NBM GRAND OPENING 2015 - Monk Jag
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NBM GRAND OPENING 2015 - Monk Jag There are few times in one’s life where one is able to witness the start of something new…something inspiring…something that provides a safe haven for this generation and generations to come. The opening of the NBM was one such occasion. CONTENTS The sky was kept clear of clouds and rain, the sun was out for three days all up during what is traditionally a wet-weather time of year. The day before, the day of and the day after the opening the rain was held at bay. I certainly believe we had support from many directions to facilitate such a wonderful day, none as obvious as the hard work and dedication of the volunteers and friends of the BSV and NBM. Special Interest Articles Many an hour was invested into making the day one not to forget. No more was this evident Ten Qualities of an than seeing the gathering of like-minded individuals pooling their efforts together to achieve Exceptional Buddhist 2 the goal of a successful opening of the forest monastery in Newbury. Buddhism, Science, Philosophy &Truth 4 Joining us in this celebration were monastics and laity from all over Victoria, Australia and BSV Updates 8 overseas. People with a common view and understanding of how wonderful it is to be a part Fundraising update for NBM 10 of the establishment of a monastery in Victoria that actively supports monastics both female Bhikkhuni Ordination in and male. People with a shared vision of promoting the Buddha’s teaching…the practice of Indonesia 12 Dhamma, and providing a safe haven for those who have made a commitment in their lives to Happiness through Volunteering 14 this cause…the Sangha of all four directions. BSV Weekly Program 16 Ajahn Brahm, the spiritual advisor of the BSV was present and gave an inspiring talk on how we have “Finally Arrived”…a vision that was conceived many years ago at the BSV, now made manifest. The dream is now a reality. Much thanks goes to Ajahn for his spiritual CONTACT guidance over the years. He has touched on the minds and hearts of many people throughout the world. This occasion is yet more evidence of his kindness, wisdom and patience to help both lay and monastic communities to come together to do something truly special. Buddhist Society of Victoria 71, Darling Road, A personal thanks and vote of appreciation is also due to Bhikkhuni Ayya Upekkha, the co- founding nun at NBM. She has dedicated much time and energy to the open day planning as Malvern East, VIC 3145, Australia well as being here for the nuns at Sanghamittarama in the early days before the shift over to Tel: +61 3 9571 6409 NBM. Ayya has gladdened the hearts of many supporters with her kindness and presence for E: [email protected] practitioners and new people alike. Without her, the presence of the female sangha would W: bsv.net.au have been rocky. She has been a great anchor for the female community at NBM and her Inc. No A0023538B commitment and sacrifice to support the Bhikkhuni Sangha is second to none. ABN 89 738 755 249 Continued Page 7 … BUDDHIST SOCIETY OF VICTORIA NEWSLETTER TEN QUALITIES OF AN EXCEPTIONAL BUDDHIST - Ven Pannasobhana Thero Since the enlightenment of Gautama Siddhartha the jivitahetupi na annam saththaram uddisati, kayikam Lord Buddha, for over twenty-five centuries, Buddhist vachasikam vassa rakkhatim hoti, samaggaramo ideas and ideals have guided and influenced the lives hoti samaggarato, anusayato hoti na ca and thoughts of countless humans as well as non kuhanavasena sasane carati, buddham saranam human beings throughout the entire universe. As lay gato hoti, dhammam saranam gato hoti, sangam Buddhists, our own experiences and discoveries in life saranam gato hoti. Ime ko maharaja, dasa are not enough to give a true perspective on life. upasakassa upasaka guna” Therefore Lord Buddha gave us a set of teachings through his wisdom to bring ourselves closer to the ideal The ten qualities of a lay Buddhist and what are they? of a well-balanced man or woman, which we need to become, in order to get rid of suffering or to reach nibbana. 1. Your feelings should not be indifferent to those of the monks. The Buddha-Dhamma is a guide to daily life, and its (Upasako Sanghena Samanasukhadukko hoti) basic principles are of great practical value in the art of living. As mentioned earlier the ultimate aim of the Buddha-Dhamma is Nibbana -emancipation from A Buddhist should maintain and have a feeling of suffering. An ordinary Buddhist, while involved in his oneness with the venerable Sangha. For this to happen responsibilities and commitments, should not lose sight one should always find out the needs of the Sangha in of the ultimate goal, Nibbana. Rather, he should support of their maintenance and welfare. It is recorded consider lay life as a preparation and training ground for that during the time of the