You’re Invited to Make Merit on the End of Buddhist Lent Wat Buddhavas of Houston warmly welcomes you and your family to join us in celebrating Mahapavarana Day and the Tak Bat Thewo almsgiving ceremony.
Come offer alms to 9 monks, reflect on the blessings of the Buddhist Lent, and share in a day of community, tradition, and spiritual renewal.
Whether you’re continuing a cherished tradition or experiencing it for the first time, your presence will bring joy and merit to all.
📅 Date: October 5, 2023 🕙 Time: Starting from 10:00 AM onward 📞 For inquiries: (281) 820-3255 | watbuddhavas.org
Join us for a meaningful evening of Dhamma reflection as we explore the Sammukhī Sutta. Together, we’ll contemplate the three qualities that bring abundant merit:
Faith (Saddhā) — Confidence in the Buddha, the Dhamma, the Sangha, and in the law of karma.
Generosity (Dāna) — Giving with a pure heart, offering material support to others.
Worthy Recipient (Dakkhiṇeyya-puggala) — Giving to those who are truly deserving, such as noble monks who live virtuously.
This is one of the most emotionally intense chapters in the Vessantara Jataka, highlighting the deep love and sacrifice within a family, and illustrating how karma and attachment perpetuate the cycle of rebirth.
🌱 Reflections and Teachings
Parental love is profound and incomparable.
True generosity often requires painful sacrifice, but it leads toward spiritual liberation.
Every action carries karmic consequences—whether wholesome or unwholesome.
Understanding others’ suffering is the beginning of compassion and wisdom
This is the eighth sermon in a series of Buddhist teachings, emphasizing the principle of “Apamada”—which means heedfulness or non-negligence. It’s considered one of the most vital virtues in Buddhist practice.
Gharavasa Dhamma refers to the ethical and spiritual principles that guide the lives of lay followers—those who are not ordained monks or nuns. These teachings help laypeople live harmoniously, cultivate virtue, and progress spiritually while engaging in worldly life.
The four core principles of Gharavasa Dhamma are:
Sacca (Truthfulness) – Being honest and sincere in speech and action.
Dama (Self-control) – Restraining harmful impulses, especially in speech and behavior.
Khanti (Patience) – Enduring difficulties calmly, without anger or frustration.
Cāga (Generosity) – Sharing resources, time, and compassion with others.
These values are often taught in sermons or recitations during traditional Thai Buddhist festivals, especially in the context of the Vessantara Jataka, where each chapter (กัณฑ์) conveys a moral lesson. Chapter 7 would be one of these, focusing on how laypeople can live ethically and meaningfully.
“Foundation Formula” or “Subjects for Regular Reflections” often referring to a core teaching or principle in Buddhist scripture
There are five subjects that should be reflected upon:
I am subject to old age; I am not exempt from old age.
I am subject to illness; I am not exempt from illness.
I am subject to death; I am not exempt from death.
I must be parted and separated from everyone and everything dear and agreeable to me.
I am the owner of my kamma, the heir of my kamma; I have kamma as my origin, kamma as my relative, kamma as my resort; I will be the heir of whatever kamma, good or bad, that I do.
This is an important Buddhist teaching found in the Verses on Appeasement of Hatred. It teaches that conflict or hostility is not calmed by revenge, but by forgiveness and non-retaliation.
🔥 The Cycle of Hatred
The verse “Hatred is never appeased by hatred; it is appeased only by non-hatred” comes from the Dhammapada, verse 5. It’s not just poetic—it’s a psychological truth:
When someone harms us, our instinct may be to retaliate.
But retaliation fuels more anger, resentment, and suffering.
This creates a cycle of vengeance—each act of hatred invites another.
Think of it like trying to extinguish fire with more fire. It only spreads
🌿 The Power of Non-Hatred
Non-hatred doesn’t mean passivity or weakness—it’s a conscious choice to respond with:
Forgiveness: Letting go of the desire to hurt back.
Compassion: Understanding that others act from their own suffering.
Patience: Giving space for emotions to settle before reacting.
This breaks the cycle. It’s like pouring water on fire—cooling the heat of conflict
🧠 Inner Transformation
The Buddha taught that:
Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal—you’re the one who gets burned.
True strength lies in self-control, not in domination.
A peaceful mind is clear, creative, and free—able to find solutions beyond revenge
🌍 Relevance Today
This teaching isn’t just for monks—it’s for everyday life:
In relationships: Choosing understanding over blame.
In society: Promoting dialogue over division.
In leadership: Inspiring unity rather than fear.
Even in global conflicts, peace begins with individuals who choose non-hatred
The Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C. is scheduled to organize the 5th mobile consular services of 2025, offering passport and Thai ID card services. The details are as follows:
1. Date and Time of the Services
– Friday, June 27, 2025 from 04.00 – 6.00 PM (Special session for individuals aged 70 and above only)
– Saturday, June 28, 2025 from 09.00 AM – 5.00 PM (Regular session and Walk-in)
– Sunday, June 29, 2025 from 09.00 AM – 3.00 PM (Regular session)
2. Online Appointment Registration for Service Request
The Royal Thai Embassy will open an online appointment registration system for mobile consular services at Wat Buddhavas of Houston, Texas on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 2:00 PM (Eastern Time). Registration will close once all appointment slots are filled.
To register, you will need the following information:
1) Biodata page from your Thai passport
2) Information from your Thai national ID card
Please note: Each appointment is for one person only. You will receive an email confirmation with your appointment date and time, along with a list of required documents.
Important:
* If your Thai passport and national ID card are both expired, please schedule an appointment for passport renewal ONLY. On the day of your appointment, staff will assist you with ID card renewal before processing your passport renewal.
* If you have never had a Thai national ID card, staff cannot issue your first card abroad. First-time ID cards must be obtained in Thailand.
* If your Thai passport and/or national ID card have expired or been lost for a long time, and you are unsure about obtaining a new one, please contact the Embassy before traveling for services.
For more information about Thai national ID cards, please refer to the FAQs.
FAQs on applying for a Thai national ID card)
3. Service Details
– Special Service for Seniors: On June 27, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, we will offer special services for individuals aged 70 and older. No appointment is necessary, but please ensure you have all required documents. Incomplete documentation may result in service refusal.
– Confirmed Appointments: If you have a confirmed appointment for regular services on June 28 – 29, 2025, please review the email notification for required documents. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.
– Walk-in Passport Services: Walk-in passport applications will be available on Saturday, June 28, 2025. Registration will open at 9:00 AM and close at 3:00 PM. At 3:30 PM, we will randomly select 50 individuals for walk-in service. Walk-in services will begin after all scheduled appointments are completed.
Note: Schedules, dates, times, and locations for consular services are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, budget constraints, weather conditions, and local requirements. Any changes will be communicated in advance.
4. For Further Information and Inquiries, Please Contact:
