Buddhist Verses & Silent Readings For Reflection (静思语） - Part 6

[Nei Jia]

Dabao bento set from KMS back to office eat.

Bonus pics

I was there

 

[scheng1]

Offering Coffin to the poor

https://www.donationpohtecktung.com/index.php

Can donate online,is this website legit?

can donate locally at the give asia campaign or go down to 居士林

https://give.asia/campaign/funeral-service-for-unclaimed-bodies-3774#/donors

 

[Nei Jia]

Many Shifus used to organise chanting events and would give away FOC pendants with mantras before covid. Due to covid, no mega chanting events. If you are interested, I will pm you a Taiwanese lady who is in charge of a temple, you can whatsapp her and ask whether the following pendant is still available. PM me if you need her hp no. This is a super powerful pendant. Whatever protections it claims in the below pic are all proven to be true. I am convinced of the protection claims at the below pic because few incidents happened around me proven that they are all true. If other religions can't resolve the spirit possession issue, this pendant can resolve it with immediate effect.

I am wearing this pendant whenever I step out of my house. In the past, I didn't know its power till I discovered its incredibly power accidentally. Too many stories to tell.

Can I say that there are people that will never encounter those "incident".

Therefore there is no need for such pendant ?

Who would Shi Xiong recommend to wear such pendant ?

How would one know that he/she should wear ?

 

[AUTUMN&WINTER]

Can I say that there are people that will never encounter those "incident".

Therefore there is no need for such pendant ?

Who would Shi Xiong recommend to wear such pendant ?

How would one know that he/she should wear ?

I think you have mistaken that the pendant is only for protection against disturbance from spirits. If you read carefully, the protection is much more than that. I highlighted the incident is to prove it's incredibly power. During this uncertain time, Shifu recommended everyone to wear a pendant for protection.

 

[Aztral]

We are considered enlightened.

In 大乘, there are various levels of enlightenment. So when we reach Pureland, we still practise but we are considered enlightened. This is because there are still some levels to clear to reach buddahood. But we have jumped a lot of levels. If you practise other dharma doors, you may have to go many levels before you reach the Pureland "entry level". In addition, we still have to learn 法门 to 度众生.

Cheers, 南无阿弥陀佛

In 阿弥陀经: "又舍利弗，极乐国土众生生者皆是阿鞞跋致，其中多有一生补处，其数甚多，非是算数所能知之，但可以无量无边阿僧祇说。"

阿鞞跋致 = 三不退.

三不退

一、位不退：既修得之位，而不退失。也就是入菩萨位，不退于二乘位。认识到真理之后，我们就不会跟着邪法去走，见到光明之后，就不会再进入黑暗，入十住之位，不退生死之位。

二、行不退：对于所修之行法，而不退失。修六度法，不退于四谛法。四谛法是基础，是佛所说的方便法，而六度法是大乘法，是究竟法，修到六度法就不会退到于四谛法，入初地之成就，利他之行不退。

三、念不退：对于正念，而不退失。八地已去，得无功用智，念念入真如性海。达到八地菩萨这样的境界就是念不退，念念与三昧定相应，八地菩萨才能做到，念念入真如性海。真如性海就是真如三昧，三昧定。

八地菩萨 is a very high level !

菩萨 levels (highest at the top)
======

妙觉 - 圆教佛 level
等觉 - Guan Yin level
十地 <== When we reach PL
十回向
十行
十住 - start of enlighmentment
十信 - not enlightened

(there are 10 levels in each of the 十)

Those who need, english version's here

The 52 Stages of Bodhisattva Practice
The 52 Stages of Bodhisattva Practices are enumerated in Jeweled Necklace Sutra (菩萨璎珞本业经). The stages are systematic processes through which bodhisattvas advance from the time of their initial resolve until they finally attain Buddhahood.
The 52 Stages of Bodhisattva Practice consist of:
– 10 Stages of Faith
– 10 Stages of Dwelling
– 10 Stages of Behavioural Practice
– 10 Stages of Transferences
– 10 Stages of Development
– Stage of near-perfect enlightenment
– Stage of perfect enlightenment

10 Stages of Faith (十信)

The 10 Stages of Faith are also the 1st ten progressive stages in the 52 Bodhisattva Practices. All false views are subdued by 10 Stages of Faith. They are:

Faith (信心)
Remembrance (念心)
Zeal (精進心)
Wisdom (慧心)
Concentration (定心)
Non-retrogression (不退心)
Protection of the Truth (護法心)
Reflexive power (迥向心)
Precept (戒心)
Vow (願心)

