We organise a lot of dhamma activities on a regular weekly basis.
Among them are our Monday dhamma talks, Wednesday metta meditation, Friday Diamond Sutta classes, Saturday playgroup for 1 - 5 year old and children's choir, and our Sunday dhamma classes for children.
Our theme for this year's Wesak celebration is "The Dhamma - Ancient Path, Modern Application".
Come join us to renew and re-discover the meaning of Wesak with Ven. Dhammasara on the eve of Wesak (18/5/08) and Ven. Dhammaluca on Wesak day (19/5/08). Here is the programme:
Date: 18/5/08 (Wesak eve)
Time: 8:00 - 10:30 pm
Venue: Sg. Long Buddhist Society
Highlight: Dhamma talk by Ven. Dhammasara on "The Meaning of Wesak"
Date: 19/5/08 (Wesak day)
Time: 8:00am - 1:00pm
Venue: Sg. Long Buddhist Society
Hightlights: Puja, Performances by our own Sunday Dhamma School students, Dhamma talk by Ven. Dhammaluca, followed by Dana.
All are welcome. Bring your family and friends along and celebrate this Wesak with us!
Contact person for this event: Bro. Chang (012-6727102)
Contact person for Dana: Sis. Alicia (017-8798513)
Pali Devotional Chantings
We are beginning to nurture a young group of dhamma practitioners who are keen to learn Pali Chantings. This small group will meet every Wednesday at 8pm at the centre to practice their chantings. All are welcome!
To facilitate self learning, we've also created a page just for this chanting group where you can listen or download the chantings in MP3 format, together with an e-book on the chantings.
Before the AGM, we had a simple launch for our new Sg. Long Buddhist Society t-shirts. The new t-shirts are now available for free distribution to members and our Sunday Dhamma School students. Family members get 2 free t-shirts while Individual member gets one. You can claim your t-shirts from Sis. Alicia.
For those who want to buy extra t-shirts, it's RM20 for the collared t-shirt and RM15 for the non-collared one.
Monks dried wet clothes through meditation
Here's a video of an amazing experiment by Dr. Herbert Benson's team on the powerful effect of meditation and what it can do - in this case, drying up wet clothes in a matter of minutes.
Here's a painting about one of the Buddha's tooth relics. The tooth relic is said to have been removed from the place where the Buddha's bodily remains were cremated after his Parinibbana by arahant Khema, a pupil of Sariputta. It was taken to a state in India called Kalinga where it was venerated with great respect.
To avoid the relic from being taken by others, the King of Kalinga passed the relic to his daughter, Princess Hemamala and her husband Prince Dantakumara. Together they disguised themselves as hermits and hid the tooth relic in the hair of the princess as they made their ways to Sri Lanka, where the relic remains to this day at the Temple of the Tooth.
Coping with stress is a fact of life for many of us. At a recent global conference on Buddhism, Danai Chanchaochai suggested 10 ways in which Buddhism helps us to stay free from stress in the business environment.
The committee has organised a few very interesting activities for you this month of March 2008. Of special note is the ONE DAY meditation workshop on 15 March 2008 (Saturday) that will be conducted by Ven. Kassapa at our centre.
One Day Meditation Workshop at SLBS
Ven. Kassapa, a monk for more than 30 years, has been conducting meditation classes as a complementary therapy for patients in Australia for many years. Ven is the founder of the Rockhill Meditation center in Sri Lanka. He introduces meditation as palliative care for cancer patients in Australia.
For those of you who are keen to experience what meditation can offer you, this is a great opportunity to try it out for a day, instead of the usually long retreat of 7 to 14 days. Great for beginners!
Please keep this date open for our AGM. We need your attendance to make this AGM a success and to determine the direction of our society for this year. Come and elect your favourite members into our committee.
Children Doing the Puja
Our Children's Choir recently visited Persatuan Bodhi to experience recording their singing at their studio. Here's a short video clip of them doing the puja while waiting to record their songs, followed by a brief meditation:
Some Useful Buddhist Sites
Here are a few useful Buddhist sites that provide valuable information on the suttas. They are riches resources we can make use of.
