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

[AUTUMN&WINTER]

By reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha, we are protected by the Buddhas and Sages.

念佛佛圣护


The method of buddha-remembrance through reciting the buddha-name (Namo Amituofo) brings salvation to those of the most excellent capacities, and reaches down to the most stupid and dull. In sum, it is the Path that reaches from high to low. Do not be shaken or confused by vulgar views [that Pure Land is only for those of lesser abilities].
Patriarch Zhu Hong

Calling upon the sacred name "Namo Amituofo".

NAMO KUAN SHI YIN PUSA 南无大慈大悲观世音菩萨

The most precious thing in life is not just the body. The most important thing is breathing. Life is between breaths. If you can't breathe, it's the next life.

An untamed mind is easily influenced. So choose your friends wisely on the path of the dharma. Walk with the strong.
~ Chamtrul Rinpoche

.....Shakyamuni Buddha compared the six realms (heavens, asuras, humans, ghosts, animals & hells) of samsara to a vast, bottomless sea of suffering - where sentient beings briefly emerge, only to be dragged under again. To be reborn as a human is akin to momentarily surfacing for air, only to sink once more into the abyss......

Without encountering the Buddha’s teachings - or Amitabha’s deliverance - we would remain forever trapped in samsara, drifting in the sea of suffering, unable to break free. - By Master Huijing

 

[AUTUMN&WINTER]

1 min Dharma talk. Namo Amituofo.

 

[OpenDoorSeeMountain]

thanks its too deep for me. i am only at foundational level.

many fb post say i need clear bad karma before i have the wisdom or foundation to higher practise

The FB people don't know you, right ? They don't know what's hindering you.
If you say foundational level, then I suggest you follow a master and listen to this master only for a period of time. Listen to all the shifu lectures instead of reading here and there. 佛法无人说 虽智莫能解。

 

[OpenDoorSeeMountain]

观经 and 无量寿经 are different?

无量寿经 teaches you about AMTF and Pureland.

观经 tells you the events in 韦提希夫人 leading up to how she wants to go Pureland. Then the buddha teaches her how to go there... 持名念佛， 观相念佛， 观想念佛，实相念佛...
Also, 九品往生。Also 净业三福。and so on.

阿弥陀经 is the shorter version of 无量寿经. Purpose is to 劝你往生. It tells you how good the environment is and how all buddha from 6 directions encourage you to go there.

 

[waterbright]

One of the Buddha’s shortest but most comprehensive statements of what he found worthy of communicating about his awakening is this:

“First there is the knowledge of the regularity of the Dhamma, after which there is the knowledge of unbinding.” — SN 12:70

 

[OpenDoorSeeMountain]

i guess i am full of greed and delusion and hatred who is not very nice.

i have studied academically before and actually i am still as deluded as before

how to do repentance ?

First - go to a temple with repentance ritual and join - KMS calendar below. Get an understanding what they do. 2nd - if you prostrate and follow the ritual, how effective is the ritual varies with people. I suggest you go YouTube and search 忏悔 净界法师 and watch. 忏悔 is not body prostrating or the mouth reciting but how your mind express remorse.

 

[plaingrain]

I don't dare to go fishing. When I was younger, my paternal cousin would go and fish and each time he had a huge catch he'd bring them home and ask my uncle's wife to slaughter the fish for food. I remember my uncle's wife telling us how unhappy she felt being told to kill the fishes. She didn't feel good, but because it's her own son telling her to kill, she didn't dare to object. Eventually that same son asked her to go to Toa Payoh Hospital for a minor checkup, and that was when the doctor discovered that she had liver cancer. The karmic outcome was that eventually this uncle's wife was treated like a fish, being sent into the surgery room being cut open, again and again, until eventually she couldn't take it anymore and she died.

To us relatives who were Buddhists, we saw evil karma ripening, and we did our best to release fishes and birds (放生) to dedicate merits to this uncle's wife. We don't know whether she ended up in the lower realms or not, but we did our best to save her from her karmic debtors.

