2 questions..
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hi all
pls clear my doubt..thanks alot
1) how does buddhist offer respect to ancestor eg like during qing ming and during normal times..?
2) if one knew his ancestor has been 'reborn' , is it still necessary to offer incense during qing ming ?
thank all for ur great help~ -
haha , i also have the same curiosity that bother me , every time i ask my parent they oso say dunno
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Basically tis got nothing to do wf buddhism.Do u thinks american buddhists, europeans buddhists, indian buddhists or even jewish buddhists offer incense during qing ming ?Originally posted by simplified:hi all
pls clear my doubt..thanks alot
1) how does buddhist offer respect to ancestor eg like during qing ming and during normal times..?
2) if one knew his ancestor has been 'reborn' , is it still necessary to offer incense during qing ming ?
thank all for ur great help~
this got to do more wf chinese custom
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Originally posted by simplified:
Just like how the other Chinese does it.
[b]hi all
pls clear my doubt..thanks alot
1) how does buddhist offer respect to ancestor eg like during qing ming and during normal times..?
Paying respect to ancestor differs from culture to culture, so being a Chinese we follow the Chinese way.2) if one knew his ancestor has been 'reborn' , is it still necessary to offer incense during qing ming ?
Offering incense is just an act of respect and remembrance. Buddha told us we should respect our ancestors, etc. (although we do not worship them) Regardless where your ancestor went, it's good to pay respect and remembrance to them.
thank all for ur great help~
The only real way to help the dead is to dedicate merits to them. If you are really filial to your parents, then you should do what Buddha advised during the Ullambana Dharma period every year, make offerings to the sangha and attend the Ullambana Dharma/Ksitigarbha bodhisattva pujas and dedicate merits. (the pujas are known as Yu Lan Peng Fa Hui/Di Zang Wang Fa Hui) - Di Zang in reference to Di Zang Wang Pu Sa.
See: Ullambana Dharma - Not Festival Of Hungry Ghosts -
how to go abt doin tis offering? explain in detail if possible..Originally posted by An Eternal Now:make offerings to the sangha and attend the Ullabanadharma/Ksitigarbha bodhisattva pujas and dedicate merits.
See: Ullambana Dharma - Not Festival Of Hungry Ghosts
where is it held this year?
izzit a one time tin?
another question :
i read that one death and reborn r immdiate within the next 49days, is this correct?
if one has been reborn into the lower 3 level..can it still b possible to communicate with their descendant ?
so that means to say thru offerings to the sangha and attend the Ullabanadharma/Ksitigarbha bodhisattva pujas is the only way to liberate them?
liberate only reduce suffering...anytin to free them ..totally? does attendin the 7mth15 festival every year help? -
Originally posted by simplified:
Almost all BUDDHIST monasteries will held such Pujas (fa hui) yearly, during the 7th Month period, which usually people mistaken it as 'Ghost Festival' but in fact it is not Ghost Festival at all. It is Ullabanadharma.. neither is it time for celebration.. so why 'Festival'?
[b]
how to go abt doin tis offering? explain in detail if possible..
where is it held this year?
izzit a one time tin?another question :
Correct. Do read: The Intermediate Stage After Death (article)
i read that one death and reborn r immdiate within the next 49days, is this correct?
and also Returning to the Quintessence of Buddhaif one has been reborn into the lower 3 level..can it still b possible to communicate with their descendant ?
Correct again. And yes due to affinity they may be able to receive your message to them. Do ask them to attend the Ullabanadharma puja so they may be present at the time of dedication of merits.
so that means to say thru offerings to the sangha and attend the Ullabanadharma/Ksitigarbha bodhisattva pujas is the only way to liberate them?liberate only reduce suffering...anytin to free them ..totally? does attendin the 7mth15 festival every year help?
It is even possible if with enough merits, that the deceased will liberate from that lower realm and reborn in higher realm like the human realm. Otherwise, it will shorten their time in the realm.
It helps - but its not a festival. We do not burn paper money either... that doesnt help. -
thank you very much..
shall post again if hav doubt..
meantime will juz hang ard ..
thank you~ -
juz curious..
anyone experience kundalini energy flowin while meditating? -
I had experienced intense rupture and ecstasy spreading throughout my body in waves in meditation. But probably not kundalini. Why ask?Originally posted by simplified:juz curious..
anyone experience kundalini energy flowin while meditating? -
hi all
would like to read up on formless thingy..any recommended website ?
stuff like chinese mediumship, life after death, spirit etc..
only based on buddhist teachin..or rather buddha teachin..if there is..any
thank you~ -
chinese mediumship...hmmm...Do you KnowOriginally posted by simplified:hi all
would like to read up on formless thingy..any recommended website ?
stuff like chinese mediumship
thank you~
The Buddha considered such practices as fortune telling, wearing magic charms for protection, finding lucky sites for buildings, prophesising and fixing lucky days to be useless superstitions and he expressly forbade his disciples to practise such things. He called all these things 'low arts'.
