1

About Mahapanya Vidayalai University

Mahapanya Vidayalai University (MPV) was founded by the chief patriarch of Anamnikaya, in Collabration with both Mahayana and Theravana Schools of Buddhism, with the support of His Eminence, Somdet Phrabuddhacaya. During the Ratanakosin Dynasty, Anamnikaya Sangha started traveling from Vietnam to Thailand and propagated Buddhism here. Till constitutional monarchy, King Rama the Fifth bestowed Anamnikaya the legality and the title of nobility, under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Patriarch in Thailand, However, there are only Thai and Chinese ordained as Anamnikaya Sangha at present. The chief patriarch of Anamnikaya places very high importance in education and has sacrificed his entire life to educational works. In the year B.E. 2532, he founded Kusonsamakron Vidayalai School and soon constructed a seven story teaching block at a total cost of more than thirty million baht. Next, he raised a total of fifteen million baht for the use of educational funding. He once said: In my lifes time. I must be able to see the establishment of the Buddhist University with Ive planned for more than 40 years Later, his proposal to set up a Buddhist university at Anamnikayaram Temple, Bangkok was affirmed during the Anamnikaya meeting. This is an ideal venue for establishing a university because Anamnikayaram Temple is located next to Chaophaya River that furnishes both land and water convenience. However, the abbot of this temple refused to cooperate. He extended his leasing contract from one year to three years, insisting that he would reconsider the proposal only upon the expiry contract, since then, this plan was forced to a halt but our chief patriarch still searched for a new location unceasingly. In launching MPV, chief patriarch of Anamnikaya is keeping with absolute faith. After discussing with His Eminence, Samdet Phrabuddhacarya about instituting MPV, a conference was convened by MCU and the representatives of Anamnikaya on 5th March 2002 (B.E.2545) at Wat Sraket, Bangkok. This conference was

presided over by His Eminence, Samdet Phrabuddacarya, and was concluded that the university would be launched at the affiliated land of Wat Thawornwararam, Hatyai, Songkhla, which has been bestowed the name of Mahayana Vidayalai by His Eminence. Somdet Phrabuddhacaryai Since then, Chief patriarch of Anamnikaya has assigned his secretary Venerable Ongpotjanagongosol the chief administrator to supervise all issues with regards to the developing of MPV. Venerable Ongpotjanagongosol hence, started associated with member of Sangha overseas such as Singapore, China, Taiwan, Vietnam and so on to foster the establishment of MPV and also act and abide with all the procedures of MCUs rule and regulation.

Temples

Three Buddha Hall

This main hall is located beside the right side of Statue of Ksitigarbha Boddhisattava. In main hall there are three big statues of Buddha. Three Buddha statues symbolizing the Three Bodies and in Sanskrit it calls Trikaya where Tri means Three and Kaya means Body. The three Buddha is known as Sakyamuni Buddha in the middle, on the right side Amitabha Buddha and on the left Medicine Buddha. They are in the meditation posture sitting in lotus flower where lotus blossoms symbolize purity and life. Typically, lotus stems sprout at the bottom of a lake or river and grow upward through murky water. The lotus blooms when the bud reaches the surface of the water, a process that is often compared to the Buddhas journey through a world of pain and suffering toward the attainment of enlightenment.

Ksitigarbha

The Statue of Ksitigarbha Boddhisattava is located on left corner side of the temple premises which total height is 33 feet from below to top and wade height is 42 meters made from Taiwan and 12 meters wide of lap. Ksiti means earth and Garbha means Store. Earth symbolizes the ground where all being rely and live whereas store signifies a treasure house, or a depository for treasures. This Bodhisattava possesses extensive lovingkindness and compassion. All sentiment beings can, hence, rely on their savior and that the good qualities of mankind can rely on him to nurture, just like man relying on earth for living. Moreover, this Bodhisattava also owns unlimited law as wealth (or Dharma Wealth) that can extend help to those who are troubled sentiment beings, save mankind from poverty, satisfy mankinds career and enable all sentiment beings to accomplish their attainments. As such, He is named Ksitigarbha Bodhisattava.

