BUBS'S NEW LOCATION

Please be informed that WE HAVE MOVED to the new BUBS Building at Jalan BU6/5.


View Uttama Bodhi Vihara, Jalan BU 6/5 in a larger map

The new youth room is on the first floor, with a nice lovely blue door.

Cheers!

Buddhism in the United States

HELLO ! (:

just dropping by to share something new (:

I was very impressed with the following news I found on the internet:

From the years 1990 to 2001, Buddhism had grown 170% and transformed itself into the 4^th most practiced religion in America

Since the year 2001, Buddhism has experienced an ever greater interest and growth among native born Americans that gives us the impression that the number and percentage of Buddhist adherents must be even larger in 2006 than in 2001. For instance, since 2001, in the State of Connecticut, the appearance of the Buddhist Faith Fellowship and other successful and growing Buddhist congregations have brought about an explosion of Buddhist practitioners in this state. The rapid growth in the Buddhist Faith Fellowship exceeds 1000% since its inception in 2001.

and then there was more :

Buddhism in America is an emergent alternative religion poised to be a spiritual, cultural and political force in the 21^st century. The Guide to Buddhist America, published in 1998, lists more than 1,000 Buddhist meditation centers in the United States and Canada

So , I went up and searched more, and then stumbled upon a forum for Buddhist Teens.

Here are some of the threads.

I take the book from the shelf, and looked at it. It seemed alright. I figured that it contained the information that I was looking for. It was titled "Buddhism" and I was given shocked and appalled looks from everyone in general.

"Did you convert?"

"Why? Don't you believe in Jesus?"

So began my journey as a Buddhist. It has been two years since that first day. It was so hard to tear away from the wave of Christianity that stalked me everywhere that I went. Promises of hell were not uncommon. I have come along way from my previous viewpoints. I am now flattered when insulted, I am hurt when I see violence, and I face the Buddha wherever I go. I believe that when insulted, this is the only way that these people feel that they can have dignity and though I disagree with them I suppose that I am happy to be of service. Which is different from my previous view of violence and "An eye for an eye."


Would anyone like to share their experience of first becoming a Buddhist? I look forward to hearing your responses my friends!

Many Blessings!

the replies were :

I had similiar problems getting insulted, told I would go to hell, my search started as many do trying find a religious belief to identify with with my interests in Asia it was only time before I discovered Buddhism. Right away it clicked and I immediately got everything I could about it. I looked book through book started meditating, praying, chanting and I still am.
May Buddha continue to brighten your day!
peace
Dogen

i had a very similar adventure! it was hard at first, i went to a very Christian school that had bible school everyday and it was horrible, people would tell me i was going to hell when i was walking down the halls,so i transfered to public school and it was still hard but its better now!
nameste!
kayti

do join the forum if you'd like to participate in their many interesting topics for Buddhist teens just like us.

http://community.beliefnet.com/go/forum/view/34789/70569/

(: At the forum you'll find many questions regarding Buddhism, and many personal stories.

& these are the times where we really do thank Buddha for the knowledge he has shared with us.

He isn't God, he isn't an Angel, he isn't a Saint.

but as his famous line answers it all, : I am Awake.

Do be mindful of what you do. Know what you're doing, and always reflect on the 5 Precepts and the Noble 8fold Path when making your decisions (:

Buddhism doesn't require us to spread the Dharma to every living being, but it asks us to spread love (:

It's hard,
but start by complimenting your close friends this week.

try saying nice things to people you come in contact with.
tell them they have nice hair , or just something simple.

because we all need little words like these to bring us through tough days , right?

have a good week! (:

with metta (fuuh, I tau what this means ok?!),
Melinda.

BUDDY Camp 2009

We are back with BUDDY Camp 2009. Aptly themed "Loving Self, Loving Others", the programs will hopefully encourage you to practice loving kindness to all around you. While at the same time, it maintains the usual fun, dynamic and fellowship-filled values that is the core of BUDDY.

