GAQ BP 101 - 12th february 2012 (Sunday)

• Pali and Sinhalese alphabet are similar
• Ajahn (Thai Language) means "Acariya" a.k.a. teacher in Pali
• Fire God is very important - Aggi (pali) Agni (Sanskrit)
• The people think sun and lightning belong to the Fire God
• 4 Things to be weary/ afraid of
• Serpent
• Young Prince
• Small Fire
• Young Monk
• They believe that sun is the eye of Varuna
• Buddhism has freedom of thought and believers and devotees are allowed to read stuffs of other religions. This kind of freedom is not enjoyed by other people of other faiths and religions
• We have to have wide learning (i.e. explore and read about Vedic and Brahmanical Culture and Thought and also other religions) so that we may further appreciate & understand our religion (i.e. Buddhism)
• Fear and respect of nature creates religion, which is all man-made
• 4 Stages of Life in the Vedic and Brahmanical Culture
• Brahmacariya -> learning stage
• Grhsta -> work, marry and have children (esp a son)
• Vanaprastha -> go to forest to contemplate about metaphysical and philosophical questions (most ly about life, god and soul)
• Sanyasi -> renounce
• Non-Aryans are merchants, while Aryans are cultivators