Fishing is really no joke, in recent days one of my neighbours also have nothing better to do and they went fishing. Then when they catch loads of fishes they'd come back and knock on my door saying that they have presents for us i.e. the fish. To us, we're really "tolong tolong ah", we don't want to have anything evil to do with those catch of the day. We returned the catch to them and told them we won't ever eat them, but these neighbours don't understand our intentions and thought we were being rude. Heck care ah, they're not full-time Buddhists and they don't believe in karma, no better what we say they also won't believe. We are accountable towards ourselves and when we are unable to take on the burden of others' negative karma, we have to learn how to say no.

So please, don't go fishing. If you want to fish, don't give them to us, we don't welcome your "generosity", we are afraid of evil karma, if you want to die it's your own problem please exclude us from your weighty karma.

 

[TerryPower]

Let's say this coming Tuesday I have to attend company's team bonding but I don't want to.

And my manager insisted those not attending have to give valid reasons. It's company policy that team bonding requires a certain percentage to be present in order to claim the money spent.

So, my reason for my manager is I want to attend chanting in a nearby temple.
But here's the thing... I don't attend that temple's weekly chanting either.
However, if let me choose team bonding or chanting, I rather go to the temple to listen to them chanting, and go home after that.

This coming Tuesday, after my colleagues go for team bonding. I'll walk to the temple to join their chanting, and I'll leave after the event.

Am I still lying? I did attend the temple's chanting after all.

 

[plaingrain]

Let's say this coming Tuesday I have to attend company's team bonding but I don't want to.

And my manager insisted those not attending have to give valid reasons. It's company policy that team bonding requires a certain percentage to be present in order to claim the money spent.

So, my reason for my manager is I want to attend chanting in a nearby temple.
But here's the thing... I don't attend that temple's weekly chanting either.
However, if let me choose team bonding or chanting, I rather go to the temple to listen to them chanting, and go home after that.

This coming Tuesday, after my colleagues go for team bonding. I'll walk to the temple to join their chanting, and I'll leave after the event.

Am I still lying? I did attend the temple's chanting after all.

You're asking us for our opinions, and when I was a Zazen student my Zen roshi always taught me, "Opinions are like arseholes, everybody has one." There's no right or wrong answer, just caring intellect, emotion and attention being brought to bear.

I am a self-employed worker, the reason why I quit to start my own business is because I didn't like the troublesome nature of working for others. The good news is that because I am not a salariable employee, I can skip company events and join the temple for chanting on lunar 27th and other special occasions. However, the drawback is that as a temple goer, I have to be accountable to the Buddha and Bodhisattvas, because They are my supervisors in effect. So, I don't have human bosses, but I have supramundane authorities to govern me.

In your case, if you are on an employer's payscale, you have to be accountable to your boss. If you come to the temple when you're supposed to be at a company team bonding event, you have to chant and dedicate merits to your company and colleagues instead of doing it for yourself.

If you look at our part-time Members of Parliament, you'll understand what I mean by accountability. Many MPs like Tin Peeling are parttimers, They don't need to show face at company events all the time, but They've to demonstrate that They are at Parliament sitting, or at Meet the People's Sessions, or attending to some political or grassroots event. Once we join the workforce liberty is not a given. When we work, we have to make sure that we fulfill enough commitments so that we do our salary or income some justice.

So, no clear answers on my end, but I hope I've said enough to convince you not to take the easy way out. Thanks.

Lionel

 

[viethai]

聖嚴法師：現世為何不報

我們常聽說︰「惡有惡報，善有善報；不是不報，時辰未到。」在佛教來說，因果的報應總計有三種：華報、果報、余報。

華報是指「開花」，種了因之後先開花，就是看到一點影子、受到一點影響了。果報是整個結果形成，受報的事實全部呈現出來。余報是在果報之後，還有一些剩餘的力量，或是還有若干後遺症。

這三種報應可以在人的一生中全部出現，也有的報應不能馬上成熟，那要看因緣，若因緣不配合，就不能馬上顯現，這一生不報，就到下一生，或下下一生再報。可是，雖未見果報，華報在現世一定會報。

華報是包括對於受報者身心的影響、事業的影響、環境的影響、家庭的影響。

例如，自己做了一樁惡業，雖然逃過法律的追究，逍遙法外，平常還是裝作很安閒的樣子，可是，內心必然有所不安、愧疚，半夜會做惡夢。旁人看他照樣榮華富貴，地獄卻已在他心中，雖還沒下地獄，他自己心中已經有了地獄。

