Happy Anicca, Dukkha, Anatta

As the year comes to a close, so does my blog for year. This shall be the last post for 2021. 

As I venture deeper into Satipathana, the mindfulness of rising and falling, coming and going, appearing and disappearing, etc..... all these make the awareness of Anicca, Dukkha and Anatta seems to become clearer. Some people may think this is very negative. But not me. Not negative at all. On the contrary, it enables me to understand and perceive the nature of phenomena around and within me in a stark clarity. The Tibetan teachers like to use these 2 words - "naked awareness". 

When things are going well for you, reflect on Anicca, Dukkha and Anatta. When things are not going well for you, rest them in Anicca, Dukkha and Anatta. These are, in fact, the true Equaliser that the law of nature provides for us. When we have realised Anicca, Dukkha and Anatta, defilements are kept at bay and eventually eliminated. By being sincere in our practice, putting in the 7 factors of Enlightenment, the paths and fruitions will not be too far away from us. If you do not know your 7 factors, you better find out. Perhaps I will post on these in another time. Our lives will not be in vain then. Do not hope for faith and devotion alone to liberate you! In and by itself, it won't liberate. We know that only by the wisdom realising the true nature of self and phenomena can liberation be gained (Vipasyana). And in order to reach that point, tranquil concentration is necessary (Samatha). So, work on these two meditations.  

In ending 2021, here's wishing you "A HAPPY ANICCA, DUKKHA AND ANATTA" and "HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022". I shall leave these 3 words untranslated, lest the English translated words may take its unique meaning away.  

#Anicca #Dukkha #Anatta #Satipathana #mindfulness

If you like this post, try read this one - https://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2012/01/be-careful-with-feng-shui.html

An Arahant monk dies in sitting posture

I thought this video must definitely be shared. It shows a monk in meditation sitting posture suddenly dies after giving a short dharma talk. His head dropped all of a sudden. He is supposedly an Arahant! I wish I know his name. Anyone who does, please drop in the comment section. Thank you. 

If you like this video, check out this post - https://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2012/08/i-need-to-be-burned-in-good-way.html

#Theravada #Arahant #dying Thaimonk

Covid-19: Side benefit of incense offerings and smoke pujas

After more than a year, and 99%+ vaccinated for adults population, the so-called herd immunity that everyone was saying it is the "saviour" is still no where in sight. In fact, most people have abandoned it and seems like a fallacy. Now we realise that was never achievable with Covid-19 in the first place. Why? Because we have a coronavirus that keeps mutating and coming out with new variants. This virus is so different from other viruses that it is suspected to be man-made, i.e. in a lab. Seriously, the medical scientists MUST investigate the origins of this Covid-19. 

What I want to share here is how I keep my home... at least the air within my living space free from the coronavirus. Whatever virus that's trapped in any moisture floating in the air, will be hard to survive if there is smoke. So, I do find making incense offerings or smoke pujas very helping in "cleansing" the air. Besides being an offering to the Buddhas and Ariya Beings, it also cleanses the air of potential coronaviruses that may be floating around. But of course, do not overdo it until your house becomes a fire hazard. While I don't have any scientific evidence that the heat from the smoke will kill the viruses, it is the nature of fire to burn. Furthermore, some people may prefer this method than spraying alcohol or chemical based substances all over the house. When the alcohol or chemical substance touches on certain type of surface, it could erode or spoilt the element. 

If you find this helpful, try reading other posts, such as this one - https://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2011/08/pain-is-emptiness-emptiness-is-pain.html

#covid19 #smokepuja #incense 

Ajahn Keng's deceased disciple returned in a heavenly chariot

Recently I watched this video teaching by Ajahn Keng. I believe he is a Singaporean. He was relating about one of his disciples before she passed away. She was dying from cancer and he had helped her just before her last moments. Apparently she was in a state of delirium and she regained her peace after the Venerable Ajahn Keng shouted back into her ears the word "Buddho". Shortly after that she passed away. After a few months later, Ajahn was somewhere in a forest monastery in Chiangmai, Thailand. It was evening time. Suddenly there a bright light and he saw a heavenly chariot/ carriage. In it was a goddess from the Chatumaharajika Heaven (note: this is the lowest heaven in the Buddhist cosmology). The goddess informed Ajahn that she was the former disciple of Ajahn and related to him who she was. She had come to thank him for what he did just prior to her death. After the brief meeting, the goddess disappeared and it was darkness again in the forest. The bright chariot was gone! 

Anyway, when I heard the story, immediately I remembered a dream I had sometime after my late grandmother passed away many years ago. At that time I was still a young kid. In the dream, she had been reborn in the heavens (although I do not know which heaven) and had returned to her former home outside the gates in a brightly lit chariot. So, in this sense, my dream collaborated or supported what Ajahn Keng said about the existence of heavenly chariot. I am not surprised at all of my late granny's heavenly rebirth. When she was alive, she was diligent in reciting Bodhisattva Kuan Yin's Name as well as the Great Compassion Mantra. It was she who first taught me on Kuan Yin Pu Sa's Name and the mantra. But mine was just a dream, whereas Ajahn Keng claimed an actual visit by the heavenly goddess. 

