save society newsletter

8/14/2019 Save Society Newsletter

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Vofnme {, lssue 1 1Ol Oll 2O1OSAVE THE SOCIETY, KULAPUTTA PROJEGT

The Foot Steps of the Kiilaputtas

lnside this issue:Sisana DiyakaMy true undorstanding of BuddhismThe FditorialBenefits of a monk life (Samaiiaphala)Pictures are telling the story

Sdsan a DdyakaThe inheritance of the Buddha's Teaching

Sisana DSyaka, the inheritance of the Buddha's TeachingSdsana D6yaka is pure traditional Buddhist Pali words. Sdsana means the teaching or teaching of the Buddha or thelife time of the teaching of ihe Buddha, and likewise. Ddyaka means a donor, helper, supporter or a sponsor. In Femi-nine form the words become Ddyika. At once, S6sana Ddyaka means a person who supports, helps or sponsors theteaching of the Buddha, His Dhamma, and Sangha. In general belief one who offers one's sonor daughter to the Buddha's teaching or in the name of the Buddha can only be called the S5-sana Ddyaka or DSyika.

Heart of Buddhist Tradition

This is also the tradition, that if a male child is born into a Buddhist family, it is the family's moraland social responsibility to let him be ordained as a monk at least one time in his life. There aresome families that can be found in the societv who have no sons or even no children. Or a!l ofthem are grown up, or they don't want to become a monk and live in a temple. In this situation, if some one wants tobecome a Sasana Dayaka, they can sponsor someone else's son who wants to be ordained as a monk.

There are some families that can be found in the society who are poor and economicaily unstable, whose sons want tobecome a monk, but the family can't afford the expenditures of the cerernonies. ln this case everyone can sponsor theboy-to-be-ordained and both can earn a lot of merits.

Among the Theravada Buddhist countries in this world, Myanmar is the country where Sdsana Ddyaka words are usedin many occasions. In their native tongue they pronounce it as "Thadana Ddyaka". ..... (Please, continue to pageriRead it in internet www.savesociety-bd. blogspot.com


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The EditorialThis is a home made socalled newsletter. lt's veryordinary, maybe you cancall it organic. The corepurpose of issuing thisnewsletter is to inform mvlovely friends and all thesponsors who helped meand my Kulaputta project. Iwanted to say thanks andmention the narnes withgratitude for their generos-ity. The pictures are awe-some, telling you the story.l'm a kind of person whobelieves in work ratherthan words. I want to sayto everybody that we did agreat job, and we want tokeep it up.I wish I could continue withthis newsletter in the fu-ture. I want to make it justnot oniy an informationcentre but good food forour minds, and organic.Organic stuff became afashion in materialtic so-cieties; iet us make it away of living.Please. read the articlewritten by Linda Gann, andthe other article SasanaDayaka by me. Please,also look for the informa-tion about the monk life inSamannaphala Sutta. En-joy the pictures.

With the best gratitude ofattitude-

My True Understanding of BuddhismThe first time I heard about the Save the Society Organization, Nanda was talk-ing about it as a project that he wanted to do himself as a moral obligation tohelp his society. This idea came to him as he travelled around, studied and re-ceived help from the Buddha's teaching and different communities after becom-ing a monk.As a donor and sponsor of one monk, I have watched this organization go froman 'idea' to reality in less than a year. My fellow classmate and friend, Prag-gannanda or'Nanda'to his friends, wanted to help the younger generation inhis home country, Bangladesh, to be aware of a better way of life and how tohelp society. Nanda's constant effort to get support for his organization was anadmirable thing to observe. He began by asking hisfriends to sponsor a monk for one week. I was one ofthose friends. He asked a temple in Thailand that has abranch in Perth, to donate some robes. They donated 35sets of robes for this project. This seemed to get the ballrolling. Soon he had many donors from the Thai commu-nity in Perth and from different pafts of the world that visithis website. Within weeks of receiving these donationsthe date was set for the ordination. The call went out toallthe surrounding villages within 120 kilometres of hishome town, Comilla, for anyone interested in being amonk, to live in the temple for one week to experiencewhat this is like and to go to school. Nanda organizedevery detail of this project and worked tirelessly as did hisfamily and relatives in Comilla, carrying out his instruc-tions.Despite the robes being held up in customs, where they siillare to this day, to havrng to change the date twice, the day finally arrived. De-cember 25th through the 31"'was the time. Seeing the first pictures comethrough from the ordination day made me cry with a mixture of joy and sadnessthat Nanda couldn't be there to ordain them himself. Even I wanted to be thereto be a part of the ceremony and enjoy the fellowship. There were 22 monks intotal and they looked so wonderful in their robes that were donated from thesurrounding temples. I can't wait for this coming years' project. lt is a greatfeeling to be a small part of such a great thing. I feel that in a small way I amhelping the younger generation to carry on the Buddhist way of life.Seeing this project from beginning to.completion was a wcnderful thing. ltmade me aware of the needs of this country and many other developing coun-tries in a way that I never would have understood otherwise. Just sponsoringone monk and seeing the results have changed me and my understanding ofBuddhism. Thank you Nanda for the opportunity to be of help.Linda Gann-


