Dr Upali passes on

It is with sadness that we received news that Dr. Upali de Tissera, one of the pioneering supporters of Aloka and the Australian Buddhist Mission, passed away early this morning.

Bro John Cheah, current president of ABM, wrote this to us: Dr Upali has been a key member of the Australian Buddhist Mission serving as Vice President for 6 years, from 1987 – 1994, and as President for 7½ years, from April 1999 to September 2006.

His participation in the committee has spanned two critical phases in the history of Aloka and ABM : the setting up of the Aloka Meditation Centre in 1999 and the construction and opening of the Aloka Stupa in 2005.

In 2006, he was able to hand over to the next generation of leaders, although he continued to be involved in ABM in an advisory capacity. He was also a founding Life Member of the Dhammaduta Foundation Inc.

As a doctor, he personally looked after the health and well-being of Venerable Mahinda and Sister Sumitra, residents of Aloka as well as those from Malaysia and Singapore who were in Aloka Meditation Centre for long retreats. That is his brand care, compassion and love.

Bro John Cheah also related this: Bhante has been with Dr Upali right up to the last days of his illness, postponing his travel to Malaysia. Dr Upali very faithfully received Bhante’s instructions and guidance, maintaining his steadfast devotion to the Dhamma.

Bhante has this short message to share with us:

“In the last week when Dr Upali was in hospital, I asked him 3 questions.

‘Do you have any fear?’ He said ‘No’.

‘Do you have any worries?’ He said ‘No’.

‘Do you have any attachment?’ He said ‘No’.

From this I understood he was well-prepared to face death. I visited him on several occasions to remind him, even in his final moments, to take the opportunity to apply and realise the Dhamma, which he did. Despite his physical pain and discomfort, I was able to see him get into deep levels of calmness and peace."

Dr Upali briefly stopped over in Kuala Lumpur enroute to Sri Lanka to provide relief work after the tsunami of 2004 and it was a privilege for some of us to meet him. Dr Upali came across as a soft spoken, humble and above all, a selfless man.

Let us dedicate all the merits for Dr Upali's spiritual well being. May he continue to give blessings, guidance and protection to all his family members and loved ones, as well as to all the members and devotees of Aloka.

DHAMMA LEARNING, THE ARK WAY

Aloka Rainbow Kids beamed into Aloka House @ Dana One on 25 April 2010, heralding a specially designed experiential and fun-filled Dhamma education programme.

ARK, as it is known by its acronym, was received with excitement as it introduced a modern and contemporary approach to Dhamma learning for children that also required the presence and participation of parents.

Fifteen children and 16 adults arrived with eagerness in anticipation for the first programme to roll out after their interest was heightened by a sneak preview at the previous Sunday’s orientation.

Just like the how the rainbow never fails to bring the child-like in us with spontaneous joy and outbursts of excitement “look, look, the rainbow!”, the ARK programme aims to bring joy and optimism for both children and adults as the Dhamma unfolds for them.

This activity-based interactive programme that forges bonding and cross learning lends a new perspective for the timeless teachings of the Buddha to be imparted and nurtured.

The kids and parents -- four to five in each group -- were assigned to their new Dhamma families named Dana, Sila, Kalyana and Mitta; and in togetherness, they will learn, practise, serve and help one another.

ARK programme, which is run on a fortnightly frequency on the 2^nd and 4^th Sunday of the month, begins with a puja followed by metta bhavana to start the day with thoughts and feeling of loving kindness.

Brain integration exercise comes next. Kids and parents get on their feet for some simple exercises to harmonise their energy and align their bodies and minds for better learning and performance.

Mind and body now prepared, they are now ready for the Dhamma which is delivered in a manner that brings out its brilliance like that of a rainbow which never ceases to amaze children and adults with its wonder and splendour.

A departure from the classroom-style of teaching, the Dhamma is presented vividly in colourful and eye-catching visuals that accompany the messages which are conveyed in clear, simple and succinct manner.

The facilitators too have thought of activities that aptly impart and reinforce certain values. For example, the simple activity of keeping a tissue in the air which drew squeals of laughter from young and old drew home the point of team work and support for one another. Not only that, what dawned upon all was the realisation that it takes only 15 muscles to be happy (laugh) and 72 to frown!

Through another simple exercise of putting on paper good and bad habits, children quickly realised how easily the habitual tendencies grow in them. Owning up to it, they were then guided to make conscious efforts in replacing the bad habits with good ones.

