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Friday, January 13, 2012

Religion News: 10 countries with the largest number of Christians

These are some of the key findings of a new report released by the Pew Research Center, called Global Christianity: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World's Christian Population, which provides data on the world's Christian population by region, country and tradition.

• Almost half (48 percent) of all Christians live in the 10 countries with the largest number of Christians. Three of the top 10 are in the Americas (the United States, Brazil and Mexico). Two are in Europe (Russia and Germany); two are in the Asia-Pacific region (the Philippines and China); and three are in sub-Saharan Africa (Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia), reflecting Christianity's global reach.

• Christians are diverse theologically as well as geographically. About half are Catholic. Protestants, broadly defined, make up 37 percent. Orthodox Christians comprise 12 percent of Christians worldwide. Other Christians, such as Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses, make up the remaining 1 percent of the global Christian population.

• Taken as a whole, Christians are by far the world's largest religious group. Muslims, the second-largest group, make up a little less than a quarter of the world's population, according to previous studies by the Pew Forum.

• Although Christianity began in the Middle East-North Africa, that region today has both the lowest concentration of Christians (about 4 percent) and the smallest number of Christians (about 13 million) of any major geographic region.

• Although Christians comprise just under a third of the world's people, they form a majority of the population in 158 countries and territories, about two-thirds of all the countries and territories in the world.

• Nigeria now has more than twice as many Protestants (broadly defined to include Anglicans and independent churches) as Germany, the birthplace of the Protestant Reformation.

• About 90 percent of Christians live in countries where Christians are in the majority; only about 10 percent of Christians worldwide live as minorities.

Week in Religion

- Jan. 4, 1915, Democrat Moses Alexander, 62, was sworn in as governor of Idaho. He was the first elected Jewish governor in the U.S.

- Jan. 5, 1531, Pope Clemens VII forbids English King Henry VIII to re-marry.

- Jan. 6, 548, this was the last year the Church in Jerusalem observed the birth of Jesus on this date. (Celebrating Christmas on Dec. 25 began in the late 300s in the Western Church.)

-- William D. Blake, Almanac of the Christian Church

Good Book?

"The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears" by Mark Batterson

What impossibly big dream is God calling you to draw a prayer circle around? Sharing inspiring stories from his own experiences as a circle maker, Pastor Mark Batterson will help you uncover your heart's deepest desires and God-given dreams and unleash them through the kind of audacious prayer that God delights to answer.

-- Zondervan

Quote of the week

"There is nothing like a calm look into the eternal world to teach us the emptiness of human praise." -- Scottish clergyman Robert Murray McCheyne

The Word

Christian Coalition: A group of political conservatives who generally also represent conservative theological views. It was founded in 1989 by televangelist Pat Robertson and is considered the successor to the Moral Majority, founded by the Rev. Jerry Falwell in 1979.

-- religioustolerance.org

Religion Around the World

Religious makeup of 1995 census

Christian: 26.3 percent

Buddhist: 23.2 percent 

Other or unknown: 1.3 percent 

None: 49.3 percent 

- CIA Factbook

GateHouse News Service


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RECLAIMING BUDDHA! by Tenzin Nyinjey

By Tenzin Nyinjey

Like most children, I was a rebel too, more inclined to do things that were opposed to our Buddhist values. My friends and I enjoyed catching fish and crabs in the ponds. We often tracked down birds’ nests and followed Indians hunting wild deer and pigs in the jungles of tribal Orissa.

These huntsmen, bows and strings dangling from their shoulders and their faces smeared with soot, had some sense of fairness and justice—something perhaps folks responsible for the economic crisis in US can learn from. Once they hunted down their prey, they distributed the share equally among themselves, and even to us children who hadn’t made any contribution but simply watched them as mere spectators. Of course, we couldn’t bring our share of meat to homes for fear of our parents’ reprimand. We gave them away to stray dogs.

However, I loved the Buddhist rituals and ceremonies my parents held in our homes every now and then. For it was on such occasions that I got to enjoy the most delicious of foods. I loved the beautiful tormas made by monks and ngagpas. The sound of drums and conch shells and chanting of monks were sheer melody to my ears. The crows landing on our roofs to feast on tormas and the plume of smoke rising up in the blue sky from burned junipers was a spectacle too.

I remember my mother sending me out every evening to the local monastery to offer holy tea and coins at the altar of gods and goddesses. I always grabbed this errand with sheer delight—it was not out of religious piety however, but having the opportunity to get out of my house and play football with other kids that prompted me to do it.

Bowing and touching my heads in respect to the images of gods lining the altar of the monastery was a grueling experience. The most awe-inspiring moment was when I stood in front of the image of Palden Lhamo, unable to look into her fiery eyes—for some strange reason she was showered with more respect for being the most wrathful and protective of deities!

As I grew up and left my village and moved to Indian cities for higher education, I had to adapt my religious beliefs and practices too. Rarely any Buddhist rituals and ceremonies were held in cities that I could be a part of. Again it was my monk brother who came to my rescue. He presented me two books by His Holiness the Dalai Lama—the Art of Happiness and Ethics of the New Millennium—both of which gave me a new perspective of Buddhism that is more ‘rational’ and ‘modern.’ I was in disbelief that a Tibetan Buddhist leader, who never had ‘modern’ education in his life, could pen New York Times best sellers!

However, the struggle for survival driven by sheer competition was the norm than values such as love and compassion in cities like Delhi. The most sophisticated, intelligent and good-looking were ‘naturally selected,’ while the lesser fortunate ones were left behind in our rush to reach to the top. I witnessed lamas whom we have been taught to worship since childhood hanging around with powers that be, living in posh hotels and driving expensive cars. My spiritual and religious convictions, as a result, began undergoing changes.

I became more and more skeptical, even cynical, tilting towards all kinds of isms—atheism, socialism, communism and anarchism—drifting away from the bearings of my own community life, like a sailor whose boat was trapped amid heavy storm in the ocean, unable to find where the final shore lies! I wondered if, as the Chinese propagandists say, religion was not being used by the powerful to keep down the masses in ignorance and slavery. I wondered if there was a higher and absolute truth governing the laws of our universal world.

I began digging up my country’s history, finding to my utter indignation how religion was used as an instrument to strive for power by ruling elites. I couldn’t reconcile Buddha who gave up his own kingdom and wealth with Tibetan religious personalities sitting on political thrones and ruling the lives of ordinary people. The sectarian violence and infighting that resulted from the system of chosi-sungdrel was a blot on Buddha’s noble teaching and our country’s history—and we still suffer from its legacies.

Indeed, when people most responsible for protecting religion become corrupt, indulging themselves in wine, women and power, the worst result is young folks with highly impressionable minds lose faith in religion itself. I was no exception! I resisted (unconsciously) such corruption in my own unimaginative and uncreative ways, offending the sensibilities of my own people, alienating my parents and family. I stopped visiting monasteries, gave up reciting manis and refused to seek audience of lamas, and even made fun of fellow Tibetans who showed extreme religiosity—not cognizant of the fact that it was religion that actually gave them strength and succor in the face of overwhelming suffering caused by dislocation and dispossession of exiled life.

Historians like Gendun Chophel, Samten Karmay, Dhondup Gyal, Dungkar Lobsang Trinley, accused of being anti-Buddhists, however, taught me that the problem doesn’t lie with religion itself, but with the state that used religion to do its dirty work. These writers introduced me to other religious figures in Tibet’s history practicing religion sincerely without the taint of worldly interests such as material wealth and political power. The lives of Milarepa, Ugenpa, Thangtong Gyalpo and Tsangyong Heruka showed me the true essence of religion—love, compassion, tolerance, and service for others—rather than seeking power in the name of religion!

