S u m u d u P e r e r a: August 2006

Buddhima has send this to me.............Check this out

Plese see the margin of the 2 colors. Then u can see a green line, on the yellow area.

It has become a fashion to say some people see budu ras from BuddhaStatues, and Bo Trees. Some are simulating colour difference illusionsand try to disprove that. However, it's important to know that Buddhismis not something exists because of miracles. A Buddhist is not an Idolater, whose beliefs are based on super natural things. Read following if interested.

* What is Buddhism?
Buddhism is a path of practice and spiritual development leading toInsight into the true nature of life. Buddhist practices such asmeditation are means of changing oneself in order to develop thequalities of awareness, kindness, and wisdom. The experience developedwithin the Buddhist tradition over thousands of years has created anincomparable resource for all those who wish to follow a path - a pathwhich ultimately culminates in Enlightenment or Buddhahood. Because Buddhism does not include the idea of worshipping a creator god,some people do not see it as a religion in the normal, Western sense.The basic tenets of Buddhist teaching are straightforward and practical:nothing is fixed or permanent; actions have consequences; change ispossible. Thus Buddhism addresses itself to all people irrespective ofrace, nationality, or gender. It teaches practical methods (such asmeditation) which enable people to realise and utilise its teachings inorder to transform their experience, to be fully responsible for theirlives and to develop the qualities of Wisdom and Compassion.Buddhism is a religion to about 300 million people around the world. Theword comes from 'budhi', 'to awaken'. It has its origins about 2,500 years ago when Siddhartha Gotama, known as the Buddha, was himself awakened (enlightened) at the age of 35.

* Is Buddhism a Religion?
To many, Buddhism goes beyond religion and is more of a philosophy or'way of life'. It is a philosophy because philosophy 'means love ofwisdom' and the Buddhist path can be summed up as:(1) to lead a moral life,(2) to be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions, and(3) to develop wisdom and understanding.

* How Can Buddhism Help Me?
Buddhism explains a purpose to life, it explains apparent injustice andinequality around the world, and it provides a code of practice or wayof life that leads to true happiness.

* Why is Buddhism Becoming Popular?
Buddhism is becoming popular in western countries for a number ofreasons, The first good reason is Buddhism has answers to many of theproblems in modern materialistic societies. It also includes (for thosewho are interested) a deep understanding of the human mind (and naturaltherapies) which prominent psychologists around the world are nowdiscovering to be both very advanced and effective.

* Who Was the Buddha?
Siddhartha Gotama was born into a royal family in Lumbini, now locatedin Nepal, in 563 BC. At 29, he realised that wealth and luxury did notguarantee happiness, so he explored the different teachings religionsand philosophies of the day, to find the key to human happiness. Aftersix years of study and meditation he finally found 'the middle path' andwas enlightened. After enlightenment, the Buddha spent the rest of hislife teaching the principles of Buddhism - called the Dhamma, or Truth -until his death at the age of 80.

* Was the Buddha a God?
He was not, nor did he claim to be. He was a man who taught a path toenlightenment from his own experience.* Do Buddhists Worship Idols?Buddhists sometimes pay respect to images of the Buddha, not in worship,nor to ask for favours. A statue of the Buddha with hands rested gentlyin its lap and a compassionate smile reminds us to strive to developpeace and love within ourselves. Bowing to the statue is an expressionof gratitude for the teaching.

* Why are so Many Buddhist Countries Poor?
One of the Buddhist teachings is that wealth does not guaranteehappiness and also wealth is impermanent. The people of every countrysuffer whether rich or poor, but those who understand Buddhist teachingscan find true happiness.

* Are There Different Types of Buddhism?
There are many different types of Buddhism, because the emphasis changesfrom country to country due to customs and culture. What does not varyis the essence of the teaching - the Dhamma or truth.

* Are Other Religions Wrong?
Buddhism is also a belief system which is tolerant of all other beliefsor religions. Buddhism agrees with the moral teachings of otherreligions but Buddhism goes further by providing a long term purposewithin our existence, through wisdom and true understanding. RealBuddhism is very tolerant and not concerned with labels like'Christian', 'Moslem', 'Hindu' or 'Buddhist'; that is why there havenever been any wars fought in the name of Buddhism. That is whyBuddhists do not preach and try to convert, only explain if anexplanation is sought.