Please watch Ven. Ajahn Keng's video above. If you explore further, you will realise Ajahn's dharma talks often contains "interesting stories". But I leave that to you to believe or not. As far as the chariot is concerend, ...well... at least I have dreamt of it before. 

You may want to explore the other posts, such as this - https://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/dream-of-dakini-with-snakes.html

#heavenlydream #AjahnKeng  #death 

Lesson on Patience: What Superman Had to Endure

I watched the "Man of Steel" last week and I thought Superman could really teach us something about the practice of patience. He may not be practicing to perfect his paramitas but nevertheless, we could apply the inner strength with which he applied patience in facing the people that bullies him. He could not retaliate against those bullies. If he had wanted to, those bullies could not stand a chance against him. I realise that it is not only his physical strength here, but more of his inner strength. As a kid, he faced a lot of problems, particularly his adopted parents trying to hide his identify from the public. Even as a grown up, hestill had to hide his true identity. From a young age, Jonathan and Martha Kent had trained Clark Kent the values of humanity, in the hope that when he grow up, these virtues will have imbued in him to enable him to help all sentient beings. In the world of comic superheros, this is equivalent to a bodhisattva in training. I see the comparison with Buddhadharma in this way. I think we all could be comforted that our inner strength is actually complete and we can fight against our adversaries if we had wanted to. But we choose NOT to, instead exercise restrain and adopt patience and compassion. 

This is what I mentioned in my previous post on whether we are being bullied due to our compassion/ patience. Refer this post. https://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2021/09/life-will-not-always-be-smooth.html

Even though for me Superman will always be Christopher Reeves, but this actor (Henry Cavill) is not too bad. It is a Warner Brothers production. I think the movie was shown in 2013. Superman is a DC comics superhero character. 

#Superman #Man of Steel #HenryCavill #patience #clarkkent  

Ven. Ananda's Attainment of Arahantship

 Today I am sharing with you the story of Venerable Ananda, the Buddha's cousin that we all know is the person whom we are in-debted with for remembering the Buddha's teachings and re-collecting them for us. As Buddhists know, the first few words in a Buddhist Sutra/Sutta - "Thus have I heard" - the "I" is referring to Ven. Ananda. This post here contain rare stories on Ven. Ananda that even senior Buddhists have not heard before. But I am going to share it. 

Many Buddhist temples have the statue of Ven. Ananda. He is usually depicted as a young monk on the right side of the Buddha. Ven. Mahakasyapa being the other monk on the left side of the Buddha. Ven. Mahakasyapa is usually depicted as an elderly monk. This may lead us to believe that Ven. Ananda is very much younger than the Gautama Buddha. But this is so far from the truth. In actual fact, Ven. Ananda is of the same age as Siddhartha Gautama. They were even born on the same day (together with a few others). He served the Buddha only at the age of 50 onwards (according to Theravadian texts) and served the Buddha not only as an attendant but also memorising his teachings. Whenever Ven. Ananda was not around, the Buddha would brief him at another private session so that Ven. Ananda could be the main person who has all the teachings of the Buddha. It is not like what we have now - a video recorder and other equipment. We are very fortunate and yet, many of us takes the Buddha's teachings for granted. We should be very grateful to Ven. Ananda. 

Ven. Ananda attained Enlightenment at a late age, i.e. after the Buddha's passing (parinibbana). He was indeed very worried he was the only one not yet an Arahant. He was at that time only a Sotapanna. Many senior monks had convened a council of meeting to collect the Buddha's teachings and being the main person responsible to memorise the teachings, he was not invited by the Sangha yet (being not yet an Arahant). He was, indeed, hard pressed to achieve Arahantship before the meeting date. People may wonder whether he was too "loaded with knowledge" to achieve Enlightenment. Not really. It was a case of him not having the time to really practice properly, time being taken to memorise the Buddha's teachings and attending to the Buddha's daily needs. He was also the Buddha's secretary and possibly the chief administrator. But I am sure he does practice and through the years, he had built up a strong practice base, and certainly a huge accumulation of merits by serving the Buddha and memorising the Dharma. After the Buddha's passing, he practices late into the night, constantly pushing himself. But still nothing. No attainment. Then one day, he realised that he might have pushed himself too hard. 

As the simile goes, if the guitar string is too tight, it may break. And if too loose, the tune will not be correct. He decided to take a rest and relax a little. He sat down on one side on a chair. Then he started to lie down. As he took his feet up and slowly lower down his body, suddenly he achieved Arahantship. Yes, finally he achieved this Enlightenment! This was very similar to what Ch'an Buddhism would call as "sudden enlightenment". So, it's not true that "sudden enlightenment" cases are confined only to Ch'an/Zen Buddhist practitioners. 

