Meditation = Awareness

MEDITATION = AWARENESS

By The Most Ven Dr M Vajiragnana

Introduction | Meditation is Awareness | Techniques | Insight Meditation | Text Satipatthana Sutta

INTRODUCTION

The teaching of the Buddha contains the solution to all problems in life. It involves self-discipline and self-understanding. Meditation has always been the direct way to perceive for oneself both the problems and their solutions. The practice brings relaxation, mental stability and calmness in daily life - we could even say it polishes our life.

The purpose of this little book is to introduce the reader to the field of meditation. The practice of which is not, as I have explained within the book, withdrawal from the world, but a necessary preparation. Nor is meditation concerned only with the philosophical considerations of sages and monks. In every activity, in every mode of life, in every occupation, for all people at all times, the practice of meditation can lead us to an appreciation of our individual place in life and of life’s intrinsic value. Because we become aware more of ourselves as an individual than as a social/political animal, we gain the confidence and clarity of vision to use our powers wisely and for the good of all.

The Buddha encouraged his followers to “Meditate now so that you will not be lethargic and remorseful when the opportunity has passed and age or sickness over­takes you”. A great master of meditation once said, “Living a meditative life is the same as living an ordinary everyday life.....do not waste time”. With those words I close this introduction and I leave you to read on.. .

FOREWORD

“There is no meditation without wisdom, nor wisdom without meditation. One who has both wisdom and meditation is close to peace and emancipation.”

Any religion, including Buddhism, is like a huge tree which has a trunk, roots, and a canopy of leaves, plus flowers, fruits, bark, soft wood and pith. None of them by themselves can be considered as a tree, but a tree can be made by the union of all these elements. Similarly the union of morality, concentration and wisdom is the vital essence which holds together all elements of Buddhism.

On the one hand, no moral practice alone can free us from the predicament of suffering; on the other hand, neither can concentration alone achieve liberation. It is the combination of both, coupled with wisdom, which leads us to the final goal. Meditation brings out the practical meaning of all aspects of this understanding. Without a good knowledge of meditation, it is impossible for us to make our practice perfect and to liberate ourselves from suffering.

Attention is an absolutely necessary factor. There are two kinds of attention - Bare Attention and Mindful Attention. One does not necessarily have to be a meditator to have bare attention, for even animals have it. Without bare attention it is impossible to know anything. Because we are not aware of the speed at which our mind operates, we take it for granted that our mind can know anything without having to pay much attention. What is more important is the second kind of attention, Mindful Attention, therefore, being an all-important ingredient of meditation, it is this full mindfulness which is an essential aim of all practitioners.

Without any hesitation or reservation, I recommend this timely book on Buddhist meditation written by the Venerable Dr. Medagama Vajiragnana, Chief Sanghanayaka Mahathera of Great Britain. I cannot think of a Theravada Buddhist monk better qualified than Ven. Dr. Vajiragnana to write a book on meditation in such lucid language. This book, I believe, will satisfy the ever­ increasing demand of meditators for guidance and instruction in this vital subject.

Henepola Gunaratana
Bhavana Society
97 Meditation Trial
High View
WV 26808
USA

September 1995

 

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Introduction to Buddhism

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Devotees wishing to receive blessings at the Vihara are advised to make an appointment with one of the resident monks

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Important Notice to regular doners to the Vihara
Due to some difficulties the LBV Trust had with the Bank of Ceylon account, we are advising doners who contribute with Standing Orders to change it to our NatWest bank account which is our operational account:

Account Name: London Buddhist Vihara
Sort Code: 56-00-31
A/c No: 02449161

It is registered with the Charity Commission and benefits from the Gift Aid scheme.
LBV Trustees

Current Situation at the London Buddhist Vihara

Dear Supporters,

 We wish you all a Peaceful, Happy and Healthy New Year. 

As there are many new supporters, we feel that it is good to write to you all with some background information about the London Buddhist Vihara (LBV) and an update. 

Some of you would know the history of the LBV but it is good to mention it briefly here. As you know, the LBV moved to the present location in 1994. Ven. Vajiragnana, the Head Monk at the time, had the foresight and the courage to take that step with the generous help of the supporters who have been a great strength to him.
In the HM Land Registry title deed the proprieter of the building is listed as the Public Trustee of Sri Lanka acting as Custodian Trustee of the Anagarika Dharmapala Trust (ADT).   

 There was the need to make changes to the building for it to be suitable for a Vihara and it was done. Then in 2002, as more space was needed, a contractor was engaged to build an extension. The construction started with the donations received from the supporters. Unfortunately, for some reason the costs far exceeded the original estimate which LBV was unable to meet, and the contractor issued a High Court writ against the ADT demanding a payment of £95,000 for unpaid bills.

It was then that three people including two of the present trustees were asked by the ADT for help with the matter and they were given Power of Attorney’s (POA) as they had to represent the ADT in the UK.