10 Stages of Dwelling (十住)

The 10 Stages of Dwelling is the 2nd ten stages in the 52 Bodhisattva Practices. All false views on dwelling are cut off and all desires are subdued by 10 Stages of Dwelling. They are:

The stage of setting objective ( 發心位 )
The stage of clear understanding and mental control ( 治地位 )
The stage of unobstructed cultivation ( 修行位 )
The stage of acquiring the seed of Tathagata ( 生貴位 )
The stage of perfect expedience ( 方便具足位 )
The stage of the whole mind as Buddhas ( 正心位 )
The stage of non-retrogression ( 不退位 )
The stage of being Buddhas son ( 童真位 )
The stage of being the prince of the law ( 法王子位 )
The stage of Abhiseka ( 灌頂位 )

10 Stages of Behavioural Practice (十行)

10 Stages of Behavioural Practice is the 3rd ten stages in the 52 Bodhisattva Practices. These are the actions done for the benefit of others. They are:

Joyful service ( 歡喜行 )
Beneficial service ( 饒益行 )
Never resenting ( 無嗔恨行 )
Without limit ( 無盡行 )
Never out of order ( 離癡亂行 )
Appearing in ant form at will ( 善觀行 )
Unimpeded ( 無著行 )
Exalting the paramitas amongst all beings ( 尊重行 )
Perfecting the Buddhas law by complete virtues ( 善法行 )
Manifesting in all things the pure, final and true reality ( 真實行 )

10 Stages of Transferences (十迴向)

10 Stages of Transferences is the 4th ten stages of the 52 Bodhisattva Practices. All existence and attachment are subdued by Ten Transferences. They are:

Transference of salvaging all sentient beings, yet detaching from any form of sentient being( 救護一切眾生、離眾生相迴向 )
Transference of non-destruction ( 不壞迴向 )
Transference of equalizing all Buddhas ( 等一切佛迴向 )
Transference of reaching everywhere ( 至一切處迴向 )
Transference of the store of boundless virtues (無盡功德藏迴向 )
Transference of the good roots of equality and harmony ( 隨順平等善根迴向 )
Transference of viewing all sentient beings in equality and harmony ( 隨順等觀一切眾生迴向 )
Transference of the mark of True Suchness ( 真如相迴向 )
Transference of the liberation without any tie nor attachment ( 無縛無著解脫迴向 )`
Transference of equalizing the boundless Dharma-realm ( 等法界無量迴向 )

10 Stages of Development (十地)

The 10 Stages of Development is the 5th ten of the 52 Bodhisattva Practices. Each of the ten stages is connected to each of the Ten Paramitas practiced by the bodhisattvas. They are:

Pramudita ( 歡喜地 ) – the stage of joy, i.e. joy at having overcome the previous difficulties, and entering the path to Buddhahood.
Vimlala ( 離垢地 ) – the stage of purity, i.e. freedom from all possible defilement.
Prabhakar ( 發光地 ) – the stage of illumination, i.e. further enlightenment.
Arcismati ( 焰慧地 ) – the stage of glowing wisdom.
Sudurjaya ( 極難勝地 ) – the stage of mastery of utmost difficulty
Adhimukhi ( 現前地 ) – the stage of open mind, i.e. the open way of wisdom above definitions of impurity and purity
Duramgama ( 遠行地 ) – the stage of afar practice, i.e. proceeding afar, getting above the ideas of self in order to save others.
Acala ( 不動地) – the stage of unperturbed state, i.e. calm and unperturbed in mind.
Sadhumati ( 善慧地 ) – the stage of the finest wisdom, i.e. wisdom to determine where and how to save others, and possession of the Ten Powers.
Dharmamegha ( 法雲地 ) – stage of Dharma-cloud. i.e. attaining the fertilizing powers of the Dharma-cloud.

One Stage of near-perfect enlightenment

One Stage of Supreme Perfect Enlightenment

( Taken from website : Lotus Happiness )​

 

[magnus]

Didn't see you.
Went there this morning again for brunch.

I was there

 

[Nei Jia]

I think you have mistaken that the pendant is only for protection against disturbance from spirits. If you read carefully, the protection is much more than that. I highlighted the incident is to prove it's incredibly power. During this uncertain time, Shifu recommended everyone to wear a pendant for protection.

I took charged of machines that were transplanted to Thailand sometimes back. I was the only person that went up. It took around 3 weeks.
Before I return, my Thai counterpart gave me a pendant. Thai type. The pendant has a figure like a monk. Thai call it "phut".
I place it in the drawer all the while. Is there anywhere I should put it ?

