Wednesday 25 July 2018

What is natural breathing?

Everyone knows how to breathe. But not everyone knows how to breath correctly! Breathing as an object of meditation leads to relaxation and there are many levels of relaxation.

The Buddha teaches in the Sattipattana Sutta that breathing involves the whole body and not just the nose, lips or abdomen. The Buddha said "I will breath in and out sensitive to the entire body."It seems that Buddha's definition of breathing is different from our mundane textbook definition of breathing! In fact, reknowned meditation masters in the past said that one can breathe through all the cells in the body (through pores in the skin up till the bone marrow in your spine!) and can even be one with the universe!

Buddha said that the key in breathing is to be mindful. The Buddha said, "Always mindful, he breathes in; mindful he breathes out." Mindful is the state of awareness of the functioning of the mind and body. In other words, it is the awareness of thought arising to perform the functions at the sense doors (aka the awareness of the five aggregates- form, feeling, perception, volition and consciousness at each sense door). At preliminary level, some meditation teachers teach their students to count their breaths. While counting helps in maintaining some form of concentration, it is not a form of mindfulness. So, do not mistake counting of breathing as mindfulness of breathing.


Buddha also said that breathing leads to total body relaxation. The Buddha said, "I will breath in and out calming bodily fabrications." During breathing meditation, one should not be too tense! Some meditation teachers teach students to place their attention at the nose or lips or abdomen. The instruction is correct. The students should take breathing as an object of meditation, meanwhile relaxing the whole body. Instead, many students misinterpreted this instruction and think that they have to focus and tense up their whole body and push at that spot! The end-result is that students will have muscle tension, energy blockage and may even blame their teacher for their wrong instructions.

Below is the an extract of what the Buddha says about natural breathing in the Satipatthana Sutta.

"And how does a monk remain focused on the body in & of itself?
There is the case where a monk — having gone to the wilderness, to the shade of a tree, or to an empty building — sits down folding his legs crosswise, holding his body erect and setting mindfulness to the fore.
Always mindful, he breathes in; mindful he breathes out.
Breathing in long, he discerns, 'I am breathing in long'; or breathing out long, he discerns, 'I am breathing out long.'
Or breathing in short, he discerns, 'I am breathing in short'; or breathing out short, he discerns, 'I am breathing out short.'
He trains himself, 'I will breathe in sensitive to the entire body.' He trains himself, 'I will breathe out sensitive to the entire body.'
He trains himself, 'I will breathe in calming bodily fabrication.' He trains himself, 'I will breathe out calming bodily fabrication.'

Just as a skilled turner or his apprentice, when making a long turn, discerns, 'I am making a long turn,' or when making a short turn discerns, 'I am making a short turn'; in the same way the monk, when breathing in long, discerns, 'I am breathing in long'; or breathing out long, he discerns, 'I am breathing out long' ... He trains himself, 'I will breathe in calming bodily fabrication.' He trains himself, 'I will breathe out calming bodily fabrication.'

In this way he remains focused internally on the body in & of itself, or externally on the body in & of itself, or both internally & externally on the body in & of itself. Or he remains focused on the phenomenon of origination with regard to the body, on the phenomenon of passing away with regard to the body, or on the phenomenon of origination & passing away with regard to the body. Or his mindfulness that 'There is a body' is maintained to the extent of knowledge & remembrance. And he remains independent, unsustained by (not clinging to) anything in the world. This is how a monk remains focused on the body in & of itself."

- Extract from the Satipatthana Sutta (Buddha)

For more interesting articles, do visit:
https://meditationlp.blogspot.com/

Graphics and formatting: Ada

Author:

