Very happy to know about this forum

• Evangelion84

  17 Oct 07, 21:57

  I am new to Buddhism too.
  
  So far, my knowledge about Buddhism was gained through reading on the internet and interacting and reading in this forum..
  
  Is it possible to practise Buddhism just by learning from the internet and Buddhism: Wisdom Bliss forum?
  
  Or is there a need to attend Dharma or mediation classes
  
  Cheers =)
• An Eternal Now

  17 Oct 07, 22:00

  Originally posted by Evangelion84:

  I am new to Buddhism too.
  
  So far, my knowledge about Buddhism was gained through reading on the internet and interacting and reading in this forum..
  
  Is it possible to practise Buddhism just by learning from the internet and Buddhism: Wisdom Bliss forum?
  
  Cheers =)

  I think to practise Buddhism you need to learn and guided by an enlightened teacher... what most of us unenlightened people know are nothing compared to what the masters know. We ourselves have not have the wisdom and experience and can only share what limited knowledge we know, and other articles etc.
  
  Therefore, it is important to find an enlightened teacher (ming2 shi1) and practise dharma under his/her guidance. In this way you will be able to progress fast in your practise and on your way to enlightenment.
• An Eternal Now

  17 Oct 07, 22:06

  THE ZEN TEACHINGS OF BODHIDHARMA
  
  ...To find a Buddha, you have to see your nature." Whoever sees his nature is a Buddha. If you donÂ’t see your nature, invoking Buddhas, reciting sutras, making offerings, and keeping precepts are all useless. Invoking Buddhas results in good karma, reciting sutras results in a good memory; keeping precepts results in a good rebirth, and making offerings results in future blessings-but no buddha. If you donÂ’t understand by yourself, youÂ’ll have to find a teacher to get to the bottom of life and death. But unless he sees his nature, such a person isnÂ’t a tea6er. Even if he can recite the Twelvefold Canon he canÂ’t escape the Wheel of Birth and Death. He suffers in the three realms without hope of release. Long ago, the monk Good Star 21 was able to recite the entire Canon. But he didnÂ’t escape the Wheel, because he didnÂ’t see his nature. If this was the case with Good Star, then people nowadays who recite a few sutras or shastras and think itÂ’s the Dharma are fools. Unless you see your mind, reciting so much prose is useless.
  
  To find a Buddha all you have to do is see your nature. Your nature is the Buddha. And the Buddha is the person whoÂ’s free: free of plans, free of cares. If you donÂ’t see your nature and run around all day looking somewhere else, youÂ’ll never find a buddha. The truth is thereÂ’s nothing to find. But to reach such an understanding you need a teacher and you need to struggle to make yourself understand. Life and death are important. DonÂ’t suffer them in vain...
  
  ~ 1st Zen Patriarch, Bodhidharma
• Evangelion84

  18 Oct 07, 17:25

  I see...
  
  Hmm.. How do i start going about looking for Dharma & Mediation classes or a teacher who can guide me?
  
  Cld u recommend somewhere dat is reputable?
  
  I live in the west area tho, in jurong lol.
  
  Cheers =)
• Spnw07

  18 Oct 07, 20:32

  Originally posted by Evangelion84:

  I am new to Buddhism too.
  
  So far, my knowledge about Buddhism was gained through reading on the internet and interacting and reading in this forum..
  
  Is it possible to practise Buddhism just by learning from the internet and Buddhism: Wisdom Bliss forum?
  
  Or is there a need to attend Dharma or mediation classes
  
  Cheers =)

  Hi, welcome to learning more about Buddhism. Like what AEN has said, there is indeed a need to attend Dharma classes and learn under a wise and caring teacher (that would take some time to find though). Most of time I spend more time reading Buddhist books, scriptures and listening, watching, old or latest audio or visual materials.
  
  Lots of foundation work needs to be prepared if and when you are interested in becoming a Buddhist in the future. Or else, you will somehow feel bored or disgusted with Buddhism one day and turn to other religions, which is not bad in my opinion, but something ke3 xi4 as Buddhism does has its unique benefits and definitely lots of learn from and about.
  
