LOTUS
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------JOURNAL OF THE BIRMINGHAM BUDDHIST VIHARA
ISSUE No.43 SUMMER 2015
The Best Way for Peace
When we read the teaching of Buddha, we don’t need to learn them off by heart, nor repeat them parrot
fashion, but meditate on them and then our own benefit and the benefit of others follows.
At the present time there is an unbelievable amount of violence and hatred in the world. There are so many
that commit the most horrible and unbelievably evil crimes in the name of religions, but violence in return
will only perpetuate it.
It always has and always will be more suffering. I am not a Christian but Jesus was a wonderfully
enlightened teacher, and wasn’t it he who said ‘’ If thy enemy smite thee, turn the other cheek’’. The
Buddha I am sure would have agreed with that.
With Metta from Bill
CONCEIT (MĀNA)
What is 'conceit'?
That which is conceit, being conceited, a state of being conceited, loftiness, haughtiness, (flaunting a) flag,
assumption, desire of consciousness for a banner. This is called conceit.
Three kinds of conceit
Therein what is the conceit thus, "I am better"?
Herein a certain one by birth or by clan or by good family or by beautiful body or by property or by study or
by sphere of work or by sphere of craft or by branch of science or by learning or by intelligence or by one
reason or another causes conceit to arise; that which is similar, conceit, being conceited, state of being
conceited, loftiness, haughtiness, (flaunting a) flag, assumption, desire of consciousness for banner. This
is called the conceit thus, "I am better".
Therein what is the conceit thus, "I am equal"?
Herein a certain one by birth or by clan or by good family or by beautiful body or by property or by study or
by sphere of work or by sphere of craft or by branch of science or by learning or by intelligence or by one
reason or another causes conceit to arise; that which is similar, conceit being conceited, state of being
conceited, loftiness, haughtiness, (flaunting a) flag, assumption, desire of consciousness for a banner. This
is called the conceit thus, "I am equal".
Therein what is the conceit thus, "I am inferior"?
Herein a certain one by birth or by clan or by good family or by beautiful body or by property or by study or
by sphere of work or by sphere of craft of by branch of science or by learning or by intelligence or by one
reason or another causes self-disrespect to arise; that which is similar, self-disrespect, being selfdisrespectful, state of being self-disrespectful, scorning (self), being very scornful, state of being very
scornful, self-distain, self-despising, self-contempt. This is called the conceit thus, "I am inferior".
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Nine Kinds of conceit
Therein what is 'nine fold conceit'?
In one who is better the conceit thus, "I am better" ; in one who is better the conceit thus, "I am equal" ; in
one who is better the conceit thus, " I am inferior" ; in one who is equal the conceit thus, "I am better" ; in
one who is equal the conceit thus "I am equal" ; in one who is equal the conceit thus, "i am inferior" ; in one
who is inferior the conceit thus, " I am better" ; in one who is inferior the conceit thus, "I am equal" ; in one
who is inferior the conceit thus, " I am inferior". This is nine fold conceit. see BOA (p459-462)
Various Kinds of conceit
Therein what is 'excessive conceit'?
Herein a certain one by birth or by clan or by good family, :P: or by one reason or another considers himself
above others; that which is similar, conceit, being conceited, state of being conceited, loftiness,
haughtiness, (flaunting a) flag, assumption, desire of consciousness for a banner. This is called excessive
conceit.
Therein what is 'inordinate conceit'?
Herein a certain one by birth or by clan or by good family, :P: or by one reason or another first places
himself as equal to others, later places himself as better; that which is similar, conceit, being conceited,
state of being conceited, loftiness, haughtiness, (flaunting a) flag, assumption, desire of consciousness for
a banner. This is called inordinate conceit.
Therein what i 'self-disrespect conceit'?
Herein a certain one by birth or by clan or by good family or by beautiful body or by property or by study or
b sphere of work or by sphere of craft or by branch of science or by learning or by intelligence or by one
reason or another causes self-disrespect to arise; that which is similar, self-disrespect, being selfdisrespectful, state of being self-disrespectful, scorning (self), being very scornful, state of being very
scornful, self-distain, self-despising, self-contempt. This is called self-disrespect conceit.
Therein what is 'over-estimating conceit'?
In not having reached, there is perception of having reached; in not having done, there is perception of
having done; in not having attained, there is perception of having attained; in not having realized, there is
perception of having realized; that which is similar, conceit, being conceited, state of being conceited,
loftiness, haughtiness, (flaunting a) flag, assumption, desire of consciousness for a banner. This is called
over-estimating conceit.
