The Buddhist Hour Radio Broadcast Archives

Buddhist Hour Broadcast 292
For Sunday 24 August 2003


This script is entitled:
"What are Peak Buddha Dhamma Activities in a Dhamma Ending Age?"

Next week, we will present a report on our International Dhamma Activities for the period 2002 to 2003.

This script opens with a report on our involvement as a very active Regional Centre of the World Fellowship of Buddhists and an Associated Institute of the World Buddhist University.

We mention that Six of our Members attended the 22nd General Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists conference held at the Grand Blue Wave Hotel, in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia, 9 to 13 December 2002.

The theme for this conference was "Wisdom and Compassion: The Way Forward".

The 4th Council Meeting of The World Buddhist University and the 13th General Conference of The World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth were also held during this conference.

Being involved in such activities allows our Members to develop professionalism and maturity of English as a second language within a global perspective.

There are many peak Buddhist Activities occurring locally and overseas.

This week The World Fellowship of Buddhists Office-Bearers Meeting and the 67th WFB Executive Council Meeting is being held at the Imperial Queen's Park Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand from 21 to 24 August B.E. 2546 (2003).

On Thursday 21 August 2003 Office-Bearers and EXCO's members arrived and checked in at the Imperial Queen's Park Hotel, Bangkok.

The Opening Ceremony was officiated by World Fellowship of Buddhists President H.E. Phan Wannamethee.

Dr. Nantasarn Seesalab Acting Rector of The World Buddhist University sent a letter of permission for our Member Pennie White to write a research report on the Use of Information and Communication by the World Buddhist University for her Masters in Education Degree.

Dr. Nantasarn Seesalab wrote I have the honour to inform you for consideration [that]

"The WBU's Centre is now ready to use information and communication technology for enhancement of roles and responsibilities of main institutes of the WBU namely : Institutes of Research and Development ; Training and Curriculum Development; Spiritual Practice; Educational Development based on Buddhism and Information and Cultural Centre as well as their networks ­ both individual and institutions. In this connection, you may visit WBU Website : www.wb-university.org or E-mail : wbucentre@wb-university.org for further information."

[and that]

"If the researcher will also draw her attention to the potential and further development for communication technology by the World Buddhist University to be included as part of her study, it will enhance the roles and mission of the University among its networks in the future."

Last week The Dhamma Times 19 August 2003 reported that Seventy-seven-year-old Master Hsing Yun marked an event to celebrate his 50th year of advocating and spreading the Dharma to the world with a story.

A 16-year-old monk living on the top of mountains was suffering from malaria. There was a serious lack of materials and resources on the mountain and there was no one to care for him. When he could not stop vomiting, he felt at life's lowest and lamented about his looming death.

At that moment, his teacher sent someone to bring him salted vegetables to eat with rice porridge. The young monk was overwhelmed and deeply moved by the gesture, since it was very difficult to procure any salted vegetables at the time. He consumed the vegetables in tears and with a grateful heart.
"At that point I promised to devote myself to the promotion of Buddhism to return the master's favor," Hsing Yun said at the press conference last week to celebrate his 50 years of teaching.

He made good on his promise. Hsing Yun and his Fo Guang Shan monastery in Kaohsiung have become visible symbols in the world for Buddhism over the past 50 years and maintained a dynamic relationship with secular society. Last week President Chen Shui-bian visited Fo Kuang Shan for the third time to pay his respects to the Buddhist master.

Hsing Yun, or Lee Kuo-shen, was born in Jiangsu Province in 1927. He became a monk at the age of 12 and organized a monk emergency-treatment team to come to Taiwan in 1949. He started preaching the Dharma publicly in Ilan in 1952 and founded Fo Guang Shan in 1967.

When he first became a monk, he was given the Buddhist name Chin Chieh, meaning awakening today.

He later read about the explanation of nebulas in a dictionary, saying before the cosmos was formed, countless nebulas were linked together: great, ancient, boundless. He was attracted by a boundless world, and with the hope of bringing others light, he renamed himself Hsing Yun, meaning nebula.

Hsing Yun has broken from the Buddhist tradition of shying away from secular world. He has been keenly involved in world affairs and run his Buddhist organization more like a business. His internationalization of Buddhism was previously unimaginable. There are Fo Guang Shan branches on five continents.
KMT Deputy Chairman Wu Po-hsiung, the head of the Buddha's Light International Association Taiwan branch, said that Hsing Yun had become an important figure in Buddhism for his international promotion of the religion. The association is an international Buddhist organization originating from Fo Kuan Shang.

"I become even more awed by master's influence when I am abroad. Once when I was in Johannesburg, I visited the Nan Hua temple and recited the Dharma with the local monks. I felt that our hearts were close and was deeply moved," Wu said.

Senior media worker and political commentator Pu Ta-chung said Hsing Yun was a charismatic leader and that his followers sometimes worshipped him like ordinary people worship idols.

"He likes to get acquainted with as many people as possible. He is good at utilizing his relationship with the media and politicians and using his social network to root Buddhism deeply in society," Pu said.

