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

[AUTUMN&WINTER]

Buddhist Verses & Silent Readings For Reflection (静思语） - Part 3


愿以此功德， 庄严佛净土，上报四重恩，下济三涂苦，若有见闻者，悉发菩提心，尽此一报身，同生极乐国！

May the merit and virtues
accrued from this work,
Adorn Amitabha Buddha's Pure Land,
Repaying the four kinds
of kindness above,
and relieving the sufferings of
those on the Three Paths below.
May those who see and hear of this,
And all sentient beings in the Dharma Realm,
All develop the Bodhi Mind,
And live the Teachings for
the rest of this life,
Then be born together in
The Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Homage to Amitabha Buddha!

 

[AUTUMN&WINTER]

NAMO AMITUOFO 南无阿弥陀佛

Desire for pleasure, desire for permanent existence, desire for transitory existence, -- this is called the taking up of a burden. Let go of the burden, recite "Namo Amituofo" and attain rebirth in Western Pure Land.

Working on our difficulties indirectly

We can overcome our difficulties by working on them indirectly. There are two aspects to the hardships we go through. There are the outer circumstances of the hardship and there is a reaction we have to the hardship in our minds. So it is not the case that there is a only an unfortunate or negative event that is the problem. A lot of our experience of hardship is connected is how we carry the burden of the hardship mentally. Actually most of the suffering we experience in relation to a hardship is connected to the choices we make in terms of the aspect of the difficulty on which we choose to focus. I think that shifting our focus can help to reduce the sense of burden connected to our difficulties.

– 17th Karmapa

 

[hwzadmin]

This is a continuation thread, the old thread is here

 

[scheng1]

Ok thanks! See whether can find him....the thai temple is nearby right.... walking distance from the famous Chen Huang Temple?

Directly opposite. According to 姜志峰, the original Thai Temple 30 years lease expired, then the management of Cheng Huang temple takes over the temple.

So both temples under the same management, but very different in the vibes. The Thai temple is very peaceful and quiet.

 

[Renzokukenz]

An intro to Buddhism from my perspective and why it is different from other religions

How Buddhism was founded (Historically factual)

Secular Buddhism

More in-depth explanation of Buddhism from a monk

Hello Everyone,

I have made a short summary of some aspects of Buddhism. I have also included videos that read translated sutras (original texts) to you in English.

Some Buddhists believe that sutras when read and recited may have a special effect (ward off evil, invite blessings, purify one's soul). However, if that is not what you subscribe to, you may choose to understand them as a form of philosophy or story and read them just so you have exposure to Buddhist teachings .

Most Buddhists chant and memorize verses or "mantras" and even some "sutras" as a way to internalize the teaching. So that as life happens, and when the time to apply the teachings comes, you'd be able to understand the teaching in greater depth and also exercise wisdom. Personally, this is true for me with the "Heart Sutra". The sutra does not make sense at all if you take it at face value. In fact, what the Heart Sutra says comes off as completely senseless (Emptiness is Form, Form is Emptiness). But it all made sense to me one day when I had to exercise the teachings in real-life. Having internalized the sutra through repetitions actually worked to make me a better person and understand the wisdom to "悟".

A very good grand summary of what Buddhism is sort of about can be found here:

• https://alanpeto.com/collections/basics-in-buddhism/

Personally, I find Buddhism's explanation of suffering to be the most logical, and true. Why are there children age 4 and/or younger suffering from extremely painful diseases & cancers?

If there is no concept of rebirth &karma at play, and if there are no past lives, then it must mean that whoever created the world intended for innocent children to suffer. If one argues that it is because the world is tainted by evil forces, it would mean that this creator is not almighty and omnipotent, because if he is, he would have the power to protect his creations from being tainted.

One may then argue that there are 7 Billion people in the world and that it is impossible for everyone to have his attention/protection (even if they are believers), then it would mean he is not omnipresent.

There's a video of Stephen Fry framing what I am trying to say above in a very clear way.
Google "The Meaning of Life, Stephen Fry on God" on YouTube if you are interested.

