Kathina and our Prayers for Peace

October 17th, 2008 · No Comments

On this occasion, we recognize the life of our Lord Shakyamuni Buddha, as you offer the robes this Kathina season remember the compassion that has been shown to you and allows each of us to offer towards each other the loving kindness and compassion modeled by Lord Buddha.

The Buddha set forth a path that is built upon wisdom, compassion and loving-kindness. It is a path that stresses the importance of charity, non-violence, community, and learning and understanding.  Kathina is one our most important ceremonies of the year, and is an opportunity for all of us to remember the patience, truthfulness, equanimity, and determination of the Buddha.  The Kathina ceremony is the only traditional ceremony placed into practice by the Buddha himself.

This day, also, is a celebration of the spirit of community as we open the temple to you and to the many visitors who come to join us in our Kathina celebration. This ceremony that marks the end of the 3 months rains retreat which is so important to the Sangha. At this point the monks acknowledge another year of service and knowledge of the Dharma.

There are many aspects of life.  In the past year and 1/2 we have seen many changes around the world.  We need to call to mind the constant struggle of the people of Vietnam living under communist rule. People’s lives will be forever changed because of a lack of freedom and the daily restrictions that are the hallmark of an aggressive communist government.

We need to call to mind the people of Tibet and the constant threat of the Chinese communist government.  The Chinese military dressed in monk’s clothing to be filmed starting riots, carrying sticks and causing damage to shops.

It came out later that a British journalist had taken pictures of military supervisors handing out imitation robes causing the world to suspect Buddhist monks of aggressive behavior and inciting riots.

In recent months the government of Korea removed the Buddhist faith, landmarks and references from the official government statement and public announcement and implanted Christianity.  The monks and nuns of Korea filed into the streets in protest.  The government has apologized and has begun to rectify the error.

All of us have seen the photos of thousands of monks lining the streets of Burma protesting on behalf of the people.  These monks can no longer tolerate the injustices carried out by the ruling military junta.  As citizens of the world we must do everything peaceful in our power to curtail the inhumane practices the government forces upon the citizens of Burma.

It is not that monks and nuns have suddenly become political.  It is the overwhelming power of Buddhist compassion that is at work.  These monks and nuns who have lived peacefully for two and a-half centuries have begun to engage their peoples, governments and military regimes in a struggle of good over evil.  We ask everyone to be mindful of the struggles facing the peoples around the world.  It is difficult to feel and show compassion towards aggressors.  The problem arises when we try to separate people from regimes or people from the actions of aggressive governments.  Feeling helpless; it is easier to point fingers and place blame than it is to act with compassion thinking of those who become the victims of aggression.

Begin with the practice of equanimity in all our dealings with people.  Because a country may act aggressively towards its people or other nation does not mean the citizens of that country are in support.  We need to practice a strong Buddhist economy.  What is good for us and good for others is good.

When given a chance to enlighten ourselves through charity of thought ,spirit and action we must try our best.  When given a chance to make this world a better place, we must take action.  We must be able to say; this place is better now, for us having been here.

When injustices rise we must also rise.  Our voices must be heard.  We can and should sow the seeds of compassion.  This world is filled with violence and terror.  We must act with non-violence.  We must practice loving-kindness.  We need to go to temple, we need to support the efforts of the monks, and raise our voices against every kind of injustice, act of violence, acts of terror, and hatred in the world.

This is why the Kathina celebration is so important.  It is the time of charity.  It is the time for doing good works, and prayer.  It is a time to offer and receive blessings and forgiveness.  It is now that we can engage the world and the problems facing it.  This is the moment for us to practice our Buddhist faith.  With the Kathina robe being offered you are offering yourselves as well.

All people from all lands around the world need the kindness, caring and compassionate act of kindness you share today.  This is the time when inequality and exploitation dominate parts of the world’s societies. There are new signs however across the world calling for peace, social justice and the rights of human beings and this planets ecology.

In Thailand, Buddhist monks are helping to preserve forests by ordaining individual trees into the priesthood. In Thai culture, ordained priests cannot be killed, thereby; the trees and forests are protected. These acts of caring are full of compassion, and need to be better integrated with similar acts happening all over the world.

The common agenda for all mankind must be firmly placed on a non-violent and spiritual path. This is the only way we will overcome violence and the threat of violence.

It is the only way to end the destructiveness of dominant nations east and west from exercising their violent agendas over those who are not able to protect themselves.  Those sovereign nations with views of their own, must develop a mindfulness for a fragile earth.   All the nations, religious factions, governments, political organizations and peoples must share a common mindset. A mindset that allows for nations to exist side by side. A mindset that allows people to practice freedom of speech and freedom of religion without fear or reprisal.  As we open ourselves to the possibility of trust and shared compassion we will begin to recognize the connections we share and continue to celebrate our diversity.  We must become a people that develop a Buddhist mindset.

We can also develop self awareness and as we develop personal awareness we will also develop awareness of the social problems that plague our society.  In order for us to find our true potential as individual and collectively we be face the suffering both mentally and socially.

We must begin to liberate ourselves and our mindset.  We need to respond with compassion.  From the Buddhist standpoint we could overcome the sufferings in the world through the Noble Eightfold Path.  It is a non-violent means.

Through non-violence and non-attachment we can achieve the cessation of suffering and practice the way to achieve happiness and peace.

We must begin to liberate ourselves and our mindset. We need to respond with freedom.

As a concerned people we hear the cries of those being oppressed. We must if nothing else pray for them. Develop metta in our everyday chores. Think good and loving thoughts for those who are oppressed. We may not be able to care for them directly,

but we can care about them. We can wish them Peace. The fire of tyranny, oppression and hatred is never quenched with more fire.

Prayer is an act of peace.

We must begin to liberate ourselves and our mindset. We need to respond with peace. Prayer is an act of Peace.

When one person passes, it is as if a single candle flame is hushed until rebirth, and we can be saddened. When thousands perish in acts of violence, the darkness in undeniable. Gathered here we can transcend the distance and open our hearts of compassion. We breathe into this world a hope and prayer of great peace.

We may be able to do nothing more than this. But we can pray. We are able to speak. Our voices can be like a thousand shining candles, doing our part to dispel the darkness. When those who have fallen strain to hear the outcry from the world, we pray they hear our voices.

Because prayer is an act of peace we continue to pray.

So on this day of celebration we call to mind the reasons of Kathina, and the sufferings, torture and deaths of monks, and our brothers and sisters in all lands. We give them our compassion. We work for their freedom.

We pray for Peace throughout the world; because prayer is an act of peace.

I Wish You Peace,

Bhante Kassapa

Bhante n. Kassapa Bhikkhu
bhante_kassapa@yahoo.com
Buu Mon Temple
Port Arthur, Texas, 77640
409.982.9319