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Upcoming Events

26 March 2016

Great Compassion Repentance Service

27 March 2016

Commemoration of Avalokitesvara

Bodhisattva’s Birthday

2 April 2016

Ching Ming Compassionate Samadhi

Water Repentance Chanting

3 April 2016

English One Day Meditation Retreat

4 April ~ 2 May 2016

Buddha Birth Day Festival 20

th Anniversary

Photography Competition

16 April 2016

Buddha Birth Day Festival – Volunteers

Briefing

26 ~ 28 April 2016

Buddha Birth Day Festival – Setting up at South Bank Parklands

29 April ~ 1 May 2016

Buddha Birth Day at South Bank Parklands

Chung Tian Buddhist Temple

1034 Underwood Road

Priestdale QLD 4127, Australia

Website: www.chungtian.org.au

Email: ibaq@chungtian.org.au

Ph: 3841 3511 Fax: 3841 3522 Buddha’s Light International Association of Queensland, Australia

The Noble Eight Fold Path

BLIAQ Newsletter

Edition 112 March 2016

Suffering or the unsatisfactoriness of life is the first noble truth of Buddhism. The way to end suffering is the Fourth Noble Truth. Shakyamuni Buddha taught the Noble Eightfold Path to help sentient beings bring their suffering to an end. The Noble Eightfold Path is a detailed version of the Fourth Noble Truth, and it is basic to all Buddhist practice. The Noble Eightfold Path is called "Eightfold" because it has eight parts or facets. It is called "Noble" because it is morally correct and because it contains nothing that will lead us astray. It is called a "Path" because it must be followed over a period of time in much the same way that one follows a path and because it leads directly to the goal of liberation from suffering and delusion.

Following the Noble Eightfold Path is the single best and the single most basic way to practice our belief in the teachings of the Buddha. The Noble Eightfold Path consists of the following eight parts or aspects: Right Views, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Work, Right Progress, Right Mind, Right Concentration. Ideally, all of these parts should be practiced at once. I will discuss them in greater detail below. RIGHT VIEWS - Having Right Views is extremely important because all of the rest of Buddhism

flows directly from them. In the beginning we cannot expect our views to be in perfect accord with the Dharma; if that were true, we would have nothing to learn. Thus, a fundamental aspect of Right Views is the willingness to question ourselves and especially to question our behavior. Most people spend enormous amounts of time justifying what they have done or what they want to do. As Buddhists, we must begin to reverse this process; instead of justifying our transgressions we must begin discovering what they are and learning how to change them.

The Lion's Roar of Queen Shrimala Sutra says that Right Views are those views that will not lead to our downfall. The Flower Garland Sutra says that Right Views are those views that will lead us away from delusion. The Treatise on the Perfection of Great Wisdom says that Right Views are wisdom itself. The Series of Doors to the Dharma Realm says that Right Views are a clear and perfect perception of the Four Noble Truths. The word "views" in Right Views means how we see life or understand it. Our views establish our philosophy of life. Right Views basically means views in accord with the Dharma. To have Right Views, it is essential to have a clear understanding of dependent origination, cause and effect, karma, the Four Noble Truths and the difference between good and bad. In addition to understanding the basic concepts of Buddhism, an important part of having Right Views is a profound understanding of the truths of Buddhism. The Dharma is true. The enlightenment of a Buddha is real. The Dharma adapts to conditions wherever it goes, but in essence the Dharma never changes because in essence the Dharma always points to the enlightened Buddha mind. The moment that we first glimpse the truth of the Dharma is the moment we also glimpse the Buddha, and in that moment we begin to establish Right Views. Right Views are the awakened Buddha mind as it stirs within us. In the depths of your mind, rely on the purity of the Dharma. Before long, you will attain its supreme fruits. - Great Nirvana Sutra

RIGHT THOUGHT - Needless to say, Right Thought is based on Right Views. If our basic view of life

in this world is right, then the thoughts which flow from this view also should be right. In practice, of course, there must be a constant interaction between our thoughts and our views. No one can have Right Views or Right Thought just by wanting them. Even the Buddha himself needed six years of intense ascetic practice to fully realize them. The essential foundation for Right Thought, as with Right Views, is willingness to question ourselves and our beliefs. No one can attain either Right Views or Right Thought without spending long periods of time in intense and honest introspection.

The Treatise on the Stages of Yoga Practice says, "When energy is applied to Right Views, one achieves a state of no anger and no harm. This is Right Thought." Right Thought is thought that is disentangled from the Three Poisons of greed, anger, and ignorance. Right Thought may be thought of as the tool that helps us apply Right Views in our lives. We may read about Right Views and we may even well understand what we have read, but simply knowing what Right Views are will not do us much good; it is Right Thought that helps us apply those views in our lives. Right Views is based on a glimpse of the Buddha mind. Right Thought is based on remembering that glimpse and marshaling all of our powers to draw even nearer to it. How should we purify the tendencies of our minds? Through deep introspection, contemplate the fact that the source of all good and all evil is nothing more or less than the mind itself. A single wicked thought can produce a plethora of evil

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consequences, while a single good thought can give birth to wealth of good things. - Master Yung Chia Hsuan Chueh (665-713)

RIGHT SPEECH - Right Speech keeps us from creating bad karma by what we say. Most

people create most of their bad karma through intemperate speech. No one should be afraid to speak the truth, but the way that we say things and the times that we choose to say them are very important. A truth spoken at the wrong time—correcting someone in front of other people, for example—may cause immense suffering. If even a truth can cause harm, imagine how much worse outright lying, harshness, or tale telling can be. In its most basic form, Right Speech can be denned as not lying, not being two-faced or duplicitous, not being harsh, and not being sarcastic or mocking when speaking to others. Beyond these basic distinctions. Right Speech is also speech that is not irritating, not slanderous, not prideful or haughty, not insulting or critical, not bitter or caustic, not pointlessly fanciful or overblown. All Buddhists would do well to pay close attention to this list. It bears repeating that most people create most of their bad karma through speech. Examine your own life and see if this is not true.

There are four basic guidelines concerning speech that all of us can and should follow. First, tell the truth. Second, be compassionate in your speech. If you think that what you are going to say might hurt someone's feelings, simply don't say it. Use your voice to bring gentleness and kindness into the world. Third, be encouraging. Sometimes just a word or two can bring enormous peace and joy to someone else. If you see the opportunity to encourage someone, don't hold back. Your words may be just what they need to hear. Fourth, be helpful. Use words to help others. Our words can help others in many ways. We can explain and teach with our words, and we can also use words in such a way that others feel encouraged to discuss things with us. This point is quite important since the Dharma is best learned by discussing it with others.

In speech, as in everything, our best example is always the Buddha himself. Remember, the Buddha was known as "the one of true words, the one who does not change his words, and the one who does not lie." The Dharma taught by the Buddha is the single best example of Right Speech in the world. People who are wise all practice correct speech, soft speech, harmonious speech, and truthful speech. This is so because the use of correct speech rids us of frivolity, the use of soft speech rids us of harshness, the use of harmonious speech rids us of duplicity, and the use of truthful speech rids us of lying. -

Master Yung Chia Hsuan Chueh

RIGHT ACTION - Right Thought pertains to the workings of our minds. Right Speech

pertains to our uses of language. Right Action pertains to all of the things that we do with our bodies. Right Action includes good sleeping and eating habits, proper rest and exercise, work habits, and anything else that has to do with our bodies and the karma we generate by their behavior. Right Action means following the Five Precepts of Buddhism. It means using our bodies to implement and express the right conclusions we have drawn from Right Thought and Right Views. Keep your mind wholly on the Buddha. Fulfill human nature. When human nature is fulfilled, Buddhahood is attained. - Master T'ai Hsu (1889-

1947)

RIGHT WORK - Right Work or Right Profession pertains to how we earn our living. This

can be problematical in our complex, modern world. Right Work means not doing anything or causing anyone else to do anything that violates the precepts of Buddhism. The Treatise on the Stages of Yoga Practice says, "Right Work means that in the pursuit of clothing, food, drink, and other items, nothing is done that violates good morality."

