A funny phenomenon that I always encounter in class is every time I ask a question, I usually have to end up answering it myself.
The class always keeps quiet.
It's strange.
Perhaps it's due to our culture of subservience and (blind) faith & belief.
Or maybe it's because their minds are 'asleep' and switched off - physically they're present, but in Reality they're in a land far far away.
Or maybe they're just tired, from all the holding (of poses) and sun salutations.
But then again, I told myself : I ask, I answer and I learn.
The Buddha once said, one of the reasons / karmic causes for stupidity in this life is not asking questions and investigating in the previous life.
Do you want to be born stupid in your next life?
If you don't want to be born stupid in your next life, you better start asking questions and investigating this life.
Which brings to my mind the extend the parents would go to to ensure that their children do well in school and in their exams.
And the emphasis on grades to determine the intelligence of a child.
Honestly parents, if you want your children to be smart, intelligent etc,
Forget about all the rites and rituals, ceremonies, offerings and prayers, and chanting etc.
Take The Buddha advice :
Encourage and get your children to ask questions, investigate and find out for themselves.
Then you'll have one very bright and wise kid.
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"Three types of Discernment :
- Discernment that comes from Listening (sutamaya-pañña)
- Discernment that comes from Thinking (cintamaya-pañña)
- Discernment that comes from Developing (bhavanamaya-pañña)
— The Buddha, Digha Nikaya 33.
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"This is the way leading to Discernment:
When visiting a priest or contemplative, to ask:
'What is skillful, venerable sir? What is unskillful?
What is blameworthy? What is blameless?
What should be cultivated? What should NOT be cultivated?
What, having been done by me, will be for my long-term harm & suffering?
Or What, having been done by me, will be for my long-term welfare & happiness?'"
— MN 135
- The Buddha, Majjhima Nikaya 135
"The wise are those who ask questions, investigate and answer themselves.
The not so wise are those who ask questions and wait, expecting and depending on others to answer for them.
The worst are those who don't ask, and therefore get no answer - forever they'll be in darkness."
"One who constantly investigates and observes his inner impulses and motives, is one who begins to overcome the 5 hindrances -
Sensual desire, Ill-will, Sloth and Torpor, Restlessness and Worry, and Sceptical Doubt.
Hence their conquest is a consequence of wisdom."
- The Buddha, Anguttara Nikaya 4.61
"Wisdom springs from meditation;
Without meditation wisdom wanes.
Having known these 2 paths of progress and decline,
Let a man so conduct himself that his wisdom may increase."
- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 282
"Academic intelligence is NOT equal to wisdom."
"Rely on wisdom, NOT accumulation of knowledge."
- The Buddha
"People who study a lot, who are full of theoretical knowledge, usually don't succeed in Dhamma practice.
They get bogged down at the information level."
- Ajahn Chah
