We all know what the Five Moral Precepts or "Panca Sila" are and what they are there for. But how do we practise them and apply them in our lives ? One of the qualities of the Dhamma is "ehipassiko" which is "come and investigate". And only by practising the Dhamma can we truly appreciate its value.
First, let us refresh on the Five Precepts.
1. Panatipatta veramani sikkapadam samadiyami.
2. Adinnadana veramani sikkapadam samadiayami.
3. Kamesu micchara veramani sikkapadam samadiyami.
4. Musavada veramani sikkapadam samadiyami.
5. Sura meraya majja pamadattana veramani sikkapadam samadiyami.
Ok let's focus on the 4th precept.
Veramani means abstinence.
Sikkapadam is training rule.
Samadiyami is I undertake.
So the 4th precept in English is I undertake the training rule to abstain from false speech.
What most of us don't realise that the precepts are not commands nor are they instructions. They are training rules which we personally undertake for our own benefit.
That is to mean, we are not forced nor are we required to follow the moral precepts. We will follow them if we know that it is of benefit to us. There is no reward or punishment if we adhere or do not follow the precepts.
Another fact that we might not realise is that the 4th precept consists actually of 4 parts. Not only does false speech come under this precept, but so does slandering, harsh speech and frivolous speech.
Although it might be easy to abstain from false speech, the other three are common habits in our lives. All 4 kinds of speech are equally unwholesome and if you take note, causes the same amount of harm to ourselves and those around us.
False speech is done with the intention to deceive or mislead another person and are commonly known as "lies". This is easier to avoid as we have been brought up with our parents telling us that lying is wrong and immoral.
Slandering is talking bad about others and includes bad-mouthing, back-stabbing and discrediting someone without any truth in it. This is done mainly due to jealousy and hatred for that person. It is unwholesome because it causes others to believe in facts which are not true and when the truth emerges, the lies that that person told would be uncovered.
Harsh speech includes cursing and using vulgar words. They are words with the intention to hurt someone and over time, becomes an unwholesome habit. Using vulgar words may seem common but it is definitely not acceptable. Many youths nowadays use vulgar words without any thought because it has become second nature to them. What they don't realise is how it affects what people feel about them. It is a known fact that people who use vulgarities are looked down upon, even among their friends.
Frivolous speech is the most common type of speech out of the four types. Frivolous speech is also known as idle talk and is what youths like to refer to as talking "crap". It is a common sight at mamak stalls, in between classes and even in the toilets. Talking without a purpose may seem harmless but it may cause pain to certain parties unintentionally. One example would be gossipping about a friend. Although a group of youths might be talking about another youth and he/she is not involved in the discussion, one cannot confirm that such talk would not be known by the youth. And although done without the intention to hurt, when the youth finds out about such talk, he/she will be hurt.
So if we can see the harm that not undertaking the 4th precept brings, we will naturally want to observe it. There is no requirement to follow the precept but would be us voluntarily doing it for our own and others' benefit. We want to observe the 4th precept as it is morally correct and would lead us away from causing harm.
The 4th precept is still applicable in our daily lives as there are many examples of youths nowadays getting involved in unnecessary conflict which usually results in misunderstandings, arguements and sometimes fights.
Although some might argue that idle talk is a big part of our daily lives, what we as Buddhist youths should do is first, to reduce such talk and through right effort, entirely remove it in time. Again, effort is the key word here and is needed if we are to seek improvement in our lives and to benefit ourselves and those around us.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Our History, Our Beginning
BISDS Youth Group was founded in 2001 by Brother Vincent Oh. It was meant to be an avenue for youths to hone their living skills and also to meet and share different experiences through the spirit of Kalyana Mitra (spiritual friendship).
What started out as a small group of friends has grown today into an active, ever present contigent of youths with a common purpose.
Our first large project was to carry out the Children's Fellowship Camp which had been organised since 1999. The first Children's Fellowship Camp were organised by the BISDS teachers and assisted by the youths. Overtime, the youth group slowly took over the planning and administration of the camp.
Another main project which has been hugely successful throughout the years is the BISDS Youth Camp organised annually for the BISDS students aged 13 to 17 years old. The aim is to enrich the lives of the youths by spending their holidays with good acquaintances and to be touched by the Dhamma.
