Issue No.32 November 2013

Regeneration

and engineers have successfully reprocessed used fertilizers. Survivors of catastrophes have regained their strength. Just as lost teeth and hair can grow again, trash and land can be recycled and reclaimed. Today, we have already genetically reproduced cows, sheep, and pigs, and perhaps we will even do so with humans in the near future.

“Spring will come to the withered tree, and a dying flower will live to see another day.” Although death is inevitable, there is always after death. With the coming of winter, spring is just around the corner. As long as there is rebirth, there will be hope; as long as there is hope, there will be life after death. A capable Great strides have been made in society, not only in physician can work miracles to bring a dying patient the arts, sciences, and quality of life, but also in our back to life. A skillful sculptor can give life to the lifeless, relationships to nature and daily necessities. Of all the because he possesses the ability to work wonders with advancements in our lives, the concept of “regeneration” any material. Thus, regeneration is a very valuable is most valuable. For example, we now have recycled process. products, redeveloped land, reclamation projects, and filtrated recycled water. Even people “regenerate” Nowadays, people are often interested in the question themselves in many different ways. Couples renew their of living and dying. No matter how mysterious the love after a short time out following petty squabbles. subject seems to be, it is in fact very simple. Death and Life-and-death friends reunite to share stories of grief rebirth is an endless cycle. Although some people have and sorrow. Criminals repent their mistakes to start a new made many mistakes at a young age, they must not feel life. Juveniles who had gone astray and disappointed ashamed because a new lease on life is possible when their parents mend their ways and turn over a new they have the courage to face their mistakes and are leaf when given a second chance. In addition to these determined in their efforts to start anew. Is it not true examples of “regeneration” in human conduct, human that a criminal who has paid his debts to society can organs can also be healed and regenerated through make a significant contribution if he is willing to use his surgery and proper medication. mind and skills for the good of the people?

Anything that can be recycled or regenerated, such as a Throughout history, we have seen examples of how human life or a human organ, is very valuable because a country can restore its prestige and glory after regeneration makes things stronger and life more unbearable hardships. After Japan was forced to precious. Hiroshima overcame its fate as the first city surrender unconditionally at the end of World War II, it demolished by an atomic bomb to become one of the worked relentlessly to rebuild itself as one of the world’s most beautiful and modern cities in the world. Tang superpowers fifty years later. Therefore, failure is the Shan, China, rose from the rubble of a deadly earthquake mother of all success, and we should not be deterred by to become a new city. When was devastated by temporary setbacks. As long as we have confidence in a powerful earthquake in 1999, its citizens courageously ourselves to renew our lives, we need not worry about came together to rebuild their lives and make their our future. homeland stronger and more beautiful. Therefore, as long as we are confident in ourselves and have the right (adapted from Tending Life’s Garden, between Ignorance and conditions, regeneration is always possible. Farmers Enlightenment VI, published by Buddha’s Light Publishing)

1 PRAYER FOR BUSHFIRE VICTIMS Great Compassionate Buddha! Permanence can only be found There are so many disasters in this world lately. in our true nature; The recent bush fires in New South Wales have all Please make them understand that, caused much suffering in the region. Our most beloved will leave us through You must have heard the cries of animals and people in sickness and death, and these bushfires. Ultimate sanctuary is only reached through You must have felt the pain of these people leaving enlightenment and liberation. their homes behind; You must have felt their pain of losing everything they Great Compassionate Buddha! have worked for. Please give them your blessings, So that they may recover quickly Great Compassionate Buddha! and stay away from harm; This is the wailing of hell on earth! Please give them fortitude, This is the sound of tragedy in this world! So that their grief and sorrow can be soothed. Everywhere is destruction and devastation. Please show them courage Hundreds of homes were burnt. to rebuild their homes and lives. People are panic stricken in the bushfire areas; Many have evacuated because their lives and properties Grant them the confidence to re-live their lives, are in danger; Let them know that there is always hope In a fraction of a second Grant them the courage to move forward, many lost their homes and wealth. Let them know that to continue living is strength. These people are in need of help This is the way to ensure success in their future. by emergency services, These people are in need of Great Compassionate Buddha! your support and protection! We pray for your support so that: They are like lost children Survivors can escape further disaster; seeking for a placeto rest their weary feet, We pray that bushfires will not further escalate. They are like frightened sheep, We should be alert and prepared at all times, looking for the safety of a . We should always be cooperative and ready for the unexpected. Great Compassionate Buddha! Please make them realize that, Great Compassionate Buddha! We live in a cycle of formation, existence, Please accept our sincerest prayer. destruction and emptiness; and Na Mo Sakyamuni Buddha

2 Season of Change over time, new knowledge is discovered everyday, even technology improves every day. Sickness, old age, and death also brings changes in our lives. teaches us a bad outcome can still turn out to be positive, as long as we have faith and hope.

