Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Extra-Marital Affair & Suffering
A lady friend of mine whose spouse derailed from their marriage and nearly ended up in a divorce. When he decided to hold on to the proceeding due to custodial right of his child and the alimonyarrangement, his mistress was impatient to get him out of his existing marriage. Out of a sudden, from a sweet and understanding companion, she has became aggressive and abusive, constantly harassing my friend's husband and family with the objective that he quickly resolve the marriage. My friend's husband finally woke our from his dream to realise that this woman was definitely not the one he wanted to spend his life with. This woman even got her ex-boyfriend to confront my friend's husband leaving him with bruises and pain. Although my friend's husband regretted his deed and decided to leave his woman, she is not letting him off, threatening to kill herself or cause harm to his family. I could imagine the suffering that my friend, her husband and family are going through now, and all this because of 'Lust". Buddha has reminded us in the third of the five percepts the danger of sexual misconduct. We are digging our own graves if we choose to ignore.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Mind Our Minds
Lately, I started practising the writing of Amituofo in Chinese characters on a booklet. The intent was to cultivate mindfulness and detachment through the process. It forces me to break away from my hustle and bustle of work and life, as well as my usual habits. Habitually, I write the word “Na” (as in Namo) slightly different from the standard way, the way that I mastered since young. When I first initiated the writing practice, I mindfully corrected my strokes to the standard way. As I wrote on and as distractions set in, I realized that I was back to my habitual way of writing. It just occurred to me that if I am not careful and mindful, my unwholesome habits which I have determined to shake off may surface to haunt me from time to time. I hope my reflection serves as a gentle reminder to all.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
We are one big family
I happened to hear one of Master Jing Kong's speech which he mentioned that many religions have a concept of one almighty God. In Buddhism, we call it 法性 or Dharmata which denotes the intrinsic nature or reality of phenomena as seen when, according to the Mahāyāna. Equivalent in meaning to suchness (tathatā 真如) and emptiness (śūnyatā 空性). All phenomena arises from our mind.
Master Jing Kong reported that when he visited a centenarian japanese monk, the latter said something really unusual and wise. He told Master Jing Kong, all great religious leaders (founders) are manifestation of Kuan Yin (Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara), eg Christian's Jesus Christ, Islam's Muhammad etc.
This idea could be true within Buddhism itself with so many sects/schools. All Buddhists are brothers, and followers of other religions are our cousins. So if there is only one almighty God, it makes all of us one big family, we should treasure his heritage and live in harmony with each other.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Make Reflection A Daily Affair
The old wise saying [不怕念起，只怕觉迟], literally translated, the phrase tells us as living beings tumbling in samsara, we are bound to have thoughts, whether wholesome or not. The key does not lie in controlling these thoughts, as the mind is like a monkey, swinging from tree to tree. The essence is to be aware and mindful when these thoughts arise and reflect upon them. This applies to our actions and speech as well, as karma is heaping along the way when we commit them.
One of my friends who left his job to start a company more than a year back confessed that his engagement in businesses for pure commercial gains has 'helped' him grew "devil horns" on his head. He started to reflect on the cause of his restlessness and unhappiness and realised that his suffering stemmed from one of the three poisons, Greed. He then made a wise decision to leave the partnership to pursue for a more wholesome career that focuses on integrity as an essential core value. I sensed that he is a happier person now.
Reflection is a powerful yet simple way that helps us to improve our relationships with our family, colleagues, friends and even with ourselves. Importantly, we must be true to ourselves.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Why Shurangama Sutra Will Be The First Sutra To Disappear
Namo Amituofo!
In The Scripture Preached by the Buddha on the Total Extinction of the Dharma, it is clearly stated that Shurangama Sutra will be the first sutra to disappear from our saha world.
Quote, "In fifty-two years after that, the Shurangama Scripture and the pratyutpanna-samádhi will prematurely change and vanish, and shortly afterwards the twelve divisions of the Mahayana canon will also be destroyed in their entirety, and will not appear again. The robes of the monks will spontaneously turn white."
So why is this sutra the first one to disappear? This sutra is also known as "The Mirror Of Truth". In this sutra, Sakyamuni Buddha explain in details how to differentiate between His real Buddhism teaching and fake teaching spoken by Mara the evil king. In this Dharma-Ending age, Viharas are everywhere and Dharma-Masters are many. Every master has his own way of explaining Dharma and a goal to achieve.
All Dharma talks by different masters have similar contents and purpose, to teach us Buddha Dharma, and to encourage us to perform good deeds. However, according to Shurangama Sutra, the only real Dharma spoken by Sakyamuni Buddha is one which teaches us to escape samsara in this very life time. If it teaches you to be born again as human, then it is not said by Sakyamuni Buddha, it is said by Mara.
Why so? Think about it, are we sure we are going to be born again as a human? In order to be born as a human, we must observe the five silas strictly. In this era, it is extremely difficult for a layperson to do so. Say, we really could follow the five silas perfectly, and be born as a human. Are we sure as a human we can continue our Buddhist practice to finally become enlightened as an Arhat, or even a Buddha? What if we were born in a non-Buddhist family, or in that life our past negative karma was stronger and hinder us from Bodhi path? It's a nightmare!
That's why Sakyamuni Buddha told us to escape samsara in this very life time, it is very dangerous to wait for the next ones. As a famous saying goes, "It is hard to be born as a human. It is even harder to encounter and believe Buddhism. It is the hardest to find a real Dharma-Master who leads us to escape samsara".
As for Mara the evil king, he's not happy if we escape samsara. It means we escape his control. So he does many many tricks to keep us transmigrating endlessly. One of the tricks is to speak of fake Buddhist teaching where 99% is real and that 1% is the trap to keep us within his grasp.
However, as Shurangama sutra is the mirror of truth which exposes Mara's fake teaching from the real one, it must be destroyed first. After this sutra is gone, there's no way for us to tell which teaching is real and which is fake. We'll unknowingly become Mara's disciples. How sad!
There's even a rumor circulating recently that says Shurangama Sutra is not said by Sakyamuni Buddha and should not be treated as Buddhist Scripture and it should be neglected. The day of Dharma disappearance is closing!
Once again, I'm hoping everybody who reads this posting is able to keep this sutra with you and circulate it if you can. This will prolong the disappearance from happening.
Please visit BuddhaSutra.com for Shurangama Sutra, or simply click on the link.
Namo Amituofo!
In The Scripture Preached by the Buddha on the Total Extinction of the Dharma, it is clearly stated that Shurangama Sutra will be the first sutra to disappear from our saha world.
Quote, "In fifty-two years after that, the Shurangama Scripture and the pratyutpanna-samádhi will prematurely change and vanish, and shortly afterwards the twelve divisions of the Mahayana canon will also be destroyed in their entirety, and will not appear again. The robes of the monks will spontaneously turn white."
So why is this sutra the first one to disappear? This sutra is also known as "The Mirror Of Truth". In this sutra, Sakyamuni Buddha explain in details how to differentiate between His real Buddhism teaching and fake teaching spoken by Mara the evil king. In this Dharma-Ending age, Viharas are everywhere and Dharma-Masters are many. Every master has his own way of explaining Dharma and a goal to achieve.
All Dharma talks by different masters have similar contents and purpose, to teach us Buddha Dharma, and to encourage us to perform good deeds. However, according to Shurangama Sutra, the only real Dharma spoken by Sakyamuni Buddha is one which teaches us to escape samsara in this very life time. If it teaches you to be born again as human, then it is not said by Sakyamuni Buddha, it is said by Mara.
Why so? Think about it, are we sure we are going to be born again as a human? In order to be born as a human, we must observe the five silas strictly. In this era, it is extremely difficult for a layperson to do so. Say, we really could follow the five silas perfectly, and be born as a human. Are we sure as a human we can continue our Buddhist practice to finally become enlightened as an Arhat, or even a Buddha? What if we were born in a non-Buddhist family, or in that life our past negative karma was stronger and hinder us from Bodhi path? It's a nightmare!
That's why Sakyamuni Buddha told us to escape samsara in this very life time, it is very dangerous to wait for the next ones. As a famous saying goes, "It is hard to be born as a human. It is even harder to encounter and believe Buddhism. It is the hardest to find a real Dharma-Master who leads us to escape samsara".
As for Mara the evil king, he's not happy if we escape samsara. It means we escape his control. So he does many many tricks to keep us transmigrating endlessly. One of the tricks is to speak of fake Buddhist teaching where 99% is real and that 1% is the trap to keep us within his grasp.
However, as Shurangama sutra is the mirror of truth which exposes Mara's fake teaching from the real one, it must be destroyed first. After this sutra is gone, there's no way for us to tell which teaching is real and which is fake. We'll unknowingly become Mara's disciples. How sad!
There's even a rumor circulating recently that says Shurangama Sutra is not said by Sakyamuni Buddha and should not be treated as Buddhist Scripture and it should be neglected. The day of Dharma disappearance is closing!
Once again, I'm hoping everybody who reads this posting is able to keep this sutra with you and circulate it if you can. This will prolong the disappearance from happening.
Please visit BuddhaSutra.com for Shurangama Sutra, or simply click on the link.
Namo Amituofo!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Abortion From A Buddhism Perspective
My friend recently told me that she had an abortion. Upon hearing this news, I was sad for both the baby and my friend. The baby missed a chance to be born as a human and to be able to listen to Buddha Dharma. My friend did a heavy karma by doing an abortion.
So I told her about her wrong doing and advised her to repent and read the "Dharani Sutra of the Buddha on Longevity, The Extinction of Offences And the Protection of Young Children".
Below are related passages from that particular sutra. To read the whole sutra, please go to BuddhaSutra.com, or simply click on the link in the previous paragraph.
