My amulet collection - Somdej Phra Tat Phanom 2401 (Dark color, special power mixture with color beads #2)

Words of Wisdom 17

Rain fall, wind blows,

plants bloom, leaves mature

and are blown away;

these phenomena are all interrelated with causes and conditions,

are brought about by them, 

and disappear as the causes and conditions change.

Is there a Buddhist equivalent of Christmas?

According to tradition, Prince Siddhattha was born, became the Buddha and passed away on the full moon day of Vesakha, the second month of Indian year, which corresponds to April-May of Western calendar. On that day Buddhists in all lands celebrate these events by visiting temples, participating in various ceremonies, or perhaps spending the day meditating.

by S. Dhammika

Why do people do all kinds of strange things in Buddhist temples?

Many things seem strange to us when we don't understand them. Rather than dismiss such things as strange, we should try to find their meaning. However, it is true that some of the things Buddhists do have their origin in popular superstition and misunderstanding rather than the teaching of the Buddha. And such misunderstanding are not found in Buddhism alone but creep into in all religions from time to time. The Buddha taught with clarity and in detail and if some people fail to understand fully, he cannot be blamed for that. there is a saying from the Buddhist scriptures:

'If a person suffering from disease does not seek treatment even when there is a physician at hand, it is not the fault of the physician. In the same way, if a person is oppressed and tormented by the disease of the defilements but does not seek help of the Buddha, that is not the Buddha's fault.'

Nor should Buddhism or any religion be judged by those who don't practice it properly. If you wish to know the real teachings of Buddhism, read the Buddha' words or speak to those who understand them properly.

by S. Dhammika

My amulet collection - Small size ancient Phra Tham Suer (Tiger Cave)

I have heard people say that Buddhist worship idols.

Such statements only reflect the misunderstanding of the persons who make them. The dictionary defines as idols as 'an image or statue worshipped as a god.' As we have seen, Buddhist do not believe that Buddha was a god, so how could they possibly use to represent their various beliefs. In Taoism, the ying-yang diagram is used to symbolize spiritual struggle. In Christianity, the fish is used to symbolize Christ's presence and a cross to represent his sacrifice. In Buddhism, the statue of the Buddha reminds us of the human dimension in Buddhist teaching, the fact that Buddhism is human-centered rather than god-centered, that we must look within, not without to find the perfection and understanding. Therefore, to say that Buddhist worship idols is as silly as saying that Christians worship fish or geometrical shapes.

by S. Dhammika

Photos of old Phra Phong Suphan - Phra Tat Phanom

Words of Wisdom 16

Thousands of candles can be

lighted from a single candle,

and the life of the candle will not

be shortened.

Happiness never decreases

by being shared.

Buddhist Poem #6

In the stillness of the night,

One can hear drops of dew dripping,

Touching the roof.

by Dok Kem Pa

Photos of ancient small Phra Nark Prok of Phra Tat Nadoon

If the Buddha is not a god why do people worship him?

There are different types of worship. When someone worships a god, they praise him or her, make offerings and ask favors, believing that the god will hear their praise, receive their offerings and answer their prayers. Buddhists do not practice this kind of worship. The other kind of worship is when we show respect to someone or something we admire. When a teacher walks into a room we stand up; when we meet a dignitary we shake hands; when the national anthem is played we salute. These are all gestures of respect and worship and indicate our admiration for a specific person or thing. This is the type of worship Buddhist practice. A statue of the Buddha with its hands resting gently in its lap and its compassionate smile reminds us to strive to develop peace and love within ourselves. The perfume of incense reminds us of the pervading influence of virtue, the lamp reminds us of light of knowledge, and the flowers, which soon fade and die, reminds us of impermanence. When we bow we express our gratitude to the Buddha for what his teachings have given us. This is meaning of Buddhist worship.

by S. Dhammika

Shinkoku-O Gosho - Part 5

Sinkoku-O Gosho
(Sovereigns of Our Divine Land)
Part 5

Introduction of the Shingon Sect

During the same reign Emperor Kammu, a monk named Kukai (Grand Master Kobo) went to China to study Shingon Buddhism. Not returning to Japan during Kammu's reign, Kukai, however, returned in the first year of the Daido Period (806) during the reign of the fifty-first sovereign, emperor Heizei. On the 19th day of the first month in the 14th year of the Konin Period (823) during the reign of the 52nd Emperor Saga, Kukai was granted the Toji Temple in Kyoto as the headquarters of the Shingon esotericism, which was named Kyoo Gokoku-ji Temple. It was a year after the death of Grand Master Dengyo.

