be in touch with unseen nature - Andrew PK Yap
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Form is Emptiness and Emptiness is Form at the simplest level explains the nature of your existence. Nothing exists inherently!Originally posted by path_seeker:Well, it's precisely I couldn't find anything that I understand on the part where Form is Emptiness and Emptiness is Form, which you could say is due to my lack of knowledge in this area. Hence, I gotta ask somebody senior, like yourself. I hope you don't take offence. If you don't mind, maybe you could put the theory in simple English, so that not only myself, the other readers who is eager to know, will undersand too.
As for the second para, could you elaborate further?
It is a meaningless statement if you try to understand it. It is an extremely profound statement if you ask yourself "So what?" and applies it to your life.
Like "Time does not exists". If you can apply this "knowledge" into your everyday living, it is a very profound statement. see: A moment in time, this moment in time (Rev 1.0) -
If you think that he is asking a question you are wrong. He was asking rhetorically. That is, he implied that I said ""acknowledge that Form is emptiness ,will only suffer" and so he asks ""acknowledge that Form is emptiness ,will only suffer ?"Originally posted by path_seeker:So is it because of the fact he asked makes him ignorant and stupid? I tot in your earlier posting, you mentioned something that one shouldn't stop questioning?
Where did I say "acknowledge that Form is emptiness ,will only suffer"? In fact I said the direct opposite.
This is the worse from of "ignorance and stupidity". If he had said to himself, "I don't know, I will find out" the ignorance is "neutralized". When you jump to conclusions based on "ignorance and stupidity"; you will suffer for sure. Your whole life is a suffering. -
Sorry I have to go.
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Well, this brings me back to my earlier questions. If you don't mind me asking the following questions :Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:Form is Emptiness and Emptiness is Form at the simplest level explains the nature of your existence. Nothing exists inherently!
It is a meaningless statement if you try to understand it. It is an extremely profound statement if you ask yourself "So what?" and applies it to your life.
1) What is emptiness?
2) What is form?
3) How are the two equivalent to each other?
4) Why is it so important and what is the purpose to understand this?Like "Time does not exists". If you can apply this "knowledge" into your everyday living, it is a very profound statement. see: A moment in time, this moment in time (Rev 1.0)
5) If time doesn't exist, why do all people uses phrases like :"later, soon, minutes, seconds?"
If you can, please explain in layman terms that even people with no knowledge of buddhism (like myself) could understand.
Thanks in advance. -
Wow this is amazing. I just came back, I went to "Newest Topic" and saw that this topic was not there, so I went to BWB and saw that you had just posted. Can you imagine the split second timing?
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I think he's jus seeking clarification.Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:If you think that he is asking a question you are wrong. He was asking rhetorically. That is, he implied that I said ""acknowledge that Form is emptiness ,will only suffer" and so he asks ""acknowledge that Form is emptiness ,will only suffer ?"
Where did I say "acknowledge that Form is emptiness ,will only suffer"? In fact I said the direct opposite.
This is the worse from of "ignorance and stupidity". If he had said to himself, "I don't know, I will find out" the ignorance is "neutralized". When you jump to conclusions based on "ignorance and stupidity"; you will suffer for sure. Your whole life is a suffering.
Anyway, if you said our whole life is suffering, do you mean that we are full of ignorance and stupidity? How can we dispel these ignorance and stupidity? Is it just merely acknoledging Form is Emptiness? or there's more to it? -
Extracted from here: http://www.snibbe.com/scott/savers/index.htmlOriginally posted by path_seeker:Well, this brings me back to my earlier questions. If you don't mind me asking the following questions :
1) What is emptiness?
2) What is form?
3) How are the two equivalent to each other?
