Quotes from Buddhism

The Buddha stresses that to escape from suffering one must not look to others for help, but do it himself.

"Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much
as your own unguarded thoughts."

Develop the mind of equilibrium.
You will always be getting praise and blame,
but do not let either affect the poise of the mind:
follow the calmness, the absence of pride.

-Sutta Nipata

Confused by thoughts,
we experience duality in life.
Unencumbered by ideas,
the enlightened see the one Reality."

- Hui - Neng

Wat Don Chan_ Chiangmai

A friend of us is really very keen on visiting this temple. Guess this article will give a better idea of what we can expect and a better understanding of the organization.
Chiang Mai project gives poor children a shot at education

A hilltribe girl has the chance to study in the same way as other Thai students, even though her family does not have enough money to support her.

Published on September 10, 2007

Chiang Mai Polytechnic College director's special project and Don Chan Temple's abbot provide help for disadvantaged, orphaned and poor children.

Chanokporn Lekpaijit, 16, is one of 511 hilltribe students studying at Wat Don Chan School in Chiang Mai's Muang district. She is studying for a vocational certificate in accounting.

"I dream of being an accountant after graduation," she said, adding she would study for a higher degree at the same time if she could.

It may not sound as grand as some people's dreams, but to have a good job and earn money for herself and her family is a very great thing for this hilltribe girl.

"My family is poor, but I'm very glad that I have a school where I can study. Studying here, my mother's financial burden has decreased," the Hmong girl said with smile.

There are about 560 students in the school, studying from Prathom 1 to Mathayom 6 and aiming for vocational and higher vocational certificates.

College director Chamnan Thammachai said he had started the project for disadvantaged students in May.

"I wanted these students to have vocational knowledge so that they would have the chance to get a good job, leading them to a better quality of life," he added.

The project offers training in two fields - accounting and computers.

In addition, the director has assigned some teachers in conjunction with private companies to train students in cooking, baking, computer repairs and playing musical instruments.

Meanwhile, Phra Athikan Anan Anantoe, the abbot of the temple, has supported hilltribe students around the northern region for at least 23 years, including Hmong, Akha, Karen, Yao, Tai Yai (Shan) and Lisu.

He said he wanted to do something good for the

country and His Majesty

the King. Since the children placed a burden on the country, he had decided to help them.

"Only Thai people's kindness supports these children's expenses. The temple doesn't ask for financial support from any organisation. It's up to organisations and individuals who desire to help," Phra Athikan Anan said.

He has taught the children to follow the King's sufficiency philosophy, instructing them to eat together as well as to learn and live happily in simple conditions.

"The food for the students under the temple's patronage is donated by local people, including vegetables, fruits, seasonings and rice," Phra Athikan Anan said.

The children still need consumer products for daily use, especially washing powder and toothpaste. To offer these or other donations, call 05-324 0184.

Wannapa Phetdee

The Nation

Buddha's Teaching

The Buddha taught his disciples:

When you see, just see.

When you hear, just hear.

When you smell, just smell.

When you touch, just touch.

When you know, just know.

Thai Buddhists are encouraged to find their own truths and not to rely solely on the teachings of others.

泰国新闻报导了一宗令人不寒而慄的新闻，原来有来自柬埔寨的善信拿了一具蛇身人头的怪物到泰国一佛寺给和尚高僧看。从电视片段中所见，该具卷作一团的蛇，有着人般的容貌，有獠牙，且有长长的头髮，张牙舞爪十分狰狞。据说是来自柬埔寨某村落的一隻怪物，也有说是一不祥物，之后经村民打死后製成标本。而有关这头怪物，当地网友有如此故事。前几年在马来西亚的某偏僻村落，因为毒蛇为患咬死了几个村民，故村长请了当地一名有蛇王之称的捕蛇专家来帮忙捉毒蛇，怎料蛇王追寻蛇踪至附近的山林却发现此怪物，他运用了多年捕蛇的经验当场杀死了怪物，并带了这人头蛇身的怪物尸体回去并製成标本。但事情还未完结，蛇王在此事后不久便无故去世，死后在尸体上发现有两个疑似被蛇咬的牙印。蛇王死后此怪物标本辗转流落到不同人手上，但凡持有者却相继死于非命，最奇怪的是所有死者尸体上均有疑似被蛇咬的牙印。此怪物标本再辗转流落到柬埔寨，当地善信认为发现此怪物的地方，正是在泰国及马来西亚边境交界的深山当中，那裡有很多黑巫师及降头师在修练，这种蛇身人头的怪物就是他们修练出来，可操控牠们执行降头任务，这怪物虽然表面上已死去，但降头师的法力仍在，故仍会行凶杀人，因此带了此怪物到泰国寺庙，找当地高僧做法事，希望解除降头师的法力，使其不再害人。

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Buddhism Ritual

Buddhism rituals and practices comprise of very intricate and detailed prayers. Prayer or Puja in Buddhism is mainly a way of expressing dedication towards God and making offerings to Him. Meditation also forms a part of the rituals & practices in Buddhism.

Following of the rituals moves a person forward, on the path to enlightenment. The prayers are initiated with the evoking of a sangha. After the Sangha has been evoked, sadhaka or dharma student performs three prostrations, also known as three gates or three aggregates.