  Hope that one day your interest in Buddhism will lead to taking refuge in the Triple Gems, becoming a Buddhist in name and then later a Buddhist in deed.
  
  Take care, and all the best. ^_^
  
• geforce

  19 Oct 07, 00:36

  Welcome
• Isis

  19 Oct 07, 00:40

  Originally posted by Evangelion84:

  I see...
  
  Hmm.. How do i start going about looking for Dharma & Mediation classes or a teacher who can guide me?
  
  Cld u recommend somewhere dat is reputable?
  
  I live in the west area tho, in jurong lol.
  
  Cheers =)

  There is one meditation center by monks near Tiong Bahru MRT.
  There is meditation class on every Wednesday and Thursday, at 7.30pm.
  There will be a upcoming Dharma talk by a visiting venerable on 21 to 23 Oct.
  
  Interested ?
  
  re-edited to add the link: http://www.smcmeditation.org/
  
• Evangelion84

  19 Oct 07, 23:24

  Originally posted by Isis:

  There is one meditation center by monks near Tiong Bahru MRT.
  There is meditation class on every Wednesday and Thursday, at 7.30pm.
  There will be a upcoming Dharma talk by a visiting venerable on 21 to 23 Oct.
  
  Interested ?
  
  re-edited to add the link: http://www.smcmeditation.org/
  

  Thanks for recommending me SMC =)
  
  Yup, this looks interesting
  
  Are u a member there? How do u find the place?
  
  It says "Meditation & Dhamma Talk", that means there would be a talk after the mediation?
  
  Also, is the mediation Vipassana meditation?
  
  Btw, what do you think of Vipassana meditation centre?
  
  http://vmc128.8m.com/
  
  Sorry for asking for many questions....
  
  Thanks =)
• Evangelion84

  19 Oct 07, 23:28

  Originally posted by Spnw07:

  Hi, welcome to learning more about Buddhism. Like what AEN has said, there is indeed a need to attend Dharma classes and learn under a wise and caring teacher (that would take some time to find though). Most of time I spend more time reading Buddhist books, scriptures and listening, watching, old or latest audio or visual materials.
  
  Lots of foundation work needs to be prepared if and when you are interested in becoming a Buddhist in the future. Or else, you will somehow feel bored or disgusted with Buddhism one day and turn to other religions, which is not bad in my opinion, but something ke3 xi4 as Buddhism does has its unique benefits and definitely lots of learn from and about.
  
  Hope that one day your interest in Buddhism will lead to taking refuge in the Triple Gems, becoming a Buddhist in name and then later a Buddhist in deed.
  
  Take care, and all the best. ^_^
  

  Thank you for your encouragement =)
  
  I am quite busy these days, though I hope to find time to attend Dharma and mediation classes so as to broaden my knowledge of Buddhism
  
  
• Isis

  19 Oct 07, 23:30

  Hi Evangelion84,
  
  I quite like the place. U see, i have difficulties having the discipline to meditate and so it could be good for me to attend this meditation class. I feel comfortable meditating there.
  
  The venerable teaches Vipassana meditation and other types of meditation.
  
  There is dharma talk after the meditation.
  
  We are pleased to invite you to a series of Dhamma discussions by Sayadaw Dr Dhammapiya the Abbot of Mettananda Vihara, Fremont, California. Please refer to the attached for his biography. Details are as follows:
  
  Date & time:
  21 Oct (Sun) 4 - 5 pm (in ENGLISH) Dhamma Talk 1
  21 Oct (Sun) 7.30 - 9 pm (in BURMESE) Dhamma Talk 2
  22 Oct (Mon) 7.30 - 9 pm (in ENGLISH) Dhamma Talk 3
  
  Topics:
  Dhamma Talk 1 - The spiritual way of Thinking (Yoniso-manasikara)
  Dhamma Talk 2 - The conditions of declining of the Buddha-Sasana
  Dhamma Talk 3 - Does Nibbana exist?
  
  However, I have not been to Vipassana meditation. The place looks good too.
  
  You are welcome
  
  isis
• airgrinder

  19 Oct 07, 23:52

  These temple that give teachings, sorry, am not too sure of the correct terminology, what do they look like?
  