In the first programme,parents had their separate session on “Parents as Role Models”. Trainer Bro Mitra Chong sparked off an interesting discussion on parenting skills. Parents also shared their own personal trials and tribulations in bringing up children.

Kids and adults regroups for hymn singing session which is followed by offering of lunch dana and contemplation on partaking of food. More parent and child group activities and Dhamma learning follow.

Since the inaugural programme, Aloka Rainbow Kids have been enthusiastic, looking forward to the next sessions. Parents too are just as enthusiastic, for they are involved.

ARK indeed shines brightly as in the brilliance of a rainbow. Parents beam with pride at their children’s excitement and enthusiasm. And facilitators are over the moon with the appreciative response.

Vesak and its Significance

Vesak is the time for all of us to reaffirm our faith and confidence in the Triple Gem.

Vesak is the time for us to commit ourselves to walk the Dhamma’s path, to sow the seeds of enlightenment in our hearts and to cultivate wisdom the compassion so as to be able to reach out to help sentient beings in times of need.

Vesak is the time for us to open our hearts to cultivate the compassionate love and cherish the good wish for all that all beings to be well and happy and to pray for the peace, harmony, and stability of this world we live in and to extend goodwill to all irrespective of race, of colour, creed or religious beliefs.

Bhante Mahinda gave this timely reminders in his recorded video Vesak B.E. 2554 message for all.

Recalling the significance of this thrice blessed day of the birth, enlightenment and passing away of the Buddha, Bhante traced how each of these events were special and held deep meaning for us till today.

“The birth of the Buddha was a very special occasion. It marked the culmination of the all the great virtues and qualities which the Buddha had perfected from life to life,” he said.

“These virtues or perfections are perfections of dana or generosity, sila (morality), nekkhama (renunciation), panna (wisdom), viriya (effort), khanti (patience), sacca (truthfulness) , adhithanna (resolution), metta (loving kindness), upekkha (equanimity).”

Bhante said the nature of the Buddha’s birth was not an ordinary one. Before he was born as Siddharta Gautama, he was in Tusita Heaven as a great Boddhisatta. He was able to choose the proper time, the place, the country, the family, the clan as well as the mother to whom he is to be born.

Ordinary human beings do not have such privilege but because of the virtues practiced from life to life and perfected, he had the great privilege which indeed made his birth special.

The enlightenment of the Buddha, added Bhante, was also an unique event. “It opened path of deathlessness. It showed the way how mankind can cross that ocean of samsara, the cycle of birth and death, to put an end to old age, sickness and death, once and for all.”

On the full moon day of May in the place now revered as Bodhgaya, Northern India, wisdom dawned upon the Buddha under the bodhi tree. Three important insights arose in him – in the first insight during the first watch of the night (from 6 pm to 10 pm), he saw his previous lives in great detail; in the next watch (between 10 pm and 2 am), he saw how beings die and are born according to their karma; and in the third watch (between 2 am and 6 am), he had the insight of how to put an end to the defiling tendencies of greed, hatred and delusion.

This knowledge or insights have been passed down in a form of a formula known as Paticca Samupaddha or Dependent Origination which explains how suffering arises and ceases. With these three insights, the Buddha was free, having overcome the pains or cravings and attachments. His mind was liberated and the Buddha was endowed with various spiritual powers and unique abilities to teach and enlighten others.

“That is the uniqueness of the enlightenment of the Buddha, which opened the way for human kind to go beyond the shores of suffering to put an end to the cycle of birth and death and overcome old age, sickness and death,” Bhante emphasised.

The third event is referred to as the Maha Parinabbana or the great passing because the Buddha did not die like an ordinary human being. The Buddha passed away with great clarity of mind.

Bhante explained: “We are told how in his reclining posture, his mind was composed. He was able to raise his mind from the first level of mental absorption, from the first jhana, to the second, to the third, to the fourth, and then right up to the eighth jhana. From the eighth jhana, he was able to bring his mind back to the first jhana and from the first, to the second, to the third and to the fourth and then he entered Maha Parinabbana.

“His mind was absolutely clear. He had no more clinging and attachments. No more fear. No more confusion whatsoever. This is how the Buddha he passed away – in a great and unique manner. “

Bhante also reminded us of the very important message that the Buddha left for the world.

Vaya Dhamma Sankara
All component things are subject change or transient are all component things

Apamadena Sampadetha
Work out your deliverance with heedfulness, with mindfulness

Bhante emphasised that it is important that “we all heed this message that the Buddha left for the world as we live in this time of great change and uncertainty”.