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.

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

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.

How to chant properly?

"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

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.

Graphics and formating: Ada

Solving challenges that arise on the road of cultivation

" On the road of cultivation, you will meet obstacles that trouble you, these are trials and they are necessary and inevitable."

- Master JinBodhi

"在修行的路上所遇到的一切煩惱是在考驗你，而且必然會發生，必須必然要走的. "
- 金菩提禅师

Commentary by Jerome:

When we put our time and energy to start a practice, it is quite common for bad karma from the past to surface in our lives. So all sorts of unwanted things happen to us: we fall ill easily, fell mentally anguished, experience the manifestations of negative forces, fall victim to hostile people, bandits and thieves and find ourselves subject to people's criticisms and false accusations and so on.  These are signs that we are purifying ourselves. These are dirt that comes out when one washes their clothes. Therefore, when unfavourable things like that happen to you, don the great armour of diligence and persist in your meditation practice in the face of unpleasant circumstances. We should happily accept these obstacles and challenges, do not waste time getting upset over them and learn the lessons they offer.

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 determines the size of merit generated by person doing good?

Merit is the basis of happiness and success in our lives. The size of merit generated is dependent on a few factors:

1. Motivation of sponsor

Please make your offering with the mind motivated by Bodhicitta, or great compassion, for the benefit of all beings. When you think only for oneself or only for this lifetime, the merit generated is limited. When you are motivated by the benefit for all beings, and is concerned for your future lives, the merit generated is inconceivable.

2. The importance of the deed

The deed that you are sponsoring to is for the noblest deed – preservation of the pure holy Buddha’s teachings through the dharma activities. These auspicious activities are very important to ensure that the good quality of dharma remains, and is preserved for future generations. Your sponsorship will help bring about great benefit to dharma in both the short and long run.

3. Rejoice!

Be truly happy and rejoice in the kindness and generosity of oneself and many others. Be happy and contented that you have the means and ability to sponsor to the Three Jewels and bring benefit to the community. Rejoicing is the swiftest and easiest method to gain great merit!

4. Dedication

Most importantly, after completion of your good virtuous deed, please remember to preserve all your merits by dedicating them towards achieving bodhicitta, and accomplishing the ultimate state of Buddhahood.

References: http://www.drophenling.com/offerings/dedicate-your-merits/

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.

How come your ancestor's karmic debts can affect you?

" If your ancestors are suffering in hell, your life cannot be smooth. Some people asked what has their ancestors' karmic debt got to do with them. Actually your ancestor's karma is a reflection of your karma! The law of karma is fair. Because of your past karma,  you chose parents that are compatible with your past karmic effects. If you have bad karma,  you will be born in a bad family. In other words,  you deserve to be born in that family."

Sharings from Vancouver meditation retreat

Commentary from Jerome:
Do not blame our parents for bringing you to this world. It is actually us that chose parents that are compatible with our past karmic effects. If we do good in the past, our mind will choose parents from good background.

Whatever families we are in currently, we need to help our ancestors clear their karmic debts. There is a Chinese saying that if one person cultivates, his 9 clans will go to heaven.  We should light lamps, chant for them and do all kinds of good deeds and transfer the merits to them!

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.

What is the purpose of making offerings?

" One should have great sincerity when making an offering. The purpose of making offering is to cut down your attachment of self. It is to assist you to let go of what you have and what you cannot let go.  Usually one will offer the best they have and this may not necessarily be money. Some people may offer their material goods while some people may offer their time to help in meditation centres for the benefit of others.

Some people asked why we should make offerings. It is a form of respect for your teacher. Just as one have to put a container beneath a tap to fill it with water (instead of above a tap), one will also have to be humble and do things to please their teacher as a form of respect to their teacher. The teacher actually does not need your offerings but he needs the sincerity.

An enlightened meditation master will create chances for people to do merits. There is a story of an old abbot instructed his disciples to look out for a man who will visit a temple one day. When the man was found, he said he is too poor and has nothing to offer but a massage for the abbot. So the abbot let the man rub some salt on his leg during a massage. In fact, the abbot wants to let the man do massage so the man can gain some merits. His disciples later found out that there was a bleeding wound on his leg and the abbot has been bearing with the pain when the man rubbed salt on his wound. Such is the compassion of an enlightened master!"