They consist of the body, the speech and the mind. They also indicate that the student has acknowledged the three bodies of Buddha, namely the Dharmakaya, the Smbhogakaya and the Nirmanakaya.

In the prostrations, five parts of the body touch the ground. These five body parts include the two palms, the two knees and the forehead, signifying the five elements of earth, water, fire, air and space. The other interpretations of the protestations symbolize the five wisdoms emanating from the five Buddha families and the five Buddha energies.

As a student performs these protestations, he surrenders himself to the Buddhas of past, present, and future and ten directions. The folded hands also connote a deeper meaning as a part of the Buddhist rituals. The touching of the ten fingers with each other symbolizes the ten directions. The right hand represents the male, active, yang energy, while the left hand represents the female, receptive, yin energy. When both of them join, they epitomize the Buddha's enlightening activity of upayakaushalya.

A number of other rituals also, follow these offerings to the deities and the three Jewels. These rituals include Bodhisattva vows, the 100-syllable Vajrasattva mantra, mandala offerings and the seven-line prayer of Guru Rinpoche and mon-lam prayers. After these rituals have been performed, the student practices meditation on shunyata or emptiness. The prayers come to an end with a ritual in which people express joy over the good deed and merit of others. They also request Buddha to teach them and not enter in parinirvana.

Buddhism Facts

Buddhism is the fourth largest religion of the world. Founded by Gautam Buddha, it is a path of spiritual development that helps a person in finding the true nature of life. Buddhism emphasizes on experiencing, rather than teaching or learning.

It considers meditation as the means to enlightenment and is based on a number of principles. The followers of Buddhism do not worship any God and follow the noble eightfold path to lead a meaningful existence. In the following lines, we have provided some quick information on Buddhism in a brief form. Read on to know some facts about Buddhism …

Meaning: System taught by the Buddha
Founded In: 6th Century BC Place
founded: North India
Founder: Siddhartha Gautama ("the Buddha"), an Indian prince
Followers: 376 million
Size: Fourth largest religion in the world
Main locations: China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia
Main Sects: Theravada and Mahayana
Sacred texts: Pali Canon (Tripitaka), numerous Mahayana sutras
Original language: Pali
Spiritual leader: Monk (lama in Tibetan Buddhism)
Place of ritual: Temple, meditation hall.
Theism: Varies - Theravada is atheistic; Mahayana is more polytheistic.
Ultimate reality: None, Nothing is permanent.
Holidays: Buddha's birthday, Buddha's enlightenment and lunar quarters

What is Theravada Buddhism

Theravada literally means 'The Way of the Elders'. This term embodies the entire sect in itself, as Theravada Buddhism is based on the original beliefs and practices of the Buddha and the early monastic Elders.

Also known as Hinayana Buddhism, it is mainly predominant in southern Asia, especially in Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. Just like Mahayana, Theravada is also based on the Pali Canon, which comprises of an early Indian collection of the Buddha's teachings.

Theravada Buddhists have a sole purpose in life, which is to become an arhat. Arhat is the name given to a saint who has reached nirvana and will not be born again. For this, they follow a rigorous austere existence and renounce the world. As per Theravada or the 'Lesser Vehicle', a layman can never ever achieve nirvana. There are the following four stages through which a Theravada Buddhist can become an arhat:
Sotapanna (Stream-enterer)
Sotapanna is the stage where the person is a convert. To attain this stage, he has to triumph over the false beliefs.
Sakadagamin (Once-returner)
The stage of Sakadagamin is that of being reborn again. It can be achieved by conquering lust, hatred and illusion.
Anagamin (Never-returner)
The stage of being reborn in heaven is known as Anagamin. It is the stage where he becomes an arahant.
Arhat (Worthy one)
The last stage is known as Arhat. Here, the person has attained perfect enlightenment and will never be born again.

胡

Holy Shower at Wat Kancanaram

This morning, we went to Lorong Ong Lye at the advise of a master for the holy shower. Before we went to the temple, we went to get the flowers for the temple. This is not only normal flowers at the market, there's a few "unique and rare" items too. Luckily we managed to get all the stuff by 9am. When we reach the temple, we were told to pick up a pail filled with water and leave it near the monk, when it's our turn for the blessing, passed the packet of flowers to the monk and he will cut the lime ( got special way to cut, not what we always do). He also cut up the husk and the black colour plant. Then he lights up the candles and tied the white thread around the pails and passed it to us. Then he start his chanting which last about 5-8mins. We proceed to the room for shower and clear up the mess after we are done. The monk was very jovial, he was also impressed with the flower we prepared. He even asked why we know that we have to prepare all these and what is the special meaning behind all the item. When i answered all his queries, he gave me a smile and say " WIN ONLY, NO LOSS" in his thai hokkien ( 赢，没有输). After the shower, we went around the temple and start praying.

The Archan Toh Statue at the 2nd floor of the temple.

There's 7 kinds of flowers including jasmine, 3 limes, one black plant? wonder what is it and also things looks like coconut husk!

** The temple do prepare flowers for devotees, and with $1/- you can get a brand new towel should you forget to bring for the holy shower. It feels great after the whole session, I will sure bring my friends and family for it again. Thanks to the master who told us where and what to get for the session.

胡