-legged as a lama led them in prayer and at an old monk lighting yak butter candles. But he saw few reasons for optimism.

"How can we hold out?" he asked.

The reason for his gloom is just a few miles (several kilometers) away in Gangtok, Sikkim's congested capital. Hindu temples dot the streets, and images of Bollywood stars hawking soft drinks and electronics are as common as strings of red, white, yellow and blue Buddhist prayer flags.

The decline in old Sikkim is seen at monasteries that can't afford to repair cracked walls or leaky roofs and at restaurants where menus list Nepali and Indian dishes rather than Sikkimese delicacies like ferns sauteed with cheese.

A glance at the numbers fills out the picture: Buddhists, the Bhutia and Lepcha ethnic groups, account for only 23 percent of Sikkim's 500,000 people, a total smaller than that of many small Indian towns.

Wedged between Nepal, China and the rest of India, Sikkim never garnered much attention from the

outside world. Its brief moment of international notice came in 1962 when its then-monarch, Chogyal Palden Thondul Namgyal, married an American debutante, Hope Cooke.

But the king is long gone, Cooke ended up writing a walking tour guidebook for New York, and Sikkim is best known these days for its trekking opportunities — a land so mountainous that peaks under 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) seldom warrant names.

Even decades ago, Cooke saw Sikkim's exotic image as part of the problem.

"The Shangri-La concept was dangerous for us," she wrote in her 1980 autobiography. "However small and semi-exotic we might be, we were real, we existed. If people didn't credit us with reality, we would perish very soon, the victim of very real power politics."

In many ways, though, Sikkim fell victim to power politics long before Cooke's arrival.

The British made it a protectorate in the late 19th century as they secured their grip on the subcontinent. The first colonial officials found a land so isolated and undeveloped that they ended up importing everything from dairy cows to blacksmiths.

They also began bringing in ethnic Nepali laborers, who by the beginning of the century had become the majority, displacing the Bhutia and Lepcha, who are culturally, ethnically and religiously more closely related to Tibetans.

The 1962 border war between China and India — which already had taken over Sikkim's defense and foreign affairs from Britain — was another blow, cutting Sikkim off from Tibet.

For many Sikkimese, the final tragedy came in 1973 when India intervened to restore order after ethnic Nepalis rioted against the king and landowning monasteries.

Two years later, the king was deposed and Sikkim made an Indian state, a move that remains the source of much bitterness.

Privately, many Sikkimese condemn the Indian takeover in harsh words — "a nation of thieves and liars," is how one member of the former royal family described India.

It's a sentiment few express publicly. While dissent is widely tolerated in India, authorities are less receptive to separatist talk, especially in strategically sensitive regions such as Sikkim, which borders China.

"All over the world there are endangered species. Maybe we need to be declared endangered peoples," Tseten Tashi Bhutia, a politician who leads the Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee, which has taken up the ethnic identity cause in recent years.
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Indian officials call Bhutia's party "a group of malcontents."

B.B. Gooroon, a top adviser to the state's chief minister, said the Bhutia and Lepcha have reserved seats in Sikkim's assembly and there are rules against outsiders buying land in Sikkim.

Still, "this is an underdeveloped territory," he said. "We need to access to the resources, the highly skilled people of India, to move ahead."

Asked what types of workers have been brought into to aid Sikkim's development, he said: "Drivers, teachers, waiters."

Walk into one of the shops selling knickknacks to tourists in Gangtok's market and you invariably find someone from far-off parts of India behind the counter.

"I'm here to do business," said Sushil Aggarwal, a 43-year-old shopkeeper from the deserts of Rajasthan in western India, the other side of the country.

Asked about the resentment of native Sikkimese for outsiders, he said: "What does it matter where I am from ... why is my religion important?"

Away from bustle of Gangtok, monasteries like Enchey, with its pitched yellow roof and sweeping views of the snowcapped Himalayas, remain an oasis, of sorts.

But the world cannot be walled out, as the young humming monk reminds a visitor.

"Rock 'n' roll soniye, dole ye man tere liye," goes the Hindi lyrics to the tune hummed by 12-year-old Palden Lama — "Rock 'n' roll my darling, my heart dances for you."

2006-12-10T16:33:00.000-08:00

No. 1285. (Hạt Cát dịch)

Ani Tenzin Palmo to visit Thailand

Monday December 11, 2006

One of the most respected female monks in the Tibetan tradition, Ani Tenzin Palmo, is coming to lecture and lead workshops in Thailand next month. At the age of 21, she became one of the first Westerners to be ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist nun, and later spent 12 years living in a cave in northern India, practising meditation. Her book Reflections on a Mountain Lake, based on her rigorous experiences, was recently translated into Thai by Garden of Fruition.

On January 9, she will deliver a speech on the themes of female practitioners and global healing at Chulalongkorn University, in the Faculty of Education's auditorium.

The talk will be preceded by a screening of Milarepa, a film made by a Tibetan monk, with explanatory notes by Tibetan study expert Krissadawan Hongladarom. The programme is part of the annual Sem Pringpuangkaew speech, held to honour the good-hearted doctor who himself will preside over the event.

From January 11 to 14, Tenzin Palmo will lead a retreat at Ashram Wongsanit in Nakhon Nayok. Space is limited to 50 people only. All programmes will be in English, with Thai translation by Lapapan Supamantra.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/Outlook/11Dec2006_out40.php

2006-12-09T19:46:00.000-08:00

No. 1284 ( Hạt Cát dịch)

Leshan giant buddha gets a checkup

by Ji Xuewen, CCTV.com, Dec 8, 2006
Sichuan, China -- Right now, China is building a whole new inspection system for its many heritage sites. Leading the effort is a physical for the Leshan Giant Buddha, a landmark of the southwest.

Ten years ago, the Giant Buddha was placed on the United Nation's World Heritage List. And one anniversary present is this state-of-the-art physical. A 3D laser scanning station was set up at its base.

Over the month to come, digital data will be collected on both the exterior, and the condition of the rock within. The information will be used in a diagnosis, to decide the next step.

Chen Xianshu is a deputy director of the Giant Buddha Management committee. He said, “The laser scanning system helps us gather the most precise data possible. We are setting up a database, which will enable us to protect the Giant Buddha in a scientific manner.”

Carving of the riverside sculpture began in the Tang Dynasty, over a thousand years ago. The tallest Buddha in the world, it made the UNESCO Heritage list as both a scenic and cultural site. But as the years pass erosion becomes more rapid, due to destructive elements in the atmosphere.

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=4,3507,0,0,1,0

2006-12-09T13:25:00.000-08:00

No.1283 (Minh Chau dich)

In the footsteps of the Buddha

By GEMMA SOMERVILLE, Hexham Courant, Dec 8, 2006

London, UK -- AT THE age of 53, London-born Nick Scott has already travelled the world. And after completing a six month, 1,000-mile pilgrimage across India, he admits he has a powerful connection to the country.

However, with strong roots in Tynedale and a picturesque cottage in Elsdon, he is confident Northumberland is where he will eventually retire.

“I grew up in Putney in the East End of London, but my parents retired to Elsdon in the early 1980s. During that time I was based in Northumberland and grew very fond of the place and the people,” he said.

Embarking on his first trip to India – hitchhiking there at the age of 18 – Nick experienced Buddhism first hand, and developed a keen interest in meditation.

“Meditation did me a lot of good and because I have a scientific background it’s one of the more practical sides of Buddhism, which I was able to get to grips with.

“I stayed in India for about three years that time and just earned money as I went.”

Returning to Elsdon at the age of 21, a doctorate in plant ecology at Newcastle University was the next step for Nick, while he continued pursuing his interest in Buddhism.

“I developed an interest in Westerners who had become monks, and although this was something that didn’t appeal to me, I did find it very interesting.”

Nick accepted an invitation to go to stay at a new monastery in Midhurst, West Sussex, where he helped the monks to settle into their surroundings.

“When I came back, I looked into the communities nearby and realised this area didn’t have a monastery, despite the growing interest in Buddhism nationally.”

After researching the possibility and using some of his contacts, Nick worked closely with two others to become one of the founders of Harnham Monastery at Belsay.

Aruna Ratanagiri, as it is otherwise known, has recently celebrated its 25th anniversary and Nick was invited back to be part of it.

“One of the biggest tasks was finding a suitable location for the monastery, somewhere tranquil and calm.

“We saw an advert in the Courant for a cottage to rent in Belsay and we ended up renting it from a farmer for £10 a week.”

The Buddhist community within Harnham consists of around eight monastic members at any one time and an adjacent lay facility known as Harnham Retreat House.

On hearing about his work in Belsay, monks from Chithurst Monastery in Sussex invited Nick to stay with them as their guest.

“They really looked after me while I was there. I was a guest. But I felt I had to repay their kindness, and did this through odd jobs and maintenance work around the monastery.”

In keeping with his interest in nature and conservation, an 11-year career followed with Nick working for Northumberland Wildlife Trust as Druridge Bay’s wildlife warden.

During this time his involvement with the Gateshead Garden Festival in 1990 led to a series of television appearances.

“I designed and built the nature reserve site which then won the best garden, best educational garden, and best landscape gardener.

“The finished product was really beautiful and a credit to the team behind it. And it was enormous – a few acres.”

With the garden open for viewing for six months, Nick was frequently called upon to answer questions and give talks about his role as a wildlife warden, and on his interest in Buddhism.

“During the early 1990s I felt really important and I was really successful, but it didn’t take long to realise that it just wasn’t me. I was sick of myself.”

All the while, with a return trip to India beckoning, Nick began to feel increasingly unhappy with himself and the way his life was going.

“Luckily for me, the wildlife trust was really thankful for all the work I had put into it over the years.

“The membership had doubled during my time there and so I was allowed to take six months paid leave in 1991.”

Little did Nick know that the next six months would be a turning point in his life, an experience so humbling that it would totally change his outlook.

Ajahn Sucitto, an English Buddhist monk, who has since been ordained as the abbot of Chithurst Monastery, invited Nick on a pilgrimage through India.

On foot, over six months, the pair walked the Buddha’s homeland of India and Nepal, which is now widely regarded as one of the most dangerous and poverty-ridden places on the planet.

“When the idea was mentioned, I knew I would have to do it. It was the new challenge I had been looking for and I grabbed it with both hands.

“I was worried, because I didn’t know the details. That was something I left to Ajahn Sucitto, but of I went.”

Admitting that they both had very different characters, Nick recalls the abbot insisting they sleep under the trees, chant in the morning and every evening, and often take part in all-night meditation sessions.

“We did everything just as the Buddha would have done, and it really was hard.

“We even had to live on just one meal a day and could only eat what was given to us by the people in each village we stopped at.”

The companions kept a record of their journey and logged each destination by taking photographs, which they planned to take back to show their respective monasteries.

Then disaster struck, and the pilgrimage was thrown into turmoil when the pair were attacked and robbed.

“They took everything. We only had the basics, but they were everything to us. You have to remember this is a backward and lawless part of the country.

“The most upsetting thing was not having any pictures to bring back with us.”

After taking refuge in a local monastery for the night, the pair were forced to set off again, this time in search of a police station.

But despite the ups and downs, the pilgrimage was completed and both Ajahn Sucitto and Nick were compelled to publish the account of their journey on their return.

“We both wanted to write a book about our experience. I don’t think it was what either of us was expecting.

“Putting it together took 10 years, and that was only the first half! Ajahn Sucitto had to teach me to write; I didn’t have a clue where to start.”

Now the first half of their journey, aptly named Rude Awakenings, is available in Britain after it was first published in America by Wisdom Publications.

Since the book’s completion in 2001, Nick has worked at meditation retreats all over the world, including the White Mountains of Crete and the Slovenian Alps.

“We have plans to team up to complete the second part of the book next year, but for now I’m happy teaching meditation.”

www.buddhistnews.tv

2006-12-07T18:55:00.000-08:00

No. 1278 (tinhtan dịch)

Lễ tôn trí Xá Lợi của Cố Hòa Thượng Tiến Sĩ K Sri Dhammananda.

Buddhist Channel, ngày 2 tháng 12, 2006.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -
Xá Lợi của Cố Trưởng lão Hòa thượng Tiến Sĩ K Sri Dhammananda đáng kính ở Mã Lai và Singapore, được tôn trí vào một bảo tháp xây đặc biệt trong nghi lễ để đánh dấu 3 tháng tưởng niệm về Ngài. Cố Trưởng lão Hòa thượng đã viên tịch vào ngày 31 tháng 08, 2006.
Khoảng 200 Chư Tăng Ni thuộc các truyền thống khác nhau, cũng như gần 2,000 tín đồ đã hiện diện tại Tu viện Buddhist Maha Vihara để tham dự buổi lễ này. Sự kiện đã đi vào lịch sử trong nhiều phương cách như Cố Trưởng Lão là Vị Tăng thường trú đầu tiên của Tu viện đã viên tịch. Ngài cũng là vị Tăng đầu tiên có xá lợi được tôn trí trong tổng thể Tu viện.
Lễ tưởng niệm bắt đầu vào lúc 9 giờ sáng giữa một buổi sáng mát dịu và bầu trời mây phủ bình lặng. Bốn loa phát ra những lời ca tụng ngắn gọn về Cố Trưởng lão và cũng vắn tắt ý nghĩa xá lợi quý báu trong Phật giáo.
Ông Sarath Surendre, Chủ tịch Hội Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana (SAWS) và hội viên của Tu viện Buddhist Maha Vihara nơi mà Cố Hòa thượng đã trụ trì 54 năm nói rằng Cố Trưởng lão Hòa thượng K Sri Dhammananda là một trong những vị danh tăng đáng kính nhất trên thế giới. Ông nói rằng sự phục vụ vô bờ bến của Cố Hòa thượng, là đúng nghĩa tưởng niệm thường xuyên tại ngôi bảo tháp đã được thành lập để nhắc nhở cho các thế hệ sau về đời sống của một bậc vĩ nhân.
Trưởng lão Hòa thượng Dhammaratana, nhậm chức Sư Trưởng Tu viện Buddhist Maha Vihara gởi lời cảm ơn Chư Tăng Ni đã quy tụ tại tu viện để tham dự buổi lễ này.
Thông điệp cuối cùng của buổi sáng này được phát biểu bởi Đại Đức Piyananda, vị Cố vấn Tôn giáo Quốc tế cho Tổng Thống Sri Lanka. Đại Đức đã đọc một bài thuyết giảng ngắn về ý nghĩa của xá lợi thiêng liêng trong Phật giáo. Ngài nói rằng trong khi quan trọng về thờ cúng và tôn kính xá lợi Thánh Tăng, quả thật thiết yếu hơn để hiểu lý do tại sao phải làm như vậy.
Trích dẫn một câu nói: “Điều bạn suy tôn là điều bạn sẽ trở thành” Đại Đức Piyananda đã nói xá lợi của Cố Hòa thượng Tiến sĩ K Sri Dhammananda sẽ nhắc nhở mọi người rằng một thời có một vị Tăng sống ân cần và từ bi, đáng kính, trí tuệ và tu học thật sự, phẩm giá mà tất cả chúng ta nên noi gương.
Một khi tro được để vào bình đựng di cốt, theo sau một nghi lễ cầu siêu ngắn. Bình đựng di cốt được tôn trí trong một bảo tháp nhỏ xây đặc biệt. Trưởng lão Hòa thượng Dhammaratana hướng dẫn một đám rước ngắn từ phòng lễ đến bảo tháp nhỏ. Ngài dẫn đầu một nhóm Chư Tăng đi quanh bảo tháp ba lần trước khi bình đựng di cốt được tôn trí vào trong.
Nghi lễ kết thúc trong nỗi buồn trang nghiêm của tu viện.
(tinhtan dịch)

(tinhtan dịch)

Relics of the late Venerable Dr K Sri Dhammananda interned in mini pagoda

The Buddhist Channel, December 2, 2006

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -- The relics of Malaysia and Singapore's revered Chief Monk, the late Venerable Dr K Sri Dhammananda was interned in a specially built pagoda in a ceremony to mark his 3 months memorial today. The venerable passed away on August 31, 2006.

About 200 monks and nuns of various traditions, as well as close to 2,000 devotees were present at the Buddhist Maha Vihara to witness the occasion. The event was historical in many ways as the late venerable was the first resident monk of the temple who had passed away. He was also the first monk to have his relics interned within the temple's compound.

The ceremony began at 9 a.m. amidst a cool, pleasant morning and calm overcast skies. Four speakers gave short eulogies about the venerable and also touched briefly on the Buddhist meaning of relics worship.

Mr Sarath Surendre, President of the Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society (SAWS) and custodian of the Buddhist Maha Vihara where the late venerable had been the Chief monk for 54 years, said that Dr K Sri Dhammananda was one of the most respected monk in the world. He said that given the venerable's immense service, it was only right that a permanent memorial in the form of a pagoda was established to remind generations to come the life of such a great person.

The next speaker, Mr Ang Choo Hong, who is the President of the Buddhist Missionary Society of Malaysia, touched on the meaning of relics worship in Buddhism. He recalled a story how Ven K Sri Dhammananda told him that if all the Buddhist relics were to be put in one place, it would make up a mountain. He said that relics of Buddhist masters should serve as a memory of those who had given great service to mankind, rather than merely be objects of worship.

Ven. Dhammaratana, the incumbent Chief monk of the Buddhist maha Vihara then gave thanks to the many monks and nuns who had converged on the temple to witness the occasion. He particularly singled out the presence of Datin Seri Paduka Zaleha Ali, an elderly Muslim lady who knew the late venerable very well. Ven. Dhammaratana called her "a true sister for all Malaysians".

The final speech of the morning was delivered by Ven. Piyananda, who is the International Religious Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka. The venerable gave a short discourse on the meaning of relics worhip in Buddhism. He said that while it was important to worship and to honour Buddhist relics, it was more essential to understand the reason behind it.

Quoting a saying that "what you worship you become", Ven. Piyananda said the late Dr K Sri Dhammananda's relics will serve to remind everyone that there once lived a man who was kind and compassionate, worthy of respect, wise and truly learned, values which we all should emulate.

"He was without doubt a man of great skill and ability, not only in Dharma knowledge - he could clearly explain things as it is, even difficult subjects - but also a master in handling people. He knew peoples' character very well," said the venerable.

After the speeches, representatives from key Buddhist societies and associations were invited to place the ashes and relics (wrapped in yellow bundles) into an urn. Ven. Mahinda, being the eldest Malaysian disciple of the late venerable, led the way. The last person given the honour to make the final placement was Mr. R A Janis, who served as the late venerable's assistant (kapiya) when he first came to the temple from Sri Lanka 54 years ago.

Once the ashes were placed into the urn, a short blessing ceremony followed. The urn was then brought to be interned into the specially built mini pagoda. Ven. Dhammaratana led the short procession from the ceremonial dias to the pagoda. He guided a small retinue of monks to circle the pagoda three times before the urn was placed inside it.
The ceremony concluded with the official revealing of the pagoda's plague.

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=56,3485,0,0,1,0

2006-12-07T18:29:00.000-08:00

No.1281 (Minh Chau dich)

Tough-love remedy for an unruly teen: Two years. With monks. In Cambodia.

By Christine Clarridge, Seattle Times, Dec 5, 2006

Seattle, WA (USA) -- Chou Sa-Ngoun was desperate. Her teenage son was skipping school for weeks at a time, using drugs, getting arrested, staying out all night, hanging out with the wrong kids.

Nothing she did seemed to make any difference. Grounding didn't work. Neither did yelling, crying, taking away privileges, counseling, switching schools, probation or stints in juvenile hall.

She called the Army, but was told her son, Michael Sa-Ngoun, was too young to enlist. She begged for temporary placement in a foster home, but law-enforcement and social-service agencies said there wasn't much more they could do for him, or to him. He wasn't really that bad, they said.

"They said he's just being a teenager," she said. "They said they couldn't do anything until he did something more serious. But by the time he did something more serious it could be too late."

Finally, at the end of a family trip to Cambodia in 2004, Chou told Michael that they were leaving him behind. She, her husband and Michael's two younger siblings returned to their Tukwila home while Michael remained in a remote village to be raised and taught by monks in a Buddhist temple.

After two years of living as a monk in Cambodia, Michael, now 17, returned home Nov. 12 with a high-school diploma, job skills and a commitment, he said, to leading a "good life."

"I just felt different one day," he said shortly after his return. "I learned that you have to give up wanting things and accept what you are given. I learned about the afterlife and was taught that if you keep doing good, you'll have a good afterlife."

Chou doesn't know whether the change in her son will be lasting, particularly since he's back in the city where he once ran with the wrong crowd and was seduced by temptation. But she's hopeful the past two years living a life few Western teens will ever know will have a permanent and profound effect on her oldest child.
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"I had tried every single thing I could think of," she said. " I thought this was the only way to save my firstborn."

Grounding didn't work

Michael began getting into trouble at school when he was 12. Then he started skipping school weeks at a time with the encouragement of some older neighborhood kids.

"I would drop him off at the front door [of the school] and he would leave out the back," Chou said.

He lied to his parents all the time, his mother said, made straight F's, ignored his chores and his curfew, and sometimes didn't come home at all.

Chou tried grounding him, taking away computer access and video games, and even locking him out of the house. But he always found ways around the restrictions.

One time, the school called her at her job at a medical clinic and said Michael was absent. She came home to find he'd broken into the house with a friend and was on the computer looking at porn and drinking beer.

In 2002, Michael got caught stealing merchandise from JC Penney. The next year he was charged with residential burglary and convicted of second-degree vehicle prowl and stealing a car.

One day, the police asked her to pick him up, but she refused. They kept him for one night but brought him around the next day. When she wouldn't let him in, he broke screens trying to find a way into the house. Another time, he came home badly beaten.

Looking back on those times, Michael says the only things he cared about were money and girls. Beyond that, the tall, thin young man has a difficult time explaining that part of his life.

"I guess I just didn't care," he said. "I was following the crowd, doing what was easy and fun."

Leaving him behind

When Michael was 14, Chou began planning a trip to Cambodia, her mother's homeland. Her husband — Michael's stepfather — suggested they leave Michael behind for a week or two.

"I thought that the hardship would be good for him," said Sanny Sa-Ngoun, a carpenter who was raised in Cambodia.

Neither parent had living relatives in Cambodia, but a friend from Bellevue suggested they leave Michael in the care of Buddhist monks in the town of Krolong, a tiny village in the Kampong Cham region with no electricity, no plumbing and no phones.

In November 2004, the family flew in to Phnom Penh and spent the first few days visiting great temples and cities. They eventually made their way to Krolong.

With a little more than a week of vacation left, Chou told Michael they were returning to the U.S. without him.

He raged at first and planned to flee, but didn't have money, a plane ticket or a place to go. Before his family left Cambodia, he went on a hunger strike and pleaded for another chance.

Chou told Michael that the only way he was coming home was if he lived for a time in the temple and changed his ways.

Michael realized he had no choice. He donned the orange robes of the Buddhist monks, allowed his head to be shaved and mouthed the vows.

He says now that he was resentful. He felt like he'd been abandoned in a strange country, where he didn't speak the language and hated the food. He missed the trappings of his former life: television, computers and his friends.

In the first weeks and months, Chou listened for a change in his attitude and voice whenever he called home. When she didn't hear it, she told him, "Just a little while longer."

A new world

Buddhist monks are similar to priests and pastors in some Western religions. Taking vows of celibacy, simplicity and service, monks conduct religious ceremonies and rituals and give blessings. They have often traditionally been the most educated people, passing their knowledge from one generation of monks to the next. They often filled the role of educators in many smaller villages.

The temple will take in any young man, regardless of race, background or financial ability, who is willing to study Buddhism as a monk. There is no financial cost or expected payback, but the families of many do make financial contributions to the village or the temple. Because the Sa-Ngouns did not want their son to take food from the mouths of others, they sent $100 for village use.

The Krolong temple and school, which was at the physical and spiritual center of the village, represented an entirely new world for the teen from Seattle.

In silence, Michael rose at 5:45 each morning. He drew buckets of water and laid out two rugs, two place settings and two towels for his teacher and the elder monk, whom he called "Grandpa."

He then set a place for himself, called the two and they ate their meal of rice and meat or fish together. He rested for 10 minutes and went to work outside on whatever needed doing around the temple and school grounds.

He and the other young monks learned to mix mortar, lay stone and build fences. They had friendly competitions to be the best. He began to understand and speak the Cambodian language, and then to study the Buddhist prayers and teachings.

"I learned to try to be free from wanting things, and I learned a lot about older people, how to talk to them and thank them," he said.

He washed at the water pump, and then he and the other monks would take containers and go from door to door among the villagers asking for food in exchange for blessings.

They could not refuse food or ask for more. "We took what was given to us," Michael said. That food was placed in a community dish and made up the monks' final meal of the day, which was eaten together at noon.

One night he had a dream that the 12 evil spirits that were part of his Buddhist teachings tried to keep him from living a good life. He was scared, he said, and when he woke up he found that he didn't see the temple, the village or the country as a prison anymore. He understood why his parents did what they had done.

"I got to thinking about it and figured out I was wrong. I was actually pretty bad," he said.

When he spoke to his mother the next time — about nine months into his stay — he told her he wanted to stay in Cambodia a while longer.

She arranged for him to receive study packets from a high-school correspondence course. He took tests online at an Internet cafe in a larger town where he was taken by a villager on motorcycle.

A few months ago, he received his high-school diploma. He told his mother he was ready to return.

Back home again

He arrived at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport last month still wearing his flowing orange robes. He still honored the monks' vows that, among other things, forbade him from touching women and kept him from hugging his mother.