They helped me regain my faith and reclaim my Buddha!

The author is a political commentator based in Dharamshala.

The views expressed in this piece are that of the author and the publication of the piece on this website does not necessarily reflect their endorsement by the website.


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Sanskrit doesn’t belong to any race or religion: PM

Sanskrit doesn’t belong to any race or religion: PM - Times Of India You are here: Home>Collections>ReligionSanskrit doesn’t belong to any race or religion: PMTNN Jan 6, 2012, 01.42AM ISTTags:sanskrit|Manmohan Singh

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday said like the Indian civilization, Sanskrit does not belong to any particular race, sect or religion. Sanskrit, he said, is the spirit of India.

Addressing the 15th World Sanskrit Conference in the Capital, Singh said the spirit of liberalism and tolerance embedded in it must be inculcated in our present-day life. He said the government will further strengthen efforts for promotion, development and enrichment of the ancient language. "Like the civilization of India, Sanskrit does not belong to any particular race, sect or religion. It represents a culture that is not narrow and sectarian but open tolerant and all-embracing...It is this spirit of liberalism and tolerance embedded in Sanskrit that we must inculcate in our present-day life," Singh said.

Singh noted that Sanskrit, which is recognized as one of the oldest living languages in world, is often misunderstood as only a language of religious hymns and rituals. "Such an understanding does great injustice to the great genius of the language and betrays ignorance of the work of great writers, thinkers, sages and scientists like Kautilya, Charaka, Sushruta, Aryabhata, Varahmihira, Brahmagupta, Bhaskaracharya and others," he said. Maintaining that Sanskrit has a treasure of knowledge of mathematics, medicines, botany, chemistry, arts and humanities, the PM said if we provide the missing links and establish the required inter-disciplinary approaches, the wisdom of Sanskrit has the potential of enriching the present-day knowledge systems and Indian languages immensely. He said the government is committed to promotion and the development of Sanskrit.

HRD minister Kapil Sibal emphasized on inclusion of contemporary concepts into old Sanskrit texts on various subjects, including science and medicines, to widen the language's scope and make them relevant and useful in the present day situations. He called for a "little introspection" on the issue, while noting that the study of the rich and vast Sanskrit texts on these subjects has not been continued in the present era. "We all recognize that works in Sanskrit had greatly contributed to subjects like astronomy, astrology, economics, political science, ethics, logic, philosophy architecture, ayurveda, botany, zoology, physiology to name a few. These were subjects in themselves, which is quite different from studying of Sanskrit language per se," he said.

The six-day event, being organized by the HRD ministry and International Association of Sanskrit Studies (IASS) and attended by scholars and delegates from around 32 countries, will deliberate on a diverse range of topics like poetry, drama and aesthetics, scientific literature, Buddhist studies, Jain studies, Sanskrit and regional languages and literatures, and Vedas.

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Preserve Tibetan culture, Karmapa tells Tibetans

"Your main duty is to guard and preserve Tibetan culture and religion," the Karmapa said while addressing over 8,000 Tibetans, who are in this Buddhist holy site, about 110 km from Patna, to participate in the Kalachakra initiation for world peace.

"It's also the duty of us Tibetans in India and other free countries to let the world know what is going on within Tibet," the Karmapa added.

Recounting the relationship that Tibet shared with India, the 26-year-old Buddhist monk said: "We received the Buddha 'dharma' directly from India. Now, many of us have settled here in exile. Therefore, I do not need to tell you how close and profound this relationship between Tibet and India is."

"The hardships you were willing to undertake to come here to this holy place shows very clearly the deep sense of devotion and affection that we Tibetans feel for India," said the Karmapa, who usually resides in a monastery near Dharamsala town in Himachal Pradesh.

The Karmapa, who fled Tibet and sought refuge in India in January 2000, is the spiritual head of the Karma Kagyu school, one of the four sects of Tibetan Buddhism. He is considered the third most important Tibetan religious head after the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama. (IANS)


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Thursday, January 12, 2012

Vietnam Buddhist activist jailed

13 December 2011 Last updated at 09:29 ET Vietnamese buddhist followers watch as monks exit a Vietnam Airlines aircraft at Hanoi's Noi Bai airport on March 3, 2010 Religion is tightly controlled in Vietnam A court in Vietnam has given at least one Buddhist activist a prison sentence for distributing anti-government material, state media says.

Nguyen Van Lia, 71, a member of the minority Hoa Hao Buddhist sect, got a five year term for distributing anti-government leaflets and CDs.

There are unconfirmed reports that another man was also given a jail term.

With nearly four million followers in Vietnam, the sect is state sanctioned but some members oppose the government.

State media said that Mr Lia was guilty of "abusing democratic freedom to undermine the state interest".

He denied the charges, according to his daughter, who followed the half-day trial via loudspeakers outside the courtroom.

Officials at the People's Court of Cho Moi District in the province of An Giang declined to comment.

The Associated Press also reported that another Buddhist activist, Tran Hoai An, received a three-year sentence on the same charges.

The New-York based Human Rights Watch condemned the verdict as religious persecution.

"One wonders what exactly the government of Vietnam is so afraid of that an elderly man like Nguyen Van Lia, who has dedicated his life to religion, should frighten them so much that they feel they need to lock him up away in prison," said Phil Robertson, deputy director of HRW's Asia Division.


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Book review: 'Beyond Religion' by the Dalai Lama

For most of his 76 years, the 14th Dalai Lama has been the spiritual light for followers of Tibetan Buddhism, his every word parsed for guidance to living a better, more fulfilling life. Awarded the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize, the Dalai Lama has been an outspoken advocate for compassion, meditation and religious tolerance.

Now, as he steps down as leader of Tibet, the perpetually smiling monk in saffron and burgundy robes makes in "Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World" what some may regard as a heretical pronouncement: You don't need religion to lead a happy and ethical life.

Amid the clash of global, multicultural societies and religious values today, he argues in his new book that what is more important is "an approach to ethics which makes no recourse to religion and can be equally accessible to those with faith and those without; a secular ethics."

A metaphor the Dalai Lama likes to use goes like this: The difference between ethics and religion is like the difference between water and tea. Ethics without religious content is water, a critical requirement for health and survival. Ethics grounded in religion is tea, a nutritious and aromatic blend of water, tea leaves, spices, sugar and, in Tibet, a pinch of salt.

"But however the tea is prepared, the primary ingredient is always water," he says. "While we can live without tea, we can't live without water. Likewise, we are born free of religion, but we are not born free of the need for compassion."

This is anything but a book denouncing faith. But some readers, particularly those with strong religious beliefs, are bound to find the Dalai Lama's argument troubling. Even the power of prayer has dissipated in his eyes. "In fact, I consider prayer to be of immense psychological benefit," he says. "But we must accept that its tangible results are often hard to see. When it comes to obtaining certain, direct results, it is clear that prayer cannot match the achievements of, for instance, modern science."

This volume could be viewed as the distillation of the Dalai Lama's lifelong interest in science and its evolving understanding of consciousness, subjective experience, rhythms of nature and the fabric of the universe. It draws heavily from personal recollections and regular meetings with researchers in the fields of physics, cosmology, biology, psychology and neuroscience.

In language that is relaxed and clear, the Dalai Lama suggests that a concern for the welfare of others, "when combined with reflection on our personal experiences and coupled with simple common sense, can, I believe, offer a strong case for the benefits of cultivating basic human values that does not rely on religious principles or faith at all. And I welcome this."

