serving the faith communities of the Goulburn Valley
There are those who are confused by the multiplicity of traditions in Buddhism – just like the multiplicity of Christian traditions. In this short article, Rev. angel Kyodo williams talks about her essential tradition – foundation – and how this is enriched by the other traditions.
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The 2016 census shows Australians are less religious than ever before, but one religion is maintaining its popularity, Buddhism. In this article, we look to activities of Buddhists in Australia along the Eastern Seaboard Coast.
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This question about Reincarnation is one of the most frequently asked of frequently asked questions: As a Buddhist, do I have to believe in something like reincarnation I have no evidence is true? But in fact, death and rebirth are happening to us all the time.
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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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If U.S. president Donald Trump’s choice to leave the Paris Climate Accord has you upset, Buddhist practitioner John Bussineau suggests something that will do a lot more good than griping on social media.
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Everyone is welcome to join in the celebrations of Vesak in Queens Gardens this evening:
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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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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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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The bodhisattva—the renowned ideal of Mahayana Buddhism — is not a god or deity but a way of being we can all aspire to. As Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche explains, those who take the bodhisattva vow make one simple commitment: to put others first, holding nothing back for themselves.
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Like the Buddha, we all get our call to wake up. It often comes when life isn’t working and we may have to go a little crazy. Here’s how Buddhist teacher Spring Washam answered her call.
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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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Tokyo: The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan’s Inter-Religious Dialogue Committee as part of the Jubilee Year of Mercy held discussions on the theory and practice of mercy in Buddhist and Shinto faiths. There is a direct parallel with the Japanese Christians understanding of God’s love which means ‘to hold dear’.
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There’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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Vesak 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.
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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.
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Ven. Pannasobhana Thero will be visiting Shepparton on Saturday 16th of May 2015 and will talk about Buddhism at The Peter Copulus Community Centre, Shop 21C, Riverside Plaza at Kialla at 10.00 am – 11.00 am
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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…
Vesak, a most important Buddhist festival is known as either Vesak, Wesak or Buddha Day, and is celebrated annually on the full moon of the ancient lunar month of Vesakha, which usually falls in May, or in early June. There will be a celebration of Vesak in Queens Gardens, Shepparton, on Sunday, 3 May.
One of the recurring debates surrounding the practice of Buddhism in the West concerns faith and the role it has in the religion. In many Buddhist commentaries available in the West, Buddhism is often contrasted with other religions in that the practice of faith is treated as secondary - or, according to some, doesn't exist at all.
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