But was it really "sudden"? Yes, it may be "sudden" but it is not like Ven. Ananda had no prior practice at all. He had, as I mentioned. It only took the right condition to break up the final barriers and whereupon he could penetrate the truth through his vipassana practice. Another source, stated that it was Vajjiputta who had advised Ven. Ananda to put aside his worldly chores, isolate himself to do some serious retreat to the forest to deepen his practice, which the latter heeded, and resulted in his attaining Arahant. So, we all can learn from this advice. There are benefits to doing long and proper retreats, away from the hustle and bustle of daily living. 

I want to note here that it was early this morning around 1am plus, before I go to sleep, that I finally understood how the method of vipassana practice could lead one to understand the nature of anicca, dukkha and anatta. Once this is understood, the propensity to create defilements is cut off, and existing defilements is eliminated. Thus, enlightenment is attained. This is what I was looking for. Some teachings only emphasise to you the enlightenment aspects without telling you the cutting off of defilements. If attainment is without cutting of defilement, then it is NOT a true attainment. Attainment of samadhi, for example, do not cut off defilements, although some samadhi could be useful. Samapatti samadhi could be used to sort of "push aside" physical illnesses to delay one's death, so that one could help more sentient beings. 

I will end this post by relating the story of Ven. Ananda's own parinibbana. He was served by two communities - one on each side of a river. As he approached his death, each community invited him to their village to be the site of his parinibbana. Do you know what he did? He told both communities he will passed into parinibbana at the middle of the river. Indeed, he floated to the middle of the river, and in mid-air, his body burst into flames. The relics split into two - one on each side of the river. So, both community got their share of Ven. Ananda's relic. Wow! I thought this was spectacular.  

Ven. Ananda lived to 120 years old for the sake of the Buddha's dispensation of the Dharma. Ven. Hsu Yun also lived to 120 years old. I am not saying they used this samadhi. But one disciple of the Buddha who was said to have probably used this was Ven. Sariputta (who was the Buddha's chief disciple). He was without illness for most of his life. One day he knew he had only one week of life left. And he sought the Buddha's permission to return to his hometown to teach the Dharma to his mother. Only after he successfully guided his mother whereupon his mother attained Sotapanna-hood, then only at the break of dawn he vomitted pots and pots of blood. And then he passed into parinirvana. Only with this kind of samadhi, can a person do that. I will possibly relate in more detail in another post on how he guided his mother if you guys are interested. 

So, if you like this post on Venerable Ananda, I hope you would take the time to read my older posts, such as this one - https://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2010/07/tantric-lessons-from-miss-tatsy.html

#VenerableAnanda #vipassana #Sariputta #samadhi #suddenenlightenment 

note: pic of Ven. Ananda is sourced from wikimedia.org. 

Mindfulness : The Dharma of Wonder Woman

 I saw this clip of the movie "Wonder Woman 1984" showing a young Diana taking part in the Amazon Games. She was leading in the tournament until nearly towards the end of the game when she lost her focus and was thrown off the back of a horse. Then she thought of an idea to use a shortcut route towards the end line and still be able to win the tournament. She was about to win when one of the referees withheld the spear she was about to throw, thus preventing her from being the winner. They knew she was not being truthful and honest, which are the ideals of a true hero. Basically, that's saying she cheated. Her mother, the Amazon Queen, told Diana that her time has not yet come to be a hero. We can also ponder on these words... 

"It is not a shame (not being a winner)"
"Knowing the truth and not accepting it...no hero is born out of lies"

I thought that this is a great example of applying mindfulness in what we are doing and staying focus. She was distracted and kept looking back at her opponents, instead of focusing on her own game. Due to the lack of mindfulness, she did not see a branch of a tree in front of her and therefore was thrown off her horse. While I have yet to see the entire movie, I have seen the first one, also starring Gal Gadot. I thought she portrayed the Amazon warrior very well. The producers enhanced  her abilities and focuses more of her origins from Zeus (i.e. the Greek God), instead of earlier takes that focus more of her human-ness.  

So, this is my take of a movie with an element of the Dharma. But mindfulness is not strictly a Buddhist Dharma. It is a universal virtue to be focus and mindful in whatever our current task at hand. If you enjoy this post, do read my other comments on movies, including one on Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love. It stars the lovable and amazing actress Julia Roberts. Read here https://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2010/12/gilberts-eat-pray-love-vs-our-own-3.html

#GalGadot #wonderwoman #wonderwoman1984 #mindfulness #juliaroberts 

Master Lu Jun Hong

Referring to this news link https://bitterwinter.org/ccp-cracks-down-on-guan-yin-citta/

My thoughts on this are that people have the right to join any deviationist cult. At least that's the personal freedom that I subscribe to as far as believing in any religious or spiritual matters. That's according to individuals. No government should be cracking them and preventing on these believers. If the government wants to crackdown, then investigate directly on the head of the group and their principal leaders. Check their organisation headquarters. But not to disturb the followers, unless they are doing physical harm to others. While I do not believe in interference of the government on the personal believes of sentient beings, that does not mean I believe in the perpetuating of cults or deviationist groups. Not at all. There are two different issues and we must be able to distinguish our personal right to believe in something and whether that "believe" is right or not. 