Buddhism, which has a history of adapting to changing times and cultures, was founded by Siddhartha Gautama in India about the 6th century BC and then spread to China, Japan, Korea, Tibet and Vietnam. It arrived in the United States in the 19th century and was popularized in the 1950s and 1960s by the likes of Buddhist missionary D.T. Suzuki, author Alan Watts and beat poet Allen Ginsberg. Today a new American hybrid of Buddhism is blossoming, fed by a large representation of Jewish practitioners.

Some may disagree with the Dalai Lama's perspective, but he does a credible job of arguing why we should "move beyond our limited sense of closeness to this or that group or identity, and instead cultivate a sense of closeness to the entire human family."

"The sequencing of the human genome, for example, has shown that racial differences constitute only a tiny fraction of our genetic makeup, the vast majority of which is shared by all of us," the Dalai Lama writes. "In fact, at the genome level, the differences between individuals appear more pronounced than those between different races. The time has come I believe for each of us to start thinking and acting on the basis of an identity rooted in the phrase 'we human beings.'"

Given that the Dalai Lama has given more time to getting in touch with his inner-Buddha than anyone else alive, his book offers a fascinating approach to moral guidance in an age of technological globalization and multicultural societies.

louis.sahagun@latimes.com


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Vietnam sentences 2 Buddhist activists to prison

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnam sentenced two Buddhist activists to prison Tuesday for distributing anti-government leaflets and CDs, a relative and state media said.

Nguyen Van Lia and Tran Hoai An were sentenced on charges of "abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the state," state media reported Tuesday.

Lia received five years and An received three years on the same charges, state media reported.

Lia, 71, denied the charges in the half-day trial, said his daughter, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Lua, who followed the trial via loud speakers outside the courtroom.

Officials at the People's Court of Cho Moi District in southern An Giang province declined to comment.

An and Lia are members of the Hoa Hao Buddhist group. They were arrested in April after authorities found 15 books, 64 CDs and DVDs and 36 documents accusing the government of violating human rights and suppressing religious freedom, the official Vietnam News Agency reported Tuesday.

New York-based Human Rights Watch demanded Lia's immediate release and called the sentence "outrageous and unacceptable."

"One wonders what exactly the government of Vietnam is so afraid of that an elderly man like Nguyen Van Lia, who has dedicated his life to religion, should frighten them so much that they feel they need to lock him away in prison," said Phil Robertson, deputy director of the group's Asia Division.

Robertson said Lia, who is suffering from high blood pressure and several broken ribs, should be released and allowed to seek medical treatment.

Further information on An was not immediately available.

Vietnam does not tolerate challenges to its single-party rule.

(This version CORRECTS second activist's sentence was 3 years, not 5 years.)


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Pattaya Mail

About 25,000 people turned up at dawn Dec. 24 to present alms to 2,084 Buddhist monks on a mission to help Southern Thailand brethren and flood victims.

The huge merit-making event in front of Pattaya City Hall at 6 a.m. saw the crowd, dressed predominantly in white, donate rice and dried goods to support a nationwide drive by a million monks to provide relief to 266 embattled Buddhist temples in Thailand’s Muslim-dominated south.

This portrait of His Majesty the King graciously oversees the ceremony.This portrait of His Majesty the King graciously oversees the ceremony.

All the received alms will later be distributed in the south, and to victims of recent flooding in 26 provinces. The ceremony is counted as part of the 77 Provinces 1 Million Monks Alms Giving Project initiated by Phrathepyanmahamuni, the Abbot of Dhammakaya Temple.

The Dhammakaya Foundation, the Association of Meditation for World Moral Development and the World Moral Revival Club organized the government-sponsored event, the fourth since 2008, aimed at reviving and supporting religion. It was a family-oriented activity meant to reinforce traditional values as well as support the southern monks, who are often the targets of violence by Muslim separatists.

Banglamung District Ecclesiastical Chief Pharkru Vijidhammasarn presided over the ceremony and Pattaya Major Itthiphol Kunplome led the congregation in the merit-making by presenting a royal flower cone in front of HM the King’s portrait. The sea of orange robes flowed along North Road from the 3rd Road intersection to the Dolphin Roundabout.

Among the other guests was Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome, Santsak Ngampichet, chairman of the Religion, Art and Culture Department, local political leaders and MPs.

The most respected monks in the area take pride of place at the event.The most respected monks in the area take pride of place at the event.

Over 20,000 people turned up at dawn Dec. 24 to present alms to 2,084 Buddhist monks.Over 20,000 people turned up at dawn Dec. 24 to present alms to 2,084 Buddhist monks.

Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome addresses the early morning gathering.Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome addresses the early morning gathering.

Over 2,000 monks receive alms from over 20,000 humble followers.Over 2,000 monks receive alms from over 20,000 humble followers.

Even foreign guests are willing to help.Even foreign guests are willing to help.

Bathed in the early morning light, monks pray for their brethren in the South.Bathed in the early morning light, monks pray for their brethren in the South.

Praying for peace, happiness and prosperity for all.Praying for peace, happiness and prosperity for all.

Dressed in white, praying for peace, reaching for serenity.Dressed in white, praying for peace, reaching for serenity.

Young and old pray for a better future for the Kingdom.Young and old pray for a better future for the Kingdom.

The solemn ceremony has deep meaning for many.The solemn ceremony has deep meaning for many.

This article was published in the Pattaya Mail newspaper on Friday January 6, 2012 (Vol. XX No. 1).


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Thailand profile

9 November 2011 Last updated at 07:18 ET Map of Thailand Thailand is the only country in south-east Asia to have escaped colonial rule. Buddhist religion, the monarchy and the military have helped to shape its society and politics.

The 1980s brought a boom to its previously agricultural economy and had a significant impact on Thai society as thousands flocked to work in industry and the services sector.

Although Thailand's recent governments have been civilian and democratically-elected, the country has seen turbulent times. The military governed, on and off, between 1947 and 1992 - a period characterised by coups, coup attempts and popular protests.

The collapse of the south-east Asian economic boom in 1997 led to public disillusion with free-market policies and encouraged the rise of populist Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

In September 2006, the military once again stepped into politics, carrying out a bloodless coup against Prime Minister Thaksin.

By the end of 2007, the military junta had drafted a new constitution and held general elections, marking the beginning of the transition back to civilian rule.

Continue reading the main story Thai dancer Politics: Thailand returned to civilian rule in 2008 after a bloodless military coup in 2006 Economy: It has an export-led economy, but tourism is also a major industry International: There have been clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops over disputed border regions since 2009

Country profile compiled by BBC Monitoring

Thailand has a minority Muslim, ethnic Malay population concentrated in its southern provinces.

A decades-old separatist struggle in the region - which abated in the 1980s - flared again in 2004. The violence has claimed more than 3,000 lives.

Thailand's capital, Bangkok expanded rapidly with the influx of workers during the boom years. It is one of Asia's most vibrant, and heavily-congested, cities.

The large-scale sex industry which flourishes there contributed to the incidence of HIV infection - a major concern for the government.

Thailand has taken the lead in the region in distributing cheaper generic drugs for Aids sufferers and awareness campaigns are credited with reducing the number of new infections.

Since 2009, Thai troops have sporadically clashed with Cambodian forces in several disputed areas along the two countries' border.


