Amulets & Pendants r superstitious NOT true teaching Buddha
-
In the Buddha's time many people were superstitious. They believed in various kinds of superstitious signs. No one could agree on which signs were the most auspicious. Even the deities were debating about it among themselves. Since they were unable to decide they sent one deity to ask the Buddha about auspicious signs for prosperity.
In response, the Buddha taught the Mangala Sutta. This important discourse explains that the most auspcious signs are good moral conduct and mental development. Nothing else is of any real value.
If you think that something will bring you good luck, then it probably will. If you think that something will bring you bad luck, then it probably will. However, that is just delusion. It is just the placebo effect, and everyone knows that placebos really do work. Whatever happens that is good you attribute to the "lucky charm." Whatever happens that is bad you attribute to an "unlucky charm." It is nothing but delusion. Do not be deceived by the well-meaning simpletons, nor the greedy crooks who make easy money from fools.
-
Mangala Sutta
Thus have I heard: “Once the Blessed One was dwelling near Sâvatthi in the Jetavana monastery built by Anâthapindika (a wealthy merchant of Sâvatthi). Then a certain deity at midnight, having illuminated the whole Jeta-grove with surpassing splendour, came to the presence of the Blessed One. Having worshipped the Blessed One, he very respectfully stood at a suitable place; and then addressed the Blessed One in verse:
Many gods and men
Have pondered on auspicious signs
Wishing for blessings.
Please tell us the most auspicious signs
Not to associate with fools
But to associate with the wise
And to honour those worthy of honour,
This is the most auspicious sign.
Living in a suitable locality
And good deeds done in the past,
To set oneself in the right course,
This is the most auspicious sign.
Great learning and skill in work
A highly trained discipline
And well-spoken speech,
This is the most auspicious sign.
Looking after oneÂ’s mother and father
Caring for oneÂ’s wife and children
And unconfused actions,
This is the most auspicious sign.
Generosity and a righteous life,
Caring for oneÂ’s relatives
And blameless actions,
This is the most auspicious sign.
To abhor and avoid all evil,
Abstention from intoxicants
And diligence in righteousness,
This is the most auspicious sign
Reverence, humility,
Contentment and gratitude.
Hearing the Dhamma at the right time,
This is the most auspicious sign.
Patience and compliance
And seeing the monks.
Opportune discussion of the Dhamma,
This is the most auspicious sign..
Self-restraint and a holy life,
Seeing the Four Noble Truths
And realising nibbana
This is the most auspicious sign.
When affected by worldly conditions,
If oneÂ’s mind remains unshaken;
Sorrowless, stainless and secure,
This is the most auspicious sign.
Those who perform such auspicious deeds
Are undefeated by all enemies
And gain happiness everywhere,
These are the most auspicious signs.” -
At that time in India, people held many superstitious beliefs regarding portents and omens that foretold success or failure. People could not agree with one another, and the deities were also debating this matter without any satisfactory resolution. Therefore, the deity approached the Blessed One for a definitive answer. The first verse is this deityÂ’s question. The Buddha replied with a graduated discourse in verse, enumerating thirty-eight practical blessings.
Not to Associate with Fools
To Associate with the Wise
To Honour Those Worthy of Honour
Living in a Suitable Locality
Good Deeds Done in the Past
Setting Oneself in the Right Course
Great Learning
Skill in Work
A Highly Trained Discipline
Well-spoken Speech
Looking After OneÂ’s Mother and Father
Caring for OneÂ’s Wife and Children
Unconfused Actions
Generosity
A Righteous Life
Caring for OneÂ’s Relatives
Blameless Actions
To Abhor All Evil
Abstention from Intoxicants
Diligence in Righteousness
Reverence
Humility
Contentment
Gratitude
Hearing the Dhamma at the Right Time
Patience
Compliance
Seeing the Monks
Opportune Discussion of the Dhamma
Self-restraint
A Holy Life
Seeing the Four Noble Truths
Realising Nibbana
When Affected by Worldly Conditions, if OneÂ’s Mind Remains Unshaken
Sorrowless
Stainless
Secure -
Not to Associate with Fools
Those who do not observe basic morality are called fools. One may be learned in the sense of knowing Dhamma, Vinaya, and Abhidhamma, but if one does not observe moral conduct, one is a fool since shameless and immoral behaviour leads to suffering in this life and the next. Fools hold wrong views, that is why they do immoral deeds, and neglect to do wholesome deeds.
In the ultimate sense, not to associate with fools means to remain aloof from foolishness. Whenever one meets others, one should focus on and encourage wise conduct, and overlook or discourage foolish conduct. -
To Associate with the Wise
Conversely, the wise are those who observe basic morality carefully. The wise cultivate wholesome deeds such as charity, morality, meditation, reverence, service, learning the Dhamma, etc., and they hold right views. Wise friends restrain us from evil and urge us to do good.