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.

It is the guru's responsibility to ensure that the disciple progress in cultivation

It is the master's responsibility and the only role of the master to make sure that the disciple progress in cultivation.  He will create opportunities to help you reduce ur self-grasping.

Hence, disciples have to experience the bitterness,  happiness, ups and down in daily life and even sicknesses as life's lessons. Otherwise,  it is master's fault if everything in life is so smooth.

What disciple have to do is to accept the challenges wholeheartedly,  let go and break through these challenges themselves. There is no point complaining, whining,  fearing,  blaming or crying when challenges happen. When we meet with problems, we should use our wisdom to solve the issues ourselves. It is inevitable that during the process of dharma propagation, you will be misunderstood by others and scolded by others.

Sharing from Vancouver meditation retreat

Commentary by Jerome:

Some people ask why they encounter many problems when they start learning Dharma from their guru/master. Actually these are important life lessons  given by an enlightened Master! We have to use these sufferings wisely and treasure them. Do not waste time feeling troubled by the problems. 

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.

How should practitioners deal with undesirable events in life?

" You should understand that whatever good or bad that happens n life is the Master's blessings. It is the master's responsibility to ensure that you learn from these challenges so that you can progress in your meditation. However, it you let you emotions control you in the face of these challenges,  you will fail.

If some undesirable event happens in your life, it occurs for 2 reasons. Firstly,  that event is clearing your karmic debt. Secondly, it is training you to increase your resilience. How is this so? That bad event (for instance, loss of job, financial constraints, rebellious children) is something that you should experience so that you can learn out of it. Heaven will keep testing you until you can withstand all these challenges and  understand how uncomfortable others feel in that circumstance. "

Master Jin Bodhi from Vancouver meditation retreat


Commentary by Jerome:

Downsides in life are precious opportunities to learn. If your life is smooth all the way, it is hard to believe that you can learn anything out of life. Only during trying periods of your life can learn life's lessons. In Buddhist sutras, it is said that practicing millions of years in Heaven is not comparable to practicing 1 day on Earth. Hence, our lives are precious and do not waste precious time getting frustrated our worldly life events. Use these challenges properly and wisely!

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 by 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.

Fixed mindsets bring harm and unhappiness

"People are always accustomed to understand others in their own way. This often causes misunderstandings and even hatred and dislike for one another. They can also get hurt in the process.

Let me share a story that took place in Qinghai province, China: Once, on my way to Qinghai, I saw a moving truck with one of its tires turning abnormally. From experience, I knew that the screws of the wheel had loosened and if it comes off, it could hurt someone else. I waved to the driver, pointing to his rear tire and signaling him to look at it. The man gave me a stare and scolded me, “Why, you want a free ride?” Apparently, he thought I wanted to take advantage of him. I frowned and shouted, “It’s serious!” He ignored me and drove driving away. . Shortly after, the wheel came off and flew towards the hillside. He had to run almost a kilometer to get the wheel from the hillside that was at least 50 meters in height. By the time he climbed down to pick up the heavy tire that weight almost 50 kg, he was too tired to get up. Eventually, I helped him to fit the tire. I said, “Friend, didn’t I try to remind you of your wheel?”

Some people always assume that they are always right when they make judgement or decision. They are not open to other’s opinion. Such mentality and attitude could cloud one’s objectivity and ultimately lead to a bias decision. In more serious case, such wrong decision might even cause harm to them or others."

- Master Jin Bodhi

Commentary by Jerome:

Learn to look in the perspective of others. In this way, you can understand them better. Having a rigid and fixed outlook on things usually cloud your judgement. Many people like others to do things in a certain way. If others do not do things in their way, they can very unhappy. But who suffers? It is the person who attach to their own fixed views who suffers as a result of their mental thoughts. Learn to be like water which fills and assume the shape of the container it fills. Similarly, we should suit our thoughts, speech and actions to other's needs out of compassion but be firm in our stand.

Learning to look in the perspective of others is also a characteristic of compassion. Only by doing so can we experience what others are suffering and be able to emphatise with them.

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.