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Buddhist Questions & Answers On 2012

Q: What are the world’s top scientists saying about 2012?
A: NASA’s (USA’s ‘National Aeronautics and Space Administration’) statements can be seen at http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/2012.html They represent many top scientists’ views.

Q: How about a brief summary?
A: In the words of NASA, which is one of the world’s leading authorities on scientific research, ‘Nothing bad will happen to the Earth in 2012. Our planet has been getting along just fine for more than 4 billion years, and credible scientists worldwide know of no threat associated with 2012.’

Q: What about what others are saying about impending disasters?
A: Are they more credible than NASA and such? Or are they pseudo-scientists and self-proclaimed ‘experts’ building upon myths, rumours and bad science? If they are credible, they should simply share their findings with leading scientific organisations, to leverage on their authority and widely publicise whatever is ‘valid’ through them. If for some reason they can’t, they have the responsibility to do their make their voices be heard more loudly and clearly, to convince everyone of their ‘truths’ beyond the shadow of a doubt.

Whether as Buddhists or otherwise, we should be mindful not to rely on others’ words based on blind faith, but to investigate in detail personally. Even if one simply believes what another says due to the person’s reputation, one is relying on a personality and not the truth itself. This is going against the Buddha’s teachings in a very fundamental way. To know if one is doing so, one should ask oneself if one will believe the same ideas if they are propagated by any other person instead.

Q: What if there is a conspiracy theory by NASA and such to conceal the truth from us?
A: What are the chances that every single respected scientific and governmental authority is capable of hiding the truth from everyone? It is up to us to use the best of our wisdom to decide if this is possible and to respond accordingly. Leading scientific organisations have nothing to gain from concealing the truth while many hoaxsters have much to gain, in terms of gathering money and followers from spreading sensational non-truths. There are many sincere but misguided followers of these hoaxsters too. Unfortunately, some of these confused followers might in turn be leaders with many followers of their own.

Though NASA already openly reassures, as above, that nothing particularly terrible will happen in 2012, some ’2012-doomsday-or-disaster’ propagators claim that their source of information was leaked from NASA, that NASA is concealing their findings due to fear of causing panic. If so, is their information officially from NASA or not? If official information of impending disaster did leak from NASA, it should be proved traceable to NASA by the propagators. If this is not proved by them, what ground is there to believe them? Also, if it is agreeable that panic should not be caused, why should the propagators do exactly that?

Q: However, there seems to be a variety of ‘doomsday’ and disaster prophecies?
A: Here is a concise video called ‘The Truth about 2012' by NASA for clarifying on them at http://vimeo.com/7463829 More can be read at http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/ask-an-astrobiologist/intro/nibiru-and-doomsday-2012-questions-and-answers We need to remember too, the Y2K (year 2000) scare at the turn of the millennium, which spawned many ‘spiritual’ and technological ‘doomsday’ prophecies worldwide. None came true.

There are also many ‘prophecies’ about 2012 because it is especially ‘bankable’, especially after the entertainment industry’s popularising of the fictitious and very profitable movie ’2012'. Strangely, some believe the scenes in the movie to be exactly what is going to happen in 2012, while the director is currently planning another fictitious profit-making sequel called ’2013': http://www.slashfilm.com/roland-emmerich-developing-2012-sequel-2013-as-television-series! He also has another film release planned for the year 2013 – which is of course beyond the year 2012: http://collider.com/red-dawn-pixes-singularity-release-dates/128386! Obviously, the director himself does not believe in the 2012 phenomenon!

Q: Isn’t it safer to believe that something terrible is going to happen?
A: It is safer if something terrible is indeed going to happen, while terrible things can happen due to false alarms.

Q: What are some of these terrible things?
A: It can be physically dangerous as some might kill themselves, be it individually or by mass suicide, due to overwhelming fear, depression, loss of hope… and some might give up so much of their material belongings, relationships and responsibilities that they become homeless and destitute, with nothing to survive on after the supposed ‘last day’ has come and passed. These things have often happened in the past due to false alarms. There can be riots from mass panic too. Please be mindful of these possible consequences from spreading ideas about 2012. In this age of the Internet, with the easy and rapid spread of erroneous ideas, the negative karmic repercussions from doing so are difficult to calculate.

Q: Is there a recent example of such false alarms?
A: The most recent widely publicised ‘doomsday’ that never transpired was the day 21 October 2011. You can read news on it at http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business/2011/10/harold-camping-doomsday-prophet-wrong-again Although the predictor had wrongly predicted ‘doomsday’ twelve times, many still believed him, leading to much loss.

Q: Were there more false alarms in the past?
A: You can see at least 146 past ‘doomsday’ predictions that failed to come true at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dates_predicted_for_apocalyptic_events

Q: Is there a quick way to assess if a ‘doomsday’ or disaster predictor is telling the truth or not?
A: This is not a guaranteed way to assess accurately, but most leaders who predicted, or who are supposed to believe a coming day being ‘doomsday’ or disastrous do NOT give up all, or even most of their finances, personal and organisational properties to warn others of the day itself. This is probably because they do not believe it, or are unsure themselves. Why keep so much if the end of days is really coming? All their possessions should be cashed in to fund public warnings instead.

As usual, when the day has come and passed with not much happening, they are likely to proclaim that it was a miscalculation, or that due to changes in the collective karma of the world, things have amazingly turned entirely around. Either way, they continually get away with having caused needless fear, though many followers tend to leave them in disappointment and disgust. The predictors have the tendency to frequently update their ‘prophecies’ in a bid to retain their followers too. Because there tends to be several natural disasters each year, any one of them can be labelled to be the result of the mitigation of an otherwise more major disaster too. It should be noted that there are mass suicide ‘doomsday’ cults too, with leaders and followers truly giving up everything, by killing themselves together due to their twisted beliefs. An example can be seen at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven’s_Gate_(religious_group)

Q: Can such false alarms be spiritually dangerous too?
A: Yes, because life is unpredictable, death can strike anyone at any time before the predicted ‘doomsday’. Attachment to the belief that one will live right up to the predicted ‘doomsday’ can lead to procrastination of spiritual practice from thinking there is still ample time. Every second, as we speak, there are people dying due to various causes around the world, many of whom did not expect death to come so soon. Of course, this does not mean we should just panic immediately, because spiritual practice requires mindful calmness and clarity. Of course, death can occur after the predicted day too. In fact, this is statistically much more probable for most of us.

Q: Is there a Buddhist perspective of 2012?
A: You can see some perspectives at http://thedailyenlightenment.com/2009/11/a-buddhist-perspective-of-2012

Q: How about a brief summary?
A: A key excerpt says, ‘Though there is no Buddhist prophecy [in the sutras] of any special upcoming event in 2012, I can no longer hide a universally true prophecy. Here is it… Due to impending death and the uncertainty of when it arrives, we might die any time before 2012. We might even pass away today, for life is uncertain, while death is certain. Whether you believe something ill will happen in 2012 or not, it always makes sense to live life fully with the Dharma – NOW. Since Buddhists believe in the phenomenon of rebirth, of both sentient lives and entire world systems, the physical “end of the world” is to us, somewhat overhyped, while it is end of our spiritual life that is the most truly terrifying. As the Buddha exhorted in his last words, “Subject to change are all conditioned things. Strive on with diligence!”‘

Q: Is there some direct advice by the Buddha?
A: Here is some timeless advice from the Buddha from Section 38 of ‘The Sutra in 42 Sections’: ’The Buddha asked a Shramana [monastic], “How long is the human life span?” He replied, “A few days.” The Buddha said, “You have not yet understood the way [to enlightenment].” He asked another Shramana, “How long is the human life span?” The reply was, “The space of a meal.” The Buddha said, “You have not yet understood the way.” He asked another Shramana, “How long is the human life span?” He replied, “The length of a single breath.” The Buddha said, “Excellent. You have understood the way.”‘

Q: What does that mean?
A: What it means is that life is only as long as each breath, that the next breath might not come after this very breath. This is the truest ‘prophecy’, because life is indeed uncertain from moment to moment. The exact ‘doomsday’, or rather, day of death for every person is different, unless some happen to die together.