Moreover, according to this article, it was listed as a heterodox teachings because of two reasons. One, it was not legally registered in China. Two, it is out of the control of the Chinese Communist Party. Based on these two reasons alone, I am afraid it does not warrant being regarded as "heterodox". You must have solid facts based on the founder's /group's teachings that totally deviate from the original teachings. And not just deviate, it must result in harmful practices to the followers themselves or to others. However, I also recognise it is difficult to really define what is "harmful".

Master Lu Jun Hong (based in Australia but was born in China) was reported to pass away suddenly last Wednesday (Nov. 10, 2021). He was born in 1959, so he was 62 years old. He mainly teaches what he calls the "Guan Yin Citta" method. He has a considerable size of followers in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Australia and elsewhere. Whenever he came to Malaysia or Singapore,  the arena will also be very crowded. People with all sorts of problems and issues flock to see him. Out of curiosity, I had been to one of these events in the past. Even though I was not a member, I managed to get myself into the main arena (I suppose it was due to the crowd was too huge, hence a few might slip in) but at a higher lever. So I can only watch from a distance. 

In economics, we know about supply and demand. Similarly, when there is demand for such services, there is such teachers like Master Lu to fulfil the demand. All those local mediums and "sinsehs" are in fact fulfilling such demands. 

Of course, some of the things he talked about, did not make sense to me, or that I thought he was just imagining things. But nevertheless, I see that most people do believe him and in most cases (but not all), some of his prescriptions do work. If none of his prescriptions work, do you think he would have that many millions of followers worldwide? Surely, a lot of them works. You can see from publicly available videos of him doing his public "consultations" that he looked like he was possessed by some spirit or something... not very different from those local people who supposedly are "Arhat CheGong", "Kuan Yin" and others who supposedly heal people through human mediums. Was he possessed? I don't know for sure. Regardless, I see him as the lesser heterodox leader than some other groups such as Happy Science and the other Master Lu. Falun Gong is also another group that has members in this part of the region that is said to be only doing physical exercise activities. But I am not sure whether the members are unaware or a certain smaller group within the larger group is doing it, or what, ...but people have noted there were some small group that distributes pamphlets that are seemingly anti-CCP. I suppose many people may not be aware of this. On the other hand, I am not aware of Master Lu Jun Hong's group doing these things. 

I cannot blame so many millions of Budhists believing in him. I personally know someone who does. This "someone" do go to one major Buddhist temple in Penang. But when asked, why she does not refer her "problems" to the temple Abbot. She answered negatively. She does not believe the Abbot would be able to help at all. What would this Abbot do to help? Perhaps do more chanting of certain mantras? Perhaps recite more "Namo Amitabha Buddha"? Do more repentance? Basically there is a perception that Buddhist Sangha is not able to help sentient beings in need. I find this feedback very disturbing because I do support the Buddhist Sangha and I think the Sangha has done many things to help sentient beings. But I suppose, we cannot just brush aside this "feedback". It merits our deeper consideration and self-reflection on how the entire Buddhist Community can do MORE to help one another, particularly in social engagement with the public. That is, doing more in the personal life of Buddhists who need help. As we know, ever since the Covid-19 pandemic started, there are millions of people affected in terms of being out of jobs, bankruptcies, and not to forget, the suicide rate has sky rocketed. 

I end this post with that thought for you to ponder. "What can I do to help another human in need"? However, I noted that many Buddhist temples are still close and are not letting in Buddhists into their temples to do prayers or to consult the Monks/Nuns. I know the temples are being cautious about the spread of the coronavirus to the Sangha community. But then, I feel that there must be balance between this and opening up to allow a controlled number of followers into their temples to do their worships (and of course, following all the required covid-related SOPs). To close the temple gates indefinitely is incorrect Buddhist attitude! I am sorry I have to say this.  

So, for me, the real dharma to learn from Master Lu Jun Hong is that even lay Buddhists can do a lot to help people. If you do not believe in his ways, or if you think his ways are wrong, then find your own way to help others. In the future, just as in the past, there will always be people like him who will be able to attract millions of followers. Then people will say these are cults. We have to use our wisdom to judge ourselves. But try to help more people. That is what I think we can learn from him.   

If you like this post, try read another https://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2012/09/helping-sentient-beings-through-rites.html

#lujunhong #guanyincitta #cults

note: I do hope that there is nothing in this post that directly or indirectly encouraging people to believe in him. That was not the intention. 

Truth of Buddhadharma: Story of Master Juxing

The goal of Enlightenment is real. The Pure Land of the Buddhas is real. The Buddhadharma is real. From the time of Sakyamuni Buddha until now there are countless people who have achieved various levels of attainments or Enlightenment. Be it Sotapanna, Sakadagami, Anagamin, Arahant, or achieving Amitabha's Pure Land, there are stories of these people. Of course, a lot of these cases, they did not proclaim themselves as having attained such and such. Of course, not. But there are circumstantial evidence that point to them having achieved those levels. And in this blog, I am going to relate to you one true story of such a person who lived in the early 20th century. 

