Free From Depression

Date : 29.3.2008

Title : Free from Depression

By : Ven Balacitta

Contributed by Stanley Chen

Sometimes people feel good, uplifted or are happy and sometimes not. When people feel bad, down or are unhappy but if they know how to take care of themselves, are calm and peaceful, then there are no problems. Feelings are impermanent and are subject to change. If they do not know how to take care of themselves, are calm and peaceful, then there are problems. However it will not be a problem if one meets the right person who is able to help or advise one to solve it.

Nowadays, people are exposed to many kinds of advertisements which try to tell people that life would be more wonderful, uplifting or happier when they use their products. When one is looking for help, it is important that one finds someone who really is capable to help, otherwise, no help is better. If a person goes to see a doctor for help because of a feeling of emptiness or unhappiness or they are feeling bad or down, then it is highly possible that the doctor will prescribe some anti-depressant drugs for him. Taking anti-depressant drugs is of course the easiest and quickest way to make oneself feel good again but that is only temporary. In order for us to solve any problem, it is important for us to solve the cause of the problem. If we try to solve any problem without knowing and taking care of the cause, we may only solve the problem superficially. The root cause will still remain to generate the problem again and again. But anyhow, if any of you are taking these anti-depressant drugs already, please do not discontinue it before you find a better solution, otherwise, the sudden termination of the usage of the drugs is known to give many kinds of problematic reactions to the user.

We human beings have a body and mind. The mind of an uninstructed worldly person will surely be adversely affected when encountering a highly unwanted situation like the loss of someone very dear. When the mind is affected, the body will also be affected. If one is unable to accept the reality that all conditions in life are all impermanent and subject to change, then one will be easily disturbed whenever something good changes to bad. A person who is too engrossed with the vicissitudes of life will always be busy running after gain, praise, honour or pleasurable sensations. Similarly, he will also be busy trying to run away from loss, blame, discredit or unpleasurable sensations. When he encounters the former, he will feel elated, and when he encounters the latter, he will feel dejected. One who is easily elated or dejected is also a person who can easily lose his mental balance.

Living in the world, it is inescapable for people to experience the vicissitudes of life. Sometimes we will experience the results of our good kamma and sometimes we will also experience the results of our bad kamma. It is easy for people to be able to take care of themselves, be mindful, be peaceful and calm when life is smooth and easy but when the extreme downside of life happens suddenly, many will loose their mental balance. There will be sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief or despair and very sadly, most will also start to neglect their health.

The Buddha has shown us the four Noble Truths. In the four Noble Truths, he has shown to us what is suffering, what is the cause of suffering, what is the freedom from suffering and what is the path towards the freedom from suffering. The path towards the freedom of suffering is, of course, the Noble Eightfold Path which can be categorized under morality, meditation and wisdom.

Nowadays, there are many meditation retreat centres where one can learn to develop this Noble Eightfold Path. If any of you always feel bad, down, empty or unhappy, I encourage you to go for meditation retreat.ⁱ I wish others who are presently feeling good, strong and happy, to protect yourself by cultivating a meditative way of life, who knows when the "U Turn" will come. Correct meditation practice with the right kind of supports (morality and wisdom) can help one to understand the true nature of the world better, which in turn, will help one to be able to maintain mental balance even when facing the extremities in the vicissitudes of life.

As a matter of fact, in order for us to be always 100% free from mental suffering, we have to reach the state of Arahantship (full-enlightenment) . To reach that state, we have to develop the Noble Eightfold path in full perfection and this is not an easy job to do. But anyhow, if one starts correctly in the development of the Noble Eightfold Path, one can be said to have entered the stream of the Noble Eightfold path, a Sotapana (Stream-enterer)- SN. 55.5 A Sotapana, although is not a person 100% free from mental sufferings like an Arahant, is nevertheless, much more free from mental suffering than the most fortunate ordinary person in the world. A Sotapana already has right view with regard to the true nature of the world, the five aggregates or the so called "self". He understands truly that whatever things that he has been identified with before as "mine", "I", or "myself" are actually impermanent, stressful and empty. He will never cling to it madly as before and it is impossible for him to fall into clinical depression like an uninstructed worldling again. A Sotapana might be depressed for a while when encountering the loss of someone dear but he knows the path to come out of it and he will come out of it. Just like venerable Ananda, when venerable Sariputta, venerable Mongallana and the Buddha were gone, he was depressed, down hearted and feeling empty. But it was only for a while because being a Sotapana, he knows the path to come out from suffering. If earlier, a person needs to depend on anti-depressant drugs for his superficial wellbeing, upon reaching the state of Sotapana, he can now throw away all of his anti-depressant drugs forever. Forever he is free.

Now, after talking about freedom from mental suffering, I would like to talk about our physical health. If one takes good care of his own physical health, he will enjoy at least 50%.of wellbeing, that is, bodily wellbeing. But If a person does not take good care of his bodily health and he is still an uninstructed worldling, he will suffer twice if he falls sick, that is, one part in body and the other part in the mind - for lamenting, complaining, worrying, ...