Ksitigarbha is one of the four principal bodhisattvas in East Asian Mahayana Buddhism. The others are 9, Manjusri, and Avalokitesvara. The Kshitigarbha bodhisattva has a deep relationship with beings of the earth humans, and especially with the hungry ghosts and hell beings. This is mainly because these ghosts and hell beings are the most difficult to rise into a more fortunate condition due to their previous unwholesome actions. Thus Kshitigarbha has been known as the Teacher of the Dark Regions because of his past vow to save them all. Sakyamuni Buddha entrusted Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva the responsibility of continuing to save people after the Buddha himself passed away. During this period humans and other living beings have no Buddha to guide them on the path to enlightenment until the next Buddha, Maitreya, who will appear on earth several thousand years from now. Thus Sakyamuni Buddha entrust Ksitigarbha to shoulder the responsibility of relieving people from their worries and guiding them to enlightenment.

Graveyard

This Graveyard is located in the left side of the small water pond or main entrance of Mahapanya VIdayalai University. These statues of Ksitigarbha Boddhisattava are mainly built for keep bones of dead person the total number of statues are 224. In every statue there is a square shaped hole at the back side which uses to put bones of family members. The Abbot of the temple made Ksitigarbha Boddhisattava statues for keeping bones because Kshitigarbha bodhisattva is regarded as the care taker of hell beings and he has a deep relationship with beings of the earth humans, and especially with the hungry ghosts and hell beings. This is mainly because these ghosts and hell beings are the most difficult to rise into a more fortunate condition due to their previous unwholesome actions. Thus Kshitigarbha has been known as the Teacher of the Dark Regions because of his past vow to save them all.

Avalokitesvara

The Sanskrit name "Avalokiteshvara" means "the lord who looks upon the world with compassion" or according to another interpretation the Regarder of the Cries of the World". Translated into Chinese, the name is "Kuan Shih Yin"or Quan Yin. Kuan: observe Shih: the world / the region of sufferers Yin: all the sounds of the world, in particular, the crying sounds of beings, verbal or mental, seeking help Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva is the embodiment of great compassion. He has vowed to free all sentient beings from suffering. The name Avalokitesvara means something like the Lord who looks down on the WorldThe original name for this bodhisattva was Avalokitasvara. This bodhisattva is variably depicted as male or female, and may also be referred to simply as Gunyn in certain contexts. The name Avalokitevara is made of the following parts: the verbal prefix ava, which means "down"; lokita, a past participle of the verb lok ("to notice, behold, observe"), here used in an active sense (an occasional irregularity of Sanskrit grammar); and finally vara, "lord", "ruler", "sovereign" or "master". In her hands, Kuan Yin may hold a willow branch, a vase with water or occasionally, a lotus flower. The willow branch is used to heal people's illnesses or bring fulfillment to their requests.

The water (the dew of compassion) has the quality of removing suffering, purifying the defilements of our body, speech and mind, and lengthening life. In Buddhist art, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva is sometimes shown with eleven heads, 1000 hands and eyes on the palms of each hand (Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva). The thousand eyes allow the bodhisattva to see the sufferings of sentient beings, and the thousand hands allow her to reach out to help them. Avalokitevara is the bodhisattva who has made a great vow to assist sentient beings in times of difficulty, and to postpone his own Buddhahood until he has assisted every being on Earth in achieving Nirva. The bodhisattva's six qualities are said to break the hindrances respectively of the six realms of existence: hell-beings, pretas, animals, humans, asuras, and devas. These six qualities are listed below. 1. Great compassion 2. Great loving-kindness 3. Lion-courage 4. Universal light
5. Leader of devas and human beings 6. The great omnipresent Brahman

Beside Avalokitesvara there is one boy and girl who are called as kumara and kumari.7-8 age Santa yai Take care of place wind cool.

Maitreya Buddha (Laughing Buddha)

10

Maitreya, "The Friendly and Benevolent One" or "One Who Possesses Loving-kindness" is widely adored by the Chinese Buddhists for his willingness to grant help to those who direct their minds towards him. He is also known as Ajita, 'the Unconquered' and ranks equal with the other great Bodhisattvas such as Avalokitesvara, Manjusri, Samanthabadra, Mahasthamaprata and Ksitigarbha. As the next Buddha-to-be he alone enjoys the distinction of being the only Bodhisattva recognized and popularly accepted by both Mahayanist and Theravadin countries. Although he is, strictly speaking, still a Bodhisattva of the ninth stage, the tenth being that of a fully Enlightened Buddha, he is often worshipped as a Buddha in anticipation of his becoming the next Blessed One in the future. Both as Bodhisattva and Buddha he now resides in the Tusita Heaven, the Heavenly Realm of the Devas, where all the Buddhas-to-be will always reside; pending their appearance as Buddha on earth to save mankind and thereby traversing the tenth and final stage or 'Bhumi', to

