𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 & 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆

14-Meter Buddha Statue in Ladakh Dedicated to World Peace Senior lamas and more than 500 venerable monastics from monasteries in Ladakh and around the world gathered in the Devachan Campus of the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC) in Leh to consecrate a 14-meter statue of Shakyamuni Buddha at the MIMC’s new Buddha Park for World Peace on 1 August. “The world is passing through a phase in which there is a conflict everywhere,” Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena added. “And under such circumstances, the teachings and philosophy of the Lord Buddha have only become more and more relevant.” https://www.buddhistdoor.net/news/mimc-consecrates-14-meter-buddha-statue-in-ladakh-dedicated-to-world-peace/

Giant Buddha of Leshan, China. A giant 71m tall stone statue, built between 713- 803 CE, (during Tang dynasty). A drainage system was incorporated into Leshan Giant Buddha when it was built, which is still in working order. It includes drainage pipes carved into various places on body, to carry away water after rains so as to reduce weathering. When Giant Buddha was carved, a huge thirteen story wood structure was built to shelter it from rain and sunshine. This structure was destroyed and sacked by Mongols during wars at end of Yuan dynasty (1271-1368 CE). From then on, stone statue was exposed to elements.

The god responded, “Dear Bāhiya, there is a province called Sāvatthī in the northern territory of India. There, the Blessed One, liberated and fully enlightened, lives. Dear Bāhiya, the Blessed One is truly a liberated one and teaches the Dhamma leading to liberation. Hard to find is the thoroughbred man (the Buddha); he is not born everywhere. Where such a wise man is born, that clan thrives happily." - Udāna 1.10 Bāhiya Sutta & Dhammapada Verse 163

Sight of a Woman - Buddha (Aṅguttara Nikāya 5.55) A mother and son, though ordained as monk and nun, have sexual relations. The Buddha launches a powerful attack on the dangers of sex. Bhikkhus, compared to the sight of a woman, I do not see a single sight that is so arousing, sensuous, intoxicating, captivating, and infatuating, and such an obstacle to reaching the supreme sanctuary from the yoke. Sentient beings are lustful, greedy, tied, infatuated, and attached to the sight of a woman. They sorrow for a long time under the sway of a woman’s sight. You might chat with someone who has knife in hand. You might even chat with a goblin. You might sit close by a viper, whose bite would take your life. But never should you chat one on one with a female. They captivate the unmindful with a glance and a smile. Or scantily clad, they speak charming words. It’s not good to sit with such a person, even if she’s injured or dead. These five kinds of sensual stimulation are apparent in a woman’s body: sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and touches so delightful. Those swept away by the flood of sensual pleasures, not comprehending them, are governed by transmigration—time and destination, and life after life. But those who fully understand sensual pleasures live fearing nothing from any quarter. They are those in the world who’ve crossed over, having reached the ending of defilements. https://suttacentral.net/an5.55/en/sujato?lang=en&layout=plain&reference=none&notes=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin

Sendai Daikannon, statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva as of 2023 is the eighth tallest statue in the world. The city of Sendai (pop. 1 million) in the Töhoku region of Japan has an instantly recognizable skyline, thanks to the massive Sendai Daikannon statue that stands on a hill to the north of the city center. Daikannon/Kannon or Guanyin is the representation of the Japanese Buddhist Bodhisattva, the Bodhisattava of Compassion, and it is large. Towering 328 feet or 100 meters into the heavens, the statue was the largest in the world when it was completed in 1991. It was replaced at the top spot by another Japanese statue, the Ushiku Daibutsu in 1993. An elevator takes visitors to the top of Sendai Daikannon, where a series of windows offer stunning views across the city. Apart from the views, the statue is also a place of worship and reflection.

The Buddha’s teaching is contrary to our hearts - Ven. Luang Por Chah / Ajahn Chah People want to indulge in greed and hatred but the Buddha won't let them. They want to be deluded but the Buddha destroys delusion. So the mind of the Buddha is contrary to that of worldly beings. The world calls the body beautiful, he says it's not beautiful. They say the body belongs to us, he says not so. They say it's substantial, he says it's not. Right view is above the world. Worldly beings merely follow the flow of the stream.

