Nalanda buzz around Bengal Buddha statues

Statues of Buddha at the site at Moghalmari in West Midnapore; (right) excavation on at the site. Pictures by Samir Mondal

The Telegraph, Calcutta, India
Monday , March 26 , 2012

Midnapore, March 25: Buddha statues dating back to sixth and seventh century AD have been found at a West Midnapore site where archaeologists have stumbled upon the ruins of a “Buddhist monastic complex” resembling the ancient Nalanda University.

The statues were discovered yesterday at Dantan’s Moghalmari village, 180km from Calcutta and near the Odisha border, by a team of Calcutta University archaeologists.

“It appears to us that this was an institution on the lines of Nalanda. Some of the decorations found are similar to those in Nalanda,” said Asok Datta, a professor of archaeology and a former head of the department who has been leading the team.

Datta said monastic complexes were found in Murshidabad and Malda around two decades ago but the one in Dantan is the biggest yet in Bengal so far. “It appears the ruins of the monastic complex is the largest so far found in Bengal, measuring about 3,600 square metres.”

The archaeologist said the complex and the statues traced their roots to the reign of Sasanka, who ruled Bengal between 590 and 626 AD.

“We came across the statues yesterday. Some of the statues are of Buddha in various forms and figures. We have discovered some sculptures of Dharmachakra as well,” Datta said. Dharmachakra, a wheel of life, is a religious symbol representing Buddha’s path to enlightenment.

The digging at Dantan began in 2003. “A headmaster of a local school had drawn my attention to a big mound at Moghalmari village. I visited the place and saw some fragments of bricks that appeared ancient. I returned and decided that excavating the mound might reveal something,” said Datta.

The monastic complex is decorated with stucco art. “The excavation revealed the ruins of a monastery and other constructions from which we can deduce that there was some kind of a school or institution,” said Datta.

Five phases of excavation have been carried out. The sixth started on March 10 this year.

A librarian in Dantan, Surjya Nandi, said that the site should be taken over by the Archaeological Survey of India to facilitate more discoveries. “If the Archaeological Survey of India takes over the excavation, their expertise will help reveal many more things,” he said.

SOURSE:BUDDHIST ART NEWS

Evaporating Evil...

Instantly Evaporating all Evil Mental States!

The Blessed Buddha once said:
Bhikkhus and friends, if while one is trying to behave good and clever,
occasionally due to a lapse of awareness, a momentary neglect occurs and
evil detrimental memories and bad intentions arise in one, then slow might
be the re-arising of one's awareness, but one should ultra-quickly leave all
these thoughts, dispel these obsessions, and end these impulses, thereby
eradicating both any phobia and mania. Imagine a man who let a tiny drop
of water fall onto an iron plate heated for a whole day on the stove...
Slow might be his letting go of the water drop, but then it would quickly
vaporize and vanish, when hitting the pan. Even so, while one is neglecting
the presence of acute awareness and the mind strays back into the mental
habits of evil detrimental mental habits & bad intentions: Slow might be the
re-arising of one's awareness, yet one should still then instantly leave these
evil thoughts, dispel these obsessions, end these impulses, thereby eradicating
any disadvantageous and afflicting phobia and mania. It is in exactly this
way that a Bhikkhu has comprehended the ideal mode of behaviour and habit
of living, that prevents any evil detrimental mental state of avariciousness,
lust, greed, envy, jealousy and discontent in flowing in upon, enveloping and
completely dominating his mind...

What is Evil, Bad, Wrong, Disadvantageous and Detrimental (Akusala)?
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/What_is_Detrimental.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/What_is_Disadvantageous.htm

Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikāya. Book IV [190-] 35:
6 Senses. Salayatana. States that entail Suffering. Dukkha-Dhammā 244.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html

Have a nice & noble day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samāhita _/\_ ]
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Gracious is Gratitude!

Appropriate Appreciation is Gratitude!

One should be grateful towards one's Parents! Why so?
They have worked hard and very long raising one into being!