On the idea that the world will not end in 2012, but that there will be major disasters with some survivors, it is worth noting that many die in disasters every year. For each individual who perishes or suffers as a result, it is already a ‘doomsday’ or disaster day. We are thus already survivors of sorts. Although these disasters were not ‘the end of the world’ for us, the possibility of facing a deadly disaster is already present in every moment for everyone. There is no way to say for sure who will die when. Being attached to the idea that one will die or suffer only in 2012 can thus lead to dangerous spiritual complacency. As such, we should live each moment best we can, with as much mindful compassion and wisdom as possible. That there are seemingly more deadly disasters recently is a good reminder to do so as they can be seen as a reflection of our great collective negative karma.

Q: Could 2012 ideas be a skilful means?
A: Some think that propagating 2012 ideas might be a skilful means to urge everyone to buck up our spiritual practice. However, there are clearly much more skilful means to do so, such as using the Buddha’s teaching of immediacy above. Also, the spread of unfounded rumours will be proven unskilful in the long run when spiritual trust is lost, when the prophecised fail to come true. May fellow Buddhists and Dharma teachers be mindful of not causing the Dharma they share and themselves to lose credibility by sharing any unskilful ideas.

Q: What if I still worry about dying suddenly some day, be it in 2012 or otherwise?
A: In the Buddhist perspective, the safest and best place to be reborn is Amituofo’s (Amitabha Buddha’s) Pure Land, as praised by all Buddhas in the Amitabha Sutra, where there is no suffering or natural disasters, where there is only conducive spiritual bliss. With the company of the enlightened there, it is the ideal school for training to be enlightened, so as to better guide others to enlightenment. You can learn more about the Pure Land teachings, to know how to practise to be born there through mindfulness of Amituofo and other related practices. For good Pure Land practitioners, as they are aware that death can occur at any time, they calmly and diligently practise mindfulness of Amituofo as much as they can in everyday life, so as to be readily mindful of Amituofo to reach his Pure Land when it is time to depart – whether the moment comes suddenly or not. Whether there is a ‘doomsday’ prophecy should not matter.

Q: Do you have any ‘final’ advice?
A: As Stonepeace put it,

‘Because everything* changes from moment to moment,
we should treasure everything in this moment.
Because everything changes from moment to moment,
we should not be attached to anything in this moment.’

[*Everything - that is worldly, unlike true spiritual attainments.]

This article does not claim that anyone or everyone will be alright in any particular year or on any day. What it says is that based on scientific and Buddhist perspectives, 2012 is not particularly special. Despite this, life is already and always unpredictable from moment to moment in every year – which is why we should live each moment well. No one can go wrong with this advice, while clinging only to a particular year or day being a potential ‘doomsday’ or a disaster day for one or many is to that extent unhealthy.

If you found this article useful, please share it with your friends. Thank you.

A briefer version of this article also appears on 01.01.12 at http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=8,10647,0,0,1,0

Related Article by Reader:
Beware of ‘Buddhist’ 2012 Hearsay
http://thedailyenlightenment.com/2012/01/beware-of-%E2%80%98buddhist%E2%80%99-2012-hearsay


View the original article here

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Teachers & Students

If you have never questioned any teacher’s teachings,
you must have encountered only perfect teachers,
or you are an imperfect student.

- Stonepeace


View the original article here

Events Of The Month – Week 3

Talks & Classes | Special Events

TPBC: 13/2-19/3: The Bodhicitta Factor: The Exhortation on Giving Rise to Bodhicitta (How to Be a Bodhisattva) by Shen Shi’an (TDEditor)
TPBC: 16/2-5/4: The Heart of ’The Heart Sutra’: The Core of Wisdom (5th Run)
KMS: 11/2-17/3: Pure Land Perspectives (Zen of Pure Land, Pure Land of Zen)
AP: 14/2-20/3: Dharma@Cinema Course (‘Enlightenment’ Thru Entertainment)
AP: 25/3-5/6: Project Rebirth (Rediscover, Reflect, Recharge (Round 4)
Recent Class Pix
WAY: Talks & 8-Precepts Meditation Workshop | Countdown Chanting |Retreat & Talks
Sg: 24-30/12: Abhidharma & You (Buddhist Psychology)
DDS: Events
TC: Updates
FGS: Updates
KMS: Updates
PMT: Dec Activities
CASonline: The Great Terton Orgyen Namkha Lingpa | Pabongkha’s Dakini | Important Appeal from Drikung Ontrul Rinpoche | 2 Teachers Re-appointed | The Masters

Youth

SBYM: 24-27/12: Camp for Kids
[MV: 16-19/12: Youth Camp
DDS: Youth Activities
KMS: Youth Activities
NUSBS: NUS Buddhist Society

Pujas, Initiations & Retreats

TBC: 31/12-10/1: Kalachakra (Bodhgaya, India)
DKOC: Dec Activities

Misc

AP: Vege Cooking Workshop
More Events after 16/12
Events/Notices RSS | World


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Three Degrees of Courage for Arousing Bodhicitta

Amita[bha] Buddha is
the great king who presides over Pure Land,
the great boatman who ferries beings across, and
the great shepherd who protects beings on the way.

- Anonone

The Courage of a King: A king’s first priority is to overcome all his rivals, promote those who support him and proclaim himself sovereign. Only after that does his wish to take care of his subjects come into effect. Similarly, the wish first to attain Buddhahood for oneself and then to bring others to Buddhahood is called the king’s way of arousing Bodhicitta [the aspiration to attain Buddhahood for all beings].

The Courage of a Boatman: A boatman aims to arrive on the other shore together with all his passengers. Likewise, the wish to achieve Buddhahood for oneself and all beings at the same time is called the boatman’s way of arousing Bodhicitta.

The Courage of a Shepherd: Shepherds drive their sheep in front of them, making sure that they find grass and water and are not attacked by wolves, jackals or other wild beasts. They themselves follow behind. In the same way, the attitude of those who wish to establish all beings of the three worlds [of desire, form and formlessness] in perfect Buddhahood before achieving it for themselves is called the shepherd’s way of arousing Bodhicitta.

The king’s way, called ‘arousing Bodhicitta with the great wish,’ is the least courageous of the three. The boatman’s way, called ‘arousing Bodhicitta with sacred wisdom,’ is more courageous. It is said that Lord Maitreya aroused Bodhicitta in this way. The shepherd’s way, called ‘the arousing of Bodhicitta beyond compare,’ is the most courageous of all. It is said to be the way Lord Manjusri aroused Bodhicitta.

The Words of My Perfect Teacher
(Patrul Rinpoche)

Learn about Developing Bodhicitta:
http://thedailyenlightenment.com/2011/11/course-the-bodhicitta-factor


View the original article here

TDE Books @ NUSBS Camp

TDE books make another appearance at NUS Buddhist Society’s camp: http://moonpointer.com/new/2011/12/dharmacinema-for-nusbs

Feedback: ‘The books are very interesting… We can distribute the books during our daily activities!’

