LOTUS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JOURNAL OF THE BIRMINGHAM BUDDHIST VIHARA ISSUE No.47 SUMMER 2017 1
The pagoda symbolises the peace, compassion and other exemplary qualities of the Buddha. It was in 1985 when Venerable Dr. Rewata Dhamma first wrote to the Birmingham City Council asking for a suitable building that could be adapted or for land on which to build the pagoda. However, it was only in 1990 that Osler Street site was offered by the council to build the pagoda. Venerable Dr. Rewata Dhamma decided that it should be known as the Dhammatalaka Pagoda: the Reservoir of Truth. The construction of the Dhammatalaka Pagoda has only been made possible by a large number of people working over a long period, to all of whom we are grateful. Dhammatalaka Peace Pagoda was successfully built and opened in 1998 and by July 2018, the pagoda will have reached its 20 th anniversary. Due to its aging, it is now need tender and care from all of us. With our deepest respect to our founder Dr. Rewata Dhamma and his devotees who had worked very hard, it is now our duty to look after the pagoda, ensuring its structural stability and continue to spread Buddhism many more years to come. Just like when our parents are getting older and need our support, do we ignore them? No we don t. We look after them as much as we can. According to Buddha s teaching, paying respect and taking care of our parents are highest blessings one can receive. Donations Received for Pagoda Repair Name Amount Drs YT Aung & YS Aung 100 Drs. Kyaw Zeya & YY Win 500 Mr Ralph Sanders 250 Drs So Pye & Kathy Saw 100 T Bencze & May Sandar 100 Drs Kyaw Zin Cho & TT Win 50 Dr Thein Tun Ohn & Theta Than 300 Below is our Pagoda s health status report. Due to the continual deterioration that comes with time, the pagoda is in dire need of repair and maintenance. Flashing and field areas are aged; brittle and torn. Numerous cracks/ splits (no ingress visible) within the aged, upstand laps are peeling., flashings not dressed to the surrounding wall correctly not allowing for expansion and contraction. Mortar to up stand flashings is missing in places and perished in others. The existing elevation roofs are very old and deteriorating various patches with flash band, silicon, bitumen & paint sealants. There are numerous areas throughout, various moss/ lichen forming on the main field area of the roof, this will compromise the water shedding. Rain water outlet details are retaining water as a result in debris from the roofs and surrounding trees. The underside of the roof will not meet current building regulations as the area is insufficiently insulated, this will need to be upgraded where applicable. Main area of flat roof is very soft and bouncy. If we don t pay our attention, will it survive to continue to fulfil its three purposes: it will be a shrine for Buddhists to perform their traditional ceremonies; a focus where non- Buddhists can learn about Buddhism; and a sanctuary where both may find peace and tranquility? It will cost approximately 25,000 to do the roof skeleton construction. Therefore we would kindly ask your help and support for the pagoda Major Renovation. Work has already started with the repair of the roof, electric systems and heating. We plan to finish this renovation before Jul 2018 so that we can all celebrate our Pagoda s 20 th Anniversary happily together. Donation can be made by cash or cheque. ( payable to Birmingham Buddhist Vihara). Birmingham Buddhist Vihara, 29/31 Osler St. Ladywood Birmingham, B16 9EU Phone: 0121 454 6591 Website: http://www.bbvt.org.uk 2
. Birmingham Buddhist Vihara Trust 29/31 Osler Street, Birmingham B16 9EU 0121 454 6591 www.birminghambuddhistvihara.org 5 February 2017 Linda Tomlinson, 1937-2017 To Linda s family, We Trustees at Birmingham Buddhist Vihara were saddened when Linda had to leave Birmingham and with it the institution to whose development she had contributed so much over the years. We realise, though, that this enabled her to die surrounded by the love of her family, which always meant so much to her. Among other things, she is particularly remembered for her editorship of The Lotus Review, which was valuable in drawing our community together, coming out regularly since 2001. She was also a conscientious, dependable trustee, and a hardworking secretary to the Trust, serving in the time of both our senior monks. Linda was generous in devoting her time and effort by putting her editing skills to work in many other ways, such as helping prepare books written by Dr Rewata Dhamma and Dr Uttaranayana for publication, and in particular superintending the large special edition of Lotus dedicated to Dr Rewata Dhamma following his death in 2004. Having so much cause to remember Linda