LIGHT

Holy Not 2

2011-08-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Holy Not 2

Many people always proclaim themselves as so pure, so good, so HOLY etc, That they NEVER do wrong.

We always portray oursleves as good, blameless, faultless/flawless, when in Reality we're NOT.

ALL of us have made mistakes, done wrong, told a lie etc.

But we never admit to them or our past misdeeds.

We always point the finger at other people ( Read "Not Me" ),

And even the weather ( Read "Saying A Prayer" ).

Or conveniently forget and even ignore them.

If only we have the courage and humility to admit to our mistakes and misdeeds wholeheartedly and genuinely ( Read "Honesty and Courage" ),

We'll realise we're NOT so holy afterall.

*** Read

1) Mr CEO or Cleaning Auntie - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2007/03/mr-ceo-or-cleaning-auntie.html

2) Why Not - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2011/04/why-not.html

3) What A Joke - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2011/05/what-joke.html

4) Truth/Honesty - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2009/07/truth-honesty.html

5) Wrong View - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2011/06/wrong-view.html

Being Slapped

2011-07-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

Being Slapped

An ex-student once made this remark about me :

That I'm the kind who when people slap me on the right, I'll turn my face the other way to let them slap me on the left as well.

I recall that the morning after the meeting,

I thought about her remark, and said to myself :

"I wouldn't do that. I'm not so stupid. People slap me on the right, I still let them slap me on the left,

That's pure stupidity.

Only a stupid fool would do that.

Now, What would I do?

I'll look them coolly in the eye, tell them I forgive them, turn and quietly walk away.

That's what I'll do.

Now that's Wisdom with Compassion/Loving-Kindness.

* P.S.

And for those who are fond of slapping others/people, I urge you to be careful.

Cos the evil that you do FOLLOWS you,

FLIES BACK to YOU.

*** Read

1) Whacko Wacko - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2011/05/whacko-wacko.html

2) Kamma Kamma Part 1 - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2010/04/kamma-kamma-part-1-oh-no.html

3) Why Not - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2011/04/why-not.html

4) What A Joke - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2011/05/what-joke.html

"Forgiveness is the HIGHEST form of LOVE -

It is to the one who forgives that WISDOM comes....

Freedom comes,

FINAL VICTORY COMES."

"Love - soft and gentle;

Calm and cool;

Patient and kind;

Quiet and peaceful."

"If you can keep yourself calm and quiet,

Like a broken gong which is no longer resonant,

You are sure to realise Nibbana;

There will be no harshness in you."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 134

"Among the hateful, we be PEACEFUL."

- The Buddha

"For a TRULY enlightened one,

There's NO such thing as

MINE (clinging/attachment);

I (conceit/ego); and

SELF (wrong/false view).

- The Buddha

Being Stupid

2011-07-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

Being Stupid

I remember there was a period of time I was guiding this student of mine,

And he would always say he's stupid when he can't comprehend what I was explaining to him.

There was once, when he used that excuse for the umpteenth time,

In exasperation, I told him this :

"Yes, you WERE stupid. BUT, are you going to be stupid, REMAIN stupid for the rest of your life?!"

Like I said in "Life's Lessons",

"What are we going to do about it?

Many people meet with setbacks, misfortunes, failures in life, or accidents, terminal illnesses etc, And ALL that they do is keep asking themselves 'Why'; sinking themselves deeper in sadness, depression, self-pity and delusion.

Some don't even try. They just slump back, give up and do nothing."

If only they use it as an opportunity to learn, to rise and become wise.

"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

*** Read

1) I ask, I Answer (Q & A Part 1) - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2008/11/questions-and-answers-part-1-i-ask-i.html

2) Wise vs Fools - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2008/08/wise-vs-fools.html

3) Smart Not - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2010/05/smart-not.html

4) Sense Not - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2010/05/sense-not.html

Where's God Part 2 : In Your Mind

2011-07-11T08:00:00.002-07:00

Where's God Part 2 : In Your Mind

I like the blog, "Where's God?" very much cos I feel it challenges.

As such, I'm producing a sequel to it.

Enjoy!

One day, after a discourse, when Maitreya was about to leave, a man quickly got up from his seat and asked to allow his question. That it is very important.

Maitreya agreed.

Then, in a loud and booming voice, the man asked, "Can you tell me where's God?"

Smiling, and in a calm and composed manner, Maitreya replied, "In your mind."

Puzzled, the man asked Maitreya for clarification : "What do you mean 'in my mind'?"

Maitreya looked on at the man and gently replied,

"Sir, if the idea of 'God' is NOT created by you in your mind, perceived and conceived by you in your mind, such that you accepted and believed in it,

Then where else can 'God' be if it's NOT in your mind?!"

"Whatever the mind perceives, The mind conceives;

The mind believes, And the mind achieves;

That is why the mind is the forerunner, the CHIEF."

"Mind is the forerunner of ALL good and evil states;

Mind is chief.

Mind-made are they."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verses 1 & 2

*** Read :

"Man and His Questions : God or Not?" - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2008/06/man-and-his-questions-part-2-god-or-not.html

Maitreya Part 5 : No Power

2011-07-04T08:00:00.002-07:00

Maitreya Part 5 : No Power

Taking the cue from 'Maitreya Part 3' and 'Maitreya Part 4', I would like to adapt it even further ........