He stayed up the whole first night watching TV, then slept, then watched some more TV. It looked to him like things had changed. "All the construction," he said.

The American food he'd missed so much tasted plain. And he's been overwhelmed by all the noise and activity.

He's been invited to say chants and prayers and give blessings at the Buddhist temples in Olympia, White Center and in people's homes.

"People bow down to him and ask for his blessing," his mother said. "That's how they show their respect."

In a traditional cleansing ceremony that the whole family participated in at the White Center temple on Saturday, Michael was freed from his strict vows, took off his robes and emerged wearing street clothes. The ceremony marked a rite of passage, his journey from Buddhist teachings back to his Western world.

He doesn't plan to renounce what he's learned. But he is now able to hug his mother and find a job.

His first goal is to petition the court to seal his juvenile records because that part of his life is over, he said, "and it's embarrassing." He hopes to land a job in a restaurant, and a portion of what he earns will be sent to the Cambodian temple — not because it is expected of him, but because he sees the needs, he said.

"They have very little," he said.

Michael and his family realize that the true test of his experience is yet to come, when he fully re-enters the world of teenagers and temptations.

But he said he's certain that he does not want to return to his old ways.

When he goes back to Cambodia, he wants it to be for a visit and not a sentence.

"I do feel wiser and more at peace," he said. "I thought that what my mother did was harsh, but I learned a lot about life and consequences. I saw poverty and learned how lucky I was."

"It was hard," Chou agrees. "But I saw where he was going and I said, 'I can't let this happen. I can't give up. If this is the only way to save my son and give him a future, then this is what I have to do.'

"I'm very proud of him now, and I'm very hopeful."

2006-12-07T16:38:00.000-08:00

No. 1280 ( Hạt Cát dịch)

800,000 Dalits remember Ambedkar
December 07, 2006 Thursday

MUMBAI: Hundreds of thousands of low-caste Indians lined up on Wednesday to bow before a memorial to a champion of their rights who died 50 years ago, as security officials kept a vigil to prevent any violence.

At least 800,000 low-caste Hindus, known as Dalits or untouchables, arrived in Mumbai to pay homage to Bhim Rao Ambedkar in the central Dadar neighborhood where he was cremated on Dec. 6, 1956.

Although the turnout was not surprising -- people congregate in similarly large numbers every year -- authourities tightened security around the city because of last week's violent demonstrations by low-caste groups across Maharashtra state, of which Mumbai is the capital.

The demonstrations were against the desecration of a statue of Ambedkar in northern India.

Ambedkar, himself a dalit and a prominent Indian freedom fighter, was the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, which outlawed discrimination based on caste.

Schools and colleges were shut on Tuesday and police with sniffer dogs patrolled streets in central Mumbai to maintain law and order.

''This security is a precautionary measure. We called in extra forces basically because of recent incidents and violence,'' said Mumbai police chief A.N. Roy.

''We are being cautious since there are so many people coming to the city. We want to ensure a smooth flow.''

Throughout the day, crowds of people placed flowers and garlands on Ambedkar's shrine in Mumbai's Dadar neighbourhood. Buddhist monks in orange robes also recited prayers in front of a small statue of Ambedkar, who had renounced Hinduism for Buddhism since he believed it treated people equally.

''People only remember Dalits on Ambedkar's birth or death anniversary. We are poor and will remain poor,'' said Shakun Pala, a labourer.

Pala said education, which could open the door to a better life, was available for only a few Dalits. ''I want my children to study, but it makes more sense to put them to work. It's better to feed the family than keep them in school,'' Pala said.

During last week's state-wide demonstrations against damage to a statue of Ambedkar, at least two people died when police fired into a crowd of protesters. Some 40 people were injured in separate clashes.—AP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/12/07/int16.htm

2006-12-07T16:22:00.000-08:00

No. 1279 ( Upekha dịch)

Buddhist holiday adapts Zen to modern America

Thursday, December 7, 2006

By EVELYN SHIH
STAFF WRITER

New Jersey- There may not be anyone making a list and checking it twice or children spinning dreidels for chocolate on Bodhi Day, but the traditional Buddhist holiday will bring some festivities to Zen centers in New Jersey this weekend.

Celebrated in the Japanese Zen tradition, Bodhi Day is also called Rohatsu, or Dec. 8 in Japanese. The day commemorates the enlightenment of the Buddha Siddhartha Gautama, who attained the ultimate understanding of truth as he meditated under a bodhi tree.

Joan Hogetsu Hoeberichts, currently the Zen priest of the Heart Circle Sangha in Ridgewood, explained that the Buddha realized in the dawn of Rohatsu that he and all sentient beings were "one with all that is, not separate and alone as we imagine."

In monastic Zen practice, Hoeberichts added, Rohatsu is usually marked by a 10-day retreat known as a sesshin, during which the monks meditate 10 to 12 hours a day. On the final night, Dec. 7, monks sometimes stay up through the night, symbolically imitating Buddha's commitment to meditate until he attained enlightenment.

In its current incarnation in New Jersey, Bodhi Day has become less of an intense ordeal and more of a day for gathering in religious community.

"We're now using a more worldly model, for people with careers and a family," said the Rev. Paul Genki Kahn of the High Mountain Crystal Lake Zen Community of Wyckoff. "We are adapting Zen to our time, here in America."

Many priests at both Zen centers are working professionals, as are the members. High Mountain will be celebrating Bodhi Day tonight from 7 to 9 so as not to conflict with work schedules. The Heart Circle Sangha will be staying away from business days by holding a retreat Sunday.

Both services are open to participants with no meditation experience or knowledge of Buddhist teachings -- and, Genki adds, people of different religious faiths.

"Our purpose is not to make a religious factory, but to give people the technology to live a good life," he said.

In addition to teaching in the Soto Zen tradition, High Mountain hosts a group of Christian Buddhists who use the discipline of meditation to facilitate Christian teachings. Over the years, many non-Buddhists have vowed to follow the Buddhist precepts in a ceremony called the jukai.

"The core of our community is Zen as a way of experiencing and living," Genki added.

http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkyNTgmZm
diZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTcwMzIzMTQmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3

2006-12-05T17:07:00.000-08:00

No. 1277 ( Hạt Cát dịch)

Building big for Buddha

Guang Ming Temple will be one of the largest religious centers around.

Babita Persaud
Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted December 5 2006

Florida- It's 10 a.m. on a weekday, and members of the Guang Ming Temple congregation are picking up trash. One person sweeps. Another wipes dust from ceramic tiles.

It still may be a construction site -- walls need painting, shrubs need planting -- but members are as eager as new homeowners to show it off.

"It's a joy," said Lana O'Neill, wearing thick gloves and smiling.

For years, the Buddhist organization worshipped in a beige warehouse near Florida Mall. Before that, the sanctuary was a 3,000-square-foot house in Kissimmee.

"We have been mobile so many times," said Sue Lee Lin, vice president of the local Buddha's Light International Association.

But early next year, they will have a permanent home resembling temples in China and Taiwan, homelands of many in the congregation.

The nearly $5 million Guang Ming Temple will be the largest Chinese Buddhist temple in Central Florida.

The temple at 6555 Hoffner Ave. rises three stories and spans 30,000 square feet. The saffron-colored roof has corners that sweep toward the sky like "a big eagle in flight," said Eddie Yeh, president of the local Buddha's Light association. "We want it as authentic as possible."

A long concrete path -- called the Pathway to Buddha -- leads to the temple's heavy wood doors.

Downstairs is a vast meditation hall. A Buddha statue weighing a ton and valued at about $50,000 sits on the altar, still wrapped in plastic. Imported from Burma and carved from white marble, the sitting Buddha was hauled into the meditation hall in two pieces, missing the door frame by a half-inch, Yeh said.

Masterful touches

Two chandeliers, each valued at about $35,000 and shaped like lotus blossoms, will dangle from the room's canopy. They will be installed in January.

Upstairs is the "Zen Room" for meditation and a library filled with volumes of Buddhist scriptures -- sutras.

The temple has a tearoom, kitchen, offices, classrooms, multipurpose rooms for summer camps and dormitories for visiting monks.

The temple also will be wired, allowing video to be broadcast to overflow crowds during festivals, such as Buddha's Birthday in May.

Outside, an octagonal walkway surrounds a garden and leads to the mausoleum, where nearly 4,000 marble tiles cover the walls.

The project is a local and international effort.

Yeh, who runs a distribution company that supplies about 400 Asian restaurants in Central Florida, donated the 5 acres. The building was designed and built by Francis Lizardo's Casselberry firm, which typically works on churches and office buildings.

"I did a lot of research," said Lizardo, who has been in the business 26 years.

Most of the exterior is finished. Inside fixtures and painting will be completed in the coming weeks, Lizardo said.

The temple will rank among Orlando's largest religious centers, including the Hindu Temple in Casselberry, which sits on 10 acres, and the Wat Florida Dhammaram in Kissimmee, a 2-acre campus that houses nearly 10 buildings and shrines.

For the Guang Ming, which means "bright light" in Mandarin, $1 million was raised locally.

Another $3 million to $4 million comes from an interest-free loan through the International Buddhist Progress Society in Taiwan, the umbrella organization that runs the Orlando temple.

The organization, which has helped establish 250 temples worldwide, was founded by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, who left China for Taiwan in 1949 during the Chinese civil war. In 1967, he established the Fo Guang Shan (Buddha's Light Mountain) monastery, the largest religious organization in Taiwan.

Making do for now

In 1992 Yun, now 79, founded the Buddha's Light International Association, which has more than 1 million members worldwide. He visited Central Florida in the summer and led the congregation in prayer.

For now, the local congregation worships in the upstairs offices of Kim Lai Shing Market, Yeh's company.

A wooden shoe rack sits under the stairs. Paper lanterns and bamboo blinds attempt to camouflage an office atmosphere of track lighting, folding chairs and tables.

Members are mostly immigrants from Taiwan, China and Hong Kong. Some drive hours for Sunday morning services.

"We pray for the temple," said Vicky Lu of Melbourne. "Our dreams come true."

After the service, small children met for a computer class, and teens gathered for discussions. They wore jeans and T-shirts. Some brought their American friends. One did her algebra homework.

They also learned about the different forms of Buddha: Medicine Buddha, Buddha of a thousand hands.

"Buddhism teaches you how to deal with life," said Lillian Wu, a youth leader.

The new temple is being built for the youth, said Yeh, who has seven children, all but one born in the U.S.

"Step by step, you have to connect with the new generation," he said.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/orl-ming05_106dec05,0,6211151.story?page=1&track=rss

2006-12-04T11:43:00.000-08:00

No.1275 (Minh Chau dich)

Buddhist monks help UK addicts beat habit

Sunday Herald, Dec 4, 2006

Bangkok, Thailand -- IT MAY not be rehab as we might imagine it, but thousands of addicts have healed themselves with projectile vomiting sessions in this Thai monastery since the Buddha appeared in a vision before the abbot of Thamkrabok in 1959.

Drunks from Thailand's underworld, heroin-addicted Vietnam veterans and Laotian refugees from the Golden Triangle trying to get off opium have all journeyed to the monastery set in jagged limestone mountains 140km north of Bangkok to battle their demons.

For years British addicts, many in the final stages of desperation, have also been found among its temples, golden pagodas and giant concrete Buddhas. Troubled pop star Pete Doherty checked in amid a blaze of publicity, then checked out uncured after a few days of vomiting and spartan living conditions.

Now the monastery's tattooed healer-monks are starting to treat a new type of addict - NHS patients. Advocates believe Thailand's most famous monastery offers a more effective cure than anything available in British clinics, and at a cheaper price.

Thamkrabok has treated more than 100,000 addicts since its abbot was instructed in a dream to cure opium smokers with a foul-tasting brown fluid that would force them to expel their body's poisons in dramatic style. The potion is still made to a secret formula from 108 herbs

grown in the monastery gardens.

Patients must renounce their addiction in a sacred vow before undergoing the protracted vomiting cure. Many then stay for months, meditating, chanting and taking herbal steam baths.

Mike Sarson, from East-West Detox in Reading, has sent hundreds of addicts to Thailand and arranged trips for a dozen NHS patients in the last three years. He is trying to persuade a sceptical medical establishment to send more. He claims it costs the taxpayer around £4000 to send a patient and a social worker for a month, about a third of the price of conventional NHS treatment.

The monastery claims a cure rate of about 80%, substantially higher than conventional treatments.

Sarson said: "It's not for everyone but it seems to work for those who choose it. The monastery is a pleasant place to be, whereas most detox centres in Britain are situated in psychiatric hospitals, from which people often discharge themselves before their treatment is finished."

Steve West, a drug addict for 35 years, finally kicked his crack cocaine habit there this year after trying several rehabilitation centres in the UK.

He said: "It was daunting at first, but I think it was the only thing that was ever going to work for me. Now I'm trying to persuade my partner to give the treatment a try."

His treatment was paid for with NHS money by the West Berkshire Drug and Alcohol Action Team, although the team manager Susan Powell said there were no plans to send more NHS patients at the moment.

Mike Sarson believes many drug counsellors in the UK are enthusiastic about Thamkrabok but are prevented from sending more patients because of NHS bureaucracy which baulks at the potion's secret formula and the monastery's spirituality.

The centrepiece of the cure, the public projectile vomiting sessions, are well-known in Thailand and coachloads of curious tourists often stop to watch.

Patients drink the secret brown potion and gallons of water before vomiting profusely into a stream running through a courtyard. Cured patients in red robes chant and sing to give them moral support.

The treatment, which is free, is overseen by monks who are themselves former addicts. Many are heavily tattooed with blue dragons from their days as Bangkok gangsters.

The monastery has played an important role in helping victims of Thailand's latest drugs blight - amphetamines called yaa-baa, or crazy drug. Opium, a drug which makes its users sleepy and lazy, is now seen as an old man's indulgence. Yaa-baa, which makes its users violent and paranoid, has fuelled crime among the young and enriched the criminals who make it in factories across the border in Burma.

Westerners have also renounced home for a new life at the monastery. Brother Greg, a former heroin addict from Reading, said: "Vomiting flushes all the toxins out of your system, and although it's not very enjoyable at the time, you feel good afterwards.

"I was a junkie for 20 years and nothing worked in the UK for me although I must have had a small fortune spent on me for methadone and other treatments. But I came here and I was better in a few weeks."

2006-12-03T16:26:00.000-08:00

No. 1273 (Hạt Cát dịch)

MASTER'S CALLIGRAPHIC WORKS ON DISPLAY IN HONG KONG

2006-12-03 17:11:25

Hong Kong, Dec. 3 (CNA) A nine-day exhibition of Buddhist Master Hsing Yun's calligraphic works opened Sunday at Hong Kong Central Library, on the eighth stop of the exhibition's world tour.

Hundreds of people lined up to enter the library Sunday ahead of the opening of the exhibition, according to a source at the library.

The exhibition features 200 calligraphic works selected from a wide array of works by Master Hsing Yun, founder of the Fo Guang Shan Foundation for Buddhist Culture and Education, and grouped into three periods, the source said.

During the exhibition, the 80-year-old master will preside over an event to propagate Dharma in Hong Kong for the last time and will never make a public appearance or receive visitors thereafter, according to the source.

The exhibition's next stop will be Hong Kong University, before moving on to China, Taiwan and Australia early next year.

(By Chen Semy and Y.L. Kao)

ENDITEM/Li

http://www.cna.com.tw/eng/cepread.php?id=200612030016

2006-12-02T16:47:00.000-08:00

No. 1272 ( Upekha dịch)

Korean Technology Helps Visualize Glory of Angkor Wat
Updated Dec.1,2006 12:55 KST

The glory that was Angkor Wat has been restored to 3D digital life with the help of Korean technology. The digital recreation company CG WAVE and a research institute at Dongguk University dedicated to Buddhist electronic content have completed a one-year project to recreate the Khmer temple in western Cambodia at a cost of some W500 million (US$1=W930). Wars, colonial rule and the passage of time left many parts of the temple in ruins, and restoration work is continuous all over the vast complex. “Digital Angkor Wat” offers a glimpse of the temple in its original form.

Some 30,000 photos were used for the complete virtual restoration. “This is the first time we have used our technology to digitally restore a cultural asset of another nation,” says the leader of CG WAVE’s Angkor Wat team, senior researcher at Korea Advanced Institute of Sciences and Technology (KAIST) Park Jin-ho. “Using the maximum amount of information accessible these days as our foundation, we resurrected a lost cultural legacy and preserved it through video imaging.”
Angkor Wat is a Hindu temple built during the mid-12th century. With a 65 m high tower at the center, the temple is wrapped by ramparts that stretch 1,500 m east-west, and 1,300 m north-south. It took an estimated 30 years and 30,000 workers to complete the temple. With the downfall of the Khmer empire in the 15th century, the temple was taken over by the jungle, and only “discovered” again in 1861. “Digital Angkor Wat” will be accessible to the public in mid-December.

http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200612/200612010026.html

2006-12-01T20:40:00.000-08:00

No. 1271( Hạt Cát dịch)

Temple faces challenge of helping more HIV/AIDS patients

by APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL, Bangkok Post, Dec 1, 2006

Shelter supplies food, medication for over 500 people with disease

Lop Buri, Thailand -- Groups of emaciated HIV/Aids patients at Lop Buri's Wat Phra Baht Nam Phu will soon be a thing of the past. Instead, the country's hospice for severe Aids patients is now having to cope with an increasing number of people saved by anti-retroviral treatment but who still fall victim to the social stigma associated with the disease.

Unlike in the past, when 85% of patients were sent to the remote Buddhist temple to die, most of them now are treated and stay alive.

But this reversed trend is giving the temple more problems than ever.

''The dead don't eat but the living do. That's why more people living with HIV/Aids at the temple means a mounting burden that we have to deal with,'' said Phra Khru Alongkot Dikkapanyo, the abbot who has run the shelter for serious HIV/Aids patients in the central province's Muang district for 15 years.

''But we can't tell them to leave. They have nowhere else to go.''

In the past the temple took care of hundreds of patients in serious conditions and cremated them when they died according to religious rites.

However, the temple currently has to supply food and medication for more than 500 people living with HIV/Aids.

These people are surviving by continuously taking anti-Aids medicine. The overall expenditure is costly _ about three million baht each month, he said.

Over the past year, the government has introduced GPO-vir, a locally-made anti-retroviral treatment which costs about 1,200 to 1,500 baht a month.

Thai people living with HIV/Aids mainly depend on this generic version of the anti-Aids drug. The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation has distributed the medicine free of charge to nearly 80,000 HIV-positive people under the universal healthcare scheme.

As a result, HIV-positive people have had access to the medicine without having to pay huge medical bills.

However, the fact that healthy people with HIV/Aids are crowding the temple reflects the stigma deeply rooted in society, despite the success in providing access to treatment.

''Although people living with HIV/Aids could live longer with medical treatment and are not strongly discriminated against like in the past, they still lack the job opportunities necessary for a return to normal living,'' the abbot said.

He considered it a ''failure'' of both the temple and the government.

Patients were medically treated so they could live longer, but they ended up struggling to integrate themselves into society because of discrimination, especially in the workplace.

Most of the healthy HIV-positive people at the hospice have their CVs and medical reports made up so employers will not know that they are HIV-positive.

However, less than 3% of them could seek work and the rest had to run their own businesses, mostly small shops, he said.

The abbot believes that the government should do more to overcome discrimination in the workplace in a bid to improve the quality of life for people living with HIV/Aids.

''Just producing low-cost anti-Aids medicine is not enough. Acceptance in the workplace and from colleagues is also required for HIV-positive people, so they will have a good quality of life and the burden of HIV will ultimately be reduced,'' he said.

Apart from the social stigma, Aids prevention campaigns seemed to be overlooked compared to the last two decades, when the epidemic hit the country hard, he said, adding that people coming to the temple for treatment tended to be younger. ''Thailand is facing a gruesome situation of Aids becoming widespread, since the virus is shifting its target from sex workers to teenagers, who are our future,'' he said.

Mechai Viravaidya, founder of the Population and Community Development Association, has also continuously raised concerns over the weak prevention campaigns.

Figures have apparently begun to climb again as tackling the illness has become a lower priority for the government.

Known as Mr Condom for his successful family planning and Aids prevention campaigns through the promotion of condom use in the 1990s, he urged the government to review anti-Aids campaigns and sex education, which should also target teenagers, married women and young adults, since they are at risk of contracting HIV/Aids from their sexual partners.

The World Health Organisation also noted that the effect of past campaigns is waning, whereas high-risk behaviour is increasing. HIV prevalence among men having sex with men in urban areas is as high as 28%.

There are about 500,000 HIV-infected people in Thailand, around 200,000 to 300,000 in a serious condition who need to receive anti-retroviral drugs.Passakorn Akrasevi of the Aids, Tuberculosis and Sexually-Transmitted Infections Bureau accepted that the country was facing a budgetary balancing act between treatment programmes and prevention campaigns. More than two billion baht was set aside for treatment funds alone, whereas less than 10 million baht was earmarked for prevention campaigns.

''The budget for prevention efforts is upside down. Without understanding that Aids is everyone's responsibility and immediate action from top policy makers, we may expect to see an increase in infections and much more difficult Aids challenges in the near future,'' he said.

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=52,3480,0,0,1,0

2006-11-30T17:48:00.000-08:00

No. 1269 ( Hạt Cát dịch)

Gounsa Temple

In the rural hills between Andong and Uiseong is a hidden jewel of Korean architecture. Gounsa, or Lone Cloud temple, was originally built in 661 AD by the great Silla priest Uisang, who founded a number of important temples across the country. The temple was first renovated during the visit of the eminent scholar Choe Chiwon 崔致遠, who assisted in the construction of several pavilions. In his honor the Chinese characters for the temple were changed to "Lonely cloud temple," but the pronunciation remained the same. Further renovations occurred twice in the Goryeo dynasty (Koryô, 918-1392), first in 948 and again in 1018.
The temple escaped destruction during the Imjin war of 1592-98 and became a base of operations for anti-Japanese activity among the Korean defenders. The monk Samyeong Daesa personally directed military operations from Gounsa, earning him fame as an early patriot.
Unfortunately, nearly entire temple was destroyed in a disastrous fire in 1835. Construction began soon afterward, but another fire in the 1970s destroyed a few pavilions. Though restored to its size, the buildings are a bit new.
Gounsa is far off the beaten path, at the end of a dusty twelve kilometer road that runs almost straight east from highway 5. The road runs through a few small hamlets, where it becomes so narrow that it is barely a lane wide.
Gounsa is a head temple of the Jogye Order 曹溪宗of Korean Buddhism. It stands in Danchon-myeon, Uiseong County, 義城郡 in the province of Gyeongsangbuk-do 慶尙北道, South Korea. The temple was built in 681 by Uisang, a leading Buddhist monk of Silla. The name means "lonely cloud"; these characters were chosen after the temple was visited by scholar Choe Chi-won. The temple had previously been known by the same name, but with the meaning of "high cloud."
Gounsa served as a center of uibyeong resistance in the Seven Year War, when it was one of few temples to escape being burned by the Japanese forces. The temple did burn in a catastrophic fire in 1835; thus, all current buildings date from the 19th or 20th century.

http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/kyongsangdo/GOUNSA.htm

2006-11-29T19:13:00.000-08:00

No. 1267 ( Hạt Cát dịch)

Cambodian monks get the vote
DPA, Nov 29, 2006

Phnom Penh, Cambodia -- Cambodian Buddhist monks have the right to vote in upcoming commune and national elections, acting head of state Chea Sim told a Buddhist congress in the capital Wednesday.

His statement threatens to reignite a public debate which flared before the 2003 general elections when Supreme Patriarch of Cambodian Buddhists and leader of the Mahanikaya Buddhist sect in Cambodia, Tep Vong, declared monks should abstain from voting.

Chea Sim, who is also president of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and leader of the nation's Senate, told the 15th Annual Congress of Cambodian Buddhist Monks that monks have a perfect right to vote in a speech that also extolled them to use their social position to teach morality and promote social development.

"Cambodian Buddhist monks have the full right to vote," Chea Sim told around 500 senior Buddhist monks, officials, politicians and members of the country's Islamic community.

Although Cambodian monks have the constitutional right to vote, debate has raged about their role in politics and whether they should be above political opinions.

Some Cambodians remember as positive the role they played in the resistance against French colonial rule and other regimes, while others worry in the wake of protests involving Buddhist monks which turned violent after the 1993 and 1998 national elections.

Still others maintain that monks visiting crowded polling booths are at risk of temptation and in danger of such taboos such as accidentally touching women.

Supreme Patriarch Tep Vong is known to be a supporter of the CPP. Recently he has refrained from commenting on the issue of monks voting as commune elections loom for April 2007. National elections are scheduled for 2008.

Cambodia, which is 95 per cent Buddhist, currently has more than 57,500 Buddhist monks and 4,135 pagodas across the country.

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=53,3470,0,0,1,0

2006-11-29T08:48:00.000-08:00

No.1266 (Minh Chau dich)

Tallest Buddha statue coming up in Sarnath

ANI, Nov 29, 2006

Its height will be second only to the Bamiyan Buddhas

SARNATH, Uttar Pradesh (India) -- A number of sculptors in Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh are busy chiselling an eighty feet tall statue of the Buddha, which will be the world's tallest Buddha statue after the ones demolished in Afganistan's Bamiyan valley under the Taliban regime.

The tallest Buddha statue is part of an old project, which started ten years ago but had to be put on hold in the wake of financial problems. The work was resumed three years ago with the assistance after the Government of Thailand extended its help for the project. It will take three more years to complete the statue.

