Transcript Lesson 1: Buddhism for Today - Kong Meng San Phor Kark See

PKSSSS CY2009
Level: J4
Lesson 1: Buddhism for Today
Lesson 1: Buddhism for Today
The Relevance of Buddhism
• Shows people how to grow in maturity and wisdom, to
understand themselves and the world around them.
• Teaches people to cope with problems of life and
develop their minds to see life as it really is.
The Spirit of Free Enquiry
• The Buddha encourages people to investigate the truth
for themselves, not to depend on blind faith alone.
• Buddhism is against superstition.
Guanyin (Avalokiteshvara) Bodhisattva
image stands between the Dharma Hall
and the Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas.
Page 1
Learn. Practice. Realise. Share.
Lesson 1: Buddhism for Today
Self-reliance
• Each man has to use his own effort to end suffering
and attain happiness (Enlightenment). His action and
not fate that determine his future.
• Enlightenment, the highest goal in life, can be achieved
through dedication, self-discipline and wise decision.
Tolerance
• The Buddha teaches people to be tolerate towards
other faiths because He respects the right of people to
choose their own religion freely.
• Religion tolerance is important in a multi-racial society
like Singapore
Page 2
Learn. Practice. Realise. Share.
Lesson 1: Buddhism for Today
Loving Kindness and Compassion
• The Buddha teaches loving kindness and compassion
towards human beings as well as other creatures.
• What is loving kindness?
• What is compassion?
Buddhism and Science
• Buddhism and science are not contradictory (Opposing).
• Scientific ideas, such as impermanent nature of things,
the relativity of matter and energy and structure of
universe were mentioned in the Buddha’s Teaching.
• Example of impermanent nature of things?
Page 3
Learn. Practice. Realise. Share.
Haiti Quake - 12th Jan 2010
Lesson 1: Buddhism for Today
Summary
• Purpose of explaining the Buddha’s Teaching is to inspire people to
develop self-reliance, moral responsibility, more tolerance, compassion and
wisdom.
• These qualities make life more meaningful.
Page 4
Learn. Practice. Realise. Share.
Kong Meng San
Phor Kark See Monastery Introduction
Samantabhadra
(Pu Xian) Bodhisattva
Qie Lan
(Sangharama)
Bodhisattva's
Guanyin Bodhisattva
with
1000 arms and eyes
Wei Tuo (Skanda)
Bodhisattva
Manjusri
(Wen Shu Shi Li)
Bodhisattva
The Mahakaruna or Hall of Great Compasion was built to symbolise the great compassionate virtues of
Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva* or Guanyin.
* Bodhisattva: one who resolves out of Compassion, manifested in various forms, to skillfully guide all
other living beings, along with oneself, to progress towards Supreme Enlightenment.
Kong Meng San
Phor Kark See Monastery Introduction
The shrine of the Main Hall is dedicated to the historical Founder of Buddhism, Shakyamuni Buddha.
He was born in Northern India more than 2,500 years ago as Prince Siddhartha Gautama. At the age of
29, he chose to renounce in search of Enlightenment out of Compassion for all beings. After He attained
Enlightenment at 35, he taught the Truth inspiringly and tirelessly for 45 years before passing into Final
Nirvana* at 80. His life is full of inspiring stories of how He touched people from all walks of life with His
Wisdom and Compassion.
Above the Buddha, the higher sign reads "The Precious (or Treasure) Hall of Great Magnificence or
'Great Strength' or 'Great Hero'." The Buddha is considered the greatest of all heroes because He had
conquered Himself. The lower sign reads "Teacher of Men and Gods"- this is one of the 10 special titles
of the Buddha. Upon closer look, you will see a glass stupa in front of the Buddha. It houses a portion of
the Buddha's relics- presented to the temple by a renown Sri Lankan temple in 1998.