Here are the deets to fulfill you curious folks:

Age group: 15 - 19 years old (those above 19 are also very much welcomed)
Fee: RM 75 per participant
Date: 17 Dec, 2009 (9-10AM) - 20 Dec, 2009 (2.30PM)
Venue: Uttama Bodhi Vihara - Jalan BU 6/5, Bandar Utama, PJ


View Uttama Bodhi Vihara, Jalan BU 6/5 in a larger map

For the camp, we suggest you bring a good supply of clothes (appropriate clothing - shirts with sleeves and bottoms below knee length), toiletries, towel and souvenirs for fellow camp friends.

If you have any enquiries regarding the camp, please contact us at buddygroup@ymail.com

We also have a Facebook event page for the camp, please check it out here!

To register, you can download the registration form's .pdf file BUDDY Camp 2009 "Loving Self, Loving Others" - Registration Form or drop by our booth at Bandar Utama Buddhist Society (BUBS) every Sunday.

Inter-Buddhist Fellowship Games 2009

Hey fellow BUDDYs!

Those who has participated in the Basketball, Captainball, Volleyball, Tug-Of-War and Athletics Run, thanks for your participation! BUDDY's joining this Inter-Buddhist Fellowship Games for us to make new friends, so we are pumped with excitement and energy!

The location is now at Catholic High, it would be great if you could prepare your own transport as we are low on drivers.

The details are as follows:
Venue: Catholic High
Date: 6th September 2009 (SUNDAY)
Time: 7.45 AM - 6 PM
Transportation: Own transport. If you need any, please contact me at jiarhwei@gmail.com
Food: Lunch & water is provided

(click to enlarge)

But if you're not up for playing the sports, you can always join us for cheering and volunteering for sideline duties at the event. The more the merrier! :)

Please wear your BUDDY Camp t-shirt or BUBS shirt or anything Grey / Green!

Those who are interested to go are encouraged to:
- Wear sport shoes (no spikes allowed for athletics)
- Sunblock
- Mosquito repellent

If you have any more questions, please contact me. Thanks!

BUDDY Fellowship Party POSTPONED!

HELLO (: !

I'm sure you guys are all enjoying your holidays, and while some of you will be preparing for PMR, and SPM-ers are too (:

& because of this , we've decided that we will have to postpone the Fellowship Party.

I know, booo,
but we know a large number of you won't be able to attend, and we definitely do not want guys to miss out on this awesome party! (:

Please do check back often to see the new date, it should be around the beginning of October, where most of our exams are over.

but please do leave a message in our chatbox to tell us your exam days, this way, we can set a date that'll be comfortable for everyone, yes?

sorry for any inconvenience caused ! (:

for those who are taking your exams/trials soon,

GOOD LUCK ! (:

remember all the teachings, so don't cheat during exams,
and yes, there is suffering in everything,
so, suffer a little now for your exams,
and your future is what you get in return! (:

with lots and lots and lots of metta & love,
the BUDDYies.

Reminder: Inter-Buddhist Youth Fellowship Games 2009

Hey all!

Just a quick reminder that it's the last day for you to let me know if you'd like to join the Inter-Buddhist Youth Fellowship Games 2009. Read more here.

We would need more participants for the athlete running contests :)

Hope to hear from you soon!

Buddhist Stories

Hello BUDDYies (:

Here are a few Buddhist Stories found on the internet. They are all very inspiring, and each have their own meaning behind them (:! Read it with patience, and remind yourself of who you are and what the Buddha has taught us. Some of these stories are from Zen Buddhism, Theravada, and Mahayana. It does not matter that much, because it's the values that matters (:

*

THE SIEVE AND WATER

The Zen master and his disciple made their way across the sand to the shore. The disciple carried a cup and a sieve. At the water's edge, they stood on a rock, the sea breaking around them in great, frothy swirls. 'Show me how you would fill the sieve with water,' the master said. The disciple stooped and filled the cup with water. He poured it into the sieve. Cup after cup he poured into the heart of the sieve but no matter how quickly he poured, only the smallest remnant caught in the bottom. Even that soon formed a drop and was swallowed in the vastness of the ocean. All the time the master watched, saying nothing. In the end, the disciple faced the master and shrugged. The task was hopeless. Now, the master spoke: 'It is thus with the life of the spirit also,' he said. 'So long as we stand on the rock of I, of myselfness, and seek to pour the divine life into that shell, so certainly shall that life escape us. This is not the way to fill a sieve with water, nor the human spirit with the life of the divine.'

