Hell Sufferings
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buddha and bodhisatva can't erase your bad karma, but they can trigger your thoughts that will eventually give you good karma and lessen your sufferings.
If not, why so many people do chanting.
When people have nightmare, for example, being chased by ghosts or other scary things, by reading name of buddha or bodhisatva will immediately get you out of the nightmare. I remember a venerable master said, not many people can remember to do chanting when in dream, even if you are a buddhist.
If one goes to hell, can he remember the chanting? It depends on whether he is diligent enough in cultivation when he was still a human. Although if he practise hard enough, he wouldn't have gone to hell. haha. unless it is for some exception that for example, he had great hatred the moment he die. -
Another image of Kstigarbha Bodisattva. Very commonly found.
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Nice picture of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. I had that and put a pocket sized photo of that picture of ksitigarbha bodhisattva beside my bed... bcos i have been having terrible sleep paralysis for a few days in a row
maybe due to sleep deprivation... somehow in the sleep paralysis - you are fully conscious, you want to get out of it, but at the same time there is an extreme sense of paranoia that 'something out there is going to get you'. thats also why i just put a picture of ksitigarbha bodhisattva beside me so i feel more at ease. anyway when i practise the dharma - the paraonia quickly subsided. maintaining mindfulness in SLEEP is also very very important although my practise really not good la. i also quickly chanted buddha/bodhisattva name and woke up (i never woke up in my sleep even for toilet except for past few days)... the paranoia also subsided. i also somehow can sense my room in my sleep paralysis - it is pitch dark. last time i have even more spectacular sleep paralysis - out of body experiences... floating around in the room. lol.. but i always never forget to chant buddha/bodhisattva during my sleep paralysis, and it always worked. -
Interesting experience that you have.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Nice picture of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. I had that and put a pocket sized photo of that picture of ksitigarbha bodhisattva beside my bed... bcos i have been having terrible sleep paralysis for a few days in a row maybe due to sleep deprivation... somehow in the sleep paralysis - you are fully conscious, you want to get out of it, but at the same time there is an extreme sense of paranoia that 'something out there is going to get you'. thats also why i just put a picture of ksitigarbha bodhisattva beside me so i feel more at ease. anyway when i practise the dharma - the paraonia quickly subsided. maintaining mindfulness in SLEEP is also very very important although my practise really not good la. i also quickly chanted buddha/bodhisattva name and woke up (i never woke up in my sleep even for toilet except for past few days)... the paranoia also subsided. i also somehow can sense my room in my sleep paralysis - it is pitch dark. last time i have even more spectacular sleep paralysis - out of body experiences... floating around in the room. lol.. but i always never forget to chant buddha/bodhisattva during my sleep paralysis, and it always worked.
I had sleep paralysis also, I don't know why, I just couldn't move my body nor shout for help. After converting to buddhism, then I realize there is a type of ghost that like to lie down on human body. This is described by the late venerable master Xuan Hua. I don't know what is their intention, maybe is their habit.
Whenever I have nightmare, I also do chanting, the ghost whatever just disappear even before I finished one whole name of buddha. The power of buddha is really amazing.
Recently, I had a dream that my body float, I feel uneasy and nothing I can do to get rid of this.
There was this time in my dream, I saw a fierce dog in a position to attack me. Then I realize that I was in a dream, and recall that everything is creation of mind, so I try to imagine that I become stronger than the dog and eventually I chase the dog away. haha. My first triumph to the annoying creature in dream. -
Interesting.
Unfortunately, I do not have many of such dreams and experiences. According to what I understand, most of the dreams are "Ai1 lai2 Ye2 Shi2" in action - from this life and previous lives.
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is one of the more popular Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism. In the Earth-Store Sutra (Ksitigarbha Sutra), The Buddha delegates HIS responsibilities to Kstigarbha Bodhisattva for the times where No Buddhism is around until the coming of Future Buddha Maitreya. According to some claim, Dharma can only last for 12000 years (most say 5000). The last to survive is "Pure Land" Buddhism. It will take another few billions of years for the coming of Maitreya Buddha (The Fifth Buddha), where Buddhism is not available.
Recitations of "Di Zhang Pu Sa" and or "Di Zhang Pu Za Ben Yuan Jing" is really awesome. "Di Zhang Pu Za Ben Yuan Jing" (Ksitigarbha Sutra) is the fundamental and foundation of Buddhist cultivation. Every thing else branch out from here.
cheers, -
Originally posted by concerned_man:
Yes thats right. To be more precise, it is the 7th Consciousness digging out all the 'videotapes' in the alaya (8th consciousness) to watch. Thats why bodhisattvas do not have dreams, because their 7th consciousness is turned into pure awareness. Of course my practise is not up to that level. My dharma teacher do no have dreams - she maintains mindfulness even during sleep. In this way even if you die in sleep you are safe.
