Buddhism & Medium

silent...

   Whatever you said abt this medium sounds fishy to me . Regardless of whether he is a geniue medium or not , a real authentic medium will never ask you to be naked for him to cleanse your body . Not to even mention having to book hostel or do it at your home with nobody ard except for you and him only . Some medium are just 30% god possessed ( or possessed by whatever spirits our buddhist friend here prefer to call it ) and 70% still in their concious state or some not being possessed at all . Which means they may use their gods name to do make you do whatever they want cos they know you are at your wits end and is easy to manipulate and bluffed . Even if ok give them the benefit of the doubt that you really are not clean ( just assume only ) they will usually give you a talisman or a packet of jasmine soaked inside some water or ask you to go market get jasmine flower or maybe 5 diff colour of flower then " burn " the talisman ( if any ) let the ashes drop into the water to bath in WITHOUT THE MEDIUM BEING ANYWHERE AROUND YOU AND AT YOUR OWN PRIVACY OF COURSE .

    Remember  any medium whom ask you to be naked or near naked to let them " clean " your body is a faker . Most likely they are up to no good by trying to use gods name for their own beastly desire .

    As for our own fate , if you think that your life or fate is very bad then go do more charitable deeds or merits to help change your fate . Anyway my life isn't any better also so i've been trying to do more merits to help change my own fate . There is a saying which says " our present life is based on our merits and demerits of our past lives . But you can still improve it by doing more merits in your present life . "

Tks Maggot and TWE for your thoughts and time. Appreciate.

Originally posted by Windflower:

Hi Isis,

Tks for your post.

I have a few questions here:

1. Why do you recommend 'Buddha Tooth relics temple'. Is it because this place is very 'lin' and that it can grant wishes?

2. What is hte purpose of turning that dharma Prayer wheel? Does it really grant wishes?

3. What is 'dana'? What does it do it we do give dana to monks? What special things will happen if we manage to give dana to highly respected monks?

Tks in advance for your time.

Hi,

For your question 1 & 2:

The Dharma prayer wheel at Buddha Tooth Relics temple contains various sutra and if u turn it one round clockwise, it signifies that you have recited the sutras that are kept inside the prayer wheel. It helps to purify negative karma and obstruction, and to cause us to actualize the realizations of the path to enlightenment.

The practise according to wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_wheel

The rules surrounding the prayer wheels are very specific (although occasionally vary according to tradition). The practitioner must spin the wheel clockwise. This was determined because this is the direction the mantras are written. Before and after the practitioner turns the wheel, he or she must repeat the mantra, or no merit will be incurred by the wheels use. However, some traditions state that repeating a mantra simply (or greatly) enhances the effects of the prayer wheel, and just turning it has benefits and merits alone. Each revolution is considered as meritous as reading the inscription aloud as many times as it is written on the scroll. The wheel must not be spun frantically, but held straight (if a hand-held wheel) and turned smoothly with the motivation and spirit of compassion and bodhichitta (the noble mind that aspires to full enlightenment for the benefit of all beings). Which, it's been stated, are some of the benefits attributed to the practice of turning the wheel. It helps compassion and bodhichitta arise in the practitioner. The practitioner should also repeat the mantra as many times as possible during the turning of the wheel, and keep a calm meditative mind. Also, there's a tradition of asking the Buddhas and bodhisattvas to dedicate your accumulated merits to all sentient beings after a session of meditation (with or without the wheel).

For your question 3:

3. There are much benefits for giving dana to monks that has attain certain fruits of enlightenment. You can also give dana to temple or any monks. In a way, you are supporting the lifehood and dharma activites which in turn, benefits all the sentient beings.

GIVING (DANA)

By Bhikkhu Visuddhacara

Contents
1. Dana
2. Volition
3. Belief in Kamma
4. Resolution
5. Sharing of Merits
6. The Receivers
7. The Gift
8. Veyyavacca
9. Result of Dana
10. Walking the whole Path
11. Sanghika Dana

"May the Dhamma last as long as

My sons and grandsons,

And the sun and the moon will be

And may the people follow the path of the Dhamma,

For if one follows the path, happiness in this

and in other world will be attained. "

- King Asoka -

1. DANA

DANA is a Pali word that can be translated as giving, generosity, charity,
and liberality.

