Read the rest here:

Paramahamsa Nithyananda Responds to Critics

Eleven bodhisattvas stand in formation, their heads crowned and their almond-shaped eyes and faces dusted with gold.

The scene could be a reenactment of a painting, or a sculpture in a Buddhist temple or museum. But it’s not. It’s a scene beheld one recent Sunday afternoon at the shopping center in Yokohama’s Noge district and the potential Buddhas are in reality just regular Earthlings.

For the last two years, a Japanese artist named Tetta has been working to re-create the 1,000 more than 800-year-old bodhisattva statues in the Sanjusangendo Hall at Rengeoin Temple in Kyoto using people made up and dressed appropriately and that sunny Sunday she’d brought her workshop to Noge, where 11 volunteers awaited her. “Bodhisattvas are those who are undergoing ascetic training to attain spiritual enlightenment,” explained Tetta, of those frequent subjects of Buddhist art and sculpture. She said some people who have taken part in her workshops have described experiencing “instant enlightenment.”

“Spending hours for the makeup and then walking around the streets with the embarrassing stuff on” is akin to ascetic training, Tetta mooted.

The 29-year-old artist based in Kanagawa Prefecture asked the 11 participants, including a university friend and that friend’s friends at a Yokohama samba school, to meet in a municipal facility in Noge for a workshop on Buddha statues and how to make themselves look like bodhisattvas.

The mortal crew’s transformation to near-Buddhahood began with Tetta giving a lecture on four kinds of Buddhist statues including ones of Tathagata (Nyorai in Japanese), who achieved enlightenment, and bodhisattvas (bosatsu), who are humans on the brink of attaining enlightenment. Tetta explained that each of the 1,000 bodhisattvas in Sanjusangendo Hall in Kyoto has a different face, so her plan is to help 1,000 people to transform themselves into bodhisattva lookalikes, then to photograph them and exhibit the pictures in Sanjusangendo-like lines in the future.

“Today, I want each of you to become one of the 1,000 bodhisattvas,” Tetta declared, adding that so far she has taken pictures of 853 people made up to look the part.

After finishing her lecture illustrated with slides, Tetta showed the group how to start their transformations by painting base cream and powdery foundation on the face of one of their group, a man named Kenji Suzuki.

Suzuki said he joined in because he had seen “The March of Human Bodhisattvas,” an installation-like event organized by Tetta and performed at the Yokohama Triennale last October. “I am interested in Buddhism, but I also thought this workshop would be a rare chance to ‘become’ Buddha,” said the 48-year-old welder.

Next, still using Suzuki as a model, Tetta showed how to apply thick eyeliner around the eyes and then paint in the space between the lines and his eyes in black.

See the original post here:

Artist creates Yokohama bodhisattvas

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn5l9_HpCj0

See the article here:

#58 2012 Psychic Spiritual Enlightenment – kirk’s channel "Safe" to be "Present" 5/15 – Video

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV7pE0w9Isc

More:

Lynne Herod-DeVerges – Beginning the Journey – Video

View post:

New Book Asks Others to “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself”

Prayers in Paragon Hall. New iPad apps on meditation centres. A haunted house in which earthly desires stalk you like inexorable ghosts. A “dharma boy band” of singers interpreting their tunes through the spiritual looking glass. Then monks as film programmers picking movies that discuss virtues and vices in diverse voices. In short, Buddhism in a new setting: Buddhism in a mall.

Some ask why. Or others ask: why not? As part of the Sumbuddha Jayanti celebration to mark the 2,600th anniversary of Lord Buddha’s enlightenment, Buddhadasa Indapanno Archives together with city of Bangkok will host two major events with the aim to bring the prophet’s teachings close to the urban environment and throwing open the door to the study of the religion.

Tomorrow the “Lan Bodhi Festival: Temple in the Clouds” opens at Royal Paragon Hall and runs until Sunday, May 20. In early June, the first International Buddhist Film Festival opens at SF Cinema at CentralWorld, where 30 films with Buddhist-related themes will be shown, including a section of movies curated by respected monks (see sidebar on page 6).

