Loving-Kindness(Share ur experience)
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Hi everyone,
Buddhism teaches one to live in harmony with all, regardless of race or religion. We should have the correct attitude and should practice tolerance towards everyone. Buddhism recognises that all living beings are equal and teaches universal loving-kindness and compassion not only to human being but also to all other creatures. For all living things, men and animals alike, share a common environment. In order to live happily in this world, they must have concern for the welfare of others.The practice of metta (loving-kindness) towards all living beings entails a sense of universal responsibility, not only between man and man, but between man and all other forms of life. Through the practice of metta, we abandon our selfish interests and ego-driven pursuits, and endeavour to strive for the welfare of all living things.
Thus would like all of you to post ur personal experience on walking such a path and share wf us the methods used and difficulties encountered .Thanks
metta
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Originally posted by neutral_onliner:
How about this:
Hi everyone,
Buddhism teaches one to live in harmony with all, regardless of race or religion. We should have the correct attitude and should practice tolerance towards everyone. Buddhism recognises that all living beings are equal and teaches [b]universal loving-kindness and compassion not only to human being but also to all other creatures. For all living things, men and animals alike, share a common environment. In order to live happily in this world, they must have concern for the welfare of others.The practice of metta (loving-kindness) towards all living beings entails a sense of universal responsibility, not only between man and man, but between man and all other forms of life. Through the practice of metta, we abandon our selfish interests and ego-driven pursuits, and endeavour to strive for the welfare of all living things.
Thus would like all of you to post ur personal experience on walking such a path and share wf us the methods used and difficulties encountered .Thanks
metta [/b]
Putting everyone to death so that there can be no misery? -
ok we'll start with you firstOriginally posted by Herzog_Zwei:How about this:
Putting everyone to death so that there can be no misery? -
'Tan sheng pa si' is the nature of all living beings
To kill them is the greatest sin. -
But it can also be seen as the greatest compassion...Originally posted by An Eternal Now:'Tan sheng pa si' is the nature of all living beings To kill them is the greatest sin.
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In Buddhism, human life is seen as most precious because it is this precious opportunity for us to practise the dharma, attain the highest and ultimate bliss and liberation. Therefore human life should be valued to the highest.Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:But it can also be seen as the greatest compassion...
In Buddhism to kill others is not only to deny their chance to practise, you will also create the karma for killing, and he will end up going for rebirth in samsara again. -
But if they practice wrongly, they are still bound for Samsara again as you said...Originally posted by An Eternal Now:In Buddhism, human life is seen as most precious because it is this precious opportunity for us to practise the dharma, attain the highest and ultimate bliss and liberation. Therefore human life should be valued to the highest.
In Buddhism to kill others is not only to deny their chance to practise, you will also create the karma for killing, and he will end up going for rebirth in samsara again.
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they still caught into other realms after u put them to death .. still suffering wor.. in heavan realms can died and reborn in hell...Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:How about this:
Putting everyone to death so that there can be no misery?
can't escape karma ( note karma isn't refering to predestined fate ) -
Originally posted by neutral_onliner:
Loving kindness isn't a seperate entity. It is inter-related to the other 3 immeasureable. It is a quality that teach one to be tolerance, lovingly and kind to others and oneself. In the highest state, it can lead to self sacrifice without regrets and fear. It is love, care, concern given to strangers and people whom we are close to without discrimination. It is a blissful mental and emotional state to be in.
Hi everyone,
Buddhism teaches one to live in harmony with all, regardless of race or religion. We should have the correct attitude and should practice tolerance towards everyone. Buddhism recognises that all living beings are equal and teaches [b]universal loving-kindness and compassion not only to human being but also to all other creatures. For all living things, men and animals alike, share a common environment. In order to live happily in this world, they must have concern for the welfare of others.The practice of metta (loving-kindness) towards all living beings entails a sense of universal responsibility, not only between man and man, but between man and all other forms of life. Through the practice of metta, we abandon our selfish interests and ego-driven pursuits, and endeavour to strive for the welfare of all living things.
Thus would like all of you to post ur personal experience on walking such a path and share wf us the methods used and difficulties encountered .Thanks
metta [/b]
It might be effortless for some to have kind thoughts and doing kind acts. Some might be kind in appearances and to a certain extent. We might think about it but never do so. Some's intentionwise might not be true in some sense.
It might not be that easy for some to be kind. Some might naturally love violence, some might be be full of anger and hatred.
Ultimately, it takes time and efforts to cultivate wisdom that enable us to see and realise what the buddha really mean.
May all be well and Happy =)
Metta meditation helps... i tink.. just some personal experiences -
Thnks for sharingOriginally posted by Isis:Loving kindness isn't a seperate entity. It is inter-related to the other 3 immeasureable. It is a quality that teach one to be tolerance, lovingly and kind to others and oneself. In the highest state, it can lead to self sacrifice without regrets and fear. It is love, care, concern given to strangers and people whom we are close to without discrimination. It is a blissful mental and emotional state to be in.