Pu said Hsing Yun's relationship with Wu was a good example. While Hsing Yun loved to make friends with political figures, his enthusiasm almost got him in deep trouble.

In 1996 after then US vice president Al Gore attended a fund-raising luncheon at the Hsi Lai temple, a Fo Guang Shan branch in Hacienda Heights, California, a question was asked about whether the donations made during the luncheon were legal.

"Hsing Yun thought it was not a bad idea to know Al Gore, so he agreed to hold the luncheon in the temple. People who attended the luncheon were local Chinese Democrat members, and some without knowing gave away more than allowed by law to the Democratic Party," Pu said.

"It was not done on purpose. Hsing Yin had fought long and hard to have the Hsi Lai temple built at that place, and after 10 years of wrestling with the local council, he knew not to break the law," Pu said.

Hsing Yun's close followers also lauded him as a selfless and caring master.

"The master always shows goodness toward others," Chueh Nien, secretary to Hsing Yun, said.

"There was one time in Fo Guan Shang when he was walking, a believer asked to take his picture, and the master agreed willingly, despite sweating all over. Then when the photo was taken, the master immediately said that another should be taken because the first one was shot with the lights in the opposite direction," Chueh said.

Another secretary to Hsing Yun, Man I, said, "The master is selfless and he does not have his own personal time. He always puts the public first."
"All the facilities Fo Guang Shan has established came from followers' requests. When they ask for education, the master builds schools. When they ask for solutions for old age, the master builds a pensioners' apartment," Man said.

Hsing Yun has shown determination to continue his work promoting Buddhism.

"In the future I will continue to push for the modernization, secularization and internationalization of Buddhism," Hsing Yun said.

"I also want to work on making the temples more like schools, encouraging the public to read and pushing for a book-loving society," Hsing Yun said.
The Buddhist Foundation of Victoria is presenting an "Evening Symposium" in conjunction with the Gawler Foundation on 28 August 2003 from 7.30 - 10.30 p.m.

The topic of the evening is "Health & Healing: The Buddhist Perspective".

A key benefit of Buddhist Teachings is the Preservation of Emotional and Physical Health, Prevention of Emotional and Physical Health and Alleviation of Emotional and Physical Health.

Teachings will be given by Buddhist Monks Venerable Mahinda and Lama Choedak Rinpoche and laypersons Dr. Ranjith Hettiarachi and Ian Gawler. The evening will conclude with a panel discussion.

The symposium is being held at Camberwell Civic Centre 340 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Vic. The cost is $30 and the concession price is $25. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster on 1300 308999.

The Convenor is Dr Ranjith Hettiarachi who is President of The Buddhist Foundation (Vic) Australia Inc. the convenor of the Australasian Buddhist Convention held in Melbourne, June 2002.

Buddhist Scholar and keen Buddhist practitioner from his young days, he was invited to give an address at the General Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists in Malaysia, December 2002.

A medical graduate from Sri Lanka, he holds the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He has a special interest in the scientific perspectives of Buddhist teachings.

Venerable Mahinda is an Internationally recognised speaker on Buddhist teachings. Pupil of the world famous Venerable Sri Dhammananda of Malaysia.
Meditation Teacher and Abbot of Aloka Meditation Centre, Peats Ridge, NSW., Key Speaker at the Australiasian Buddhist Convention, Melbourne June 2003. He delivered the keynote address at the World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth Conference, Malaysia 2002.

Lama Choedak Rinpoche is the only Tibetan Lama living in Australia who has completed a three and half year's solitary meditation retreat sponsored by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Lama Choedak Rinpoche was honoured with an award and the title "Tasharpa Lochen Lama Thubten Choedak Rinpoche". His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche awarded this with a golden ring in recognition of Rinpoche;s translation work and Dhamma activities. Rinpoche is the spiritual director and founder of Sakya Losal Choe Dzong in Canberra and also founder of Jamchen Buddhist Centre in Melbourne. Lama Choedak Rinpoche was a key speaker at the Australasian Buddhist Convention, June 2002.

Dr Ian Gowler, OAM, is one of Australia's best known cancer survivors, an advocate of healthy lifestyle, popularising meditation and other mind-body medicine techniques. His dual role comprises first, a focus on healing and secondly, disease prevention, health and well-being.

Dr Gawler is the author of four best sellers and seven other books on mind-body medicine. He is the executive director of the Gawler Foundation in Victoria, and lectures around the world on his topics of interest. He holds a degree in veterinary science and a masters in counselling.

Members continue to attend a course on Monday nights from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm at Box Hill TAFE called High Performance Management. This training is to bring Members to Modern Management style or better.

Attending members are Lainie Smallwood, Lisa Nelson, Amber Svensson, Lenore Hamilton, Rodney Johnson and Peter Boswell. The course finishes on Monday 8 September 2003.

John D. Hughes was born on 9 September 1930.

John D. Hughes, Founder of the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd., bought the property at 33 Brooking Street in 1965 with the intention to build a Buddha Dhamma centre on the property. The Centre has been operating for 25 years.

He succeeded driven by an idea he had formulated on 5 May 1955.