In the fifth year of the Jowa Period (838) during the reign of the 54th sovereign, Emperor Nimmei, Venerable Priest Ennin (Grand Master Jikaku) went to China for further study of Tendai-Lotus and Shingon teachings, returning to Japan in the 14th year of Jowa (847). During the Ninju and Saiko Periods (851-857), in the reign of the 55th sovereign, Emperor Montoku, Ennin wrote commentaries on the Diamond Peak Sutra and the Sutra of the Act of Perfection, totaling 14 fascicles, calling them, together with the Annotations on the Great Sun Buddha Sutra (Dainichi-kyo gishaku), the "triple works of Shingon Sect", built the Sojin Temple on Mt. Hiei, and began spreading Shingon Buddhism. Thus Shingon Sect was permitted to spread on Mt. Hiei, and it became customary that the chief ministers of the Tendai Sect, thereafter, concurrently studied both Lotus and Shingon doctrines. Nevertheless, as the Lotus Sect was compared to the moon while the Shingon Sect to the sun, people as a whole assumed that the Shingon teaching was superior. At any rate, the head priests of Mt. Hiei studied both Tendai and Shingon Buddhism and so did all other priest on the mountain.

During the same reign of Emperor Montoku, Venerable Enchin (Grand Master Chisho) went to Tang China. Studying both the Lotus and Shingon schools of Buddhism, he returned to Japan in the second year of the Ten'an Period (858). Venerable Enchin and mastered in Japan not only the Lotus and Shingon Buddhism under the guidance of  Gishin (first Chief  Priest of Mt. Hiei), and Encho (the second Chief Priest), Grand Master Betto (Kojo), and Ennin (the third Chief Priest), but also the Shingon doctrine of Toji temple. Therefater, he ventured to China, to study both the Lotus and Shingon teachings further. He is the Grand Master Chisho who found the Tendai-esoterism of the Miidera Temple today.

These are the so called four grand master of Shingon Budhism in Japan. Generally speaking, eight streams exist within Japanese esotericism, of which five belonging to the Toji were founded by Grand Master Kobo and three belonging to the Tendai Sect were originated by Grand Master Jikaku.



by Nichiren Daishonin
12th year of Bun'ei Era (1275) 

Was the Buddha a god?

No, he was not. He did not claim that he was a god, the child of a god or even the messenger from a god. he was a human being who perfected himself and taught that if we follow his example we could perfect ourselves also.

by S.Dhammika

My amulet collection - Medium size ancient Phra Tham Suer (Tiger Cave)

This is a Buddha image amulet made more than 1000 years old also known 

as the 'Tiger Cave' amulet.

A very powerful protection amulet made by a group of monks and
Lersi (hermits) in the past.

Words of Wisdom 15

If a man's mind

becomes pure,

His surroundings will also 

become pure.

If the Buddha is dead how can he help us?

Faraday who discovered electricity is dead, but what he discovered still help us. Louis Pasteur who found the cure for so many diseases is also dead, but his medical discoveries still save lives. Leonardo da Vinvi who created masterpieces of art is dead, but what he created can still uplift the heart and give joy. Great heroes and heroines may have been dead for centuries but when we read of their deeds and achievements we can still be inspired to act as they did. Yes, the Buddha passed away but 2500 years later his teaching still help people, his example still inspires people, his words still change lives. Only a Buddha could have such power centuries after his passing.

by S. Dhammika

Wasn't it irresponsible for the Buddha to walk out on his wife and child?

It couldn't have been an easy thing for the Buddha to leave his family. He must have worried and hesitated for a long time before he finally left. But he had a choice between dedicating himself to his family or dedicating himself to the world. In the end, his great compassion made him give himself to the whole world, and the whole world still benefits from his sacrifice. This was not irresponsible. It was perhaps the most significant sacrifice ever made.

by S.Dhammika

If he was only called 'Buddha' after he had this profound realization, what was his name before that?

The Buddha's family or clan name was Gotama, which means 'best cow', cattle being objects of wealth and prestige at that time. His given name was Siddhattha which means 'attaining his goal,' the kind of name one would expect a ruler to give his son.

by S. Dhammika

Photos of Somdej Phra Tat Phanom 2401 (Dark color, special power mixture with color beads)

Nichiren Shōnin’s Goibun Words: Urabon Gosho (On the Ullambana Service)

"The great virtue of Venerable Maudgalyāyana having Faith in the Lotus Sutra not only made himself a Buddha but also his parents Buddhas. Moreover, all the parents in seven generations above & below, and all the parents in the limitless generations above & below became Buddhas unexpectedly. In addition, sons, husbands & wives, their retainers, devotees, and an incalculable number of people all were emancipated from the three evil realms. Not only that, they all entered the rank of shojū & eventually attained Buddhahood. Therefore, it is preached in the Lotus Sutra, fascicle 3 (“Parable of a Magic City” chapter), 'May this merit be spread over all living beings so that we & all others may attain Buddhahood together'."  