Emptiness is Form refers to a Buddhist text called the Heart Sutra, which is the distillation of all teachings on Emptiness. Emptiness in Buddhism refers not to nothingness, but to the inherent lack of independent existence of all phenomena - both mental and physical. In the case of physical phenomena, the Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh explains, "You are only made of non-you elements". That is, your body is composed entirely of non-body elements - dirt, plants, decomposed bodies, stardust, etc. Thinking about the human body in this way one may come to understand that independent existence is a mental construction, unverified by physical interrogation.
In a similar way, one can explore the boundaries between physical objects. For example, the specific line between your body and the rest of the world is unidentifiable and indefinable. Your body dissolves into the world around it, both losing microscopic particles and absorbing particles of the "outside world" through your skin, orifices and senses. Furthermore, as many philosophers and scientists note, if you remove parts of your body, you do not become any less "you" - e.g. when you get a haircut, or, much worse, lose a limb. Finally, your mind is composed of thoughts, ideas and perceptions which are understood through the language you learned, the culture you were raised in and the people you encountered. Thus, the notion that any part of you, or "you" itself, exists independent of the world, even your thoughts, is purely a mental construction. -
If I think of "self" as me, as my family, as my friends, as my colleagues, as my acquaintances; why should I even bother to answer your questions? Why don't I keep all my "understanding" and "knowledge" to myself unless you pay me?Originally posted by path_seeker:Well, this brings me back to my earlier questions. If you don't mind me asking the following questions :
4) Why is it so important and what is the purpose to understand this?
I don't even know who you are, I don't even know if you are a Singaporean, I don't even know if you are human. hahaha I assume that you are human.
This is just one example. You will help yourself much more if you try to apply Emptiness is Form to your own life and situations. You will help yourself better if you try to come up with your own examples. -
First let me correct the Statement ,Heart sutra is NOT the only sutra that talks on emptinessOriginally posted by AndrewPKYap:Extracted from here: http://www.snibbe.com/scott/savers/index.html
Emptiness is Form refers to a Buddhist text called the Heart Sutra, which is the distillation of all teachings on Emptiness. Emptiness in Buddhism refers not to nothingness, but to the inherent lack of independent existence of all phenomena - both mental and physical. In the case of physical phenomena, the Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh explains, "You are only made of non-you elements". That is, your body is composed entirely of non-body elements - dirt, plants, decomposed bodies, stardust, etc. Thinking about the human body in this way one may come to understand that independent existence is a mental construction, unverified by physical interrogation.
In a similar way, one can explore the boundaries between physical objects. For example, the specific line between your body and the rest of the world is unidentifiable and indefinable. Your body dissolves into the world around it, both losing microscopic particles and absorbing particles of the "outside world" through your skin, orifices and senses. Furthermore, as many philosophers and scientists note, if you remove parts of your body, you do not become any less "you" - e.g. when you get a haircut, or, much worse, lose a limb. Finally, your mind is composed of thoughts, ideas and perceptions which are understood through the language you learned, the culture you were raised in and the people you encountered. Thus, the notion that any part of you, or "you" itself, exists independent of the world, even your thoughts, is purely a mental construction.
it is one of them
the whole prajna teachings is found and various sutra
including Diamond Sutra
then I was amused by your immediate labelling of a person as stupidity
Without simple respect for people , I just wonder how you can communicate on in your life
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Time does not exists but it is a very useful concept so people use phrases like "later, soon, minutes, seconds?"Originally posted by path_seeker:5) If time doesn't exist, why do all people uses phrases like :"later, soon, minutes, seconds?" Thanks in advance.
It is very important to see the true nature of things and dispel all your "illusions" for illusions will lead to suffering.
You can prevent your ignorance and stupidity from turning into suffering by "suspension"
You can tell yourself "I don't know" and seek the knowledge that you lack; you can find out. Which is what you are doing and I have great hope for you.
Ignorance and stupidity will definitely lead to your suffering if you make conclusions based on illusions and errors. -
I think some people here do not understand English and might be the cause of many misunderstandings if it is not due to "ignorance and stupidity".
