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Fo Guang Shan 2020 Buddha’s Birthday Celebration:
Virtual Bathing of the BuddhA

The Buddha’s Birthday Celebration commemorates the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, later the Sakyamuni Buddha, founder of Buddhism. Prince Siddhartha was born on the 8th day of the fourth lunar month over 2 550 years ago in Lumbini, Kapilavatsu in Northern India.

Legend has it that upon his birth, nine heavenly dragons appeared, streaming out the purest fragrant water to cleanse the newly born Prince. Hence, the Buddha’s Birthday Celebration is also known as the "Bathing the Buddha Celebration”.

After the Buddha’s Nirvana, it became a tradition to bathe the statue of Buddha to commemorate his birth while reflecting on one’s inherent Buddha nature. Bathing the Buddha is symbolic of cleansing one’s body, speech and mind to purge one’s greed anger and ignorance in order to cultivate wisdom and compassion.

Inline with current shelter-in-place policies, we welcome you to share in the joy of this auspicious occasion by joining us online for the Virtual Bathing of the Buddha via the link below.

May we purify our minds together, and with the blessings of the Celebration, pray that the COVID-19 pandemic will swiftly end so that everyone may be healthy and auspicious!

Virtual Bathing of the Buddha Website: http://buddhasbirthday.fgs.org.tw
Dates of Celebration: 28 April to 16 May 2020

Process for Virtual Bathing of the Buddha:
1. Visit website.
2. Kneel before the image of the Buddha and join your palms to pay respect to the Buddha.
3. Follow the prompts to pick up and fill the ladle with fragrant water and mindfully pour the water over the shoulder of the Buddha. At each pour, contemplate the following:
1st wash: "May I eliminate all evil thoughts."
2nd wash: "May I cultivate good deeds."
3rd wash: "May I help deliver all living beings."
4. Join your palms and make a wish to conclude the ritual.

The Nan Hua Temple is a non-profit organisation and all Temple Tours conducted at the Temple are free of charge.  The Temple is open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday, 9h00 to 16h00, free of charge. The Temple is closed on Mondays.

Join us for a vegetarian lunch on Sundays @ R50 per person, 12h00 to 12h30.

Contact us on Tel: 013 931 0009 or email: info@nanhua.co.za for more information.

Parkmore Meditation Centre
107 11th Street, Parkmore, Sandton, 2196
Entrance in Lilian Avenue
Tel: 011 783 7080
Email: parkmore@nanhua.co.za

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Meditation (Part 5)

Please Click Here to read Meditation Part 1 to Part 4

Experienced mediators can enter meditative concentration no matter where they are, be it beside a stream in a forest, inside a mountain cave, or among some graves, but for those beginning the practice it is best to choose an indoor area that is away from outside noises. Such locations bring better results. The lighting in the room should be moderate: too much light is harsh on the eyes, while too little light can make one drowsy. It is best if an image of the Buddha is placed in the room, so that one can make offerings by burning incense as a source of inspiration. One should also not sit where there is a draft to avoid catching a cold.

Before sitting in meditation one should also pay attention to how one eats and dresses. One should not meditate less than an hour after finishing a meal, since at that time blood has rushed to the stomach and intestines and one can easily become drowsy. One should not be too full or too hungry; seventy to eighty percent full is best. One’s clothing should be loose, comfortable, and soft to promote good circulation. Having sufficient sleep will also prevent one from falling asleep during meditation and wasting precious time.

Once all preparatory work is complete, one can then begin sitting in meditation. In the Chan School, sitting meditation is generally divided into three stages: *3 regulating the body, regulating the breath, and regulating the mind.

*3 A more complete explanation can be found in Master Zhizhe’s smaller text Stopping and Seeing (小止觀).

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Forthcoming Events

The 2020 meditation retreat schedule
Please take note of our booking policy.
All bookings are done on a ‘first come first serve’ basis subject to availability. Please provide the retreat dates that you would like to attend, we will check if there are available spaces for the retreat before sending you an application form. Booking is only valid when we receive your application form.
If you want to share an accommodation with someone, their application form must be sent in as well.   
Contact Sipho at Tel 013 931 0009 (temporary not working); cell phone 061 416 8646;email: info@nanhua.co.za to confirm availability before paying deposit.

 IMPORTANT NOTICE

• If you apply for a Meditation Retreat for January and February this year 2020 and missed or cancelled the Retreat you may NOT postpone the retreat and there will be no refunds.
• If you apply for a Meditation Retreat for March and the months after, DO NOT pay (including deposits) until AFTER the 1st of MARCH 2020 when our financial year ends. If a confirmation email is sent to you before March this statement still stands. 

NOTE
The value of Meditation Retreat is priceless. Thus, Nan Hua Temple does not charge fees for any Meditation Class. However, fees will be charged for accommodation and meals.The retreat is a practice for Buddhism. It is practiced to enlighten and teach our participants about Buddhism in forms of meditation, dharma practices and such. We do not charge anything for the retreat. All costs included are for accommodation only.
 
Cost of accommodation for level 1 and level 2
1. R 400 per person (double room – sharing with someone of the same gender in a chalet)
2. R 500 per person (single room – own en-suite bedroom and bathroom or bedroom with adjoining shower, same gender in a chalet)
3. R 800 per person (private chalet, one person only)
An admin fee will be charged on all cancellations or date changes.
Dress code
This is a practicing monastery. Please do not wear sleeveless tops, shorts or sundresses. Please make sure your shoulders, upper arms, midriff and knees are covered. Socks must be worn in the meditation hall.

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