Earlier, I had said that when a person's mind is affected, his body will also be affected. But this does not mean that one who is totally free from mental suffering is also totally free from bodily sufferings. Although our mental wellbeing does influence our bodily wellbeing, this does not mean that all the causes of our bodily wellbeing is caused by our mind. I have found two places in the cannon that tell the causes that can affect our bodily wellbeing. One is from the Sutta and another from the Abhidhamma. They are as follows:

In the Sutta – SN. 36:21, it is mentioned that there are 8 causes that affect our feeling (bodily pain). They are:-

1. Disorders of the bile;

2. Disorders of the phlegm;

3. Disorders of the internal wind;

4. Imbalance of the combination of the bodily humors (bile, phlegm and wind);

5. Change of climate;

6. Uneven care of the body;

7. Harsh treatment (external forces); and

8. The result of kamma.

In the Abhidhamma, it is mentioned that there are only 4 causes but what I can see is that it is quite similar to the above except that it is presented in a different way and they are:-

1. The food that one consumes (the food one consumes could have effect on one or all of the bodily humors);

2. change of climate (environmental changes like electrical radio magnetic wave pollution, air pollution and any other type of pollution should also be included);

3. the mind (the capability of the mind in facing the vicissitudes of life); and

4. the fruition of past karma.

I will also like to bring to your knowledge some tips for health which I found mentioned by the Buddha in the Suttas:-

• "When a man is always mindful, knowing moderation in the food he eats, his ailments then diminish; he ages slowly, guarding his life." - ( extracted from SN. 3:13)

• "...Come, bhikkhus,eat a single session (before noon) by so doing, you too will be free from illness and affliction, and you will enjoy health, strength, and a comfortable abiding."- (extracted from MN 65)

• ... your medicine of strong-smelling urine (puttimutta) will seem to you to be just like the various tonics of a householder or householder's son... As you live contented, it will serve for your delight, for a comfortable abiding, for non-agitation, & for alighting on Unbinding. (extracted from AN. VIII, 30)

• ... 'Good man, this repulsive urine (putimutta )is mixed with various medicines. Drink from it if you want; as you drink from it, its colour, smell and taste will not agree with you, but after drinking from it, you will be well...after drinking it, he became well.ⁱⁱ– ( extracted from MN.46)

• Monks, there are these five advantages of walking meditation (cankama) it hardens one for traveling; it is good for striving; it is healthy; tends to good digestion after one has eaten and drunk, munched and crunched; the concentration won from it, last long... (extracted from AN. III, 29)

With the above information, I hope that by now you will know, at least, what needs to be balanced, what needs to be avoided, what needs to be done for your own well being, for your own happiness.

That's all for today. By the power of the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha, may all of you be successful in finding real peace, real harmony, real happiness and be happy always.

i They are many meditation centers around in Malaysia and all of them are doing great job in strengthening the faith of the people in the teaching of the Buddha. But if a depressive person were to come to see me for advise, I will recommend him or her to attend at least a 10 days meditation course conducted by S.N. Goenka or his assistant teachers. Depressive people are weak in energy and self-discipline, they need constant encouragement. The simple meditation instruction coupled with the healthy atmospheric condition in the Goenka meditation centre, could help. These are there contact numbers: 012 339 0089 (Chinese speaking) and 016 341 4776 (English speaking)

ii If one is in poor health and all conventional treatment had failed, why not give urine therapy a try. Whose knows this simple therapy will work miracle. The book titled " The Water Of Life" by John W. Armstrong, is a very powerful book, it can change people perception in regard to urine. But if one do not have the gut to try urine even after reading so many cases of successful stories, then why not try Water Therapy. It can also work like miracle for curing many kinds illnesses. Very often, I will drink about 1.5 littles water first thing in the morning. After that, I could feel that my whole bodily cells become very happy. I felt refreshed, energized and good.

Four Wheels For A Good Life

Venue : Mr Gooi's house
By : Ven Aggacitta
Date : 14.07.07

Contributed by Stanley Chen

Today's talk will be based on Cakka Sutta (AN 4:31). "Cakka" is the Pali term for "wheel". A wheel is a structure that aids movement. In any mechanism, when the wheels are properly aligned and functioning, the entire structure moves smoothly. In the same way, if the following four 'wheels' in our lives are smoothly rotating, we will soon be steered to prosperity.

1) Staying in a suitable place

It is obvious, from the worldly perspective, that staying in a suitable place is one of the major factors required for one to make a successful living. For example, the chances of a business becoming successful will be greatly increased if it is situated in a place where there is a good and constant flow of its targeted customers. A hawker should be situated in a place where there is a mass of hungry consumers.

A monk on the other hand, needs a quiet and secluded place to practise, where he has a chance to associate with the wise and be in contact with the Triple Gem. But this spiritual need is not only confined to a monk.

Several decades ago when political and economic circumstances were unfavourable, many Asians emigrated to greener pastures, particularly in the West. They settled and prospered in their adoptive countries but often felt a sense of emptiness and alienation. As Buddhists by birth, they missed being in contact with the Sangha and places of worship such as monasteries and stupas, which are as common back home as the air they breathe in. As such, they often gathered together and pooled their resources to find suitable places of worship and to invite monks over so that they could come into active contact with the Triple Gem again. Eventually many Buddhist centres sprouted in western countries, serving not only the needs of the immigrants but also that of the increasing number of Westerners who were interested in Buddhist teachings.