While it is uncomfortable, the explanation of world phenomenon is best satisfied by Buddha's teachings of the world. And this is what got me started. I may be mistaken and/or be wrong. However, I am just sharing what got me into Buddhism. Please don't be agitated by what I said. As a Buddhist, we are taught to accept lovingly that other religions are different types of "Dharma Protectors" and in the Buddhism Mythology of the 6 realms of existence, there is indeed a "God Realm".

One of the many common questions to people who are new to Buddhism is that why are there so many deities in Buddhism??? Buddhism is neither Monotheistic nor Polytheistic. This has been touched on by the late Venerable Master Shen Yen in this video:

Why there are so many Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and deities in Buddhism

Having the right attitude to all religions, be it Buddhism, Chrisitinity or otherwise.
God is not your slave

Buddhism is NOT a Monotheism religion, i.e. Buddhism does not base the world around ONE supreme source/power, that is the originator of EVERYTHING and all things. Then do we still need to "pray"?

Reincarnation in a Nutshell

Here are some of the Sutras with English translation and narration:
(PS: Sutras are literal stories, explaining concepts not through explanation but through the lens of narrative storytelling)

Heart Sutra

Heart Sutra (Another version without music)

Pronunciation Guide of Heart Sutra in Sanskrit :

Heart Sutra in Sanskrit with pronunciation interpreted by a Singaporean ​

Arya-valoki-ti shua-ra Bodhi-sa-tua Gam-bi-ran Pras-nya paramitha Char-yam Char-rah-mano

Vee-ya-valokiti Sm-ah Pan-jah-skhan-da Ah-sata-Schar

Sva-bha-va shun-nee
Pas-yati Smar

~

Iha Sariputra, Rupam Shun-yam, Shun-yata Iva Rupam

Rupa Na Ver-ta Shun-nya-ta, Shun-nya-taya Na Ver-ta Sa Rupam, Yad Rupam Sa Shun-nya-ta, Yad Shun-nya-ta Sa Rupam,

Evam Eva Vedana, Sam-nya Samskara Vee-nya-nam.

Iha Sariputra Sar-va Dharma Shun-nya-ta Lang-Ja-na,
Ah-nu-pa-na, Ah-ni-ru-ddha, Amala Avimala Anuna Aparipurna

~

Tasmat Sariputra Shun-nya-tayam Na Rupam, Na Vedana, Na Sam-nya, Na Samskara Na Vee-nya-nam.

Na Caksu Strota Ghrana Jee-va Kaya Manasa Na Rupam Sabb-da, Ghan-da-Ra-sa Spar-sta-vi-ya Dharma.

Na Caksur Dhatu Yavat Na, Mano-vee-nya-nah Dhatu.
Na-vi-dee-ya, Na-vi-dee-ya Ja-yo, Yah-vara Na-ja-ra-maranam Na Jara-Marana Ja-yo. Na Duhkha Sa-muda-ya
Ni-ro-dha-aa-marga.

Na-nanam, Na Pra-pi,
Na-bhi-sa-maya.

~

Tasmac-na Pra-pi Tva Bodhisattvanam, Prajna-paramitam Asritya Viharatya Citta Avarana, Citta Avarana Na Sthi-tua Na Trasto, Vee-ari-yasa Ati-kranta Nistha Nirvanam

Tree-ya-tua bhya-va-sita Sarva Buddhah Prajna-paramitam Asritya Anuttara Samyak-sambodhim Abi-sambuddhah.

~

Tasmaj Nya-na-vee-yam Prajna-paramita Maha Mantra, Mahavidya Mantra, Anuttara Mantra, Asama Samati Mantra.