余報也是存在的。例如，一個刑事犯服刑期滿，心裡有個污點在那裡，出獄之後，往往會覺得人家看不起他，雖然沒有人歧視他，但他可能因此心中常會有自卑的陰影，這就是余報。實際上，社會也不一定容不下刑滿出獄的人，只要他改過向善，漸漸地，人家對他印象也會改變，那就是浪子回頭金不換了。

至於果報，可能種一個因，得幾個果；也有的種幾個因，得一個果。可見因果不可思議，並不呆板。若要種一粒瓜子就只得一個瓜，種一粒豆就得一粒豆，那必須要看因緣的配合了。

例如，甲放很多債給乙，可是甲又欠丙很多錢，乙和丙並不認識，所以，乙不會把錢直接還給丙，乙還是把錢還給甲，甲再把錢還給丙。

也有可能功過相抵。例如，丙看到甲對乙很慷慨，乙雖沒有還錢，甲也沒有逼債，丙覺得甲這個人還不錯，而丙自己也還過得去，可能丙就不會再向甲討債，這樣，果報就不會出現，也可以說，丙做了一件功德。另外，丙等到甲有錢再向他討債，甲就沒有被逼還債的痛苦了，對丙而言，也是功德一樁。

因果問題不是那麼單純的，報不報要看事件的對方的態度以及環境的變化，但更重要的是自己的努力。當自己努力成長，有了相當能力，即使欠人家債，在還報時也不會痛苦；被動地還報，叫作逼債，這是非常痛苦的。

不論我們是不是欠了債，都應該努力。當人家問我們要一些東西時，不管是來討債，還是求援，只要我們有能力，都應該多少幫助他們一些。但如果是對方來勒索，就不能給他了，因這不是做好事。

還有一種是主動還報。有一些人主動地幫助那些需要幫助的人，用時間、金錢、財力、物力，或用自己的影響力，都可以有所幫助。這種主動還報叫作佈施，如此一來，果報就不會現前，因為人家已沒機會來討債了。

不過，也有一些好人不長壽，好人沒好報的例子。往往有人做了一輩子好事，最後竟遭強盜慘殺、橫死；好人碰到這種事，天底下似乎就沒公理了，這些人為何要受這種苦難呢？

這牽涉到過去生的果報，雖然自己已做了不少好事，可是，並沒有把所有的債主怨家都安撫好，善緣結得不夠，所以，仍有惡報現前。

有的不是怨家，而是對方就是要造業。好人有人欺、好馬有人騎，善門一開，古古怪怪的人都來了。來的時候，你給他少了，他覺得你不夠慈悲，給得不公平，他恨你不能給他更多，便可能會要你的命。發生這種事，似乎做好事沒好報，使得佈施的人也會起退心。

從佛法的觀點來看，佈施的人在任何情況下都不應該有退心。佈施要有智慧，沒有智慧的佈施會招怨、招恨、招忌；有智慧的佈施，大家皆大歡喜。善門難開的主要原因是沒有智慧地開善門。

有智慧地開善門，必須經過調查、考察：是不是應該給？對方是需要呢，還是欲壑難填？我們不可能滿足每一個人的慾望、貪心，給得愈多，愈使他貪得無厭。我們不可能做到百分之百公平，但經過調查至少可以做得比較公平。

看果報，不能從單一事件的因素來看，要從多元觀點來看；也不能以一生來看，而是要從前生、前生的前生，來生、來生的來生看，這樣就不會覺得「現世不報」或「好人沒好報」了。

 

[viethai]

【8個浪費時間的事情】
1. 在乎別人怎麼看待你
2. 重複一樣的錯誤
3. 嘗試取悅所有人
4. 等待別人的讚美
5. 負面的與他人比較
6. 不懂為自己安排行程
7. 過於要求完美
8. 抱怨

 

[viethai]

