What tradition do you come from?
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Hi, if there are any things you would like to ask, regarding the things you do not understand about the sutras, you may want post in our forum and we can all discuss on them.. Our forum is actually quite lacking such discussions...Originally posted by oldkid:That is very true Bohiruci. I find the cultivators of Hinayana to be more strict in terms of their conducts and practises in Dharma.
Eventhough I had been practising for 3 years plus, I know I am lacking in merits to further my studies in the Dharma. Lacking in a sense where sometimes I would not understand anything from 1 single page of The Threefold Lotus Sutra or the Surangama Sutra. Now I just want to earn more merit and pray so I could just understand alittle more as I just know so little.
Cherrio
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i totall agree with you , AENOriginally posted by An Eternal Now:Hi, if there are any things you would like to ask, regarding the things you do not understand about the sutras, you may want post in our forum and we can all discuss on them.. Our forum is actually quite lacking such discussions...
thanks Oldkid for sharing
I support u for discuss lotsa area on Buddhism in crisis management and everyday living
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Hi oldkid,
just for your info:
The amount of merit gained varies according to three factors: the quality of the donor's motive, the spiritual purity of the recipient, and the kind and size of the gift.
May you gain the wisdom and attain enlightenment.
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Just for sharing
I have also experienced the obstacles in learning and practising the dharma. While in the process of overcoming these obstacles, one can still learn and practise the dharma.
For example, i was sharing a cab with my friend to attend a chanting ceremony in a temple at 7pm. We were worrying that we would be late so we took a cab down but then there was a traffic jam. My friend was anxious and disappointed, she had told me that whenever she attended such buddhist ceremony, she will face some obstacles.
From another perspective, one can learn to deal with this sort of crisis with a calm and peaceful mind by practising mindfulness. We can practise to be mindful of our mental state; learning to overcome habit of agitation, worrying ,grasping and other unwholesome mind state. We are already practising the dharma now.
Wisdom is required to distinguish: If there is something we can do about it, we do but if there is really nothing we can do about it, then we should learn to accept that. Even when we can't have what we want, it's okay. No need to be grossly upset over it and try to make the best out of it.
Back to my story, It ended up that we had made a blunder. The ceremony was actually at 7.30pm and not at 7pm! Hahaha.. Even if we are really late, there is really nothing we can do. It might be just bad karma but my point is we can still take the initiative to practise dharma at every moment, even now, be mindful while u type or reading tis.
so if you think you don't have the affinity with venerables, patiently acquiring the affinity then. If you think you do not have the merits, patiently accumulating the merits. It is already a blessing that you get to know buddhism in this lifetime.
Sharing dharma is also a form of practising dharma. Of course u have to be mindful of what dharma and how and whom you are sharing to. -
Originally posted by An Eternal Now:
ok. more like i came to specialize in 'traditional' Chinese Pure Land. 'main' teacher is Old Master Chin Kung, though i also listen to other masters.
Hi, just wanted to ask all Buddhists out there.. what sect/tradition do you come from? Who is your teacher, and how did you get to know Buddhism in the first place?
(there has been such thread about 2+ years ago but not much replies then)
how did i get to know Buddhism? well, ever heard of the the story of Elders Shariputra, Mahamaudgalyayana? they start from cults(wai dao) before discovering Buddha's Dharma. from young , i was interested in fengshui, i-ching, astology, etcs. at that time, my house prayed to Guan Yin Pusa. later don't know why i believed in a 'cult' of Raelism.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RaelismThe message dictated to Rael during his encounter with the Elohim states that the Elohim contacted about forty people to act as their prophets on Earth, among which are those who founded the world's major religions (Moses, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, etc.)
then a Christian friend brought me to think that they are satan's idea. he said about eternal hell, satan collecting souls etcs. then i went into studing of Bible, God, Revelations and all sorts of End of the World stories..etc.
but, i was not satisfy with the ideas. then i went into Tao De Jing, ch'an and later move on into Buddhism(basic hinayana knowledge). from then i find that Buddhism is more complete and satisfing. i listened to commentries by Master Chin Kung and other masters and move into mahayanism, before i stay put in Pureland School as the main specialization. but all and all, i follow Buddha's dharma as One Vehicle/Complete Teaching(Yuan Jiao) without discriminations of sects.
ps: born with Guan Yin, ended still with Guan Yin's helped.