"Whereas some religious men, while living off food provided by the faithful make their living by such low arts, such wrong means of livelihood as palmistry, divining by signs, interpreting dreams, bringing about good or bad luck, picking the lucky site for a building, the monk Gotama refrains from such low arts, such wrong means of livelihood". -
Chinese mediumship is rejected by Buddhism.Originally posted by simplified:hi all
would like to read up on formless thingy..any recommended website ?
stuff like chinese mediumship, life after death, spirit etc..
only based on buddhist teachin..or rather buddha teachin..if there is..any
thank you~
Mediums deal with spirits, why deal with lower realm beings? That is a form of superstition. Sorry for being very direct here. We do not deal with spirits in this way.
Instead of communicating with spirits, Buddhists do have practises of offering food to the hungry ghosts. This is not a very easy thing to do - because if you make just the slightest mistake, for example during visualisation a wandering thought pops up in the mind, and you think of your shirt button instead of the food, then the hungry ghosts will end up eating buttons and he will find you tonight
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err...looks like teres no recommendation of site..
its definately ok to b frank ..infact im moe than happy to hear them..
would like to say something..
is there any diff whether one is from the human, animal, spirit realm...since all of us r below buddha..?
as long as theres life ,soul exist..every move that they made is a step to so-call 'enlightenment' ..be it juz a small step..even if tats a wrong step taken..
arent there many doors to enlightenment? shorter route to enlightment doesnt mean longer route to enlightment is wrong..
everyone of us take a separate path..
arent we supposed to b fair to everyone ..everyting?
arent all the realms considered students of buddha?
if lines has to b drawn ...y The Great Compassion still a Bodhisattva?
my apology if i make a fool..but this is what i c.. -
Originally posted by simplified:
Thank you for being open minded. This is very important in learning
err...looks like teres no recommendation of site..
its definately ok to b frank ..infact im moe than happy to hear them..
would like to say something..
A university professor went to visit a famous Zen master. While the master quietly served tea, the professor talked about Zen. The master poured the visitor's cup to the brim, and then kept pouring. The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself. "It's overfull! No more will go in!" the professor blurted. "You are like this cup," the master replied, "How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup."is there any diff whether one is from the human, animal, spirit realm...since all of us r below buddha..?
There are 6 realms in Buddhism, known as Liu Dao in Chinese, or Liu Dao Lun Hui, refering to the samsaric cycle in 6 realms.
The Three Higher Realms are:
Heaven
Humans
Asuras
Three Lower Realms:
Animals
Spirits
Hell
By abiding by the 5 Precepts, 10 Virtuous Deeds, we can be assured we will not be comitting karma that leads us into the three lower realms. That is why precepts are important. Even if you cannot attain enlightenment this life, at least, you have the opportunity to continue practising next life in the human. If you cannot even keep the precepts, then who knows what awaits you in the afterlife?
Buddha has transcended all six realms, he is freed from the samsaric cycle. That why he can be a teacher of sentient beings.
However, do not think that Buddhahood is not achievable. Although so far since Shakyamuni Buddha has attained enlightenment on planet earth (the next Buddha will be Maitreya Buddha), there is no other Buddhas, there are uncountable Buddhas in this universe and beyond, even in our planet Earth, since Buddha entered parinirvana there are uncountable men who has attained enlightenment, even now. I am glad to have met and learnt from many enlightened teachers, who are living Bodhisattvas (Pu Sa). In fact, there are highly enlightened people who do post in our forum. These enlightened men has already surpassed even the state of the Celestial/heaven realms. Exclude me, I am just a learner.as long as theres life ,soul exist..every move that they made is a step to so-call 'enlightenment' ..be it juz a small step..even if tats a wrong step taken..
Not every step is a step towards enlightenment, we may even have several set-backs. But because our innate nature is Buddha Nature, this 'Buddha' being itself our innate Pure Awareness, we will be able to awaken from our mistakes, and walk the Buddha Path. The Buddha Nature has never left us, even while we are in hell, or we are in heaven. The Buddha Nature doesn't even increase when you attain enlightenment! It always IS, only our illusions prevent us from seeing, as a layer of dust cover up a pristine clear mirror.arent there many doors to enlightenment? shorter route to enlightment doesnt mean longer route to enlightment is wrong..
