beside chanting OM MANI PAD MEH HOM ........................
-
hmm see hu u meet lo.. if u have real bad karma.. those tings dun care whether u got wisdom or peace or chant wadeva tings.. imo every mantra got diff effect.. da bei zhou... if u wan to ward off asuras n above.. no use de -.- they love it.. if having peace n wisdom is enuff.. buddist temple no nid to put the 4 heavenly kings on top of the temple .. guan di and wei tuo inside the temple le ma..
as for normal dirty tings.. chant wadeva ting oso can.. but watch out for tat da bei zhou oso.. chant at wrong time not beri gd =.= -
Not just da bei chou.. u can chant other Buddha name too.Originally posted by metalcar:hmm see hu u meet lo.. if u have real bad karma.. those tings dun care whether u got wisdom or peace or chant wadeva tings.. imo every mantra got diff effect.. da bei zhou... if u wan to ward off asuras n above.. no use de -.- they love it.. if having peace n wisdom is enuff.. buddist temple no nid to put the 4 heavenly kings on top of the temple .. guan di and wei tuo inside the temple le ma..
as for normal dirty tings.. chant wadeva ting oso can.. but watch out for tat da bei zhou oso.. chant at wrong time not beri gd =.=
Like Namo Guan Shi yin pusa, Namo Amituofo, Di Zhang Wang Pusa and other chanting.
The dharma protectors will come to your protection. If you have taken the five precepts and has kept them. You are also under protection for every one precepts that you keep.
Please don't say wisdom is not important when you meet those beings. It is because of past life karma cause, it because of ignorance that leads you to have the karmic conditions to meet them. It is also what trapped us in samsara and suffer. It is also ignorance that lead those devious beings to come and attack you.
All dharma, in their true essence are equal; neither high or low, neither more or less..
/\ -
di zhang wang pusa.. oh ya.. TS.. u can go temple every 7th month chant di zhang pusa pu wen pin.. after tat u say "yuan yi ci gong de, hui xiang yu wo de yuan qing zhai zu".. as for those hu noe u got really bad karma.. n if u can.. go chant oso lo.. there might be sum bad effects happenin on u..Originally posted by Isis:Not just da bei chou.. u can chant other Buddha name too.
Like Namo Guan Shi yin pusa, Namo Amituofo, Di Zhang Wang Pusa and other chanting.
The dharma protectors will come to your protection. If you have taken the five precepts and has kept them. You are also under protection for every one precepts that you keep.
Please don't say wisdom is not important when you meet those beings. It is because of past life karma cause, it because of ignorance that leads you to have the karmic conditions to meet them. It is also what trapped us in samsara and suffer. It is also ignorance that lead those devious beings to come and attack you.
All dharma, in their true essence are equal; neither high or low, neither more or less..
/\
.
hmm "It is also ignorance that lead those devious beings to come and attack you." .. hmm wad does this mean .. err maybe u can enlighten me abit.. -
I need to go out now..Originally posted by metalcar:di zhang wang pusa.. oh ya.. TS.. u can go temple every 7th month chant di zhang pusa pu wen pin.. after tat u say "yuan yi ci gong de, hui xiang yu wo de yuan qing zhai zu".. as for those hu noe u got really bad karma.. n if u can.. go chant oso lo.. there might be sum bad effects happenin on u..
.
hmm "It is also ignorance that lead those devious beings to come and attack you." .. hmm wad does this mean .. err maybe u can enlighten me abit..
maybe AEN or someone can enlighten you. -
ahh ok cya
-
i guess i am better now but it is just that i could not practise 2 of the five precepts like not to lie n not to go n visit gigoloOriginally posted by Isis:Hi kumangal,
It is a good thing to do good deeds and with wholesome intention of dedicating merits to them so that they will alleviate of suffering or to be well and happy. Do continue to practise chanting.
Do you still commit bad deeds in this present lifetime? It seems like a never-ending cycle for u to repay karmic debts, don't u think ?
Spirtual practice come from understanding of what you are doing now. Read up dharma book, attending dharma talks by dharma teachers. It could bring your spirtual practice to another level. With better understanding, wisdom and faith will develop and you can resolve obstacles in your life better. Blind faith isn't wise and is not encouraged by the Buddha.
And you can also dedicate the merits to them while listening to dharma talks. -
Originally posted by bohiruci:
As said, how are you going to prove that they are indeed and genuine established masters? If you believe that it is your own belief. We are of not that level and are unable to truly know what is in their mind. And as said, it is not as if all of the suttas in the tipitaka ask you to recite the 6-syllabus mantra. There are more meaningful and practical things to do.