One day, a man stood up in front of an assemblage and asked Maitreya, "People say Buddhas have powers. What power do you have?"

Looking at the man, Maitreya replied,

"Sir, people because of power, hurt, harm, kill and destroy;

People because of power, lie, steal, cheat, delude and deceive;

People because of power, become haughty, greedy, conceited and treat people with condescension;

People because of power, act, pretend, fake and undertook the path of false and abandon the path of Truth and Honesty ........

I have NO power.

I LET GO of power."

"从古事到现在,

人们 -

为了钱,

为了权,

为了名,

为了利 -

不择手段,

对家人

作出伤天害理的事."

"人们 -

想钱想到疯;

想性/色想到疯;

想权想到疯;

想名想到疯;

想利想到疯.......

到头来,

还不是一场空?"

"People are crazy, crazy in the brain.

People are mad, SO MAD they do NOT realised they're MAD."

A 'Don't Know' One

2011-06-27T08:00:00.002-07:00

A 'Don't Know' One

I like the blog, 'I Don't Know' very much.

I thought it was very fun.

As such, I'm going to produce a sequel to it.

Enjoy!

One day, someone went to see Maitreya with the intention to put forth certain questions on specific subjects.

The person was confident Maitreya would be able to answer them cos 'Buddhas are The All-Knowing Ones', they're supposed to know everything.

Person : Do you know X?

Looking at the person innocently, Maitreya replied honestly, "No".

Person : Do you know Y?

Pursing the lips and thinking really hard, Maitreya, then letting out a sigh, relented and shaking the head, answered, "No".

Person (getting very frustrated by now) : What about Z? Surely you know Z?

Furrowing the eyebrows, Maitreya tried to think again. This time even harder. Then, letting out an even bigger sigh,

Maitreya finally replied sheepishly, "Eh ........No........"

Exasperated, the person screamed at Maitreya :

"You don't know anything! What kind of a Buddha are you?!"

Grinning cheek to cheek, Maitreya chuckled happily,

"A 'Don't Know' One!"

"I don't care, I don't know;

I don't bother to desire or to hold.

I take no passion, I take no delight;

I take no interest in smell, touch, sound, taste and sight.

For I know, they're ALL NOT MINE!"

"I don't know up, I don't know down.

I don't know in, I don't know out.

I don't know high, I don't know low;

All I know is, Accept and Let Go!"

"I don't know young, I don't know old.

I don't know rich, I don't know poor.

I don't know top, I don't know bottom;

All I know is, "Do good, good results. Do evil, evil FOLLOWS."

Holy ... NOT

2011-06-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

Holy ... NOT ! People say Tibet is a holy place. I say what's so holy about that place? There's NOTHING holy about that place. People say Israel is a holy land, a promised land. Is it? Look at the fighting/wars that's been raging on there for so many years. How holy is that? What kind of a promised land is that? People say River Ganges is holy. Is it? How come it's so dirty, smelly and filthy? How come all the creatures residing in it are still suffering? How come those who bathes and washes themselves in it are still foolish? People say Mecca is holy. Is it? If it is, why do so many people die there year after year due to stampedes? So holy? Or is it? "Victory breeds hatred. The defeated live in pain. Happily the peaceful live, Giving up victory and defeat." - The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 201 *** Read : 1) 'Pureland Paradise' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2010/04/pureland-paradise.html 2) 'If Only' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2010/04/if-only.html 3) 'Truth Not' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2010/05/truth-not.html

Wrong View

2011-06-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

Wrong View

One of my students and I had a discussion once about Kamma.

He got very upset upon learning that Kamma catches up on one.

That's when he blurted out,

"Then be Buddhist for what?! I may as well go back to Christianity and not be responsible for all the wrongs I've done. No one tells me about Kamma. No one taught me about the cause and effects of things. How was I supposed to know?!"

To soothe him down, I told him, "But you can do something about it. You can change your Kamma."

That's when he asked, "I can?"

You see, the point is you can go ahead and adopt any faith/religion you want, but it does NOT mean your Kamma will not come back to you. Regardless of whether your faith/religion accepts/teaches Kamma or not,

Kamma is REAL and ours to be borned.

You'll still be subjected to it.

Kamma is Kamma -

A Natural Law of the Universe that exists on its own right.

NO ONE escapes it.

Perhaps in the past no one tells or teaches you about Kamma,

But now that someone is telling/teaching you,

You better sit up prick up your ears and listen hard and carefully.

Everyone has a wrong view about Kamma.

Kamma is NOT scary, stagnant or static.

Kamma is dynamic. It teaches us things. Most important of all, Kamma Can Be Changed.

You can't change your past lives Kamma or past actions,

But you can do something about them this life, NOW.

It's up to US.

At the end of the day, Just as Ajahn Boowa says,

"Truth is true based on natural immutable principles,"

You can run but you CAN'T hide

Truth is Truth.

And, Kamma is Truth.

"Not in the sky, Nor in mid-ocean,

Nor in a mountain cave,

Is found that place on earth

Where abiding,

One may escape from the consequences of one's evil deed."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 127

*** Read :

1) 'Kamma Kamma Part 1' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2010/04/kamma-kamma-part-1-oh-no.html

2) 'Kamma Kamma Part 2' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2010/04/kamma-kamma-part-2-lucky.html

The Last C

2011-06-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

The Last C

There are many Cs out there nowadays which everyone tries to acquire : Cash, Car, Condo, Credit Cards, Clubs, Certificates, etc.