With the recent NSW Bushfires over 200 households were destroyed. Many people and animals lost their homes. Hearing the news, Venerable Master wrote a prayer in dedicationto those affected by the fire, also all of branch and Nan Tien also fundraised for the recent Bushfires. BLIA cleanup day at Nan Tien Temple May the Buddha “grant them the confidence to re- Spring is a season of growth. Beautiful flowers bloom, live their lives, let them know that there is always trees turn green, all showing off their colours and hope.” releasing their nature scents. A beautiful season it is. What has withered or buried has been given a chance The flowers of Spring, the moon in Autumn to regenerate into something great. To regenerate is The cool breeze in Summer, the snow in Winter important as Venerable Master Hsing Yun mentioned, When one’s mindis free from troubles “it makes things stronger and life more precious.” A great season is found whenever

Buddha talked about impermanence. Change is ~ Wu-men Huai-kai (無門慧開), from the inevitable. Plants grow overnight, children mature Gateless Gate

October Special Moments the graduation was the Launch of being in the moment: Art and Exhibition with a hundred artists, poets, and professors, and visitors in attendance.

2013 NTI 2nd Graduation Ceremony On October 19, a Service was held in the Front Shrine to celebrate Guanyin Bodhisattava’s day of renunciation. Over 100 participated in the Dharma Service and received a blessing of Dharma water and bun to take home. A memorable Baby Blessing photo with all blessed children

On October 26, a baby blessing was held for over 30 babies with a hundred family and friends witnessing the moment. After the blessing, Ven. Juewei shared with parents to cherish their child as they are special like the Prince (baby Buddha). Parents are important in the child’s growth process as they nourish and foster their child into someone great, just as the Prince Siddhartha became Buddha.

On October 27, Nan Tien Institute held its 2nd Graduation with her first Masters graduate. Over 150 came to attend this memorable occasion. Following Prof. Korbes giving a speech in front of guests at the NTI Art Gallery Launch. 3 Living with less means appreciating more, writes Sarah Cooper ...... Lately, I’ve become increasingly uncomfortable with more. I was present. I wasn’t as worried or stressed. I the sheeramount of ‘stuff’ in my house, and have wasn’t constantly thinking, “Oh, I need to make sure I started to get rid of things I no longer want, need or remember to clean this or do x, y, z.” use. It feels amazing! This ‘minimalism’ is really growing on me, and I can see myself letting go of many of my Life is simpler with less. I can appreciate more possessions; even the copious amounts of clothes – when I’m not overcrowded, and my senses aren’t SHOCK! Who would’ve thought I would ever willingly overwhelmed by the proliferation of stuff around get rid of clothes… me.Our outside world has a huge impact on our internal world. I guess my conscientious journey to becoming a minimalist formally began some months ago, when I For me, there’s more value in the memories, lessons cleaned out and rearranged my wardrobe. and the close relationships I have formed with the gift givers in my life. This is much more important Minimalism makes life easier and less stressful. With than any object. less stuff, it’s easier to keep things tidy and clean; your living space is less cluttered and, therefore, you’re When you die, you can’t take your stuff with you. not as overwhelmed or stressed by all the things you Enjoy and use the possessions you have now, but need to maintain, put away, dust orsort. The more don’t hoard and overload your life to the point that minimalist I am, the tidier I become and the more time you impair your quality of living to maintain stuff you I have to focus on the things I really care about. My probably won’t use, and which will most likely break mind is alsoless scattered. or go out of fashion anyway.

