What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness In Plain English

excerpt from "Mindfulness in Plain English"
by Venerable Henepola Gunaratana

There is no way that we can fully understand the meaning of mindfulness without any practical experience. But, in giving talks to beginners in Buddhism, we can't avoid the need to give a basic conceptual explanation of mindfulness. I would try to explain in this way, "MindFULness is a mind FULL of sati which is characterised by present-time awareness, non-judgement observation, goal-less awareness.........................all those things mentioned in the article". Alternatively, I may say, "MindFULness is an EMPTY mind, empty of past-future awareness, jugmental observation, goal-directed awareness................all those things opposite of what is mentioned in the article".

Mother Teresa's Crisis of Faith

Mother Teresa's Crisis of Faith

Do we as Dhammadutas sometimes have similar experience?

Taking Refuge in Triple Gem - Powerpoint Slides

Taking Refuge In Triple Gem

These are the powerpoint slides that I used for my talk in Ti Ratana Buddhist Society in Klang. Please feel free to modify the slides if you need to use them for your talks related to this topic. Hope the others will also make the effort to upload their powerpoint presentations so that we can benefit from one another. SUKHIHOTU!

Buddhism, Sexuality & Homosexuality

Ajahn Brahm's response to an article in which the Dalai Lama was quoted as saying that homosexuality was immoral. http://www.bswa.org/modules/news/article.php?storyid=181

But, The Dalai Lama also said, "If you both agree, then I think I would say, if two males or two females voluntarily agree to have mutual satisfaction without further implication of harming others, then it is okay." http://www.shambhalasun.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1977

When I was a Dhamma speaker trainee, I was grateful to be given a chance to speak and particpitate in the 1st Buddhist Global Conference in Singapore. Ajahn Brahm was addressing the homosexuality issue and a gay Buddhist friend from the Gay Buddhist Fellowship in Singapore asked, "Is homosexuality breaking the 3rd precept?", "Is is bad kamma to be born homosexual?, "How to help people with homophobia?" http://www.heartlandsg.org/blog/2006/12/30/homosexuality-and-other-forms-of-queerness-excerpt-from-ajahn-brahm/

American Psychological Association: Sexual orientation and homosexuality FAQ. http://www.apa.org/topics/orientation.html

Buddhism and Sex by M. O'C. Walshe. Wheel Publication No. 225, Buddhist Publication Society. http://www.budsas.org/ebud/ebdha319.htm

Mak Nyahs (Male Transsexuals) in Malaysia: The International Journal of Transgenderism. http://www.asylumlaw.org/docs/sexualminorities/MalaysiaTrans070901.pdf

Hungry Ghost Festival

In conjunction with the recent hungry ghost festival, you may be invited to give Dhamma talks related to ghost. Hope you will find these links helpful:

Dedication of Merits to our Departed Next-of-Kin

Ven. Dr. Indaratana Thera

Tirokudda Sutta

Thanissaro Bhikku

Spiritual Self-Defense

Bhante Aggacitta

31 Planes of Existence

Welcome

Fellow Kalyana-mitras,

Welcome to our very own blogspot! As Bro. Chin Kah and Bro Charlie have stated, it's a place to share our views (on Dhamma) and to announce future talks.
In short, this is the Dhamma Speakers' space.
Let's just make this an overwhelming success!

Sabbe satta bhavantu sukhitatta.

With Metta:
Gavin