Second Lieutenant Songkran Waiyaka takes commissioning oath today administered by Chaplain Christopher Mohr and witnessed by Chaplain Aroon Seeda at the University of the West, Rosemead, California.
Congratulations!
Namo Amida Butsu
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Another Buddhist Chaplain for U.S. Army
Second Lieutenant Songkran Waiyaka takes commissioning oath today administered by Chaplain Christopher Mohr and witnessed by Chaplain Aroon Seeda at the University of the West, Rosemead, California.
Congratulations!
Namo Amida Butsu
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Remembering September 2011
Let us take time to reflect on what we have done 10 years on, and what we may do 10 years from now; on the cause-and-condition of our existence, and our journey on the path of Dharma.
"Even though there are Buddhas,
A thousand million kotis in number,
And multitudes of great sages
Countless as the sands of the Ganges,
I shall make offerings
To all those Buddhas.
I shall seek the supreme Way
Resolutely and tirelessly.
Even though the Buddha-lands are as incalculable
As the sands of the Ganges,
And other regions and worlds
Are also without number,
My light shall reach everywhere,
Pervading all those lands.
Such being the result of my efforts,
My glorious power shall be immeasurable.
When I have become a Buddha,
My land shall be most exquisite,
And its people wonderful and unexcelled;
The seat of Enlightenment shall be supreme.
My land, being Nirvana itself,
Shall be beyond comparison.
I take pity on living beings
and resolve to save them all.
Those who come from the 10 directions
Shall find joy and serenity of heart;
When they reach my land,
They shall dwell in peace and happiness.
I beg you, the Buddha, to become my witness
And to vouch for the truth of my aspiration.
Having now made my vows to you,
I will strive to fulfill them."
[from the Larger Sutra on Amitayus, Inagaki translation].
Friday, August 26, 2011
Royal Thai Armed Forces Chaplains Visit USS George Washington
[From the official US 7th Fleet Web site. Chaplains of the Royal Thai Armed Forces are Buddhist]
LAEM CHABANG, Thailand - The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) hosted 20 Thai military chaplains to participate in a "ministry at sea" workshop Aug. 7.
LAEM CHABANG, Thailand (Aug. 7, 2011) - Cmdr. Brian Haley, command chaplain aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), center right, holds a discussion about conducting religious ministry services while at sea to Royal Thai Armed Forces chaplains who visited the ship. George Washington hosted 20 Thai chaplains, including Royal Thai Army Col. Chainat Yatchimplee, director of chaplains for the Royal Thai Armed Forces, Royal Thai Navy Capt. Manoon Channuan, director of chaplains for the Royal Thai Navy, and Capt. Phil Gwaltney, command chaplain, U.S. Pacific Fleet, to discuss what U.S. Navy chaplains do for their Sailors while conducting religious ministries at sea. George Washington is currently making a port visit to Thailand as an opportunity to strengthen ties with the partner nation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William Pittman)
The Thai chaplains, from all branches of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, came aboard George Washington to participate in the workshop with chaplains from George Washington, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 and the guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63).
"We are hosting this visit aboard George Washington for multiple reasons, but key among them is to continue to foster our relationship with the Royal Thai Armed Forces," said Capt. Phil Gwaltney, command chaplain, U.S. Pacific Fleet. "That's why we're hosting this workshop, to discuss everything that U.S. Navy chaplains do for our Sailors, so the Thai navy can begin to see some new opportunities for their chaplains to be supporting their Sailors and families."
Nearly a dozen Navy chaplains participated in the event.
"This is the largest collection of U.S. Navy chaplains that we've had [in Thailand] recently so we used the opportunity to bring the chaplains from the carrier, cruiser, DESRON and air wing together with the Thai chaplains," said Gwaltney. "This gave us the chance to introduce ourselves to each other and to have a discussion about the numerous opportunities this presents us."
Thai chaplains that attended included Royal Thai Army Col. Chainat Yatchimplee, director of chaplains for the Royal Thai Armed Forces, and Royal Thai Navy Capt. Manoon Channuan, director of chaplains for the Royal Thai Navy.
