Buddhist Sunday School Lessons (Venerable Sumangalo)

The Buddhist community is extremely upset by the inappropriate and disrespectful use of the image of Buddha, The Buddhist community is extremely upset by the inappropriate and disrespectful use of the image of Buddha, in a display at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) entitled the 'Eternity-Buddha in Nirvana, the Dying Gaul, Farnese Hercules, Night, Day, Sartyr and Bacchante, Funerary Genius, Achilles, Persian Soldier Fighting, Dancing Faun, Crouching Aphrodite, Narcisse Couché, Othryades the Spartan Dying, the Fall of Icarus, A River, Milo of Croton'. It can also be seen at: https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/explore/collection/work/131149/ Although this display has been in place for some months, we have only just been made aware of its' existence. We are not usually outspoken, but this display desecrates the image of Buddha by placing images of these mythical images on him and in doing so, showing no apparent regard or respect for Him.

Prior to sharing some thoughts on the question, 'According to 2010 statistics, the number of Buddhists around the world is consistently increasing by approximately 5% to 10% per annum. What do you think are the main causes for this increase?', I should mention that I'm often 'open-mindedly skeptical' about such surveys, and the statistics gathered during such surveys. For where does the information come from and how is the information gathered, and for what purpose, and so on and so forth.

To give the briefest conclusion that I can think of to the question- 'Do you think that sectarian diversity affects the stability of Buddhism as a whole?', I would have to say, 'Yes' and 'No'. My intention here is not to give a definitive answer, but to give readers 'food for thought', to enable each of us to be responsible and maintain pure intentions, to think for ourselves and develop genuine wisdom and compassion. In the spirit of the Dharma, rather than dwelling on any possible problems, we should mainly focus on solutions to any such problems. With the hope of maintaining the integrity and purity of Buddhism in this world.

A celebration of Buddha’s 2,641st birthday was held on Sunday, May 7, 2017 at the Quang Duc Buddhist Monastery in Melbourne's northern suburb of Fawkner.

Come and join us for this multicultural celebration of the Buddha’s Birth Enlightenment and Passing Its a Free Event - All Welcome Vesak Procession & Commemoration in the City of Melbourne. 10am - 3.30pm, Saturday 27 May Come along to celebrate one of the most important days in the Buddhist Calendar and together commemorate the Buddha’s universal peace message for the world. Vesak Celebrations:

Birth of The Buddha, Written by Andrew. J. Williams Produced and performed by Andrew. J. Williams and Roger. J. McLachlan Recorded by Roger. J. McLachlan

UNIVERSAL LOVE OF THE BUDDHA Written by Andrew. J. Williams Produced and performed by Andrew. J. Williams and Roger. J. McLachlan Recorded by Roger. J. McLachlan SONGLIST 1. UNIVERSAL LOVE reprise (Williams) 2. DEAL OF GOLD (Williams) 3. GOLDEN GENEROSITY (Williams/McLachlan) 4. PROMISE (Williams) 5. UNIVERSAL LOVE reprise (Williams) 6. ONE PEOPLE (Williams) 7. PERFECT PLACE (Williams) 8. REVERENCE (Williams) 9. CELESTIAL BALLET (Williams) 10. OBSTACLES & FEARS (Williams/McLachlan) 11. THE SOLUTION (Williams) 12. LIBERATION (Williams) 13. UNIVERSAL LOVE (Williams) 14. MERIT DEDICATION (Williams)

ENLIGHTENMENT OF THE BUDDHA Written by Andrew. J. Williams Produced and performed by Andrew. J. Williams and Roger. J. McLachlan Recorded by Roger. J. McLachlan SONGLIST 01 Enlightenment (Buddha) 02 The Senses (Williams/McLachlan) 03 What is the Meaning of Life? (Williams/McLachlan) 04 The Four Signs (Williams) 05 What is the Meaning of Life? Reprise (Williams/McLachlan) 06 Farewell (Williams) 07 The Middle Path (Williams) 08 Sujata’s Song (Williams) 09 The Struggle (Williams) 10 The Enlightenment/The Teaching (Williams) 11 The Senses Reprise (Williams/McLachlan)