His name was Ah Bian. Born in Yunnan province, he was a disciple of the great Ch'an Master Hsu Yun. He was not so educated... a bit of a foolish person you might say. He came from a poor family. One day he went to Elder Master Hsu Yun's monastery to seek work saying that he needed money to feed his wife and family members. And so he was admitted into the monastery to work. He worked very hard and he did many things. He did not complain and kept mostly quiet. As he was slightly deaf, he did not bother with others' conversations. Very soon his family members come to the monastery too and asked to stay there. Out of compassion, Elder Master Hsu Yun allowed them to stay in a hut behind the monastery. After some years, Ah Bian pleaded with the Master to be accepted as a monk. Yes, he wanted to leave the home life. He told the Master that he may be dumb and could not read the scriptures but he will do whatever the Master asked him to. 

Then Elder Master Hsu Yun shave Ah Bian's head. Ah Bian is then known as Venerable Juxing. Elder Master Hsu Yun just asked Ven. Juxing to recite Amitabha Buddha's Name every time and everywhere. That is all he needed to practice. So, Master Juxing did exactly that. After sometime, Elder Master Hsu Yun asked him to venture out to see the world. He did just that, but came back to the monastery a few years thereafter. The Elder Master noted the progress his disciple had made through the years. Then the Master Juxing came to know of this pagoda project that the Elder Master had planned to build. Master Juxing asked Elder Master Hsu Yun for permission to be the pagoda's guardian. The latter knew what he meant. After the pagoda was completed, one night the local folks was awakened by a great blinding light that shot up from inside the pagoda. Everyone thought that there was a fire inside it. But there was no fire. Instead they found Master Juxing inside sitting in meditation posture. Completely still.  

Very soon many people gathered there, including many journalists and reporters from the local press. The Elder Master Hsu Yun instructed the people not to touch his body because if they do, it will just collapse into a pile of ashes. He explained that Master Juxing had just "burned" his body through the Samadhi of Fire and had achieved rebirth in Amitabha Pure Land. After a while, the Elder Master verbally said that it was time for Master Juxing to "stop his show" and he was sending him off. He struck the bell 3 times and immediately the body went up in ashes and disappeared. Everyone who was there witnessed this spectacular event and was in awe. They all went back with so much faith in the Pure Land method, but more generally, the faith in the Buddhadharma grew by leaps and bounds. This true story not just demonstrated the truth of the Pure Land of Amitabha. But more importantly, it tells us that the Buddhist Path is a true path. If you really put your heart and mind into your practice, you can achieve rebirth in the Pure Land. In fact, you can purify your delusions and attain the various levels of Enlightenment, just as the Buddha and his disciples did a long time ago. So many people have walked the path and accomplished the same. If they can do it, so can we! Have faith! Namo Amitabha Buddha!

      

Please click and watch this video here. Share this blog with your friends. If you like this, you might want to read this other post here. https://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-would-like-to-share-with-you-poem-i.html

#masterjuxing #pureland #masterhsuyun #amitabhabuddha

Where is Earth Store Bodhisattva?

 I have been very stressful lately and facing many issues at home and at the office. Life is hellish for me. It was at this time that I discovered Earth Store Bodhisattva suddenly. 

The Earth Store Bodhisattva is typically depicted as wandering in the hell regions, busy rescuing the hell denizens from the depths of seemingly infinite sufferings. As we know from the Earth Store Bodhisattva Sutra, he made a great vow not to achieve Buddhahood until all the hells are empty. But you know what? The hells will never be empty because there will always be ignorant beings committing various negative karma and be born into the hell regions, whether the hot hells or the cold hells or the other types of hells. 

Karma is born out of an ignorant mind. So, mind makes the whole world manifest. When we are suffering deeply, that is the manifestation of the hell suffering... even if the physical hell does not manifest, certainly in our minds, it is equivalent to hellish mental torture. That was my condition. And in that moment, suddenly I realise that I need not think that the Earth Store Bodhisattva is very far away from me in the hell regions. In actual fact, wherever there is suffering, RIGHT THERE is the EARTH STORE BODHISATTVA. Yes, be confident he is right there with us when we are suffering deeply. He knows and feels our pain. He gives us hope by being there with us. Through his deep vows, he is able to gradually relief us from suffering. 

My dharma friends, brothers and sisters, 

Whenever you are suffering... or, if you are suffering deeply, ... and if hope seems lost, .... don't lose faith...  chant the NAME of Earth Store Bodhisattva. 

Namo Kstigarbha Bodhisattva

Or.... Namo Ti Tsang Pu Sa (in Chinese language)

repeat many times over and over while looking at an image of him. An image from buddhajourney.net is reproduced below. You can use any image of him. 