SBS devotees in Taiping are fortunate because they have the chance to come into contact with the Sangha all the time and listen to Dhamma talks almost every week. This is not so for other places even within Malaysia and Singapore. During my annual tour of these places, many devotees often request that I come back to see them more often as they lack qualified monks to guide and lead them in their spiritual quests.

2) Association with the wise

When people associate with the virtuous and the wise, they have a better opportunity to practise cultivation of the body, speech and mind. Why? Because they are influenced by their 'good vibes': by their exemplary presence, moral and spiritual values and profound teachings. So they develop wholesome tendencies to keep the precepts well and lead a life of good conduct.

3) Having done merits in the past

There is a Burmese saying, "Because we were good in the past, now we are good; because we are good now, we shall be good in the future." In other words, our past good kamma resulted in our present good life, and our present good conduct will ensure a good future life.

Look around you. You can see many kinds of people—some are beautiful, clever and affluent while others are deformed, ugly, stupid and poor. We often hear stories of those who became prosperous later in life even though they started with humble beginnings. They may even be uneducated, whereas those who are supposed to succeed in life because they have all the advantages in their youth fail miserably. This is largely due to their past kamma.

Our present actions, too, will influence our future. Take a look at many middle-class and affluent families nowadays. Parents spoil their children because they have no time for them (common in dual income families) or because they led a deprived youth and want to spare their children a similar fate. So they pander to their children's whims and fancies, suffocating them with material luxuries, but neglecting to nurture them with moral and spiritual values. In terms of moral conduct and aptitude, these kids end up in a sorry state.

There is a story of Visakha who attained stream-entry (sotapatti, the first stage of enlightenment) at the age of seven. When she came of age she was married off (as was the Indian custom of that era) to a man from a rich Brahmin family. However, she continued with her usual practice of giving dana to monks. Her father-in-law, who did not believe in doing so, always remained in the kitchen eating his breakfast whenever the monks came. Desiring to lead him into the Dhamma, the wise Visakha said aloud that her respected father-in-law only knew how to eat leftovers but not fresh food. Of course, the old man heard it and demanded to know why Visakha said such a thing. She replied that even though he was wealthy now, he did not know how to ensure his continued prosperity in future lives as he was missing the excellent chance of doing merit by giving dana to those worthy of it. The old man was impressed by her cleverness and eventually became a pious Buddhist.

After death, we cannot bring our current wealth with us, but our good kamma is carried forth, like a good investment, into our future lives.

4) Set yourself in the right direction

An excellent guide in the right direction for us is the Noble Eightfold Path. All thoughts, speech and action arise from the mind. Where there is greed, hatred or delusion, all actions arising from this are unwholesome. Where there is generosity, metta or wisdom, all actions arising from this are wholesome.

Once a devotee from Pokok Assam brought an elderly lady to seek guidance from me. Apparently, she had led a good life because even though she was uneducated, she managed to bring up all her children well enough that they became professionals with fulfilling and prosperous lives of their own. However, she was prone to frequent compulsive worrying about nonsensical and illogical things. This is a situation where one creates unnecessary worry and unhappiness for oneself because one does not know how to restrain the mind.

We need to train our mind to stay still—just like the way a dog-handler trains his charge to sit and not to move unless a command is given. A well-cultivated mind is able to steer away from the unwholesome and follow what is wholesome. Meditation is the most excellent way to cultivate the mind. As such, all are welcome to join us up in SBS for our weekly Saturday night meditation sessions.

When all the 4 'wheels' are properly aligned in life, we will be steered to lead a prosperous and happy life.

Movie Sharing Session at KBC

Come join us at our movie sharing session at KBC!

Recently, the youth group of KBC has organized a movie sharing session. This movie sharing session will run through April, May and June with the following schedule at our very own Centre with an educational purpose. This movie sharing session is open to the public for all ages.

Time : 7.30pm to 10.30pm

Venue: Kajang Buddhist Center

(poster design by Bro. JW Tan)

APRIL SESSION – OUR EARTH OUR FUTURE

DATE	MOVIE	SHARING CANDIDATE
5th April	萤火虫,飞吧 Fireflies: River of the Light (Japan)	1.张秋菊
19th April	Fly Away Home (Canada)	3.庆芬老师
26th April	Our Earth, Our Home	Aloka Alert Team

MAY SESSION – BEAUTIFUL LIFE

DATE	MOVIE	SHARING CANDIDATE
3rd May	暖春Warm Spring(China)	1.Dr. Pang
10th May	I am Sam（US）	2.Bro. Tan Huat Chye
24th May	东京铁塔 Tokyo Tower (Japan）	3.Bro. Charlie Chia
31st May	Title Talk	Chosen Sharing Candidate

JUNE SESSION – THE WAY TO HAPPINESS

DATE	MOVIE	SHARING CANDIDATE
7th June	Beautiful Mind（US）	1.
14th June	Travelers and Magicians	2. Uncle Vijaya
21st June	天上人间（蒙古）	3. Brother Wong
28th June	Title Talk	Chosen Sharing Candidate

Any changes will be updated.

The admission is free and a light refreshment is provided.

For more information, please contact;

Bro. Loh Chiun Tai : 012-6229798
Bro. Eugene Pang : 016-2150192
Sis. Tan Kai Sin : 016-6822016

What It Takes to Register Your Marriage At KBC.