It occupies an important part in the Buddha's teaching, which is often
formulated under three headings - dana, sila, bhavana (giving, morality,
meditation or mental cultivation). That dana is one heading underscores its
importance. Buddhists should take heed and cultivate a good spirit of dana.

It is a first step towards eliminating the defilement of greed, hatred and
delusion (lobka, dosa, moha), for every act of giving is an act of
non-greed, non-hatred, non-delusion. When you give you have loving-kindness
(metta) and compassion (karuna) in your heart. So at that time greed, hatred
or ill-will, and delusion would be absent.

"Giving" is a word that has very wide connotations. It does not mean that
you give only to monks. It does not mean that you give only expensive
things. And it does not mean that you give only material things that cost
money.

For you can give many immaterial things which may count even more than
material things. What I mean is that when we are kind to each other, we are
giving kindness, gentleness, comfort, peace, happiness, etc. So we can give
by being kind. For example, we can lend a sympathetic ear to a troubled
person, listen to him (or her) with compassion and give him comfort and
encouragement.

To the troubled person, your giving time to listen to him is more important
than if he were to receive a material gift. So when we are living in a
community, we should cultivate care and concern for each other, reaching out
to help whenever we can. Then we give more kindness by speaking gently,
soothingly, not harshly or angrily. This can bring much cheer to people, as
the following poem shows:

Loving words will cost but little
Journeying up the hill of life
But they make the weak and weary
Stronger, braver for the strife
So, as up life's hill we journey
Let us scatter all the way
Kindly words, to be as sunshine
In the dark and cloudy day.

When we bring happiness into the lives of others, we are giving in a very
meaningful way. In this context, giving would mean more than just giving
material things. The attitude involved is also important.

For example, during the time of the Buddha, there was one, Prince Payasi,
who established a charity for ascetics and Brahmins, wayfarers, beggars and
the needy. And he gave such food as broken rice and sour gruel and also
rough clothing. A young Brahmin called Uttara was put in charge of the distribution.

One day Uttara made some uncomplimentary remarks about Prince Payasi. The Prince called him up and asked: "But why did you say such a thing? Friend Uttara, don't we who wish to gain merit expect a reward for our charity?"

Uttara replied: "But Lord, the food you give-broken rice with sour gruel-you
would not care to touch it with your foot, much less eat it! And the rough
clothes - you would not care to set foot on them, much less wear them!"

Prince Payasi then asked Uttara to arrange to supply better food and
clothing, and the latter did so. When Prince Payasi died he was reborn in an
empty mansion in a low heavenly realm. Uttara was reborn in a higher
heavenly realm in the company of the 33 gods.

This was because Prince Payasi had established his charity grudgingly, not
with his own hands, and without proper concern, like something casually
tossed aside. But Uttara had given the charity ungrudgingly, with his own
hands and with proper concern, not like something tossed aside.

This account from Payasi Sutta of Digha Nikaya shows the importance of
having true care and concern. So when doing dana, we should take care to
cultivate a heart of true loving-kindness and compassion. Buddhists are
taught to offer food, robes, medicine and monastery buildings to monks.
Monks are considered a field of merit and worthy of support.

It is understandable that Buddhists should give full support to the Sangha,
for the monks are the ones who are in a position to study, practice and
safeguard the Dhamma for the present and future generations. Without the
Dhamma, Buddhism would be lost. The monks too keep 227 precepts, which
restrain them from indulgence in sensual pleasures.

Lay Buddhists thus consider monks to be in a better position to cultivate
mental purity. So monks generally receive good support from lay Buddhists
and this is as it should be. But in the true spirit of dana, Buddhists
should not confine their giving to monks only They should relate well with
their fellow Buddhists, showing care and concern and sharing what they can.

Whenever somebody is in trouble and needs help, they should respond if they
are able to. Furthermore, they should extend the same loving-kindness to
society at large, to people of all races and creeds. They can donate
liberally according to their ability to hospitals, old folks' homes,
handicapped institutions and all worthy causes. They can also get together
and set up such institutions, Such a broad attitude will make life
meaningful and rewarding.