"the distillation of all teachings on Emptiness" clearly meant that it is not the only teaching on Emptiness. -
I think the wisdom of Emptiness is very very important.. but there is one more aspect, the aspect of luminosity.
Lastly emptiness should not be just a form of conceptual understanding but in the form of mindfulness. -
I decided to participate in your forum because I think that you are jumping the gun. You need to get "relative reality" right before you teach "in touch with unseen nature". Even worse, you might not even know what you are talking about if you had never experienced it!Originally posted by An Eternal Now:I think the wisdom of Emptiness is very very important.. but there is one more aspect, the aspect of luminosity. Lastly emptiness should not be just a form of conceptual understanding but in the form of mindfulness.
This is why in many circles, Buddhism is seen as "escapism". Please, Buddhism is not about escapism and if you continue to teach Buddhism like this, you are doing Buddha a great disservice. -
Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:
It is not about jumping the gun. Discussions are always made in accordance to conditions. I don't talk about things like "Self-Liberation through Seeing with Naked Awareness" to beginners. That thread is meant for those who are already at that level to intuitively experience it. I have clearly stated so in the thread itself.
I decided to participate in your forum because I think that you are jumping the gun. You need to get "relative reality" right before you teach "in touch with unseen nature". Even worse, you might not even know what you are talking about if you had never experienced it!
Anyway the emptiness you are talking about is not relative truth either. Relative truths cannot lead to liberation. Emptiness is ultimate truth, it is the 'transcendence' factor. If we 'apply' the insight of emptiness in the form of mindfulness, we will be able to remain liberated ('small liberation') in daily lives. Eventually if we practise correctly we will attain the 'great liberation'.This is why in many circles, Buddhism is seen as "escapism". Please, Buddhism is not about escapism and if you continue to teach Buddhism like this, you are doing Buddha a great disservice.
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Buddhism is not about escapism. It is about awareness... with awareness and wisdom we will be able to know things as it is. We will not be lost in ignorance. This 'knowing' itself which is not the same conceptual knowing is also form of 'luminosity'. Awareness give rise to wisdom. Buddhism is always about insight and wisdom, never about escapism. -
I made that post because I was having a discussion with "path_seeker" about applying Emptiness teaching to daily living and you jumped in with 'luminosity'. It is just a suggestion but I think that as a Mod, you should simply answer people's questions and not "jump the gun". I believe that is not helpful. I believe that will only confuse people. Sorry if I sound very opinionated.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:It is not about jumping the gun. Discussions are always made in accordance to conditions. I don't talk about things like "Self-Liberation through Seeing with Naked Awareness" to beginners. That thread is meant for those who are already at that level to intuitively experience it. I have clearly stated so in the thread itself.
Anyway the emptiness you are talking about is not relative truth either. Relative truths cannot lead to liberation. Emptiness is ultimate truth, it is the 'transcendence' factor. If we 'apply' the insight of emptiness in the form of mindfulness, we will be able to remain liberated ('small liberation') in daily lives. Eventually if we practise correctly we will attain the 'great liberation'.
Buddhism is not about escapism. It is about awareness... with awareness and wisdom we will be able to know things as it is. We will not be lost in ignorance. This 'knowing' itself which is not the same conceptual knowing is also form of 'luminosity'. Awareness give rise to wisdom. Buddhism is always about insight and wisdom, never about escapism.. -
I think I shouldn't mention about 'luminosity' as it can cause confusion. But anyway mindfulness is essential to apply the insight of emptiness in every moment... conceptual understanding is not enough. Without mindfulness, our minds will be stuck in content/'relative truth'. We will not see the emptiness factor. With mindfulness, we can see things as it is, we can 'investigate'/observe the emptiness factor moment to moment.Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:I made that post because I was having a discussion with "path_seeker" about applying Emptiness teaching to daily living and you jumped in with 'luminosity'. It is just a suggestion but I think that as a Mod, you should simply answer people's questions and not "jump the gun". I believe that is not helpful. I believe that will only confuse people. Sorry if I sound very opinionated.
