Decline Of Buddhism In Singapore

last SG · 2011-02-20T01:14:26+00:00

decline of Buddhism was predicted by the Buddha isnt it. also it goes to show that the law of impermanence is true. no country or religion stay the same fore...

An Eternal Now SG

double posted

An Eternal Now SG

there is no problem at all in promoting non buddhist book as long as it does ot contradict dharmic principles. i havent read di zi gui so cant comment on it as i havent read it. but if it purely preaches on morality then i dont see why we cant promote it. its like promoting cme (civics and moral education) book or some books that makes you a better person.

however as i said, we must not compromise on right understanding. though blible teaches morality, they also promote the idea of a creator god, which is false view according to the buddha. so we must be careful whether we are promoting false views. if no false view then no problem. doesnt matter whether the book comes from a buddhist. wisdom matters, not authorship.

as for studying other religions, i think it should be encouraged to enhance our interreligious knowledge. that said the difference with buddhism must be understood. morality books can be promoted as long as it doesnt contradict right view. but ppl should also understand that morality is just a foundation and is not rnough for enlightenment and liberation from sufferings.

but i cant comment on mjk statements cos i dunnu his context.

sorry for spelling mostakes, typing on handphone from bunk

WeeShun SG

Er.. VenJin Kong says God manifest into Buddha .. so is that wrong now? Unless your standard is Bible say Creator God is false view while Ven Jin Kong says Buddha is a manifestation of God is "skillfull" means?

Ven Jing Kong is not only doing harm to Pureland buddhist teachings but to Buddhism as a whole. Just conceptually wrong from beginning , middle and end.

Amituofo

sinweiy SG

i know of a Singapore supercentenarian, social worker, Teresa Hsu Chih 许哲(112), a Sister/nun/Roman Catholic for many years, like Upali, was converted by old Master Chin Kung due to his idea that Buddhism is a Religion of Love/Compassion, as similarly advocated by HHDL. Master Chin Kung did gave talk on 玫瑰经, but the talk is for Catholic/Christian, not Buddhists in particular. when they see MCK's attitude, even as a Buddhist monk, is able to embrace their teaching, on the contary, many Catholic/Christian are converted into Buddhist.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teresa_Hsu_Chih#cite_note-2

on the other hand, one reason why the west is detered by Christianity is due to its dogmatism and intolerance towards other religions , hence over the years, westerners come to like Buddhism because it advocated to find out the truth for yourself. if one want to walk the same path as this dogmatic intolerance Christian, one can go ahead.

WeeShun SG

sinweiy,

your answer is does coresponds to Ven Jing Kong's teaching of "God manifested as Buddha in India, Jesus in Middle East, Kongzi in China".

Is this so called "skillful" means again?

As i said, Ven Jing Kong is not only doing harm to Pureland buddhist teachings but to Buddhism as a whole. Just conceptually wrong from beginning , middle and end.

I am happy that even Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia is giving concern to such "Buddhist" teachings, which is good.

净空法师说〈真神只有一個，在佛教變成佛陀；在基督教變成耶穌；在伊斯蘭教變真主！〉他在该视频表示：「我确确实实肯定宇宙之间只有一個真神。」他说「所有宗教的神圣都是这个真神的化身」。所以耶稣是释迦牟尼的化身，释迦牟尼也是「耶稣的化身，上帝的使者」。

以前听法师们的开示，常是心生欢喜，口称 "Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!"，即「善哉！善哉！善哉！」这一次我却悲从中来，默念「哀哉！哀哉！哀哉！」