Only through cultivating the Buddhadharma can we attain enlightenment. All other worldly acts, practises, attachments, cannot lead to enlightenment.
everyone of us take a separate path..
Even if a person practises a virtuous Religion that teaches people to go to heaven, as can be seen in many religions that teaches God, the highest attainment is rebirth in heaven. But, rebirth in heaven is not ultimate, it doesn't even make a person any closer to enlightenment or Buddhahood. (human realm is in fact the best realm for cultivation!) And Heaven is Temporary.
That is why I have said,What other religions practise can be considered 'virtues', 'wholesome deeds', but not merits. Such a person can attain rebirth as human or celestial beings. Merits is different can only come by liberation, from dharmakaya.
Merits are consequences of the non-orignation and non-cessation of the mind. During the Tang Dynasty in ancient China, Emperor Liang Wu-Ti asked the patriarch Bodhidharma, "Venerable One, I have built many monasteries for the well being of the Sangha and I have also performed many virtuous deeds. What merits have I accumulated? Bodhidharma answered, "You have no merits." Why is that so? It is because when Emperor Liang Wu-Ti performed those acts of giving, he was attached to them. Thus, even though he had performed many virtuous deeds, because he had not cultivated the purity of his mind, he did not attain "non-origination and non-cessation". Therefore, his actions can only be considered as cultivation of blessings, not merits. Without liberation there are no merits. On the other hand, when there is liberation, all virtuous deeds will reap merits.arent we supposed to b fair to everyone ..everyting?
Correct. We must treat all sentient beings with equality/equanimity.arent all the realms considered students of buddha?
If you're talking about spirit mediumship, it is advised that we shouldn't create such kinds of affinity with these beings. We certainly do not want to end up among them in the next life. I have known of a medium who at death, sees many of those spirit-deities waiting for him to join them. We certainly do not want that to happen. Spirits also have different kinds. The ones with better karma, are even worshipped in temples, they may have spiritual powers, read minds, know many things because of their spiritual circle. These better-karma spirits are known as 'Spirit-Deities', Gui Shen. However, these spirits would get angry easily and develop hatred when their wishes are not fulfilled. A True Buddhist is not concerned about these superstitions, why in the first place do we have to rely on these spirits? Humans are the ones who can truly cultivate and attain Great Wisdom, it is better instead that we cultivate the dharma.
Even spirits, spirit-deities, some of them do listen to the Dharma teachings by the Buddha. Although spirits cannot attain enlightenment in that lifetime, similarly, animals cannot attain enlightenment in his lifetime, they will most likely be reborn as a human next lifetime and have the opportunity to cultivate and attain enlightenment. Another thing is, if you have affinity with these spirits, you should practise and after enlightenment, you can benefit these spirits, and teach dharma to them, even.
I have a friend who used to practised a little bit of Tangki, and he even has the ability to see spirits everywhere. I brought him to my dharma centre, my dharma teacher already knew that there is something about this person. I brought two new people along, then my mother told my dharma teacher that someone could see these spirits, before she was told who the person was she immediately pointed out the correct person and asked "is it him?" He could see these things because his 'Yin Qi' is stronger. His affinity with the spirits is also strong. My dharma teacher advised, since his affinity with these spirits/spirit-deities is strong, he could cultivate even more, attain enlightenment, and therefore help these spirits. This person occasionally posts in our forum but I will not disclose his identity.if lines has to b drawn ...y The Great Compassion still a Bodhisattva?
Until you become like Great Compassionate Guan Yin Pu Sa, who can manifests in ANY forms - whether as kings or ministers, as gods, as mundane men, or monks, etc, (see Lotus Sutra Chapter 25) or even King of Spirit/Ghosts, to save sentient beings, it is advisable not to deal with spirits as seen in many cultures and practises.
For now, my suggestion to you is honestly, earnestly, cultivate the dharma, the path that leads to brightness, wisdom, and bliss. You should find out more about the Buddhist teachings, and find a Buddhist teacher who can guide you.my apology if i make a fool..but this is what i c..
I have discussed similar things with several people before. -
The Intermediate Stage After Death (article)Originally posted by simplified:hi all
would like to read up on formless thingy..any recommended website ?
stuff like chinese mediumship, life after death, spirit etc..
only based on buddhist teachin..or rather buddha teachin..if there is..any
thank you~
(pls also take note that - not everyone becomes ghosts after death. this is a wrong concept)
36 Kinds of Ghosts (translation by Sinweiy) -
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btw, the images may be too big to be displayed fully in sgforums so you may have to go to the link and click on the thumbnails.
