La peur

M.F. me demande : Selon le bouddhisme, qu'est-ce que la peur ? Quelle est sa nature ? Quels sont ses aspects ?

C'est une question qui revient souvent, car beaucoup de personnes sont étonnées que la peur ne soit pas dans la liste des facteurs mentaux perturbateurs (klesha).

Une raison en est qu'il existe pas mal de type de peurs, tant et si bien que ce que nous, en français, nous appelons "peur" est réparti dans plusieurs rubriques des classifications bouddhistes.

Il y a des peurs utiles, voire salutaires, et d'autres dangereuses. Les unes sont de nature vertueuse, d'autres de nature non vertueuse.

Pour rappel :
On qualifie de "vertueux" ce qui est apte à susciter des résultats heureux, et de "non vertueux" ce qui ne peut provoquer que de mauvais résultats, expérimentés sous forme de souffrance.

Ainsi, la peur des souffrances des renaissances infortunées constitue la première cause de la prise de refuge en les Trois Joyaux. Elle est bénéfique.

La peur des maux du samsara est nécessaire pour développer le renoncement, mais aussi la compassion.

Pensons aussi à des facteurs mentaux vertueux tels que "la honte" et "la gêne", qui retiennent d'agir mal, au fond de peur de choquer ou blesser les autres, et de perdre leur considération.
A nouveau, ce genre de peur est des plus utiles.

Le respect comporte des aspects de crainte, c'est à dire de peur.

Avoir peur de mal faire, ou d'oublier, ou de se tromper, etc. : c'est sans doute en lien avec l'ignorance, mais ce n'est pas forcément non vertueux, loin de là.

A l'inverse, il y a les peurs inspirées par l'attachement, ou par l'aversion, bien sûr par l'ignorance, ou encore par "l'autochérissement" (égocentrisme). Inutile de préciser que cette fois, on est dans le registre négatif.

Mais j'ai bien ... peur de ne pas être capable de faire le tour de la question. Toutes mes excuses.

Atisha et ses Maîtres

Atisha (982-1054), l'un des plus grands pandits indiens de tous les temps, fut invité au Tibet pour lancer la seconde diffusion du bouddhisme au Pays des neiges, après environ un siècle d'obscurité et de troubles.

Atisha lui-même avait de très nombreux Maîtres, plus de cent selon certaines sources. Sa manière de les choisir et de les suivre est en soi un Enseignement, par l'exemple.

Ainsi, il est sagement dit dans le bouddhisme que le Maître n'a pas forcément à être "meilleur" que son disciple dans tous les domaines. Il peut suffire qu'il ait quelque chose à lui transmettre dans au moins un domaine.

Atisha, qui suivait le système philosophique madhyamika prasangika, n'hésita donc pas à considérer comme son Maître principal le maître indonésien Serlingpa (Suvarnadvipa Dharmakirti), qui à l'époque ne montrait quant à lui que des vues philosophiques cittamatra.

Oui, mais Gyelwa Serlingpa était Le dépositaire des deux lignées d'instructions permettant de réaliser le précieux Esprit d'Eveil. Et c'est bien pour cela qu'Atisha affronta le long et périlleux voyage de l'Inde à Sumatra pour recevoir ces deux lignées, qu'il transmit par la suite à ses disciples, notamment tibétains.

Autre exemple des plus intéressants : le Maître qui conféra à Atisha la pleine ordination, Dharmarakshita, réputé pour sa compassion exceptionnelle, montrait, disent les sources, des vues vaibhashika.

Nos enfants nous accuseront

Je viens de recevoir ce message par mail. Alors, je fais passer... Ensuite, à chacun de se faire sa propre opinion.

Pour que ce film soit en salle ( film qui dénonce les méfaits de la mauvaise alimentation et des pesticides) il faut qu'un maximum de personnes regarde la bande-annonce dans les 3 jours à venir. Faites passer, même si vous ne le visionnez pas complètement; c'est le nombre de visites dans les 3 jours qui fera le poids... Le voir est encore mieux.


http://nosenfantsnousaccuseront-lefilm.com/bande-annonce.html

Humour du samsara

Le Costa Rica a, paraît-il, reçu en cadeau de la part de la Chine, un
stade de foot grandiose. Coût 89 millions de $, financé presque en totalité par la République Populaire.

Le stade est quasiment achevé mais ... le Costa Rica a donné à ce stade le nom de : Stade Dalaï-Lama !

Vous imaginerez aisément la réactions des généreux mécènes.

