social conflict viewed through the sakka-pañha sutta...ti-sarana buddhist tion 1 sep/oct 2019...

TI-SARANA BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION

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Sep/Oct 2019

(Continued on page 5)

Social Conflict Viewed through the Sakka-pañha Sutta

Mankind is inextricably linked to society and as we all live in societies, many problems, issues and conflicts will inevitably arise. According to sociologists, conflict is an unavoidable feature of society and many social challenges are caused by tension between competing interests. All social problems start with the human mind. Buddhism emphasizes seeing things as they really are and so it is with social issues. According to the Sakka-pañha Sutta in Dῑgha Nikāya recorded as a dialogue between the Buddha and Sakka, the chief God of Tāvatimsa heaven, the question of social conflicts and problems were discussed at length. When we examine the way the question was posed to the Buddha by Sakka, conflict is understood as a natural phenomenon not only among men but also among other beings such as gods and semi - divine beings.

According to the discourse, Sakka asked the Buddha - “What is the reason that prompts gods, men, Asuras, Gandhabbas and other classes of beings to be hateful, harmful and envious of one another and thereby causing them to continue to live in conflict despite the fact that they all wish not to have those evil thoughts?”

The Buddha replied – “Ruler of gods, it is the bonds of jealousy and avarice that bind beings so that, although they all wish to live without hate… yet live in hate, harm, malign and are hostile to one another.”

Then Sakka asked a further question - “But Sir, what gives rise to jealousy and avarice? What is their origin? How do they arise? Owing to the presence of what do they arise and owing to the absence of what do they not arise?”

The Buddha answered - “Jealousy and avarice, Ruler of gods, arise from likes and dislikes. This is their origin and this is how they arise. When likes and dislikes are present, they arise and when these are absent, they do not arise.”

Again Sakka asks - “But Sir, what gives rise to likes and dislikes? Owing to the presence of what do they arise, owing to the absence of what do they not arise?”

Then the Buddha explained - “They arise, Ruler of gods, from desire. Owing to the presence of desire they arise, owing to the absence of desire they do not arise.”

Sakka then asked - “But Sir, then what gives rise to desire?”


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Upcoming Activities at Ti-Sarana

100 Days Memorial Service of our Late Chief Religious Adviser, Ven. Dr. P. Gnanarama Anu-Nāyaka Mahāthera

The Memorial Service will be held on 11th September 2019 (Wednesday). Mahāsangha from other Buddhist organizations will be invited to a Saṅghika Dāna. All members and devotees are invited to participate.

Programme for Saṅghika Dāna on 11th September 2019 (Wednesday)

Morning11.00 am Vandanā and Buddha Pūjā11.20 am Recitation of Tirokuḍḍa Sutta11.25 am Transference of merits to the Late Ven. Dr. P. Gnanarama11.30 am Blessings by Mahāsangha11.35 am Saṅghika Dāna for Mahāsangha11.55 am Offering of Essential Requisites to Mahāsangha12.05 pm Vegetarian lunch for members and devotees

Evening7.30 pm Vandanā and Pūjā7.50 pm Dr. P. Gnanarama Memorial Sermon by Ven. K. Rathanasara8.30 pm Recitation of Tirokuḍḍa Sutta8.35 pm Transference of merits to the Late Ven. Dr. P. Gnanarama8.40 pm Blessings by Mahāsangha8.45 pm Gilānapaccaya for Venerables

Abhidhamma Day Observance - 13th October 2019, Sunday (Full Moon Day)

Abhidhamma Day commemorates the Buddha’s descent from the Tushita heaven after teaching Abhidhamma to his mother. All members and devotees are welcome to participate in this event.