with gratitude and affection, you may be assured that our thoughts are therefore with you at this time. With our deepest sympathy Ven Dr Uttaranyana and BBVT trustees Rosalinda Lucia Filomena Graham was born in 1937 in Ayr, Scotland, to an Italian mother and English father and grew up with her younger sister Elena in a village in Yorkshire. She found the Birmingham Buddhist Vihara in Edgbaston and at last a spiritual teacher, Dr Rewata Dhamma. She developed her practice, attending regular meditation meetings, and took great joy in giving Dana. Linda had always had a very generous nature. In 10th July 2003, UN Buddha relics visited to Peace Pagoda and Linda took the robe together with Ann Lovelock, Ellen, Khin Myo Thant for a period as a nun at the Vihara and was reluctant to stop. From that time she kept her robes at home and directed that they were to be buried with her, hoping that she would have a renewed opportunity in her next rebirth. She passed away on the 19 February this year with her daughters by her side. John Beard, Mar Mar, Lwin,Suraj Lal, Moira Zeya, Keith Jones, Chit Ko Ko, Ann Lovelock 3
Dear Dad, Hope you enjoyed reading my previous letter. Today is a very special day for me as I will receive my award for the completion of my Diploma in Buddhist Studies at the Birmingham Buddhist Academy, UK. I wish you could attend this ceremony. Anyway, I will tell you all about my journey to get this Diploma in this letter. When I became a Buddhist, I started listening to Dhamma Talks by different Sayadaws to get better understanding of Buddhism. At that time, I had to travel far to go to work. So I listened to those Dhamma Talks on the way. I ve been doing this daily for two years now and I thoroughly enjoyed it, as it and improved my knowledge significantly. But I didn t feel that was enough as I wanted to learn Buddhism in a more systematic way. So I enquired about the courses that were available and found this Diploma course by asking Birmingham Sayadaw. I thought I would learn about the life of Buddha in this course but when I checked on the Birmingham Buddhist Academy website for the syllabus, Oh my God Dad! It was nothing like I expected. The course included Abhidhamma, Pāli, Meditation and Basic Buddhism. I was really worried as I had absolutely no idea about those subjects. To get entrance into the course, I had to pass the entrance exam and must also meet some academic entry requirements. The course was in English. So I thought I would go ahead in sitting for the entrance exam and take it from there. If I didn t meet the required level, I rather not do the course and wait till I build up my knowledge otherwise I would have not enjoyed the course. I passed the entrance exam and I got entry into course. Still I worried if I could catch up with other students but I decided to give my best shot, Dad. I thought even if I learned just ONE word of 4 17 th July 2016 Buddha s teaching, it would be all worth it for me. So I started the course in 2014. It ran every weekend from 8pm to 10 pm teaching different subjects each day on SKYPE. These online and SKYPE terms must be all new to you Dad as these things were not very popular in your days! Technology is growing so fast nowadays even in Burma. So let me tell you a little bit about online learning. There are different online learning tools but for this course, we used SKYPE. All we need is the internet. We can then register on SKYPE and talk just like we would talk over the phone. However, unlike talking over the phone, we can see each other on video. We can also form a group and have group discussions but we need a strong internet connection or the line can cut off quite often. Every weekend 4 hours during term time is no joke Dad but all the students are so committed to it and I have met new Dhamma friends who are so knowledgeable about Buddhism. I learned so much from them and I felt very fortunate to meet with all those good friends. We are all supported very much by our families; otherwise we wouldn t be able to make this commitment. I will tell you a bit more about each subject, Dad as all those subjects are very interesting in their own way. In Basic Buddhism, I learned about popular Suttas such a Mahaparinibbana Sutta, Dhammacakkappavattana sutta, about Buddhist Councils and much more. These suttas are famous ones and most of the Buddhists are quite familiar with it. For me they were pretty new but the Dhamma Talks I listened to before starting the course helped me quite a lot. But there is a big difference in hearing about these Suttas in Dhamma Talk and reading it by myself exactly as they are written. This led me to so many good websites with a wealth of resources for my Buddhist Studies. I never knew these websites exist before, Dad. How Sad!