It might be effortless for some to have kind thoughts and doing kind acts. Some might be kind in appearances and to a certain extent. We might think about it but never do so. Some's intentionwise might not be true in some sense.
It might not be that easy for some to be kind. Some might naturally love violence, some might be be full of anger and hatred.
Ultimately, it takes time and efforts to cultivate wisdom that enable us to see and realise what the buddha really mean.
May all be well and Happy =)
Metta meditation helps... i tink.. just some personal experiences -
In a way, they can't be born into this realm as a sentient being again.Originally posted by Isis:they still caught into other realms after u put them to death .. still suffering wor.. in heavan realms can died and reborn in hell...
can't escape karma ( note karma isn't refering to predestined fate ) -
can be reborn into this realm again.. who know might be ur wife, father, mother, uncle, siblings, ur dog or even be the one putting u ( the reborn or present u) to death in their next lifeOriginally posted by Herzog_Zwei:In a way, they can't be born into this realm as a sentient being again. -
Not if there are no more known living things in this realm...Originally posted by Isis:can be reborn into this realm again.. who know might be ur wife, father, mother, uncle, siblings, ur dog or even be the one putting u ( the reborn or present u) to death in their next life -
Nothing more to add on? I remember in the Pali Cannon, there is a story about Argumala...the brahmic monk who puts others out of their misery by death.
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Angulimala kills people to put out their misery??? Where did you learn it from..Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:Nothing more to add on? I remember in the Pali Cannon, there is a story about Argumala...the brahmic monk who puts others out of their misery by death.
Please quote in future. As far as I know, Angulimala killed others for his own personal benefit and ignorance before turning to Buddhism. And I suggest you read it again: http://www.buddhistinformation.com/ida_b_wells_memorial_sutra_library/angulimala_sutta.htm -
why the thread turn into mass killing???
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Herzog_Ziwei is always obsessed with his ideals of annihilation and mass killing... he's an extremist.Originally posted by caleb_chiang:why the thread turn into mass killing??? -
pls get bk to the main topic ...cultivating loving-kindness
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When I was 4 (i dont remember my kid brother being around) I had something against little girls, so when I saw on the news about a little girl around my age die in an explosion or a plane crash i cant remember, i said "orbee good", on hearing this my mother says to me "what if you were the little girl?" then i awakened to compassion.
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I may be extremist but at least, I got compassion in my heart.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Herzog_Ziwei is always obsessed with his ideals of annihilation and mass killing... he's an extremist. -
Taken from wikipedia:Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Angulimala kills people to put out their misery??? Where did you learn it from..
Please quote in future. As far as I know, Angulimala killed others for his own personal benefit and ignorance before turning to Buddhism. And I suggest you read it again: http://www.buddhistinformation.com/ida_b_wells_memorial_sutra_library/angulimala_sutta.htm
"Angulimala was sent to Taxila to study under a well-known Brahmin guru. There he excelled in his studies and became the teachers' favourite student, enjoying special privileges in his teachers' house. However, the other students grew jealous of Ahimsaka's speedy progress and sought to turn his master against him. To that end, they made it seem as though Ahimsaka had seduced the master's wife and boasted that he was wiser than the guru. Unwilling or unable to attack Ahimsaka directly (Pad states that Ahimsaka was as "strong as seven elephants", while Ps states that the teacher worried that his business would suffer if he was found to have murdered a student (!)), the teacher said that Ahimsaka's training was complete, but that he must provide the traditional final gift offered to a guru before the teacher would grant his approval. As his payment, the teacher demanded 1,000 fingers, each taken from a different victim, thinking that Angulimala would be killed in the course of seeking this grisly prize (Pad states that Angulimala was required to fetch 1,000 fingers from right hands, seemingly unaware that this could be achieved by killing 200 people. Ps states, even more strangely, that he was told to "kill a thousand legs", and gathered fingers only as an aid to keeping an accurate count)."
Theorectically, he is supposed to attain the Dharma by the last finger. Of course, all souls of the people he killed will attain the Dharma too... -
Yes. Therefore to summarise the whole thing, Angulimala (prior to becoming Buddhist) killed 999 people for his own personal benefit and ignorance - that is that he wanted to prove to his Brahmin guru his capabilities and worthiness. And the Brahmin teacher did NOT teach dharma, he taught his own Brahmin things. They are all not Buddhists.Theorectically, he is supposed to attain the Dharma by the last finger. Of course, all souls of the people he killed will attain the Dharma too...[/quote]
When was this every stated in Wikipedia, or the Internet, or the Pali suttas?