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yoz, AEN,Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Thanks for sharing guys I think each of us have really very different situations
I see... why laugh.. we won't call theravada low-brow hinayana
I can see its meant to be a joke but i am not amuse. Without the Buddha, Dhamma and Shanga, where does the various sect/traditions arise. Therevada is but just nama rupa.
I resist replying for days but somehow to get it off my mind, i had to reply. I am brought up in the Therevada traditions and i like and could comprehend the the original pali text sutta. I find the teaching direct and applicable especially the mind training not many other religion teaches suitable for me.
I am not firmilar with the Mahayana teaching but have only read 1 Mahayana text - The Bodisatava Vows. I find the translated (English) text on taking the vows "very elaborate and strict and sometime pretty extreme". Anyone who mis-interprate the sutra may miss the spirit and followed them by the book thus missing the essence of the teaching. thus i find them not suited to me.
I laughed often because of the funny bone in me and the spirit of religion to to seek happiness and the ultimate. No, I bore no malice but just had to reply. May the triple gems guides and protect all -
Hi, glad that you are able to comprehend the Pali texts well.. I too find Pali texts (the Pali texts are found in Mahayana canon as well as Agamas) direct and applicable.Originally posted by LinYu:yoz, AEN,
I can see its meant to be a joke but i am not amuse. Without the Buddha, Dhamma and Shanga, where does the various sect/traditions arise. Therevada is but just nama rupa.
I resist replying for days but somehow to get it off my mind, i had to reply. I am brought up in the Therevada traditions and i like and could comprehend the the original pali text sutta. I find the teaching direct and applicable especially the mind training not many other religion teaches suitable for me.
I am not firmilar with the Mahayana teaching but have only read 1 Mahayana text - The Bodisatava Vows. I find the translated (English) text on taking the vows "very elaborate and strict and sometime pretty extreme". Anyone who mis-interprate the sutra may miss the spirit and followed them by the book thus missing the essence of the teaching. thus i find them not suited to me.
I laughed often because of the funny bone in me and the spirit of religion to to seek happiness and the ultimate. No, I bore no malice but just had to reply. May the triple gems guides and protect all
Mahayana texts are also very direct and applicable, if you are interested you may want to read more about them -- perhaps Lankavatara Sutra, Diamond Sutra, and some other Sutras would be a good read.. I find that there are nothing contradictory between Theravada and Mahayana texts -- Mahayana texts can be a valuable addition to a practitioner of Theravada. Likewise Mahayana practitioners should also read the Nikayas (i.e Agamas) as they also contain very important instructions.
You said, "I find the translated (English) text on taking the vows "very elaborate and strict and sometime pretty extreme".
Can you tell us exactly which vow did you find extreme?
Anyone who mis-interprate the sutra may miss the spirit and followed them by the book thus missing the essence of the teaching. thus i find them not suited to me.
I agree with your first sentence, and that is partly why Mahayana came about, it emphasizes more on the Spirit/essence of the Buddha's teachings. I am not sure what you mean by misinterpreting the sutra may miss the spirit..? Which sutra are you talking about? -
Hi,
From Zurmang of Karma Kagyu tradition.
Cheers. -
Hi all,
I thanks all who wishes to help me in my path of cultivation. A very big thank you to you guys out there!!!
Of course I will also share and participate in discussion in areas that I know!
Cherrio
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theravada/mahanaya
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can i say that i come from the Singaporea Tradition ?
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Erm me come from rojak tradition , why ? because my mother side is taoist tradition but i studied buddhist studies in english when i was in sec 3 till o lvl . During ns i came to know a few buddhism friends and hang ard with them for a while getting to know more of buddhism thingy before some things happen and i became neutral for a few years went back to taoism agn deeper then ever agn some things happened which make me avoid certain taoism aspects and become slightly more into buddhism agn . Untill now i also dunno which religion to classify me as . But strictly speaking , since i never gui yi before so i don't classify as a buddhist so i guess i'm still a taoist then
bouncing between taoism n buddhism .