``We are making a statue of Lord Buddha with the help of Thailand government. It will be the tallest statue of Buddha in a standing position and it comes second in height only to the Bamiyan Buddhas [statues]. It has been more than 10 years since we began work, and now we are also creating awareness about its construction,'' said Mohan Lal, designer of the statue.

``At least 20- 25 artisans are working on this statue for over three years.... it will take three to four more years to complete. Right now, we are through with the stomach, feet and the face. Two or three months will be taken for the finishing work,'' said Jyoti Singh Khushwaha, the contactor undertaking the construction of the statue.

Workers at the site said the statue would use over 635 blocks of sandstone and would be made in the Gandharva style, which laid great significance to it. The Buddha attained enlightenment at the age of 35 in Bodh Gaya in Bihar and finally departed from the world at the age of 80 in Kushinagar.

Situated 10 kilometres away from Varanasi, Sarnath is the place where the Buddha is believed to have delivered his first sermon in 500 B.C. The place has a number of stupas (hemispherical domes) and monasteries. In the early days of Buddhism, stupas were built to honour important events including Buddha's enlightenment.

http://www.phapluan.net/

2006-11-29T08:14:00.000-08:00

No. 1265 ( Upekha dịch)

Buddhists pay $50 fines for worshipping in house
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
By John Tunison
The Grand Rapids Press
HOLLAND -- As self-described "peaceful people," leaders of an Olive Township Buddhist Temple were in no mood to fight claims they violated township rules by worshipping in a house.

The seven men pleaded guilty to a township ordinance violation Tuesday in Holland District Court and were sentenced to $50 fines.

"We are happy with this," said Chris Liravongsa, a spokesman for the group and an official with the Wat Siriphanyo Aram-Lao Temple on Port Sheldon Road near 124th Avenue.

"We are a peaceful people. We know we violated the ordinance. We don't want to fight," he said.

Their legal troubles may be resolved, but uncertainty remains about where the small group of worshippers will meet for the nine major gatherings integral to the Buddhist faith. About 20 families are part of the temple.

Liravongsa did not know Tuesday whether the Aram Temple would sell the house bought two years ago or try to worship at a different location. In the past, worshippers scheduled gatherings at a West Ottawa middle school, but not many people attended because they were uncomfortable being away from the home's shrines.

Olive Township filed the misdemeanor ordinance violations against temple leaders earlier this fall because the ranch-style home and an adjacent pole barn were being used for assembly without township approval.

The township also complained worshippers were parking as many as 30 cars at a time on the property, a parcel with neighbors on both sides.

Zoning officials said the Aram Temple must abide by a site plan permit issued in 2005 to build a new 4,000-square-foot building and parking lot and not worship out of a home that may not be safe from fire hazards for large assemblies.

Temple members say they have not raised the funds needed for construction.

Holland District Judge Brad Knoll told temple leaders free expression of religion is an important right.

"It's not the intent of the court to interfere with your religious practice, but the balance here is you must obey the township zoning ordinance. Unless the provisions of that ordinance are successfully challenged, you must obey them," he said.

http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-8/1164815104181300.xml&coll=6

2006-11-28T08:20:00.000-08:00

No. 1262 (Minh Chau dich)

Monks with MBAs

In Shanghai's temples, monks are making use of skills gained in business schools to care for temporal needs along with the spiritual

by Dexter Roberts

Nestled in the heart of the bustling commercial district of Putuo, in Shanghai, the Jade Buddha Temple at first seems to take the casual visitor back to a more spiritual time. Founded in 1882, the temple houses several Buddha statues, including two jade ones originally brought from Burma by a Chinese monk more than a hundred years ago. Inside, incense wafts before bronze Buddhas where worshippers kneel in prayer.

But a closer look reveals that the temple's monks are focused on the temporal as well as the spiritual worlds. Flashy new Coca-Cola (KO) vending machines offer refreshment, and souvenir shops sell jade bracelets and lotus-shaped candles. Monks chat on mobile phones. And parked at the back of the large temple complex is a row of expensive vehicles, including two BMWs, a Lexus (TM), and a sporty yellow Porsche Targa.

They may don the traditional saffron robes worn by generations of monks, but the temple's caretakers have their feet solidly planted in the modern world. In fact, 18 monks and 6 lay Buddhists from the temple are newly minted MBAs, having graduated earlier this year from Shanghai Jiao Tong University's Antai College of Economics and Management. Inaugurated in September, 2005, Antai's half-year program in temple management features courses in religious philosophy, managing temple finances, and marketing religious products.

Pricey Seminars

The B-school grads are putting their newfound skills to good use. Already the temple boasts its own logo which is emblazoned on walls throughout the complex. Shops inside sell traditional Chinese paper cutouts of flowers and birds. And foreign tourists with a taste for revolutionary pop art can also pick up jazzy red cutouts with the image of Marx, Engels, Lenin, Stalin, and Mao posing together, priced at $12.

In addition, the temple has begun hosting a seminar series on Buddhism run by the head abbot. The cost can run as much $25,000 for a small group. Flyers advertise that the hefty price should be viewed as a "donation for enhancing one's achievements and morality."

Your Business is a Temple

With the first MBA class for monks deemed a success, the Jade Buddha temple now plans to have the remainder of its 280 monks enroll. "I'm not sure when my chance will be, but I am definitely going to get a degree," says one thirtysomething monk working at Jade Buddha's guest reception center.

Jade Buddha isn't the only temple sending its monks off to school. Plans are afoot to have monks from another 28 temples in Shanghai get their MBA degrees at Antai. "Many think that monks in the temple should just take care of the temple and have little contact with the outside world. But the reality is they must manage the temple and deal with money," says Wang Fanghua, dean of Antai College.

"They have found that a temple should be run like a business," he says. Where else but in hypercommercial Shanghai could capitalism and religion mix so well?

Roberts is BusinessWeek's Beijing bureau chief.

2006-11-27T09:35:00.000-08:00

No.1260 (Minh Chau dich)

Chinese monks trace historical route to Nalanda by foot

By Indo Asian News Service

Patna, Nov 27 (IANS) Two Chinese Buddhist monks arrived in Bihar's historical city of Nalanda after a four-month long journey by foot from China's Shaanxi province, tracing the route undertaken by Chinese scholar Xuanzang, over 1,300 years back.

The monks, Mingxian and Huikuan, arrived Sunday in Nalanda, an ancient Buddhist learning centre.

'They were upbeat about having successfully completed the journey, following Xuanzang's exact route, which he undertook more than 1,300 years ago,' said Ravindra Panth, director of the Nav Nalanda Mahavihara, a centre of higher studies in Pali and Buddhism.

The monks' journey is said to have carried the message of peace and harmony and marks 2006 as India-China friendship year.

Xuanzang travelled from the city of Chang'an (now called Xi'an) in Shaanxi province to Nalanda to obtain and study Buddhist scriptures. He returned to China 17 years later. His remarkable adventures inspired the Chinese classic 'A Journey to the West'.

The two monks, who were received at the Xuanzang Memorial Hall, offered prayers at a statue of Xuanzang and visited the ancient Nalanda University.

'They spent a few hours in Nalanda and left for Bodh Gaya,' Panth said.

He added that the monks wished a long-lasting friendship between India and China.

They were given a statue of Xuanzang and a silk scroll. In return, the two gifted a travel account written by Xuanzang on a bamboo scroll to the Mahavihara. They also gave a travel account written in blood by a 100-year-old Chinese monk.

The two monks, set off from Xi'an July 19. They were supported by the China Buddhism association, the Chinese people's association for friendship with foreign countries and the China Xuanzang research centre.

They travelled through Pakistan and Nepal before reaching Nalanda.

2006-11-25T10:07:00.000-08:00

No.1255 (Minh Chau dich)

Flags raise complaints

Saturday, November 25, 2006

By SEAN C. McCULLEN

Staff Writer

BRIDGETON A recent visit from a code enforcement officer had Belford Blackman worried he was soon going to be ordered by the city to take down the colorful flags that adorn his property.

The city code enforcement office had received several complaints about the bright and plentiful flags, the officer said on Wednesday, prompting her visit.

What many of the complainants may not realize, though, is the flags across Blackman's Railroad Avenue property represent his religious beliefs.

The flags are Tibetan Buddhist prayer flags, which Buddhists believe to carry prayers up to the Buddhist gods, or Buddhas, in the heavens.

The 73-year-old linguist he speaks 10 languages and has taught at universities around the world has been practicing Buddhism for about 28 years, he said at his home on Friday.

After suffering through depression in his mid-40s, the result of a number of "significant losses" in his life, Blackman looked to religion to further his recovery.

The religion he's looked to for spiritual guidance ever since has been Buddhism, which he was drawn to, in part, due to its belief in reincarnation that living creatures' souls are reborn in other living creatures after death, rather than going to heaven or hell for all eternity.

"What god would make something that would end like that?" he rhetorically asked.

Blackman's been flying the prayer flags at his Railroad Avenue home for a little more than a year now.

The prayer flags, which are covered with Buddhist scripture in the Tibetan language, are red, white, blue, yellow and green.

2006-11-24T08:58:00.000-08:00

No.1253 (Minh Chau dich)

Japanese building school for poor in Bodh Gaya

by Priya Saxena, RxPG News Service,

Nov 24, 2006

The school will be named "Japanese-Indian Friendship School". 'The project will not only help educate poor children but also strengthen Japan-India relations,'- Sane Sumi Inaba

Patna, India -- A Japanese body is constructing a school for Dalit children in a village near Bihar's Bodh Gaya, the birthplace of Buddhism.

The school is coming up in Nama village in Bodh Gaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment 2,550 years ago, thanks to the Neem Association of Japan.

'We have started constructing a school for children of the very poor to educate them and create social awareness,' said Sane Sumi Inaba, chairman of the Japanese association.

Inaba laid the foundation stone of the school Thursday. 'Some Japanese offered free voluntary

work by carrying bricks, sand and cement,' he said.

The school will be named Japanese-Indian Friendship School. 'The project will not only help educate poor children but also strengthen Japan-India relations,' he said.

Thousands of poor, mostly from the Musahar Dalit caste, have settled in villages around Bodh Gaya. They have no access to education and health. Moved by their plight, Buddhists from Japan, Sri Lanka and Thailand have initiated projects to help them. Hundreds of Japanese Buddhists visit Bodh Gaya annually.

2006-11-22T14:27:00.000-08:00

No. 1237 (tinhtan dich)

Ngọc Xá Lợi thiêng liêng được tiếp tục triễn lãm tại Penang, Kuala Lumpur

Được viết bởi Anthony Chew

Cư dân Mã lai sẽ có cơ hội chiêm bái một sưu tập quý báu vĩ đại của Ngọc Xá lợi thiêng liêng của Đức Phật Thích Ca và các bậc Thánh Tăng.
Cuộc Triển lãm lưu động Ngọc tâm Phật Bảo Điện Xá Lợi Di Lạc tại Kuala Lumpur từ ngày 25 đến ngày 29 tháng Mười Một và tại Penang từ ngày 2 đến ngày 3 tháng 12 sẽ triển lãm Ngọc Xá Lợi, bao gồm vài di tích của Ngài Dalai Lama thứ 14.
Sưu tập Ngọc Xá Lợi trong Dự Án Di Lạc là công việc của Ngài Lama Zopa Rinpoche, người sáng lập và là giám đốc tinh thần của Cơ sở thiết lập cho sự Bảo tồn truyền thống Bắc truyền.
Nhiều bậc Trưởng Lão Phật Giáo đương thời từ một số truyền thống và quốc gia, gồm có Miến Điện, Nam Dương, ThaiLan, Tây Tạng và Đài Loan, đã cung hiến các xá lợi để đặt vào Dự Án Di Lạc Ngọc Tâm Kim Thân Phật.
Trong số các Xá Lợi thiêng liêng là xá lợi của Đức Phật Thích Ca lịch sử, hai vị Thanh Văn Đại Đệ Tử Ngài Ananda và Ngài Sariputta. Ngoài ra còn có di vật của Ngài Bodhisattva Chophak, một vị Thầy lãnh đạo lỗi lạc với đức tin kiên cố; Lama Thubten Ye-she, người sáng lập Dự Án Di Lạc, Lama Tsongkhapa, người sáng lập truyền thống Gelug của Bắc truyền Tây Tạng và Thầy Gwang-Chin sinh tại Huang Wen Lai vào năm 1892.
Ngọc Xá Lợi là sự kết tụ lạ thường giống như ngọc trai được giữ lại từ tro hỏa táng các vị Thánh Tăng sau khi trà tỳ. Phật tử tin rằng Ngọc xá lợi được hình thành như một kết quả của sự viên mãn tâm linh của lòng từ bi và trí tuệ. Cũng có các di vật như vài xương răng và xá lợi xương trong bộ sưu tập.
Phật tử tin tưởng rằng chiêm ngưỡng xá lợi thiêng liêng sẽ Khơi gợi cảm xúc đến người để phát triển phẩm chất của lòng từ bi trong tâm thức, như thế sẽ đóng góp vào hòa bình thế giới.
Xá lợi Phật thiêng liêng sẽ được lưu diễn khắp thế giới cho đến khi xá lợi được tôn trí trong Bảo Điện Kim thân Phật Di Lạc mà hiện nay đang được xây dựng tại Kushinaga, Uttar Pradesh ở miền Bắc Ấn Độ.
Dự Án Di Lạc này là niềm mong ước của ngài Lama Zopa Rinpoche mà nhiều người sẽ có cơ hội chiêm bái xá lợi. Ngài bắt đầu cuộc triễn lãm khắp thế giới vào tháng Ba năm 2001. Từ lúc đó, Ngọc Xá lợi thiêng liêng này được trưng bày tại các chùa, các trung tâm thiền, và các địa điểm cộng đồng khác nhau trên toàn thế giới.
Cuộc lưu diễn tại Kuala Lumpur (từ 10 giờ sáng đến 10 giờ tối hằng ngày) được tổ chức bởi Hội Phật giáo Losang Dragpa tại số 1 Jalan SS 17/21F Petaling Jaya trong khi cuộc triển lãm Penang (từ 10 giờ sáng đến 7 giờ tối hằng ngày) được tổ chức bởi Trung Tâm Chokyi Gyalsen (CGC) tọa lạc tại số 157 đường Kelawai. Cả hai cùng là chi nhánh của tổ chức.
Tiến sĩ Daniel Yeoh, vị đồng sự của Hội CGC đã trình bày với mọi người, đặc biệt Hội sinh viên Phật giáo không nên bỏ lỡ cơ hội chiêm ngưỡng Ngọc Xá Lợi.
Tiến Sĩ Yeoh nói: “Đây là đặc ân cho chúng tôi rằng Ngọc Xá Lợi được mang đến Malaysia. Ngọc Xá Lợi thiêng liêng và quý báu.”

(tinhtan dịch)

Sacred relics to go on show in Penang, KL

By ANTHONY CHEW

MALAYSIANS will have the opportunity to view a great collection of rare relics of se-veral spiritual and living Buddhist masters.
The Maitreya Project Heart Shrine Relic Tour in Kuala Lumpur from Nov 25 to 29 and in Penang from Dec 2 to 3 will showcase the relics, in-cluding some items from the 14th Dalai Lama.

The Collection of Relics in the Maitre Project is the work of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, foun-der and spiritual director of the Foundation for the Preser-vation of the Mahayana Tra-dition.

Many living Buddhist masters from a number of traditions and countries, including Myanmar, Indonesia, Thai-land, Tibet and Taiwan, have donated relics to be placed in the Maitreya Project Heart Shrine statue.

Among the sacred relics are those belonging to the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, his two principal disciples Anan-da and Sariputra; Bodhisat-tva Chophak, a great master known for his steadfast guru devotion; Lama Thubten Ye-she, founder of Maitreya Pro-ject, Lama Tsongkhapa, foun-der of the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism, and Gwang-Chin Master, who was born Huang Wen Lai in 1892.

The relics are mainly pearl-like ‘beads’ collected from the ashes of spiritual masters after their cremation. Bud-dhists believe these relics are formed as a result of the spiritual realisations of compassion and wisdom. There are also Buddhist artefacts, a few tooth and bone relics in the collection.

Buddhists believe that viewing the holy relics would inspire a person to develop the attitude of loving kindness within his heart and mind, thus contributing to peace in the world.

The holy relics will be shown around the world until they are placed in the Maitre-ya Buddha Statue which is presently being constructed at Kushinaga, Uttar Pradesh in Northern India.

It is Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s wish that many people would have the opportunity to view the relics. He released the collection for worldwide exhibition in March 2001. Since then, these sacred relics have been displayed at temples, meditation centres, and other public locations all over the world.

The Kuala Lumpur tour (from 10am to 10pm daily) is organised by the Losang Dra-gpa Buddhist Society at 1 Ja-lan SS17/21F Petaling Jaya while the Penang event (from 10am to 7pm daily) is orga-nised by the Chokyi Gyalsen Centre (CGC) at 157 Kelawai Road. Both are affiliated to the foundation.

CGC co-ordinator Dr Daniel Yeoh said the people, especially the Buddhist fraternity, should not miss seeing the re-lics.

“It is a privilege for us that the relics are brought to Ma-laysia. The relics are holy and precious,” Yeoh said.

Admission to both events is free. For details, call Yeoh at 012-3810622 or William at 03-79683278.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/11/16/north/16008387&sec=North

2006-11-22T07:28:00.000-08:00

No. 1251 ( Upekha dịch)

Hub of Buddhism dug up
Newindpress, November 22 2006

BHUBANESWAR, India -- “There were more than 10 Ashoka stupas at a place where Buddha had preached,” wrote the famous Chinese traveller Hsuan Tsang during his visit to India in 629 BC.

Centuries later, archaeologists here have reasons to believe that they might have just succeeded in not only finding the place but also the area that once formed the Mahasangha of Orissa, a religious seat where different sects co-existed and flourished, be it Mahayana, Hinayana (still followed in Burma), Vajrayana or Kalachakrayana (practised by Dalai Lama).

The reason behind the conviction is not merely the unearthing of two images of King Ashoka, remains of a square stupa commissioned by the King himself and terracotta figurines of Buddha - thought to be found only in Nalanda and Sanchi - at Langudi in Jajpur district. The unearthing of 10 stupas around 10 kilometre radius of Radhanagar, a place that archaeologists like Dr D R Pradhan believe was the capital and export backbone of the Kalinga empire during the epic war due to the existence of the fort has strengthened the belief.

Adding weight to the theory are the discovery of Roman glazed potteries, several gold medallions and the Northern black polish utensils dating back to the Ashokan era in the area.

In fact, says a senior member of the excavation team of Orissa Institute of Maritime and South-East-Asian Studies (OIMSEAS), after thorough analysis of each of the physical findings and the writings, it can be said with better conviction that the entire stretch comprising Taraput, Deulipal, Kaima, Neulpur, Vajragiri, Langudi and Panturi in Jajpur district formed an integral part of the ‘religious hub’ of Buddhism, and to some extent Jainism too.

What remains to be discovered, however, is the place where Buddha preached, which is likely to be somewhere amidst the circle and of course the King who ruled at the time the epic war, he adds.

The OIMSEAS has been carrying the excavation work at 10 places in Northern Orissa for more than a decade now at the behest of the Culture Department to identify and develop a Buddhist circuit.

Plans are to develop a second ‘religious circuit’, with each site having its own Kala Gram - a centre for promoting ancient art forms - and a Museum that would display the finds of each site with proper explanation.

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=42,3450,0,0,1,0

2006-11-21T20:27:00.000-08:00

No. 1248 (HạtCát dịch)

Buddhists unhappy with Dalai Lama on Mahabodhi temple

Patna, Nov 21 (IANS) Buddhist monks have questioned Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama's silence over the non-Buddhist control over the management of the 1,500-year-old Mahabodhi temple in Bihar's Bodh Gaya town.
Bhante Anand, president of the Bodh Gaya Mahabodhi Vihar All India Action Committee, said the Dalai Lama should put pressure on the Indian government to hand over the temple's management to Buddhists.
'But Dalai Lama's silence has pained us,' Anand told IANS from Bodh Gaya. 'We feel he fears he will lose support of the Hindu elite if he raises the issue.'

The temple, which attracts tens of thousands of Indians and foreigners, is located at the site where the Buddha attained enlightenment. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in June 2002.

According to Anand, it was because of the temple issue that the Dalai Lama was losing support of Buddhist monks across India.

Anand said millions of Buddhists across the world were upset that non-Buddhists were in control of the shrine's administration.

The monks want control over the shrine management by amending the Mahabodhi Temple Management Act of 1949.

'We have decided to lobby and mobilize support for Buddhist control. By early next year we will appeal to all world leaders - religious and political - to demand immediate dissolution of the temple management committee.

'If the management of (Hindu) temples, churches, mosques and gurdwaras are not under the control of other sects, then why not so in the case of the Mahabodhi temple?' asked Anand, who is also president of the Akhil Bharatiya Bhikkhu Mahasangh (ABBM), an influential body of Buddhist monks.

© 2006 Indo-Asian News Service

2006-11-20T16:01:00.000-08:00

No. 1246 ( Hạt Cát dịch)

The orphan monks of Myanmar
By DAVID LONGSTREATH, Wells Fargo Pioneer, November 17, 2006

For these boys, the monastery becomes a family.

Yangon, Myanmar -- The head monk chews beetle nut as he quietly shaves the head of a young boy settled at his feet. A line of 10 others, all between the ages of 5 and 10, patiently wait their turn to be left with the patch of hair on their foreheads that marks them as orphans.

The simple, rough building that houses the Mhan Kinn Monastery on the outskirts of Yangon will be the only home many of them will ever know, the monkhood the only family they ever have.

On average, the monastery takes in about 15 young orphans a year. This year, there are 50. At least until the age of 15, they will wear the bright red robes of novice Buddhist monks.

Their limited worldly possessions will include a cup, an umbrella, a toothbrush and an alms bowl. As Theravada Buddhists, they will learn to seek from the community everything they need, from the robes they wear to the food they eat. Competition for donations in the impoverished nation is keen; there are more than 50,000 monasteries in Myanmar.
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=51,3442,0,0,1,0

2006-11-16T10:50:00.000-08:00

No. 1236 (Minh Chau dich)

Kalam's vision for Nalanda project

SINGAPORE: The universal "mission" of the proposed Nalanda University is to serve as a seat of learning for "providing leadership in world peace," said President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on Monday.

In a live videocast from New Delhi, Mr. Kalam told the participants of an international symposium here that another "mission" would be to "work towards building an inclusive society in a world free of violence, terror, war, and fear." Spelling out the global vision of the "fully autonomous academic body" proposed to be set up at the original site of the ancient Nalanda university, the President said its functional basis would be determined through a "process of discussion with hundred scholars drawn from different parts of the world." They "may include those who have been internationally recognised for their exemplary contribution to peace in the world."

Cultural links

The one-day symposium was organised by three regional institutes and the faculty of the National University of Singapore.

The thematic programme, on the "Buddhist cultural links between eastern and southern Asia," was supported by the city-state's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Singapore Buddhist Federation. The participants included Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo, and Deputy Chairman of Bihar Planning Board N.K. Singh. The topics for discussions were "China's historical tryst with Buddhism," the "modern memories of ancient bonds" between India and East Asia, "Buddhism in a practical context," and "the relevance of Nalanda's past for our modern times."

The discussions were led by Director of the Singapore-based East Asian Institute, Wang Gungwu, and four other professors — Tan Chung, Sugata Bose, Ishii Yoneo, and Stanley Tambiah. External Affairs Ministry Secretary (East) N. Ravi was an invited participant.

The Bihar Government's draft bill on the objectives and formation of the proposed university was circulated to elicit opinions on the parameters for setting up the institution with an international dimension.

Rich historical traditions

Mr. Kalam explained how he came to envision the concept of "a unique institution in Nalanda in the context of current ambience in the world." This project, designed for a "unity of minds" in the 21st century, would draw "inspiration from the rich historical traditions of Nalanda, Bodhgaya, where Lord Buddha got enlightenment, and other spiritual centres in Bihar."

Being planned as a multi-discipline university, it will have a sweeping focus from science and technology to spirituality.

"Equitable societal welfare"

It's multiple objectives would be the revival of the old Nalanda knowledge ethos, the creation of a new "meeting place ... for thoughts" and about an array of issues, including "equitable societal welfare," the formulation of an "action-oriented academic structure," and the establishment of "one of the largest libraries of the world" including a digital version.

2006-11-13T16:06:00.000-08:00

No. 1232 (Minh Chau dich)

Enlightened reality

by Jamie Khoo, The Star, November 11, 2006

One of Tibet’s most prominent monasteries, Gaden, was completely destroyed during the Chinese Cultural Revolution but has since re-established itself in India. JAMIE KHOO visits the new site.

Mundgod, India -- Enlightenment does exist. And its temporary heaven on earth, under a scorching sun, is in a tiny village called Mundgod, in south India.

One of 24 settlements given by the Indian government to Tibetan refugees when they escaped the Communist invasion in the 50s, Mundgod now flourishes with a profusion of maroon robes and the warm energy of monks.

A group of 60 pilgrims from Kechara House in Malaysia recently visited the new Gaden Monastery there under the guidance of their spiritual director, Tsem Tulku Rinpoche.

Having lived in Gaden himself, studying for many years under Tibetan Lamas like Kyabje Zong Rinpoche and Gashar Kensur Jetsun Jampa Yeshe, Tsem Rinpoche was making his first trip back in five years to present offerings to the 3,000 monks there.