Emptiness is not about a form of knowledge, but for us to observe moment to moment. To observe, first of all our minds should be empty (i.e not grasp on the content of our thoughts). We should let go of all our attachment, even the knowledge of emptiness. (Knowledge is empty! And even Emptiness is Empty!) But an empty mind does not mean one loses awareness. With an empty mind, we become more investigative, aware. We become aware of the nature of all external things, as well as our own thoughts and inner reactions. Gradually we will understand, and not become attached.
With mindfulness, we will become aware of the ungraspable-ness of things, the constant fluctuation, lack of self, lack of inherent existence, and even the interdependence of everything. -
While it is true that you cannot "conceptualize" it, you can see "the effects"; the fruits that leads to skillful living and a successful life. I believe that you should emphasize that.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:I think I shouldn't mention about 'luminosity' as it can cause confusion. But anyway mindfulness is essential to apply the insight of emptiness in every moment... conceptual understanding is not enough. Without mindfulness, our minds will be stuck in content/'relative truth'. We will not see the emptiness factor. With mindfulness, we can see things as it is, we can 'investigate'/observe the emptiness factor moment to moment. Emptiness is not about a form of knowledge, but for us to observe moment to moment.
With mindfulness, we will become aware of the ungraspable-ness of things, the constant fluctuation, lack of self, lack of inherent existence, and even the interdependence of everything. -
What kind of effects do you mean?Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:While it is true that you cannot "conceptualize" it, you can see "the effects"; the fruits that leads to skillful living and a successful life. I believe that you should emphasize that.
Anyway all effects are also empty
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You see? You are teaching escapism.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:What kind of effects do you mean?
Anyway all effects are also empty -
You are ignoring the Emptiness is Form part! Please break free from your illusions.
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This is a good read: http://buddhism.kalachakranet.org/wisdom_emptiness.html
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Acquiring all this wisdom is for what? Successful living! Happiness! Joy! Peace!Originally posted by An Eternal Now:This is a good read: http://buddhism.kalachakranet.org/wisdom_emptiness.html
Enlightenment is not something that you can work towards. Enlightenment happens suddenly at an instance. You can only tell people about Enlightenment. You cannot teach people how to become Enlightened.
What you can do is teach people to recognize the illusions that they have. Those that smashed their own illusions help other with illusions to smash theirs. Those that have cross a lake turn around and help those behind to cross it. One by one, one step at a time... To do that, you answer people's questions one by one in a way that they can understand and appreciate. This is what I hope this forum becomes. -
How can it be? Since all is empty of inherent existence, what is there to escape from? All self-arises out of conditions, self-liberates in its own accords. Whatever effects is to be seen in this way.Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:You see? You are teaching escapism. -
Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:
Successful living, happiness, joy, peace is some effects of practising. However it should be clarified that Buddhists does not practise just for any worldly benefits. The kind of Bliss taught by Buddha is about Nirvanic bliss. This is different from worldly benefits. Yes, all humans seek bliss and should aim for this, not just any worldly happiness which are basically unstable. Emptiness allows us to 'see through' these worldly things. Whatever worldly happiness is empty of inherent existence, dream-like, constantly fluctuating, as a matter of fact when grasped it is a source of Dukkha, it should be seen as such.
Acquiring all this wisdom is for what? Successful living! Happiness! Joy! Peace!
Enlightenment is not something that you can work towards. Enlightenment happens suddenly at an instance. You can only tell people about Enlightenment. You cannot teach people how to become Enlightened.
The bliss that comes from emptiness is not dependent upon any conditions or life situation. If it were, it is unstable, impermanent. The bliss of Nirvana, Liberation is through Clarity. It does not depend upon successes in life, or whether your life situation permits you to be happy at that moment. Bliss emanates from clarity is different from these. Highly enlightened people may easily become bankrupt as well. Although the Wisdom of Buddhism will help us become more successful people, these are not the ultimate aim of practising. We do not practise for something impermanent. Our true nature is unmoving, regardless of anything.