Therein what is 'self-conceit'?
The conceit thus, I am material quality; the wish thus, am (material quality); the latent tendency thus I am
(material quality); feeling. :P: Perception. :P: Mental concomitants. :P: The conceit thus, I am
consciousness; the wish thus, I am (consciousness); the latent tendency thus, I am (consciousness); that
which is similar, conceit, being conceited, state of being conceited, loftiness, haughtiness, (flaunting a) flag,
assumption, desire of consciousness for a banner. This is called self-conceit.
Therein what is 'false conceit'?
Herein a certain one by evil sphere of work or by evil sphere of craft or by evil branch of science or by evil
learning or by evil intelligence or by evil behavior or by evil habit and practice or by evil view or by one
reason or another causes conceit to arise; that which is similar, conceit, being conceited, state of being
conceited, loftiness, haughtiness, (flaunting a) flag, assumption, desire of consciousness for a banner. This
is called false conceit.
Reference
tr. Ven. U Tittila (1969). The Book of Analysis. Made and printed in Great Britain by William Clowes and
sons, Limited, London and Beccles.
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Abhidhamma – Vibhaṅga&Paṭṭhāna
In Dr Uttaranyana’s Abhidhamma class, which meets on Thursday afternoons at the Birmingham Buddhist
Vihara, we are nearing the end of the final chapter of the Vibhaṅga, the 2ndbook of the Abhidhamma. We
have been studying this book steadily over the last two years, and Bhante has enabled a fascinating
revelation of the elegance and complexity of the Buddha’s explanation of the mind and body of Mankind.
In addition to this Vibhaṅga work with Bhante, I have also undertaken some self-study into the Paccayas,
the 24 different types of conditioning which are described in the Paṭṭhāna, the final and largest book of the
Abhidhamma. It is from this area that I want to share some thoughts with you here.
The Abhidhamma provides a map or model of the phenomenal world which can be used to increase both
awareness and understanding of the experience of life. The Abhidhamma explains that all human
experience can be analysed in terms of four fundamental components. These are (in Pali):
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Rupa, which is matter or physical phenomena
Citta, which is consciousness, i.e. that which is conscious of an object.
Cetasika, which is ‘mental factor’, the components of consciousness
Nibbana, the mental state of Enlightenment
But as well as analysis - the process of separating something into its constituent elements - the
Abhidhamma also deals with synthesis – how these constituent elements relate to each other.
With the exception of Nibbana, the other three fundamental components are said to be ‘conditioned’, i.e.
they are subject to change by being influenced by the other fundamental components. The Abhidhamma
Paṭṭhāna is the teaching which presents these conditional relations, and it describes 24 different ways in
which causality operates between Rupa, Citta, Cetasika and Nibbana. In Pali, these 24 ways are known as
Paccayasatti, and often shortened to Paccaya.
In brief, the Paṭṭhāna teaches that a series of Causes produce a series of Effects, each Cause operating
via a particular type of Causality i.e. via one of 24 Paccayas. (Space prohibits describing these Paccayas in
detail, but the 24 contain types of causality which are based on for example Roots of Consciousness;
Object of Consciousness; Predominance Factor; Kamma; Path Factor etc).
To illustrate this teaching, we might initially say that an apple seed (one single cause) ‘produces’ an apple
tree (one single effect). But actually there are a number of ‘causes’ involved – an apple seed, water, soil
nutrients, light etc. And there are a number of ‘effects’ – apple tree, shade, moss, animal habitat etc. Note
the term ‘produces’ has a specific meaning in the Paṭṭhāna, and is defined as ‘causes to arise; maintains
the existence of; and supports the growth of’.
According to the Paṭṭhāna, there are no random occurrences; everything in everyday existence (Samsara)
is causally conditioned by the influence of Rupa, Citta, Cetasika and Nibbana.This theory is called a 'Middle
Path', because it steers clear of two extremes:
Self-Causation: Fatalism or determinism, i.e.“Everything that happens is pre-determined and inevitable”
External-Causation: Fortuitism, luck, the complete arbitrariness of pure nihilism i.e.“Everything happens
completely randomly, or due to a whim of the Gods”
There are obviously hugely significant implications to this teaching. For instance, it implies that there is
never a single ‘cause’ for any effect, and that every cause always generates more than one effect. So every
‘event’ requires multiple causes and produces multiple effects. Further, every effect in its turn becomes a
cause, which in its turn contributes to multiple effects … and so on. Everything becomes interrelated.
