BLIAQ Newsletter. Upcoming Events. Chung Tian Temple participated in Harmony Day at Griffith University. Harmony Day

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1 Edition 120 May 2017 BLIAQ Newsletter Buddha s Light International Association of Queensland, Australia Chung Tian Buddhist Temple 1034 Underwood Road Priestdale QLD 4127, Australia Website: ibaq@chungtian.org.au Ph: Fax: Upcoming Events 6 May Mother s Day Celebration BBDF Volunteers Fellowship Gathering 10 May Bright Light Dharma Service in Mandarin 14 May- 18 June English Buddhism & Meditation Class Term 2 Children & Teenager s Buddhist Class Term 2 26 May Bright Light Dharma Service in Mandarin 3 June Eight Precepts Retreat in Mandarin June 2017 Siddhartha the Musical (QPAC) Harmony Day Chung Tian Temple participated in Harmony Day at Griffith University On 21 st March, Chung Tian Temple was invited by Rev Dr Russell Briese, Chaplaincy Coordinator of Griffith University to attend the celebration of the Harmony Day at the Griffith University Library. Ven. Miao Xin went on behalf of Abbess Ven. Chueh Shan. In response to the Australian Government to promote Harmony Day activities, Rev Dr Russell Briese explained that Griffith University hoped to enhance the integration of diverse religious cultures. Through the talks of The One Thing I d Do to Promote Harmony by multi-faith representatives, he urged everyone to promote religious harmony. First, John Graham, Senior Learning Assistance Officer of Griffith University cum Aboriginal Representative in his speech paid tribute to the aborigines. Talks on The One Thing I d Do to Promote Harmony were delivered by Rev David Busch on behalf of the Uniting Church in Australia, Gail Paratz representing Judaism, Linda Ward of Pagan, Shaikh Aslam of Islam etc., a total of six representatives. Questions were asked with discussion. On behalf of Buddhism, Ven. Miao Xin introduced briefly the meaning of the Five Precepts in accordance with Venerable Master Hsing Yun s concept of Upholding the Five Precepts to enhance world harmony. Starting from implementing them ourselves, we could influence families, friends and further to societies and countries, resulting in world peace. Other religious representatives expressed ways to promote harmonious society by eating with strangers, modesty, patience, respect and respect everyone s personality. After the meeting, Rev Dr Russell Briese invited the religious representatives to the conference room for the morning tea exchange which allowed everyone to further explain the religious understanding of harmony and express their wish to strive for a harmonious society. On the spot, Rev Dr Russell Briese presented Harmony Day T-Shirt to each representative as gift and everyone was grateful to him for the warm reception. The day s activity was concluded in the joyful atmosphere of religious harmony. Page 1

2 Clean-up Australia day Following are selected photos from Clean-up Australia Day. About 20 people in the group from 3 different branches, Chung Tian, Logan and North participated. Clean up Australia day album in Chung Tian Facebook page Page 2

3 Aussie Bruce Chatting with Siddhartha Gautama While backpacking around India, Bruce heard of a remarkable man who had great insight into the human condition. He found the semi-naked guru sitting cross-legged under a bodhi tree and sat down beside him. G day Sid or do you prefer Arthur? Actually, it s Sakyamuni Buddha since my enlightenment. Sorry, didn t mean to offend. I am not offended, you were not to know. I want to ask you about karma. The wise man nodded slowly: Cause and effect, he said, knowingly. Yeah, that, said Bruce. What is it you desire to understand? I know this chap who s been doing bad things all of his life he s a real bad egg, not a pleasant bone in his body. He robbed my parents of all they had without a sign of regret, and has been the cause of much heartache. Buddha looked silently into Bruce s eyes showing no emotion. Bruce coughed nervously and continued. This chap crossed everyone he came into contact with, but always seemed to come out on top. Now he s a multimillionaire and living a privileged existence. How does karma explain that? You have made a common error of understanding, Buddha said, with a knowing smile. How? Karma simply means for every cause there is an effect. If you are sufficiently aware of this, you can modify your behaviour to influence better outcomes in your life. This chap has had some pretty good outcomes. Only the man himself can judge the efficacy of his behaviour. So, karma doesn t mean if you do good things good things will happen to you? If you do good things in the belief that by doing so you will reap some personal benefit, you have misunderstood karma. Karma is a universal phenomenon not a personal one. A good deed may be influenced by the observation of a bad one. A poor woman is robbed while shopping and you choose to pay for her groceries. Good and bad deeds don t balance out in an individual s life, but only in a universal existence over many lifetimes. How does that help me? I thought what goes around comes around. That is a common misrepresentation of karma, the belief of which is purely selfish. Good is its own reward; you should not expect compensation. Bruce looked disillusioned. He stood up, thoughtful but confused Namaste, he said, bowing respectfully, and slowly walked away. Kenneth J Johnson Page 3

4 The Parameter of Patience under Insult This world is sometimes called the "saha" world. Saha means "to endure." To simply pass our days in this world, there is much that we must learn to endure. To achieve enlightenment in this realm through Buddhist practice requires even more than that, for as Buddhists we must learn not only to endure but also to prosper and thrive spiritually. Patience is an indispensable virtue, for only when we are able to withstand human anger and greed directed toward us will we be able to be of significant benefit to others. The Buddha taught that all delusion springs from the three poisons of greed, anger, and ignorance. While basic Buddhist practice is directed at getting us to overcome these defilements within ourselves, as we progress, we must further learn how to have a positive impact on them as they exist in others. Patience under insult might be called the "forward guard" of this endeavor, for if we are unable to withstand the inevitable malice and unkindness of others, we will never be able to do anyone very much good. Seated alone in meditation we might feel great compassion for all sentient beings in the universe, but if we lack training in the paramita of patience under insult, as soon as we go out into the world and are confronted by someone who is rude or violent toward us, our views may quickly change. The first paramita the paramita of generosity teaches us to reach out to others; the second paramita the paramita of morality teaches us how to restrain ourselves from harming others; and this third paramita the paramita of patience shows us how to endure the inevitable hardships that will arise as we interact with others. In the Sutra of Bodhisattva Precepts, the Buddha is described as "never once becoming even slightly angry with anyone, but always being compassionate, helpful, and deeply aware." The Sutra in Forty-two Sections says: "Who is the most powerful? The one who can be patient under insult, for such a one is free of resentment and is respected by all."the Sutra of Right Mindfulness says: "People who are patient have achieved the best state of mind." The Sutra of Bequeathed Teachings says: "Patience is an even higher virtue than upholding the precepts or ascetic practice, for patience requires greater strength." Patience under insult must not be confused with passivity, weakness, or cowardice, for this virtue is founded on strength and is a manifestation of wisdom. The Sutra of Bequeathed Teachings says: "If you cannot take as much joy from the poison of insult as you would from drinking a sweet nectar, then you cannot be called a wise person who has truly entered upon the way." Venerable Master Hsing Yun Buddism Core Ideas Page 4

5 2017 Term 1 - Meditation, Buddhist & es held at Chung Tian Temple Basic Buddhist & Meditation Class Level: Level 1 Time: 9:00am - 10:00am (Meditation) 10:10am -11:00am(Buddhist talk) Intermediate Buddhist & Meditation Class Level: Level 2 Time: 10:00am - 11:00am(Buddhist talk) 11:10am - 12:00pm (Meditation) Buddhist Book Study & Meditation Class Level: Level 3 Time: 10:00am - 11:00am (Meditation) 11:10am - 12:00pm (Buddhist talk) Advanced Buddhist Study & Meditation Class Level: Level 4 (Free for BLIAQ members) Time: 10:00am -11:00am (Meditation) 11:10am - 12:00pm(Buddhist talk) Cost: $20 per term booking is required To book for the Buddhist classes, an application form must be completed and returned to the Chung Tian Temple s reception together with full payment at least a week prior to the course commence date. For all enquiry please contact on Tuesday to Sunday, or ibaq@chungtian.org.au or see Thank you Day: Every Wednesday Time: 9.30am 11.00am Day: Every Saturday Time: 9.00am 10.30am Bodhi Class For Children Ages: 3-12 years Sunday: 10.00am am Cost: $20 per term Every 2nd & 4th child from the same family will be free. Children are taught Buddhist morals and ethics in a nurturing environment. Lessons are backed by fun activities which include: simple meditation, children s tai chi, Buddhist stories and virtues, craft activities and team-building games. Buddha Quotes Time: 8.30am 10.00am Teenager s Buddhist Class Ages: years Sunday: 10.00am am Cost: $20 per term Every 2nd & 4th child from the same family will be free. The intermediate Dharma class builds on and expands the basic foundations of Buddhist learning, aiming for a practical approach and solutions to challenges issues faced by young people today. Greater in battle than the man who would conquer a thousand-thousand men, is he who would conquer just one himself. Better to conquer yourself than others. When you've trained yourself, living in constant self-control, neither a deva nor gandhabba, nor a Mara banded with Brahmas, could turn that triumph back into defeat. An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind. Whatever a monk keeps pursuing with his thinking and pondering, that becomes the inclination of his awareness. There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills. Date Day Time Program 10:30am Mother s Day Celebration 6 May 2017 Sat 12:00noon BBDF Volunteers Fellowship Gathering 10 May 2017 Wed 11:00am Bright Light Dharma Service in Mandarin 26 May 2017 Fri 11:00am Bright Light Dharma Service in Mandarin 3 June 2017 Sat 8:30 am-5:00pm Eight Precepts Retreat (in Mandarin ) 9 June 2017 Fri 11:00am Bright Light Dharma Service in Mandarin June 2017 Fri-Sat 7:30pm Siddhartha the Musical (QPAC) Every Sunday 9:00am 9:40am English Buddhist Chanting Every Saturday 10:30am 12noon Buddhist Service (in Mandarin) Page 5