é™æ€è¯ Readings For Silent Reflection
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Cockroach Theory
The cockroach theory for self development
At a restaurant, a cockroach suddenly flew from somewhere and sat on a lady.
She started screaming out of fear.
With a panic stricken face and trembling voice,she started jumping, with both her hands desperately trying to get rid of the cockroach.
Her reaction was contagious, as everyone in her group also got panicky.
The lady finally managed to push the cockroach away but ...it landed on another lady in the group.
Now, it was the turn of the other lady in the group to continue the drama.
The waiter rushed forward to their rescue.
In the relay of throwing, the cockroach next fell upon the waiter.
The waiter stood firm, composed himself and observed the behavior of the cockroach on his shirt.
When he was confident enough, he grabbed it with his fingers and threw it out of the restaurant.
Sipping my coffee and watching the amusement, the antenna of my mind picked up a few thoughts and started wondering, was the cockroach
responsible for their histrionic behavior?
If so, then why was the waiter not disturbed?
He handled it near to perfection, without any chaos.
It is not the cockroach, but the inability of the ladies to handle the disturbance caused by the cockroach that disturbed the ladies.
I realized that, it is not the shouting of my father or my boss or my wife that disturbs me, but it's my inability to handle the disturbances caused by their shouting that disturbs me.
It's not the traffic jams on the road that disturbs me, but my inability to handle the disturbance caused by the traffic jam that disturbs me.
More than the problem, it's my reaction to the problem that creates chaos in my life.
Lessons learnt from the story:
I understood, I should not react in life.
I should always respond.
The women reacted, whereas the waiter responded.
Reactions are always instinctive whereas responses are always well thought of.
A beautiful way to understand............LIFE
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Originally posted by Dawnfirstlight:
Hi, Nice to see you here again. In Buddhism, we believe in reincarnation if one did not practice liberation in his/her lifetime. There are 6 rebirth realms (heaven, humans, demi-gods, animals, ghosts and hell). It is commonly believe reincarnation takes place within 49 days after passing. The best is do good deeds and dedicate merits to the deceased within 49 days to help him/her to be reborn in the 3 upper realms. However, if it's already passed the 49 days, good deeds can still be done on behalf of him/her and dedicate merits to him/her. This will help to relieve sufferings or shorten his/her stay in the 3 lower realms he/she already in or improve the conditions of his/her stay in the 3 upper realms.
I believe you have seen pet dogs which live better lives than some humans. �狗��命。These dogs are with merits. Even in ghosts realm, there are ghosts with merits�德鬼 and hungry ghosts 饿鬼. Again, merits play a part.
Thanks Dawn for the clear advice!
Hope everything is good on your side! Keep going with your enlightening posts!
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The day is done, and life dwindles accordingly.
Like fish with little water, what joy is there!
Let us all
Endeavor for good progress, as if to fight a fire burning on one’s own head.
Just keep impermanence in mind and guard against looseness.
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A radiant deity once asked the Buddha:
Those who dwell deep in the forest, Peacefully living the Noble life, Eating only a single meal a day, Why is their appearance so serene?
The Blesses Buddha responded:
They do not trouble over the past, Nor do they crave for any future, They live just with what is present, Therefore are their looks so serene!
By urging towards the yet unreal future, By longing back into a forever lost past, Fools verily dry up and wither away, Like a green creeper cut at the root.
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Very often we ask others to be nice and aggreable to us, otherwise we would complain, angry, or even use others' faults to punish ourselves. These are causes of vexation.
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One who is virtuous and wise
Shines like a blazing fire;
Like a bee collecting nectar
He acquires wealth by harming none!
Digha Nik�ya III, 188 -
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