 

[Renzokukenz]

I took charged of machines that were transplanted to Thailand sometimes back. I was the only person that went up. It took around 3 weeks.
Before I return, my Thai counterpart gave me a pendant. Thai type. The pendant has a figure like a monk. Thai call it "phut".
I place it in the drawer all the while. Is there anywhere I should put it ?

Thai amulet has elements of animism.
You might want to google "Amulet Forum" and post a question there.

Personally, animism is very complicated for me, so personally Thai amulets are not for me because it's too complex and also very prone to getting conned.

Since yours is a gift it should be safe.
If ever, the day comes where you want to dispose of a Thai Amulet, make sure to go to a Thai Temple, make a donation, and tell the monk there that you want to have it properly disposed of.

How you dispose of a Thai Amulet properly is extremely important.
Do take note

 

[Renzokukenz]

Origins of Shurangama Mantra 楞严咒 (the mantra in the amulet shared):

So that is where I like to start. Buddha has a disciple called Ananda. Ananda is the Buddha’s cousin, who is also a royal prince, and later on became a disciple and personal attendant of the Buddha.

Ananda is said to be very handsome and one day while he was out to beg for food (something that they do every morning), he came across a prostitute’s house. Ananda had second thoughts but thinking about Buddha’s teaching that one must not discriminate he knock on the door to ask for food. The prostitute upon seeing Ananda fell in love with Ananda, and concocted a plan to entice him right there and then. Ananda, being a disciplined and devout monk didn’t fell for the prostitute’s evil plan. So the prostitute decided to ask for her mother’s help who is said to be very good in practicing black magic. Armed with some potion and magical incantation, the prostitute waited for Ananda the following day, Ananda wanted to avoid the prostitute but she called on him and told him that she wants to make an offering to Ananda. As a monk and disciple of Buddha, Ananda has a strict vow that he cannot refuse any offering even if it has a poison. Ananda approached her, and she gave him something to drink and immediately Ananda fell under her spell, she then start to lead Ananda to her room.

Buddha being enlightened knows what’s happening and immediately send a monk to go and pick up Ananda. He also gave this particular monk a mantra, which he is to use to protect himself from the black magic of the prostitute’s mother and for him to break the spell of which Ananda is under.

This monk went to the house, and use the spell. He found Ananda still under trance and about to break his vow of celibacy or no sexual misconduct. He used the mantra and brought Ananda out of the spell.

Usually Buddha will say a sutra first and within the sutra one can find a mantra, but for the Surangama Sutra and the Surangama Mantra, it was the mantra that came first and the sutra came after.

Source: https://sanaakosirickylee.wordpress.com/2015/08/09/sm/

Detailed Explanation of the Mantra by Master Hsuan Hua:

http://online.sfsu.edu/rone/Buddhis...perfections in,world become very well-behaved.


Additional Information on the Mantra:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shurangama_Mantra

http://online.sfsu.edu/rone/Buddhism/Shurangama/Shurangama Mantra.html

Many Shifus used to organise chanting events and would give away FOC pendants with mantras before covid. Due to covid, no mega chanting events. If you are interested, I will pm you a Taiwanese lady who is in charge of a temple, you can whatsapp her and ask whether the following pendant is still available. PM me if you need her hp no. This is a super powerful pendant. Whatever protections it claims in the below pic are all proven to be true. I am convinced of the protection claims at the below pic because few incidents happened around me proven that they are all true. If other religions can't resolve the spirit possession issue, this pendant can resolve it with immediate effect.

I am wearing this pendant whenever I step out of my house. In the past, I didn't know its power till I discovered its incredibly power accidentally. Too many stories to tell.

 

[waterbright]

Defilements
Upakkilesa Sutta (AN 5:23)

“Monks, there are these five defilements of gold, defiled with which gold is neither pliant nor malleable nor luminous, but brittle & not rightly fit for work. Which five?

“Iron, copper, tin, lead, & silver: These are the five defilements of gold, corrupted with which gold is neither pliant nor malleable nor luminous, but brittle & not rightly fit for work. But when gold is freed from these five defilements, it is pliant, malleable, & luminous. It is not brittle and is rightly fit for work. Then whatever sort of ornament one has in mind—whether a belt, an earring, a necklace, or a gold chain—it would serve one’s purpose.

“In the same way, monks, there are these five defilements of the mind, defiled with which the mind is neither pliant nor malleable nor luminous, but brittle & not rightly concentrated for the ending of the effluents. Which five?