But, however many Cs we put out, or come out with,

There's this very important C which we forgot, or choose to ignore.

The irony is, yet this C is something which we must always remember, and ALL face one day

Cos it's not only a must have, WILL have, SURE have,

But also a CONFIRM have.

And what is this 'C'?

COFFIN.

P.S. : And for evil-doers, please know that your last C is the Cauldron of hot burning flaming molten lava that's awaiting you in HELL ........ And that includes ALL the false monastics as well. And that means you too, DL.

"If, an individual, while NOT being holy, or perfected saint,

Were to claim to be a saint (Noble One),

He is a cheat of the whole universe,

Including the world of the Brahmas.

Indeed he is the worst of the outcastes.

Such persons are indeed characterised as outcastes.

Let me tell you, they are the WORST outcastes.

- The Buddha, The Vasala Sutta - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2009/11/vasala-sutta-discourse-of-outcastes.html

"Bhikkhus! One who has abandoned the course of telling The Truth,

And pursued the course of telling lies.

Has Also forsaken the advantages of attainment of Nibbana

And rebirth in the worlds of devas and humans ......"

- The Buddha, The Discourse given by The Buddha after Cincamanavika's false accusation.

*** Read

1) 'What Happens to An Evil-Doer' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2010/07/what-happens-to-part-2-evil-doer.html

2) 'Sense Not' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2010/05/sense-not.html

3) 'Smart Not' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2010/05/smart-not.html

Surely You Know

2011-05-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

Surely You Know

A man went to see Maitreya and said,

"I think The Buddha's Teachings is not bad ........ except for this kamma thing - I feel it's very unfair - that I'm being punished/penalised for doing something I do NOT know."

Maitreya looked at the man and asked, "Sir, when you're hungry, do you know?"

"Of course!" replied the man.

Maitreya continued gently, "What about thirst? Do you know when you're thirsty?"

That goes without asking."

"When you're hungry and thirsty, and you look for food and drinks to eat and drink, do you know?"

"What kind of a question is that?! Of course I know when I eat and drink."

Smiling, Maitreya asked again,

"So how can you say you do NOT know when you commit evil; when you deceive and lie; engage in harsh speech, divisive speech, malicious gossip, idle chatter; when you treat others with CONDESCENSION, with your haughtiness and conceitedness?

Surely you know ........ You WOULD know."

"So when the evil deed does not affect the fool

He thinks it is honey;

But once when it affects him,

That's when he comes to grief."

- The Buddha

"The deeds of a fool can only harm him -

It destroys his Wisdom, Clarity, Merit and Virtues;

Literally, it SEVERS his head."

- The Buddha

"STOP complaining and giving excuses,

START doing something about it."

*** Read :

1) 'What a Joke' - 16/05/11

2) 'Mr CEO or Cleaning Auntie' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2007/03/mr-ceo-or-cleaning-auntie.html

3) 'Kamma Kamma Part 4 : What Happens When' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2010/05/kamma-kamma-part-4-what-happens-when.html

4) 'The Boss' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2010/03/boss.html

Whacko Wacko

2011-05-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

Whacko Wacko

I remember a couple of years back an ex-student recounted an incident to me regarding her daughter.

It was the beginning of the school term, the daughter was in Secondary 1, and the school held an orientation camp for all the newbies.

During camp, they were playing the game 'Whacko' - so as to familiarise the students with each other.

In the daughter's class, there were 2 other girls with the same name as the daughter.

Yet each time the name was called, the daughter's classmates always whack her.

Feeling frustrated and unjust, the daughter scolded her classmates,

"The other 2 are also called 'R ....', why didn't you all hit them? Why do all of you keep hitting me?!"

When my ex-student told me about it, I told my ex-student to look at it from a positive light -

That it goes to show her daughter was popular, that everyone knows her name.

Or is it?

Cos during my meditation session later, the account flowed back to my mindstream for contemplation.

The thought occured to me : Kamma.

Her daughter MUST have done pretty bad/evil deeds in the past, such that she gets whacked All the time NOW!

"The evil that you do FOLLOWS you -

It will HAUNT you -

Like a shadow that NEVER leaves

Countless days, Countless nights, Countless lives ........"

*** Read : 'What Happens To An Evil-Doer' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2010/07/what-happens-to-part-2-evil-doer.html

What a Joke

2011-05-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

What a Joke

Since we're in the midst of Vesak, I thought what better way to celebrate it than to contemplate on the following :

When we hurt others, we NEVER think it's wrong;

Instead, we rejoice and we cheer.

But when the deeds FLIES back on our face,

We sulk, we get angry and upset, and we complain, "It's NOT fair!",

Saying, "I didn't do anything ........"

Strange, isn't it?

P.S. And if you think about it, 'What a joke!'

"When the evil deed does not affect the fool,

He thinks it's honey;

But once when it affects him,

That's WHEN he comes to grief."

- The Buddha

"The deeds of a fool can only harm him

It destroys his wisdom and merit/virtues;

Literally, it severs his head."

- The Buddha

"Whoever harms a harmless one -

One pure and guiltfree ( and should NOT be harmed ),

To that very fool the evil recoils

Like fine dust thrown against the wind."