Buddha, individuals like its realization. Anathapindika, Visakha and Suppiya frequented the monastery to find out the needs of monastic members by going to their respective doorsteps. Unless this The way to ultimate happiness or nibbana is the Noble important responsibility is carried out properly not only Eightfold Path. In establishing that goal Lord Buddha the order of Sangha will deteriorate but also the lays down the general lines of conduct by which a Buddha-Sasana will decline gradually. It is rare to find person should live his daily life; rules such as the Five, people like Anathapindika and Visakha, who are Eight and Ten Precepts as a way of conduct leading to interested in finding out the needs of Venerable Sangha mindfulness and concentration - “Samadhi”. A life these days. This lack of interest on the laymen’s side in based on Wisdom or “Panna” is the purpose of such my opinion gives rise to a need to relax certain vinaya training. While a Buddhist is expected to live a life (conduct) rules resulting in the deterioration of Order expressed by Generosity - “Dana” Virtue “Sila” Mind and the Buddha-Sasana all together. Training “Bhavana “ there are also, many other values within the teachings of Buddha- Dhamma that will not only benefit a person individually but will sustain the whole mankind and all sentient beings. Loving Kindness, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy and Equanimity are such great teachings in Buddhism. While there are many higher and advanced teachings directed at emancipation from suffering there is also other valuable guidance that is aiming at immediate objectives like day to day problem solving and understanding issues that confront us in our daily life, to make us well-rounded, happy, and balanced men and women that are able to live in harmony with our environment and our fellow beings. Ven. Pannasobhana Thero studied Abhidhamma, Vinaya, Pali, Samatha and Vipassana Bhavana There are such ten exceptional qualities explained in the under several prominent meditation masters in both “Milinada Panna” of a Buddhist Householder or a good Sri Lanka and Myanmar before arriving in Australia. “upasaka” that will make an extraordinary Buddhist in He is a resident monastic at Newbury Buddhist the contemporary world and in so doing maintenance Monastery-Melbourne. and sustainment of Buddha-Sasana for a long time to come. Responsible Buddhists should maintain the recommended relationship with the Sangha and “dasa ime, maha raja, upasakassa upasaka guna. continue supporting them by finding out their needs on a Katame dasa, idha maha raja, upasako sanghena routine basis so that it will allow the Sangha to live a life samanasukahadukko hoti, dhammadipatheyyo hoti, 2 yatha balam sanvibagaratho hoti, jina sasana Continued next page…. parihanim disva abhivuddhiya vayamathi, Sammadittiko hoti apagatakotuhala mangaliko Page Volume 21, ISSUE 2 04. Devoted to the revival and propagation of devoted to practice and also make it possible for them Sasana. to live a life devoted to service. It is also recorded in (Jina sasana parihanim disva abhivuddhiya Dhamma that by receiving the four requisites on time vayamathi) without difficulty resulted in the relaxation of body and mind of many monks that they experienced the bliss of Undoubtedly Buddhism has brought peace, happiness enlightenment swiftly and with ease. Not only the monks and enormous welfare to both mankind and other forms found their practice easy they also thought “To receive of life. The entire world benefitted through Buddhism in all homage and requisites is only because of my virtue the past and to present day and unless it diminishes, it and qualities so I should devote more time into treading will continue to do so in the future too. Therefore it is the the path” and got enlightened thereby. Taking all this responsibility of good natured Buddhists that when they into consideration a Buddhist should be determined to see signs of deterioration of Buddha-Sasana they take take care of the Venerable Sangha fulfilling not only every possible measure to uplift and revive it back to its ones duty towards the Sasana but also ones personal original glory. One cannot do this by methods of account of merits. exhibitionism but by learning Dhamma well and living in accordance with it. If one abides by the principles of 02. There is no Master above Dhamma. Buddhism individually as a personal responsibility it will (Dhammadipatheyyo Hoti) be the ultimate contribution towards propagation of Sasana. When you recognize mistakes and Buddhists having taken a solemn oath of refuge in weaknesses in the Sasana it is not wise to blame and Buddha Dhamma and Sangha as their only refuge, one point fingers at individuals but rather implement a should always remember that- “dhammo haave rakkhati solution to it and do your duty towards the Buddha- dhammacarim-“-the Dhamma gives protection to Sasana.