Access to Insight: The Tipitaka
Contains the 3 divisions of the collections of the Buddha's Teachings - the Vinaya for the sangha, the Sutta or discourses of the Buddha, and the Abhidhamma.
Buddhanet.net
Buddhist information and network - filled with lots of information on Buddhism, online magazine, directories, e-library, etc.
Some useful information to familiarise ourselves with:
Here's a project that is worth supporting. Up in the north in Thailand lived a group of young novice monks who are struggling to survive and continue their studies in Buddhism due to the very challenging and isolated condition there.
Apparently, all it takes to support a novice monk for an entire year is only RM230 (S100 - Singapore Dollar). If you are keen to support this worthy cause, please contact Dr. Ong at 03-90767480 (clinic hours).
Purify Your Mind in 2008
Many people begin their new year making resolutions to improve their lives. I want to remind you that the best way to do so is to cultivate your mind. Since mind is the forerunner of all states, mastering your mind empowers you to have the life you want.
Needless to say, meditation is the best way to cultivate your mind. For your own spiritual progress, it is not enough to just avoid evil and do good. Purify your mind too.
Therefore, if you want to make just one resolution this year, let it be to meditate regularly. Join us for metta meditation every Wednesday 8:30pm at our centre.
Dhamma Talks at Brickfield Buddhist Maha Vihara in December 2007
Please take note that there is a series of quality dhamma talks by various well known dhamma speakers at the Brickfield Buddhist Maha Vihara this month. Do take the opportunity to learn from them.
We are very lucky to be able to invite Bhante Gunaratana to give a dhamma talk at our centre in December. Bhante will be in Malaysia for the Wacana Conference as well as to give a series of dhamma talks in the Klang Valley.
Beginning this month of October 2007, we will be meeting for dhamma discussion every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, from 7pm to 8:30pm. All are welcome!
Dr. Ong will facilitate the discussion.
We've also started a forum to facilitate the dhamma discussion group. Let's see if we can see some lively activities there. To go to the forum, click here.
Evidence for Past Lives
Here's a new modern day evidence of past life on YouTube.com. Watch it and you might just get some goose bumps on you....
Part One
Part Two
Here's another one that reveals itself in some pretty strange ways...
Don't Hold on to Anger
Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.
-- Buddha (563-483 B.C.)
DJ Camp by Bodhi
Here's a great opportunity to learn how to become an effective and confident DJ. Organised by Bodhi, this camp is going to be a real hit, especially for those interested in DJ.
Happiness and suffering come from your own mind, not from outside. Your own mind is the cause of happiness; your own mind is the cause of suffering. To obtain happiness and pacify suffering, you have to work within your own mind.
-Lama Zopa Rinpoche, "The Door To Satisfaction"
Form is Suffering
Form is suffering. The cause and condition for the arising of form is also suffering. As form has originated from what is suffering, how could it be happiness?
-"The Connected Discourses of the Buddha"
Experiencing Emptiness
Experiencing emptiness is also experiencing peace, and the potential of peace is its unfolding as harmony among all people, animals, plants, and things. The precepts formulate this harmony, showing how the absence of killing and stealing is the very condition of mercy and charity.
-Robert Aiken, "Mind Of Clover"
Make Your Vote Counts
In a democracy, the type of government we get depends on how each of us vote. Whatever your choice, make your vote counts. If you have not register as a voter, do so now. If you have, you can check your status here:
Please be informed that there will be a show and talk on the topic "The Secret" on 8/9/2007, Saturday at BGF Centre @ 8.00 pm. The moderators for this session will be Bro. Charlie Chia and Dr Ong Tien Kwan.
All are welcome to attend. Please bring a friend along.
Inspiring the Future
BGF Administrator
Guard Your Mind
Those who wish to guard their practice
Should very attentively guard their minds
For those who do not guard their minds
Will be unable to guard their practice.
-Santideva, Bodhicaryavatara
Transcend Self
There are those with enlightened knowledge: this is not knowledge by birth, or knowledge by learning: it is beginningless in here, having transcended the bounds of self and other, it is being unbound by knowledge of self and other.