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(double post - slow sgforums)
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first of all.. thank you all for the posting..
thoughts after readin :
what makes an owner ? what makes a pet?
what makes one to mediates between form and formless?
is it affinity....or the word karma should b used?
eg.do ppl has a choice not to born with any physical defects?
(u shld ask ur fren abt the tangki..)
does keepin a pet or being a spiritmedium makes one fall into the lower realm?
even if one has done a misdeed and fall into the lower...one is still movin a step to enlightenment..
( i c some contradiction regardin eternal postin in this point)
one see 6 realms..
i see 1 sam cycle..
since tat is a cycle..
where is the start,where is the end, where is the upper and where is the lower?
when theres isnt upper and lower and separation of the 6realms..
then one can 'treat all sentient beings with equality/equanimity.'
heaven is temporary..
can i say the anytin resides in the cycle is temporary?
there mayb enlighten teacher everywhere..
i duno how to differientate..
but i c them no different between u and mi and ppl i meet on the street..
would like to post a question to all:
what makes one to seek enlightenment?
would like to hear..For now, my suggestion to you is honestly, earnestly, cultivate the dharma, the path that leads to brightness, wisdom, and bliss. You should find out more about the Buddhist teachings, and find a Buddhist teacher who can guide you.
thats exactly wat im doin now..findin more about buddhist teachins..
indeed i ned a teacher, i ned a guide..and i will listen to dharma most willin..but tats when i c buddha as buddha..
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am i challengin anyone? no im not..
please shed mi some lights...best if can let mi c blood wif a needle..
thank you -
am i challengin anyone? no im not..
i understand you're not challenging, but is v interested to discuss and find out more...
i'll reply to u later.. gtg now.. -
Originally posted by simplified:
Owner and pet is probably just a perception, and it is basically just a relationship between them.
first of all.. thank you all for the posting..
thoughts after readin :
what makes an owner ? what makes a pet?
what makes one to mediates between form and formless?
Sorry, I do not really understand what you mean by meditate between form and formless. Pls be more precise and elaborate... I am not very intelligent.
is it affinity....or the word karma should b used?
Yes definitely, it is an affinity. However, even if we have affinity with spirits, we should avoid continuing that kind of karmic affinity.
eg.do ppl has a choice not to born with any physical defects?
(u shld ask ur fren abt the tangki..)
And also, ask my friend about the tangki about what?does keepin a pet or being a spiritmedium makes one fall into the lower realm?
Keeping a pet, I presume you mean an animal, does not make one fall into the lower realm. But nevertheless my master discourages it, because you will create an 'Ignorant Affinity'. Who knows, if your pet is very attached to you, the next child you have may be your pet from last life.
We should be very careful who we have karmic affinity with. For example, if we have a social circle full of vices, people who commit crimes, cheat money, that is very bad, and may influence you in the future also. Another thing is, some people like to gamble... so definitely he will have a lot of gambling ka kis right? There comes the danger... in the future, in his next lifetime, he will have a lot of friends who likes to cheat his money, cheat him in whatever way, cunning. Because they all have the same kind of mindset.
Therefore Buddha taught a lot of choosing wise friends, friends who you can truly learn from. You can see that in Dhammapada.even if one has done a misdeed and fall into the lower...one is still movin a step to enlightenment..
If you move a step forward, you can also move two steps backward.
( i c some contradiction regardin eternal postin in this point)
Precisely because of this, we MUST be mindful and aware of our Mind, Speech, Action. If every step is a step towards enlightenment, then what for cultivate dharma? We can all start breaking 5 precepts, committing crimes, because according to your view, everything we do is a step towards enlightenment.one see 6 realms..
Originally, there is no cycle.
i see 1 sam cycle..
since tat is a cycle..
where is the start,where is the end, where is the upper and where is the lower?
Ignorance creates the cycle, the samsara.
http://www.jenchen.org.sg/vol8no1a.htm
...Originally, sentient beings and the quintessence of Buddha were the same in pureness and brightness. However, when the conditions for the initiation of ignorance begin to fan like the wind, it eventually produces ignorance. The ignorance becomes more serious as it gathers momentum and leads to the transmigration in the Six Realms. Ignorance, just like the wind, is invisible and one may not be able to touch them, yet it packs with power so immense that it can destroy houses and uproot trees.
In the beginning when sentient beings started to transmigrate in the Six Realms, they were in the realm of Heaven. Then, they descended to the Human realm. Human beings have seven types of emotion and six types of lust and because of these they continually commit negative karma. These led them to descend to the realm of Asura. Why is the realm of Asura considered to be a good realm? It is because even heavenly beings can be inflicted by ignorance, causing them to fight among themselves. The more aggressive fighters eventually descend to the realm of Asura....