All work should accord as closely as possible with the teachings of the Buddha. Our work should not harm anyone and it should not encourage any one else to harm anyone. Shakyamuni Buddha lived in a society that was very different from the ones we live in today. He did, however, mention several specifics about work that still are valid for modern Buddhists. He said that practicing Buddhists should not operate a gambling house, a bar, a brothel, or a slaughterhouse. He said that we should not hunt or fish or practice any other profession that kills animals. The work we do in this world lays many karmic seeds. Buddhism is often called the Middle Path because the Buddha always taught his followers to avoid extremes in all things. Balance and good judgment are fundamental aspects of wisdom. In examining our work and comparing what we do with the truths of the Dharma, we must be sure that we are not being extreme in our interpretations. If we discover on analysis that our work runs counter to the teachings of the Buddha, we should either change the way we do things or change jobs. Changes like this, however, should not be rushed into; proper consideration must be given to family members, employers, employees, and anyone else who might be affected by our decisions. RIGHT PROGRESS - Once we have our lives in order—once we have Right Views, Right

Thought, Right Speech, and Right Work—we will naturally begin to make Right Progress. Progress means changing for the better. It means becoming wiser, calmer, and more correct morally. Right Progress means that each day we come to understand a little more of the Dharma, and that each day we learn how to apply it a little more in our lives. In the practice of Buddhism, as in anything else, it is important to apply our energy steadily. As soon as we become lazy and inattentive, we begin to backslide. The Dharma is a deep treasure house. No one can see its depths in a short time. By constantly applying ourselves

to the teachings of the Buddha, we will gradually learn to appreciate just how vast the Dharma is and how wise the Buddha was. Our wisdom will grow as long as we stay close to the Dharma and allow it to show us how to behave. The Treatise on the Perfection of Great Wisdom suggests four basic ways that we can make progress: the treatise says we should give rise to goodness where there is none, foster goodness where there is some, not give rise to evil where there is none, and stop evil where there is some. If you believe that practicing the teachings of the Buddha is too much trouble, then you have probably failed to understand the much greater troubles that are caused by laziness. The practice of these teachings, though it requires effort, is not something that goes on forever. Eventually you will succeed and attain immense joy. In contrast, laziness and a failure to practice these teachings eventually robs us of all of our peace and causes us to suffer for many lifetimes. - Master Hsing An (1686-1734).

RIGHT MIND - Right Mind means

finding and dwelling within the inherent purity of the Buddha mind that lies within you. Right Mind means not letting that purity be obscured by greed, anger, or ignorance. Right Mind is an outcome of the first six aspects of the Noble Eightfold Path. Right Mind is that pure part of us that continues to grow as long as we practice the Dharma. The Sutra of Bequeathed Teachings says, "If Mind is strong, then even if one enters the thieving realm of the five desires, no harm will come to one. It is like wearing armor into battle; one need fear nothing." Buddhists should always emphasize Right Mind over delusive reasoning. If our Mind is Right, then we will not be swayed by the false distinctions of duality. We will not be trapped by the delusions of self versus other, loss versus gain, or life versus death. Right Mind teaches us how to dwell in the awareness that things are the way they

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should be and that all we can ever really do is bring a little more kindness into the world. The Buddha taught four basic contemplations to help us achieve and maintain Right Mind. Right Mind is a state of not being attached to any of the incessant vagaries of delusion. The following contemplations are designed to help us break free of our fascination with the realm of delusion. Once that fascination is broken, we can begin to perceive the purity and beauty that lies at the heart of a Right Mind. The Contemplation of Uncleanness One of the most basic causes of people's attachment to delusion is they love their bodies too much. An enormous amount of greed and anger comes from love of the body. The body should be cared for and it should not be mistreated, but it also should never be indulged. All of us should be fully aware that our bodies will become diseased and that they will die. Even when they are healthy, they are full of waste products, half-digested food, mucous, lymph, blood, urine, and many other substances that are fundamentally unclean. The Buddha taught us to contemplate the uncleanness of the body to help us overcome our attachments to it. This contemplation should not make us feel revolted; it should only help us free ourselves from clinging to the realm of the flesh. Contemplate that both the nature and the appearance of the body are empty. – (Great Nirvana Sutra) The Contemplation of Suffering Contemplate that all sensation is either painful or that it leads to pain. This contemplation is basically a reemphasis of the First Noble Truth. No matter what happens to us, in the end, none of us can escape the suffering caused by impermanence, disease, parting from loved ones, and death. Shakyamuni Buddha asked his followers to look this truth squarely in the face and not turn from it. The Dharma is based on the inherent unsatisfactoriness of life in this world; Prince Siddhartha, who became the Buddha, left his father s home to search for enlightenment once he fully understood the inevitability of suffering in this world. Contemplate that sensation dwells neither inside the body, neither outside the body, nor in between these two. - Great Nirvana Sutra

The Contemplation of Impermanence Contemplate the impermanence and brevity of thought. Our thoughts come and go with a rapidity that almost no one can fully comprehend, let alone control. In one moment we are in heaven, in the next the doors of hell open before our eyes. None of it is permanent. None of it remains the same. The mind moves ceaselessly among the disorganized data of the sensory world. By contemplating the frailties and inconstancies of our own thoughts, we teach ourselves that all things are impermanent and that nothing we can conceive of will remain. Contemplate that the mind is full of language, and that language is separate from what it refers to. – (Great Nirvana Sutra). The Contemplation of No Self-Nature Contemplate the absence of a permanent, unchanging self-nature that exists absolutely in anyone or anything. Contemplate that in and of themselves phenomena are neither good nor bad. –( Great Nirvana Sutra) The Diamond Sutra says, "All conditioned dharmas are like dreams, like illusions, like bubbles, like shadows, like dew, like lightning, and all of them should be contemplated in this way." Conditioned dharmas are all of the things of this world and all of the things we can imagine or think of. The Buddha said that all of them are "like lightning or like dew." None of them endures and none of them is ultimately real. Not one of them has a self-nature. Not one of them does not change. When all delusion is extinguished, that which is not delusion is not extinguished. It is like wiping a mirror: when the dust is gone clarity appears. -Sutra of Complete Enlightenment

RIGHT CONCENTRATION - Buddhist practice is based on morality, meditation, and

wisdom. Right Speech, Right Action, Right Work, and Right Progress are essentially designed to help us improve morally. Right Views, Right Thought, and Right Mind are essentially designed to help us become wiser, if not wise. Right Concentration is designed to help us learn to meditate and to benefit from meditation. The calmness and peace one finds in meditation are the foundations of Buddhist wisdom. The Sanskrit word for concentration is samadhi, which refers to a profound state of concentration or a profound state of meditative equipoise. All meditation is based on concentration. When we learn how to concentrate long and hard on the immutable truths of Buddhism and when we begin to discover the fullness of these truths in mental states that lie beyond language, we are practicing Right Concentration. The peace and purity that we discover in samadhi, if they are rightly applied in our lives, will bring enormous benefit both to ourselves and to all those we must deal with. Generally speaking, our meditations should help us become physically healthier, teach us calmness, help us see more clearly what it means to become enlightened, and ultimately show us the full resplendence of our inherent Buddha nature. Meditation should foster healthy and helpful social behavior, not make us gloomy or antisocial. If when meditating upon the Buddha you find that your mind is not calm and unified, then let it gather itself back into itself and it will become calm and unified. The best way to do this is to be pure and sincere in your effort. I/you are not sincere, you will not succeed. - Master Yin Kuang (1862-1940)

HOW TO UNDERSTAND THE NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH - The Abhidharma-

mahavibhasa Shastra says, "Right Views lead to Right Thought. Right Thought helps us attain Right Speech. Having Right Speech, we are able to attain Right Action. Having Right Action, we are able to attain Right Work. Right Work is the start of Right Progress. Right Progress leads to Right Mind, and Right Mind allows us to attain Right Concentration." Like so many other things in Buddhism, the Noble Eightfold Path is a verbal and conceptual division of something that is essentially indivisible. Ideally, the Noble Eightfold Path is practiced all at once since all of its parts are interconnected. Ideally, there is no separation among them. The Buddha made these eight distinctions

concerning practice of the Dharma because he wanted to present complex information in a way that can be understood by anyone who really tries.