(begin quote)
When The Buddha was in the world, there was Laywoman by the name Confusion. She was practising the Buddha Dharma in her home life. She begged The Buddha to allow her to leave the home life. Sorrowfully she cried to The Buddha, "World Honoured One, I have created deep and evil karma. I am regretful of my evil conduct, and seek to repent my offences. I hope to reform, in order to lead a life of goodness. I only hope The World Honoured One will bestow kindness upon me and listen to the details!"
"My circumstance is such that my family's condition does not allow me to bear any children. That is why I used medicine to murder the foetus, which was fully eight months old. The foetus that I aborted was fully grown with four healthy limbs and was complete with a human form."
"Later I met with a wise man who told me, 'People who have purposely aborted the foetus will be infected with serious illnesses in the present lifespan and receive the retribution of a short lifespan with very little blessing. After they have passed away, they will fall into the Avici Hell to experience terribly acute sufferings'."
"After listen to that, I was very frightened and I deeply regret what I have done. I only hope that the World Honoured One, with your strength of great kindness and compassion, will save me from falling into the deep pit. Please tell me the ways of liberation. Do allow me to leave the home life, so as to not undergo such acute sufferings."
The Thus Come One of Pervasive Lights and Proper Views said to Confusion, "There are five kinds of Evil Karma which are difficult to extinguish, even if one were to repent of them. What are the five kinds of offences? The first one is killing the father, the second one is killing the mother, the third one is abortion, the fourth one is to injure The Buddha, the fifth one is to create disharmony among the Sangha assemblies. These five types of evil and sinful karma are difficult to extinguish."
.....
As you are able to repent sincerely before me, I will of course teach you The Sutra of Longevity and The Extinction of Offences, in order to free you from the suffering of being chased and caught by the evil ghost of impermanence."
"Confusion, let me tell you. In the future World of Five Turbidities, if there are people who kill the father, harm the mother, who purposely abort the foetus, who destroy The Buddha's Pagoda and Temple…"
"Who shed The Buddha's Blood, who create disharmony among The Sangha and others, they have created the five unwholesome deep offences and will surely fall into the Uninterrupted Hell to suffer the acute torments."
"If these beings who have committed the five unwholesome offences are able to accept, uphold this Sutra of Longevity and The Extinction of Offences, to write it down, read and memorize it, or copy it down by themselves, or ask others to copy the Sutra, they will be able to put an end to their offences, and be born in the Brahman Heaven to enjoy the heavenly blessing."
(end quote)
I begged her to wholeheartedly read the entire sutra and act accordingly. Hoping that she could wash away her great offense and not fall into hell realm after this life.
Besides cleansing the karma of abortion, this sutra when recited also helps protect young children during birth and infancy. It also grants longevity to those who are sick. This is a wonderful dharani sutra and we must be grateful to Sakyamuni Buddha's compassion for telling it.
So please, download and keep this sutra. By giving this sutra to those who need it, is the least that we can do to help yet brings the greatest merit.
Amituofo!
So I told her about her wrong doing and advised her to repent and read the "Dharani Sutra of the Buddha on Longevity, The Extinction of Offences And the Protection of Young Children".
Below are related passages from that particular sutra. To read the whole sutra, please go to BuddhaSutra.com, or simply click on the link in the previous paragraph.
(begin quote)
When The Buddha was in the world, there was Laywoman by the name Confusion. She was practising the Buddha Dharma in her home life. She begged The Buddha to allow her to leave the home life. Sorrowfully she cried to The Buddha, "World Honoured One, I have created deep and evil karma. I am regretful of my evil conduct, and seek to repent my offences. I hope to reform, in order to lead a life of goodness. I only hope The World Honoured One will bestow kindness upon me and listen to the details!"
"My circumstance is such that my family's condition does not allow me to bear any children. That is why I used medicine to murder the foetus, which was fully eight months old. The foetus that I aborted was fully grown with four healthy limbs and was complete with a human form."
"Later I met with a wise man who told me, 'People who have purposely aborted the foetus will be infected with serious illnesses in the present lifespan and receive the retribution of a short lifespan with very little blessing. After they have passed away, they will fall into the Avici Hell to experience terribly acute sufferings'."
"After listen to that, I was very frightened and I deeply regret what I have done. I only hope that the World Honoured One, with your strength of great kindness and compassion, will save me from falling into the deep pit. Please tell me the ways of liberation. Do allow me to leave the home life, so as to not undergo such acute sufferings."
The Thus Come One of Pervasive Lights and Proper Views said to Confusion, "There are five kinds of Evil Karma which are difficult to extinguish, even if one were to repent of them. What are the five kinds of offences? The first one is killing the father, the second one is killing the mother, the third one is abortion, the fourth one is to injure The Buddha, the fifth one is to create disharmony among the Sangha assemblies. These five types of evil and sinful karma are difficult to extinguish."
.....
As you are able to repent sincerely before me, I will of course teach you The Sutra of Longevity and The Extinction of Offences, in order to free you from the suffering of being chased and caught by the evil ghost of impermanence."
"Confusion, let me tell you. In the future World of Five Turbidities, if there are people who kill the father, harm the mother, who purposely abort the foetus, who destroy The Buddha's Pagoda and Temple…"
"Who shed The Buddha's Blood, who create disharmony among The Sangha and others, they have created the five unwholesome deep offences and will surely fall into the Uninterrupted Hell to suffer the acute torments."
"If these beings who have committed the five unwholesome offences are able to accept, uphold this Sutra of Longevity and The Extinction of Offences, to write it down, read and memorize it, or copy it down by themselves, or ask others to copy the Sutra, they will be able to put an end to their offences, and be born in the Brahman Heaven to enjoy the heavenly blessing."
(end quote)
I begged her to wholeheartedly read the entire sutra and act accordingly. Hoping that she could wash away her great offense and not fall into hell realm after this life.
Besides cleansing the karma of abortion, this sutra when recited also helps protect young children during birth and infancy. It also grants longevity to those who are sick. This is a wonderful dharani sutra and we must be grateful to Sakyamuni Buddha's compassion for telling it.
So please, download and keep this sutra. By giving this sutra to those who need it, is the least that we can do to help yet brings the greatest merit.
Amituofo!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
BuddhaSutra.com
First of all, thank you Kelvin for supporting BuddhaSutra.com.
I built this website, mainly because I was inspired by what Ven. Master Jin Kong did to propagate Buddha Dharma. He donated copies of Complete Buddhist Sutra Collection to every Buddhist organizations all over the world. So if a calamity should happen to any part of the world, this Sutra collection will not be lost.
So here I am, putting a little extra time and effort to help protect Buddha Dharma. What I did is meaningless if nobody supports the idea. However, if every Buddhist from all over the world could visit the site and download the entire collection to his/her computer, even print them out, then we really help protect Buddha Dharma from disappearing.
Below is taken from the profile page of BuddhaSutra.com.
"The purpose of this website is to propagate Buddha Dharma to the whole world. As we all know that this is the Dharma-Ending age, Buddhism is getting weaker whereas our worldy desires grow stronger.
As said before by Shakyamuni Buddha (Scripture Preached by the Buddha on the Total Extinction of the Dharma), in this Dharma-Ending age all Buddhist-Sutras will disappear slowly one by one, starting with Shurangama Sutra and the last one to be Infinite Life Sutra. After the first sutra is gone, the world will start to enter a chaotic time where evil deeds will become daily routines.
This website hosts the complete list of all the Buddhist Sutras, including the Shurangama and Infinite Life Sutra. Hopefully we all can keep this site up and running for a long period of time, thus prolonging the sutra disappearance from happening."
I hope the message is clear. Let's help protect Buddha Dharma.
Namo Amituofo!
I built this website, mainly because I was inspired by what Ven. Master Jin Kong did to propagate Buddha Dharma. He donated copies of Complete Buddhist Sutra Collection to every Buddhist organizations all over the world. So if a calamity should happen to any part of the world, this Sutra collection will not be lost.
So here I am, putting a little extra time and effort to help protect Buddha Dharma. What I did is meaningless if nobody supports the idea. However, if every Buddhist from all over the world could visit the site and download the entire collection to his/her computer, even print them out, then we really help protect Buddha Dharma from disappearing.
Below is taken from the profile page of BuddhaSutra.com.
"The purpose of this website is to propagate Buddha Dharma to the whole world. As we all know that this is the Dharma-Ending age, Buddhism is getting weaker whereas our worldy desires grow stronger.
As said before by Shakyamuni Buddha (Scripture Preached by the Buddha on the Total Extinction of the Dharma), in this Dharma-Ending age all Buddhist-Sutras will disappear slowly one by one, starting with Shurangama Sutra and the last one to be Infinite Life Sutra. After the first sutra is gone, the world will start to enter a chaotic time where evil deeds will become daily routines.
This website hosts the complete list of all the Buddhist Sutras, including the Shurangama and Infinite Life Sutra. Hopefully we all can keep this site up and running for a long period of time, thus prolonging the sutra disappearance from happening."
I hope the message is clear. Let's help protect Buddha Dharma.
Namo Amituofo!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The Respect Of Lives
Firstly, I applaused Ian's aspiration and determination in establishing BuddhaSutra.com to perpetuate the learning of Buddha teachings.
I was reading the book "The Food Revolution" written by John Robbins, the only son of the founder of the Baskin-Robbins ice cream empire, who was groomed to follow in his father's footsteps, but chose to walk away from Baskin-Robbins and the immense wealth it represented to pursue the deeper American Dream...the dream of a society at peace with its conscience because it respects and lives in harmony with all life forms. This is one great book that you should get your hands on, it can not only save your life, your spiritual soul as well.
In the intro of the book, he said "I am aware how strong are the forces of ignorance, greed, and denial in our society. I know it is possible that we won't make it.
But I am also aware of how strong is the longing and the love of life in the human heart. And so I know it is possible that we will make it, that we will create a sustainable economy that protects the living systems of the Earth, that we will come to be part of the world's repair. The power of darkness in our world is great, but it is not as great as the power of the human spirit. We can learn to provide for our needs and limit our numbers while cherishing this beautiful planet and its creatures. It is in our nature to honor the sacredness of life."
