The Importance of Expressions

Transcription

1 Issue No.36 April 2014 The Importance of Expressions motion. So we need to be active to show others that we are alive. The Discourses of the Buddha [Agama Sutras] state that there are five kinds of inhumanity: People are creatures of expression and emotion. Through our facial expressions, others know what is on our minds. Even without showing anger or joy on our faces, our tone of voice and body language can reveal to others what we are thinking. However, some people neither gesture nor speak. Their stony faces betray no sign of life at all. Though they are alive, others might as well take them as dead. People describe individuals without expression, voice, or gestures as zombies or the living dead. Their lives are utterly lifeless. Their sad state is so unfortunate that even heaven and earth feel sorry for them! In the circus, clowns act funny to win the laughter of the audience. But if we respond without expression, speech, or applause, we are no better than the clowns. Even toddlers learn to please the grown-ups around them with a cute move or a funny face. Can we not do better ourselves? When we are filled with inhibitions, our wooden faces are so forbidding that it looks as if the whole world has wronged us and owes us a great deal. Paying back others enthusiasm with a cold shoulder is very cruel indeed. We live in a world of sounds. So we need to speak up loudly. This is the age of colors. So we need to smile, for smiles are colorful. This is also the age of 1. When a person ought to be compassionate, he/she is not. 2. When a person ought to feel joy, he/she does not. 3. When a person ought to speak, he/she does not. 4. When a person should be moved, he/she feels nothing. 5. When a person should be active, he/she is not. Even the Buddha was helpless when faced with such inhumanity. When we see a cat, it meows at us. When we come across a dog, it wags its tail. According to some research, even plants grow better and flowers bloom prettier when talked to and praised. They display the best of their beauty to repay the attention they receive. As humans, how can we afford to be without expression? Facial expressions are very important. The expression of the Buddha is always one of compassion. That of bodhisattvas is intimate and warm. Arhats also carry a countenance of wisdom. Even ascetic monks have expressions. Theirs is one of making vows. When the modern scholar, Hu Shi, was teaching others how to write, he said, A good piece of writing expresses feelings and emotions. When both are well-expressed, it is excellent writing. For those who have no expression, please smile, talk, and feel the joy of life, for your own sake as well as for that of others. (adapted from Tending Life s Garden, between Ignorance and Enlightenment VI, published by Buddha s Light Publishing) 1

2 A month of Environmental and Spiritual Preservation After the Chinese New Year celebrations, Nan Tien Temple prepared for both an environmental and spiritual cleanup with Clean Up Day Australia on March 2nd with close to 100 participants, followed by two days of cleaning the buddhas in the main shrine on March 22nd ~23rd. Over forty volunteers of all ages mindfully cleaned the buddhas whilst cleaning their worries away. While cleaning away, 12 guidelines for environmental and spiritual preservation promoted by Venerable Master Hsing Yun were kept in mind: (1) Speak quietly do not disturb others. (2) Keep the ground clean do not litter. (3) Keep the air clean do not smoke or pollute. (4) Respect oneself and others do not commit any violence. (5) Be polite do not intrude on others. (6) Smile do not face others with an angry expression. (7) Speak kindly do not utter abusive words. (8) Follow the rules do not seek exemptions or privileges. (9) Mind your actions do not violate rules of ethics. (10) Consume consciously do not waste. (11) Be grounded do not live aimlessly. (12) Practice kindness do not create malice. Mindfully cleaning the buddhas Qingming Ancestor Dharma Service Besides the cleanup, Guanyin Bodhisattva Dharma Service, Qingming Ancestral Dharma services, as well as blessings for babies and seniors took place to bring peace and spiritual refreshment for those who seek it throughout the month of March. Guanyin Bodhisattva Light Offering Dharma Service Rachel briefing after the Seniors Week blessing A flower offering to the buddhas Receiving a blessing at the Baby blessing 2