I ve got to tell you this Dad. When I read the Mahaparinibbana sutta, which made me cry especially when nearer to the end. You should read it too. In this Sutta, lots of devas and humans were coming to pay their last respect to Lord Buddha with flowers and so on. But Lord Buddha told Venerable Ananda that it was not the best way to pay respect to him. The best way to pay respect to him was by practicing Sīla, Samādi and Paññā through Eight Fold Noble Paths to escape from Sankhara. When I told mum that I became a Buddhist, she asked, whether I could worship the Buddha through my mind and practice his teachings but not to keep the Buddha statue in my house. I told mum that I would worship the Buddha from my mind and practice his teachings but I also wanted to keep the Buddha statue in my house only as a symbol of remembrance and to give me spiritual atmosphere. So I couldn t please mum with her request. I feel sad that some people have the wrong impression that Buddhists worship statues. You can now see what the Lord Buddha told Ananda. I m not too worried about what other religions think as they may not understand the real Buddhist teachings. I am more concerned for those Buddhists who are worshipping Buddha statues or Pagodas to fulfil their wishes. It is not possible that the wishes will always come true by only praying at pagodas. One of my best Dhamma Talk by Sayadaw Dr Nandamala about Su Taung Pye Wa Myat Dhamma states that, our wishes will come true when we have Sīla, Dāna, Samādi, and Paññā. How straight forward and logical is that? And I wouldn t go to pagoda to pray for my wishes. I will go there to remind myself what Lord Buddha taught us and to pay my respect for what he had done for us and his special qualities and powers. Buddhist teaching is all about our mind. If our mind is pure, we will live happily because we have fewer wishes. I guess when we go to pagodas, our mind become purer through peaceful environment. We also do good deeds when we go to pagodas. Therefore, all that pure mind and good deeds must have helped when we made our wishes and more likely to come true. It is so important to understand the truths especially as a good Buddhist to show the world that what the real Buddhism is. Sorry Dad. I lost track a bit. Another subject is meditation. I m more familiar with it through my listening of Dhamma talks but this is the main core of the Buddhist teaching and I cannot say that I understand this fully yet.we also have to do 15 days of meditation retreat as part of the course for our better understanding of the theoretical knowledge. I try to meditate daily as much as I can because this is a MUST DO if you are a Buddhist. I will write to you about my meditation experience in the next letters. Pāli, is the language subject. So we have to learn grammar, vocabulary and simple translation. And I notice that a lot of Burmese words are actually descendant from Pali. It is a very interesting and challenging subject. We all had fun I think. Last subject is the Abhidhamma. What an interesting subject this is. You will never find these kinds of teachings in any other religions. If you claim yourself as a Buddhist and you don t know about Abhidhamma, you would be regarded as a Traditional Buddhist only. So I am not going to miss the biggest opportunity of this life. In Abhidhamma teaching, I come to know the amazing analytical mind of the Buddha and I can t stop paying my respect for that. We ve learned about mind and body in this subject. I was so glad that the first time in my life, I learned about myself, knowing exactly who I am, where I came from and where I would go. I would encourage all Buddhists to learn Abhidhamma as it is the rare opportunity in life. We may not get this chance in future lives. The amount I learned from this course is priceless. I cannot thank enough our teachers (monks) for teaching us with good patience, loving kindness and great effort to make it so enjoyable. And to build up such an organisation as the Buddhist Academy in UK is not an easy task. It involves so much of hard work. I pray that this Academy will continue to prosper by spreading the Buddha s Dhamma, especially in foreign land. So Dad, here I am today completing diploma course and you can imagine how happy and proud I will be. I am very glad that I did this course. Wish you were here. May you rest in peace. Your beloved daughter 5