Then the master reached out his hand and took the sieve from the hand of the disciple. He thrust his arm far behind him then launched the sieve as far as he could, out into the face of the deep. For a moment, it lay glinting in the morning sunlight on the face of the water. Then it slipped far below. 'Now, it is full of water,' the master said. 'It will always be so. That is how you fill a sieve with water and the spirit with divine life. You throw the myself, the I, far out and away to sink into the deep sea of the divine life.'

*

FOUR THINGS THAT WILL NOT LAST

There was once when the Buddha was discoursing for his Bikshus in Jetvana Vihara. A young Brahman with a sullen face came scurrying in to pay the Buddha homage before saying:"Buddha! Kindly help me solve two of the most troubling happenings I have ever encountered to ease my sorrow."

" Young Brahman! What is troubling you?"

" Buddha! The first concerns my pretty and clever daughter who was only fifteen when she died a few days ago as a result of a serious illness. The second concerns my wheat crop, which was all ready to be harvested but was consumed by a fire that broke out in the fields. All that I have toiled for have been lost within a matter of days. How can I not be driven to the brink of madness? In my lethargic and sorrowful state, I was told that the Buddha could alleviate all afflictions. So I have now come to seek the Buddha's help."

The Buddha took pity on him, and said:" Young Brahman! Do not be miserable. All this is predetermined karma which is unsalvable by human power. Everything in this world is subject to the law of impermanence. There is never a banquet which does not disband, a flower which does not wither, and a leaf which does not fall. It is the same with all natural phenomena and everything else in life. There are four things on earth that will not last: 1. All things that come into being are impermanent. 2. Where there is wealth, there will be poverty. 3. Those who come together will have to separate. 4. Even the strong will have to grow old and die of sickness."

The young Brahman listened attentively, and contemplated on every word that the Buddha said.

The simple words of the Buddha had inspired the young Brahman's perception of the unpredictability of impermanence. The light of the Buddha had cast its beam onto the young Brahman's mind, and his troubles had all at once dispersed. He shaved off his hair and beard, and vowed to follow the Buddha to become a Bikshu so that he could practise on the liberation from defilements as well as work for the deliverance of others.

*

A COMPLETE PERSON

One day, the Buddha discoursed: " You have to be a complete person. A complete person needs to have compassion, wisdom, right views, be in accord with appropriate conditions, socially harmonious, positive and open. You must never be an incomplete person."

His followers then asked: " What are incomplete persons?"

The Buddha said: " Incomplete persons are:

1. unhappy when they should be happy.
2. indifferent when they should laugh.
3. unkind when they should be kind.
4. reluctant to practise the good even though they realise what is good.
5. unashamed of doing bad."

Sariputra exclaimed: " Buddha! Whenever I preached the Dharma, there would always be some people who would not look at me in attention. Even when the others were delighted and enthusiastic, they would still appear uninterested and emotionless. Are they to be considered incomplete persons?"

The Buddha said: " Yes! These are people who are unconcerned about words of good and who therefore are incomplete people. They usually have defects in their personalities, which make them isolated and difficult to integrate. Very often, they will spend a lifetime in misery. For a person to be happy, he would have to enjoy and laugh when he should, be kind when he should, practise the good when he learns about it and correct his wrongs when he is aware of them. This would make him a complete person."

His followers finally understood the meaning of the five kinds of incomplete persons.

We can tell whether a person is progressing by seeing if he cares about advice on being good. Buddhism originally teaches the riddance of attachment. But if words of good are being ignored and not taken to heart, it is like a stubborn disease which could not be cured by even the best medicine. This kind of people are the incomplete ones.

*

THEY ARE NOT YOURS

The Buddha once came to propagate in the city where the father of Yasodhara was chieftain. As the Buddha had deserted Yasodhara to learn the Way, her father hated the Buddha for it. He ruthlessly blocked the Buddha's path on his round of alms in the city to obstruct the Buddha's begging. In abusive language, he said to the Buddha:" Aren't you ashamed to come to my city for your alms? I am going to order all my citizens to ignore you.You have abandoned your country, your father and your wife to cultivate in madness. Although there is plentiful store of food in my city, it cannot be given to someone who disregards his country, his father and his wife. I order you to leave this place at once!"

