Dhamma Eart began in 2008 as a simple Buddhist meditation hermitage nestled in the forested region of Kuching, Malaysia.
Over the years, it has blossomed into an international ecosystem dedicated to Dhamma learning, service, and community building.
Today, its Buddhist monasteries can be found in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Dhampus (Nepal), and Penang (Malaysia), serving as sanctuaries for practice, wisdom, and compassion.
This Dhamma ecosystem provides various platforms for people of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of spiritual development to benefit from the Buddha’s Teachings.
Dhamma Earth aims to nurture holistic well-being—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—through a dynamic Dhamma ecosystem structured around four key pillars:
MEDITATION
EDUCATION
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
SOCIAL WELFARE.
The Dhamma Earth ecosystem is dedicated to the growth and transformation of all. We invite you to be part of this journey.
Explore more about Dhamma Earth
The meditation course is based on the Buddha’s systematic instructions from the Pali canon (Tipitaka) and its Commentaries (tika), focusing on the Threefold Training:
Virtue (sīla, morality): the foundation of ethical living
Stillness (samādhi, concentration): the cultivation of a focused mind
Wisdom (paññā, knowing-and-seeing): the development of insight
Dhamma Earth monasteries welcome practitioners year-round for meditation practice and scheduled retreats. As the Buddha taught, the gift of Dhamma (the Teachings) is the most precious gift. In this spirit, all meditation retreats at Dhamma Earth are offered free of charge, supported by the generosity (dāna) of donors who wish to help others experience the path of awakening.
DHAMMA EDUCATION
Dhamma Earth believes that Dhamma education should be engaging, accessible, and meaningful for all. Local educational initiatives span across different age groups and interests, including:
Dhamma classes and camps for children, youth, university students, and young adults.
Thematic courses in leadership, mindfulness, and creative expression
Programs by affiliated organizations:
Mangala Family, Tusita Youth, and Hai Ou – Promoting Dhamma education
SOLID (Society of Leadership in De-Selfishness) and WISLEAD (Wisdom Leadership Society) – Cultivating leadership with wisdom
Compassion in action is at the heart of Dhamma Earth, which strives to uplift the lives of the disadvantaged through our charities Tusita Foundation, Maha Mangala Charity of Malaysia, and Shayoung Club of Malaysia.
Future aspirations: Expanding into hospice care, elderly and disability services, counseling, daycare centers, and orphanages.
SOCIAL WELFARE
A healthy body supports a clear mind. Dhamma Earth integrates physical well-being into spiritual practice through programs that emphasize:
Holistic health – Nutrition, lifestyle, and mindful living
Healing and detox retreats – Combining the Buddha's ancient wisdom with modern wellness
Mind Body Liberation Program – A free-of-charge medical therapy service offering traditional Chinese medicine and holistic therapies, incorporating Dhamma principles into healthcare to address physical and mental sufferings at the root causes.
VISION
Dhamma Earth envisions becoming a global center for Dhamma propagation, continuing to spread the Teachings of the historical Buddha and helping more beings find liberation from all suffering.
The future of Dhamma Earth includes expanding its ecosystem to encompass more charitable, educational, and health-related projects, ensuring that people at every stage of life can benefit from the Dhamma.More
DhammaEarth.org; Yean C. and Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
LIVE: Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, 31, shot at Utah Valley University | NBC
Clark Kent of MAGA influencers
(NOW NBC News) Smart-alecky conservative mouthpiece Charlie Kirk (co-founder of Turning Point USA) has been shot in the neck and chest area with immediate massive blood loss while he was debating peons at Utah University. He was gunned down in front of a giant crowd as he opined on TRANS ISSUES in addition to promoting Trump, right wing issues, pro-Christianity, anti-abortion, and fiscal conservatism to generate viral clips and "gotcha" moments on the internet.
Capitalism made my dad rich
He was rushed off and an incredible number of militants, paramilitary police, and undercover informants swarmed the area. Was it a set up? The wrong suspect (possibly an intentional diversion) was detained then released. The real shooter [possibly a trained agent] escaped. This was the start of Kirk's "American Comeback" Tour with his "prove me wrong" table. Sometimes bullets speak louder than loud words.