- The Buddha

*** Read : 'Kamma' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2009/03/kamma.html

Chant Mati Chant

2011-05-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

Chant Mati Chant

I remember an incident some years' back when a student's sis-in-law was about to pass away.

She couldn't cope with it and sought my help.

I related the account to another student - a mutual friend - who told me, "Ask her to chant."

I looked at him incredulously

Cos' the student's best friend who claimed to know alot and who does alot of chanting everyday, told her to do the same thing - Chant.

I told this other guy student, "Her sis-in-law is going to die, and no amount of chanting is going to help. The important thing to do is to prepare the sis-in-law for death."

Seeing that he didn't quite understand my words,

I asked him, "Let's take a stone - and you chant day and night for the stone to float. Now throw the stone into the water. Is the stone going to float?"

"No," my student replied.

I asked again, "Now take a styrofoam and cut it to the same size as the stone, and chant again day and night for it to sink. Throw the styrofoam into the same water as the stone. Will it sink?"

"No," replied my student again.

The point is, you can pray/chant all you want

BUT if you continue to do evil, indulge yourself silly and NOT practise,

All your praying/chanting is NOT going to help you.

You can pray/chant your whole life - till your last breath even,

But you're still NOT going to the Heavens or higher realms just because of your praying/chanting.

It's the things you say and do that counts.

NOT the number of times you pray/chant.

Time to get real.

Wake up everyone.

****************************

Asibandhakaputta the headman said to The Blessed One:

"The brahmans of the Western lands, Lord — those who carry water pots, wear garlands of water plants, purify with water, & worship fire — can take [the spirit of] a dead person, lift it out, instruct it, & send it to heaven.

But The Blessed One, worthy & rightly self-awakened, can arrange it so that all the world, at the break-up of the body, after death, reappears in a good destination, the heavenly world."

"Very well, then, headman, I will question you on this matter. Answer as you see fit...

"Suppose a man were to throw a large boulder into a deep lake of water, and a great crowd of people, gathering & congregating, would pray, praise, & circumambulate with their hands palm-to-palm over the heart [saying,]

'Rise up, O boulder! Come floating up, O boulder! Come float to the shore, O boulder!'

What do you think: would that boulder — because of the prayers, praise, & circumambulation of that great crowd of people — rise up, come floating up, or come float to the shore?"

"No, Lord."

"So it is with any man who takes life, steals, indulges in illicit sex; is a liar, one who speaks divisive speech, abusive speech, & idle chatter; is covetous, malevolent, & holds to WRONG views.

Even though a great crowd of people, gathering & congregating, would pray, praise, & circumambulate with their hands palm-to-palm over the heart — [saying,]

'May this man, at the break-up of the body, after death, reappear in a good destination, the heavenly world!' —

Still, at the break-up of the body, after death, he would reappear in destitution, a bad destination, the lower realms, HELL ...

"Now, suppose a man were to throw a jar of ghee or a jar of oil into a deep lake of water, where it would break. There the shards & jar-fragments would go down, while the ghee or oil would come up.

Then a great crowd of people, gathering & congregating, would pray, praise, & circumambulate with their hands palm-to-palm over the heart [saying,]

'Sink, O ghee/oil! Submerge, O ghee/oil! Go down, O ghee/oil!'

What do you think: would that ghee/oil, because of the prayers, praise, & circumambulation of that great crowd of people sink, submerge, or go down?"

"No, Lord."

"So it is with any man who refrains from taking life, from stealing, & from indulging in illicit sex; he refrains from lying, from speaking divisive speech, from abusive speech, & from idle chatter; he is NOT covetous, NOT malevolent, & holds to RIGHT view.

Even though a great crowd of people, gathering & congregating, would pray, praise, & circumambulate with their hands palm-to-palm over the heart — [saying,]

'May this man, at the break-up of the body, after death, reappear in a destitution, a bad destination, the lower realms, hell!' —

Still, at the break-up of the body, after death, he would reappear in a GOOD destination, the HEAVENLY world."

— SN 42.6

- The Buddha, Samyutta Nikaya 42.6

*** Read : 'Purpose / All We Need To Do Is .....' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2009/11/purpose-all-we-need-to-do-is.html

"Though much he recites The Sacred Text

But acts NOT accordingly,

That heedless man is like a cowsherd who counts others' kine.

He has NO share in the fruits of The Holy Life."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 19

"However many holy words you read

However many holy words you speak

What good will they do you

If you do NOT act upon them."

- The Buddha

******* Contemplate on the above well, and have a Happy Vesak, everyone!

You Ask For it

2011-05-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

You Ask For it

Taking the cue from 'I Don't Know', I would like to make some changes to the ending.

Enjoy!

Once, a learned 'buddhist', highly respected, highly admired, highly recognised and certified, 'fully' endowed with superior knowledge of the scriptures, came and spoke to Maitreya.

Scholar : Do you know the XXX sutta?

Maitreya : No, I don't.

Eyeing Maitreya suspiciously and with doubt, the scholar continued,

"Do you know the XXX sutra under the Mahayana discipline, then?"

Maitreya : Nope, I don't know that either.

Getting impatient and visibly irritated, but trying to stay calm and maintain his image, the learned 'buddhist' asked again -

This time in a stern loud and authoratative tone : "Do you know the teaching by the renowned guru XX - the "living buddha" ?"

Maitreya : I don't know that one either - Never heard of it.