\
I am still back to the point .If Buddha introduces various Bodhisattva who encourage for centuries the practice of reciting Om mani Padme Hum and
reciting Namo Amitabha for centuries alot of people have realised Great Wisdom and Energy to overcome Difficulties ,I am still surprised why are you still here , emphasising your own view of Buddha Sakyamuni
I am pretty amused
If you can attain the Whole Dharmakaya and become a Buddha based on your so-called experience
I will definitely bow to you .If not , pls respect the [b]established practice for centuries
[/b]
If you have notice the difference between the Early Buddhist Teachings and the latter developments of Buddhism, recitation of mantra and buddha name are obviously expedient methods. In fact in the Pali Canon, I think Buddha mentioned that reciting of dhrani (at that time He was refering to the bramins) are meaningless activities.
Reciting of mantra and buddha-names were a latter development in order to make Buddhism an easier approach. It is so obvious that you don't see any mantra in Pali Canon and mantra only appears from Mahayana onwards.
I don't see myself as emphasizing my own view, rather I hope that people would not be so easily taken popular view and believing Buddhism to be just that --- reciting. There are many important things. If recitation can indeed lead to enlightenment, then Buddha must have wasted His time in preaching the Turning of the Dhamma Wheel Sutta to the pioneer 5 bhinkhus. Might as well just ask them to recite then settle liao what.
I always believe that Buddha had definitely gave an alternate view as compare to many mainstream religion.
What alternate view?
And that the spiritual advancement is about the quality of the heart, not some rituals or rites to be performed.
But of course if you sincerely believe that just by reciting 6-syllabus mantra itself is enough for enlightenment, then all the best to you. -
That 6-syllabus mantra if to be interpreted literally really means that. Of course you can add in other meanings if you like to. Like a certain lama said 1 syllabus representing shutting down the door to 1 realm. And therefore shutting the doors of 6 realms of rebirth. Symbolically sounds nice and inspiring lah (to be honest), but technically and doctrinally speaking there are many flaws to it.Originally posted by bohiruci:
I do not think that I have injure my buddha-nature. I used to recite buddha-name too. We have to advance from there. It is a fact.
Even if you reborn to Amitabha's pureland, you can only attain Mahasattva, still cannot attain Anuttraksamyaksambodhi. It is a fact.
So since we are here as human, then make good use of this human life for practice lo.
How come you like not supportive in Buddha's Noble Eightfold Paths? It is preached in the very first sermon in the Buddha's discourses. You are like more interested in preaching what is more popular. -
Noble Eightfold path is the basic of All teaching of Buddhism .I have never indicate any interest in what is more popular .Perhaps you should focus ,the thread starter is Kumangal ,not meOriginally posted by yamizi:That 6-syllabus mantra if to be interpreted literally really means that. Of course you can add in other meanings if you like to. Like a certain lama said 1 syllabus representing shutting down the door to 1 realm. And therefore shutting the doors of 6 realms of rebirth. Symbolically sounds nice and inspiring lah (to be honest), but technically and doctrinally speaking there are many flaws to it.
[/quote]
there isnt any flaws with that .Its just that you not convinced that Avalokiteshvara Great Compassion Ability .
Whether or not you advance from there , doesnt warrant the explanation "simply " in your earlier post .If you not sure , just say not sure .
I do not think that I have injure my buddha-nature. I used to recite buddha-name too. We have to advance from there. It is a fact.
Or if you simply dun rejoice in such practice ,follow what Isis does in the other thread
quote "Isis said :perhaps you can ask AEN or other on the forum "
Even if you reborn to Amitabha's pureland, you can only attain Mahasattva, still cannot attain Anuttraksamyaksambodhi. It is a fact.
[/quote]
of course we cannot attain Anuttrasamyaksambodhi in Pureland .Its hard fact
the highest is still Apipachek [Final stage of Mahasattva] ,but remembering our purpose is not to stay there to becomes Buddha ,but to go back to Saha World .I can tell you if other slack in Western Paradise, I wont .Thats priceless value stated for this promise .
yup,thats right
So since we are here as human, then make good use of this human life for practice lo.
[quote]
How come you like not supportive in Buddha's Noble Eightfold Paths? It is preached in the very first sermon in the Buddha's discourses. You are like more interested in preaching what is more popular.
You have the basics rite ,but where you proceed from there ?I guess its impt for you to ask yourself this question
I dunno your answer ,only you yourself does -
Originally posted by yamizi:
then may I ask how you going to prove that Om mani Padme hum doesnt work since so many master have accomplished and Great Realised
[quote]
As said, how are you going to prove that they are [b]indeed and genuine established masters? If you believe that it is your own belief. We are of not that level and are unable to truly know what is in their mind. And as said, it is not as if all of the suttas in the tipitaka ask you to recite the 6-syllabus mantra. There are more meaningful and practical things to do.