“Sensual desire, ill will, sloth & drowsiness, restlessness & anxiety, and uncertainty: These are the five defilements of the mind, defiled with which the mind is neither pliant nor malleable nor luminous, but brittle & not rightly concentrated for the ending of the effluents. But when the mind is freed from these five defilements, it is pliant, malleable, & luminous. It is not brittle and is rightly concentrated for the ending of the effluents. Then whichever of the qualities to be known & realized that one turns one’s mind to know & realize, one can witness them right there whenever there is an opening.

“If one wants, one wields manifold supranormal powers. Having been one, one becomes many; having been many, one becomes one. One appears. One vanishes. One goes unimpeded through walls, ramparts, & mountains as if through space. One dives in & out of the earth as if it were water. One walks on water without sinking as if it were dry land. Sitting cross-legged, one flies through the air like a winged bird. With one’s hand, one touches & strokes even the sun & moon, so mighty & powerful. One exercises influence with one’s body even as far as the Brahmā worlds. One can witness this right there whenever there is an opening.

“If one wants, one hears—by means of the divine ear-element, purified & surpassing the human—both kinds of sounds: divine & human, whether near or far. One can witness this right there whenever there is an opening.

“If one wants, one discerns the awareness of other beings, other individuals, having encompassed it with one’s own awareness. One discerns a mind with passion as ‘a mind with passion,’ and a mind without passion as ‘a mind without passion.’ One discerns a mind with aversion as ‘a mind with aversion,’ and a mind without aversion as ‘a mind without aversion.’ One discerns a mind with delusion as ‘a mind with delusion,’ and a mind without delusion as ‘a mind without delusion.’ One discerns a restricted mind as ‘a restricted mind,’ and a scattered mind as ‘a scattered mind.’ One discerns an enlarged mind (1) as ‘an enlarged mind,’ and an unenlarged mind as ‘an unenlarged mind.’ One discerns a surpassed mind [one that is not at the most excellent level] as ‘a surpassed mind,’ and an unsurpassed mind as ‘an unsurpassed mind.’ One discerns a concentrated mind as ‘a concentrated mind,’ and an unconcentrated mind as ‘an unconcentrated mind.’ One discerns a released mind as ‘a released mind,’ and an unreleased mind as ‘an unreleased mind.’ One can witness this right there whenever there is an opening.

“If one wants, one recollects one’s manifold past lives [literally: previous homes], i.e., one birth, two births, three births, four, five, ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, one hundred, one thousand, one hundred thousand, many eons of cosmic contraction, many eons of cosmic expansion, many eons of cosmic contraction & expansion, (recollecting,) ‘There I had such a name, belonged to such a clan, had such an appearance. Such was my food, such my experience of pleasure & pain, such the end of my life. Passing away from that state, I re-arose there. There, too, I had such a name, belonged to such a clan, had such an appearance. Such was my food, such my experience of pleasure & pain, such the end of my life. Passing away from that state, I re-arose here.’ Thus one remembers one’s manifold past lives in their modes & details. One can witness this right there whenever there is an opening.

“If one wants, one sees—by means of the divine eye, purified & surpassing the human—beings passing away & re-appearing, and one discerns how they are inferior & superior, beautiful & ugly, fortunate & unfortunate in accordance with their kamma: ‘These beings—who were endowed with bad conduct of body, speech, & mind, who reviled the noble ones, held wrong views, and undertook actions under the influence of wrong views—with the break-up of the body, after death, have re-appeared in a plane of deprivation, a bad destination, a lower realm, hell. But these beings—who were endowed with good conduct of body, speech, & mind, who did not revile the noble ones, who held right views, and undertook actions under the influence of right views—with the break-up of the body, after death, have re-appeared in a good destination, a heavenly world.’ Thus—by means of the divine eye, purified & surpassing the human—one sees beings passing away & re-appearing, and one discerns how they are inferior & superior, beautiful & ugly, fortunate & unfortunate in accordance with their kamma. One can witness this right there whenever there is an opening.

“If one wants, then through the ending of effluents, one enters & remains in the effluent-free awareness-release & discernment-release, having directly known & realized them for oneself right in the here & now. One can witness this right there whenever there is an opening.”

Note

1. Mahaggataṁ. This term is used, together with “immeasurable / unlimited,” in the standard description of the awareness generated in the practice of the brahmavihāras (SN 42:8). According to Ven. Anuruddha in MN 127, however, an enlarged mind is not immeasurable. Its range of awareness is larger than the body but still measurable, ranging in distance from the shade of a tree to the earth bounded by the ocean.

See also: SN 51:22; AN 5:28; AN 5:51

 

[Renzokukenz]

Hi friends, where can I find pendants with mantras and how do I get such pendants blessed? (For my kids to wear). Thanks a lot.