Amituofo

sinweiy SG

观世音菩萨普门品

无尽意菩萨白佛言：”世尊，观世音菩萨，云何游此娑婆世界？云何而为众生说法？方便之力，其事云何？”
　　佛告无尽意菩萨：“善男子，若有国土众生，应以佛身得度者，观世音菩萨即现佛身而为说法。应以辟支佛身得度者，即现辟支佛身而为说法。应以声闻身得度者，即现声闻身而为说法。应以梵王身得度者，即现梵王身而为说法。应以帝释身得度者，即现帝释身而为说法。应以自在天身得度者，即现自在天身而为说法。应以大自在天身得度者，即现大自在天身而为说法。应以天大将军身得度者，即现天大将军身而为说法。应以毗沙门身得度者，即现毗沙门身而为说法。应以小王身得度者，即现小王身而为说法。应以长者身得度者，即现长者身而为说法。应以居士身得度者，即现居士身而为说法。应以宰官身得度者，即现宰官身而为说法。应以婆罗门身得度者，即现婆罗门身而为说法。应以比丘、比丘尼、优婆塞、优婆夷身得度者，即现比丘、比丘尼、优婆塞、优婆夷身而为说法。应以长者、居士、宰官、婆罗门妇女身得度者，即现长者、居士、宰官、婆罗门妇女身而为说法。应以童男、童女身得度者，即现童男、童女身而为说法。应以天龙、夜叉、乾闼婆、阿修罗、迦楼罗、紧那罗、摩睺罗伽、人、非人等身得度者，即皆现之而为说法。应以执金刚神得度者，即现执金刚神而为说法。无尽意，是观世音菩萨，成就如是功德，以种种形，游诸国土，度脱众生。是故汝等，应当一心供养观世音菩萨。是观世音菩萨摩诃萨，于怖畏急难之中，能施无畏，是故此娑婆世界，皆号之为施无畏者。”

http://www.zxuew.cn/guanyinpumenpin/

_/|\_

Amituofo

sinweiy SG

one day MCK went to visit Japan, to meet up with a very old zen/pureland monk(can't remenber) who told him for the very first time that the founders of all religion are all 观世音菩萨 Guan Yin Bodhisattva. a disciple of the japanese monk standing beside, then told MCK that their master never told them before. they were also puzzled. perhaps the japanese monk know that not all people can realise it.

WeeShun SG

Oh .. so now Jesus is mnanifestation of Guan Yin Pusa??

Also, if Guan Yin manifest into Jesus, then why did the moderator stressed that belief in a creator God is wrong? Unless the moderator AnEternalNow admits he spoke wrongly and now agree that belief that God is a mere manifestation of Guan Yin.

Also the topic is now reversed, Ven Jing Kong says "There is only ONE GOD, in india known as Buddha, in China known as Kongzi, in Middle east known as Jesus etc etc"
It's no longer your unskillful denial argument that Guan Yin manifest into Jesus or Laozi already. Just for your info, Yi Guan Dao shares this very same teaching and idea.

I am not interested to listen to your "stories", lets just speak straight from the Buddhist sutras and teachings not stories.

If you think Venerable's teaching is right then you totally have no stand to consider Yi Guan Dao as non-buddhism or even a buddhist cult reason and I also request you to make an apology for the statements you made calling Yi Guan Dao non buddhists and give recongition that Yi Guan Dao was manifested by Guan Yin.

Reminder, don't misuse Buddhist sutras for your own personal argument, only you know the confusion you created for your own.

WeeShun SG

Sinwei said " those who pray to Da puo gong or Guan gong etc, may also filled up as Daoist/Buddhists as Guan Yin is also involve. nowaday due to globalisation and more educated people, i do see more Buddhists are better educated with the knowledge of TRUE Buddhism. but sometimes the knowledge of cause and effect or reincarnation does deter people away from Buddhism. so i prefer the increase in such number than the number of those that are folk-believe-pray-pray buddhists. i don't mind the decline in folk-believe-pray-pray buddhists. better still."

My reply:

Since Guan Yin manifest into Da Puo Gong and Guan Gong to teach people, why did you in the first place seperate these from Buddhism? Issn't it just same as according to what you quoted me on the Pu men pin? And what's worse? You said they decline better still !

As a true Buddhist who respects other religions and forms of beliefs, we should have NO WISH to see people decline and shout not have such thoughts! We should at our very best, bring the Dharma to them and let them experience the Buddha's teachings and thus making the acceptance by themselves. I cannot believe a self proclaimed fellow Purelander Buddhists and a ardent supporter of Ven Jing Kong's teachings has such "evil wishes" aganist them.

I ask for seperatation between non buddhist and buddhist teachings, I see the need for right concept and belief and practise in Buddhism but never do I see the need for another religion to be go down.