2. VOLITION

In doing dana, such as offering of food to monks, the donor should be happy
before, during and after the offering. This means that before the offering,
during the preparatory stage, the donor should go about the planning and
preparation happily.

He should realise and appreciate that what he is thinking, planning and
doing is very commendable and wholesome. He should be glad on that account.
Then when offering the food he should be happy, mindful and aware of what he
is doing. He should not be absent-minded and think about other things while
making the offering.

After the offering, whenever he recalls his good deed, he should rejoice and
be glad. Some people may not have such an attitude. For example, they may
have the intention to do dana but failed to carry it out. Or when doing
dana, they may not be mindful and are thinking of something else. And after
making the offering, some may even regret doing so. In this way, the result
(vipaka) of the deed varies.

There are instances in the Buddhist text where a person who regretted making
an offering to a monk, was later reborn with wealth which he, however, was
unable to enjoy because of miserliness. So we should take care to have
purity of mind before, during and after the deed.

3. BELIEF IN KAMMA

Furthermore, dana should be done with understanding of the law of action and
result (kamma-vipaka). We understand that we are the owner of our deeds.
Whatever we do will rebound back on us. Good will beget good, and bad will
beget bad. Dana when done with the belief in the law of kamma is accompanied
by wisdom.

So when we enjoy the results such as wealth in later or future lives, it
will be accompanied by wisdom. Not understanding and believing in the law of
kamma is a setback to the practice of meditation. Being strongly attached to
wrong views, it will be difficult to make progress and attain higher insight
knowledge and Nibbana.

To be continue in http://www.purifymind.com/Givings.htm

@ Windflower

I once spent up to 2 and a half month looking for a job , which is my current job. I was looking for  a "dream" job . Due to my inexperience and desperation , i applied for this job and many other jobs which only requires an N' level qualification. I have a diploma , but i think one cannot afford to be choosy when one is driven to despearation.

Current solution is , just get any job that you can find if you desperately need one. After applying jobs for over a year , you more or less know the reason for not getting a job liao.

Hi Windflower,

I think better not go to the medium.

Your main concern is to find a stable mean of earning a living. I think you should focus on that part.

The medium incident will only complicate your life.

All the best.

i think what u should do is look into ur job hunting skill.

i have know plenty of these fortune tellers, they always cheat u intendedly,or unintendedly.

The most valueable thing they tell u,is they can smoothen ur emotion.Give u confidence.

Tell u some secrets about this .If the advisee is female .they always looking forward some anwser they expected ,if u do not give them the answer,they will go to another one.

Looking at ur palm,it's so called 手相。it's never reliable.

Hi Isis, Longchen, knightIII, Rokkie,

Tks so much for your thoughts. I appreciate.

hi Rokkie,

I am not sure if i should call this medium as fortune teller, cos he is not quite. If i can summarise what i have experienced with him, he is like a person who has / claims to have god's powers.

What he usually does is to read my palm, sometimes write something onto my palms before he tells me things that I want to know. I also noticed that he will look at a person very intentionally for a few seconds before i sit down with him.

Perhaps hte most appropriate name ot call him is 'medium'.

btw, why do you say that palm reading is not realiable? You have experience of this?

palm reading ,i have read some stuff about it ,but i never trust it.just some fun.

And i never trust those so called medium.

如以色，声求我皆堕入魔����如�。

magic r always sth ppl looking for in buddhism ,but a real buddhist never claim that they have magic.even though they know it, they never make money of it.

if u go to a real buddhist ,i think he will tell u sth like this,u must drop down ,then there is no suffering arise.

i don't know what's ur problem, so i cannot advice.

i think u should listen to eternal now's advice

Originally posted by Isis:

Hi,

For your question 1 & 2:

The Dharma prayer wheel at Buddha Tooth Relics temple contains various sutra "

 

That is om ma ni ped mi hum.....mantra on the wheel...when you turn it one round means a recitation of once...........