Minus only the ferris wheel, the Lan Bodhi Fair is designed to be a colourful rendition of Buddhist-related activities, with the motif of transporting a temple fair into Bangkok’s biggest shopping centre. There will be praying sessions, traditional ngan wat games (dunks, for instance, in which players throw balls at symbolic, wordly vices), lectures, concerts, and booths promoting Buddhist activities. More than 100 Buddhist organisations will come together to enliven the fair, and the underlying concept is clearly to make the thought of Buddhism less boring, more in tune with the pace of urban life, and bringing the religion closer to the people.

The Lan Bodhi Fair _ the title signifies the tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment _ and the International Buddhist Film Festival were initiated by Buddhadasa Indapanno Archives, an organisation set up mainly to preserve the writing of revered abbot Buddhadasa Bhikku and to promote the learning of Buddhism. Run by laypeople, the archives have sought guidance from several monks in coming up with the two events. In trying to bring Buddhism into the new playing surroundings, in this case a luxurious mall, the organisers aren’t just taking a proactive step in re-adjusting the image of the religion, but also asking devouts to have an open-mind to the new and provocative way that Buddhism might be accessed and appreciated.

Admired by many as a strict and forward-looking cleric, Jayasaro Bhikku is one of the consultants. He told us in an email about the challenge of bringing a big Buddhist event to the unlikely venue of a downtown mall: ”This project is not aimed at promoting or preserving the essence of Buddhism. It is meant to be an open door into the Buddhist world, a portal. It might also be compared to an artistic provocation _ The Paragon Provocation.”

Jayasaro Bhikku is actually the one who initiated the idea of a film festival as a means to promote Buddhism. ”Speaking as someone who considers Shakespeare and Ken Loach amongst his earliest teachers,” he said, ” I believe in the power of drama to deal with topics like meaning and meaninglessness, love and hate, kindness and cruelty, selfishness and selflessness, justice and injustice, revenge and forgiveness, heroism and cowardice, wisdom and foolishness in stories that engage the emotions and provide memories that last a lifetime.”

At the fair this weekend, at least three new iPad apps will be launched. One of them is a nationwide guide to Buddhist retreats and meditation centres; another is an interactive e-book of the famous Kalanukrom, a timeline history of Buddhism told in paralell with world history, written by Phra Payut Payuto.

Shifting into a more exciting gear, Pod Moderndog, Arak ‘Pe’ Amornsupasiri and Tul Waitoonkiat are three headline rockers who will perform at the fair. It’s not clear how loud they would be allowed to be, but Santi Opaspakornkij, one of the event’s publicists, says that the musicians will show the audience how to interpret their songs along the line of spiritualism. Even a love song, for instance, can lead to the lesson of impermanence.

”Buddhism doesn’t have to be dull,” says the publicist. ”This way we hope to reduce the prejudice that some people may still have with learning the religion. We simply try move closer to everyone.”

Visit link:

Temple fair in the clouds

Bishops Billy and Catherine Baskin, spiritual leaders at New Way Fellowship Praise and Worship Center, invites the community to the Praise Overflow Weekend (POW) a “very special” two-day outreach event geared to youth and young adults ages 18-35.

“We believe when they [youth and young adults] are reached, they will in turn, impact and aid in the transformation of our city, county and the society at large,” said Trolena Brown, a member of the church at 16800 NW 22nd Ave. in Miami Gardens.

The event will begin at 7 p.m. on May 26, with a gospel concert to feature national recording artist Anthony Evans, Jr, recently seen on NBC’s “The Voice.” Evans is the son of internationally known radio and television minister the Rev. Dr. Tony Evans.

On May 27, the worship service will feature Pastor Jermaine Johnson of Branch Worship Center in Conyers, Ga., as the guest speaker.

Brown said the Memorial Day weekend in South Florida is usually associated with alcohol, crime and violence. “The concert,” she said, “will serve as a safe and uplifting alternative to young adults and families during the weekend. Our ministry strongly believes that our efforts will help decrease crime and negative activities , but we need the support of our community.”

Everyone is invited to the two-day event. For more information call the church office at 305-625-7246 and ask for Carolyn Banks.

