Thus have I heard

Turning the bowl upside down

2011-12-17T22:36:00.001+08:00

Before we are sick and aged, we have to do good deeds.

picture taken from http://t1.gstatic.com

In tonight's talk, Sayadaw U Vimala shared the Pattanikkujjana Sutta (Patta litterally means alms bowl and nikkujjana means upside down therefore pattanikkujjana meant the boycott). A group of six monks who only want have easy lives and didn't practice well but they are closed to a King. Once there was a great Dana. These monks were assigned by a senior monk to go to a rich man' s house for food.

However when the rich man knew who his guests were going to be, he left his house and command his maid to only offer inferior food. When the monks arrived after taking laxatives (in order to eat a lot) they were disappointed.

When these monks went back to the monastery, the king can to see the monks. After paying respect to the monks the King speak to the monks but the monks refuses to speak to the King. After much persistence, the monks blamed the King for ignoring them and did not admonish the senior monk. The six monks asked the King to lie to the Buddha by saying the senior monk had seduced the King's wife.

The King said this to the Buddha The Buddha then called the senior monk and the six monks for questioning. The senior monk at first replied evasively but when the Buddha requested him to answered directly this senior monk replied that he did not even had sexual activities with any ladies even in his dream. This is true as this senior monk is an Arahant. the Buddha then said that if the monks were to encounter any person be it devotee or monks who has the eight fetters then they should turned their bowls upside down or must not accept any thing from them

What are these 8 fetters?

He asks people not to offer anything to the Sangha
He harms the monk physically
He expels the monk from the monk' s dwelling
He abuses the monk
He causes schism among the monk
He slanders about the Buddha
He says bad things about the Dhamma
He blames the Sangha

The Buddha ruled that if a person has these 8 fetters, the Sangha must then boycotted him.

Water pouring ceremony

2011-09-17T17:50:00.000+08:00

Amy performing water-pouring ceremony today after offering food to Sayadaw and Bhante.

Vipassana Meditation

2011-08-29T08:00:00.000+08:00

Picture from http://farm5.static.flickr.com

"Can a person who is doing Vipassana meditation actually doing Samatha meditation?", I asked during a Dhamma-cum-Question & Answer Session tonight at BMBMC.

Insight meditation means training the mind to gain wisdom. That is to see the ultimate truth of things namely the characteristics of dukkha, anicca, and anatta.

"Most of the time, yogis practice concentration and if you are a beginner you has yet to achieve insight.
That is normally what it would be. Not many people can gain insight easily. It is difficult, but with the right effort and depending on one's paramis, we may achieve this goal of gaining insight," explained Sayadaw U Vimala

I appreciate what had been explained. I had always been wondering why Samma Samadhi comes after Samma Sati. Tonight I understand that one has to mindful on the object of meditation and develop Right Concentration. This Right Concentration enable one to know the ultimate truth of dukkha, anicca and anatta leading to Right Understanding and Right Thought.

A very good and relevant article on this matter can be read from this link.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Kumbhakāra-Jātaka

2011-08-27T23:35:00.002+08:00

Continued from Paniya Jataka which Sayadaw U Vimala had shared with us last week, tonight talk is about Kumhakara Jataka.

In this story there was a king who had taken a bunch of mango from a mango tree. After eating some, the king who had left the rest of the mangos to his retinue. Here, Sayadaw said that this behavior should be followed by Buddhists. If we have leftovers, we should give it to other people or animals. When we see a hungry animal such as a cat, we should not hurt it by not giving it any food. Instead by giving food to the cat when it is hungry we are performing dana too.

Picture from http://www.kriyayoga.com

Back to the story, later in the evening as the king was going back to his palace, the mango tree that was beautiful in the morning is now looked ugly. This is because all its fruits had been taken and the tree had been abused. Compare to another tree nearby that is barren of fruit, the barren tree was saved from calamities.

Reflecting on this the king thought of himself who has lots of things and therefore will face a lot of worries as everyone will want to take things from him.

Contemplating on the matter of the tree, he reflects on the three characteristics of anicca, dukkha and anatta. Then contemplating simila to himself internally as matter with anicca, dukkha and anatta, the king attain Pacceka Buddha

Faith

2011-07-30T23:22:00.001+08:00

"Before we are old and sick, we must gain good merits," said Sayadaw U Vimala in tonight Dhamma talk at Bukit Mertajam Buddhist Meditation Centre.

Picture from http://1.bp.blogspot.com

Listening to real Dhamma is difficult and we must try to listen to real Dhamma. Only by listening to real Dhamma does one can improve oneself.

Faith or Sadha is one of the five Bala or power. Faith in the Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha, Kamma and Kamma-vipaka is important. It is by having Saddha doe one able to have sotapattinanna.

Every Buddhist should try to become an Ariya person be it a Sotapana, Sakadagami, Anagami or Arahat. No one can claim that one is an Ariya person. Only the Buddha can do it. However, if one wants to attain Sotapana, one had to go and find a good teacher. Here a good teacher means an Arahat or Anagami or Sakadagami or Sotapanna. If one cannot find such teachers then one has to find a person well-versed in the Tipitaka.

We should strive to gain good merits and attain a least the stage of Stream-winner in this life as human.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

The Signs of Dying Devas

2011-07-23T23:38:00.002+08:00

"Devas must be respected by Buddhists," said Sayadaw U Vimalabhivamsa, in tonight's Dhamma talk titled Pancapubbhanimmitta Sutta at Bukit Mertajam Buddhist Meditation Centre.
Devas possesses many beautiful things or properties. Human properties are like dewdrops on the grasses. Such is the comparison of the amount of properties that the devas had.

Taken from http://www.dailymail.co.uk

To be born in the deva realms, one has to have good past Kamma. So, as devas, these beings do enjoy their life as devas not only have many beautiful things to see, hear, smell and touch, they also have healthy and long life.
Devas do not need to see doctors all their lives as they are always healthy. They live a very long life depending on the deva realms they are in but they do not aged like human. However, when time is ripe, devas do died.
When the devas are dying, there are signs or nimittas of dying. These signs are

the flowers that the devas wear on their garment or body will fade
sweat exude from their armpits
their clothes are soiled and no longer shines
their bodies too no longer shines and becomes dull
the devas no longer delights in his own deva-seat

When these signs appeared, the dying deva will not be happy. Usually their deva friends will noticed these signs and will encouraged their dying deva friend to do three things that are

To be reborn at Sukkhati
To get labbha

Here, Sayadaw said that to be reborn at Sukkhati means to be reborn in the human realm where as a human, one can choose to be able to perform and perfect his Parami.

A beautiful picture of the Buddha taken from http://dharmaprabattan.blogspot.com/

To gain the greatest labbha is to have strong saddha. Saddha here means that to have strong believe in the Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha, Kamma and Kamma-Vipaka. Only when one had attained the Ariya states (Sotapanna, Sakadagami, Anagami and Arahat) that one can be guarantee to have strong believe in the Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha, Kamma and Kamma-Vipaka.

Learning from this Sutta suggest that we as a human should not forget to practice doing good Kamma. As human, we had the chance and opportunity to perform good kamma. When we are born as a deva, we had so much pleasurable things that we forgot to perform good kamma. Rich people sometimes forgot this too as they are like the devas.

To have Labbha with strong saddha, one had to strive as much as one can to attain the very least the stage of Sotapanna. Only then can we be sure of not falling back into becoming people with michaditthi.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Good Relations to the Society

2011-07-16T23:40:00.001+08:00

Sayadaw preparing to give a talk

Sayadaw give a talk

"We have to know what is kusala? and what is akusala?" said Sayadaw U Vimala in tonight's Dhamma Talk after the group meditation session and also incidentally the Vassa Entry ceremony.
Sometimes we do kusala kamma either individually or in a group of same wishes. But when we are in a group there may arises problems and to avoid these problems from affecting the group members, we should remember what had been taught by the Buddha in Saraniya Sutta.

There are things that we should remember when we are in a society. And to remember them there are six ways.

Kayakama Metta or loving kindness in action

Actions like respecting the monks, bowing down to the monks, respecting your parents are considered as doing things in loving kindness. Even sweeping the floors of the temple shows that one has metta towards members of the society. Occasionally things may not be in right order due to the ignorance of some members of the society. One must then helps to clean up the mess and do it with no anger. This will create a harmony environment in the society

Vacikama metta or kind words or speech

Greet one another whenever we meet some one is a form of vacikama metta

Use sweet words and avoid harsh words as all people do not like to listen to harsh and rough words
Otherwise we will quarrel or fight among each other
Another form of vacikama metta is chanting of the Suttas such as Karaniya Metta Sutta or Ratana Sutta

Manokama metta or kind thoughts

Radiating metta to all beings without saying any words is an example of manokama metta

Sharing things with other people or Pativipata bodhi

Doing dana or share things with others

Have precepts or morality
Have right views and understanding

Having the views that

There are good and bad kamma
There are results of these Kamma
The present is due to the past Kamma and the future is the result of the previous kamma
There are devas and Brahmas
There are Arahats and Buddha and these Noble persons exist due to their practice

These six ways should be remembered so that we can avoid problems in the society and create harmonious condition for the practice of good kamma.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Vassa Entry for 2011

2011-07-16T23:17:00.002+08:00

Sayadaw reciting the Vassa entry formula

Completion of the ceremony. Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu

Tonight we are fortunate to be able to attend the Vassa Entry ceremony for this year at BMBMC. Sayadaw U Vimalabhivamsa is entering his 34th Vassa this year. Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Gratitude

2011-07-10T17:33:00.001+08:00

Bhante Jinadata given the Dhamma talk

"To cultivate gratitude is a must in every Buddhists," Bhante Jinadata advises our BMBMC members in his short Dhamma talk during lunch dana.

Gratitude allows us to prevent the spiritual numbness from developing in ourselves. Our Lord Buddha had shown us by example when the Buddha Himself express His gratitude to the Bodhi tree just after His Enlightenment.

Laymen and monks should remember to show gratitude to each other. This will in turn create a healthy and happy relationship between the community especially in a Buddhist centre.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Meaning of Life

2011-07-09T23:04:00.004+08:00

Picture taken from http://inwardpathpublisher.blogspot.com

"Do you know yourself?" asked Bhante Jinadata in tonight's Dhamma Talk at BMBMC.

We should always ask who we are.Most people knows a lot of external things; they had gained lots of knowledge but most of us never search for the answer to who are we.

Because of this, there are times when we find life has no meaning at all. Living becomes meaningless.
What then is the meaning of life? It is happiness that brings us the meaning of living. However, we have to be certain which part of life can we find this happiness. If we equate life to success and think that we can only find happiness in success, then at times we may not be happy. This is because, we are looking at the ultimate of our goal and hoping to find happiness there.

We should realised that the ultimate (the end) of our search are relative and not absolute. There is no guarantee that we will always encounter success. Occasionally we may also encounter failure as everything is conditioned.

So we should look at the means and not the end. We should find happiness in the means, in the process, in the doing process.

To further illustrate this point, Bhante said that many people take up meditation because they want to achieve something. But if we think that after meditating we must achieve something like able to see nimmita or some kind of vision then we are wrong and will not be able to be happy. We had view achieving something in meditating as successful and if we don't achieve something then we considered our meditating as failure. This then brought to unhappiness and hence, there is no meaning in meditating. Then we should be happy with this act of doing meditating. Hence we will not be conditioned to think that success will brings us happiness.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Cetana

2011-06-18T23:27:00.001+08:00

Tonight Dhamma Talk by Sayadaw U Sumana concerns Cetana - one of the 52 cetasikas.

Cetana is the volition of doing. Cetana is the doer. Cetana is kamma and Cetana determines our future
Any action intentional or unintentional has cetana or volition. Therefore, only actions without cetana has no effect. Sayadaw gave illustrate the point with the story of Venerable Cakkhupala the blind Arahat.