Interesting.
Unfortunately, I do not have many of such dreams and experiences. According to what I understand, most of the dreams are "Ai1 lai2 Ye2 Shi2" in action - from this life and previous lives.
Also see: How dreams work (in buddhism)
But sleep paralysis is not a dream. It is being Fully Conscious yet not able to control your body - you can think whatever you want, you can chant buddha name, and its annoying because you cant control your body. This 'annoyance' is because you lost your mindfulness/awareness. There is attachment to body. Realise the BODY is NOT YOU. NOT YOURS. Let go... just maintain mindfulness. And you will become much at ease. Focus on chanting the Buddha Name Yi4 Xin1 Bu4 Luan4. One-mind-not-confused.
Sleep paralysis is also a training. Because when you die - you also cannot control your body anymore. We must learn to let go of attachment to the body. Death is something like sleep paralysis - and it could be much worse...Buddha delegates HIS responsibilities to Kstigarbha Bodhisattva during the times where No Buddhism is around until the coming of Future Buddha Maitreya.
This is something new. Thanks for sharing.
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Namo Di Zhang Wang Pu Sa! -
I am not really sure whether there was really a ghost that is lying down on your bodyOriginally posted by justdoit77:Interesting experience that you have.
I had sleep paralysis also, I don't know why, I just couldn't move my body nor shout for help. After converting to buddhism, then I realize there is a type of ghost that like to lie down on human body. This is described by the late venerable master Xuan Hua. I don't know what is their intention, maybe is their habit.
Whenever I have nightmare, I also do chanting, the ghost whatever just disappear even before I finished one whole name of buddha. The power of buddha is really amazing.
Recently, I had a dream that my body float, I feel uneasy and nothing I can do to get rid of this.
There was this time in my dream, I saw a fierce dog in a position to attack me. Then I realize that I was in a dream, and recall that everything is creation of mind, so I try to imagine that I become stronger than the dog and eventually I chase the dog away. haha. My first triumph to the annoying creature in dream. but i could sense someone/something harmful is trying to prevent me from 'waking'. Some people also explain that seeing ghosts could be hallucinations during sleep paralysis. But I think they wont be able to explain how out-of-body experiences happen during sleep paralysis. Because I had out of body experiences during the day and it is not just pitch dark. I was really in the room.
BTW, I did not have sleep paralysis anymore after putting the di zhang wang picture beside me.
Anyway good you chase the dog away. Remember 'xin1 sheng1 wan4 fa3 sheng1' -
Oh I forgot to say.Originally posted by justdoit77:When people have nightmare, for example, being chased by ghosts or other scary things, by reading name of buddha or bodhisatva will immediately get you out of the nightmare. I remember a venerable master said, not many people can remember to do chanting when in dream, even if you are a buddhist.
Long time before my mom became a Buddhist, at one time she had a nightmare. She entered into the spirit realm... if memory serves its just like a street... but its the spirit world and all the beings there were spirits/ghosts. Then suddenly a person appeared to her, and told her, "Why don't you chant Na Mo Fut Pu Sat"? My mom asked him "Who are you?" and the person replied "I am the Dream Deity (meng shen)". My mom chanted "Na Mo Fut Pu Sat" and immediately woke up from the dream.
It was a long time later, after she became a Buddhist, that she realise "Na Mo Fut Pu Sat" is the ancient/olden way of calling "Fo Pu Sa". I don't know who the dream deity was, but he definitely was a Buddhist. Or perhaps even a manifestation of a Buddha or a Bodhisattva? -
whenever i had bad dream i chant thriple Jem naturally in my dream
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That is very very good... not many people can do it. If your mind is not easily strayed from triple gems, a lot of disasters in life can be averted.Originally posted by Bryan^:whenever i had bad dream i chant thriple Jem naturally in my dream -
one thing i feel bad is i nv learn jinimanchon...the prayer which the great archan toh chanted to tame nang nak...one of the most powerful prayer which all god, dieties and buddhas surround u to protect u at every little part of ur body...