One should be grateful towards one's Teachers! Why so?
They do much to make one learn and understand the good...

One should be grateful towards one's Friends! Why so?
They have shown one an open kindness and much goodwill!

One should be grateful towards one's Spouse! Why so?
They have loyally accompanied one along a long way...

What is the future kammic effect of gratitude or ungratefulness?
The one who is grateful will receive gifts and favours ever again!
The one who is ungrateful will never again receive gifts or favours !
Thankfulness wisely invested thus pays back quite a lot!

Therefore: Always Say Thanx!



Thanx for Your Attention! ;-)

On Contentment and Rejoicing Appreciation:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Contentment.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Mutual_Joy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Rejoicing_Bliss_is_Mudita.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Infinitely_Joyous_Consciousness.htm

Have a nice & noble day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samāhita _/\_ ]
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

THE PATH TO INNER PEACE-by His Holiness the Dalai Lama

THE PATH TO INNER PEACE

Teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama – Milan June 27^th – 28^th.

We are very pleased to inform you that at invitation of our Spiritual Guide and Abbot of Namgyla Monastery, Ven. Thamthog Rinpoche, His Holiness the 14^th Dalai Lama will be in Milan the next June 27^th and 28^th, to give his precious teachings. Here you can find a short description of the event’s program, that will take place at the Mediolanum Forum in Assago (MI) and is open to everybody:

JUNE 27^th

COMMENTARY ON “THE THREE PRINCIPAL ASPECTS OF THE PATH” A short and extraordinary text in which Tzong Khapa (Tibetan philosopher and meditation practitioner lived during 13th century) shows the principal aspects of the Mahayana Buddhist Path.

9.30 – 11.30 a.m.; 1.30 – 3.30 p.m.

JUNE 28th

INITIATION OF AVALOKITESVARA – The Buddha of Compassion

His Holiness will confer this initiation based on His great personal knowledge and after a specific preparation. It will be carried out, especially for this day, on the basis of special propitiatory rites. The ceremony is open to everyone and will definitely allow to receive benefits and authentic blessings of great compassion, loving kindness and non-violence.

9.30 - 11.30 a.m.

PUBLIC TALK Happiness beyond religion.

The words of His Holiness the Dalai Lama are a positive approach to the existential problems of human society. They suggest common worldwide ideal ethics that goes beyond religion and enlightens the fundamental choices, in particular in times of epic changes like the one that we are living.

1.30 - 3.30 p.m.

For further information and full details of the program, please visit the website www.dalailama-milano2012.org, where it is also possible to register for the teachings. You can also contact our office at info@dalailama-milano2012.org, Ph. +39 022576015, +39 0287078990, +39 0287078991 - Fax +39 0227003449, Via Euclide, 17 - 20128 Milano, Italy.

We kindly request to help us in spreading this announcement among your contacts or associates. If you can, download our leaflet, print and give it out. You can also use the image as banner, embedding into your website and linking it to ours. Thank you

Click here for image in colors and here for B/W.

For any inquiry, please do not hesitate in getting in touch with us.

Thank you very much for your kind attention and for everything you will do in helping us, thus giving to many the chance to take this precious opportunity.

Ghe Pel Ling Institute for Tibetan Buddhism studies

Segreteria Ghe Pel Ling

Visita di Sua Santità il XIV Dalai Lama – 27/28 Giugno 2012

Via Euclide, 17 - 20128 Milano, Italy

Tel. +39 022576015 – Fax +39 0227003449

www.dalailama-milano2012.org – e-mail: info@dalilama-milano2012.org

Cure Your Cruelty!

Cruelty, Mercilessness & Revengefulness are diluted Hate:

How to cure these evil derivatives of Cruelty:

1: Review the Danger in Cruelty like this:
This can bring me to a bad destination, the downfall, to pain, even to hell!
This is a path of thorns, an evil way, a dark state, conflict, violence, pain!