At KBC, the registration room is beautifully decorated with a teapot fountain to signify tranference of merits during this happy occasion, a flowery wedding arch with a plaque to record your wedding location and registration date and a garden backdrop for you to take lovely photographs with your partner and family members.

Apart from this, your marriage registration can be held on weekends (i.e. Saturdays or Sundays) whereby more relatives can attend.

Below is the requirements:-

Click on the above to enlarge.

If you need further explaination, kindly contact Bro Ghim at 019-3257689

Sample photographs of the registration room...

Chinese New Year Blessing Service 2008

Kajang Buddhist Center is organizing a Chinese New Year Blessing 2008 from Feb 16 (Sat) to Feb 17 (Sun). Activities planned out includes Chanting and Blessing by monks of various traditions such as Mahayana, Vijarana and Theravada. There will also be a Dhama Talk by the President of Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia Bro. Ang Choo Hong. Sunday vegetarian lunch will be served to devotees as well as general public. Are all welcome to participate in the activities.

Click on the above to enlarge

For further information please contact
Bro. Pang 016-3312637 and Sis Lye 019-3555878

Teenage Camp Kajang Buddhist Center

Teenage Camp - How it Started, contributed by Sis Lye

It all started in 2002, with a wish to share the Dhamma with young friends, to set up KBC youth group and with the consent and full support from the committee, we took our first step.

With the help of well known Dhamma speaker Brother Wong Tin Song, as the camp leader and adviser to Teenage Camp Kajang Buddhist Center. He taught and guided us all the way. He helped us to run and managed our first camp. Subsequently, young and energetic Brother Eugene Pang and Brother Loh Chiun Tai join our team.

Our first Teenage Camp theme was ‘don’t worry be happy’ attracted teens from around Kajang and other states. Then, our second camp theme was `how to live without fear and worry’, third camp theme was ‘Do it right’, fourth camp theme was ‘Right here, Right now’, fifth camp theme was ‘Love….’ and this year 2007, our sixth year, theme is ‘we do cos’ we care’. Number of participants increases over the years.

Teenage Camp T-Shirts 2002-2007

The main objective of organizing these Teenage Camp is to spread the Dhamma to our young friends in a fun and easy way. Our Program consists of Interactive games, Dhamma talks, hymns singing and Puja.

Many Dhamma speakers and Reverences were invited to give talk during the Teenage Camp. They were very supportive and have given us comments and lots of encouragement.

One of the very important resources of running the Teenage Camp is our facilitators. We are lucky to have students from nearby universities coming in to help us. Namely UM, UPM, UKM, Uniten, MMU and TAR college. Also not forgetting, former participants who were above 17 years old, had joint us as student facilitators, where they learn and help.

Teenage Camp past years participants

Kitchen Volunteers

Some of the kitchen volunteers for Teenage Camp, actually there are more apologies if picture of those not shown.

































Lastly, we have organized the 6th Teenage Camp from 13th - 16th December 2007. We would like to express our gratitude and heart felt thanks to those who have contributed during the camp in one way or another.












May the blessing of the Triple Gem be with you always.

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Teenage Camp 2007, 13 - 17 December

This an announcement to all those participants to our annual Teenage Camp from 13-17 December 2007 which recently concluded.

As our organizers are busy preparing to upload photos taken during the camp, approximately about 1500 photos were taken. After editing we will post it back here. So have patience.


rgds

KBC

Marriage Registration Service

In order to cater for the needs of growing Buddhist community in areas surrounding Kajang, KBC is pleased to annouce the availability of the above service.

If you like the idea of being married in a nostalgic location in Kajang, that is the old Sun Cinema in the heart of Kajang Town and now a Buddhist Center, we would like to welcome you.

Awaiting your queries is Bro Ghim at 019-3257689.

Kathina Ceremony And Planting of Bodhi Tree

Sunday, 4th November 2007
Kathina Ceremony and Planting of Bodhi Tree at Kajang Buddhist Center.

On Sunday, 4th November 2007 the offering of robes, requisites in the form of food stuffs, medicines, toiletries, food beverages and other items deemed appropriate, was offered to the members of the Sangha. Such ceremony is usually organized by Buddhist devotees after the members of the Sangha had completed their observation of Vassa in accordance with the Vinaya rules. Members of the Sangha are the protectors and disseminators of the Noble Dhamma, the teachings of the Buddha and if diligently practiced will lead to final liberation. As such, lending support to the holy Sangha members will enable them to continue spreading the Noble Dhamma. This act of support and reverence is one of the highest meritorious deeds that you may accrue when you participate in this ceremony.

The rains retreat of the monks (vassana kala) ends on the full-moon day of October. During the Vassana retreat that lasted for three months, the monks have served the community of followers in various ways such as giving sermons, teaching Dhamma and meditation, counseling and serving in many other ways. The monks end the retreat, by performing a Monastic Disciplinary Act (vinaya kamma) called the Pavarana. After this the monks are free to leave the place where the retreat was held.

Before they leave, it is the custom of the devotees to hold a farewell ceremony for the monks. This is called the Kathina Ceremony. During this ceremony many gifts are offered to the monks as well as gifts for the upkeep of the monastery (Vihara).

A very important part of this ceremony is the offering of a special robe called the Kathina Civara, which is made in a special way, through the contributions of and collective effort of many devotees. This is also offered in a special way carrying the "Kathina Robe", in a "Parade" (pelahera) with beating of traditional drums.