Just as the Five Precepts may be taken on one at a time until all of them have been learned, so the Noble Eightfold Path may be learned in steps. The quote from the Abhidharma-mahavibhasa Shastrs. above tells us how the different parts of the Path are interrelated. This description should be thought of only as a rough guide. No one should think that he must wait until he has attained Right Views and Right Thought before he starts working on Right Speech, for example. The Buddha called the Noble Eightfold Path a "path" because it is a teaching that must be practiced and learned over time. The Dharma is incredibly deep and incredibly wise, and yet it can be understood by human beings if they truly apply themselves to it. Right Views are placed first among the eight aspects of the Noble Eightfold Path because Right Views are like a compass on a ship. They keep us from getting lost. If our views are right, the rest of Buddhism, and the rest of life, will follow in proper accord. The importance of having Right Views cannot be overemphasized. The basic subject of this entire book is Right Views. If we can understand the basic teachings of the Buddha, we will always know how and why and when and where to practice the Dharma. If our views are right, we will not easily become lost. The Agamas say, "If

one has a good understanding of Right Views, even if one should live one hundred times a thousand lives, one will never fall into the lower realms."

PRACTICING THE NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH - The Dharma can be expressed in

words, but it can never be fully grasped unless it is put into practice. To simply read about the Dharma without practicing it would be tragic. It would be like reading about how to save a drowning swimmer without actually doing anything to save him. The Noble Eightfold Path is intended to be a guide for all aspects of our lives. The Noble Eightfold Path must be implemented in our daily lives before the richness and wonder of its teachings can be fully realized. If it is practiced with diligence, the Noble Eightfold Path will lead to the most wondrous understanding. No one who practices it for long can possibly doubt the power and wisdom of the Noble Eightfold Path. The Noble Eightfold Path is based on morality, belief, and wisdom. It is a perfect guide to all of the Buddha's teachings. Diligent practice of the Noble Eightfold Path ultimately will lead to perfect enlightenment.

For countless eons, the Buddha himself performed enlightened deeds for the good of all sentient beings. And thus, his light shines throughout all worlds and joy is born in the minds of good spirits everywhere. - Flower Garland Sutra Venerable Master Hsing Yun

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Commonwealth Day Celebrations organized by the British Commonwealth Association of Queensland was held on 14

th March in Chung Tian Temple with

the theme of ‘An Inclusive Commonwealth’. Abbess Venerable Chueh Shan in her speech said that the 53 British Commonwealth countries were characterized by the integration of pluralistic cultures and religions, and Buddhism also demonstrated the spirit of ‘respect and inclusion’, bringing happiness and well-being to mankind throughout the world.

Over the years, the celebrations were conducted in Catholic or Christian church. In 2012, it was held in Chung Tian Temple, leaving a deep impression to the guests. This year, Chung Tian Temple was again chosen to be the venue for the event.

His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC read out the Queen’s message on ‘An Inclusive Commonwealth’ -- “An essential ingredient of belonging to the Commonwealth was a willingness to share, to exchange and to act for the common good. By including others, drawing on collective insights, knowledge and resources, and thinking and working together, we lay the foundations of a harmonious and progressive society. True celebration of the dignity of each person and the value of their uniqueness and contribution, involves reaching out, recognizing and embracing their individual identity. Let us give it practical effect by supporting those in need and those who feel excluded in walks of life. By doing so, we will continue to build a truly representative Commonwealth community.”

Mr. Brant Rippon, Chairman of Australian Monastic League, Mr. Wai Kiong Chan Chairman of Australia Malaysia Business Council of Queensland and Mr. Anthony Shorten Chairman of Queensland British Commonwealth Association respectively responded to the Queen’s message. They thanked Chung Tian Temple for providing the venue and service, and acknowledged the temple’s contribution to the promotion of cultural diversity in the community. They hoped that all ethnic and cultural groups could live in harmony and solidarity to create social prosperity.

In the celebrations, there were Chung Tian Choir singing ‘You raise me up’ and ‘Song of the door of faith’, and singing by students of Yarranlea School, gaining warm applause from the audience.

Queensland Governor His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC thanked Mr. Anthony Shorten of Queensland British Commonwealth Association and Chung Tian Temple for assisting in organizing the activity. He committed to enhance friendship and mutual understanding of people to promote progress and development of society.

140 people participated including VIPs Mr. Anthony Shorten Chairman of Queensland British Commonwealth Association, Mr. Brant Rippon Chairman of Australian Monastic League, Dr. Brian Adams Director of Centre for Interfaith & Cultural Dialogue at Griffith University, Mr. Wai Kiong Chan Chairman of Australia Malaysia Business Council Queensland, Mr. Wei-Chung Lai Director General of Taipei Economic & Cultural Office (Brisbane), religious representatives and Yarranlea School choir. The VIPs and students holding the flags of 53 commonwealth countries posed for pictures together to leave a historic page for the Commonwealth Day Celebrations. Chung Tian Admin Translated by Elaine Pun

Commonwealth Day Celebrations in Chung Tian Temple

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Chung Tian Temple was invited to Australian Citizenship Ceremony

As invited by Dr. Brian Adams, Director of Centre of Interfaith & Cultural Dialogue at Griffith University, Abbess Venerable Chueh Shan with BLIAQ Directors Meng Yoke Hong and Ralph Smith, and Ms Ying Cai went to attend the Harmony Week Australian Citizenship Ceremony organized by the University on 12

th March.

To be a supporter for cultural interactions, the Centre of Interfaith & Cultural Dialogue focuses on multicultural exchanges, and often invites religious leaders in Brisbane to multicultural activities. In Brisbane G20 Summit of the previous year, the Centre of Interfaith & Cultural Dialogue for the first time added in Interfaith Summit with a great success. With the recognition by G20 Summit, it has been fixed to form an important part of the annual G20 Summit.

This time, Australian Citizenship Ceremony was hosted by the Centre of Interfaith & Cultural Dialogue. 83 residents from 29 countries were going to take the pledge of commitment as Australian citizens, and Mr. Graham Perrett MP would preside over the ceremony. Nearly 200 people participated including Minister for State Government Hon Mark Bailey MP, Peter Russel MP, Duncan Pegg MP, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Griffith University Prof. Martin Betts, new citizens and their relatives and friends.

Federal Member Mr. Graham Perrett said that Australia was a multicultural country with friendly people and social harmony, actively promoting the integration of different cultures and welcoming people of different ethnic groups. After the formal oath taking, Citizenship Certificates and native plants symbolizing new life were presented. The organizer Dr. Brian Adams said that as a promoter of multiculturalism, he was honoured to make use of the Citizenship Ceremony to provide a stage for new migrants from different countries and cultural background to express their wishes. They were proud to become Australian citizens, not only to integrate into the Australian community, but also bring good ethnic cultures to build a better Australia. Finally, everyone sang Australian national anthem and posed for pictures with beaming smiles and happiness to become Australian citizens. Chung Tian Admin Translated by Elaine Pun