-Dogen; Rational Zen
Dhamma Talk: Essence of Buddhism
By: Ven. U Khema Wuntha - Chief Resident Monk of Ratana-Rama Buddhist Temple
Date: 11 August 2007 (Saturday)
Time: 8 pm
Language: English
We lost the message of the Buddha through time, tradition, cultures, social values and interpretation of teachers. We cannot differentiate the main teaching from rites and rituals. This talk is to point out the true essence of the Buddha's teaching, regardless of sects or traditions.
Bio-Data:
Venerable U Khema Wuntha was born in Rangoon, Burma (now Myanmar) on September 15, 1947. He obtained his highest education with a degree in Law, B.A (Law), LLB. Before his renunciation, he worked as a government advocate and later in his private practice.
Venerable later migrated to U.S.A. in 1983.
In 1985, Venerable became a Bhikkhu under Venerable U Pannya Vamsa from
Dhammikarama Burmese Temple in Penang. In 1990 Venerable spent about a year in Toronto Burmese Temple giving talks and conducting Meditation retreat (Los Angeles Burmese Temple).
Venerable was the Chief Resident Monk in Dhammikarama Buddhist Temple in
Penang from 1996 to 2004. During that period Venerable conducted meditation
classes, Abidhamma study, dhamma talks and mass ordination of new monks.
Venerable is now the Chief Resident Monk in Ratana-Rama Buddhist Temple under
MMBA, Kuala Lumpur. Venerable conducts meditation classes and ordination as well as teaches Abhidhamma and give Talks.
Ullambana: The Hungry Ghost Festival
Our centre will be hosting the above on Sunday, 26 August 2007, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. We have invited Bhante Dhamma Sakkaro Thera who will give a short dhamma talk on "The Significance of Ullambana" and chanting, and followed by a Sanghita Dana.
Please register with us to include your beloved departed ones in the chanting and the offerings for the event.
Legend of the Ullambana
Ullambana is a transliteration of the Sanskrit word meaning "deliverance from suffering," and specifically refers to the salvation of anguished souls in Hell. This concept originates from the story of "Mulien Saving His Mother from Hades."
In this Buddhist legend, the protagonist Mulien learns that his mother's ghost is being tortured in Hades by starvation and hanging and thus embarks on a grueling journey to the underworld bringing food to ease her hunger.
When he finally succeeds in finding his mother, Mulien offers the food to her but it erupts into flames before she is able to swallow. Despairing, he begs Sakymuni to show him a way to bring salvation to his mother, and is answered by the Buddha, who tells him, "The past sins of your mother are too great for you alone to save her. You must thus find ten monks and pray together on the 15th day of the seventh moon."
Heeding Sakymuni's instructions, Mulien begins a ritual Buddhist fast and chants the sutras until finally he succeeds in releasing his mother from hell.
This legend has been passed down through the ages and is today celebrated on Chung Yuan by Buddhists around the world, holding ceremonies of charity so that the outcast and famished ghosts may cross over to salvation. Thus, the 15th day of the seventh moon has become an occasion for teaching the virtues of filial piety.
The Art of Living
The Art of Living is a dhamma talk by Bro. Jimmy Tan, which will be held on Saturday, 21/7/07, at 2 pm at our centre.
Bro. Jimmy Tan is a successful Buddhist businessman and will be most appropriate to share with you his perspective on success in life in accordance with the Buddha's teachings.
Come and listen to him, and bring along your friends! Ehipasiko!
Ven. Dhammavuddho's Visit
We are pleased to announce that Ven. Dhammavuddho will be visiting our centre and is scheduled to give a talk entitled "Is Wealth the Way to Happiness?" on Tuesday, 17/7/07 at 8pm. For more details, please contact Sis. Cheng Sim 012-3126122 or Sis. Suit Ling 019-6191776.
This will be followed by a breakfast dana at the centre the following day, Wednesday 18/7/07 at 7am. All are welcome to participate in this meritorious deed. Please call Sis. Alicia 017-8798513 or Mrs Yong 017-3622588 to co-ordinate the menu.
Biodata of Ven. Dhammavuddho
Ven Dhammavuddho Thero (Bhante Hye), the founder abbot of the Vihara Buddha Gotama in Temoh, Perak, is a Malaysian of Chinese descent. As a layman he worked as an Electrical Engineer with the Public Works Department for 12 years before renouncing the home life. His interest in religion led him to study the world's major religions for a few years before meeting the Buddha's teachings in 1976.
