Fundraising for flood victims in Thailand

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Udomson BK

Ajahn Satit of Wat Buddhavongsayaram Inc. the only Buddhist temple in Albury has joined fundraising with the Oceania Thailand flood relief centre patronised by Somdej Phra Puttajarn, the chairperson of the Supreme of Patriarch’s Representative Committee.

“When many areas in Thailand have water flooding, I understand that it will not just flood only few days or a week it will be like that for months till the water level will be back to normal. Therefore people including monks will have to live in the area in that difficult situations. We here in Australia, would like to offer help where we can.”
Said Ajahn Satit.

On 20th October 2011 there was a grand opening of The Buddha Shop – Dean Street Albury . The shop supported the fundraising by donating 10% of the sale on the opening day.  They had a donation box at the counter of their shop so people in Albury could show their generosity by making a donation.

Ajahn Satit on behalf of Thai monks would like to also thank WINTV to have the news up on that evening that could help let people in Albury aware of the fundraising.

Saturday 5th November 2011. Ajahn Satit walk for alms round and leaded fundraising volunteers for flood victims in Thailand. The walk was aim to show the Spirit of Kindness and Generosity of people in Albuty to our friends the other part of the world who are in need.

The fundraising walk was start from 10.00 am on Dean St & Townsend St corner follow the arrow on the map. Fundraising volunteers handed out the flyer and donation box was available for generous donors. The Buddha Shop again made the 2nd donation for Thailand flood relief.

Bangkok Underwater – Alan Taylor – In Focus – The Atlantic

These VDO shows how your donation via Dhammakaya Foundation had assisted flood victims in Thailand

We proudly announce that two businesses in Albury has received the certificate of merit from the Flood Relief Centre.

Tฺhe Buddha Shop Albury

Da’s Thai Massage, Albury

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What experiences at Wat Buddhavongsayaram, Albury are like?

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Udomson BK

I was asked by Ajahn Satit to share my experiences at the temple in Albury.
My family and myself had been occasional visitor to the temple, and we had noticed an article in the Border Mail newspaper around the last week of December that a new monk was looking after the temple and alms would be collected in Dean Street, on the first Sunday of each month. We decided to visit the temple on the Saturday after we had read the newspaper article and we were pleasantly surprised to find the temple had undergone a complete transformation and revitalisation. The other revelation was to meet Ajarn Satit and the fluency he had in the English language, this gave me a better access to Buddhism than I previously had, and allowed me to find answers to most of the unanswered questions I previously had.

First participation for alms offering on Dean Street.
Following the publicity from the newspaper article many people turned out to give alms on the first Sunday of the month in January, both young and old, and people from many nationalities. Following alms, we returned to the temple and had a blessing and meal and everyone felt that the temple had been transformed for the butter.

We then began to attend the temple every Sunday, at the beginning the temple did not receive the attendance that followed the initial alms offering. Once the word was spread from new participants to the temple that number began to grow, but the Albury location can offer some sever weather conditions and during June with the temperature near zero, we found that Mam (my wife), Ploy (my daughter) & myself and Ajarn Satit were the only people present at the temple. As the cold weather passed the people started to return once again.

The community
As the word spread, so did the people attending the temple with some driving from between 60 to 150 kilometres on a Sunday to attend service. On our yearly trip to Thailand and also this time a visit to Wat Dhanmakaya we missed the highest attendance to date with over 40 people present. But recently the new comers have bean to grow again also the regulars are returning with the warms weather.

Activities at the temple
We start each Sunday with an introduction and welcome to the newcomers and others we have not seen for a while. We then follow this with a short traditional Pali chanting.

Meditation
The chanting is then followed by a 20 minute meditation session if newcomers are present so that they are comfortable for the first time meditation, if there are regulars only at the service this may go a bit longer.

Dhamma talks
Meditation is followed by a Dhamma talk, and this is always well received by both the regulars and newcomers, and only serves to increase one’s own knowledge towards a life of improvement and well being.

Requests five precepts and food offering
The Dhamma talk for the day is followed by the requesting of the five precepts and a food offering to the attending monk or monks. The matter of ceremonies for this section of the day is conducted by Ploy & Ploy (Ploy Lek) and (Ploy Yai) both young children which serves to assist them in the betterment of the English language and participation in the temple.

