Issue No.39 July 2014 The Wonder of Contemplation and Effect, the great scientists and philosophers of today are all important “causes” as great thinkers. Regrettably, however, modern education does not place much emphasis on the teaching of critical thinking, but instead focuses mostly on applied sciences. The latter can be too rigid while the former is more versatile. When we are able to think and understand more broadly, we can be more resourceful in handling matters and more effective in applying our talents. The renowned modern Chinese scholar, Hu Shi, once said, “Hypothesize bravely, and prove meticulously.” To Descartes once concluded “I think, therefore, I am.” hypothesize is to think, and to prove is to practice. Over Thinking is the driving force behind civilization. People the years, Taiwan has made great strides in the fields of think in order to develop their wisdom. According agriculture, industry, business, and science. They are all to Buddhism, “One should listen, contemplate, and the result of innovative thinking. Now that people in cultivate in order to enter into perfect meditative Taiwan enjoy wealth, material progress and scientific absorption.” Confucianism, on the other hand, teaches advancement, it is time for them to apply their thinking us to “put learning to practice,” and also that “learning to improving social harmony, resolving the political without thinking is useless.” unification issue (i.e., reunification with China), and even contemplating how to address the ills resulting The ultimate goal of contemplation is enlightenment. from the strife of five-thousand years of history. In seeking enlightenment, the Buddha went into deep meditation in order to realize the truths of the We need to train the next generation to learn how to universe and life. Therefore, some people say that think at a young age. They should start with a question aside from being a great religious leader, educator and like, “What will I do when I grow up?” As they mature, philanthropist, the Buddha was first and foremost a they should ask themselves, “How can I contribute to great thinker. society and the country?” Every one of us needs to think, “How can we unite the strengths of people to In Chan Buddhism, practitioners become enlightened accomplish the best results?” In large organizations, by asking endless questions. In the pursuit of truth, the question should be, “How can we best share the they never stop thinking. So in reality when they are benefits of the organization with everyone?” Likewise, meditating, they are not just sitting there idly but parents should ask themselves, “How can the home be contemplating deeply. improved?” A literary work takes much thinking and organizing The universe is not necessarily what we know it to be. to produce. A painting needs a lot of contemplating There are always deeper levels for us to explore and and planning before it can come to life on canvass. A consider. Pure lands and Buddha worlds are established sculpture requires not only the power of carving but by thinking. So we need to start thinking right now also the strength of the mind. A skyscraper is not just about how we can build a pure land in this world. In the result of the joint effort of hundreds of workers, other words, the question we need to contemplate is but also the vision of the architect’s design. how to establish a peaceful and harmonious society. After all, thought produces reality, and as such, reality (adapted from Tending Life’s Garden, Between Ignorance and is the effect of thought. Based on the Law of Cause Enlightenment VI, published by Buddha’s Light Publishing) 1 Power of the Mind On 7 June, University of the West Director Venerable Yi How to strengthen our mind to reach “true mind”? Kong, gave a talk at Concourse Civic Pavilion to 500 in Using verses from masters of the past, Ven. Yi Kong attendance. Often in our busy lives, we are stressed and shared that diligence, tolerance, making friends with anxious, leaving our minds occupied elsewhere. Ven. the virtuous, and saying good words are ways to Yi Kong using her wisdom wit and knowledge of the protect and strengthen our minds. These are simple Buddhist texts and Chan gongans, talked about how everyday tasks we could do to rediscover our “true we can strengthen our minds and bring happiness and minds”. peace into our lives. Based on the Awakening of Faith in Mahayana and other Buddhist texts, Ven. Yi Kong introduced the different types of mindsets. Amongst all, “true mind” is the source of happiness. True mind is like the sun even when shrouded by clouds still shines brightly. Our delusions are like the clouds that cover the radiance of the sun. Often our six senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch, and mental objects distract our “true mind” like