Holy Life and all

Got a problem with my computer (dukkha arises) so a bit late to blog what I had just heard from a wonderful talk given by Venerable SayadawU Vimala yesterday night at Bukit Mertajam Buddhist Meditation Centre.
In this talk which is based on the Tatiya Kukkutarama Sutta, Sayadaw pointed out what is the Holy Life to a Buddhist, its followers and goal of the Holy Life. These three questions were discussed between Venerable Bhadda and Venerable Ananda at Kukkutarama Monastery, Pataliputra.

8 Vicissitudes of Life

Buddhism won
“The Best Religion In
The World” award

In July 2009, The Geneva-based International Coalition for the Advancement of Religious and Spirituality (ICARUS) has bestowed "The Best Religion In the World" award this year on the Buddhist Community. But

All the Buddhists
they called kept saying
they didn't want the award.

Why?
Remember the eight worldly conditions, the vicissitudes of life that keep the world turning round: gain, loss, fame, disrepute, praise, blame, happiness, suffering. (para 546 of Anguttara Nikaya)

What is your destination? Your future born?

Today I hear a talk given by Sayadaw U Vimala about questions of Venerable Ananda to Lord Buddha regarding a group of people that had passed away in a village called Nadika due to bubonic plague. Venerable Ananda asked the Buddha about the destiny or the future born of every people that had died in that city during the plague epidemic. At first the Buddha answered the questions by stating the destination for the 4 types of Ariyas. An Arahant will have no destination or life after he dies as an Arahant had destroyed all the defilement. An Anagami will only be reborn in the Arupaloka and the Sakadagami will only be born once in the Sensual world. The Sotapanna will have 7 more lives.
However, the Buddha advised Venerable Ananda to cultivate Dhammadassa Mirror of Dhamma so that he can see for himself where his destination will be, as a person who have great confidence in the Triple Gems and Kamma-Vipaka will know what his future born will be.
From this Sutta, Sayadaw said that the lay people must be aware that coming to temple and doing good do not necessary will guarantee one safety and freedom from problem as Ariyas had also succumbed to diseases.
Therefore, Sayadaw advises us in BMBMC to constantly have Saddha in the Triple Gem by chanting Iti pi so .. Svakhato.. and Supatipanno ... every day to remind us about the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. Also we have to take our precepts vow every day and keep the precepts. With this Saddha, we can then overcome the problems that we may encounter in our daily life in peace and calmness.
Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu

Afraid to Die?

Tonight Dhamma Talk, Sayadaw U Vimala give a talk on Anathapindikovada Sutta. This Sutta is given by Venerable Ananda to Anathapindika when the latter was very sick. It is about 4 types of person who are afraid to die and another 4 types of person who are not afraid to die. Which are the 4 types of person who are afraid to die? The 4 types of person are those who do not believe the Buddha, the Dhamma, the Sangha and those who do not have any sila. These people will be afraid to die at their death beds. Sayadaw says that fear is dosa, an akusala kamma and to have akusala kamma before death will bring one to the woeful states.
On the other hand, those who are not afraid to die are those who believe in Buddha (virtues of Buddha), the Dhamma, the Sangha and those with sila. For these people, dying in a non-fearful state can lead one to better places.
Sayadaw advises us in BMBMC to quickly try to practise and do good fast, not to wait for latter years of our lives. Sayadaw says that to wait can be wasteful, for one can get old and sick. If a person is sick or old, then he can no longer practise.

Beginning of Vassa 2009

Today marks the beginning of Vassa 2009. BM Buddhist Meditation Centre is fortunate and blessed to have 2 Sayadaws namely Sayadaw U Vimala and Sayadaw U Janaka to spend their vassa at this centre.
A simple ceremony to invite both Sayadaws for the vassa was carried out.
Then Sayadaw U Vimala gives a talk on 4 blessings when there is a group of people staying together.
The first blessing is Khanti (Patience or tolerance) which very important to ensure that those staying together will be happy to have the company of one another.
The second blessing is Obedience to the Elders
The third blessing is seeing or rejoicing in seeing a Noble monk. This act is a Kusala action.
The fourth blessing is Kalenadhammasakacha (discussion). Sayadaw emphasised the needs to discuss things among the people living together as it can lead better understanding among its member. This will then ensure harmony in the group.
These 4 blessings could be the Buddhist Management skills that can be practised by Buddhist managers in managing their work force - in my opinion.