VIHARA NEWS Educational Visits The number of educational visits to the Pagoda, and the number of students present in each group, has once again continued to rise significantly. Over one hundreds schools and three thousand students visit our Pagoda yearly. In addition to the increasing numbers wishing to visit, it is very reassuring that the student knowledge and understanding of Buddhism prior to their visits is also significantly improving. Dr Nagasena and Ellen Parker help with school visits. For a school visit please contact: Dr Nagasana: uk.suriya@gmail.com Yanda Lovelock : yanda_lovelock@yahoo.co.uk In addition, Jenny has taken over direction of the Buddhist segment of the Ladywood Interfaith Education Programme (LIEP). U Ratthapala is taking care of the Pagoda and vihara. Dr Janaka who got Doctorate from London Kings College is giving an Abhidhamma Lecture to Birmingham Buddhist Academy students. He is also looking after the vihara campus. Dr Mar Mar handles the kitchen. students and other Meditators joined together and studied the Metta Sutta as a guide for universal loving kindness meditation. Bhante Dr Ottaranyna and students also had face to face discussion about the ongoing lessons and term paper preparation. Thank you to BBA students and all donors for offering meals to sangha and meditators. Dinner Set Donation Thanks to Billy & Khine Zar Lynn for 450 worth of dining set donation for Sangahs. Security System Donation Dr Maung Maung Kyi & Daw Tin Tin Ohn, Dr Ye Lynn Hout & Dr Shwe Phyu Thaw donated a CCTV for Vihara security on 26 th March 2017. Dish Washer Donation Dr Swe Win, Dr Thinzar Min and son Maung So Nyan Lynn, Dr Kyi Kyi Nyunt, Dr Moe Thaw Oo, Dr Khing Swe Win and Dr Khin Wit Mhone donated a dish washer for the Vihara on 29 th May 2017. Garden Maintenance Alena and her husband Alan always looking after our garden and all visitors are very happy in our Pagoda. Ko Kyaw Min Lwin and his friends from London always lend a helping hand in every ceremony in our vihara. Thank you to all our gardeners and volunteers. IT systems Supporters Ko Sai Kyaw regularly updates the BBA website and Ko Wunna manages the Vihara website. Laszlo Bencze looks after all computer systems and hardware at Vihara. Birmingham Vihara Electrical tests Sean Griffin did all the required electrical tests throughout all the buildings and recommended where more work is required. Thank you very much Sean for your kind help. Ordination in Peace Pagoda Dr Than Tut and Dr Moe Thant from Mansfield ordained in our Pagoda on the 12 th March 2017. New monks were happy with meditation for one week and to study Buddhism. Volunteers wanted Vihara welcomes everyone who have different skills set and can spare some time to volunteer at vihara and share good deeds. Devotee days There is an opportunity for devotees to offer lunch dana to the monks in the vihara. The event takes place on the first Sunday of each month organized by Mr Gordon and dhamma friends. Four Days Easter Retreat The Easter Retreat took place from 14 th to 17 th April in the Buddhist Academy (Rewata Dhamma hall). BBA 6
Memorial Service Linda, a patron of BBVT was cremated on the 6 th March from 10-11am and her memorial service took place on the same day and time at Birmingham Peace Pagoda. Many of Linda s close friends and family attended the service. Dr Ottara Nyana led the Metta meditation and everyone participated to give their last respect to Linda. She will be missed by all of us. Buddha Day (Vesak) Celebrations 2561 years of Lord Buddha s Mahaparinibbana was celebrated in our Peace Pagoda on the Sunday 14th May. Hundreds of supporters joined the day. BBA students sponsored delicious food and sweets for lunch to Sangahs and guests. The day concluded with paying respects to senior community members. A total amount of approximately 4000 was donated to the Pagoda by the generous supporters. Thank you all. The Civic Buddha Day was also celebrated in Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery on Saturday 13 th May 2017. Presentation of flowers took place, with chanting by Birmingham Buddhist groups in various styles in the New Buddha gallery and a brief talk from the curators. People are also happy to pay respect to Bodhi Tree which Bhante Dr Ottaranyana brought to the ceremony. to 40 elders - all were over 80 years of age. This event was sponsored by U Aye Myint and Daw Khin Thandar Wai (Hla Thidar Gold& Jewellery, Yangon) and U Kun and Daw Htay Htay family,yangon. On the 15 th Dec, Bhante gave a talk about Buddhist education and Buddhism in the west. Over 500 including student monks, nuns, lay students and supporters are very happy with Bhante s talk. Dr Ottara Nyana s activities During Bhante s visit to Myanmar in (27/11/16-19/01/17) Bhante attended to 30 th anniversary of Mandalay Pariyatti