Interfaith at Euroa: Christianity and Australian Society

Road Sign, Euroa
A small group came together in the comfort and warmth of the Third Age Club at Euroa on the evening of Tuesday June 6 for what turned into an engaging interfaith meet with many questions. Theologian and scholar Dr Frank Purcell gave one talk on Christianity and Australian Society.

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Visualisation in Buddhism: Pure, Clear, Vibrant

In honour of the forthcoming Veask Celebration in Queens Gardens, Shepparton, we bring you this article of interest on visualisation in Buddhist meditation. Not all meditation is darkness, blank, emptiness, shunya. Visualization practice sometimes involves traditional symbolism that Westerners have trouble relating to, says Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. He shows us how we can make the most of this powerful method for transforming perception.

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Celebrating Vesak in 2017: Shepparton

Vesak is when Buddhists in Shepparton and across Australia come together and recollect the Lord Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing. Vesak is an international celebration and listed among UN Observances. Buddhism is one of the world’s oldest philosophies of non-violence and has practiced peaceful relations for over 2600 years. In this day and age, Buddhism continues fostering of world peace. There will be a celebration of Vesak in Queens Gardens, Shepparton, on Saturday, 13 May 2016.
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Buddhism: How Your Mind Works

Buddhist psychology begins by examining our everyday experience of clarity and confusion about our minds and self. The earliest Buddhist maps of our sense of self show five key steps in the process of ego development. The Sanskrit word for these five, the skandhas, literally means “aggregates” or “heaps.”

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Very Buddhist Christmas

Many people – worldwide – who have the good of other people in their hearts affirm that Christmas is a time of peace, a time of giving and a time of taking care of the homeless and the poor. Buddhists also recognise that Christmas is a time when they may practice their dharma for the benefit of others. Lord Buddha – if he had any desires – desired that his bhikkus – and all sentient life – reach enlightenment. Joy, giving, family, and peace … people of all faiths can celebrate these values of the holiday season. Here, several Buddhists offer their take on yuletide dharma.

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Learning from Buddhist Meditation

meditatioThere’s no shortage of press touting the benefits of mindfulness and meditation. It’s increasingly popular in clinical therapy and for managing everyday stress. But what does science say about the centuries-old spiritual practice? And equally, what can the ancient Buddhist tradition teach neuroscientists about the brain? In an effort to find out, a group of meditation practitioners, psychologists and neuroscientists gathered together for a weekend Zen retreat in rural New South Wales.

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2016 Vesak Celebrations, Shepparton

vesak16Vesak is when Buddhists in Shepparton and across Australia and around the World observe and recollect together the Lord Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing away. Commemorated annually by the United Nations to acknowledge the contribution which Buddhism, one of the world’s oldest religions, has made for over 2600 years and continues to make to the spirituality of humanity and fostering of world peace. There will be a celebration of Vesak in Queens Gardens, Shepparton, on Saturday, 21 May 2016. ... Read more...

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Forum Observations: Religion and Mental Health

Mental Health Week 2015 In observance of Mental Health Week, Voices for Harmony in collaboration with Shepparton Interfaith Network conducted a forum, Religion and Mental Health at GOTAFE on Friday, 9th October. In this account, local identity, historian and well known book reviewer, Pat Crudden - who coordinates Socrates Cafe at the University of the Third Age - has kindly shared his thoughts about the speakers who presented at this forum. ... Read more...

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Vesak Celebrations at Queens Park, Shepparton

A large crowd assembled at Queens Park on Sunday 3 May to celebrate Vesak Day with prayers, hanging of lanterns and talks. Vesak Day marks the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha; it is the most important day in the Buddhist calendar of events. This is celebrated annually on the day of the first full moon in the month of May.Read more…

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