First you argue, non buddhist texts should be entry and foundation for Buddhism, then you further claim all religious figures are manifestations of Guan Yin Bodhisattva, then what more? God is merely a label and attachment? and the worst thought, "Better to see them decline"

namo amituofo
namo guanshiyinpusa
namo dashizipusa

Weychin SG

If you have no compassion and intolerant of the values of a Taoist, then you are unable to see their good and thus incompatible to relate goodness in the context of a Taoist.

If you have no compassionate and intolerant of the values of a Confucianist, then you are unable to see their good and thus incompatible to relate goodness in the context of a Confucianist.

If you have no compassion and intolerant of the values of a Christian, then you are unable to see their good and thus incompatible to relate goodness in the context of a Christian.

If you have no compassion and intolerant of the values of a Mohammedan, then you are unable to see their good and thus incompatible to relate goodness in context of a Muslim

If you have no compassion and intolerant of the values of a Hindu, then you are unable to see their good and thus incompatible to relate goodness in a context of a Hindu.

Everyone is an individual according his/her circumstances.

Having labelled yourself as “Buddhist” does’nt automatically disqualify you from being a zealot or a bigot, being tolerant and patient does. You are stuck in being right.

If one is unable relate to values of another, then how can one bridge the gap to bring understanding to the the other?

If I or one assumes that I, self, soul and creator exist, you would not be able to convince me otherwise because I am inculcated with that assumption. Only when I still myself down, then can I begin on my journey of inquiry. If you are anti me, my values,I won’t accept what you say,simply because you are anti me, it is human nature.

We accept Buddhism because it resonates with our ideals or goodness,
I understand and relate concepts in relation to myself, not spewing like it some kind of party ideology.

The strongest suit of Buddhism is compassion and loving kindness and tolerance. Though one may not fully grasp the profound teachings of Buddha, an average person can appreciate and respond to what are deemed positive values.

Avalokiteshvara, hearer of cries of the world, is a manifestation of compassion, and will manifest in any manner to alleviate suffering. Does it mean not be being a Buddhist, you cannot exercise compassion? I did not know that loving kindness and compassion is a patented exclusive by Buddhist ! Ask yourself this, does a person in suffering does’nt deserve your compassion because he/she is not deserving or you are incapable of compassion(yet), because you are still so full of yourself.

There is no one single unified Buddhist church, for the simple reason that Buddhism is pro people oriented. What that means is Buddhism serves people, not the other way around. You gravitate to what resonate with you,you feel comfortable, you sit, you practise . Ultimately, Buddhism is about the Four Noble Truths, using insight and calm abiding, the rest being peripheral but instrumental, tailoring to different needs, disposition.

WeeShun SG

Weychin, contary to your belief or "accusations" I have no wish to see any religion fall or decline, sinweiy said that instead.

So compassion, tolerance and respect for other religions has never been an issue to me. The problem we are tackling here is "What is Buddhism and what is not Buddhism". Just as our beloved EternalNow had said, Buddhism does not object to any moral teachings of other religions but if a false or wrong view which goes aganist the basic tenets of Buddhism, such a view should not be accepted.

Here spefically, we are talking about Ven JingKong's unique teaching of "There is only one God, he manifest as Buddha, Jesus, Laozi and Allah" This is already conceptually and practically unbuddhistic and if such assumptions are to be accepted as part of the Buddhist teachings, it should at all times corresponds to the Buddha's teachings and using even the most basic manner, the Buddha had stated all teachings should be verified with the 3 dharma seals.

Through the whole Buddhist canon and across the traditions, never was Buddha a manifestation of a God and the Buddha himself also proclaimed himself not an incarnate of God.

Here in this very case, wrong or rather pseudo "buddhist" teachings has crept in almost another replica of Yi Kwan Tao teaching.

While I have to agree to you on Guan Yin Bodhisattva being the emantion of Compassion but that does not equate to Guan Yin Bodhisattva = Jesus, Mohd. This is a pervese belief aganist the Buddha's basic teachings. Try searching through all my posts, I have never ever discredit or condemn any single religious teaching or teacher but I have never lost our Buddhist identity and basic grounds of beliefs while being respectful and tolerance to non buddhist teachings.

