Buddhism – Page 32 – SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR)

Richard Hunn: The South-Paw Guitar Player! (15.10.2023)

15/10/2023 Adrian (釋大道)

his is how I ended-up training under Mangala Thero (in 1996) at the Ganga Ramaya Temple (in Beruwela) – situated in Sri Lanka. I have subsequently discovered that Mangala Mahathero has passed away after spending the last decade of his life living and meditating in isolation. I am told that Richard Hunn would sit ‘still’ for hours on end in various Zen Temples throughout the Kyoto area. Although outwardly he was practicing ‘Zen’ – inwardly he was practicing ‘Caodong’ Ch’an – the preferred lineage of Master Xu Yun (1840-1959). Although none of us know how long we will be on this Earth – we must remain vigilant and use our time effectively and productively! Not a single second must be wasted when it comes to self-cultivation! Instead of reading this board – look within! Richard Hunn was my academic and spiritual teacher between 1989-2006. He taught me to read and translate properly every modern and traditional Chinese language ideogram – whilst also conveying to me the teachings of the authentic Chinese Ch’an Buddhist tradition!

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

14/10/2023 Adrian (釋大道)

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?

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

04/10/2023 Adrian (釋大道)

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.

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

02/10/2023 Adrian (釋大道)

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.

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

26/09/2023 Adrian (釋大道)

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!

Mooncakes Are in Town! (22.9.2023)

22/09/2023 Adrian (釋大道)

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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