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.

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.