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'The Buddhist Hour" radio script for Sunday 7 July 2002
Broadcast on Hillside Radio 88.0 FM

The Australasian Buddhist Convention
Day Two, 23 June 2002

This script is entitled: More on the Australasian Buddhist Convention



Last week, we shared with you our report and recollections of “a remarkable event to remember”, the inaugural Australasian Buddhist Convention, held on 22 and 23 June 2002 at Camberwell Civic Centre, Melbourne, Victoria. Australia.

This week we will continue with our recollections of the Teachings on the theme of “Buddhism: the Pathway to a Peaceful Mind” delivered at this historical and exceptional event by eminent and respected Teachers from different Buddhist traditions, and who reside both within Australia and as far abroad as the U.S. and Sri Lanka.

Lasts week’s script, covered many of the activities and talks given on the 22 June 2002. Today’s focus will be on talks and activities from 23 June 2002.

The second day of the Australasian Buddhist Convention commenced with an “Introduction to Buddhist Meditation” given by Venerable Pannyavaro.

Venerable Pannyavaro teaches Buddha Dhamma meditation and is the author of the website Buddhanet. Buddhanet can be found at www.buddhanet.net

He described the meditation he taught as a form of Zen. This involves just watching the mind without relaying or commenting on what is found to be arising and falling.

Venerable Brahmavamso spoke on “Traditional Teachings in Non-Traditional Times.

Venerable Brahmavamso explained how peace of mind is developed through freedom from desires, not freedom of desires.

This fundamental point underscores the traditional practice of virtue which aims to generate a sense of inner freedom by weakening desires. Virtue gives kusala (moral) minds that destroy akusala (immoral) minds as they appear.

Buddha Puja offerings were done by Monks at the Buddha Altar and was followed by Maha Dana (Meal) for Monks.

Then there was a luncheon for participants in the foyer.

The next topic was new research in Buddhist Teachings by Professor Richard Gombrich.

He cautioned that the prospect of further Pali research at Oxford University continuing into the future is at grave risk.

For example, at the Meeting of International Buddhist Association of Scholars in Thailand scheduled for December 2002, Pali research is not on the agenda.

He deplores the lack of a successor to his work, he is retiring soon. By the analogy of pyramid he said currently, he has ten researcher students helping him, with himself at the top of the Pyramid generating the research topics. At present, there is no one scholar fit to replace him. There is no-one doing the top Pali research writing.

Professor Gombrich is the President for the Pali Text Society.

Professor Gombrich appealed for people to support the Pali Text Society and the importance of that organisation.

Applications for Membership for the Pali Text Society can be forwarded to:

The Pali Text Society
73 Lime Walk
Headington, Oxford
OX3 7AD
U.K.

Ordinary Membership costs 10 pound sterling for one year and 40 pound sterling for 5 years; and Sponsorship Membership costs 20 pound sterling for one year and 80 pound sterling for 5 years.

The Pali Text Society Ltd. is Registered Charity No. 262216
Registered No. 770074 (England and Wales)
VAT Registration No. 229 7681 25

Professor Gombrich spoke about some of the things the Buddha said about obtaining peace - that peace can only come from liberation and it is the unshakeable liberation - “the liberation of my mind is unshakeable”.

He said to have true peace of mind one must know what’s what - The five groups: materiality, feelings, perceptions, memory and consciousness; show impermanence, unsatisfactoriness and no self or essence as their characteristics.

He pointed out that kamma, commonly translated as action, is in fact meant to be translated as intention, when the Buddha said “ by action I mean intention”.

New discoveries in the history of Buddha Dhamma show the importance of the Pali language.

Professor Gombrich cited examples of many scholars doing Pali studies and research. In particular he mentioned Joanna Jurewicz who has found a similarity in the Rgveda 10,129 to the Chain of Dependent origination. Her publication is called :”The Rgveda 10,129- an attempt of interpretation”, Cracow Indological Studies vol. I : International Conference on Sanskrit and Related Studies September 23 - 26, 1993 (Proceedings), Cracow, Enigma Press 1995, pp.141-49.

Professor Gombrich talked about Sue Hamilton’s book Early Buddhism: a new approach. London: Curzon, 2000.

He spoke of the research done by Bhikkhuni Juo-Hsueh Shih who has gone back to the texts to find that there is no where that the Buddha said that Nuns and Monks are required to initiate Nuns, in her book : Controversies over Buddhist nuns, Oxford: Pali Text Society, 2000.

Professor Gombrich explained that in ancient times the calendar years were longer and different to now. This affects the dating of events. The language at the time of Buddha was not Pali but a language close to it.

Professor Gombrich gave the following bibliography of recent discoveries about early Buddhism and recommended this reading for students and scholars of Buddha Dhamma.

Gombrich, Richard: “Three souls, one or none: the vagaries of Pali pericope.” Journal of the Pali Text Society, vol.11:73-8. 1987.

“Recovering the Buddha’s message.” In Earliest Buddhism and Madhyamaka. D. Ruegg and L. Schmithausen, editors. Leiden: E.J. Brill, 5-23, 1990. Reprinted in The Buddhist Forum: Seminar papers 1987-1988. T. Skorupski, editor. London: School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, 1:5-20, 1990.