Lunch time a great time to share experience
Following the requests food is offered and also explained to newcomers and welcoming them to participate. A shared meal is then held amongst all the attendees with the majority staying for the meal after the service is finished. *Jo the sweets are always great!!!*. There is also some people who stay on in the after to watch the service telecast on DMC.

I know experience and change on my life and my family life had been beyond words, since the arrival of Ajahn Satit, it was what we were all looking for but had been unable to find until that point in time. I had followed Buddhism for 11 years but never found the path I was looking for, an English speaking monk (Ajahn Satit) and the knowledge he was able to share, and the transformation of the Albury temple completely changed my life. This also occurred at a time in my life when I was extremely sick and having extensive treatment to cure my suffering, the stress was significant in our family and the timing of the Albury temple transformation was a blessing we now believe was meant to be, it has changed our lives forever. This is also a factor for many other regulars who have spoken with that believe through the communication of our English speaking monks (Ajahn Satit) we have been able to butter learn and also learn much quicker than we would have been able to.

I can only recommend to others the warmth, friendliness and knowledge the Albury temple has to offer, so if you happen to be passing that way, please call in and see us sometime.

Geoff
Chiltern VIC

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Plans Are Underway to Establish Melbourne’s First Multicultural Buddhist Primary School

Posted on September 10, 2011 by Udomson BK

Conference marks the beginning stages to new Multicultural Buddhist Primary School

Pictured Above: Andrea Furness, Joel Hines, Venerable PhraWorathep, Venerable PhraRonrawee, Venerable PhraSudhammo, Venerable Thich Pua than, Venerable PhraSatit, Venerable PhraSiriphato and Venerable Sadrinya.

A conference held on Thursday Sept 1st at Quang Minh temple in Braybrook, officially marked the beginning stages of establishing a new Multicultural Buddhist Primary School in Melbourne’s western suburbs, which is planned to open in 2013. The conference served as an introduction of plans to the wider Buddhist community.

The conference was led by Venerable PhraRonrawee, from the 60th Dhammachai Education Foundation and Venerable PhraSudhammo, President of Buddhist Federation of Australia. “The school aims to bring the heart of Buddhist philosophy into the Western academic setting, creating a dynamic and powerful synthesis of learning and understanding,” said Venerable PhraRonrawee. “There will be a strong emphasis on developing within the students wisdom and compassion required to be part of a harmonious and peaceful community,” said Venerable PhraSudhammo.

Special guests included Venerable Thich Pua than, the abbot of Quang Minh temple, representative of the Vietnamese Buddhist community in the western suburbs, Venerable Sadrinya, the abbot of Samadhi Meditation Centre, and representative of the Sri Lankan Buddhist community, Venerable PhraSiriphato, the abbot of Wat Thepmongkol, representative of the Lao Buddhist community in the western suburbs, Venerable PhraSatit and Venerable PhraWorathep from the 60th Dhammachai Education Foundation.

“There is a strong need for a school that not only develops children academically but also develops them socially and spiritually guided by Buddhist values,” said Venerable Thich Pua Than. “There is strong community support for this development from culturally diverse families in the local community,” added Venerable Thich Pua Than.

Special guest presenters included Andrea Furness, Director of Daylesford Dharma School and Joel Hines, board of governance member from the Daylesford Dharma School. “It is very exciting to be involved in the first conference towards the flourishing of Buddhist Education in Australia. Buddhism has been called the science of the mind, as quality of reasoning is highly regarded by its practioners. A Buddhist school in Melbourne will be a positive step towards promoting non-harm and the development of universal responsibility in our society,” said Andrea Furness.

Unconditional support was expressed from all the Venerable monks representing the Vietnamese, Lao, Thai and Sri Lankan communities. The representative Venerable monks voiced high levels of enthusiasm and joy knowing that “our children of the future will have the opportunity to an education with a strong commitment to creating a peaceful community.”

Reporter: Kongngen Dethphrakhun

Photographer: Nung

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What would you do to the fish so that you can eat it for a long time?

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Udomson BK

Once upon a time a governor discussed with his wife about arranging a marriage for their son. He was a good behaved young man.

“We should find a suitable wife for our son so that his future will flourish.”
When the time was proper they discussed the matter with their beloved son.
“My son, now that you have grown up and it is proper that you marry someone suitable to your caliber, have you found anyone yet?”

