Category: Buddhism

Exploring the philosophy (and practice) of Early and Later Buddhism.

Venerable Old Master Xu Yun [虚云]: No Difference Between a Monk and a Lay-Person! (14.10.2023)

For instance, by cross-referencing the below May 1955 Dharma-Talk with the text of ‘Empty Cloud’ for that year – a more all-round picture can be built of exactly what was happening and how Master Xu Yun was reacting to it. To be clear, Master Xu Yun was adamant that an ordained Buddhist monastic must follow ALL the rules of the Vinaya Discipline and that a lay-person must follow a least five, eight or ten of the basic vows contained in the Vinaya Discipline. This is a practical distinction Master Xu Yun upheld – as he rejected the Japanese Zen tradition of monks being allowed to eat meat, drink alcohol and get married. Such individuals are ‘lay-people’ and NOT monks. This being the case, what is Master Xu Yun referring to when he states that there is ‘no difference’ between the ordained Sangha and the laity?

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Laos Buddhist-Socialist Republic: High-Ranking Brunei Delegation lays wreath at Unknown Soldier Memorial! (4.10.2023)

His Highness Somdek Suntan Haji Hassanan Bongei of Brunei Darussalam, accompanied by a high-ranking delegation including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Mr. Selimxay Kormasit, visited the Laos People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) from October 2nd-4th, 2023. During their visit, they laid a wreath at the Niranam Warrior (Red Star) Monument on the morning of October 3rd in Vientiane, the capital city. The act was a tribute to the Laotian Marxist-Leninist Martyrs, remembering their sacrifices in establishing the Laotian People’s Democratic Republic on December 2nd, 1975.

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Flora Botton (Mexico): Why Ancient & Modern China Should Be Understood as a Completed Whole! (2.10.2023)

Flora Botton: Mexico and China have established diplomatic relations for more than 50 years. I am happy to say that Mexico and China have a lot of communication in all aspects, whether it is economic relations, political relations, or academic relations. Exchange students, scholarship establishment, visiting scholars, travel, language learning… all kinds of communications.

In ancient times, “sinologists” were scholars who spread Chinese culture by learning and translating Chinese. They specialized in the study of traditional Chinese culture. And now the term is widely used for any scholar who studies China, even contemporary China.

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Buddhist-Marxism Alliance (UK) – Alexander Werth & Lamaism! (26.9.2023)

Werth’s ‘The Year of Stalingrad’ conveys the sheer terror and horror of battle that unfolded in Stalingrad along a ten-mile wide front. The Nazi Germans (and their ‘Catholic’ allies) often launched upwards of ’40’ full-force attacks a day all along the Soviet front-line – combining SS, Infantry, tanks and aeroplanes! This caused the deaths of tens of thousands of Soviet Red Army soldiers and the disintegration of numerous Red Army formations! It was only when the notoriously ‘tough’ ‘Siberian’ Division into Stalingrad was placed into theatre that the Nazi Germans were finally checked – and eventually turned-back! This Soviet victory in 1942 gave hope to the world!

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Mooncakes Are in Town! (22.9.2023)

In 2023 this will fall on Friday September 29th! This coincides with what is termed the ‘Chung Yeung’ Festival – where the graves of the ancestors are cleaned and tidied! In Putonghua this is pronounced as ‘Chong Yang’ (重陽) and refers to the ‘Double Nine’ attribute common in the Book of Changes (essentially a ‘double-yang’ line in a hexagram implying incredible good luck – doubled). What all this means – and there are many more stories – is that we eat Mooncakes and pay respect to our deceased ancestors – either at their graves or at a shrine – where incense-sticks are lit. Meanwhile, there is a beautiful woman, a Jade Rabbit and even a Master-Archer – who is able to shoot-down false ‘Moons’! Like most cultural aspects in traditional China – there is a complexity of integration, contradiction, paradox and reconciliation! The main point is to wish everybody Good Luck for the future!

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China Commemorates Anniversary of War Against Japanese Aggression [1931-1945]! (18.9.2023)

About 3 km from the museum lies the Beidaying (Northern Grand Barracks) site that the Japanese troops bombarded. It officially reopened to visitors as an exhibition hall after renovations at the end of 2021.

Through more than 400 historical photos, over 200 relics, electronic maps, scene restorations, panoramic sand tables and other modern techniques, visitors can revisit the history at the exhibition hall.

Wang Lei, a resident of Shenyang, who lives near the former site of the Beidaying Site, said, “There were a few ordinary bungalows here, but now the site has been turned into an exhibition hall. It is very important to remember the history of the war. We should let young people know that this is the place where our national calamity occurred.”

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