Was listening to a talk (cd) about the bodhisattva precepts, and one build on the not lying precept, that one should not gossip or talk bad about 4 groups of people.
Often we speak without thinking, after which we go "sorry sorry".
But that is not being mindful.
If we take the precepts, we should ever be mindful and hold on fast to it, and not speak without thinking and go sorry sorry after.
I did that once after listening to e talk. And I caught the sorry sorry. But not before I spoke ill of someone already.
They say "sorry no cure". And in terms of karma, that is true.
I can only promise to continue being mindful.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
when nothing u do goes right, turn left
A friend's msn nick.
And I thought it was very good.
Right is only right when there is wrong, or when there is left.
If there is no wrong, how can there be right???
We make things into right and wrong, or right and left, so why do we get upset when it turns out left?
It is the right attitude of my friend that I want to share and praise.
IF we could see the fact that right only exists in our minds because we distinguished between right and wrong, than there is no right or wrong at all.
In any case, it is just good advice:
When nothing you go goes right, turn left.
And I thought it was very good.
Right is only right when there is wrong, or when there is left.
If there is no wrong, how can there be right???
We make things into right and wrong, or right and left, so why do we get upset when it turns out left?
It is the right attitude of my friend that I want to share and praise.
IF we could see the fact that right only exists in our minds because we distinguished between right and wrong, than there is no right or wrong at all.
In any case, it is just good advice:
When nothing you go goes right, turn left.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
The heartbeat of 阿弥驼佛
Have you heard about the practice of ten sets of simple recitation of 阿弥驼佛?
Basically you recite 阿弥驼佛 ten times (each set) during ten periods of the day. It is just a simple and quick method for us to be mindful of 阿弥驼佛.
So I was reciting this morning when I woke up, and somehow, (maybe coz I was still groggy), I was feeling my heartbeat when I was reciting.
And that brought me loads of joy, because I (sort of) realised that our hearts should beat to the "drum" of 阿弥驼佛. That each heartbeat, should be that of 阿弥驼佛, that in every single heartbeat, the ultimate goal of Buddhahood is and can be achieved. (In my case, my aspiration of rebirth in Pureland).
Our hearts should beat with, and for 阿弥驼佛, for liberation, for enlightenment, for compassion.
What does your heart beat to?
Basically you recite 阿弥驼佛 ten times (each set) during ten periods of the day. It is just a simple and quick method for us to be mindful of 阿弥驼佛.
So I was reciting this morning when I woke up, and somehow, (maybe coz I was still groggy), I was feeling my heartbeat when I was reciting.
And that brought me loads of joy, because I (sort of) realised that our hearts should beat to the "drum" of 阿弥驼佛. That each heartbeat, should be that of 阿弥驼佛, that in every single heartbeat, the ultimate goal of Buddhahood is and can be achieved. (In my case, my aspiration of rebirth in Pureland).
Our hearts should beat with, and for 阿弥驼佛, for liberation, for enlightenment, for compassion.
What does your heart beat to?
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
A blazing fire of existence
Learnt about the Fire Sermon. And I was touched by it.
Truly, our existence is just like a blazing fire.
It burns as a result of the 3 poisons. Of greed, anger and delusion. And we keep it burning, non-stop.
It burns as a result of our karma, continually keeping us in cyclic existence.
It burns, we look at it, and think it is great.
We are so deluded....
Truly, our existence is just like a blazing fire.
It burns as a result of the 3 poisons. Of greed, anger and delusion. And we keep it burning, non-stop.
It burns as a result of our karma, continually keeping us in cyclic existence.
It burns, we look at it, and think it is great.
We are so deluded....
Monday, February 22, 2010
What sort of Buddhist are you?
Buddhists can be generally categorised into 2 main types. (According to a talk, but I sort of re-categorised for my entry purpose)
i) Prayer (拜拜 Buddhists) and
ii) Lay Buddhists (which can be further segmented based on level of practice, etc)
拜拜 Buddhists means they only pray to the statues without any real understanding of the Dharma. And most likely have not taken refuge, nor attend Dharma class.
Lay Buddhists as mentioned, can be segmented:
- Taken Refuge
- Taken 5 Precepts
- Does some form of practices/Cultivate
- Taken Bodhisattva Precepts, etc....
The above is just to share, and maybe for you to think about, whether or not you are a Buddhist, and at which stage you are at.
When Venerable was teaching, I was wondering to myself. Where am I? Am I a Lay Buddhist, or a 拜拜 buddhist?
I might have taken the 3 Refuge and 5 Precepts, but have I taken it right, or kept to it, or fully understood the significance behind them?