To learn more about the man and his books, please visit www.foodrevolution.org.
I was reading the book "The Food Revolution" written by John Robbins, the only son of the founder of the Baskin-Robbins ice cream empire, who was groomed to follow in his father's footsteps, but chose to walk away from Baskin-Robbins and the immense wealth it represented to pursue the deeper American Dream...the dream of a society at peace with its conscience because it respects and lives in harmony with all life forms. This is one great book that you should get your hands on, it can not only save your life, your spiritual soul as well.
In the intro of the book, he said "I am aware how strong are the forces of ignorance, greed, and denial in our society. I know it is possible that we won't make it.
But I am also aware of how strong is the longing and the love of life in the human heart. And so I know it is possible that we will make it, that we will create a sustainable economy that protects the living systems of the Earth, that we will come to be part of the world's repair. The power of darkness in our world is great, but it is not as great as the power of the human spirit. We can learn to provide for our needs and limit our numbers while cherishing this beautiful planet and its creatures. It is in our nature to honor the sacredness of life."
To learn more about the man and his books, please visit www.foodrevolution.org.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Wanting Something So Badly For So Long, You'll Get It Eventually
Today, I felt overjoyed that after 14 years I finally got in touch with Eric Chia. The person whom introduced me to Buddhism. I feel that I can never repay for his kindness and generosity for sharing Buddhist teachings with me. His merits are limitless.
When he called me earlier today, I felt like jumping to him and hug him tightly. The first few words we exchanged were... "How are you, I have been thinking about you every now and then". I felt so warm inside.
Funny how when we think of someone that person will feel it and think of us back. When the two persons think of each other all the time, they will eventually meet, no matter how far they are apart. Therefore we must always think of Amitabha Buddha, as he is also constantly thinking of us, so when this life comes to and end we will definitely see Him coming with his retinue of Boddhisatvas to welcome us to Sukhavati heaven.
Then me and Eric talked about how we progress in our own daily Buddhist practice. He told me that he has been meditating regularly and has reached a significant advancement in his meditative study. So his goal is to become an arhat.
I remember discussing with him 15 years ago in Aberdeen Scotland, how we wanted to become monks. So I asked him if he is still on the course. Then he told me that just recently he made an announcement to all his friends and relatives that 15 years from now when his children are able to support themselves, he will leave home to become a monk somewhere near Penang Malaysia.
Upon hearing this good news, I felt happy for him, yet sad for myself. I envy him for having such a supportive family and such light karma that he will be able to fulfill his lifelong dream. As for me... I believe my karma is heavier that even the idea of becoming a monk is always promptly rejected by my parents and wive.
Well... do not despair I told myself, keep practicing the path and perform more good deeds. One day the time will come, hopefully not long after Eric's time.
Once again thank you Eric!
Amituofo!
When he called me earlier today, I felt like jumping to him and hug him tightly. The first few words we exchanged were... "How are you, I have been thinking about you every now and then". I felt so warm inside.
Funny how when we think of someone that person will feel it and think of us back. When the two persons think of each other all the time, they will eventually meet, no matter how far they are apart. Therefore we must always think of Amitabha Buddha, as he is also constantly thinking of us, so when this life comes to and end we will definitely see Him coming with his retinue of Boddhisatvas to welcome us to Sukhavati heaven.
Then me and Eric talked about how we progress in our own daily Buddhist practice. He told me that he has been meditating regularly and has reached a significant advancement in his meditative study. So his goal is to become an arhat.
I remember discussing with him 15 years ago in Aberdeen Scotland, how we wanted to become monks. So I asked him if he is still on the course. Then he told me that just recently he made an announcement to all his friends and relatives that 15 years from now when his children are able to support themselves, he will leave home to become a monk somewhere near Penang Malaysia.
Upon hearing this good news, I felt happy for him, yet sad for myself. I envy him for having such a supportive family and such light karma that he will be able to fulfill his lifelong dream. As for me... I believe my karma is heavier that even the idea of becoming a monk is always promptly rejected by my parents and wive.
Well... do not despair I told myself, keep practicing the path and perform more good deeds. One day the time will come, hopefully not long after Eric's time.
Once again thank you Eric!
Amituofo!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Pure Land Practice Method as Advised by Mahasthama Bodhisattva
...
Thereat the World Honoured One said to the great Bodhisattvas and chief Arhats in the assembly: 'I want you, Bodhisattvas and Arhats who have practised my Dharma and have reached the state beyond study, this question: "When you developed your minds to awaken to the eighteen fields of sense, which one did you regard as the best means of perfection and by what methods did you enter the state of Samadhi?"'
...
Mahasthama, a son of the Dharma king, who was the head of a group of fifty-two Bodhisattvas, rose from his seat, prostrated himself with his head at the feet of the Buddha and declared: 'I still remember that in the remotest of aeons countless as the sands in the Ganges, there was a Buddha called Amitabha who was succeeded by eleven other Tathagatas in that kalpa. The last one was called the "Buddha Whose Light Surpassed that of the Sun and Moon"; he taught me how to realize the state of Samadhi by thinking exclusively of (Amitabha) Buddha. By way of illustration, if a man concentrates his mind on someone else while the latter always forgets him, both may meet and see, but without recognizing, each other. However, if both are keen on thinking of each other, their keenness will grow from one incarnation to another until they become inseparable like a body and its shadow. The Tathagatas in the ten directions have compassion for all living beings and always think of them, like a mother who never ceases thinking of her son. If the son runs away, her thoughts of him will not help. But if he also thinks of her with the same keenness, they will not be separated in spite of the passing of transmigration. If a living being remembers and thinks of the Buddha, he is bound to behold Him in his present or future incarnation. He will not be far from the Buddha and thus without the aid of any other expedient, his mind will be opened. He is like a man whose body, perfumed by incense, gives out fragrance; hence his name "One Glorified by (Buddha's) Fragrance and Light." From my fundamental cause-ground and with all my thoughts concentrated on the Buddha, I achieved the patient endurance of the uncreate. (This is why) I help all living beings of this world to control their thoughts by repeating the Buddha's name so that they can reach the Pure Land. As the Buddha now asks about the best means of perfection, I hold that nothing can surpass the perfect control of the six senses with continuous pure thoughts in order to realize Samadhi.'
...
- Surangama Sutta
Thereat the World Honoured One said to the great Bodhisattvas and chief Arhats in the assembly: 'I want you, Bodhisattvas and Arhats who have practised my Dharma and have reached the state beyond study, this question: "When you developed your minds to awaken to the eighteen fields of sense, which one did you regard as the best means of perfection and by what methods did you enter the state of Samadhi?"'
...
Mahasthama, a son of the Dharma king, who was the head of a group of fifty-two Bodhisattvas, rose from his seat, prostrated himself with his head at the feet of the Buddha and declared: 'I still remember that in the remotest of aeons countless as the sands in the Ganges, there was a Buddha called Amitabha who was succeeded by eleven other Tathagatas in that kalpa. The last one was called the "Buddha Whose Light Surpassed that of the Sun and Moon"; he taught me how to realize the state of Samadhi by thinking exclusively of (Amitabha) Buddha. By way of illustration, if a man concentrates his mind on someone else while the latter always forgets him, both may meet and see, but without recognizing, each other. However, if both are keen on thinking of each other, their keenness will grow from one incarnation to another until they become inseparable like a body and its shadow. The Tathagatas in the ten directions have compassion for all living beings and always think of them, like a mother who never ceases thinking of her son. If the son runs away, her thoughts of him will not help. But if he also thinks of her with the same keenness, they will not be separated in spite of the passing of transmigration. If a living being remembers and thinks of the Buddha, he is bound to behold Him in his present or future incarnation. He will not be far from the Buddha and thus without the aid of any other expedient, his mind will be opened. He is like a man whose body, perfumed by incense, gives out fragrance; hence his name "One Glorified by (Buddha's) Fragrance and Light." From my fundamental cause-ground and with all my thoughts concentrated on the Buddha, I achieved the patient endurance of the uncreate. (This is why) I help all living beings of this world to control their thoughts by repeating the Buddha's name so that they can reach the Pure Land. As the Buddha now asks about the best means of perfection, I hold that nothing can surpass the perfect control of the six senses with continuous pure thoughts in order to realize Samadhi.'
...
- Surangama Sutta
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Meeting of the minds
After many years, Ian and I finally met up yesterday in Singapore where he transitted on his return to Jakarta. I saw a very different person from the man I knew 7 years ago, from his thinking to his aspiration towards life and buddhahood.
One thing that touched me was when Ian spoke of his dreadful experience of witnessing live chickens being slaughtered and how he had chanted for their relief from suffering and having good rebirths, his eyes were beaming with tears of compassion. Deep within his heart, he wanted to break free from the life of causing this suffering but he has to live his fate of serving his parents and their family restaurant business. As the only son, it would be unfillial to leave his parents and abandon the business leaving his old folks to fend for their living.
The path to end of suffering is indeed filled with obstacles, however I believe with his determination to get through these difficulties, he would see the light at the end of the tunnel eventually. Good luck, Ian!
One thing that touched me was when Ian spoke of his dreadful experience of witnessing live chickens being slaughtered and how he had chanted for their relief from suffering and having good rebirths, his eyes were beaming with tears of compassion. Deep within his heart, he wanted to break free from the life of causing this suffering but he has to live his fate of serving his parents and their family restaurant business. As the only son, it would be unfillial to leave his parents and abandon the business leaving his old folks to fend for their living.
The path to end of suffering is indeed filled with obstacles, however I believe with his determination to get through these difficulties, he would see the light at the end of the tunnel eventually. Good luck, Ian!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Do you have a bad day?