Jerome is a Buddhist practitioner that has learnt from Theravada, Mahayana and Tibetan traditions and is still learning! He first learnt meditation and Dharma from Theravadan monks and practitioners in the lineage of the Arahant Venerable Amatha Gavesi Maha Thero from Sri Lankaramaya Buddhist temple in Singapore. Then, he completed a Diploma in Buddhism from the Buddhist and Pali College in 2016. He also learnt from Zen Master Wu Jue Miao Tian (85th Zen Patriach) from the LingJi lineage in Taiwan in 2014 - 2015.  Subsequently, he learnt from Garchen Rinpoche from the Drigar Thubten Dargye Ling tradition (Tibetan) and attended annual Om Mani Padme Hum and Om Ami Dewa Hrih retreats from 2015 till date. Currently, he is a disciple of Master Jin Bodhi (Mahayana) from Bodhi Meditation in Singapore and is an active volunteer there. Master Jin Bodhi is his main Dharma teacher. Jerome feels that Buddhism is not a religion but is a practical way to reduce our life's problems. The essence of Buddhism is not in the books or sutras but in the way we apply it into our lives. Having understood some aspects of Buddha's teaching, he wants to give back to the society and hopes to share his insights with everyone who has the affinity with him.

Tuesday 24 July 2018

The importance of merits

“A little bit of salt can make a small amount of water taste salty, but can not change a huge river like the Ganges. In the same way, even a small negative action can harm someone whose positive actions are weak, but can not harm someone who has frequently performed immensely positive actions vast in scope. Therefore, we should try to perform powerful positive actions repeatedly on a vast scale.”
~ Kangyur Rinpoche

For more interesting articles, do visit:
https://meditationlp.blogspot.com/

Reference:
https://www.facebook.com/NyingmaMasters/photos/a.664868596951329.1073741828.661664957271693/1280896545348528/?type=3&theater

Graphics and formatting: Ada

Author:

Jerome is a Buddhist practitioner that has learnt from Theravada, Mahayana and Tibetan traditions and is still learning! He first learnt meditation and Dharma from Theravadan monks and practitioners in the lineage of the Arahant Venerable Amatha Gavesi Maha Thero from Sri Lankaramaya Buddhist temple in Singapore. Then, he completed a Diploma in Buddhism from the Buddhist and Pali College in 2016. He also learnt from Zen Master Wu Jue Miao Tian (85th Zen Patriach) from the LingJi lineage in Taiwan in 2014 - 2015.  Subsequently, he learnt from Garchen Rinpoche from the Drigar Thubten Dargye Ling tradition (Tibetan) and attended annual Om Mani Padme Hum and Om Ami Dewa Hrih retreats from 2015 till date. Currently, he is a disciple of Master Jin Bodhi (Mahayana) from Bodhi Meditation in Singapore and is an active volunteer there. Master Jin Bodhi is his main Dharma teacher. Jerome feels that Buddhism is not a religion but is a practical way to reduce our life's problems. The essence of Buddhism is not in the books or sutras but in the way we apply it into our lives. Having understood some aspects of Buddha's teaching, he wants to give back to the society and hopes to share his insights with everyone who has the affinity with him.


Sunday 22 July 2018

Right livelihood



Right Livelihood is one of the 8 fold Noble Path taught by the Buddha for the cessation of suffering.

There are five trades that should be avoided:
Trading in arms
Trading in living beings
Trading in flesh
Trading in intoxicants
Trading in poisons

One who kills animals (or other beings) will receive karmic retributions. Hence, abstaining from killing leads to the cessation of suffering. Some may say that they kill because it is their occupation and they are merely doing their job. But the law of karma will function whatever its justification. If you kill someone, will he be angry? Certainly! Will he bear hatred against you? Certainly! Will your life be very smooth when so many people hate you? The result is obvious.

One may ask, “How much karmic retribution will one get if one kills for living?” This is hard to tell. Each animal has its own feeling and grievances at time of death. Some may be resigned to their fate. Others may bear hatred at time of death.

A deeper understanding of right livelihood is your day-to-day life. Every thought, every action and every word you say at every moment of your life is very important. It leaves a karmic imprint to be ripened in future. If you sow a cactus seeds, you will reap cactus and be pricked in future. If you sow flower seeds, you will reap lovely flowers in future.