If nothing can be done to attain enlightenment, then Buddha would not have taught anything. There is no need to practise either. Eightfold path leads to enlightenment. Buddha's teachings is very direct. You can't attain enlightenment by lazing.What you can do is teach people to recognize the illusions that they have. Those that smashed their own illusions help other with illusions to smash theirs. Those that have cross a lake turn around and help those behind to cross it. One by one, one step at a time... To do that, you answer people's questions one by one in a way that they can understand and appreciate. This is what I hope this forum becomes.
I do encourage questioning and discussion here. -
http://www.jenchen.org.sg/buddhism.htm
What is blissful culture? Why does humanity need a blissful culture?
The culture of purifying the human mind is blissful culture
Humanity is constantly seeking happiness in this world. However, no matter how hard it tries, it is somehow unable to find happiness. Instead, it encounters calamities and more calamities. In fact, all these calamities are the creation of the mind.
In the beginning of this earth, there were only the heavenly and human realms of existence. The realms of hell, hungry ghost, animal and asura did not exist. But, as humanity progressed through time, the human mind began to change. They developed more and more affinity for evil - greed, anger, ignorance, delusion and foolish thoughts which gave rise to the acts of killing, stealing and sexual misconduct. Happiness gradually diminished and the six realms of cyclic existence evolved out of humanityÂ’s evil mind.
In todayÂ’s society, the unhappiness of human beings largely results from the countless evil deeds that he has committed. These evil deeds stem mainly from three karma - our bodily action, speech and thought. Thoughts are basically our thinking. If our thoughts are filled with evil thinkings, these will be manifested in our actions. For example, our unkind thoughts of someone may translate into harsh words from our mouth or even into a painful action with our hands. When we do these, we are creating evil karma.
Our thoughts generate greed, anger and delusions. Through our speech - in the form of telling lies, frivolous talk, slandering and rude or harsh speech; and through our bodily actions by way of killing, stealing and sexual misconduct. This is just a simple explanation. It would be endless to go into details. These three karma bring upon ourselves a lot of sufferings and unhappiness. Therefore, if humanity wants to achieve happiness in life, then he should try to eradicate all these evil deeds which stem from greed, anger, ignorance, killing, stealing and sexual misconduct.
Many religions teach us to do good and avoid doing bad. Buddhism, in particular, besides teaching us to refrain from all evil deeds and to do all good deeds, also teaches us to purify our minds. Once we have a healthy mental culture, naturally our minds will not be filled with greed, anger, ignorance, and other evil thoughts and actions. We must be aware that the mind controls our speech and actions, it all arises from our minds. Minds are also our thoughts. It is because humanity lacks wisdom and awareness that we are constantly deceived by our minds. We fail to understand the real meaning of karma, or cause and effect. We do not know if our actions will hurt ourselves or others; or if they are beneficial or harmful. Hence, unhappiness and sufferings follow.
Humanity wants happiness and dislikes sufferings. But, due to the lack of wisdom, we do not know how to free ourselves from our sufferings. However, if we learn from BuddhaÂ’s teachings - practise to purify the three karma of bodily actions, speech and thoughts, our wisdom can be cultivated. Once we have wisdom, whatever we think, speak and do, the actions will be beneficial to ourselves, to others and to the world. These eventually lead to happiness and the world will be filled with brightness and hope.
Henceforth, we can say that the culture of Buddhism is also Blissful Culture.
What is Human Bliss Culture?
The Culture of Buddhism is the Voice of Bliss
What is Human Bliss Culture? We should ask the question in reverse: "What is Human ‘Un-bliss’ Culture?" Since there is bliss culture, therefore there is ‘un-bliss’ culture. The world today has many teachings, including those that teach people to commit evil. Lets think it over. In fact, all humanity originally has bliss, why did it diminish? It is because we human beings destroy our bliss by not observing the rules and the precepts.