The Buddha was not at all angry at his behaviour, but only explained in kindly manner:" Please do not condemn me. From what you have said, I know there is some misunderstanding. My renunciation to search for the Way does not amount to abandonment of my country, my father and my wife. In fact, I have assumed the world as my country and all sentient beings as my family. I have accomplished all the merits and wisdom of the Awakened One. The universe and I are one, and my compassion pervades everywhere. As chieftain of this place, you should love and care for your people; and as Buddha of this world, I have to look after all sentient beings. I can appreciate your reasons for attachment to personal love, but in the face of the Truth as represented by the Buddha, you should discard these reasons. Just think clearly and carefully, and you will realise that the city is not actually yours, nor is the store of food for your own use. What you really own are the deeds of good and evil. The citizens and food supply will eventually be gone, but your actions and the karma they effect will always be following you close behind."

Yasodhara's father was not awakened by these words of the Buddha. Although his rudeness had been completely accomodated by the Buddha's compassion, the karma he generated could not escape the law of cause and effect.
He met his sudden death within seven days of this incident.

**

these are a few short stories I got off from the internet. I'll just put up these for now, if you like them and would like to learn more about Buddhist Stories, visit : http://www.buddhisteducation.co.uk/stories.htm
and
http://www.sln.org.uk/storyboard/l1.htm

the second link has a few good stories, but mostly are related to taoism. But then, there's still nothing wrong with that, (: visit it anyway.

I hope you're having a good week (: And if you're not, I'm sure it'll turn better soon.

see you next Sunday (:

Inter-Buddhist Youth Fellowship Games 2009

Updated with rules and new category!

In conjunction with Buddhist Institute Sunday Dhamma Schools' (BIDSD) 80th anniversary, they are organizing the first Inter-Buddhist Youth Fellowship Games in their efforts to promote 'Dhamma-in-Motion' through sports and games.

Aiming to bring Buddhist organizations together in the name of fellowship and unity amongst youths in the spirit of Kalyana Mitra, the activities are mostly team games which is said to be exciting and challenging!

Here are the deets:

Date: 6th September, 2009 (Sunday)
Time: 9 am - 6 pm
Venue: Victoria Institution KL
Participants: 15 - 30 years old (both male & female)

And for the activities and categories that you can join:

1. Basketball
   
   • 7 players per team - 5 on court and 2 Reserve players
   • Males only
   • Each game is approximately 20 minutes
     (1^st half: 8 minutes / Break: 3 minutes / 2^nd Half: 8 minutes)
   *Kindly email jiarhwei@gmail.com for “Official Basketball Rules” The match will follow closely to the rules from there.
   
   
2. Captain Ball
   
   
   • 9 players per team - 7 on court and 2 Reserve players
   • Females only
   • Makeup of 7-a-side team: 1 Catcher, 1 Blocker, 5 Runners
   • The Catcher is to remain on the Chair at all times.
   • The Blocker is not allowed to go beyond the defending half of the court.
   • Each game is approximately 20 minutes
     (1^st half: 8 minutes / Break: 3 minutes / 2^nd Half: 8 minutes)

   SCORING

   • A goal/point is scored when the catcher takes possession of the ball (with both hands on the ball) and holds onto it for at least 3 seconds whilst on the chair.
   • A successful goal shall count as one point.
   • After a goal is scored, game play will resume with a pass from the non-scoring team’s Blocker.
   
   

   JUMP BALL

   • A Jump Ball takes place at the start of the game when the Referee tosses the ball between any two opposing players at the center of the court.
   • Each Jumper shall stand with her feet within her own Defending Half.
   • The Referee shall then toss the ball vertically upwards between the Jumpers to a height greater than either of them can reach by jumping.
   • The ball must be tapped with the hand(s) by one or both of the jumpers after it reaches its highest point.
   
   

   SUBSTITUTIONS

   • Rolling substitutions are allowed throughout the game.
   • There will be no stopping of time during substitutions.
   
   

   OUT OF BOUNDS

   • The player is out-of-bounds when she touches the floor or any object on or outside a boundary.
   • The ball is out-of-bounds when it touches a player who is out-of-bounds or any other person, the floor, or any object on, above or outside of a boundary or the supports or back of the backboard.
   • The ball is caused to go out-of-bounds by the last player to touch it before it goes out.
   • After the ball is out-of-bounds, the team that did not cause it to go out of bounds, shall designate a player to make the throw-in. She shall make the throw-in at the spot out-of-bounds nearest where the ball crossed the boundary.
   