Get them today at http://thedailyenlightenment.com/2011/05/get-tde-book-1-2-3-4


View the original article here

Beware Of ‘Buddhist’ 2012 Hearsay

As according to the Buddha’s teaching in the Kalama Sutta, we should have wise enquiry for the truth, and beware of blindly subscribing to unfounded hearsay, both online or offline. As long as not yet fully enlightened, not everything said by well known persons, even teachers with wide followings, has 100% guarantee of being always correct.

Below is a true case study, as carefully summarised and analysed. The actual sources of information are not shared here as their links might further mislead readers. This was written not to slander anyone, but to address an important matter rationally and factually, without favour, to safeguard the Dharma and to protect fellow Buddhists.

A teacher on 22.12.2011 spoke online with grave and conclusive certainty that there will be 3 days of darkness from 21.12.2012 onwards, that the world will enter the ‘zero dimension’ before going into the ‘fourth dimension’, that there will be much destruction and death, that technology (including modes of transport like planes, ships and cars) might fail, that there might be no electricity and gas, returning us to olden times. He held some papers as he spoke, and says this information is from the most authoritative report, from NASA.

11 days later, on 02.01.2012, he takes back ALL his words above in a vague manner. He says there is lots of information (news) on disasters out there, that there is no need to bother, that they are not reliable, that whatever they are about, they are not important at all, that their origins are unknown, that there is no need to believe this and that, that to bother about such information is to practise Buddhism wrongly, that we should transform the environment with our minds instead, that if you want to, you can take a look at the information, that if you don’t want to, there is no need to at all.

1 day later, on 03.01.2012, he says that he received information that NASA is denouncing many 2012 hoaxes, which have no scientific proof, that this implies asking us not to believe them. He says, ‘Is there reason? We hear this to be reasonable. Why? The environment changes with the mind. If we all do not think about it, this matter will not be there. If you go and think about it, it will come.’

Here is a deeper analysis of problems with the above proclamations:

1. NASA did not say the above, that he first claimed on 22.12.2011. What NASA says can be seen at http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/2012.html There goes the so-called most authoritative report, right down the drain. Also, what is this zero to fourth dimension darkness and end of technology prediction, that was not even explained scientifically, even as a plausible theory?

2. He should openly apologise to his followers who became worried over his openly said words, and apologise for putting words in NASA’s mouth. The unnecessary panic and harm caused by his words is hard to measure indeed. Given his relatively high profile, can we imagine how many might lose faith in Buddhism and other Buddhist teachers generally as a result? He should explain for his mistakes properly. There are some who might become depressed and contemplate drastic ‘measures’ like suicide too.

3. He had taught much over the last few years on impending 2012 problems. When he simply said recently, there is no need to bother about such information, how do his followers know which past information not to bother about any more? Does this include what he said before, and now? Which is the baby to keep and which the bathwater to throw out?

4. As he said that lots of information out there is unreliable and is unimportant in such a certain way, why did he rely on and spread such unreliable and unimportant information with certainty in the first place? How do we know if future information from him on this (or other subjects) will be reliable or important, since he said there is no need to bother about ‘such information’ out there? Is he the only reliable source of information? If he is, he would not had said what is unreliable in the first place. He should simply unequivocally say what he said earlier about 2012 was unreliable, especially from the perspective of the truly reliable and authoritative source that he wrongly referenced earlier – NASA!

5. It is irresponsible to say there is no need to bother about all information (news). Without information, how do we become informed of community and worldwide problems, such as the climate crisis and the misfortune of other beings, so as to do what is needed? Without information, how can anyone who heard his seriously wrong claims have rectified information? It is also wrong to make a sweeping statement that all information out there is not reliable, not important, or with unknown origins. E.g. NASA is reasonably reliable. In fact, isn’t this why he made statements with reference to NASA, albeit mostly inaccurately so far? With timely and appropriate information on various matters in the world, many problems can be avoided too – such as allaying panic due to 2012 hoaxes.

6. If all Buddhists should shut ourselves from all information, how do we become active Bodhisattvas in engaging the world with compassion and wisdom skilfully? There is a limit to how much we can transform the environment with our limited mind transformation. If it is so easy to do so, this world will be a Pure Land instantly for everyone already. Why would there be the need to warn of disasters like he did? If we should just shut ourselves from all information, why did he share the wrong information with others in the first place, which he now takes back? Shouldn’t he had shut himself from the hoaxes in the first place?

7. He often said he doesn’t read newspapers or watch the news because there is no need to. Yet he kept talking about ‘news’ of 2012 in a misguided manner recently. His 22.12.2011 announcement was especially ‘significant’ because he claimed it was officially (sic) from NASA, that it is of special concern. Yet, he says he doesn’t know where it is really from 11 days later. Without more explanation, he just says it, like other information, is of no concern. How many might have heard of only his first or earlier announcements of an ‘impending disaster’ but not the second ‘corrective’ one? Out of compassion and wisdom, he should clarify more clearly and openly.

8. Unfortunately, this is not the first time he made ambiguous and misleading statements about an ‘impending disaster’ that is proven not true. As mentioned, may all be careful when listening to anyone, including teachers. Again, not all teachers are always right. In fact, few teachers are always right, as few are totally enlightened. In this recent case, if the information was passed to him by deluded followers, and that he believed and shared the information wrongly, he should just admit so to clear the air. He could had ironically victimised himself and others by blocking proper objective channels of information in the first place, as in point 7 above. Teachers’ delusions are ironically often created and sustained by their deluded students, but they themselves are always responsible too, for trusting unsound sources without sound discernment. Worse still, is pride and delusion that prevents proper apology for one’s grave mistakes.

9. On 03.01.2012, he still fails to apologise for his years of 2012 rumour-mongering despite knowing NASA’s official stance. He simply says that there are many unscientific hoaxes, but does not say directly that what he has been saying on 2012 belongs to the same category, that he had been hoaxed into being a hoaxster too. He had been asking countless to believe conclusively in 2012 hoaxes, and now he simply says there is no need to believe them at all, that this is reasonable. That makes him unreasonable all along in rumour-mongering. He also sneaks around the issue by saying NASA implied that not thinking about a coming disaster is the way to avert it, as if the disaster is still a possibility. NASA has never said this, while giving this perspective is using NASA’s name to cover his mistakes. If this principle works 100%, he is totally guilty for making his followers keep thinking and worrying at length about a coming disaster in the recent years – that could have led to a real disaster. He should had not said anything about 2012 in the first place in any case then? Saying that simply not thinking about something will not make that thing come true is simplistic. For instance, we do not need to think of death but everyone unenlightened still dies some day, and just thinking about not dying does not make us immortal.

It cannot be said once and for all, that this episode of the 2012 hoax fueled by the said teacher has come to an end for good, as he might flip his words incoherently again, as above? Although he is seen as a good teacher by some, he is also known for generating major contentious Dharma issues in the eyes of other respectable Buddhist teachers, such as the popularisation of a compiled (and thus heavily edited) so-called ‘sutra’ not approved by any Buddhist Patriarch in history, that continues to cause needless division in the Buddhist community. Such a text cannot be said to be actual words of the Buddha, even if somewhat aligned in principle. In his 02.01.2012 talk, he again tells his followers not to doubt this so-called ‘sutra’, that it is the best, that if it is doubted, one might miss the opportunity to reach their spiritual goal in this life. This is untrue because it would mean that no one else reached their spiritual goals by relying on the orthodox version of the sutra, which the last great Patriarch used too.