"This meeting is a very good opportunity for Thai chaplains and U.S. chaplains to join together to achieve a common goal," said Yatchimplee. "This makes me very happy and very proud in our chosen occupation as chaplains and I hope the liaison between us will go to new heights and provide many opportunities to work together."
Upon arriving aboard the carrier, George Washington's command chaplain, Cmdr. Brian Haley led the guests on a tour of the ship, highlighting the flight deck, hangar bay, forecastle, library and chapel. The tour ended with an exchange of gifts from both sides.
"One of the Pacific Fleet commander's goals is for all elements of our forces to develop as much interoperability as possible," said Gwaltney. "For chaplains, that really means that when there is a future disaster, can our chaplaincies from the Royal Thai Navy and the U.S. Navy work together to help mitigate the effects of that disaster and to help support the recovery in the event of a natural disaster. So the more we do together, whether it be community service projects or religious exchanges, the more we get comfortable and we find opportunities to work together."
George Washington is currently making a port visit to Thailand as an opportunity to strengthen ties with the partner nation. Port visits increase mutual understanding through positive interaction events such as tours of the ship, receptions and sports and community service projects. This supports regional cooperation on common concerns which are of the utmost importance to continued progress.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Buddhist Study Available at Wheeler Chapel, Hawaii
For those stationed at or near Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawai'i:
Wheeler Chapel offers variety to residentsJuly 7, 2011
By Master Sgt. Stephen Chinen, Chaplain Assistant, 3302nd Mobilization Support Battalion
WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii -- The Wheeler Chapel celebrates its 43rd anniversary this year.
Built in 1968, at a cost of $366,000, the chapel recently experienced a serendipitous sequence of events, bridging the chapel’s early years and the present.
It was 1970, when U.S. Navy Sailor Mike Cimorosi got married in the new Wheeler Chapel. Fast-forward four decades, he and his wife are now celebrating their 41st wedding anniversary.
Living in Delaware, the couple emailed the chapel assistant asking for any current pictures of Wheeler Chapel. They didn’t expect to ever return to Hawaii again and wanted some pictures to help them celebrate their wedding anniversary.
Luckily, a promotion had recently taken place in the chapel, and it was photographed. Photos were sent to the Cimorosis, who were so elated and grateful.
This example is just one illustration of how Wheeler Chapel continues to be an important part of the Schofield Barracks community and the garrison Chaplain’s Office.
Another recent event that has bridged the past and present is the “Brown Bags Buddhism” discussion group, which is an introduction to Buddhism facilitated by Rev. Kevin Kuniyuki, resident minister of the Wahiawa Hongwanji Mission.
Buddhism has been practiced in the U.S. for nearly 150 years. Those interested in learning more about Buddhism attended the recent discussion group.
The next open discussion at Wheeler Chapel is July 14, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Others will be held at the Main Post Chapel Annex on the fourth Sunday of every month at 1 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend the discussion group and to bring a lunch and questions.
Wheeler Chapel also offers Bible studies, choir rehearsals and other religious activities, including a Catholic Mass every Saturday at 5 p.m., and a Lutheran/Episcopalian Sunday service at 9 a.m.
Unit trainings and other nonreligious activities also often occur in the chapel’s Fellowship Hall.
(For more information or questions about Wheeler Chapel events and services, call (808) 655-9307.)
Wheeler Chapel offers variety to residentsJuly 7, 2011
By Master Sgt. Stephen Chinen, Chaplain Assistant, 3302nd Mobilization Support Battalion
WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii -- The Wheeler Chapel celebrates its 43rd anniversary this year.
Built in 1968, at a cost of $366,000, the chapel recently experienced a serendipitous sequence of events, bridging the chapel’s early years and the present.
It was 1970, when U.S. Navy Sailor Mike Cimorosi got married in the new Wheeler Chapel. Fast-forward four decades, he and his wife are now celebrating their 41st wedding anniversary.
