July 15th is an auspicious day in Buddhism – Asalha Puja – which commemorates the first teaching of the Buddha. This teaching was the Dhammacakka Sutta – the “Turning of the Wheel of Dharma” and it outlined the central teaching of Buddhism – the Four Noble Truths. The day also marks entering the ‘Pansa’ or …
Yearly Archives: 2011
No Place to Hide
A recent video suggested that Buddhists are uncaring, that they are taught to abhor family values, which are forms of ‘attachment’. The video ended with the statement that the main reason for such a sorry state of affairs in Asian values, is simply that they have not heard the truth – and provides a way …
After the Final Countdown
The following continues the discussion on rebirth. While most Westerners don’t like this kind of teaching, it is in fact a part of Buddhism. So in the interest of academic research, of knowing the whole picture of what is taught, it is a valid topic of consideration. We don’t want to take our religious eraser …
Welcome to Hell
Classy sketch by Rowan Atkinson.
Our Life is Like Our Breath
mailed to us by Hartwig Rohrmann Dear Sirs, I would like to inform you that my film about the archetype of Buddhism, the Theravada Forest-Monk tradition with title, OUR LIFE IS LIKE OUR BREATH is now available to the public on DVD in both German and English versions. This documentary film describes in detail the daily …
Ajahn Brahm in Bkk, Sunday 26th
Keeping Cool During Global Warming Evening English Dhamma Talk by Ajahn Brahm (Abbot of Bodhinyana Monastery, Western Australia) Sunday 26 June, 2011 Program Details Timing: 6.00 pm – 6.50 pm Registration 7.00 pm – 8.00 pm Talk & Guided Meditation 8.00 pm – 8.30 pm Questions …
The Final Countdown 1
Rebirth in Buddhism is always a tricky issue. Many Westerners don’t like the idea of rebirth, as they hold loosely to a materialist view that animals are self-replicating DNA machines comprised of physical matter only. Mind in this paradigm, may run by its own rules, but it is still a function of physical matter (how …
Memorial for Dr Holly
Special event in memory of Dr Holly Dugan – Thursday June 16th It is now just over a month since our good friend and inspiration Dr Holly passed away afer a short and relatively suffering-free cancer. All the posts, photos and information on Holly are on this post : http://littlebang.org/2011/05/10/dr-holly-all-the-links/ As with all things, as …
Body and Spirit – video blog
Tony McG. who has been posting video blogs called Body and Spirit, a Buddhist approach to mental and physical health, has put up his latest interview. This time it is with Rasmus Hougaard, who runs a business called The Potential Project. You can see the website for this project here: http://www.potentialproject.com/ As well as the video …
Buddhist Psycho – meet Sat 16 July
Continuing the tradition for artful cappuccino discussions relating to Buddhism and Psychology (or any other topic) all ‘Buddhist Psychos’ are invited to meet, caffeinate and trade ideas on Saturday 16th July, at Ariyasom Villa, Sukhumvit Soi 1. (venue to be confirmed) It doesn’t really matter if you have a background in psychology, Buddhist, both/neither – it’s always a …
Ajahn Brahm Monday June 27
Subject: Dharma Talk by Ajahn Brahm on Monday, 27 June 2011 from 2.00 pm (Royal Ballroom) As part of the 135th anniversary celebrations of Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, you are cordially invited to: – a Dharma Talk entitled “The Secrets of Real Happiness” by the renowned Ajahn Brahm Royal Ballroom, Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok on Monday, 27 …
Cosmology of a Bodhisatva
A brief look at the cosmological side of Buddhas, Bodhisatvas and Enlightenment, as part of the ongoing look at Mahayana/Theravada Buddhism: A ‘Buddha’ is an enlightened being – one who has gone beyond birth/ageing/death, who has realised the ‘unconditioned’ or Buddha Nature. There are three kinds of Buddha: Anubuddha – an arahant, or enlightened being, who …
Obituary: Dr Holly Dugan
Last month co-founder of Little Bangkok Sangha, and good Kalyanamitta (spiritual friend) of us all in Bangkok Dr Holly Dugan passed away with a short and suffering-free cancer. Here below is her life in brief – thanks to Holly’s sister Heather for providing it: Holly Williams Shaw Gordon Dugan (Dr. Holly Dugan) – September 15, …
Monthly Dhamma Talk at Baan Aree
Continuing their efforts to bring Dhamma talks in English to Bangkok, the fascinating Baan Aree complex hosts a Dhamma Talk Saturday 4th June : English language Dharma Talk The first Saturday of every month Saturday 4th June,2011 09.30 – 11.30 AM By Pha Ajahn Ponpol Pasonno from Rama 9 temple Bangkok Baan Aree is a delightful Dhamma oasis close to the …
Monday Meditation … back again
Free-style Meditation Monday evenings … For 8 weeks starting Monday June 6th we will be holding weekly meditation at a new venue near Asoke Junction (which is on both BTS and MRT lines). Meditation will be led by Phra Pandit – British monk for 15 years, and organsier of Little Bangkok Sangha. After Monday July 25th, we will …
Detachment or Non-attachment
Enlightenment teacher David Hawkins makes a distinction between the idea of detachment – which signifies a non caring remote isolationist standpoint to the world – and the idea of non-attachment which involves engaged action without attachment to your own desires or expectation of particular outcomes. Compassion is active. A story illustrates: A man walking thought he forest …
Zen club meets June 4th 2011
The following Zen club meeting at the Korean Temple Ekkamai, will be on June 4th at 6:00 p.m. At this gathering we will be studying the prajna paramita sutra(heart sutra) and doing a half hour group sitting. This is a wonderful opportunity to be introduced to Seon style Buddhism. Hope to see you in the …
Don’t get old!
John Cleese on keeping the inner child alive: Cleese would never contemplate letting go of his inner child …. “A lot of people get rigid as they get older because they think they should be ‘wise’. But the child in us, the source of playfulness and joy – that’s the source of all the loveliest …
11-15 May – Events
Click the image for details (this is all the information I have received, so be sure to double check it!
Buddhist Psychos: Meet Sat. June 4th
Continuing the fine tradition started by psychologist and meditator Dr Holly, all Buddhist Psychos are invited to meet at Ariyasom Villa, either in the library or by the pool depending on weather. There’s coffee, deserts and other things on the menu… Saturday June 4th 1pm – for about 2 hours or so (come/leave as you …