The young man looked down and kept quiet, the governor then said:

“You need to be very selective, I will give you 7 days to go around and when you find girls that you like, you should ask them the same question i.e. if you had a big fish, what would you do to the fish so that you can eat it for a long time?”

While his son was thinking about the question the governor said,

“It is now time. Look around for suitable girls. I will give you only 7 days. You don’t have to do anything much, just ask them the same question that I asked you.”

The governess also reiterated these instructions.
Since the young man was good looking, polite and was the governor’s only son this task seemed easy for him to do. Whenever he met a girl they usually made advances to him and their parents were happy to have him as a son in law.
He asked the same question that his father instructed him to all the girls that he met. Most of them said:

 “It’s not difficult, just pickle it and it can be kept for eating for a long time”.

Some said:

“For the picked fish, the longer it takes the more delicious it is, some said you just sun dry it, this way you can have it for a long time”.

These girls gave him similar clues of how to prepare the fish and preserve it. The young man nodded his head and continued his search.
Finally he came to an ordinary house but it looked clean and well maintained with a herb garden out the back. He also noticed many healthy fruit trees with abundant fruits around the block.
He saw a pretty girl picking up flowers. He then asked her the same question. He was stunned seeing that she was smiling at him courteously and answered his question clearly and with a harmonized voice.


Her answer was:

“I will make fish soup and will divide it up into 3 portions, 1 portion for my family, I will offer a bowl containing the best part to monks and the rest I will give to my neighbors”.

He asked

“If you do this you only have one meal and how can you keep it for the following meals?”
“Well my family is important, I need to feed them. Once we finish the fish, we can get some more the next day”.

The young man then asked further question.

“Why do you give it to the monks”

The young woman replied:

“It makes me feel happy and hopefully I will have something to eat next life”.

The young man asked more question.

“And why do you give to your neighbors?

The young woman answered:

“That the way we will be able to eat fish for a long time. If you are generous and kind to the neighbors they will reciprocate that generosity and will be kind to us and therefore we can eat this fish for a long time.”

The young man appreciated her answer and happily chatted with her for a long time unlike with other girls. When it got dark, she then invited him in for dinner. But the young man refused and reluctantly said good-bye to her because he needed to go back to his parents. He had been gone for 7 days and didn’t want them to worry about him.
When he got home he told his parents about his encounters and hearing about the last girl, they immediately consented to arrange the marriage to her.
The wedding was arranged; both lived happily ever after through their kindness and their faith and were beloved by their neighbors.

From: a Thai tale

Translated by Chan

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The Relics of Buddha and relics of his disciples will be on display in Woolowin, QLD

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Udomson BK

Brisbane Meditation Center offer a great oppotunity to view and pay homage to The Relics of Buddha And relics of his disciples “ Exhibition”

More than 80 display

You can explore

  • The history of the arising of Buddha’s relics
  • Meaning of the word about The Buddha’s relics
  • The kind of The Buddha’s relics
  • The properties of the Buddha’s relics
  • The type of the Buddha’s relics

Brisbane Meditation Center, 73 Lodge Woolowin QLD4030

 During :September 19-30, 2011 Grand opening :Sep19, 2011

for  VIP :09.00-11.00 a.m. visitors  :04.00-06.00 p.m.

September 20-30, 2011

09.00-11.00 a.m. And 04.00-06.00 p.m.

Please  call for Booking:  07-38573431 ;07-31037037

 e-mail :chotivanich@yahoo.com

“The Excellent gems of Buddhism

Are the triple gems

And one of them is our Lord Buddha

All thing are created for his remembrance

Only  Buddha’s Relics

Are the most importance

Coming from his body for mankind”

The Exhibition will be in Sydney for the New Year 2012 

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Outdoor Alms Offering Ceremony in Auckland

Posted on September 4, 2011 by Udomson BK

This event was specially organized to commemorate the 2600th anniversary of Buddha’s enlightenment. The Buddha relic brought from Sri Lanka was on public display. Many hundreds of Buddhists and interested residents of Auckland made their way to MT Albert War Memorial. The ground in front of the War Memorial on this Sunday was changed to an outdoor Buddhist temple. The Buddha image drew much attention and could be seen by road users on New North Road. Some of them actually found a spot to park their car and came to see the event.