To use a simple illustration, it is like putting a tea cup at the centre of the table. It is very safe and beyond the reach of small children. If it is put along the edge of the table, then it is very vulnerable to falling and breakage. To replace the broken cup means having to sacrifice twice. If a child places the tea cup at the edge of the table, then the mother will quickly exhort him to move it to the centre. Adults understand the need to put it at the centre of the table, but young children donÂ’t. In fact, this is a precept.
The regulations about what can or cannot be done are precepts. In fact, everyone needs to observe precepts and be good citizens. Good citizens need to abide by the laws, and that is observing the precepts. Therefore, Jen Chen Buddhism refer to precepts as ‘means of safeguarding blessings’. ‘Safeguarding blessings’ means safeguarding our own blessings, the blessings which resulted from the virtuous deeds committed in the past. This is analogous to putting the tea cup in the proper place. In fact, all the *Dharma Doors taught by Buddhism is the Voice of Bliss. This Voice of Bliss is spoken by Buddha for all of us. All the teachings of Buddha are meant for we, human beings, to attain the highest order of bliss. If everyone comes to learn Buddhism, cultivate and achieve the pure Nirvana, then, of course, that is the highest, fullest and most complete, and most ultimate bliss. Therefore, the culture of Buddhism is Bliss Culture.
In many countries, particularly Europe and America, people generally understand what is a Bliss Culture. But, they do not necessarily know what is Buddhism Culture. Therefore, we refer to ‘Buddhism Culture’ as ‘Bliss Culture’. The sutras expounded by Sakyamuni Buddha is the standard for Bliss Culture. And, when promoted in this manner, in time to come the entire humanity of the world will be able to pursue the principles that bring bliss as expounded by the Buddha.
* Dharma doors : The doctrines of Buddha regarded as the door to enlightenment; methods of cultivation.
The title of your Dharma talk is Human Bliss Culture; why then when you answer questions from the audience you did not mention Human Bliss Culture at all? Many of my friends here and I would like to know what is Human Bliss Culture.
The culture of Buddhism is Bliss Culture
It is because the bliss culture that you have in mind and what I have in mind are different. The bliss culture that you have in mind may be how to prosper with great wealth and fortune, or how to have a good wife in order for the family to have bliss. In this manner, the definition of bliss is too narrow! We need to know that the culture of Buddhism is the real bliss culture. If everybody is able to attain the ultimate Nirvana, then this is indeed the real bliss culture.
The purpose of our learning Buddhism is to distance from suffering and attain happiness. Many people think that to distance from suffering and attain happiness means going to the Western Pure Land. In fact, it is not only this. When we distance from suffering and attain happiness, we have to instantaneously distance from suffering, instantaneously attain happiness and liberation. Some people may be suspicious; how can liberation be attained so easily? In fact, it is very simple. If someone scolds you, and you apologize to him, then that is a small liberation. If someone hits you, and you retaliate; an eye for an eye, then isnÂ’t that very miserable? What happen if that results in loss of life? Even though you are rude to me, I will still apologise very politely to you. IsnÂ’t that being liberated? This is Jen Chen BuddhismÂ’s teaching of liberation. If whilst alive, we cannot even attain small liberationÂ’s like this, then what more to say of liberation after death? In the course of our daily lives, if we are liberated at every moment, then in time to come we will be able to attain the great liberation. Please think it over, isnÂ’t this a very blissful? This is but to use a small matter to illustrate the path of liberation. If we are able to understand more of the Buddha-Dharma and apply them in our life, family, society, country, and to the extent of the entire humanity of the world, then isnÂ’t this a great bliss culture? Therefore, we say that the culture of Buddhism is Bliss Culture.
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