Here’s a practical example of this rather obscure sounding theory – because the Abhidhamma, despite its
theoretical basis, is intensely practical. You wake up in the morning feeling rather grumpy (in Abhidhamma
terms, you experience a mental state containing ‘ill-will’, one of the unwholesome roots of consciousness).
A little later, someone makes a remark, and you get angry (a mental state with even stronger ‘ill-will’). Why
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the anger – was it just because of the remark? No. What was said was just a trigger, one cause(operating
via ‘Object’ Paccaya, since the annoying remark becomes the current object of consciousness). But this
acts alongside many other causes. The underlying grumpy mood, the presence of ‘ill-will’, was the major
cause of the anger (operating via ‘Root’ Paccaya, since consciousness is rooted in ill-will at this moment).
This is yet another practical way in which the Abhidhamma can increase both awareness and
understanding of the experience of life.
Finally, Paṭṭhāna, is said to present a clear rationale for the Three Marks of Existence:
Anicca
– ALL conditioned things are impermanent
Dukkha
– Dissatisfaction. No matter how hard we try, it is not possible to maintain satisfaction in
ANY conditioned thing in the long run
Anatta
– The concept of non-self. However hard we look, we never find the essence of our being.
For anyone interested in this subject, the 24 Paccayas are listed in the first 12 pages of the Paṭṭhāna, the
7th Book of the Abhidhamma, and are discussed in “Guide to Conditional Relations” by Narada, published
by the Pali Text Society. The “Buddhist Philosophy of Relations” by Ledi Sayadaw is also excellent, and is
freely available on the web. I have included a quotation from Ledi Sayadaw’s work, which beautifully sums
up the teaching of the Paṭṭhāna.
“By expounding the twenty-four relations, the Buddha reveals the following facts: all conditioned things owe
their happenings and becomings or existence to causes and conditions, and none to the mere desire or will
or command of creatures. And among all the things subject to causes and conditions, there is not one that
comes into being through few causes; they arise, indeed, only through many. Therefore, this exposition
reaches its culminating point in revealing the doctrine of Anatta”.
Ledi Sayadaw (1846 -1923)
Duncan Fire, Abhidhamma student
30 May2015
Pagoda Repairs
Due to severe weather conditions our Peace
Pagoda’s wooden decorations are suffering wear
and tear. They require removal, cleaning, treating
with fungicide and varnishing to protect them from
the elements. In addition, one double glazed
window has to be replaced, as do downpipes and
guttering etc. The cost is £11,664.00. We offer
Drs.Nalin&Lakshimi daughter Sulini
Michael Chan PohHian&Irene Lu Yi Wan
Dr Mar Mar Lwin
Mr. Saw Min Htet (US$)
Mr. R Fe Win
Dr Myo Thu& Dr Lynn Lynn
Ms Wai Mar Aung
K.M. Parker
Dr Christopher & Dr Thanda Aung Thein
Daw Than Than Aye & sons
you this meritorious opportunity to contribute to
maintain the pagoda for many years to come.
We offer our thanks to the following donors who
have contributed to this repair work. We
appreciate their support.
100.00
30.00
5000.00
100.00
50.00
100.00
50.00
30.00
20.00
300.00
IranganiPerera
NilminiPerera
ShiraniSamavaWickrema
U Bha Maw& Daw DawKyin Wan (US$)
Mya San & Nan LaeLaeWai
Dr Aung Lin Aung
Dr Kyaw Lin Tu & Daw Khin Mya Oo
U Mya Tint& Dr HmweHmweThynn
Daw P PMyint (daughter)Yin YinOhn
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10.00
10.00
10.00
100.00
50.00
40.00
300.00
500.00
30.00
VIHARA NEWS
Educational Visits
The number of educational visits to the Pagoda, and
the number of students present in each group, has
once again continued to rise significantly. Over one
hundreds schools and three thousand students visit
our Pagoda yearly. In addition to the increasing
numbers wishing to visit, it is very reassuring that the
student knowledge and understanding of Buddhism
prior to their visits is also significantly improving. We
are very sorry that Mr Robert Black is retiring after
taking care of school visits for eleven years to our
Peace Pagoda. For a school visit please
contact:[email protected]
Diamond Anniversary
Dr Aung Thein(a Patron of BBVT)& Daw Than Than
celebrated their Diamond Anniversary in our Peace
Pagoda at 19 April. Over one hundred friends attended
the anniversary happily.
Buddha Day(Vesak) Celebrations
2559 years of Lord Buddha’s Mahaparinibbana was
celebrated in our Peace Pagoda on Sunday 3rd May
together with the eleventh year anniversary of our
founder, great teacher Dr Rewata Dhamma
(Aggamahapandita). Finally, the day concluded with
paying respects to senior community members.
In addition, Dr Nagasena and Jenny have taken over
direction of the Buddhist segment of the Ladywood
Interfaith Education Programme(LIEP).
U Ratthapala is taking care of the Pagoda and vihara,
and Dr Mar Mar handles the kitchen as well.
Devotee days
There is an opportunity for devotees to offer lunch
dana to the monks in the vihara. After lunch everyone
may take part in a short meditation and in the cleaning
of the vihara and Pagoda happily together. The event
take place on the first Sunday of each month
organized by Mr Gordon and dhamma friends.
Alena couple and Mariana always looking after our
garden and all visitors are very happy in our Pagoda.
Ko Kyaw Min Lwin and his friends from London always
lend a helping in every ceremony in our vihara. Thank
you to all our gardeners and volunteers.
The Civic Buddha Day was also celebrated in
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery on Saturday 9th
May. Presentation of flowers took place, with chanting
by Birmingham Buddhist groups in various styles in the
Buddha gallery, plus two cultural items and a brief talk
from the curators.
Rahul’s Birthday
Rahul, Rambir and Dr Rina’s son’s birthday was
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celebrated on Sunday 1 March and all of Mr Sansari
Lar’s family members joined together happily in our
Peace Pagoda.
The Buddha day was also celebrated in
Wolverhampton(Sikh Buddhist temple) at on Sunday,
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24 May.
Sayadaw Dr Rewata Dhamma’s memorial service took
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place again in the vihara on Sunday, 31 May
organised by Dr Nagasena.
Four Days Easter Retreat
As part of the Buddhist Studies(Diploma) online
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course, the Easter Retreat took place from 3 April to
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6 April in the Buddhist Academy (Rewata Dhamma
hall). Our students and Meditators joined together and
studied the Anapanassati Sutta from the Majjhima
Nikaya as a guide for meditation. Thank you Ko Anug
Kyaw Soe & Aye Aye Moe and Diploma students for
your supporting meals to sangha and meditators.
Peace Pagoda anniversary in Milton Keynes
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On Sunday 14June, the 35 Anniversary of the Peace
Pagoda was celebrated in Willen Lake, Milton Keynes.
All Buddhist groups from the UK attended the
ceremony, chanting in their own tradition. In the
afternoon program, devotional dance, music and multicultural events were performed as well. Dr Ottara
Nyana and Dr Nagasena joined the ceremony together
with Ko Sunny and Duncan.
Abhidhamma Class
A Higher Abhidhamma class on the Vibhanga(The
Book of Analysis) together with its commentary
Sammohavinodani (the Dispeller of Delusion) has
been run since Feb 2013 in our vihara. It was
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completed successfully on 11 June 2015 and a
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certificate awarding ceremony will take place on
Sunday 26 July to honour the Abhidhamma student's
great diligence.
On the same day, special celebrations were arranged
to pay respect to the elderly, with K.10,000 being given
to 30 elders - all were over 80 years of age. This event
was sponsored by U Aye Myint and Daw Khin Thandar
Wai(Hla Thidar Gold & Jewellery), Yangon and U Kon+
Daw Htay Htay family,Yangon.
Buddhist studies (Diploma) online course
The first Diploma Course (one year full time) also
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completed on Sunday 21
June, having run
successfully in our Buddhist Academy. Students are
now writing papers according to their subjects under
their teacher’s guidance.
Unfortunately, Sayadaw’s village monastery was
flooded by the Irrawaddy River and has moved to a
new place. A donation of K- 10,000,000 was given
from the Vihara trust.
Dr Ottara Nyana’s activities
During Bhante’s visit to Myanmar (27/11/12-18/01/15)
he was able to attend the Thamangon (secondary)
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school anniversary on 7 December in the home
village of our great teacher Sayadaw Dr Rewata
Dhamma.Sayadaw’s 85th birthday as well as the
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Themangon school’s anniversary occurred on 7 Dec
and was marked by awards being presented to the
school’s brightest students who had passed their
examinations with flying colours ranging from primary
to high school students.