Kechara House, his Dharma centre here in Sunway Mas, is a branch of Gaden, and Tsem Rinpoche is the only representative of the monastery

in Malaysia.

The largest of a trio of monasteries in Mungold – including Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery – Gaden traces its roots to Tibet where Lama Tsongkapa first established the original monastery in the 14th Century.

Tsongkhapa is especially famous for a seven-year retreat, in which he completed 3½ million prostrations (as a practice to purify karma) and over one million mandala offerings.

Taking inspiration from teachings of the three existing schools of Buddhism – Kagyu, Sakya and Nyingma – Tsongkhapa revived the Buddha’s teachings as they entered a period of degeneration, combining the best of the three schools and the teachings of Indian masters into the Gelug school.

This school and its teachings has become increasingly widespread in recent years, touching cities all over the world, from Beijing to Los Angeles. Its particular emphasis on logic rather than mysticism, and the balance it strikes between meditation and study resonates strongly with spiritual seekers.

The Buddhist way, with its emphasis on transforming the self, rather than others, does not particularly encourage people to go out and preach, and as such, Gaden’s profile continues to remain relatively low.

When the Lamas escaped from Tibet to escape persecution during the Cultural Revolution, they left literally with just the clothes on their back. The Gaden of today was built from scratch. There is still a very long way to go in building it up to its former glory but the monks are unfazed.

Ken Rinpoche explained, “Due to our own negative karma, we’ve lost our land. But we’ve managed to establish here – not just physically but also in essence, since the studies and learning are still the same.

“We’re doing quite well and there’s not much to complain of. I guess in the long term, it’s kind of good we ended up here!”

This perspective that it is “due to our own negative” karma is refreshing and almost surprising.

How much more difficult it must be to blame ourselves than to point fingers. And yet, this is what allows the monks to cultivate such serenity in the face of adversity.

In Gaden, you can sense this collective determination to get out of suffering, no matter how subtle. At the same time, its very walls are imbued with the stillness of being in the moment, of delighting in

everything just as it is.

Kechara House has just produced and released the first-ever documentary about Gaden Monastery – its history, lineage, and the recent pilgrimage that was made.

2006-11-12T09:02:00.000-08:00

No. 1230 (Hạt Cát dịch)

Secret sutra found in rubble of Bamiyan Buddha
AFP

November 12, 2006

TOKYO -- A part of a Buddhism sutra was found inside one of the two giant Buddhas of Bamiyan, providing a hint for unveiling the mystery surrounding the creation of the statues, a Japanese news agency reported Sunday.

The fragment of the scripture was believed to be the original Sanscrit document, written with the letters often used in the 6th and 7th century, according to a Kyodo news dispatch from Kabul.

A German team of researchers from the International Council on Monuments and Sites found the sutra in July inside the rubble of the remains of the Buddhas, said the report, printed in major Japanese newspapers. The researchers believed it was placed inside the eastern side of what used to be the world's tallest standing Buddha statues. They were destroyed in 2001 by Taliban Islamic extremists.

Although various scripts have been found inside Buddha statues in Japan, it was the first time a sutra was found inside an Afghan Buddha statue, Kyodo said. The script was written in "Gilgit/Bamiyan type one characters," which were used in a region that spread over what is now northern India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, Kyodo said.

The document was the beginning section of a sutra that spelled out the basic belief of Buddhism and said all things were mortal, Kyodo said. It was written on pieces of birch bark and wrapped in a piece of cloth with mud balls, which could have been symbols of Buddha bones, according to the researching team, Kyodo reported.

The team also found a small metal plate, decorated with a flower-like pattern. They also found a clay seal with a snake and a bird-like creature, Kyodo said. Experts believed the decorations and signs might symbolize a specific group, which might have been a sponsor for the construction of the giant Buddhas, Kyodo reported.

The sutra was being kept at an Afghan facility in Bamiyan, Kyodo said.

http://www.metimes.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20061112-040529-1772r

2006-11-12T08:57:00.000-08:00

No. 1229 (Upekha dịch)

Buddhism becoming popular in Fargo

Sunday, November 12, 2006

FARGO (AP) - Buddhism is budding in North Dakota's largest city.

A Buddhist study group formed in Fargo earlier this year. Weekly meditation sessions are held in different settings. And last week, four Buddhist monks visited the area, speaking at North Dakota State University and Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Henepola Gunaratana, an author, meditation instructor and president of the Bhavana Society Meditation Center in West Virginia, is traveling the Midwest to give a message of peace, which he describes as the central message of Buddhism.

"Especially in this world full of crime, war, problems, difficulties, they need the message of Buddha," he said. "People are longing for something which can give them some degree of satisfaction, some degree of hope."

Some people follow Buddhism as a religion; others view it as a philosophy. Some use it as a form of alternative medicine, for pain relief or to treat mental illness. Others simply practice meditation to find peace.

"I just think, given we're in the heartland where things tend to come a little later than on the coasts, I think we're finally beginning to open as a community to these practices and these teachings," said Mary Struck, who reads Buddhist teachings and organized a local study group.

http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2006/11/12/news/state/123804.txt

2006-11-08T15:45:00.000-08:00

No. 1221 (Minh Chau dich)

First International Congress of Buddhist Women’s Role in the Sangha to be held in Hamburg

The Buddhist Channel, Nov 8, 2006

Dalai Lama supports the Re-establishment of Full-Ordination for Nuns in Tibetan Buddhist Tradition.

Hamburg, Germany -- The Foundation for Buddhist Studies, Hamburg is holding an International Congress with H. H. XIVth Dalai Lama on July 18/19/20 2007 in Hamburg.

The main theme will be the rights of Buddhists Women within the Sangha and the Re-establishment of full ordination for nuns, as per the tradition of Buddhism in Tibet. This congress will be held in close cooperation with the Asia-Africa-Institute (AAI) of the University of Hamburg.

The Mulasarvastivada transmission line of ordination for nuns in Tibet has been broken for many centuries. The only transmission line of ordination that still exists is the Dharmagupta transmission line, which allows the ordination of nuns in China, Taiwan, Korea and Vietnam. In 1987 H. H. XIVth Dalai Lama demanded the re-establishment of full ordination for nuns in Tibet, as was the previous tradition in the times of the historical Buddha (around 500BC). For many years Buddhist women from around the world have been involved in reviving the ordination for nuns of the Tibetan Sangha, so that they can live and act as fully ordained nuns. There are 130.000 nuns living in various nunneries worldwide.

There have been many discussions over the last years on re-establishing the nuns’ ordination in Tibet, but so far no decision has been reached. On an international level there are many leading scientists, monks, nuns and Buddhists debating the future of nun ordination in Tibet. The objective of this congress is to bring the views and positions of monks and nuns of the Tibetan tradition together with other Buddhist groups, to finally achieve a consensus on the issue. This will then lead to a declaration of the reintroduction of ordination for nuns in Tibet through H. H. XIVth Dalai Lama at the Hamburg congress in 2007.

The re-establishment of nuns’ ordination in Tibet via H. H. XIVth Dalai Lama and the international monks and nuns sanghas will lead to further equality and liberation of Buddhist women. This is a congress of historical significance which will give women the possibility to teach Buddha’s doctrines worldwide.

Confirmed notable speakers include:

H. H. XIVth Dalai Lama from Tibet
Maria Jepsen, Evangelic-Lutheric Bishop, Hamburg,
Ven. Dr. Karma Lekshe Tsomo, President of „Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women“, USA,

Prof. Dr. Peter Skilling, Thailand

2006-11-07T15:35:00.000-08:00

No.1219 (Minh Chau dich)

Buddhists run inspirational projects in Cambodia

Source: ARCWorld, April 19 2006, Published on the Buddhist Channel, Nov 1, 2006

Phnom Penh, Cambodia -- Over the past year, ARC has conducted a series of case studies on organisations run by, or working with, Buddhist monks and nuns on issues ranging through HIV, microfinance, local governance, conflict management, education, gender, health care and community forestry.

One of the most inspirational and effective is Buddhism for Development (BFD).

BFD was founded in 1990, at Site 2 Refugee Camp, on the Cambodian-Thai Border. Its founder was Indapanno Bhikkhu, and a group of monks who shared his vision of Buddhism as a tool for peace restoration and national reintegration, as well as the recovery of human rights and the building of democracy. Today it is run by the former monk, Heng Monychenda.

BFD works in eight provinces throughout Cambodia. Here are some of the projects it has engaged with.

1. TRAINING COURSES
BFD offers regular training courses to introduce monks and nuns to the principles of socially engaged Buddhism, and help them become more involved in socio-economic development nationwide.

2. MOTHER KARUNA PROJECT
The project is run on a voluntary basis by 28 Buddhist nuns in Battambang Province. It aims to improve the status of women as “mothers” of children, society, peace and development. Activities include counselling people living with HIV/AIDs, visiting hospitals; counselling women about domestic violence and giving emergency support to very poor families. It was started without any donor support, but in 2002 it became a part of BFD. It has generally been well accepted but sometimes nuns say that the villagers don’t want to meet them, because they think they are coming to ask for money.

3. "GOOD FRIENDS FOR SOCIETY"
The project works with teenagers, with the aim of promoting a sense of responsibility, increasing self-confidence, and giving them a place to discuss their problems, and prepare a “life plan” for themselves. Girls are ordained as Buddhist nuns for a month during their school holidays.

4. HEALTH AWARENESS PROGRAMMES
The aim is to reduce the occurrences of dengue fever , malaria, malnutrition, polio, HIV/AIDs and diarrhoea in the communities - through education and awareness of how to avoid these illnesses. The HIV/AIDs Home Care Outreach is particularly strong, using traditional Buddhist as well as modern counselling techniques. Monks and nuns also work with members of the community, to help reduce discrimination. Informal feedback during ARC’s visit suggests that patients draw tremendous encouragement from the fact that monks and nuns visit their homes. It also helps their family members, who learn how to look after their loved ones in their own environments.

IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE FUTURE
Monks and nuns often come from poor families and have a low standard of education, so they often need further training themselves, particularly in the area of social issues.

Some villagers have been known to criticize monks and nuns who are involved in this work, as they believe they should stay in the pagoda and pray. Others find it hard to accept monks working with projects involving finances and micro-credit, because it is seen to be inappropriate for religious representatives to engage with money at this level. And the issue of AIDs has also stirred some to worry that monks and nuns should not discuss sex – although as BFD workers remind them, the Buddha never prohibited monks and nuns from mentioning sex: Buddha used the Pali language, they say, but now monks and nuns can use these words in their own Cambodian language in a simple way to communicate with the people.

The idea of Buddhists engaging practically in their communities is a new one for many. As one worker commented, changing the conservative mentality of villagers is a slow process.

2006-11-06T14:05:00.000-08:00

No.1216 (Minh Chau dich)
Tibetan Lama to speak in Hattiesburg
Special to the American

Tibetan Lama Pema Wangdak will speak at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Hattiesburg Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 209 N. Hutchison Ave.

Wangdak was born in Purang in Western Tibet in 1954. His family escaped from Tibet in 1959 and eventually resettled in a refugee camp in Mundgod, South India. He is the only child of five in his family to have survived the escape.

Lama Pema has been a monk since he was 7. He is a student of His Holiness the Sakya Trizin and other great masters from the Sakya order of Tibetan Buddhism. He is a graduate of the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies in Benares, India, in 1980 where he received his Acharya (master) degree.

Wangdak is the creator of “Bur Yig” – Tibetan Braille and the founder of The Pema Ts’al Monastic Institute in Pokara, Nepal, and the Pema Ts’al School in Mundgod, India. Lama Pema has

been guiding western students for the past 20 years.

He continues to travel and teach extensively to Dharma centers around the world. His marvelous command of the English language and excelled wisdom and compassion make him and outstanding model in today’s world.

For more information, call (601) 310-4594.

Source: Biographical information on Wangdak is from his Web site, www.paldensakya.org/lamapema.html.

2006-11-05T08:51:00.000-08:00

No.1214 (Minh Chau dich)
Hope hard to sustain in Tibet's "freedom struggle"
By Simon Denyer, Reuters, November 5, 2006

DHARAMSALA, India -- The chatter gave way to rowdy male laughter when Tseten Yangsom began her brief talk on "How Tibetan women play a role in Tibet's freedom struggle." Yangsom, 21, battled on bravely, but I was surely not the only audience member who felt like curling up in embarrassment.
This was Miss Tibet 2006, billed as a "beauty pageant with a difference", a celebration of Tibetan girls, somehow -- and surely incongruously -- doubling as a promotion of the region's struggle against Chinese rule.

The crowd of young Tibetan refugees living in Dharamsala were not here to be lectured on politics. They wanted a bit of entertainment, a bit of flesh.

Yangsom duly obliged in the "talent round", dancing erotically to Hindi songs in a skimpy costume. Thecrowd cheered, firmly back on her side, though the crown eluded her.

As an exercise in media manipulation, Miss Tibet surely rates as a success -- a slightly amateurish beauty contest that attracts only a handful of entrants each year but has been covered by the BBC, CNN, Time and Reuters.

In a sense it also epitomises an air of hopelessness among the refugees, short of ideas over how to take their struggle forward more than 50 years after communist troops entered Tibet.

"I call it brickmaking without a building plan," said Lhasang Tering, a Tibetan scholar and bookstore owner. "We are doing all these things without any results, because the Tibetan political struggle has no goal."

THE MIDDLE WAY

That struggle and the hopes of millions of Tibetans are embodied in one man, the Dalai Lama.

The week before I travelled to Dharamsala, I saw him address a group of foreign journalists in New Delhi.

What struck me was his sense of resignation and reluctance to say anything that might upset the Chinese.

"My position is semi-retirement," he said, adding he was waiting for the day that the Chinese grant autonomy to Tibet and he is able to return.

"But if that day does not materialise in my lifetime, and I am now 71 years old, then I think the time will come for my complete retirement."

The "Middle Way" approach is designed to reassure the Chinese by seeking autonomy within China rather than independence.

These days, when a Chinese leader travels abroad, instructions come down from the Dalai Lama -- do not stage protests, do nothing to make Beijing lose face.

PATIENCE, AND TIME RUNS OUT

But young people do not all have the patience of the 14th Dalai Lama, believed to be a reincarnation of Buddhism's bodhisattva of compassion. They see the Tibetan cause fading from the world's consciousness.

At a Buddhist nunnery not far from Dharamsala, I watched scores of young Tibetans on a five-day camp designed to teach them how to stage "non-violent direct action".

Chinese flags were burned, trees were climbed, slogans were chanted. But there were no police to battle, no angry Chinese officials to confront and only a hose sending a thin stream of water to symbolise the water cannon they one day may face.

Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) is determined to use the Beijing 2008 Olympics to promote their cause, to turn China's big moment on the world stage against it.

But is it already too late?

Ethnic Han Chinese now outnumber Tibetans in Lhasa, and China's grip on the remote Himalayan plateau seems firmer than ever. In India and elsewhere a new generation of Tibetans have never seen their homeland.

Under a tree beside the camp sat Karma Yeshi, a member of the Tibetan parliament-in-exile and a former leader of the Tibetan Youth Congress, which advocates complete independence.

"If we only watch and wait Tibet will die one day," he said. "Our language and culture is being destroyed. We have to raise our voice so China leaves Tibet."

Yeshi, like all Tibetans, worries about what will happen when the Dalai Lama dies, something which has traditionally heralded a power struggle within Tibet.

"The Tibetan Youth Congress has so far not taken violent means, but the option is still open," he said. "Tomorrow if he (the Dalai Lama) is no more, things might take another turn".

2006-11-03T16:23:00.000-08:00

No.1212 (Minh Chau dich)
In pictures: Monks in commercial Bangkok

Buddhism v commercialism

Wat Pathum Wanaram was originally built as a quiet Buddhist retreat on the outskirts of Bangkok.

But the temple is now sandwiched between the city's newest shopping centre, Siam Paragon, and the construction site of another huge complex, Central World. In front of it, cars and buses fume down a six-lane highway, underneath the city's main rail link.

Here assistant abbot Phra Kru Sri Wisankun describes how the monks live, renouncing worldly values yet living next to Gucci and Starbucks.

Original landscape

"When I first came here as a novice 30 years ago, this area was peaceful and quiet. It was called the forest temple, and people came here to relax and practice meditation," said Phra Kru Sri Wisankun.

"It was built by King Rama IV almost 150 years ago, near the site of the old palace. There were no other buildings - it was surrounded by rice fields. At first people would come here by boat along the canal."

Busy world

"Since construction started 20 years, many things have changed.

"We still get up at about 5am for alms-giving, but the shops don't close until 10pm and there is always a lot of traffic, so the noise goes on until late into the night. We have to rest when we can.

"Especially at the beginning, some of the novices were interested in things going on outside the temple. It's hard for them, in this environment. But I always encourage them not to focus on material things."

Popular destination

"There are some positive aspects to all these new buildings, as well, though.

"This temple is now very well-known, and many more people come to visit before or after shopping. We usually get more than 500 visitors a day.

"We've also had more donations so we can improve our buildings."

Good advice

"It's like we're doctors giving out medicine. We ask the visitors about the suffering in their lives, and try to help them.

"We teach people the things that are important. Modern life is very active and competitive. Sometimes people have no rest and their minds never relax. You cannot live like this all the time."

Subsiding Buddhas

"When they first started the construction, there was a lot of pollution, and the monks suffered from inhaling the dirt.

"There were also a lot of problems with the temple buildings, as a result of all the digging. The floor subsided right under these Buddhist statues. Another time, our toilet system completely collapsed.

"But the construction companies have been very nice to us. They've always offered to repair any damages."

God of snakes

"During the construction of Central World (a new complex which has yet to be finished) quite a few workers had serious accidents.

"In order to build the mall, they had to cover up a pond which was full of snakes and fish. So the construction company asked us to build this for the god of snakes, so they could finish the project safely."

Shopping paradise

"I think these shops and entertainment complexes do make people happy for a while, but not permanently.

"People may have money, but they'll always want more. Real life is not about money - even millionaires are still suffering."

No regrets

"You have to enjoy life with what you've got - all you need is food, shelter, clothing and medicine.

"I just have these robes, I don't eat much and I do a lot of meditation.

"I like being a monk. I wouldn't want to live like other people I see going past. I'll be a monk forever."

Interview by Kate McGeown

2006-10-31T17:32:00.000-08:00

No. 1210 (Hạt Cát dịch)

Xinjiang Grottoes get electric eyes
CCTV.com, Oct 27, 2006

Xinjiang, China -- The Kezir Grottoes in Xinjiang, are one of China's great sites for Buddhist sculpture. It's the earliest grotto group, along the ancient Silk Road. But due to destruction of nature, and lack of manpower, Kezir's Thousand-Buddha caves are in grave danger.

Oxidization and cracking are serious threats, to the 1800 year old grottoes. So the Chinese government has invested 17 million yuan, more than two million U-S dollars, to install electric monitors.

The project will start at the end of this year. Archeologists will be able to inspect each grotto remotely, to prevent any further destruction.

Sculpted in the 3rd Century, the grottoes at Kezir are the oldest in China. Some 10,000 square meters of frescos, and Buddha statues of all sizes, are found in the caves. In 1961, Kezir was placed under national protection.

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=4,3350,0,0,1,0

2006-10-31T17:24:00.000-08:00

No. 1210 (tinhtan dich)

Hang động cổ Kanheri tại MumBai

Trong những vùng ngoại ô phía Tây của Mumbai ở Boriyali, giữa một giãi đất xanh ngút ngàn được gọi là công viên quốc gia Sunjay Gandhi, bạn sẽ tìm thấy những Hang động Cổ Kanheri. Những hang động này đã được xây dựng bởi một vị Tăng Phật Giáo để dùng như một nhà trọ cho khách hành hương và được xác định từ niên kỷ thứ nhất trước Công Nguyên. Cuộc viếng thăm những hang động Kanheri mang lại cho bạn sự thấu hiểu về lịch sử và văn hóa của Chư Tăng tại Ấn Độ.

Những hang động này là một kỳ công kiến trúc tuyệt diệu. Tất cả 109 hang động đã được điêu khắc và chạm trổ và tạo thành tảng đá Bazan nhô lên vĩ đại. Nhũng hang động nhỏ hơn, được mệnh danh như các Tu viện, phục vụ như những nơi tá túc của Chư Tăng.

Những hang động lớn hơn, biệt danh là Chaityas, được tạo thành hàng với các điêu khắc Phật Giáo chạm trổ sâu sắc khác nhau và thường được dùng làm nơi điện thờ. Trong chánh điện tôn trí Kim Thân Phật cao đến 7 mét.

Bên trong có một dãy cột gồm 34 cột trụ chạm trổ uy nghi. Thần mười một đầu Avalokiteshwara là một chủ đề đặc biệt nhất. Có khoảng 100 câu khắc trong những văn bản khác nhau – Brahmi, Devnagri, Pallavi, và Sanskrit. Công viên quốc gia Sunjay Gandhi cách xa phi trường Mumbai khỏang một giờ lái xe.

Một hành trình dài khỏang một giờ phù du trong rừng sẽ dẫn bạn đến một ngọn đồi thoai thoải. Từ đỉnh đồi, những hang động tạo thành một quang cảnh tuyệt diệu. Hang động mở từ 10 giờ sáng đến 5 giờ chiều suốt mùa.

(tinhtan dich)

Mumbai's Ancient Kanheri Caves

Within Sunjay Gandhi National Park lies an architectural wonder
Published 2006-10-31 11:42 (KST)

In the western suburbs of Mumbai at Borivali, amid a vast stretch of greenery called the Sunjay Gandhi National Park, you will find the ancient Kanheri Caves. The caves were built by a Buddhist monk for use as an inn for travelers and date back to the first century B.C.A visit to Kanheri caves gives you an insight into the history and culture of Buddhist monks in India.

The caves are a marvelous architectural feat. All 109 of them were chiseled and carved out of a huge basaltic rock outcrop. The smaller caves, known as viharas, served as resting places for the monks.

The larger caves, known as chaityas, are lined with various exquisitely carved Buddhist sculptures and were commonly used as places for worship.In the main hall stands the towering figure of the Lord Buddha measuring about 7 meters in height.

The interior has a colonnade of 34 majestically carved pillars.The eleven-headed Avalokiteshwara is the most distinctive motif. There are about 100 inscriptions in different scripts -- Brahmi, Devnagri, Pallavi and Sanskrit.Sunjay Gandhi National Park is about a one-hour drive from Mumbai airport.

A long trek of about an hour inside the deciduous forest will lead you to a sloping hill. From the hilltop, the caves command a magnificent view. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the season.

http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?article_class=5&no=326138&rel_no=1

2006-10-30T19:04:00.000-08:00

No.1209 (Minh Chau dich)

A Million Light Offerings for Buddha

By JADE CHAN, The Star, October 27, 2006

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -- The Losang Dragpa Buddhist Society (LDC) recently organised a Million Light Offerings event at the Chinese Assembly Hall in Kuala Lumpur.

The annual spiritual event was started in 2001 and is aimed at giving people the opportunity to give offerings to Buddha, which creates extensive merits for the person making the offerings.

A 20-foot structure bearing 840 images of the Buddha at the Mahaboudhi stupa in Bodhgaya was set up so that people could make offerings in the form of flowers, lights or incense.

The three-day event, starting from Oct 20, was presided by Ven KhenRinpoche Lama Lhundhup, the abbot of the renowned Kopan Monastery located at the foothills of the Himalayas in Kathmandu.

KhenRinpoche lit a light during the opening ceremony, a simple act that symbolised him bringing a prayer for all sentient beings.

He also presided over several pujas (prayers), including the Medicine Buddha Puja (prayers for health), Dzambala Pujas (prayers for wealth) and Tara Puja (prayers to attain success for specific projects) and blessed devotees during the first two evenings.

About 10,000 devotees were expected to visit the hall every day, which had been recreated to resemble the pure land with holy relics and objects, lights and flowers.

Devotees took part in various activities like circling the Buddha relics, which helps purify negative karma and creates cause for enlightenment, and spinning the prayer wheel, which resembles a person reciting mantras and helps clear their karma.

According to LDC spiritual co-ordinator Ven. Thubten Dechen, making offerings to Buddha earns merits to help a person overcome obstacles to attain good health and success in work and business.

“The merits can also be dedicated to family members and children so that all their hindrances can be overcome,” she said.

Ven KhenRinpoche said: “A person must establish good motivation when making the offerings. The offering is made not only for yourself but for all sentient beings.

“Only then can you achieve peace, joy and success for whatever you wish for, be it for health, family or business.”

According to him, the different offerings have their own significance.

“A light offering to Buddha signifies wisdom and enlightenment. By attaining knowledge and enlightenment, you’ll be able to easily remove obstacles and the main causes of ignorance.

“A person who makes light offerings is making dedications for everyone. Its benefit is not just for this life but for all future lives until you achieve enlightenment.

“A flower offering to Buddha creates cause for you to have good rebirth. When you get a rebirth, you are reborn as a human being in circumstances where you can practise kindness, such as having good health and good body to help people.”

“An incense offering allows you to be able to appease local deities and gives protection to all living beings. It also helps remove delusions, obstacles and negative actions in a living being’s mind.

“The incense’s good smell signifies pure conduct. When you remove negative karma, you’ll not harm others and try to help others if possible.”

The Mahayana magazine, LDC’s inaugural magazine which features stories and interviews related to Buddhism, was also launched at the event.

2006-10-30T16:47:00.000-08:00

No. 1208

Report: Thai queen cautions against racy dancing at Buddhist ceremonies
Monday October 30, 2006

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) Thailand's queen thinks sexually explicit dancing and Buddhism do not mix and cautioned against lascivious behavior during Buddhist events in Thailand, media reported Monday.

