What is the purpose of being born?
We are born to repay or collect a debt, repay or collect kindness.
Can we take on the suffering of others?
No, karmic effects can only be endured or enjoyed by the individual, who created them, no one can take on another's karma.
Why does it take so long to attain achievement?
Attainment takes numerous eons because when we are not practicing we are regressing. As the opening verse to the sutra says, it takes infinite eons to encounter Buddhism. Then we have to first make up lost ground.
How do I know how much merit I have?
To know how much we can just think of when we last became angry or even just irritated. Feeling either of these will destroy all that we have accumulated. Feeling arrogance will likewise destroy our merits. However, good fortune cannot be destroyed by these feelings.
How do I know if the method I have chosen is right for me?
Those who have the strength from cultivation are perfectly filled with dharma joy. If we feel miserable instead of joyful then the method we have chosen may not be suitable for us.
I have heard that we can stay in one realm due to attachment. Is this true?
One day Buddha Shakyamuni smiled, shook his head, pointed to a trail of ants on the ground and told his followers, "These ants have been reincarnated as ants for as long a time as seven Buddhas have appeared to teach. Why are they unable to change their form to be born into another realm? they are attached to their present forms."
What is good student-teacher relationship?
A good student respects the Teacher. A good Teacher cares for the student as a child.
What is the self-nature?
The self-nature is our original, true self that we still have, but that is currently covered by deluded thoughts.
Why do you say feeling ashamed is helpful?
When we feel ashamed we will become more diligent.
Why is filial piety so important?
The practice of Filial Piety is showing respect and caring for one's parents. The Chinese character "Shiao" means filial piety. The top part means old age while the bottom part means son. When the two are put together, it gives us the meaning of one entity. It is vastly expansive and never-ending. It speaks of the generations before ours and of those to follow.
What if we see faults in others?
The Sixth Patriarch of Zen, Master Hui Neng said that first we should not see the faults of others. Second we should not speak of the faults of others.
I have made so many mistakes in my life, how can I hope to achieve?
We have all made mistakes, we all have faults. Even equal enlightenment Bodhisattvas who are only one degree away from Buddhahood have made mistakes and have faults. What matters is to know and correct them until we have no more. Then we will reach Buddhahood. Only Buddhas have no mistakes.
How do we achieve? Where do we begin?
Becoming Buddhas and Bodhisattvas is simply returning to our already perfect self-nature. First, we start by expanding our mind. A sign of delusion is being narrow-minded. When we expand our mind to care for all beings we are on the path to Buddhahood. If not, then we are still mired in the path of reincarnation.
related post: True Sincerity Towards Others (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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