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Sisana Diyaka(from page 1)......About4 years of my present life, I lived inMyanmar, had uncountable opportunities to attend differentkinds of ceremonies. "Shin Pyu" is one of the remarkableones. Every year in almost every temple and village, theycelebrate the Shin Pyu ceremonies. Shin Pyu is a kind ofceremony where a boy (or a girl) is initiated to monk or nov-ice monk. Another ceremony is called Dull6va, DullSvameans rare. According to the Buddha, to become a monk,and to live as a monk, is a rare opportunity among humans.So, the men in the families always take the opportunity tobecome a monk for at least a week (or more). They live inthe temple, practice meditation, and all kinds of social andmoral conducts. There are even many government holidaysavailable for this occasion.In Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia, I think they have the samesocial and religious systems and traditions. The country ofSri Lanka, is a bit different, maybe because of the differentcultures and traditions.So, yes, this kind of ordination is very important for the Bud-dhist families, for every Buddhist. This can be called theheart of Buddhist culture.Without the presence of monks, the Buddha's Sisana wouldnot survive. So the world needs monks, good monks, to pro-tect the Sdsana in this world.Historical Background-Having attained enlightenment the Buddha paid a visit toKapilavatthu the capital city of King Soddhodhana. Thatyear, (His) son Rdhula was 7 years. Yosodhara , the motherof Rdhula, saw the Buddha was coming to the palace. Thenshe told Rihula," go to your father and ask for your inheri-tance." flhe purpose was to have the Buddha back in thefamily as father and husband). Then the Buddha said to R5-hula there is only one way to inherit the Buddha, (me), andthat is taking the vow of the triple gem, and receiving ordina-tion'.After the great passing away of the Buddha, one name isalways at the top of the list, who restored, re-established,and reformed the Buddha S5sana, that is Emperor Asoka inIndia. He built 84,000 temples and pillars around India andits subcontinent, reformed the Sangha community in a pureway, restored the Tipitaka, and sent royal missionaries topropagate the S6sana, exchanged monks and Tipitakcin dip-lomatic purposes. He even sponsored the third great Bud-dhist council.Once he asked an audience of monks whether he truly inher-ited the Buddha's Sdsana. Then the monks said to him thathe would not truly inherit the Sdsana until he himself or hischildren are initiated to the Sangha. Then Emperor Asoka'sson Mahinda and daughter Sanghamitta were initiated toSangha, the monastic order.Some CriticismThere are some criticisms among the societies. For me it is ashame that I have to mention it at this point. lt is said thatthere are some people in the society that think and say now-a-days, peoples families ordain their children as a monk tolive in the temples because they can't support them in thefamily. In the temple they can get benefits from donationsand so on. This kind criticism comes from people who arein number, but they are the rich and the leaders.