3 Revival of YADventure Joey Wai shares the fun and inspirations at YADventure... The last weekend of March (29th& 30th) marked the revival of YADventure after 5 years since its launch in The idea was to gather all six committees of BLIAYAD (Buddha s Light International Association Young Adult Division) in Sydney together to share experiences and more importantly to network and build fellowship whilst learning Buddhism. Thirty young adults gathered atyadventure to learn about the importance of Buddhism, Buddhist etiquette and BLIAYAD, in terms of its history, protocols, and structure. In addition, the White Elephant Program (a set of guidelines to follow in learning Buddhism and its application) was introduced. One of the highlights of YADventure was the Earth Hour session where the participants sat together in the dimly lit atmosphere from the candles, shared their personal and individual application of Buddhism in their lives. Another highlight was a fun interactive game of Who or What am I? where participants had to guess the object or person written on a piece of paper stuck to their backs through yes and no responses from their peers, and then gathering in small groups to share what they understood of the historical Buddhist figure or Buddhist object. The participants were privileged to have several Reverends of Nan Tien Temple share their insights, piquing their interest, and raising their awareness and understanding of Buddhism. In one instance, Reverend Jue Wei shared about how she came to know Master Hsing Yun through a bowl of noodles, and how Buddhism made her a better person. Even the act of picking up litter everyday provided an opportunity to see who she was, and reflecting on her reactions to what was happening around her. She posed two questions to the participants: Why Buddhism is important to you? and What s the most important thing in your life now other than survival? For many, the reasons for Buddhism fell into the following categories: Guideline Happiness and Identity (searching for identity, finding self, life, home, etc). The priorities were primarily relationships with family and friends. From the responses, we can see that we look to Buddhism for guidance and to gain happiness. Through Buddhism we find ourselves and in turn, it helps us with the relationships we have with our family and friends. Reverend Jue Wei concluded by reminding the participants the concept of one in all and all in one. This concept can be found in the Museum of Nan Tien Temple, where boundless Indra lights are reflected in one crystal ball. Reverend Jue Ning, the superintendent of Nan Tien Temple, shared a story about a veteran who had lost a leg and had wanted to go to the mountain to make a wish, as he had heard that wishes were granted at the special mountain. He went to the mountain as he hobbled past the village, the villagers gossiped about him and made snide remarks that he ll probably wish for his other leg to be made whole. He heard their on-going criticisms and finally responded that he did not wish for another leg but instead he wished to know how to stand on this earth with one leg. This is a concept of Buddhism. We need to have strength to accept ourselves and learn how to make ourselves happy. In real life, we tend to forget our connection with Buddhism because we don t practice enough. In the session BLIAYAD & I, the questions of what does YAD (short for BLIAYAD) mean to the participants. Through exploration of the benefits of joining YAD, many of the participants concluded that YAD is a community of likeminded people, and a place where they can learn about life, people, communication, skills such as organizational skills, leadership and teamwork. For some, it is where they have built great friendships and have grown together, and it is a home where they return to recharge and be supported on the journey to learn Buddhism. The other benefits of joining the group were having a sense of belonging, connecting with people who allow people to be who they are, forgiving them when they make mistakes, and giving them second chances. YADventure ended shortly after 1.5 days and was deemed successful when participants provided feedback that they wished it went on for longer. Edited by Meich Chua 3

4 Three Acts of Goodness Schools in Action Do Good Deeds, Say Good Words, Think Good Thoughts To encourage the promotion of the Three Acts of Goodness, Nan Tien Institute proposed a Three Acts of Goodness School Program for primary and high schools to promote the virtues of compassion, mutual respect and tolerance and the spread of joy and love to all corners of society. On 20 March, Nan Tien Institute went to Caringbah North Primary School to award the first Three Acts of Goodness School. On 4th April, Wakehurst Public School presented their the Three Acts of Goodness Tree, art work, and writings on how the students do good deeds, say good words, and think good thoughts. The auditorium was filled with creativity and joy to see the children sharing goodness around and inspiring other children to do so. The program hopes to provide students with artistic activities through which to improve their artistic skills and promote acts of goodness; it is hoped that students can be inspired to live with these good principles, practicing mutual respect and tolerance; and, actualise the Three Acts of Goodness. For more information about the project, please visit Nan Tien Institute website at Inaugural NSW Interfaith Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast On 6 March early in the morning, Venerables Juewei and Miaoyou represented Venerable Master Hsing Yun, founder of Fo Guang Shan, at the inaugural event. Organised by the Australian Catholic University, 200 MPs and religious representatives filled the tables for a time of sharing and mutual understanding. There were interfaith prayers and readings from Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Roman Catholic. Venerable Juewei represented the Buddhist faith with a Prayer for the Nation by Venerable Master. Governor-General Peter Cosgrove gave an address on Faith and Leadership and said, this was an occasion to celebrate our higher conviction, confirming our fundamental worth and our generosity of spirit. For the Australian society to thrive, General Cosgrove believed that the nation had to return to its value of trusting human nature, belief in the nation and faith in your religion. 4