Cetana orders one to do things such as doing dana. Hence, Sayadaw said that cetana can be understand to be like a Monitor of the class - directing, leading and moving any activities of the class. Therefore, our mind always has cetana or volition and this cetana plays an important role in everyone's life.

Picture from http://lfhw-pages.wrap.org.uk

The forerunner of the mind is cetana.It is very important for our cetana to be pure and wholesome. Just like a story of a person who offered a spoonful of rice to Arahat Anuruddha. For one spoonful of rice offered with strong wholesome intention, that man was reborn as a deva with more power.

Another story illustrate the importance of cetana in our action. If cetana is not unwholesome, even though one's action may seen to be unwholesome, the action has no bad effect as cetana in not unwholesome. Just like a story told that even though she prepared weapons for her husband to hunt, a streamwinner wife do it with no intention to kill. This because she had kept her precepts well and just to fulfill her responsibility as a wife

A yogi in the process of meditation, should always try to observe his mind's characteristics namely the 52 cetasikas. To know the consciousness as they arises. For to be mindful of the arising of the conciousness, the yogis' mind will then be freed from the defilement.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Wesak Day 2011

2011-05-17T15:40:00.005+08:00

Pindapata with 4 Bhikkhus

Amy and I arrived at BMBMC at around 8:30 am. Just like last year, not many people had yet arrived. Sayadaw U Sumana is out at the lobby and I showed Sayadaw the new book from Inward Path - a translated into Mandarin of a book by the late Sayadaw U Silananda.

Pindapata

Another visitor that came to the centre after a long absence is Bro Chai Peng Hooi. Most of us are happy to see him again though he is yet fully recovered from his unfortunate accident one year ago.

Amy in charge of counter

At 9 am., members lined up the road in front of the centre for pindapata ceremony. We are fortunate to be able to perform pindapata for 4 bhikkhus, Sayadaw U Sumana, one sayadaw from Berapit, Bhante Vimala and Bhante Javana.

Listening to Dhamma talk

At 10 am, Sayadaw U Sumana gave a Dhamma Talk titled the Buddha's story. In the Dhamma talk, Sayadaw advises members to emulate the Buddha's life and practice His Teachings.This year there are 10 yogis observing the 8 precepts and practicing vipassana meditation.

The crowd begins to build up at about 10.30 am. The hall and the lobby are seated with people. Amy was busy serving the devotees on the robes and bowls offering.

Offering food to monk

Dana is at 11.00 am. Two round tables are set up and devotees offered the foods and requisites.

Having lunch after offering food to monks

We left the centre with increased Sadha and happy able to perform meritorious deeds this wee.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Bhante Suvanno's 4th Year Memorial Ceremony

2011-03-06T16:42:00.004+08:00

Both Amy and I were at the BMBMC at 8.00 am
Amy set-up the table for free Dhamma books and Dhamma Talk CDs

Members start to arrive and by 9 am the crowd had swells to 50.

Pindapata is at 9.00 am and this time there are 8 Bhikkhus.

A brief memorial service is conducted in the Bhante Suvanno's Library.

Sayadaw U Sumana gave a Dhamma talk.

Lunch dana is at 11.00 am

Have faith and do good

2011-01-08T23:28:00.001+08:00

We must keep doing good meritorious deeds such as Dana, Sila and Bhavana, said Sayadaw U Vimalacarabhivamsa in tonight Dhamma talk at BMBMC. Incidentally tonight's talk will be Sayadaw's last talk as Sayadaw will be going back to Myanmar next Monday.
Do dana but we must also listen to Dhamma talk. Listening to Dhamma talk is very important, much more important than doing dana, advises Sayadaw.
To constantly encourage us to do good and to make us avoid evil deeds is to have strong Saddha (faith) in the Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha, Kamma and Kamma Vipaka.

Four Portion

2010-12-26T16:11:00.001+08:00

When we did good deeds such as Dana (act of giving), we had to do it with Panna (wisdom). We should not give everything or every amount of money that we had to do just Dana. This is a stupid act, said Sayadaw U Vimala in today's Dhamma Talk.

The Buddha had mentioned that we should divide our money into four portion that is

one portion for food
one portion for guests or medicine for ourselves
two portion for investment

So, there is no mentioned that one had to spent all his money on giving.
Which portion should one take for the act of giving? asked Sayadaw
It is the portion of food. One can reduce his partake of food and uses this portion of money to do charity. By doing this, one not only be able to perform good deeds but also is able to sustain oneself in the society. He will be blameless.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Do Not Be Lazy

2010-12-26T00:00:00.003+08:00

Do not be lazy! Do not be lazy! Do not be lazy!
We must knock our forehead with our fist once a while to admonish ourselves not to be lazy.
Not to be lazy to do what?

To do good deeds, said Sayadaw U Vimala in tonight's Dhamma Talk after the meditation class in BMBMC.
We are very lazy in doing good deeds. We may think that we are happy to do good deeds. We may also think that we are doing good deeds all the time because we came to the centre and offer food to the monks every day.

But we are actually not doing good deeds all the time. In fact, we are lazy to do good deeds all the time. Think of the time you spent in front of the television watching your favourite shows; think of the time you spent going to do shopping in the shopping centre.

We have to always reminded ourselves to do good deeds. Because if we do not do good deeds, the hell's doors is always open to us.

What are the good deeds? The Buddha had taught us about the good deeds in the Suttas over the period of 45 years of Buddha's life. In all the 144 Books, we can summarized the good deeds into three that are

Dana Kusala Kamma
Sila Kusala Kamma
Bhavana Kusala Kamma

We have to constantly practiced these three kinds of good deeds everyday in our lives. We do not have to come to the center or the monastery to practice these good deeds. We can do it in our home, our work place every time, every day. For example, we can practice Dana in the very simplest form. That is when we are washing our plate after we had our food, any leftover on the plate such as oil or bits of rice or dishes can be offered. We had just to wish that these leftovers be offered to the insects or beings as their food. This form of reflection is an act of good deeds. It does not involved any form of money and it is not even wasteful. But it is an act of charity or dana.

Having a thought like these is a act to perfect our parami and Sayadaw had shared with us a very good lesson in the Dhamma.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Dana at BMBMC with Amy's Mum

2010-12-25T23:53:00.002+08:00

Today Amy managed to bring her mum (which is my mother-in-law) to BMBMC for lunch dana. It had been years that I had asked Amy to bring her mum for dana. A big sadhu to both of them

Dana at MBMC

2010-11-24T21:59:00.002+08:00

Lunch dana at MBMC - mum doing pindapata

Today, Amy and I took mum to MBMC for lunch Dana. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to give food dana to the Bhikkhus and also the samaneras as this week is the start of MBMC Samanera programme for 2010.
All of us did some offering as the Bhikkhus and Samaneras lined up for pindapata.
I met Keat Hoe, an 'old' friend from Peace House.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

What is Dhamma?

2010-11-20T23:17:00.006+08:00

Interesting question that is What is the Dhamma?
Tonight Dhamma Talk by Sayadaw U Vimala focuses on this issue. There is no translator for translating the talk into Hokkien/Chinese but Sayadaw took an hour to explain this issue.

Buddhist Stupa in Kesariya, Bihar, India.
Commemorating the Kalama Sutta and
the giving of Buddha's bowl to the Licchavis.
Courtesy from Wikipedia

The Buddha's Teachings (the Dhamma) must be spoken of accordingly. Here in BMBMC, Sayadaw will talk about the Dhamma based on the Theravadan's books. There are 140 Theravadan books which Sayadaw termed that as the real Dhamma books and should be what the Dhamma is all about. Read them, urged Sayadaw for the writings in these books are the REAL Dhamma.
The Kalama Sutta is very important for all Buddhists to understand, for the Sutta encourages Buddhists to freely inquires about the Teachings. This is indeed true as today people may not understand what is the true teaching even though we may have many teachers.
Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Saddha have you

2010-11-13T23:06:00.001+08:00

It must be having saddha for both of us to attend Sayadaw U Vimala's Dhamma talk at BMBMC tonight. The talk is about Alavaka Sutta.
The first question which Alavaka the yakkha asked the Buddha is "What is the best wealth or treasure one can have?
Lord Buddha answered, " It is Saddha (Confidence) in the Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha, Kamma and Kamma-vipaka."
"Saddha," said Sayadaw,"will make you a rich man even though you have no money. Without Saddha, you are a poor person even though you have lots of money"

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Dana at Lunas Buddhist Hermitage

2010-11-07T22:45:00.001+08:00

Lunch dana at Lunas Buddhist Hermitage

Today Amy and I go to Lunas Buddhist Hermitage for lunch dana. This is because BMBMC had no lunch dana as Sayadaw U Vimala was invited by MBMC for their Kathina Day celebration.

We arrived early at the hermitage and managed to listen to Dhamma talk by Sayadaw Dr U Sunanda. Sayadaw give a Dhamma talk on Mangala Sutta. In the Dhamma talk, Sayadaw explain the first 4 blessings found in the Sutta.

Pouring of water

2010-11-06T18:53:00.000+08:00

Pouring of water when transfering of merits after a dana had been performed is a Buddhist custom which BMBMC had not put into practice, said Sayadaw U Vimala. According to the Buddhist scriptures, the act of pouring water had been mentioned, one notably when King Bimbisara had to transfer merits to his past relatives after the king had forgotten to do so when he had offered the a monastery to the Buddha.

BMBMC Kathina Day Celebration 2010

2010-10-24T22:54:00.001+08:00

Wheel of Sun and Moon

2010-10-09T23:26:00.004+08:00

"Why do you cry?" asked a man to a little boy. "I have a chariot but no wheels. My chariot is big and it need wheels of a Sun and a Moon, and I cannot get them for my chariot" replied the boy.
"It is very foolish of you to cry for these things as you will never be able to fulfill your wish. Oh! Foolish boy" said the man
"Is that so, old man? Then, let me asked you whether a person who cried for his son who had passed away will be more foolish than me who had cried for things that I can still see?" asked the boy
This conversation is actually between a man who had lost his son due to his stinginess with a boy who is actually his previous dead son and had been born as a deva in Tavamtimsa Heaven.
In tonight Dhamma talk by Venerable Sayadaw U Vimala, this story ends with the realisation of the man that his mourning of his son's passing away is a foolish act. However, this story also show that the son had been reborn as deva due his conviction of faith to the Buddha after seeing the rays of Buddha before his death.

Here Sayadaw emphasized that having faith or confidence in the Triple Gem is far more beneficial than having donate many meals without any act of confidence or understanding.
Buddhists should show their confidence in the Triple Gem by the act of respect. One simple act will be to switch off your mobile phone when you are listening to the Dhamma Talk.
Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Young to be bhikkhus

2010-09-25T23:50:00.002+08:00

"Let's only becomes monk when we are old, for when we are young we can just do many good deeds", This is the thinking of most Chinese in Malaysia. This thinking is wrong said Sayadaw U Vimala in tonight Dhamma Talk at BMBMC.
Just like what Venerable Mahapala did in renouncing his household life to become a bhikkhus much to the opposition by his brother Subapala who thinks just like what Chinese Malaysian think.
Monastic life is better than ordinary layman life as there are less social life as a bhikkhus. Even though there are Ariyans who are laypersons but it is more difficult to achieve as a layperson compared to that of a bhikkhu.
Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Kusala Less Akusala Lots

2010-09-12T22:40:00.000+08:00

"When you come to the centre, you are "forced" to do dana; "forced" to keep your precepts and "forced" to do bhavana" said Sayadaw U Vimala in today's Lunch Dana Dhamma Talk.