"Dieu, la femme, les femmes"

" Qu’est devenue la femme du Bouddha ? "

Avec le Fr. Thierry-Marie Courau, o.p., théologien des religions, et Marie-Stella Boussemart, moniale bouddhiste de la Congrégation Ganden Ling de Veneux les Sablons

A seize ans, le prince Siddharta Gautama épouse la princesse Yasodhara qui lui donnera un fils, Rahula. Quelle influence sur la vie de celui qui allait devenir « l’Eveillé », le Bouddha ? De tous les grands prophètes-fondateurs du monothéisme, seul Jésus reste célibataire.

Directeur de l’Institut de science et de théologie des religions (Paris), Thierry-Marie Courau fait le point et a demandé à Marie-Stella Boussemart de parler la place de la femme dans le bouddhisme

Couvent de l'Annonciation - 222 Fbg St-Honoré, Paris VIIIe

Le 11 février 2010 à 20 h 15 - Entrée libre

Pèlerinage en Inde

Buddhist Mahaparinirvana Train

Class of Travel, October 2009 to March 2010

"In the Mahaparinirvana sutra, the Buddha instructs his followers to go to a pilgrimage to Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar for attaining merit and noble birth. Buddhism originated in India and the religion was against all forms of austerity. It was in favor of building Stupas, Chaityas and Viharas. You can be a part of the Mahaparinirvana Express and witness the path to enlightenment."

• Day I – Departure from Delhi (Delhi Safdarjung Station in the afternoon) for Gaya.
• Day II - Arrive at Gaya in the morning. Visit Bodhgaya. Over night stay at the hotel.
• Day III - Visit Rajgir & Nalanda. Leave for Varanasi in the evening.
• Day IV - Arrive Varanasi in the morning. Visit Sarnath. Visit the Ganges for the evening Aarti. In the evening, leave for Gorakhpur.
• Day V - Arrive Gorakhpur in the morning. Visit Kushinagar. Overnight stay at hotel.
• Day VI – Visit Lumbini. Return to Gorakhpur. Departure for Gonda.
• Day VII - Arrive Gonda in the morning. Visit Sravasti. Departure from Gonda for Agra in the evening.
• Day VIII - Arrive Agra in the morning. Visit the world famous Taj Mahal. Departure for Delhi in the afternoon. Arrive at Delhi (Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station) in the evening.

International Buddhist Conclave in Bihar

Source: UNI (United News of India)

Patna, Jan. 25 -- More than 350 Buddhist scholars and monks from across the world will participate in the two-day 'International Buddhist Conclave' early next month to discuss various aspects of Buddhism and its relevance in the present day world. Being held for the first time at Nalanda, the site of the ruins of over 1,000 years old Nalanda university and the Buddhist culture, situated about 150 km from here, on February six and seven, the conclave would be attended by scholars of more than 50 countries where Buddhism is being followed with great enthusiasm. Among the participating countries are Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, The USA, The Philippines, Mauritius, South Africa, Bazil and Mexico, the Bihar State Tourism Department sources said here today.

Highlighting the importance of the global event, the sources said, apart from discussing the present day relevance of Buddhist culture and its growing effect on the minds of the people a number of related seminars and cultural programmes would also be held simultaneously. A number of international tour operators were also expected to participate in the event to discuss ways and means to attract more tourists in the increasingly popular Buddhist circuit comprising Gaya, Bodhgaya, Nalanda, Rajgir and Vaishali within the state.

Meanwhile, the preparations for holding such a mega international event near the famous ruins was on in full swing, the sources said. Chief minister Nitish Kumar would inaugurate the Conclave, while Governor Devanand Konwar was likely to be present on the concluding day, the sources added. More than 350 Buddhist scholars and monks from across the world will participate in the two-day 'International Buddhist Conclave' early next month to discuss various aspects of Buddhism and its relevance in the present day world. Being held for the first time at Nalanda, the site of the ruins of over 1,000 years old Nalanda university and the Buddhist culture, situated about 150 km from here, on February six and seven, the conclave would be attended by scholars of more than 50 countries where Buddhism is being followed with great enthusiasm. Among the participating countries are Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, The USA, The Philippines, Mauritius, South Africa, Bazil and Mexico, the Bihar State Tourism Department sources said here today.

Highlighting the importance of the global event, the sources said, apart from discussing the present day relevance of Buddhist culture and its growing effect on the minds of the people a number of related seminars and cultural programmes would also be held simultaneously. A number of international tour operators were also expected to participate in the event to discuss ways and means to attract more tourists in the increasingly popular Buddhist circuit comprising Gaya, Bodhgaya, Nalanda, Rajgir and Vaishali within the state. Meanwhile, the preparations for holding such a mega international event near the famous ruins was on in full swing, the sources said. Chief minister Nitish Kumar would inaugurate the Conclave, while Governor Devanand Konwar was likely to be present on the concluding day, the sources added.Published by HT Syndication with permission from United News of India.