thieves entering a house stealing away the treasures within. Hence, it is important to protect our “true mind”. Meditation in Daily Life The next day, 8 June, Ven. Yi Kong gave a Dharma talk and explaining with gongans (Chan riddles and on Meditation in Daily Life. She pointed out that Chan stories), she showed how Chan could be practiced or meditation is very simple just as Buddhism can be as in our daily lives through daily tasks such as chores. simple. In our daily lives, we need to have meditative The skill of Chan is honed through the practice of concentration and reason to be able to overcome our compassion, letting go and focusing the mind, as well life challenges and worries. as simplifying our way of life. Then everywhere Chan can be found. Using her wisdom and knowledge in the Chan tradition 2 Exhibiting Art at Nan Tien Temple Nan Tien Art Gallery, also known as Fo Guang Yuan exhibited in Sydney and currently in Nan Tien Temple Art Gallerywas established by Venerable Master Hsing Hai Hui Hall. Yun for devotees and visitors to learn about Buddhist artefacts and about Buddhism. The first gallery and For more info on Mr. Chun and his art work, visit exhibition was set up in Tsunglin University in a small http://www.colorfullife.tw/en/about.php room with shelves located within the Taiwan monastery complex. Venerable Master Hsing Yun established these art galleries and exhibitions as a place for cultural arts exchange and enrich spirituality and life through art. Nan Tien Art Gallery has been displaying an array of paintings by Mr. Chen Yang-Chun and currently on exhibit, Ms.Liu Yunhuan. Mr. ChenYang-chun who was born in Taiwan in 1946, is known as the “Master of Colour Painting”. He is also a visiting professor in Tennessee University, USA, and has other positions in universities in Taiwan. Mr. Chen has done colour painting for over 40 years and has over time created his own technique called, “Reverie with Mistiness”. His art draws the viewer into his paintings bringing out the arts, religion, life, ideas, and emotions of the scene. His paintings are like a fond memory coming to life. During his exhibition, he was generous to donate the funds from paintings sold at the exhibition to Nan Tien Institute. ‘Beauty of Australia – Oil Paintings Exhibition’, were painted by Ms. LiuYunhuan. Born in China in 1962, she entered the China Academy of Art where she learned and studied under famous art teachers in 1999. Well known for her bright and bold use of colours, her paintings have travelled around the world to over 20 countries including Russia, France, Japan and Australia. Recently she has End of Term Presentations On 22nd July, Nan Tien Temple held an End of Term presentation in the auditorium in front of 40 parents and friends.Special guests included Superintendent Ven. Juening and Ms. Cindy Lin, wife of Nan Tien Institute president. The first performance was by the Children’s Fun Class who amazed the audience with their drumming of the 24 seasons drum. The children then quizzed the audience with Chinese riddles bringing out laughter and wisdom. The English Self-Development and Cultivation Classpresented tai chi and invited the audience to join in. For the next few minutes, both the young and oldwere enjoying the tai chi together. The last performance of the term was the Dunhuang dance who awed the audience with their performance. The dancers put away their years of experience in ballet to practice hard to learn the Dunhuang moves and gestures. 3 Giving and Service - the True Essence of Buddhism Fo Guang Shan has always placed emphasis on extremely poor in his youth with nothing to his education. The Essence of Buddhism lecture originated name, however he was happy. Growing up in poverty from the enthusiasm of Mr. Lin, Tsong-Ming, Chancellor taught him to gain happiness through suffering and of Nan Hua University to establish an award that hardship. For him, ‘suffering and hardship’ is one recognises Excellence in Service to the Disadvantaged, and the same as ‘happiness’. ‘Suffering and hardship’ as well as the building of new facilities at the university is in fact nourishment for the heart, providing the campus. strength and hope of rising above one’s adversities. Hence, ‘suffering and hardship’ is the catalyst for In response to the devotees enthusiasm at the lecture, growth. Ven. Master Hsing Yun openly shared his personal lessons and offered great insights into Buddhism. He On Emptiness also took the opportunity to thank everyone for their support of Nan Hua University. Venerable Master Hsing Yun pointed out that emptiness is in fact to possess. The notion in Venerable Master Hsing Yun clarified that the amount of Buddhism that the world is void actually reflects a merit one gains is not measured by merely how much world of goods.