Recently, I spent slightly more time to read on Buddhist stories particularly on this book written by Ajahn Brahm titled "Open the door of your heart". It is more than a Buddhist book, it taught us the way of life, very much aligned to Buddha's teachings on achieveing happiness and peace. Many of these stories are close to my heart, I could relate to them either in my own self experience or those that I have came across in others' lives. Many life problems cause pain and suffering, but our perspectives will shape the eventual outcomes - Happiness or Misery.
Few days ago, my wife was sharing with me the treatment she and her colleagues received in their company. Their superior flared up on them for outcome of a decision made by the management. The exact word she used to describe her position was "Shit Hole". Amusingly, she then said, "Shit Holes are important!" I could'nt help but burst out in laughter. She continued "Without Shit Holes, people will be all bottled up with Shit, get constipated and really frustrated. Shit Holes serve a key purpose!". I think not many people could take a step back from their misery to look at their problems from a different plane.
Few days ago, my wife was sharing with me the treatment she and her colleagues received in their company. Their superior flared up on them for outcome of a decision made by the management. The exact word she used to describe her position was "Shit Hole". Amusingly, she then said, "Shit Holes are important!" I could'nt help but burst out in laughter. She continued "Without Shit Holes, people will be all bottled up with Shit, get constipated and really frustrated. Shit Holes serve a key purpose!". I think not many people could take a step back from their misery to look at their problems from a different plane.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Vegetarian, a matter of choice
I would like to share my experience on taking vegetarian food mentioned in Ian's previous posting. Since two years back, I decided that I will refrain from animal's meatfrom midnight till 5pm daily. I try to keep to this regime except for very special occasions.
How did I get started? My Master ever commented, for each meat meal, we would consume the meat of at least one living being. So assuming we live for 60 years and take meals with meats 3 times a day, that works out to be 65,700 living beings. Few days back, I saw an advertisement on medical checkup, it said, the amount of meat each adult consume on the average is roughly about his/her body weight. It is also evident that many health problems are associated to the consumption of animal flesh and meat products. So whether it is for the sake of health or reduction in negative karma, I think that was a decision I have made.
I can tell you that it is not easy to stick to this regime. My family, friends and colleagues were amused by my insistence initially and it did posed problems when we dined together. I told myself to minimise any inconvenience to people around me by not insisting on pure vegetarian eating outlets but really refrain from meat. Over time, they have learnt to respect my choice and even my wife follows my regime on weekends.
Hope I have not scare anyone by the numbers. Just hope that each of us carry less 'burdens (negative karma)" with us when we are done with this lifetime.
Namo Amituofo!
Monday, April 14, 2008
The Challenges We Face In Our Daily Practice Towards Buddhahood
Namo Amituofo!
I believe most of us face many challenges in our daily practice towards buddhahood. May it be small and negligible to some big difficulties that may hinder our bodhidharma path. This is proof that we have countless bad karma that may come at anytime to claim it's debt. We may not know when it will come but in most cases the more serious we get in our practice, the more it comes to hinder us.
My biggest obstacles is actually my family. First of all, we have a restaurant business, as you know we sell meat. So killing directly or indirectly is difficult to avoid. I need to go to the market to order some chicken, pork or fish. Although I do not kill directly, those animals are killed because of my business demand.
I can actually choose to leave the business, but I am the only son and I'd be considered unfilial if I do so. What a dilemma! So, whenever I buy meat, I quietly chant Amituofo for those animals, hoping the merit will bring them to better realms. I also vow that after I reach sukhavati, I will come back to this saha world to help those beings escape.
I also have difficulties being a vegetarian. I myself still love eating meat, and my family does not welcome the idea of vegetarian. I find it difficult and inconvenient for me and for my family if I alone become a vegetarian, because we eat together all the time. Well, at least I'm still
able to force myself to avoid meat on my once a week chanting day with the buddhist society.
Those are the more obvious obstacles that I have. Some others are less challenging to me. Like driving, traffic in Jakarta is a mess and whenever I drive, I must keep reminding myself not to be impatient with the surrounding. Another issue is with the political situation. Whenever I read the newspaper, I keep telling myself that this is my own karma that I must live in such a country with political turmoil.
I have been quite successful in this area, I've learnt not to complain too much about my surroundings and keep my emotion cool all the time.
I remember another incident where my mobile phone got stolen from my hand. In theory I know that this is the result from my own karma, but when it happened on me, I couldn't sleep for 3 nights. My mind kept thinking about the incident and I kept cursing the thief who snatched my phone.
From then on, I avoid all kinds of stealing, hoping that such an incident will never fall on me again. The most successful effort that I achieved is not to buy pirated movies, software and games. In Jakarta, pirated products are so easy to find and everybody is buying without guilt. At first, it's really difficult to do, especially with me so used to buying them. Later on, with much discipline, I can say I'm quite successful and satisfied with my effort.
One thing that is still bugging me the most is sexual misconduct. I'm sorry I'm not going to discuss this further now. Perhaps sometimes in the future when I'm successful in dealing with this issue, I'll write more.
I'm sometimes also dissatisfied whenever I give my friends advises and kindly rejected. Most of my friends here are from my old school and our beliefs are different. Actually, I tried my best to give objective advise without any religion point of views at all. But since our underlying concept towards life is different, my advise becomes irrelevant and unacceptable to them.
Like recently just happened, I gave an advise to a friend who is quite desperate in getting a child after so many years of marriage and age problem. I thought, if I told him about karma, it wouldn't make sense to him. So I carefully chose "4 Lesson From Liao Fan" to inspire him. This is an auto-biography and it almost has no religion content at all.
I told him how Liao Fan changed his own fate from childless to 2 children.
I encouraged him to practice according to Liao Fan's method of doing good deeds to change destiny and getting what you desire the most. Well, he was grateful to my effort, but I knew he didn't accept it.
I used to be disappointed whenever this happened to me. I used to be unhappy if others doesn't take my advise. Later on, after hearing to Ven. Wu Wen speech on "according to fate and destiny" in helping beings. I realised how beings have different quality and upbringing. If they can't accept your advise now, perhaps in the future they will. So there's no need to be unhappy about it.
Perhaps in the past countless lifetimes, I was also in that position. Where I didn't take any advise from a buddhism perspective, but today, my fate and destiny has matured, and I am now a devoted buddhist.
There are many many more challenges that we face daily. The important point is, like Ven. Wu Wen always says "If your heart and mind are in peace, this world becomes a peaceful place, if every thought is for others, you are a boddhisatva and this world becomes sukhavati."
Namo Amituofo!
I believe most of us face many challenges in our daily practice towards buddhahood. May it be small and negligible to some big difficulties that may hinder our bodhidharma path. This is proof that we have countless bad karma that may come at anytime to claim it's debt. We may not know when it will come but in most cases the more serious we get in our practice, the more it comes to hinder us.
My biggest obstacles is actually my family. First of all, we have a restaurant business, as you know we sell meat. So killing directly or indirectly is difficult to avoid. I need to go to the market to order some chicken, pork or fish. Although I do not kill directly, those animals are killed because of my business demand.
I can actually choose to leave the business, but I am the only son and I'd be considered unfilial if I do so. What a dilemma! So, whenever I buy meat, I quietly chant Amituofo for those animals, hoping the merit will bring them to better realms. I also vow that after I reach sukhavati, I will come back to this saha world to help those beings escape.
I also have difficulties being a vegetarian. I myself still love eating meat, and my family does not welcome the idea of vegetarian. I find it difficult and inconvenient for me and for my family if I alone become a vegetarian, because we eat together all the time. Well, at least I'm still
able to force myself to avoid meat on my once a week chanting day with the buddhist society.
Those are the more obvious obstacles that I have. Some others are less challenging to me. Like driving, traffic in Jakarta is a mess and whenever I drive, I must keep reminding myself not to be impatient with the surrounding. Another issue is with the political situation. Whenever I read the newspaper, I keep telling myself that this is my own karma that I must live in such a country with political turmoil.
I have been quite successful in this area, I've learnt not to complain too much about my surroundings and keep my emotion cool all the time.
I remember another incident where my mobile phone got stolen from my hand. In theory I know that this is the result from my own karma, but when it happened on me, I couldn't sleep for 3 nights. My mind kept thinking about the incident and I kept cursing the thief who snatched my phone.
From then on, I avoid all kinds of stealing, hoping that such an incident will never fall on me again. The most successful effort that I achieved is not to buy pirated movies, software and games. In Jakarta, pirated products are so easy to find and everybody is buying without guilt. At first, it's really difficult to do, especially with me so used to buying them. Later on, with much discipline, I can say I'm quite successful and satisfied with my effort.
One thing that is still bugging me the most is sexual misconduct. I'm sorry I'm not going to discuss this further now. Perhaps sometimes in the future when I'm successful in dealing with this issue, I'll write more.
I'm sometimes also dissatisfied whenever I give my friends advises and kindly rejected. Most of my friends here are from my old school and our beliefs are different. Actually, I tried my best to give objective advise without any religion point of views at all. But since our underlying concept towards life is different, my advise becomes irrelevant and unacceptable to them.
Like recently just happened, I gave an advise to a friend who is quite desperate in getting a child after so many years of marriage and age problem. I thought, if I told him about karma, it wouldn't make sense to him. So I carefully chose "4 Lesson From Liao Fan" to inspire him. This is an auto-biography and it almost has no religion content at all.
I told him how Liao Fan changed his own fate from childless to 2 children.
I encouraged him to practice according to Liao Fan's method of doing good deeds to change destiny and getting what you desire the most. Well, he was grateful to my effort, but I knew he didn't accept it.
I used to be disappointed whenever this happened to me. I used to be unhappy if others doesn't take my advise. Later on, after hearing to Ven. Wu Wen speech on "according to fate and destiny" in helping beings. I realised how beings have different quality and upbringing. If they can't accept your advise now, perhaps in the future they will. So there's no need to be unhappy about it.