A Tribute To Chief Venerable Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Maha Thera

Dana and Caga

Dana & Caga. Is giving necessarily generosity?

By Ven Kumara Bhikkhu
An edited transcript of a talk given at Taiping Buddhist Society on 04-11-2006.

As most of you probably know, dana is a Pali word meaning 'giving' or 'gift'. Some extend it to mean 'generosity' as well. While this is somewhat commonly accepted, how safely can we assume that giving is necessarily an act of generosity? We should bear in mind that 'generosity' in Pali is not dana, but caga. Giving (or dana) per se can be done with or without generosity. Let me explain.

Non-generous Giving

While giving is generally regarded as a good deed, it can also be motivated by an unwholesome intention, which the doer may not be fully aware of. Here are four unwholesome states from which a motivation to give can arise.

1 Greed

A person may give with the hope of getting something in return. An example would be bribing to get a business deal or a government contract.

In the Buddhist world, greed-motivated giving happens too, though we may not see it as unethical. We can call it 'kammic investment', giving to gain merits for future benefit. Is that bad? No, it's not. It is just as it is: greed-motivated giving, which shall bear results accordingly.

I wish I could talk about this without making some people feel uncomfortable, but I really don't know how. At any rate, I think it's important to be aware of this.

This greed-motivated giving probably still has its merits nonetheless. Yet, we can't say that it's generous when it's motivated by greed. Whether we like to admit it or not, such giving is done out of the giver's desire to gain future enjoyment for oneself. Some people also believe that the merits of giving can bring about rebirth in heaven. But is that true? I'll get to that later.

One problem with such giving is that the giver's desire tends to blind him from considering the receiving end. Does the recipient want that gift? Is it suitable for the recipient? This desire can sometimes be so strong that the giver forces the recipient to accept the gift.

I once witnessed a monk insisting that an elder monk accept a pair of socks. After repeated attempts to decline politely, the elder monk gave in to the demand apparently just to avoid prolonging the spectacle. Another monk told me of an experience while collecting alms. When he saw a man coming with money in his hand, he quickly closed his bowl. So, what did the man do? He promptly pried the lid open and threw the money in!

In these cases, we can immediately recognise them as wrong, as there was resistance from the unwilling recipient. Oft times, the recipient simply resigns to the wish of the giver. Or else, he may be regarded as being 'choosy', 'uncompassionate', or simply 'not giving face'.

For example, people often give monks more robes than they can possibly wear, such as during a kathina ceremony. Are these acts of generosity? (This may not be motivated by greed though, as one may be simply following a tradition blindly. In that way, it's more of delusion.)

Why do we give things that others don't want, or that are unsuitable for them? What kammic results can be expected of such giving? Such questions are worth pondering upon.

2 Aversion

Can we give out of anger or aversion? Why not? Let's say, two parties fight over something. Then one gets really sick of it and gives up, saying, "Okay, you take it! Take it! I don't want it anymore!" Is that giving? It still is. But is it generosity? I wouldn't think so. It's more likely that it is done out of anger, isn't it?

Another example is when a smelly, dirty beggar comes to beg for alms while you're enjoying your meal with your partner at a hawker centre. You resent having your enjoyment interrupted and promptly give him some money to get rid of him as soon as possible. To give you another example, some parents give in to their children's pestering, even though what they ask for is mentally or physically unhealthy. Instead of doing the right thing, which is to educate or explain to the child, many parents often give in simply because they want to avoid feeling annoyed.

Are these acts of giving? Sure. Generosity? Not really. They are done out of aversion.

3 Delusion

Giving out of delusion mainly occurs among victims of swindlers, manipulators and exploiters.

You've probably heard of people who donate large sums of money with the aim of being empowered to gain great riches. I wonder how many of them got their wish. One may also be charmed into giving large sums of money to obtain 'magic stones' that are supposed to possess miraculous powers. More professional charmers don't even have to give anything in return. The victim is simply tricked into giving.

Then there are also temple gimmicks, such as having people throw money into alms-bowls labelled with words like "Prosperity", "Health" and "Love", or having them put money into donation boxes in the shape of alms bowls held by Buddha images. Of course, it is still possible to give out of generosity despite the delusive forms, but would it not be likely that many may be influenced to give out of delusion?

Please note that I'm not saying that such giving is not meritorious. Rather, I'd like to point out the underlying moral intentions, which is what kamma is about ultimately.

4 Fear

People also often give when they feel compelled to, out of fear that something bad will happen to them if they don't; for example, when threatened by an extortionist, or when they 'donate' to police officers to avoid being punished for doing something illegal.

Besides that, some Buddhists and followers of other faiths, particularly those involved in wrong livelihood, also give out of fear of being reborn in hell or other lower realms of existence. They hope that their giving to some religious person (preferably one who is believed to be an arahant with psychic powers), or for some religious project (like building a multi-million dollar tooth-relic temple), can somehow neutralize their immoral actions and thus prevent them from having to face the consequences they fear.

These acts of giving are not done out of generosity, but fear.

This brings us back to what I mentioned earlier on the belief that giving can bring about rebirth in heaven. Can dana or giving reward us with long life, beauty and great happiness in the human world or even among the heavens? Can we, so to speak, 'bribe' the law of kamma? (Think for a moment before you read on.)

