Paying homage to our only home in the universe

Editorial, The Buddhist Channel, Earth Day, April 22, 2008

Today, together with millions all over the world, the Buddhist Channel will lay down its regular routine and bow towards its spiritual home, our venerable mother Earth. As we breathe in, we pay homage to the only place we know that allows us to practice the Buddha-Dharma. As we breathe out, we pay our gratitude to this hallowed planet, for allowing us to savor a bit of what it means to be Enlightenend, for allowing us to hope. Read on, and we hope you will enjoy this special edition just as we have enjoyed putting it together. We would like to dedicate this Earth Day special to all sentient beings. 

Living Lightly on Earth

By Upasaka Nyanaloka, The Buddhist Channel, April 22, 2008

A Buddhist approach to ecology

Although the interdependence of all things lies at the heart of Buddhist teaching, ecology as such is a modern formulation. We might certainly plead that it is a much needed restatement of the Buddhist vision in modern times, we might side with the poets (among them, the Buddha himself) and agree that truth gets lost in the words and therefore needs restating anew from age to age. It is still up to us, however, to prove our claim from traditional sources in order to carry everyone with us.

Buddhism and Spiritual Ecology

By Karnjariya Sukrung, The Bangkok Post, Originally published, July 10, 2005

To explore how Buddhism relates to nature, conservation and sustainable development, a group of US teachers recently travelled to the North to engage in an uplifting exercise in 'spiritual ecology'

Chiang Mai, Thailand -- The course only lasted a week but this is a school with ample resources for year-round classes. Sometimes the day's activities took place in a watershed forest, sometimes on the ridge of a steep limestone cliff, sometimes in a remote hilltop village.

Buddhist retreat reflects nature

By Ann Butler, The Durango Herald, December 31, 2005

Materials come from local land

Durango, CO (USA) -- How do you construct a modern community building that keeps the traditions of one of the world's oldest religions? And how can that building's design reflect the beauty of its site and remains ecologically sensitive to the land?

Returning the sacredness to life

by Vasana Chinvarakorn, Bangkok Post, Jan 28, 2006

Dorothy Maclean reveals the intricate, astonishing world of 'intelligent' beings; even the smallest of pebbles, she says, contains the key to understanding the mysteries of the universe

Bangkok, Thailand -- A pot plant had been placed in a prominent position in the middle of the classroom. It was a ngern lai ma, a rather unprepossessing decorative plant but one believed by Thais to have auspicious qualities.

The Key to liberation

Ajahn Chah, Exceprt from Abhyagiri Monastery, Published on the Buddhist Channel, Dec 23, 2004

Bangkok, Thailand -- In Buddhism, the primary reason we study the Dhamma (the Truth) is to find the way to transcend suffering and attain peace. Whether you study physical or mental phenomena, the citta (mind or consciousness) or cetasika (mental factors), it is only when you make liberation from suffering your ultimate goal, rather than anything else, that you will be practising in the correct way. This is because suffering and its causes already exist right here and now.

The happiness you can grow

by Phra Paisan Visalo, The Bangkok Post, Aug 26, 2007

Phra Paisan Visalo, the abbot of Mahawan forest monastery in Chaiyaphum, discusses how we can achieve true and lasting happiness

Bangkok, Thailand -- True happiness cannot be bought. It is something we have to cultivate ourselves. There is a Chinese saying that "if you want three hours of ecstasy, try gambling. For three weeks of rapture, go travelling. For three months of bliss, get married. Build a new house and you will enjoy three years of heaven. But if you want true and lasting happiness, grow and live with trees."

Embracing our pain

by Ven. Thich Nhat Hahn, Bangkok Post, Jan 31, 2005

How can we explain the Asian tsunami disaster and heal our grief? Here, Thich Nhat Hanh, the renowned Vietnamese Buddhist monk, poet and peace advocate, offers words of wisdom to comfort us

Paris, France -- The whole human race is in mourning ... Over the past days I have offered incense and recited Buddha's name every day to send energy to the victims and their families. The whole world is shaken by the disaster in southeast Asia.

The anatomy of disaster

by Ven. Dr K Sri Dhammananda Maha Nayaka Thera, The Buddhist Channel, February 24, 2005

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -- The Asian tsunami tragedy which struck countries bordering the Indian ocean in December last year has in many ways demonstrated the raw power of nature.  Many people have questioned the reasons for such a disaster, whether it was a sign of "God's displeasure" to punish humankind for all the wrong doings wrought on earth.

The Zen of Eating

The Buddhist Channel, April 22, 2008; Extracted from "The Zen Life", page 156-158; Published by Weatherhill, 1972.

Although we eat everyday, for the most part we do it mechanically, without deep reflection. This is not to say that we do not sometimes hear people say things like "It was delicious" or "I enjoyed the meal very much.".

This 59th Minute of "The 11th Hour"

by Shen Shi'an, The Buddhist Channel, Oct 25, 2007

Dharma-Inspired Movie Review: http://wip.warnerbros.com/11thhour

Singapore -- "The 11th Hour" is one of those documentary movies where a review of it can never do justice to its message. If I could, I would simply reproduce the transcript of the film here, and add Buddhist perspectives to it, so as to further foster the urgency of the message. The next best thing is to share views on the featured bites - especially those which I resonated with strongly.

Art for the spirit

by KARNJARIYA SUKRUNG, Bangkok Post, Nov 26, 2006

Beauty and aesthetics can serve as a playground to cultivate mindful awareness, as artist and poet-turned-monk Phra Amnart Ophaso discovered

Bangkok, Thailand -- With one stroke of black paint, Phra Amnart Ophaso drew a picture of an oval drop of water on a piece of paper. And he began to ask questions.

Its a Wonderful World

by Louis Armstrong (YouTube)

Performed in Hand Shadow Puppet act by Raymond Crowe

Buddhist Meditation Music

"Zen Garden" by Kokin Gumi

 "Zen Garden" by Kokin Gumi