11

attain Supreme Buddhahood for the sake of benefitting all sentient beings. Generally the Chinese worship him for wealth and happiness and there are those who even believed strongly that he is able to bequeath them with children as one of his most popular forms is that with five children surrounding him. However the images of him that are found in the temples normally depict a fat genial laughing figure with a mountainous belly, in a sitting posture, and having a large bag beside him. Maitreya Buddha's birthday is celebrated on the 1st day of the 1st moon of the Chinese lunar calendar which coincides with the Chinese New Year Day, a day of joy in which all families traditionally keep pure and holy by avoiding the eating of any meat. Because of this appearance, many people choose to call him 'The Laughing Buddha'.

Dragons

12

Chinese dragons traditionally symbolize potent and auspicious powers, particularly control over water, rainfall, hurricane, and floods. The dragon is also a symbol of power, strength, and good luck. In Chinese daily language, excellent and outstanding people are compared to the dragon while incapable people with no achievements are compared with other, disesteemed creatures, such as the worm. A number of Chinese proverbs and idioms feature references to the dragon, for example: "Hoping one's son will become a dragon" The people paint the dragon's shape with a horse's head and a snake's tail. Further, there are expressions as 'three joints' and 'nine resemblances' (of the dragon), to wit: from head to shoulder, from shoulder to breast, from breast to tail. These are the joints; as to the nine resemblances, they are the following: his horns resemble those of a stag, his head that of a camel, his eyes those of a demon, his neck that of a snake, his belly that of a clam , his scales those of a carp, his claws those of an eagle, his soles those of a tiger, his ears those of a cow. Upon his head he has a thing like a broad eminence (a big lump), called [chimu]. If a dragon has no [chimu], he cannot ascend to the sky. Chinese dragons were considered to be physically concise. Of the 117 scales, 81 are of the yang essence (positive) while 36 are of the yin essence (negative). Initially, the dragon was benevolent but the Buddhists introduced the concept of malevolent influence among some dragons. Just as water destroys, they said, so can some dragons destroy via floods, tidal waves and storms. They suggested that some of the worst floods were believed to have been the result of a mortal upsetting a dragon. Many pictures of oriental dragons show a flaming pearl under their chin. The pearl is associated with wealth, good luck, and prosperity.

13

Thousands hand Avalokitesvara

This statue of Avalokitesvara is located inside the ground floor of 9 storeys pagoda and this statue is carved in sandalwood. It is said the the personification of perfect Compassion, Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin) Bodhisattva (a great being who

14

aspires to help all sentient beings be free of suffering before entering the bliss of Buddhahood), in the beginning of His/Her Bodhisattva career of helping sentient beings, vowed that "Should He ever become disheartened in saving sentient beings, may His body shatter into a thousand pieces." This might seem extreme, but it was symbolic of His overwhelming great Compassion and determination. One day, while helping beings in a higher realm, He looked down into the hells which He had emptied through the teaching of the Dharma, and realised, to His dismay, that countless beings were still flooding into them. In a moment of exasperation, He became so disheartened that true to His vow, His body shattered in great agitation and despair. Despite this, He did not just give up His consciousness beseeched the Buddhas for help. Of the Buddhas who came to aid Him, one was Amitabha Buddha, who became His Guru (personal teacher) Buddha. With the Buddha's miraculous powers, He attained a new form one with a thousand helping hands of Compassion coupled with the eyes of Wisdom in each palm. With this, He renewed His vow to saving not just limited sentient beings, but all sentient beings.

NI GUARDIANS (BENEVOLENT KINGS) PROTECT ENTRANCE GATE AT TEMPLES

Emanations of Vajrapani Bodhisattva
Agy, Agyo, Agyou, Naraen Kong Also known as Kong Rikishi. A manifestation of Vajrapani (Skt.) or Vajradhara (Skt.) A manifestation of Vairocana (Dainichi Nyorai) in esoteric sects.