Most of us do a lot of Akusala Kamma in our daily activities. Example, when we are at home, we tend to spend a lot of our time watching television. We are doing Akusala Kamma, according to Sayadaw, because this type of activity is full of attachment.

We are not mindful about what we do. Be mindful is important. We have to listen to correct Dhamma Talk that had the essence that will lead us nearer to the Path and Fruition of Enlightenment and not the other way around.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

No body no self

2010-09-11T22:24:00.002+08:00

:"Do we watch our Khandhas as self or belongs to our self?" This is the question posed to Venerable Khemaka by Venerable Dasaka as is found in the Khemaka Sutta

This sutta is very relevant to yogis especially those that participated in this 9-days Vipassana Retreat in Bukit Mertajam Buddhist Meditation Centre, said Sayadaw U Vimalacarabhivamsa.
Observing the 5 Khandhas not as self or belonging to self constitute the wrong views. Yogis always complain that their bodies, legs, hands and heads encounter pain. This is wrong observation because if you note it as the legs or hands or backs then you are observing the self.

We have to observe our Forms, Feelings, Perceptions, Consciousness and Mental formations, not as self or belong to self but as impermanent, suffering and nothingness.

As the Sutta goes, Venerable Khemaka explain the Dhamma to the 60 Theras who had initially posed the question that is conveyed by Ven. Dasaka. As both the teacher and the listeners listen to the Dhamma they observe the words and practiced the Dhamma and eventually all of them attained Arahantship. Here, yogis should emulate the venerables when they listened to Dhamma from their teacher. We should listen and practice what we had just heard.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Amy's Retreat

2010-09-10T23:31:00.000+08:00

Today, Amy joined yogis in the nine-days Vipassana Meditation Retreat under the guidance of Sayadaw U Vimalacarabhivamsa. Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Patidana

2010-08-22T23:34:00.001+08:00

Both Amy and I were at BMBMC today for the Patidana occasion..

Good teacher good student

2010-08-14T23:09:00.002+08:00

"When we want to be good teacher, we must also become a good student" said Sayadaw U Vimalacara

http://productivegeek.com/forums/attachments/Argue1_1263057618.png

In the Puppha Sutta, the Buddha exclaimed that the Buddha does not argue or quarrel with world but it is the world of beings that is disputing with Him.
The Buddha will agree with the wise one (those that meditate well, the Noble Ones) because the wise one knows the truth. Thus, proclaiming what is the truth does not merit any argument or disputes.

"BMBMC members," said Sayadaw U Vimala, "should be practicing what is the true teaching of the Buddha"
In this Sutta, the Buddha said that all compound things are subjected to anicca, dukkha and anatta. The Panca Khanda namely Rupa, Vedana, Sanna, Sankhara and Vinnana are subjected to change, suffering and uncontrollable. In the practice of Vipassana Meditation, yogis should be aware of these Aggregates and they have these 3 characteristics. Then only can the yogis attain magga phala nana.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Of She-monkey and Angels

2010-08-07T23:20:00.002+08:00

“Which is more beautiful, the angels or your ex-bride?” asked Lord Buddha to Nanda Thera when Buddha decided to take Nanda Thera to Tavathimsa Heaven.
“The angels, my Lord, my ex-bride is like the she-monkey” replied Nanda Thera
In tonight Dhamma talk, Sayadaw U Vimalacarabhivamsa uses the Story of Nanda Thera to advise members of BMBMC not to attach to your wife, family and others when coming for meditation in the centre. This attachement will hinder your meditation progress.
As the story goes, Nanda Thera then strives to get to heaven the meet the angels. Known by the other monks, Nanda Thera was then ridiculed and blamed. Cast as an outcast, Nanda Thera decided to strive with diligent in his practice and eventually Nanda Thera attained Arahanta.
Here, Sayadaw said that different strategies are always used by meditation teachers to teach the yogis. Depending on their paramis, yogis will gain progress with their practices. However, Sayadaw pointed out that Saddha in the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha is very important for one to attained Enlightenment.
Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

In Search of the Buddha Image

2010-08-01T17:35:00.001+08:00

Today Amy and I follow Uncle Lim, Ah Kiang and Chin to a shop selling Buddhist paraphernalia to look at Buddha images. BMBMC is searching of a new Buddha image to replace the present one.

Any one has any suggestion where to get a ‘beautiful’ Buddha image?

Channa Sutta

2010-07-31T23:34:00.003+08:00

“I helped the Buddha to become the Buddha, therefore this Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha is my Buddha, my Dhamma and my Sangha” thought Venerable Channa. This conceited thought had caused this Venerable to have no respect for the other monks during the Buddha’s time.

In tonight Dhamma talk at BMBMC, Sayadaw U Vimalacarabhivamsa explained the situation faced by Venerable Chanda as mentioned in the Channa Sutta [see link for further more detail]
After the demise of the Buddha, Venerable Channa who was isolated from the other monks began to feel bored. Venerable Channa decided to proceed to a gathering of elder monks and requested them to give him a Dhamma talk.

Fearing that Venerable Channa will blame them and every other things of suffering, the elders decided to teach him that Rupa, Vedana, Sanna, Sankhara and Vinnana are impermanent and non-self only.

Venerable Channa is a good meditator but he has wrong views in related to self as he believes in there exist a self or ego and also there is no existence after this life.

Not satisfied and with doubt, Venerable Channa decided to seek Venerable Ananda for advice. Venerable Ananda who is endured with wisdom and foresight, expounded the Paticca Samupada to Venerable Channa. Paticca Samupada which tenets is based on Cause and Effect and the cessation of the cause resulted in the cessation of effect is able to eradicate the wrong views as being held by Venerable Channa.

Realising the meaning of the Dhamma explained by Venerable Ananda, Venerable Channa is able to attain to the First stage of Sainthood.

Sayadaw U Vimala hoped that tonight Dhamma talk will encourages members of BMBMC to try to achieve the first stage of Sainthood and not to have wrong views such as Sakayaditthi and Uccheda ditthi.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Vassa Begins Today

2010-07-26T23:35:00.002+08:00

Sayadaw U Vimalacarabhimvasa giving a short Dhamma talk

Tonight both Amy and I attended the invitation to enter the Vassa ceremony at BMBMC. This year, Sayadaw U Vimalacarabhivamsa had accepted BMBMC invitation to enter Sayadaw’s 34th Vassa at the centre.

Paying respect to the Triple Gem

In the shoirt Dhamma talk, Sayadaw advises us to constantly practise what was taught to us by the Buddha, namely to practise Dana, Sila and Bhavana. If we do not practise these three things, said Sayadaw, then we will not perform them.

Consequently, it will then lead us further down into suffering. However, if we had keep up with the practises, then eventually we will succeed in our quest to achieve our goal in eradication of the kilesa and realised Nibbana.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

The arrival of Sayadaw U Vimala

2010-07-25T22:34:00.001+08:00

Amy and I were at BMBMC to receive Sayadaw U Vimala who had accepted the invitation to reside at BMBMC for this year Vassa. It was raining heavily and Sayadaw arrived at BMBMC at about 8 pm.

I am glad to see Sayadaw in good health.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Visit to Dhamma Rain Santuary, Bagan Serai

2010-07-25T17:58:00.002+08:00

Both Amy and I followed BMBMC members to Bagan Serai to witness the handling of keys to kuti of Dhamma Rain Santuary at Bagan Serai.
Led by Uncle Lim, we travelled by two cars, one driven by Peter and the other by me. Amy, Bro Chai Keang and Bro Teoh are my passengers.
We arrived at the Santuary at 10 am after a fulfilling breakfast stop at Sg Bakap Chai Kuay restaurant.
Bhante Kusala was about to be invited to begin the occasion, what a timing it is. After the key-handling over ceremony, we take a peep at the kuti.
Then there is a Dhamma talk by Bhante Kusala about the benefit of dana and tranference of merit with Bhante using the example of Venerable Anuruddha.
A Dana was performed and we of course stayed for the lunch.

Respecting to the Buddha

2010-07-25T00:22:00.003+08:00

"Buddhists respect the Buddha and we bow to the Buddha image," said Bro. Foong in tonight Dhamma talk at BMBMC, "But to what degree do we respect the Buddha?"

During the Buddha's time in Rajagaha, a group of brahmins were discussing the respect gained by teachers of 7 different sects including Buddha's. All of them agreed that 6 of the teachers of the sects do not command any respect from their followers because they had observed that their disciples questioned the authorities of their teachers or found that the teaching of their teachers is inadequate. They declared that the Buddha's disciples did not did dishonoured the Buddha. On contrary, they had respected the Buddha and listened with earnest the Teaching of the Buddha.

When asked by the Buddha on what are the reason His disciples respected him, one of the brahmins replied that it could be due to the fact that the Buddha only partake very little food, not fussy with his robes, stayed in any types of shelter, always go for alms and prefered a secluded solitary life.
These reasons were refuted by the Buddha.

Then the Buddha explained that the reasons why He commanded the utmost respect from His disciples.
They are

The Buddha holds the Highest Sila in the speech, action and thought at all time
The Buddha command the Highest Knowledge and Vision
The Buddha has Supreme Wisdom
The Buddha had explained the Four Noble Truth clearly and comprehensively
The Buddha is able to teach and guide His disciples in the 37 Factors of Enlightenment.

These are the reasons why Buddhists should realised when we respect the Buddha even though at this present time is only the Buddha's image.

It had been a very interesting one and a half hour talk (in Hokkien/Mandarin/English) Dhamma talk shared with us by Bro Foong.

Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu

Train to catch

2010-07-17T22:44:00.005+08:00

Out thought moments are like the train moving in high speed and we have a race to catch this train, said Bhante Jinnadatta in tonight Dhamma talk at BM Buddhist Meditation Centre.

"Can we catch this train?" asked Bhante, "The answer is Yes but only with Mindfulness or Sati. Only with Sati, can we then catch up with this train of thoughts. But we must catch it and we have to be strong to hold on this train because if we are weak, then we will be swerved by it. Here, samadhi come in as samadhi gives us the stability to hold on to our thought.

Interesting simile and very informative. That is always the case when Bhante Jinnadatta share with us his interpretation of the Buddha Dhamma - only that Bhante speaks in Hokkien/Mandarin which I had a problem understanding some of what he said.

Our mind is conditioned, our thoughts are linked with one another - hence we have a train of thoughts. When a object touches the sense-door and contact arises. But due to ignorance, this contact will lead to the arisen of vedana or feeling and so forth. Worry, lamentation, complaint and bias developed in our mind.

We refused to note the sense objects as it is but we "calculated and compare" the object with our background ideas. Hence here lies the conditioned mind.

Only by mindfully watching the mind can we then see the real nature of things.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Wat Pin Ban Onn visit

2010-07-12T23:05:00.003+08:00

Today both Amy and I visited Wat Pin Ban Onn at Jalan Masjid Negeri. It is the first time Amy had been to this wat.

Then we proceed to MBMC for lunch dana

Taking refuge part 2

2010-07-10T23:12:00.001+08:00

In continuing with last week Dhamma Talk, Sayadaw U Sumana added that taking refuge by means of paying homage should be done with faith and understanding.

Sayadaw pointed out that there are four type of paying homage, namely

Paying homage to a person because he is your relative or someone related to you or elders
Paying homage due to fear or order by the law or regulation
Paying homage to a teacher or someone that hold that position

[these three type of paying homage will not be the form of taking refuge as it is not done with understanding]

Paying homage due to the understanding of the attribute of that person

The forth type is what taking refuge should be. Sayadaw said that by paying homage one had to remember the 9 attributes of the Buddha. Similarly, the attributes of the Dhamma and the Sangha

Therefore, Sayadaw advises members of BMBMC to take refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha systematically so that this action will be beneficial to us such as protection and safety to us.