Abhidhamma Day Programme

10.30 am Vandanā and Buddha Pūjā11.20 am Dāna for Bhantes11.45 am Vegetarian lunch for members and devotees12.15 pm Students, members and devotees to assemble in Relic Chamber12.20 pm Invitation to Bhantes to Relic Chamber Observance of Three Refuges and Five Precepts Abhidhamma Chanting Sharing of Merits with all Sentient Beings A short meditation1.20 pm End of programme


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Kaṭhina & Robe Offering Ceremony

Kaṭhina celebrations will be held at the Association’s premises at No. 5 Sturdee Road. All members and devotees are invited to participate.

1. Kaṭhina Eve Special Blessing Service on 26th October 2019, Saturday

On Kaṭhina eve, the Sacred Buddha Relic will be invited to the Shrine Hall for the Special Blessing Service. Our Bhantes will recite Suttas and Parittas to bless all members and devotees together with the bottled water which will be distributed on Kaṭhina Day.

Kaṭhina Eve Programme

6.30 pm Vandanā and Pūjā6.50 pm Gilānapaccaya for the Venerables7.00 pm Light refreshment for members and devotees7.15 pm Invitation of the Sacred Buddha Relic to the Shrine Hall7.30 pm Invitation to the Mahāsangha to commence the Blessing Service8.30 pm Blessings for members and devotees

2. Kaṭhina Day on 27th October 2019, Sunday

Mahāsangha from other Buddhist organisations will be invited to the Kaṭhina Day Celebration on 27th October 2019 (Sunday). A Kaṭhina Cloth will be offered to the Mahāsangha by our representatives, Upāsaka Chintaka Terry See and Upasikā Ruchirā Shirley Ow. The Kaṭhina Cloth will be sewn into a Kaṭhina Robe on the same day. Members and devotees are welcome to witness the process of sewing the Kaṭhina Robe. The sewn Robe will be presented to the Mahāsangha during the Evening Pūjā. Members and devotees are invited to participate in the celebration and could offer either breakfast or lunch Dāna to the Mahāsangha.

Offering of Vassāvāsika RobesDuring the Kaṭhina Ceremony members and devotees are welcome to offer the Vassāvāsika Robes and the Essential Requisites to the Mahāsangha. The act of offering a Vassāvāsika Robe or the Essential Requisites demonstrates our respect and gratitude to the Venerables for their guidance in our spiritual development.

Those who wish to make the offerings can place their orders in the attached form for robes at $40 each or sets of Essential Requisites at $80 each. A set of Essential Requisites comprise of an outer robe, an inner robe, a thick double robe and a belt. The order form is to be handed to the Honorary Treasurer or mailed to the Association by 13th October 2019.

Robe offering, extremely glorious! The donor will always be born in a Higher Place,

have good physical shape and a sense of good conscience. He/she will be renowned due to having accumulated the good kamma.


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Programme for Kaṭhina Day Celebration on 27th Oct. 2019 (Sun.)6.45 am Arrival of Mahāsangha7.00 am Commencement of Ceremony7.05 am Vandanā and Buddha Pūjā7.30 am Welcome address Address by Mahāsangha Offering of Kaṭhina Cloth to Mahāsangha Offering of Vassāvāsika Robes to Mahāsangha Sharing of Merits Blessing by Mahāsangha8.00 am Offering breakfast Dāna to Mahāsangha

8.30 am Continuation of offering of Vassāvāsika Robes to Mahāsangha and blessings for onwards members and devotees

10.30 am Vandanā and Buddha Pūjā Offering of Vassāvāsika Robes to Mahāsangha11.20 am Blessing for members and devotees11.30 am Dāna for Bhantes11.55 am Vegetarian lunch for members and devotees

3. Conferment of Buddhist Name by Bhante Indasara

Continuing the tradition set by our late Ven. Dr. P. Gnanarama Mahāthera, the Conferment of Buddhist Name Ceremony will be held during our Kaṭhina Ceremony this year. We have therefore invited Ven. Prof. Dr. Ittademaliye Indasara Mahāthera to confer a Buddhist name on those of us who wish to have one.