The Buddha says yes. However, he adds that this is true "only for the virtuous, not for the unvirtuous; for it is due to his purity that the heart's desire of the virtuous succeeds." (Danupapatti Sutta, AN 8:35)

Giving is of course a good deed and can bring about good results. Depending on the nature of the gifts, giving can bring about long life, beauty, happiness, strength, good repute, intelligence, etc. (AN 5:31, 5:37) However if you wish for a happy rebirth, even if it's just in the human realm, it's your morality or virtue—rather than your giving—that can give rise to that.

So, remember that while giving, especially giving to virtuous people, is beneficial to you, it's even more important to be heedful of your virtue, the least being the Five Precepts though preferably more than that.

What happens then to those who give a lot—perhaps even to very virtuous people—but are heedless in virtue, committing all sorts of unwholesome deeds? In Janussoni Sutta (AN 10:177), the Buddha says that such a person may obtain the reward of being an animal that leads a comfortable life, such as a royal horse, or perhaps a billionaire's dog, which is a more common example in our modern day.

By pointing out this, I hope those who are going by that wrong idea would realise that they are on the wrong track. Giving is good, but to have a happier future, you also have to be good.

All that I've said to this point may be a bit depressing for some of you. If so, let me cheer you up a little.

Generous giving

The good news is that if we can give motivated by good states of mind, the benefit is so much greater than just plain giving. You've probably done this many times; such as the times when someone asked you for something and you gladly gave; or when you saw someone in need, you considered how you could help and you did, thereby uplifting his well-being.

When you gave with such pure intentions, how did you feel? Was there a sense of joy? Did you feel somewhat uplifted? That's what we get—immediately—when we give purely for the benefit of the recipient with a generous heart.

Moreover, according to SappurisaDana Sutta (AN 5:148), when one gives with a compassionate heart, meaning out of genuine desire for the recipient's welfare, then besides becoming wealthy when the giving bears results, excellent is the five cords of sense pleasures his mind is inclined to enjoy. In other words, when one gives without that good state of mind, one can still become rich, but would not be inclined to enjoy the wealth fully. Perhaps you know of certain people who are very wealthy, yet can't bring themselves to fully enjoy their wealth. Their family members might help them in that department though.So, instead of just doing plain dana, why not be accomplished in generosity (cagasampada)? This is one of the four accomplishments that the Buddha repeatedly spoke about to lay people:

What is being accomplished in generosity? Here, a family man dwells at home with a mind free from the stain of stinginess, freely generous, open-handed, delight in relinquishing, responsive to requests, delight in giving and sharing. This is called being accomplished in generosity. (AN 4:61, 8:49, 54, 76)

In simpler words, it means just being happy to give. This kind of giving is one that is motivated by pure intentions: no greed, no anger, no delusion, no fear. Therefore, it feels good, it feels light, it feels right. It's the best way to give. By being genuinely generous, by being accomplished in generosity, you can then be truly regarded as a master of giving (danapati).

While plain dana can be meritorious, dana that is motivated by caga (generosity) is so much greater. If you wish to do dana as a parami for the attainment of enlightenment and Nibbana, then this is the kind of dana that you want to do, because this is the kind of dana that relinquishes, and thus helpful to the attainment of Nibbana, the complete ending of suffering.

So basically there are two kinds of giving: one that binds you, and one that frees you. Which kind would you want to do?

Conclusion

Hope you see what I'm trying to point out, that is, giving is not necessarily an act of generosity. It's not even necessarily done out of good intentions. Having generosity however means that you are prompted to give for the benefit of the recipient, not your own; and that's the kind of giving that is truly beneficial to both the giver and the recipient.

May you be accomplished in generosity for the benefit of the many, including yourself, and so that it conduces to your ultimate freedom.

Video Introduction to Buddhism

Human Life - Last Dhama Talk by Chief Priest, Maha Vihara 7-7-2006

This is Ven Dhammananda very last dhamma talk at the Maha Vihara given on
the 7th July 2006 and he came as always when they rang the bell at 8.10pm into the PH Henry hall but this time in his wheel chair.


*Human Life ( last talk by Chief Priest , Maha
Vihara, 7.7.2006)*

"Dear devotees actually I never thought I would have
the chance to see and talk to you, half of my body
is dead, but my heart, my mind still has energy.
What is this diseased body, is it life ? Its not
life, it is the house, life is the energy, mental,
khammic and cosmic all joined together as "energy "
that is life .

Body is decayed and life goes away. Actually we must
be happy when time comes to depart without
suffering, to crave so much for the body, we spend
our whole life decorating it, looking after it ,
one day it decays and when energy and the elements
dissipate then mental energy will build another
house. Life started with mental energy and then
birth occurs. Every single child cries, none smiles
after birth. LIfe is suffering. We are using whole
amounts of energy to maintain this physical body,
but one day we have to depart. Then leaves solidity
and fluidity ~ 2 elements only, heat and motion has
gone .

Christians and Muslims are particular about the body
as they believe in resurrection, we do not believe
that there is anything in this physical body. Spend
thousands on funerals, but the departed never get
anything. Only way to support the departed, you must
know how to make use of this life, that is why
religion is needed to help us to cultivate
compassion, sympathy and kindness and supporting
others .