Friends find it strange when I say that my most Less stuff means more time to really value the contented times happened when Ihad very little. The important things in life, like spending time with time I lived in a broken shed infested with termites in family and friends, learning, being with nature and South Africa, staying in the monastery in Taiwan with taking care of our mind and body.So, maybe living only two sets of clothes, and as a child when we camped with less is a way of experiencing and enjoying life in the bush without toilets, showers or running water. more. Somehow, during those times life felt richer. I noticed

Courtesy of www.writespirit.net 4 Buddha’s Birthday Education Project A meeting of volunteers involved in the ‘Buddha’s Sydney, Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne. Birthday Education Project’, or BBEP, was held on Saturday, October 5th. BBEP 2014 - Volunteer recruit

VenerableJue Wei outlined the project’s objectives: Adults - young adults - helpers of all ages … to educate the public on what occurred in the city of Luoyang1,500 years ago, in what became the biggest THE PROJECT IS SEEKING YOUR CREATIVITY to Wesak Celebration in the ; and help make the 2014 celebratory event even more to re-live that celebration in the present day. She extraordinary. saidthe essence of Buddhism - impermanence and interdependence - is encapsulated in the project. What’s required: To see the work through to completion while having fun! Not all tasks require The meeting then covered progress reports and former experience or singular skills - enthusiasm management plans in two main areas - multimedia being the way! education resources and the performing arts. We are looking for writers, teachers, performers, Multimedia education resources will include websites, animators and graphic designers to help create apps on handheld devices and hard-copy resource kits the BBEP Educational Resources and Performing based on historical Wesak celebrationsand the spread Arts activities. of Buddhism. The team will also connect available artworks to the HSC curriculum. Sign up is easy: [email protected] - and we will be in touch. The Performing Arts team will focus on the Buddhacarita, the earliest full-length biography of the Buddha. It will identify ways for the story to be told to children, and extend the Buddha’s Birthday celebrations with more hands-on, creative adventures.

By the end of December, the teams will produce prototypes of their work and, between January and March, they will reconvene to discuss merchandise, food, writing, marketing, displays and volunteering.

The BBEP will be officially launched on April 18, 2014 - running for around a month; and possibly travelling to

5 THE TRIPLE GEM

Taking refuge in the Triple Gem is the first formal step They may pay homage to the Buddha, but do not on the Buddhist path. It determines the direction of learn the Dharma or show respect to the . our faith, signifying that we believe in Buddhis mand Some only study the Dharma, but do not pay their have become disciples of the Triple Gem - the Buddha, respects to the Buddha or the Sangha. Others respect the Dharma and the Sangha. the Sangha, but do not pay homage to the Buddha or learn the Dharma. There are even those who only Gold, silver, diamonds and pearls are all considered make offerings to the master they took refuge from, treasures in our mundane world. In the world of or those who treat the Buddha as a deity and god Buddhism, the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha are the to whom they pray for wealth, blessings, and good treasures of our Dharma-body and wisdom-life. fortune. These are not true Buddhist practitioners.

Taking refuge means we return to, and rely on, the True Buddhist practitioners should not only show Triple Gem; seek protection from the Triple Gem, and respect to all three gems, they should treat all attain liberation from suffering through the Triple monastics as their teachers, and attend Dharma Gem. Children rely on their parents for protection centres to study the , learn the Dharma, and be and safety. Likewise, if we have the Triple Gem in our close to Dharma friends. lives, we will have something safe to rely on. Those who take refuge in the Triple Gem must also ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT TAKING REFUGE possess Right View and Right Thought, believe in the Law of Cause and Effect, commit no evil and do good Do I need to become a vegetarian after taking deeds. Only in this way can we receive the benefits of refuge? the Dharma, and of Buddhism.

No. Taking refuge is the declaration of your Adapted from ‘Triple Gem’ by Venerable Master Hsing commitment to follow the Triple Gem. It has Yun. nothing to do with vegetarianism. There is only one requirement when taking refuge: “I follow Buddhism, For more information, visit [email protected] and my confidence in it will never change.” or call (02) 42720600.

After taking refuge, can we still pay respect to deities, and to our ancestors?

Yes. Taking refuge and paying respect are different. Taking refuge is a lifetime belief, while paying respect is a momentary courtesy. With regard to our ancestors and deities, we should also show our respect to them. However, respecting is not the same as believing. After taking refuge, we should be careful of being superstitious, and instead seek the Truth.