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One question is if we know we are dreaming, can we do meditation in dream, because our physical senses is like totally shut down already, only the mind is active. Will it easier to attain ding4 and observe dharma that way?
wah, must try. -
i remember 1 time while falling into that semi-consciousness half sleep half awake situations, i felt something tapping on my back. so real feeling i know i wasn't dreamimg but still awake but can't control my body and mind. i chanted a mantra but it was still there......
then i wonder n think y i chant still there? is it coz i practice not good enough or my mind not stable enough in concentration? i continue to chant and then i realised i mispronounce the mantra..... hahaaaa and that woke me up in mindfulness in that semi-consciousness and tell myself "ok now the correct chant pronounciation is this......." i chanted the correct one. and this time the tapping became abit more stronger and violent but it eventually left me and i manged to wake up. was terrified but soon enough i fell asleep again peacefully this time. -
i heard that chanting buddha's name is better than some mantras.Originally posted by paperflower:i remember 1 time while falling into that semi-consciousness half sleep half awake situations, i felt something tapping on my back. so real feeling i know i wasn't dreamimg but still awake but can't control my body and mind. i chanted a mantra but it was still there......
then i wonder n think y i chant still there? is it coz i practice not good enough or my mind not stable enough in concentration? i continue to chant and then i realised i mispronounce the mantra..... hahaaaa and that woke me up in mindfulness in that semi-consciousness and tell myself "ok now the correct chant pronounciation is this......." i chanted the correct one. and this time the tapping became abit more stronger and violent but it eventually left me and i manged to wake up. was terrified but soon enough i fell asleep again peacefully this time. -
Recitation of Buddha Amitabha name is actually the recitation of all Buddha's name and all mantras / sutras.
Only recently I knew about this.
Hope this help.
A Mi Tuo Fo ming2 hao4 bu4 ke3 si1 yi4.Originally posted by gamesharkuser:i heard that chanting buddha's name is better than some mantras. -
Chant anything, our xing must xiang-ying, then will have much results.
Must Yi-Xing. what is one-mind? means not-two mind. if you are thinking about many things then its not one-mind anymore. -
paperflower it seems you have a lot of trouble with these things. maybe you can speak to my dharma teacher about it.
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chant guan shi yin pusa and amitabha buddha's name when you are distressed or scared.
Because of their vows to save sentient beings, chant their names when you are scared. -
yes, that said, recite sutra is not better than recite mantra. recite mantra is not better than recite Buddha's name.Originally posted by concerned_man:Recitation of Buddha Amitabha name is actually the recitation of all Buddha's name and all mantras / sutras.
Only recently I knew about this. Hope this help.
A Mi Tuo Fo ming2 hao4 bu4 ke3 si1 yi4.
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Its not a matter of which is better.Originally posted by sinweiy:yes, that said, recite sutra is not better than recite mantra. recite mantra is not better than recite Buddha's name.
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Just like saying the truth of old age is better than the truth of sickness. -
i think there's some advantages and disadvantages though. true that all medicine are equal. but in this current dharma ending age. reciting Buddha's name is the best for attaining single-pointedness as it's not so long, and hence the mind can stay focus and not get wander off easily. moreover all beings can understand when one recite Amituofo. as for mantras, pronunciation might be a problem for beings to understand.Originally posted by marcteng:Its not a matter of which is better.
Just like saying the truth of old age is better than the truth of sickness.
the phrase is spoken by past great ancient masters. there must be some very good reasons for them to say these words.
http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=%E5%BF%B5%E7%BB%8F%E4%B8%8D%E5%A6%82%E5%BF%B5%E5%92%92%2C%E5%BF%B5%E5%92%92%E4%B8%8D%E5%A6%82%E5%BF%B5%E4%BD%9B&y=All+the+Web&ei=UTF-8&fr=FP-tab-web-t&x=wrt
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All Buddhas have the same wisdom and ability. All Buddhas are in a state of ONENESS (Yi4 Zhen1 Fa3 Jie4) and they share the same Dharma body. But the vows made prior Buddhahood for all Buddhas were different.
"Fo2 Guang1", "Zhong4 Shen1 Fo2 Yuan2" and "Zhong4 Shen1 Gen1 Ji1" bu ping deng.
All Buddhas from all directions and all dimensions wish for all sentient beings to chant Amitabha's Name and to be borned into Pure Land.
Hence, if someone sincerely with one heart, chants the name of Buddha Amitabha. All Buddhas will rejoice and bless this person.
Na Mo A Mi Tuo Fo.
Hope this help. -
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I've just got hold of "MCK" Di Zhang Ben Yuan Jing 101 VCDs.
Friends that have seen it, gave good feedbacks.