You have not recited the basic requirement leh :10,000 per day
I guess that if you take a closer look at Expedient means , there are a thorough discussion on expedient means.Mani recitation is said by Sakyamuni
If you have notice the difference between the Early Buddhist Teachings and the latter developments of Buddhism, recitation of mantra and buddha name are obviously expedient methods. In fact in the Pali Canon, I think Buddha mentioned that reciting of dhrani (at that time He was refering to the bramins) are meaningless activities.
himself .I was quite interested as you compared brahmin reciting of dhrani to buddhism dharani , so do you know what the brahmin recited ?source ?
if you dont know dont make a fool of yourself when you meet Buddha
you are contradicting .You lumped two different sentence of different ideas to a paragraph. Thats not proper english
Reciting of mantra and buddha-names were a latter development in order to make Buddhism an easier approach. It is so obvious that you don't see any mantra in Pali Canon and mantra only appears from Mahayana onwards.
historically you are right ,but technically you are showing an assumption
I don't see myself as emphasizing my own view, rather I hope that people would not be so easily taken popular view and believing Buddhism to be just that --- reciting. There are many important things. If recitation can indeed lead to enlightenment, then Buddha must have wasted His time in preaching the Turning of the Dhamma Wheel Sutta to the pioneer 5 bhinkhus. Might as well just ask them to recite then settle liao what.
Buddha knows His Job well .You dont need to tell him what to do
Have we mentioned pompous ritual like singing hymns first then must put Big Joss Stick then in a Big temple ?no .It still a recitation ,why you bring this subject into the forum proper when I have never mention anything on ritual?
I always believe that Buddha had definitely gave an alternate view as compare to many mainstream religion.
What alternate view?
And that the spiritual advancement is about the quality of the heart, not some rituals or rites to be performed.
ya ritual is too long-winded , culture aspect is abit burdening alot of people ,
but simply reciting without all this ritual is still possible
u need Great Wisdom. If You havent reach the level ,dun start thinking Mani Recitation cannot lead to First realisation
But of course if you sincerely believe that just by reciting 6-syllabus mantra itself is enough for enlightenment, then all the best to you.[/b]
Like a infant who dont know how to run , have to crawl first .
First lets summarise the whole view of discussion
Some like Kopi-O kosong , some kopi-O siu tai or Kopi (like me)
Since Avalokiteshvara Who out of Great Compassion introduce the
Om Mani Padme Hum recitation for all sentient beings
does it mean that we see the words we liberated.NO!
Practise is the hardwork needed .
Pureland school , Esoteric school are different approaches to the Question of Life and Death ,but they all going to one source ,Buddhahood .
Attaining Buddhahood is alot of hardwork .If the seeds is not even cultivated ,
whats the point of dwelling in the richness of Buddha teaching when dont wish to realise for oneself ,and insist on a certain teaching ?
Some Mahayana master dun rejoice in Amitabha recitation ,but they still prostrate to Amitabha .It personal "family mannerism " in the Buddhist family
Likewise ,if you feel no need to develop faith (saddha) ,just practise on , then you are taking a mere academic aspect of the whole teaching itself .Whats the point of Buddha keep emphasising Faith , Understanding ,Practice and Realisation .
Dear Yamizi ,
Walk out of your ivory tower and open your mind towards other school of practise .
You will realise the Lotus Sutra will Guiding you
Walk the Lotus Sutra ,not Lotus Sutra walk (hog) you -
Originally posted by longchen:
Yes!
Just my opinion,
If one want to really clear karma, there is no easy way out. Must pass through some difficult period of time. Karma is habituated energy... can be mental, physical or emotional.
In fact, the whole need to fix things is a karmic grasping.
Yes and what prevents the seeing? Images may or may not appear but the mind more often than not filters before the ‘seeing’.
For karma resolution, one does not really need to see what happened in the past life in order to be healed.
Truly so! You may want to see ‘clearing’ from another perspective.
One is however required to be very 'attentive' to whatever sensations and reactions that arises. By allowing these sensations and feeling to arise and not habitually block them with fear and mental denial, we may actually discover new ways of viewing/experiencing a condition that allow for karmic release.
It is important to know how to just let whatever that arises to be just that and not allowing chains of thoughts to mess up the situation.
Since there is merely letting whatever arises to subside on their own accord with luminous clarity, it is not so much of 'clearing' of karmic propensities. It is rather a ‘non-re-enforcing' process. Ignorance unknowingly deepens the tendencies due to dualistic action.
I used to find this a great challenge because the sense of self never fails to arise during challenging conditions but that is perfectly fine now. However one must know the exact reason why it is fine and the mechanism of how karmic tendencies works. This knowing of 'exact reason' is not a form of rational deduction but rather a form of reflection due to clarity of the process when there is non-interference.