Living in Delaware, the couple emailed the chapel assistant asking for any current pictures of Wheeler Chapel. They didn’t expect to ever return to Hawaii again and wanted some pictures to help them celebrate their wedding anniversary.
Luckily, a promotion had recently taken place in the chapel, and it was photographed. Photos were sent to the Cimorosis, who were so elated and grateful.
This example is just one illustration of how Wheeler Chapel continues to be an important part of the Schofield Barracks community and the garrison Chaplain’s Office.
Another recent event that has bridged the past and present is the “Brown Bags Buddhism” discussion group, which is an introduction to Buddhism facilitated by Rev. Kevin Kuniyuki, resident minister of the Wahiawa Hongwanji Mission.
Buddhism has been practiced in the U.S. for nearly 150 years. Those interested in learning more about Buddhism attended the recent discussion group.
The next open discussion at Wheeler Chapel is July 14, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Others will be held at the Main Post Chapel Annex on the fourth Sunday of every month at 1 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend the discussion group and to bring a lunch and questions.
Wheeler Chapel also offers Bible studies, choir rehearsals and other religious activities, including a Catholic Mass every Saturday at 5 p.m., and a Lutheran/Episcopalian Sunday service at 9 a.m.
Unit trainings and other nonreligious activities also often occur in the chapel’s Fellowship Hall.
(For more information or questions about Wheeler Chapel events and services, call (808) 655-9307.)
Service members, Station Residents Find Peace Through Zen Meditation, Buddhist Scripture
[From the Marines.mil Web site] Thanks to CH. Malasri for the link!
5/12/2011 By Lance Cpl. Jennifer J. Pirante, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan — Japan is abundant in cultural experiences and historical sites, which may be new to many service members and station residents. It might be difficult to experience them all in just one two-year tour, but not far from Iwakuni is a spiritual journey waiting to be discovered by those who have yet to experience it.
Approximately 20 service members and station residents spent their Sunday morning exploring the rich culture of Japanese Buddhism during an Information, Tours and Travel trip to the Kofukuji Temple in the Onomichi area of Hiroshima.
The Kofukuji Temple, which belongs to the Rinzai school of Zen, is located at the foot of an island in the Seto-inland Sea, muralled in the background by mountains, green forests and ancient pagodas. The Kojoji Temple, a famous three-tiered pagoda also towers over the village.
Many museums are also scattered among the area, filled with folklore and historical artifacts, which paint a picture of a time when Setoda seaport was once a vital shipping port for the commerce of salt.
The Kofukuji temple is just a short quartermile walk from the seaport. Its surroundings are decorated with citrus grapefruit and orange trees. They could be smelled along the path. Upon arrival, stone lanterns, culptures and shrines stood carefully placed in the yard, aged with time.
As the group walked up the pathway, beneath an archway to the entrance of the temple, Tadahisa Teshima, a Buddhist monk dressed in a black robe, welcomed and invited everyone to remove their shoes. His Buddhist name was Joshun, he said.
Before meditation, it is common to burn incense and, in Buddhism, it is an avid part of the ritual, Teshima explained. Participants lined up and lit a stick of incense before taking a seat on two pieces of cushion décor to experience the art of Zazen, the practice of sitting meditation.
“Practicing Buddhism requires a lot of discipline,” said Teshima. “It requires a lot of concentration.”
Once settled, Teshima instructed everyone to fold the top cushion in half and sit comfortably, spine extended with hands and legs folded with careful posture. The meditation was divided into two sessions, each 10 minutes with a break in between the two.
“It was very relaxing,” said Lance Cpl. Crystal Weaver, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron administrative specialist. “I was able to relieve a lot of stress by just being able to focus on one thing instead of so many.”
For those who experience trouble clearing their mind and finding inner peace, the Buddhist culture provides a few methods to help remedy this inner conflict. During meditation, Teshima rang a sharp, sustaining bell, or Dorje, which is meant to symbolize the “thunderbolt of enlightenment.” It serves as an abrupt change in human consciousness and is designed to help the meditator focus, Teshima said.