࿐無形的陰德࿐
世間有兩種福報：
一種是看得見的 — 名聲、財富、地位；
另一種是看不見的 — 陰德。

前者易使人傲慢，後者卻在無聲處，
悄悄轉變一個人的命運。

#什麼是陰德？

陰德，不是為人所見的善行，
而是那些暗中積下的福：

一句不出口的惡語，是在護人之心；
一次不圖回報的付出，是在種福田；
一份不張揚的幫助，是在替自己添德。

他人或許不知，卻有天地自見，因果自記。

#陰德的力量

為什麼有些人看似平凡，
卻總能逢凶化吉，處處受助？
為什麼有的人事業順遂，家庭和合，
福蔭長久，好像命運特別青睞？

其實答案不難：
那是他們的陰德在默然守護。

陰德，是命運最隱秘的靠山。
它不會立刻顯現，卻會在關鍵時刻，
為你抵禦劫難，替你開路。

#如何修陰德？

不炫耀善行，做了就忘；
不傷人利己，常換位思考；
不貪圖小利，甘願吃虧；
不傳惡語，願人如意安好。

積累陰德，
就是為未來存一筆無形的財庫。
金錢或許能守住一時，
陰德卻能護佑一生，甚至延續子孫。

結語

真正的修行，不在寺廟，不在口號，
而在生活的點滴裡：
你是否在暗中護人？
你是否無聲行善？

陰德看不見，卻重若千鈞；
陰德不張揚，卻能轉命在人世。

 

[viethai]

命不好，怎麼破解？
傳喜法師：

佛法裡講，命運只是因果的體現。所以佛教不認為命運是無法改變的，而恰恰認為命運掌握在我們自己手裡。凡事皆有因果，所謂種什麼因，就結什麼果，所以命運是可以通過修行而徹底改變的。

這些行為會導致一個人走霉運

一、邪淫心重
邪淫心重最消減的是福祿。官位降低或不順利。儘管努力也很難達成自己理想目標。

二、不敬父母 不守孝道
虧孝道、忤逆父母之人，對父母喊來罵去、出口傷害父母、抱怨父母、向父母索取錢財用於吃喝玩樂、父母患病置之不理、爭奪遺產而忘恩，這些都會導致自己諸多方面不順利。

三、殺生
《佛為首迦長者說業報差別經》中說有十種行為是眾生得短命報的主要原因。其中自行殺生、勸人殺生、讚歎殺法、見殺隨喜，這四種行為是一個人短命的主要原因。

殺生重的人，每天都要吃鮮活的生命來滋補自己的身體，久而久之，陽氣下降，陰氣上升，會導致心情不好，發脾氣，這時病難就會現前，運氣也會開始走向衰敗。

四、口業重
口業，就是從口裡說出來的話所造成的不良後果。一個人每天不停地說人長短、評論是非、謊話連篇、兩舌、笑話他人，甚至惡口謾罵他人，不知不覺便會大大折損自己的福德，甚至這種業報還會殃及子女。

五、偷盜
偷盜，顧名思義即是偷取他人財物或利用不正當的手段將其據為己有。除此之外，我們平時不應有喜歡佔人便宜的習慣。這些都是讓人失德、失福的行為。

算命不如改命

一、修福
供養孝順父母師長或公婆，關心妻兒或敬重丈夫，令一切供具皆不缺少。使我們能改變運氣，得證天倫之樂的命運。

捐贈錢財物品給急需和貧窮的人，使我們能改變不得富貴的命運。

捐贈錢財、藥品給急需的病人或能護理病人，這樣能令我們改變常病不健康的命運。

修橋、造路、建涼亭、建佛塔寺，親人、友人乃至大眾所求之事，只要是如法的，我們要給以幫助，使我們能改變運氣，得到各種福報的命運。

若貧窮難以佈施，可以參照《貧窮的人有七種布施》，使我們能改變貧窮的命運。一切善事，我們應該盡力去做，一切造惡的事，我們要遠離，使我們能改變諸事不順利的命運。我們要為他人宣揚行善積德的好處，修學善法的妙用，使我們更能快速改變命運。

二、修 慧
深入研究佛經，令我們有聰明智慧用於日常生活，使我們能改變做事雜亂無章，從聰明智慧中去改變命運。

讀誦、印造大乘經典，使我們得功德，從無量功德中去改變命運。

三、結善緣
我們要對一切人有寬宏大量的心，寬宏大量的心是因，高大強壯的身材是果。大家看到我們有大氣度，都願意親近和扶持。我們從廣大心量中去改變命運。

我們要有忍辱力，性情柔和。忍辱力、性情柔和是因，美麗外貌是果。大家看到我們性格很好，都願意親近和扶持。我們從良好性格中去改變命運。

我們要用聲音去讚歎他人的長處，不說人我是非，關心他人，開口常說好話，就能結好因緣。常說好話是因，音聲美妙動聽是果。大家看到我們關心他人和常說好話，都願意親近和扶持。我們從結好眾緣中去改變命運。

