Sunday, September 29, 2013

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

BUDDHISM: A HUMANISTIC RELIGION


Dhamma Sharing by 
Bro. Billy Tan 
on how Buddhism as 
a Humanistic Religion 
differs from 
other Theistic Religion on 
22nd September 2013 at 
Mudita Buddhist Society, 
Klang.

Buddhism is neither theistic, nor atheistic. 
In the beginning it is about the practice of humanistic ideals, 
 and cultivation of the human mind to 
the perfection of the human mind, 
ultimately to a supreme god-like state that is Nibbana, 
that transcends human and earthly limitations. 
Buddhism is in fact "Humanitheistic".
Sādhu! Sādhu! Sādhu!

Monday, September 16, 2013

Slideshow of "A Photographic Journey of the Dhammafarers"



Buddha's Lost Children

"A former soldier and Thai boxing champion leads viewers on an unforgettable journey as he travels into one of the poorest regions of Thailand in a bold attempt to build a brighter future for the impoverished children of the Golden Triangle. To the children whose villages have become infested by drug dealers and poisoned by poverty, Khru Bah is something of a folk hero. In addition to offering blessings to those whose futures seem especially bleak, Bah occasionally brings children back to the Golden Horse Temple in order to educate and train them in Buddhism. In this documentary, filmmaker Mark Verkerk focuses not only on Bah's remarkable contributions to the children of the Golden Triangle, but the transformation of the young students into novice monks as well."
~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi ~

LIVING IS 
AN ART 
TO BE 
LEARNED
~ Shin Yatomi ~


 In the borderlands of Thailand's Golden Triangle, a rugged region known for its drug smuggling and impoverished hill tribes, one man devotes himself to the welfare of the region's children. A former Thai boxer, turned Buddhist monk, Phra Khru Bah Neua Chai Kositto travels widely on horseback, fearlessly dispensing prayers and tough-love. With his Golden Horse Temple he's built an orphanage, school and clinic — a haven for the children of the region, who see him as a shaman, father figure and coach.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

JENNY PHILIPS on TEDxBoston & OPRAH'S SOUL SERIES

The Only Way Out is In:
Jenny Philips on TEDxBoston


 
“Nobody felt safe; 
the prisoners weren’t safe, 
the staff weren’t safe...
A radical idea 
began to spread: 
maybe meditation 
could help.”

Psychotherapist Jenny Phillips describes how the tranquility of ancient Buddhist meditation at a maximum-security correctional facility helps prisoners emerge from a rigorous VIPASSANA program with a renewed self-image and a greater sense of personal responsibility.


Cultural anthropologist, writer and psychotherapist Jenny Phillips has been working in the field of mental health for more than 15 years. Much of her work has been with male prisoners, teaching inmates courses on emotional literacy and VIPASSANA meditation, an ancient meditation technique based on the teachings of Buddha. Her work has helped inmates—many serving multiple life sentences—transform their lives, face their pasts and become more peaceful, purposeful people.


In 2008, Jenny released the self-produced documentary The Dhamma Brothers, which followed 36 prisoners at the Donaldson Correctional Facility in Alabama through a 10-day silent vipassana meditation course. Her book Letters from the Dhamma Brothers: Meditation Behind Bars is a collection of letters and interviews from inmates who took part in the meditation course. The book depicts prison life and the journey many of the prisoners took to better understanding the teachings of Buddha and achieving inner peace.

Jenny has doctorate in anthropology from Boston University and is currently researching a book—along with her husband, journalist Frank Phillips—on author Ernest Hemingway's 22 years in Cuba. Jenny's grandfather, Maxwell Perkins, was a legendary book editor and close friend of Hemingway's.
 
Jenny Phillips on 
Oprah’s Soul Series