The bell rang four times at 2-and-a-halfminute intervals during each 10-minute session. The seemingly gentle monk also walked around with a flat wooden stick called keisaku. Upon silent request, meditators received three whacks, intended to remedy sleepiness or lapses of concentration.
“The meditation was hard,” said Seaman Annabel Rendon, H&HS logistics specialist. “One-on-one time with yourself takes a lot of discipline to be in Zen, but I could hear birds in the background, which helped me relax.”
After the meditation session, the group practiced the art of Buddhist scripture writing. Given a piece of paper and a calligraphy marker, the group had 20 minutes to practice their best Kanji while tracing the most popular of Buddhist scriptures, The Heart Sutra. The scripture is made of 14 Shlokas, or verses, composed of 32 syllables.
Making a handwritten copy of a sutra is called “Shayko.” The Heart Sutra is simple and important to the Buddhist religion, said Teshima. The purpose is to copy each character with deep and careful concentration during each stroke. Buddhist scripture is significant to the Buddhist religion, but in order to train with proper discipline, it becomes a way of life.
“You’re training all the time,” said Teshima. “You must always pay attention to yourself and what you are doing. You need to throw away your ego so you can follow the teachings, but that doesn’t mean you have to lose our personality.”
As a monk, Teshima said his schedule is very busy. He wakes up every day at 4 a.m. to complete chores and clean around the temple. His day is filled with frequent meditation sessions and a dedication to the discipline of the Buddhist religion. Everything he does, from the way he approaches life to the way he eats his meals, is done purposefully and with care.
The group got a taste of Teshima’s way of life when they were treated to a small-portioned vegetarian lunch. Meal setting is strategically prepared by horizontally aligning three bowls, sequential in size. Hot white rice was scooped and served in the largest bowl. Everyone treated themselves to miso soup, which was poured into the medium-sized bowl and in the smallest bowl, everyone was served two slices of pickles, one of which was to be saved for later.
Everyone was instructed to join their hands in a sort of prayer as the monk calmly begged for alms on behalf of the group.
“First, let us reflect on our own work and the effort of those who brought us this food,” Teshima began to chant.
In Buddhist religion, meals such as this are eaten in complete silence. Meals are a time to consciously reflect on the food nourishing the body. At the end of the meal, it was time to clean the bowls. To do this, everyone was instructed to pour warm water into the biggest bowls. A small portion of this water was then poured into the smallest and middle-sized bowl. The slice of pickle, which had been set aside prior, was used the clean the bowls one by one. It is also Buddhist tradition to eat the remaining slice of pickle, drink the water and dry the bowls with cloth. Nothing is wasted. Nothing is spared.
“I was very surprised by the attention to detail,” said Rendon. “I loved it. This is the best thing I have done in Japan so far.”
“We thought it would be a good idea for people to expereince something different,” said Taka Takeda, ITT tour guide. “We thought this would be a really good one because a lot of people want to know what being a Buddhist monk is like.”
ITT has many trips slated for service members and station residents to take advantage of and explore more cultural expereinces throughout Japan including an overnight trip to the Beppu Onsen hot springs May 29.
5/12/2011 By Lance Cpl. Jennifer J. Pirante, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan — Japan is abundant in cultural experiences and historical sites, which may be new to many service members and station residents. It might be difficult to experience them all in just one two-year tour, but not far from Iwakuni is a spiritual journey waiting to be discovered by those who have yet to experience it.
Approximately 20 service members and station residents spent their Sunday morning exploring the rich culture of Japanese Buddhism during an Information, Tours and Travel trip to the Kofukuji Temple in the Onomichi area of Hiroshima.
The Kofukuji Temple, which belongs to the Rinzai school of Zen, is located at the foot of an island in the Seto-inland Sea, muralled in the background by mountains, green forests and ancient pagodas. The Kojoji Temple, a famous three-tiered pagoda also towers over the village.
Many museums are also scattered among the area, filled with folklore and historical artifacts, which paint a picture of a time when Setoda seaport was once a vital shipping port for the commerce of salt.
