A quick reflection: Lucky Buddhists?

As a Buddhist, our religion tells that we need to constantly make effort to remove layers of "tinted glasses" that clouds our view of things - without reacting to them. The aim is to see and appreciate things as they truly are and that they are all inter-dependent of one another.  Having appreciate the true nature, our job, as it were,  is to find peace with them beginning with peace within ourselves.

The events over the past couple of weeks does not reflect that true nature of our community and reacting to them with violence runs contrary to our practice.  As a Buddhist, we must help seek the true nature and to find peace within and without.

meditating with children

Had a really good session of silence sharing this evening's session. Since it was Poshada Day, we chanted the Dhammachakkapavattana Sutta before we proceeded with a session of meditation. The quiet period immediately after the chant allowed me to absorb and reflect on the content of the chant - something we rarely have the chance to. In that state of  peace, we move into a session of Anapanasati.

Towards the end of the session, my son - yes, the little boy who chose to come for meditation. He sat through (including lying down at times) almost silently throughout the whole Puja and most of the sitting. At some point later he decided that it was time to be restless. By the way, why did this boy come for meditation sessions? Well, that's another story altogether. In short he climbed all over me and at some point asked when the session would end!

Thoughts on Buddhism and Education

WL & I have been wondering about what Buddhist principles that can be applied to help parents and children in their education and learning process -especially with regards to children. Almost all local Buddhist organizations left this important aspect of Buddhist missionary work outside their scope of activities. Key activities are usually revolved around talks, (Dharma) classes and of course the usual ceremonial and religious stuff the likes of Puja, chanting and or meditation - mostly catered and targeted towards the adults. For the kids, it would the after thought of Sunday schools and the ocassionally "tadikas" or kindergartens (pre-schools, to some).

Children’s Experience of Nirvana - A Buddhist Perspective of Educating the Young

(first published in Voice of Buddhism, Dec 2008, slightly revised. Still going through thinking and rethinking)
 

Children’s Experience of Nirvana

A Buddhist Perspective of Educating the Young

K V Soon & Chong Wai Leng

Children are very adorable. Those who have children will know what fun it is to have them! However, as they get older, we adults tend to view them differently. In schools for example, most parents pressure their children to perform and achieve. While this may not be true for everyone, many children lose that spark that was once evident in their eyes. That missing spark is buried under tons of homework and related academic activities. Childhood seems to have been lost for the child. If this is not enough, the premature introduction to the rat-race will certainly kill it all together!

In the Buddhist teachings, this "spark" represents our true nature - some schools of Buddhism may call it the Buddha Nature or the Original Mind. How do we keep that spark from dying out? How do we keep that child mind, fresh and always curious about the things we experience? The Zen teachers have made this an important aspect of learning the Dharma, stating that a beginners’ mind of a child is critical for the experience of the Buddha Dharma.

Great Start to the New Year

We had very inspiring start to the new year @ KKBC. Started off with Puja and meditation session. I think the effects of of the retreats and camps has now set in on the children. There was less scuffling and almost no noise for a good 10 minutes - it was great to have parents and (especially young) children share silence together.  The hymns singing was also spirited.  We dedicated the morning's Puja to Peace, Compassion and Reconciliation in light of what's happening in our country. 

This morning we introduced a simple Dharma naming ceremony. One of our members, Mark Low chosen a Dharma name for himself. It was a simple chant of the Tiratana Vandana to reaffirm his commitment to the practice witness by the rest of the members. Henceforth, Mark will now be known as Kaludayi. Sadhu to you! We also discovered that Kaludayi chants very well and inspiring.

Later Bro Kon and I shared our experiences and Dharma practice. In short we reaffirmed our commitment to the practice of meditation, study and sharing of the Dharma.

See you all again next week.

Gentle reminder, group meditation sittings will be on Fridays 8.30pm