The BISDS Youth Group is also responsible for assisting the school in organising activities such as the Wesak Day celebration, Mooncake Festival celebration and regular events occuring in the temple.
Children's Fellowship Camp
Back in 1999, a group of teachers together with a few enthusiastic youths decided to organise a holiday camp for BISDS students aged 9 to 12 years old. During that time, the concept of having Buddhist camps was new not only to the students but their parents as well.
Led by Vincent Oh, this camp was successfully organised and the overwhelming response from both the participants and also their parents meant that a second camp was a surety.
Year after year, the Children's Fellowship Camp, or CFC as it is fondly known, was held during the May school holidays and each year, students came in huge numbers to participate. The youths had managed to bring diversity to each year's camp, yet maintaining its core principles.
Main activities of the camp include a talent night where the participants' parents are invited to witness what skills the children have acquired throughout the camp, be it dancing, singing, designing clothes or drama-acting.
The camp also helped instilled good moral values in the children so as to guide them towards the right teachings and so that they would be wise in their actions when they are growing up.
The camp's initial purpose was to allow young students to spend their holidays meaningfully and to get to know friends in a safe, friendly environment. However, throughout the years, it managed to accomplish another no less significant objective. The kids who had participated in the camp have now grown up and are assisting in organising the camp. What the participants had learnt was the importance of "giving back" to the society. They had as kids, appreciated the fun that they experienced and are now planning activities so that they too could let other kids enjoy and have fun.
Last year in 2008, the CFC turned 10 years old and with it, a birthday celebration night was held. The committees of the camp had invited past organisers including Bro Vincent Oh and the teachers of the sunday school to commerate the night. The camp was extended to 4 days, 3 nights from its usual 3 days, 2 nights duration.
Now, even right after the camp, the parents are asking for the youth group to organise another one during the year-end school holidays and there is even a demand for a camp for the 6 to 8 year olds.
As Sister Vineeta, the Deputy Principal of BISDS puts it, we are the "experts of CFCs". This trend has caught on in recent years in other Buddhist societies and the BISDS Youth Group continue to be the model of excellence in organising children's camps.
Even after the current batch of commitee members have moved on, the Children's Fellowship Camp will continue to be organised by enthusiastic youths for the benefit of the children.
BISDS Youth Camp
Another of the highlights of the BISDS Youth Group has to be the BISDS Youth Camp.
After the response for the Children's Fellowship Camp, there was a huge call for a youth camp to be organised. Unlike the CFC, we were not the first to organise a youth camp. In fact, we were one of the later Buddhist youth groups to organise such a camp.
However, led by energetic leaders, the youth group embraced this challenge and successfully organised the first youth camp. This camp's objectives differ from those of the Children's Fellowship Camp. While the CFC was meant for the participants to enjoy and have fun, this camp was more to allow the participants the room to express themselves in the appropriate environment and to make good acquaintances.
While other youth camps emphasized on pure enjoyment or strict learning, this camp balances both. And that is what has been the main attraction throughout the years.
This camp had been organised annually during the December holidays in the Buddhist Maha Vihara. However, in recent years, it has ventured out to places like Eagle Ranch Resort in Port Dickson and Woods Resort in Ulu Yam. The camp was meant for BISDS students age 13 to 17 years old but it has accommodated 12, 18 and even 19 year olds.
For the 7th Youth Camp in 2008, the camp had over 80 participants and encompassed of previous and new participants. The traditional talent night was replaced with a more modern, current concept. Entitled "Our Way", it put the participants in the Sunday School teachers shoes and to explain why youths are not going to Sunday School as often as they had. Both the teachers and the students gained valuable insight into the current situation of the Sunday School.
Last year's camp also brought a change to the camp's traditional approach. The participants spent 2 days at Woods Resort, Ulu Yam where the emphasis was on physical fitness and teamwork, while the remaining 3 days at the temple grounds focused on creativity, critical thinking and mutual respect and understanding.
Throughout the many years this camp had been organised, many friendships were made and many more lessons were learned, including teachings of the Dhamma. This camp served to spread the teachings of the Buddha to the youths in a lighter mood.
This avenue was, is and will continue to be the foundation for many youths to approach the Dhamma and acquire important lessons in life. And the BISDS Youth Group continues to organise the camp so to achieve this purpose.
