BLIA South Island NZ YAD Class Week 5 – Learning the Core Teachings of Humanistic Buddhism
Buddhist’s Light International Association (BLIA) New Zealand Young Adult Division (YAD) held its 5th Dharma Class on 22nd September 2019. 7 YAD members attended the class, with BLIA South Island deputy President Lih Son Ding and Committee member Kok Wei Low acting as lecturers.
In his lecture, Ding made the remark that the first step towards becoming a Buddhist practitioner is to sincerely Take Refuge in the Triple Gem of Buddhism. Throughout his entire period of teaching the Dharma, Buddha emphasized to the disciples the importance of laying down the self and not clinging to attachments, and urged them to sincerely take refuge in the Triple Gem. By sincerely taking refuge, Buddha asked the disciples to incorporate his teachings into every aspect of their daily lives; they should speak like Buddha and think like Buddha. It is important to note that Buddha’s actions were all designed to benefit the people, and he had always kept the well beings of the people in his heart, trying to guide their thinking and behaviour into the right paths.
Ding continued to explain that, for the beginners, they have to first build up their belief and confidence in the Triple Gem, and then slowly move towards taking refuge in them. When they manage to find the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha fused with their souls and hearts, and feel fully protected by them, they are then ready to take refuge in the Triple Gem.
In the course of discussing the Core Teachings of Humanistic Buddhism, Committee member Kok Wei remarked that many people often complain about the hardship faced by them. While this may be true, they can look positively at the scenario and turn hardship into vitamins nourishing their lives. They should treat hardship as a driving force which toughens them up, makes them more mature, thus laying the foundation for them to exceed themselves in their undertakings. It is observed that people with positive drives can better overcome adversities and succeed.
On the subject of Impermanence, Kok Wei pointed out that this phenomenon is well manifested in the blooming and wilting of flowers, in sunrise and sunset, and in full-moon and half-moon; where nothing stays permanent. Similarly, the phenomenon of impermanence applies to our lives. since life itself is not permanent and hence not fixed, whatever bad behaviours and shortcomings in life can be rectified and made good by us if we have the will and determination to do so. In short, because of its impermanent nature, our own fate and destination can be changed by us for the better. From another angle, because of their impermanent nature, we should even value and treasure more the good things, affinities and relationships we possess now as they may vanish from us any time. Before the end of the class, BLIA Committee members Cao Qian and Kok Wei led the participants in carrying out the evening chanting by Buddhism rhyme The day’s class had the effect of sprinkling clean cool Dharma water on the class members, cleansing them of defilements, and helping in the cultivation of their Bodhi hearts.