Buddhist Bhutan Celebrates International Tiger Day by Reporting a Jump in Wild Tiger Population Renowned for prioritizing Gross National Happiness over the profit-driven acquisitiveness of unrestrained capitalism, the Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan, nestled high in the rarified air of the eastern Himalaya, is also making strides in the field of wildlife conservation. International Tiger Day, or Global Tiger Day, is observed annually on 29 July to raise awareness about tiger conservation and the protection of natural tiger habitats. There are a total of 13 remaining tiger range countries—nations that are home to natural tiger habitats: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam. https://www.buddhistdoor.net/news/buddhist-bhutan-celebrates-international-tiger-day-by-reporting-a-jump-in-wild-tiger-population/

Prince Shōtoku of Japan incorporated Buddhism in Japanese Constitution, created several large Buddhist temples, statues all over Japan. The prince was a great supporter of Chinese culture and Buddhism, spreading both during his reign by encouraging closer ties with China. Buddhism was introduced to Japan sometime in the 6th century CE, traditionally in 552 CE. It was officially adopted by Emperor Yomei and further encouraged by Prince Shotoku, who emphasised the reverence of Buddhism in Article II of his constitution" "Sincerely reverence the three treasures. The three treasures, Buddha, the Law and the Priesthood, are the final refuge of the four generated beings, and are the supreme objects of faith in all countries. What man in what age can fail to reverence this law? Few men are utterly bad. They may be taught to follow it. But if they do not betake them to the three treasures, how shall their crookedness be made straight? (Henshall, 499)" https://www.worldhistory.org/Prince_Shotoku/

Happy Āsāḷha Pūjā 1st August, Full Moon Asalha Puja also known as Dhamma Day, on this day 2566 years ago Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon at Benares in India. This first sermon, called 'Setting the Wheel of Dhamma in motion' which was given at Deer Park in Sarnath city, near the confluence of Ganges and Gomti rivers in Uttar Pradesh, India. And when the Blessed One had set the Wheel of Dhamma in motion, the earth devas cried out: "At Varanasi, Isipatana, the Blessed One has set in motion the unexcelled Wheel of Dhamma that cannot be stopped by brahman or contemplative, deva, Mara or God or anyone in the cosmos. So in that moment, that instant, the cry shot right up to the Brahma worlds. And this ten-thousand fold cosmos shivered & quivered & quaked, while a great, measureless radiance appeared in the cosmos, surpassing the effulgence of the devas." - Dhammacakka Pavattan Sutta May all sentient beings in the entire cosmos be free from suffering and the root of suffering. 🙏🏽☸️

Myanmar’s Military Government Unveils Giant Seated Buddha Statue The military government of Myanmar unveiled a new statue of the Buddha on 21 July. The statue will be consecrated on 1 August on a 92-hectare site in the capital Naypyitaw. The scuplture is more than 19 meters in height, making it nearly four meters taller than the great Buddha statue at Todai-ji in Japan and possibly the tallest in the world. Hlaing said the new Buddha image in Naypyitaw was intended “to show the flourishing of Theravada Buddhism in Myanmar, to be Myanmar as a focal point of Theravada Buddhism, ensure prosperity of the country, and contribute to peace and stability of the world.” (ABC News) https://www.buddhistdoor.net/news/myanmars-military-government-unveils-giant-seated-buddha-statue/

Remaining Unperturbed by the Worldly Conditions Gain and loss, disrepute and fame, blame and praise, pleasure and pain: these conditions that people meet are impermanent, transient, and subject to change. A wise and recollected person knows them and sees that they are subject to change. Desirable conditions don't excite his mind nor is he repelled by undesirable conditions. He has dispelled attraction and repulsion; they are gone and no longer present. Having known the dustless, sorrowless state, he understands rightly and has transcended existence. - Aṅguttara Nikāya 8.5

Happy Birthday to our teacher Luang Por Sumedho (Ajahn Sumedho) 🙏🏽 Ajahn Sumedho is one of the most senior Western representatives of the Thai Forest Tradition of Theravada Buddhism. Ajahn Sumedho is considered a seminal figure in the transmission of the Buddha's teachings to the West. In 1966, he became a novice or samanera at Wat Sri Saket in northeast Thailand. He ordained as a Bhikkhu in May the following year. He trained nine years under Ajahn Chah at Wat Pah Pong. In 1976 he was invited to Britain; he established Cittaviveka (Chithurst Buddhist Monastery) in West Sussex in 1979, and Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in Hertfordshire in 1984. During his thirty-four years of being based in Britain, he taught extensively throughout the world, has inducted more than a hundred aspirants of many nationalities into the samaṇa life, and also authorised the establishment of six other monasteries. We pay respects to our teacher, for their compassion and efforts to bring the Dhamma to us. 🙏🏽☸️