Graphics and formatting: Ada

Author:

Jerome is a Buddhist practitioner that has learnt from Theravada, Mahayana and Tibetan traditions and is still learning! He first learnt meditation and Dharma from Theravadan monks and practitioners in the lineage of the Arahant Venerable Amatha Gavesi Maha Thero from Sri Lankaramaya Buddhist temple in Singapore. Then, he completed a Diploma in Buddhism from the Buddhist and Pali College in 2016. He also learnt from Zen Master Wu Jue Miao Tian (85th Zen Patriach) from the LingJi lineage in Taiwan in 2014 - 2015.  Subsequently, he learnt from Garchen Rinpoche from the Drigar Thubten Dargye Ling tradition (Tibetan) and attended annual Om Mani Padme Hum and Om Ami Dewa Hrih retreats from 2015 till date. Currently, he is a disciple of Master Jin Bodhi (Mahayana) from Bodhi Meditation in Singapore and is an active volunteer there. Master Jin Bodhi is his main Dharma teacher. Jerome feels that Buddhism is not a religion but is a practical way to reduce our life's problems. The essence of Buddhism is not in the books or sutras but in the way we apply it into our lives. Having understood some aspects of Buddha's teaching, he wants to give back to the society and hopes to share his insights with everyone who has the affinity with him.



Sunday 29 April 2018

How do you differentiate between orthodox and unorthodox Buddhism?





The Kalamas (inhabitants of Kesaputta, an ancient town in Ancient India) : "There are some monks and Brahmins who expound and explain their own doctrines; the doctrines of others they despise, revile and pull to pieces. There is doubt, there is uncertainty in us concerning them. Which of these reverend monks and Brahmins spoke the truth and which falsehood?"

The Buddha said: " It is proper for you, Kalamas, to doubt, to be uncertain.


Come, Kalamas. Do not go upon what has been acquired by:
- repeated hearing
- nor upon tradition
- nor upon rumor
- nor upon what is in a scripture
- nor upon surmise
- nor upon an axiom
- nor upon specious reasoning
- nor upon a bias towards a notion that has been pondered over
- nor upon another's seeming ability
- nor upon the consideration, 'The monk is our teacher.'

Kalamas, when you yourselves know:

These things are bad;
these things are blamable;
these things are censured by the wise:
undertaken and observed, these things lead to harm and ill,
abandon them."

- Kalama sutta (AN 3.65 The instruction to the Kalamas)

Commentary by Jerome:
There are many teachers, monks and lay people teacher the Dhamma and expounding the doctrines. It is natural for one to doubt whether these people are teaching the true Dhamma. The Buddha has given his opinion on how to differentiate between orthodox and unorthodox Buddhism.

Firstly, do not follow a teacher just because he has many followers and whose doctrine is repeated by many. An orthodox Buddhist teacher may or may not have many followers. Having fame and many followers is not a criteria for orthodox Buddhism.

Secondly, do not follow a teacher just because he teaches from scriptures or quotes from ancient artifacts or because he can reason very well and sounds logical. The Buddha explained clearly in the Diamond sutra that the gist of his teaching is to be understood and practiced and not in the sutras. (non-attachment to scriptures or words) One who teaches solely from sutras and behave differently from that which is taught is not an orthodox teacher.

Thirdly, do not follow a teacher just because he has psychic powers or because he is a monk. While monks are respectable people, not every person who shaved their heads and don robes are respectable! Similarly, not everyone who is able to perform miraculous deeds are necessarily perfect in conduct.

How then do we choose an orthodox teacher?
The Buddha said that those things that are bad, blamable, censured by the wise and that which will lead to harm is to be abandoned. These things are greed, hatred (aversion) and delusion. A greedy person is certainly not an orthodox teacher. He who craves and chases after material wealth, power, money and fame cannot be a teacher of Buddhism. Secondly, he who slanders and frequently have aversion to other sects or people cannot be orthodox as well. Lastly, he who has delusions and confused about the universal characteristics of the world (impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, suffering) cannot be an orthodox Buddhist teacher. A teacher who believes that material things (wealth, money, fame, power, house, etc) in this material world is permanent and leads to lasting happiness and health is not orthodox. On the other hand, any Dhamma teacher that teaches one to abandon greed, hatred and delusion by means of the 8 fold Noble path and who has the proper method and ability to teach them is to be considered orthodox.