2: How does a friend dwell pervading all with his heart endued with pity?
Just as he would feel pity on seeing an unlucky, unfortunate person, so he
pervades all beings with infinite pity. Therefore first of all he imagines a
poor man, unlucky, unfortunate, in every way a fit object for pity, ugly,
reduced to utter misery, with hands and feet cut off, sitting in the shelter
for the helpless, with an empty pot in front of him, with maggots oozing
from sores on hands and legs, moaning, infinite pity should be felt for him
in this way: 'This being has been reduced to utter misery! If he just could
be freed from this misery...' Then later one can arouse the same pity and
compassion for a neutral person and later for even a wrong-doing person!
This is the complete mastery of pity: Compassion even with the Evil One!

3: All wrong doing is caused by blindness: A real pity for the wrong-doers!
All wrong-doers will thus suffer immensely in the future. How sad for them!

4: Begin and Cultivate meditation on Infinite pity:
Sit down a silent, empty place with closed eyes & beam this from the heart:
May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating awareness of pity.
May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating examination of pity.
May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating energetic pity.
May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating joyous infinite pity.
May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating stilled infinite pity.
May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating concentrated pity.
May I & all beings be free from cruelty by cultivating imperturbable pity.
Beaming first out in front, then right, left, down below and also up above:
May all beings live happily and free from suffering, pain and frustration.
May all beings be free from hate, cruelty, mercilessness & revengefulness!

One who is virtuous and wise
Shines like a blazing fire;
Like a bee collecting nectar
He acquires wealth by harming none!
Digha Nikāya III, 188

May all breathing creatures, all living things,
All beings, every one without exception,
Experience good fortune only!
May they not fall into harm.
Anguttara Nikāya II, 72



Solitude is happiness for one who is content,
Who has heard the Dhamma and clearly sees.
Non-violence is happiness in the world
Harmlessness towards all living beings.
Udana 10

JOY
Oh let us live happily! Freed from all cruelty!
Living even among those, who always is furious with hate!
Among those dominated by anger, let us live free from anger!
Dhammapada Illustration 197 Background Story 197

Regarding Pity and Compassion (Karunā) see also:
Detachment and Compassion in Early Buddhism, AN VI.13, SN XLII.8,
AN V.161, Karuna_is_Pity, Endless Pity, Space_Compassion,
What_is_Wrong, Safe_Medicine, Great_Compassion, Compassionate_Pity

Have a nice & noble day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samāhita _/\_ ]
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Yes We Can!

Any Advantageous Mental State Improves Ur Future!

Train yourself in doing good
which lasts and brings happiness.
Cultivate generosity, the life of peace,
and a mind of boundless love.
Itivuttaka 16

Generosity, kind words,
doing a good turn for others,
and treating all people alike:
these bonds of sympathy are to the world
what the axle is to the wagon wheel.
Anguttara Nikāya II, 32

Good are friends, when the need arises;
Good is contentment with just what one has;
Good is merit done, when life is at an end,
and good is the elimination of all Suffering!
Dhammapada 331

Come on! Do Good! Good Gets Better!

In this world, good it is to serve one's mother,
Good is it to serve one's father.
It is good to serve the monks, and
Good is it to serve the holy pure ones.
Dhammapada 332

Good is pure moral virtue until life's end,
Good is fine Faith, that is unwavering,
Good is the acquisition of understanding, and
Good is the avoidance of all evil wrong-doing.
Dhammapada 333

To avoid all evil,
to cultivate only good,
and to purify one's mind
this is the teaching of all the Buddhas!
Dhammapada 183

Yes We Can!

The good relinquish attachment to everything.
The wise do not prattle with yearning for pleasures.
The clever show neither elation, nor depression,
when touched either by happiness, or by sorrow...
Dhammapada 83

With good-will for the entire cosmos,
Cultivate a limitless & infinite kindness:
Above, below, across and all around,
unobstructed, without hostility or hate.
Sutta Nipāta I, 8

Let all guard themselves against irritability in thought;
Let everyone be controlled in mind,
Leaving mental misery & misconduct,
Let everyone practice good behaviour in any thought.
Dhammapada 233

Seeding Good, Sprouts in Good!

