People have been always dedicated their lives, time and money to win the physical world in significant ways. It is shocking that people who lived in the past had the courage to establish a civilization in a desert like Las Vegas that temperature reaches unbearable limits in some months. People have not only dedicated their lives but also sacrificed as we come to know when the Hoover Dam was built many years ago having equipped with limited technology unlike today.

    It is clear that will of the people whom once lived in Las Vegas won the physical world and left the current generation with habitat as well as knowledge of technology to survive while maintaining the victory. Winning the physical world is also part of winning extreme weather that cause trouble for people in Las Vegas. Having utilities such as electricity and gas energizes the community console thousands of people in Las Vegas. 

   However; we are seeing that there are lot of people in Las Vegas who are in a quest of winning the human world. They have realized that the only way to win the human world is by purifying the mind. Purifying the mind involves practice of Dharma. Among many meanings, one meaning of Dharma is teaching that helps to win the human world. This Dharma can be practiced by anybody regardless of any religion or any denomination. This Dharma helps to understand within self, practice by self, realize within self, and see the results within self. This is why Dharma is valuable. 

   Existence of Nevada Buddhist Temple and devotional monks in the temple have been guiding people in Las Vegas for years regardless of their nationality, denomination, and religion to win the human world. We are humble to exist in a place like Las Vegas to guide people for the well being, purify the mind by the power of Dharma to achieve their ultimate goal of winning the human world by ceasing mental and/or physical suffering in cycle of life, dissatisfaction, and unhappiness. 

We greatly appreciate and thank you for Most Ven. Dhammapala for his lecture on behalf of young children and adults. We thankful for parents who were willingly  encouraged children to participate this lecture because this was an attempt to create a pious generation in the future. 

We strongly believe that this attempt was successful because children were keenly listened to Most Ven. Dhammapala’s lecture completely. Most Ven. Dhammapala has given a wonderful lecture that was also valuable to parents that how to understand children’s behavior and attitude.  Most Ven. Dhammapala mentioned that how to set standards towards children’s goals in their education rather than pushing, stressing or even further forcing children to select a specific career without giving them a choice.

We thank you and bless you for taking time again specially parents of all the children attended this fruitful Dhamma Sermon knowing three things in the world are rare, The Buddha, Teachings of the Buddha, and Sangha (The Buddhist community of monks, nuns, novices, and laity.). 

  May Noble Triple Gem Bless You!

Dhamma Talk by Most Ven. Dhammapala from Nepal

            We are delightfully  welcome his visit this Sunday, most Ven. Dhammapala from Nepal currently resided in Sambuddhaloka Temple Riverside, California. As a part of his monastic mission, this is not the only time he visited Nevada Buddhist Temple. He visited Nevada Buddhist Temple last year as well. His Dhamma talks attracted youth last year as well and stories told gave our community deeper meaning and lessons to our life. This Dhamma talk is specially directed towards youth nonetheless also ideal to everyone.

             We would like to share some information about Ven. Dhammapala’s monastic life with all of you.

              “Ordained in 1998, august 18th, in Nepal under a Burmese Monk. He Came to sri Lanka in 2000 January 17th and started primary education from Nalanda Pirivena, Mount Lavinia and secondary education from Parama Dhamma Chetiya Maha Pirivena at Ratmalana, Sri Lanka. He obtained BA General degree with following subjects: Buddhist Civilization, Pali and Sanskrit in 2007 from the Buddhist & Pali University, Sri Lanka and passed BA (Hons) Special Degree on Psychology from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, in 2010. He completed all levels of examination held by Oriental Studies society of Sri Lanka (Pracheena Bhasa Sangama) Royal Pandith Degree (Rajakeey Panditha), 2010 and served as a Visiting Lecturer of Psyhcology in the University of Peradeniya 2011 – 2012, and served at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Independence square, as a visiting Lecturer of Psychological Counseling (Resource Person) 2011-2012.”  

                 Listening to the Dhamma or teachings of the Buddha is one of the ways to gain meritorious deeds. It has mentioned in books that at the time of the Buddha, one day Buddha preached Dhamma to his disciples. There was a frog listened to Buddha’s teachings. It did not mean frog understand the “Pali” language. It means, frog listened to the voice waves and  the frog’s mind might have purified at the moment. So there was an old man came with a cane and without seeing the frog, this man stick the cane right on top of frog’s head. Frog died instantly and born in the celestial realm. Frog remembered while in celestial world that the last action before died was listened to the Buddha’s teachings which resulted in born in celestial world. Probably Buddha saw it or communicated with the frog’s spirit after died and appeared in celestial world because Buddha had various levels of wisdom to do such things that ordinary human beings cannot comprehend. The lesson is that purity in the mind listening to Dhamma Sermons allows us to gain meritorious deeds and Buddha stated in “Maha Mangala Sutta” that listen to the Dhamma as one of the auspicious acts. Likewise, Dhamma discussion also one of the auspicious acts which we can gain meritorious deeds. By committing all these acts, purity arise in the mind removing desire, delusion and anger in the mind which is how  meritorious deeds generates in the mind.  

May Noble Triple Gem Bless You!

Vesak commemoration is one of the important religious ceremonies for the Buddhists around the world. The origination of Buddhism started about 2600+ years ago after a felicitous baby was born named prince Siddharta meaning wish fulfilled. Prince Siddharta was born a day like today. Great teachers predicted that prince would either become an ascetic if he decides to r enunciate  or universal mornach.  Although his renunciation was a shock to  the king and queen, because of prince Siddhartha’s decision which lead him to became an acetic in search of Spiritual Enlightenment on a day like today attained Buddhahood. Buddha showed the correct path towards spiritual Enlightenment to celestial beings, Brahma and human beings left us with about 84000 teachings. Throughout the day there were various Bhavana sessions and Dhamma talks were held. Dr. Tilak gave a a Dhamma talk about the significance of the journey that lead prince Siddhartha to attain spiritual Enlightenment. Also, he gave a detailed speech about mudra, Dharma chakra or wheel of Dharma or wheel of life. Ven. Nawala Lakkhana explained specifics of Parinibbhana Sutta, that last journey of the Buddha eventually passed away in front of celestial beings, Brahma, monks and lay people.  Currently residing monk, Ven. Dunukeulle Dhammarathana who gave a Dhamma discussion about six bases in the body with detail explanation. At night Chief incumbent of Nevada Buddhist temple, most Ven. Alawala Subhuthi concluded the program thanking devotees of the temple who were immensely helped to organize the festival and opened Vesak lantern contest among who received awards those of who became first, second and third places for creativity and effort that they put towards making most beautiful Vesak lanterns.

05/26/2013