Flabbergasted, his face flushed red hot with anger, the 'buddhist' screamed at Maitreya,

"What then do you know?!"

Maitreya looked at the scholar and replied matter-of-factly,

"I only know YOU are going to die, and ALL that you've studied CAN'T help you."

"You are called a Maha ( i.e. Great, or one who can read Pali, scriptural language )

But where is the knowledge you studied from the scriptures now?

What is it doing that you cannot call it to your rescue?

What a waste of time and effort for that title of Maha you've got!

You are going to die and all that knowledge which you took so much time to gain cannot be called on to help you .......

It seems the more you learn, the WEAKER you become, weaker even than an uneducated woman."

- Venerable Ajahn Mun

( Taken from the book, "The Venerable Phra Acharn Mun Bhuridatta Thera - Meditation Master", written by Venerable Ajahn Maha Boowa, page 194 )

"No matter how much of the Dhamma you've studied,

It will serve NO purpose other than simply being an obstacle to your Meditation ( and Practice )."

- Venerable Ajahn Mun

"Anybody can learn and memorise the names and symbols of Dhamma because they are things which anybody should be able to memorise.

But the important thing is the TRUE Dhamma whose name and symbols one has naturally in oneself without having to learn it by repetition and memorising -

And this kind of Dhamma is Difficult to practise, Difficult to see and Difficult to KNOW."

- Venerable Ajahn Mun

Why Not?

2011-04-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

Why Not?

You know, it's kinda strange that when bad things happen to people,

They always say, "Why me? It's not fair!"

But when good things happen to them, they never say that.

Instead, they always say, "Oh, I'm just lucky", "It's my luck" etc.

They always attribute it to 'luck'.

The Christians are even more interesting.

When things go their way, they always say, "Praise God", "Thanks to God", "Because of God" etc.

Yet when bad things or suffering comes to them, they never say the same.

They never thank God for all their problems or suffering in life, their terminal illnesses/diseases or the setbacks they get in life.

It's strange, isn't it?

People only think of the good and discard the bad.

But if you think about it : Good and bad exist together -

Side by side -

In good there's bad, in bad there's good.

2 sides of the same coin.

People always only know how to say, "It's not fair. Why me?", when bad things happen to them;

If only they'll just look back at ALL the things they've said and done in the past,

They'll know it's fair.

VERY fair.

So, "Why me?"

The answer is, "Why NOT?"

"Your misdeeds were NOT committed by your parents,

Nor by your brothers and sisters,

Nor by your friends nor kinsfolk,

Nor by recluses and priests,

It is YOU who are responsible."

- The Buddha

"Beings are owners of their own Kamma,

And the results of their Kamma belong to them

ALONE."

- The Buddha

*** Read :

1) 'Where's God' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2009/08/wheres-god.html

2) 'God or Not?' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2008/06/man-and-his-questions-part-2-god-or-not.html

3) 'Kamma Kamma Part 1 : Oh No!' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2010/04/kamma-kamma-part-1-oh-no.html

4) 'Kamma Kamma Part 4 : What Happens When.....' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2010/05/kamma-kamma-part-4-what-happens-when.html

'God' Answer Our Prayer

2011-04-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

'God' Answer Our Prayer

There was a time when the world was in chaos and everything was in disarray -

When the weather was chaotic and the whole world was hit by disaster upon disaster, calamities upon calamities, catastrophes upon castastrophes.

Feeling fearful, lost and confused, everyone started asking, "Where's God?"

In fury, God let out an explosive reverberating and thunderous roar that boomed through nation to nation, country to country -

"When times were good, all of you only cared about indulging yourselves silly with sensual pleasures, NOT practising or casting even an eye on my teachings,

Or giving a damn as to whether I'm dead or alive.

All of you only know how to intoxicate yourselves, committing all kinds of evil and destroying everything;

Ignoring my very teaching of 'Avoid ALL evil, Cultivate Only good and Purify your minds'.

Now when things go wrong, you ask 'Where's God?'.

All of you are such a bunch of ungrateful lot. Totally unthankful, unappreciative.

You want to know 'Where's God?'

I'll tell you 'Where's God' -

Go to Hell. I shall see ALL of you there!"

At that, the Earth opened and swallowed everyone into the Great Hell below.

No one was spared.

你可以问天
你可以问地
都没用
天和地会告诉你
你要为你所做的每一件事,
所说的每一句话 -
负责 -
因果.

(lit translated)

You can ask Heaven You can ask Earth,

All no use.

Heaven and Earth will tell you :

You have to be responsible for ALL the deeds you do

All the speech you make -

Ka - mma."

So how?

So 'Avoid ALL Evil

Cultivate Only Good

And Purify Your Minds.

This is the teaching of ALL The Buddhas."

- The Buddha

*** Read

'The Future' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2008/11/future.html

The Judge

2011-04-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

The Judge

Wicked Witch : Mirror Mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?

Mirror : KAMMA.

"Do good, good results.

Do evil, evil results."

- The Buddha

"As you sow, so you shall reap."

- The Buddha

"When the evil deed does not affect the fool

He thinks it is honey.

But once when it affects him,

That's when he comes to grief."

- The Buddha

"Impassioned with sensual possessions,

Greedy, dazed by sensual pleasures,

They don't awaken to the fact

That they've gone too far ........"