In 1983, he went forth into the homeless life in the Mahayana tradition. Three years later, he was reordained in the Theravada tradition in Thailand. Thereafter, he spent about 10 years living the solitary lifestyle in quiet places.
He has written numerous booklets on Buddhism, e.g. Return to the Original Buddha's Teachings, Message of the Buddha, Buddhist Monk's Precepts, Liberation: Relevance of Sutta-Vinaya, and Only We Can Help Ourselves.
In 1998, through donations collected by his supporters, a 15-acre piece of land outside Temoh, in Perak, was purchased to establish the Vihara Buddha Gotama.
Upcoming Activities in the Klang Valley
Peace and Harmony Puja: 30 July - 1 August 2007
In conjunction with the celebration of our 50th anniversary of independence, Guan Yin World is organising a Peace & Harmony Puja at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur from 30 July - Aug, 2007. from 9 am to 10:30 pm.
For more information and schedule, please visit Guan Yin World and click on their activities link.
Ladakh Missionary Trip: 17 August - 26 August 2007
Friends of Mahabodhi Ladakh from Malaysia, Singapore and Australia will be organising a missionary trip to Ladakh from 17 - 26 August. They are looking for your support in cash or kinds. For more details, please click here.
Pesta Nalanda 2007: 19 August 2007, Sunday
Nalanda Buddhist Society is having their fund-raising sales and food fair on 19 August 2007, from 10 am to 4 pm at their centre in Taman Sri Serdang. You can set up stall, register as a volunteer or donate in cash or kinds. For more information, please contact them directly or visit their website at Nalanda.org.my
Nalanda Institute has also started their Buddhist Pali and Pali studies course. Those interested, please contact them directly.
Emptiness of Mind
Actually, emptiness of mind is not even a state of mind, but the original essence of mind which Buddha and the Sixth Patriarch experienced. "Essence of mind," "original mind," "original face," "Buddha nature," "emptiness"--all these words mean the absolute calmness of our mind.
-Shunryu Suzuki, "Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind"
Don't Feed Them
Defilements are like a cat. If you feed it, it will keep coming around. Stop feeding it, and eventually it will not bother to come around anymore.
-Ajahn Chah, "Still Forest Pool"
Mindfulness Meditation in Class
Here's an interesting article in the New York Times about the use of meditation in classrooms across the USA initiated by some far-sighted educators.
To be attached to one's own happiness
is a barrier to the true and perfect path.
To cherish others is the source
of every admirable quality.
-Tsongkhapa, "The Splendor of an Autumn Moon"
Buddhist Culture and Arts Festival 6 - 10 June 2007
The Buddhist Culture and Arts Festival (BCAF), 2007, which is jointly organised by 50 Buddhist organisations will be starting very soon. It will be held from 6th June to 10th June, 2007 at the MINES Convention Centre, Seri Kembangan, Selangor, from 10am to 10pm daily.
This is the first time such a large scale festival has been organised in Malaysia to display and promote Buddhist culture and arts, and promises to hold many interesting and enlightening experience for the visitors.
You can get the schedules on the various movies and song/dance performances, including how to get to the venue at this site at http://www.bovis.tv/bcaf/
Highlights of the BCAF are:
Buddha & Bodhisattva Statues
Buddha and Bodhisattva images are among the most inspiring of all man-made works. The exhibition brings many images made of stone, marble, plaster, metal and wood from various countries, such as China, Myanmar and Thailand.
Buddha's Relics
The Buddha's Relics are considered national treasures by many countries. A purpose-built pavilion will be erected at the exhibition hall to house the Relics. Members of the public may view the Relics and offer devotional prayers besides the pavilion.
Giant 40-feet Mandala
A Mandala is a traditional form of Buddhist art in Tibet. This giant 40-feet intricate work of art will be constructed by skilled monks with coloured sand; and at the end of the exhibition, it will be 'destroyed' with a swipe of a hand – a most poignant and powerful reminder that all things in the universe are impermanent and subject to dissolution.
Giant 40-feet footprint replica of the Buddha
The giant 40-feet footprint replica to be displayed at the exhibition will bear unique designs symbolizing the various qualities of the Buddha.