   

   VIOLATIONS

   • Captain ball is a non-contact game. No player shall knock or push an opponent or interfere with her play, either accidentally or deliberately.
   • Swatting the ball away from a player is allowed only when that player has one hand on the ball; the same action is not permitted when the player has two hands on the ball. This applies to the catcher as well.
   • Bouncing the ball and moving with it (like dribbling in basketball), or deliberately using your legs to play the ball (such as to block/kick), is not allowed. However, if the ball touches/hits a player’s legs without her deliberate action, play continues.
   • Players are not allowed to “spike” the ball. A “spike” is defined as spike in a volleyball game.
   • For every violation committed, the ball will automatically be given to the opponent and the game will start from the opponent’s side.
   
   

   FOULS AND PENALTIES

   • Travelling Foul- A player may receive the ball with one foot grounded or may jump to catch and land on one foot. While that landing foot remains on the ground the other foot may be moved in any direction and any number of times, pivoting on the landing foot if desired. Hopping is not allowed.
   • A player may receive the ball whilst both feet are grounded, or may jump to catch and land on both feet simultaneously. The player may then choose to move either foot and the remaining foot shall then be considered to be the landing foot. Proceed as in above.
   • Jumping Foul - Occurs when a player with the ball jumps and then lands with the ball still in her hands. Once a player jumps with the ball in her hands, it must be released (whether via a pass or a try) before she lands.
   • Holding Foul - A player is allowed possession of the ball for a maximum of 5 seconds only. If the ball is still in her possession after 5 seconds, a holding foul is committed.
   • Defensive Foul- Where any contact is made on the player holding the ball, a defensive foul is committed.
   
   

   PENALTY FOR FOULS COMMITTED

   • Whenever a foul is committed, play is resumed on the spot, with the defending team standing at least 1 metre away until the ball has been passed or a shot has been attempted.
   • If the foul occurs within 1 metre of the catcher’s chair, the defending team is allowed to position only one player in front of the catcher to block the shot.
   
   
   
   
3. Volleyball
   
   
   • 8 players per team - 6 on court and 2 Reserve players
   • Males and Females
   • Each time there must be at least 2 females on court playing

   THE SERVE

   • Server must serve from behind the restraining line (end line) until after contact.
   • Ball may be served underhand or overhand.
   • Ball must be clearly visible to opponents before serve.
   • Served ball may graze the net and drop to the other side for point.
   • First game serve is determined by a volley, each subsequent game shall be served by the previous game loser.
   • Serve must be returned by a bump only, no setting or attacking a serve.
   
   

   SCORING

   • Rally scoring will be used.
   • There will be a point scored on every score of the ball.
   • Offense will score on a defence miss or out of bounds hit.
   • Defence will score on an offensive miss, out of bounds hit, or serve into the net.
   • Each game is approximately 20 minutes
     (1^st half: 8 minutes / Break: 3 minutes / 2^nd Half: 8 minutes)

   ROTATION

   • Team will rotate each time they win the serve.
   • Players shall rotate in a clockwise manner.
   • There shall be 6 players on each side. (Reserve Players : 2)
   • Maximum of three hits per side.
   • Player may not hit the ball twice in succession (A block is not considered a hit).
   • Ball may be played off the net during a volley and on serve.
   • A ball touching a boundary line is good.
   • A legal hit is contact with the ball by a player body above and including the waist which does not allow the ball to visibly come to a rest.
   • If two or more players contact the ball simultaneously, it is considered one play and the players involved may not participate in the next play.
   • A player must not block or attack a serve.
   • Switching positions will be allowed only between front line players. (After the serve only).
   
   

   SUBSTITUTIONS

   • Rolling substitutions are allowed throughout the game.
   • There will be no stopping of time during substitutions.

