Do not hate people who harm us!

"He abused me, he struck me, he overpowered me, he robbed me." Those who harbor such thoughts do not still their hatred

- Dhammapada Verse 3 (Yamakavagga) 

Commentary by Jerome:

If one keeps feeling hurt by others and bears aversion towards his aggressors, hatred does not cease. Only with forgiveness and a broad compassionate mind can we overcome aversion and hatred. In fact, these problems arise so that we can learn to overcome them! We should be grateful for being given such a splendid opportunity!

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.

How to build a happy family?

"Loving spousal relations and close-knit families can be easily destroyed by insensitive and silly things that we say. Many family problems are not due to external factors. Similarly, many family issues stem from internal reasons rather than external.

Only when we recognize this fact can we set out to create our own happiness. Show more care to your family members, shower more praises, put in more effort and learn to cajole and coax.

There is a Chinese saying which is especially appropriate for this situation: we ought to “treat each other as honored guests”. The meaning of this saying is that spouses and family members should give each other the same level of courtesy and respect as important guests.

When you have a happy family, your body will be happy too, and your health will naturally improve."

- Master Jin Bodhi

本来一对幸福恩爱的夫妻，一个美好幸福的家庭，都会被我们口无遮拦的愚蠢行为砸得粉碎。好多的家庭情感问题都不是由外来因素造成的，而是由你内在的问题所导致的。

认识到这个问题，你才可以有有意识地去创造幸福。对待最亲近的家人，应该要多一点关怀，多一点赞美，多一点付出，多一点勤快，还有呢，多一点甜言蜜语。

中国古人有一句话，叫“相敬如宾”。宾是指客人，宾客，意思就是要一直把你的家人当成尊贵的客人，有了尊重，冲突也会减少，幸福自然也就跟着来了。

家庭一旦幸福，你的身体也开始幸福，那你就容易得到健康。

- 金菩提禅师

Commentary by Jerome: 

Some mothers love to nag and scold their children. From the moment other family members step into the house, they will start nagging at the smallest things. It would be difficult for the family members to rest. If we can show the children more love, the children will reciprocate. We should step back and look at the issues in the house with a broad and a more tolerant mind. Quarrels arise because one looks at an issue only from his perspective. Learn to look from another person's perspective. In this way, the problem will no longer be a problem.

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

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.

Tips for a happy marriage

The key to maintaining a happy marriage is that both parties have to work hard to grow together. It will not work if one party is focused on changing himself/herself or focused on getting the other party to change. By treating each other with compassion and understanding, their lives together will be stable and their love steadfast. 

- Master Jin Bodhi - Consciousness of seeing the ups and downs of life)

要维系一段幸福的婚姻，必须双方一起努力，共同成长。别想着要改变自己或者改变对方，只要用慈悲之心互相对待，生活就会构筑在谅解、包容、体谅的基石下，坚定稳固。

- 金菩提禅师 - 觉悟之眼看起落人生

Commentary by Jerome:

Both parties should learn to reflect on their own behaviours and check their initial intention whenever they do something.

If the intention is that of aversion or anger or unhappiness, that behavior is not conducive to a happy marriage. Why is that so? A mind of aversion creates an entire mass of actions that causes the other party to be unhappy. In the process of doing so, one also accumulates bad karma, perpetuates the mental habit further and sows the seeds of one's unhappiness in future.

On the other hand, if the mind is that of compassion and tolerance, aversion will not arise and one will be more understanding of the other partner. In this way, one prevents arguments, avoids bad karmic patterns from perpetuating, builds one's paramitas (tolerance) and builds positive karmic patterns for his happiness in future.

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

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.

Afflictions in life motivate our cultivation

Afflictions motivate cultivation

There is a folk fairy tale in China known as《The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea》. In it, one of the immortals is known as Iron Crutch Li, whose image is that of a deity relying on an iron crutch for support. He personifies someone who, despite being physically handicapped in some aspect, can yet transcend and achieve wisdom and acumen with a sincere heart. His spiritual cultivation was never daunted by his predicament or worries. Perhaps, it is the disease, including the pain, suffering, and worries that motivate us to strive harder in our spiritual cultivation journey. Thus, all the suffering may be the motivation behind our transcendence - achievement of great wisdom and liberation? Please click on the video link below. Let's study the relationship between worries and transcendence!

https://www.facebook.com/jinbodhiworld/videos/2062106760743139/

- Master Jin Bodhi - 'What Is Buddha' Dharma talk

煩惱激勵修行

中國有個民間神話故事《八仙過海》，裡頭有個八仙之一鐵拐李，他的形象是個拄著拐杖的人，而這也示現了縱然身體有部分殘缺，但只要心誠，同樣也能達到智慧的彼岸，並不會因煩惱而障礙了修行。 . 也許有了這份病痛和煩惱，會更激發我們的修行之路。 一切苦可能都是獲得智慧和解脫的因緣？ . 請點擊下方視頻，咱們共同來研究煩惱與超越的關係！

https://www.facebook.com/jinbodhiworld/videos/2062106760743139/

- 金菩提禅师 - '什么事佛法' 开示

Commentary by Jerome:

Without troubles and problems, our life will not be interesting. If we have lots of money and have all the material wealth in the world and we don't know how to use them well, we would have lived our lives in vain! Only through problems in our lives will we understand how others with the same problem feel. We will learn how to be more compassionate and understanding in their circumstances. We will learn to let go of our troubles and understand that true liberation is not dependent on external circumstances. True liberation is the liberation of our mind (our thoughts and reactions to external circumstances, our rigid belief systems) and be more compassionate in understanding and tolerating others.