Perhaps in the past countless lifetimes, I was also in that position. Where I didn't take any advise from a buddhism perspective, but today, my fate and destiny has matured, and I am now a devoted buddhist.
There are many many more challenges that we face daily. The important point is, like Ven. Wu Wen always says "If your heart and mind are in peace, this world becomes a peaceful place, if every thought is for others, you are a boddhisatva and this world becomes sukhavati."
Namo Amituofo!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Why I Chose Pure-Land Buddhism
Namo Amituofo!
To continue on my last posting, I would like to share on Venerable Wu Wen dharma talk which made me a strong Pure-Land follower today.
As I mentioned before of how I was confused at Mahayana Buddhism. I just couldn't take the idea of chanting a Buddha's or Boddhishatva's name, reading any particular sutta and becoming a vegetarian would bring any benefit to me as a person living in this world.
Although I like the mystical and out-of-the-ordinary side of Mahayana Buddhism, the practices just couldn't fit into my too-logical mind.
Before I listened to Ven. Wu Wen dharma talk, I was still practicing on Theravada tradition. I strongly believe in karma, the four-noble truth and re-birth. I used to go to a theravada temple once a week to practice meditation.
Then I had this thought in my mind, with my kind of practice and dedication towards this particular dharma door, will I reap results in this lifetime? Don't talk about escaping from re-birth, with my so little time of practice and hectic daily routines, I wouldn't even come close to reaching the first Jhana in my meditation practice.
So a friend told me we can re-born as human and keep on practicing until one day we reach enlightenment. That sounded acceptable, only there's no guarantee. Especially with the current society we are living in. All things and people around us only rise our greed, hatred and deepen our ignorance. It's difficult for us to keep all the five sila, no killing, no stealing, no sexual misconduct, no lying, no intoxicating drink and food.
No killing, also includes the smallest insects and bacteria. Don't talk about killing another human being, I believe most of us can avoid this easily. What about those annoying mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, ants and many other. How many households don't stock up insecticide in their homes? Let's also not forget eating meat, although we don't directly kill the animal for their meat, but our appetite indirectly do the killing. We share the sin of killing with the killer.
No stealing, yes we can avoid stealing directly from somebody's purse or house, but there are other small stealing we don't even realise we do. The very obvious small stealing we often overlook are pirated software, music, games and movie. Although we are not the pirates who steal the product and distribute them for personal profit, we share the crime and sin by using.
No sexual misconduct, now this is a very very, I repeat, extremely difficult to avoid. There's no need for me to elaborate further.
No lying and false speech, we do this everyday naturally, most of the times without even noticing. Since we were young, we lie to avoid being scolded and punished. The proof speaks for itself, how many of us in this world have tounges which can reach our nose? According to Buddhist sutta, Sakyamuni Buddha had a tounge which could cover his entire face and the tip could reach his hair line. This is the results of countless lifes without uttering a single lie and false speech.
No intoxicating drink and food, many people smoke and get drunk everyday. Although this is the less serious sila from the other four, we still have to be careful not to break it.
No wonder it is said in the sutta that to get a human life is like a blind turtle from somewhere in the bottom of a vast sea floating up to the surface and hit a wooden plank floating somewhere on the surface of the vast sea. Why this simile? Because to get a human life, we must perform the five sila.
Now as you are reading this, means you have got a human life, so in the past countless of lifes you ever kept the five sila. So in this life if you don't keep it again, means you don't want to be re-born as human.
With this fact, how can I be sure to be re-born as human and continue my buddhist practice until I reach enlightenment? I started to feel down-hearted, I felt as if I lost the ground I'm standing on. My hope for salvation is diminishing.
So I started to look deeper into Pure-Land Buddhism. At first it was also difficult to accept, especially after my relative said this "if I believe in Pure-land and Amitabha, how do I differ from those god-centric believer?". Yes, he was right in saying so, in Pure-Land teaching, we believe in Amitabha's power and compassion to bring us to Sukhavati heaven.
Even Sakyamuni Buddha said this dharma door (Pure-Land teaching) is difficult to believe. He was not saying this to human beings, he was mentioning those Boddhisatvas who embarked from "Self-Power" method to reach enlightenment. If it's so difficult to believe even for Boddhisatvas, what about us?
I had doubt also once, but quickly casted it aside. I thought, if I can trust Sakyamuni Buddha like my own father, why can't I trust this Pure-Land and Amitabha? It all came out of his mouth when he was preaching "Amitabha Sutta" and he was a person who never lied.
In fact if you notice, this is the only topic that he preached without his disciple asking. Other sutta started because someone asked him about something. On top of that, it is also the only topic that he preached for more than once. He wanted to stress the importance of this particular dharma door.
In another sutta, Sakyamuni Buddha also mentioned that his teaching will last for 10,000 years. When the first 2000 years have past, Buddhism is starting to weaken, therefore the period we live in now is called Dharma-Ending period.
All of his sutta will be gone one by one starting with Shurangama Sutta. The last sutta to be gone is Amitabha Sutta. It is because of Sakyamuni Buddha's compassion that this sutta is kept to the last. By the end of the 10,000 years, when all of his teaching is totally gone, only the name "Amitabha" will last for another 100 years. It is also because of his compassion to save human beings before the world comes to a dark period where there's no salvation at all. If you miss this chance to be saved, then you must wait for millions of years till Maitreya Boddhisatva is born in this world to become the next Buddha.
When I read the above, it gave me a boost in confidence to learn more. Especially after watching some documentary videos on real people who practiced Pure-Land and really were picked-up by Amitabha Buddha to be born in Sukhavati heaven.
After listening to Ven. Wu Wen Dharma talk on Limitless Life Sutta, my faith in Pure-Land Buddhism was firmly established. I'd like to deeply thank him for his effort in elaborating this wonderful sutta to the subtlest details. Because of his talk, I finally fully understood the aim and meaning of Pure-Land and Amitabha Buddha. All my remaining confusions and doubts on Mahayana Buddhism have been totally cleared.
In essence, Pure-Land Buddhism is based on Amitabha Sutta, Limitless Life Sutta and Contemplation on Buddha Amitabha Sutta spoken directly by Sakyamuni Buddha. He said that in the western part of this universe, there is a Buddha named Amitabha. Before becoming a Buddha, Amitabha was a bikku named Dipamkara. Bikku Dipamkara made 48 vows to save all beings in the universe.
He promised if he couldn't realised all the 48 vows without exception, he wouldn't become a Buddha. The fact there is now a Buddha named Amitabha, it proofs that Bikku Dipamkara has become Amitabha Buddha and all his 48 vows have become realities.
One of the most important vows is the 18th vow. He says, "If, when I attain Buddhahood, sentient beings in the lands of the ten quarters who sincerely and joyfully entrust themselves to me, desire to be born in my land, and call my Name, even ten times, should not be born there, may I not attain perfect Enlightenment. Excluded, however, are those who commit the five gravest offences and abuse the right Dharma.".
Just by this one vow alone, it gives us all the assurances of salvation for our next life. Isn't this vow a huge bargain for all of us? Other Dharma doors require us to cut clean all our desires and troubles with the mind, whereas Pure-Land only requires us to chant Amitabha name for at least ten times upon our death. Then Amitabha will pick us up to be re-born in his Sukhavati heaven.
By this doesn't mean that other Dharma Door are inferior. It's just which one is more suitable to us. Just like going to the pharmacy, there are many medicines there. Each one cures different illnesses. Before taking just any one of them, we must know what is our illness and what is the suitable medicine to cure it. By wrongly taking a medicine, the result is not good, even fatal. It's the same with our living condition today, we live in the Dharma-ending age where good deeds are little and bad deeds are everywhere. Our delusions are getting heavier and more complex.
The most suitable Dharma Door to cure our problems today is Pure-land method. We do not need to cut clean all our desires and troubled mind, we just need to control them and upon our death remember to call out Amitabha Name, then we will be reborn in Sukhavati.
It all sounds so easy, is it really that easy? Amitabha says that a person must not lack in good merit, good root and good fate to be born in Sukhavati heaven. It means we must have done countless of good deeds and been practicing Pure-Land Method in our past countless lifetimes in order for us to believe in it this life.
It is said that, it is difficult to get a human life, it is even more difficult to encounter Buddhist teachings, it is the most difficult to hear Pure-Land teaching and believe whole-heartedly in it. So today, if we can fully believe in Amitabha, do not waste this opportunity, we must be re-born in this lifetime. Because if we wait till the next, it is dangerous. We'll never know when we'll get a human life again.
So why do we need to be re-born in Sukhavati heaven? Let's look at some other vows Amitabha made. In essence, beings in Sukhavati have unlimited life-span and there is no bad realms, means we will life forever and will not be reborn as animals, hungry ghosts or hell beings. Beings there are all Boddhisatvas, there is no wrongdoings and Dharma teachings are available as wished. This is the perfect world, in which we will not retrogress in our practice towards Buddhahood.
I hope this posting is enough to introduce you to Pure-Land Buddhism. I am in no position to convince any reader to believe in this wonderful teachings. I would encourage you to search and read further from other sources widely available on the net or Buddhist Center near to you.
Below is the link to a nice commentary on Limitless Life Sutta by Venerable Master Jin Kong.
http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/passages.pdf
May the merit and virtues accrued from this work
Adorn the Buddha's Pure Land,
Repaying the four kind of kindness above,
And relieving the sufferings of those in the three paths below.
May those who see and hear of this,
All bring forth the heart of understanding,
And live the teachings for the rest of his life,
Then be born together in the land of ultimate bliss!
Homage to Amitabha Buddha!
To continue on my last posting, I would like to share on Venerable Wu Wen dharma talk which made me a strong Pure-Land follower today.