Furthermore where did you get the idea that Brahmin guru has anything got to do with Buddhism or the Dharma?
[quote]Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:Taken from wikipedia:
"Angulimala was sent to Taxila to study under a well-known Brahmin guru. There he excelled in his studies and became the teachers' favourite student, enjoying special privileges in his teachers' house. However, the other students grew jealous of Ahimsaka's speedy progress and sought to turn his master against him. To that end, they made it seem as though Ahimsaka had seduced the master's wife and boasted that he was wiser than the guru. Unwilling or unable to attack Ahimsaka directly (Pad states that Ahimsaka was as "strong as seven elephants", while Ps states that the teacher worried that his business would suffer if he was found to have murdered a student (!)), the teacher said that Ahimsaka's training was complete, but that he must provide the traditional final gift offered to a guru before the teacher would grant his approval. As his payment, the teacher demanded 1,000 fingers, each taken from a different victim, thinking that Angulimala would be killed in the course of seeking this grisly prize (Pad states that Angulimala was required to fetch 1,000 fingers from right hands, seemingly unaware that this could be achieved by killing 200 people. Ps states, even more strangely, that he was told to "kill a thousand legs", and gathered fingers only as an aid to keeping an accurate count)."
I think you have completely misunderstood the whole story about Angulimala. It is the Buddha who saved Angulimala from this folly act and also the karma of being reborn in hell, and instead, led him to the attainment of Arhantship. And please read especially the highlighted parts which was said by Angulimala and Buddha himself: -
http://buddhism.sgforums.com/?action=thread_display&thread_id=99865
And as this is seriously getting off-topic, if you want to continue discussing on this issue please create a new topic in the forum. Thanks.Angulimala: A Story of the Power of Compassion
There was once the son of a Brahmin (the highest "priestly" caste in India) in the court of King Pasenadi of Kosala, whose name was Ahimsaka. He was sent to Taxila for his studies. Ahimsaka was intelligent and obedient to this teacher; therefore he was liked by both the teacher and his wife. This made the other pupils jealous of him. So they went to the teacher and falsely accused Ahimsaka of having an immoral relationship with the teacherÂ’s wife. At first, he did not believe them, but after hearing it a number of times, he thought it was true and vowed to have revenge on Ahimsaka. He thought that to kill him would reflect badly on him. His rage prompted him to suggest the unthinkable to the young and innocent Ahimsaka. He told his pupil to kill a thousand human beings and to bring the right thumb of each as payment for teaching him. Of course the youngster would not even think of such a thing, so he was banished from the teacherÂ’s house and returned to his parents.
When his father learned why Ahimsaka had been expelled, he became furious with his son, and would hear no reason. On that very day, with the rain pouring down, he ordered Ahimsaka to leave the house. Ahimsaka went to his mother and asked her advice, but she could not go against the will of her husband. Next Ahimsaka went to the house of his betrothed (in accord with the ancient custom in India calling for betrothal of children long before their actual marriage), but when the family learned why Ahimsaka had been turned out of school, they drove him off. The shame, anger, fear, and despair of Ahimsaka drove him out of his mind. His suffering mind could only recollect the teacherÂ’s order: to collect 1,000 human thumbs. And so he started killing, and as he killed, the thumbs he collected were hung on a tree, but as they were destroyed by crows and vultures, he later wore a garland of the fingers to keep track of the number.
Because of this he came to be known as Angulimala (finger garland) and became the terror of the countryside. The king himself heard about the exploits of Angulimala, and he decided to capture him. When Mantani, AhimsakaÂ’s mother, heard about the kingÂ’s intention, she went to the forest in a desperate bid to save her son. By this time, the chain around the neck of Angulimala had 999 fingers in it, just one finger short of 1,000.
The Buddha; learned of the motherÂ’s attempt to dissuade her son from, and reflected that if he did not intervene, Angulimala, who was on the lookout for the last person to make up the 1,000, would see his mother and might kill her. In that case, he would have to suffer an even longer period for his evil kamma. Out of compassion, the Buddha left for the forest.
Angulimala, after many sleepless days and nights, was very tired and near exhaustion. At the same time, he was very anxious to kill the last person to make up his full quota of 1,000 and so complete his task. He made up his mind to kill the first person he met. As he looked down from his mountain perch, he saw a woman on the road below. He wanted to fulfil his vow to complete the 1,000 thumbs, but as he approached, he saw it was his mother. At the same time, the Buddha was approaching, and Angulimala had just enough presence of mind to decide to kill the wandering monk instead of his mother. He set out after the Blessed One with his knife raised. But the Buddha kept moving ahead of him. Angulimala just could not catch up with him. Finally, he cried out, "O Bhikkhu, stop, stop!" And the Enlightened One replied, "I have stopped. It is you who have not stopped." Angulimala did not catch the significance of these words, so he asked, "O bhikkhu! Why do you say that you have stopped while I have not?"
