Recitation of Sacred Buddhist Texts in Ladakh on UN List

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Leh, Ladakh -- The recitation of sacred Buddhist texts in India's Ladakh region has been added to a UN list of "intangible cultural heritage" by the world body's committee tasked with protecting the oral traditions, performing arts and social practices around the world.

The 24-member Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage has added 20 new items to its list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The new elements represent Algeria, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Ecuador, France, Hungary, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Mali, Morocco, Oman and Korea.

These include the traditional weaving of the Ecuadorian toquilla straw hat, the cherry festival in Sefrou, Morocco and the craftsmanship and performance art of the long-necked lute known as the Tar.

Referring to the Buddhist chanting, the committee said Buddhist priests in monasteries and villages of the Ladakh region chant sacred texts representing the spirit, philosophy and teachings of the Buddha.

The monks wear ritual clothing and use hand gestures and various musical instruments while praying for the spiritual and moral well-being of the people, for purification and peace of mind, to appease the wrath of evil spirits or to invoke the blessing of various Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, deities and rinpoches, it said.

Cultural items must comply with a series of criteria, including contributing to spreading the knowledge of intangible cultural heritage and promoting awareness of its importance to be inscribed by the committee.

Intangible cultural heritage encompasses practices and living expressions handed down from one generation to the next.

Only those countries that have ratified the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage can present elements for inscription on the lists.

So far, 146 countries have ratified the convention, which was adopted by UNESCO’s General Conference in 2003.

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Record-breaking Buddhist scripture recitation

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Petaling Jaya, Malaysia -- Kechara House Buddhist Association in Malaysia will attempt to make it into the Malaysian Book of Records for a 24-hour recitation of the Lamrim Chenmo, a central text in Buddhist study, on July 2 – 3 2011.

<< Tsongkhapa, the author of the Lamrim, combined teachings from all existing schools of Buddhism and the Indian masters, to compose this comprehensive and central Buddhist text.

The first event of its kind in the Buddhist community of Malaysia, this recitation is a part of a larger activity being organised by Kechara House, to achieve 8,000 recitations of this highly significant text.

This Lamrim retreat was personally recommended by Kechara House’s Spiritual Guide H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche and will actually commence at 8pm on Monday June 27. The 24-hour recitation event will then be the culmination of the week’s efforts. Further week-long retreat sessions will be organised throughout the next two years, to achieve the total count of 8,000.

Written by highly revered and renowned Tibetan Buddhist Saint, Lama Tsongkhapa, the Lamrim, is a systematic, deeply penetrative piece of writing that contains the full scope of Buddhist teachings and much practical, relevant advice for the modern individual seeking peace and wisdom.

H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche has also sharde a very comprehensive explanation about the Lamrim and the benefits of reciting the Lamrim on his personal blog, blog.tsemtulku.com: “The Lamrim text is immensely beneficial. Even reciting Lamrim blesses one’s body, speech, mind, environment, possessions, and Dharma practice. The sound of the Lamrim penetrating one’s own being and the environment plants the seeds of all the qualities of the Buddha within oneself.

“If one studies the Lamrim thoroughly, it encompasses the full teachings of the Buddha fully condensed into one book. Remember Buddha gave 84,000 teachings during His lifetime. Studying and practicing the Lamrim will bring one to higher states of mind, collect tremendous merits, correct erroneous thinking on life and bestow great accomplishments.”

Further explanations by Tsem Rinpoche and pictures can be read here: http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/kechara-13-depts/lam-rim-retreat-to-be-in-book-of-records.html
Kechara House is inviting all interested Buddhists to join in this activity. All participants can come for as long as or as short a duration as they prefer (they do not have to stay the entire duration of 24 hours). However, participants who attend the event for at least eight hours will also receive a certificate from the Malaysian Book of Records and their names will be featured within the book itself.

International friends from around the world are also welcome to join the retreat. More information on how to participate is available on Tsem Rinpoche’s blog post.

Please visit http://www.kechara.com/kechara-house/events/recitation-of-a-sacred-text/ for more information about the retreat and how to participate.

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Sri Lanka Embassy in Germany commemorates the 2600th Anniversary of the Sambuddattva Jayanthi with an all-night recitation of Pirith

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Berlin, Germany -- The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Germany in association with Das Buddhistische Haus (Berlin Buddhist Vihara) in Berlin – Frohnau, held an all – night recitation of Pirith Ceremony at the premises of the Embassy beginning at 8.00 p.m. on Friday June 10th 2011.

<< Photo (Left to right): Ven. Halyale Wimalaratana (Switzerland),Ven . Kruwalagaswewa Anuruddha (Switzerland) Ven.Lendiyagala Sudassi (Switzerland) Ven.Kannimahara Piyasiri (München) Ven.Kongaspitiye Santharakkhitha (Berlin) Ven (Dr.)Wijayarajapura Seelawansa Nayake Thera (Vienna, Austria) Ven Thalpawila Kusalagnana (Hamburg), Mr. Piyasena (Seated) Kapakaru.

14 Buddhist Monks based in various cities across continental Europe and some visiting monks from Sri Lanka attended the function at the Embassy.

This event was held pursuant to a decision taken by the President Mahinda Rajapaksa to commemorate the 2600th Anniversary of the Sambuddattva Jayanthi on an all year basis commencing from the Vesak full moon Poya day of 2011.

In this context the understanding of the President and the Government is that appropriate religious activities, including programmes of religious work would be carried out by the Vihares, Institutions and overseas Missions to the best of their ability. This would include Buddhist sermons, Dhamma discussions, and meditation programmes (dhamma, seela bhavana etc.) among others.

Ven. Kongaspitiye Santharakkhltha Thero of Das Buddhistische Haus (Berlin Vihara) co-ordinated all activities regarding the all night Pirith ceremony pursuant to an invitation sent to him and all other monks by Major – General Jagath Dias, Deputy Chief of Mission, acting on behalf of the Ambassador. Eight of the venerable monks resided at the Berlin Vihara during their temporary stay in Berlin.

Mr. Tissa Weeraratna, Vice – President, GDS and Manager in charge of the Berlin Vihara ensured that the visiting monks were well looked after. A couple of monks remained at the Temple until the 20th of June.

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