With his intention, action, energy, determination and ardor he built the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. into an active Centre of Buddha Dhamma learning, preservation and propagation. It is known around the world's Buddhist community and is a Regional Centre of the World Fellowship of Buddhists and an Associated Institution of the World Buddhist University.

On 12 March 2003 he suffered a brain stem infarct - a stroke. He had difficulty swallowing and very high blood pressure. The next day he suffered a heart attack. Western medical opinion expected major brain damage with poor prognosis of recovering to a satisfactory quality of life. For them, a miracle happened when on 10 June 2003, John D. Hughes returned to 33 Brooking Street via ambulance to start intensive rehabilitation at home.

His intention to live another 20 years at least, has brought him home to his wife and carer Anita Hughes.

The one thing that stands out is John's determination to never give up Dhamma. Supporting this is the field of merit he has accumulated through his many good actions in helping his fellow beings this life and in past times.

As Master Ru Sun said, in reply, when John's wife Anita asked "Will he be all right, Master Ru Sun?" (2 hours after he had been admitted to the intensive care unit at Maroondah Hospital) - "The Buddha blesses John D. Hughes. John has helped many beings and done many good things, his good karma will see him live long and be healthy".

The current health report is that John D. Hughes has started to use a speaker valve on his tracheostomy tube. This is to develop his swallowing to a safe level when the trakkie may be removed.

Venerable Master Ru Sun advised John's Students of chanting practice for the health of their Teacher. Chanting sheets were provided by Jason Thigh, Master Ru Sun's attendant, for free distribution.

As a tribute to our Founder and Teacher, John D. Hughes we invite you to contribute to a publication to be published on his 73rd Birth Anniversary entitled "Celebration of Buddha Dhamma Work - John D. Hughes 1955 to 2003". Founder's day for the Chan Academy will be held on the 9 September 2003

As part of the day, Members shall abide by eight precepts. These are;
No killing, no stealing, no sexual misconduct, no lying, no intoxicants, no idle chatter, to not use malicious words and to not use divisive words.

We thank the Reverend for expounding these eight precepts for us to abide by on Founder's Day and all other days members and friends would like to practice with more than five precepts.

We thank Frank Carter for asking Reverend about the eight precepts.

Reverend also said he would be happy to teach on Founder's Day Abhidhamma teaching, but instead of teaching Abhidhamma he would like to expound teaching of Buddhist Suttas.

Activities for the day include;
Dana offering to the Sangha members,
Auction,
Pigeons,
Selling chanting CD,
Raffle,
Abhidhamma guest teacher.

Preparations for the day are as follows:
A Founder's Day Puja will be taught by Master Francisco So at the Chan Academy Australia on Saturday 6 September 2003 from 9.30am to 11.30am and from 1.30pm to 4.00pm.

A five-day Bhavana Course will be held from 5 September 2003 to 9 September 2003 from 9.00am to 5.00pm daily. The theme is: Dana: How many ways?
Pennie White has written invitation letters to Sangha members, Chan Academy Australia members and state and local government members. The Puja will be videotaped.

The Chan Academy Australia and Master Ru-sun, Abbot of the Yun Yang Temple in Narre Warren, Victoria, are holding a special Dharma Ceremony for the good health and long life of John D. Hughes. The ceremony will be a special puja using the Earth Store Bodhisattva Sutra and the merits from this will be transferred to all the sickness spirits and hungry ghosts to improve John D. Hughes' health. From 24 August 2003 there will be a three day Puja at the Yun Yang Temple. Delegates from the Chan Academy will attend this Puja to familiarise themselves.

Master Ru-sun named three requirements for the participants of the puja.
The first one is to be a vegetarian for one week preceding the puja.
The second is to come with some offerings. Those offerings also should be vegetarian.
The third is to donate some money for the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd according to their means.

Invitations have been sent to Victorian Buddhist Temples that have email addresses, members, Alex Serrano (who requested to attend) and the World Fellowship of Buddhist HQ in Thailand.

Thank you to all the beings whom have helped organize this auspicious event.

For further information on these events please telephone 9754 3334 and ask for Pennie White.

May you be well and happy.

The script was written and edited by John D. Hughes and Pennie White.

Disclaimer

As we, the Chan Academy Australia, Chan Academy being a registered business name of the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd., do not control the actions of our service providers from time to time, make no warranty as to the continuous operation of our website(s). Also, we make no assertion as to the veracity of any of the information included in any of the links with our websites, or another source accessed through our website(s).

Accordingly, we accept no liability to any user or subsequent third party, either expressed or implied, whether or not caused by error or omission on either our part, or a member, employee or other person associated with the Chan Academy Australia (Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.)

This Radio Script is for Free Distribution. It contains Buddha Dhamma material and is provided for the purpose of research and study.

Permission is given to make printouts of this publication for FREE DISTRIBUTION ONLY. Please keep it in a clean place.

"The gift of Dhamma excels all other gifts".

© Copyright. The Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.

For more information, contact the Centre or better still, come and visit us.

© 2002. Copyright. The Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.

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