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  Dear Patisota Friends, We are excited to share that Bhante Dr. Gangodawila Chandima’s new article "The Function and Contemporary Role of sikkhāpaccakkhāna (abandoning the training rules) in the Pāli Canon" has just been published in the Journal of Buddhist Ethics (JBE)! Published by: The Pennsylvania State University Press (Indexed in Thomson Reuters’s Emerging Sources Citation Index ESCI and Scopus.) Journal of Buddhist Ethics, ‪30 ‬(2023): pp. 316–353 Abstract: https://blogs.dickinson.edu/.../abandoning-the-monastic.../ Article: https://blogs.dickinson.edu/.../11/Gangodawila_23_FD.pdf Academia Link: https://www.academia.edu/109206830/ May you be well and happy! -Patisota Team

「慈しみの実践で大切なこと  ～ 心のあり方④」 Why are the practices of Friendliness (mettā), Generosity (dāna), Morality (sīla), and Meditation (bhāvanā) ? by チャンディマ・ガンゴダウィラ長老, Bhante Dr. Gangodawila Chandima｜Paṭipadā, July 2023（日本テーラワーダ仏教協会, Tokyo, Japan）Page 38-42

「慈しみの実践で大切なこと ～心のあり方③」Is Friendliness (mettā) a mantra or a structured practice? by チャンディマ・ガンゴダウィラ長老, Bhante Dr. Gangodawila Chandima｜Paṭipadā, June 2023（日本テーラワーダ仏教協会, Tokyo, Japan）Pages 41-46

  By Bhante Dr. Gangodawila Chandima From a Buddhist perspective, retreats are a time to focus on spiritual practice and deepen one's understanding of the Dharma. They can be a valuable opportunity to learn new techniques, receive guidance from a teacher, and connect with other Buddhists. Retreats can take many different forms. Some are silent, while others are more interactive. Some focus on meditation, while others focus on study or other activities. The length of retreats can vary as well, from a few days to several weeks. The goal of a retreat is to create a space where participants can focus on their spiritual practice without the distractions of everyday life. This can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By setting aside time for meditation and reflection, participants can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. Retreats can be a valuable part of a Buddhist's spiritual journey. They can provide an opportunity to deepen one's practic

  Here are some of the challenges that Global Buddhism faces today: Globalization : Buddhism is a global teaching, and as such, it must adapt to different cultures and societies. This can be a challenge, as different cultures have different beliefs and values. Modernity : The modern world is very different from the world where the Buddha lived. This can be a challenge for Buddhists, as they must find ways to apply the Buddha's teachings to the modern world. Intolerance : There is a growing intolerance of Buddhism in some parts of the world. This is due to a number of factors, including the rise of religious extremism and the spread of misinformation about Buddhism. The decline in monasticism : There has been a decline in monasticism in many parts of the world. This is due to a number of factors, including the increasing secularization of society and the challenges of living a monastic life. Despite these challenges, Buddhism remains a vibrant and growing religion. There are over 50

  Giving with Expectations | A Buddhist Perspective By Bhante Dr. Gangodawila Chandima Giving with expectations is not considered a virtuous act in Buddhism. The Buddha taught that giving should be done without any expectation of receiving anything in return. When we give with expectations, we are not truly giving. We are simply exchanging one thing for another. The Buddha also taught that giving should be done with compassion and understanding. When we give with compassion, we are not only helping the person we are giving to, but we are also helping ourselves to develop a more compassionate heart. There are many benefits to giving without expectations. When we give without expectations, we open ourselves up to the possibility of receiving something even greater than what we gave. We also create positive karma, which will lead to happiness and well-being in the future. Here are some tips for giving without expectations:  Give without any thought of what you will receive in return. Give

