Meditation is very popular in the society today. There are possibly countless number of meditation centers that are spread across the world. While those of who are wise slowly realizing the benefits of meditation, others think that there are no benefits and tends to postpone it  to do it later in their life not knowing that “life is uncertain, death is certain” or decide to do in the next lives of existance. So far that the science is still in primitive stage where there is no medication is introduced to make a person gain ultimate wisdom. Only medication is that there exists is to develop wisdom is meditation without any side-effects.

When we are exploring the Suthras (lectures that were given by the Buddha), Velama Suthra is one of the beautiful Suthras that we come across teaching us the importance of meditation. Meditation is not only good for health but also it helps to gain merit and develop the skill to attain spiritual Enlightenment by cultivating the mind. You can find Velama Suthra by clicking >> http://www.vimokkha.com/velama.htm Suppose we have never driven a car, is it possible to go to the driving test without training and pass the test? Therefore; suppose if we would never practice meditation, will we know when or whether we would have the opportunity to practice meditation in this life or the next?

Scientists are also today very keen to find the benefits of meditation. There are many experiments have been performed to find out the how meditation affects mentally and physically. There are some links that are listed below explains the benefits and some experiments by medical researchers:

For those who do not believe in life after life, it is important to understand that life after life exists. One of the books I solely recommend reading is “Many Lives, Many Masters Through time into healing by Dr. Weiss.” This book has detailed researched cases that proves life after life exists.

Mind controls the body. This body is impermanent, yet mind transform and carry us to the next existence of the life. Therefore, it is obvious that what must be developed and what section that one must focus more in a life time. This is why that we see that Buddhism give higher place to the mind than the body speaking of super-mundane path in Buddhism.

Poson was held today at the Nevada Buddhist Temple to signify the importance of arrival of Ven. Mihidu to Sri Lanka during the Buddha’s age. If Ven. Mihidu did not visit Sri Lanka, most likely Buddhism might not have spread across Sri Lankan. We were blessed to have Ven. Peradeniye Sathindriya and Ven. Lakkana monks attend to our temple. Those monks were warmly welcomed by Ven. Alawala Subhuthi. Along with the meditation programs and discussions regarding meditation, Ven. Dunukeulle Dhammaratana also held a dhamma sermon to eluminate the minds of the devotees. Devotional songs (Bakthi Gee) were sang by young devotees and concluded the day at the temple.

The maha sangha and organizing committee of the poson celebrations of the Nevada Buddhist Vihara indeed happy to inform you that this year’s poson Celebrations will be held at the temple premises on 19 in June, 2011.

The tentative program of the day will be as follows.

A.M. 07.00     Observe eight precept, worship Buddha
08.00     Breakfast Sponsored by Mr. Kumarasinghe family
09.00     Vipassana Meditation- conducted by Ven. Peradeniye Sathindriya
10.00     Dhamma Sermon by Ven. Peradeniye Sathindriya ( Abbot of the Minnesota temple)
11.00      Buddha pooja and Alms giving for monks and eight preceptors Sponsored by Mr. Shanthi De Silva and Prasanna Wijekularathne families.
P.M. 01.00      Meditation Program – Conducted by Ven. Lakkana
02.00      Dhamma sermon by Ven. D. Dhammaratana
03.00      Dhamma discussion- Conducted by Ven. Peradeniye Sathindriya
05.00 Termination of the eight precept, Chanting, Observe five precept
. Conducted by Ven. Alawala Subhuthi
06.00 Evening Buddha pooja
07.00 SALPILA-

The Nevada Buddhist Vihara is solely depending on your kind donations.

May the blessings of Triple Gems be with you! Happy Poson!

Just as other years, after ending three months rain’s retreat, 2011 Katina Ceremony was one of the successful Katina Ceremonies held in the Nevada Buddhist Temple. The great meritorious deed of offering the Katina Robe was sponsored by: Mr. & Mrs. Mangala Wijekularathna and their children, Dharsana, Randi, Dr. & Mrs. Dilan Munuweera and Dr. Lambert Abeythunga along with the devotees of the Nevada Buddhist Temple. With the participation of many monks from various states around the country, lot of devotees and Katina Parade with drumming simulated the atmosphere that Katina ceremonies held in Sri Lanka. Dhamma sermons that were held by monks  emphasized that the word “Katina” means the idea solid or firm refers to strong karma (good action(s) and good thought(s) generates positive energy by offering Katina robe to the sanga council. Also, Ven. Maitipe Wimalasara mentioned the importance of the monks and lay people that without each other Buddhism cannot or will not go on. Therefore; having such an important ceremony and after spending the past three months period performing meritorious acts layman did care and look after monks at the temple bind the relationship between the layman and the monks. Ven. Wimalasara Thero also mentioned that although that rain is not frequently occur in Las Vegas, rain’s retreat was a law that Buddha enforced to the monks in India that rain is frequent there in the past three months.  He also mentioned that Katina ceremonies have been continuously held every year since 2600 years ago, passed away of the Buddha. Ven. Dedunupitiye Upananda explained a stanza that Buddha stated in Buddhist scriptures. Buddha stated that layman referred to as peacock and monk refereed to swan. Swan is not beautiful as peacock but can fly faster whereas peacock cannot fly fast and need to stop frequently although peacock is beautiful. Monk’s life is simple whereas layman’s life is not simple. Ven. Dedunupitiye Upananda thero pointed out that key difference between monk and layman. Also monk has the ability to travel faster along the path to Nirvana whereas layman travel slow just peacock cannot fly fast but swan can.

At the end of the Katina Ceremony, Ven. Alawala Subhuthi thanked and appreciated the arrival of the monks, sponsors, and the devotees who contributed their valuable time and energy to make this Katina Ceremony well worth meritorious act this year.

Please click the link to view more pictures >>>KATINA 2011 PICTURES