Saturday, August 25, 2007

Buddha's Message-it's discovery and application in our lives.....Lecture by Prof.Venerable Dhammavihari






Venerable Rewatha introduced the Venerable Dhammavihari briefly, with obvious delight that he had taken up a long-standing, repeated invitation. Our Temple monk knew that Glasgow would benefit from his many years of living and teaching the Buddhist way. In Toronto Professor Dhammavihari had taught keen Western students the essence of Buddhism. Later he went on to write several books.
Addressing us as “dear brothers and sisters” the Venerable Dhammavihari supported our desire for “happiness” by following the enlightened one. He spoke to us of one whom he affectionately called “my Buddha” – the Buddha of history, not of legend and one whom he seemed to know intimately. His message was thoroughly down to earth – practical and non-religious (in the Western sense). Buddha, he insisted several times, was a man – not divine. Responsible action, not supplication, is the Buddhist way. The Buddha’s extraordinary qualities (such as his childhood wisdom) could be explained by passing on what he had gathered before his birth. This was “scientific”– within natural laws- not “miraculous”. Science has demonstrated that the foetal brain is already preconditioned.
Most of his talk focused on how traditional Buddhist morality is legitimised by its realism, and how we might realistically implement it.
He told us that he had been a householder, but became a monk (a similarity with the one he follows)- leaving family life in order to walk the way wholeheartedly. He joked that his life seemed to follow 34 year cycles, and perhaps it’s time that he become a householder again. His wide-ranging talk included responses to the questions and comments from his hearers, and sharing from both the Buddha’s story and his own. But a clear theme emerged. The message that he travelled from Manchester to leave with us was, “Buddhism works, if we work it. The Enlightened One has shown us how to live wholesome lives and thereby find happiness for ourselves, seeking happiness for all. Perhaps the best place to start living the Buddha’s way is to learn restraint.”
The morality he urged was not only for personal happiness, but for the happiness of all. By practicing the five precepts we help to better ourselves and the world about us. His examples were rooted in a knowledge of the seeming ambiguities of life as we live it. For example “No sexual misconduct” was discussed in terms of adultery between two consenting adults. They should realise what seemed to give them happiness destroyed the happiness of others and shattered social stability.
The cutting edge of his message was restraint: ‘In my childhood the essence of education was “The 3 Rs” of Reading ‘Riting and ‘Rithmatic. Today I want to stress the need for three different Rs – the Three Rs of Self-reform: Restraint, Responsibility and Readiness to learn!”
All that the Buddha taught was to help us enjoy life. Life is meant to be enjoyed, and this happens when we are responsible to ourselves and others.
An example is, “No intoxication”. This keeps our minds clear, and prevents us from making many ills (mental, social and physical). It’s easy to see how restraint in this area, if widely practiced would, cure many social problems. Individual restrain may not change “the world”, but it will change ourselves and our circle of influence – spreading a great amount of good.
Restraint can be best learned by small steps, not heroic leaps. Restraint in eating, for example, might well begin by shifting the major meal from evening to noon. Once that becomes habitual, it will be easier to abandon the evening meal. Sexual relations within marriage can be restrained for a time, and then enjoyed again. It’s all part of the training in self-restraint, which becomes a great strength for self-development.
Professor Dhammavihari shared a few insights from his years of practice, sometimes phrased in generalizations:
• Put yourself in the other person’s position when you relate to others;
• The joys of not possessing are far greater than the joys of possessing; a life of restraint, with carefully reduced needs, paradoxically leads to a richer life. The fruits of grasping are a pauper’s life.
• It is hard to have forgiveness for those tormenting you, but it is the happier way.
On this last point he recalled Jesus’ dying word for his tormentors – “Father forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing…” “See” he said, “We recognise truth and wisdom from wherever we find it.”
I responding to a question about Karma – how to move towards Nirvana, our guest said the focus should be good actions. What happens in our head (cognition) is at three levels:
• First, the senses receive something (perception).
• Then we react to it (feeling).
• The we act.
• Attending to all three levels carefully and responsibly will lead to good actions.
Good actions develop better character, and lead us on.
Dennis Oliver

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Lecture by Prof. Venerable Dhammaviharai


Lecture by Prof. Venerable Dhammaviharai

Scotland’s Buddhist Vihara has a rare opportunity to host
a lecture evening with the Prof. Venerable Dhammavihari. The Prof. is a famous Sri Lankan monk who is a respected author and scholar and he will be visiting the Vihara on August 24th. While there he will deliver a Dhamma lecture to the audience entitled

Buddha’s Message – its’ discovery and application in our lives.

The lecture will commence at 6.30pm on Friday the 24th of August at the Vihara.

Everyone is welcome.

Mindfulness Meditation Classes for Beginners

Mindfulness Meditation Classes for beginners

Due to increasing demand the Scotland’s Buddhist Vihara will now be running three extra sessions per week for beginners. These classes are aimed at people who have no previous experience of meditation.

Mindfulness meditation has long been used in the East to treat a variety of ailments and Western medicine is catching on quickly these days. The techniques taught at the centre are simple to learn and are invaluable in the treatment of many problems caused by stress such as sleep disorders and headaches, anxiety and depression.

You don’t have to be suffering or ill to benefit. Mindfulness meditation is a system of being aware (or mindful) of those things in your life that you do have control over. It is particularly effective in increasing your sense of wellbeing as well as sharpening your focus and concentration in daily life.

These classes are to promote health and wellbeing through the practice of mindfulness meditation and are not religious in content. All are welcome.

Courses will commence on dates below and run weekly for eight consecutive sessions.

Tuesday 4th September 5-6pm (weekly)

Wednesday 5th September 1-2pm (weekly)

Saturday 8th September 4-5pm (weekly)


The centre does not have a formal charge and runs entirely on donations. Your Donation will allow the centre to continue offering these courses to those who need them.

Monday, August 13, 2007

Navagunashanti Puja







Bhante Kotapola Amarakitti Maha Thera conducted Navagunashanti puja at the Vihara on 11th of August 07.The resident monks chanted three Bojjhanga Suttas wishing good health for all.This puja will be conducted at the Vihara every Saturday at 6.00pm during the rains retreat.All are welcome!

Friday, August 03, 2007

Autumn Meditation Classes

Beginners Meditation Class will start from 7th August at 6:30pm. This is an eight week course teaching mindfulness based stress reduction. Newcomers are very welcome.

Rains Retreat at the Vihara



Rains Retreat at the Vihara


We are happy to announce that the Vihara now has two monks to start this years rains retreat. The devotees at the Vihara have invited most venerable Kotapola Amarakitti Thera to Scotlands Buddhist Vihara for the retreat. The venerable Amarakitti has joined resident monk the Venerable Rewatha Thera for the three month retreat. During this period the Vihara will be conducting special Pujas and Dhamma sermons.


Autumn Meditation Classes

Beginners Meditation Class will start from 7th August at 6:30pm. This is an eight week course teaching mindfulness based stress reduction. Newcomers are very welcome.

Intermediate Meditation Class will run every Wednesday at 6:30pm.

Advanced Bhuddist Meditation class will start from 3rd August at 6:30pm.
Bhante Amarakitti will deliver a Dhamma sermon on Friday evenings during this class.

Puja and Chanting at the Vihara every Saturday from 11th August at 6pm. This special Puja will be conducted by the new resident monk Bhante Amarikitti.

If you would like to sponsor a Puja or would like to offer a Dana meal to the resident monks please do not hesitate to contact the Vihara.