Colour of the robes during the Buddha's time
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PREJUDICES. unbridled ignorances of other cultures and way of life, not to mention lack of tolerances to other cultures, customs and belief systems.Originally posted by paperflower:sometimes i just wonder...... while observing, watching, looking around.....
why those buddhist who claim themselves to be buddhist are "racist" towards indian when they themselves are actually paying respects to the respected indian - originated buddha & bodhisattvas...
there's no discrimination or differentiations or dividing.... but their acts speaks kinda contradictory......... wonder how would buddha or bodhisattvas felt and thought if they were still alive today. -
yeah i know.... whats the point.....? while holding the incence offerings to the buddha & bodhisattvas and after that they become racist.... what kinda blessing do they get?.......
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here's something.....
lately i gone down to bugis with my kid, had a walk and stopped by outside a temple and paid my respect to bodhisattva avalokiteshvara. took 3 incence sticks and lit up as an offering so as to reach out to the sentient beings for them to be able to receive blessings from the bodhisattvas. some people were so "kia-su" rushing pushing greedily wanna light up their own incence sticks 1st and selfishly take up their own spaces. while i wanted to light up mine, i just stood aside and waited for my turn and let those seemed "hurry" to finish 1st. then a gal was holding a bunch of incence sticks in her hands at the level of her chest walking around among the crowd. its so smoky and dangerous and i saw that i looked at her looked at her sticks and she looked at me looked at her sticks and continued to hold it that way. later she almost burned someone in front of her and the smoke went into that person's eyes. she didn't wanna admit her guilt and didn't look sorry about what she had done. just as she was walking pass me. i told her straight into her face nicely that next time cannot carry them like that as its dangerous & must carry them high above especially in crowded place. we exchanged smiles & left.
many people have a misconception that buddhism is a very old fashion traditional "religion" and do things overly without being mindful. some even place the image of bodhisattvas outside their balcony under the rain & shine.... or have the concept that they must place facing the door.... to ward off evil or intruders..... its like disrecpecting..... taking the bodhisattvas as door guarding dogs? if one will meet danger one will meet thats karma a matter of time.........
shouldn't we treat and respect the images properly just like any humans who would like to be in the comfort of their home warm and safe. which humans would wanna sit at their doors all day to look after the home like a security guard.
well..... do correct me if i'm wrong please -
Hi paperflower,Originally posted by paperflower:here's something.....
shouldn't we treat and respect the images properly just like any humans who would like to be in the comfort of their home warm and safe. which humans would wanna sit at their doors all day to look after the home like a security guard.
well..... do correct me if i'm wrong please
For some houses, the natural orientation of their house is the same as the door. For example, the house can have a facing direction of South and the main door happens to be facing south. So placing the altar in that direction is ok.
Guess for some ppl, they want to see the images of Buddha first thing when they open the door. Less they lose their head and bring back the negativity of the days' work back home.
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And how would you know that I think I have the highest dharma in my possession?
http://buddhism.sgforums.com/?action=thread_display&thread_id=176824
And first of all, I wouldnt even dare to think I have gotten anything from the dharma until I attain enlightenment.
Then again, true attainment is also non-attainment.
And the thing about prajna paramita is, I dont think its right to equate things like that. Even though it sounds similar. All teachings of Buddha leads one to arising of prajna-wisdom (enlightenment), but do you call everything 'prajna-paramita'?
Better not to create more thoughts and conceptualisations.
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And the thing about Da Zhi Mu Fa is, I dont think its right to equate things like that. Even though it sounds familar. All teachings of Buddha leads to arising of prajna-wisdom (enlightenment), but do you call everything Da Zhi Mu Fa?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:And the thing about prajna paramita is, I dont think its right to equate things like that. Even though it sounds similar. All teachings of Buddha leads one to arising of prajna-wisdom (enlightenment), but do you call everything 'prajna-paramita'?
Better not to create more thoughts and conceptualisations.
Better not to create more thoughts and conceptualisations.
Prajna is not wisdom! -
That's why I said, Prajna-wisdom, wisdom arising out of Prajna. In Chinese we know it as Buo-re-zhi4.
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Yes you got it. And me too!Originally posted by An Eternal Now:That's why I said, Prajna-wisdom, wisdom arising out of Prajna. In Chinese we know it as Buo-re-zhi4.
I have this interesting thing to share with you. I recently brought a book to 2 Buddhist centers. One is a therava center another is RC activity center.
Theravada Center response.
-- The book was passed from one person to the next with each of them saying "This book is a new age spirituality book, useless". Eventually this book landed in the Bhante's (monk) hands. He skimmed thru the pages, turned back towards everybody and said "This book is not new age. This book is in fact very old age and its core Buddhist teachings. You can see the shock faces on the people. Later he walked to wards me carrying this book and said "I'm glad that there are still people who understands such teachings these days!"
RC response
-- I sat down and started talking about this book and immediately I get an answer "Oh who is the author, could it be Ven Sheng Kai?" Then I said nope, the person is middle-aged and he's residing in Europe. I then wrote down the title and author of the book and told everyone "This is what Ven Sheng Kai and teacher Chen taught and will perhaps be the first book in the Da Shi Zhi Ye Su Ji Du Zong". I get another suprised look again
Now you see how I enjoyed myself when I visit Buddhist centers these days! -
I dont quite get you. What book is it, and btw, what is da shi zhi ye su ji du zong???
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Maybe I will show you on the day when teacher chen comes to your center. I may be there and bringing some friends along. Probably mainland chinese pals or my blood brothersOriginally posted by An Eternal Now:I dont quite get you. What book is it, and btw, what is da shi zhi ye su ji du zong???
Da Shi Zhi --- The Bodhisattva standing to the right of Amitabha Buddha
Ye Su -- Jesus
Zong -- School, branch ... etc.
In the book Fa Yin Xuan Liu written by Ven Sheng Kai, volume 2, there exist this word. Its a school he contemplated starting. This book points clearly to the demand for this new school because the teachings within brings about reconcilliation b/w buddhist and christians and leads both to greater spiritual heights. Whats more its an international best seller -
Oh I remember that..Originally posted by earthling82:Maybe I will show you on the day when teacher chen comes to your center. I may be there and bringing some friends along. Probably mainland chinese pals or my blood brothers
Da Shi Zhi --- The Bodhisattva standing to the right of Amitabha Buddha
Ye Su -- Jesus
Zong -- School, branch ... etc.
In the book Fa Yin Xuan Liu written by Ven Sheng Kai, volume 2, there exist this word. Its a school he contemplated starting. This book points clearly to the demand for this new school because the teachings within brings about reconcilliation b/w buddhist and christians and leads both to greater spiritual heights. Whats more its an international best seller
I know of a couple of books about Buddhist-Christian reconciliation. One form Ven. Thich Naht Hanh which I have recommended to the forum previously, and another one which I read is also v good by the Dalai Lama. If I was not wrong. So which book are you refering to? -
Hi earthling82, did u come today? I was there with Thusness, Paperflower, and a few others from IRC. The talk was great.
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Hi Eternal NowOriginally posted by An Eternal Now:Hi earthling82, did u come today? I was there with Thusness, Paperflower, and a few others from IRC. The talk was great.
Yes I got come for both sat and sun sessions. Sat at the back. -
I see.. unfortunately didn't see you. I didnt go for Sat because Jiang Tang people were asked NOT to go... as Vihara is always cramped up and lack of space. So we'll just wait for the VCD to be played..Originally posted by earthling82:Hi Eternal Now
Yes I got come for both sat and sun sessions. Sat at the back.