«Consultation de la Souffrance»

Emission de " Sagesse Bouddhiste" tournée au CHU Nord Marseille sur la « Consultation de la Souffrance », première (et encore unique, je crois) consultation de ce genre à avoir été créée en France, en 1998, par le Dr Daniel Chevassut, avec la collaboration du Pr Vincent Moutardier, d'une sophrologue et des équipes soignantes du service

le Dimanche 7 février à 8h30 sur France 2

NB Les émissions sont rediffusées en vidéo intégrale, pendant une semaine sur le site internet: WWW.France2.fr
Programme : Les Chemins de la foi, Sagesse Bouddhiste http://videos.france2.fr/

Sourire quand même

Maître Dôgen (Zen Soto) conseillait :

" Offrez votre sourire pour le bonheur et l'éveil de tous les êtres …"

Situation critique en Mongolie

BRIEFING BY G. ZANDANSHATAR,

MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE,ON BAD WINTERING

Ulaanbaatar, 18 January 2010

Ambassadors,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all, I wish to inform you that the Government of Mongolia is offering its sympathy to the people of Haiti who have suffered devastating earthquake consequences. Our condolences go also to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the families of UN staff who lost their lives while serving the humanitarian cause.

Everywhere in the world, we witness the dire consequences of climate change that result in frequented natural disasters.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Mongolia is facing also a difficult time. An extreme cold weather has taken lives. Heavy snow falls have buried pastures. It seems to be the beginning of months of natural disaster that the international community has known as zud. Previously, a similar situation occurred in 1999 through 2002. Tens of human lives and a combined number of 11 million animals were lost in that zud. The international community gave their hands at that difficult time and helped relieve the severe consequences.

As experts say, a zud seems to happen every 10 or so years. Therefore, the Government of Mongolia is taking numerous actions to cope with this severe winter.

The State Emergency Commission has issued an appeal to all population, state and non-governmental organizations and private sector to launch an aid campaign to support herders materially and morally.

Within this campaign framework, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is organizing this briefing on the current situation.

Even in Ulaanbaatar we all could witness the temperature, coldest in recent years. The drop has been a record in many aimags. Most of the aimags are covered by up to 50 centimeters of snow. As of today, 776.7 thousand animals were lost. Many transport routes have been blocked by heavy snow.

The severe wintering hit altogether 198 soums in 19 aimags of which 94 soums in 8 aimags have plunged into a zud.

Weather forecasts suggest that snow falls and cold temperature will continue throughout January and February. This will amount to an end of pasture and fodder and a considerable loss of animals.

The Government’s priority is to prevent undue loss of human lives. Herders lose their lives while trying to save their animals. Therefore, the Government is delivering to most affected areas fodder and forage from its reserve to keep the herders in their winter refuge.

Heavy machinery, ambulance vehicles, trucks are mobilized to reach affected towns and families. Fuel costs are financed by the Government.

Though the Government and the population at large are doing their best, the severity and the duration of such an extreme weather could overwhelm our capacity and resources.

As you may know, about 70 percent of the territory suffered from drought last year. That means the pastural capacity shrank considerably. This coupled with heavy snow and cold temperature will starve many animals to death. The peak usually happens in April and May.

The loss of their only living source will devastate herders’ families. Economic and social impacts will be disastrous.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Despite our efforts, we might need additional assistance and support from our donors and partners. The Mongolians always appreciate the help and support rendered by our friendly countries and organizations during the past natural calamities.

Supply of emergency essentials that help save lives will be most welcome. These might include warm clothing, portable power and heating devices, high calorie foods, first-aid kits, etc.

I think we could have saved many lives had the herders had human tracking devices.

If we save as many as possible animals, that would help prevent many primary and secondary aftermaths. Therefore, it is essential to provide those most needed with animal fodders, animal shelters and clothing.

Finally, I should tell you that it is not yet a “Red Alert” situation. However, we seem to be moving closer to it. Therefore, I ask you to consider what you can do if a disaster becomes imminent.

Nevertheless, as we know, prevention is better than cure. That is why we wish to cooperate with you on preventive measures to the extent possible to minimize possible negative consequences for our herders and their living source.

In conclusion, I thank you for your time and care. If any questions, our respective ministries and agencies are present here to give detailed answers.

Thank you.

(Déclaration de Monsieur G. Zandanshatar, Ministre des Affaires Etrangères et du Commerce International, communiquée par l'Association Guillaume de Rubrouck)