A Buddhist can respect all other religions but a Buddhist should not mix in beliefs and practises from other religions and thus causing the Buddhist indentity and tenets to change. Should a Buddhist temple start to preach Bible on Monday, Quran on Tuesday, Tao Te Ching on Wedneday, Bagahvagita on Thursday and so on ? Should Buddhist temples start "worshipping" Tua Pek Kong, Laozi, Jesus, Mary etc etc along side with the Buddha?

I do not make Buddhism the way I want, I make Buddhism the way Buddhism is and NO Buddha is not God nor an incarnate of God, strongly aganist such a non buddhist belief even by a revered Venerable Jing Kong and all his "unquie" teaching which is unfounded in Buddhism and not even as a Purelander.

While I wait for Sinweiy to explain why he/she sees such a need for another set of practise to "Decline better still" ! This is double standards .. no, triple standards.

Namo Amituofo

WeeShun SG

weychin, i forgot to add on. if you think there is nothing wrong with those kind of "unified" beliefs in Buddhism. Then you should also not consider Yi Kwan Tao or True Buddha School as pesudo buddhist cults.

Where is your tolerance and compassion ???

Can't Yi kwan Tao and True Buddha School's Mr Lu be the manifest of Avalokitesvra Bodhisattva, the responder to world cries ???

Why should the need for further clarity between buddhist practises and non buddhist practises as commented by so many people here ????

Why didn't your tolerate my beliefs of Buddhism has nothing got to do with non-buddhist teachings?

While you are right that the strongest suit of Buddhism is compassion, you have forgotten the pursuit of Buddhism greatest product - wisdom.

namo amituofo

Weychin SG

The reason, why I disagree with you is because whatever is connected with Jing Kung, you lose rationality , get emotional.you then to demonize him, you put word out of context, you even distort them. Why do I say that, because, everytime someone gives you a rebuttal, you did not take the rebuttal in it's own entirety, choose to selectively use a sentence and changing it's meaning, choosing to put your words to distort the meaning and intention. I am also your victim. Although I am not a fan of Jing Kung Fashi, I nevertheless appreciate him as a simply put person, with sincerity. His values are a little bit archaic for my tastes, a bit overly confucianistic, that I can understand as he is from a different era. Still there are people who can benefit from his teachings, that you cannot take away.I have some of his video tapes left by my mother and I've seen some of his talks in youtube. That's why I am not convinced with your accusations. Now,whether you printed any books or not any, does not apply to the crux of the matter. The difference between Jing Kung and the cults you mentioned is non buddhist teachings he incorporated are only peripheral, they do not constitute the core, unlike the cults without embodying the four noble truths. Jing Kung Fashi teaching is Buddhist at the core, not a fusion, like the syncretic religions like you claimed. There is a difference, and when highlighted do not constitue intolerance or bashing. Religious discussion for the sake of understanding and to enlighten others of the difference in appropriate moments is beneficial. To argue for the sake of being right and demonize it not helpful, harmful even. I strongly believe you have taken his statements out of context, your shown inherent tendency to distort, and also that because he has taken a lot of effort to initiate Buddhism to non believers of a different creed, and taken a universal line of peace and harmony. Foreign cultures understand the concept of God, so should argue with them till our throats and never even passing through the initial door? He does'nt allow the flow of understanding in insisting concepts of what is alien to foreign cultures. Also I accept him for being very chinese, a interesting mix! You have opportunity to show his video and article directly attributed to him, yet till date, non is forthcoming. Everything is hearsay. I do not trust you, I am your victim.

