Tag: buddha

Buddhist Swastika

China: How to Read the Buddhist “卍” (Swastika) Symbol Currectly! (17.10.2024)

Empress Wu Zetian (武则天) of the Tang Dynasty was attracted to Buddhism very much and often invited Ch’an Masters to the palace to explain Buddhist Sutras to her. It was under the promotion of Wu Zetian that Huayan (华严) Sect became a major Buddhist school during the Tang Dynasty.

At that time, there was still no consensus on the pronunciation of “卍” within Buddhism. Some people insisted that it should be pronounced as “万” (Wan4) or “The Ten Thousand Thing” – but others opposed this interpretation – and believed it should be pronounced as “万”(mo2) or “Scorpion” – referring to an Oracle Bone Inscription which refers to a non-Chinese primitive tribe (during the Shang Dynasty) that worshipped the “Scorpion” whilst mimicking its movements in a ritualistic dance (perhaps implying the “foreignness” of India).

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Buddhapadipa Temple - Wimbledon

Wimbledon: Buddhapadipa Temple & the Family of Geese! (29.5.2024)

It possesses a modest park with a small body of water, a mansion house and a temple complex. Indeed, we have visited here many times in the past. As with all such temples – it is free to enter – and no-one interferes with acts of private meditation. On occasion, the robed-clad monks (Bhikkhu-Beggar) might be seen walking through the grounds. As all animal cruelty is strictly forbidden, the local wildlife tends to behave in a much more relaxed and content manner – as if each animals perceives the “Dhamma” (Teaching) that is being practiced. Whatever the case, such an environment allows children to develop a caring attitude of respect for all animals – just one of the reasons we take our children to such places!

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Secular Monasticism 2024

BMA (UK): Secular Monasticism! (27.4.2024)

Of course, the Western monastic traditions can possess similar parallels – but this should negate the history or purpose of slavish-types of religion. Conventional religion is not the answer – as invariably this developed within a primitive tribal and/or feudalistic environment. Traditionally, conventional religion was designed to maintain a certain hierarchy and status quo with no change from generation to generation. However, once the means of production have changed hands and religion has been transformed into a Revolutionary vehicle – then certain aspect of religious practice might be useful for freeing the working class from oppression!

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Buddhist Heritage in Laos!

Laos Buddhist-Socialist Republic – Preservation of Theravada Culture! (21.3.2024)

Phra Sombath Somepanno, Abbot of Wat Longkhoun Srikhounnaram, expressed that Wat Longkhoun holds a significant place in the Buddhist heritage of Luang Prabang, and it fills the people of Laos from various regions with pride.

The temple has a deep historical connection with Laos, and the monastic community, along with the lay followers, is dedicated to developing Wat Longkhoun into a beautiful and culturally rich Buddhist heritage site.

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Did William Shapespeare Practice Martial Arts?

BMA (UK): Why the Workers Should “Shake the Spear!” (7.3.2024)

I suspect there must be a constructive “rejection”. What comes next is not written in stone. What comes next is unwritten. It could be that an intelligent worker – that is an oppressed entity who can read and write – can infiltrate the culture of the oppressor and work to bring it down from within. This is an important observation as the “lessening” of oppression in one part of society – may well relieve the burden of suffering inflicted upon oppressed individuals somewhere else within society. As the choice of dialectical development is essentially infinite, in theory there is no limit to the objectives that can be achieved. Things are not simple – but neither should there be a “fear” that limits expression.

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Small Buddha!

Richard Hunn’s Portable Buddha-Statue! (2.3.2024)

As it stands, Oxford University is the pinnacle of Bourgeois opulence, class distinction, grace and favour! Indeed, my mother’s family used to live in Lewisham (the East End of London) – before Hitler’s Luftwaffe bombed the area during September, 1941! Thousands of our bombed-out neighbours were moved into the Chislehurst Caves – where they created an underground City for the duration of War (in fact, until the incumbent Labour Party had finished building thousands of decent Council Houses in 1947) – whilst my family (the ‘Gibson’ Clan) were given a Train Pass and relocated to Oxford – where some of our relatives had been sent for work during an earlier bombing.

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