If it doesn’t arise, it is not cleared. The very arising is itself a clearing process; otherwise with a ‘seed’ latent and without condition for it to arise, how is it cleared? Therefore one must turn ‘conditions’ to practice.
Pure presence cannot be understood apart from conditions. Not only physical conditions but to all conditions including mental, social, economical, political and spiritual, not to mention business conditions
Also the inherent compassion that is within us can soften some unpleasantness and aid in the resolution.
Also, conventionally, because the body can be subjectable to harm. Sometimes, there may be a need to response in a way that get the body out of harm's way. So, it is not just a case of 'all is illusion' that leads to the disregard of the physical condition. No doubt at another level, 'body is not mine' but compassion nevertheless necessitate a skillful response in the conventional sense.. Still the mirror sensation void of a center must be experienced as clear as possible in all circumstances. That is the whole purpose of having insight into emptiness -- seeing spaciousness for every arising condition. While non-dual experience dissolves the Subject-Object split, emptiness nature dissolves the Presence-Conditions split.
Just a sharing. -
Wow! Another wonderful post by Thusness.Originally posted by Thusness:Truly so! You may want to see ‘clearing’ from another perspective.
Since there is merely letting whatever arises to subside on their own accord with luminous clarity, it is not so much of 'clearing' of karmic propensities. It is rather a ‘non-re-enforcing' process. Ignorance unknowingly deepens the tendencies due to dualistic action.
I used to find this a great challenge because the sense of self never fails to arise during challenging conditions but that is perfectly fine now. Smile However one must know the exact reason why it is fine and the mechanism of how karmic tendencies works. This knowing of 'exact reason' is not a form of rational deduction but rather a form of reflection due to clarity of the process when there is non-interference.
If it doesn’t arise, it is not cleared. The very arising is itself a clearing process; otherwise with a ‘seed’ latent and without condition for it to arise, how is it cleared? Therefore one must turn ‘conditions’ to practice. Mr. Green
>>>>..........
Pure presence cannot be understood apart from conditions. Not only physical conditions but to all conditions including mental, social, economical, political and spiritual, not to mention business conditions. Still the mirror sensation void of a center must be experienced as clear as possible in all circumstances. That is the whole purpose of having insight into emptiness -- seeing spaciousness for every arising condition. While non-dual experience dissolves the Subject-Object split, emptiness nature dissolves the Presence-Conditions split.
Just a sharing.
Thusness, you wrote it so clearly
Thanks for the sharing. -
Hehe…Ur articles are full of sincerities and have given ‘yuan’ for me to reflect my understandings. The benefits are reciprocated -- one body, one manifestation.Originally posted by longchen:Wow! Another wonderful post by Thusness.
Thusness, you wrote it so clearly
Thanks for the sharing.
How amazing is this ‘bond of I and mine’ that separates. The reason why awareness is separated from conditions of arising is the same reason why a finger is separated from our head. Allow a worldview contaminated by subject-object dualism (learnt) to dissolve and see the world of emptiness and self-liberation as it is. No ‘I’ and ‘No Mine’ turns the dharma wheel. All conditions, all arising is self-clearing and marvelously perfect but imperfectly treated by the illusionary view of ‘I’ and “Mine’. From my point of view, every condition, every arising, everywhere and every moment, the arising are dharma voices, the entire process is chanting in action – Maha! Unborn, Uncreated, Unending, Great and Marvelous!
Seriously look into 'Emptiness'. For a non-dualist, it will be experienced as self-liberating. It doesn't matter whether one is a Buddhist or free thinker, simply incorporate this great teaching into our daily lives.
Homage to Buddha. -
Hi bod,Originally posted by bohiruci:u need Great Wisdom. If You havent reach the level ,dun start thinking Mani Recitation cannot lead to First realisation
Like a infant who dont know how to run , have to crawl first .
First lets summarise the whole view of discussion
Some like Kopi-O kosong , some kopi-O siu tai or Kopi (like me)
Since Avalokiteshvara Who out of Great Compassion introduce the
Om Mani Padme Hum recitation for all sentient beings
does it mean that we see the words we liberated.NO!
Practise is the hardwork needed .
Pureland school , Esoteric school are different approaches to the Question of Life and Death ,but they all going to one source ,Buddhahood .
Attaining Buddhahood is alot of hardwork .If the seeds is not even cultivated ,
whats the point of dwelling in the richness of Buddha teaching when dont wish to realise for oneself ,and insist on a certain teaching ?
Some Mahayana master dun rejoice in Amitabha recitation ,but they still prostrate to Amitabha .It personal "family mannerism " in the Buddhist family
Likewise ,if you feel no need to develop faith (saddha) ,just practise on , then you are taking a mere academic aspect of the whole teaching itself .Whats the point of Buddha keep emphasising Faith , Understanding ,Practice and Realisation .