Samartfiaphala,Fruit of a Monk Life35. What do you think, Sire? Suppose there were aman, a slave, a labourer, gefting up before you and go-ing to bed after you, willingly doing whatever has to bedone, wel!-mannered, pleasant-spoken, woHng in yourpresence. And he might think: 'lt is strange, it is wonder-ful, the destiny and fruits of meritorious deeds! This KngAjatasattu Vedehiputta of Magadha is a man, and I tooam a man. The Kng is addicted to and indulges in thefivefold sense-pleasures, lusf like a god, whereas I am as/ave ... wofuing in his presence. I ought to domeitorious. Suppose I were to shave off my hair andbeard, don yellow robes, and go forth from the house-hold life into homelessness/" And before long he doesso. And he, having thus gone forth might dwell, re-strained in body, speech and thought, satisfied with theminimum of food and clothing, content, in solitude. Andthen if people were to announce to you: "Sire, you re'member that slave who worked in your presence, andwho shaved off his hair and beard and went forth intohomelessness? He is living restrained in body, speechand thought,... in solitude" - would you then say: "Thatman must come back and be a slave and work for mebefore"?'36. /Vo indeed, Lord. For we should pay hamage to him,[61] we should rise and invite him and press him to re'ceive from us robes, food, lodging, medicines for sick-ness and requisites, and make anangements for hisproper protection."What do you think, Sire? Is that onefruit of the horneless life visible here and now?''Ceftainly, Lord.' 'Then that, Sire, is the first such fruit ofthe homeless life.'(The Sutta continues to the end with the clear explana-tion how one (monk) get benefits from a mank life, be'come holy, and finally heads to the ultimate happrnessNibbabaD igha n ikaya, Sa m a fi i a phal a S uttaPsychologically they see this situation in a differentway. In some cases it is true what they say, but it isnot wrong. I would say they are really ignorant andhave no education and respect for the Buddha andhis teachings. The worse thing that they can do forthemselves and for the Buddha's Sisana is criticisingin this way. As I mentioned earlier, that a monk life israre to live, everybody doesn't have that opportunity.They should read Samaifiaphala Sutta, about howthe Buddha was explaining the benefits of a monk lifeand King Ajdtasattu responded with humble respect.Living a Monk's life is a way of living; if anyone wantsto live the life of a monk, we should appreciate andsupport rather that criticize. Any criticism brings greatAkusala kamma, the bad karma, remember that,please.A Rare OpportunityNow you know what a rare opportunity is it to become amonk or soonsor someone who wants to become a monk. lfyou want to become a true Sasana Dayaka, take a chance.Leave your message, name and phone number, I will con-tacl you as soon as possible. Thank you. Long live the Bud-dha Sasana, Buddha Sisanam dTgham ti$hatu.

The End


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Some sponsors of the Novice Monks, Icallthe Sasana Dayaka (A-Z)Annie TangDermawan and Heni Suyati (lndonesia)Kant Family I Pangong TanLinda GannMike DavidsSue HardyYupa Anson & Family

The Kulaputta ProjectWelcome to the introduction of our K0laputta Pabbajja project. Theorganization SAVE THE SOCIETY is pleased to announce about 35K0laputtas will be ordained in Comilla (Bangladesh) on 25th of Decem-ber,20'10.K0laoutta Pabbajjam is a pure Bucjdhist traditional Pali word. K0lameans family, folks, or kin, and Putta means son. Here Kriiaputta ismeans the son of noble family. The Buddha often used to say Hisdisciples (Monks) were His sons, born from His mouth, from theteaching.Pabbaya means the renunciation or giving up of worldly life. When amale person is born in a Buddhist family, it is his famiiy's responsibilityto let him be ordained at ieast once in a life. lt is a custom, considereda rare oppo{unity, a chance to earn great merit. And the parents orsupportefs are considered as S6sana Diyaka (or supporters of theBuddha's Sdsana).Many Buddhist families in Bangladesh are not performing their nobleduties in a proper vra!' because of a lack of self-awareness, propereducation, and poverty. SAVE THE SOCIETY is looking a{ler thosefamilies and "doing, what needs ta be done."The PurposeThis is a noble purpose, a universal purpose. Many Buddhist familiesin Bangiadesh, mostly in the countryside, can't afford the expendituresnecessary for their sons' ordination ceremonies. Because of this, thechildren of the Buddhist families in Bangladesh iack in their morai edu-cation. self-awareness, tradition. and social wellbeing. They do nothaving the proper guidance. SAVE THE SOCIETY is finding the chil-dren of those families who don't have enough support and helpingthem in this noble purpose. We belleve that the future, the beauty, andthe longevity of the Buddha's Dhamma is in their hands.PlaceThese great ordination ceremonies will be held at Santiniketana Vi-hira, Comilla, Bangladesh. Comiila is a district situated south-east ofBangladesh, about 180 Kms from capital city Dhaka. This place wasthe kingdoms of Pdla and Sena Dynasties, they were devoted Bud-dhist kings (300 BC to '1300 AD). in the preseni time, about 25 thou-sands Buddhists are living and scattered in about in 20 villages. About20/25 monks are living in 12 monasteries supported by the local Bud-dhists. Santiniketana Vihdra is the oldest and largest temple with it'sabout 400 supportive Buddhist families... {continue in the website... .)To Sponsor a monk-to-be and to know more, please contact usVis it- www.savesociety-bd. blogspot.com