The amulet that the other ShiXiong recommended is based on this mantra called "楞嚴咒" or "shurangama mantra" or "Śūraṅgama sutra" as it is known

The benefits of the mantra/sutra is as follows:

Please watch the whole video if you want to know the whole story

 

[Nei Jia]

Thai amulet has elements of animism.
You might want to google "Amulet Forum" and post a question there.

Personally, animism is very complicated for me, so personally Thai amulets are not for me because it's too complex and also very prone to getting conned.

Since yours is a gift it should be safe.
If ever, the day comes where you want to dispose of a Thai Amulet, make sure to go to a Thai Temple, make a donation, and tell the monk there that you want to have it properly disposed of.

How you dispose of a Thai Amulet properly is extremely important.
Do take note

Thank you very much.

 

[AUTUMN&WINTER]

Thai amulet has elements of animism.
You might want to google "Amulet Forum" and post a question there.

Personally, animism is very complicated for me, so personally Thai amulets are not for me because it's too complex and also very prone to getting conned.

Since yours is a gift it should be safe.
If ever, the day comes where you want to dispose of a Thai Amulet, make sure to go to a Thai Temple, make a donation, and tell the monk there that you want to have it properly disposed of.

How you dispose of a Thai Amulet properly is extremely important.
Do take note

I took charged of machines that were transplanted to Thailand sometimes back. I was the only person that went up. It took around 3 weeks.
Before I return, my Thai counterpart gave me a pendant. Thai type. The pendant has a figure like a monk. Thai call it "phut".
I place it in the drawer all the while. Is there anywhere I should put it ?

I was given a Thai amulet by a friend. Someone told me that a shop at fortune centre ( the building next to the Indian temple at Waterloo St)accepts Thai amulet. I passed it to that shop. It was few years ago, could not remember the name of the shop. It was on 2nd or 3rd level. You can try to ask. I usually don't get involve with Thai Buddhism because I don't know much and don't know how to differentiate. I will be careful before I accept any amulets the next time.

 

[simplelifez]

morning all
I'm moving to my new house soon but never do any rites yet (only roll pineapple. spray salt/rice. throw coin)

I strongly suspect there is lingering spirit, any shifu here can guide me how to move them out (something along the lines)

namaste

 

[Renzokukenz]

morning all
I'm moving to my new house soon but never do any rites yet (only roll pineapple. spray salt/rice. throw coin)

I strongly suspect there is lingering spirit, any shifu here can guide me how to move them out (something along the lines)

namaste

This type better hire professionals. Don’t DIY. Don’t find those scam artist exorcist shops. Find a temple you trust, talk to someone in charge there.

 

[Laneige]

morning all
I'm moving to my new house soon but never do any rites yet (only roll pineapple. spray salt/rice. throw coin)

I strongly suspect there is lingering spirit, any shifu here can guide me how to move them out (something along the lines)

namaste

U can try salt + rice grains n sprinkle ard the whole house at every corners n Center?
Last x I also use flowers but can’t rem if it’s before Reno or after.

Didn’t roll pineapple although I know many fs said so. I just don’t believe. Now tell me roll I also not keen to do that to pineapple :s13. Maybe pineapple is my friend

Another thing u can do is chant da bei Zhou to a bottle of water n then sprinkle the water ard the home n continue chanting

Btw is the unit bright?

 

[scheng1]

菩萨善戒经
菩萨地施品第十

https://www.xinjingjy.com/pssjj/785.html

外不施者。火毒刀酒能为众生作恶因缘。

菩萨终不以此施人。若作利益则以布施。

菩萨摩诃萨终不为他作恶业使。若知受者受施之后必行恶业。亦不施之是亦名施。

 

[scheng1]

实拍山西：悬崖上发现一座千年悬空寺，里面竟然有一尊肉身菩萨！

 

[scheng1]

南海观音放生群

https://www.meipian.cn/xjo6we8

戒杀诗

血肉淋漓味足珍，一般痛苦怨难伸，

设身处地扪心想，谁肯将刀割自身！

 

[simplelifez]

U can try salt + rice grains n sprinkle ard the whole house at every corners n Center?
Last x I also use flowers but can’t rem if it’s before Reno or after.

Didn’t roll pineapple although I know many fs said so. I just don’t believe. Now tell me roll I also not keen to do that to pineapple :s13. Maybe pineapple is my friend

Another thing u can do is chant da bei Zhou to a bottle of water n then sprinkle the water ard the home n continue chanting

Btw is the unit bright?

got use salt/rice grain when entering house.
will try da bei zhou + water method
east facing so get morning sun only