84,000 Light-bulb Giant Pandal
A massive 40-feet pandal telling 28 stories connected to the life of the Buddha and illuminated by 84,000 light bulbs of multiple hues will be displayed outdoors near the Exhibition Centre.
84,000 Oil-lamp Offerings
The Buddhist community throughout the country will be offering 84,000 oil-lamps as a generous aspiration to banish the darkness of ignorance from the world and to alleviate the suffering of many.
84,000 Lotus-buds Offerings
An amazing 84,000 lotus buds will be offered to the Buddha at BCAF 2007. The lotuses will decorate the Buddha Relics Pavilion, the Buddha's Footprint, and add colour and fragrance around the exhibition hall.
Traditional Giant Lanterns
The exhibits include huge lanterns of different sizes from Sri Lanka mounted on a rotating axis. The lanterns have designs depicting the rich cultural heritage of Sri Lankan Buddhism.
Cultural Artifacts & Iconography
Visitors to the exhibition can see cultural artifacts on display such as parasols, oil-lamps, thangkas, etc. These artifacts come from many Buddhist countries and traditions including Malaysia.
Stamps Exhibition
This exhibition brings to the Malaysian public an excellent collection of rarely seen Buddhist-themed stamps from various countries around the world.
Photography Exhibition
A world-class Photography Exhibition on "The Journey to the West"
Floral Arrangement Exhibition
Fragrant flowers of different hues are artistically arranged and displayed at the Festival. The floral arrangements epitomize the simplicity and beauty of the Dharma, and evoke a pleasing sense of inner joy to the devotee.
Calligraphy, Paintings & Arts Exhibition
Writing and painting have been used to record and disseminate Buddhist sutras and philosophy throughout the ages. The Calligraphy arts from Asia Region will be presented at the Festival.
Cultural Performance
Performances include traditional songs and dances representing the many Buddhist countries. The large Malaysian representation includes well-known singing groups and chorale performers.
Films
A number of quality movies, documentaries and animation will be part of the Festival line-up. Apart from being entertaining, some films are provocative of thoughts and evoke strong emotions in viewers. All the films shown carry universal qualities of morality, generosity, harmonious living, love and the message of peace.
Charitable Sales
More than one hundred stalls will be offering a wide selection of Buddhist paraphernalia, books, CDs, souvenirs and devotional items for sale. There will also be food and drink stalls to cater for the needs of visitors.
Besides items for sale, there will be counters operated by Buddhist Societies giving out free books, CDs, and information on their respective activities.
Please come and support the festival. This is an excellent opportunity to introduce the Dhamma to your friends and relatives. Please tell your friends and relatives about this festival and bring all of them along. The Buddha said that the gift of the Dhamma is the greatest gift.
If you would be freed of greed, first you have to leave egotism behind. The best mental exercise for relinquishing egotism is contemplating impermanence.
-Dogen
From "The Pocket Zen Reader," edited by Thomas Cleary, 1999. Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Boston, www.shambhala.com.
All Forms, All Particles are Buddhas
Each form, each particle, is a Buddha. One form is all Buddhas. All forms, all particles, are all Buddhas. All forms, sounds, scents, feelings, and phenomena are also like this, each filling all fields.
- Pai-chang
From "The Pocket Zen Reader," edited by Thomas Cleary, 1999. Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Boston, www.shambhala.com.
Wesak Celebration 2007
This year's Wesak celebration falls on 1 May 2007 together with Labour Day.
We've invited Rev. Saranankara Thero, the Chief Priest (Judiciary) Malaysia and the abbot of the Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple in Sentul, to grace the auspicious occassion with a dhamma talk followed by blessings.
All are welcome!
Here is the programme we have planned for Wesak Day:
9:30 am
Buddha Puja
9:45 am
Welcome speech by President
10:00 am
Dhamma Talk by Rev. Saranankara
10:45 am
Performance by Sunday Dhamma School children
11:15 am
Lunch Dana
12:00 noon
Pot Luck Lunch
1:00 pm
Family Activities: Floral arrangement, sand mandala Movie: Life of the Buddha
The Buddhist flag is a modern creation. It was jointly designed by Mr J.R. de Silva and Colonel Henry S. Olcott to mark the revival of Buddhism in Ceylon in 1880.