Dear Yamizi ,
Walk out of your ivory tower and open your mind towards other school of practise .
You will realise the Lotus Sutra will Guiding you
Walk the Lotus Sutra ,not Lotus Sutra walk (hog) you
I think my final reply to you along this thread.
I think you'd definitely missed my point. As said, if anyone find recitation an aid to their cultivation and hence build a firmer faith in practice then I am really okay with it.
But to say that it is the only guaranteed way to gain enlightenment then I will have to disagree. Because to my understanding, it is definitely not so. If 6-syllabus mantra-reciting is the only way, that would have undermine the various other methods of cultivation as well.
Again with the many cultivated masters, I will hold my horse for this as no one can read another's mind thoroughly, so I will not be so fast to claim that they are enlightened master, and moreso what you claim the enlightenment they had through 6-syllabus mantra reciting.
Because as I had mentioned earlier which I believe you had definitely missed it (if not you would not keep using these "masters" over and over again), 6-syllabus mantra recitation is only one of the many methods that are prescribed in the Tipitaka. As AEN had also mentioned, repentance is a good method in clearing past negative kamma.
For you to keep insisting that such recitation is the sole and only way would only suggest that you are either
a. has little understanding in development of the buddhist tipitaka in history
b. apparently shut out other methods for cultivation
c. has little or no regards to other methods for cultivation
What I am suggesting here is just to shed an alternate light and hoping that buddhists will be thinking about their faith more than just believing as it is. As much as sadda (faith) is needed, as buddhist and rationale human beings we would have probably need to comprehend a little further to what we than just simply follow heresay.
I need no recite to 10000 times of that per day as I could have used the time to do other more meaningful things. Probably talking to my parents, do my homework, working out to keep fit, etc.
I again stress that if anyone think that reciting that mantra is important then please keep it in your practice.
For me I am much appreciative of what the Buddha had taught about living the here and now. That practical living integrated with buddhistic doctrines is then a practice to me.
There was this real incident. This sangha (to protect his/her ID so I said sangha) attending a meeting with a group of people. In it there was this layman kept reciting 6-syllabus mantra. Besides the need for him to talk, rest of the time he just kept reciting and it was actually very irritating. The sangha commented that that is definitely not a practical way of reciting there and then as it would be better to be focus on the meeting into solving issues then kept on reciting! I am not sure whether or not you want buddhists to be morphed into someone like him.
And bod, if you really think reciting 6-syllabus mantra can gain enlightenment and solve your problems, then you should quit your job, stop whatever you're doing (including coming to forum) and then just recite and gain that enlightenment! Wouldn't that be great?
But no, you hop into here, make a din out of a view that doesn't follow the mainstream idea. It is as if I am telling you that the Earth is spherical and you keep harping that it is flat.
And that you say you won't be lazy when you reach pureland, that we won't know, so you can say whatever you like and giving yourself a picture of a hardworking cultivator.
I definitely agree with you that different people need different methods of cultivation, as I stress again (as I sincerely believe you'd missed it many times), to me recite buddha-name, mantra are only one of the many methods available and to keep insisting that to be the only way is something that I have to disagree.
And the first sermon preached, is the fundamental principle which is large inferred to in the latter development of buddhist practice. -
(The following is a continuation of Yamizi's reply, segmented them due to length)
Having the correct perception in the things we see and hear (right understanding). With the right EQ, attitude, aptitude, etc (right thoughts), hence we will do and say the right things and words (right speech, actions, livelihood). Accompany with the correct understanding of Dhamma, we should have a firm and determined confidence (right effort), in applying Dhamma by being kind to ourselves and others (right mindfulness). And that buddhist should be focus by living in the here and now(right concentration).
Or I maybe don't know about 6-syallbus mantra-reciting practice itself can omit such practice of the Noble Eightfold Paths.
But if you take the reciting as a compliment practice to right mindfulness and concentration, that I can agree.
I never doubt the compassionate power of Avalokitesvara but I have more confidence in the compassionate power of Lord Buddha. Or are you trying to imply that Buddha is more inferior as compare to Avalokitesvara?
And bod,
I really have nothing against you, except that when you start to lose your footing in reasoning in a rationale and logical manner, you will start personal attack like what you have mentioned
"You will realise the Lotus Sutra will Guiding you
Walk the Lotus Sutra ,not Lotus Sutra walk (hog) you"
I definitely believe that you are either
a. has little idea what Lotus Sutra is really about
b. has little idea that what I have understood from Lotus Sutra
Now let me give you a general idea of what Lotus Sutra is.