And then later, gradually, the 3 lower realms are also formed.when theres isnt upper and lower and separation of the 6realms..
Upper and lower realms are just a conventional way of explaining the destination of WHOLESOME and UNWHOLESOME karma. If you are a good man who does virtuous deeds, you will live in the 3 higher realm. If you are a bad person who is unvirtuous and does unwholesome deeds, then you are sure to descend to the 3 lower realms. We cannot escape karma. If we are evil, then greater sufferings will surely come upon us.
then one can 'treat all sentient beings with equality/equanimity.'
From Curious - Any Christian-turned-Buddhist converts here?Originally posted by _wanderer_:
But when you become enlightened, you transcend ALL realms.
Some people may have already replied you... but I haven't got time to finish reading all their posts.
Indeed the Buddha is not a God. However, the Buddha is the teacher of gods and men. He has perfected wisdom and compassion (methods) and is able to help himself and others to attain Nirvana - a state of Enlightenment that is beyond the pain of dualism.
What is dualism? It is the fixated concepts of good/bad, high/low; it is fixation, rigidity, grasping, attachment.
"Heaven is good/desirable and hell is bad/scary." These are dualistic notions, which the Buddha has seen their nature as impermanent, dissatisfactory and painful. Whether one is born in heaven, hell or any other realm, one's existence ensures that one will experience the dukkha of birth, old age, sickness, death and so forth.
Gods are not of higher rank than the Buddha and cannot be, for Gods, like us, are tied by the ignorance of dualism. They are still happy about existence, about getting what they want, and scared about death, angry/unhappy when they don't get what they want. They are swayed by changing conditions and hence are not free. [P/S: Look at how the Christian God describes himself to be a Jealous God; and the stories of how local Chinese deities get angry over their devotees...]
The Buddha, on the other hand, is beyond dualism, beyond birth and death, beyond the 6 realms of rebirth, beyond happiness/sadness, beyond good/bad. Thus, attaining Buddhahood is the ultimate liberation and is beyond comparison. [/b] -
heaven is temporary..
That's right. Everything is impermanent, in a state of constant flux.
can i say the anytin resides in the cycle is temporary?there mayb enlighten teacher everywhere..
Also see: How to know whether a person has reach enlightenment?
i duno how to differientate..
but i c them no different between u and mi and ppl i meet on the street..
would like to post a question to all:
what makes one to seek enlightenment?
would like to hear..
Enlightened.. means being enlightened to the truths the Buddha taught... enlightened to our Buddha Nature.
By his wisdom, his behavior, everything. Truly enlightened people no longer have any Greed, Hatred or Ignorance. An enlightened person is really quite different from usual sentient beings like us.
A truly enlightened person also no longer has the Three Minds (any attachments to Past, Present, Future) and "no ego form, no human form, no sentient being form, and no age form" as stated in the Diamond sutra.
An Arhant has also removed the 10 fetters: "self-illusion, skepticism, attachment to rules and rituals, sensual lust, ill-will / fine material existence, immaterial existence, conceit, restlessness, ignorance"
As for the 'Zen Master' koans, there is one example in the internet: http://www.kwanumzen.com/dssn/
It is an interesting read, it is about the story of how Zen Master Seung Sahn got the transmission and recognised as enlightened by his master. He had to pass through many tests.
What makes one enlightened? If you have read the 4 noble truths, and the 8 fold path to enlightenment, you will know.
Furthermore, you should learn under a Buddhist teacher, practise the dharma according to what you have learnt. In this way, you will attain enlightenment.thats exactly wat im doin now..findin more about buddhist teachins..
What do you mean by 'when i c buddha as buddha'?
indeed i ned a teacher, i ned a guide..and i will listen to dharma most willin..but tats when i c buddha as buddha..
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am i challengin anyone? no im not..
please shed mi some lights...best if can let mi c blood wif a needle..
thank you
Nice chat.. do look forward to your posts.. -
thoughts:
adding light onto light
one will not see darkness only
but to see real 'light'
one need to be in darkness first
practise/follow 'Dharma' diligently, earnestly
shall reborn in the 'upper realm'
but to see the 'Truth'
Dharma dont even exist
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what makes one to enlightenment..
hav one experience 'true sufferings'?
what leads the very first step to enlightenment?
its suffering..which is y i say theres not 'upper and lower'..
in fact one shld b happy to suffer..even in so-called the 'lower realm'..
one dun choose friends to be..
but one choose to be 'enlightened' or not..
do u see? or rather i hope u dun..
need not agree.
thank you