The Kofukuji temple is just a short quartermile walk from the seaport. Its surroundings are decorated with citrus grapefruit and orange trees. They could be smelled along the path. Upon arrival, stone lanterns, culptures and shrines stood carefully placed in the yard, aged with time.
As the group walked up the pathway, beneath an archway to the entrance of the temple, Tadahisa Teshima, a Buddhist monk dressed in a black robe, welcomed and invited everyone to remove their shoes. His Buddhist name was Joshun, he said.
Before meditation, it is common to burn incense and, in Buddhism, it is an avid part of the ritual, Teshima explained. Participants lined up and lit a stick of incense before taking a seat on two pieces of cushion décor to experience the art of Zazen, the practice of sitting meditation.
“Practicing Buddhism requires a lot of discipline,” said Teshima. “It requires a lot of concentration.”
Once settled, Teshima instructed everyone to fold the top cushion in half and sit comfortably, spine extended with hands and legs folded with careful posture. The meditation was divided into two sessions, each 10 minutes with a break in between the two.
“It was very relaxing,” said Lance Cpl. Crystal Weaver, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron administrative specialist. “I was able to relieve a lot of stress by just being able to focus on one thing instead of so many.”
For those who experience trouble clearing their mind and finding inner peace, the Buddhist culture provides a few methods to help remedy this inner conflict. During meditation, Teshima rang a sharp, sustaining bell, or Dorje, which is meant to symbolize the “thunderbolt of enlightenment.” It serves as an abrupt change in human consciousness and is designed to help the meditator focus, Teshima said.
The bell rang four times at 2-and-a-halfminute intervals during each 10-minute session. The seemingly gentle monk also walked around with a flat wooden stick called keisaku. Upon silent request, meditators received three whacks, intended to remedy sleepiness or lapses of concentration.
“The meditation was hard,” said Seaman Annabel Rendon, H&HS logistics specialist. “One-on-one time with yourself takes a lot of discipline to be in Zen, but I could hear birds in the background, which helped me relax.”
After the meditation session, the group practiced the art of Buddhist scripture writing. Given a piece of paper and a calligraphy marker, the group had 20 minutes to practice their best Kanji while tracing the most popular of Buddhist scriptures, The Heart Sutra. The scripture is made of 14 Shlokas, or verses, composed of 32 syllables.
Making a handwritten copy of a sutra is called “Shayko.” The Heart Sutra is simple and important to the Buddhist religion, said Teshima. The purpose is to copy each character with deep and careful concentration during each stroke. Buddhist scripture is significant to the Buddhist religion, but in order to train with proper discipline, it becomes a way of life.
“You’re training all the time,” said Teshima. “You must always pay attention to yourself and what you are doing. You need to throw away your ego so you can follow the teachings, but that doesn’t mean you have to lose our personality.”
As a monk, Teshima said his schedule is very busy. He wakes up every day at 4 a.m. to complete chores and clean around the temple. His day is filled with frequent meditation sessions and a dedication to the discipline of the Buddhist religion. Everything he does, from the way he approaches life to the way he eats his meals, is done purposefully and with care.
The group got a taste of Teshima’s way of life when they were treated to a small-portioned vegetarian lunch. Meal setting is strategically prepared by horizontally aligning three bowls, sequential in size. Hot white rice was scooped and served in the largest bowl. Everyone treated themselves to miso soup, which was poured into the medium-sized bowl and in the smallest bowl, everyone was served two slices of pickles, one of which was to be saved for later.
Everyone was instructed to join their hands in a sort of prayer as the monk calmly begged for alms on behalf of the group.
“First, let us reflect on our own work and the effort of those who brought us this food,” Teshima began to chant.
In Buddhist religion, meals such as this are eaten in complete silence. Meals are a time to consciously reflect on the food nourishing the body. At the end of the meal, it was time to clean the bowls. To do this, everyone was instructed to pour warm water into the biggest bowls. A small portion of this water was then poured into the smallest and middle-sized bowl. The slice of pickle, which had been set aside prior, was used the clean the bowls one by one. It is also Buddhist tradition to eat the remaining slice of pickle, drink the water and dry the bowls with cloth. Nothing is wasted. Nothing is spared.
