Disclaimer
These explanations and co-relations are of a personal view and opinion.
If these explanations do not fully communicate the true intentions of the teachings of the Buddha, it is not that the teachings of the Buddha are flawed, but rather due to my grasp and command of the language in not properly explaining the true intents of the teachings of the Buddha.
I am, afterall an unenlightened human being trying my best to share.
Appreciate your understanding
These quotes with cross reference to the teachings of the Buddha will be provided on a periodic basis starting from 15 Oct 2015
These explanations and co-relations are of a personal view and opinion.
If these explanations do not fully communicate the true intentions of the teachings of the Buddha, it is not that the teachings of the Buddha are flawed, but rather due to my grasp and command of the language in not properly explaining the true intents of the teachings of the Buddha.
I am, afterall an unenlightened human being trying my best to share.
Appreciate your understanding
These quotes with cross reference to the teachings of the Buddha will be provided on a periodic basis starting from 15 Oct 2015
21 October 2015
This quote by Zinedine Zidane serves as a timely reminder as we are always comparing with others that are better than us, we need to know we may have something on-hand that is more or better than others and be grateful about what we have.
As stated in the Mangala Sutta, one of the highest blessings is Santutthī ca kataññutā (Contented and Grateful).
There are some who argue that being contented, there will be no progress for mankind and our economic development will be stagnant. This is a deluded and biased analogy that simply emphasizes great intellect to great progress. This one-sided track is mercenary cold in relationship and unforgiving in pursuit of progress with intelligence as a sole factor of consideration.
Just as a bird needs 2 wings to fly, Intelligence must be balanced with Compassion for progress to be attained with wisdom and happiness. Having compassion for others and oneself, one is grateful for what we have originally and continue to progress for the well-being and happiness of oneself and others.
Let us Serve to be Perfect and be Perfect, we serve for our and others progress and happiness.
As stated in the Mangala Sutta, one of the highest blessings is Santutthī ca kataññutā (Contented and Grateful).
There are some who argue that being contented, there will be no progress for mankind and our economic development will be stagnant. This is a deluded and biased analogy that simply emphasizes great intellect to great progress. This one-sided track is mercenary cold in relationship and unforgiving in pursuit of progress with intelligence as a sole factor of consideration.
Just as a bird needs 2 wings to fly, Intelligence must be balanced with Compassion for progress to be attained with wisdom and happiness. Having compassion for others and oneself, one is grateful for what we have originally and continue to progress for the well-being and happiness of oneself and others.
Let us Serve to be Perfect and be Perfect, we serve for our and others progress and happiness.
17 October 2015
To forgive someone who has done you a great or heinous wrong is something not humanly easy. It is easier said than done.
If you are the sufferer of this heinous wrong that is done on you, how can you bring yourself to forgive? Even with the passing of years or decades, the pains are still there and the deed can be clearly recalled in our memory.
But we know that to hold on to this anger and not overcoming this entrenched thorn in our mind, we are forever imprisoned within ourselves and could not attain the inner peace of mind.
I read an article from Phillip Moffitt on "Forgiving the Unforgivable" and have extracted some passages that provide good insights into confronting and overcoming this hesitation of Forgiving.
"Forgiveness is not about helplessly accepting, giving up, surrendering to defeat, being weak, or avoiding the cost of justice. It is about how you hold in your heart a terrible wrong while you act in the world to correct that wrong and try to prevent it from happening again.
Forgiveness is difficult to achieve because whatever has occasioned the need for forgiveness has caused the mind to be clouded by pain, loss, and confusion. Tragically, you become one with anger; you are now its servant. This negative identification is static in nature, so you tend to stay the same through time, not to heal, not to look forward but to look back.
It is possible to cultivate forgiveness through meditation. Forgiveness practice is about liberating your own feelings and finding meaning in the worst of life's events. You practice forgiveness to be free of the inner violence of your rage, and you do not abandon the pursuit of right action. In fact, you gain clear seeing that allows you to use skillful means in bringing sustainable peace."
If you are the sufferer of this heinous wrong that is done on you, how can you bring yourself to forgive? Even with the passing of years or decades, the pains are still there and the deed can be clearly recalled in our memory.
But we know that to hold on to this anger and not overcoming this entrenched thorn in our mind, we are forever imprisoned within ourselves and could not attain the inner peace of mind.
I read an article from Phillip Moffitt on "Forgiving the Unforgivable" and have extracted some passages that provide good insights into confronting and overcoming this hesitation of Forgiving.
"Forgiveness is not about helplessly accepting, giving up, surrendering to defeat, being weak, or avoiding the cost of justice. It is about how you hold in your heart a terrible wrong while you act in the world to correct that wrong and try to prevent it from happening again.
Forgiveness is difficult to achieve because whatever has occasioned the need for forgiveness has caused the mind to be clouded by pain, loss, and confusion. Tragically, you become one with anger; you are now its servant. This negative identification is static in nature, so you tend to stay the same through time, not to heal, not to look forward but to look back.
It is possible to cultivate forgiveness through meditation. Forgiveness practice is about liberating your own feelings and finding meaning in the worst of life's events. You practice forgiveness to be free of the inner violence of your rage, and you do not abandon the pursuit of right action. In fact, you gain clear seeing that allows you to use skillful means in bringing sustainable peace."
Dhammapada Verse 5
|
Na hi verena verani
Sammantidha kudacanam Averena ca sammanti Esa dhammo sanantano |
Hatred is, indeed, never appeased by hatred in this world.
It is appeased only by loving-kindness. This is an ancient law. |
Not to forgive and live with the hatred as we living is the accept norm for all, who will never experience any peace of mind.
To forgive and overcome this hatred with metta is a great personal victory that brings instant relief and closure to hatred, thus achieving the desirable inner peace of mind and happiness.
Forgiveness is indeed the fragrance that flowers give when they are crushed.
If you will like to read the full version of this article on "Forgiving the Unforgivable" by Phillip Moffitt, please double click on the title itself to access the article
To forgive and overcome this hatred with metta is a great personal victory that brings instant relief and closure to hatred, thus achieving the desirable inner peace of mind and happiness.
Forgiveness is indeed the fragrance that flowers give when they are crushed.
If you will like to read the full version of this article on "Forgiving the Unforgivable" by Phillip Moffitt, please double click on the title itself to access the article
15 October 2015
Dhammapada 183
Sabbapapassa akaranam (Not to do Evil)
Kusalassa upasampada (Cultivate the Good)
Sacittapariyodapanam (Purify one's Mind)
Etam buddhana sasanam (This is the teaching of the Buddha)
Teachings of the Buddha are simple and straight forward.
Avoid Evil, Do Good and Purify the Mind.
It is so simple that even a child know it, but an adult with all his intellect and life experiences may not know how to really "do" it.
Simple as it seems, but indeed harder to perform it as we are used to think complex. But when we think complex, we do not really know how to do it simpler. This is the crux of the problem that we faced.
You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple, and once you can get there, you can move mountain.
Likewise, to really know how we need to Avoid Evil, Do Good and Purify the Mind, we really need to keep it simple and put in efforts. We must first have Right Understanding and Right Thought. These are the first two steps as stated in the Noble Eight Fold Path. These first two steps constitutes the Initial Wisdom that allows one to develop and cultivate Morality (Right Speech, Right Action & Right Livelihood) and Mental Discipline (Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration) to attain the Final Wisdom.
It is worth it as once you get there, you will experience the immense joy, happiness and tranquility of your mind.
Sabbapapassa akaranam (Not to do Evil)
Kusalassa upasampada (Cultivate the Good)
Sacittapariyodapanam (Purify one's Mind)
Etam buddhana sasanam (This is the teaching of the Buddha)
Teachings of the Buddha are simple and straight forward.
Avoid Evil, Do Good and Purify the Mind.
It is so simple that even a child know it, but an adult with all his intellect and life experiences may not know how to really "do" it.
Simple as it seems, but indeed harder to perform it as we are used to think complex. But when we think complex, we do not really know how to do it simpler. This is the crux of the problem that we faced.
You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple, and once you can get there, you can move mountain.
Likewise, to really know how we need to Avoid Evil, Do Good and Purify the Mind, we really need to keep it simple and put in efforts. We must first have Right Understanding and Right Thought. These are the first two steps as stated in the Noble Eight Fold Path. These first two steps constitutes the Initial Wisdom that allows one to develop and cultivate Morality (Right Speech, Right Action & Right Livelihood) and Mental Discipline (Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration) to attain the Final Wisdom.
It is worth it as once you get there, you will experience the immense joy, happiness and tranquility of your mind.