On 24th

February, Lady Kabui of the Governor General of the Solomon Islands, accompanied by Director General of Taipei Economic & Cultural Office (Brisbane) Lai Wei-Chung and Overseas Community Affairs Council member Huang Su-Zhen visited Chung Tian Temple. They were warmly received by Venerable Jue Tang, BLIAQ President Kim Wu, Vice President Stephen Chang, Elder Advisor Jenniwaty Luhur and South I Branch President Xu Yu-Pei. The Solomon Islands is a nation of more than 990 islands in the South Pacific, located in the north-east of Australia with a population of 530,000 people. It is a country belonging to the Commonwealth. The Governor General of the Solomon Islands H.E. Sir Frank Kabui was elected by a majority of members of the Parliament and appointed by the Queen of England. The country has diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Since Lady Kabui arrived to Brisbane for a transit, Director Lai Wei-Chung invited her to visit Chung Tian Temple to understand Humanistic Buddhism. Lady Kabui was firstly led to the Main Hall to offer light to the Buddha. Venerable Jue Tang introduced Venerable Master Hsing Yun in propagating Humanistic Buddhism in the five continents. Elder Advisor Jenniwaty Luhur and the others guided the VIP to ring the Blessing Bell and visit the Museum, Art Gallery and Heavenly Pagoda. In the Tea Ch’an room, the guests were allowed to experience a different culture. Chen Shu-Hui demonstrated Tea Ceremony, showing the procedure of tea appreciation, tea brewing, tea serving, tea savouring and the appreciation of the sweet aftertaste. Lady Kabui praised the temple for its clean and peaceful atmosphere, and the uniqueness of calligraphy in Sutra copying and integration of tea culture with Buddhism. She said that the people there were kind and thanked for their warm reception. Venerable Jue Tang on behalf presented to her Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s book of ‘365 Days for Travellers’, and invited them to enjoy lunch in the Water Drop Teahouse. They posed for pictures together at the end of the visit. Chung Tian Admin Translated by Elaine Pun

Temple Visit by Lady Kabui of the Governor General of the Solomon Islands

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Enthusiastic Response from BLIAQ to Clean Up Australia Day

To implement the localization of Humanistic Buddhism, BLIAQ responded to ‘Clean Up Australia Day’ by promoting ‘Protection of Mind & Environment’ with the concept of loving care for the earth. Every year, BLIAQ participated actively in the clean-up activity. On 6

th March,

under the leadership of Abbess Venerable Chueh Shan, other Venerables, BLIAQ President Kim Wu, Elder Advisor Andy Hsueh, Branch Presidents and YAD Leaders, clean-up activities were carried out in different areas. Logan Branch, Chung Tian Branch and North Branch at Underwood Park of Logan city, South I and Gold Coast Branches at Yinbun Park, West Branch at Rocks River Side and YAD members cleaning up streets near Sunnybank train station. A total of more than 100 people joined in, showing the spirit of practising the Bodhisattva way by serving the community. Branch Presidents in different clean-up areas carefully explained the safety rules, filled in insurance list, and set up emergency aid station and syringes handling group. After this, members worked together to clean up the places. Though the weather was hot and everyone was sweating profusely, they exercised their team spirit, and with combined effort, bags and bags of rubbish were put into the large garbage bin. Abbess Venerable Chueh Shan also participated in the clean-up work with the Branches. She said that by participating in the Clean Up Australia Day, they could implement Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s concept of ‘Protection of Mind and Environment’ by walking into society to care for the earth with practical actions, and establish a pure land on earth by maintaining a clean environment. She encouraged everyone to practise good deeds, say good words and have good thoughts which could help to purify body and mind, and eliminate defilement and affliction. Afterwards, they returned to the Dining Hall to enjoy afternoon tea prepared by the temple to share happily their experience of the day. Chung Tian Admin Translated by Elaine Pun

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Temple Visit by Australian Tea Portion, Participating in Tea Ch’an

Enola Robinson, Founder/Master Tea Creator of Tea Potion led 13 tea lovers to visit Chung Tian Temple on 6

th March, participating in the activity of

‘Tea Ch’an’ which was explained and demonstrated by the tea master. ‘Tea Potion’ is a well-known tea brand, specialized in selling high standards of speciality tea selected from different countries. Their motto is ‘Love tea, love life’ that tea forms part of modern quality life. Enola and 13 tea lovers have good understanding of tea. When they saw the Tea Ch’an teaching activity from the temple’s website, they immediately enrolled and wanted to observe it in the Buddhist content. First, Crystal led them to have a minute of sitting meditation to calm down the mind, followed by the appreciation of tea leaves and demonstration of tea brewing technique. In combining with the implication of Buddhism’s ‘Three goodness’ to enhance the meaning of life, one will experience the state of Tea Ch’an through attaining a pure and ordinary mind without differentiation, feeling that every day is a good day. Each participant admired the grace and dignity of Chinese Tea Ceremony, feeling the magical effect produced by Tea Ch’an. They were deeply impressed by the beauty of the tea culture and hoped to arrange more exchanges in Tea Ceremony. Chung Tian Admin Translated by Elaine Pun

Temple Visit by Logan Women’s Health and Wellbeing Centre

In the morning of 8th

March, 30 members from Logan Women’s Health and Wellbeing Centre came to visit Chung Tian Temple. They were warmly received by volunteer guides Karen Stanley and Helen Kennett of Chung Tian Branch. Logan Women’s Health and Wellbeing Centre offers a variety of health and wellbeing services that respond to the needs of women to rebuild their confidence, hope and respect, and to give them support in various problems encountered in work and life. This time, visiting Chung Tian Temple was one of the activities. The Centre deliberately booked for meditation, calligraphy in Sutra copying and Tea Ceremony to purify body and mind, and vegetarian meal. The guides introduced Venerable Master Hsing Yun, Founding Master of Foguangshan in establishing over 200 temples in the five continents and propagating Humanistic Buddhism. Chung Tian Temple based on Foguangshan’s Four Main Objectives of ‘Propagating Dharma through cultural

Sutra Transcription Class organised by BLIAQ Logan Branch

In ancient times, without printing techniques, Buddhist monks transcribed sutra and Buddhism spread very rapidly. In China it was prevalent in 6-8th centuries. This became very popular among Chinese people. Nowadays, it is common for Buddhists to transcribe the sutras for mental training. There is as saying that we receive merit by just looking at the sutra, more merit by reading it aloud, and much more merit by transcribing it. On 20 February 2016, Cantonese Buddhist class organised by BLIAQ Logan branch hosted a Sutra Transcription class conducted by Venerable Jue Tang. The participants have the opportunity to transcribe the Amitabha Sutra followed with chanting of Amitabha Sutra at the Pagoda. It was a rewarding day for the participants as they took this opportunity to calm and train their minds. By transcribe the sutra, the participant can calm their bodies and

minds and get a feel for Buddhist teachings. Meng

activities, fostering talents through education, benefiting society through charitable programs, and purifying human mind through Buddhist practice’ to promote a variety of cultural and educational activities. They also visited the Main Hall, Museum and Heavenly Pagoda. The visitors praised the clean and peaceful atmosphere of the temple, and the uniqueness of combining calligraphy and Tea Ceremony with Buddhism. They thanked the Venerable and guides for their hospitability and were able to benefit by understanding more about Buddhist ritual and culture. Chung Tian Admin Translated by Elaine Pun

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On 21st February at 9.00 a.m., 2016 Term 1 English Buddhist and Meditation

Classes commenced. More than a hundred Australians enrolled in adult classes of Level 1 to Level 4. At 10.00 a.m., Chung Tian Branch President Brian Kemp, Dharma Lecturer Gary Zikking, Grant Coleman, Helen Kennett welcomed new students of Level 1 in the Conference Room, introducing Foguangshan’s Four Main Objectives of ‘Propagating Dharma through cultural activities, fostering talents through education, purifying human mind through Buddhist practice, and benefiting society through charitable programs’.

The background of establishing Chung Tian Temple was explained, and classes offered by the temple such as adult, teenagers and children English Buddhist and Meditation classes, Chinese painting class, choir and Tai-chi were introduced. They were encouraged to come to attend English Buddhist classes on Sunday with their families. Brian and Chung Tian Branch members led them to visit the temple to see the temple’s environment, and to know about its function in Dharma propagation and Chung Tian Branch in BLIAQ. Meditation classes of different levels were taught by Abbess Venerable Chueh Shan, Venerable Jue Tang and Venerable Miao Lai. In meditation, the Tai-chi 18 stances, Vairo Seven-steps in sitting meditation, counting breaths and walking meditation were instructed.

