Editorial Team

The Spring Temple Buddha or Zhongyuan Buddha

Sitting high on China’s Mount Yao, the Spring Temple Buddha is one of the nation’s greatest tourist attractions.

Spring Temple Buddha is one of the tallest and most majestic statues in the world, towering over the Zhaocun township of Lushan County, Henan, in China. Completed in 2008 following the Taliban destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas, this monumental Buddha is listed as one of the national 5A tourist attractions in China by the Chinese government. Incredibly, the statue is made from 2200 tons of copper, 1500 tons of steel, and 108 tons of gold, which give the statue its gleaming, iridescent quality that can be seen for many miles.

But the statue is only one of the many attractions one can expect to encounter during a visit to the Spring Temple Buddha scenic spot, which features a series of both natural and manmade attractions.

The Problem of Conflict

By Ven Bhikkhu Bodhi It is one of the bitterest ironies of human life that although virtually all human beings cherish a desire to live in peace, we continually find ourselves embroiled in conflict, pitted against others in relationships marred by tension, distrust or open hostility. This irony is particularly poignant because it is immediatelyContinue reading “The Problem of Conflict “

From Sri Lanka to China : The Voyages of Bhikkhunī Devasārā and the Sri Lankan Bhikkhunīs

When Buddhist devotees go to Bodh Gaya in India, the site of the Buddha’s awakening, and they enter the great Mahabodhi Temple, they will see before them, on the main altar, a large and impressive Buddha statue.

Many will make offerings of flowers before it, some will have their photograph taken in front of it, others will sit in silent awe reflecting on the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha. Although this fine statue seems to be an organic and integral part of the Temple it was not originally made for it and is actually many centuries younger than it. So what is the story behind this iconic statue and how did it get to where it is today?

A Mother’s Dilemma. How Buddha’s Wisdom Helps

You lie in bed at night. You stare at the ceiling. The house is quiet. But your mind is screaming. You look at the phone. You wait for a text to say they are okay. You replay their problems in your head. You worry about their breakup. You worry about their debt. You worry about their sadness.

And then, the Guilt comes. You replay the past. You wonder, “Did I do enough?” You judge yourself for mistakes you made 20 years ago. You think if you had been different then, they would be safe now.

Your instinct is to rush in. You want to fix it. For years, a kiss and a band-aid fixed everything. You were the Magician. But now, they are tall. They are grown. Their problems are too big for band-aids. And you feel a terrible, hollow ache in your chest. You realize a painful truth. “I cannot save them from this.”

BMV News & Events

Upcoming Events
1. Full Moon Day Puja – 2nd April at 7.30pm.
2. Annual Merit Offering Ceremony – 5th April.
3. Sinhala and Tamil New Year – 14th April at 7.30am.

Past Events
1. Dhamma Activities
A. In-Person Dhamma Talks @ 8pm
B. Meditation Retreats
C. Sutta Class with Bhante Gangodawila Chandima Thera (Canada)
D. Meditation Classes with Ayya Nanda
E. 47th Novitiate Programme – 20th December to 28th December 2025

2. Other BMV Activities
A. UN World Meditation Day Seminar – 21st December 2025
B. BMV Seniors Club Yoga Book Launch – 6th January
C. BMV Seniors Club Line Dancing – 17th January
D. Friends of the Vihara (FOV) Chinese New Year Grocery Bag Distribution in Kg Asam Kumbang, Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor – 31st January

Pen Portraits

The theme is to pay tribute to the 80 Maha Arahants and the 13 Maha Theri Arahants who had by their efforts won emancipation of a rare distinction. They belonged to the innermost circles in the life of the Gautama Buddha. The Buddha and the Maha Arahants were together most of the time. No 74.Continue reading “Pen Portraits”