Hmmm bohiruci where did you get to learn so much buddhism thingy ? -
I suggest you start learning Buddhism and practising. Must really practise... liberation is possible. If you really practise you will surely gain unshakeable confidence in the dharma, because you are seeing the results. Other religions usually don't go beyond worldly benefits and or creating some good karma and thus being reborn in higher realms.Originally posted by TWE:Erm me come from rojak tradition , why ? because my mother side is taoist tradition but i studied buddhist studies in english when i was in sec 3 till o lvl . During ns i came to know a few buddhism friends and hang ard with them for a while getting to know more of buddhism thingy before some things happen and i became neutral for a few years went back to taoism agn deeper then ever agn some things happened which make me avoid certain taoism aspects and become slightly more into buddhism agn . Untill now i also dunno which religion to classify me as . But strictly speaking , since i never gui yi before so i don't classify as a buddhist so i guess i'm still a taoist then bouncing between taoism n buddhism .
Hmmm bohiruci where did you get to learn so much buddhism thingy ? -
Have you been in other religions before?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:I suggest you start learning Buddhism and practising. Must really practise... liberation is possible. If you really practise you will surely gain unshakeable confidence in the dharma, because you are seeing the results. Other religions usually don't go beyond worldly benefits and or creating some good karma and thus being reborn in higher realms. -
No, but I generally know what other religions is about.Originally posted by Eric Cartman:Have you been in other religions before? -
Is it all academic knowledge?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:No, but I generally know what other religions is about. -
Yes. That's enough since I am not practising their religion.Originally posted by Eric Cartman:Is it all academic knowledge? -
Almost the sameOriginally posted by TWE:Erm me come from rojak tradition , why ? because my mother side is taoist tradition but i studied buddhist studies in english when i was in sec 3 till o lvl . During ns i came to know a few buddhism friends and hang ard with them for a while getting to know more of buddhism thingy before some things happen and i became neutral for a few years went back to taoism agn deeper then ever agn some things happened which make me avoid certain taoism aspects and become slightly more into buddhism agn . Untill now i also dunno which religion to classify me as . But strictly speaking , since i never gui yi before so i don't classify as a buddhist so i guess i'm still a taoist then bouncing between taoism n buddhism .
Hmmm bohiruci where did you get to learn so much buddhism thingy ?
family back ground taoist
took Buddhist studies in Chinese during 'O' level
around Secondary get to know Rev Meng Swee, Rev Meng Yi same teacher I think.
but Rev Meng Swee speak good flying English.
I remember he reform some taoist temple in Malaysia Labis area beside one railway station.
also @ this time participate every year the lunar 9 month , ju wang @ geylang serai,
ever attend the every month 15 evening chanting @ KMSPKS, six words chant -
Wow! That's very good zaxis. Chanting is also a very good way to cultivate. Do you study Sutras? Some Sutras are quite interesting, such as the Surangama Sutra, Sutra of the Wise and the Foolish and Earth Store Bodhisattva's Vows. Do feel free to ask us if you have any problem!Originally posted by zaxis:Almost the same
family back ground taoist
took Buddhist studies in Chinese during 'O' level
around Secondary get to know Rev Meng Swee, Rev Meng Yi same teacher I think.
but Rev Meng Swee speak good flying English.
I remember he reform some taoist temple in Malaysia Labis area beside one railway station.
also @ this time participate every year the lunar 9 month , ju wang @ geylang serai,
ever attend the every month 15 evening chanting @ KMSPKS, six words chant
Cherrio -
Buddhism?
both of my parents are followers of Buddhism
for me,it is still a big question mark -
Are your parents truly Buddhists? Have they taken refuge? What makes you say they are Buddhists?Originally posted by crofty:Buddhism?
both of my parents are followers of Buddhism
for me,it is still a big question mark -
Follow your heart crofty. If you have an affinity with Buddhism, you will surely encounter it. It will look for you. I believe you have an affinity with Buddhism since you are able to wander in here, which is not by chance and you are born in a Buddhist family. The question is just how strong your affinity is.Originally posted by crofty:Buddhism?
both of my parents are followers of Buddhism
for me,it is still a big question mark
But the important thing is, do more good deeds. It makes the recepients happy, and the doer even more happier.
Cherrio