-轉載

 

[AUTUMN&WINTER]

First - go to a temple with repentance ritual and join - KMS calendar below. Get an understanding what they do. 2nd - if you prostrate and follow the ritual, how effective is the ritual varies with people. I suggest you go YouTube and search 忏悔 净界法师 and watch. 忏悔 is not body prostrating or the mouth reciting but how your mind express remorse.

True. 净界法师 also reminded us that don't treat repentance as homework that you must do. We must do it sincerely, repent from the bottom of our heart.

 

[AUTUMN&WINTER]

Let's say this coming Tuesday I have to attend company's team bonding but I don't want to.

And my manager insisted those not attending have to give valid reasons. It's company policy that team bonding requires a certain percentage to be present in order to claim the money spent.

So, my reason for my manager is I want to attend chanting in a nearby temple.
But here's the thing... I don't attend that temple's weekly chanting either.
However, if let me choose team bonding or chanting, I rather go to the temple to listen to them chanting, and go home after that.

This coming Tuesday, after my colleagues go for team bonding. I'll walk to the temple to join their chanting, and I'll leave after the event.

Am I still lying? I did attend the temple's chanting after all.

No. You really go chanting. Anyway, to me even if it's a lie, it's a white lie which harm no one.

 

[AUTUMN&WINTER]

࿐無形的陰德࿐
世間有兩種福報：
一種是看得見的 — 名聲、財富、地位；
另一種是看不見的 — 陰德。

前者易使人傲慢，後者卻在無聲處，
悄悄轉變一個人的命運。

#什麼是陰德？

陰德，不是為人所見的善行，
而是那些暗中積下的福：

一句不出口的惡語，是在護人之心；
一次不圖回報的付出，是在種福田；
一份不張揚的幫助，是在替自己添德。

他人或許不知，卻有天地自見，因果自記。

#陰德的力量

為什麼有些人看似平凡，
卻總能逢凶化吉，處處受助？
為什麼有的人事業順遂，家庭和合，
福蔭長久，好像命運特別青睞？

其實答案不難：
那是他們的陰德在默然守護。

陰德，是命運最隱秘的靠山。
它不會立刻顯現，卻會在關鍵時刻，
為你抵禦劫難，替你開路。

#如何修陰德？

不炫耀善行，做了就忘；
不傷人利己，常換位思考；
不貪圖小利，甘願吃虧；
不傳惡語，願人如意安好。

積累陰德，
就是為未來存一筆無形的財庫。
金錢或許能守住一時，
陰德卻能護佑一生，甚至延續子孫。

結語

真正的修行，不在寺廟，不在口號，
而在生活的點滴裡：
你是否在暗中護人？
你是否無聲行善？

陰德看不見，卻重若千鈞；
陰德不張揚，卻能轉命在人世。

However, it's good to share your good deeds if your intention is for others to do the same. It all depends on your intention.

 

[Laneige]

无量寿经 teaches you about AMTF and Pureland.

观经 tells you the events in 韦提希夫人 leading up to how she wants to go Pureland. Then the buddha teaches her how to go there... 持名念佛， 观相念佛， 观想念佛，实相念佛...
Also, 九品往生。Also 净业三福。and so on.

阿弥陀经 is the shorter version of 无量寿经. Purpose is to 劝你往生. It tells you how good the environment is and how all buddha from 6 directions encourage you to go there.

is 阿弥陀经 the shorter version of 无量寿经? it is a 经 by itself?

阿弥陀经
(to add on)
Buddha tell followers that they should make vow/wish to be reborn in Western Pureland if they believe in OMTF/Buddha.
舍利弗。若有人已发愿、今发愿、当发愿，欲生阿弥陀佛国者，是诸人等，皆得不退转于阿耨多罗三藐三菩提，于彼国土，若已生、若今生、若当生。是故舍利弗，诸善男子、善女人，若有信者，应当发愿，生彼国土。

 

[dambio]

is 阿弥陀经 the shorter version of 无量寿经? it is a 经 by itself?