OPINION: Someone (some alphabet agency such as the CIA, DHS, FBI) is out to get LGBTQIA+ individuals, put them on lists, limit their rights, use them as the first to be taken (along with immigrants) into a New World Order envisioned by Pres. Bush. If the mainstream media can besmirch their name and make them out to be dangerous gun nuts, right wing gun nuts may attack them. Is Ben Shapiro now shaking in his Zionist boots?
Someone wants country to turn on LGBTQ folks
Rense.com has a chilling view on the pattern of making school shooters out to be not only pharmaceutically medicated incels but increasingly dissatisfied transgender folks. Will this serve as an excuse for strongman would-be dictator Trump to lock down the country and install himself as the American Putin? Or maybe it's only a coincidence that Kirk was treading on the delicate subject of transgenderism when he was shot. The Annunciation Church of Minneapolis was shot up by a totally organic and disgruntled Catholic trans individual whose mother previously worked there.
Will special protection originally intended for Kamala Harris now be diverted to protect our right wing influencers like Brett Cooper, Candace Owens, Bibi Shapiro, et al?
Patsy? Wrong suspect arrested. Shooter escaped.
Started streaming Sept. 9, 2025: NBC News NOW is live, reporting breaking news and developing stories in real time on the scene, covering the most important stories of the day and taking deep dives on issues no one cares about. For more context, spin, and the official state narrative that is not to be question for news coverage of the most important stories of our day, click: https://www.nbcnews.com. #LiveNews #BreakingNews #NBCNews
Stay far away from fools, and instead associate with the wise
Avoiding fools and
Associating with the wise,
Giving respect to the deserving,
This is [among] life's highest blessings.
Sattigumba and Pupphaka
Asevanā ca bālānaṃ, paṇḍitānañca sevanā;
Pūjā ca pūjaneyyānaṃ
etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ.
Maṅgala Sutra
That's a good bird! - Thank you, sir.
These lines verses from the "Blessings Sutra" uttered by the Buddha who was asked, “What is life's highest blessing?” He spoke of 38 blessings. However, this first verse is perhaps the most important. We are smart to distinguish the fools from the wise.
The Commentary to this verse explains: Fools commit unskillful karma (demeritorious deeds of body, speech, and mind).
The wise create skillful karma (meritorious deeds of body, speech, and mind). The wise develop virtue (sila, morality, ethical conduct).
Lay Buddhists keep Five Precepts, Eight Precepts on fasting (lunar observance) days, and Ten Precepts on retreat or during intensive practice). Monastics vow to adhere to 227 Precepts, including eight more for females who follow the garudhammas.
When a wise person hears about or recollects the Five Precepts, or a wise monastic hears about or calls to mind the 227 Precepts, that person becomes happy.
When one hears of the unskillful karma created by breaking precepts, one becomes happy because of not having broken those precepts and knowing that bad karmic results (resultants and fruits or vipaka and phala) will be avoided.
When one hears of skillful karma due to virtue, one becomes happy, knowing that welcome results will come. This is true for "wise" people, according to the Bālapaṇḍita Sutra (MN 129).
I'm not a fool. I'm drunk -- and loving it. 🤢🤮
Fools (bāla) are described in the same discourse:
Suppose a fool is sitting in a council hall, street, or crossroads, where people are discussing what is proper and suitable. And suppose that fool is someone who kills living creatures, steals, engages in sexual misconduct, lies (deceives), and uses intoxicants that occasion negligence. That fool thinks:
"‘These people are discussing what is proper and fitting; those things are found in me, and I am seen in them!’
"This is the first kind of suffering and sadness a fool experiences in the present life.
"Those who fail to uphold the Five Precepts [which are useful for all humans of whatever religion or philosophy] for lay practitioners or 227 for monastics become fearful when they hear these precepts and the negative results from breaking them. They are called fools."
Actually, the ones who become afraid have some hints of wisdom, for they know they should change [so as to avoid future suffering].
I'm starting to think you might be a bad influence on me. - Shut the front door, Birdbrain.
.
It is the ones without fear who do not become afraid at all when hearing these things who are absolute fools. They are the most dangerous because they hold wrong views and act on them. They are dangerous because they believe the unskillful actions they do are actually skillful, and they spread these wrong views with others.
The Commentary to the Maṅgala Sutra, "The Discourse on Blessings," says that this is like a house on fire, burning: It easily spreads to neighboring houses.
