◉ To want to practice and learn successfully we need three affinities. First, our most important affinity is with our Teacher who provides constant guidance. Our next is with our fellow practitioners who provide encouragement. The third is with our way place, which provides the proper environment for our practice and learning.
◉ Our true understanding is like lighting a candle in a cave that has been dark for a thousand years. One candle illuminates the entire cave. The darkness symbolizes our ignorance. We commit wrongdoings because we are deluded. The candle symbolizes understanding the truth of life and the universe. So even though we have committed wrongdoings, once we understand we will become enlighten.
◉ "No thought" means having "no improper thought", it does not mean having no "awakened thought".
◉ Although we may not cultivate perfectly, little by little the merits that will be accumulated will be considerable.
◉ When we are in a good situation and start to feel proud of it we become arrogant. Arrogance is one of our major afflictions following greed, anger and ignorance.
◉ When we get along with others and practice the Giving of Fearlessness we will live long and healthy lives.
◉ We would do well to not immerse ourselves in greed, anger and ignorance but to engage our moral character, which flows from our self-nature.
◉ If we have a kind and gentle heart we will have a kind and gentle appearance.
◉ We all want to accumulate merits and virtues. Giving is to cultivate them and patience is to keep them. If we are not patient but give rise to resentment and anger we will constantly be burning up our merits and virtues.
◉ If people say they understand the teachings, but cannot put them into practice, they do not truly understand them.
◉ We would do well not to think of the wrongdoings we have committed, but feel remorse and vow to never commit them again. In thinking of the wrongdoing again, we again plant the seed in our Alaya Consciousness, which is the store consciousness, the thought database from all our past and present lives, good or bad.
◉ How do we begin our practice? Start with being filial to and caring for our parents. This is a crucial step in our attainment of Buddhahood. The teachings tell us that all sentient beings have been our parents and all will become future Buddhas.
◉ The Buddha told us that the happiness we experience when our unhappiness stops is only temporary. The happiness, which is permanent, comes from understanding the true reality of life and the universe.
◉ When we let go of wandering and discriminating thoughts and attachments, we rid ourselves of these karmic obstacles. Then all of our wishes will come true.
◉ We cannot force something to happen or expect someone to do something when conditions have not yet matured.
related post: Compassion - By Helping Others In A Wise, Unconditional and Unemotional Way (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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