--A QUESTIONABLE ARTICLE--

After 300 years, Shaolin Temple resumes a ritual

By Li Fangchao, China Daily, May 26, 2007

Beijing, China -- For the first time in 300 years, the renowned Shaolin Temple held a ritual on Thursday to initiate 600 believers into monkhood. So in 300 years Shaolin has not ordained a single Bhikshu (monk)? I can name at least one in our generation, Hai Deng Fa Shi- Dharma Master Hai Deng (Ocean Lamp). And up until the current Abbot took over, he was living example of a persecuted tradition. Now they dont persecute Buddhists because they CONTROL THEM.

On that same day, millions of monks and believers nationwide observed the Buddha bath festival which usually includes the washing of all statues of the Buddha. Or just one statue, as a remembrance to purify our own hearts.

The ceremony used to be considered an official ritual to recognize a believer into true monkhood. No its not. Its a ceremony for honoring our teacher, Sakyamuni Buddha.

Shi Yongxin, leader of Shaolin Temple and vice- president of the Buddhist Association of China, said that Buddhism in China has embarked on a "golden era" of development with a rapidly increasing number of believers. Just because people SAY they believe doesnt mean that they believe or practice, and more people does not signify a "golden era"; true practitioners, 1 or 1 million signify that the real teaching is flourishing.

According to Shi, China has about 100 million registered religious believers, most of whom are Buddhists and Taoists. "They form an indispensable force to construct a harmonious society," he said. Maybe the more money they give the more harmonious it will be.

Shi said the ritual was suspended for 300 years because the altar where the ritual was held was destroyed. The 26-meter-high three-storey alter was restored last year at the temple, located in Dengfeng, Central China's Henan Province. You dont need a special altar...you just need sincere intentions. Buddhism isnt concerned with outward appearances, its concerned with transforming your faults and bad habits.

The 600 Buddhists were selected out of 1,000 pious Buddhists nationwide. So the Buddhists were picked, like winning a lottery?

Shi said that only Buddhists who have passed a long-term inspection and are believed to have a "pre-destined lot" with Buddhism will be allowed to take the ritual and admitted by the temple. This ceremony is for everybody.

"Only Buddhists who practice Buddhism to a high level can be tonsured and allowed to take the ritual," Shi said. What level? 1st Dwelling? Srotaapanna maybe? (that will be funny to Buddhists)

The ritual will last 28 days during which time the 600 monks will listen to doctrines, learn Buddhism rituals and manners in the temple. 28 days to become a monk?...What kind of monk? Maybe a fake lottery monk.

Both Buddhism and Taoism seem to be attractting more believers. I wonder how much the government spends on advertising?

An international forum on the "Daode Jing", a classic of Taoism, was held last month and lured 300 Taoists from around the world who wanted to explore the true essence of the classic text. Yea, the more people the more clearer it will be...

I saw this article and i just wanted to add my 2cents, maybe you care maybe you dont. No big deal.

kenny-

Computer broke...with all my work...

Yea... another lesson to BACK UP YOUR WORK!

So...i have had problems with my laptop for the past year or more. And it broke in a big way for the second time...and my school work for the end of the semester was on it, and guess what? I didnt back it up. I was not happy...but it serves as a great lesson to have patience and BACKUP ALL YOUR WORK! I would just like to remind everyone at home...please save yourself the suffering.

LUCKILY... My friend sold me his laptop with perfect timing for me to redo some homework...

I WIN...kinda.

It made me think about how much i personally, and i think a large portion of our society today relies on machinery... I think computers can be great tools IF used properly, but it should never be a crutch. Everything is impermanent, we cant rely on anything external for our happiness and security, can we?... So ask yourself (as i ask myself) if your machines are inhibiting your creativity, brilliance, health, your spelling skills, your writing skills, or more importantly...your imagination.

when i was in high school i was thinking of quotes for my senior picture...and i made my own.
"Our imaginations lead to our aspirations, which in turn lead to our accomplishments. So...imagine what you could accomplish."---Its an ok quote i guess. But the point i think i was trying to make when i wrote that in 12th grade was; remember when we were little and we KNEW we could do ANYTHING, and we would imagine all day different ideas (i know i did). I dont think we should lose touch with that part of or nature. The part of our nature which is UNSELFISH, not greedy for money, happy, creative, pure, open, just like a young child. I think when our motivation is focused on ourselves, then we lose touch with our humanity, and life becomes more and more empty as the years slowly fade away. And i think the way to not let that happen is to find what you love that is good for yourself AND society (hard to do today), and GO for it, WITHOUT caring whether or no you'll be RICH or POWERFUL. My uncle just told me today...He could have been a millionare, but the time spent with his new daughter and wife is worth more than any amount of money, and had he gotten that money he would not have what he has now, so he is thankful he didnt get the millions of dollars. That sounds like a millionaire to me. What do you think?

just some random thoughts...

-kenny

Some Peacock pics

Hello everyone who checks this page,

The semester is winding down and i have tons of fun work to do before summer break. I hope you all enjoy the peacocks!

Until next time,

kenny

Buddhism 101-- for those interested

Announcing Buddhism 101

Buddhism 101
A four-week introduction to the teachings and practice of Buddhism
Note: class is available online! (link)

Tuesdays 7:30 pm-9:30 pm
May 8, 15, 22, 29
Berkeley Buddhist Monastery
2304 McKinley Ave
Berkeley, CA 94703
The class is free but in-person attendees should register. Click here for registration.

When you see words like Dharma, Zen, Nirvana, Karma or Enlightenment plastered on billboards pitching the latest products, you know that Buddhism is hip in town. With commercials, television shows, nightspots, drinks, and food products, references to Buddhism are everywhere, as if some mystical power or wisdom comes bottled with the product. But looking beyond the marketing veneer, how much do we really know Buddhism?

Continue reading "Announcing Buddhism 101" »