Spiritual development starts with being morally wise. After morality is developed, one is capable of developing stillness of mind (samatha, samadhi).
Those who have developed stillness (samadhi, unification, concentration, coherence) have completed the second part of “being wise.”
The third part is to develop insight knowledge or vipassana. One must have the ability to focus, be calm, and remain still to develop insight knowledge. And one must have virtue (morality) to develop focus (non-distractedness).
That is why it is said that virtue, stillness, and wisdom (sīla, samādhi, and paññā), in this order and not in any other order, is the path to enlightenment.
The highest level of insight is the glimpsing or realization of nirvana (Pali nibbāna). And the highest level of attaining nirvana (while still alive) is full enlightenment or arahant knowledge.
While a person yet lives, this is called enlightenment with remainder because one is still experiencing the results of previous karma, while no longer accruing any new karma. All intentional actions at this point are called kriyas or "simple (functional) actions." They do not bear fruit. When one enters final nirvana or parinibbana, this is enlightenment without remainder.
An arhat (arahant) is someone in whom passion (greed and clinging), aversion (hatred and fear), and delusion (ignorance and wrong views) are completely destroyed without remainder. These are the noble ones who have laid down the burden, who have made an end of suffering and rebirth here and now.
Where do I ordain?
Wanting to practice a direct path to enlightenment free of all worldly distractions, many people ask where to ordain. To find a proper abbey, look for spiritually wise monastics. While this is difficult to discern by merely looking, morally wise monastics are easier to detect.
One cannot be spiritually wise without being morally wise. Therefore, start at a place where both the monastic rules (vinaya) and meditation are regarded as important.
Rotten apple
[In the West, one bad apple rots the entire barrel.] In addition to a burning house spreading fire to another, the Maṅgala Sutra Commentary speaks of rotten fish spreading rot to nearby objects.
One who ties up putrid fish
with blades of kusa grass
makes the kusa grass smell foul:
so it is in the following fools
(It 68, 9-12, Ja IV 435, 28-29, JaVI 236 4-5).
Maṅgala Sutra Commentary: In contrast, the commentary explains that if one were to wrap tagara jasmine flowers with leaves, those leaves would become wonderfully fragrant.
One who ties up tagara
with leaves [fallen from a tree]
makes the leaves sweetly fragrant:
So it is in following the wise
(It 68, 13-16, Ja IV 436, 1-2, Ja VI 236, 6-7).
Maṅgala Sutra Commentary: This is literally used to explain that whatever is near to us can easily “rub off” on us. Perhaps the best example of this is our language or accent.
Not long ago, if someone were from New York City or Long Island, one could easily tell by the way that person talked.
My father is from the Bronx, and everyone who hears him speak knows it. This is becoming a thing of the past because of TV and internet videos that are homogenizing us.
Think about it. Television and internet media affect us in deeply rooted and subconscious ways. They affect the way we speak without us realizing it. If they can affect the way we sound to others, why would they not impact our attitudes, beliefs, and morals without us realizing it?
As internet algorithms choose more and more polarizing and extreme material to present to us, those things will become a part of us. They become the new normal. They already have.
We are encouraged to associate or live with the wise, with those who are higher than us in terms of morality and wisdom. This is very important because it will be easy for this to rub off on us, such as the fragrance of flowers.
The twin parrots Buddhist birth story
The Sattigumba Jātaka is listed in the Commentaries quoted above to explain this point.
It is the tale of two parrots born as twins. A storm comes, and they are separated shortly after birth.
One bird is raised by a gang of thieves, the other by hermit wandering ascetics. The king comes across both parrots at different times. The first encounter is the bad parrot who speaks of stealing and killing, while the other speaks of sharing and kindness. The king is moved by the difference between the two.
This story may seem hard to believe, but we can find examples of parrots on YouTube that point this out. Believe it or not, many parrots are in need of shelter. Enter “parrot + a location” into a search engine and see the many organizations looking for new nests for their avian orphans.
The video above is about a rescued bird who lived with bad people and witnessed a terrible crime.
This parrot witnessed the murder of its owner. It became a key witness at the trial in the human world. Likewise, there are numerous channels with loving parrots who obviously had loving owners, such as this one:
Hey, give me a kiss. - Sure, 'bout time you asked. Hey, WTH? Why you you little love-blocker!