After I realised this fact, my stress level reduced greatly and I knew I could always reach out to him anytime. You may not know this, but I think I have written here somewhere how Earth Store Bodhisattva responded to me after I consistently on daily basis chanted his name repeatedly. Search for the post. Thank you, Bodhisattva! Thank you very much!

If you enjoy this post, try reading another post -  https://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2012/12/where-is-medicine-buddha.html

#earthstorebodhisattva #jizo #ksitigarbha #hell 

Truth of Buddhist Cosmology: Man captured by ghosts?

  This video tells about a missing 29 year old Malay man named Acap from Malaysia. He was participating in a 25km marathon run at a hill in Perak, Malaysia. But on that fateful day, he never reached the finishing line. He disappeared and was never to be found till today. The locals believed he was captured by a kind of spirit/ghost called "bunian". Apparently he had been captured to wed to the spirit girl. Even though they tried to "call" him back, but he refused. This is according to the video here. The family members are also concerned that if he comes back, he will likely lose his sanity. This also happened in another case, related in the video comment section. The man returned but was never the same again. He lost his sanity thereafter. 

This video tells you they used local shamans to try to communicate with the Acap guy, who had supposedly been captured into another world. You see, what we see in our world may not be what is in another world, e.g. the spirit world. There have been local reports of local folks who somehow walked right into the another realm, i.e. the spirit realm. And they could see another village that previously was not there. And there are other villagers there and complete by village head, etc. But when the folks walked out, the "village" disappeared. This is very much taught in Buddhism whereby the six realms are all interpenetrating. The realms could be right in front of us but we do not see it. But once the "door" or "gate" to the other realm opens, then only we are able to see it. Highly realised Bodhisattvas and Arahants can see these realms but ordinary humans cannot. There was once when this Acap guy apparently "came out" to talk to his family but returned to his "bunian" realm saying that there were nice food and beautiful village. But all the family members say were snail shells and pieces of broken rock. What Acap and the "others" were eating were snails and worms. This is in line with what Ven. Master Hsuan Hua comments in one of the Sutras. He said that for a small bug on a pile of dung, to the bug, it is ice-cream. But to us, it is so filthy. What makes the difference? Karma. Karma comes from our mind. Hence, it is our mind that perceives the world differently. So, that's why in the Avatamsaka Sutra, there is the verse - "Everything comes from the mind". 

Unfortunately the video is in Malay language. I will try to find one that is in English. Or, if you know of any that is in English, let me know in the comments. But you may read this news link in English. https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/04/479124/search-acap-continues-theories-supernatural-elements-surface

If you like this video, try read this : https://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2010/05/liberating-spirits-and-ghosts-pt2.html

#Acap #ghost #capturedbyghosts #bunian

Secrets of the Borobudur Stupas

I was fortunate to be able to visit this holy site in 2019, a few months before the world pandemic started in early 2020. This site was probably one of the places Atisa the Great had visited when he travelled from India and Tibet to Suvarnabumi (as this region was then known as) to pay homage to Serlingpa, from whom he learned Bodhicitta. It pays to pay for the ticket to witness the early morning sunrise at this place. However, try not to get too excited with taking photos of the sun rising. Make some time to meditate there as well, particularly before the sun becomes hot and you’re sweating there. You should also do some quiet chanting, without disturbing other tourists around you or creating a scene there. Be discreet. While there, I learned about the stupas in the Borobudur mandala. This is on how to practice regarding this "stupas", or what you may want to do if you're there. Due to its implication, I have to share it discreetly. Does anyone wish to know? 

What you should do is look for the stupa (the complete one with a Buddha inside it, not the broken ones), and pay your respect to it and recite the Buddhist Sutras. For example, you can recite the Lotus Sutra.... in particular Chapter 11 The Jewelled Stupa whereby there appeared a Seven-Jewelled Stupa with the Tathagata Prabhutaratna inside it. This Borobudur Stupas reminded me of this particular chapter. Don't forget to make a wish in relation to your Dharma practice. Pray to receive the Buddha's blessing! 

Hope you enjoy these photos. When global travel is allowed again, you may want to consider visiting this once thriving Buddhist community. If you love this post, check out this other post. https://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2012/10/preposterous-claims-on-borobudur.html

 

#Borobudur #Stupas 

Bamiyan Buddhas: Are the Talibans now their guardians?

 I refer to this news link that the new Taliban militia taking over Afghanistan are not guarding the site of the Bamiyan Buddhas that they once blew up in 2001. The photos below were taken before the huge statues were destroyed. Now there is just a huge empty space there. LOL - some Buddhists may say, perhaps this is a better portrayal of the true nature of the Buddha! But still, that does not mean, we should undervalue the representation of a Buddha image. 

https://www.indiatimes.com/news/world/taliban-which-blew-up-the-buddha-statues-of-bamiyan-in-2001-now-wants-to-save-the-relics-551266.html

The whole world witnessed in horror how the Talibans blew up the historical site of 2 giant Buddhas (said to be the tallest in the world at that time) on grounds that they were un-islamic. This act is an act of atrocity to the Buddhists, but the Buddhists took this act calmly and did not over-react to their horrendous act. A lot shows on the part of Buddhists on our patience, wisdom and compassion we have for others that do us wrong. 

