Prayer for victims of typhoon Morakot

It has been more than two months since typhoon Morakot devastsated south Taiwan, casuing more than 600 deaths and $.4.7 billion USD damage.

More than $1 million N.T.D. has been raised by T.S.E.A. Although the exact details are still in discussion, it has been decided that T.S.E.A. will join charity groups based in south Taiwn in the reconstruction works.

Meanwhile, Ven. B. Chandima has never forgetten about the spiritual needs of the victims and wanted to offer more than financial relief.

On 10 October, Ven. B. Chandima, accompanied by three Sri Lankan bhikkhus, one Taiwanese bhikkhuni and 22 T.S.E.A. members from Taipei, traveled to the disaster zone in south Taiwan to hold a pirit (prayer) for the victims of typhoon Morakot.

With the help of a local Buddhist charity group, Miaofa Cishan Hui (wondrous dharma charity association) , the pirit was held in a local temple in the disaster zone.

The pirit was chanted in Pali and lasted for more than two hours. Local Buddhists also came to join the event. For many of them, it was the first time that they heard Buddhist chanting in Pali.

In the sermon after the pirit, Ven. B. Chandima reminded people the importance of compassion. With compassion, many obstacles can be overcome. Even though the victims of typhoon Morakot may not be Buddhist or understood Pali, as long as the prayer was chanted with compassion and sincerity, the wondrous merit created by the pirit would still reach them.

Visit from ShaoLin Temple

On 23 August 2009, a group of Chinese delegates visited Manelwata Temple.

It includes the abbot of ShaoLin Temple, Dharma Master Yong Xin, and more than forty monks of ShaoLin Temple.

Pilgrimage Sept. 2009

Chairperson Wong of T.S.E.A. once vowed that when peace arrives, he would go to Sri Lanka to thank Buddha's blessing. Peace did arrive, so Chairperson Wong, age 76, took time off and paid a pilgrimage to Sri Lanka.

Morakot Relief Activities

On 8 Aug 2009, typhoon Morakot devasted southern Taiwan, causing the loss of hundreds lives and properties.

T.S.E.A. has joined local NPOs in the reconstruction works. Many T.S.E.A. members also volunteered to help out in the post-storm cleaning work.

Vauniya visit

On 23 July 2009, Dr. Ven. B. Chandima Thero accompanied a Malaysian charity group (Cihui Tang) and Taiwan charity group (Dharma Drum Mountain) for an inspection in the Vauniya region of Sri Lanka.

Civil war had raged in Sri Lanka for more than three decades. It has caused enormous loss of lives and properties for people who lived in the war zone. Although the civil war has ended in April 2009, more than 250,000 refugees remained homeless in the borderline regions such as Vauniya,, for they must wait for their home villages to be cleared of land mines in oder to have safe home return.

In the meantime, education for children, food, housing and etc. are needed for those homeless refugees. Upon learning the need of those refugees, a Chinese religious group in Malaysia, Cihui Tang, contacted Dr. Ven. B. Chandima, offering to help the needy refugees.

Hence, along with a Taiwanese Buddhist organization, Dharma Drum Mountain, an inspection field trip was conducted in the Vauniya region on 23 July 2009. The group visited a ruin village where a school is needed and a refugees camp to inspect the situation.

A reconstruction of a school and medical service are in the consideration. It is likely that Dharma Drum Mountain will provide a medical team for the homeless refugees in October, and Cihui Tang will help to reconstruct a school and dispatch a medical team in December.

Dr. Ven. B. Chandima Thero has pointed out that help must be given to where is most urgently needed and at this moment, it is the homeless refugees from Sri Lankan north that need help. By combining resources, a better help can be offered.

Chinese New Year Pryar

Lunar New Year is an important time for all Chinese around the world. At Theravada Samadhi Education Association in Taiwan, Chinese New Year was celebrated with excitement.

On 26th Feb. 2009, the First Day of the Lunar New Year, members gathered at T.S.E.A. HQ in Taipei. After greeting one another good wishes, Ven. B. Chandima thera and two other Sri Lankan theras led the New Year prayer. Afterwards, Ven. B. Chandima thera gave us a sermon. He advised us to find time to engage in spiritual practice. In this volatile, forever chaning world, he said, we must find tranquility within. Therefore, no matter how busy we are, we have to try 5 to 10 minutes a day to meditate and learn Dharma.