Sri Lankan Honorary Consul, Mr Viduranga Aruna Abeygoonesekera was present to mark this special event. Ten monks from Australia and New Zealand were also invited, great merit making and a blessing for all who participated. It is such a rare opportunity to have ten monks present for alms offering.

After the alms offering finished, faithful Buddhists come to pay respect to the Buddha’s relic by bowing with their whole heart to the Lord Buddha. Wishing for themselves (and others) to have good health, wealth and a successful life by the power of the triple gem and the merit that they have made.

.

Reporter: Udomson

Photo Gallery https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=e9f8a777d1ae08c5&page=play&resid=E9F8A777D1AE08C5!2052

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it’s proper to conquer angry people with non-aggression

Posted on September 3, 2011 by Udomson BK

It’s right Utara it’s proper to conquer angry people with non-aggression

It is normal to defeat irritable people with calmness

To conquer abusive speech with pleasant speech

To overcome plaintiff with non-grievance

To conquer wicked people with compassion

To conquer stingy people with generosity

We win over liars by telling the truth

The reason for this story

Once upon a time Utara a rigorous Buddhist and a daughter of a Phahouthon, a wealthy man of Rajkru, Reluctantly married a young man whose father is the millionaire Soumon because her husband’s family didn’t have faith in Buddhism.

Her father knew that for the past two and a half months following the wedding, she was not happy because she didn’t have a chance to go to the temple and pay respect to monks. Thus he gave her $15,000 to pay an escort called Sirima to keep her husband amused for 14 days before the end of the Buddhist lent so that Utara would have the time to do good deeds. Her husband agreed to the arrangement.

Utara was extremely happy to have an opportunity to make merit for the full 14 days. One morning while being entertained by Sirima. Her husband saw that Utara was very busy cooking food for the temple; he took pity of her and ironically laughed at her and thought how foolish she was. But Sirima took it wrongly and became mad with jealousy. Sirima rushed to the kitchen and scooped a ladle of hot boiling butter with the intention to disfigure Utara.

Seeing Sirima’s action, Utara didn’t feel any anger but spread love and kindness to Sirima and wished that herself be unharmed by the hot butter that Sirima splashed onto her. Through the power of her pure love, she felt as if it was just cold water on her face. Servants rushed to beat Sirima but Utara stopped them for doing so. She felt sorry for Sirima who reacted out of jealousy. Sirima became repentant and wanted to make an apology but Utara said to her that she should ask for forgiveness from her father, the millionaire Phahouthon and the Lord Buddha who was her father in the Dhamma.

The following morning Sirima followed Utara to the temple to offer food to the Lord Buddha and the congregation of monks. Sirima bowed to the Buddha’s feet and confessed about her wrong doing and asked for forgiveness.

The Lord Buddha then expounded the above verses and gave Dhamma teaching out of compassion for Sirima who later attained the stream of Dhamma fruition ( Sodapana) with her retinues.

This was extracted from the teaching of the Lord Buddha. 

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The Kathin presentation (Thot Kathin)

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Udomson BK

The kathin presentation, which is made annually at the close of phansa, constitutes one of the major contributions received by any monastic community. The practice of offering kathin in Theravada Buddhist countries at the present time consists in essence of giving new robes to the bhikkhus who are coming out of retreat at the end of the rainy season However, the three sets of robes customarily presented are usually accompanied by gifts of durable goods, furniture, crockery, altar tables and so on, and by a sum of money which varies in size according to the capacity of the contributors. Both the money and the goods presented at the ceremony known as Thot Kathin become the property of the monastic community as a whole but the monastic community allots it to individual monks by the procedure of Kran Kathin.

Householders wishing to Thot Kathin must do so during the next lunar month after the end of the Buddhist Lent (phansa), that is to say, between the full moons of October and November. Kathin robes can only be taken to a monastery where there are at least five monks, all of whom have ‘observed lent’ (cham phansa) by spending the entire season at that mat. Every monastery receives a kathin presentation each year provided that there is a sufficient number of eligible monks in residence, but each monastic community may only receive one such offering in any one year.

The layman who intends to mobilize a group of householders to offer kathin visits the abbot of the monastery of his choice at some time towards the end of phansa. An appointment is then made for the presentation of kathin at some future date during the stipulated month, provided that the privilege has not already been granted to another group.