- The Buddha, Samyutta Nikaya 3.7

*** Read

1) 'Kamma Kamma Part 1 : Oh no!' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2010/04/kamma-kamma-part-1-oh-no.html

2) 'Mr CEO or Cleaning Aunty' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2007/03/mr-ceo-or-cleaning-auntie.html

Crazy in the Brain

2011-04-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

Crazy in the Brain

"People are crazy, crazy in the brain."

人们 -

人们想钱想到疯
人们想性/色想到疯
人们想权想到疯
人们想名想到疯
人们想利想到疯
.
到头来还不是一场空?

(lit. translated)

People -
.
Think of money/wealth/riches until crazy

Think of sex/lust until crazy

Think of power/control until crazy

Think of fame/recognition/name/glory until crazy

Think of self-interest until crazy

In the end, isn't it still ALL 'Empty'?

从古事到现在,
人们 -

为了钱,
为了权,
为了名,
为了利 -

不择手段,
对家人作出伤天害理的事.

(lit. translated)

From time immemorial till present day,

People -

Because of wealth,

Because of power,

Because of name and recognition,

Because of self-interest -

Through unscrupulous and devious ways and means,

Do to their family,

Things that even the Heavens will not condoned.

鸟为食而死亡,
人为钱和权而死芒.

(lit. translated)

Birds fight and die over food,
Humans fight and die over wealth and power.

*** Read

'Human's Hunger' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2007/02/humans-hunger.html

Blessings For Man

2011-03-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

Blessings For Man

Just as there are factors that done by one can lead to one's own downfall,

Likewise, in The Maha Mangala Sutta expounded by The Buddha,

There are also deeds done by one which can lead to one's long-term welfare, happiness and benefit.

1) Not to associate with fools, or the ignorant,

BUT to associate with those who are Wise and Worthy of honour (i.e. The Buddha, Pacceka Buddha, Noble Ones - those who have reached at least Stream-Entry).

* Fools or ignorant people are ill-disciplined,

They always lead their friends or those who associate with them to evil ways and teach them the wrong things

Because they do NOT know The Truth themselves.

Therefore, they instill in others many wrong ways and beliefs.

If Truth, Discipline or Good Deeds are spoken in their presence,

They become angry.

Most fools think themselves wise.

Yet when questioned and they cannot answer,

Or when others disagree with them,

They become angry and lose their temper.

Therefore, it is wise NEVER to speak, meet or come in contact with the fools and the ignorant.

2) To reside in a suitable place, To perform Meritorious deeds and have a well-controlled, guarded, tamed and restrained mind.

In a place "When the ruler of a country is just and good, ..... The people become just and good." ( Read 'Respect' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2008/06/respect.html)

Many people tend to pass their lives meaninglessly aimlessly wasting their good Kamma away by pursuing and engaging in evil ignorant deeds.

When things go wrong, they depend on fengshui, gods, fortune-tellers etc.

When ALL they need to do is review/reflect on themselves and their past deeds.

By rightly directing our minds, we can make the necessary changes and improve our lives.

( Read 'Kamma Kamma Part 2' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2010/04/kamma-kamma-part-2-lucky.html and

'Purpose/All We Need To Do Is' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2009/11/purpose-all-we-need-to-do-is.html)

3) To have much learning, skillful in one's craft that is wholesome and righteous.

To be well-disciplined and of skillful speech.

In this way, one will be able to guard oneself from ignorance.

4) To support one's parents, wife and children through right livelihood of honesty and hardwork and NOT seeking Unrighteous gains.

5) To be liberal in giving, Upright in conduct, to help when help is needed, and to lead a Righteous life free from blame.

6) To avoid evil and intoxicants, and to abstain from them.

7) To be steadfast in Virtues, Respectful, Humble, Content and Grateful.

That way, we'll live our lives meaningfully, fruitfully and NOT wastefully.

Even if we do not attain the final goal of Nibbana in this life,

We can be sure our future lives will be a good one.

8) To be able to listen to The Dhamma,

To be Patient, Humble and Obedient

Helps us to improve ourselves and excel.

9) To be in the company of The Wise whose Teachings help in the betterment of our lives.

10) To be self-restraint, to lead a chaste and celibate life,

To realise The Four Noble Truths and to be freed from ALL fetters is the Greatest Achievement.

11) To be unaffected by the inconstancy, impermanence of worldly conditions,

To be free from sorrow and the cause of sorrow,

With defilements cleansed and from fear liberated.

Such a one who thus practise and abides by the above,

Shall remain ever free,

Never to be beaten/conquered,

With happiness achieved

And will be held ever in esteem.

These are the greatest blessings."

- The Buddha, The Maha Mangala Sutta

"Associate NOT with evil friends,

Associate NOT with mean men;

Associate with Good friends,

Associate with Noble men."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 78

"Better it is to live alone.

There is NO fellowship with the ignorant.

Let one live alone doing NO evil,

Care-free,

Like an elephant in the elephant forest."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 330

"Do NOT follow a life of evil,

Do NOT live heedlessly,

Do NOT have wrong/false views,

Do NOT value worldly things.

( In this way, one can get rid of suffering )."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 167

"Heedfulness is The Path to the Deathless.

The Heedful do NOT die.

The heedless are as if dead already."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 21

"Whatever harm a foe may do to a foe,

Or a hater to a hater,

Yet an ill-directed mind can do oneself

Far Greater harm."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 42

"It is good to have virtue till old age;

It is good to have unshakeable faith ( in Kamma and The Triple Gems );

It is good to gain Wisdom;

It is good to do NO evil."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 333

"The Wise are controlled in deed,

Controlled in speech,

Controlled in thought.