Buddhist Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage to Sri Lanka

A pilgrimage trip to Buddhist holy sites in Sri Lanka

Led by Ven. Dr. Bodagama Chandima

Organized by Theravada Samadhi Education Association

Date: 3 ~ 22 March 2009

Registration & Inquire:

Tel: +886 (0)2-2822-6388

Fax: +886 (0)2-28202173

E-MAIL：Samadhi.Buddha@msa.hinet.net

Fees: $35,000 NTD (a. $1200 USD)

(included flight cost from Taipei to Colombo, accommdation and travel costs in Sri Lanka)

3/14

Taipei-Hong Kong - Colombo

3/15

Colombo City Tour

in addition to the city tour, we will join a function to distribute Buddhist music tapes and Buddhist books to the local people

3/16

Colombo - Dambulla - Alu Vihara–Kandy

We will visit the sacred Dambulla Cave Temple (a world hertigae site) and Alu Vihara before reaching Kandy.

3/17

Kandy Royal Botanical Gardens- Nuwara Eliya-dana

In addition to visite the beautiful Kandy Royal Botanical Gardens, an important function today is to give dana to the sangha.

3/18

KATARAGAMA-Maha Devalaya-Kirivehera

Kataragama is known for its beauty and rich religious culture. It is where you can find Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic and even Christian elements blend together.

3/19

Taiwan Samadhi Village-Big Love Village

In the aftermath of 2004 tsunami, T.S.E.A. helped to raise funds and build houses for the displaced victioms. One of the housing project is Taiwan Samadhi Village. We will visit Taiwan Samadhi Village today, as well as another housing project for the tsunami victims, Big Love Village.

3/20

Colombo-Dharmachakkra Child Foundation

Today, you will have chance to meet the children whom you may have sponsored through the assistance of Dhamrachakkra Child Foundation.

3/21

Colombo--Kelaniya Temple- Manel Watta

Kelaniya Temple is one of the most sacred sites in Sri Lanka, for Lord Buddha had visited it. Afterwards, we will visit another temple where the purposed Kelaniya International Buddhist University is planned. You will have the chance to do some shopping in Colombo after supper or return to the hotel for rest. Around midnight, a bus will take us to the airport.

斯里蘭卡朝聖

暨

供僧行程表

主辦：原始佛法三摩地學會

出發日期：2009年3月14日 ～ 2009年 3月22日(共九日)

報名截止日期：2009年2月28日前

領隊：強帝瑪 法師

電話：02-2822-6388 傳真：02-28202173

E-MAIL：Samadhi.Buddha@msa.hinet.net http://www.samadhi-buddha.org/

地址：台北市石牌路一段39巷80弄15號1樓

斯里蘭卡被譽為<印度眉間閃爍之珍珠>，舊名錫蘭，釋迦牟尼佛曾三度造訪此地，使得這個島嶼受到了極高的敬重，是原始佛教最重要的基地之一。公元前三世紀，印度阿育王廣弘佛教，派遣子女親自將佛法、佛舍利及大菩提樹之分枝送來錫蘭，佛法遂大興於此，此期間並完成「貝葉經」之巴利聖典，成為原始佛法之重要寶典。印度佛法衰落之後，鍚蘭更成為東南亞、中國及全世界各地求法的根源地。

錫蘭島魅力天成，蘊藏大自然美景和豐富的歷史古蹟，島上保存了2000多年來的佛教遺跡、優美人工湖景、古老水利灌溉系統，以及近代興建的舍利塔、寺院、道場、佛像雕塑等，其中最古老的城市—阿努拉德普勒和坎迪等地都妥善保存了歷代王宮和佛殿的歷史痕跡，置身其中，天地悠悠，引人思古之幽情。

◆ 3/14 第一天

行程：台北-香港-可倫坡( TPE – ＨK - CMB )

搭乘豪華客機，飛往斯里蘭卡，於抵達首都-可倫坡直接至泛亞飯店休息。

晚宿：Trans Asia Hotel

◆ 3/15 第二天

行程：可倫坡( Colombo- city tour)

除了參觀可倫坡外市區，也將參加佛書、佛曲音樂發放的活動。

,

晚宿： Trans Asia Hotel

◆ 3/16 第三天

行程：可倫坡-旦普勒 ( Colombo - Dambulla - Alu Vihara–Kandy)