The primary, important and main idea from the Lotus Sutra (LS) is to tell you the our Sakyamuni Buddha has attained His enlightenment in the remoteless beginning (which means beginningless lah) and that the various Fa Hua Zong (would include Tiantai and Nichiren Buddhism) scholars would interpret that Sakyamuni is a direct incarnate (sorry guys, can't find a more appropriate term) of the Dhammakaya.
It is also knowned in LS that all other Buddhas are merely the manifestations from Sakyamuni Buddha. Believers of LS are supposed to have unshakable faith in this fact.
Then how about practice?
Well they are included too! That due to the different capacities of sentient beings, Buddha then taught about the 4 Noble Truths (including Noble Eightfold Paths) to the Sravakas, realising the 12 Dependant Origins for the Pratyaka and completing the 6 Paramitas for the Bodhisattvas. I often tell people that LS has summarised the Mahayana Teachings because all these are mentioned and they compliment each other in practice! Of course LS wouldn't have the capacity in elaborating each of these, but from these, we can go to the other sutras that are specialise in these fields and to have a better and further understanding.
Now these practices (besides dependant origins as that would more of a mental/spiritual realisation) are what we can do in our daily lives! How else can these practices not be done?
Example, see an old blind man wanting to cross a busy traffic. You can either
a. recite Om Mani Padme Hum and gain enlightenment (which I don't see any pratical help from here, probably some miracle will happen)
OR
b. being a thoughtful and considerate buddhist (right thoughts, mindfulness), you offer your little time and effort (right effort, dana parimita) to help the probably clueless and frightful (cos he blind and can't see the traffic) blind man to cross the road (the dana in remove the fear from others, as mentioned in Chapter 25 of LS, one of the qualities of Avalokitesvara, and ya you have become the 'miracle' for the blind old man).
Which practice is more meaningful and add value to humanity as a whole?
I am not sure with bod but I believe the rest of the readers would already have seen and understood my point.
In Chapter 16, where Sakyamuni Buddha told Matrieya Bodhisattva that the time He had used in perfecting the Parimitas is twice of His lifespan.
Now, wait a minute, how can one do something that is beyond one's lifespan?
Here Sakyamuni Buddha meant that the practice became part of His life and that the parimitas are no longer "practiced" but has become natural and part of the manner in how Buddha deal with other people!
Now the impression I have from the Tipitaka, is that Sakyamuni Buddha always exude this calmness, tranquil, kindness, encouraging speech, considerations for others, etc.
I don't see the whole of the Tipitaka "Om Mani Padme Hum" all the way.
Bod,
I don't consider myself to be any ivory tower. I just hope that buddhists would one day really dive into the Sutta Pitaka themselves and study the Dhamma instead of just following what is the mainstream is believing.
Ehipassiko.
Come and see, not come and just believe in hearsay. It is very easy for any religious followers to be delusioned if they have no idea in the rationality behind the practice they are undertaking.
As I had mentioned to AEN, I recite dhranis too. Chapter 26 of LS are full of dhranis. I have never doubt their prowess but I don't treat them as the only practice, I only see them as a complimentary practice to my belief.
Before you start 'advising' me of open my mind to other schools of thought, I believe I have never close in the first place. I also believe that different people will probably need different practising methods. However, I would appreciate more if the methods are practical and relevant to our daily lives. We are laypeople afterall.
And lastly, really, I am definitely okay with people who recite 6-syllabus mantra, or any other mantra or buddha-name, but I definitely do not agree if one is to say that recitation is the sole method to attain enlightenment. And I am a buddhists, not master-ist. Sakyamuni Buddha reminded us in the Parinibbana Sutta that we should infer the Dhamma not the person. Not saying these masters are no-good, but I see it as that the Buddha encouraged us to dwell into the Dhamma ourselves.
I believe and hope that at least the rest of the readers in this forum understood my stand because I believe that bod will probably missed my point again. -
Errrrrr......... Gigolo .Originally posted by kumangal:i guess i am better now but it is just that i could not practise 2 of the five precepts like not to lie n not to go n visit gigolo -
Then cut down your lying and visiting to gigolo lo.Originally posted by kumangal:i guess i am better now but it is just that i could not practise 2 of the five precepts like not to lie n not to go n visit gigolo
Better than not improving any of these mah.
Tio bo? -
Kumangal is so brave.
-
Originally posted by yamizi:
it depends:
If recitation can indeed lead to enlightenment, then Buddha must have wasted His time in preaching the Turning of the Dhamma Wheel Sutta to the pioneer 5 bhinkhus. Might as well just ask them to recite then settle liao what.
reminds me of the great compassion of Shakyamuni Buddha which brought about the transformation of the lowly monk Culapanthaka to become one of the most respected figures in early Buddhism. His older brother, Mahapanthaka, was celebrated as an articulate and wise monk, a commanding figure in the Sangha, while Culapanthaka was the very opposite: dim-witted and bumbling in speech. Unable to memorize even a single line of the teaching, he was the object of ridicule by his fellow monks. He regarded himself as a total failure; his inferiority complex knew no end.