Indeed they are perfectly Self-controlled."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 234

"Mara finds NOT the path of those who are Virtuous, Careful in living,

And freed by Right Knowledge."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 57

The Duties of a King/Ruler/Leader

1. Dana: Liberality, generosity, charity, concern with the welfare of the people.

2. Sila: High moral character, observing at least The Five Precepts.

3. Pariccaga: Willing to sacrifice everything for the people -- comfort, fame, even his life.

4. Ajjava: Honesty and integrity, not fearing some or favoring others.

5. Maddava: Kindness and gentleness.

6. Tapa: Austerity, content in the simple life.

7. Akkodha: Free from hatred, ill-will, and anger.

8. Avihimsa: Non-violence, a commitment to peace.

9. Khanti: Patience, tolerance, and the ability to understand others' perspectives.

10. Avirodha: Non-obstruction, ruling in harmony with the will of the people and in their best interests.

- The Buddha

Downfall of Man

2011-03-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

Downfall of Man

The following are the conditions which The Buddha lists down as the causes of a man's downfall :

The 10 Causes of a man's Downfall

1) He who loves The Dhamma progresses; He who is averse to it, declines.

2) The wicked/evil are dear to him, With the virtuous he finds no delight; He who prefers the creed of the wicked, such is his decline.

3) Fond of sleep, Fond of company, Indolent, Lazy and Irritable.

4) Though well-to-do, they support NOT their father and mother who are old and past their youth.

5) To deceive by falsehood to anyone is the cause of one's downfall.

6) To have much wealth and food, but to enjoy it all alone — this leads to one's downfall.

7) To be proud, haughty and conceited - whether of birth, wealth or class, leads one to one's downfall.

8) To be a rake, a drunkard, a gambler, To be intoxicated, to wander in the streets at unearthly hours, and to squander/waste away one's earnings.

9) Not to be content with one's spouse/partner, But to be involved with others - whether young or old - this is the cause of one's downfall.

10) Being past one's youth, one takes a young spouse/partner and yet be unable to sleep out of jealousy and fear — This constitutes one's downfall.

11) To place in authority a woman, or a man given to drink and squandering — This causes one's downfall.

12) To be of noble birth, with vast ambition BUT of slender means, and yet to crave for rulership — This causes one to Fall.

Knowing well the above, let NOT one commit them.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/narada/wheel014.html#para

- The Buddha, The Parabhava Sutta

"He who destroys life,

Tells lies,

Takes what is NOT given,

Commits adultery,

And is Addicted to intoxicants,

Digs in his own roots

Even in this very life."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 246-247

"4 Misfortunes befall A Careless Man who commits Adultery :

Demerit, Disturbed sleep, Blame,

And Suffering in a woeful state."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 309

"A man who gives way to pleasure will be swept away by craving,

And his thoughts will make him suffer,

Like waves."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 339

"A man's joys are always transient,

And since men devote themselves to pleasure,

Seeking after happiness,

They undergo birth and decay."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 341

Teacher Teacher

2011-03-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

Teacher Teacher

In the course of my life, I've come across many people who wants/likes to teach,

Regardless whether they have the innate ability or not.

I remember a yoga 'master', whose classes I used to attend.

On several occasions, he told me,

"XXX is so good because I made them."

He would attribute the success of certain students who are popular and 'good' at yoga, to himself.

However, not once did he talk about those who are not so good.

There was once I had a one-on-one session with him.

Again, he brought up the subject of how teachers are the ones who 'make' the students.

I told him I disagreed.

I told him the students play a part as well,

That it's not wholly the teacher's effort.

As a matter of fact,

Majority of the credit goes to the student's diligence.

He got pretty upset, and kept insisting that it's ALL the teacher's credit.

In order to soothe him down and to maintain harmony,

I smiled and kept quiet.

If you think about it, it's true -

Based on his argument,

If the students are good wholly because of the teacher,

Then doesn't it also follow that the students are bad because of the teacher?

Many people I come across only want praise and to take credit for things.

When it comes to liability or problems or mistakes,

It's always somebody else's fault.

Never theirs.

NONE wants to bear/shoulder it.

It's sad, isn't it?

Like I said in 'I'm Not Good' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2009/11/im-not-good.html,

"In good, there's bad; In bad there's good".

2 sides of the same coin.

When you have one, you'll have the other.

This is part of the 8 worldly conditions -

Just the way things are.

However, alot of people, in their want to be somebody,

Only paint/see/fantasise the beautiful picture/result of things.

They only want and dream of the good, the pleasant, the gifts they'll receive, the praise, the adoration etc.

They don't want/see/include the 'bad'.

Like I said in 'The Teacher and The Teachings Part 2' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2008/05/teacher-and-teachings-part-2-teachings.html,

"With power comes responsibility.

But how many can,

And are willing to be responsible,

Not just for the good,

But ALSO for the bad

That comes along with it?"

To me, it's always a principle that,

"Just as I do NOT take credit for how good my students are,

Likewise, I do NOT bear the liability for how bad they are.

I do my best in teaching/guiding them to the best of my ability;

Good or bad depends on how much,

Or how little,

Effort they put in."