David Morris (*no idea who he is *) sent me a
letter, he said there are 2 reasons to be happy as
an old man, (1) he will be free from pain and
suffering. (2) Ever since he became a Buddhist he
has tried his best to maintain and uphold the 5
precepts, if there is another life it won't be an
unfortunate one as he departs with confidence .

In the end the dying man takes no solace in dancing
and singing , only through meritorious deeds will
you get confidence and this will support the khammic
energy in the rebirth. We must know how to handle
life, by doing service to others to help release
their suffering. Many die with fear and confusion in
mind, can't take rebirth in upper realm. Meditation
is important to maintain purity. Prince Siddharta,
when he was born, there were 5 astrologers invited
to predict his fate. 4 said that he would either
grow up to be a sage or universal monarch. Last one
said definitely a sage.

When craving and attachment is completely removed,
mind is then completely pure. This body is not life.
Its a house built by energy and 4 cosmic elements.
Unfortunately in the past 2500 years, Buddhists in
Asia have introduced a lot of rites and rituals,
never introduced by the Buddha. Just keep away from
evil by reducing anger, jealousy, enmity, try to do
meritorious deeds, try to develop the mind through
understanding. Try to purify the mind.

If you are cruel, hot tempered or stingy try your
best to take this out. If you pray to God to take
this out do you think God can do that? Buddha can't
also, but he can tell you how to do that. War is
declared by the human mind, peace also comes from
our minds, not from heaven nor from God.

In Buddhism, first by understanding without
believing, when you develop a right understanding,
then you can carry on a religious way of life. When
you doubt, you must think and investigate, then
accept or reject. Other religions say if there is
doubt, then God will punish you.

All over the world different schools have sprung up
and they follow their own traditions which they have
maintained for a long time. Buddha had rejected old
traditions, but it was introduced to the primitive
narrow minded people. People in Asian countries
don't study the dharma.

Next do Good. Reduce the anger and do something to
train the mind through right understanding. Change
the mind, through your own experience you can
understand what is right and wrong .

I have been in Malaysia for 53 years, used to have
even no room to sleep. The Chinese were the main
Buddhists here and through Buddhist societies we
made them understand what Buddhism is.

My mind mental and life energy is still active but I
am half way dead, you must know how to do this.
Although the end of my life is now near, I have no
fear. Arahants can disconnect mind from body to
experience nibbanic bliss and at that time you
cannot tell if they are dead or alive, their bodies
are still warm and their complexions will remain
ruddy. They can do that for 1 week at the most .

Remember there are 4 kinds of happiness :

(1) Happiness of Possession - In owing your own
property, your house, land, business, bank account.

(2) Happiness of Enjoyment - Using what you have
earned you can enjoy good food, nice house, nice
dress without abusing bluffing cheating others.

(3) Happiness of Debtlessness - Try best not to
borrow from others , spend within your own means ,
you gain self respect .

(4) Happiness of Blamelessness - Try to lead life
without doing harm to anybody .

These 4 kinds of happiness must be with you. Don't
be lazy do some work, do not neglect what you have
earned maintain and protect what you have earned,
then you can decide what to do including adopting a
Buddhist way of life up to becoming an arahant, know
how to adjust your way of life, how to associate
with others. Who are they? Associate with good
people, not harmful, wicked people. Support your
father and mother, look after your wife and
children. Don't neglect relatives, help them.
Develop your mind to the extent that you are not
shaken by the 8 winds of change ~ praise/blame,
fame/shame, gain/loss, pleasure/pain and treat all
the same. Then
at this stage nothing will affect you."

--
All meetings end in partings
That which rises must fall
That which is collected will be dispersed
Birth ends with death

"It is easy enough to be pleasant when life flows by like a song. But the
man worthwhile is one who will smile when everything goes dead wrong."
---Ella Wheeler Wilcox
--
Sabbe dhamma nalam abhinivesaya
All phenomena should NOT be clung to as "I", "My" or "Mine".

Question & Answer, Ven. K. Sri Dhammananda

Question: Why is incense offered to the Buddha?

Dear Master,

It has been great benefit and blessings to me to be able to buy most of the
books authored by you. I had taken the Triple Gems for almost 10 years now
but due to family commitment, was never able to find time to attend even a
single Dharma talk. I could only read from your books and gain much
knowledge from it. Your contributions that touch down in the hearts and
humble level understanding of laymen like me is truly highly commendable.

I would be grateful if you can tell me if this is one of the true and
amusing facts in the Buddha's life.

An ex-colleague's husband who was a Buddhist once undertook a recluse life
in one of the temples in Thailand for a month. Beside the Sangha life he
experienced as well as learning to chant and practice the code of conduct,
they were also taught about the Life of the Buddha. He told me that it is
actually not necessary to burn incense for the Buddha for it was a wrong
idea being brought down by folks during the Buddha's time.

The story goes like this. One day Buddha was residing under a tree doing
his meditation as usual. As the place was in bad condition, it was infested
with flies and mosquitoes everywhere. In order not to kill the insects one
of the 5 precepts - Do not kill) that hounded Him, he burnt some incense so
as to ward off the insects with its smoke. At that time, a few folks at the
nearby village was passing by and saw Buddha's actions at a distant and
from then, the thought of burning incense was passed down up till now.

I don't know how true this is but I find it really amusing and presume that
the folks actually didn't see clearly what the Buddha was trying to avoid.
I hope you would not feel offensive about it.

My apologies if my message has been intruding.

With Metta

XXXXXXXXX

Answer: 

Dear XXXXXXXXX, 

At the outset, greetings of peace, happiness, good health and long life to
your goodself and your family.

I am certainly amused by the story you just shared. The Buddha certainly did
not light incense to keep away insects. The practice of offering incense and
flowers is an ancient Indian practice to pay homage to great teachers. This
practice was adopted by Buddhists in ancient India as it is a good and
valuable practice.

The Buddha certainly did not need incense to keep the insects away as one
who has achieved Enlightenment can allow one's body to be subject to decay,
pain, etc but will not allow one's mind to disturbed by it. The Buddha went
forth fearlessly to tame the intoxicated elephant; Nalagiri, the bandit;
Angulimala, to mediate between two warring countries, etc. He certainly did
not need to be afraid of insects biting him.

This story related to you must have been misunderstood by the person who
related the story or the person who taught your friend's husband.

With the Blessings of the Noble Triple Gem.

Yours in the Dhamma,

Ven. K. Sri Dhammananda

Buddhist Musician in Appeal to Hostage Takers

The following was extracted from National Politics News (Korea English Version)

"The world is one. Why have to fight, why have to kill, make this heaven to hell? God! What he wants is peace of mankind."

"Song for Taliban" made by the Korean doctor and Buddhist musician Lee Jin-ho is spreading rapidly on the Internet with its message of peace for the captors of 21 Korean hostages in Afghanistan.

The video clip of the song, which first appeared on the Korean UCC site Pandora TV, features pictures of pastor Bae Hyung-kyu and Shim Sung-min, two hostages killed by the Taliban. It also features pictures of surviving hostages, with the caption, "Song about the invisible wall between us". Tranquil guitar music accompanies Lee's voice. The clip also includes the English lyrics on sheets of paper written by Lee and Korean subtitles.

This video was made by Lee's band, Yasodara. Lee is also a physician running a diet clinic in Seoul. “Greed and Desire in Holy disguise should not justify all the violence... Almost every war comes of religion, comes of faith," he sings.



A video clip of "Song for Taliban" written and sung by the physician and Buddhist musician Lee Jin-ho posted on YouTube(www.youtube.com).

Memorial Service - Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival

On 11th and 12th August, Kajang Buddhist Center (KBC) had organized a Memorial Service in conjunction with the 14th Day, 7 Month of the Lunar Calendar also known as "Hungry Ghost Festival"

The below is a extract according to Chinese Legend on how did this festival came about

Chinese legend has it that a long time ago, there lived a young man, Mu Lian and his widowed mother. His mother was a wicked woman. She often turned away beggars who came to her door asking for food. She liked to jeer at the working poor and their dirty clothes; in essence, the only person she cared about was herself.

Mu Lian on the other hand was a kind soul. He was a gentle person and always willing to help anybody who was in need. One day he decided to become a monk and this did not please his mother. She scowled at him for being such a useless son; she wanted him to go out and work to earn more money for her. Wealth and materialistic things meant more to her than anything else.

When she saw that she could not dissuade her son, a plan began to hatch in her mind. She decided to play a trick on the monks just to get back at them for taking away her son. Now it was the custom to offer food to the monks (this custom still exists to this very day), but only vegetarian food. Mu Lian’s mother thought that it was nonsensical that these monks did not eat meat, so one day she offered food to some monks and slipped in some non-vegetarian items According to one version of the story, the wicked woman was punished immediately and was sent to hell. Mu Lian wanted to save his mother’s soul because he knew her soul was suffering.

He set out and ventured deep into the bowels of hell. Soon he came upon his mother and he saw that she was sitting a bed of very sharp pointy stakes and was holding on to a basin of blood.

Mu Lian tried feeding her some food but the food would either turn into fire or blood. It was hopeless: he couldn’t do anything for her so he left. He returned home and started to pray.

It is said that Buddha heard Mu Lian’s prayers and was touched by Mu Lian’s compassion. Thus Buddha decreed that once a year, the gates of hell be opened so that the lost souls will be able to roam the earth and be fed. This is why every year on the seventh day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar, the Chinese celebrate the festival of the hungry ghost. This is one of five major festivals in the Chinese culture.

Food and drink will be offered at night outside the gates of houses. This is so that the ghosts do not enter their houses and cause trouble. A traditional food made for this festival is steamed sweet bread. Lanterns are lit to help guide the ghosts to the feasts set out for them. Special paper money is also burned as offerings to these ghosts so that they can take it back to hell and spend it there. To make sure that these souls stay out of trouble, entertainment is set up round the clock, mainly Chinese operas performed on outdoor stages.

From the Theravada Buddhist practices there is some similarity with a monk Mogallana and his mother whereby on the advice of The Buddha on performing a meritorious deed, Mogallana could then transfer the merits to his mother who was suffering in hell.

Members and the public came to KBC to chant the Suttas led by 4 monks whereby transference of merits to the dearly departed are performed.

Monks leading the chanting of Suttas

Members Chanting the Suttas mindfully

Symbolic offering of food and lighting candles

The tying of blessed yellow string on the right hand which serves to remind us to observe the 5 precepts.