前往參觀建於西元前一世紀的旦普勒石寺，岩石聖殿是鑿建於一系列的洞穴中，內有2萬平方公尺的釋迦牟尼佛像壁畫，並有高47公尺的釋迦牟尼佛石刻雕像。旦普勒石寺是斯國保存得最完整的佛像石窟藝術，共有大小5個石窟及200多尊佛陀雕像，巡禮其間，彷彿暏佛真儀，猶似佛音在耳。

往坎迪路上順道參訪貝葉經寺，即位在Matale附近的Alu Vihara寺院。西元一世紀 Valagamba 國王執政期間，佛教僧伽們在 Alu Vihara寺院的七個岩洞裡結集出來佛教三藏聖典，並將聖典以巴利文記錄在ola（貝葉）樹葉上，這是第一部以文字紀錄的佛教巴利聖典，目前Alu Vihara寺院仍保存了三個岩洞。第一岩洞大約25呎長、10呎高，洞頂以辛哈拉文記載了這段佛教勝事。於途中經香料園參觀各式各樣的香料樹種及其用途。

接著，前往坎迪佛牙寺參拜。坎迪是一座美麗的山城，她曾是錫蘭最後王朝的古都，也是重要世界文化遺址。此地最值得一遊的是達拉達‧瑪莉迦瓦（Dalada Maligawa）的「佛牙寺」，寺院是坐落在湖邊的一棟白色的奇偉聖殿，供奉著釋迦牟尼佛的佛牙舍利。此佛牙舍利係西元第四世紀印度Kitsiri Mevan國王派印度希曼利公主(Hemamali)藏於髮中與旦塔(Danta)王子一同從Kalinga帶來錫蘭，佛牙舍利是佛陀的精神象徵，亦為全世界佛教徒非常重要的精神支柱，來此朝聖之信士絡繹不絕，每年7、8月間佛牙節，寺院都會舉行十天的遊行慶祝盛典。

晚宿：The Citadel Kandy Hotel

◆ 3/17 第四天

行程：坎迪-皇家植物園-供僧法會 (Kandy Royal Botanical Gardens- Nuwara Eliya-dana)

早上，則要進行本行程最主要的任務　—　供僧。供僧功德殊勝，為難得機緣。

下午，前往坎迪(Kandy)市郊的Peradeniya參觀南亞最大的坎迪皇家植物園。園內有超大的菠蘿蜜；有百年以上的老榕樹，它的根與莖葉涵蓋有面積2500平方公尺之廣；並且會有垂直的莖枝生長下來作為枝幹的支撐，所以又叫weeping fig(垂淚榕兒) ；有雙胞大王椰，果實成熟後下方會對分成兩瓣， 就好像人的屁股一樣，所以又叫double coconut……；園內植物與台灣所見的迥異其趣，絕對值得一遊。

接著前往聞名世界的錫蘭茶鄉努娃拉依利亞參觀。努娃拉依利亞群山環繞，放眼盡是綠油油的茶園，氣候溫和宜人，山霧漂緲，仿若人間仙境。晚上在此夜宿，享受山城仙境。

晚宿：Nuwara Eliya Grand圓山飯店

◆ 3/18 第五天

行程： (KATARAGAMA-Maha Devalaya-Kirivehera )

凱達拉嘎瑪為於斯里蘭卡南部，不但風景優美，更是融合了佛教、印度教與伊斯蘭三個宗教文化，佛教徒會認為凱達拉嘎瑪神是菩薩化身，印度徒則認為祂是天神，一年一度的凱達拉嘎瑪慶典（七～八月）更是各宗教信徒都會共襄盛舉的，遊行隊伍從Maha Devalaya　出發到Kirivehera舍利塔結束。世尊於第三次造訪斯里蘭卡時，也來到凱達拉嘎瑪，因此建於公元前三世紀Ｋｉｒｉｖｅｈｅｒｅａ舍利塔也是斯里蘭卡十六大佛教勝地之一。

晚宿︰Rosen Renaissance

◆ 3/19 第六天 (Taiwan Samadhi Village-Big Love Village)

當２００４年南亞大海嘯重創斯里蘭卡時，不少台灣人發揮愛心，除了參與立即的賑災，也投入後續工作，捐款為災民興建房屋。今天將參觀台灣愛心所建成的村落　—　三摩地台灣村、慈濟大愛村。

晚宿︰Rosen Renaissance

◆ 3/20 第七天(Colombo-Dharmachakkra Child Foundation)

