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| Brass suttas |
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| Buddha's relics |
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| Enshrining the Buddha's relics |
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| Puja Offering to the Stupa with the Buddha's relics |
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| Buddha image to the Stupa |
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| Short Meditation in Elora cave |
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| One of the huts in the village |
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| Our recent Village visit |
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| Visiting Elora Caves with Bhantes |
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| Walking Meditation in Sanchi Stupa |
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| Sanchi Stupa |
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| Night view of the Stupa |
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| Buddha's relics |
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| Offering of the Brass suttas |
17/4/2013: We are pleased to inform you that we will be visiting Bidar, Hydrabad again sometime around 17th November, 2013 for the Stupa opening ceremony and other holy places. The tentative program is as follows:
KL-Hydrabad-Bidar(Opening ceremony of the Stupa)-Aurangabad-Ajanta Cave(about 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 or 650 CE.[1] The caves include paintings and sculptures described by the government Archaeological Survey of India as "the finest surviving examples of Indian art, particularly painting",[2] which are masterpieces of Buddhist religious art, with figures of the Buddha and depictions of the Jataka tales)-Jalgaon-Bhopal-Sanchi(The 'Great Stupa' at Sanchi is the oldest stone structure in India[1] and was originally commissioned by the emperor Ashoka the Great in the 3rd century BCE. We will be offering Puja and participate the displaying of Sariputta and Monggalana relics festival here)-Bhopal-New Delhi (Visit to the place where Mahasatipathana Sutta was preached by the Buddha).-KL. Estimated for ground arrangement for a 12-day tour + accommodation is around RM2,500.00 excluding flights from KL-India-KL, Domestic/Trains Tickets + Dana if any. Should you be interested to join us to this tour, kindly contact Sis Bee Yong @ 012-2085856 for registration.. Sadhu!
16/4/2013: The Stupa in progress as per picture below.
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| The Buddha Image together with Sariputta/Mongallana in the Buddha Vihara is sponsored by Aunty Tan & Dharma Friends |
21/10/2012: PRESERVATION OF THE PARITTA CHANTING BY LASER INSCRIPTION ON BRASS PLATES ENSHRINED IN BIDAR, HYDRABAD STUPA PROJECT
There are tens of thousands of palm leaf manuscripts in Sri Lanka, many of them containing Pali texts.
“The text of the three piṭakas and the aṭṭhakathā thereon … in order
that the true doctrine might endure, they wrote them down in books.” (Piṭakattayapāḷiñca, tassa aṭṭhakathampi ca; …ciraṭṭhitatthaṃ dhammassa potthakesulikhāpayuṃ
) (Geiger 1912, p. 237). These “books,” potthaka , were usually made of Palmyra palm leaves.
However, to preserve the Tipitaka is
an expensive project and will take a long time to complete, we have decided
then to preserve the Paritta Chanting Book as follows to be enshrined in Bidar
Stupa instead. For those who are keen to sponsor a page which is RM500.00 by
using the following Paritta Chanting(PICTURE) as reference. The money raised
will be used to complete the Stupa, Bodhi Tree and the maintenance of the
Temple in Bidar, Hydrabad.
The copying of texts and their distribution and worship was regarded as
a meritorious activity because it preserved the doctrine
(Dhamma) of the Buddha. Giving the Dhamma to others is considered the highest
gift in
Buddhism. The texts were also caused to be copied by kings to bolster their
prestige, just like modern Thai kings still do.
Royal manuscripts were written by monks and professional scribes. Manuscripts
with covers made of silver or ivory studded with gems are found in
temples in the Malwatte and at the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. G. A. Joseph
(1901,p. ix) also mentions gold embossed manuscripts.Sometimes manuscripts were
enshrined in stupas. Joseph (1901, p. xi–xiii) mentions a Tipiṭaka set (of
which the Vinaya Piṭaka, Abhidhamma Piṭaka, Dīgha Nikāya, and some other books
were written on silver plates and others on ola palm leaves), Satipaṭṭhāna
sutta and other suttas inscribed on 37 plates of gold, a Jātaka commentary
written on 900 copper plates, two book boards, silver and gold studded with
gems, etc., enshrined in the 19Th century in the stupa of Hanguranketa
Vihāra as part of a “meritorious act of enshrining books” (poth-nidhāne-pinkama).
For more information, please contact Sis Bee Yong @
012-208 5856
22/11/2012-NOTE: We are pleased to inform that we have successfully collected enough for the Stupa, however part of the collections raised from the Brass Sutta will be channelled to the Meditation School in Bangalore instead, also another project under Bhante Sangharatana.
22/11/2012-NOTE: We are pleased to inform that we have successfully collected enough for the Stupa, however part of the collections raised from the Brass Sutta will be channelled to the Meditation School in Bangalore instead, also another project under Bhante Sangharatana.
By sponsoring this : Dhamma Dana
May they have good health, long life and happiness always.
May all beings be well and happy
Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!
Sabbadānam Dhammadānam Jināti,
The Gift of Dhamma Excels all Gifts
THE PARITTA CHANTING BY LASER INSCRIPTION ON BRASS PLATES ENSHRINED IN BIDAR, HYDRABAD STUPA SPONSORED BY:
1. METTA SUTTA-LIM LAY CHIN & LEE CHIEW TEE, CHIN KIM LAN & FAMILY, LOW SEONG HO @ LOW HU WAN, IMO LOW TENG SAY, IMO CHOW AH LEEN, MR & MRS BENNY YEOH & FAMILY, MR & MRS TAN PHUCK THO & FAMILY
2. MAHA KASSAPA THERA BOJJHANGA-LIM LAY CHIN & LEE CHIEW TEE, CHIN KIM LAN & FAMILY, AH YEN & FAMILY, LOW SEONG HO @ LOW HU WAN, IMO LOW TENG SAY, IMO CHOW AH LEEN, BEATRICE, ALAN, CORINNA & FAMILY
3. THREE REFUGES & FIVE PRECEPTS- LEE AH KWEE & FAMILY
4. KHANDHA PARITTA-YEAP EWE JIN, YEAP EWE JUAN, YEAP EWE JOON & TEH SIEW KHENG
5. MAHA MOGGALANA THERA BOJJHANGA- WONG POW LAI & FAMILY
6. MAHA JAYAMANGALA GATHA-WONG POW LAI & FAMILY
7. ANAVUM PARITTA-SIOW NGET MEE
8. DHAMMACAKKAPPAVATTANA SUTTA-IMO TEOH CHENG HOCK, IMO TAN SWEE ENG, IMO TAN SOO KENG, IMO TEOH BEE TUAN, IMO TAN LAY SIAN @ TAN JOK HONG, TEOH SENG HOE, TEOH SENG HUP, TEOH SENG HONG, TEOH KWUI YING, TEOH KWUI YEONG, TEOH TIAW SEANG, DOREEN OOI POH CHIN.
9. MAHA MANGALA SUTTA-DOREEN OOI POH CHIN
10. JAYA MANGALA GATHA-DOREEN OOI POH CHIN
11. ATTHANGA SILA-MR & MRS OOI HA LEE, DHAMMA FAMILY, MAHA VIHARA SUNDAY FOOD SALE GROUP, TAN TECK BENG & FAMILY (IMO ALL DEPARTED ONES), NG GAEK ENG FOR ALL SENTIENT BEINGS, TAN SIANG CHYE & FAMILY, TAN KHOON GAIK & FAMILY, LIEW YUET KUAN
12. RATANA SUTTA-CHIN KIM LAN FOR ALL SENTIENT BEINGS, MR & MRS TEOH GUAN YEN & FAMILY, ANGELA OOI AI HONG & FAMILY, TAN AH TENG & FAMILY, TAN HEANG HWEE & FAMILY
13.SACAVIBHANGGA SUTTA- TAN HEANG HWEE & FAMILY
14. PATICCA SAMUPPADA- KIEU CHOON LAI & FAMILY
15. Mahā Cunda Thera Bojjhanga(Discourse On Factors Of Enlightenment Recited By Mahā Cunda Thera)- Szetoo Yu Ming & Family, Timothy Teo & Family, Saw Chai Him & Family, Han Par Yuen & Family, Lee Kim Hiang & Family.
