KAMMASAKA

KAMMASAKA - this one word, but profound and deep in meaning is what each and everyone of us must remember. I first saw it in a Pali chanting book. And it basically is the word used by the Buddha to remind all sentient beings that we are responsible for our own karma since we created it ourselves. In this post, allow me to share with you my thoughts on Kamma (Pali) or Karma (Sanskrit).  

- Nobody creates karma for us, as in a third party creates it and transfer it to us. In this sense, we can never 100% blame an accident on others, although that person (s) may be a participant(s). 

- Karma, once created, does not dissipate by itself. 

- Karma, once created, will ripen no matter how long it takes. 

- We cannot transfer one person's karma to another person. 

- Karma is a natural process and is not created by an Almighty Entity, nor did the Buddha established it.

- Every single rising and falling of our emotions, actions and thinking creates some karma, whether it be good, bad or neutral.

- As long as there is a rebirth, karma will ripen in this or future lives. Unless the root of rebirth, which is craving (tanha), the karma created will always remain. Once the causes and conditions ripen, it will manifest.

- When Buddhist Masters talk about non-duality, many people fall into the trap of thinking there is no good and no bad actions. 

- There is still good and bad in conventional reality. 

- The reason there is no good or bad in ultimate sense is when there is no more "self" - hence how can there be any actions be regarded as good when there is no self. And when all sense of self is gone (i.e. Complete Buddhahood), how can any negative actions be committed?

-  It is my opinion that true repentance and sincere practice may help somewhat in changing the course of karmic direction. Let me know if you think this is not correct. 

- If you know you have terrible karma, even saying "I am sorry" a billion times sincerely may help you "cushion" against any terrible suffering. The key is sincerity. You many repeat mantras, but if mantras are not repeated sincerely and taken to heart for each single mantra, then you will be just like a parrot. It will not be effective. 

- Our daily habits are the worse part of ourselves in generating negative karma but we are unaware of it. We usually never think anything we do is wrong! We think we are right all the time. 

There are more, but I will stop here. Hopefully you will reflect on how karma is created. If you wish to read more, try this - https://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2012/12/anti-blessings.html

#karma #kammasaka 

What "Amitabha" means?

I was handed a piece of printed paper with a short teaching on what "Amitabha" means by Ven. Boon Keng of Ang Hock See Temple recently. I am sharing it below. It is supposedly a teaching given by Ven. Chin Kung, the monk well-known for his teachings on Pure Land Buddhism. I am not able to verify whether this is his actual teaching or not, but the teaching seems in line with his thoughts and other teachings. 

#MasterChinKung    #Amitabha #PureLandBuddhism

If you wish to read other post on Pure Land Buddhism, here is one you can read:  https://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2022/10/bringing-to-life-anicca-dukkha-and.html

WHAT "AMITABHA" MEANS?

- Extract of a dharma lecture given by Venerable Master Chin Kung   - 

People ask, “why Buddhists put their palms together and say to each other ‘Amitabha’ once they meet? What does that mean?” This is a very good question. “Amitabha” is a kind of blessing from Sanskrit, an ancient Indic language. It means, in our modern words, wish you infinitude of life-span and brightness. Such a blessing actually has deeper implications. It reminds us that in our lifetimes, we need brightness, infinitude of brightness and we have to be straight and selfless towards all beings in the world. Such implication is very important to us. Each time we hear the words, we shall remind ourselves of that. Why? We can say that all people have gone through infinitude of disasters in metempsychosis, yet there are many people who do not believe eternity. So let’s just talk about the present life. Right from the day when you are born to the world till now, if you are selfish, that means darkness, opposite to brightness. And the day when you give up selfishness and begin to show consideration for the society, for other people and for all beings in the world, and even make contributions to them wholeheartedly, you get a bright mind. The word “Amitabha” contains such a great meaning. Only if we get a bright mind can we own real happiness, which surely includes health and longevity. Literally, “Amitabha” means infinitude, and Buddha indicates brightness and longevity. “Amitabha” implies that everything you can think of is of infinitude. So, it is a perfect blessing. It is the words we will say to each other every time we meet. It is the word that corresponds with all beings on earth. Why? Infinitude of life and brightness are what all beings hope for. Absolutely, this idea contains no superstition. “Amitabha” is a perfect blessing, for it has summed up all good words in the world. Now we understand what “Amitabha” means, every time we say it, the blessing will be perfect.

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