Is taking refuge in the Triple Gem temporary?

No. Taking refuge is not a momentary showing of respect; it is a commitment to a lifelong belief. According to the Precepts of Yogacara, a day without taking refuge is a day without following the precepts. To be a true Buddhist practitioner, one must take refuge in the Triple Gem daily. By doing so, we deepen our own belief and plant the seeds that can grow into bodhi, enlightenment.

Does taking refuge in the Triple Gem mean that we worship the Buddhist masters?

No. Taking refuge does not mean that we worship the masters. It is paying homage to the Buddha, learning the Dharma, and showing respect to the Sangha.

We often see Buddhists who call themselves disciples of the Triple Gem, yet they only take refuge in one.

6 Nan Tien Temple 2013 Nov ~ Dec Upcoming Events Date Time Activities

being in the moment: Art and 3/10~17/11 Tues~Sun 9am-4pm Hai Hui Hall Mindfulness Exhibition

Main Shrine All 2/11 Sat 10:30am Medicine Buddha Dharma Service Branch Temples

4/12~6/11 Wed 7:00~9:00pm & English Buddhism Class Nan Tien Temple

9~10/11 Sat~Sun Weekend Meditation Retreat Nan Tien Temple

23/11 Sat 9am-4pm One Day Meditation Retreat Nan Tien Temple

Nan Tien Cultivation Retreat & 12~15/12 Thurs~Sun Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem and Nan Tien Temple Retreat

25,26& 9am~5pm Nan Tien Cultural Festival Nan Tien Temple 28,29/12

7 NTI ANNOUNCES NEW HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELLBEING PROGRAM

Nan Tien Institute (NTI) has launched a new Faculty and new study program. NTI’s new Faculty of Health will commence its’ program ‘Health and Social Wellbeing’ in Semester 1 2014. This program is focused on providing experienced practitioners and managers in business, health and education with insights and motivation to extend their professional horizons. 2014 will see new subjects such as Mind-Body Wellness; Culture, Diversity and Health; Mental Health and Disability; Counselling; and more. They will embody the study of in practice through re ection and experiential learning. All of the Health and Social Wellbeing subjects can be taken as part of the Master of Arts, Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certicate (Health and Social Wellbeing) programs, or as non-award, special interest subjects.

Health Studies A NEW WAY TO HEALING A NEW PATH TO LIFE

Are you a counsellor, educator or manager, who wants to develop skills to Are you interested in studying Buddhism through re ection and enhance your career, enrich your help to others, and play a leading role in experiential learning, and experiencing Buddhist philosophy and community development and transformation? practice in daily life? Plus develop a unique edge professionally and NTI’s new Health and Social Wellbeing program prepares practitioners personally? and managers to promote health and wellness in their own lives and in NTI’s Applied Buddhist Studies program has been turning out qualied those of others. Students gain knowledge and skills to prepare them for and enriched students for nearly three years. It is unique in its’ balance further study and advancement in community development and the between the scholarly research of Buddhism and its’ application – helping professions such as counselling, social work, community health, Buddhist practice and experiential learning. NTI recognises that both aged care, management, health promotion and health services, and in aspects are important and need to be well balanced and integrated for the corporate sector. maximum eective learning. This course embodies the study of Buddhist philosophy in practice This program not only provides practical and theoretical knowledge of a through re ection and experiential learning, and has a particular broad range of areas in Buddhism, but teaches the tools and skills to be emphasis on the development of personal skills to foster and enhance able to develop knowledge and continue to grow spiritually, emotionally self-awareness and self-education. and professionally throughout life.

NTI is taking enrolments for its 2014 Postgraduate Applied Buddhist Studies and Health and Social Wellbeing programs and 2014 subjects. ENROL NOW. Where will your learning journey take you in 2014?

Postgraduate | Masters | Diploma | Certicate | Short Courses | Professional Development HEALTH AND SOCIAL APPLIED BUDDHIST WELLBEING STUDIES

ENROL NOW www.nantien.edu.au

180 Berkeley Road, Berkeley (), NSW 2506 Tel +61 (2) 4272 0648 Email [email protected] CRICOS: 03233C ABN: 80 139 338 819

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