5 Litter Lessons There s more to picking up litter than meets the eye, writes Venerable Jue Wei For about a year now, I have been picking up litter around the temple grounds. Initially, it was just something to do with my spare time. Then I began to notice that the Abbess turned to me whenever the gardens lookeduntidy. My voluntary effort had suddenly become my job. It was a jobi happily accepted, allowing me to continue the tradition of daily chores after breakfast. It is also my personal practice time. The wise sages designed a way of life for monastics to begin the day, and I have learned the benefits of this ritual. Initially, I was disturbed to see so much stuff just lying around. There were cigarette butts, used tissues, bottles and cans, plastic cutlery, candy wrappers, used baby nappies, shoes and various decorative items. I lamented the low hygiene standards of our visitors, and the pervasiveness of litterbugs. However, my negative thoughts soon gave way to more positive views. These litterers allowed me to pick up lots of merit! As I gripped each piece of rubbish, I tried to restore its sense of self-respect. Now it will rest in a bag, instead of being out in the open. It will be recycled, and continue on another phase of its journey. Lessons in impermanence and no-self are immediate; the nature of matter is empty. I am also teaching myself to be more environmentally conscious. Between me and a piece of rubbish may be an intricate spider web, making it necessary for me to take a different path toavoid tearing down the spider s home and food source. I truly believe thatpicking up litter has helped strengthen my practice of compassion and patience. Recently, we ve started Nan Tien Heroes. One of their tasks is picking up litter after dinner. The team is finding Dharma joy in this simple chore, and sharing it on Facebook. May they continue to find the Dharma in the temple, and may their resolve continue to grow. A surprising turn came when I couldn t find enough litter to fill a bag. Defiled thoughts began to arise. I desired litter, and missed it when it wasn t there! The teachings of the Diamond Sutra now came in handy. I learned not to abide in litter, or no litter. Soon, I taught myself to be equally content with its presence orabsence. I also learned to examine it. A piece of used tissue, for example, beganits life cleanand neatly packaged. It probably briefly enjoyed the gratefulness of its user,before being abandoned in the street. Response to Litter Lessons Dear Reverend Jue Wei Reflections of our Nan Tien Heroes Joey: Thank you for reminding me that working at the temple isn t just work, but is more a place of cultivation. The team of Nan Tien Heroes is definitely growing, with members from 6 years old to adults. Stacey: The values of Humanistic Buddhism are very much alive and exemplified in the stories you tell. I am always very much in awe of your skill at finding the extraordinary teachings in very ordinary everyday encounters and objects. Sarah: It s great having an insight into how you experience things.i enjoy our Nan Tien Heroes time because, in those moments, everything slows down. Simply living in the moment and enjoying the quiet company of good friends. 5

6 Working Bee On the 15th March, the usually quiet Gandha Hall was buzzing with lively energy as more than 20 BBEP volunteers worked hard to tie up any loose ends before the final dress rehearsal and launch on 5 April. The gathering kicked off with Ven. Jue Wei s progress report. The animated timeline and triptych would have to be the highlight of the show. Who could imagine a triptych and a timeline drawn by our American Artist Nancy Cowardin would both come alive with the emperor nodding his head, while a noble-looking white horse carrying the statue of the Buddha galloped into the forefront of the triptych painting. The 2D timeline on the other hand came alive with the use of animated effects, which demonstrated vividly the spread of Buddhism from India to the world today. We are looking for Sponsors and Volunteers. Please let us know if you will be able to help BBEP go on a roadshow around Australia by contributing financially or in kind. bbep2013@gmail.com The gorgeous baby karma T-Shirt was unveiled as well as the beautifully designed Dharma Cards. Of course, the curator of the exhibition marquee, Sofan Chan did not disappoint the crowd with her presentation of some clever ideas on making portable displays which will allow BBEP to go on road show in less than a month s time. No birthday celebration will be complete without a party. Louise and her team came up with the most fun-filled activities that even adults will be tempted to join in. 6

