Page 32 - Applied Buddhism

hard-earn money by smoking? Would it be in keeping with the
monks’ rule? Would it not reflect poorly on the Sangha and tarnish
its name? Would it not set a bad example to others, especially the As meditators we should check
younger generation?” and ask ourselves whether we

have reduced our greed, hatred,
“Venerable Sir, it has been soundly proven that cigarettes are
bad for health. It affects your health as well as the health of people W and delusion after practicing
who have to breathe in the side-stream smoke of your cigarettes. hy meditation, and whether we have
Venerable sir, we urge you to take this admonishment in the right developed certain good qualities
spirit and refrain from smoking.” Meditate? like loving kindness (mettā) and
compassion (karunā), and not
boasting how many hours we can
(Paper presented at the 2nd International Conference on Buddhism and Tobacco sit meditating or what jhāna we
Control, Phnom Penh, 26-29th April, 2004) have attained.

It is indeed a great honour and privilege for me to say a few
words on this auspicious and historic occasion. First of all, I would
like to extend our warmest welcome to all of you, in particular our
venerable teachers, and brothers and sisters from Thailand. I would
also like to express my special appreciation to Ven. Wimoak, Prof.
Noranit Setabutr and Dr. Banjob Bannaruji of the World Buddhist
University (WBU) for choosing us as partners in this meaningful
event and making it a success.

I am particularly glad to see the increasingly important role
played by the WBU and Thailand in global Buddhism. The fact
that WBU chose Malaysia as a venue to convene this Seminar is
of great significance as it signifies closer global cooperation in the
promotion of the Buddha Dharma. This augurs well for the future

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