阿弥陀经
(to add on)
Buddha tell followers that they should make vow/wish to be reborn in Western Pureland if they believe in OMTF/Buddha.
舍利弗。若有人已发愿、今发愿、当发愿，欲生阿弥陀佛国者，是诸人等，皆得不退转于阿耨多罗三藐三菩提，于彼国土，若已生、若今生、若当生。是故舍利弗，诸善男子、善女人，若有信者，应当发愿，生彼国土。

《无量寿经》与《阿弥陀经》都是净土宗的重要经典，但侧重点不同：《无量寿经》更详尽地阐述了阿弥陀佛的“四十八愿”及其成就极乐世界的因缘，并包含详细的极乐世界庄严描写。 《阿弥陀经》则侧重于描绘极乐世界的殊胜庄严，并简述了往生的条件和念佛法门。

《无量寿经》
核心内容: 詳細敘述阿彌陀佛的四十八大願，及其如何依願建立極樂世界。

特色: 詳細描繪極樂世界的莊嚴美好，並闡述了阿彌陀佛的悲心和功德。

侧重: 說明往生極樂世界的“因”——阿彌陀佛的本願和功德。

《阿弥陀经》
核心内容: 側重於描寫極樂世界的殊勝莊嚴。

特色: 簡潔地介紹了極樂世界的種種美好，以及往生極樂世界的修行方法。

侧重: 強調往生極樂世界的“果”——極樂世界的美好景象。

总结

《无量寿经》: 是基础，它详细说明了极乐世界的建立缘由，即阿弥陀佛的宏大本愿。

《阿弥陀经》: 是补充，它更侧重于描绘极乐世界的庄严美好，让信众对极乐世界产生向往。

两者共同构成了净土宗重要的“三经一论”之一，共同指导信众修行往生净土的法门。

Honestly if reading 无量寿经，alot wun be able to reach 上品上生。

 

[Laneige]

First - go to a temple with repentance ritual and join - KMS calendar below. Get an understanding what they do. 2nd - if you prostrate and follow the ritual, how effective is the ritual varies with people. I suggest you go YouTube and search 忏悔 净界法师 and watch. 忏悔 is not body prostrating or the mouth reciting but how your mind express remorse.

joining prayers are great but its also important to do it on one own for those thats suitable for own practice.
the books normally have some smaller prints/skipped portion by devotees as most are either covered by wei nuo shi or under visualised. but following fahui, one might not know of that n skipped those area.

repentance shld be follow/understand the words and visualise and to repent.

but i think the shixiong focus might be on english style... so ......

 

[AUTUMN&WINTER]

.....

《无量寿经》与《阿弥陀经》都是净土宗的重要经典，但侧重点不同：《无量寿经》更详尽地阐述了阿弥陀佛的“四十八愿”及其成就极乐世界的因缘，并包含详细的极乐世界庄严描写。 《阿弥陀经》则侧重于描绘极乐世界的殊胜庄严，并简述了往生的条件和念佛法门。

《无量寿经》
核心内容: 詳細敘述阿彌陀佛的四十八大願，及其如何依願建立極樂世界。

特色: 詳細描繪極樂世界的莊嚴美好，並闡述了阿彌陀佛的悲心和功德。

侧重: 說明往生極樂世界的“因”——阿彌陀佛的本願和功德。

《阿弥陀经》
核心内容: 側重於描寫極樂世界的殊勝莊嚴。

特色: 簡潔地介紹了極樂世界的種種美好，以及往生極樂世界的修行方法。

侧重: 強調往生極樂世界的“果”——極樂世界的美好景象。

总结

《无量寿经》: 是基础，它详细说明了极乐世界的建立缘由，即阿弥陀佛的宏大本愿。

《阿弥陀经》: 是补充，它更侧重于描绘极乐世界的庄严美好，让信众对极乐世界产生向往。

两者共同构成了净土宗重要的“三经一论”之一，共同指导信众修行往生净土的法门。

Honestly if reading 无量寿经，alot wun be able to reach 上品上生。

上品上生 is mainly for ordained Venerables. Lay Buddhists who ever observed the 8 precepts can attain 中品中生. The grades are not judged by anyone. It's just like karma, cause and effect.