After the response for the Children's Fellowship Camp, there was a huge call for a youth camp to be organised. Unlike the CFC, we were not the first to organise a youth camp. In fact, we were one of the later Buddhist youth groups to organise such a camp.
However, led by energetic leaders, the youth group embraced this challenge and successfully organised the first youth camp. This camp's objectives differ from those of the Children's Fellowship Camp. While the CFC was meant for the participants to enjoy and have fun, this camp was more to allow the participants the room to express themselves in the appropriate environment and to make good acquaintances.
While other youth camps emphasized on pure enjoyment or strict learning, this camp balances both. And that is what has been the main attraction throughout the years.
This camp had been organised annually during the December holidays in the Buddhist Maha Vihara. However, in recent years, it has ventured out to places like Eagle Ranch Resort in Port Dickson and Woods Resort in Ulu Yam. The camp was meant for BISDS students age 13 to 17 years old but it has accommodated 12, 18 and even 19 year olds.
For the 7th Youth Camp in 2008, the camp had over 80 participants and encompassed of previous and new participants. The traditional talent night was replaced with a more modern, current concept. Entitled "Our Way", it put the participants in the Sunday School teachers shoes and to explain why youths are not going to Sunday School as often as they had. Both the teachers and the students gained valuable insight into the current situation of the Sunday School.
Last year's camp also brought a change to the camp's traditional approach. The participants spent 2 days at Woods Resort, Ulu Yam where the emphasis was on physical fitness and teamwork, while the remaining 3 days at the temple grounds focused on creativity, critical thinking and mutual respect and understanding.
Throughout the many years this camp had been organised, many friendships were made and many more lessons were learned, including teachings of the Dhamma. This camp served to spread the teachings of the Buddha to the youths in a lighter mood.
This avenue was, is and will continue to be the foundation for many youths to approach the Dhamma and acquire important lessons in life. And the BISDS Youth Group continues to organise the camp so to achieve this purpose.
A fair reflection on Buddhist youths
When we look around the temples nowadays, what do we see ? We see adults attending Dhamma talks, meditation retreats, organising events for the benefit of many and making acquaintances.
And then we see the kids, attending Sunday School, kneeling down in front of the Buddha image, sitting in classrooms learning from their teachers.
But something is not right in the picture. Somewhere, something is missing. Where is the link ? What is missing ? Where are the youths ?
Yes, that is a main topic on the lips of Dhamma propogators and practitioners. The youths age 16 to 20 years old are no longer attending Sunday School, nor are they attending Dhamma talks. So how does their Dhamma learning continue ? Do they go and seek the Truth by themselves ? Do they consult a teacher ? Or do they just bury that under all other priorities they have in their lives ?
Most likely is the latter. While in this Dhamma-ending age, the number of human beings who have the opportunity to be in contact with the Dhamma lessens by the minute, those who have been in the Sunday School for 5, 10, 15 years too suddenly lose that pillar of support that had been present in their lives. So where do they go to for guidance, for advice and for understanding ?
While everyone is encouraging each other to go to the temple to seek the Truth, not enough effort is being done to keep them there. This applies to the youths as well. This is because after years of spending time in the temple, not much learning has been gained.
And this is neither the fault of the teachers or the school. It actually lies within the youths themselves. If a youth has sought for an answer to their problems and they have managed to obtain it from the Dhamma, then unprompted, they will put in effort to learn the Dhamma.
The youths complain that classes are boring and this is not due to the lack of appropriate topics being taught in the school. It is more to the fact that they do not know how to apply what is learnt in their daily lives.
If one were to be told that all the answers they seek lie within themselves and the Dhamma, they would not believe a word of it. That is unless they have experienced and lived through the teachings.
Many youths see the Dhamma as another subject that they learn to get high marks in the exam. This should not be the case. The Buddha once said, "even the illiterate can be wise". The youths need to be taught that they need to apply what is learnt and that it can be applied. This has to be done by fellow youths as teachers cannot fulfill that role.
Such an example would be the basic understanding of the Five Moral Precepts, or "Panca Sila". The Buddha laid down these precepts as it would be of benefit to those who practised them. However, youths nowadays do not practise them as they do not see the importance nor the benefits it brings.
A youth will continue to tell lies if he is not caught. He would not observe the fourth precept as he does not see the need for doing so. And that is where proper guidance is needed.
