|
The
Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association
is going to hold a series of programs, which will be conducted
by two monks whom they have invited from Taiwan especially for these
events. They are well learned in their chosen field. The teachings
will be translated into english by Ven Guo Jun (whom some of you
have met). Universities' students /ex-students are given priority
for a place (places are very limited), also
they can join any activity free of charge.
1. Dharma Talk
Date : 24 Nov, 2001
Schedule : 2:00 PM - Begin
4:30 PM - End
Topic : Contemporary significance of the movement
of 5 fourfold attitudes and actions.
(Practical aspect of Budhism)
2. Ch'an Meditation Training
Date : 25 Nov, 2001
Schedule : 8:30 AM - registration
9:00 AM - Begin
1:00 PM - Lunch
5:00 PM - End followed by free vegetarian dinner
3. Dharma Talk
Date : 27 Nov, 2001
Schedule : 7:30 PM - Begin
9:30 PM - End
Topic : Ch'an and daily lives
All programs above will be held at the following address:
Place : 59 Devon St, Eaglemont 3084
Melway pp. 31 K6
Bus no: 546, Train: Hurstbridge Line, get off at Heidelberg Station
Reservation : before 1 Nov 2001
For further details and reservation for these programs, please contact:
Email : pacotess@hyp.com.au
Fax : 9846 1575
Phone : Leslie Yang (0402 979206)
Tess Hu (0407 388366)
Annual
General Meeting 2001
Date: Friday, 11th May 2001
Venue: Green Room, Frank Tate Building
Time: 8.00pm
The AGM will start with a vote by members of MUBSS (who are present
as no proxies will be allowed) to adopt the new amendments to the
MUBSS Constitution, which have been approved in principal by the
Melbourne University Student Union.
Then the committee for 2000/2001 will be dissolved and if there
is quorum, then a new committee will be elected for the 2001/2002
term - otherwise, MUBSS will be closed down.
Thank you and may everyone be well and happy,
The MUBSS Team 2000/2001
Vesak
Day 2001
Date : Saturday 5th May, 2001
Time : 9am - 5pm
Venue : John Batman Park, Melbourne.
Vesak Day is by far the most unanimously significant day for Buddhists
all over the world, regardless of cultural and ethnic diversities.
The Moon is symbolic on this day. On full moon days, the turning
points in his life took place. His birth, renunciation, enlightenment,
delivery of his first sermon,and his passing away into Nibbana,
all took place on full moon days. Hence, on this full moon day,
once a year, sometime in May, we mark it as a totally spiritually
important day.
On this day, Buddhists typically observe the precepts, meditate,
turn vegetarian, and in general keep away from the sensual pleasures
of life, which so often cloud our awareness and mind. We do this
as a symbol of reaffirmation of our understanding and commitment
to the eightfold noble path, of our resolve to cultivate our mind,
wisdom and compassion.
Faith, Confidence and Devotion… What it all means to us?
Blind faith has no place in Buddhism. The very tenets of our ‘faith’
is built on understanding and personal experience, and the eventual
build-up of confidence in the teachings. Blind faith is for the
faint hearted and weak-minded, he who believes out of fear and mental
oppression. To us Buddhists, faith is abstract yet simple. It’s
simple as it’s the most natural progression of ‘seeing’ something,
knowing it’s there, hence having faith in it, abstract as it requires
investigation, insight, thought and understanding and cannot be
forced at will.
The meaning of Prayer and Paritta chanting.
Prayer is a form of meditation, where we gather the shards of our
minds in one focused beam. It is when we bring about psychological
changes in our minds, through purification of our thoughts, words
and deeds. It leaves us more inspired, strengthened, and rejuvenated.
Prayer is not about asking for special favours from obscure divine
creators, it’s not about satisfying our self-centred wants and desires.
Buddhism gives humankind full responsibility and dignity for our
state. We are the master of ourselves, and prayer helps us cultivate
that strength of mind and confidence in our own potentials.The same
effect of paritta chanting applies. These are verses of recitations
picked out from certain books. The rhythm and tone reverberates
and harmonises, and creates very calming and soothing effects on
the environment and on our minds. A calm state of mind is vital
to overcoming any sort of adversities and obstacles in our lives.
There is nothing like direct experience. There is nothing like
being one of the beings enjoined in prayer, meditation and faith
in the Triple Gems of Buddhism, as we build our confidence and understanding.
This Vesak Day, The Melbourne University Buddhist Studies Society
will celebrating together with the BLIA (Buddha's Light International
Association), which has its roots in the Mahayana Tradition. Last
year, we introduced our members to the Theravada Tradition. It is
guaranteed to be a huge event and they need as many volunteers as
they can get. So if anyone is interested to be a part of the event,
please let us know ASAP by replying with your name,
phone number, and email address. It
will be on 5th of May. Help is needed with packing of lunch boxes
and distribution of tickets. It will be according to the time slots
that you will be available. More detailed info will be given in
another separate email as we near the date. And we do need confirmation.
With lots of Vesak metta,
The MUBSS team
Buddhist
Council of Victoria (BCV) invitation:
The Centenary of the Federation of Australian States to form the
Commonwealth of Australia will be celebrated on Monday 7th May 2001
(11.45am to 1.30pm). The first Australian parliament met in the
Old Exhibition Building in Melbourne at this time. As part of the
celebrations surrounding the Centenary, the Premier’s Department
of the Victorian Government, are sponsoring a multi-faith event
"A Sense of Place" which will be held in the Exhibition Building.
BCV has formally invited members of MUBSS to attend. You need to
register (as you are required to obtain security clearance from
the Police) and it's free. For further information please contact,
Mr. Michael Wells at michaelwells@bigpond.com or (BH)9603 9556 or
(AH)9807 7361. You must register through MUBSS by Monday 9th April.
|