One day when the Buddha saw Culapanthaka in tears, having been ordered by his brother to return to lay status, he called him aside and assured him of help on the path of enlightenment. The Buddha showed empathy for his plight and gave him a simple refrain to repeat each time he swept the monastic compound as part of his daily task: "Take away the dirt, sweep away the dust." After rehearsing and repeating this phrase countless times, even though he sometimes forgot the precise wording, Culapanthaka attained a breakthrough. The constant repetition affected the deepest layer of his psyche, as he realized that dirt...
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/cgi/search/search.pl?Terms=Culapanthaka+
Culapanthaka is a great example in both Theravada and Mahayana(esp pureland).
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I do think that Yamizi has his points as well, I think other than reciting, what is also important is to practice a wholesome path as a Buddhist, practicing the 8 fold path, the ten paramitas, cultivating both blessings (fu) and wisdom (hui).
At the same time chanting is also a good practice depending on the persons' conditions. As long as we do not emphasize it to the point of neglecting other areas of development.
Given the widespread misunderstanding that Buddhism is about chanting all day or meditating all day and that it has little relevance to our lives, we should work towards clarifying what the Buddhadharma is about. We should look deeply into the dharma, learn and cultivate in our everyday lives. -
http://www.jenchen.org.sg/cultivat.htm
In cultivation, at what state of the mind does one awaken? What is the state of awakening like?
The correct concept of cultivation
First of all we need to understand what is cultivation. Some people think that cultivation means not having an occupation but to be engaged in the daily activities of prayers to the Buddha, meditation or chanting the sutras. The actual purpose of cultivation is to eradicate our undesirable conduct and to maintain our good conduct. In other words, to follow the Bodhisattva path in emulating the practices of the Bodhisattvas. When we know the meaning of cultivation, then we understand its purpose, which is to eradicate our self serving and evil habits and thus reduce our negative karma. However, many people do not understand this principle and they misinterpret its meaning. Actually, not only those who have renounced to be Buddhist monks or nuns need to cultivate, lay-Buddhists also need to cultivate, if not more diligently. Even those who do not subscribe to any religion need to cultivate. Cultivation is not only a matter for monks or nuns alone.
What is cultivation? Where do we practise cultivation? Let me tell you a story: More than twenty years ago, I took four years to cultivate as I travelled across the country. Step by step, I covered Taiwan by walking. Once when I was in Hua-Lian, an elderly Buddhist asked me, "Master! A monk should reside in the temple to meditate, pray and chant sutras, but when you travel about what are you cultivating? I replied, "ThatÂ’s right! I am cultivating. Sakyamuni Buddha teaches us to cultivate our conduct. He does not encourage us to cultivate sitting down! In the past few years I had been practising sitting meditation, now I wish to travel about. While walking and also amidst all my other activities, I do not commit evil deeds, I chant the names of the Buddhas, I praise and commend others, I tell people about the Dharma, I avoid the places of vice, this is the way I cultivate."
Thus, to cultivate means cultivating in the midst of our activities. This is a point that many people do not understand. They think that cultivation will result in a society that is pessimistic and low-spirited. This is a mistake. Jen Chen Buddhism advocates cultivating in the midst of our daily activities. Many retired old folks have no need to attend to household chores anymore, thus they can afford to spend their time to chant the names of the Buddhas and to cultivate in the midst of their leisure. However, there are many housewives who need to tend to their children, household chores and many other matters. How do you expect them to cultivate in their leisure? Thus, the need to cultivate in the midst of their activities; while cooking they could chant the names of the Buddhas and the Bodhisattvas. No matter what activities they are engaged in, it is always possible to cultivate. Instead of gossipping about our neighbours and friends or engaging in other frivolous talks, why not refrain from all these. This is cultivation. Therefore, only when we cultivate in the midst of our activities do we understand the meaning of cultivation. To cultivate in our leisure may cause others a lot of frustrations. For example, a husband may be upset because his wife neglects the household by spending too much time chanting or running from temple to temple. For her to introduce Buddhism to her husband, thus, would not be an easy task. If she understands the principle of cultivating in the midst of her activities, it would be acceptable to the husband. Should he be invited to places of vice, he would know how to turn them down because his wife is a diligent cultivator. Both husband and wife are then cultivating at the same time.