   BASIC VIOLATIONS

   • Stepping on or over the line on a serve.
   • Failure to serve the ball over the net successfully.
   • Hitting the ball illegally (Carrying, Palming, Throwing, etc.).
   • Touches of the net with any part of the body while the ball is in play. If the ball is driven into the net with such force that it causes the net to contact an opposing player, no foul will be called, and the ball shall continue to be in play.
   • Reaching over the net, except under these conditions:
   • When blocking a ball which is in the opponents’ court but is being returned (the blocker must not contact the ball until after the opponent who is attempting to return the ball makes contact). Except to block the third play.
   • Reaches under the net (if it interferes with the ball or opposing player).
   • Failure to serve in the correct order.
   • Blocks or spikes from a position which is clearly not behind the 10-foot line while in a back row position
   
   
4. Tug-Of-War
   
   
   • 10 players per team. Advisable to have extras on stand by.
   • Males and Females (with minimum 4 females participating)
   
   

   ROPE MARKINGS

   There will be five tapes or markings fixed to a rope:

   • A red tape or marking at the centre of the rope which will be level with the ground mark at the start of every pull.
   • Two white tapes or markings each 4 metres either side of the red centre tape or marking
   • Two blue tapes or markings each 5 metres either side of the red centre tape or marking. The first puller in each team shall grip the rope within 30 cm, and outside of, these outer blue tapes or markings.
   
   

   THE START

   • When teams are called they shall go to their designated end, pick up the rope and set their grip and footing.
   • When the Line Judge sees that each team is correctly in position, he or she will raise their arm.
   • One position shall be marked, at right angles to the line of the rope, where the centre of the rope will be at the start of competitions.
   
   

   TO WIN

   • A pull shall be won when one of the white tapes or markings on the rope has been pulled over the mark on the ground (4 metres), and will be signalled by the umpire blowing his or her whistle and pointing in the direction of the winning team.
   
   
   
   
5. Athletics - 100m Sprint
   
   
   • 1 Team - 2 Males and 2 Females
   • Meaning that there will be 4 representatives from each organisation/society
   • Reserves are on Stand By only, they do not need to register
   
   

   RULES

   • Participants will be allowed ONE false start.
   • There cannot be two false starts in any single race otherwise the last athlete to false start will be disqualified.
   • The Run:-
   • Participant will have to finish the run in their own designated lane.
   • Participant will be disqualified if they step on the line between the running lanes while running.
   • Participant will be disqualified if they run on the lane of the other participant.

   TO WIN

   • The runner that passes thru the finishing line first will win the race.
   
   
6. Athletics - 4 x 400m Relay Run
   
   
   • 1 Team - 4 Males and 4 Females
   • Meaning that there will be 8 representatives from each organisation/society
   • Reserves are on Stand By only, they do not need to register
   
   

   RULES

   • There will be FOUR runners in a team.
   • Participants are allowed ONE false start at the starting line.
   • There cannot be two false starts in any single race otherwise the last athlete to false start will be disqualified.

   THE RUN

   • The first runner MUST remain in the same lane for the full lap.
   • After receiving the baton, the second runner may leave his/her lane after the first turn.
   • The third and fourth runners are assigned lanes based on the position of the team’s previous runner when he/she is halfway around the track.
   
   

   RELAY RULES

   • The baton can only be passed within the exchange zone.
   • If the passing of baton is made outside the exchange zone, the team will be disqualified.
   • Passers must remain in their lanes after the pass to avoid blocking other runners.
   • The baton must be carried by hand throughout the race. If it’s dropped the runner can leave the lane to retrieve the baton as long as the recovery doesn’t lessen his/her total running distance.
   • Runners CANNOT wear gloves or place substances on their hands in order to obtain a better grip of the baton.
   
   

   TO WIN

   • The runner that passes thru the finishing line first will win the race.
   • After the race is completed, the last runner MUST hold and return the baton to the line keeper at the finishing line.

* Please note that you can join more than 1 category and that BUDDY is required to join ALL categories.

BUDDY is hoping that you'll be interested in joining in any or ALL of the categories! Rules and the regulations of each game will be further notified, however there will be tropics awarded to the Top 3 winners of each games. Not just that, they will also award the 'Championship Trophy' for the overall winner!

Those who are interested can contact me at jiarhwei@gmail.com to let me know which category you'd like to join.

It'll be great if you could bring some friends along and we'll get to meet the other Buddhist youths in Klang Valley! We'll need to register before 14 August, 2009 (Fri) so please let me know soon.