Part Two: Questions and Answers (2)

We do not have a way place to cultivate in. Should we start one or if not how do we know when it is time to start one?
We can start a way place with our existing good fortune. But without a response from the Buddhas, when that good fortune runs out the way place will not survive. Do not be afraid of not having a way place. Instead, be afraid of not having diligent cultivators. Think carefully before building a way place. Is it really necessary? Are there enough cultivators?

With the compassion to help others, how do we establish an affinity with a way place?
When we enter the cultivation hall we can make three vows. First, I vow to establish an affinity with this way place, to help all those who are here. Second, I vow to establish an affinity with all those who live here. Third, I vow to establish an affinity with all those who practice here.

At times, I feel that life is overwhelming. What can I do?
Today, people have to take tranquilizers to be able to sleep. Why? They feel their lives are out of control. They wish to dominate other people and to possess more things. Fifty years ago, people had time to appreciate nature, time to study the works of wise people. Today we have no time for nature: no time for contemplation. We live a luxurious life compared to our predecessors but have no spiritual life. We search for excitement to paralyze our feelings. How can we fix this? Reduce our time at work, at play. With purity of mind, we will require less. Our lives are wasted in our attempts to attain things. We brought nothing into this life: we will take nothing when we leave it. What we need is a simple manner of living. Work one year; take off one year. A simple manner of living brings us happiness and serenity. If we do not attach to giving or receiving we will enter the awakened beings state of tranquility.

Why do I often see the lotus flower in Buddhist art?
We use the lotus flower to symbolize transcending the ten realms of existence. First, it rises through the mud at the bottom of the pond, which symbolizes the six realms of birth and death. Then, it rises through the water, which symbolizes the four sage realms. Finally, it breaks through the surface of the water completely transcending the ten realms, reaching the one true Dharma realm.
The lotus flower teaches us that although we live in the world, we should not become polluted by our surroundings. The lotus flower above the water symbolizes that one day, all beings, from those in the hell realms to those who are Bodhisattvas, will become Buddhas. The Buddha realm exceeds the ten realms and to become a Buddha is the ultimate goal of our teachings. So, when we see the lotus flower, we are reminded to practice the teachings and to transcend the ten realms. This is the meaning of the lotus flower and is why we see it so often.

Can different beings live in the same space?
Today science has advanced to the level where people have landed on the moon. The Flower Adornment Sutra tells of the Moon Price. Is this true? After astronauts landed on the moon, some people asked, "Do we still chant the name of the Moon Prince? Is he real?" The Buddha told us there was a moon prince so yes we still chant. On earth, ghosts and humans live together in the same space but in different dimensions so they cannot see each other. What the Buddha taught we can prove in deep concentration. When our minds are pure we can enter that space.

Why do you say that being ashamed is good?
Lacking wisdom, we cannot break through discriminating and wandering thoughts. If we cannot break through then we are destined to be shameful. Others are in the Western Pure Land, why am I still here? This is the greatest shame. To be ashamed is to be able to change, to be able to achieve.

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.

Be Mindful of Buddha Amitabha - Following His Teachings and Vowing to Reach The Pure Land (2)

◉ Both the seeking of good karma and the creating of bad karma keep us in the six realms. Good karma will result in our going to the three good realms and bad karma will result in our going to the three bad realms. Instead, we can accumulate pure karma from diligently doing kind deeds while not asking for any rewards. We can then dedicate the merits from these kind deeds to being born into the Pure Land.

◉ If we can let go of our greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance, doubt and improper viewpoints, we can transcend the cycle of birth and death. But when we once again desire something, the cycle again arises.

◉ When we know and understand the suffering of life, and believe, accept and practice the teachings, we can transcend the cycle of birth and death. 

◉ We need good roots, good fortune, good affinity and virtue to encounter the proper teachings.

◉ Practice strengthens understanding. Understanding strengthens practice.

◉ When our thoughts are proper our body will return to its healthy state. How do we do this? Bu studying and practicing the Buddha's teachings, improper thoughts will be replaced by proper ones. This will then be reflected throughout the universe.

◉ In order to achieve we need to constantly observe ourselves and refrain from wrongdoing.

◉ When we adopt the vows of the Earth Treasure Sutra, we are Earth Treasure Bodhisattva. When we adopt the vows of Universal Worthy Bodhisattva, we are Universal Worthy Bodhisattva. When we adopt the vows of Buddha Amitabha, we are Buddha Amitabha.

◉ How long does it take to reach achievement? From history we know this can be accomplished in three years.

◉ Without the presence of filial piety, Buddhism cannot take root.

◉ Buddha Shakyamuni lived a simple life, one meal a day, three clothes, sleeping under a tree at night, yet he lived a happy, content life. By following his example and living a simple lifestyle we can reduce our attachments and likewise lead contented lives.

◉ A practitioner who cannot achieve concentration will not attain enlightenment. All they can do is just plant the seeds for future lifetimes.

◉ To achieve true understanding, use intuition not thought when listening to lectures. Do no attach to either the words or the speech.

◉ The mind at peace, the mind in stillness will help us to gain insight.

◉ If we cannot apply the principles to our daily lives we will not reach achievement. We will just become a Buddhist scholar.

◉ If we are awakened, we use our mind of wisdom. When not yet awakened we use our mind of delusion and our emotions.

◉ It is said that in the first year of our practice, the Buddha is right before our eyes. The second year he is in the distance. The third year he is as smoke in the air.

related post:  Part Two: Questions and Answers (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.

Accord With Conditions To Go Along With The Environment (2)

◉ We need to accord with people because this is the only way we can help them. As we do this we feel joyful over their accomplishments.

◉ When we encounter a situation which one who wishes us ill use wisdom to resolve it. If they wish to harm us remember that this is simply Cause and Effect at work. If we calmly accept the effect, this will end the negative affinity. Otherwise it will continue and become even more severe.

◉ Everything we encounter is affinity, everything is constantly changing.

◉ It is easier to form an animosity than to dissolve one. How do we do this? Willingly endure the consequences and do not get upset over them. We should instead feel gratitude for they have helped us to dissolve a karmic debt. This is true wisdom.

◉ Good roots mean understanding and achievement. Good fortune and virtues mean practice and achievement.

◉ In this world, when we do not get what we wish, it is because the thoughts and actions of our innumerable lifetimes have been improper.

◉ The merits of Buddhas are the same, only their affinities are different. The vows and affinities of Buddha Amitabha exceed those of other Buddhas. We also need to establish many Dharma affinities to help teach as many sentient beings as possible.

◉ Decreasing our greed, anger and ignorance and increasing our good roots is the foundation of all our achievements.

related post:  Be Mindful of Buddha Amitabha  - Following His Teachings and Vowing to Reach The Pure Land (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.