SpecialThanks to- (A-Z)All the Thai-Burmese- Sri Lankan devotesattended the cerernony at Dhammaloka)All the residence monks in Dhammakaya inPerth, and Ven. Suchino in ThailandCherryKateMohanPrem

qET

o R rssAJslq

ANDHRAPRADESH

BAY OF BENGALE-mai l- [email protected]

Kulaputta Ordination Day


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Buddhism, the Practice of the WiseReleased from Suffering andstress"Restraint with the eye is goad,good is restraint with the ear.Restraint with the nose rs good,good is restraint with thetongue.Resfrarnf with the bady is good,good is restraint with speecl't.Restraint with the heaft is good,good is restraint everywhere.A monk everywhere restrainedr's released from all sufferinq &sfress. "

Dhammapada, 360-361

A nonk restrained in his speaking.giving counsel unruffled.declaing lhe message & meaning:sweef rs hls speecfrDhammapada,363

Humans are being burnt byDesires"Bhikkhus, everything is buming.And. what. Bhikkhus, is everythingthat buming? The eye, Bhikkhus, isbuming, materia! shapes are bum-ing, consciousness fhrough the eye(s) is buming, impingement on theeye is burning, in other wods thefeeling which anses from impinge-ment on tlte eye, be it pleasant orpainful, or neither painful nor pleas-ant, that tao is buming. With what itis buming? I say it is buming withthe fire of passrbn, with the fire afhatred, with the fire of stupidity; it isbuming because of birlh-aging-dying, because of grief, sonow,suffering, lamentation and despair."Vinaya Mahdvagga/ Aditta Sutta

The Buddha's First Sending of Missionaries"Go forth, Omonks, for thegood of many.for the happinessof the many, outof compassionfor the wodd, forthe good, bene-fits, and happi-ness ofgods andmen. Let not fuvoga by ane way.Preach, Omonks, theDhamma. which is excellent in the beginning, lovely in the middle.and lovely in the end, both in the spiit and in the letter. Proclaimthe holy life, altogether perfect and pure."('Ehi bhikkh0"ti bhagava atad6voca- "svdkkhdto dhammo,cara brahmacariyam samma dukkhassa antakiriydyfi.......)"Vinaya Mahdvagga, Pirdjika P6li)

An Enlightened ldea!When Nanda first spokeabout this project, I wasstruck by what anenlightened idea it reallywas! Having spent timein India, I am keenlyaware of the insurmount-able hardships manyfamilies face, with educa-tion very often regardedto be an unaffordableluxury.Now, due to his efforts, ayear later, I see a photo-graph cf 22 ordainedbaby monks in Bangla-desh and feel honouredto have played a minorrole, knowing that theyhave been given an op-portunity which was oth-erwise inconceivable.Anyone who is fortunateenough to know Nandawouid agree that there issomething very specialabout him. A wise. com-passionate, gentle friendwith a free spirit andready laugh, who getsthe job donel If evenone of these youngmonks follow in his foat-steps, the world will be abetter place. Well done

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