  I got invited to one sometime ago for business purposes. It's a big altar inside a HDB flat in woodlands. There are many big cushions for the worshippers to knee and pray. Then there is this guy in roles asking all the new people to come forward and knee down on the cushion (abt 12 people). Then he conducted chant a series of stuff, and the newcomers have to follow his instructions, stand, bow, knee, a few times.
  
  After that they have free vege meals, and the whole group will "break up" into smaller groups, where a member from the temple will talk about buddism.
  
  Is it something like that?
• An Eternal Now

  20 Oct 07, 00:10

  Originally posted by airgrinder:

  These temple that give teachings, sorry, am not too sure of the correct terminology, what do they look like?
  
  I got invited to one sometime ago for business purposes. It's a big altar inside a HDB flat in woodlands. There are many big cushions for the worshippers to knee and pray. Then there is this guy in roles asking all the new people to come forward and knee down on the cushion (abt 12 people). Then he conducted chant a series of stuff, and the newcomers have to follow his instructions, stand, bow, knee, a few times.
  
  After that they have free vege meals, and the whole group will "break up" into smaller groups, where a member from the temple will talk about buddism.
  
  Is it something like that?

  Dharma centers, monasteries, etc.
  
  But it's in a private home in this case, so I dunno what term to be used.. lol
  
  I think different traditions have different ways. Do you know what tradition is that, and who is their teacher?
• Evangelion84

  20 Oct 07, 00:38

  Originally posted by Isis:

  Hi Evangelion84,
  
  I quite like the place. U see, i have difficulties having the discipline to meditate and so it could be good for me to attend this meditation class. I feel comfortable meditating there.
  
  The venerable teaches Vipassana meditation and other types of meditation.
  
  There is dharma talk after the meditation.
  
  We are pleased to invite you to a series of Dhamma discussions by Sayadaw Dr Dhammapiya the Abbot of Mettananda Vihara, Fremont, California. Please refer to the attached for his biography. Details are as follows:
  
  Date & time:
  21 Oct (Sun) 4 - 5 pm (in ENGLISH) Dhamma Talk 1
  21 Oct (Sun) 7.30 - 9 pm (in BURMESE) Dhamma Talk 2
  22 Oct (Mon) 7.30 - 9 pm (in ENGLISH) Dhamma Talk 3
  
  Topics:
  Dhamma Talk 1 - The spiritual way of Thinking (Yoniso-manasikara)
  Dhamma Talk 2 - The conditions of declining of the Buddha-Sasana
  Dhamma Talk 3 - Does Nibbana exist?
  
  However, I have not been to Vipassana meditation. The place looks good too.
  
  You are welcome
  
  isis

  Hi Isis,
  
  Thanks for your information
  
  I wld consider SMC, since its nearer
  
  I feel that in the meantime, I would try to read up as much as possible, so that I can understand the teacher better and also to corroborate what I have read with his teachings.
  
  Cheers =)
  
  
• Isis

  20 Oct 07, 01:07

  btw u can also listen to Dharma talk online via podcast and mp3.
  
  http://www.bswa.org/modules/mydownloads/viewcat.php?cid=4
  
  The monk: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajahn_Brahm
  
  His talk can be humorous at time.
  
  
• Evangelion84

  21 Oct 07, 22:31

  Originally posted by Isis:

  btw u can also listen to Dharma talk online via podcast and mp3.
  
  http://www.bswa.org/modules/mydownloads/viewcat.php?cid=4
  
  The monk: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajahn_Brahm
  
  His talk can be humorous at time.
  
  

  Oic, thanks
  
  Wow, there's quite a lot of podcast talks
• snowstar

  22 Oct 07, 00:30

  Isis, which one will u be attending??
• Isis

  22 Oct 07, 10:53

  Originally posted by snowstar:

  Isis, which one will u be attending??

  " What is nibbana???? " which is today......
  
  And perhaps the talk on Wednesday.......
  Hmmmmmmm...... still thinking about it, aiya, i just can't make up my mind.
  
  hohoho, interested in the talk?
  
  If u r, then increase the % of moi "wanting to go"