Incidentally, tonight Dhamma talk will the last one for the year 2010 for Sayadaw U Sumana at BMBMC.

Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu

Taking refuge systematically

2010-07-03T23:53:00.000+08:00

Buddhists take refuge to the Triple Gems but do you do it systematically? asked Sayadaw U Sumana in tonight Dhamma Talk at BM Buddhist Meditation Centre.

According to the late Sayadaw U Silananda, there are many ways one takes refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. Sayadaw U Sumana will share with us the ways one takes refuge in the Triple Gem from the writings of the late Sayadaw U Silananda

There are two types of way on taking refuge, namely

the supramundane way in which when one had attained the Enlightenment, the refuge of a Noble person in the Triple Gem is unshakeable, and
the mundane way

Accordingly, there are four mundane ways which will be dealt with in tonight talk. They are

By surrendering oneself to the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha - this can be shown in how Angulimala surrendered himself to the Buddha and follow the Buddha
By considering the Triple Gem as supreme resort - this can be shown by Pattacari who had lost all her kin but after listening to the Buddha's word, she had taken refuge in the Triple Gem
By assuming one as the pupil of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha and hence shows great respect to the Triple Gem
By paying homage to the Triple Gem

Khlong Ngae Visit

2010-06-27T20:59:00.006+08:00

Trip to Khlong Ngae with BMBMC members led by Uncle Lim

Yesterday both Amy and I followed Uncle Lim and 15 BM Buddhist Meditation Centre's members to Ajahn Sati's temple in Khlong Ngae, Southern Thailand.

We went in two vans, both Amy and I in the first with Mr Chuah and his family, Mr & Mrs Khor, and another couple in one van whereas, Uncle Lim, Mr Lee and the rest in another. We left BM at 1.30 pm and reaches Haadyai at 4 pm.

We stopped at Haadyai for a two hours shopping spree. Then we had our dinner in one of the Haadyai restaurant before proceeding to Khlong Ngae at 7 pm (Thai time)

Ajahn Sati's temple is in Khlong Ngae a small town situated between Danuk and Haadyai. But we had to go into the outskirt of Khlong Ngae and then turn into a rubber tree plantation.

We arrived at the temple at around 8 pm. Some devotees there welcome us and we proceed to pay respect to Ajahn Sati.

Then all of us decided to take our bath but since there are only 4 bathrooms near the shrine hall, Uncle Lim took three of us to another bathroom area about 10 minute walk up the hill. Whew! The water was cold but refreshing.

After taking our bath, Uncle Lim took us to the hanging cliff cave about 200 m uphill. We saw three bhikkhus there meditating. Both Mr Lee and I decided not to sleep there tonight although Uncle Lim will bring some of us there to sleep.

Coming back to the shrine hall, the ladies already lying down to sleep. I too find a place and luckily I brought my sleeping bag for there are mosquitoes all over the place. It was not that cool but rather humid in the hall.

Special and Perpetual Mindfulness

2010-06-14T22:36:00.003+08:00

Tonight marks the end of the 10-days Vipassana Retreat for the year 2010 conducted by Sayadaw U Ukkamhsa at BMBMC.

In this final night, Sayadaw U Ukkamhsa encouraged yogis and members of BMBMC to continue their practice of Vipassana meditation even after the retreat.

There are two types of mindfulness, said Sayadaw, "They are (1) Special Mindfulness, and (2) Perpetual or Continual Mindfulness.

Special Mindfulness is the mindfulness that one cultivates during the retreat on their 4 postures and general daily activities.

Perpetual Mindfulness is mindfulness that one cultivates during their normal daily activities like preparing to cook, or doing the laundry.

One must try to practice the Perpetual Mindfulness so as to enable one to speed up their Vipassana Meditation practice.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Samadhi and Upekkha Sambojjhanga

2010-06-13T23:16:00.000+08:00

Tonight Sayadaw U Ukkamhsa expounded 2 of the last 7 Bojjhangas that are samadhi and uppekha sambojjhanga.

What is Samadhi sambojjhanga?

Calmness

2010-06-13T08:30:00.001+08:00

Last night Dhamma talk by Sayadaw U Ukkamhsa is about passaddhi sambojjhanga or the factor of calmness.

In order to understand this factor of Enlightenment of calmness, we have to know its meaning, characteristics, function and manifestation, said Sayadaw U Ukkhamhsa.

What is the meaning of passaddhi?
It is the cessation of kilesa or defilements. With this cessation of defilements, peace will be attained.

What then is the characteristic of passadhi?
Passadhi had the characters of quieting the disturbances of our physical and mental factors. By quieting or reducing the disturbances, yogi will experience tranquility or calmness. This calmness will helps the yogis to overcome the suffering experieced in the process of meditation.

How does this factor of Enlightenment functions?
Passadhi eliminates disturbances of our physical and mental factors.

And its manifestation? A yogi can know the manifestation or appearing of passadhi by the inactivity of consciousness. One will feel like a statue, as there is stillness just like one take shelter under a shady tree after climbing a big mountain.

Yogi will experience pain both mentally and physically during meditation. When passadhi arises, one will will calm without any unpleasant feeling or sensation. One will feel as if one had lose his consciousness. Sometime, a less experienced yogi may mistaken this calmness as Nibbana.

The Second Bojjhangga - Investigative of Dhamma

2010-06-09T22:46:00.003+08:00

(from http://www.shiftedreality.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/darkness_to_light_2560x1600.jpg)

Tonight talk by Sayadaw U Ukkhamsa at BMBMC is the continuance of yesterday talk about the 7 Bojjhanggas.
In yesterday talk, Sayadaw expounded about Sati-sambojjhanga. So, tonight the talk is about dhamma-vicaya-sambojjhanga or Investigative of Dhamma

To know that there is the arises or not arises of this bojjhanga, yogis should know the three aspects of this bojjhanga namely

its characteristic
its function
its manifestation

What is the characteristic of this bojjhanga?
It is the investigating or the penetrating of Rupa and Nama dhammas in their individual essence. Investigation means the discerning and perceiving the true nature of Rupa and Nama, its arising and passing away and the association with impermanence, suffering and uncontrollable.

What then is its function?
The function of this bojjhanga is like a lamp that illuminate as it allows one to clearly see the rupa and nama.

What is the manifestation of dhamma-vicaya-bojjhanga?
This bojjhanga manifests in yogis as a form of non-bewilderment or clear comprehension. Just like in a dark forest, a person does not know the directions but as soon as there is light he knows the direction. The arising of this bojjhanga enable yogis to discern clearly the nature of Rupa and Nama dhammas

Therefore, Sayadaw said, that if a person mention that I feel pain when pain arises he still has wrong you as I feel is a form of clinging. This is sakkaya ditthi and one can still fall into Apaya

Investigative of Dhamma will give rise to knowledge. At this point, yogis should know that there are 3 type of knowledge or nanna.

Sutta-nana - knowledge gained from learning or listening to Dhamma
Citta-nana - knowledge gained from thinking
Bhavana-nana - knowledge from observing or discerning Rupa and Nama right at the present moment

Out of these three nana, it is the bhavana-nana will help a yogi abandon sakkaya ditthi. It is from the arises of this nana will the dhammavicaya bojjhanga arises.

What is the cause that this dhammavicaya bojjhanga that has yet arises will arises?
Sayadaw said it is Yoniso-manasikara - observing and noting of all phenomena in all time.

In the Commentaries, it is stated that there are 7 ways for the arising of dhammavicaya bojjhanga, namely

Inquiring and questioning of the Dhamma
Purification of the bases (internal and external) for example cleanliness of body (internal), clothes or bed (external)
Balancing of the 5 Faculties namely Faith, Energy, Mindfulness, Concentration and Understanding
Avoiding ignorance people that are ignorant of Rupa and Nama
Associate with wise people who are knowledgeable about arising and passing away
Reflects on profound Dhamma (Teaching of Lord Buddha)
Inclination toward investigation of gaining knowledge

Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu

Sati-sambojjhanga

2010-06-08T22:57:00.003+08:00

Once a bhikkhu asked Lord Buddha, "What are the bojjhangas that are talked about?" The Buddha answered, "The Bojjhangas are the factors leading to the Four Noble Truths."
Buddha added "There are 7 Bojjhanggas, namely

Sati
Dhamma vicaya
Viriya
Piti
Passadhi
Samadhi
Upekkha

Sayadaw U Ukkhamsa giving the Dhamma talk

Tonight talk given by Sayadaw U Ukkhamsa is about the first of the 7 Bojjhangga that is Sati samojhangga at BMBMC in conjuction with the 10-days Vipassana Meditation Retreat from 5th to 14th of June.

How is Sati a bhojjhanga? How can Sati be the factor leading to Enlightenment? Sati (or Mindfulness) is like the guard, that checks the entrance and the exit of the people from a place. As seeing consciousness arises, sati is aware of it.

Sati is based on the 4 Foundations of Mindfulness that are kayanupassana, vedananupassana, cittanupassana, or dhammanupassana .

Therefore, if yogis is to always keep on noting mindfully during the retreat, then the yogis is cultivating one of the bhojhangga that will lead to Enlightenment.

The arrival of Sayadaw U Ukkhamsa

2010-06-02T23:09:00.002+08:00

Sayadaw U Ukkhamsa (right)

Tonight both Amy and I were at BMBMC to welcome Sayadaw U Ukkhamsa and his kapiya.

The arrival of Sayadaw marks the beginning of a 10-days retreat starting from 5 to 14 of June.
Sayadaw will be giving Dhamma talks during the 10-days retreat at 8 pm everyday.

The titles of talk is

Vipassana meditation on distraction
The 7 Bhojangas

If any of the my readers of this blog is interested to join in this retreat, you are most welcome to join us at BMBMC

Both Amy and I had signed up for 3 days starting from 5 to 7 June.

Vivekavana Sanctuary Grove Visit

2010-05-30T18:23:00.014+08:00

This afternoon, six of us (myself, Amy, Uncle Lim, Peter, Mr Lee and Ah Chin) went up the Berapit Hill to Vivekavana Sanctuary Grove (VSG) to meet the Sayadaw of VSG.

This trip is organised by Uncle Lim to discuss matter regarding next week BMBMC 2nd Vipassana Meditation Retreat that will be conducted by Sayadaw U Ukkhamsa.

As this is the first time, Amy and I will be doing a retreat at Vivekavana, we decided to follow Uncle Lim there.
We parked our car at No 33 which is a house at the foot of the hill.
Both Amy and I decided to climb up the hill while the others took pillion on motorbikes.
We took 30 minutes to reach the Sanctuary.
This the second time we had climb up the hill. The first time it rained before we reach the place.
Today it was drizzling and it rained as soon as we reached the Sanctuary.

After paying our respects to the Sayadaws, we went round the Sanctuary to know the place.

Finally at about 4.00 pm, we left the VSG. This time all six of us walked down the hill.

We then proceed to Berapit Hawker Center for a quick and refreshing cendol and ice kacang for tea.

Saddha

2010-05-29T23:16:00.001+08:00

Saddha or faith is important to Buddhists especially if one is practising vipassana meditation, Sayadaw U Sumana pointed it out in tonight's Dhamma Talk at BMBMC.

It had been raining heavily just before the talk in Bukit Mertajam, and just a handful of us turned up in the centre.

There are 7 wholesome mental states that one should cultivate at all time. These wholesome mental states will suppress the unwholesome mental states from arises in our mind.