How do I see being sick? | A Buddhist Perspective By Bhante Dr. Gangodawila Chandima  Buddhism views sickness as a natural part of life. The Buddha taught that all phenomena are impermanent, unsatisfying, and not-self. This means that everything changes, nothing is perfect, and nothing is permanent. Sickness is just one of the many changes that we will experience in our lives. The Buddha also taught that the cause of suffering is craving. When we crave things that we cannot have, we become anxious and worried. The way to overcome suffering is to let go of cravings and accept things as they are. When we are sick, it is important to remember that it is not our fault. We did not cause ourselves to get sick, and we cannot control when or how we will get sick. The best thing we can do is to accept our sickness and do our best to get better. There are many things we can do to help ourselves get better when we are sick. We can rest, eat healthy foods, and take medication. We can also practice

  Can Buddhism and Science coexist? By Bhante Dr. Gangodawila Chandima Science and Buddhism are two different ways of understanding the world. Science is based on the study of evidence and observation, while Buddhism is based on the teachings of the Buddha. There are some areas where science and Buddhism seem to clash. For example, science teaches that the universe is billions of years old, while Buddhism teaches that the universe is cyclical and that it has no beginning or end. Another area where science and Buddhism seem to clash is in the area of karma. Karma is the law of cause and effect, and it is a central concept in Buddhism. Science, on the other hand, does not have a concept of karma. Despite these apparent clashes, there are also many areas where science and Buddhism can complement each other. For example, science can help us to understand the physical world, while Buddhism can help us to understand the nature of mind and consciousness. In addition, science can help us to de

  Why do Japanese Buddhist Monks marry? By Bhante Dr. Gangodawila Chandima  The reason why Japanese monks marry is a complex one, and there are a variety of factors that contribute to it. One of the main reasons is that Japanese Buddhism has a long history of syncretism with other religions, including Shintoism. In Shintoism, marriage is seen as a sacred union, and it is not uncommon for priests to be married. This syncretism has led to a situation in which Japanese Buddhism has come to view marriage in a more positive light than some other forms of Buddhism. Another reason why Japanese monks marry is that there is a shortage of monks in Japan. This is due to a number of factors, including the declining birth rate and the increasing secularization of Japanese society. As a result, there are simply not enough monks to meet the demand for religious services. This has led some temples to allow monks to marry in order to increase the number of available priests. Finally, it is important to

Should I practice Theravada or Mahayana Buddhism? By Bhante Dr. Gangodawila Chandima Theravada and Mahayana are the two main branches of Buddhism. They share many similarities, but there are also some crucial differences. Theravada is the oldest branch of Buddhism. It is based on the Pali Canon, the earliest collection of Buddhist scriptures. Theravada Buddhists believe that the goal of life is to achieve nirvana, which is a state of perfect peace and freedom from suffering. They believe that this can be achieved through the practice of the Noble Eightfold Path, which is a set of guidelines for living a moral, ethical, and mindful life. Mahayana is a newer branch of Buddhism. It developed in India in the centuries after the Buddha's death. Mahayana Buddhists believe in the concept of bodhisattvas, who are enlightened beings who have vowed to help all other beings achieve enlightenment. They also believe in the use of mantras and other esoteric practices to help achieve enlightenmen

  Why am I unhappy | A Buddhist Perspective By Bhante Dr. Gangodawila Chandima From a Buddhist perspective, there are many reasons why someone might not be happy. Some of these reasons include: Greed ( lobha ) . Greed is the desire to hold on to things that are impermanent, such as material possessions, relationships, and even our own lives. When we attach ourselves to these things, we set ourselves up for disappointment and suffering when they inevitably change or disappear. Aversion ( dosa ) . Aversion is the desire to push away things that we don't like, such as pain, suffering, and negative emotions. When we avoid these things, we also avoid the opportunity to learn from them and grow as individuals. Delusion ( moha ) . Delusion is the lack of understanding of the true nature of reality. When we are ignorant, we make mistakes and suffer as a result. The Buddha taught that the way to overcome these causes of suffering is to practice the Noble Eightfold Path. The Noble Eightfold