◉ When we let go of our discrimination and attachment, we will see everything as one. Only then can our self-discipline, deep concentration and wisdom be complete. If we cannot accomplish this perfectly then maybe, we can at least achieve one percent.
◉ Whenever we sleep, we have dreams, which arise from our wandering thoughts.
◉ Wandering thoughts use up most of our energy. When we have less wandering thoughts, we will need less food.
◉ When we let go of our greed, anger and ignorance, our wisdom will arise.
◉ It is easy for awakened beings to help those whose conditions have matured. But those whose conditions have not yet matured are not ready to accept the teachings. However, we can create the opportunities to help them listen to more talks and have more opportunities to practice.
◉ Pure giving is when we have no attachment to the thought that we have given, that someone has received or that something has been given.
◉ The more time we spend with others the more we concentrate on their bad habits while neglecting their good points. When people are too close, they may separate in the future. To have a lasting relationship, maintain a suitable distance. We would also do well to remember that the Buddha teaches us not to see the faults of others.
◉ Although we intend to behave properly, for example not to lose our temper, something happens and we become angry before we can stop ourselves. When we give rise to thoughts of greed and do not get what we want, we give way to resentment. This is because we are controlled by our negative karma. Negative karma includes wandering thoughts, and attachments, greed, anger, ignorance and arrogance. How do we overcome it? By listening more to lectures and putting these teachings into practice. Understanding and practice are equally important as they complement each other and lead to even higher understanding and practice.
◉ The more we attach the lower we fall in the three bad realms of reincarnation.
◉ The key to success in our practice is to let go in our mind.
◉ When chanting we do not want to be attached to the thought of who is chanting or to what is being chanted.
◉ With even the smallest desire for fame or wealth, we cannot transcend the cycle of reincarnation.
◉ Our biggest obstacle is arrogance. The comes from self-attachment, from egoism. To rid ourselves of arrogance we practice respect and humility.
◉ Our primary affliction is our attachment to our body.
◉ Buddha Shakyamuni severed the five desires of wealth, lust, fame, food/drink and sleep to achieve the state of serenity. We think he sacrificed, He simply let go.
◉ Whether we attach to thought or to no thought, we are still attached.
◉ Cultivating a non-discriminating mind provides the serenity for practitioners to let go of afflictions, wandering thoughts and attachments. It is difficult for most of us to let go due to the injustices we feel we have suffered and the grudges we thus hold. However, feeling this way only puts us at more of a disadvantage because then we suffer the consequences of our grudges. Inequalities exist in this world because of our discriminating mind.
related post: Attain Freedom of Mind and Spirit (2)
Source Of Information:
《To Understand Buddhism》, by Venerable Master Chin Kung, translated by Silent Voices, distributed by: Persatuan Penganut Agama Buddha Amitabha Malaysia, 90 & 92, Jalan Pahang, Gombak, 53000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.)
*** The information provided above does not contain personal opinion of this blog.
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