The 7 wholesome mental states are

Saddha
Sila
Sutta
Caga
Panna
Hiri
Otapa

Like quality ruby that shines in the dark and dispel dust in the water, so is Saddha that will give us clarity in our believe of the Triple Gem and the Law of Kamma and Vipaka,

There are 3 kinds of Saddha, namely

Ordinary Saddha
Strong Saddha
Blind Saddha

A yogi will be able to build up the strong Saddha when he/she experiences the joy or rapture in his meditation. Strong Saddha will act as our friend that will lead one to better realm like heaven or better to the Path of Enlightenment.

Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu

Chanting

2010-05-28T23:42:00.001+08:00

Chanting, an act that is not really important in the practice of Buddhism, said Sayadaw U Sumana in tonight Wesak talk.

Chanting cannot let a Buddhist attains Nibbana, only by bhavana can one achieved the highest goal in the Buddha

However, if one chants and practiced what is being chanted, then there are some benefits from this action of chanting.

Chanting at the right time and place is important. Doing the chanting correctly can become a form of Samatha meditation. This can lead to higher goal.

In certain cases, chanting in proper manner can enable one to gain the protection of the Deva. This is shown in the story of Nandamata who had practised chanting and gain the protection from a Deva from Catumaharajika Heaven. The Deva is impressed with the chanting of this disciple of the Buddha that praise the virtues of the Buddha

Lastly, Sayadaw advises the members to practice chanting with understanding for the benefits of chanting.

Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu

Wesak at BMBMC 2010

2010-05-28T13:16:00.012+08:00

Today is Wesak Day. Both of us arrived at BMBMC at 9 am, an hour earlier than last year. Not many people yet.

At 930 the pindapada begins. Not many devotees turn up for the pindapatta, maybe they do not know aboat it as there was none. There are six bhikkhus in this occassion and it lasted in less than half an hour. Everybody proceeds to the dining cum lecture hall to listen to a Dhamma talk given by Sayadaw U Sumana.

Amy and I are busy at the counter with request from the devotees wanting to make the offering of the robes and bowls. By 10.30, many devotees begins to turn up and the hall were full of people.

Tonight there will be a Dhamma talk and Metta chanting. If we go early, we may have the chance to do some meditation.

Sadhu to all, Happy Wesak.

Hope that Ah Hooi will be able to join us in full health in the next year Wesak Day, his absence this time is truly felt.

Wesak Eve

2010-05-27T23:18:00.003+08:00

Happy Wesak to all Buddhists.

In conjunction to this auspicious day of the year, tonight Dhamma talk by Sayadaw U Sumana is about the messges of the Buddha.

What are the messages of the Buddha to us as the Buddha's devotees? asked Sayadaw U Sumana.

Not by just looking at the Buddha and admiring His appearance, but by practicing the Dhamma.

Seeing the Dhamma through personal knowledge

Practice with mindfulness

These are the messages of the Buddha to us.

Noble 8 fold Path

2010-05-22T22:49:00.003+08:00

Tonight at BMBMC, a Dhamma talk about the Noble Eightfold Path is given by Sayalay. The Noble Eightfold Path is essence of what a person practicing Vipassana Meditation should have.

The Noble Eightfold Path comprises of

Samma Ditthi
Samma Sankappa
Samma Vaca
Samma Kammanta
Samma Ajiva
Samma Vayama
Samma Sati
Samma Samadhi

Let it go

2010-05-15T23:45:00.001+08:00

After many weeks not attending the Meditation class cum Dhamma talk at BMBMC, it is delight to be able to hear this Dhamma talk given by Sayadaw U Sumana on Kamatanha.

It not uncommon for us to cling to sensual pleasure, said Sayadaw U Sumana. "This clinging is like a glue that sticked one object to another. Sometimes, the objects are stuck to one another that it is difficult for us to separate them."

As meditators, we must try to practice how to minimize our clinging to sensual pleasure. Coming to night for a two-hour meditation class helps to minimize our clinging to sensual pleasure. Otherwise, we will be at home enjoying ourselves by watching the television's programs.

May he be well and happy again

2010-05-01T19:54:00.003+08:00

Ah Hooi and I at Wat Sam Naht Song, Kpg Song

Today Amy and I follow a group of BMBMC members to Gleneagle Hospital to visit Ah Hooi, BMBMC secretary who met with a serious road accident ten days ago. Ah Hooi is still in coma but had been put in the High Dependency Unit.

Seeing him in his present condition allow me to reflect on how fragile is our life, one second I see him healthy and well, and now he is unconscious and weak. Life is suffering as we are subjected to death, old age and illness as long as we are still in the cycle of Samsara.

But I believe that Ah Hooi as a good Upasaka with many good deeds done, will be able to overcome this suffering and will be well and healthy again.

If readers of this blog know Ah Hooi (a.k.a Ah Chai) and want to help be it in kind or deeds please contact Uncle Lim at BMBMC.

Let us radiate the our metta to Ah Hooi, may he be well and happy again.

Pati Dana

2010-04-11T16:31:00.003+08:00

Today in BMBMC, a Pati Dana is held in conjunction with the Qing Ming week. A Sanghikadana is organised for this event with 7 Bhikkhus. A short Dhamma talk was given by Bhante Kusara.

Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu

2010-03-21T17:16:00.006+08:00

Today marked the last day of the First Vipassana Meditation Retreat in BMBMC.
Sadhu to all members who had attended the Retreat.

Listen, Listen and Listen

2010-03-19T22:33:00.005+08:00

There 3 kinds of listeners of the Dhamma, namely

One with high wisdom who likes to listen to short Dhamma, knows the matter and not the mind, and was taught the 5 aggregates
One with medium wisdom who likes to listen to not so short and not so long Dhamma, knows mind but not matter, and was taught the 12 bases of 10 1/2 of it are matter and the other 1 and 1/2 mind
One with low wisdom who likes to listen to long Dhamma, know not of mind and matter, and was taught 18 kinds of elements

"What are these 18 kinds of elements?" asked Sayadaw U Sumana in tonight's Dhamma Talk at BMBMC.

These 18 kinds of elements can be classified into 3 groups of elements, namely

6 objects (striking elements)
6 sense doors (recipient elements)
6 consciousness

These 3 groups of elements constitute what we conventionally know as the human being. Therefore, said Sayadaw, if one understand this through the practice of Vipassana Meditation, one will then knows that there is actually no human being.

In the beginning, a meditator cannot comprehends all the objects forms from the 6 sense doors according to Sayadaw. Why? This is because in the beginning, a meditator's mindfulness is weak, his concentration is not strong and wisdom not high.

The wandering mind of the meditator comes and go, striking the sense bases (eye, ear, tongue, body, nose and mind doors) just like the match stick strikes the match box. As flame ignited when these two came into contact, so too is our consciousness arises when the objects elements came into contact with the sense door elements. Like a small child who does not understands the mechanics of igniting a match sticks, beginners in meditation may not see these three elements in their noting process.

Sayadaw said that it is easy to do noting for the way to note is simple. Any people can do that. But in Vipassana Meditation, one should note with understanding. When one notes for example seeing, one should notes and understands the presence of the elements be there 1 or 2 of the elements (either object, sense door or consciousness).

Meditators are advised to note with understanding so that the noting process will be devoid of the 3 kinds of clinging namely

clinging with attachment
clinging with conceit
clinging with wrong views

If in noting seeing, one had the notion that it is "I who see" then one notes with the clinging with conceit. Similarly, if one had the notion that the seeing belongs to oneself then one has the clinging with wrong views.

"Be mindful with the object," advises Sayadaw in concluding tonight's talk, "Let it be free from like or dislike. Then only will one gain the Insight Knowledge in his practise."

Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu.

Seed of Wisdom

2010-03-18T22:25:00.006+08:00

Ledi Sayadaw once said that it is very important for one to have the Seed of Wisdom. What is this Seed of Wisdom?

The seed of wisdom according to Sayadaw U Sumana is the inert factor in oneself that had been accumulated in years of your lives (past and present) that will enable a person to attain stages of Insight Knowledge that lead to the fruition of Insight.

This seed of wisdom must be cultivated as much as a person can through the practice of Vipassana Meditation.

Here, in conjunction to the BMBMC Vipassana Meditation retreat, Sayadaw U Sumana encouraged the yogis and members of BMBMC to strive on with diligence so that their meditation practices can lead them to achieve to the very least the Knowledge of the Arising and Passing Away of Phenomena (the Knowledge of Impermanence).

Sayadaw said that one had to try to practice meditation in a long period so that one can achieve progress in acquiring the Insight Knowledge. A time period of 10 days to a month is most suitable for one who want to progress well in his/her meditation.

It is important that we grab any chance we get to meditate, said Sayadaw. One do not wait until he/she is old, and weak with lots of diseases to then only try to practice as by then progress will be very slow.

Sayadaw gave some examples to stress the importance of cultivating this Seed of Wisdom. In the Buddha's time, a fisherman whom had trouble keeping his precepts, was able to attain to the stage of Sotapanna, by listening to the Buddha's talk due to him having the seed of Wisdom.

Another story about a pick-pocket thief who is also able to attain to the stage of Sotapanna by listening to the Dhamma talk by the Lord Buddha in Jetavanna Monastery even though his original intention was to steal. This shows that the Seed of Wisdom determines one to had progress in Insight Knowledges.

In contrast there are people whom at the presence of Lord Buddha were not able to attain any progress due to not having the Seed of Wisdom such as King Kosala, who had many Suttas mentioned in his name.

Cultivating the Seed of Wisdom should be the main aim of Buddhists and only by practicing Vipassana Meditation in retreats can one hope to be able to progress well in Insight Knowledge, said Sayadaw U Sumana in the closing of this talk.

Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu

Tonight talk is one of the 9-days series of talk given by Sayadaw U Sumana in conjunction with the Vipassana Meditation retreat.

Vipassana Meditation Retreat - Second Day Account

2010-03-16T18:31:00.005+08:00

Second day:

Morning sitting and walking meditation did not encounter any sleepiness

But things are not permanent. Pain started to come during the sitting meditation. Cannot sit in half lotus position more than 10 minutes. That's trouble me and I reported it to Sayadaw during the interview session

However, I tried to use the Burmese style sitting meditation position learned from Sis Gavesini's class and guess what, there is no intense pain at my back and I can sit for an hour without that intense pain bothering me. Sitting meditation styles can be seen in this site.
I was not that sleepy in the second day but unfortunately, Amy had to work on Monday so we left the centre after the Dhamma talk.

Maybe, the next retreat, we will try for three days.

Vipassana Meditation Retreat - First Day Account

2010-03-16T18:05:00.004+08:00

Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu to Amy and to myself too for we managed to complete a 2-day full retreat for the first time.

Here's the account of my two days retreat at BM Buddhist Meditation Centre.

First day: We arrived at the centre at 5 am and after checking in, we proceeded to the meditation hall for an hour of sitting meditation.

At 6 am we requested for the 8 precepts from Sayadaw U Sumana (who will be conducting this 9-days retreat)

I tried to follow the program used in the retreat at Santarama under Sis. Gavesini that are one-hour sitting and one-hour walking. In BMBMC, the program is more general and the participants are free to practice on their own pace.

However, it was bad, my mind was dull from sleepiness. I must be sleeping as I can see a movie screen like pictures in my closed eyes.

Even, walking meditation did not help to alleviates the dullness. It became worse, I can feel myself sleep-walking.

So after lunch, I grab a 30 minutes time-off - just go lying down and took a rest.
After the 4 pm talk by Sayadaw, I do not feel that sleepy to do walking meditation.

Sitting meditation is not good as I drift to and fro between meditating and sleeping. I was not doing any progress and I was contemplating of going back after the Dhamma talk. But I observed that Amy was doing well so I just preservered.

That night, I had a good night sleep.

Retreat at BMBMC

2010-03-12T22:06:00.002+08:00

I will be going for my first 2-day retreat for this year at BM Buddhist Meditation Centre. This retreat will be conducted by Sayadaw U Sumana for the duration of 9 days. But we only plan to go for 2 days (Saturday and Sunday). More stories later.

