Tuesday, July 14, 2020

How Prajna-wisdom Helps Us In Our Daily Life

This video is on how Prajna Wisdom helps us in our daliy life by Venerable Master Sheng Yen.

Learning the Dharma requires us to apply it to daily life. 

Most people misunderstand the true meaning of spiritual practise. They think it requires one to leave behind family and livelihood and practise in the mountains or monastery. 

After reading Buddhist books and listen to the Dharma, one should reflect our own life and our mindset, to see whether we are treating people and things in line with the Dharma. This is called practice. 

Buddhism is to be practised at any time and in any aspect of our daily life Practice doesn't mean going to the temples or the mountains.

As long as you discover, recognise and are alert that you are troubled, this is the function of wisdom. When you feel resentful, you reflect. Is it worth it? Is this what I should be doing? 

Shakyamuni Buddha taught us to look at our mind and thought to be aware of what wrong speech was spoken and wrong action done and wrong thoughts we labour and then to correct and adjust ourselves immediately. This is practice. 

Indeed there are so many things we have to learn in our daily life at the workplace and at home. Sometimes I just let go of anger as the person is immature or maybe he or she is facing other issues. There is really no point getting angry. Just let go and redirect your thoughts to other meaningful things like reading the Dharma.

Sunday, July 5, 2020

The Setting in Motion of the Wheel of the Dharma Sutta

Today is known as the Dhamma Day when the Buddha gave the first discourse: The Four Noble Truth to his former associates, the five ascetics. In the first sermon is known as the setting in motion of the wheel of the Dhamma, the Buddha shared on the The Four Noble Truth after his enlightenment as follows:

1) There is suffering (dukkha)
2)  Suffering is caused by craving (tanha)
3) There is a state (nibbana) beyond suffering and craving
4) The way to nirvana is via the eightfold path