15
Typically shown with mouth open.

Ungy, Ungyo, Ungyou, Misshaku Kong Also known as Misshaku Rikishi. A manifestation of Vajrapani (Skt.) or Vajradhara (Skt.) Some say a manifestaion of the Hindu God Vishnu. Typically shown with mouth closed. Represent Alpha & Omega, Beginning & End, Birth & Death One with mouth open, the other with mouth closed.

These two guardians at Mahapanya Vidayalai Temple in Hatyai protect the temples main treasure.

Buddhism began in India, and then became part of Chinese culture. Around 550 A.D. Buddhism was introduced into Japan through Korea. This non-native religion became an important part of Japanese culture during the Nara period (710-790 A. D.), especially among the aristocracy.

INTRODUCTION. Hindu Gods incorporated into Buddhism as protectors against evil spirits. If you look at their mouths, you will notice that one has its mouth open and the other has its mouth closed, said to represent life and death, the beginning and the end. The most famous Ni in Japan can be found at

16

the entrance gate of Mahapanya Vidayalai University compound. The Ni (Benevolent Kings) are a pair of protectors who commonly stand guard outside the temple gate at Japanese Buddhist temples, one on either side of the entrance. In Japan, the gate itself is often called the Nimon (literally Ni Gate). At Shint shrines, however, the Ni guardians are replaced with a pair of koma-inu (shishi lion-dogs) or with two foxes. These mythical and magical shrine guardians are commonly (but not always) depicted with similar iconography -- one with mouth open, the other closed. The Nis fierce and threatening appearance is said to ward off evil spirits and keep the temple grounds free of demons and thieves. In some accounts, the Ni were said to have followed and protected the Historical Buddha when he traveled throughout India. They have since been adopted by the Japanese into the Japanese Buddhist pantheon. Each is named after a particular cosmic sound. The open-mouth figure is called Agy, who is uttering the sound ah, meaning birth. His close-mouth partner is called Ungy, who sounds un or om, meaning death. Other explanations for the opend/closed mouth include: Mouth opens to scare off demons, closed to shelter/keep in the good spirits. Ah is the first sound in the Japanese alphabet, while "N" (pronounced un) is the last, so the combination symbolically represents all possible outcomes (from alpha to omega) in the cosmic dance of existence. The first letter in Sanskrit is Ah as well, but the last is Ha. Nonetheless, the first and last sounds produced by the mouth are Ah (mouth open) and M (mouth closed). The Japanese "n" and the Sanskrit "m" sound exactly the same when hummed with mouth closed. The spiritual Sanskrit term AHAM thus encapsulates the first letter-sound A, the last letter-sound HA, and the final sound M when the mouth is closed.

17

For reasons unknown (to me), Western audiences are most familiar with the sacred term OM or ON. In Chinese,. It is rendered in Chinese as n, in Korean as OM (or) AM, and in Japanese as ON. These versions of the sacred term from India remain faithful to the initial logic behind them -- the term begins with open vowel and ends with closed consonant, thus representing all possible outcomes (from alpha to omega, open to closed, birth to death).

They represent the Vajra god in two forms; one is masculine with mouth tightly closed; the other is feminine with mouth open. (Editors Note: need to determine if pair represents male and female forms)

Chinese guardian lions

This Statue of 2 white lion is located between stairs to enter main temple premises and it is carved on white marble by Vietnamese workers. Chinese guardian lions, known also as Imperial guardian lion or stone lions . They are believed to have powerful mythic protective powers that has traditionally stood in front of Chinese Imperial palaces, Imperial tombs, government offices, temples, and the homes of government officials. The lions are always created in pairs, with the male playing with a ball and the female with a cub. Etymology Guardian lions are referred to numerous manners depending on language and context. In Chinese they may be called

18

Stone lion (Shsh): reference in a secular objective manner and less commonly: Auspicious lion (Rush): respecting reference to the Tibetan Snow Lion or with context to good fortune Fortuitous lion (fsh): reference in context to good fortune Buddha's or Buddhist lion (fsh) reference in a religious context to the lion as protector of Buddha

Snake fossil

19

Snake Fossil in meditation Position. This Snake Fossil was brought from the Cambodia. It is believed that this mother snake sat for the meditation for the long period and at last her body was converted into stone or in Buddhist term we call it became arahant.

If you have any query please contact below address:Mahapanya Vidayalai

20 635/1 Thammanoonviti Rd. Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand Tel: +66-74-243558 Fax: +66-74-235307 Email:mpvvidayalai@gmail.com Website: www.mahapanya.ac.th