LumbiniLumbiniLumbini J OURNAL O F T HE L UMBINI N EPALESE B UDDHA D HARMA S OCIETY (UK) VVVolume 1717olume B. E. 25582558B. May 20142014May The vajra is used symbolically in Buddhism often to represent firmness of spiritual power. Lumbini Nepalese Buddha Dharma Society (UK) uddha was born more than 2600 years ago at Lumbini in Nepal. His teachings of existence of suffering and Lumbini the way out of the suffering are applicable today as they were B Journal of The Lumbini Nepalese Buddha Dharma Society (UK) applicable then. The middle way he preached is more appropriate now than ever before. LumbiniLumbiniLumbini is the journal of LNBDS (UK) and published annually For centuries Buddhism remained the religion of the East. Recently, depending upon funds and written material; and distributed free more and more Westerners are learning about it and practising Dharma of charge as Dharma Dana. It is our hope that the journal will serve for the spiritual and physical well-being and happiness. As a result of as a medium for: this interest many monasteries and Buddhist organisations have been 1.Communication between the society, the members and other established in the West, including in the UK. Most have Asian connections but others are unique to the West e.g. Friends of Western interested groups. Buddhist Order. 2.Publication of news and activities about Buddhism in the United Nepalese, residing in the UK, wishing to practice the Dharma for their Kingdom, Nepal and other countries. spiritual development, turned to them as there were no such Nepalese organisations. Therefore, a group of Nepalese met in February 1997 3.Explaining various aspects of Dharma in simple and easily and founded Lumbini Nepalese Buddha Dharma Society (UK) to fill understood language for all age groups. this gap. The society is non-political, non-racial, non-profit making 4.Discussion on Dharma through a readers column. voluntary organisation and open to all, both Nepalese and non-Nepalese, whatever their faith and tradition. Lumbini is run purely on donation. Therefore, any donations are AdvisersAdvisersAdvisers welcome and greatly appreciated. Cheques/Postal orders should be Bhikkhu Sugandha (Thailand), Lodro Thaye, Bhikkhu Sujankirti, made payable to Lumbini Nepalese Buddha Dharma Society (UK) Dr. Ratna Bahadur Sakya or LNBDS (UK) and forwarded to the society. Executive Committee Members (UK) Bhikkhu Sumana (President), Mr. Amrit Ratna Sthapit (Vice-President), Lumbini for you... Mr. Dinesh Sthapit (Treasurer), Dr Dharma B. Shakya (Secretary), Mr. Ram Babu Thapaliya (Joint Secretary) For the forthcoming issues of Lumbini, we welcome your articles, anecdotes, short stories or news features, which are linked to Nepal MembersMembersMembers and/or Buddhism. Send your contributions and comments to the Mrs. Nani Shova Shakya, Mr. Gyalsang Tamang, Mr. Sukman Lama, Editor, LNBDS. Dr. Dinesh Bajracharya, Dr. Swayambhu Tuladhar and Mr. Sujan Shakya Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We Organising Committee regret we cannot acknowledge or return items we do not publish. All Executive Committee Members, Mrs. Pramila Shakya, Dr. Rasana Bajracharya, Mrs. Anu Sthapit, Mr. Subha Ratna Shakya, Mrs. Menika Sthapit, Mrs. Padma Tara Sakya, Mrs. Reema Shakya, Mrs. Suchita Editor:Editor:Editor: Amrit Ratna Sthapit Tuladhar, Mrs. Durga Thapaliya EEEditorial PPditorial anel:anel:anel: Dr Dharma B. Shakya, Ram Babu Thapaliya, Life Members Menika Sthapit Mr. Amrit R. Sthapit, Dr. Dharma B. Shakya, Dr. Lochan Manandhar, Mrs. Nani Shova Shakya, Mrs. Sakuna Lama, Miss Hima Gurung, Front Cover Design: Udaya Shakya Mrs. Anita Rai, Mr. Lil Gurung, Mr. Surya Bajra Yonjan, Dr. Bhadra Dhoj Karki, Mr. Redwood MA, Mr. Shashi Manandhar, Mr. Rambabu Design & Layout: Amrit Ratna Sthapit Thapaliya, Mr. Uttam Nepal, Mr. Chakra B. Tamang, Dr. Dinesh LNBDS OfficeOffice: Lumbini Nepalese Buddha Dharma Society (UK) Bajracharya, Miss Sophia Somerville, Mrs. Vibeke Dahl, Mrs. Asha 11 Mulberry Drive, Slough, Sharma, Dr. David Gellener, Mrs. Shanta Gurung, Mrs. Geeta Shrestha, Berkshire, SL3 7JU, UK. Ms Jasmin Lama, Mrs Hind Maiya Vaidya, Mr. Rajju Dwip Bajracharya, Web: www.lumbini.org.uk Mr. Dinesh Sthapit, Mrs. Bijaya Luxmi Joshi Rai, Dr. Chuda B. Karki [email protected] OOObjectivbjectivbjectiveseses Printed by:by:Printed Jeddo Print 1. To make Buddhism known to the wider public and to help them Unit 32, 63 Jeddo Road, London, W12 9ED understand the benefits of the Budha's profound teachings, Articles and opinions expressed in the journal are not 2. To have a forum for the meeting of Nepalese residents in the UK necessarily the opinions of the society. and others with an interest in Buddha Dharma as a spiritual practice for discussion, exchange of ideas, constructive dialogue and to build Nepalese Buddhist community in the UK etc., Lumbini is published purely on donation. It is distributed freely as Dharma Dana for benefit of many. Any kind of 3. To establish links with similar organisations in the UK, Nepal and support for publication is appreciated. This could be in form of other countries, your personal greetings or business advert in the magazine. 4. To organise voluntary work to help reduce human Please contact the Society for space if you wish to support us. suffering in Nepal and other countries, and Thank you for your kind support, LNBDS 5. To promote and publish religious and cultural heritage of Nepal. May 2014 Lumbini 2 Lumbini Journal of The Lumbini Nepalese Buddha Dharma Society (UK) Contents Volume 17 B.E. 2558 May 2014 LNBDS Executive Committee and Objectives 2 Editorial Editorial 3 Mayadevi Temple, Lumbini (front cover) 4 LNBDS would like to wish a very Happy Buddha Day, Conditionality & Kamma - A Basic Introduction 5 - Bhikkhhu Bodhidhamma Buddha Jayanti, Swanyapunhi to all our readers. It is 2558th Buddha Jayanti, the era which marks the passing away Healing power of Meditation 7 (Mahaparinirvana) of the Buddha, in 543 BCE. The - Dr. Latha Hapugoda Buddha was born in 623 BCE in Lumbini, Nepal. So, Lumbini area air and sound pollution - a report 9 this year we will also be celebrating the Buddha’s 2638th - Ram Charitra Shah birth day, Lumbini Day. Condolences to departed ones 10 LUMBINI journal is one of the Society’s activities to Right Speech (Samma Vaca) 11 promote the profound teachings of the Buddha. We are - Richard Jones sure that our readers will appreciate our effort in bringing out this journal which is the result of hard work behind Hiranya Varna Mahavihar (Kwa Baha) 14 the scene. I would like to extend my appreciation to - Prof. Dr. David Gellner editorial team and well wishers on our readers behalf. To Be Alive 17 Lumbini, the birth place of the Buddha, is a revered - Nyanarato Bhikkhu place for all Buddhists around the world. By visiting LNBDS Activities and News 22 and venerating the place where the Buddha was born, News about Buddhism 25 devotees feel overwhelmed and blessed. Report presented on sound pollution in Lumbini and surrounding area by Mr. Ram Charitra Shah is worrying. It’s our duty as well as Nepal government’s responsibility to protect and preserve Lumbini, a world Heritage site. Speech is a great gift that we humans are blessed with. The Buddha said that he is only a path shower; we have Be able to express our thoughts, feelings and needs to act our self to benefit from the insightful teaching. verbally is something we should respect and use wisely. Who we are is a result of our own action whether it is Our word/s can be lethal if used in wrong connotation. physical, mental or verbal. Action (Karma) which is done We are thankful to Mr. Richard Jones who delivered intentionally bear fruit that effects our lives. We are enlightening speech titled ‘Right Speech’ at our last year’s grateful to Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhidhamma for his Buddha day programme. For the benefit of our readers enlightening article ‘Conditionality and Karma’ which will we are publishing his talk here. We are sure that you be beneficial to readers. will enjoy reading and learn how to use speech in correct way. Mind is the fore runner which is important part of our life. Action done with negative mind is unwholesome; From this issue onward, we started publishing articles similarly any action done with positive thought/s will on sacred and historical Buddhist places in Nepal. Prof. be wholesome. Cultivation of one’s mind will bring Dr. David Gellner was kind enough to write detailed happiness to us. By meditating, we can understand article on Hiranya Varna Mahavihar (Kwa Baha), Golden nature of our mind better so that it helps us to deal Temple. We are also thankful to Bhikkhu Nyanarato with our day to day life. Modern science finds no for his article titled ‘Being alive’. Venerable reminds us hesitation in recommending putting meditation into our that to be alive is to be in present, reflecting on daily practice. Dr. Latha Hapugoda was kind enough to momentary natures of rising and passing away. Just be present a power point presentation to our mediators in aware! one of the meditation days evidence based scientific We hope all our readers will enjoy reading this journal, view of benefits of regular meditation. We are as much as we have enjoyed presenting it to you. May publishing her presentation here ‘Healing Power of peace and contentment be with you! Meditation’ for the benefit of our readers. Please note that the LNBDS (UK) runs bimonthly one day ‘Bhavatu Sabba Mangalam’ meditation retreats. 3 Lumbini May 2014 Cover Story - Mayadevi Temple, Lumbini, Nepal (Excavation underneath Mayadevi Temple and Marker Stone) Prince Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha to be, was born pillar identifies this as the birthplace of the The Buddha. in 623 BCE in Lumbini, Nepal. Lumbini remained Until now, the earliest Buddhist temples have been neglected for centuries.