Yoga and meditation

The Universal Truth Center for Better Living (UTC) at 21310 NW 37th Ave. in Miami Gardens, will present the Rev. Ellen Grace O’Brian, a Kriya Yoga instructor, who will lecture on discipleship and awakening spiritual revelations in everyone , at 10 a.m. Saturday.

According to a press release from UTC, O’Brian is the senior minister and spiritual director at the Center for Spiritual Enlightenment in San Jose, Calif., which is a ministry in the spiritual tradition of Kriya Yoga, serving people from all faith backgrounds seeking self-realization and God-realization.

Her lecture topic is, “The Way to Discipleship,” and in the workshop, O’Brian will discuss how people can embrace their chosen spiritual path.

See the rest here:

Church offers young people a better way to celebrate Memorial Day

Originally posted here:

Experience the Power of Divine Healing Hands in Life-Changing Workshops with Master Roger Givens

Some retreats involve hot stone therapy and beauty mud baths.

Others offer spiritual enlightenment or just peace and quiet.

Acclaimed Texas singer-songwriters Kevin Welch and Jimmie Dale Gilmore hold out a different promise – a chance to share (and grapple with) the elusive art of song with a makeshift family of about a dozen student songwriters under the expanse of the West Texas sky.

“Music Is a Family: A Songwriting Retreat” takes place May 17-20 at El Cosmico, Austin developer Liz Lambert’s vintage trailer, safari tent and teepee hotel and campground on Texas 67 just outside Marfa.

“It’s gonna be really cool out there,” Welch said. “It’s nice to get out in that atmosphere of creativity.”

Both men have experience conducting songwriting workshops across the country.

But this is the first time that Welch, who lives in Wimberley, and special guest and Austin resident Gilmore have done one together and in Marfa.

Registration costs $1,250 per person and includes meals and accommodations. For more information, call 432-729-1950; online at www.elcosmico.com.

Welch, who holds songwriting workshops nearly monthly in Wimberley, calls the Marfa excursion “a grand experiment.” The locale may be new, but he expects the mix of participants to be wide ranging.

“I’ve had people that are total beginners to seasoned, touring professionals come from Australia, England, Canada, all over the United States,” he said. “I’ve had people as young as 14 and people in their 70s, just anybody who is interested in the whole process and kind of tweaking their awareness when they’re writing, whatever kind of song they’re wanting to write.”

Originally posted here:

Songwriting workshop attracts all

For the espresso obsessed (like me), visiting Italy is like journeying to Mecca: Caffeine-loving crusaders seek answers by crossing time, language and cultural barriers to visit the drinks motherland. And although its not a sip from an Islamic holy well, this potent secular beverage does transport devotees to a higher plane if only until the jitters wear off.

Sacred spots are scattered across Italy: Each major city has its own coffee tradition, and limiting myself to one or two would feel as incomplete as sticking to decaf. As a barbecue fanatic must bounce not only between the Carolinas but also through Missouri, Tennessee and Texas for meaty enlightenment, I wont fulfill my pilgrimage simply by slugging a few espresso shots in Rome.

Italy coffee tour: Where to go and what to know

So I select stops that will give me the widest range of coffee and culture: Starting near the rippled canals of Venice, Ill move south to the piazzas of Florence to the bustling streets of Rome and finally to Napless craggy coastline, attempting to parse the cultural code of the cappuccino in its birthplace. Can overcaffeination lead to illumination? Im determined to find out, one ounce at a time.

Coffee and canals

Venices pin-drop silence at sunrise is interrupted only by singing gondoliers, and the mostly pensive calm that settles on the car-free city reminds me that Im on a fanatical quest. I try to imagine wandering these narrow alleyways 400 years ago, when coffee first arrived at the ports, along with spices from Arabia and Africa. Venices first cafe reportedly opened in the 17th century, although the details of where and when vary.

One of its most venerable, however, remains. Caffe Florian on the Piazza San Marco has been an ornate and extravagant shrine to espresso and liqueur-drenched desserts since 1720. Gold glints from every indoor surface and is reflected in the crema, the aromatic foam atop the coffee. This is my first sip of the trip, presented without fanfare, and I half expect it to be something of a life-changing revelation.