As I mentioned before of how I was confused at Mahayana Buddhism. I just couldn't take the idea of chanting a Buddha's or Boddhishatva's name, reading any particular sutta and becoming a vegetarian would bring any benefit to me as a person living in this world.
Although I like the mystical and out-of-the-ordinary side of Mahayana Buddhism, the practices just couldn't fit into my too-logical mind.
Before I listened to Ven. Wu Wen dharma talk, I was still practicing on Theravada tradition. I strongly believe in karma, the four-noble truth and re-birth. I used to go to a theravada temple once a week to practice meditation.
Then I had this thought in my mind, with my kind of practice and dedication towards this particular dharma door, will I reap results in this lifetime? Don't talk about escaping from re-birth, with my so little time of practice and hectic daily routines, I wouldn't even come close to reaching the first Jhana in my meditation practice.
So a friend told me we can re-born as human and keep on practicing until one day we reach enlightenment. That sounded acceptable, only there's no guarantee. Especially with the current society we are living in. All things and people around us only rise our greed, hatred and deepen our ignorance. It's difficult for us to keep all the five sila, no killing, no stealing, no sexual misconduct, no lying, no intoxicating drink and food.
No killing, also includes the smallest insects and bacteria. Don't talk about killing another human being, I believe most of us can avoid this easily. What about those annoying mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, ants and many other. How many households don't stock up insecticide in their homes? Let's also not forget eating meat, although we don't directly kill the animal for their meat, but our appetite indirectly do the killing. We share the sin of killing with the killer.
No stealing, yes we can avoid stealing directly from somebody's purse or house, but there are other small stealing we don't even realise we do. The very obvious small stealing we often overlook are pirated software, music, games and movie. Although we are not the pirates who steal the product and distribute them for personal profit, we share the crime and sin by using.
No sexual misconduct, now this is a very very, I repeat, extremely difficult to avoid. There's no need for me to elaborate further.
No lying and false speech, we do this everyday naturally, most of the times without even noticing. Since we were young, we lie to avoid being scolded and punished. The proof speaks for itself, how many of us in this world have tounges which can reach our nose? According to Buddhist sutta, Sakyamuni Buddha had a tounge which could cover his entire face and the tip could reach his hair line. This is the results of countless lifes without uttering a single lie and false speech.
No intoxicating drink and food, many people smoke and get drunk everyday. Although this is the less serious sila from the other four, we still have to be careful not to break it.
No wonder it is said in the sutta that to get a human life is like a blind turtle from somewhere in the bottom of a vast sea floating up to the surface and hit a wooden plank floating somewhere on the surface of the vast sea. Why this simile? Because to get a human life, we must perform the five sila.
Now as you are reading this, means you have got a human life, so in the past countless of lifes you ever kept the five sila. So in this life if you don't keep it again, means you don't want to be re-born as human.
With this fact, how can I be sure to be re-born as human and continue my buddhist practice until I reach enlightenment? I started to feel down-hearted, I felt as if I lost the ground I'm standing on. My hope for salvation is diminishing.
So I started to look deeper into Pure-Land Buddhism. At first it was also difficult to accept, especially after my relative said this "if I believe in Pure-land and Amitabha, how do I differ from those god-centric believer?". Yes, he was right in saying so, in Pure-Land teaching, we believe in Amitabha's power and compassion to bring us to Sukhavati heaven.
Even Sakyamuni Buddha said this dharma door (Pure-Land teaching) is difficult to believe. He was not saying this to human beings, he was mentioning those Boddhisatvas who embarked from "Self-Power" method to reach enlightenment. If it's so difficult to believe even for Boddhisatvas, what about us?
I had doubt also once, but quickly casted it aside. I thought, if I can trust Sakyamuni Buddha like my own father, why can't I trust this Pure-Land and Amitabha? It all came out of his mouth when he was preaching "Amitabha Sutta" and he was a person who never lied.
In fact if you notice, this is the only topic that he preached without his disciple asking. Other sutta started because someone asked him about something. On top of that, it is also the only topic that he preached for more than once. He wanted to stress the importance of this particular dharma door.
In another sutta, Sakyamuni Buddha also mentioned that his teaching will last for 10,000 years. When the first 2000 years have past, Buddhism is starting to weaken, therefore the period we live in now is called Dharma-Ending period.
All of his sutta will be gone one by one starting with Shurangama Sutta. The last sutta to be gone is Amitabha Sutta. It is because of Sakyamuni Buddha's compassion that this sutta is kept to the last. By the end of the 10,000 years, when all of his teaching is totally gone, only the name "Amitabha" will last for another 100 years. It is also because of his compassion to save human beings before the world comes to a dark period where there's no salvation at all. If you miss this chance to be saved, then you must wait for millions of years till Maitreya Boddhisatva is born in this world to become the next Buddha.
When I read the above, it gave me a boost in confidence to learn more. Especially after watching some documentary videos on real people who practiced Pure-Land and really were picked-up by Amitabha Buddha to be born in Sukhavati heaven.
After listening to Ven. Wu Wen Dharma talk on Limitless Life Sutta, my faith in Pure-Land Buddhism was firmly established. I'd like to deeply thank him for his effort in elaborating this wonderful sutta to the subtlest details. Because of his talk, I finally fully understood the aim and meaning of Pure-Land and Amitabha Buddha. All my remaining confusions and doubts on Mahayana Buddhism have been totally cleared.
In essence, Pure-Land Buddhism is based on Amitabha Sutta, Limitless Life Sutta and Contemplation on Buddha Amitabha Sutta spoken directly by Sakyamuni Buddha. He said that in the western part of this universe, there is a Buddha named Amitabha. Before becoming a Buddha, Amitabha was a bikku named Dipamkara. Bikku Dipamkara made 48 vows to save all beings in the universe.
He promised if he couldn't realised all the 48 vows without exception, he wouldn't become a Buddha. The fact there is now a Buddha named Amitabha, it proofs that Bikku Dipamkara has become Amitabha Buddha and all his 48 vows have become realities.
One of the most important vows is the 18th vow. He says, "If, when I attain Buddhahood, sentient beings in the lands of the ten quarters who sincerely and joyfully entrust themselves to me, desire to be born in my land, and call my Name, even ten times, should not be born there, may I not attain perfect Enlightenment. Excluded, however, are those who commit the five gravest offences and abuse the right Dharma.".
Just by this one vow alone, it gives us all the assurances of salvation for our next life. Isn't this vow a huge bargain for all of us? Other Dharma doors require us to cut clean all our desires and troubles with the mind, whereas Pure-Land only requires us to chant Amitabha name for at least ten times upon our death. Then Amitabha will pick us up to be re-born in his Sukhavati heaven.
By this doesn't mean that other Dharma Door are inferior. It's just which one is more suitable to us. Just like going to the pharmacy, there are many medicines there. Each one cures different illnesses. Before taking just any one of them, we must know what is our illness and what is the suitable medicine to cure it. By wrongly taking a medicine, the result is not good, even fatal. It's the same with our living condition today, we live in the Dharma-ending age where good deeds are little and bad deeds are everywhere. Our delusions are getting heavier and more complex.
The most suitable Dharma Door to cure our problems today is Pure-land method. We do not need to cut clean all our desires and troubled mind, we just need to control them and upon our death remember to call out Amitabha Name, then we will be reborn in Sukhavati.
It all sounds so easy, is it really that easy? Amitabha says that a person must not lack in good merit, good root and good fate to be born in Sukhavati heaven. It means we must have done countless of good deeds and been practicing Pure-Land Method in our past countless lifetimes in order for us to believe in it this life.
It is said that, it is difficult to get a human life, it is even more difficult to encounter Buddhist teachings, it is the most difficult to hear Pure-Land teaching and believe whole-heartedly in it. So today, if we can fully believe in Amitabha, do not waste this opportunity, we must be re-born in this lifetime. Because if we wait till the next, it is dangerous. We'll never know when we'll get a human life again.
So why do we need to be re-born in Sukhavati heaven? Let's look at some other vows Amitabha made. In essence, beings in Sukhavati have unlimited life-span and there is no bad realms, means we will life forever and will not be reborn as animals, hungry ghosts or hell beings. Beings there are all Boddhisatvas, there is no wrongdoings and Dharma teachings are available as wished. This is the perfect world, in which we will not retrogress in our practice towards Buddhahood.
I hope this posting is enough to introduce you to Pure-Land Buddhism. I am in no position to convince any reader to believe in this wonderful teachings. I would encourage you to search and read further from other sources widely available on the net or Buddhist Center near to you.
Below is the link to a nice commentary on Limitless Life Sutta by Venerable Master Jin Kong.
http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/passages.pdf
May the merit and virtues accrued from this work
Adorn the Buddha's Pure Land,
Repaying the four kind of kindness above,
And relieving the sufferings of those in the three paths below.
May those who see and hear of this,
All bring forth the heart of understanding,
And live the teachings for the rest of his life,
Then be born together in the land of ultimate bliss!
Homage to Amitabha Buddha!
Monday, January 14, 2008
My Path Towards Pure Land Buddhism
Namo Amituofo!
Before posting on this topic, I was thinking of writing an introduction to Pure Land Buddhism, what it is about, how to practice and what is the aim in this dharma door. However, I was hesitant in doing so.
I was worried that I might not convey the right message to our readers. It might confuses or even creates misunderstanding especially to a non Pure Land practinioner. Hence unintentionally chopping off the dharma seeds to the readers and creating bad karma on myself. So I decided to leave the theory to other sources widely available on the net, I will try to find the links and put it on the main page.
So here I am writing my own personal experience from a pre-buddhist to where I am now.
To start, I want to say that I was educated in Jakarta in a non buddhist school. I have been thougt on a god-centric belief for 14 years, during which I always had difficulties believing. I sincerely tried to accept the teaching and take it to my life, but just couldn't. Don't get me wrong, the teaching is good, it teaches people to do good and avoid bad. It just how it suits personal liking, like Buddhism suits more for me.