Queen Sirikit saw television coverage of women gyrating in racy outfits at a Buddhist ceremony, prompting her to write the Culture Ministry saying: ``Buddhists in general should always bear in mind what is good for the image of the country,'' the Nation newspaper reported.

``Any shows or performances organized in association with any Buddhist festival should be held with respect for Lord Buddha and Buddhism,'' the paper reported the queen's letter as saying.

The Buddhist festival in northern Nong Khai featured performers known as ``coyote dancers'' wearing provocative dresses and dancing in a sexually explicit manner, the Nation said. The dancers are often hired to promote events or products.

In an apparent response to the queen's concerns, Thailand's Ministry of Culture said Monday it was issuing a regulation prohibiting female students aged under 20 to work as coyote dancers, the state Thai News Agency reported.

The ministry also ordered a crackdown on inappropriate shows in public places, the report said.

Scantily clad women are not uncommon in Bangkok, the capital, where prostitution is widespread and widely accepted. However, the countryside remains relatively conservative, with frequent speeches warning against the dangers of women wearing revealing clothes such as spaghetti-string tank tops.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

http://cbs11tv.com/worldwire/Thailand-SexyDancing_a_i_-----/resources_news_html

2006-10-30T09:12:00.000-08:00

No.1207 (Minh Chau dich)

The man behind the mission

by NISSARA HORAYANGURA, Bangkok Post, Oct 29, 2006

Bangkok, Thailand -- Who's reading Ajahn Brahm's book? A very mixed crowd - Germans, Chinese, Thais, any number of people literate in the eight languages into which his book has been translated. Executives, students, psychologists, even Christian chaplains.

"Last month, a Catholic priest in Adelaide phoned me especially to thank me for the book because he uses it in his chaplaincy work," Ajahn Brahm says, sounding both delighted and a bit amazed. "When you get praise from Christians, you think, wow, this book is actually making those bridges between different religions."

With his knack for presenting Buddhist teachings without being too "Buddhisty" - conveying their wisdom in universally relevant ways - he makes a skilful bridge-builder (if an imperfect bricklayer).

Whether travelling around the world giving talks or based at his monastery in Australia, where only two per cent of the population is Buddhist, Ajahn Brahm is actively involved in interfaith dialogue, although he would rather not use the term "dialogue".

"It's friendship, actually," he says.

He tells of a particularly close friendship he has with the Catholic abbot of a Benedictine monastery just north of Perth. Both being entertaining speakers, they regularly do public talks together as "The Two Abbots", a sort of two-man spiritual-comedy act.

The concept is catchy, but also inspiring. "People see a Buddhist abbot and a Catholic abbot sitting together, talking about similar things, and being obviously friends. And they love it."

The two abbots' close friendship also makes it possible to have that "interfaith dialogue" more effectively. Ajahn Brahm observes that at many interfaith gatherings, one has to "tread on eggshells" out of fear of causing offence.

"But our friendship has gone way beyond that now. We know each other well enough that we're not afraid to disagree. He can say whatever he likes. He's my friend and I refuse to be offended.

"He can say, 'I don't believe in reincarnation!' And I can say, 'I don't believe in God!' And we both win, because we know exactly what we mean," he says with a laugh.

Debates about God's existence aside, another sticking point some Buddhists - particularly orthodox Theravadans - may have in truly respecting other religions is their belief that the only way to achieve ultimate liberation is through the practice of insight meditation, which is not found in other religions.

When this point is raised, Ajahm Brahm immediately responds, "That's called conceit."

He then goes on to quote an inarguable authority - the Lord Buddha. "Once the Buddha was asked that question - 'Can you become enlightened in other traditions?' And he gave this beautiful answer: 'Wherever there's an eightfold path, wherever you practise a bit of meditation, some virtue, some wisdom, there you'll find people becoming enlightened."'

Still, that watch-word "meditation" was mentioned, was it not? Yes, but Ajahn Brahm is keen to demystify "meditation". Many times in his talks, he emphasizes that there is nothing magical or esoteric about it. Meditation is simply stilling the mind. "It's a fundamental freedom of all human beings." He likens it to getting out of a speeding car and walking. When you're riding in the car, you can only see the world whizzing by through the window, the details blurred. Once you slow down, once you still the mind, you can see more clearly.

Buddhism has no monopoly on meditation. He points out that meditation is so popular nowadays that there are meditation groups in Christian and other faiths, so non-Buddhists can practise it within a tradition they're comfortable with.

Nor does Buddhism, or any religion, have a monopoly on truth.

"Now, you can actually bottle water and sell it. But you can't bottle truth and sell it. Religions try to do that. [They say] 'We're the only ones who've got the truth. So we've got the franchise, and no one else can sell it."'

Just as water is the same, no matter what bottle it's in (and no matter what those clever marketers say), so truth is the same, no matter what religious container it's in - love, peace, harmony, forgiveness, freedom.

Making that distinction between the containers and the contents is the key to avoiding inter-religious strife, he says. So much conflict is instigated when others attack one's own containers - the symbols, texts, icons of one's religion. But one need not get upset if one can remember that they are just symbols, and focus on maintaining the contents, the teachings.

"When the Taliban destroyed the Bamyan Buddha statues, Buddhists did not allow themselves to seek revenge, because that would, in fact, mean the Taliban had succeeded not only in destroying the containers, but also the contents."

Similarly, he says, "A Muslim might say, 'I don't like those cartoons [referring to the controversy over offensive caricatures drawn of the Prophet Muhammad], but it's more important that we're friends. Forgiven.' Wouldn't it be wonderful if that happened?"

Following an incident where US soldiers allegedly flushed a copy of the Koran down a toilet, Ajahn Brahm was asked what he would do if someone flushed a Buddhist holy book down a toilet.

"Call a plumber."

2006-10-27T16:10:00.000-07:00

No. 1203 (Hạt Cát dịch)

Wutai Mountain to apply for world natural and cultural heritage
www.chinanews.cn 2006-10-24 10:26:04

Chinanews, Taiyuan, Oct. 24 - The Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, the Ministry of Construction and the State Administration of Cultural Heritage have jointly decided to nominate Wutai Mountain for next year’s world natural and cultural heritage site. They hope that the application will be approved by UNESCO in 2008.

Wutai Mountain is regarded as one of the five major Buddhist mountains in the world and the most important Buddhist mountain in China. For a long time, Han-Chinese Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhist have co-existed there, producing over 20 kinds of religious schools, the most in the world.

Located in the northeastern part of Xinzhou City in Shanxi Province, most parts of the mountain have an altitude of over 2,700 meters. Its highest peak, with an altitude of 3,058 meters, is also the highest peak in northern China and therefore nicknamed "the roof of northern China". Covered by thick forests, Wutai Mountain has a relatively low temperature all year round, therefore it is also called Cool Mountain. The mountain has unique ecological environment and rich biodiversity. It has always been called a natural botanical garden and zoo. According to related statistics, there are altogether 595 kinds of plants and animals living in Wutai Mountain.

In order to better protect the ecological environment of Wutai Mountain, local government has decided to move 21 work units around the mountain area to a new place and relocate some 961 local villagers in some other places as well. In addition, officials will take a comprehensive approach to improve the landscapes in some key scenic spots in Wutai Mountain.

http://www.chinanews.cn//news/2005/2006-10-24/29171.html

2006-10-27T13:01:00.000-07:00

No.1202 (Minh Chau dich)

Buddhism Lagging in Japan
Associated Press

TOKYO, Oct. 26 - The Kamiyacho Open Terrace cafe in central Tokyo has all the trappings of a trendy establishment - good coffee, homemade dessert, an airy terrace.

But what makes the cafe truly interesting is its setting: inside the Buddhist Komyoji temple, one of many across Japan offering new services - concerts, discos, yoga classes - in a struggle to stay relevant despite an increasingly secular society.

"For Japanese, temples were once a part of daily life," said 24-year-old owner, and monk, Keisuke Matsumoto. "I want Kamiyacho Open Terrace to be a place people can drop in casually ... and perhaps become a little curious about Buddhism."

The young priest will need patience and optimism. More than a millennium after it first arrived from mainland Asia in the sixth century, Buddhism is in crisis.

About 94 million Japanese were registered as Buddhist in 2005, almost three-quarters of the country's population. But for many, the only time they enter a temple is to attend a funeral - driving many of the country's 75,000 temples to the verge of bankruptcy.

"Some priests can't even put food on the table from their temple-related work," said Takanobu Nakajima, an economics professor at Tokyo's Keio University. "Their congregations are so small the priests take second jobs and still barely manage to scrape by."

So young Buddhists like Matsumoto are trying to turn that around by reaching out to new groups - and employing some clever entrepreneurship.

At Matsumoto's cafe, which overlooks a garden dotted with gravestones, visitors don't pay with money, but with prayer. All the coffee, tea and sweets served by robe-clad monks in the open terrace are free. Instead, the monks - all volunteers from nearby temples - suggest patrons put their hands together in prayer at the temple's grand altar before they leave.

Some temples are branching out in other ways.

The Tsukiji Honganji temple in central Tokyo, for instance, offers theological seminars in English for foreigners, and has fitted its main hall with a pipe organ and conducts Western-style weddings to attract young couples who prefer a white dress and tuxedo to a traditional Buddhist ceremony.

Zenshoan temple in central Tokyo streams Buddhist sermons on the Internet, while Higashi Honganji temple aired games from the World Cup in Germany to attract local soccer fans.

In addition to his cafe, Matsumoto's Komyoji temple offers weekly yoga classes. He also spearheads higan.net, a Web-based movement of young monks who organize festivals, discos and meditation sessions, and write daily blog entries on everything from Buddhist cuisine to music.

For priests who are stumped for ideas, help is increasingly at hand.

Hideo Usui, an editor at Gekkan Butsuji, a Buddhist monthly journal, has launched a Web site offering advice for priests trying to modernize their practices. Recent entries include "Buddhist rites for the modern lifestyle" and "Using the Internet to take funeral orders."

"Priests got so used to easy money, so they didn't make an effort to innovate or to recruit new parish members," Usui said. "Now, that's changing."

Indeed, the money troubles are a major comedown for a Buddhist clergy that in the 1980s was known for its flashy lifestyle.

Awash with cash as Japan's postwar economy boomed, temples once extracted huge donations from their congregations and charged exorbitant sums for lavish funerals - often over 2 million yen, more than $17,000 at today's exchange rate.

But the good times ended when Japan's economic bubble burst in the early 1990s, making elaborate funerals and other extravagances a thing of the past. And while Japan's aging population has meant more funerals, the departed now typically have fewer descendants to share the bill, putting a premium on discount services.

Buddhist leaders also face some cultural roadblocks.

Few Japanese strictly stick to one religion, instead picking and choosing as they please from many. A family might celebrate births at a shrine of the native Shinto religion and weddings at a Christian church, for example. Buddhists have specialized in funerals - which hasn't helped their image.

And Matsumoto's cafe, which opened in 2004, hasn't led to many recruits so far. An office worker who often eats her packed lunch at the cafe said while she was now more interested in the religion, she didn't have immediate plans to join the temple's congregation.

"I hadn't even thought of it," said Sayaka Miura, a marketing assistant at a broadcasting company.

Matsumoto is undaunted. He recently put on a free rock concert at Tsukiji Honganji temple for 1,000 twenty- and thirty-somethings who went wild to the beats of the Zazen Boys before settling down for a Buddhist sermon.

"I want temples to become a part of everyday life again," Matsumoto said. "There's a lot Buddhism can offer modern society. ... It's just a matter of what temples are going to do about it."

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/202/story_20260_1.html

2006-10-26T16:55:00.000-07:00

No. 1201 (Hạt Cát dịch)

Zen & South Korean travel: Tourists skip five-star luxury, stay in Buddhist temples

(Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn.) By Bob Retzlaff, Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn.McClatchy-Tribune Business News
Oct. 14--BUSAN, South Korea -- Tired of staying at 5-star hotels?

In South Korea there's an option that costs barely one-fifth of what you would pay for a night at the luxury hotels that dot most of the country's major cities. And you can learn a lot about Korean culture in the process -- as well as your inner self.

It is a relatively new and growing tourism option: Buddhist temple-stays. That's where life is quiet and calm and provides an environment that allows time for reflection -- of the world and oneself. And it's not what Westerners are used to, as we found out recently during a day and a half stay at the Beomoesa Temple, a mountainous retreat along South Korea's southeast coast.

Be advised there are no luxuries in these stays. You sleep on floormats with just a pillow and a blanket; the food is spartan; you're up at 3 a.m. for worship and to begin a new day; and lights are out at 9:30. There also is plenty of hard-rock trekking if you want to participate. And yes, the "comfort stations" are blocks away and hard to find in the dark.

Also, if your stay is longer than a day, there's volunteer work available to help out the Buddhist monks.

Despite these 'hardships' -- at least to most Western visitors like our group of about 30 from the U.S. -- these stays are growing in popularity. More and more families are spending weekends at the 40- or-so Buddhist temples that are offering these programs.

The number of temple-stay visitors, we were told, has grown from about 1,000 in 2002 to 3,755 the next year, and to 10 times that number -- 36,902 -- in 2004. The number soared to about 50,000 in 2005 and is expected to increase again this year. Foreign visitors total about 2,500.

The temple-stay program was originated in 2002 as South Korean hotels were almost overcome by the huge influx of foreign visitors for the World Cup soccer games. As a result, on request of the government, several temples in the Seoul region opened their doors to tourists.

The program was so successful that the following year some 35 temples opened their doors to guests.

A typical stay, and the one we participated in, includes an early-morning Buddhist ritual service that found the wake-up gongs banging at 3 a.m., traditional Buddhist monastic meals, Seon (Zen) meditation practices, projects to help beautify the temple grounds, making lotus lanterns, and learning Buddhist culture. There also was time to prowl the rocky temple grounds, with a visit to Buddhist burial sites a most moving experience.

Garbed in traditional two-piece monk suits, we were left largely to our own thoughts through much of the day, since silence is golden in the Buddhist tradition. And silence is a definite must when you enter or pass by the Buddhist places of worship. Chants yes, but not much else.

At mealtime, you get a lesson in not being wasteful -- since no one can leave the dining area until everyone's bowl is cleaned. Don't take more than you can eat is the watchword.

Food choices are all vegetarian, mainly white rice and kimchi. When you're done, you pass and drink all of the leftovers until everything is consumed. Your bowl is placed on a shelf until you eat again -- from the same (unwashed) bowl.

A highlight during the day was an impressive martial arts demonstration, a Buddhist tradition, with all of the visitors participating. It was one of several group activities that caught our fancy. We also learned about the Buddhist religion -- monks taught our group the proper ways to meditate and offered simple explanations of Buddhism core ideals.

Information on Temple Stay programs: www.templestaykorea.net

http://hotel-online.com/News/2006_Oct_14/k.RCL.1161016810.html

2006-10-26T16:16:00.000-07:00

No 1200 (Upekha dịch)

Rare ancient monastery moat discovered in Tibet
18 Hours,7 minutes Ago

Lhasa, Oct 25,2006. Chinese archaeologists have discovered a 700-year-old moat surrounding a monastery in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

"The unearthed part of the moat whirled its way about every five metres in a square, a shape rarely found in history both at home and abroad," said Zhang Jianlin, deputy director of the Shaanxi Archeology and Research Institute.

The excavated section of the river way is 8.8 metres deep, 6 metres and 3.3 metres wide on its upside and downside respectively, said Zhang, in-charge of the excavation work. The moat is 17 metres away from the Sagya Monastery in Sagya county, Xigaze city in the southern part of Tibet. The monastery was built in the 13th century when the county was a political and religious centre for the region.

"This kind of moat was recorded in the local historical data and I also heard about it from the elders," said Bandian Toinyu, director with the management committee of the monastery.

"But I have never seen such a moat before."

The whirling moat looked beautiful and might be helpful for defence in wartime, according to Bandian Toinyu.

The Sagya Monastery covers an area of 14,700 square metres. The restoration work on the monastery started in 2002 at a cost of 86 million yuan ($10 million) and is expected to be complete by 2006.

http://www.keralanext.com/news/?id=887509

2006-10-25T17:54:00.000-07:00

No. 1199 (Hạt Cát dịch)

NZ army destroys bomb threat to 2000-year-old Buddha
23 October 2006

New Zealand army explosive experts have saved a 2000-year-old Buddha by destroying a 500kg bomb found at the base of the statue in Afghanistan.

The army's provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) bomb experts were called in when workers found the large incendiary bomb at the foot of the 53 metre high statue in the Bamyan province.

The statue was believed to have been carved into the mountains in the sixth to seventh century but survived a Taliban attack which destroyed many other statues.

The workers who found the bomb were part of an international team working on the restoration of two Buddhas destroyed by the Taliban.

The workers at first thought the bomb was a piece of tin, said Edmund Melzl, a spokesman for the International Council on Monuments and Sites.

In the latest issue of the New Zealand army magazine, Army News, he said as soon as they learned it was more than a harmless piece of tin, the New Zealand army was called.

Air Force armourer, Corporal Jim Johns said the bomb's history was not known but it may have been dropped when the Russians were fighting the Mujahadeen but failed to go off.

AdvertisementAdvertisement"Then when the Taliban came in and were blowing up the Buddhas it was probably placed alongside other ordnance, failed to go off and was buried under the rubble.

The bomb was pulled out from the base of the statue using a block and tackle. It was destroyed in a controlled explosion which generated a loud explosion before a large white cloud rose over the statue.

"I am so happy with what has happened here," said Mr Melzl.

"Thanks to the PRT we can resume our work and no damage has been done to the Buddha which was our biggest fear," he said in the army newspaper.

The bomb was one of the biggest destroyed by the army PRT team in Afghanistan.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3837724a12,00.html

2006-10-25T12:17:00.000-07:00

No.1198 (Minh Chau dich)

China takes heat after tragic flight of Tibetan teenager

By Daniel Pepper, The CSMonitor, Oct 25,2006
The shooting death of a would-be refugee by a Chinese patrolman places the Middle Kingdom's human rights record under scrutiny.

NEW DELHI, India -- The two teenage girls were best friends. In their tiny farming village in Tibet, they had stayed up late many nights over four years plotting their escape.
<<>www.protv.ro/filme/exclusive-footage-of-chinese-soldiers-shooting-at-tibetan-pilgrims.html)
The plight of these rural Tibetan refugees brings to light the hardships suffered by the estimated 2,500 to 4,000 Tibetans who try to reach India every year via Nepal, paying smugglers to bring them to India because obtaining the official travel permits and a passport can be too difficult. Most come seeking an audience with the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, who resides in Dharamsala, in northern India.
"Our aim only is to get the blessing of His Holiness the Dalai Lama," says Ms. Wangmo, one of the nuns. "We were planning to go back afterwards, but now it won't be possible after the trouble in the pass. If we go back to Tibet, the Chinese will definitely arrest us."
The nun killed was typical of the many Tibetan refugees who make the journey: she was poor, young, and religiously motivated. At least half of those making the journey from Tibet are children, sent by parents who want their children to grow up with a strong Tibetan identity and who often cannot afford school fees at home. Among the group of Tibetans that just arrived in India, the youngest was a 7-year-old girl, Deki Pantso, who came without her parents.
Most Tibetan refugees prefer to make the journey in the winter, when there is deep snow in the passes between Nepal and Tibet and the chances of being caught by Chinese patrolmen are diminished. The International Campaign for Tibet, a Washington advocacy group, estimates that 80 percent of refugees attempt to cross between October and April, when the mountain glaciers are frozen over.
The United States and the European Union have condemned the shooting and urged China to investigate the incident thoroughly. But so far Canada has delivered the harshest rebuke. On Oct. 18 Canada's foreign minister, Peter MacKay, expressed his "abhorrence and dismay for this terrible incident that happened at the border. Canada strongly condemns this act of violence against unarmed civilians as an egregious violation of human rights."
Tenzin Norgay, with the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Dharamsala wondered whether this would lead to more governments pressuring China to improve their human rights record. "I fear it might be another event come and gone. Public memory is very short."

2006-10-24T16:34:00.000-07:00

No. 1197 (Hạt Cát dịch)

Buddhist monastery born in woods of Marlboro

October 23, 2006

By DANIEL BARLOW Herald Staff

MARLBORO — The story of how an old studio down a dirt road in the woods of this rural Windham County town is being transformed into a Buddhist monastery is one of chance.

Or maybe fate.

Several months ago members of the Thosum Gephelling Institute, a new Buddhist group that formed three years ago under the teachings of a Tibetan monk, began searching for a permanent location to meditate, study and teach.

Jamkar, one of the members of the institute, walked into the Gallery in the Woods retail store in downtown Brattleboro to ask owner Dante Corsano for advice.

"He offered us this place," Jamkar explained on Sunday, motioning to the two-story home deep in the woods of Marlboro. "We were looking for a place and he was the first person I talked with."

But that's not where the good luck ended.

During a recent walk through the campus of nearby Marlboro College, Jamkar met Ryan Dolan, a student originally from Chicago studying philosophy and religion at the school. Jamkar told him about the new monastery, located about a 15-minute car drive away.

Dolan, who spent a week assisting in clean-up and construction following Hurricane Katrina, offered to help prepare the building. And on Sunday he brought six other college students and friends to help as well.

"This just sounded like a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon," Dolan said.

The building that will house the Buddhist center was once the studio and retail space for Gallery in the Woods, a business run by Dante and Suzanne Corsano that sells "visionary, surreal and world folk art," according to their Web site.

Dante Corsano said the building, which he occasionally also used throughout the years for yoga and meditation, has been empty since he shut down the retail store to focus on the Brattleboro operations. He was pleased to see the space so quickly find a use.

"When they came here to check it out they meditated inside for a while," he said. "They needed to see if the area had the right vibe and if the space had good karma."

Geshe Ngawang Singey, a Tibetan monk since he was 16 years old, said he accepted the building because he felt at peace there. He will be the full-time resident teacher at the facility and holds a Geshe degree, the highest obtainable level in the religion.

"This is the right place because it is very peaceful," he said through an interpreter on Sunday. "It is very quiet and clear here and perfect for meditating."

http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061023/NEWS/610230368/1003/NEWS02

2006-10-24T16:32:00.000-07:00

No. 1196

A Show of Zen
(China Daily October 23, 2006)

The audience was sitting on the mat-like hassocks that monks use for meditation. The crowd was dazzled by shining stars and a moon in the sky actually made of small electronic lights. They delighted in the special stunt work, such as swordplay in the treetops and creative kung fu.

In the distance stood a temple specially constructed for the show, in which monks could be seen doing their daily duties. Nearer was a bridge where most of the show's plots unfolded. Closest to the audience were five monks who sat meditating throughout the show.

The show, entitled "Zen Shaolin," was staged as a pilot on October 16 in the Daixiangou Valley of the Songshan Mountain, 7 kilometres from the Shaolin Temple in Central China's Henan Province. There, the audience can appreciate the performance set against the background of mountains, trees and stars.

Shaolin Temple, located in Dengfeng of Henan Province, is famous for its martial arts and attracts large amount of tourists. However, since the Shaolin Temple closes at 5 pm, few tourists stay in Dengfeng overnight, with most of them heading for Luoyang or Zhengzhou after their visit.

The show is part of an effort to get people to stick around after hours and to boost the local economy, said Mei Shuaiyuan, producer and script-writer of "Zen Shaolin." When the show opens in March 2007 near the Shaolin Temple, he expects a daily audience of 1,500 will attend, and many of them will stay in Dengfeng overnight.

Mei has reasons to be confident. The last show he produced, "Impression Liu Sanjie," which premiered in 2004 in Yangshuo of South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, attracts a daily audience of 2,500, Mei said.

Both "Impression Liu Sanjie" and "Zen Shaolin" are shows performed on original sites, and both sites are hot tourist attractions, but there is also a star-studded crew to entice audiences.

"Impression Liu Sanjie" is directed by famous director Zhang Yimou, while "Zen Shaolin" features Tan Dun, who is not only the composer of the show's music, but also the artistic director of the entire performance.

"Zen Shaolin" also features other established artists such as choreographer Huang Doudou who is also a pop dancer, set designer Zeng Li and lighting designer Yi Liming.

"If scenes of 'Impression Liu Sanjie' can be compared to a widescreen, then scenes of 'Zen Shaolin' are like the vertical scrolls of Chinese painting," Mei said.

It was in Shaolin Temple that the 28th patriarch of the Buddhist Bodhidharma founded the Zen school of Buddhism in the 6th century. It is said that Bodhidharma meditated for nine years in Shaolin Temple, and he used to practise martial arts to ensure his health for meditation.

"Zen and martial arts are two important features of the Shaolin Temple, but most people know much less about Zen than about martial arts," said Shi Yongxin, abbot of Shaolin Temple and cultural consultant of "Zen Shaolin."

"Zen is a kind of creativity and wisdom and it is very beneficial to the people who learn it."

As an artist, Tan has a different explanation of Zen.

"Zen is something hard to explain. It's like when you are not sure whether a person loves you or not, when you don't know how to speak about it and you'd rather not speak about it," Tan said. "Probably, Zen is something that can be better explained through music, lighting and movements rather than verbal language."

In the five scenes of "Zen Shaolin" "Water Music," "Wood Music," "Wind Music," "Lighting Music" and "Stone Music" Tan tries to integrate music with natural elements to create something he calls "organic music."

He also adopts pieces of traditional music Buddhist and secular including the Buddhist chant "Incantation of Great Mercy" (Da Bei Zhou) and Henan's local music "Hua Liushui," which is said to be the origin of the classical Chinese musical work "High Mountain, Flowing Water" (Gaoshan Liushui).

