Friday 30 March 2018

When problems arise, how should a good cultivator react?



"If problems arise during cultivation, a good cultivator will not be affected.

If problems arise, a good cultivator will accept the problem happily. Secondly, he will persist in his cultivation and not give up. He should take note of the details of the problem and adjust accordingly.
In the making of a Buddha statue, a stone endure multiple cuts before he can become that perfect statue. Similarly, one must be able to bear the challenges ahead to perfect himself before he can  be enlightened.

In fact,  problems may even be a manifestation of his good merits!"

Sharings from Vancouver meditation retreat


Commentary from Jerome:

During cultivation, one gains peace of mind and does great merits. However, most or all cultivators will meet problems during cultivation. Some will find that their family members may disapprove of their cultivation. Others will find emotional problems that they cannot let go of in the past surfacing in their lives.

Some people will ask why obstacles and problem arise when they have done great merits! Actually, these problems reflect the challenges that we are destined to overcome. These problems may even be a manifestation of his good merits. Cultivators must bear the challenges, make adjustments to his life and try his best to perfect himself in the worldly and mundane life. We should not waste these precious opportunities to improve our cultivators. If we cry, make a fuss, blame other people or even our master when we meet obstacles, I think we are not being grateful and would have wasted the good merits we have painstakingly accumulated.

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.


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