Until I graduated from Indonesian education system, I didn't have any strong belief towards any religion at all. I couldn't accept the god-centric teaching and neither could I accept my family belief in going to the temple and praying to those statues requesting for health, money, security, etc. etc.
Going to the temple and pray, has been my family tradition for generations. Whenenever I followed my father to a temple, I always had this thought in my mind, how could statues give wealth, health and security to me? I always remember how my school teacher used to tell us, in the event of fire in the temple, who is going to help whom? Is it the statues helping the people, or the people carrying the statues. At that time, I thought that was logical, so I couldn't accept my father so called "Buddhism" belief either.
At that time, I just believed that there's a higher being out there who created everything, or else how could you explain the existence of our universe? I also believed in doing good and avoid bad in order to go to heaven and avoid hell. I basically tried to avoid being called an atheis.
So then I went to Aberdeen Scotland for my University. It was then I took a big turn in my life towards Buddhism. I met a guy named Eric Chia Chin Leong, a Malaysian who was a Buddhist. I knew he was practicing buddhist meditation. I who was a non believer at that time, was curious about Buddhism. So I remember clearly one question I asked him which changed my life forever. It was Eric who brought real Buddhist teaching to my life.
Eric, if you are reading this, I have been trying hard to look for you. I lost your contact since your graduation. I just want to thank you deeply for changing my life.
The question to Eric was, whether or not Guan Gong (chinese god of war) and Kuan Yin (Avalokitesvara Boddhisatva) really exist. I asked this based on my disbelief towards the deities in the temples my father used to bring me. The answer to this question just "clicked" to my mind. At that instant, seemed like a thick curtain was lifted up from my mind and I totally accept the teaching with all my heart. It was like all my doubts and unanswered questions were cleared instantly.
From then on, I often asked Eric more questions regarding Buddhism and sometimes followed him to meditate. I remember also there was a tibetan monk named "Tilak" who was studying in Aberdeen Uni. So we approached him and discussed Buddhism together. I would like to thank Tilak for all those discussions, it would be great if he can find and participate in this blog.
I had thirst towards all Buddhist books available in the book store and libraries. I read many many Buddhist books. I was always in search for Buddhism, I was always hungry to learn more.
However at that time, all I read was the general knowledge of Buddhism. About Karma, sila, samsaric life, dying, etc. I didn't really go into a particular dharma door and practice further.
After graduation, I worked in Singapore where I met Kelvin (Miao Ying). I was busy working in Singapore so I kind of put Buddhism on pause mode then. I remember the only Buddhist thing I did during my stay there was going to Kim Yam Road Buddhist Lodge every morning for a simple pray before going to work. Because I happened to rent a room just at the opposite of the lodge. That's just about as Buddhist as I got then, still very much on the surface.
After 5 years of working there, I went back to Jakarta to help my family restaurant business. Just before I left, I went back to the lodge to sort of "Returned the Favour" for pleasant and smooth stay in Singapore. It was then I picked up some Mahayana Books available there for free.
I started exploring on Buddhism again with those books. I guess it was the Mahayana teaching that gave me a new excitement, since I have always fond of the mystical and out-of-this-world side of Buddhism. Some of the books I took was, "The Sutta on Medicine Buddha", "Amitabha Sutta", "Explanation on Heart Sutta", "Ksitigarbha Boddhisatva Sutta" and others.
I was crazy again searching for Buddhist materials from the internet, downloaded all the sutta, printed them and read them all. I read almost all sutta from the Tripitaka, from Theravada tradition, Zen, Esoteric and Mahayana. I especially liked the Ksitigarbha (Di Zang Wang) sutta and I cried the first time I read it. I was so touched by his vow to save beings by going into hell where no one else is willing. He also has many other vows which benefit all beings greatly. I was so touched by him, that I too vowed to help his mission and to replace his position when he became a Buddha one day.
I was also very interested in Amitabha sutta, Limitless Life Sutta and Contemplation on Amitabha Buddha sutta. I started to also like Amitabha. When I read on Avalokitesvara (Guan Yin), I also like him. Similary with Samantabhadra (Da Shi Zhe) and Manjusri (Wen Shu She Li) Boddhisatva. So I started to pray to all of them.
Right then, another confusion again arose in my mind. I was thinking if I pray to all the boddhisatvas and Buddhas, chant their names and read their sutta at appropriate occasions, what difference do I make with going to the temple and pray to all those statues? I was again in search for real and meaningful Buddhism.
Again I went towards Theravada Buddhism for it's logical and straight forward practices, although I was always fond of Mahayana teachings. I guess I am the kind of person who can't just trust at something so easily, I need proof to belief.
Until my uncle brought me to Amitabha Buddhist Society branch in Jakarta, where I found the answer. The first time I went to the society, I was excited to see so many Mahayana books and CDs available for free, so I took home quite a lot of them.
When I listened to Ven. Wu Wen dharma talk on Limitless Life Sutta, I found all the answers to my doubts and confusions in Mahayana Buddhism. I finally found the right dharma door for me and I have been practicing Pure-Land ever since. I put down all other dharma doors and concentrate on Pure Land teaching.
I would like to sincerely thank the Amitabha Buddhist Society for opening branches all over the world and sharing Mahayana teachings to everybody who is interested. If not because of them, I would still be wandering at the entrance towards Buddhism.
Well, that's it for now. My story towards being a Pure-Land follower. I hope whoever reads this may also share his/her biography. I will talk more on Ven. Wu Wen teachings on my next posting. Thank you.
Namo Amituofo!
Before posting on this topic, I was thinking of writing an introduction to Pure Land Buddhism, what it is about, how to practice and what is the aim in this dharma door. However, I was hesitant in doing so.
I was worried that I might not convey the right message to our readers. It might confuses or even creates misunderstanding especially to a non Pure Land practinioner. Hence unintentionally chopping off the dharma seeds to the readers and creating bad karma on myself. So I decided to leave the theory to other sources widely available on the net, I will try to find the links and put it on the main page.
So here I am writing my own personal experience from a pre-buddhist to where I am now.
To start, I want to say that I was educated in Jakarta in a non buddhist school. I have been thougt on a god-centric belief for 14 years, during which I always had difficulties believing. I sincerely tried to accept the teaching and take it to my life, but just couldn't. Don't get me wrong, the teaching is good, it teaches people to do good and avoid bad. It just how it suits personal liking, like Buddhism suits more for me.
Until I graduated from Indonesian education system, I didn't have any strong belief towards any religion at all. I couldn't accept the god-centric teaching and neither could I accept my family belief in going to the temple and praying to those statues requesting for health, money, security, etc. etc.
Going to the temple and pray, has been my family tradition for generations. Whenenever I followed my father to a temple, I always had this thought in my mind, how could statues give wealth, health and security to me? I always remember how my school teacher used to tell us, in the event of fire in the temple, who is going to help whom? Is it the statues helping the people, or the people carrying the statues. At that time, I thought that was logical, so I couldn't accept my father so called "Buddhism" belief either.
At that time, I just believed that there's a higher being out there who created everything, or else how could you explain the existence of our universe? I also believed in doing good and avoid bad in order to go to heaven and avoid hell. I basically tried to avoid being called an atheis.
So then I went to Aberdeen Scotland for my University. It was then I took a big turn in my life towards Buddhism. I met a guy named Eric Chia Chin Leong, a Malaysian who was a Buddhist. I knew he was practicing buddhist meditation. I who was a non believer at that time, was curious about Buddhism. So I remember clearly one question I asked him which changed my life forever. It was Eric who brought real Buddhist teaching to my life.
Eric, if you are reading this, I have been trying hard to look for you. I lost your contact since your graduation. I just want to thank you deeply for changing my life.
The question to Eric was, whether or not Guan Gong (chinese god of war) and Kuan Yin (Avalokitesvara Boddhisatva) really exist. I asked this based on my disbelief towards the deities in the temples my father used to bring me. The answer to this question just "clicked" to my mind. At that instant, seemed like a thick curtain was lifted up from my mind and I totally accept the teaching with all my heart. It was like all my doubts and unanswered questions were cleared instantly.
From then on, I often asked Eric more questions regarding Buddhism and sometimes followed him to meditate. I remember also there was a tibetan monk named "Tilak" who was studying in Aberdeen Uni. So we approached him and discussed Buddhism together. I would like to thank Tilak for all those discussions, it would be great if he can find and participate in this blog.
I had thirst towards all Buddhist books available in the book store and libraries. I read many many Buddhist books. I was always in search for Buddhism, I was always hungry to learn more.
However at that time, all I read was the general knowledge of Buddhism. About Karma, sila, samsaric life, dying, etc. I didn't really go into a particular dharma door and practice further.
After graduation, I worked in Singapore where I met Kelvin (Miao Ying). I was busy working in Singapore so I kind of put Buddhism on pause mode then. I remember the only Buddhist thing I did during my stay there was going to Kim Yam Road Buddhist Lodge every morning for a simple pray before going to work. Because I happened to rent a room just at the opposite of the lodge. That's just about as Buddhist as I got then, still very much on the surface.
After 5 years of working there, I went back to Jakarta to help my family restaurant business. Just before I left, I went back to the lodge to sort of "Returned the Favour" for pleasant and smooth stay in Singapore. It was then I picked up some Mahayana Books available there for free.
I started exploring on Buddhism again with those books. I guess it was the Mahayana teaching that gave me a new excitement, since I have always fond of the mystical and out-of-this-world side of Buddhism. Some of the books I took was, "The Sutta on Medicine Buddha", "Amitabha Sutta", "Explanation on Heart Sutta", "Ksitigarbha Boddhisatva Sutta" and others.