Apparently, now the new regime is keen to take care of the historical site. Suddenly they understand the value of historical sites? What took them so long to understand that? Look at Borobodur, which is in Indonesia, a country whereby the majority population is Muslim. They took care of it and look how much tourism it generated for Indonesia. 

But I am doubtful Buddhists will ever be keen to venture into that land of Bamiyan Buddhas in the near future. Whatever holiness there is in that site must have long gone! But Buddhists will be grateful if whatever stolen artefact are returned to UNESCO... and let UNESCO be the custodian of the artifacts! 

They are now guarding the site, not because of Buddhism or anything to do with understanding or appreciating the Buddha or Buddhist teachings, but only possibly because of their perception of its historical value. And possibly, to portray the new regime in a better light to the international community. 

If you like this post, do read my posting on Borobudur. https://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2012/10/preposterous-claims-on-borobudur.html

#BamiyanBuddhas #UNESCOsite

note: The above photos are taken from: https://en.qantara.de/content/the-bamiyan-buddhas-destroyed-20-years-ago

Shitennoji Temple: Paying homage to Shinran Shonin

Paying homage to my Shinran Shonin - my Pure Land Guru mentor! These pictures were taken in September 2015 about 6 years ago at Shitennoji temple in Osaka. Paying homage in front of his status is a wish come true for me personally.

The other 2 images are those of Buddhist Protectors called Ni-o in Japanese. They are also my protectors. I thought I really felt energised when I was in front of these 2 great protectors. Thank you, great Protectors!

As the international borders are starting to re-open, you may want consider visiting Japan, with its many Buddhist temples. I intent to visit Japan again in the future. 

Do read about my trip to Korea in this post - BUDDHA AND ME: My Trip to Hwa Gye Sa (buddha-and-me.blogspot.com)

#Shinran #Shitennoji #Japanesebuddhisttemple #Jodoshinshu #VisitJapan

Do You Think You Are Getting Bullied Due to Your Compassion?

Many people think that after having studied Buddhism and being active in activities as well as supported Buddhism in general for many years ... even decades.... they would have a smoother life... less sickness and problems. Am I right to say that? But, no - life's cruel. Their lives are getting worse. Problems after problems besiege them. Their health deteriorate. They pray to this Buddha, that Buddha. This deity and that deity. All to no avail. They start to wonder. Some people with less faith even contemplate conversion to another religion. It may help in the beginning. But it's only going to get worse later. Convert or no convert. In Buddhism, generally we don't make promises to our believers that the Buddha will heal their sicknesses and make them well again. We don't make fantastic promises that change will start to happen once you have faith in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. In fact things may even get worse. As you begin your practice, you will become more sensitive to how you handle yourself and others. And it may appear to you that things are getting worse. If you are trying to develop compassion and patience, it is possible you may think that as you practice these virtues, people are treating you even more badly. However, in actually nothing has changed externally. It is only internally YOU have changed.As your virtue is being developed, this is part of the learning curve and a way of changing our previous habit patterns. As our habits changed, we may start to perceive things slightly differently. Our external situation may not yet change, but our reaction to them are now different, one of which is we no longer feel that we are being disadvantaged, or "bullied". At that time, we would be taking "compassion" to a higher level than it used to be. If we persevere through our virtue development, our difficult situation could start to see some real changes. Welcome to samsara. Brace ourselves. Karma is unmistaken. Remember that. Conversion is of no use. The good done previously has not been wasted. Develop a strong centre. Deepen our resolve. Make great vows. Develop Samatha and Vipassana. Take refuge again and again... and again. Life will not always be smooth sailing. If you like this post, you might want to check out this one - https://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-practice-living-dharma.html 

#samsara #life #karma #religiousconversion

Video - Writing the Sanghata Sutra

 

Successfully uploaded the video showing myself writing the Sanghata Sutra Dharmaprayaya. From this video, you can see more clearly the gold-inked pen that I am using. www.pilotpen.com Rejoice together and share it to others to create skies of merits! 

If you like this story, you should read this post on copying the Heart Sutra to help others. 

BUDDHA AND ME: Helping Japan & Instilling Faith in Sukhavati (buddha-and-me.blogspot.com)

 #SanghataSutra #pilotpen

Thanks to Pilot Pen, I can glorify the Sanghata Sutra

This is me writing the Sanghata Sutra Dharmaprayaya using the gold ink Pilot pen. As advised by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, we should use ink that is gold in colour to write the Sutra. It's good that there is pilot pen in gold ink to help me with this glorifying task. So far one of this pen can write about slightly about 50 pages. It's gold colour is acceptable although I wish there is a more glittering version. The downside of this pilot gold pen is it dries up pretty fast if you leave it unused for a number of weeks. Nevertheless I have been using this BL-PL-7-GD Pilot gold ink for a while. In fact, I have completed writing one copy of the Sanghata Sutra. Now I am writing the second copy. For more info on the pilot pen, head to their website www.pilotpen.com. And for more info on Sanghata Sutra, you may ask me. I have an interesting story when I was first introduced to this Sutra. #sanghatasutra #pilotpen #sutrawriting

How does suffering reduce when there is presence?

