Aggācāra International Theravāda Education and Meditation Centre (Aggācāra International College)

The sun is very hot. When meditating under the shade of pagoda building that is not shined by sun yet, the feeling is relief from the heat, and when the cool wind touching the skin, there is a nice sensation. This reminds me of a story in Tipitaka . “After King Pasenadi’s death, which was brought about by the treachery of Dīghakārāyana in making Vidūdabha king (the son of Pasenadi), Vidūdabha remembered his oath, and set out with a large army for Kapilavatthu. The Buddha, aware of this, stood under a tree, with scanty shade, just within the boundaries of the Sākiyan kingdom. On the boundary was a banyan which gave deep shade. Vidūdabha, seeing the Buddha, asked him to sit under the banyan. ”Be not worried,” said the Buddha, ”the shade of my kinsmen keeps me cool.” Vidūdabha understood and returned home with his army. “(Pali Proper Name dictionary). Actually, it occurs to me taking refuge in Triple Gems is similar to sitting under shade away from the hot sun. Taking refuge in...

End of Stress ( dukkha ) for everyone. Yesterday, the exams were over for the diploma, bachelor and masters students in my university. Yesterday, I also photocopied 4 sets and submitted my masters thesis with 130 pages. Thanks to many, including Pali teachers Sayadaw Dr. U Nodhi Nyana, U Pandita, U Thera and U Issariya who helped to check the Pali, and Lori Marsh and Jo Chan who helped to checked English in my thesis. With numerous amendments and changes, I also got very stress ed with my own paper. When trying to read my thesis, my eyes saw, but my mind could not see. This is stress. Nowadays, some writers translate the dukkha with the word 'stress'. This really applied to me. In the first and second year, we have to attend only three hours for one week. But the subjects become more profound and deep, so we have to spend more time in reading and attend extra class. During the second year, we have to write 50 pages, and then 100 pages for the third year in the maste...