Graphics and formatting: Ada

Author:

Jerome is a Buddhist practitioner that has learnt from Theravada, Mahayana and Tibetan traditions and is still learning! He first learnt meditation and Dharma from Theravadan monks and practitioners in the lineage of the Arahant Venerable Amatha Gavesi Maha Thero from Sri Lankaramaya Buddhist temple in Singapore. Then, he completed a Diploma in Buddhism from the Buddhist and Pali College in 2016. He also learnt from Zen Master Wu Jue Miao Tian (85th Zen Patriach) from the LingJi lineage in Taiwan in 2014 - 2015.  Subsequently, he learnt from Garchen Rinpoche from the Drigar Thubten Dargye Ling tradition (Tibetan) and attended annual Om Mani Padme Hum and Om Ami Dewa Hrih retreats from 2015 till date. Currently, he is a disciple of Master Jin Bodhi (Mahayana) from Bodhi Meditation in Singapore and is an active volunteer there. Master Jin Bodhi is his main Dharma teacher. Jerome feels that Buddhism is not a religion but is a practical way to reduce our life's problems. The essence of Buddhism is not in the books or sutras but in the way we apply it into our lives. Having understood some aspects of Buddha's teaching, he wants to give back to the society and hopes to share his insights with everyone who has the affinity with him.

Sunday 22 April 2018

The attainment of emptiness



"One day when I was in my twenties, I felt that I had indeed practiced to emptiness. My desire for greed was basically gone. After one attains emptiness, he or she feels very comfortable and “Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Arrogance, Doubt" does not exist."

- Master Jin Bodhi


"我修到二十岁左右的时候,有一天,我就感觉到我确实修空了,什么贪念欲望基本上也应该都没有了。人要真修空了之后,就会觉得很自在,没有 "贪嗔痴慢疑。"

- 金菩提禅师


Commentary by Jerome:
The only way to be at ease is to let go of all material and mental troubles. That is emptiness. The 5 poisons are greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance and doubts and these are the causes of our sufferings. If we do not let go of them, we are akin to a person holding on to hot charcoal with both hands but refuse to let go.

More information available at:

1) Master Jin Bodhi Facebook

2) Official Bodhi Meditation Website


Author:

Jerome is a Buddhist practitioner that has learnt from Theravada, Mahayana and Tibetan traditions and is still learning! He first learnt meditation and Dharma from Theravadan monks and practitioners in the lineage of the Arahant Venerable Amatha Gavesi Maha Thero from Sri Lankaramaya Buddhist temple in Singapore. Then, he completed a Diploma in Buddhism from the Buddhist and Pali College in 2016. He also learnt from Zen Master Wu Jue Miao Tian (85th Zen Patriach) from the LingJi lineage in Taiwan in 2014 - 2015.  Subsequently, he learnt from Garchen Rinpoche from the Drigar Thubten Dargye Ling tradition (Tibetan) and attended annual Om Mani Padme Hum and Om Ami Dewa Hrih retreats from 2015 till date. Currently, he is a disciple of Master Jin Bodhi (Mahayana) from Bodhi Meditation in Singapore and is an active volunteer there. Master Jin Bodhi is his main Dharma teacher. Jerome feels that Buddhism is not a religion but is a practical way to reduce our life's problems. The essence of Buddhism is not in the books or sutras but in the way we apply it into our lives. Having understood some aspects of Buddha's teaching, he wants to give back to the society and hopes to share his insights with everyone who has the affinity with him.

Wednesday 18 April 2018

How to chant properly?

Image may contain: one or more people and indoor

"If you really want to get the feel, you need to kneel and chant. This is because you will not be easily distracted when you are kneeling. However, if you have health reasons that do not allow you to kneel, then you can do it while sitting. However, when you sit, you may become serene and drift into dreamland. You do not gain inspiration but only a sense of dreams, so it's easier to concentrate when kneeling.

What should you do when you are easily distracted? Do not close your eyes during chanting if you have no foundation. You must kneel upright and look at the statue of Buddha, the Bodhisattva in front of you, so that you can fully concentrate and not let your spirit run off. 10 or 20 minutes a day is enough for the average office worker and your inspiration will then begin."