Colonel Henry Steele Olcott was an American journalist with a fascinating character. A former soldier and lawyer, he set up the Theosophical Society of New York. He arrived in Sri Lanka with the renowned spiritualist Madame Blavatsky on 17 February 1880 - a day which was subsequently celebrated as Olcott Day in independent Sri Lanka. He founded the Buddhist Theosophical Society, devised a Buddhist catechism, encouraged Buddhist versions of Christmas carols and cards, and inspired the founding of Buddhist schools and the YMBA - the Young Men's Buddhist Association.
Colonel Olcott was one of the greatest American Buddhists who dedicated his later life entirely to the people of Asia. He is known as the father of the Buddhist education movement since he initiated the establishment of close to 400 Buddhist schools and colleges in Sri Lanka. When he died in 1907, Olcott's body was shrouded in both the Buddhist and American flags before his cremation.
Colonel Olcott designed a flag from the six colours of the aura that he believed shone around the body and head of the Buddha after His Enlightenment. The colonel's flag later came to symbolize the unity of Buddhists. Thereafter, it has been used worldwide and has been used in nearly 60 countries during Buddhist festive seasons, particularly during the Vesak celebrations. It was accepted as the International Buddhist Flag by the 1952 World Buddhist Congress.
Colours in the Buddhist Flag
* Blue : Universal Compassion
* Yellow : The Middle Path
* Red : Blessings
* White : Purity and Liberation
* Orange : Wisdom
There are six colours in the flag, but the human eye can see only five. They are described in the Scriptures as emanating from the aura around the Buddha's body and head when He attained Enlightenment under the bodhi tree.
There are 5 vertical stripes of red, yellow, blue, white and orange. The sixth colour is a compound of the first 5, but for design purposes its five ingredients are all shown in small horizontal stripes on the flag.
The horizontal bars signify peace and harmony between all races through out the world. The vertical bars represent eternal peace within the world.
In simple terms, the Buddhist Flag implies that there is no discrimination of races, nationality, areas or skin colour; that every living being possess the Buddha Nature and all have the potential to become a Buddha. The colours symbolise the perfection of Buddhahood and the Dharma.
The Blue light that radiated from the Buddha's hair symbolises the spirit of Universal Compassion for all beings. It also represents the noble quality of "confidence" of the Buddha.
The Yellow light that radiated from the Buddha's epidermis symbolises the Middle Path which avoids all extremes and brings balance and liberation. It also represents the noble quality of "holiness" of the Buddha.
The Red light that radiated from the Buddha's flesh symbolises the blessings that the practice of the Buddha's Teaching brings. It signifies achievement, wisdom, virtue, fortune and dignity. It also represents the noble quality of "wisdom" of the Buddha.
The White light that radiated from the Buddha's bones and teeth symbolises the purity of the Buddha's Teaching and the liberation it brings. It also represents the noble quality of "purity" of the Buddha.
The Orange light that radiated from the Buddha's palms, heels and lips symbolises the unshakable Wisdom of the Buddha's Teaching. It also represents the noble quality of "absence of desire" of the Buddha.
Monday Dhamma Talk: Five Precepts (English) By Bro. Wong Yin Voon
This coming Monday's Dhamma talk by Bro. Wong Yin Voon on the Five Precepts will give us a better indepth understanding of the precepts. He will discuss on:
Conditions for breaking each precepts
Karmic effects of breaking precepts
Benefits of observing precepts
Mercy killing, self defense, vegetarianism, etc
All are welcome!
Earth Day: Trip to Forest Reserve Institute Malaysia
Our Sunday Dhamma School principle, Sis. Jackie, organised a day trip for the children and their families to enjoy a wonderful outing at FRIM on 22 April 2007 in conjunction with Earth Day.
We had a great time there with good company, good food and a great outdoor experience. The weather was kind to us too.
We hope to organise more of the same soon.
First Annual General Meeting
Our first AGM was successfully held on 21 April 2007 at 3pm at the centre.
The turnout was better than we had anticipated and we are truly grateful for the continued support of our members.