The Buddha replied, "I say that I have stopped because I have given up killing all beings. I have given up ill-treating all beings, and have established myself in universal love, patience, and knowledge through reflection. But you have not given up killing or ill treating others and you are not yet established in universal love and patience. Hence, you are the one who has not stopped." On hearing these words Angulimala was recalled to reality, and thought, these are the words of a wise man. This monk is so very wise and so very brave that he must be the leader of the monks. Indeed, he must be the Enlightened One himself! He must have come here specially to make me see the light. So thinking, he threw away his weapons and asked the Blessed One to admit to the Order of the bhikkhus, which the Buddha did.
When the king and his men came to capture Angulimala, they found him at the monastery of the Buddha. Finding that Angulimala had given up his evil ways and become a bhikkhu, the king and his men agreed to leave him alone. During his stay at the monastery, Angulimala ardently practiced meditation.
Angulimala had no peace of mind because even in his solitary meditation he used to recall memories of his past and the pathetic cries of his unfortunate victims. As a result of his evil kamma, while seeking alms in the streets he would become a target of stray stones and sticks and he would return to the Jetavana monastery with broken head and blood flowing, cut and bruised, to be reminded by the Buddha: "My son Angulimala. You have done away with evil. Have patience. This is the effect of the evil deeds you have committed in the existence. Your evil kamma would have made you suffer through innumerable existences had I not met you."
One morning while going on an almsround in Savatthi, Angulimala heard someone crying out in pain. When he came to know that a pregnant lady was having labor pains and facing difficulty to deliver the child, he reflected, all worldly beings are subject to suffering. Moved by compassion, he reported the suffering of this poor woman to the Buddha who advised him to recite the following words of truth, which later came to be known as Angulimala Paritta. Going to the presence of the suffering woman, he sat on a seat separated from her by a screen, and uttered these words:Sister, since the day I became an arahat
I have not consciously destroyed
The life of any living beings.
By this truth, may you be well
And may your unborn child be well.
Instantly the woman delivered her child with ease. Both the mother and chid were well and healthy. Even today many resort to this paritta.
Angulimala liked living in solitude and in seclusion. Later he passed away peacefully. As an arahant, he attained parinibbana.
Other bhikkhus asked the Buddha where Angulimala was reborn, and when the Blessed One replied, my son Angulimala has attained parinibbana, they could hardly believe it. So they asked whether it was possible that such a man who had in fact killed so many people could have attained parinibbana. To this question, the Buddha replied, "Bhikkhus, Angulimala had done much evil because he did not have good friends. But later, he hound good friends and with their help and good advice he became steadfast and mindful in practicing the dhamma and meditation. Thus, his evil deeds have been overwhelmed by good kamma and his mind has been completely rid of all defilements.";;
The Buddha said of Angulimala
"Whose evil deed is obscured by good,
he illumines this world like the
moon freed from a cloud."
The power of love and compassion are stronger than any evil, and are absolute conditions for awakening. -
Just for sharing:
http://buddha-inside.us/
Or loving kindness, universal friendliness.
~ The Touch ~
Today, Friday. Squeezing into the crowded lift up my apartment. Managed to get inside. There's this pretty little girl in a ponytail standing behind me on my right, at most 6 years old.
I was standing soooo close to the door. (but i knew the door will not hit me when it closes) But just as the door was about to close, i felt a warm tug on my right arm from behind...
Turning around.. I saw this pretty 6 year old smiling face... with her tiny palm barely wide enough to grab the whole of my forearm... trying to pull me in.. afraid the door will hit me..
It was a total meltdown.. a surge of warmth welling fast inside me.. i smiled back at her.. it really hit me right in the heart after a really taxing day of work.... and she replied with a shy cheeky smile with her arm still clinging to mine..
I haven's felt such an innocent.. unconditional display of... (whatever you call it) in a long while... i call it The Touch.
~ Hue Am I -
Thanks for sharing...Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Just for sharing:
Or loving kindness, universal friendliness.
In Buddhism, spreading loving kindness empowers the mind, because it makes the mind bright and without murkiness
Thus, loving kindness is the pole which supports this world and makes the world happy, a world that is without anger, hatred, envy, revenge or vindication. When a person has good conduct and moral practice he also has loving kindness for himself. This loving kindness will make him love and have mercy to all others as well.
So this loving kindness is the great power which spreads limitlessly, that is to say: to himself, friends, kinsmen, enemies, people in every country & all sentient beings.
The pure and bright loving kindness which spreads from one's heart in the manner above can be the great power and regarded as the most important virtue which must be applied and developed all the time.
Before one likes to spread one's loving kindness to others, one must indeed make up one's mind to be brightly illuminated and pure. Only this kind of loving kindness can support the world.
metta