Actually when I mentioned this in a previous post, I was referring to the meditation practice of mindfulness. When there is mindfulness, whether it is a happy or sad or painful or neutral feeling, we can observe that there is arising and decaying. Eventually we are supposed to realise that all phenomena is characterised by anicca, dukkha and anatta. This is vipassana aspect of mindfulness meditation. Once we realise this, even though if we are still having physical pain in our body, we are not so uptight about it. Our mind becomes more at ease and in peace with our conditions. And I think this is very important. When we are not in peace, it makes our conditions worse. And possible, we make troubles for others too. So, kindly reflect on this. 

If  you have anything to add, please feel free to share in comments.  #mindfulness #meditation

Sakyamuni Buddha - thank you for teaching Satipathana meditation!

Lately I have sort of gone back to my roots. When I first started to learn about meditation, I started with Mahasi Sayadaw's Satipathana meditation method. At that time I was "too raw" in meditation. After many years, I venture back into it suddenly... with the blessings of the Buddha no doubt... and realised that what a complete system of meditation the Satipathana meditation method is. The Buddha is a genius! 

It's four foundations (or sometimes "domains") or mindfulness practice covering body, feeling, mind and phenomena will take you through the entire landscape to enable a thorough awakening and uprooting of the afflictions that keep us in Samsara. With what we are taught in this method, I feel that I have a more thorough "tools" to accompany my current meditation method in dealing with my afflictions than if there was no knowledge of this tool. I feel that it can be complimentary to other meditations you may be doing, i.e. Zen's Shikantaza, Mahamudra, Deity yoga, etc. I meant, applying the principles of it into these other methods, particularly in dealing with arising afflictions. 

Strictly speaking others may refer to this as Theravada method. But essentially it is a basic method taught by our original Teacher, Sakyamuni Buddha. So, thank you, Sakyamuni Buddha for teaching us the Satipathana method of meditation!     #satipathana #meditation #Zen #mahamudra

Suffering will dissolve when there is presence

 Today I heard this dharma, quote:

"When there is presence... suffering will dissolve. Why? Because suffering is not real". You might be forgiven to think that this dharma quote comes from a Zen traditional teacher. But no. This quote came from a Theravada teacher. When the mind is focus on the present moment, whatever is unreal will not last. This is the gist of it. 

So, I'll let you reflect on it. See what you think of it. 

If this post interests you, you may want to read this one BUDDHA AND ME: Healing by Meditation (buddha-and-me.blogspot.com)

#mindfulness #suffering

Stop interfering with nature

There's a natural boundary between humans and animals, in the sense that animal viruses don't infect humans that easily and vice-versa. If left to nature, viruses take some time to mutate. It does not naturally mutate that fast. At least, that was the way BEFORE the covid-19 pandemic.

That's the problem when people try to interfere with nature by doing experiments in labs. Today I saw one video in Youtube reporting about some scientists doing human chimera research. That's basically a cross between humans and animals. That's terrible and one of those early signs that in the future, there may be even worse catastrophe befalling humans than the current covid-19 pandemic. 

I pray that humans come to their senses and STOP interfering with nature! 

Be Prepared for Death

Be Prepared for Death

How can you still ...?

Spend your whole day time slouching around doing nothing

Spend 4 straight hours at your video games

And jerks 4-5 times a day...

Oh... that's normal, the youngsters say.

But death cares not you're old or young.

You may be alive now,

Next blink of an eye, you're gone.

You can't say - 

"O - wait, I have unfinished business".

The hell it cares!

When karma ripens, there is no escape!

Life is impermanent. 

How ready are you for the journey to the hereafter?

Here's an advice to the young - 

Prepare for death right from a young age!

Study the Dharma!

Practice the Dharma!

Share the Dharma!

- 13June 2021

comment:

I wrote the above verses after coming across and reading some postings in social media forums that during these lockdown period, youths are lazying around at home, they spend a lot of their time playing video games, watching social media channels, movies, and even one boy says he masturbates more often now. While it is common for boys to do so, my thoughts were that they must try to spend more time in dharma study. 

Kuan Yin: Recite More Great Compassionate Dharani

 Recently on the morning of 27 DEC'2020, I woke up with the dream advice by Kuan Yin Bodhisattva still fresh in my mind. She had just adviced me in my dream to recite more Great Compassion Dharani. It will help to overcome the issues I am currently facing and help achieve my aspiration. 

So, thank you Kuan Yin Bodhistavva Mahasattva! 

Namo Kuan Yin Pu Sa!

Namo Kuan Yin Pu Sa!

Namo Kuan Yin Pu Sa!