Photo:  Kathin ceremony 2010, Wat Phra Dhammakaya Sydney

Texts taken from Page 113-114

Bunnag, J. (1973). Buddhist monk, Buddhist layman : a study of urban monastic organization in central Thailand. Cambridge [Eng.] :, University Press.

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A Special Treat for Past Comers

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Udomson BK

For the first time in Sydney, The Middle Way Team of Wat Phra Dhammakaya took the pleasure in distributing out a very special invite. The special offer was aimed at inviting those whom has previously attended a weekend Middle Way retreat whether it be from last month up to six years ago.

The Middle Way team directed to offer the course as a “refreshment” for each persons meditation practice, beginning in the morning and finishing later in the afternoon. Each person, as per the invitation was also able to bring or invite along another friend to experience what the course may be like as well.

Ten people took the opportunity by accepting their exclusive invitation to attend the free of charge course on Saturday, 13th August. Three of which, were new comers. Because almost all of the days attendees had previously been taught the techniques of meditation practice, people did not so much need to be taught from scratch, simply reminded. Being able to settle in again, the serene surroundings were also a benefit to those who attended.

Teaching monk Ahjarn Satit recognised many faces, soley dedicating the day as a reward for participants, they all were able to rekindle their bond with meditation and their friendships with others.

Focusing less time on the Dhamma teachings, as would more time be designated on a weekend retreat, the course was based almost purely on time for getting as much meditation practice accomplished as possible.

Being her second time returning to a Middle Way Course, Kaveri Sequiera said “Great to be able to re-inforce the inportance of meditation and benefit in daily life. I would definitely recommend the full weekend retreat for the first time and then do the repeat. Thank you, I am very grateful for this experience.”

Also, Mr. Greg Urch, being his second visit said “My first time was 18 months ago for 2 ½ days. I had always planned to come back. Your meditation to this one day course was an excellent opportunity to reconnect with your team. I felt the four sessions were excellent and not too much. I really enjoyed the day and I feel more commited to continuing to develop more knowledge. Very happy, thank you.”

“This would probably be my 5th time for meditation after Kerry introduced me to it and I have found today to be very beneficial. I thank you for the opportunity to come today and further develop my skills for inner peace”, said new comer, Leah Medwell.

Over all, the course recieved excellent feedback in abundance. Every person highly recommend that one day courses should be held on a more frequent basis as it would definitely be more convinient for those who are unable to take time off work or are unable to attend because of other commitments, it would attract more people. Furthermore, giving past comers a chance to further solidify their meditation practice was certainly a highlight for the middle way team.

Reporter: Namwan

Photographer: Seefar

More info anout the retreat visit http://www.dhammakaya.org.au/retreat/

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Three Men Take Ordination For Pansa

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Udomson BK

The morning of Friday 5th of August, a busy working day for some, bacame a special turning point in life for three men. Each man turned from their layty life to persue a monastic life, where they will spend the next three months as monks for this Vassa. Some intend to make this a life long ordination, if possible.

The actual first procession into monastic life was held on the previous Thursday, in Sydney CBD and was then followed by the official ordination ceremony on Friday, in Berrilee.

All three men had travelled from Thailand especially for the ordination. Mr Boonchana Saysunee (47), Mr Werapan Chotivanich (64) and Mr Katanyou Buranakul (63).

Mr Katanyou Buranakul, former deputy principal of a technology said, “I would like to live a pure life as a monk and help in propogating this pure knowledge to others.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to live a monks life for one Vassa and I am more than willing to join again for the 1,000,000 monks ordination in the near future”, said mr Werapan Chotivanich, a doctorate in soil science.

The auspicious event was greeted by a beautiful day at Wat Phra Dhammakaya. Long Por Salee from Wat Lao Chaiyapumi, Sydney was invited to be Upajaya(preceptor) and number of monks joined in for the special ocassion, held in the temples serene shrine. The ceremony followed through from mid day till late afternoon all very exciting as they journied through each procedure going from lay life to monastic life, finally being dressed in robes, once again, a highly proud and joyous moment for each newly ordained monk.

The following day, the new monks took flight to Brisbane, where they will be accompanying and taught by the resident monk there. The new monks have now added to the number of monks in Australia, at least for this Vassa.

It is also very exciting to look forward to seeing the new census result of the fastest growing religion in Australia, Buddhism.

Reporter: Namwan

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