Hello? What the H do you want? - Les, is that U?
This post by Bhante, now edited by Wisdom Quarterly, is dedicated to Bhante’s cousin, Les Brodie, who died. He had a well-trained talking bird and told me about what a joy it was to have it. It had its own bike, and the bird would often pick up the house phone with its claw on the first ring and imitate his voice, “Hello? Uh huh...ummm...yes...uh huh…”
Apparently, sometimes his friends would have whole conversations with the bird without Les knowing it. He was a very special bird, and his person was not so bad either.
If we are parents, our children are our parrots. They are watching and listening whether we like it or not, and they will mimic and model themselves after us.
Moreover, WE are all talking birds, parroting whomever we follow and associate with. Those with whom we associate rub off on us like wrapping around stinky fish or fragrant flowers. So it is wise to be wise in choosing our associates.
Avoiding fools and
Associating with the wise,
Giving respect to those worthy of it,
This is life’s highest blessing.
Pa Auk Sayadaw student Bhante Subhuti (americanmonk.org), 4/22/22; Amber Larson and Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly orig. published June 3, 2024
If it can generally be agreed that Mr. Trump is an @$$clown, might the same be said of allegedly bright Barron? True, he might be related to father Donald (or possibly one of Melania's secret suitors), but is a child doomed to become like the father figure who raises him? Does Ivanka mentor the boy, does Melania so shield him as her pride and joy that no other family gets the chance to ruin him, or is the boy adrift in a sea of DNA that dooms him to become like Fred Trump's son?
Trump rants about scum in self-serving Memorial Day post, mad at KGBFF Putin, Macron shoved by wife
(Jimmy Kimmel Live) May 27, 2025: Trump spent his Memorial Day making everything about himself and “radical left lunatics,” he gave the commencement speech at West Point [Military Academy] on Saturday, where he gave a warning about trophy wives, he hosted an exclusive dinner for the top 220 griftees [fellow grifters] who purchased his new cryptocurrency in large amounts, it now seems that Trump may have misjudged his KGBff Putin, King Charles was in Canada to show his support for the Commonwealth during this difficult time, French Pres. Emanuel Macron was shoved in the face by his transsexual husband wife on camera while on a plane in Vietnam, and since the courtroom sketches from the Diddy trial don’t look like him at all, and the show went out on to Hollywood Blvd. with the actual sketches to ask pedestrians a simple question – WHO IS THIS? #Kimmel
Trump's war on Harvard ignited after Barron Trump 'didn't get in'
(Times Radio) May 24, 2025: "I think there is a very personal element to this as well." Trump's "attack" on Harvard is fueled by a personal vendetta after his youngest son Barron was rejected, says former president of the Harvard Club in the UK Brooks Newmark. Join channel to get access to perks: @listentotimesradio 📻 Listen to Times Radio (thetimes.co.uk/radio) 🗞 Subscribe to The Times thetimes.co.uk. 📲 Get the free Times Radio app thetimes.co.uk/radio/how...
ICE detention: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
(LastWeekTonight) March 10, 2025: John Oliver discusses ICE detention facilities, who’s in them, who runs them and – of course – why it is totally understandable if our studio audience would rather watch Drew Barrymore’s show instead.
Connect with Last Week Tonight online... Subscribe to the Last Week Tonight YouTube channel for more almost news as it almost happens, on Facebook like your mom would, on Twitter for news about jokes and jokes about news, or visit the official website for all that other stuff at once:hbo.com/lastweektonight
Two can play at that game, Ronny. Trump trounced you. What do you actual wits we'll do?.
What seems to be the problem, Minions? - It's this guy De-Sanctimonious. - The loser?
.
Satanic Temple vows to ‘raise hell in the sunshine state’ as DeSantis passes bad law to put 'religion' in schools
Trump ally Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis
The Satanic Temple has vowed to “raise hell in the Sunshine State” as Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Florida has officially passed a state law allowing religious chaplains in public schools.
As school districts around the state are now deciding whether to have chaplains or not, members of The Satanic Temple are stating that it will send its chaplains to public schools in Florida.
Earlier this year, Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis officially signed a new law that allowed religious chaplains [of any religion, including Satanism] the opportunity to hold a position in public schools.