Buddhist classes were taken up by Venerable Miao Xin, Brian Kemp, Gary Zikking and Robert Friedler who followed Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s English Buddhist books of ‘The Core Teachings’, ‘The Core Ideas’, ‘Buddhism – Pure and Simple’ and ‘Ten Paths to Happiness’ as teaching materials. Students liked to come to the temple on Sunday to attend English Buddhist and Meditation classes to purify the mind, to reduce afflictions and to increase wisdom. Chung Tian Admin Translated by Elaine Pun

Orientation for English Buddhist and Meditation Class

English Children & Teenager’s Buddhist Classes

English Children Buddhist Class began at 10.00 a.m. on 21st

February. Volunteer Buddhist teachers Petra Depalo, Lyna Chen, Donna Crowley-Hodgson and Millicent Mackintosh had carefully prepared teaching materials, and led 45 children to do Tai-chi exercise of 18 stances in the Kuan Yin Court to relax the body and mind. Venerable Miao Lai in the Main Hall instructed them to practise sitting meditation and to focus the mind by counting breaths. Then, children were divided by age into groups to attend classes which reviewed on what they learnt last term and revised on stories about Sakyamuni Buddha. Teacher Claudia Hii of the Teenager’s Buddhist Class reviewed with ten students about their study last semester, and explained the significance of the ‘Three acts of goodness’ and ‘Four offerings’. Buddhist courses allow children and teenagers to learn the ‘Three acts of goodness’, to establish right views and right thoughts and to understand Humanistic Buddhism. Chung Tian Admin Translated by Elaine Pun

Page 9

Chung Tian Temple Benefactors & Volunteers Meeting

In the afternoon of 27th February, Chung Tian Temple Benefactors and

Volunteers Meeting was held in the Conference Room with attendance of 130 people. Through BLTV news network, they listened to the Founding Master of Foguangshan, Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s discourse to benefactors at the Great Enlightenment Auditorium in Buddha Memorial Centre on 3

rd January. “A

family of materialistic living is insufficient for life since spiritual life with faith is also required.” He hoped that everyone was able to find one’s true nature. He stressed that through the process of faith, one could return to the Buddhist Pure Land, “Anywhere related to the Buddha is my home, whether it is the Buddha’s home or ancestral temple. When you know about these homes, I believe that in future you will find home even in emptiness.” Head Abbess of Australia New Zealand Foguangshan Venerable Man Ko said it was expected that Nan Tien Bridge construction would be completed before the end of 2017. Currently, the ‘Venerable Master Hsing Yun Educational Foundation’ has been established to agglomerate all the schooling forces so as to support the fostering of talents, continue to strive for excellence in academic research and social services to benefit people, and to lay long-term foundation for the stable operation of Nan Tien Institute. Then, movies on the Chinese New Year greetings to the Venerable Master from devotees of Chung Tian Temple and the review of the past year activities were played, sharing the wonderful shots of benefactors and volunteers in work and activities. Abbess Venerable Chueh Shan reported about the work of Dharma propagation over the past year in Chung Tian Temple and the future prospect in the heritage of faith. ‘The faith of Buddha’s Light members’ should be deepened and strengthened in order to establish the common faith philosophy and create happy harmonious families. Benefactor Hong Jiao-Chu shared her cause of studying Buddhism in Chung Tian Temple. She considered the temple as her home of Dharma body and wisdom life with strong faith, right views and right thoughts by following ‘one master one way’. Benefactor Arthur Liu thanked Venerable Master Hsing Yun for his unconditional compassion in building the Chung Tian Vihara, Chung Tian Temple and Chung Tian School in Brisbane. He said that Chung Tian School was a very important cause to induce his whole family to enter Buddhism. He thanked all the Venerables and the people there as they were the hands and eyes of the Venerable Master, enabling his family to settle in both body and mind. He hoped that his family, being part of Buddha’s Light big family, could make effort to contribute to Buddhism. English Dharma Lecturer Gary Zikking talked about his cause of learning Buddhism in Chung Tian Temple. He said that shortly after studying Buddhism, the Venerable Master came to the temple and he soon took refuge in the Triple Gem and Five Precepts. After years of study, he became an English Dharma teacher. He had been to Foguangshan and studied in Nan Tien Temple, and he would continue to propagate Humanistic Buddhism in his Buddhist study and practice. BLIAQ President Kim Wu in his speech said that benefactors were regarded as having both merit and virtue. On behalf of BLIAQ, he thanked all benefactors for their long-term support. He said that pure wealth and Dharma wealth could be convertible. The giving of pure wealth would result in merit which was the Dharma wealth. Likewise, Dharma wealth could also help to increase pure wealth. Finally, Venerable Man Ko on behalf of Venerable Master Hsing Yun presented the Master’s book ‘The Wisdom of Hsing Yun’ and lucky bags to benefactors and volunteers as gifts. They posed for pictures and the meeting was concluded. Chung Tian Admin Translated by Elaine Pun

Page 10

Buddhist Wedding Ceremony for the 2nd generation of BLIAQ members in temple

In the afternoon of 5th March, a Buddhist Wedding Ceremony for Mr. Barry

Chen and Ms. Anna Wong was held in the Main Hall of Chung Tian Temple. Bride Anna Wong’s mother Xu Yan-Yun is a BLIAQ member, active in the temple’s activities for many years. Abbess Venerable Chueh Shan was invited to be the Celebrant, and 70 guests attended the ceremony including their relatives and friends.

In the ceremony, parents of the wedding couple entered the Main Hall, followed by Abbess Venerable Chueh Shan, Venerable Miao Xin and Venerable Jue Tang, leading the bride and bride-groom. They sang ‘Ode to Triple Gem’ and read out Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s ‘Prayer for Buddhist Wedding Ceremony’, praying for Buddha’s blessing on them to establish happy family relationship with good causes and conditions. It was hoped that from then on, they could handle right and wrong with wisdom, treat people with respect, cultivate body and mind with morality, and manage people and things with compassion. Before the Celebrant, relatives and friends, both solemnly took the marriage vows to care and support each other from the day onwards, for better or worse, for rich or poor, in sickness or health. Wedding rings were then exchanged.

Abbess Venerable Chueh Shan congratulated them to become a Bodhi couple, newly wedded in front of the Buddha. She helped them to put on the bracelets of chanting beads and presented Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s book ‘365 Days for Travellers’ to them. She advised them that 1. Perfect love needs mutual understanding, appreciation and support; 2. Cherish causes and conditions to live in harmony, care for society and vow to cultivate goodness with love; 3. Be grateful to parents, relatives and friends, and establish a happy model family. She encouraged the new couple to be volunteers in the temple to serve the community. They were also grateful to the temple for organizing such a solemn Buddhist Wedding Ceremony for them.

All the guests applauded warmly with greetings. The newly wedded couple led by the Venerables walked out of the Main Hall. They posed for pictures together to mark the end of the happy occasion.

Chung Tian Admin Translated by Elaine Pun

Chung Tian Temple was invited to visit the Museum of Brisbane

As invited by Andrew Tynan, Development Manager of the Museum of Brisbane to visit the Museum, Abbess Venerable Chueh Shan went there with BLIAQ Secretary Su Ling-ling on 10

th March. The Museum of Brisbane is

located in Brisbane City Hall built in 1830. Its two newly completed art galleries offer artists free exhibition about the living history of Brisbane, and works of art such as culture, architecture and photography so that the public is more aware of local arts and customs. People can also visit the oldest bell tower on the top floor of Brisbane City Hall, listening to the introduction of past technology and the sound of the ancient bell. It was hoped that in future, mutual interaction could be enhanced to allow more people to know the history of Brisbane, and also to leave a historical record for the future arts and culture.

Chung Tian Admin Translated by Elaine Pun

Home visit to Foguang families on the birth of their babies

On 14th

March, Abbess Venerable Chueh Shan, BLIAQ Vice President Stephen Chang and his wife, Loving Care Group Advisor Lu Shu-Yuan and Deputy Leader Chi Su-Zhen, and Director Meng Yoke Hong, a total of 7 people went to visit Daris Hii, the son of Elder Advisor Jenniwatty Luhur to congratulate him and his wife on the birth of their baby. Jenniwatty Luhur happily held her grandson to let Venerable Chueh Shan to put the chanting beads on the baby’s wrist for blessing. Daris Hii is an outstanding Foguang youth, currently a lawyer. When studying in university, he volunteered both as a tour guide for school visits and a teacher in English Children and Teenagers’ Buddhist Classes. After getting married, he often came to the temple with his wife Penny to pay homage to the Buddha, inheriting the Buddha’s faith.

On 13th March in the afternoon, Abbess Venerable Chueh Shan and Director

Meng Yoke Hong went for a home visit to benefactor Qiu Jin-Song and his wife Liu Xiang-Lan to congratulate them on the birth of their grand-daughter, the baby of their second daughter Chiu Wei-Ling, bringing Great Compassion Mantra water to them. Chiu Wei-Ling was a volunteer in Chung Tian School since small. Though she moved to Canberra because of work, she did not forget the Buddhist faith. During the expectant period in Brisbane, she often brought her elder son to the temple to implant Bodhi seed in him. Chung Tian Admin Translated by Elaine Pun

Page 11

On 3rd

March in the evening, West Branch conducted a group study on ‘Humanistic Buddhism Life Ch’an’ at Mt Ommaney Library, hosted by West Branch President Chang Li-Xiang. Dharma Lecturer Andy Hsueh was invited to be the speaker. 33 people participated including BLIAQ Vice President Stephen Chang, Elder Advisor Even Chang and his wife, and West Branch members. Venerable Miao Yi attended as advisor. Andy Hsueh entered into the topic by talking about cultivation of concentration and wisdom, during the process of which, the mind could be purified with present moment awareness. One should learn to ‘Go through flower bush without a leaf sticking to the body’ which represents the state of simple, carefree and stable mind without attachment. He inspired people to have some understanding of ‘Ch’an’ which could only be realized but not transmitted by words. Venerable Miao Yi encouraged members to be diligent in practising the Bodhisattva way and to overcome idleness through group studies. The West Branch members were able to benefit a lot. Chung Tian Admin Translated by Elaine Pun

Group Study of BLIAQ West Branch

Lecture on ‘Creating a New Model in Group Study’ by Jian Jing-Hui

Jian Jing-Hui, Director of Hong’s Foundation for Education & Culture in Taiwan has many years of experience in organizing and leading group studies. This time, she specially conducted a lecture tour in Foguangshan Temples of Oceania region about group study.

On 1st March in the morning, she gave a talk on ‘Creating a New Model in Group

Study – Method of Leading Group Study’ in the Conference Room of Chung Tian Temple. 80 people participated including Abbess Venerable Chueh Shan, other Venerables, BLIAQ President Kim Wu and his wife, Vice President Stephen Chang and his wife, people of the community and BLIAQ members. They wanted to know about the various forms and contents of group study, wishing to find a new way for their study groups.

With her many years of valuable experience in leading group studies, teacher Jian introduced the new meaning on the significance of group study and innovative leading methods. She said, “Study group is considered as: 1. A non-profit learning group formed out of spontaneity and autonomy; 2. Having combined interest with common set goals and regulations; 3. Group reading and discussion to share life experiences; 4. Training and cultivating critical thinking skills and expressive ability; 5. Creating new friend relationships and increasing the meaning of life. Life is a way of learning.” She promoted the concept of ‘Nudge’ to enable one to reverse the way of thinking and the thrust of digestion in group studies.

To lead a study group, she suggested three ways: 1. In the form of expressing and making speech; 2. In the form of reading; 3. In the form of discussion out of awareness. The participants were keen to ask questions on how to lead a group study to enable everyone to learn actively and enhance critical thinking. Teacher Jian finally recommended that everyone should study happily with a playful mood, applying the wisdom of Dharma in living. She encouraged the audience to actively participate in study groups.

The afternoon was continued with a casual discussion of ‘Elderly topic – Successful Ageing’ in the Conference Room to encourage the creation of a positive outlook on life. Teachers’ Branch President Xu Xiu-Mei led Chung Tian School teachers to serve tea so that the participants felt particularly relaxed in the afternoon discussion.

For ‘Successful Ageing’, teacher Jian being 75 years old said that when getting old, the only work was to be happy and find the value by making the self to be needed. She recommended people to plan for the direction of life such as learning in travelling. In her view, it is not easy to live up to the old. One should not be afraid of anything and attach to the past glories, but rather use an open mind to face all changes.

She combined her life experiences to explore a youthful lifestyle and guided the audience to lead a healthy and substantial elderly living with vitality. She enabled people to change their attitude towards ageing that old age is no longer the ‘evening’ but is the prime time in life. Chung Tian Admin Translated by Elaine Pun

Page 12

New Year Fellowship Gathering of Chung Tian Choir

On 20th

February at 6.00 p.m., Chinese New Year Fellowship Gathering of Chung Tian Choir was held at Cheng Xing-Qing’s house. Abbess Venerable Chueh Shan, Venerable Jue Tang, Venerable Miao Yi and Venerable Miao Xin were invited to attend, joining with teacher Chang Jian-Rong and choir members. Cheng Xing-Qing had prepared more than a dozen Malaysian special dishes, and Logan Branch President Kwang Hooi Khor led everyone, in accordance with the Malaysian New Year custom, to share the vegetarian appetizer salad, with the meaning of blessing for everyone to be wealthy and prosperous in the Year of the Monkey. Choir Leader Lin Shu-Chu led Chung Tian Choir to perform by singing three songs ‘Beautiful Prairie is My Home’, ‘Malan Girl’ and ‘Chung Tian Praise’ which gained continuous applause. Abbess Venerable Chueh Shan on behalf presented Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s ‘Poetry of the Human World’ to Cheng Xing-Qing, hoping that she could share the Venerable Master’s poetry with others. Cheng Xing-Qing also expressed her interest in reading and reciting poetry, and thanked Venerable Chueh Shan for giving her the first poetry collection of Venerable Master Hsing Yun. She wished everyone a Happy New Year. Finally, they posed together for pictures and thanked Cheng Xing-Qing for her warm reception. They looked forward to get together again next time. Chung Tian Admin Translated by Elaine Pun

YAD Welcome Day

The Queensland YAD had their annual Welcome Day for new members on Sunday 28 February 2016 at Chung Tian Temple. This year, the highlight of the day was the 'Amazing Race' where participants challenged themselves at different stages of the game, with each station corresponding with one of the Noble Eightfold Path (View, Thought, Speech, Action, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness and Concentration). The day also included a meditation session, as well as an encouraging speech by Venerable Miao Xin and Abbess Chueh Shan. Louise Chen

Photos of Elegant English High Tea organised by BLIAQ YAD

Page 13

Humanistic Buddhism inspires us to elevate ourselves and have faith in ourselves; because this self-embodies the wisdom and virtue of the Buddha. Thus we must realize that we are all buddhas ourselves and be proud to say that “I am a Buddha.” Such is the spirit of Humanistic Buddhism. Instead of placing our fate in the hands of divine entities, we should take responsibility for our own lives. The saying in the Agamas, “Rely on the self, rely on the Dharma, rely on nothing else,” is a rendition of the faith of Humanistic Buddhism. Venerable Master Hsing Yun

Humanistic Buddhism

#VenerableMasterHsingYun #366DayswithWisdom

Balance sheet of life

The best thing in the world is happiness. The kindest act in the world is to form ties of good causes and conditions. The strongest power in the world is endurance. The most powerful determination in the world is willingness to do things wholeheartedly.

Poverty and wealth are two opposite terms commonly used to describe the social position of people. To most people, poor people are not rich while rich people are not poor. In reality, it is not entirely true. There are many “poor” rich people and “rich” poor people around us. Yan Hui was one of Confucius’ disciples. Though he lived in a dilapidated place and had very simple food every day, he was always happy and contented. Can you say that he is a poor man? Mahakashyapa, one of the Buddha’s ten disciples, used to live by a mound by the river in the mountains. He had only one meal daily. His only possessions were a piece of sangha robe and a begging bowl. However, his mind was calm and free of all attachments. So can you say he was a poor man? Let us look at the rich people of today. They live in modern buildings, have cars and many assistants. They are busy making money, focusing on the stock market every day. Can you say that they are rich? There are those who have lots of money and property. But they always complain of insufficient money and are unwilling to spend a single cent on other people. Can you say that they are rich? From the perspective of Buddhism, there is no poor person in the world. Those who are not busy and willing to help other people are actually rich with abundant time. Those who are good at speaking kind words and willing to praise and encourage other people are actually rich with good language. Those who always show their smiles, happiness and respect for others are rich with a beautiful mind. One who helps and serves people energetically is also rich with dynamic energy. So those who are always greedy and are never satisfied will be poor forever. Those who are happy to offer their services to others will be rich forever.

Nothing is impossible if we embrace it wholeheartedly with determination. No mistake is beyond fixing if we face it wholeheartedly with determination.

To become a valuable person in the world, one needs to endure all kinds of difficulties and hardships like a tar road being flattened after being rolled over by a heavy steam roller, or a strong stainless steel formed after cycles of melting, heating and cooling at extreme temperatures. For buns, noodles, and dumplings to be tasty, they must be made from dough which has gone through relentless kneading. As a human, we must be able to undergo countless troubles with patience and without entertaining grievance or resentment. Then we will become the outstanding expert in our field. A specific set of musical instruments, which are known as Dharma instruments, are always arranged in a specific way in the Main Shrine of Chinese traditional temples. These musical instruments are used during chants and hymns. Among the instruments are a wooden fish, a bell drum, and a large chime which is shaped like a bowl. There is a tale that tells of the large chime protesting to the bronze-made Buddha statue: “Both of us are made from bronze, yet why are you always respected by the devotees while I always get hit?” The Buddha replied compassionately, “Large chime, do you know how much I had to be tempered before I was shaped into a Buddha statue? On the other hand, you are not even able to withstand a single hit without wailing loudly. Thus, you could only become a chime.” Benjamin Franklin had once said, “There are no gains, without pains,” which is similar to the Chinese idiom: The plum blossom will not be fragrant if it never experiences severe cold weather. If you want success, then you have to endure all kinds of hardship and training before you can succeed.. . Venerable Master Hsing Yun

Birth is your Opening Stock.

What comes to you is Credit.

What goes from you is Debit.

Death is your Closing Stock.

Your ideas are your Assets.

Your bad habits are your Liabilities.

Your happiness is your Profit.

Your sorrow is your Loss.

Your soul is your Goodwill.

Your heart is your fixed Assets

Your character is your Capital.

Your knowledge is your Investment

Your age is your Depreciation.

And finally : ALWAYS REMEMBER, KARMA IS YOUR AUDITOR.

Have a perfect Balance Sheet for .your life!!!

Page 14

Contentment is a recipe for liberation from desires. Gratitude is the gateway to obtaining wealth.

There are two kinds of pigeons. The first kind, once freed, is unable to find its way home and eventually becomes food for the hunter. It is called the “dish pigeon.” The other kind knows the way home even though it has flown for miles. This extraordinary species is called a “match pigeon.”

Whether an army can fight in a battle depends on the training that turned the army into either a “dish pigeon” or a “match pigeon.” In business, whether your employees are “dish pigeons” or “match pigeons” also depends on the vigorousness of the training given to them, not on any short-term working relationship.

When a leader sees his subordinates indecisive and not content, there is no need to feel bad because the subordinates are “dish pigeons.” It is better to let them go as soon as possible in order to avoid greater loss in the future. It would be a pity if a subordinate is actually a “match pigeon,” but you are unaware of his quality and talent and treat him like a “dish pigeon.”

In an organization or a company, there is no need to feel sad or sympathetic for the “dish pigeons” who are removed or laid off. Instead, we should appreciate the leader’s ability to recognize talent. Having just a few people with the quality of “match pigeons,” a business will not be able to achieve much success. Only with a team of “match pigeons” can a business have a successful and brilliant future. Birth is the effect of our past lives; we need to elevate it. Old age is the principle of impermanence; we have to accept it. Sickness is the natural course of life; we have to bear with it. Death is the transformed process of senses; we have to face it.

The only way to face a reality that is impossible to change is to accept it. Only by accepting the reality of being defeated, accepting the reality of failure, and accepting the reality of being in fear, can we consequently find ways to overcome the challenges and restlessness that we are facing. By accepting reality, we develop the motivation to achieve success and learn to be flexible in dealing with other people and problems.

There are many people of the past and present who accepted their difficulties and disadvantages, strived, and finally succeeding in improving their living conditions, created a whole new life. Many examples of this are provided throughout Chinese history, such as Zuo Qiuming, who completed a book entitled Guo Yu after he had lost his eyesight; Sima Qian, who compiled the historical masterpiece of Shi Ji in prison while suffering severe torture. Others include Zhou Wenwang, who interpreted the ancient divination symbol when he was imprisoned;

Confucius completed the book Chunqiu when he was travelling from country to country; Qu Yuan wrote the great poem Li Sao after he was exiled from his country; Sun Bing finished the great Sun Zi Arts of War even though his legs were chopped off. All these examples show us that we can change our destiny through our willpower despite facing unfavourable conditions.

Accepting reality does not mean being pessimistic. In fact, accepting reality means we do everything we ought to do in a positive way and with unlimited hope for the best outcome. When one accepts reality, he is moving towards the path of success because he could face himself in an honest way. Finally, it is essential for one to accept reality because this is where one rises again by turning weakness to strength. Venerable Master Hsing Yun

The Buddha's Words on Loving-Kindness This is what should be done by one who is skilled in goodness, and who knows the path of peace: Let them be able and upright, straightforward and gentle in speech. Humble and not conceited, contented and easily satisfied. Unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways. Peaceful and calm, and wise and skilful, not proud and demanding in nature. Let them not do the slightest thing that the wise would later reprove. Wishing: In gladness and in safety, may all beings be at ease. Whatever living beings there may be; Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none, the great or the mighty, medium, short or small, the seen and the unseen, those living near and far away, those born and to-be-born, may all beings be at ease! Let none deceive another, or despise any being in any state. Let none through anger or ill-will Wish harm upon another. Even as a mother protects with her life her child, her only child, so with a boundless heart Should one cherish all living beings: Radiating kindness over the entire world spreading upwards to the skies, and downwards to the depths; outwards and unbounded, freed from hatred and ill-will. Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down free from drowsiness, one should sustain this recollection. This is said to be the sublime abiding. By not holding to fixed views, the pure-hearted one, having clarity of vision, being freed from all sense desires, is not born again into this world. Gautama Buddha

Metta Sutta

#VenerableMasterHsingYun #366DayswithWisdom

Page 15

Sublimation & Degeneration

As we now have a new president in the country, many may ask, "Is the future of the nation going to sublimate, or will it degenerate?" A country needs to sublimate in order to have a future. That is the way to progress. Otherwise, it will degenerate. In order to sublimate, there should be democracy in politics, economic growth, social harmony, integrity in government, and compassion and honesty in the community. The new government and their officials must embrace all of the above or the nation will degenerate.

Other than for the country as a whole, we also need to ask ourselves if we want to sublimate or degenerate. In sublimating ourselves, we need to increase our knowledge, enhance our morals, and purify our habitual tendencies. Moreover, we need to practice compassion in action and speech, be diligent and conscientious in our work, and live a simple and unpretentious life in order to sublimate ourselves. Otherwise, we will degenerate. In society or in the family, many strive in their endeavors so as to sublimate themselves. But others give up on themselves and refuse to change their bad habits. The only path they take is degeneration. In their strife to sublimate themselves, many struggle in adversity, contest with their bad habits, and grapple with their environment. They want to sublimate their image, reputation, stature, and their connection with others. However, many others fail to understand , the intricacies of fame and fortune, nor the connection between self and others. They do not ; have the resolve to do good, nor the spirit to strive on the path of progress. When they come across obstacles and setbacks, the only way for them to go is down.

There is a saying, "Learning is like rowing a boat upstream. In not progressing, one will digress." This means we need to pursue new knowledge, enhance our wisdom, and de-velop our thinking unceasingly in order to sublimate our knowledge. It is never easy to be human. In being human, we have to be compassionate, contribute ourselves, and give others joy without fail so as to prevent ourselves from degenerating. We have to sublimate our allegiance to our country by observing law and order. The ancients readily laid down their lives for their country. We need to sublimate our love and care for our family, so the aged and the young are well taken care of. We must therefore sublimate ourselves in every aspect of our lives, and never allow ourselves to sink into degeneration.

Buddhism teaches on the "ten Dharma realms" for all sentient beings. There are Buddhas, bodhisattvas, pratyka-buddhas, srvakas, and the heavenly realm above humans. Then there are asuras, hells, hungry ghosts, and animals below. Humans hold the key to these realms. With morals, meditative concentration, and wisdom, we sublimate. With greed, hatred, and delusion, we degenerate. Wise readers, do you want to sublimate or degenerate? Venerable Master Hsing Yun

Prescription of the Heart

On the back cover of the Chinese Humble Table, Wise Fare is a "prescription for life," emulating Ch'an Master Shih Toa's "prescription for the heart." It is as follows: "A piece of good heart, a section of compassion, several ounces of good reasoning, ten grains of respect, a chunk of morals, one honesty fruit, ten folds of integrity; in addition, other important ingredients are faith and practice, all of openness, and lots of convenience. All these ingredients should be first mixed together in the pot of mag-nanimity, then stew in the oven of greathearted-ness. Do not sear, do not char, reduce to low heat (control the temper), then grind it up in the bowl of teamwork (working together). Using careful thinking as a base, encouragement as pills, and we should take it three times any time of the day, together with the soup of caring. If we could do this then we would be rid of all ailments." When our heart is ill, sometimes it gets frustrated, other times imbued with delusions, then it may become filled with greed, or full of unceasing anger. When our body is sick, we could use physiotherapy, medication, special diets, or even exercising. However, if the heart is ill, then how should we treat it? Buddhism refers to the Buddha as the "Master Doctor," the Dharma as medicine for the heart, and monastics as nurses.

For most it is not difficult to detect sickness of the body, for there are always instruments for diagnosis. But when the heart is sick, it would not be easy to discover; or even when the problem is found, it is not easy to cure completely. For instance, the illness of suspicion, arrogance, hatred, deviance, hypocrisy, worries, or even shamelessness, slothfulness, and indolence; without the Buddha' s prescription for the heart, how could our sickness be possibly cured? The dusts and sickness in our heart are varied, and Buddhism offers many different prescriptions for them; such as the sickness of greed is to be treated with generosity, anger with compassion, ignorance with wisdom, arrogance with humility, suspicion with right faith, and deviance with right path. The sutra says, "The heart takes on the hell realm, takes on the animal realm, and takes on the heaven and human realms." So the three suffering realms as well as others realms are realized in one single thought of our heart. Since all ailments derive from the existence of the heart, the prescription for the heart is even more important for us commoners who crave for the pleasures of the five senses and six dusts of the human world. Venerable Master Hsing Yun

Page 16

2016 Term 2 - Meditation, Buddhist & Tai Chi Classes held at Chung Tian Temple

Basic Buddhist & Meditation Class Level: Level 1 Day: Every Sunday Date: 15 May 2016 to 26 Jun 2016 Time: 9:00am - 10:00am (Meditation) 10:10am - 11:00am (Buddhist talk) Cost: $20 per term - Booking is required

Intermediate Buddhist & Meditation Class Level: Level 2 Day: Every Sunday Date: 15 May 2016 to 26 Jun 2016 Time: 10:00am - 11:00am(Buddhist talk) 11:10am - 12:00pm (Meditation) Cost: $20 per term - Booking is required

Buddhist Book Study & Meditation Class

Level: Level 3 Day: Every Sunday Date: 15 May 2016 to 26 Jun 2016 Time: 10:00am - 11:00am (Meditation) 11:10am - 12:00pm (Buddhist talk)

Cost: $20 per term-Booking is required

Advanced Buddhist Study & Meditation Class

Level: Level 4(Free for BLIAQ members) Day: Every Sunday Date: 15 May 2016 to 26 Jun 2016 Time: 10:00am -11:00am (Meditation)

11:10am - 12:00pm(Buddhist talk) Cost: $20 per term – booking is required

Tai Chi Class

Day: Every Wednesday Time: 9.30am – 11.00am Where: Chung Tian Temple Cost: Free donation

Discussion Classes

Day: Every Sunday Date: 15 May 2016 to 26 Jun 2016 Time: 11.00am – 12.00pm Where: Chung Tian Temple Cost: Free

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 3841 3511 on Tuesday to Sunday, or email: ibaq@chungtian.org.auor

www.chungtian.org.au Thank you.

Tai Chi Class

Day: Every Saturday Time: 9.00am – 10.30am Where: Chung Tian Temple Cost: Free donation

Tai Chi Class

Day: Every Sunday Time: 8.30am – 10.00am Where: Chung Tian Temple Cost: Free donation

Bodhi Class For Children

Ages: 3 - 12 years

Sunday: 10.00am - 11.00am

Date: 15 May 2016 to 26 Jun 2016

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.

Teenager’s Buddhist Class

Ages: 13 - 19 years

Sunday: 10.00am - 11.00am

Date: 15 May 2016 to 26 Jun 2016

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.

Date Day Time Program

26 March 16 Saturday 9.30am Great Compassion Repentance Service

1.30pm Committee Seminar

4.00pm BLIAQ Director and Elder Advisors Committee Meeting

27 March 16 Sunday 11.00am Commemoration of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva’s Birthday (In Mandarin)

2 April 16 Saturday 9.00am ~ 5.00pm Ching Ming

Compassionate Samadhi Water Repentance Chanting (In Mandarin)

3 April 16 Sunday 9.00am ~ 3.00pm English One Day Meditation Retreat

4 April 16 – 2 May 16 Birth Day Festival 20th

Anniversary Photography Competition

7 April 16 Thursday 11.00am Bright Light Dharma Service (1st of Lunar Calendar) (In Mandarin)

9 April 16 Saturday 10:30am Buddhist Service – Chanting Diamond Sutra (In Mandarin)

16 April 16 Saturday 1:30pm Buddha Birth Day Festival Volunteers Briefing

21 April 16 Thursday 11.00am Bright Light Dharma Service (15th

of Lunar Calendar) (In Mandarin)

26 – 28 April 16 Tuesday - Thursday Buddha Birth Day Festival setting up at South Bank Parklands

29 April 16 – 1 May 16 9.00am – 9.00pm Buddha Birth Day Festival in South Bank Parklands

30 April 16 Saturday 11.00am Baby Blessing Ceremony at Buddha Birth Day Festival

7 May 16 Saturday 10.30am Mother’s Day Celebration Dharma Service

12.00noon 2015 Buddha Birth Day Festival Volunteers Fellowship Gathering

14 ~ 28 May 16 Exhibition of Buddha Birth Day Festival Photographic Competition

at Chung Tian Art Gallery

Every Sunday 9.00am ~ 9.40am English Buddhist Chanting

Every Saturday 10.30am ~ 12.00noon Buddhist Service (in Mandarin)