A revelation it is, though not exactly of the type Im seeking. The bitterness in this cup implies old beans carelessly brewed; a rubbery aftertaste betrays the robusta, or lower-grade commercial coffee, that infuses the otherwise light, bright espresso. (The latter disappointment proves to be recurring: Italian blends often feature robusta to boost the crema, unfortunately at the expense of flavor.) But the sheer nonchalance of the service, contrasted with the opulence of the setting, makes this feel like a secular tourists visit to the church of coffee.

If nothing else, I know that Im on the right track.

Thankfully, Venice redeems itself in a less ostentatious locale. Not far from the Jewish ghetto is cafe-cum-roastery Torrefazione Marchi. Snuggled among busy butcher shops and pizzerias, this warm little spot is perpetually crowded with neighbors and shopkeepers on the move, downing espresso and biscotti before grunting a quick farewell. A small roasting machine in the back room keeps the baristas in a steady supply of single-origin coffees and custom blends, such as the semi-secret Caffe della Sposa, a mix of beans from eight growing regions. The shot I order (a citrusy Colombian) is speckled with chestnut and mahogany browns, and its sharp fruitiness makes my mouth water. Three sips later and Im out the door in a flash like the Venetians around me, ready for the next espresso, the next cafe, the next stop on my quest.

Read this article:

In Italy, a spiritual search for the essence of espresso

Continued here:

Vihangam Yoga Nigeria Conducting Free Spiritual and Meditation Workshop on Every Sunday

A young girl is ordained as a Buddhist nun at Puthi Khorsachara pagoda, where 300 young people lived for a week as monastics. Photograph: Sou Vuthy/Phnom Penh Post

It is traditional practice in Khmer society for young people to be temporarily ordained as monks or nuns at a Buddhist pagoda. The rite is often done as a show of gratitude from children to their parents, and as a way of earning merits during ones lifetime by learning the Buddhas teachings.

Each year, boys and girls ranging from primary school to university students are ordained at Puthi Khorsachara, where they stay for a week to live as monks and nuns.

This year, 300 young people made the journey to the temple 200 kilometres from Phnom Penh.

Soun Sok Chamrouen, a former engineer student at Preah Kossomak Polytechnical Institute in Phnom Penh, participated in the ordaining ceremony to further his spiritual practice.

I decided to ordain in right now, because I want to understand about Buddhas lessons and his advice, which led people to educate my spirit, my family and society peacefully, said Soun Sok Chamrouen, adding that this event also educates Khmer youth to be grateful to their parents.

We want to learn about the two basic beliefs of Buddhism, which are the principles of rebirth and karma, said Vises Sothearath, a young woman ordained as a nun for the ceremony.

For example, the eight steps to enlightenment through the Buddhas way, she said

Thammear Nunth, a high-ranking Buddhist monk and the General Secretary of Buddhism Practice Section at Pannasastra University, said that in the past both boys and girls relied on pagodas to access general education as well as Buddhist teachings.

Now that they are provided education in schools and universities, they seem to be drifting away from Buddhism, he said. This ordaining was an opportunity to connect university students to Buddhism again, explained the monk.

Read this article:

Students get a taste of monastic life | Lifestyle | The Phnom Penh Post – Cambodia's Newspaper of Record

More than 70 people filled a family meditation temple in Mount Shasta Friday to experience what are believed to be ancient, earthly remains of Buddha.

The 2,600-year-old relics were retrieved from the spiritual master’s ashes after his cremation, according to one of two custodians who have accompanied these relics and those of others on a world tour.

Specifically, we have 3,000 relics from 40 masters, said Chris Cowen at the home of John and Patty Cashman before the ceremony Friday. They resemble pearls, but they are actually the crystallization of enlightenment. Simply being in the presence of the relics, you receive a lot of blessings, regardless of one’s spirituality.

He said this was the third time the relics have visited the Cashmans temple, the first time since 2003.