Bhante Suvano Memorial Service Videos

2010-03-08T23:19:00.003+08:00

In remembrance of the late Bhate Suvanno

2010-03-07T17:42:00.007+08:00

Today marks the third anniversary of the passing away of the late Bhante Suvanno. Three years had passed but the numerous talks and advices by Bhante still rings in our ears.
In remembrance of Bhante, members of BM Buddhist Meditation Centre held a simple ceremony today at the centre.

This year, the programme starts with a pindacara to 8 Bhikkhus notably of Acharn Santi, Sayadaw U Sumana and Bhante Kondanna. The pindacara starts at 9 am and this will be one of the two pindacara held in the vicinity of BMBMC.

Then, members of BMBMC gathered at Venerable Suvanno Library to pay respect to Bhante by offering flowers (donated by a Buddhist friend from Cameron Highlands). From the flowers, I would had put the number of members to be over 100.

At 10 am, Sayadaw U Sumana gave a Dhamma talk to us. In the talk, Sayadaw U Sumana advises us to follow the examples shown by the late Bhante. Bhante had devoted most of his life in advising us Buddhists to do good and practice the Dhamma. Bhante himself had lead a simple life (even though Bhante is well known among Buddhists in Malaysia and his talk recordings are still most sorted of) and his humility is projected in his quest to become a NOBODY (Bhante's poem can be read in this site). Sayadaw pointed out that Bhante had been generous both in giving dana and helping others. Bhante had never try to turn down any requests by his devotees until he can no longer physically do so. These are the examples set by Bhante and today we should remember Bhante's virtues. Further, Sayadaw U Sumana also said that to honour Bhante better is to practice the Dhamma in the threefold ways namely, Dana, Sila and Bhavana.

A Sanghikadana is held after the talk. This is followed by the offering of robes to the Sangha. Although the ceremony is simple and short, I believe it is meaningful and fit the advices of Bhante to always do things in the simple way.

Account of my third retreat of the year

2009-12-22T21:38:00.008+08:00

It has been a week since I came back from my self-organised 2-day retreat at BMBMC.
I had decided to go for a retreat (here meant not just to take the 8 precepts but to spent all my time, trying to meditate).

After going to a one-day retreat organised by Inward Path under Sister Gavesini, I find that I do like the programme as I do not find it that taxing as my first one before.

So, I arrived at BM Buddhist Meditation Center on the 13th of December (Sunday) at 5 pm. Uncle Lim was kind enough allow me to stay in a kuti as I requested for it.
After cleaning up the kuti, I then proceed with my meditation (one-hour period of alternating walking and sitting meditation).

Sunday night meditation was good, except for the mosquitoes that decided to help themselves as I was alone in the sitting hall.

However, as usual, the first night I could not get any sleep, mainly because the kuti was hot (real hot, no fans and with the weather surprisingly on that day was hot). So I had a "sauna-like" bath sleeping in the kuti.

Fortunately, I managed to get some shut-eyes and passed the night with some rest.

Woke up at 5:00 am, tired but not really that bad. I managed to do some walking meditation and then it is breakfast time.Try to take some food as the time is about 6:30 am and in about 4 hours, lunch will be served.
In BMBMC, food is abundant, so I try to watch the sensual pleasure that may take over my purpose of that day.

Morning part meditation is good (good here is to my standard, meaning I can sit for one hour without being "bothered" by the pain). Walking meditation helped to elevate my drowsiness (due to the lack of sleep)

Lunch time in BMBMC had many kinds of food offered, very difficult to be mindful, with members offering delicious food. But remember, Sister Gin said to take only one-tenth of what we normally do. So I controlled myself (hope that those aunties and uncles were not disappointed)

Afternoon meditation is good too, although some members of BMBMC decided to stay back for some chit-chatting. I now able to tolerate some talking when meditating.

After dusk, again the mosquitoes attacked. However, meditation becomes bad. Pain is experienced at the lower part of body namely at the lower back. Cannot sit for more than 20 minutes. Mindfullness gone probably I am tired. Walking medititaion still can be completed for one hour, but I was worried (one of the five hindrances) that if I do too long of a time in walking, tomorrow I will not be able to do sitting and walking.
So decided to go to sleep. This time, mindfulness is gone, although I try to make sure that I keep some.
Sleep at 9 pm but wake up at 12 midnight. Too hot, even though it rains for a that 3 hour period.
Took my blanket and pillow and straight went into the back room at the center and managed to get a 5 hour sleep (with fan on).

I thought the second day I will not be able to sit. So told myself, if I cannot sit for an hour in the morning, I quit.Fortunately, I still can have the hourly sitting and walking meditation until lunch.

In the afternoon, walking meditation is good, managed to observe only one stray thought in a 20 paces walk. But sitting deteriorate as the afternoon wears off.
Until 5 pm, the pain at the back becomes the hindrance, for I can only do most a 20 minutes sitting and then I had to end the session.

Gone back home at 6 pm but still holding the 8 precepts.
Did an hour of sitting meditation at home, surprisingly no pain (maybe, the energy comes back)

These 2 day meditation retreat is a good experience as I had never gone more than a day period. Originally planned for 3 days, maybe I will be brave for the next one (next year?). Still had thoughts during the sitting session, but can watch the rising and falling clearly (sometimes).

A big Sadhu to members of BMBMC (especially Uncle Lim and those that provide me with the meals).

Listen to Talk

2009-12-20T12:34:00.007+08:00

It is wonderful to see many of you today in this hall for the Dhamma talk this morning," said Venerable Sayadaw U Vimala.

There are 5 advantages in listening to Dhamma talks, namely

Able to hear new subjects one had yet to hear
To have better understanding of the subjects that we heard before
Remove our doubts in the Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha, Kamma and Kamma-Vipaka
To right our view regarding the Dhamma
Cleanse our mind of confusion - thus make us calm and joy

It is many times more beneficial for one to listen to the Dhamma than just doing dana without any understanding of the Dhamma

Our Dana, Sila and Bhavana will lead us to Magga Phala Nibbanna only if we had listen to the Dhamma. By listening to the Dhamma, one can then inclined his practices towards Nibbana. Sayadaw pointed out that Muslims, Christians and Hindus too had their dana, sila and bhavana but they do not lead them toward Nibbana as they did not listen to the Buddha's Teaching.

One must always aspire to attain Magga-phala Nibbana in his daily practices.

This talk is taken from the Dhammasuvana Sutta.

Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu.

Everything is Impermanence

2009-12-19T22:47:00.005+08:00

"Observe everything as impermanence," said Sayadaw U Vimala. I know that all things are impermanent but this is not meditation.

In tonight talk which is based on the Maha-salayatanika Sutta, Sayadaw U Vimala relate how the Buddha advices us to observe impermanence so that wrong views can be abandon.

Observed impermanence in one of these five things when we see. Which five? The eye sensitivity, the visual object, the eye consciousness, the eye contact and the feeling that arises from the eye contact.

The same goes to hearing, tasting, touching and smelling.

Therefore, Sayadaw said there is no excuse that we had no time to meditate. We have time to see, hear, taste, touch and smell. We only had to observe this as impermanence.

Most of the time, beginners in vipassana meditation are more exposed to kayanupassana more than the other vedananupassana, cittanupassana, or dhammanupassana. Maybe when one had practiced to an advanced stage, one will be more readily able to practice dhammanupassana.

Nevertheless, tonight Sayadaw had reminded us about the four fields of mindfulness that one had to practice in Vipassana Meditation.

Saddhu, sadhu, sadhu.

Respect the respected

2009-12-12T17:54:00.005+08:00

Ven. Sayadaw is in Singapore so today we had invited Ajahn Santi for lunch. Ajahn Santi gives a short talk on respect or homage. Ajahn said, one should practice respect to the Triple Gem (Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha) and also to our parents.

At the time of the Buddha, a man and his wife brought their son to give dana to a Bhikkhu. The Bhikkhu blessed the two adults but not their son. When asked, the Bhikkhu foresees that the boy is going to die in 7 days.

Shocked and frightened, the parent and the son went to see the Buddha. The Lord Buddha also blessed the parent and not the son as the Buddha also said that the son will die in 7 days.
Pleaded with metta, the parent requested the Buddha to save their son and the Buddha decided to do so.

Together with a large retinue of bhikkhus (arahants and senior monks), Lord Buddha proceed to their house.
After placing the boy on a platform, the Buddha and the monks seated around the boy and chants were offered for 7 days and 7 nights.

The presence of the Buddha, Arahants and celestial beings (Devas and Brahmas) distanced the petas and asuras from the boy. After the 7th day, the boy is still alive.
Years passed by and the boy grew up. When asked why did the boy still alive, the Buddha said that it is through the respect to the Triple Gem that the boy is saved from the evil ones.

This lesson from Ajahn Santi today showed that a simple act of paying respect had high effect on our lives.
Sadhu, Sadhu and sadhu.

My Jati Day

2009-12-05T15:21:00.003+08:00

The late Bhante Suvanno once said celebrating birthday is celebrating one more year less to your deathday, so do good now.

Heeding this wonderful advice, Amy and I perform our usual dana at BMBMC in conjunction to my birthday today. I am fortunate to be able to perform dana to Sayadaw even though Sayadaw U Vimala is away to Singqpore.

Hair of the Buddha

2009-12-03T21:45:00.008+08:00

I had heard that there are Buddha's hair relics and also seen some Buddha rupa (images) that showed Buddha having hair on His head.

The Bhikkhus are all bald shaven, are the creators of the Buddha images making a mistake?

Thus, I asked Sayadaw U Vimala before yesterday's lunch dana. Sayadaw said the Buddha had hair on His head and not bald shaven as with the other the 32 greater and 80 lesser marks.

This clarify a nagging feeling that I had when I observed my Buddha rupa in my house.

Pindacara at Kota Permai Market

2009-12-01T13:00:00.005+08:00

This morning Amy and I decided to get up early (around 6:30) to go to Kota Permai Market which is about 4 km away from our house. We reached the market about 8 am and waited for the Sayadaws and samaneras who finally arrived at 8.30 am.

A number of devotees arrived soon after and Sayadaws and samaneras lined themselves up at the entrance of the market.

Today there are more people giving food, probably because this is the last day of this year novitiate programme.

In Malaysia, especially in Penang, Buddhists here are very generous when it comes to religious activities. They do not mind donating food, money and other kinds of offering to the temples, bhikkhus and others. Most of the time we have excess of food and money donated by the devotees and with these excess food and money we in turn donated it to other charitable societies.

A big Sadhu to all.

Pindacara at BM market

2009-11-30T22:44:00.006+08:00

Today, Amy and I followed Sayadaws and 20 samaneras for pindapatta at BM market. We left BMBMC at about 8 am and reaches our destination in 20 minutes.

Some of the devotees and helpers were already there waiting for our bus. We spent about 30 minutes there and after bagful of food stuff, all of us proceed back to BMBMC.

Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu to all involved, most of all the young samaneras who endured the whole process with patience and obedience.

Samanera programme in BMBMC

2009-11-22T16:32:00.009+08:00

Lord Buddha once said in Dahara Sutta
"There are these four things, great king, that shouldn't be despised & disparaged for being young.

Which four? A noble warrior, great king, shouldn't be despised & disparaged for being young. A snake... A fire... And a monk shouldn't be despised & disparaged for being young. These are the four things that shouldn't be despised & disparaged for being young"

Today and for the next 10 days, twenty four young men decided to forgoes their school holidays to become samaneras in BMBMC under the guidance of Venerable Sayadaw U Vimala.
More pictures can be seen in this link.

Reverence to cetiyas

2009-11-22T16:22:00.005+08:00

Should we Buddhists paid respect to cetiyas? Some of us may think that those who did are ignorant of Buddhist's practices. However, in yesterday Dhamma Talk, Venerable Sayadaw U Vimala said it is in accordance to the Teaching of The Buddha that one gains Kusala Kamma for respecting the cetiyas.

There are five types of cetiyas namely,

Paribhoga Cetiya- enshrined with requisites used by the Buddha
Uddissaka Cetiya- built or made in remembrance of the Buddha
Dhatu Cetiya- enshrined with the relics of the Buddha
Dhamma Cetiya
Pada Cetiya- foot prints of the Buddha

This means that as Buddhists, we should and can give our respect and offering to these cetiyas. For example, Buddha images are the Uddissaka Cetiya which we should be paying respect to whenever we enter a temple or Buddhist meditation centre. Even places that houses the Dhamma books should be respected.

Further interesting information on cetiyas can be obtained from these sites (1), (2), (3)

Worthy of A Stupa

2009-11-14T23:38:00.007+08:00

Most Malaysian Buddhists do not view Buddhist stupas as significant to Buddhism although stupa is one of the objects of reverence in Buddhism.

In tonight Dhamma Talk, Sayadaw U Vimala teaches us the importance of stupas in Buddhism.

Stupas are used to house the remains of the Buddha. In the Mahaparinibbana Sutta, the Buddha mentioned that there are 4 types of person worthy of being enshrined in a stupa. They are namely

A Samma Sambuddha
A Pacekka Buddha
An Arahanta
An universal monarch

Sayadaw said that reverence such as offerings of flowers or water can be made to a stupa and in the commentaries, such action can assists a person to be reborn as human or devas.

Sister Gin also mentioned about the great reverence of the stupa to the Burmese people during our retreat at Santarama BH.

But, in my opinion, Chinese Malaysians had the outmost extreme zeal in paying reverence to inanimate objects such as stones, idols etc. Right understanding in paying reverences to objects had to cultivated in the Buddhist practice so that ancestral practices of worshiping do not cloud the importance of paying respect in Buddhism.

Otherwise, we are going to have a real hard time in maintaining correct atmosphere in Buddhist places especially in meditation centers.

Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu.

The Theras

2009-11-14T23:27:00.005+08:00

Titles may be trivial or petty matters but sometimes it may be important to us when we are addressing or make reference to a person.

Tonight before the Dhamma talk, Sayadaw mentioned that people here are ignorant of the terms nava, majjhima, thera and mahathera. Many people used wrong titles of Mahathera when refering to a bhikkhu even though the bhikkhu is only had one vassa. Here, Sayadaw taught us the proper usage of these 4 terms:

Nava bhikkhu refers to bhikkhu who has less than 5 vassas
Majjhima bhikkhu refers to bhikkhu who has 5 to 9 vassas
Thera bhikkhu refers to bhikkhu who has 20 or less than 20 vassas
MahaThera bhikkhu refers to bhikkhu who has more than 20 vassas

Further clarification of these terms can be checked from this link.

Reverence to the title of Maha Thera must be done correctly, reflecting the seniority of the bhikkhu and not to the convenience of the devotees.

Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu.

Return from Balik Pulau #2

2009-11-08T23:36:00.005+08:00

Some 'light' moments during the retreat.

Back from Balik Pulau #1

2009-11-08T21:48:00.011+08:00

What a tiring day! A 12-hour meditation exercise (with 2 free meals) was tiring but interesting. Together with about another 30 yogis under the guardance of Sister Gavesini, Amy and I managed to complete our second retreat of the year. Both of us agreed that we had a better experience from this retreat due to regular daily practices prior to this retreat. I can even managed to do each of the sitting and walking meditation sessions for a full one hour-period (even though the five nirvaranas starts to their attack after lunch). A very big Maha Sadhu to Sis. Gin, Bro Kean Beng (where is my KFC), Sis Hong Bian and Bro Sunanda Lim of House of Inward Journey (for hosting this course) and not forgetting all the Dhamma dayakas (who sponsored and ensured that meals are provided for us during the retreat). Another retreat? Heeeheee

Vipassana Meditation Retreat at Santarama

2009-11-07T13:06:00.003+08:00

Today, Amy and I will be staying at Santarama, Balik Pulau for 2-days-1-night vipassana meditation retreat as part of the meditation course that both of us joined for the past two months. This couse is conducted by a very experienced lay-teacher Sister Gavesini at House of Inward Journey. It must be a good year for me this year for having the opportunity of attending not one but two retreats for a year (after many many years of not attending any since the 1980s). Expectation none, as Bhante Suvanno had said, it not our mind that we can decide, just take it as it come. Let's see....

The Naked Truth

2009-10-24T18:52:00.010+08:00

We do not understand about the concept of non-self, we thought we know but actually we do not know. It is wonderful to be able to hear tonight talk about Acela Sutta from Sayadaw U Vimala at BMBMC.

Most of us have either the eternalist or annihilationist views about self. We think of us as permanent even though we know that The Buddha taught us that there is anatta. Learning from this Sutta, Sayadaw said that if we think that we are the same person, for example, we think that if we perform dana now and later we will be born in heavenly realm; the 'we' is the same person then we have the eternalist wrong view. On the other hand, if we then think that the 'we' is different, then we have the annihilationist wrong views. Actually there is no 'we'.

Oh! Oh! Here goes the understanding in most of us. But then, in satipatthana meditation we had always been advised to watch the five aggregates namely nama (made out of 4 aggregates) and rupa (1 aggregate).

In a moment, the combination of the five aggregates is unique but then will changed in the next moment. So we cannot said that there is no person in that moment in the conventional truth as there are the five aggregates coming together, but in the next moment that the person that exist is not of the same aggregrates. Confusing isn't it.

The importance of Pattica Samuppada is also shown in this Sutta. Sayadaw said that every Buddha will have to contemplate on the Dependent Origination before becoming Enlightened. Reflecting on the Dependent Origination, The Buddha knows and understands suffering, it's cause, it's cessation and how to cause its cessation.
Mind our views - that's the gist of tonight talk.

Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu.

http://hk.geocities.com/dhammachanda_1/vb/p79e.gif
http://www.wakarusa.com/images/artists_musiclineup/Nama-Rupa.jpg

A Dozen Dangers

2009-10-17T23:00:00.012+08:00

Do you understands the Paticca Samuppada well? Ananda once told Lord Buddha that Paticca Samupada is easy to understand. The Buddha said that many beings do not yet understand Paticca Samupada. In tonight talk, Sayadaw U Vimala hope that BMBMC members can try to understand the Pattica Samupada as this talk is based on Mahnidna Sutta.

Why is it that we do not understand the Paticca Samuppada? Sayadaw asked, "It is because most of us tends to take things as pleasurable"

Tanha (craving) is the cause that will lead to Upadana. Tanha arises because of upadaniya (object of tanha) that we always take as pleasurable. Once upadana (clinging) arises, then bhava (becoming) follows.

Bhava (becoming) leads to Kamma (action). Sayadaw pointed out that Kamma will be present all the time (only absent when we sleep). Even when we meditate, there is Kamma performed.
Then bhava causes jati (birth) to arise. When we have jati, then we will expect to have jara, maranam, soka, parideva, dukkha, domanassa and upayasa.

Sayadaw said that our samsara is long because we tends to take things as pleasurable. When we see, hear, smell, taste, touch and think, we observe their objects as pleasurable.

In Vipassana, Sayadaw said we have to observe things as unpleasant or danger or disadvantage. This is how we should practise. By doing this, we will eradicate tanha and if tanha is eradicate, then upadana, bhava, jati and jara-maranam-soka-parideva-dukkha-domanasa-upayasa will be eradicate. Then one will attained Nibbana.

Personally, I think it is not easy for one to maintain or even observe things as unpleasant. That is why we need to do vipassana bhavana. Bhavana will help one to observe these things as unpleasant.

Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu.

Graphics taken from these sites
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http://www.chromasia.com/images/sleeping_under_glass_b.jpg
http://www.buddha.sg/gif/general/meditation.gif

BMBMC Kathina Day Celebration 2009

2009-10-12T22:00:00.013+08:00

Yesterday, Amy and I participated in the BMBMC Kathina Day Celebration. We arrived at the centre at about 7:30 am and there were already many people there.
Amy is in charged of the free-books distribution stall in which various titles of Dhamma books were distributed free. Some of the books were given to me by Inward Path Publisher which is a prominent Dhamma Books publisher in Penang.

For the second time, the Kathina Celebration commenced with a pindapatta session. This year we are fortunate to be able to invite 12 bhikkhus for the Kathina Day Celebration including our two residing Sayadaws.

Most of us at BMBMC were a little bit worried as the sky decided to open up just after 8.00 am. Probably due to the blessing and good intentions of the members of BMBMC, the rain stopped just before the pindapatta session is about to start.

A total number of 300 members lined up along the road leading away from the centre; each member was given a packet of rice (Amy brought hers from home) given free by the centre.

Led by Sayadaws, the sight of 12 bhikkhus, walking mindfully and patiently waiting for us to put our scoops of rice in the bowl was indeed an experience worth remembering.

After the pindapatta session, Sayadaw U Vimala gave a Dhamma talk. Unfortunately, I was unable to mindfully listen to it as a result of being given the responsibility of taking care of the robes offering ceremony.

With Amy able to man the book stall, I am fortunate this year to be able to help in the food offering ceremony. This year, the bhikkhus took their food from the buffet-long table as compared to being presented in trays as previously done.

While the bhikkhus were having their meal, our members and guests were also invited to help themselves with various types of food and fruits. This year, the quantity of food exceeds the consumption rate and most of the helpers managed to have their fill before the robes offering ceremony.

The robes-presentation ceremony went on smoothly.

After repacking and clearing up, about 20 of us went to Lunas Buddhist Hermitage sima hall to witness the proclaimation of the Kathina robe.

Purposely purpose

2009-10-04T23:51:00.005+08:00

Why are you here today? asked Bhante Jinnadata. You must have a purpose to be here today for dana, said Bhante, But most of us feel funny about having a purpose to do good as it is culturally thought to be bad. In contrary, we must have an aim or motivation or cause in what ever we do, even the Buddha's former name has the word 'attha'.
So in performing any deeds, it is good for us to have aims that can be classified to be of

benefit for one self
benefit for others
benefit for both oneself and others

Now here, what degree of benefits should one aim for? Bhante Jinnadata pointed out that there are three types of benefit, namely

Benefit gained in this very life
Benefit gained in the next life
Benefit of Final good/excellence

Unfortunately, most of us have not encountered the benefit of the final good and thus, we keep on seeking the first two benefits. And we keep on seeking worldly things that we hope to be of permanence but they are impermanence (kaliko).

Why is it not permanence? Bhante said that what we seek had itself immersed in a temporal dimension. Time causes things to change, from past to present to future. This is continuous e.g today one may be good but in the future be bad, yesterday was mooncake festival, today if we were to celebrate mooncake festival it will be of no meaning as it had past its time.
So, only things not subjected to time is permanent and one and only one thing not subjected to time is NIBBANA.

Therefore, Bhante advised us to seek for the bliss of Nibbana by practising what our teacher, the Buddha had taught us. Seeking things that will changed will not give as any benefits. Our aim or goal should be to gain benefit of Final good that is 'akaliko'
Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu.

Happy, Happy, Happy

2009-09-27T21:42:00.004+08:00

Be happy why worry! So be happy is what most of us want, and in fact we had been trying to be happy. We think that we will be happy if we have big cars or houses, or have more money and so on, as mentioned by Sayadaw U Vimala in a pre-dana session talk this morning.

There are three types of happiness, namely, happiness of human, happiness of deva and happiness of Nibbana.