"You yourselves should make the effort;

The Tathagatas are only teachers.

Those who enter this Path and who are Meditative,

Are delivered from the bonds of Mara."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 276

'There are three frames of reference that a Noble One cultivates,

Cultivating which he is a teacher fit to instruct a group.'

There is the case where The Teacher —

Out of sympathy, seeking their well-being —

Teaches The Dhamma to his disciples:

'This is for your well-being, this is for your happiness.'

His disciples do NOT listen or lend ear or apply their minds to gnosis.

Turning aside, they stray from The Master's message.

In this case The Tathagata is not satisfied nor is he sensitive to satisfaction,

Yet he remains untroubled, mindful, & alert.

This is the first frame of reference...

Furthermore, there is the case where The Master —

Out of sympathy, seeking their well-being —

Teaches The Dhamma to his disciples:

'This is for your well-being, this is for your happiness.'

Some of his disciples do NOT listen or lend ear or apply their minds to gnosis.

Turning aside, they stray from The Master's message.

But some of his disciples listen, lend ear, & apply their minds to gnosis.

They do NOT turn aside or stray from The Master's message.

In this case The Tathagata is not satisfied nor is he sensitive to satisfaction;

At the same time, he is not dissatisfied nor is he sensitive to dissatisfaction.

Free from both satisfaction & dissatisfaction,

He remains equanimous, mindful, & alert.

This is the second frame of reference...

Furthermore, there is the case where The Master —

Out of sympathy, seeking their well-being —

Teaches The Dhamma to his disciples:

'This is for your well-being, this is for your happiness.'

His disciples listen, lend ear, & apply their minds to gnosis.

They do NOT turn aside or stray from The Master's message.

In this case The Tathagata is satisfied and is sensitive to satisfaction,

Yet he remains untroubled, mindful, & alert.

This is the third frame of reference...

'There are three frames of reference that a Noble One cultivates, cultivating which he is a teacher fit to instruct a group.'

Thus was it said. And in reference to this was it said.

— MN 137

- The Buddha, Majjhima Nikaya 137

"As a solid rock is unshaken by the wind,

Even so The Wise are unshaken by praise or blame."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 81

"A person governed by Dhamma is self-sufficient,

And is able to find peace and bliss in ALL circumstances.

There is NOTHING which can disturb and upset the mind

Which has been Absolutely Purified

And which is UNshakeable."

- Venerable Ajahn Mun

* * * Read

1) 'Motherhood' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2008/01/motherhood.html

2) 'The Path' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2008/03/path.html

3) 'The Buddha - Dead or Alive?' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2009/01/buddha-dead-or-alive.html

4) 'The Buddha, Nibbana' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2008/06/buddha-nibbana.html

Decline of Countries

2011-03-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

Decline of Countries

Looking at the state of many countries today,

I see how countries rise and fall,

Due to the ignorance/foolishness of the rulers and its people.

I recall the incident in The Ratana Sutta ( http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2006/09/ratana-sutta-buddha.html),

Where the country Vesali, before they met with The Buddha,

Was faced with 3 major diasters -

Famine/Drought, Evil spirits and an outbreak of Epidemic -

All because the ruler and the people do not know The Buddha's Teachings on the factors of non-decline.

As such, I feel it's good to put these factors down in my blog so that we can all be more aware.

Happy Reading!

The Aparihaniya-Dhamma / The Factors of Non-Decline

Thus have I heard -

Once The Blessed One dwelt at Rajagaha, on the hill called Vultures' Peak.

At that time the king of Magadha, Ajatasattu, son of the Videhi queen,

Desired to wage war against the Vajjis.

He spoke in this fashion:

"These Vajjis, powerful and glorious as they are, I shall annihilate them, I shall make them perish, I shall utterly destroy them."

And Ajatasattu, the king of Magadha, addressed his chief minister, the brahmin Vassakara, saying:

"Come, brahmin, go to The Blessed One, pay homage in my name at His feet, wish Him good health, strength, ease, vigour, and comfort, and speak thus:

'O Lord, Ajatasattu, the king of Magadha, desires to wage war against the Vajjis.

He has spoken in this fashion:

"These Vajjis, powerful and glorious as they are, I shall annihilate them, I shall make them perish, I shall utterly destroy them."'

And whatever The Blessed One should answer you, keep it well in mind and inform me;

For Tathagatas do not speak falsely."

"Very well, sire," said the brahmin Vassakara in assent to Ajatasattu, king of Magadha.

And he ordered a large number of magnificent carriages to be made ready, mounted one himself, and accompanied by the rest, drove out to Rajagaha towards Vultures' Peak.

He went by carriage as far as the carriage could go, then dismounting, he approached The Blessed One on foot.

After exchanging courteous greetings with The Blessed One, together with many pleasant words, he sat down at one side and addressed The Blessed One thus:

"Venerable Gotama, Ajatasattu, the king of Magadha, pays homage at the feet of the Venerable Gotama and wishes Him good health, strength, ease, vigour, and comfort.

He desires to wage war against the Vajjis, and he has spoken in this fashion:

'These Vajjis, powerful and glorious as they are, I shall annihilate them, I shall make them perish, I shall utterly destroy them.'"

(Conditions of a Nation's Welfare)

At that time the Venerable

Ananda was standing behind The Blessed One, fanning him, and The Blessed One addressed the Venerable Ananda thus: