Anger

Anger


"Anger never ceases with anger; Through love alone it ceases.

This, is an eternal law."

- The Buddha

To me, in this age and time, no one can give a discourse on the above teaching by The Buddha as eloquently as the late Venerable Ajahn Mun.

As such, I would like to share it with all of you.

It's taken from the book, "Venerable Acariya Mun Bhuridatta Thera - A Spiritual Biography", written by the Venerable Acariya Maha Boowa Nanasampanno.

Enjoy! :)

“Conquer anger with lack of anger, remember this. For anyone hoping to achieve victory, this is the most important Dhamma to practice. Consider it well – it is the main source of peace and happiness in the world. Love and kindness – these are an effective deterrence against an evil such as anger. By helping to reduce anger’s power to destroy human and devic societies alike, loving kindness fosters peace and prosperity everywhere. Thus, this loving attitude is a prerequisite for social harmony – one we should all strive to develop. In a world lacking this victory formula, dissatisfaction and unrest will arise at the very least. At the extreme, the world will be consumed by mortal strife. Anger and resentment can never defeat our enemies, for they are evils that succeed only in indiscriminately destroying us and everyone close to us. The more anger is used, the more the world we live in becomes a sea of flames, burning uncontrollably toward total annihilation.

“Anger is actually a type of fire that’s inherent in the nature of this world. Although it has no physical properties, it does succeed in creating havoc in its wake. So anyone desiring a stable, sensible world – a place worth living in – should realize the disastrous harm that the fires of anger and resentment can cause; and refrain from ever using them. Starting a fire like this merely causes oneself and everyone else to suffer. Mutual feelings of affection and loving kindness among all living beings maintain the world in its proper equilibrium. Oppressive forces of unrestrained anger and selfish pride should never be allowed to run rampant, causing a never-ending cycle of destruction.

“With his acute wisdom, the Lord Buddha realized the indisputable harm caused by anger. He saw the value of loving kindness as a gentle force that can spontaneously join all living beings in a sense of mutual harmony and goodwill, for all share a common desire for happiness and a common dislike of pain. For this reason, he taught that love and kindness were powerful means of maintaining peace and security in the world. So long as living beings still have loving kindness in their hearts, there’s every chance that their desire for happiness will be fulfilled. But should their hearts become estranged from thoughts of loving kindness, then even with all the material comforts, their lives will still be devoid of genuine peace and happiness. Angry, hateful people tend to encounter only trouble, feeling resentful and annoyed wherever they go.

“Once we know with certainty that Dhamma is something truly beneficial to us, we can clearly see that a heart full of brutality is like a blazing fire gradually destroying everything in its path. We must then urgently strive to overcome these dangers as best we can.

You may never again get such a good opportunity; so, take advantage of it now and avoid regrets in the future.

The world is in a constant state of change and that changing world is situated right here in the bodies and minds of us all.”

- Venerable Acariya Mun Bhuridatta Thera, A Spiritual Biography by Acariya Maha Boowa Nanasampanno, page 220-221)




http://www.what-buddha-taught.net/Books2/Acariya_Mun_Spiritual_Biography.pdf

"Anger can never dispel anger;

Hate can never dispel hate.

Only love can dispel anger.

Only love can dispel hate."

- The Buddha





"Conquer anger by love, evil by good;

Conquer the miser with generosity, and the liar with Truth."

- The Buddha






"Just as greed, selfishness and stinginess comes as a package,

So does anger, jealousy and sadness."
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"After anger, ill-will and hate,

What follows is sorrow, sadness and pain."

The Four Noble Truths

The Four Noble Truths


I'll not begin with the 1st Noble Truth, "There is Suffering" cos' all of us have suffered enough (haven't we?)

And to still begin with it, all of you would probably scuttle away and not read what I have to say.

So I'll begin with the 3rd Truth instead - There's Happiness! (Yeah!)

And there's a way to get there.

In 'Competition and Consequences' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2007/06/competition-and-consequences.html ",

I mentioned that everyone is telling us we need to compete, move fast, be first etc.

Where does it lead us?

Does it make us happy / happier?

Or does it bring us more stress and suffering? (Oops!)

Better yet, ask yourself, "Am I happy? Truthfully, honestly, really happy?"

Were there times when you flare up, feel sad, miserable, jealous, stressed, anxious etc?

If you do, then you're NOT truthfully, honestly, Real-ly happy.

Obviously, something is wrong somewhere with competition, moving fast, being first etc, isn't it?


In 'If' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2007/08/if.html ",

I also said that people tells us we have to get this, have that, so that we'll be happy.

Honestly, truthfully, after getting those things, are you Real-ly happy?

Or do you have to work so hard, 'climbing the high mountains, crossing the great seas' to get it that you're so tired and exhausted after that to truly enjoy it?

Even if you Are happy,

How long does that happiness last?

Or are you off again striving to get something else?

If you think about it, anything that satisfies our desires is the root for dissatisfaction and suffering later. (1st Noble Truth : There is Suffering)


In 'Competition and Consequences - Part 2 : Consequences' (http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2007/06/competition-and-consequences-part-2.html) ,

I also mentioned that we already have a huge apple pie in front of us, yet we're not satisfied.

When we look to the right, we see someone with a strawberry pie, and we want it.

Then we look to the left, and we see another person with a blueberry pie, and we want it, too.

We can't even finish or cope with our own apple pie, yet we're coveting after other people's pies. (2nd Noble Truth : The Cause of Suffering)

What happen if we have all 3 pies?

We'll be so stuffed, so full and so bloated.

We'll probably suffer from indigestion after that, and we'll be in a bad mood cos' our stomach hurts, and we can hardly walk or breathe.

Not forgetting the high cholesterol, putting on weight, looking fat and puffed up, the high blood pressure, heart condition, irregular heartbeat, toxicity of the liver, the kidneys etc etc.

Is it suffering yet?

I can go on .........

So how?

So be content, with few wants, accept, let go
(3rd Noble Truth : The Cessation of Suffering - Happiness!)

Be happy and satisfied when we have something, Be happy and content even if we don't have.

That way, morality and virtues will slowly seep into our systems, we change our mindset, our views to one of contentment, peace, and everything else will just flow happily along.
( 4th Noble Truth : The Path to the Cessation of Suffering - The Path to Happiness - The Noble Eightfold Path )

Our hearts will prosper, and when our hearts prosper, our families will prosper, and that's how the nation and the whole world prosper,

Not through or by economics alone.

Simple as that.

Try it!

It's formula tried and tested by me - happy happy me. :)



"If you lack moral virtue, then even if you search for happiness until the day you die, you'll never find it.

Instead, you'll find nothing but suffering and discontent."

- Ajahn Maha Boowa



"If there's prosperity in our hearts, then the world can live in happiness and peace.

But if there's only material prosperity, it (material prosperity) can't give the world any happiness (and peace),

But make the world more hot and troubled than before."

- Ajahn Maha Boowa





"You can look and see that however much material progress and development there is in the world,

The confusion and suffering of humans increase right along with it."

- Ajahn Chah




"Suffering comes from 'having'."

- Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo





"External prosperity, Internal bankruptcy.

External prosperity + Internal bankruptcy = Insanity."




"Wherever you go, as long as you have craving,

You'll always have the itch - Suffering!"

- The Buddha



"Contrary to popular conventional and humanistic beliefs,

Prosperity is NOT about and does NOT mean external wealth or worldly possessions;

Prosperity is about inner virtues and morality."




"All who follow their greed, no matter where it leads, are left unsatisfied.

Pleasures always come to an end.

If you allow them to feed your greed,

You'll always be left exhausted and discontented."

Maitreya 3 - Is It Important?

Maitreya 3 - Is It Important?


There was once after a discourse, a man stood up in front of the assemblage, and asked Maitreya,

"They say Buddhas have supernatural powers. Do you have supernatural powers?"

Maitreya looked at the man and said, "Sir, is it important? What good is there in asking that question? Does it make you a better person? Does it help you to be enlighten?"

Stunned, the man stumbled, "Er ......... no"

"Good!", said Maitreya, "then there's no point in answering that question. Go away!"

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"Know what is important. Enlightenment." .
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"We're not here to make money, or to make babies,

Or to make enemies, or to eat and drink.

We're here to help, to serve and to make our lives beneficial for ourselves and all sentient beings.

So do something meaningful today. Everyday."

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"It is more important to know what is important to know,

and NOT what is unimportant."

"Meditation is to, and for letting go.

Physically, we are already acquiring.

If spiritually we still want to acquire,

Then we'll never find peace, never find freedom,

And we'll NEVER be enlighten."

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"Why levitate the body (physical) when you can levitate the mind (spiritual).

For levitation of the mind is by far the greater of the two."

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"Known are the things to be known,

Cultivated are the things to be cultivated,

Destroyed are the things to be destroyed,

Therefore, Brahman, I AM The Buddha."

- The Buddha

Maitreya 2 - The Truth

Maitreya 2 - The Truth


There was once Maitreya visited a monastery.

Through vision/insight, Maitreya saw and knew that that monastery was in a terrible state of affairs.

The monks and nuns were lazy, not practising, but indulging in the senses, and giving false distorted teachings.


When Maitreya went, Maitreya gave all of them - the monks, the nuns and lay disciples, a huge dressing down.

Maitreya really lam-blasted them, striking down to their very core of existence.

After the ferocious and fiery scolding, as some of them puts it, there were a few who realised their mistake and were truly sorry.

Others became enlightened.

However, there were a few ignorant and proud ones who were recalcitrant, dissatisfied and very unhappy.

They expected Maitreya to be soft and gentle, and to praise them.


As they were walking away, a lady was heard telling the others rather arrogantly,

"Hng! I thought they say Maitreya is a Buddha. A Buddha should not scold people. What kind of Buddha is that?!"

At that very instant the lady's words were spoken, Maitreya's image appeared right in front of them, saying,

"A Loving and Kind One!"




"Only a loving and kind friend who truly cares about you would tell you your faults.

Others only lie and give you false hopes, sinking you further and deeper into samsara."



"One should follow a wise man who admonishes one for one's faults,

As one would follow a guide to some buried treasure.

To one who follows such a wise man,

It will be an advantage, NOT a disadvantage."

- The Buddha (Dhammapada verse 76)




"You want to know the Truth?

But can you handle or accept the Truth?"




"Truth hurts; whether we like it or not."

"The wise man should admonish others;

He should give advice and should prevent others from doing wrong;

Such a man is held dear by the good;

He is disliked only by the bad."

- The Buddha (Dhammapada verse 77)




"The foolishman, who, on account of false views,

Scorns the teachings of The Arahants, The Noble Ones and The Righteous,

Produces fruit like the bamboo,

Only for self-destruction."

- The Buddha

Maitreya 1 - Buddhism and Compassion

Maitreya 1 - Buddhism and Compassion


One day, in front of an assemblage, a man asked Maitreya, in a not very polite tone, and sounding quite frustrated too,

"You Buddhists always talk about compassion. Buddhism is all about compassion!"

Maitreya looked at the man, smiled and said,

"Sir, you are wrong.

Buddhism is not about compassion.

Buddhism is about compassion and a whole lot more!

Buddhism is about kindness, happiness, love, freedom, contentment, peace, and most important of all, Wisdom, Truth, Dhamma.

Anyway, isn't that what other religions are also about? Compassion.

Isn't that what being human is about? Compassion.

My goodness! Even animals know compassion.

If you do not know compassion, I do not know what are you!"
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"Money (greed) does not make the world go round.

Money (greed) makes the world go down.

Compassion, love, kindness, peace, harmony and wisdom

Is what makes the world go round."



"Ground the people and children in wisdom and compassion,

Success and happiness will follow.

Ground the people and children in greed, hatred and delusion,

Then sadness, sorrow, pain and suffering will ensue."

Giving

Giving


There was a time when I was not well.

An acquaintance-friend, let's call 'A', got to know about it and sms me, telling me about the chanting 'A' did for me.

Touched by the gesture, I thanked 'A' via sms.

Sometime later, we met.

On seeing me, 'A' brought up the subject of chanting for me when I was unwell.

I told 'A' thank you.

When we reached the venue of where we were going, 'A' told me again of the chanting done.

Again, I said thank you.

In a span of 2-3 hours throughout that meeting with 'A', 'A' told/reminded me about 3 or 4 times the chanting done for me.

Thinking back, perhaps a humble 'Thank You' is not enough.

Perhaps I should have taken a loudhailer, or announced it over the PA system for everyone to hear, what 'A' had done for me.

Or maybe I should have called the press, the newspaper, the radio and TV stations, and have it announced to the whole world.


The point is,

Give for the JOY of giving, expecting nothing,

And I mean NOTHING, 'NO-THING', not even a simple 'Thank You', in return.

When you're expecting something in return, that's NOT giving.

That's business transaction, where Terms and Conditions apply.