“The Buddha’s Book of Genesis?” Indo-Iranian Journal, vol.35: 159-78, 1992.

“A momentous effect of translation : the “vehicles” of Buddhism” Apodosis: Essays presented to Dr W.W. Cruickshank to mark his 80th birthday. St. Pauls School, London; 34-46, 1992.

How Buddhism began: The Conditional Genesis of the Early Teachings. London: The Athlone Press,,1996.

Kindness and Compassion as Means to Nirvana. (1997 Gonda Lecture) Amsterdam: Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1998.

“Playing with Fire: The pratityasamutpada from the perspective of Vedic thought.” Journal of the Pali Text Society, vol. 26: 77-103, 2000.

Wynne, Alexander: Released on both sides?: the origin and position of formless meditation in early Indian Buddhism. M.Phil. thesis, Oxford University, 2000.

Professor Gombrich concluded by talking briefly about the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies (OCBS) that is being founded to promote academic study of Buddhism.

The aim is to study Buddhist thought, culture, literature, history, and practice in any period and any part of the world. No Buddhist tradition is excluded.

The Centre will be based in Oxford and will seek to operate in co-operation with the Oxford University.

Academic study at university and research level will be the Centre’s top priority.

Lama Choedak Rinpoche spoke on “The Four elements” . He said that Dependent Origination is at our disposal. If you know what makes the wheel turn you can stop it. The Buddha turned the wheel at Saranath when he gave the first sermon. Lama Choedak compared the four elements to the four brahama qualities. Earth -Loving Kindness; water -compassion, fire - sympathetic Joy and air – equanimity.

“Introduction to Metta Meditation (Loving Kindness) and the “Role of Metta Meditation (Loving Kindness) in the Development of a Peaceful Mind” was taught by Venerable Mahinda.

Venerable Dhammavihari delivered his speech on Wisdom and the Peaceful Mind.

He said that we have all been on a treasure hunt for a peaceful mind. He said that Samadhi is not concentration but a “gathered togetherness” of having the mind inside. Do not let the mind escape through the five senses.

He said firstly, we must practice say once a week to withdraw from the world. This means taking five precepts : no killing, no stealing, no sexual misconduct, no intoxicants plus three extra ones - fasting, only take two meals per day, no entertainment-no music, TV and not providing too much comfort- try sleeping on the floor.

Next, he said follow the eight fold path. He said get number 6 correct - right endeavor, then you are on the launch pad to take off from the gravitational pull of household life.

The eight fold path is :
1. Samma-ditthi : Right View
2. Samma-Sankappa : Right thought
3. Samma-Vaca : Right Speech

4. Samma-Kammanta : Right Action
5. Samma-Ajiva : Right Livelihood
6. Samma-Vayama : Right Effort

7. Samma-Sati : Right Mindfullness
8. Samma-Samadhi : Right Collectiveness

Then he said you must strive to remove evil thought and cultivate good thought - discipline your mind.

With the above now in place, add the 4th Jhana ( a mind level which can see clearly) to this practice of withdrawing from the world and you have a very sharp tool-telescopic wisdom. Total liberation of the mind can only come through wisdom.

Only after attaining number 8 of the eight fold path - right concentration does wisdom come.

In Panel Discussion II, the question was asked : Does the mind exist after it has attained enlightenment? The reply was : the mind definitely exists after the attainment of nirvana - The Buddha did this and his mind was in extremely good working order. He taught for 40 years after attaining nirvana.

The panel was asked : Can a non-Buddhists attain enlightenment ? …and replied : Was the Buddha a Buddhist?

Many other questions were taken from the floor.

The conference was a great success. Dr Ananda Guruge summed up by saying that each speaker had shared with us their own personal journey that they had taken to attaining a peaceful mind.

After the convention, our Teacher John D. Hughes wrote to Doctor Ranjith Hettiarachi, the Convenor of the Australasian Buddhist Convention Conference and Chairman of the Buddhist Foundation (Victoria) Australia Inc. ABN 12 630 808 612, For Teaching Dhamma Practice Motto: “Sacchitta Pariyodapanam” (Purify and Refine Your Mind) of 130 Station Street, FAIRFIELD VIC 3078, Australia Tel: 61 3 9465 8236
Fax: 61 3 9489 5749 Internet address : www.bfvaust.org

His letter reads:

“Dear Ranjith

It is with my warmest wishes that I congratulate you on the actualisation for your resolute determination to help and inspire Buddha Dhamma practitioners.

Your vision and inspired leadership enabled the most successful presentation of the first Australasian Buddhist Convention Conference in Camberwell, Melbourne on 22 and 23 June 2002.

The Conference theme of 'Pathway to a Peaceful Mind' created a suitable framework to bring together Buddha Dhamma scholars and practitioners from around the world.

Our Members have all had Path enriching experiences.

Please let me extend our Organisation's congratulations to you and your committee and all who helped bring about this great occasion for Path learning, for the work in presenting this truly meritorious event.

We will continue to help you in your future efforts.

