A forwarded email I found to be interesting..
When I say that 'I am a Buddhist', I am not shouting that 'I am good, better than you or even close to being pure'.
Instead I'm shouting that 'I was lost in the pains, unsatisfactoriness and frustrations of the world, but now I'm walking a path that leads to progressive lessening of my greed and ignorance, lessening my attachments and sufferings day by day.'
When I say 'I am a Buddhist' I don't speak of this with a 'Holier than Thou' attitude, Never with a 'I am going to Heaven while you are on a one way ticket to Hell' mindset.
Instead I'm confessing that I am ignorant of much Truth and need the Buddha Dhamma to be my guide. If I am bad I have an equal chance as any of going to Hell, and if I am keeping my precepts well, I too have a well deserved holiday in Heaven.
When I say 'I am a Buddhist' I'm not trying to showone-upmanship or arrogance but I'm professing that I'm weak and need the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha as my Refuge to carry on.
When I say 'I am a Buddhist', I'm not bragging of success.
Instead I'm admitting I have failed time and again to let go of my Greed, Hatred and Ignorance, and need the Buddha Dhamma to help me develop qualities of Generosity, Loving Kindness and Wisdom.
When I say 'I am a Buddhist' I'm not claiming to be perfect.
In reality my flaws are far too visible, but the Buddha has taught that everyone of us is capable of purifying himself and attaining perfect wisdom of the Truths of life. He has given me the confidence that I too can evolve to be Enlightened.
When I say 'I am a Buddhist' I still feel the sting of pain, the aging of my body, illness and I have my share of heartaches and failures in this ceaselessly changing world, But the Dhamma has taught me to see the realities of life, to accept change and to handle it with wisdom. My physical body will inevitably suffer but my Mental pain is optional.
Namotassa bhagavato arahato sammasambuddhassa
Labels: Buddhism
5 Spiritual Faculties
5 Spiritual Faculties
1) Mindfulness
2) Concentration
3) Energy
4) Faith
5) Wisdom
Labels: Buddhism
Notes
Satipatthana Sutta
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.22.0.than.html
Samatha Practice:
To be referred
Labels: Buddhism
Quote: Mae Chee Kaew
"If you neglect to cultivate your inherent mindfulness and wisdom,striving only half-heartedly, the obstacles in your path will multiply until they block all sight of the way,leaving the end of the road forever in darkness" (Part2 -Renunciation)
A mind simplified and unified by samadhi becomes very deep,clear and powerful. Only by directing this focus to the practice of contemplation can true transcendent wisdom be attained. A profoundly insightful investigation of the body, feelings and the mind can uproot afflictions of craving, hatred and delusion, thus realizing the ephemeral and empty nature of all phenomena, eliminating craving and achieving freedom from the cycle of repeated birth and death. Concentration and wisdom must work together, propelling meditation towards its goal like the two wheels of a cart. The calm and concentration of samadhi enables wisdom to reach and remove deep-seated defilements through the use of specialized contemplative techniques. By uprooting these perversions, wisdom, in turn, deepens meditative calm. Thus concentration and wisdom work in tandem to guide the meditator along the Buddha's path to enlightenment. (MCK,pp.124)
Labels: Buddhism
Note
Note: To understand Dhammacakka & Dhammakuta further (to memorize and remember)
http://www.aimwell.org/Books/Pesala/Dhammacakka/dhammacakka.html
Current Musings: Mae Chee Kaew: Her Journey to Spiritual Awakening & Enlightenment
Perhaps, this blog should be put to end?
Labels: Buddhism
Meditation Retreat
Kadampa Meditation Retreat
21st May -23rd May 201022nd May (10pm)
Dear Blig,
Just thought I should write something out of this experience. What I'm thinking now isn't much,really. Sense of peace? Ah,yes!
But also, the same ol, 'ah, I should meditate more', and 'oh,I should do this more often' keeps ringing in my head, after each sitting session. The 'not enough' and 'the session was simply too short' would be my afterthought.