The Vihara Management Committee (VMC) was formed at the time with the three persons mentioned above and they took the necessary action immediately by retaining lawyers and filing the required reply within the few days left. Failure to file a reply would have meant summary justice by the court which could have resulted in losing the LBV building bought with the supporters’ donations. However, thanks to the supporters who continued with their donations, the VMC managed to put up a defence and the case was decided in favour of the LBV after over two years of a difficult litigation process. Afterwards the VMC continued to manage the Vihara and in 2006 completed the extension that the contractor had left only partially completed. Again all the funding was by the donors and we all can be happy that Ven. Vajiragnana was able to see the completion and also move into his new quarters before his passing away in December 2006.

The VMC continued to manage the Vihara and welcomed a new member in 2010, who had been a supporter for a long time and was instrumental in the completion of the extension after the court case.

The continuing progress of the LBV demanded more space for its programs and also for accommodation of monks. Planning Permission was a big issue as the building has a Grade II listing and due to the limited space available. After several attempts with different architects, we eventually succeeded in getting planning permission from the Ealing Borough Council in 2019.

Although a substantial amount had been saved by the LBV, the estimated cost of the project was £1 million after lengthy negotiations and cost cutting. There were suggestions from the ADT, that it  should be done in stages as they felt that there was no likelihood of raising the required funds. The project was managed by one of our trustees who is highly qualified and experienced in that field thereby saving about £70,000 in project and cost management fees. Our supporters came forward once again raising a substantial amount of money. This support with the efficient management helped us to complete the project in one year and within the allocated budget despite the challenges faced during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.   

Getting LBV registered as a Charitable Trust had been a long term need as we were not able to benefit from Gift Aid. Furthermore, the accountant warned us that LBV would have to pay tax on the donations unless it becomes a charity. It was also important that the LBV is properly regulated under the Charity Commission (CC) regulations and is subject to the UK legal system.

This was achieved with the agreement and approval of the of the ADT who were involved right from the beginning of the formation of the Trust in December 2020.

During the formation process, the draft Trust Deed prepared by the ADT was not accepted by the CC and instead suggested that we use a Trust Deed prepared by the CC as it was necessary to ensure the independence of the LBV Trust from the ADT in order to act in the best interest of the LBV. CC stated that ADT as an organisation based in Sri Lanka was outside the jurisdiction of the CC and the Legal System of the UK. Furthermore, the trustees had to give an undertaking to the CC that they would act independently in the best interest of the LBV. With the formation of the Charitable Trust, the management of the LBV and the maintenance of the Building was officially transferred to the LBV Trust.

Therefore, the Trustees are legally bound to oversee the Vihara activities fulfilling the objectives of the late Anagarika Dharmapala and for efficient management including filing accounts, Annual Returns and Annual Reports with the CC according to the CC regulations.

It should be noted that the title deed of the building (HM Land Registry, Title No AGL38505) remains with the Public Trustee of Sri Lanka as the Custodian Trustee of the ADT. LBV has occupied the building for 30 years now.

In 2022 the ADT nominated a person to be appointed as a trustee by the LBV Trust, which was done in good faith although there were certain issues.

In September 2023 the new trustee and another trustee were found to be involved in serious violations of the signed Trust Deed, CC Regulations and the Charities Act 2011. These included making unauthorised changes to the CC register which was a criminal offence under the Charities Act. After clarifying the matters with the CC and as per the guidelines provided by the CC, they were terminated as trustees following the procedures laid down by the Trust deed and the Charities Act 2011. This was  after giving them the opportunity to provide explanations and also to attend a Trust meeting which were not taken up by either of them.

 As the trustees are responsible for the safety of the trust funds and also the Data Protection, the above action had to be taken by the other three Trustees as per the guidelines of the Charity Commission and the Charities Act 2011. If not, the other three trustees would have been guilty of not taking appropriate action in the best interest of the LBV and its supporters.

In December 2023, before commencing the fourth year of forming the LBV Trust, the LBV Trust has appointed a long standing, highly respected LBV coordinator as a trustee and the Trust now has 4 trustees who have been actively involved in the LBV matters for many years. 

As mentioned above, we the trustees, the Head Monk, Ven. Bandula and the resident monks have a high regard for our supporters who have helped the Vihara so much over the years. Should you require any clarification on these matters please do not hesitate to contact us. You can also check the current situation of the LBV Trust on the Charity Commission website under London Buddhist Vihara Trust (Charity registration 1192854).     

Finally we the undersigning Trustees, wish to reiterate to all the supporters that we shall be carrying out our duties and responsibilities with the main interest of safeguarding the London Buddhist Vihara  for which we are legally bound  under the UK Charity Commission regulations and the Charities Act 2011.

With Metta

1 Mr Gamini Amarasekera

2 Dr Lakdas Panagoda

3 Mr Leslie Dep

4 Mr Harsha Siriwardane

Trustees of the London Buddhist Vihara Trust    
31 December 2023                         

 


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