The Buddha's teachings has to be taught through the means of friendship. A teacher has to be the student's friend to be able to get the message through. If someone close were to tell the youth that lies and false speech would lead to others being harmed, including loved ones, that youth might gain that understanding and stop that habit of his. It is a known fact that lies only lead to more lies and therefore would continue to lead to conflicts and misunderstandings.
Furthermore, if the youth could be taught to tell the truth, then he would be able to gain the benefits of speaking the truth such as attracting wise associations as the wise do not associate with the foolish.
The root of the problems with the learning of Dhamma in Buddhist youths is two-fold. One, the youths do not have the suitable guidance to be taught the truth. Two, the youths have not experienced the benefits of practising the Dhamma.
Therefore, Buddhist youth groups play a vital role in ensuring that youths in the Buddhist society continue to be educated and guided in the right teachings. Much more effort would have to be put in to ensure that improvements are seen. The inculculation of Dhamma values in youths would not only be of great benefit for the youth themsevles, but also the society at large.
And then we see the kids, attending Sunday School, kneeling down in front of the Buddha image, sitting in classrooms learning from their teachers.
But something is not right in the picture. Somewhere, something is missing. Where is the link ? What is missing ? Where are the youths ?
Yes, that is a main topic on the lips of Dhamma propogators and practitioners. The youths age 16 to 20 years old are no longer attending Sunday School, nor are they attending Dhamma talks. So how does their Dhamma learning continue ? Do they go and seek the Truth by themselves ? Do they consult a teacher ? Or do they just bury that under all other priorities they have in their lives ?
Most likely is the latter. While in this Dhamma-ending age, the number of human beings who have the opportunity to be in contact with the Dhamma lessens by the minute, those who have been in the Sunday School for 5, 10, 15 years too suddenly lose that pillar of support that had been present in their lives. So where do they go to for guidance, for advice and for understanding ?
While everyone is encouraging each other to go to the temple to seek the Truth, not enough effort is being done to keep them there. This applies to the youths as well. This is because after years of spending time in the temple, not much learning has been gained.
And this is neither the fault of the teachers or the school. It actually lies within the youths themselves. If a youth has sought for an answer to their problems and they have managed to obtain it from the Dhamma, then unprompted, they will put in effort to learn the Dhamma.
The youths complain that classes are boring and this is not due to the lack of appropriate topics being taught in the school. It is more to the fact that they do not know how to apply what is learnt in their daily lives.
If one were to be told that all the answers they seek lie within themselves and the Dhamma, they would not believe a word of it. That is unless they have experienced and lived through the teachings.
Many youths see the Dhamma as another subject that they learn to get high marks in the exam. This should not be the case. The Buddha once said, "even the illiterate can be wise". The youths need to be taught that they need to apply what is learnt and that it can be applied. This has to be done by fellow youths as teachers cannot fulfill that role.
Such an example would be the basic understanding of the Five Moral Precepts, or "Panca Sila". The Buddha laid down these precepts as it would be of benefit to those who practised them. However, youths nowadays do not practise them as they do not see the importance nor the benefits it brings.
A youth will continue to tell lies if he is not caught. He would not observe the fourth precept as he does not see the need for doing so. And that is where proper guidance is needed.
The Buddha's teachings has to be taught through the means of friendship. A teacher has to be the student's friend to be able to get the message through. If someone close were to tell the youth that lies and false speech would lead to others being harmed, including loved ones, that youth might gain that understanding and stop that habit of his. It is a known fact that lies only lead to more lies and therefore would continue to lead to conflicts and misunderstandings.
Furthermore, if the youth could be taught to tell the truth, then he would be able to gain the benefits of speaking the truth such as attracting wise associations as the wise do not associate with the foolish.
The root of the problems with the learning of Dhamma in Buddhist youths is two-fold. One, the youths do not have the suitable guidance to be taught the truth. Two, the youths have not experienced the benefits of practising the Dhamma.
Therefore, Buddhist youth groups play a vital role in ensuring that youths in the Buddhist society continue to be educated and guided in the right teachings. Much more effort would have to be put in to ensure that improvements are seen. The inculculation of Dhamma values in youths would not only be of great benefit for the youth themsevles, but also the society at large.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