Arahant Nun Subhā uses the power of Dhamma to defeat an attacker On one occasion, the nun Subhā was going to the delightful Jīvaka mango garden. Then suddenly a rogue appeared and stood blocking her way. Subhā said this to him: What wrong have I done to you, that you should stand there blocking my way? It is not fitting, sir, that a man should touch a nun. I deeply respect the Buddha’s path. The Sublime One has taught us about the precepts. I protect those precepts purely. I am taintless. So, why are you standing here blocking me? [Rogue:] You are still young. You are not ugly. What good will nunhood do for you? Throw away your robe. Come, let’s enjoy ourselves in this forest full of blooms. The trees with blossoming crests sway in the wind as if they were singing and dancing. You have entered this forest alone. What enjoyment is here for you? If you will grant my bidding, come and live happily with me in my house. I will offer you my luxurious palace, and servant girls, who will always attend to your needs. [Subhā:] What is it that you consider substantial here in this body, which is full of filth, filling the cemetery, and is destined to break up? You have a disturbed mind. My mind is undisturbed. You are a defiled person. I am a taintless person with no lust. I am liberated from every single defilement. You seek to have the moon as a toy. You wish to jump over mount Meru. Understand me, the one you wish for is a daughter of the Buddha. In this world with its gods, nothing can arouse lust in me. I don’t know what lust is anymore. By following the path of Nibbāna, I have rooted out lust. I’m a disciple of the Buddha. I travel in the vehicle called the Noble Eight Fold Path. I have pulled out the dart of lust and destroyed the taints. My heart only delights in an empty hut. - The Verses of Arahant Nun Subhā - Thig 14.1

150 Monastics and Lay Buddhists from Thailand Conclude 700-km Pilgrimage for Peace in Ladakh The 150 pilgrims began their peace walk under the leadership of senior Thai monk Venerable Phrateppariyattisuthi Thongsukas in Dharamsala on 10 June. “Only those who have profound faith within themselves and great compassion for the world can take up such a challenging and strenuous journey through the high mountains of Himalayas.” - Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena is an exemplar of socially engaged Buddhism in the region, lauching numerous humanitarian projects, events, and initiatives. His outreach work includes providing educational opportunities and refuge for underprivileged children, empowerment and literacy programs for women and other socially disadvantaged groups, healthcare for the sick and needy. https://www.buddhistdoor.net/news/150-monastics-and-lay-buddhists-from-thailand-conclude-700-km-pilgrimage-for-peace-in-ladakh/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oXf-JQP000 "Remember... all I'm offering is the truth. Nothing more. You have to let it all go, Neo - fear, doubt, and disbelief. Free your mind!" – Morpheus

Being Lazy in Dhamma Practice Is Unwholesome Get up! Sit up! What's your need for sleep? For those afflicted by disease (suffering), struck by the arrow (craving), what sleep is there? Get up! Sit up! Train firmly for the sake of peace, Don't let the king of death, seeing you heedless deceive you, bring you under his sway. Go beyond this clinging, to which devas and men are attached, and (the pleasures) they seek. Don't let the moment pass by. For if you miss your moment you’ll grieve when sent to hell. Negligence is always dust; dust follows right behind negligence. Through diligence and knowledge, pluck out the dart from yourself. - Buddha, Utthana Sutta (Sutta Nipata 2.10) The Slothful, Greedy Sleeper Returns to Samsara, Over and Over If a person is sluggish and gluttonous, sleeps rolling around on a bed, he is like a fat, grain-fed pig. That fool comes to sleep in a womb again and again. - Dhammapada V. 325 Laziness Defeats Spirituality Those who dwell on the attractiveness of sensual pleasures, and live with the senses unguarded, and are immoderate in eating, they are slothful and weak in perseverance and will-power. Emotions overpower such persons easily as the wind overpowers a weak tree. - Dhammapada V. 7 Spiritual Strength is Undefeatable Those who dwell on the unattractiveness of sensual enjoyment, and live with the senses well guarded, and are moderate in eating, they are devoted to the Dhamma, and to persistent methodical practice. Such persons are not overpowered by emotions just as a rocky mountain is not shaken by the wind. - Dhammapada V. 8 The Mindful One Is Way Ahead Of Others The extremely wise individual of deep wisdom is always alert and mindful. He is therefore like a wide-awake individual among those who are deep in sleep. That wise person, who possesses supreme insight overtakes in spirituality all those ordinary masses, just as a fast horse overtakes a weak one. - Dhammapada V. 29