Seeking Advice regarding a certain temple

last SG · 2010-01-14T16:42:10+00:00

so what exactly is this temple?not buddhist, not taoist, not chinese folk religion..mixture?

An Eternal Now SG

It's probably a cult.

Buddhism is a teaching about awareness, liberation and enlightenment.

It seems that what this temple teaches has no remotest relation to the goal of Buddhism.

It also has every mark of a cult.

prodigizz SG

rooney

actually they frequent the temple there not because its more accessible. Its coz my mil's cousin went recommended her that temple.

then you know la, old folks are very impressed with the so called shifu because he claimed he can communicate with Buddha and they think the xuefa is "powerful".

the shifu said to them buddhas and gods are same family, in mandarin.

i told my hubby there's a very thin line between Faith and Stupidity.

An Eternal Now SG

I can recommend coming to the dharma center I frequent at Lorong 27 Geylang.

The activities are on Saturday 7.30 p.m to 10 p.m

See timetable here: http://www.humanbliss.com.sg/B_target-F3.html

An Eternal Now SG

rooney

actually they frequent the temple there not because its more accessible. Its coz my mil's cousin went recommended her that temple.

then you know la, old folks are very impressed with the so called shifu because he claimed he can communicate with Buddha and they think the xuefa is "powerful".

the shifu said to them buddhas and gods are same family, in mandarin.

i told my hubby there's a very thin line between Faith and Stupidity.

It's very bad, if the master can't even differentiate gods from Buddhas. I doubt he has any real knowledge of Buddhism.

The shifu is probably communicating with spirits, not devas.

Even if they are gods, gods are temporary beings in the samsaric realm of heaven. They are still not freed from the uncontrolled cycle of rebirth

Buddhas have gone beyond all sufferings and the six realms of samsara. Freed from the wheel of suffering.

prodigizz SG

but they do mention things like ji le shi jie, karma and other buddhism philosophy. but not very detailed.

might not be a real cult, just that the Master himself is a Jack of all trades (in this case religion) and Master of None.

Dawnfirstlight SG

If we look around us, we will notice anything that is good and precious, it tends to have imitation.

Buddhism is precious, thus tends to have people practicing fake Buddhism. Thus, those who are keen in true Buddhism must be able to differentiate what is true Buddhism and fake Buddhism.

First of all, one has to know what is true Buddhism all about.

It is just like buying branded goods, go to a proper shop to buy and not some shops that you are not too sure of. Likewise for Buddhism, go to those Buddhist temples which are recognised and not those unknown Buddhist temples.

Herzog_Zwei SG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkyE-97_dAs&feature=related

Please watch the above video on scenes from 'demi god semi devil '. The scenes before and after this video is worth watching to know what transpired.

The devine reverend talked of some principles in Buddhism (ignoring tthe fictional and kungfu parts) in fact is very similar to what other religions preach - balance, moderation and compassion.

I enjoyed watching the scenes repeatedly.

Watching such videos is a waste of time.

Dawnfirstlight SG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkyE-97_dAs&feature=related

Please watch the above video on scenes from 'demi god semi devil '. The scenes before and after this video is worth watching to know what transpired.

The devine reverend talked of some principles in Buddhism (ignoring tthe fictional and kungfu parts) in fact is very similar to what other religions preach - balance, moderation and compassion.

I enjoyed watching the scenes repeatedly.

I like this show. What is the title in chinese ?

kcockicht SG

If we look around us, we will notice anything that is good and precious, it tends to have imitation.

Buddhism is precious, thus tends to have people practicing fake Buddhism. Thus, those who are keen in true Buddhism must be able to differentiate what is true Buddhism and fake Buddhism.

First of all, one has to know what is true Buddhism all about.

If you watch the videos link i posted really it does not matter where you practise the teachings of buddhism, or any right religion that benefits mankind and all sentient beings.

kcockicht SG

Watching such videos is a waste of time.

yeh if you feel it so just ignore the link. but i just feel some points to note on parts of the show.

Rooney9 SG

could be mara working to corrupt the teachings of the Buddha.

what are the karma for misleading and corrupting the teachings?

Weychin SG

As I said before:

All religions ,be it cultic or not, are dangerous to mankind.