“I was very surprised by the attention to detail,” said Rendon. “I loved it. This is the best thing I have done in Japan so far.”
“We thought it would be a good idea for people to expereince something different,” said Taka Takeda, ITT tour guide. “We thought this would be a really good one because a lot of people want to know what being a Buddhist monk is like.”
ITT has many trips slated for service members and station residents to take advantage of and explore more cultural expereinces throughout Japan including an overnight trip to the Beppu Onsen hot springs May 29.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Buddhist Services at Joint Base Balad, Iraq
Buddhist services at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, will begin this month. First service will be AUG 13 2011. Sponsored by 77th Special Troops Battalion, Chaplain (1LT) Bermudes.
Thanks to Gregory Melartin for the news!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Buddhist Chaplain Helps US, Australian forces 'Chill Out' During Talisman Sabre 2011
From the DVIDS web site:
Story by Sara Csurilla
Photo by Sara Csurilla
Chaplain (Capt.) Somya Malasri, one of two active-duty Buddhist chaplains in the U.S. Armed Forces, leads members from the U.S. Armed Forces and Australian Defence Force in meditation during a Buddhist service at Camp Rocky during Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 is an exercise designed to train U.S. and Australian forces to plan and conduct combined task force operations to improve combat readiness and interoperability on a variety of missions from conventional conflict to peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts.
ROCKHAMPTON, Australia - Sit on the ground, cross your legs, sit up straight, gently rest your hands on your knees, close your eyes, relax…and just breathe.
That’s what one may hear walking past the chaplain’s tent early on a Sunday morning at Camp Rocky during Talisman Sabre 2011.
Chaplain (Capt.) Somya Malasri, one of two active-duty Buddhist chaplains in the U.S. Armed Forces, has been holding Buddhist services every Sunday; and gatherings on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, to provide guidance on meditation.
“We meditate to cultivate our minds, just like we eat to nourish our bodies,” Malasri explains before leading the group meditation during the service.
Malasari traveled with his unit, the 57th Transportation Battalion from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., but was born in Thailand.
In Thailand, Malasri joined a Theravada Buddhist temple when he was 17 years old and was ordained as a monk at the age of 21. After receiving his bachelor’s degree, and teaching others about Buddhist philosophy and history, Malasri performed missionary work in China and India and eventually the United States..
While working at a temple in Las Vegas, Malasri met an American soldier who told him there were no Buddhist Chaplains in the Army. With more than 5000 people in the military practicing Buddhism, Malasri decided to fill the void.
Taking off the robes of a monk, he donned the uniform of a soldier and enlisted as a cook in the U.S. Army. After a several years of learning what it was to be a soldier, Malasri applied to become a chaplain and, with an endorsement from the Buddhist Churches of America, was accepted,
A chaplain for 10 months now, Malasri is spreading the teachings and philosophies of Buddha to soldiers on multiple continents.
“I’m really enjoying my time here in Australia,” he said. “I think the Buddhist service can be really good for the soldiers because it’s not necessarily about religion. It’s about relaxing, reflecting on life, and letting go of worries or suffering of any sort.”
Although Malasri is accustomed to holding services in a chapel at his home base, his service here in a small military tent at Camp Rocky still attracts a crowd.
“This is the first time I’ve meditated in boots,” said Col. Murray Hayes, a dentist with the Australian Army, 1st Health Support Battalion. “Despite being in an incongruent environment, it was very rewarding.”
During each of his services, the chaplain likes to give a quote for the day.
“This too shall pass,” said Malasri, during his Sunday service. “This is what I wanted people to take away from today’s service. I want people to be more positive. If we continue to hold onto bad experiences it only causes suffering.”
Malasri said his number one goal as a chaplain is to raise morale and give people an outlet to talk, no matter what country he’s in.
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