CompassionThis is one aspect I would need to contemplate on. I think I am familiar with
Metta(loving kindness) but- what is compassion? Some say, the ability to accept another the way he/she is. Like the simile, whereby, a person walking down the pathway with both hands filled with bagfuls of groceries. He is suddenly knocked over by another man. Just before he could utter anything rude, as he turned around, he realizes that the man who had knocked him over was a blind man. That blind man, he,too, was sprawled over and was finding his way again. And thus, with compassion- one is able to see the shortcomings of others. How little do I understand, let alone, practice, compassion. Because, like that man, instead of reaching out, hand in hand, helping one another, I would throw my hands up in the air, shocked or dismayed and announce to the world, how upset I had become as a result of the encounter.
Also, what is anger? Momentary insanity? Purely a loss-of-mind? Dissatisfaction? Fear? All of the above? Knowing anger is one thing - then, the next question is; what causes anger and most importantly, what will make anger go away!
Theoretically, watching the breath, being mindful of the rising and falling of the breath, watching the passing thought and feeling, sounds all so practical and usable. But, in the moment of anger and fury, the theory goes out the window! Well, for me, at least. I'm no expert, just a slow learner.
Expectation is another thing to watch out for. Of course, unrealistic expectation leads to disappointment. However, what about clear, realistic expectation? Although I understand that no individual should impose expectation on another but surely, some expectation would yield wholesome results!? ie. A mother expects her child to behave responsibly and dilligently in everything the child does.Surely, a bit of nudging can be a form of encouragement and discipline? Of course, if it doesn't happen, it would surely lead to disappointment but where would you draw the line? Right in the beginning, at the root of it all, and simply not set expectations at all? Surely,not? Especially so, when children needs rules and discipline set out clearly as a form of guidance.(I don't know!)
All theory seems just a waste of time if one doesn't investigate and look really deep inside. I have come to understand the workings of my mind in this retreat, at this point of time. Almost like a spotcheck. But alas! fleeting thoughts appear and disappear ever so frequently, a three monthly meditation session simply isn't enough! In fact, this retreat serves as a reminder that I should keep in check this very practice of meditation all the time.
The cultural differences didn't really bug me that much but I do admit, when the familiar becomes vague and then fades out into strangeness, I did 'decide' at that point, that 'this' isn't what I preferred. But, if I had a more open mind, I would say, ah, Mahayana,Tibetan, Vajrayana, Hinayana, Theravada- what doesit all matter? :)
As long as I could identify with a large chunk of the Teachings,does it matter if they had used different terminologies and rituals?
It really does raise lots of questions about what is 'right' and what is 'wrong'. In the end one has to make certain preferences yet at the same time, acknowledging that there are many other ways representing that certain idea. Perhaps, being compassionate means having the ability to see through these 'minor' differences and accepting all as the 'same'. Different yet simlar?
I guess, that could be an answer to part of anger as well. Anger could have arisen when two or more parties do not see eye to eye. Anger could arise when one fails to accept differences It took me a while to get to here and it definitely will take me longer time to adapt and adjust to this concept.
That right is not necessarily right, or absolutely dead, spot on right!(and vice versa)
From some of the meditation practice, I have also had the opportunity to 'take a look' at my passing thoughts.'Residue' thoughts which would appear out of nowhere but appear so strongl, alongside present times. Now, I say 'residue' thoughts because these thoughts (and associating feelings and images which forms part of the thought)seems like 'unfinished' business. Something I had to let time take its place and slowly see it fade away.One day these thoughts will not appear anymore, like forgotten events, totally discarded from the memorybank. Unpleasant thoughts and feelings from the past, why keep them anyway?
Then,arise the question:do I then, keep generating good thoughts,kind thoughts? Happy thoughts each time I meditate, or, take a step back, and observe, like a third party, watching the movie play its records?
