Happy Buddha's Birthday

Due to circuit breaker in Singapore, places of worships like temples are closed. 
Today is Buddha's birthday and its the day to remember Buddha's teaching. I used to be very bad-tempered. To me, Buddha is like my teacher, teaching me the path to cessation of suffering through the Noble Eight-fold path. If you can't remember, just remember to be kind and not hurt others. 

缘起性空 All phenomena originates from emptiness

果从心生 Fruition is created from the heart

欲望因心而起 Desires arise from the heart

烦恼自生 Vexation comes from oneself

你要离苦得乐 If you want to abandon suffering and gain happiness

就要脱离贪,瞋,痴  You’ve to abandon greed, anger and ignorance.

Karma of Killing Insects

I'm a firm believer of karma. Karma is cause and effect due to action. Good action leads to good results and bad action leads to bad results.

In this video, Ajahn Keng, a Singaporean monk shared his experience of how he suffered for three years from killing many ants.

Whenever I see insect, I just ask them to go away. To prevent insects going to your home, try not to have food in open space and keep your home clean. Do not harm sentient beings, no matter their size.

The Power of Concentration and Loving Kindness

In this video, Ajahn Keng shared that loving kindness is used to counter anger.

He also shared the power of concentration which can help you to gain knowledge. 

Ajahn Keng also emphasised the importance of observing the precepts. There are some people who are psychic but without precepts, it lead to their downfall due to greed. 

What is Buddhist View on Pandemic?

Recently one of my Buddhist friend asked me what is a Buddhist view on Pandemic. 

My initial view was the earth lacks balance. I feel human race has taken away so much from planet earth and torture other sentient beings like animals by rearing them for food. 

But upon deeper reflection , I thought about Buddha's teaching on the Four Noble truth which include Life is suffering. Besides the Four Noble truths, there is also impermanence. There will be an end to this pandemic when the causes and conditions are met. 

Meanwhile, just stay safe by staying at home, wash hands and wear mask if you need to buy groceries. 

May all sentient beings be safe.

Buddha's Teaching

The essence of the Buddha's teaching is The Four Noble Truths as shown below.

1) Understanding of suffering (dukkha)

2) Understanding of the origin of suffering is due to greed, hatred and ignorance

3) Understanding of the ending of suffering

4) The path leading to the ending of suffering is the Noble Eightfold path.

Noble Eightfold path

1) Right view (come first- Understand the Four Noble Truths)

2) Right thought( To get rid of three poisons- greed hatred and ignorance)

3) Right Speech (No false speech/No divisive speech)

4) Right Action (Avoid harming of life, alcohol and sexual misconduct)

5) Right Livelihood

6) Right Effort (Be diligent in the practice of Noble Eightfold path)

7) Right Mindfulness (Be aware of your thoughts, be contemplative )

8) Right Concentration (Meditation)

You can read more on the Noble Eightfold path from Access to Insight.

Before Buddha parinirvana, he again reminded his disciples of the Noble Eightfold path on the path of liberation from samsara. His last words to the monks,"All compounded things are subject to vanish. Strive with earnestness!" Besides the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold path, Buddha also taught the precepts, the 12 Dependent Origination, five aggregates of attachment and the six sense basis. Craving for sensual pleasure lead to endless rebirth. 

If others teach otherwise like burning of paper houses or indulging in alcohol or sex, then it is not the teaching of Buddha.   

From google image

www.alanpeto.com

Story of my life - Luangpor Dhammavuddho

During my free time, I enjoy listening to the Dhamma, both by Theravada and Mahayana monks. For Theravada Buddhism, I like listening to Ajahn Keng and Luangpor Dhammavuddho dharma talks.

Luangpor Dhammavuddho was a successful Malaysian engineer who decided to renounce the world and became a monk. He used to go to the United States to be a Mahayana monk but later became Theravada Buddhism. YOu can listen to his talks and find out more why he decided to renounce and became a monk. 

In the talk, he also talked about rebirth. Its a very interesting talk and I highly recommend it.

Praying at Kuan Yin Temple on 15th Day of Chinese New Year

Today is the 15th day of Chinese New Year. This morning, I went to pray at Waterloo Street Kuan Yin temple.

This new year is the year I feel upset due to the coronavirus. Due to this virus, many families are separated in China and other affected countries including in Singapore on this festive season. I pray that there is a cure soon for coronavirus soon. 

May all sentient beings are well.