YAD Buddhism College Term 3 Class 2 – Meditation to Calm the Mind and Introduction to Suffering
On the 27th of November, BLIA NZ YAD organized the 2nd class for Buddhism College. Vicky Han initiated the session with a guided meditation lasting 30 minutes. In her session, everyone was asked to implement the breath counting technique to relax the body and reset the thoughts after a busy day. Vicky also reminded everyone they must be truthful and focus on breathing if their mind is distracted. Carol shared that she felt lucky to experience this proper meditation, and she vowed to be better at meditation through more practice.
Venerable Rulian, the Minister in Charge from FGS Auckland, continued the class and summarized that meditation could serve as a break that can let us go an extra mile when we feel tired. She also introduced the origin and evolutions of Buddhism, such as tribal and Mahayana Buddhism. She then shared about the founder of Buddhism, who was a Prince in India named Siddhartha, and how he would reach the highest level of asceticism but remain unenlightened. This reminds us that we shouldn't get attached to extreme desires or penance. The Buddha eventually gained enlightenment and understood the concepts of the 12 Dependent Origination after having a bowl of rice milk offered by the shepherdess. After reaching enlightenment, he stayed in the human world to propagate the Dharma in the human world for 49 years. Throughout history, Venerable Master Hsing Yun was the only one to propagate Dharma in this world for more than 70 years now.
Venerable Rulian also took this chance to explain that suffering is driven by karma and worries; however, suffering is also impermanent and will be resolved one day. There are eight different types of suffering in our life: death, sickness, parting with loved ones, hatred, jealousy, etc. She also advised on how to transcend suffering by letting go of our pride, especially when dealing with someone we do not like. Thomas shared that, by understanding the different types of suffering, young people will know how to deal with hardships and not give up easily.
The class was then carried on with the Prayer in the Night by Venerable Master Hsing Yun to have a deep reflection of our deeds during the day so that everyone can regain their positivity and energy. The class ended in the singing of The Song of Fo Guang Shan 佛光山之歌. The host of the class, Lisa, shared that, “I felt grateful to be able to learn how Buddha gets enlightened and the different types of suffering in our lives and I could also feel the joy after completing the Prayer in the Night by Venerable Master Hsing Yun.”