Sayadaw further explained that while we had been trying to obtain material things in our quest for happiness, many of us tend to forget that our Kamma does play an important factor here. For example, if one's Kamma enable one to be beautiful, one does not have to do much to beautify oneself.

However, for one who are not that fortunate due to Kammic forces, he/she will be disappointed if beauty is the criteria set for his/her happiness.
Sayadaw U Vimala further said that when one performs Dana with correct understanding, then in the future, one may gain the happiness of the deva. Moreover, if one were to cultivate one's mind to the fullest, one may gain Nibbanic happiness or bliss which is the ultimate happiness for one.

Happiness comes with harmony, and in a community, harmony among its member will ensure that the people in the community will be happy. This advice was given by Sayadaw as a guidance before our Kathina celebration committee/devotee meeting begins. A timely advice indeed.

Sayadaw further elaborates that there are two types of people not easily encountered, that are, namely (1) people with similar desires and (2) grateful people.

Two people cannot have similar desires, said Sayadaw. Even husband and wife ofter quarreled because of dissimilar or conflicting desires. In a temple committee with so many people, it is virtually impossible for everybody to have similar desires.

Then how can we be harmony? By trying to be the second type of people, said Sayadaw. We had to try to be grateful for the help rendered to us. For example, Sayadaw said that in BMBMC, the chairman had be very helpful to the secretary and hence, the secretary must be grateful to the chairman.

This is true also in reverse. By doing that, we can then create a harmonious environment with each other, seeing other in a loving-kindness eye. Happiness can then be achieved by us.

Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu.

Seven versus five

2009-09-19T22:58:00.007+08:00

What do you do when you see a beautiful girl? Hah! Most of us will think about her, think and think. For some, this might even lead to inability to sleep and fell sick (love sick as some may call it).

However, Sayadaw U Vimala called it the arising of sensual desire (kāmacchanda). The five hindrances (sensual desire, ill-will, sloth and torpor, restlessness and doubt) can obstruct our progress in meditation and as laypersons, we have to be aware of it in our daily life.

How then can one check the advances of these pañca nīvaraṇāni? Sayadaw pointed out that one must try to cultivate the seven factors of enlightenment (bojjhanga) namely mindfulness, investigating the Dhamma, energy/effort, joy, tranquility, concentration and equanimity. Through the cultivation of these 7 bojjhangas, one can then overcome the arising of the 5 nivaranani especially during meditation.

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu

Mahindarama Sunday Pali School 50th Anniversary Dinner

2009-09-13T00:15:00.004+08:00

Yesterday night 12 Sept 2009, both of us attended the MSPS 50th Anniversary Dinner. At first, I had thought of skipping this occassion as we will miss our meditation sitting and Dhamma talk. After receiving an invitation call from Bro Hor Kwei On, I decided to go as MSPS is a part of my life, my Buddhist life.
Mahindarama Sunday Pali School was set up on the 6th of September 1959 and is part of Mahindarama Buddhist Temple, a Sri Lankan's temple at 2 Kampar Road, Penang.
It is a night full of surprises.

Chattering mind

2009-09-05T22:29:00.008+08:00

Tonight I heard a talk given by Bhante Jinnadatta about conditioned mind. Although this talk is given in Hokkien/Mandarin, Bhante also uses some English terms and with my pasar Hokkien I can managed to get the gist of what tonight talk is all about.
Our mind is conditioned, said Bhante. This conditioned mind will always judged things to be good or bad, right or wrong. Therefore, one is confused about facts and opinions.

The conditioned mind is the second link in Dependent Origination that is sankhara. Because of A, B followed, just like what happened to the dog in Pavlov's Experiment.

Our mind like a pendulum, always swinging from the past to the future. Our mind begins to judge because we conditioned it to judge, to judge things to be yes or no.

What then conditioned our mind? It is our thoughts. Our thoughts also identify. We use our thoughts to identify things with another things for example we sometimes identify happiness with wealth or success. But sometimes we did not identify thing with the truth.

For instance, we identify self or ego with thought. Thoughts conditioned us, and we think that these thoughts are our self.

Since awakened from our sleep, we live in the realm of thought. We get lost in our thought.
Our mind is full of thoughts. It is always yes or no. This then gives rise to attraction (if it is a yes) and repulsiveness if it is a no.

Because we are always thinking (eating, walking and so forth), we identify it as our ego. And what give rise to thought? Bhante said it is ignorance that causes thought to arise.

So our thoughts kept on talking in ourselves; we have a chattering mind, and we will not have any peace. Thought swings from the past to the future. Our ego cannot let go of the past. The thought condition us.

How then can we stop ourselves from thinking? Awareness is the answer. We have to aware, not to know, not to think. In meditation, we are aware of the object at the present. To have our mind at the present, not to think of the past or the future. Thus we are aware of ourselves.

Bhante said we know but we do not know our selves ("chai e'ay, bo chai lan" in Hokkien). We have the sense doors to know other things outside of ourselves but we do not know inside ourselves.

I have always find Bhante's talk to be enlightening as Bhante is able to explained abhidhamma things in a layman terms.

Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu.

Be one's Refuge

2009-08-29T23:12:00.005+08:00

Tonight Sayadaw U Vimala tells an interesting story based on the Dhammapada Commentary regarding being one's refuge.

In this story there is a Bhikkhu and his mother who is also a Bhikkhuni, both of whom eventually attained Magga-Phala

The mother was once a rich man's daughter who was married to a man. Without realising that she is pregnant, she managed to get her husband's permission to be ordained as a Bhikkhuni. Unfortunately, she was ordained in Devadatta's monastery. Her pregnancy resulted in her being expelled by the community of monks and nuns in Devadatta's monastery.

Without giving up her hope to be a Bhikkhuni, she proceed to Jetavana Monastery and after being examined by Visakkha, Ven Upali admitted the mother as a Bhikkhuni because her pregnancy had nothing to do with her breaking any rules.

Eventually she gave birth to a son, but with the baby in a nun's community being inappropriate, the baby boy was then adopted by King Pasenadi.

Seven years later, the boy asked about his parentage and after realising that he had been born in a monastery, he decided to be ordained as a Samanera Kumarakassapa.

He learn and practised diligently with the Lord Buddha as his teacher. His diligence even took him to Himalaya Mountain but to his despair, he did not gain any progress.

Seeing this, his friend from previous lives who is now a Brahma, came down to him and give him a set of 15 questions which Ven Kumarakassapa has to ask the Buddha for the answers.

With these questions as a guide, Ven Kumarakassapa succeeded in his quest to attained Magga Phalanyana

Meanwhile, the mother had been in grief for her affection toward her son in the monastery. One day, during the alms round in Savathi, both mother and son met each other.

The Bhikkhuni due to her affection to the son, called out to Ven Kumarakassapa and even hold on to the Venerable's robe and follow him around.

Seeing that his mother is overcome with affection for him, Ven Kumarakassapa decided to apprehend his mother harshly saying "It is wrong for a Bhikkhuni to be overwhelmed by affection to her son"
After repeating this many times, the Bhikkhuni realised that affection to her son is fruitless, that one has to strive for your own self. The mother became an arahant.

Sayadaw said that this story tells us to be a refuge to ourselves and not seek refuge from others. The mother like most parents hope that their children will be their refuge but sometime they can be disappointed.

Sayadaw said that our good deeds are our best refuge. Dana , Sila and Bhavana are our refuge. Lastly, Sayadaw said that we must also make an effort to seek out good teachers just like the mother who without giving out when being expelled by Devadatta seek to be ordained by the Buddha.

May you be well and happy always

Protect Oneself Protect Others

2009-08-22T22:53:00.003+08:00

Tonight talk by Sayadaw U Vimala is about protect oneself to protect others. From the Sedaka Sutta Sayadaw tell us how the Buddha uses the story of a acrobat and his pupil to point out the need for one to protect oneself so that one can protect the other. How can bhikkhus protect others? the Buddha asked and answered that it can be done by practising the 4 Foundation of Mindfulness. Here, we as practising Buddhists have to protect ourselves. The Buddha only shows us the way, Sayadaw said. The Buddha cannot save us. When we practised Satipatthana Meditation, and reached Magga Phala, we can protect ourselves. Others will emulate us and here, we indirectly help to protect others.

Ananda Sutta

2009-08-15T22:59:00.004+08:00

Tonight talk by Sayadaw U Vimala is about Ananda Sutta. According to this sutta, Ven Vangisa addressed Ven Ananda about sensual lust that had invaded Ven Vangisa's mind and how to eliminate this. Ven Ananda answered (in 4 verses) that is to avoid seeing beautiful things, but also most of all, one has to be mindful. Sayadaw said that in doing meditation, one can practice what is advised by Ven Ananda by looking at any object as impermanent and subjected to change.

10 packages of Highest Blessing

2009-08-08T22:20:00.007+08:00

Tonight I heard an interesting talk by Sayalay Agga Nani about Sila at Bukit Mertajam Buddhist Meditation Centre. Sayalay uses Mangala Sutta to show us the importance of Sila. Sila is found in each and every part of Mangala Sutta, said Sayalay. What is interesting is Sayalay describe Mangala Sutta in 10 parts that comprise of the 38 Highest Blessing. Each verse is a packagae by itself and Sayalay explained them as such with further emphasis on the presence of Sila in each of these 10 packages. For example in the first verse,

Asevanā ca bālānam
Panditānañca sevanā
Pūjā ca pūjaneyyānam
Etam mangalamuttamam

Sayalay pointed out that one not only had to dissociate with the fools but had to associate with the wise. However if one do not honour those worthy of honour (the wise) then one cannot get the benefit of the association and thus will not get the highest blessing. So in this verse, Sila can be found in the act of honouring the wise.
Another example, the 7th verse

Āratī viratī pāpā
Majjhapānā ca samyamo
Appamādo ca dhammesu
Etam mangalamuttamam

This verse definitely contains Sila. One has to abhor and avoid evil and abstains from taking intoxicants, but most importantly, must also be diligent in righteousness in order to have the highest blessing.

I feel happy to hear this talk by Sayalay that not only explain the component of Sila in Mangala Sutta and the importance of Sila but also show how Mangala Sutta can be interpreted as 10 packages of 38 Highest Blessing.

Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu

Atthangga Magga

2009-08-02T12:35:00.002+08:00

In a short talk before dana, Ven. Sayadaw U Vimala give a talk on the importance of having Noble Life namely the Noble 8 Fold Path not only in Bhavana but also in Sila and Dana. Sayadaw explain that in doing Dana, a devotee must understand and reflect on the virtues of the Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha and Kamma and Vipaka. In doing that, a devotee will have the Noble 8 Fold Path when he is performing dana. If the devotee is happy before perfoming dana, during and after the performance of dana then he will have the Noble Life in him.

Dhammadinna Sutta

2009-08-01T22:45:00.002+08:00

Tonight I heard Sayadaw U Vimala give a talk about Dhammadinna Sutta just after our meditation class. In this Sutta, a group of people led by Dhammadinna requested Lord Buddha to give a talk. The Buddha ask them to study the Dhamma deeply. Dhammadinna and followers told the Buddha that they have no time to study the Dhamma in fullness. Instead they requested the Buddha to give them a more easier one so that they can comprehend the Teachings of the Buddha.

Holy Life and all

2009-07-26T01:19:00.003+08:00

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

2009-07-23T08:44:00.007+08:00

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?

2009-07-18T22:59:00.003+08:00

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?

2009-07-11T22:47:00.003+08:00

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

2009-07-07T22:48:00.005+08:00

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.

Trip to Ajahn Suk Meditation Centre, Kampung Pong, Grik

2009-06-28T19:52:00.006+08:00

Ajahn speaks in Bahasa
http://tripatlas.com/videoplay/G5n4vQlwYdE