- Master Jin Bodhi

" 想讓自己真正地去感應,就跪在那念。如果你身體沒有其它不能跪的理由的話,跪著至少比較不容易分心。你坐在那是安祥到夢裡去了,這就沒有靈感、只有夢感,所以跪著才容易會聚精會神。

還有你容易思想分神怎麼辦?沒有基礎的,就不要閉眼念佛,要睜眼看著前頭佛像、菩薩像,跪到那裡,而且跪得筆直,這樣就能全神貫注、精神不會跑掉。每天10分鐘、20分鐘,對一般上班族而言就夠了,你的靈感就開始來了。"

- 金菩提禅师


Commentary by Jerome:

The ultimate purpose of chanting is to generate bodhicitta and we can connect with all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas through this immeasurable bodhicitta. This is how we gain inspiration, receive blessings, overcome obstacles in cultivation and attain enlightenment in this life. Through one's own practice and efforts, it is difficult to attain enlightenment due to our karmic imprints and mind patterning. With Buddha's and bodhisattva's blessings, it would be easier to overcome these obstacles on our path of cultivation.


More information available at:

1) Master Jin Bodhi Facebook

2) Official Bodhi Meditation Website


Author:

Jerome is a Buddhist practitioner that has learnt from Theravada, Mahayana and Tibetan traditions and is still learning! He first learnt meditation and Dharma from Theravadan monks and practitioners in the lineage of the Arahant Venerable Amatha Gavesi Maha Thero from Sri Lankaramaya Buddhist temple in Singapore. Then, he completed a Diploma in Buddhism from the Buddhist and Pali College in 2016. He also learnt from Zen Master Wu Jue Miao Tian (85th Zen Patriach) from the LingJi lineage in Taiwan in 2014 - 2015.  Subsequently, he learnt from Garchen Rinpoche from the Drigar Thubten Dargye Ling tradition (Tibetan) and attended annual Om Mani Padme Hum and Om Ami Dewa Hrih retreats from 2015 till date. Currently, he is a disciple of Master Jin Bodhi (Mahayana) from Bodhi Meditation in Singapore and is an active volunteer there. Master Jin Bodhi is his main Dharma teacher. Jerome feels that Buddhism is not a religion but is a practical way to reduce our life's problems. The essence of Buddhism is not in the books or sutras but in the way we apply it into our lives. Having understood some aspects of Buddha's teaching, he wants to give back to the society and hopes to share his insights with everyone who has the affinity with him.



Graphics and formating: Ada

Sunday 15 April 2018

What are the characteristics of compassion?


The characteristics of compassion:
1. Loving kindness (关爱)
2. Caring for others  (关怀)
3. Tolerance (包容)
4. Sincerity (真诚)
5. Praise (赞美)
6. Understanding (理解). To put yourself in others shoes. (善解人意)
7. Softness in terms of voice,  body posture,  etc (柔软)
8. Creativeness and leadership (创造力)

Sharings from Vancouver meditation retreat


More information available at:

1) Master Jin Bodhi Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/jinbodhiworld/

2) Official Bodhi Meditation Website
http://puti.org
http://putihome.org


Graphics and formatting: Ada


Author:

Jerome is a Buddhist practitioner that has learnt from Theravada, Mahayana and Tibetan traditions and is still learning! He first learnt meditation and Dharma from Theravadan monks and practitioners in the lineage of the Arahant Venerable Amatha Gavesi Maha Thero from Sri Lankaramaya Buddhist temple in Singapore. Then, he completed a Diploma in Buddhism from the Buddhist and Pali College in 2016. He also learnt from Zen Master Wu Jue Miao Tian (85th Zen Patriach) from the LingJi lineage in Taiwan in 2014 - 2015.  Subsequently, he learnt from Garchen Rinpoche from the Drigar Thubten Dargye Ling tradition (Tibetan) and attended annual Om Mani Padme Hum and Om Ami Dewa Hrih retreats from 2015 till date. Currently, he is a disciple of Master Jin Bodhi (Mahayana) from Bodhi Meditation in Singapore and is an active volunteer there. Master Jin Bodhi is his main Dharma teacher. Jerome feels that Buddhism is not a religion but is a practical way to reduce our life's problems. The essence of Buddhism is not in the books or sutras but in the way we apply it into our lives. Having understood some aspects of Buddha's teaching, he wants to give back to the society and hopes to share his insights with everyone who has the affinity with him.