Bhante Indasara is the Chief Incumbent of Sri Sambuddhaloka Viharaya at Lotus Road, Colombo-1, Sri Lanka. A former Vice Chancellor and Senior Professor at the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, Bhante Indasara received his B.A. Honours degree from the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka and MA & PHD from the University of Delhi, as well as a Post Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of Colombo. He has worked as visiting professor at Ateneo de Manila University, Philippine in 2018. Known to Ti-Sarana members and devotees, Bhante Indasara was one of our Resident Monks from 1996 to 1997. Bhante Indasara was also a Resident Monk of Mangala Vihara (Buddhist Temple) from 2005 to 2008 until he was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka in October 2008.

For those who wish to have a Buddhist name conferred on them, please complete the relevant section of the attached form and hand it to the Honorary Treasurer or mail it to the Association by 13th October 2019.

Programme for Conferment of Buddhist Name12.30 pm Members and devotees to assemble in Shrine Hall12.35 pm Start of Ceremony1.15 pm Blessings by Bhantes1.25 pm End of programme


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4. Offering of the sewn Kaṭhina Robe

The Kaṭhina Cloth offered to the Mahāsangha during the morning ceremony will be sewn into a Kaṭhina Robe by early evening and ready for offering to the Venerables.

Programme for Offering of Kaṭhina Robe 6.30 pm Vandanā and Pūjā6.50 pm Offering of the Kaṭhina Robe to Mahāsangha Dhamma Talk by Bhante7.20 pm Blessing by Bhantes to members and devotees7.25 pm Gilānapaccaya for Bhantes7.30 pm Light refreshment for members and devotees

Wishing all members and devoteesA Very Meaningful Vassāna Cultivation and a Happy Kaṭhina!

Update on development of 303 Guillemard Road, Singapore

We are pleased to announce that the construction contract was awarded to Megabuilders & Development Pte Ltd in June 2019. Initial work including the removal of the asbestos on site has begun. Demolition works has been carried out in the month of August 2019.

There will be a ground breaking ceremony to be held in September 2019.

Currently, we still have a funding shortfall of $400,000 and wish to appeal for more donations. Your kind generosity would help us complete this building project and propagate the Dhamma.

Cont’d from page 1

The Buddha replied - “Ruler of gods, desire arises from thinking. When thinking exists, desire comes into being; when thinking ceases, desire does not arise.”

Sakka next asked - “But Sir, what gives rise to thinking?”

The Buddha responded, “Thinking, Ruler of gods, arises from perceptions and the mind’s tendency to proliferate issues from the sense of self - when this tendency is present, thinking arises; when it is absent, thinking does not arise.”

According to the Sakka-pañha Sutta, the root cause of conflict is the mind’s perceptions and its propensity to proliferate issues from a sense of self. What follows are unwholesome deeds. A shift in perceptions is therefore required for the conflict process to be ended. When one identifies with something that one experiences, some feelings will be appealing whilst others may not. From this grows desire which comes into conflict with desires of others who are also caught up with mental proliferations. Therefore one should not view a feeling as appealing or unappealing. Instead, one should see it as a causal process – when pursuing a particular feeling, do skillful or unskillful qualities increase in the mind. One should obviously pursue a feeling only if skillful qualities increase. The development of skillful qualities will lead to a reduction of conflicts.

Ven. G. Dhammadinna Thera


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Recent Activities at Ti-SaranaSaṅghika Dāna on Kwan Yin’s Enlightenment DayWe like to thank Ven. K. Anoma of Buddha Dhamma Mandala Society, Ven. W. Anoma of Purvarama Buddhist Temple, Colombo (our late Bhante Gnanarama’s chief disciple) and Ven. M. Sunita, Buddhist College of Singapore for kindly accepting our invitation to the Saṅghika Dāna on 21st July 2019 to commemorate Kwan Yin’s Enlightenment Day (19th Day of Lunar 6th Month).

Ullambana Service Ullambana Service was observed on 9th Aug. 2019 till 15th Aug. 2019. During that week, after the Evening Pūjā, essential requisites were offered to our Bhantes, followed by the recitation of the Tirokuḍḍa Sutta and sharing of merits acquired with all departed relatives and friends.

On 11th Aug. 2019, Venerables from other Buddhist organizations were invited to a Saṅghika Dāna and the merits acquired shared with all departed relatives and friends.


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Invitation to Bhantes to observe Vassāna On 17th July 2019 Upāsaka Chintaka Terry See and Upasikā Ruchirā Shirley Ow, representing all members and devotees, invited Bhante Ratanasiri and Bhante Ᾱnanda to observe Vassāna in Ti-Sarana Buddhist Association from 17th July 2019 to 13th October 2019. We wish to thank Bhante Dr. R. Chandawimala Thera, Bhante E. Maniratana of Dhammaduta Buddhist Society and Bhante W. Anoma Thera for their presence at the Vassāna invitation for our Bhantes. During the invitation ceremony, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta was recited and this was followed by a Dhamma Talk delivered by Bhante Chandawimala. Our Vassāna programmes are still ongoing and this includes – Dhamma talks on Monday evenings, guided meditation/discussion on Friday evenings and Sunday morning Dhamma talks. All members and devotees are encouraged to participate.

Our grateful thanks to Bhante K. Anoma, Dr. Ng Yuen Yen and Sis. Jasmine Tan for conducting the current three-month Vassāna activities for our members and devotees.


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SUNDAY, 8 September 2019

12.15 to 1.00 p.m. @ Relic Chamber

The 2019 Sunday Classes term will end on 30 September. This is to facilitate the students’ preparations for their

final examinations and thereafter for their year end holidays.

“A guided walk at the Fort Canning Park”

Sunday,

15 September 2019 9.30 a.m. to 12.00 p.m


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LAST YEAR, 2018 ….

“Sigāla” was written by Bhante M. Pannalokaspecially for our Sunday Class students. The author has mentioned:

“The social ethics and spiritual values preached by the Buddha in Sigālovada Sutta are very applicable to modern society”.

Together with the workbook written by our Teacher, Jayanthi Kuan Lin Tar, the books are now part of our curriculum for the students.

THIS YEAR, 2019….

On Vesak Day, we launched another book “Mangala – The 38 Blessings”. The book was written by Bhante G. Dhammadinna and illustrated by our Sunday Class parent, Nariko Kong Poh Lin who also sponsored the printing of the books.

“The purpose of Mangala Sutta is to elaborate how a person could gain personal attainment. The thirty-eight blessings are ethical and spiritual in nature, providing a gradual training on the journey of an individual’s life.”

Bhante Dhammadinna.

Using beautiful illustrations for each blessing, our teachers will discuss them with the students.

NEXT YEAR, 2020….

We will launch a new book in memory of our Chief Religious Adviser, the late Bhante Gnanarama. The book will comprise 366 daily quotations from the Tipitaka.

We would like to invite members and devotees to join us in spreading words of wisdom by referring to the Tipitaka to extract a quotation and sponsor a page. Please refer to the attached leaflet for further details.


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Upcoming Sunday Dhamma Talks / Activities

01 Sep

Topic: Buddhist Scriptures/ Nikaya & Popular Buddhist Stories

Speaker: Sis. Jasmine Tan

10 : 30 am

08 Sep

Topic: Different Buddhist Traditions


10 : 30 am

15 Sep

Topic: Buddhist Rites and Rituals


10 : 30 am

22 Sep

Topic: Uniqueness of Buddhism


10 : 30 am

29 Sep

Video Viewing: The Power of Meditation – BBC Documentary

Organiser: Ti-Sarana Buddhist Association

10 : 30 am

06Oct

Topic: Dāna – Generosity


10 : 30 am

13 Oct

Activity: Observance of Abhidhamma Day

Organiser: Ti-Sarana Buddhist Association 12 : 15 pm

20 Oct

Topic: Brief History of Buddhism in Korea

Speaker: Sis. Ng Lay Kieng

10 : 30 am

27 Oct

Activity: Kathina Day

Organiser: Ti-Sarana Buddhist Association 07 : 00 am

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09 SEP

16 SEP

23 SEP

30 SEP

07 OCT

Phassa (Contact)