1. Sis Elizabeth Heathcote
2. Sis Goh Bee Leng
3. Sis Margaret Tan
4. Sis Yap Yee Ling
5. Dr Veeranoot Nissapatorn and family, In Loving Memory Of Mr Longheing Sae Oui and Madam Kesorn Nissapatorn
6. Dr Sucheep and Madam Veeree Phiriyasamith.
Sadhu!
2. Sis Goh Bee Leng
3. Sis Margaret Tan
4. Sis Yap Yee Ling
5. Dr Veeranoot Nissapatorn and family, In Loving Memory Of Mr Longheing Sae Oui and Madam Kesorn Nissapatorn
6. Dr Sucheep and Madam Veeree Phiriyasamith.
Sadhu!
15/6/2012: We are pleased to post our 1st Batch of Gathas Inscription on Brass Plates to share with our Dharma Friends and Sponsors. For those who are still keen to sponsor the selected Buddha's Gathas may contact Sis Bee Yong or Bro Wuan, the closing date for this Brass Inscription is 1st week of August, 2012. Sadhu!
21/4/2012: We wish to extend our gratitude to Mr Edmund How, Mun Lai Signs Gifts and Souvenirs Sdn Bhd for sponsoring the Inscription of Buddha's Gathas on Brass Plate. Each Gathas for one name/address/date per Brass Plate costs RM100.00 will be channelled to the Building of Stupa in Bidar, Hydrabad, you may select one of the following Gathas/Verses: For more information please contact Sis Bee Yong @ 012-208 5856 or Bro Wuan @ 012-331 9515. Sadhu
SABBE SATTA SUKHI HONTU
MAY ALL BEINGS BE WELL AND HAPPY
Yong Chai Peng & Family
Dr Chen Sue May & Family
Rosemary Tan Guat Ean & Family
Kim Lee Tze Hui & Family
Tan Soh Peng & Family
Tan Boon Hwa & Family
Tan Siew Lee & Family
许茠荧
IMO 陈德禧
IMO 杨锦銮
IMO 陈廷谋
IMO 王岳河
IMO 许有木
IMO 谢妙如
IMO 许水兴
IMO 许秀源
IMO 许秀隆
IMO 许秀清
Lim Lay Chin & Family
IMO Lee Quan Chong & Kuan Guat Choon
SABBA PAPASSA AKARANAM
KUSALASSA UPASAMPADA
SACITTA PARIYODAPANAM
ETHAM BUDDANASASANAM
TO ABSTAIN FROM ALL EVIL
TO CULTIVATE THE GOOD AND
TO PURIFY ONE'S MIND
THIS IS THE TEACHING OF THE BUDDHAS
Tan Kim Cheng & Family
Kieu Choon Lai & Family
Heng Kak Hong & Family
Ong Soon Kuan
Lee Chiew Tee & Family
Kong Saik King & Family
Koh Chin Guat (IMO Parents)
Phang Sang Choy & Family
Lee Choon Kee
IMO Ooi Siang San
Lee Fee Fong
Lee Sui Chern, Justin
Lee Qui Foong, Ashley
IMO Ooi Siang Hoon
IMO Tay Gek Kee
IMO Jenny Ooi Poh Choo
IMO Tay Hock Chye
IMO Teoh Kim Thuan
IMO Lee Sai Khoon
IMO Lee Piang Kim
Diana Ooi Poh Lian
Cheong Chan Hon & Family
Khoo Cheng Pah & All Beings
Wong Fong & Family
Thean Yook Loong & Family
Mah Yoke Lan & All Beings
SUDUDDASAM SUNIPUNAM
YATTHAKAMANI PATINAM
CITTAN RAKKHETHA
MEDHAVI CITTAM GUTTAM
SUKHVAHAM
THE MIND IS VERY HARD TO PERCEIVE,
VERY DELICATE AND SUBTLE,
IT MOVES AND LANDS WHEREVER IT PLEASES,
LET THE WISE PERSON GUARD IT,
FOR A GUARDED MIND LEADS TO HAPPINESS
Yong Chai Peng
IMO Wee Hock Soon
Ven Seck Jian Ser
WAVE Kuala Lumpur
Michael tan Weng Thong
PUTTHASSA LOKA DHAMMEHI CITTAM YASSA NA KAMPATI
ASOKAM VIRAJAM KHEMAM ETAM MANGALA MUTTAMAM
HE WHOSE MIND DOES NOT FLUTTER, BY CONTACT WITH WORLDLY
CONTINGENCIES, SORROWLESS, STAINLESS AND SECURE. THIS IS THE SUPREME BLESSING
Yong Fook Chee & Family
Heng Kak Hong & Family
AROGYAPARAMAA LAABHAA SANTUTTHIPARAMAM DHANAM
VISSAASAPARAMAA NAATI NIBBAANA PARAMAM SUKHAM
Health is the greatest gift, contentment is the greatest wealth, a trusted friend is the best relative, Nibbana is the greatest bliss
Sis Sumangala & Well Wishers
NAHI VERENA VERANI SAMMANTIDHA KUDACANAM AVERENA CA SAMMANTI ESA DHAMMO SANANTANO
Hatred is, indeed, never appeased by hatred in this world. It is appeased only by loving-kindness. This is an ancient law.
Tan Suat Wah & Family
BUDDHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI
DHAMMAM SARANAM GACCHAMI
SANGHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI
I take refuge in the Buddha.
I take refuge in the Dharma.
I take refuge in the Sangha.
Teh Siew Kheng & Family
Teh Ah Nya
Yeap Ewe Joon
HEAVENLY BLESSINGS AND PROTECTION
OM MANI PADME HUM
Mr & Mrs Lee Chai Hua & Family
HEAVENLY BLESSINGS AND PROTECTION. OM MANI PADME HUM.
MAY ALL BEINGS BE WELL, PEACEFUL AND HAPPY
Mdm Liew Soon Sang Moy & Family
Ms Liew Yuet Kuan & Family
Mr Liew Yuet Fah & Family
Mr Liew Yuet Hing & Family
Ms Liew Phui See & Family
Mr Liew Wei hoong & Family
2/3/2012: We wish to inform you that the talk on Recharge Your Energy through Meditation is on scheduled but due to certain conditions which is unavoidable, the same topic will be given by Bhante Gavesi instead. We regret for the inconvenience caused. Note: Bhante Gavesi's profile can be found here: http://gavesi.blogspot.com/ . Bhante Gavesi is a Malaysian Bhikkhu who is currently residing in Penang. He was ordained in the year of 2001 by Sayadaw U Pandita of Panditarama in Myanmar. He has led a number of retreats in Penang, Kuala Kubu Baru, Kota Tinggi and other places in Malaysia. Presently, he is the spiritual advisor of Peace House and Isivana in Penang.
16/2/2012: We are pleased to inform you that Bhante Dr Talawe Sangharatana Thera will be giving Dhamma Talks on 1st March, 2012: MONFORT BOYS' SCHOOL at 7.30pm-9.00pm talk on "A SKILLFUL WAY OF LIFE" . 3rd March 2012: SETENANG at 8pm-9pm "Start from Right View". 4th March, 2012: SUBANG JAYA BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION at 10am (SJBA talk on "Experiencing Jhana" and 11th March, 2012: SABS/ SHAH ALAM BUDDHIST SOCIETY at 9.30am-11.00am, talk on "Recharge your Energy through Meditation"). For more details, please contact Sis Bee Yong @ 012-208 5856 and Bro Wuan @ 012-331 9515. For Setenang address, please contact Bro Jerry Khoo @ 012.621 1098. Sadhu!
Vegetarian Dana for Bhante @ Setenang House on 1st March at 10.30am. Sadhu!
 14/11/2011: A small group of Malaysian Buddhists visited the Hydrabad Project today for the Opening Ceremony of the Buddha Vihara and Buddha Stupa Project. Building the Buddha Stupa represents a Living Buddha and the site had been identified for the Installation of the Buddha's Relic tentatively for next November, 2012. Should anyone of you are keen to donate to this rare and meritorious deed please do not hesitate to contact Sis Bee Yong @ 012-208 5856. Sadhu! | ||
| Ven Dr Talawe Sangharatana Thera has a heart for the poor and downtrodden, and seeks them out. |
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| Buddhists in Bidar, Hydrabad |
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| Giving a short speech for the opening ceremony of the Buddha Vihara and Ground Opening Ceremony for the Stupa Project |
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| The nearly completed Buddha Vihara and Proposed Buddha Stupa Project on the right hand side of the Vihara |
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| Lighting at the main Shrine Hall for World Peace |
1. 10 Blankets
2. 10 Bedsheets
3. 10 Mattresses
4. Stationery
5. Hindi Tipitaka
6. A Table & A Chair for the Office
7. Monks' requisites
'Saranagamana' means taking refuge in the three Gems: the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha. By donating to this noble cause means encouraging others to follow the Buddha's Teachings which can be summed up as: "to refrain from all evils, to do what is good, and to purify the mind."
In the Buddha's time, there was a man of Sakyan clan named Saranani who had taken refuge in the Three Gems for a long time. Once the Buddha spoke in praise of him: "Saranani Sakya has taken refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha for a long time. How can he be reborn in the miserable realms?"
For those who are keen to donate, please do not hesitate to contact Sis Bee Yong @ 012-208 5856.Sadhu!
MahaSadhu to the following donors:
Lu Shi, Lim Park Khuan & Family
Sis Aggie
Lim Lay Chin
Teh Siew Kheng
Wong Tum Keong (Dedicated to all beings throughout the infinite universes and beyond with exception)
Kieu Choon Lai
Dato Teoh Tiaw Seang, Datin Tan Lay Sian & Family
Jane Lim Ah Mee
Liew Yuet Kuan
Maggie Chan & Family (IMO Mr Chong Peng Woon & Mdm Leong Poh Khum)
Yee Ah Mooi
Chin Gim Sung
Cheok Sheau Chji
Fu Kiew Ping
Wong Siew Foong
San Tim Fook
Shih Choy Thia
Sin Thiam Choy
Neo Su Leng
Sin Zin Min
Sin Xin Lin
Sin Xin Yin
Gwee Wenf Wah
Siew Mee Yoong
Gwee Teck Hou
Gween Zhen Hou
Gwee Xuan Qi
Evelyn Fong Mei Lin
Gan Peak Chai
Chua Tien Lai
Chee Li Har
Barbara Yen
Liew Yuet Kuan & Family (IMO Mr Liew Tham Sang)
Joyce Ong Hong Ling
Jennifer (Tan Heang Hwee)& Family
Beatrice de Alvis & Family
Yvonne Yap & Family
Anonymous
Teoh Ti Zhen & Family
Yong Wai Chun & Family (IMO Departed Relatives & Friends)
Wong Kok Mun (IMO Departed Relatives & Friends)
Chai Khai Thai & Family
Khoo Kay Ong & Family (IMO Cheah G Lan & Hor Sooi Wan)
Lau Ah Chwee (IMO Tan Kah Guat)
Han Moh Ching & Family (IMO Tan Boh Eng)
Chris Yap Beng Law
Yu Khang Lun & Family (IMO Tee Cheng, Lim Jit Wang & Yan Tiew Jong)
Lee Kim Hiang (IMO Mrs Minie Lee Kim Hiang)
Ng Lee Cheng (IMO Yeo Hai Hong, Wong Ah Lian & Yeo Kim Hock)
Lim Guat Cheng
Robert Tan, Rose Tan & Family
Tan Boon Haw
Lim Tow Hsing & Family
IMO Mr & Mrs Sin Keat
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| An Artist's impression of the Stupa Project in Hydrabad, proposed for 2012 |
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| Malaysian Devotees queuing to lay bricks for the Buddha Image |
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| Group photo after the opening ceremony at the Buddha Vihara |
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| Laying a brick for the Buddha Image in the Vihara |
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| Offering of requsites |
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| Offering of requisites |
Poh Lim Chin & Family
Mei Young Chan & Family
Paul Chong Chuo Lunk & Family
Mdm De Ah You & Family
Teh Siew Kheng & Family
Chan Keng Moi & Family (IMO Chan Mee Joo & Departed Relatives and Friends)
Mdm Neoh Siew Hwa & Family
Amy Liew and Family
Tan Keng Lan & Family
Lim Lay Chin
Lee Chiew Tee & Family
Soon Mei Ling
Sang Haans
Sang Fat Chon
Dato Teoh Tiaw Seang, Datin Tan Lay Sian & Family
Soon Mei Ling, Sang Haans & Sang Fat Chon (IMO Departed Relatives and Friends)
Yong Fook Chee (IMO Yong Wee Ooi & Yee Yuk Kheng)
Angeline Tan Kwee Lan & Family (IMO Departed Relatives and Friends)
Sherene Ngoi & Family (IMO Departed Relatives and Friends)
Chan Moh & Family (IMO All Departed Relatives and Friends)
Dr Lu Ping Yan and Lu Ping Su
A K Lee & Family (IMO Departed Relatives and Friends)
Wuan Thong Lok & Family
Setenang BS & KalenaMitra Group-KL
Yeap Ewe Jin & Family
Yeap Ewe Juan & Family
Yeap Ewe Joon & Teh Siew Kheng
Yeap Chye Huat (IMO Yeap Thian Chai @ Ah Soo)
Yip Lai Sean & Family (IMO Chu Kon Shium & Yip Wai Meng)
Yip Lai Yieng & Family (IMO Chu Kon Shium & Yip Wai Meng)
Yip Siang Koo (IMO Yip Wai Meng & Chu Kon Shium)
Lim Soo Har
Tan Kong Sing & Family
Rosemary Tan Guat Ean, Kim Lee Tze Hui & Family
Beatrice De Alwis & Family
Liew Chai Hoon
Yeong Keow Fong & Family
Koh Gin Wan
Wong Heng & Family
Lam Mui Hawa
Lim Siew Eng & Family
IMO Tan Ker, Ong Kiam, Tee Sher, Successive Generations of Tan Ancestors, Tan Kong Sing & Family Debtors, enemies & All Those Closely Associated.
Tan Keow & Family
Law Sek Yen & Family
Chong Meng Yee & Family
Chong Kok Chin & Family
Kok Ru Huan
Yee Mee Lee & Family
Wee Kim Tuck & Family
Law Wai Keong & Family
Tee Seng Huat & Family
Chon Yoon Thye & Family
IMO Yee Tim Poh
Julianna Tan Lee Choo & Family
IMO Tan Soon Seng, Mr & Mrs Kevin Low Eng Boon
IMO Tan Lee Ming
IMO Lim Keat Hong
IMO Sui Teo Ching
Bow Sow Leng & Family, Lee Bok Wai & Family, Lee Bok Mun, Lee Bok Leong, Lim See Meng & Family, Cheong Weng Hong & Family
Fong Yun & Family
Mui Yoke Chan & Family
Ching Kew moi & Family
Tan Ah Pin & Family
Tan Yau Seng & Family
Tan Yau Chin & Family
Shirla Wong
Pearl Foong
Ng Mei Choo & Family
Chan Mang Hang
Sui Dion King & Family
Lim Tin Siew
Ng Jat Sun
Lim Lay Chin & Family
Tan Ah Lian
Tan Chai Choon
Lee Ah Loi
Tan Bee Len
Yap Foo & Family (IMO Departed Relatives)
Mah Yoke Lan
Mah Yip Thoong
Ng Siew Nam
Teh Ah Nya
Aloka Metta Bhavana Group
Tan Bok Huat & Family
Low Ling Fei
Pui Sin Sern & Family
Tan Boh Tan
Tan Yoke Ting
Tan Bok Swee & Family
Lay Foo Choy & Family
Tan Poh Tin & Family
Tan Ai Geok
Yap Yee Kuen & Family
Yap Zhen Hong
Low Ling Nee & Family
Low Mon Chai
Low Lih Yiing
Low Lih Jin
Lillianne & All Beings
Ng Koon Lan
Lim Lay Chin & Angeline Tan
Yong Moey Phin & Family
Yong Wai Chun & Family
Merin Soon & Family
Juin
Liew Yuet Kuan & Family
Rob & Ling & Family
Dr Elaine Lim Tin Siew & Ng Jat Sun & Family
Dr Elaine
Chan Keng Moi & Family (IMO Departed Relatives & Friends)
Mr & Mrs Lee Chai Hua & Family
Ms Liew Yuet Kuan (IMO Mr Liew Tham Sang)
Mdm Liew Soon Sang Moy & Family
Mr Liew Yuet Fah (IMO Mr Liew Tham Sang)
Mr Liew Yuet Hing & Family
Ms Liew Phui See (IMO Mr Liew Tham Sang)
Mr Liew Wei Hoong (IMO Mr Liew Tham Sang)
Teh Siew Kheng & Family
Sis Juin & Family
Teh Siew Kheng & Family
A K Lee
Soh Siew Hong & Family
Soh Siew Hong, Sisters & Family (IMO Mother, Tan Keow, rebirth in Western Pure Land)
Danny Lim & Family
2012 India Group
2011 - 10 Robes offering by:
Sis Goh Bee Leng
Sis Elizabeth Heatcote
Sis Mary Yap
Sis Margaret Tan
Sis Yvonne Chin (IMO Pan Ching,Chin Kong Foo,Chin Lieh Bin and Chua Joo Guan)
Nissapatorn family (IMO Mr Longheing and Mrs Kesorn Nissapatorn )
Dr Sucheep and Mrs Veeree Phiriyasamith
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| Bhantes opening the robes for the monks |
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Posted on 21/07/2010.
MAJORIE CHIEW
maj@thestar.com.my
Monday March 31, 2008
A SRI Lankan monk was in a crowded train travelling from Mumbai to Ulhasnagar in India, in 1982. A couple of superior caste members were seated comfortably, while several labourers were standing nearby. When a labourer accidentally brushed against a woman’s shoulders, the husband took offence and beat him up.
No one interfered except fellow labourers who pleaded with the man to stop the bashing. When their pleas fell on deaf ears, they surrounded the fallen man to protect him from further assault.
Ven Dr Talawe Sangharatana Thera: ‘We want to help India as it is the Land of Buddha.’
In 1995, the monk, Ven Dr Talawe Sangharatana Thera, was on the platform of a train station in New Delhi. “A young boy who was begging for food was chased away by members of a higher class. When he approached me, I gave him some money and heard them remarking that ‘Only beggars help beggars.’
“These (condescending) folks probably believe that God created beggars to teach them the meaning of poverty. As such, they do not want to help these unfortunate ones,” said Ven Sangharatana, chief monk of Pitaramba Temple in Bentota, Sri Lanka, during a recent visit to Malaysia.
In another incident in a New Delhi university, he saw a boy being beaten up for courting a girl from a higher caste. “No one came to his aid and when the police arrived, they took the boy away instead of his attackers,” said Ven Sangharatana, 60.
Such centuries-old discrimination against the Untouchables left an indelible mark on the monk.
In 1982, Ven Sangharatana headed for Maharashtra in Western India because the majority of Untouchables were found in this state. Maharashtra was the birthplace of the late Dr B.R. Ambedkar, a great leader of the Untouchables and “the father of modern Buddhism”. Ambedkar later went on to become the first Minister of Law in India.
“We want to help India as it is the Land of Buddha,” said Ven Sangharatana, adding that Ambedkar had called upon monks from abroad to help his community (the Untouchables) by giving them education, helping them to rebuild their society and teaching them basic hygiene.
Dalit children playing in a broken house on the outskirts of the city of Lucknow in India.
“Today, the Indian government welcomes those who want to help the Untouchables. The Hindus are happy to see us as social workers. We don’t help only the Buddhists but also the poor Muslims and Christians in the community.”
Ven Sangharatana has embarked on several projects to help the Untouchables. In 1997, he started the Mahendra Welfare Foundation in Banjarpet near Bangalore to help children and mothers in need of financial aid.
Every year, the foundation distributes stationery to needy schoolchildren. Last year, it launched a micro-credit programme to offer interest-free loans to women to start their own businesses such as selling vegetables, sewing garments and making toys and shoes. The loans have to be repaid in instalments within a year.
In January this year, he started a foster parent project in Bangalore. Under this programme, needy schoolchildren receive financial aid on a monthly basis.
A Dalit woman in Lucknow.
Last December, Ven Sangharatana visited Bidar, a rural area with a majority of Untouchables who are Buddhists, on a request to set up a training centre for monks and a school. The journey to Bidar from Bangalore took more than 14 hours by bus through rough terrain.
“I was asked to find financial support for them,” he said, adding that he was appointed the community’s patron.
When he was in India, Ven Sangharatana donned helmet and mask before going 91m down a mineshaft to experience the poor working conditions of miners.. He also witnessed ill treatment of the Untouchables.
Some say the Untouchables or Scheduled Caste still suffer from an inferiority complex due to their background. People could tell if they were from the lower caste just by their family names, the areas they come from and their behaviours, said Ven Sangharatana.
“Buddhism is against the caste system. Everyone is equal. We should respect every human being and every religion.”
In his book, Buddhists in Maharashtra (published in 2001), Ven Sangharatana wrote about how the caste problem prevailed in Maharashtra. The issue of Untouchability made social depression rampant down the centuries, creating mental and physical oppression of the downtrodden.
According to Ven Sangharatana, since the third century AD, the early caste system was divided into Brahmins, Vaisyas, Ksatriyas and Sudras. Later, society created another caste – the outcaste – and historians believe that this caste appeared due to the Renaissance of Hinduism. In the Indian caste system, a Dalit or Untouchable is a person who, according to traditional Hindu belief, does not have any varnas.
Varna refers to the Hindu belief that most humans were supposedly created from different parts of the body of the divinity Purusha. The part from which a varna was supposedly created defines a person’s social status.
Dalits fall outside the varna system and have historically been prevented from doing any but the most menial jobs. Among them are leather-workers (called chamar), carcass handlers (mahar), farmers and landless labourers, night soil scavengers (bhangi orchura), handicraft-makers, folk artists, street cleaners and dhobi.
There are an estimated 160 million Dalits in India. Traditionally, they are treated aspariahs in South Asian society and isolated in their own communities. Even their shadows are avoided by the upper castes.
Discrimination against Dalits still exists in some rural areas. In urban areas and in the public sphere, such discrimination has largely disappeared following access to better education.
Champion of the Dalits
THE Untouchables in Hindu society were a helpless lot. They were denied the use of public wells and shut out from Hindu temples and festivals. They were generally landless and had to live in the outskirts of villages due to social threats.
Thankfully, they found a champion.
“B.R. Ambedkar was born into this community and met with many social problems since childhood. However, he struggled to change these social differences and delivered his people,” said Ven Dr Talawe Sangharatana Thera in his book, Buddhists in Maharashtra.
Ambedkar read about all the religions in the world and decided to become a Buddhist. He opened his people’s eyes to a new religion that could set them free.
“Ambedkar met with other leaders of the Untouchables and together they wanted to change social discrimination against them. Failing to get the British to help, Ambedkar decided that the best recourse would be to change their religion since they were forbidden to enter a temple for worship. The temple owners also did not want the Untouchables to tread on holy ground and contaminate the place,” related Ven Sangharatana.
In 1956, Ambedkar together with 5,000 followers embraced Buddhism in a mass conversion. This event in Nagpur on Oct 14 was a historical day for the Untouchables of India.
“Ambedkar explained that he was not out to seek any economic gain by embracing a new religion. He wanted happiness with social dignity. He saw that freedom, equality and brotherhood were available in Buddhism,” said Ven Sangharatana.
In his book, Annihilation of Caste, Ambedkar explained the history of the Brahmins and how they built their citadel in Indian society.. He accused this caste of monopolising social privileges, education and religion, and depriving the poor in India. He was intent to wipe out the caste system.
“Ambedkar became the father of the oppressed and brought Buddhism back to life in India,” said Ven Sangharatana.
To see the propagation of Buddhism in India, Ambedkar worked tirelessly until he passed away on Dec 6, 1956, at the age of 65. Even after his death, great waves of conversion took place in Maharashtra as his followers carried on the propagation work. About 30,000 Untouchables were said to join the fold of Buddhism in a short span of time.
And so, Maharashtra, the home state of Ambedkar, has the largest Buddhist population in India. – By Majorie Chiew
You may also visit http://dalitlivelihood.blogspot.com