How does one 'let go' of thoughts? Whether 'good' or 'bad', pleasant or unpleasant, past or dreamlike? Or is it just a bad movie one can never shut off? Too many experiences, external disturbances, chatterings, conversations, new ideas and plans- all these seems to obstruct the meditation practice- which is to slow everything down. It is simply,just too 'noisy'the outside world.
mmm...it's equally noisy inside!!That is why- the need to turn the attention inwards is SOo (crucially-just to emphasize!)important!
I wish I can create more opportunities like these for myself to practice meditation and contemplate.
(Vesak Day celebration is near, more opportunities to come.)
Labels: Buddhism
Suttas
Blig-
Listening to: Classics, lazy to list em.(ie,moonlight sonata, nutcracker, etc etc)
Been: organizing, planning, thinking (slowly), enjoying the peace & tranquility.
I know-this is the best time for meditation,but, the willpower to get one to sit down and sit still is, huge. I guess taht is what is meant by Sila,Samadhi,Panna. Sila,to get the morality right is the first part,the foundation. Samadhi, takes another level of commitment and effort. Only then,wisdom arises.
I look at this blog and am not sure what I want to write. But suttas are nice reminders so I will type it in:
Metta Sutta (Loving Kindness Discourse)One skilled in good, wishing to attain that state of peace should act thus:
He should be able, straight and upright,obedient, gentle and humble
He should be content, easy to support, with few duties, living lightly, controlled in senses, discreet, not impudent, unattached to families.
He should not do any slight wrong for which the wise might censure him.
May all beings be happy and secure.
May all beings have happy minds.
Whatever living beings there may be-without exception, weak or strong, long, large, middling, short, subtle, or gross.
Visible, or invisible, living near or far, born or coming to birth--
May all beings have happy minds.
Let no one deceive another nor despise anyone anywhere. Neither in anger or ill will should anyone wish harm to another.
As a mother would risk her own life to protect her only child, even so towards all living beings one should cultivate a boundless heart.
One should cultivate for all the world a heart of boundless loving-kindness, above, below,and cross, unobstructed, without hate or enmity.
Whether standing, walking or sitting, lying down or whenever awake, he should develop this mindfulness; this is called divinely dwelling here.
Not falling into erroneous views, but virtuous and endowed with visions, removing desire for sensual pleasures, he comes never again to birth the womb.
By the power of this truth, may I always enjoy well-being.
Sadhu,sadhu sadhu....!!!
Labels: Buddhism
The Trilogy of Anicca, Dukkha and Anatta - By Bhikkhu Bodhi
http://www.beyondthenet.net/dhamma/trilogy.htm
The Buddha says that we have to examine our experience in order to discover its most pervasive features, the universal characteristics of phenomena, namely, impermanence, unsatisfactoriness and egolessness or notself.
The Buddha says:
All formations are impermanent.
All formations are unsatisfactory.
All phenomena, everything whatsoever, are not self.
Formations are things which arise from causes and conditions. They include all compounded or formed phenomena. Although all formations around us have these three characteristics, we are unable to see them because our minds are ordinarily cloaked by ignorance. Ignorance is a mental factor which has been covering the minds of all sentient beings through beginningless time. It covers the minds of every one but the fully enlightened ones, the Buddhas and the arahants.
Ignorance functions in two ways, negative and positive. On the negative side it simply obstructs us from seeing things as they are; it throws up clouds of mental darkness. On the positive side, it creates in the mind illusions called perversions. Due to these perversions, we see things in quite the opposite way from the way they really are.
These perversions are:
(a) Perversion of seeing what is unattractive as attractive.
(b) Perversion of seeing what is Dukkha or unsatisfactory as pleasurable.
(c) Perversion of seeing what is impermanent as permanent.
(d) Perversion of seeing what is really not self as self.
These illusions give rise to craving, conceit, wrong view and all other defilements, and in that way we become entangled in dukkha.
These universal characteristics have to be understood in two stages: first intellectually, by reflection; and thereafter by direct insight or realisation through insight meditation. When we explain these intellectually, we should not make this a substitute for practice, but only take it as a guideline for understanding what has to be seen by the actual practice of insight meditation.
Labels: Buddhism
