Buddhist Leadership Exchange Program II

Buddhist Leadership Exchange Program II
“World Peace Through Inner Peace”

 

BLX Program II

 

The Buddhist Leadership Exchange Program or BLX Program is organized by the World Inner Peace Academy (WIPA). The program has the objective to exchange young Buddhist leaders. In addition, this program aims to reconstruct Buddhism and spread Buddhism internationally. Mr. Anand Asawapokin is officially the supporter of this program. This program was held in the period of July 23rd till August 14th 2011 at Suan Panawat in Chiangmai province and at Wat Pra Dhammakaya in Pathumthani province. There were 36 selected participants consisting of 25 youths from the Republic of Kalmykia and 11 youths from Moscow. These youths were trained on the topic of Buddhist culture and meditation. Moreover, they learned to set up floating lanterns, so that they can arrange the floating lanterns event by themselves when they are back in their homelands.

Meditation to purify the mind at an early age

 

Alexander Kursin

Alexander Kursin is a student at the University of International Relations in Moscow. He said: “I am good at Indian & native languages of South India. The reason that my friends and I decided to come here to study Buddhism is because we wanted to gain more knowledge about world peace & inner peace. When we arrived at Suan Panawat, the teaching monk gave us a wonderful course. We learned about discipline, respect and patience, which are important foundations to the success in our lives. In this course I learned that my mind is the source of happiness and eternal light that I would like to spread to all mankind. I believe that meditation helps us gain inner peace. Meditation can also lead to world peace and equilibrium. When I go back to Moscow I am going to meditate regularly. I am sure I can do that. In addition we are going to set up a meditation center in Moscow to promote inner peace in Russia.”

From blowing bubbles to Dhamma sphere

 

Learning about Buddhist Culture

 

Anna Lidjijeva

Anna Lidjijeva from the Republic of Kalmykia said: “I am a journalist and a presenter. I am so glad to have a chance to join this program. Before, I had the idea that Buddhism in Thailand is different from Buddhism in Kalmykia, but now I have been here for 2 weeks, and I see no difference. Even though we have different ways of paying respect to the Triple Gems and chanting, the meaning is actually the same. When I am back home, I hope that I will be able to meditate and spread loving kindness everyday. As a journalist, I am going to report this program through both mutimedia and paper to the people of Kalmykia.”

We came from far away, but we can bow beautifully.

Inna Baltiajeva

Inna Baltiajeva said: “Since I have been here, I have always been meditating. I follow the instructions of the Teaching Monk. I sit comfortably and calmly. I let go of all worries. Then I visualize a crystal ball at the center of my body. Each time that I say the mantra in my mind, the crystal ball gets brighter. After a while, I stop saying the mantra and there is only the bright crystal ball left at my center. Gradually both crystal ball & my body expand. It’s a wonderful feeling. I think this program can help bring peace to the world by practicing meditation.”

The Angels of Cleanliness

 

Chennia Gutgova

Chennia Gutgova said: “I can see, now, the small Buddha image inside of me. I also see the crystal ball at the center of the Buddha image. I feel love and I wish the best for all beings. I feel like I can do it. I can help everyone. When I am back home I want to continue meditating. Because meditation not only helps me to understand myself better, but meditation also helps me to understand everything better.”

Setting up the floating lanterns together

 

Jengis Ospanof

Jengis Ospanof from Kalmykia was one of participants in the first BLX program. He is now a mentor in the second BLX. He said: “In the first BLX program, I promised the Most Venerable Luang Phaw, that I was going to quit smoking & drinking for good. Moreover, I wanted to bring good morals to my friends, and asked them to do the same to their friends. This time I am so happy to be here again as a mentor. I truly believe that if we help everyone, we will, more or less, feel good. I think that it does not matter that we are Russian, Thai or Kalmykia. We all face the same problems. If Wat Pra Dhammakaya can reconstruct good morals among teenagers & youths in Thailand, we can take it as a good example for us to do in our country too. Furthermore, our government understands everything and accepts any program with such objective. One of my wishes is to set up a youth association in Kalmykia with the purpose to stimulate everyone to do good.”

The youth in BLX program II would like to thank the Most Venerable Luang Phaw Dhammajayo for giving us this chance to learn the most valuable teaching in Buddhism. Moreover we all wish to be the leader of youths, who can successfully bring world peace through practicing inner peace.


Translated by Sunee Vongnoi

Edited by View Riddell