"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
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