Written on 13th July 1277, 

at Mt. Minobu 

[Ref.: Writings of Nichiren Shōnin: Volume 4 (WNS 4), p. 175]

日蓮聖人御遺文: 盂蘭盆御書 (關於盂蘭盆会)

"目犍蓮尊者信奉法華経之大善，非祗自身成佛，父母亦成佛。上七代、下七代，上無量生、下無量生之父母等，意想不及，均得成佛。乃至子息、夫妻、所從、檀那、無量眾生，不僅得離三惡道，悉皆成初住、妙覺之佛。故、法華経第三卷云 (《化城宝處譬喻品》) ：「願以此功德，普及於一切，我等與眾生，皆共成佛道」。"

寫於1277年七月十三日，

發信地：身延山 

[查閱：日蓮大聖人御書全集，第1505頁]日蓮聖人御遺文: 盂蘭盆御書 (關於盂蘭盆会).

Shinkoku-O Gosho - Part 4

Shinkoku-O Gosho
(Sovereigns of Our Divine Land)

Part 4

Spread of the Tendai-lotus Sect

During the reign of the fiftieth sovereign, Emperor Kammu, a sage priest named Saicho (Grand Master Dengyo) founded the Lotus Sect which was superior to other Buddhist schools and defected in debate the six sects of Nara: Kisha, Jojitsu, Ritsu, Hosso, Sanron and Kegon.

Learning about the school of Buddhism called Dainichi (Great Sun Buddha: Shingon) Sect in China, Grand Master Dengyo, moreover, went to China during the reign of the same emperor (23rd year of the Enryaku Period: 804) to study and transmit the four schools of Buddhism. he studied the Lotus, Shingon (True word),  Zen and Mahayana Ritsu Sects in China. Upon returning to Japan, however, Grand Master Dengyo spread only the Lotus and Mahayana Ritsu Sects without spreading the Zen Sect. As for the Shingon Sect, Dengyo did not recongnize its independence, merely permitting monks of the seven great temples of Nara to perform the esoteric rite of "sprinkling water on the head" ceremony. Not knowing the true intent of the Grand Master, however, people in those days conjectured that he studied the profound teaching of the Tendai-Lotus school, but not the doctrine of Shingon esotericism.

by Nichiren Daishonin
12th year of Bun'ei Era (1275)

Who was the Buddha?

In the year 563 BC a baby was born into a royal family in the northern India. He grew up in a wealth and luxury but eventually found that worldly comforts and security do not guarantee happiness. He was deeply moved by the suffering he saw all around and resolved to find the key to human happiness. When he was 29 he left his wife and child and set off to sit at the feet of the great religious teachers of the day and to learn from them. They taught him much but none really knew the cause of the human suffering and how it could be overcome. Eventually, after six years study, struggle and meditation he had an experience in which all ignorance fell away and he suddenly understood. From that day onwards he was called Buddha, the Awakened One. He lived for another 45 years during which time he traveled all over northern India teaching others what he had discovered. His compassion and patience were legendary and he had thousands of followers. In his 80th year, old and sick, but still dignified and serene, he finally died.

by S. Dhammika

Buddhist Poem #5

In the soft lovely breeze of the evening,

At the foot of the mountain,

I am engrossed in the writing with great enjoyment.

by Dok Kem Pa

Some photos taken by my friend in the temple where I learn meditation.

They are making a Buddha statue!

Did you see anything unusual during the blessing of the new Buddha statue?

Photos provided by Tee.

Is Buddhism a philosophy?

The word philosophy comes from two words philo, which means 'love,' and sophia which means 'wisdom'. So philosophy is the love of wisdom, or love and wisdom. Both meanings describe Buddhism perfectly. Buddhism teaches that we should try to develop our intellectual ability to the fullest so that we can understand clearly. It also teaches us to develop love and kindness so that we can be like a true friend to all beings. So Buddhism is a philosophy but not just a philosophy. It is the supreme philosophy.

by S. Dhammika

What is Buddhism?

The name Buddhism comes from the word budhi which means "to wake up" and thus Buddhism can be said to be the philosophy of awakening. This philosophy has its origins in the experience of the man Siddhattha Gotama, known as the Buddha, who was himself awakened at the age of 35. Buddhism is now more than 2500 years old and has about 380 million followers worldwide. Until a hundred years ago Buddhism was mainly an Asian philosophy but increasingly it is gaining adherents in Europe, Australia and the Americas.

by S. Dhammika

My collection of Sarira (Shakyamuni's Heart Sarira) 釋迦牟尼佛心舍利

PHRA BOROM SIRIRIKKATATH
Ｈeart SARIRA OF SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA
釋迦牟尼佛心舍利

NAMO SHAKYAMUNI YE

NAMU MYO HO RENGE KYO

NAMO BUDDHAYA

NAMO DHARMAYA

NAMO SANGHAYA