On 16 to 18 Dec. bhante attended the ChinaMyanmar-India Buddha Dhamma forum in Pagan
organized by the United Nations. Bamaw sayadawgyi,
a chairman of State Sangha Council, Thitagu
sayadaw, religious ministers and over one hundred
delegates attended the forum. During three days,
Buddhist scholars discussed the promotion and
propagation of Buddhism in the world in future. All
delegates visited ancient Pagodas by land as well as
from the Irrawaddy River as sightseeing one evening.
Scholarships were also given to University students
according to their results, with K-100.000 being
awarded for one distinction. The total cost of these
awards amounted K-20,000,000. The main support
comes from our vihara trust (£1000) and Dr Mar Mar
Lwin(£1000). Hundreds of copy books are donated by
the U Kyaw Nyein family from Yangon for students.
Donations are always welcome to support Dr Rewata
Dhamma’s village school.
Dr Ottara Nyana visited Mandaly from 18 to 22 Dec.
and he lectured sangha students in Mandaly State
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Pariyatti University on 19 Dec. On the following days
bhante visited Myitngal, Innva, Sagine Hill and
Amarapura, which are holy and historical places.
Bhante also visited to a church which is over one
hundred years old and dates from King Mindon’s time.
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On 24 Dec. bhante attend to MoU between Bangalo
Mahabodhi Society(BMS), India and International
Theravada Buddhist University in ITBMU. There was a
good agreement to establish Buddhist Studies courses
in BMS and to translate the Five Nikayas into the
South Indian Language.
Bhante visited Kayin and Mon states from 8 to 10Jan.
together with U Asabha and Daw Hla Mu family and
bhante climbed Zwekabhin mountain which is over one
thousand meters high.
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On 14 Jan. International Theravada Buddhist
University first group students (1998/99) payed respect
to their teachers first time and offered Lunch dana.
Bamaw sayadawgyi and their teachers attended to the
ceremony.
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On 17 Jan. Dr Ottara Nyana gave a lecture to
students in Thadu Buddhist University,Yangon on the
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topic of Sangha and Myanmar in 21 Century which
was a wide view about Buddhism, education and the
history of Myanmar.
Another ten days retreat took place in Nalandarama of
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Bello Horizontal from 2 to12 July. On 5 July,
Thomas’s (son of Ricardo and Georgia) birthday was
celebrated in Nalandarama with a dhamma name:
Thomananda. Another four senior meditators also
received dhamma names. Bhante taught the
Sakkapanha Sutta from the Digha Nikaya.
On the same day bhante attended a certificate
Awarding Ceremony and English for Buddhism in the
May International school, Yangon. Over 70 students
attended
together
with
their
parents
and
representatives from the British Council which was
recorded by MR-TV4.
At the end of academy season, Dr Ottara Nyana
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visited Brazil from 23 June to 14th July to lead
meditation retreats. First was a four day retreat run in a
convent, Aracaju from 25 to 28 June. Bhante taught
the Anapanasati Sutta from the Majjhima Nikaya to his
meditators and sometime gave four lectures in a day
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including personal interviews. On 30 June, bhante
gave a public talk in Aracaju which was concluded
happily by questions and answers.
Dr Ottara Nyana’s future Activities
10th to 16th Aug. Metta retreat in Dhammaramsi,
Brussel, Belgium
3rd to 6th Sep. Metta retreat in Dhammarma, Brno,
Czech Republic
30th Oct. to 8th Nov. Abhidhamma (Vipassana) retreat
in Dhammaramsi, Brussels, Belgium
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VIHARA EVENTS IN FUTURE
10-Day Insight Retreat
21-30 Aug (experienced) Led By Dr Ottranyana
Designed to enable meditators to experience the characteristic of impermanence and nature of
non-selfhood as part of the process of insight meditation.
Abhidhamma&Pavarana Day - 28th October 7.00pm
Kathina - 1st Nov. 10:30am
Diploma in Buddhist Studies (2015-16) - Birmingham Buddhist Academy
Overview
This course is designed to provide the student with
an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the Theravada
Buddhism.
Confirmation of the acceptance to the course
31st August 2015
Duration of the course?
One year (full time)
Application Form &Educational Requirements
See details at www.birminghambuddhistacademy.org
Course Start Date
12th September 2015
Application Submission date and contact
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Between 1st July 2015 – 15 August 2015
Please send completed application and documents required
to [email protected]
Course method
Online and occasional face to face attendance at
Birmingham Buddhist Academy at 29-31 Osler Street,
Ladywood, Birmingham, B16 9EU.
Entrance examination
22nd August 2015
Fees
As per further discussion at the interview
Interview
23rd August 2015
For further information please visit
www.birminghambuddhistacademy.org
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