Stop useless rituals and practices !
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Stop useless rituals and practices
by GAN KIM TAI, Kuala Lumpur, The Buddhist Channel, May 8, 2006
I am very happy with this educational and enlightening Buddhist website. I hope more Chinese Buddhists could gain more insight into right Buddhist practices and philosophy, rather than following the wrongful and wasteful practices, handled down from their forefathers.
As a Chinese Buddhist, I am quite sad at the state of Chinese psyche on religious matter. While the Chinese are considered practical and intelligent people, unfortunately, they are right behind others when it comes to religion.
Wasteful and useless practices pertaining to ritual sacrifices such as burning paper monies and other peripherals, slaughtering of animals and others are blindly practiced without inquiring about their actual use and practicalities. The incessant burning is causing unnecessary pollution. I can safely say that the culture of burning "money" reflect the stupidity of the modern Chinese.
I hope the Buddhist Committee can propagate the correct Buddhist methods & practices, to all Chinese & Buddhists, via media, books, seminars, VCDs, etc.
OM Mani Padme Hum to all of you.
Dear dharma Bros & Sis kindly share ur views after reading GAN KIM TAI's comments
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tell dat to SOA peeps.
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Fully agreed.
In fact during Buddha's times, Buddha condemned all those useless rituals and practises and highly condemned things like animal sacrifices or any kind of sacrifice - that would really be committing a lot of bad karma that leads one to the rebirth in lower realms. Such practises are of no good use at all. -
wats soa?Originally posted by Ito_^:tell dat to SOA peeps. -
well..for well educated & young pple i don tink that's a problem.Err..no offence but try explaining to the ah peks or auntie at the coffee shops we sure 'vomit blood'Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Fully agreed.
In fact during Buddha's times, Buddha condemned all those useless rituals and practises and highly condemned things like animal sacrifices or any kind of sacrifice - that would really be committing a lot of bad karma that leads one to the rebirth in lower realms. Such practises are of no good use at all.
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Sea Of AffinityOriginally posted by An Eternal Now:wats soa?
http://www.sgforums.com/?action=forum_display&forum_id=1169 -
As a Chinese Buddhist, I am quite sad at the state of Chinese psyche on religious matter. While the Chinese are considered practical and intelligent people, unfortunately, they are right behind others when it comes to religion.
I held similar view previously. However after venturing more into buddhism, I can understand, and accept it in a more open attitude. (I condemned my mother and sisters' way of solving problems i.e. went to temples and mediums for help , burning joss sticks, burning paper money, extravagant funeral etc.)
Wasteful and useless practices pertaining to ritual sacrifices such as burning paper monies and other peripherals, slaughtering of animals and others are blindly practiced without inquiring about their actual use and practicalities. The incessant burning is causing unnecessary pollution. I can safely say that the culture of burning "money" reflect the stupidity of the modern Chinese.
As one master said,
"superstition(blind faith) is better than no faith;
correct faith is better than superstition."
We are lucky(or we have 'yin1 yuan2') to have the opportunity to come into contact with true(hopefully) buddhism. So, we look at others and think that how naive they are , why are they so superstitious? They should follow us i.e. to practise true/correct budhhism! now! immediately! But, how if they do not have the 'yin1 yuan2' yet?
I was told by my senior not to use your own yard-stick to judge others especially after you have gain some so call knowledge in buddhism(as if already de2 dao4). This is as if you are in secondary school and you laugh at those in primary and those that do not have chance to be educated. Looking from the other angle, how do you feel if your seniors or teachers who are already in their universities laughing at you who are still in secondary?? But I know they will not .
No personal attack here, but just like to share with others what mistakes I realised I have made before and after I go on and on the path of buddhism. -
thnks for ur opinion.Well as for me i think as a buddhist we should try our best to educate pples abt the correct practise rather than mocking at them.Yes we should not judge others however just as we r in secondary school when we see our primary juniors doing the wrong things it is our duty to correct them so that they can learn and grow with usOriginally posted by yancaneat:I held similar view previously. However after venturing more into buddhism, I can understand, and accept it in a more open attitude. (I condemned my mother and sisters' way of solving problems i.e. went to temples and mediums for help , burning joss sticks, burning paper money, extravagant funeral etc.)
As one master said,
"superstition(blind faith) is better than no faith;
correct faith is better than superstition."
We are lucky(or we have 'yin1 yuan2') to have the opportunity to come into contact with true(hopefully) buddhism. So, we look at others and think that how naive they are , why are they so superstitious? They should follow us i.e. to practise true/correct budhhism! now! immediately! But, how if they do not have the 'yin1 yuan2' yet?
I was told by my senior not to use your own yard-stick to judge others especially after you have gain some so call knowledge in buddhism(as if already de2 dao4). This is as if you are in secondary school and you laugh at those in primary and those that do not have chance to be educated. Looking from the other angle, how do you feel if your seniors or teachers who are already in their universities laughing at you who are still in secondary?? But I know they will not .
No personal attack here, but just like to share with others what mistakes I realised I have made before and after I go on and on the path of buddhism. -
Hi guys here's the follow up
Useful and useless rituals
by Kantipalad, Thailand, The Buddhist Channel, May 12, 2006
I agree with my Buddhist friend who wrote about the practice of mind-less rituals by certain circles. When the Buddha listed down factors contributing to the strength of society, "rituals" was one of the factors which was encouraged as it fostered a sence of belonging. So a "middle way" is in need of discovery between what is deemed as useless rituals, and persons who have none at all.
In a talk given by Thanissaro Bhikkhu of Metta forest monastery, www.mettaforest.org, he states that there are two questions to Buddhist practice. The question of "how" and the question of "why" He continues in his talk by saying the question of "how" naturally follows the answering of "why".
He says, "I believe that as we as a human race enter a new "globalization" era of our development, we should like wise undertake a new look together at "why" we practice."
Thinking of this is like having a cluttered desk with papers and items scattered every where. Having a bare desk with nothing on it; and then put back only those rituals and traditions that are absolutly neccessary to developing the "why".
Now that Buddhism have spread to many parts of the world, I am confident that the innovative and creative juice of human beings can create many ways to respect the Triple Gem, so that many more will benefit from the Dharma. -
yes? can i help u ????Originally posted by Ito_^:tell dat to SOA peeps.
did any SOA mod promote incense burning , slaughter animal for prayer b4 ???
dun jus speak out of ur impression...
and remember xuan xue not only involve with buddism... -
I was once scolded politely.
"We don't appreciate those incense or offerings or rituals. We have our own money & own effort to obtain incense or those fruits you present if we want. We only appreciate you follow our Right path."