From the Heart for Peace, may we first pay our full respect to our Universal Compassion and Peace King, our Lord Buddha, and all the Buddha’s of the past and the future, of the ten directions.
May the Blessings of all the Buddha’s, Bodhisattvas and Arahants be with the Maha-Sangha (Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis), the Kuching Buddhist Association, the organizing committee, all the patrons and supporters, and all brothers and sisters present at this Conference.
Our Meeting here today is unlike political Conferences, for example, the one held between United Nations and Leaders of Countries. They meet to discuss and plan better ways to deal with global warming. These leaders are highly paid and so far their discussions are mainly talks without much of effective actions implemented.
We are not here today to introduce our educational degrees like Ph.D, M.A. or glories, as shown in business cards. We are not commercial or political, or chanting monks. We have a short time on earth, so we need to practise, and not to recite or duplicate Buddha's Teachings like a parrot.
We are not here, to show true or false miracles, to move mountains or to cover the seas, all of that are not what the Buddha taught. We are here today, with the Heart For Peace, to show and put into action: Loving Kindness and Compassion of the Universal Truth.
True Heart of Love is the foundation to search for the Truth of Universe, in order to get out of the NET of IGNORANCE. This is the Path of LIBRATION for ourselves and all beings, under the Teachings of our Teacher.
True Love is the true act of loving kindness and patience as shown by our Lord Buddha who left his Kingdom to search a way for all beings to be liberated from suffering without differentiating boundaries, conditions, countries, religions, traditions, sects, casts and classes.
True Love is not in the hearts of most corrupt religion leaders these days. They only have big mouths, big titles and high status but their hearts are smaller than the needles, as stated by Jesus to a rich man “Matthew 19.23’’. More than that, they go after 'high' worldly knowledge for personal gains and their Greed eventually lead them (very often, with the intention) to become '’legal thief’s'’ in the name of Religion. In fact, they only duplicate the word of Love. We can see them using the name of Buddha’s and His Messenger “Jesus” to build their empires and they live in luxurious Temples and Churches (like six-star hotels). Sad to say, unlike them, there are many of our brothers and sisters who are left to suffer due to lack of food, clothes and shelter. These 'so-called' religion leaders also collect money from people who believe in them to hire bodyguards, escorts and to use bullet proof cars for their own personal safety. “Matthew 10.9 – 10.34 – 39”.
As we know, Buddha dedicated 45 years wandering and teaching the Vinaya and Dhamma from villages to towns, and travelled afar. And Jesus once said: “Fox have holes, and Birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lie down and rest “Matthew 8.20”.
Brothers and Sisters, we are here today to share the True Message of Love by the Truth and the Power of all Buddha’s and Bodhisattvas of the ten directions, without the name of Religion, but with the Heart of Love for all sentient beings.
This can be exemplified by the true story of Mother Teresa :
One early morning, Mother Teresa knocked on the door of a bakery to request for food to feed the hungry poor. The door was opened by a big sized man who then scolded her for waking him up. Mother Teresa patiently explained that she needed some food for her poor, hungry people. He immediately spat into one of her outstretched hands. Mother Teresa was NOT angry at all but, instead, she thanked him. She then took a leaf to wipe the saliva onto it and carefully put the leaf into her pocket. Then again, she stretched out her other hand to ask for alms for the poor, saying : “I have already received your gift, so how about giving some food for the poor people?” And she continued asking from door to door until she collected enough food and returned to feed those hungry people. She also did not forget to take the leaf out from her pocket and gave blessings to the man. After which, she mixed the saliva with mud, as a plaster, to seal up the small hole on the wall.
The man who spat at her followed her and, with his own eyes, saw her noble actions. He felt touched and remorseful. From then onwards, he requested Mother Teresa to come by his bakery daily so that he could offer food for the needy.
Brothers and sisters, Mother Teresa’s actions are done not in the name of religion but from True Love. So, today we come here together to share the actions of the Buddha’s, Bodhisattvas and all Holy Sangha who continue to preach True Love to bring peace and loving kindness to all sentient beings.
Thank you again, and I wish all of you (including myself) to continue the Holy Path of our Lord Buddha to build and strengthen in ourselves the very foundation of the Vinaya “ Precepts” which leads to Samadhi “Concentration”, and the food of Panna “Wisdom” will develop. Then you can practise and improve in meditation, recite the name of Amitabha Buddha or mantra to lead us out of Samsara. This is of great benefit for many.
May You Be Well and Happy!
Messenger of Truth,
Bhikkhu Buddha Dhatu
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