Despite respect for whatever good he has done, partially due to the above (and other issues not easy to detail here), it is now hard to respect his character, which seems to lack true contrition and repentance in speech and action for his mistakes. The only way he can regain respect from appalled fellow Buddhists is to realise and resolve his mistakes openly and clearly as soon as possible. (Previous contentious issues have been politely sent to his organisations for clarifications years ago, but replies are still in want.)

- DharmaProtector

Related Article:
Buddhist Questions & Answers on 2012
http://thedailyenlightenment.com/2011/12/buddhist-questions-answers-on-2012


View the original article here

A Single Breath

The Buddha asked a Shramana [monastic],
‘How long is the human life span?’
He replied, ‘A few days.’
The Buddha said,
‘You have not yet understood the way.’

He asked another Shramana,
‘How long is the human life span?’
The reply was, ‘The space of a meal.’
The Buddha said,
‘You have not yet understood the way.’

He asked another Shramana,
‘How long is the human life span?’
He replied, ‘The length of a single breath.’
The Buddha said,
‘Excellent. You have understood the way.’

- The Buddha
(Section 38 of ‘The Sutra in 42 Sections’)


View the original article here

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

More ‘Buddhist Question & Answers On 2012′

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To not believe because it is not said by a person,
or to believe just because it is said by a person,
is to not rely on the Dharma, but to rely on a person.

- Stonepeace

‘The Truth About 2012' can be seen clarified by NASA (America’s astronomical science authority) in the video at http://vimeo.com/7463829 Though NASA already openly reassures that nothing particularly terrible will happen in 2012, some ’2012-doomsday-or-disaster’ propagators claim that their source of information was leaked from NASA, that NASA is concealing their findings due to fear of causing panic. If so, is their information officially from NASA or not? If official information of impending disaster did leak from NASA, it should be proved traceable to NASA by the propagators. If this is not proved by them, what ground is there to believe them? If it is agreed that panic should not be caused, why should the propagators do exactly that?

We should be mindful not to rely on others’ words based on blind faith, but to investigate personally. If one simply believes what another says due to the person’s ‘reputation’, one is relying on a personality and not the truth itself. This is going against the Buddha’s teachings in a very fundamental way. One should ask oneself if one will believe the same ideas if they are propagated by another person instead. Some think that propagating 2012 ideas might be a skilful means to urge everyone to buck up our spiritual practice. However, there are clearly much more skilful means to do so, such as using the Buddha’s teaching of immediacy – to live each moment well due to unpredictability of the next.

On the idea that there will be major disasters with some survivors in 2012, it is worth noting that many die in disasters every year. For each individual who suffers as a result, it is already a ‘doomsday’ or disaster day. We are thus already survivors of sorts. Although these disasters were not ‘the end of the world’ for us, the possibility of facing a deadly disaster is already present in every moment for everyone. There is no way to say for sure who will die when. Being attached to the idea that one will die or suffer only in 2012 can thus lead to dangerous spiritual complacency. As such, we should live each moment fully, with as much mindful compassion and wisdom as we can.

To read the full article, where the above excerpts are from, please see http://thedailyenlightenment.com/2011/12/buddhist-questions-answers-on-2012 This does not claim that everyone will be alright in any particular year or on any day. What this says is that based on scientific and Buddhist perspectives, 2012 is not particularly special. As life is always unpredictable, we should live each moment best we can. No one can go wrong with this advice, while clinging only to a particular year or day being a ‘doomsday’ or a disaster day is unhealthy. May fellow Buddhists and Dharma teachers be mindful of not causing the Dharma they share and themselves to lose credibility by sharing any unskilful ideas on 2012. May this be a spiritually fruitful new year for all.

Good teachers do not ignore faults of their students.
They correct them responsibly.
If otherwise, of what good are these teachers to their students?

Good students do not rationalise faults of their teachers.
They correct them respectfully.
If otherwise, of what good are these students to their teachers?

- Stonepeace


View the original article here

I’ll Find Someone Like You? (A ‘Zeph Stories’ Spin-off)

To be someone for someone
is the romantic’s mundane vision.
To be someone for everyone
is the Bodhisattva’s supramundane vision.

- Stonepeace

Zeph encountered the ‘perfect’ girl one day. She was browsing in a bookstore. She seemed perfect in every way visible. Her looks, her mannerisms, her dressing… And even her book choices were delightfully of good sophisticated taste. As Zeph looked up from his book from where he sat, he shuddered at the realisation that he could hardly keep his eyes off her. And he further shuddered at the fact that it was because he really couldn’t see anything displeasing about her. The words, ‘the one’ echoed in his mind. If she isn’t ‘the one’, who else could it be? He thought of the lamest excuses to strike up a conversation, before realising how incredibly superficial he was to be attracted by mere appearances. Yet he wondered what goodness beneath the appearances he would miss if he didn’t get to know her better. He imagined being with her happily ever after. Was it possible? Even if she was utterly perfect in every way, spiritually and physically, he wasn’t. They would not match, and he would feel ashamed. She would never let him down but he would always let her down. What he wanted, he decided, was not someone perfect, but to become someone perfect, who also inspires others towards perfection.

But true perfection, not being surface, should be beyond looks – and in terms of character. She seemed so perfect that he couldn’t bear to approach her… lest the beautiful illusion gets shattered. What she represented was the possibility of perfection. That seemed good enough in the moment. No lustful attachment; just pure inspiration. How wonderful! Maybe she is a manifestation of a Bodhisattva here to teach him? Resonance with images of the enlightened is there only when the possibility of perfection is within us! Adele had painfully sang of a lost love, ‘Never mind, I’ll find someone like you.’ Not that it’s impossible to find or refind a dream lover, but how about becoming like the person you yearn to be with, to end the anguish once and for all? Do you really want someone perfect or to become someone perfect? Being with someone you like is never as fulfilling as becoming the one you would like to be. There will always be more appealing people out there as long as you do not become better yourself. This reminded Zeph of something from this movie, where a guy kept pursuing the girl of his dreams, before realising he had become the guy of everyone’s dreams through genuine transformation…

In that film ‘Groundhog Day’, Rita (played by Andie MacDowell) asked Phil (Bill Murray), ‘What do you want?’ Phil replied, ‘What I really want is someone like you.’ Phil was at first an obnoxiously egocentric person, while Rita was the nicest person he had ever met – his mirror opposite. On another occasion, Phil confessed to Rita, ‘The first time I saw you, something happened to me. I never told you, but I knew I wanted to hold you as hard as I could. I don’t deserve someone like you.’ Thus was Phil’s suffering – from wanting someone like Rita, whom he felt out of his league. However, as he got to famously relive the same day in the story, with himself as the central element of change, who in turn changes his situations via his interactions, he begins to want less of Rita in a selfish way, as he betters himself in a more selfless way. In the goodness of Rita, he saw how nasty he was in contrast, of how he could be good as well. Though they came to be together, Phil realised he no longer ‘needed’ Rita in a possessive sense. By the end, he had evolved to become someone as nice as Rita herself, as influenced by her example and his own potential for change. The director calls this ‘the Buddhist lovers’ story’!

The unenlightened might inspire
attachment, aversion and delusion in the unenlightened.
The enlightened only inspire
generosity, compassion and wisdom in the unenlightened.

- Stonepeace

Related Articles:
Zeph Stories
http://moonpointer.com/new/zeph-stories


View the original article here

Material and Spiritual Development Must Go Hand in Hand - Dalai Lama

Home Dharma Dew

Bodhgaya, India -- To have a happy and peaceful life, the material development and inner-spiritual practice must goo hand in hand, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet on Wednesday told foreign devotees who are attending the 32nd Kalachakra Initiation for world peace at Bodhgaya.