Let any being guard himself against irritability in speech;
Let everyone be controlled in speech.
Leaving all verbal misconduct,
Let everyone practice good behaviour in all speech.
Dhammapada 232

Overcome the angry by kindness;
Overcome the wicked by goodness;
Overcome the miser with generosity;
Overcome the liar with truth.
Dhammapada 223

Consort only with the good,
Come together only with the good.
To learn the Teaching of the Noble ones,
Gives an understanding nowhere else found!
Samyutta Nikāya I, 17

Same are all Being! Just Different.

Neither mother, nor father, nor
any other family or friend can do
greater good for oneself, than a
well trained & well directed mind!
Dhammapada 43

Think not lightly of good, saying, "It will not return to me."
Since: Drop by drop is the water pot filled with rain!
Likewise, the wise one, gathering it little by little,
fills himself with advantageous good...
Dhammapada 122

Doing Good => Better Future!

More on Generosity (Dāna) = The 1st mental perfection:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Glad_Giving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/daana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Openhanded_Generosity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Generosity_Contemplation.htm

Forest Sangha Support:
If you wish to help the Forest Sangha materially with upholding and sharing
the Saddhamma, then a quite good opportunity is open right here and now!
Any support is indeed needed and very appreciated. Many Thanx in advance :-)
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/various/Dhammadhara_Foundation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/various/Subscribe_to_Regular_Donation.htm

Have a nice & noble day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samāhita _/\_ ]
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

BUDDHA

Constructed at Kerala Mahabodhi mission Office Palakkad

Detached from Feeling!

Detachment from Feeling gives Immunity towards Suffering!

The Blessed Buddha once explained this to some sick bhikkhus:
If one keen on mental training feels a pleasant feeling, he understands:
"This impermanent pleasure is neither to be clung to, nor indulged in."
If he feels a painful feeling, he also understands and observes:
"As this pain is transient, it is neither to be clung to, nor engaged in..."
If he feels a neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling, he similarly notes:
"This passing neutral feeling is neither to be clung to, nor held in delight.."
When he feels a pleasant feeling, he feels it, as if detached from it!
When he feels a painful feeling, he feels it, as if detached from it!
When he feels a neutral feeling, he feels it, as if detached from it!
He feels all feelings as something remote, alien, and not belonging to him.
When he feels a feeling terminating with the body, he understands:
"I feel a feeling terminating with the body..." (all bodily feeling!)
When he feels a feeling terminating with life, he understands:
"I feel a feeling terminating with life..." (all mental feeling!)
He understands: With the breakup of this body, at the exhaustion of life,
any feeling, neither being delighted in, nor clung to, will cool down right
then and there... An oil lamp burns depending on the oil and the wick, at
the exhaustion of the oil and the wick, the burning flame is extinguished
through lack of fuel, exactly so here, bhikkhus, when a bhikkhu feels a
feeling terminating with the body... or terminating with life...
He understands: With the breakup of this body, at the very exhaustion of
this life, all that is felt, not being indulged in, nor clung to, will vanish right
there and then... This - only this - is the end of Suffering!

Pleasant feeling induces greed...
Painful feeling produces hate...
Neither-painful-nor-pleasant neutral feeling
causes neglect & thus generates ignorance...

All states converges on Feeling (Vedanā):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Three_Basic_Kinds_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Feeling_Causes_and_Effects.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_8_Aspects_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Bodily_and_Mental_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Detached_from_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Dependent_on_Contact.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Focusing_on_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Analysis_of_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/The_108_Feelings.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Emotional_Storm.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Latent_Feeling.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Five_Feelings.htm

The Buddhas are the very best Doctors!

Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikāya. Book IV [211-3]
section 36: Feeling. Vedanā. The Sick-Ward. 7.
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=948507
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/index.html

Have a nice & noble day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samāhita _/\_ ]
http://What-Buddha-Said.net