Sasana University from 1 st to 4 th Dec. Bhante spent there from 1986 1992 as a Registrar and Professor and secretary of the University. All of attendees including Rector, old and present Professors, students, and supporters are very happy for seeing each other after 30 years. Bhante also attended Sayadaw U Kethara s funeral on 6 th December in Ngathaingaung. On the 11 th Dec, Bhante was able to attend the Thamangon state High school (Secondary) anniversary in the home village of our great teacher Sayadaw Dr Rewata Dhamma. Sayadaw s 87th birthday occurred on the same day and was marked by awards being presented to the school s brightest students who had passed their examinations with flying colors ranging from primary to high school students. Dr Mar Mar Lwin ( 1000) and BBV ( 500) donations went to University students scholarships according to their results, with K-50,000 being awarded for one distinction. The total cost of these awards amounted K- 20,000,000. Donations also went to K 500,000 for the Themangon school path and K500,000 for the village dam. Hundreds of copy books and 30 exam special books are donated by the U Kyaw Nyein family from Yangon for students. Donations are always welcome to support Dr Rewata Dhamma s village school. On the same day, special celebrations were arranged to pay respect to the elderly, with K10,000 being given 7 20 th to 21 st Dec, Bhante attended the International Vipassana conference on Dhammanupasanna at the International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University. On the final day of the conference, Bhante performed as a moderator in the afternoon session. 24 th Dec 1 st Jan - Bhante Ottarana s 9 days Vipassana retreat took place in his native village, Gyogone. Over 40 people meditated during this retreat. Bhante also taught English for Buddhism to Secondary and High
school students 2 sessions a day and around 50 students attended. On 14 th Dec, Bhante donated $1000 for Pagoda repairs in Pagan earthquake 2016. and of course, every member of Nalanda community across Brazil for giving me this chance!!! I felt very peaceful, meaningful and intuitive experiences during these two retreats. Dr Ottara Nyana s Future activities Bhante is going to Dhammaramsi Belgium from 28 th Jul to 3 rd Aug to lead Metta retreat together with the Dhamma day celebration. Dr Nagasena Activities Bhante leads the Lotus Children Home Project and he sent five novices to Myanmar to study Pali and Buddha's teaching fort the future of Sasana! Bhante also leads the Lotus Children Home meditation everyday since he arrived there. His intention is to train the mindset of lotus children with calmness and wisdom. Dhammaduta visit to Brazil - between 14 February and 6 March 2017, with the invitation of Ricardo Sasaki, the founder of Nalanda - Brazil. Thank you, Ricardo Diploma in Buddhist Studies (2017-18) Overview This course is designed to provide the student with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the Theravada Buddhism. Application Form & Educational Requirements See details at www.birminghambuddhistacademy.org Application Submission date and contact Between 1st July 2017-31st July 2017 Please send completed application and documents required to venuttaranyana@gmail.com Entrance examination Saturday 12 th August 2017 Interview Sunday 13th August 2017 Confirmation of the acceptance to the course Saturday 26 th August 2017 Duration of the course? One year (full time) Course Start Date and Time Saturday 2nd September 2017 8pm to 10pm Course running time Every weekend (Saturday & Sunday from 8pm to 10pm) Course method Online and occasional face to face attendance at Birmingham Buddhist Academy at 29-31 Osler Street, Ladywood, Birmingham,B16 9EU Tel: 0121-4546591 Diploma Course Modules Abhidhamma, Meditation, Pali Grammar, Basic Buddhism Fees 600 for four modules (full Diploma Course) as donation payable to Birmingham Buddhist Academy by cheque. Note : Students may also take individual modules for the fees of 150 per module 10-Day Insight Retreat 18th-27th Aug (experienced) Led by Dr Ottara Nyana - Designed to enable meditators to experience the characteristic of impermanence and nature of non-selfhood as part of the process of insight meditation. Summer Course for Children (10th to 13th Aug.) Please bring your children to the Vihara to stay here and 8 learn about Buddhism. This three day course will include a Buddhist film as well as enjoyable teachings. Accommodation will be available in our Vihara and we look forward to our children s course. For details please contact Dr Nagasana:uk.suriya@gmail.com