PKSSSS CY2009 Level: J4 Lesson 1: Buddhism for Today

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PKSSSS CY2009 Level J4Lesson 1 Buddhism for
Today
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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.
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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

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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
  Buddhas Teaching.
• Example of impermanent nature of things?

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Lesson 1 Buddhism for Today

• Summary
• Purpose of explaining the Buddhas Teaching is
  to inspire people to develop self-reliance, moral
  responsibility, more tolerance, compassion and
  wisdom.
• These qualities make life more meaningful.

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Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery
Introduction
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.
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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.
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Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery
Introduction- The Hall of Great Strength
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Burmese-styled Buddha image sits within the
Dharma Hall.
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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.
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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.
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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.