Search Buddhist Channel
Blind clearly see Buddhism's light
Story by PENCHAN CHAROENSUTHIPHAN, The Bangkok Post, April 7, 2005
Camp shows young people that visual disabilities do not obscure path to enlightenment
Bangkok, Thailand -- About 40 blind youths who joined a dharma camp at Sathian Dharma Satharn centre in the Ram Intra area have learned that sight is not essential for achieving happiness or enlightenment.
<< Youths with visual disabilities from the Thailand Association of the Blind practise meditation at a camp for the blind at Sathian Dharma Satharn centre in Ram Intra. -- CHANAT KATANYU
The camp was organised by the centre and the Thailand Association of the Blind for visually disabled youths in the city. A similar three-day camp will take place in the provinces.
Noppadol Boonleelakul, a 23-year-old student at Srinakharinwirot University, said it was a great opportunity for him to practise dharma and listen to Buddhist teachings from monks and a nun.
He said the experience made him relaxed and gave him a new perspective about living under dharma principles and philosophies.
''I'm happy, especially while doing meditation walks, when I set my feet consciously on the ground. Though we can't see things, we feel everything around us - the shade of trees and the sounds of grasshoppers,'' he said.
Mr Noppadol, who studies piano and has released his first album, Joe the Pianist, said he was impaired visually, not spiritually, and he understands Buddhist teachings well.
He had first-hand experience with karma after stealing friends' Braille paper when he was a child. He will try to make up for bad karma by doing good deeds and teaching piano at the Bangkok school for the blind.
Onchaporn Shinsrisook, 15, a student from Sri Ayutthaya School, said she was impressed by Nun Sansanee Sathiansut's remarks that the blind could make their lives worthwhile by doing good deeds.
''I am often upset and angry and quarrel with friends when they tease me. In fact, blindness is a fact that I should accept. I should live my life wisely. I was born blind, but am good enough to do anything sighted people can do,'' she said.
She dreams of being a teacher for the blind.
Sasima Mameemai, a Thailand Association of the Blind staff member, said the camp allows young people to learn and apply Buddhist teachings to their everyday lives so they can live happily and virtuously despite obstacles.
She thanked Nun Sansanee, who owns Sathian Dharma Satharn centre, for allowing blind children to join the camp.
At the camp, Nun Sansanee preached under the shade of a large bodhi tree in the centre compound. She told young people to live their lives with tolerance, love and generosity. ''We should live our lives by helping others without bias, like the shade of a tree which benefits everyone equally,'' she said.
Buddhist AI Chat Bot NORBU!
(Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding)
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.
Dear Friends in the Dharma,
We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.
Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:
One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.
How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.
Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.
Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.
Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.
Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.
Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!
May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,
With deepest gratitude,
Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team
Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau
We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.
If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv