BE 2554 JUNE 2010
STIAB Cultural Exchange presented by FireFly Mission with partners UBT and Poh Ern Shi , 9 & 10 June 2010
“BOROBUDUR...A Royal Pursuit in Harmony” was a cultural show by the STIAB Smaratungga students (Indonesia). Performance was held on 10 & 11 June at the Republic Cultural Center, Republic Polytechnic. Presented by Fire Fly Mission with UBT and Poh Ern Shih as partners, the show was based on the history of Borobudur. The performance was very successful and received many accolades. Thanks to the foresight of FFM and generosity of all concerned.
Sunday, 20 Today is 3rd Sunday which is also “Tak Bart” (Alms Giving) Sunday. UBT is very pleased to have Ven. Rathanasara back for a dhamma talk. His topic was “How to dilute negative kamma?” Buddhists should have good knowledge of negative kamma. They are dark energy, actions associated with the three evil roots of greed, hatred and delusion. In Pali, this is called “Akusala Kamma” - unskillful actions which lead to misery, suffering and bring unhappiness, failure in life. He said it is extremely difficult to be born in the human realms and very fortunate too. This is the result of doing lots of good deeds in past life. Bad deeds will lead to rebirth in the lower realms. These are unwise people who do not understand that life moves from one realm to another depending on kammic conditions. These people are spiritually immature. First step to diluting negative kamma is to recognize the negative kamma by: 1) observing the motive behind an impending action - unwholesome actions are associated with the 3 evil roots; 2) know the intention of the impending action - if it will harm self and others, then it’s bad intention; and 3) consider the consequence of the impending action, if it will bring unfavorable results to oneself and others then it’s negative. There are 3 ways of producing dark energy: 1) by thoughts (negative , destructive), 2) by words (harsh, angry, slandering, lies, criticisms, condemning others, destroy friendship/relationships) and 3) by action (I.e. Killing, stealing, violence). Then there are two levels of producing unskillful actions: 1) passive/inactive (latent waiting for right conditions to arise) 2) active (known and seen). Venerable quoted The Buddha’s saying that people who do unskillful acts, commit evil and unwholesome kamma are unhappy in present life and after death. Venerable continued that some people would go to their “God” and confess through their priests and receive forgiveness. However, Buddhists do not have this option. Then there are some who would pray to their “Gods” and make sacrificial offerings by slaughtering animals - again, Buddhists do not kill so this is not an option either. Again, there are those who believe in cleansing their sins by bathing in holy rivers. Unfortunately, this is also not a Buddhist’s option. So, how should a Buddhist do? As The Buddha said “People become defiled and impure by their own unskillful actions. By doing good deeds, one becomes pure. Purity and Impurity depend on oneself.” The Buddha used a simple technique to illustrate by using a lump of salt. He asked his Bhikkhus if the lump of salt was salty if put in a small vessel with little water, to which his Bhikkhus answered it would be very salty. Then the Buddha asked if he threw the lump of salt into the river, would the water in the river be salty. His Bhikkhus said no because there the abandunt amount of water in the river would overwhelm the lump of salt. Venerable said this is a spiritual immune system. He explained with the example of two persons performing the same bad deed but one was sent to hell whereas the other didn’t. Therefore, cultivate more positive kamma to dilute existing dark/negative kamma. First of all, right understanding plays an integral role - knowing and understanding the difference between good and bad, then recognizing and accepting one’s mistake and undertake sincerely not to repeat. Followed by asking for forgiveness from the victims of one’s wrong action and lastly to perform related wholesome deeds, eg. Promoting/saving lives for those who used to kill. One should be mindful of refraining from all kinds of bad, negative actions as these will produce dark energy which will result in rebirth in the lower realms. Then to cultivate bright energy by performing wholesome deeds, result of which will be rebirth in happy realms and finally to purify one’s mind to cut out the three evil roots.
The afternoon Abhidhamma class continued with higher knowledge thought process. The discussion on the Analysis by Way of Individuals was very interesting. Bhikkhu Kheminda cleared a few doubts during the Q&A session. He also reminded the students of the break after next Sunday’s class and the upcoming series of talk on Kamma. This part of the lesson will be open to everyone who has in interest in understanding Kamma.
The afternoon Abhidhamma class continued with higher knowledge thought process. The discussion on the Analysis by Way of Individuals was very interesting. Bhikkhu Kheminda cleared a few doubts during the Q&A session. He also reminded the students of the break after next Sunday’s class and the upcoming series of talk on Kamma. This part of the lesson will be open to everyone who has in interest in understanding Kamma.
Sunday, July 25 - Start of a series of talk on Kamma in Abhidhamma Perspective by Bhikkhu Kheminda
Friday, July 23 - Start of New Basic Buddhism Class - 7.30-9.30 every Friday. Total of 10 lessons. Conducted by TY Lee.
Registration necessary.
Monday, July 26 - Asalha Puja Day - 7.00 p.m.. Click to see program