This chaplain program is supposed to allow volunteer chaplains to give guidance and support to public school students.
Parents Express Outrage Over Chaplain Program
You tell your teacher, Hell no! - OK, Mom.
However, once Gov. DeSantis signed this bill into law, many Florida parents expressed their outrage over the religious program. These parents don’t believe religious chaplains have any right to be on public school grounds, talking with students and pushing their own religious views.
A violation of the Constitution
Trump: DO it, Ron. I'll pardon you federally.
Many parents have since come out to declare that this chaplain program violates their own constitutional rights, particularly when it comes to freedom of religion and the separation of church and state.
Various organizations and parents have vowed to take Florida school districts to court if they implement this program.
The Satanic Temple [a collection of progressive people more interested in civil liberties than Satan or Christian fears] has found their own way to push back on this law.
Satanic Temple Chaplains in Florida Schools
Rightwing conservative showman outsmarts 'em
After Gov. DeSantis first signed this law, The Satanic Temple was one of the first religious organizations to express its interest in sending its own chaplains to Florida’s public schools.
This move comes as the Temple continues to fight for the separation of church and state. To do so, The Satanic Temple knowingly places itself in these types of situations, as it knows this religion [Satanism as showmanship] is very off-putting to many self-righteous Christians.
Gov. DeSantis Fights Back
However, Gov. DeSantis quickly fought back against the idea of The Satanic Temple having chaplains in schools.
“We’re not playing those games in Florida,” DeSantis said. “That is NOT a religion.”
Keeping the Satanic Temple Out of Schools
It's all the Devil's doing! What we need is a Republican-run Christian sharia law theocracy!
.
Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz recently released a new model policy for school districts, pushing only for “credible chaplains” to be put in schools — and thereby keeping Satanic Temple chaplains out.
“Florida welcomes legitimate and officially authorized chaplains to become volunteers at their local schools and to provide students with morally sound guidance,” Diaz said. [No Satanists need apply.]
The Satanic Temple Continues to Fight
The Satanic Temple — which received its tax-exempt status back in 2019 as a religious organization — is fighting back against these latest moves that were seemingly targeted against it.
In a new post on its website, The Satanic Temple explained that it wasn’t backing down at all.
Raising Hell
.
In a signup sheet on the Temple’s official website, the group explained that it would “raise hell” in Florida.
“Throughout Florida, The Satanic Temple’s members, supporters, and allies are standing up for true religious freedom and confronting encroaching theocracy. Are you ready to stand with us and raise hell in the Sunshine State?” read the sheet.
School Districts Remain Wary
Though this law has officially been passed, many school districts in Florida have been wary about actually voting for a chaplain policy.
Osceola County School Board voted against creating a chaplain program for the second time in a row. Many members, including those appointed by Gov. DeSantis, have expressed their worries over legal issues.
An Unpopular Policy?
Can we reach that one hypocritcal knucklehead, who is ruining everything to boost himself?
Kids have to listen to Satanic chaplains?
Lucien Greaves, the co-founder of The Satanic Temple, spoke during Osceola County School Board’s recent meeting, stating that they were voting on an unpopular policy.
Greaves stated, “You’re voting on a policy that is unpopular, divisive, poorly planned, obviously dishonest in its goals, unnecessary, and introduces new risks to children, even if you are allowed to implement it.”
Accommodating ALL Religions
Manny, draft something to keep Catholics out, too
Greaves further said that the school will have to ensure they are accommodating to all religions.
He added, “The reality is, you’ll have to accommodate religious identities you may not agree with [like those pesky Buddhists, Yogis, New Agers, Hinjews, Hindus, meddlesome Quakers, Muslims, angelic Amish, and maybe even the Orthodox Jews]. You will end up with Satanist chaplains.”
All materials on this site are submitted by editors and readers. All images, unless otherwise noted, were taken from the Internet and are assumed to be in the public domain.
In the event that there is still a problem, issue, or error with copyrighted material, the break of the copyright is unintentional and noncommercial, and the material will be removed immediately upon presented proof.
Contact us by submitting a comment marked "private."
Do not follow this journal if you are under vinaya or parental restrictions. Secure protection by Sucuri.
Wisdom Quarterly: American Buddhist Journal is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at creativecommons.org/about/licenses.
_(cropped).jpg)