I was crazy again searching for Buddhist materials from the internet, downloaded all the sutta, printed them and read them all. I read almost all sutta from the Tripitaka, from Theravada tradition, Zen, Esoteric and Mahayana. I especially liked the Ksitigarbha (Di Zang Wang) sutta and I cried the first time I read it. I was so touched by his vow to save beings by going into hell where no one else is willing. He also has many other vows which benefit all beings greatly. I was so touched by him, that I too vowed to help his mission and to replace his position when he became a Buddha one day.
I was also very interested in Amitabha sutta, Limitless Life Sutta and Contemplation on Amitabha Buddha sutta. I started to also like Amitabha. When I read on Avalokitesvara (Guan Yin), I also like him. Similary with Samantabhadra (Da Shi Zhe) and Manjusri (Wen Shu She Li) Boddhisatva. So I started to pray to all of them.
Right then, another confusion again arose in my mind. I was thinking if I pray to all the boddhisatvas and Buddhas, chant their names and read their sutta at appropriate occasions, what difference do I make with going to the temple and pray to all those statues? I was again in search for real and meaningful Buddhism.
Again I went towards Theravada Buddhism for it's logical and straight forward practices, although I was always fond of Mahayana teachings. I guess I am the kind of person who can't just trust at something so easily, I need proof to belief.
Until my uncle brought me to Amitabha Buddhist Society branch in Jakarta, where I found the answer. The first time I went to the society, I was excited to see so many Mahayana books and CDs available for free, so I took home quite a lot of them.
When I listened to Ven. Wu Wen dharma talk on Limitless Life Sutta, I found all the answers to my doubts and confusions in Mahayana Buddhism. I finally found the right dharma door for me and I have been practicing Pure-Land ever since. I put down all other dharma doors and concentrate on Pure Land teaching.
I would like to sincerely thank the Amitabha Buddhist Society for opening branches all over the world and sharing Mahayana teachings to everybody who is interested. If not because of them, I would still be wandering at the entrance towards Buddhism.
Well, that's it for now. My story towards being a Pure-Land follower. I hope whoever reads this may also share his/her biography. I will talk more on Ven. Wu Wen teachings on my next posting. Thank you.
Namo Amituofo!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Nice Dharma Musics From Youtube
Came across this nice video to share with our readers. You can mouseover to see more videos. Enjoy!
Namo Amituofo!
Namo Amituofo!
Friday, January 11, 2008
A Story On Cause & Effect
Namo Amituofo!
Heard a story from Ven. Jing Jie while travelling to work today.
A young Chinese scholar, Chen was making his way to the capital for the annual imperial examination. While resting, he met a fortune teller who asked him where he was going. Chen thought "Why not I find out if I could pass the examination?" The fortune teller looked at his mian xiang (face), and replied sternly "Young Man, my advice to you is to make your way home to have a last reunion with your folks. You don't have much time left."
Chen was depressed by what he heard. He dropped the idea of taking the examination and headed home. When he was approaching the river, he saw a woman carrying two toddlers trying to drown herself and her children. Chen stopped the woman, asking why she wanted to end her life. The woman wept "My husband asked me to sell the pig for 10 taels, which I did. Only did I realised the 10 taels were fake metals plated with silver. He would kill me for that. I rather end my own life rather to die from his beating."
Chen thought, since he was dying, he asked the woman to show him the fake money. Quietly, he swapped her bag of money with his. "Oh, Madam, the 10 taels are real. Bite them if you don't believe", exclaimed Chen. The woman did as told and was surprised to discover that what Chen said was true. She thanked Chen and left happily with her children.
Continuing his journey, Chen chanced upon a deserted temple. Seeing that the sun has set, he decided to take shelter for the night at the temple. Not long along, Chen dozed off due to exhaustion. Out a sudden, he heard someone shouting his name. When he opened his heavy eyes, he saw a figurine resembling Kuan Gong (the Chinese God of War), approaching him and furiously shouting "Get out of the temple!" In shock, he hurried out of the temple. The moment he set his foot out the premise, the temple pillars started to give way and in minutes, all that remained was ruin. When Chen recovered from state of shock, he felt a sense of relief and calm. He thought since he has escaped death, why not try his luck at the imperial examination.
On his way to the Capital, he met the same fortune teller. The fortune teller was surprised to see a change in Chen's mian xiang. He told Chen, "Young man, the shine on your forehead is extraordinary, different from 2 days back. You must have done a great charitable deed. Trust me, go for the examination, you will make it with flying colours." Chen followed the fortune teller's advice and he really became the top scholar of the year.
This story tells us that though we may suffer misfortune due to our past negative karmic actions, our kind deeds in this lifetime could possibly delay the ripening of negative karma. This gives us time to focus on our cultivation to transcend to the western paradise.
Namo Amituofo!
Heard a story from Ven. Jing Jie while travelling to work today.
A young Chinese scholar, Chen was making his way to the capital for the annual imperial examination. While resting, he met a fortune teller who asked him where he was going. Chen thought "Why not I find out if I could pass the examination?" The fortune teller looked at his mian xiang (face), and replied sternly "Young Man, my advice to you is to make your way home to have a last reunion with your folks. You don't have much time left."
Chen was depressed by what he heard. He dropped the idea of taking the examination and headed home. When he was approaching the river, he saw a woman carrying two toddlers trying to drown herself and her children. Chen stopped the woman, asking why she wanted to end her life. The woman wept "My husband asked me to sell the pig for 10 taels, which I did. Only did I realised the 10 taels were fake metals plated with silver. He would kill me for that. I rather end my own life rather to die from his beating."
Chen thought, since he was dying, he asked the woman to show him the fake money. Quietly, he swapped her bag of money with his. "Oh, Madam, the 10 taels are real. Bite them if you don't believe", exclaimed Chen. The woman did as told and was surprised to discover that what Chen said was true. She thanked Chen and left happily with her children.
Continuing his journey, Chen chanced upon a deserted temple. Seeing that the sun has set, he decided to take shelter for the night at the temple. Not long along, Chen dozed off due to exhaustion. Out a sudden, he heard someone shouting his name. When he opened his heavy eyes, he saw a figurine resembling Kuan Gong (the Chinese God of War), approaching him and furiously shouting "Get out of the temple!" In shock, he hurried out of the temple. The moment he set his foot out the premise, the temple pillars started to give way and in minutes, all that remained was ruin. When Chen recovered from state of shock, he felt a sense of relief and calm. He thought since he has escaped death, why not try his luck at the imperial examination.
On his way to the Capital, he met the same fortune teller. The fortune teller was surprised to see a change in Chen's mian xiang. He told Chen, "Young man, the shine on your forehead is extraordinary, different from 2 days back. You must have done a great charitable deed. Trust me, go for the examination, you will make it with flying colours." Chen followed the fortune teller's advice and he really became the top scholar of the year.
This story tells us that though we may suffer misfortune due to our past negative karmic actions, our kind deeds in this lifetime could possibly delay the ripening of negative karma. This gives us time to focus on our cultivation to transcend to the western paradise.
Namo Amituofo!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Introduction
Namo Amituofo!
My name is Ian with my partner Kelvin, we created this blog "Namo-Amituofo.blogspot.com" as a means to share Pure Land Buddhism theory and practice with anybody who visits this blog.
We are devoted Pure Land Buddhism disciples inspired by the Venerable Master Jin Kong and Venerable Wu Wen with the Amitabha Buddhist Society Singapore and Jakarta.
This blog is intended to be used as a place to share the knowledge of Pure Land teachings and also the many challenges in our daily practice.
Anybody is welcome to participate in this blog, whether you are a Buddhist or a non-Buddhist.
People from different Dharma door, ie. Therevada, Zen, Esoteric, Tian Tai, are also welcome to share your knowledge and view.
If you are a non-Buddhist, take this blog from the daily practice perspective, ie. how we deal with our surroundings, be it good or bad. Just remember, Buddhism is not a religion, it is a teaching on practical ways to deal with life and it's daily occurences.
Lastly, PLEASE NOTE some rules on posting to this blog:
1. You are welcome to share your knowledge and common views on a particular posting topic. However, please remember NOT to excessively use your personal opinion or judgement, because opinion and judgement from a troubled mind, produces a troubled and biased answer.
2. People's background and knowledge are different, so if someone disagrees with your view, please do not get upset and do not start to offend each other. Remember a saying, "If you see everybody else as a layperson, then you are a layperson. But if you see everybody else as a boddhisatva then you yourself is a boddishatva".
Thank you for your participation.
Namo Amituofo!
My name is Ian with my partner Kelvin, we created this blog "Namo-Amituofo.blogspot.com" as a means to share Pure Land Buddhism theory and practice with anybody who visits this blog.
We are devoted Pure Land Buddhism disciples inspired by the Venerable Master Jin Kong and Venerable Wu Wen with the Amitabha Buddhist Society Singapore and Jakarta.
This blog is intended to be used as a place to share the knowledge of Pure Land teachings and also the many challenges in our daily practice.
Anybody is welcome to participate in this blog, whether you are a Buddhist or a non-Buddhist.
People from different Dharma door, ie. Therevada, Zen, Esoteric, Tian Tai, are also welcome to share your knowledge and view.
If you are a non-Buddhist, take this blog from the daily practice perspective, ie. how we deal with our surroundings, be it good or bad. Just remember, Buddhism is not a religion, it is a teaching on practical ways to deal with life and it's daily occurences.
Lastly, PLEASE NOTE some rules on posting to this blog:
1. You are welcome to share your knowledge and common views on a particular posting topic. However, please remember NOT to excessively use your personal opinion or judgement, because opinion and judgement from a troubled mind, produces a troubled and biased answer.
2. People's background and knowledge are different, so if someone disagrees with your view, please do not get upset and do not start to offend each other. Remember a saying, "If you see everybody else as a layperson, then you are a layperson. But if you see everybody else as a boddhisatva then you yourself is a boddishatva".
Thank you for your participation.
Namo Amituofo!
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