Buddhism needs a person to accept a paradigm shift in thinking.(i.e up is not up)

Firstly, this is sweeping statements and also lumping all religions together assuming they preach the message. Mainstream religions is often a pillar of their community. Should you be able to cite a religion that you can relate on a personal level, it should worth hearing out!

Don't make out paradigm shifts to be a dirty word! When one is stuck in a rut like samsara, often a paradigm shift of view point is needed!

If we can look at the with a childlike, uncomplicated and untainted quality, there would be less unkindness and unhappiness in the world! Compare that as to a "grownup", worldly view!

Bennmz SG

look, why not treat religion has something that is like confuscius.

just believe in Buddha's teaching and not be superstitious till everyday pray statue. Besides, what's the use of praying statue. Even monks tell u, there is no use praying in a statue.

I have been into buddhism deeply and now out of it. now, i choose to believe that people just have to believe in the teachings and not pray to anything. I believe all religion's basics are like that.

in fact. religions are suppose to help becos many times, human cant be 真善美。如果一个人做人做的真诚，那么他自然而然的就会行善，终究那个人就会很美。不需要宗教来辅助。就是因为很多人做人做得不够真，所以需要宗教。而往往，很多人又把宗教的本意歪曲扭结了。

Dawnfirstlight SG

look, why not treat religion has something that is like confuscius.

just believe in Buddha's teaching and not be superstitious till everyday pray statue. Besides, what's the use of praying statue. Even monks tell u, there is no use praying in a statue.

I have been into buddhism deeply and now out of it. now, i choose to believe that people just have to believe in the teachings and not pray to anything. I believe all religion's basics are like that.

Everybody has different level of wisdom, people like me needs the statue of Buddha and chanting the sutras to constantly remind me of His teachings. I am someone who is easily get tempted by things around me. Thus, meditation helps me in 禅定.

Offering flowers and water is to remind me of impermanence.

May be you have reached the highest state so you do not need all these. Not many people can be like you, in fact very few can reach your stage.

往往is my target in life.

An Eternal Now SG

look, why not treat religion has something that is like confuscius.

just believe in Buddha's teaching and not be superstitious till everyday pray statue. Besides, what's the use of praying statue. Even monks tell u, there is no use praying in a statue.

I have been into buddhism deeply and now out of it. now, i choose to believe that people just have to believe in the teachings and not pray to anything. I believe all religion's basics are like that.

However the practice and goal of Buddhism is not just 行善 or creating good karma for wordly rebirth in other realms.

It's about purifying and liberating the mind through awareness and wisdom. The goal is to attain enlightenment and liberation from all sufferings and transcending the cycle of samsara.

This is why Buddhism is not the same as any other religion.

prodigizz SG

thank you all for all the information. this is really a very informative forum regarding buddhism. it certainly helped clear some doubts.

my husband asked one of the Seniors there regarding the xuefa. He said it was a Buddha name Yi Wan Guang Fo who taught the Master (hence the temple's name)

The senior clarified that the temple is no making any money out of the donations, hence its not possible that shifu is running the temple out of greed.The senior also told my husband to ask himself, whether the temple is doing him more harm then good. He said the more my husband try to search for an answer, the more frustrated he will be. Because in religion, there is never a right answer that is a confirmed answer.

To summarize, its to think simple and follow your heart.

Im sorry if it sounds confusing because im directly translating what the senior told my husband. hehe

Rooney9 SG

you are damn stubborn. told you to enrol them on sunday buddhist classes to learn basic buddhism or read buddhism books for starters.

prodigizz SG

It will be good if someone here well verse in buddhism help me personally check out the temple.

From there, maybe can gain further insights and details and let me know what you think.

Im still very skeptical abt this temple la, even though i think its not a cult.

Rooney9 SG

people are misled by these cults or new age sects professing to teach the Buddha's teaching. if you know your stuff well, you wont be misled isnt it.

just like if you have knowledge on investments, you wont be misled by the RM or wealth managers trying to invests in a fund that guarantee you 20% per annum. think about it, is that possible to achieve 20% per annum. thats when you start questioning the RM/WM on the strategies on achieving the returns.

Rooney9 SG

no wonder a lot of people are hoodwinked and misled. first they are ignorant of what Buddhism is about. misconception/myths about Buddhism doesnt help either.

no wonder fake monks and cults can easily attract followers and then exploit and cheat/swindle them of their money and most importantly the malfeasance of spirituality.

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