True, I am learning more every day, but if I were to judge myself, I find myself far off the mark of a lay Buddhist.
I dont wish to pigeon hole anyone or myself. But the right view and concept would really make a different in the long run.
Taking Refuge is not as simple as reciting the Homage verses after the Venerable. It is a real homage from the heart, and the constant reminder and trust that we can rely on the Triple Gems. And the fact that we let the Triple Gems guide us in our body, speech and mind.
Now, what sort of Buddhist do you think you are?
i) Prayer (拜拜 Buddhists) and
ii) Lay Buddhists (which can be further segmented based on level of practice, etc)
拜拜 Buddhists means they only pray to the statues without any real understanding of the Dharma. And most likely have not taken refuge, nor attend Dharma class.
Lay Buddhists as mentioned, can be segmented:
- Taken Refuge
- Taken 5 Precepts
- Does some form of practices/Cultivate
- Taken Bodhisattva Precepts, etc....
The above is just to share, and maybe for you to think about, whether or not you are a Buddhist, and at which stage you are at.
When Venerable was teaching, I was wondering to myself. Where am I? Am I a Lay Buddhist, or a 拜拜 buddhist?
I might have taken the 3 Refuge and 5 Precepts, but have I taken it right, or kept to it, or fully understood the significance behind them?
True, I am learning more every day, but if I were to judge myself, I find myself far off the mark of a lay Buddhist.
I dont wish to pigeon hole anyone or myself. But the right view and concept would really make a different in the long run.
Taking Refuge is not as simple as reciting the Homage verses after the Venerable. It is a real homage from the heart, and the constant reminder and trust that we can rely on the Triple Gems. And the fact that we let the Triple Gems guide us in our body, speech and mind.
Now, what sort of Buddhist do you think you are?
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Pureland method is for?
In one of the classes which I attended recently, Venerable said, and I "quote" based on my own interpretation, that the Pureland method is for "cowards".
When you listen to his explanation, you will get the point. I suppose it is true in a way.
Why do practitioners want to go Pureland. I can only assume that a large number wants to escape samsara, and the Pureland method is the easiest way out due to the merits of Amitabha Buddha. The key word here is ESCAPE. We want a "release" from the suffering that we face, hence the motivation to go Pureland.
If that doesnt make us a coward, I dont know what does.
Venerable's point, is that our path to enlightenment would be shorter (relatively), if we had the right motivation, and returned to samsara to practice and benefit other sentient beings. [Vs a long long time of cultivation in Pureland]
When you think about it, it does make sense. A kind person vs a selfish person. Who gives you more chance to practice and cultivate? Similiar case for the environment.
I heard what Venerable was trying to teach, but I am conflicted. Coz I am afraid that my merits/karma would not be sufficient to ensure that I do not suffer and be able to practice in my future lifes.
IF that makes me a coward, so be it. But I do know that I will not stay in Pureland forever just to escape suffering. Bodhicitta also involves taking on others' suffering.
When you listen to his explanation, you will get the point. I suppose it is true in a way.
Why do practitioners want to go Pureland. I can only assume that a large number wants to escape samsara, and the Pureland method is the easiest way out due to the merits of Amitabha Buddha. The key word here is ESCAPE. We want a "release" from the suffering that we face, hence the motivation to go Pureland.
If that doesnt make us a coward, I dont know what does.
Venerable's point, is that our path to enlightenment would be shorter (relatively), if we had the right motivation, and returned to samsara to practice and benefit other sentient beings. [Vs a long long time of cultivation in Pureland]
When you think about it, it does make sense. A kind person vs a selfish person. Who gives you more chance to practice and cultivate? Similiar case for the environment.
I heard what Venerable was trying to teach, but I am conflicted. Coz I am afraid that my merits/karma would not be sufficient to ensure that I do not suffer and be able to practice in my future lifes.
IF that makes me a coward, so be it. But I do know that I will not stay in Pureland forever just to escape suffering. Bodhicitta also involves taking on others' suffering.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
7-11 - CTS 28
Have I mentioned that my seat number during the retreat was 7-11?
Meaning row 7, position 11.
And after the retreat, after I did my reflections, and one of my learnings was to apply mindfulness of the Buddha's name in my daily life, I looked back at the 7-11, and realised that I was supposed to practice like a 7-11.
24/7
Amituofo
Meaning row 7, position 11.
And after the retreat, after I did my reflections, and one of my learnings was to apply mindfulness of the Buddha's name in my daily life, I looked back at the 7-11, and realised that I was supposed to practice like a 7-11.
24/7
Amituofo
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