Helping at UN Vesak 2012

Members of ABKM happily helping at the 2012 UN Vesak's first Lunch Sangha and Pindabata at RMIT - which could quite likely be the very first Pindabata in Melbourne. Sahdu! Sahdu ! Sahdu !

ABKM Getogether

ABKM organised a social evening - pot luck dinner at the Pang's residence. The food was Malaysian fare. We listened to a Dhamma talk by Ven Dr. M. Punnaji on the mind. Some key points from the talk were:

- Kamma is release of tension in Action based on emotion (lobha, dosa, moha)
- Control over emotions via the 5 precepts is Good Kamma but tension remains ie Stress
- Be aware of the tension (sati) is to be able to control it ie, Meditation/ Bhavana
- Metta Bhavana is the way to release tension in the mind / stress , ie conscious relaxation
- Metta Bhavana expands the mind outwards


later an informal discussion on some of the needs of ABKM participants included basic Buddhism refresher, continued meditation practice, social project participation such as helping out at a hospice, well/water projects and Dhamma printing. There was even a surprise birthday party for Andrew.

Dana for Zanita at Blue Lotus Farm Warburton - Australia Day

ABKM organised a trip to Warburton to visit the Blue Lotus Farm and then Bodhiyana Monastery. We offered lunch to Sayadaw Zanita at the Blue Lotus Farm.

Meditation Sessions for 2010 Kicks off

ABKM had their first 2010 meditation session with Sayadaw Zanita.

The session was a technique to strenghthen concentration (Samatha).

The technique taught was to count the out-breaths in lots of 8 to make one set.When reached 10 sets, one makes a counter on the right wrist, then right elbow, right shoulder, right ear, then down the left side.

If you missed any out-breaths, you have to start from one. Practice to get as many sets as possible.

ABKM Meditation

A technique taught today was to start with mindfulness of breathing (anapana) and then direct attention to the top of the head. Be mindful of that and watch - observe - note the experience.

Meditation Session - - Nama and Rupa

Pancakkhanha : Five aggregates (Rupa, Vedanã, Sanña, Sankhãra, veññã)

Rupa : Form/ Body
Nama : Mind

Rupakkhandha : Four Primary elements
Pathavi - element of softness and hardness (earth)
ãpo - element of cohesion (water)
Vãyo - element of motion (air)
Tejo - element of heat or kinetic energy and material qualities derived from them (fire)

Arahant : an enlightened being

Sotapanna : Streamwinner (a person, who has eradicated the first three fetters (sanyojanas) of the mind

Meditation Session - Nimitta

After meditation session, Sayadaw Zanita explained about the Nimitta and how with continued Samatha practice allows the development of the Nimitta - using it to "walk" the various worlds -dewa and asuras.