Sarva Duhkha Pra-shar-mana Satyam Amithyatva

Prajna-paramita Mukha Mantra.
Tadyatha:

Gah-teh Gah-teh Para-Gah-Teh Para-sam-Gah-Teh Bodi-Svaha

~~~~~~~​

Words in bold and red are words that are difficult and easy to mispronounce.
Videoes I used to create this pronunciation guide:

Diamond Sutra with subtitles

Lotus Sutra - All 28 Chapters of the BDK Translation with English & Chinese Text Screens (11 hours)

For people who subscribe to Sutras having a special effect on their own even if one does not fully understand or master it. Please play this in the background (the entire sutra is split into 18 videos)

Can reciting sutras and mantras help eliminate bad karma and dispel disasters?

The Arya Sanghata Sutra
Link for the playlist of all part 1 to 10 (of 18 total parts) : ​

The benefits of just listening to the Aryan Sanghata Sutra:

Benefits of Reciting the Arya Sanghata Sutra

• Purification of negative karma
• Generating loving-kindness
• Protection from harm
• Increase in wisdom
• Receiving blessings

Buddhism Mantras for specific Issues (please click on them for the specific mantras):​

• Mantra for piles and cancer
• Meat Blessing Mantra (out of compassion for the animals who had to be slaughtered)

 

[viethai]

Directly opposite. According to 姜志峰, the original Thai Temple 30 years lease expired, then the management of Cheng Huang temple takes over the temple.

So both temples under the same management, but very different in the vibes. The Thai temple is very peaceful and quiet.

 

[scheng1]

 

[scheng1]

Minghai, venerable abbot of Bailin Zen Monastery, gave CCC friends' a zen talk

This is a zen retreat and stay overnight in a monastery of Hebei, China - a real monastic experience and learning trip organized by the China Culture Center Beijing.

We stayed overnight in the 1800 years old Bailin Zen Monastery in Hebei province, the only active Zen temple in China that accepts foreign guests and allows you to stay with the monks.

However, don't be put off by the idea that we'd lived like a monk--the dormitories have soft beds, hot water for bathing, and Western toilets. We spent a weekend in the temple: learned about "the art of life" from the monks themselves, joined the monks for daily meals (lots of fresh fruit, steamed bread, fried vegetables and rice congee) and slept in the comfortable dormitory equipped with all the basics.

Participated in actual prayer ceremonies and meditation with the monks inside the temple, have had a discussion with monks on Zen and life, and attended a meditation workshop.

The experience opened our eyes and our mind. Then we drove to the Yu Family Stone village an authentic ancient village typical from north China. The village is nick-named stone city because it owns 4000 stone houses, 3700 meters long stone slab paved street, over 1000 stone well and pool, and 200 stone stelas. The local villagers' life haven't been changed so much as in other villages near the big cities.

7 Days in Bailin Temple is a 40-minute documentary about five young students' soul-changing experience while participating in a Zen group training program.

The story takes place in Bailin Temple, one of the foremost Zen temples in China with over 1,700 years of history. For the past 23 years, every summer there has been a Life Zen Camp, where hundreds of college students from around the world receive seven days of Life Zen training.

The documentary starts with the troubles of five students.

Diane Wolkstein's interview with Master Ming Hai, Abbot of Bailin Monestary, China

 

[DaBeiZhou]

i read through sanghata sutra once without any nightmares so right now im copying sutra by writing. what took me about 2hours of writing i could have read and breeze through in 10-15mins so it does take alot more effort.