Real, Pure giving is about letting go;

Not gaining and/or achieving. (Unconditional)

Many people feel that when they give something, or do something for others, they must or have to get something back.

Not just something,

But a Big something.

A HUGE something.


That's how our society, our world is nowadays - from the highest to the lowest.

No wonder people are getting selfish, greedy and stingy.

It all comes as a package.

There are even some new age so-called holistic/spiritual people who coin out a term - "energy exchange", or "spiritual exchange", for it.

My goodness!

The next time you give,

For goodness' sake,

Be quiet about it.

Shhhhh !



"Give for the joy of giving,

Expecting nothing in return.

When you can give that way,

You'll find Real True Happiness."




"Give and forget you've given.

Take/receive and always remember you've taken/received."




"When you measure a relationship by how much you've done and/or given,

It's no longer a relationship.

It's a business transaction."



"When you give and expect something in return,

It only give rise to suffering."

- The Buddha




"When you have high expectations, you'll fall and be crushed.

When you have low expectations, you'll still fall, but may or may not be crushed.

But when you have no expectations,

You'll not fall, so wherefore the crush?"




"Giving = Loving = Forgiving = Letting Go = Freedom."

Wise vs Fools

Wise vs Fools



"Associate ONLY with the wise;

Associate NOT with the fools."

- The Buddha



My sister related a story to me about her student.

There was once the student needed to stay back in school for CCA.

Together with his friends, they went to the nearby games arcade to while away time while waiting for the CCA to begin.

His friends played the game machines there.

He did not.

He merely bought a cup noodle and ate

Smart move cos' that day, their teacher made a surprise spot check at the place and caught all of them.

When the teacher asked for his parents' number, he told the teacher that he did not play the games, he only ate.

The teacher then checked with the uncle at the shop and confirmed that what he said was true.

With that, the teacher let him off.


Take another example.

You're out with a group of friends.

Your friends suggested going to an illegal gambling den.

You hesitated.

But they call you a coward, a 'chicken', and told you there's no danger, that you can just sit and watch and don't have to gamble.

Out of peer pressure, and not wanting to 'lose face' or appear like a coward or a 'chicken', you went along.

To watch.

Coincidentally, there was a police crackdown that evening and even though you kept telling the police you were only there to watch, you were arrested just the same.

Depending on your past karma (deeds),

3 scenarios may take place.

You may :

1) Be charged, even though you are truly innocent (and that means you don't have much good karma);

2) Be arrested and put in jail over night and released the next day because you were found to be innocent after all. ( a bit good karma from the past); OR

3) Found to be innocent and released that same night (past good karma).


The opposite is also true.

Take an example :

You are stressed with work and family commitments.

Your friend told you about a free meditation course.

You went for it, enjoyed it and attended the whole course with your friend, and benefited from it, feeling more relaxed after the course.



From the above examples, we can see why The Great Buddha said 'to associate only with the wise, and not the fools'.

Cos' with the wise, they will encourage you on only doing good.

To cultivate.

That way, you'll gain merits and have good karma to help you tide through future bad times, should there be any.



Whereas if you associate with the fools, not only will they bring you suffering upon suffering, but also sink you further and deeper into samsara.

So do be careful who you consider to be your real true friends, and who are your real foes.







"Associate not with evil friends,

Associate not with mean men;

Associate with good friends,

Associate with Noble men."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 78

"He who walks in the company of fools has to grieve for a long time.

Association with fools is ever painful, as living with an enemy.

Association with the wise is a pleasure, as living with relatives."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 207

"Do not think lightly of evil, saying 'it will not come to me.'

Even a water pot is filled by the falling of drops.

Similarly the fool, gathering little by little,

fills himself with evil."

- The Buddha






"So long as an evil deed does not affect the fool,

he thinks it is honey;

But when it affects him,

Then he comes to grief."

- The Buddha







"So, when a fool does wrong deeds, he does not realise (their evil nature);

by his own deeds the fool is tormented,

like one burnt by fire."

- The Buddha







"It is easy to be bad but difficult to be good.

- The Buddha







"Karma does not depend on any special being or power,

BUT only upon each individual who makes his own karma."

- Ajahn Laa







"An evil deed does not immediately bear fruit,

Just as milk does not curdle at once;

But it follows the fool,

Burning him like live coal covered with ashes."

- The Buddha







"The skill and knowledge of a fool can only harm him;

It destroys his merit and his wisdom."

- The Buddha