Vedanā (Feeling)

Taṇhā (Desire)

Upādāna(Clinging)

Bhavo (Existence)

Jāti (Birth) , Jarāmaraṇaṃ (Decay and Death), Anumodana (Rejoice)

06 SEP

13 SEP

20 SEP

27 SEP

04 OCT

5 Aggregates of Clinging

6 Sense Bases

7 Factors of Enlightenment

7 Factors of Enlightenment

4 Noble Truths

11 OCT Noble 8-fold Path

7 : 30 pm to

9 : 30 pm

MON

7 : 30 pm to

9 : 30 pm

FRI

Bhante Anoma

Every Monday

Dr. Ng Yuen Yen

Every Friday

Sis. Jasmine Tan

Every Sunday

The Buddha and His Teachings

Paṭicca samuppāda

Mahā Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta


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2019 @ TI-SARANA BUDDHIST ASSOCIATIONMONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY26 27 28 29 30 31 01

1. Daily Pūjā2. Children Classes3. Dhamma Talk

02 03 04 05 06 07 081. Daily Pūjā 1. Daily Pūjā

2. Pagoda Lamps of Blessing

1. Daily Pūjā 1. Daily Pūjā 1. Daily Pūjā2. Meditation

1. Daily Pūjā 1. Daily Pūjā2.Children Classes3. Dhamma Talk



1. Daily Pūjā 1. Daily Pūjā 1.Poya Pūjā2. Meditation

1. Daily Pūjā 1. Daily Pūjā2. Children's Day




1. Daily Pūjā 1. Daily Pūjā2.Children Classes3. Dhamma Talk




1. Daily Pūjā 1. Poya Pūjā2.Children Classes3. Dhamma Talk

30 011. Daily Pūjā

2019 @ TI-SARANA BUDDHIST ASSOCIATIONMONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY30 01 02 03 04 05 06

1. Daily Pūjā2. Pagoda Lamps of Blessing


1. Daily Pūjā 1. Daily Pūjā2. Dhamma Talk




1. Daily Pūjā 1.Poya Pūjā2. Dhamma Talk 3. Abhidhamma Day




1. Daily Pūjā 1. Daily Pūjā2. Dhamma Talk




1. Daily Pūjā 2. Kathina Eve Blessing

1. Daily Pūjā2. Kathina Day

28 29 30 31 01 02 031. Poya Pūjā 1. Daily Pūjā


1. Daily Pūjā 1. Daily Pūjā

04 05

October

September

Notes:

Notes: Daily Pūjā - 11 am from Monday to Saturday. 10.30 am on Sunday New Moon 7.30 pm from Monday to Friday. 6.30 pm from Saturday to Sunday Pagoda Lamps of Blessing - 8 pm Meditation - 8 pm Sunday Classes - 10.00 am to 12.00 noon Dhamma Talk - 11.30 am to 12.30 pm Full Moon

Notes: Daily Pūjā - 11 am from Monday to Saturday. 10.30 am on Sunday New Moon 7.30 pm from Monday to Friday. 6.30 pm from Saturday to Sunday Pagoda Lamps of Blessing - 8 pm Meditation - 8 pm Sunday Classes - 10.00 am to 12.00 noon Dhamma Talk - 11.30 am to 12.30 pm Full Moon

social conflict viewed through the sakka-pañha sutta...ti-sarana buddhist tion 1 sep/oct 2019...

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