i havent had any nightmares yet so im quite disappointed. only thing is since copying sanghata sutra i have been having dreams where im a thief and stealing/running away. perhaps i was a thief in my previous life and now im purifying that karma

 

[scheng1]

i havent had any nightmares yet so im quite disappointed. only thing is since copying sanghata sutra i have been having dreams where im a thief and stealing/running away. perhaps i was a thief in my previous life and now im purifying that karma

That's funny, and certainly it's not those 日有所思, 夜有所梦 dreams, since most people won't think of being a thief!

 

[AUTUMN&WINTER]

NAMO AMITUOFO 南无阿弥陀佛

Amituofo wore an orange robe with eyes looking downward and body leaning forward. His left hand carried a lotus flower, and his right arm extended in a receiving gesture. The statue manifests the Buddha’s compassion and empathy for afflicted sentient beings, readying to deliver them out of misery and sorrow.

One should give up anger, renounce pride,* and overcome all fetters.
Suffering never befalls one* who
clings not to mind and body and is detached.

Dhammapada

 

[waterbright]

4:16 To Sāriputta — When a monk, disaffected with the world, takes up the life of seclusion, what fears should he overcome? What dangers should he beware of? How should he train to blow away the impurities in his heart?

Ven. Sāriputta:

“Never before

have I seen or heard

from anyone

of a teacher with such lovely speech

come, together with his following

from Tusita heaven, (1)

as the One with Eyes

who appears to the world with its devas,

having dispelled all darkness,

having arrived at delight

all alone.

To that One Awakened—

unentangled, Such, un-

deceptive,

come with his following—

I have come desiring a question

on behalf of the many

here who are fettered:

For a monk disaffected,

frequenting a place remote—

the root of a tree,

a cemetery,

in mountain caves

various places to stay—

how many are the fears there

at which he shouldn’t tremble

—there in his noiseless abode—

how many the dangers in the world

for the monk going the direction

he never has gone

over which he should prevail

there in his isolated abode?

What should be

the ways of his speech?

What should be

his range there of action?

What should be

a resolute monk’s

habits & practices? (2)

Undertaking what training

— mindful, astute, alone —

would he blow away

his own impurities

as a silver smith,

those in molten silver?”

The Buddha:

“I will tell you

as one who knows,

what is comfort

for one disaffected

if he’s resorting to a place remote,

desiring self-awakening

in line with the Dhamma.

An enlightened monk,

living circumscribed,

mindful,

shouldn’t fear the five fears:

of horseflies, mosquitoes, snakes,

human contact, four-footed beings;

shouldn’t be fazed

by those following another’s teaching

even on seeing their manifold

threats;

should prevail over still other

further dangers

as he seeks what is skillful.

Touched

by the touch

of disease, hunger,

he should endure cold

& inordinate heat.

He with no home,

in many ways touched by these things,

striving, should make firm his persistence.

He shouldn’t commit a theft,

shouldn’t speak a lie,

should touch with thoughts of goodwill

beings firm & infirm.

Conscious of when

his mind is stirred up & turbid,

he should dispel it:

‘It’s on the side

of the Dark One.’

He shouldn’t come under the sway

of anger or pride.

Having dug up their root

he would stand firm.

Then, when prevailing

—yes—

he’d prevail over notions of dear & undear.

Deferring to discernment

enraptured with what’s admirable,

he should overcome these dangers,

should conquer

discontent

in his isolated spot,

should conquer

these four

thoughts of lament:

‘What will I eat,

or where will I eat?

How badly I slept.

Tonight where will I sleep?’

These lamenting thoughts