In the ultimate sense, to associate with the wise means to reflect constantly on the qualities of the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha. -
Merry Meet neutral_onliner,
Thanks for sharing exposition on Mangala Sutta. Mangala sutta is one of my favourite. Chanting is a mindful process which aids us in focusing the mind, and establishing a sense of calm. The teachings of Buddha are imparted through chanting, serving as a reminder of Buddha's guidance as we follow the Buddhist path.
It is only through chanting we are able to understand His Teachings, and then adopt these practices into our lives. Chanting also offers blessing and protection, to wish well upon ourselves, those others who touch our daily lives, and to all sentient beings.
Thanks again.
Blessed Be,
Oceanos -
Originally posted by OCEANOS:
you are welcome
[b]Merry Meet neutral_onliner,
Thanks for sharing exposition on Mangala Sutta. Mangala sutta is one of my favourite. Chanting is a mindful process which aids us in focusing the mind, and establishing a sense of calm. The teachings of Buddha are imparted through chanting, serving as a reminder of Buddha's guidance as we follow the Buddhist path.
It is only through chanting we are able to understand His Teachings, and then adopt these practices into our lives. Chanting also offers blessing and protection, to wish well upon ourselves, those others who touch our daily lives, and to all sentient beings.
Thanks again.
Blessed Be,
Oceanos[/b] -
Thanks for sharing.
-
Neutral_onliner better retake his English O'levels, the title is getting misleading.
-
Amulets and pendants etc doest mean anything..? Then i suggest u go paint ur Buddha statue face black and green colour plus draw neh neh and draw an elephant on ur buddha dick and pee on the head and masturbate into buddha mouth...I see u in 3days kana car bang down anot since u say amulets,images and statues doest hold any spirtual powers and holy powers nor it does not mean anything..Yeah ?
-
AMulets & pendents are superstitous and Not true teachings of the Buddha.
Thanks for the info! Your're always sharing :0) -
Yah lah..Then next time when u entered a temple run like ur going to do a long jump, then suddenly break into a flying kick and kick Buddha in the face..Break the head into two if u canOriginally posted by Iker-X-of-Bodh:AMulets & pendents are superstitous and Not true teachings of the Buddha.
Thanks for the info! Your're always sharing :0)
-
Anyone heard of voodoo doll or jiang4 tou2?
If a small item be it a ring or powder or anything can be cursed thru black magic to cause harm to people, why is it an amulet cannot be blessed to bring good to the person who wear it?
In tibetan buddhism, there is this treasure called terma which has some supernatural power and beneficial to the spreading of dharma. It is hidden in many places awaiting the terton to discover them when conditions ripen.
As a buddhists of non-tibetan tradition, we shouldn't rule out the truth of their teaching and practise. We are not well-versed in it, it is difficult to understand their teaching.
To me, amulet is to constantly remind me of practising buddhism, although it also give me some blessings. Without good karma, we won't be able to get this amulet or bracelet which is blessed by monk. -
Please do that...Originally posted by Advante_101:Amulets and pendants etc doest mean anything..? Then i suggest u go paint ur Buddha statue face black and green colour plus draw neh neh and draw an elephant on ur buddha dick and pee on the head and masturbate into buddha mouth...I see u in 3days kana car bang down anot since u say amulets,images and statues doest hold any spirtual powers and holy powers nor it does not mean anything..Yeah ? That will be a viable scientific experiment. -
No matter how you vandalise the Buddha's image, Buddha will not be angry with you or hold any grudge against you or attack you. But you will naturally have bad karma for that.Originally posted by Advante_101:Amulets and pendants etc doest mean anything..? Then i suggest u go paint ur Buddha statue face black and green colour plus draw neh neh and draw an elephant on ur buddha dick and pee on the head and masturbate into buddha mouth...I see u in 3days kana car bang down anot since u say amulets,images and statues doest hold any spirtual powers and holy powers nor it does not mean anything..Yeah ?
Anyway pls use appropriate words in this forum in future... thanks. -
Amulets and pendants got nothing to do wf Buddha statueOriginally posted by Advante_101:Amulets and pendants etc doest mean anything..? Then i suggest u go paint ur Buddha statue face black and green colour plus draw neh neh and draw an elephant on ur buddha dick and pee on the head and masturbate into buddha mouth...I see u in 3days kana car bang down anot since u say amulets,images and statues doest hold any spirtual powers and holy powers nor it does not mean anything..Yeah ? 
-
welcomeOriginally posted by redstone:Thanks for sharing. -
sorry abt tat. title too long so hav to 'cut short'Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:Neutral_onliner better retake his English O'levels, the title is getting misleading. -
A statue is just a piece of clay or bronze. Is not the object of our respect and worship. When we bow before Buddha images, we are recalling the qualities of the enlightened beings. It is their impartial love and compassion, generosity, morality, patience, joyous effort, concentration and wisdom that we are showing respect to.The statue serves to remind us of the qualities of the Buddha, and it is the qualities, not the clay, that we are bowing to.Originally posted by Advante_101:Amulets and pendants etc doest mean anything..? Then i suggest u go paint ur Buddha statue face black and green colour plus draw neh neh and draw an elephant on ur buddha dick and pee on the head and masturbate into buddha mouth...I see u in 3days kana car bang down anot since u say amulets,images and statues doest hold any spirtual powers and holy powers nor it does not mean anything..Yeah ?
When u are looking at the Buddha status u are oso looking at yourself. Your own Buddha Nature . -
To Honour Those Worthy of Honour
People are worthy of honour for many reasons. One should respect those who provide material and spiritual benefits: parents, teachers, employers, monks, public servants, etc. One should also respect those with more refined morality, greater learning, or greater age. Respect is shown by doing service, paying homage, etc.
Living in a Suitable Locality
To fulfil the preceding three blessings, one should live in the right place. In some places it is difficult to meet wise and good teachers who can point out the meaning of Dhamma. If one meets many fools, one must suffer for a long time, even if one is wise and good.
Good Deeds Done in the Past
To have the power to choose where we live, and who we associate with, we must have accumulated merits in the past. It is very difficult to meet the Buddha and his teaching. Even if we are born in a Buddhist country, a truly wise teacher is hard to come across, and his time is always in great demand. One who has done many meritorious deeds is born in a devout Buddhist family and gets many opportunities to learn and practice the Dhamma. -
There are people going around absorbing their "spiritual powers" awayOriginally posted by Advante_101:Amulets and pendants etc doest mean anything..?
Anyway such powers don't last -
don't make a fool out of yourself young chap.Originally posted by Advante_101:Yah lah..Then next time when u entered a temple run like ur going to do a long jump, then suddenly break into a flying kick and kick Buddha in the face..Break the head into two if u can -
Setting Oneself in the Right Course
It is not easy to build good character. If one fulfils all of the preceding blessings, one will naturally be inclined to cultivate virtue, but most people will have to make special efforts to avoid wrong doing and correct their defects. Knowing oneÂ’s faults is a good start, but we need great humility, honesty, and patience to correct ourselves.
“Whoever was heedless before, but afterwards is not,
he illumines this world like the full moon freed from clouds.” (Dhp v 172)
Great Learning
The BuddhaÂ’s teaching is profound and difficult to understand properly, let alone to put into practice and to realise for oneself. We are very fortunate to have excellent translations of the BuddhaÂ’s teachings in English, and many other books by eminent meditation masters. We should study the Dhamma whenever possible to deepen and broaden our knowledge. Study, practice, and realisation are all necessary unless we live with an enlightened teacher. In that case, if we practice hard, realisation will follow without study.
Skill in Work
Intellectual knowledge is not the same as practical skill. One can read and write cookery books without being a good cook. Another person may be able to cook very well indeed, without reading any books. Meditation also needs many hours of practical training under the guidance of a skilled meditation teacher. We should try to acquire all kinds of practical skills to develop our knowledge and wisdom.
A Highly Trained Discipline
The Dhamma cannot be realised by an unmindful, lazy, or shameless person. We need to train ourselves to eat little, sleep little, talk little, and indulge in pleasures only a little. A devout Buddhist should strive for wisdom, whether they are a householder or one gone forth. Those who have gone forth should have much higher standards of discipline and sense-restraint than householders. Bhikkhus should follow all 227 training precepts, restrain their senses, reflect well on the requisites provided by the faithful, and purify their livelihood. The Buddha said (in the Upakkilesa Sutta, A.ii.53) that a recluse does not shine if he indulges in sexual relations, uses money, drinks intoxicants, or earns a wrong livelihood.
Well-spoken Speech
Our speech is the manifestation of our thoughts. If our mind is impure, it is better not to speak too much. The tongue is the strongest muscle in the body it can work all day long without getting tired. So a person who can control the tongue is the strongest person in the world. Our speech should be pleasing to others as far as possible, if not, at least it should be aimed at benefit. -
The only muscle that works 24 hrs per day is the heart but the tongue is the most dangerous as it can create as well as destroy.Originally posted by neutral_onliner:Setting Oneself in the Right Course
Our speech is the manifestation of our thoughts. If our mind is impure, it is better not to speak too much. The tongue is the strongest muscle in the body it can work all day long without getting tired. So a person who can control the tongue is the strongest person in the world. Our speech should be pleasing to others as far as possible, if not, at least it should be aimed at benefit.