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu

Yours in the Buddha Dhamma

John D. Hughes
Founder, Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.
Vice President, World Fellowship of Buddhists
Advisor, World Buddhist University”


In reply Dr. Ranjith Hettiarachi wrote to John D. Hughes as follows :

Mr John Hughes
Resident Teacher
Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.

30 June 2002

Dear John,

Many thanks for the thoughts of loving kindness and compassion expressed in your letter. Your heartfelt message arising out of Muditha did touch me deeply. We all no doubt need to be indebted to a timeless Dhamma and the most compassionate guidance of the Maha Sangha for an exquisitely joyous experience in Buddhist Practice at the Convention.

We are reminded of a beautiful teaching in the Dhammapada which says, “A single day in life seeing the Supreme Dhamma is better than a hundred years of non-seeing” (V 113).

We were most heartened to learn from the numerous messages and letters such as yours, that our program content was well structured, comprehensively covered and effectively delivered. The outcome that impacted on us the most was a lasting inner joy, peace and the contentment you derived, as the receiver. We sincerely hope that the mental and physical transformation we intended and assured for everyone would be realized by the dedicated practice of the Pathway to a Peaceful Mind.

The Buddhist Foundation will be delighted to receive your ongoing support and assistance with a view to providing you with every opportunity to cultivate and develop Buddhist Practice. This is our primary focus.

Towards this end, it is indeed our pleasure to be with you literally and metaphorically. We are then certain to grow and benefit like one practice family.

John, I would personally welcome your services and contribution to the practice programs of the Foundation, which will certainly pave the way to your own practice in the long term. We thank the members of your Centre who contributed much to our organisational work for the Convention.

May you be well and happy with the blessings of the Supreme Triple Gem!

With Metta and Regards,

Dr Ranjith Hettiarachi
The conference closed on an elevated note with a personal message from Dr Ranjith Hettiarachi, Convenor of the Convention and a medical doctor. Dr Hettiarachi told the convention about his own personal journey to a peaceful mind and healthy body. He explained how traditional Buddhist meditation practiced consistently, had cured his physical chronic ailments when western medicine could not.

You can purchase videos and CD recordings of the Australasian Buddhist Convention at www.bfvaust.org

May we all enjoy a similar peak event in Australia with the second Australasian Buddhist Convention scheduled for 2005 C.E.

May you be well and happy.

We close this script with a verse to practice loving-kindness, told to the conference by the Chairperson, Dr Ananda Guruge.

May those that are in suffering come out of suffering
May those that are in fear come out of fear
May those that are in sorrow come out of sorrow
May all beings be well and happy
May I be well and happy.

The authors and editors of this script are: Anita & John D. Hughes Dip.App.Chem. T.T.T.C. GDAIE, Evelin Halls, Dip. of Foreign Language Correspondence and Pennie White B.A. Dip. Ed.


References

The Buddhist Foundation (Vic) Australia Inc. (2002) The Australian Buddhist Convention, 2002, published by the Convenors of the Convention: The Buddhist Foundation (Vic) Australia Inc., Fairfield, Victoria.


Readability Statistics

Counts
Words: 2,808
Characters: 2,241
Paragraphs:172
Sentences: 103

Averages
Sentences per paragraph: 1.6
Words per sentence: 16.8
Characters per word: 4.9

Readability
Passive sentences: 23%
Flesch Reading Ease: 52.1
Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level : 10.1
Colman-Liau Grade Level : 16.7
Bormuth Grade Level : 11.5

Estimated writing and editing time: 224 minutes
3:00pm to 3:10pm on 1 July 2002 to 23:28 5 July 2002.

Revision number 20

Readablity Statistics (Reference Word help files)

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Counts

Displays the number of words, characters, paragraphs, and sentences.

Averages

Displays the average number of sentences per paragraph, words per sentence, and characters per word.

Readability

Displays the percentage of sentences written in passive voice, as well as other readability indexes.

Passive Sentences

Displays the percentage of sentences written in passive voice.

Flesch Reading Ease

Computes readability based on the average number of syllables per word and the average number of words per sentence. Scores range from 0 (zero) to 100. Standard writing averages approximately 60 to 70. The higher the score, the greater the number of people who can readily understand the document.

Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level

Computes readability based on the average number of syllables per word and the average number of words per sentence. The score in this case indicates a grade-school level. For example, a score of 8.0 means that an eighth grader would understand the document. Standard writing approximately equates to the seventh-to-eighth-grade level.

Coleman-Liau Grade Level

Uses word length in characters and sentence length in words to determine a grade level.

Bormuth Grade Level

Uses word length in characters and sentence length in words to determine a grade level.


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Accordingly, we accept no liability to any user or subsequent third party, either expressed or implied, whether or not caused by error or omission on either our part, or a member, employee or other person associated with the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.


Copyright:

This Radio Script is for Free Distribution. It contains Buddha Dhamma material and is provided for the purpose of research and study.

Permission is given to make printouts of this publication for FREE DISTRIBUTION ONLY. Please keep it in a clean place.

"The gift of Dhamma excels all other gifts".

© 2002. Copyright. The Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.

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