Tan explained that Zen was not a solely Buddhist doctrine in China, but rather, was always interrelated with other elements of Chinese culture.

The show of "Zen Shaolin" covers an area of 3 square kilometres, and the highest point of the performance is at an altitude of about 1,400 metres above sea level.

"In this natural environment, our ideas often come from the weather, wind and natural sounds," said choreographer Huang. "I experienced many things for the first time while choreographing for the show."

The show runs for 70 minutes long and involves some 600 actors, most of whom are students from martial arts schools in Dengfeng. After March 2007, it will be performed nightly except for a hiatus spanning the chilly months from November to February. If it rains, organizers will provide raincoats for the audience.

"I hope 'Zen Shaolin' will be a successful project and contribute to the local economy," said Shi Yongxin.

How much the show will contribute to the local economy will only be known after March, but the project has already involved a great amount of local labour. Mei said one-fourth of the actors were farmers from the four nearby villagers.

The staff of "Zen Shaolin" are still revising the work, while Mei is already preparing for two new shows on original sites, one in Dujiangyan in Southwest China's Sichuan Province and the other in Halong Bay of Viet Nam.

In addition to "Impression Liu Sanjie," Mei is anticipating four of his works will be performed daily in different places in the future.

He is also planning to build a temple-style hotel near the Shaolin Temple, where audiences of "Zen Shaolin" can stay and practise Zen meditation.

According to Mei, 80 million yuan (US$9.86 million) has been invested in "Zen Shaolin," and his plan to create a tourist area, which will include the performance and hotel, will cost a total of 350 million yuan (US$43 million).

http://www.china.org.cn/english/culture/185757.htm

2006-10-24T16:26:00.000-07:00

No. 1195 ( Upekha dịch)

TV drama set at Buddhist grottoes

Source: CCTV.com
10-23-2006 08:04
The Dunhuang grottoes are a dreamland, both for Buddhists and art-lovers from across the world. A new T-V series, chronicling the history of the site, and its sculptures, begins on CCTV next month. It's the first-ever television drama, to focus on the awe-inspiring stone gallery.

Cast members gathered to promote the 46 episode drama, "Dunhuang". It tells of the grotto's early significance, as a hiding place for Buddhist scriptures, about one thousand years ago; and of its chance re-discovery at the turn of the 19th century. At every tumultuous turning point in history, devoted souls protected the trove from being looted or destroyed.

Lead actress Chen Hao says she became a flying Apsaras, from a pattern found on the Dunhuang murals.

Chen Hao said:"When people mention Dunhuang, you think of the 'flying Apsaras'. I was lucky to be chosen for the dance. The last shot, being flung from the cliff, was very beautiful - like flying to heaven."

Not so lucky as Chen Hao, actor Huang Haibing got buried alive.

Actor Huang Haibing said:"We dug a huge hole in the desert, and the sand kept flowing in. I was getting smothered. My eyes, ears and nose were full of sand. I was pulling sand out from everywhere, the whole night."

With an intricate plot, and spectacular scenery, Dunhuang is sure to captivate the TV audience.

http://www.cctv.com/program/cultureexpress/20061023/100290.shtml

2006-10-23T12:29:00.000-07:00

No. 1194 (Minh Chau dich)
Fresh start for Buddhists
Buddhists celebrate rebuilt Yorba Linda temple on Sunday.
Monday, October 23, 2006
By ERIK ORTIZ
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
YORBA LINDA – The altar was lit in a golden hue, reflecting off a statue of the reclining Buddha, depicting the moment before his death and entrance into Nirvana.
Shinso Ito, head of the Shinnyo-en order of Buddhism, chanted in front of the statue as about 260 people echoed the words behind her in the worship hall.
Sunday's ritual was part of the grand opening of the rebuilt Shinnyo-en Buddhist USA Temple, one of six in the United States. The Yorba Linda location is home to 1,500 members from throughout Southern California and as far away as Las Vegas and Phoenix.
It also is the only temple in the country with a designated space to hold the ceremony of Saito Homa, an ancient Buddhist fire ritual planned for next spring.
Ito, who made a special trip from Japan, is considered the Keishu-sama, or successor, to Shinnyo-en founder Shinjo Ito, who died in 1989. The order has an estimated 800,000 followers worldwide.
"Before (Ito) got here, the Buddha statue was just a statue," said temple staff member Jay Gibson of Yorba Linda. "We don't pray to that image, but we recognize the spirit that the Buddha represents. She has opened the eyes of that Buddha statue."
With her dark hair streaked with blue and yellow coloring for the festivities and a vermillion surplice, the diminutive Ito thanked the audience, which included more than 500 others watching from television screens throughout the temple.
"Let us carry the sacred wish of bringing peace to the world and contribute to building a future world that is full of hope," Ito said in Japanese to the audience.
Orange County's Shinnyo-en Buddhist temple opened in 1990 in a former residence that seated 35 people. A growing membership required the temple to expand, and the original building was demolished in 2004 to make way for the new, 22,000-square-foot stucco structure.
Although many of the temple's members are of Japanese heritage, they make sure to incorporate American customs, Gibson said. For instance, no one has to take off their shoes upon entering.
And after the ritual, a group of youths belonging to the temple greeted Ito in a distinctly American way, singing a round of the Disney tune, "It's a Small World." They then presented her with a glass bowl of marbles: blue ones representing the Buddha's teachings as a vast ocean and clear ones signifying the nature of the Buddha in all people.
"I was so nervous," said Jack Nguyen, 18, of Claremont, his hand still visibly shaking after handing Ito the gift. "I thought I was just going to put it on the table, but she took it from my hands."
Rina Reyes, 28, of Fountain Valley said she was impressed by the ceremony.
"This is a place where people of different backgrounds can come together," said Reyes, who grew up Catholic.
For Judy Blanco, becoming a Buddhist with her daughters has given them a religion that is "inclusive and non-judgmental," she said.
When a smiling Ito brushed past Blanco, tears formed in the Santa Barbara woman's eyes.
"You can feel the joy and affection in her face and voice," Blanco later said. "You don't need to know Japanese to understand."

By ERIK ORTIZ
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
YORBA LINDA – The altar was lit in a golden hue, reflecting off a statue of the reclining Buddha, depicting the moment before his death and entrance into Nirvana.
Shinso Ito, head of the Shinnyo-en order of Buddhism, chanted in front of the statue as about 260 people echoed the words behind her in the worship hall.
Sunday's ritual was part of the grand opening of the rebuilt Shinnyo-en Buddhist USA Temple, one of six in the United States. The Yorba Linda location is home to 1,500 members from throughout Southern California and as far away as Las Vegas and Phoenix.
It also is the only temple in the country with a designated space to hold the ceremony of Saito Homa, an ancient Buddhist fire ritual planned for next spring.
Ito, who made a special trip from Japan, is considered the Keishu-sama, or successor, to Shinnyo-en founder Shinjo Ito, who died in 1989. The order has an estimated 800,000 followers worldwide.
"Before (Ito) got here, the Buddha statue was just a statue," said temple staff member Jay Gibson of Yorba Linda. "We don't pray to that image, but we recognize the spirit that the Buddha represents. She has opened the eyes of that Buddha statue."
With her dark hair streaked with blue and yellow coloring for the festivities and a vermillion surplice, the diminutive Ito thanked the audience, which included more than 500 others watching from television screens throughout the temple.
"Let us carry the sacred wish of bringing peace to the world and contribute to building a future world that is full of hope," Ito said in Japanese to the audience.
Orange County's Shinnyo-en Buddhist temple opened in 1990 in a former residence that seated 35 people. A growing membership required the temple to expand, and the original building was demolished in 2004 to make way for the new, 22,000-square-foot stucco structure.
Although many of the temple's members are of Japanese heritage, they make sure to incorporate American customs, Gibson said. For instance, no one has to take off their shoes upon entering.
And after the ritual, a group of youths belonging to the temple greeted Ito in a distinctly American way, singing a round of the Disney tune, "It's a Small World." They then presented her with a glass bowl of marbles: blue ones representing the Buddha's teachings as a vast ocean and clear ones signifying the nature of the Buddha in all people.
"I was so nervous," said Jack Nguyen, 18, of Claremont, his hand still visibly shaking after handing Ito the gift. "I thought I was just going to put it on the table, but she took it from my hands."
Rina Reyes, 28, of Fountain Valley said she was impressed by the ceremony.
"This is a place where people of different backgrounds can come together," said Reyes, who grew up Catholic.
For Judy Blanco, becoming a Buddhist with her daughters has given them a religion that is "inclusive and non-judgmental," she said.
When a smiling Ito brushed past Blanco, tears formed in the Santa Barbara woman's eyes.
"You can feel the joy and affection in her face and voice," Blanco later said. "You don't need to know Japanese to understand."

2006-10-18T19:02:00.000-07:00

No 1187 (Hạt Cát dịch)
A Buddhist temple in Russia celebrates 10th founding anniversary

Tibet.net[Tuesday, October 17, 2006 20:28]

Golden Temple, a Buddhist temple in Elista
Dharamshala: Gaden Shedrup Choekhorling, the main Buddhist temple in Elista, Kalmykia, turned 10 on 6 October 2006 and the day was declared as a national holiday by the President of Kalmykia.

The main Buddhist temple was opened on 5 October 1996 and consecrated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 30 November 2004.

Mr. Tashi, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Russia, took part in the celebration.

Hundreds of people gathered during the celebration at the temple, including President Kirsan Ilumjhinov, Kalmyk Prime Minister, governmental officials and representatives from Russian Orthodox Church and Islam.

The celebration started with prayers recited by Buddhist monks from Gyume Gomang monastery and local Kalmyk monks.

Kalmyk President Kirsan Ilumjhinov
Representative Tashi read the greeting message sent by the Department of Religion and Culture of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) on the occasion.

Gaden Shedrup Choedhorling Buddhist Temple awarded a medal to President Kirsan for his help and enthusiasm in reviving Buddhism in the Republic and a Certificate of Close Cooperation in reviving Buddhism in Kalmykia to Kalmyk Prime Minister and Representative Tashi.

On the same day a conference on reviving Buddhism in Kalmykia was held. It was attended by more than 70 experts and specialists. During the conference Representative Tashi delivered the opening speech. During this visit he met with the Culture Minister, Larisa Vasilieva, Telo Rinpoche, Press Secretary of President Kirsan, Tibet Support Group's Chairwoman, Antonina Kookueva and Parliament member, Baatar Aduchiev.

On 7 October 2006, a meeting of local Tibetans in Kalmykia was called on where 30 Tibetan monks and thangka painters working in Elista Buddhist temple have attended. Representative Tashi briefred them on the current situation of Tibet and the ongoing Sino-Tibetan dialogue.

A recorded speech of Kalon Tripa, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche on CTA's present policy on Tibet was shown.

http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=14317&article=

A+Buddhist+temple+in+Russia+celebrates+10th+founding+anniversary&t=1&c=1

2006-10-18T18:41:00.000-07:00

No 1185 Minh Chau dich

Buddhist nun in Israel to teach meditation

By RYAN NADEL, Jerusalem Post, Oct. 11, 2006
Jerusalem, Israel -- The Upper Galilee's natural tranquility has been enhanced recently by the presence of Venerable Tenzin Palmo, one of the first Western women ordained as a Buddhist nun.

<< Tenzin Palmo

The Dharma Friends of Israel, an Israeli network of individuals who study and practice Buddhism and meditation, regularly brings teachers of Buddhism to the country. Tenzin, originally from London, came for the first time at the end of September to teach courses and lead retreats for three weeks. The lectures and retreats were held in various locations across the country, most of them at Kibbutz Tuval in the North.

The final retreat began this week, focusing on a meditation study program directed at understanding the nature of the mind as the basis of all our experiences. The retreat, which lasts for five days, is held in complete silence.

Tenzin, who speaks with a soft British accent and gently emphasizes her words with delicate hands, expressed a familiarity with Judaism and an excitement to be in Israel, "I was brought up in a Jewish district of London and my sister in law is Jewish. It is interesting for me to finally see the places you hear about," she said.

Her journey to the Buddhist nunnery began during her teenage years. "As a child I knew I always needed more," she said. "I tried reading the Bible and the Koran, but I realized that I was not theistically inclined."

In pursuit of her spiritual path, she traveled to India in 1964 at 20. She found her place in the community of Himachal Pradesh, where she studied with the eighth Khamtrul Rinpoche, eventually being ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist nun.

Tenzin remained at this community for six years until she was instructed to pursue a more intense practice, ultimately finding the quiet and peacefulness she longed for in a cave; she remained there for 12 years, the last three in strict retreat. "The hardships didn't matter; I was just happy to be there," she said.

Now she directs her energies to the administration of a nunnery, which she founded in 1999, traveling globally to raise support for it. The nunnery focuses on the spiritual development of women, teaching them philosophy, rituals, English and other practical skills.

The religiously charged environment of Israel and the broader Middle East reinforce a fundamental aspect of Tenzin's approach. "Buddhism is open because it is not based on the idea of a chosen people. It's based on a different perception... The problems here are based on the fact that everyone thinks they are right, they believe God is on their side, and it's ironic because everyone is talking about the same God. Buddhism comes as a relief to this because it is outside of the picture; it's not a part of this ancient strife," she said.

Tenzin lamented the current growth of fundamentalism. "Society is the most educated it has ever been, yet we've retreated behind the most primitive beliefs," she said, suggesting that certain Buddhist beliefs counteract the march toward fundamentalism, especially the belief in reincarnation and Buddhism's openness to other means of spiritual enlightenment.

She dismissed any conflict between the participants' Jewish beliefs and her teachings. "One can be a perfectly good Jew and learn to meditate and calm the mind," she said.

Her lectures focused on the power and importance of meditation. "Normally we are not conscious of how agitated our mind is," she explained. "Meditation is a two-step process; first you have to quiet the mind, then you look into the nature of the mind itself."

2006-10-17T17:57:00.000-07:00

No. 1173 (tinhtan dịch)

Trưởng lão HT Ratana nhậm chức Sư Trưởng Tu viện Maha Vihara

Ngày 9 tháng 10, 2006

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Trưởng lão HT Dhammaratana Thera, được biết như là Ngài Ratana, đã nhậm chức Sư Trưởng Tu viện Maha Vihara tại Brickfields ngày qua.

Lễ nhậm chức đơn giản được cử hành cùng với lễ dâng y Kathina, một ngày tỏ lòng tôn kính đến Chư Tăng.

Trưởng lão HT Ratana thay thế Cố Hòa Thượng Tiến Sĩ K. Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Maha Thera đã viên tịch vào ngày 31 tháng 08 hưởng thọ 87 tuổi.

Trưởng lão HT Ratana đã nói với tạp chí The Star rằng Ngài sẽ tiếp tục sự lãnh đạo của Ngài cố Hòa thượng với trọng tâm xây dựng một thế hệ trẻ của các thanh thiếu niên đáng thương.

“Trong sự quan tâm của tôi, các phụ huynh đang gặp khó khăn với giới trẻ mà chúng đang gia tăng chống đối và các phụ huynh tìm thấy khó khăn để cải tiến chúng. Vì lý do này, tôi hy vọng tổ chức các sinh hoạt khác nhau để hướng dẫn giới trẻ đừng thách thức cha mẹ chúng. Hầu hết chúng không chịu nói ra khi chúng giận dữ vì có thể chúng nói những điều sai và làm thương tổn kẻ khác.” Ngài nói thêm.

Sư còn kêu gọi những người Mã Lai đang sống trong xã hội nhiều chủng tộc để tôn trọng tôn giáo của nhau và giá trị con người. “ Nếu người lớn không thực tập sự khoan hồng, kiên nhẫn và độ lượng, thì hạt giống của sự bất mãn sẽ tiếp tục nẩy nở trong thế hệ trẻ. Điều này sẽ không tốt cho nền kinh tế và sự phát triển xã hội của đất nước”, Ngài nói như trên.

Thiện tín đánh dấu ngày lễ Kathina bằng cách dâng y và cúng dường thực phẩm đến Chư Tăng. Hội Truyền giáo Phật giáo của Mã Lai, thư ký Datuk chee Peck Kiat đã nói rằng điều này đem lại giây phút hoan hỷ cho thiện tín đã tham dự trong dịp lễ này.

Trưởng lão HT Ratana sinh tại Ceylon vào ngày 24 tháng 07, năm 1948 đã đến tu viện Brickfields vào ngày 8 tháng Ba, năm 1980.

Trong số đóng góp của Ngài suốt 26 năm phục vụ tu viện là sự hình thành của Trung tâm Phúc lợi Ti-Ratana bệnh xá miễn phí tại Ampang Jaya và nhà ở miễn phí bán phần cho các bệnh nhân ngoại trú tìm sự điều trị tại đây.

Trưởng lão HT Ratana nhận thức rằng là một vị Sư Trưởng phải đối đầu với những thử thách lớn lao. Nhưng Ngài rất kiên trường. Ngài quyết định để hiện đaị hóa Phật Pháp và chỉ bày cho các thiện tín làm thế nào để đương đầu với đời sống tân thời một cách thích đáng

“Trong xã hội hiện đại, con người không đi đến các vị lãnh đạo tôn giáo để tìm lời khuyên vì họ quá bận rộn với công việc” Ngài nói. “Nhưng là một lãnh đạo tôn giáo, bổn phận và trách nhiệm của tôi là tìm đến họ.”
“Trong khả năng của tôi, tôi hy vọng tôi có thể tiếp tục sứ mạng của Ngài Hòa Thượng Dhammananda). Trưởng lão HT Ratana cũng hy vọng rằng làm việc với các vị lãnh đạo chính trị quốc gia trong việc xây dựng phát triển đất nước.

(tinhtan dịch)

Venerable Ratana installed as Maha Vihara chief monk

The Star, October 9, 2006

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Ven K. Dhammaratana Thera, better known as Rev Ratana, was installed as chief monk of the Maha Vihara temple in Brickfields yesterday.

The simple installation ceremony coincided with Kathina, a day of showing respect to monks. Rev Ratana replaces Ven Dr K. Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Maha Thera, who passed away on Aug 31 at the age of 87.

Rev Ratana told The Star that he would continue from the old leadership with focus on building a younger generation of compassionate youths.

“From my observation, parents are having difficulty with youths who are growing rebellious and they find difficulty in bringing them up.

“For this reason, I hope to organise different activities to guide youths to not challenge their parents.
“Most of all they must not speak when they are angry as they may say the wrong things and hurt others,” he added.

He also called on Malaysians living in a multi-racial society to respect each other’s religious and human values. “If adults do not practise tolerance, patience and compassion, then the seeds of discontent will continue with the younger generation.

“This will not be good for the economic and social progress of the nation,” he said.
Devotees marked Kathina by giving away alms in the form of robes and food to monks. Buddhist Missionary Societies of Malaysia secretary Datuk Chee Peck Kiat said it was a moment of happiness for the devotees to be part of the occasion.
Born in Ceylon on July 24, 1948, Rev Ratana arrived at the Brickfields temple on March 8, 1980.

Among his contributions during his 26 years of temple service were the setting up of the Ti-Ratana Welfare Centre free clinic at Ampang Jaya and a halfway house for outstation patients seeking treatment here.

Rev Ratana acknowledged that as a chief monk he had to face big challenges. But he is undaunted. He is determined to modernise the teaching of Buddhism and to show devotees how relevant it is in coping with modern life.

“In modern society, people no longer go to religious leaders to seek advice as they are too busy with work,” he said. “But as a religious leader, it is my duty and responsibility to reach out to them.

“Within my capacity, I hope I will be able to continue his (Rev Dhammananda's) service.” Rev Ratana also hoped to work with the country's political leaders in building a developed nation.

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=56,3269,0,0,1,0

2006-10-13T20:31:00.000-07:00

No. 1167 (tinhtan dich)

Một di sản Phật Tích lôi cuốn du khách tại Ấn Độ

Ngày 4 tháng 10, 2006.
Được viết bởi Nimrala George

Bodh Gaya, Ấn Độ (AP) – Con lộ dẫn đến Bồ Đề ĐạoTràng, một trong những Phật tích linh thiêng nhất, quả thật dài và cam go.

Bốn giờ xe bị dằn xóc trên những đường ổ gà để qua trạm thuế đường. Lưng tôi bị đau và tôi cần chữa bệnh cột sống hơn là chữa bệnh tâm linh mà điều này đã đưa tôi đến Bihar, một địa danh nghèo đổ nát vì những tội ác đáng kinh hãi và vô luật lệ.

Nhưng tất cả cơn đau trong người tôi đã biến mất khi tôi bước vào sự yên tĩnh vô cùng của liên hợp Tu viện Bồ Đề Đạo Tràng và được sự tôn nghiêm của ngôi cổ tự thiêng liêng qua nhiều thế kỷ đã rửa sạch tôi.

Nơi đó, dưới bóng mát của cây cổ thụ, nơi mà lá xào xạc pha lẫn với sự an tĩnh, lời tụng kinh nhịp nhàng của mantras và tiếng lách cách của lần chuổi, một nhóm Chư Tăng ngồi với y cà sa vàng hòa điệu trong lời kinh.

Tu viện Mahabodhi được chạm trỗ tinh vi, ngôi cổ tự Phật tích thiêng liêng và điểm đến phổ thông cho những người tìm cầu Niết Bàn, đánh dấu địa điểm nơi mà hoàng tử Siddhartha đã trở thành một vị ẩn tu lãnh đạo tâm linh tức Bồ Tát Gautama, đã chứng ngộ Chánh Đảng Chánh Giác cách đây hơn 2,500 năm sau khi tận lực hành thiền. Kể từ đó, Ngài trở thành một vị Phật hay “Bậc Giác Ngộ”. Ngày nay, có khoảng 360 triệu Phật tử khắp hoàn cầu.

Bihar là một bàn cờ của địa điểm Phật giáo thiêng liêng. Một vài giờ xe từ Bồ Đề Đạo Tràng là một thành phố của Rajgir, nơi mà Đức Phật đã giảng dạy giáo pháp. Gần đó là Nalanda, một trong các đại học ra đời sớm nhất của thế giới đã được hưng thịnh vào thế kỷ thứ 5 trước Công Nguyên.

Trong khi tỉnh này không thu hút các du khách tôn giáo, chính quyền nói rằng dấu chân Phật tử càng gia tăng mạnh mẽ. Từ năm 2002, khi mà Tu viện Mahabodhi đã được mệnh danh là một đia điểm Di sản Thế giới, Bồ Đề Đạo Tràng đã nhận thấy một sự gia tăng du khách đều đặn. Khi mùa hạ nóng bức của Ấn Độ nhường lại mùa mưa và khí hậu mát lạnh vào tháng Mười, khách hành hương lũ lượt viếng thăm.

“Trong đời sống đua chen của con người, càng gia tăng, có lẽ bản năng, có khuynh hướng để khám phá chính nội tâm của chúng ta. Và nhất là du khách đến đây đang tìm vào sự an tĩnh của nội tâm.” Ông Rama Shankar Tewari, trưởng đòan hành hương Bihar đã phát biểu như trên.

Cơ quan hữu trách du lịch đang cố gắng để thâu ngân quỹ với một cuộc vận động lôi cuốn du khách, “ Đến Ấn Độ: Thiền hành với Đức Phật.” Nhờ một phần như vây, những đường lộ được đấp lát lại, các viện bảo tàng đã được phục hồi và vệ sinh công cộng được xây và sửa chữa lại.

Nghi lễ hàng năm lần thứ 2,550 của Đức Phật nhập diệt, gọi là Đại Bát Niết Bàn (Parinirvana), bắt đầu vào tháng 5, nhưng các chương trình đã được nâng cao thuận lợi dần dần trong vòng 25 năm tới.

Và mặc dù những con đường gồ ghề, những kẻ ăn xin, và những kẻ buôn nữ trang dạo bán các tượng Phật bằng nhựa, các sâu chìa khóa khắc hình dấu chân Phật và các chuỗi hạt- Thuyết tâm linh tràn ngập khắp nơi tại đây.

Sự an tĩnh được truyền vào du khách khi họ viếng thăm Bồ Đề Đạo Tràng, tọa lạc tại một vùng nghiêng thoai thoải. Các Sư Cô áo trắng ngồi kiết già dưới chân của một tượng Phật to lớn được chạm trổ và mạ vàng, ngân nga các bài kinh pháp một cách buồn thảm. Tu viện và cây Bồ Đề bên cạnh, dưới bóng cội Bồ Đề đó mà Đức Phật đã chứng ngộ Chánh Đảng Chánh Giác, đã là một địa điểm hành hương từ lâu đời.

Bồ Đề ĐạoTràng cũng là nơi hàng tá tu viện được xây dựng và duy trì bởi những quốc gia Phật giáo khác nhau. Tu viện Thái Lan, với những tượng Phật mạ vàng, với màu sơn tường sáng rực và màn treo tường bằng tơ lụa cung hiến một sự trái ngược với nhiều đường nét mộc mạc của tu viện Nhật Bản, hay kiểu kiến trúc Hy Mã Lạp Sơn của tu viện Tây Tạng, với hình rồng chạm trổ, cờ tam tài và lối đi có mái vòm.

(tinhtan dịch)

India's Buddhist heritage a draw

October 4, 2006
By Nimrala George Associated Press

BODH GAYA, India (AP) -- The road to Bodh Gaya, one of Buddhism's holiest sites, had been long and strenuous.

Four hours of jolting along potholed roads had taken their toll. My back was sore and I was more in need of spinal therapy than the spiritual therapy that had brought me to Bihar, a poverty-wracked state infamous for its appalling crime and lawlessness.