 

 

 

 

 

Originally posted by knightlll:

@ Windflower

I once spent up to 2 and a half month looking for a job , which is my current job. I was looking for  a "dream" job . Due to my inexperience and desperation , i applied for this job and many other jobs which only requires an N' level qualification. I have a diploma , but i think one cannot afford to be choosy when one is driven to despearation.

Current solution is , just get any job that you can find if you desperately need one. After applying jobs for over a year , you more or less know the reason for not getting a job liao.

 

I would suggest one should be careful in choosing your very first job, becoz this will determind your career path...becoz from hoping industry to industry will greatly affect your human asset value. Do take note...find a job is tough, but yet...its a process in life, one should learn how to handle interviews and resume..as this are the crucial parts in job hunting..you ever wonder why you are not selected...sometimes its not that you are not qualified just that the person feel that you want to be overqualified in the position...meaning high expectation...It takes time to poblish your interview skills...I gone through many interviews....and just share some experiences here...

Meduimship is an art in taosim...one should further find out what it is all about, before we come to a own's defination of it...correct mindfulness.

As such art has been fake around by people to earn money, so just be careful, if you need to go to a medium to seek help, we should get someone who is verse in the knowledge of that to accompany one to the medium.

Fortune telling and geomarcy prediction is rather different from mediumship, the teller did not get process by any being, they use tactics to predict your destiny, but yet..its a prediction, could act only as a guide, if you believe in karma, then we should be more reflective in our own doings and do not let such prediction harass your life.

Originally posted by Bodhi hut:

 

Thanks for your advice. Savings was dwindling and CNY was around the corner at that time , thus have to take up the job , really cant afford to be choosy. However , the company's culture give me limited prospect. Now that with this job around , it gives me time to breathe and to save as much as i could. Minimum save $500 per month.

My second one will be of my choice and not forced by circumstance. ^ ^

Tks KnightII, Bodhi hut for your advises,

It is clear by now that i will not go to that medium anymore.

I appreciate the kindness that you guys give to me.

Originally posted by knightlll:

Thanks for your advice. Savings was dwindling and CNY was around the corner at that time , thus have to take up the job , really cant afford to be choosy. However , the company's culture give me limited prospect. Now that with this job around , it gives me time to breathe and to save as much as i could. Minimum save $500 per month.

My second one will be of my choice and not forced by circumstance. ^ ^

Sometimes its not how much a person earn...I always think of how much a person can save....earn more you have more satisfaction to fullfilled...especially if you own a car..like me...my car eat up 2/5 of my salary alway...

Originally posted by Windflower:

Tks KnightII, Bodhi hut for your advises,

It is clear by now that i will not go to that medium anymore.

I appreciate the kindness that you guys give to me.

Windflower,

you are most welcome...just add abit..dun let your perception comes into critical decision...always good to analyse problems with broken parts, and put these parts back..eventually the decision you made would be best suit you..

Tks LongChen,

I received your PM from AEN.

Tks to all too!

Originally posted by Bodhi hut:

 

Sometimes its not how much a person earn...I always think of how much a person can save....earn more you have more satisfaction to fullfilled...especially if you own a car..like me...my car eat up 2/5 of my salary alway...

Can try small cars and brands like Daihatsu and Perodua. They are bought over by Toyota and used Toyota engines. Save fuel as well.

Earn more , save more , use the money saved to earn more money. ^^

Anyway , it is always better to earn more than less. More power comes with more responsibilities.  I am sure Lord Buddha will agree with me . hehe.........

Buddhism says one's fate can be changed , however that person has to be in cultivation.

yes i think there is no such thing called fate ,life is unpredictable is one base of buddism ,诸行无常。And that's the fun part ,if u know when u r promoted when u married when u will dead .that's boring.

Originally posted by Windflower:

 

 "was feeling not comfortable with this idea cos i have heard of bad things like this. I asked him how it would be like and etc which he replies as that it can be a bit 'inconveient' cos I need to be naked but the important parts will be covered. "

Get a life pretty Windflower...just read up the newspaper and you can see lots of these cases..don't be cheated

if the so call medium is so powerful, you do not need to be naked to be cleansed. What's wrong with clothes on? If the material (clothing) can block the good power, I am sure it can also block the bad elements...