he should subdue—

one under training,

wandering without home.

Receiving food & cloth

at appropriate times,

he should have a sense of enough

for the sake of contentment. (3)

Guarded in regard to these things

going restrained into a village,

even when harassed

he shouldn’t say a harsh word.

With eyes downcast,

& not footloose,

committed to jhāna,

he should be continually wakeful. (4)

Arousing equanimity,

centered within,

he should cut off any penchant

to conjecture or worry.

When reprimanded with words,

he should—mindful—

rejoice; (5)

should smash any rigidity

toward his fellows in the holy life;

should utter skillful words

that are not untimely;

should give no mind

to the gossip people might say.

And then there are in the world

the five kinds of dust

for whose subduing, mindful,

he should train:

With regard to forms, sounds, tastes,

smells, & tactile sensations

he should conquer passion;

with regard to these things

he should subdue his desire.

A monk, mindful,

his mind well released,

contemplating the right Dhamma

at the right times,

on coming

to oneness (6)

should annihilate

darkness,”

the Blessed One said.

vv. 955–975

Notes

1. The Buddha spent his next-to-last lifetime in the Tusita heaven, one of the highest levels on the sensual plane.

2.The fact that the Buddha answers this question in a straightforward manner illustrates the point that abandoning habits and practices does not mean having undefined precepts or practices—or no precepts or practices at all. See Sn 4:13, note 3.

3. See AN 4:28, AN 4:37, and AN 7:64.

4. See AN 4:37.

5. See Dhp 76–77.

6. Ekodi-bhūto. A quality of concentration attained in the second jhāna.

See also: SN 35:117; SN 35:200; AN 4:28; Thag 3:8; Thag 5:8; Thag 6:2; Thag 18

 

[magnus]

Went to punggol beach last night.

 

[scheng1]

大智度论:

"如舍利弗。以一钵饭上佛。佛即回施狗。而问舍利弗。谁得福多。舍利弗言。如我解佛法义。佛施狗得福多。”

This story says that 舍利弗 offers a meal to Buddha, and Buddha uses the food to feed a dog, and he asks "who has greater merit". 舍利弗 correctly answers: Buddha has greater merit.

An explanation:

http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_4ac479c50102xigi.html

佛问舍利弗：我们俩谁得到的福德多？舍利弗说：按我的理解，佛布施狗的福德多。

佛布施给狗，比舍利弗供养佛的功德还大。为什么呢？

虽然从对境上比较，佛的功德胜过劣狗无数倍，佛的功德大呀，那供养佛应该功德特别大，是吧，应该是供养狗的功德的无数倍啊！

打比方你盛两碗饭，一碗饭给佛陀，一碗饭给狗吃，那要是只从你个人的意乐上来比较的话，供养佛的功德肯定是特别大。我们都知道供养三宝，都很舍得花钱。

但从意乐上比较，舍利弗的意乐远不如佛的大悲。

所以关键还在这里，关键在于施者的大悲心、平等心修到什么境界了。

你的心真正有大智慧，能够达到真正的平等的时候，那个是不一样的。舍利弗的意乐远不如佛的大悲心。

从意乐上说，佛的悲心很圆满；舍利弗可能那个时候虽然有一点悲心，但是不够。因此，由于意乐殊胜之故，佛得福德多。

如果同样一个人布施的话，肯定供养佛的比供养狗的福报不知道大多少倍。但是因为是不同的人布施，佛布施给狗，他的大悲心是无有限量的，所以说他福德还多。

所以说你看，我们最关键还是要修大悲心。有了大悲心以后，不管你布施一个劣狗还是供养佛陀，都一样殊胜，能达到这个境界。

佛达到了完全的平等，做一切事都是没有高低贤劣之分，没有分别心。佛究竟圆满了才可以达到。

我们发了心的菩萨，虽然说是“平等平等”，但是我们有些时候还是有分别心。

我们的平等心还是没有那么圆满，大悲心也不够圆满，所以我们要多修四无量心，这是关键哪！

The short answer is because we have differentiation when we make merits. Buddha views all sentient beings equally. No differentiation. The merits of the offering partly depends on the cultivation level (especially 大悲心, 平等心) of the offeror.

A story of 广钦老和尚:

有一天，有人送很大的水蜜桃去供养老和尚，老和尚看了就说要送给猴子吃。

弟子一看，是这么大的水蜜桃，竟然要送给猴子吃，就问老和尚说：「这，送猴子吃会不会太可惜了？」

老和尚就问他说：「不然给你吃，会不会可惜？」

[广钦老和尚 views monkey and human equally. His disciple not so.]

 

[viethai]

Went to punggol beach last night.

Rejoice..the sentient beings there must be very happy and grateful

 

[scheng1]

Vegetarian mooncake:
Ci Yan Organic Vegetarian Health Food (慈缘轩健康素食) at 8 Smith St, Singapore 058922 (Tel: 6225 9026) to buy one for sampling or to place order.

They have 4 flavours:
梅菜月饼
Black Sesame Paste mooncake
Lotus Seed Paste mooncake
五仁月饼

I have sampled all 4. The 梅菜月饼 is unique. The mooncakes are not sweet, yet tasty.

 

[AUTUMN&WINTER]

NAMO AMITUOFO 南无阿弥陀佛

唯有念佛人 阎王管不得。

 

[4_dreamz]

Page 1!

 

[nubitol]

page 2 here me i am

 

[Konnichiwa]

Is it true that without 戒 there will no 定。