* Is Buddhism Scientific?
Science is knowledge which can be made into a system, which depends uponseeing and testing facts and stating general natural laws. The core ofBuddhism fit into this definition, because the Four Noble truths (seebelow) can be tested and proven by anyone in fact the Buddha himselfasked his followers to test the teaching rather than accept his word astrue. Buddhism depends more on understanding than faith.

* What did the Buddha Teach?
The Buddha taught many things, but the basic concepts in Buddhism can besummed up by the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.

* What is the First Noble Truth?
The first truth is that life is suffering i.e., life includes pain,getting old, disease, and ultimately death. We also endure psychologicalsuffering like loneliness frustration, fear, embarrassment,disappointment and anger. This is an irrefutable fact that cannot bedenied. It is realistic rather than pessimistic because pessimism isexpecting things to be bad. lnstead, Buddhism explains how suffering canbe avoided and how we can be truly happy.

* What is the Second Noble Truth?
The second truth is that suffering is caused by craving and aversion. Wewill suffer if we expect other people to conform to our expectation, ifwe want others to like us, if we do not get something we want,etc. Inother words, getting what you want does not guarantee happiness. Ratherthan constantly struggling to get what you want, try to modify yourwanting. Wanting deprives us of contentment and happiness. A lifetime ofwanting and craving and especially the craving to continue to exist,creates a powerful energy which causes the individual to be born. Socraving leads to physical suffering because it causes us to be reborn.

* What is the Third Noble Truth?
The third truth is that suffering can be overcome and happiness can beattained; that true happiness and contentment are possible. lf we giveup useless craving and learn to live each day at a time (not dwelling inthe past or the imagined future) then we can become happy and free. Wethen have more time and energy to help others. This is Nirvana.

* What is the Fourth Noble Truth?
The fourth truth is that the Noble 8-fold Path is the path which leadsto the end of suffering.

* What is the Noble 8-Fold Path?
In summary, the Noble 8-fold Path is being moral (through what we say,do and our livelihood), focussing the mind on being fully aware of ourthoughts and actions, and developing wisdom by understanding the FourNoble Truths and by developing compassion for others.

* What are the 5 Precepts?
The moral code within Buddhism is the precepts, of which the main fiveare: not to take the life of anything living, not to take anything notfreely given, to abstain from sexual misconduct and sensualoverindulgence, to refrain from untrue speech, and to avoidintoxication, that is, losing mindfulness.

* What is Karma?
Karma is the law that every cause has an effect, i.e., our actions haveresults. This simple law explains a number of things: inequality in theworld, why some are born handicapped and some gifted, why some live onlya short life. Karma underlines the importance of all individuals beingresponsible for their past and present actions. How can we test thekarmic effect of our actions? The answer is summed up by looking at (1)the intention behind the action, (2) effects of the action on oneself,and (3) the effects on others.

* What is Wisdom?
Buddhism teaches that wisdom should be developed with compassion. At oneextreme, you could be a goodhearted fool and at the other extreme, youcould attain knowledge without any emotion. Buddhism uses the middlepath to develop both. The highest wisdom is seeing that in reality, allphenomena are incomplete, impermanent and do no constitute a fixedentity. True wisdom is not simply believing what we are told but insteadexperiencing and understanding truth and reality. Wisdom requires anopen, objective, unbigoted mind. The Buddhist path requires courage,patience, flexibility and intelligence.

* What is Compassion?
Compassion includes qualities of sharing, readiness to give comfort,sympathy, concern, caring. In Buddhism, we can really understand others,when we can really understand ourselves, through wisdom.

* How do I Become a Buddhist?
Buddhist teachings can be understood and tested by anyone. Buddhismteaches that the solutions to our problems are within ourselves notoutside. The Buddha asked all his followers not to take his word astrue, but rather to test the teachings for themselves. ln this way, eachperson decides for themselves and takes responsibility for their ownactions and understanding. This makes Buddhism less of a fixed packageof beliefs which is to be accepted in its entirety, and more of ateaching which each person learns and uses in their own way.

S u m u d u P e r e r a

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Person Who Invented "CTRL + ALT + DEL"

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Budu ras from BuddhaStatues

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

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