The other custodian, Dana Lissey, said her spiritual teacher, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, gathered all the relics. Their world journey is part of a project that offers the relics to the public until they are permanently enshrined in the Heart Shrine of the Maitreya Buddha statue in Kushinagar, India.

His wish was for the relics to travel the whole world so that people could see them and recognize their very positive energy, she said. About 1.5 million people have seen them in the last 11 years.

At the beginning of the opening ceremony to honor the relics’ three-day visit in Mount Shasta, John Cashman welcomed all faiths to his temple. Representatives from several groups contributed word and song to the proceedings. Among those were the pastor and choir from Mt. Shasta Baptist Church in Weed, Zen Buddhists from Shasta Abbey, singers from the Mount Shasta Quaker Fellowship, and a minister from the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Siskiyou.

Attendees queued around a shrine in the center of the temple. They paused before display cases containing the relics to read and reflect. Behind each container of relics in a display case stood a card bearing a picture and information about the master whose ashes yielded them.

Lissey said this display of relics represented a range of historical figures from the first Buddha to master Lama Lhundrup, who passed September of last year.

As the procession slowly circled the shrine, a pastor from Shasta Abbey sat with a gold container said to house relics from the ashes of Buddha. It’s peaceful, said Rev. Jisho Perry of the feeling that came to him as he held the sacred relics. We meditate on silence. This is a deep silence.

See more here:

Buddhist relics draw crowd in Mount Shasta

Log in to manage your products and services from The New York Times and the International Herald Tribune.

Don’t have an account yet? Create an account

E-Mail or Member ID

Password

Remember Me Log In

See the original post here:

Role of Meditation in Brain Development Gains Scientific Support

Nationally acclaimed author, humorist and teacher Robert “Bob” Forman will lead a discussion on the search for enlightenment in our increasingly confusing world from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday in the center at St. Francis in the Foothills United Methodist Church.

The discussion is open to the public and free of charge. Light refreshments will be served.

Forman addresses this question from the perspective of his 40-year career as a seeker and thousands of conversations with seekers of all faiths and cultures.

“Traditional models are giving seekers the wrong impression about spiritual enlightenment and it is creating a lot of pain and frustration,” he said.

His latest book is titled “Enlightenment Ain’t What It’s Cracked Up to Be: A Journey of Discovery, Snow and Jazz in the Soul.” He’ll sign copies of the book, which will be available at the seminar.

The conversation with Forman is co-sponsored by the St. Francis Chrysalis Men’s Group and the church’s Adult Education Committee.

St. Francis is located at 4625 E. River Road, at North Swan Road, and the church phone number is 299-9063.

To contribute a story, go online to azstarnet.com/foothills

Read the original post:

Search for enlightenment will be topic of seminar

Sixteen hallowed sites the Buddha visited:

Vesak dawned yesterday with many a Buddhist engaging in various religious activities to celebrate the life of the Buddha.

Mihintale Raja Maha Vihara

Sri Maha Bodhi

The Thrice Blessed Day which commemorates the Birth, Enlightenment and Parinibbana of the Buddha is one of the most significant events in the Buddhist calendar. As it is a time of spiritual awakening where devotees of the Buddha perform many meritorious acts and pay homage to Him, we decided to focus your attention on some of the important places the Buddhist venerate not only during Vesak, but also at other times during pilgrimages.

There are 16 very special sacred sites in Sri Lanka that are important to Buddhists because the Buddha is believed to have gone to these places during His many visits to Sri Lanka. Collectively known as Solosmasthana 16 sacred sites, they are listed in this order in the Pali verse Buddhists recite when they worship at any temple – Mahiyangana, Nagadeepa, Kelaniya, Padalaanchana (Holy Foot Print), Divaguha, Deegavapi, Muthiyangana, Tissamaharama, Sri Maha Bodhi, Mirisavetiya, Ruwanveliseya, Thuparama, Abhayagiri, Jetavana, Sela Chaitya, Kirivehera.

Mahiyangana is in the Badulla district on the left bank of the Mahaweli river.Nagadeepa is an island off the Jaffna peninsula and is known as Nainativu in Tamil. Kelaniya is on the right bank of the Kelani river about five or six km from the rivers mouth. Next in this list is Padalaanchana, the Holy Foot Print, (Sri Pada) atop Samanala Kanda. Sri Pada is followed by Diva Guha. The site has still not been identified – (not known for certain). Some say it is the rock shrine near Kuruwita in the Ratnapura district. The Samanala Kanda is clearly visible to this spot.

Next comes Deegavapi, a shrine in the Ampara district, followed by Mutiyangana in Badulla and Tissamaharama in the Hambantota district. The sites that follow are all in Anuradhapura except Kirivehera which is in Kataragama.

Why are these 16 shrines considered specially sacred? They are sites hallowed (made sacred) by Buddhas visits. The Buddhas first visit to the island was to Mahiyangana, in the Badulla district in the seventh month after His Enlightenment; that is on the full Moon Day in the Month of Duruthu (January). He came to settle a clash between two factions (rival groups) of Yakkhas were human beings not devils as they are portrayed today. They were a race of people living in the island before the advent of Vijaya. Because of the Buddhas visit, the place is of special sanctity and is first in the list.

The Buddhas next visit was three years later, on the Full-Moon Day of Bak (April) to Nagadeepa. Two Naga chieftains, uncle Mahodara and nephew Chullodara were fighting over a gem studded throne.

See the original post:

Solosmasthana

Chaminda Perera and Priyanka Kurugala

The entire country is enveloped in spiritual fervour as the nation prepares to celebrate yet another Vesak Full Moon Poya Day marking the birth, enlightenment and passing away of the Buddha.

Religious activities, including meditation programmes, will take pride of place in Vesak Full Moon day celebrations at all temples and Buddhist monasteries islandwide during the Vesak Week which commenced on May 2.

Thousands are expected to visit over eight special Vesak Zones where Bakthi gee recitals and lantern competitions are held.

Tens of thousands are expected to visit Amadhara Vesak Zone organised by the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited opposite the company premises for the 22nd consecutive year in association with Sri Lanka Telecom.

Acting Media Minister and Deputy Economic Development Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena will open the Vesak Zone on May 6.

There are over 13 main Vesak pandals within Colombo city limits and danselas and bakthi gee recitals are organised by government and private organisations islandwide.

The Police Department yesterday said special security arrangements covering all areas of the country would be in place from today. A special contingent of police personnel will be deployed for the safety of the public, Police Spokesman SP Ajith Rohana said.

View original post here:

Vesak spirit envelopes the country

BUDDHISTS celebrate Wesak today by paying respect to Lord Buddha on his birthday, for attainment of enlightenment and to commemorate his death.

Buddhists pray in temples early in the morning, attend chanting sessions, have vegetarian food as well as take part in community service.

Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple chief monk Venerable Saranankara Nayaka Maha Thera said devotees could also commemorate and honour Buddha not just by buying joss-sticks and flowers to be offered but understanding his teachings and most of all put it to practice.

Every religion has a beautiful set of teachings but we must all learn to practise it and understand the philosophical side of it.

You can visit a hundred temples on Wesak Day and it will not do you any good if do not know the teachings of Buddha, said Saranankara.

He added that one should practice Dana (act of giving), Sila (observing Buddhist precepts) and Bhavana (wisdom through meditation) not only on Wesak but should also make it an everyday ritual.

People often misunderstand this concept. Dana does not only mean feeding the monks, but also giving in terms of material, spiritual and also donating anything from blood or even your organs, he said.

He said in Sri Lanka cornea donation had become popular among residents there because donors believe they would receive better vision in their next life.

This year, the 59-year-old resident monk will be participating in the blood donation campaign together with fellow monks and devotees.

He said the practice had been introduced since 1986 and had become a yearly affair at the temple for Wesak and Kathina festival.

Read this article:

Wesak a day to reflect on the teachings of Buddha

Continued here:

New Distance Learning Program in Self Realization Enables People From Around the Globe to Experience Higher States of …

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve48vz10eP8

Read more here:

2011 Is Spiritual Enlightenment a Waste of Time? – Video