But my all-too human aches fled when I entered the sprawling silence of the Mahabodhi Temple complex and let the serenity of the centuries-old shrine wash over me.

There, under the canopy of an ancient peepul tree, where the rustling of leaves mingled with the quiet, rhythmic chanting of mantras and the clicking of prayer beads, sat a group of saffron-robed Buddhist monks engrossed in prayer.

The elaborately carved Mahabodhi Temple, Buddhism's holiest shrine and a popular destination for nirvana seekers, marks the site where the prince-turned-hermit-turned-spiritual-leader, Gautama Siddhartha, attained enlightenment some 2,500 years ago after intense meditation.

From then on, he was known as the Buddha, or "Enlightened One."

Today, there are an estimated 360 million Buddhists around the globe.

Bihar is a checkerboard of Buddhist holy sites. A few hours drive from Bodh Gaya is the town of Rajgir, where the Buddha taught and prayed. Nearby is Nalanda, one of the world's earliest universities, which flourished in the 5th century B.C.

The state is also an increasingly important stop for wealthy tourists, many seeking their own, luxurious form of enlightenment.

For years, those tourists were largely people who grew up Buddhist, often in Japan, Thailand or Sri Lanka. But increasingly, Buddhism's appeal has spread to the West, where the Buddha's teachings about nonviolence and spiritualism have been melded with beliefs ranging from Judaism to atheism.

But Bihar isn't ready-made for wealthy tourists.

While India's economic boom has spurred economic development in many regions, Bihar has lagged badly, with a state government nearly paralyzed by corruption and mismanagement. Tourists are advised to return to their hotels before dark and to stick to government-licensed taxis and buses to avoid being - literally - taken for a ride.

So while there are glass-walled shopping malls outside New Delhi and high-end spa resorts in India's southern backwaters, much of Bihar struggles with barely paved roads, on-and-off electricity and rampant crime.

That has meant that despite its abundance of Buddhist treasures, the state fails to draw its full share of tourists.

Not that Bihar isn't trying.

While the state doesn't track religious tourists, officials say the Buddhist trail is increasingly hot. Since 2002, when the Mahabodhi Temple was named a World Heritage site, Bodh Gaya has seen a steady rise in visitors. As India's torrid summer gives way to the monsoon rains and cooler weather in October, they come flocking.

"In the fast-paced lives that people lead, increasingly perhaps instinctively there is a trend to discover our inner selves. And most of the tourists who come here are doing so in search of that inner peace," said Rama Shankar Tewari, Bihar's top tourism official.

Tourism authorities are trying to cash in with an ambitious tourist campaign, "Come to India: Walk with the Buddha." As part of that, roads are being re paved, museums are being refurbished and public restrooms being built or repaired.

Security around the shrines and monasteries has also been stepped up to ensure that pilgrims are not hounded too much by touts and beggars. Still, most sites have their share of children holding out stick-thin arms and trinket vendors periodically shooed away by security guards.

A year-long celebration of the 2,550th anniversary of the Buddha's death, called the Parinirvana, began in May, but plans to gradually upgrade facilities will unfold over 25 years.

The detailed blueprint includes numerous luxury and budget hotels around the Buddhist circuit. It also includes a world-class 18-hole golf course in Bodh Gaya and luxurious spas, said Manoj Srivastava, who heads Bihar's state-run tourism development corporation.

If that seems odd logic - bringing the hedonism of golf to a land steeped in both spiritualism and poverty - Srivastava disagrees.

"While Bihar's rich trove of Buddhist treasures serve the spiritual quest, the average traveler is also looking to relax," he said.

And despite it all - despite the bad roads, the beggars and the trinket-vendors selling plastic Buddha statues, key chains with imprints of the Buddha's feet and kitschy bead necklaces - spiritualism is everywhere here.

"Everyone warned me against visiting Bihar. Even after we landed in India, people kept saying: 'Be careful, it's Bihar.' But our experience has been splendid," said Natalie Halle, a schoolteacher from Valencia, Spain, visiting Bodh Gaya for the second time in as many years.

"The serenity about this place, brings you back, and you forget all the warnings," she said.

A hush descends on visitors when they visit the Mahabodhi Temple, which rises from a gently sloping hollow. White-robed nuns sit cross-legged at the foot of the enormous carved and gilded Buddha statue, reading holy verses in a deep sonorous hum.

The temple and the adjoining Mahabodhi tree, under the shade of which Buddha attained enlightenment, has long been a pilgrimage destination.

Bodh Gaya is also home to dozens of monasteries built and maintained by various Buddhist countries. Thailand's monastery, with its gilded Buddha statues, brilliantly colored wall paintings and rich silken wall hangings offers a contrast to the more simplistic lines of the Japanese temple, or the Himalayan architectural style of the Tibetan monastery, with its carved dragons, pennants and archways.

As I set out from Patna as dawn was breaking one recent morning, the distant purple hills were shrouded in a hazy mist, the road flanked by a patchwork of verdant rice fields dotted with ponds and thatched houses.

My destination was the international World Peace stupa, a shrine a few miles from Rajgir. Access is by an "aerial rope-way" - a euphemism for a chain of rickety bucket chairs strung on a pulley - which takes you to the top of the hill in seven minutes. Otherwise, it's an arduous hour-long trek.

Hundreds of visitors line up each day, many looking more for the rope-way's thrill and the spectacular views than for some sort of enlightenment.

I had a momentary twinge of fear as I was pushed into a chair as it slowed down - barely - to pick me up. But it was a smooth ride to the top. A leisurely stroll brought me to a sprawling Japanese-built monastery, its wide open doors producing an air-conditioned effect from the sharp breezes that blow in. "The breeze makes you forget that there's been no power for more than two hours," said G. Okonogi, a Japanese monk who has made the remote monastery his home for over 25 years.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TRAVEL/10/03/india.buddhism.ap/index.html

2006-10-11T17:39:00.000-07:00

No. 1176 (Hạt Cát dịch)

11 October, 2006
INDIA
A hundred thousand Dalits gather in Maharashtra to burn anti-conversion laws
by Nirmala Carvalho

“World Freedom of Conscience and Freedom of Religion Day” will be held on October 14 in Nagpur. People will be able to forsake India’s caste system by making a written statement.

New Delhi (AsiaNews) – More than 100,000 Indian Dalits or outcastes are meeting on Saturday in Nagpur, Maharashtra, to publicly burn copies of the anti-conversion laws adopted by some of India’s states and express their support to anyone who wants to abandon the Indian caste system. The event will also mark the 50th anniversary of the conversion from Hinduism to Buddhism of Baba Ambedkar, the charismatic “architect of the Indian Constitution” and first law minister of independent India.

The rally, called the “World Freedom of Conscience and Freedom of Religion Day”, will be held at Kasturchand Park where, according to the chairman of the All India Confederation of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes Organisations, copies of the so-called anti-conversion laws will be symbolically burnt.

Udit Raj, who is fighting for Dalit equality, said that “the government of Gujarat has approved an anti-conversion law that describes Jainism and Buddhism as ‘Hindu sects’. We are outraged by this ridiculous action.”

“On the one hand, Hindu extremists have nothing better to do than accuse and harass Christians and Muslims for allegedly carrying out mass conversions; on the other, they are trying to include two great religions in their own. Where is freedom of conscience?” he asked.

The rally will also give people the opportunity to forsake the Indian caste system by making a written statement.

Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain and even progressive Hindu leaders are expected.

“We love our country,” Joseph D’Souza, international president of the Dalit Freedom Network and chairman of the All India Christian Council, said. “India is the world’s largest democracy and an amazing land of diversity. Yet our nation must recognise the evil of a system which doesn’t allow people to express freedom of conscience.”

At present, anti-conversion laws are in place in Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.

http://www.asianews.it/view.php?l=en&art=7449

2006-10-11T16:05:00.000-07:00

No. 1175 (Minh Châu dịch)

First endowed Professorship in Buddhist Studies in the UK is established at Oxford
The Buddhist Channel, October 11, 2006

Oxford, UK -- An endowed chair in Buddhist Studies is to be established at the University of Oxford. It will be the first such chair in the UK.

The chair has been endowed by means of a generous benefaction, held in trust by Balliol College, from the Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (BDK) of Tokyo, which is a society for the promotion of Buddhism. The Chair is named after the BDK’s founder, Mr Yehan Numata.

The Numata Chair will be a member of the Oriental Studies Faculty in the Humanities Division of Oxford University, and the Professor, once appointed, will be a fellow of Balliol College.

The postholder will also be affiliated with the recently-founded Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies (OCBS), which is a Recognised Independent Centre of the University of Oxford. A Recognised Independent Centre is an institution that is not part of the University, but works with the University in research and teaching. As well as being a Professor of Oxford University, the postholder will play a key academic role within the OCBS.

Professor Martin Goodman, Chairman of the Board of Oriental Studies at Oxford, said: ‘This is a major step in the establishment of Buddhist Studies at Oxford. The creation of the post is especially welcome in the Oriental Studies Faculty. This post will enable teaching and research at the highest academic level of the complex texts and languages in which the Buddhist teaching has been communicated; this is where the faculty excels, providing the ideal academic environment for this Chair.

‘Our faculty has a long and distinguished history of teaching Buddhist topics, and has produced prominent figures in the scholarly field, but this is the first time a post in Buddhist Studies has been established in perpetuity. There is a definite need for the expansion of the teaching of Buddhism in some of the most dynamic sections of our faculty, especially within the sub-faculties of East Asia and South and Inner Asia. At the same time, Buddhism is a pan-Asian phenomenon, and the increased study of Buddhism within Oriental Studies will link together our different subfaculties in innovative ways.’

Professor Richard Gombrich, Emeritus Professor of Sanskrit at Oxford University and Academic Director of the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies, said: ‘This benefaction is a milestone in the history of Buddhist Studies. It will enable this University to continue and enhance the internationally recognised tradition of teaching and research built up over the past quarter century; to engage ever more fully with Asia’s great cultural traditions; and to embark on important research projects, many of which will, we hope, involve international collaboration.’

Mr Geoffrey Bamford, OCBS Executive Director, said: ‘The new Numata Professor of Buddhist Studies will be at the heart of a significant academic enterprise. OCBS is working towards a team of six permanent posts, including endowed Lecturerships in East Asian Buddhist Studies, Pali Buddhist Studies, Tibetan & Himalayan Buddhist Studies, Buddhist Social History and Buddhist Art. This generous donation from the BDK for an Oxford University Professor who will play a key role OCBS’s team gives us a wonderful start.’

The vacancy will be advertised soon with a view to making an appointment from 1 October 2007 or as soon as possible thereafter. The advertisement will be posted on the University website at www.ox.ac.uk/jobs/, after which time further particulars and information about how to contact the University for further information about the post, and how to apply, will be available.

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=3,3283,0,0,1,0

2006-10-10T18:22:00.000-07:00

No. 1174 (Minh Châu dịch)

Models practicing yoga ahead of Miss Tibet 2006
18 Hours,55 minutes Ago

Dharamshala, Tibetans living-in-exile in Dharamshala town of scenic Himachal Pradesh are slowly opening up to the concept of beauty pageants.

The number of participants for the beauty pageant, which elects "Miss Tibet 2006", has risen to six, the highest ever for the beauty contest conducted here in Dharamshala.

Gearing up for the upcoming competition, the participants are following strict regimes by undergoing training in meditation and yoga classes.

Participants say they are feeling very enthusiastic to be part of the competition.

"I have come here on behalf of all Tibetans, to participate in this Tibetan beauty cause. Being a refugee, I have never dreamt of winning in the pageant. I am thankful to the Indian government for the independence they have given us," said Tseten Yangzom Kawa, one of the participants living in Kathmandu.

Many Tibetans believe such competitions can be of great help to highlight their cause internationally.

Traditional Tibetans, however, disapprove the public display of women. Most women in the conservative Tibetan society wear ankle- length skirts and long-sleeved blouses.

Being organised for the fifth year, the competition has always courted controversies. In 2005, it witnessed only one participant.

The half a dozen Tibetan beauties coming from various parts of the country and including a contestant from Canada would participate in Miss Tibet 2006 pagent being organised at Mcleod Ganj near here from October 13 to 15.

The competition would be held in seven rounds and the swimsuit round would be held at Asia Health resort on October 13.

The talent and presentation (talk round) would be held on October 14 while four rounds--introduction, gown, traditional costumes and interview would be organised on the final day on October 15.

The winner will get a prize of rupees one lakh.

Lawmakers of the Tibetan government-in-exile believe the show is part an attempt to keep abrest of changing times.

"We are living in the 21st century and that's why we should also move with the world. This is the reason why we have organised this beauty pageant in the exiled headquarters. I strongly support it as through this we can also bring in the issue of Tibet," said Karma Yeshi, a member of the Tibetan parliament-in- exile.

More than 150,000 Tibetans have taken refuge in India since 1959 when the Dalai Lama and his followers fled their homeland, after conflict with the main land Chinese Government.

http://www.keralanext.com/news/?id=871839

2006-10-07T20:04:00.000-07:00

No. 1172 ( Upekha dịch)

Going on a fast for peace
Sunday, Oct 08, 2006
Staff Reporter

FOR A CAUSE: Buddhist monks Masao Ishitani and Kimura during their fast, in the city on Friday . — PHOTO: S. JAMES

MADURAI: Hunger seems to have little effect on him. The Utopian concept of seeing a peaceful world has strong roots in him.

His heart aches at the sight of violence.

The bloodshed all over the world, especially in Sri Lanka, made him go on a one-day fast at the Gandhi Museum on Friday. But why Gandhi Museum? For Masao Ishitani, a Buddhist monk, belonging to the Nipponzon Myohoji sect established by Nichidatsu Fuji, nothing in this world could be achieved through violence.

Moreover, the close relationship enjoyed by his spiritual leader, Nichidatsu Fuji, with Mahatma Gandhi, as they shared common interests, made him a follower of the Gandhian principle of non-violence.

"I was deeply pained to read the news about huge influx of Sri Lankan refugees arriving every day. So, I felt it was my responsibility to express our concern over the developments in Jaffna peninsula," said the 65-year-old Ishitani from Asahikawa city in Hokkaido.Though his experience, while spreading peace in Jaffna were not pleasant, he still remembers the people for their care and support.

"People were afraid to talk to me. But clandestinely they offered me food and money ,"he said.

Along with Ishitani, Kimura, another monk, also went on a day's fast.

http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/08/stories/2006100815510200.htm

2006-10-07T18:53:00.000-07:00

No. 1171

International groups turn heat on Buddha, Ratan Tata
17 Hours,21 minutes Ago

Kolkata, International groups, including scientists from different countries, are sending online petitions to West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadbeb Bhattacharya and Tata Group head Ratan Tata, urging them to stop acquisition of fertile farmlands in Singur near here for a proposed automobile project.

In online petitions, which have crossed 1,300, individuals, academics, universities, youths and funding institutions have urged the reformist West Bengal chief minister as well as Tata Motors chairman Ravi Kant and Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata to shift the project elsewhere.

In a span of only 17 days (till Oct 6), already 1,335 petitioners have signed the online petition letter on www.foodsov.org, the website of People's Coalition for Food Sovereignty, a Malaysia-headquartered network of various grassroots groups of small food producers, particularly peasant-farmer organisations and their support NGOs.

The emails were also sent to Jean Ziegler, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food.

Despite strong protests by the opposition and individual groups, the West Bengal government has vowed to hand over about 1,000 acres of land at Singur in Hooghly district, about 45 km from here, to Tata Motors for the small car project.

"There are about 70 scientists among the petitioners. The petitions have come from the US, Canada, Latin America, Africa and Europe," Biplab Halim of FIAN (FoodFirst Information and Action Network) told IANS.

"We want the government to set up the project elsewhere. There is ample infertile land in West Bengal to set up the project," Halim said. FIAN had sent an international team to Singur earlier.

In letters to the chief minister, the petitioners said: "I am aware that this multi-crop land, which is home to the people of Singur for many generations, yields 8,000 to 9,000 tonnes of rice, wheat, jute and other crops annually. This provides the people food, income and a life of dignity."

"This scenario, of the government taking over the fertile and productive land of the people, is appalling. Land is their life and to take it away is tantamount to denying them the right to live with dignity. It denies them their right to food and livelihood," the petitioners said in their letter to the communist chief minister who is desperate to woo manufacturing industry to the state.

"There is no transparency and genuine community participation in the process of decision-making. The compensation package being offered to the land owner is way too measly compared to the real value of the land," the petitioners said.

Justice Shyamal Kumar Sen, chairperson of the West Bengal Human Rights Commission, has also been petitioned along with the chief minister, said Halim.

"I think Tata Motors will get the land and will be able to start their activity within this year. We asked the opposition to come to terms and they should realise and understand the importance of a Tata Motors factory in West Bengal," State Industry Minister Nirupam Sen said Wednesday after an all party meeting called by the chief minister to pacify political opponents.

The Trinamool Congress boycotted the meeting and reiterated its decision to go ahead with its Oct 9 statewide shutdown, while the Congress attended the meeting and placed some proposals before it.

The all-party meeting endorsed the decision to go ahead with acquisition on the controversial site but spare some multi-crop land (approximately 163 acres) and follow a transparent policy.

The situation aggravated in Singur on Sep 25 night after police baton-charged protesting farmers mercilessly, including several women and Trinamool Congress members. Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee was also whisked away from the site and she later alleged assault on her.

http://www.keralanext.com/news/?id=869628

2006-10-07T18:43:00.000-07:00

No. 1170 (Minh Châu dịch)

Buddhist center finds its own home

Samudrabadra opened in Horizon Plaza on U.S. 41 after years of temporary locations

By DON MANLEY
dmanley@news-press.com
Originally posted on October 07, 2006

Samudrabadra Buddhist Center has found a home in south Fort Myers after several years of bouncing around temporary sites.

The center took up permanent residence in June in the Horizon Plaza on U.S. 41, just north of Alico Road.

It offers silent and chanted meditation classes, Buddhist study programs, monthly retreats, workshops and day courses addressing real-world topics, explained JoAnn Lawrence, the center's resident teacher.

She said the four-year-old center is named for its founder and spiritual director, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, a meditation master, Buddhism teacher and author who has founded 1,000 centers worldwide.

Lawrence said Samudrabadra means Ocean of Good Fortune — Gyatso's name in Sanskrit —and this is the only center to bear his name.

The facility contains a bookstore, and a meditation room and will eventually, be completely renovated to become "even more temple-like," she said.

She said the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers on Shire Lane and a private residence in Alva have provided Samudrabadra with space during the years.

Classes have also been held at satellite locations on Sanibel and in Naples and Bonita Springs from November through April, during the tourist season, something that will continue this year.

Lawrence, 29, said Buddhism and meditation can help people find serenity.

"It's definitely about developing inner peace and happiness," she said. "You can summarize our whole path as be as joyful as you can in every moment and to benefit others as much as possible. So there's definitely an emphasis on becoming more joyful in your life and more healthy in your life, and using practical methods to do that. I think that for people who feel a bit lost, it's a way to find meaning in their life again."

Charlene Black, 55, of Sanibel, said she is a longtime participant at the center and has studied metaphysics and Eastern Philosophy since her late teens. She said Buddhism is grounded in our ability to reason provides tools for dealing with the world compassionately, even when confronted with negative experiences.

"You can maintain a loving mind," she said. "I find it so reasoned and useful."

The day-courses and workshops are an ideal way for newcomers to meditation to be introduced to the practice, Lawrence said.

"It's a chance to become familiar with it in just one day with a subject that's interesting to them," she said.

"All the meditations are geared toward training the mind and looking at things in our life, introspectively and deeply, and making some sort of determination to change something in daily life.

"So it's always this process of transformation, of looking deeply and then using what you've seen about yourself and maybe some advice from Buddhist philosophy, and then making a decision to change something for the better."

A day-course titled "Transforming the Workplace" is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 14 at the center and Oct. 28 in Naples.

Rebekah Lloyd of south Fort Myers said she first came to Samudrabadra about a month ago and it has provided her first formal meditation experience.

"I would recommend it to basically anybody because it deals with some foundational life principals that effect all of us," she said.

"The meditation allows you to focus and to focus on relaxing, and it's an opportunity to try and train your mind in a positive direction."

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061007/NEWS0117/610070421/1092

2006-10-07T18:34:00.000-07:00

No. 1169( Hạt Cát dịch)

Japanese envoy to discuss Nalanda university proposal
Oct 6, 2006, 4:43 GMT
India News

Patna, Oct 6 (IANS) Japanese Ambassador Yasukuni Enoki is slated to pay a two-day official visit to Bihar later this month to discuss the setting up of a university at Nalanda, the site of an ancient Buddhist university, and explore other investment opportunities in the state.

According to official sources here, Enoki's visit Oct 16 would be the first trip by the Japanese ambassador to Bihar after Nitish Kumar took charge as chief minister in November last year.

He will meet Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi apart from other state ministers.

Japan has shown keen interest in investing Rs.4.5 billion for the proposed university at Nalanda, the home district of Nitish Kumar, where ruins of the 2,000-year-old university still stand. The new university will aim to revive the form of teaching prevalent in the ancient university.

According to official sources, Enoki will visit Nalanda, Bodh Gaya and Rajgir - all important destinations of the Buddhist circuit in Bihar.

Last month, a Singaporean delegation had proposed a similar investment for a university at Nalanda.

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/india/article_1208787.php/

Japanese_envoy_to_discuss_Nalanda_university_proposal

2006-10-07T18:30:00.000-07:00

No. 1168 ( Minh Châu dịch)

Buddhist temple to get royal honor

Erin Zlomek
The Arizona Republic
Oct. 7, 2006 12:00 AM

After 15 years of rebuilding, a local Buddhist temple again may make headlines - but this time, without the shocking violence.

Wat Promkunaram temple in Waddell received worldwide attention in 1991 when six of its monks and three civilians were shot dead during a robbery. The killers positioned the bloody bodies in the form of a wagon wheel on the temple floor. At first, police classified the shootings as a hate crime.

Members of the temple, 17212 W. Maryland Ave., have left the nightmare behind. This weekend they will accept a special honor from the king of Thailand and host a series of cultural celebrations open to the public. advertisement

The celebrations revolve around the Thai Buddhist Lent period known as Tod Kratin. Buddhist Lent lasts roughly from August to October. On a day after the Lent period, usually in October or November, a prominent Thai family will present a temple's monks with a set of saffron robes made on a handloom. The robes are a gift to the monks in appreciation of their self-sacrifice during the Lent period.

The robe presentation ceremony is called Kathina.

"Initially, a monk's robes were meant as a sign of renunciation of the world and worldly possessions," said Kenneth Kraft, a Buddhist studies professor at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania.

Monks in various sects of Buddhism wear robes of a reddish-orange to orange-yellow color.

"Traditionally, it was the color that criminals were forced to wear. It represented the lowest of low in society. It is meant to be a humbling experience," Kraft said.

Today, the monks of Wat Promkunaram will receive handmade robes sent from the Thai royal family, a rare and special honor for a small American temple. The royal family sends the robes to a handful of temples worldwide each year. King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand selects temples based on community service, activity and efforts made to unify temple members.

The presentation ceremony doubles as a welcoming celebration.

"For Thai people, this is the first time the monks have come out of the temple for three months," said temple member Jena Sukitjanont. During Thai Lent, the monks must remain in seclusion to study and meditate.

To celebrate the Kathina ceremony, the temple will host live Thai music and dance on today. On Sunday, chanting, an offering ceremony and a Thai lunch will take place.

Across Thailand, the holiday is celebrated by huge festivals and live music.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/swvalley/articles/1007gl-nwvrobes06Z5.html

2006-10-05T18:33:00.000-07:00

No. 1167 (tinhtan dich)

Một di sản Phật Tích lôi cuốn du khách tại Ấn Độ

Ngày 4 tháng 10, 2006.
Được viết bởi Nimrala George

Bodh Gaya, Ấn Độ (AP) – Con lộ dẫn đến Bồ Đề ĐạoTràng, một trong những Phật tích linh thiêng nhất, quả thật dài và cam go.

Bốn giờ xe bị dằn xóc trên những đường ổ gà để qua trạm thuế đường. Lưng tôi bị đau và tôi cần chữa bệnh cột sống hơn là chữa bệnh tâm linh mà điều này đã đưa tôi đến Bihar, một địa danh nghèo đổ nát vì những tội ác đáng kinh hãi và vô luật lệ.

Nhưng tất cả cơn đau trong người tôi đã biến mất khi tôi bước vào sự yên tĩnh vô cùng của liên hợp Tu viện Bồ Đề Đạo Tràng và được sự tôn nghiêm của ngôi cổ tự thiêng liêng qua nhiều thế kỷ đã rửa sạch tôi.

Nơi đó, dưới bóng mát của cây cổ thụ, nơi mà lá xào xạc pha lẫn với sự an tĩnh, lời tụng kinh nhịp nhàng của mantras và tiếng lách cách của lần chuổi, một nhóm Chư Tăng ngồi với y cà sa vàng hòa điệu trong lời kinh.

Tu viện Mahabodhi được chạm trỗ tinh vi, ngôi cổ tự Phật tích thiêng liêng và điểm đến phổ thông cho những người tìm cầu Niết Bàn, đánh dấu địa điểm nơi mà hoàng tử Siddhartha đã trở thành một vị ẩn tu lãnh đạo tâm linh tức Bồ Tát Gautama, đã chứng ngộ Chánh Đảng Chánh Giác cách đây hơn 2,500 năm sau khi tận lực hành thiền. Kể từ đó, Ngài trở thành một vị Phật hay “Bậc Giác Ngộ”. Ngày nay, có khoảng 360 triệu Phật tử khắp hoàn cầu.