Weychin SG

Chin Kung
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chin Kung
淨空
Religion Buddhism
School Pure Land
Personal
Born Hsu Yeh-hong
1927
Lujiang County, Anhui Province, China
Senior posting
Title Venerable
Religious career
Teacher Lee Ping-nan
Chin Kung, AM (淨空; pinyin: Jìngkōng) (b. 1927) is a Buddhist monk from the Mahayana tradition. He is the founder of the Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational Foundation, an organization based on the teachings of Pure Land Buddhism.
He was born in Lujiang County, Anhui Province, China under the birth name of Hsu Yeh-hong (Xú Yèhóng 徐業鴻). He spent thirteen years studying Buddhism and Philosophy under the guidance of Professor Fang Tung-mei (方東美), Changkya Khutukhtu (章嘉呼圖克圖 a master in Mongolian Buddhist tradition), and lay teacher Lee Ping-nan (李炳南). He entered the monastic life in 1959, where he was ordained at Lintzi Temple at Yuanshan in Taipei, Taiwan. It was then that he received the name of Chin Kung, meaning “pure emptiness”.
Master Chin Kung is well known for using modern technology to spread the Buddha’s teachings. His lectures are recorded on audio, video tapes and CDs for wide distribution in many temples, including many Buddhist temples and centers where people can pick up books to distribute to other places.
He has sponsored the printing and the distribution of Buddhist texts worldwide, as well as portraits and pictures of various buddhas and bodhisattvas. All these items have been distributed free of charge.
In recent years, Chin Kung has emphasized the Infinite Life Sutra and the Pure Land cultivation method of Buddha recitation which is concerned mainly with the recitation of Amitābha Buddha’s name.
Chin Kung was the ordination master for the late actress Chen Xiaoxu. He is currently residing in Australia.
[edit]Achievements

Chin Kung had worked categorically on Buddhist teachings to bridge gaps and reconcile misunderstandings between different faiths through interfaith visits and dialogues, especially in Asia and Australia. In recognition of his achievements, he has been bestowed several awards and honours.
In 2002, he was awarded an Honorary Professorship from the University of Queensland, Australia and an Honorary Doctorate from Griffith University, Australia. In December 2003, he was awarded the Honorary Founding Patron of the Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Queensland, Australia. In April 2004, he was awarded the Honorary Doctor Degree of University of Southern Queensland. He was then further granted the Honorary Doctor Degree of Syarif Hidayatullan State Islamic University, Jakarta Indonesia in June. In August, he was invited to present a paper at the 2004 Okayama Topia for International Contribution NGO Network Conference on the United Nations.
In June 2005, Chin Kung was appointed as a member in the General Division of the Order of Australia by Queen Elizabeth II.[1] He was recognised for service to the Buddhist community in Queensland, particularly through the promotion of Buddhism and the fostering interfaith activities between diverse ethnic groups, and to the community through support for educational and health institutions.
In 2006 he sponsored and attended actively the solemn and sumptuous celebration of the 2550th birthday of the Buddha Shakyamuni, which took place in the office of the UNESCO in Paris, organized by the Venerable Tampalawela Dhammaratana, ex-president of the Buddhist Union of France, it was an event of international scale, that left a big influence in the Buddhist and not Buddhist world, by the distribution of its message of world peace and peace of mind in the heart of each.
[edit]References

^ Australia’s Highest Honour awarded to Master Chin Kung
[edit]External links

WeeShun SG

Weychin, the url is as below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnYUCweZkhA

Btw, before you start slamming be for being intolerant of other religions, let me assure you that the the earlier parts of Ven Jing Kong's interview is good and I fully agree that regardless of religions, we Buddhists should respect them, their beliefs and values and it is very good for different religions to have interraction.

However, when the further he went such as Jesus as manifestation of Jesus and his misintepretation of the Pu Men Pin and also telling Buddhists that Bodhisattvas are also Jesus and such as there is only one God, in india becomes Buddha etc etc is just wrong and unbuddhistic, accept it or not, its not Buddhism. Do a check on Buddhism not with me with any kalayanamitras around you and always like the kalama spirit, don't blindly believe in me and also dun accuse me of taking out of context untill you have done the research for yourself clearly.

Respecting another religion and incoporating their beliefs into Buddhist tenets is wrong to both Buddhism and the non-buddhist religion.

This video was uploaded by a Christian who found it offensive to Jesus being misintepretated by Ven Jingkong but too bad also damaged our very own buddhist heritage.

Also do not say that I say Buddhists cannot learn other religions, Yes we Buddhists CAN and SHOULD also study non buddhist scriptures to learn the good values and understand them, the Buddha had clearly asked us to spend 3/4 of time on Buddhist teachings and 1/4 on non buddhist teachings. There is perfectly nothing wrong with Buddhist understanding and respecting other religions but no, we do not bring in their teachings and "rojak" with Buddhism and such beliefs as God or killing cows or even non buddhist teachngs should not be a pratice to Buddhists.

As Buddhists, we rely only upon the Buddha as our Teacher
As Buddhists, we rely only on the Dharma as our guidance
As Buddhists, we rely only on the Sangha as our good friends

Anything wrong with that? look at that video yourself, don't say I am taking out of context.

WeeShun SG

皈依三宝以后，有非常明确的皈依戒，如《优婆塞戒经》云：“若归佛已，宁舍身命，终不依于自在天等；若归法已，宁舍身命，终不依于外道典籍；若归僧已，宁舍身命，终不依于外道邪众。”皈依佛之后，纵然遇到生命危险，也不能皈依大自在天、帝释天、遍入天等外道天尊；皈依法之后，纵然遇到生命危险，也不能皈依《吠陀》等外道典籍；皈依僧之后，纵然遇到生命危险，也不能皈依外道的天神鬼怪、邪知邪见者。

Dawnfirstlight SG

How do you know that printing more bibles cannot lead people to Buddhism ? Don't you know that the bible teaches us to honour and be fillial to our parents? This is so inline with dizigui as well.

So what's so wrong with bible now?

right?

Bible teaches people to go to heaven which is against Buddha's preaching. Buddha taught us to liberate ourselves and not to be reincarnated in 6 paths. I think you know very well too.

Bible also teaches by beliving in Jesus will go to heaven but Buddha said anyone can go to heaven as long as one is good but Buddha discouraged us to go to heaven which is within the 6 reincarnation path.

Many more, bible teaches God is the creator, Buddha said there was no creator etc. and so on and so on.

Does Di Zi Gui have those above taught in bible ? No. It is purely moral education.

Weychin SG

Have I now become a spokesman for Reverend Jing Kung?
Ha! Ha!
Firstly Rev Jing Kung is promote peace and harmony, without which Buddhism cannot spread effectively, so his mission is not incompatible.
He applies public relations and social interaction to reduce discrimination and thus friction among the different religions

There are four keys to his mission:-

1) charity – in the; bodhisattva’s way to end craving, in social conduct; acts of generosity. to foster goodwill, creating precedence of mutual kindness

2) kind or considerate words

3) helpful way of conduct

4) together or mutual involvement

To these end, one must be humble, not self righteous, or holier than thou,
to show respect for others highest beliefs.

Compassionate of the highest order :-

Origins of major religions derive out of goodwill, sincerity and therefore compassion towards man. Just as it is said Avalokeshvara, out compassion in the various 32 forms to save setients beings from suffering. So when Jing Kung Fashi bows, he is bowing to Avalokeshvara, embodiment of compassion.
Just as image of Jesus invokes the spirit of compassion, so to is believers of other faiths, the image of Buddha or Bodhisattve is representative of compassion.

Learning from other religions:-

Seeing the Buddha nature in all things:-

When we read and learn from any sources, when we benefit from, is is because when person who wrote it benefit us. So we learn to be grateful, in
buddhist lingo Mudita. Because we are able to understand the noblest of their principles, we are the manifest wisdom and respect. That being Buddhist is being able to embody nad embrace everyone, everything. Without compassion and sincerity, one learns nothing.

Witht discrimantion, one shuns from learning and becomes stagnant, and one cannot grow, creating contradictions among the different religions and sects Where are contradictions, one can not be truly happy.. Jing Kung Fashi acknowledges there are unhealthy trends of protelyzing by some, but it is unhealthy because it closes avenues for learning and understanding.

All things being inherently empty:-

When a person reaches a stage non duality, there is no division between right or wrong. As all is part of phenomena arising from mind.

Anyway, thank you for this link, I am now able to see another aspect of Reverend Jing Kung from this. It should us the great compassion and wisdom of Buddhism. That I can still grow to be even better!

Thank you again!

OM MANI PADME HUM

Dawnfirstlight SG

Did MCK say that, any proof ? If he said Buddha manifest into God, it can be accepted but not the other way round. As in Pu Meng Pin, it says 应以梵王(God)身得度者，既显梵王(God)身而为说法。。。。。。观世音菩萨以种种形，游诸佛土，度脱众生。

WeeShun SG

dawnlight, here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnYUCweZkhA

to be exact: look at 10.6 min onwards

Anymore excuses?

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