上午前往班達拉嘎瑪的法輪兒童基金會參訪，並朝禮該院所珍藏之佛舍利。中午於基金會用齋，觀賞院童表演的各項才藝節目。

強法師求學期間，斯里蘭卡北方長期戰亂，有一次，強法師看到一張照片，一個媽媽懷裡抱著一個嬰兒，小孩正在吸奶，可是媽媽的頭不見了，鮮血從脖子流了下來，小孩吸的竟然是媽媽的血啊！強法師看了很難過，於是發願：『以後我要蓋孤兒院，不蓋寺院，要讓這些流離失所的孤兒能有所依怙』。於是在1996年強法師創建了法輪兒童基金會，目前院内收容約100位男女院童。

晚宿︰Rosen Renaissance

◆ 3/21 (Colombo--Kelaniya Temple- Manel Watta)

上午參訪佛陀第三次親臨的可蘭尼亞寺(Kelaniya)，此寺是斯國16個重要佛寺之一。根據歷史記載：佛陀覺悟後第8年的Vesak月月圓之日，在可蘭尼亞Naga(龍)國Maniakkhika國王的邀請下，至可蘭尼亞寺傳道，國王不但皈依佛陀，並將可蘭尼亞的土地全部供養佛陀。當時佛陀傳法之寶座，目前仍保存於該寺之佛舍利塔，塔高80呎，圓周長180呎。

下午參訪可蘭尼亞另一寺院—藍蓮花寺，這是斯國第一任總統捐贈之官邸改建而成的寺院，佔地約十六甲，對外交通非常便利。2004年第七代法王達摩揭諦長老（DhammaKitthi Sangharaja Maha Nayaka Thero，於2008年1月23日示寂）將住持重任交付強帝瑪法師，在徵得長老同意之後，強法師決定將寺院再改建成一所多元化的國際佛教大學，將聘請世界各國及斯里蘭卡各寺院的長老擔任教授。希望能夠融合南北藏傳三大糸佛教，提供全世界佛教四眾弟子一個學習完整佛法的最佳研究環境，不分大小乘，不分宗派，不分國籍，提供一切吃住，培養專業的國際弘法人才。強法師希望這所大學將來能夠成為全世界學習、交流、翻譯、弘揚佛陀正法以及推廣佛教相關學術、藝術、文化的一個重要據點。

結束後可至Colombo採購物品，然後回飯店休息。翌日3/22凌晨搭乘CX710班機前往香港轉機返台。

飛機航班一覽表
日期	飛行地點		班機	起飛時間		抵達時間
3/14	台北 → 香港 香港		CX421	12：00		13：50
或
	高雄→香港		KA433	11:20		12:50
	香港 → 可倫坡		CX711	16：00		22：35
3/22	可倫坡 →香港		CX711	00:05		12: 00
	香港 → 台北		CX564	13:10		12:00
或
	香港　→　高雄		KA 430	17:50		19:15
飯店住宿一覽表
飯店名稱					電話/傳真
可倫坡Colombo		Trans Asia Hotel			Tel:002-94-112-544200 Fax:002-94-112-449184
坎迪Kandy		The Citadel Kandy Hotel			Tel:002-94-81-2234365

● 遊遊費用：總計新台35,000元(不含出國手續工本費)，美金匯率及各地機票票價若有變動，按其比率調整之。以上費用包含導遊、領隊、司機及飯店、行李每天之服務費。

▲以上費用包括：

1.機票－來回經濟客艙團體機票。

2.住宿－行程中所到之酒店以兩人一室為原則。

3.門票－參觀遊行活動費用。

4.餐膳－旅程中之早、午、晚三餐。

5.其他－交通遊覽車、遊艇、導遊車、入場、簽證費、機場稅等等。

6.行李－23公斤以下之行李一件，機場與旅館間托運費。

7.保險－兩百萬元旅行平安險及三萬元意外醫療險。

8.石牌佛堂至中正機場來回遊覽車接送。

▲以上費用不包括：

l.出國手續之各項規費(如護照申請費用)。

2.純係私人之消費，如行李超重費、飲料、酒、洗衣、電話費及私人交通費。

3.團體餐、宿之稅捐。旅程上未表明之開支。

4.領隊－派經驗豐富之領隊，協助旅途中一切出入國手續及食宿遊覽之安全。

5.供僧費用。

●報名方式：

1.半年以上有效期限護照影印本一張

2.一吋相片2張

3.訂金5000元（總數38,000元）

●報名請洽新華旅行社：

聯絡電話：2504-22814、2504－2815

傳真號碼：2509－1890

聯 絡 人：林經理