"Everybody has desire to have happy life, and less problem, His Holiness the Dalai Lama told foreign devotees from 63 countries. "The 7 billion people, each and everyone has every right to achieve happy and successful life, less problem, this is our fundamental right," His Holiness added.

"It is difficulty to meet often, as today you are quite big number here, so I would like to say hello to all of you. I already met with brothers and sisters from mainland China, Himalayan regions, and of-course people who newly from Tibet yesterday."

"Tibetan spiritual leader said that the seven billion human beings, mentally, emotionally, and physically, we are same, the simple reason is, the way we born and die, no differences to all, whether easterner or westerner.

His Holiness said that people concerned more about material facility in the past times, because of the physical level; the hunger and decease are immensely effected, more concerned, so we concentrate more on material development and technology as well as education, it is right and important.

Later part of the 20th century, more and more people began to realize the real happiness and sensation, which very much depended on mental level. Obviously those People who have material facilities seem very comfortable life, but, life remained fear and some kind of frustration due to lack of inner spirit, these create anger, hatred and loneliness, also among the rich people such billionaires."

There are two factors in the later part of 20th century, one is more materialized life, instead of solving the problem, sometimes it is increasing and become unhappy. Another is the scientific research work, some top scientists who are really sharp minded now became to realize emotions and mind, I think this is something very important factor for happy life of any individual, family or a community, there is no differences to all; whether rich or poor and educated or uneducated once, unless the peace of mind."

"According to ancient Indian traditions including Buddhism, where there is practice of single pointed mind and penetrating-inside, initially there is more information about emotion and mind," Buddhist explained.

His Holiness expressed that scientists should research more on world of emotion and mind. He pointed-out that these days medical scientists began to take interest; how to develop cam-mind. So, I think it is very important, His Holiness added.


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Follow Lord Buddha's path for world peace: Dalai Lama

Home Asia Pacific South Asia India

Bodh Gaya, India -- Tibetan spiritual leader, The Dalai Lama, today asked Buddhist devotees to follow the path of Lord Buddha for promoting world peace.

<< Buddhist monks take shelter from the rain during a teaching session being addressed by the Dalai Lama on the first day of the Kalachakra festival in Bodhgaya January 1, 2012 - Reuters pic

Buddhism should not only be viewed as a tradition but taken up as a matter of study and exercise, the Dalai Lama said while addressing devotees who had assembled at Bodh Gaya, a place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment during Kalchakra Puja at Kalchakra ground here.

He described Lord Buddha as "an ancient ideologue and scientist of the religion and I am following the path of Buddha as a teacher for maintenance of world peace." The Tibetan spiritual leader conveyed his New Year's greetings to the devotees who had assembled here from all over the globe.

Enthusiasm was visible among the devotees who braved inclement weather condition and rains during the religious discourse by the Dalai Lama. Tight security was in place for the Kalchakra Puja.

The Dalai Lama had arrived here yesterday from Himachal Pradesh to participate in the 10-day Kalchakra Puja, which has religious importance in Buddhism. The Tibetan spiritual leader also offered prayers at the Mahabodhi temple here.


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China to expand oldest Buddhist temple

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Beijing, China -- China's oldest Buddhist temple, built 1,943 years ago, is to be renovated.

Baima Temple, or the White Horse Temple, will be expanded into a cultural park of 87 hectares in eight years, the religious affairs authorities said.

According to the People's Daily, the temple, located in Luoyang city, was the first Buddhist shrine in China and is considered "the cradle of Chinese Buddhism" by most believers.

The expanded complex will include an area for 10 exotic shrines that will come from foreign countries, the official said.

An Indian shrine and a Thai shrine have already risen in the courtyard.

Construction is expected to start in April.


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Monday, January 9, 2012

Former head of the Jogye Order Venerable Ji-kwan Passes Away At the Age of 79

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Seoul, South Korea -- A revered Buddhist monk here in Korea, the Venerable Ji-kwan, has passed away at the age of 79 after battling chronic asthma for many years.


A former chief executive of the largest Buddhist sect in the country, the Jogye Order, Venerable Ji-kwan died late Monday evening at Gyeongguk temple in Seoul.

The Buddhist monk had been under medical treatment since September as his health rapidly deteriorated with age.

Venerable Ji-kwan was known as a studying monk in Korean Buddhism who founded the Kasan Institute of Buddhist Culture, a research institute dedicated to the study of Buddhism and devoting most of his life to publishing Buddhist books.

A memorial altar will be set up at the Haeinsa temple in South Gyeongsang province later this morning and a cremation rite will be held on the 8th of this month.

About Ven Ji Kwan

Ven. Ji-Kwan was born Dec. 9, 1932 and entered into the priesthood at Haein-sa Temple in South Gyeongsang Province in 1947. He served as head monk at the temple from 1970 to 1972 and has worked as a professor of Dongguk University. He was also president of the university for four years from 1986.

Ven. Ji Kwan became the 32nd top administrator of the Jogye Order, Korea's biggest Buddhist order in 2005, winning a majority 165 votes out of the order's 320 representatives.

Ven. Ji Kwan led the Jogye Order for the next four years, following his predecessor Ven. Bub Jang, who died of heart attack in September 2005.

The nation's largest religious sect runs 2,000 temples, with 15,000 Buddhist monks and nuns and around 8 million followers, making it the nation's largest religious sect. Buddhism is the biggest religion in Korea.

Related article: Buddhist Leader Stressed Simpler Lifestyle, Mind


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David Duchovny goes on Buddhist retreat, ends up cleaning tables

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New York, USA -- David Duchovny recently paid a lot of money to go on a Buddhist meditation retreat at a monastery in New York, and while many would think that you spend all of your time there meditating and relaxing, Duchovny said that they put him to work as soon as he got there.

<< David Duchovny says he would go back to the retreat

Duchovny revealed that he ended up spending more time busing tables, working in the gardens and shoveling horse manure more than meditating.  He said;

"I just went on a retreat to a zen monastery in upstate New York. It's a type of Buddhism and meditation is a big part of it. I'm a beginner, I've only been meditating for a little while. You pay a fee to go for this weekend and what I didn't know is that even though you pay a fee they put you to work immediately.”

“You go there and first you bus some tables after you eat and they had me working in the garden everyday for an hour-and-a-half. It was fun, I was shoveling horse shit out there. You pay money and then you shovel horse [expletive]!"

David went on to talk about the actual meditation process which included being wacked with a stick, and finding ways to sit cross legged for 45 minutes without your legs going numb.  He said;

"You're meditating quite a lot, 45 minutes maybe three or four times a day... and it's a very strict kind of monastery, they don't want you moving at all while you're meditating. You're sitting cross-legged or sitting on your heels. Your feet go numb... but I figured out a way to cheat and to move.”

“There's a guy who walks around with a stick and he's banging it and you can ask him to hit you on the shoulders with the stick and it's supposed to hit a pressure point and relieve some sort of stress, so I as he walks by, you're supposed to (bow). This means, 'Please hit me'.”

“I'd hear him come around and hear him whacking people and when he comes I'll be able to adjust a little, that's all I'm thinking about [because] I'm so uncomfortable. So when he comes round I [bow] and he hits me once here (right shoulder) and he hits me there (left shoulder) and then you do this [bow] which means, 'Thank you for hitting me', so I got to adjust."

Even though the retreat was not exactly what David thought it would be, he said that he would return.


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