Pacified Mind from Zen Inspiration

I was reading the Zen Inspiration and find the following helpful. 

Where does a pacified or non-pacified mind come from when mind itself is non-existent?

Non-existent of permanent self. Everything is dependent on causes and conditions. So why be unhappy and think of what is over. 

达摩祖师

Question and Answer by Ajahn Keng 13 February 2022

I want to apologise to Ajahn Keng for not being able to attend the virtual retreat with Ajahn Keng. Yesterday and today I feel unwell with fever and flu.I was sneezing whole day and I was just diagnosed with covid. 😞 Fortunately, I can watch question and answer session with Ajahn Keng, a humorous Singaporean forest monk. 

Happy Birthday to All. 初七人日

Today is the seventh day of the first lunar month which is known as 人日 renri (literally translated as human birthday, the day human beings were created based on Chinese customs.

In Teochew tradition, we will eat seven different types of vegetables to celebrate. This year besides seven vegetables, my mum also prepared yusheng and also yummy fried mianxian or vermicelli.

I think I have to start to lose weight. Since the Chinese New Year, I have gained a few kilograms with all those feasting on pineapple tarts, cookies, chocolates and yummy food.

As I reflect on this special day, it reminds me of Buddha's teaching. Buddha said it is rare to attain the human body. I must be mindful of my thoughts and words and do more kind deeds.

“𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮, 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙙; 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙖, 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙙;”.

On this special day, I like to recite this Repentance verse and apologise to all whom I had directly or/and indirectly hurt by my speech. Pardon me, as those born in Rooster year tend to be honest and blunt.

REPENTANCE

懺悔偈

All the harm I have ever done, since time immemorial, Are caused by greed, anger, and ignorance,

And produced through my body, speech, and will, Now I confess and amend all.

往昔所造諸惡業 皆由無始貪瞋痴 從身語意之所生 一切罪障皆懺悔

Seven different vegetables

Fried mianxian or vermicelli

Yusheng with abalone

                                           Tossing the yusheng with my family

Heart Sutra:Every Cause is Because of Your Thought

Heart Sutra is based on the translated texts by Venerable Master Xuanzang during the Tang dynasty, 1400 years ago. Heart Sutra is the shortest sutra with 260 Chinese characters. Though it is a short sutra, it is deeply profound.

There are a total of 28 videos for this Heart Sutra lecture by Venerable Guan Cheng 

Every cause is because of your thought. Every thought when you habituated all the time, becomes your character, your personality. Your destiny is determined by your character.

Don't just listen without reasoning. Watch your cause, watch your thought. If you germinates thoughts of diligence, it comes to be good cause. Purify our mind. 

Strong ego causes suffering. Nothing stays. Nothing is impermanent. Not even your body. 

Dhamma Talk by Ajahn Keng

Today I watched the video by Ajahn Keng to remind myself on Buddha's teaching. I must observe the five precepts and be mindful of my actions as it can affect others.