Kong Meng San
Phor Kark See Monastery Introduction
- The Hall of Great Strength
Avalokiteshvara
or
Guanyin Bodhisattva
Arahant*
Venerable
Ananda
Amitabha
Buddha
Mahasthamaprapta
or
Dashizi Bodhisattva
Maha
Kashyapa
Kong Meng San
Phor Kark See Monastery Introduction
In Chinese Buddhist temples, the Sangha starts the day at the break of dawn by sounding the bell,
followed by the drum, 108 times each. This process is repeated at dusk in the reverse order. It is also
used for announcing special times throughout the day.
It is said that when one hears the clear resonating chime of the bell and beat of the drum, one's
troubles are dispelled in the moment, helping Wisdom to grow and develop. It also has a profound
effect of inducing the thought of repentance for beings suffering in the lower realms.
Kong Meng San
Phor Kark See Monastery Introduction
This four-storeyed building was commissioned by the current abbot of Kong Meng San Phor Kark
See Monastery, Venerable Sik Kwang Sheng, in commemoration of his late master, Venerable Seck
Hong Choon. The outline of the majestic building resembles that of a huge ship.
The Hall of No-Form
On its highest storey, it hosts one of Asia's largest and most magnificent bronze Buddha images,
which stands at 13.8 metres tall and weighs 55 tons. Venerable Kwang Sheng commented that it is
precisely because the form of this Buddha image impresses many devotees that he named the hall
"The Hall of No Form". It reminds all that since all forms do not have substantiality or self-nature, no
forms should be attached to. As all forms are changing all the time, there are no fixed forms, including
those of the Buddhas.
Kong Meng San
Phor Kark See Monastery Introduction
Entering the Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas, you would be greeted by one of the largest bronze image
of Medicine Buddha in Southeast Asia. Combining Southeast Asian architectural design with modern
design, the most prominent structure of this building are the golden stupas on its roof, representing
the Buddha's sharp piercing Wisdom.
As seen upwards within the centre of the building is the inner circumference of its main stupa, which
is lined with thousands of small Buddha images. This is significant of the truth that there are
countless Buddhas in all directions pervading space and time.
Kong Meng San
Phor Kark See Monastery Introduction
Most Buddhist temples have a Dharma Hall that serves as a library. It houses Buddhist scriptures
and literature. The Dharma Hall in the temple has a library on the second floor.
A lecture hall is on the ground floor where Dharma talks and courses are regularly held. A Burmesestyled Buddha image sits within the Dharma Hall.
Kong Meng San
Phor Kark See Monastery Introduction
The Hall of Amrta Vinaya (Precepts) is where Bhikshus (monks) and Bhikshunis (nuns) receive their
precepts*. The diligent observance of precepts serves as a firm foundation for developing a clear and
peaceful mind, which coupled with mental development and Wisdom, will deliver one from Samsara*.
* Precepts: Guidelines given by the Buddha, proposed to be lived by one who wishes to lead a
peaceful life while contributing to the happiness of society. They form the basis of universal morality.
Kong Meng San
Phor Kark See Monastery Introduction
Here is the Sairira (Relic) Stupa of the Founder Abbot of the temple, Venerable Zhuan Dao. Its
appearance is identical to that of the Second Abbot, Venerable Hong Choon's.
Devotees can circumambulate round this monumental structure as a gesture of respect. It is done by
walking round in a clockwise direction, keeping one's right towards the object of veneration.
Kong Meng San
Phor Kark See Monastery Introduction
Standing on top of the Columbarium is Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, who is well known for His great
vows. "Ksiti" or "Earth", symolises the ability to influence beings to cultivate forebearance and
equanimity like the great Earth. "Garbha" or "Treasure" symbolises the ability to help beings cultivate
merits.
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva vowed to alleviate all beings, especially Hell beings, from their suffering.
According to the Sutra of the Original Vows of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, if there are beings who have
accumulated little merits, ending up in the Hell realm due to misdeeds, the compassionate
Bodhisattva will use the power of the Dharma to help them be reborn in the higher realms, so as to be
able to practise the Dharma better.