There will be progress in our society when we understand the principle of cultivation. Otherwise, society will backslide. Over the last few decades, I have come to realize that we need to cultivate wherever we are. When we possess the correct concept of cultivation, any time is an appropriate time for cultivation, any place can be the place for us to seek enlightenment. If each and everyone of us conduct ourselves in this way, then the world will become a pure land. If we think that we can only cultivate in the temples, or that we cannot cultivate when we are working, then it is very possible that we commit evils deeds without even knowing. When we are with Buddha every moment, and cultivate constantly, then we are truly practitioners of Buddhism.
As to when in the cultivation process does one awaken and what it is like to be awakened, only when you follow the guidance of the Dharma and put it into practice, will you know you have awakened: when you drink the water, only you know how warm or cold it is.
How do we practise Buddhism when we are so busy with our careers and constantly facing a shortage of time?
Cultivating amid our activities
Many of us think that learning and practising Buddhism means utilising Sundays, our rest days or daily, to pray or meditate in temples. This perception is neither right nor wrong. We may be busy with our work and other activities, but, Buddhism is best practised amid these activities. Should one be totally inactive or free, what else is there to practise?
It is common to see people working and singing at the same time; machinists talking while working the machines; housewives working on their chores and exhorting their children at the same time; others work with their minds preoccupied with all sorts of other problems not related to their work. In short, they may be occupied physically, but mentally, their minds are not free or empty. As such, does learning and practising Buddhism really pose a problem to our heavy schedules? This is definitely not so. A verse from the "Seven Buddhas" reads: "Avoid all evils; do all that are good; purify oneÂ’s mind. These are the teachings of all Buddhas".
So, we just need to purify our minds. While at work, although our body may be in action, it is actually amid these actions that we cultivate. The mind should not wander and the mouth should not chatter unnecessarily. We should concentrate on the work wholeheartedly, and constantly act on purifying our thoughts. This is practising Buddhism, and in fact it is the right approach. With this in mind, voice-cul2.jpg (8869 bytes)
the busier we are, the more opportunities we have in cultivating. Let us not treat Buddhism as a form of superstition and think that to practise means having to make extraordinary efforts such as going to the forests or temples to meditate or to chant.
A commuter, when travelling in a train for example, may emulate the mental purity of the Buddha, and listen to the rumbling of the wheels and at the same time rythmically chant the name of the Buddha or Bodhisattva so that the mind does not wander. Naturally the mind will become pure and calm. Learning Buddhism means emulating the mental purity of the Buddha. Buddha is one who has already attained perfect enlightenment, sublime wisdom and blessings. On the other hand the commoner has lesser blessings and wisdom. Still, he would have made tremendous advancements if he merely practises Buddhism amid his daily activities to the extent that he attains purity in his bodily actions, speech and thoughts.
Thus, no matter what we do, where we are or how busy we may be, we can still practise Buddhism. As long as we put this into practise, our wisdom will develop and our blessings will gradually grow. For this reason, Jen Chen Buddhism advocates practising amid the activities of our daily lives; practising without attaching to the notion of practice; maintaining awareness without attaching to the notion of awareness; and attaining without attaching to the notion of attainment. When we understand this principle and have no more confusions, we can be considered great practitioners of Buddhism....(cont. in webpage)
(continue reading in: http://www.jenchen.org.sg/cultivat.htm) -
y u say i am braveOriginally posted by knightlll:Kumangal is so brave. -
Quote from long chen:
For karma resolution, one does not really need to see what happened in the past life in order to be healed.
Quoted from Thusness:
Yes and what prevents the seeing? Images may or may not appear but the mind more often than not filters before the ‘seeing’. Smile
Hi
Don't mind...
can elaborate on what do u mean images may or may not appear but the mind more often than not filters before the 'seeing' ?
Interested to know the mechancism of the mind here. -
Nothing intense Isis. You should take it just to mean that the mind explains away what that is presented before it is understood by way of mere reflection. Actually many images surfaced but are filtered or explain away very rapidly. To the conscious mind, some of these images never even existed. The mind is not even aware of their existence. Nothing more than that.Originally posted by Isis:Quote from long chen:
Hi
Don't mind...
can elaborate on what do u mean images may or may not appear but the mind more often than not filters before the 'seeing' ?
Interested to know the mechancism of the mind here. -
Originally posted by yamizi:
Hi yamizi
Hi bod,
.....
But to say that it is the [b]only guaranteed way to gain enlightenment then I will have to disagree. Because to my understanding, it is definitely not so. If 6-syllabus mantra-reciting is the only way, that would have undermine the various other methods of cultivation as well.
...[/b]
I read through his posts, I think he never mention that chanting of the 6 syllabus mantra is the only way to enlightenment.
There are many ways lead to enlightenment, while one should focus on one practice, there is no need to criticize other practice which we are not that familiar with.