7 Nan Tien Temple May ~ June 2014 Upcoming Events Date Time Activities Venue 5/4~15/5 Tues~Sun 9am~5pm Tea Pots Exhibition Museum 10~11/5 Sat~Sun 9am~4pm Buddha's Birthday & Mother's Day Celebrations Darling Harbour Sydney 21/5~21/7 Tues~Sun 9am~5pm The Beauty of Nan Tien Photography Exhibition Hai Hui Hall 04/05~22/06 Sun 2~4pm Sunday Children Fun Program* Nan Tien Temple 17/05~21/06 Sat 2~4pm Dunhuang Dance Class* Nan Tien Temple From 18/05 Every Sunday 10:30~11:30am Self Development & Cultivation* Nan Tien Temple 04/06~09/07 Wed 6:30~7:30pm Basic Buddhism* Nan Tien Temple 04/06~09/07 Wed 7:30~9:00pm Meditation (Beginners)* Nan Tien Temple 04/06~09/07 Wed 7:30~9:00pm Meditation (Intermediate)* Nan Tien Temple 06/06~11/07 Fri 5:30~6pm Tai Chi Introduction* Nan Tien Temple 14~15/06 Fri 4~5pm Tai Chi (continuation & refinement)* Nan Tien Temple 7/06 Sat 2pm 8/06 Sun 1pm Power of the Mind** Dharma Talk by Ven. Yi Kong Meditation in Daily Life** Dharma Talk by Ven. Yi Kong Chatswood Concourse Civil Pavilion 21/06 Sat 9~4pm One Day Meditation Retreat* Nan Tien Temple *Requires registration, contact for more information or to register online at **Tickets at Nan Tien Temple and IBAA Sydney branches. For more info on locations, visit 7

8 The road to an enlightened education EDUCATING LEADERS OF TRANSFORMATION Australia s first government-accredited tertiary institution grounded in Buddhist values and wisdom New courses Master of Arts Health and Social Wellbeing (HSW) NTI s new Health and Social Wellbeing program will start at the end of April This Master of Arts program has nested Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma Certifications. It is designed to prepare graduates to promote health and wellness in their own lives and the lives of other individuals and groups in the broader community. English Language Centre (ELC) NTI s new ELC provides quality-assured programs run by highly qualified and experienced teachers, conveniently located in Sydney s CBD. NTI understands the unique needs of international English language students. Upcoming International Conference Mindfulness, Education and Transformation Conference Centre, Nan Tien Temple, Wollongong, Australia The NTI Postgraduate Department of Buddhist Studies is holding its first International Conference Mindfulness, Education and Transformation in partnership with the University of Ljubljana s Faculty of Education, this September 5-7. The key theme of this conference is the application of mindfulness in education, focussing on both theoretical and practical issues, as well as on the benefits, outcomes and implications of the introduction of mindfulness in education. Endorsed Teacher Program NTI s new BOSTES (NSW Government Board of Studies Teaching & Educational Standards) accredited Mindfulness program has been designed specifically for Teachers to develop new techniques to incorporate into their teaching practice. Business Leadership Courses NTI s vision is to be recognised as Australia s most unique university providing innovative programs across a broad range of faculties. Future developments include: Business Undergraduate Degree Master of Business Leadership Master of Intelligent Technology Masters by Research Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) -tertiary-research-and-teaching-institute-set-significant-growth Key upcoming dates 28 April-2 May May May 9-13 June HSW SUBJECT Healing Traditions: Buddhism and Psychotherapy HSW SUBJECT Coaching and Counselling for Health and Wellbeing ABS SUBJECT Research Methods of Religious Studies HSW SUBJECT Foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine UNIQUE LEARNING ENHANCED CAREER ENRICHED LIFE Postgraduate Masters Diploma Certificate Short Courses Professional Development APPLIED BUDDHIST STUDIES HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELLBEING ENGLISH LANGUAGE CENTRE The road to an enlightened education ENROL NOW Berkeley Road, Berkeley (Wollongong), NSW Australia 2506 Tel +61 (2) info@nantien.edu.au CRICOS: 03233C ABN: