SKE

I had the opportunity to visit (rather re-visit) SKE, one of the oldest Buddhist Center in Malaysia. It was the place many of the first Buddhist teachers in Malaysia started their Buddhist. The SKE was founded in 1920! Lots of history and tradition that reflects the coming together of many different sects of Buddhism. Make a trip there if you are in Melaka next. Check out http://www.ske.org.my/history.htm

Buddha Image at the mainshrine

Main Urn at the entrance of the Shrine

Fountain at the front of the Main hall

The late Ananda Mangala

Stupa






Bodhi Tree

Finding Peace at Wat Chetawan (Jetavana)

Peace and Compassion - Sharing the Work of Ven Mahaghosanada

Had an interesting Dharma sharing session at the KKBC on Sunday on Peace and Compassion last Sunday. We took turns to share our experiences about Peace and Compassion and the need to develop Peace from within as a crucial starting point of our spiritual practice and social engagement. I thought I would like to share some more of my thought online. We talked about one of the teachers that have given so much to peace and compassion. An unassuming teacher, he was ever smiling. While I had the good karma of meeting this remarkable person but did not have enough of the karma to learn from him. Yet, I have always remember him as a picture of peace and joy despite all the suffering he and his country had experienced.

The Late Venerable Maha Ghosananda (source: peacecouncil.org)

I thought it would be interesting to share some of the Venerable's experiences in line with the month of Peace and Compassion at KKBC. I shared sections from his book entitled "Step by Step - Meditations on Wisdom and Compassion" . Step by step he lead Dharma Yatras into Cambodia to preach the message of Peace. They were dangerous journeys walking through conflict and mine zones. It took more then courage to perform these acts. Great Peace and Compassion were the motivations.

Reading through this book, it quickly became a reminder for us to t0 take time to look inwards and seek the Peace in our minds and hearts. Our country, a country of diverse cultures and belief systems, our practice should express the calm and onto our community. We must learn to show our loving kindness to people who may have different cultures and beliefs and be able to learn to leave together harmoniously together.

Coming from a person who have suffered so much, yet worked tirelessly to ensure peace remains he reminds us:

The suffering of Cambodia has been deep.
From this suffering comes great Compassion.
Great Compassion makes a Peaceful Heart.
A peaceful Heart makes a Peaceful Person.
A Peaceful Person makes a Peaceful Community.
A Peaceful Community makes a Peaceful Nation.
And a Peaceful Nation makes a Peaceful World.
May all beings live in Happiness and Peace.

The Venerable Ghosananda passed away on March 12, 2007. Read the Obituary by Christopher Titmuss in Dharma e-News (April 2007) here.
"Anicca vatta sankhara"

Sources: http://www.ghosananda.org/