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

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.

What is non-attachment? What is emptiness?

Non Attachment

In classical Buddhist Sutras, the Buddha told us: no panic, no excitement, no attachment, no giving up. You have nothing to lose if you don't have greed from which loss arises. Gains arise from giving.

Without attachment, when practicing you are joyful and at ease. You feel nothing except you and the Buddha. The Buddha is my master and my god. Our respect, worship, and chanting are interaction between us and the Buddha.

When you chant and practice, you should not have any idea of gaining something. "Buddha, I don't have money. Please give me some;" or "Buddha, I don't have a girlfriend, please find me one." It won't work. Don't think of gaining something. In fact, the more purified and at ease you are, and the more you praise, the more you will get.

Your attachment may become your obstacles. Receiving the energy of the Buddha's great compassion will make you feel peaceful and equitable. Thus, in Buddhism and meditation, there's a state called emptiness.

It's neither up nor down, neither left nor right, neither this side nor that side, neither arising nor ceasing. This is the state of emptiness. The Buddha gave it several names: Sariputra or Perceiving Ease.

This state is extremely important for you to achieve ultimate enlightenment. Its importance was mentioned in the last part of the Heart Sutra; the Buddha said all Buddhas of the past, present, and future had attained enlightenment by this method.

No greed will enable you to attain ultimate purity and wisdom. If you're greedy, you won't get either one. Keep your mind pure and at ease. Be happy for and praise others. Connecting with Buddha results in wisdom and freedom.

Master JinBodhi's Dharma Teachings: The Keys to Buddhist Practice

https://www.puti.org/en/the-keys-to-buddhist-practice/

不执着

佛陀指导我们：不惊不喜、不执不放。我不执着，我就没有放弃；我没有穿，我就没有脱的感觉；我没有贪欲，我就没有失去，失去是因为贪才会失。因此，没有这份执着，在修的时候，心中自在欢喜，只有我和佛。佛就是我的师，就是我的神。我恭敬祂也好、礼拜祂也好、诵念咒语也好，就是我和佛之间的交流、互动。

在诵念、修行时，还要舍去获得之心。比如，佛呀，我就缺钱，给我钱吧！再比如，佛呀，我正缺一个对象，给我个对象吧！这都不行。别有获取、获得之心，因为那份执着会变成障碍。其实越是清净自在、怀着赞美之心，反而会获得更多。

佛陀这种大慈大悲能量的进入，同时也会增强你大脑中的那种平静、公平。因此，在佛教禅学中，有一种境界称为「空境」，就是指不上不下、不左不右、不偏不倚、不生不灭的境界。佛给它起了好几个名字，比如「舍利子」、「观自在」。

这个境界非常重要，因为这会关系到你获得最根本的成就。在《心经》的后头，佛讲到，三世一切诸佛，都是依着这个方法修过来的。无贪欲之心，才能获得根本清净，才能获得根本智慧；有贪欲，就不能获得。

节选自金菩提禅师《修行的要点》

https://www.puti.org/ch/xiuxingdeyaodian

Commentary by Jerome:

Many people pray to the Buddha and ask for favors. There is a Chinese saying that people going for exams usually beg the Buddha for help (临时抱佛脚). This is a form of attachment. We beg or pray to the Buddha to ask for something we desire. We should change this misconception. In fact, whenever we are chanting, praying, prostrating, meditating, we should do so with a pure and sincere mind, a mind without any desire. Only then, can we attain wisdom.

In the state of emptiness, there is no attachment to forms or mind. There is no conceptual difference such as high or low, left or right. In this meditative state of emptiness, there is no "wanting" or hoping for something. There should not be an expectation to see lights, to see Buddhas, to go to the pure land or attain something. In fact, all the sense bases (seeing, hearing, thinking, feeling, smelling, tasting) do not react to external stimuli. This is non-attachment.

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

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.

What is true surpassing?

“Real surpassing should start from letting go. We should slowly cut down on our greed. In giving others benefit, we are actually receiving a bigger benefit and a more lasting one.

-       Master Jin Bodhi

“真正的超越应该在“舍”字上下功夫， 要逐渐消减自我的贪念： 给别人带来利益的同时， 其实， 自己正在获得更大的利益， 更长久的利益。”

-       金菩提禅师

Commentary by Jerome:

Some people say wisdom is found in the books. So one with pHD in Buddhist study is the smartest and therefore the best person to give a dharma talk. That is not the case.

There are 3 levels of liberation:

1)      Book knowledge

2)      Realisation

3)      Liberation

Book knowledge is the wisdom found in texts or books. Book knowledge is not enough if we do not apply them in our daily life! If we apply what we learnt in our daily life, we will find that it is not easy to let go of things that we hold dearly to. However, in the process of cultivation, it is necessary to let go of those mundane things in order to gain greater wisdom and be free from greed, aversion and delusion. That is true realization. Once we see this truth, we need to work to break these bondages and mental habits we created in the past. When we can truly let go without any more attachments, that is liberation. Liberation is when we are not fettered by external circumstances (good and bad).

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

---

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.