Apr 22, 2013
What is the main sacred writing for Buddhism?
Chris Deziel, Demand Media Siddhartha Gautama, or the historical Buddha, taught for 45 years, but none of what he said was transcribed as he spoke it. Instead, it was preserved in the memories of his disciples, who passed it on orally. By the third century B.C., some 200 years after the Buddha died, monks had compiled a collection of writings on leaves and stored them in three separate baskets. They are the earliest and most important collections of Buddhist texts.
The Tripitaka
In Sanskrit, a basket is a pitaka, so tripitaka (tipitaka in Pali, the probable language of the Buddha) means “three baskets.”…
Apr 22, 2013
Meditation yields great benefits
Alexander Vervloet, The Daily Barometer: After spending 10 days as a pseudo-monk, the world tends to look and feel quite different. The 240 hours of constant, silent meditation and reflection has an effect that is almost indescribable. Many people don’t take even five minutes of their day to reflect on their lives, because they’re so distracted by what’s going on around them. Because of this, when I tell people about the experience, most seem to be unable to even fathom the implications.
Meditation is a topic with a multitude of views and attitudes toward it. Some believe it to be “hippie crap” while…
Apr 22, 2013
Who you hang out with can affect your mental health, for good or for bad
One of the things the Buddha stressed very strongly in his teachings was being careful who we choose to spend time with. This is because our values and our mental habits will tend to align themselves with the values and mental habits of others.
At his bluntest he said things like: “Should a seeker not find a companion who is better or equal, let him resolutely pursue a solitary course; there is no fellowship with the fool.” (Dhammapada 61).
He also praised association with friends who embody skillful qualities:
“I do not see even a single thing that so causes unarisen wholesome qualities to arise and arisen unwholesome qualities to decine as good friendship (kalyana
…
Apr 21, 2013
Plain Township school stops ‘mindfulness’ program after some in community raise concerns
Stephanie Warsmith, Beacon Journal staff writer, Ohio.com: The Tibetan bell no longer tolls at Warstler Elementary in Plain Township.
The school had adopted a practice called mindfulness, but stopped after some parents and community members raised concerns the technique was linked too closely to Eastern religions like Buddhism.
“There was no malice from anyone in the district to bring something in that was not appropriate,” Superintendent Brent May said in a recent interview. “As we kept digging and researching, we found the roots to it. We have to be careful as a public school that we don’t cross over church and state.”
The Plain…
Apr 21, 2013
Shwedagon: full of auspicious Buddhism on Myanmar new year
Eleven, Myanmar: World famous Shwedagon Pagoda attracted some 400,000 merit-making local and foreign pilgrims on the first day of Myanmar calendar new year marking the arrival of the year 1375.
The auspicious Myanmar new year occasion was celebrated at 7 am at the Shwedagon Pagoda.
“Venerable monks started the recitation of Buddhist Dharma at 7 am, then circling around the whole platform area of pagoda, monks and pilgrims set the animals free,” said the pagoda’s office chief Win Kyaing.
The pagoda platform and praying halls were crowded with auspicious occasions of offering foods and drinks, preaching sermon speeches, and blood donation events…
Apr 21, 2013
Buddhism, the Dalai Lama and me
Poppy Damon, Varsity, Cambridge, UK: ‘Whether one believes in a religion or not and whether one believes in rebirth or not, there isn’t anyone who doesn’t appreciate kindness and compassion.’ Dalai Lama
When I was 14 I skipped school. It wasn’t to go drink VKS in the park like other ‘kids my age’. I went see the Dalai Lama speak at the ‘Burswood Dome’ in Western Australia, a venue graced by the likes of Elton John and boasting a humungous casino complex. In light of his recent visit to Cambridge and the very valid and interesting discussion that it has caused (for once)…
Apr 21, 2013
Dalai Lama says he will return to Tibet someday
Harold Mandel, Examiner.com: It is a dream of the Tibetan people to see the Dalai Lama safely return home to Tibet someday. Gerry Moriarty has reported for The Irish Times on April 19, 2013, Dalai Lama says he expects to return to his native Tibet someday. While on a recent visit to Ireland the Dalai Lama said he hopes to return home to Tibet someday. The Tibet Sun has also covered this story, Dalai Lama says he expects to return to his native Tibet someday.
When Marian Shanleywest from Drumlin Media TV in Cavan told the Dalai Lama she had a list of …
Apr 19, 2013
Buddhism is an important aspect of Tibetan identity: His Holiness
Yeshe Choesang, The Tibet Post International: Derry, Northern Ireland: – The spiritual leader of Tibet His Holiness the Dalai Lama said Buddhism is an important aspect of Tibetan identity during his short visit to a Tibetan Institute in Switzerland to hear what progress young Tibetans in the area have been making in programs to learn about Buddhist culture.
Offering a warm welcome to the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Tibetans young and old holding flowers, traditional white scarf and incense lined the road to greet him as he arrived at the Tibet Institute in Rikon of Zurich regon, Switzerland on 17 April 2013.
Addressing the gathering…
Apr 18, 2013
Save Pali, ancient classical Indian language of Buddhism in India
Prof. Dr. Siddharth Singh, Lankaweb, The Buddhist Channel: New Delhi, India — The Government of India has recently removed Pali – an ancient classical language – as a subject from the main examination of the Civil Services (popularly known as Indian Administrative Services i.e. IAS) of India, 2013, which were under the purview of the UPSC (Union Public service Commission).
The presence of Pali in this competitive examination was one of the major reasons that attracted many youngsters to opt for Pali and Buddhist Studies. The examination was touted as a major lifeline of the language, and was credited to have played an important…
Apr 18, 2013
‘Mindfulness’ therapy may help veterans with PTSD
Brett Smith,redOrbit.com: As veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars return to their lives away from the battlefield, many are having difficulty coping with the additional strain brought on by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
A new study in the journal Depression and Anxiety points to promising results for veterans suffering from PTSD. Researchers found that veterans who engaged in mindfulness exercises, such as meditation, stretching, and acceptance of uncomfortable thoughts and emotions, experienced a reduction in PTSD symptoms compared to their colleagues who did not engage in the same activities.
“The results of our trial are encouraging for veterans trying to find help for PTSD,” said lead author…