Bihar là một bàn cờ của địa điểm Phật giáo thiêng liêng. Một vài giờ xe từ Bồ Đề Đạo Tràng là một thành phố của Rajgir, nơi mà Đức Phật đã giảng dạy giáo pháp. Gần đó là Nalanda, một trong các đại học ra đời sớm nhất của thế giới đã được hưng thịnh vào thế kỷ thứ 5 trước Công Nguyên.

Trong khi tỉnh này không thu hút các du khách tôn giáo, chính quyền nói rằng dấu chân Phật tử càng gia tăng mạnh mẽ. Từ năm 2002, khi mà Tu viện Mahabodhi đã được mệnh danh là một đia điểm Di sản Thế giới, Bồ Đề Đạo Tràng đã nhận thấy một sự gia tăng du khách đều đặn. Khi mùa hạ nóng bức của Ấn Độ nhường lại mùa mưa và khí hậu mát lạnh vào tháng Mười, khách hành hương lũ lượt viếng thăm.

“Trong đời sống đua chen của con người, càng gia tăng, có lẽ bản năng, có khuynh hướng để khám phá chính nội tâm của chúng ta. Và nhất là du khách đến đây đang tìm vào sự an tĩnh của nội tâm.” Ông Rama Shankar Tewari, trưởng đòan hành hương Bihar đã phát biểu như trên.

Thẩm quyền du lịch đang cố gắng để thâu ngân quỹ với một cuộc vận động lôi cuốn du khách, “ Đến Ấn Độ: Thiền hành với Đức Phật.” Nhờ một phần như vây, những đường lộ được đấp lát lại, các viện bảo tàng đã được phục hồi và toilet công cộng được xây và sửa chữa lại.

Nghi lễ hàng năm lần thứ 2,550 của Đức Phật nhập diệt, gọi là Đại Bát Niết Bàn (Parinirvana), bắt đầu vào tháng 5, nhưng các chương trình đã được nâng cao thuận lợi dần dần trong vòng 25 năm tới.

Và mặc dù những con đường gồ ghề, những kẻ ăn xin, và những kẻ buôn nữ trang dạo bán các tượng Phật bằng nhựa, các sâu chìa khóa khắc hình dấu chân Phật và các chuỗi hạt- Thuyết tâm linh tràn ngập khắp nơi tại đây.

Sự an tĩnh được truyền vào du khách khi họ viếng thăm Bồ Đề Đạo Tràng, tọa lạc tại một vùng nghiêng thoai thoải. Các Sư Cô áo trắng ngồi kiết già dưới chân của một tượng Phật to lớn được chạm trổ và mạ vàng, ngân nga các bài kinh pháp một cách buồn thảm.

Tu viện và cây Bồ Đề bên cạnh, dưới bóng cội Bồ Đề đó mà Đức Phật đã chứng ngộ Chánh Đảng Chánh Giác, đã là một địa điểm hành hương từ lâu đời.

Bồ Đề ĐạoTràng cũng là nơi hàng tá tu viện được xây dựng và duy trì bởi những quốc gia Phật giáo khác nhau. Tu viện Thái Lan, với những tượng Phật mạ vàng, với màu sơn tường sáng rực và màn treo tường bằng tơ lụa cung hiến một sự trái ngược với nhiều đường nét mộc mạc của tu viện Nhật Bản, hay kiểu kiến trúc Hy Mã Lạp Sơn của tu viện Tây Tạng, với hình rồng chạm trổ, cờ tam tài và lối đi có mái vòm.

(tinhtan dịch)

India's Buddhist heritage a draw

October 4, 2006
By Nimrala George
Associated Press

BODH GAYA, India (AP) -- The road to Bodh Gaya, one of Buddhism's holiest sites, had been long and strenuous.

Four hours of jolting along potholed roads had taken their toll. My back was sore and I was more in need of spinal therapy than the spiritual therapy that had brought me to Bihar, a poverty-wracked state infamous for its appalling crime and lawlessness.

But my all-too human aches fled when I entered the sprawling silence of the Mahabodhi Temple complex and let the serenity of the centuries-old shrine wash over me.

There, under the canopy of an ancient peepul tree, where the rustling of leaves mingled with the quiet, rhythmic chanting of mantras and the clicking of prayer beads, sat a group of saffron-robed Buddhist monks engrossed in prayer.

The elaborately carved Mahabodhi Temple, Buddhism's holiest shrine and a popular destination for nirvana seekers, marks the site where the prince-turned-hermit-turned-spiritual-leader, Gautama Siddhartha, attained enlightenment some 2,500 years ago after intense meditation.

From then on, he was known as the Buddha, or "Enlightened One."

Today, there are an estimated 360 million Buddhists around the globe.

Bihar is a checkerboard of Buddhist holy sites. A few hours drive from Bodh Gaya is the town of Rajgir, where the Buddha taught and prayed. Nearby is Nalanda, one of the world's earliest universities, which flourished in the 5th century B.C.

The state is also an increasingly important stop for wealthy tourists, many seeking their own, luxurious form of enlightenment.

For years, those tourists were largely people who grew up Buddhist, often in Japan, Thailand or Sri Lanka. But increasingly, Buddhism's appeal has spread to the West, where the Buddha's teachings about nonviolence and spiritualism have been melded with beliefs ranging from Judaism to atheism.

But Bihar isn't ready-made for wealthy tourists.

While India's economic boom has spurred economic development in many regions, Bihar has lagged badly, with a state government nearly paralyzed by corruption and mismanagement. Tourists are advised to return to their hotels before dark and to stick to government-licensed taxis and buses to avoid being - literally - taken for a ride.

So while there are glass-walled shopping malls outside New Delhi and high-end spa resorts in India's southern backwaters, much of Bihar struggles with barely paved roads, on-and-off electricity and rampant crime.

That has meant that despite its abundance of Buddhist treasures, the state fails to draw its full share of tourists.

Not that Bihar isn't trying.

While the state doesn't track religious tourists, officials say the Buddhist trail is increasingly hot. Since 2002, when the Mahabodhi Temple was named a World Heritage site, Bodh Gaya has seen a steady rise in visitors. As India's torrid summer gives way to the monsoon rains and cooler weather in October, they come flocking.

"In the fast-paced lives that people lead, increasingly perhaps instinctively there is a trend to discover our inner selves. And most of the tourists who come here are doing so in search of that inner peace," said Rama Shankar Tewari, Bihar's top tourism official.

Tourism authorities are trying to cash in with an ambitious tourist campaign, "Come to India: Walk with the Buddha." As part of that, roads are being re paved, museums are being refurbished and public restrooms being built or repaired.

Security around the shrines and monasteries has also been stepped up to ensure that pilgrims are not hounded too much by touts and beggars. Still, most sites have their share of children holding out stick-thin arms and trinket vendors periodically shooed away by security guards.

A year-long celebration of the 2,550th anniversary of the Buddha's death, called the Parinirvana, began in May, but plans to gradually upgrade facilities will unfold over 25 years.

The detailed blueprint includes numerous luxury and budget hotels around the Buddhist circuit. It also includes a world-class 18-hole golf course in Bodh Gaya and luxurious spas, said Manoj Srivastava, who heads Bihar's state-run tourism development corporation.

If that seems odd logic - bringing the hedonism of golf to a land steeped in both spiritualism and poverty - Srivastava disagrees.

"While Bihar's rich trove of Buddhist treasures serve the spiritual quest, the average traveler is also looking to relax," he said.

And despite it all - despite the bad roads, the beggars and the trinket-vendors selling plastic Buddha statues, key chains with imprints of the Buddha's feet and kitschy bead necklaces - spiritualism is everywhere here.

"Everyone warned me against visiting Bihar. Even after we landed in India, people kept saying: 'Be careful, it's Bihar.' But our experience has been splendid," said Natalie Halle, a schoolteacher from Valencia, Spain, visiting Bodh Gaya for the second time in as many years.
"The serenity about this place, brings you back, and you forget all the warnings," she said.
A hush descends on visitors when they visit the Mahabodhi Temple, which rises from a gently sloping hollow. White-robed nuns sit cross-legged at the foot of the enormous carved and gilded Buddha statue, reading holy verses in a deep sonorous hum.

The temple and the adjoining Mahabodhi tree, under the shade of which Buddha attained enlightenment, has long been a pilgrimage destination.

Bodh Gaya is also home to dozens of monasteries built and maintained by various Buddhist countries. Thailand's monastery, with its gilded Buddha statues, brilliantly colored wall paintings and rich silken wall hangings offers a contrast to the more simplistic lines of the Japanese temple, or the Himalayan architectural style of the Tibetan monastery, with its carved dragons, pennants and archways.

As I set out from Patna as dawn was breaking one recent morning, the distant purple hills were shrouded in a hazy mist, the road flanked by a patchwork of verdant rice fields dotted with ponds and thatched houses.

My destination was the international World Peace stupa, a shrine a few miles from Rajgir. Access is by an "aerial rope-way" - a euphemism for a chain of rickety bucket chairs strung on a pulley - which takes you to the top of the hill in seven minutes. Otherwise, it's an arduous hour-long trek.

Hundreds of visitors line up each day, many looking more for the rope-way's thrill and the spectacular views than for some sort of enlightenment.

I had a momentary twinge of fear as I was pushed into a chair as it slowed down - barely - to pick me up. But it was a smooth ride to the top.

A leisurely stroll brought me to a sprawling Japanese-built monastery, its wide open doors producing an air-conditioned effect from the sharp breezes that blow in.

"The breeze makes you forget that there's been no power for more than two hours," said G. Okonogi, a Japanese monk who has made the remote monastery his home for over 25 years.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TRAVEL/10/03/india.buddhism.ap/index.html

2006-10-05T18:15:00.000-07:00

No. 1166 ( Hạt Cát dịch)

Indian Cinema News

Dalai Lama blesses 'Buddha' film
Oct 5, 2006, 4:17 GMT

New Delhi, Oct 5 (IANS) Producer Bhupendra Kumar Modi organised a special luncheon party in Los Angeles to seek the blessings of the Dalai Lama before launching his $120 million epic feature film 'Buddha' to be directed by Shekhar Kapur.

'From the Buddha's life story ... maybe you will get inspiration. Our intention is not the propagation of Buddhism, but helping the world,' said the Dalai Lama, who was the guest of honour at the luncheon..

The Tibetan spiritual leader said cinema was an effective medium for sharing the universal message of inter-dependence and inter-connectedness, according to a press statement.

Hollywood luminaries Sharon Stone, Goldie Hawn, Laurence Fishburne, Robert Downey Jr, Chris McGurk, and Carol Mendelsohn also graced the occasion at the Peninsula Hotel, Beverley Hills.

The English film, which will be made under the banner of Modi's M Films, is a screen adaptation of Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh's book 'Old Path White Clouds'. It is to focus on the life and teachings of the Buddha.

Hanh, who was present at the luncheon, said his book was a 'manual for the practice of peace'.

Said Modi: 'We intend 'Buddha' to be a major film across the globe. We're confident this will be every bit the exciting epic Hollywood film we envisioned from the start.'

'Buddha' will be shot in the US, Japan, China, Thailand and India.

'It will make history as the most expensive film ever to be shot in India. Casting for the film will begin immediately and the producers are currently considering A-List stars for the lead roles. Principal photography is slated to begin in 2007 and the film should be ready for worldwide release in 2008,' said Modi.

M Films has also roped in Hollywood Producer Michel Shane, executive producer of Hollywood blockbusters like 'I Robot' and 'Catch Me If You Can' for the film.

http://movies.monstersandcritics.com/indiancinema/article_1208400.php/
Dalai_Lama_blesses_Buddha_film

2006-10-04T19:04:00.000-07:00

No. 1165 (Hạt Cát dịch)

Buddhist devotees back blood-donation drive
The Star, October 5, 2006
KUANTAN, Pahang (Malaysia) -- Some 160 devotees sacrificed their weekend break by turning up to support a blood donation campaign organised by the Pahang Buddhist Association (PBA) here.

The event, from 9am to 3.30pm on Sunday, was held at the association’s premises in Jalan Bukit Ubi.

After a screening test, 134 people were found to be eligible to donate blood. Fifty-seven of them also signed a pledge to donate their organs.

PBA Youth section chief Ang Chong Teck said the blood donation campaign was one of the association's annual activities, which started in the mid 1970s.

He said this year’s theme was “Healthy Life, Caring Lives,” which also included the promotion of organ donation.

“Organ transplants are becoming popular and many lives are waiting to be saved,” he said in an interview.

Ang said, this year, a special team from the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital was invited to provide explanation and advice to the public pertaining to organ donation.

He said a special documentary film from Hong Kong was repeatedly shown to ensure a better understanding of the campaign.

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=56,3259,0,0,1,0

2006-10-04T18:53:00.000-07:00

No. 1164 (Hạt Cát dịch)

A festival of diverse Buddhist cultures
Thursday, Oct 05, 2006

Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar

NEW DELHI: Delhiites will get a unique opportunity to witness music and rituals associated with Buddhism from around the world on one platform during the three-day International Festival of Buddhist Music and Ritual to be inaugurated by the Dalai Lama here this coming Sunday.

The festival is being organised by Tibet House in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Culture and India Habitat Centre. During the inauguration of the festival at Buddha Jayanti Park, Dalai Lama will speak on the "Eight-fold Noble Path''.

The inauguration will also include a spectacular "Golden Procession" of 108 monks and nuns, followed by sacred chanting by various groups participating in the festival.

The festival will illustrate how Buddhist culture in Asia developed varied forms of ritual, dance and music through the centuries.

As such people will get to witness the rich cultural diversity of Buddhism in Japan, Korea, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Nepal, Thailand, Mongolia and Tibet.

Highlights of the festival will be performance of ritual dances from the participating countries and sacred Buddhist chanting in languages ranging from Pali and Sanskrit to Tibetan, Korean and Mongolian among others.

http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/05/stories/2006100510850200.htm

2006-10-04T18:51:00.000-07:00

No. 1163(Upekha dịch)

3 October, 2006

NEPAL
Some Nepali Hindus and Buddhists say ‘No’ to sacrificing two million animals
by Prakash Dubey

The large scale slaughter takes place in just three days during celebrations in honour of the goddess Durga. Buddhists instead urge the faithful “to butcher their sins,” not innocent animals, and express appreciation for Christians who have abandoned cruel sacrifices.

Lumbini (AsiaNews) – A reform-minded group of Hindus and Buddhists has called on the Nepali government and their respective religious leaders to ban the annual animal sacrifice in honour of the goddess Durga, which can entail the butchering of up to two million animals in three days.

Dasai celebrations to honour the goddess, one of the most loved divinities in the Hindu pantheon, takes place every year for ten days. In the last three days, about two million animals—chickens, pigeons, geese and even buffaloes—are sacrificed. Both Hindus and followers of Tantric Buddhism practice this age-old ritual.

Until last April’s popular revolts against King Gyanendra, which turned the hitherto ‘Hindu’ kingdom into a secular state, the ritual was untouchable. Now the presence of a democratic government has encouraged many reform-oriented Hindu and even Buddhist groups to call for a ban on the ritual, which they see as “diabolic”.

Jaya Prakash Agarwal, head of Nepal Anubrata Samiti (an organisation dedicated to Hindus’ spiritual reawakening) told AsiaNews that “the blood bath at the expense of innocent animals is a sacrilege. We have been working for quite some time among the people even though few have actually listened to us. But we are optimistic; sooner or later this practice will be banned.”

“We have been able to strip the king of the prerogatives that made him a despot. I don’t see why we cannot succeed in ending this ritual,” Agarwal said. However, “I am concerned that although Nepal now defines itself as a secular state, the government is still allocating money for the slaughter of innocent animals. This year it has set aside US$ 250,000 in Kathmandu alone to buy animals to sacrifice in more than 700 temples. It is a stigma on Hinduism that we have people who do not mind taking lives just for fun”.

“Some Nepalese Buddhist practice this sacrifice,” added Bhante Satyabrata, a Buddhist monk from Lumbini (Buddha’s birthplace). “This is horrible. Lord Buddha would never have allowed such a monstrous act.”

In a bitter tone, the monk added that instead of butchering animals “we should [. . .] butcher our avarice, jealousy, hatred and enmity, [. . .] emulate Christians whose religion, primordially originated in Jewish culture with its tradition of animal sacrifice, never sacrificed animals to please their God.”

“Christians,” he said, “believe that Jesus was the last lamb to be sacrificed and His blood is enough to cleanse all the sins of mankind. But ironically, we, the followers and progenies of Lord Buddha in Nepal, indulge in such an obnoxious act of animal sacrifice”.

Ruben Gurung, an Evangelical Christian from the Good Hope Church, said that “it was a good sign that some Hindu and Buddhist reformers were coming forward to call for a ban on the cult of animal sacrifice”.

“I have nothing against their religious ritual. But I don't approve it because it is the major cause of poverty in rural Nepal,” the Evangelical Christian said. “Poor Nepalese families sell off their valuables to perform such rituals. They dare not shun them because [. . .] they fear some disaster would fall upon them if they don't perform the sacrifice ritual.”

http://www.asianews.it/view.php?l=en&art=7375

2006-10-04T18:42:00.000-07:00

No. 1162 ( Minh Châu dịch)

Religious leaders urge global arms trade treaty
(AFP)

3 October 2006

LONDON - A group of religious leaders including Nobel winner Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama called on Tuesday for urgent agreement on a global arms trade treaty, saying it could save hundreds of thousands of lives.

The call came a day after a report warned that arms traders are profiting from a lack of international rules to supply weapons to unscrupulous groups and bypass arms embargoes on countries.

‘The world is awash with weapons,’ said the 14 religious leaders, including South African Archbishop Tutu, in a letter to The Times of London. ‘And all too often, weapons fall into the wrong hands and are used against innocent people.

‘Yet, despite the mounting death toll, there is still no comprehensive treaty governing sales of conventional weapons from handguns to attack helicopters,’ they lamented.

Other signatories were: Bishop Gunnar Staalsett, Reverend Olav Fykse Tveit, Sheikh Musa Muhammad, Dr Hanny Al Banna, Rabbi David Saperstein, Swami Agnivesh, Father Robert F. Drinan, Joe Volk, Mary Ellen McNish, Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, Reverend William Okoye and Bishop William Kenney.

Their letter came after a report backed by Amnesty International and Oxfam which warned that the globalization of the arms industry has shed light on the shortcomings of existing legislation to control it.

‘Weapons companies are globalizing, but the legislation is not, and the result is the arming of regimes guilty of abuse,’ said Jeremy Hobbs, of Oxfam International after the publication of the report ‘Arms without Borders’.

The report, also backed by the International Action Network on Small Arms -- an umbrella organization of 600 NGOs -- outlines how US, European and Canadian companies bypass laws regulating weapons trade by selling arms in detached pieces or by subcontracting their activities to local businesses.

In The Times, Tutu and his colleagues underlined the huge impact a global treaty would have. They noted that 55 countries, including much of Africa, Latin America and Europe, already back the setting up of such a treaty.

‘An international arms trade treaty based on governments’ existing commitments under human rights and humanitarian law would have the power to save hundreds of thousands of lives,’ they said.

And they added: ‘As faith leaders from many different countries we call on the world’s governments to act urgently to bring the arms trade under control.’

‘This is a global horror story, which plays itself out from the favelas of Brazil to conflict in the Middle East and to the killings in Darfur. And the vast majority of the victims are not fighters, but ordinary men, women and children,’ they said.

http://www.khaleejtimes.ae/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/theworld/2006/October/theworld_October75.xml§ion=theworld&col=

2006-10-01T08:51:00.000-07:00

No. 1160 (Hạt Cát dịch)

Pakistan Delivered Buddhism to Korea

10-01-2006 20:30

By Yoon Won-sup
Staff Reporter

Pakistani Ambassador to Seoul Masood Khalid, second from left, talks to Man Dang, head monk of Pulgab-sa Temple in Yonggwang, South Cholla Province, on his left, while Kang Jong-man, left, head of Yonggwang County, and the ambassador’s wife Sonia look on at the museum of Gandhara relics in Yonggwang, Monday. Korea Times Photo by Yoon Won-sup
YONGGWANG, South Cholla Province _ Many Koreans assume that Buddhism came from India mainly because it was India where Buddha achieved great enlightenment, taught his students Buddhist philosophy and died. However, the origin of Buddhism in Korea is not 100 percent from India, according to the top Pakistani envoy in Seoul.
``Perhaps what many Koreans do not know is that Buddhism came to Korea in the 4th century from Gandhara, now located in Pakistan,’’ Pakistani Ambassador Masood Khalid told The Korea Times.

In 384, Maranantha, a Buddhist monk of Gandhara, came to Popsongpo in Yonggwang, South Cholla Province, then occupied by the Paekje Kingdom (18 B.C.-A.D. 660), and introduced Buddhism, he said.

So the ambassador, his wife, Pakistani diplomats and a scholar went to Popsongpo last Monday to look around the place where the local government of Yonggwang established a museum and other facilities to mark the coming of Buddhism to Paekje last May.

There is a statue of Maranantha, a museum of Gandhara relics, a park with a lotus pond, and several monuments to Buddha, which cover 43,000 square meters of land. The area was designated as the ``Birthplace of Buddhism in Paekje’’ by the local government.

Actually, Popsongpo literally means a port where a holy person propagated the universal truth.

Min Hee-sik, former French literature professor of Hanyang University in Seoul, said that Koreans’ perception that Buddhism came from India is wrong because over 90 percent of Korean Buddhism is based on Gandhara and the rest is based on Buddha’s life in India.

He said that French documents support the view that Gandhara is the spot from where today’s Buddhism spread to the world _ Buddhist temples were built for the first time in Gandhara, according to him.

``Three hundred years after Buddha died about 500 B.C., King Ashoka introduced Buddhism to Gandhara, and from there Mahayana Buddhism developed with the establishment of many Buddhist temples,’’ Min said.

However, the scholar said that it was not easy to argue that Buddhism spread to Korea from Pakistan not India because so many people including Buddhist monks believe Buddhism came from India.

Meanwhile, Kang Jong-man, head of the Yonggwang County, pledged to develop Yonggwang as the center of Buddhism in South Korea.

Kang plans to visit Pakistan next February with Min to get more Gandhara relics to put in the museum.

The ambassador and his entourage also visited Pulgab-sa Temple in Yonggwang, the first Buddhist temple in Korea, which was established by Maranantha when he visited the peninsula.

``Pulgab-sa Temple is the first Buddhist temple in South Korea, and it has many special treasures, which include three Buddha statues designated by the government as National Treasure No. 1377,’’ Man Dang, head monk of the temple, said.

Meanwhile, Man Dang donated three million won ($3,170) to the ambassador on behalf of the temple, asking the money to be used to help victims of the earthquake, which took place about a year ago in Pakistan.

For more information about the birthplace of Buddhism in Korea, visit its Web site at www.maranantha.org.

yoonwonsup@koreatimes.co.kr

http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/special/200610/kt2006100120295952960.htm

2006-09-30T16:35:00.000-07:00

No. 1159 ( Hạt Cát dịch)

Buddha statues banned in Malawi orphanage -01/10/06

Africa- Malawi's Human Rights Commission has ordered a Taiwanese-funded orphanage to remove statues of Buddha from all dormitories, saying their presence amounts to brainwashing children into joining Buddhism against their will - writes Frank Jomo for Ecumenical News International.

The Amitofo Care Centre near Blantyre opened three years ago and was touted as the biggest orphanage in southern Africa operated by followers of Buddhism. The centre has statues of Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, in all the dormitories and an elaborate temple situated within the orphanage.
The Malawi Human Rights Commission is a government funded organization whose members are appointed by the president, but its statutes allow it to work independently to promote human rights in the southern African nation.

Commissioner John Kapito said the body acted on research at the centre stemming from concerns expressed by relatives of orphans about the statues in the dormitories and that the children may be forced to become followers of Buddhism.

Relatives, he said, had also complained that children there are not allowed to eat meat and were only occasionally allowed to visit their relatives.

"This contravenes Section 23 of the Malawi Constitution, which stipulates on how best children and orphans ought to be treated," said Kapito during the orphanage's open day. "This exposure to statues can easily influence them into joining the religion unwillingly since they cannot decide their future on their own."

At the same function Malawi's deputy information minister, John Bande, hailed the Buddhist community for constructing an imposing and beautiful orphanage but asked officials at the orphanage to consider allowing children to eat meat.

Responding to concerns raised by the two government officials, the centre's director, Master Hui Li, said that while the centre was a Buddhist organization, no child was ever forced into becoming a follower of Buddhism. He said, however, that the centre emphasises to children the importance of respecting the religion which he said, preaches peace.

He also called for the understanding of the government regarding the statues in the dormitories saying they were icons of peace and children should be guided and learn from them.

"We will introduce the orphans to Buddhism but they will make their own choices on which religion they want to join when they grow up," Li had said during the opening ceremony of the orphanage two years ago, stressing that matters of religion, race and culture are trivial for those doing charity work. He said his foundation was ready to help any human being.

With acknowledgements to ENI. Ecumenical News International is jointly sponsored by the World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and the Conference of European Churches.

[Also on Ekklesia: Malawi asked to drop 'Christian nation' moniker; Southern Africa remains gripped by food crisis says Christian agency; Newspaper suggests Africans set to found splinter Anglican church; Aid agency warns of southern Africa food shortages]

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/news_syndication/article_061001buddha.shtml